Before heading to Hawaii, you all graciously provided me with some tips on how to turn the tide of bad luck.  (I have opted to do a progressive cleansing - I spent a week reflecting, which turned out to be exactly what I needed, and will do massage and fasting this week, followed by a ceremonial plate breaking and burning of bad things on New Year's (to be joined in by some friends).  Thank you all for the suggestions!)  Because your wisdom is greater than mine (at least collectively ;), and because I could really use some help here, I'm now requesting tips on how to help a loved one.

A woman I used to work with and deeply respect was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  Luckily she caught it early and was a candidate for surgery.  Unfortunately, even with the surgery, studies show she has less than a 50% chance of survival.  Her father passed away from pancreatic cancer and I can only imagine how scary this must be for her.  She has two young kids who shouldn't have to grow up without their mom. 

I am aware that there is not much I can do in this situation.  I will cook for them and water the plants or do whatever they need done.  But I want to do something to put some fantastic healing energy out there for them.  Only, I have no idea what to do.  So, I'm hoping that you wonderful people can once again steer me in the right direction.  Many thanks!

Show us what inspires you to write.

It's a pretty simple answer, really.  This:

Brain

After watching The Exorcism of Emily Rose the other night, I have not been able to sleep well enough to have a dream that I remember.  Many of you are probably thinking, "Who cares?"  Well, good point.  But, this is an extremely unusual occurrence for me.  I dream a lot and almost always remember at least one.  So, I think it is telling of, well something, that after a brief drought brought on by watching a move about possession, I had a dream that must be spiritual in nature.

Recently I learned about a special nap club and its president.  Then, I had a dream about the president and how I was tasked with taking care of him for a weekend while I was on a trip in New Mexico, a very spiritual place.  He was constantly on a fluffy bed placed higher than my line of vision, which I think means that I am supposed to look up to him.  I had to bring him offerings to keep him appeased and when he was appeased, he was very benevolent and generous, albeit with fur and not much else in the way of physical, tangible things.  But, I think we were starting a path to enlightenment.

I got to thinking about how napping really is a cornerstone in my approach to life.  I nap as often and as regularly as I can.  Last month I even napped under my desk for an hour.  And, while napping, I often dream very interesting, dare I say internally revealing, dreams.  This all made me realize that Rudy is not actually the president of the napping club, he is a guru offering another path to enlightenment, a path I'd like to be on as we speak.  So, I am here to tell you that if you are searching, struggling, or just have a little free time, say a little prayer to Rudy and get some solid shut-eye.  Your path will be revealed.

Please feel free to send any donations for the yet-to-be-built Church of Rudy in care of me.  I'll take good care of your funds. 

My guru:

Snagged from Jessmiloo.  This was a fun mental break this afternoon, but, alas, must return to the grind....

Idealists, as a temperament, are passionately concerned with personal growth and development. Idealists strive to discover who they are and how they can become their best possible self -- always this quest for self-knowledge and self-improvement drives their imagination. And they want to help others make the journey. Idealists are naturally drawn to working with people, and whether in education or counseling, in social services or personnel work, in journalism or the ministry, they are gifted at helping others find their way in life, often inspiring them to grow as individuals and to fulfill their potentials.

Idealists are sure that friendly cooperation is the best way for people to achieve their goals. Conflict and confrontation upset them because they seem to put up angry barriers between people. Idealists dream of creating harmonious, even caring personal relations, and they have a unique talent for helping people get along with each other and work together for the good of all. Such interpersonal harmony might be a romantic ideal, but then Idealists are incurable romantics who prefer to focus on what might be, rather than what is. The real, practical world is only a starting place for Idealists; they believe that life is filled with possibilities waiting to be realized, rich with meanings calling out to be understood. This idea of a mystical or spiritual dimension to life, the "not visible" or the "not yet" that can only be known through intuition or by a leap of faith, is far more important to Idealists than the world of material things.

Highly ethical in their actions, Idealists hold themselves to a strict standard of personal integrity. They must be true to themselves and to others, and they can be quite hard on themselves when they are dishonest, or when they are false or insincere. More often, however, Idealists are the very soul of kindness. Particularly in their personal relationships, Idealists are without question filled with love and good will. They believe in giving of themselves to help others; they cherish a few warm, sensitive friendships; they strive for a special rapport with their children; and in marriage they wish to find a "soulmate," someone with whom they can bond emotionally and spiritually, sharing their deepest feelings and their complex inner worlds.

