Let The Spirit Move You

The dew of compassion is a tear... ~Lord Byron

Make NO judgement where you have NO compassion!

No man is a true believer unless he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself. ~Muhammad

Of all religions, the Christian should, of course, inspire the most tolerance, but until now Christians have been the most intolerant of all men. ~Voltaire

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged, and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you. ~Matthew 7:1-2 KJV

http://youtu.be/0a45z_HG3WU  Everything Is Beautiful~Ray Stevens
http://youtu.be/wlR0KElxxVg  I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing~The New Seekers
http://youtu.be/M9BNoNFKCBI We Are the World {Issue is different~Message is the same}
http://youtu.be/sSzukDkftL8 Make It Stop~Rise Against

                                                                Love and Only Love....

Today is Spirit Day.  For those who don’t know what that is, it’s a day of observance that was decreed by a Canadian teenager named Brittany McMillan back in October of 2010, because she was outraged and saddened over bullying that was taking place, and she wanted to do SOMETHING to show her support to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender [LGBT] youth who were suffering as a result of this juvenile yet barbaric act.  The concept was simple: wear purple for the day to show your support to those who are victims of bullying simply because of their differences.
The name Spirit Day was derived from the purple strip in the Rainbow Flag which represents “spirit” as defined by its creator, Gilbert Baker.
Back in 2010, there was a rash of widely publicized bullying-related-suicides of gay students.  It was brought to the forefront of national attention with the jumping death of 18-year-old, Tyler Clementi.  As a result of these tragedies, 1.6 million Facebook users signed up to participate in McMillian’s global event that garnered the attention of GLADD as well as many Hollywood celebrities.  Since then, it’s become an annual day of observance in October, when people don purple to show we are united in this effort to stop the bullying and let the LGBT community know that we stand both in support of them and with them.
As a woman, I have felt discrimination before.  Sadly, I’ve even felt discrimination in my life because I’ve battled with weight issues on and off for most of my life. One time during my working life, I had the unfortunate dealings with a boss who was for lack of a better word an insensitive jerk about an issue that was none of his business; had nothing to do with the job I was hired to perform; and, was a TRUE pot meet kettle moment, if you know what I mean!   I could have sued him and probably should have just to teach him a lesson, but I believe the energy we dispense is what comes back to us, and I really didn’t want all that negativity floating around me.  HE wasn’t worth it.  That much I knew.
What I cannot fathom is being discriminated against because of who I love. I just can’t imagine that, and I have tried.  I also can’t imagine being teased mercilessly over that choice.
I remember 20 years ago when I was working as a Sales Manager in an area hotel, I worked with a man who was a Minister outside of being a Sales Manager in our hotel.  He and I had a lot of interesting discussions on religion.  He was very open to honest exchange in thoughts and ideas.  I remember one particular night on the evening news the reporting of a story that indicated that studies were being done that linked homosexuality to a genetic component.  It wasn’t conclusive, but more and more studies were being done to attempt to unlock the key to determine if this trait in homosexual individuals was inherited like height, eye color, hair color, etc.  It’s been a debate for a long time.
Naturally, it was the topic of conversation the following morning between Rick and I over coffee.  It was obvious that he wasn’t comfortable with the idea of it, because he said that the Bible was very specific on the condemnation of that “type” of behavior.
“What if it’s proven right, Rick?” I asked. “What if it’s a genetic determiner?”
“I don’t want to think about it,” I remember him saying.
“You need to think about it,” I cautioned.  Then, I told him why I felt that way.
Basically what I told him was this: if there ever comes a day when science is able to prove that one’s sexuality is as inherent to an individual as their eye color, hair color, height, weight, blood type — all those things that are pre-determined by genetics, then religious institutions have a problem because of what they are espousing.  How can one be condemned to hell for how they are made – for a trait that’s as natural to them as the color of their eyes or hair? [And, for the record, let me say that I believe in a loving and forgiving God, not ALL hell-fire and brimstone.]
As argument, Rick reminded me that the Bible was written by divinely inspired men of God.
“Ah, yes!” I replied.  “But nowhere has it ever been stated that THEY were exempt from sin!”
He looked at me funny.  He knew I was a good debater.  He knew I came to the table with thought-provoking arguments.
This is what I brought to the table:
The Bible only mentions one person who has ever walked this earth exempt–free from all sin and that person was Jesus Christ.  I was raised with a very strict religious upbringing, and it was taught in my church that where the Bible was silent in scripture, no inferences could be made.  None.  Had the authors wanted exposition added, they would have done so.  The fact that it was not expounded upon by them meant that it was not to be expounded upon by us.
Likewise and yes, I agree, the men who wrote the Bible were divinely inspired by God — so are musicians and painters and poets.  The Bible does not say that these men were given an exemption status while they were penning their portions–that they were no longer mortal, flawed men.  I’ve never read that anywhere in the good book.  If it’s not in there, you cannot tell me that “divinely inspired” means that, otherwise, everyone who was divinely inspired would get to claim that same benefit.   You can’t have it both ways!   My point is that there are many theologians who argue about the Bible and it’s validity in terms of merit-on-point.  It is chock full of contradictions.  If you don’t believe me, read it for yourself.  I was amazed watching a nun on 60 Minutes one Sunday night pointing them out.  Please hear me when I say that this is NOT a slam against the Bible!  It’s merely stating a fact.   Likewise, the Bible was written in languages, Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, that cannot be accurately translated into English.  In other words, there are many meanings given to one word.  Which is the accurate meaning?  And, where there isn’t a very good language-to-language translation of meaning, and it’s translated as closely as it can be to what it should mean in English, what are we suppose to make of that?  I had a friend, Hadas, back in the 80's who was from Israel and spoke Hebrew as her primarily language.  She’s the one who told me that there are entire words in the original language of the Bible’s text that cannot be accurately translated into English.  It gave me pause.  It is but one reason that scholars debate it.   If I’ve got six words that represent an interpretation for one word, which one am I suppose to choose as the gospel?  It’s problematic.
