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NewThoughtNoteForTheDay - WHEN NECESSITY ENTWINES - Finding God On The Train - 8.29.2014

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Come to me, all you who labor

            and are heavy laden, and I will

                        give you rest.   Matthew 11:28

 

What creates greatness, builds existence

from mere formless raw elements,

makes more from much less; is fortitude –

“a strength of mind that enables one to

endure adversity with courage.”

 

This life we inhabit has been created

from raw passion, the desire to be and

to be more. Let us reflect this Labor Day

weekend on all who have contributed,

including ourselves, to building the

infrastructure of this, our heaven on

earth.

 

WHEN NECESSITY ENTWINES

 

Nothing can stop or impede the

forward progress of good, of right,

with each step know a more

solid footing is confirmed, with

each gesture forward, realize a

momentum is established, which

carries all who vibrate to the same

emotion, onward.

 

It is at these times we must prepare

for our contribution to the whole, even

if our arms may be weary, our legs

bone tired, our feet too sore to

step again, we must go within for

strength and propelling fortitude.

 

So today, let us proceed onward, convinced

of our duty, our obligation, our clarity

of purpose, grasping in our hearts

and souls the cadence of a new vision,

finding focus, a fresh tomorrow erupting,

prepared to do what needs to be done,

when necessity entwines with rightful

good.

 

AT G. 8.29.2014

 

WITH LOVE, G.

NewThoughtNoteForTheDay - HAPPY WITH WHAT IS - Finding God On The Train - 8.28.2014

 

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Perhaps, it is our mental ability to speculate,

our ability to imagine another way of being,

a more desirable alternative, or current

outcome that leads us to dissatisfaction.

 

It is Thursday morning, my dog Zephyr

is standing on hind legs against our

wooden back fence, barking menacingly,

at my neighbor, who, like clockwork, is

on his ride-on mower cutting his grass.

 

My mind, in frustration, imagines solutions:

Zephyr in a bark collar, my neighbor hand

cutting his lawn, the city council banning

mowing on Thursday morning when I am

writing, as a gesture of good faith to my

essential spiritual efforts.

 

Then, I am reminded that the theme of

this post centers on obtaining happiness

through acceptance of - what is - in our

lives.  I realize no level of imagining is

going to change my life today. What is,

my current reality, my here and now,

is, and the sooner I learn to fully master

this level of acceptance, the happier,

and less stressed, I will surely be. 

 

So, the New Thought message of the

day is to be happy with what is. But,

what if we were to say to do this, it

takes more than simple acceptance,

it may well require being grateful

for what is. To actually understand

that each moment of the life we are

now living is a gift and with this gift

is the opportunity to experience it,

to enjoy it, utilize it, make the most

of it. 

 

This is the message of Brother David

Steindl-Rast, Catholic Benedictine

monk, who is a co-founder of the

Center for Spiritual Studies along

with other prominent Jewish, Budd-

hist, Hindu, and Sufi teachers, and

who has championed an international

gratefulness movement, with over 17

million sacred candles ignited in a

spirit of gratefulness in cyberspace,

on his website Gratefulness.org. 

 

Below, I have included Brother

Steindl-Rast’s TED talk titled, Want

to be happy? Be Grateful. To provide,

if needed,  some assistance with making

this step beyond acceptance to gratefulness.

 

  

HAPPY WITH WHAT IS

 

Today accept what is with your whole

heart, realizing it could be no other way –

allowing it to be what it is as you focus

on living it well, with a song in your heart,

a smile on your face, intent on finding

joy and happiness even in a world that

appears gray.

 

Today accept what is as you affirm what

you are – a thriving, dynamic, creative,

industrious, loving being that is not made

more or less by the surroundings – who

realizes the truth and worth of your own

key contribution to this venture called life.

 

Today, accept what is, with your head held

high – your back erect – your confidence

fully evident in your stance, allowing no

one – no situation – to steal your joy and

zest for living – to convince you that this

is not your time for happiness – for your

heaven on earth.

 

AT G. 8.28.2014

 

WITH LOVE, G. 

