Inevitability

AT FIRST DREAMS

SEEM IMPOSSIBLE,
THEN IMPROBABLE,
THEN INEVITABLE.

~ Christopher Reeves

Of Note: You might have noticed a theme since I started writing the blog again after taking the summer off. This insightful statement by the former Superman summed it up in a few simple words. Through day-dreams or use of the imagination, acting "As If" always works. As a matter of fact, it's the oldest psychological trick in the book, probably going back to ancient times. Back then, folks most likely just did what worked without thinking so much about it and may have gone straight from the dreams to the inevitable in one fell swoop. It is our modern brain that has added the thought of improbability and impossibility to the mix. The world might benefit greatly if we got back to the ancient knowledge and utilization of our creative skills without taking so many steps to get there.

Today's Weather Report: It was warm again outside, probably in the 40's. The roofers came out to begin the project on the Taj Mahal hunting cabin. By the end of the week, we will be able to say "Let it rain, snow, hail or sleet." With a new rubber roof and windows, the building will be snug and will no longer rain on the inside like it did a few weeks back. On another note: it is 5:00 pm and dark outside for the most part. What a difference from July and August when it was light until almost 10:00 pm!

Discovering Fire

Someday, after we have mastered
the winds, the waves, the tides and gravity,
we shall harness for God the energies of love.

Then for the second time in the history of the world,
we will have discovered fire.

~ Teilhard de Chardin

Of Note: Can you imagine a world where Love, Truth and Beauty reign supreme? Light would definitely have to be part of that bountiful scene. In my mind's eye, all beings glow from the inside out--like fireflies--each emanating it's own combination of color from a scintillating palette. It will take such imaginative thoughts to create a beautiful future. Might I suggest that every day we take five minutes and rest with our eyes closed thinking about a future filled with Love, Truth and Beauty. The universe will thank us for the thoughtful contribution--and if nothing else, it will be the best five minutes we spend each day in communion with all like-minded people.

Today's Weather Report: Here we are talking about fire again. As I was reporting on it two days ago, unbeknown to me, Jim was fighting a big grass fire in our field! It burned a large section before going out--thankfully, two neighbors helped. Although the field is a sooty black now, next spring the growing grass will be thrilled with the ash. Today it was a balmy 51 degrees Fahrenheit, and a friend and I enjoyed a lunch of soup and salad in the streaming sunlight.

Afire With God

EARTH'S CRAMMED WITH HEAVEN,
AND EVERY COMMON BUSH
AFIRE WITH GOD.

~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Aurora Leigh

Of Note: That "God is Fire" is a foundational belief in ageless wisdom. It is not the only manifestation of God on the physical plane, but it is one of the easiest to conceptualize. We all know what fire looks like and what are its exoteric qualities. Heat, light, color, sound, movement. But the essence of fire is still a mystery to most of humanity because it has its origins on planes we cannot see. Substance on the invisible etheric plane is fire as it is on every plane including the mental and astral. When we get "all fired up," we are recalling this truth held collectively by the whole. It has been said that the etheric lines of communication, the light and sound waves of the air, underlie all human and planetary relationships and evolutions. Thus, it is invisible fire that binds us and holds all together as one. The Lucis Trust offers 429 half-hour radio programs concerning the tenets of ageless wisdom. For example, a program concerning the etheric body is number 361. Individual programs can be accesses on-line at www.lucistrust.org. This is a FREE offering to anyone with a spark of interest in universal knowledge.

Today's Weather Report: Wow, it's 50 degrees Faherenheit right now! So warm that the bulbs which arrived in the mail today were quickly planted in the still unfrozen dirt. That will not be the case for long, however. These bulbs were sent because of a small donation we made to the Arbor Day Foundation, whose mission is to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees--and the organization backs this up by planting trees all over themselves. We had not been members before this year, but I am impressed so far.

The Seasons and Breathing

Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence.

Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance.
Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence.
Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance.

