Friday, August 10, 2012

Learning and Loving







To My Peanut Butter Kitten


There you were a screen between us and yet I loved you.
Finally I see you in reality and I knew that I loved you

You knew you were taking in a broken girl into your heart and home
I knew that I would have to work hard to be worthy of your heart and home

The face of troubles show themselves from my past and I cannot prepare
Your face accepting despite the past troubles made me stop,take a breath,and care.

To see the hurt written and slashed on your delicate face.
The tears in response that glide down my cheeks mirror the look on your face.

Working diligently every day.Working hard making it stay at bay.
It is a test and difficult but for you I will scale the highest mountain to keep it at bay.

For you my peanut butter kitten to see your smile...
There is nothing I wouldn't do. Nothing that would keep me from seeing that smile.

You are the reason I get up in the morning despite the pain.
You are the one with whom I am glad and grateful to share the rain.

You give me the most peaceful hours I have ever known.
When you took my hand that first time and you called me your own.

I love you in ways that words would put to shame with their shortcomings
To dance and take your hand and smile. It makes me want to share my joys and sing.

There is no replacing you in my heart.
I would rather die than be apart.

You see the world through the same eyes as I do.The hidden and beautiful,you see too.
I would never choose to walk this world alone,take your hand and we can see through.

Through the uncertainties and sadness. the nightmares that linger on in my mind.
Through all of these things you stand there and never falter or leave me behind.

You deserve so many things that I cannot give you right now,a world filled with beauty
So each day I will do my best to give you a small portion of that world of beauty.

To see you save that wounded bee and giving me the inspiration to form a nest
A safe arbor for a lonely damaged bee to find comfort and rest

You did this!
You have given me hope!
You bless this world by simply existing and breathing!
You never lie and you are always so true and honest!
Within your eyes there is beauty and honesty and amazing passion!
I want to hold you love you so fiercely that you will understand how I feel!
Your a beautiful lotus bud!
Your hands are my salvation!
Your warmth is what I cling to in this barren place within my mind!
I do not deserve the compassion that you give to me.

But love know that there is nothing that is impossible so long as you are with me.
You make everything possible and a delight of fun and joy.With you I am free..
Words are so confounding at times I sit here and try to find and put together rhymes
To tell you the amazing touching safe and loving filled times..

Where you held me and said everything would be ok and I believe you.
You never lie
When you took my hand even though I raged inside and loved me regardless..
I do not deserve you..
Why you love me and help me when I stumble and fall, I just do not know.
But I will spend the rest of my life striving to be deserving of someone as beautiful as you.
 
                                                                    
 
 
Whenever  people look and see themselves as they truly are sometimes they cry. Sometimes they smile and are happy. Sometimes they hang their head in shame. I sometimes do all of those things. Yet we get over it we move on and we learn from it. You simply must learn from your mistakes and share and send love into this world. You cannot blame yourself nor hold onto the guilt of things you might have done or things you did and regret. You have to be like water and find a way to move forward and on..in life. There are many paths and no real barriers that you cannot overcome in time.

There will come to you people in your path. Some of them are there to help you learn. To help you grow and to understand yourself better. Sometimes this can be in the form of something positive or sometimes something negative. But you learn from it anyway. You learn and move forward.

Some people come into your life damaged and they complain and you see the problems and you offer advice. You offer advice and you watch to see if they need more help. But there will come a time when you can no longer help that person. They have to be willing to stand up and make a change in their life with the help you have offered or there is nothing more that can be done. You simply wish them well and always remain nearby but you cannot help someone who will not help themselves. 

The joy of life well there are so many. But what I would suggest is to think of how you speak. Do you speak in words of love and compassion? Or do the words like *hate* *can't* *won't* seem to sprinkle themselves liberally into your daily conversations? I would stop saying such negative things over time. Try to learn to be more positive and learn more compassionate ways to live and to be in your life. Help others and do not expect anything in return. Be a human being that others wish to be like. Live your own way and be yourself. Love others even if they seem incapable of it themselves. Give to others when you can. Give a kind word and help to heal someone. You do not ever hate something. You may dislike it all you want but never hate something. There was a quote and it says.

