Related Reading:
Graced! :)

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. 

     Particularly with regards to my previous thoughts - where I wrote about the idea of inflicted injuries, that are acclaimed to be from the self, from others, and also from the many societal factors that one incurs. We are in the midst of discussing injury and what has been done, inflicted upon us, systemic constraints, and also assistance. We see systems in turmoil and wanting to help. The turmoil really does stem from who is desired to be helped more or less, and also from the points of human nature. What is genuine care, assistance and also authentic. We can think about this until our brain rots, but the fact is that inequality, even whilst possessing an injury exists. But my intention here is not to utter the negative stance, although it is necessary when we think about the idea of reform.

     What if we were to think of the idea of inflicted injury to inflicted healing? Where there was no deceit, vicious or evil intentions to ones care, regardless of what it was or not? Where care was thought about as genuine, authentic, to try the very best to reform and rehabilitate humanity, whatever the issue? Because the truth is that human beings are imperfect beings, but the imperfection does not mean that one cannot strive for excellence. Sometimes perfect relationships are not what people / professionals deem as the societal norm, but that does not mean to say that they are either labelled as right or wrong. Inflictous healing in terms of relationships is thinking about what is best for all the parties involved, even if it not what one had imagined, thought about. Reciprocity reveals what could be. Acceptance paves a way. Time solves.    

My thoughts to share with love & Kindness! :) 

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on April 29th, 2019.
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As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

     I thought much about the risen spirit, and how the belief states that Jesus suffered for the sake of humanity. Jesus bore the sins of humanity, so that humans could live and feel free from sin. I wondered how this belief could fit in our modern society, where one is constantly blamed, attacked, and even found at fault, through the very creation that one has been created in the form of. Of course we really should never fall victim to the judgment of others. If we go back to the idea of human creation, through the Godly lens - can we really say that God made an error? Whilst human imperfection is very real - in the eyes of God, imperfection is actually perfection; because it paves ways for us humans to improve the self. In a sense a simple room for improvement. The constants, constraints, allowing or not, should also be viewed from this lens, because they are also acting as push / pull factors. That allow us to strive for the purposes of survival. Those who are blessed with more are not necessarily free from challenges, as compared to those who are battling the many constraints.

​     But for the purpose of this writing, is also to go back to the initial idea of sin. Which is where we can think from the standpoint of God at the micro, macro, individual and societal standpoint. A sin or an act that is largely disapproved by society, can be an act or behavior created at the individual level, but this regardless of labelled right / wrong, must be embraced at the societal level, if one is to ensure rehabilitation or reform. But we could even go back further from the post where an act or behavior was even committed - maybe injurious to the self, such as self-harm or that to others. A behaviour, even whilst it is thought to be produced be the self, really never is. It is always the result, a response to some sort of past or present infliction that was put upon the individual or individuals. 

​     We can even think in terms of one's initial reaction, like or dislike to something. Our automatic response is derived from what we like or dislike. But to produce a more thoughtful response, one must be able to leap from the automatic, to truly embrace the idea of - embracing the human form at the level of spirit, source, or through the lens of God. This is never easy in a society where there are systemic structures that are limiting, but also assisting. The first step is to always understand that even a behaviour, whilst perceived an act from the individual, never really is. As a society we are all responsible for what we embrace and even disregard. We are all responsible for a healthy humanity and environment. This neither never entails a blame. These ideas simply suggest: just to have faith, to be genuine, loving and caring to those who you encounter, even if one desires to be helped or not. Sometimes silence is preferred, and sometimes intervention.

My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :)

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on April 26th, 2019.
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At the request of Pope Francis I also lit candles on Easter Day to commemorate the loss of innocent lives, and to also keep hope and faith alive. Regardless of religion or faith this is a human loss, a targeted attack which I condemn.

The joining of celebration from the three Abrahamic religions revealed the links between:

*Judaism - Sabbah
*Christianity - Easter Sunday
* Islam - Mid-Shaban

I wondered how happy the patriotic father might be to see the three faiths celebrating their various celebrations together, at the same time. But with the attacks in Sri Lanka, I imagined the father. How could he be happy when some are celebrating, and others are crying?

My thoughts to share with love & kindness. 

    I would like to take the time to thank world religious leaders, particularly those of the Catholic faith who work tirelessly for the vision, mission of God. Easter is both a time of great sadness and joy. Which ends or we could even say begins with a celebration. There was pain with the fire that took place at the Notre Dame, Catholic Cathedral in France. And also the deadly attacks that took place in churches and hotels on Easter Day in Sri Lanka. These events are a present day testimony with regards to the attacks upon Christianity. 

     Practised at the national and international levels, we are once again caused to ask about the quest for religious freedom. Where it is no longer a minority faith being attacked, but majority. Seeing the many worshippers / believers attending Easter gatherings to celebrate Christ's risen spirit, we see how faith is never altered as terror strikes. Terrorism has no room in any religion.

    With love and prayer to the victims, and all who suffered in France and Sri Lanka. And to all who kept their spirts high even with the occurrence of these events, thank you for keeping for your service. God Bless You! 

My thoughts to share with love & Kindness.

