Shamone

“And still I see no changes, can't a brother get a little peace, It's war on the streets & the war in the Middle East” – Tupac Shakur (Changes - released posthumously in 1998)

Shamone,

In 1997 I found out that Princess Diana died, when one morning stretching and awaking from my slumber on a sticky August morning there was the ritual of watching TV for a bit to get myself in the mood for the day.

I reached and switched on the television and was aghast with horror of the events that were unfolding before my eyes.

We all have our stories, be it the premature deaths of JFK, Marc Bolan, Terry Scott, Keith Moon, Lord Sutch, Sal Mineo, Chris Benoit, Ronnie Barker, John Lennon, Tony Hart, Mr Perfect, Tommy Cooper and more recently Jade Goody. Everyone is affected in different ways, from denial, to hysterical screaming to being totally numb.

I was messaged quite late last week and Julie told me Michael Jackson had died; I immediately went on-line and it suggested that he had a heart attack and he was being treated in hospital. I decided to call it a night, put on my Spiderman pyjamas and went to sleep under my Spiderman duvet.

The next morning, I awoke and carried out the annoying 21st century OCD of checking my phone and saw that there were numerous messages. Now I have told all of ‘Girls Aloud’ to stop messaging me after 11pm pestering me for sweet loving.

I proceeded to do what every man does in the morning, and that is spend the 20-minutes after you have risen to listen to music on your I-Pod and check messages on your phone whilst sitting on the white porcelain throne evacuating your bowels.

It suddenly became clear that Michael Jackson had died, not by reputable information from a reliable source, but by text jokes. I did chuckle, and wont lie to you all and feign outrage but all of the jokes alluded to lets say, the more controversial alleged pastimes of MJ.

I did love Michael Jackson and to me the “Bad” album was it. Anything after that period just did not do it for me. My Mum had the album in vinyl format (Wikipedia that one kids), and I remember spending countless hours listening again, again and again. The album was one of the first that had all of the lyrics inside, and used to sign along (in my mind) to every song.

There was one song however, that was my favourite. I was reminded of it not so long ago when driving to the beach with my daughter, when it started the volume went up to full; I began to sign along and without grabbing my testicular region may have even hit one of the falsetto notes. (My daughter laughed at me)

I love that song, and appreciated more this time around on a different level as the lyrics made me think of what a good theme for a blog it would be. I made a note of it and was going to come back to it some time. (You just have to pitch Michael Jackson themed blog’s just right)

That time is now, and the song and theme of today blog is – ‘Man in the Mirror’

I want to add below all of the lyrics and my thoughts, as with some art you just do not need to add. They speak for themselves.

Ooh ooh ooh aahGotta make a change
For once in my life
It's gonna feel real good
Gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right

As I turned up the collar on
A favourite winter coat
This wind is blowing my mind
I see the kids in the street
With not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind
Pretending not to see their needs

A summer's disregard
A broken bottle top
And a one man's soul
They follow each other
On the wind ya' know'
Cause they got nowhere to go
That's why I want you to know

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change,
yeyNa na na, na na na, na na na na oh ho

I've been a victim of
A selfish kinda love
It's time that I realize
There are some with no home
Not a nickel to loan
Could it be really pretending that they're not alone
A willow deeply scarred
Somebody's broken heart
And a washed out dream(Washed out dream)
They follow the pattern of the wind ya' see'
Cause they got no place to be
That's why I'm starting with me

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearerIf you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make that change
I'm starting with the man in the mirror(Man in the mirror, oh yeah)
I'm asking him to change his ways, yeah(Change)
No message could have been any clearerIf you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make the change

You gotta get it right, while you got the time'
Cause when you close your heart(You can't close your, your mind)
Then you close your mind
(That man, that man, that man)(That man, that man, that man)
(With the man in the mirror, oh yeah)(That man you know, that man you know)
(That man you know, that man you know)
I'm asking him to change his ways(Change)
No message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better placeTake a look at yourself then make that change
(Na na na, na na na, na na na na)OohOh yeahYeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah(Na na na, na na na, na na na na)

Oh noOh no,
I'm gonna make a change
It's gonna feel real good
Sure mon(Change)
Just lift yourself
You know, you got to stop it yourself(Yeah)
OhMake that change(I gotta make that change today, oh)(Man in the mirror)
You got to, you got to not let yourself, brother ohYeahYou know that(Make that change)
(I gotta make that make me then make)
You got, you got to move
Sure mon, sure mon
You got to(Stand up, stand up, stand up)Make that change
Stand up and lift yourself, now(Man in the mirror)
Make that change(Gonna make that change, sure mon)(Man in the mirror)
You know it, you know it, you know it, you know(Change)Make that change

Happiness, change, love, peace and health are just a conversation away with yourself. (Quite profound from me, even shocked myself)

All you need is the mirror.

