Falling in love again: A poem about opening yourself up to love

Falling in love again: A poem about opening yourself up to love

by alekhouse @ HubPages

From Denny:

Since yesterday was my birthday I thought I'd mellow out on the early AM posting today... :)

Here's the comment I left on her page - What a beautiful piece, loved it! And such good encouragement to others to dare, one more time, in spite of feeling burned out emotionally, to love once again, discovering they can now rest in the loving. Thank you for the word treat! Blogging this on over to my poetry blog for everyone else to enjoy too! Thank you for writing it.

Writing, Arts, culture, Literature, Love, Relationships

Joke: Cat Goes to Heaven

Tokoyo Cat Cafe where for $10 customers can play with their favorite cat - Image by Getty Images via Daylife

From Denny: Today's my birthday so I thought I'd mellow out and lay back on the early AM posting. Found this over at Jokes.net, enjoy!

Cat Goes to Heaven

One day a cat dies of natural causes and goes to heaven. There he meets the Lord Himself. The Lord says to the cat, "You lived a good life and if there is any way I can make your stay in Heaven more comfortable, please let Me know." The cat thinks for a moment and says, "Lord, all my life I have lived with a poor family and had to sleep on a hard wooden floor." The Lord stops the cat and says, "Say no more," and a wonderful fluffy pillow appears.

A few days later, six mice are killed in a tragic farming accident and go to heaven. Again, there is the Lord there to great them with the same offer. The mice answer, "All of our lives we have been chased. We have had to run from cats, dogs and even women with brooms. Running, running, running; we're tired of running. Do you think we could have roller skates so we don't have to run anymore?" The Lord says, "Say no more," and fits each mouse with beautiful new roller skates.

About a week later the Lord stops by to see the cat and finds him snoozing on the pillow. The Lord gently wakes the cat and asks him, "How are things since you got here?"

The cat stretches and yawns and replies, "It is wonderful here. Better than I could have ever expected. And those 'Meals On Wheels' you've been sending by are the best!"



Cat, Roller skates, Heaven, Family, Pets, Lord, jokes, Humor

How Can Our Dreams Prevent Us From Awakening?

Image via Wikipedia

From Denny: Carl Jung, often touted as the father of modern psychiatry, specialized in dream analysis. He was also a very spiritual person with a deep faith in God. What he discovered in his studies is that often when we look outside ourselves for answers those answers elude us. Yet when we look inside ourselves the awareness comes as to what unconscious obstacles we have been throwing in the path of achieving our dreams.

Looking outside ourselves sets us up for frustration. We can reach outside to others for information to help us look within. We read posts like this and books on the subject we are trying to learn more about before we begin the long process of introspection; all that is helpful. The problem arises, and this is what I think Jung is stressing here in this quote, is that people can become co-dependent on the next speaker at a seminar, the next church class, the next DVD series all in the name of learning more. At some point it becomes "busy work" setting us up to doubt ourselves to the point of inaction.

The step two in the process after information gathering is to turn inward for introspection. This act is not about doubting or beating up yourself with negative and regretful self-talk of what you did or didn't do. It's about allowing your own spirit to reveal to your every day conscious mind what is holding you back from achieving your dreams and goals. Our spirit understands our desires and knows how to meet them.

The disconnect comes when our conscious every day mind (the one who makes lists and goes grocery shopping = the left brain) doesn't listen to our spirit revealing insight through the right brain. Basically, because of our Western culture we shut down and close the door from our right brain, essentially shutting out half of the information we need to make good decisions in life. You could say the left brain is downright bossy in it's need to dominate rather than cooperate in a partnership for the benefit of all.

Carl Jung stumbled upon a profound insight. Lucky us that he chose to write about it for the benefit of future generations. Because he listened to his own spirit within we now have a wealth of knowledge at our fingertips. All that is left is action on our part to look within.

Quote

"Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens." Carl Jung


Carl Jung, Psychology, Social Sciences, Dream interpretation, Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic, Dream, Psychiatry, Brain, Consciousness

Did You Hear the Latest "Study"? Cat Law of Selective Hearing

From Denny: This one really made me laugh! Do they know one of my cats? BTW, there is not a real cat study going on that I know of, however, for the right price of a few million government dollars I'll be more than happy to do one. Tell me: What outcome would you most prefer? I'll make sure to meet your marketing needs.

