Carnival of life

When people get a health scare, they often begin to pay attention to the things that they took for granted before. This time it is my turn to learn some lessons and maybe even teach some to the people around me. Faced with uncertainty (no definite diagnosis yet), I find myself looking at the world a lot closer. How amazing everything is, and how much is offered to us. We can do so many things, choose so many paths. Sometimes we tell ourselves that we are bound by our culture, work obligations, family, means, but it is not true. We can do any amazing thing at any moment we choose. The opportunity is there for us, provided by this world, by this Earth. You reality can be transformed completely at request, and provide the experiences that you need. You could say “I am burned out and down, lets charge the card, call the boss and fly to the Amazon river for 2 weeks”. Or you could say “I know I was meant to something greater. Where is the opportunity for greatness?”, then take 2 weeks off and fly to Africa with Red Cross, or volunteer at some local organization. Countless possibilities to evolve in any way you want! And on top of that each person is different from the next right? So we have as many realities at the same time as we have people in the world. And each has something to offer, if you let it to. We just have to suspend the judgment for long enough to simply hear how others see their world (even if we strongly disagree with their view).
I suddenly get amazed by the way trees look, and the complexity of flowers, how bees build their houses (much respect to those creatures, true architects!), that our body is a smart self adjusting mechanism, that universe is stretching in all directions and at all points at the same time as I write this, that there is ice on Mars, that a stranger can be the kindest warmest soul to you when you are down, that baby begins to grow in mother’s womb so magically and secretly, that we are capable of such beauty and such terror, and ocean is such a powerful force…and more, much more. It is all amazing. Everything around us. Even that I can write and you can read those weird looking lines, and therefore I send my thought to you for consideration. Physics, chemistry and other science will explain the laws behind what we see and experience, so there is another world under the world we see. And another world above the one we see. Have you read abound multiverses, that our universe may not be the only one out there? There is so much in this world, and outside it, and there might be other worlds! So much to see and feel! It’s like a carnival, and we are right in the middle. Although sometimes we are too concerned about our costume or snack instead of running around, dancing and watching the show. That’s all right, the carnival is not going anywhere, no harm in taking our time with the costume.
Do I sound crazy? I think I am becoming a child again. Simple things suddenly look wondrous and all meaningful. Life is such a creation, no words can describe it!

Be careful what you wish for or you just might get it...

Early this morning we have arrived from our trip to Jamaica and after a sleep deprived work day I gather what strength I have left to write a new post.  (...then I took a long break and finally decided to post it weeks later :))  The trip was great and we had a blast.  It was also full of wonderful opportunities for spiritual analysis.  Here is one example...

On the first full day of our stay I realized that I didn't have enought T-Shits to last a week and thought it would be nice to win some.  Thus, I entered into a bee-bee gun shooting competition. There were a number of good shooters that got pretty high scores.  We were each given 6 shots into a target with the maximum points totaling 60.  I was on target and shot an impressive 48. Everyone was thrilled and the guide said he has not had anyone get all shots in the black including a bulls eye.  My ego was enthralled and I was declared a victor.  People left the location talking amongst themselves about the great young shooter they had just had the privilege of standing next to (see what I said about the ego :))  Anyway, winners of each competition (archery, shooting, bachi ball, etc.) were invited on stage at 9:30, awarded with cheers, prizes and a song.  I was excited about the upcoming recognition.  I made my family get there in time, sat in the 2nd row and eagerly awaited my moment...

The winners were brought up one by one and congratulated.  Oddly enough, I was not a part of that group.  They had fogotten me!  I was.....a bit upset.  I asked one of the "Fun Directors" (the one that supervised the shooting) why I hadn't been called...he apologized and gave me a T-Shirt.  Disapointed I sat down, received multiple pats on the shoulder from the ones who knew and got ready to watch the entertainment for the evening.  What I didn't realize was how strong my desire was to get onstage, because I was about to get the full taste of it...

2 guys from the entertainment team got onstage and announced the beginning of the show. They said they needed 10 man from the audience for it.  I had no intention of participating remembering my previous experiences of utter embarrassment.  However, the "Fun Director" pulled me and my friend up on stage (how opportune it was that we sat in thd 2ND ROW????)...

Anyway, 10 men were onstage and awaiting instructions.  After a few hints we understood that our task was to do the Limbo.  There were 2 thoughts going throuh my mind at that time.  One was "OUCH" and the second was that I will probably loose to older fatter man and it will suck! The first comment was due in large part to my degenerated disk in the lower back.  The second...you know....To fast forward I will share that I made the 1st and 2nd cut and almost made the last.  My back was bent enough to get through but my feet froze and wouldn't move forward enough to carry me.  I fell.  However, I was ushered into the 2nd round (4 men total) to compete in something even more fun.  Thankfully my friend was right there with me.  

For the second round they asked each of us who our favorite female artist was.  Of course I answered my wife reveling in the chance to have her join my party and be put on the spot herself by having to sing.  (she has a very good voice but with microphones one never knows.)

Fortunately for her and unfortunately for me they made each man do pushups with his wife laying on his back.  Needless to say I was working my triceps out in the gym mere hours before this fun event...I barely did 8.  But the fun wasn't over.  

They made everyone go backstage and perform as either Elvis, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion or Whitney Houston.  Fortunately I was Michael Jackson.  They dressed me appropriately and handed me the mic.  There I was alone on stage dancing to the beat.  I should mention that before we went on vacation I was telling myself to review the basic dance moves of Michael Jackson, Elvis and Disco to be ready in case I had to dance....I DIDN'T.  Thus, I was stuck doing the only 3 moves I remembered...

The story does end well as I was voted the victor by the audience and received a T-Shirt, Hat and a bottle of Rum.  My back was sore but intact, I had 2 T-Shits,  and for the rest of the trip everyone I met called me Michel.