Adia

Quantum Physics teaches that nothing is fixed, that there are no limitations, that everything is vibrating energy. Therefore; thoughts are energized. Thus, we are constantly exchanging energy with other people in the world. However; we are unaware of this, much as we do not know what is playing on the radio or television unless we turn the power supply on. Except our power supply to thoughts are constantly on. Nevertheless; just like we can not know what is playing on ever radio station at the same exact moment, nor can we know which thoughts or whom the receiver is of those thoughts and vis versa. Thankfully there are Eureka moments in everyone’s life! A person may have been in a negative relationship. For some, this relationship might have continued for years because the negativity became a habit. Heck, even us Smokers butt another poison to the lips knowing we are adding another nail to our coughin’. At least for some negative relationships, there is a breath of fresh air! Something deep inside yourself has finally awoken. So in your new found wisdom you depart and in departing you break the habit and in breaking the habit you have opened yourself to a world of possibilities. And where there are possibilities there is energy and where there is energy there is thought.

It is at this moment, I am reminded of the story of Adam and Eve. Most reflect on the sin. Me, I see innocence lost and the birth of thought. Much as a child becomes aware of the ‘individual self’ – the flesh… then awareness of those whom coexist with the child. Ultimately; the struggle to form words into sentences to express themselves. Oh, how I truly believe in the lines by Sarah McLachlan, in the song Adia:

’cause we are born innocent, Believe me adia, we are still innocent'

Might then thought merely be but an illusion or disillusion? Nonetheless; thought is energy.

I have recently slithered my way out of habitual gloom to bask in a radiate ambiance of encompassing energy. Yes, even us Writers have our dark sides, it’s called Writer’s Block! It is as if my mind has tuned into a station of inward positive abyss. And I am deeper than I have ever gone before. Take the example of matryoshka Russian doll(my Inner Child is in there some where!), one is nested within the other, and nested and nested … Suddenly the abyss! Energy slowly surges through me like a thousand embracing hugs statically ignited. Instinctively I know, it is the fundamental human connectivity that unites us all. I am emotionally overwhelmed and overjoyed.

Again, rarely do we know whose mind electrically charged ours… And so I am thankful to know whom so positively ignited my mind in the right direction. For to me, the mind is the most beautiful accessory a person has to offer. The mind is liken a flower. If you leave it to wilt it will not develop to its’ full potential. Oh, but nourished, the potentials are unlimited and beyond even our own conscious knowledge. And so perhaps this person whose mind I attuned to is unaware of their full subconscious mental potential. Yet the electrical field surrounding their mind is like a magnet of spiritual wealth. And this my Dear Readers comes from hard inward self work. Progressing through mind, intellect, and ultimately to the very root of ones true being. Then coming up for a breath of fresh air, recharged – reenergized! Allowing positive energy thoughts to flow in and out of the mind.

Some people label this Positive thought energy as The Law of Attraction. Which is defined as: “¹According to proponents, this law is always working whether you want it to or indeed whether you believe in it or not. Feelings, emotions, and appropriate thoughts, they say, make the law work faster on your behalf. Thoughts penetrate time and space, acting as "personal magnets" with their own electrical vibration or frequency. These thoughts reach out and grab other similarly charged thoughts, attracting physical reality, which is merely a slower vibrating energy frequency; one's thoughts are faster more subtle vibrations of the same energy frequency. Advocates of the law claim that quantum physics confirms the existence of this law. This claim is based on the consciousness causes collapse interpretation of the phenomenon of wave function collapse. This interpretation does not actually confirm the law of attraction but provides a link between physics and mysticism. It been elaborated to include other phenomena which cannot be proven scientifically but are nonetheless fundamental to the law of attraction.”

January 01, 2006 Oprah Winfrey covered this subject in depth with an Australian woman by the name of Rhonda Byrne. “Rhonda defines The Secret as the law of attraction, which is the principle that "like attracts like." Rhonda calls it "the most powerful law in the universe," and says it is working all the time. "What we do is we attract into our lives the things we want, and that is based on what we're thinking and feeling," Rhonda says. The principle explains that we create our own circumstances by the choices we make in life. And the choices we make are fueled by our thoughts—which means our thoughts are the most powerful things we have here on earth.” Oprah

No matter how one describes thought – rather cogitation, a law of attraction, separating man from beast… - certainly thought is an energy else might Quantum Physics be wrong?