Don’t get me wrong.  I was raised on this book.   My foundation is based upon it. I believe in its overall beautiful and inspiring message.  I’m just able to see it in proper context: it’s NOT all black and white, and I’m not being blasphemous for recognizing and stating that fact.  Case in point: when I was a young girl, one of my best friends at church, I’ll call her, Nancy, for the sake of this entry, was a tomboy.  I was a girly girl.  We got to be good friends at our church summer camp one year.  
It was only when I was in my 20's that my mother told me that my friend, Nancy, had been born a “hermaphrodite”.   I believe the politically correct term now for people born with this condition is inter-sexed.  A hermaphrodite/inter-sexed person is someone who is born with the reproductive organs normally associated with both male and female sexes.  BOTH. Stop and think about that for a minute.  If they have both a penis and a vagina, what does that make them when they partner up with another person?  Confusing, isn’t it?  It’s definitely not black or white, but rather a very complex shade of gray, which is what I tried to tell my friend, Rick, many years ago.   Nancy’s parents had chosen to have her live as a girl, but what if they hadn’t?  What if they had left both sets of organs in place for her to determine, as she got older, how she wanted to live her life — the direction she wanted to go?  How would society classify her based on who she loved?  Gay? Straight?  Bisexual?  Was it even a fair assessment?  Or, what if Nancy’s parents had chosen wrong for her, and as she got older and puberty kicked in, she felt more like a boy than a girl?  Would it be wrong for her to have “those” feelings since SHE had been born with both male and female genitalia in the first place?    Gray matter....that’s what it is.  It’s not that cut and dry.  It’s not that easy to classify, and one shouldn’t be condemned because of a situation like that, which they had absolutely no control over.  I’ve often wondered about Nancy – how she is doing?  If she is happy?  If her parents made the right decision for her so, so many years ago?
I wonder about those other people who are born with inter-sexed conditions and who choose to live an androgynous life.  Are they never suppose to love, if they happen to find love?  Is that right or fair?
Compassion.  I was raised to have it for my fellow brothers and sisters of the world.  Tolerance. I have learned to embrace the differences that separate me from others, not as something bad and evil, unless you are hurting a child, an animal, an elderly person, or someone who is defenseless, but as something that is unique and good.  Love is never a bad thing, unless it’s being abused.
There are far too many divides felt in this world today that a little love, compassion, tolerance and understanding wouldn’t go a LONG way to help heal and bridge.  Lord, it’s time to build the bridges of love and understanding that divide us!  Hate is not something that a child is born with.  It is a learned behavior.  And, bullying is as much a cry for help to the one who’s doing the picking on as the one being picked upon.
Our world needs a big embrace of love and compassion - the whole world over.  Think what a place it would be if collectively we all hugged one another in the spirit of love and only love.  I do believe that heaven would drift down to earth and the smile of God would be so large that EVERY person would feel the warmth generating from the happiness being felt from above.
John Lennon once said, “you may say, ‘I’m a dreamer...’ but I’m not the only one...” I don’t believe I am either.  Just imagine it for a second...  That which we imagine we give power to.  That’s the kind of holy roller moment that I’m talking about!  Scripture says with God, ALL things are possible!  Yes, indeed.  Indeed they are.  Let’s make some things possible: like no more bullying.  How about no more name calling?  How about to every young person out there you remember this: God loves you – just the way you are!  He made you, and he doesn’t make junk!  In your moments of despair, when you feel alone, remember that YOU ARE LOVED!  If you need to hear it in whatever moment you are in, go listen to Josh Groban!  He’ll tell you so!  Don’t give up!  Moments in life – especially the bad ones are temporary.  Don’t take a permanent action to solve a temporary life-moment.  Stop! Take a breath and know that it will pass.  It will! There are not many things I know for certain, but that is one thing that I can assure you of with complete certainty!
I wasn’t fortunate enough to have my children live their lives with me here on earth.  Had I been blessed to mother them through these difficult years, I would have said to them, “You are a rare blessing!  Do not let anyone EVER make you feel less than the unique gift that you are to this world!  Whoever you are is okay!  Just be the best you that you can be, and that will be good enough for your father and I!”  If there is one child out there who isn’t getting that message from home, than you come here and take it from me, because I will gladly offer it to you here, and I will send you a cyberhug to go along with... (((HUG))) You are loved! You are loved! Don’t EVER forget that!!!!
Martin Scorsese once said that as he’s gotten older, he has more of a tendency to look for people who live by kindness, tolerance, compassion, and a gentler way of looking at things.  Yes, Martin.  That’s right!  Those are exactly the glasses we should look through as we get older because everyone is fighting some kind of battle in this life... Everyone.  Be kind....it doesn’t cost you anything, but it might mean the world to them....

