HOW DO WE KNOW?

There are lessons to be learned all around us.  I’ve always believed this.  The universe does not trifle with coincidences.  So how do we know what lesson is for us?  I am a firm believer in that still small voice that speaks to us on a regular basis that tells us that what was said or done is an outrage and we are to speak up boldly, or that we are to be more proactive in protecting ourselves or those we love because someone without regard to the value of life will cause them harm.  Kind of reminds me of the movie Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket as the conscience, guiding and trying to shape the puppet into a little boy.  So too is that small voice within us guiding, shaping and forming us into a human being of quality.  I see people all over both online as well as out in the mundane world who are constantly seeking first this way then that, looking for that place that feels like sanctuary for them.  The problem is that they get taken in by ne’er do wells who are out to make a profit from their innocence and willingness to swallow whatever ilk they throw their way.  Then there are those who hear the voice and yet are afraid to speak out, to reach out for what is their because of some unnamed fear that resides within.  To those I have to say, that fear is a healthy thing, it helps with self-preservation.  BUT, if we allow fear to paralyze us into not moving forward, then it defeats the purpose the universe had in mind for us.  And if we are pulled in a direction that feels right to us, then how are we to receive those gifts if we do not walk out onto the ledge?  We have to decide to listen or not…to move forward or walk away and perhaps be filled with the regret of “what if” and “what could have been”.  Life is a challenge, meant to be lived to the fullest as the gift that it is, filled with uncertainties, disappointments and yes, sometimes fear of the unknown.  But we cannot sit on the bank and watch the river flow past without at least getting our feet wet.  I am not content to wade in the shallows, I am out in the middle, neck deep, feet planted firmly as the current flows around me.  Waiting for that next perfect wave to push me further downstream until I can slide in sideways and reflect back on what a hell of a ride that was.  I cannot allow myself to be afraid at every turn of the river, every bend of the trees above me thinking of things that could happen.  My inner spirit tells me I am where I need to be, walking with those who would guide me, shaking my head at those who want to scatter themselves like children picking the candy up off the ground that has been tossed like they’ve just experienced Mardi Gras.  .  They want others to write down step by step what they are to do, what tools to use, what words to say…Non, mesi..they can have it…that would be too much like sitting on a pew somewhere reciting dogma and that is so not for me.  Learn to trust that inner voice.  Listen  to it.  it will never guide you astray.  Its only when we second guess ourselves that things often go awry.  Listen to your guides..they too have your best interests at heart.  And don’t let your fears hold you back…you are the only thing standing in your way.  Be bold, be courageous and above all else, be true to who you are and are destined to become.

 

 

