I LOVE asparagus!

Yeah, I do . . .  But in fact, this post has NOTHING to do with asparagus . . .


In the last week, I've had two conversations with two terrific friends which have stayed with me . . .


Conversation #1 . . .


M has had some health trouble for a few years . . .  Breathing issues, lung issues, stomach issues, intestinal issues, energy issues . . .  You get the picture . . .  Tested for everything under the sun, and it comes back (thankfully) negative . . .  M has said over and and over, I have to lose some weight, and change my lifestyle . . . 


Conversation #2 . . .


D has some life issues . . .  Childhood and adult . . .  Getting therapy . . .  Can't let shit go . . .  So many things from D's past continue to impact the present . . . As we talked, I had the feeling D just needs to let it all go, and said so, and D asked, How do I let it go? . . .  Let me back up . . .   I've let ALL KINDS OF SHIT go . . .  Believe me, my life hasn't been the one you might choose . . .  lol  But I embrace everything . . .  And I've let it all go . . .  And I mean, everything!  

But his question caught me . . .  How do I let it go?  I had to think about that . . .  And I've come to the conclusion that it was mostly this . . .  I had come to the point when I was so completely fed up with letting the shit rule my life . . . So I said, let that stuff go!  And I did, a couple of decades ago . . .  Simple, huh?  Maybe not . . .


Back to #1 . . .


M is so positive about embracing the fitness lifestyle, and feels SO MUCH better and empowered for doing it . . .  M reached the point of being absolutely fed up, and did what needed to be done . . .  And will never look back . . .

Back to #2 . . .


D hasn't yet reached the point of being so fed up with letting the negative rule life . . .  But D will . . .  And when D does, I'll put a notch in my belt . . .  Another person reached on the TRUE level, the level of Spirit . . .


Here's the point . . .  We have to reach the point of feeling so much pain, that we finally say, It isn't worth it . . .  And when we do, great stuff happens, because we don't want to look back and see that shit again . . .  Seems to be the human condition, huh?!


Peace and love!


Life is beautiful baby . . .


Ciao!!

Do you ever wonder . . .

Where have I come from?  Where am I now? And where am I going?  

I know the answer . . .  The answer is Spirit . . .


We are ALL Spirit . . .


Every Journey is Divine . . .


Live with the expansive heart . . .

Choose love before hate . . .

And never look back!

Peace and love . . .

Life is beautiful!

Ciao baby!!

Let it FLOW baby!

Sometimes, life feels impossible . . .  We do and do and do, and our head is so damn sore from beating it against the wall . . .


And then there are those other times, when we float on the Sea of Possibility, and it's SO much easier . . .  It just FLOWS . . .


How do we separate the two?  And how do we spend more time in the latter state?


My experience, and ONLY mine . . .  Connect with the inner being, the HIGHER being of who and what we are . . .  The spiritual thing we all should aspire to . . .  The Path with Heart, as Don Juan told Carlos . . .


It ALL begins with GRATITUDE . . .  The mother of all emotions . . .  If we express true gratitude, people are drawn to us naturally . . .  We exude a positive vibe . . .  And, we're genuinely happy . . .


Life is beautiful!


Peace and love . . .


Ciao baby!!

Synchronicity . . .

One of my favorite posts from December 2010 . . .  You might find it a bit long . . .  But if you're meant to read it, you will . . .  lol  It explains a big part of what I believe . . .  Synchronicity baby!

New Year's Eve is only a few days away .  .  .  What are you planning out there in Blogland?

I mentioned Matt my masseur in my previous blog .  .  .  The story of how Matt and I were brought together is a good one .  .  .  One of those where it's clear to me that the Universe set in motion a series of synchronistic events to get us together, so he could fix my shoulder and then various other body parts that will kick up occasionally (I go the the gym regularly, and work hard, so you gotta know stuff is going to happen every so often) .  .  .  And at the same time, I could help him in a completely different way .  .  .

