Happy New Year to the World!

Happy New Year! Szczęśliwego nowego roku! Frohes neues Jahr! Bonne année! Feliz Año Nuevo!

The turning of the new year is a really exciting time filled with hopes for the future and a looking back to what was.  The Ancient Romans had a god, Janus, who is depicted with two faces, one looking forward and one looking backward.  He was known as the god of beginnings and transitions, of the presider of war and peace, the beginning and ending of conflict.  As we start this new year may we begin it with hope in our hearts.  In some countries celebrations have been cancelled due to terror threats.  Humans in general are a people of indomitable strength of will and spirit.  In face of fear and its obstructions, may we always find another way around or over the barriers placed in front of us, even those that we impose on ourselves. 

I wish you all a happy, prosperous New Year!  May you be a light of hope to the world.

Sea Monkeys and Other Odd Things

Sea monkeys are these really great pets that come nowadays in a little packet that you're supposed to mix with water and a little algae starter.  If you wait two weeks you start to see the full sized adult sea monkeys, which are in fact quite tiny.  The first time I tried to grow Sea Monkeys I was quite disappointed as I hoped they would grow to be like little capuchin monkeys that I can wear on my shoulder.  No such luck.  Sea monkeys are in reality brine shrimp. 

I really like odd things.  Recently I came across an article about our dear little Sea Monkeys.  In 1972 Sea Monkeys were taken into space to test the effects of cosmic radiation on astronauts.  Their return voyage was on Apollo 17.  There were also separate experiments done with them on the moon as well as seeds, spores and other things to test the effects of radiation on other carbon-based life.  A local town near me has a redwood tree grown from one of these seeds.  The Sea Monkeys are pretty special in the sense that they were specifically chosen because they are so indestructible.  They can be set on fire, deep frozen, dehydrated, thrown into acidic conditions, put into salt, anything that you can think of, and somehow they survive.  It kind of defies logic. 

With all the talk of global warming and the climate, I say bring it on.  Who wouldn't want to get their free Sea Monkey instead of paying $19.99 plus tax and shipping?  Instead of ants taking over the world, perhaps we should fear the Sea Monkey?  They could be everywhere, just lying dormant.  Who knows what global changes will bring.

Christmas

Today is the Christian celebration of Christmas.  They believe that God entered into human history and became man to save the world from its sins poured into it by evil (commemorated at Christmas).  Through one singular act of divine sacrifice (at Good Friday), and the resurrection of the Christ (Easter) all humankind has the ability to have everlasting life again if the follow the ways of love, peace and mercy.

Whatever your thoughts, or your persuasions regarding the holidays, if you hear someone wish you a "Merry Christmas" they are wishing you well, blessings, joy and peace.  These are not bad things.  It is OKAY to say Merry Christmas back.  We need to let go of some of the political correctness dividing our country and try being inclusive for a change. 

So, Merry Christmas to all! 

My grandfather fought in World War II.  He didn't like to speak of the war.  It is not a glorious thing.  He saw many friends die.  He himself was wounded and shipped back home.  Of the few things that my grandfather mentioned was the curious meeting of his cousin at a military base.  Grandfather was a soldier with the Allied Forces and at the time on KP duty.  His cousin was from German and being held as a POW and was sent to work in the kitchen.  War sets family member against family member, but it can also bring them together.  It was comforting to know that his cousin was treated with dignity and respect.  Why he was being detained or even how he came to our country was something Grandfather never shared.  Stationed in the Philippines, Grandfather encountered unspeakable horrors and knew that other countries treated their POWs differently.  One of the days that tormented him was not attending the Sunday church service.  He had hung onto his faith as that was what gave him hope, but one day he'd been smoking cigarettes with friends in the tree line instead of joining the rest of the men inside the little church.  As if they knew what time the services started the Japanese zeros came from the horizon and fired at the church killing most people inside.  Grandfather described the bullets as they came toward him.  He was scared.  He felt guilty. 

Today I have so many friends from the Philippines and grew up with friends from Japanese backgrounds.  It is a testament to forgiveness and acceptance.  As we consider the military conflicts around the world, it is worth remembering the past so that we can put our hope in the future.  Today's enemy may be our friend tomorrow; that person holding the gun may be our cousin.  May we glance at the future to discern our actions today.     

'Tis the Season of Giving

This time of year I am so thankful for the kindness of strangers and can find it even in the most amazing places, even on-line.   For a year and a half I was a member of the Lords and Knights: France platform 7 (and 8 for a little bit.)  I had originally gotten into the game to practice my French, but found myself entrenched in a whole world of online communities that I didn't realize existed.  The realms disseminated themselves into teams.  Each team has their own personality.  My team consisted of people from all over the world from  throughout Europe, Viet-Nam, Mali, Canada, and the United States. We would go on raids on empty castles, battles against multiple enemies, and create small empires.  It was a game that taught me how  to work better with others, how to strategize more effectively, and how to read people/personalities online.  There was a considerable amount of altruism surprisingly being that we were all unknown to each other.  We each gave something of ourselves and made our team great.

Agar.io is another game that the younger generations are drawn to that emphasizes these same skills:  on-line teamwork, strategy, and "reading" personalities online.  Unlike Lords and Knights it is fairly anonymous who anyone is and there is no messaging other players for coordinating purposes.  Watching players they willingly give of themselves in the hopes that there will be another who will partner with them to form a team to grow to the largest size ball they can.  The coordination required to be at the top of the list is beautiful to watch as it is a mutual giving of each player, that doesn't have to be reciprocated, but is.  In this time of trouble and fear within in the world, it makes me consider that innately people are hard-wired to give freely of themselves, to encourage and help each other.  Consider the refugees from Syria, yes, there are still some waiting and in need, but how the world has responded! 

