Put the Glass Down!

The professor began his class by holding up a glass with some water init. He held it up for all to see and asked the students, "How much do you think this glass weighs?"

"50gms!".....100gms!".....125gms"... the students answered.

"I really don't know unless I weigh it," said the professor, " but, my question is: What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?"

"Nothing," the students said.

"Ok what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?" the professor asked.

"Your arm would begin to ache," said one of the students.

"You're right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?"

"Your arm could go numb, you might have severe muscle stress and paralysis and have to go to hospital for sure!" ventured another student and all the students laughed.

"Very good. But during all this, did the weight of the glass change?"asked the professor.

"No," was the answer.

"Then what caused the arm ache and the muscle stress?"

The students were puzzled.

"What should I do now to come out of pain?" asked the professor again.

"Put the glass down!" said one of the students.

"Exactly!" said the professor.

Life's problems are something like this. Hold it for a few minutes in your head and they seem OK. Think of them for a long time and they begin to ache. Hold it even longer and they begin to paralyze you. You will not be able to do anything. It's important to think of the challenges or problems in your life, But EVEN MORE IMPORTANT is to'PUT THEM DOWN' at the end of every day before you go to sleep. That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh and strong and you can handle any issue, any challenge that comes your way!

So,when you finish your day today, remember to PUT THE GLASS DOWN!

First field trip of the year

Last Friday Amira's class had their first field trip of the year. We went to Sausalito, California which is a cute little town just north of San Francisco.

This year Amira's class is studying the waterways around our area and how they work. The first study was conducted at the Bay Model Museum. The Bay Model Visitor Center is a fully accessible education center administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers which makes possible the viewing of a scientific tool: a working hydraulic model of the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento - San Joaquin River Delta System. This was a fascinating museum, however, it will be even more impressive once they complete their construction as the model itself was dry during the visit.

After visiting the Bay Model Museum we proceeded to the other end of town and had lunch on Rodeo Beach which was located just below our second field trip stop. It was fun to watch the kids running around in the sand searching for shells. Some even enjoyed running in at the water's edge.

The second field trip stop we made was to the Marine Mammal Center. This was an absolutely amazing place. The Marine Mammal Center is a nonprofit veterinary research hospital and educational center dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of ill and injured marine mammals – primarily elephant seals, harbor seals, and California sea lions. We were able to go to a public viewing area and see the animals they currently had in their care and observe them.

We had such a wonderful time that Amira and I will be planning another trip down there, just the two of us, to spend some more quality time exploring these places along with the town of Sausalito itself.

Field trips are the reason I love kids going to school. :D

Dream Weaver

Dream Weaver - Gary Wright song as background (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Hdx9JjzDfo)

Last Saturday morning after being up for an hour or so, I decided to go check on Amira for no other reason than to see her. As usual she was sleeping peacefully. I could see she was dreaming so I stayed extra quiet as to not disturb her. Not knowing exactly how much time had past; she woke up and saw me next to her. Her face was lit up, and she said, “Mom, I had an amazing dream”. Keep in mind Amira is very private and most times does not even share her dreams with me. She claims they are scary and doesn’t want to talk about them. So you can imagine the anticipation of wanting to hear this rare beauty.

The following is Amira’s dream.

I was playing with my friend, Emily, and I wished I could fly and the next thing I knew I could fly. I was flying all around and it was so much fun. Then the next thing I knew I was flying to God and the angels. When I got to them I said I can’t believe I can fly, how can I fly? The angels told me they thought I’d like flying so they helped me out. They asked me if I liked it, and I told them yes.

I then asked the angels if I could see someone that was there. They asked who, and I told them my grandma. The angels said they needed her name. I told them, all I know is her name is Linda. They said oh yes, she’s here and they got her. Grandma said hi Amira and came to me. She said come here I want you to meet my new friend. She said she wanted me to see where she lives now. We talked and played and it was so fun. Then I told Grandma I had to go because my mom would be worried about me being gone so long, and then Grandma hugged me. Then I heard you calling my name Amira, Amira, Amira and I woke up.

Winners and Whiners

The other day one of my co-workers had a book sitting on the desk next to them. The title alone caught my attention, thus causing me to pick it up and further inquire. Of course, I needed to borrow this little ditty because the cover was not enough to satisfied my need to read more.

Here's the title and description on the back cover.

