I Can Change Myself…REALLY!

I’m of a mind that nothing stands between me and what I want except for the fear it may not work or change things so drastically that I’ll be “sorry”…so I decided to change my perception.  I realized that the experience of trying and dealing with anything that could happen sure beats the feeling of never going for it and wishing that I did.  So now when I feel less than worthy, feel nervous, feel unsure, I transmute that energy and thinking to…What can I do to make this an opportunity for something I REALLY want!    This has gotten me through many things that I (and others) have perceived as devastating or situations that were hurtful at the time.  Another thing, for me that is important, is to give myself time to process these devastating, hurtful, unexpected changes (which come to everyone).  I changed myself and perceive the best outcome for everyone (myself included), this has never let me down.

Hope that makes sense and that in some way it can help you too!

I AM

I AM AS I UNDERSTAND.

Competition – How to know

Competition is competing against oneself whether the ego will let self see it or not…therefore, bad sportsmanship exemplifies the ego against itself and all its faults…good sportsmanship accepts that for today the best was the best….center reflects enjoyment/thankfulness of the competition for all that it is.

Coincidence or Divine?

If I hear the same things I’m thinking/pondering echo back to me through other people, dreams and current situations … coincidence or divine?

SHAFT!

Enough is enough!

Politicos et. al.

SHOW

THEM

THE

SHAFT!

Stop Hatemongering And Fingerpointing Today!

Happy Independence Day – Let Freedom Ring!

Would you please tell us something about you and your site?

My site is The Canvas Grey. (www.thecanvasgrey.wordpress.com) The name was inspired by a dream.  I believe I was healed by God and wanted to let as many people know for His Glory.  It is difficult to imagine that I could ever, ever talk about it enough or be thankful enough.  So I blog about my experiences, both success and failure, to help others who may find themselves needing more information, guidance or just a laugh.   

God is so great, so much more than we can understand.  I believe He is more than any religion or book and He can speak to each of us as individuals in ways that are completely unique to each of us.  His Greatness cannot be hidden or bound.

Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?
I haven’t thought much about whether I’ve grown as a writer or that it was important to me.  I mostly feel compelled to write about something and then set about doing it.  There is no doubt that some of my posts are inspired and they are easy to see; my journey of learning, plowing around the stump for examples.  I’m a deep thinker and when God gives me insight I want to share that for others to let God work through it if He desires to do so.

I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?
My memorable experiences are all about the inspiration and compelled writing plus the interaction with others.

What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?
Using the internet to get passed the two minute sound bites that the main media WANT us to see or hear.  I want to know in-depth information about past, present and plans for the future on all the political players.  I think the internet should remain uncensored and ungoverned to allow real freedom of speech and exchange of ideas.

Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?
I think more people feel free to express themselves and have a place to say what they want and exchange ideas, thoughts, experiences, etc.  I think more than that the internet provides a platform for anyone who can get to the internet to tell their story or a story they believe is important AND to tell it without edit or censorship.

What do you think sets Your site apart from others?
I am a unique individual that has much in common with other unique individuals.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?
Believing the best of intentions from others and yourself.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?
I speak of this in my Journey of Learning at my blog as they are both on the day I was healed.

Do you think [the use of Twitter and other social networking tools by politicians] is bandwagon jumping or what?
I have to say a direct YES to this question.  Unfortunately politicians seem to be nothing more than advertisers trying to grasp at every last pair of eyes and ears no matter what it takes or what avenue pop culture would have them travel.  That does NOT speak to me as “being a leader” but more as a follower of trends. 

If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for – what would your top 3 choices be?
Alaska, South America, Europe and the rest of the world, then the moon, planets, other galaxies and beyond.

What is your favorite book and why?
There is no way I could ever pick a favorite book or favorite anything.  How could I pick just one of anything when God has made/inspired so much.

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?
Their expression.

Is there anyone from your past that once told you you couldn’t write?
No.  I was told at a young age by a teacher that I wasn’t an artist.  But she was wrong.

How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?
I think others could answer this much better than I.

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?
If research is required or one keeps up a post a day (or more) then blogging can become time consuming.  I imagine the most successful blogs (that are more than pictures) are very time consuming as they must keep readers coming back AND attracting new readers.