Giving doesn't just happen only online or on grand scales.  Generosity comes from the heart.  It starts with each of us in a kind work, a smile, and acknowledgement of another person.  May we live what is ingrained in us a human race and strive to work together and encourage each other.   It starts with you and with me. 

A Little Light Please

Today I helped an electrician clean light fixtures while he replaced bulbs for parking lot lights.  The church who's parking lot it was doesn't have a lot of money and can't afford to buy conversion boxes to convert the bulbs to LEDs.  It seems like there should be some sort of grant or something that nonprofits can apply to make themselves more energy efficient.  If you are reading this, and know of a granting agency that could help, I'd love to hear from you.  It seems like it will become more and more common in the next few decades.  I wonder what can be done to help not only churches, but other groups as well in similar situations. 

Celestial Conjuctions Honor the New King or Revisiting the Jabberwock

Today I play:

Today is frabjous day in my little world.  Friends on G+ sent photos as the newly found and photographed Apollo 16 rocket booster after its landing four decades ago on Apollo's quest for lunar quakes.  As mysterious as the mome rath outgrabe, now too is what to do.

The seventh day, the perfect day, in the month that we celebrate the return of the King.  'Lo, to the East, behold the king!' burbled Yoruba. Ooni of Ife!  beneath the conjunction blessed.  Kisses by maids three, Catalina, Venus, and Luna. Do they return to you the gifts of Odudowa?  O beware! In that sweet breath of forthrightness, that wish for unity for all, beware the endless search of the Jubjub bird.  Ooni, son of Olodumare, beware the Bandersnatch! lest you be a mimsy borogrove. Ashe ira. 

Puerto Rico and American Poverty

Recently a friend, Theo, worked in Puerto Rico, an island in the Caribbean, for several years on a volunteer basis as an attorney for the poor and marginalized through an organization that he learned about while working in San Francisco, CA.  He was initially apprehensive because of the crime and cartel activities present in the commonwealth.  He would call and report the poverty of the people and how his work really seemed to make a difference especially when his clients couldn't pay with money.  There were times that he did fear for his life, mostly during tropical storms.  He had trouble with the other people living in his apartment and learned nothing was sacred: to live with only what he actually needed.  Despite some of his troubles Theo found friendship in those he worked and prayed.  When he returned to the mainland USA, his thoughts lingered on those he had left behind in the streets and those crammed together too many to an apartment. 

Most Americans don't think too much about Puerto Rico except as a place where exceptional baseball players like Hiram Bithorn, Vic Power and Carlos Beltran.  What many of us don't realize is that Puerto Rico has approximately 3.5 million residents who are U.S. citizens.  According to the US Census Bureau those living below the poverty line is almost half of the island residents.  How many more earn barely more than it?  Curiously these US citizens, through the commonwealth government, are being sued by Walmart.  The reason is government of Puerto Rico (similar to state governments) has increased the taxes, which may or may not be discriminatory toward Walmart (a major employer on the island), may or may not violate Federal law or the Constitution: all of these need to be decided by the courts.  Who will pay for the cost of all these court fees?  Who is it going to hurt the most?  Usually the poorest among us.

As we think of the poor in Puerto Rico, it is difficult to miss our own homeless in our cities and towns.  It seems like more and more everyday are needing to be fed at the shelters that provide meals.  During the winters it is very tough for many as they hope for a bed at the overnight shelter and churches open their doors to become overflows for the shelters.  When the temperatures drop to below freezing it is not uncommon to find homeless under freeway overpasses, in underground paths for rivers, or banded together over a garbage can fire trying to keep warm.  Sometimes the poor are also sheltered by starving and lack heat, electricity and water in their own homes.  Each winter we learn about more of these poor through tragic news reports.

For those of us living in the United States we mostly hear about poverty being in third world countries.  We are a country of great wealth.  It is amazing that so many of our citizens live in such dire conditions.  This holiday season, perhaps we can open our hearts a little more and ask ourselves, what if I were in their shoes? 

Turkey Day and Black Friday Gone, What's Next

Turkey Day and Black Friday Gone, What's Next?

With Thanksgiving our of the way and Black Friday gone too, what else is new?  As Americans we are getting ready for that day that we sometimes call, The Day Formerly Known As Christmas.  It has lost its meaning except to a certain few.  Really, isn't it just a day to celebrate the pinnacle of commercialism? Let's not forget Hanukkah and Kwanza, the other holidays this month, culminating with New Year's Day. Regardless of the reason for celebrating, the holiday season remains for many a time to get together with friends and family.  Some may ask, "Who needs to get together when we can Tweet, text, or use Facebook?"  Tempting, yes.  A few of us do escape for that quiet intimate trip without seeing family or friends.  The question remains for those of us who will see family, what will we make of that time?  Will we sell out to the god of industry and fall into the shop-'til-you-drop mentality that big business likes to push, especially this time of the year?  Not you, huh?  How many Americans were up at 4AM on Black Friday ready for the doors of the store to open?  For those of you who had to work, God bless you!  For the rest of us, really?  We did that?  Yes!  Why do the holidays have to be about buying things?  Why not just spend time together instead of wondering if your cousin's husband will like the reindeer tie that matches the one you got your dad?  We need sales to keep the economy going, yes.  But maybe we should remember that maybe the original point of these holidays wasn't in commercialism, but rather in celebrating being with each other, giving thanks for each other and our heritages, and being grateful to our Creator?    So, let's make it our goal this holiday season to put away that cell phone or set down your personal device, and spend at least fifteen minutes in a real conversation with someone you know.  Truly appreciate that time.