Aristotle: "The energy of the mind is the essence of life"
Jeane Michelle Culp

Is God To Blame?

Is it better to believe there is a God then to die and discover there is a Hell? Maybe the question isn't, is there a God, rather who is God. Strip the disguises from any Holiday Mascot and what is left is the Spirit of the Holiday. Be that spirit ‘Bah, Hum Bug’ or Merry Happy Holiday. Strip all the Religions of their ideas about whom and how God is, what’s left is the Spirit of Hope nurtured by blind faith. And what is hope but a synonymic word for optimistic anticipated expectations. Whilst faith is the blindfold we entrust to guide the subconscious, while our consciousness is busily awake. Kinda like how some drive a car while shaving, makeuping, eat, drink, smoking, while talkin’ on a cell phone. But the question here is why. Why death, suffering, diseases, etc.? It is easier to blame a God that may or may not exist. Much as a poor child may curse Santa Clause for not bring presents. Sadly, those whom for example, pass away painfully from cancer, God of any concept should not be the blame. Sure God is an easy enough target. However; it is humans who made the chemicals that cause such dis-ease. Humans invent cars; many automobiles tragically take the lives of numerous people. Drunk driving killers, humans invented alcohol. And so on and so on. For whom ever made Earth, other planets, stars, people…, only made the basics. It is humans who combined the ingredients. Then blame the damn Maker for giving humans brains! Oh my, if a tree begets an acorn and that acorn grows into a mighty tree that Mother Nature one day crushes upon your residence, whom is to blame? The Maker, the tree, the acorn, Mother Nature, you for your choice of residency…? That is the age old question of our generation. If a gun kills an innocent person, who is to blame? The gun manufactures, the bullet producers, the gunpowder providers..? If a video game leads to violence, who is at fault? The video industry, the animator… Unfortunately, there will never be enough blame to go around for everyone and everything. My Fellow Readers, we could go on and on with your questions about “the ill fates of society and people” The main misgiving however; is your pain. We may not know the whys until we ourselves meet our destination and whatever that holds. Rather it be heaven or hell or merely particles of atomically ions to be recycled back into the universe. Meanwhile; if death crushes the heart, ache damn it, ache. It hurts. It’s not fair. Next, cherish those memories for they are the healing threads for any shattered heart. Then at last, celebrate life. Instead of grieving the date of loss, light a candle on the persons’ birthday, shouting– I’m glad you were born! For in your birth I got to know you, love you. And because you lived, I have the best memories I may of never had, had you not of been born.

(I once posted this as a comment on a fellow blogger post; today, the world is much the same-wondering whom to blame and what to do. So I felt a need to post this comment here. Hope it helps someone.)

Center For Women Charleston, SC Update

Center For Women, "Helping women succeed every day!"; has moved their office to 129 Cannon St. between President St. and Ashley Avenue downtown Charleston, SC with a refreshed web site at c4women.org and also have a new blog site at Lowcountry Women.

Center For Women is mainly a non-profit organization of Volunteers that strive successfully to help Women and Women with Families.

"Our efforts are working and being recognized! Oprah Winfrey honored the CFW in 2006 with an Oprah’s Angel Network $25,000 grant. The Family Circle Cup Tournament selected the CFW as their charity of choice for three years in a row 2006-2008. The CFW was the winner of the 2005 Award for Excellence in Non-Profit Management by the SC Association of Non-Profit Organizations"

Center For Women offers a variety of events including:

Brown Bag Lunch Series: "Regular midday presentations that provide information on timely topics that affect women."

Entrepreneurial Woman Series: "Practical seminars for women starting, running or growing their own businesses, including panel discussions, networking strategies, and resource and referral information."

Support Groups, "Current 2008 topics include: A Daughter's Grief, Career Transitions, Caregivers, Coping With Chronic Illness, Depression & Anxiety, Finding Balance, Parenting Teenagers, Positive Life Coaching, and Separation & Divorce"

And lots of resources.

