REFLECTIONS

I was setting up my life as a "leisure enthusiast" when the thought of another way of living occurred to me. Instead of trying to choose their own way of spending time monks (also goes for some nuns, etc.) leave it all up to their religious order. A monk is a member of a community, leading a more or less contemplative life apart from the world, under the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Now I know that at first it seems like a very difficult way of life in which a person gives up an awful lot. But there is another side of becoming a monk that has many attractions. Lets look at the vows one at a time: ---------------------------------------------------------------- #1  POVERTY: Freedom from the burden of having your own money. The monastery takes care of your needs. Your advantages: -No unemployment. No IRS -~ No debt  ~~ No credit card No mortgage No car loans No student loans -------------

Three of my plants outgrew their pots. I purchased three larger plastic pot liners for 99 cents each.  The plant nursery gave me a free poinsettia plant. I think it was because the Christmas season was over.  It was such a good surprise! It made my day a little bit special.

Photograph showing the maternal instinct of an American red squirrel rescuing an  orphan.  (Photograph taken by JW Taylor) From the Spanish Blog ALLPE : Squirrel mother (adoptive)

I found this illusion on a website called "Delusion Illusion".  They don't reveal the solution! According to the site: "...it’s not some photo of an actual animal, rather a realistically painted picture.. But what is so, so good in this picture!?!   ps. this is one of the greatest delusions illusions!! What's the illusion?  If you can figure it out let me know.

Napoleon used a number based code something like the one I like to use: See Secret Code in Topics list.

Maybe the quote "God is love" is the best explanation. For some reason I'm having more spiritual thoughts than usual. Maybe because it's my birthday this week. I don't know.  I was brought up as a Catholic but organized religions seem to cause more problems than they solve. Some religions are more violent than others. <> <> <> <> <> "In my Father’s house are many mansions." Is God too big to fit into any one religion? It would be a great comfort if I could  find one that "fits" me. Does each person, being unique, have her own path to God? <> <> <> <> <> I do believe in God. But I’m not sure of God’s identity or how to react. I am aware of a longing (my yearning) for something more than just this life followed by nothing. It is not just an instinct to survive because many people commit suicide to stop the pain they feel in living. It is not the fear of