Peace, Love, Joy

Here I sit, late at night as usual, relaxed at my keyboard typing away to the music of Forever Young from Alphaville.
[Albeit just a clip from the midsection, and its playing in a loop... backwards - for the time being anyway.]

I have not written here in some time. Most of my communication has been with a select few friends on Facebook.
My goal has been to communicate with those who are open minded, and at the same time have [what I deemed] a similar overall interest in life as myself.

Personally I enjoy keeping a small group because I enjoy the interaction with people and not just seeing a list of names and numbers in which we seldom or ever communicate.
[One reason I find Twitter useless... everyone has a thousand followers and those followers have a thousand on their list, and so on and so forth - so your not really getting your message out from your soap box. In fairness Im sure some do branch out, etc. and there is a time and place for everything under heaven... Just has not been my thing.]

Every now and again, I feel like breaking out of the limited space of Facebook and really writing something. Not that it has substance or could not be summarized in one sentence, or even one word really, but its a matter of self-expresson.
By very nature I am a chatty guy… and have learned to limit how I say things for the sake of the format of sites such as Facebook.

Recently I have been posting quite a bit about love.
Acceptance/love. Being – Being Human… Human ‘being’. [Present moment awareness and from which all action takes place, and can only take place in.]

Yes, I know sounds familiar. Eckhart Tolle.
Well, straight up folks that I know are well aware that his approach, or rather how his words are carried have been a major influence on my life.

The fact is it has taken my deeper into the teachings of Jesus. [I grew up in a strong Christian milieu, was a missionary, zealot, etc.]
Now, in short, I can see in Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, etc. – the emerging of the essence of the truth that has laid, as if hidden, behind mental concepts which have created illusions around the truth and disguising it, as it were.

How does one know the difference?
Well its quite simple really… how are you on the inside?
Are you truly at peace, or do you only speak of peace with a mental concept that you are at peace – while your voice is sounds tense and your body is held rigid, etc. [It takes something to look honestly at oneself and objectively... but this is the beginning of one seeing the truth of what lies at the heart of each individual.]

We live in a world where everyone desires acceptance/love, yet it seems so hard to come by and so hard to define.
Yet the reality is that life is unbearably easy and thus the ego would have a swift death and thus struggles to keep its identity alive.
It truly is, as Eckhart pointed out, like being possessed and not knowing it. [Was like an ‘awakening’ in and of itself when I first heard that. An ‘ah ha’ moment of something that you knew but could not see clearly even though it was staring at you in the front of your nose.]

None of us stops long enough to realize that none of it matters.
The polarities, the us vs. them. They wronged me and now…, etc.
The mind cannot be at peace because it, or the thoughts produced, is the problem.

Have you ever noticed how paralyzed you are with fear, guilt, anger, etc. – and what you are [not] able to accomplish in this state?
If we are honest with ourselves we would drop the identification with our thought forms immediately. Yet, we are addicted to our thoughts.

As a challenge, go out and see how long you can actually enjoy nature without thinking about it or calling/labeling things you see.
i.e. if you see a cool cloud movement and your mind says, “thats a cool cloud movement” – that is already int he past.
You are missing what is happening now and you have lost that space in which something comes and moves through us.
[For Christians its the spirit of God, and for others call it what you want... but it is one and the same.]

Christianity is quite intriguing for me… I see it in a way that i could never have imagined only a few years ago.
Things are clearer and more crystaline, yet I realize that those who call themselves Christians really are ‘seekers’, at best – or really just people clinging to yet another thought form identity. And you can tell, as the good book says, by their fruits.

Its quite easy, again, by noticing the energy – as it were- in which people do things.
not only that, but the tale tale sign is that of a lack of acceptance/love.

This bothers people world wide regardless of religious affiliation, etc.
People are very concerned about being hoodwinked, used, missing out, etc. – that the core essence of what love is, in itself, is lost to them. Fear has taken place as the core root of all their actions, and with that judgment, anger, and suffering follow.
[there is wisdom in the words of a green puppet - Yoda]

At the end of the day, do we truly want freedom.
One can talk all day about it. Yet its as simple as merely recognizing what you already have… even if that space seems small at first [or down right invisible]. Salvation can never be achieved [or as the Christian knows, ‘worked for’] as it already is.
Nothing has to be added or taken away… seeking will never get you there as it is who you are underneath all the stories of fear and wanting that lie at the core of many peoples being.

