Are We Puppets To The Gods?

Are we puppets having another, or others, pull our strings?

Everyone uses God as if He is the "end all - be all" of everything. As if He, or others, are manipulating us 24/7.

Is He? Are they? Are these reasons, once upon a time, now turned into excuses?

What if God said to stop fighting and get along? Would we?

I sincerely doubt it.

What if God said to do the opposite of what we're doing? Would we obey?

Probably not.

That's how strong our ego can be ... how strong it's become. Whatever the truth may be, the buck stops with us. Unless we know without a doubt, we should stop blaming, or giving credit, where it shouldn't be and put it where it belongs.

Puppets or not, we mortals will suffer for the curse, just as we will reap the rewards for the miracle.

Maybe that's God's plan all along ... to empower us. Empower us ... empower Him.

As you sow, so shall ye reap?

Makes sense to me.

Empowerment means owning not pointing ... removing addictions ... removing obsessions ... removing the ties that bind us. It means standing on our own ... even if that means an ocassional support from another. After all, we're humans ... not puppets. 

It's time to cut the strings.

Ludicrous!

To believe that God (or any other name you wish to use for our Creator) wants people to suffer is ludicrous! 

Death and suffering is for the glory of God?

Ludicrous!

Arrogance and indifference to our past creates our now ... creates our suffering. Not God! It's not His will ... it's our will. 

How do we know if God has a better plan?

We listen.

We suffer due to not listening ... not obeying wisdom.

It's no different than a parent warning a child they could get hurt, or worse, if they don't stop running around obstacles.

You don't pay attention ... you fall down and get hurt.

What does the parent say after they pick the child up to comfort them: why didn't you listen ... why didn't you obey?

Why didn't we?

Listening now?

My Miracle Worker Mom

I saw this Internet meme called "my mom was a miracle worker" and was going to share it but I was inspired to write about my mom instead. In my humble opinion, she was everything this meme stated and more.

 

A miracle worker and a super mom.

 

Yes, that was my mom. The mom I saw and knew as a child. Many things my younger siblings may not remember because dad eventually retired from the military and his civilian life afforded more for them as the older kids moved out.

 

It started out with me, the oldest, to eventually eight kids at home. Living on a Navy allotment check, while many times our dad was stationed away from home, using what little money she had to feed and clothed all of us. She didn't have a driver's license and relied on neighbors or walking to neighborhood stores.

 

She used all of us to chip in and help so she had a near spotless house, making us clean up our messes, which taught us discipline and respect, because we had to take care of what little we had.

She didn't want us to ever feel we were deprived or unloved in any way because children elsewhere were more deprived and unloved and we should never forget that. Her words taught us to appreciate and to be humble.

 

She loved us even when we were more mad at ourselves but wanted to take it out on her. Pushing her to many breaking points with our whiny demands knowing she couldn't do more than she did but being a brat was more important than being reasonable. 

We learned that misbehaving brought on disciplinary actions. She couldn't always say, wait until your father gets home. Especially if he was shipped out somewhere like Italy and we had to wait to go over there, or Vietnam where we couldn't go at all.

 

She was constantly solving all our problems and minor battles, with siblings or our friends. She was either wiping all our noses, checking for fever, or bandaging our cuts and bruises; sometimes rushing us to the hospital by using a neighbor, if dad wasn't home.

This is one of my favorite pictures of her in the summer of 1965 because I took it. We were living in Virginia Beach at the time but shortly afterwards we moved to San Diego where dad was shipped immediately to Vietnam for his first tour of duty there. Not bad for having eight children at the time of the photo ... ranging from seventeen (me) to the twins who were five years old.

Yes, my mom was one hell of a mother. I can only hope I am at least half the woman she was. I know I had it much easier so it's really no comparison. I'm sure I didn't have to work miracles as she did. 
  

1927-1997

Taboo: Politics, Religion and Sex

Taboo: forbidden, not talked about.

I remember being in my high school study hall in 1966 and a few students around me got into a discussion about religion. Someone asked me a question about my religion but I didn't have an answer.

Another student asked that we changed the subject. He told us he didn't like talking about his three major taboo topics because it normally invoked an argument, if not worse.

Curious to know, we asked him what were the three things he didn't like to discuss.

He said: politics, religion and sex.

Sadly, it seems some things never change. Throughout history we have had major judgments and wars with these subjects. Amazingly, we respected his wishes to change the subject. I just wish more people were this understanding and polite today. 

Why do we still have to be so barbaric?

We have internet friends who become internet enemies over these topics. 

It's amazing how we chat and laugh but when the "taboo" subjects arise the disrespect begins ... via abusive and vulgar name calling, hateful maligning, snide innuendos, and distorting facts. The only difference from our past, is we hide behind computers for safety as people mentally terrorize others. 

Yet, it still creates wars that causes loss of lives and property. For what? To prove something? Will we take that proof into eternity ... next lifetime? Did our ancestors?

Makes me wonder if our prejudices will eventually be removed by creating a world of no politics, religion and sex, among other prejudices, in order to remove arguments and wars.

