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Customer: I really need some help. After much consideration, I've decided to install LOVE. Can you guide me through the process? Tech Support : Yes, I can help you. Are you ready to proceed? Customer: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready to install it now. What do I do? Tech Support: The first step is to open your HEART. Have you located your HEART? Customer: Yes, I have, but there are several other programs running right now. Is it okay to install while they are running? Tech Support: What programs are running? Customer: Let's see... I have PAST-HURT.EXE, LOW-ESTEEM.EXE, GRUDGE.EXE, and RESENTMENT.EXE running now. Tech Support: No problem. LOVE will gradually erase PAST-HURT.EXE from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory, but it will no longer disrupt other programs. LOVE will eventually overwrite LOW-ESTEEM.EXE with a module of its own called HIGH-ESTEEM.EXE. However, you have to completely turn off GRUDGE.EXE and RESENTMENT.EXE. Those programs prevent LOVE from being properly installed. Can you turn those off? Customer: I don't know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how? Tech Support: My pleasure. Go to your Start menu and invoke FORGIVENESS.EXE. Do this as many times as necessary until it's erased the programs you don't want. Customer: Okay, now LOVE has started installing itself automatically. Is that normal? Tech Support: Yes. You should receive a message that says it will stay installed for the life of your HEART. Do you see that message? Customer: Yes, I do. Is it completely installed? Tech Support: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other HEARTs in order to get the upgrades. Customer: Oops. I have an error message already. What should I do? Tech Support: What does the message say? Customer: It says "ERROR 412-PROGRAM NOT RUN ON INTERNAL COMPONENTS." What does that mean? Tech Support: Don't worry, that's a common problem. It means that the LOVE program is set up to run on external HEARTs but has not yet been run on your HEART. It is one of those complicated programming things, but in non-technical terms it means you have to "LOVE" your own machine before it can "LOVE" others. Customer: So what should I do? Tech Support: Can you pull down the directory called "SELF-ACCEPTANCE"? Customer: Yes, I have it. Tech Support: Excellent. You're getting good at this. Now, click on the following files and then copy them to the "MYHEART" directory: FORGIVE-SELF.DOC, REALIZE-WORTH.TXT, and ACKNOWLEDGE-LIMITATIONS.DOC. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching any faulty programming. Also, you need to delete SELF-CRITICISM.EXE from all directories, and then empty your recycle bin afterwards to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back. Customer: Got it. Hey! My HEART is filling up with new files. SMILE.MP3 is playing on my monitor right now and it shows that PEACE.EXE, and CONTENTMENT.EXE are copying themselves all over my HEART. Is this normal? Tech Support: Sometimes. For others it takes a while, but eventually everything gets downloaded at the proper time. So, LOVE is installed and running. You should be able to handle it from here. Ah, one more thing. Customer: Yes? Tech Support: LOVE is freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everybody you meet. They will in turn share it with other people and they will return some similarly cool modules back to you. Customer: I will! Thanks for your help!
Tags: Installing Love on the HUMAN Computer, swalk1955
Many people think tree leaves fall and die during the fall season because of weather changes, but studies have shown the real reason for leaves falling is drought. This is because the primary function of leaves is photosynthesis, and photosynthesis requires the use of water, carbon dioxide and light to create food in the leaves to generate organic compounds and oxygen. In order to induce a suction force, however, the leaves will need to constantly sweat, and in winter season shed them so as not to get dried. As daylight gets shorter during fall, however, the leaves will gradually suffer thirst because of the reducing absorption of water with the shrinking daylight. This means even when trees live in wet climate with abundant snowfall and rainfall or even when in the warmest of falls, the trees will still lose their leaves, triggered by the shorten length of daylight.
Many changes occur in the leaves before they finally fall from the branch. According to Joe Lamp’L of DIY Network who wrote an article on ‘Why do leaves fall in autumn?’ at ScrippsNews.com, changing colors of leaves during fall is part of an important and complicated process which ends in the leaves being shed at the end of each growing season. The trees, in protecting themselves, purge diseased, damaged or dead leaves, while they seal the point where the petiole connects to it. As the climate and light conditions of autumn evolve, tree hormones change as well, the most notable of which is auxin, a hormone in trees that promotes root formation and bud growth. The balance of auxin levels between leaves and branches is the key to determining if and when the leaves drop.
