Monday, February 20, 2006

BEWARE: A Riddle - for those that dare.


BE FOREWARNED: This riddle was devised by me and is so simple, a child has gotten the answer...yet so difficult, ONLY a child has gotten the answer. 

It is a poem I generally recite entitled; "The Poets Words" and at the end of the poem I ask a question about "The Poets Words"

However, since you will be reading it you will be on the HONOUR system, (honest honour, not political honour), and NOT re-read it once you're finished and read the question.

The Poets Words

Gather 'round my friends
To hear the poets words.

Plucked from the whispers on the wind.
Pulled from the far recesses of the psyche.
Drawn from the very fibres of the paper.
Carefully crafted are the poets words.

Painting images in our minds.
Stirring emotions in our hearts.
Sending shivers down our spines.
Touching our very souls.
Are the poets words.

And yet who is this poet
That stands before us
Knocking on the doors
Of our hearts to let him in.

Why does he look so
This poet who says;
"Delusions have no substance
But dreams are attainable."

From where does this poet come
This poet who deems;
"The one that knows their worth,
Is worth what they know."

What does he desire, this poet
Who wonders; "when a man learns to walk
Do we continue to make him crawl
Or do we teach him to fly."

This poet,
Whose words seem to be ours
Even as he speaks them.

This poet,
Who's merely the tool
We use to emote.

So, we hear the words of
Without really listening to
This poet.

Whose secrets read between the lines
Whose heart bleeds into every phrase
Whose passions rage throughout his speech.
Whose soul screams to be heard

And as we walk away
        as we walk away
            we walk away
With only these questions
Garnering our attention.

So I,
The poet
Retrieve my floating messages
For the point becomes mute.
Because already forgotten
And now lost to you
Are the poets words.



And the QUESTION is...without re-reading it...within that poem,  

the Poet actually says something (hint);

Q: "What are 'The Poets Words'?"
(email me with your answers and I'll tell you if you are correct...don't post it)
ancientclown@yahoo.com

Introduction

I AM, known by many names across many lands and recognized by all of GOD's children, though it is not me that they see, but He that is within me.  
I AM, not here to be served, but to serve.
I AM, not the example to follow, but the inspiration to follow the example.
Please bare in mind, this has been written for a wide range of peoples from different places and cultures...it is not for you alone...it is to be shared. It is purposely layered in information that is TOO much for most people to get all at once...this may take a few visits. If you are fluent in any other language and could provide an ACCURATE and IN DEPTH translation into that language then please e-mail me.

Within here is advanced knowledge in poetic layman's terms accumulated since leaving the world of man. Within here there are profound answers shared by the wind. While it is not for everyone all at once, there is something for everyone...and though it will not be clear to all at once... over time, and with study, it will all at once become clear.

Instead of asking; "Who do I think I am that I have something to teach you", perhaps you might ask yourself; "Who do you think you are that you have nothing left to learn."

There is no offer to buy anything from me, nor to sell anything for me...only the offer of ideas...It is sent with Hope, Faith & Love in search of those who understand...it is a "Poetic Idea"...a work in progress...Please understand, I don't think I know...I just know I'm thinking...When the students are ready the master will appear.

(My birth card)

Justice:
The achievement of balance and inner harmony after a great trial. Agreements, contracts, or treaties concluded justly. Things set to rights. Karma restored. A turn for the better in legal matters.

(My Name Rune)

Algiz: can be easily recognized as the antlers of the elk that it represents. The elk can represent victory, but is much more appropriately associated with the thrill of the hunt itself. This rune therefore can portend vigor and success in active endeavors. Also, this rune seems symbolic of a hand with outstretched fingers - a protective hand. This hand may suggest that you will be shielded from things negative - the problems still exist, you are spared the brunt of their force. 
 
