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Thoughts, spiritual experiences, happenings and insights
from the woman who discovered the Personal Connector Word to God
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Thursday, May 28, 2009 THE NATIONAL SPELLING BEE--SO, WHAT'S THE POINT?I caught the end of the National Spelling Bee on ABC tonight.
I'm always amazed at these 12- and 13-year-olds who can spell words that I never even heard of in my life, and probably never
will again. Chances are these young spellers will never come across the majority of these words the rest of their lives
either. (Tonight there seemed to be an inordinate amount of rare cheeses and strange foodstuff on the spelling list.) So
what's the point?
What possesses these young people to spend hour after
hour, day after day, memorizing the dictionary--learning not only the spellings, but the pronunciations, the derivations and
the definitions. Are they just nerd-kids of helicopter parents with a fascination for words, or maybe a fascination for
winning? Why spend so much of your young life learning to spell unpopular words? The meagre prize of $40,000
hardly seems worth it; if it were at least a full college scholarship, maybe the sacrifice would make sense.
Today while young Kavya Shivashankar (she should win for just being
able to spell her name) spelled "Laodicean" to seal her victory, on another channel, a so-called professional
adult spelled "Honduras" as "Hunduras" on a news crawl announcing the earthquake on a national news program. And
it was in this ironic clash of extremes that I found my answer to: So, what's the point?
Dedication, commitment, focus. Doing your best. Seeking perfection.
Being precise. Trying your hardest. Giving 110%. Always putting forth your best effort. Pride in your accomplishments.
Improvement. Striving to be number one. Pride in your work. Doing your best. Doing your best. Doing your best!
Oh, how we've lost that virtue in recent years. A simple virtue:
doing your best. That means work, commitment, persistence, patience, and effort. That's the point of the National Spelling
Bee. It's the same stuff that makes Olympic champions strive to win a gold medal in the luge, or the high jump, or the backstroke.
These athletic activities hold no more meaning or intrinsic value than the ability to spell words does. It isn't
the activity, it's the effort. We applaud the focus and determination to be the best.
Congratulations, Kavya Shivashankar, and all the other children who
performed so wonderfully at tonight's National Spelling Bee. You will grow up to be adults who give their best. You
are an example we all should follow. "Good enough," won't be "good enough" for you. Competence will be important in whatever
career path you choose.
Spirituality doesn't require us to be crackerjack spellers or amazing
athletes--but true spirituality does require us to be present in every moment, always striving to do our best. Somehow I can't
imagine Jesus ever saying, "Good enough" or "Who cares?"
Saturday, May 23, 2009 TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO WOMAN HAS GONE BEFORE. . . .I saw the new Star Trek movie this week. I won't
do a review--there are enough of those out there--suffice it to say that I thought it was pretty good.
What struck me, however, in this movie with the stardate of 2250,
give or take a few years (there's a lot of time travel in this movie), women are pretty much doing what they did in 1950.
Three hundred years have passed, yet the women in this movie are still relegated to their same two 1950's roles:
secretary/receptionist and mother/girlfriend. Men may have boldly gone where no man has gone before in this new Star
Trek movie, but the women haven't taken even one step in a new direction.
Now, there are those who would be quick to point out that, well, the
producers were trying to be true to the original Star Trek series, which was made in the 1960's. So, of course, the
only women in it would be the glorified phone-answerer Uhura and Spock's mother (since they were about the only women
in the TV series back then, except for the occasional woman being tossed around in the hallway when the ship was under attack.)
I say "poppycock."
Why was the big honcho guy at the end--the one handing out medals to
Kirk for all the bravery--a black man? (Obviously, the producers figured out they had better inject
a black man into the movie or else. After all, what would Obama think? And they already had a black woman, Uhura, in the movie,
right? So what if all she was doing was "answering the phone" in a high-tech way and playing girlfriend?) I would have
even settled for the Romulan bad guy to have been a Romulan bad gal--or at least have his first officer be female! Had they
wanted to add some substantial women characters in this flick, trust me, there was plenty of room to do so. (Even subsequent
Star Trek TV series managed to come up with one with a female captain--eventually!)
