Tell Me Your Story. It's a Homily

Not intended to be a diary

Tuesday night. Sitting in Barnes and Nobles now. Just left an Inquiry class. Wasn’t sure, but things fell into place for me to show up here. I had wanted to for awhile, but life obligations had to take place. Missed  Church last week. No morning mass, no Sunday either. Not feeling in sync for awhile.

Don't Know, Just Flow

Well, there I be. Sitting early at St. Mary’s in the Holy something room. Spoke with the inquiry teacher, an  instructor at AVC. A lot of things seemed to jump out this day. Wondered in silence, if I was going to be able to come again? Life lately seemed not fit with me going to the in Inquiry class. 

Question answered. Learned that they will be holding a second day a week for me to show. Looks like that I will be able to go at least once a week.

"Mine turned to marbles. Mine turned to bee-bees"

Went swimming this afternoon. Got midway. Meaning water were up legs, up to waist in water. The rest waiting for the courage to go all the way. In other words waiting for blood to stop from legs to go to brain. You stand there gauging how it is cold. Cold--brisk or hypothermic? You debate whether to go all in or fold. Either way you are going to be right. Right to jump and swim. Intentions were there. Might as well complete the act. Or the other way. Right to not go in. Its Freezing.They will become "bee-bees." (Line from a movie I can't remember)

Wuss

Today, things seemed to fall in play. Pool man came in. Surprised me. Saw me half way in playing with my H20 Audio. (Ipod for swimming. Don’t know? Its pretty cool. Had used for a year or so now.) Oh, yeah. Pool guy came in and I didn’t want to look like a wuss. So I dived head in. Paddle board ahead. Did 25 laps.

Timeout

Later, took my sunset pic. Had my G-Time. Left in the middle of the inquiry class in order to step away. Saw stairs. Never they were there before. Went up the stairs; there was Football field. Wow, Never knew. Just had to take a leap of faith. Saw the goal posts and thought. Guess, I am supposed to be here at this time. Saw the sunset and took my pics.

Lessons learned, Lessons shared

Went back in to the room and sat. Made some contributions. Shared the stuff I learned from the days before. Azazel and the emissary lambs—Scapegoats. Spoke of the Joseph and the brothers. Knew the Archangel Gabriel spoke to Mary about the announcement.

Word for the Day

Didn’t initially want this to be a diary of the day so far. However, the one thing that stood out is this.

Homily.

Learned that word today. Heard it many times, but today I discovered what it meant.  It is when the “priest or deacon describes how the good news of Christ’s saying mystery applies to the community in particular.”

Theory and Application

Whether you are Christian, or Catholic (I know kind of same thing), Muslim, or Hebrew, whatever Abrahamic or non-Abrahamic religion you follow, it seems to be a calling to share the story and lessons of a life learned. We are taught each day that school is vital for your future’s success. We learn a lesson and apply these in real life. Theory to Application.

Overload: He Said, She Said

Look at your life. You absorb lesson from parents, teachers, friends, family, schools, internet, music, books, games, and sports. We are taught work hard, work smart, stand out, step up, don’t do drugs, use a condom, vote, don’t follow him because he’s liberal. Don’t follow him, he broke the rule of law. Weapons of Mass destruction, where?

Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot

I will leave at this. Use your head and your heart. We are given conflicting message all the time. We are told half-truths and fables. Reading this post you could be thinking what is this garbage you are spewing. I claim not to be knowing. Just Socratic. People will tell you they are. Personally, I fear them the most.

We are told that if we act this certain way, then we can be like this. Follow this pattern of behavior and you will reap the rewards and/or failure of your acts.  There is much truth to this. Yet, I think most people need to trust their head and their heart. Some people will be smarter than you. There always is.

However, one must still need to listen to their inner voice. In the end, you will be accountable for all your deeds and intention.  You need to look at yourself in the mirror. What has worked for another may not necessarily work for you. Big Smile, has different lessons—different challenges—for you to face. You have your skill sets, your own perceptions. Your own uniqueness. Square peg in round hole thing you know.

Hegetsme

Originally, I was going to talk about how the person we are the story one lives.  Homily is supposed to be the moral, the parable, the “hegetsme”. Huh? He gets me, this is the moral of the story. Looking how people live their lives and what the results are. Good, bad , or indifferent. He gets me is when the story told touches a chord with the one watching or reading. The Observer (Listener)  lives vicariously through protagonist of the story and applies this lesson in a nice short epigram.

Remember? It is the hero’s journey again. Work hard, sacrifice, trust in others, suffer a loss, and be rewarded with some moral Holy Grail. Do It again. In time of middle eastern countries, it was once believed the storyteller was hailed as the most powerful person of his tribe. Held in highest of esteem, storytellers were able to give meaning, teach lessons.

Lesson: Storyteller and Hero, Be Both

My dogma is this. Be your own Hero. Be your own storyteller.  Tell us what trials and tribulations you experienced and endured. Share what is important to you. Tell us what you value. Give us your “Hegetsme.” Perhaps with this understanding, we can learn that you are my brother. You are my sister. You are my mother and father. You are like me and my family. I will be more Forgiving and less quick in drawing judgment and acting in haste.

Reciprocity. You Do Me, I'll Do You

If you can share your story with me, and I with you, we can remember to not be so disconnected with each other. I listen to you and you and me.  Then we can be both a group and an individual. We can accept each other and do great things together.

Well, alas, I think we should keep it simple and just share and listen. For right now.  Once we get this down, we can do other greater things.

 

Publish Post

I believe. . .

Friar-dom?

Lynn said in a former life I was a monk. Or my Reiki guide is a monk. Without any prompting and before we broke, she said an image of a monk kept on coming to her. Earth mother said she thinking my special word for me was "Faith" before I said it to our reading group. During my drunken college days, I dressed up as a monk and woke up a with a 9 inch wooden cross (and aching jaw where someone I still don't know who hit me during a drunken Halloween stupor) I have still have priest outfit that I wore for last Halloween. 

 She said “45” kept her in head. Lynn was my Reiki Instructor. I think I understand the 45, but I will keep that one to myself. 

Won’t deny that I feel comfortable and at peace in church. I'll will admit that I felt a calling to the clergy. I'll admit there is book sitting next to me named “Everything Understanding Islam.” I'll admit that I made a promise one year to “Make My Soul Stronger.” Took a Philosophy as Religion and Bible at Literature class. I'll admit that there was a need to be Baptised again. I'll admit that Abbey in Valyermo felt like home. I'll admit that when Welford and Shazam balked about me being a priest that my natural instinct was to say, “No, you are wrong. Priestly vocation has been a part of me. This life or past life—it is part of who I am.”