http://youtu.be/_pqGOf_V2T4  Love Can Build a Bridge~The Judds
http://youtu.be/aEOuWCIikVc  You Are Loved~Josh Groban *I posted a different version of this in an entry the other day....it “bears” ;-) repeating...

The Seven Candles of Christmas

http://youtu.be/WqFAQ2ODMZw [Go Light Your World]

A few years ago, a friend told me about a tradition of hers: the lighting of seven candles of Christmas in remembrance of and to signify the true meaning of the season. I’d never heard of it before, but I thought it was a lovely sentiment. Wow. Light a candle, and in essence, light up the world. There’s no story here - no memories to reflect upon. This post is merely a sharing of - passing on information regarding a holiday tradition that many around the world practice. I offer it here for consideration as something you might want to try this year; I tweaked it a bit with my own little spin. And, if you are so inclined, I hope you’ll not only light your candles but pass them on so that they may burn bright! Blessings One and All!!!!

Light the first candle for the one whose birth we celebrate on Christmas Day. May the fire and light from this candle shine brightest for all the world to see and feel the warmth of its glow.

Light the second in honor of the gift of God’s love. May the light from this candle touch every heart - those who believe - however you believe - and those who do not. Especially for the non-believers, may the light from this candle allow a dawning to occur within you, because we all need something to believe in.

Light the third candle in honor of your family–your children, for they are truly among your greatest treasures.

Light the fourth candle to honor the women and men in our armed forces - the standard-bearers of our liberties, who fight and sacrifice so much of themselves so that we may have the right to celebrate Christmas [or not] in accordance with our personal beliefs.

Light the fifth candle for your friends. Our friends are the family we create for ourselves. They are our self-made blessings. God gave us our families; we pick our friends. Therein, lies the perfect balance of light and love. As with our families, friends are among our greatest blessings.

