F = Viktor Frankl

Viktor Frankl MD, PhD survived three years in a Nazi concentration camp moving on to write 39 books and inspire people around the world. The Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist worked in the camps to help other inmates overcome their shock and grief to live through the experience.

Dr. Frankl was originally detained with his parents and wife, none of whom survived. Of his immediate family only his sister who had immigrated to Australia survived World War II. After his liberation from the camp in 1945, he went on to publish the best-selling book: From Concentration Camp to Existentialism in 1946; later the book would be titled: Man’s Search for Meaning.

Watch an interview with Viktor Frankl explaining the power of choice:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EIxGrIc_6g 

The Curtain

My gift to youth
Is just the truth

Life is raw
From what we saw

The war for oil
Rips the soul

From the chest
To claim the best

And leave the rest
Gone is the zest

To hunt for love
Pray to above

They sink in muck
Becoming stuck

In the lie
Wishing to die

Because what’s true
The real of you

Is still inside
And not behind

The curtain

Life Style

Always amazing to me is how some people choose to hold themselves back from happiness. The joy in life comes from living at the level you live. This is where happiness is found; when you live at the correct level for your actions.

This is a large topic because there are differences as we grow older, differences if we mature or stay immature. The differences impact the level of happiness we experience on a daily basis.

Innate to our human nature is the desire to be happy. Happiness is the proper state. When we are happy, we know this. People who experience unhappiness for a long period of time become depressed. Depression is a dysfunction. Even doctors realize that depression is something to be corrected. Although there are ways to correct depression and unhappiness that have long range effects rather than short term outcomes.

Happiness is the place where we realize that everything in life is just as it should be. We find ourselves smiling for no reason at all.

The question for people who realize they want to be happy and that at the moment they are not is how do we get happy, to this place of happiness? It is an inward journey but the journey happens when we practice principles and take action in our lives.

Moments on the Path of Solid Happiness: http://solidhappiness.com

Autumn Changes

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf's a flower. ~ Albert Camus

Perhaps it's programmed in our human DNA or just a coincidence but Autumn brings changes to our situation, to our psyche. Summer, a time of activity, productivity and fun draws to a close. Autumn is a time of harvest. Traditionally, we prepare for the winter.

Opportunity comes in the quiet moments of Autumn mornings. It provides time to reflect on our position and what we need to do to make it through another winter. Moments of reflection used to motivate bring us to new levels of understanding, work to enhance our experience of the Harvest.

Celebrations through the millennia include gratitude for the abundance we find, for the promise of a warm hearth and home through the cold months and for camaraderie we've found through our summertime actions.

Moving forward with the flow of the season cycle keeps the balance in our lives. Including those who would like to join us brings delight in new ways. Placing effort and energy toward the solutions puts the dilemma of the moment in perspective.

Life is the promise of new and wonderful things ahead.

Check out a new and wonderful project, Solid Happiness at http://SolidHappiness.com Click to the blog for a 10 second thought-of-the-day.

Water Wishes

Guardian water spirits bless each place they reside. People instinctually know that giving gifts to the water brings good back to them. Following that simple instinct is the reason for many places of open water, ponds and wishing wells are filled with coins and other gifts to the sprites, nymphs or deities.

Since ancient times, legends agree the blessings of the water spirits are truly worth making the wish and tossing the coin.

Celtic and Germanic people of Ancient Western Europe believed water was a gift from the gods, wells and waterways were sacred. Norse legend tells that Odin rode to Mimir’s Well to seek wisdom.

More recently, Saint Catherine is associated with wishing wells and wishing for a husband. Drop one coin with each line of the wish…

A husband Saint Catherine
A handsome one Saint Catherine
A rich one Saint Catherine
And soon Saint Catherine
Amen ;)

Whatever you wish for… wish well!

Value of Volunteering

The value of Volunteering in life is directly relational to the project to which we volunteer. Volunteering for a mandated number of hours has its value, perhaps to alleviate some penalty. This volunteering is good but it’s not out of desire to do good works, it’s from the desire to avoid penalty.