I would like to especially encourage and welcome all to visit the Center For Women blog site Lowcountry Women and feel free to participate in the women's topics there, regardless of where you live.

Please see Binding Ink sidebar for Lowcountry Women blog updates!

I first became aware of CFW in 1998, when I was reading the below article in the local newspaper, The Post and Courier:

{Writing contest to show women’s collective portrait

By Dottie Ashley
Of The Post and Courier staff

“The Many Faces of Women” is a writing contest designed to remind the public that the Center For Women is a place of diversity and a resource for all women, regardless of race, age, profession or socioeconomic status.

“People would be surprised by the many faces of women that are served by the center,” says Harriet Smartt, board president of the private, nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women in their private and public lives.
“This contest is a way for women to paint, a collective portrait of a woman – using a pen,” adds Smartt.

Writers who enter the contest are asked to base a short story, essay or poem on a struggle, a choice or an awakening that they imagine may have occurred in the fictional life of one of five women.}

A flyer from The Center For Women stated, “Winners will be announced at the Second Annual Community Recognition Dinner at Charleston Place on January 22, 1998. Keynote speaker: Acclaimed novelist Anne Rivers Siddons. Winners will also receive a $100. cash prize. The five watercolor portraits that provide the inspiration for the contest are named Lucretia, Emma, Endia, Bridgit and Barbara.” The five faces are represented in a watercolor collage by Charleston portrait artist Rhett Thurman and were on display at The Coffee Gallery (Sarah and Patrick Clise) during the local contest:

photo from Dottie Ashley article
.
“The Many Faces of Women Writing Contest” was conceived and coordinated by Mary Elizabeth Feldmann. Another Post and Courier article, “Center reads between lines with women” by Elsa McDowell, incorporated a finely written interview with Feldmann.

The three judges Barbara Hagerty, Nikki Hardin, Constance Pulz selected five winners – one to go with each Thurman portrait. I was one of those winners! We each received the cash prize and two other special gifts from the Center For Women! One, we were invited as Guess to the Second Annual Dinner. Here, CFW acknowledged us for our Writings. In-between we banqueted on an exquisite meal and enjoyed the monumental Community recognitions.

Secondly; Nikki Hardin, Publisher/Editor of Skirt Magazine published our Writings! Each month, one of the five Authors was included in the Skirt addition:

April 1998: Mary Jeffreies, “Emma, The Chain“

May 1998: Jeannette M. Deveaux, “Endia, I am a Voice and I shall be Heard“

June 1998: Julie Pitts, “Bridgit“

July 1998: Harriet Popham Rigney, “Barbara”

August 1998: Jean Michelle Culp, “Lucretia”

My poem begins with Lucretia introducing herself as a black woman:

Lucretia




I am a black woman, or as some would say, “African-American”,

I live in a country where the melting pot has boiled over,

Seeping discrimination and crime.

Dissemination is just ignorance,

Blindness to the fact we all bleed the same color blood.

Crime however; is a disgrace to our race,

Blacks killing blacks, children killing children,

They are no better than those who killed our ancestors.

Meanwhile; our people try and uphold rightful cries,

But, Black Power can not be heard past the blast of gun power,

Gangs shooting gangs for turf that is not even theirs to take,

Innocent bystanders slain in street wars, for what?

Sadden, I take the cloth from my hair and wipe my tears, shouting:

Have our ancestors died in vain?

Do we not realize what our ancestors wounds bled for?

What our ancestors died for, “Freedom”!

Yet, all around are gravely guns that shoot down hope,

Pimps who lay slaves for the desperate and naïve,

Drugs enslaving the body to a lifetime of dependency,

And steel barred cells shackle those who have made themselves slaves.

Afraid, we bolt our doors, board up windows.

Locked inside fear-ridden anxiety,

We become the prisoners in a war that is not ours.

Meanwhile; another child goes hungry, another dies from the cold,

Another job is given to someone else, why?

Because of fear, fear of the criminals in us all.

But criminals are from every race, every color,

Criminals are from every gender, every age.