Much like the processes that end in the fall of tree leaves during the autumn season, Christian living also draws a parallel equivalence in the way we live our lives. Like the leaves of autumn, we often fall under the dry spell of keeping ourselves connected to God, resulting in spiritual drought because of over reliance and dependency on our own ability and wealth (Proverbs 11:28). Spiritual drought can happen when we are too caught up with the entanglements of this world and if we are not careful, we may, like the ‘photosynthesis,’ gradually fail to absorb the necessary energy from the light of the sun to produce food from water and carbon dioxide. When that happens, we will eventually lose our ‘leaves’ of a close relationship with God, triggered by the shorten length of ‘daylight’ absorption from the Light of the world (John 8:12), the Son of the living God.
Many changes can occur in our lives if we spend too much time in the entanglements of this world which can lead us to finally fall from the ‘branch’ that connects us to God. Jesus, in teaching us about the need for us to live in Him said, “I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me†(John 15:5 GNT). Like the trees that protect themselves and purge diseased, damaged or dead leaves to seal off the point where the leaves connect, we as the leaves and the branches must also be wise not to be caught walking away from the narrow way or be unprepared to receive the Lord when He returns as the bridegroom (Luke 13:24-28; Matthew 25). We must therefore balance our ‘auxin’ levels to ensure a deeply rooted formation to the Vine in ensuring bud growth.
Dear Lord, help us always to remember that like the leaves of the fall season, we cannot survive without living in You and staying connected to You, because You O God are the Light of the world that shines to give us life and sustenance. Keep us Lord from the entanglements of this world and from self-reliance and dependency on our own wealth. Keep us deeply rooted in You, Lord, that we may always be prepared for Your coming and not walk away from the narrow way, for You alone Lord is our strength and source of sustenance.
Those who depend on their wealth will fall like the leaves of autumn, but the righteous will prosper like the leaves of summer. (Proverbs 11:28 GNT)
Tags: Autumn Leaves, swalk1955
No matter what makes you smile or how you define happiness for yourself, there are certain universal and time-proven strategies to bring more happiness, and smiles, into your life. The following 10 ways to keep smiling can be adapted and even customized to fit your needs. Over time, these strategies will become positive and life-changing habits that will begin to bring more happiness, joy and reasons to smile into your life. - Notice What’s Right.
Some of us see the glass as being half-full, while others see the glass as half-empty. The next time you are caught in traffic, begin thinking how nice it is to have a few moments to reflect on the day, focus on a problem you have been trying to solve, or brainstorm on your next big idea. Take all that life throws at you and reframe it with what’s right about the situation. At the end of the day, you will more content, at peace and happy. Take the time to smile and begin to notice what’s right and see the world change in front of your eyes. - Move! The expression a “runner’s high†does not infer an addiction, but a feeling or a state of mind – a state of euphoria. There is no question exercise, or any physical exertion, elevates your mood and enhances a more positive attitude as well as fosters better personal self-esteem and confidence. Indeed, one way to keep smiling is to move.
- Put on a Happy Face. Sometimes we have to fake it until we make it. I’m not suggesting that we not be honest, real or authentic, but I’m suggesting, sometimes, we just need to put on our best smile and keep moving forward. Researchers claim that smiling and looking like we are happy will indeed make us happier. Studies further show that if we act like we are happy then we can experience greater joy and happiness in our lives.
- Finding Your Calling. Some find meaning in religion or spirituality while others find purpose in their work or relationships. Finding your calling may be much more than accomplishing one simple strategy for increasing your happiness, but having a sense of purpose – of feeling like you are here for a reason – may create the best reason of all to smile.
- Get into the Flow. Flow is the form of joy, excitement and happiness that occurs when we are so absorbed in an activity we love that we can lose ourselves and time seems to stand still. What creates flow is unique to each one of us. To find and sustain true happiness in our lives, we must get off the sidelines and get into the flow. When we do, the smiles will soon be flowing, too.
- Don’t Over Do It. Know when to say when. What provides happiness and causes you to smile the first time may not work the second time. Too much of a good thing may begin not to feel as good if the “thing†becomes more of a routine, or an expectation. Set healthy and reasonable boundaries for yourself and don’t overdo it.
- Be Grateful.
How many times do you say the words “thank you,†in a day? How many times do you hear these same words? If you are doing the first thing, saying the “thank yous,†the latter will naturally happen. Learn to be grateful and you will be open to receive an abundance of joy, happiness and smiles – which will be a pleasure to return. - Remember the Kid You Were.
Do you remember how to play? I’m not referring to playing a round of golf or a set of tennis. I’m talking about playing like you did when you were a child – a game of tag; leap frog, or street baseball when the bat is a broken broom handle and the bases are the parked cars. One way to find a reason to smile is to remember the kid you were and play! - Spend Time with Your Friends.
Although an abundant social and romantic life does not guarantee bliss, it does have a huge impact on our happiness. Learn to spend time and smile with your friends and then make these friendships a priority in your life. - Savor Every Moment.