Human ‘being’ – we have lost the sense of enjoying the flow of life. We take things too serioius.
I realize that this may come across, in many ways to various individuals, all depending on where your coming from in the light of your experience.

Yet I am reminded of something Paul said which is along the lines that we all are connected in our journey.

What I say comes from my personal experience, which has had its hell, and amount of suffering that was necessary to get me to start to wake up. How much suffering each individual needs varies I guess – yet at the end of the day Im reminded of the parable of the seeds and the sewer… some seed really just does not want to advance. People love their drama, they are here on earths stage, and they will go out with a blast.

Few will really want to just let it go as it seems boring to a mind conditioned to always be switched on looking for something that exist outside of its own realm… the present moment, of which none of us can escape as it is all that truly exist.

As I write this I realize I have not even begin to say what I initially set out to say.
The very fact of deciding to post to a general audience changed the format itself…
Needless to say, it can be summed up like this…

… are you alone? Are you seeking love?
Dont fear, you are not ‘alone’ and you are the essence of what love is. You need too seek no longer in order to find peace.
Find peace in that space around you by watching… [nature helps settle the mind so that its not in full throttle.]

For some it may be easier than others, but again, its not something you have to ‘do’ – being is as it is.
The mind can make this into another ‘objective’.

Again, each person is free to make their choices – What choice do you want?
Do you want change? Change you can believe in?
Then become that change you want. Forcing it on others or becoming upset when someone does not agree with your position will not help push peace… by the very nature of the action that its born out of its recreating that which you say you oppose. [VEry tricky, yet obvious once you realize this and start observing the trend... and be mindful, its nothing you have to judge. Its as it is and when you realize this, forgiveness comes.]

The mental cage you had around yourself loosens, and then you begin to love yourself.
Once you love/accept yourself, you being to love others. Those that have wronged you are forgiven and change happens not by them making things right how your mind has set out that things should occur, but by allowing the universe to flow through the only moment you have and realizing they acted out of unconsciousness and had not choice in the matter.

Of course this does not meant they will not suffer for their actions of unconsciousness – suffering and unconsciousness go hand and hand. However you allow a space in which a movement can happen that the mind could not have thought of which actually creates a new beneficial situation out of what seemed like a loss. [much like nature as it sheds its leaves and then is born again in the spring.]

This concept is not really laid out well enough. Suffice it to say start with the easy things in life.
For a clearer understanding I always recommend going with Eckhart Tolles AUDIO BOOKS… [good reason for this] and having a good listen.
After all why recreate what this beautiful vessel has already given. This guy cant get more straight to the point, and if one is lost in it – all you have to do is put aside that which you do not understand or agree with, without mentally polarizing yourself by “I dont agree”, etc. And just leave it.

As time goes things will become clear to you, and that which is true sticks, and if something is false… it will fade or become transparent and thus show its true message. [Much like what happened to the Bible with me... its so much more real and practical now. Of course I have listened to eckhart for about a decade now on audio books.... yes, Im a slow learner.]

But consider this, we have much conditioning… all we have to recognize is where we are and what works or doesnt.
Many are very attached, especially when it concerns topics such as religion, etc. and thus cannot see the suffering they create [unconsciously] in their lives which is perpetuated each day by their thoughts and thus actions, as well as into other peoples lives.

Eventually some do and they tire of their stories and thus a crack in the ego happens, and something peeks through the cracked earth which is benign and has fruit…

This is a topic which you cannot explain, you can only point toward – yet you can write forever about. [As ol’ solomon said the books are endless] Just hold up your finger and say this one thing is important. [and youll be fine]

Peace

Dalen

California’s Proposition 19: Legalize Marijuana / Fed Fail

Feds = why Proposition 19 failed:
The Feds made it clear that they would not tolerate a ‘yes’ vote for the legalization of Marijuana

Which is easier?
a: damage control after the fact? [no force on earth to close pandoras box]
b: damage control before the fact? [a CIA, or other agency, 'stuffed' ballot box?
[Hey, they have done worse for their own interest in countries that did not ask for their intervention... and in their own country with projects like MKUltra]

Problem
Humans are under the strange illusion that those above them are somehow held to some higher law.
Suppose ultimately that is the case, but its relative at the level most look at it.