Light the sixth candle for those less fortunate - the have nots - the forgotten ones, those who suffer: for those people who have lost their jobs; the homeless; the mentally ill who wander aimlessly through a society that does not understand them; for the mother and father who have no food to give their child - no money to purchase even a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk; for those children who go to bed hungry and disillusioned; for the abused who have lost all hope; for the chronically ill and lonely who know pain more than anything else in their lives yet daily persevere. May the glow from this candle guide our conscience and give us compassion as we remember them, and may it burn brightly for those who are existing in any of these predicaments, who need a guiding light to help them find their way out of their individual despair and onto the pathway to a truly glorious earthly life.

Light the seventh candle for those who are believers of goodness and grace: the optimists of the world. Let it burn to honor those who still have hope in a weary world and  who keep a positive attitude amidst a tempest-tossed storm of uncertainty regarding plans, future, and the direction of our nation and its people [as well as the world at large]. Let us remember those who continue to inspire and endure as true examples of God’s grace. May the light from their candles always burn with an indescribable brilliance, serving as a testament to the idea that "this too shall pass" if you believe with the hope of an assured heart that "better days lie ahead..." Let this candle shine brightly as a reminder to others that endless possibilities come to and for those who maintain a hopeful heart.


May the blessings of the season be with every one. Christmas is a time of pure celebration: celebrate the joy and love that come with giving; celebrate the good tidings we feel when we share our abundance with others; celebrate life for this is the season of reflection and love. May you, your family and friends find the peace that the light of these seven candles imparts on the world. May the seed that you sow of love, grace and happiness advance the light forward so that the light of the Seven Candles of Christmas will be magnified by all who see it each and every time someone sees them. Our greatest prayer en total as we celebrate the lighted candles is Peace on Earth. May you know it and may you pass it on. God Bless you and yours this holiday season with health, happiness and joyful appreciation for the gifts~messages that the seven candles impart to each one who partake in this experience. Now, Friends...take your candle or two or three and go light your world so that others may see your light, catch your flame and pass it on, until all the world is bright and beautiful with love, hope and peace’s illumination and see if we can maintain it NOT for just a season, but for always.... Amen.

There but by the Grace of God...

"If you haven’t any charity in your heart, you’ve got the worst kind of heart problem." ~Bob Hope

compassion n. - sympathetic concern for the suffering or misfortune of others.

http://youtu.be/amD8peahXmQ [Another Day in Paradise/Phil Collins]