Lime Tree (the Doubt) - intelligent, hard working, accepts what life dishes out, but not before trying to change bad circumstances into good ones, hates fighting and stress, enjoys getaway vacations, may appear tough, but is actually soft and relenting, always willing to make sacrifices for family and friends, has many talents but not always enough time to use them, can become a complainer, great leadership qualities, is jealous at times but extremely loyal.
I'm also a 'FIRE HORSE'
Hi ho Silver! The Fire Element ignites a pilot light of leadership in the Horse Sign to make the Fire Horse the absolute and undisputed champion of the herd. You are more than willing to fight everyone and anyone, metaphorically or literally. You lead by doing, and never look back to see if anyone may be following you -- you never infer loyalty in others, as you generally don't require it -- you are an army of one.
Freedom is the most important thing for you, and woe betide the lover who wishes to hobble you, or, even worse, inadvertently bores you -- you'll have kicked them to the curb in no time on your way to fresh horizons and the inevitable greener pastures. It is important for you to cultivate your latent kindness, however, as otherwise you will be marked as unpleasant company by those who hover about you.
In any case, all the qualities and defects inherent to the sign are brought to an apogee in the Fire Horse. No one, not even the Fire Tiger, can surpass him in optimism, enthusiasm, blind faith, and courage. If anyone is able to move mountains, it must be he. Extremely brilliant and terribly efficacious, he detests mediocrity and failure, and his achievements are generally equal to his inordinate dreams. Good luck often seems to be on his side. He is capable of the best as well as the worst deeds.
You Are a Prophet Soul

You are a gentle soul, with good intentions toward everyone.
Selfless and kind, you have great faith in people.
Sometimes this faith can lead to disappoinment in the long run.
No matter what, you deal with everything in a calm and balanced way.

You are a good interpreter, very sensitive, intuitive, caring, and gentle.
Concerned about the world, you are good at predicting people's feelings.
A seeker of wisdom, you are a life long learner looking for purpose and meaning.
You are a great thinker and communicator, but not necessarily a doer.