They feel their whole world would collapse if things were not how they see and believe them to be.
People are unwilling to awaken to what is around them so that they may progress forward, individually… to then shine that light for others to see and be awakened by.

State Rights
State rights? It boils down to Individual Sovereignty which only you can choose.
No amount of laws, votes can change this – but it does require ones awakened state.

As far as the laws of the land and politics – its a reflection of human consciousness… or unconsciousness as the case may be for the planet earth.

You are illegal
DMT is a naturally occurring chemical in your brains, and is also an illegal substance.
So now if you ever wondered why you felt like you were not your own, but belonged to some corporate interest – now you know.

p.s. [I do realize that people in Cali were not for the law, but again, think about the Feds statement and what, again, would be easier seeing they promised they would not allow this vote to stand.

Peace

dAlen

Perception & Illusion [The game called 'Life']

Intro:
There comes a point when you realize that no amount of words, in and of themselves, can adequately express an idea, let alone a philosophy and way of life.

The world is filled with pointers, from various places the wisdom of the Universe has placed it hidden with the mouths of sages, who guard it with an everlasting fire lest it be stolen and the light extinguished by lesser minds who would unwittingly put it out.

These pointers come to us in many forms, some more obvious than others, and some hidden in plain sight, yet like a blind man we would pass right by and never know it was there… at best mistaking it for something that it is not, nor was never meant to be.

The great part is that these pointers come to those who seek, and are understood at varying levels depending on where you have reached in this game called life.

Life is but a puzzle
Here we are, collecting all the pieces, and many of us are unaware of that which we are collecting, we are not even cognizant that we are in the game.

Thus life plays us vs. us playing life, and life usually wins.
Either way the reward is to great to allow such knowledge to be lost, and our lack of knowledge is the very pit of hell in which we descend, while bringing everyone else with us – with good intent.

The greatest irony is that we never see that which we claim to see, and accuse others of doing the very things that we go about doing as a natural course of habit.

Many have pointed this out, Jesus being one in his parables – yet alas today the cycle continues as we scoff at the ignorance & arrogance of others, while all the while we see clearly in the mirror our own reflection, yet do not realize it is us that we are staring at.

Braid
I have recently played a game which has been quite intriguing to me on many levels.
Upfront I will say I have not clue what the author intended, and while it may be interesting to speculate, what drew me into the game to begin with was my own initial interpretation of what it meant to me upon reading about it and exploring further – the story then became my own, which is the way of any story.

The author is but a guide, sharing a post, or marker, on his journey.
What and how we interpret the signs is really up to us… they do not set the course, they are but fellow travelers sharing a part of their journey with us, what we make of it, [the journey], is totally up to us.

This is part of the fallacy, often we want to be understood, yet we should seek to first understand.
It is not who understands us, which is important, but that we learn to understand… ourselves.

Seek first the kingdom of heaven, and that kingdom is within.
Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. [The ring is complete, the marriage consummated, but no one knows what this means]

I have read comment from people concerning the game, and was intrigued at the stated obvious concerning the ending.
Well, [spoiler alert for the game from here on out],
there are actually more than one endings… depending on how you look at it.

Walking backwards down the stairs
One of the signs in this game actually caught my attention.
It referred to the concept of perception and specifically asked how our reality would be perceived by those looking from the outside.

This alone gives rise to an alternate solution to the ending many people assume is happening as the main character ‘Tim’ goes backwards at the end of the game.

After all is this not what is happening to all of those who swim against the flow?
Is this not what the stoning of the prophets were all about, those misunderstood creatures of old… and present?

The story in the Kabbalah about demons moving backwards in time as we move forward.
So they know the future, as we know the past.

Again, some get caught up in the literal interpretation of “The wizard of Oz” and thus stay lost in Oz.
Everything is a pointer, words are mere guides that either help or ‘sin’ [miss the mark].

No one can walk anothers path no more than Morpheus could show Neo through the door… its a choice each person has to take and experience for themselves and no amount of philosophical bantering matters.

Two people in the world:
There are two people in the world: Those who know and those who dont.
Those who know and ask the question, and those who dont know and have no clue the question is meant to be asked.
[and may not care]

Once saved always saved
Loose your salvation
Predestined

Take your pick if your in the religious crowd, but religious or not you will find that we all have the same fate… the rain falls on the good and bad, it makes no distinction. [seems like a line from George Carlin, but its from the Bible as well.]

