What is holding your mind? What is holding your heart? Love? Fear? Accurate Knowledge? Superstition? Impartiality? Partiality? Nationalism? Universal Hospitality?

Sadly, we live in a divided world, country(s), region(s), neighborhood(s). A world/globe divided by mind-made/man-made/fear-made/prejudice-made borders, boundaries, divisions, differences, discriminations and fears.

Are you personally able to promote peace by embracing the concept of an International Brotherhood of Breathing-Fragile-Life encompassing our globe? Of course, how can one embrace an International Brotherhood if one cannot embrace their local neighbor? How can one embrace their local Neighbor if one cannot embrace their Mother, Father, Sister, Brother under the same roof?

Human Race = Fragile Family! Family = Gift! Do You Cherish Your Family?  Do You Appreciate Your Gift? i do!:) (Who doesn’t like getting a gift?:)

The human condition is flawed…on varying levels so, at times, family doesn’t get along like it should!:( How can we all: “better” get along?

We all need to get better, get well: mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually…one way is by cultivating love and compassion and empathy and forgiveness!:) It takes education and patience. It takes work and effort. It takes practice and application…in the home, in the neighborhood, at school, at work, etc.

i like/prefer simple, practical solutions to challenges: tweaking. So, i like “practical,” ancient wisdom:

“Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely, if anyone has a cause for complaint against another…Clothe yourselves with love, for it is the perfect bond of union.” (Colossians 3:13, 14)

All of us have a cause for complaint!…i’m sure some of my Readers have a cause of complaint toward me that i may not be aware of…SORRY!:(…THANKS for putting up with me! SORRY to offend & THANKS for Reading/Supporting my blog!:)…when i’m trying to put up with someone who’s irritating me or worse…i try to think of the situation like this:  As a Mom…babies are so cute, adorable and loveable…yet, they do seemingly offensive/gross stuff..i.e. spit up on you, poop on you, etc. You LOVE the baby sooo much…you don’t hold it against …

The multi-major ecosystems of Breathing-Fragile-Life on Earth are being ruined by poor decision making!

As 1 of many caretakers of our beautiful planet: how is your “thinking” and how are your daily “decisions”/actions affecting not only your personal environment in which you choose to live, but by extension the environment of your global-family?

How one chooses to think is how one chooses to live! For context check out: What do You Think? How do You Exist? Are You Superstitious?
The Thinking and the Living of the One affects the Many!
What we personally decide to do or not do affects all Breathing-Fragile-Life on our Planet either negatively or positively! THANK YOU for choosing Compassion for Fellow-Breathing-Fragile-Life and consideration for the multi-major-ecosystems.

“After four years of making a comprehensive study of the world’s major ecosystems, a group of scholars and environmental leaders—who were part of a study called the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment [MA]—published their first report. Some of the conclusions they reached follow: During the past half century, the growing demand for food, freshwater, timber, fiber, and fuel has caused unprecedented changes in earth’s ecosystems, straining earth’s ability to sustain future generations. Earth’s natural ability to pollinate crops, provide air conditioning by wild plants, and recycle nutrients by the oceans is being overtaxed. The planet is also at the edge of a massive wave of species extinctions.” ~Will Earth Sustain Future Generations

If You want to read over the various reports by MA for yourself you can find/research them on-line.

While the conclusion of the MA board of directors agrees that it lies within the power of human societies to ease the strains that are being put on the ecosystems, they say that achieving it “will require radical changes in the way nature is treated at every level of decision-making.” ~Will Earth Sustain Future Generations

Questions for Self-Consideration:
Do I truly exhibit respect for self, neighbor, nature?

What is my attitude, thinking  and actions regarding: consumption and conservation?

In …

“Je pense, donc Je suis!” or “Cogito ergo sum!” ~ Rene Descartes…how about:  “what” i think  is “how” i exist…or how i choose to live is governed/controlled by what i think. For example, if i think i’m “free”– i must be free?!..is that real/true??
What do you think?!:)
You do Think?…for Yourself?
Are you superstitious? You may resolutely reply: NO! because you “think” that you’re not superstitious. (You live free from superstitious fears or so, you think!:) Would you not agree, our actions tell the real deal. Simply put: i “think” i’m not superstitious…so, how i choose to live should reflect that thinking. A person who is not superstitious should/would be living a life free from superstitious practice, right?! or a person who claims not to be superstitious should/would be living a life full of non-superstitious choices, right?! Are highly-educated individuals superstitious? or are highly-educated individuals leading superstitious lives?

Quick-Questions for self-consideration:

Do I celebrate my birthday?

Do I wear black at funerals?

Do I read my daily horoscope?

Do I consult a psychic reader or fortune-teller?

Do I kiss under mistletoe?

Would I walk under a ladder?

Would I own a black cat?

