Another Thanksgiving has passed. Mine was busy and filled with family. I find that I am not back home as much as I used to be.

I find going home to see my folks, and family now brings forth appreciation. Appreciating our short time together. Everything changes. Nieces growing up, nephew growing up. Sister becoming more successful in her life.

Observing my daughter listening to my parents stories. She loves them a lot. She loves going up and seeing her cousins and grandparents.

Growing up happens. Being away really allows appreciation to sink in. Not knowing when will see eachother. A lot can happen when your away. Such as your no longer concerned by gossip or who did what to who. Because your not coming up for awhile. In this case I will be back for a wedding soon.

I see my room I grew up in. Its smaller. I remember stories as I enter my parents house. That I have forgotten about, which I share with my daughter. I sound ridiculous to her. As her Dad. She can’t fathom that I was a kid with similar things she faces.

I love my folks. I love my sister. I love my nieces and nephew. I love my brother in law and his football stories. I miss my grandparents. I miss my grandpa complaining or talking about sports. I miss my grandma calling me “doll”, and telling me she loves me.

And yet life continues to go. Moving merrily along.

Who are we as a country? We need to examine and have a healthy dialogue on power. What is power? What is our moral compass? What is our view on the feminine?

The days of controlling the feminine, dominating, crossing boundaries, taking advantage of the feminine are in our face. The shadow is showing us in politics and Hollywood and religion who we are now. We have to ask questions and understand how to heal this wound, a wound we act like isn’t there.

Our leader of this country had women come out and express how he took advantage of them. He was taped talking about what he can do being a star. No one questioned it. No one said anything. We have become a country that questions nothing and accepts everything as true.

We must question, question, question. We must teach our youth to question. We must teach our youth what real authentic power is. We must teach our youth to speak up and stand up against this sickness, this virus of sexual harassment. Time to get on our big boy and big girl pants and question people in power who belittle women, take advantage of them because they believe money is power. There is nothing wrong with money, and if you find your worth in it, then you feel worthless. If you hord money like scrooge you feel low worth, if you dominate another because of your position you are a bully and low worth.

We have cowards in leadership posing as lions. They are sheep. Scared.

We must question power now. Let us move into true power in which Jesus spoke about. Equality and justice for all in Gods love. Men and women are equal in God. If you don’t think so, sit and pray on it.

Stand up and speak. This is not about political parties or competition. This is about justice for all. We must question our president too on his moral compass and stop listening to his lies.

1000 people came together for this..take a listen

https://youtu.be/v5mdybeyLVc

Sometimes in your hardest moments, or struggle in life, someone will believe in you. Watch this, 3 minutes.

Inspiring

https://youtu.be/kZlXWp6vFdE

Chaplin wrote this on his 70th birthday. Love this.

Charlie Chaplin – as I began to love myself

As I began to love myself I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth. Today, I know, this is “AUTHENTICITY”.

As I began to love myself I understood how much it can offend somebody if I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time was not right and the person was not ready for it, and even though this person was me. Today I call it “RESPECT”.

As I began to love myself I stopped craving for a different life, and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow. Today I call it “MATURITY”.

As I began to love myself I understood that at any circumstance, I am in the right place at the right time, and everything happens at the exactly right moment. So I could be calm. Today I call it “SELF-CONFIDENCE”.

As I began to love myself I quit stealing my own time, and I stopped designing huge projects for the future. Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm. Today I call it “SIMPLICITY”.

As I began to love myself I freed myself of anything that is no good for my health – food, people, things, situations, and everything that drew me down and away from myself. At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism. Today I know it is “LOVE OF ONESELF”.

As I began to love myself I quit trying to always be right, and ever since I was wrong less of the time. Today I discovered that is “MODESTY”.

As I began to love myself I refused to go on living in the past and worrying about the future. Now, I only live for the moment, where everything is happening. Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it “FULFILLMENT”.

As I began to love myself I recognized that my mind can disturb me and it can make me sick. But as I connected it to my heart, my mind became a valuable ally. Today I call this connection “WISDOM OF THE HEART”.

We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems with ourselves or others. Even stars collide, and out of their crashing new worlds are born. Today I know “THAT IS LIFE”!

Padre

I tapped up my hands, put a padded head piece on, and remembered all I have been learning. Mouth piece in and entered the ring.

The boxing ring is much bigger once inside. Compared to watching it on TV. I was in the ring, breathing, staying relaxed. But like life, boxing introduces you to the moment. What I mean is that boxing, no matter how much you train, and are prepared, teaches you that life happens.

I am used to a one-two counter for example in my practice. But in the ring it feels like a 90 mph punch coming toward you. Practice, practice, practice.

Life is like that. Sometimes we just keep getting hit over and over. Then bam… Smack in the face.

We could have all the training in the world, and still not have any idea on how to deal with something. That is why we are practicing the presence. It is a constant practice. Practicing showing up fully.

No one ever teaches you this. Some people judge you, like, “you aren’t doing enough or what are you doing or why did you do it this way?” Little punches at you. You swing back, “I am working my butt off.” Justifying to people that are closed off, makes no sense.

In boxing though, you have tactics to get out of the way. And getting out of the way and moving around, sometimes clears your mind. You might not have the answer to meet the situation, but you move and look for a spot to jab.

Life, boxing, is a dance, movement, aliveness, of the heart. Discovering itself in every moment, building strength, action, and least resistance.

The first time you get hit though, it wakes you up. Gets you present to the reality.

I found this useful:

http://myinformator.com/2017/10/12/10-things-youre-not-supposed-to-know/

Read carefully and realize money is not meant to be horded. Love gives and receives fully.

Love you

It is quite alarming that most people don’t understand “No”. No means No. It is not up for debate, and doesn’t mean convince me to say, “Yes”.

Lately I have had people ask me if I would like to go some place, if I am moved to go, then my yes is mighty. It is a powerful word. Yes I go. But on some occasions I respond with, “No”. Once I say, “No” it is not up for discussion. My “No” isn’t personal or about you. It is not a reflection about you. I have a say in my life too. You are not my voice or living in my body.

I heard recently of someone saying, “No” to a invitation to a party. That person had to deal with friends calling them up and trying to convince them to go.

When you surround yourself with good people, they respect your choices even if they don’t agree. When it comes to “No”, end of discussion. It is something I am teaching my daughter, “No means no,” not maybe or convince me, so I say, “Yes”. This includes in relationships, with family, work if something doesn’t feel right, church, spiritual centers, etc.. Learn to say, “No.”

Most people are more concerned with how they look or how something may look to them if your not there. No worries. Not your problem.

No is powerful. You matter. Your voice matters. You have a choice, yes or no. Listen to your intuition and gut and follow it.

Love you.