Human Race

Have you ever questioned the little boxes that we check that say what nationality we are? Caucasian? African-American? etc...

Why is it that we are defined by where or within what skin color we are born in? Why is it that "race" is a question? I have been pondering this for a while now... why is it that we are not just one race? The "human race"? Wouldn't that make more sense?

The more we differentiate one another with these definitions are we not just causing more differentiation among one another? I believe so. As I talk to my children, I find myself saying more and more that that "person" is just human and part of the human race not black, white, Asian or otherwise. I want my children to see no color; no religion; no difference.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to just check one box on all the forms we are obligated to fill? Check the box that just says "human race"; and then to work on what humanity's definition should be - humanity, the world, should view itself as one; with one cause - the survival of all...the earth, the people that occupy this earth, and the nature that sustains us all.

Such an ideal dream, but I fear we are so far from seeing this dream. It makes me ponder, even sad, as I work to teach my children one thing and see the world fight to maintain their different ethnic differentiations. If, and only if, we could see that the earth houses all of us and that we are all are equal...what a thought! Radical? Maybe...but I don't think so...or am I just being an idealist?

Believe

How often have we heard to believe? Project positive energy into the world...it will be reciprocated? Karma? I know that I believe, but to what end and how far? I guess the answer lies within each of us. As I write tonight, I want to say "believe like there is no end; as if today is all we have and to be present is all we need to do." I am writing tonight, with a prayer in mind, I believe that there is a greater good and a greater Being guiding us/me. So as patience seems to be ending find the "well" within yourself to dig deeper and to continue believing.

That's it...find that "well" within yourself that holds the truth; that believes. Be the one that notices the tree without defining it as one....meaning define no one or no thing... exist and embrace.

With this simple word "Namaste" meaning "I see the light within you"... see the light within yourself and others. Live.

Manuals for Life

In raising children, I have found that there is so much I do not know...they never came with manuals and we, as parents, do the best we can; but sometimes that doesn't seem like it's fair. Let me explain. Almost everything we purchase or acquire comes with a manual to help guide us and if it doesn't then the purchase or acquisition must be self-evident in its usage. Children however are all so different and no matter how many books you read...well, you will probably not get all the answers or possible guidance you may need.

As infants, I knew to change diapers, nurse them, comfort them, clothe them...my breast (not as firm as they should be are from pregnancy weight gains and losses to breast feeding for long periods of times; my inventions are products developed out of my own necessities) and my gray hairs are sure tell signs of the challenges I as a parent (and I KNOW I am not alone) have faced, overcome and felt rewarded when the outcome has been what I had hoped for; but now as the children are respectively 12, 10, 7 and 4...I sure could use a manual for each of them.

Maybe it's not a manual we, as parents, need; maybe it's a community of us that communicate and share our experiences, wants, solutions to problems we all probably share. The only thing I know is that tonight as I post this entry, I have tucked four precious beings into bed thinking about the day we shared. The 12 year old, I swear is already in her teens...I just miscalculated her year of birth. The 10 year old, is going to give me a serious case of "reptile-itis"...I think he knows every species there is and if I would allow it, they would all be in my home. We had to go through a mini "prayer service" for a snake that had accidentally been run over by a car. You should have seen my son's sadness and mine as well at his grief. We forget how innocent their hearts and minds are. The 7 year old needs a serious retraining program...that child has literally climbed up every wall and furniture we own and I am awe at his endurance...but still can't help but look at all the hand and footprints I see in the strangest of places; seriously, hand and footprints near the ceiling in my hallway. And let's not forget the 4 year old, I think she's going into her teen years as well and again, I have miscalculated her year of birth. Either that or whoever said "terrible twos" was seriously mentally handicapped...did he or she not experience the ages of 3 and 4. Well let me tell you, that person needs to do his/her research over again!

But in having said/complained all this...would I change a thing? A hair on their heads? NEVER!

Children are blessings. I do wish, however, they came with manuals and above all, I pray they don't kill me before my time!

"Love them, nurture them, remember always that they are just children and be patient; they have to grow up sometime - right?!" - a quote I say to myself every day!''

Boys vs Girls

"Toads, frogs, snakes...Oh My!" I know, the song doesn't really go that way, but today I was watching my children...mind you, I have 2 boys and 2 girls and for about an hour, you would not have known the difference. We live in a wooded area with lots of toads, frogs, snakes, geckos, etc. With all the rain we have had of late, all these lovely creatures are coming out in large numbers and my children are in heaven. Today, however, as I watched them play...I couldn't tell them apart and I don't mean that I could tell them apart physically; I mean, I could not tell them apart by their level of interest.

Awhile back, I swore, I would not get skirmish over snakes and lizards, etc. I did not want to raise fearful children...although, I can't help but admit that my skin would "crawl" and I would spend an hour in the shower cleansing myself. Today, I welcome the creatures wherever the children want to place them on me...in my hands, lap, hair. I have found that these fair creatures are of amazing interest and I am thrilled to see the children cradle them with care and curiosity. Always, however, knowing that mom's rule is that you never keep them from their natural habitat. Enjoy them, pet them, love them...but let them go.

So as I sat today, I was thinking, nostagically of course, that just as my children play and nurture the creatures they have found then release them to be free...so too do I, as a parent, do that for them. Nurture, love, grow and then finally let them go!

The difference between animal life and human life is so nominal when put into such a simplistic perspective!