In these days of E-Mail, Newsgroups, Chat-rooms, etc. we are redefining the ways we communicate with family, friends and people we are meeting for the first time. The introduction to new people which used to take place at the office or over lunch is now expanding to include new avenues of interaction. The physical aspects of human beings is starting to become secondary to their mental thoughts and expressions. What is more important….how we feel and what we think, or what we look like and what clothes we wear? The answer is obvious, but look how in the past many people have been judged. Today when you go online to interact with people do you ask yourself, what color is this person I’m communicating with, what religion are they, what race are they, how tall are they? Probably not. In fact, a majority of the time we don’t even know where the person lives, or sometimes whether they are male or female. This opens up a whole new way of looking at communicating with people throughout the world. The human family truly is starting to become smaller. In the past, the telephone was the way to communicate voice to voice, but in most cases you knew where and whom you were calling, what contry they lived in, etc. These days when you go online who really knows where anyone lives? Although video transmissions through computers are available in most cases, the video portion is optional. The point I’m trying to make here is pre-conceived notions can be kept to a minimum. Most of us, when we see someone walking towards us, form an opinion even before we speak to them, based on their physical appearance alone. If the Internet form of communication is let continue, we may have the tool to change the way we look at and understand each other….wouldn’t it be wonderful if perhaps through this form of technology we could reach each other without age-old barriers…..

Take the time to love,

Jennifer Avalon
© 1997 Jennifer Avalon

Each one of us contribute a little something to the vibration that flows around our planet called Earth. Although we may believe that our small contributions don’t add up to much and that most of the glory is held by the leaders of the countries of the world, it is the people that create the aura, the atmosphere, that we live in every day. We, as a global community will eventually determine the true outcome of this planet. The contributions that we make as an individual which becomes a section which evolves into the whole determines the destination we choose for the future of our children and of our planet. Many people on Saturdays and Sundays pray to God to connect to a Superior Being, to help them along the road to a better understanding of the world and how to become better people in the Light of God. If that is the case, then it is up to each and every one of us to somehow deliver a part of that essence of God into our lives. I believe that through prayer, and understanding, it is possible to bring contentment, happiness and unity into our lives, which in turn will spill over into the world, as a chain reaction. If all we do is look for ways to find division and separation then we will never be able to find the unity that is needed to progress our planet into the next century. If God is the key, then each one of us has to find the piece of God within ourselves to connect with the God of the Heavens. I believe that God wants us to find ourselves as a human family, not to be separate and hate our differences. It is within our power to heal the wounds of division and find the unity of our strength. God is Love, God is Peace, God is needed to help us find the common bonds that can bridge our societies and our world to a better understanding of who we are, and where we are headed. I see that there will come a day when tools like computers and satellites will link us as a family to better understand what it was that kept us so apart for so many years. It is up to each and every one of us to contribute to an environment of Love, Understanding, and Unity. It is possible. Heaven is a place of Unity, Love, Understanding and Hope. It is what we strive to return to. I think it is God’s wish that somehow we leave this world a little better of a place because we were here.

Take the time to love,

Jennifer Avalon
© 1997 Jennifer Avalon

As we trek along on this road that’s called life, along the way we all in one form or another pick up these strange little habits that we routinely do or act upon on a daily basis. It can be as simple as backing the car out the same way every morning, putting the toothpaste on the toohbrush the same way everytime, but we seem to have an uncanny knack of repeating patterns. Some of the patterns become cumulative and destructive, others, just a way to have fun. If we are creatures of habit, and free will, in most cases, is a tool at our disposal, then perhaps we have control over these strange little habits that develop over time. Lately I’ve been wondering, “Maybe it’s possible to replace our bad habits with good ones”. One day I had a piece of cake at one in the afternoon. The next day, for some strange reason, I started craving cake at one in the afternoon. If I continued to” partake in cake” my life would be full of cake!!! at one in the afternoon sharp. What I’m really saying is can I replace the cake with something a little healthier, like a carrot or a stick of celery. If these so-called habits become a part of our lives, do they influence the direction our lives take? If I fill my life with bad habits, then one has to wonder what direction will be chosen, even sometimes without realizing the consequences. If that is the case, then it is extremely important that the habits we choose are monitered and observed by ourselves for their potential outcome. If I can somehow correct negative habits with positive habits, then the reward may be more beneficial to me in the long run. We seem to focus little, myself included, on the building blocks that multiply to become the foundation of our desires and accomplishments of tommorow. Sometimes it’s hard to see the forest for the trees…but with a little discipline our vision and understanding can be sharpened. It’s important to me to draw attention to things that can help people have a better control over their lives as individuals. Perhaps with a focus on positive habits this can be a step towards that accomplishment.

I guess the piece of cake is okay once in awhile!!!

