RedJen's Rearview Mirror

And a woman spoke, saying, "Tell us of Pain."
And he said:
Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding.
Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain.
And could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life, your pain would not seem less wondrous than your joy;
And you would accept the seasons of your heart, even as you have always accepted the seasons that pass over your fields.
And you would watch with serenity through the winters of your grief.
Much of your pain is self-chosen.
It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self.
Therefore trust the physician, and drink his remedy in silence and tranquility:
For his hand, though heavy and hard, is guided by the tender hand of the Unseen,
And the cup he brings, though it burn your lips, has been fashioned of the clay which the Potter has moistened with His own sacred tears.

From The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

I've dealt with my ghosts and faced all my demons
Finally content with a past I regret
I’ve found you find strength in your moments of weakness
For once I’m at peace with myself
I’ve been burdened with blame, trapped in the past for too long
I’m movin’ on

I’ve lived in this place and I know all the faces
Each one is different but they’re always the same
They mean me no harm but its time that I face it
They’ll never allow me to change
But I never dreamed home would end up where I don’t belong
I’m movin’ on

I’m movin’ on
At last I can see life has been patiently waiting for me
And I know there’s no guarantees, but I’m not alone
There comes a time in everyone’s life
When all you can see are the years passing by
And I have made up my mind that those days are gone

I sold what I could and packed what I couldn’t
Stopped to fill up on my way out of town
I’ve loved like I should but lived like I shouldn’t
I had to lose everything to find out
Maybe forgiveness will find me somewhere down this road
I’m movin’ on

I’m movin’ on
I’m movin’ on

RealPlayer audio clip
Full (passable) recording in Windows Media Player format

Recorded by Rascal Flatts
Written by Phillip White & Vincent Williams

I've got to get home, (Baby, you'll freeze out there)
Say lend me a comb, (It's up to your knees out there)
You've really been grand, but don't you see
(How can you do this thing to me)

There's bound to be talk tomorrow
at least there will be plenty implied
I really can't stay, out there it's cold outside

Baby, it's cold outside

... if Scott Adams knows some of the same people we do...

"It's an odd thing, the whirly-gigs of the mind. When they start to spin, we tend to identify with the arising thoughts and feelings as our own. If the whirly-gig of the mind happens to spin in a pleasant manner, and pleasant thoughts arise, we embrace it. We say we are happy or content. If, however, the whirly-gig of our mind spins in an unpleasant direction, and we are besieged by unpleasant thoughts and feelings, we are repulsed. We say we are upset.

Most of us experience the oscillation between the two extremes of grasping (for what we want) and avoiding (what we don't want) on a daily basis. The whirly-gig of mind is always spinning because that is its nature. In other words, it is always moving. Thoughts and feelings are always arising from this movement of the mind. And thousands of years ago, ancient sages throughout the world discovered that the source of the mind's movement was the flow of subtle energies within our bodies. Tibetans call this lung (or the winds). Yogis call it prana, and Taoists call it chi.

Each of these alchemical systems has, in their own way, mapped out the subtle pathways responsible for the experience of thought and emotion. They describe these movements of subtle energy quite clearly and have developed means to alter their flow. The result is an inner technology that directly affects the mind and its creations (thoughts and feelings)."

- Tom Kenyon

Embracing the Shadow

I hope, here, to give you a quick and easy way to integrate shadow material into your conscious self through something called the Self-Integrating Process. The reasons to do such a thing are multi-faceted. For one, it allows you to avoid the snare of polarization within yourself (wherein you fight battles with yourself). For another, it removes you from the collective wave of Spiritual Fascism (a very good thing, indeed). Thirdly, it actually increases your energy levels because it frees up trapped parts of yourself. Remember, it takes energy to keep something down psychologically.

In addition, there are a few points I would like to introduce before we look at the Process itself.

First of all, suppressed shadow material often coalesces into a state that resembles a being or an entity. It is possible to communicate with one's shadow material as if it were a conscious being.