What are your thoughts on corporate blogs and what do you think the biggest advantages and disadvantages are?
It would depend upon the size but by far the biggest advantages for corporate blogs would be communications…easy, fast, far reaching; the disadvantage would be cumbersome, too many responses or ideas or the need to dedicate one person to the blog.

What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world more friendlier and less hostile?
Communicating with each other expecting, projecting the best intentions.  I think we as human beings will find that no matter what part of the world we live in the we are more alike than different; to make a way in this world for our family and friends to be together and rejoice in our love for one another and God.  We share a marvelous place in the universe and it is a privilege to share it together.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers?
I really don’t mean to be obnoxious I just can’t pick favorites.  There are just too many favorites to list in just five. 

Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?
There are several but if you are interested to know which is the most read it would be about my experience in a multi-level-marketing company.  Closely followed by my experience discovering that depression and low iron (anemia) have very similar symptoms.

What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?
I have a perception of the country and then my experience of the people here in the United States.  Since most of the perceptions are via people who have agendas (the media, the politicians, etc.) I base my facts on my own interactions.  I must say that I’ve found people of/from Pakistan to be more like me than different.  I also must tell you that one of my doctors is from Pakistan.  He is a doctor who I can say truly listens to me, treats me with great kindness and respect.  I pray for him to be happy as he is truly a great man in my eyes.

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?
Twice I could use the word stunned to describe my reaction to reading a blog and been interested reading/trying to understand them/their writings more in depth.  Disgusted is a word I’ve experienced more often than stunned.  BY FAR I’ve had completely positive experiences in blogging and reading other blogs.

What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country?
The amount of food, clothing, shelter and ways to make a life for a family.

What is the future of blogging?
My guess is it will stay the same for quite some time.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?
There have been positive; expression, helping others, learning new things, connecting with others AND negative; some time away from family and other projects yet who doesn’t need a break every now and again?  🙂  Mostly I see the good of it when balanced.

What are your future plans?
To continue to seek what God has for me and my family because I know it is beyond my dreams, as He shows me consistently.  I plan to write more about that and to create a history of thought and pictures and understanding within my family, friends and others who touch my life as I touch their life.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
I can only see good from reaching out to one another in peace, understanding and our common bonds as people who are blessed to share the earth at the same time.  I believe that different cultures and diversity is a great thing in life.  We can  throw off hatred, apathy and indifference to enjoy one another.  Peace and happiness to you as you read.

Ringin IN 2010!

I’m looking forward to a great 2010! 

I’ve heard that from nearly everyone I’ve gotten email from, talked to and seen on FB.  The excitement in the air about 2010 is palpable. 

I can’t remember when …well, yes I can, I think many people were so worried about Y2K and working their butts off in 1999 to prevent “the unspeakable horrors” the clock turning to 2000 could bring that everyone was looking forward to the “end” of what nightmares COULD happen. 

Maybe that was the start of all this doom and end of the world talk that seems to dominate everything these days.  It is (of course) at the movies, in the news, on all my favorite channels, History, Discovery, Science; whether they are talking about Nostradamus, the Holy Bible, the Mayan calendar or other forseers they want to use to prove the “disaster looming” point. 

The positive lesson to take from all this is … MAYBE…  all we have is today.

Today is the PRESENT so maybe we should treat it like a GIFT and ENJOY!

Walking with God…He teaches me to…

Spend time in love!
Walk in GRACE!
Lead with compassion!
Follow with humility!

Escape and Release Your Gifts!

Please don’t be so hard on yourself, others aren’t (at least people that really matter)!

Most of us struggle with self-consciousness issues. We can’t let that stop us!

I could name several people (who aren’t so nice) that are successful and put themselves out there all the time on TV and film. And then there are really nice people who give uplifting information and try to help (aka Oprah, if that end of the spectrum helps).

Those who know us know what we look like and still like or love us for the people we ARE!

Look at everyone around you that speaks well of you. bending over backwards to do so at times.  There is a large positive ripple effect there, why not be the stone that causes the ripple.

If all anyone cared about was what a person looked like then yikes, we’d all be like Hollywood…ick…what a depressing world that would be.  Picking each other apart instead of building each other up or working together.

Focus and capitalize on your strengths and forget about (what you perceive as) weaknesses…everyone wins that way! Why? You win and the people around you win because you share with them your gifts instead of coddling them in self-consciousness.

