Navigating Life

Hungry for the Holidays? 28 November 2011 by JANA JACK With the recent Thanksgiving Holiday and Christmas just around the corner, the idea of serving others brings peace and gratitude to my heart. The last stressor in my life is food; it’s always accessible. We rarely remember the people who don’t have enough to eat and struggle to feed their family, much less themselves. For three hours on Wednesday at 9:30AM I volunteered at the University District Food Bank. Men and woman of all ages came in with smiles on their faces, and some were in a hurry and quiet. Nonetheless, each individual who I bagged groceries for was thankful, and the three volunteers I met seemed selfless as they unloaded hundreds of boxes filled with donated food. I walked down 50 th St. towards University Ave where I saw a line of people waiting-- doors wouldn’t open to the public until 10AM. With no idea where the entrance was and after several catcalls from the men in line, I laughed and ...

"I could see the sea to my left and down the road a long ways, I suddenly felt I was in heaven. The spot was in fact no different from when I had passed it not long before, but my way of seeing it had changed. The feeling, a paradoxical mix of pulsing energy and profound peace, was intense and blissful. The presence of God is the finest of rewards."

26 July     From our beginning, we are filled with life occurrences that bring us pleasure, happiness, and contentment. We mimic these experiences to mimic that pleasure, happiness, and contentment we felt before. When experienced again & again--uncontainable and unexplainable emotions fill up my soul.  Memories from the past years flood my system.  These moments are precious- memories made--built up to this moment of pure euphoria fully within yourself, yet fully absent from yourself. 27 July     Cool breeze this morning. I can smell a hint of salt within the air. The tide is out and the gulls are enjoying their morning meal upon the wet, green covered rocks peaking out from the shore. Old men with tan skin and sailor hats stand on their deck overlooking the harbor and sail boats. A mug of coffee in hand, and a newspaper in the other.  That is the life I want, If God wills it. The clouds will roll back soon and into Eas...

Why do I write?   Birds chirping, wind blowing and nature all around.         The air is hot, but the wind keeps us perfectly cool. Awe, bliss. As the soft, godly air surrounds my flowing body, my feet stand planted on the ground. Energy rising up from my toes through my fingertips, i gaze up.   I gaze to the long and large Poplar trees above me. The sun light reflecting through the pattering, rustling leaves. Light green shadows dance upon the sky.   The warm air that skates across the top of my skin, and the fresh breeze inhaled within my nose, lungs, and mind -  reminds me of the wonder and synergy on God's earth. The dear plants and leaves that surround us inhale the Carbon Dioxide we exhale, and so divinely exhale the Oxygen we must inhale to live.    Fresh air flows through my blood cells openin...

The sun shown bright today. Smells, potent of Spring, fills the air surrounding my weak soul as I lay upon the soft green grass. People with their friends & their dogs walk peacefully by me as I long to project deep into their souls & extract their every experience & feeling. "Who have you loved?" I think. "Who steals your mind + who longs to occupy your thoughts in return?" Like the sweet blossoms burst to their finest, I am reminded of love. I inhale the lovers' perfume - it seeps beneath skin- ever reminding me of what once was, and what remains unfertilized. Spring is in the air and so is love. I often wonder when i will radiate a scent so enthralling. Maybe in contemplation is where love is most attractive. For isn't unfulfilled love only romantic? Many flowers bear different fragrances + hues; Sweet flowers, like the figures who pass me by. Spring to summer, then falling into winter; Left ...

Draw me out of my mundane routines. You contain something so sweet and desirable; A suitable essence I require - that I want. This exciting tension gives me an energy I cannot deny & a creativity I long to express. You give me what I lack. You are a challenge & to me it's pleasurable. I promise you surprises. I promise you life unpredictable. Anticipation- can you enter a new direction of life where all will be mysterious ? Every day life is predictable - but we are not. Let your guard down & relish these new emotions rushing in. My thoughts are unfinished - Only you can complete what's lacking.

I have always loved the color blue and green. When you mix the two you get the beautiful color- turquoise. I have always loved this color and worn turquoise jewels- I have had a unique connection to this particular turquoise ring my mother gave me and so I decided to research the stone some more: Turquoise is blue-green in color and its energies are “luck, love, protection, and healing.” My mother gave me this ring- hence, meaning that the stone will protect the wearer from negative energy and bring good fortune. Turquoise is the symbol of friendship and also brings peace to the home. This is how I want to see myself and how I long for others to see me as: A person of hospitality, friendship, and love. By cultivating my own relationship with God, I long to be a person who cultivates good friendships daily. This is my form of self-presentation I desire to have. We cannot go wrong in loving others on this earth. There is so much hate and tragedy in this world, I want t...

11 January 2011 When I arrived that Monday afternoon he was standing along his car near the shoreline at Green Lake. His purple-dyed beard matches the purple embellished van in which he commutes daily. His name is Garry Golightly and he's performed in over 43 countries. With a full studio in his house, Golightly basks in making bubble poetry, large bubble wands, and practicing "bubbleosophy." It was like plastic Dale Chihuly. Recycled six-pack rings constructed into lavish chandeliers and 6-foot bubble-wands are just a few of his creations. "And this is what it does!" He says pointing to the tattered 90s Polaroid. A joyful snapshot of Golightly grinning as he waved his bubble-wand for a crowd. The bubbles spread behind him like rainbow-colored scales. The beaming bubbleman doesn't just perform with bubbles, but he also lives by them. "There's nothing to sphere, but sphere itself," Golightly said chuckling. "The ultimate...