The other day, it was a gorgeous autumn day, Tom and I went out to my favorite store: Barnes and Noble. [Not surprising right? Writers love books. I always have.] I found a $25 gift card as I was straightening "my area" last Friday. No doubt, it was left over from my birthday, and I’d not noticed it sitting there, buried among a stack of papers I was saving. [Don’t ask me for what...] My Whatzit must have been off not to have sensed the glaring flashing lights it must have been sending to me: Find me! Find me! Find me! Book money! Book money! Book money!
Boy, hiddy, once I’d found it though, it began to burn a hole in my pocket. So, Tom and I took a little drive across town the next day.
As we turned off the interstate to the road that took me to one of my little heavens on earth, I noticed, sitting on the median on a rickety old stool that divided the six-lane highway, a middle aged lady, holding up a sign, proclaiming her plight: she was down on her luck. She had a son. She wished she could work but was unable to. Her posterboard was old - faded. It wasn’t the first time she’d had to turn and ask for help from strangers. Her clothes were old and worn too.
It made me sad.
I remember when I was in high school – 11^th grade, I believe. The school gave a test that was designed to help a student see the areas where they excelled – areas of interest which might aide in selecting a career path. My results were a veritable smorgasbord of range and interest. These are the things my results indicated I had a propensity for: writing, [surprise, surprise.....]; acting; politics; law; and social work. It was astounding how accurate it was in the areas of my interest. My father and mother had agreed to send me to college if I wanted to go, but their offer to each of their children was this : go to college right after graduation or get a job and work. No exception. No time off to go "discover" myself. Choice a or choice b. That was it. I decided to go to college. My father looked at the results of this proficiency exam and nixed two of the recommendations right off the bat. "In a New York minute" as he used to say, he limited my options. Straight away he said no to acting.
"I’m not paying for you to go to college for four years to act!" his statement was firm. "Do that on the side if it’s something you’re interested in doing." [He knew I was in the drama club, and it wasn’t a viable option on their dime.]
"Fine," I told him. "What else do you object to?" I knew which one he took exception to, but for the sake of argument, he needed to spell it out for me. I wanted to hear him say it.
"Absolutely NOT on the social worker recommendation!" he said with great emphasis on the word not.
I remember my brows furrowing. "You don’t think I’d be a good social worker?" I asked innocently.
"On the contrary," he countered. "You’d be an exceptional social worker! However, you’d bring every stray dog, cat and person home! The pay isn’t good, and it would defeat the purpose of you working to earn your living! You’d barely be able to take care of yourself on that salary, let alone everyone else!"
Hm. I remember thinking. There were times, at that point in my life, when I thought he didn’t know me well. But, when he had me pegged, he had me pegged.
I hated to admit it, but his assessment on that issue was right on the money, like a dart hitting dead-center in the bull’s eye zone. It was a true statement.
I’ve been known to have a "bleeding heart". Some who know me might apply it to politics. Most who know me apply it to people and animals. I’m a sucker for a "down on your luck" story. I don’t know.....I think it’s part personality and part the way I was raised.
"The Golden Rule" was drilled into my mind early on. It’s the way I live – the way I believe. If I had my way, it would be the mandatory motto for the world. Lots of problems would be solved if we all lived under the direction of "do unto others as you would have them do unto you...." Yeah. That’s a golden thought alright!
It’s the thought I had on Saturday as I looked at that woman sitting in the middle of the road, asking strangers to have a little compassion and understanding for her plight. I realize that there are people out there who run cons and do this kind of thing who are not truly in need. However, it wasn’t the case with this woman. She was down on her luck. That much was obvious. You could tell.
Seeing her sitting there like that bothered me. I imagined that she didn’t have a wonderful surprise, like finding a $25 gift card to a book store hiding beneath her private papers; she didn’t have the luxury of having a spouse take her out to lunch after said shopping expedition. Did she have a roof over her head to call home for herself and her son? I wasn’t sure.
I thought about my home - my beautiful home with all its modern day comforts and conveniences. Was she able to take a hot shower each day? It’s a simple pleasure that most of us take for granted.
Tom and I went about our business. We went into the book store, then ran to Target for a few items we "needed". The entire time, I couldn’t help thinking of her sitting out there between the highways. It gnawed at me. She was still there when we finished our errands - two hours later. Two hours. Lord knows how long before and after we saw her she sat there? I couldn’t stop thinking about that. I couldn’t stop thinking that there but by the grace of God....and I felt tears come.
God’s grace upon me has been plentiful. From my childhood to my middle age, there’s nothing that I have lacked for - no basic need that has been denied me. I’ve never had to worry about where my next meal was coming from or if I could pay the light bill each month. I am not a financially wealthy woman, but I have never known the concern of those things. There are many things I want, but not a thing in the world that I need. I have a good husband; a beautiful home; health insurance, food in my pantry, clothes in my closet and savings in the bank for a "rainy day". I have air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter. I have a phone to use to call my family and friends whenever the need strikes, and I want to hear their voices or share some conversation. I have a computer to play on and write on. Life has its moments, but it’s good. I hate that it’s not good for everyone. It bothers me that there are some people out there who know, more often than not, how it feels to go to bed hungry and what it is to live without the comforts of modern day convenience.
