LOVELIGHT 10/04

LOVELIGHT

Magazine

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October 2004***Vol. 1, no. 10

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Managing Editors: Ada Maria Francis and Richard Shiningthunder Francis. Contributors:

Ramona Abella, Maribee Butler, Pat Fields, Christine Finer, Tom Gustin, Pat Helms, Gene Janning, Ty Scharrer, Susan Smith “Mooncat Dancing”

Feng Shui Corner, sent in by Pat Fields

Use the color green -- the color of health, harmony, youth, growth, spring, wealth, and prosperity -- to enhance S areas.

Keep the trees on your property topped and thinned out to allow the yang energy of the sun to penetrate their branches. Trees can create much yin energy because of their shade.

Use your library for enriching cultural activities, such as listening to music, reading, meditating, or practicing a musical instrument.

To the Chinese, rice symbolizes sustenance, survival, affluence, abundance, and fertility. Chinese children are brought up to eat every kernel of rice in their bowls, in honor of the hard labor that brought the rice to their table. Rice is treated with respect and is not to be wasted or thrown away.

The Chinese character for "male" has two parts: a square box and a cross. It resembles the field over a bent arm and shoulder, and represents strength.

Grow red flowers or plants in the ground or in planters on both sides of a front entrance that faces S. This provides protection for your family.

TEMPTATION: The Power of Choice, by Thomas Gustin

While growing up, many of us were trained, even terrorized, with the “horrors” of “temptations.” With much less ego-based fear, basking more in the Love nature that we truly are, it is possible to experience temptations as the Gifts of Love that they are. The following article is part of a new course called the “Owner’s Manual for Living on Earth” (contact gustech@erinet.com for further details) that will assist us in understanding the beauty of temptations. A very famous prayer includes “…and lead us not into temptation…” I prefer to say, “Bring them on”!

The second edition of “The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism” defines temptation as “A strong inclination to sin, which may come from the devil, from something outside us, or from man’s tendency toward evil as a result of Adam’s fall.” Further elaborations on the topic include “The chief way in which the bad angels try to harm us is by tempting us to sin.” Father McGuire’s “The New Baltimore Catechism,” printed in 1953, goes on to include: “Actual grace is necessary for all who have attained the use of reason, because without it, we cannot long resist the power of temptation, or perform other actions which merit a reward in heaven.” He also states “We should go to confession frequently because frequent confession greatly helps us to avoid temptation…”

That’s enough of the indoctrination orientation. J

We experience God’s active creation in two ways. 1) We participate in the creation. This occurs because we must sense or perceive a reality before it can exist. For Spirit manifests as relative “material reality.” This is sensed by our bodies. Also, 2) Spirit manifests as symbolic thoughts. Both are thoughts coming from the Unconscious mind.

We sometimes experience thoughts “coming in” to our conscious awareness. They are not sensory information about a physical event. They do not come from “out there.” When this happens, we are able to create a communication of back-and-forth thought-movement. This creates a “thoughtstream.” Soon, the next thoughtstream “floats up” from the Unconscious. This can occur without verbalization (you don’t say anything) and without actualization (you do not do anything about the thought). Creating with only the mental process, without speaking or acting, is creating without changing the energy of the universe. Hence, it is creating without causing energy-imbalances. In other words, this thought occurs without creating what some people refer to as “karmic debt.”

Temptation is an “all-mind” process; it all occurs in the mind. It can alter our future, and the futures of those around us, in positive or negative, large or small ways. It can change every day.

Working with temptation teaches us, “Think before you speak or act.” The following is an example of a temptation. Let’s visualize a temptation like eating chocolate very late in the day. Now let’s imagine the consequences of eating it. The theobromine (the caffeine-like chemical found in chocolate) will keep me awake all night L. By reviewing the process in your mind, you experienced the thought stream consequences without actually creating energy patterns needing rebalancing. By not acting on the choice to eat chocolate, you get to enjoy the benefits of a sound sleep. J

I am very appreciative of God’s (Love’s) generosity when She/He provides us with the great gift: I can imagine something without actually doing it. The Grace of God allows the perception of an experience without expending any negative or less-loving energy. This allows us to do what Love (God) would do instead. Herein lies the power of choice.