PEACE OUT

Gastronomical Knowledge

So…here we are again on a cool first day of fall and the time of year I love the most is marred because of asshats with no real grasp of respect for humanity.  See, I don’t get the need that some people have to always be right, to know all there is to know on a subject and display said “knowledge” and either imply or say outright that others are stupid for not seeing things their way.  I don’t know what kind of manners their mama raised them with, but that is just unacceptable to me.  Someone is allowed to have a different opinion without having to be castigated over it or deemed to be irreparably damaged in their side of the brain that handles the intelligence quotient.  It does not allow someone, however facetiously they may claim to have been, drag that person through the mud and slur them on lack of knowledge.  Or their perception of someone’s knowledge.  My feel is that we all sit at the table of humanity, and all have something valid to offer.  Some are just the appetizers, a  little fluffy, not something to fill up on..couple bites, move on.  Others are the salads and soups, they offer a little more knowledge and can fill you up if you choose to do so, but then you miss out on the whole gastronomical experience.  So then you come to the main course.  It doesn’t matter how many there are…suffice it to say that its filling, nourishing and well thought out.  Those are the kind of people to incorporate into your life.  They feed your soul, spirit and mind.  Then of course you have desert.. there are those who can be so sweet it sets ones teeth on edge, but  perhaps like myself, you enjoy a  little fruit and cheese with the wine and those type of people are enjoyable with their warmth and effervescence that it makes the sometimes long journey of the meal seem worth it.  The fact is..all have something to offer in the way of nourishment..some more than others.  But we all participate and as such should be offered a modicum of respect.  Then there are the other various people who help the meal, as it were ,move along. They  provide  a place to gather, serve topics, keep out the riff raff(those who would cause problems), and sometimes they are caught in the middle of all the debate and mayhem that ensues.  It’s not their fault.  Some people just do not know how to have intelligent discussion without lowering themselves into the gutter and belittling others.  I’m hoping their parents taught them respect and humility, but one never can be too sure these days.  Sometimes its a “I’m not face to face with you so I can say or do anything I want without retribution”…I’m chuckling here because in many cases that may be true, but never piss off someone who practices or it could be unhealthy, depending upon how mad they get. One never knows what kind of ethics they may or may not have.    But why would one not want to be respectful to others online or otherwise?  Do they not want to walk in a more positive frame or  is it that they like carrying around all those bricks in their pocket?  I’m not curious enough to look…because while at first I might get  a little ticked, it’s almost humorous for me now because unlike some…I look both ways before I cross the street.  Sometimes a bus comes right out of the blue and one would not want to be tossed under it because of some “stupid” remark.  So the next time you sit down to the table, take the time to give thanks for what you are about to receive, and listen without engaging your mouth.  The brain works better that way, trust me.  It will also do more for the digestion of knowledge, and might even help you stay healthier in the long run.

 

PEACE OUT

Con artists, posers, and other sundry

In our day to day , we often meet all sorts of people.  Some are intelligent, sincere, entertaining, and then you get the other end of the spectrum…the ignorant asshats, the boores, the ones who are con artist supreme and posers.  Those are the ones who drag our spirit down.  We see them everywhere..in groups we connect with, in our jobs, hell, even in our families at times.  You know immediately who they are.  They sweep in with some sort of air of authority as if to say, “look at me..I’m so awesome, and know it all”..while in reality, they are putting on an act.  The information they know, what little they do actually know is gleaned from sites online, other people and maybe a book or two.  They sometimes attach a label to themselves, because after all, their conceit knows no boundaries.  They add titles they have no business claiming, like High Priestess, Mambo, Druid and the like and in reality,they did not earn them, nor should they possess them.  Those titles are reserved for people who are leaders in the community..the ones who  teach, guide and lead others that would follow their instruction.  And yet we have those who con others into thinking that they know a great deal, when they usually are skimming their info from others around them.  We’ve all seen them…they swagger into groups and spout off  a few things, and then act as if all are to believe them.  It’s only when we sit back  and observe them, do we realize that they know little.   I mean why would claim to converse with spirits and yet have no working knowledge of tools one might use or intent…Just what DOES  one do with a called entity and have no purpose?  Sit around and shoot the breeze? I hardly think so.  And yet, they still reel off “knowledge” hoping that nobody is catching on that they are the ones “borrowing” from others.  There are the ones who steal- aka copy/paste from other sites into group places.  It’s great to want to share information..I can get behind that.  But if one does not give credit to those who chose to put it out their in the first place.  It is still stealing.  Why do they do this?  It’s an attention seeking thing.  They have little to offer themselves  in the way of actual knowledge and workings, so they gather those snippets of wealth from someplace online and post them for others to see, in the hopes that someone gives them an “attaboy” and holds them up as an example to follow.  Then there are those who come in , chat some, and slide off the rails seeking some hand holding, and then in the middle of it all, claim to be attacked psychically and victimized.  Again..seeking attention from those around them.  I really can’t understand why people such as these feel the need to do these things.  Are they that insecure in themselves that they constantly need to feed off others hard work and sometimes hard knocks in learning those lessons? Are they really so ignorant in their belief system that they constantly have to ask the basic of questions? And why the need to try and pretend that they know anything and yet when they open their mouth they show they know jack!  Perhaps they have some deep seated need to be considered “elite”..cream of the crop.  Is there something wrong with just being ones self?  However flawed that may be.  I don’t claim to be an expert by any means in any given path, but know a little something about the one I have carved out for myself.  There are aspects of others paths that I can converse on and be intelligent enough to hold a conversation on, but I recognize my limitations.   It’s why  I go into other groups actually..for the sharing of knowledge as well as to learn from others.  But hardly an expert..to me that implies that I might actually know something..yeah can hear my guides laughing at that one.  I have much to learn.  So what can we do when we run into these type of people, for they exist in every aspect of our lives…for one we can call them on the bullshit..tactfully(I try ya know,lol)…and if that isn’t possible for fear of upsetting the status quo of a group or job site…then choose to disassociate with the person in question.  We don’t share what we know with them, and are direct in our interaction to the point of being blunt.  Yeah I know that many of you that have gotten to know me well know that my honesty is usually of that variety, but hey, it’s only way I know how to roll~smiles~.  We are not subject to having these people in our lives you know.  We can exclude them.  So as we meander through this course of life and we come across these bottom feeders, for that is what they truly are, we should learn to recognize them for who and what they are and make no attempt to engage them or involve them in anything we are doing.  It only makes them feel superior that they scammed yet another bright soul and leaves us feeling like we have been well and truly slimed by the most vile marrow ever to have been known to exist.  THAT is not acceptable to me.  Life is too short to not live in the brilliance of the sun and the warmth of shadows.

