Winter Solstice 2014

Merry Yule and a Happy Winter Solstice to All!

On this, the longest night of the year, or the shortest day, depending on how you prefer to look at it, we will soon be greeted with the gradual 'return' of more and more light.

I am a tad late with this post, but there are good reasons for the delay.

In 2006, I formed a relationship with a man that also brought two children - a human child and a canine child.

We lost the human child a few years ago after a long struggle.

On December 19, 2014, we lost our canine child after a long struggle with degenerative spinal myelopathy.

I tried to not become "attached".
I tried to resist tender feelings and love.
I tried to stay at a distance.

All of my efforts were futile.

As I sit here, trying to type, my heart actually hurts.

In the Kadampa tradition, I am being taught that love is not supposed to hurt - that attachment is the pain maker.

Well, I am now experiencing that which I sought to balm by attempting 'detachment'.

This loss hurts like hell.

No matter how many beings that you love and lose - each 'separation' is painful, often unbearably so.

One may even surmise that with all of the losses incurred in this life, that they would get easier to bear with more experience.

My Friend, I believe that my pain may actually be increasing with such 'experience' - especially as I come to know my own mortality. A fragile mortality magnified by caring for the sick, the suffering and the dying.

On that note, I am going to end this post.
Apologies, but I am experiencing the kind of grief that disturbs my concentration and attention.

I still must believe that love is worth every tear shed. 

I still must believe that love is the only thing that holds meaning in this journey called life. 

I still must believe that every being that undertakes this journey seeks love.
That said, I will leave you with an excerpt of an old prayer that is typically dedicated to the Winter Solstice and seems especially suited to this occasion.

"I am the circle of rebirth.
I ask no sacrifice, but do bow,
No other law but love I know,
By naught but love may I be known.
All things living are mine own,
From me they come, to me they go."

Shaggy 
December 4, 2001 - December 19, 2014
R.I.P.
Photo courtesy of Chandra Eswaran
GreenComotion.Blogspot.com

Time Doing - Being

As a birthday of note fast approaches, I find myself pondering time. 

In a very absurd twist, I have no idea how I racked up so many miles!

As a person whose work value was measured in "billable hours" (a term that can strike fear in legal folks) I have the utmost respect for time. 

Loved ones ask me what I want for my *big* birthday, I can only answer 'time', or items and services that will help free up time. 

If I look back over my life, I see that I attempted to cram the nine lives of a cat into my one. 

During the present moment, I am amazed that God has granted me the grace of the time I have spent on earth. 

It is for good reason that time is referred to as being "spent" - rather like money. Money comes and goes and that account can accept deposits.

Alas, the account of time is only available for withdrawal, my Friends.

I now KNOW that my time is limited, so I do not want to waste a moment. 

However, I am uncertain what it is that I should be doing with my precious time. 

The other day, I completely and spontaneously unplugged from the phone, the email, my business, chores, bills and work. I made the conscious and deliberate choice to go to a new place and simply see what grace ushered in for me. 

The oddest thing happened.

I had some fleeting moments of giddy freedom. I met a few new friends. I had fun.

This way of spending time is so beneficial to the spirit. 

How sad that most of us (that would be me) have to schedule it.

 I accomplished more in that day than I did in a recent week's labor. 

For a brief moment, I actually understood the concept of BE-ING.

So, I am still learning. 

Learning and wondering if I have lived my life in a backward fashion.

All of these years I was focused on DO-ING instead of BE-ING. 

It is no wonder that after a lifetime of running, it feels as though I have been standing still for a few years. 

I am not used to BE-ING!

May we all be graced with the gift of another birthday - another opportunity to learn - another day to BE.

Fire Image Courtesy of Chandra Eswaran

Love. Peace. Gratitude.

My Favorite Quotation of All Time!

As much as I admired JFK, his brother, "Bobby", was a true wordsmith.

I have searched for this quote for many, many years after hearing it long ago. 

I found it today - the 50th anniversary of the assassination of JFK.

It is worthy of consideration.

 

"...Belief. 

It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. 

Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."

 Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy

(Address Day of Affirmation, University of Capetown, June 6, 1966).

RFK Speaking at a Civil Rights Rally

  Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy

November 20, 1925 - June 6, 1968

Inspiration: President John F. Kennedy

Some quotes from the 35th President of the United States, and the only one to have won a Pulitzer Prize, John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

To me, these quotes hold particularly pertinent truth during these turbulent times. 

They also make me long for a hero.

