Desire vs. Spirituality

I want you to do something really brave right now. I want you to stop what you're doing completely and really read this blog in front of you. I want you to take a deep breath in and then exhale deeply. Relax. And when you read these words, believe in them. It might seem utter ridiculous and absurd at first, perhaps even laughable, but I want you to believe in what you are about to read now.

Life is easy. Life is fair. Money comes to me all the time. I am loved, and I am love. I am successful. I am beautiful. I attract positive and necessary things into my life. I live a life of joy and peace and all is well. J

Okay, now you can laugh! When you laugh you attract more good things into your life. Now, your life may not be all these things…sometimes it may seem you're living in your very own horror film and some days you can't stop the tears from coming. But know this…life is what you make it. Seriously in the midst of all the turmoil and disappointments, there is still magnificence working at every level. You are never alone and all paths lead to the same destination. It takes some longer to get there than others but in the end we'll all get to that very same gathering. And then everything will make perfect sense. In the mean time, with a loss of memory and patience, we need to survive as best as we can and try to enjoy the moments leading up to that final act.

I know, I know, you want it, and you want it now. But just as we tell little children, you cannot get everything you want, and you cannot get everything you want, when you want it. You'll get it, eventually, but most certainly when the time is right. Life is like this…we have to trust in the Universe/God that it is working in just the right rhythm to keep your life at balance. Too much of anything isn't any good! Sure, we love sweets, and sure we love everlasting warm hugs and better yet passionate kisses! But sometimes believe it or not, it is not good for us all at once. Sometimes you have to get a taste of greatness, and then stumble down the ladder a bit, because we may become addicted and lose ourselves in a mess that hasn't even sorted itself out yet.

Be patient my darlings…life will make sense again soon. Be strong! Be cheery! Some people say they don't believe in anything, but I think these people believe more than even those who claim they do believe. Our bodies are in such intricate and symbiotic excellence, and we are a minute part of a much much larger cosmos that even they know they are fooling themselves when they say they don't believe in anything. They are just bitter or in despair…you need to try and pull yourself out of that. The more positive attributes you bring into the your life, the more positive attractions you can also bring into your life. "Your biography becomes your biology"…according to bestselling author Wayne W. Dyer.

So what do we do in the mean time? What do you like to do? You don't know? Sure you do…what makes you smile, what do you like doing more than anything else? Okay, wait…I am not speaking about addictions here. Too much alcohol, sex and cocaine, although they make you feel good, in excess is certainly not good for you…I mean…do you like numbers, or perhaps painting, can you sing? Do you like teaching, or do you enjoy interacting with animals? These sorts of things; these strong feelings that are put into you are called desires. It helps life become more bearable…it gives meaning when you wake up in the morning, a purpose, a drive, something you wish to learn more about and be successful at it. Everyone has different drive/desire, and if you don't listen to it, life without the temporary alleviations becomes boring or sad. Don't listen to negative things people say to you…if you're good at it, and you love it, and the desire is overpowering, then 9 times out of 10 it is something you should definitely pursue.

Some people think now that your desire should be suppressed, only to lead a life that is more acceptable to the society you may come from, or acceptable by the standards of what the world thinks you should be. Don't listen to them…you have desire put into you for a purpose. It doesn't mean that you will step on people's opinions or disregard completely what they may say out of love, but you cannot put your whole being into this, especially if it is negative. If you are faced with shortcomings while working towards your goal, see it only as a new lesson on your spiritual journey. Each failing is a 'one-up' on the spiritual ladder…and it hurts…and you cry…and you prefer to keep things as they were…but wouldn't you rather become more spiritually in tune with the universe and wait for something better than settling for less in life?

You deserve it, the very best, and your desires are exactly what you need to allow you to grow and learn about the experiences within the perfection of the universe. Think beyond limitations and obstacles on your journey and know that they are only leading you towards a higher spiritual awareness. Think that even achieving the mastery of understanding this idea is a desire that you must acknowledge! J

Now here we go again, repeat after me…

I am grateful for my blessings, I am proud of me, I am worthy, and I deserve the best the universe has to offer…

Love one another, and treat people and the land always with respect and sacredness and your seemingly impossible desires will appear to you in ways much more appealing than you could have ever imagined. J Just as the waves on the shore come in and out, so too will you gain, lose and recover that which is rightfully yours…trust the Universe…and still your aching heart… J

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98P-gu_vMRc&feature=related

A lovely song -- Ah loveeeeeeeeeee etttttt! Mr. Blue -- it's a beautiful new day!