Secondly, accepting one's shadow does not necessarily mean accepting its behavior (i.e., if you want to stop smoking, accepting your own shadow material responsible for the abuse of tobacco does not mean that you accept smoking). It does mean, however, that you accept the part of you that wants to smoke.

And because it is Valentine's Day, here's something I found funny and a bit too close to reality from AdvisorTeam:

Your Artisan Valentine – The Playmate
Ready to take the plunge? Artisans want exciting lives, and they bring their partners along for the ride. Whether the passion is adventure travel, jet setting, sex, or pursuing an ambitious career dream, your Artisan partner will keep things exciting. Artisans cannot tolerate their lives falling into a rut. They are very generous and Artisans love to give gifts and create memorable surprises. But, they can be slow to commit initially and can be fickle if they think a relationship is losing its spark. An Artisan will bolt from a relationship if he or she feels fenced in or tied down.

Your Guardian Valentine – The Helpmate
Need someone who's 'there for you'? For Guardians, romantic relationships (like all human interactions) are serious responsibilities. Guardians are more likely than other temperaments to adhere to traditional gender roles in their courting practices, as well as in long-term relationships. They may feel torn between old-fashioned roles and the expectations of more “modern” partners. They try not to let emotional feelings sidetrack them; breadwinning, keeping house, even providing sexually for their partners are “duties” to be fulfilled whether or not one is “in the mood for it.” The demands of a career or community work may take priority over romance for Guardians once the courtship period is over.

Your Idealist Valentine – The Soulmate
Are you Prince or Princess Charming? For Idealists, romance is a “way of life,” an approach that does not limit itself to the realm of relationships. They look for deep connection with a partner: open communication, the sharing of dreams and life purposes, ongoing exploration of feelings, and sex as communion. No mate is initially as willing to accept your “darker side” than an Idealist – who may even find your faults compelling. However, Idealists are particularly prone to disappointment when a partner tumbles from the pedestal they have erected. Your Idealist mate may also be plagued (and plague you) with persistent anxiety, the vague worry that things are “too good to be true.”

Your Rational Valentine – The Mindmate
Long for a 'meeting of the minds'? Rationals choose their partners very deliberately. They tend not to enjoy the “time wasters” that often go along with relationships. Many Rationals can become bored with the niceties of courtships, continuous “processing” of emotional issues, and romantic gestures, proclamations, and outpourings that restate the obvious. But, Rational partners can provide intellectual intercourse like no others can. If you enjoy discussing such things as great books, philosophy, scientific theory, your Rational mate will never criticize you for being boring or “too deep.” Rationals appreciate intelligence and expertise the way some others appreciate looks, money, or status. They expect that you will reciprocate by respecting the time and energy they put into their own interests.

…and a dollar short.

You may be misinterpreting someone else's intentions and answering defensively. Strive to see things more clearly, and be less abrasive.

The sooner you start on a new project, the sooner you'll realize that you know precisely what you're doing. You need that kind of confidence..

When control is missing, common sense a trait unseen and logic has been thrown out the window…

Wild (Poe)
I go wild 'cause you break me open
Wild 'cause you left me here
I go wild 'cause your promises are broken

Wild because the chips are down
Wild because there isn't anybody else around
Wild when the waves start to break
And God knows they're breaking in me now

I go wild because it doesn't make sense
For me to cry out in my own defense
And wild because I would do anything
To tear you off your precious fence

So this is what it's like living in limbo
First I'm high then I'm so low

1. "I could have sworn I heard the can opener."

2. "Is there something I'm not getting when humans make noise with their mouths?"

3. "Why doesn't the government do something about dogs?"

4. "I wonder if Morris really liked 9-Lives, or did he have ulterior motives?"

5. "Hmmm ... If dogs serve humans, and humans serve cats, why can't we cats ever get these stupid dogs to do anything for us?"

6. "This looks like a good spot for a nap."

7. "Hey -- no kidding, I'm sure that's the can opener."