"Too often we ... enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought."

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

"Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth."

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

"Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one's own beliefs, rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others."

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

The President delivering his Civil Rights Address 06/11/63

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

May 29, 1917 - November 22, 1963

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

Too often we... enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.
John F. Kennedy
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/john_f_kennedy.html#FSFJw2ru02Uyokqe.99

Too often we... enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.
John F. Kennedy
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/john_f_kennedy.html#FSFJw2ru02Uyokqe.99

Too often we... enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.
John F. Kennedy
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/john_f_kennedy.html#FSFJw2ru02Uyokqe.99

Lou Reed - A Small Tribute for a Giant

I heard the news about the passing of Lou Reed on NPR at approximately 8:30 a.m., EST, today.

I was literally stunned. 

Then, I cried.

Lou Reed was a hugely influential musician/poet/artist/journalist/conscience and I have no words here that can begin to describe Lou's formidable work over the years.

I have no words that can express the enormity of this loss.

I have no words to console his widow, the artist/musician Laurie Anderson.

I can only say that, like many of my kind, both of these talents held considerable stature for art students in the day, as well as this day. They were our mentors/heroes/heroines/entertainment/peers. Laurie Anderson was featured in a book that I read in early years which really inspired me to earn my M.F.A. ( a rarity for women in those days).

Both Lou and Laurie worked and evolved, formed and forged lives from their unique creations.

I had the great good fortune to see both Lou and Laurie as solo performers - different decades.

What a gift. Right Place - Right Time.

Here is what I really think about Lou Reed.

I believe that Lou Reed told the TRUTH. 

Telling the truth in this world is dangerous and often ugly. 

It must have been extremely difficult for this obviously sensitive man to chronicle all of his truthful observations.

He never compromised.

Lou Reed was a tremendous example of an artist who kept evolving and observing and working.

Someone wrote that Lou had become "the conscience of New York", the city with whom he had the 'longest relationship of his life'.

This is a dark day for those who pursue truth.

'Fly away' on the wings of Angels, Lou. 

The "Dirty Boulevard" will no longer bear your physical footsteps.

 but

Love lives forever.

Lou Reed

March 2, 1942 - October 27, 2013

Lou + Laurie = Love

Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson

Lou Reed

Images courtesy of Facebook

Lou Reed Fan Page

Playtime

Gentle Reader,

I suddenly find myself in the beautiful season of Autumn, wondering how time could *seem* to have passed so quickly since my last post.

There are a few reasons for my absence in the blogging world.

1). I made a major move to a new location, literally a thousand miles away from the previous locale.

2). I suffered a sprain to my sacroiliac that forced me to stop nearly all customary, daily activities.

3). A flood occurred in the new house, that caused some major damage.

So, all in all, I now see where the time has been spent.

I am very happy to be able to write this post, 'better late than never' is appropriate here.

Having so much time to sit and contemplate the meaning of life, I could not help but wonder if these setbacks were some kind of signal from the Universe that the move was not auspicious.

I also wondered why I have grown so cautious in the last half of my life, becoming so much different than my decisive, courageous youth. It seems more logical that the opposite should occur.

With all 'the troubles' surrounding this recent move (trust me, there were more than I am prepared to lay out in this venue), I was miserable, unhappy and downright depressed. 

As most of you know, moving is a chore not to be taken lightly. 

Add the moving stress to real property sale and acquisition, numerous problems (some of which is written above), coping with complete change, excruciating pain and the unbelievable complexity of all that goes with the flooding disaster and restoration, I found myself bogged down with mountains of paperwork, phone calls, red tape and *stuff* - both material and emotional.

My precious time on this earth (something that I have always been hyper aware of) was literally taken up with nearly everything that I despise - something had to give.

I could not help but think of a childhood friend, confined to a bed for several years now, due to the debilitation of ALS. 

The thought of his suffering made me ashamed of my own trifling complaints.

I also thought of how happy and carefree we were in our childhood, teenaged and young adult lives. 

How could I regain that feeling of being CARE - FREE?

For me, the answer came in one word: PLAY.

It may seem silly to most, but seriously, I had lost the ability to play.

 Everything in my daily life felt like work - begrudging work at that. 

Picasso once remarked something to the effect that it took him a few months to paint like a master, but a lifetime to learn to paint like a child.

So, I am attempting to re-learn the art of play. 

I have some hurdles and mindsets to overcome - art school, contrary to popular opinion, is very hard on one's self esteem. Between critiques, competitions and trying to climb the proverbial ladder, this particular discipline can do a number on a young student. 