Volunteering as a responsibility to our community or out of desire just to be of service creates the most value because the motivation is positive to positive. The positive, not avoiding penalty plus the positive of the action creates a greater good.

Particular to this thought is the need for mentors, whether the mentorship within a business situation or for youth in the community. Mentors or Masters are necessary so society moves forward. If the new or young people to a trade or craft are always reinventing the wheel, we as society fail to move forward from our current status.

4H was introduced a little over a hundred years ago via the University Extension Services to help boys with growing crops and girls with canning produce. Since that time 4H has expanded into all areas of farm and animal husbandry as well as technology, science, art, crafts, public speaking, theater arts, and more.

I am privileged to mentor several girls through the learning process of quilting. This uniquely American textile art which was once part of most women’s creative outlet has waned in the last 50 years.

Recently, there has been increased interest in the art. With few mentors in the craft, I’m pleased to share the joy of creating beautiful and useful items.

It came to my attention that many volunteer projects are creating a difficulty by taking what was a paid position and making it a volunteer job or internship. I’m not taking anyone’s job by volunteering in this way. In fact, much of what was considered women’s work, aka unpaid, is just not done. The field is wide open to volunteer in what past centuries labeled as women’s work. These venues of volunteerism are still available, still necessary. They are the fabric of our society.

The fact is many of the ways in which our foremothers related with one another, supported each other and the greater society are just what we find lacking in today’s world. It could be considered nostalgic by the uncreative, but I beg to differ. The remnants of a once great textile industry are ready for resurgence but we need society to value the creation of hand-made items as well as the value the volunteers who pass on such knowledge.

4H is an excellent program for youth. It provides learning experience for young people in a many different fields of knowledge. It also provides the opportunity to share sports, crafts, gardening, animal and technological knowledge with the next generation.

http://www.4-h.org/

Rebellion

Revolt, uprising, insurgence, upheaval, mutiny, revolution, by any other name it’s still rebellion. For the most part, it doesn’t exist within my home. My spouse, my children and I pretty much get along, with disagreements, sure, but rebellion, no.

We, the parents haven’t created the environment from which our children wish to rebel. The dynamic has created an ever changing and interesting experiment in human development.

Old thoughts: As a youth growing up in a difficult household, I rebelled. While everyone said they were surprised, no one was surprised, there would have been something wrong if I hadn’t rebelled. The dynamics created in that house were of conflict, argument/debate, picking on and putting down. Rebellion was mentally healthy. How it all rolled out, maybe not so healthy. But I've done the work to put it in perspective and correct my errors.

New thoughts: When our three were little. I remember looking at each of them and thinking, I don’t want my children to have all that conflict in their lives that I had growing up. Then I had a thought: wouldn’t it be nice if we had a house where we got along, where we have love and mutual respect.

Matching my actions with my desired goal has provided a space for our kids to be kids without conflict. As young adults, they have a home that is not a battleground, so there is no reason to rebel.

Book Review: Life and Spirit in the Quantum Field

Title: Life and Spirit in the Quantum Field: spirit is real, feelings rule and other adventures in quantum life
Author: Doug Bennett
Publisher: Take Charge Books Brevard, North Carolina
ISBN: 978-0-9815818-1-1
357Pages, Soft Cover
Price: $19.99
Kindle: $8.99
http://dougbennettsquantumlife.com/

Life and spirit in the Quantum field begins with basic Newtonian philosophy the foundation of our current science structure then builds into Quantum mechanics. From quantum mechanic explanation and the workings of the quantum field Doug Bennett launches into scientific explanation of the unseen world usually the territory of the parapsychologists or religious clerics.

The building blocks of science concepts provide the equations to support the hologram which was an entirely new concept less than a century ago. Holograms are everywhere. How a hologram is and isn’t in time and space lends the mechanism to leap to the quantum field understanding.

