Showing posts with label Ecclesiastes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ecclesiastes. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Moon Phases

July Buck Moon



"Cold-hearted orb that rules the night,

Removes the colors from our sight.

Red is gray and yellow white

But we decide which is right

And which is an illusion."

- The Lament ( Nights in White Satin), 

   Moody Blues



"Enlightenment is like the moon reflected

on the water. The moon does not get wet,

nor is the water broken. Although its light

is wide and great , the moon is reflected even in a puddle

an inch wide."

- Zen Master Elhei Dogen


"I am but a finger pointing to the moon. Do not look at me;

look at the moon." 

- Author unknown


Inspirations  

A lifetime ago, sitting in the dark night, gazing at the 

magical, mysterious glow of the brilliant ball

illuminating the sky ,  I didn't know what to think-


so I  prayed.


The relationship with the moon began.


He was there at the end of a day of confusion,

a day of stress or grief and even days of peace, love and joy.

Some mornings he was visible through the growing brightness 

of the the dawn. 

Somedays clouds would hide its presence,

but I was learning the truth.


The belief that this orb was more than an accident

hanging in the sky began to grow. 

He was a in me and me in him.


(Astrologists, mythologists as well a theologians , navigators of

the earth and the mind, philosophers, poets and scientists

 have studied and tried to comprehend

our relationship to the moon and its purpose.).


A brief history of the moon.

* 4.6 billions year ago a solar nebula collapsed and much of the material

fell forming a young sun

* Much of the dust became rocks 

* Some rocks were big and became planets (protoplanets)

   - One of these became the earth

* The young earth was struck by Mars-sized protoplanet

* The impact of this collision produced the Earth's moon.

* Over a billion years, a remarkable relationship developed between

   the Earth and its moon.* 

* Their nearly perfect alignment has allowed the moon to

   influence tides, ecosystems and perhaps our observations 

   (including werewolves), while  philosophers, astrologers, poets and scientists 

   continue to study the orb's influence on life on earth.


It is written that  the moon's  distance and the angle of the 

his orbit are finely balanced that even the modest changes could

place Earth's long-term stability in serious jeopardy. 

There are multiple scenarios describing how changes 

in that relationship might affect our planet 

No thing lasts.  


Some suggest that the forthcoming July "Buck Moon" 

carries sacred and psychological significance -

- 'shedding and renewal, 

- regeneration,

- inner strength

and deeper spiritual grounding.


Is all of this really some magnificent

accidental coincidence and speculation ? 

Our earthly and celestial origins - mutual.

Perhaps it is no surprise then that 

this connection and wonder  continues  ....


The Writing: 


Moon Phases


Midnight companion

shining through the black heavenly shroud.

Celestial consoler , 

dark-sky influencer, 

intervener..

Perpetual listener 

and spark igniter -

flame of truth,

 subconscious liberator.


Hemingway's conviction:

  " The night is for rest" 

Debunked!

The "I am" wakes in the dark night

The universe's cathedral illuminated

Waves roll.

The reflection glides-

selfless phases 

for every time,

For every thing .


Who am I without you?

Who are you without one 

to receive your glow 

while guiding the tides?

Without this planet

you would not exist.

Without your presence

 - I am not .


- JF Sobecki

------------

Second Chance Dance Playlist Songs plus

July 1 , 2026 -

For your listening pleasure and contemplation:

Click the link below

( Click on the link below to listen and be )

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB8FrnVEQMJC6dJTMsRGJl3yBWtvRc8MK&si=FtOit8r7YXHB_3k8

Coda:

One more short reflection and prayer

https://youtu.be/S0d9ck3sRw8?si=rq06XF-k3xwBhNM4

Whether you "believe" or not...this might be interesting:

* Research indicates that even with significant differences

the major religions and spiritual practices around the world 

they share the following common perspectives and themes:

- Compassion and love - how we treat others

- promote human welfare and reduce suffering

- Practice loving kindness all ways

- All life ( existence) is connected.

- A good life is measured by your kindness to others

- Seek truth, wisdom and understanding

- Be grateful , present and aware of each moment

- There is a higher purpose in life than materialism

- Service to and care of others, be selfless ( especially those 

   who cannot help themselves) 


"One day I will find the right words and they will be simple."

 - Jack Kerouac 

"If this is well written and to the point , that is what I desired, 

if it is poorly done , it was the best I could do." 

- 2 Maccabees 15:38-39 

AMDG 

Copyright 2026 JF Sobecki LLC All Rights Reserved








Friday, July 31, 2015

A Brief Anniversary Reflection on Passion, Bliss and Purpose



“Everybody knows you don’t find your passion. It finds you. Usually because you are in the wrong place at the right time.”

      - Michelle Satilla, Editor in Chief, Gardenista


 "The goal in life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with nature."

                    - Joseph Campbell

"And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God."
 
                             -  Ecclesiastes 3:13

 And now a few words from the former Coordinator of Counseling Services for Undeclared Majors at Montclair State University:


Just days away from the eighth anniversary of the birth of the Second Chance, that moment when the heart was reborn, a flood of “coincidences” with common values at their core occurs.

Number one had returned to her work after a short “maternal leave’ only to labor longer than long hours and wondered if her dedication and diligence is recognized as she remains concerned if it is all worthwhile. Without a hint she is suddenly surprised by a nice token of appreciation. But, just as importantly someone from behind a curtain in her organization reaches out asking if she would consider a new and somewhat more responsible position. Somebody has a heart.

Meanwhile that same week number two has been having a tough go of things at her own work where every decision and action is a matter of life and death. Without any indication she too is surprised with a national recognition for her caring, dedication and compassion. Her heart fulfilled.

Then there is the pilgrim who encounters another old friend who echoes the invitation of his oldest companion to get back to where he once belonged. Suddenly he was on stage again wondering why he ever got off. “It’s not for the money,” he thought, “it’s the joy that matters”

And there was the news today of another suicide , this time friend of the extended family. It is said that they found a letter in his briefcase saying his services are no longer needed. A quiet prayer for his spirit and his family as the first one reflects, ”So sad, it is just a job.”


                                          Follow Your Bliss – Joseph Campbell
                                              https://youtu.be/QHBBplGmLbM

                                          
                                          Follow Your Dreams – Jim Messina

                                            https://youtu.be/HOMypivzLns



                                         Night Riders lament - Jerry Jeff Walker

                                                          https://youtu.be/FxyAv4trk_I


(From )The First Principle and Foundation - St. Ignatius


All the things in this world are gifts from God,

Presented to us so that we can know God more easily

and make a return of love more readily.

As a result, we appreciate and use all these gifts of God

Insofar as they help us to develop as loving persons.

But if any of these gifts become the center of our lives,

They displace God
And so hinder our growth toward our goal.


 
In everyday life, then, we must hold ourselves in balance

Before all of these created gifts insofar as we have a choice

And are not bound by some obligation.

We should not fix our desires on health or sickness,

Wealth or poverty, success or failure, a long life or a short one.

For everything has the potential of calling forth in us

A deeper response to our life in God.
  


 

                                                              
_______________________________________________________________________

Blog post written and posted July 31, 2015 - The Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola


amdg

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

Second Chance Dance
Copyright 2015 JF Sobecki LLC