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned.   Buddha

I ask others to be more considerate and to try to put yourself into the shoes of the person you dislike and try to understand it more. You may not succeed and this can happen. But if you do not try at all then what have you gained? I think that people should breathe a little more and listen rather than talk without thinking.
                                                             

 You know I post responses on facebook sometimes where I will wish people love and compassion. Peace and contentment and they think I have insulted them. It is very strange to me. But I will continue to post things like that because the simple truth is that this world needs more of those things.A gentle word of love and caring goes a long way towards healing the world. We are all connected like it or not. We all should be more understanding and try to find positive ways to resolve differences. It is not an easy path at first but over time you realize that being calm and filled with love can be one of the most fulfilling things in the world. 
Remembering Who You Really Are
To the world may you find easier steps towards the things that bring you closer towards the light. May you find rest among the place where you choose to lay your head down. May your dreams be filled with wonderful things. I wish you love and peace and compassion for your fellow man and all fellow animals. May you be able to learn more everyday of what it is to be a truly positive and beautiful example of what human beings can be. In love light and peace I write this. Namaste.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Historical Spirituality

For once a movie depicted the savagery of Christianity. For once the pagans were not demonized and it could be said that there certainly was epic intolerance. We all know it and yet this movie did show this very well. It showed how the balance or acceptance and tolerance MUST be maintained for an ordered society. Believe in what you will. Do not harm others in their own path to spirituality.

Each path is it's own epic journey and some get a running start and do not think. Some start and think and live a good life and consider others. Some never begin because they question things. Questioning is not wrong.

Blind obedience to something you see hurting others most certainly is.




Sitting passively by and questioning nothing goes against everything that I hope for in a species.

I pray for enlightenment in humans that they may learn to love each other.

I hope that they will see their similarities..

Rather than their differences.


*******************************************************

THE 42 COMMANDMENTS OF ANCIENT EGYPT


I. 
Thou shalt not kill, nor bid anyone kill.
II. 
Thou shalt not commit adultery or rape.
III. 
Thou shalt not avenge thyself nor burn with rage.
IV.
Thou shalt not cause terror.
V. 
Thou shalt not assault anyone nor cause anyone pain.
VI. 
Thou shalt not cause misery.
VII. 
Thou shalt not do any harm to man or to animals.
VIII. 
Thou shalt not cause the shedding of tears.
IX. 
Thou shalt not wrong the people nor bear them any evil intent.
X.
Thou shalt not steal nor take that which does not belong to you.
XI.
Thou shalt not take more than thy fair share of food.
XII.
Thou shalt not damage the crops, the fields, or the trees.
XIII.
Thou shalt not deprive anyone of what is rightfully theirs.
XIV.
Thou shalt not bear false witness, nor support false allegations.
XV.
Thou shalt not lie, nor speak falsely to the hurt of another.
XVI.
Thou shalt not use fiery words nor stir up any strife.
XVII.
Thou shalt not speak or act deceitfully to the hurt of another.
XVIII.
Thou shalt not speak scornfully against others.
XIX.
Thou shalt not eavesdrop.
XX.
Thou shalt not ignore the truth or words of righteousness.
XXI.
Thou shalt not judge anyone hastily or harshly.
XXII.
Thou shalt not disrespect sacred places.
XXIII.
Thou shalt cause no wrong to be done to any workers or prisoners.
XXIV.
Thou shalt not be angry without good reason.
XXV.
Thou shalt not hinder the flow of running water.
XXVI.
Thou shalt not waste the running water.
XXVII.
Thou shalt not pollute the water or the land.
XXVIII.
Thou shalt not take God's name in vain.
XXIX.
Thou shalt not despise nor anger God.
XXX.
Thou shalt not steal from God.
XXXI.
Thou shalt not give excessive offerings nor less than what is due.
XXXII.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods.
XXXIII.
Thou shalt not steal from nor disrespect the dead.
XXXIV.
Thou shalt remember and observe the appointed holy days.
XXXV.
Thou shalt not hold back the offerings due God.
XXXVI.
Thou shalt not interfere with sacred rites.
XXXVII.
Thou shalt not slaughter with evil intent any sacred animals.
XXXVIII.
Thou shalt not act with guile or insolence.
XXXIX.
Thou shalt not be unduly proud nor act with arrogance.
XL.
Thou shalt not magnify your condition beyond what is appropriate.
XLI.
Thou shalt do no less than your daily obligations require.
XLII.
Thou shalt obey the law and commit no treason.

Friday, June 15, 2012

Love

We all love
We all think we know love
We all have said it to someone
We have all walked that lonely path where sometimes someone crosses our path
We have taken their hand and walked with them, for a time.
We have all looked into the mirror and wondered am I worthy of love?
We have all looked into ourselves and asked why am I alone?

Yet..