Recently learned my Uncle Mike was accepted to a most prestigious seminary school in the Philippines. Learned one of my Fonacier relatives is a priest too. Maybe its in the blood. Whatever it is, I'll admit that I believe that I am a Man of Faith. What that Faith is, I’m still discovering.

My blog posts are of redemption and higher calling. It is about the heroic journey. Things are coming to clarity now. Still do not know where this journey leads, but here I be. Still not sure if this my life or my guide to do be and do, all I know is that I'm beginning to know. Still coming to grips with these messages.

This will be a short post. Sorry.

Have Faith.

Searching for my Llano. . .

There's a somebody I'm longing to see, I hope that she turns out to be. . .

Saturday—it’s a beautiful outside. Sun shining ever so right. Wind is blowing in an early spring. And I think of her. One said that she looks like me. Oh, how I wanted to ask so much more. Alas, I didn’t. Her troubles were pressing. I felt her pain. The redness in her eyes. The front of strength was waning. Her facade transparent. Her aura beamed pain.

Sitting here now 16 years, I wondered if I beamed that same pain. It was all self-inflicted. Went through Denial. Went through Anger. Went Bargaining. Went through Depression. Now, I am Acceptance. Worse for wear I be. All the signs of loss. One friend Raman said, “I was dead inside.” I realize now why.

I'm a little lamb who's lost in a wood, I know I could always be good. . .

Got shepherded and was shown the light. A flash of clarity hit. So obvious, yet I was so blind. Haven’t heard from . . .in a while. I hope that it’s not too long before we meet. Downloaded a few pics from a camera that’s not mine. Pictures of a life long missed.  Pictures of Niagara Falls. Pictures of Legoland. Pictures of Alaskan cruises. None were mine.

Started putting M's pictures in a frame. Pictures were not mine, either. She’s playing softball in one. She’s on stage dancing for another. However, the picture I love the most is . . .no, I am going to keep that one for myself. Got to keep that one private for just her and me.

Notice that I have been getting emotional a lot lately. My eyes would water for the strangest reason. Sometimes it’s a song. Sometimes its picture.  It would just hit. Movies that I’ve seen before and nothing. I knew I liked the movie, but everything is moving me.

Mr. Holland’s Opus—it was today. My eyes glistened. Scene was Holland Opus (Richard Dreyfuss) and high school student (Jean Louisa Kelly). Last performance for Jean Louisa of her high school musical. It’s the performance she secretly leaves school to chase her dream of Broadway. The song she sings Gershwin “Somebody To Watch Over Me” Whew. It just got me.

Although I may not be the man, Some girls think of as handsome. . .

First time rendition I remember of this song was by Sting (My favorite crooner) Must have played this song twenty time straight before I took it off replay. Could not get enough. Had to listen to every word, hear every inflection, I just had to. It spoke to me. And I was listening.

It was when I first moved to Boston for college. Just had my heart broken and this song spoke to me. It brought me back to sanity. Funny, nights I would be listening to some Lords of Acid and then head out to Narcissus and go clubbing at the Back Bay. After a drunken stupor and late night Fenway Pizza, I would go my dorm suite and I power down with Sting’s version.

Won't you tell her please to put on some speed, Follow my lead, oh how I need. . .

Song has new meaning for me. Part of the lyrics stirs a different part of me. Guess this is why these songs are classics. Their stories seem to span time. Muse did a rendition of another song I just can’t get enough. George Michael was my first.Then Nina Simone. Then Muse. Love them all. I was sitting here on Friday night at it’s a Grind and the aspiring musician chose to sing “It’s a New Dawn” I had to stop and listen.

I know I could always be good. . .But to her heart, I carry the key

Confused me at first why these next generationers are playing my song. . .my song. My Song. No hate in my heart, but not the greatest crooners, but I commend for their song choice. So confused, I had to Google the song and find out why? Discovered, it was the Muse. Now, I am a big fan.

And this world would be like heaven, if she'd ,Follow my lead, oh how I need. . .

Don’t know where it comes from, but I suspect. . .I do. Another blog post, where music comes from. For such a long time, I stopped listening to music. It brought me joy and I wanted none of it. Felt I didn’t deserve it. Listened to talking heads on Sports radio and KFI. Listened and read books to get ahead. My Wasted Years I call them now. Don’t read management books any more. All these how to books to get ahead in your organization and how to get the organization ahead. It was nice for the time, but such. . .noise. Peter Drucker and 13 Fatal Errors of Management, thank you. It’s time for you to leave now.

I listen to more music now. Guess, I am searching for part of my Llano. Looked it up, “Llano” but it did not match the definition I had in my head. You will have to read Piers Anthony to understand. M is part of my Llano. Piers wrote a series of books called the Incarnation of Immortality. One is called Being a Green Mother. It’s about a gifted singer who searches for a song so beautiful and powerful, that parts of the songs have reported to create miracles. Being a Green Mother

In my Wasted Years, I did know I was so lost chasing. . . nothing. Well, I know now the song I search for is and I accepted. I’ve adopted W.E.B. Dubois saying in my core, “To be ready at any moment to give up what you are for what you might become." Like Natasha I will sing my own Amazing Grace. I will be Seth from City of Angels. Guess I will give up Heaven to be with an Angel.

Guess, you have to read the books or watch the movies to understand. Here is where I will leave for you to just that. Sting Version

Let You Be You

“I want to speak. . .This is more important than re-election. . .I want to speak now. . .Take them off the leashes. . .Let You Be You. . .I serve at the pleasure of the President. . .We  are going to lose some of these battle. We are going to raise the bar. . .Let that be our legacy.”—West Wing (Let Bartlett Be Bartlett)

Things Amiss
Been waking up late. Not the way I like it. Barely missing the sunrise. Been late on the sunsets, too. Not knowing where any of this coming from. My promises have not changed, but I've been slipping. Maybe its because I am going to church more. Maybe its because the sunrises and sunsets are happening sooner and later. Maybe its because sleeping later. Whatever, it is. Need to re-adjust and step right. 

Events Ahead. . .
Jill’s last performance as lead in Our Town is Saturday. Manny’s fight is the same time. Plus, I have to give a ride at the same time. I really want to do all three, but I am left with a quandary. Three days to do something about it. Not sure what I can do. Nothing looks it will change, except time to event gets shorter and shorter. Couple of birthdays are coming up and I haven’t heard from D yet about lunch today. Beds a mess with all this junk that I need and want to clean. Put it all here knowing that I'd deal with it or sleep in messy circumstances.

