Within the past year I moved into a new home. In the front of the house the builders had used a low-grade grass seed on the garden. This past summer the lawn grew well, but once the winter came the grass retreated. Over in the corner of the garden I had sprinkled some Kentucky Bluegrass seeds, which, strangely enough, did not retreat. Obviously, the seeds that were originally planted didn’t fare too well. As spring has come to my little neck of the woods, this past week I was outside with my bag of Kentucky Bluegrass seeds, sprinkling abundantly! I am in the process of adding new seeds to the garden.
In Life, the seeds we plant bring forth the growth and strength of our gardens. If we surround ourselves with low-grade seeds, before too long we will be walking on crabgrass!! If we decide to use some of that good old Kentucky Bluegrass in our lives, the sky’s the limit!! I have learned much from my garden, and how it grows. The Heavens provide the rain, the soil embraces the seeds, and my work maintains the garden. No mysteries here folks…..the answers sometimes are right in front of our eyes….it’s up to us if we choose to see them.

This season, plant something. If you live in a city, grow a houseplant. If you have a garden, plant some wonderful roses, or another lovely plant. You’ll not only learn more about Life, but you’ll learn incredible things about yourself. Life can be very rewarding in many aspects.

One can never plant enough good seeds,

Jennifer Avalon
© 2000 Jennifer Avalon

Some days are just great….other days stink. Some people embrace you….while others abuse you. One job can be better than another…..you may drive the car you love into the ground….you may live in that old house till the day you die because you want to. All of these things not only affect your life, but they affect the amount of happiness you sustain. Eventually, Happiness becomes our own responsibility.

We go through the days putting forth as much positive energy as we possibly can, hoping that all things come out according to plan…..but, as we well know, things don’t always go according to plan. The car can break down, the screen door can get a hole in it, and some people around us can be just plain nasty, etc. It can become almost downright impossible to keep the smile on your face. Once again, where does the responsibility of your Happiness eventually end up, but in your own hands? For everything out there that gives us joy, there is a corresponding element that can cause us pain. The trick is to keep as many of the things that give you joy in life and eliminate that which causes the pain.

In a world that rarely recognizes the good in people, we have to look extra hard at others, and inside ourselves, to find it sometimes. When it rains, you can recognize that the rain is falling beyond your control, but that rain can be good. The sun can cause skin problems….but it can also make you feel suntanned and healthy at the same time. It all depends on how you manage the situation. The perception falls to us. Isn’t it amazing that if you sit in a room of five people, when a paragraph is read, the five each see a different point of view?

Life is short….bad things do happen to good people….it’s easy to believe that all isn’t fair, but we can persevere….squeeze every ounce of joy out of the moment. It is there. We just have to learn how to taste it, savor it, embrace it and go on. The Pursuit of Happiness is an honorable quest. Out there is the fruit of Heaven….it is up to us to climb the tree and reach for it……

Stretch,
Jennifer Avalon
© 2000 Jennifer Avalon

Every week there is a long list of chores that we set in front of ourselves to accomplish. It’s not a surprise that parts of us spread out in all different directions to seek out the information and solutions that we need to succeed at our given tasks. One part of us may have a project at work….another part needs to pick up something at a local convenience store for the home….and yet again another part may have to sit down and listen to a loved one who is having some kind of difficulty. These parts of us that we assign to different tasks sometimes can leave us feeling fragmented, and even lost. That is why it is so important that we retrieve these parts at the end of each day to become whole again.

We all play different roles in life. Some are moms, some are dads, brothers, sisters, friends, etc. In order for us to continue playing these roles we must accomplish some level of success….otherwise the enthusiasm and energy will decrease, and before we know it we turn off and tune out. We have our successes and failures, but if we learn from our mistakes we can then be better prepared next time. Therefore, it’s important that we observe and reevaluate what it is we want to do here on earth.

