Access: PublicThe True Measure of Success: ADVERSITY
Posted on Jul 3rd, 2008
by 
wanderer7
wanderer7
we tend to idolise greatness; be really impressed by it. Scale and size impresses us no end.
The Big Players, the Big Money, the Big Stage. This is what first comes to mind when we think of Success or Achievement.
I tend to have a slightly different view.
To me: success to relative to the challenges faced. By this, I mean, what skills and abiliies does a person bring to a task, and then how well do they perform or achieve?
A person with lots of talent needs a big challenge to 'succeed' or be 'satisfied'; an ordinary task for them is nothing; they can do it with their eyes closed and their hands tied in knots. The BIG STAGE, certainly, for these individuals.
But equally, if you have lesser abilities and talents (or are handicapped, perhaps) a smaller challenge is also a measure of success. You have less to bring to the table, and so if you do 'succeed' at your task or job, then that can be as equally an impressive victory; it is all about the RATIO between YOU and the TASK.
so even simple things (like learning to read, controlling one's anger, staying off drugs) can be enormous, gigantic SUCCESS STORIES in the lives of ordinary people; of course, these are not the tales that lace our newspaper columns or make it to the broadcast news; we have to go to the well of social media to read about these. But these STORIES OF ORDINARY MEN AND WOMEN can be as INSPIRING and REVEALING as the 'Big Picture' stories we so often see in films and novels.
There is a certain magic in the lives of the ordinary; it is all about the Relative Challenge that each of us faces on a Daily Basis.
Each life is a living human experiment; an experience in adversity.
blessings, and be well
wanderer7
Will Tampa Bay win the World Series?
Posted on Jul 2nd, 2008
by wanderer7
wanderer7
I'm a convert to the Rays. I've been following the Tigers for the past 2 years (they had such a good first half last year!) but they're a real shambles this year. I blame it all on the Miguel Cabrera trade; all those prospects swapped away for an over-rated player and a poor pitcher; just bad team management in my mind.
The Tigers came so close in 2006 ... and were doing well until the All-Star break in '07 ... then Sheffield got hurt, and that just killed them. That intimidating Home Run Bat just died with that shoulder injury; he still hasn't come back.
But the Rays ... what a surprise! they lead the AL East at the halfway point of the season, and are beating up on Boston as we speak (2 out of 3 in the current series ...)
they've got the pitching, the timely batting, some power, and most of all, the Team Spirit. A very exciting team to watch; and full of coastal energy!
a convert from cricket,
wanderer7
When Teachings Become Too Old
Posted on Jul 1st, 2008
by wanderer7
wanderer7
am I Buddhist? am I Christian?
no, I am not.
why so, wanderer, why aren't you fraternal and social, and join one of these groups, partake in the communion of souls, why do you insist on trekking it out alone, with knottled staff in hand, bearing the brunt of a cold headwind, never ceasing in your travels, constantly confronting obstacles and the settled order? Why sir, do you insist on this hard path?
I do, because the Truth has to be living, and has to be lived. The problem with doctrines and theosophy is that they are ancient and unreliable.
The Buddha lived, the Jesus lived. They lived, and they influenced. But what did they write? Nothing. Not that survives.
So what did they teach? What did Buddha and the Jesus teach mankind? Nothing. Not directly.
everything we know of 'Buddhism' and 'Christianity' is based on someone else's hearsay. Granted, they may have been close followers, and trusted disciples, but it is their word that we are going by. And it wasn't even in English!!
so, it was written and rewritten throughout the centuries ... over vast spans of time ... over many parchments and continents. The word was spread; by hand, by foot, by boat, to the wider world.
How much of these scriptures should we trust? Zero. Zero per cent. It is not the word of Buddha or the Jesus; it is the word of someone else. Interpreted, translated, massaged.
So what's the point?
the one saving grace is that the Truth is Universal. If there is anything of value in the so-called teachings of the Buddha or the Jesus, then it should be amenable to independent and multiple confirmations. Belief should NOT be an issue. Validity SHOULD.
so, the Truth is in YOUR HANDS. Test it out, give it a run.
SEE FOR YOURSELF.
love and light,
wanderer7
You Are Not Your Body; that is just a manifestation
Posted on Jun 29th, 2008
by wanderer7
wanderer7
what a liberating thought to have!
YOU ARE NOT YOUR BODY
all it's ills, all it's pains, all the angst ... this is nothing.
It is just an experience, for a time.