And it is crime that robs everyone of their heritage,

Crime that strips everyone of their rights,

As we all live in this land not so plentiful, not so free.

Yes, I am a woman, struggling to live in America,

The land of opportunity under siege.

By - Jeane Michelle Culp

Thanks to all who helped in the Center For Women 1998 Writing contest. The event is a memory my heart will forever cherish. An extra Special thanks to my role model Patricia Goodwin.

*I am hoping this post will reach the other four Authors and have them e-mail me, so I may post their Winning Writings also.

Related Post: FLOW (For The Love Of Woman), more Info on the Center For Women

Who Is The Blog Fairy?!

A Special Entity in the extensive blogosphere! Especially in the adult world, whence Fairy Tales have long since exposed their truth and lost their luster; suddenly a spark of old familiar magic is rekindled - thanks to The Blog Fairy! An Entity that prefers to remain anonymous, while spreading needed ‘blue ribbon’ joy amidst us Blog Writers! Still, who is The Blog Fairy? All we know is what is written on her profile:

About Me : I keep watch 'oer the blogs and bloggers in the vast blogosphere. It is my joy to shine light on those that show love and kindness and to honor them.

Faeries, come take me out of this dull world,

For I would ride with you upon the wind,

Run on the top of the disheveled tide,

And dance upon the mountains like a flame.


~ William Butler Yeats, "The Land of Heart's Desire," 1894

Sex: Female

Well, in re to my much treasured ‘Blue Ribbon’ from her, on June 30 I wrote:



Oh Dear theblogfairy in deed, please do read; I know not who ye are, be you near or far; yet I thank thee kindly Sprite, for this badge I now display with proud delight!

Since, I’ll admit I’ve been trying to secretly keep up on The Blog Fairy! Like a kid wanting to catch of glimpse of whom she really is, what Fairy Land does she beckon from, etc.? Needless to say, The Blog Fairy has been hard at work! Yet as busy as she is, somehow this week she flickered by my place, almost unnoticed! A few days later I so happened looked up at MyBlogLog Tags for ndpthepoetress. There I noticed The Blog Fairy found time to leave me another sprinkle of Fairy dust! She tagged me blue ribbon blogger !

It is at this time that I would like to further add:

To you The Blog Fairy, we Thank You! May a thousand endless ‘blue ribbons’ interlace to your heart with our utmost appreciation for you and all you do!

The Blog Fairy url intentionally left out of this post cause all Fairies should be found! Plus I don’t want to add to her already busy schedule!


Related Posts: Tears The Blog Fairy Is Now The Queen of Angels

The Red Carpet

Awe yeah, the almighty red carpet! When people imagine the red carpet, they often envision – lights, camera, action – Hollywood! Star strutted status of various anticipated prestigious awards! Or Royalty and their entourage. However; there are numerous monumental red carpet moments in every ones life! Be it a Prom or Graduation. Job promotion or Career transformation. Marriage or get the Cradle ready. A Recreational recognition in Sports, Art, the Community, etc. The Cherry runner is afoot endlessly for any ripeness!

Oh, but heed the slippery slopes whence lay the thinly padded ‘blush mat’ of Shame. For even many a President have walked this crimson carpet. For example, he who could not quote “Fool Me Once Shame on You; Fool Me Twice Shame on Me”, has now ironically earned the name, ‘Bush Shame’.

And so there are occasions to proudly roll out the ‘burgundy carpet’ and there are times to tread lightly upon it. Today though; I learnt about the ‘ruby carpeted Encore’. Whence from behind the camouflaged curtain a figure appears to take a final bow. However; if any of us had to walk this red carpet, surely none could ever be as diligent as this distinguished Gentleman.

Scene: Work

Gathering: Employers, Employees, Co-Workers, Friends

Enter: Distinguished Gentleman

Précis of Speech: As most of you all know, today is my last day as I have been diagnosed with a rare inoperable stomach caner and will be going to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland for treatment.

