Tag Archives: lifestyle

Becoming Civilized

Are we a fully civilized society? We assume because we have advanced forward in linear time that it is naturally a given we are also more progressed in terms of our knowledge, wisdom, and sophistication. But are we?

How sophisticated is it to indulge in the kind of social behavior we witness in society at the moment? As our buildings get taller and our computers become faster, we are forgetting the fundamental human skills needed to build a truly great civilization. In short, we are losing touch with our humanness, our decency, our respect for the Earth that serves us.

There are societies we label as primitive that have or had a much greater grasp of the ethics and integrity of a respectful and fulfilling society. I suggest that it is time to put our inflated egos aside and learn from them, in order that we may incorporate some of their higher principles back into our modern life.

Additional thoughts:

Star Trek fans, remember the “Prime Directive”? It is a law of noninterference that dictates that there be no interference with the natural development of any primitive society. In the Star Trek stories, the defining line is to have achieved warp speed technology on their own. These days I wonder what civilizations might be observing us and just shaking their heads. “Sorry, we would really like to help you, we see you are floundering around and it is really painful to watch. But, you haven’t figured out certain things on your own yet… Give us a call when you get it.

Your Contribution

Life is not about what we can take from it; life really begins with what we contribute to it.

What real meaning is there in “me, me, me”? The big house any person managed to earn with the sole goal of pumping up their own egos, to gain status and impress their friends, will prove meaningless on their deathbeds.

The real question to be answered is, “Is the world a better place because I spent some time here?”

Inspirational Service Quotes:

“Try not to become a person of success, but rather… try to become a person of value.”
~ Albert Einstein

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi

“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
~ Martin Luther King Jr.

“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done.
We will be judged by “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.”
~ Mother Teresa

“I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.”
~ Tagore

“Strength does not make one capable of rule; it makes one capable of service.”
~ Brandon Sanderson

A New Vision

Throughout all of time, humanity has experienced periods of light and dark. Historically, the low periods are an opportunity to examine the darkness, not just in the world, but also within us. Overcoming oppression is often a key theme played out in society during these times.

When I look at society right now, there can be (I think) no doubt that society has fallen to a new low. It appears to be acceptable for our leaders to bully us. (What right do they have?) And people in the interests of changing society use low energy tools such as shaming, blaming, guilt, and aggression to achieve their goal of forcing others to align to their viewpoint. It is just more bullying. Basically, humanity is groveling in the dirt.

We are so much better than this. It’s time to lift our eyes to the stars, and aspire to higher spiritual principles. We need to envision and work together to achieve a world of higher integrity and values. We can do this, but it’s time now to get on board and actively participate in creating a better world.

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Gaia Awaits You

Gaia, the Earth Goddess

I step from boat to island shore
and she waits for me,
her warm, soft breeze
caresses my cheek,
her lush, verdant scent
fetchingly whispers.

She seduces me.

A gleaming azure sky
calms my agitated mind,
her supple trees drape
the curving roadside,
a satin emerald cloak
befitting the Goddess.

She shimmers for me.

Brilliant sunlight dances
on a turquoise ocean,
waves glittering with diamonds
invite me to play,
graceful sea birds soaring above
call me to be free.

She shines for me.

Exotic languorous lizards
ancient as all time
meander lazily on my path,
scoffing at all clocks,
coaxing me to relax into her
warm, tranquil rhythm.

She soothes me.

Time slips away and
becomes meaningless here,
she feeds my soul
with her enduring grace,
her heart beats to mine
and mine becomes hers.

She saves me.

201005

Real Life

Life is about so much more than just surviving. As of late, however, we are increasingly being conditioned to believe that is all that is important.

Personally, my concern is that the longer we drift from our hold on what really living life means, we will forget.

What does life mean to you? Do you take stock of what makes life feel fulfilling? Certainly our dreams, big and small, have taken a real beating this year. We must keep a firm grasp on those and not let them go. Our dreams are what shape our futures. And whatever anyone may tell you to the contrary, you have the right to live your dream.

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