Idealists are rare, making up between 20 and 25 percent of the population. But their ability to inspire people with their enthusiasm and their idealism has given them influence far beyond their numbers.

Get your own personality profile at The Advisor Team's site.

On Burma Action Day, I posted in support of the demonstrating monks and students and asked people to contact their elected officials to demand that something be done to stop the oppression and bloodshed.  A neighbor pointed out that demanding that our militaristic government "do something" might not be in the best interest of anyone and I actually agreed.  So, I sat there wondering, what can we do?  Do we just sit here and say we don't support the human rights abuses and do nothing.  Since that day, I've honestly felt a bit impotent when it comes to this issue and human rights violations around the world generally.  What is happening in Burma is horrible and, sadly, it is similar to other horrible scenarios playing out all over the world.  As people of privilege, I believe we have an obligation to act (we are at much less risk of losing everything).  But what to do?

This morning, I heard a call to action that I think each one of us can do (some may already be helping whether they realize or not).  The story stated that 95 percent of the world's rubies and 99 percent of the world's imperial jade come from Burma.  While Burmese products are technically banned in the US, companies in other countries, like China, will purchase the gems, finish and cut them, and then sell them off as their own products.  If you plan on purchasing gems, please demand to know the origin of them and refuse to purchase products from Burma. 

For more information on how the military junta benefits from the sale of Burmese gems, check out this article.  Knowing what mining does to the earth and the way millions of people are enslaved to procure precious stones, I'd have to say I'm not so sure purchasing any jewels is such a great idea.  But, if you do, please do it as responsibly as possible. 

Dear Chicago Cubs,

I would like to begin by noting that I have never asked you for anything and today is National Be Nice to a Lawyer Day (I heard it on NPR, so it must be true).  So please hear me out.  I have been a dedicated fan for the past 9 years, but I am only partially writing for my benefit.  Truthfully, I am writing on behalf of my husband who has loved you for life (that's a solid 35 years in case you lost count).

This man once woke up at 6 a.m. on opening day and drank through the whole day because he was so excited about it (and was a senseless 20-something).  He celebrated your return to Wrigley Field so much that he passed out on the street that night.  Imagine what could have happened to him.  We all know Cubs fans are naive.  Luckily his baseball cap had fallen off and he woke up with enough money in it to catch a cab ride home.  (See you really can be good luck).  He once moved across the street from Wrigley Field and went to every home game that year.  He has sat through baseball games in scorching heat, freezing cold, and weathered out storms at the Cubby Bear (alright, alright, that one's not so tough to do).  When we moved to California, he bought a subscription to Vineline and the radio broadcasts and faithfully listened to EVERY SINGLE game.  When we got WGN, he (which really means we unless I was napping) watched every televised game.  In case you weren't aware, there are an awful lot of baseball games in a season.

This man has sat with you through thick and thin and, let's face it gentlemen, it's usually thin with you guys.  But he's okay with that.  You're the "lovable losers" and he genuinely does love you.  He'll tolerate almost any crap you dish out.

But the last 2 nights have been more than any fan should be expected to endure.  I don't know who took your balls before you stepped out on that field, but you are playing like a bunch of frightened middle-schoolers up against a high school team.  WTF, Cubbies? 

I understand you all buy in to the whole curse of the goat thing.  And I also get that playing in front of bleachers of people so drunk they spit on their shoes means you don't have to live up to high expectations.  You will fill the stands at Wrigley no matter what you do.  But you are PROFESSIONAL baseball players.  You get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to play BASEBALL!!!!  It's not like we're asking you to teach inner-city youth who have no respect for you while forcing you to live on $30,000 a year and pass through a metal detector on your way in to work.  You go out and you throw the ball and then, when it is your turn, you hit the ball.  Maybe, if you want to get fancy about it, you can even steal a base, but we're not really expecting that from you.  All we want is a decent showing.

In case you weren't aware, my husband is now forced to live with a woman who won't eat anything he cooks, who cries at the slightest wind blowing past, and whose occasional rage makes her seem more like the Incredible Hulk than the woman he married.  All he wants is to come home, put up his feet, crack open a beer, and watch you guys play baseball.

So, here is my request.  Tonight you'll be back on home turf.  You know what's at stake.  You can either be losers for the rest of the franchise's history, or you can stand up there and be the professionals you all actually dreamed of being when you were kids.  Yes, the Diamondbacks are good.  But it's not their turn to go to the World Series.  It's your turn.  So, please, please, pretty please, get your heads out of your asses and play a decent game of ball.  I promise I will still root for you when you are not the underdog.