This goes back to April '07 .  .  .  During a workout, I felt a slight twinge in my right shoulder .  .  .  Nothing big, just a small something .  .  .  During the next couple of weeks, it was still there and getting slighty worse .  .  .  Still, no big thing .  .  .  YET!!  I kept on with my workouts, but was beginning to notice that I was having to work around it more and more .  .  .  By August, it was so bad I knew I had to shut it down for a while .  .  .  It was August 10th, a Friday, and I was standing looking at the pull up machine and thinking, This is completely insane!  Snake had better take a little time off .  .  .  I was leaving for Los Angeles the next day anyway for ten days, so by the time I return, it'll be better, right?  Wrong .  .  .  It actually got worse .  .  .  I was in more pain when I returned than when I left .  .  .

What to do?  I called a physio establishment nearby and set up an appointment .  .  .  Multiple appointments later, many dollars spent, and absolutely NO progress .  .  .  My range of motion is still restricted, the pain level hasn't decreased, and my frustration level is going through the roof .  .  .  Not only that, I didn't like the physio at all .  .  .  She was cold, and I felt, more than a little uncaring about my anatomical dilemma .  .  .  I bailed out of that, and was left wondering, What now??

One day not long after that, I'm sitting in my office at the end of the day .  .  .  Time to go home .  .  .  I picked up my briefcase to leave, and then a thought came literally out of nowhere .  .  .  Why not call my good friend Steve in Oakville?  So, that's what happened .  .  .  Steve answered and we were chatting, and the conversation eventually got around to my shoulder, and my frustration and not really knowing what route to go with it .  .  .  Just at that moment, a colleague named Kristin walked into my office to use a computer, as her's was doing some funky things and was unusable .  .  .  Kristin is a dancer, and is always getting therapy for her back .  .  .  After Steve and I said goodbye, she said, I know a great therapist who does wonders for my back, and I'm sure he can help you .  .  .  I called right then and was able to get in to see Matt two days hence .  .  . 

Sitting in the waiting room, Matt walked out to greet me and take me into the room .  .  .  We've all experienced what happened right then .  .  .  As soon as I set eyes on Matt, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that this person will be able to help me .  .  .  You know when the vibe is just that strong?  We've all been in situations like that .  .  .  Matt did his diagnostic thing for about ten minutes, and then said, I know what's wrong with your shoulder?  I asked, What?  His response .  .  .  Everything!  Then he laughed and said, this thing is really f'ed up .  .  .  And then he listed five things that needed fixing in descending order of significance .  .  .  And he started to work right then on making things right .  .  .  Matt promised me three things .  .  .  One, he can fix me .  .  .  Two, it will take at least three weeks with three appointments per week .  .  .  And three, it's really going to hurt!  My God, did it hurt!  He got into places in my shoulder and armpit that had me tearing up occasionally from the pain, but it had to be done .  .  .  This was as deep as deep tissue massage gets .  .  .  The good thing was that as soon as he stopped, the pain stopped .  .  .  Not only did he fix me, but we had some terrific conversations about life and relationships and reality and so on .  .  .  I was able to give him some insight into things going on in his life while he was fixing me .  .  .  So, it was win-win .  .  .

Once that issue was dealt with, I continued to see Matt for this and that, and he always made it better .  .  .  So what is the point of all this?  As I said earlier, the Universe conspired to get Matt and I together .  .  .  Why?  I needed something from him, and he needed something from me, and neither of us knew it .  .  .  That's how synchronicity works .  .  .  I don't believe in "coincidences" .  .  .  I do however believe in synchronistic events .  .  .   And this a perfect example of that .  .  .  What if the thought to call Steve in Oakville hadn't come out of nowhere?  What if he hadn't answered and we didn't have the conversation?  What if Kristin's computer hadn't been misbehaving, and she hadn't come into my office to use mine?  What if she hadn't come in at exactly the moment she did, while I was telling Steve about my shoulder issue?  What if, what if, what if .  .  .  That's synchronicty (not coincidence!) at work .  .  .  Sometimes, people parachute into our lives out of nowhere in a sense, and they end up having a profound effect on us .  .  .  Blindsided by synchronistic events .  .  .  When I meet someone, I always assume that this person could end up being crucial to some aspect of my life, and of course, vice versa .  .  .

We ALL need to open up to synchronicity . . .

Life is beautiful baby!

Peace and love .  .  .

Ciao!!