The process is those events that do not occur: After having made the choice: 1) We do not speak; and, 2) We do not act. As long as there are love-based choices being tried mentally only, and we do not actually say or do anything, then no unbalancing of energies in the world occurs. The only “creation” is a non-physical thought called a “choice.” All that results is a thought-experience. (This comes from unconscious sources.) The value of letting in those “tempting” thoughts is that you can “think, evaluate, and choose to do what is best for all. There is even some value in mentally storing non-Love-based “temptations.” For these can help us imagine destructions, horrors, and pains that arise from wrong or hurtful behaviors. This valuable knowledge comes from perverse acting out within the mind. This is indeed unhealthy, since you could easily slip out of mind and act out those same harmful and/or sick actions. We always have the power to choose, good or bad. If you have made a not-so-good choice, as you discover by the resulting experience, then you can choose again. When “tempted” to create an inappropriate choice, just say “no” to acting upon that thought. Then, get on with living a good, happy, and rewarding life. This is accomplished by replacing an old fear-based choice with a new love-based choice. This leads to loving words & actions, and their resulting joy-filled and peace-filled experiences.

Testing our Love through “temptations” is an experience that fits the model described here. no karmic debt is created; yet we experience a “thought-feeling” resulting from our choices. How Loving! Now, if you don’t mind, since it is still early in the day, I’m going to go eat some chocolate.

JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

Thank God for the heartmind Power-- and chocolate!

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Any way that we can tie the hands, even temporarily, of the people of greed and planetary rape, we should certainly do so!

COSMIC INQUIRIES: Q&A

Dear Shiningthunder,

As one who has spent many of my more recent years attempting to recover from Catholicism, I now find myself with a much healthier and more positive view regarding "temptation" when compared to my early life, when I was nurturing indoctrinations on this subject. In an attempt to step back even further to get an even bigger picture regarding the possibilities of this particular topic, would you please share with us a few of your thoughts on "temptation"?

Thank you very much.

A fellow messenger,

YIT

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Dear Yit,

What the old Church-writers and -thinkers called “temptation,” we of the twenty-first century would tend to call “fun.” Their motto seemed to be, “If it’s fun, it’s sin.”

As in your article (in this issue) about this subject, “temptation” can teach us many important and quite valuable lessons. But learning, although exquisitely, immeasurably important, is not the only reason for existence. For we are also here (on earth) to learn to love. And a big part of Love is enjoyment!

How can you “love” anything if you regard it as “sin”? Clearly, you cannot. At a very early date, the Church officially stripped the cosmos of all joy-- or tried to, for true believers. This led to the most taciturn, glum, sour, and dour existence imaginable, where life’s greatest pleasures were colored through the filter of damnation, near-damnation, sin, bitterness, and pressure-filled anxiety. You just were not allowed (by the Church) to have any fun! This was a crystal-clear example of “black and white,” “all or nothing” extremism!

God, through nature, wants us to have fun! Heaven knows, enough of life is so very tough, with stress, pain, loss, and suffering of an enormous magnitude everywhere all around us. Moderation implies that, if you can have a good time, without harming or hurting anyone, you should go for it! This is a meaning of selflove, as recommended by Jesus. And, speaking of Jesus, let’s not forget how he was severely criticized by the orthodox religious people of his time for “partying” with the “wrong people”-- thieves and sexually immoral people included.

But the words of the mystical classic the Bhagavad-Gita applied to him: “He may safely walk among evil who does not desire evil in his heart.” It would be neither safe nor sane for everyone to try to live exactly as Jesus lived.

But he made it very plain that, unlike the uptight, worried, joy-rejecting religious people of the ancient tradition, he did not hate, or fear, happiness and celebration. His first “miracle” was turning water into wine, at a party!

So, when we look in the face of the “dragon” of “temptation,” we must never forget that certain behaviors are wrong, harmful, or hurtful. These are evil, in our world. But let not the darkness eclipse the Light.

