"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." -1 Timothy 6:10
While I am not a literati of all aspects of the Bible, I can hold my own in a religious discussion. I can say with the utmost certainty that men like Moses and Jesus Christ would endorse Occupy Wall Street. After all, Moses is the original revolutionary against systemic oppression. Having led the Israelites out of Egypt with the help of God, I would certainly hope that if Moses were alive today, he'd be able to shed some insight as to how we can alleviate ourselves of the societal ills we face now. Jesus would encourage us to stay peaceful while standing up for what we believe in. I am not a Christian, but Jesus, in essence, was a cool guy. You could say that he was one of the original hippies. Though many have taken his message and interpreted the scriptures as a means of carrying out the hatred of God (Fred Phelps and The Westboro Baptist Church), most Christians who have love in their soul know that Jesus would never condemn anybody. A quote about casting the first stone comes to mind. Also, as the quote states above, Jesus would not have sold his soul for money by backstabbing coworkers while wearing a suit and a saccharine smile. WWJD? Certainly not endorse taxpayers to bail out corporations. That is for certain.
Having gone to Occupy Wall Street earlier this week, I saw a wide variety of people protesting. Though many of my beliefs stem from a socialistic mindset, I do not believe that organized religion is "the opiate of the masses." For starters, all the major religions share the same positive message in different words. We share a lot of the same traditions and structures. If you get past the dogma regarding certain rituals, know that you can fill the void in your soul with a healthy dose of inspiration from a holy text. Bibliomancy is a common practice in this regard. I recommend thinking about what you want to get out of your life through religion. Open up a holy book. Any one will do. When you crack open the book to a random page, look towards where either one of your thumbs are placed and read the scripture. Miraculously, you will get an answer you did not expect. But I digress.
Services have been held at Occupy Wall Street, because there are strong spiritual ties that the protesters have to one another and to their respective deities. Spirit links more than it divides. It is my belief that love will prevail amongst the chaos and the ruin. I still stand in solidarity and might make another trip down there soon.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Steve Jobs (1955-2011)
In this picture, you will see a photo of my first iPod. It was bought on Christmas of 2004 by my mother, who did not realize that this was a U2 Special Edition iPod. Needless to say, I am a big fan of U2, so this was a great gift. After that iPod went kaput, I eventually bought an iPod Classic Black and later on purchased an iPad and an iPhone 3GS. When I was studying graphic design in college, I worked with the Apple iMac G3 and G4 respectively. Eventually, I will work my way up to purchasing a MacBook Pro when it becomes economically feasible. I was even alive when the Apple II computer came out. One girlfriend I had still had her Apple IIe and it still functioned. Oh, the joys of playing Where In The USA Is Carmen Sandiego. I have a great relationship with Apple products and have found them to be quite useful in my day-to-day life.
Say what you will about Steve Jobs, but there are certain things that nobody can deny. He was an amazing inventor, had a great marketing savvy, and most importantly, had a vision. Amid all of the protests on Wall Street and representing the 99%, let us also realize that many people in our generation have been cradled by the comfort of modern technology. This is not a bad thing by any means, Steve Jobs has put forth some of the most user-friendly inventions known to the modern man and woman. There's no denying the fact that he was a venture capitalist, but I would be also if I had half the ideas he had. Protesting the 1% definitely should not apply to a CEO who actually made a difference in this society and not head a think tank of ways to destroy other countries, disenfranchise the poor, and pollute our already fragile environment. Steve Jobs was never the enemy here. In fact, as a means of showing how brilliant this man was, let me share with you a quote that was used in a television commercial for Apple, followed by the video:
"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify and vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as crazy, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do." - Steve Jobs
"In order of appearance they were: Albert Einstein, Bob Dylan, Martin Luther King, Jr., Richard Branson, John Lennon (with Yoko Ono), Buckminster Fuller, Thomas Edison, Muhammad Ali, Ted Turner, Maria Callas, Mahatma Gandhi, Amelia Earhart, Alfred Hitchcock, Martha Graham, Jim Henson (with Kermit the Frog), Frank Lloyd Wright and Pablo Picasso. The commercial ends with an image of a young girl (identified as Shaan Sahota) opening her closed eyes, as if to see the possibilities before her."
L'shana tova
In light of the Jewish high holy days, I will post a blog about Judaism. I have identified with the Jewish faith my entire life and hope to stay inscribed in the book of life. Of course, we as humans are not infallible, so the repentance for our sins is important for us. To ask for forgiveness is paramount, but it is even more important to forgive and release. When you aspire to let your ego settle down, you are in turn releasing a burden from your soul.
I know that this Yom Kippur, I have some things that I have done that I am not proud of. I know that I need to use my judgment to see whom I must ask for forgiveness. Honestly, sometimes the best type of forgiveness is to let go of destructive forces in your life: people, places, and things. Specifically, all of these things pertained to my last job at South Beach Psychiatric Center. To be diplomatic about my experience there was difficult, but I will try. I encountered people who were not compassionate individuals. They were people who even demanded that everybody else be compassionate to them, but no reciprocity existed when the tables turned. My mission for this Yom Kippur is to release these bitter feelings I have possessed for the past five months. It has eaten away at me for quite some time.