Shirley Chisholm, an outstanding black congresswoman from New York,
once said that in her career she faced much more discrimination because she was a woman than because she was black.
She would know. Hillary Clinton would probably second Chisholm's statement, given that more voters seemed to find it easier
to vote for a black man than a white woman.
It's disheartening to know that gender discrimination is still rampant
in the 21st century; it is even more disheartening to know that people creating a "futuristic vision" filled with wondrous
technology and noble and courageous men, see no place for women. Other, of course, than being their mothers and girlfriends.
Obama has raised the expectations and opportunites for black men. Yet women are still awaiting the woman who will boldly go
where no woman has gone before.
True spirituality recognizes and honors the EQUAL balance of masculine
and feminine energies, which are, in some degree, in all of us. God is a Mother/Father God, not just a masculine energy. If
we are all one, and if we all emanate from the same divine source, it can be no other way. As we move forward in time,
true gender harmony is a must for spirituality to thrive. And, believe me, it will happen.
For those men who sneer and hold to the "old ways" of dominance, I
have but two words for you: Rachel Alexander! And I mean the horse, not the supermodel!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 TWO THINGS FULL OF CRAPBlogdumps' meme this Tuesday is to blog on two things.
This Tuesday I'm blogging on two things full of crap.
The first deals with Amish outhouses in Pennsylvania. Having been raised in Pennsylvania, and having had an outhouse
as a child, I found this news story of particular interest.
Apparently, a clash between the "old ways" and the "new
ways" are occurring concerning this most basic human right: going to the bathroom (or the outhouse). These Amish seem
to have done more to comply with regulations with their outhouses than we ever did with ours--there were no cement tanks in
my day. It was just a shack over a hole. No other arrangements were made that I can remember. Funny, but I don't recall
anyone even caring about them, and no one in the neighborhood ever got sick; there were no outbreaks of disease. It's just
how it was back then in Appalachia.
Now, in the 21st century, a couple Amish families have been padlocked
out of their homes because their outhouses don't comply with state and local regulations. There are building permits, there
are inspections, there are "new ways" demanding attention and compliance.
This is a complex issue (and it seems the judge in the matter is doing
his best to make the "new" and the "old" co-exist, side-by-side), but I think on this crappy issue I'll side with the Amish.
Leave these simple, peaceful folks alone. They aren't causing the next pandemic. More disease has been caused by Chinese drywall
than Amish outhouses. They are trying to lead a spiritual life without all the material trappings and technologies of our
modern times. We could learn a lot from them. Closeness to God isn't claimed by the person with the best porcelain flusher--it
is claimed by he/she who lives a life with a good heart and a willingness to be guided by God.
Now, for the second load of crap for the day. Modern journalism. Or
the lack, thereof. Is it just me, or has the amount of crappy news coverage multiplied lately? Not only in terms of
the spelling, the grammar, and the usage, but in terms of what modern reporters are actually reporting on. This fascination
with American Idol (which is, after all, only a television show) has crept into about every news report
on TV. I can understand FOX news pushing it (it's their program and their ratings), but what gives with the other stations?
How is this news?
The coverage of celebrities, reality shows and kittycats with cute
hats on is running rampant on the nightly news shows anymore--not simply the cable channels. You can almost hear the producers
now, "Give the people what they want. Young people don't want to hear about politics, the wars, and legislation. They want
sexy news. They want Brittany Spears-kind-of-news. Our ratings are suffering. No one is watching. We have to make it entertaining
for our viewers."
Geez, wasn't the point of NEWS the fact that it was NEWS, not entertainment?
When does this endless dribble of entertaining nonsense start to morph into brainwashing of the American people, to the point
that no one is educated or informed on pressing matters anymore? Are we getting closer to George Orwell's 1984?