Have we all known that we love more than just people,we love life.
Have we all known that we know love in everyday life,in all we do.
Have we known that we have all walked a lonely path with ourselves,So never alone.
Have we known that when we take that hand it might be our own.
Have we known that we looked into that mirror that the only answer is yes?
Have we known that when we asked why am I alone..that we stand right there.

We are worthy of love. We are amazing possibilities walking. We are breathing the gifts of life every day. We have the chance to repair damage done to ourselves,our loved ones, our planet. We are all that is great and wonderful. We must sometimes stop..sit and remember that we are living miracles.

Whatever it is. We are in this together. But remember what is important. That we remember ..we are love.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Light Within Us All

What is resistance ? What is blind belief ?  What is competitiveness ? What are these words that we throw around ? What do they all mean ? Do they have a purpose and a significance in our lives that perhaps we do not see or yet know ? Yes. Do they have a place and feed into and kill the light within us and we do not even know it ? Yes. Is the idea of your friend being offered the opportunity of a lifetime with large sums of money a reason to be jealous of them ? No but some will and some will feel a touch of jealousy.



Resistance is something that sparks a decided desire to make changes in a world that you may see as being slightly off  kilter. Resistance could be as small as not shopping at the huge store and walking a little further to go get your food somewhere else. It could be finally taking a step in the direction you want to see the world going in. It is finally waking up and saying wait a minute, Why am I doing this ? Why do I wake up at the same time every day and do the same thing and ignore the things right in front of me ? Why do I accept this collusion of these massive companies as they erode the very foundation I believe in ? So many questions, yet I could literally write paragraphs of them. I could fill books with all of the questions I have gathered over the years. Even now I add more.










So you wake up and walk into another room and begin your daily ritual. You open the bag of or jar of or bottle of whatever you consider food to be and consume it. You most likely did not read the label. Most likely you do not know where the bottle came from or how many lives were invested in making it. How many lives helped to create this item for you. How many people slaved so that you could have this. You eat your food, have your smoothie, drink your coffee or tea or water. Then you move onto the next part of your day. Work, making money, making a future, making the lives of your family or yourself better. You do this to the extent that they have some sort of food on their plate and light to see by and warmth or a fan to heat or cool themselves. They have some clothing and toys to play with. You as an adult have your own toys to play with that you enjoy.Did it come from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China, Russia, Mexico or some country you have not heard of. On the map if it was laid out for you to see where I wonder would these countries be. Could the average person show on a map the country where their item came from, many suprisingly could not. Can the people that produced these items for you and your family or friends feed their children healthy food and go to sleep in a semblance of a soft bed. Do they awaken and smile at their mother and know she is doing her best for them, yes I know this to be true. All over this world are mothers kissing their
sons soft cheeks before giving their food and off to..school or work. There are daughters deciding to stay home to work and help their family because some other wealthy corporation came to take what was not theirs and leave people with little to nothing. Leaving them barren and their original motherland was now stripped bare, so they go to the cities. Will the earth replenish herself in time, yes she will. But she needs to be left alone to do so. A little help would be appreciated I am
certain.


The decisions we make as a people do not just affect us and our country. They touch every nation at some point. They leave their ripples sometimes to be felt for centuries. There is a cost for everything. The despoiling of the land is something I have witnessed firsthand and through the news on the internet. Blind belief is in essence the giving up of your questioning mind. It is the allowance of submission to someone who says that they are knowledgeable. That they know this is right for you.


Most people I see are much too complacent to stand up and state what they feel. They have lost that spark. They have given it to the corporations, the institutions, the pharmaceutical industries, the politicians, the educational behemoths. They think that these things will protect, nurture, enhance, breathe life into their dreams, hopes and families. This is passivity at it's finest. Assumption at it's most obvious. Blind acceptance at the core. You turn away to get on with your life and question very little. You do what you are told and move forward into whatever future these places have in mind for you. Your children learn from you. You know this and you think you are doing the right thing.


Competitiveness is something that can be both good or bad depending on the function and the situation in which it is employed. It can lead to great thinkers and wondrous achievements. It can also lead to anger towards someone you love, who you perceive to be doing better than you. It is that itch on the palms of your hands wanting to do something, anything to get where they are. Will people do almost anything to get it, yes of course there is no end to what people will do. Can they
understand that it is something implanted into us now by the corporations to instill fear, wanting, desperation and desire. For things, things that have no sense of touch and compassion. Things that fill your house and look pretty. But do they nourish you at your core, can they hold you and talk to you, no. They give only a reflection of something shiny to catch the eye. When at the end of the day they really are meaningless things. Whether you bought it to make your son or daughter happy
for a moment. Whether you competed to make your partner proud of you, to see that look in their eye. Most of the time I see people with their heads down in their palms pressing buttons. They are blinded in so many ways.