Seriously though, I teach my cats to come when they are called, otherwise they miss out on feeding time. And we all know cats don't like to be deprived. We have one cat that acts so much like a dog we affectionately call him "kitty-puppy."

The only time a cat won't truly come when called is when there is a predator nearby, usually a much larger cat, and they don't feel safe enough to answer or come out of hiding. Well, at least they are smart enough not to answer and give away their position. Maybe we should send an army of cats to fight our terrorist wars? They sure do understand guerrilla tactics and Special Forces ops. Wouldn't that make for interesting news coverage! :) Enjoy the funny quote.



Opie the cat yawns,"Yahoo!" photo by turtlemom4bacon @ flickr

Quote

Cat Law of Selective Hearing: "A cat can hear a mouse yawning a mile away, while filtering out the sound of a pleading human just six feet away." - Anonymous



cat law, cats, funny quotes, Pets, society and culture

What Is the Benefit of Humor for Stress in Your Life?

From Denny: This weekend I've been working on a new quotes blog to house all the funny quotes I find everywhere that make me chuckle, smile wide or downright guffaw so loudly my cats run out of the room saying, "Whoa! What's going on with Mom!"

I love intelligent witty humor, especially when it makes you think from another angle. This quote uses such a vivid metaphor as we walk carefully through Life that it rightly demonstrates just how integral and central humor should be in our lives.

Quote

"A well-developed sense of humor is the pole that adds balance to your steps as you walk the tightrope of life." - William A. Ward

Historical photo of tightrope walkers above the WWII ruins of Frankfurt, Germany by antony_mayfield @ flickr

Video: What Made Wedding Video a Web Hit?

From Denny: From reporter Mike Taibbi he explains why this wedding video has taken the world by storm. This is also a good video for people who are still scratching their heads trying to figure out what all the fuss is about on this one video.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Video: Wedding Party Recreates Blissful Boogie for Today Show

From Denny: They are at it again for national TV! One of the ushers is now in a cast since the original wedding video and was still in the dance.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Viral Video: Wedding Entrance Dance

From Denny: Enjoy this fun version of how to do your wedding day! It's gone viral on the web.

How Do You Test a Person's Character the Most? Adversity? No.

1861 Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln Image via Wikipedia

From Denny: Truer words could never have been spoken by President Abraham Lincoln! They apply to politics, religion, employers and parenting. It is easy to abuse your power over someone - "because you can." After all, who is going to stop you?

That's why it is so very important to develop true personal discipline in the cultivating of emotional intelligence to protect yourself from becoming an abuser so despised by others - and God. Who wants negative Karma slapping you in the face when you are at your most weak or vulnerable? No one who is sane asks for that intentionally.

How do you cultivate emotional intelligence? Start with cultivating analytical and then critical thinking. Critical thinking will pave the way for you to no longer be deceived by others who practice the art of misdirection, illusion and clever lying arguments. You will recognize you are being manipulated immediately.

Critical thinking is also useful in understanding the motivations of others in a situation, especially an explosive one like politics or family relationships. Really, politics is just an extension of a national family squabbling over tiny specks of truth rather than the big picture focus of what's right and good for the majority of the governed. People waste time getting caught up in contentiousness and then the whole house falls down around their ears. Reminds me of that movie "The War of the Roses," a divorcing couple that were savagely sadistic and destructive toward one another to the point of literally killing each other. What a waste of time and passion that could have been put to more constructive use for the betterment of others rather than the self-absorbed selfishness aimed at the need to win at all costs.

President Lincoln was a Republican President yet today would be recognized as a moderate or even as a Democrat. He was not a screamer partisan who hated all as the Republican Party has become in the past 25 years. He brought into his administration men from many political persuasions and parties of his time, including his political enemies. He made the effort to be bi-partisan. Whether the others chose to do right by the country was up to them.