What does it matter? What I write doesnt matter in as much as what you take away from it – what you get, dont get, is up to you…
Its the joy of my own journey in which I write and share… as I speculate and ponder over thoughts which begin to make a clearer puzzle to this game called life.

Enjoy the game!

Peace

dAlen

666 – the number of man [scared of yourself?]

Intro:
When you say/hear/read the number 666, what comes to mind?
What is the automated emotional response/thought associated with this number?

Perhaps its one of indifference with no specific relevance or meaning?

Of course not.
Regardless of your beliefs, whether it be agnostic, theistic, or whatnot, this number has had a stigma associated with it for centuries as being no other than the devils personal number.

Lets step back for a moment:
This mindset, or understanding, is one of many illustrations which show where we are currently at as a society.

And quite frankly, with all of our technological toys, we are not too far.
We are quite at the infant state to be sure, and left to our own devices its a wonder we are still alive…

To clarify, the issue is not whether one believes in what some may call a fairy tale. The issue is actually more sinister and not at all benign.

The issue is ‘herd’ mentality, and a lack of self critical thinking and analysis. In short, not only do we not know how to think, we cant even read what is in front of us without someone telling us what it says… [which typically is not remotely close, but is used to further an agenda.]

Again, there are many examples in life concerning this, but lets just stick with this particular example for now, starting with the following text:

Revelation 13:18: “Let the person who has understanding count the number of the beast: the number is that of man; and mans number is 666.”

So what are we hiding from? Ourselves?:
As we see in the above text, 666 is the number of man.
Yet it has been easier to call it the ‘devils’ number throughout the ages, thus either be paranoid about it, or dismissing it altogether for the so called ‘modern man’.

This again highlights the issue with modern day humanity… there is no middle ground.

The fact is that the Bible is a fairy tale book for a majority of people.
And by this, I do not mean agnostics, and whatnot, I refer to the people who hold it dear to them.

This is clearly due to the fact that, despite their sincerest efforts, many Christians have no clue what it is they are reading… they have been lost in what someone else has told them it is saying… doctrine/dogma, etc.

And on the other hand, many who claim to be of a scientific mind, discard the Bible completely. The truth lies in between.

life is stranger than fiction
Truth of the matter is the Bible has quite a bit of relevant truth in there for humanity that is not even understood on a base level.

All the while people cling to ideologies which are really irrelevant, and even quite contradictory to the knowledge within the book itself.

As it says, “my people perish for a lack of knowledge”.

How do you go about getting knowledge and wisdom?

Its actually quite simple:
“You will find when you search with all your heart”.

As simple as this may sound, we are quite a deceptive species.
So deceptive that we dont even know when we are lying to ourselves.

Again and again we are told, “fear not”, yet those who call themselves Christians are typically the ones who live in a perpetual state of fear and keep that wheel in motion.

[We criticize the witch hunts of centuries ago, yet continue them to this day in another form. - We laugh piously at the pharisees for not understanding how they were the same as those who stoned the prophets of old, all the while we hold stones in our hand ready to cast at the first person who does not agree with our ideology. And those stones can come in many 'right'eous forms.]

Solution:
Again, the Bible holds the key in the two verses I quoted above.
- Dont fear
- Search with ALL your heart.

Does this lead you outside of your comfortable denomination or even religion?

Does this lead you into religion if your agnostic, etc.?

You wont find until you can truly ‘open your mind’ to what is possible.
As Einstein said, “I want to know the mind of God”… and you cannot know anything with a mind filled with judgements on things we dont remotely have a clue about.

It amazes me the gap in peoples mindset, religious or not… no one seems to be able to think past what someone tells them to think… or what the group thinks. Im not saying this is bad, but to actually make any evolutionary progress, if I may use that term, it will take some time.

Conclusion:
There is a lot to discover out there, a lot to learn.
The information is now out there, via the internet, etc., so that if you want you can begin to search and to formulate your own hypothesis.

The question is:
Do you have to have an answer? Or can you be comfortable in the ‘not knowing’ phase of things? Getting pieces to the puzzle here and there.

Perhaps that really is a better summary of the issue with humanity – everyone wants to feel like they ‘know’ and thus accepting a half-truth or full out fantasy is easier than what appears to be hanging over an ‘abyss’ of emptiness. [When in reality it flying over limitless potential]

As for 666, you want to know what it is about?
First get to know yourself.

