justaperture

Easy Tip: How to Ease A Soar Throat Naturally

2011-11-04T15:03:00.000-07:00

To soothe a soar throat, try a dose of nature by swallowing honey topped with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a dash of cayenne or clove. This will calm inflamed tissues as well as stimulate circulation.

Scratched note on the Index Card "When my thoughts trickle"

2011-04-11T02:41:00.000-07:00

Meet me in the moonlight
And we'll walk amongst the stars

We'll hold each other in our hearts
Dreaming of days not so far

We'll take off our shoes
and bury our feet
In stardusts magic sea

And look and feel and taste and smell
thats two, thats you, thats me

Ill awaken to the horizon
Of the light thats in your eyes

Reality sees Eternity
As surely Eternity's ours.

A place we've prepare
In Heavens mansions above
A family, a home, a dwelling of Love

Where endless IS
as we did define it
Where endless marks
Eternal Love

Original Notation written on a torn scratched index card:
-Thoughts-
Meet me in the moonlight and well walk among the stars
We'll hold each other in our hearts
and dream of day not so far
We'll take off our shoes and bury our feet
in the seas of magic stardust
Ill wake up remembering the light I see
When I look into your eyes
I'll awaken to the horizon of the light within your eyes
One day my arms will hold you, and
not just my heart
Eternity will surely be ours
A place we will prepare in the heavens above with each other for others and our family

GRATIS

2011-04-10T23:56:00.000-07:00

Sadly there are those, who, would rather be damned by justice and justification, than ask God for mercy. Which no matter how you sugar-coat it, is the true and final rejection of Jesus Christ. Rather, when we humble ourselves and seek for our needed mercy, instead of justice (for ourselves and others), MARVELOUS things begin to happen. We begin to return through action and deed, that which was given to us, by having: more patience, more mercy and more forgiveness for others. This love is unconditional it is without boundaries. It suffocates PRIDE and our "stories". The ones we tell ourselves to justify our selfishness, no plot, no reasons, no excuses, the topic becomes mute. Only then are we truly freed. Our hearts become alive, no longer past feeling but more tender. What was once hard begins to recognize what feelings of true joy and happiness are. Hardness of heart is thus remedied.

Think back to a time when you felt this before, honor the truth of that joy and acknowledge it with meekness. We have all experienced this feeling in our lives. The birth of a child, the loss of a loved one, remorse for a wrong we truly did not intend to commit. A smile, a laugh, a hug that says. I love and forgive you as I know I need the same tender mercy in return.

But why would you do this for me?

Because I love you

But it doesn't seem fair.

That's right. It's not fair at all - it's merciful.
It is, after all, a gift.

But how can I possibly deserve such a gift?

Don't be silly. You can't. You don't. This gift
is offered because I love you and want to
help you, not because I owe it to you.

But how can I ever repay you?

There you go again. Don't you get it yet?
You can't repay me, not you or all the billions
like you. Gifts of this magnitude can never
be repaid. For what I've done out of love for you
you can only love me back, and seek to become
what I am - a giver of good gifts.

And that IS my friend, the good news!

2011-03-25T13:35:00.000-07:00

The 82-inch plasma rule for a happy marriage

Published: Monday, March 14, 2011 1:06 p.m. MDT
By Jason Wright, For the Deseret News

Last week, a friend and I enjoyed a rare day off and went to a matinee. We arrived early enough to indulge in one of our favorite pastimes: Drooling over the wares next door to the theater in a place called The Big Screen Store. It sells — wait for it — big screen televisions.

Walking in feels like you’ve been transported to a scene from an Indiana Jones movie. Sure, there are interesting things to see up front — treasures worth a quick gander — but the deeper you navigate into the store, the more jaw-dropping the sights. What Ark of the Covenant waits in the very back? What prize sits under a single spotlight, surrounded by a red-robed choir singing hosannas?

It’s an 82-inch plasma television in a custom entertainment center so magnificent it almost made me cry the first time I saw it. I had to catch my breath as my friend slowly eased me into a luscious leather recliner. When my eyes opened, I was lost in seven-feet of television heaven.

Across the small faux living room, another customer sat on a matching couch staring at the mammoth set-up. He asked a salesman every imaginable question about installation, receivers, speakers, HDMIs, DLPs and DVDs until all his P’s and Q’s were A-OK.

My friend and I listened as the salesman played him like a fiddle, and not like a middle-schooler at the spring concert, more like Charlie Daniels at The Grand Ole Opry. The back-and-forth continued and my friend and I chimed in with our own curiosity about options and price. We enjoyed living the dream vicariously through this man who, for just a moment, seemed to represent us all.

Then came the moment of decision. The prospective customer took off his baseball cap, rubbed his head and raised red flag No. 1, “I wonder what my wife is going to say when you deliver this.”

The salesman laughed and the customer continued, “What will happen when she discovers I maxed out the credit card to pay for it?” Hello there, red flag No. 2.

Then came a flag so big the entire store fell behind an eclipse. The man shrugged and said, “She shouldn’t care, I pay the bill, right?”

I looked at my friend and whispered, “This guy just wrote my next column.”

Then I confessed that I actually felt sorry for this man’s wife as her husband convinced himself to pull the trigger on a total package worth almost $10,000.

If you’re lucky enough to know my wife, you know she’s a wonderful, patient woman who has tolerated plenty of hijinks and more than a few of my impulse purchases through the years. But let’s be clear, if a delivery truck shows up at Casa de Wright with an 82-inch plasma television and all the accouterments, my wife won’t simply tell them to return it, she’ll insist they take me, too. The only television I’ll be watching is whatever they offer at the Hampton Inn.

Maybe this other man’s wife will be overjoyed when the delivery arrives. Perhaps she’ll spend the day watching “Little House on the Prairie” and waiting anxiously for her husband to return home from work. Why? Because she just can’t wait to wrap her arms around his shoulders and kiss him sweetly on the neck. But what if it’s actually his neck around which she wants to wrap her hands?

I’m not a marriage counselor, I’m not credentialed and nor do I have my own talk show. But I do that know marriage can be a struggle and, for most of us, it’s real work. It’s not always easy taking different tastes, talents, habits and upbringings and making a healthy family stew.

Why, then, would we want to invite a potential wedge into our marriage? In-laws can be tricky and beyond our control, serious illness can surprise, and things like job loss can wreak havoc on even the strongest of marriages. With so many unexpected ingredients, why intentionally add something so potentially poisonous to your relationship? Why tempt pride? Why open doors to mistrust and doubt?

Spending money recklessly, especially without the support of your spouse, is like sending an embossed invitation to Satan and inviting him to take his best shot at shredding your marriage.

Every marriage is different, but I suggest couples could benefit from determining what their “free-to-spend” number is. Will your wife mind if you spend $50 tonight on the newest video game without discussing it first? Will your husband care that you spent $40 on a blouse you didn’t plan to buy today at the mall?

Maybe your number is lower. You and your spouse may determine that resources require consultation on non-essential items as inexpensive as $20. Or, perhaps, you’ll decide that spending up to $200 is just fine without a phone call and discussion. In any case, we should know our limits and communicate openly.

Will saying “no” to a large, unplanned, non-essential purchase without the courtesy of discussion guarantee a happy marriage? Maybe not. But going about it alone without your spouse will almost certainly guarantee strife, heartbreak and embarrassment.

After all, what good is an 82-inch television if your best friend isn’t there to watch it with you?

Salt Lake City Reaches Out To Japanese Sister City

2011-03-24T15:59:00.000-07:00

The following press release was sent out today to help raise funds for our Japanese Sister City of Matsumoto. Please forward this information to anyone who may be interested in donating. You can also donate online by visiting www.slcgov.com

Salt Lake City Reaches Out To Japanese Sister City
Fund Started to Assist Residents of Matsumoto

SALT LAKE CITY – In light of recent tragedies, Salt Lake City has set up a relief fund for our Sister City in Matsumoto, Japan.

Salt Lake City and Matsumoto have shared a special bond through the Sister Cities program since 1958. The two cities have much in common, both situated in beautiful mountain valleys dotted with ski resorts and centered with historic buildings.

The Sister Cities program was established under President Eisenhower to establish “Peace through People.” Matsumoto was Salt Lake’s first Sister City. Over the past 53 years the two cities have shared student exchanges, art exchanges, teacher and municipal employee exchanges, economic development, and several other activities. After the United States experienced the tragedies of September 11, Matsumoto hosted a fundraiser for relief efforts. They donated those funds to Salt Lake City asking us to put them where they are most needed. Salt Lake delivered those funds to then Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Although Matsumoto was not in direct line of the tsunami, the city is monitoring radiation levels daily. Matsumoto is located approximately 200 miles from the compromised nuclear facilities in Fukushima.

At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 22, former City Councilman Dave Buhler will address the Council regarding making a donation to Matsumoto City to assist with rebuilding after the devastation in Japan. Several Council members have voiced interest in reciprocating the generosity of Matsumoto, who made a donation to New York City, through our Sister City relationship, following the 9/11 attacks. Current Council Members who have visited the Sister City of Matsumoto will also comment. 100% of the money raised through this relief fund will be given directly to the city of Matsumoto, Japan. The city can then determine where best to appropriate the funds.

The Salt Lake City Mayor & Council offices are kicking off the Matsumoto Sister Cities Relief Fund with the first donations. Please join them in showing support for our friends in Japan.

Donation Information:
In person at any Wells Fargo location – donate to the Matsumoto, Japan Sister Cities Relief Fund.

Send a check to:
Wells Fargo Bank
381 E. Broadway
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Make checks payable to Matsumoto, Japan Sister Cities Relief Fund, account #7631654311
For questions regarding Salt Lake City’s Sister Cities program please contact Sara Hiatt at (801) 535-6035, sara.hiatt@slcgov.com or visit www.saltlakesistercities.com

Sara Hiatt
Phone: 801.535.6035

http://www.italianinutah.com/

Good Things to Come

2011-02-08T15:52:00.000-08:00

The Exlamation Point to Life: Together in Life and Death

2010-11-21T11:25:00.000-08:00

Utah couple together in life and in death

November 20th, 2010 @ 10:00pm

By Brooke Walker

KEARNS -- As the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Stanley and Marjorie Wheeler gather to remember the couple they all loved the topic is one of togetherness.

"Sixty-eight years is a long time to be together," said daughter-in-law Colleen Wheeler. "It's appropriate that they end their lives together, because they lived them together.
High school sweethearts, the two married in 1942. Except for the few years Stanley was away at war, they built a full and happy life side by side: raising five children, serving an LDS mission.
Things slowed down the last few years, as their health declined; two years ago, they moved in with their daughter. Health needs required them to be cared for in separate rooms, but that didn't keep them apart.
"One time, Myrah couldn't find my mother and she worried," son Bill Wheeler recalls. "She went walking around the yard looking for her. Well, she had slipped in bed with my dad."
And that's where they found Marjorie the night before her husband of 68 years passed away.
"I still don't know how the hospital bed bars got bent," daughter Myrah Heaton said. "But I had put her to bed and she climbed out to go see him, and we found her there."
Stanley passed away last Friday morning; Marjorie followed, just hours later.
"It was a peaceful passing. I've never seen such a peaceful passing," said daughter Susan Smith.
And while there are tears, family members are also celebrating, knowing the Wheelers died in the very the same way they lived -- together.
Heaton calls it a gift to the entire family.
"I think it was the exclamation point in their lives."

Utah couple together in life and in death

November 20th, 2010 @ 10:00pm

By Brooke Walker

KEARNS -- As the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Stanley and Marjorie Wheeler gather to remember the couple they all loved the topic is one of togetherness.

The perfection of the OM and Apologies

2010-08-17T17:32:00.000-07:00

Forgiveness: Letting go of grudges and bitterness
When someone you care about hurts you, you can hold on to anger, resentment and thoughts of revenge — or embrace forgiveness and move forward.
By Mayo Clinic staff

Katherine Piderman, Ph.D.
Nearly everyone has been hurt by the actions or words of another. Perhaps your mother criticized your parenting skills or your partner had an affair. These wounds can leave you with lasting feelings of anger, bitterness and even vengeance — but if you don't practice forgiveness, you may be the one who pays most dearly. By embracing forgiveness, you embrace peace, hope, gratitude and joy.

Empowered Forgiveness
Apologies

We say "It’s okay," when somebody has wronged us which energetically is allowing for the behavior to happen again.

In life there will always be times when we are affected by the actions of another person. When this happens, we often receive an apology. More often than not we say, "It’s alright," or " It’s okay," and by saying this we are allowing, accepting, and giving permission for the behavior to happen again. When we say "thank you," or "I accept your apology," we are forced to sit in our feelings rather than ignore them.

There are many of us who feel that it is easier to brush off how we really feel than to express our discomfort with something that has happened to us. While this may initially seem like the best thing to do, what it really does is put us into an unending pattern of behavior; since we are not honest with another person, we continue the cycle of letting them overstep our emotional limits time and time again. By doing this we place ourselves in the position of victim. We can put an end to this karmic chain by first acknowledging to the other person that we accept their request for forgiveness; often a simple “thank you” is enough. To truly create a greater sense of harmony in our relationship, however, we need to gently, and with compassion, express our innermost concerns about what has transpired. By taking a deep breath and calling upon the deepest parts of our spirit, we can usually find the right words to say and verbalize them in a way that lets the other person recognize ! the consequences of what they have done.

If we can remember that our response to others is important, we can begin to realize that trust and forgiveness go hand in hand. And when we react in a way that engenders a greater amount of honesty and candor, we will establish a more positive and empowering way of being and interacting others.