The heck with Superman and other heroes, what this country needs right
now is Clark Kent! A reporter with integrity and an objective, investigative manner that covers the REAL issues (not the reality
TV issues) affecting our lives. True spirituality requires integrity, focus, and perspective. True spirituality requires that
we seek to learn the truth, not that we simply be entertained.
Sunday, May 17, 2009 CATHOLIC PROTESTS AGAINST OBAMA AT NOTRE DAMEI'm afraid I don't quite understand the protests against
Obama at Notre Dame, and I'm not even talking about his political views on abortion or stem-cell research. I'm talking about
the views of the protesters, themselves.
These followers of Jesus claim to be protesting for the "sacredness
of human life." I say, bravo! But, if you are going to protest for the "sacredness of human life," well, then, be fair about
it. Extend your protesting to everyone and everything that is not holding human life sacred.
So, I expect to see you folks this week at Notre Dame protesting Obama,
but I also expect to see you NEXT WEEK at every Catholic church in America protesting how it has covered up and protected--almost
encouraged--the molestation of innocent children on such a wide proportion as to be humanly unthinkable. Please protest that,
for the sacredness of the innocent children. The born children, as well as the unborn. Please. Or don't the born count--only
the unborn?
And while you are in front of the Catholic churches protesting that,
please also make a sign that says, "Millions for pay-outs to protect pedophile priests, but nary a dime for babies
born and abandoned!" Protest that the Vatican is sitting on ostentatious wealth and gold assets that would make King
Midas look poor, yet despite all their rhetoric about stopping abortion, they aren't using it to SUPPORT all the unwanted
babies that would be born because of their zealous policy. Put your money where your mouth is, in other words.
After all, what would Jesus do? Tell poor mothers who are pregnant
with nowhere to turn, "Please have your baby. Please maintain the sacredness of human life. Here, have it, and we will use
our vast monetary resources to help you raise that baby! Instead of spending it on Vatican Mercedes, sparkling rings and hats,
and ancient art. Oh, and billions to protect pedophile priests."
And the policy against stem cell research? Here's what I
want to hear from the protesters and the Catholic Church: "Stem cell research isn't the way. We believe that SO MUCH,
that we are going to put our vast monetary assets where our mouth is. We are going to help medical science find other ways
to cure all these debilitating diseases, because, after all, what is more sacred than human life? Certainly not pedophile
priests and Mercedes."
Look into your hearts, protesters, not into Catholic dogma. Listen
to the voice of God that is in you.
Monday, May 11, 2009 IT'S ALL ABOUT U!Each week the Blogdumps site runs
a blog contest asking people to write on a certain theme. This week's is "What letter of the alphabet do you
like and why?"
I must admit that on this long and winding spiritual
path of mine that I have never once, even for a second, pondered this question. But,
if I had to pick a favorite, I'd pick U, because, after all, it is the Underdog--and
I always pick the Underdog.
There are certain things that begin with the letter U
that I just wouldn't want to live without: Understanding,
Unity, Umbrellas, Universities, the United States and
Underwear. And, of course, U has the added advantage of turning anything
you don't like or want into the opposite--just add Un! Suddenly
things that were necessary become unnecessary, things that were usual
become unusual, and things that were defeated become undefeated. (Yes,
I know that a little credit must go to the letter N here, as well, but come on, just
who is the leader of this heroic duo?)
Furthermore, what other letter in the alphabet can
substitute for the word "you"? And who's more important than you?
It's all about U, right? Especially when U R texting something. Oh,
it's also the beginning of Us, as well, the romantic little devil that it is.
I also like that U begins words like Up,
Upbeat, Upcoming, and Upfront. The letter U never hangs
around in words like down, despair, desolate, or depression. That's the purview of dumpy
letter D. (Notice that the letter U keeps its distance in the alphabet from downer D.)
Without the letter U, a "rout"
would turn to "rot"; your "aunt" would
turn into an "ant"; and Europe would be known as E-rope. Not to mention that Blogdumps
would become Blogdmps. Finally, and most importantly, just
what letter do we use to make a smile? The upturned, always optimistic,
little ol' U, of course. U got to hand it to U. It's virtues
are unending.