Related Readings:
Embody Faith
Catholic Unity
A Contribution
Biblical Truths
Commemoration.
Adoration

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

     As I previously shared this period of my life has been challenging in terms of health, managing pain, and trying to understand what is happening. With the many hospital visits and doctor appointments, I began to observe the systemic inequalities that are embedded in the healthcare system. But I continued to utilize the services because I knew that the physical aspects, that were connected to the psychological needed to be attended to. Whilst I remain somewhat dis-satisfied with my encounters, and getting answers from doctors such as "I don't know." The question of health is about making a sound judgment, and to carry out tests for confirmations - but what happens when an "I don't know" gets turned away and sent home? Does one simply stop caring because no one cared enough, to try to understand what was happening in your body? Like I wrote earlier, health matters, and you have the right to life and to live as healthy as possible. So alternatives were utilized with the help of physical therapy which I am deeply grateful for. When someone has genuinely tried their best to care for you - then that must be acknowledged. 

     But my health journey has taken me through the asking of many other questions, especially because of the limiting of physical mobility, which was new and added additional challenges, as well as emotional. From not being able to walk a complete step, I can now make the movement of taking full steps. I was always interested in mental health, caring for the brain, and how this care affects at the internal and external levels. I was / am well versed with the tool of knowledge, therapeutic art, to allow for the release of emotion, to assist and care for the brain. But the physical aspect also revealed how physical functioning of the body and limitations are also additional stressors for the body, adding to the psychological well-being. This experience led me to think about bodily healing, which is more that taking care of the body, it is also taking care of the soul, spirit. The body and the soul work interchangeably. The body needs the soul. The soul needs the body.

​     The Journey led me to think in terms of spirituality and one's belief. Where I decided to actively take part in the Easter Holy Week, vigil's and mass. I thought about much of the pain and suffering of Jesus, the endurance of pain, his life and death. This reflective period encouraged me, anchored me with hope, because in physical death, one's was raised in spirit. In the same sense and as we grow through our journey of life; we maybe living with a health condition, or have just encountered a temporary ailment. This could be viewed as a type of living death, but really it is an opportunity to be re-born, a re-birth to reveal how one will practice loving healing to one's body and soul. Disease, illness, temporary and permanent does not leave a person unchanged. Throughout the experience a reflective state allows us to think about what the experience has done to us? How is it shaping us from within, almost acting as an internal engineer.  

My thoughts to share with love & Kindness! :) 

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on April 21st, 2019.
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As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

​    When it comes to the topic of religion, worship or spirituality, I believe and normally write from an all encompassing vision, where everyone, regardless of religion, "race", or ethnic background, one should be allowed to practice their faith or belief. This is why we have the institutional structures in place that are called for religious freedom. Whilst I continue to hold an all-encompassing vision, I also think that one should not be forced or coerced, to a particular way. But this also means that one who does hold an all-encompassing vision, mission, must be allowed to believe what they themselves call religion and faith. 

    This is also where I recently reflected upon the story of Jesus. Which should be shared, maintained, and preserved for present and future generations. But we do live in times where Christianity itself is under attack. An attack upon belief at present day. This made me think about history, and how throughout history Christianity and World religions have suffered attack, with claims of one as right or the other as wrong. Even the crucifixion itself reveals an attack on the message and words of Jesus - the Messiah. What he himself wanted to share, leading to what we could call his physical death. 

Furthermore we can critically reflect on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, because Jesus was sent for the people of Israel. The Jewish people. He was one of their own. Jesus was yours. In the midst of chaos, lies and betrayal, he told the truth, and kept on telling the truth. What more can one do or utter when the truth is not enough? 

     In his pain he felt gain, as he became closer to God. Whilst the divisions and claims over who is right or wrong continue; especially with a reference to the there major religions of Judaism, Christianity, And Islam - all linked with the patriotic father, Abraham. Yet this link, where does it stand today? Can this link be a binding force? So that there is no utterance of who is right and wrong, but an allowance to allow each other to practice, believe and have faith in ones own religion - without holding hostility for one another? Because if you think about it, this is exactly what the prophets of each faith desired. And even in the midst of disagreements, there is no denying the common links.

My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :)

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand written on April 19th, 2019.
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Related Readings:
Embody Faith
Catholic Unity
A Contribution
Biblical Truths

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. 

     As it is a commemorative and reflective time, I wondered about the commemorations of the crucifixion of Jesus all over the world. The rituals and re-telling of this actual event, vary from region to region, depending upon cultural customs and the variation of Christianity. But what unites the differences is what the actual commemorations are actually commemorating. But it is also an evocation of feeling, and a time to reflect. We can think that throughout history, how story tellers such as Shakespeare or philosophers such as: Socrates and Plato. They would tell the truths through story, dialogue and performance. Of course the stories were to have an effect upon the listener or the audience, but we have to take the effects a step further, all cases even with the Crucifixion, Resurrection, Easter celebrations and the birth. To think about how the events we witness at present day have an effect at the internal level, because it is the very emotion that propels and guides to continue to restore and maintain biblical stories, or the stories of any faith. We often forget that a physical display is an evocation for the internal - our human being, soul and spirit. When the senses are awakened, we can only begin to summon the desire to keep faith alive - keep belief alive. Because truly the physical commemorations must be aquatic of this. To create a lasting impression within hearts, mind, soul, spirit, and ultimately the body.  

