Second Chance Dance: RW Emerson

Showing posts with label RW Emerson. Show all posts

Monday, December 1, 2025

Yin Yang Holiday

( Sometimes we need to recall why seasons need to repeat over and over.

It is good need to "remember to remember".)

Confronted by the ghost of Jacob Marley ,his former business partner

Scrooge observed Marley wearing weights and chains. The ghost said he earned

them in his life. Scrooge said “But, you were a good man of business.

The ghost replied “Business!Business! Mankind was my business.

The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance,

and benevolence, were all my business. The dealings of my trade

were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!”

- A Christmas Carole, C. Dickens

RELIGIOUS FANATICS ONLY :

-A Charlie Brown Story..... Charlie Brown asked Lucy why she was so happy.

Lucy explained how it was "Christmas" and explained further that this was the

time of year to "spread joy, caring, compassion, giving, peace and love."

Charlie Brown wondered to Lucy "Why do we do these things at "Christmastime"

and why can't we do these things and be that way all year round?"

Lucy yelled at Charlie Brown , "What are you some type of religious fanatic?"

- (Att: C. Schulz)

The Inspiration:

Feeling sorry himself - the imperfect pilgrim-

and the seeming lack of concern

for his holiday virus ,

he departs the family gathering wrapped in

self pity.

Disappointed with self and the situation

as three grandchildren ran hug him farewell and

wishing that he would feel better - one saying

" I hope to see you soon" ---

- his heart and soul awakened to gratitude.

Driving through the cloudy cold country

roads

he remembers words of the Obi-Wan:

"Unfortunately these end-of-the-year holiday

celebrations have become instrumental

to he grand scheme of marketers promoting

a fantasy of complete joy, peace and love,

regardless of one's personal experience.

Yes, we feel the need to be grateful, giving

love,

and to live peace...but that is not the reality

for most. Sadness and fear are often

the prevailing moods in the season of joy.

The hungry, the poor, the lonely,

the unemployed,

the homeless, the sick and those hoping that someday

the jobs of defending freedom will become

obsolete - are all real.

It is said that this time of year is an ending

with a grand beginning or birth.

As anyone can tell you the process

of birth is not always an easy one ."

The pilgrim bowed his head in humility and

a reconciliation needed ... as one heavenly light

guides his journey home.

-----

The Writing:

Yin Yang Holiday

No thing is static.

Sometimes times are good,

sometimes not so much.

Sometimes words are just right,

sometimes not so much.

Sometimes feelings perfect,

sometimes not so much.

Yet, the master says, "No mud , no lotus."

The darkness of the night of the soul

is said to be the beginning of the awakening.

The reminder that the raft is not the shore

helps us recall one that the process, the

practice, the beliefs

are not the goal .

Life is those moments , people and practices,

indicating a grace, a promise , a light --

... and visions surface--- new births:

the first night I met my missing piece ;

the blessing of arrival of our first childl;

and the angelic hymns proclaiming

joy to the world

at the birth of our second child

In a flash

the spirit restored - reborn.

The storms subside , a light shines, and

prayers commence -

.... they call this Advent.

- JF Sobecki

-----

Poetry (and such for your Contemplation)

(Please click on link below each picture to see video)

The Journey of the Magi - TS Eliot ( Read by Hugh Laurie)

https://youtu.be/qyas4QpWM-E?si=IJWe4bLW5bJKbVYp

Give All to Love - RW Emerson ( read by R. Armitage)

https://youtu.be/FrsTPdEWI84?si=_saTCwUNCVxSRxjC

----

Music: some unusual but hopefully

poignant choices for your reflection-

(Please click on link below each picture to see video)

Fairytale of New York - S. MacGowan ( performed at his funeral

https://youtu.be/6s8lvnSmISc?si=Q77jnzU0zIWA3ZxU

Running To Stand Still - Bono

https://youtu.be/8EAuep7vUdQ?si=HRAy2jvV_Arpmitw

Getting Ready For Christmas Day - P. Simon

https://youtu.be/DA81JjI40V0?si=B6rZ-FYOeISWMeNN

Do They Know It's Christmas - Band Aid

https://youtu.be/bjQzJAKxTrE?si=IItiNHEajZwVkQ89

Cry of a Tiny Babe - Bruce Cockburn

https://youtu.be/uq1PpZKMBl8?si=5n0x5R0MNBr756nw

-----

Coda: Something further for your contemplation

Best Seasonal Commercial

https://youtu.be/6PH88aAL7hU?si=z5tVVAXTkl-ls96y

The Night We Met - Lord Huron

https://youtu.be/KtlgYxa6BMU?si=vHByGOicPnmCc8q4

* 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 ( especially those

who cannot help themselves)

December Celebrations - 22 nd L Bday, 27th - C Bday & J/G -1st met,

28th - F Bday & 29th J/G - 1st Date

AMDG

Friday, September 1, 2023

Santosha and The Magnificence

Repeat when necessary...