Souls you are most compatible with: Bright Star Soul and Dreaming Soul

-----------SEPTEMBER BABY----------
Active and dynamic. Decisive and haste but tends to regret.
Attractive and affectionate to oneself.Strong mentality.
Loves attention. Diplomatic.Consoling, friendly and solves people's problems.
Brave and fearless. Adventurous. Loving and caring.
Suave and generous. Usually you have many friends.
Enjoys to make love. Emotional.Stubborn. Hasty. Good memory.
Moving, motivates oneself and others. Loves to travel and explore.
Sometimes sexy in a way that only their lover can understand.
Ancient, your Life Path of 3 ...
You are creative, expressive and blessed with some type of talent that is guaranteed to put you in the spotlight at least once in your life. You have an upbeat personality and others find you easy to identify with. You also have the potential to become the symbol for an entire culture or generation. Many beloved entertainers, columnists, movie stars and inspirational leaders in the world are number 3's.Your creative and performing talents are also augmented by your astounding ability to understand and empathize with others. You are the number that knows how to "give the people what they want." For this reason many of you also end up in sales or advertising as your innate charm enables you to "sell ice to an Eskimo." You often rise to the top of any career that you choose but the old cliche "it's lonely at the top" also applies to you. This is because threes are often fated to be loved by many but not by one special other. However most as most 3's are naturally philanthropic and giving of their hearts, many are quite satisfied with the mass attention and social popularity that is often part of their life path. In fact, the highest attainment of your life path is the polishing and perfecting of your talent and sharing it with the world. Unfortunately as you do so you may find yourself leaving a lot of broken hearts along the way. A challenge for many 3's is also not to become too jaded about love. As you are very independent and light on your feet you may have a problem finding a life partner that understands your ambitions or that is willing to share you with so many other people. Even if you don't achieve fame, 3's tend to be at the very center of their community and enjoy a thriving social and love life. In fact having too many romances during one lifetime is very characteristic of a 3. As you always put talent or career first you might also find yourself to be the odd person out in a number of love triangles during your life. Usually this is because a career calling forces a 3 to abandon a partner who cannot keep up with them. Sometimes their fast-paced lifestyle does not offer them the time to cultivate a relationship. For this reason you also might find your relationships to be more unorthodox than others might; finding soul mates who are already attached or that are much older or much younger than you. As you have a very spiritually sophisticated view of life you embrace change without the fear that is experienced by most of the other numbers. Often this causes you hardships financially, as you are the number that is most willing to gamble or take a big risk to launch a new project. You are capable of making large amounts of money, but also capable of spending it all just as fast. As you are not very materially minded you are not necessarily concerned about this but your carefree attitude about money often alarms your family and business associates. Your tendency to live for today and not for tomorrow is a blessing as well as curse for you as you journey along your life path. The drawback of this is that you are easily distracted from your responsibilities. The rare number three that is not successful in life has probably lost his or her focus. The positive aspect of this tendency to live in the here and now is that you rapidly bounce back from any type of misfortune and like a chameleon have an uncanny ability to reinvent yourself throughout your life time.
Ancient, your Expression of 9...
Your Potential Natural Talents and AbilitiesThe ultimate height of your personal _expression in life is the chance to offer to others. You are spiritual in a very practical way and others are often drawn to your empathy and compassion. You work well with people of all ages but you particularly delight in inspiring creativity in children and young adults. For this reason you make a fantastic teacher, counselor or psychologist. Others trust you implicitly because you are so kind, considerate and consistent. You are often the one that is still there when everyone else has abandoned someone for being a "lost cause." You are an extremely loyal and dependable friend. You are a very intuitive individual who is deeply connected to others in a spiritual way. Many nines are prophets, healers and psychics. If you are not psychic then at the very least you are deeply drawn to studying matters of the occult or religion in some way. As you are so driven by your intuition, you are not often found in a day job but rather in an occupation that allows you to go where your heart leads you. As others don't understand your idealism you might suffer a great deal of skepticism or criticism in your life. While very young you may have learned to cloak your personality in eccentricity so that others don't take you seriously. You may have also gained a great deal of weight or developed a disability that gives you the excuse not to have march in step with the mass population. Often these illnesses and personal problems exist in order to eventually to jumpstart a leap on the spiritual path to enlightenment. Your trials and troubles often eventually qualify you as a "wounded healer" by the end of your life. You are very concerned with the issue of how to express unconditional love. This is a very troubling concept for you as it is difficult for you to accept that one could love another so much and get no cosmic reward in return. It is often part of a number nine's life _expression path to be stuck with a difficult soul mate or experience a lot of rejection. This is the universe's way of forcing you to connect with others on a spiritual way rather in a way that is lustful or possessive. Love is the most important thing in the world to you but you often have problems finding a soul mate. Many nines do not make good parents because they are too driven by impulse to be a consistent presence in a child's life. Your partner or lover may also find you frustrating because you live so much in the present and rarely think of the future. You are very warm and friendly and almost all that meet you are immediately impressed by your gentle and kind personality. As the last thing anyone could ever call you is shallow, you sometimes don't pay that much attention to your personal appearance. Also putting other's priorities ahead of your own often leads to a great deal of self-sacrifice. One of your challenges is to make sure that you take time out to take care of yourself and your surroundings. Creativity and art mean a great deal to you and many of you are great poets, musicians and artists. Art is an ideal way for you to express your love of harmony and the divine order of the universe.
Ancient, your Soul Urge of 22
What You Desire To Be, To Have, and To Do In Your LifeYou have the highest soul calling of all of the numbers, as it is the call to transform the world permanently and for the better. Usually you are born with all of the tools that you need to accomplish this including a stable personality, intelligence, courage and charisma. Even if you are born into very humble circumstances, you will usually transcend them to become a great leader, diplomat, builder or religious figure. Usually the cosmos has you born into poor or deprived circumstances so that you spend your childhood knowing the worst and familiarizing yourself with the needs of the common people. This is a necessary part of your soul's development as knowing the worst is how you will gauge what kind of change is needed to facilitate the most effective and positive change for the future. Although you generally strive to make everything as perfect as your utopian dreams and ideals you are not bitterly disappointed when they do not manifest. This is because you realize that human beings are not god like creatures that do not make mistakes. To you making a mistake is an occasion for learning or making lemonade out of lemons. Others often sense your warmth and understanding of humanity. You have the rare ability to make others feel emotionally secure. They know that your ultimate aim is to make them as happy as possible. Your ethical but strategic approach to political matters also makes you a valued ally of wealthy people. Often the cosmos smiles on a twenty-two by sending them a wealthy partner to fund their projects. Your diplomacy and charisma also makes you the perfect political liaison or diplomat. You are the happiest when everyone else is happy and don't rest until your humanitarian goals are achieved. This does not always take place on the corporate or political stage. You are the one that is also found teaching a disabled child to read or reading a book out loud to a blind person. One way that you could possibly go astray is to become fanatical or maniacal in your political or spiritual beliefs. Some twenty twos become convinced that they must destroy the world to create heaven on earth. The unfortunate thing is that many of these twenty-twos do actually have the power to effect change by tearing down existing societies and political structures. The result however is that they often destroy themselves in the process and rarely live to see the beneficial effects of their actions (if there are any). Depending on the circumstance of your leadership, you may also find yourself in the position of having to judge another's soul or fate. Although you do not necessarily enjoy it, sometimes life offers you conundrums that put you in the position of having to be a stern disciplinarian or even of being the one who decides if another must live or die. This is part of your path, which that demands that nothing that you do must be done in a small way. To check a tendency towards becoming overly dominant, it is very important for you to adopt a religious program or spiritual study that allows you to connect to your higher self or a higher power on a regular basis. This not only keeps your ego in check but also reminds you of mankind's higher spiritual purposes. Perhaps the most healing thing for your soul is simply to read out loud the words of ancient texts as these writings resonate very strongly with the noblest aspirations of your higher self.