Resistance is something that can be positive and can change things for the better. Listen to positive words and sometimes stop moving all together. Just stop and breathe. Listen to your breath and give yourself just a moment in time. There is so much joy in this world if you look around a moment. Can you see it now as it winds around you. The energy is right there and all you have to do is open yourself to it. Resist in  ways that help others. Resist by reading the labels and where things
come from. Try to wrap your mind around where things come from and imagine how many people had a stake in what you consume. Think about what you are doing and save up and buy things made in the country you live in. Because in the end when you consume cheap things that cost laborious hours to produce while stripping precious metals from the earth, you are not helping the people that made it to get jobs. You take their homes and communities from them. You are better than this ! You know it and so do I. Within you is the greatest and most complex system imagined really within the confines of a human body and human potential ! Resist in small ways. You do not need as much food as you think to be healthy. Eat less but more nutrient rich foods. Think before you spend any money. Look at what you are contributing to. I do not speak from an ivory tower. I make little money as it is and yet my partner and I do this. You can do so much more than you think. You can help so many people in a passive way to have better lives. You have this power inside of you ! The light resides within yourself.




Blind belief is something that can be changed also. Remove the blinders from accepting things as they are. Take control and power over your life and your education. Question everything ! There is no better way to lead the way for your children to follow. I know money is tight. I know that things are difficult. But let us think and consider this. Most people have time to spend on facebook or playing a game. I hear but I do not have any time. Yes, you do. You just need to be more aware of it
all. If you have time for a movie then why not start making some bread for yourself. Mix it up and set it to rise and walk away and watch the movie. Set a timer and make your bread. Then when it goes off pause the movie and knead the dough and put it into he tins and then preheat the oven and bake your bread and go back to your movie. Small interruptions yes..but worth it. You just made your own bread and you will know the difference. Anything is possible to achieve if you think of what time you are spending. Do not allow these corporations the power to make you think that you cannot complete things on your own without their help. You can.


Competitiveness is another thing that can lead to better things. It all depends on how it is used. Can you use it to better your life and the whole world as a community, yes ! yes ! yes ! You are a part of a whole breathing beautiful thing that grows and lives and pulses with energy. Things are much more simple than they seem. You are right now, in this moment and then it will pass and another will come. Every single day is a chance to make a difference a change however small it may seem. Every day is a chance to connect with people and tell them that you love them. What they mean to you. If you can go see them. If you cannot then go write to them. Whatever it takes do what you need to do. All will happen as it is supposed to. Stop being so stressed out. Stop caring if you have the latest product, labeled fashion, the best new chip flavor and so on. Those things mean nothing when compared to a smile from your child. When it is compared to taking a walk and maybe planting a tree and teaching your child things about where oxygen and wood comes from and why and how. You may learn things you did not know in the process. Connect with your children and let them know that you love them through words and deeds and not things. They do not need things. They need you. They need love and attention and books and walks and understanding.

There is no past in your life that can make any difference now. There is not future that you can really change. But there is the now and that matters. Live in the now. Teach your children by example you are their god in many respects. Remember the light in good music and turn your back on anger and hateful messages. There is no need to be so undressed and angry and full of disturbing images. Some artists bring the light even if they are no longer with us. Look to the light and be of the light. Learn compassionate will and loving responses. Read a little more and in time you will find most of these questions will no longer plague you. Consider others when you make a choice and you will find the true spirit that resides within you.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

My Journey To Veganism

Gentle persuasion is something I try very hard to stick to. It is something I desire to hold onto and keep it close to me as I wander through life seeing things that make me cringe. I will tell you that i am quite passionate about things I see as unfair or hurtful. I like to think of myself as the superwoman in a special suit that can come to the aid of those that I see suffering needlessly. Someone to put up a gentle but firm arm in between those things I see as being the cause of harm and those about to be harmed.

One of those things that I believe in firmly is being vegan. Yes I know I am sure there are some people that have had bad experiences with vegans. But know that I try to offer people the opportunity to experience what the food is like. I try my best to reinforce the experience with something positive. Am I perfect? No. Have I offended people? I am pretty sure I did with the vehemence in my voice and cause. Even though my voice remained calm at the time. I do have strong feelings.