Peace

dAlen

p.s.
Technology is a tool – neither good or bad, its how you use it that determines what it does. Logical no?

From a certain perspective, everything is “technology”.
Everything in this chaotic universe works under one governing principle – love.

Much more to be said, but in reality nothing that can be said that wouldnt say what you already know/have access to. Life is a journey and its to the individual. “Work out your own salvation”, “you need no teacher”, etc.

Prince William – The Homeless

Dear Prince William,

In this day and age of computers, technology, and internet, I have no doubt that this post -or one similar will draw your attention to it… and perhaps a lesson can be learned concerning your attempt to relate to the homeless as mentioned at this link at the BBC:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8427418.stm?ls

The message is very short, in-fact all you have to do is watch one of the old episodes of the American t.v. series “Fantasy Island” to really get the point.
Its the episode in which a prince, ironically enough, tries to feel what its like to be a working man – and he figures he can handle it.

Its not enough to experience the physical aspect, as Mr. Roarke of Fantasy island well pointed out, but the psychological barriers that accompany the day in and day out physical work.

There are a couple of factors that you may have overlooked or taken for granted, which one is your health comparative to the homeless, and this aspect goes to affecting the second aspect – a vital aspect… the psychological.

One day in the snow wont show you necessarily what it is like going through what they actually experience. The psychological can drag the physical, and vice-versa, until one just surrenders and is no more.

While I applaud your concern, I do hope that you truly realize that there is more to the other side of life then what you would even wish to consider.

I have had a unique situation in which I can relate to both sides of the fence.
[While Ive never been 'filthy' rich by any stretch of the imagination, I have had a peak in both the aspects of life, and each has there own struggles - some not realized - that the situation brings to it.]

The only practical advice I could give someone who is trying to relate to someone is to better understand who it is they are… vs. what or who they think they are.
There are different guides to this, many of them are oft misunderstood, and each guide is like an onion with a more profound meaning as you apply one level of the teaching to your life…

In this modern age, an audio book called the “New Earth” [Eckhart Tolle], is a good pointer. [Ironically for me a lot of older spiritual text became clear after listening to this - but to each their own.]

The main point is, and especially if you will become any influence as a world leader one day, is dropping the identification with who you think you are, as well as any identifications you build up around what/who you believe others to be. – To rule effectively, you will have to understand both. And only God knows that this world from its ‘royalty’ to its corporate leaders are ruled out of ‘fear’ and thus we have a lot of the issues we see around us today.

God help us when a green puppet, Yoda from star wars, is the wisest among us.
“Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffereing” – at least until you realize you dont need to suffer.

Peace,

dAlen [Independent ruler of my own life]

Tips Concerning Anger…

For the most part it is simply said like this: “All you need is Love”

Jesus said the whole law hung on two bits – loving God and loving your neighbor as much as you love yourself. [which obviously there are quite a few self loathers out there.]

Obviously there is an issue of not quite grasping what this concept of ‘love’ is about.

Paul gave a pretty detailed definition of love – no, not the Beatles Paul… John wrote that song anyway
But still, the meaning and practicality is lost for the most part to the masses.

Quite simply Ill put it this way… “live and let live” [I know, a couple of you are going to think Ive been listening to too many songs] lol
But really, its all about acceptance – which does not mean you cannot make change.

If someone is an idiot, thats their problem… dont make it yours.
Something I have been learning over the years with Aikido [and this isnt what is taught, its my own understanding of things] is that the way to win a fight is to not even create the situation in which the fight may occur.

Its amazing how often we believe that things could be no other way… we are quite stubborn as a human race. We dont see the myriad of options out there available to us, or we feel weaker if we have to choose that which [to our ego] would make us look weak. [break the consistency of the little story we fabricated about ourselves.]

I was in a fight before… [couple times actually]
It started because two dudes thought they were ‘right’. – Ever get that feeling ‘you are right’ and the whole world has to see it ‘your way’…

This broke out into a shouting match, and the next thing you know Mr. Judo jumps on me and I end up getting him in a headlock waiting for him to chill. Of course this really didnt help, so I end up on the floor and as the bear comes toward me I kicked him in the face, popped up and to make sure he wouldnt further attack me… I popped him in the nose.