The Spiritual Path Comes with No Guarantees

It's been a few months since I've posted anything . . . Seriously, I've not even thought about blogging until last week, when the spark seemed to rekindle just a bit . . .  I knew what I wanted to write about, but was not at all certain how to say it . . .  That, however, was then . . .  And this is now . . . So, shall we begin?  


The title says it all . . .  I've been on a spiritual path for years, if not decades . . .  A few of my friends and family know, but mostly I keep it to myself . . .  I don't advertise . . . My feeling is that people who like to broadcast their spirituality are mostly ego-driven, and really not very spiritual at all . . .  This blog has been a great outlet for me off and on since 2009 . . .


Being on the spiritual path never guarantees that everything will be sweetness and light in one's life . . .  As a matter of fact, since December 2011, my life has been a roller coaster of events and emotions . . .  A lot of unpleasant shit has happened, which has been completely outside of my control . . .  However, what has made it bearable is the spiritual grounding I've developed over time . . .  I'm so thankful for having that to fall back on . . .  It gets me through . . .  The concept of the Spiritual Warrior has always appealed to me . . .  Not once have I thought, Why me?  As in, why is this shit happening to ME?  The more appropriate question would be, Why NOT me?  No one is immune from life's events, good or bad or neutral . . .  And then, all I can control is how I react . . .  There have been times when I've felt overwhelmed, and I have to admit that I've slipped a bit at times and reacted in ways I wish I hadn't . . .  But, that's just being human, isn't it . . .  But the grounding has never disappeared . . .  And for that I'm extremely grateful, because without it, where would I be?


So, that being said, all we can do is Warrior on, dealing with the good, the bad, and the neutral in the best ways we can . . .  Everyone on this planet has challenges from time to time, and some of our most valuable lessons come from those . . . So, even though it's been a challenging time, I'm grateful for whatever lessons I'm learning as a result . . .  And believe me, I HAVE learned a few!!  And we should never forget that everything eventually passes, the clouds clear away, and the sun always rises tomorrow . . .


Life is beautiful baby!


Peace and love . . .


Ciao!!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah

I have absolutely NOTHING intelligent to say, except peace and love and Happy Holidays to all! 


I literally get chills when I hear Darlene Love singing the greatest rock 'n roll Christmas song of all time .  .  .  It happened again last night at 11:31 pm Central Standard Time .  .  . 

Life is beautiful baby!


Ciao!!

Bobby T Reprise

Earlier this year, I wrote this post as a tribute to my dear friend Bobby T, who passed far too young .  .  .  I ran into his son at the gym yesterday, and it's fascinating how life works at times .  .  .  I've been thinking a lot about Bobby T lately, and to see his son was the highlight of the day, without a doubt .  .  .  As I left the gym, my feeling was, I have to reprise this post as a tribute to Bobby T, but also for his family, who are experiencing Christmas without him for the first time .  .  .


My good friend Bobby passed a few days ago (A toast to you Bobby), and the memorial service/celebration of life was held yesterday .  .  .


Bobby .  .  .  

No words can adequately describe exactly who and what you were .  .  .  The speakers tried, and everything they said was so accurate, but there was more .  .  .  Every one of the hundreds there could have spoken, but still there could be more .  .  .  You were the epitome of "bigger than life" .  .  .  Listening to your younger brother was like listening to a toned down version of you .  .  .  The same sense of humor, but not quite with the edge your had, and delivered in a softer voice .  .  .  But still, it could have been you speaking .  .  .  I laughed my ass off, because I and everyone else could easily see and hear you in all the situations he described .  .  .  


You always thought you were smarter than everyone else .  .  .  In truth, you probably were .  .  .  You thought you were a better athlete .  .  .  Again, probably .  .  .  You thought you were better looking .  .  .  Well, I'll give you this .  .  .  You were a handsome dude!  But I'd never give you the satisfaction of admitting that to your face .  .  .  Are you satisfied now Bobby?  You WERE all of those .  .  .


You were a terrific husband and father, and then grandfather .  .  .  You always had your priorities in line .  .  .  You knew where to expend your energy .  .  . I think you actually liked your grand kids more than your own!  Well, maybe not, but it's always easier with grand kids, isn't it?  You don't have to discipline them, you can spoil them, and then send them home for the parents to deal with the "damage" you've inflicted .  .  .  And you inflicted a LOT of damage, spoiling them like crazy .  .  .