Sending love and good thoughts, Debi

For Terror or Worse…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blBohrmyo-I

I don’t mind someone running my name through a computer to see if I’m a terrorist…a murderer… or anything else illegal…unless…it is illegal to speak out about something…long pause

But after reports that Google and many other search engines keep all data and searches… Facebook wanting to keep all my information even if I delete my stuff…Facebook actually deleting an unfavorable comment I made last week….finding those New World Order videos just the other day (out of the blue…NOT looking for them), the constant yakity yak about globalization and now a benign referral to this video…it really makes one pause and wonder…

WHERE EXACTLY ARE WE HEADED?

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE tech!  I think this is remarkable technology and can be used to all kinds of good.  If only we could trust one another, ah yes, the ever elusive Utopia.

Databases…data being held about you from the time of your birth, where you are, etc. have been in existence for a long time…HOWEVER…it is getting easier, more people are selling their “proverbial souls” for the love and greed of money or power… AND (it is a big and too) “we the people” are sleeping…soundly, passively in our peaceful little worlds…it has happened before… more than once… recently… I pray it doesn’t happen again.  Then I realize I live in reality.

I’m truly not trying to be a fear-monger, the media does that well enough.  However, it isn’t like I’m out there looking for this stuff.   It comes to me, I share what I believe I’m to share.  Peace, love and joy to you.

RAnDom ThOUgHt

Oh Tae…here is a thought:

 

The “ME” generation turned their kids into the “WE” socialist generation so the “ME” generation could do anything they wanted to do and then the “ME” generation would be taken care of by the “We” generation.

 

 

 

Letter to the President, Senate and all PoLITical Players

Dear Honorable Public Servants,

The changing of the guard has been noted.

Since you’ve been elected by ME; since you serve ME; I think it is about time you ANSWERED to ME!

 Are you lit?  Booze, smoke, drugs (legal or illegal)?

Why do you continue to bail out companies and the people who ran them instead of having them pay back the salaries that they didn’t earn when making bad decisions or supporting bad management or running a company into the ground and making too much money for the position they held in a company?

WHY am I paying taxes to help support businesses who have been run into the ground by greedy upper management and stock holders?

Why do I have to pay for it? 

 WHY? 

Is it because I’m a hard working American who pays over 1/4th of my income to taxes and I get NO SAY in what I’m taxed for?  I now have to pay for all the mistakes of people who make millions more in one year than I will ever see in my lifetime…and they walk away with NO CONSEQUENCES? 

WHY?

Why do we have to keep throwing money at it?  What ever, EVER happened to consequences?  Make the people who made the money and the mistakes PAY IT BACK in same!  Not jail time…money in fines and hold people ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS!!!!!   Just as I am holding YOU accountable for YOUR ACTIONS!   I AM WATCHING!  I AM LISTENING AND YOU WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BECAUSE I AM HOLDING YOU ACCOUNTABLE!  You know, ME/WE the PEOPLE!

Greed and Corruption…that is what you call  it.  Whacky accounting practices…that’s what you call it.  Over paying top management and the ever increasing stock dividend for greedy stockholders…that’s what you call it.  “Thinking out of the box” accounting and removing all concrete thinking skills to make ungodly salaries…WHO needs 20 million a year to live on and WHO IS WORTH THAT AND WHY… are they pooping gold? 

I will be holding YOU to the same principles I uphold myself; to be ACCOUNTABLE, RESPONSIBLE and accept CONSEQUENCES for better or worse.

And I’m just getting started…welcome to the world of CALLING YOUR BLUFF!  ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

With all DUE respect.

The Canvas Grey

Readers, please write your publicly elected officials and let them know that you hold them ACCOUNTABLE.  It is as easy as sending an email.

FIVE-YEAR-OLD DEMANDS TO KNOW WHO THE NEW PRESIDENT IS!

“Who is the new president?” 

“Voting is tomorrow.”

“WHO is the NEW presadent, Mom?”

“We go vote tomorrow and after that we will know.”

“When are we going to know who ‘it’ is?”

“Maybe late tomorrow evening, after you are in bed.”

“I need to know who the new president is because voting is important.”

“Yes, it is very important.  That is why Daddy and I take you with us when we go.”

“WHO IS THE NEW PRESDADENT?”

“We will know sometime on Wednesday, MAYBE.  That is all the information I can give you about when we will know who the new president will be, Young Son.”

“Well, I need to know who the new presadent is Mom.”

