Atwater Vitki

I meant to comment on this awhile back and ran across my notes in Word.... Short version: In the Nordic Sagas, there is also a story about Jördmündar - the Great World Serpent- and Thor being in a storm so fierce it cost him much of his crew and almost causing the boat to sink. The crew "called out to" the All-Father imploring him to cease the waves as it would cost them all dearly if things didn't improve quickly. The storm got worse and worse due to Jördmündar's thrashing tail, as they could "see it arise from the depths and as it fell great waves would wash over the ship". Finally, when just about all was lost, Thor dove into depths and brought up Jördmündar's head, beating it with the mighty Mölnir (Thor's hammer) but the Great Serpent was too mighty and did not die. Exhausted, Thor climbs back onto the ship and falls upon his knees, this time praying the all-Father would simply put a quick end to them all and not make them suffer any longer. The storm worsened even more, then Thor got an idea - he would sacrifice himself to Jördmündar so that the remains of his crew could escape the thrashing tail and get back to solid ground. Again, Thor and Jördmündar fought endlessly until they both fell exhausted - Jördmündar back to the depths and Thor floated to the surface...and all was finally calm. When they reached Midlander (Iceland) they were praised as heroes for having survived an encounter with the great Jördmündar, yet many did not believe the story as Thor was known to exaggerate on occasion. Even so, besides the carved "dragon heads" on the bows of nearly every ship, Thor's Mölnir was hence carved into the masts of those ships who's captains Believed as a warning/warding off of Jördmündar during their sea excursions. A different, but the same basic story, belief in one's "G_d" shall protect those who hold those values in one's heart and mind. This saga continues today as every ship built and launched from particularly Norwegian, some Swedish, ship yards has Mölnir placed upon keel and rudder (usually a welding bead) as a precautionary tactic. As many of us believe that all the different descriptions of "G_d" are referring to the same deity. The part I find most interesting is that Jonah lived roughly 800 BCE and the first written accounting of Thor's saga is believed to come from around 500 BCE with a Fore Word that this tale has been told for "hundreds of years" putting it in the 900-800 BCE time frame, perhaps even a bit earlier, but lineage - family trees- and who told what story go to the 850ish BCE time table. So, is this a fishy story? Or is it one that could have gone either way- from the North to the South (Scandinavia to Middle East) or the other way around - South to North? Personally I don't care where it originated as it an excellent example of faith and belief in one's particular religious structure. After all, "G_d" is "G_d", no matter what title us puny Hu-mans give The Universal Consciousness/Creator of All Things! Blessings of Peace,

I've also noticed that Silver Rose, nestingwave, Qyros and a few others haven't been around for awhile either ...anyone else wish to list people they know and are in regular contact with that haven't been here for awhile? It's just so curious to me when people "disappear" without a note such as "On vacation", "need a break" or "?" what-have-you. Guess few people feel the need anymore, either that or they don't realize how people worry...sorta like family...when no contact for some time. I guess all anyone can do is hope for the best and be relieved when they come back around! Blessings of Peace, to ALL, here in the Now or not!

I've noticed the lack of our good friend Brother Michael Sky in the forum lately. Last I heard personally from him he was having difficulty with his internet connection (due to weather) as well as being sick with a terrible bug. I also know he suffers, on occasion from terrible physical pain and frequently "takes a break" from things. I haven't seen a post, topic or comment from our Brother in quite sometime which has me a bit concerned as even e-mails go unanswered. I was just hoping that perhaps someone here might know how he was doing...or am I the only one that notices when regulars disappear? I offer up to a friend in need, A Prayer of Healing, The thought of an energy feed, Sought out upright or kneeling. I offer up, to the Cosmos connection, A Prayer of Healing, Through a varied conviction, Good wishes, most appealing. I pray that you are doing well, I ask that God be thy guide, Protect you from thy personal quell, I ask that God be by thy side. From the expanses of the Universe, To the inner questing mind, Take healing from this little verse, Our healing energies go to you in kind. Blessings of Healing and Grace, May you soon be well, We need your smiling face, Shown here at starting Bell. May you get better quick, May you soon be able, May a poet get here lickety-split! May this prayer not become a fable. But all joking and humor aside, 'Tis my hope for a speedy recovery, 'Cause ULC is where you best reside, Not seeing you around, is in no way Loverly! (at all!) Many Blessings to you my Friend and may you quickly return to nermal! I sincerely hope that you are on the mend and back with us shortly! Blessings of Healing and Peace buddy!