NewThoughtNoteForTheDay - SPARK OF GOD - Finding God On The Train - 8.25.2014

 

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I wrote this poem, below, on March 1, 2013,

but it was not until this morning that I felt

compelled to post it. I do not recall what 

was happening at the time, but I understand

its message, and feel, that it is is also meant

for me, here and now, today. Have I, in all this 

hubbub of living, rejoicing, and suffering,

forgotten the central theme, the simple truth 

of the message I convey - that you, me, we

are not alone. 

  

SPARK OF GOD

 

Even as the future lies in wait –not yet

fully revealed and open to speculation,

as we hold firm to our belief,  as seconds

turn to days and hours eternities, with

our hopeful prayers disrupted by our

fears of suffering and loss, desperately

seeking to transcend this or perhaps,

better yet, escape this plight altogether –

knowing this is the time we earnestly

need to reach within for the spark of

the divine, we have nourished and

sheltered – fostered and protected

for just this salient disturbance –

and in this tempest let us know

our God truly resides within with us,

to grasp our trembling hands, soothe

our souls, and provide a place of peace

and perspective – hope and dignity –

true and lasting transcendence.  

 

POEM G. 3.1.2013

 

WITH LOVE, G. 

NewThoughtNoteForTheDay - MEDITATION, SUNDAY - Finding God On The Train - 8.17.2014

 

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MEDITATION, SUNDAY

 

Sounds, signs, sensations,

a wakeful consciousness

holding the whispers,

the songs, the tires

inflated, weighted streaming

from here to distant there,

the engine of life revving,

idling, shifting gears,

and whining, an isolated

dog warning of impending

danger, birds in songful

tweeting harmony, the

fragrant wind tossing leaves

only to rest in wait,

this breath inflates, then held

seeping, then forced out,

a mantra, floating words

focusing a wandering attention,

meditation, Sunday, on the

deck in summer.

 

POEM G. 8.17.14

 

WITH LOVE, G. 

NewThoughtNoteForTheDay - THE ASCENT - Finding God On The Train - 8.14.14

 

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Like a flower, we seem to hold within

us a bloom expressing the delicate

beauty of our essential creation. 

Active human existence - life –

may be defined as an unfolding,

the expression of this nature,

this purpose. Yet, unlike the flower,

our bloom is often conceptual,

an awakening, requiring us to seek

it in the tumult of our own conflicted

minds and an excruciatingly noisy

world. Remember, in this effort,

this climb, this ascent – both painful

and magnificent – you are not alone.  

 

THE ASCENT

 

We hold the truth within our hearts,

so delicate, so fragile, yet when faced

without protection or defense, it appears

so seemingly obvious, straightforward,

even though for years we have missed

its point, its counterpoint.

 

Now, faced with pulling up a chair

to meet again this old friend, we find

ourselves reluctant, oddly shy and

reticent, wondering if anything so

quaintly parochial might still enliven

our pursuit, our purpose, our earthly

mission.

 

Perhaps all truth - personal, spiritual,

even universal - is simple and unassuming,

its challenge not in its concept, but more

in its adherence: the application, after the

answered supplication, our real Mount

Everest to climb, yet let us be reminded,

we are not alone in this ascent – our

friend, our companion, our true light

brightens every earnest step.

 

NTNFTD 8.14.2014

 

With Love, G.

THE PHARRELL WILLIAMS "HAPPY" SONG PHENOMENON - ADDITION TO CHAPTER EIGHT

        

NOTE:  I WANTED TO SHARE THIS NEW

SECTION  I AM ADDING TO CHAPTER

EIGHT - MORE HEAVEN ON EARTH -

LOVE AND HAPPINESS, WHICH FEATURES

THE "HAPPY" SONG/VIDEO PHENOMENON

SPARKED BY PHARRELL WILLIAMS' MEGA

HIT SONG, "HAPPY." IF YOU HAVE NOT

ALREADY VISITED THE WE ARE HAPPY

FROM SITE , BE SURE TO CLICK ON THE

FOLLOWING LINK, WHICH IS NOW POSTING

OVER 1950 VIDEOS FROM 153 COUNTRIES.    