Enjoy,

Jennifer Avalon
© 1997 Jennifer Avalon

Love is an emotion that, at some point in our lives, we are destined to meet. Every one of us has been blessed and hurt by love; tremendous highs, incredible lows…..but there it is, standing sometimes right in front of us, no way around, but straight through. If a child is denied love, then what can we hope for its future? The rest of its life it will be longing to make up for the loss, and the caring, that is needed to produce a functioning human being who believes that the sky is the limit. One of the hardest roles at this stage of life is parenting. I admire every man and woman who at this stage of life can understand the importance of every word and every action that is spoken and observed by a fragile, younger life. The right road is so important for their emotional well-being. If love is something that we don’t need, then what weapon do we have to fight hate? The heart is a very strange thing…it remembers pain and trys to overcome it, but so much of what we put in our minds is carried with us to our dying days. Hopefully, somewhere along the way, we can find the peace that is needed. Mankind has gone to war over love; killed over love, but is that love? Or jealousy, rage and envy? The way I look at love is that it is a flower that constantly needs water,nurturing, and sunlight. If the flower is neglected it dies. Abuse to me is not love. It is someones way of dealing with their own anger, or lack of love in their own lives. The best kind of love is love that is entered into with an open mind, not for the purpose of possessing, but a way to give and help enhance the other person, along the journey to knowledge, identity, and purpose. I guess all of us strive for that knowledge, that identity, and that purpose. I hope you find yours. Until next time,

Love,
Jennifer Avalon
© 1997 Jennifer Avalon

We’ve come to a point in the music industry where people no longer feel that the music that is being released is of lasting value. The slumping record sales of the past couple of years has had an incredible impact, not only on the majors, but the small independant labels too. In my opinion the public are searching for substantially more than a catchy tune with a good beat….not that I don’t enjoy a good beat once in awhile, but over the course of time the originality and the inventiveness that brought people to music in the first place starts to get lost. I think the music industry, once again, has reached this point. Also, there is only so much time in the day…people are working longer and their interests are expanding (example: computers) The listener has to redefine the importance of music in their lives. I am a singer/songwriter signed to Aviator Records, a small label, but fully supportive of my vision and where I want my music to go. I am currently at work on my third album. I take very seriously the letters I received regarding my first two releases, so that I can understand what my audience is telling me and how I, as an artist , can supply their needs and my own. I take the process of writing and recording very seriously. I want my music to say things to people…to touch them. The time of artists all sounding alike and saying the same things is over. Too many people are searching for understanding and focus in their lives. I believe it is my responsibility as an artist to create a dialogue so that the listener and the artist, together, can help each other come to some conclusions about who we are, and where we are going. I encourage all artists to start to speak out about what it is that makes them different than other artists so that together we have more of a variety in music, and perhaps we can start to break down the barriers that keep us apart as people.

Take the time to love,

Jennifer Avalon
© 1997 Jennifer Avalon

Here we are….a human family, living on a planet floating through space. Throughout our planet a person can come into contact with all different kinds of climates, people, and cultures. I being a Christian living here in America, have my own set of values and ideas that help me go about my day and, hopefully, along the way, I leave the people I meet with a better understanding of who I am, and perhaps a smile. Half a planet away somebody else,too, goes about their day, trying to make a living, to put food on the table for a family in need. They may wear different clothes than me, but it is possible that they too are trying to make the world a better place for themselves and others. If God has truly made each one of us unique, then we are a planet of unique people, each one of us special in our own way. I believe it is the goal of many of us to have a peaceful, healthy existence, but how can that be if all we focus on is our differences? We have multiple races, religions, cultures and personalities. The key is, how do we all exist on one planet without eventually killing each other? As much as I believe that Christianity is the way to Jesus and God, I also have to accept that others may have found other ways to God. We must begin to focus on what brings us together as a human family, not what keeps us apart. How can I argue with a person in the Middle East who kneels down 5 times a day to pray to God? if I can show him that I too pray to God everyday,then perhaps through our belief in God,we can find some common ground. There are people that I know who claim to be atheists. As much as I find it very hard to believe that someone would not believe in a higher power, I do listen to their views, and in turn, try to find some similarities in how we feel about things. If nothing else, we all breathe the same air, and share the same planet. One point that I find very interesting are Naturalists…they have a strong belief in the cycle of nature. The way I approach this point is that if God created the planet, then God too created nature, so for me, in some way, they do believe in God. I know some people would tell me the only true way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ, Allah, God, etc. Although I myself believe in Jesus Christ as my Saviour, don’t I also have to understand that some people may disagree with me? And if they do, what is my solution? To find ways to love them, or to hate them? One thing I have found in my travels, hate breeds hate. But love can overcome all. I hope one day before I die to see a planet where many people of all different shapes and sizes, creeds and colors, sit around a table and rejoice in what makes them similar, and different. Then we can truly understand why God made us unique. Only when we accept the way things are can we bring about change.
Take the time to love,