Welcome Jadoc! Your story is an inspiration to many...and should be to all...and you are correct, it's up to you now to follow your Calling. Blessed Day, BE thy own Way! Blessings of Peace,

Mark, Wonderful write up....many laughs and "visuals" (sorry )...perhaps gives me an idea for putting up some of my adventures! No, I'm afraid I do not follow a "Naturist" lifestyle...(I do have a conscience for my fellow hu-mans!)..and besides, with just shorts on and my body suit of tattoos I never get free of touristy questions anyway. Showing "it all" would just lead to more questions (like why does such a big dragon- tail starting at ankle w/ 3 wraps around leg- have such a small head type thing! ) and those kind of places isn't where one would like to show the "expanded" version! I appreciate your write up...it was almost like being there! I've never been to St. Martin, but is on the list of the six places I'd still like to see in my Life. The pyramids of Mexico and Nasca lines in So. America are a "want" as is a return trip to Sweden/Norway/Denmark (ancestral lands) and then the great pyramids in Egypt and the newest "Stonehenge" find in Mongolia (area) complete the WannaList! Hope all is healed and now a golden tan instead inflamed red! Blessings of Peace, (Since I am already signed up etc on google to follow your blog- the "Felbain" person is me -my runic name and what I use for such things!)

It's funny how when a person's routine is put on hold for even a few days how looooong that seems. We've just had a wonderful, soul-felt, mind expanding 6 day long visit from a long term friend of mine I've know since 1990. He lives down near Idyllwild, CA, where Casey Ahbrams, one of the American Idol contestants is from. Gordon works for the county park systems there and where we got our last three kittens, now adults, on our visit down there in 2006...so it's been awhile since seeing each other. He had hoped for a rather different outcome of the purpose of his trip up to Chico, but felt satisfied with how things turned out. He spent a couple days here on the way up and 3 days here on his way back home so it was a nice long visit with a break in the middle...a model I wish certain relatives would use! Anyway, having been distracted for a few days, I'm back to checking in every day and I'm working on the multitude of pictures taken while our friend visited. I might even put a few up on my blog...in a week or so after editing...of the Castle Air Museum which has myriad of vintage, and some modern, military aircraft. Been living a block away for 3 1/2 years and this is my first official, in through the gate view of some phenomenal, strange and exotic aircraft. Probably the most spooky was the RB-36H Peacemaker, the largest bomber ever built with it's two thermal-nuclear bomb casings sitting next to it....my personal favorite is still the SR-71 Blackbird which sits out front and we get to see every trip to town. Anyway, nice to be back...off to Valentine's Day goodies, Blessings of Peace,

Boy is that a BINGO! Blessings of Peace,

I saw this: TomPeters "Loneliness is the black death of the 21st century." Yesterday, 06:02 PM and just had to say this: Isn't that interesting? We live in a society where you can be 300 miles from the Middle of Nowhere, camping in unexplored vast landscapes, and you can hear "twillllitt chirp twillllit chirp You've got voice-mail!" on one's iPlug, PurpleBerry, Smurk Phone or other device...and yet people are LONELY. Is that a commentary on society or what? We have more ways to CONTACT each other through our devices than ever before and yet loneliness seems to be a disturbing up and coming trend. Why? IMHO that because people confuse "contact" with "communication". Many of our kids can spend hours twit-exting, brow-urfing and faceless booking, yet ask them to check in once and awhile and "I'm so busy!", "I forgot!" or "I didn't have a connection"....for weeks and months on end...which all us "adults" know is a bigger crock than even Steve Irwin would've tackled. Go to any mall and watch the mindless zombies walking around talking to them selves "Okay! They have one in blue, pink and yellow..." "...oh you want the 18 oz bottle of...." "so then what did Jillian say? OMG! you're kidding me! That's so...." "...so is it pizza or mini-sliders?...red hot or regular....extra crispy or crumb coat?...." I never know when I'm walking through talking zombies or human beings anymore...mouths moving everywhere yet no one is saying jack spit. Jibber-jabber on the lowdown side of uptown man! Yet we can't seem to communicate our feelings, what really makes us tick or how we honestly think...everything is pseudo talk.. nothing is real any more all just bytes and bits of what family use to be all about....exchange of communication with each other. People I know are continuously amazed that we send cards, write letters (actual hand written, in 'cursive', paper and envelope with a stamp, letters) and even know where our mailbox is. So Tom Peters, I totally agree with you that loneliness is indeed the black death of our modern society, but it's not because of the lack of tools to contact each other. It's because of all the choices we have through technology one thing is sorely lacking...the ability to COMMUNICATE or the process of "Being in verbal contact to interchange or exchange information or ideas" Too many people know how to push the buttons, but then the grim reality of "Now what?" sets in! One of many reasons I like the forums here, a place to exchange and communicate instead of just pushing buttons and making vocalized noise from our throats! Hope your loneliness is soon gone and your life is full of real, heartfelt communication Tom. Blessings of Peace,

Welcome to our "World" Alexander Ethan! Good to meet you! Blessings of Peace, BTW, your uncle has great taste in music!!!

