Composers in the old days used to keep strictly to the base of the theme, as their real subject. Beethoven varies the melody, harmony and rhythms so beautifully.
Straight-away the ideas flow in upon me, directly from God, and not only do I see distinct themes in my mind’s eye, but they are clothed in the right forms, harmonies, and orchestration.
Those who enjoy their own emotionally bad health and who habitually fill their own minds with the rank poisons of suspicion, jealousy and hatred, as a rule take umbrage at those who refuse to do likewise, and they find a perverted relief in trying to denigrate them.
Each problem we control takes us one step closer to self-mastery.
Sri Harold Klemp – The Spiritual Life
We all have problems from time-to-time. Some are simple nuisances, while others can stick around for a while.
Relationship problems, financial problems, physical problems, and even spiritual problems. Problems, problems, and even more problems.
What I have discovered over the last few years, is that problems are defined by us. What we consider a problem, may not be an issue at all for someone else. Think about one of the problems you currently define as a problem. Is it really a problem? Or is it something that is specific to you?
How do we solve problems? We research to find the answer, trying to see if someone else has run across the same thing and use their solution. We go to an expert that we pay to solve our problem for us. We pray, meditate, or contemplate the problem to see what it is trying to teach us. When it comes to relationships, we could meet with a counselor of some sort, we could talk to other people about the person we are having trouble with, or we could change ourselves to accommodate the other person. Or, we could sever the relationship.
Problems usually can be avoided by certain practices. We can avoid most health problems by simply taking care of ourselves through diet, exercise, and rest. Some physical problems cannot be avoided. We will all get old. Since we are living longer, we have more time to develop cancer, lose our teeth, get Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease, or suffer from Dementia. Women all experience menopause in their senior years. These are problems that are unavoidable. They will come and we will have to deal with them. When it comes to these types of health problems, we simply have to adapt to them. We cannot avoid them, but only adjust our lifestyles to them.
We can avoid most financial problems by paying attention to our bank accounts and not overspending. We can save our money, invest, and plan for future problems, like medical bills, and other unforeseen issues.
We can avoid relationship problems by keeping our word and doing what we promise, listening, and keeping our nose out of other people’s business. Do not impose your thoughts and ideas or jump in to help unless asked. Many people do not want advice or help. They simply want to be listened to.
Relationship problems are normally past karma that has to be worked off in this lifetime. Sometimes, we simply have to give up our ego, and make amends. Other times, it is best we simply rid ourselves of the person, particularly if they have betrayed us. Once trust is lost, the relationship is over in my book. Others, like children, or other relatives tend to be more persistent. But, like other relationships, if abuse or betrayal is involved, there is no ethical reason a family member needs to remain in your life. If you have an abusive parent or sibling, simply move away or avoid them altogether.
My wife has an in-law that is always insulting and demeaning to her whenever they meet. Her daughters love their grandma, but my wife simply will not tolerate that anymore. So, she simply severed the relationship. She does not try to inhibit the daughters from meeting with nana and doing things with her, but my wife will not associate with her anymore. Problem solved.
Here’s a short video by Sri Harold Klemp about Divine Creativity and solving problems:
Many have written entire books about solving problems. You can find hundreds of them online or in your local bookstore. Think about what God is trying to teach you, when a problem arises. Is it because you did something to cause it? Was it something someone else did? Is it karmic in nature? Each problem is rooted somewhere by a cause–one of our own making or one of someone else’s. Regardless, there is always a solution. When one door closes, another one opens.
The cure for all the ills and wrongs, the cares, the sorrows, and the crimes of humanity, all lie in the one word ‘love’. It is the divine vitality that everywhere produces and restores life.
You find yourself refreshed in the presence of cheerful people. Why not make an honest effort to confer that pleasure on others? Half the battle is gained if you never allow yourself to say anything gloomy.
You find yourself refreshed in the presence of cheerful people. Why not make an honest effort to confer that pleasure on others? Half the battle is gained if you never allow yourself to say anything gloomy.
There are all kinds of songs, stories, and poems about being young forever. You can have it.
