The Most Beautiful Woman in the World

Is in Medellin

Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder

But having seen beautiful women around the world

I could not move and stopped walking when I saw her

I recognized her total beauty about half a block away

While strolling through a middle class neighborhood in Medellin

She was flanked on both sides, by her mother and sister

They were holding onto her, lol

As if she could be abducted or kidnapped at any moment

Or sold into slave beauty

I deferred my look, pretending to be confused about something

While saying to myself

“What the f%$#"

Colombian women are just beautiful

San Jose, Costa Rica is no joke either!

I looked in a store in the shopping district at a mannequin in San Jose

Then it moved

I jumped back

And she was amused

There appears to be a beauty outlet in every block of downtown Medellin

With at least 5 to 7 beautiful salesclerk willing to serve you

They know me because I am in there buying stuff!!!

Lolololol

There are no cat calls being made in Medellin

A man is not permitted to look a woman in her eyes

But a woman can look a man in his eyes

There is tremendous respect for women

I saw five men beat a man for roughing up a woman

Who had bumped into his cart of food

As far as Blacks

I am often tempted to walk up to them

And speak English

But they only speak Spanish!

They resemble so much African-Americans

The slave trade was expansive

There is a Black culture in all of Latin America

But the gentleness of Latin America is in everyone

None of that macho man stuff we tolerate in America

It is said that the

Best looking women in Latin America are in Colombia

And the best looking men are in Argentina

Morocco is in contention for absolute beauty and freaks

Dark skinned persons with rusty blonde hair and green eyes

Once again

What the f%$#

Just awed and speechless

Rejection Is Often a Good Thing

It Started in Costa Rica Three Years Ago, This Month

June 2014

I went there to teach English in San Jose, as a second language

I was given a grueling schedule, but I was going to do it

The day before I was to start

The owner of the school told the supervisor

“Withdraw the Offer” because I appeared to be a

1960's,70's, Angela Davis, Berkeley University, social, political activist, hippy type with long hair

My heart fluttered just for a moment

But what a compliment!!

I have always loved Angela Davis!!

Being rejected                      

Backpackers at my hostel said “backpack and experience travel”

I immediately started and my first city was Granada, Nicaragua  

The rejection led to a most wonderful life experience

Three years’ worth

I have no regrets

Fair Weather Friends

When things are peachy cream, they are there for you

When things are not so well, they disappear

Who needs a fair weather friend?

We all have them

A friend is, indeed, rare

And we use the term so loosely

The term has been modified throughout the ages

And really watered down

If there is a good friend, then there must be a bad friend

Whoever heard of such a thing?

In a lifetime, one is blessed to have, maybe, 3 friends

All the others are “persons we know”

And some are even close associates

The  word “friend” connotes and represents a perfect idea

Unconditional love incarnate

All husbands and wives don’t always suggest friends

And unfortunately and not always

Inspired unconditional love

Oh, to have a friend for all times                                

A forever bridge over troubled water

And I don’t always have to play “strong”

Integrity of the Faithful Few

The Moral Life of 2017

Our moral lives are under serious attack

The world over

This major attack has occurred within the last 50 years or so

We have lost a great deal of

Compassion, care, sympathy, empathy, concern, 

Sense of wellbeing, respect for others, integrity, justice

Of which speak “the moral life”

In the 60’s, when a single tragedy occurred

Locally, nationally or internationally

It was if the whole world, singularly

Went into a moment of deep reflection and remorse

That could last months

Now and presently

Even with mass murdering and the like

The grieving is seemingly, no more than a day

And we are urged to move on with our lives

Tragedies soon forgotten

Many and including some scientists say

That life is better because of advancing technology

While knowing that

"The human body is the most perfect machine and piece of technology"

Ever in the existence of humanity

Am I missing something here?

Not to mention the new form of immorality, terrorism

Terrorism in all parts of the world

Reckless regard for human life

Thankful that morality and ethics are

A function of LOVE

Love will always remain

For God is Love

They both are eternal

“And the integrity of the faithful few will guide them”

Where was God?

Where was God?

Perhaps the question, most often, asked by humans

If God is so loving, why does he permit tragedy?

And why does he permit hunger, disease and war?

And all this pain in my life?