This Distinguished Gentleman continued, I am not much of a religious man yet. However; if some of you are – please remember to include my Wife in your prayers also. He then added his usual sense of humor to what has to be the bleakest moment in his life. Having returned home from War some years ago, he promised himself milkshakes! Stating, and though there is no scientific proof rather Arby’s or Wendy’s or McDonald's… milkshakes may have contributed to his stomach cancer; he sure enjoyed them as we all can tell by the size of his belly. He continued by humorously going into detail about how our Security Personnel adamantly would not let him enter the work premises today because he inadvertently forgot his proper identification. Ending, he therefore must leave before Security towed his car off.

Here is a man; already burdened with irrefutable fate, having to put his best foot forward for his peers – Friends…, whilst being ridiculed by his and our own Security System. Yet instead of giving up, turning his automobile around, and just returning home; he – being the Distinguished Gentleman he is - merely parks his auto on the side and walks inside his place of employment, sequentially to pace the ‘ruby carpet’ for us.

Surely cancer does not stand a fighting chance against such a Man with this kind of admirable caliber!

"Is That All There Is" by Peggy Lee

Love The Greatest Survival?

Hello My Readers, it has been awhile since I have written a personal post here on Binding Ink. Previous post included my Friend D. G. and his pet roaches. Poetry by my Friend D. G. And a one time Friend of mine – Poet/Writer Jen whom was sadly murdered Unfinished Masterpiece (Serendipity Part 2) . Today I would like to talk about survival. In a section on Blogger called ‘About Me’ I have added the following along with a question for you Readers:

About Me
A Survivor: I survived the truth! I'm a survivor! As a child, when I learned that there was no true holiday Mascots (encase kids read this and don't know the truth yet, lets just use the word mascots), I survived. When society said there were houses with white picket fences, I survived the truth which is you're lucky if some people have a tent to live in. When Friendships that were suppose to be for a life-time, turned out to only be my judges-I survived! The truth is, they weren't my true Friends to begin with! When many a Lover departed, I survived the truth! They weren't my True Love. Though, if one day I should learn that there is no such thing as a one and only True Love, guess what? I'll survive that truth too, cause I am a Survivor! Are you?

I draw attention to this, one to encourage People to recognize the Survivor inside themselves and I gladly welcome you to share your triumphs. Secondly, beside Mascots and white picket fences, in your opinion - what other seemingly myths has Society proclaimed? Have these seemingly myths helped or hindered Society? Thirdly, it is important to realize that survival covers a wide range of areas. Physical, mental, emotional, circumstances … Those who have Survived breast cancer… Those who have Survived a crisis such as a death… Those whom have Survived rape… Those who have or are Surviving war….

Having clarified survival so more People can recognize themselves as a Survivor, I am still drawn to my last line in ‘About Me’, “Though, if one day I should learn that there is no such thing as a one and only True Love, guess what? I'll survive that truth too”. Perhaps it is the Poet in me or the fact that many a poem and songs have been written about surviving love, loss, and longing. Therefore; I leave you my Readers with my contribution to such:

Some where between life and death,
I have died and am faking being alive
But this dress rehearsal is getting old
Wrinkles have already set in
Just once before actual death beckons me back home
I would like to truly live
To dance beyond the curtain, into my ‘Happy Ever After’
Oh, how does it really feel to have someone love you, as you love them
For hence is where the purest magic begins
Whence two hearts unite – sparks ignite
Twice the energy – twice the life
As all of yesterdays shadows slowly disappear
You emerge as one to concur the world as two individuals among the living
Alive and well ‘until death do us part’
But for now I must set aside these dreams
For hope is such a fragile thing
Meanwhile the show must go on, as must I
And dawn another day of dress rehearsal,
On this stage called life.
Written by © - Jeane Michelle Culp

Todays’ question: I am a Survivor! Are you?

Poem VA Tech

The Caged Bird did pluck the Sprouted Innocent ones whose wings are now forever tucked beneath those of Angels

While your heads fall against shoulders to weep upon

Know the People in the World embrace each and every one of you.

Damn the pain you must now endure

No logic will ever be enough to explain the damnation of yet another horrid

Drugs and/or crime Society can combat

But of this new mind madness spree

Mothers killing their young, fellow students gone a rave

Little is known on how to Serve and Protect

But if even one death should give a way to save others,

May all not be in vain

But damn - too much of a cost.

