Things to Ponder this Holiday Season

Things to Ponder This Holiday Season

With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we often forget the important things in life. We lose our perspective on humanity and focus on the materialistic society we have unfortunately transitioned into.

This year, I have ten things for you to ponder and how their impact affects you and the world around you. If you do one thing this holiday season, pay something 'forward'. 

Five gifts that are priceless:

Gift the gift of life by giving blood.

Give the gift of hope by giving food.

Give the gift of joy by showing compassion.

Give the gift of prosperity by giving of yourself.

Give the gift of love by allowing love into your heart.

Five things you can never recover no matter how hard you try:

A stone after it's been thrown. 

A word after it's been said. 

An opportunity once it's knocked.

Time once it has ticked by.

A person once they pass away.

Take advantage of every opportunity, every occasion and every moment. To do something that makes humanity stronger, happier and richer because of who you are.

A PAGAN CHRISTMAS part 7

A PAGAN CHRISTMAS

part 7

Yule Log vs Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree has been a tradition in Christian homes for centuries, but it got it's start in Pagan times as a Yule Log. 

During the Winter Solstice, the Yule log was used as a focal point for celebration. It signified the fertility, eternal life. The Yule log was adorned with holly and candles and lit (similar to the Jewish Menorah). After the Yule tide season was over, the log would be burned to ensure no evil will or spirits would enter the home.

As Christianity took hold, the Pagan tradition morphed into today's Christmas tree.  While today's Christmas tree doesn't resemble it's grandfather the Yule log, the principal and usage is the same. Celebration of life, family, love and hope for the future.

Coping with Loss A Journey to Self Healing

September 11 2001


A day that needs no remarks really because everyone in the world recognizes that date for one reason or another. For me, that date came with a very high price; life.  The profound loss from that day has been at best a challenge to contend with. At worst, it reminds me of mortality and what has been left in deaths wake.


Sure, everyone will tell you that you have to go through all the stages of grief before you can truly heal, but what if you can't manage the stages? Anger seems to be the stage that staggers my progress of self healing. I'm angry that I wasn't there to save my friends. I'm angry that terrorists disrupted the lives of millions by becoming mass murderers. I'm angry that vengeance really didn't resolve any issue. I'm angry that I can't watch any of my 'military action' films without crying hysterically. I'm angry that family and friends that weren't affected by the tragedy don't understand emotional upheaval. Mostly, I'm angry that I was made to feel completely helpless and vulnerable.


So here it is 10 yrs later. Wow! I can't even fathom that 10 years have flown by without me even noticing. To me, it is still like it just happened. The nightmares are as vivid as reality. I struggle daily with feeling desolation and hatred. There hasn't really been any comfort for me. People have tried to comfort me in a myriad of ways but still the pain flows over me like a waterfall during winter thaw. 


Those who were lost, their lives have been forever marked with the black pen of murder. Their families left to continue their journey alone and with an unfillable void.  An annual memorial service reminds us all what transpired and what was lost but it doesn't change history. 


We will all eventually be able to move on, cope and heal but those of us who still struggle daily will always feel the anguish and yearn to turn back the clock to a happier time. My clock would be turned back so far that my life would not reveal itself to be anything like it is right now. That being said, I am who I am because of what has happened not in spite of it. 


"That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger", a quote that I've recited over and over again but absolutely without a doubt do not believe for a second. That which doesn't kill us, leaves us here to endure the death of others. 


To those that I have lost, I say, I miss you and love you always. To those who have lost, I say, you are never alone and you will always find a shoulder or tissue to cry into.


forever x eternity = infinity 

DAILY TIP NOV 16 2011

DAILY TIP NOV 16 2011

Consistency isn't always possible. Sometimes life events get in the way of being consistent. Coping with change is easier than fighting it. Embrace each day like it is your last!

The Special One..excerpt from 'Inside the Dragon's Heart'

THE SPECIAL ONE

Through the vastness of time

The heart seeks redemption

Broken and alone

Twisted and tormented by fate

No words to be spoken

No actions can be taken

Self-preservation by erecting walls

Closed off to all who would tread close

The days run into one another

The nights endless in their passage

Staring at an empty space across the bed

Once filled by a spark of love

Brutally stripped from your grasp

No amount of tears can cure

In silence always wondering why

Screaming out in agony inside the dreams

Gone from sight but not from mind

Only a marker to prove their existence

Flowers wither and constantly replaced

The void is irreparable

Life continues on

Memories urge the feet forward

Reminders of what had been

Take place of what should have come

A sullen anniversary

A visit to a somber place

Oh hallowed ground you stare into the heavens

Questioning how you deserved such anguish

Looking off in the distance

Searching for better days ahead

Survival is the priority

Carrying on beginning a new

Glimmer of a smile

Reflected from the sun’s warmth shining down

As if they guard your path

Allowing you the moments of contentment

Knowledge of a future reunion

Where your heart will finally be at peace

Gone by hardly forgotten

Life forever enriched by the special one

Sher …2002-08-05. (c)

A SIMPLE GOODBYE..excerpt from 'Inside the Dragon's Heart'

A Simple Goodbye

In the stillness of night

Tears flow like a tidal wave

From memories of a life gone by

Glancing over a marble stone

Reading the words over and over

Staring down at the wilted flowers

A simple goodbye not enough

Writhing hands and shaking flesh

Wishing fate had not wielded its hand

A portion of life ceases

Acceptance of past events and the road ahead

Not an ending but a new beginning

A transformation into a new entity

Angel eyes gazing down from above

Pain eases to a remindful hurt

Days slip into weeks into years

Marking anniversaries with tears and flowers

Passing on to next generations

A history of a life taken too quickly

A simple goodbye was not enough

Gone but never forgotten

Always in the heart forever in the soul

Missing you today tomorrow and forever

Sher B….2010-06-02 ©

DAILY TIP # 4

DAILY TIP # 4

Keeping a good sense of humor and knowing how to laugh at yourself and at situations is the key to a happy life. Everyone should have a good 'depends' moment every day. 

Depends moment = something that makes you laugh so hard that you pee your pants

DAILY PSYCHIC TIP # 3

DAILY PSYCHIC TIP # 3

Past life regression and understanding: Deja vu is your past life reminding you of a similar situation and how to deal with it

Weather and chronic pain

As many chronic pain sufferers can tell you, anything can be a trigger to set off a cascade of body aches, depression and a strong desire to find a small hole and hide away from the world.

For me, it's the weather that adversely affects my daily activities. My body is almost like a barometer, in that when the weather is going to change my body tells me immediately. The pain is unbearable and even my strongest of medications doesn't help. When the sun is shining and the temperature is moderate (65-75 degrees f/14-23 degrees c), the body aches ease a certain amount but that doesn't mean I still don't get flair ups during the summer. Cold, wet, and humid are villians and I don't even want to get started on what happens during snow season.

There is no perfect weather location to live because weather and chronic pain are just so unpredictable. As I stare out at the fall season hitting the west coast, I know my happy days are quickly coming to a close and the long painful winter season is approaching.

Arthritis, fibro, chronic pain syndrome and bad weather are really not good bed fellows.

But life goes on........