To anybody who happens upon this blog and is going to be fasting tonight and tomorrow, please have a blessed Yom Kippur, and may all of us be inscribed in the Book of Life this year.
I know that this Yom Kippur, I have some things that I have done that I am not proud of. I know that I need to use my judgment to see whom I must ask for forgiveness. Honestly, sometimes the best type of forgiveness is to let go of destructive forces in your life: people, places, and things. Specifically, all of these things pertained to my last job at South Beach Psychiatric Center. To be diplomatic about my experience there was difficult, but I will try. I encountered people who were not compassionate individuals. They were people who even demanded that everybody else be compassionate to them, but no reciprocity existed when the tables turned. My mission for this Yom Kippur is to release these bitter feelings I have possessed for the past five months. It has eaten away at me for quite some time.
To anybody who happens upon this blog and is going to be fasting tonight and tomorrow, please have a blessed Yom Kippur, and may all of us be inscribed in the Book of Life this year.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
The revolution will be in real time
If you are in the NYC area and plan to occupy Wall Street, make sure you have the phone number for the National Lawyer's Guild. Call 212-679-5100 if you find yourself in a position where you will be arrested for demonstrating. Write it. Wear it. Tattoo it if you choose.
I stand in solidarity with all the protesters demonstrating on Wall Street as we speak. Politicians have been putting profits before people for ages. However, I am overwrought with joy that the frustration is finally reaching a fever pitch. What is shameful is that the NYPD officers are taking as many liberties as possible to end this protest, even by bellicose procedures against otherwise peaceful demonstrators. We've had enough, America. We are tired of the corporate power structure taking precedence over the legitimate needs of the people. I have been waiting for this type of revolution to take place for some time now. We can not afford to have spineless jellyfish or vindictive sharks left in charge of what has become the paradigm of greed. We as a nation have become an easily influenced group of sheeple who have blindly roamed with the flock as we get herded to the slaughterhouse. All the while, the media outlets like the Faux News Cabal are programming us with the propaganda that the only way to shape this nation is for you to say no to everything like you are toddlers refusing to take a nap. Somehow, the political careers of Tea Party Republicans are more important than actually trying to take us out of this economic catastrophe. I have been on Facebook for a countless amount of time over the past week. People have been sharing photographs of Occupy Wall Street, displaying how peaceful the protesters are, as well as how much belligerence the New World Vultures possess. Liberate your minds, people! If you have a single brain cell that will allow you to think critically and think for yourself, by all means use it. We are mad as Hell, and we're not gonna take this anymore! The foolishness on Capitol Hill has gone entirely too far. I encourage you to act. It doesn't pay to lean left. It doesn't pay to lean right. Stand on your own two feet and move forward and smash this infrastructure that is holding us all back from pursuing the happiness we rightfully deserve. SOLIDARITY FOREVER!
I stand in solidarity with all the protesters demonstrating on Wall Street as we speak. Politicians have been putting profits before people for ages. However, I am overwrought with joy that the frustration is finally reaching a fever pitch. What is shameful is that the NYPD officers are taking as many liberties as possible to end this protest, even by bellicose procedures against otherwise peaceful demonstrators. We've had enough, America. We are tired of the corporate power structure taking precedence over the legitimate needs of the people. I have been waiting for this type of revolution to take place for some time now. We can not afford to have spineless jellyfish or vindictive sharks left in charge of what has become the paradigm of greed. We as a nation have become an easily influenced group of sheeple who have blindly roamed with the flock as we get herded to the slaughterhouse. All the while, the media outlets like the Faux News Cabal are programming us with the propaganda that the only way to shape this nation is for you to say no to everything like you are toddlers refusing to take a nap. Somehow, the political careers of Tea Party Republicans are more important than actually trying to take us out of this economic catastrophe. I have been on Facebook for a countless amount of time over the past week. People have been sharing photographs of Occupy Wall Street, displaying how peaceful the protesters are, as well as how much belligerence the New World Vultures possess. Liberate your minds, people! If you have a single brain cell that will allow you to think critically and think for yourself, by all means use it. We are mad as Hell, and we're not gonna take this anymore! The foolishness on Capitol Hill has gone entirely too far. I encourage you to act. It doesn't pay to lean left. It doesn't pay to lean right. Stand on your own two feet and move forward and smash this infrastructure that is holding us all back from pursuing the happiness we rightfully deserve. SOLIDARITY FOREVER!
Desiderata
This is by far one of my favorite pieces of writing ever. Credit is given to Max Ehrmann for writing a piece so profound, it has inspired people for generations. In fact, I am going to attempt to write this from memory and use the honor system by letting you know if I forgot some parts:
Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant. They too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons. They are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter, for always, there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble. It is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is. Many persons strive for high ideals and everywhere, life is full of heroism. Be yourself, especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But, do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars. You have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
No joke, I did not copy this. I am surprised. Maybe the punctuation is a little off, but I got it word for word. Les Crane narrates this poem extremely well. I also edited this because I realized that I left out a line. These things happen at 4:45AM. Below is a video mock-up of images set to a song made in 1972 based on this extremely influential poem.
Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant. They too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons. They are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter, for always, there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble. It is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is. Many persons strive for high ideals and everywhere, life is full of heroism. Be yourself, especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But, do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars. You have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
No joke, I did not copy this. I am surprised. Maybe the punctuation is a little off, but I got it word for word. Les Crane narrates this poem extremely well. I also edited this because I realized that I left out a line. These things happen at 4:45AM. Below is a video mock-up of images set to a song made in 1972 based on this extremely influential poem.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
5 Principles Of Reiki
One of the first aspects of Reiki that people who want to get attuned learn are the five principles. They are as follows:
1. Just for today, I will not worry.
2. Just for today, I will not be angry.
3. Just for today, I will be grateful.
4. Just for today, I will do my work honestly.
5. Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing.
Understand that worrying serves no purpose. We as humans need to accept that there are certain absolute truths. One absolute truth is that there are things we have absolutely no control over in life. To worry over that which we have no control over is fruitless labor. To live in a shadow of insecurity may be safe for some, but it is counterproductive to all. Give yourself the ease of knowing that the more you accept as inevitabilities, the stronger your sanity will be.
To say that anger is not healthy can sometimes be misleading. It is reacting in anger that often leads people away from the promised land of serenity. Anger can be either destructive or constructive. The only constructive way to handle anger is to not live in the symptoms of rage. You owe it to yourself to be proactive in handling these feelings of rage and to not wallow in it. When feelings of madness overcome you, try your best to practice this principle and not let yourself succumb to acting out hateful or vengeful fantasies.
It is especially paramount to embrace that which you possess not only physically, but also spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. These are your true assets. You need to hold on to the people who help you make your life worth living, even when you feel that you have been at a loss. If you are reading this right now, you can also be grateful that you are alive to read these words. Your life is a gift by your Creator and/or Creatrix. Make the most out of what you have while you can. Your life is your greatest possession.
As a Reiki practitioner, I understand the need to stay focused and keep pure intentions while giving treatments. It is these intentions that make the craft effective. With that said, keeping yourself honest is of the utmost importance. Keeping a clear view of how you want to exhibit compassion towards another person is also something to meditate upon intently. The relationships you foster need to be built upon the foundation of honesty, and the stronger that honesty is, the stronger the bond will be.
The compassion you exhibit towards others will provide you with a greater sense of kindness in your heart. Although the world is not always kind, you must do your best to make it kinder by altering your perception. In reality, the world can only be kind if you make a concerted effort to exhibit the kindness and deference you would like to experience from others. This is a cycle, and we all revolve around it. Hindering your own growth with cynicism is the only way the orbit will stagnate. Stay in motion.
1. Just for today, I will not worry.
2. Just for today, I will not be angry.
3. Just for today, I will be grateful.
4. Just for today, I will do my work honestly.
5. Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing.
Understand that worrying serves no purpose. We as humans need to accept that there are certain absolute truths. One absolute truth is that there are things we have absolutely no control over in life. To worry over that which we have no control over is fruitless labor. To live in a shadow of insecurity may be safe for some, but it is counterproductive to all. Give yourself the ease of knowing that the more you accept as inevitabilities, the stronger your sanity will be.
To say that anger is not healthy can sometimes be misleading. It is reacting in anger that often leads people away from the promised land of serenity. Anger can be either destructive or constructive. The only constructive way to handle anger is to not live in the symptoms of rage. You owe it to yourself to be proactive in handling these feelings of rage and to not wallow in it. When feelings of madness overcome you, try your best to practice this principle and not let yourself succumb to acting out hateful or vengeful fantasies.
It is especially paramount to embrace that which you possess not only physically, but also spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. These are your true assets. You need to hold on to the people who help you make your life worth living, even when you feel that you have been at a loss. If you are reading this right now, you can also be grateful that you are alive to read these words. Your life is a gift by your Creator and/or Creatrix. Make the most out of what you have while you can. Your life is your greatest possession.
As a Reiki practitioner, I understand the need to stay focused and keep pure intentions while giving treatments. It is these intentions that make the craft effective. With that said, keeping yourself honest is of the utmost importance. Keeping a clear view of how you want to exhibit compassion towards another person is also something to meditate upon intently. The relationships you foster need to be built upon the foundation of honesty, and the stronger that honesty is, the stronger the bond will be.
The compassion you exhibit towards others will provide you with a greater sense of kindness in your heart. Although the world is not always kind, you must do your best to make it kinder by altering your perception. In reality, the world can only be kind if you make a concerted effort to exhibit the kindness and deference you would like to experience from others. This is a cycle, and we all revolve around it. Hindering your own growth with cynicism is the only way the orbit will stagnate. Stay in motion.
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