Ya know who this exchange reminded me of?  The media.

Hey Media, what does this mean…exactly?

It seems we’ve been upgrading computers and machines and downgrading our humanity and individuality for so long it is hard to spot until the finger is pointed at us.

Could any of us take the scrutiny that so many take in the media these days? 

From a mother disciplining her child in what she thought was private; to whether a FEMALE candidate should have her young family with her; to a mother so divided between so many duties, wife, mother, housekeeper, executive that she would forget her own newborn, these are ordinary people thrust into the limelight.  Being judged as if there was no humanity and that they should have never made a mistake or done that, shame on them.

Have you compared them with the Hollywood elite that all the media root for to do better, Brittany, Paris, Lindsey?  Seems they can make repeated mistakes, vowing to do something better with their lives and…well, you know the rest…they are rubber and we are glue.

Feel left out as an ordinary person?  What if it happened to you?  Which category would you fall into? 

It makes one wonder if “us worker bees” are being set up to work as computers with nary a mistake to be made and those that are deemed by the media as “queen bees” get passes for being “human.” 

Makes a difference as to how the media depits it all, doesn’t it?  Bias in the media?  Oh come on…they are all fair and balanced.

So which island will you land on?   THE ISLAND

FIRE THEM ALL!

I think it is OUTRAGEOUS what our government is doing and we might as well say we are socialists looking to become communists.  I think it is time for a revolution and I think that Ron Paul is the only sane thinking politician.  If government would just leave the market alone, it will correct itself…PERIOD.  They have created this false mountain, false economic boon and the ONLY way out is to tumble head over heals and let the world markets follow until it is corrected.  Otherwise we are rewarding criminals (who the hell needs $54 MILLION dollars a year salary, no one is worth that).  I saw it coming in the 1990s in compensation, greedy people at the top feeding greedy people and everyone around “had to” stay up to be competitive.  All the government (both sides) does any more is ramp it all up, pointing out each other’s posturing, and keeps what is really going on behind closed doors.  I used to think comedian George Carlin was exaggerating when he’d say that the US is “making the last round of the drain before it goes down,” now I think he was prophetic. Yank them all out and let the terms be only two four year terms, for president, for senate, for congress, for any political office!  FIRE THEM ALL!

Waves

What washes against your shore?

We send out waves every day, we also get hit by waves every day.

If money is stolen from a bank (doesn’t have to be a bank, it can be any large “this isn’t going to hurt anyone” place) and then the person who stole it buys some clothes for their family.  One wave washes over the owner of the clothing store in a positive way and then that money is used as it goes through a regular cycle of spending, investment, etc.  But what about the wave that is sent from stealing the money where does it go and what shore does it land on?

 

Ignorance is bliss to those who profit by it!

The title of this post has been my mantra for awhile.  I’ve decided to change it and wanted to share some thoughts on what I’ve learned from my old mantra.  It is my desire to keep you from stumbling on some of these like I did.

My take on the infomercial people:  they are hoping that a few million people will purchase their product, gadget, book, etc. and at $19.99 to $39.99 a pop, they will become at least a millionaire.  Forget the money back guarantee or the life time guarantee…got a Ginsu Knife you want to get replaced?  Good luck!  The refund/warranty is only as good as long as the company stays in business.  The sellers are betting (with good odds) that your item will collect dust before you’d go to the trouble of sending it back for a refund/use a warranty.

Beware of half-truths, for instance one of the infomercials running of late has a woman selling her method/book on property something or other.  The paid interviewer states something about her best selling book…cough, gasp, wheeze…emphasis should be on HER because it is the only book she’s ever sold, of course it is HER best seller. 

Even when the company/person you think you’d like to deal with has a great reputation…CHECK IT OUT FOR YOURSELF!  Deal with people your friends and neighbors have dealt with AFTER you’ve ALSO read the fine print, checked with the Better Business Bureau (and read the next paragraph).  I’d also check the internet and watch out for multi-level marketing, there are tons of them and more starting everyday.  Nothing wrong with offering a product but when you are supposed to get more people to sell it than purchase it from you…BEWARE!

Watch out for the bait and switch.  It has become very popular, even among people of “reputation.”   We were baited and switched by a friend of a friend AND THE “FRIEND” KNEW; she didn’t want to say anything/be involved in the transaction between us.  HUH?  Note to self: don’t confuse the word acquaintance with the word friend, no matter how friendly.  

