Zen Soup

Hey crazy cats, I know that's it's been awhile and I know it's really gut wrenching to wait for so long for a new entry.... who am I kidding? Anywho, I have been busy with so many other things, but I do try. It isn't that I don't like to write anymore. It's just that I hardly have time.

Anywho, let me move on to the subject at hand. For the past few years, I have been on a journey. I haven't paid a ticket, nor do I travel to exotic lands anymore ( did it in the Navy). I actually think that this journey has been the most fulfilling one of my life. As you've guessed it, I'm talking about finding out who am I.

It all started in 2005. I left on a cold January day for parts unknown in the Persian Gulf. What started out as a six month sea tour, has become a journey to find out who I am and why I am. Many people think that this makes a person a little self-centered, if not careful. However, the true journey makes one grow and realize the way one can grow and try to reach their full potential.

Many times, when an life-altering event happens in one's life, we tend to look at only the negatives of the event. If we look a little beyond the obvious, we find a full resource of knowledge. It's very easy to fall into depression or low self-esteem, if we let it control us.

Also, we, as humans, tend to shift the blame elsewhere. We reluctantly accept responsibility for outcomes of our actions. We see the acceptance as a weakness and not as a device to help us achieve a higher level of ones growth. We must remember that to err is human. It is ok to make a mistake. It is not ok to totally deny what happened.

What happens if the mistake or misfortune comes as a result of a series of unfortunate events? What happens if the the misfortune only needed a little dedication and we decide not to pursue it? It is not easy to see the future. It is not easy to accept that sometimes our actions become ultimatums that we purposely or involuntarily set on ourselves.

I have come to the realization and acceptance that my time I spent in the service and away from home, when my presence could've been a defining moment, may have played in part to the problems I had later. Without going into details, I truly do regret for causing pain to all around me. Although I believed with all my heart that I was doing right, I was actually doing damage. Back then, I didn't see this. Back then, I thought I was soley right. I have grown since then.

This was a catalyse that set in motion the start of a new day. I realized that life isn't about right or wrong. The world isn't black or white (thank God). It's actually full of diverse colors, from the darkest of dark; to the most brilliant of brights. There are definitely many sides to any issue. It just depends on one's willingness to accept this information and actually try to see it.

So this bit of info has brought me to where I am today. I have grown and continue to do so. No longer am I the person whose sole intent was to win an argument or fight. I now seek knowledge. i try very hard to see the world as others see it. If I agree with it, I incorporate it into my life. If I don't agree, I respect that person's viewpoint. Everyone has a right to what they believe in.

As for deep rooted anger and the unwillingness to even talk to the person, well...that's very petty and immature. There is no need for such drama. If we all just gave a moment to reason, we would see that it does us more harm than good. It is better to move on from that.

"Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free and realize that you were the prisoner." That sums it up. We mustn't just forgive others who have wronged us. We must forgive ourselves too. You would be very surprised what you can accomplish when you forgive yourself. Things will turn around.

Anyway crazy cats, I'm calling it done. Hope you enjoyed this entry's rants and raves. have a safe week. As always..... Keep safe and dream big!

Here We Come to Save the Day!

Hey crazy cats,

I was just reading the news on CNN.com (great product placement) and I noticed that the U.S. Navy is sending my old ship to Haiti! Yes, that's right the USS Carl Vinson (cell block 70)! The only aircraft carrier in the whole entire fleet who has an identity crisis...it thinks it's a Minesweeper! That damned thing once went out for a 40 day qualifications mission and returned 9 months later! Just ask my friends (those who didn't jump ship and swam to another country that is...). I swear that our captain was none other than Captain Hector Barbosa (Pirates of the Caribbean movies...for all you non-Disney movie watchers).

There's nothing quite like waking up in the middle of the ocean amongst people who are as just as depressed and missing out on life as you are. The food was outstanding....not. The living accommodations were a little better than those of a Turkish prison inmate. Those were the days!

Anyway, the Vinson is on her way to the crisis zone. Usually, this means there will be no airwing onboard. They may have a helicopter squadron. The rest of the space (the hangerbay) will be for supplies for the area, which means that there will be no space for pretty much anything else.

While on the subject, I also read that the president of Haiti is homeless. Wow...at least he now knows how the rest of his country lives. It's kind of sad when the government of a country doesn't even have a legitimate emergency response team. I heard Anderson Cooper, from CNN, say that the police are not stopping to help the people. No one knows where are they going to. It really is total chaos.