I also think that before any healing can go out to anyone, a person must heal themselves. This can be a process of months, years, decades...everyone has their own bucket of slop to sift through and pick out the chunks worth "Saving". Let's begin with a very simple concept: you can't "save them", change their mind or correct their behavior. That person has to heal their Self. No minister, friend or any other person on the face of the earth can possibly be "the reason for" that individual's progress towards "healing". All anyone else can do is present options, a new or different way for an individual to seek change, but the change itself has to come from within. That is the person I've been working on to heal for going on 35 years. The last 20 have been a bit easier, but even today, there are times when it is a real struggle, but I'd say the progress has been quite incredible. I love my wife dearly, think our cats are humanized and our kids are animals, even talk to neighbors instead of just hating everyone...so there has been significant progress! I'm certain my Dear Rev. Irma, I could swap "Hate Humanity" stories with you all day long. But I understand your apathy towards humanity as it was also my call letters at one time, "Screw 'em" was my only thought towards people in general for all too many years. I, much like is depicted in "Logan's Run", figured at 30 I'd simply be whisked away in some big ball of light and no one would have to worry about me any more...good lord...the 20 something brain! Even though it was literally on my hands and knees, that night in front of ULC I've written about so many times, that something clicked for my change of mind...."I may be RIGHT in my message, but the delivery is simply WRONG!" No "god" did this for me, no preacher, minister or priest. No one, including ex wives, past and/or present "friends", family or even "professionals" helped me. I helped ME...which is what everyone must do in the long run. Now, for the past 10+ years I have been able to spread that message of Self Empowerment and Healing. And, like anything, there comes a time when a person has to put down the "instructions", put away the Self Help tapes/books/web-sites and DO IT or live miserably for the rest of their Lives. I do indeed completely understand your anger "AT" the world and human beings, I still believe there are several billion more on this planet than necessary, but alas, that too is another subject for another day. Thankfully, we have our little "home away from home" here at ULC to help those in whatever level of frustration, burdened heart or Self-help situation they happen to be at/in/from. Smile today, heal tomorrow, Become Spiritually inclined the next! Blessings of Peace,

Another "been there done that"...my "ex" had me in court seven times within five years of our divorce and was fraudulently attempting to collect "Child support" (which for about a year she was getting 3x's what the court ordered due to her paperwork at the welfare dept). The main thing to keep focused on is proof of what has been paid and how much his last court order demanded of him. 1. make sure the "ex-wife" has a valid and legitimate claim against him Very often "grumpy" men and women work for the agencies "collecting", depending on the sob story some may pursue the "delinquent" far more aggressively than others. They are human they either believe in the bs fed by ex's or not, but if they do, watch out! Like my ex, she told welfare I wasn't paying child support so both the county and the state she moved to were paying her the $150/mo ordered (1980) putting me $300 behind every month plus the $150 I paid her directly. For about a year she was getting $450 off my $150/court order because of paperwork foul ups which are VERY COMMON. (In the end, six years later, she faced fraud charges and moved out of the state...one lowsy week after the seven year statute ran out, her case worker finally connected the dots, but it was "too late" to charge the ex! She was arrested several months later for welfare fraud in California and the charge she "beat" was counted as first strike, showing a history of fraud, and she served two years and lost the boys...my son (then 12) to me, his brother (then 9) to his Dad.) 2. if she is on the public dole (welfare) he will be fighting the county his children and ex live in, not her If the ex is on welfare of any type, he is not fighting her, rather the county from which she filed for public assistance. Make sure he contacts the actual dept. where this claim is generated from. He can talk to (in most cases) the ex's case worker to figure out a "plan" as Hooka mentioned. He can give her an e-mail address for contact...he has the right to see the claims against him before giving contact such as home address...the County may balk at this, but perfectly legal in all 50 states. 3. depending on "where" he is, make sure of what that diplomatic relations call for, some countries will "extradite for cause" He should be able to go to the embassy without fear and actually one fellow I knew years ago they helped him get through the mess. Play ignorant, not dumb and embassy's usually are a big help. If he were to convince the embassy all he wanted was fairness and admit his mistakes of not renewing Visa etc...usually no big deal. Whatever he does make sure he does NOT contact some of the "Dead Beat Dad" Info "Help" web-sites...most of them are advocates for paying and don't care about the circumstances, they get their fees by finding "dead beats" and turning them into the counties or jurisdictions. They are not friendly to the person owing, except while gathering information. If he's slick, he can get them to open up a bit and channel down some info regarding his case, but be very careful. If he "signs up" for any of those sites, I recommend using a pseudonym name ....instead of John Allen Smith ...use Allen Smith or John Allen (lots of legal-eze behind "why") Many of these "Help-sites" "play along" with them and get more info than petitioning. Remember they want the person "wanted", not to make friends with or be understanding "dead beats" even though they will often sound that way in the beginning. So that's my 2¢ and if I can help more, just e-mail. He's in a pickle, but not one that should ruin his life....if he plays it right. I also agree he needs to man up not just about the $, but for his kid's sake, if he ever wants to be a Real Dad. Blessings of Peace http://www.childwelfare.com/arkansas_child_welfare.htm http://www.arkansas.gov/dhs/homepage.html Arkansas has many publications on this: https://ardhs.sharepointsite.net/DHS%20Publications/Forms/AllItems.aspx TEXAS: http://www.childwelfare.com/texas.htm http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/reslist/rl_dsp_website.cfm?rs_ID=16&rate_chno=AZ-0004E hope this helps, Blessings,

