Red Thread

There is an interesting Chinese legend  that revolves around a red thread.  Many people believe that when we are born we are connected by an invisible thread that binds us to people we are “destined” to meet and as we grow older that thread tightens or becomes shorter, in a sense pulling us closer to those significant others. Those significant others I am thinking about is not our family because it’s a given that those closest to us will be there. I am talking about total strangers who we are destined to meet in different times or phrases in our lives where we will need them for whatever reason. It is not too far-fetch to conceive that some of us will meet people who will inspire us to be spiritually rich when we have strayed and given in to temptation. Some of us will meet people who will challenge us to be physically stronger when we are feeling lackadaisical.  Also, some of us will be lucky enough to meet someone who will encourage us to build up our mental fortitude so we can continue to  meet any challenge head on.  These remarkable people may be our best friends, lovers, family members, but they can also be total strangers who are connected to us by that invisible red thread.  Ergo,it makes perfect sense to me that  ”An invisible red thread connects those who [we] are destined to meet regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle but it will never break”. I believe that there is a rhyme and reason for everything that happens in our lives, even the negative things has its purpose. However, we are fortunate enough to live in a world where we are not alone, where we can connect with others who will be there for us at a time when we are the most desperate, in a place we least expect, and in the most odd circumstance.  Be optimistic and have faith that we are all connected.  Like Maya Angelou says, ” We should focus on our commonalities instead of our differences!”

Are some churches robbing its members blind?!

I have seen the light!  I wish more people could say that when it comes to religion.  Sadly, I’m not talking about finding God or salvation! Lately, it has come to my attention that some churches or should I say, some preachers are apparently taking advantage of the generosity of their devout congregation.  Of course I could be jumping to the wrong conclusion about this one pastor, in my town.  However, I stand by my conclusion that something fishing is going on. As usual, when it comes to standing up for people’s rights, I am passionate to the point of  blindness! I would not have made such a big deal about this issue if it had not been “thrown” in my face.

This year, I keep hearing my students talk about a church called Generations.  At first, I was thinking,”Wow! Awesome these kids are actually obsessed about something good!”  As the year progressed I started hearing more and more about this church and I can not help but think that this church is brainwashing its members.  Every time I would question my students about the church or  its preacher they would become defensive and angry that I dare ask them if the preacher is taking advantage of their devotion for monetary gains.  Read the article I have linked and judge for yourself.  Are some churches preying on the needed, the lonely, the outcast in society for their own gains?  Are they focusing more on material richness instead of spiritual wealth?  Am I being judgmental?http://blog.generationscult.com/2007/03/24/where-does-the-money-go.aspx

Message in a Bottle

As I read the last line on my recent post on Karma, four words stood out… message in a bottle.  Maybe it stood out because I was reminded of the movie by the same name starring Kevin Costner… a sweet and poignant love story. The movie is actually based on a book by one of my favorite author:  Nicholas Sparks.  The book is based on the love story of his parents who was married for over twenty-seven years.  They were deeply in love.  Sadly his mother was killed in a freak horse riding accident.  As a result of that tragic lose his father mourned her deeply and essentially did not move on until seven years after her death.  According to Nicolas Sparks, after all those years of being alone, his father eventually fell in love again and had just gotten engaged when he tragically lost his life “when he fell asleep  at the wheel and died.”

The main plot of the movie reflects this tragic event.  Nicolas Sparks said the theme of the story/ movie is ” love after grief.”  Ideally the readers or the movie goers should feel uplifted  by this message that even though we might lose a loved one we will one day love again.  You have to watch the movie to see what I mean.  The following poem I started is to convey this message that life is too short and that when we love we should do it passionately, mindlessly, and blindly.  I am not advocating foolishly falling in love with the first person you see!  What I am saying is once we find that special someone we should love them without reservation.  My message in a bottle is these lines… yes, it might sound corny but just go along with me! Help me finish this poem!

Love unendingly, relentlessly, fiercely

like the tidal waves crashing against the shores,

Fall deeply like the heavy rocks on the ocean floors.

Be in the moment like there is no sorrow

To cloud  your vision of love, no regret, no waiting till the morrow.

Hold fast to that love closely in the warmth of an embrace

like a life line, a saving grace.

Karma

In the past two days,  the word karma has wedged itself into my conversation as well as my “daily routine”.  On Sunday, I went to Vitamin World to go pick up some Instant Green Tea and ended up having a surreal conversation with the young lady who works there.  One minute we were discussing green tea,vitamins , movies and the next we were talking about gut instincts, deja vu, premonitions, and karma.  We both shared our personal stories about all areas.  We both agreed that when we have premonitions about events or things, we usually see that as a warning of some sort… whether to not go on a trip, or be more attuned with what is going on around us. Like she was telling me about a lady she knew who had visions of September 11th before it happened, but the difference was that in her vision she saw two planes hitting what looked like a mountain.  The lady shown the drawing she did to others.  Another story the young lady shared with me was about a gentleman who went to her church.  She said he was nice enough (maybe too friendly), but there was something artificial about him… something about him that gave her the creeps.  She said her gut instinct told her to stay away from him.  She thought she was the only one who felt like this until she spoke to another young lady and the girl used almost the same words to describe the man.  I commented to her that I always trust my gut instinct to guide my actions when it comes to judging others, or interacting with them. I am a people person and I can get the majority of the people I met to talk to me about their lives the first time I meet them. 

 

As most of you know, I believe in Karma, the whole idea of what goes around comes around.  Since I want only good things to “return to me” I try to live my life in a positive way.  Today, I saw my little motto in the oddest place! I was washing my hands in the faculty bathroom and had dried my hand when I noticed that someone had taped the following words on the bottle of lotion:  Kofa faculty Bathroom—- Karma:  what goes around comes around.  I chuckled to myself when I read it because the person who had taped that message was in a sense warning people to not steal the lotion from the bathroom unless they wanted someone to steal from them.  Goes to show you I am not the only one to believe in Karma and yes tomorrow I will attempt to find out who had taped the message on the bottle.

Losing it! No, not the hair!:)

 

Losing it! These two simple words can be translated to mean several things for different people. For example, for some people the “it” can mean anything from… weight, attitude, memory, services, money etc… Lately, these words have dominated my thoughts and my mouth! Specifically, this week I have been thinking these words and verbalizing it quite frequently. I have been whining like a little kid to my co-workers about my affliction , but they would just laugh and say I was too young to be “losing it” meaning my sanity and my grip on things. However, I beg to differ I told them. Since they are older they comforted me with the thought that I am not supposed to be suffering from senility yet. Yes, I am and  have always been dramatic in speech, mannerism, and behavior, but my crazy, busy life has finally caught up with me and has me in a choke hold! I’m starting to believe my cousin that multitasking makes us dumber or at least more forgetful and less productive. After researching this topic further, I have to concede that multitasking can be counterproductive in our personal and professional lives! Read the article I have linked and tell me what you think! Do you feel like you are also losing it?!  Are you doing too much? Do you feel overwhelm?  Are you doing three things at one time right now? All I can say is we need to slow down!

Teaching full time, sponsoring two clubs, tutoring students, single-handedly taking care of two kids, and throwing in my yoga classes in the mix has me conceding, “I’m losing it!” Okay, dramatic I admit, but even my doctor told me I have to slow down because it’s madness trying to be Wonder Woman! Even though I love and admire Wonder Woman maybe I should look for another heroine to be… someone who doesn’t do anything except bum around. Let me know if you guys know of any lazy super hero I can imitate!