 

PEACE OUT

 

So…what does that mirror reflect?

I’ve hear it said many times that we often dislike or rag on things in other people that are a reflection of ourselves.  Now that isn’t always the case for the most part, but its accurate once in awhile.  But on the outside looking in, we often see people who want to blame everything on something else.  Bad dreams, abusive behaviour..well they obviously are being attacked psychically by some malevolent person intent on doing harm.  what if, and I’m going out on a limb here..just what if, the problems they are experiencing are caused by anger management issues, drugs, alcohol,  job or family issues.  Those also cause sleep issues and will definitely play host to domestic violence issues.  So really…is not this a case of looking to place blame for the problems at hand on someone or something else?  I think too often that we as human beings want to lay blame for all the ills on things rather than take credit for the problems ourselves.  Just as magic cannot solve all problems, it also is NOT the root of all problems.  Before using it to solve an issue or lay blame on it for an issue, why not look at the situation from all angles and see where you may have played a part in causing the problem or where you can take a part in helping diffuse the issue.  I’m tired of it being Left Hand Path vs Right Hand Path, good vs evil.. it’s all perception and one needs the balance…Stop trying to take the safe way out…it doesn’t work!   I’ve also seen some in other paths claim that for all the tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, drought etc…”god” is punishing us…FFS!   Wake up..pick up a science book and look at the cycles of nature.  We as humans have had the greatest footprint upon the earth and every time in our arrogance we think we can tweak it and make it “better” we fuck it up- royally.  So now when it seems that nature has it in for us, its just a little payback for our interference..remember that.  We brought it on ourselves.  The flooding problems were caused by the rains sure..but man in building the floodgates to control where a river has flowed for hundreds of years had a major impact on that as well.  Nobody likes to be told that we did this to ourselves..But hey…its truth and sometimes we have to hear it anyway.  God is not punishing people for not saying prayers in school, or anywhere else, he says you can do so privately in any manner you choose, anywhere you choose…nobody changed that.  He isn’t being harsh because one decided that to walk a christian path doesn’t work for you..he says work out your own path..whatever that may be.  So why is it that people feel the need to lay the blame on someone or something else rather than take personal responsibility?  Maybe we’re wired that way as humans..learn it early when we think we’re going to get into trouble for doing what we were told not to do.  Or maybe its a personality flaw.  I don’t have the answer.  I do know that I am a big proponent of personal responsibility.  If by chance there is something going on, take a look in the mirror and see if its not something you are doing, something you caused, …in other words…your fault.  Then see what can be done to fix it..don’t go whining to others and hope that they feel sorry for you, will hold your hand and say “poor baby, let me make this all go away for you”.  That’s childish bullshit..yeah..I call BULLSHIT! Get up on your feet and act like an adult…handle your own business!  that’s what adults do…we live in the real world, work hard, pay taxes and try to do the best we can each and every day…That is how life works.  It doesn’t revolve around us or our petty issues.  We don’t always get it right or have all the answers, but we also don’t expect someone else to come in like the cavalry every time we screw up.  And if by chance this writing hits a nerve somewhere and you feel the need to ask yet again if it’s about you…check your mirror…it might just be ~shrugs~