Feeling Low, Needs Some Juice
Gym time last night forced me to leave early. Feeling the sweats coming on and a bit light headed. Blood sugar turned out to be in the low 50’s. Not good. I left early to get something to eat. I left my money and meal replacement in the car. Going out and getting back meant losing my bike and leaving 20 minutes left for the workout. I’m off pace for 300 miles. It would take some effort to pull it off at the stage I’m at.

Morning mass starts in an hour and I am not sure if I will go. It would be a good, too. I am on a road. So many possibilities. So many obligations. So what? Actually, its all stuff. Nothing. All of its important. All of it has purpose and meaning. All of it will effect who I am big and small, long and short. It all matters.

Good Intentions. Good Results
Sleep early. Attend church more. Enjoy performances with family. Exercise. Blog. All these things matters. All things. You reading the post matter. You not reading this post matters. You spending time with loved ones matter. You spending time later on with loved one matters. Watching the fight. Watching the my cousin’s last performance. Making time to visit my new-found family on there only weekend down matters. Working out 5 days a week. Working out 7 days a week matters.

This weekend is a juxtaposition. Dad’s family side meeting Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Mom’s family side meeting is Saturday. Kev’s and his in-laws are down the street watching the Pacquiao fight the same night. I'm sure there is many more important events and it is a critical time. Yet, I have no fear nor worries. Putting Faith in the process, I integrated this belief in my core. “Trust In the Universe, She’ll Take Care of You.”

Paradigm Shifts
All of us have stuff to do. All of us have a finite time to do them in. Sure, a little finagling must be done here and there. Yet, at times like these one wishes that we can be at multiple places at once. I am reminded that scientist took pictures of an atom in several different places at the same time.  Can we do that? Be many places at once. Being two—three, four, five--things at the same time. We are universe in itself. We are a multi-verse. Radical thinking. Yet a skill that would be much appreciated.

Observation plays a decisive role in the event and . . . the reality varies, depending upon

whether we observe it or not. —Werner Heisenberg

This quote comes from a DVD that stirred many questions and answered many of them, too. What the Bleep Do We Know? I have only watched and pay attention to portions of it, but I suspect it will be one of my favorites. 

Huh? Where Did This Leap Come From?

Where’s the connection? From daily life events to quantum theory, it’s there. It’s the duality. Light as a particle; Light as a wave. It’s the acts of synchronicities discussed by Carl Jung. It’s the act of observing the particle with scientific objectivity to later learn the very act of observing skews the objectivity. It’s the power of intentions by Emoto’s water crystal. It’s all these metaphysical occasions and scientific discoveries that lends itself to big and small of things. Miyamato Musashi said learning just that. The Big and small of it all

Life is more than the randomness of personal events. Like balls on a billiard table, cause and effect. Yet there is purpose-ness amongst this chaos. There is a logic to it. The Universe speaks to us all. As we ask questions about the meaning of it all, we discover--we get answers.

Not since very recently did I become Faith-follower, I won’t say which aspect because I am still on this visionquest. I am learning that I am a very spiritual and intuitive person. My word for myself in my new found group is “Faith.”

I am learning the power of prayer. I am learning “Ask and You Shall Receive” maxim is very true. Recent scientific discoveries are finding this to be truer. My own experiences have borne this out. Maybe not in the time-line we like. I still have doubts. I think this a good thing tact to take. Fact is this may be just a bunch of hoo-haa brouhaha haha haha. (Sorry, I got the hahas) Maybe I am being sold a proverbial bill of goods. Maybe I am having medication induced fog. 

However, maybe its right.

I fall back to this saying, “Some things are true whether you believe or not.” Never had a problem with science and religion. Always thought both were just searching for the truth. Learned awhile back people argue all the time. People often don't listen. Just want to hear themselves talk. Just want you to buy into their dream, their own reality. Despite all the babbling and bluster, one discovers they are saying and searching for the same thing: Meaning.

Hope that you, too, with all the activities oh-so important activities in your life, you will learn that it all counts. And most importantly, it all matters. Nothing is not-nothing. There is never nothing going-on. The Universe will provide. Meaning is everywhere. Just got to decide to do—or not do. You got to decided to accept or reject. Messages are being sent. Just got to listen to your own personal message. You go to Decide what that Special Meaning is. 

I will leave at that. 

Namaste

I Can't Do This, Sam--Frodo

Plans Change

Sitting in Customer Lounge at Robertson this morning. Needed to have Civic checked again. It was the second time in 2 days that I needed to get a jump. Five times I had to get a jump start since I brought it here three weeks back to get my battery checked. They said it was good. My car thinks otherwise. Lucky for me, I have in my flash drive a few flics: Ninja Assassin, Up In the Air, and To Paris With Love. Relatively, new movies. Took my meds with no food and I’m feeling it now. Had different things planned for today: haircut, hospital, Morning Mass, working out, and bill-paying. Not something extremely difficult, but necessary.

Star-Gazing At the Kodak

Had different plans for the night before and it didn’t pan out as I would like. Hoping to see the Oscars, no, I mean experience the Academy Awards. Planned on going to the Kodak Center on Highland and something and be one of the wanna-be paparazzi and take some photos. Never did it before, but thought it would be cool to do. Only thing close to ceremony with luminaries was my time with Shelly when we went to the Vegas Star Trek Hilton opening. Caught some pics with Jerry Ryan, Levar Burton, Jonathon Frakes, and few other actors in the various series.

It’s funny how we go star-gazing. These people who are like you and me, we just gawk with adoration. Their skills--their talents--is to mask and pretend. Their gift is to be characters in a story. Sure, this is make-believe, but stories are important. We like hero archetypes. We like to root against villains. The story is game of the struggle. The stories are of tragedy, loss, comedy, and love. The quest of the hero is to battle. To win to lose. To be reborn and be made better. To be something more. What I find is that people, like me, need to be inspired by these heroes, real and imagined.

Story of My Life

More and more, I am finding that we have this in all of us. We can be the hero to our own story. We need to be the hero in our story.

If you were watching a movie of your life, would it be an interesting story? Would you change the channel of your own life? Would it be a struggle? Would it be a tragedy? A comedy? Who would be your love interest? Who would be the primary characters in the movie that is you? Really, you are the producer of your own movie, your own film. You edit the story of your life.You decide what memories to keep and what to leave on the cutting floor.

And the Winner Is. . .