To be in the moment is to live in the moment. Too often we are thinking ahead or looking ahead to the next event or circumstance in our lives, not appreciating the “here and now.†When we savor every moment, we are savoring the happiness in our lives and finding the reasons right before us to smile. Stand up look in the mirror and smile .. even that makes a difference... ok we can't be happy all the time but lets try and be happy some of the time...
Tags: Enduring Ways to Keep Smiling, SWALK1955
Just me thinking out loud - with the help of him upstairs... The other day when I had the flu and pneumonia jab I had a strange reaction to it and spend several days wallowing in self-pity and feeling sorry for myself. , I had a life defining moment. An epiphany, if you like. I was just about tired of seeking for validation from everyone around me (don’t give me that look as if you don’t get such days). Then I asked myself a brutally honest question, “What if I break (myself), and still don’t fit?†On one of these day, the world was spinning wildly. It’s as if I was losing my sanity. Everything in my life was looking bleak. I have felt like a failure many times. But on this day, I felt like the queen of my land. My mind seemed to have this very high-end magnifying glass, the kind that only picks the negative stuff in your life, and makes it a million times worse. And I quickly add, its resolution makes that picture crystal clear. Almost like a reality. I assessed facet after facet of my life. My job, social life. financial life, spiritual life, family, health, Even my vanities, My gosh! What did I have going on in my life? (rhetoric) On top of all that, I seemed to wear my feelings on my sleeve. Every single stupid thing was hurting me. Where the hell had all my strength gone? I know I have endured shit that you would never even dream of. I was slowly sinking into despair. Come to think of it, this was not really the first time I was getting this kind of feeling. It had happened before. That’s when it hit me. Party! I needed to throw a party. Not a pity party. A private party! I closed my eyes, and decided to pray. I hadn’t spoken to God in a while. My soul was yearning to reach out to someone supreme. For the first time in a long time, I felt that God was listening. Now this is the weird thing. I couldn’t say a word. Tears flowed freely and passionately. I could tell that God was listening to the yearnings of my heart. I sat in silence, alone, and for the first time I experienced the sweetness of doing nothing. Note to self: I need to meditate. Somebody once told me, select your thoughts the way you select your clothes. I did that. I got into my mind and picked my happy memories. I listened to this special song, I listened to when I want to go to a happy place in my mind. Sure enough it brought such amazing memories of a happy place I went to called by Night. What kind of a party would it be without music, right?] I remained in this state of never-never land for a while. Everything was fun, until I decided to get into that part of my brain where my pain, my regrets and my wounds reside. If you know me personally, you would know I do not show my inner feelings to anyone. I cried, sobbed, deeply I didn’t look through all the things I found in this “compartmentâ€, otherwise I would not be here to tell this story. Then I embarked on a self-forgiveness mission. Are you aware that even when acts of God happen sometimes you find yourself blaming yourself? One of these days I will throw away the organ that is responsible for such torturing emotions this is the part of the party, where gate crashers come, and the bouncers have to throw them out. Then the party began. I was high (on tears). I let my guard down. Told myself I can only do me. I celebrated the address of my life. I enjoyed my own company, Solitude. Heck, I realized, it’s the best company I will ever keep. I purposed to start a fresh, to work towards being whole. I realized that it is extremely unfair of me to charge another person with the responsibility of making me happy. It had to start with me. Besides, the Bible sets self-love as the bar to loving God and even our neighbours, no? I made a conscious effort to regain my balance. They say if you lose balance, you lose your power. I had lost the power to be me, to be happy, to be content, and to enjoy the beautiful thing that is life. I decided to start using the aforementioned magnifying glass to magnify not the bad things, but the good things in life. That is, to count my blessings. Hurting people hurt others. Fact. We hurt the people we love the most. Another fact. Pause and think about it. I don’t know about you, but when I’m in a lousy mood, I seem to lash out at the people I care for more than those, I errr… don’t give a tinker’s ass for. So, there is this special somebody, who has come to my life and just that encounter has made me realize, just how wanting I am in many areas of my life. He unknowingly challenges me to come up higher and be a better person. He is the iron that sharpens this iron. Today, I celebrate him. He is my everyday party. Yeah, I just said that. God is truly that special person... Thank You God.. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to smile, it only takes one reason. Our lives can be stressful and complicated at times, but that doesn’t mean laughter, happiness and serving up a warm, beautiful smile can’t fill the gaps in between. Perhaps if we can think of more reasons to smile, the gaps might become further apart and the energy our smiles provide will have a better chance of sustaining our efforts to look for the positive that exists around us. Maybe, our smiles can help us stay in the positive a little while longer, too. There’s no question disappointment will continue to occur (that’s just part of the natural ebb and flow of life), and when the sadness does come again, having an inventory of what brings us comfort and a heartwarming reason to smile is good to have on hand. Knowing that someone is there for you is an amazing feeling. Before I knew Jesus, I was lost and in the dark. Now and then He would shine a light for me to see my way and I just close my eyes. Now it is always sunny and beautiful. I feel His presence, love and guidance everyday. I now know that no matter what I will always have someone there for me!!!