Here’s a little exercise to try out each evening. Write down on little pieces of paper things that you feel you’ve accomplished, things that you didn’t accomplish, goals that you set for yourself going forward, and how to improve the relationships in your life. Split these slips of paper into 4 groups. Look over them…they are some of the most important thoughts of your life. All the successes, failures, hopes, and dreams gathered together before you, in one place. Now remove the most important pieces of paper that you feel can best represent the life that you see for yourself going forward. Example: What relationships do you feel are most important in your life? Where do you see yourself working a year from now? How can you make your life run more smoothly? Once you pick these pieces, write them down on one piece of paper, and post it in a place that you can look at daily. You may think that your eyes will just glance over it….but your subconscious mind will remember every letter on that sheet. You have set for yourself goals, a mission, and a way to improve the quality of life. One last important point…..never forget to give Thanks for all that you do have, because there are many worse off….

Compassion, Humility, Faith, Hope, Dreams, and Love…these are the threads of the fabric of life. They enhance our senses, and make us feel alive. Without them, we are just passing time. Gather these threads, and you can weave miracles.

Love,
Jennifer Avalon
© 2000 Jennifer Avalon

I would like to write about something this week that is very dear to my heart…Time. I remember the summers as a child used to last what seemed like forever. I know, each year you get older Time goes faster…but don’t you feel sometimes that this speeding up of Time gets a little ridiculous? I rise on a Monday morning, start to tackle what it is I have planned to accomplish for the week, and before I know it, I’m sitting at my computer on a Wednesday evening…amazed at how quickly the Time has passed! Recently, I read an article where John Cleese of Monty Python fame mentioned that he always likes to have the summers off. The interviewer asked him why….John answered, “At my age I’ve got, if I’m lucky, about 15 summers left in my life, and I want to enjoy each one of them to the fullest.” I guess we all have to learn how to handle Time in our own way.

We seem to spend the better part of our Time overlooking things. We plow along through chores or assignments at an express train rate of speed, ignoring local stops. At my train station there are two schedules….one for the express train into the city, and one that makes all stops. You can imagine which is the more popular route….it’s very easy to incorporate the same mentality in handling life. The quote, “Take the time to stop and smell the roses,” is not something to take lightly. In this day and age some may say, ” What roses?”, but we seem to have screwed something up along the way….where taking Time out for yourself is equal to laziness. Well, it’s not. I believe it’s essential.
What I try to do in my life, to kind of “Slow down Time,” is play little games with it, probably to trick my mind into believing that the week is going slower. I break my day into blocks of Time….3 or 4 hour intervals that are assigned to each task. At the end of each block of Time I take a break and reflect on what’s taken place. Then, I move on to my next block of Time. What used to happen was I would start something at nine in the morning and before I knew it, it was three in the afternoon! Sometimes more can be accomplished when after a few hours we take a break, examine, correct the mistakes right then and there, and move on. For me, this has become a better way to manage Time and slow it down.

In Heaven there is no Time….no markers that judge us from moment to moment, to see what we have accomplished within a certain amount of Time. Time is a creation of this earthly world….a ticking of sound to remind us that we won’t be here forever. This “Tic Toc” can be our friend or our foe…depending on how we decide to use it.

Take the Time……

Jennifer Avalon
© 2000 Jennifer Avalon

The Universe flows like an ocean…..it’s energy is in every nook and cranny of our existence. Within it the sun rises in the morning, and the moon illuminates the night. The Universe is synchronized up, down, left and right, in and out. None of this is an accident….it has a purpose.

Many of the Prophets, in their own words tried to explain to us the power of this Force, and how, if used correctly, it can improve our lives and sustain us on a plateau where we can surround ourselves with a shield that can survive any storm. Many who believe in God understand the power of Prayer….energy and thought that is projected into the Universe to hopefully bring about positive results. Buddhists fully understand the power of Karma and how one act brings about a corresponding result. This Force is available for us to improve our lives. For lack of a better word, this Force is called Love….Love for oneself, family, friends and every living thing. It’s in all of us.