What a friend you were Bobby!  The more you liked someone, the more you insulted, trashed, and savaged them .  .  .  But, you could pull it off in an affectionate way, and get away with the trash talking .  .  .  People expected it, enjoyed it, and some actually wanted to be the butt of your shots .  .  .  How many times did you call friends "peckerhead'?  How many times did you call ME peckerhead?  I should have kept a running total, because I know the number is up there .  .  .

I remember so many crazy things you said and did like they were yesterday .  .  .  You calling me fat and ugly?  You probably don't remember that, do you?  Let me refresh your memory .  .  .  We were sitting with some colleagues discussing something or other, and I made what I thought was a brilliant point .  .  .  You looked right at me and announced, Snake, I don't know how anyone as fat and ugly as you can have any friends .  .  .  Everyone laughed, because that was classic Bobby .  .  . Insult someone so outrageously that no one can possibly take your comment seriously .  .  .  'Cause I'm definitely not fat Bobby, and you know that .  .  .  The ugly part, well, that's subjective .  .  .  Hah!! 

You loved to greet people with a good-natured insult .  .  .  Anyone foolish enough to try to match it would be hit with another insult, making it clear you'd play that game as long as they wanted, and you'd win .  .  .  Always, you'd win .  .  .  So, one day I simply responded with, Bobby, is that the best you can do?  You didn't have a comeback .  .  .  You just shook your head  .  .  .  Remember?  Probably the only time I ever got you, and you'll probably try to tell me I'm making shit up, because NOBODY ever got you .  .  .  But Bobby, I'm not making shit up .  .  .

Man, you really got all over me about The Tie .  .  .  You knew I loved that tie, and you hated it!  It was a love it or hate it tie, with no middle ground of opinion .  .  .  It seemed like 80% loved it, and 20% hated the thing .  .  .  First time you saw it, it was in a group of people .  .  .  You just looked at it for a few seconds and said, That is the UGLIEST tie I've ever seen!  And walked away .  .  .  Just like that .  .  .  From that point on, I did my best to torment you with The Tie .  .  .  And it seemed to work .  .  .  It was liked showing a cross to Dracula .  .  .  You'd recoil and say something like, Get away from me with that fucking tie!  Or, maybe the best line of all, It would be easy to strangle you with that tie, since it's already around your neck .  .  .  You'll be happy to know Bobby that I'm no longer in possession of The Tie .  .  .  I left it in a hotel room two years ago and no doubt someone else wears it and loves it now .  .  .  And maybe they have a Bobby they can torment with it!  I hope so!  Ah yes, The Tie .  .  .  

One of the things I appreciated most about you was your iconoclastic nature .  .  .  You didn't put anyone on a pedestal that I ever knew of .  .  .  As a matter of fact, you always enjoyed kicking the pedestal out from under people who took themselves too seriously .  .  .  A classic Bobby T moment .  .  .  I KNOW you remember this one Bobby .  .  .  The new boss came in, he gathered the staff and began to talk in serious tones about what he expected .  .  .  A few minutes into his well-crafted speech you said, McMillan, you've been here five minutes and you're already pissing me off!  Great, classic Bobby line .  .  .  You took all the shine off his metal .  .  .  And only you could pull that off!  How did you get away with so much Bobby?

But the best part, by FAR, was your loyalty .  .  .  Once a friend, always a friend, no matter how many insults you hurled in a person's direction .  .  .  Fifteen years ago when those whackos came after me, trying to destroy my reputation .  .  .  You and so many others jumped into my corner because you knew it was all bullshit, but you were there first .  .  .  You made damn sure that my reputation wasn't damaged .  .  .  And then, you and others exacted your revenge on them on my behalf .  .  .  It was a beautiful thing to see at the time .  .  .

Yeah, Bobby, you WERE one of a kind, and everyone who knew you can think of you and laugh, because you constantly made us all laugh, often at our own expense .  .  .  But we loved it, and we loved you Bobby .  .  .  No, that's wrong .  .  .  We LOVE you Bobby .  .  .  Present tense .  .  .  And it ALWAYS will be present tense .  .  .