Rest in peace Michael Jackson, you were right. I only wished that you listened to your own wise words. You will live on in everyone, as there is not a soul alive who has not been touched by your music.

I envy that, and you did not die with your music inside you.

“And though you fight to stay aliveyour body starts to shiveryour no mere mortal can resistthe evil of the thriller”

Scott

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Gnome man can handle

“I don't take myself seriously any more. Sometimes I just garden in my knickers and platform shoes” - Kim Wilde

Both of my Grandparents have died within the last year; with my Grandmother only passing recently. As we all met at their home before the funeral procession, I took the time to spend time in the garden as did all the grandchildren.

My Grandad was an avid gardener, amateur wine maker and in his sculptured creation was the centrepiece of a man made pond. This stretch of water that was ruthlessly guarded by some battle hardened, Ninja Gnomes.

As a child, whenever there was an opportunity to visit my Grandparents I would make my way to the garden to seek counsel with the wise sages.

I had a private fantasy world whirling around in my mind, where I was king of the gnomes and they were my private army. My Grandad also fuelled my imagination by telling me stories of what they got up to at night and all the magic things they were capable of.

It came as no surprise that when it came to clearing the family home by my Mother and her sisters, that the one requested item to be bequeathed to me was the gnomes around the pond. My Mum has secured 3 cheeky chaps and hope to be re-united with them soon.

I love the idea of gnomes and how they stimulate a child’s imagination, a little make-belief as a child is a natural thing and should be encouraged.

I dread the time when my daughter becomes a stressed SAT test victim of government thinking in the state school system, where her imagination has to comply within a pre approved syllabus from the latest strategy ‘de jour’.

Maybe the lack of freedom of imagination causes children to be only able to express themselves with computer games, attention seeking behaviour and other non-social acts just to be noticed, as they are not allowed to think anything that is not deemed policy.

“Now stop ranting Scott!”, and I do hear you but my role as a father is to drink endless cups of imaginary Tea, served from a tea-pot that would melt if hot water ever touched it and listen to every story the kids tell and watch every made up dance routine.

When did it become a parent’s job to maintain the manifesto of an ever changing education syllabus, which places political correctness first and demonises free thinkers?

I had a bad experience last week and this incident has brought me to discuss this in my blog today, and all because of Gnomes.

I would like to highlight the incident first, and then will proceed to explain.

I have a job that can afford me some flexibility, and through out the week my work is in London, the commute is hard but financially worthwhile.

Several weeks ago it seemed a good idea for me to take every Monday off so that I can spend quality time with my daughter, and over the past month we have been to the Beach, Parks, Zoo and swimming.

It was the latter that took place last Monday (15th June), now having arrived quite early we decided (well me and my 18-month daughter) that we would have a look around the garden centre next door, to prevent libel I have change the name of the famous garden centre brand to ‘Question Valley’. Whilst in the garden centre the idea of purchasing a gnome had crossed my mind.

I wheeled my daughter around in the pushchair with some difficulty, as the premises did not seem child friendly. We looked high and low but could not see the gnomes; there were china butterflies, cast irons Buddha’s and replica badgers but no gnomes?

I did what any normal person would do in this situation and that was to ask one of the store assistants in ‘Question Valley’.

The following is an accurate transcript of what transpired next, the names of the guilty have been changed, and a certain creative license has been added for dramatic purposes.

The opening sequence was myself (Scott) approaching with a pushchair and speaking to the assistant of ‘Question Valley’.

“Excuse me; I wonder if you can help me, do you know where the gnomes are?” – Said Scott

The shop assistants turned towards me with fire in her eyes and vengeful fury and with tone of condescending bile that has been vented on only the pure hated and lower classes.

“We do not sell gnomes here; this is not that kind of establishment” – The shop assistant face twisted in a hateful fury as she spat out that bile.