Wow, thank you all. I am humbled by the fine comments and for everyone seeing the post for what it was. Fawzo placed it elsewhere, but yes, we all know someone "worthy" in one way or another like "Kenny" a grand human being. Blessings of Peace,

Many years ago, when I worked for the County of Alameda, I met a young man who was an absolute joy and pleasure to be around. His outlook on the world was one that has been kept in the forefront of my memory every since then. Some of his favorite, repetitive statements were things like: "Ya gotta pay attention!" “Ya just gotta do the best you can at everything.” “If a job ain't worth doing right, it's probably not a job worth doing.” “Sometimes I wish I was the sun, so I could warm everybody around me too.” “I don't have time to count peanuts, I've gotta go do...” “I don't understand why they don't just hire the best person they can in the White House and keep 'em around for 20 years like other countries.” “I love my job, it gives me independence.” I could go on reminiscing, but that's not what this is about, rather the joy some people bring to our world. “Kenny” was a Caretaker Assistant for the Parks Division and in the 5 years of my working there, he had been out sick only once and he had accumulated nearly two months worth of vacation time. He couldn't be in the Union – SEIU 616- due to his employment status, but “when he made permanent” he would be joining our ranks. As the Shop Steward for the workers, “Kenny” frequently asked me questions about union rules, regulations and was extremely retentive on everything I told him. “Kenny” got rave reviews from supervisors and crew alike, he was a true joy to be around. Even in the menial tasks he performed, like a seasoned professional, everything he did was evidence of his job being one worth doing right. He kept us thinking with his quips and points of view that seemed to have come from a place of complete logic. His demeanor was pure and infectious. You couldn't help but laugh and bring your Self into a whole new sphere of bliss being around him while working. There just never seemed to be any dreary drudgery of work, regardless of what job we might be doing. “Kenny” was a gift to the world of a pure heart and man of integrity, intensity and completely different type of intelligence. I don't recall him ever speaking poorly of another nor saying a single disparaging word against anyone. He was more acutely attentive and aware of his surroundings than most people I've worked with. What brings “Kenny” to mind, is he passed away January 29, 2011. I find this serendipitous due to recently having responded to a topic, that among many other things, reflected how it often seems that those who engage the world and try to keep up with technology, headlines, policies and economies, are the dreary ones, and the others who don't seem to be the happy ones in our society. We get so caught up in foreign and domestic policies, oil and resources bantering, global climate changes and effected economies and so on, that we forget things that really matter to us. There is a mountain of resource material for just about any business, personal or political topic or issue you'd ever wish to debate or discuss. And boy, do we ever take advantage of that. Many of us will debate issues that, in the end, have zero effect or impact on our lives, but the conversation "was stimulating", which means of course we got completely wrapped up in it! To many of us, following the mantras and headlines of the world is a worthy use of our limited time. Others find a myriad of various other forms of interests and many dabble in the political and business forums as a means of staying in touch with the world. However, I feel there is a big difference between “staying in touch” with the world's events and being compulsively attempting change or submissively adhering to a particular issue. I so often wish I too could detach to a degree similar to my old co-worker “Kenny”. I find that far too regularly I subject myself to several hours, over a few days, of media news headlines, just to “keep up with the world”. For the past twenty-ish years this has rarely done more than aggravate me to no end and usually gets me to tense up both physically and Spiritually. Through our conversations I learned that “Kenny” rarely watched news on TV and usually just played his favorite movies on VHS for entertainment. A crack up remark about news anchors was:"How can I take someone serious if I don't know if their pants match their suit jacket? I always think they're hiding something because we can't see all of them." Yet he knew the script word for word on such timeless Hollywood hits as “The Jungle Book”, "Shane", "Old Yeller" and the original “Wizard of Oz”. He often would interject lines from these classics into our conversations and did a perfect impersonation of the Cowardly Lion, often using a hose for his "tail". If "Kenny" was having a good time with a conversation and work would take one person elsewhere, he would often run after the truck "Shane! Come back Shane! Sha-a-a-a-a-ne!" keeping the humor going as long as possible. “Kenny” just seemed to have a completely different outlook on the world than most of us. He would frequently mimic news anchors, including the classic stance of his left hand up to his ear “that was great Tom (Brokaw), now back to you Walter (Cronkite)!” ending with “and that's the way it is...”