This blog is more than an account of Near Death Experiences. It ponders in detail the tough questions of life. Who are you, and why are you here in this physical world? What happens when you die, and is there a judgment? However, most anything could appear here. This is not a news blog, archived posts are just as relevant as new posts. Check the boxes at the top of the page for the Contents, Contact, Forum and other links.
When I was young, about a half century ago, I worked in a union typesetting shop. When the union contract came up for negotiation I was selected as chief negotiator for the union. I would be negotiating the contract against the owner of the shop I worked for, since he was chief negotiator for management. There were many shops, and a couple of newspapers that would would be affected by the contract.
It was a long, hard, and brutal negotiation that lasted for many weeks. In frustration, I threatened to call a strike. Management countered with a threatened lockout, nothing was going well. I was sure my days of employment were at an end.
Then management called a meeting on Sunday, the day before the strike. For the first time we got down to the business of hammering out a contract. Concessions were made on both sides and we came up with a contract suitable for a vote. I remained angry with my boss (management). I couldn’t even look at him when it was over, and I’m sure the feelings were mutual. Later the contract was approved and things returned to normal except for the aggravated feelings.
A couple of months later as I was working on a special project, I saw my boss approaching. I figured this would be my dismissal. As he drew near he said: “you know that contract we signed isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on.” Startled, I thought he meant to break the contract. He repeated: “you know that contract we signed isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on,” then he added: “the only thing that really matters is how we treat each other.” Stunned with his words, the only thing to do was to offer my hand, and say: “I can certainly agree with that.”
This was the beginning of a friendship that lasted over 20 years. I don’t think I could have said that, my anger was too great. He knew how to break through the barrier that formed between us, and establish rapport. We worked together for mutual benefit from that day forward. I learned a lot from him. Since then, I learned how to break down barriers with former enemies, and call them friends. Wish everyone could do this, put aside false pride and haughty egos to make friends of enemies. This world would be a kinder, gentler place to live.
How many times have you heard soothsayers foretell the end of the world. There was the 2000 scare that all computers would go down causing chaos and destruction. Then the 2012 scare according to the writings of ancient prophets and civilizations the world would end in December.. There’s always been a threat of Armageddon, end times and second coming of Christ. Someway, so far, we have missed these dreadful prognostications.
Why do people still believe such fearful teachings? If the world hasn’t ended in thousands of years, why would anyone think it will end now because some seer said: “the end is near?”
Many people readily believe negative teachings over positive. We humans seem to believe the worst about others. We need to be more perceptive. There are more positive things happening in this world than negative. It’s negative events that get media coverage.
Have no fear. We are pure energy, and will return to whence we came. All leave this world in time. It really doesn’t matter how, or when that happens. Live your life the best you can, caring and helping others along the way. Each year will come and go as did the year before. No one knows if, or when, this world will end. This means nobody, nowhere, nohow.
This world is like a school. We grow by learning about ourselves and others. We’re here to learn to love. If this world ever outlives its purpose, it will not blow up, it will not burn up, it will gently fade out of being.
Those who teach love and light are fulled with love and light. Those who teach fear and darkness are filled with fear and darkness. By teaching they expect to convince others to; believe as they believe; act as they act; vote as they vote; and teach as they teach. Which one appeals to you? This is a serious question only you can answer. Those walking in the light of love fear nothing. Those walking in fear and darkness are standing in a brilliantly lit room with their eyes tightly closed yelling for someone to turn on the lights.
On the evening news were college students carrying signs reading “free compliments.” They were shouting compliments to passersby as they walked down the street. “You look great today, your hat is beautiful, your hair is perfect.” I thought this was a good gesture for them to be doing. I remember other signs saying “perform a random act of kindness.” These positive statements in our generally negative society are like a breath of fresh air.
We need to show positive attitudes more than we do. It is important to offer encouragement to those who need it, and also to those who don’t. I remember how a school teacher killed my interest in drawing by telling me a picture I drew looked “horrible.” I never tried to draw again. She could have as easily encouraged me to do better.
People come in all levels of sensitivity. Some can take nasty remarks and keep going because they are not sensitive to them, while others are destroyed by them. This sensitivity will not be known until it is to late to retract the remarks.
Regrettably, there are negative people who add snarky remarks to almost everything that comes out of their mouth. Linda was wearing a new dress: “She probably pinched it.” John got a great job: “He probably knew someone high up in the company.” Sammy won the writing contest: “I’m sure his mother wrote the paper.” Television programs are full of these nasty afterthoughts as if they were necessary to the plot, or to show the “toughness” of the character. Just stop doing it. Pay attention to your remarks and make them positive statements instead of negative ones. You will feel better for it and so will others.
There is far to much competition in our society, and not enough cooperation. In competition someone loses and someone wins. In cooperation all win. We have taken this competition thing to the extreme. So keep it “friendly.” Don’t compare yourself with others. Measure your progress against yourself. Each day do a little better than you did the day before. Compete only with yourself. You will be able to see your growth and benefit from it. Enjoy life.