WE ARE HAPPY FROM SITE

   _____________________________________________________________________

The belief that we can rely on shortcuts

to happiness, joy, rapture, comfort, and

ecstasy, rather than be entitled to these

feelings by the exercise of strengths and

virtues, leads to legions of people who in

the middle of great wealth are starving

spiritually.

                         Martin E. P. Seligman, Ph.D.,

                           Founder of Positive Psychology

  

THE “HAPPY” SONG PHENOMENON

Although Dr. Seligman, quoted above, reminds us that there are no shortcuts to happiness: I would argue the point, citing an outbreak of happiness created by Pharrell Williams’ hit song and video, simply titled, “Happy.” The song has been extremely successful, peaking at number one in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and 19 other countries. It sold 5.6 million copies in the U.S. alone. The video has created a virtual phenomenon. Before, I fill in the details, let’s test my hypothesis, by watching the original video below, and honestly assessing if we feel a surge of happiness, and maybe, even a few tears of joy. (Click on the download below to view the video.) 

Download Happy (from Despicable Me 2)

    Ok, first, was the happiness contagious? Did the lyrics fully convey that this emotion we call happiness, does not just happen to you, it springs from you? Let’s look at the lyrics:

 

                  "Happy" By Pharrell Williams

Verse 1: 

It might seem crazy what I'm about to say

Sunshine she's here, you can take a break

I'm a hot air balloon that could go to space

With the air, like I don't care baby by the way

 

Chorus:

Because I'm happy, clap along if you feel like

                    a room without a roof

Because I'm happy, clap along if you feel like

                    happiness is the truth

Because I'm happy, clap along if you know

                    what happiness is to you

Because I'm happy, clap along if you feel like

                    that's what you wanna do

 

Verse 2:

Here come bad news talking this and

                      that, yeah,

Well, give me all you got, and don't hold it

                     back, yeah,

Well, I should probably warn you I'll be just

                    fine, yeah,

No offense to you, don't waste your time

                    Here's why

 

Chorus repeated

 

Bridge:

(Happy) Bring me down

Can't nothing bring me down

My level's too high bring me down

Can't nothing bring me down

I said (let me tell you now) bring me down

Can't nothing bring me down

My level's too high

Bring me down

Can't nothing bring me down

I said

 

Chorus Repeated x2 

(Happy) [repeats]

Bring me down... can't nothing...

Bring me down... my level's too high...

Bring me down... can't nothing...

Bring me down, I said (let me tell you now)

 

Chorus Repeated x2

{Hey C'mon}

    It was Ann, who late one night in early 2014, suggested I watch this video - by Pharrell Williams, a singer, songwriter, and producer, originally from Virginia Beach - based on a song that was featured on the soundtrack of the 2013 movie Despicable Me 2, and republished in early 2014 as lead song of Williams’ second studio album, titled Girl. I said to Ann, that it was strange she should mention Pharrell Williams, since he was featured on two Grammy nominated songs I had been listening to, Get Lucky by Daft Punk, and Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke. Although, I really hadn’t heard his Happy song, since our grandson had seen the movie with his other grandparents.

    A little later that evening, as we were getting ready for bed, I could hear Ann repeatedly watching this Happy video, over and over, its catchy melody and lyrics repeating on her iPad. I asked, cautiously, why she kept listening to the same video - she looked up, smiling, and said, “you should see this, there are thousands of “Happy” videos, from all over the world, even our hometown has produced a very sophisticated video, with local notables dancing and singing to the soundtrack.”

    It turns out, when the Happy song was originally rereleased as a single, in November of 2013 - in preparation for what I would assume was Williams’ early 2014 release of his studio CD, Girl - accompanied with the video above, along with a companion website - 24HourHappy.com -  featuring the world’s first 24 hour music video; overflowing with a host of guest celebrities singing and dancing to this Happy song, as Pharrell Williams opened each song segment. The Happy videos became an instant sensation, spawning countless cover videos on YouTube, usually labeled Pharrell Williams – Happy – We Are Happy from (name of the city). Inspired by this global phenomenon, a French couple launched a website http://www.wearehappyfrom.com to gather all the Happy videos at one internet location. As of August 2014, more than 1,950 Happy music videos from 153 countries had been created. Want a thrill, go to the site and take a world Happy tour – it is amazing!

