Along the lives we lead comes a time where self respect and responsability take on a new meaning.

I was made aware in the last several days of the Media stunt that a Danish Newspaper did in depicting Islam's Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) as a terrorist wearing a Bomb in the shape of a turban. 

As an individual, I do not posses any leverage over corporate entities, except for one thing. I will vote with my wallet, where I will not purchase any products made or owned by Danish companies untill this issue is resolved in a respectable manner.

I do not in any way support depicting religous figures in a negative light from any religion.  Needless to say, we have enough issues in the world to deal with as it is.

With the vast amounts of e-mail coming in these days, I have begun asking myself why people don't use more cyber etiquette in how they send e-mails.  For example, I have found it irritating when "freinds" send nothing but "forwards."

While I don't mind getting a forwarded e-mail that contains something humurous or of value, it gets very disrespectful when another human being cannot write a simple sentance like, "I hope all is well ......"

Therefore I have taken it upon my self to gently ask others to either send me personal e-mails that they have taken the time to compose themselves. 

Otherwise what is the point ?

By my logic if you want to maintain a freindship with me, send me a note about how you are doing or asking me how I'm doing.  Do you really think I have the time all day to read humour ?  Is there nothing else going on in this world ?  Have we become too lazy to say one nice thing to freinds and family ?

I am going to set the example write now by sending all my freinds and family a nice note asking them how they are doing.  I will set aside an hour to type out individual messages. This will be part of my new years resolution to have more meaningful relations in 06, instead of superficial ones.  Yes, you guessed it: I probably should be focusing my energy into people that care to reciprocate.

There is the right way, there is the wrong way, and there is my way.
I guess you can't be half pregnant. You either are or aren't.
Same things for my freindships and relationships - no half fare on this train !

Do you think I should teach a course on Cyber-etiquette ?

The other night I was driving with my daughter and we were both enjoying the music as we drove into the night from a wonderful dinner together.  Halfway thru the canyons, I was navigating a couple of thoughts dawned upon me with respect to the concept of the tipping point.

In my mind I was wondering at what stage do we start to allocate all our energies into giving the younger generation the best knowledge and wisdom we have.  At it's simplest form, it was enriching to be instilling confidence and love into a young lady and being there for her.

On a more complex note, it is a gratifying emotion, that if you do one thing right in this lifetime, it is to care for your offsping and to be there for them as they enter the world.  Naturally, the caring takes many forms from education about life, telling them you love them and support them to gently reprimanding them when they've made a mistake.

Joys are manifested in simpler things for me nowadays, whether it is in making one person I come in contact with smile each day, or to a lengthy discussion with my daughter about life, politics and music.  Is this the scary confession, called growing up ? Not sure how to answer this one...

I guess, my pleasure from one teaspoon of sugar nowadays, is so much greater than the three spoonfuls I use to enjoy...hmmm

I was walking today in a Gourmet Supermarket, and wanted to rush before the snow storm released all its fury on the valley. As I was in hurry to get all the items for the house, an awkward situation happened to me which really got me thinking how many fuses were burnt in my brain.

As I went to pick up some fruits, vegetables, an older lady (yes, you could say she's my Mama's age - my mama is still in her forties according to me) passed by. 

Instead of smiling and let her pass respectfully, I winked at her and gave her a mischevious smile, she must have thought I was either a weirdo or she was flattered, as her face was red but with a smirk on it.

So here's my problem;  I have zero romantic / sexual interests for this person, and nothing left to prove. Yet somehow this instinct came up out of no where.
I decided to dig a little deeper into the old childhood and see if we can find answers:

- Where we segregated as children that I am not used to seeing women ?  No
- Is this a new culture that I am not familiar with ? No
- Am I that desparate, that we're heading to the super market ? No, No
- Would my future wife be proud of my "gentlemanly behavior" absolutely No

Ok, since we have a 100% No answer, what is it that causes these outbursts ?

Have I been eating well ?  Yes
Taking Vitamins ? Yes
Sleeping well ? More or less ?

It finally dawned upon me, I think my genetic heritage has one two many "I am attracted" to the opposite gender" genes. 

Oh Great ! I am thinking about starting a family and we have a defective/hyper active Gene.  This couldn't have come at a better time :(

I cannot hide my animal instincts, but I will not get my self into trouble.  Please Please if you see me in the store, help me focus, yes FOCUS on the task at hand. Otherwise, I am going to buy a nice prayer bead - oh, that's what they're really for !!

Do you think I have Attention Deficit Disorder ?   I'd better go back to the store and find out.

Maybe not, I'd better go write another chapter, before I get into trouble, or pray in as many faiths I can remember....

Our Lord in Heaven......Lead us Not unto Temptation.

I'd better confess to my future wife, I have "issues"  but still manage to stay Loyal !

Rahima Allahu Imri en Arifa Qadra Nafsuh.......
(God has mercy on the person that knows there limits)

Today the sky finally cleared, however the temperatures dropped below freezing. Actually way below freezing, infact it was so cold, I am not sure God intended for humans to live in these parts.

The funny thing about the weather, is that I stopped to think about it for a minute and realized, that when it's overcast the temperatures are not so extreme, yet when the Sun comes out, it starts to get really cold here especiall at night (Cloud cover = heat stays on planet. No Cloud cover = Heat goes out into space).

What's the moral of the story ?  I guess if you really like a place, figure out if you can deal with the good and bad.  For me, it's like getting to know a woman !
If I can discover her good and bad side, and still appreciate her then I may have found someone special.  My problem is I've discovered after nineteen years in the cold, I can't stand the cold.  And I am not sure if I want to be around women, that give you their best when they're not feeling that great, yet give you their worst when they're feeling good. So for the sake of this geographical location and the women who've come (and gone) into my life God Bless them all  - from a distance

Does this even make sense ?  Ok, let me go thru this again;
Overcast days = normal temparatures = We get along well
Sunny Days = Extreme temperatures = I'm walking on eggshells

I'm still confused who, what, where, oh well just to keep things mooooving;

Since we (I) brought women into the subject, I've made 2 new discoveries (more like affirmations:
1. I don't like cold weather (nineteen years is enough)
2. I don't like women with no Passion, aka cold.  (I promise to stay focused)

I guess there is some wisdom to be found in the Weather and in my twisted thought process !!

OneDevotion