Wisdom

Words of Wisdom

and some of those people are:

There are others walking their talk every day. 

As Ghandi has been credited with saying:

"Be the change you wish to see in the world."

Blessings and love today and always,

Namaste,

Mareda

Could you forgive; or for that matter, could I?

When I look at my Facebook newsfeed and articles on the web (I long ago gave up reading the newspaper and watching the news...way too depressing), I come across so many comments about why so much coverage is given to this news event over another.  Isn't this person's tragedy just as horrific as this one who is getting so much attention? I do not have any definitive answer to that. I do think the news media recognizes that one story will garner much more interest than another and they are off and running. As I have turned this over and over in my mind, something else came to mind.

Why does the good never get published or if it does, very rarely. The good appears on a back page or one time and then is forgotten.  And forgiveness? What? People actually forgive and let go? Never. I searched one of the news sites the other day looking for something positive. Found one thing and it was even sad. As a bumper sticker I used to have indicated, "GOOD HAPPENS!"

And forgiveness happens! The link below is an example of forgiveness. The man speaking is a student of the Course in Miracles. I'm sure some of my readers will shake their heads and think I've gone off the deep end or moved over to the "dark" side since many feel this course is nothing but a bunch of nonsense; however, maybe this is a course that may benefit students of all ages if required in our schools.

Please click on the link below and watch this if you are moved to do so. I'm certain he is living in peace even in his sorrow.

Forgiveness

Revenge is sort of like "drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die." Hate only breeds more hate. Anger does nothing but push caring people away from you. I'm sure the question is running through your mind, "Could Mareda forgive as the man in the video did?" This question has run through my mind also.  To be honest, I don't know. I hope I could but until one finds themself in a certain circumstance, you never know.

In these days when so much "bad" seems to be happening, maybe we citizens of Earth are being tested. Do we fogive or continue to hate. Let me see now, in

 Matthew 18:21-22 

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

John, Paul, George and Ringo may have said it best:

Let It Be

When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And when the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted
There is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Yeah there will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be
Ah let it be, yeah let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
And when the night is cloudy
There is still a light that shines on me
Shine on until tomorrow, let it be
I wake up to the sound of music,
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
Yeah let it be, let it be
Let it be, yeah let it be
Oh there will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, yeah let it be
Oh there will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Ah let it be, yeah let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And here they are singing Let It Be....the Beatles!

May Peace, Love, and Forgiveness be your truth today and always,

Namaste,

Mareda

What if?

How different the world would be 

if.....

May you be blessed today and always,

Mareda

Chaos

 "One must have chaos within oneself in order to give birth to a dancing star."

~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Chaos. This world seems to be in a perpetual state of chaos. So many reports of seeming injustice. Court decisions that seem impossible to understand. A young boy struck down at age 17 and the perpetrator of his death found "not guilty" by a court of law. A woman sentenced to 20 years in prison for firing shots at her alledgedly abusive spouse for whom she already had taken out a order of protection. Women losing their rights to make decisions about their own bodies in more and more states. Fear so strong in some communities that people will refuse a rape victim entrance into their home. What in the world is going on?

Friends indicate to me that these type of things, and worse, have always been unfolding in our world; however, now that the Internet has become such an important part of our daily experience, we know about everything immediately. No longer must we wait until these things are in the history books for our children and our children's children to read. It is front and center on every channel, every minute, every hour, every day.

As I have long believed, this nation and others are riveted to tragedy. We watch the drama unfold on TV. We cannot get enough of it. Criminal cases are televised. News teams are sent out to tragedies and immediately ask those affected, "How does this make you feel?" I really hope I am never asked how a tragedy makes me feel 'cause I know a lot of colorful language will be forthcoming. Your child is dead. Oh, please, give me a break. How do I feel?

It is my long held belief that what we focus on multiplies. I must admit I can become focused on the "bad" out there too. It saddens me more than I can describe. Why after centuries have passed can we not rise above all this killing and criticizing and judging? Must we live in such fear? At least, I think fear is at the root of most of these tragedies.

• Fear because this person looks different or dresses differently or acts differently. 
• Fear because we think our rights are being taken away and we have to fight to get them back. 
• Fear there is not enough food, enough water, enough anything. 
• Fear about just about anything that is not what we consider the norm. 

And yet.....

What about the caterpiller that begins to spin a cocoon. Does the caterpiller have any fear? Maybe. But something tells it to begin this process. If we were to open the cocoon we would find a mess not a butterfly. Something is at work though creating what will ultimately become a butterfly. A beautiful miracle of life.

It is my fervent hope that this and every other nation on this planet we call Earth are in the cocoon stage of life. Hopefully, the chaos that we all know so well is bringing all of us closer to the beauty life can be. Possible those souls who have left us too soon or who are imprisoned have contracted to do this to further the evolution of humanity. Maybe they are all stars awaiting the first chords of music so the dance can begin.

