Grandpa, Are You Still There?

Grasping my tackle box I was off down the shore, my nose  recognizing I was all ready there. I could smell the cool, green moss growing along the waters edge. I kicked my shoes off across the rocks and sticks. I was excited and most of all I was right where I had been so many times before - Grandpa’s favorite fishin’ hole.

He had taken me here since I was just two years of age. We always stopped along our drive to pick up a fresh batch of worms tucked away in a Styrofoam cup and lid. And of course I always had to open it up and get my first pick of the fattest, juiciest worm I could find to fish with.

Today was different though. I no longer had Grandpa with me and I was hoping that he still would accompany me in spirit.

Thinking my luck today would be rewarded by a tiny white marshmallow dipped in garlic, I prepared it. My line was cast out into the still calm waters. Now it was time to just wait. And wait I did. Thirty minutes must have passed and thinking I should check the line I reeled in.

Nothing.   Notta.   Zilch.

A thought entered into my mind as if to really hear the words, “Granddaughter, have I not taught you the secrets and art of fishing? Place that worm exactly as I have shown you and swing hard with that arm and your line will land in the middle of luck.”

 The worm seemed to be extra wiggly today. He wanted safety from my hook. Nope. Not today. I was determined to catch a fish this day just for Grandpa. I managed and did just as I had heard. Plunging my line I felt satisfied. Then with such quiet tenderness I whispered “Grandpa, are you still there?”

Counting in my head 1- 2 -3.

Wham! My pole bent straight down for the water. Yelling out loud, Fish on! Reeling, pulling, tugging we must have fought for ten full minutes but finally he was so close. Snatching my net I plunged my feet into the water so I could get nearer, then I plucked him up and he was captured. We had met our luck he was caught.

Grabbing his slimy body I poked my finger through the gills and unhooked the prettiest, largest rainbow trout I had ever seen. A smile stole across my face and heart, then whispering up towards the heavens. I said, “Thank you, Grandpa, for still being here. I love and miss you.”

By Taundra Shelton March 21, 2011

My Tale from MacBeth

From whence deep within my soul

I found the understanding for bearing upon my offspring

All the pangs of greatness.

For without it they would become the mere grimacing image of what life had

Truly not offered them.

For them

I wish not even one child who could say that the day could pass

Without the nights rest of mind

And the tremoring beliefs of unanswered prayers

 Would leave them

Still and Free – For this would be a lie.

This is what became of my thoughts as I came to know MacBeth, for through MacBeth’s life I saw a man of great distilled beliefs. He wished so much to find the victory and stillness that would lie just around the corner of his unfound good history. As his mind placed actions into his very own hands, he wrote this endless torment of his life.

On the contrary, Banquo’s life seemed to be one that would find his core beliefs rising and giving him strength to what was right and still; even learning not to entertain the minds play while being placed right at the center of madness. Was he faithful? I believe so. He hung to that which he knew to be right for his life and the life of his son. He allowed his own actions to be written upon his child’s very life.

It was through these two characters that I have had an awakening of responsibility as to my own parenting. What goes out from me becomes the power of strength for good to be found within the capabilities of my children. I want to teach that victory and peace comes from halting the entertaining of numbing ambitions. If allowed, our minds will take in our surroundings and we will begin to paint our own history through our own hands.

Is it enough to just keep struggling to make corrects choices while being encircled by madness? No, we must stand strong, confident and with our eyes focused ahead, clearing away those poisons that infect our souls and spill over to those who stand nearest to us, thus becoming that which we would never want for our children to become.  Remember that a comfort with normality will dampen our growth and greatness for victory.

I found in the very nature of Banquo, that once un-virtuous actions began to surface around him he turned and walked away, taking with him his dignity and legacy.

And I wondered if one day my children might look upon my life as one who could stop and pause so that the actions of my hands were worthy of their revering; leaving imprinted deep within them capabilities to write their own actions within their children that would leave a legacy -still and free.