Working out last night watching part of the Oscars, I saw the parts of the awarding of the male lead presentation. Jeff Bridges, Morgan Freeman, George Clooney, Jeremy Renner (Hurt Locker) were the nominees. It was a nice presentation. Couldn’t hear the words being said (No radio on Ipod). However, I could see the faces and pictures of the nominees. It was nice collage of the body of works of these performers. Susan Sarandon’s other, Tim Robbins spoke in behalf of Morgan Freeman. In the background was Shawshank Redemption. George Clooney had Vera Farmiga. Jeremy Renner had Collin Ferrel. Michelle Pfieffer spoke of Jeff Bridges (They worked on the Fabulous Baker Boys) I liked how these people spoke in behalf of the Oscar nominees. It reminded me of a lawyer's summation of a good trial movie.

Defend Your Life

Not in a negative way, it reminded me of eulogy. People that worked with these great actors spoke in their behalf. Much like the telling heartfelt stories of the life occasions shared at a funeral. A lady I know said she liked the idea of angels advocating your life. Before going to next level, if you believe in Heaven, one would have to defend one’s life. A movie would show snippets of one’s life advocating moving up or re-doing life. All the good. All the Bad. Everything’s everything and its effect. One would be held accountable for the actions and events that would be your life. 

Imagine your life, if it ended today and you had to be judged, how would it turn out? Would you be proud of the life you have lived? Would you proud what you produced? Are you proud of everything you have done?

I’ve had good moments. I’ve had bad. Overall, I'm not happy with everything. Not so far. I have events in my life that I would like to re-do. I can’t do that though. Can only admit mistakes, move on, and do better next time. One of my favorite quotes comes from author, martial artist, and Icon. Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them.--Bruce Lee I am working on the admitting part. Courage: its growing.

In the story that is your life, what are you producing? What are you holding on to? What are you fighting for? Are you worth watching?

I think, Yes.

Best Producer Award Goes To. . .

Remember, in the movie of your life, danger and despair are part of a good story, a good story that matters. You may try to re-shoot parts, but the other actors may not be there to re-shoot. As producer in the editing room of your mind, you can cut out things not worth keeping. In the end, you make your own story. During the acceptance speech, its customary to give thanks. In the end, you need to give credit to actors and actress. You need to give credit to the costume producers, the set producers, the prop specialists, the lighting, the gaffers, the assistants, the assistant’s assistants, the everything. Not all are major characters, but their presence had an impact in your movie. Well, enough with that.

Dark times passes. Courage takes note the many chances of turning back, but it keeps on.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

Frodo: I can't do this, Sam.

Sam: I know. It's all wrong. By rights we shouldn't even be here. But we are. It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something.

Frodo: What are we holding onto, Sam?

Sam: That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo... and it's worth fighting for.

Awakening

Feeling melancholy. Don’t know if it’s the weather. Don’t know if it’s the music I’m listening to. Don’t know if I am just feeling. . .down. Didn’t like my horoscope for tomorrow much. It said,” That old expression, if you ignore them, they'll go away? Well, that might not always hold true, but right now it just so happens to be quite accurate -- especially when it comes to a certain family member or friend who seems intent on obsessing over something neither you has any control over. Explain this once, then put some distance between the two of you until they get over it.” I’m having lunch with someone important. I’m afraid that I will be that person ignored. I will be the one that will be asked to put some distance.

Battery for laptop is about to die. Orange light has come on. Well, I hope to put what I can before the lights go out. I need to gym it. When I gave blood this afternoon, they said I should avoid strenuous exercise for at least 12 hours. I am afraid if I don’t go, then I will be slip sliding down that slippery slope. Didn’t jump in the pool this afternoon because I was told that I might go in cardiac arrest due to the cold water. It scared me. I know that I can work out tomorrow. It will be fine. It’s just my psyche will be more effected by not going in. It has already effected me. Doubt Gremlins has effected my hampered my risk-taking mechanism.

Well, I must be going because laptop is about to shut off.

I wrote the above the night before. I’m back. Went to the gym last night and again this morning. Jumped in the pool. No cardiac arrest. I'll admit I was scared. Got some feedback today. It was good. My posts are vague at times and it feels that like I am speaking to someone. I get that. It’s fair. Guess, I got the Doogie Howser syndrome. I appreciate the comments. Give me more. Please. 

Who am I writing these blogs to? The Universe. Basically, whoever wants to listen. Whoever wants to read this blog. This is who I write to. I’m also writing to myself, flushing out stuff and making some beliefs stronger.

Finally saw Book of Eli. I liked it. It hits home for me. Been going through a spiritual awakening. Going through a journey of discovery. Been going to church more and more often. Been reading about more and more religious texts. Picked up the book for Everything to Know About Islam. Been reading some Jehovah Witness literature. Had plans to go see the Dalai Lama at Universal City CityWalk last weekend. (Plans fell through) Listening to lots of Matisyahu. Don’t know if that counts. Love listening to Halleluiah. Been jumping in my pool a lot, kind of rebirth/ pretend baptism of sorts. I’m attending weekly Religious Inquiry class Tuesday nights.  I pray every sunrise and sunset. I pray when I eat. I pray when I go to bed. I pray when I wake up. I find myself planning on attending morning mass on weekdays. 

Been reawakened of sorts. Never been a churchie, so this all new.  I am finding strength—I am finding understanding—I am finding peace whenever and wherever I pray.  It’s funny. I’ve heard so many people say it’s chore to attend. I  like it. I like going to church.

What I like is continuity. I like the message of hope and redemption. I like meaning and symbolism of the events. Lent, for example, is a warm-up for Easter. For the resurrection. The forty days symbolizes Christ’s 40 days in the desert being tempted by the Fallen. The ashes on the forehead represents an ancient tradition reminding people, “from dust we came, from dust we shall return.” Its 6 times a day, worshippers of the Muslim faith prays. It’s the reading stating from the Jehovah Witness that a sprinkling of water on the forehead is not a true baptism until one is fully submerged. It’s the learning that in Jewish Temple, there is the big room where the highest of highest books are placed. It’s the tradition that the people of the Muslim faith have to take a journey to Mecca. Its Dalai Lama’s 13^th Incarnation. Its Shamanism of the Totech and the 5 agreements.  What I like is everything.

Don’t know where any of this leading. Don’t really have any expectations. It just seems to clear. I know so little and this I don’t know what to call. It brings me peace and strength. It makes sense to me. I am just thanking the Big Smile. There are times of melancholy. There are times of forgetfulness. There are times I question where this manifestation comes from. All I know is that I feel congruent. I feel steadfast and expansive. I see things more clearly. I notice more. I take pictures all the time. I am just amazed about everything. Events seem more purposeful. It feels like a jigsaw puzzle coming into place.