Tags: Truth is, some feelings only tears can wash away, swalk1955
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xf-Lesrkuc&ob=av2e I recently fell in love with a song that I’ve heard lots of times before. You know one normally playing on the radio but you don’t take much notice of let alone listen to the words. This time I listened to with completely different ears and heart. Drops of Jupiter by Train Talks about someone who has been on a soul vacation and found herself. My brain was working overtime as it has been doing as of late.. The imagery is what got me this time, not the philosophy. “Did the wind sweep you off your feet?†Ahhh. Doesn’t that sound fun? That little tummy flip and giggle that goes along with being swept off your feet by a rollercoaster or a plane ride, so cool. So what if this wind swept you off into the universe? Would you do it? “Did you finally get the chance to dance along the light of day…†Hmmm. Doesn’t that sound fun? Imagine for a moment if you were able to ride a wave that chases the sunrise around the world. No worries about time, just enjoying the never ending colours that accompany the ever changing cloud formations. “Did you fall for a shooting star…†Can you imagine the sun’s rays bouncing off the millions of tiny frozen crystals from Haley’s comet and you getting to touch them as they float by? Talk about the colours of the rainbow! “Did you sail across the sun?†Oh baby! Imagine the most beautiful ship with billowing white sails trailing past the sun and you totally immune to the heat and radiation. Just a visitor on your way to see the Milky Way. No need for provisions, sleep, or any other human necessity. Nothing to keep you from investigating the universe and beyond! And I won’t stop there. I want to, “trace my way through the constellation…†and investigate all though glorious mysteries the universe is waiting to unveil to me. Though I love this song, there's one part that gets me every time. The lyrics, "that heaven is overrated," just don't jive with me. Yeah, I know they're talking about something completely different, but still... I've just given you my bucket list…my Heaven’s bucket list. So don’t tell me Heaven is overrated, I don’t believe it. I won’t be encumbered by this 3D body, no packing coats, long underwear or bringing my handy dandy bottle of water. Just take myself. That’s my kind of soul vacation. Come with me, nothing better than vacation with friends. I also watch a film once about traveling around the world on a stamp – I so wish I could do that. I’m 56 this December and I would not choose to live life again.. O how I hate it here sometimes.. But I do now feel that my brain in stuck inside an old shrivelled body.. One of those ages were people pass you by and shut doors in your face as if your invisible.. But I so wish that life had been so different and the knowledge that’s bashing at my brain now.. Was there when I was a child. Why can’t we be born with knowledge instead of dying with it.. O how wonderful life might be if only we could turn back the clock sometimes.. At this moment in my life I feel as if my life is flashing before my eyes and that I have to get all this knowledge stored in my brain out into the world.. what world who’s listening anyway.
Tags: Drops of Jupiter by Train, swalk1955
I’m always amazed at the richness of words. The right choice of words implies new meaning and can stop us in our tracks because they touch our hearts so deeply. This weekend I heard several phrases that did just that and I wanted to share them with you. They were based on an interpretation of Matt 14:13-20 – the feeding of the five thousand. 1. God loves us for who we are. Jesus welcomed the crowds that came to see him. He did not send anyone away. He knew their hearts, he could read each one. He loved them; he knew they were “hungry.†How many of us actually believe that God loves us for who we are? Or do we think that God will love us for what we become? Do we constantly strive to be better people because we think God will love us more? Do we fail to let God in because we question whether He could love us when we’re such a mess? The truth is that God loves us in spite of our mess and even because of our mess. He knows us and wants so much for us. It is us to accept ourselves and move towards Him. Move towards grace. The bigger truth is God meets us where we are. He doesn’t wait for us to come to Him. He sits where we sit and simply waits for us to say, “I’m here.†The next time we feel lost, maybe the best answer is to simply stop and say, “I’m here, I’m listening.†2. God will not send us away empty. (If we come to Him) Jesus knew the five thousand were hungry and he refused to send them away empty. He told the people to sit down and he fed them. Matt 20 says, “they all ate and were satisfied…†Matthew doesn’t say the people ate until they had enough or until the food was gone, he says, “satisfied.