tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25110656303134830152024-03-05T12:24:39.361-06:00Stories by BelaLife is a climb through rough terrain or a serene journey on a flowing river. It's an obstruction run in one phase and a quiet walk by a lake in another. It sinks to the bottom of the well one season and reaches the highest peak in a new one. Life carries on with joy and love of others but the constant reminder that nothing is forever leaves us feeling alone. This blog is to share stories of the lives of characters I have developed while contemplating on life's great journey.
BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.comBlogger212125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-13148734076604965922021-01-23T15:09:00.000-06:002021-01-23T15:09:13.157-06:00Thought of the Day<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bpf156f8AgU/YAyQEmb7dsI/AAAAAAAACnY/l5PgvK56AyIq1NoEGIyGmNA0_P2MKjI1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WP_20151228_18_10_08_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bpf156f8AgU/YAyQEmb7dsI/AAAAAAAACnY/l5PgvK56AyIq1NoEGIyGmNA0_P2MKjI1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/WP_20151228_18_10_08_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large;">Humanity is splitting at its seams;</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large;">threads that keep us tethered to each other are unraveling, </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: xx-large;">string by string.</span></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-40721964373346757012021-01-23T14:46:00.000-06:002021-01-23T14:46:04.611-06:00A Few Haikus<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-22kQI090ad8/YAyHba2hMVI/AAAAAAAACmo/fJdnUHSwBfE3bTKRo31xvLf-dSyg2_idQCLcBGAsYHQ/D8296E3A-E1D0-4FF1-8087-82AA6639BD83.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="173" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-22kQI090ad8/YAyHba2hMVI/AAAAAAAACmo/fJdnUHSwBfE3bTKRo31xvLf-dSyg2_idQCLcBGAsYHQ/w173-h173/D8296E3A-E1D0-4FF1-8087-82AA6639BD83.jpg" width="173" /></a></div> <br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Wind breathes a swift
sigh<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Leaves rustle to give
applause<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Birds bow in
thanks<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mIVeTbfBN40/YAyGN3b8JyI/AAAAAAAACmU/dJzxSGo9KZ4QrMxnzzvHkvpOAJC_3vJMwCLcBGAsYHQ/72A827C9-7854-4418-8F3F-F4CD6060100C.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="1504" height="172" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mIVeTbfBN40/YAyGN3b8JyI/AAAAAAAACmU/dJzxSGo9KZ4QrMxnzzvHkvpOAJC_3vJMwCLcBGAsYHQ/w172-h172/72A827C9-7854-4418-8F3F-F4CD6060100C.jpg" width="172" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bright blooms now bow
down<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dull Frost nibbles
edges<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Spring or winter now?<br /><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SbUF-sqOrg8/YAyHCumQUAI/AAAAAAAACmc/W1EVIkdPI2AUHnMo5x4O6z6e6Rt_cQQZQCLcBGAsYHQ/3742A800-3AD7-4F57-A0B2-B280162118F5.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="899" height="167" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SbUF-sqOrg8/YAyHCumQUAI/AAAAAAAACmc/W1EVIkdPI2AUHnMo5x4O6z6e6Rt_cQQZQCLcBGAsYHQ/w167-h167/3742A800-3AD7-4F57-A0B2-B280162118F5.jpg" width="167" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;">As the phoenix burns<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Fireflies twinkle in
ether<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cool evening settles <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A_E2E9IlfWI/YAyKQzyM9RI/AAAAAAAACm8/pr6TMsTQz2sfTGaM9Dx_JbmZOpzj7224gCLcBGAsYHQ/20180226_174255%2B%25282%2529.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1647" height="183" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A_E2E9IlfWI/YAyKQzyM9RI/AAAAAAAACm8/pr6TMsTQz2sfTGaM9Dx_JbmZOpzj7224gCLcBGAsYHQ/w147-h183/20180226_174255%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="147" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Fifty-six today?<br /><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Just four more to go
before <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Expendable age <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysdrW7Icu6HAGceMd5JPpXcWgzGtIAQwzqS1luQtAgfmZeLYkYztbBs0dxwVXUf_JKR0Edc-NBAOZFAvL0ayEnYaKlhKfs48rm1flqmXNJQTJ4YMHSYLkcdatLXPUX5zBJqtRkmJRA4vD/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysdrW7Icu6HAGceMd5JPpXcWgzGtIAQwzqS1luQtAgfmZeLYkYztbBs0dxwVXUf_JKR0Edc-NBAOZFAvL0ayEnYaKlhKfs48rm1flqmXNJQTJ4YMHSYLkcdatLXPUX5zBJqtRkmJRA4vD/w164-h219/20191129_101024.jpg" width="164" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Stream music notes<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Red maple leaves
rustle<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Helicopters buzz<br /><o:p></o:p></span></p>BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-38750479293301000812020-12-26T10:26:00.000-06:002020-12-26T10:26:30.918-06:002020 – “You’re on Mute”<p>The of year of masking up, or
irately prompting “you’re on mute” was the year when people in America spoke
up, spoke out, and spoke their loudest.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LvILwkF6-Y8/X-djtAxCuuI/AAAAAAAAClM/p8e0cPGNEgITLiEvQa2b5Q5jUW-_ifbiACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Hope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1645" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LvILwkF6-Y8/X-djtAxCuuI/AAAAAAAAClM/p8e0cPGNEgITLiEvQa2b5Q5jUW-_ifbiACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Hope.jpg" /></a></div>An administration, personally
responsible for deaths of over quarter of million Americans due to its
negligence, narcissism and dereliction of duty will be moving out. An
administration who spoke for white rights got kicked out by the louder v<br />oices
from Black Lives Matter. An administration that objectified women and trampled on
their rights was booted out by the MeToo ladies.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">After all the masked citizens of
the country showed up and did the right thing, the leader of this
administration was muted by the highest court.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Finally, after four years of
pretending to be an ostrich, many good human beings in this country can come up
for air and breathe a little better, safely within the confines of their masks,
six feet apart.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The journey ahead is long and
partly even dark, which will lighten to gray, but at least we are marching towards
the white light. The dark void is behind us. With leadership of empathetic and
diverse individuals, the future state of the nation again has hope.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Even as we put 2020 behind us
with all its dark memories, the movements must carry on. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">MeToo’s must continue to educate
and fight for the rights of women’s choice of what they can or cannot do with
their bodies and that no means no.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Black Lives do continue to Matter, and these
cries need to remain loud and clear to drown out the millions of gun toting,
white supremacists who still troll the streets of this country, or harbor
racist and xenophobic sentiments under the guise of uniforms of protection and
law enforcement. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The survivors of this pandemic
need to keep shouting at the top of their strong lungs to never let the world
forget those whose lungs gave out to this horrid virus. Lives lost must not be
in vain.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">While we continue to mask up and
remind the zoom speakers “you’re on mute”, our voices are louder, our lungs are
stronger, and hope is back so we can Breathe Freely!<o:p></o:p></p>BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-2801972410330900262019-06-29T11:08:00.002-05:002019-06-29T11:08:52.576-05:00Aaah<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BoQHUuD4DtY/XReMMCEaR8I/AAAAAAAACWk/b2oTn9huT4MvRUzuKcZ5pNMMkGy8UksJwCLcBGAs/s1600/20190124_225027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BoQHUuD4DtY/XReMMCEaR8I/AAAAAAAACWk/b2oTn9huT4MvRUzuKcZ5pNMMkGy8UksJwCLcBGAs/s200/20190124_225027.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I recline into the chaise<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">to lounge into its space<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">my eyes blink to the glare<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">that winks from above<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">dark shades assist me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">and I…relax…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">A shadow lingers close,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">gushing water echoes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">a steely silence follows<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">then an ear-piercing screech<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Masked face hovers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">shiny tool he’s discovered<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">muffled voice orders<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“open up!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I say, “Aaah”, descends a face<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEaG4m4Ze5nH94pUI6rCjB9f3Uqt2VNBSFVhZPzNDT8zlZjiRiGUB04tDtwaBC2pkiDeDEX4a_4KwoMsNBzPtjPjZ7dZ2mfwDXfaFcTQUSJ7aCVE_42YTQ8diI_2nn3ylmtaA-ouOcOLa/s1600/20171106_172852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEaG4m4Ze5nH94pUI6rCjB9f3Uqt2VNBSFVhZPzNDT8zlZjiRiGUB04tDtwaBC2pkiDeDEX4a_4KwoMsNBzPtjPjZ7dZ2mfwDXfaFcTQUSJ7aCVE_42YTQ8diI_2nn3ylmtaA-ouOcOLa/s200/20171106_172852.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">metal against fangs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">bitter, sour and coarse<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">my jaws remain open, but clenched<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Alas, the ordeal is over<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">my mouth closes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">my tongue snakes over the grit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">the hollow now filled<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">My dentist removes his mask, smiles and
says, “You’re done”.</span></div>
<br /></div>
BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-77713436248612879792018-10-20T13:35:00.001-05:002018-10-20T13:35:38.005-05:00Freedom - a definition<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Freedom is
absence of bondage, free of shackles tightly strung around the neck, hands and
ankles. To be free is to breath without fear of persecution, of
ex-communication, or of denunciation. To be free is to live without fear of
death.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lBs-bOzOnlU/UXb4dFzwPzI/AAAAAAAAAlE/A_fZcP7ABK0pTcLFcjm4jHOo-XjxPa_sACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/564590_188139547970936_1262803869_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lBs-bOzOnlU/UXb4dFzwPzI/AAAAAAAAAlE/A_fZcP7ABK0pTcLFcjm4jHOo-XjxPa_sACPcBGAYYCw/s200/564590_188139547970936_1262803869_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Bondage, however,
comes in many types, sizes and forms. To be enslaved is not just what we read
in historical accounts of the slave business, the cruel business of trading
humans based on the color of their skin. Business that forcefully facilitated
the movement and separation of so many souls, enforced changes in cultures,
ending of uncountable lives and worst of all, torture of innocent living
beings. Yes, slavery and bondage of innocent lives is the single most
unforgivable historical account of human history.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ccFfgvIwMQY/UdZE6rzLGoI/AAAAAAAAA2I/qZ5nXMEfhuQxDIchq8nYWadTF6b8LUBrwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_2898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ccFfgvIwMQY/UdZE6rzLGoI/AAAAAAAAA2I/qZ5nXMEfhuQxDIchq8nYWadTF6b8LUBrwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/IMG_2898.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then history
moves forward as it must, yet humans haven’t learned a thing from their actions
of the past. Perhaps even refined their techniques and reasonings for taking
away individuals’ freedom. May it be at a grand scale in terms of genocide or
holding immigrants in a cruel fashion by taking away their children at the
border, or the modern slavery trade known as human trafficking, especially of
children and girls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then there
are subtle bondages under the guise of custom, religion, caste, gender,
ethnicity, age and even sexual orientation. Societies and cultures have
seemingly evolved, but that is an illusion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Evolution,
by definition, is to move forward, develop from simple to more complex, which it
feels like this should mean a higher mind. However, for humans that seems to
have not happened, at least not in the time of recorded history. Forward it has
not moved, but exactly the opposite it seems. Our brains may be getting more
studied, but are minds are shrinking to a size even smaller than that of the
beings of the animal kingdom. At least, those creatures only hunt when
necessary, for food or defense, but humans not only hunt for pleasure, but also
their own kind – another human being to enslave them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xPDFKZ2krVI/Uqtbigh0N7I/AAAAAAAAAu4/CU3bnzGrcp07sN-xiizlxRozqM3GJFBewCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/WP_001176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="717" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xPDFKZ2krVI/Uqtbigh0N7I/AAAAAAAAAu4/CU3bnzGrcp07sN-xiizlxRozqM3GJFBewCPcBGAYYCw/s200/WP_001176.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Freedom
takes various forms, comes in many sizes and can change lives, generations,
cultures, countries. America was founded based on freedom and liberty for all.
