Being Naked

Photography by Gina Hastings-Price

He  says it better than I show.

- Ariel Murphy

Stardust

If you do not yet believe that you are one with the universe, please read the following:

"Every atom in your body is billions of years old. Hydrogen, the most common element in the universe and a major feature of your body, was produced in the big bang 13.7bn years ago. Heavier atoms such as carbon and oxygen were forged in stars between 7bn and 12bn years ago, and blasted across space when the stars exploded. Some of these explosions were so powerful that they also produced the elements heavier than iron, which stars can't construct. This means that the components of your body are truly ancient: you are stardust."

Here's the link to the source of the quote:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2013/jan/27/20-human-body-facts-science

Source: googleimages.com

- Ariel Murphy

Turning Points

Some would look at the color and shape of clouds and see either an imminent thunderstorm or a rainbow.   

 

Some would be confronted by a closed door and imagine beyond it either the Pearly Gates or a bogeyman.

 

While there is no telling what a person or a situation will really turn out to be, I nevertheless wonder at what point exuberance turns into trepidation, hope into fear, and  naiveté  into cynicism. 

Exactly when and what manner of little deaths occur to alter our perceptions or cause us to freeze in hesitation? 

Should we keep ourselves from smelling the roses simply because there are thorns?

 

 

Source: googleimages.com

 

 - Ariel Murphy

Gallery: Photography of Dustin Acdal

Today I'm showcasing the work of Dustin Acdal of  Hawaii.  I hope that  you enjoy his art.

Lava flowing into the ocean, Kalapana, Big Island, Hawaii

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ariel's Note:  In 2013, Dustin Acdal started indulging his passion for landscape and nature photography in addition to commercial photography. He lives in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii.  Want to see more of his work? Please click on the link below:

http://www.dustinacdal.blogspot.com/

-- Ariel  Murphy

The Bottom Line

 

Sometimes a conversation may seem like two parallel lines that do not meet. 

 

I get frustrated when I am not understood and it seems that communication is not taking place. 

 

But if I  bother to listen closely I realize that the other person draws  from his/her background, experiences and belief systems  which are different from mine  and make his/her response seemingly superficial or out of context or just plain irrelevant. 

 

Wisdom replaces disappointment when I go past words and  look to the heart and there I see what is at the bottom line.

 

- Ariel Murphy
 

Eye Candies: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

A lady friend  posted an item on Facebook about how three men in Saudi Arabia were deported for being "too handsome."   After we were done exchanging jokes about giving asylum to the men, my friend suggested that I post eye candies as my blog.  I told myself that surely there could be no harm in taking a break from serious blogs and instead posting playful ones.  So today I'm offering the following eye candies. Eat your heart out, ladies.

Omar Borkan Al Gala, actor, photographer and poet from Dubai

Actor Gerard Butler

Japanese actor Takeshi Kaneshiro

Cuban model Ruben Cortada

Argentine Football Player Lionel Messi

Chinese actor Huang Xiao Ming

Brazilian Model Pedro Perestrello

Actor Denzel Washington

Actor Johnny Depp

Actor Harrison Ford

Twitter Founder Jack Dorsey

Canadian Model Robert Perovich

Actor Robert Redford

Russian Leader Vladimir Putin

Actor Robert Downey Jr.

Swiss Photographer-Artist Hanspi Schar

Who do you like best?


Link to article about the deportation of three men from Saudi Arabia for being "too handsome."

http://blog.asiantown.net/-/17945/Ladies__for_your_treat__the_man_who_is_deported_from_Saudi_Arabia_for_being_too_HANDSOME

- Ariel Murphy

Life Goes On: A Guest Blog by Vincent Sabatini

Today, I'm sharing the lyrics of a song composed by Vincent Sabatini, a resident of Hawaii.

Life goes on

Crying doesn't matter

Life goes on

Although what you had was shattered

You ask me why

I wish that I could tell you

But I don't know. I don't know

The plans

They all seemed so easy, so right

Now we don't face tomorrow

We live only for tonight

I'll tell you again

Life goes on

Changes, many changes

You walk in faith

Searching, always searching

For what's right

Then face another morning

Never caring what happened

In the night

And life goes on

You say you've had it

There's nothing left of you

But when you look, you'll see

All the  beauty that surrounds you

If only life was fair

But what's the use of wondering

It really wouldn't matter

For you'll never see tomorrow

Until you forgive yesterday

And life goes on.