Job and Elijah asked the same question

The answer is simple

He is where he has always been

In Eternity

All of us have a touch of perfection in us
While knowing that perfection is somewhere in existence

As cerebral beings, we are inspired to find it
And disappointed as cerebral beings

that we never achieve it or find it

For God is without time and space

Omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent

Permitting men to have a lot of free will

To do as we will

And we choose to do so much evil

And permitting some predestination

Genes and chromosomes predict a lot

Freewill or Predestination

An ongoing philosophical argument

One or the other?

Why not both?

Once when in a terrible way in life                             

I asked the question

“Why me?”

My sister replied

“Why not you?”

I had no response

Why not any of us?

"For now we see through a glass darkly"

And one day, we will know IN FULL

Posted A Year Ago on FB

Just Do It

In order to have a complete and fulfilled life

Without a lot of regrets, sometimes you just have to do it!!!

Intelligent and wise people wait for the right moment

To do after, “this or that is done"

When the time is right

Many times, “this or that” never gets done

And the right time never comes

Life is an intervening force

We have no control over many things

And goals and dreams go unfulfilled!!

If it´s a dream or something that you really want to do in life,

Throw caution to the wind

Let the chips fall wherever they may fall

There are always chips on the floor anyway

If there are still holes and gaps to be filled

Faith is the substance of things hoped for

And the evidence of things not seen

Go forth and be blessed

Happiness and Joy

Everyone wants to be happy

But it is transitory

Evasive, elusive and fleeting

No one is happy every day

We, as humans, have unhappy days

For instance, the loss of a loved one is 

An unhappy moment

Yet there is a continual pursuit for happiness

And it is difficult to achieve

Some believe that it is just

A State of Mind

Stop looking for it

Happiness is within us!

We must permit ourselves to be happy

Joy is visceral

It is a virtue related to morality

It can be cultivated

As a part of your life ALWAYS

A feeling of great pleasure and happiness.

"Tears of joy"

Delight, great pleasure, joyfulness, jubilation, triumph, exultation, rejoicing,

And yes, happiness is a part of joy

Parents often find joy in their children

Which is a life time experience!

There are many things that have constant JOY!!

Recognizing A Blessing

To be able to recognize a blessing is a gift

So many don’t

So many have a blessing in their hand

Right In their face

And they still don’t see it

We are so conditioned to expect something else

Or something truly specific

In our minds, our heads, our desires, and our thoughts

And even in our hearts

That we often fail to see a blessing when it comes

We hear often

“How could she let that good man go!”

"How could he let that good woman go!”

A small blessing is still a blessing

And can be a great blessing

A missed blessing could be

A missed opportunity

A mate

And the person doesn’t have to perfect

Blessings show up in all forms of life

Good health is a blessing and often overlooked

Good friends are a blessing

To be able to walk outside 

Is a blessing

So many can't

Responsible children are a blessing

Having shelter and food are blessings

A job is a blessing

Gratefulness is at the core of missed blessings

To be thankful

To be able to see the world in its current state

And be grateful for what you have in this life

Is the greatest blessing of all

Often, when I am overwhelmed by it all

I will consciously take time to be grateful

For what I have

Count your blessings

And name them one by one

Extremely therapeutic, as well

                             

Empty

Feeling Empty

Sometimes in life, we feel empty

I feel empty

 I am waiting on Inspiration

She Has a lot of Class

There is a difference between

Class and Style

Style is a function of fashion

Class is a function of moral integrity

We often hear

"She has class or she is a classy person"

or

"He is a classy guy"