The promise of a scientific revolution presents new possibilities for the remedy to the centuries old philosophic schism between the seen and unseen world. Measurable experiments show that light and life are intertwined. The ultra violet rays help the seed sprout. Without light the seed remains inert. Life as a quantum process explains how energy moves into the unseen world to spout the seed in the seen world.

In very scientific language, the practices of faith healing or intuitive experience are explained in quantum energy terminology which potentially can move the open-minded skeptic from their comfort zone into the provable yet scientifically denied realities.

Inner work or psychotherapy coupled with spiritual practice can heal the subconscious to align the conscious analytical mind with the emotional intuitive self.

Putting together the two parts of self in a logical process the science minded can be brought to understanding other spiritual concepts such as the soul, ghosts, heaven, hell and the after life.

Bringing the subject full circle through the final link to religion and the spiritual practices of the ages, the mysteries of unseen world can be explained through scientific methodology. Eastern thought accepts the positive and negative of energy. We have the ability to direct thought to particular ends. Documentation of experiments explain what yogi Masters have known for millennia.

The Life and Spirit in the Quantum Field brings science and philosophy into harmony with both disciplines explaining life from different perception perspectives. The exciting part is that there is no longer the taboo that each field must stay on one side opposed to the other discipline. The promise is the wholeness of understanding life, seen and unseen.

Doug Bennett does an excellent job explaining otherwise difficult concepts for the layperson to understand. Clearly, the scientific audience will be able to move to a whole perspective by following the argument from cover to cover. People familiar with healing energy work will learn about the laboratory language that describes the truth in their daily work.

Has It Really Been a Year?

Some call it reflection, others call it inventory: I think it’s just a part of moving forward in life: Review.

Periodically, my mind reviews a particular segment of life: Work, Relationships, Location, Health and Inner Stuff. When I started this process in earnest more than 25 years ago, I followed direction to put it on paper. Through the years the need to put things to paper decreases as the problem to solution or goal to fruition methodology has become ingrained within my neuro-net. So ingrained is this that it would better be described as a continuing stock inventory system rather than a yearly goal setting session.

So it was not surprising when there is a “problem” my brain goes into hyper-drive to find a solution. This trait, call it Type-A personality or liken it to the Rabbit character in Winnie-the-Pooh, is helpful at minimizing situations so that they never become real problems.

The demarcation for this particular inventory came quickly in that it’s been a year since my last cross country move. Logical to look at the state of things/life, as the dust has settled and scramble has turned to routine.

Work ~ this year has marked more regular writing work than ever. With more than 50 ghosted articles sold and a regular technical writing gig, I’m pleased with the quality and the level of output. The downside is the ridiculously low pay. My son said yesterday, “That’s great money for 1856!” and he’s correct.

Relationships ~ really the key to a happy life are the people around. It may be old age creeping up on me hopefully, just wisdom probably a bit of both. But honestly, if it’s difficult, I’m really not interested. Relationships are so much better when they’re easy. Things are easy if everyone is polite.

I’ve noticed there are two kinds of people, probably more but for this example there are two: the kind of person that accepts an apology and the kind of person that continues to tell you how awful you are after you apologize.

Disrespect just leads to hard feelings, or in tough places, mortal peril. Personally, I choose to be polite for social cohesion. It’s easier to navigate situations if everyone cooperates and is forthright. I know, some would say I’m trying to live on Cloud Nine. And I would reply: If Cloud Nine requires manners then, yes. I require good behavior from myself when I make a mistake, I apologize and so expect the same from others.

Then of course, there are the people with whom I have no business being around. Take my ex, please! Seriously, we are ex, we don’t talk, we aren’t friends. If people ask me why? He's my ex, duh... Those who knew us should attest that the world is a happier place for the distance between us. After a number of years, I had a dream where I discovered he was doing really well. I woke really hoping the dream was true that he was doing well. I don’t know if he is or isn’t. It’s none of my business, that’s the ex-part. I consider this segment complete.

I learned a long time ago a relationship takes two people with a similar vision for the relationship for both people to be happy. I remind myself of that periodically as I continue life’s construction.

