skip to main |
skip to sidebar
August's theme at Self-Portrait Challenge is enclosed or tight places and spaces.
I cracked up when I took that shot of my face and put it on a jack-in-the-music-box. It seemed to "go" with me and my personality quite well.
First, I am a joker. I love, love, love to make people laugh. That is the intention of a jack-in-the-music-box, is it not?
Second, I have a sadistic sense of humor. Everyone knows that kids either love or hate these things. They scare the crap out of many young children and might even evoke a jerk out of an adult when the crank is turned just enough to release "jack" from his confines. I think it is a hoot when the kids cry. Kinda like when they sob and scream while sitting on Santa's lap. Hehe. Plus, I hate clowns. I get major heebie jeebies when I see them.
Third, I am always surrounded by music. I would, indeed, find myself lost without it.
And fourth, the idea of being shoved down inside that square box and having the lid latched absolutely wigs me out.
See how well this picture represents me?!!!
Karma is a curious thing. It is veiled in little mysteries and loathe to share its exact origins with its owner.
I have always believed in karma. I had thought I had seen in it in action on numerous occasions, and maybe I actually did; however, now I have to think a bit differently about it. Researching it more than I ever had previously, I came across information I had not known.
Seems there are two main schools of thought regarding karma. Short-term karma and long-term karma. The short-term kind is the here and now. We reap what we sow in this life. Treat others well and perform good deeds, and we will be rewarded with positive karma. Intentionally (intentional being key) hurting others and causing them pain or harm is paid back in this life. Unpleasantly. Religions or people who believe in reincarnation (which I do...I am such a liberal Christian) strongly believe in short-term karma, YET also believe in long-term karma that follows you through every life you have. Yes, each and every life. That was news to me.
So, I thought long and hard about that. It was a twist I had not expected to find when researching the concept. And finally it all seemed to fall into place. It makes sense.
Think about it. How many people do you know who have lived an exemplary life full of goodness and decency, yet they suffer indescribable maladies? And how many people do you know who are heartless and callous beasts who seemingly skate through life problem-free? We try to understand it. We say those cruel people have paved their own way to hell. And for those who have suffered inexplicably, we reassure ourselves that they have a ticket to Heaven.
But is that really true? Could it possibly be that long-term karma is the cause of such occurrences? It seems highly plausible to me. We are not who we were in a past life, but we might be experiencing the aftereffects of the life previously lived. And how we handle ourselves in this life might very well indicate the kind of life we will live in the next one. Until we get it right. Some may get it down perfect in just one or two lives. Others may go through dozens of lifetimes before getting it down pat. Then, a seat in Heaven at God's side is the reward.
I had to chuckle a bit when I had this next thought. When something good happens to me during this present life of mine, will I automatically believe it is because I am being a wonderful person? And when something bad happens, am I going to blame my past life for it? ::grin:: It would be very easy to go that route, and I suspect some people routinely justify their behavior by doing exactly that.
No one can say with certainty that karma does or does not exist. Just as no one can guarantee that God exists. It is all in what you feel in your heart and mind combined whether or not you believe. And I so believe.
“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
~Unknown
In keeping with this month's theme of tight, enclosed places or spaces at Self-Portrait Challenge, I offer the following:
Uh huh, the "girls" felt quite enclosed in this little oh-so-tight dress. I am not a particularly busty woman, but this dress fits like a second skin. It certainly gave the girls more than a bit of claustrophobia. It also earned me a smile and a lingering gaze right at them in the elevator at our hotel. Did I mention that the smiler/gazer was a stranger and a drop-dead gorgeous hunk of man who I wanted to grab and pull his face to my chest? The matching sweater had long since been discarded before my elevator ride. Hubby was in the elevator and saw this taking place. His response after we stepped out of the elevator was to shake his head at me with a slight smile curving his lips. Hey, I appreciate fine-looking men wherever they might be found! And he knows it.
Yes, I know, I know...I am being naughty. Naughty is fun.
Ahhhh, my trip to Chicago was sheer heaven. The King Tut exhibit (no photos allowed), Stained Glass Museum, Navy Pier for the Tall Ships show, Chicago Water Works facility, Lollapalooza, churches after churches, shopping, exceptional dining. And there were so many other activities and events I wish we had had time to see. If I have any regrets at all, it is that we were unable to stay longer. We tried to conjure up ways son and hubby could take off work for a few more days, but it was not to be. I think I will be returning right after Thanksgiving, sans kids, so I will get another dose of Chicago then.
Of all the cities I have visited here in the United States, Chicago remains the one that has seemingly permanently captured my heart. Oh, how I love it there.
"This is my kind of town, Chicago is
My kind of town, Chicago is
My kind of people too
People who smile at you"
~My Kind Of Town by Frank Sinatra