Suddenly as the hated comment resonated in the atmosphere, another creature older in appearance was drawn to the scene. The smell of prey was driving them into a mutual sexual frenzy and a righteous stand point.

Suddenly like a pack wolf the old man turned to Scott his face screwed up and displaying his teeth and lashed out at him with a verbal whiplash “There are no gnomes here it is not THAT sort of place”

Now Scott was astonished, but was quite calm. He already knew that he had won this battle even before he knew aggression had reared itself. He had encountered institutionalised snobbery before and was well aware that a little verbal Aikido can resolve this situation with a cheeky dash of linguistic bitch slap.

“So, would you happen to know where we could possible get a gnome” replied Scott as he implied that he and his daughter were seeking a gnome

“Why would we know, gnomes are just awful and they do not belong in a garden” The old man bellowed with the shop assistant nodding and affirming every aggressive syllable.

Scott was an educated man and knew that the two older people in front of him had obviously made a judgment about him.

He was dressed in combat shorts and a t-shirt in reflection to the scorching weather, and it was a Monday. No doubt they viewed him as a single parent who did not have a job, and took his daughter out to day trips to a garden centre as he was too poor to go anywhere else. They had reduced his status down to a common working class layabout the sort that the Daily Express and Guardian newspapers had warned them about.

However he was not going to live up to the label and alleged stereotype and responded.

“That is a shame as I love gnomes, and as a child I remember going to my grandparents, and my granddad telling me stories about the gnomes. I developed a fascination for nature and helped me with my imagination. I was hoping to pass that gift to my children”

There was an uncomfortable silence as Scott thought that maybe he had touched on a nerve as the old man and shop assistant looked up to the left sharply then down as they pondered what they had said. The still has disdain for Scott as they viewed him as weed that should be removed with physical violent weed killer.

Scott then made an assumption, and with this immediately forgave the two people in front of him, maybe they had grandchildren and grown up children. The relationship with one or possibly both is not as warm and joyous as it could be as they have always viewed children as chaos in an ordered life.

They also manifested there hatred of disorder onto gnomes as within their class they were deemed as tacky and gaudy and representative of simpler folk. They obviously made a translation of simpler folk to the working class; they had no room for either with their own sculpted creation of a calm Eden.

This Eden created with personal sacrifice will earn them validation within their chosen class circle.

The validation was far more important than a joyous relationship with there children and grandchildren.

Scott pondered some more and decided that he was not the victim here, people can sacrifice so much of their own happiness with regards to relationships in the vain attempt to attain perfection.

The mist then came rolling into the store and engulfed Scott and his daughter and just like “Keyser Söze” they were gone.

The incident was true, but was soon forgotten as I took my daughter swimming. This was followed by a picnic.

We took the picnic outside ‘Question Valley Garden Centre’, and whilst watching my daughter devour Prawn cocktail skips the following story entered my mind and immediately centred me.

The story is about Mother Teresa and how she was often invited to anti-war rallies. These were always turned down as she always believed that campaigning against something always brought about even more the thing that they campaigned about. Now she always said that if there was a peace rally then she would always be there as that was can only be attracted.

I knew that negativity of the situation must be turned around, and that my energy should not be for fighting against the system for gnomes, but for the peaceful promotion of them.

I shall now comply with my inner wisdom.

One of the most beautiful things that have ever been told to me is what Gnomes meant to Victorian England; the world gnome was cleverly turned into an acronym of Guarding Nature On Mother Earth. The simplicity of this truly captures there esoteric essence.

Gnomes were brought over from Germany in 1847 by a gentleman called Sir Charles Isham and were no doubt introduced to the occult loving high society to add a certain playful daring to there dullish lives, they were considered risqué and garish.

However there is a paradox, as they originally were a symbol of neatness and tidiness in the garden and represented order. This is completely the opposite of the elite class view and particularly the Royal Horticultural Society.

Gnomes are usually happy and have an inborn sense of security and joy. They know no fear, and they know when something is unsafe and when to stay out of the way.

The touch of a gnome also transfers their love to the thing they lay their hands on. Like healing baby birds, helping plants. Gnomes are tree huggers and often pat and converse with the trees. Tenderness is a huge part of life. It shows warmth and respect to ever living organism.

While males are often out working, learning the ways of the male gnomes, and copying the secret book, females are learning to. They learn how to treat animal’s wounds, fractures, and other injuries in the Veterinary Hospital.