God has equipped the brain with dozens of “pleasure centers” whose only apparent purpose is to create enormous, gigantic pleasure. This is usually called “ecstasy.” And nature has also given us forty-seven miles of nervous system hooked up with these pleasure-centers. So, God, through nature, has made us to be joy-loving beings! He wants us to enjoy the beautiful fragrances of roses, the astounding visions of sunsets, the sweet sounds of delightful, soulifting music, and the touch of our beloved. God enjoys the world through our smiles and laughter. He himself loves to have fun!

Not that fun is the most important thing in life; it isn’t. But the grumpy old men who, for centuries, ruled the Church with an iron fist, men who forgot how to smile, are not good role-models for any of us. Instead, we turn once again to nature, and find good role-models in the dolphins, who love to play, and elephants, who also love to have a good time. Even Paul, often a foundation for the joyless Christianity that has ruled our culture, said that “joy” was a “fruit [natural product] of the Spirit.” (Ga 5:22). All the world-- from the antics of monkeys to the delightful flavors and colors of foods, and the human need for laughter-- all join in a chorus that bears witness to the fact that we are supposed to enjoy life whenever we get the chance honorably to do so! As you again say in your article, “temptations” are not cunning traps of the “devil,” but the often-unrecognized gifts of God (Love). So, harm no one-- not even yourself-- and go and have a megablast! (Compare the article below on “Natural Highs” for some suggestions.:)

Love,

Richard

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HUMORTHERAPY AND LOADS OF LAUGHS, CHUCKLES, AND GIGGLES!

Forgiveness, sent in by Gene Janning

The preacher's Sunday sermon was, "Forgive Your Enemies.” He asked how many had forgiven their enemies. About half held up their hands. He then repeated his question. Now about 80 percent held up their hands. He then repeated his question. All responded, except one elderly lady. "Mrs. Jones, are you not willing to forgive your enemies?” he asked her.

"I don't have any," she replied.

"Mrs. Jones,” he said, “that is very unusual. How old are you?"

"Ninety-three." she replied.

"Mrs. Jones, please come down in front and tell the congregation how a person cannot have an enemy in the world!"

The little sweetheart of a lady tottered down the aisle, and said, "I outlived all those son's of bitches."

Absence of Cyberbrightness, sent in by Susan Smith (“Mooncat Dancing”)

If you think that you’re “dumb” about computers, read this! You will feel much better!

1. Compaq is considering changing the command "Press Any Key"

to "Press Return Key" because of the flood of calls asking where

the "Any" key is.

2. A ST technical support had a caller complaining that her mouse

was hard to control with the dust cover on. The cover turned out to

be the plastic bag the mouse was packaged in.

3. A Dell customer called to say that he couldn't get his

computer to fax anything. After 40 minutes of troubleshooting, the

technician discovered the man was trying to fax a piece of paper by

holding it in front of the monitor screen and hitting the "Send"

key.

4. Yet another Dell customer called to complain that his keyboard

no longer worked. He had cleaned it by filling up his bathtub with

soap and water and soaking the keyboard for a day, then removing

all the keys and washing them individually.

5. A Dell technician received a call from a customer who was

enraged because his computer had told him he was "Bad and invalid." The tech explained that the computer's "bad command" and "invalid" responses shouldn't be taken personally.

6. A confused caller to IBM was having trouble printing documents.

He told the technician that the computer had said it "couldn't find

printer." The user had also tried turning the computer screen to

face the printer-but that his computer still couldn't "see" the

printer.

7. An exasperated caller to Dell Computer Tech Support couldn't

get her new Dell Computer to turn on. After ensuring the computer

was plugged in, the technician asked her what happened when she

pushed the power button. Her response, "I pushed and pushed on

this foot pedal and nothing happened." The "foot pedal" turned out

to be the computer's mouse!

8. Another customer called Compaq tech support to say that her brand

new computer wouldn't work. She said she unpacked the unit, plugged

it in, and sat there for 20 minutes waiting for something to

happen. When asked what happened when

she pressed the power switch, she asked, "What power switch?"

9. Another IBM customer had trouble installing software, and called

for support. "I put in the first disc, and that was okay. It said to

put in the second disc, and I had some problems with the disc. When

it said to put in the third disk, I couldn't even fit it in. "

The user hadn't realized that "Insert Disc 2" implied removing Disc

1 first.

