Matthew 2 (I would encourage you to read all of chapter two to get the full story!)

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: ” ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’ ” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

…  When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.

Every good story needs a baddie right? Herod was certainly highly qualified. Herod had taken over Jerusalem some years before Jesus with the help and support of Rome, they had made him ‘King of the Jews’, the one who would rule Israel under their rule of the whole Roman kingdom.

He was said to be a paranoid madman. He was constantly worried about the threat to his throne and this seems to be the most dominant history about him. He killed anyone who he thought might be a threat or just because they did something he didn’t like. This included the murder of one of his wifes and two sons he thought were trying to plot against him.

So that sets him up as the bad guy. His heart was so black that he did not recognise the coming of a messiah but saw the fulfilment of the scriptures as a threat to his power. His paranoia leads to him killing thousands of innocent children, even though he may well have died of old age before Jesus would have been old enough to take his throne!

In human terms Herod seemed the best set up to keep his throne. He had armies and weapons at his command, against a small child protected by his parents. He didn’t want scripture to be fulfilled and for anyone to threaten his throne. He did not understand that Jesus, King of the Jews, was a whole new kind of King, one who had come to rescue people not through the violent establishment of a dictator’s rule but with salvation from sin, a much superior kingdom to any mans rule. Ironically Herod was on a losing streak from the beginning. He never understood Gods’ word is always brought into being and nothing can ever stand against it.

It is easy for us to point the finger in pantomime style with a boo/hiss at Herod the baddie. His heart was cold and he didn’t recognise the Messiah who could save him. How often at Christmas do we fail to recognise Jesus? How easily our hearts can turn luke warm, even cold because we have our own plans and desires, our selfish kingdoms we wish to protect. What areas of our hearts do we keep Jesus locked out of? What consumes our time, money, energy more than worshipping him?

Pray that we do not build defences around our selfish desires and ambitions but open our hearts to Jesus so that he can shape us and grow us, and that our worship may be always for him.

So my thought of the day – well I mean – it’s really a few days old – but still true nonetheless: Jealousy is for the Unambitious. Not trying to be mean to anyone here, but truly – the next time you are confronted by someone who is jealous of your achievements, lifestyle, opportunities, advantages, etc – ask yourself – why is anyone jealous of me – ultimately all of these things are that can be attained by anyone in this country. The united states is the land of “opportunity” not the land of “entitlement”. I think this is a crucial differentiator. Opportunity does not imply that everyone just gets to have all their wishes granted without effort or reason. It does imply that all of us can achieve what we want most if we put the effort out their to attain it.

1 thought for today…

Click below!  (… and on each of the subsequent images for a 4 page preview of a long-term project.)

This fall ( — and of course I want to say, “this semester”), I took a class at SVA called Inking in Comics, taught by Tom Motley, who is a thoughtful and thought-provoking teacher, in addition to being a really nice guy.  As with the best classes, I came away feeling that I simultaneously knew less and more than when I’d started (learned so much, but so much more to learn).  Our final assignment was a four-paged comic intended to demonstrate our new-found mastery of inking techniques.  Both lazy & overambitious, I set for myself the task of (finally) beginning my long planned retelling of the night of Obama’s election while visiting my be-fulbrighted friend Natalie in Budapest.  I chose the section in the planned middle, right when we arrived at the election night party – in retrospect was a good move: I won’t be able to use any of these four pages for a number of reasons, but I can’t even be tempted.  Images are less forgiving than writing, in which paragraphs are transportable, can retain their meaning when severed from their origin and laid amidst a new bed of words.  Images – for all their artifice – keep me honest.

So, draft 1, here we go.  Let me know what you think, if you are so inclined.  And now, back to the drawing board.

I have wanted to live in a cottage. by a lake. Where the sun warms spring and fires crackle through cold winters. Or maybe not. Just a cottage by a lake. Where I don’t have to think about neighbours, promotions, having to choose between brands, government, or upgrading the computer.

I have wanted to live simply.

I have wanted to simply live.

Obviously, its not all that simple when there’s a girl in the cottage. And especially, when she isn’t there.