Come, the arms of the People in the World are open

Let us help catch your tears.

Written By - Jeane Michelle Culp

Unfinished Masterpiece

Serendipity incidences have adorned my life for many years. The one spectacular serendipity moment I will forever treasure most is about my Daughter Violet. I had reluctantly placed Violet up for adoption when she was 1 year and 7 months old. When she was 16 years old I had gotten a P. O. Box so she could always have an address to get in touch with me, no matter where I moved. Shortly afterwards, the junk mail started arriving. One in particular caught my eye, the usual Frisbee CD disk from AOL to join their internet service. I would have disregarded the canister, except the password on the front stunned me. To this day I still have that very piece of junk mail. The password printed on the label, “BRING VIOLET’. Five something years later my Daughter and I have been blessedly reunited and I still get letters from my Daughter at that P. O. Box! Now that my Dear Readers is pure Serendipity!

Other occurrences of serendipity I have yet to unravel the mysterious ‘rhyme and reason’ for them. However; the below is a true story of the most astonishing serendipity in my life to date:

I worked with this Lady, Jen. In the course of developing a Friendship with Jen, I learned she wrote poetry and had a wonderful blog site. In fact, Jen inspired me to start my own, hence; my blog site ‘Binding Ink’. One day Jen resigned from her job. I never knew much more about her after that. However; I knew she kept her other job as a Night Manager at a local Perkins Restaurant. Sadly, October 7, 2006 a former Perkins employee robbed the place - shot and killed Jen.

Then toward the end of November, just so happen I was searching for a new residence. I had made calls to several apartment complexes. One LandLady, said there may be an opening in January if the Tenants decide not to renew their lease. Then suddenly a few days later this LandLady called, stating a previous application did not go through and there was an immediate vacancy! I was happy, signed, sealed, approved, and started moving in Friday December 22. Saturday things in the apartment started going wrong. The curtains I hung fell down, this – that and the other. All the while, I kept getting this vibe to check the mailbox here. I was like, heck I just moved in; why would I want to check the freakin’ mailbox. Meanwhile; I also kept thinking how much my taste in decorating had changed for the better and how the writing vibes in this apartment were strong. Any how; about 4 pm Christmas Eve I was taking my last load of empty boxes out to the trash and decided to check the mailbox. I brought the mail into my apartment and when I saw whom the old junk mail was addressed to, I about fell on the floor! The junk mail was addressed to no other then, Jennifer Skurow. My old Friend, Co-Worker, Jen! Remember, I never got to know her that well, so I surely never knew where she lived. Of all the apartment possibilities in any town, what were the odds of over 2 months later I would be living in Jens’ old place? Serendipity.

Yes, it is ever so sorrowful, amongst those Family Members, Friends, Co-Workers, Blog Readers whom will miss Jen; gone also is Jen’s talent, her poetry, that may never be known. For when Dominic murdered Jen that dreadful night, he also left the ‘literary world’ with an unfinished masterpiece. However; my Dear Readers, amidst the ‘sick’ events in the world, amidst the chaos there are rainbows and snowmen. And so just maybe in spirit or atom particles of anonymities; maybe Jen is here to encourage people like myself to establish their writings, their talents before it’s too late.

Serendipity, a Universal symphony whose tune can be heard by the most tone deaf person.

Follow-up Posts:

JUSTICE for Jennifer Skurow (15 months to the date of Jennifer Skurow’s murder, the alleged murderer is now going to trial.)

JUSTICE for Jennifer Skurow Prevails (Heather Olinger from CountOn2 News online, Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 - 09:32 PM states; “… man guilty of murder and armed robbery, and sentenced him to life in prison….”)

Art of Listening

It seems to be a sick world. Rather one person or a group of people are doing something worse than the person before. Or someone is stricken ill, much worse than the other. It is a sick world.