I shall close this blog entry with the statement from President Obama:

"The death of Trayvon Martin was a tragedy. Not just for his family, or for any one community, but for America. I know this case has elicited strong passions. And in the wake of the verdict, I know those passions may be running even higher. But we are a nation of laws, and a jury has spoken. I now ask every American to respect the call for calm reflection from two parents who lost their young son. And as we do, we should ask ourselves if we’re doing all we can to widen the circle of compassion and understanding in our own communities. We should ask ourselves if we’re doing all we can to stem the tide of gun violence that claims too many lives across this country on a daily basis. We should ask ourselves, as individuals and as a society, how we can prevent future tragedies like this. As citizens, that’s a job for all of us. That’s the way to honor Trayvon Martin."

Peace and blessings to all who have lost a loved one to violence.

Namaste,

Mareda

Tears and Tattoos

Another sweet soul has shuffled off this plane of existence to return to his Source. One of my daughter's friends as well as an occasional visitor to our home made his transition this past Saturday night as he slept.  Over the last six months, quite a few young souls living in Kirkwood have left as a result of illness, suicide, murder or just not waking up.  We ask why? And we cry.  This last loss has a group of young people suffering a great deal and clinging to memories and each other.  And the question is being asked why? why? why?

The last few books I've been reading have been about what we call death.  Proof of Heaven  by Eben Alexander III, M.D. tells about his Near Death Experience.  As a neurosurgeon and scientist, he is able to scientifically prove that what happened was real and not just chemical reactions within the body.  An interesting and reassuring accounting of what is to come once this body temple is no longer of service.  

Another book I am currently reading is If You Could See What I See  by Sylvia Browne.  In this book, she discusses the contracts we make as souls preparing to enter this plane of existence.  This concept certainly explains why bad things happen to good people and why a sudden exit happens to some people.  Browne believes that we have chosen Planet Earth as our "school" since it is one of the most difficult schools around and our soul progression will be hastened.  

The concepts in these books can be some consolation to those grieving the loss of a loved one or questioning why 19 firefighters die in a fire as they are attempting to assist the citizens they serve; however, the loss is still real. No longer do we have a body to hug or a friend to laugh at our jokes. 

Throughout my life, even as a young child, I never really worried about what happens when one dies. The belief that there was something more has always resonated deep within. I have missed people though. And there are a few people who I still expect to show up at my door or at social functions even though they moved on a long time ago. Occasionally, I feel the presence of someone who has been special in my life. Maybe this is my imagination or wishful thinking, but I think not. Too often we negate that which is true. 

With all this being said, I must now touch on the tattoos part of my title. After the tears, a lot of people feel it is important to get a tattoo to remember the soul who has moved on. I have nothing against tattoos; however, I wonder if there isn't another way to honor the memory of a loved one. How about dedicating some time to serve another hurting soul by visiting a nursing home, or helping a neighbor with work they are unable to do, or paying for the purchase of the person in the car behind you at MickeyD's. Even a smile to a stranger might  make all the difference in their day. And, please, if someone asks if you are okay during a time of despair and grieving, give thanks that they are concerned instead of being angry. Be happy that someone cares enough to ask.

The death of a body is part of life.  The soul does not die. What really happens after a soul leaves its body temple is part of the great mystery of life. Some day we will all take that final voyage and the mystery will be over. Until then, live each day fully. Love, laugh, dance, express joy and goodness. That's what life is all about.

And to Josh, I say 

Bon Voyage!
You are loved and missed!

Namaste,

Mareda

Freedom

On this Fourth of July evening, as I await the fireworks to start, my heart was filled with gratitude for this country.  There is a lot of grumbling and complaining about what is going on in our country.  We point fingers at our President and the members of Congress. We say our law enforcement is unable or unwilling to do their job at protecting citizens.  There are no jobs.  Pay is lousy.  Healthcare sucks to put it bluntly.  BUT.....

Where else on this Earth could we do all this complaining and finger pointing and live to see the sun rise?  We live in a country where we can voice our opinions freely.  Obviously if we threaten someone, we will be held accountable but we are free to write letters to the editors of our newspapers; we are free to put our opinions on Facebook and Twitter.  Sure the naysayers will say we are being "watched" and we may be, but I doubt that someone saying they don't like what is happening in Washington will invite repercussions.  

It is almost dark and I'm ready to celebrate this country with the fireworks at Kirkwood Park.  So as the Fourth of July comes to an end, let's all give thanks for the country we live in.  Maybe, if we focused more on what is good about this land and less about our challenges, things could change.  Just maybe......

Happy Fourth of July Everyone.  

Namaste,

Mareda