Once in the White House, Lincoln quickly recognized he had tremendous power to do whatever he willed and desired not to abuse that power over the country. Before getting elected to the White House he lost 70 elections, surely a test of adversity. In this quote, Lincoln talks about adversity as he knew it well. He also knew great power. The politicians and political rhetoric folks could take a lesson from this thought-provoking President of high emotional intelligence and strong moral character.

Quote

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." - President Abraham Lincoln


Abraham Lincoln, United States, Society and Culture, Politics, Emotional intelligence, Presidents, History, Social Studies, Kids and Teens, presidential quotes, quotes

What is the Interaction of Divinity and You?

Image by Lucas Janin via Flickr

From Denny: There is much ado on the spiritual front these days be it from the traditional mainstream Christianity to New Age exploration of less titled and neatly labeled areas of spirituality.

In the end, whether discussing God from a Personal Perspective of male or female gender like Father God and Mother Holy Spirit or illumination of the impersonal spiritual principles we come to the same questions as in this simple quote that packs quite a punch, demanding action from us.

Quote

"We are Divine enough to ask. Are we Divine enough to receive?" - Wayne Dyer


God, Wayne Dyer, Religion, Evangelism, Christianity, Opposing Views, Religion and Spirituality, New Age, quotes, God quotes, society and culture

What We Think, Know or Believe Equals What?

From Denny: Every now and then I run into a political article on the web that is, well, disturbing. Yesterday I was on my beloved HubPages where I have a lot of fun and have acquired a lot of contacts and friends. Then I ran across yet another "ditto" article (they call them hubs) about how liberals are evil. I tried to read it all to give the writer a fair hearing but, frankly, it was nothing but confused, irrational, illogical hate speech brain diarrhea.

The main focus of the argument was to promote themselves as real Christians because they have decided that anyone who is generous and kind is evil. The real definition of the word "liberal" means "to be generous toward others." Since when did the Jesus Christ acts of compassion, generosity toward others and kindness get thrown into the dungeon of the "evil" column?

Something is terribly "rotten in Denmark" and "wrong in River City." Something is rotten to the spiritual core in America when this kind of thing is so widely promoted as well as tolerated without so much as a comment as to why it is wrong. Hate speech like this is as destructive to the writers and speakers as it is to the society and country.

Of course, it also begs the proverb: "Not all the crazy people are locked up!" The problem is that with harsh, scorched Earth politics it lets loose the underbelly of humanity to do as it wills. What it wills is to destroy all around it rather than build up, connect and cultivate better relationships.

A destruction mentality is unbalanced and just plain creepy. What these people are really saying to us (read between the lines) is that they fear everyone and everything in life to the point of hysteria and extreme paranoia. Since these folks are unable at present to truly embrace the true Love message of Jesus, then I suggest their only alternative is a psychiatrist and meds. These people are seriously ill to scream hate at the top of their lungs like this because they are so very fearful. Jesus Christ told his followers, "Fear not; trust Me!"

This brings me to today's quote where we can spout off what we think, what we believe or even what we think we know, true or erroneous facts, but we will be found lacking if we do not choose to do well by others in our lives. There are some acts, like this irrational hate speech, that are better off left unsaid and not done. Everyone benefits in the end.

Quote

"What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do." — John Ruskin

Photo by snuzzy @ flickr


Jesus Christ, Christianity, liberals, hate speech, republicans, conservatives, bullies, insane, Christian, John Ruskin, Earth, Religion and Spirituality, Denmark, Jesus

Does Happiness Elude You?

From Denny: One of the beauties of coming from a family of very long-lived people is that you don't lose the institutional memory of historical events. Another plus is that you don't lose what former generations taught in the way of good character. What is in fashion in one generation is often out of fashion in the next and, so, we lose the cultural continuity of good values.

Like in any family there were those in mine who were, well, slugs, when it came to good character. To a person they lived miserable anti-social lives, unhappy the majority of the time because they focused too much upon themselves. In my book there is nothing wrong with being good to your self. Just try to make the same good faith effort for others as you would yourself and your life is enriched!

For instance, I enjoy writing all these many blogs. It gives me a creative outlet for color, design and writing about anything and everything that interests me in this world of awesome wonders. Writing these blogs also gives me a chance to share with others as if these blogs were the ultimate social site of sharing! By sharing with others a person can enrich the lives of others while they enrich their own.