If you want to achieve the order and to be able to see what you have done, this is a good place to keep track of these things!

See Also : home News coachingnetworks.wordpress.com

The New York Times reported that American Peter W. Galbraith, the United Nation’s number two man in Afghanistan, proposed having the White House replace Afghan President Hamid Karzai shortly after that country’s troubled presidential election.  It is unknown if the White House or the Administration was directly involved with this scheme since they have plausible deniability and have since sacked Galbraith.

This Karzai effort seems eerily reminiscent of a coup plotted by the Kennedy Administration in 1963 to overthrow then South Vietnamese leader Ngo Dinh Diem.  That miscalculation was one step in the ladder that led to America’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

There are other similarities between the Kennedy and Obama administrations.  Both Presidents were/are young when elected, both were/are charismatic, and both brought newcomers into their administrations with little real-world experience.

The Kennedy Administration was involved in serious international crises earlier in that presidency.  This included the Bay of Pigs invasion, the Cuban missile crisis, and our entry into the Vietnam War.  The Obama Administration is now in the process of escalating the Afghanistan War and has other significant international challenges, including the North Korean and Iranian nukes.  Hopefully Obama will fare better than Kennedy did in foreign affairs.

There is a huge difference between John Kennedy and Barack Obama.  While Kennedy was a liberal by modern standards, his views were so far to the right of Obama that he would be considered a “Tea Partier” in today’s Democratic Party.  How things have changed.  The Democrats are now controlled by the radical Left and the Republicans are controlled by blind ambition.  Sad!

If you were a vibrating clockwork budgie, what would your dream in life be? I’d imagine that it would be to build a chocolate pyramid. It would well be within your rights to do so.

But, wait. Just think about it for a moment. Don’t be such a cliche. You can do so much more with your wind-up life.

Why don’t you try and run for parliament? Some people might say that your particular demographic is woefully under-represented.

Do it today! Change the world.

I’ve never had a day like today.

This blog typically captures dreamy stories of teaching through rose tinted glasses. Not today it doesn’t.

I had 31 second graders alone today, not for the first time, but I’m starting to believe that the days before christmas is inversely proportional to the bad behavior of my students. I tried everything. I rang the bell. I wrote names on the board. I took away playtime. I wrote more names on the board. I took away recess. I yelled. I never yell.

Everytime I finished asking my kids to be quiet or sit in their chairs, or please don’t eat that, or don’t you dare punch that girl in the face, I’d no sooner turn around and they’d be at it again. I got my own lunch taken away because I got asked to run copies and don’t have enough spine to say no. It was no good.

However, the last ten minutes of the day brought two miraculous moments, signs from God, telling me that I’m doing alright, I’m on the right road, and being an educator is in fact, what I’m supposed to do.

One little girl, clearly seeing how frazzled I was came up to me, tapped me on the shoulder and gave me a hug. She pulled away and send “Miss Shannon, it’s not you, it’s us, we’re really bad, you’re really good”

As if that wasn’t enough to tug at the heartstrings, afterwards another girl tapped on my should, I expected the same sentimental moment.

instead, she stopped and whispered, “Jake is saying very very very inappropriate words.” I looked at her, spent, and she stopped and whispered again ” Like, Pantyhose…” I couldn’t help but laugh.  You know you’re in the right place, when even the most horrible of days isn’t enough to stop you from wanting to go back again tomorrow.

वाग्देव्या सह सख्यमाचर वह ब्रह्माणमाविष्कुरु
  प्राविण्यं गतिषु प्रदर्शय निजं विद्याबलं निर्मलम् |
मीनं मा स्पृश मौक्तिकं कवलय क्रीड द्रुतं द्यौस्तले
  चेदव्रीड बकाधम प्रतिभया हंसत्वमाकांक्षसि ||

- अन्योक्तिस्तबक

Oh Duck! you secretly wish to be a swan. I will tell you what you need to do to become one. You must be friends with Saraswathi (goddess of learning). You must climb the back of Lord Brahma (the creator). You must show elegance in your walking. You must study more and increase your knowledge. You must give up eating fish. Instead you must have pearls (pure crystal water) for food. You must learn to fly in the sky. When you can do all these, then you can wish to be a swan.