10. A story from a Novell NetWare System Operation instruction:

CALLER: "Hello, is this Tech Support?"

TECH: "Yes, it is. How may I help you?"

CALLER: "The cup holder on my PC is broken -and I am within my

warranty period. How do I go about getting that fixed?"

TECH: "I'm sorry, but did you say a cup holder?"

CALLER: "Yes, it's attached to the front of my computer."

TECH: "Please excuse me. If I seem a bit stumped, it's because I

am. Did you receive this as part of a promotional at a trade show?

How did you get this cup holder? Does it have any trademark on it?"

CALLER: "It came with my computer. I don't know anything about a

promotional. It just has '4X' on it."

At this point, the Tech Rep had to mute the caller because he

couldn't stand it. He was laughing too hard. The caller had been

using the load drawer of the CD-ROM drive as a cup holder, and it

had snapped it off the drive.

11. A woman called the Canon help desk with a problem with her

printer. The tech asked her if she was "running it under windows."

The woman responded,” No, my desk is next to the door. But that is a

good point. The man sitting in the cubicle next to me is under a

window and his printer is working fine."

12. And last but not least:

TECH SUPPORT: "O.K. Bob, let's press the control and escape keys

at the same time. That brings up a task list in the middle of the

screen. Now type the letter "P" to bring up the Program Manager."

CUSTOMER: "I don't have a 'P'".

TECH SUPPORT: "On your keyboard, Bob."

CUSTOMER: "What do you mean?"

TECH SUPPORT: " 'P' on your keyboard, Bob."

CUSTOMER: "I'm not going to do that!"

--
Deep Peace and Many Blessings
Susan aka Mooncat - Love Is All You Need
Mooncat Creations - http://www.geocities.com/mooncat48/

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Olympic Greatness, sent in by Ty Scharrer

Here are the top comments made by NBC sports commentators during the Summer Olympics that they would like to take back:

1. Dressage commentator: "This is really a lovely horse and I speak from personal experience since I once mounted her mother."

2. Paul Hamm, Gymnast: "I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father."

3. Boxing Analyst: "Sure, there have been injuries, and even some deaths, in boxing-- but none of them really that serious."

4. Softball announcer: "If history repeats itself, I should think we can expect the same thing again."

5. Basketball analyst: "He dribbles a lot and the opposition doesn't like it. In fact you can see it all over their faces."

6. Tennis commentator: "One of the reasons Andy is playing so well is that, before the final round, his wife takes out his balls and kisses them. Oh my God, what have I just said?"

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The Futility of Materialism, sent in by Pat Helms

Four brothers left home for college, and they became successful doctors and lawyers, and prospered. Some years later, they chatted after having dinner together. They discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother who lived far away in another city. The first said “I had a big house built for Mama”

The second said “I had a hundred thousand dollar theater built in the house.”

The third said “I had my Mercedes dealer deliver an SL600 to her”

The Fourth said “You know how Mama loved reading the Bible and you know she can’t read anymore because she can’t see very well. I met this preacher who told me about a parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It took twenty preachers 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $100,000 a year for twenty years to the church, but it was worth it. Mama just has to name the chapter and verse and the parrot will recite it.”

The other brothers were impressed. After the holidays, their mother sent out the Thank You notes. She wrote: “Milton, the house you built is so huge. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway. Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home; I have my groceries delivered, so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks. Michael, you gave me an expensive theater with Dolby sound, it could hold 50 people, but all my friends are dead. I’ve lost my hearing and I’m nearly blind. I’ll never use it. Thank you for the gesture just the same. Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give a little thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious. Thank you.”

***

Knock, Knock, sent in by Susan Smith

A new pastor was visiting the homes of his parishioners. At one house, it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to repeated knocks at the door. So he took out a card, wrote “Revelation 3:20” on the back of it, and stuck it in the door. When the money was counted the following Sunday, he found his card returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, “Genesis 3:10.”

Reaching for his Bible to check the citation, he burst out laughing. Revelation 3:20 begins “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.“ Genesis 3:10 reads, “I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked.”