I began in January as a vegetarian. We consumed Milk and Eggs and Cheese and Butter and yogurt and anything but the flesh of animals. I thought things were going along rather well. But my boyfriend Alexi made his feelings known to me. I respect his feelings above almost anyones and so I listened to him. I said well I cannot just go vegan like that *Imagine a finger snapping in the air* Yet he really believed in this and while I was not ready for it, I went ahead with it. I walked and most likely stomped up to my neighbors flat and knocked on his door. I tried with a calm voice to explain to him that we had some food for him. Was I happy in this moment? Not even close. But he came down and I methodically went through everything to see what we could have and by the time I was finished my neighbor had several bags of food.

The whole time I sat in my chair with an occasional glare at Alexi. I was not a happy camper but I remained silent. Our neighbor who is a lovely man left with the food and I had a calm talk with Alexi. See I cannot take yelling or being yelled at. It hurts me.So I told him that I was not happy and what would we be eating? I think a typical question for anyone that wonders what vegans eat. I felt lost to be truthful. So I told him if we are going to be vegan I had to have some things that did not change.

1. Hot Tea or coffee with cream in it.

2. Toast with butter.

Honestly those were big deals for me. He duly wrote down on a list the things that I needed and then put his notebook away. I took care of him and he held me that night as I think I still grumbled a bit. When we woke up I made him what I could. See I have always had quite a bit of pride in my cooking skills. I grew up in a house where my mother shooed me out of the kitchen and did not teach me anything. So here I was basically starting over. I was just lost..so throughout that day I did some research on the internet and later that night when Alexi came home he brought home soy milk and hemp milk and some dairy free butter spread and bread and fruits and tomatoes. The next morning he made breakfast. I was handed tea that tasted exactly the same as I remembered. He had purchased also single cream soy milk. The toast was a bit lighter than I was used to but I ate it slowly trying to get used to the taste.

He left for work and I tried my hand at my first vegan recipe and I found out that it was delicious. Here I was slowly over time working with ingredients I had never even heard of. Some i recognized but had never had before. So I had tofu, tahini, all these new herbs I had never head of.



The first thing I did was walked into the kitchen and grabbed a scone mix. I checked to make sure I could use it and jumped up for joy when I found that I could. I got the cocoa powder and some dried apricots and some ginger pieces and some almonds and some California seedless raisins. I mixed in some apple juice instead of the egg and then the required water and made my first vegan dish. I checked on the oven scared they might burn and they didn't. I was being a bit silly. When I took them out I looked at them sniffing them a bit apprehensive. Then I tried one and it was good. I would have jumped for joy if I could have. So I put them in a bowl in the microwave and waited until Alexi got home.

Now every night I run him a bath and make him a cup of tea and set up a candle and some incense and sometimes I make a dessert. I spoil him but he works so incredibly hard. He deserves it and I would do anything for him. Making him smile is a joy I look forward to. He loved them ! That made me so happy. This being the first recipe I did not write it down. But I fixed this from now on.



 My next experiment was this one. *Points Down*



¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬

This recipe feeds myself and then a full lunch for my boyfriend. You will need.

2-3 Large potatoes.(Any color you like)

1/2 cup of onions (I usually use frozen)

1/2 cup of bell peppers(I use frozen that I cut up myself)

1/2 cup of any other veggies you may like.I recommend tomatoes,leeks,mushrooms,carrots,peas.Usually anything you have handy.

Half a cup to a full cup of pressed tofu pieces. You can usually find them in your dairy section and sometimes in the frozen section.

1 Heaping tablespoon of turmeric

Enough fresh ginger that when cut up fills your palm heaping.

Two garlic cloves

Salt and pepper to taste.



Now I usually begin by cutting up my potatoes into cubes and wait until the water in the pot is almost boiling. You can check them by pulling one out and testing it. You only want them about halfway cooked no more. Then on the other burner you put in some hemp,olive,sunflower oil...whichever you prefer. Enough to cover the bottom of the pan. Then put a lid over it and cut up your ginger and garlic. Once you have that you put it into the hot oil with the onions and peppers and whatever other vegetable you picked out. Cover on high for about five minutes then turn it down to medium low or setting 3 on your hob.



Then stir it and watch it cooking.Make sure it does not burn. Then stir in the turmeric salt and pepper. Cook until slightly all dente. Or a little more if that is what you like. Put it on a separate plate.