- Anyoktistabaka

So for the past couple of days I have been mulling over an interesting musical endeavor. I am currently compiling all of the different music that I have less than desired knowledge of. Then over the course of maybe a month or so I will (when I have a day off from work) continuously listen to music of one of a select few genres. Yes, thats 24 hours of music (I plan on listening while sleeping too). I not only have to wait for a free day, but also for enough music. So far the genres I am working on include: Trance, Jazz, Blues, Swing, Classical, and Musical Theatre. I am up for any and all suggestions as well! I plan on making notes throughout the day of which songs I like, don’t like, how the style of music affected what I was doing at the time, etc. I am very excited and hope to post further updates soon!

“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent” – Victor Hugo
“I think everyone should have a Beatles phase in their life. I think it’s part of growing up in the Western world.” – Jadelr and Cristina Cordova

“Nothing limits achievement like small thinking; nothing expands possibilities like unleashed imagination.” William Arthur Ward

Over the weekend I watched a movie that touched me on so many levels, that I must say it is now one of my favorites.  To break into anything on my “favorites list”  is a major accomplishment to me.  I don’t have favorites.  Life is full of beautiful experiences that to have a favorite color, food, movie, song, seems not fair to anything I would soon experience.  Like I would already have a biased opinion when something new comes knocking on my door.  I have things that I enjoy just as if it was the first time experiencing it i.e. a song, movie, a food.  So, I have things I appreciate more in  small categories. I admit, I can be a bit complicated.  You will never hear me say my favorite color is purple blue and my favorite muffin is chocolate chip or my favorite movie is Love Actually.  Although, those have made their categories.

The new entry on my favorite movies is definitely one of those movies that I, in time, will watch again and again.  On a late Saturday night curled up on the couch with pumpkin spiced hot cocoa I took in every bit of Tim Burton’s 2003 film, Big Fish.  Sound familiar? Have you seen this?  I cannot recommend it enough.

Big Fish is full of color.  It startled my feelings.  It inspired me. It reminded me what it’s like to believe in magic and fairytales. Can you recall that feeling as a child when a monster was in your closet at night? How about Santa Clause and Rudolph were coming sometime in the night thinking you definitely heard pitter patter on the roof top above you?  That the Toothfairy was going to leave a sweet surprise under your pillow?  That Mickey and Minnie Mouse were the best couple in the world?  Where your imagination had endless possibilities?

The main theme in this film is reconciliation and takes place between a father and son. Reconciliation is defined as “resolution, compromise, reunion, and bringing together.” Reconciliation is one of those heavy words for me that in life, friendship, and love to name a few is that knot on a string of pearls that holds everything together.  Over time, it can become loose and even to the point if not valued (purpose of why it is there), will become weak only to result in the strand of pearls simply falling apart.  In life, to become separated and drift apart.

I can recall from personal experiences where reconciliation has played crucial roles including family relationships, friendships and love.  Some too late to be resolved and a lesson that I have learned from and some thankfully saved.  Those reconciled as a result of having a stronger  bond “string” which helped support that weak knot.  That helped secure it and bring everything together again.  We can say, it is never too late.  I believe, sometimes it can be. That is so unfortunate.  That is why reconciliation is such a heavy word.

“The practice of peace and reconciliation is one of the most vital and artistic of human actions.”  – Thich Nhat Hanh

A brief synopsis of Big Fish per by Wikipedia –

“Big Fish is a 2003 fantasy drama film adapted from the 1998 novel of the same name by Daniel Wallace. The film was directed by Tim Burton and stars Albert Finney, Ewan McGregor, Billy Crudup, and Jessica Lange. Finney plays Edward Bloom, a former traveling salesman from the Southern United States with a gift for storytelling, now confined to his deathbed. Bloom’s estranged son, a journalist played by Crudup, attempts to mend their relationship as his dying father relates tall tales of his eventful life as a young adult, played by Ewan McGregor.”