In my case, I need to deprogram the notion that every piece that I create must be 'critique' worthy.

Remember to 'play' ....

I also need to remove the constant monetary challenges that can stifle anyone's creativity. I need not justify the financial impact of every work.

Remember to 'play' ....

So, you see, I have some work play to do!

Wish me luck.

In Love, Truth and Beauty .....

Source Unknown

To the Light, Luke!

In the face of increasing violence, greed, lies, murders, political division and just downright darkness, I felt moved to write this post. 

Have people changed, or have was darkness merely hiding throughout humanity's history? 

Why does the present time on planet earth feel so perilous? 

It seems that the "age of anxiety" has emerged with a second, more powerful and sinister coming.

 I have a few theories.

 A few things to know about my personal back ground....
1). I was raised in the Roman Catholic religion,
2). I was the quintessential 'good girl',
3). It has been alarming to me that currently darkness seems to envelope the light of life;
4). I am no stranger to loss and depression (who amongst us is not susceptible?), which tends to fell me like a mighty in a silent forest.
5). The current state of misery in the world is NOT what I was taught, promised or believed

Very recently, I felt a depressive episode coming on ... and, seemingly nothing could halt it, lift it, shoo it away from my spirit. 

I literally could not awaken from sleep, much like lying in a coffin - it was that bad. 

I had an important realization from this episode. 

An important lesson that I believe is worth sharing with you. 

Here goes: 

The more one succumbs to the darkness, the depression, the oppression, the more one is susceptible to the same. 

Like an invitation, when your energy is flat, low, non-existent, depressed ... you literally become a vessel for those lower, parasitic, dark energies. 

I do not know how it happened. 

I do not know why it happened. 

I do not know how I overcame this state. 

But I did. 

This sounds silly, but here is a secret.
 I forced myself to put on music that made me dance. 

When the physical body is 'stuck', you can and you must move!

Your mind will follow.
(and any Parliament Funkadelic fans KNOW this to be fact)

You can move your way forward "to the light", Luke Skywalker!

 Guess what? 

If you make a daily practice of this movement, you absolutely lift your vibration and energy to a place that chase the darkness away.

 Does it take work? Absolutely.

 Is it hard? Sometimes. 

Is it worth it? Well, you tell me. 

Are you willing to dwell and co-conspire with the forces of darkness that control you? 

Not me! 

No way! 

Step into your power and soar into the light and embrace the privilege called "life" that one should never take for granted. 

It is in these hard lessons that our karma is burned. 

Our enemies destroyed. 

Our soul is free to accomplish its true purpose. 

A life is a terrible thing to waste. 

Get moving!

 One step at a time ... lift yourself up so that you can shine like the sun on the day you were born! 

I have to believe that we can make a difference in this world. 

We start with ourselves.

Get that Jedi light sabre out and burn the darkness right out of your life.

Every being will lift up in light and gratitude!

Image courtesy of Chandra Eswaran

With Love, Light and Gratitude!

Candlemas

In the old ways, February 2nd, is the high Sabbat of Candlemas.

 Candlemas falls exactly between the Winter Solstice and the Vernal Equinox. It accentuates the waxing light and reminds us that our souls, too, can we waxing with bright light.

Today, let us celebrate Candlemas by lighting white candles and/or visualizing bright, white light cleansing ourselves, our souls, spirits, abodes, the planet and all of its inhabitants.

 This world can appear very dark and dreary, especially mid-winter. Especially THIS winter .... divisory politics, anger, frustration, violence, depression, mass shootings. It seems that the negative list can be infinite.

Darkness can be replaced with light.

What to do?

Where to start?

Let the illumination start with each one of us.

Now. Today. This very moment.

Candlemas asks us to purify, cleanse and renew ourselves, for the darkest hours are just before the dawn.

Candlemas teaches us that we are also the light that shines in the world.

Make the personal choice to shine brightly! Not only will you attract positive energy, the world will be a better place because of your light!

 Blessed Be!

The Hourglass, Musings on Time and Mortality

Whomever said that people cannot or do not change, to my way of thinking, is wrong. 

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about my past, my present and my future. 

I am certainly not the same person I was at the age of 18, or 37 or 2 years ago.

My younger self believed that the world was wide open and available to her - all for the taking.

Occasionally, I wish that girl would show herself these days. 

Where did she go? 