But, speaking of unending,
don't you just love that letter O . . . .
Thursday, May 7, 2009 A SPIRITUAL-SEEKER'S PARADOXRemember the old paradox religious question: "Can God create
a rock so big that He can't move it?" There was no answer. If you said, "Yes" then that was saying God was not powerful
enough to move a rock. If you said, "No," then that was saying God wasn't powerful enough to create such a huge rock. A no-win
situation. Well, recently I got myself into a "no-win" situation.
I was standing in line at Wal-Mart, and in one of those moods where
I wanted to be helpful and "be used by God." Low, and behold, I am in line behind a Hispanic man with two children that
are bouncing around in the aisle. He is handing the teller a huge amount of coupons and he says, "Whatever isn't covered,
I guess I will pay with cash." "Wow," I say to myself, "looks like I might be needed in this situation." I look at what he
has placed on the counter: bread, milk, and assorted staples. "Yes," I say to myself, "God must want me to chip in if this
man comes up short on his groceries." After all, he has two children here. He's buying needed food items. I stood ready to
do a "good deed" if needed. I double-checked the money in my purse. I was ready. Use me, God!
However, the Universe threw me a curve. Apparently the man had a coupon
for the wrong item, and the cashier said that he got the wrong size on the juice. No problem--off goes the Hispanic man back
into the grocery aisles in search of the right item indicated by the coupon. And, off into the netherlands, goes the cashier
for some apparent reason. I am left to stand in line with no cashier, no customers, and no children. Plus, I have no idea
when anyone will return. So, naturally, I bolt and go to ANOTHER line. OK, so you didn't need me this time, God.
Here's where the Universe decided to play a mind game with me and my
so-called altruistic ways. I am now next in line behind a young man, with scraggley long hair, dresssed in Gothic Black,
with pods in his ears from his I-pod. This is the "cigarette line" (the one Walmart line that sells cigarettes) and
he hands the cashier his ID and asks for a pack of Camels. The cashier treats him kindly and asks for $4.98. "Wow,"
says the Gothic youngster, "it has really gone up." "Yep," says the cashier.
Out of the Gothic kid's pocket comes a Zip-lock baggie with pennies,
nickels and dimes. The cashier looks at the kid, looks at me, and then tells him to pour it all on the counter. Together,
they begin the long process of counting out $4.98. Penny by penny. Nickel by nickel.
Obviously, this kid is need of some monetary help. I could easily have
pulled out a five-dollar bill (that I would have done without question for the Hispanic man's children's milk a few minutes
before) and made this whole humiliating scene go away. But, I didn't. After all, this wasn't bread and milk for children,
this was cigarettes for a twenty-something with an I-pod, wearing a black T-shirt. I hesitated. But, I had time to think,
since the penny-counting process took some time.
Who was I to judge? I was willing to help someone whose children needed
milk, but I was NOT willing to help a young man buy cigarettes. Why was that? Was that OK? Obviously, if he was subjecting
himself to the humiliation of counting out pennies from a Zip-lock bag, the kid NEEDED those cigarettes desperately. After
all, it was an addiction. An addiction he probably couldn't control. But did I want to contribute to someone who was obviously
killing himself with these things?
What a dilemma. Am I, as a spiritual seeker, to judge what a person
needs? Should I be willing to help one and not another? I was torn. As the cashier counted out the right amount, rung it up,
and handed the kid the coins back that were not needed, I just stood there, wondering what was wrong and what was right.
The kid shyly put the few remaining coins back in the Zip-lock bag, and turned to me with the most angelic look I've seen
in a long time. "I'm sorry," he said to me, obviously embarrassed that he had held up the line for so long.
I struggled for a response. All I could come up with was, "Tough times."