~Yoko Ono

Of Note: The four seasons are reminiscent of the four cycles of breathing: inspiration, higher interlude, expiration, lower interlude. Activity followed by inactivity, and then again. It is during those periods of inactivity, the interludes, where the fires carried from the breath create. Paradoxically, these are the magical times. We might remember that in-activity has its place as we scurry from one doing to another in a constant state of busy-ness. We are told that without moments of quiet through meditation, we will not discover our true Self. Sogyal Rinpoche said of meditation: "Its purpose is to awaken in us the sky-like nature of the mind, and to introduce us to that which we really are, unchanging pure awareness that underlies the whole of life and death."

Today's Weather Report: At 40 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny, you would think it is spring outside. Summer and winter are the extremes and not interchangeable, but there are days in spring and fall that could fool you. This photo of the leaning maple tree was taken last fall on the Namekagon River that runs next to our property. It clings to live with perseverance though one day will fall into the river and be swept away by the currents.

The Wonders of the Universe

The more clearly we focus our attention on the
wonders and realities of the universe around us,
the less taste we shall have for destruction.

~Rachel Carson

Of Note: Some may grouse at the money spent on the national space program. After all, couldn't this money be better spent feeding the poor or taking care of the sick and homeless? I have felt that way a number of times during the many takeoffs and landings of the soon obsolete space shuttle. But, then I think of the breathtaking and paradigm-shifting photographs of the universe beamed from the Hubble Space Telescope and reconsider. While providing sustenance for bodily needs is vitally important, nourishing the mind is equally so. One could argue that using the mind is the foundation of a sustainable future; indeed, its proper use might guarantee that there is a future to experience.

Today's Weather Report: When we got up this morning, clouds and drizzle welcomed us. At 34 degrees Fahrenheit, we were wondering how long the drizzle would last because a 2 to 4 degree drop would guarantee icy roads. Let me tell you, light rain in those conditions is the worst. Thankfully, it never got below freezing. The lone duck above was photographed on a gorgeous day in August by my daughter, Susanne, during a visit we made to Bayfield on the shores of Lake Superior. The duck thought she carried food and soon a whole flock of ducks arrived waiting for a handout. Unfortunately for them, the only things we toted were a camera, purses and a shopping bag. They soon dispersed, but not before several pictures were snapped. On another note, many thanks to www.gratefulness.org for the many quotes that are delivered to my email every day and find their way to this blog.

Hugging as a Miracle Drug

Hugging is nothing less
than a miracle drug.
Hugging is all natural.
It is organic, naturally sweet,
no artificial ingredients,
non-polluting,
environmentally friendly
and 100% wholesome.

~ Charles Faraone
Chicken Soup for the Soul

Of Note: Isn't hugging great? Besides all the above attributes, giving hugs is free. And free is good these days. Rachel Ramen said that in the silence of listening, we can know ourselves in anyone. We could say the same about hugging. For in heart meeting heart, no secrets remain.

Today's Weather Report: This glorious sunset last evening predicted the bright and beautiful day that greeted us this morning. I have photographed out my front door a multitude of sunsets over the past two years, and many of these shots have graced these pages. Last evening's was the most stunning and spectacular ever, bar none. Maybe the heavens were giving us a real show because it was All Saint's Day.

Imagination as the Fountainhead

WHAT IF IMAGINATION AND ART
ARE NOT FROSTING AT ALL,
BUT THE FOUNTAINHEAD
OF HUMAN EXPERIENCE?

~ Rolio May
The Courage to Create

Of Note: It is predicted that some day in the future we will not work as we do now. As Humanity moves closer and closer to its ultimate destiny, that of Light-bearer for the universe, simplicity will reign and needs will be met. People will not be enslaved by money as they are now. Sharing will have taken the place of hoarding on a global level. Everyone will be educated, and children will understand that all are one. How will this come about? Only by our use of the creative imagination now to envision a future where love, light and power prevail. Because of the immutable cosmic law, energy follows thought, acting AS IF the future is here now is a good start to a transformative meditative exercise.

Today's Weather Report: It rained all afternoon, on and off, following a bright, sunshining morning. Temps are in the low to middle forties. Pretty typical for a fall day. Historically, November has few days of sunshine at all. The little we got this morning may be all there is most of the month.