Economic power, education, recognition, neighborhoods

Car, dress style and the list goes on

None of these material possessions

Define class

Money cannot or does not buy class

Many poor people have class

Many rich people don’t have class

One is not born with class

Class is taught and nurtured

A classy person is a person with poise and grace

Class is maturity

Class is gentle, soothing, non-offensive and self-controlled

Class is natural

Class supports morality and ethics

Class is how one perceives the world

Class is never haughty or arrogant

Neither is it superficial or artificial

Class is a positive way of being in the world

Class speaks of and demonstrates integrity and moral dignity

For everyone

An Ode to Abie, Jonathan's Friend

Kindred Spirits

What a marvelous state of brotherhood and humanity

Kindred spirits are, truly, much more than just best friends

Who have met, casually or otherwise, in life

Kindred spirits are funded and grounded in spirituality

Kindred spirits have the same love

Kindred spirits encourage each other 

To strive and to reach higher

There is total positive energy and spirit between kindred spirits

A kindred spirit knows another kindred spirit

Kindred spirits are like minded

Kindred spirits are of one accord and

One mind

Kindred spirits share beliefs, attitudes

Also known as kindred souls

Kindred spirits have spiritual bonds of experiences

And the best kindred spirit is

The Kindred Spirit of God

Facebook Memory One Year AGO

This is a Facebook memory of a year ago, when I wrote this piece on Fear

Fear

We are, all, afraid of something at some point in our lives

Sometimes, it’s quite healthy to be afraid

Fear is more visceral

It is a paralysis of existence, very damaging and eviscerating

I once had great fear for an extended period in my life

It was devastating

Knowing that ¨perfect love¨ casts out all fear

I have always desired to have perfect love

And not have perfect love, at the expense of anything

One must grow daily in love

So, what is this relationship between "perfect love" and fear?

LOVE has always been greater and more powerful than fear

To live one´s life, without fear is great gain

Life is NOT a Joke

Life is not a joke

Many say that it is

Life is indeed a miracle

It is indeed the miracle of miracleS

Life imitates art

Art imitates life?

Life is love and to be loved

Life is spiritual

Life is “being”

Life is friendship and caring

Life is motivation

Life is indeed perfect art

Life is an experiment

Life is survival

Life is thriving

Life is beauty and sunshine

Life is a smile

Life is beauty

Life is true

Life is funny and humorous

But not a joke

Life is about quality

Life is simple, humans make it complicated

Life is a gift

Life is imagination and charm

Life is change

Life is a journey

life is a moment

Life is, but a moment

Life is a series of consecutive moments

Just how wonderful life is

Life is humor, but not a joke

The Grace of God and Jonathan

Jonathan is my dear friend

The Grace of God has appeared unto all men

What a blessing!

Because "grace" is absolutely wonderful

Grace understands “all”

And it really understands “forgiveness”

So many deny its existence

Some are atheists         

Others are skeptics, agnostics and the like

There is power in the grace of God

To live freely

And as we deserve nothing in this life

It is grace that sustains us

Not enough can ever be said about grace

In such an imperfect world

Which can raise doubts about God

And living in this world

And for those of us who believe in the grace of God

We understand a lot more about this world

Cloudy and Dreary Days

The Cloudy Days of Life

“Rain ,Rain Go Away

Please come back another day”

We want to go outside and play

A song we sang in elementary school

 e rainy and cloudy days of life must come

No one escapes this reality

It’s becomes more relevant in the cycle of life

As simple as rain and clouds ruining a planned picnic

And and so many more serious things

But who doesn’t love a bright sunny day?

However, some people love cloudy, rainy days

A mystique of life

For cloudy days can cause depression

And suicide rates can go up in cloudy cities

But

A deeper appreciation of life

Can change one’s perspective of dreary days

Every day is a good day

It is just that some days are better than others

And cloudy days are no exception

The people of Medellin Colombia

Taught me this!!!

A Revival and Renaissance

A Revival of Life

Just when you think you are on a dead end road

A power sparks the flame of life

To rejuvenate and revive

The verve of spirit and mind and body

The proverbial to “mount up with wings like eagles…”

It can happen at any age, in any age group

The weariness of the world is upon all of us

Sometimes tired for no particular reason

Life, once again, doing it’s many performances

Often, life can give one a serious zap

And knock you out of perspective

Life can be very wearying

And then again, on many occasions

The Life Force

Will spark new things and re-energize life

Life's Choices

Life is like a maze

So many different pathways an individual can take

So many mistakes to be made, often after careful thought

But it´s always a choice to be made

God, I wish I could blame someone or something,

When things go wrong, after a wrong choice

And they will

But it is always a choice to be made

I am responsible for my choices

You are responsible for your choices

Oh that I could make all of the right choices!!

My heart knows the right choices

If it is clean and pure

My heart knows the pathway to good decisions

How great thou art, science and technology!!