Somehow that seemed inadequate. Somehow, I seemed inadequate. The kid went on his way, and although I pledged to myself to
give him a twenty if I saw him in the parking lot, I never saw him again. "Sorry for your wait," said the cashier to me when
my time came. "No problem," I responded. But, there was a problem. A problem with myself and my spiritual journey.
Can we truly be spiritual-seekers and instruments of God if we think
we need to judge what people need? My sister and I joke that we are probably the only two people on earth who never tried
smoking a cigarette (and we are not spring chickens). Did that influence my decision on who to help and who not to help? I'm
sure the kid wasn't smoking because he WANTED to smoke. It was a physical addiction. Why else subject yourself to the humilation
of a Zip-lock bag of pennies?
What would you have done? Help someone buy cigarettes that are obviously
not good for him when you were willing to buy groceries for children? Who is to say? Both parties had a real need. What would
Jesus have done? I wonder. Sometimes the spiritual path is not easy. Sometimes the right thing to do is not easy. I still
don't know the answer to this one.
Saturday, May 2, 2009 WHAT DOES THE SWINE FLU AND THE BLACKBERRY HAVE IN COMMON?There was a news headline today that said, "Flu Virus Sparks
Social Distancing Trend." I read it on the computer. I didn't actually read it in a newspaper hand-delivered to me by
a paperboy. I didn't actually hear it on the TV reported by an anchorperson. I wasn't told it by a friend. My neighbor didn't
chat about it to me over the fence. No, I read it on the computer: there were no other human beings involved in the
transaction of this information.
Interesting that some journalist thought it newsworthy that people
are not shaking hands or kissing due to the swine flu--that many people are avoiding other people altogether. That's what
was meant by "social distancing." People are stiff-arming each other for fear of contracting the swine flu. In the olden days,
we didn't call that "social distancing," we simply called that being a hermit. Therefore, it seems that the swine flu may
turn us all into hermits. The journalist was very concerned about that.
I think that's a little like shutting the barndoor after the horse
has run away. Hasn't technology already caused quite a significant "social distancing trend"? With all our blackberries, PC's,
I-pods, cell phones, tweeting, e-mailing and texting--well, haven't we all been acting the last couple years like other human
beings have contagious, life-threatening diseases? We've become technology hermits. We've been stiff-arming people with
technology. There is very little actual human contact going on anymore, especially for young people. Daily, normal, happy
face-to-face interchanges between family, friends, aquaintances and strangers. The stuff of life: real
human contact.
I worked in an office where writing long, detailed e-mails to
a colleague just down the hall was considered normal. It seems even phone calls create more human contact than is desirable
in offices these days--it is much easier to write an email than to talk an issue out with a co-worker. Let alone actually
get up from behind one's desk and walk down and talk to the person face-to-face. Remember that? Remember seeing the smiles
or the frowns, the upraised eyebrows or feeling the pat on the back (I mean a real pat on the back, not a symbolic one). That
used to be call human interaction.
Now, what passes for human interaction is checking someone's twitter
page to hear that they just ate a fruit salad and drank a Diet Pepsi. We have so many instantaneous communication devices
at our fingertips, yet there is so little real communication going on between people. And people are craving
human contact--they need real human contact. That's why they search the blogs and facebook and chatrooms. That's why they
sleep with their cell phones on their chests, check their computer email hourly, and text everything they are doing to the
world. But no one's really there. No one is really listening. No one really cares. Words are flying at lightning speeds here,
there, and everywhere. . . most saying nothing of consequence. . . leaving many people lonely and longing for
the human touch, a kind word, and real interest.
The human touch can only be had one simple way after all. That is when
two human beings look into each other's eyes, undistracted by technology, and not only talk, but listen to each other. Human
interaction. Highly valued, yet being lost in the age of video games and blackberries. Accept no imitations--a text message
can't wipe away a teardrop; a LOL can't replace a laugh; and a cell phone can't hug you.
No, folks, it won't be the swine flu that creates a "social distancing
trend" in our lives. . . it will be us. . . if we keep valuing technology over people.
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