Location ~ Location, Location, Location… it’s true. Wishing to be somewhere and being somewhere are two entirely different things. Make a decision. Be there.

Health ~ As an issue health has come to the fore in the news as the overweight people outnumber the physically fit. The percentages coincide with the level of poverty and unhappiness, though not by simple equation. A simple way to live is healthfully: Eat right, sleep enough, avoid anger, and love daily.

Health is one of my favorite topics. I’ve been published on this subject more than any other in the last 20 years, probably because I love eating. I love good food. The flavors, spices, and textures of good food made into a fabulous dish is one of the things that make life enjoyable.

Memorable food moments this year: avocado off a tree, orange juice from personally picked oranges, Churro @ Olvera St, Soup in a Bread Bowl @ New Orleans Square, my daughter’s potato soup, ripe jalapeños, my neighbor’s lentil soup, my husband’s veggie burgers, my son’s quesadilla, my son’s rice & beans… I just discovered, the way to make my list of favorite people is to cook a tasty dish.

Inner Stuff (old & new) ~ I have these things called thoughts and feelings. Sometimes they’re old, sometimes their new, sometimes useful, sometimes just clutter… I decided to de-clutter the old and useless, just let it go, don’t beat the dead horse. Life got lighter, calmer, happier.

I liken the inner stuff to a closet. When I started my Fibber McGee closet was full. If I opened the door stuff would tumble out with a crash. Life went from one crash to another. It also made seeing today in reality difficult, if not impossible. Reality is where it’s at baby. Reality is today!

At a moment of clarity I realized I didn’t like the way a bunch of the old stuff felt when it crashed and I set about throwing out the stuff I didn’t want anymore. Some of closet junk I gave back to others, it wasn’t mine to keep. Some of the junk was mine and I had to face it, deal with it and move on. Some of the stuff was useful, some stuff was pleasant so I tidied up and placed those items in a mental file: Things Worth Remembering.

Things Worth Remembering:
Like the Kitty: Allergic to Kitty: Don’t pet Kitty.
Kids, like vegetables, spoil if you put them on a shelf & forget about them.
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Share good things, it makes the world a better place.

Book Review: Beyond the Myth: How to Live the Life You Desire

Title: Beyond the Myth: How to Live the Life You Desire
Author: Maria Holmes
ISBN 978-0-9830946-0-9
Hard Cover, 6.5 x 6.5, 60 Pages
Price $24.95

With a firm belief in creating the life you wish to live, Maria Holmes blends wisdom throughout the millennia with beautiful images to create a soothing and inspiring book of inspiration. If the Law of Attraction has come to your attention, this book is a must have for your coffee table.

Pick a page at random or read from front to back either way the reader will come away with some insight and encouragement t move in the direction of the desired life.

The Principles of Gratitude, Desire, Faith and Visualization leads to attracting the deepest desire into your life. Chapters speak to the path to create a wondrous life.

Chapter 1: Possibility, the principle is that the universe is made of energy. Awareness f this energy brings the interconnectedness of all life to the fore.

Chapter 2: Create, by understanding the Law of Attraction and put it to use in life.

Chapter 3: Attract the life you wish into your life by focusing all your energy on that Desire.

Chapter 4: Choice to move forward into a plan that is doable, everyday.

Chapter 5: Manifest a Belief in life by Faith in an idea that will grow.

Chapter 6: Results living in harmony creates a positive environment with powerful connections.

I particularly like the imagery and quotes from Buddha, Helen Keller, Napoleon Hill, Andrew Carnegie and William James among others. Maria Holmes adds her personal insight throughout the book.

Living every moment with gratitude is the message Maria Holmes gives to readers in her parting comments, “I thank the Universe every day for my blessings."

Not-Really St. Patrick's Day

Celebrating the Ashen tree dates to pre-Christian times, pre-St. Patrick. March 17th runs deep in the genetic memory of the Irish people. The truth of the celebration is sprinkled throughout the Catholic Church's British version of the holiday.

St. Patrick’s Day celebrates the day snakes were banished from Ireland. But the lore pre-dates the Catholic priest by centuries with riddance of evil-faeries and their slithering compatriots by the protection of the Ashen tree.

