"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Marianne Williamson

love

Our willingness to demonstrate unconditioned, non-judgmental love for ourselves and each other is a direct mirror reflection of our love for God and our willingness to surrender all that we are to him and thus all that is. ~Jennifer Howell Gillies

More Enlightenment

I asked in deepest humility what one secret, sacred and special thing would guide me in my life, keep my feet on my path, help me to stay true,faithful, straight, hopeful. 
The Divine answer? "Get A Dog."

Answer by Sarah McLachlan

To post or not to post ~ embrace or let go ~ just a lovely song.

Enlightenment

Walk beside me, not behind me
Walk beside me, not in front of me
Or do not walk with me if you so choose;
but know that I will miss your presence.




Post # 100!

Traveler's Guide To Wasting Precious Time

*Begin each day by looking for ways someone else has made a mess in the bathroom, and then be annoyed by it.
*Do not notice the beauty of the new day.
*Whatever the weather is, be upset by it.
*Be sure that every hair is in place before you leave the house, looking like a GQ/Cosmo model is tantamount to success, and equivalent to high intelligence.
*Do not make your own coffee, but go to Dunkin or Starbuck's and wait in line. Try to feel impatient at everyone ahead of you. If possible, say something rude because you are more important.
*When you get to the window, display your displeasure with the person who is very arrogant about being a cashier, and who is being slower than you can stand just to personally annoy you.
*Do not remember any service jobs you had or sympathize with their obvious distress. Do not admire them if they are amazingly efficient.
*Take the busiest route to work so you can get in a traffic jam.
*Beep your horn at anyone who drives their car on the same road you are using.
*Display any displeasure you may have at other drivers, especially if you are in the wrong.
*Avoid common courtesy toward other drivers, and do not allow for human error in anyone else but yourself.
*Cut people off, especially in a dangerous traffic jam, and then glare at them.
*Listen to morning radio if the hosts are obnoxious, bad mannered and bigoted (race, gender, age/its all the same), to set your mood for the day.
*When you park your car at work, be upset that you couldn't get a better spot.
*Do not make friendly noises, gestures, or expressions at anyone when you get to work unless they are your buddies, pals, cronies, or "brothers". You wouldn't want anyone to think you liked them, after all.
*Be annoyed every time you have to do the job that you were hired to do.
*Display anger every chance you get; it will make you seem like you are doing something important.
*If you are a tradesperson, be sure to be very dramatic if you receive a slight injury, show everyone your blood!
*Tell the story again of how your arm almost fell off that one time when the same thing happened.
*Tell the story of how the same thing happened to your brother/friend/uncle/cousin.
*Talk over anyone else who is speaking in order to tell your story, and ignore anyone who also has a story.
*If you are a white collar employee, be very dramatic if you receive any injury at all in order to get out of doing work. Ask to go home.
*Whatever your job is, be cliquey during any kind of gathering, such as meetings, breaks, or lunch.
*Purposely try to make the prettiest girl feel bad about herself, this will win you points with not-so-good-looking people, who clearly deserve a better life than someone who they find physically attractive.
*Do not speak to anyone who you feel inferior to in any way, try to make them feel left out.
*Give the silent treatment to anyone you feel superior to when they try to make conversation, especially if you are physically larger than they are.
*If someone is physically larger than you, kiss their ass, because you probably think that they are just as shallow as you and they will fall for it.
*Treat all of your coworkers according to your most negative image of them, and according to their gender, race, and size.
*Ignore any capability of your coworkers unless you like the person.
*If you deal with customers, be annoyed at their presence. They are an inconvenience; treat them accordingly.
*If you are a boss, be annoyed at your employees before you ask them anything. Do not think of them as people like you.
*If your boss asks you to do something, roll your eyes after they leave and tell all of your coworkers what a pain in the ass your boss is. If the boss is female, add extra name-calling according to their appearance or their voice. Do not think of your boss as a person like you.
*When you leave work, do not say goodbye to anyone but your clique, you wouldn't want the outsiders to think they were in your "crowd".
*Take the busiest route home so you can repeat your activities from the morning.
*If you notice any animals on your ride home, do not admire them; be annoyed at them.
*Stop off at a bar and do not call home to say you will be late. Its none of their business, especially if they are expecting you and will be worried.
*If someone calls to find out if you're okay, be annoyed at them, complain to whoever is nearby.
*Stop at a store in order to be even later, especially if you can sabotage any plans someone else is looking forward to.
*While you are out and about, look for people who dress differently than you and your buddies. Make a mental note of how inferior they are to you and what they look like so you can trash them later.
*When you get home, act tired and cranky to convince everyone that you are very important.
*Continue to act tired and cranky, until your buddy comes over. Show him or her wonderful courtesy, hospitality and respect. When anyone you live with comes near, put the tired and cranky act back on.
*Refuse to interact with everyone you live with in a positive way; no games, walks, jokes or music.
*Be annoyed when you are asked anything.
* If you do find yourself in a conversation, oppose anyone else's viewpoint in order to sound smart. Do not listen to what they have to say.
*Watch TV and sit in an annoyed position.
*If a relative calls on the phone, whine and flap your hands. Do not show happiness to hear from them.
*Ignore/dismiss anyone who has an experience they want to share, or a grievance to discuss. Yours are the only ones that are important.
*Focus on how everyone else in your household is lazy, incapable, slow, messy and ignorant. Magnify any negatives you can, it will make you feel superior.
*Whatever they happen to be doing, it is wrong. Make a mental list at everything they have ever done that displeased you and show your annoyance.
*If you have a pet, complain about having to feed/walk/clean up after it. Complain about it coming to you seeking affection.
*Make noise like an ape and slam things around to appear important.
*Laugh at the television loudly but not at funny things real people in your household say.
*Ignore accomplishments by anyone else, or put them down, on TV or in real life.
*Before bed, look around and notice the terrible things other people have done, like leaving a toy in the living room or leaving the cap off the toothpaste. Feel very annoyed.
*When you go to bed, if you sleep with someone, do not display any affection toward them. Make loud, bouncy movements until you are completely comfortable.
*Act annoyed if they try to make conversation.
*Take up more than half the bed.
*Complain about their sleeping habits but expect them to be sympathetic of yours.
*If they have a nightmare, do not comfort them, especially if they comfort you when you have them. Be annoyed.
*If you wake during the night, do not try to be quiet, just truck around loudly like it's noon.
*When you wake in the morning, rinse and repeat.