 

PEACE OUT

How honest is honest?

I prefer truth.  My friends know this, I give it, demand it in return(even if it isnt what I want to hear).  But how honest is honest?  Do we tell our friends that we hate the dress they are wearing, that it makes them look old, fat whatever…when they seem excited about their “perfect find”.  Is there a tactful way to tell them?  Maybe. But is that really honest?  There’s been discussion on various topics that can get a little dicey sometimes, so where does one draw the line of being brutally honest without regard to others feeling in the “it’s truth”.  Sometimes I don’t give a damn..I wont be tactful with the truth..its just gonna come straight and lay you open…truth has to do that once in awhile.  It makes us let all the poison from the lies we feed ourselves and allow others to push down our throats to seep and flow out of our pores, cleansing us, cauterizing that wound and then making us whole.  Other times, I try and find a way to gently explain the truth to  one who is wounded already by the circumstances.  I don’t want to be the wind that deals the final blow to their straw house.  So when we tear down that house when someone is fragile in the name of honesty, are we being true to what is demanded of us?  We are human beings, given gifts to be used in the helping of others,,and our words can hurt or heal as much as what we do in our workings.  So how to draw the line…I tell people I am as I am…same online as off.  I can give you names of people who have either known me online for several years or know me in persona and they will back that up.  My sarcasm and smart ass mouth..yeah its a natural defense..and I often use it to tell the truth when its taken as a joke by others.  Less offensive that way I guess, but I am dead serious,lol.   I am less likely to say everything I feel with family..there are dynamics there that can cause a hell of a lot of drama and I don’t have time for that.    I’m not lying exactly, just walking a fine line between all out war and destruction of whatever is going on at the time.  I appreciate honesty, but not to the point that we degrade, demean others.  I guess that is why I try for tact most days..am not always successful, but hey I do remind people I am human and damn sure not perfect.  I don’t even come close to wearing that hat.  So is honesty knocking people off their feet?  Is it lifting them up and making them feel important?  I guess it can be both of those extremes, but I prefer a balance,  somewhere in between that speaks truth and yet leaves the other person with dignity.  I don’t pretend I know what others feel in their walk…as a reader of energies, I get a glimpse, but I don’t live their life.  So on those days when I speak something to you and you’re not crazy about how it was spoken..call me on it if you want..we’ll discuss it like adults, and see if we cant find a happy medium.  I’m a bitchy witch sometimes, and it may have come out a little harsher than I may have intended.  But it was true however it sounded ~shrugs~…and that one cannot fault me on.

 

PEACE OUT

 