That girl had no fear of trying new things, going new places, meeting new people. Reinvention was a daily ritual. Life was unfolding and there were no limits!

Curiously, that girl did have an innate sense that 'better hurry up - there is so much to do", but ironically, did not know that time is finite.

Allegory of Good Government (detail), Lorenzetti, 1338

I still may not have full knowledge of my mortality (Aha! My younger self is still here!), but I do know that many of my priorities have dramatically changed.

The most important change that I recognize is that I do not have the patience to waste my precious time and energy on matters that I deem inconsequential.

Time and Energy = 2 Precious, Finite Resources!

In plainer terms, "I do not suffer fools gladly" these days, let alone be willing to act foolishly.

I am noticing more and more how much stock is placed by so many people in games and drama.

What a pitiable waste.

Is reality and survival not challenging nor dramatic enough?

When one's energy is spent on foolishness, there is not enough energy to draw upon when a real crisis comes along, as it inevitably does.

One too many of these kinds of energy drains and guess what? The well is dry, so to speak. 

Your time is up. 

That young girl would go attend any and every concert, movie, party, art opening - anything fun, at virtually any available opportunity.

These days, I am much more discerning about where and with whom I wish to invest my time, effort and energy. 

 After all, the sands keep running through that hourglass.

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

Father's Day

"The best thing for being sad, replied Merlin, is to learn something. 

That's the only thing that never fails." 

 T. H. White

J.C. Callahan, Sr. Family

 New York, ca late 1920s 

Today, in the United States, we celebrate "Father's Day". 

I have long contended that many of these holidays are conjured up by greeting card companies. After all, we should honor our Mother and Father (and all beings) EVERY day.

Putting my personal opinions aside about all that which keeps the wheels of commerce turning, I could write a novel based on my Dad.  Instead, I will keep this post short and sweet.

Not a day goes by without thoughts of my Dad. These thoughts typically revolve around how much I truly love and sadly miss him, but also how grateful I am for having the many, bountiful advantages of being one of his children.

My Father was an exceptionally accomplished, yet humble man.

His youngest sister said it best when I delivered the news that he had passed. Aunt Helen stated, with sad conviction (after an audible gasp), "Oh .... he was such a good man".

This statement has stuck with me for the 20 years since my Dad has been gone. I have learned that this is, perhaps the highest praise that can be bestowed upon a person.

J.C. (as he was familiarly known) was more than a good brother, a good father, a good husband, a good son, a good uncle, a good grandfather, a good worker .... 

My Dad was a good man.

Photograph courtesy of the Author.

James C. Callahan, Jr. is seated to the left side of his own father.

France and Courage

Just back from France, I am writing a quick post, of which I will go into detail at a later time. 

As always, my stay in France was inspiring (I swear that I have lived there in a past life or two). 

One of the highlights of my trip was to light a candle before mass and taking communion in Notre Dame. 

The candle was lit before St. Joan of Arc's beautiful statue and dedicated altar residing in Notre Dame. She is one of the patron saints of France and a role model for us all.

Jean de Arc's story is one of conviction, courage and action. 

A mere child, she led more than one successful battle in the name of her beloved country before she was burned at the stake by the British. She died at the tender age of 19.

From Napoleon to Charles de Gaulle, St. Joan was highly revered and upheld as a hero of her beloved country.

Let us all seek and be given courage by grace during difficult times.

In Love, Truth and Beauty.

Photo courtesy of Chandra Eswaran

Some Musings about The Tribe

Happy Spring, Gentle Reader! 

Spring roared in to my homestead on the wings of thunder, lightning and fierce winds.

Truthfully, I was scared of the wind.

The night before the storm, I was fortunate to watch "Mongol", a film from 2007, directed by Sergei Bodrov. I have wanted to see this film since 2008, but fate kept delaying my experience. Looking back, I now see that the viewing of "Mongol" was right on time.

Apparently, according to the film, all Mongols are afraid of thunderstorms. The storms are interpreted as a sign that the Great God, Tengri, is angry with the people.

Of course, I have been thinking a lot about this film, which is billed as a 'semi-historical' account of Genghis Khan. 

 I have a fascination with the nomadic tribes and Genghis Khan in particular.

The past few months have brought news of several family members deaths. Both sides of my paternal and maternal immediate families are now officially passed from this "veil of tears". 

My Father's family was particularly close knit. Each member of that family put family first. 

As I grew older, and my Dad was facing his own mortality, I recognized that he did not belong to me. He belonged to God, his own family and us - in that order.