Be Mothers killing their offspring like some innate, wild manly beast syndrome. Child molesters robbing fruit from the young before it is ripe. Mental Physical Child abuse – no excuse. Drug abuse, alcohol abuse, any reason as an excuse. Columbine High - Teenagers Gone Wild and We Don’t Know Why. Blame Syndrome guns, videos, parents, schools, manufactures, etc. anyone except our very own self. Crime is high – enjoy the tax free ride - free TV, free cable, three free meals, free pills, free medical, free dental, free education, etc. And what criminals haven’t already done to our society, others have done to us such as 9-11. Benefits, many murders are given the death penalty to die humanly for their gravely acts. Those without an immoral harden heart are at a disadvantage. In particular those people with illnesses, especially diseases without a cure such as cancer, aids… Sadly, these people die inhumanly. In the intervening time, these law abiding citizens must also bear atrocious unflavored m & m’s (medical and medicine cost) or do without. Yes, It is a sick world from the cradle to the grave.

However; sometimes life is merely a matter of perception. Is the world more good or bad? ‘Is the glass half full or half empty?’ For; in-between life and death, there is: serendipity, ironic, coincidence, and karma. Four words that merely seem to be complex, exchangeable synonyms. And due to individualism, the terms can be a matter of personal perception, personal choice on how you perceive them. As in, is disease a disease or dis-ease? For intellectual raison d'être, I will begin with my definition for these four words:

Serendipity: "the effect by which one accidentally discovers something fortunate, especially while looking for something else entirely" Wikipedia

Ironic: when you say one thing but mean another; that what might be expected and what actually occurs

Coincidence: a matter of luck, a fluke; thinking about a song and then hearing it on the radio or thinking about a Friend and getting a phone call from that person

Karma: has to do with fate, personal belief

Oh, but the combination of ‘ick’ is a Universal symphony whose tune can be heard by the most tone deaf person; is the purest serendipity.

My belief is that essentially there is more to life than what our basic 6 senses are cognitively aware of. Again all this is just my conviction, and that is the Universe talks to us all. Note: one can call the Universe God, He, She or whatever. Yet, as certain as there is the wind for which we can not see, there is a voice-the voice of the Universe.

All one needs to do is understand the language. To each Country, Culture their own native tongue; foreign to many others. Any class of Aves-for every bird its’ own melody. Nature has ‘The Four Seasons’ language. Autumn paints its’ season in colorful leaves, Spring in fields of wild flowers, Winter in whiteness, Summer in heat. The Universe, a language all its’ own. The Universe is a voice that speaks a language based on sight. The HIF sight that is. Hindsight I-knew-it-all-along, Insight (intuition), Foresight (make provision for what may happen). “The hindsight into the past gave me new insight into the present reality that in turn provided me with a hopeful foresight into the future.” -Village Church

So no matter how 'sick' the world may seem at times. Remember for all the torrid rains there are rainbows. For all the avalanches there are snowmen. And through all the worldly chaos, the Universe does speak to us of its’ beauty, its' rhyme and reason, via 'serendipity, ironic, coincidence, and karma'. All we need to do is use the 'HIF' factor to figure out what the clues mean or where in life they lead. For this my Dear Readers is the true art of listening.

Friendship

To date, this Blog has presented imaginative control, added some humor to every day chores, and punned around with words on subjects from the Blues to Toast. This is because many musical compositions, songs, poems… have various articulated sentiments. Therefore; today I would like to talk about admiration. For everybody, undoubtedly there is someone to admire; rather this person be an Athlete, a Singer, an Author, or yourself. Likewise; you are tremendously Blessed - if the individual you have a high regard for, is also a Friend. For:

It can never be bought or borrowed or sold
A gift to be cherished,
True friendship is a treasure beyond compare
~author unknown


I am grateful to have this in my life. His name is D. G. Age to date, 75. Children: None. Race – irrelevant. His humor - a bonus! For example, he would take a ‘Beware of DOG’ sign and cross out the O. Yea, Beware of D. G.; Mister Lamb who would generously give anyone the wool from his last sweater.