Somewhere in there, his nose started bleeding. [We had a previous encounter where he put a joint lock on me and my finger was sensitive for about a year... in that time I did not fight him as he had someone with him.]

Anyway, now that I know Aikido, I can verify for both of these situations that I could have pinned him down and not ‘worn out’ like with the head lock… until he calmed down.

But, what I also learned is a simple fact… even though the dude came up trying to push his ideas on me – I could have simply walked away before the whole thing blew up in both of our faces. – No shame in this, as there really is no truth to egoic stories anyway.

This lesson took way over 30 years to finally sink into my head… but I believe I got it. My temperament has quite mellowed over the past few years as a few facts have begin to take hold on my life… one being this concept of love.

Part of this concept of love is the realization that we are not tied to these stories that we make up and so often identify with. Life is fluid – like Bruce Lee said, “be the water and eventually you will make an art peace out of the mountain side as you continue to rub up against it.” [rough paraphrase]

Anyway, I share this story [again] as its a real and practical example that conflict can easily be solved by how we choose to react to the present moment. If we treat it as an enemy, it will be so. – The only person who has power to move you emotionally is you.

So people dont have to conform to your likeness before you can have peace, nor do people have to be convinced of anything. – Perhaps this is the greatest change for me as I was quite the zealot my whole life… missionary, etc.

But with all my zeal and witnessing, some facts came to light in my younger years.
You will never… I will say this again, never will you be able to truly convince anyone of what is real.

Sure… you will be able to potentially get them to swop to the polar opposite – but thats not “change you can believe in” – its just the egos last stand to ensnare you fully.
If you ponder this all the way through you will understand Jesus teaching about “Twice the Son of Hell”.

I have written about this before, and may do so again to give it a bit of clarity. But any change someone makes has to be of their own… no amount of arguing or debating will matter when it comes to the one truth that actually exist.

So what is outside of this one truth – or better yet, what does this one truth consist of?
Letting people be. “Let it be, let it be” [o.k., now Paul gets some credit.]

Sure, share, whatever – and you dont have to feel isolated from someone as they ‘dont believe in your way’, etc. There is a tendency to feel threatened by people who do not ‘see the light’ as so many people claim to have… and people continue on in their little closed circles., etc.

But if you can see that the person is not what they identify themselves with – you know what… they are less threatening. [hey, I have a mother-in-law - I speak from experience]

When you unwrap the person from mental labels, you do what Jesus did and allow people to change paths and try new things. – Again, this is why things like A.A. really dont solve anything. [I have written about this as well.]

All this, when clearly understood is the catalyst for true change… that change starts and ends in you. Too often we try to change what is outside of us, while struggling inside… it will not work.

Hey, things may take time… Paul said that you have to be changed “by the renewing of your minds” – simply stated, you created a certain neuro path way… it may take some serious effort to reprogram that path.
In a sense, we are all brainwashed with our ‘truths’ and we have to watch, or put an effort into what we feed ourselves.

As the good book says, you dont need a teacher, you have the spirit – in short this means that you can loosen up and stop the fear and do your searching. “When you search with all your heart you will find”.

For me two things were a vital influence in my life…
1- the unconditional love my wife showed me
2- Eckhart Tolles audio books. [I listened to him practically day and night and its like an onion where I get something deeper as time goes on.]

I realize that for some Christians, and non-Christians alike, Eckhart doesnt vibe.
Well Ram Dass, Jesus, Buddah, all say practically the same thing. [If you disagree I would probably think you never 'searched with all your heart' as the writings speak for themselves... God is not limited in how 'it' expresses 'itself'.

But as I mentioned, it is your choice, and there really is nothing to convince anyone of... the fact is as I just pointed out, you will know when the truth hits you... no matter what form it may take. [like that donkey in the Bible, truth may come in forms your not looking for.]

A true test of faith like Naaman the leper dude who thought things should be a certain way, and deemed the prophets way as a little unorthodox and downright dirty. – who was ‘right’?
Again, its not about ‘right’, but there are underlying principles to everything being said here, and like Jesus said, “he who has ears let him hear”

Peace

dAlen

On a side note: I started this whole thing out after remembering a comment by some rabbi which said, “to save yourself from a lot of anger, try to do things yourself as much as possible rather than asking others to do them for you.”

Nothing against delegation, but there is something to this… especially if you find yourself bickering at people for not doing things how you want it done.