You scored as Angel. Angel: Angels are the guardians of all things, from the smallest ant to the tallest tree. They give inspiration, love, hope, and positive emotion. They live among humans without being seen. They are the good in all things, and if you feel alone, don't fear. They are always watching. Often times they merely stand by, whispering into the ears of those who feel lost. They would love nothing more then to reveal themselves, but in today's society, this would bring havoc and many unneeded questions. Give thanks to all things beautiful, for you are an Angel.

Angel
92%
Faerie
92%
Mermaid
67%
WereWolf
50%
Demon
17%
Dragon
8%

What Mythological Creature are you? (Cool Pics!)
created with QuizFarm.com
Just a brief glimpse at me from another angle.

Why We're Not Here

There has been a question
That has crossed everyone's mind
It has plagued us all
From the beginning of time.

It's been asked in churches
They haven't a clue
It's been asked in schools
But they're asking you.

It's been tackled by scholars,
Doctors, lawyers, and judges
And where writers have tried
We find only smudges.

Great thinkers have tried
And tried, and tried again
The closest of these I think
Was Mark Twain.

In the history of man
It remains unclear
And the question is
Why are we here.

To help out a bit
I have some suggestions
To find the right answers
You must ask the right questions.

Are we here to be the type
Who kills and destroys
Who builds themselves bombs
And plays with nuclear toys.

Surely we're not here
To ravage the trees
The rivers, the lakes
The oceans and seas.

I don't think we're here
To learn how to hate
Nor to suppress
Enslave, or mutilate.

I know we're not here
To watch children starving
Not with turkey politicians
Ripe for the carving.

I doubt that we're here
To spread this disease
I doubt that we're here
For any of these.

So what could it be
If none of the above
What of understanding
Empathy, and love.

With life so confusing
And answers so rare
I thought that just maybe
My thoughts I would share.

Remembering Remembrance Day

Remembering Remembrance Day
We waged a war to not live that way
A war we won or so they say
But looking around all I see is dismay.

They killed alot of people but what did they win
They still live their lives in corruption and sin
Telling their lies to let evil back in
Refusing to rise and so let it begin.

They still kill the martyrs that witness to GOD
They still ignore prophets dismissed with a nod
They still war on the poor and onward they trod
Justifying all in the name of God.

Yet Cain still kills Abel
With all the cards on the table
Though this way is unstable
They still lay the cable.

With this way of thinking my mind starts to sway
I think the point missed on living that way
"The war to end all wars"; I've heard them say
But is that what's remembered this Remembrance Day.

Seemingly not as wars continue still
And all of life's problems can be fixed with a pill
And even the children have learned how to kill
But all of this is just run of the mill.

Then deep inside I start to grin
As I recognize the journey's within
With nothing to stop me once I begin
And all of life's puzzles start to fit in.

With hope I speak out that they hear what I say
And Listen closely to change their way
That they may avoid the 'End of Days'
And Remember that this Remembrance Day.