 ~M.Black

"Why would you want something scary like joy when at least you know how to navigate hell?"

~ Jennifer Howell Gillies

Mighty Warriors and Wizards!

A shout to my companions from Fiona Vie~ Ceorl_Rohirrim, Innaictus, Absalok, Cean, Sedilu, Tommy and Mark what were your characters! It's been too long~ To the Tunnel!!! (I need some cash...)

key

"But I think it's about forgiveness..."

Forty Six & 2 - Tool

fuggeddaboutit

Leave me be~
I have but one life,
a dot on the map of time,
a jot in God's notebook.
I haven't the time to be your lamb.
Your mirror of lament.
Your target of blame.
You call my name not to join me
but to own me,
to use my back as a ledge to climb higher,

and then point to me for the cause
of your self inflicted shackles.
I don't have time;
there are too many paths to explore,
songs to sing, verses to write,
mountains to climb,
secrets to learn,
laughter to revel in.
You can not follow the map of my soul,
you do not know what secrets are in my heart.
I have no time to sit still for you
while you treat me as a mote in your eye;
you must look in the mirror and remove it yourself.
It was already there long before me.
My smile to you was not an invitation
to carry the burdens of your soul
while you point to me for their existence.
Leave me be if you refuse to see me clearly;
Set me free if you can not lift the veil of your past
when you look at me.

Or walk with me without shackles,
without judgment,

beside me, toward the golden horizon,
with liberty and light hearts.



~M.Black

Kindness should become the natural way of life,
not the exception.

(Buddha)

Summer Solstice

Lake Beseck seemed like a good spot to celebrate the Summer Solstice 2010 with kindred spirits...

Some people baptized themselves in the sacred waters... despite the weed monsters... (take that two ways)

the water was just right~the seaweed was squishy~
the sun was warm~the hearts were open~
a good day

"Let Go"

Relax, it's all good!



All the time in the world, and yet no time at all.

A thousand years - Sting

Happy Father's Day!

Happiest of Father's Days to my Dad, James E. Bennett!

And to my brothers Rob and Alan, my Cousins, my Uncles, and my brilliant, beautiful friends who are Dads, you are so important in this world, God bless you all.

In memory of Roy W. Black, and all of our fathers who have passed on and watch over us still from above, you will forever be in our hearts and our souls.

BP Spills Coffee

Thank you Mr. Ensley, I'm still on the floor!!!

Cassini's Continued Mission

Thanks to Randall Ensley (the artist) for sharing this link, via Ed Sevcik  (the writer)

Absolutely stunning images of Saturn collected by the Cassini Spacecraft  HERE~

"NASA's Cassini spacecraft is now a nearly a year into its extended mission, called Cassini Equinox (after its initial 4-year mission ended in June, 2008). The spacecraft continues to operate in good health, returning amazing images of Saturn, its ring system and moons, and providing new information and science on a regular basis. The mission's name, "Equinox" comes from the upcoming Saturnian equinox in August, 2009, when its equator (and rings) will point directly toward the Sun. The Equinox mission runs through September of 2010, with the possibility of further extensions beyond that. Collected here are 24 more intriguing images from our ringed neighbor."

VEEGER!...

All Only One Thing

I have come to realize recently that I have acquired countless acquaintances over the years, but very few who can be considered true friends. Friends are people who are interested in what you think and believe, in what you have to say. 