I AM

2010-08-17T16:28:00.000-07:00

I found a note today I wrote to myself while living in New York and dealing w the reality that someone close to me in my life had lost their faith and vision. They having succumbed to the beast of selfishness had become debilitated and were no longer capable of love. I sometimes would wonder if I ever listened to my Guru then but amazingly enough I did. Choosing out peace by not arguing, not pretending to agree with their false perception as the concluding definition of our families life and then moving towards change in making my life what I wanted it to be. I didnt realize it back then but I was being true to myself and my commitments. The note was seemingly simple yet profound, as I can look at how things are now and reflect on how we choose into the things in our lives. I know my guru was right because I can honor this today freely. "I am not going to be mad, mad is not an emotion." "I am not going to be hurt" "I am going to speak my mind and FEEL: love, peace and true to myself!" And yes indeed "I AM" "I AM SONYA" Thank you Guru! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A dose of Eternal and Infinite Love!

2010-08-12T23:20:00.000-07:00

A few thoughts about LOVE! today :)

Let the splendor of the diamond, pearl and ruby vanish like the magic shimmer of the rainbow. Only let this one teardrop, the Taj Mahal, glisten spotlessly bright on the cheek of time...

(Poet Rabindranath Tagore)
My favorite poet!

**************************************************************************************************************

Taj Mahal stands on the bank of River Yamuna. It was built by Shah Jahan (1592-1666), the fifth Mughal emperor of India (1628-58).
It was built in 1631 in memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, a Muslim Persian princess. She died while accompanying her husband in Burhanpur in a campaign to crush a rebellion after giving birth to their 14th child. The death so crushed the emperor that all his hair and beard were said to have grown snow white in a few months.
Construction began in 1631 and was completed in 22 years. Twenty thousand people were deployed to work on it. The material was brought in from all over India and central Asia and it took a fleet of 1000 elephants to transport it to the site. It was designed by the Iranian architect Istad Usa and it is best appreciated when the architecture and its adornments are linked to the passion that inspired it. It is a **"symbol of eternal love".**

An Infinite Amount of Love

"Think of the purest, most all-consuming love you can imagine. Now multiply that love by an infinite amount—that is the measure of God's love for you.

"God does not look on the outward appearance (see 1 Samuel 16:7). I believe that He doesn't care one bit if we live in a castle or a cottage, if we are handsome or homely, if we are famous or forgotten. Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He love us perfectly, Though we may feel lost and without compass, God's love encompasses us completely."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Love of God," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 22

**********************************************************************************************

...and thats all I have to say about that. Today :)!

CHOOSING PEACE is first knowing something about it!

2010-08-04T12:53:00.000-07:00

THE BANNER OF PEACE

PAX CULTURA

"Where there is Peace, there is Culture;

Where there is Culture, there is Peace."

- Nicholas Roerich

The Banner of Peace is the official flag in use around the world by members of the Planet Art Network and World Thirteen Moon Calendar Change Peace Movement. It is displayed at all events, gatherings, and centers which promote natural time and planetary peace.

The Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace was designed by Russian artist and humanitarian, Nicholas Roerich (1874 - 1947) as a response to the destruction of the first world war and the Russian Revolution.

It is an international treaty signed by India, the Baltic states, and 22 nations of the Americas including the United States.

The Roerich Peace Pact established an international agreement allowing any nation to protect its cultural or artistic heritage with a symbolic banner, the Banner of Peace. Signed in 1935, this treaty is international law today. Just as the Red Cross protects hospitals, the Banner of Peace was implemented to protect culture.

Written with the assistance of international experts and lawyers, the Banner of Peace was praised by many notable figures during its signing including Albert Einstein, George Bernard Shaw, and H.G. Wells. The Pact states, "educational, artistic, and scientific institutions... shall be protected and respected by the belligerents ... without any discrimination as to the state allegiance of any particular institution or mission... these missions may display a distinctive flag (the Banner of Peace).. which will entitle them to special protection and respect..." Thus any site of cultural activity around the world can fly the Banner of Peace to declare itself neutral, independent of combatant forces, and protected by international treaty.

Nicholas Roerich was an artist and travelled extensively through Russia, India, Tibet, and the United States.

He hoped by using a symbol that represented all cultures no group would feel excluded from using it. The Banner would have not one but several meanings, as Nicholas Roerich himself wrote:

"Let us be united - you will ask in what way?
You will agree with me: in the easiest way,
to create a common and sincere language.
Perhaps in Beauty and in Knowledge."

The distinctive Banner is three red circles surrounded by a larger red circle on a white banner. The banner is a deep red or magenta color to symbolize the color of our one blood, which is the same for all peoples. The top circle represents spirituality and encompasses the truth of all religions, that we can all unite regardless of our distinct beliefs. The two circles on the bottom represent art and science. The circle that surrounds the three spheres represents culture, the unity of art, science, and spirituality.

In 1993, Peace Pilgrims José and Lloydine Argüelles revived awareness of the Roerich Pact by using the Banner of Peace to represent the aims of the World Thirteen Moon Calendar Change Peace Movement and the Planet Art Network. With the strength of its historic and international validity, the Planet Art Network has reactivated this symbol, bringing its message of Peace to the Vatican, the United Nations, as well as several world leaders, in efforts to promote global calendar change.

Argüelles expanded Roerich's original motto to read "PAX CULTURA, PAX BIOSPHERICA", adding an emphasis that we must protect the Biosphere, the Mother of all Culture.

"Peace through Culture. Peace with the Biosphere."

The symbol for the Banner of Peace can be found in many cultures and numerous philosophical systems. It can be found on the coat of arms of the Popes, on Ethiopian and Coptic antiquities, and stone age amulets. It also appears on Tibetan rings, Buddhist banners, the Temple of Heaven in Peking and in the oldest of Indian symbols, the Chintamani, the sign of happiness.

Found in all cultures, the Banner of Peace is the perfect symbol to bring all peoples together in peace.

2010-06-21T13:17:00.000-07:00

Action And Effect

Every action you take has a cause and effect. The influence we wield is infinite.
All motive and action affects the cosmos in some way. The principle of cause and effect is the truth that allows us to change ourselves and the world around us for the better. However, this same universal law is also at work when change is not at the forefront of our minds. Our intentions flow forever outward in the form of energy, affecting both the people closest to us and billions of individuals we will likely never meet. For this reason, we should strive always to speak, think, and behave with great thoughtfulness and compassion. The virtues we choose to embody can inspire joy and integrity in the lives of countless people, whether we touch their existence directly or not.

The influence we wield is infinite.

WHO ARE SELFISH AND SELF SERVING

Who are Selfish and Self serving? Selfish and Self serving are most readily described as those who parade through their existence, reaping the assumptions of entitlement. When they speak they often sound similar to something like this: "My happiness, my time, my money, my car, my house, my computer, my paycheck, me, me, me." Have you ever heard that before?

...I am sorry, and who are you? The ones assuming to have "all" the answers do not typically bow to anyone, their knees are not used for kneeling and they are easily identified by their hypo-critic ego. They come from a place some refer to as Denial, and I'm not referring to a place in Africa.

Sadly enough, we all know someone as such. They are the ones that know it all, yet claim such a state of perfection as their unchanging, unwavering state of ignorance to in fact, not have all the answers. They presume to be greater than the God, or Spirit or Life Force that in fact gave them their breathe and existence. Agnosticism is their platform, where their comfort zones circular revolutions profess academic intelligence by the momentum used in arguing about the similarities or differences between belief and knowledge, rather than any specific claim or belief. Yet, with their one life to live they justify their talents and creativity as a means of expression, rather than unfashionable self indulgence. The compilation of their life's service to mankind, simply rendered in the obligation and assignment once given. Voluntarily they are not known for stepping out of their time and their needs to serve others without recourse of what praise they will receive. Nor do they seek wanting to be exposed as the self serving energy that consumes, regardless of the ones in need around them. Another mask for this can be identified as "THE VICTIM". Everything happens TO them, never because of them :( solutions are often minimized because the result they seek is the one they have resolved as the only way.

The state of mind that prevents one from making conscious choices unfortunately doesn't lessen their effect. Unable to differentiate this thought process is a debilitation in and of itself; and plagues our society.

Unfortunate to mankind is this way of existence as their examples will be seen and passed on.

Let us be conscious of the fact that our present as well as our future is being fashioned by the decisions we make. If that is hard for you to process, I challenge you to step back and ask yourself what role you have played out in your life that got you where you are today. Right now! Look at your feet and see where you are standing, how you got there and why!!! It is in the least liberating to be conscious and aware even if it but for a moment.

One last thing to remember:

“When you have to make a choice and don’t make it, that in itself is a choice.”

Is it Passion or Paris where I want to be! The answer is EXACTLY :)

2010-05-12T00:56:00.000-07:00

C’est toi ma passion!

As of recent, I blessedly became "aware"of my renewed appreciation for a particular word. A word that has never truly resonated with me, until now.

I have felt "this word" about things but strangely enough wasn't aware I was doing so.

Now can I just add for the sake of impressing this idea upon you, if this word were stock, I without question would be a stockholder. I'd even aspire to become the very CEO of "PASSION".

I know it is redundant the way we so often refer to the dictionary to find understanding. But as old as it seems, it successfully & safely delivers our mind to the runway of concept that is about to be exposed.

Last thought. For the sake of all sensibilities. We have all experienced things that did not work. SO, forgive me for stating the obvious here; if it works, well, -EXACTLY, IT WORKS!

Here we go:

pas·sion [pash-uhn] noun

any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as love or hate.
strong amorous feeling or desire; love; ardor.
lust.
an instance or experience of strong love or sexual desire.
a person toward whom one feels strong love or sexual desire.
a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything: a passion for music.
the object of such a fondness or desire: Accuracy became a passion with him.
an outburst of strong emotion or feeling: He suddenly broke into a passion of bitter words.
the state of being acted upon or affected by something external, esp. something alien to one's nature or one's customary behavior (contrasted with action).

*take into consideration that is just one point of reference to its definition.

Many explanations to this yet there are some that can apply more directly than others. You know which of those would be for you and which ones, NOT. On that note, I am not discrediting any of the meaning given here what-so-ever.

So here is my question for you. What exactly does passion look, feel and taste like?

Here is one answer. To put it frankly, passion is sweet to the taste and very desirable. For all intense purposes we will simply refer to it in this case as "ambrosia". If you don't know it's meaning then just for the sake of fun & the wonders of repetition. I invite you to refer back to your dictionary ;).

To truly taste of this ambrosia and savor it completely. I would have you understand this:

To each of us is assigned a unique code or flavor of what provokes the salivary glands of our "passion". So what it this for you? Do you know because I believe not knowing is not living. In the event that you have been half-alive so to speak and you cannot think of anything off the top of your head that triggers that salivation, I ask you again, do you know what is your passion?

If "passion" were a destination I can tell you how it would read as you drove into town.

"Welcome to PASSION" population #1(me), enjoy your stay and come back again, and again and again. This is a PG blog so we need not go there thank you very much!

So addressing your passion(s).

What if you are giving this some real thought and all thats coming to you is the question, DO I know mine, DO I even have one. Am I passionate about anything. -Or rather what am I really passionate about?

Well, if you think you may be that exception to the rule and don't have one. Or you don't know what yours is; the good news is your wrong. Which in this case is a very good thing because you do. The bad news may only be that no one else can decide what that is for you, but you. Finding your passion cannot be delegated. Here is some more good news! This delving into self discovery is a beautiful beautiful thing. So give yourself permission to go ahead and turn off that worry, RIGHT NOW. :)

The other thing I am happy to point out is that there is no right or wrong answer. Right and Wrong is a perception, so we will replace that with that with accurate and different.

So now what, try it out. One last quick thought. How do you know for certain when you have found it? Well, it will be a familiar feeling you wish you had all the time (make it so). -In short, you will simply know, when you know.

As a small disclaimer: For those of you who like to second guess yourself. I will assist you with a small hint. It will be the one idea (or +) thought or desire (or +) approached from all angles, that triggers every last one of your senses. No JOKE!

As you discover you passions. I wish for you at that given moment in time and ever after. To entreat it with the same care as your first born and last born and all born in between the first and the last, because this my friend will be the driving force around the to's and fro's to the everywhere but nowhere aka; the all encompassing location we all like to refer to as the true-selfs

"happy place".

Here are some personal examples when I feel passion:

I passionate about my love for my children, being with them FOREVER!
I am passionate about my AGENCY and my freedom to CHOOSE!
I am passionate about standing under the Eiffel Tower and going back to EUROPE!
I am passionate about how yummy sweet Watermelon tastes!
I am passionate about my PASSIONS!
I feel passion when I run.
etc. etc. etc.

Now you try it.
If you understand this, its a good STATE CHANGE to remember; if you need one.

Find your passion, live your passion, love your passion, nurture your passion and you will ultimately become your passion. How much is that stock worth :) sj

One last quote on: PASSION

“Passion, it lies in all of us, sleeping... waiting... and though unwanted... unbidden... it will stir... open its jaws and howl. It speaks to us... guides us... passion rules us all, and we obey. What other choice do we have? Passion is the source of our finest moments. The joy of love... the clarity of hatred... and the ecstasy of grief. It hurts sometimes more than we can bear. If we could live without passion maybe we'd know some kind of peace... but we would be hollow... Empty rooms shuttered and dank. Without passion we'd be truly dead.

Joss Whedon

Feel free to add 3 of your passions!

Adversity isn't a Choice. How you choose to react IS!

2010-05-07T14:01:00.000-07:00

Hidden Messages

2010-05-07T13:09:00.000-07:00

The Hidden Messages in Water

A past favorite of mine I pulled off the shelf and never get tired of.
There are some things we should always keep fresh in our understanding as well as our practice.

The lesson here teaches us to be aware of our thoughts. They do in fact affect us, our actions and desires; overall our happiness, success and well being!

If you have any doubt your thoughts affect everything in and around you, the information and photographs that are presented herein this book show Dr. Emotos published results that they DO! and simply invite you, if you choose, to challenge that doubt. "Water shmater" you say! Well, it is a fact that 71.1% of the Earths surface is covered by water yet only 2.5 percent of the Earth's water is fresh and thus suitable for consumption. The story Water has to tell in this book is that it has a very important message for us. Water is telling us to take a much deeper look at ourselves. When we do look at ourselves through the mirror of water, the message becomes amazingly, crystal, clear. We know that human life is directly connected to the quality of our water, both within and all around us.