Source

Source..sometimes when I hear the word in reference to someone’s path it makes me chuckle because I am reminded of the show Charmed where they speak of “the source” in reference to the beginning of all that is evil that they fought with ..control of the demons.  Yeah I know, its Hollyweird, but even they can take glimmers of what is and make it entertaining.  So it got me thinking about how other feel about the source of their paths.  In the pagan world that can be many things..can be heritage, education, UPG(unverified personal gnosis), others choose doctrine or dogma to validate their faith in source.  Some even pull in race.  Are these all valid?  Depends on whom ones asks I guess.  It works for them so would appear so.  I guess the only one that I have trouble wrapping my head around is race being one of the major components of ones faith.  I know that in some practices of voudo, it plays a big part.  I know that  many Haitians feel this, but there’s is not the only voudo practiced, and I have yet to see a Loa who chose someone say..”nope, sorry you aren’t black enough” .  Maybe its a knee jerk reaction on my part about the race thing.  Living in the south I have been exposed to all sorts of hatred on both sides.  I remember when my dad was in Korea, and we lived here in Mississippi and the courts decreed “desegregation works”…All the adults seemed to have lost their minds.  In a military world, living on bases, the kids played with one another, made friends across racial lines, so to sit in a small town in Ms and experience this was extremely scary.  I was only 9 at the time and remember that things got ugly.  My aunt came to get us out  of school, and I went to find my then 5 yr old sister and get her off the bus.  Not 10 minutes later, I saw that same bus being rocked by crazed adults with children inside! Never mind that they were black..they were children. I could not believe that adults would act in such a manner, it had not been part of my life until then, and other than my own personal experience had not seen adults perpetuate violence on others children just because of skin color.  I knew then as now that race is irrelevant because we are ONE race..HUMAN.  I remember going up the hill to my Gran’s house and talking it over with her,  She fixed me lunch and we spoke of how mean humans can be to one another when they feel their status quo is being threatened.  I think she did more to calm me and explain things than anyone I encountered that day.  Schools got closed indefinitely, so I was out for about 6 weeks until my dad got home and we left for Oklahoma…Back to the “normalcy” of military life.  But it made me look at things differently, coloring my perception of the world.  So I guess that explains somewhat how I feel when one stands and in their arrogance decrees that one cannot practice a certain faith because they either weren’t born into it or of a certain race.  It to me is similar to the crazed adults of my childhood..elitist, arrogant , prejudicial and racist.  It’s a way to jealously guard their “territory”.  But god reaches everyone..no matter what path you encounter him on right?  I’ve always been instructed that is how it works.  We all have history,, heritage and we come from things differently, but to try and limit the gods….that is act of futility.  For when one tries to do so, they will show you just how human you are and bring you to your knees..  lesson learned.

 

PEACE OUT

Dream of promise?

I’m traveling..on my own this time…. why am I here without being summoned?  I pull the small boat up near the steps and walk to the porch.  Maman Celeste opens the door…”Come on in Cher, you’ve journeyed long”.  I walk in to the small hut, smiling, for Maman looks like an exotic bird taken from the rainforest and set down into the swamp.  She wears a colorful dress, her cinnamon colored skin is perfumed by the herbs she works with.  Her black hair curls around her face…She looks timeless.   I am pleased to see her.  The flames from the  fire fill me with warmth,  chasing the chill from my bones.  The huge cauldron is bubbling as usual, herbs above the mantle give off their woodsy scent…   But something is missing….the dog..yeah, where is he?  Jacques is tracking says Maman…I don’t even want to know who or what..that hellhound makes me nervous with his deep knowing as he looks into ones eyes.  Maman gives me some of her special tea..it instantly revives me and I tell her I really need this recipe which makes her laugh.  You did well traveling alone she tells me.  Why did I do that, I wonder?  I usually only come when summoned when she needs to tell me things..why would I come alone on such a long journey.  Then I spy familiar eyes out her back window…George…He followed at a distance Maman tells me..it was your first time doing so and he wanted to make sure you were all right.  He will also follow you back…just to be sure.  I nod.  You did well George tells me, then settles down  for a nap so that Maman and I can talk..  “You have done well with your learning Cher”, she tells me.  Last time you were here you needed an answer, now you have them and have put them into action.  So why the need to travel I ask her?  Instead of direct answer, I get observations…You have become a master weaver of webs she tells me.  Iridescent and strong…it keeps out those who would come check you out.  There have been a few I admit.  Most of those were just curious about you..your energy is strong and your knowledge comes through when you speak.  I don’t know near enough I tell her.  But you’re still learning she tells me…nobody knows it all.  “Tell me where you feel most comfortable, Cher”, Maman asks…Well here of course, and  in the small glade with Brin and by  the water in the cemetery at Shiloh.  “HA”! she cackles.  “For an air sign sweet girl, you sure love the water and are connected to the earth.  Baron’s call was a strong one hmm?”  I laugh.  I guess.  I had never considered it until recently.  Maman Brigit was always the one who I connected with.  “She still guides you Cher, but now you have need for the balance from Baron Samedi”..”It is time to listen and work”.  I nod and absently rock in the old wooden rocker as I think.  I gaze out the window and catch sight of a snake making her way along the rim of the porch roof.  She is beautiful, blues, greens…George stands, and shakes his finger(finger on a spider?)…and shakes his head gently.  The snake bows her head to him and moves on her way.  She was just checking to make sure I was all right I tell George.  I know he tells me…your friends are allowed on the perimeter, but not in the sanctuary proper…You can see and smell them, sometimes hear them, but they will not be allowed all the way in.  I nod in understanding.  “You have some good friends”, Maman tells me…”they check on you, care what happens to you…without asking you to give”.  “different than it used to be…you are learning to gather wisely.”  Well, I wouldn’t exactly say I gathered them..they sort of took me in.  But it works in my learning, and balance.  They are amazing people.    “Sleep child”, Maman tells me,,”soon it will be time for you to return home”.  I close my eyes.  when I awake, I feel refreshed and content.  “I have something for you to take back with you”, she says, and places a small talisman in my hand.  I hug her goodby and thank her for listening to me.  “You are always welcome here Cher”, maman tells me…”this is your home as well”.  I get back in the boat, and this time George piles in behind me.  I raise my eyebrows in question, and he shrugs..”you know I am going, so why not”, he says.  Why not indeed.  I awoke this morning with a smile on my face and this dream spinning around my brain.  I have thought about it several times throughout the day, .  The talisman?  I awoke with a sigil drawn upon my right hand!  I copied it carefully onto a paper because I don’t know how long the on on my hand will stay.  I will not tell what that sigil represents, but suffice it to say that it holds a great deal of promise for me.