The potatoes once they are halfway done drain them and set aside. Then put a little more oil in the pan and once hot on high again toss in the potatoes and cook until crispy and golden.



At this point your potatoes will look exactly how you like them. Then toss in the tofu and the vegetables you just cooked. Mix well. Serve hot with a cut up tomato on the side or some greens etc.



This is my favorite dish right now. I hope you like it !

 ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬



Well once I made this I was hooked. It was more of an experiment in the kitchen after this. Since then I have learned of the practices in the animal industry and have felt so sad. There is a difference since I learned all of this. When I go shopping and I see people and their carts full of meat and cheese and eggs and milk.. I know that they are doing themselves a disservice.  Once you know the information it is impossible not to unlearn it. So you find yourself biting your tongue when you see people doing these things. When you see them not reading labels. I cringe when I see people doing there things and I have to hold back from saying anything. It is as if I have been instilled with this need to help my fellow man. I want to help them. I want them to live healthy lives and help all of these millions of animals that suffer needlessly.

My friends, bless them know how vehemently I feel about all of this. They know and they listen to me patiently. Some of them are trying to make changes and I feel good. But at night when Alexi is home I ask him. Am I doing the right thing when I tell them?  Do you think they resent me? Do you think they wish I would just shut up so they could go on with their lives and not think about these things?  Do they understand that I really sincerely care about them and I want them to live as long as possible and be healthy? Do they know that all this pain I am living in only strengthens my will to try and give other people a better life?  I am not pompous, nor a know it all. I am always learning more. Every day.

Some people I think just listen and move on in their life. If I manage to plant a seed in one friend and help them then good. I do not watch animal cruelty videos because it is fun for me. I do not watch it because it makes me feel good. But it is knowledge. It is a perspective. It cannot and should not be ignored. So I share these things with my friends and I hope one day that people will stop.

I hope for a world where there is no more animal product consumption.





This is a list of animal products. When you read all the things they make out of animals you may feel sick. You may recognize some of these ingredients as items that are in your own products. Products that you might use every day. 

http://www.peta2.com/STUFF/s-AnimalIngredientsList.asp

Now PETA is a good source of information. But I am not some enormous blind follower of them. Every group has it's issues. I am not trying to pass judgment.

Now are there some people on this planet that cannot be vegan? Yes I think so. Some of the tribes that live up towards the Arctic circle are limited on the things they can eat. So would i force them onto a vegan diet? No of course not. For the man who live in a rural part of the world that cannot afford to feed his family and is getting no help. Say he goes out and shoots some rabbits to feed his children. Am I going to go down there and preach to him about how wrong he is? No of course not. There are exceptions to almost any thing in this world really.

Some of the biggest arguments that I hear is this.

1. Being vegan is expensive - No actually if you think about it buying a bag of chickpeas some bulk herbs and some oil combined with some rice, potatoes or pasta and bags of frozen veggies are actually much cheaper than meat cheese eggs and milk.

2. Being vegan is hard - No not really. It is a change. That is the hard part. Adapting is the eventuality if you are determined. IF you need help then I do have a vegan beginners group on facebook. Here is the link  http://www.facebook.com/groups/310251979023374/  You can ask me to join and I am happy to offer you help.

3.But meat tastes so good - no not really. It is a texture you have grown used to. Most people do not just put meat in a pan and cook it and eat it. They cook it with spices and cover it in gravies or marinades etc. You can do the same thing with tofu and it has a large portion of protein in it. If you have any doubts. Watch this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNCGkprGW_o  They name Americans quite a bit but this is also true for people in any modern industrialized country.

http://www.readersdigest.co.uk/fruits-of-hot-climes/fast-food-facts-effects-and-health-risks-of-a-junk-food-diet/html  Talks about the UK.

4. Animals do not feel pain. What about free range? 

Farm to Fridge - The Truth Behind Meat Production
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THIODWTqx5E

Earthlings  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky4RGYva90E&feature=fvst

I am quite sorry to show you these. But the screams these sentient beings make haunt me. They stay with me. I suffer with pain every day of my life. How can I possibly justify causing millions more animals to suffer without trying to help them? I just cannot do it. If you tell me I cannot watch this because it is painful. I will tell you again. Imagine how painful it is for them. I beg you to reconsider your habits please.








                                                  Please Reconsider Your Choices..

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Being

Something I wrote to share with all of you.

