Hopeful Thinking

     This is truly my favorite question to ask people of all ages. I don’t ask it to be cute. I’m curious, of course. I’m always fascinated by learning about what fascinates others. But there’s much more to the point of my asking the question: What do you want to be when you grow up? I like the new synapse it likely creates in people’s brains when a question that is probably a new thought for them is posed. Especially if they’re already a grown-up. For that’s exactly what a new thought or idea does. It actually creates new structures in our brain. The more a new synapse is reinforced by repetitious thinking, the more strength an idea has for us. This phenomenon can be used for both good and bad, of course. Society convinces us all the time that our value to the world has a limited shelf life. Western culture does not revere the wisdom of age as it should. But I say, if you’re not dead, you’re not done. I once knew of a woman in her 70’s who was attending l...

We should be radically curious about the spiritual beliefs of others. However, our goal shouldn’t be to change someone else’s mind. It should be to merely know them where they are. Plus, it’s a lot easier. I truly enjoy hearing about other people‘s religious beliefs. I am fascinated by how various people interpret the Ultimate Reality. I don’t instinctively feel any reason to disagree with them. It isn’t whether or not I agree with them that matters. I’m curious about them as people. I listen for all the places where our beliefs overlap and through those I shake their hand. PS. This works for politics as well. However, it definitely matters how one presents themselves in a religious discussion. Either they share their beliefs with me as a show-and-tell, or they declare them in such a way that they are trying to convince me to believe the same. I find it much easier to be curious about the former when I’m not defensive about the latter. It’s the difference between visiting a muse...

The Tribe Mentorship Project of Fitchburg Did you know that everyone’s skin is actually brown? Just different shades of it. Different hues and tones. We all have a pigment called melanin in our skin which creates the various depths of color. All of them, basically brown. With every passing generation, as we continue to emigrate from the lands of our ancestors, the planet genetically and culturally shrinks. Our complexions and features and traditions are blending even more quickly today than just a generation or two ago. Some are deeply afraid of this. Pray for them. Have you ever noticed that bi-racial children tend to receive the most attractive characteristics of each? I think there’s something beautiful and sacred to observe here. Something perhaps unexpected. Surprising. Unless, of course, you recognize that aesthetic beauty is partly what propels virtually any species. To me it’s a genetic validation of our spiritual desire to be with one another despite social...

I see no reason not to believe in ghosts. Some of what we see as “ghosts” are quite possibly intense energetic remnants of events imprinted upon the room or space where they occurred. As if the emotions of the original moment were so extreme they left a splatter pattern. Indelibly branded to the walls, the earth, even the air, replaying over and over like an old cassette tape. These are the ghosts some are sensitive enough to see. Different from those voices from the hereafter who dialogue with and advise the living through psychic mediums, these remnant ghostly apparitions we speak of are indicators of a phenomenon which also has a sacred application. What does it mean that humans might have the ability to energetically imprint the earth? To touch a mountain or a tree with such an intensity of emotion that you are literally never forgotten by them? So strong is the residue of your goodness, others passing by at later dates and ages might even see you standing there out of the...

Evander Holyfield vs Mitt Romney in a charity boxing match in 2015          Where do we draw the line? When is enough enough? Our human culture worldwide has been asking that question for about 10,000 years, roughly speaking. The first known slave revolts in history were questions along those very lines. When is my life worth more than this?          Century by century we have learned the path of asserting our inherent worth and dignity. Because that’s really what it’s all about. Step by step, decade by decade, humanity recognizing that it has value, recognizing that we are in charge of our own individual destinies, acknowledging that working together in peace will ultimately be more profitable than war. Civilization, for the most part, has already tipped the scales on awakening to the fact that we all deserve to be free. The numerical majority of this planet understands that every huma...

Hopeful Thinking - Saturday, July 21, 2018 - Feeling Fat and Worthy-ish             Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. That’s the advice. But you actually have to know how you would have them do unto you first. There’s a point to that. Knowing oneself is the cornerstone of all achievement. Everything, from making friends to building fortunes, rests on the degree of self-understanding we possess. It’s visible in the quality of our accomplishments, not the quantity.             We will attract what we think we are. We treat other people the same. If you think you are unworthy, then you will attract that. Your notice will attune itself mostly to things which support your deepest, truest opinions and you will gravitate toward them as proof of your belief. The same is true for all of us. We all see what we want to see and from that we make our assumptions. Our beliefs are founded entirely on our interpretati...

They say don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. It’s an interesting little maxim. Mostly about the inspection of teeth. Horses’ teeth give away their age. They become longer and more numerous the older they get. If someone gives you a horse, don’t look at their teeth right in front of the giver as if to question the value of their gift. The direct advice being given here is about offering courtesy, gratitude and respect toward the giver and not to question the value of their generosity. But the implication is deeper than just not being rude. I always pick up pennies on the sidewalk whether they are face up or face down. I believe in luck, sure, but a face down penny still pays the bills. Sort of. And if the universe is literally handing you money, don’t disrespect abundance by leaving it there. It sends a signal to your brain that abundance is for other people, not you. Ask and ye shall receive. Are you asking for abundance with your words as well as your actions? How about your th...