To love or serve - or - to love and serve... can they exist in an M/s relationship? I'm not so sure they can... when I speak of love in this blog I am speaking not of the sexual part but of the emotional attachment... I do believe there can be a relationship, an attachment but for me the term love brings out an idea of partner - equals... but I do wonder if there is a possibility of "love" in all it's terms to exist in the M/s reality?

Not an inspiring day to write about... too much snow... (another 9.5 inches)... another storm next week (wednesday) and did mom and dad's taxes.... tomorrow I start mine... personal side first... then business side... besides that... I'm just here!
not much else to say!

"Sometimes we would question our teachers: "Isn't dirt as holy as clean?" "Isn't sound as sacred as silence?" And they would explain: "We don't clean in order to clean. It is a way of practicing respect for things. More simply, it is a way for us to spend time together, and spending time together, we realize our interconnectedness, Outherwise we take things for granted."

"When we clean we begin to appreciate how things are there for us, supporting us, encouraging us, and when we appreciate things we appreciate ourselves and one another. So to respect the floor or the ground is to respect ourselves. This is how we develop intimacy and connection. Although everything is one, you will not understand what that means unless you practice it. When you clean, you experience the oneness. You relaize everything is helping you."

"Not concerning yourself with the care of things may, on the surface, seem to be desirable but, in this context, it is considered lazy and self-centered, as if you are trying to exist apart from things. That's one of the reasons you feel disconnected and unsupported."

~Sweeping Changes Discovering the Joy of Zen in Everyday Tasks
by Gary Thorpe


I've been reading this thread on AOS with much interest… I just spun around in my desk chair looking at my room only to find packing bins everywhere, nothing on the walls, plaster that needs sanding, walls that need painting and general disorder… I walk out of my rooms to find the rest of the house in the same state… selling a house of 32 years and moving five states away … what a dream time for me as a service slave! I revel in making lists and keeping things on track… I really do appreciate what Gary Thorpe says about the respect of the things … the walls the floors… the ceilings… they are there for us… for my protection and security… so my taking the time to patch and repaint serves to give back to them for what they do for me… what a great base for my service orientation!



Thank you for posting this slave lara!

DC Gay Men's Chorus sings with Josh Groban

Congratulations Guys! First Gay Chorus to sing at an inauguration~!

.

I must dare say that being a Virgo and doing this move is a wonderful combination! I love to make lists!!! lists, lists, lists..... everywhere!!!! LISTS!!!!
Let's see... today was set to establish a timeline list- draw up a furniture list - draw up a china/crystal/bell collection/vase list and finally to draw up and begin the contact process for movers list... WOOHOO!!! I'm in pig heaven! oh and I also started taking photos of all the stuff to make a catalog of the house stuff... good for moving and insurance!

On a different note... CONGRATULATIONS to Master Bob and slave dorothy for their SW Title win! You Rock!!!

and lastly on a sadder note - my prayers and good thoughts go out to Master Jack who is in the hospital in Phoenix.. may you have a speedy recovery!

ok... it's off to read before I find something else to list out... hehehe!

I sit here tonight in pain... no not physical but emotional pain... a dear friend that lost his job has also been "dismissed" by his owner. Note the use of the small "o"... along with being in pain for him I am angered at the actions of the owner... shall we say it's like kicking a horse when it's down!!! Here is a wonderful, extremely insightful man that lives only to serve that is down on his luck due to the economy.... and without discussion or reason dismisses him... not even formally and in person but through the media (phone or email - whichever it still sucks)...
Crushed, hurt, lost, abandoned... words that I'm sure express his current feelings.... To him... please know that my heartfelt sympathy goes out to you...

Back to packing and work... but not the same at all... I feel different today.. a new drive to do what is needed... and to strive for the very best that I can... A very good feeling!

Had dinner with Mark tonight... lasagna, salad and gingerbread... yumm-o!

going to finish up packing some small stuff then going to bed!!!