Attributed to ash wood are many magical properties. Amongst those properties is the protection from snake bite, both of actual and spiritual reptiles, healing properties, for restful protection by ocean and wood spirits, and warrior protection, when the wood is used as a talisman or portion of spear, shield, or handle.

The third moon of the year, from Feb 18 - March 17, ends with a celebration of thanksgiving and rivalry that exceeds all others. The celebration feeds the Irish soul in ancient and secret ways.

The day isn’t about the British-born Catholic priest, St. Patrick, but we include him in his quest like all non-Irish folk who wish to be among the blessed people.

Happy New Year Rabbit!

Were you born in a Year of the Rabbit? 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999or 2011

Famous Rabbits include: Albert Einstein, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt.

Like the animal, those born in the year of the rabbit may have similar traits. Rabbits are cautious, thoughtful, calm and yet persistant. They also accumulate wisdom over time and are often consulted for advice.

Much like Peter Rabbit, persistance without wisdom can get a body in much trouble. We may remember the children's story that tells of Peter's persistance in getting into Mr MacGregor's garden.

Still the wise Mama Rabbit offers great wisdom. She offers Peter Chamoile tea for stomach ailments and shares her cares and woes about Papa Rabbit's demise. Mama Rabbit is the picture perfect wise rabbit.

The Chinese Zodiac has twelve signs, over twelve years: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep,Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig For more informatin about People of the Rabbit http://www.usbridalguide.com/special/chinesehoroscopes/Rabbit.htm

Chocolate & Sunshine

As much as the world changes, it remains the same. The individual story and the accessories change but the story of humankind: love, hate, peace, violence, these things are the human story.

One might think that with enough time and learning we too should move closer to the ideal of what a human being should wish to be, want to be, and become. But as much as we see two steps forward, it seems that we’re at least two steps back.

Who was it who said: Love your brother as yourself? And when was that…

The Golden Rule moves my spirit… I practice it daily to make it a reality not only in my small part of the world but with the hope that what greater people than I have said becomes the reality we all need so badly.

The awareness of what we do, what we buy, how we treat each other flows out like the motion of a water droplet onto a glass-like still pond, gives each of us an awesome responsibility. Everything counts.

If what we do not only impacts those immediately around us but around the world, how too does it impact the generations yet to arrive. What will you say when your children or grandchildren ask about the world you leave to them… because you were here is there more kindness… more generosity, more love?

Shouldn’t we say to our grandchildren, I was there when we conquered poverty, I contributed to eradicating pollution, it was my country that moved fearlessly into a better future, I sang in the streets when the Declaration of Independence and the Ideals of our 1776 forefathers became a reality. Wouldn’t that just be awesome to say that to your kids? What you do today makes a difference. Everything makes a difference.

It doesn’t matter how it’s said, but the following are words that help keep us on the road to a better future.

Blessed is he who prefers his brother to himself.

Do naught to others that which if done to you would cause pain.

What is hateful to you, do not to your fellows.

That nature only is good when it shall not do unto another whatever is not good for its own self.

Hurt not other with that which pains yourself.

To hurt them is not at all good. Beloved, then, hurt thou not any one’s heart.

He is kind to the kind, he is also kind to the unkind: for virtue is kind.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.

With that I wish you prosperity in love and money, a fun filled and productive 2011 and lots and lots of chocolate and sunshine! ;)

Quick Guide to Reassessment

Year-End close-out and reconciliation, whatever you call your reassessment, now it a good time to check your status, chart your course, move along...

1) Know where you are

a. Location
b. Occupation
c. Education
d. Relationships

2) Know where you want to be

a. Location
b. Occupation
c. Education
d. Relationships

3) Steps to move from one place to the other

a. 3 steps for a
b. 3 steps for b
c. 3 steps for c
d. 3 steps for d

4) Timeline

a. Wishful timeline
b. Realistic timeline

Celebrate the past year for progress made, good bye 2010. Celebrate the future year for the progress to come, hello 2011.