The Top 10 Distinctions between Winners and Whiners

10. Winners take responsibility.
Whiners play the victim.

9. Winners can have what they want.
Whiners want what they cannot have.

8. Winners find a way.
Whiners find an excuse.

7. Winners brighten a room by entering.
Whiners brighten a room by leaving.

6. Winners listen twice as much as they talk.
Whiners talk twice as much as they listen.

5. Winners enjoy life's journey.
Whiners put their joy in the destinations.

4. Winners build friendships.
Whiners destroy friendships.

3. Winners think big.
Whiners think small.

2. Winners are focus-minded.
Whiners are scatterbrained.

1. Winners create positive meanings.
Whiners create negative meanings.

One of my clients has written a book entitled Radically Spiritual Adventures Everyday. He came in one day for treatment excited to share his book had just hit the print and showed it to me. Of course, excited for him and his partner I was the first to purchase it.

When time allows I’ve been gradually reading through this delightful book that seems to confirm and resonate well my own beliefs.

Today I was reading a chapter entitled Accepting Life on Life’s Terms – A Really Radical Spiritual Adventure, and in this chapter was an excerpt of a story called The Road of Life by an unknown author. It was such a nice excerpt that I thought I’d share.

“At first it seemed to me as thought life were rather like riding on a tandem bike with God in the back helping me pedal. I was in control. I knew the way. Life was rather boring, but it was predictable. I always made sure we took the shortest distance between two points. I don’t remember exactly when it was that God suggested we change places, but I can tell you life has not been the same since.

When God took over the lead, we stopped taking shortcuts. He, in fact, started taking us on unexpected long cuts, up mountains and through rocky places at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hang on. Even though it looked to me like madness, He just said, ‘Keep pedaling’! I was anxious and worried and I asked, ‘Where are you taking me’? He just laughed and didn’t answer….and I had to learn how to trust.

I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. When I’d say I was scared, He’d lean back and touch my hand. He took me to people with gifts I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They were gifts to take on my journey, my God’s and mine!

When we were off again, God said, ‘Give the gifts away; they are extra baggage, too much weight.’ So I did, to people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light. I did not trust Him at first to be in control of my life. I thought He’d wreck it, but I’ve discovered He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks and fly to shorten rough passages.

I’ve learned to shut up and just pedal. Even in the strangest places our adventure takes us, I’m beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face as my travel guide, God, leads the way. Now and then, when I think I know which road is best or which way we should go, He just smiles and says….’Keep pedaling’.”

Big Adventure

Road trip! This year has been one big adventure after another--from small to large and everything in between.

For Amira's 7th birthday, my dad's gift to her was a trip to Disneyland. He decided he wanted to take her there, and my nephew to San Diego to the Maritime Museum and some other side ventures.

So, in early July we were off on yet another road trip to southern California. The entire trip was flawless----truly magical.

The first day at the park was the 4th of July (Amira's bday), and everywhere she wanted to go and every ride she wanted to go on we seemed to always be first in line. My dad and I were shocked as we've experienced Disneyland and know of their long lines, but for some reason this day was different. Of course, Amira never being there before and knowing of the long lines these magical feats meant nothing to her, but to my dad and I they were ecstatic.

Truly she was blessed on her birthday with wonderful fortune of shuttling through everything in true princess style because the next day she experienced long lines and waiting.

Through the entire experience, one of the things I found most curious was how sooooooo many people of variant cultural backgrounds, economical backgrounds, educational backgrounds, and even religious backgrounds could all gather together, spend hours together, enduring the long lines together and yet all seem to move along harmoniously. Amazing isn't it? If so possible and indeed it was, why can't the rest of the plant get on this same harmoniously plane? Ok, that's not entirely fair------let me re-word it. Why can't the government officials---the seemingly powers-to-be get on board with the rest of the harmonious group? Perhaps they've never experienced Disneyland! :-) Although in all earnestness we know there's plenty that have not experienced Disneyland but are still pleasant by nature to be around. It just seems to affect those that thirst and hunger for power and greed so badly----they are the ones who miss out in life.

Anyway, here are some photos of our venture.

Submitted

Submitted PhD dissertation yesterday, and now waits for approval.

It’s been both an exciting and hectic experience, and to be honest I haven’t fully absorbed all of it yet. The thought of having a PhD title and all it entails seems very surreal to me.

The field of study is neither foreign nor unfamiliar to me, as I’ve been using it in my daily life for years while interacting with others. It is just now I’ll hold the “official” title. A title, honestly, I never imagined in my wildest dreams holding.

Truly with God all things are possible-----the seen or unseen.

For how often have you been strolling down your perfectly planned life, then suddenly shifted off course with no rhyme or reason, only to be placed on a more illuminated path that has no past or future but the present steps you are currently taking?

Again knowing God’s hands are in all things, makes this crazy life we live abundantly beautiful and worth living.

Can’t wait to see what happens next!