. He told me on several times that he felt the 'news' was simply "edited information for the those who didn't understand the world as it really is.” Mostly, “Kenny” just believed that the TV was nicknamed the boob-tube for good reason “'cause only boobs, you know, like the dumb bird, believe what they put on for us to watch is the truth.” When I would ask him questions regarding “God” or religion he also had profound words of wisdom. "Church is wherever you happened to be whenever you happened to be there!" Another frequent commentary that always made me chuckle was "What religion is God? If he believes in himself, like people do, wouldn't that make him a narcissist? If he doesn't, wouldn't that make him an atheist?" How can anyone argue such logical thinking? If someone would say something derogatory against any of our many church going workers at the Department, “Kenny” would be the first to pipe-up with “Never take somebody's hope, it may be all they have” or other timeless statements like ”if that's what floats their boat, don't be a obstacle in their waters” a saying he said his “Umpa”, his mother's father, would say all the time. He told me he did go to church when he was a kid and he thought the principle was “...good, because they didn't make you pay for the service until it was almost over!” He rationalized that was to give you a chance to see if the preacher's words were "worth payin' for or not", and wished movies were "like that." He was also very concerned about worker safety and working conditions. Even though he couldn't be a Union member until he went permanent, I waived protocol for him and allowed him attend Union Meetings, unless of course there was a vote or other reasons he couldn't. He had read the works of Karl Marx and even Adolf Hitler but could never understand why these men, with such great insight for humanity did the “evil and mean things” the history books claimed they did. When I worked there we appointed "Kenny" our unofficial Safety Officer. He held that position officially for 17 years after becoming permanent. He petitioned and received authorization for nearly every idea or plan he came up with regarding the safe working conditions for the entire Department. He also knew not everyone could be rich and that the workers were the “engine that ran the train of society” and that without them, no one could be rich. The civic process that “Kenny” looked forward to the most was election day, whether it was a local or national ballot. During the 1988 election he cracked us all up with his evaluation of whether or not “the bad man or the worse man” was going to become president. After G.H.W. Bush won the election, we asked him if it was the bad or worse man that got into office, to wit he said “neither, the people voted and found him to be the best man for the job!” He also thought that President Bush would do more for the struggling workers, "because his daddy taught him respect for business", something that many still claim today. But the one thing that always brought a smile to my face was “Kenny's” never ending faith in the simplicity of Life. The “KISS Principle” as we are all familiar with (Keep it Simple Stupid) also had his own flare and pertinent statement behind it “Kenny is Seriously Simple”. Yes he was, but I can not emphasize how brilliant he was in clarity of thinking as well work ethic and helpfulness towards others. Our bosses often thought they were being demeaning when they'd say “If 'Kenny' can do it, why can't you?” Because “Kenny” wasn't like the rest of us. He was special and from a place in this Universe no one could ever have imagined. He truly was different than everyone else and in a manner of which most of us could only hope to be. “Kenny” was a very rare person having both Downs Syndrome and being Autistic. His mother, whom he adored, would arrive at Winters Parks everyday at 3:58, on the dot, to pick him up from work. She mentioned several times that “'Kenny' was the easiest of all four of my boys in raisin', he just always did right. I never had to scold him once! That is “except the time” he was about 5 and got caught taking cookies from the cooling rack before the appropriate time. He has liked hot, melt in your mouth, cookies ever since. To be around “Kenny” was like a day of vacation where nothing seemed to matter, except what was right there in the Now. He had an ordered chaos in his humble Life that seemed to exude his very essence of personality and there was always an inner joy expressed from him that I have seem few times in this world. It was the same type of feeling one got talking with people like the Dali Lama, Ghandi or even Deepak Chopra, who said “In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.” There was a calm serenity that enveloped the air around you when you talked to “Kenny”. How often have all wished we could find that calm spot in our hectic lives? That moment of serenity that is needed to calm our body and quiet our over active minds. In short, when a person has simply had enough of the chaos and calamity in Life. We, as humans, seem to take on way more baggage in our lives than is necessary. Keeping tabs on the world from one headline to the next could consume a person's life due to so much information available to the average info-phile today. Between TV and our Internet connections we literally have the world at our fingertips. As a learning and business tool, excellent. As a Spiritual Distraction in Life, not so good. So many people have claimed to not sense or feel any connection to anything “greater” or in any way “supreme” to us. It's terrifying to my Self, to think that only a small minority of folks in today's society claim to have knowledge of this emotional attachment to the Universe. Perhaps if they weren't so distracted by all the other things going on in the world they could find their connection to their Spiritual Nature. But what about those few folks we come across in our own busy lives that seem to be free of all the baggage and are happy, content and well rounded? They don't take life any less serious than others, rather, they just look at the events in Life through a completely different set of eyes. Eyes that seem to see things in a completely different way than we do. “Kenny” was one such person. For instance, he didn't see tragedy in a massive earthquake (1989 - 6.9 Loma Prieta - SF Bay Area) he saw it as a means to show the "true character of those who weren't