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More Stupid Headlines, sent in by Christine Finer

SAFETY EXPERTS SAY SCHOOLBUS PASSENGERS SHOULD BE BELTED***DRUNK GETS NINE MONTHS IN VIOLEN CASE***SURVIVOR OF SIAMESE TWINS JOINS PARENTS***FARMER BILL DIES IN HOUSE***STUD TIRES OUT***LUNG CANCER IN WOMEN MUSHROOMS***EYE DROPS OFF SHELF***INCLUDE CHILDREN WHEN BAKING COOKIES***ENRAGED COW INJURES FARMER WITH AX***MINERS REFUSE TO WORK AFTER DEATH***STOLEN PAINTING FOUND BY TREE***TWO SOVIET SHIPS COLLIDE; ONE DIES***TWO SISTERS REUNITED AFTER EIGHTEEN YEARS AT CHEKOUT COUNTER***KILLER SENTENCED TO DIE FOR SECOND TIME IN TEN YEARS

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Why Laws Aren’t Enough: “Some Strange Laws, sent in by Ty Scharrer

Here's our fabulous collection of Strange Laws that can date back very far. Most of these laws remain on the books today, even if rarely enforced.

Laws shown here have been collected from sources believed to be reliable. Nevertheless, there are no guarantees. We recommend that you conduct further research if you want to use this data in a technical way.

In Texas, it's against the law for anyone to have a pair of pliers in his or her possession.***In Philadelphia, you can't put pretzels in bags-- based on an Act of 1760.***Alaska law says that you can't look at a moose from an airplane.***In Corpus Christie, Texas, it is illegal to raise alligators in your home.***In Miami, it is forbidden to imitate an animal.***It is against the law to mispronounce the name of the State of Arkansas in that State.***In Illinois, the law is that a car must be driven with the steering wheel.***California law prohibits a woman from driving a car while dressed in a housecoat.***In Memphis, Tennessee, a woman is not to drive a car unless a man warns approaching motorists or pedestrians by walking in front of the car that is being driven.***In Tennessee, it is against the law to drive a car while sleeping.***In West Virginia, only babies can ride in a baby carriage.***In Georgia, it is against the law to slap a man on the back or front.***A barber is not to advertise prices in the State of Georgia.

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Bullying Doesn’t Pay, sent in by Christine Finer

A guy was sitting at a bar, just looking at his drink, for a half-hour. Then, this big trouble-making bully stepped up to him, took the drink from him, and just drank it. The poor man started crying. The bully’s heart was touched, and he said, "Come on man, I was just joking. Tell ya what, I'll buy you another drink. I just can't stand to see a man crying."

"No, it's not that. Today is the worst of my life. First, I overslept and was late to an important meeting. My boss was outraged and fired me. When I left the building to go to my car, I found out that it was stolen. The police said that they could do nothing. I got a cab to return home, paid the driver, and the cab drove off. It was then that I found that I left my wallet in the cab. I finally got home only to find my wife in bed with another man. I left home and came to this bar. And when I was thinking about putting an end to my life, you show up and drink my poison."

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Teaching Without Words, sent in by Gene Janning

A certain private school in Washington recently was faced with a unique problem. A number of 12-year-old girls were beginning to use lipstick and would put it on in the bathroom. That was fine, but after they put on their lipstick, they would press their lips to the mirror, leaving dozens of little lip prints. Every night, the maintenance man would remove them; and the next day, the girls would put them back.

Finally the principal decided that something had to be done. She called all the girls to the bathroom, and met them there with the maintenance man. She explained that all these lip prints were causing a major problem for the custodian, who had to clean the mirrors every night. To demonstrate how difficult it had been to clean the mirrors, she asked the maintenance man to show the girls how much effort was required. He took out a long-handled squeegee, dipped it in the toilet, and cleaned the mirror with it.

Since then, there have been no lip prints on the mirror.

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The moral of this story: There are teachers, and then there are Educators.