Some females run bat reserves, in which they help the bats and make sure of their survival. (This part is dedicated for my daughter)

Some help fish, butterflies, or any other type of animal. Every endangered animal species is tried to be cared for by the gnomes, so they can ensure their survival on mother natures green earth.

The gnomes have no need for politics, and are a peaceful race, and never fight. They like to administer first aid to hurt animals or sometimes people. They do not hunger for power because they threw out power politics long ago.
Gnomes also don't desire material possessions, a nice house is good, but happiness is more important, they don't thrive for money, happiness is all that matters....

Are we all just trying to be gnomes?

I implore you all to place a gnome in your garden, also to tell all children wonderful stories of make believe, and how the gnomes help tidy up and nurse all the injured animals back to health.

We have recently (well Julie did) paint a Vampire gnome called ‘Vlad’ for Johnnie’s special needs school. Who have sectioned off a large part of its grassed area for a giant gnome land, we hope that they will take care of all the injured animal’s and help out where they can.

I understand now (maybe not even intended by the school) that the gnome area is a giant metaphor, and is a symbol for helping all of the children with special needs, physical disabilities and learning disorders to have peace within nature.

I will hold that beautiful thought.

In the meantime we are blessed with in Colchester a magical kingdom called “Gnome Magic” a free attraction that houses 500 + gnomes, and will be visiting soon.

If you have any gnome stories or want to mention about pixies, elves, fairies and other mystical creatures then drop me a line.

Gardens are meant to be a family sanctuary, and a place for fun and socializing. The top line quote from Kim Wilde was perfect for this blog, as we take ourselves and our gardens a bit too seriously sometimes.

Namaste

Ram Dass Part II – Moments of infinite Significance

“(S)he who dies with the most love wins!” – Michael Neill

I am writing this blog today amidst a storm the violent thunder against a green hue sky with flashes of electric blue lightening cracking across the air like a lazy strobe. I have not experienced anything like this for years, the electricity is racing through my body, my hairs are standing on end, and there is a feeling in my midriff that has awoken my primal desires. Should I let myself go and my suppressed urges to explode? I could create an uncontrolled moment of infinite significance!

I have chosen instead to write my blog, have a nice cup of tea and talk about part two of my blog – Moments of infinite significant.

Now concept is akin to Newton’s 3rd Law 'every action has an equal or opposite reaction' and our old favourite the Law of attraction. However it is much more pure than that as it alludes to a subconscious decision of thought and action combined and probably in the majority of cases your intention is just circumstance. This is where the two laws of attraction and Newton’s third law come into effect.

For example; you are run over by a car. Now the scientific side (Newton) would measure the impact and decide that you being in that place at that time as a variable. The metaphysical side (Law of Attraction) would state that you put out an intention and the universe conspired to have you ran you over. There is even a case for someone to throw the old Karma chestnut in there and would suggest that you deserved to be run over.

Now let’s look at this from a moment of infinite significance. For arguments sake, you survive albeit with serious injuries and you do the following one thing from a moments in recovery that you can create infinite significance.

You forgive who ran you over; ask to see them and tell them. You ask only one thing in return, that to everyone they speak to about the accident they talks about the forgiveness from there victim. Also to express how they felt before they came to see their victim, and that indescribable feeling of guilt.

A strange scenario and extreme; but could you imagine the feeling of the victim letting go of their blame, hatred and revenge? Do you think this would help their recovery?

Now imagine how the driver would feel? Relief would be natural but there would be intent for their actions not to be repeated and maybe a second chance to help prevent from re-occurring?

A life could be saved?

The life that was saved could have had a purpose to bring good to this world and their demise could have turned the course of the universe.

Star Trek was flawed with regards to the ‘Prime Directive’ as we can change history all the time, although this could be a paradox as maybe that was meant to happen! Although the style of Doctor Who, a Time lord who generally did change history albeit for his own sense of moral purpose.

So let’s get back to keeping it light, below is a list of things and they do seem somewhat small but as in the film “Sliding Doors” the moment could have infinite significance or consequences as the two are not mutually exclusive.