Question Wonder Being

There are times when the question occurred to me: why do anything? The thought of giving in to utter despair to not do anything had crossed my mind. It has crossed my mind before. Perhaps, this is a component of being human… questioning.

When situations, relationship don’t seem to be going well: why continue? The thought of not continuing had crossed my mind. It has crossed my mind before. Perhaps, this is a component of being human…wondering.

From the ground, beaten into silence: why be? The thought of not being had crossed my mind. It has crossed my mind before. Perhaps, this is a component of being human…being.

Questioning and being open to the answers presented is an uncomfortable place. It takes bravery to gaze into the looking glass and find that all is not right with the reflection. For some it’s the true nature coming through, for others it’s the battle scars of life. However, the growth that comes from questioning may set a soul free from the bondage of the past.

Wondering about people, places, and the situations that appear askew, learning that sometimes it’s the viewer and sometimes it’s the view. Which is which and how do we know? An honest friend who tells the truth, even if it's not what you want to hear is the best determiner of just how off one may be.

Being in the moment, standing still to take the punch one more time. Why? Because sometimes you do things because you have to, sometimes you show up because people are counting on you, sometimes you do the best thing for others because life isn’t all about one person, it’s about everyone.

Question to seek the answers. Wonder to grasp the meaning. Be in the now to experience life.

Science of Being and Art of Living

The Science of Being and Art of Living: Transcendental Meditation is a book written by His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1963. Maharishi left his home and brought Transcendental Meditation to the Western World.

Open to those who wanted to learn to meditate in a most simple fashion, Maharishi set into motion the growth of a program of meditation not conflicting with any religion that serves humanity at times of great need. I participated in the first surge of meditation in the US, learning at the Santa Monica TM Center in 1974/5. The second surge is just as exciting, maybe even more because my vantage point of a long time meditator. I am truely excited for each and every person who learns TM.

Saturday, I met Tess. She's roughly the same age I was when I was introduced to TM. I told her what I've come to know if you meditate for over 30 years, you'll be much more aware of many, many things.

Maharishi often talked about the levels of awareness: consciousness is like the water on a lake with the top waves being the thoughts of which we are aware. Below the surface and into the depth of the lake are the deeper parts of the mind. Transcendental Meditation helps meditators access these depths available to every human being.

In the depths of the mind, just like in the lake, is calm/quiet but in access the deeper mind there is also increased energy, increased creativity, increased organization, and the ability to see more clearly our personal life path.

But how do you reach those depths?

http://www.tm.org

E-85: A Better Choice

Sustainable eco-friendlier combustible fuel is produced from corn, a rotatable sustainable crop, it's called E-85.

Current dormant acreage can be rotated to a corn crop rather than subsidized through USDA payments to farmer ‘not-to-plant’. This rotation provides soil nutrients as it is worked and turned, prevents top soil erosion and makes a fuel that burns cleaner than fossil fuels. Could this be an easier choice?

Let’s Explore E-85

E-85 is now available at less than 3,000 gas stations across the US. It is a primary fuel in several European countries including Sweden, Ireland and Italy. If US consumption rises not only would the fuel be available at more stations, the price should go down as the production quantity goes up, making E-85 even more attractive to the consumer.

Current E-85 prices on cost per tank are on par with fossil fuel costs, but E-85 creates less carbon emission, less overall air pollution per mile of driving.

E-85 is an alcohol fuel made from non-edible corn plant or whey, the waste, by product in cheese production.

Reports online show the fuel miles per gallon is reduced when compared with fossil fuel. But the important part for consumers is the price per gallon which is less. With zero added cost to the consumer adding in the improved air quality, the decision is a no-brainer, E-85 wins!

Not only is E-85 better for the consumer and the environment but a boost for the economy as well as rising production levels will increase alternative fuel production jobs right here in the US.