This closeness of family which became more difficult to sustain after WWII, was really the key to my Father's life. 

There is strength in the whole, which is comprised of individuals. 

Much benefit is derived from not straying from your Tribe.

My generation has largely lost that sense of belonging to something greater than ourselves. Personally, I speculate this may be one reason so many of us feel isolated and depressed.

Perhaps we should take a page from "The Secret Life of the Mongols"?

Genghis Khan sought to unite all of the disparate, feuding tribes into one great nation with very simple laws. 

He succeeded in creating a united Empire, but - at what cost?

Genghis Khan believed in protection of women and children (family) and staunch loyalty, but his campaigns in the guise of unity brought about some of the worst slaughter and carnage the world has endured.

Is violence necessary for the greater good?

Nature itself is violent.

Find your tribe. Be loyal. Protect those that are not as fortunate as you.

Peace.

Genghis Khan

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Life is like the weather ....

Most of the United States is experiencing wild temperature swings and irregular weather. It is not unusual for there to be days on end of freezing temps, snow and then rain, followed by unseasonably warm days. Where I live, 40 degree temperature swings are becoming customary during this winter season.

For several reasons, I am a sensitive sort, tending towards melancholy, which can be quite debilitating. 

There was a string of gray, overcast, pouring-down-rain days a little while ago and I was literally forcing myself to get out of the cocoon of my bed. Sleeping is my escape of choice when the world appears to be harsh. While not an optimum 'choice' of 'lifestyle', I can think of worse escapes.

Lightning Sequence

Eventually the weather changed to bright, sunny, mild days upon days. I spent many fortunate afternoons walking about in this beauty - the birds were singing (a little early for the Cardinals' mating songs, but they were singing their hearts out and it was splendid), a few trees were budding out, there was abundant greenery and blue skies galore.

 The thought occurred to me that the ups and downs of life are like the weather. Now, this is not the most profound thought, but for some reason it struck a deep and resounding chord inside my spirit.

When the glorious days of sun and beauty appear, I need to enjoy them to the fullest! No time like the present, as my beloved Dad used to remind me.

When life seems overwhelming or problems appear to close in, I should simply wait .... either circumstances or my attitude will change.

I still maintain that most of the time, things 'go right', but most humans only seem to notice when things 'go wrong'.

Here is to change and being grateful for the good times! I need to be grateful for the bad times as well. Strife tests my strength, teaches me courage and provides a dramatic contrast for the abundance of good in my life.

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

The Winter Solstice

I want to take this opportunity to send each and every one of you best wishes for the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, and therefore the longest night in the Western world. 

Perennially, winter is the time of year that our homes are strewn with strands of glittering lights, candles, tinsel and evergreen branches or trees.
This cheery tradition originates in a time lost through the ages.
Light and darkness ultimately represent the cycle of life and death. All things in nature have a rest period, a dormancy, sleep, rest, a 'death', so that the circle of life remains unbroken.

On the night of the Winter Solstice, December 21st, we light our candles as a reminder of the presence of light even in darkness.

Yule Candles

May you have a festive Yule, a Happy Hanukkah, a Merry Christmas, joyous Holidays and a winter season filled with the warmth of love, the wisdom of truth and life-affirming beauty.

Happy Birthday, Keith Richards!

....and Happy Anniversary! 

Patti Hansen and Keith Richards

Thank you, Keith, for making the most of a thoroughly misspent youth (except the boy scouts).

Congratulations on pulling off many seemingly impossible feats.
We love you.

Tell Patti that we love her too!

In Honor of my Dad and Pearl Harbor

 Or, how I came to be born in southern Indiana .....

 

The P-47

Attitude Adjustment

When my alarm sounded yesterday, I was greeted by a drizzly, bleak Monday. 

My very first thought of the day was "ugh", which was immediately followed by a mental 'to do' list that made me not want to get out of bed.

As cranky, wrong-minded thinking took over my mind, I was reminded that at the precise moment of my alarm's sounding, a woman I know was making her way to chemotherapy.

Inspiration

I closed my eyes and imagined that I was facing Stage IV cancer, radiation, chemotherapy and all of the attendant suffering.

My small, unnecessary grumblings became miniscule trifles in an instant.

May I continue to be mindful of others. 

May I know compassion. 

May I always hold gratitude in my heart.

May I never take for granted the embarrassment of riches and blessings that have literally fallen into my lap. 

May I always be of service to others.

Thank YOU for reading.

Is Twitch and Grind the New Twist and Shout?