Snake


Life is beautiful baby!

Peace and love .  .  .


Until next time .  .  .  Ciao!!

To all my American brothers and sisters . . .

Hope you'll have a GREAT Thanksgiving weekend .  .  .  And, save some turkey for me!!  :)



Life is beautiful baby!

Peace and love .  .  .

Ciao!!

To forgive, or not?

A few days ago, I attended the funeral of a friend who passed away far too soon, just ten days short of her 54th birthday .  .  .  The pastor and a few other people spoke about her, her life, and the qualities that made her such a beautiful person .  .  .  


One of the things mentioned more than once was her forgiving nature .  .  .  She could get angry, but never held a grudge against anyone .  .  .  She forgave everyone .  .  .  Believe me, she'd had some difficulties in life and probably had legitimate reason to hold a grudge or two, but she just refused to do it .  .  .  Her feeling was that holding grudges only imprisons the mind and soul in a negative state, which then has a subtle but definite effect upon other aspects of life .  .  .  We can't be emotionally and spiritually free unless we have the ability to forgive .  .  .  


A note about forgiveness .  .  .  It doesn't mean that we necessarily have to ever speak to a person who has wronged us, or have anything at all to do with them .  .  .  It simply means we stop thinking negatively about them, and let it all go .  .  .  That takes away the power they have over us .  .  .  Sounds simple, huh?  But is it, really?  Sometimes simple is more difficult than we'd like  .  .  .


Life is beautiful baby!


Peace and love .  .  .


Ciao!!

I am no better, and neither are you . . .

We are the same, whatever we do .  .  .

That's Sly . . . Everyday People .  .  .  The man is a genius!

I'm so tired of separation .  .  .  Let's unite .  .  .  

2012 is coming .  .  .  It isn't about the end of anything, but a subtle transformation into a new age .  .  .  

Life is beautiful baby!

Peace and love .  .  .

Ciao!!

Angels among us . . .

My biological father was an alcoholic, and probably a drug addict too .  .  .  He left my life when I was three, so I really have no recollection of him whatsoever . . . 

When he left, never to return, the family (my mother, my sister, and me) began to fall apart .  .  .  Then, my maternal grandmother stepped in .  .  .  Without her action, I'd likely be dead now, or in prison, or doing something completely meaningless .  .  .  She was the angel that saved us, that saved ME as a child with no means to deal with anything .  .  .  

And I wonder, how many people have that angel?  Or, someone who literally saved them when they had absolutely no way to do it themselves?  My guess is, many of us have that person .  .  .  

But, I often think of those who are cast adrift by life, and who have little or no chance of ever achieving dreams and goals .  .  .  

We often minimize our impact, because we think we're only one person .  .  .  What can ONE person do?  In truth, one person can do a lot!  So, at some point, if you have the chance to help someone, do it!  Be their angel in a time of need .  .  .  Be compassionate and empathetic .  .  .  And sometimes though, that means kicking someone's butt .  .  .  I've had my butt kicked more than once, and it was EXACTLY what I needed at the time .  .  .  lol

Peace and love . . .

Life is beautiful baby!

Ciao!!

Inspiration

What is life without a little inspiration now and again?  Hopefully, occasionally I'll say something to someone that may inspire them .  . .  And, I look for inspiration anywhere and everywhere .  .  .  


So, yesterday, at the gym, I was planning to do cardio, abs, and arms .  .  .  I not only did that, but was on the receiving end of some serious inspiration .  .  . 


Case one .  .  .  A young man I've known for a few years is opening his own fitness facility next week, and he has a terrific, optimistic outlook on life .  .  .  I love that!  I hope he's wildly successful .  .  .  He's planning to offer a wide range of options for clients .  .  .  He knows I meditate, and have taught meditation to individuals and groups .  .  .  It seems, he wants to offer meditation, and asked if I'd do it .  .  .  I might, or might not .  .  .  I spend so much time out of town that really, it might not work . . . But the point is, this young man will do VERY well .  .  . 


