Cynique

I have described this before, but it is so confounding to me that I frequently return to the subject. Although I am an August Leo and the sun is my sign, I am also a moon person. To be more accurate, - a lunatic. Over the past 25 years I have been increasingly awed by the moon. So much so that on any convenient occasion, if the moon is full, I will go outside and gaze at it until I transcend my body and merge with it. Now I am in sync with the cycles of the moon. Over the course of a month I am affected by its phases. Like the ocean, the moon influences the tides in my body. My blood seems to rise and fall as it flows through my veins during the course of a month. My round yellow face has become increasinsgly moon-like and undergoes changes as the days go by. I start out looking very childlike but, in time, the gravitational pull of the moon takes its toll. When it is full I look haggard. The moon also affects my moods, sending me through highs and lows. I am also a star gazer and I really become transfixed while looking up at the sky, realizing that the twinkling I am witnessing orginated hundreds of light years ago. The stars are my siblings because, as Carl Sagan reminded, humans and stars are composed of the same elements. We come from the same source. I don't necessarily think my experiences are unique. I suspect I'm just more aware of the phenomenon because I have chosen to be. Astrology is, indeed, intresting to contemplate. Do the things that make me different from other people have anything to do with how the atmosphere was when I was born? Who knows? In the study of astrology who has determined what influence the position of the stars exerts on human affairs? Moreover, good and bad are relative in the context of earthly events. And is there really such a thing as luck??? Some people seem to attract more fortuity of than others. Why is this? The mysteries of the universe are mind-boggling.

I agree Delano, that negativity consumes too much energy. I just don't think that I should anoint my antagonists by being compassionate and forgiving. I prefer to just sentence them to the "they-are-what-they-are" prison, and move on. A strategy better than passive resistance would be to terrorize your enemies and destory their peace of mind, filling them with fear. That was what the small crew of 911 perpetrators did to all-powerful America.

Why is it that after centuries of being staples in our diet, sugar and salt and butter and red meat and fried foods are now bad for us. Enjoying delicious food is one of life's great pleasures. If obesity is a problem, food is not the culprit, glulttony is. Parents need to stop using food as a tranquilizer and adults need to realize the importance of exercising moderation when it comes to eating. I do hate the big corporations who manipulate our habits but I also question the what "studies show" and "tests prove" and "surveys indicate" shills who perpetuate fads and spout recommendations that change from year to year. (Like computer industry giants that put out products that are obsolete after a few months.) The diet industry and food police and fitness zealots are just as suspect in their crusade to dictate what people put in their mouths and do with their bodies. Every sector has an ulterior motive and money is the bottom line. Even the medical community has its price when it comes to public positions. The food industry impacts on so many areas of our lives that putting it out of business could add to the economic woes of this country, Admittedly I am prejudiced because I am an old woman set in her ways and I like to eat what I have a taste for. I particularly like to scoff at the "experts", and when I look around me I don't see a lot of fat kids. Or do I personally know anyone who is morbidly obese. Recently I heard a report that senior citizens who are slightly over weight fare better than thin ones who are underweight. Of course, this resonated with me. (Pass the fried chicken and cut me another slice of pound cake, please.) Personally I'm more worried about riding on the highway in a General Motors car that may be the next model up for a recall.

Feminist voices speak out when women are treated unfairly or denied equal access. It's very possible that no woman wanted the job of being NAACP president so a male was appointed to the position which requires a lot of fund raising. This organization has lost so much power and effectiveness that being head of it is no longer considered a prestigious job. The NAACP since its founding, however, has always been criticized for being male dominated. Historically black women are so desperate for black men to step up and be leaders, that they often defer to anyone who shows this potential. Black women have always been very supportive of President OBama. They might not be as enthusiastic in their support if Hillary Clinton runs. The NAACP would undoubtedly appoint a women for its president before they'd give the nod to a gay man.

Yes, hate is an emotional burden. Letting it go is emotionally draining also, because the tendency is to repress it as opposed to exorcizing it. And what does empathizing with someone doing something that is detrimental accomplish? Passive resistance as a tactic may result in a moral victory but it doesn't prevent the collateral damage that includes killing and maiming. It is not altogether empowering. All of these mechanisms require self discipline. Self discipline requires overcoming the ego. ZEN addresses this.

Well, my reaction to it is to laugh at the picture I posted of JayZ and what the caption said and how he worded it. I guess I do need to get a life!

Well, Delano, loving one's enemies is not a new approach to acquiring peace of mind. It is a personal choice. But there's a thin line between taking the higher ground and being a door mat. Compassion is a form of condescension so you can neutralize your antagonists by pitying them. Indifference is also a poweful weapon. Few people like to be ignored. Indeed, all of these approaches are social skills for personal interactions. I don't know that they work in a world view arena.

Yeah, using a calculator is the easier way, and certainly in keeping with a computerized world where cursive writing is becoming obsolete. Presumably the new math is designed to help make kids learn problem solving skills. I doubt, however, if this will help them solve the problem of being addicted to smart phones and social media.

If you wonder what the full story is, Troy, you'd have to follow all the details and speculation that are out there in the media and this includes the price paid by the highest bidder for the footage and the fate of who sold it, plus the latest reaction from JayZ, Beyonce, and Solange.