Some of us can relate to living up to an expectation, I know I can. I will admit honestly to that.  This film shows the struggle of a son living under his father’s fairytales, including big fish, finding and marrying his soulmate, having a giant as a best friend, living in perfect places, joining the circus, being a hero, and even war to name a few!

The father in this film expressed his love to his son through stories and wholeheartedly with his words.  I often say on my blog that words are powerful.  This film demonstrates the power and absolute beauty of words.

In addition to reconciliation, the film touches upon the endless possibilities of using your imagination, turning dreams into realities, finding your soulmate and of course the unconditional love within family and friendships.  This film entertained me every second. It touched upon so many emotions.

This touching and artistic film included so many memorable quotes that you must watch every second of the movie.  If you have to answer a call, respond to a flashing blackberry, pour another glass of wine or pop more popcorn… hit PAUSE. It is in the smallest moments of the film where the prettiest things are exposed.  Moments that literally caused my heart to smile.

Some of my favorites -

Young Ed Bloom: Now I may not have much, but I have more determination then any man you’re ever likely to meet.

————————————————————————————————————————————

Will Bloom: I know better than to argue romance with a French woman.

————————————————————————————————————————————

Young Ed Bloom: I just saw the woman I’m going to marry. I know it. But I lost her.

Amos Calloway: Oh, tough break. Well, most men have to get married *before* they lose their wives.

Young Ed Bloom: I’m gonna spend every day for the rest of my life looking for her. That, or die alone!

————————————————————————————————————————————

Karl: I don’t want to eat you. I just get so hungry. I’m just too big.

Young Ed Bloom: Has it ever occurred to you that maybe you’re not too big? That maybe this place is just too small?

————————————————————————————————————————————

Will Bloom: A man tells his stories so many times that he becomes the stories. They live on after him, and in that way he becomes immortal.

——————————————————————————————————————————————–

Young Ed Bloom: You don’t know me, but my name’s Edward Bloom… And I love you.

—————————————————————————————————————————————-

Will Bloom: [to Ed] You’re like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny combined – just as charming, and just as fake.

I won’t speak much more of it, or give away the ending.  I will say that in life, we can only be so blessed to come full circle. Especially, before it is too late.

When is the last time you unleashed your imagination?

CK

If I Could Make it There, I'd Make it ANYWHERE!

Ugh Im so angry at you New York! You have made it very very clear that you want the poor to suffer and just leave the city. How dare you! Youre supposed to be the city of opportunity and give people hope for success. You are disappointing me. Youve done nothing but pick on people.

So you put the ban on gay marriage, whatever, there will come a time when you will hang your biased discriminatory head in shame for that one.

You raised the price of transportation yet made the service even worse.

Now you are cutting trains, bus routes, and making students all over the city pay for their transportation being fully aware most students in the city are from low income housing, most likely the hopeful to be the first to go to college who cant afford the expensive metrocards and rely on the free passes just to get to school in the first place. You cut that I guarantee there will be more kids NOT going to school, not getting an education, a rise in gang and drug related crime, and theft since they wont have an education to get a decent job.

Not only that but you’re closing about 20 schools in the tri state area. What the hell?!?!?!

Now I hear in the news that you are trying to stop those people who sit on the corners with a table and those large empty water bottles asking for money to help feed the homeless. You are putting a ban on them too?

So, what are you trying to say New York? That you are so overwhelmed with the problems of the poor that youre move is to just get rid of them? Make them end up in prison, move out of the city, or just die?

Look the gentrification of a lot of areas in the city is nice in the sense that it makes the area safer and more cultural diffusion and cool places to hang out but what about the working class minorities that live there? You let the rent go up to a point that they can no longer live there?

*sigh* I dunno New York. You have really let me down. I hang my head in shame of the things you are doing. I refuse to let it get me though. I will bitch you out until the end.

You can be such an awesome city. I have so much fun here a lot of the time but I know despite the influx of people coming from different cities across the US, hell… across the WORLD who are trying to make a name for themselves. There are those who have struggled living here for a while who have no choice but to leave. I know so many who have moved to South Carolina, Jersey, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Chicago, Seattle, Portland, Puerto Rico, I can go on.