Verse is not written, it is bled.

2010-04-22T21:26:00.000-07:00

"Verse is not written, it is bled; Out of the poet's abstract head.

Words drip the poem on the page; Out of his grief, delight and rage."

Paul Engle

Thank You Mother Earth!

2010-04-22T21:00:00.000-07:00

Thank You Mother Earth!

Happy Earth Day 2010

A Sketch of an Amazing Woman 1940-2010

2010-04-15T13:21:00.000-07:00

My mother passed away this year. Her passing has left a tremendous void in my heart.

I love and miss her and think about her everyday. One thing is sure though is I can still feel her love and I know she is still with me.

-I am thankful for the faith to know that I am part of an eternal family. I know she is in a better place and she is happy. Now she can see again and do all those things she desired to do in this life that her body & circumstance would not permit.

My mother was truly an amazing person; no doubt about it.

This is the sketch I wrote and gave at her funeral. My eyes at the time were so filled with their tears that I lost my place skipping a small part, but none the less.

I love you mom, you are remembered and I will always honor the example and truths you gave me. :)

Love,

Your Little Earthquake

Maria Elsa Madrid Richards 1940-2010

A Sketch of an Amazing Woman:
Remembering my Mother Maria E M Richards (1940-2010)

As I began thinking about what I could share about my mothers’ life that would give you an idea of who she was, and what made her such a unique person. I realized immediately I was in way over my head.

The truth of the matter is, that anyone else standing here would be in the same position because our mother was something out of the ordinary.

Yes mom was interesting, but more than anything to be understood about her life isn’t in a time line or on the factual details about what or when; it lies in the who the how and the why.

I look back & think about all the times mom would tell us bits and pieces of her life.
If it were a novel it would have had many chapters and safe to say even volumes.
It could’ve been made into a movie and it would more than likely, have had sequels to suit.

She always had something interesting and stimulating to share and anyone listening was sure to be captivated.
Listening to mom was much like walking into a movie late. At times it was even a little difficult keeping up, but one thing for certain, was if it was hard making sense of it, it would be primarily because-that was the moment you had just stepped into the story.

Still, when I try to sort it all out, I realize, that maybe the only part I would ever truly understand is the one I was a part of. However, I think anyone who knew her could agree that her life had every imaginable element that would’ve made a best seller. “It was often said by many at one time or another, “Gosh mom, you need to write a book”.
I wish she had; Id like to think she would’ve, had she had her site.

Her story was one of mystery and love, sacrifice and sorrow, and laughter and tears. It was scandalous, it was an adventure, she experienced blessings as well as loss and through it all her devotion to the things she believed in never waned. The only thing predictable about moms’ life was mom. Mom was steadfast.

But what could I say about mom, without all the goodies that make a best seller are the things, that mom said- without saying anything at all. The ones she said without words but rather her actions.

Mom was an example in many things. Some of those things were: she was beautiful woman and spirit, learned and refined, as well as devoted. Reflecting on her performance in the roles she played as a mother, grandmother, sister, wife, teacher, friend, neighbor, Relief Society President, and several other callings. It easy to recognize how truly talented she was.

**********************************************

We can joyfully reflect on just the kind of role model she was for each and every one of us. But She didn’t just become this way. It was a compilation of challenges and blessings, adversity and trials that molded the beautiful woman she was. More than anything, It was “a choice”.

She had to apply the faith she spent a lifetime teaching and bearing testimony of. It was the testimony that she had of our Savior and brother Jesus Christ. He was moms’ role model and friend; it was he she chose to follow. She did emanated his example throughout her life. Many of us, playing our part in her story witnessed her being selfless, loving unconditional, dedicated to serving others, obedient and kind. She was always helpful and wise, putting all others needs before her own. Mom always seemed so ahead of the game, yet still progressing. Like her hero, she endured many challenges, hardship, and mistreatment and sometimes unfairly judged.

To sum it up, moms’ life was in fact, a life of example and one of enduring to the end. If my mother were to leave a legacy for each and everyone of us, it would be as Nephi said in 2 Nephi 25:26:

“And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children [and our grandchildren] may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins” (2 Ne. 25:26).

Because of this life of hard work dedication and love, she sacrificed a portion of her heart for all that knew her.

I am thankful for our mother and her testimony in our brother and savior Jesus Christ. I am sad to see her go however I pray that your hearts will join mine in rejoicing that our mother and your friend has been liberated from the cares and sorrows of this world. She can see and serve in a capacity she prayed earnestly and endlessly for. She is with our father, who is a lucky man to have her at his side. I am thankful to know that by the tender mercies of our Saviors love and atonement, we are an eternal family. And Through her love, her life and her example she has left upon us, an undeniable mark of inspiration and strength. I am thankful for my mother, her example, testimony and love for us, and each one of you.

I feel valiant when I think we were blessed to be hers. To have been a part in her story. She is our mother.
I am humbled when I reflect on the parts of her life that proved her mortality and I feel decided to exercise the same capacity of faith she had in the Lord and in each one of us. I challenge each of you to remember her, by doing the same.

In closing. I would like honor her by thanking each one of you for being a part in her story and being here today to remember the blessing she was in this life.

a SOUL's Dictionary

2010-04-05T10:05:00.000-07:00

a SOUL's Dictionary Has there ever been a time when your first experience or exposure to something, was seemingly happening upon you randomly. Potentially presented by the Universe but insanely offered up, just for you and accepted instantaneously regardless of its unknowing invitation. The moments lesson, UNDENIABLY leaving its profound mark upon you and validating your true & sometimes seemingly intangible higher self? What was it for you. More often than not it is never the same. and more often that not, it is something you may have heard a 1,ooo times before. But its not until that particular moment, that its particular presentation resonated within you; like the vibrations of a fine tuned, well rehearsed symphony. It Speaks to you, but calling out to the masses in its proverbial silence, as though it was yours to begin with. With its Screaming "HELLO" to the Universe, its only sounding "hello", for a moment says, (SONYA) you have arrived. That moment, perfection is yours and then it is gone and you resume to the common state of man-kinds imperfection and continue on life's journey. What reward those sacred moments of happening. For Wonderment filled every fiber within you. You know "THAT" revelation was there, inside, dormant and unchartered in your programming. You surrender to the fact, you may be its only valid witness; but in essence, it was already yours. Your recognition is in the comfort, you know its a part of your spirit, intelligence and being. In that moment, you saw the person you feel inside and seek ultimately to liberate. You connected and exposed your essence in a mere moment of vulnerability and gift. Long enough to identify, connect with the divine and reintroduce you to yourself. The world may have missed it then, but no travail for because in the blink of an eye the world had a glimpse of your soul and goodness in crude form. These moments are those that find us from our lost state. What do we find? We find that, we are thus on the path to true self discovery. It is wise then that we take a bearing of our direction in those moments. A self initiated inventory. Then we can know, we are exactly where we need to be and all things are just as they should. These moments are ours if we are in a state of awareness, acceptance to our divinity and flesh. Cognitive and present. For me sometimes, that moment manifests in the simplest form, its simplicity of nature and my level of gratitude usually allow its profoundest influence. Recognizably one of the simplest for me (the one I specifically speak of now)has been in a thought, act or intention, but more so simply in the form of a "word"; provoking a rebirth in understanding & a blissful song from my SOULS DICTIONARY. In the Future I will add a list of these words as I compile them: PS ALL: I love what many know but I heard first from my best friend that resonated in that particular moment: "Knowledge is Power" Please feel free to leave a comment on what triggers you, a word an experience or whatever!

Wordsworth

2010-04-03T22:19:00.000-07:00

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting, The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star, Hath had elsewhere its setting, And cometh from afar, Not in entire forgetfulness, And not in utter nakedness, But trailing clouds of glory do we come From God, who is our home. (Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood)

You Dream Like a Flower

2010-04-03T12:51:00.000-07:00

"You dream like a Flower, A spring breeze whistles and you whirl in the wind" I Love You Mommy

"Looking for Freedom"

2010-03-09T06:47:00.000-08:00

“The freedom we are looking for is the freedom to be ourselves, to express ourselves. But if we look at our lives we will see that most of the time we do things just to please others, just to be accepted by others, rather than living our lives to please ourselves. That is what happened to our freedom.” Don Miguel Ruiz – The Four Agreements To please ourselves is when we are true to the self, the spirit and the mind. When we give the the best part of who we are because we have reached the awareness that it isn't just about us. The more we give of our true self the greater the quality of life we will achieve. The essence of what we offer others is rich and crude, in its most natural state. We make a difference, we inspire, strengthen and support each other. Indeed we are all different and therefor the presentations of our gifts take on their own fingerprint but the message clear, dreams equal in importance, our desires and faults all at the table. As each of us gather for the the feast, what you take and what you give is enjoyed and can be their to be savored by the masses; everyone has sustenance and is then fulfilled. At the end of the day in the story of LIFE the harvest is thus, always plentiful and this is what we pass on to the future, a more worth while & fulfilling life to live for. Namaste SLRJ

IS THERE A GOD

2010-03-06T21:25:00.000-08:00

There are many who choose to buy into the argument, "There isn't sufficient proof to acknowledge there is a GOD". To those defending this theory I simply return the question, can you provide sufficient proof, that he in fact, IS NOT!

FRUITS of LOVE

2010-03-05T18:37:00.001-08:00

"The act of love in essence can be shown, but truly manifests its fruits, when it is felt" -Sonya L. R. Just

I'm in love with.....

2010-01-11T17:57:00.000-08:00

A Picture is a Poem

2010-01-10T07:47:00.000-08:00

It has been said, that a picture is a poem without words. It captures time, yet is timeless, it's interpretations, endless, counfounds and connects. Breathes life to thought and a moment, one can never forget! ....I love pictures! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Santas 2009 Christmas Letter

2010-01-05T19:16:00.000-08:00

This was the letter Santa left us this year. It is something we look forward to each Christmas. His letters are like a family keepsake and they are so fun reread and look back upon. Thank you Santa Claus :) Always Live as you believe! Dear Just Family, Doesn't your new home look lovely. My elves tell me that they can see from a previous visit, someone worked very hard in preparation of my visit. "Thank You" ...even my home far away in North Pole, Mrs. Claus and I enjoy order and cleanliness. Mrs. Claus always reminds me how cleanliness is Godliness :) Well children, I know this has been a challenging year for all of you. Remember challenges are a part, a "wonderful" part of our experience on earth; we all have them. And it's not "what" they are that matters, but how we meet each one that defines, molds and displays our heart and our character. In saying that, I am reminded of our brother and Savior Jesus Christ. Do you remember his humble birth and meager circumstances. He was a great man, we know that because of his example, not because he had some grand entrance or privileged life. Recall: a stable, a manger, a star and a mother, an angel, a shepherd boy and 3 Wise Men. Later, after a lifetime of service & sacrifice, he gave the greatest of all sacrifices, his life. This, this is the "Christmas Spirit"; it is Christ. It is one way he touches those who don't even know him. Yet it is he who lives and he who loves us. He knows you and he hears your prayers, talk to him, pray to him all the time. He knows everything, he suffered and endured everything so that he could. Tell him your needs, include him and try to always be more like him. He will never leave you alone! This is the "Christmas Spirit", it lies in you, in me and in all around. It is LOVE, it is SACRIFICE! Have FAITH, be strong and loving in your humble circumstances. What greater gift could be offered, than the life he lived and sacrificed in the Garden of Gethsemane. It is truly the only life worth living. The one that will gain your entrance to live with your Father in Heaven and your eternal family for all "ETERNITY" once more. Merry Christmas Jonathan, Grant, Harrison, Hettie and Sonya. Love, SC P.S. Go right ahead & keep on moving, no matter what, know that I will find you. Yummy milk and cookies Hettie, just as you promised!

…A Bad Case of COGNITIVE DISSONANCE

2009-12-18T20:54:00.005-08:00

…HIS bad case of COGNITIVE DISSONANCE is all it was. a. Cognitive Dissonance Escape Yours Escape, disclose, and pour out, trickle, drip A pinch, a smidgen of Blame to taste Careful Not too “salty” for I "diggit" NOT "I" diggit nothing b. My Damn reality, Enemy, Friend? Pity me My efforts Who can’t see I tried? Deliberate Decided “D” For Done Always in vain You fool me, You fool you that's what you do c. Beguiled by- Beguiled by self Ζ ...Your denial impedes your flow d. Cope Repress Suppress Keep inside Hold back Diverge, Affections, LIES e. “Plan b” Bottle-up Make a call all Contrived adj. Avoidance Stifled Limit Inhibit Please would you Contain your lies Keep in check Control Block-out Cover up Conceal Bottle-up And hide Expression… …Express No, No. No! Yes! Yes, Yes. Suppression Defragment (pause) Suppress, Complete Tag Out Maintenance, Maintenance Relief Oh Lies! “Regroup” (Letter) Dear Suppression, I ask You must Must even please, Emphatically, Enforce REINFORCE Consciously, forcefully There you are: my Avoidance my Inhibition Particular memories Desires, reprised thoughts those "Memories" Deny Wait Reproachful Over power Wear out Wear thin Lie to truth External -Within Your reality tires me. sorry I’m free Why is there never anything to share? Because I loved you baby, Once, ILdYB CIAO I mean Goodbye

2009-12-12T17:14:00.002-08:00

COMMISERATION the VOICE A VOICE A voice once asked Who are you? “A Leader” “Yes” he replied He was an elite member once? You, were a participant in “Life” I know not you. Who are you again? “A Chief” of what sort You, really, “a Chief” you say. -a team captain (the voice says with confused presumption) (who) were you? the voice, unable to help itself asks again but then Scoffs; because of the thought. You, thought you could be part of that? Poor Fool REALITYS TONGUE UNFEIGNED “Good luck Ere” and “Good Luck” selfish pride that blind leader you follow, betrayed whose inside its too late now you no longer belong the gift you were granted, its sacredness GONE You “happy” fool, Take it, swallow it, it is rich in flavor, Be mindful it will end Countenance gone Justifications friend SAVOR Savor Your glory, I say it is your perception that gave Lack of focus, darn pride, you play the victim too well Forgiveness external, Your choice, Lost debate Forgiveness So worth it I offer it all at your feet PIECE FOR PEACE Here for you “Victims puzzle” designed for “your type” now Unravel it, it will afford your fleeting desires and dreams Piece for Peace, so you will say Here is a wall for your accomplishments. It will crumble down also, Some day Feel good you finish something And take all the credit too For nothing that you ever gave, self convinced effected anyone but you Oh, the fleeting passion The commitment substandard She loves you I say Her position to give Is your willingness? But for you “possibly” A gift An offering your very own bastard Fill it, your prides’ ravishing hunger and thirst the lower the standard defines better your worth She’ll offer perversions artistically be comfortable, relax spiked with class and recognition pervert, twist, bow to Puff up but don’t look back don’t look back favored memory “repress” THE CROSSING OVER Your foolish fall couldn’t stand you blame reason, reason is your blame, your reason (excuse) your reason betrayer of you Wait Don’t think don’t move lay there stay there I’ll come over to you Don’t look in the mirror Beware “Self” You fool to many Your example disdain She gets you and lets you and lays down to your vanity The purpose once given you The commission bestowed Will now be regret to the life that was owed. FREEDOM To forgive you is my freedom For where you, once came along Fool, fool, fool and vain pride You know where you don’t belong Call who? call me what! know me not ok “My name”, poor fool is “Betrayed” Have we met before?