Makes me wonder if hate will eventually destroy our planet because we couldn't remove our prejudices.

Makes me wonder if we didn't learned from our ancestor's history, when will we learn.

Makes me wonder.

Encouragement

I don't think I've ever mentioned my grandmother's encouraging words she said to me one day, so I thought it might be a good time to share them. It was a timely and loving message because of what I was experiencing then. 

 

I was depressed and under psychic attack, which I wrote about in my true story book: Great Flame Within. She showed up one morning and told me to get up, get dressed and put my make up on. Telling me that if I looked good, I'd feel good. She didn't leave until she knew I was doing what she said. She was like that ... loving yet stern ... so I did what she suggested. 

It's still how I feel today: I feel better when I look better.

 

Even if it's only a "psychological" thing, it worked and I was so glad for her help that day. It's why I do what I can to encourage people, because of her and others who have helped me.

Also, you might want to know this too, she was a spirit at the time. She had crossed over in 1977 and this occurred in the early nineties. I say "at the time" because I discovered that she incarnated some time ago.

 

Maybe one day I'll share other insightful help that I've received from my other spirit relatives but today it's for her. Well, maybe one other from my grandpa, her husband, also a spirit when he told me, around the same time, to stop wearing liquid makeup so my face would stop breaking out. I did and it did. :-)

 

Anyway, thanks grandma. I'm sure you realized that your words helped put me on a better path that morning, along with all the encouragement you gave me afterwards. I love you.

 

 

Irene M. (Jenks) Jones 

 1893 - 1977     

Tolerance and Compassion

I just don't understand the hypocrisy of some people with their guilt-trip memes of "please have compassion for whatever cause" or have tolerance to whatever cause," etc., but when it's negated in anyway, for whatever reason, they unfriend or ostracize.

Because a flaw was presented for discussion?

Even when I share my personal experiences, done with kindness, I've been met, at times, with such anger and hostility that's it's shocking. I've questioned myself many times: where did that come from?

Did they not understand that by sharing their idea, even if it's a meme, it may reap contradiction?

Is it the mentality of: you don't agree with me so you must not be my friend?

I think: hmmm, where's the tolerance and compassion now?

Many times, I choose not to say anything because my intuition tells me it will be met with hate and prejudice. Sometimes I venture forward, hoping I won't get blasted for sharing my feelings. It still happens because I know I'm dealing with their prejudices.

They're not open to suggestions.

They only want compassion and tolerance ... not give it.

Yet, shouldn't social media help with perspectives, to see another side to a situation, open doors to our minds, so we're not left with just our thoughts ... just our opinions?

Many times I've said: ah-ha, I never thought about that -- or -- thanks for sharing.

As a Facebook friend said once: It's important that we have a free discussion on topics like this. Solutions are possible when thinking people exchange ideas and not fists.

Compassion and tolerance shouldn't be lip service. We don't have to agree with everything everyone does or says. No one should expect that. However, if we shut the door to another's opinion, we may close off our minds to a deeper self-awareness, or internal growth, because of something that is triggered within us.

If I don't necessarily agree, I politely leave the conversation or don't choose to get involved, especially if I see hate. To each their own. However, a few times of practicing compassion and tolerance, by not unfriending someone, I saw a dramatic change in opinions ... an awakening within both sides. Mutual understanding and respect bloomed.

It's not about sides. Tolerance and compassion is about understanding and respecting ... or trying to.

Sadly, it isn't always to be though. If they're stalkers and vulgar haters, then sure ... delete and block ... for peace of mind ... for self-respect.

I do what I can to be respectful ... agree to disagree. Move on and away. But as long as people are being polite in sharing their opinions, to unfriend them or send invisible daggers through the universe is immature.

It's also intolerant and lacks compassion.

Immigration: Compassion vs Wisdom

The current immigration news is nothing new to America's history. What's new is the media coverage of it is more widespread, including outside our country. Also, fairly new is the countries that are lying to their people that our doors are always opened.

Illegally?

This current anger and hate isn't new either. Doing genealogy helped me understand ancestral history. A lot of nations fled persecution and starvation ... coming to America to seek help but were still persecuted once they arrived ... and most came legally. In the past, we have had English, Irish, Chinese and Puerto Ricans, Japanese as well as Cubans, Haitians, Mexico and Central/South American ... just to name a few of the very many. Along with the indigenous and their persecution due to immigration.

Cultures as well as religions sought freedom here but all had their fair share of problems once they arrived. We are a multicultural and multi-religious nation living under one nation's laws. This can create a multitude of emotional turmoil.

However, what once was doesn't mean it has to be the same, especially when times have changed along with different circumstances since the poem was placed on the Statue of Liberty in 1903. The poem was certainly not meant as an open invitation to go against our nation's immigration laws or as a club to beat us into submission.

Wisdom and reason are important to sustain and not destroy. That's why all countries promote legal immigration ... ALL ... to hopefully maintain financial stability within its framework.

Anyone's who's ever had to make or live under a budget will understand this.