injured or had their property destroyed." By the time Earl G., Winters Park Supervisor, got to his outpost after the quake (we all had assigned duties during such events), "Kenny" had already string-staked out the camping area for tents, set up the water distribution tanks, pulled out and unlocked the port-a-potties and had the emergency generator ready to be started. All within less than 30 minutes of the quake. So regardless of the labels put on people who are afflicted with one medically defined syndrome or another, maybe they aren't the ones in need of our help but the other way around? Maybe those of us who feel we have the definitions and terminology 'just so' should pause for a moment and really listen to our colleagues, neighbors and friends. Listening to each other may be one process for defining the undefinable or unknowable on levels we haven't considered yet. There is one aspect of this whole thought line that has stirred up the questions in me for many years; If these 'types of people' are so in need of our 'help', why is it that they bring so much joy to our lives? All the while the doctors, researchers and the public at large show these gentle spirits very little genuine compassion beyond momentary regard? Why are they the ones singled out and made fun of or humiliated in many cases? Especially over "conditions" they had no control over receiving as Life's hand of cards. No, I don't think that because we have a medical term to place on people it is necessarily the best description. Often, I think, it is indeed jealousy and envy that gets in our way of seeing the Truth. Of course Down's and Autism have drawbacks to living within this society, but can you imagine having absolute clarity of insight in such matters as our own Spiritual Nature? We would think that if we were the one's with the “smarts” we would be treating them the way they treat everyone else. That was the “theme” of “Kenny's” Memorial last week, Living with Dignity and Respect. He worked a total of 26 years for the Parks Department and spent 21 of those as a Permanent Status worker. “Kenny” worked his regular schedule right up until a few days before he passed away. He had 251 days of “sick leave” still on the books and nearly a year's worth of vacation time saved up. He was cited for being the only employee in Park Department History for doing so among the many other Awards he had received for Community Service. At 43 years old “Kenny” also passed a few milestones for those with Down's Syndrome, being one of the oldest living people with this bio-chemical malady. According to his family,“Kenny's” doctor said everyday past 30 was “gift from God” and how can anyone argue with that? “Kenny” was also a four time recipient of Alameda County's Worker of the Year citation, a two time winner of the City of Oakland's Community Service Award and was known by nearly everyone of the Department's 1,300 some odd employees. He had also received numerous awards and certificates from groups such as the Kiwanis, Rotary and Lion's Clubs and made a special appearance at the 2010 election results in Sacramento as a featured guest of Jerry Brown. He was a bright spot in everyone's day and I'm certain he will be missed greatly. “Kenny's” accomplishments in Life may not be that impressive to some people but to those that knew him, it was just the icing on the cake for an expression of his stalwart example of “How to Live Right”. As far as I, or any others knew, “Kenny” did not have a particular religion that he followed, rather he would attend services at just about any sanctuary, synagogue or temple that friends would bring him to. His mother “Carolyn” said he identified the best with the Dali Lama and Buddhism, but never really followed any one religious path. One vacation his mother said he always wanted to take, was to Tibet so he could make sand mandala's with any one of the Lama's, "because the Dali himself would probably be busy!". She also said that of course he had the opportunity to follow which ever religious path felt best to him but he just never saw the need. Upon reflection perhaps his lasting legacy to religious thinking is the statement he would often repeat. “God knows who I am, and that's good enough for me. If he would've wanted me to know first His name and where He lives, He would have told me! You have to pay attention to these things!” which was the inscription on his headstone and the rest was printed on his Memorial Bulletin. This is one person I know the world will miss even though the “world” didn't know him personally, it does know his type of energy. A clean, unspoiled, truly happy energy that is so rare to find. Even in my thoughts of loss I can't help but smile knowing I knew a great man of such high moral and ethical standards. My only real regret is that I didn't take the time out of my Life to spend more of it with this genuine and uplifting person. His was a Spiritual Life lived, that most others only read about or attempt to intellectualize. Blessings to you “Kenny”, may you now know complete and utter Peace in your new adventure of Spirit. And while you are 'out there' zooming around, don't forget to “Pay Attention my friend!” and I will do the same, being vigilant for your bright Light and Spiritual Glow as it passes through. You will be missed, our pure and clean Spirit! Blessings of Peace, PS: And to those that may wish to comment that Downs Syndrome and/or Autism is a “condition” or “disorder” and not a form of Spirituality, think before you type. Have you ever considered the fact that when “the conditions are just right” is when many of us have had our own spiritual insight events? Have you considered that without the clutter, flotsam and jetsam of all our other thinking, such as those with a “disorder”, is when we see things the clearest? No, “Kenny” was a Spiritualists, maybe not by his theosophies or other passive descriptions, but by the Grace of All That Is.