The rich industrialist from the North was

horrified to find a Southern fisherman lying

lazily beside his boat, smoking a pipe.

"Why aren't you out fishing ?" said the

industrialist.

"Because I have caught enough fish for the day,"said

the fisherman.

"Why don't you catch some more?"

What would I would with it?"

"You could earn more money' was the reply. "With that you could have a motor fixed to on

your boat and go into deeper waters and catch more fish. Then you would make enough to buy

more nets. These would bring you more fish and more money. Soon you would have enough money to

own two boats ...maybe even a fleet of boats.Then you would be a rich man like me."

"What would I do then?"

"Then you could really enjoy life."

"What do you think I am doing right now?"

- The Song of The Bird, Anthony DeMello SJ

"The Purpose of life is not to be happy.It is to be useful , to be honorable , to

be compassionate , to have it make some difference that you have lived

and lived well."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Inspiration :

Labor Day articles indicate a current rise in unhappiness , stress and dissatisfaction with

life amongst the global population. There are lengthy analyses about the correlation

between work dissatisfaction and one's level of stress. What seems to complicate these

issues is how stress has become a primary indicator of various diseases ; including

cardiovascular disease and the longevity of ones life ( the more stress, the more likely

one is likely to develop physical anomalies and possibly end one's life earlier than

necessary) Though some statistics indicate some improvement, the overall trend

does not bode well for many. Consequently medical research has indicated

that the day and time of the week that has the highest percentage of heart attacks

in many working men is....Monday mornings ( just before heading off to work.)

https://news.gallup.com/poll/507725/global-rise-unhappiness-stalls.aspx

The Writing:

Santosha and The Magnificence

How many morning meditations on the ocean bathed beach

does a pilgrim need to nurture that nirvana

that seems to wave gently just off the shoreline

from that peace-filled pod of dolphins?

Is there anything that a pilgrim really needs

that constantly burns the flame of their desires?

"Satis" the choir sang in some ancient Latin chant.

"Sometimes you just get what you need" hymned

the consort's voices .

The contemplative Yogi suggests

genes of sentient beings are transcendental

pieces that of their ancestors , now

flourishing in the children of their children.

Asking his novitiates, "Is it not possible that the same is true concerning

the ever mysterious spark of that cosmic creator of the universe ;

the creator in all creation ? "

Seeds of love, seeds of peace, seeds of compassion and generosity-

living in every aspect ...coming and going...being ... sacred

proof of the access to the magnificence of santosha all-ways .

- JF Sobecki

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

The Poems and Such:

"Poetry is a gateway into intuitive consciousness. It knocks on the doors

of the heart and the heart opens"

- Mirabai Starr

"Poetry is an Act of Peace . Peace goes into the making of a poet

as flour goes into the making of bread."

- Pablo Neruda

" To see the world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower.'

- Wm. Blake

Fluent

I would like to live

Like the river flows

Carried by the surprise

Of it's own unfolding.

- John O'Donohue

I am Going to Start Living Like a Mystic

Today I am pulling on a green wool sweater

and walking across the park in a dark dusty snowfall.

The trees stand like twenty-seven prophets in a field,

each station is a pilgrimage--silent pondering.

Blue flakes of light falling across their bodies

are the ciphers of a secret , an occultation.

I will examine their leaves as pages in a text

and consider the bookish pigeons, students of winter.

I will kneel on the track of a vanquished squirrel

and stare into a blank pond for the forge of Sophia.

I shall begin scouring the sky for signs

as if my whole future were constellated upon it.

I will walk home alone with the deep alone,

a disciple of shadows , in praise of the mysteries.

- Edward Hirsch

_________________

The Music:

(Musical reflections on the inspiration)

Look Within - Poco

https://youtu.be/KqTAdyCRTaM?si=5wMy8nHPZ_4-_r_E

Wasted OnThe Way - Crosby, Stills and Nash

https://youtu.be/nWlEsta4xS8?si=ZqK-bcXwf_l2b6vB

Watching the Wheels - John Lennon

https://youtu.be/pTvbB4br1pA?si=Pfhpb8XuxVbxaJV2

Coda: For your listening/viewing pleasure if you desire:

What Makes a Good Life - Longevity Study( TED Talk) - R. Waldinger

https://youtu.be/8KkKuTCFvzI?si=_zQmnOyam4gNZwII

Field of Dreams - Is This Heaven? ( Final scene)

https://youtu.be/lXjz-M_6eN8?si=bkf6TXIzrsXqAymJ

Some Musical Pieces/Videos for Meditation For Readers:

Queries: What do you to "let go" "to be ?"

