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| December
15, 1999 (Issue #38)
Hello, and welcome to the latest E-llusions! First, John and I wish you a very merry Christmas! There's no way to convey how we feel about all of you who have supported us in what we do. You let us know what you think, what you want, and you make it all worthwhile. One of our MoonShadow family, Joe Scholes, has allowed us to post a tribute he wrote to his father, who recently died of cancer. Joe's article is both touching and easy to read, and you can find it at http://www.mshadow.com/scholes.htm. Check it out and let us (and Joe) know what you think. We're still certain that you know someone who would like E-llusions but is not currently on our list. Send this to them. Get them to subscribe. If you're sure they won't mind, sign them up (but only if you're sure). The more the merrier. It's free, it's regular, and it's low in cholesterol. Here we go... **************************
Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.
If there is to be any peace, it will come through being, not having.
The present moment is a powerful goddess.
The best way to prepare for life is to begin to live. ************************** Snowflakes softly falling I bend to gently kiss you, I quietly unfold it It started just as always But as my eyes read on You asked if your friend Molly Then you asked dear Santa You saw a family on the news "And Santa, those four cookies that "Do you know that little bear I have "And as you fly your reindeer "There's one last thing before you go, I pulled the letter close to me; "And a little child shall lead them," ************************** I'm going to say something to you, and you might not like it. So many people have reacted so negatively to what I'm about to repeat here that several times I nearly swore never to say it again. It's made people mad at me; it's caused them to shun me; it's brought some to tears. Each time this happens, I'm truly surprised, because what I'm about to say is so simple and self-evident that it almost doesn't require saying. Okay, take a deep breath...here goes... You are in control of your life. Right now, at this moment, you're reacting in basically one of two Yes, true. You had no choice in these events. But you're still in control of your life. It works like this: In this moment, as you live this moment, as you experience this moment, you make a choice as to what to do with this moment, whether you recognize it or not. Even as the choice is being made, this moment passes into the next, and you just as quickly, just as silently, just as automatically make a choice as to what to do with this moment as well, and this happens with the next moment and the next and the next and the next... Your life is a long series of moments. Some are colored by blessings, some are highlighted by pleasure, some are tainted by tragedy. But in every moment, there is that choice: What do I do with this one? What does this mean, exactly? It means your life is a constant act of creation. It means that when something happens to you that you didn't ask for, you have the choice and the wherewithal to do what you want with it, do what you can with it, even if it's not much. Not much, after all, is still something. And you still have the choice to do something with that moment, that event, even when it seems so overwhelming and puts you in such despair and doubt that you perhaps wish you were never even born. When you stack all these defined moments on top of each other, moments in which you've used every opportunity to create, to learn, to move forward, then you have a wonderful life. If, though, your moments are spent feeling the weight of the pain, of feeling victimized by tragedies and inconveniences, then THAT series of moments defines a different life altogether, a life characterized by helplessness and fear. And this is why some people get angry. To say that you're in control of your life is, to some people, not liberating at all but a very frightening thought. It's another responsibility, another weight to bear - the biggest one of all. It represents the possibility of ultimate failure, because if you mess up the simple act of creating your own life, where do you go from there? But the real truth there is, there is no failure or success. There is only the process of living your life and the results you get. If things aren't going the way you want, you can stop at any time, regroup, and think differently. After all, if what you're doing isn't working, how hard can it be to stop? I mean, really? Happiness, you see, is not a goal or a destination you reach after If you believe in God, do you use the resources, skills, intelligence, It's your life. It's all up to you. And to me, that's not a frightening thing at all. It's about as close to real magic as you can get. The moment is always now, isn't it? ************************** His name is Bill. He has wild hair. He wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This is literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He is quiet, kind of esoteric, and very, very bright. Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started, so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat. The church is completely packed, and he can't find a place to sit. The minister stops talking. By now people are a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. Bill gets closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet. Although this is perfectly acceptable behavior at a college fellowship, this has never happened in this church before! The people are naturally very uncomfortable, and the tension in the air is thick. About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill. The deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. He is a godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he approaches this boy, everyone is thinking that you can't blame him for what he's going to do. How can you expect a man of his age and his background to understand some college kid on the