Holy Shoes

Based on a true story:
A man was going to bed one evening during the rainy season. His shoes were 'holier than thou', and his cupboards were as empty as Mother Hubbard's. With only .77 cents in his pockets and $10.oo in the bank he had to figure out a way of obtaining new shoes and food with only $10.77. These thoughts of bungled and botched budgetry permeated his mind until a beam of white light told him to use the radio. He realized the radio station was having a contest in conjunction with the local newspaper and giving away $500.oo CASH daily if you phoned in and told them what page of the paper had the secret puzzle piece. With this resolved he drifted into sleep. Awakening the next day in time to get a morning paper, this man ran up the street to invest his last savings on a prayer and in the process of doing so the newspaper box stole his .75 cents refusing to give him a paper and leaving him with only his two cents worth, which he almost used to verbally assault the thieving box. Returning to his abode he heard the voice on the radio call out, "CALL IN NOW". With the frustration levels in danger of exploding at being robbed and not getting the $500.oo he wanted, he laid back down and returned to his breathing. In doing so, a few moments afterwards he heard the announcers of the radio calling out for a 'joke of the day'...They would be having a competition, they said. Again he heard the light, telling him to, "CALL IN NOW". So he got up and phoned the radio station and actually managed to get through on the first try. He told them he had the 'joke of the day' for them, to which they replied, it was actually a competition and he had to qualify. "No, no" he said, "I have the 'joke of the day' for you." "Okay, tell us your joke funny man." the D.J. replied. After doing so, they all agreed he did indeed have the 'joke of the day'. And after he told that 'joke of the day', they told him to stay on the line so he could pick up his prize. "A prize", he exclaimed, "I didn't know I got a prize. What did I win?" The announcers voice seemed to echo forth from the ear inserts he had placed inside a small cup to act as a stereo, " A brand new, $120.oo pair of shoes from Footlocker." it said.
"New Shoes", he screamed out in joy. "That's all I needed in the first place." And with that done, he now had $10.00 for food, having received full value for his two cents worth.

Sunday, February 19, 2006

The Art of Wire Tree-making

 
FOUR STEPS:
that you may learn by hand to make trees out of almost any type of wire ( best gauges are from 20g - 28g). Click on 'steps' to view image.



TOOLS of the TREES: 
1.  Wire
2. Scissors

3. Book


1.WRAP - Wrap or unwind the wire around a book to make a loop, start on one side and end on the other...The higher the book, the higher the tree...The more wire you wrap, the fuller it will be.

2. CUT - Cut the wire at the center of the loop (where you started and stopped wrapping).

3. SPLIT - Put your fingers in the middle of the loop at the bottom (opposite of where you cut) and split the wire into a "V" above your fingers like a garbage bag tie before you twist it.

4. TWIST - Now twist it around your fingers like a garbage bag tie...This is what makes the trunk. The loop around your finger you separate into smaller loops and twist those out into the roots. At the top you should have two clumps of wire...Take one clump - split it into two & twist...Go back to the other side and split & twist...now you should have 4 clumps of wire...repeat steps 3 & 4 as often as necessary to finish the tree.

The Philosophy within the teaching of Trees:

Each tree I make has 7 roots symbolizing: 7 notes, 7 colours & 7 senses (INTUITION-6th & EMPATHY-7th)...using them ALL is walking in the fullness of our being. This artform helps me illustrate how we are all ARTISTS seeking our medium, and all MUSICIANS seeking our instrument. I teach to let the branches seek out the LIGHT as a tree would. It is not my hope that everyone becomes a treemaker, but that we AWAKEN the artist WITHIN that they may branch off into other things having a solid root structure to grow from. It also symbolizes as much above as below, balance, patience, empathy & much more. I also hightlight the difference between 'hearing' and 'listening' by taking a roll of wire in one hand and say; "This is an example of someone who heard me tell them how to make a tree...on the other hand, (I hold a finished tree), this is an example of someone who listened...LISTENING implies action."
The Philosophy behind the Trees:
To give a person a tree is to give them a present, to teach them how to make a tree is to give them a gift for life. I AM, not here to teach students, but to study teachers. Share this knowledge with the children and put the power of creation back into their hands.

The Philosophy of the Business behind the Trees:
I sell/trade each tree for "$25 Million Dollors...or as MUCH as each person can afford"... so that way, every person can afford one and I get as MUCH as possible...I only ask people not to take advantage of my generosity by denying their own as each tree is completely unique, akin to snowflakes and people, so can NEVER be duplicated and are therefore actually priceless. ( I think you can see now that, being priceless, even setting the price at $25,000,000.00 is already coming down a lot). In TRUTH, the price for anything and everything on this site is 'Listening'. Then and only then will you receive FULL value for your investment.
Your 'SMILE' is my payment.