Recently I watched an old episode of Star Trek. Captain Kirk was doing battle with a new enemy. All of a sudden a third party interrupted the battle and transported Captain Kirk and the leader of the Enemy to a neutral planet. Both leaders had no weapons, but surrounding them were basic materials on the planet where each could construct weapons. The leader of the Enemy decided to sharpen a rock into a form of a dagger. When it looked like Captain Kirk was going to be killed, he discovered the elements to make gun powder. As the story went on, eventually Captain Kirk was standing with a self-made gun over his enemy. Just as he was prepared to pull the trigger he threw the gun away and said “No, I won’t kill you.” Instantaneously a member of the third party said “You humans show a very progressive trait of Compassion. There is hope for you.” Captain Kirk demonstrated the act of Love. He was willing to solve the dispute through negotiations, not bloodshed.

The Force of Love is practiced daily in the form of Prayer, Meditation, Charity, and Good Deeds of many kinds. The more goodness we project and accomplish, the better our lives become. What I try to do each morning is say a prayer, close my eyes, and envision around myself a shield where I project positive energy that fills up the shield, and then I envision that energy being released into the atmosphere. I being a Christian ask Jesus to help me do as much good as I possibly can. This little ritual that I practice each morning has changed my life. I am far less cynical and negative about the world and I embrace each moment as something rare and precious. Yes, things do still go wrong from time to time, but this little ritual gives me the energy to bounce back faster. The energy within the shield can help heal the wounds personally, and the release of that energy, I believe, is beneficial to others.

May the Force be with you,

Jennifer Avalon
© 2000 Jennifer Avalon

A bad childhood, poor schooling, while living in the wrong environment, eventually can persuade a kind soul to perform evil acts. In our society, we set up a series of safety nets, hoping that they alone will stop the growth of Evil. Unfortunately, far too many slip through the cracks. Just today I read that a first-grader, six years old, took a stolen gun from his house, walked into his school, and opened fire on a little girl. The way the law is structured, we have no charges in place for six year olds. Obviously, the courts never saw this one coming…and how many other acts are also not on the books? I don’t believe that a six year old should be held totally responsible for the act of murder….but, when the atmosphere of Evil exists, anyone can become its weapon. It has been alleged that the child’s home was filled with stolen guns, and drugs. What can we expect to come out of the door of a house engulfed by Evil?

If the parents neglect their responsibilities, when the school is either under financed or lacking positive discipline, and there are no inspiring role models for a child to observe, the human heart grows cold and alone. Hopefully, Faith will enter the picture, but for many, it comes too late. Deep in our society are many problems that we have yet to fully examine. Perhaps through fear we turn a blind eye, until the day fear comes knocking at our own door. The first step in any battle is to acknowledge the enemy. Otherwise, we not only don’t know what we’re fighting, but cannot organize a force strong enough to defeat the villain.

I do receive letters from people who tell me “There is no such thing as Evil.” Then please tell me, what made a man just this morning walk into a MacDonald’s Restaurant and open fire, then cross the street, to attack a Burger King, wounding numerous, innocent people? This is not the work of God. Good is Good. Bad is just Bad. Period. I don’t want to hear lame excuses for vicious acts. We must address where and how the seeds are sown……The Garden these days is looking a little ragged. But like any garden, it can be turned around. A little fertilizer, the removal of weeds, and the right tools can make the flowers that were once dying bloom again. We must start to not only tend our own Gardens, but help our neighbor’s as well. Some on the block may not have a good shovel or lawnmower….don’t be bashful, give them a hand. What good is a block with one good Garden, while all the rest are dying?

Evil searches for weak souls, whispering answers of false hope. Even Jesus had to confront Evil in the desert. If Evil can even go after the Son of God, we can only imagine what it would try to do to us. Evil lives…..look at it…..stare it down…..raise your shield. Evil is a coward that will run at the sign of strength.