floor? It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy. The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the cane. All eyes are focused on him, and there's not even a breath to hear. The minister stands silent, unable to continue his sermon until the Several gasp with surprise. The minister smiles and says to his congregation, "What I was about to preach, you may never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget. Be careful how you live. You may be the only bible some people will ever read." You may not attend church; you may not even believe in God. But be careful how you live. You're the expression of who you are. And you'll likely be the only one that some people ever encounter. ************************** Snow storm all weekend and 50 cms of snow! Angry winds howl all night, and the scattering flurries look dense under the mystical shimmer of the street lights. My deck has mini "snow hills." Everything is completely blanketed in pristine white. The pines with snow on them look like delicate brides in anticipation. As the winter quiet speaks to me, my thoughts begin drift. Storms are good for the soul. They speak to me of the infinite power beyond us and help to understand the bigger picture. As I watch the winds constantly blowing, I realize we have very little control over what happens in our lives. The only control we have is in our response to the events in our life. Life, I learn, is also something to be endured. The lesson is all around us in nature. Nature doesn't fight the changes; it merely transforms itself to remain in harmony with natural laws of universe. If I have the grace to open myself as much to the pain as to the joys of life, its complexities can become a wonderful tool of discoveries. Winter is a time for solitude to reflect and gather oneself. I am patient. Tiny little buds begin to emerge. The apparent dead branches start to show signs of life. Blue birds begin to chirp. Silent white winter melts into spring. Life has a renewed sense of hope and I am glad to have waited in anticipation. My patience is rewarded. Time to move on, carefully remembering the lessons of the season gone by. A time for the spirit, and I am pleased. Blooms everywhere, all the colors of the rainbow in every backyard and street. Everywhere I see bright faces and people smile more often. The hibernating energy bursts forward with determination. I smile to myself as I hop outside in my shorts and glad to be rid of the heavy coats. The summer evening breeze is balmy. As I ventilate my body and mind in the sun, I realize I enjoy the contrast; I love the change. It gives me a sense of life moving on and things happening. I am immensely glad to be part if it all. It's starting to get slightly cold again. I pull out the light jackets from the forgotten boxes. Riot of colors everywhere. The leaves are a fiery orange, yellow and red. Transformation so magical! It's a true testament of how cheerful life can be even near the apparent end. It's not over, only a continuance in a different state. I carefully pick an orange maple leaf walking along the streams. Holding it in my palm, I'm amazed at the metamorphosis of life. We hold something deep within us that is capable of so much beauty. My heart overflows. I shed tears of joy. Then the first flake begins to fall. The rest is history -- or perhaps history in the making. Paradoxically, it is both the constancy and the newness of life. As the coat hangers are full now, I feel a serenity that comes from the familiar and a certain strange excitement of the unpredictable. The cycle continues and I'm reassured. ************************** Every ten days we post a message to our website BBS that presents a provocative question. Whether we ask about your weaknesses or what you love the most, how you think we should honor the dead, how you define success and failure, or the place that religion has in our lives, we're interested in knowing what you think and have to share. Here's the latest PONDER THIS: Horace: I believe Christmas is a special occasion to honor the birth of Jesus Christ, and all the commercialism and merchandising offends me. Eugene: I believe Christmas is a special occasion to honor the birth of Jesus Christ, but I have no problem integrating other aspects of the holiday season. Carmelita: Irrespective of any religious stance, I think Christmas is a very magical time, and I take great pleasure in involving myself in all the trappings of it. Marquita: I think it's a great time to honor those we love the most, and I can't think of any greater pleasure than to seek out things that I know they'll appreciate, wrap them up, and give them to them, just to see the look of surprise and pleasure...and to know that *I* did that. Clarence: Personally, Christmas is one big pain in the ass, and I'd rather not deal with it too much. Juanita: Any occasion that brings people together, in spirit, religion, or for any other reason, is a good one and worthy in and of itself. I love Christmas. Ahem. What does Christmas mean to YOU? Post your thoughts and suggestions to http://www.mshadow.com/bboard. ************************** Comments or questions? Send them to E-llusions@mshadow.com! Visit us at http://www.mshadow.com. Swing by, post to the guestbook and bulletin board, and let us know what's on your mind. We have some very interesting links, some great reading, and showcases of our favorite books...all that and more at the MoonShadow Visions website! There's a lot of stuff up there, so be sure and browse around. The guestbook can be found at http://www.mshadow.com/guestboo.cfm. The bulletin board is at http://www.mshadow.com/bboard/. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 26652, Oklahoma City, OK 73126-0652. Our telephone number is (405)672-5722. If you care to write Lance or John directly, try Lance@mshadow.com or John@mshadow.com. The next E-llusions is due out on Christmas Day! We'll probably send it out the night before, but if not, it will come out December 26. Much love to everyone! "May you live all the days of your life." Subscribe to E-llusions? Click here and say "Count me in!" |