Jennifer Avalon
© 1997 Jennifer Avalon

All we seem to hear about these days is “Who is number One?” Who is Number One today? Not yesterday, not last year, but NOW. If you are number One yesterday, but today you are not, then you are considered a failure…you couldn’t stay at Number One. The view that seems to be permeating through our society is that it doesn’t really matter if you’re the best you can be, if that doesn’t result in you being Number One over everybody Forever, because if you reach Number One, and you do not stay there, you eventually either end up as a has-been, or a failure. BUT, there is always the Comeback!! It’s interesting that it also seems to carry over into the occupation that you choose in life. Successes are movie stars, sports heroes, rock stars, and certain key politicians, etc. But do they really impact on our lives in the way certain people we have contact with every day do? As we look back do we ever forget that certain teacher or guidance counselor that gave us the courage to go forward? How about the mailman who we see everyday, and always has a kind word or a smile to offer. After awhile it leaves a person feeling that unless they become the super-star anything else they do is meaningless and not contributing to the happiness of others. Yes, heroes are important, but they come in all shapes and sizes. They are not always on television every night. They sometimes walk about our world dropping words and thoughts here and there, but like seeds they grow,sometimes very fast. Whatever it is you choose to be in life, don’t ever think that what you do is not important, and needed to a community, a town, a city, a country and a family. What each one of us are is a foundation that the rest of the country and the world is built on. If that foundation has cracks or corrosion, then how long can the house or building stand? The next time you walk past a glorious building, wonder that if it is to stay that way the foundation must remain strong. It is the same for us in life. Teachers, firemen, policemen, plumbers, electricians, builders, etc are our foundation. If they are ever led to believe that they are not heroes, and that their roles are not important, God help us all. So whatever it is you do in life, people may not always thank you, but in your heart know that what you do is needed. You do matter, you are special.

Many thanks,
Jennifer Avalon
© 1997 Jennifer Avalon

In our existence these days, more and more we seem to be preoccupied with what is good for our bodies. Not that I see anything wrong with taking care of ourselves through exercise and eating the right food, etc. but all that seems to matter is how we “look”, to the point that teenagers between the ages of eleven and seventeen are having facial surgery because they cannot accept the way they normally look. I’m all for trying to be the best you can be, losing weight, feeling attractive, changing clothes, getting a new hairstyle, but at some point is that what it’s all about? Far too many of us spend the majority of our time focusing on the 50% of what we are, but I have discovered that if the other 50% of our being is ignored, neglected, or abandoned, we cannot find true peace and happiness. Yes, the body is important, but just as vital, is the SOUL. The soul, like the body, must be nourished, or it too will starve. It seems that in our existence we live on two levels, our daily functions, and our spiritual well-being. If only one is nurtured and nourished we as human beings, at the end of the day, feel depleted. Many proclaim that one main ingredient for nourishing the other half of our existence is prayer. Prayer helps us find peace. Prayer also connects us with the ultimate Being , that most of us call God. Prayer helps us find the center of who we are, and an understanding of the importance of why we are here. There is man, and God, and prayer is the tool that is used as the bridge. I hope today you, like me, have found how meaningful prayer can be, in the quest to understand the importance of the soul, and the nourishment that is needed to find the balance in life.

Take time to love,
Jennifer Avalon
© 1997 Jennifer Avalon

The Near Death Experience (NDE), in most cases, is a life-altering experience. Many who have had NDEs have been given knowledge and information that I believe must be shared with humanity. As a group, those who have had an NDE experience face tremendous frustration and sometimes ridicule for the extent of their visions, thoughts and feelings. If all we do is talk among ourselves about our experiences then how can we take the knowledge to the next level? I find it hard to believe that the knowledge that has been given is not supposed to be passed on to those who are in desperate need to understand this world and the here-after. Far too many people already doubt what is seen, and heard through the Near-Death experience. If all we do is keep it to ourselves, then we feed this neurosis. I do believe there is a purpose to EVERY NDE experience. It is so important for NDE’ers to find what it is they are supposed to do! Every single one of us in this world has a mission. I think each one ofus has to ask ourselves, “What is mine?” There are some wonderful people out there doing some incredible work to help mankind, in their own unique way. The level of spiritual emptiness in the world is reaching critical proportions. If all we do is take care of our bodies, then what will happen to the soul? The human soul, too, needs nourishment , love, and peace. Many people are searching, wondering why do I feel pain, why do I hurt? Why don’t I have all the answers? Well I guess nobody has all the answers, but perhaps it is the soul’s way of crying out. That’s why I feel NDE’ers can be so important to helping other people understand that there is a purpose, and there is love, and peace CAN be obtained. So today, if you haven’t already asked yourself, what is it that I have been brought back to do? What is it that I can contribute in my own unique way? And why was I given the knowledge? It’s time you asked yourself. If you already know the answer, then you have taken the next step. You have begun THE MISSION.

Love,
Jennifer Avalon
© 1997 Jennifer Avalon