Charter For Compassion

Understanding the importance of letting go of one’s ego to show compassion to everyone, no matter the religion or nationality is what Charter For Compassion wishes to teach the world. It’s not about pointing fingers on what religion is right and what one is wrong.  

The principle of Charter For Compassion is to include all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, to support and apply the “Golden Rule.” I honestly believe, treating others as we wish to be treated ourselves, no matter the religion (or non-religion) others may practice, could change the outcome of so many of the world’s tribulations.

The website for Charter For Compassion includes a video that explains what a charter is and how the idea of the “Golden Rule,” is the core for all religious believes. For example Islam’s perspective on the “Golden Rule,” is “Love for your brother what you love for yourself.” It doesn’t matter what religion someone may be, the core believe of the “Golden Rule,” seems to always be implied.

“Treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect,” is beautifully worded and if the people of the world would apply it to world we could have a utopia of people helping people.

“We therefore call upon all men and women, to restore compassion to the centre of morality and religion.” I would love one day see a world filled with compassion with less hatred and war, however we cannot the change the world ourselves. It takes the rest of the world to stand up and realize the importance of compassion and actually demonstrate compassion to others to really make a difference.

Imagine if everyone that signed the Charter For Compassion, all 71,419 showed compassion to just one individual a day, how that could change the world.

Signing the charter does not have to be the first and last step you take in your journey to “change the world,” declaring and demonstrating  compassion, should be ones life’s work. As a people, we cannot say we want something and expect to get it. If we want compassion in our schools, government and playgrounds, we need to first give it.

I declare that showing compassion is important and much needed in today’s society. I personally take responsibility for myself to show the world more compassion, no matter religion, ethnic or sexual background one may have.

Oh My God: Akua Ke Aloha (God Is Love)

Peter Rodger, who is the film maker of Oh My God, is a very courageous man that traveled the globe to ask a question that many have died over- Who is God? This film is packed with facts and beliefs of a large diverse of people.

As a believer of God, I feel like I learned a little about my own faith; by watching how people all over the globe, worship God. Peter Rodger did a marvelous job on capturing people’s cultures and diverse religions in a beautiful and in a significant way that actually draws in an audience.

Father Michael Collins of Italy stated that Catholics believe that everything is beautiful, even things that are made by man are in God’s image, therefore are also beautiful. I found this statement comparable to the Buddhist statement on the beauty of nature and their surroundings.

In between part of the film one man declared that, “All the wars of the world are about religion and land.” I truly believe this man’s statement is one-hundred percent true, with the addition of oil. There would be no other reason for people to die other than fighting for their religion and/or land.

Peter goes on to declare that there are four reasons why people believe in God. One, we have no idea how we got here; therefore God must be the creator. Two, doing good deeds will get you into heaven, so god is a policeman. Three, the fear of death. Only knowing that our bodies wrapped, the rest is speculation, so God gives eternal life. Four, everything is God’s will, therefore God is the scapegoat.

In Kenya, East Africa, a tribe will sacrifice lambs to God. They will eat from the flesh and use the sheep pelt as part of the worship ceremony. One man went on to say that it will often rain after they conclude a sacrificing ceremony. Trying not to be judgmental, I honestly have to say I am thankful that I do not practice a religion that requires sacrificing an animal or another human. For example in Guatemala the Mayas used to participate in human sacrificing. The Mayas would use alters to cut off the heads of willing members of the tribe to be sacrificed. They believed that it was the fast track to the underworld.

The man from the undisclosed location honestly frightened me. Knowing that he had weapons with him during the interview is a little nerve-wracking. When he stated with such seriousness that, the Christians and Jews shall forever go to the hell of fire from the Koran, it is worrisome that people’s interpretations can be so misguided that they would truly kill another human being. The problem of interpretations, and lack of teachings of the Koran is truly terrifying, however it reminded me on how Christians can also misinterpret the Bible and take it to the extremes at time.

The Princess Michael of Kent, in London proclaimed that, “God is goodness, and all goodness comes from God.” I found her testimonial honest and properly the simplest out of many of the people in the film. Her proclamation reminded me of something that is said in my family, “Akua Ke Aloha,” which translates into “God is love.”