How do you find contentment/peace?

There is so Much Magnificence - S. Gold

https://youtu.be/vNHbGfjhH5I?si=_hbQ7iXABpStVX3I

Sri Angala Stotram( I Want To Know What Love is)- Krishna Das

( Read the translation on the video - listen through the end)

https://youtu.be/hl4dW30K1zU?si=SsEkxla2aPf6C7RN

Embryonic Journey - Jefferson Airplane

https://youtu.be/k6PsMeU4_9Y?si=Ds6cmGZehhOPZ95K

Happy Birthday G!

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

- Jack Kerouac

AMDG

New Blog - Rain and Rivers Revisited: A Journey of a Lost Weekend

Well you may recall I have been working on a piece of fiction for a while now. It is still a work in progress. However, I decided

to release drafts of the first few episodes ( chapters.) Much of the work is completed but I am always cutting and editing.

http://rainandriversrevisited.blogspot.com/

It is difficult to release just pieces at a time as they are created as independent episodes they are also all parts of a larger piece (and picture .) I could share more but I am curious to read or hear your feedback.

I want to thank those friends and supporters who have already provided feedback ...and of course all the folks who have been following my Second Chance Dance Blog ( by the way that will continue.)

The material in the Blog is all copyrighted and cannot be reproduced in any form. Though, I welcome you to share the link and this blog with others .So please when you have a few minutes take a read and let me know what you think. I expect to be posting a series of subsequent episodes shortly.

Thanks....

News of Death

(This is for Coach)

Last night they came with news of death
not knowing what I would say.
I wanted to say,"The green wind is running through the fields making the grass lie flat."
I wanted to say,"The apple blossom flakes like ash covering the orchard wall."
I wanted to say,"the fish float belly up in the slow stream,stepping stones to the dead."

They asked if I would sleep that night,
I said I did not know.
For this loss I could not speak,the tongue lay idle in a great darkness,the heart was strangely open,the moon had gone,and it was then when I said, "He is no longer here"
that the night put its arms around me
and all the white stars turned bitter with grief.
- David Whyte

What Work is

We stand in the rain in a long line

waiting at Ford Highland Park. For work.

You know what work is--if you're

old enough to read this you know what

work is, although you may not do it.

Forget you. This is about waiting,

shifting from one foot to another.

Feeling the light rain falling like mist

into your hair, blurring your vision

until you think you see your own brother

ahead of you, maybe ten places.

You rub your glasses with your fingers,

and of course it's someone else's brother,

narrower across the shoulders than

yours but with the same sad slouch, the grin

that does not hide the stubbornness,

the sad refusal to give in to

rain, to the hours wasted waiting,

to the knowledge that somewhere ahead

a man is waiting who will say, "No,

we're not hiring today," for any

reason he wants. You love your brother,

now suddenly you can hardly stand

the love flooding you for your brother,

who's not beside you or behind or

ahead because he's home trying to

sleep off a miserable night shift

at Cadillac so he can get up

before noon to study his German.

Works eight hours a night so he can sing

Wagner, the opera you hate most,

the worst music ever invented.

How long has it been since you told him

you loved him, held his wide shoulders,

opened your eyes wide and said those words,

and maybe kissed his cheek? You've never

done something so simple, so obvious,

not because you're too young or too dumb,

not because you're jealous or even mean

or incapable of crying in

the presence of another man, no,

just because you don't know what work is.

Philip Levine

On Marriage - Kahil Gibran

You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.

But let there be spaces in your togetherness,And let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another, but make not a bond of love:Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loafSing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.And stand together yet not too near together:For the pillars of the temple stand apart,And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

A favorite "Journey" poem from a favorite poet

The Journey

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could save.
-- Mary Oliver

Send or post one of your favorites! They can be lyrics to a song!

Playing For Change

Please see the current music video from "Playing for Change" at the bottom of this page. It is a movement. Enjoy!

"Playing for Change" is a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or ideological backgrounds, music has the universal power to transcend and unite us as one human race. And with this truth firmly fixed in our minds, we set out to share it with the world

Fall in Love

“Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in a love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the mornings, what you will do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.” --- Pedro Arrupe SJ