Contemplation of Blessings

This morning, while re-reading various emails to make sure I've checked things off of my list, I began reflecting on the practice by Rand Jenkins to put "Mahalo" at the end of his emails. And so, to start this reflection, I want to say aloha and mahalo to him for giving me a trigger to contemplate!

In reflecting the power of our words, the power of blessings and cursings that can be birthed by what we speak, the power of being connected to others, I realized “Mahalo” is so much bigger than just a “thank you” and “aloha” so much more than hello/goodbye/love. They are an acknowledgement of connection, of truly seeing another, of centered power.

I decided to dig a little bit online and see what Google-verse had to say. One of the pieces I read was the invocation of the divine (aloha) and giving of blessing (mahalo). Another had a question of “what do you say in response to ‘Mahalo’?” 

This made me realize that connecting more fully with the intent of the words is incredibly important. If/when someone says “mahalo” to me (it doesn’t happen all the time, but hey…I’ll be prepared!) if I hear and receive it as a blessing and acknowledgement of appreciation, I can respond with my own blessing of “mahalo” or even “aloha”.

In essence, it is also the center spark that is “Namaste”. It is the “Beauty Way”. It is the “Way of the Peaceful Warrior”. It is “Woman’s Way Red Lodge”. It is any and all of the philosophies of interconnectedness that connects us all to a common center.

So, I could also respond with any other wording that expresses my gratitude for their Be-ing and connecting with me.

And with that thought in mind, to anyone reading/sharing/connecting/contemplating this I say, “Blessings and thank you. Love and light to you. Aloha and Mahalo.”

Websites visited during this contemplation:

http://www.oocities.org/~olelo/shelties/mahalo-aloha.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahalo

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g28932-i36-k4968882-What_does_one_say_in_response_to_mahalo-Hawaii.html

People with Disabilities

People with Disabilities

I was recently asked what my background of working with people with disabilities.  I had an answer and shared various experiences.  Upon further reflection, though, I better understand my philosophy of "working with people with disabilities".

1. People are people.
2. People want connection to others.
3. Everyone has varying degrees of abilities and disabilities.  Some of the disabilities are federally recognized as needing special accommodations and some are ones that we have to figure out on our own.

If I take time to truly connect with another, I can learn to understand the other person.  I can learn how the other person accommodates their own disabilities.  I can share my own special needs. I can make a connection with another.  I can be a person.  I can be me.

Bobby Lee Byars, Jr. (8/24/1950 - 11/8/2012)

My Arizona Dad passed away on November 8, 2012.  This is the obituary that I had the honor to write for the newspaper notice. Thank you, Mom, Rae, Bobbie, & David for your input and edits. -gmh

Bobby Lee Byars, Jr., was born on August 24, 1950 in Wickenburg Arizona. He lived 22,723 days full of adventure. There wasn't much he didn't do.  He was a cowboy, paratrooper, lumberjack, construction worker, musician, truck driver, short order cook, warehouse worker, ferrier, pigeon wrangler, sawmill worker, exercise jockey/horse trainer, bull rider, forklift operator, pool shark, fisherman, taxi driver, actor, comedian, tour bus driver, landscaper, politician, community minister, humanitarian, artist, theologian, court clerk, coach, counselor,  adventurer, encourager, real estate salesman, visionary, believer, chaplain, story teller, shuttle driver, student of everything that he found interesting, gardener, scholar of life, deputy registrar, poll worker, philosopher, singer-song writer, child of God, dad, husband, grandpa, brother, son, and friend.

He was generous and compassionate.  Bobby loved people.  He never met a stranger and he never forgot a friend.  His heart was big enough to welcome anyone, and accept everyone. He didn't have much, because he didn't need much.  When he was given anything, he would promptly find someone who needed it more.  He was truly a public servant and genuinely wanted people to be happy. He inspired others to follow their passion and live life to the fullest. He loved his family, especially his grandchildren.

This amazing man will be missed by his Dad, Step-dad, Wife, 3 Brothers, 4 Children, 5 Grandchildren, Cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews and 6 billion wonderful friends.

Memorial Services are as follows:
Viewing:                  
Saturday: 5-7pm. at Lozano's Flagstaff Mortuary (4th St),
Sunday: 1-2pm. at Lamb of God Bible Church 2615 E7th. Ave

Funeral service:        
Sunday 2pm. at Lamb of God Bible Church

Graveside service:    
Monday 1pm. (with military honors) at Citizens' Cemetery.

*Donations to help cover costs incurred from his passing can be made to Arizona State Credit Union with "Bobby Byars" in the memo line.

To do list for today (9.10.12)

Be powerful. Be brilliant. Be gorgeous. Be talented. Be me.

