About two years ago, I left my nice snow-white rabbit with a friend. I told my friend that when I'm able to muster enough confidence that I'd be able to care for it, I'll take the rabbit back.
Truth was I had no idea when I'd be able to get my rabbit back or if I'd be able to get it back at all. I was undecided but nevertheless enjoyed the thought that my rabbit would be looked after because my friend cared enough to do it.
Eventually, I left the matter of the rabbit for the Universe to decide on. I told myself that if the rabbit was really for me, it will be mine no matter how long it takes me to get it back.
A couple of days ago, without any clue as to what prompted it, I emailed my friend about getting the rabbit back.
It was uncharacteristic of my friend to take a while to answer my email. But when I read the response, I understood the reason for the delay.
"I am really sorry but I thought that you no longer wanted the rabbit. So I made it into a stew," my friend said.
What I learned?
Sometimes it takes seconds and at other times it takes months and even years to get an answer but sooner or later if you tune in closely you will recognize what you are being told.
Posted with Aloha!
- By ARIEL MURPHY
On the way to a party the other day, I started thinking of why our lives cross those of others. This was revealed to me:
 |
| Photo from google.com |
Love heals!
Posted with Aloha
- BY ARIEL MURPHY
Over dinner last night, guests and I talked about how the US Supreme Court upheld marriage equality for homosexuals. My friend Greg then recounted how a good friend of his who was a foreigner wanted to hold hands with him one day while they were walking through a park.
Greg said that although his friend was not gay the idea of holding hands with another man simply repulsed him. He said that later on he found out that in his friend's country, two men holding hands while walking was quite a normal thing to do and was not an indication nor even a hint of homosexual behavior, as it could be in the US.
Eating etiquette is another program I find amusing. Emily Post admonishes against chewing noisily with an open mouth. In Asia and especially in China, smacking one's lips and making other loud noises while eating are meant to be complimentary. They are signs of appreciation for the food. The louder the sounds made while eating, the happier a host or a cook/chef is.
What we consider as acceptable and unacceptable made me think of the various "programs" we have in our psyche. Some of our "programs," such as those pertaining to gender behavior, are so deeply engrained that we automatically recoil at an idea that does not fit patterns prescribed in the programs. One of those patterns says that straight men never hold hands with another man.
Greg's story reminded me of a photo I once took. I was inside a store and found a riveting pattern in one of the items for sale. I thought that if I were to visualize the many programs and patterns that are in every person, I would see something like the photo below.
Posted with Aloha!
- By ARIEL MURPHY
There are times when I am blessed as I dance.
When the twang of a lone guitar starts feeling like a light caress; and when the music is into me even as I am into the music, I feel connected powerfully. And I dance to magnify and celebrate that connection. I fling my arms open wide and move as much of my body as possible to receive and soak in the essence of it all.
As if instinctively, the energy refreshes every cell of my body, healing and restoring so that even if only for a while as I dance I am way more than just myself. I am you, her, him, they. I am us. I am that part of ourselves that is true, good and beautiful.
I dance to the music and to what I experience.
If I were to imagine how I would look like when I am in that state of oneness I'd say I look like this photo I took of a Cattleya.
I have to work on being in that state of oneness even if I am not dancing. Still, I am really deeply grateful.
- Posted with Aloha!
By ARIEL MURPHY