“A person who lets superstition affect his decisions and daily routine is allowing himself to be dominated by something he does not really understand. Is this wise? Should we submit ourselves to such a nebulous and possibly sinister influence? Is superstition an inconsequential foible or an ominous threat?” ~Life Under the Control of Superstition

It is my belief:  An aspect of attaining “True” Enlightenment is progressively breaking-free from enslaving rituals/traditions steeped in superstition and falsehood. True Enlightenment is a freedom walk of deep understanding…a walk in life whereby one humbly abandons “false” thinking that produces practices/habits/rituals/traditions that are false and enslaving/harmful. This walk involves action/abandonment of false/superstitious practices/habits/rituals/traditions…change of thinking, change of action.

It’s a personal journey involving personal choices. It’s a journey of superlative education. It’s a journey that leads to wellness. It’s a journey that leads to better choices. It’s a journey that leads to a fuller expression of compassionate living on a daily basis. It’s a journey that involves True …

All work and no-play makes any partner, care-giver, friend, family…
dull!:( Wellness must include some play-time, too. Recreation in just the right amount is just what the doctor ordered.

Ahh, peace at the beach!:) Spontaneity is refreshing…sometimes. Do you enjoy nature? Do you spend enough time outdoors?! It will do you some good!

i’m an “awake accepter”…of the importance of daily exercise! Just like variety is good for a healthy, nutritious diet. Same with exercise…mixing it up keeps it fun, fresh and good for you, too. Of course, check with your doctor first before you start any new regimen. Just like i eat more than once a day…staying active, exercising in measured amounts throughout the day works well for me (usually). Having 4 hyper kids to keep up with and major housework helps. (For context of term “awake accepter” see my last post: Go to the…Source!  Hubby decided to do some kayaking Saturday…too cold and windy for me to swim…there’s always reading, chasing the kids, birds, taking photos and writings in the sand…

Think, Read Books-66…how many books make your favorites list?…i would start w/66.

Windy/Cool day… 

 Son on pier…Hubby under pier.

The birds were so beautiful and the beach too…too bad my photos uploaded too dark…gotta get Hubby to adjust them.

 …i tend to…work, work, work, work, work…and work some more. Do i escape through work?? or do i just try hard to live up to my responsibilities/word as care-giver, wife, mother, friend, fragile-life-member of global-family? Escapism…comes in many forms…it could be a religion.

Seriously, writing this post forces me to sit and relax my body while …

A thinking, intelligent person (namely You!:) realizes “source” is important for accuracy!

If information, knowledge and wisdom = power…does “just any” knowledge or “just any” information = Truth?! (We all have all kinds of internet-information at our fingertips…is it all reliable?!) How do you “measure” accuracy? All of us…want a “measure” of power/control over our life…accurate knowledge/truth can take us where we want to go.

Map truth! Patiently stitch it together!:)

“Accurate” information, knowledge = Truth. Accurate Knowledge is “highly” valuable! Accurate knowledge could be life-saving or life-sustaining. Don’t you want to sustain or save your life? If you value life, your life or any life–shouldn’t you value truth??

Of Course!:)

People from all walks of life turn to all sorts of stuff/people/books/places for greater insight, knowledge, wisdom to perhaps, elevate their quality of living or quantity/longevity of living. As a compassionate, flexible-investigator (see my 2 last posts for context: Love, Flowers & Chocolates & Boyle, Sagan: Scientific and Spiritual “Understanding” of Life Interdependency Part 3) wherever or to whomever you turn for information/knowledge…is your source reliable??

It’s smart to check source reliability…something i’m always working on myself. Do you value authenticity? Do you value reliability? (i do!:) Sadly, we live in a world where some like/need power (over others) and resort to playing mind games and/or lies…and attempt to mess with our mind (or think they are messing with our mind).

Please, think, decide for yourself and use your gift: your mind to make wise choices leading to more compassionate living!:)

Are you a believer/accepter…of just any information coming at you? (i’m NOT a “blind” believer…/ i try to be an “awake” accepter “after” i thoroughly investigate the information/source for myself to ascertain accuracy and authenticity.

i encourage you to keep investigating the knowledge you possess as to accuracy and authenticity….keep an

o-p-e-n-a-t-t-i-t-u-d-e/mindset by adding to your Wisdom/Truth bank account. Where do you go for wisdom?…Where do you go for help?…when things get tough?
The Buddha …

February 14th. What does that date mean to you? A day of love, flowers, chocolates and cupid??

“Cupid (Lat[in] cupido, desire, love). The Roman god of love, identified with the Greek Eros. He is usually represented as a beautiful winged boy, blindfolded, and carrying a bow and arrows.” ~Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable.

The World Book Encyclopedia: “Valentine’s Day comes on the feast day of two different Christian martyrs named Valentine. But the customs connected with the day . . . probably come from an ancient Roman festival called Lupercalia which took place every February 15. The festival honored Juno, the Roman goddess of women and marriage, and Pan, the god of nature.”—(1973), Vol. 20, p. 204.