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More Natural Highs, sent in by Susan Smith, with a few additions by Richard Francis (marked with an asterisk*)

Here are some favorite and very simple activities that can send your mind and Spirit soaring: Laughing.***Getting email* or snailmail.***Taking a drive on a pretty road.***Getting home after a long trip.* ***Seeing the face of a loved one.* ***Hearing a special song.***Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.***Small snowflakes falling and melting on your face in a hot tub.* ***Getting naked in a hot tub.* ***Giggling.***A good conversation.***The forest.***The ocean.* ***Fresh breeze on an autumn day.* ***Floating in warm water, listening to summernight crickets.* ***The mountains.***Touching, if only for an instant, the interior
Beloved.* ***Quiet evening with a special friend.* ***Floating in a pool with friends.* ***Playing with a new puppy or kitten.***A backrub or backscratch.***Sweet dreams.***Making gifts for others.***Filling out Christmas cards.* ***A good workout.* ***Holding hands with someone you care about.***Holding hands with just about anyone.* ***Standing and holding your beloved while the silent dark world is covered by giant snowflakes.* ***Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another day.***Hugs.***Knowing that you have helped someone, educated someone, or done the right thing.*

These are from the original list, passed around years ago: Falling in Love. A hot shower. A bubble-bath. The beach. Laughing at yourself. Running through sprinklers. Laughing for absolutely no reason. Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner). Road trips.

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Spiritual Quotable Quotes, sent in by Christine Finer

“Blessed is he who carries within himself a God, an ideal, and obeys
it.” Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) French Scientist

“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving
safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in
sideways, champagne in one hand, strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, ‘Woo-hoo! - What a Ride!’”-- anonymous

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The Story of a Deer Friend, sent in by Ramona Abella

A lady found a fawn (baby deer) under her step. The doe (mother) might have been hit by a car. The family named the fawn Bella. She was not in good shape when they found her. But when she regains her strength, they plan to send her to some friends who raised two orphan deer and released them to the wild. She is being bottle fed.

Their dog Hogan has taken over. The fawn even shares his bed.

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LOVELETTERS FROM OUR PALS, BUDS, AND FRIENDS

Dear Richard,

…The first Columbus Pneumarium Group [was] … today. We read the author's preface from your book, Falling in Love with Yourself; Love and the Inner Beloved. The reading inspired a lively conversation about our perceptions of a Higher Power and how we came to be interested in this group meeting. Each member had something to contribute, making the meeting exciting and interesting. The energy was thrilling! We closed with a short, but powerful, meditation.

What a wonderful experience! I am eager to continue, and we plan to meet again in two weeks.

love

maribee

***

Dear Maribee and Friends,

We are excited and delighted at the prospect of a new Pneumarium! The idea that spiritual truth and freedom are “contagious” is a very uplifting and strengthening one!

This is how nature does it: She starts with a great idea (a plant), and within that plant, creates seeds that go forth and make still others. We are the care-takers of the “seeds” of Light, Love, and wisdom. But these are “psychoseeds” planted in the fine “soil” of human heartminds. So, since our time on earth is limited, we should work to “plant” as many as possible. If the Pneumarium idea catches on (if that is “itt”-- in the Tao-- then we will be continuing to imitate nature, the Goddess-side of God (Love). This is a movement that could aid in the healing of our entire planet. And even if it did not do that, it would and could help in the interior healing of many heartminds. We must never measure success by the number, however, since to touch one heart is as important as to touch a thousand! Every revolution, like every dream, begins with tiny steps. The Love-revolution is no exception!

Your “one small step” is inspiring! May many hearts find you, and may innumerable minds open to the truth of compassion and deep wisdom. Thank you so much for writing, and we look forward to hearing from you in the future. May your every gathering be as rich and enriching, a jewel, as the first!!

Love,

Richard

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Synchronicity At Work, sent in by Gene Janning

The Phils/Mets game on Saturday; each team had 9 runs & 11 hits during the last two innings of regulation. Final score 11-9.

The number 11--------- weird !

11 has come to be a very interesting number. It could be a forced coincidence, but in any case this is interesting. You decide for yourself:

1) New York City has 11 letters.

2) Afghanistan has 11 letters.

3) Ramsin Yuseb (The terrorist who threatened the Twin Towers in 1993) has 11 letters.

4) George W. Bush has 11 letters.

This could be a mere coincidence, of course.

But here is what is more interesting:

1) New York is state # 11

2) The first plane crashing against the Twin Towers was flight #11.