That is not to deny the existence of physical reality (after all, that brick wall is there, right?) but when we understand the TEMPORARY nature of things, the transience, the vehicle that is our body and the world, we aren't dragged down by our circumstances.
Sure, there is no perfect life. As the Buddha says, you can accumulate wealth, health, and favourable circumstances, but that can fall apart at any time. Those things are just temporary measures, temporary distractions.
YOU ARE NOT YOUR BODY
what a thought!
the truth will set you free, wanderer7
Generation Gaps - wanderer7
Posted on Jun 28th, 2008
by wanderer7
wanderer7
Generation Gaps - wanderer7
direct link
GENERATION GAPS
there are 3 main groups in the world today:
Boomers, Gen X, Gen Y
we need to understand each to understand how things interact, how they will eventuate.
each group has it's own agenda, it's own hopes and dreams.
this world, and it's outcome, is in our hands. Love and light.
original music by wanderer7. Scored for clarinet and piano; a fast paced piece, with a clear melodic stream. Enjoy!
Keeping Expectations Low, and Hopes High
Posted on Jun 28th, 2008
by wanderer7
wanderer7
when we start TO EXPECT a lot from the world, that is when we can get REALLY FRUSTRATED.
after all, the world and all its people, aren't here to SERVE US.
everyone else has their own agenda, their own plans, their own special purpose, and they go about their business. The stars spin, the plants reach high, the waves come crashing down. Everything moves in its own way, follows its own path. It's NOT DESIGNED to fulfill all YOUR EXPECTATIONS.
so, don't EXPECT TOO MUCH from things, or you're bound to get disappointed.
of course, that doesn't mean one should do NOTHING :-) one should always do the BEST YOU CAN to get the desired outcome; strive hard, study, plan, and work for what you WANT to achieve. But if it doesn't eventuate, DON'T GET MAD. If it didn't work out, just move on, and try again.
make your efforts, and be grateful for ANYTHING you receive. And know what? when you start moving into that state of grace and GRATITUDE, some really amazing, astonishing things start to happen.
blessings, love and light,
wanderer7
Keeping Oneself Open to New Sources
Posted on Jun 26th, 2008
by wanderer7
wanderer7
routine has it's place in life. For one, it keeps us generally sane. Just knowing what's coming up, how to approach certain things; this is a boon to the conscious mind.
routine, in a way, plans out our future for us.
But it can also be a groove that we become too comfortable in; like walking the same old path to work, meeting and greeting the same people, seeing the same sort of movies and tv shows.
when this happens, routine has become our mental straightjacket; limiting movement, and potential new thoughts.
I find the best example of this is our Information Sources. Where we go to to get new data on the world. Now, we have the traditional 3 big Media Sources (the radio, tv, and newspaper), but now the web opens up the whole vast spectrum of data sources to us. If one is multilingual, what a place to dwell in!
but even so, with the Web out there, each person can only sample of small slice; and even there, we usually move in Information Routines; certain sites that we have come to know, to trust, and rely on.
Part of the problem is just 'finding' new sources. Ventures start up, often quite promising, but how do they get known? Most often, it is just a fortuitous link that falls one way, and here we rely on friends and social networks to keep us informed of 'new sources' or 'new finds'. Rather happenchance, no?
But one thing I have noticed with myself is that I have these so-called Information Routines. And once you recognise it's there, one can maybe branch out a bit more, try and explore and discover Alternative Voices; some that may be Beacons of Hidden Wisdom.
Keeping Oneself Open to New Sources
love and light, wanderer7
Sleeping Waking Piano Fantasy - wanderer7
Posted on Jun 25th, 2008
by wanderer7
wanderer7
Sleeping Waking Piano Fantasy - wanderer7
direct link
SLEEPING WAKING PIANO FANTASY
sleep. where do we go each night? one third of our lives, spent in bed. what REALLY happens there?
the dream world. magic. inspiration. wonder.
original music by wanderer7
composed in Finale 2007
scored for piano and cello
love and light, my friends
AXIOMS FOR A NEW MUSIC
Posted on Jun 25th, 2008
by wanderer7
wanderer7
AXIOMS FOR A NEW MUSIC
1. Tones are Everything
2. Keys are Nothing
3. Division by Two is the Basic Premise
4. Lines come from Somewhere and Go somewhere
axioms for a new music
5. Instruments Transform Notes
6. Length is not Important
7. Observe the Bar Line
8. Repeats are to be Omitted.
9. Avoid Chords
wisdom
July 2008