1. Not handing in your homework
2. Not studying for an exam
3. Not going to a party and missing the partner of your dreams
4. Not buying a book from world renowned author Scott Everest
5. Being late
6. Going home early
7. Being in a bad mood
8. Never walking in the rain
9. Not smiling back at a nice looking stranger
10. Eating cauliflower then going to the movies with your dream date, and farting all night
11. Eating Garlic then going to the movies with your dream date, kissing and putting them off
12. Not cleaning your shoes
13. Not holding a door open for a stranger
14. Not speaking up

I hope you all see how our lives could have been different if all we did was ‘Zag’ left instead of ‘Zig’ right. However we cannot live with regrets and maybe we are where we are because of subconsciously that is the place we want to be.

We all do things we do not want to do, but why? I have been thinking about this for a long while and was not until reading a beautiful quote this week has examining what I do become a focus.

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away” – Anon

Whoa! Life is just a series of moments and really is the six inches in front of our face. If we are not regretting our past mistakes then we are worrying about the futures and guess what?

The breakthrough statement……. WE CANNOT CONTROL EITHER!

We must create our own moments of infinite significance, by the attitude to how we approach everything and what we expect everything to be. The following quote sums this up perfectly and another little tribute to my daughter.

“Please don’t give me anything or do anything for me unless you can do so with the kind of joy a little child has when it feeds a hungry duck”

I take this quote as someone speaking to themselves in the second person and put simpler ‘Do what you love, and love what you do’ is there any other mantra for life?

The list we made earlier is not exhaustive and has not included much about the things we have already. We can be so focused on what we want that we seem to forget about what we have, and the moments of infinite significance are ever more of consequence. These always happen, but sometimes not for the development of the relationship.

Now my headline quote “(S)he who dies with the most love wins!” does tie up with the mantra of simpler ‘Do what you love, and love what you do’ and is the result of many moments of infinite significance. I think just simply they had the most because they gave the most.

To finish off and to explain how to create more moments of infinite significance you must do one act to everyone you meet.

That is to project unconditional love.

Scott - I love you xx

Until next week where my blog subject is to be ‘Gnomes’.

Ram Jam - Part I

“Our intention creates our reality” – Dr Wayne Dyer

Are we really in control of our lives?

The answer is of course NO, as we listen and take our opinions from all forms of media, friends, and colleagues even to some degree strangers. To the majority of the world’s population (95%) we are not what Dr Wayne Dyer states “Free from the good opinion of others”.

Let’s just say that you want a cup of coffee?, now this probable fictional parable can play out in many ways.

1. We go and get one when the desire comes into our mind
2. We really want one but wait until we walk past a coffee shop or until the opportunity presents itself
3. We crave coffee but never get one
4. We drop hints and hope that someone will get you one as we got them one the day before
5. We do nothing but silently crave one, and become annoyed that no-one noticed your thoughts

Let’s just sit and think for a minute, it could be said that 4 out the 5 scenarios we probably end up the loser. We want something and we intend to have one but the majority of the time we end up without!

So what feelings can come out from the original intention and the conclusion of “lack”? Let’s list them.

· Anger
· Frustration
· Annoyance
· Peeved ness (is this a word?)
· Vengefulness
· Lack of self worth

So a snapshot of some of the feelings or a veritable noun sandwich can bring about some pretty negative feelings from a basic need. The coffee is just a metaphor and can easily be replaced with love, car, house, job, kids and money.

There is however one common denominator and is what rich, famous and successful people have been doing since recorded time. If there is something they want, they get it. It all starts with intention.

Intention has lots of meanings but just listing its synonyms would help you to appreciate where I am going; they are meaning, goal, objective, plan, purpose, aim and target.

My intention today is not about wealth, not even about coffee it is about offering you a glimpse into my mind and what I think about. Today’s blog is about infinite significance and a gentleman called ‘Ram Dass’. (Formally known as Richard Alpert, are you paying attention at the back Dave Steele? Another Lost clue)

Now Richard ‘Ram Dass’ Alpert was a Jewish / American who rose to prominence in the early 1960’s as a Professor at Harvard University. To cut a long story short he hung out with Dr Timothy Leary (LSD inventor), the Grateful Dead and Aldous Huxley, he took a lot of magic mushrooms and was kicked out of the campus due to his experimental ideas.

During this time Dr Timothy Leary was preaching to the newly found Hippie Community the Mantra of “Tune in, Drop out” Dr Alpert was leaning more towards the Hindu ethic of serving others.

Now to the point of the blog and not a biography ‘Ram Dass’ as Alpert who would later change his name too, wrote a best selling book called “Be Here Now” where his main themes along with other topics were that “ we are all manifestations of God” and that every moment was of “infinite significance”.