Love Jair

Life is Beautiful

! Bonjourno Principessa! -- Good Morning Princess! This was the phrase Roberto Benigni used to greet his wife on screen in this beautiful film. Although to many this simple expression has little meaning, he in fact radiated such respect and love; a love so guiltless, so pure, so true! I smile because once upon a time, I too was greeted with such love every morning too.

Life is Beautiful is an Italian film and is the winner of over 70 International Film Awards; Best Picture and Best Foreign Picture in the same year since 1969; 7 Academy Award nominations, taking home 3 for Best Dramatic Score, Best Actor and Best Foreign Language Film; Best Jewish Film and gaining the Medal of Jerusalem, and in Italy, the Best Film in 9 different categories; all in 1998.

Roberto Benigni is without a doubt one of my favourite people; someone I admire and look up to. My hero list isn't very long, but for this man, he makes my heart smile. He was one of the first and few creative and talented people to write, direct and act in his very own film; not only did he accomplish all this, but also won awards for his incredible masterpiece entitled 'La Vita e Bella', in English meaning 'Life is Beautiful'. It is such a powerful and epic tour de force that it motivates me as a human every time I watch it. His film talents are not only what astound me but also in person he is a charming, energetic and comical man, very optimistic and engaging.

This film shows the injustice of World War 2, of people facing tragedy of families separated but through it all Benigni shows courage, and uses physical humor to teach his son to have the desire to survive, to keep the hope and keep smiling. This film teaches its audience to have love, forgiveness and to be unstoppable even in suffering. It is filled with adventure, action, romance, sadness and loads of comedy.

Like another of my favourite Italian films, Cinema Paradiso, it is enchanting in a sense, because it brings imagination, family and love to the forefront, having these attributes conquer all. One feels empathy for its characters because the audience is taken on an extraordinary ride of love and life. When the character is happy, we smile, and when the character is dealt suffering, we feel also sadness.

This film always puts me in a better mood. Even though by the end my eyes are red and swollen, I know I've had a good laugh as well. Roberto Benigni is a tiny man with a giant's energy and he mirrors immaculately the late and great Charlie Chaplin (English actor whom American's claim as their own because of his extensive career in America); he is very animated with his movements as though he is dancing to the sweetest of music.

My favourite moments of the film; ones that stand out for me for different reasons would be when he was speaking to his uncle about serving and bowing; Roberto's character Guido said that he should bow very low to whomever he might serve, and his uncle corrected him and said: "Think of a sunflower. They bow to the sun. But if you see some that are bowed down…it means they are dead. You're serving, you're not a servant. Serving is a supreme art. God is the 1^st servant, God serves men, but he's not a servant to men…" For me this statement is poignant because people never show respect for others with menial jobs like bus drivers, janitors, waiters, workers who pick ripe grapes in the field for wine, flight attendants etc. People look down on those who are there to help them and are demanding and greedy. But everybody's job is of importance and whether you want to admit it or not; we are all equal. Who cares what part we play, what uniform we wear and how many 'Get out of Jail Free' cards we may carry? When our life comes to an end, we all rot the same, and cannot take any of this with us. We may as well show each other reverence and respect.

I also loved that they brought to light the famous German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer who taught us that with willpower you can accomplish anything; you are who you want to be! What you wish for yourself is literally in your power; therefore have no fear and expect great things to be yours after you've done the right things.

The riddles throughout the film were quite refreshing as well; I may not be the smartest of cookies but I love a good puzzle and always love coming up with new strategies to get what I want in life. Some work; others do not; but it's always fun setting them up to solve.

I really needed to see this film again today; to remind myself that yes indeed 'Life is Beautiful', and that I am free to be who I am and to speak the truth; and even if people laugh at me or say that I take life too seriously; I know who I am and what I want, and if serious is me being passionate and honest about my life; and giggles and laughter should come about because I hug and dance with a container of oatmeal because it brings me fond memories, then so be it. I will cry when I want to, and laugh when I want to and speak the truth of how I feel when I wish to because it allows me to sleep well at night; there are no elephants standing in my room; for this I am grateful for and I shan't ask any more questions but simply smile through the painful days.

I will leave you with some wise words of Roberto Benigni who said:"Sometimes only clowns can reach real tragedy!" J