But it is my heart that really knows

Appreciation

My God, people appreciate very little these days

It began with the children of the “Baby Boomers”

Prior to this generation

Our parents shoved “appreciation” down our throats

Baby Boomers, in an effort to give their children everything, possible

Forgot to teach appreciation

A lack of appreciation for things they did not buy

A lack of appreciation

For struggle, opportunities, worldly goods

And just the ordinary things in life

This is one theory for the lack of appreciation that we observe

There are other theories for this behavior

Perhaps, evolving times or “devolving” times!!

Christmas is a time when we see it most 

Wonderful gifts and people are not happy with them

Appreciation is the twin of gratitude

Both of which are taught at an early age

Expectations

Learn not to expect anything from anyone

“A strong belief that something will happen or be the case”

Expectations can be heartbreaking and even more

Disappointment after disappointment in life

Science speaks of unrealistic expectations and its problems             

Life is so much easier

Without expectations

It is the least amount of agony and discontentment in

One’s Life

Fundamentally, people are not dependable

The good ones and the bad ones, as well

The immoral state of man

Not to fulfill the moral duty and sense of humanity

It really depends on individuals

Not to expect things from others

My grandmother born c. 1890 taught her offspring

“No one owes you anything”

However, in intimate relationships

Such as family, close friends with intimate emotions and feelings

We can often learn to expect things

Still bad!

I have learned, through pain

Not to expect anything from anyone

It all starts with a”Grateful Heart”

Life Long Learning

Life is about Learning

No matter how old one becomes

Learning new things is always good

There are an infinite number of things to

Learn about life, love and the world

Every man is ignorant in his own way

Lifelong learners are

Willing to accept new things

New experiences, new information

The “truth of life”

It is a deliberate and voluntary action

It is indeed a good thing, a healthy thing

For a more pleasant knowledgeable person

To age gracefully

To appreciate life, even the more

To take advantage of every opportunity

And to live each moment with gratitude

Unconditional Love

Unconditional Love

Such a rare phenomenon in life!

There are supposedly seven types of love

Eros, philia, stor, agape, ludus, pragma and philauta

So many different ways to define it

Interestingly, the types are increasing

And admittedly, there must be one source for these types

Using a philosophical reductionist approach

We could reduce the types to just ONE

What a wonderful way to define his existence

God is Love

Loves brings out the best in all of us

How much more if we all loved, unconditionally

And yes, loves brings out the best in all of us                       

Unconditional love is a wonderful experience

No matter what, I will love and always love this person

Always total forgiveness

Our unconditional love can never compare to

The Love of God

For He is perfect love

Hidden Treasures

The Hidden Treasures of this World

How many times we looked for something

Valuable or not

We know that it is there, but just can't find it

They are hidden from us

And so it is with the hidden treasures in this world

Treasures are hidden all around us 

All we have to do is search for them

Pirates hid treasures all the time

Sunken ships with endless amounts of wealth under the sea

Hidden treasures everywhere!

Everyone would love to find hidden treasures

But very few of us are successful

Dear ones

There are hidden treasures and riches of

“Secret Places”

More valuable than silver and gold

In this world, but not of this world!

And truer still, “very few of us find them”

Dangerous Territory

It's Dangerous

Asking a Millennial to do something 

That is important to you

Our priorities are so different

It definitely is not a matter of  “good or bad”

As many of them have good motives and intentions

They lack many virtues in the

The feminist ethic of “Care”

This singular “ethic of care” covers so much

One thing that it covers

To prioritize the virtue of “responsibility”

If one accepts the responsibility of

Fulfilling a request from a family, friend or foe

Is important

Because when not fulfilled

It can cause so much unnecessary anguish

Life and Love

Life and Love are Forever

No man can destroy or discontinue life

Nor put an end to all things

All of the atomic and nuclear bombs

Can never destroy life

Life does not belong to man

The life force is of an eternal nature

Belonging to an eternal being

As physicists and scientists agree

“Energy can neither be created nor destroyed

Such a scientific statement to be made, with regard to

"Life"

Death is a part of the life cycle

We call it regeneration

No man can explain life and its origin

That is acceptable to all

No man knows when 

Life began or when it will end

Love, as life, will never die

Love is also infinite and eternal

Makes me feel good and cozy inside

Be Careful For “What” You Wish

Be Careful of Childhood Dreams

What You “Wish For”

Peru, a childhood dream came true

I have no idea where this dream came from

As a child

Peru just sounded so regal

I never researched much about it in my lifetime

But, for things you dream to do in life, research means less

You're going to do it, anyway

What a disappointment my childhood dream

Peru is xenophobic and expensive

Deeply Catholic, to love everyone!?!