My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :)

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand written on April 19th, 2019.
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As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

     On April 15th a world cultural heritage site was struck with fire. The Notre Dame Catholic Cathedral in France. This site is a place of worship for Catholic Christians, as well as welcoming all who desire to take part in religious service. The site also extends beyond that of a place of worship, being a historical piece of architecture, a landmark, and even a local, national and international tourist attraction, that boosts the economy, and helps to maintain the site as well. The devastating fire was a cause for concern, as religious relics that are held precious to not only Catholic Christians, but also Christians around the world were subject to destruction. We could also include world religions who believe in Jesus. As Jesus' life, his living example is significant for Christians and Muslims as well. But I think the fire, which of course we wish could be reversed, also serves as a teaching mechanism.

     Sometimes love, or love for the sake of God teaches in opposites. Maybe the breakdown that many felt in France, and around the world reveals that. Whilst the Catholic Church is significant and thought of as the core for Rome, Italy, led by Pope Francis, the Vatican, and disciples around the world, we come to realize that there are sacred sites such as these, all over Europe, with the inclusion of Jerusalem, Israel. So whilst politicians, religious leaders as the macro level argue, commit or constrain relations based on foreign relations and allies. We can ask that really when it comes to religion and God, can we really constrain and confine at the level of national borders? As there is history to be preserved that extends beyond the concepts of allies, foreign relations, partnerships, or a specific form of Christianity. 

     If you think about it - isn't the history of Jesus' life precious to all forms of Christianity? So whilst the blaze struck, and parts of the cathedral were saved, we can take the time to reflect upon this symbol and wonder how it should serve to unite religious division within Christianity itself, and for all who believe and value the preservation of culture. In this case historical architecture and religious pieces. Whilst no one truly wishes to suffer for the sake of learning inclusion or religious inclusion; maybe the human itself or collective forms of mourning are needed to truly understand what is really important. In this case we can say that Jesus himself has once again suffered, to teach humans a lesson. Maybe it is also a time to realize the divisions that are also caused by politics, political leaders, and religious affiliations. Whilst the monetary response / donations from organizations is probably very much appreciated, we are called to once again ask and think about the human nature, human suffering that exists from systemic creations as well as countries around the world, and wonder why are humans left to suffer, and deteriorate even in a state of belief and worship. 

My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :) 

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand written on April 17th, 2019. 
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Related Readings:
Embody Faith
Catholic Unity
A Contribution

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. 

     Easter is considered a very sacred time for anyone who believes in Jesus the Christ, the Son, the Father, the Messiah. It is a time of remembrance, the great suffering and pain he endured, for the sake of spreading the message of One God. Not only that, but the message of love. To love one another. Within our differences and similarities for the sake of God. Whilst even in a state of persecution, Jesus in the physical realm, in the intense suffering sought to offer good words, advice, knowing that after his crucifixion his own people would also suffer. The suffering and who were the cause of his suffering, were the Jews and the Romans, where Jesus was nailed to a wooden cross and forced to wear a crown of thorns. Just thinking about this type of persecution makes me shiver, and think about our own slight pain - even with a tiny prick of the finger we feel uneasy. Jesus bore intense pain. 

     Today as the stories are told to keep the faith of Jesus alive, as well as to share history, it might seem as though Christians, or any who believe in the Messiah are not spreading anti-semitism, or haters for the Jewish people. But this should not be regarded the case. Nor would I think that Jesus himself would have agreed for his story to be shared with vile intentions, but it is a biblical story of truth and should be preserved. Where people of faith should be able to remember crucifixion - and also the resurrection as a time of celebration, where the spirit of Jesus did indeed rise from the dead. 

     I was inclined to write about this, especially with the observation of Washington politics. Where at a time where a nation states and symbolizes "In God We Trust." President Trump invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House. His actions and timing once again reveal the duality of "In God We Trust," and the Trump administrations constant need for the re-assurance to Israel and the Jewish people.

   The message and story of Jesus is not one to promote anti-semitism, but rather to tell the truth. Whilst there has been much efforts to ensure, reduce and eliminate anti-semitism, we can also think about how the Jewish people / communities could develop relations with Christians to promote unity, or even modern day forms of forgiveness from Christ, through the Christian belief systems that are in place today. 

     Everyone should be allowed to share the story and history of a religious belief without feeling a fear, that there are dual intentions, or to promote anti-semitism. Christian faith leaders have a duty to keep the faith alive, with purity, honesty, and true intentions. Sometimes that might cause unsettling tension between other faiths, activists or groups. God to this day is inviting. God wants you to hear his story, so that maybe your hearts will open to him. The least political and religious leaders of difference can do is respect the Biblical truths, and allow the story of Jesus to be told.  

​My thoughts to share with love & Kindness! :) 
Notes: These thoughts were originally hand written on April 12th, 2019.
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