That would be no different then having one person move in your home, but one isn't enough, let's make it two, three or twenty. Eventually we may become unable to sustain ourselves, much less others that are within our home that we are required to now provide for, including medically ... especially if they are not employable and cannot help out financially ... especially if we get sick and lose our ability to provide as well.

Even if it's not completely failsafe, we put borders up the same way we put houses up ... for protection against invasion. So we can hopefully feel somewhat secure with our possessions and the protection of our family.

It's easy for some people to judge because they're not living it or never lived it. Hypocrites who are living in their fanatical fantasies ... seeing only one side to a situation. Possibly reacting to the emotional fear of others who are desperate ... reacting to those emotions as if they are their own. Owning them because they are unaware that their emotions don't always have borders to protect them against unreasonable and subjective thinking.

Furthermore, it's easy for any person, city or country to suggest that someone else take care of people, especially when their resources aren't involved. Placing guilt trips on others with internet memes to provoke compassion while removing themselves of any personal involvement. 

Want me to open my heart? Then open your purse. 

If we kept allowing people to use our compassion against us, we would be the fools for allowing our destruction.

Destruction of a country.

Destruction of a city.

Destruction of ourselves.

Trickle trickle trickle ....

Forgiveness vs Permission?

I had an ah-ha moment the other day.

 

I was taught by my spiritual teachers to ask permission before doing certain metaphysical things in the universe.

 

Basically, it's a way to see if the coast is clear ... no road blocks ahead. If there are road blocks, we need to see what they are and to make sure the road blocks weren't there for a major reason or if they have served the purpose but now they need to be removed. Also, by removing them, to verify any unseen events that could lead to any disaster ... for one or more. Kind of like removing a road warning "bridge out" sign and not verifying whether or not the bridge was still out.

 

In my ah-ha moment, I was watching a movie and this guy said: It's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission.

 

I thought: that was odd. Until I gave it more thought and then it made a lot of sense to me. 

It was logical.

 

One example: dealing with a road block that has been stubbornly placed on a path which may no longer serve a purpose. Maybe the bridge had been repaired but someone didn't want the road to be used. Removing this road block may take a stronger will that sees a brighter purpose for all and not just a selfish single one. By removing the road block, someone's feelings may get hurt, but not removing it could lead to more hardship for others.

 

Removing it, without permission, may bring about the need to say: I apologize and would hope you understand that this is not just for you; it had to be done for the good of many. In doing so, hopefully, it will sooth the ego and prevent people from behaving as if they had no compassion in anything that was done. 

 

However, accepting an apology or even offering one seems to be a difficult thing to do for numerous reasons. Sadly, I see this constantly as I watch the daily news. So much anger in the world, as well as arrogance, but little forgiveness.  

Anyway, it still makes sense to ask permission, whenever possible, as I was taught. Yet, I can see where asking forgiveness may be equally necessary.

 

I wonder if it's possible to ask permission to have more forgiveness in the world?

 

Meditation: Blending Knowledge and Wisdom

Without wisdom, knowledge is either useless or destructive. - Unknown

Many times, when asked, I've explained the importance in the need to calm one's energy to many who are so wired and out of control but say they are looking for answers.

 

It's so bad, sometimes, that I'm concerned their brain will explode due to the static of depression, hate or confusion going through it. Yet, they won't listen because they know everything about everything. Wired with self-indulged intelligence, yet lacking the importance of wisdom that would help them in many areas.

 

Many times, they're too impatient for answers because the answers have to be now and waiting, apparently, isn't an option. Or, they may not like the answers that will calm them due to the negative feelings they prefer to maintain ... the only side they wish to see.

 

Learning to meditate not only helps calm one's energy but to balance knowledge and wisdom. When one is too impatient the results are going to remain unbalance and many times disastrous.

 

This is one reason we have internal strife which bleeds into our external conditions ... the people around us. It's so much easier to point fingers instead of looking within or seeking a higher guidance.

 

It's been my biggest wish that it was mandatory to teach meditation in our public schools. Taught by teachers who know how and have the wisdom to guide correctly.

 

Of course, I'm reminded of something my mom used to say: discipline begins in the cradle. She meant a good foundation starts at an early age.

 

Some countries seem to understand this already ... maybe one day America will too.

 

Dual Loyalty Suffering

Dual loyalty is loyalty to two separate interests that potentially conflict with each other. These loyalties have been known to cause hurt, frustration, anger, separation, battles, and death. 

Especially when picking a side.

~~~~~

Examples...

Being loyal to the country one resides and being loyal to the country where one was born.

Being loyal to one's spouse and being loyal to one's child.

Being loyal to one's faith and being loyal to one's government.

Being loyal to facts and being loyal to fantasy.

Being loyal to one's father or being loyal to one's mother.

Being loyal to one's friends and being loyal to oneself.

Being loyal to a patient's health and being loyal to insurance that dictates coverage and paying.

Being loyal to one's job because of a paycheck and being loyal to one's desire to be free.

Being loyal to one's intuition and being loyal to one's mind.

~~~~~

Have you experienced any form of dual loyalty? This was a few scenarios that came to my mind.

The thing about dual loyalty is what it can create. It's a main reason why we suffer ... why our world suffers.