A Poem

Monday, February 13, 2006

The Water Bottle

A true story:

A man was walking down the road. Having lost his water bottle the heat was playing upon him without mercy. Wave after unforgiving wave poured over him with unrelenting power. The sun, seemingly, directing its full focus upon him that day. He had even taken to placing a small flat pebble under his tongue (an old desert trick) to keep his mouth moist and help stop his lungs from drying out.

Staggering forward, he began to notice bottles and cans along the roadway thrown there by passersby...garbage it was...money it was...and it was bone dry all of it. 
Looking at this he became angry at these people. If they would only keep this garbage with them until they got to the next town they could exchange it for money. But instead they throw away their money and turn it into garbage. 
Man's greatest invention thus far...garbage, for everything he makes ends up there. The further he walked, the more he saw. The more he saw, the more he began to see. The more he began to see, the more he realized.

Pressing onward, he called out to God, 
"You know LORD, if you really want me to clean up this mess, you could give me a bag or something." 
And not more than ten steps later he found a plastic shopping bag along the road. 
"Oh, You're funny.", he laughed as he stooped to pick it up, and as he shook it out he noticed the words; 
"THANK YOU" "THANK YOU" "THANK YOU" written upon it. 
"Oh You're VERY funny", he says as he begins to fill it up.

Upon completion, he found another one. Then after filling that one, another. Still the heat had it's way with him. Finally, feeling as though he would completely collapse, he turned to God again and said;
"You know LORD, I'm not asking for a rain cloud over my head, nor anything so dramatic, but one of these bottles or cans to have a bit of water, or a small stream or a mud puddle even." 

Shortly thereafter a car came by in the other direction and as it got closer, it slowed, opened the door, and rolled over a 2 litre pop bottle, full of water, and kept going without saying a word. 
The man exclaimed; "Dude, that was faster than Pizza...You rock.", as he retrieved the bottle of water and held it up before him. 

Now he does not look, but sees...does not hear, but listens, as he is now walking and communicating with the LORD

Answering Prayers

A true story:

A man was on a journey, walking with his guitar, asking God many questions... learning.

 One day his journey brought him to East Hollywood, L.A., and this one-day was different. He was having a hard time understanding what it was exactly the Lord wanted from him. He had journeyed through all the back streets, so called "bad neighborhoods"..., which were really just poor neighborhoods of a different color...he had stopped and played his guitar anytime someone asked regardless, or let them play regardless. Went where he was invited...Had a knife pulled on him on one street, was even arrested and ticketed for playing for kids on the subway...though he was never allowed his day in court. He had done most everything asked without asking why...most everything...and eventually found understanding with that patience. 

However, today was different, the looks from the people were harsher this day...hurt more this day...and still he tried to play for smiles...find the smiles, bring them to light. Nevertheless, today was different, and they were refusing, instead, burning with their bitterness. Today was a tough one, and this man turned to God in the middle of it all...and begged God to please let him know why he was suffering thus, when he was doing what he was told. "What good is it? They don't like me."; he cried inside. "What good am I?"...but still he played on. And this went on for a time. 

However, today was different, and a little boy, of about 3 or 4, came dragging his mother by the hand, vigorously, through the parking lot, to the store. His mind clearly on nothing else but getting inside, hers, a look of reserved acceptance. And when he got up to the doors, and saw this man playing guitar...he stopped...frozen, didn't move a muscle. A look of shock was upon his face, that on this day, almost killed the guitar-man on the spot...but he kept playing, and found a smile started to break across that young face. And as the smile increased in size, his little body started bouncing, and his little hands starting to vibrate out in front of him. And he danced, and smiled,and clapped his hands. And the guitar-man smiled. And the mother smiled. And this too went on for a time. 

Until the mother, still smiling, took the little boy by the hand again and dragged him away, into the store. And the guitar man's music seemed to have a little more bounce. Seemed to ring out a little more. His heart seemed a little lighter, but he still didn't know why he was here. So he kept playing, his mind reeling with confusion and doubt. And this as well went on for a time. 
But today was indeed different, for as the mother and the little boy were leaving the store, both wearing big smiles, the mother came back and gave the guitar-man a $5 bill, which she put in his hand with a little squeeze and a thank you. Then she explained that for weeks now, her little boy has been bugging her to get a machine gun he saw in the store, which makes noise when you pull the trigger. She didn't really want to get it for him, but he had done everything he was supposed to for a couple of weeks now and she had finally caved in. 