    I want to continue our experiment, doing some low cost mood altering, as we proceed on with the remainder of this chapter and the book, by asking you to invest $1.99 in the on-line purchase of the Happy song from iTunes, or whatever site you use to download music via the internet; that is, if you are not already one of the millions who own the song. Next, I am going to suggest that you set the Happy song as the alarm sound on your phone, or related device, to wake you up in the morning, or whatever time of day you actually start. If you participate in this experiment, I believe you will find it hard to shake this songs meme like qualities, and you will spend the start of your day, everyday, focusing on being happy. Feel free to email me directly at FindingGodOnTheTrain@gmail.com with your reactions, and I will share all these responses on the blog.

    I believe, this Happy song phenomenon, is a clear indication that a vast number of people on our planet are just tired of living in an unhappy world, wishing desperately for something positive and awe inspiring to lift them, their families, their communities, their countries, and all humankind in general, out of the mire of depression and hopelessness we seem to have created for ourselves. You may say this is only a band-aid, but I say, when you are bleeding, a band-aid is essential.

    So, as I am putting on the finishing touches to this revised addition to Chapter Eight – More Heaven On Earth – Finding Love And Happiness, with the inclusion of the Happy song phenomenon section above:  Ann, a Green Bay Packers fan and shareholder, receives an email from the Packers home office that Pharrell Williams will musically kickoff the opening Thursday night football game of the 2014 NFL season, between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers, in Seattle. I am sure the Happy song will be a featured on the set list, and I would not be surprised to see a - We Are Happy from the NFL music video to support this effort.  

 

Thanks for reading,

With love, G.

 

 

NewThoughtNoteForTheDay - PROSPECT OF CONTINUED PROGRESS - Finding God On The Train - 8.5.2014

 

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The central focus of Finding God On The

Train- the blog and the book - centers on

the quest for a positive personal spirituality.

This is not a collective pursuit in search

of a unified process, creed, or dogma –

no cookie-cutter, one size fits all that we

might handily share as a sort of spiritual

panacea for collective belief; instead, it is

a reminder of the benefits of  “individuation” - 

applying a Jungian term to the pursuit of

mystical enlightenment, by the individual,

for the ultimate benefit of that individual.

 

Although we each may share our

experiences with blogs and books, most of

what you and I will encounter will be

unique to our own life experience.  

 

As the note below conveys, this quest

surely requires times when we must

pause, catch our breath, and listen:

allowing inspiration to direct our

forward progress; letting the universal

currents maneuver us into the proper

channels; readying us for continued

evolvement.

 

Yes, what we appear to be about is the

evolution of our personal spirituality.

Not the forming of a new biological

component - a better brain or backbone,

but instead an evolution of the individual

and the collective consciousness. One

that will enable us to answer our personal

connection with our divine perspective,

but at the same time, quite possibly,

if accomplished in reasonable numbers,

jump-start the somewhat stalled in an

endless loop of perpetual mayhem - the

evolution of humankind.

 

PROSPECT OF CONTINUED PROGRESS

 

At times, we must stand still and catch

our breath, to survey and inspect even

the familiar terrain, our mind in check,

our heart open and hopeful, all longing

abated, nourished only by the prospect

of continued progress.

 

In this hush, our mind wakes, our eyes

diverted, almost magically, only to transfix

on an anonymous path, nondescript

but vaguely appealing, overgrown and

underutilized: and just perhaps; without

direction, we realize our feet are gently

treading on its indentations.

 

So today, let us be awake and open

to the path, or paths, worthy of sincere

consideration, allowing our evolving

desires to try each on for size and

ease of living, knowing in this timely

observation, we may genuinely open our-

selves up to our authentic calling.

 

AT G. 8.5.2014

 

WITH LOVE, G.