Skeptical Mystic Applies for Hosting Position with SoulPancake

This is in response to this "casting call".  I've received an automated reply from the Casting Chancellor (which is an AWESOME title!)  I'll keep you updated on any developments.

GinaMarie Harris
Email: clevermoniker (at) gmail (dot) com
Cell: 928-xxx-xxx

Blogs:

• Random Ramblings of GinaMarie
• (Catchy Poetry Title)

Address:
xxx
Flagstaff, AZ 86001

GinaMarie Harris was born at a very early age.  She started reading Dr. Seuss books from the very beginning (although she occasionally likes reading them from the very end).  Her favorite Seuss character has always been the Cat and she is absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to share in the catty-antics.  Contrary to what her father always teased her (that she was found sitting on a fence post) she is proud to say that she comes from a long line of people who have had children and she will always be a child at heart. (Bio from latest production program.)

I have:

• Valid AZ Driver's License (and a car that should be paid off in November 2012)
• Valid U.S. Passport
• No pets
• Hep B vaccination, tetanus shot within the last 10 years
• An interesting way of looking at the world
• See FaceBook Photo Albums: http://www.facebook.com/#!/Clevermoniker/photos
• All of my unenhanced original body parts (minus baby teeth and wisdom teeth…the Tooth Fairy was relentless)
• A goofy sense of humor
• An insatiable desire to make the world a better place
• Ran various races:
• PF Chang’s Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon
• Imogene Pass Run
• Bisbee 1000
• Tough Mudder
• Ability to get to Los Angeles in 3 different ways:
• Flying
• Driving
• Amtrak

Most radical political idea:

What if a “high up candidate” told the public, “I’m no longer accepting contributions.  Instead of donating to me, I want you to donate to organizations and causes in your community.  Take the money that I would have used to make one more attack ad and do something that makes your community a better place.”  I think, if a candidate did this, it would freak people out!  And it would truly be stepping out of the political arena.

Some of the things in my community I am involved in:

• Made in the Shade Beer Tasting Festival (Fund raising for SunSounds of Arizona) 
• Theatrical Productions (most recently cast as Cat in the Hat in Seussical the Musical produced by Flagstaff Youth Theater)
• Drumming into the Seasons (community building alliance)
• Cross-Cultural Dance Resources Symposiums

Who I would love to interview:

• Neil deGrasse Tyson
• Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
• Dr. Joann W. Kealiinohomoku (Dance Ethnologist & amazing woman)
• Elsie I. Dunin (Dance Ethnologist & amazing woman)
• Steve Conrad (Swing Dancer, Director of Development for Lodestar Day Resource Center)
• People who like to laugh
• (Added at time of this blog posting)
• My grandparents
• Lamberts
• Johnston
• Byars
• My parents
• Cheryl
• Bobby
• Jacob
• My Siblings
• (Added 8/8/12)
• George Breed (interesting Flagstaffian character/philosopher/photographer) 
• Magic Molly (the name says it all!)
• People who like to contemplate life's big (and little) questions

Who is GinaMarie?

(written 6/28/12...as part of my continued desire to understand myself, Life, the Universe, & everything...)

GinaMarie is a person who tries to be in touch with the Universe around her.  She finds beauty in the world around her…in every person around her.

GinaMarie wants to make the world a better place.

GinaMarie is smart and likes learning new things.  She has a knack for processing things and repeating them in such a way that others can understand.

GinaMarie used to be incredibly emotional about everything.  Not so much now.  It depends. 

GinaMarie is a lover, a friend, a confidant, a big-picture/small detail type of person.

GinaMarie can be very organized…almost to the point of OCD, but can also be unorganized…almost to the point of hoarder.

GinaMarie is a dreamer.

GinaMarie is mostly optimistic. 

GinaMarie can be a procrastinator.

GinaMarie is a goofball and loves jokes.

GinaMarie can be a prankster.

GinaMarie can stand on her own when she needs to.

GinaMarie accepts and asks for help when she has to.

GinaMarie is quick to laugh often.  She is quick to cry, sometimes.

GinaMarie is a student of tradition, but loves innovation, newness, improvements on a system.

GinaMarie is an atheist on a good day, agnostic on a bad one.

GinaMarie is an artist, a dancer, a writer, a singer, a juggler, a culinary experimenter…but not really a sewer.  She can mend things, but hasn’t really pursued MAKING things by sewing.

GinaMarie can be a thoughtful, adventurous lover.  She can also be “non-interested” (or “take-it-or-leave-it”).  It depends on the timing.

GinaMarie is one of the most amazing people the world may never know.

Thank you for your consideration of me as a host for SoulPancake.

References, resume, and other random riff-raff available by request.

:)

GinaMarie Harris

"Life is too short to take for granted.  Life is too important to take too seriously!"

Misery has enough company.  Dare to be happy.