 

 Ariel's Note: Vincent Sabatini has a passion for singing, composing and playing music. When he is not strumming his guitar, he is into photography, swimming, hiking, sports coaching, and ministering in his church.  He  keeps for a pet a 500 lb pig.

  

- Ariel Murphy

Prisons

Last night I went to a benefit dinner of the Good News Jail and Prison Ministry of Hilo, Hawaii. The Ministry provides discipleship and pastoral care  in jails and prisons all over the world.  In Uganda, the Ministry at times provides a heifer to an ex-offender so that there would be milk for his starving family. In some countries, the Ministry gives food and clothing to imprisoned mothers who keep their babies with them in their cell. 

Wherever the Ministry goes in the world,  its volunteers help inmates and ex-offenders find forgiveness, acceptance, compassion and hope.   A criminal who participates in the Ministry  no longer feels abandoned and forgotten; instead, he experiences love and care. He learns how to battle his "demons" and be reconciled with himself. 
 

Philip,  an inmate for a drug-related offense  who spoke during the dinner said that the Ministry  has helped him regain self-respect and faith in humanity and in his God.
 

"My bad choices in life stripped me of everything, including my family," Philip said.
 

He began to use ice  and other drugs not long after he started selling them. Fearing who he had become, his wife had left him.
 

After four years of being in the Ministry, Philip mustered the courage to ask his wife if they can "work it out."
 

Wiping tears from his eyes and with a broken voice, Philip shared how his wife said "yes."
 

Philip  has been in prison for eight years now and has two more years to serve his sentence.
 

But already he is a free man.

 

For more information about the Good News Jail and Prison Ministry, please click on the links below:

http://www.goodnewsjail.org/
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGrmnM_LCcE
 

- Ariel Murphy

Desiderata

Today, I want to share with you one of my favorite poems. Entitled "Desiderata," which is Latin for "desired things," the poem was written by Max Ehrmann in 1927. When Adlai Stevenson (former US Presidential candidate and ambassador to the United Nations) died in 1965, a   copy of  Desiderata was found near his bedside. Since then, the poem became widely popular.

Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
 

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit

. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
 

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
 

Exercise caution in your business affairs;

for the world is full of trickery.

 But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;

many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
 

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love;

for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment love is as perennial as the grass.
 

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
 

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
 

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its shams, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
 

Be cheerful.

 Strive to be happy.


 

- Ariel Murphy
 

The Confusion of a Porn Addict (Guest Blog by Paul Porter)

 
I don't know whether I'm more disappointed because she can never trust me...or, if I'm disappointed because I can never trust myself.
 

What is it about my psyche that allows me to segue from reading about "Girls Like Us" on Amazon.com to opening my newest e-mail from Adult Video Universe - checking out the latest porn releases. Can you say "cognitive dissonance"? Am I unusual...unique...or am I dead ordinary? I suspect the latter. Is it because I'm a man? Or a human being? Or alive?
 

I stop and contemplate my thumbnails. The red polish with flowers of white and stems of green painted on them. Courtesy of the singularly lovely Sophia (pronounced so-PHIA), or just Phia to her closest confidants. And toes to match. I tell some who ask that there was a lot of rum involved, as if that explained the incongruity of a sixty-year-old man walking around with painted nails. Actually, in Hawaii, that's not so incongruous - but it still elicits comment.

The real reason I have painted nails is because my new girlfriend's grand daughter was here for a visit. And I'm so eager for acceptance, I'll do anything to try and make people like me.

My inner voice groans...'isn't that pathetic? what...you trying to get sympathy? pity?'

The budding relationship with Sophia is a gift. My girlfriend's son and family have welcomed and accepted me. And I can use the closeness with Sophia as a substitute for the closeness I'm missing with my own grand daughter, whose mother is still angry with me for divorcing HER mother. A divorce that happened because of my cognitive dissonance.

I wanted to be the pillar of our marriage, the pier that supported everything about our lives. When we moved to Hawaii and started setting up a new life, the password I chose was PILLAR. When I opened my new bank account, I was a pillar. When I set up a new internet connection, I was pillar. When I bought stuff on Amazon.com, I was pillar. When I found a roof over our heads, I was a pillar. When I bought a car to drive (with no credit), I was a pillar. When I found a job in my new location, I was a pillar. When I worked myself ragged - till I could no longer stand - I was a pillar. 