Now, I have been thinking about this blog for a long time and have put it off for months but had a breakthrough thought the other day which would go someway to explaining this.

Every conscious thought creates a feeling and every subconscious thought creates a belief. Now this is quite an esoteric statement but want to refer back to the original intention question about the coffee.

Now we could have had an experiment where we actually had 5 free thinking individuals and all of them had the desire for coffee.

How many do you think would have gone straight out and purchased one? How many would have chosen the other options? Or how many would have relied on other people to play a part in their decision as they were not able to make the choice alone?

Do you see that life is like that? We all have the same pure thought or desire but each has different outcomes. The need for other people to validate your opinion or you to passively offer them a role in controlling your destiny is what of course the problem is.

I have been a Manager for many years and is still amuses me to this day that people see my role in controlling them or to control their destiny. I always try and confuse people on occasion and ask them, “So what do you want to do?” Which of course is always followed with “So why did you not do it then?” It is a common human trait to want to be validated and some people see a Manager as a surrogate parent. However how many of these people who want a coffee, would go out and get it?

To have great intentions and to re-quote Dr Wayne Dyer you must be “free from the good opinion of others” and going back to Ram Dass and what he meant by the manifestation of God in all of us, which I feel should not be taken literally.

What he meant was, and this is my opinion. Is that we are our own creators and only our intentions can bring about our destiny, and every single moment towards that is of infinite significance. Whether it is our thoughts or actions, we change the world around us.

A simple smile at a stranger could calm anger that would have been directed at someone else, offering someone in need, some water. When that person could bear the child of a future pioneer and curer of diseases. Every step we take, every thought we think, every smile we make, every object we touch all could have infinite significance.

Examples such as Archimedes and his Eureka moment in the bath, Newton whilst sitting under a tree and observing a falling apple and Gordon Brittas when a new plan comes across his mind all have infinite significance.

This all leads into how we can clearly develop our sense of intention and of course creates positive moments of infinite significance, this is where we can learn from the Eastern esoteric practices and two of which are Yoga and Meditation.

I have battled with these concepts and it is plainly obvious the benefits that Yoga and meditation would give me, but yet I still resist. As you may of guessed it, if I desire a coffee that is all it stays. A desire!

But something has inspired me, and it took an 18-month old child and the BBC to bring this all to a resolute calm in my mind and to show me the way.

Now even though the BBC collects £3 Billion each year from the enforced TV license scheme and the majority of it is wasted on current affairs and numerous programs on antiques and car boot sales, there is some money invested into the world famous Children’s programs.

There has been some good output in recent times, Bob the Builder, Teletubbies, In the Night Garden, Fimbles, Tweenies and Balamory. These are loved through-out the world but the new creation of one of the most profound yet beautifully simplistic and spiritual programs has caused a bit of a stir between the vicars and spinsters and The Guardian readership of middle England.

The very thought of a program called ‘Waybaloo’ which teaches kids to be in touch with their feelings through meditation and kiddies Yoga (Yogo) would of several years ago resulted in the burning of its creators as heretics and witches.

Although there could be rank ling’s of a modern day Witch finder General if we allow the broad sheets too much editorial airtime (ask Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross)

Yet my daughter is transfixed, and on her own volition copies the Yogo moves and remains in a state of awe and joyous rapture whenever the characters are on screen.

So the moral is that even the so called emotionally undeveloped are more intelligent than us, and can see the attraction and benefit of yogo and can easily express their emotions. I would bet that if my daughter continued with these beliefs that when she has an intention for a coffee, that she just goes and gets it. ***

This is one of my moments of infinite significance and the realisation that meditation can calm the mind and can help you make your intentions clear. The sitting in a lotus position is also not necessary but just sitting and being quiet is enough to guide you.

The theme of infinite significance is continued in the topic of my next blog, I have been avoiding this subject for a while and to be honest there was no need to be. We all beat ourselves up some times and have self doubt but the general advice is to forget about it and forgive your self.

I so NO, we do not forget, and to quote the charismatic Les Brown. The key to happiness is not to forgive and forget, it is to forgive and remember without resentment. That is the key to happiness.

A break though moment of infinite significance right there folks!!

