From: You Know Who

Date: Eternity
To: My Children On Earth
Re: Idiotic Religious Rivalries and Non-sense


My Dear Children (and believe me, that's all of you),

I consider myself a pretty patient Guy. I mean, look at the Grand Canyon.

It took millions of years to get it right. And how about evolution? Boy,
nothing is slower than designing that whole Darwinian thing to take place, cell by cell and gene by gene. I've even been patient through your fashions, civilizations, wars and schemes, and the countless ways you take Me for granted until you get yourselves into big trouble again and again.

But today, I want to let you know about some things that are starting to
tick Me off.

First of all, your religious rivalries are driving Me up a wall. Enough
already! Let's get one thing straight: These are your religions, not Mine.
I'm the Whole Enchilada; I'm beyond them all. Every one of your religions
claims there's only one of Me. But in the very next breath, each religion
claims it's My favorite one. And each claims its bible was written
personally by me, and that all the other bibles are man-made. Oh, Me. How do I even begin to put a stop to such complicated nonsense?

Okay, listen up now: I'm your Father and Mother, and I don't play favorites among My Children. Also, I hate to break it to you, but I didn't write that stuff. I've always been more of a "doer" anyway. So all your books, including the bibles, were written by men and women. They were inspired, remarkable people, but they also made mistakes here and there. I made sure of that, so that you would never trust a written word more than your own living Heart.

You see, one Human Being to me -- even a Bum on the street -- is worth more than all the holy books in the world. That's just the kind of Guy I Am.

My Spirit is not an historical thing, It's alive right here, right now, as fresh as your next breath. Holy books and religious rites are sacred and
powerful, but not more so than the least of You. They were only meant to
steer you in the right direction, not to keep you arguing with each other,
and certainly not to keep you from trusting your own personal connection with Me.

Which brings Me to My next point about your nonsense: You act like I need you and your religions to stick up for Me or "win souls" for My Sake. Please, don't do Me any favors. I can stand quite well on my own, thank you. I don't need you to defend Me, and I don't need constant credit. I just want you to be good to each other.

And another thing: I don't get all worked up over money or politics, so stop dragging My name into your dramas. For example, I swear to Me that I never threatened Oral Roberts. I never rode in any of Rajneesh's Rolls Royces. I never told Pat Robertson to run for president, and I've never ever had a conversation with Jim Bakker, Jerry Falwell, or Jimmy Swaggart! Of course, come Judgment Day, I certainly intend to...

The thing is, I want you to stop thinking of religion as some sort of loyalty pledge to Me. The true purpose of your religions is so that you can become more aware of Me, not the other way around. Believe Me, I know you already. I know what's in each of your hearts, and I love you with no strings attached. Lighten up and enjoy Me. That's what religion is best for.

What you seem to forget is how mysterious I Am. You look at the petty little differences in your scriptures and say, "Well, if this is the Truth, then that can't be!" But instead of trying to figure out My Paradoxes and Unfathomable Nature -- which, by the way, you never will -- why not open your hearts to the simple common threads in every religion?

You know what I'm talking about:

a.. Love and respect everyone.
b.. Be kind. Even when life is scary or confusing, take courage and be of
good cheer, for I Am always with you.
c.. Learn how to be quiet, so you can hear My Still, Small Voice (I don't
like to shout).
d.. Leave the world a better place by living your life with dignity and
gracefulness, for you are My Own Child.
e.. Hold back nothing from life, for the parts of you that can die will
surely die, and the parts that can't, won't.
f.. So don't worry, be happy (I stole that last line from Bobby McFerrin,
but he stole it from Meher Baba in the first place.)

Simple stuff. Why do you keep making it so complicated? It's like you're
always looking for an excuse to be upset. And I'm very tired of being your main excuse. Do you think I care whether you call me Yahweh, Jehovah, Allah, Wakantonka, Brahma, Father, Mother, or even The Void or Nirvana?

Do you think I care which of My Special Children you feel closest to -- Moses, Jesus, Mary, Buddha, Krishna, Mohammed or any of the others? You can call Me and My Special Ones any name you choose, if only you would go about My business of loving one another as I love you. How can you keep neglecting something so simple?