"That's why he was in such a hurry to get in there when you first saw us." She said. "He was getting his reward for being good." She went on to say that when they went down the aisle to pick it up, there were little plastic guitars in a bin beside the machine guns. And when he saw them, he ran right past the guns...to the guitars. Grabbing one, he said that he wanted it. 
"I told him he couldn't have both", she said. "it would have to be one or the other...And he picked the guitar!" She then squeezed his hand again, and said; "And that's because you were here!" 

Then, she took her son's hand, the other one holding the bag, containing a somewhat different item then the one they had arrived for, smiled, and were gone as quickly as they had arrived. As the guitar-man kept playing, tears welled in his eyes and a smile grew so deep within him, because today was different, and with Patience came a deeper understanding.

The Throne of Stones

Based on a true story:
One day a man was out seeking in the mountains with a companion, when he came upon this canyon. As he descended upon a pathway that lead down into the canyon, revealing an amazing waterfall and basin that twisted out into a river, he felt the attention of others who had also gathered there. Winding down, he sought out a place to sit. Noticing a grouping of flat stones near the water, he accompanied his companion to that location and could see before him three different possibilities. His companion, found a place amidst the three, leaving all options available. Though he saw the one he would probably choose, he thought he should try the worst first, and thereby save the best for last. The first one didn't take more than a few seconds to realize, "Too hard...Not for me!". The second stone also didn't feel 'quite right'. As he approached the third flat stone he could see that it had a chair-ish look about it with the surrounding stones. He sat upon it, placing one foot upon a stone that lay in front as a footrest, he stretched the other out into the water tapping on its way by and instantly felt transformed. The others who had gathered at the basin also seemed to be witnessing something, and though they were unsure of what it was exactly they were witnessing, they kept looking back with interest. To the man however, it felt as though the stones had formed a throne around him. There were stones at each side which seemed as armrests, one supporting his back at an almost vertical angle and another angled down to support his legs, complete with footrest. His world suddenly enfolded and collapsed into itself, then expanded again beyond his initial comprehension of understanding. A voice within that stillness, screamed in fearful panic to leave immediately, desperately desiring to vacate the stones. But within that cry inside was also a calm that whispered on the wind to remain. And within that calm whisper, the courage to remain. So the man remained, and the screaming voice disappeared, and the wind continued to whisper by. Scanning his surroundings with renewed vision, his attention was drawn to a tree that was at the top of a cliff. He noticed that the entire underside of the cliff was cut away by time and the tree was virtually suspended with it's roots hanging through the little earth that remained under it. "How are you still standing there and haven't fallen, how can you defy nature." he rhetorically pondered, and continued studying the tree. After a few moments he heard a voice within himself that said, "To find the right answers...you must ask the right questions." These words seemed to hang there as the man tried to figure out from where they had come and what they meant. Almost before he could even form the first question in his mind, he heard another voice saying, "It was the tree." "And who are you?" the man questioned this newest participant. "The stones upon which you are seated." he heard. This took the man back a bit. How could this be? Again, the stones replied with resounding speed, "Since you are the chosen one, you have found the ' Throne of Stones ' which formed because you are worthy, and while you sit upon it you will have certain abilities enhanced. You will not only hear, but listen. You will not only look, but see. That you may learn what you need." "Why am I the chosen one?", the man questioned almost doubtfully. "Because of your choices." was the response. "What does that mean?", he queried back. "Ask the tree, if it is wisdom and understanding you seek. Trees are wise as they have a good perspective on things above and below. However, you will also need patience when speaking with a tree, they think before they speak. Perhaps you should start with water.", was the suggestion. He was about to ask how to go about doing that when he again felt the tapping water on his outstretched foot and realized it was code. Water spoke quickly and not very complimentary when it came to man. Feeling as though God's first great warning was not taken seriously, water chastised man for his arrogance with trying to control things beyond him, instead of within him, and warned about following that destructive path. With that, water had said all that it had wanted to say, and that was that. The man took a few moments at this point to let it all sink in, and looked skyward again at the overhanging tree. With deliberation and