Misfortune is an odd thing. It can befall even the wealthiest of people on the spin of a dime, because of unwise investments or health issues or the loss of a job or spouse.....Any number of things can change one’s lot in life. It takes a certain kind of fortitude to check one’s pride at the door and humble oneself to the lowly station of begging strangers for their kindness and their loose change. That’s not a judgement call. It is what it is. I’ve often heard though that mothers aren’t above doing anything to provide for their child – even if it means sitting in the middle of a busy road, on a rickety old stool, asking passers by for a show of mercy. How many "good cries" does it take for one to be able to rise above the inhumanity of such a state to sit with a quiet dignity and hold a sign up exposing your misfortune to all who pass you by? Have you ever paused to consider it? Last Saturday, I did. I thought, "there but by the grace of God go I or anyone I love", and if that were the case, wouldn’t I hope that someone had compassion for us in our moment of true and utter need?
"Can we loop through McDonald’s before we go get something to eat?"
My husband knows me well enough to know why I was asking.
"Sure," he replied, reaching over to squeeze my hand. "You’re my tender-hearted little Darling!" he told me.  [He calls me that a lot...]
I smiled and squeezed back.  I knew that he felt that way. It’s easy, however, to have a tender heart when you have so much...
"I’ll go in," I said, opening the car door and taking my cane, as I hobbled toward the door. I wanted to pack the napkins, salt/pepper, ketchup etc. myself. It may seem silly, but I wanted my personal touch on this gesture. I wanted her to know that someone truly did care, even down to the most minor of details. I got her a number four: two cheeseburgers, a large fry, a large Coke and I added two apple pies for good measure. A dollar didn’t seem too much an expense to add a touch of sweetness to someone’s day. At least that day, her and her son would have a carefree moment that having Micky D’s seems to provide for kids and their parents. At least, I hoped it would give them a carefree moment.
We looped back around so that we were in the turn lane closest to her. I was hoping the light would change to red, so that we didn’t have to toss the bag quickly out the window to her. And, what do you know....the light turned red. I think God is happy to give a helping hand when a good deed is at work....
We rolled the window down and called her over. She looked surprised when we handed her the food in addition to a $5 spot.
"God bless you folks! God bless you folks!" she said in a voice that broke a little with emotion.
"God bless you, Ma’am!" I returned the sentiment.
Tender mercies....always give them when you can.
I must admit that it was the best $10 we’ve spent in a long time! It was satisfying and rewarding all in the same breath. It made us feel good. It was better than the two tall coffees we had been planning to get later that day but decided to forgo. Imagine how much better our world would be if we all took one day and gave up a guilty pleasure – just one sacrifice so that a good deed could shine in a weary world. [My favorite quote from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory...]
I don’t think it would change the world, but it would certainly start a movement in the right direction. Do unto others....there but by the grace of God.... Good reminders, I say....such good food for thought.
This isn’t a "Magnificent Obsession" moment for me. No. There’s a reason I’m not keeping this one a secret. It’s a gesture I challenge everyone to try. Next time you see someone walking by the side of the road with all their worldly belongings crammed into a shopping cart, or you see someone wearing a winter’s coat when it’s 103 degrees outside and carrying a broken down cardboard box, or you spy a woman sitting on a rickety old stool in the middle of a busy highway asking for a small kindness, give them your compassion! Reach into your wallet and give a couple of bucks, and if you don’t have any singles, give them a $5 or $10. If you believe in the Principle of Reciprocity, you don’t have to worry about losing a few bucks in that moment, because it’s sure to come back to you in more and better ways than you could ever imagine. Even if you don’t believe in it, try it any way. I dare you to put your want aside for one day and give the blessing to someone else. I double dare you! Take the daily challenge as Carolyn Hennesy [actress and author would say ;-) ...] She challenges her followers with one every day.  It's a call for one to step out beyond themselves and shake up their normal routine - do something different to better yourself or your neighbor.  I hope she doesn't mind that I'm borrowing her wonderful philosophy!  As such, this is mine to you...
Dignity. It’s an appreciated gift. It doesn’t cost much to give it either....$10 bucks isn’t a high price to pay for the genuine smile of gratitude you get in return. Never forget that! And, if you’re ever faced with the choice, give someone their dignity instead of taking it away from them. See them instead of ignoring them. Have compassion for them instead of pity. Their dignity, as that old adage states, in the long run, might not mean anything to you, but it means everything to them...The reverse of that statement is true. I was raised to try and put myself in another’s position. It would serve us all well, sometimes, to do it. It’s my challenge to you today: when you see someone down on their luck, try and put yourself in their shoes. Give a little of yourself to let someone know that kindness still exists in this world.
Compassion to a stranger is a much needed generosity today. Remember, at any given moment, there but by the grace of God...