I’m getting these Ah-ha moments all the time. Strange, I know.  Events of long ago, events of the future, and  moments-in-the-now  feel “together” I worry less about the past. I am not so concerned with the upcoming. I am just here and it seems so clear. There are questions--so many questions. Yet, it feels like if I look more closely, listen more intently and keep my heart more open answers just appear.  Of course, there is life stuff. There’s always life stuff. Yet, it’s just stuff.

“Vague”—Yup. I will work on that.

Well, what a difference a day can make. What a difference a 10 miles of cardio can do. What a difference jumping into a cold pool will do. No--Its more what new discovered Faith has me doing. Jumping a freezing cold pool. It has me doing 10 miles of cardio. It has me attending church more often. It has me reading the the Bible, the Torah, and the Koran. It has me feeling more in tune. 

Well, it’s gym time again.

I Can't Make You Love Me If You Don't. . .But I Do

Storm is Rising. . .I Had A Moment
I was not ready to acknowledge yet, but it was there. Two days ago, it happened. Around 7:30 pm. It was like a flood gate ready to loose itself. The twist tie held the Pacific Ocean from rushing in. The levy dams were buckling and the onrush was sprinkling me with spray. Yes, it was a miracle. I think. I don’t know where the deluge came from, but it was there. Thing is . . it has been there for awhile. I have had flashes—moments. I could be? I may be? Should I be?

Is this What A Petite Mal Feels Like?
Sitting with the others at the table I felt a tidal wave forming. Don’t know where it came from. It started in my gut. It was a rush. Not a grand, but a petite mal. My breathing quickened. Don’t know what it was. The salty sea of emotions had the taste of joy and a relief. Admittedly, tears were forming. Why? I really do not know, but there was something. If it was Big Smile, I am glad you held the back because I do not know what I would have done afterwards. Sitting with seven strangers. Two couples, one pregnant. Another attendee was in a wheelchair. Another had her husband and kids sitting in the van outside while the class was going. Then there was Debbie. She was the proctor.

“Something Wonderful Is About To Happen”—Hal, 2010: The Year We Make Contact
A few hours ago, I was sitting at “It’s a Grind” logging my diet and exercise routine. Now I sit here in the Parish Room of St. Mary’s Church. No, idea that I would be sitting here, but here I sat. Ready to start crying with relief and joy for something I do not know. It was a warning sign. It was precursor for something wonderful, something changing, something life-transforming. Trouble is. . .I was not ready. Yet, it was, or perhaps, I should say is still coming. This emotional release was coming whether I liked it or not. It did not erupt. It was there to give me warning. It was Hal from Arthur C Clarke’s 2010 sending a message from someone—no one knows who. The message was big, important, and . . .wonderful. I was scared, excited, and scared again. Scared, but not in a bad way. It was the feeling that I know my life was going to change. I would write more, if I knew more. It is just something wonderful is coming and I should prepare.

Asking Questions Was Self-Preserving Defense Mechanism
Trouble is during my class of baptismal inquiry, I was asking questions, good questions about the church. They were valid questions of Sabbath, catechism, the everything. I asked questions that raised other questions of the group, Thing is, I knew that I should be here. Yet, I was not sure if this was how I am supposed to be here.

I Think I Need A Translator
My first question was why do priests become priests. She said simply, it was a calling. I came to the meeting because I got a message, but I needed a translator. Sunday, a blackout. Now I am going though baptism process to possible pastoral vocation. Whoah—I Don’t Know. Never been a big churchie? I’m an ACE Catholic (Ashe Wednesday, Christmas, and Easter) Now I am considering being a Priest? Pastor? Deacon?

I asked questions to gain knowledge, but more as a defense mechanism. I’m not ready. Calculate quickly in my head. It fits. The events of my life—the life choices—the synchronous messages I got--lead to this? I just do not know. I don’t know if my heart was open. I’m holding that twist tie for my dear life. It is just this, should I? I know since I was there I was ready to open. For what, I can’t tell yet.

Tears—Body Can’t Hold Back Anymore
City of Angel movie explained crying as the body’s inability to hold back a torrent of feelings. People shed tears because there so much emotions. This is what was happening to me. A torrent was building. I do not know where this river was taking. I rode this wave before. Elaine, it was with you.Before I went to Boston. I knew that I needed to leave California. Again, it was not to leave you my soul mate, it was to go where I needed to be. No logic. No idea where Fate would take me, but I did know that I needed to follow my heart. Blind, challenged, and afraid--I knew I was going anyways. Universe will provide. I trust her. My life is changing, no doubt in my heart.
Well, that’s it.

To Dottie, the person at Barnes and Nobles: Basics of Sir Galahad Theory

I understand now.

This is to Dottie the person I met at Barnes and Noble tonight. (Again, this is not the person’s real name. Privacy is important I do not have this person okay use her name)

All of Life's Questions Are In the Movies.
Answer to the question, why we met? It is to give you the lay of the land. My experience, my skill set, my education, my love--It was to give you the broad strokes for what you have ahead. Books to read and movies to watch: Art of War, Celestine Prophecy, Incarnation of Immortality Series, Grand Canyon, Leap of Faith, True Colors, Primary Colors, Great Debaters, Power, Eli Stone. There is more to follow, but that should be enough. When and if we meet again, I will tell you why? For now, just pick them up. If you can find the Cliff Notes, Monarch Notes, or whatever, that is fine, too. Others interpretation are important. But everyone has their own heuristics, their own mind maps, you and I have different filters.

James Redfield Would Love This
Synchronicities, connections, the Big Smile—these are the reasons we had our encounter. I hope our brief meeting helps you in your journey. In your life, you got to Pay It Forward (Another book or movie I suggest.) You are part of the critical mass. Your question is part of the bigger picture. Your funeral, your eulogy, what are people going to say about your life. Remember, how do you want to be remembered?

I admire you, Dottie. First is because you understand what your question is? Second, and more importantly, you are readying yourself for the task at hand.

My message to you is Risk
Leave No Doubts. Regret Nothing. You will offend some. Hopefully, if you do it right, you will have many naysayers. Trial by Fire is not just for you, it is for others to hear the message. Remember another thing, it’s not your message. You are just caretaker. It’s your responsibility to prepare to take and deliver this message. Movie for my point, “Great Debaters" For future note,

Allen Iverson Remembered
I like to think backwards. My modus operandi is End in mind first. Second, what-if the possibilities and game plan the scenarios out. Prep for most likely scenario. Chess 101, control center. (I was Chess Club President for two schools. Yes, I am geek) Keep Question in Forefront. Good sales people, debaters will try and try to reframe the question in order to control the message they want to win the audience.I was a good Sales Manager. I love to train the close. Fact: Its just natural for people to side with winner of debate. Last, and most important, is practice, practice, and practice.