Troy, where have you been? In a cave? LOL. The run-in between Solange and JayZ has been all over the news, and not just the tabloid shows; burning up twitter, and making the evening broadcasts. Late night talk show hosts have been having a field day in their opening monologues. I forget you're not a pop culture vulture.

The above picture cracked me up. I needed some comic relief after all the Donald Sterling and gay NFL draft pick controversy.

Does this apply to a powerless black person being discriminated against by a white racist? Should a black mother feel compassion for a white cop who has killed her innocent son? Is she angry at him because she's angry at herself?

And you do have to acknowledge that you can't prove your beliefs if those who don't agree with them demand that you do so.

Amen, Troy. To you, Pioneer, my definition of proof is not blind faith. If the millions of people who adhere to the Christian dogma in regard to the resurrection, are your idea of life after death being a proven fact, then - I reject your argument. To me, proof of this belief would be for Christ to emerge from the clouds and ascend to earth saying, "Hi y'all, it's me, JC, and I'm baaaaack." Biblical accounts written by hard core disciples years after the alleged event do not constitute proof to me. Yes, everybody hopes death is not final. But, like faith, hope is not proof.

Obviously, Pioneer, you haven't witnessed conversations between brothas and sistas on the subject of why there is so much estrangement and dissention between them. This Nigerian school girl case is a catalyst of sorts. But before the kidnappings, a movement has been underfoot encouraging young girls to stop being inhibited by the "be nice" mantra they've been advised to observe all their lives while men get away with cut-throat antics. Encouraging young girls to stop being afraid of being considered a bitch is an emerging theme of new books and motivational speakers. And there has always been an outcry for battered women to stand up to their abusers and report them. If Hillary Clinton runs for president, look out for a super bitch constituency to flex their muscles.

Now controversy is emerging in the NFL over the passionate interaction between the first gay football player, who's black, and his white boyfriend shown on TV screens when the gay guy was selected for the NFL draft. Jeeze. I try not to be homophobic but I recoiled when I saw these two embracing and kissing on the lips, an episode that was followed by the big burly weeping player's puny little partner consoling him. EW. I know, I know. Makes me a little empathetic with Donald Sterling because I know there are plenty of black folks who wouldn't want their reaction to this scene secretly taped...

Or because women of the world are outraged and have found a noble cause to rally around and draw attention to the ongoing subjugation of female by cowardly males. Not surprised, Pioneer, that you'd think the missing plane is all a part of a grand conspiracy. The passengers, of course, are collateral damage in a puerile plot to distract from the intent of Barak Obama, supported by John McCain to solely take on the venture of leading America into an unwinnable war with Russia. Or, perhaps, you're more enthralled with a scenario where the forces that want to challenge Russia are alien ones and the plane is stashed away somewhere in Roswell, New Mexico, parked in a hangar full of UFOS. Welcome back, Pioneer. I'm sure Troy has missed you.

The term for what doctors observe when a patient flatlines is clinical death. Doctors can't speak with authority on spiritual matters any more than anyone else. Clinical death isn't that uncommon. People fall into a state of suspended animation and are revived. But most of them do not report an out-of-the-body experience that reflects popular beliefs about heaven and angels. Nobody can prove anything one way or another about existence and transition. It is inexplicable and thus has it ever been.

Wellllll, look who's back! My old sparring partner. Sooooo do you have an answer to the question you posed? Or - just snickers that are common knowledge?

"Life after death" is an ambiguous enigmatic paradox wrapped in a semantic riddle. If there's life after death, then you haven't died. If you cease to be, then you never were. Perhaps the answer is in the question. It's all veeeeery Zen. The way to achieve Nirvana is to transcend words and spiral into a realm where life and death are all in the mind.Duh.

My e-book has gone to press and will soon be available for downloading on line. Hard copies will also be for sale. This is the new and improved version of The Only One, my novel about an interracial love triangle that will put the advice of self-appointed relationship guru, Steve Harvey, to shame. It might also make prudes blush. This is not "your grandfather's book". It's your grandmother's hot novel. What this quick-read also has going for it, is that it's a delicious slice of black life, serving up conflicted characters with appetites for lust, and cravings for love. Watch for more details on how to check out this upcoming release!

My e-book has gone to press and will soon be available for downloading on line. Hard copies will also be for sale. This is the new and improved version of The Only One, my novel about an interracial love triangle that will put the advice of self-appointed relationship guru, Steve Harvey, to shame. It might also make prudes blush. This is not "your grandfather's book". It's your grandmother's hot novel. What this quick-read also has going for it, is that it's a delicious slice of black life, serving up conflicted characters with appetites for lust and cravings for love. Watch for more details on how to check out this upcoming release!

You are right about trees, Delano. They can die and still be standing with nests among their branches where birds live and thrive! How does this apply to humans. Organ donation, I guess.

Funny, the first thing that came to my mind reading the above article was that with this supposedly being "The Year of the African", as exemplified by an African director and African actors starring in and winning Oscars for " 12 years a Slave", honors that further include new "it" girl Nigerian Lupita Nyong'o''s being selected as PEOPLE magazine's "most beautiful" pick, who do we having playing 2 African chicks in a movie about twins from wealthy Ibo families, but high-yellow, bi-racial Thandie Newton and light-skinned, African American actress Anika Noni Rose. I'm sayin... Not surprising. Just amusing. Guess this balances out Africans beating out directors and actors of black American descent when it comes to telling our slave stories.