This post may look like a whole list of rules or requirements, but only if you are missing the big picture. Forest>Trees 
The big picture is simple, friends treat friends well, with the highest honor and respect they can muster. All the rest is just how one goes about it. The Golden Rule, use it liberally and without prejudice:

 
Friends respect that you might understand something that they do not, and that you have lived a life that is just as authentic as theirs. A true friend is someone who is not trying to get something from you (sex,money,job,notoriety,status,fill-in companionship), but rather wants you to be a real part of their world, sit at their table and break bread, sit at your table and break bread, with your friends and family and with their friends and family. A true friend lets you stay the night. They don't stand you up for a last minute booty call, or for another friend. They don't mind if you come over when they are tired or busy if you happen to be in the neighborhood, and you don't mind if they do the same. They are welcoming and they want to spend time with you, and they are not jealous of your other friends, and they want to include you with theirs. They are happy for you when you find love, and respect your lover and the love between you, and they make your lover feel welcome.They respect your children and treat them with love. They don't judge what you are or who you are or where you came from, or try to cast you in a diminished light. They don't put you down in front of others, nor behind your back. They are honest with you, they stand up for you when you are under fire, they listen when you need an ear. They validate your feelings. They don't magnify everything you do, or make things you do or say "wrong" every time they are in a bad mood. They don't try to advise you when you don't ask for advice, they don't always think they know better, they help you when you need help but they don't take over or make it about them. When you are upset with them they want to know why, and then they talk about it with you until you both figure it out.They call you and ask how you are. They don't listen to rumors, and they don't believe everything they hear about you. They ask questions, they speak directly. They pay attention to your accomplishments, they support you in your endeavors, they hold your hand when you lose your balance, they treat you like someone they respect. They understand what makes you free. They come to you as much as you go to them. They laugh with you, and they invite you in. A real friend is really, really hard to find. Gratitude to the people who I can call friend, and that includes family~ you mean the world to me. 

Cat Stevens - Heaven (Where true love goes)

Thank you my dear friend Jennifer for showing me this today. Beauty.

Countenance

Metatron, pray be kind; I am weary and falling behind.
These earthly shoes I so did choose;
tofore I went, up off knees bent,
shoulders squared, the Dark beware!

Silver shortsword swinging at my side
in synchronicity with my stride,
poised and ready to stand for life, ne'er a scintilla of fear for strife,
aver Heaven's army behind my knife.

This mission I did volunteer, my own accord to witness bear;
as envoy, fay, or warrior, as messenger or Harkener.
I have not, will not, lay my sword, down on upon an ending word.

This heart not so brave as resolute, courage was an absolute;
No trepidation on my nape, nor uncertainty to lay in wait.
The road was cobblestoned with truth,
each brick inlaid behest to move in patent exhortation;
not in need of explanation.

Imperceptibly the way turning slowly with each day
from the solid, even ground, into something more or less profound.
Steeper and steeper yet, cobbles loose and slippery wet;
here a wall straight up to scale; now a chasm of a vale.

Wilderness around my head, pays no heed per hap I'm dead.
Strain my eyes to find a trail, blazes have all long past failed.
Compass now my dearest friend, guides me as I wind and wend; 
thank you Metatron, for this, an onliest and precious gift.

The shortsword silver at my waist is heavy and its blade oft scrapes
at my own flesh while forth it swings.
I might trade it for a pair of wings
to soar above this baleful trek, and find a hidden place to rest,
or rocket off into the sky where angels do not care to fly,
and carry off away from here my very heart, my young so dear.
To anger, no, to rage, I'm stirred, to be inadequate as shelter
for the one whose charge I'm called, against this mortal caterwaul!
I loathe to see his feet are sore, his crown unshielded, spirit torn;
Just how and what, how much to guide, and when to know to step aside?

This mission I did volunteer, my own accord to witness bear;
as envoy, fay, or warrior, as messenger or Harkener.
I have not, will not, lay my sword, down on upon an ending word.

Dear Metatron have mercy still
when on your book you work your quill:
my given name if your hand writes, pray see me in a friendly light.
Forgive my frail and human form,
not always strong against the storms.
I fell and faltered, on knees and hands,
at times my legs refused to stand.

Such beasts you sent to challenge me, to hone my foil mastery.
Not every one I recognized; my shame that I was hypnotized.
And avalanches, hail and mire! Chasing me from wrong and dire
shortcut paths that I desired to use instead of frost and fire.
Grateful is my beating heart for gracious wisdom you impart
to this unworthy little soul, battered, torn and unconsoled.

This mission I did volunteer, my own accord to witness bear;
as envoy, fay, or warrior, as messenger or Harkener.

But if I may have one request, to find a cool, soft place to rest.
I have not, will not, lay my sword, down on upon an ending word;
continue on this quest I will. And pray for mercy with thy quill. 

~M.Black