Cautionary Note:I Will Burn This Village to Save It
My questions for the post-winning the heart and minds is this: What’s next? You got them convinced¸ now ask for the Close. (Red Book of Sales, another interesting read, not a must, but an interesting one) WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO DO? Ready Yourself. Dottie, you will still have a big responsibility. I hate when people betray trust and when office holders take position to resume-build, I get perturbed. You convinced of something, now what? Leadership position is one I expect and demand responsibility. I hope you are ready.

You don’t have to answer right now. It is one for your next journey. You asked me, “What is my purpose for writing this blog?” I know you only read a short quip. I swear it is in my origin issue blog. Thanks, though. You reminded me what I need to . . .I have to remind me why I write. My question for our encounter is what do I need for this blog? Thank you for your answers to my question. Now, I digress.


The question for your next journey is this. You have convinced the masses that the Big Smile exists. Now what? Better have or know someone who has the answers to this question. Actually, no. Personally, I instinctively guard up whenever I felt like I was being closed. Again, I hope you have an answer for this question, Now What?

I hope that I have your purpose correctly remembered: Convince naysayers and the like that Big Smile exist, empirically, right? (Philosophy of religion class talking), Again, Now What? Its okay to not know. It is okay to not know where or who to go to. Its just you better have answer to give. Many if need be.


Lesson: Art of War, The Way
For clarification on my position, I believe people unconsciously know in their heads and instinctively in their heart in the Big Smile. Think Jodie Foster and the movie Contact. Brains are a Good Thing. Heart is just as important and at times, more. Again, What you have ahead? You convinced the masses, what’s next? Think Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. If not that, Professor X and Magneto. How about Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson? All believed in change was needed and was that it was undoubtedly coming. Now how to fix it is the next step. Methods are different. Radicalism one method of achieving goal. I don't know you well enough to determine methodology. Again, message the same. Conclusion and methods to resolve was/is problem dramatically different and is a question that must be considered.

Think Communication basics: Sender, message, barriers to communication, medium, receiver, and feedback. Besides the argument, there is arguer, the advocate, the mouthpiece. What’s the plan now to fix it?

Lesson: 8 Miles Revisited: Win Crowd and Silence Opponents
There will be detractors. Embrace the detractors. Learn the arguments. Learn their tactics. Understand the straw man defense. Understand the different rhetoric techniques to get you off your message. Confront them with it. Shedding light on their tactics, blows away their message. Think cockroaches. Turn on the lights, they scurry away. Tell what their argument is before they do. Then come back at them with the power of your message. Quiet the detractors. Think 8 Miles, Eminem, last scene. Embrace them, because people have lost their way. People argue, just because they like to argue. I am one of them. Detractors are simply the fire you need for the crucible. Their argument valid as they may be needs to be brought to the light, figuratively and theologically. It’s easy to burn down a house, then to build one up. However, once a foundation is built, it is hard to tear it or burn it down. You will be building your case and people are going to try to burn it down. Hope you will learn how to dodge future landmines.

You Must Understand Lancelot's Son
Dottie, you have got to learn offense/ defense. You got to do both. When Enemy is stronger, evade. When equal, fight. Sir Galahad theory: If you believe in something strong enough, then its your duty to learn how to fight for it. There is much to discuss, but this more than enough right now. Be strong. Good luck in your journey. Remember you are the Hero on your journey. Setbacks are just part of the journey. Prepare for battle and for ready for post-Ragnorrak, post-2012, post-Final Conflict.

Blackouts, Balloons, and Big Smile: Promises Kept, Promises Reminded

Big Smile Blows a Fuse
Lights out. Frustrated, I put my book down on the toilet set cover. Power must have went out. Wonder if its the entire house. Maybe its the entire block. Probably, I think its just the circuit breaker for the bottom floor of the house. I move the light green shower curtain to the side. Not even ten minutes in the tub. I like to soak in the tub for 20 to 30 minutes reading a book here and there. Sometimes its an Encyclopedia of Mythology. Other times, its a Sudoku puzzle book. Often, its the Sun Tzu's Art of War. Today it was the Anatomy of Strength and Weight Training. I was beginning to understand the nuts and bolts of a proper squat. Learned about blocking and how not to cave in your chest or something like that. Guess, I got to re-read it again.

G-Time and Firebird Promise
Guess, it was a sign. Unusually, I didn't work out in the morning as I originally planned. Last couple of months, Sundays are for a couple hours of cardio and 30 minute shoulder routine. This time I was disturbed by hot air balloons. No, not really disturbed. I was disrupted. Okay,fascinated. You see every morning . . .wait, almost every sunrise and sunset I have been having some G-Time. G Time is my promise to myself and the Big Smile that I would thank him and reconnect with what is important. Its my Firebird promise. Every sunrise and sunset I will take at least 5 minutes out of the day and listen to the sound. Stole this idea from Dvd City of Angels. If you don't know, find out.

Well, this morning I did my G-Time to get right with you know. . .everything. It was a cloudy morning and the Sun was having a hard time shining through. At this time, I like to document my health stats, write in my journal, and review my "To-Do" list for the day. I was highlighting my "Dones" and was reaching for my Exercise/Diet Journal, then all of the sudden the movie screen which was my car windshield was filled with Hot Air Balloons. Where did they come from? I remember a white, clean truck with extended cab in the desert by its lonesome. This was unusual, but not uncommon in the Antelope Vally. What was a white F150 now was a red and yellow giant hot air balloon. Actually, it was five hot air balloons. Let me correct that. It was seven hot air balloons laying on its side getting fired up with blasts of propane burners. (Riding a Hot Air Balloon will be going on my resolution list,Thank Ms. Stipech)

At any rate, there they were. Balloons were getting larger and larger. Seventy feet in height, balloons were taking up the my entire beautiful view my San Gabriel Mountain sunrise. It was an Ansel Adams picture with hot air balloons--in color) Maybe not so Ansel Adams. I must admit that I was frustrated that my G Time was being obstructed by Hot Air Balloons. Little did I notice that I needed just that. Got out of my car. Grabbed my Blackberry from its car charger. I started walking out the parking lot toward 10th Street West. I parked at the Lancaster Park, next to the new Y. Raised up my phone/camera/organizer/mp3 player/flashlight/etc and I started clicking away. Sent to my facebook account and that was it.

