Today is Reading Day

     I don't know about you, but I'm one of those people who always have a to-do list going and like to stay busy with projects.  But today, I'm going to take the day off and sit and actually read!  It's a pleasure I don't allow myself nearly often enough. 

     So, here's my suggestion.  Grab a good book (The Gemini Bond, anyone?), get your favorite blanket or fuzzy lap warmer (mine is currently purring away on my lap), and lose yourself in a wonderful story.  Enjoy.  You deserve it.

Usher in the Light

In this time of wintery chills,

may we bring warmth;

In this time of confusion and noise,

may we bring peace;

In this time of long, pitch-black nights,

may we bring light.

 

Let us be the ushers of a better tomorrow.

 

Peace to you.

 

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)



The New Mayan Long Count Calendar

     See, we're still here! 

 

Now, let's make this new long count

 -- this new age --

one of peace, prosperity, and kindness for all. 

 

Together, we can make it happen!

 

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)

 

Violence and Its Lessons

     I think any time we hear about a violent act, we have the choice to be buried under the weight of sadness and despair, or we can learn from it.  When I went on my rant the other day about violence in America, I had to take a hard look at myself and ask if my works contributed to the promotion of violence. 

     In The Gemini Bond, the opening scene is one of domestic violence, but it is not done to promote the violence, but to show its effects on the members of the family.  It also provides the motivation for the actions by one of the main characters in the story.  This young man later goes on to commit violence himself, but I tried to show why he felt compelled to do it.  In no way is violence glorified, and I tried at every turn to show why certain characters acted the way they did.  I also showed the emotional trauma experienced by the violence.  I believe that every act has an effect, and I didn't gloss over those effects.

     In understanding why people commit violence, perhaps we can build an awareness of how to prevent it.  That was one of my goals in writing The Gemini Bond.

Off Topic: Violence in America

     No doubt we've all been saddened by the news coming from the elementary school in Connecticut.  I think that as a country, we need to step back and take a hard look at ourselves.  If it takes a village to raise a child, I'd say we're failing.  Not only are we failing to protect our kids from mentally ill people with assault weapons, but we're failing to provide support to our mentally ill, and we're promoting violence in the name of free commerce.

     If I could ask Santa for three things, they would be these:

• If we really cared about our kids as much as we say we do, we would make sure that they are safe.  Can you tell me why, in this day and age, many school buses still do not have seat belts?  And in my hot area of the country, why do many not have air conditioning?  I've heard of too many youngsters who have passed out on the bus due to overheating.  Why are schools so easy to get into to?  Security and safety should be made a top priority.
• Why do we cut, cut, cut from education, from our social services which provide support for the mentally ill and their families, or from the services which assist at-risk families?  It boggles the mind the millions of dollars that have been wasted in foreign countries, but we fail to support our own citizens.  In this aspect, I'd say the government, led by the voters, needs to do some major reprioritizing.
• Why do we glorify violence?  Why do we train young minds to become numb to violence through movies, video games, and music lyrics which attack authority figures and women?  Why do we think it's OK to carry around a concealed weapon?  The wild West is over, folks, and chances are that if someone started shooting in your direction and you pulled out your own gun, you would either miss and hurt someone or hurt yourself.  Really, assault weapons should not be in the hands of the public.  They're only designed to kill large numbers of people in an hyper-efficient manner. 

     I'm sorry if I'm going on and on, but if we are going to make the new age marked by the new long count Mayan calendar mean anything positive, we need to start changing how we've been doing things.  We need to stop looking for the quick buck, the short-term solution, and start changing our priorities.  We need to all become responsible villagers and start raising our children in love, safety, and peace.

Holiday Gifts!

     I have a great idea for that special someone who is always a little difficult to buy for during the holidays.  You know the person I'm talking about -- not too materialistic or fashion-crazed, more interested in reading than in thrill-seeking, a bit of a romantic, enjoys long conversations about metaphysical subjects, is intelligent and curious, and already has far too many candles.  Does this sound like anyone you know?

     If so, here's an idea:  buy them The Gemini Bond either as a download or as a paperback.  They'll love it! 

     And if the description above seems to fit you, buy yourself a copy as well!  Enjoy the holidays and curl up with a good book.

The Mayans and December 22, 2012

     I read with some amusement, quickly followed by a hefty measure of sadness, that people in various countries are panicking over the 12/21/12 date.  They're clearing out store shelves of candles, canned foods, jugs of water, power generators, guns and ammunition, you name it.  Can we all just step back, take a deep breath, and clear our minds a little bit?

     Yes, the December 21, 2012 date marks the "end" of the large cycle on the Mayan calendar.  Dear readers, please understand that the Mayan calendar is cyclical -- they view it as going around in giant circles, like cogs.  Just because we reach an end date doesn't mean that it's the end forever.  We just start over on the long count. 

     For this reason, the Mayans are planning a huge party on December 22, 2012.  In fact, they're so excited about this party that they're planning another one on the same day in 2013.  If they aren't panicking, neither should we.

     Let's not give in to fear, because it is usually a form of manipulation by some folks who either want to distract you from what they're really doing, or else by some people out to make a buck.  Either way, fear is an attractive force; remember "You attract that which you fear."  Let's not give in to that.  Rather, let's keep this a joyous occasion, a great time to start over. 

    And let's plan a big party not only on 12/22/12, but on 12/22/13. 

Empathy as a Spiritual Discipline, Part 2

     In my earlier life, I attended conservative churches on a regular basis.  And of all the hours of sermons I heard, only one has stuck in a positive way.  Its theme was that we need to have the same internal strength as the forces around us.  The analogy that this pastor shared was that of a deep-sea fish.  Its internal pressure is extraordinarily high, which counterbalances the high pressures of the lower sea depths.  If this fish were to be brought to sea level, it would explode because of its high internal pressure.  Interesting.

     I think this helps us empathic types focus on what is needed to get through a normal day.  The internal pressure needed here is NOT the "wall of protection" or highly resistant attitude that one often hears about.  Rather, I believe it is the force of love, which will counterbalance most anything coming at us. 

     Yes, I still have many days when I'm so tired or off my game that this seems unrealistic.  Still, it is something to aim for.  Imagine if we all made the force of love our goal.  What a world we could have!

What Kind of Person Are You?

     I was thinking about the type of person that would really enjoy The Gemini Bond.  What kind of person would that be?  Here's a partial list:

• you are curious about what Twin Souls are all about;
• you are turned off by overtly "woo-woo" stuff;
• you don't necessarily trust all channeled information;
• you like your world view to make sense in terms of reality and your experience;
• you are interested in how science and spirituality complement and inform each other;
• you may have had some paranormal experiences that you can't explain, and that you don't feel comfortable talking to others about;
• you are intrigued by the concept of soul evolution.

     If this describes you or someone you know, then The Gemini Bond is for you!