By

Taundra Shelton

Genshai - (GEN-shy)

I entered the room and there sitting in her wooden rocking chair swaying back and forth awaiting my arrival was the most beautiful grandmother I had ever seen. Her skin was soft, aged, and pressed with wrinkles upon her hands and cheeks. As I was approaching her side she spotted me from afar. Her face was filled with a smile from ear to ear, and a brightness of joy that sparkled in her eyes resembled a blue sky of stars. "Grandmother"I said, "what are you doing?" Starting my descent to the floor I grasped her hand in mine. I wanted to be facing her directly so I could see deep into her eyes. I found my heart being filled as it had so many times before when I had knelt at her feet. Our conversation was one that was of no important nature or reason just one like so many times before. She smiled at me, most likely not hearing much of what was being said but just happy to have the company and conversation. She replied, "Oh, just relaxing." I embraced her every word wanting so much for her to feel deep inside my love and respect for her very life. I  wanted her to know I was there just for her visit. She meant everything to me,  I wanted her to see in me that I recognized her very life is what had given me, my life. This story could be painted time and time again within me, for it has been.

A few weeks ago when I had the beautiful opportunity to read a remarkably fueled book - Aspire by Kevin Hall for a class I am currently taking. I learned of this most amazing word. Genshai. 

This was it, it was my word. I had been doing exactly this emotion within my relationships and never even knew the name for it. What an inspiring moment it was for me. So, I have chosen to share it with you.

        As just a tender child I remember learning this very action to this word, deep within my soul. I began to harvest and emit this type of love and respect for others around me. I firmly believe as I have searched within, this was the result of good relationships with my Great-Grand Parents, Grand Parents and Great Aunts. (After typing this post out I can see an interesting correlation of learning greatness from our Greats & Grands).

       I was taught respect for their very words. I listened carefully, never to do that which I had been told not to do. I was given the opportunity to sit upon their laps and receive smiles and laughs from their very hearts. They loved me and I knew it. Not only did I love them, my parents did also. I watched  them make sacrifices to have weekly time with them. I even watched my Grandfather long after my Grandmother was passed, still going to his mother-in-laws my Great-Grandmothers to care for and visit her.

Our lives can and most likely will be filled with ordinary moments;  but can we find a way to fill them with no ordinary meaning? This is possible through living "Genshai." 

   Can you imagine with me a life where everyone you passed had something to give you, that could raise your understanding, lift your burdens and even cause you to dig deeper within yourself to find your divine nature?

I believe this. There has always been something very real, special, and lasting in relationships. It comes from living and claiming this word "Genshai." (I highly recommend this book Aspire by Kevin Hall, it is beautiful and full of thought).

"Genshai"(GEN-shy)

One of my most favorite words. It sounds strong ; and also has a strong meaning & action that follows it.

When it is properly lived it can have more impact in your life and the lives of others. It is a glorified way of living charity. 

"[Genshai] is that you should never treat another person in a manner that would make them feel small and that also includes you."Quoted from Aprire by Kevin Hall

"As children, we were taught to never look at, touch, or address another person in a way that would make them feel small. If I were to walk by a beggar in the  street and casually toss him a coin, I would not be practicing Genshai. But if I knelt down on my knees and looked him in the eye when I placed that coin in his hand, that coin became love. Then and only then, after I had exhibited pure, unconditional brotherly love, would I become a true practitioner of Genshai."Quoted from Aprire by Kevin Hall

Does "Genshai" flow from our cups?
And if so, can it flow more fully?

A Rebirth of Reading in Our Homes

      From the earliest of days, reading was a blessing and advantage to those who knew how. It was always to be found among our early great leaders. It pulled this country to victory and it freed the hearts of the captive. Educated, they became imbued with a love and drive for something greater. One has said "The only free societies have been those where reading was widespread and popular among the regular people.

Now in our day we are facing a huge downfall of our country's great literature going unused and forgotten. Lacking within our actions are the many beautiful lessons taught from the "Classics." From them we can be taught about values, education, love, processes, cycles and even patterns. It has been said, "Remove reading, and freedom quickly goes away—along with prosperity and a lot of other family and individual benefits."

In a recent study it was found that over the weekend, teens 15-19  spend an average of 16 minutes per day reading in 2007. In 2009, it went down to just 5 minutes per day. We must find our day of Renaissance.

So, where is our Rebirth of Freedom? It is in our Rebirth for Reading.  When we choose to bring this into our homes, we are choosing to magnify the greatness that will exceed the walls of that great place. Our children and ourselves will naturally find we are inclined to great leadership -- both outside of ourselves and also within ourselves. Lifting always from a foundation of true principles that build upon proper values.

There are so many books to chose from. The list is unending and also quite personal since growth within one's souls is largely individual. In my opinion, this would have to be one of the many great tools known for continually keeping your flow in life.