 

PEACE OUT

Hiding with a purpose?

Why do we hide from the world?  What is the purpose of that?  We wear a mask for this one, yet another for someone else.  Why do we do that?  Is it because we have been so ingrained with others perceptions that we are afraid to let the real “us” show through?  Do we believe all the lies that have been thrown at us so that we cannot allow ourselves the truth?  I still have moment of insecurity..yeah yeah, those who know me are like “really?” Yes..really. I keep it well hidden because its one of those control issue things.  Ya’ll know how it is with me.  I know others who want to do the same.  Revealing their warmth, their compassion for others can be construed as weakness.  I wonder if its the same for them..that we choose to keep things hidden out of fear, that if we allow others to see our truth that we somehow let them have power over us.  I know that it isnt true of course..people only have as much power as I choose to allow them, so why then the feeling that I need to hide things?  Maybe its a holdover from that scared child who managed to survive the abuse, or maybe its the rattling of old skeletons that cause me to pull back..I don’t really know for sure.  what I do know is that I am working on letting all that go.  Walking with my head held high, becoming who I am meant to be, and if others don’t like it, then so what?  It’s not like they live my life or anything.  Truthfully, some days when manic man is having issues, or I am stressed about what bill gets paid..I would be willing to let them do just that…but just as I am about to..I pull back because of that damn need to be in control.all.the. time…So..how to let go? I wish I knew all those answers.  I do know that as I meditate and find myself spiritually, it seems to help..the letting go of fear…As I speak with my guides and I immerse myself in study with others, I am not as fearful as I once was.  Not sure I will ever conquer all of it, but for now I am content to take small steps at letting go, and that is how life’s journey begins…putting one foot in front of another.

 

PEACE OUT

What are we teaching the next generation?