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

2009-11-23T15:47:00.001-08:00

In+the+Spirit+of+Thanksgiving

The Military Life

2009-11-11T17:24:00.003-08:00

It's hard to believe the military has directly affected our family for over 18 years now. No matter what the service member does or where they are, it directly affects their family. It's a hard job, everyone involved makes a sacrifice & pays a price. Many falter in their own capacity serving our country, some of them lose who they are, some lose their lives & others, simply give and will never taste the unaware existence of the life of a civilian. I extend my gratitude for all the wonderful service members and their families we have been blessed to share in our associations & call our friends. It truly is and has been an extended form of family. God Bless our Veterans, their families & our country! "Thank you"

Yes Day!

2009-08-05T20:47:00.003-07:00

Favorite New Ideas! I just loved the idea of this one I had to share it. Things like this make being a parent even more rewarding :) and come on, who couldn't use their very own "yes jar" or a "yes day". Yes Day! Every time you say "No" to your kids, have them write their request down on a paper and put it in a "Yes Jar". Once a month, or when special circumstances permit, allow them to choose from the jar.

What money cannot buy are the most valuable things in life.

2009-08-04T13:25:00.002-07:00

President Hugh B. Brown. As a young soldier in World War I, he was visiting an elderly friend in the hospital. This friend was a millionaire several times over who, at the age of eighty, was lying at death’s door. Neither his divorced wife nor any of his five children cared enough to come to the hospital to see him. As President Brown thought of the things his friend “had lost which money could not buy and noted his tragic situation and the depth of his misery,” he asked his friend how he would change the course of his life if he had it to live over again. The old gentleman, who died a few days later, said: “ ‘As I think back over life the most important and valuable asset which I might have had but which I lost in the process of accumulating my millions, was the simple faith my mother had in God and in the immortality of the soul. “ ‘… You asked me what is the most valuable thing in life. I cannot answer you in better words than those used by the poet.’ ” He asked President Brown to get a little book out of his briefcase from which he read a poem entitled “I’m an Alien.” I’m an alien, to the faith my mother taught me. I’m a stranger to the God that heard my mother when she cried. I’m an alien to the comfort that, “Now I lay me,” brought me. To the everlasting arms that held my father when he died. When the great world came and called me, I deserted all to follow. Never noting in my blindness I had slipped my hand from His. Never dreaming in my dazedness that the bubble fame is hollow. That the wealth of gold is tinsel, as I since have learned it is. I have spent a lifetime seeking things I spurned when I found them, I have fought and been rewarded in many a winning cause, But I’d give it all, fame and fortune and the pleasures that surround them, If I only had the faith that made my mother what she was. “That was the dying testimony of a man who was born in the Church but had drifted far from it. That was the brokenhearted cry of a lonely man who could have anything money could buy, but who had lost the most important things of life in order to accumulate this world’s goods” (Continuing the Quest, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1961, pp. 32–35; italics added). November 1997 Poem: Thoughts from a Dying Man Mistakes were made, only now realized The dreams not made, have finally capsized Here I weep and dry tears I've cried These are the thoughts from a dying man. Upon thy bed I look and wait As darkness vows to enter my gate My time, too soon and now, it's too late Thoughts from a dying man. Afar my love, my mind eye sees Of time long gone spent joyfully Amongst the willows and green pageantry Thoughts from a dying man. Cheated of time, I know I'm owed. Too young am I, when others say I'm too old. A moment, so small, in the life of a world. Thoughts from a dying man. No longer will I see the flowers of Spring. The gentle breeze, the rolling wind The faces, the friends, the feelings they bring. The thoughts from a dying man. The thoughts they cease When bloods run cold Here engraved Upon my stone.

Truly Bad?

2009-08-02T15:28:00.000-07:00

"No one knows how truly bad he is until he has tried very hard to be good" CS Lewis

"Preserving the Good Fruits"

2009-08-02T14:50:00.003-07:00

The message was from the Presidency, it was basically about facilitating time & opportunities to make memories and teach our children, which is something I feel really strongly about but anyways, back to my point. -It was a very good lesson. So, before it began, during the announcements, they mentioned flats of PEARS that were available for purchase. Then someone said they would be happy to help anyone who wanted to buy some but didn't know how to can, or simply needed some help if necessary. Then the RS Pres. said that for a while it seemed as though it was easier to not can at the convenience of just picking-up what you needed from the store. However, canning is like a dying art and if we don't learn it and use it, we will one day lose it. Later in the lesson as the Sister spoke about families, I had a thought about our culture. "Family" in our culture, is like a dying art form. If we don't cultivate those skills that form strong family units, "Families" as we know it will become obsolete, to not only our culture but our Society as a whole. Thus accommodating a long term plan of the Adversary to destroy the FAMILY. I never thought of it that way. Because long term, the more divorce becomes the normal, the fewer children will grow up with an understanding and concept of how to actually have and maintain a family. The more people that fall away from the church, also will assist in the destruction of that Holy Institution. Sonya says, Family is like Canning and it is becoming a dying art of our culture. ...We should call the Art of FAMILIES "Preserving the Good Fruit".

VisitorMap.org

2009-07-24T05:55:00.001-07:00

Get a FREE visitor map for your site!

Anyone can give up!

2009-07-16T23:03:00.002-07:00

"Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength." ~Edgar Moskopp Who I want to BE :) admits it isn't easy but I have 4 more good reason besides my own agenda ;). Thank you kids for helping make me a better person. May selfishness never prevail over my spirit, character, integrity and responsibility! ~Namaste~

Have you found your SOUL MATE

2009-06-29T08:56:00.000-07:00

"'Soul mates' are fiction and an illusion; and while every young man and young woman will seek with all diligence and prayerfulness to find a mate with whom life can be most compatible and beautiful, yet it is certain that almost any good man and any good woman can have happiness and a successful marriage if both are willing to pay the price." — Spencer W. Kimball

"Our deepest fear"

2009-06-26T10:13:00.001-07:00

Our Deepest Fear by Marianne Williamson from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles (See note below about Nelson Mandela) “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Note About Nelson Mandela This quote is often found on the Internet incorrectly credited to Nelson Mandela from his Inauguration Speech, 1994, especially the last sentence of that quote, “As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Beware of the Trap!

2009-06-24T09:55:00.006-07:00

Waiting is a trap. There will always be reasons to wait. The truth is, there are only two things in life, reasons and results, and reasons simply don't count. Dr. Robert Anthony

Getting ahead

2009-06-24T09:06:00.007-07:00

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.” Mark Twain

The thing you cannot do

2009-06-17T11:31:00.007-07:00

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, "If I live through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." ...You must do the thing you think you cannot do. ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

Tenderness Withheld

2009-06-17T09:51:00.003-07:00

...Speech may sometimes do harm but so may silence, and a worst harm at that. No insult ever caused so deep a wound, as a tenderness withheld; and no spoken indiscretion was ever so bitterly regretted as the word that one did not speak...

A Long Engagement

2009-06-17T08:46:00.006-07:00

a Long Engagement is the idea of a dream that may never come True. Sonya Just

Promises (disambiguation)

2009-06-16T23:53:00.002-07:00

Promise to Keep

2009-06-16T01:44:00.007-07:00

'A Promise to Keep' by Brandi Carlile I still talk to you in my sleep I don't say much 'cause the hurt runs too deep I gave you the moon and the stars to keep But you gave them back to me The hill I'm walking up is gettin' good and steep But I'm still looking for a promise even I can keep I still lay on my side of the bed Dance alone when the last bottle's spent Memory's like a river runnin through my head I'll have me an ocean before I'm dead The hill I'm walking up is gettin' good and steep But I'm still looking for a promise even I can keep I still whisper sweet words to you When I'm busy with nothin' to do I pray to god that my words ring true And that your words might reach me too The hill I'm walking up is gettin' good and steep But I'm still looking for a promise even I can keep My hearts in pieces so please understand I try to jump but I've nowhere to land So give me your heart and I'll give you my hand Try as goddamn hard as I can The hill I'm walking up is gettin' good and steep But I'm still looking for a promise even I can keep

Ask Yourself: What is the REAL difference that ONE person can make?

2009-06-15T12:06:00.009-07:00

"Tree of life", Tsavo national park, Kenya. This acacia, that stands alone, is a symbol of life in the vast expanses of thorny savanna, where wild animals come to take advantage of its leaves or its shade. Any ONE thing can make a difference! I admit, I am simply tired of this mean ugly world and all its demands but some of the demands I simply cannot forsake. I direct my thoughts to The FAMILY UNIT, its structure and the importance of the individual roles we each have and how no one part is exempt in the influence of its outcome as whole. ...Is there anything to be said of the men out there who love their families and take joy in them more than their own selfish vain pride, scape goat excuses and pleas of their unknowing will. A "father" not doing those things that fulfill the role of "Father", actually makes his choice, by not choosing. So letting his agency effect those he is supposed to love the most, in a hurtful way, let's even go as far as saying potentially hurting them in the most damaging of ways. As it has always been, never in all the spans of existence, can or will any amount of money, bring with it compensation, for the heartache and disappointment shared by a family when a father cannot be who he committed to be, when promises were made and lives created but heart and back be turned. Should support of such behavior not be questioned when really: Every family members hopes, dreams, expectations and ideals, rights and privileges piled onto one plate; times each member of that household. The equation great and the value in its outcome greater: All it's sadness, hurt feelings & disappointments OR the potentiality of joy, confidence and accomplishment. How can one persons selfishness & self indulgence out weigh what could be attained when such daily sacrifices are forged, with pure love and devotion. How is there no reward? How do we as a society justify these behaviors: adultery, emotional affairs, cyber sex, selfishness and irresponsibility and more. What is the REAL difference that one person could make: in a positive way or negative way, through ones selfishness or sense of duty, integrity and honor? How does it affect our lives, their lives, the lives our children, how they learn to manage relationships, business dealings, their marriages, become mothers and fathers and the whole of their future family, the following generations and overall stability of our communities, even the little bit of culture forged in America by sacrifice? -do such really become happier, better, contributing people in the long run; bailing out in such a way. The greatest question presented: Can such a grievance ever be compensated? I had a friend once who I believe lost a piece of his soul, forever affected by his divorce, as he is so not the person I used to know. I will never forget the sound of his voice and feeling of conviction when he said, he had done all he could do and it was never good enough but he would've kept trying if he had been given that chance. He said, "Despite it all, I would've jumped through hoop's on fire for my wife, my family and my kids". But anothers agency changed the course of it all, as well as the course that his childrens lives would forever go. What a burden for ones soul to bear? We must be a committed people to our virtues, commitments and obligations. Why would we want to expect anything less of ourselves as we only have one chance and one life to stamp the impressions and influence we will contribute to this world, and the generations to follow. Someday, someone will say of you, ...that is what he or she did and this is why __________? and how their life will be explained. Stop, think and feel, then ask yourself this question. What will be said of you?

An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

2009-06-12T13:02:00.006-07:00

Things I like that are interesting to know about Apples: Just one delicious medium sized apple has only 80 calories, and no fat cholesterol, or sodium. The whole process of digesting an apple takes about 85 minutes, which makes apples one of the easiest substances for our stomachs to process. The complex carbohydrates in apples give your body a longer, more even energy boost compared to high- sugar snacks. Apples protect the lungs from cigarette smoke and remedy indigestion. Apples are beneficial for cleansing and detoxifying of the liver and gallbladder w/ gallstone softening abilities. Apples can be a sunscreen from the inside out especially Granny Smith & Braeburn apples, that have the ability to accumulative UV-B protective compounds in their sun-exposed skin. Due to the ethylene gas emissions, you can use apples to ripen bananas, kiwis, peaches, pears and plums or avocados when stored together in a paper bag or fruit bowl. Apples are porous and will absorb odors from other foods, so make sure to store them away from those foods with a strong odor. An apple packs more cancer fighting antioxidant capability than a 1,500 milligram megadose of vitamin C. There are over 2500 varieties of apples grown in the United States Apples stored carefully at cool temperatures will be fresh for almost a year. What would you like to share about apples, Which is your favorite and for what, Do you have a favorite recipe you would like to share; Leave a comment! Here is to life, learning, knowledge and health!

Where is Happily Ever After?