I wanted to show a great example of  Powerless Reading vs. Reading Power. I recently came across an article that demonstrated this. Found in the traditional folktale of "The Three Little Pigs"–not the Disney version. After reading the story I opened a discussion  with my sweetheart and daughter. I do not think I have ever gleaned this much meaning from the story of "The Three Little Pigs" than had I after this reading.  
(questions we talked about follows the link below - "The Three Little Pigs")

"The Three Little Pigs"

• Why did the piggies leave their first home?
• Where did the little pigs get the materials to build their houses?
• Does it seem strange that the man gave away the straw/wood/bricks just because the pigs needed them and asked for them–without paying?
• Do you think the man would have given away the materials if they hadn’t asked?
• Who in our lives gives us what we need, just because we ask?
• Why is asking an important part of that process?
• How did the pigs get the houses? [They built them]
• How much did they cost? [Only the cost of their labor]
• So basically, they all cost the pigs the same amount; which house was the most valuable, and why?
• Why would a pig ask for free materials of lesser value, and put his effort into building a house that didn't actually do what a house should do–protect and shelter?
• Do we ever ask for things that aren’t of lasting value?
• Do we ever put our effort into things that don’t serve our interests? How/What?
• Did the unfortunate piggies try to avoid the wolf? Why were they unable to do so? [Because they had not prepared adequately]
• Did the wise piggy try to avoid the wolf? How? [He put in extra effort to use the resources he had been freely given by the man so that the wolf wouldn't be able to enter his home. He also made plans and sacrifices in an effort to never be in the same place with the wolf when he had to leave his home.]
• What happened to the foolish piggies? Does misfortune ever come to those who mean well but do less than they could?
• How does this apply to us?              questions by Rachelle DeMille

There is a beauty found in the retelling of a classic story found in its pure form. A new power is embedded in the telling and discussion that follows. It truly brings about the discovery of new light. Many stories have been diluted and changed to remove some of our most precious lessons. We need to find, cherish and claim the ones we could personally say fits our family's values and give it place in our homes as a family "Classic."

By the way, do you know what is defined as a "Classic?" It is a book or books that can be read time and time again, and each time you learn great things. They teach foundational principles of greatness and build a love of learning.

When my family is engaged with a great classic, I don’t have to teach 6 different lessons for 6 different minds all at the same time just so they all can get something from it. They each take from the experience that which applies to them specifically and individually. Continually, providing a bonus moment where the spirit can also testify to that which is being taught and learned. I would have to say this falls in the category of "Good Books". That’s the power of a "Classic."

GIGO  (Going in; Going out)

Quality in, Quality out.

Find your Classics and bring the power back.

Flowing Cups

   I owe a big thank you to one of the "Greats," William Shakespeare. It was in his amazing play Henry V that I received a long over due answer to this very blog. My Title Name. I have stewed, processed, searched, asked and even melted in so many ways over the "naming" processes. It would have to be said, that naming my children came easier then naming this blog. So here we are; finally with "Flowing Cups".

What does it say to others? What does it mean to me? What could be understood by this very title?

        From one angle I saw the need to continually be flowing. If we could always say the cup is half full or half empty, we would than be actually saying it is always standing still, thus we would have a poor recipe for growth. Now if we were to say it is always flowing whether it be here, there and even runneth over, than that would  present to us a perfect atmosphere for growth.

    When something is flowing it is always refreshing, renewing, replacing and recharging our souls for new understanding and change that makes us great. When something is flowing it is spreading outward and most importantly through us and others. Think of a time when you moved through something. Now think of a time when something moved through you. When we move through something it tends to have less changing effects than when something moves through us. The piece somehow locates and finds it's place within us. They pair and marry with vision, hope, joy, peace, change and refining.

    So many of us carry armfuls of cups. At times we happen to take extra care of one and not the other. At times we play with them and use our cups and many times we even drop or break a cup. So what are these cups? What is in them? For some, they are:  tasks, responsibilities, joys, hobbies, children, talents, brilliance, discoveries, desires, knowledge, love, kindness - whatever we find that allows us to walk through our daily lives is what we carry in our individual cups.

    Without those things flowing through us we stop becoming and we stop being who we need to be today for tomorrow's successes of who we will become.

     From this place, I hope to grow and learn together and let flow through me to you the things that keep my "Flowing Cups" always changing. Allowing that which runneth over from my cups, flowing forward to bask in the beauty of the sun and warmth of your hearts, my dear friends. "Genshai"

 -  February 15th, 2011