Ponderings

Primal Cause What a powerful thing to know that we are the primal cause of what goes on in our lives, in our community, and in our world, just by the power of our own thinking. The vibrations of thought can be measured by manmade machines and its energies move the world. Therefore if we want to move the world in a more peaceful direction, we must first change our way of thinking. There is no better area to begin this change than in the minds of our young. The mind of a newborn is clean and pure. No evil or prejudice exists there. The only things that will exist in that mind are the things that we implant. If we plant the seeds of honesty, integrity, a sense of fair play, creativity, love, and respect for one another, then those seeds will grow, and it is the harvest of those seeds by which these children will guide their lives.We have violence in our schools and in our streets today and we wonder why, while the answer stares us right in the face every day of our lives. The lives of our youngsters are crowded with violence and suggestions of violence. Humanity Still Struggles Man seems to have two strong drives; one a personality drive born of fear and insecurity and the other an inner spiritual drive fathered by a need to unite with God. The first is a human need to excel. It requires that he be dominant, to master himself, his environment, and his fellow man, because the need to excel is motivated by fear, separateness, and greed. Thus, he competes and creates war and takes his brother’s home by force. The second is a drive to create beautiful things, to develop a brotherhood among men and to seek unity rather than separateness. It is this drive that gives birth to the creation of glorious paintings, magnificent sculpture and massive edifices. Both are avenues of power. When you feel the need to conquer, just remember that even the Roman Empire was overthrown by those who were considered weak and inferior. I paraphrase many spiritual leaders that have told us to “join one another, each like a brother.” Join forces with your brother. Be reminded of how Ghandi united India with loving non-violence. You have the power to choose harmony or discord, creation or destruction, unity or separateness. What is your choice? What do you want in your life? Do you need to make a shift in your consciousness? Marriage vs. Living together Why do we need a piece of paper to tell us its okay to live together? Well first of all, the piece of paper won't tell you whether it's okay or not. Only you can do that. However, living together is a definite commitment but there are certain psychological advantages to knowing that the back door is wide open, creating an easy out. Marriage, on the other hand also has its advantages and disadvantages. Let's explore both possibilities. In this writing, I address those couples who plan a future together and want to live their lives as one life. Either or both may bring a child or children into the home from a previous marriage or relationship. They may want to bless this union with a child of their own. They must decide what is better for them, living together without legal marriage vows, or taking the necessary steps to marry in a legal manner. It is my hope that by the time you finish reading this rendering, you will be in a better position to objectively decide which route is going to provide the most creative environment within which you and your relationship can grow and deepen, thereby offering greater fulfillment for each of you as individuals and as a couple Power of the word The power of the spoken word is often disregarded. Even worse, the speaker is frequently unaware, if not totally oblivious of the power behind the words he chooses. Good writers know of the power the word. Presidential speeches are written with the utmost attention to the effect of very carefully chosen words and phrases. Great writers such as Hemingway and Steinbeck; Emerson and Browning used words prudently, and selected words carefully. If we were aware of the powerful effect of the words we use with such a cavalier attitude and of the words we allow ourselves to listen to, we would be much more selective of what we exposed ourselves and our loved ones to. Language has become more graphic, and more precise, which makes it a more refined tool for our use. Words can be our friend or our enemy. They can be used to instill confidence and awareness or they can be used to destroy. They can be used to increase awareness and consciousness or to debilitate and criticize. Just imagine the effect it would have on the world if each of us in our own small way, in our own limited environment, chose to cut back on the violence, the anger, and the hurtful words we actively use, and instead, invite into our lives increased understanding, gentleness, and caring. Add to the mix the use of well chosen words that are encouraging, non-judgmental, loving, creative, and harmless.