Actions will always speak louder than words.  Start looking for the actions that are in direct conflict of the words.  Words must be backed up by past and/or present action or the words are only a promise/dream.  Notice how the media tell you not to put yourself in any danger but if you can get video or a picture of that tornado passing over your head, send ‘er in!  Then they play the video over and over and over at nausea with a small credit at the bottom of the screen.  Yep, THEY are looking out for YOU!

Now more than ever it is BUYER BEWARE!

The Church of Oprah

THE CHURCH OF OPRAH

If you haven’t seen this yet, it is worth a peek. 

I’m going to discuss the content of what Oprah and Tolle are talking about and the “new age” religion (and that is what it will become despite other intentions).

People who do so well for themselves in “this world” terms have a very difficult time dealing with it.  Winfrey has looked to Tolle (for now) because he is telling her what she wants to hear or believe…or feel (whatever term they want to use). 

It is difficult for people like Tolle and Winfrey to imagine that this in itself is ideology and easily could produce a “religion.”  They are searching and believe they’ve found the “answer” to it all.

My questions; What if an inner spirit wants to be negative, hurt people, hurt the people who support the church of Oprah for example.  Is that okay if the inner self wants to do negative works or negative things?  This is where it comes back to “I Universe” junk or new age “that I am in control of everything around me” and in my life.  WHAT? 

I’m sure we don’t all believe the same even if we all went to the same church, synagogue, temple, mosque, cathedral, etc.  Since we all have free-will and make a choice to either listen or ignore God then YES, we do make our own beds in many ways; however one cannot control the missed path of another who decides to drink and then drive their vehicle into an innocent.  THAT certainly didn’t get planned in most days; it is a consequence of an action.

Which brings me to something else…we are NOT machines.  It seems that scientists, physicists, mathematicians, even some physicians try to break humans down into these systematic beings.  Some I’ve heard think at some point we will be able to describe and explain everything through math and physics.  HAAAAAAAA!  Got to laugh at that one.  Because just when they get things so figured out…BAM!  They discover something they never saw or considered before. 

I’m all for trying to understand things and learning, discovering with awe and wonder, not with pompous, self-important, effacing purpose.

The truth is no one knows.  We believe we know, we feel we know, we think we know, we have faith but we don’t know.

OOPS!

I just found a new favorite place!  Post was changed…so it isn’t your eyes, it was me.

 Okay, I admit it….I didn’t scroll down far enough or look hard enough…ick. 

I saw some Coexist stickers and “Ask your doctor if medical advise from a TV is right for you.”  

That one got my attention and funny bone.

I had no idea of the political slant at the bottom

I still love the thought of being a peacemonger.

Just not from that direction. 

 PEACE!

 

 

Emails you just can’t resist sharing…

Thanks to my friend Deb who emailed me this recycling email.  This is funny, I don’t care who you are!

Due to the climate of political correctness now pervading America…. Kentuckians, Tennesseans and West Virginians will no longer be referred to as “HILLBILLIES” you must now refer to them as “APPALACHIAN-AMERICANS.”

Furthermore: 

She is not a “BABE” or a “CHICK” – She is a “BREASTED AMERICAN.”

She is not “EASY” – She is “HORIZONTALLY ACCESSIBLE.”

She is not a “DUMB BLONDE” – She is a “LIGHT-HAIRED DETOUR OFF THE INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY.”

She has not “BEEN AROUND” – She is a “PREVIOUSLY-ENJOYED COMPANION.”
She does not “NAG” – She becomes “VERBALLY REPETITIVE.”
She is not a “TWO-BIT HOOKER” – She is a “LOW COST PROVIDER.”

He does not have a “BEER GUT” – He has developed a “LIQUID GRAIN STORAGE FACILITY.”

He is not a “BAD DANCER” – He is “OVERLY CAUCASIAN.”
He does not “GET LOST ALL THE TIME” – He “INVESTIGATES ALTERNATIVE DESTINATIONS.”
He is not “BALDING” – He is in “FOLLICLE REGRESSION.”
He does not act like a “TOTAL ASS” – He develops a case of RECTAL-CRANIAL INVERSION.”

It’s not his “CRACK” you see hanging out of his pants – It’s “REAR CLEAVAGE.”

More funnies that Accountable posted on her site (I love the 80’s).