Many thanks and much love, EF

All I can say is that you know it's bad when China agrees to intervene in a human rights crackdown (no offense to any Chinese neighbors in the bunch).  To participate in the blog action day, visit the Free Burma website.  You should also check out Sujatin and Tyson Williams.

Edit: I had previously asked people to contact their elected officials to get involved, but after reading JayD's comment, I've realized that (a) I do not believe our government will actually do anything about genuine human rights abuses around the world and (b), if they did, they'd probably screw it up.  So, I simply ask that you take whatever action your conscience dictates.

Free_burma_03

Note: For those not aware of the Vox Stalker contests and what not going on, please do not be alarmed.  This is a tribute to IG, not cause to call the police or get a restraining order.  Also, it is my chance to post a stalker letter since I missed out on the contest fun. :)

Dearest IG,

My apologies for such a late birthday entry.  I was busy paying a private background check company to give me your unlisted phone number so that I could call and wish you a happy birthday.  While not completely in person, it is definitely more personal than an email.  I understand that you don't want all of your VOX neighbors calling you to send you good wishes and tell you how utterly fantastic you are as your phone would ring incessantly.  However, I do feel you could make it a wee bit easier to get in touch with you.  That said, I have managed to track down both your home and work addresses and hope to arrive shortly to give you your birthday hug in person (provided Southwest does not kick me off of the flight for my too-short skirt, which I thought you would enjoy).

I want you to know how much your posts have meant to me.  You have inspired me to learn all of the SKU numbers for all Franklin Covey products (this is quite an accomplishment considering I am bad with numbers).  I know how much you enjoy the green, pink and yellow products, so I have focused on those and am trying to compose a song for you based on them.  Sadly, "organizer" is a tough word for which to find a rhyme.  But fear not, if there is anything I bring to this collaboration, it is persistence and bad grammar.  I will not stop until I come up with something.

I have also been handcrafting a bunny costume to wear when we meet in person for the first time.  Since I do not have a bunny, I am having to put it together out of scraps of my cats' hair.  I hope you do not mind an orange, black and white bunny.  I thought it might be appropriately Halloween-themed.  While it doesn't quite look like a bunny yet, or perhaps a mangy one, I trust I can get it in fine shape on the plane, provided they allow me to bring my needles in my carry-on.  Otherwise, I hope you will see it as the work-in-progress that it is.

Additionally, I have been learning so much about technology, what with you being a tech person and all.  I have managed to isolate your IP address from my stat counter and have been learning a lot about your likes and dislikes.  I am now changing some of my opinions so that they accurately reflect your own.  As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Finally, I am in the process of trying to convince my husband that we should name our child IG.  I know there is only one original IG, but I think there is no finer tribute than naming a child after someone's anonymous online persona.  Unfortunately, Mr. EF is not 100% on board at this time, but give me time.

I hope that this birthday is a very special one and that Mr. IG appreciates you the way he should.  Know that should you want to enter into some sort of collaboration, I offer a wealth of knowledge about celebrity trivia, unpredictable and sometimes entertaining food cravings, knowledge of ways to creatively use shed animal hair, and an unforgettable aroma.

Please stay warm this birthday.

With love,
EF

EF+IG = BFF

Grief and loss seem to be universal themes in my neighborhood right now and I thought today's Daily Om was appropriate to share with you all. 


September 25, 2007
Sharing Grief
Opening To Receive Comfort

When we experience something that causes us to feel shock and sadness, we may feel the urge to withdraw from life. It may seem like remaining withdrawn will keep us protected from the world, but during these times it is important to reach out to those trusted and precious people who care about us the most. Even with our best information and reasoning, we never know when someone else’s experience or perspective can give us additional information that we need. The universe speaks to us through many channels, and when we open ourselves up to receive its messages, we also receive nurturing care from a loving partner in life’s journey.

Sharing grief allows us to ease our burden by letting someone else help carry it. This helps us process our own inner thoughts and feelings through the filter of a trusted and beloved someone. We may feel guilty or selfish, as if we are unloading on someone who has their own challenges. Although, if we think about it, we know we would do the same for them, and their protests would seem pointless. Remember that not sharing feelings with others denies them the opportunity to feel. We may be the messenger sent by the universe for their benefit, and it is on this mission that we have been sent. By sharing our hopes and fears, joys and pains with another person, we accept the universe’s gifts of wisdom and loving care.