I love people all people

Xenophobia is against my very fiber

For many reasons, mostly spiritual

Yet, I felt trapped there for five months

It was if I hated everyday being there

BUT I GREW IN MANY WAYS                                                                                                 

What the hell!!!

Still, I don’t like the city of Lima, “but I appreciate it”

I am so happy to be back in Medellin Colombia since last Wednesday

After a year of being here

I will sum up everything else by saying

One night in Medellin was worth five months in Lima

Ignorance is Bliss

It's a lie

Probably, the worst of all conundrums

It is a term used to falsely justify apathy on the given subject

If you do not know about something, you do not worry about it.

If ignorance is bliss, it is a sad state of affairs

The world, governments and especially the corporate world

Take advantage of ignorance

Of those not being able to think independently

Not being able to read

Not being aware of the actions and realities in the world

Information is power

Sometimes, more powerful than money

American slaveholders and slavery

Sure knew it

As they punched out the eyes

Of a slave caught learning how to read

Ignorance is the negative of everything good and useful

Ignorance is the enemy

And it is the work of HUMANITY

To counteract its destructive effects

The Lighter Side of Life

The Perfect Cup of Coffee

A cup of coffee is unique

It is specific

It should be perfect

A hot cup of coffee should be

HOT

Not lukewarm

Only I know how  to make my perfect cup of coffee

Just one cup per day for me

Usually at 5 AM every morning

I like it with a little Coffee Mate and sufficient sugar

I hate milk

Real men drink Tequila instead of milk!!!!

When I travel, I have problems with my coffee

Someone else making my coffee is often challenging

The biggest problem is that many are be ANNOYED

That someone could be so specific with such a small thing

Too much cream

Too little cream

Too much sugar

Too little sugar

It is not hot enough

A cup of coffee should be perfect

Considerate vendors will give to you

A black cup of coffee

And on the side, if you wish

Accoutrements!

Inner Peace

Inner Peace

I can’t think of any truer and inner peace

Greater than the peace of God

A peaceful man or woman is blessed

When everything is wrong in life

And to still have inner peace is a miracle

It is comforting, warm and satisfying

No worries for the occurrences that tend to destabilize life

Sometimes, everything around a person crumbles

When one is able to resign one’s self

To a state of amazing peace

Especially

When one has no control over disturbing events or circumstances

Peace is a spiritual virtue

To be cherished

And as much as possible

“Let no man disturb your peace”

When to Go with the Flow

There are absolute moments

To go with the flow

The absolute opposite of

Being strong and holding on to beliefs

Fighting until the end

Maintaining convictions no matter what

Going with the flow of things

Is one of the major conundrums of life

Sometimes, it is the right thing to do

To maintain human dignity

This decision based in

Knowledge, wisdom and understanding

That come with age and experience

Going with the flow is, sometimes, salvation

For the body, mind, soul and spirit

Reducing stress, anger and misunderstanding

Women of wisdom say

                                                                               

“I now, choose my battles”

Peace is

Freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility

Learning "when to" is most important

A Lifetime of Learning

Learning about one' self

Can last a lifetime

What a blessing!

Being open to everything in

Life and the world

With the capacity to learn

There are new discoveries every day

Infinite possibilities

Infinite possibilities about

You, me, them "and other"

I learned something about me today, that

Writing is therapeutic for me

When I feel stressed and out of sorts

My mind, spirit, thought emote

And I write about it

I feel better, afterwards

But more fundamentally

I am grateful to acknowledge a range of

Thought and Emotion

The two schools of philosophical thought

Rational Thought and The Empirical (Experience)

The argument is "which has the greater truth"

I settle the argument with

"A thought, rational or irrational, is an experience

Each is godly and has its specific function in life

Invaluable by mortal men