 All these beautiful things that we see from day to day.From a slight
speck of dust upon a petal of a small flower struggling for sunlight in
the misty dawn. It struggles and sometimes we do not see it. But all
around us are stories that we do not see. We are part of a timeless
moment..something that touches us all and yet we do not always see


it.Nor are we always aware of its loving touch. Attempting to guide us
down a path in our growth of spirit. There is such beautiful joy in
these moments when we finally open our eyes and see beyond our own small
existence. When we see beyond the small wanderings that become day to
day monotony among our peers..or so we think they are. Yet within each
of them is a story of lost passion of forgotten interests. Things that
sparked within them and then sometimes blossomed and struggled to life
and became more than we could have imagined in the first place. Then
there are those whose struggle did not light up like a small flame to
fan that gray creativity in our spirits. Among us lay these realms
that we do not see and yet we are not blind to them ..not really. We
could see them if we cleared our eyes of the fog of consuming things
that do not matter. Making sure that we are stationed in a particular
place to watch pixilated movements upon a screen that lack that spark.
That drain from us that which makes us such noble creatures of light.
That soul that we garner sometimes becomes more.

There is a greatness within everyone..within everything..predestined is
how i see it. There is a joy to behold in a simple walk and looking out
onto the horizon. Do not let yourself become numb and blinded by
miniscule things that matter not. Do not let your eyes and desire become
foggy by the repetitive motions of others that have become blinded to
the daily routine and not open to anything.But seeing you attempt to fly
and catching you before you fall. You were not going to fall You were
about to become grace incarnate...you were taking those steps to leap up
and out towards your dreams streaming in front of you. You can see
them...breathe them in and let life flow within.Let nothing hold you
back. Listen not to the daily diatribes of beings too cluttered with
decay to know true life when they see it. They are shackled with chains
of conformity and destined to be nothing but a figurehead on a
beast.Sucking  life from us until we are diseased.


Look up into the sky and notice the spiraling love and beauty to be
found there. That universal light is inside of you if you can only open
your eyes to see it. You are capable of things.You can help those
falling and lift them up.Instead of gathering with people you think to
be friends and join in their suffering. Take a chance and let yourself
fly..help the wounded and comfort those sick of the world. Sometimes a
hand held out can help one from dying.Your choices can remove suffering
from those people.


The life you have been given is precious and you must rise to the
position that you were meant for. Do not cloud yourself with television
as it sucks your attention and potential like it was drinking your very
light.Do not dull yourself with drinks day after day. Covering yourself
in fabric that somehow has meaning simply because it bears a name of
someone that has done nothing for you or this world save simply taking
your money.Do not witness suffering in what you consume and allow it to
continue. Simply because something has always been done a certain
way..painted with a brush ..making strokes that you know does not make
it right nor something that is sustainable.The only way it remains alive
is through you giving it a part of yourself.


The amazing thing is this when you look to the ghosts of your past you
know what you have done and what you should have done. Do not hang your
head in defeat. Let yourself shine and look forward knowing what you now
know and be at peace.There is always a new day to wake up to and try
again to connect with yourself,with this world,with the people in
it,with your kindness,with a chance you did take. Not turning away once
and instead lending a hand.


You are so small in this world and in this universe and yet you are in a
world where there are many paths that can be taken and you pick
one..this does not mean that you cannot change. This does not mean you
cannot break free. This does not mean that you are something to be
ashamed of. You can change this.You have this amazing power and you can
use it. You have the power to stand and say No! I will not be another
cog in the machine. I will be free and there will be love in this world
not blind acceptance. I will be strong for those that cannot be. I will
see the good in others and bring it out of them.I will help those
trembling inside to take that tentative step forward.I will be the
divine being I am and have always been. I can make a change and forge
love and beauty and divinity into this world.



We are not dying..we will never go into that night peacefully. We will
stand for what is right. The blind can see. The sick can be healed and
there can be such changes in this world that nobody will understand at
first but we are awakening.We cannot sit and wither into this earth and
accept our chains.. we are free beings. We are love. We are divine and
we will conquer the apathy,the hatred,the unconscionable,the tragic,the
fear, and the pain.

We will and we can...take my hand and let me help show you the way.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Facial Lines and Their Stories



Let me tell you a little something about the author if i may. She is a bit of a recluse but once meeting
people she opens up and is quite genial. There may be emotions crossing her face at times and sometimes it is pain. In fact quite often it is pain. Mainly physical pain for which she is thankful to be able to manage thanks to her local GP. But it does weigh heavily on her at times. Having to put on a brave face.



