The Ancients

Wisdom of the ages doesn't end and begin with the old. There is knowledge and insight to be shared at any age. When an individual opens their mind to take in life, experience the moment, whether that moment is joyous or sad, in that moment, they experience liberation! And in that moment, they are available to perceive the wisdom and depths of the ALL.

Thought for The Day - Effective Use of Tools

I bought a coconut the other day, for the first time. I've had countless coconut cakes, pies and such, watched my mom and wife prepare them and ate the remaining crumbs of coconut they had from the can. But I've never tried to crack a coconut myself. A "can of coconut", certainly, but never a coconut. So I did the research ahead of time. My mom said her mother bought them when she was growing up and opened them with a hammer. I had these "worst case scenarios" running through my head of my smashing open a coconut and the "inner parts" scattering all over the place.

So off to YouTube I go, to see what the "experts" said about opening and using a coconut. I had in mind to use the "meat" in my smoothies I make each day. Talk about a healthy way to get nutrition in your body! My personal favorite is a blend of fruits and vegetables and I'm fairly certain with the mix and the other fruits and vegetables I eat throughout the day, I'm getting my "five servings of fruits and vegetables a day!"

First things first, getting the coconut water out of the coconut. Still had "worst case scenarios" going through my head, based on the suggestions: using a hammer and a screwdriver to punch a hole in one of the soft spots. Okay, even if I cleaned a screwdriver with alcohol, I'm not sure I want to take the risk of getting infected because I used a device intended to turn screws. Usually screws aren't found in pristine environments, but dirty, oily 'contaminated' areas. Nope, not for me. I got a corkscrew and punched a couple holes in the coconut and out came the water!

Now on to the main event: getting the meat out of the coconut. I did have to use the hammer, but I tapped firmly around the center of it until I heard a crack. Then, with a few more hard blows, it was open and the semi-sweet taste of coconut was available! I spent a few minutes chopping the coconut into smaller pieces with a meat cleaver. My wife warned me over and over about holding down the coconut while bringing the cleaver down; old habits die hard, but no fingers lost! The next step was removing the meat with a paring knife. I also used the knife to cut the coconut into bite size chunks for the smoothie.

So from removing the juice to whittling down the coconut and putting it in my smoothie, I used five tools for a meal. There are far more tools available to use in a given day. Consider each part of your day, from rising to bed and you will be amazed at the amount of tools we use. But it's the practice of using them that makes the tools - and us - effective!

Thought for The Day - The Challenge

Well over a year ago, I began this habit of writing a "thought for the day." Funny how elements are introduced into your life. I've been writing and journaling for approximately 15 years and would have never guessed it would lead to a daily blog! And you know it's a habit when you wake, spend the day and practically go to bed with countless ideas on your mind!

My challenge is also daily; it's not a lack of content, but narrowing the subject matter. My challenge is selecting a topic that will be relevant and yet remain true to my inspiration. By that I mean it would be easy to write about what people have commented or "liked." But the true purpose of this writing is to encourage as I am lead to do. To write and give a little of myself away, as I do. There are times it seems like I'm empty or near spent. But I also find that sitting down to begin this process there's a wealth of "me" to share.

My challenge is overcoming my shortcomings and putting myself out for the world - EACH DAY!

Thought for The Day - Power and Wisdom

The Phoenix

The strength of youth,

The wisdom of age...

Live long enough and the former gives way to the latter. It isn't that youth is not smart or intelligent, or even wise. But when you come to rely less on power and stamina, you learn to think before acting; age teaches us the "way" things are. Experience combines with a mental strength and we learn to temper our responses for a better outcome.

Enjoy your strength, nurture wisdom, for it is a blending of the two that speaks to divine nature in each of us.

Thought for The Day - It's the Movement

Clear Channel 24 x 36 Oil painting

"You don't know what you think you know" and in the same breath: "You know more than you think you know."

That being said, there are times I certainly don't know; confusion is a blue haze around my head. And then, at other moments, not only has the smoke cleared, the light shines around and within; drowning in it! Not one area, but many.

Short story/example: one evening, before I got back to painting and drawing, and while working in the downtown area of Chicago, I walked from the job to the train stop. My head was filled with that blue, purple and brown haze; I didn't understand where my life was headed, and especially where it was at that moment. I knew I was tired of the commute, tired of career I could barely stomach and ministry that was stalled once again. Anticipating the ride home with a neighbor, talking about minuscule details of his job and the culture, I slowed my pace to a near snail's pace to avoid the small talk. I prayed for clarity, for an answer to the where of my life. I remember thinking "I need answers! Not because I deserve them or I'm anyone special, but I need to know what all 'this' means!" It began slowly, I remember being on Lake street, between Wabash and State street. And then I remember being "elsewhere," another time and place as if I were involved in a movie, where I was one of the characters. I saw my life far better than it was then and it is now. I saw answers given in ways I would expect, but with far more definition and clarity than I could imagine! However, during this time and as I got closer to the stop, I remember thinking I would like to right this down so I don't forget. But immediately thinking I would forget it, but it was okay because the reassurance was given. If I could remember that eventually "I know by experience" all I've ever imagined or been shown, I had a true hope.

Now, mind you, you don't see details of that revelation because I forgot them! All of the cinematic lighting and the scene changes as if the editor had done his work and pieced together a five minute short-story, all of it is gone. I only know what I was told and what was shown and that is enough for now. Certainly I have moments where I really want to "go there" again, and by go there, I mean back to those days, weeks and months leading up to that moment. I especially want to return to that vision and that time. But for now, I live my life in the light of what's happening now. And pray that patience and longsuffering find me where I need to be when the time is right.