Fuel Economy

In trials gas consumption seems to be related to driving habits. If you are a responsible driver, you’ll find nearing similar mpg (miles per gallon) with E-85. If you are heavy on the gas or ‘Ricky Racers’ with excessive speed or stomping on gas to brake and back again, then your over all fuel economy will be reduced. Some of the anti-E-85 articles on the web are skewed to show the fuel economy ratings toward an erratic driver rather than easy-going driver. In other words, the worst-case scenerio is stated as the probable fuel milage.

One Day’s Price

Gas $3.25/gallon
E-85 $2.75/gallon

Emission Toxins

E-85 reduced emission toxins including Benzene, a known carcinogen. E-85 increases acetaldehyde which is found in exhaust and cigarette smoke. Studies are in progress to find the ratios and related risks to the acetaldehyde emissions.

Is E-85 the end to air pollution?

Easily, the answer is NO.

Is E-85 an alternative to fossil fuel?

Yes.

Can E-85 be less costly than fossil fuel?

Yes.

Clearly, E-85 is a step in the right direction for cleaner air at a better price for everyone.

Book Review: Confucius Jade

Title: Confucius Jade
Author: Frederick Fisher
Genre: Fiction/China
ISBN: 978-0-9819291-3-2
Publication Date: March 2010
Pages: 350
Price: $14.95
Publisher: Dudley Court Press

Confucius Jade: the story begins in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China telling the story of the Kong family, descendents of Confucius who lived five hundred years ago. The family’s story recounts bravery, and tragedy as they move for better opportunity. They follow the jade trade routes only to loose half the family along the way.

Jade is a desired commodity. Wan Yi is a jade carver who finds himself in an unusual position having carved using mystical ways, the representation of Shou-Xing, the Chinese God of Longevity.

Frederick Fisher, a gemologist is the author of this unusual tale of intrigue. His knowledge of China and the gem trade not only makes this story interesting but gives the reader insight to another world.

Once started, I could hardly put the book down and couldn’t wait to get back to it to find out what happened next. It was an honor to read this book and a delight to recommend it to people who are interested in gems, China or simply reading a great story.

Handsome Hades

Hades is the son of Kronos, brother of Zeus & Poseidon, and husband to Persephone. If that isn't enough, he’s also the CEO of a very busy place, the underworld.

Not to be confused with the Grim Reaper, Hades is the Head of the afterlife, managing three main regions: Elysium, the Asphodel Meadows and Tartarus as well as the transportation system that runs off five 5 main waterways: Acheron (the river of sorrow), Cocytus (the river of lamentation), Phlegethon (the river of fire), Lethe (the river of oblivion), and Styx (the river of hate). The River Styx, of course, is the most famous of the rivers due to its proximity to our realm, actually serving as the boundary between the two.

Depicted in this marble statue, currently on display at the Getty Villa in Malibu, Hades is a robust figure with handsome features and a reputation as a fierce warrior, an ancient bad boy whose reputation not only endures but continues to evolve to greater heights, or depths as the case may be.

Hades, a evenhanded ruler judged the dead and their destination with a reasonable, rational determination. His rules were simple and not to be broken. Woe to those who sought to cheat death for their time to face Hades became a moment to fear. However, for a good soul, Hades offered the promise a good and peaceful life in the afterworld as reward for the hardships and sorrows of this one.

Realign Life

Life Lessons present themselves daily for those who seek to learn and grow into full human beings. The rest of the population languishes in a sea of misconceptions, immaturity and classic ‘stuck in a rut’ syndrome. As simple as it seems, each one of us has the power to change things in our lives. It’s not easy and sometimes it seems like life is really beating on us. In the end the important things need to be our focus and the rest… well, that’s small potatoes…

An exercise to realign life to the proper priorities:

Sit with a piece of paper & pen. Close your eyes for a moment. Breathe deeply for a few moments until you are relaxed. Then think, what is most important to me. List those things that are most important.

Turn the paper over.

Sit with the piece of paper. Close your eyes again. Focus on the last week or the last month. Face the reality of life and think, where am I spending my time. Chart the time in your life.

Finished?

Now you have point A and point B… where you are and where you wish to be.