8. "Would humans have built a vast and complex civilization of their own if we cats hadn't given them a reason to invent sofas and can openers in the first place?"

9. "If there's a God, how can He allow neutering?"

10. "If that really was the can opener, I'll play finicky just to let them know who's boss!"

Sometimes a scream is better than a thesis. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

As you've probably noticed, I haven't felt much like writing lately. It would seem in the absence of my own voice, I have somehow been provided with other things that I find interesting or humorous to post. This morning saw the arrival of Day Light Saving time.

The clock is running. Make the most of today!

To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a grade.
To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby.
To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed a plane.
To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an accident.
To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND, ask the person who won a silver medal in the Olympics.

Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time.

And remember that time waits for no one...

Images on the sidewalk speak of a dream's descent
Washed away by storms to graves of cynical lament
Dirty canvases to call my own
Protest limericks carved by the old pay phone

In your picture book I'm trying hard to see
Turning endless pages of this tragedy
Sculpting every move you compose a symphony
You plead to everyone, "see the art in me"

Broken stained-glass windows, the fragments ramble on
Tales of broken souls, an eternity's been won
As critics scorn the thoughts and works of mortal man
My eyes are drawn to you in awe once again

And in your picture book I'm trying hard to see
Turning endless pages of this tragedy
Sculpting every move you compose a symphony
You plead to everyone, "see the art in me"

And in your picture book I'm trying hard to see
Turning endless pages of this tragedy
Sculpting every move you compose a symphony
You plead to everyone, "see the art in me."
~Jars of Clay~

(Devine),
Surround me as I speak,
The bridges that I walk across are weak
Frustrations fill the void that I can't solely bare

(Devine),
Don't let me fall apart
You've held me close to you
I have turned away and searched for answers
I can't understand

They say that I can move the mountains
And send them falling to the sea
They say that I can walk on water
If I would follow and believe
With Faith Like a Child

Sometimes,
When I feel miles away
And my eyes can't see your face
I wonder if I've grown to lose
The recklessness I walked in light of you

They say that I can move the mountains
And send them crashing to the sea
They say that I can walk on water
If I would follow and believe
With Faith Like a Child

They say that love can heal the broken
They say that hope can make you see
They say that faith can find a Savior
If you would follow and believe
With Faith Like a Child
~Jars of Clay~

Some went among women who were alone, teaching them to join together, for there is hope in two women, help in three women, strength in four, joy in five, power in six and against seven, no gate may stand.

~ Sherri Tepper, Gibbon's Decline & Fall ~

There I was, sitting on the couch and minding my own business. I got up to give Neko her evening snack before heading off to bed. As I was walking back toward the living room I heard, "don't spit tongue bits on me" coming from the other end of the couch.

"Don't spit tongue bits on me." - Eve, June 29, 2004

(My parents sent this to me)

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, when we are able to go on a nice vacation or when we retire. The truth is there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges.

It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with ... and remember that time waits for no one.

So, stop waiting ...
Until your car or home is paid off.
Until you get a new car or home.
Until your kids leave the house.
Until you go back to school.
Until you finish school.
Until you lose 10 lbs.
Until you gain 10 lbs.
Until you get married.
Until you get a divorce.
Until you have kids.
Until you retire.
Until summer.
Until spring.
Until winter.
Until fall.
Until you die.

There is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. So work like you don't need money, love like you've never been hurt, and, dance like no one's watching.

May your dreams be sweet, you worries few and may Santa slip silently by as you sleep tonight.

To those who stand between me and those who would cause us harm, thank you. I wish you restful slumber and a swift resolution to that which takes you away from home.

Regardless of rank or the color you wear,

She lives her life naked, punctuated by a few moments with clothes on.

Your teeth like air...

"You can carry on marrying your cousins, but there's a price to pay." Ann Crier, Labor MP

Ann says you if you marry your cousins and your kids aren't perfect, then you need to deal with it. Her detractors say that she's attacking their right to marry their cousins.

Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have. The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases. ~ Thomas Jefferson