Power starts when you strike the proper balance.
                           --Luis Alberto Urrea

You'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try.
                          --Dolly Parton

Walking the Spiral Path

Walking the Spiral Path:

This is just a sharing of some of the ponderings I’ve been having while walking & meditating on my own spiral. 

If I do not walk the spiral, the spiral will walk me. 

That’s not saying there shouldn’t be time of stillness & introspection.  That’s just saying to remember to MOVE and follow where I am supposed to go. 

As I breathe along the spiral path, I will become more aware of where I am.  I will be able to do what needs to be done.  I will be able to move where I need to go.  I may have to run across the spiral to chase a piece of paper, but I can always come back to the turning.  I may decide to “cut trail” and cut across the spiral, but I will get to where I’m going and I can always come back to the meditation. 

I can pick up the lessons I need to learn—and am able to learn—on this pass.  If I can’t take them with me at this point in time, they’ll be there the next time I come this way. 

In the same regard, if I find myself along a similar point in the spiral, I need to assess and figure out what it was that I didn’t learn the first time.  I have the ability to change…or not.  It’s up to me.  But, if I choose to not change (when I probably should) the spiral will keep returning me until I do.

I am choosing to walk the spiral.   

Coming Out--Atheist Christian

12/22/11—Atheist Christian

I am a christian by upbringing, atheist by choice.

I was one of the militant religious who believed that it was my duty to make sure the entire world heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  For the most part, I did it out of truly wanting to help people.  I really believed that God would help people and change their lives.  And I saw it happen.  I saw people in dire situations “give their lives to God” and have peace and help in times of trouble. 

Yet, at the same time, I never asked God to “prove that He was real”.  And only recently, I realized it was because I was afraid that I wouldn’t get an answer.  Actually, I *knew* I wouldn’t get an answer. 

So, I’m having to re-evaluate my time as a Christian.  How much was based on fear?  How much was based on faith?  How much was just general naïveté?  How much was my need for connection with something outside of myself?

Since deciding that I’m an atheist, I’ve seen many in that circle who are rather militant about their atheism.  On one hand, I understand their desire to educate the entire world; to “convert” people to rationality.  I won’t be able to be one of them.  I chose to not be a Christian because I didn’t agree with the path of “it’s my job to save the world”.  AND because I find critical thinking, rationality and reasoning way more interesting and uplifting.  I’ll share my views with people who are interested, but I am not on a mission to change their thought patterns.  I’ll give my reasoning and encourage them to look beyond their own little pea brain, but, they will have to come to their own conclusions and convictions.  If they are wrong, irrational and foolish, I can’t control that.  All I can control and be responsible for is my own actions.

When I chose to be an atheist, I realized that THEN I could be “good for goodness sake”.  Not out of love of some unseen entity.  Not out of fear of hell-fire and eternal damnation.  Not out sense of duty or responsibility to a greater reward when I died.  I care for my fellow human beings, for my community, for the world we live in because I want to make a better world for the future.  I want those who come after me to be able to build upon what I have done (not have to tear it all down and start all over.) 

My parents are still Christians.  I don’t try and change their minds or convert them to my view of the world.  At first, I would debate with them about the existence of hell (that was what started my journey into atheism).  And try and get them to see how much better it was to know there wasn’t a hell!  There is no changing their mind.  So, when I took the final step into full-fledged atheism, I knew there would be no discussion with them.  But, I’m okay with that.  I don’t want to change who they are.  They are the two Christians in my life who have CONSISTANTLY lived what they preached: care for others less fortunate, love others, feed the hungry, house the indigent.  I will not insist that their surety of why they do what they do match mine.  They, in their way, are working to make the world a better place. 

Do I wish they would be able to put down the fear that I know is in the back of their mind?  Yes, of course I do.  But, I know that it would change their entire world view and I don’t know how they would handle that.  Imagine the “there’s no Santa” stories if the child believed it for 60+ years and THEN found out?  I will not be that life-shattering person.

Funny thing, to me…I never believed in Santa.  I was 3 and asked my mom if there was a Santa.  She replied, “What do you think?”  I replied, “I think those presents from Santa are from Grandma Lambert.”  She told me I was right and I never believed in Santa.  How is it that I believed in God for so long, though?

I do still think that everything in the universe is connected. 

Do I think there is a benevolent being that watches over us and cares about what happens in our lives?  No.  Do I think that there is a vengeful being that will punish anyone who doesn’t accept his way of continuing life & into the afterlife?  No.  Do I believe that people are gullible?  Yes.  Do I believe that people need some connection with community or “other” outside of themselves?  Yes. 

I do still think that everything in the universe is connected at some level.  I’ve seen too many “miracles” and healings to think that there is NOTHING anywhere. 

But I think there are rational reasons for those things and I look forward to the day they can be explained. 

I may never hear the explanations, but I still anticipate the day that we understand.