One Israeli man proclaimed, “How can you love your neighbor, if you don’t know him? You build walls that only wars can break down by not listening to your neighbors.” This proclamation reminded me on the reason I took World Religions, to learn and understand diverse religions. I want to be able to have a civil conversation with people of a different religion not debating but just the understanding on what their religion consist of.

I really cherished the conclusion where people said “God is love” in various diverse languages. Other than the man from the undisclosed location, almost everyone else stated that God is peace, happiness, goodness, beautiful and love.

  God may be different religions but the love is universal.

The Sister

Cory (asleep), Me, and cousin Bobbie

I have a sister. Cory. I know, it’s spelled like the boy version.

I tried to talk my parents into naming her Ariel, from the Little Mermaid, but they wouldn’t do it. The lack of red hair did not change the fact I continued to call her Ariel for several months after she was born was beside the point.

She is two years and nine months younger than I am, making me the all knowing and powerful older sister.

She's something. I don't think "special" or "wonderful," is the right word for her. More like a pain in my butt.

Dad, Me, and Cory on a flight back to AZ

We argue constantly, over anything and everything. Sometimes, more than most, I feel like I want to strangle her, but at the same point hold her close and tell her I love her.

Sure we have our bad days. Ok, we have a lot of bad days. But we do have some really great memories. The fonder ones are of course of me bossing her around.

I wish I had a scanner around to show you some of the pictures from the “good ol’ days.” But because I do not, I shall shower you with more recent pictures.

May 2010

Cory and I when she was a baby

Senior year Homecoming dance

December 2011

Cory's 18th birthday gift: Hot Air Balloon ride

 

         Just Sisters.....

"I'm smiling because your my sister, I'm laughing because there is nothing you can do about it! :)"

Dear Life, Love Death

Dear Life,


With life, comes death. Hate- Love. As what is and what is not. What goes up, must come down. One day they will die, as we all will die. When one heart stops beating, another will take their first breath of air. As always; with death, comes life.

It is not acceptable, to just live like a zombie and rush through life. We have to truly LIVE. We have to walk, and rejoice in our observation of what truly is beauty. Nothing is ever the same. Be silent, and listen. Really listen to what humanity and nature is expressing. Because nothing is as important as the wisdom and understanding; of others- who have lived before us.

"There is a time to be born, and a time to die; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

This verse alone is one of the most important things we will ever need to know, about the life we all lead. When we feel like breaking down, that is the time when we hold our heads up and march right thru what life is throwing at us. Because even the best fall down sometimes. When life is showing us the bad, we must smile and laugh for all the good that goes unnoticed. When they die-do not mourn, dance! And be merry for the life they have lived. When we hate, we lose a chance to love; and living in the world we do, we need every ounce of love we can get.

With hope; doubt will follow. At times life seems so cruel, and will take our last and only hope. But hope, like a Phoenix, waits to be re-born from its ashes. Like a Phoenix, hope, will be our light- our flame in the darkness. Like a Phoenix’s tears, hope will heal all wounds. Like a Phoenix, hope will find us.

“As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.” Look at our reflection and what do we see. The lips, where our words flee from, do they speak with honesty? The eyes; our looking glass. They are the window to our souls. Do they see more then they let on, not speaking up with those lips- which speaks with truth? Do they see the small individual things? Our hands, do they protect and love those we hold? Our legs, do they walk with haste? Or do they glide where life takes them? Our stomach, do they feed until full, or feed until satisfied, and feed the rest to the one’s who have nothing? Promise that the following will never be forgotten; a good name is better than fine perfume.

Love,
Death

Live.Laugh.Love.Breathe Easier Eva.

Eva truly lived life to the fullest, taking the time to laugh and love more then people I actually "know." I started to read Eva's blog a couple months ago, and since than I have read every one of her posts from the begining. Through her writing, pictures, and videos I have never met a more remarkable young woman in my life.

I just found out Eva Markvoort (65_RedRoses) died at 9:30 this morning. She was a remarkable young woman who had CF (Cystic Fibrosis). She truly left a legacy behind filled with more love then people who live for 50 years, and she was only in her 20's! If you do not know about Eva you really should take the time to search 65redroses on the internet and read her blog.

Breathe Easier Eva.