It's amazing the way we jump at the opportunity to help out a nation that got leveled by an earthquake. It took all of 40 hours. My question is the following. Could someone tell me why it took our same government 5 days to respond to Hurricane Katrina! Has anyone thought the same?! It seems ridiculous to me.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for helping out the Haitian Nation. I'm just upset at the fact that we jump out of our pants and help nations, who think we're Satan's righthand, in the blink of an eye and yet we drag our feet to help our own. It's nuts I tell you! Where the heck is our priorities?

I don't believe in Isolationist Ideas. I believe we should lead by example. I think we should help our neighbor. However, I don't see North Korea, Iran, or even Saudia Arabia jumping to the chance either. The United States is usually the one that even before one has time to digest the news of a disaster, we're there with our help and money.

I'm just tired of the way we shell out money like it's candy to nations, without any accountability, and yet we still have people living in sub-conditioned trailers in New Orleans! Why?! Why must we look so great to others when we have a problem, no one helps us. Double standards.

However, I'm glad that we're going in. At least we know things are going to get done. Hopefully, we'll be able to get more people out of the rubble alive. My heart and prayers go to those who perished in the face of this natural disaster.

Well, I'm calling this one done. Y'all be safe. Keep safe and dream big!

Issues and Issues

Hey crazy cats, It's finally starting to get a little warmer here in Florida. There isn't that much ice in the mornings. It isn't that we're complaining down here. We're just not prepared to the cold weather and ice for days on end. However, the sun's out and the heat is slowly coming back up.
Anyway, I woke up this morning and read on the news about the horrific earthquake in Haiti. The country's capital is apparently destroyed. That's pretty bad. We all know that the death count is going to be high. That's just terrible.
That got me thinking again. Yep, more smoke... more fire engines racing down the road. I know that I'm not the only one noticing the event that are unfolding. I know that the government told us that the concept of global warming is as real as the tooth fairy, but I'm beginning to doubt that. I know that the government will not not or hold secrets from us....(pun intended).
It seems like the planet is pretty much pissed at us and is letting us know it. We, as humans, have been a parasitic entity on this world. We rape its natural resources and never even think twice about our actions. We do not care about what our grandchildren are going to inherit. We believe that the planet will continue to give us its bounty without any forms of repercussions.
It is unfortunate that most think this way. Only a few actually are thinking what might happen if we continue in this way. As a matter of fact, we are already seeing the ramifications of our actions. Granted, some of the things are natural in origin. I believe that the natural events are happening as a secondary action due to our incompetence of being stuarts of the planet. Call me crazy, but that's my stance.
I'm the first to admit that I'm not the most earth-friendly dude on the planet, but I do try. I don't think that many of us are really taking what's going on seriously. It's usually the whole "me" attitude. Eventually, it will catch up to us. I just hope we can change before we get to that point.
Moving onto another subject, as some of you know, from an entry done a couple of years ago, I am the proud owner of two beautiful African Grey Congo Parrots (Jasmine and Stitch). They have been such a delight. They continue to amaze me on a daily basis. Their curiosity is only shadowed by their caring and love.
Lately, both have been learning a little too much. They imitate every single sound they here. When I'm around them. They imitate me until the point of nausea. However, they also listen to other sounds when I'm not at home. I guess I have to leave the radio on because I hate the sound of dogs barking. Either that or expensive "game hens".

Anyway, I have to continue working, since I'm doing this entry on my work time. I love the government! Well, I hope everyone has a great day. Keep safe and dream big!

Zen and Now

Hello crazy cats! Salutations from the frozen tundra known as Southern Florida! Wow, I thought that a couple of cold days and then back to normal, but not here. I left the north in search for warmer surroundings. I guess I have to cross illegally in Mexico to escape the cold. Hmm, what a concept!

Anyways, another week is in full swing. The weatherman says that the temperature is supposed to get back to normal really soon. Yeah right! This comes from a person who says 40% chance of rain and there's not a cloud in the sky!

I've noticed that people are becoming less tolerant during this cold spell. I've seen people go to punches. I'm wondering if it's the shivering or just that people go nuts with the cold. Whatever it is, I wish things would get better.