Oh, how far this great nation has come where so many have made home. The land
of the free, it feels, is no more. Today we are in shackles unseen. We remain
in bondage caused by fear and chaos of today’s climate, caused by greed and
power, caused by the silence of those who refuse to speak up, and caused by the
blindness of those who refuse to see the bigger picture of the greater good.
Everyone in this great nation remains in bondage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Countries
evolve, world changes, but some things remain the same. However, my concern on
the topic of freedom is beyond the external chains or confinement one person
puts on the other. I delve deeply on the lack of liberties w</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">e allow our own
selves and the lines of limits we draw around us. Freedom is a state of mind.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S-4Td6-eRes/T6BFW2wuKdI/AAAAAAAAAFU/a6iuyWTkKZgAUms48dkQJuEkFcG145i0ACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/DSCN3175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S-4Td6-eRes/T6BFW2wuKdI/AAAAAAAAAFU/a6iuyWTkKZgAUms48dkQJuEkFcG145i0ACPcBGAYYCw/s200/DSCN3175.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Should an
American black person be afraid to drive for fear of being stopped by a
policeman, should a legal immigrant be afraid to go out alone with limited
language skills of their adopted country, or what about the elderly afraid to
interact with strangers for fear of getting scammed and lose their nest egg?
Fear is the creature that feeds on freedom, and keeps gnawing at it with its
jarred teeth, time and time again. People put restraints on their own selves
and the biggest study is women. They self-inflict servitude with submission to
authority, in the name of religion, culture, social norms, reputation, or
multitude other reasons. They don’t recognize, or opt not to fight, for their
right to choose, think or act on their own accord. If the internal will to be
free is not strong, their motivation not powerful, or even recognition of their
oppression of rights, non-existent, then freedom is not to be had for such
women.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For some
women, marriage is a kind of bondage where they lead their lives under the
oppression of their abusive husbands or in a joint family, their freedom is
limited by the demands and expectations of the elders in the family unit. Girls
and young women are restricted as soon as they are born in many countries and
cultures. Their freedom of movement is limited in the guise of protecting their
honor. Their choices of clothing, or mannerisms controlled lest a finger be
pointed on their character. The social pressures lead to family adding pressure,
resulting in an oppressed girl child who grows up to be afraid, diminutive,
weak because that’s what she had been led to believe all her life. Thus, the
young woman takes away her own freedom to live to her potential, puts her heart
and mind in chains, submits to the authority of the male member in her family
and is forever in servitude to another human being.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9St28_ikTvA/T_Bv1uCQXVI/AAAAAAAAAY0/ricyEr5yls0z-INrYOSn71PidZhi61RWQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/WP_000383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9St28_ikTvA/T_Bv1uCQXVI/AAAAAAAAAY0/ricyEr5yls0z-INrYOSn71PidZhi61RWQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/WP_000383.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Oppression
comes in many shapes, forms and sizes. There are chains we see and those that
exist in our mind. It is the power within to rise above the oppressed to a
limitless sky and become free!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /></div>
BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-44800455801211611702018-10-14T12:21:00.000-05:002018-10-14T12:21:10.897-05:00Humility<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-65LBOSfdlXw/USuvLfA5C4I/AAAAAAAAAgY/ylzMD0US5bAUMhNDs56oxzz0qTckWXNmgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/179148_10150938118355780_1178673263_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-65LBOSfdlXw/USuvLfA5C4I/AAAAAAAAAgY/ylzMD0US5bAUMhNDs56oxzz0qTckWXNmgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/179148_10150938118355780_1178673263_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It is time and time again when
civilizations develop, rise and then fall, either by their own undoing or
external forces or both. This is part of the cyclical nature of the universe,
our constellations guiding, but the motions are already in place from the time
of the big bang. From the grand view or the minutest point, the cyclical
motions carry on as if on a specific journey or a defined path.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So, is it written, or can our path be
redefined, even though within a bound of the universal law of motion in a
cyclical form? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I believe we can define our path,
take the road left or right, but whichever choice we make does bring us to the
destination we were meant to be.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIU2CWYveot7hHbnO_yMqrog4AIzSmch4wCLnpXvC4Q8DLHuVV8XGvQNDgezrKpl_ypMbfbsm2V5P9LV5T8e_F4TAPi1D-U_RIMDEOAaOtgPBaInQH0p7GFlzxcjw_aa06BgA7Mm7U4wP6/s1600/526093_188141281304096_196049188_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIU2CWYveot7hHbnO_yMqrog4AIzSmch4wCLnpXvC4Q8DLHuVV8XGvQNDgezrKpl_ypMbfbsm2V5P9LV5T8e_F4TAPi1D-U_RIMDEOAaOtgPBaInQH0p7GFlzxcjw_aa06BgA7Mm7U4wP6/s200/526093_188141281304096_196049188_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A path is not always straight or
followed according to plan. The best laid plans most always meander with
missteps, detours, potholes. It is how we maneuver and overcome the diversions
or challenges, the accidents and the unknowns, is what defines our destination.