But then don't we all do this upon leaving the house? We develop our walls of protection called a mask by some and by others a charming smile. Reading ancient history books I have found that this look is oftentimes that of a courtier. One of charm and civility and underneath lurking so many hidden things.

Now upon looking at anyones face you can see the tell tale signs of roads they have traveled upon
lightly, some carefree explorations and some trepidations although they might just do it again if given a chance. Some wear the hardships of the world upon their face. Within the furrows of their brows can be seen either the close inspection of life whereupon they examined it with intrigue or curiosity. Other times those furrows could indicate pain and a life filled with many toils.




Some people seem to lighten up at the appearance of someone that crosses their path because they know them and love them. Sometimes they are just having a good day and somehow cannot hide this happiness or contentment from the world and it shines through. I imagine being a guard at the palace where I traditionally am not supposed to show any emotional response. How hard that must be to stand there if you have just heard some delightful news. Perhaps your wife had your child. Perhaps you even held the baby in your arms and finally recognized a tiny piece of the universe you are now creating and growing and your line ..your history right before your eyes. Perhaps you just learned that someone close to you is terminally ill. All so many things that you could be feeling and yet stand you must. Upright and gallant even. Straightforward and stiff. The stiff upper lip i think.



Sometimes walking down the street I see children passing and on their faces seems a difficulty in hiding their feelings. But then they have not had enough occasions to have to learn the fine art of concealing one's feelings. They are free to show childlike delight at simple things. They wander in their own world and we generally as adults let them. We give them that freedom. Do we do it out of love? Knowingly? Do we do it perhaps because we know as adults how hard it can be.To have the freedom to just love and enjoy things should be a right. Maybe we as adults know this.





I think it should be a right. I think as human beings we should not be afraid to show childish delight at the raindrops as they fall. At the sunlight streaming through the windows of our homes. To see that ray of light hitting upon the shining fur of our well loved pets. To see their eyes look at us and know that they are our companions and smile because of it. To have those that posses our hearts walk through the doorway and our whole faces light up and sometimes we jump up into their arms and kiss them. Suddenly the world narrowing to a point where all you see is them.





To love, to share joys, to cling together during hardships. To kiss our wounds or wounded loved ones. To touch and attempt to heal with this. To hug one another. To skip along the road or dance to a song. Expressing with fingertips and hips and bodies made of lightness of being. As we try to describe without bodies what the sounds confer to us. What gifts they have given to us. To share all of these things.. all and anything that feels and shows emotions we have a right to it. If you are angry of course express it and try ..try hard to  not let it overtake you. Try to direct it towards resolution. Yes I know that can be difficult at times. Yes I know how hard it can be to forgive but you should. Perhaps you cannot forget and maybe that is a good thing. So you can remember and be prepared should whatever it is show up again.




 But never allow anger to own you. Never allow it to leave it's mark upon your beautiful soul. For you whoever you are reading this have a beautiful soul. In there is this amazing gift. The gift to forgive and learn and smile and find joy and grow and champion a cause. To shelter the weak from the brutalities of this world. To see with your eyes what others try and hide. Perhaps it is a hurt? IF you can see it maybe you can find a bandage to help them. We all of us.. ALL OF US... have the power to change this world. We have a chance while we breathe air to send out feelers. Sometimes we may feel pain. Sometimes we may find a joy beyond compare. Sometimes we may discover a beautiful side to someone we called friend.




These lines on our faces.This author used to fight them. She used to think that there was nothing to smile about. That all that was left to her was dissolution and pain. She thought she would die alone. She was so wrong. Her life has been filled with gifts beyond compare. She has found comforts she never knew existed. Let alone be worthy of receiving. She has an expanse of amazing life standing there in front of her. So now she wears her wrinkles with pride. She is getting laugh lines. They are there! It is exciting. She has reasons to laugh now and smile. She awakens to a beautiful new world every day and is so incredibly thankful for all of it.




So my advice to you is this. Let the world in a little bit. Smile at a random stranger even if they think
you are a loony bird. *laughs*  Do it anyway. Share the joy that is life! Share the bliss that is just
breathing sometimes. Sometimes when you eat say a quiet thank you. Thank the waiter. If you can manage it wander back towards the kitchen and say thank you to the staff. They may think you mad but do it anyway. Whenever you see a cashier and she looks stressed out tell her something kind and nice about herself. Validate people and show them how you see them. Never forget to say thank you to people most forget. Write a letter, pick up the phone but whatever you do...do it with love and compassion. Thank you for reading.