Case two .  .  .  One of my gym buds is in his early thirties, and looks the picture of health .  .  .  It's been tough for him .  .  .  He injured his back badly a decade ago, and has had surgery .  .  .  After the injury, because of the pain, he drank heavily and went crazy with prescription pain killers .  .  .  He became addicted to alcohol and drugs .  .  .  He's long since over that, but there's more .  .  .  He has two daughters with his ex-wife .  .  .  Now he's dealing with a condition that might be MS, or something else . . . This man has such a positive outlook, it's incredible . . . He said, I want to inspire people, I want to be there for my daughters when they graduate, and walk them down the isle .  .  .  When he tells me what's happening (he spent significant time in the hospital last weekend), he isn't complaining . . .


Case three .  .  .  Someone I occasionally spot for, and another gym bud, won in his category at a national bodybuilding competition last weekend .  .  .  Atta boy Steve!!  


So yes, without question, life is beautiful baby!


Peace and love .  .  .


Ciao!!      

Did Isaac Newton envision this?

My feeling?  NO!!  LOL


But, JB is one of my all freakin' time favorites .  .  .





Peace and love . . .


Life is beautiful baby . . .


Ciao!!

Life is too short . . .

"Life is too short, grudges are a waste of perfect happiness, laugh when you can, apologize
when you should, and let go of what you can't change.  Love deeply and forgive quickly, take chance give
everything, and have no regrets. Life is too short to be unhappy, you have to take the good with the bad, smile when you're sad. Love what you’ve got and always remember what you had. Always forgive but never
forget, learn from your mistakes, but never regret. People change and things go wrong, but always
remember...LIFE GOES ON!!!"


Those are the words of George Carlin after the passing of his wife .  .  .


Yes, I truly believe this .  .  .  Forgive . . .  I forgive everyone .  .  .  Does everyone forgive me for my perceived transgressions?  Probably not .  .  .  


"Perfect happiness" . . . Nothing is perfect, but we have to rise above the shit we ALL experience .  .  .  Rise above baby!  Happiness truly IS within .  .  .


Yes, life is too short to be unhappy . . .  Let's NOT be whiny and negative and complaining . . .   


Smile and laugh when you're sad . . .  YES!!  And as my beloved grandmother always told me .  .  .  When you feel badly, DO something for another human being .  .  .  Acts of generosity evoke gratitude .  .  .  Generosity and gratitude raise consciousness .  .  .


So, will YOU do something to raise consciousness?


FORGIVE . . . RISE ABOVE . . . DON'T WHINE . . . BE GENEROUS AND GRATEFUL . . .


And when we encounter weak people, our strong vibration might just help them RISE ABOVE!!


Together, we CAN do this!


Peace and love .  .  .


Life is beautiful baby!!


Ciao!!

Am I allowed one more?

OK, I said I was saying goodbye to blogging, but I HAVE to write this one more post .  .  .  :)


I'm sitting here with morning coffee, and pondering a few things .  .  .  Like, along with everyone, how truly imperfect I am .  .  .  And, how much inspiration we can draw from the strength of others .  .  .


I spent a few hours on Saturday with two very dear friends .  .  .  One of them has a terribly serious form of cancer, and treatment is not always successful .  .  .  It's multiple myeloma .  .  .  Only 35% of victims are still with us five years after diagnosis .  .  .  It's almost one year now .  .  .


However, this man displays such incredible strength of spirit!  He's upbeat and positive, and never speaks of anything but recovering .  .  .  He seems to be doing quite well so far, and no doubt his attitude is playing a huge role .  .  .


He said something that truly resonated with me .  .  .  He said, and this is a direct quote, I'm doing my best to live every moment, every day, as big as possible, because that's the only way to do it .  .  .  He no longer takes anything for granted .  .  .  And, he said it perfectly .  .  .  THAT'S THE ONLY WAY TO DO IT .  .  .  BIG!  He hit it squarely on the head baby!


It's impossible not to be inspired by this person .  .  .  Maybe we all need a friend who can inspire like this, to make us realize we should be more grateful for what was have, and to be perfectly involved in every moment of life .  .  .  


So Tommy, I and everyone else you inspire thank you for being you!  And you know what? If anyone is going to make it, it's YOU!


Life is beautiful!


Peace and love .  .  .


Ciao!!