It is these deviations and how we deal with them is what brings us to where
were meant to be in the end. How we stalwartly keep our eye on the summit and
move onward taking each misstep and challenge in stride. We do ultimately end
up where we were meant to be, just how and when we get there is defined by us,
our actions, our attitude, and most of all our fortitude.<o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--F2cvRWPUVs/UvlILK1G0YI/AAAAAAAAAx4/zgfkqg00h9o2hkqCIjhNmL2q4LjE0qwugCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/WP_20140119_006-SNOW.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--F2cvRWPUVs/UvlILK1G0YI/AAAAAAAAAx4/zgfkqg00h9o2hkqCIjhNmL2q4LjE0qwugCPcBGAYYCw/s200/WP_20140119_006-SNOW.gif" width="112" /></a><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The universe is based on laws of
cyclical movements and what goes around does come around, whether it’s the
paths we follow, the destinations we set for ourselves or our relationship with
everything around us. We choose, and the universe nudges us forward, in stride,
each step and misstep at a time. The key is motion, to not hesitate or falter,
but to believe in your inner strength, and with determination, keep taking each
deliberate step forward, one step at a time while staying aware of, and being
respectful of, all that surrounds us in our periphery. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Plan for the best but prepare for the
worst. All the planning gives us the confidence to move and to reach our
destination quickly by the fastest route. It is important to have a plan, a
line drawn around our perimeter to stay within. But that line, if rigid can
choke us. Having a flexible mindset allows for working with the unknowns, the
spin balls, or even possible calamities and still be able to move forward. We
can define our own paths and our pace, but being respectful of things outside
our control, to not be cocky and egotistical, but staying humble will help
reach our destination in a calm, safe and fulfilling manner. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mMaCSrh8d1k/WmPNoRr6tSI/AAAAAAAACFA/d2AGkfnYfV0w3X-A9pznV19VW63dPJ3aQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/20180108_143206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mMaCSrh8d1k/WmPNoRr6tSI/AAAAAAAACFA/d2AGkfnYfV0w3X-A9pznV19VW63dPJ3aQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/20180108_143206.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For some it may take longer and
others shorter, but we all have our own journey and destination and we all get
there somehow, somewhere, sometime. It’s all part of the grand plan of the
universe and the natural laws of motions!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br /></div>
BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-70660325396241121912018-09-11T22:23:00.000-05:002018-09-11T22:23:33.447-05:00SHE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fAYBh5Wl7jI/W5iGDt2wgwI/AAAAAAAACN4/OHxgVBregdgtEIM9lGzOtAs_heXfQf0BgCLcBGAs/s1600/WP_001191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="538" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fAYBh5Wl7jI/W5iGDt2wgwI/AAAAAAAACN4/OHxgVBregdgtEIM9lGzOtAs_heXfQf0BgCLcBGAs/s320/WP_001191.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She
was happy<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She
was loved<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She
had comfort, that<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She
deserved<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She
had a life<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She
adored<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She
was respected, but<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She
was bored<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She
had a passion<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She
became unsure<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She
pursued it, and<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She
ran to the shore<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She
stood on the edge<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She
took the plunge<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She
fell on the rocks, and<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She was she, no more.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QsH2kK79uvA/W5iGDrggnCI/AAAAAAAACN8/sp07tB5tEL00GPVkHXPbhGcEzd3df2zJQCLcBGAs/s1600/WP_001287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="538" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QsH2kK79uvA/W5iGDrggnCI/AAAAAAAACN8/sp07tB5tEL00GPVkHXPbhGcEzd3df2zJQCLcBGAs/s200/WP_001287.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-58645651071459057092018-08-01T16:32:00.002-05:002018-08-01T16:32:42.837-05:00Giveaway for Beyond Boundaries Started Today - enter to get a free ebook copy<div id="goodreadsGiveawayWidget282358"><!-- Show static html as a placeholder in case js is not enabled -->
<div class="goodreadsGiveawayWidget" style="max-width: 350px; margin: 10px auto; padding: 10px 15px; border: 2px solid #EBE8D5; border-radius: 10px;">
<style>
.goodreadsGiveawayWidget { color: #555; font-family: georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; font-size: 14px;
font-style: normal; background: white; }
.goodreadsGiveawayWidget p { margin: 0 0 .5em !important; padding: 0; }
.goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink {
display: inline-block;
color: #181818;
background-color: #F6F6EE;
border: 1px solid #9D8A78;
border-radius: 3px;
font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
font-weight: bold;
text-decoration: none;
outline: none;
font-size: 13px;
padding: 8px 12px;
}
.goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink:hover {
color: #181818;
background-color: #F7F2ED;
border: 1px solid #AFAFAF;
text-decoration: none;
}
</style>
<h2 style="margin: 0 0 10px !important; padding: 0 !important; font-style: italic; font-size: 20px; line-height: 20px; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; color: #555;">
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com" target="_new" rel="nofollow">Goodreads</a> Book Giveaway
</h2>
<div style="float: left;">
<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37786168"><img alt="Beyond Boundaries by Bela Kaul" title="Beyond Boundaries by Bela Kaul" width="100" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1514783065l/37786168.jpg" /></a>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0 0 0 110px !important; padding: 0 0 0 0 !important;">
<h3 style="margin: 0; padding: 0; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal;">
<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37786168">Beyond Boundaries</a>
</h3>
<h4 style="margin: 0 0 10px; padding: 0; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
by <a style="text-decoration: none;" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17418816.Bela_Kaul">Bela Kaul</a>
</h4>
<div class="giveaway_details">
<p>
Giveaway ends August 31, 2018.
</p>
<p>
See the <a style="text-decoration: none;" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/282358">giveaway details</a>
at Goodreads.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div style="clear: both;"></div>
<a class="goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/enter_kindle_giveaway/282358">Enter Giveaway</a>
</div>
</div><script src="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/widget/282358" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script>BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-73926440088053687312018-07-14T14:16:00.001-05:002018-07-14T14:16:22.967-05:00Giveaway of Beyond Boundaries<div id="goodreadsGiveawayWidget282358"><!-- Show static html as a placeholder in case js is not enabled -->
<div class="goodreadsGiveawayWidget" style="max-width: 350px; margin: 10px auto; padding: 10px 15px; border: 2px solid #EBE8D5; border-radius: 10px;">
<style>
.goodreadsGiveawayWidget { color: #555; font-family: georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; font-size: 14px;
font-style: normal; background: white; }
.goodreadsGiveawayWidget p { margin: 0 0 .5em !important; padding: 0; }
.goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink {
display: inline-block;
color: #181818;
background-color: #F6F6EE;
border: 1px solid #9D8A78;
border-radius: 3px;
font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
font-weight: bold;
text-decoration: none;
outline: none;
font-size: 13px;
padding: 8px 12px;
}
.goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink:hover {
color: #181818;
background-color: #F7F2ED;
border: 1px solid #AFAFAF;
text-decoration: none;
}
</style>
<h2 style="margin: 0 0 10px !important; padding: 0 !important; font-style: italic; font-size: 20px; line-height: 20px; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; color: #555;">
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com" target="_new" rel="nofollow">Goodreads</a> Book Giveaway
</h2>
<div style="float: left;">
<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37786168"><img alt="Beyond Boundaries by Bela Kaul" title="Beyond Boundaries by Bela Kaul" width="100" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1514783065l/37786168.jpg" /></a>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0 0 0 110px !important; padding: 0 0 0 0 !important;">
<h3 style="margin: 0; padding: 0; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal;">
<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37786168">Beyond Boundaries</a>
</h3>
<h4 style="margin: 0 0 10px; padding: 0; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
by <a style="text-decoration: none;" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17418816.Bela_Kaul">Bela Kaul</a>
</h4>
<div class="giveaway_details">
<p>
Giveaway ends August 31, 2018.
</p>
<p>
See the <a style="text-decoration: none;" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/282358">giveaway details</a>
at Goodreads.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div style="clear: both;"></div>
<a class="goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/enter_kindle_giveaway/282358">Enter Giveaway</a>
</div>
</div><script src="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/widget/282358" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-67951204040880902018-06-17T10:14:00.000-05:002018-06-17T10:14:11.447-05:00LOVE Beyond Boundaries<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--bEfnZJgeAM/VlINUenwumI/AAAAAAAAA-w/5HKxhlZ3K2s1_1Ew5ph9KFF1saIZd2eQACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/WP_20151031_12_52_10_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="901" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--bEfnZJgeAM/VlINUenwumI/AAAAAAAAA-w/5HKxhlZ3K2s1_1Ew5ph9KFF1saIZd2eQACPcBGAYYCw/s200/WP_20151031_12_52_10_Pro.jpg" width="112" /></a><span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">Love is limitless, it crosses bounds, spreads
its wings across landscapes, and soars to encompass all. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">Love</span><span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;"> adds beauty by
moving, testing and crossing the lines that are defined. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">Love's bucket is never
full, as it flows like a river over the rim, across borders, into new territories. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">Love gathers more beauty along the journey and carries them in its folds. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">Love is
beauty that is boundless.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">Travel with LOVE Beyond Boundaries and experience
its beauty with Taara and Janki’s journey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">Read...enjoy...review!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB", sans-serif; font-size: 21.3333px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bela-Kaul/e/B0785D36HJ">https://www.amazon.com/Bela-Kaul/e/B0785D36HJ</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Berlin Sans FB, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;"><a href="http://www.skyponygallery.com/bela-kaul-book-signing.html">http://www.skyponygallery.com/bela-kaul-book-signing.html</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Berlin Sans FB, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br /></div>
BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-26120935321769240882018-06-08T13:44:00.000-05:002018-06-08T13:44:12.629-05:00Beyond Boundaries Book Reading and Signing Highlights<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M-gEmpb3x2g/Wom4WHRgcxI/AAAAAAAACHc/CEjCj0KvzK40n6v4_PlUFO4CIBFDTrU5wCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/BB_BookCoverFinal.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1247" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M-gEmpb3x2g/Wom4WHRgcxI/AAAAAAAACHc/CEjCj0KvzK40n6v4_PlUFO4CIBFDTrU5wCPcBGAYYCw/s200/BB_BookCoverFinal.png" width="161" /></a><img alt="Picture" height="236" src="http://www.skyponygallery.com/uploads/1/5/5/0/15503958/editor/img-1560.jpg?1528078862" width="320" /><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The <b>Beyond Boundaries</b> Book Reading and Signing was a fun event at <b>Skypony Gallery</b> in Plano, Texas. </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Chef Tara of <b>Tara's Tasty Table</b> delighted us with her delicious savories. Check out the highlights of the event in the link </span><i style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">http://www.skyponygallery.com/our-events.html</i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Order your copy of Beyond Boundaries from Amazon today at </span><a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBela-Kaul%2Fe%2FB0785D36HJ&h=ATPZTH7uWX0CaZftpHZhJYbeKg8oHUkH9qjos5hJYdeEOG7O1oq9SVIoPaOIWGsaz2ipa4nX6aPvEdZ7o6o0CNCjad5igEf7RJeLeM2X9_nRsb-EcA2l&s=1" style="background-color: white; color: rgb(168, 46, 46) !important; font-family: "Quattrocento Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 300ms ease;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/Bela-Kaul/e/B0785D36HJ</a><i>.</i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Journey with two women, Taara and Janki, who are separated by time and place, but bound by blood. Travel with them as they traverse their respective landscapes littered with perils in search for a sense of belonging and prevail beyond all bounds.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Be sure to leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads after you've read the book.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Quattrocento Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Links: </span><br />
<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBela-Kaul%2Fe%2FB0785D36HJ&h=ATPZTH7uWX0CaZftpHZhJYbeKg8oHUkH9qjos5hJYdeEOG7O1oq9SVIoPaOIWGsaz2ipa4nX6aPvEdZ7o6o0CNCjad5igEf7RJeLeM2X9_nRsb-EcA2l&s=1" style="background-color: white; color: rgb(168, 46, 46) !important; font-family: "Quattrocento Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 300ms ease;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/Bela-Kaul/e/B0785D36HJ</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: "Quattrocento Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/author.belakaulauthor/" style="background-color: white; color: rgb(168, 46, 46) !important; font-family: "Quattrocento Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 300ms ease;" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/author.belakaulauthor/</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: "Quattrocento Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" /><a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fauthor%2Fdashboard&h=ATNXwA-yalBU8kKqzyBRIqaZAVWOPUSA4rol8DxTUFeknwQE_Rgh_WsDHi7ZyoElr8_Hke60xxIbvTpIvrDgYB0GlvpVbx33L7ZcRQ5OCwC6wZxTjh0b&s=1" style="background-color: white; color: rgb(168, 46, 46) !important; font-family: "Quattrocento Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 300ms ease;" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Quattrocento Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/tarastastytable" style="background-color: white; color: rgb(168, 46, 46) !important; font-family: "Quattrocento Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 300ms ease;" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/tarastastytable</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Quattrocento Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> and </span><a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tarastastytable.com%2F&h=ATPjSQ8Nkc5uwUxNP4aE1i_O5aKf7IhTho0d_hbsWnyJUK5Mky69-7O6BLxIB4cUhx01B8RJ3mr_osXyMMoUJHpa4w9djHszKftlwL1V_OAfJ82pkpXl&s=1" style="background-color: white; color: rgb(168, 46, 46) !important; font-family: "Quattrocento Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 300ms ease;" target="_blank">www.tarastastytable.com</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-brtecDjpbqE/Wom4U1_mrwI/AAAAAAAACHY/wJjwrKbKkhQoE4wy2HYnMxJkPZeqsSZAwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/BBPaperbackCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="324" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-brtecDjpbqE/Wom4U1_mrwI/AAAAAAAACHY/wJjwrKbKkhQoE4wy2HYnMxJkPZeqsSZAwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/BBPaperbackCover.jpg" width="129" /></a><a href="http://www.skyponygallery.com/uploads/1/5/5/0/15503958/img-1548edit_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://www.skyponygallery.com/uploads/1/5/5/0/15503958/img-1548edit_orig.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-33187698667449346042018-04-30T21:52:00.001-05:002018-04-30T21:52:25.324-05:00Buddhism and Modern Psychology - An Essay<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Does Modern science lend support to
Buddhist ideas about the human mind and to the logic behind Buddhist meditation
practice?<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EdSMyzz-80c/V9bC4IHnSXI/AAAAAAAABC4/SMebiKERInQp6ZmradplpQeluUH5IYLpwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/D5B5FC8A-9529-41BA-B8E1-4221BE868D56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="1504" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EdSMyzz-80c/V9bC4IHnSXI/AAAAAAAABC4/SMebiKERInQp6ZmradplpQeluUH5IYLpwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/D5B5FC8A-9529-41BA-B8E1-4221BE868D56.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Based on
Modern science’s understanding, Natural Selection Design’s purpose for the
continuation of the species does not care about happiness. Its basis is to
create desire, greed<span style="color: red;">,</span> and agitation to
be motivated to move forward. As a result of changes in the environment at a
faster pace than the evolution of Natural Selection Design for the human
species, more and more humans are looking for a scientific understanding as
well as seeking a way to overcome our predicament.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Buddhism, a </span>non-theistic<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> religion, recognizes the foundation of Natural Selection Design and challenges it
by using meditation, as a tool to seek happiness.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> With its mindful meditation technique,
Buddhism teaching helps train the mind to be calm and content in order to
eliminate agitation and desire, which is the basis of the Natural Selection
Design. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Buddhist
teaching recognize suffering exists and clinging as the cause of suffering as
its first two noble truths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scientists
have identified a part of the brain as the Default Mode Network, which they
have concluded is designed to take advantage of free time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through study of brain scans, there is
evidence that when one starts to meditate, the Default Mode Network part of the
brain becomes active by filling it with thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, with continued meditation which
works to quieten the mind, Default Mode Network eventually surrenders and
becomes quiet. This results in detachment from thoughts and feelings and
elimination of desire as the path to end suffering, a logic that has
evidentiary support in modern psychology.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Another claim
that Buddhist teaching make is the concept of the<span style="color: red;"> </span>Not-Self.
This doctrine rejects the existence of soul or<span style="color: red;"> </span>in
essence, the Self.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, it<span style="color: red;"> </span>claims the existence of five aggregates which make up
who we are. It further claims that these five aggregates are permanent, and we
cling to them which is the cause of our suffering. Using mindful meditation we
can recognize the five aggregates as fluid and impermanent and learn to detach
from them in order to be liberated. Buddhists claim that our mind’s eye is more
than its limited vision that Natural Selection Design supplies, and it allows a
meditator to see their thoughts without the thinker. The Self is then denied as
an ultimate sense and only exists as an abstract, relative sense.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In modern
psychology, based on the split-brain experiments specifically by Michael
Gazzaniga, there was conclusive evidence that questioned the existence of
consciousness and defined the existence of a sub-conscious. In these
experiments, each hemisphere reacted separately when the connection between
them was severed, one hemisphere buying into fabrication and creativity, while
the other honing into the detail and literal truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These findings are in line with Buddhist
teaching of the question of non-self.<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Buddhist
claim that we are an illusion has evidence in modern evolutionary psychology in
the Modular View of the Mind. The seven sub-selves identified by Douglas
Kenrick in his book, “The Rational Animal” and further defined by Leda Cosmides,
endorse the Buddhist claim of no one conscious, and that a specific module is
triggered in our mind based on the environment. This view goes further to
explain that the modules in our mind choose us by what we express based on a
complex algorithm designed by Natural Selection. Furthermore, the psychologists
have determined that the modules gain power with victory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is<span style="color: red;"> </span>evident
in the case of addiction, which is in line with the understanding of the Natural
Selection Design to create motivation. As a result, mindful meditation is
prescribed by psychologists to help one<span style="color: red;"> </span>become
aware of which module(s) is/are triggered and not allow them to become more
aggressive. The practice quietens the Default Mode Network while observing the
feelings without judgment. This allows us to let go of the sub-selves without
clinging to any one of them, resulting in positive behavior as perceived by the
environment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Some may
argue that Natural Selection is a constant drive towards achieving perfection,
internal and external. However, while some may define perfection as gaining
competitive advantage in furthering our species to new heights, others seek
perfection in striving to eliminate suffering. While Modern psychology, through
brain scans and experiments, has been able to describe and offer the truth
about an unhappy mind, Buddhist teaching and tools have gone one step further
by showing the way to find that happiness. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Both
Buddhist teaching and scientific evidence lend themselves to accept that
Natural Selection Design hasn’t kept up with the changes in the environment and
that human species seek a deeper understanding of the mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meditation, a practice ingrained in Buddhism
since its inception as the means to a calm, content, and peaceful mind as a
path to happiness has become the prescription of choice by modern psychologists
for modern day psychological challenges of today’s human species.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br /></div>
BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-68492400782405426582018-02-18T11:34:00.000-06:002018-02-18T11:34:33.552-06:00Beyond Boundaries now in Paperback also<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Dear Readers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My debut novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bela-Kaul/e/B0785D36HJ" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Beyond Boundaries</span></b></a> is available for purchase in Amazon in both, paperback and downloadable Kindle e-reader versions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Whether you like the rustle of a crisp leaf of paper as you turn the pages or the glow of a back-light as words dribble from a tablet, this book will engage you, take you into times and places beyond your boundaries. You will travel with Taara and Janki across oceans, lakes, mountains, valleys and through their journey will cross physical and metaphorical borders.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Order your book today and kick back, relax, cuddle up on a couch with a warm cup of green tea or a glass of red and a copy of Beyond Boundaries and enjoy the read!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Click <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bela-Kaul/e/B0785D36HJ" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: large;">here</span></b></a> to order your copy of either the paperback or e-reader (kindle or kindle-app)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-brtecDjpbqE/Wom4U1_mrwI/AAAAAAAACHM/VfMD8iKDhwApOKl11W0jkNZstTvON0TogCLcBGAs/s1600/BBPaperbackCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-brtecDjpbqE/Wom4U1_mrwI/AAAAAAAACHM/VfMD8iKDhwApOKl11W0jkNZstTvON0TogCLcBGAs/s320/BBPaperbackCover.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gGvv3SVH8XI/Wom4oop_XhI/AAAAAAAACHU/zoWtLuwihl8nrnCnB0mT_loJeapl4BvdwCLcBGAs/s1600/bb_bookcoverfinal_JPG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="656" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gGvv3SVH8XI/Wom4oop_XhI/AAAAAAAACHU/zoWtLuwihl8nrnCnB0mT_loJeapl4BvdwCLcBGAs/s320/bb_bookcoverfinal_JPG.jpg" width="259" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-10848753239026903642018-01-20T17:26:00.000-06:002018-01-20T17:26:27.368-06:00WO! Stand up! Fight back!