In addition to Admiration, Friendship – if we are fortunate; into most hearts, there happens a ‘Once Upon a Time’, one True Love. And so it was for D. G. Him of youth, whence his hair glistened with color. The luck lady, bursting with youthful potentials. Though sadly; before womanhood could fully blossom or age naturally dye the hair, she died in a car crash. Understandably; D. G. would never love another, as he loved her. Later, various relationships came – went for him. Once a Girlfriend gave D. G. an alternative, ‘either your dogs go or I’. To date; D. G. remains a happily devoted Bachelor, always seen with a dog. The animal type that is, mutty and raggedy as himself. For many a day, D. G. will not a shave or bathe. His age now has turned those days into weeks.

As his Friend, I use to try and at least help keep his place clean. That was until, the fleas and roaches won. D. G. would bomb, spray… still the creepy crawlers sustained. Having either became insecticide resistant or fervent. Might this be from the steady crumbs, left out food, unkempt- unwashed pets…? D. G. consistently, would not clean up! Hello, even Bachelors can utilize a broom and soap.

Over the years; I naturally worried about his frail, slowly aging self. It had been nearly 25 years since he last agreed to visit a Doctor. For that reason; betweenst our phone calls, I periodically stopped by to check on D. G. There he was – characteristically unshaven, grubby. The usual odor from his residence reeked with extreme fetid smells. This day he sat, flicking some cockroaches inside an encrusted soup can. Had these infectious insects become his Friends? Ultimately I realized, D. G. was beyond help. For, “One can not help those whom do not want help”. ‘One can’t help those whom won’t help themselves first’. Nonetheless, my concern for him consumed my imagination. Fear, learning he died alone, roaches feasting on his remains. Like the horror story we hear about the Old Lady with numerous cats. She died alone, her carcass a banquet for the felines.

Over the years, no one could convince D. G. to improve himself or his residential conditions. Now he is greatly older and often I want to call the ‘Elderly Abuse line. Report him for ill-treatment of self. By chance, this year the health department intervened. D. G. was evicted from the rented dwelling. Sadly, he chose to move into a run–down, moreover crime ridden neighborhood. (Whose population will certainly intensify for lack of roach motels). Of course his dog resides with him! In fact, I spoke to D. G. the other day; asked why he didn’t enter an ‘Assisted Living’ place as we discussed. His answer, “I may be old, but I’m not stupid”. His new Neighbors are caring. However they as well; can not talk, hard-headed D. G. into going to a Doctor. Soon to be 76, trouble walking, blind in one eye, a hack- cough, D. G. has the nerve to tell me he is having trouble holding his urine.

Nevertheless; he is a person to be admired. Aside from his humor, despite his unhygienic ethics, there is a man with compelling principles. Values he nonchalantly, taught me. Standards that continue to guide me, like a Lighthouse in the dark. A constant compass point in my life. Many of us have at least one regret, we wish we could back and change. For D. G., his remorse came during his teenage time. At the beach - underneath a viaduct he strolled. Where two youngsters were raping a 16 year old, wheel chaired girl from his school. D. G. said he went initially to help her. Instead, in the process he got excited. End of story. Kids will be kids, has never been his slogan or excuse. The essential factor prevails; D. G. is genuinely remorseful for his involvement. While on the subject, some reason or the other; I asked D. G. his opinion concerning molestation. To this day, I clearly recall what he said; “Child molesters steal fruit before ripeness, stripping more than the flesh, they forever shred their victims childhood.”


The finest lesson I gather from D. G. is ‘the moment of truth’. He told how during his early years of bar hopping, while sitting on a bar stool - a voice inside him spoke, “You can either sit here until you become an alcoholic or you can get up, do something with your life”. D. G. has not been in a bar since. Most people see pink elephants, D. G. heard a voice. This voice he says is the moment of truth that speaks to everyone sometime in their life. You can listen to the voice or do nothing.

Yes, most people admire someone. However; if that person is additionally your Friend, wow! What a gem, what a treasure. For me, that person is D. G. ‘Warts and all’; nevertheless to me, he is a person to be admired, he is a Friend. And yes, I am Blessed to know him.

*Remember, you can comment anonymously; after all I go by the name Nom de plume ‘The Poetress’. Sure we ask for that crazy verification to be typed in, but that’s just to keep the ‘tin man’ away. So:

Whom do you admire? Is that person a Friend? What is your worst regret?