Run Evil…..Run……

love, Jennifer Avalon
© 2000 Jennifer Avalon

The core of a human being, the essence of what we all represent, is centered in the Soul. Our purpose for existence, our reason to breathe the air day after day, springs forth from the Soul. The Soul justifies our reason for being. If all we are is flesh and bone, then one day they turn to dust and we are gone. All that is left are the memories we leave behind. The Soul is the part of us that journeys on……

For me, the Soul answers many questions…why should I care to try to be a good person, why bother doing anything….what difference will my life make in the great span of things. The Soul gives credence to Goodness. The Soul is like a little visual tape recorder…..running constantly inside us, taping everything. One day the tape will be played back, and hopefully, we can bear what we see and hear. The Soul is one with the universe, with nature, with mankind, and with God.

Without a Soul, there is no reason and no meaning for pain, tears, weakness, and fear. Without the Soul how do we justify the years we spend on this planet. Our Soul is the core of who we are…..the learning component that can help us perform miracles.

The Soul is everything we have ever been, and everything we will ever be. The part of us that is eternal. The simplest way to see a Soul is to look into the eyes of a newborn baby, and into the eyes of a dying person. One entering….one leaving. A planet of Souls, spinning through space, enveloped by Heaven…….

From one Soul to Another,

Jennifer Avalon
© 2000 Jennifer Avalon

Many around the world elect representatives each year to be their voice. In many cases the silent voices depend upon these elected officials to guide them forward into a future of peace, progress and prosperity. With each electoral cycle some names and faces are changed….and we hope that our best interests are always put forward. The enemy of most societies is conflict, division, and hate. It is up to all to extend dialogue to those who feel they are not being heard, forgiveness to those who have made mistakes, and encouragement to the people who make inroads towards unity. No mother wants to lose a son or daughter. Is war an answer? or just a temporary solution to a greater problem?
In the United Sates of America there are many different cultures and religions, yet, many of us look at ourselves as nations within one nation. Why? Perhaps because there are forces at play to keep us apart and separate. If we really want to end racism and hatred in America, why does it have to fall to the common man to initiate the spark? When was the last time we heard any leaders on the evening news put forward a simple plan where representatives of each segment of America could come together for a retreat of a week in harmony and peace, to understand their similarities and differences? This past week the business community had no problem getting together in Switzerland to strike deals, and find ways that they could come together for profit and higher stock market shares. Where are the voices of our leaders to say, “Come my fellow Citizens, let us break bread together to help end the greatest disease this world will ever know….the germs of Hate.”

Hate has become a very profitable enterprise. We have built up infrastructures and businesses around the world that make money from Hate. There are leaders of certain groups that stand on podiums claiming to represent their communities, stating that they are there to stand up for their rights, while on the other hand making no effort to end the seeds that have led to problems. If we do not find ways to break down the barriers that separate us, no matter how much money we throw at the problems, in the long term nothing will ever be solved. Once again, why don’t I hear this night after night on the evening news? God Bless those who are out there trying to build us all a better world…..but when they turn on the television, their frustration must be enormous. I know things move slowly, but this is ridiculous.

So I, in my own little mind, present this plan to any Leader of the Free World, especially that of the President of the United States, the Leaders of the United States Congress, and those of the business world:

First: Put together an annual week-long Summit for the End of Hate. Each race, religion, and state representative sits down at a table and airs out their grievances. This Summit is to be highlighted by all media as a step forward to helping us come together.

Second: A neutral official is to head the summit. A mediator who is an expert in hearing both sides of issues.

Third: Set goals to make “us” and “them” become “We.” Conflicts are laid on the table, with no hidden agendas, for all to see. That way, honesty and trust can grow.