3) Flight # 11 was carrying 92 passengers. A” Reducing” this number gives us:

9+2=11.

4) Flight # 77, which also hit the Towers, was carrying 65 passengers Reducing this gives us

this: 6+5=11.

5) The tragedy was on September 11, or 9/11. Adding this: 9+1+1=11

6) The date is equal to the emergency number 911. Adding this is: 9+1+1=11 Now we have a very upsetting piece..

1) The total number of victims inside the planes are 254: 2+5+4=11

2) The day September 11 is day number 254 of the calendar year:

2+5+4=11

3) After September 11, there are 111 days more to the end of the year.

4) The tragedy of 3/11/2004 in Madrid also adds to: 3+1+1+2+4=11.

5) The tragedy in Madrid happened 911 days after the tragedy of the Twin

Towers. Spooky!! Read on.....! This is really eerie.

This is something to think about!

Since America is typically represented by an Eagle. Saddam and Bin Laden should have read up on their Muslim passages. The following verse is from the Quran, (the Islamic Bible). Quran (9:11) -- For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah; and there was peace. Note the verse number!!!!!

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CABRIDE sent in by Pat Helms

Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. When I arrived at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under these circumstances, many drivers would just have honked once or twice, waited a minute, then drove away. But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needed my assistance, I reasoned. So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute," answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940’s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase.

The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she asked. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.

"It's nothing," I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated."

"Oh, you're such a good boy", she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, Could you drive through downtown?"

"It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly.

"Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice."

I looked in the rearview mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long."

I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. "What route would you like me to take?" I asked. For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She asked me to pull up in front of a furniture warehouse. It had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a young lady.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner. She would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing. As the first hint of sun was illuminating the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now."

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. "How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse.

"Nothing," I said.

"You have to make a living," she answered.

"There are other passengers," I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

"You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you."

I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What, I kept thinking, if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-- beautifully wrapped in what others might consider a small one. People might not remember exactly what you did, or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel!

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Life might not be the party that we had hoped for; but while we are here, we might as well dance. Every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God.

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ANNOUNCEMENT: HELP FOR BREASTCANCER, sent in by Christine Finer

We are all aware of the tragedies of breastcancer. Please read the following and keep it in mind next time you are in the store. Fifty cents might not seem like much, but it will add up in a hurry.

This might be even better than the breastcancer stamps!
Special bags of M & Ms will be on sale in September, October and November, 2004. (the bags are clearly marked.)

I would appreciate it if you would send this to everyone whom you know. Get the word out there! We can beat this thing! There are many women who have Breastcancer. Let's do all that we can to support this cause! The makers of M&M candies have teamed up with the Susan G. Women Breast Cancer Foundation to raise funds through the sale of their new pink & white candy.

For each 8-ounce bag of the special candies sold, the makers of M&M (Masterfoods) will donate 50 cents to the foundation. If you pass this email around, you will get no money. You will get something so much better! You will get the enormous satisfaction of trying to save a life. The next time you want a treat, please pick up a bag (now sold in stores nationwide). You will be donating to a great cause, and satisfying your sweet tooth. Please pass this message on to all your family and friends! For who knows? The life you save one day may be your own, or that of a loved one or friend.

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Forethought: Rules for Being Human, sent in by Christine Finer

1) You will receive a body. You might like it, or hate it, but it will be yours for this time around. 2) You will learn many lessons. Some will teach uncomfortable truths that you do not want to learn. You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called life. Each day in this school you will have the opportunity to learn lessons. You might like the lessons or think them irrelevant or stupid. 3) There are no mistakes, only lessons. Growth is a process of trial and error. All of life is experimentation. The failed experiments are as much a part of the process as the experiment that ends up working. 4) A lesson is repeated until learned. A lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned it. When you have learned it, you can then go on to the next lesson. 5) Learning lessons does not end. There is no part of life that does not contain lessons. If you are alive, there are lessons to be learned. 6) “There” is no better than “here.” 7) Others are “mirrors” of your deeper Mind. 8) What you make of life is up to you. You have all the tools, resources, and spiritual skills that you need. What you do with them is up to you. 9) The answers lie inside you. Look, listen and trust. 10) You will forget all this!

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