a new found respect and humility, he addressed the tree once again, "My friend, I seek your wisdom on this matter. Why am I the chosen one?" After a moment of silence,"Because of your choices" the tree responded in kind. "Yes, that's what the stones had said.", he explained,"But what is the significance of my choices? Which choices are the important ones?" Again the question was met with a silence, which in turn was met with an answer. "They are of great significance. All of them." Feeling this wasn't getting him anywhere, he remembered the trees first response to him and paused a moment himself, to think first. To find the right answers he would indeed have to ask the right questions. Finally, he formed it,"Which choices did I make that made me worthy?" "The choice of returning, each time you've been led away." tree replied in its own time. This answer perplexed the man a moment, causing him to pause again. "How can I be considered worthy if I'm being led away, and by whom am I being led?", he finally mustered up. "It is the lord of lies who misleads all, but it is a worthy man who returns to the will of the One Spirit. Deceit is his, mistakes are human, forgiveness is divine." "Well what happens now?" The man asked, beginning to feel the weight of the world upon him suddenly. "You shall prepare to meet God.", tree said, as a matter of fact. "But who am I to meet God?", the man questioned seriously. "That is for you to find out.", tree advised. Silence resonated again as the man attempted to put this into a perspective he could understand. In the past, as he had tried to analyze problems in his life, he looked at things from several different angles to get a clearer picture of the overall. In his attempt to follow the same old routine, he discovered something different was occurring. Instead of seeing things from one side or another, he saw it all at once from every angle. It was as though he was a large ball and someone had taken a smaller ball and placed it into his centre. He could view it completely. At once. As his life flashed before his minds eye with this new perspective, he could see God's influence in his life, from before his birth, until now. He could now see what tree had been talking about. He saw his life as a thread that traveled along and cries-crossed another thread of light. He understood immediately that when his thread of life joined the thread of light, he was doing God's will. He also saw that indeed he did leave and return to this thread, as tree had said. Gazing back toward the tree, wonder returned as he again marveled at the trees existence. "How can you defy gravity and nature" he finally said. "I'm not defying nature, it is man who defies nature by their destruction." "Then how do you remain standing?", he enquired again of the tree. "Balance.", tree replied. This too took a moment to sink in as his vision saw what the tree had said. Something stuck out from those words though that brought him back, "What did you mean exactly when you said, man's defying nature by their destruction." "Exactly as I said", tree stated simply, "To be self-destructive, either directly or indirectly is in defiance with nature and life." With that, the man saw how by destroying things around us we depend on, we are only destroying ourselves. Long term murder/suicide. With that thought came a flash of overwhelming pain and torment, feeling the earth, the animals, the waters, and the air. He curled into a ball upon his throne, the breath emptied from his body. His mind flared as his soul screamed out an agonizing cry. Moments passed as the wind blew gently over him refilling his lungs and alleviating his pain with each new breath. "Breath deep...Breath slow." tree suggested. "How can I face God?" he cried. "Honestly" tree advised."And with a humble heart." he added. Sitting up, he glanced over at his companion now napping beside him. Noticing the silent witnesses all around him, who still gazed in his direction from time to time trying to decide what it was they were seeing, he realized he was as all of them and yet none of them. Everyone and no one. He looked up once more asking tree, "What am I to do?" "What you choose...So choose wisely what you do?, came the reply. Reflection...Realization...Communication...Communion...Evolution... Equalizer. His companion stirred beside him, words whispered past him, his long hair and flowing beard blowing gently in the cool breeze as he prepared for the rest of his journey.

The Tortoise & The Hair (abridged)

"They that have an Ear, let them Hear. 
They that are Wise let them Listen."


Tortoise and the Hair(abridged-for those who live in the FAST lane):


The tortoise, considered ancient by some, taking life one day at a time, living in the now, was rapidly approached by a relatively young hare.
The hare challenged the tortoise to a race, by saying; 'In a minute I'll be miles ahead of you'. 
To which the tortoise laughed and replied; 'Fine...But in a moment I'll be crossing the finish line instead of you.'




--- Moral of the story: "Live in the 'NOW'...It's not a 'human' race, it's a 'hue-mon' journey." - (You've been spelling it wrong.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
ancient clown
Honorary King of the Poor
Voice of the Children...Leader of the Meek. 
Commander and Chief : The Armies of Light, Pope Vincent