For each person trying to make a difference, there is a corresponding person profiting to keep us apart. For the world to show real intelligence, inroads to the end of violence and hate must be initiated. Hey, I’m no fool here….I know this is going to take time, but it’s got to start somewhere. We need solutions. Here in the United States, whenever there is a problem in the world, we always send a mediator to try to bring sides together. This week I just read that the peace process in Northern Ireland is collapsing. Why? Who knows? But in the United States we have no Summits to bring our people together. We strictly rely upon our religious institutions to handle that monumental task. As much as they try, they cannot be expected to accomplish it all alone.

So I am calling out to the Leadership of not only my country, but of the Free World, to start organizing Summits so we can sit down at tables with no guns in our hands to look across and see each other eye to eye. In the end, all the material wealth in the world will not help us survive, if our hearts carry Hate.

Take the time to Love,

Jennifer Avalon
© 2000 Jennifer Avalon

We all look different. Anywhere you go in the world there is some deviation or change in the way people look. To expect us all to be the same is unrealistic. Why then do so many find it so hard to accept those that are different from themselves? Could God have made a mistake by making us different? not all the same? I don’t think so.

Mankind is a very strange Being….he has no trouble killing that which he finds unacceptable and confusing……but there is one main problem with man’s dilemma. In order to sustain and aspire to a world of peace, man in his great wisdom must find ways to embrace his other brothers and sisters. So what color is the face of God? Could it be that God wants us to find a way to nurture our similarities and respect our differences? The color of a person’s skin should not be the determining factor of the character of their soul. Could it be that God’s face is multicolored? And each one of us represents a different section of His face? Then can it be said, in order to see the face of God, one must be able to integrate all colors into the equation?

Life, to me, is a collection of riddles. Each year we are given a new riddle to solve. Basically, we are all on a mission. The riddles are little signposts to get us to the next stage to help us become better human beings, worthy to one day look into the face of God and understand the who, what, why and where of our lives. There is pain, there is joy, there are tears, there is laughter….somewhere between all this we live. Life is not foolish….it is a learning process. There is a reason for everything.

Each face on this planet deserves to come here. We are all of equal value. It is man that changes that…..

Remember the Rainbow,

Jennifer Avalon
© 2000 Jennifer Avalon

For many of us there are basically two ways to look at Time….short-range or long-range. Both have pros and cons, but in the majority of cases long-term goal-setting will bring about the most success.

In this day and age of the “short-attention span” many find it almost impossible to wait for responses or answers. Let’s take the stock market for example….day-traders dart in and out of stocks as many as twenty times a day. I don’t know about you, but even if some of these decisions go well, the law of averages eventually comes into play. Yes, I know some people have found day-trading very profitable, but others have lost everything. Short-term vision also engulfs our relationships, and world views. A marriage, a friendship, may go through rough spots, but if we were to pull the plug on everything as soon as we experience rough waters, how much would we truly accomplish or gain?
Long-term vision, on the other hand, is not always easy either. Sometimes it involves the “patience of Job.” The interesting point about long-term vision is that it allows you to exhaust the possibilities…..Time in some strange way becomes your friend….you can honestly say “I gave it my best shot.” With reference to the stock market, most people who buy stocks and hold them for long-term have a far better chance of reaping rewards. Can you imagine purchasing Microsoft in 1986…what would you have rather done…sold it 6 months later, or still have it today? Most successful stock investors will tell you, for the average citizen, to hold for the long-term. It’s the best advice. Love doesn’t always run smoothly either, but over time we see the true value and rewards of our relationships.

Short-term, long-term…the choices affect our lives. Yes indeed, patience is a virtue, but if something is truly damaging, cut the ties……but how are we to know when to hold, and when to fold? The best advice I can give, and what I try to live by, is aim long-term, but accept that along the way there are going to be some things to cast aside. In most situations where the short or long decision has to be decided, ask yourself, is the person willing to meet me halfway? And in the case of something like stocks, ask yourself, where do I want to be 5 years from now, not 6 months.

In a world that is obsessed with the “here and now,” the truly Faithful can see beyond tomorrow…..

Look beyond the horizon,

Jennifer Avalon
© 2000 Jennifer Avalon