And yes, maybe more people come here than leave but those that come here with high hopes are smacked in the face with the reality check of how screwed up our economy is here. They realize its not easy living in New York City and just end up working as hard as they can just to get by. Out of all of those who come here and realize that, only the lucky can stay. The lucky arent as much as it seems.

THAT ALL BEING SAID!! I have been thinking a lot about the silver lining and the adventure of the chase that I am determined to put myself on.

So this all had been bumming me out. Being 34 living at home with my mom in a one bedroom apartment practically jobless trying to have a career in the arts really doesnt help you feel like you are “making it”.

Then, a friend from h.s who is a friend on Facebook, Kristine quoted a line from Sinatra’s “New York, New York”.

“If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere”.

It hit me.

All this time. I’ve been truly confused on where to go with my life. I know I dont want to live here forever but where to go? Puerto Rico? England? Which one? Or, which one first? I’ve been so adamant to leave because of my anger and disappointment in lack of success here that I just want to go away.

Then it dawned on me after seeing that line. Yeah, I can move but my fear is always “What if I move and I fuck it up?” “What if its all a mistake?” “What if I cant do it and my life long dreams of living elsewhere just fall?” It would destroy me.

Then I thought, wait. Ive been without a decent job for years now. I am still singing, writing, acting, doing what I love despite all the bullshit here in New York. I am struggling in one of the TOUGHEST FUCKING CITIES IN THE WORLD AND IM STILL HERE DAMMIT!

That’s right! I am not backing off.

Ive made my decision.

I know I said I would move to Puerto Rico and England, and I will but Im not leaving yet.

If I can make it here, I KNOW I will make it anywhere. If I can break New York and at LEAST get to a point where I can live comfortably here, then I know I can do this ANYWHERE else.

Yes, England is more expensive but if New York cant break me then I know I will be tough enough to work in England.

Puerto Rico is a great place and beautiful, when I go down there, I feel like a million bucks. the comparison of stress is different. I know I can be successful there as well.

So Im not leaving New York! You cant make me! I know I want to live elsewhere in the future but its when IM good and ready and when I feel like it. When I know I have proven myself here, I know its time to move on!

This outlook will help me more so now to figure out what to me is successful. Is it getting a job that pays the bills? Renting an apartment? Or buying one? I think that will be for another blog.

Did anyone read that article of Chris’s I linked to last week? If you did, you might have noticed his writing goals for 2010. The overall word count blew my mind: 300,000 words! This guy has become something of a role model for me, so I felt like I should aim in that general direction, but three hundred thousand words seemed like a lot.

But is it really? I haven’t gone back to add up the total, but I was keeping track of my word count on this blog in the spring, and I also kept notes on my progress during the day on my desk calendar. I have that calendar beside me now, and I’m wondering why I was so hard on myself. I know I fell short of my goals more often than not, but, criminy! In April I wrote 19 days out of 30, which, if I’d been sensible about it, could have been the weekdays. You know: the work days. I’m seeing numbers like 116 and 152, but also 1493 and 1848. If I write 240 days per year, and write April’s average (660) on each of those days, I’ll be more than halfway to someone else’s really ambitious goal.

I kicked myself every time I didn’t hit my targets last spring. Now that I look back, I realize that just the attempt left me with something I wouldn’t have otherwise had. A blog, for example, although that’s just part of it. I also have a record that proves I tried to do something that was important to me, and that I met with at least partial success.

That means a lot to me as I set goals for next year. I’m married now, so I have these new things called “shared goals”, which take up a lot of my time. Also: “obligations.” Balancing those two and my personal goals is likely to be my biggest challenge in 2010. It’s heartening to see that just setting (and tracking progress on) a personal goal can help me do that… even if I don’t succeed.

Parabola magazine sends out an email calendar every week that notes holidays, historical events, and the birthdays of spiritual figures.   This week in 1294, Saint Celestine V abdicated the papacy.

Wha?