Then comes the Joy as was taught in previous generations. This kind of Joy has lain dormant for the past 25 years or so, drowned out by business greed and the drive to unbalanced excessive and financial only success. There are a lot of facets to the concept of success. Monetary wealth and accumulation is only a small part of the equation. This much power and large wealth requires the learning of real wisdom in order to not be destroyed by such power. I could get into what the ancient Kabbalists have to say about the power inherent in money and how to prepare for basically trying to grab a tiger by the tail but that would be another very long post! :)

Perhaps it's time for global society to rediscover some of the ancient wisdom of past societies, learning to appreciate the success of others as well as their own. Happiness can be an elusive creature to those who are calculating and refuse to dig deep into their hearts and offer up greater generosity to those around them. Generosity of spirit goes a long way to creating a much happier life!

Funny Dog Photo by Phil Romans @ flickr

Goethe at age 69 Image via Wikipedia

Quote

“Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though t'were his own.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (German Playwright, Poet, Novelist and Dramatist. 1749-1832)

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Money, History, Family, German language, Good faith, denny lyon, Arts, Kabbalah, Literature, Kids and Teens

How is Your Mind Like a Parachute?

A member of the U.S. Navy Parachute Demonstration Team, the "Leap Frogs" returns to earth after a successful jump during the Northern Neighbors Day Air show at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. - Image via Wikipedia

From Denny: This quote is one of those that creates this visual image that is a lasting impression. Too often people close their minds because of fear of the unknown and fear of change. Worst of all there is a fear of they have to change by growing their attitude and then their actions toward others.

The reality is that if we don't embrace change in our lives, no matter how uncomfortable we are at first, we don't grow. When we don't grow, we stagnate. When we stagnate, we rot from the inside out - and that is never a pretty sight! Choose to embrace Life by embracing change. The way to embrace change is to open your mind to new possibilities and an unknown path that can take you to wonderful places!

Quote

"Minds are like parachutes - they only function when open." - Thomas Dewar

Do You Realize Speaking Kindness to Others Benefits You?

From Denny: This is a wonderful profound statement about the long-lasting effects of kindness when someone hears these words. Have you ever considered how much good it does your own heart - and health - when it hears you speak these words out loud for another? Both of you benefit!

This act of kindness goes a long way toward developing emotional intelligence to the highest level and boosting the health of your own immune system against disease. After all "dis-ease" is to be out of balance. Kindness creates an "ease" bringing all into balance again, making you and others stronger!

Quote

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless." ~ Mother Theresa


Emotional Health and Wellbeing, healing, kindness, Emotional intelligence, Immune system, Intelligence, Conditions and Diseases, Social Sciences, Psychology, Cancer, Health

Bloggers Unite: Global Human Rights Abuses

From Denny: This is a post I ran over at The Social Poets Friday evening for the Bloggers Unite Human Rights Day post on 17 July 2009. Bloggers everywhere are all blogging on the same day about human rights.

***

Humanity is at a crossroads in our world history where we must make a profound decision. It’s time to live better.

Currently, human rights abuses are no longer exclusive to certain regions of the globe. There is a sharp increase in human rights abuses worldwide for decades now and situations are increasing in violence yearly.

Stories abound globally of the most heinous crimes to humanity. Nothing good is accomplished by mankind trying to annihilate mankind. Just what is going on in the world? Here are just a few areas:

• Hamas and Taliban Islamic terrorists and other terrorist groups worldwide are on a bloodthirsty killing spree with bombings of civilians, women and children in many places in the world.



Photo by azrainman @ flickr

• Rogue unstable governments, covertly cozy with terrorist groups, working feverishly to acquire the nuclear bomb so they can kill off their neighbors they don’t like because they are another religion, a different economic or another kind of social system – or just plain won’t give them what they want.

• Genocide in Africa because people of different tribes can’t work out their differences like civilized people.



• Jailing journalists - trying to report the truth - as political temper tantrums to get their own way: North Korea and Iran.

• Tortured prisoners worldwide with the most notable recent heinous acts perpetrated during the Bush years on terrorist suspects never given trials, mainly because there was no real hard evidence.