But I grew tired of holding everything up. I wanted to be the loving father, and doting grandfather; but was willing to give all that up for a good romp in the hay with a hot 20-yr-old blond, or a lively 30-yr-old brunette, or a sultry 40-yr-old redhead, or a 50-yr-old exotic Oriental. Mid-life crisis? Don't think so. I had THAT in my late 30's. And again in my mid 40's. Never bought a red Lamborghini. Nor even a red Miata. Never took a year off to 'find myself'. Didn't hitch hike around Europe. Didn't sail the Caribbean. Didn't meditate in Tibet. I WANTED to do those things. DREAMED of doing those things.

With each passing decade, my dreams got bigger, more insistent. I adopted Lucille Ball's mantra as my own: "I'd rather regret the things I have done than the things that I haven't." 

And then my "pillar" persona would assert itself. Gotta pay the mortgage. Gotta put my children through college. Gotta keep the business going. The employees need the job.

The community needs the business. Didn't matter what I needed. Didn't matter what I wanted. There was always something, or someone, whose needs were more important than mine.

Can you say subjugated, sublimated, subsumed, consumed?

However, this pillar was set not on bedrock, but on shifting grains of sand. In Kansas, those grains scattered in the wind. In Hawaii, they vanished with the waves. It's a frightening thing to lose your bearings. To slip from your mooring. To be twisting in the wind, like a kite with no tail at the end of its tether. 

At first, it's thrilling to not have any complications, any responsibilities. No ramifications. No guilt exacted. No dues extracted.

And then. And then. What's to become of me? What do I want? What can I have? Am I going to bang aimlessly against all that I bump into? Come crashing down with a breath-taking swoosh?

Or, am I going to declare, "Well...THAT was fun! But I'm all grown up, now.

Bring on the responsibility! I'm ready to be a pier without peer.

Source: googleimages.com

Ariel's Note: Paul is "a peripatetic pilgrim...eclectic, didactic, but not pedantic...a walking contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction. He began his journey on a dairy farm in Kansas, and now rests his head in Pele's fiery bosom on the Big Island of Hawaii. He's always looking forward to tomorrow and the new things tomorrow will bring."

- Ariel Murphy

Gallery: Paintings by Rod Cameron of Hawaii

Today, I'm featuring the work of Rod Cameron, an artist who lives in Hawaii.  Says Rod Cameron, "Light and Dark, the straight and the curved, all the contrasts of life in life. Only beauty is transcendent and can only be fully appreciated in light that reveals its forms. To love beauty is to see the light. With the light comes shadows and in all great beauty there is sadness. "

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ariel's Note: Mr. Cameron has ten years of expertise teaching art with over thirty years as an honored, professional artist. He has received over fifty awards in illustrative art, painting & design and with his lively, in-depth workshops and successful one man shows; he has become

one of Hawaii's most popular artists' and at the least- a master painter. Born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Echo Park, Los Angeles, Rod was initially self-taught with strong drawing and figurative leanings. 'I decided to become an artist clearly at the age of eight as I stood before Michelangelo's Pieta'. I knew then that I could never become so great, nor really cared - just that I wanted to create,' Mr. Cameron says. He went through LA-city colleges (AA) degree, sat-in where he could, learning the basics with a secondary emphasis on physical & comparative anatomy to improve his draughtsmanship. He then went on to Otis Art Institute of Los Angeles and had additional studies at the Art Students' League of New York City. Cameron, going further, apprenticed and learned to paint as the Impressionist's, in Palm Springs, California with Mr. Keith Ward (b1917/2001), his mentor, a successful painter and former illustrator during the 'Golden Age of Illustration,' i.e.: “Dick & Jane” series of early readers and the Texaco Dalmatians.

Rod Cameron creates and teaches out of his Beach Road Studio, in Keaau, Hawaii. He is represented by: The Prague Gallery, Czech Republic, Dreams of Paradise Gallery, Hilo, Hawaii, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - Art Center and Cedar Street Gallery in Honolulu, Hawaii.   To see more of Rod's paintings, please click on the link below:

 

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/rod-cameron.html

- Ariel Murphy