Don’t get yourself in a “panic” IF you don’t get any flowers, chocolates or arrows today…

“The roots of what is now called Valentine Day can be traced back to ancient Greece, where worship of Pan flourished. This mythical half-man-half-goat fertility god had a wild, unpredictable nature that struck terror into humans. Aptly the English word “panic” literally means “of Pan.”

“Pan was supposed to watch the flocks while playing his pipes. However, he was easily distracted. Pan had many love affairs with nymphs and goddesses. One sculpture shows Pan making advances to Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Eros, the god of love, hovers above them flapping his wings—much like the Cupid found on valentines today.”

“In Rome many worshiped a similar god named Faunus. He too was depicted as half man and half goat. Worship of Faunus was prominent at Lupercalia, an orgiastic festival that was observed each year on February 15. During this festival scantily clad men raced around a hill, brandishing goatskin whips. Women who wanted to bear children stood near the path of these runners. Striking a woman with a whip, the Romans believed, would ensure her fertility.“

No thanks, I don’t worship Faunus…and i’d rather NOT be struck by any whip -lol:) As a married mother of 4, i can honestly attest to the fact that Juno, Pan (and/or a goatskin whip) had nothing whatsoever to do with my fertility! …

Listen! It’s beautiful! Don’t You want to hear? Share?…You care…enough to know.

Do You tolerate people with a different point of view?! (Well, as long as i “remain” right or come off “correct!”-lol…some “may” feel deep down!:)

F~l~e~x~i~b~i~l~i~t~y is a sign of physical health as well as emotional, mental…i’ll throw in spiritual health, too. Our range of muscle motion is indicative of our wellness. When it comes to your compassion, what is your personal range of motion?! Are you flexible? or ridgid? Can you bend and stretch a little or are you too stiff?…stiff in your thinking and actions?!

Can you o-p-e-n-y-o-u-r-m-i-n-d and s   t   r   e   t   c   h further by “trying” to “understand” others and their beliefs? Whether you’re into science or spirituality or not…many among our global-family of beatiful-breathing-fragile-life…are! Just because something doesn’t matter to you or me doesn’t mean it isn’t important to someone somewhere!:) What matters to you? Don’t you appreciate when others take your feelings/thoughts into consideration…like you matter!:)

“As far as scholars have discovered, there has never existed any people, anywhere, at any time, who were not in some sense religious.” ~The New England Britannica

“To study different religions need not imply infidelity to one’s own faith, but rather it may be enlarged by seeing how other people have sought for reality and have been enriched by their search.”~World Religions–From Ancient History to the Present.”

For me, i may not personally (adhere to) “believe” in your particular religion/belief system, but i RESPECT your right of choice. I may not totally agree with your take on reality, but i RESPECT it’s your take and you have the right to reality! We all make choices. We live with the results of those choices. Will i exhibit compassion toward my Fellow-Breathing-Fragile-Life by trying to understand/comprehend you better and “your reality” in which you choose to live…SURE!..i will!:) My personal quest for truth behoves me. My personal quest to live love/compassion/truth behoves me. What behoves You?!

“If I as a geologist were called upon to …

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Greetings:) Fellow-Breathing-Fragile-Life inhabiting this  beautiful planet! Here’s a question for You: How Well Do You know Your Global-Family?! How well do You know Your Local Neighbors?!

Before kids, enjoyed traveling and meeting members of my global-family. Now due to circumstances, i travel vicariously through reading about far-away peoples, places and cultures. Living in Florida affords one the opportunity of meeting visitors and vacationers and forming friendships. No matter how long or short the friendship…Each has taught me something. (Who are your teachers?! Who are your friends?! i hope they teach you positive, compassionate things!:)
Friendships help Caregivers Cope!
When you take the time to expand your “friendships” and “empathy”… “compassion” education outside your comfort/lazy-lol:) zone…you grow and learn in ways unimagined! Venture a little, learn a little. Venture a lot, learn a lot. Give a little, get a little. Give a lot, get a lot….of knowledge and understanding/perception and personal growth. 

i like this proverb: “The generous soul [literally, the soul with a blessing gift] will itself be made fat [prosperous], and the one freely watering others will himself also be freely watered.” (Pr 11:25)

Talk about Global-family and making friends here in FL: I met a new friend a few months ago now…not sure “exactly” how long: a young mother who immigrated here with her husband from the Congo. She was only here in the States 3 weeks when we met. She speaks French, yippee! How Cool is that…i get to speak and work on my rusty French…we read and have interesting discussions together in French and i interject a little English. Not sure if she’s picking up any from me or not. i may never get to the Congo…but my global-sister and exposure to this culture got to me…i’m thrilled!:) She gave me this pretty dress her sister made by hand and sent from there…a souvenir from the Congo…i’m blessed!:)

 A Sign? Are You a NEON Mind?!

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