2009-06-05T10:06:00.002-07:00

President Boyd K. Packer (The Play and the Plan, 2) "Remember this! The line 'And they all lived happily ever after' is never written into the second act. That line belongs in the third act, when the mysteries are solved and everything is put right. . . . "Until you have a broad perspective of the eternal nature of this great drama, you won't make much sense out of the inequities in life. Some are born with so little and others with so much. Some are born in poverty, with handicaps, with pain, with suffering. Some experience premature death, even innocent children. There are the brutal unforgiving forces of nature and the brutality of man to man. We have seen a lot of that recently. "Do not suppose that God willfully causes that which, for his own purposes, he permits. When you know the plan and purpose of it all, even these things will manifest a loving Father in Heaven." (The Play and the Plan, 2)

Adversity

2009-06-04T23:28:00.012-07:00

"In mine Adversity, I will be as Peter, a Rock" -Sonya L. R. Just 1 Peter 4:12-13 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery atrial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But arejoice, inasmuch as ye are bpartakers of Christ’s csufferings; that, when his glory shall be drevealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. Elder Dallin H. Oaks explains: "Adversity will be a constant or occasional companion for each of us throughout our lives. We cannot avoid it. The only question is how we will react to it. Will our adversities be stumbling blocks or stepping stones?" The only way to endure, the only way to make adversity into stepping-stones, is by turning to Christ. ..."No pain suffered by man or woman upon the earth will be without its compensating effects if it be suffered in resignation and if it be met with patience.” President Spencer W. Kimball Viktor Frankl March 26, 1905 - September 2, 1997 Author of Man's Search for Meaning, Holocaust survivor In the preface to Frankl’s book, Man's Search for Meaning, Gordon W. Allport writes: Frankl: "...in one life there is love for one's children to tie to; in another life, a talent to be used; in a third, perhaps only lingering memories worth preserving... As a long-time prisoner in bestial concentration camps he [Viktor Frankl] found himself stripped to naked existence. His father, mother, brother, and his wife died in camps or were sent to gas ovens, so that, excepting for his sister, his entire family perished in these camps. How could he - every possession lost, every value destroyed, suffering from hunger, cold and brutality, hourly expecting extermination - how could he find life worth preserving?" Frankl references Nietzsche, "he who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how," and argues that what made the difference between those who survived and those who did not was not the intensity of their suffering, but whether or not they retained meaning and purpose in their lives. Frankl writes of his experience as the guards herded them in forced labor in the Nazi concentration camp: “We stumbled on in the darkness, over big stones and through large puddles, along the one road running through the camp. The accompanying guards kept shouting at us and driving us with the butts of their rifles. Anyone with very sore feet supported himself on his neighbor's arm. Hardly a word was spoken; the icy wind did not encourage talk.” Even there, in the degradation and abject misery of a concentration camp, Frankl was able to exercise the most important freedom of all - the freedom to determine one's own attitude and spiritual well-being. No Nazi SS guard was able to take that away from him or control the inner-life of Frankl's soul. One of the ways he found the strength to fight to stay alive and not lose hope was to think of his wife. Frankl clearly saw that it was those who had nothing to live for who died quickest in the concentration camp. It was as he contemplated his beloved wife that a transcending thought came to Frankl: “For the first time in my life I saw the truth as it is set into song by so many poets, proclaimed as the final wisdom by so many thinkers. The truth--that love is the ultimate and the highest goal to which man can aspire. Then I grasped the meaning of the greatest secret that human poetry and human thought and belief have to impart: The salvation of man is through love and in love. I understood how a man who has nothing left in this world may still know bliss, be it only for a brief moment, in the contemplation of his beloved. In a position of utter desolation, when a man cannot express himself in positive action, when his only achievement may consist in enduring his sufferings in the right way--an honorable way--in such a position man can, through loving contemplation of the image he carries of his beloved, achieve fulfillment. For the first time in my life, I was able to understand the words, The angels are lost in perpetual contemplation of an infinite glory.” Frankl continues, “My mind still clung to the image of my wife. A thought crossed my mind: I didn't even know if she were still alive, and I had no means of finding out (during all my prison life there was no outgoing or incoming mail); but at that moment it ceased to matter. There was no need to know; nothing could touch the strength of my love, and the thoughts of my beloved. Had I known then that my wife was dead, I think that I still would have given myself, undisturbed by that knowledge, to the contemplation of that image, and that my mental conversation with her would have been just as vivid and just as satisfying. Set me like a seal upon thy heart, love is as strong as death." “The one thing you can’t take away from me is the way I choose to respond to what you do to me. The last of one’s freedoms is to choose ones attitude in any given circumstance.” “When we are no longer able to change a situation - we are challenged to change ourselves.” “Each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible.” “Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how.'” “We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms -- to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.” “The last of human freedoms - the ability to chose one's attitude in a given set of circumstances.” "Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather must recognize that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible." Man's Search for Meaning, p.172

What is Writing

2009-06-04T22:45:00.003-07:00

Writing is just having a sheet of paper, a pen, and not a shadow of an idea of what you're going to say. -Francoise Sagan

Hettie in "The Trolls Bridge"

2009-06-01T09:08:00.006-07:00

Click on the link to see the complete slideshow of Hettie in "The Trolls Bridge" Hettie's end of the year class activities included the classroom play, which featured two skits. Two of my favorites: the first was"The Little Red Hen" and the second was "The Trolls Bridge". Sis a beautiful and colorful bird, narrated alongside her classmate Fiona as the characters reenacted the story. It was very well rehearsed and the kids used the craziest voices especially the Troll played by Paxton.

I AM SONYA

2009-06-01T00:48:00.010-07:00

I could say I took a walk with God today. As a mere observer I felt meek, like a humbled partaker of life, "my life" as well as this miraculous creation we call Earth. As I stood still, taking everything in, it felt as though time stood still. The feelings I had and the beauty of my surroundings without question; untouchable with words alone. As I paused, I heard in my mind the words of this quote, and although it spoke with complete clarity to my understanding, I was somewhat saddened still, for within that pause the impression fell upon me, with ample desire and effort, I could not audibly recite it in fairness. "Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters." — Norman Maclean This quote has stayed in my mind as a remembrance: A remembrance to all that is marvelous and grand, a remembrance to things before us, and a remembrance of things yet to come. The sound and sight of the flowing water, immortal to time, gently gliding down the mountain, persevering yet gracefully dancing over the rocks. Swiftly around and between one another, occupying all space given freely and doing so unadulterated. In that moment my heart was filled with sufficient gratitude, to know, that I am a daughter of a Loving Father in Heaven, He is with me, He knows me and He is so very much aware of me. I love him ...and I AM SONYA! ...I am Sonya!

2009-05-16T16:29:00.007-07:00

Interview with Jonathan Just "It’s not who I am on the outside, but what I do that defines me." -Batman Jonathan had a class assignment in school where the students were required to interview one another and then write about the interview. As a mother, I was delighted to read what was written about our Jonathan, it is always interesting to see your child from another's perspective. Maybe with this I can be a little more aware in assisting Jonathan success in becoming what he dreams of being. I mean, couldn't we all make use of a good super hero? The Interview with Jonathan Just By Cindy Nunez Born in Charleston, S.C. Jon is a simple boy with a big future and a memorable youth. His favorite memory as a child was when he was eight years old and he was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He says the whole experience was exhilarating. I also got the chance to ask him some personal questions. I asked him what the greatest accomplishment in life was so far, he told me it was being able to stay physically fit. He accomplishes this by doing many activities. He goes to the gym where he likes to do some weight lifting and he also likes to do core workouts. He also enjoys running with his mom and participates in the school's wrestling team and modern dance class. His goal is to be ripped like his role model, a "Spartan" from the movie '300'. Besides accomplishing the physically fit goal he is also proud of being a good person. When I asked him how he thinks he got to be such a good person, he smiled flashing his pearly whites and said "I was just made that way." Jonathan wants the world to change. He said if it was possible then to change human nature because as humans we tend to be very greedy, fearful, power-hungry and selfish. In his appearance he says he would change by being just a little taller and to have nicer teeth. When I askd Jon what would be his dream job, he said it would have to be protecting the city under the name Batman. He likes Batman because he doesn't beat people up, he is a spy and a ninja. It seem that Jonathan has many Super Hero role models. Jonathan is just a simple seventeen year old boy who is ready to take on the world.

Spring Break 2009

2009-05-14T20:29:00.018-07:00

The First Activity we did was to climb the "Y". It was a good thing we did it on Monday because the weather got increasingly cold and ultimately snowed the end of the week. It was a fun family hike none the less and it accommodated our budget :) The "Y" on the mountain measures 322 feet in height and 120 feet in width. The school purchased 380 acres on the face of the big mountain east of of the Upper Campus, extending clear to the top of the mountain, for the project. In these two pictures you can see the same view of the Provo Valley when the "Y" was created vs the view of the Provo Valley today. A great article to read about the "Y" and how it came to be can be found by clicking on the following link. www.byhigh.org/History/ Ymountain/Yletter.html An excerpt from the story reads as follows: The students stood in a zig zag line about 8 feet apart stretching from the bottom of the hill to the site of the Y. The first man took the bag of lime, sand or rocks and carried it 8 feet and handed it to the next man. The second carried it another 8 feet and handed it to the third man and thus the bag went up the hill, each man shuttling back and forth along his 8-foot portion of the trail. All the students started with enthusiasm as they expected to be through by 10 o'clock a.m. But it was a much bigger job than anyone expected. It was 4 p.m. before the Y was covered, and then only by a thin layer. So no attempt was made to cover the other two letters. It was very hard work and most of the boys had had no breakfast and no dinner. No one dared to quit as it would break up the line. In the afternoon it was more than some of them could take and they fainted and had to be helped down the hill. I am sure those who worked in that line that day will never forget it. They were somewhat rewarded when they got back to campus and looked at the beautiful white Y on the mountainside in just the right proportions. It looked like it was standing in the air just above the ground. Day 2 We did some house work, laundry and what ever else we needed to do, or not :) Day 3 "Maggie Moo's" I remember when my husband & I moved to South Carolina and we met with the Bishop in our new ward. It was shortly after my husband had joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Our visit covered one point, that was, to prepare us, there would be A LOT of Ice Cream in the future because "Mormons" love ice-cream and it was something we typically eat on some occasions, rather all occasions, Birthdays, Holidays, Family get togethers, after recitals, concerts and you name it, you love it and live it, ICE CREAM! Doug and I were down with that. I am happy to report, the Utah Valley has no shortage of Ice Cream Vendors, and who would've known that "Maggie Moo's" would be one of them. I had no idea myself until I asked my friend Ashley what it was and she said, "It's ice cream and it's so yummy". So during our break, I took the family on a field-trip to see "Maggie Moo's" and it did not disappoint. We got to see how the ice cream was made and even help a little, the best part I think was making sure it tasted good. So here is an extra THANK YOU to you Ashley :) Day 4 The kids and I went to Draper to roller skate and spend the day at the Family Fun Center where we met up with our dear friend Christine Taylor, her daughter Emmie (sp)? -and a few neighborhood friends from her area. This was only possible thanks to the generous donation of my dear friend Carla. Here is my THANKS to you too Carlita! This was a crazy fun place with lots to do for the whole family. We really did spend the whole day there. These are some highlights: Harrison used his 10 tokens on one game "The Wheel" and won the "JACKPOT" which was a 1,ooo tickets. He was so excited as was his siblings. Harrison didn't even flinch once in his willingness to split these tickets evenly amongst his brothers and sister. How proud can a mother be? I was that proud. Later that night we picked-up our friend Will who was visiting from Glens Falls, New York. He stayed the night with us and most of the next day. As much as we love Will, he is known for dragging the NY cold with him when he travels. It did in fact start snowing just after we picked him up, here are some pictures of what went from green grass and signs of spring to WINTER SNOW FALL? The next day: Day 4 Jonathan tests out the snow, in shorts? Day 5 We went to SLC to see the Temple It is so beautiful. The most expensive part of that was I guess the Meter. We left because we were out of change and we got hungry. After we were done we stopped and ate PBJ's at Pioneer Park and then drove home. The greatest of all my possessions is without question, my Eternal Family! One day we'll all be inside these doors together :) That about sums up our SPRING BREAK 2009

Click here to see: CNNBC: "SONYA JUST Announced as 2009 Mother of the Year."

2009-05-12T19:16:00.004-07:00

My Daughters Leprechaun

2009-05-05T15:05:00.003-07:00

This is a story about my daughters Leprechaun. I am posting it to somehow try and capture the tiniest bit of all she is; that makes her so precious in every way. My Leprechaun lives in a cave at the end of a rainbow. He collects gold & money. He eats clovers. He has a mom and a dad. He drinks lemonade and watermelon juice Author: Hettie/2009

Jonathan and Chelsea MVHS Prom 2009

2009-05-02T22:22:00.004-07:00

"Parents hold their children's hands for a while, their hearts forever" My dear mother-in-law Claudia, who I miss dearly gave us a little plaque one year with this saying on it. Jonathan was just 2 years old at that time. She died later the next year, but I still hang the plaque where it will remind me of all the things she shared with me. So many of those things have become a reality in my life. Even though she is not with us, I know that in many ways she is. Of all the things she shared with me in her wisdom, this one small statement rings true to today. "Parents hold their children's hands for a while, their hearts forever" Especially when I see that little boy becoming a man. I know that nothing matters more than my family, and I know that my babies will grow-up but that the memories we make will transcend all that seems fleeting after time passes and I long for "The Days When". The people they will become, their relationships within our family, the husband's/ (Wife) and father's /(Mother) they will become. Those things I know will create new memories and will fill the voids and longing of "Those Days When". No other success in life can compensate for failure in the home." -- David O. McKay (1873-1970)

Is this supposed to make me laugh?

2009-04-30T08:46:00.002-07:00

Hettie asked me, "Mommy are you afraid" and I said "No, because I know you will be just fine". Then they asked her if she would like to have Laughing Gas. She said, "Is it funny?" They gave her the nose piece and had her start to breathe. After a small time had passed, she asked me with a concerned look on her face; "Is this supposed to make me laugh because it's kind of just making me feel sleepy?" :)

Selection from one of my favorite Poets!