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gGwHCEV2MYk/WmPO8mhzoxI/AAAAAAAACFQ/MSVeX8-opYEzZBAW3295azXJ9t9YlQucACEwYBhgL/s1600/20180120_111857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gGwHCEV2MYk/WmPO8mhzoxI/AAAAAAAACFQ/MSVeX8-opYEzZBAW3295azXJ9t9YlQucACEwYBhgL/s200/20180120_111857.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Woman is the “Wo” of Man<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">His power and strength<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Ready to give him a hand<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">like a pillar she stands <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Woman appears to live in negative space<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Her presence subliminal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Her place profound<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Unassuming, unseen but always around<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Woman embodies all men<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Carries them in her womb<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">She nurtures their tender soul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">With unconditional love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-82Uxl_uuqXY/WmPO8isD6SI/AAAAAAAACFI/p4cNyUfIPeMcpm89ws0H0wYYtDIgNOVHACEwYBhgL/s1600/20180120_110815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-82Uxl_uuqXY/WmPO8isD6SI/AAAAAAAACFI/p4cNyUfIPeMcpm89ws0H0wYYtDIgNOVHACEwYBhgL/s320/20180120_110815.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Woman suffers in silence<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Her tears dry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">She keeps her family together<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Nestles, fights, and ready to die<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">She sacrifices not for brevity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Her ego does not rule her<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">She fights to stand in equality <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">not to outwit or maneuver<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Feminism is not about superiority<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It is to stand for deserved rights<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">to fight for our dignity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We will not be objectified<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">So listen up Man<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">WOman today may reside in negative space<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But her presence makes the man’s story
complete<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We are all pieces of a puzzle that fit
together in a grand design<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Each gender is lost without the other<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QC_ykX2Fklo/WmPO8pXJHJI/AAAAAAAACFM/HkVExc2YFpk3gzqpOZ7H5x9TTH8WYQG-wCEwYBhgL/s1600/20180120_111904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QC_ykX2Fklo/WmPO8pXJHJI/AAAAAAAACFM/HkVExc2YFpk3gzqpOZ7H5x9TTH8WYQG-wCEwYBhgL/s200/20180120_111904.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We are all pillars of the same species<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">To support one another<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">To stand tall side by side<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">To uphold humanity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Woman is not a man<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And man is not a woman<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">They are different for a reason<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">To help each other’s stance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">When women’s rights are under attack,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">What do we do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Stand up and fight back!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwVmWvmaWKiGVLmO1LsvfYQjA3PPcCh7FTBAOGbzIBX5IMFV4RVFzvyAylLaz6x-8eu8dIZe3Cr8jk_yet29x4PknGzPJPKy0Njju4altK5_2OfM_6oqXKAVYaHxlvUHhubqB_R77SFse/s1600/20180108_143206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwVmWvmaWKiGVLmO1LsvfYQjA3PPcCh7FTBAOGbzIBX5IMFV4RVFzvyAylLaz6x-8eu8dIZe3Cr8jk_yet29x4PknGzPJPKy0Njju4altK5_2OfM_6oqXKAVYaHxlvUHhubqB_R77SFse/s320/20180108_143206.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-52504930628413518702017-12-17T09:18:00.000-06:002018-01-20T17:16:44.263-06:00Respect<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Showers of admiration<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">How great you are<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">You are put on a pedestal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">That is not respect<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Slaps on back<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mMaCSrh8d1k/WmPNoRr6tSI/AAAAAAAACE8/JdWTw4-MbHQ9mDDlC50ZD7JecqzIhBtegCLcBGAs/s1600/20180108_143206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mMaCSrh8d1k/WmPNoRr6tSI/AAAAAAAACE8/JdWTw4-MbHQ9mDDlC50ZD7JecqzIhBtegCLcBGAs/s320/20180108_143206.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Praises from the crowd<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">You find yourself in the center<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">That is not respect<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">An audience lends their ears<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">To stories of your feats<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">You become the sole speaker<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Attention is not respect<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Love of family and friends<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Who do all to keep you happy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">You are the center of their universe<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Love is not respect<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Praise, admiration, attention<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">And even love, are not respect<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">These are given, taken<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">for a motive or it is so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Respect is unique<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">it can only be Earned<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">the hardest to receive<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">and fastest to burn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-2120136940442653472017-12-09T12:35:00.001-06:002017-12-09T12:35:33.774-06:00Beyond Boundaries BookPromo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p5DyPzTwhPY" width="459"></iframe></div>
BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-25526348161619556012017-12-03T21:53:00.000-06:002017-12-03T21:53:27.677-06:00BEYOND BOUNDARIES<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Excited to share my debut novel, Beyond Boundaries is available on amazon kindle for pre-order with a release date of January 1st, 2018!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Here's the link to pla<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">ce your order.<br /><a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBeyond-Boundaries-Bela-Kaul-ebook%2Fdp%2FB077WJB2NH%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1%3Fie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1512326556%26sr%3D8-1%26keywords%3Dbela%2Bkaul&h=ATPHUGFbn-VrSBoR61qskNci21wj52uQa9eOfoSqCW2ErRKkImG5vOQLZuJYmQ5GeSV0b5HthRQ22EjsvXdorFlKvBfLz9d_lxsbqwa5WzlLfuV3zvfEobMV-lTP5Kzuy6JRJLdUx6SkfLtfViDptvoEjksTjHZgSHfqo65uhyBrXvSsiWfYgCze7G16k2-VUNH3W0lxWXLrIKWZXo61L76jsCqfKGYdle93irF3UzIrDbDxb8lo19QJC7LxitPD2U6GsvDDb0HX-b71xuNpGJsWjQ" href="https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Boundaries-Bela-Kaul-ebook/dp/B077WJB2NH/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1512326556&sr=8-1&keywords=bela+kaul" original_target="https://www.amazon.com/beyond-boundaries-bela-kaul-ebook/dp/b077wjb2nh/ref=sr_1_1?ie=utf8&qid=1512326556&sr=8-1&keywords=bela+kaul" rel="noopener nofollow" saprocessedanchor="true" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Boundaries-Bela…/…/ref=sr_1_1…</a></span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Beyond Boundaries is a story close to my heart inspired by women in my family. It takes us into the journey of two women separated by time and place, but bound by blood, as they cross borders and boundaries in search of their sense of belonging.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIdXE3FHoKWy0rifB6upqGgvbesuICOVHe1AchnzjK6A0qhACFLvjfWFl7FMBJmXDyRLswjuHyYy0E7N12xKIbNoeqFwPVW1rl_DGAIwKRK9ccnCxa22dgQBt4pGY8AlSz-Gc8Abseky-/s1600/bb_bookcoverfinal_JPG+120317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="656" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIdXE3FHoKWy0rifB6upqGgvbesuICOVHe1AchnzjK6A0qhACFLvjfWFl7FMBJmXDyRLswjuHyYy0E7N12xKIbNoeqFwPVW1rl_DGAIwKRK9ccnCxa22dgQBt4pGY8AlSz-Gc8Abseky-/s640/bb_bookcoverfinal_JPG+120317.jpg" width="516" /></a></div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KSjkGiPtApA/WiTGKNrDfEI/AAAAAAAACC0/xL39FFoKG_06f8yhPin8VgFJ2m8wJJ_0ACLcBGAs/s1600/2ammaji%2B%25282%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1569" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KSjkGiPtApA/WiTGKNrDfEI/AAAAAAAACC0/xL39FFoKG_06f8yhPin8VgFJ2m8wJJ_0ACLcBGAs/s320/2ammaji%2B%25282%2529.jpeg" width="107" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pf22EQxMKEs/WiTGKBxcI5I/AAAAAAAACCw/Y_Kmsu9hxX8fVvP_0WfyB_6nQNfRo35uQCLcBGAs/s1600/1bauji1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="602" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pf22EQxMKEs/WiTGKBxcI5I/AAAAAAAACCw/Y_Kmsu9hxX8fVvP_0WfyB_6nQNfRo35uQCLcBGAs/s200/1bauji1.jpeg" width="154" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-37390159931140065852017-11-04T15:50:00.000-05:002017-11-04T15:50:03.118-05:00Emptiness Paradox<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1zgRdRvpUnmR8OAHRhbHoRVfw6Q81-YaPd0__QCMQ580cmj2JtToXvDJ0Kxx93Rt-2cNMl1w4ZaJqI7y5qNTHCQIFTG1MemEzeFrp-D3pj3GJ4rTuxu9Nh6goxZE-Zlr9fZdGdOmSno-/s1600/FB_IMG_1506258440831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="720" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1zgRdRvpUnmR8OAHRhbHoRVfw6Q81-YaPd0__QCMQ580cmj2JtToXvDJ0Kxx93Rt-2cNMl1w4ZaJqI7y5qNTHCQIFTG1MemEzeFrp-D3pj3GJ4rTuxu9Nh6goxZE-Zlr9fZdGdOmSno-/s200/FB_IMG_1506258440831.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The world today seems to have exploded
with biases. But, then again, it probably always was that way, just not
advertised as much. With the advent of mass media, alternate ways of decimating
viewpoints, the information overload is twirling people’s mind, questioning
their own biases.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All the arguments discussed in public
via Facebook or on CNN panel, each side push their agenda, each side make sense
to many after a while and then everything becomes noise. Right or wrong become
fuzzy.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x8Zj_SxMOBY/Wf4jdQuvwII/AAAAAAAACBw/hTYFRN_-8cUOJ01eeYVsy_qVz6ihDPUmQCLcBGAs/s1600/20171101_184901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x8Zj_SxMOBY/Wf4jdQuvwII/AAAAAAAACBw/hTYFRN_-8cUOJ01eeYVsy_qVz6ihDPUmQCLcBGAs/s200/20171101_184901.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The thing is that humans are born with
biases, adopt a label or two and even some sort of stereotypes. We become hard
wired with our opinions in all sorts of issues. The biggest discussion that
hurts my heart the most is the biases based on gender and race.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Based on our innate nature, we label
people and interact according to the label we have attached to them. When a
girl or boy child is born to a couple, she or he is nurtured based on societal gender
norms. Selective colors and toys these children are made to associate with and
a definition of their place in society is affixed, allowing for even more
labels to be attached and stereotypes formed.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gender fluidity, on the other hand sets
the stage for that child to grow up as an individual, a human being who can go
down a path based on her or his innate qualities. When we take the labeling and
as a result, stereotypes out, we are allowing a human being to be a good
citizen of the world. That world citizen is then free and able to carve a path
for her or his self on their, and ultimately, the human race’s success.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Same thing applies to biases on Race.
