Lean.  I don't get a lot of sleep, but I love what I get.  I am a deep sleeper who has no trouble waking early.

It has been said that there are three types of business:

1 - My business
2 - Your business
3 - God's business

The only thing that I am unclear about is the future.  But that's none of my business.

My meditation practice focuses on the breath; it is something that I pay frequent and close attention to.  To me, breathing feels full; it feels intentional.

The questions that have made me UNeasy and UNcomfortable the last few days are listed below - with my corresponding answers.  I shared that I would need to let them simmer on the back burner for a while so that I could examine why I feel the UN...

July 3, 2009
Friday Five of the 4th of July
Would you have fought in the revolutionary war?
If I knew then what I know now ... probably not.  One of my goals is to integrate the knowledge that I have, with the life that I live.

July 4, 2009
What is your relationship to independence?
My relationship to independence is passionate.

This has become rather thought provoking (stirring the brain-pot furiously) for me this morning in light of the fact that we are all interdependent.

I need to let this one simmer in my "brain-pot" on the back burner for a while ...  Every person's answer that I read added another though-provoking ingredient to the mix.

And then today's question really brought it all home:

July 5, 2009
What are you thankful for?
It is easier for me to say what I am not thankful for ... nothing.

Every person, place, thing and experience that I have encountered is a thread interwoven into the fabric of my life's tapestry that adds color, nuance, depth and character.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Because we are all interconnected ...

Every single thing that we do--or fail to do--has a powerful ripple effect.  Incredibly powerful in that the consequences do not just extend outward, but travel back again, boomerang-style.

When I hurt you, I ultimately harm myself, my children, my grandchildren; and so on.
When I lie to you, I ultimately deceive myself, my children, my grandchildren; and so on.
When I steal from you, I ultimately take from myself, my children, my grandchildren; and so on.

Likewise, when I do something that is positive, uplifting, constructive and healing, something that is for the highest and best good, the same boomerang-style ripple effect comes into play.

Our thoughts and actions do not just effect us individually; they effect us collectively.  Our thoughts and actions do not just have a local effect; they are global in nature.

When I choose to be responsible for cultivating and maintaining my own personal healthy energy signature, it ultimately impacts you.  When others choose to neglect the cultivation and maintenance of their own personal energy signature, it ultimately impacts the rest of us.

This is where the UNease comes in ...

I see the questions regarding fighting in the Revolutionary War and my relationship to independence as completely related.   I do not feel that fighting--anything--is the answer.  When we provide people with the tools for success and teach them how to use them, we are creating opportunity for the highest and best good.  We have all heard the adage, "Give a person a fish and they eat for a day. Teach a person to fish, and they eat for a lifetime." 

Good, bad or in-between (i.e., illness, financial loss, being alone, etc.), when we are equipped, we can embrace whatever comes our way instead of fighting it.  We can welcome adversity; invite it to sit for a spell so that we can take the opportunity to learn from it.  Once the lesson is grasped, we can acknowledge the learning, ease our embrace and send it on its way.  A better person for the visit.  A better person individually, collectively, locally and globally.

My relationship to independence is passionate.

This has become rather thought provoking (stirring the brain-pot furiously) for me this morning in light of the fact that we are all interdependent.

I need to let this one simmer on the back burner for a while ...

Don't Know Much About Mythology
By Kenneth C. Davis

A good primer, this book is an entertaining and informative look at world mythology.  Each chapter is only a page or two in length which makes it an incredibly fast read.

Note: there is a bias toward Egyptian, Mesopotamian and European mythology.  The cultures of the Far East get little page time.

Do you celebrate the 4th of July?
Yes, we get together with friends for food and to watch fireworks. 

Which do you prefer: pasta salad, potato salad, cole slaw or apple pie?
Creamy cole slaw with celery seed.

Do you watch or read the news? (freedom is a global issue afterall)
I read the news.

Do you vote?
Yes.

Would you have fought in the revolutionary war?
If I knew then what I know now ... probably not.  One of my goals is to integrate the knowledge that I have, with the life that I live.