I'm not telling you to abandon your religions. Enjoy your religions, honor
them, learn from them, just as you should enjoy, honor, and learn from your parents. But do you walk around telling everyone that your parents are better than theirs? Your religion, like your parents, may always have the most special place in your heart; I don't mind that at all. And I don't want you to combine all the Great Traditions into One Big Mess. Each religion is unique for a reason. Each has a unique style so that people can find the best path for themselves.

But My Special Children -- the ones your religions revolve around -- all
live in the same place (My Heart) and they get along perfectly, I assure
you. The clergy must stop creating a myth of sibling rivalry where there is none.

My Blessed Children of Earth, the world has grown too small for your pervasive religious bigotry and confusion. The whole planet is connected by air travel, satellite dishes, telephones, fax machines, rock concerts, diseases, and mutual needs and concerns. Get with the program! If you really want to help Me celebrate life, commit yourselves to figuring out how to feed your hungry, clothe your naked, protect your abused, bring the soldiers home from this nonsense war and shelter your poor. And just as importantly, make your own everyday life a shining example of kindness and good humor. I've given you all the resources you need, if only you abandon your fear of each other and begin living, loving, and laughing together.

Finally, I'm not really ticked off, I just wanted to grab your attention because I hate to see you suffer. But I gave you Free Will, so what can I do now other than to try to influence you through reason, persuasion, and a little old-fashioned guilt and manipulation? After all, I Am the original Jewish Mother. I just want you to be happy, and I'll sit in The Dark. I really Am, indeed, I swear, with you always. Always. Trust In Me.

Your One and Only,

You Know Who

[via Herbert Gordon @ TheGreatSecret]

Bulding Bridges

Two Brothers
By: Author Unknown

Once upon a time two brothers, who lived on adjoining farms, fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a conflict. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's d oor. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's tool box. "I'm looking for a few days' work" he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with? Could I help you?" "Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you."

"Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor; in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll do him one better."

"See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence -- an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.

The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge -- a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all -- and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming toward them, his hand outstretched. "You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done." The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand.

They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox onto his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother. "I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, but I have many more bridges to build.


As you work at building your business let this story by a reminder that you too want to build bridges with your associates rather they be affiliates, distributors or customers Build Bridges of friendship with them and your success will be guaranteed.

-- via Herbert Gordon, @TheGreatSecret

Fabulous Friday 50 Words of Wisdom

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
31. However good or bad a situation is - it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in Miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative--dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

[from Gwyn Walker Chambers via Herbert Gordon@thegreatsecret, 6/15/07]

who to hang out with

Be with people who make you want to be a better person in the world. Be with people whose very presence makes you aspire to be greater. The people I am talking about do not require that you want to rise. There is no sense of obligation. There is not even a request to you to expand your horizons. It is that simply by their presence, you feel something good, and you want more of it, and you want to be it. You want to be like these people who somehow, by their very being, increase your worth to yourself.

-- via Herbert Gordon@TheGreatSecret (free ebook)

Change The World

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

-Margaret Mead, anthropologist (Kehaulani Christian's favorite quote)

I see that Mead is also quoted at Ben&Jerry's 50 ways to promote peace.

The Art of Not Being Offended

There is an ancient and well-kept secret to happiness which the Great Ones have known for centuries. They rarely talk about it, but they use it all the time, and it is fundamental to good mental health. This secret is called The Fine Art of Not Being Offended. In order to truly be a master of this art, one must be able to see that every statement, action and reaction of another human being is the sum result of their total life experience to date. In other words, the majority of people in our world say and do what they do from their own set of fears, conclusions, defenses and attempts to survive. Most of it, even when aimed directly at us, has nothing to do with us. Usually, it has more to do with all the other times, and in particular the first few times, that this person experienced a similar situation, usually when they were young.

Yes, this is psychodynamic. But let’s face it, we live in a world where psychodynamics are what make the world go around. An individual who wishes to live successfully in the world as a spiritual person really needs to understand that psychology is as spiritual as prayer. In fact, the word psychology literally means the study of the soul.