Seeing a woman in a headscarf, a person of a different skin tone or an
individual with ethnic features leads to a mental block. Most of us do not
attempt to look behind the curtain of whatever label we have stamped on them
from face value. We have already made up our mind on that individual before
even saying hello. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XraG4XI3AfE/Wf4jarxlSuI/AAAAAAAACBs/-3LDUViOdU42zcrSMobyCXzKkXtbPW9OACEwYBhgL/s1600/FB_IMG_1506258428586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="720" height="112" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XraG4XI3AfE/Wf4jarxlSuI/AAAAAAAACBs/-3LDUViOdU42zcrSMobyCXzKkXtbPW9OACEwYBhgL/s200/FB_IMG_1506258428586.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bringing it down to a more “ordinary”
level, we apply labels to everybody we interact with. Seeing a woman at the
mall wearing trendy clothes and high heels, we classify her as an upper-class
snob. When we see a teenager with a hoody coming our way down the path in the
neighborhood, we immediately cross the street. Or in the case of the woman who
comes to clean your house or man who comes to mow your lawn, we form an opinion
that she and he is uneducated, whereas they may be a Master’s degree holder in
the country of their origin and have figured out that there’s more money in
running their own business cleaning or mowing than in working for a company as
an underpaid employee because of their inability to converse in the language of
their adopted country. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To state the
cliché, we are judging these books by their cover and labeling our biases
accordingly.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3LL60u5cgKY/Wf4j_umVvhI/AAAAAAAACB4/NBcHFqXu3u0uRVC5qTyZ3Ogg2a9150_EwCLcBGAs/s1600/D8296E3A-E1D0-4FF1-8087-82AA6639BD83.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3LL60u5cgKY/Wf4j_umVvhI/AAAAAAAACB4/NBcHFqXu3u0uRVC5qTyZ3Ogg2a9150_EwCLcBGAs/s200/D8296E3A-E1D0-4FF1-8087-82AA6639BD83.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We, as a human race, need to scratch the
surface, go beyond and meet eye to eye every individual at a human level. We
need to empty our minds and become open to discovery. Allow our biases to
recede and flow away as we introduce fluidity of an open mind. Instead of
having heated discussion or arguing over whether men are better than women or
vice versa, acknowledge that each gender is different and complimentary to each
other. We are pieces of a large, grand design puzzle who fit together to make a
whole. This mindset will help us take away the question of gender and race all
together and allow an individual to be. Just Be.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
Just Be.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
</div>
BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-37072621590114123292017-10-19T21:18:00.000-05:002017-10-19T21:18:19.165-05:00Illusive Reality - Conclusion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the tiny apartment, Maya sat uncomfortably on the gray
leather sofa, her one suitcase by her side. She waited for her husband to
return from his foray, wherever he had gone off to after dumping her at the
apartment. She looked at the walls around her, decorated with large art pieces.
Images of wildfire in a forest, or flames rising from the roof of a house.
Drops of sweat beads began to form on her forehead as she sat surrounded by intense
scenes in the small space. Her breath became short and her throat suddenly felt
dry. She made her way to the kitchen to get some water. Just at the last of the
last of her sips trickled down her throat, she heard the door open. Her husband
staggered in and seeing her standing in the kitchen he momentarily showed a
look of surprise, as of he’d forgotten who she was. He stumbled into the living
room and slumped onto the sofa. As if suddenly remembering who she was, he
ordered her to serve him a drink.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maya rummaged through the cabinets in the kitchen and found
a bottle of rum. She anxiously poured some in the glass and brought it to her
husband. He took it roughly from her hands and before he could take a sip,
passed out on the sofa spilling the drink she had just handed him all over his
shirt, the sofa, and the carpet. The glass rolled down the soft carpet without
breaking, but empty of its contents.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next day Maya’s husband raped her. Unsure of what to do
after he had passed out, Maya had retired to the bedroom and had drifted off at
dawn after a tearful night. She woke with her husband’s hand on her arm in a
tight grasp. He grabbed her roughly and pulled her to him. She screamed in
shock and got a slap on her cheek in response. Her lip bled from while her
reddened ears pulsated with pain. It was over as soon as it had started,
leaving her in pain and her heart bleeding.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Days became weeks turning to months and Maya saw no way out.
He came and went as he please, expecting food and drink when he was home. Fear
gripped Maya and she performed to his bidding. In the first week she had
contemplated running away, but where would she go? Surely not to her aunt,
whose life would become hell if Maya went into her life again. In any case, her
uncle would send her back or call her husband. She had no one and nowhere. Her
current life offered her shelter and if she didn’t offend him in any way, her
life was normal.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He was rough in the bedroom but she closed her eyes during those
times and let her mind travel to the images of her parents. Even in those
vision she often was haunted by the blood ridden shirt of her father or the
heart wrenching scream of her mother. Those nights she stayed up late plotting
her escape while her husband snored next to her. Sometimes she reflected on her
life and its meaning. She thought of the downward spiral it had taken since the
tragic passing of her parents. The ten years at her aunt’s place were not ideal
but at least she had the freedom to go to school and the love of her aunt who also
shielded her from her uncle’s wrath, absorbing all his blows herself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ibyJphO3ACo/T0GNn2JAQvI/AAAAAAAAACg/OoNFT3T0NNIlSRhdGinK0X65rScsrScqACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/WP_000036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ibyJphO3ACo/T0GNn2JAQvI/AAAAAAAAACg/OoNFT3T0NNIlSRhdGinK0X65rScsrScqACPcBGAYYCw/s320/WP_000036.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She thought about the violence that shaped the direction of
her life and continued to do so. She was weakened, her spirit broken, she felt
abandoned by her parents to face the cruel world alone. Her tearless eyes
cried, her soul felt sorry for herself, her head fell in her palms, dejected.
Suddenly, her head jerked up, her dark, pupils dilated shifting from left and
right, as if she was possessed. Maya stood up and in the darkness felt her way
to the door.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Out on the street, a blast of cool air slapped her as she
stepped onto the sidewalk. Defying the blast, she walked head on, letting her
dark hair sway in its disheveled state. She picked up pace as her bare feet
jogged across the cool ground.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blind with tears, the salty liquid she hadn’t felt since
childhood, Maya ran on and on. The street was empty and she continued running,
toward a bright light, the beacon of hope at the end of a long, dark tunnel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maya opened her eyes to see whiteness greet her. A bright,
white light shone high above and she was mesmerized by its glow. She felt a
presence by her side, but couldn’t see its form. She felt an immense presence
of love, as if it were a solid thing that nestled her within, just like her
mother had held her on their last, fateful day together. Maya realized she was
not alone, that her parents and countless other forms who cared for her, loved
her, they all surrounded her. She was free at last.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p>The End</o:p></span></div>
</div>
BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-57937763149431166752017-10-09T19:51:00.000-05:002017-10-09T19:51:37.960-05:00Illusive Reality - Part 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8NSVVQpPzK4/UHtDW3VSQNI/AAAAAAAAAbM/m_K_hFeH94gXEJPu1f5sUodSriHuHs7gQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/WP_000234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8NSVVQpPzK4/UHtDW3VSQNI/AAAAAAAAAbM/m_K_hFeH94gXEJPu1f5sUodSriHuHs7gQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/WP_000234.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q20Mb6nHJ3E/UuUlfluS3vI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/7j9qPPLutHw4tTrrdQoUyRvXvKUUjqdpQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/WP_001361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="717" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q20Mb6nHJ3E/UuUlfluS3vI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/7j9qPPLutHw4tTrrdQoUyRvXvKUUjqdpQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/WP_001361.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q20Mb6nHJ3E/UuUlfluS3vI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/7j9qPPLutHw4tTrrdQoUyRvXvKUUjqdpQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/WP_001361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">One week after her birthday a young man came to the house
for dinner with her uncle. Aunt and niece prepared a hasty meal and visited
with their guest, who charmed the ladies. After he left, Maya’s uncle announced
that the wedding will be in a month. With that Maya’s fate was sealed. The
wedding was simple with only two guests in attendance – Maya’s aunt and uncle.
