cold

Quality over quantity? I recall something about living fast, dying young and leaving a handsome or pretty corpse. Disprove the adage: Only the good die young?

I second the thought you aren't weird, but rather unique in your own way... as we all are. Be the hugger rather than wait to be hugged. Like Marblehead suggests start with your kids or spouse hug and hold them... Best wishes to you.

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome!

Semantics. The debate of the exact meaning of word(s) has occurred since the efforts of communication began.

The system is broke my friend...

Enlightenment is just a word. Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.

I suppose traditionally food has been equated with love. Primarily shared among family friends and those we hoped to trust. Food was bartered before being bought and sold. In my opinion Americans in the most part have a terrible value system. Look what value we place on clean air water food. For the most part I was known for having High prices, the highest at the many markets I vended at. I attribute my pricing to needing to make a living and having a healthy ego. In a way I was directly challenging the child's parent to honor their offspring's genuine healthy desire(s). I have never seen a animal except for Humans discriminate against fruit based on visual values only. Every one from ants to deer and everything between employ their noses and tongues to decide value. Never saw and don't expect to see a deer turn away a wormy apple or other fruit... The worm is proof of its ripeness... Many a parent was shocked when I failed to stop their child from free ranging on our samples*, and or allowed them to wander off with a pint box of maters. Of course I kept an eye on them! I really enjoyed a happy consumer almost as much as I enjoyed getting paid for my labor! * All our fruits and unpackaged veggies were washed and ready to eat.

Eat when hungry. Otherwise don't. I own a small organic vegetable farm, I remain amazed at children's ability to select and enjoy the freshest finest produce available. At farmers markets if allowed they are natural grazers. They are first attracted visually, then confirm thru taste tests. They have yet to trained to be concerned about price!!! Often I felt a bit guilty offering a kid a tasty berry, cherry mater or even a bit of broccoli as I knew a sale was inevitable.

Just because we can? Aren't there limits to our behavior? If not why not?

So the circle continues unbroken. A person acts creating suffering, knowingly or unknowingly, suffering is endured, forgiveness occurs or not, actions continue, suffering is caused, forgiveness ... Does: awakening asking for forgiveness before stirring each day reduce release some suffering? attempting to cause the least amount of harm lessen the suffering? accepting many others aren't self aware, and don't intend harm negate their harmful behavior?

Its official then? Or is it now?

"... no one would say they are experiencing enlightenment while its happening." No I suspect they are mumbling / mouthing " Aw Shucks, for frigging sakes Aw Shucks. Don't know for sure of course.

Welcome!

Welcome!

dog gone (its been said life begins anew when kid(s) move out and dog(s) move on)

Welcome!

Out of the pan into the fire? I'm not so sure of that.

First of all I define myself as an inhabitant of earth, a home I share with countless beings, to break it down further I am a human being. I need no other definitions, explanations nor labels. Thank you very much.

Welcome.

And as discussed previously the circle remains unbroken. It expands and contracts ... stays the same... can't be seen... or explained. If one is really lucky its possible to be aware of it.

Welcome! It bears repeating, breathe and relax, repeat! Breathing will come naturally (mostly) the relaxation is what requires effort.

Welcome!

Welcome!