Aye, and to ye brother! Blessings of Peace,

I agree with Kingfisher in that lengthy platitudes are not needed at this juncture in Life. I would like to say, with all due respect and heartfelt sadness for you; My deepest Sympathy and Condolences. May your heart and Spirit be made calm, and may you quickly find resolution within. Blessings of Healing, Restoration and Peace, "RevAl" You of course will be added to my prayer list.

Prayers and Blessings to them both, they will be added to our growing list of those in need of positive Energies. Blessings of Peace,

first look on Amazon.... 7 new from $69.98 12 used from $42.00 Formats Amazon Price New from Used from Expand Collapse Hardcover -- $29.76 $27.90 Hardcover, January 1, 2005 -- $69.98 $42.00 See # more hardcovers Show fewer hardcovers Expand Collapse Paperback -- $255.00 $301.81 Expand Collapse Calendar -- -- $458.15 ExpandShow 3 more formats ExpandShow 1 more format CollapseShow fewer formats There is a newer edition of this item: Celestial Gallery 4.7 out of 5 stars (16) 21 used & new from $27.90 See a problem with this suggestion? Let us know ...you got a great deal! Blessings of Peace,

I do hope all is well on the Gita book study....I made a huge mistake in telling my neighbor I could council with him any night but Saturdays due to the "book club"...I must regain my sense of "control" over this situation as every Saturday night, since telling him that, there has been "crisis" over at his place which needs my full attention. I feel for the man being in his 6th year of fatally diagnosed bladder/intestinal cancer, which the doc gave him 1-2 years. He drinks booze way over the limit, over takes his meds and then screams for "help"...and has been particularly pesky on Saturdays for 3 weeks in a row now...even last night was 2:30pm to 9 pm "helping him with depression/suicidal thoughts...this morning all apologetic and "feeling better". We take care of his cat "Bucky" most of the time as well as the strays he has made accustomed to feeding every evening. I can appreciate his delicate sense of issue with his situation, but I also believe a good part is, in a polite, non-demanding way, "forcing" me there instead of here on Saturday nights. I know I am in control of this situation but I have a soft spot for those with terminal dis-eases...mostly due to how quickly good people "go" from them. He's always polite and charming, but we are 100% convinced that one evening, it's not going to be a pretty sight. I did manage to get his brother to come get his two pistols as too many "jokes" about suicide have gone on since Christmas. Hopefully next week I'll be able to get back in with the swing as I find the Gita very interesting and would really like to discuss a few points. Blessings of Peace,