2009-04-27T23:25:00.008-07:00

Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘My Song’ Rabindranath Tagore was an influential philosopher, visual artist, playwright, novelist, and composer from Bengal, India. Popularly known as Gurudev, he won the 1913 Nobel Prize in Literature. ‘My Song’ is from ‘The Crescent Moon,’ Tagore’s translations into English of a collection of Bengali poetry. This song of mine will wind its music around you, my child, like the fond arms of love. The song of mine will touch your forehead like a kiss of blessing. When you are alone it will sit by your side and whisper in your ear, when you are in the crowd it will fence you about with aloofness. My song will be like a pair of wings to your dreams, it will transport your heart to the verge of the unknown. It will be like the faithful star overhead when dark night is over your road. My song will sit in the pupils of your eyes, and will carry your sight into the heart of things. And when my voice is silenced in death, my song will speak in your living heart. Journey to an Unknown Destination from Sonar Tari, 1894 How much further will you take me? Tell me at which port will drop anchor this golden boat you are steering? Whenever I ask you, lady from some foreign land, sweet-smiling, you only smile, I fail to understand what you have in mind. What does your move suggest? You point your finger in silence to the overflowing water, endless, to the sun at one end of the sky going down in the west. What is it we shall find there? Why are we travelling, in which quest? Tell me, I ask you, you stranger, Over there, where the day at evening's call is burning itself out in a funeral pyre and waves are flashing like liquid fire on the backdrop of the molten sky, where quarters appear as if about to shed tears, is that where you live? Beyond the wave-torn sea, at the foot of the cloud-kissed hill where the setting sun disappears? You smile, looking at my face, but not a word about where the boat veers. The wind moans in a constant sigh, the heaving wave roars in a passion high. The deep blue water is anguished; I look around, no bank is to be found, as if limitless tears flood this earth and then quiver. Yet, there plies this golden boat, there the still still-glowing evening rays float. Why do you sit amidst it all in a silent laughter? It is beyond me to tell why in it you take so much pleasure. "Who will come with me"? When first you had called I looked at your eyes on a fresh morn. You spread your hands westwards to show the boundless ocean that there flows, where restless light shimmers like hope in some breast. I boarded and asked: "Does new life await, does hope's dream reap there a golden harvest?" You looked and smiled, as before, silent. Since then, clouds have gathered at times, at times has arisen the sun. Now the sea was rough, now it looked a tranquil picture. Time goes past, the sail moves in the wind, the golden boat has disappeared, I find. In the west, the sun descends towards its hillside rest. Let me ask you once again: "Does soothing death here await, is there peace, can one find sleep, under this dark's breast?" You only smile, only your eyes are alive, there is silence for the rest. Soon the dark night will spread its wings and arrive. The golden light will disappear from the evening sky. Now remains only your body scent, the splashing of water's current. Your hair, wind-swept on my body flies. And when heart fluttering, body benumbed, anxiously I shall call you and ask, where are you, come close let me feel your touch, you will not speak, and I shall not see even your silent smile.

Writing it Out

2009-04-27T22:37:00.006-07:00

"As Pensive as a Poem" My pensive moment communes facilitating a rebirth now reborn are feelings emotions energy understanding or simply admittedly a lack thereof My words now reincarnated Breathe they breathe my breath and from here for forever they, take on life

Silence Lost

2009-04-25T19:19:00.006-07:00

When I hear the melody And the poem you sing It takes me to another time I remember us, the you, the me Amiss the world and gripping anguish The song that is sung Sings peace to me. Adrift the lapping vast blue ocean We'd live, we'd share this reoccurring dream That nothing even death could take us And that you'd come back to "we" Unscathed by the world And its fleeting luster Beyond the grasp of the uncertain fix I long to know for ever after For it be only this moment That you'd be missed Sometimes the music uncontrollably consumes me I beg for it to stop, release me It lingers in my head and heart Because now I know were not just apart Somber feelings of acts untold Reveals the truth a soul thats sold And no one else can now release you I realize now that I cant save you In our journey to prove OURSELF Surrender to the fact before me I give up the ghost that was For you are gone in word and action As your hearts death lingers on I will cherish that one within you The only one I saw And let you be the you that deceives you And let go to let my heart live on

Like A Sonata: You Are Goodbye

2009-04-25T19:08:00.002-07:00

Holly Conlan - You Are Goodbye I remember here I remember you and me I remember wild and wild and free I remember stay I remember please don't ever leave I remember you made me believe That tomorrow and today The sun would hold our hands But the night came in to stay While you made other plans I remember time I remember days slid into you Filled in lifetimes thinking you'd be here But tomorrow and today Well they misunderstood And you went along your way I think you're gone for good You are the sun gone down You are the sky You are the moon rushed round You are good bye You are good good bye I remember gold I remember one maybe you could wait I remember arms reached out to late. Cause tomorrow and today Are only here so long When there's nothing left to say I hear that life moves on You are the sun gone down You are the sky You are the moon rushed round You are goodbye You are good good You are goodbye You are good good bye

Om-The Sun Is Always Shining-Another reason to love the SUN.

2009-04-25T00:36:00.002-07:00

April 24, 2009 The Sun Is Always Shining Remember the Sun There are times when gloom or darkness causes us to momentarily lose sight of the light. Although it is at these times when the thought of the sun can help us. Its warm, glowing rays brighten even our thoughts, and it’s good to remember that despite appearances the sun is shining right now. We may not be able to see it at this very moment, but if clouds block our view, they are only filtering the sun’s light temporarily. If darkness has fallen, we know that the sun is still shining at this very moment somewhere not too far away, and it’s only a matter of time before it will shine on us again. When we remember that the sun is still shining, we know that things are still in motion in the universe. Even if life feels like it is at a standstill, sometimes all we need to do is have faith and wait for the time when everything is in its perfect place. Or we can we can choose to follow the cues of the sun and continue doing our work and shining our light, even when we can’t yet see results. In doing so we exercise our patience, making sure we are prepared when opportunity knocks and all other elements are in their right and perfect places. The sun also reminds us that our own shining truth is never extinguished. Our light shines within us at all times, no matter what else occurs around us. Though the sun gives us daily proof of its existence, sometimes our belief in our own light requires more time. If we think back, however, we can find moments when it showed itself and trust that we will see it again. Like the sun, our light is the energy that connects us to the movements of the universe and the cycles of life and is present at all times, whether we feel its glow or not.

Love it!

2009-04-23T00:02:00.002-07:00

4 year old photo prodigy takes in ZEN

2009-04-22T23:18:00.003-07:00

This kind woman (?) agreed to take care of our cat ZEN while my husband was deployed for 6 months. It's good to know there are still those good, selfless people in the world who don't only have their own agenda in mind.

On behalf of my children and myself, Thanks Matina!

ZEN, we can't wait to see you again.

Mid Mission

2009-04-22T23:12:00.001-07:00

Mid Mission
Originally uploaded by Douglas Just

I wish you could see how loved you are and how blessed you are to BE loved. Not to be redundant but We (your family) ... truly have so much LOVE for you; I am not sure you'll ever know. Remember even when you cannot see us Doug, that we are there! ...that emptiness in your eyes, it is truly piercing. It's not what I am used to seeing. It's as if you have been robbed of your very soul and being? Where is my husband.
Honestly, It makes me want to protect you somehow?
I hope Doug, that someday, you will come back to us. It is up to you and it always has been. We are proud of you for serving our country!

US Navy Ships Collide

2009-04-22T22:22:00.001-07:00

US Navy Ships Collide
Originally uploaded by Douglas Just

All these years and the unimaginable happens. Every prayer and every dream wrapped up into the service and dedication given in nearly 2 decades to support the man we call husband and father, the means by which he would take care of our family and honor the name and virtues of our country that stands for FREEDOM our "AMERICA"; Where we are free to choose and act for ourself. A land prepared for that very purpose. The only agency I see that is free is the act that was thought of and yet not acted upon because of selflessness. It is a fact that cannot be contested indeed that all choices affect someone, something, somewhere, somehow.
Do civilians really realize the price that is paid for this? While they sit around the table and chat amongst childhood friends, the children of those who suffer the parental longing and longtime stabilities can merely recall the face of the friend they once had, somewhere, when they lived "there" for a small space and time and a couple of years.

Needless to say, we are thankful that we didn't lose the one we have always loved and stood beside.

IS COLD RELATIVE?

2009-02-04T16:15:00.005-08:00

Cold is it really RELATIVE? I guess you could say so in certain cases.

Okay, now hold on just a minute. I need an accurate comparison from NY to Utah to maybe make myself feel a little better about the cold here. -There is one little fact about it all and that is, COLD is COLD, no matter where you are. That being said, I would like to know where the doors freezing shut or not closing because they have instantly frozen opened, fit in temperature wise on the NY scale. As well as, I recall, a car battery that met the creator of the world because if the temperature outside. ...Knowing that 30 is the temperature at which the rain freezes and becomes snow but what of the ICE Storms in good old NY. Where everything is covered with at least an inch of pure ice, but beauty is without description. All in all this list gave me a good laugh, thanks for that Bill, I miss NY and my dear friends but the ballots are in on this one and you win. It's the Hell kind of cold there so stay warm and we'll see you in the summer :)

65 above zero: Floridians turn on the heat. People in Upstate New York plant gardens..

60 above zero: Californians shiver uncontrollably. People in Upstate New York sunbathe.

50 above zero: Italian & English cars won't start. People in Upstate New York drive w/the windows down.

40 above zero: Georgians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves & wool hats. People in Upstate New York throw on a flannel shirt.

35 above zero: New York landlords finally turn up the heat. People in Upstate New York have the last cookout before it gets cold.

20 above Zero People in Miami all die. Upstate New Yorkers close the windows.

Zero degrees Californians fly away to Mexico. People in Upstate New York get out their winter coats.

-10 below zero: Hollywood disintegrates. The Girl Scouts in Upstate New York are selling cookies door to door.

-20 below zero: Washington DC runs out of hot air. People in Upstate New York let the dogs sleep indoors.

-30 below zero: Santa Claus abandons the North Pole. Upstate New Yorkers get upset because they can't start the snowmobile.

-40 below zero: ALL atomic motion stops. People in Upstate New York start saying...

'Cold enough fer ya?'

-50 below zero: Hell freezes over. Upstate New York public schools will open 2 hours late.

Jonathan Center Stage

2008-12-10T22:51:00.003-08:00

Jonathan has his first dance recital last Friday. Aside from the fact that it had an admission charge, we went as a family, mom, G, Harris and Sis to see our super star. What can I say about the performance; Beware Mary Catherine Gallagher, he was Awesome! ...Harrison said in the part of the dance where Jonathan had to do the splits in a jump center stage, that was "A-M-A-Z-I-N-G" -with eyes about to pop out of his head.

So if you ever want to impress an 8 yr. old, there is something you can try and well, good luck with that ;)

Anyways, way to go Jonathan, I am so proud of you, we all are.

(pictures pending upload)

Izzie's Field-trip "Bowling Mania"

2008-12-01T23:14:00.000-08:00

November 24th

Mom got to go with Sissy's 1st Grade class to the BYU-Bowling Center. We had 4 kids in our group all together and one of those was her best friend Lydia. The two of them are wicked cute together, all giggles. That alone was amusing in itself.

...So we rode the big yellow bus there, playing slug-bug along the way, and then at the bowling alley (our 1st time there), we shared a spot with another group (that was a little crazy) but would'nt trade it for the world. Bowling didn't take all day so we bowled and then came back to the school, where we ate lunch in the cafeteria and made a complete success of out life that day. Best part of that is that now we will always have that memory.

I am so thankful to be a mom but if I could only have one wish, it would be that they didn't grow up sooooo fast.

Love you sweetheart :)

Your MOM!

Harrison's Field-trip

2008-11-30T23:00:00.001-08:00

November 21st

Harrison's 2nd grade class had a field-trip today. So I took the day off and we, along with a group of 3 other boys, accompanied the other 2nd grade classes to see the BYU-MOA. It became so official there that one of my most favorite places in all the world, is in an ART museum and who could dispute the part of Harrison's company. The museum was so awesome and the kids in our group were so good. Thanks, and Good Job Guys!

We then left there and attended the BYU-Bean Museum, not my favorite because it's just a different type of museum but nothing lacking in coolness there. I will post pictures when I have time to download them but there we saw some of the neatest animals, bugs, butterflies etc.

Whoever can dispute there was a hand of divinity, in the creation of this world is beyond me. But there were so many cool things there. We went through there, had a little presentation with a Brazilian Pac-Man Frog, a snake and a terantula (okay that was totally ICKY!). Then we ate lunch outside sitting in the grass at the top of the hill, played tag before it was time to go even and heard the bells ring at noon. Being a mom is so fantastic. Thanks for asking me to come along Harrison!

Harrisons Baptism Invitation

2008-11-25T00:46:00.001-08:00

Little Fish

2008-11-11T11:57:00.002-08:00

What's in a Moment

2008-11-04T12:49:00.003-08:00

"We spend most of our time and energy

in a kind of horizontal thinking. We move along

the surface of things... but there are times when

we stop. We sit still. We lose ourselves in a pile

of leaves or its memory. We listen, and breezes

from a whole other world begin to whisper."

-James Carroll

...What do you hear?

Palmyra, NY

2008-08-30T05:10:00.005-07:00

Captains Log: Day 3

We are still on the road, it seems that the state of NY is much bigger than we had previously anticipated. We will have to for go all stops in order to make it out of this galaxy.

We landed in Palmyra, NY for lunch and a quick walk. How ideal was it for us that The Sacred Grove and the Smith homestead was located there. Even though we had just been there a month earlier, Aunt Shalin had not and since we were not going to make it to Erie like I had hoped, we stopped and took a deep, deep, deep breathe.

Here we are, enjoy!