• Under Taliban Islamic law and culture women are still regarded as subhuman and not deserving of first class treatment like men.

• Here in the United States, during the Bush years, women were raped, often savage gang rapes, at our military universities yet went unreported.

• Then there are battered women worldwide from Islamic to Christian countries whose husbands will not stop pummeling them.



We, the majority, are allowing the few to terrorize us, our neighbors and our loved ones. We must mobilize to stop it. How? Education for starters.
In the end, in order for humanity to not come to an end, we must consider a working alternative to what exists today in the way of abuses. It is a basic human right to be loved. Loved, you say? Yes, loved. We all have the right to be loved.

Love comes in many forms. We have the human right to certain expectations of basic decency and civility. We have the human right to healthy drinking water and sanitation and affordable housing. We have the human right to expect our political leaders that are guardians of our country to be honest and get serious about addressing pressing social and economic issues.



Photo by alicepopkorn @ flickr

Human rights abuses worldwide, in our own countries, in our homes will continue until the average person stands up and says "No!" to it all. Human rights abuses will continue until we all get serious about connecting up to create a tsunami force to push humanity along until we all do better, choose better and, in the end, start living better. Now that’s Love in action! We all have the human right to be loved. Let’s give Love.

A few places you can go for education and plug in to help:

Bloggers Unite where you can help by blogging

Youth Movement For Human Rights - worldwide

Human Rights Watch

Amnesty International, dedicated to bringing world attention to human rights abuse


North Korea, United States, denny lyon, Human rights, Nuclear weapon, Africa, Amnesty International, Human Rights and Liberties, Sharia, The Social Poets

How Do You Handle Excessive Stress?

Interrupting GoGo's catnap to tell her about the health benefits of smiling... Image by elycefeliz via Flickr

From Denny: Every now and then you get to quote yourself which I find quite amusing! How does that happen? Well, the spiritual development people know exactly what I'm talking about as it often goes like this: You are replying to an email as I was in this instance, or, say, you were having a conversation with someone, and, suddenly, out pops this fantastic one liner. You know it's profound or memorable or just plain good advice.

There is a lot of chaos, job loss, sudden onset of health issues and violence going on right now in our economy. People are struggling with their particular life tests, looking for ways to battle or handle excessive stress.

I grew up in a harsh environment of constant stress and created a lot of coping skills to help me manage the stress instead of the stress controlling me. Here is the most recent advice my spirit jumped up and offered to a recent email friend whose husband is now out of work and lost their house of many years.

There is a lot of hurt going on throughout this country. Like anyone I have my own garbage to deal with from time to time, yet I follow my own advice as in this quote. It has never failed me.

Inevitably, the bad times begin to fade and finally end and then a new cycle of properity begins. Keep your mind and eyes on the positive - even when you know it's down the road. Eventually, you will arrive at that better point in your life.

Quote

“Keep smiling. Humor keeps your attitude pushed up and your heart wide open to sight the new opportunities coming your way.” Denny Lyon, 16 July 2009


Health, Stress, Mental health, Coping skill, Emotional Health and Wellbeing, Kids and Teens, Lyon, Support group, Denny Lyon, humor, smiling

What is the Simplicity of Living True Happiness?

Image by *MizzEl* via Flickr

From Denny: Happiness is something people pursue in every generation. It's even written into our American Constitution as every person's right! Philosophers opine about it endlessly. Religious teachers have their varying opinions.

Yet it seems too many learned sectors miss the obvious as is stated in this quote of pure unadulterated simplicity! And the photo, well, it was just perfect as a pairing for this quote; take a look!

Quote

"Happiness is never stopping to think if you are." ~ Palmer Sondreal


United States Constitution, happiness quotes, United States, Law, Politics, Government, Constitution, Society and Culture, quotes, happiness

Video: News of the Absurd - Twitter, Soc the Cat and Religion

From Denny: It's all about Twitter and the absurd in this amusing CNN segment!



Twitter religion Soc Cat Absurd Video humor Twitter Followers

Joy is the Holy Fire for Your Passion!