Don't ya just love the bargains one can find in places like that? There's an old store in Merced, been there since 1891...the oldest continuous business in town, which is now a second/junk shop...toooo many cool things in there to even mention! Your book find is a deal of a century, especially right now while studying the Gita. Blessings of Peace,

Salem, We hear your struggle and frustration. With a "furry child" needing a home, I will speak with my wife...perhaps we could offer a temporary home for your loving pet cat(s)...we nearly had the same crisis just a few years ago and now that we are stable, going to be here for several years to come and so forth. I only say temporary as once settled, you may wish to be reunited with your loving pets. So please, tell me/us about your kitty that needs help, especially the one in the shelter! Feel free to pm or e-mail if you'd think that better (all contact info in profile) I'm not sure where you live, other than Kentucky, but we are in Central California..not certain about logistics etc, but ya know what? Who knows what may come of the whole situation if we put our energies on the issue?!? My son's mother lives in Cosby, KY, (30-45 mins? So. of Louisville) she too is a cat lover and I will call her once we know a little more...she may not be too willing on my request, but to help a fellow Kentuckian...she may just be into doing that! She and my son's brother have 8 acres close to town there so lots of room and only one small dog at present. Blessings of Healing and Peace,

I don't know what I did "wrong", but I was not able to post comments to your blog. It kept asking me for my blogspot ID, which I put, then kept telling me I had "Invalid characters" in the space...I gave up after 10x tries! Very interesting and compelling evidence as to how we might perceive the words coming directly from Jesus to our ear. Many Blessings concerning your publication Brother Pete, fascinating and extremely interesting view concerning this topic! Blessings of Peace,

This is one of the things Dr. Pearl mentions in his book "Reconnection" that I told you about. Too many people see the "wonders of healing" as some big fireworks display or absolutely fabulous and miraculous thing. In reality you are 100% correct in that a passing stranger heals with but a kind word or gesture. No big display of "Wow", no thundering clouds, no magical fairy dust explosion and so on...just a word in passing and "POOF!" you are "healed". If I remember correctly there is a chapter on this in the book, or at least a big part of one chapter. We humans, in general, seem to need big and wondrous results to prove things to us, something a person such as my brother "reports" quite frequently. Myself, Kay and others who are well familiar with and versed in these experiences know it to be quite different. I would say 99% of the time there is NO visible sign of anything, but a definite change in the person afterward. Hollywood especially has put this thinking in our minds that every little event is some big special effects wizardry, when the reality of Spiritual Works rarely even create a puff of smoke or other "miraculous" image. When Kay and I do our energy works there is usually nothing, zip, zero, nada that would suggest we were "on the mark" or doing some good. Every once in awhile we will observe an ever so slight "wiggle" in the air (like heat off a road) and in one case a very dim little sprinkle of "glitter-like" around the person's afflicted area...other than that...nothing like what we see in movies or often read about. Now we have seen things like wispy, ribbon-like trails of "energy" in white, blue, red and green but mostly if anything, it's like the "heat wave" type visualizations...very faint and almost completely "Un-" anything. We once, at our peak of energy works, played with a red wisp of energy for about 10-15 minutes while laying in bed, relaxing before our meditations and off to sleep. Another time we got a very definite white "smoke like" energy trail to go between our outstretched hands for at least a good couple of minutes. That one was one of our most visible experiences. When we lived on the beach, on Maui at the "Reef"..was probably our MOST connected and strongest we have ever been prior to or since. An amazing year and a half of incredible energy works. This to me is one of the biggest tell-tale signs of truth vs. fantasy or fairy tale when others describe some events in their lives. When it gets just a bit too fantastic to believe...it usually is just that...fantasy or a very acute imagination. I also believe this to be what held me back for many years. Because I wasn't seeing things like in movies or on TV I thought nothing was happening, but then a new truth entered my thinking shortly after seeing and playing with the energy balls of light outside my upstairs bedroom window I wrote about in another thread. Reality set in and my imagined results waned. I got what you said and meant! Blessings of Peace,

Geeks! Harrrrumph! Okay, tack-ee- on! oh and BTW, after looking at the post again, I see the "Messiah" used my b-day 06-16 as her moniker's date of ordination. I assure you this person is NOT me! I actually find it a bit demeaning and insulting...of course that was probably the intent! Having In-, Con-, A-, Po-, Pro- and Ex- tent will we ever have an OUT-tent? Blessings of Peace,