Loving and missing you all :)

ROAD TRIP

2008-08-29T06:16:00.003-07:00

Well the fantastic four, Aunt Shalin and myself hit the road yesterday bound for Utah. Despite the bucket of tears under our feet, we were all good. We just reassured ourselves time and time again that we will see those that we love again soon. An hour later, a quick answer to our prayers we got to see Debbie again. Harrison left his new Hobbz, and Ninkompoop at the house so we waited as Debbie brought them out to us.

The trip was slow and smooth we didn't get as far as we wanted but no lack of blessings here. We stopped because a light came on in the truck. I decided to retire for the night and make sure it was all ok, checking fluids, reading the owners manual, which I would encourage anyone to do with their own car now, lol, lots of interesting facts in there. I then Googled it and verified all that I understood with a call to our newly designated on the road car expert, and previous owner of the truck. We call him Uncle David and he lives in Idaho. David was funny assuring me everything was ok there as much as he knew but would wait to confirm "world peace" until after I explained to him why I was calling. For the record, my brother has been on more than his fair share of the travelers road rescue missions and is a veteran in helping me. Twice as a matter of fact, when both times, my engine blew, the first time in Montana and the second time in Kennewick, Washington. Thankfully, I have learned a thing or two since then as well. Mainly, that it takes a LONG time before you really look back and laugh. I did smile through it all though, and cried as well. I remember the second time the engine blew I had just made it to a gas station in Kennewick, WA. Calling my brother with tears of frustration and despair he asked me where I was, I told him I was at a gas station called "AM/PM". He then asked me if it was a 24 hr gas station and I said I don't know. I still laugh about that one but it all worked out.

These things always do. RIGHT! ;)

... So here we are, we got the last room in the hotel, hm, what a coincidence huh. It was a smoking room, but apparently since the weekend, no one had smoked in it. Oh and by the way, it had 4 beds. I ran up and checked it out and as I returned with the key and said "It was good", they turned away someone on the phone, hung it up and then did the same with another person that had been standing in the foyer.

Don't worry, I know what your thinking, rest assured I made sure she wasn't pregnant, with a carpenter or traveling on a donkey.

I am so thankful for the "Coincidence", the kind that follows fervent prayers and a good run of our faith! Thank you to all of you who are praying for us. I assure you that we love and miss you and did so before we even left.

FYI: The hotel portion we stayed in isn't what you see there, but this picture is from the road and is maybe another section of the hotel detached that they rent. We actually drove away from the one you see because we thought it looked like a dive, lol. The one we are in is behind there and looks clearly, less of a dive :)

LUVS!

2008-08-17T22:16:00.002-07:00

"Always we hope someone else has the answer.

Some other place will be better,

it will all turn out.

This is it.

No one else has the answer.

No other place is better,

and it has already turned out."

-Lao-tzu

Men are that...

2008-08-04T21:10:00.001-07:00

August 4, 2008
From my daily om I get that added insight and it seems to be just "on" with those things I need to hear. On that note I have to add, how life is truly harder than it looks, like in many things -yet not all. I want to put out into the energy of our Beautiful Universe, my deepest and most sincere desire and hopes, that my gratitude for today will in fact bring me back to myself tomorrow, and deliver with it the promise "Men are that they may have joy".

A Special Goodnight

Creating A Nightly Ritual

At the end of the day, as the sweet, dark stillness of night beckons us to lay down our bones and rest, we find ourselves at a clear transition point: Behind us lies the previous day and all that has come before; ahead of us, dawn heralds the unfolding of all that is yet to be. While many of us have morning rituals that connect us with our center and help us to set intentions, we may want to explore the magic and power of nighttime ritual as well. It holds for us a beautiful chance for self-appreciation and blessing. Before you go to bed each night, you can send gratitude, compassion, and healing to the being you have been up until this moment. And you can send lightness and love into the future for the one you are in the process of becoming.

Though simple, this action honors the journey you have taken thus far, while opening you to the wonderful possibilities still ahead. When you consciously engage with your own evolution this way, you may find that your sleep gets sweeter, filling your night with a deeper sense of trust and relaxation. As you rest, you can surrender to these peaceful hours, knowing that the road behind you has been seen and acknowledged with respect and kindness, while the path ahead now holds your own benevolence and well wishes.

This bedtime ritual empowers you as the only one who can determine the meaning of your own past and the hopefulness of your future. By setting this special time aside each night, you can begin to orient yourself on your path of growing. It allows you to let the past have its place, to trust that the future is taken care of, and to simply rest yourself in the graceful arms of the present moment.

Tax Rebate Check!

2008-05-15T11:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, here is my disclaimer, it is that I don't in fact own and drive the same vehicle as depicted in this picture, I am not a man nor does any man pump my gas except for my son Jonathan & on occasion my other wonderful helpers, but the rest is as accurate as it gets.
(Oh, wait the rebate check is also in my partners personal account but aside from that, if I could use the money at my own digression, I would definitely have to use it to buy some gas. ...and the rest would again be entirely, as close as possible, accurate)

FYI: Here in NY Regular Unleaded is $3.88 p.g
I used to debate whether I would buy 2% and get a separate gallon of skim but those luxuries are of the past. Now I just ask, will it be milk or gas? j/k

The Magic in my "Magic 8 Ball"

2008-05-15T10:29:00.005-07:00

Did you know that having been born in 1946, the Magic 8 Ball is now 62 yrs. old and it was originally known as "The Syco-Seer". After all this time, not much has changed, it has a more catchy name now indeed, but has managed to retained its youthful figure and original design. Even still today, young and old alike each one individual on their way to obtaining infinite knowledge and wisdom, shake it violently and manipulate the floating polyhedron to surrender an answer.

I don't know about you, but life to me is about obtaining knowledge. My experience has been a little different where finding the right answers to questions big or small, had little to do with the simple shaking of a ball. I think I would just as much prefer the company and wisdom of someone 62 yrs. old or young, to discuss their experiences with me and avoid violently shaking anyone or -thing all together. On that note, I must say in whomever's wisdom it was in creating or turning to a Magic 8 Ball to help answer life's unsurmountable and unsolved question; that it hasn't proven to be anything but entertaining, at least to me. You should try sometime, to give this to a child, play with them but then sit back to listen. Hear the questions that come from their heart, their mind rather than pay any focus on the answers they actually get from the ball, sharing with them your much trusted wisdom of course in knowing which answers are accurate or not and then reassuring them, without shaking them of course, that it is in fact, just a ball.
...any questions?
Mattel, $8.00, Magic 8 Ball mattel.com
...if only life were that easy ;-)

FLDS Church, Misrepresents Members of The "MORMON" faith; also known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

2008-04-12T21:00:00.013-07:00

Sometimes, the world needs a"somebody" who is willing to do "something" ...and sometimes that somebody is you!

Have you ever had something strike a chord within you that left you with a feeling of restlessness. You are without question moved to do something about the act that was unjust. Well, that was my experience the other day during a morning work-out. I watched a segment air on "The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet". The topic, a raid that took place at a Polygamist Ranch in Texas. The story: local law enforcement responded to a call they received from a 16 year old girl, a child herself but already a mother of 4; alleging she as well as others in their sect were victims of sexual, physical & mental abuse. The raid of this polygamist compound belonging to The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ (which has no affiliation whatsoever with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints) received national attention & with good reason. Although despite the ability & resources available to learn and verify information, the discussion made on the show, & having even an expert panel there to help explain and offer up understanding to the gravity of the legal and moral agency in this case unfortunately had someone completely unreserved & willing to say things they evidently knew very little of. The offense: generalizing the accused, members of the FLDS church; as "Mormons". As a whole, implying that "Mormons" believe it to be their constitutional right to impose defiling acts upon their members under the pretense of their religious freedoms. I have to admit just writing that thought out makes me want to vomit in my own mouth ...how anyone could justify such behavior & do it in association to the name and teachings of Jesus Christ! Uh! I need a moment.... So the purpose of "The Letter" Well, it isn't this letter I believe will have anyone jumping out of their seat to sign me up for the next Nobel Prize. But it is such, that I put back into the Universe that which was right and true. I didn't sit this one out and thankfully, wouldn't let this just "be". ( -regardless of what it means or doesn't mean to anyone else.) I am posting my letter below because it is symbolic of the marks I will leave from my life, standing up as a disciple of Christ and being a witness to that which I know is right, just and true. I would like to think that I stood up for 13,193,999 people who share with me a divine lineage as my heavenly brothers and sisters. But what really means the most to me, is that I stood up for my heart, my essence and most importantly, I stood up for that one who has already stood-up for me, our brother Jesus Christ. Standing in that holy place because whether on the cross or down upon his knees in the Garden of Gethsemane (where he defended me) he suffered for the sins of the world, he did it for "us". He overcame the world and death and I know that he lives, he loves me and saves me daily. I know the only way back to him is through our obedience. He has showed us the way we should go. It is the best way there is and only way I know that provides me the opportunity to give back, in any measure what he has given to me. I will obey his commandments and continue to prepare myself to live with him forever. I owe him everything. My restlessness is at PEACE! Dear Mike & Juliet, I love your show. It often leaves me feeling I have expanded my knowledge & understanding. In my opinion, the best things the show offers to its audience is it's ability to find balance in presenting real life issues with a variation of perspectives and opinions, along side the pros and cons. This open minded approach provides validation as a whole and manages to withhold that "judgment" which typically shuts down peoples acceptance & understanding. HOWEVER, having said that, I was appalled and am without adequate words to tell you the degree of disappointment I felt. When the discussion on the recent raid of a Polygamist Ranch in Texas, allowed for one of your guest/panel "experts", Lisa Pinto, to make a statement that grossly generalized & completely misrepresented "those" of a faith, totally different than that of The FLDS church. "Those" mentioned, being the members of "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints." How did such a thing happen? It happened by referring to the accused members of the FLDS (The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) as "Mormons". ...I feel ignorance on such matters, to this degree and in a day and age where we have information at our finger tips, is to say the least, unacceptable! ...especially for "panel experts"... and is seemingly contrary to the make-up of The M&J Show as previously mentioned. As a "Mormon" myself, or rather member of The LDS church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), this generalization represented me, my children, our beliefs, our faith, morals, convictions and most unfortunately, our Savior Jesus Christ. As being "ONE" along side those accused of such heinous acts of child abuse & compounded by their outrageous justification of such acts based on religious beliefs and associated to Christs teachings. This, SO very, very, wrong on EVERY level.I hope you can understand how the lack of clarity in some way is an attack on my character and I speak on behalf of the other 13,193,999 members of my faith. ...Therefore, I would like to offer for the future, the proper use of the term "Mormon" in all cases would be simply require clarification initially, providing that separation among the two faiths. That would in fact be on track with what makes The M&J Show, a success. ...and I wish for you just that, success and more. Sincerely your non-FLDS friend ; ), Sonya Just Hartford, NY sonya.namaste@gamil.com How you can find out more about The LDS church. www.mormon.org www.lds.org -- sonya.namaste@gmail.com

The "Once Upon a Time Conspiracy"

2008-03-28T12:48:00.008-07:00

Something you need to know!
-To anyone who loves, cares or desires to influence
or mentor in any way, shape or form, the molding process of our future mothers, leaders and nurturer's.

Once upon a time the Disney princesses lived their separate lives, waiting innocuously for their princes to come.

...As Peggy Orenstein documented in a 2006 New York Times Magazine article, that changed in 2000, when Disney decided that, henceforth, the princesses would collude. They went from princesses to "Princess" -- as Disney execs call the fast-growing product line marketed collectively under just that logo. Merged into a sort of uber-princess, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine and the older members of the gang formed a vast global conspiracy to turn a bunch of aging animated films into cold, hard cash -- faster than Cinderella's fairy godmother could turn a pumpkin into a coach.

...once activated, they would quickly dominate the world. In 2001, sales at Disney consumer products were a lethargic $300 million. By 2007, Disney's "Princess" franchise was raking in $4 billion. And who could stand in its way? With the "Princess" brand on baby bottles, sneakers, pencils, candy, T-shirts, everything, you and your little darlings don't stand a chance, Mothers of America. Your little girls will be brainwashed -- and you -- you ... .

Ah, yes. What happens to you?

You didn't think Disney was going to stand idly by while you engaged in those little feminist critiques, did you now? Pause for a moment to consider the fate of the princesses' mommies
in those Disney movies. "Cinderella" and "Snow White"? Mothers killed off by mysterious illnesses. "Beauty and the Beast," "The Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin"? Mothers all missing; presumed dead.

Disney really has it in for mommies: Even when you leave princess-land, it's the same pattern. Bambi's mom? Shot dead by a hunter. Nemo's mom? Eaten by a barracuda. Of all the major princesses, only Sleeping Beauty (a.k.a. Aurora; like all criminals, she often goes by an alias) has a nuclear family, not that it does her any good. But given Disney's track record, I wouldn't want to underwrite her mother's life insurance policy.

And hey, ever notice how, in group photos, the Disney princesses never, ever meet each
other's eyes? Why won't they look at each other? Why do they still pretend they don't know each other? Is something troubling their consciences?

Mothers of America, watch your backs.

It's all about awareness! SJ
To read the full article from the LA Times click on this link: "Once Upon a Time Conspiracy"

Photo: Izzy! my little princess
I love you,
Mom

What constitutes a "Fight to the Death"

2008-03-19T09:03:00.008-07:00

"Stains" What constitutes a "Fight to the Death" Okay, so are a few facts about me: I really love to smile, I really love a good laugh and believe it or not, I really don't care for stains, or wrinkles, or well ...well my point right now are stains. ...Since life keeps on moving forward amidst smiles, laughs and the occasional spot, I decided I would post this & redefine that unpredictable stain as predictably insignificant -watch the talking spot & SMILE :); laundry, "I'm a com'in!" If you want to see some other funny spin-offs of this commercial you can go to www.mytalkingstain.com and see the finalist for the "my talking stain" commercial/contest and place your own vote.

Time to Digest!