Look Ma, I Riding a Hot Air Balloon with No Basket
Another balloon onlooker started saying something, but I was not listening. I was lost in the moment. One man was in hot air balloon. Almost 80,000 cubic feet of hot air, at the will of the AV Winds,and this guy is going solo on a freaking strap-on swing seat. Yes, there was no giant basket that can fit 6 people comfortably. This guy was strapped onto a swing seat. Ah, some AV people are listening to the beat of different drum. It reminded me of one of those carnival rides where you are strapped onto a swing and it just twirls you round and round. This guy had the hot air balloon and a swing seat. That's it. I got to try that.

Book Said Green Grass and I Get Tumbleweeds
I was just present and in the moment. Little did I realize that I just felt. . .lighter. Buoyant. I was happier. I was deep in G Time and I felt my heart rate speed up. Blood rushing. Headache starting. BP rising. I was getting stressed out all the worries in life. The usual worries I guess most of us feel. Not enough money. Not enough time for family. Not being healthier. Not enough, whatever. Watching those balloons fill up with air and head to the sky, I just felt amazingly lighter.

Funny thing is I was reading a passage from the "How to Lower Blood Pressure." Passage was an mini-exercise on how to relax. Visualize a big park. Full of green grass. Imagine walking around and coming up to a small hill. There over the hill. There are bunch of hot air balloons sitting. As you get closer, all your worries, are climbing into the basket of the hot air balloon. As you get closer, all the balloons slowly are picked up by the wind currents are flying away. As I was taking my pictures for facebook, I realized that this just happened. No grass, but brown, sandy tumbleweed-filled desert. Thanks, Big Smile.

Bathroom Blackouts: Its A Sign To Keep Promises
Anyways, back to the reason why I write. It was a blackout. Not to the entire house, just the part I was in. Standing in the shower with the lights out, the flashed. Go to Church. You see days back I made a promise to myself and Big Smile that I have my heart open and listen to the synchronicities of Life. Couldn't tell what time it was, but I thought to myself, "I can do this. I can make it." Lights out reaching for the conditioner. Reaching for the Scrub brush and the green body wash, I said, "I have time. I can make it." I thought to myself, I made a promise to got to church at least once a month for an entire year. I wrote it down. Its a promise. Its a contract. Its my Covenant.

Got out of the searching for light. Stepped on my shoes and shorts. Forgot that it was blacked out. I felt for the light and my toothbrush. Wait, I already brushed and flossed. Then I realized, Blood sugar. Getting low. No workout. No meal replacement bottle. Didn't have my breakfast. Blackberry flashes from the bathroom floor. Must have fell of the toilet seat cover. My screen reads, "Breakfast. Morning Meds." Thank you Calendar Daily Event Function.

Got dressed and started the oven. Butter, shrimp, and one egg. Grabbed Quaker Oats "Maple and Brown Sugar" packet. Butter sizzled, threw in the shrimp. Cracked the egg and went to the fridge to grab the block of cheese (another post, remind me) Shrimp ready and scrambled egg is poured in the frying pan. Wash the same bowl (I hate doing lots of dishes). I open the oatmeal packet and pour two 1/4 cups of water. Throw it in the microwave and I take a breath.



Big Smiles--Eat, I Will Get You There
I am not a big fan of microwaved oatmeal. Too creamy for me. I would have liked to have used the kettle, but I have this amazing skill of burning water and setting off the fire alarm, even when its not my fault. Someone threw away the several times burnt over blackened kettle. I looked at the time, 9:45 am. I can make the 10 o'clock service (I think that is the time of the service. I don't go often enough to know the time.) I take 5 minutes and sit. I look at the time again and see its 9:50. I calculate driving time to St Mary's will be 10 minutes. I decide I will be late, but that's okay. I figure its better be late, then feint. I eat hurriedly, not gulp the food. I say to myself, "I have time."

Out the door and in the car. Of course, red light. Traffic. Cars ahead of me slow down to see, of course, the many yard sales on the east side. I am on Avenue S, passing Mickey Dees, KFC, and I am the curve. The Curve is 20th East. Can't forget the curve. Its a Palmdale landmark. At end of the curve is a cemetary. Some say its a pet cemetary. I never really checked. I think pioneers are buried here. Guess, I need to look it up sometime. Anyways, I head toward the high school and turn on R-4 (I think). There it is St. Mary. Looks like the cars ahead of me had the same blackout in the shower. My car dashboard reads 10:15. Boy, I am late. I think to myself, maybe I will go to the 11 am service, if they have one.

As I turn into the parking lot entrance, its not full. I mean its not filled, but its filling. I see families get out their car and start quick walking into the church. Some are quick walking. Others are still in the car. I say to myself, "Maybe, I am not late."

I get out my car. I tuck in my shirt. Tighten my belt. My pants have been kind of loose. All that cardio time looks like its paying it off. I walk in. Church is three quarters filled. Choir is singing. People are reaching for the fountain to anoint self. To the left, there is a giant crucifix. Over the Jesus, the letters read "INRI" I say to myself, I know what that means. Took a Bible at Lit class and Philosophy religion class. Probably the only thing I remember. "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews" I's were often used as Js. It looks the Big Smile got me in on time. Thank You.

HUAA: Marine-Speak "Heard, Understood, and Acknowledged
Father comes in and apologizes for being late. I laugh to myself and say, "I bet it was a blackout." The teenager next to me looks at me funny. I say, "Inside Joke." She shakes her head and takes a step away from me, closer to her family. Whatever, she smelled funny any ways. I smile. Before I knew, the Father in his Jamaican (or maybe its West African) accent he talks about Baptism and talks about the priesthood as a vocation. Two things I have been seriously thinking about. Definitely, Baptism and kind of like the idea of being license to marry people. Questions I have been considering for years and that have been resurfacing a lot lately has been answered. I shake my head. I ask myself, "Do I have the stuff to make a commitment?" Honestly, I don't know. I like women, a lot. Ever since Mac gave me a Bible, I have been thinking about getting involved in Church. I consider myself Catholic, but not heavy. No,I am more of the Holiday Catholic. Sure, I go to church for Midnight Mass, Baptisms, Funerals (I have been to too many last year) I have been this ache, no, calling, I don't know what to call it but whatever it is I have been considering being more seriously involved. I dedicated one year of my life learning in Faith, "My journal was Get my Soul Stronger" I was heavy in DABDA self-defense mechanism (Dr. Poole, Thank you. Another blog for another time).