Yeah, I did a double take.  Why would someone abdicate the papacy?  Turns out, Cely was a recluse, a monk who really just wanted to go into a rather severe retreat.  The hermit lifestyle didn’t jive with being the most powerful religious figure in the world.  I read up a little bit on him and it seems to me that he was pretty kooky – you can research the facts yourself, if you like.   Ultimately, he really wasn’t any good at being El Papa and he knew it.  After he abdicated, he was imprisoned by the next pope for the remainder of his life.  But I’m less interested in the facts than the implications.  It took cajones for Celestine to become pope, and even bigger ones to give it up.

What struck me about this story was the notion that he knew being pontiff wasn’t for him.  He did it because it was expected of him, but he really wanted other things.  I had taken for granted that thirteenth century clergy were all somehow like us, Americans who, by and large, want the big, shiny objects.  We’re taught to want celebrity, notoriety, initials after our names, cars, houses, trophies.  We’re taught to be ambitious, make our parents proud and endow our alma maters.  Most of us buy into that in some way, and it’s not all bad.

I’d love proud parents and disposable income, of course.  And I used to want an Oscar (or Tony or Emmy – I’m not picky).  I had fabulous dreams of a life in movies, not so famous as to be hounded by paparazzi, but famous enough to always have work.  I desperately wanted the big and shiny.  Lately, as I’ve immersed myself in what it really means to be a working actor, I’ve downgraded a bit.  Maybe it doesn’t have to be an Oscar.  Independent Spirit award, maybe?  Or, um, a mention at Tribeca?  Or, hell, I’ll take anything at this point.  Sign me up for a McDonald’s ad –even though I loathe McDonald’s.

That doesn’t feel good.  I’ve realized that sending postcards to casting directors to remind that that I exist really doesn’t make me happy.  I constantly feel insecure that I’m not doing enough to chase down work.  Reading Coffeemate copy in an audition room is not inspiring, and sucking at reading Coffeemate copy is even worse.  I love acting, yes, and commercials aside, I’m pretty good at it.  But I don’t love the business at all.  Not even a little bit.

As my life has changed these past two years, my dreams have shifted, too, and it’s not all sour grapes.  I’m focusing now on using my non-profit management experience to consult with healers- yoga teachers,  massage therapists, and the like.  Eventually, I’d love to have my own healing arts practice (I’m studying different kinds of energy work now).  It’s not the big and shiny I wanted a few years ago, but it feels right – real and strong-  in a way that shiny never did.

I’m not exactly abdicating an acting career because there wasn’t much to leave.  But I am acknowledging and celebrating the lifestyle and work that suit me.  What a lovely journey it is to find beauty in places I didn’t expect, to see beyond the big and shiny to something that feels like home.

Beer and butter elevated his cholesterol
masturbation in moderation made him quick in bed
traveling and big city life afforded him a chip on his shoulder
and someone told him he was doing it all wrong

everything in moderation they imparted onto him
but mitigating his appetite limited his ambition
perhaps there is something in wont for opulence
corporal and fiscal obesity can be likened to broad swords
the bigger they are the less they are confronted

wallowing in the spoils of fruit pulled from his dreams
he let his friends join in the pressing of this wine
then they too grew comfortable with gluttony
and forgot the woes of yore by drinking it all in

they were not fed by mother ambition
only given the regurgitated cud spit out
and when this fountain dried up or got fed up
back to where they came they grumbled

angry now with mediocrity of peasant life
they complained about their greed and misguided friend
when the true source for the groveling now
is the under nurtured imp of their ambition

I lift up and off

And fly to where I’m calmer.

I’ll soar above you.

There were three friends in a village. Their names were Jack, Tony and Ronnie. They had abundant wealth. Jack and Tony wanted to start an educational institute for the poor and downtrodden. Ronnie wanted to create eight wonder in the world. The other two friends told Ronnie that most of the poor children were not getting basic education. They persuaded him to build an institute first and then pursue with creation of eight wonder.

After a week, Jack took one fourth of money for purchasing construction material for the institute. Tony surveyed and received valuable inputs about the construction. He took one fourth money to the civil engineer to create the plans for construction.

Ronnie expressed his intention to buy latest technology for construction to his friends and took the balance amount and fled. Jack and Tony were upset with Ronnie. They moved ahead with their plan of setting up the institute. They faced several challenges initially and finally succeeded in their mission.
Ronnie who had run away from that village fell in the company of bad friends and addicted to vices. He totally forgot his goal of accomplishing eighth wonder. Finally he was left penniless.