I had a true Epiphany the other day! Well, make that one partial Epiphany ... after days of waking up with a miserable pounding in my head, sore jaws and teeth, I reached for the phone. I was about to place a call to my wonderful, incredible dentist for a prescription of muscle relaxers, when - light bulb moment - I realized that I make this very same call, at the very same time, every single year.

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

The nocturnal teeth clenching and grinding occur every year at the start of the holiday season. Which, I might add, begins earlier and earlier....ggggrrrrrrrr

Retailers trot out the Christmas stock displays the day after Halloween.

I am so over "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday" and all of the commercialism that has ruined my true enjoyment of a pleasant annual wrap-up.

Most of us have so much "stuff" that we do not even know how to begin to feel true gratitude.

Take Thanksgiving: the mainstream American stuffs their body more than the gigantic turkey that weighs the dining table down to a groaning board. Then, "the day after" - or now, the "night of" Thanksgiving, people rush around like lunatics buying junk they simply do not need.

No wonder I clench my teeth!

This year, my classic bruxism was accompanied by the great eye twitch which went on and on for over 4 weeks. Folks, that is darned near a record for me - and I am no stranger to "the twitch".

I do not know why the holiday season brings out so much anxiety in me. Perhaps it is an internal command to be Happy! Be in love! Have lots of Stuff! 

I do not know. 

I do know that I do not like to be forced into doing anything. 

The beautiful holidays of my childhood have collapsed into heaps of stuff and debt ... gifts seem to be bought not out of love, but necessity or duty or force or guilt.

Hmm .... now I may be getting somewhere. Guilt, eh? 

Well, after all, I was raised Catholic!

Twitch. Clench. Grind.

Fall Back! Time is Money

When I was in high school, the proprietor of the bookstore, Brother Eugene, prominently displayed a clock inscribed with these words: "TIME IS MONEY".

Brother Eugene taught me many things, not least of which was the lesson of "TIME IS MONEY". He also taught me the extremely important life skills of how to organize and prioritize my time.

Gentle Reader, this life is s-h-o-r-t. I have been acutely aware of this fact as long as my memory.

I entered a profession where my value was billed by the MINUTE. This billing practice simply added to my respect of time. 

It prompted me to wonder why many artists do not price their time when it comes to selling their work.

I have learned that TIME IS MONEY should really be written:

TIME IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN MONEY.

Any person who has suffered loss can attest to this truth, be it loss of a loved one, loss of youth, loss of health, loss of money, loss of practically anything. Physical loss may be felt more acutely later in life when one realizes that death is closer than birth.

Given that our time in this life is limited, why is it then, that no person is immune to the luxury of wasting time with anger, regret, fear, depression, envy ______________ fill in the blank? 

I console myself with the fact that at least I have become aware my own wasteful foolishness. I took time for granted and it taught me an unforgettable lesson.

I have a lifelong friend who is suffering from ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a disabling condition that no amount of money can remedy, cure, fix, resolve or ease. Bedridden for about two years now, my dear friend is positive and optimistic, despite his non-ambulatory condition and attendant suffering.
What is time like for him?

A clue can be had by the parting words that he spoke to me at the end of our last visit:

"There is never enough time". 

Truer words were never spoken.

TIME IS WORTH MORE THAN MONEY

 Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Farewell, R.E.M.

August 21, 2011, R.E.M. announced that after 31 years of working as a band, they were calling it a day.
For me personally, I read this news with mixed emotions. After 31 years, these guys deserve to move on, so to speak.
You see, R.E.M. was the very best of the 1980s for me. From seeing them at Six Flags (yes!) to the Fox Theater to a huge Arena, I have followed their work with much interest.
I have LPs, cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs, - you name it. I have everything R.E.M.
Intelligent, thoughtful, artistic, well-versed on social commentary and not afraid to comment through their music, I have nothing but the utmost respect for each member of this band.
R.E.M. took on George W. Bush, women's rights, environmental issues, or in their words, "abject horror".
They put into music and words what I felt but could not express. Bless them.
Perhaps, R.E.M. stands for "the dream". The dream that four 19 year old kids can change the world with music. I just realized that R.E.M.'s choice of name was perhaps more complex than I initially thought - until now.
I hope that dream never dies for every person who is touched by music.
I leave you with one of my personal favorites, a song called "Bittersweet Me", it perfectly sums up the way I feel most of these days.



R.E.M. - thank you making a difference in my world!

Video Courtesy of REMhq