I have often been left shaking my head at how kids act and behave when out in public and out of sight of their parents sometimes.  Friday night , Brae and I were at the high school football game.  I live in small southern town, so prayer is a given before the start of every event..Usually given by a student representative, sometimes not, but I have never heard anyone object.  While christianity is not my path, I stand quietly and in respect of those around me.. So with heads bowed, Brae and I stand still until the prayer is given.  A group of young people on the ground below us are laughing and cutting up during this time, until one of their friends shushes them, and they lower the level of their merriment.  Then comes the playing of the national anthem.  Now I grew up in military home, so that for me…is almost religious in the respect its given…One stands still, places hand over heart and salutes the flag.  I show Brae how to do just that and she does it as do the people around us…all EXCEPT this same group of young people.  They laugh, shove one another all during the song..making me want to yell at them…”wtf is wrong with you”? “Did your parents NOT teach you any respect for those who died giving you the right to act as if you were dropped on your head”? “do you not have respect for yourselves or the people around you?” My five year old had enough courtesy to stand still even if she had no idea what the reasoning was for it.  It got me to thinking…did their parents not teach them about respect, patriotism?  I know that a lot of what passes for history taught today is not the same as I learned…and yet they have seen their share of things that this country has been through.  Wars on several fronts, attacks upon this country…and yet they can’t take the time to stand quietly during the playing of a simple song that holds so much meaning for a lot of people.  I know its hard to sing, difficult to play, and seems archaic…but the meaning that it symbolizes to those who have a connection to those who fought and died for this country, runs deep.  Many of us grew up hearing it played at every military function, as well as other military staples, and were taught that the flag is one of the most important symbols of our country because it is the first thing raised in every military post including those far away places in battle even if it may be there only temporarily.  I’m trying to do my part in showing my little people the need for respect , but it’s damned difficult when others seem to refuse to do the same.  If one cannot show respect for the flag of your country, for others saying a prayer,then how can one possibly expect them to be respectful for other human beings?

 

PEACE OUT

Remembering the fallen

This weekend marks the 10th anniversary of one of the worst tragedies our country has ever experienced outside of war.  We all sat stunned in front of television sets, listened to radios, talked in whispers as we watched landmarks crumble in front of us, taking lives, shattering innocence, and reminding us that we are not invincible.  I was home that day, and sat like others, holding my oldest grandson, who was almost 2, in my lap needing his sweet innocence to balance out the destruction I saw being played out in real time in front of me.  Do you remember where you were? What you were doing?  It happens like that with tragedies, especially ones on a grand scale.  Who could have imagined that this great nation of ours would be sucker punched and left gasping for breath?  Not since WW II have we even considered that could be a possibility.  So we picked up the pieces, and got on with our lives, and yet as the anniversary of that infamous date rolls around..what did we learn?  Is anything we have done in the last 10 years done anything to strengthen us as a country, pulled us together, united us as a people, or honored those that lost their lives in a real way?  Sadly, I have to say that while there may be small glimmers of a nugget, as a whole the answer would be “NO”.  Families were devastated by loss, our country was set back on its heels with shock and dismay, and yet in the years since, we have arrogantly invaded other countries(Iraq had nothing to do with what happened on 9/11..just FYI)…and still treat each other with contempt if they don’t agree with our definition of societal norms.  So how would one give honor and respect or those who lost their lives? After reading the stories of those children who lost parents that day, I would say it is living well..being the person that parent hoped they would become.  That legacy speaks volumes.  Live life to the fullest, don’t let fear hold you back..don’t take those who love you for granted, because they may not be there later when you turn around to look.  We can make excuses for not doing so, but I’m sure that given the things that happened in this country, like the bombing of the Murray building in OKC, and 9/11, and the wars fought by so many brave men and women, those excuses would come up short and sound more than a little lame.  So this weekend, when one stops for a brief moment to say a silent prayer for those lost, those left behind to pick up the pieces, and those still on the front lines fighting for our rights to do so, resolve to reach out and live life…smell the roses, experience all it has to offer.  Don’t let fear sideline you and keep you from being all that you are destined to be.  Tell those you love, those you admire that you do so..don’t just assume that they know it.  Become a legacy of human compassion for your fellow man…start a new trend….be better than society claims you have to be.  And learn to love yourself when you come up short.  That for me is the ultimate remembrance.

 

PEACE OUT