Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Remembering how to fly ...


I apologize for my absence the last couple of weeks. My modem at home is not connecting to the Internet reliably these days; probably needs to be replaced. So I haven't been able to spend much time online. I'm posting this from work after hours and I hope you'll indulge me if I re-post an old post from May 2005 for now. Enjoy!

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May 17, 2005

I read recently that of the tens of thousands of thoughts a person has in a day, for most people, the majority of those thoughts are negative.

Reading that, I had to stop and pause and reflect on that for a moment. The majority of their thoughts are negative.

I can't even begin to imagine what that would feel like. How would one's spirit be filled with joy? How would one remember how to fly? I felt so deep-down, depths-of-the-soul sad imagining how anyone could be entombed by negative thoughts most of the time.

Maybe some have become desensitized to it, to the point that perhaps they no longer see how their choices are impacting their spiritual being. I really try to be conscious about my choices of what I read, watch, hear, see, do. I try to keep positive messages through my head, heart and spirit.

An example: a South-Park loving friend told me I'd love the show, funny, funny, great writing, etc. Twice, I tried to watch it; twice, they kicked a baby in the opening of the show. That's not the kind of stuff I want seeping into my cellular being, cartoon or no. I've noticed there are also a lot of children's cartoons where kids are mean to one another, or beating up on one another in that flying-fists-and-clouds-of-dust way they do it in cartoons. The message is subtle, clouded in colored, comic characters, and it's not a message of love. I'd prefer to see characters whose choices are guided by Love; powerful, strong enriching stories of the true goodness of people.

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Last Saturday, J (my oldest granddaughter) received a character award from the city. There were about 50 kids receiving awards, ranging from a tiny, long, blond-haired kindergartener to seniors in high school, perched on the edge of adulthood. As each child went up to receive their award, the announcer read the words of the person (youth care staff, teachers, guides, religious) who'd nominated them ... " ... donated her hair to Locks of Love ..." " ... helps the other kids with their homework ..." "... we call her "our future president" ..." "... writes to soldiers in Iraq ... " "... organized a fund-raiser to help victims of the tsunami ..."

On and on it went, each child standing there smiling, their spirits strong and beautiful, their beings radiating their auras so brightly. Oh, the power and loveliness of each of those beings! If that kind of power could be harnessed ... and it can and is every single day by good teachers, encouraging their young wards, and by good parents, supporting their children's dreams to help others, and by family and friends who create a nurturing environment that tells these new lives that its safe to be who you are and to be good and positive and to truly and entirely believe that YOU CAN DO AND BE ANYTHING.

These kids inspire me. They don't fear failure. They live their lives inspired by Love. "Fail? Fine. But I'll try again and I will succeed.' Their choices aren't guided by fear (What if they think I'm a dork? What if no one's ever done this before? What if the kids laugh at me?) but by Love. Powerful experience, watching each one of these positive thinkers that morning. We need to grow more just like 'em. The world is certainly a better, more positive place with them breathing the same air we do.

Namaste

photo: Lake Elsinore at sunrise, viewed from my daughter's home

5 comments:

paintergal said...

That's so true, Rose!
As a child, I didn't like cartoons that showed someone getting hurt. Wiley Coyote getting bonked on the head by an anvil wasn't my idea of funny. The Three Stooges (my brothers watched old black and white films) always were getting hurt. Not funny.
I so agree with you on what we put into our minds.
It's biblical, you know!
Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things."

mermaid said...

It is important to be able to find my way back out from the negative thoughts. Personal history and psychology play a big role, but to know that gratitude, joy, and beauty surround me...well, I wipe the slate of my mind and heart clean again and again.

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

I love you. It's so important to always find you as a touchstone, being you.

Lynn

I wish I could be that.

Anonymous said...

Amen to finding the joy in almost every situation! Just watched Inside the Actors Studio this morning (famous celebrities interviewed intelligently)...and John Travolta was on. He was asked how he handled his peak of fame with Sat. Night Fever to a slump in popularity 15 years later. He said he was taught confidence from his parents, and why would he be negative? Others may have viewed it as a fall, but he looks for the joy in every situation. I only hoped he could use some of this thinking in his most dire situation now with the recent death of his son. Anyway...then I came here and saw your old post, which was great. Thank you Rose. I will keep looking for joy and you do the same.

stewcarol

Rose - Watching Waves said...

What a powerful passage that is, PG! It speaks to living with integrity, doesn't it? Choosing the better path, not just the easy path, in every choice made.

Mermaid, it's so nice to see you! You prompted me to visit your so-lovely blog and renew my spirit with your insight.

Lynn, my dear Lynnn. I love you and am holding you in the longest, love-filled, heart-to-heart hug. May that hug protect you from part of the rain today. You know you are a touchstone for me, too? We are connected, for some reason, meant to be a part of one another's journeys, so I'm just rolling with it.

Carol - There is a lot of personal integrity and groundedness in John Travolta. I enjoy his interviews; he seems to truly know and accept who he is, exactly as he is. I love that.