The groom either had no family or chose not to invite them. Her aunt stood next
to her through the quick ceremony, her head lowered as if she was afraid to
meet her niece’s eyes.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A21BGd97wAg/Ue12bKIv0TI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/o6Xvxu1QJa08GB2T7-xMlpsFgt5dKRNyQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_2871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A21BGd97wAg/Ue12bKIv0TI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/o6Xvxu1QJa08GB2T7-xMlpsFgt5dKRNyQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/IMG_2871.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7GtcgOSDzfA/U4Tt4ZsNPbI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/RValmohJkDM7l2Ekxiqatge5HKfjeKhfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/WP_20140518_18_22_37_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Maya followed her new husband to his apartment in the city,
100 miles from her only living relative. The car ride was smooth and silent.
From the corner of her eyes in the passenger seat, she studied her husband. He
was handsome in an odd way with point nose, sharp chin and a prominent Adam<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7GtcgOSDzfA/U4Tt4ZsNPbI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/RValmohJkDM7l2Ekxiqatge5HKfjeKhfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/WP_20140518_18_22_37_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7GtcgOSDzfA/U4Tt4ZsNPbI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/RValmohJkDM7l2Ekxiqatge5HKfjeKhfwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/WP_20140518_18_22_37_Pro.jpg" width="200" /></a>s
apple. In profile he appeared to be a man with sharp edges and defined
contours. What brought all his facial contours together into a handsome face
were his dark, dark eyes under l<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O-V7NmAW65A/ULvZoDynC-I/AAAAAAAAAeI/9cXbX_d0vbM3sqcENRjap03G2nrzea_cACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/BareTree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O-V7NmAW65A/ULvZoDynC-I/AAAAAAAAAeI/9cXbX_d0vbM3sqcENRjap03G2nrzea_cACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/BareTree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>ong, feminine lashes. With perfectly timed
blinks, his look charmed his companions. She was mesmerized under his look, but
his silence contradicted his warm eyes. She watched the wildflowers whizz by
and admired the cloudless sky that smiled down at her.</div>
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O-V7NmAW65A/ULvZoDynC-I/AAAAAAAAAeI/9cXbX_d0vbM3sqcENRjap03G2nrzea_cACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/BareTree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O-V7NmAW65A/ULvZoDynC-I/AAAAAAAAAeI/9cXbX_d0vbM3sqcENRjap03G2nrzea_cACPcBGAYYCw/s200/BareTree.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i>to be continued...</i></span></div>
BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-73294825444855374102017-10-03T21:38:00.000-05:002017-10-03T21:57:26.348-05:00Illusive Reality - Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Maya sat on her aunt and uncle’s porch in a rattan armchair.
She stroked the red velvet fabric of a tiny box on her lap, a gift for her 18<sup>th</sup>
birthday from her aunt and uncle, well mostly aunt. She let the seconds pass, a
firm grasp on the soft box, until she allowed her fingers to unhook the latch
and open. Inside, she found an exquisite set, an arrangement of diamonds and
emeralds on a necklace with matching, teardrop earrings. Tucked under the
sparkling lace, she found a note. Her aunt wrote that the set belonged to
Maya’s mother and she had loaned it to her. Maya picked up the delicate piece,
lacing it in her fingers as she brought it closer to her face. She smelled the
arrangement, as if hoping to pick up any lingering scent of her mother. But a
whiff of mangoes from the neighbor’s porch mudded her fantasy and she travelled
back to ten years ago. She tried many times to conjure up memories of her
parents, the happy years, but her mind never travelled past the day her life
altered forever. She couldn’t see past the blood splatter or feel beyond the
sticky liquid as her parents’ faces faded from her memory and numbness assailed
her heart. Even tears abandoned her as her crying eyes remained dry. In these
moments, desperate for tears, she felt her body stiffen and for several hours
she lost blood circulation in three of her fingers of her left hand. It always
returned to normal eventually, but she struggled to bring back feeling to her
cold digits.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5CATkRozRGc/Vq-tNcYTmFI/AAAAAAAAA_c/cIs0tXuaMGEMiXyZZbyJEnM7uR_PPj_kgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/WP_20151211_09_28_24_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5CATkRozRGc/Vq-tNcYTmFI/AAAAAAAAA_c/cIs0tXuaMGEMiXyZZbyJEnM7uR_PPj_kgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/WP_20151211_09_28_24_Pro.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Maya tried to evoke memories of the past decade, the years
in her aunts home, but there again she failed. A fog had taken hold of her. She
feared everything – her uncle’s loud voice, losing her aunt and even the train
that whistled past behind their house several times a day. She constantly felt
obligated to her uncle, for taking her in even though she could sense his
annoyance with her presence. Maya was quite sure that he didn’t know about the
necklace, otherwise it would have been sold years ago. Maya also lived with
perpetual guilt – for surviving while her parent perished, her mother taking
the bullet and Maya escaping it. Her guilt extended to her aunt, who fought
with her husband daily to protect her niece and suffered his wrath alone. His
anger boomed through their bedroom nightly and Maya noticed a new purple mark
on her aunt to outshine the fading ones. Maya chose to drift through her
tearless, finger numbing fog as the decade passed.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><i>to be continued...</i></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-79398793243307473752017-09-23T17:37:00.001-05:002017-09-23T17:37:53.581-05:00Illusive Reality - Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Frogs and cicadas colored the darkness with their music.
Maya sat on the swing on her porch, its squeaky staccato interrupting the
music of the darkness. She swung her short legs and swayed her body back and
forth to move faster. Her mother seated in a rattan chair next to her told her
to slow down, but Maya ignored her. She started a chant of the song she had
heard on the radio earlier that day, repeating the one line she knew, as if a
broken record needle, until it drove her mother to yell out, “Can’t you just be
still for a minute?” Maya stopped the singing and swinging, looked at her
mother and asked after her father. “He’ll be home shortly”, she responded as
she checked her wrist watch.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Just then her father’s car pulled up onto the driveway and
Maya jumped off her swing. When he got out of the car Maya stood in her place.
He was not alone. His hair was disheveled, a shirt tail untucked and his hands
held up to his shoulders, palm facing front, arms bent at the elbow.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Her mother grabbed Maya and enclosed her in her arms, as if
they were chain links to protect her within. Maya stared at the strange men who
were shoving their father from the back to move forward. Her father straggled
up the porch, mumbling, “Don’t hurt them” over and over. All three shuffled
indoors as the strange men followed close behind. A whiff of mangoes swam past
her nostrils as the bigger of the two men ran up the stairs. The smaller man
directed them to sit down on the floor in their foyer. Her mother burrowed her within
her folds, as a Kangaroo does to her young, with Maya’s tiny head sticking out
just enough to watch the scene unfold.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Maya noticed the shiny object the ugly man pointed at them
with an uglier hand scarred with burn marks. His other hand remained in his pant
pocket. His voice was raspy, as if it was a great strain for him to talk. The
man from upstairs shouted, demanding to know where the jewelry was. Her mother
said that there was nothing. He came down mad and yelled that they better not
be lying. He threatened to shoot them all. Her father swore they were telling
the truth, just like he had tried to tell them in the car, that they didn’t
keep any valuables at home. Now the ugly man got mad and pointed his gun to her
father’s head.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Maya shut her eyes tight as the shrill of sirens pealed
through their open window. In the midst of all that, she felt her house
reverberate with the man yelling, her father shouting at the man, “go ahead, do
it” and just as he did it, her mother let out a piercing scream. Maya opened
her eyes, but nestled deeper into her mother’s bosom trying to cover her ears
as she inhaled her mother’s familiar scent. Her eyes took in the bright red
splatter on her father’s wrinkled, white shirt, and the ringing in her ears wouldn’t
go away. And then another bang. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She felt
sticky liquid trickle down her back as her mother sat limp continuing to hold
Maya in her grasp. Maya’s eyes were now looking down the dark hole of a gun
barrel and she waited for another bang. Refusing to lose her eyes, she stared
right into the eyes of the gunman. His scarred eyelids blinked, hesitating for
a second. That second is all she needed as just then another blast and her eyes
closed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Maya felt no pain, no sticky liquid oozing out of her body.