Ten long years had passed away. Jack and Tony went to a city for a function. They saw a lean person lying on the road unconsciously. They were shocked and recognized that the unconscious man as Ronnie, their old friend who absconded ten years ago. They immediately took him to hospital. When Ronnie came to consciousness he felt ashamed of what he did to them. He requested them to forgive for his misdeeds. Jack and Tony pardoned him and told to learn lessons out his mistake and not to betray others in future.

Think before you act. Discuss before you decide. Never let down others.

Many more red flags may wave before your eyes, but the following complete this series. Again, thanks to Her Highness Sara for prompting it at post 756.

·        AMBITION: Is he working toward higher goals to improve himself? Ask where he got his work ethic. The flag should turn super red and wigwag in your face, if he’s not even familiar with the term.

·        POLITICS: Do your political beliefs or ideologies differ? You have probably thought through what you’ll do about different religious beliefs. However, assume different political ideologies as contradictory beliefs, and emotion enters the picture to become a big red flag. It takes above average mutual respect to match them compatibly. Religious principles guide us; ideologies drive us to persuade others.

·        CHURCH: He doesn’t go to church? Believe in God? Born again? Does he believe in anything outside himself up to which he lives? Do his actions confirm it? The absence of living up to something higher than oneself fosters self-centeredness, and that destabilizes a marriage.

·        OTHERS: How does he treat people obligated to him when things go wrong, such as servers, sales people, paid helpers, employees? Respectfully or not? Temper flare ups? You should probably expect the same, when you displease him after conquest or marriage or both.

·        DRIVE: What motivates him to rise above the ordinary? Ambition? Fun? Entertainment? Hunger for success? Fear of failure? Work ethic? Fear of disappointing you, mom, or someone else?

·        SEX: If he won’t respectfully honor your desire for chastity, after conquest he won’t honor your other desires and judgments as you expect it from a mate. Few if any red flags are more important.

A flag means caution when you see red. You’re both judge and jury about what makes you cautious. Choices have consequences, so start slow, go slow, commit slower, and marry based on mutual devotion.

Not everything is possible. But a huge amount more is possible than we experience right now, and perhaps what we believe we could.  Actually, stop and ask is that dream really impossible? Is what you want really so improbable? Has someone else done it? Could you? Who’s telling you that it is impossible? Is that limiting message really valid? What evidence do I have that it isn’t possible?

Just because it would be radically new to your experience doesn’t mean that you can’t experience it. I’m not saying that getting there would be easy I am saying that if it’s possible for others then it’s likely to be possible for you too. Say, if you wanted to go to Sydney, ok those people who live there or close by may have an advantage but you can still travel there. No matter your financial situation, education, location, you social status, yea these can give you an advantage but you can still get there. If you are human you can live any human possibility.

So when you look out through your eyes what do you see? Is the path ahead leading you to places you want, places where you know you will be fulfilled? Can you see your hopes and dreams coming true? Do you know that every step is bringing you to a brighter you?

When you imagine your future is it’s filled with ordinariness, more of the same, or maybe worse? Ask yourself now, does your future have to be that way? What would it take to have a different future? What can I chose to put into that future that will make me sparkle, give me variety, and improve my life? The law of attention (my refinement on the ‘The law of Attraction’ from the secret) recognises that what we are mentally attending to is what we are looking for and expecting in our world, and if we look for it we find it. It’s all there, feast and famine, laughter and tears, good and bad. Which ever you attend to you’ll expect and experience more.

So give yourself a picture of a different future. Imagine finding pleasant surprises along the way, feel the universe working for you not against you. If you can see it in your inner world then you will find it in the otter world, you won’t attract it, it’s there all the time just now you will see it.

Not everything is possible because  people don’t look forward and see their future filled with what they want.

‘Weither you believe you can, or you belive you can’t, you’re probably right!’ (Henry Ford)

So which is it? do we see first, then believe, or is it possible that sometimes we must believe first, and then see it.