†Their hunger subsided. They were satiated. Jesus did not send them away empty. Matt 20 also says that the fragments filled twelve wicker baskets. This implies that Jesus has more than enough for you and me and everyone who comes to him. Do we think our problems are so big that God cannot handle them or that He is too busy with others? We need to remember that everyone that came to see Jesus that day was filled. Not only did Jesus feed their physical being, he fed their spiritual side. God has enough for all of us and then some. All we have to do is ask. 3. You are what you eat. We’ve heard this statement many times, but do we understand it? We all have a physical being and a spiritual being. Our physical being is always impacted by what we eat. If we eat vitamin rich food, our bodies flourish. If we eat constant junk food, then our bodies reflect that food as well. Junk in Junk out. So it is with our spiritual being as well. If we feed our spiritual beings with junk food, then we will produce junk. If we feed our souls with God’s Word, then we will process it effectively and flourish. If we eat too much, our bodies get bigger than necessary which has implications on our physical wellbeing. We develop aches and pains, our knees, hips, backs and ankles hurt. Are we eating because we are hungry or because we are trying to fill a need of a different kind? That leads me to my final question. 4. Where do you go to eat? If we are in a hurry, we hit a fast food joint and gobble down food that we know we are going to regret later. But if we take our time, prepare a meal that reflects the nutrients our body needs, then not only does it taste better, but it provides energy for our bodies. But where do we go when we need spiritual food? Do we look to God’s word or go to His church? Junk in Junk out. Do we go to places that we know we shouldn’t be? Do we engage in behaviours that we think will fill us up, but only leave us feeling empty? Many times, we go to the fast food of life. We call or visit a friend that we can complain to and listen to their advice. We want the short cut, we don’t have time. But when we go to church, we are taking the time to meet God where He is. How much more will we receive if we take them time to feed our spiritual lives correctly? When we receive Communion we follow what Jesus asked us to do, “Do this in memory of me.†Jesus promised us living water and he would never promise something he did not intend to deliver. Reading Scripture has the similar effect of preparing a real meal. We can always read something that reminds us of God’s presence and assures of us of His love. We often find direction in the simple words or actions of Jesus’ life as well as those who followed him. The Old Testament provides a trusty verification that there is more and that our job is to not only trust in God, but meet him in covenant. Many of the psalms reflect on just that. The simple truth is that God loves us beyond our understanding. He sent His only son, Jesus to share with us the true meaning of life and begin a new covenant. His death was the ultimate sacrifice that opened the gates of Heaven and allows us to obtain something we couldn’t on our own, eternal life. The only question is: Are you ready to be fed?
Tags: You Are What You Eat, swalk1955
Goldfish brings life to a home in a tank or to the garden in a pond. These carp fish have become a favorite pet to many and still Infuse the same magic as when they swam in muddy waters. They show us the ability to be beautiful and graceful in even the most dirtiest of places. Their gold bright colors remind us of life and riches, and can bring luck to our homes. Let goldfish show you how to shine bright and beautiful, so life becomes rich and abundant. Goldfish Traits: - Gracefulness
- Life
- Fortitude
- Luck
Tags: Goldfish, swalk1955
When we think of stealthy animals in nature we don't often think of an elephant. Elephants however walk on padded feet letting them tip-toe softly onto the ground. Elephant appears to us in life to remind us to walk softly but in style. Their large ears, used to cool them in the hot sun, also acts to receive low vibrations of communication. Elephants can teach you to receive hidden messages from spirit guides and to hear the truth in your own voice. With their gentle touch they can push over most 50 feet trees, showing us strength can be gentle in our lives. So let Elephant connect you to the ancient memory of Mother Earth and your own inner knowledge. Elephant Traits: - Grace on our feet
- Anicent memory
- Strength
- Increased hearing
Tags: Elephant, swalk1955
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Bat
Posted On 09/28/2011 07:40:37
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Bats are a flying mammal that specializes in radar. Bats live in caves, or dark places like attics, in groups called colonies. It's members work together to feed and support hungry babies. Because of it's scarey appearance and nocturnal behavior these powerful totems have become omens of doom and fear. Humans fear death, and all those things associated to death, because of our true fear of changing. When bats fly into your life it's time to stop and look at what needs to be released. Bat can show you your darkest secrets, deepest emotions, and true fears. Bat lives within the womb (a cave) of Mother Earth and can show us how to rebirth ourselves everyday. This natural life cycle of life and death (or Shamanic Death) is what allows us to release our old self and structures. Let us rejoice the Bat with our new birth and move into our new paths of life. Bat Traits: - Transformations
- Releasing Fear
- Life and Death Cycles
Tags: Bat, swalk1955
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