She looked up at the ugly man and saw his eyes roll to the back of his head
before his legs gave way. He stumbled to the floor, his gun dropping beside
him. The big man tried to run up the stairs to escape the uniformed man behind
him, but they caught him by his legs and he stumbled down.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">To Be Continued<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cuT6e0KN4Gk/T0aLodQTSpI/AAAAAAAAACw/qk7P49QjRQAP1ceL8xw9nhNVhLzPNtpswCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/om.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="160" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cuT6e0KN4Gk/T0aLodQTSpI/AAAAAAAAACw/qk7P49QjRQAP1ceL8xw9nhNVhLzPNtpswCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/om.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
</div>
BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-75569069876531516672017-05-28T09:28:00.000-05:002017-05-28T09:28:49.784-05:00Ascension<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-siKTw6GPYYI/UHtDUoju9lI/AAAAAAAAAbE/rbSYhg2PQigp6dQ9GHVdbdqJkY-G1WuRACPcB/s1600/WP_000320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-siKTw6GPYYI/UHtDUoju9lI/AAAAAAAAAbE/rbSYhg2PQigp6dQ9GHVdbdqJkY-G1WuRACPcB/s200/WP_000320.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Words
give wings to my lips<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt;">To float
my thoughts to air<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt;">They merge
with songs of birds,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt;">or creatures
that screech, Beware!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S-4Td6-eRes/T6BFW2wuKdI/AAAAAAAAAFU/a6iuyWTkKZgfzx_k73TCT-oasiLAq82wQCPcB/s1600/DSCN3175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S-4Td6-eRes/T6BFW2wuKdI/AAAAAAAAAFU/a6iuyWTkKZgfzx_k73TCT-oasiLAq82wQCPcB/s200/DSCN3175.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Tears stream
from a blink<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Sorrow floods
the gates of despair<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Waves rush
to crash in earnest<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt;">To caution,
alert, shout, Prepare!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iaxYMwowaI8/UXb4cKNDuxI/AAAAAAAAAko/DvhXH05oKTUJ49yTvdMWizr7RsfjODwNQCPcB/s1600/523139_188139461304278_1404120966_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iaxYMwowaI8/UXb4cKNDuxI/AAAAAAAAAko/DvhXH05oKTUJ49yTvdMWizr7RsfjODwNQCPcB/s200/523139_188139461304278_1404120966_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Fear opens
doors to darkness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Heedless
in its path that’s unclear<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Trees and
birds whisper unnerved<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Spare us,
save our Biosphere!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Desperation,
a conduit for collaboration<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt;">For an
outpouring of devotion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt;">A surge
of dedication<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt;">To some
resolution<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Or a
Revolution!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f9SaaMlHey0/T6BE1u62CQI/AAAAAAAAAE8/sw15pHDGm5MTdhYY9hGVrq-MPrCL-OdwgCPcB/s1600/DSCN3192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f9SaaMlHey0/T6BE1u62CQI/AAAAAAAAAE8/sw15pHDGm5MTdhYY9hGVrq-MPrCL-OdwgCPcB/s320/DSCN3192.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
</div>
BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-17366011685206373972017-03-29T16:21:00.000-05:002017-03-29T16:21:11.277-05:00Our Mother - Re-posting in response to recent Climate Change Policy Changes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In loving memory of
Mother Earth --<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">it lies in ashes beneath
the Sun’s hearth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The negligent dwellers
are all gone:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">No one left behind to
mourn,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">once our mother was lush
green<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">sky so blue and oceans
gleaming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lWRCjgO_37A/T1I37exQg_I/AAAAAAAAAC4/jhhWbKEExIEDVz_yqWWTevQ_ETFGsDcjwCPcB/s1600/burningearth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lWRCjgO_37A/T1I37exQg_I/AAAAAAAAAC4/jhhWbKEExIEDVz_yqWWTevQ_ETFGsDcjwCPcB/s1600/burningearth.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">First, the trees were all
cut off;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">then the air filled with
constant fog,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">and waves rose to cover
all land with a frown<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">and the polar ice caps
melted and slid down<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">the inhabitants looked to
the womb,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">but all that lay there
was their tomb;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">in desperation they looked
up to the sky --<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">rockets or wings, they
could not fly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Our dear Mother wept for
her children --<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">rain clouds poured for no
less days than eleven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Now that all the water is
gone,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">evaporated away with no
ozone,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">the stark land remains
parched and bare</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">and life in any form is
hopeless, no one left to care.</span></div>
</div>
BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2511065630313483015.post-14671923789418564842017-03-05T13:32:00.001-06:002017-03-05T13:32:40.661-06:00Jazz and His Purpose<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Our dear Jazz spent almost 10 short years with us of
playfulness. What was his purpose?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1A_IKC1Tmc4/VtmiQaqpESI/AAAAAAAABAI/VDzyYsxyjZgLbNu_jF3NJ0kF6lFZltlcACPcB/s1600/JazzHandsome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1A_IKC1Tmc4/VtmiQaqpESI/AAAAAAAABAI/VDzyYsxyjZgLbNu_jF3NJ0kF6lFZltlcACPcB/s320/JazzHandsome.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">He taught us to take long walks and to notice all that
surrounds us. We began to appreciate nature, learned to capture its beauty with
our camera and became one with our earth. We sniffed the fresh morning breeze
or the dense afternoon air which carried fragrances of the new blooms or stench
of decomposing roadkill or passing car exhaust. We heard the cardinals sing and
owls hoot as we walked through the woods or neighborhoods, because of Jazz.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">He disciplined us to step outside, go on regular walks,
rain or shine. We began to appreciate the raindrops and hopped, skipped and jumped
over puddles. We trudged through deep snow or admired our paw prints in the
fresh dust of snowy path. We soaked in the scorching heat as the high noon Sun
flared and glared down at us shining us from inside. We felt the breeze caress
our skin and flow through our hair as it embraced us with its cooling and
refreshing elegance.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uIRiJswL7yk/Vtmhv-f7bdI/AAAAAAAABAE/1EcWuciz_3wrF7iqJCgMKEI6fKB3-9YlQCPcB/s1600/JazzMspDec2015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uIRiJswL7yk/Vtmhv-f7bdI/AAAAAAAABAE/1EcWuciz_3wrF7iqJCgMKEI6fKB3-9YlQCPcB/s200/JazzMspDec2015.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Thanks to Jazz, we stopped to marvel at the dew drops on
grass blades or droplets frozen in midair as they hung like jewels from the
maple. We revered the morning frost as it dusted its soft white elegance on
green and yellow lawns. Our respect for black ice and large frozen chunks of
ice sheets on the walkways helped us look at its beauty beyond its threatening
danger of the chilling fall.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Jazz’s desire to stop and sniff at every bush or tree, a
fallen object of unusual shape and size allowed our eyes to notice all that we
would have passed by without a thought. We would have missed the beauty of fire
ant colonies in their perfect shaped mounds, the speed of the albino squirrel
as it scurried up the tree, or even an empty plastic water bottle on the
sidewalk that Jazz chose to pick up and carry between his teeth to bring it
home so we could place it in the recycling tub. He found fallen twigs and
branches, short and long, and carried them home as if to build a nest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-axR4VbiDyqc/VtmhL5CxpaI/AAAAAAAAA_8/oULzFURRRY8F0GeYhlMnCdheggzlJ6OIgCPcB/s1600/DSC_3557A%2B%2528002%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-axR4VbiDyqc/VtmhL5CxpaI/AAAAAAAAA_8/oULzFURRRY8F0GeYhlMnCdheggzlJ6OIgCPcB/s200/DSC_3557A%2B%2528002%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">His pure joy and elegance in the thrill of the chase,
whether he was chasing bunnies or was playing being chased by another dog at
the dog park, taught us to be free of inhibitions and run for the thrill of it.
His prance and frolic gave us courage to follow his cue as we paraded through
the streets with our pride and joy that was Jazz.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I take a big long stretch every morning before stepping out
of bed and I learned that from Jazz. Every cell in my body is awake and
energized with this stretch and I’m ready to face a new day refreshed, even if
it is a day without Jazz.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jD6rqa4sg8U/VtmhkB_7-VI/AAAAAAAABAE/UpJe0ELSB3gojtfPsk9dVGFllej6_rqfQCPcB/s1600/funnyfaceJazz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jD6rqa4sg8U/VtmhkB_7-VI/AAAAAAAABAE/UpJe0ELSB3gojtfPsk9dVGFllej6_rqfQCPcB/s200/funnyfaceJazz.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A year has gone by without his presence in his physical
form, but we know he is stardust and has mingled with our surrounding. He is
with us, around us and continues to serve his purpose of reminding us to stay
on the path of living for the day and appreciate the little things in life. He
taught us to use each and every sense that our body is gifted with and to wake
the inner sense that is elusive and enigmatic.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Thank you Jazz for your wonderful 10 years with us and I
know you are now helping others learn the same in a variant form, yet continue
to be with us in the form of some of your particles.</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>In memory of our dearest friend on this 1 year anniversary (March
4<sup>th</sup>) when his body ceased to be in the form we recognize him. Our
love to you for always and beyond.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
</div>
BelaBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01141125673637818634noreply@blogger.com1