So good night all xxxxx

PS: There have been four clues now in recent blogs about the ending of Lost. The hidden code is something that I am practicing for a future book. I would love to hear your theories.

PPS. *** = Just like Sawyer (that was the fourth clue?

The Final Countdwon

“I am not a number, I am free man” – Number 6 (The Prisoner)

This week’s blog was a request, and the subject is numbers.

We are a media driven society, and every advertiser out there wants to try something quirky for us to memorise there product. A lot of this is done by the use of numbers; whether is 118 118 for directory inquiries to “1664” for Kronenburg Lager.

However I have a theory; my idea is that over a period of time we have become so saturated that we have reacted in four different ways. This, I believe is the whole cause of the credit crunch.

First set of people are called the “Spenders” these people do not fear numbers, they watch over the average amount of television, they are more sociable and of finally they are in debt. (45% of people)

The second set of people are called the “Scrooges” they fear they are not getting value for there money, they deny themselves luxuries, they shop in budget stores, they do not indulge in holidays and they are not that sociable and have a low paid job that does not change. (45% of People)

The third set of people are called the “Spirituals” they give lots of there money to good causes along with there time, they eat minimally and rely on community. They get very frustrated at the world’s ills and wish they could do more. They are blind happy, but have no resources. (5% of People)

The fourth set of people have it all; spiritual connection, they can spend at will and have all of life’s luxuries. They have a high paid job, great social life and are totally debt free. (5% of People)

You all think that I’ve obviously had too much sun, but living a fulfilled abundant life is a journey and one of the first steps is of course, no fear of money. The numbers do not play a significant role in their lives, and they use them for there actual purpose. A tally system, designed to measure where they are in achieving there goals.

Ok, that is very esoteric and me telling you about all this is very hypocritical, (the alert is flashing above my head) but what if we realise that numbers or in its greater role as mathematics is the language of the universe.

So why would be afraid of numbers, or have an irrational favour towards some?

I think we should look at some of the mythology behind some, let’s talk about 7, 8, 13 & 23.

The number seven; in Western culture this is deemed a lucky number. 7 is what we called neutral between Acid & alkaline, there are seven visible planets from Earth in the solar system, seventh day God rested, there are seven chakras, seven wonders of the world, seven bones in the neck erm…….. That is pretty much is it? Disappointed?

The number eight; this number is considered lucky in Eastern culture and is associated with prosperity and wealth, the eighth day of a Jewish boy’s life he is circumcised erm….. That pretty much is it? Disappointed?

The number thirteen; this number is considered unlucky in western culture. There were thirteen people at the last supper and Judas was the 13th person to sit down. Thirteen steps to the gallows and thirteen turns on the noose. Loki was the 13th god in Viking Folklore erm….. That pretty much is it? Disappointed?

The number twenty-three; this number has the conspiracy theorists going. Sportsman Shane Warne, Michael Jordan and David Beckham all wore the number 23. One of the sequence of numbers, in the code in “Lost”. In the Matrix 23 people are required to repopulate Zion. In Jeepers creepers the creeper comes out every 23 years to feast on human flesh for 23 days. Dr Pepper has 23 flavours. Julius Caesar was stabbed 23 times. John McCain was shot down on his 23rd mission. Shakespeare was born and died on the 23rd April. Psalm 23 is in the 23rd Book of the Bible.

The fear of numbers is irrational, and just encourages neurosis and paranoia. Our heads are full of phone numbers, pin numbers, house numbers & account numbers. We are constantly reminded that if we give away or not protect our numbers we would be cloned, our cash and identity gone.

Fear, Fear, Fear, Fear, the numbers are bad the numbers could ruin us. Let’s get rid of the numbers as quick as possible. Spend, Spend & Spend. Let’s distract ourselves from these numbers and watch television, Oh no the cycle starts again….. Fear, Fear & Fear.

Do you see where I am going?

Numbers are our friends as they help measure currency which can help us achieve our dreams and inner most desires. We will never deny ourselves what we want as numbers will continue to come to us with open arms.

As a culture we are not unique is fascination with numbers and each one has connotations in different countries from the number 21 in Vietnam meaning prostitute, to 69 being descriptive of a sex act, possibly representing Yin and Yang (A whole different blog).

Einstein said it best when asked if he remembers his phone number, and replied that he does not waste space in his mind for such things.

Maybe Number 6 was right, this not a number and a free man thing, could catch on?

Tally Ho!