I was thinking about turning the dial back earlier this week, but then I started thinking about all the things I’ve learned. Yeah, it would be interesting to go back knowing all I know today, but frankly, I enjoy my life as it is. I don’t want to go through puberty again. I don’t want to go through high school again. They were great times, but I like my life the way it is now.
Yeah, the joints creak, and when I wake up it is harder to get out of bed, but I truly enjoy my age.
I enjoy the wisdom I’ve gathered. I enjoy the skills I’ve cultivated over time. I still enjoy learning new things. I enjoy great movies, great music, great writing, and good comedy. I enjoy video games of all types.
I was born without computers, without a cell phone, and without television. We got a TV when I was 6. It was black and white, but boy was it great, once we got it. Now that I am spoiled by streaming services, GPS on my phone, email, and all the other great things we have access to,
I get to play video games in 3d, with a realistic soldier, fighting other people who are playing realistic soldiers. I would not give that up to return to my tech-less youth. So, I think I’ll stay old.
I’ll stay old because I have memories good and bad that I like to revisit from time-to-time. I’ll stay old because of the many friendships I’ve made and the wonderous adventures I had in the Army. I’ll stay old because I’m happy and enjoying the hell out of life.
When we hear the name Confucius, we envision an old wise man. Although he was alive centuries ago, many still study him and his works. Here is his Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucius
I hope you enjoyed the short video and Wikipedia page. Confucius lived over 2,500 years ago. He still has an mpact on the world we live in today.
For me, comedy starts as a spew, a kind of explosion, and then you sculpt it from there, if at all. It comes out of a deeper, darker side. Maybe it comes from anger, because I’m outraged by cruel absurdities, the hypocrisy that exists everywhere, even within yourself, where it’s hardest to see.
The late Robin Williams is still one of my favorite comedians. His death was tragic, but you never know what is going on in someone else’s life. Here’s a link for more information about Robin William’s life and career. He was taken away from us too soon. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Williams
For those of you who have never had the privilege of seeing Robin Williams in action, check this out:
Have a great Wednesday, folks. Let’s not forget the absolute genius of one of America’s greatest comics.
Adopt responsibility for your own well-being, try to put your family together, try to serve your community, try to seek for eternal truth… That’s the sort of thing that can ground you in your life, enough so that you can withstand the difficulty of life.
Jordan Peterson is an educator, public speaker, and has many hours of his lectures on YouTube. Here’s his Wikipedia link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Peterson If you’ve never watched his lecture series on Personality and Maps of Meaning, you are definitely missing out.
Let us not forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most important labor of man. When tillage begins, other arts will follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of civilization.
Do your job. Do it the best you can. Do it right, because somebody, sometimes your best friend, is waiting for you to screw up so she can take your place.
Dancers are always striving for perfection. A great dancer never achieves it: you always want to do another turn, a higher jump,a more difficult acrobatic jump.
I have spent the greater part of my life in a hotel room with seven or eight kids, looking after everyone, sorting out fights, wiping noses, handing out towels, not having a clean towel left for me.
I did not know who Abby Lee Miller was until today. Here’s here Wikipedia link to learn more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abby_Lee_Miller What a colorful life she has led. I hope you enjoy learning about her.
As a spiritual exercise, take yourself into a larger room. For example, if you have a desire for self-discipline, leave the room of self-discipline that you’re in. Go down the corridor, and go into another room. This room will be larger. It will be much larger. Just live within the awareness that you want to be in this room of more self-discipline. Then let the Holy Spirit, the ECK, bring about the changes in your life that will accompany such a resolution.
Sri Harold Klemp – Truth Has No Secrets
This is a really neat spiritual exercise if you are lacking discipline in any area of your life. This is a technique you can use, regardless of religious background. This is a quote from the daily inspiration page of the ECKANKAR website. Here’s the link if you’d like to get access to these daily quotes. I visit each day: https://www.eckankar.org/engage/daily-inspiration/
I use this technique for a multitude of things. Things like focus, discipline, or even open-mindedness. If you try this and it works, stick with it. You can create anything you like for yourself. We all have this ability. It is not dependent on intelligence, wealth, good looks, or any of that. You simply close your eyes and visualize a better life for yourself. Once you do this for a bit, you’ll start getting ideas or epiphanies that will guide you.