All of that said, almost nothing is personal. Even with our closest loved ones, our beloved partners, our children and our friends. We are all swimming in the projections and filters of each other’s life experiences and often we are just the stand-ins, the chess pieces of life to which our loved ones have their own built-in reactions. This is not to dehumanize life or take away the intimacy from our relationships, but mainly for us to know that almost every time we get offended, we are actually just in a misunderstanding. A true embodiment of this idea actually allows for more intimacy and less suffering throughout all of our relationships. When we know that we are just the one who happens to be standing in the right place at the right psychodynamic time for someone to say or do what they are doing—we don’t have to take life personally. If it weren’t us, it would likely be someone else.

-- By Dr. Jodi Prinzivalli (via Herbert Gordon @ TheGreatSecret)

How To Stay Young

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her.

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. " An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves.
   Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, friends, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable,
   improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

http://www.avolites.org.uk/jokes/aging.htm

The Echo Of Life

A man and his son were walking in the forest. Suddenly the boy
trips and feeling a sharp pain he screams, “Ahhhhh.”

Surprised, he hears a voice coming from the mountain, “Ahhhhh.”

Filled with curiosity, he screams, “Who are you?” but the only
answer he receives is: “Who are you?”

This makes him angry, so he screams, “You are a coward!” and
the voice answers, “You are a coward!”

He looks at his father asking, “Dad, what is going on?”

“Son,” he replies, “pay attention!” Then he screams, “I admire you!”

The voice answers, “I admire you!”

The father shouts, “You are wonderful!” and the voice answers,
“You are wonderful!”

The boy is surprised, but still can’t understand what is going on.

Then the father explains, “People call this ‘ECHO’ but truly it is
‘LIFE!’ Life always gives you back what you give out! Life is a mirror
of your actions. If you want more love, give more love!

If you want more kindness, give more kindness! If you want
understanding and respect, give understanding and respect. If you
want people to be patient and respectful to you, give patience and
respect! This rule of nature applies to every aspect of our lives.”

Life always gives you back what you give out. Your life is not
a coincidence, but a mirror of your own doings.

-Author Unknown

Unleash Your Potential

Life is a gift to cherish. You are put on this earth to fulfill one major purpose, a mission, if you like. If you do hundreds of things but fail to do the one thing you were sent to do, you will not fulfill your purpose in life. You are unique and blessed with a great gift with which you can accomplish your mission in life. If you fail to find your mission and your gift, you will not succeed in unleashing your full potential.

One way to discover your mission is to imagine that you have won a 20-million-dollar lottery. Ask yourself where you would spend your time or what kind of work you would do.

Another way is to imagine being on your deathbed. Ask yourself what regrets you would have. This type of thinking can tell you where you need to spend your time and what kind of work you need to do to unleash your potential.

When you live in the present, you are able to capitalize on the opportunities of the moment. If you carry with you the baggage of the past or the burden of the future, you let a lot of your energies go to waste. Remember, your past baggage - the past hurts and losses - is gone forever. Your future is unfolding with each moment. To unleash your potential you have to focus on each moment before you; you must live every day as if it were your last day. In this way your life expands and flourishes. Every day becomes an eternity, every minute precious and energizing.

-- Azim Jamal [via Laila@TheGreatSecret, 3/24/07]

Daily Survival Kit

Toothpick, Rubber Band, Band Aid, Pencil, Eraser, Chewing Gum, Mint, Candy Kiss and Tea Bag

Why is that you ask?

1. Toothpick - to remind you to Pick Out The Good Qualities in others

2. Rubber band -to remind you to Be Flexible: things might not always work out the way you want, but it will work out.

3. Band aid -to remind you to Heal Hurt Feelings, yours and someone else's

4. Pencil -to remind you to List Your blessings Everyday

5. Eraser -to remind you that Everyone Makes Mistakes,and it's OK

6. Chewing Gum -to remind you to stick with it and You Can Accomplish Anything

7. Mint - to remind you that You Are Worth a Mint!

8. Candy Kiss -to remind you that Everyone Needs a good hug or kiss every day

9. Tea Bag - to remind you to Relax Daily and go over your List of Blessings

-- from Herbert Gordon@TheGreatSecret

Jumping off cliffs

"If we listened to our intellect, we'd never have a
love affair. We'd never have a friendship. We'd never go
into business, because we'd be too cynical. Well, that's
nonsense. You've got to jump off cliffs all the time and
build your wings on the way down." -Ray Bradbury

-- from Dawn@thegreatsecret, 11/22/06