Image by john curley via Flickr

From Denny: This is the third of three quotes on Joy. One of the reasons I promote Joy so much is because it is directly related to a personal passion, the passion of the spirit which refreshes and rejuvenates us to live another moment, another day, our life time. It ignites us to act and fuels us to go on when a situation can look tough otherwise and warms us in our time of disappointment. Joy is so strong it can propel us past all obstacles! Cultivate your Joy today!

Quote

“Joy is the holy fire that keeps our purpose warm and our intelligence aglow.”

Helen Keller quotes (American Author and Educator who was blind and deaf, a pioneer in promoting sign language to communicate. 1880-1968)

Where Do We Find Joy and Peace?

Image by Bern@t via Flickr

From Denny: This is the second of three in the series of quotes about Joy!

How many times have you witnessed someone - or done it yourself - watching people seek a peaceful place away from the people who are nothing but inner chaos? Excessively negative people can be a real emotional drain sometimes.

And yes, you will require removing yourself physically from association until you learn how to cultivate that Peace internally. In the end, the world and others will always be chaotic as they struggle with growth - or as is usually the case - they resist inner growth - and that makes their struggle turn violent.

You will find that the more you focus upon inner Joy the more balanced you will be. As you grow your awareness in this Joy you will find that when the negative chaos bursts into your world and tips you off balance, it will only be momentary. How will it be momentary? The longer you cultivate anything the more familiar it becomes! It is easy to find your way back to that calm place after some practice.

Spiritual development is like that, requiring constant practice that daily makes you more aware and stronger to handle stressful situations.

Quote

"You are seeking Joy and Peace in far off places,

but the spring of Joy is in your Heart.

The haven of Peace is in Yourself."

~ Sai Baba

How is Joy Related to the World Soul?

Gaia Image via Wikipedia

From Denny: Apologies, folks, the 100 degree summer heat and 90% humidity is slowing me down a bit and the daily blogging has suffered!

To catch up I thought I'd do a series of JOY quotes that I really enjoyed recently as they link up well with each other. This is the first of three quotes. The profound AND useful for daily living is a winner! :)

The Colors of My Soul Image by ♪ María ♥♣ Trébol ♪ via Flickr

Quote

"Joy is the realization
of the Truth of our Oneness,
The Oneness of our Soul with the World,
and of the World-Soul with supreme Love."

~Rabindranath Tagore

Poem titled "First Impressions"

Image by jcolman via Flickr

Poem titled "First Impressions"

By Peggy W @ HubPages (a friend)

From Denny: This is a lovely short six line poem that you will enjoy!

Healing as an Extreme Sport

CIA Seal Image via Wikipedia

From Denny: Today, over at The Social Poets blog and under 10 July 2009, I have two posts referencing what is was like growing up inside the CIA.

The Libations Friday! post has two good quotes that came out of an essay I wrote a year ago for an online writing group. The posts also go a long way to proving that healing really is an extreme sport and can be accomplished from the worst of circumstances. Go here.

How Do Your Words & Actions Become Your Destiny?

Stylized deity like veneration of Lao Tze Image via Wikipedia

From Denny: I guess this ancient Chinese philosopher ought to know what he's talking about! As people we really are a collection of what we focus upon over time. As a result we can experience disastrous consequences or bountiful rich happy experiences. Most of us experience Life somewhere in the middle zone.

Our decisions can make us or break us. In the end, our decisions certainly teach us all. And what is Life but one long-running classroom anyway? Keep smiling no matter what; sooner or later you will work your way out of a bad decision Karma backlash. It happens to the best of us. :)

Quote

"Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions; they become habits.

Watch your habits; they become character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny."

— Lao-Tze

Are You Careful How You Form Your Opinions?

From Denny: This quote really sums up the problem in American politics the past decade or so - and said by an assassinated President decades before our current issues, how appropos.

You also can apply it to crank science, literature analysis and just plain gossip about your family, friends and neighbors! :)

This quote really warns about not going off "half-cocked" and becoming "a loose cannon on deck" lest you end up labeled a fool or an irresponsible flake by those around you.

President Kennedy in the Oval Office Image via Wikipedia

Quote

"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." - President John F. Kennedy

Eye Photo by alexv1317 @ flickr

President John F. Kennedy quote opinion politics American politics United States History Presidents