People waste too much time in arguing and going on. Sometimes the best thing to do is be quiet and let the situation die. However, some will tend to disagree. They cite their right to express themselves. They say that they're angry and they're entitled to it. They go on and on about stupidity and beat a dead horse till you want to kill yourself. If you try to leave the room, they follow you and continue. "I need to get this off my chest", is their battle cry. Whatever!

I totally believe in treating others as you wish to be treated. I think I've had enough experience to see that there is such a thing as karma. If you do bad, bad will happen to you. If you do good, then you're life is enriched with many blessings. At least that's what we hope.

How can anyone go through life and be so angry at anyone or anything? Why do we waste our time and energies on something so useless as anger? To me, we are entitled to become angry now and then, but we shouldn't let it govern our lives. It is like some people get so obsessed with letting anger ruin their lives. I feel that it's like a drug. They need to feel it. It gives them purpose.

Some people let it brew all their lives. They are totally content with anger letting govern them. If presented with the opportunity to let it go, they will not do it. They would rather die a slow and agonizing death than forgive and move on. Case in point, the Middle East. They've been going at it since the beginning of time. It's pretty much pointless now and everyone has forgotten why they originally started fighting for. It's just a big waste.

Yet, that is the way some people live their lives, unfortunately. I have seen some people not let the anger go. I remember someone, who actually was angry with a best friend, not letting go to the point of letting that person die without saying I'm sorry. The thing is that I know that person wanted to say those words, yet never got the chance to.

So the question is what do we do when we feel anger towards someone. Here's the answer... it's a lot harder to do it... let it go. It helps you out in the long run. I believe in the less negative things you have on your soul, the better. It helps you sleep at night. The less stress you have, the more life you have.

It seems that people don't seem to understand this concept. It is such a shame that so much precious time is wasted on worthless anger. If we all just listened, we would do better. We don't have to agree with what is being said. All we have to do is acknowledge the other person's ideas. We avoid anger this way.

Well folks, I'm calling this one done. Have a great day! Keep safe and dream big!

Calgon Take Me Away and Leave Me For Dead!

Hey crazy cats, another cold day here in Florida. Hey, it even snowed on Saturday! I thought I suffered a severe stroke and was seeing things, but it was really snowing! Anyway, I pretty much had a pretty day day from the get go.

It pretty much all started when I woke up and realized that it was two degrees below "holy crap! I think I crapped my pants from the cold!" I really didn't want to get out of my warm bed, but I dragged my semi-comatose body out of the bed and on my way to work. Trust me, and I know a lot of you will agree, no one wants to leave a perfectly warm comfortable bed at the start of a cold day. However, as I dragged my body throughout the house and made myself up, I had a funny feeling things weren't going to go as planned. Of course, they didn't...

I left my cozy warm abode and made my way to the car. The wind through the breezeway was enough make even the most sane person set themselves on fire! As I was thinking of a million excuses to go back and call in, I noticed the frost on my car. I thought "wow, frost and snow in Florida..." On a little side note, I don't understand why scientists are going on about global warming.. There's no such thing! We're freezing!

I made it to my car and tried to turn on my total chick magnet mobile (Rav4...you get the joke, right?). After several attempts, begging God, cursing up a storm, and finally hitting the steering wheel a couple of times, I gave up the notion that it was going to turn on without the help of jumper cables.

I stood out there, in the cold, for what seemed an eternity. I called everyone and their grandmothers. No one would answer. Finally, at around 7:30 am, someone finally came around. The Good Samaritan tried very hard to help, but to no avail. This time, the battery really died out. I abandoned all hope and left it in fate's hands. I finally realized that there might be a way out of the mess. Someone finally showed up with pair of jumper cables. I finally got the car started and dragged my butt to work.

When I got to work, I realized that my day was just getting better. Normally, my day is usually filled with maybe one bad person. It seemed like today it was full of it...literally. It didn't really matter to me. It made my day go by so much faster. As a matter of fact, I prefer it that way. Someone close to me works from home and she tells me that sometimes she wishes she had a job like mine.

So, to sum up my day, I got home (it was still cold out), made sure the car still worked, and thanked the Good Lord I made it home in one piece. Life isn't so bad when we take a moment to realize that no matter how much you fight, it's all messed up. We should enjoy every moment of it.

Well, I'm calling this one done. Keep safe and dream big!