2008-03-12T12:19:00.006-07:00

Time to Digest! Chapters 1 & 2 by justaperture

Nothing Big Required

Chapter 1

You Are Enough Most of us have the feeling that we are here to accomplish something big in our lives, and if we haven’t done something that fits the bill we may feel as if we are waiting. We may feel incomplete, or empty, as if our lives don’t yet make sense to us, because they don’t line up with our idea of major accomplishment. In some cases, this may be because we really are meant to do something that we haven’t yet done. But in most cases, we can let ourselves off the hook with the realization that just being here, being ourselves, is enough. As we live our lives in this world, we share our energy and our spirit with the people around us in numerous ways. Our influence touches their lives and, through them, touches the lives of many more people. When we strive to live our lives to the fullest and to become our true selves, we are doing something big on an inner level, and that is more than enough to make sense of our being here on this planet at this time. There is no need to hold ourselves to an old idea in the back of our minds that we need to make headlines or single-handedly save the world in order to validate our existence. We can each look within our hearts to discover what is true for us, what gives our lives meaning, and what excites us. We can release ourselves from any pressure to perform that comes from outside of our inner sense of purpose. Staying in tune with our own values and living our lives in tune with our own vision is all we need in order to fulfill our time here. Our lives are a process of becoming so that we cannot help but cocreate; being who we are, responding to each moment as it comes, we can trust that this is enough. Source: OM

So now, its Time to Digest!

Chapter 2

So what are my thoughts on all of this... ...I wish sometimes I knew what certain things were really trying to say to me. Then I would have that COMPLETE understanding I am sure we all wonder about from time to time. Those feelings sometimes, so intense, that without any question inspire, uplift or engage my awareness to grow, at least knowing the source of that nudging, is coming from the deepest part of who I am. So for now here is a small solution or quick fix so to speak.

I am going to try and share "more", and share"more often".

FFT (food for thought): we'll read, ponder and then digest.

I sincerely invite you to please leave me your comments as we explore a little deeper, ourselves. Some say we already have the answers we are seeking, inside ourselves. Other times, people simply cross our path having been sent to us somehow, someway, acting as an instrument and bringing understanding. My point is, who knows, maybe this time your "the instrument" with my/ or someone elses answer, insight, experience, perspective. Maybe you have that little thought that bridges the gap to what we call our lack of understanding. Maybe together, offering what we can, we'll experience the sense of progress that sustains, little by little.

The scriptures remind us “that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass” alma 37:6

So here I am going to invite/ask you not to with-hold. To all my friends of whom I have had the privilege of having enter my life. I could not name a one of you, that hasn't given a me part of who you are and for the better. Thankfully and sincerely, I say to all of you, you have all truly been a fabulous blessing in my life. Namaste~

The JOB of a Woman: Someone has to do it!

2008-03-04T15:27:00.004-08:00

The Job of a WOMAN vs the exploration of reasons Men are not depressed

Men Are Just Happier People--
What do you expect from such simple creatures?
Your last name stays put.
The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack.
You can be President.
You can never be pregnant.
You can wear a white
T-shirt to a water park.
You can wear NO shirt to a water park.
Car mechanics tell you the truth.
You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.
You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
Same work, more pay.
Wrinkles add character.
Grey hair is really Silver & Silver hair makes you more distinguished
Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.
People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.
New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood all the time.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
You know stuff about tanks.
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
You almost never have strap problems in public.
You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.
Everything on your face stays its original color.
The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.
You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life.
One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife.
You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.
No wonder men are happier.

But for a moment lets reflect on one minor flaw that is unavoidable; without WOMEN even man would cease to exist

A Tribute ...of the real sort

2008-02-01T20:30:00.000-08:00

Main Entry: trib·ute Pronunciation: \ˈtri-(ˌ)byüt, -byət\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English tribut, from Latin tributum, from neuter of tributus, past participle of tribuere to allot, bestow, grant, pay, from tribus tribe. Date: 14th century 2 a: something given or contributed voluntarily as due or deserved; especially: a gift or service showing respect, gratitude, or affection b: something (as material evidence or a formal attestation) that indicates the worth, virtue, or effectiveness of the one in question.

Remembering A Man of Virtue & Integrity

2008-01-29T19:35:00.000-08:00

SALT LAKE CITY 29 January 2008 With arrangements for the funeral of President Gordon B. Hinckley under way, tributes from the Church leadership to President Hinckley’s life and service were issued today.

Tributes came from President Thomas S. Monson, who served as the First Counselor in the First Presidency, and also President Henry B. Eyring, former Second Counselor. A tribute was also issued from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Continued

President Thomas S. Monson:

“It was my privilege to know and love President Hinckley long before either of us was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles or the First Presidency. Through the years I have sat next to him, have served with him and have learned from him. I am a witness to his prophetic calling.

“President Hinckley was prodigious in his work ethic and was totally dedicated to the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was a friend to one and all and a leader who inspired spirituality. His outreach on an international scale was unprecedented. He was truly a prophet for our time. Like the Master, he devoted his life to doing good, and God was surely with him. His life was a gift to the world.”

President Henry B. Eyring:

“President Hinckley had the gift to make people want to do better and to feel that they could. Last Tuesday I sat in a meeting with him as he considered and then decided matters of great importance, some about individuals and some affecting the entire Church. He was pleasant, incisive, and clearly inspired. For me, he raised the standard of what it is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, giving all.”

The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles express our heartfelt love and admiration for President Gordon B. Hinckley and the singular life of service he lived. He was our prophet, our leader, our brother and our friend. We feel a deep, personal loss at his passing. He unfailingly demonstrated his devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ, whose witness he was at home and abroad.

“We will miss his wit and his wisdom, his leadership and his love. However, we cannot but rejoice in his reunion with his beloved Marjorie, with his parents and other family members who have gone before, and with the prophets of God, both ancient and modern, among whose eternal ranks he now stands. As the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles we echo the voice of the Master, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant. … Enter into the joy of thy Lord.’ ”

Planetary Emergency

2008-01-24T15:09:00.000-08:00

Gore climate plea to US and China
Click above to read the whole article

We, the human race, are confronting a planetary emergency - a threat to the survival of our civilization that is gathering ominous and destructive potential even as we gather here," he said.

"The Earth has a fever, and the fever is rising. The experts have told us it is not a passing affliction that will heal by itself.

"We are what is wrong, and we must make it right."

Tell me, what are you going to do?
Commit to making 1 change for the next two weeks.

POST IT HERE UNDER COMMENTS

Keep Jerusalem United

2008-01-22T17:07:00.000-08:00

Here is how you can help!

Right now, there are those who are pushing for peace by dividing Jerusalem, a move that many believe would put Israel at further risk from terrorists. To learn more watch our presentation, then sign our Petition for a United Jerusalem.
[MORE]

"Unfamiliar Faces"

2007-07-30T12:34:00.000-07:00

"Unfamiliar Faces" is the new album from Matt Costa EDA (Estimated Date of Arrival) is not too far away but will require some patience;coming to us October 2, 2007, on Brushfire Records with 12 new tracks. Put it on your calender, you wont want to miss it :) You GO MATT! Love Ya! Sonya

FYI: Make sure you check out his Myspace and you can also find him on Netlog.

2007-07-26T11:59:00.000-07:00

ENVELOPES THAT KEEP ON GIVING

Reusable envelopes get a boost In response to the growing interest in “green” products, a company called “ecoenvelopes” has developed a reusable envelope that eliminates the need for a separate reply mail envelope and helps conserve resources. The design gives mailers more flexibility for printing, distributing and mailing reusable envelopes.

A recent mailing requirements change eliminates the need for a separate reply envelope — and that helps conserve precious resources.

The Postal Service continues to lead the way in developing new and innovative strategies to help protect our environment. Nearly 100 percent of the more than half a billion packages and envelopes supplied by the Postal Service each year are recyclable.

In the Colors-Ben Harper

2007-07-12T20:24:00.001-07:00

2007-07-12T19:37:00.000-07:00

Ben Harpers new album Lifeline

2007-07-11T10:48:00.000-07:00

Ben Harper’s new Album : Lifeline

Ben Harpers Lifeline, due August 28. Ben Harper is an amazing, versatile and totally grounded artist hands down, he tops the list of my fav's. Watch here: Ben Harper & Jack Johnson - Please Me Like You Want To

...Remember "LIFE IS GOOD"

"A Remembrance" and Timeless Lesson

2007-07-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

"Pleasure is a sort of oblivion, a forgetfulness. Pain is remembrance, you cannot forget pain."
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh

...I am posting this today, not because I didnt get to it yesterday, but because we remembered YESTERDAY; but we need to remember "Yesterday" now, today, and everyday. Remember, the lives, sacrifices, and blessings that come to us because of GOD, this country and those who sacrifice their lives, their time and energies to defend the freedoms you enjoy everyday. Their families and friends, every loss to this cause has a ripple effect whether separated in life or death.

Timeless Words:

"With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan-to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."
- Abraham Lincoln
Second Inaugural Address March 4, 1865

Make yourself accountable!

2007-07-03T06:30:00.000-07:00

“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” Charles R. Swindoll

accountability

Main Entry: ac·count·abil·i·ty Pronunciation: &-"kaun-t&-'bi-l&-tE Function: noun : the quality or state of being accountable; especially : an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?sourceid=Mozilla-search&va=Accountability What is one of your GOALS? Make yourself accountable, and if you like, post it as a comment to "Make yourself accountable". This is just one way of coming together and just being there for one another. Step One: Putting out into the Universe

my goal: The Garden

I am posting this for myself really, as a way of making me accountable of accomplishing my goal for any sort of garden 2007 :). Sometimes we just need to make ourselves ACCOUNTABLE :) somehow. Namaste Everyone

The Inside that is mirrored on the outside!

2007-07-02T22:02:00.000-07:00

This is a time when what is on the inside is mirrored on the outside. We see in the current social and ecological breakdown the accurate reflection of worldviews that are based on notions of competitive advantage rather than collective benefit, material existence as something to throw away, and a perpetuation of the myth that what we think in our minds and feel in our hearts can be disconnected from the truth we declare to others. —James O'Dea

Pray for KALEB

2007-06-29T08:32:00.000-07:00

In gratitude of our own health & our ability to give thanks for that well-being. Lets remember together those who cannot; and pray for baby Kaleb.

-Namaste Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man. Rabindranath Tagore I love you Jonathan, Grant, Harrison and Isabel -Mom

"Help Reconnect & Fire the Grid" ...You must at least check this out!

2007-06-25T22:51:00.000-07:00

The Countdown is on:

FIRE the GRID

-This is a small excerpt from, "The Story": Part One (of Three), in one womans personal journey to helping us, help ourselves, for the common goal "To save our earth"

..."I feel it is imperative that we unite this world as one planet with one common goal - to establish peace and prosperity for all, not just the select few who were blessed to be in the right place at the right time। We are entering a new phase of humanity and what I will tell you in this website will help us as a race to assimilate the changes that the future will bring."

http://www.firethegrid.org/index.htm

justaperture

Easy Tip: How to Ease A Soar Throat Naturally

Scratched note on the Index Card "When my thoughts trickle"

GRATIS

Salt Lake City Reaches Out To Japanese Sister City

Good Things to Come

The Exlamation Point to Life: Together in Life and Death

The perfection of the OM and Apologies

Forgiveness: Letting go of grudges and bitterness

Forgiveness: Letting go of grudges and bitterness

Forgiveness: Letting go of grudges and bitterness

Forgiveness: Letting go of grudges and bitterness

Forgiveness: Letting go of grudges and bitterness

When someone you care about hurts you, you can hold on to anger, resentment and thoughts of revenge — or embrace forgiveness and move forward.

I AM

A dose of Eternal and Infinite Love!

Let the splendor of the diamond, pearl and ruby vanish like the magic shimmer of the rainbow. Only let this one teardrop, the Taj Mahal, glisten spotlessly bright on the cheek of time...

(Poet Rabindranath Tagore)My favorite poet!

An Infinite Amount of Love

CHOOSING PEACE is first knowing something about it!

THE BANNER OF PEACE

Is it Passion or Paris where I want to be! The answer is EXACTLY :)

Adversity isn't a Choice. How you choose to react IS!

Hidden Messages

Verse is not written, it is bled.

"Verse is not written, it is bled; Out of the poet's abstract head.

Words drip the poem on the page; Out of his grief, delight and rage."

Paul Engle

Thank You Mother Earth!

A Sketch of an Amazing Woman 1940-2010

a SOUL's Dictionary

Wordsworth

You Dream Like a Flower

"Looking for Freedom"

IS THERE A GOD

FRUITS of LOVE

I'm in love with.....

A Picture is a Poem

Santas 2009 Christmas Letter

…A Bad Case of COGNITIVE DISSONANCE

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

The Military Life

Yes Day!

What money cannot buy are the most valuable things in life.

Truly Bad?

"Preserving the Good Fruits"

VisitorMap.org

Anyone can give up!

Have you found your SOUL MATE

"Our deepest fear"

Beware of the Trap!

Getting ahead

The thing you cannot do

Tenderness Withheld

A Long Engagement

Promises (disambiguation)

Promise to Keep

Ask Yourself: What is the REAL difference that ONE person can make?

An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

Where is Happily Ever After?

Adversity

What is Writing

Hettie in "The Trolls Bridge"

I AM SONYA

Spring Break 2009

Click here to see: CNNBC: "SONYA JUST Announced as 2009 Mother of the Year."

My Daughters Leprechaun

Jonathan and Chelsea MVHS Prom 2009

Is this supposed to make me laugh?

Selection from one of my favorite Poets!

Writing it Out

Silence Lost

Like A Sonata: You Are Goodbye

Om-The Sun Is Always Shining-Another reason to love the SUN.

Love it!

4 year old photo prodigy takes in ZEN

Mid Mission

US Navy Ships Collide

IS COLD RELATIVE?

Jonathan Center Stage

(Poet Rabindranath Tagore)
My favorite poet!