Gorillas, Crushes, Old Friends: Life in Review
Sitting in St Mary's I have thought about my life and how people that were gone or I left are coming back in. Trouble is that the one I want in, isn't. (Corrina, I hope things are working out. Gorilla thing, you know) As I was writing, I just got an invite from Mike. He used to live with my family in high school. I was a Jodie, as my AP Biology teacher said.(Not a good thing. He enlisted and I unexpectedly met my my soul mate. His girlfriend) I thought of Christy (No, its not her real name. Its her sister's. She is now a friend on my facebook. I thought she was incredibly cute. Out of my league. Boy, I would have liked to have kissed her.) I think of my old friend Brian and I apologize to him in my head and pray he forgives me. I say to myself, that I believe that I would be a good priest. Its a big commitment. I don't know if that is what I should do. I have the inkling. The calling is not screaming to me, its just. . .I do not if I got the stuff, the real stuff to be the Big Smile's voice, to be his messenger. Tough things are that I have asked and he has given. I have received. How can I turn and not do this? I made some promises. Promises to myself. Promises to Big Smile. Promises. Nothing is set it stone and I know that I will be at the moment. I will be looking into George Foreman's eyes and I will have to answer that bell. "Miyagi, boma ye" Miyagi was my nick name at LA Fitness.

Its a Question Fuse Box Faith
Do I have stuff? Is my Faith Strong Enough? Is my Will Enough? Is it my destiny? What is His Will? Big Smile I hear your calling. I am not what I am being asked to do. I will keep listening to the message and I will do my best to interpret your messages. This I promise.

By the way, can I have lights back on? I am okay going to the bathroom in the dark, I have Faith. Its just this. My aim is better with the lights on. Just kidding. I will check the fuse box. Big Smile, thank you for the balloons and blackout. I needed both.

This Blog's Purpose, The Hero's Journey

Compared to my first post this will definitely be different. Not as in depth. Not as long. Not as personal. Just Different.

MNF
Monday Night Football in a few minutes. Never been a huge football junkie, but I will watch this over other things. Brother is a good high school football coach. Been to few of his games. My brother's family are always dressed up Palmdale Falcon gear and we watch and cheer most games. Angelo, my nephew, 2 years old, is going to be an outstanding player. He likes to hit. He likes to kick. He rather watch college football than Sponge Bob. Its close, but pigskin wins.My Brother and Angelo are watching now.

Favre, the Protagonist
At any rate, Brett Favre is playing tonight. Minnesota versus his old team, Green Bay. Being built up as revenge game, sort of. ESPN announcers are trying to downplay the significance and meaning of the game. However, not really. If not a big football follower, here is a little back story. Two years back, quarterback Brett Farve retired from football. He left Green Bay, played 10+ years for the storied franchise. He's been on video game covers. His the face was the face of the franchise. Won Super Bowls. Perrenial All-Star. MVP this and superhero that. He has a street named after him in Green Bay. Later, it came out that management forced out the Hall of Famer, but he still wanted to play. Played for the Jets, after some controversy, the next year. Then Brett retired, with no plans to comeback--Again. Later this year, close to the end of football training camp and before regular season, after saying, "He's Done. Again" Brett came back, again. More controversy, un-retired Brett came with more controversy. He joined the Vikings. He joined Green Bay's division rival Minnesota Vikings. It's like joining the LA Lakers after playing for Boston Celtics. LA Dodgers then San Francisco Giants. Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. Bad. Brett's joining the Viking was so bad that before signing on with the NY Jets, there was a clause that Brett could not play for division rival Minnesota without franchise penalty (Vikings had to give up 4 first round draft picks or something to that effect). Anyways, the Football pundits are trying to underplay the signifcance of this game and this brings me to the reason I write. This post is about Payback. This post is about Struggle. This post is about the Hero's Journey.

Thank You, Film Class
Everyone has had some adversity they faced. Some thing that has gnawed on their soul. Some grade school bully they wanted to beat up. Something that drives you to do more, whether truth or imagined. This blog is about the Hero's Journey. Learned about this concept from a film class. (Didn't need, but thought it would be fun) Little did I realize that this simple concept has been part of me since . . .forever. You, too. Premise goes like this. Hero (or Heroine) is faced with a battle of some unbeatable foe or some terrible monster. Hero loses this fight, then goes licks his wounds and learns new skills in which will topple is unbeatable foe. Before the battle, there has to be some kind of loss. Loss of friend. Loss of mentor. Loss of some great importance. Think Luke Skywalker and Ben Kenobi in Star Wars. Luke Skywalker and Yoda, Empire Strikes Back. Kung Fu Panda and Rat Sensei. In his deepest despair, our hero finds that intestinal fortitude to fight on and defeat his nemesis. His Arch-Enemy. His grade school bully.

Watch any movie. Read any story. This Hero's Journey is the formula for a guestimated 80% of them. Movies in the theater today. District 9. Fame. Informant. Surrogate. The Invention of Lying. Protagonist lives a certain life. He thrust in some battle. Or the hero has some dream he is fighting for. He loses something--Wife. Family. Home. Dignity. He faces some kind of struggle, real or imagined. He conquers his fear. Pow. Then there is some major loss that test his resolve. Some kind of sacrifice. There is some price paid for this newer, stonger hero-to-be. Boom. He conquers his fears, then his foes. Our hero is whole again and much wiser, stronger, and better somewhow.

Dvds on my shelf. Phenomenon. Celestine Prophecy. Tin Cup. Saving Bobby Fisher. Without Limits. Visionquest. Watch any John Carpenter movie. The eternal struggle is relived again and again and again. There are variations of the players. Variations of the foes. Variations of the lesson learned. Look on your bookshelf. I am sure some of your favorite stories has the Hero's Journey theme in it. Stephanie Meyer's Bella Swan. Anne Rice's Lestat. Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan. Margaret Weiss's Raistlin. Look at the Classics. Hercules. King Arthur. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

Blog's Mission
What I hope this blog will do is entertain my readers (if I get any). And hopefully she will touch a chord with some of you. Ideally, this blog will pass the message of Hope, Survivorship, and Triumph. Moreover, she will connect and broadcast the belief in the Human Spirit is strong and lives on. As for the post topics, she will cover Heroes (and Heroines), real and fictitious. She will talk about modern mythology and the classic mythological stories. She will talk about books I have read. Movies I have watched. Article I have read. This post will cover movies, magazines, comics, sports figures, political leaders, general news, etc. Mostly, this blog will discuss my personal experiences, observations, commentaries on just about everything that comes to mind that relates to the Hero's Journey. I know I will at sometime face some inner demons. Share secrets that lay hidden. Hopefully, I will uncover ontological truths and find that inner hero in me. I'm sure in time, you'll learn about me and hopefully I will learn about you. This blog will be my own Hero's Journey.

Gotta go now. Vikings 14. Green Bay 14. I would like to see if the Hero Brett Favre will be triumphant in this never ending battle of good against evil.