Today we start anew... President Barack Obama - 44th President of the United States.
There is no better way to state this is through the Invocation:


January 20, 2009 11:17AM

Rick Warren's Inaugural Invocation


Let us pray.

Almighty God, our Father, everything we see and everything we can’t see exists because of you alone. It all comes from you. It all belongs to you. It all exists for your glory.

History is your story. The Scripture tells us, “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God. The Lord is One.” And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.

Now, today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time. We celebrate a hingepoint of history with the inauguration of our first African American president of the United States. We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where the son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.

Give to our new President, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity. Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.

Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans, united not by race, or religion, or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all. When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you, forgive us. When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone, forgive us. When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve, forgive us. And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes, even when we differ.

Help us to share, to serve and to seek the common good of all. May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet. And may we never forget that one day all nations and all people will stand accountable before you. We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.

I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life, Yeshua, Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus, who taught us to pray:

“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."

I look forward to tomorrow... a new start? I pray that it will be just that! The inauguration of Obama... the first African American President... what a huge step to everyone being accepted as Americans! not the segregations of black, gay, mexican or whatever... just AMERICAN! May the Master of the Universe bless all that he does!

Tomorrow I attend the funeral of my classmate Dave Caron... I have to admit I didn't know him that well... I was never really that close to anyone in my graduating class... in fact back then I wasn't close to any one! but that was a lifetime ago... and it's time to move forward!... Lots o cold around here... woke up to -23! now its -3... guess you can call that a heat wave... but what's odd is that we were in the warmer area... Bangor (2.5 hours north) was -36 degrees and Black Hill River was an amazing -50 this morning.... they are still checking but that could be the state record! The cold is supposed to stay till Sunday... when we get 4 to 6 inches of snow~! Isn't Maine Great!!! WooHoo... Naked snow angels here we come... come on sw you can't tell me you miss it that much!!!

Last night I listened in to the Oprah Spirit cast on Spirituality - she had two ministers one the Pastor of Agape and one the Pastor of All Saints Episcopal in Pasadena CA... I've heard podcasts from Reverend Ed before but on this particular show he came out with the best line ever - "being gay was a gift from God"... don't you think that ruffled some feathers... but last nights podcast put a lot of questions to rest... I find that where I am is where I belong... that no one can establish a base line for my spirituality.... it is my line to set. And lastly that to be a faith-filled, spiritual person I need not attend a formal religion... that I just need to surround myself with other faith-filled people... people that are on the same spiritual path as myself... that is what community means...

How short life is...
yesterday I found out that yet another classmate from High School has passed away... I only graduated in 84... we've lost three students and 6 faculty members... it really makes you think how life can come to an abrupt end... Dave was waiting for a kidney/liver transplant... Anne was from cancer and Darcy was struck by a truck... being part of the preparation for the 25th reunion this summer has awakened the class and has worked towards pulling the class together... we were never really close... 84 students graduated in 84.... how many times does that happen?

My prayers and thoughts go out to Dave Caron's family...

Grace:

Caroline Myss states on pages 15-16 of Invisible acts of power:

"Although it is difficult to capture its full nature in one definition, grace is unmistakable when experienced. Grace is a noun and a verb; it is a state and an action, an energy that flows between two beings. Grace is gratis, a gift. In theology, grace is defined as unmerited divine assistance, aid given to help us regenerate our spiritual lives - a virtue coming from God."

As I read this section I asked myself a fundamental question... Is slavery a form of grace in my life? I reread the section to find this:

grace is unmistakable when experienced - so is slavery
Grace is a noun and a verb - so is slavery
an energy that flows between two beings - so it is with slavery
a gift - slavery is a gift
In theology, grace is defined as unmerited divine assistance, aid given to help us regenerate our spiritual lives - a virtue coming from God." - Okay! here is where it gets hard... but then again... slavery has been a great assistant to guide me back to my spiritual life...

So do I see slavery as grace? yes I do!

Brain dump:


Obedience, Here's some thoughts... it is the response of a slave to his Master, it is the response of a Master to his slave... it is a spiritual action for both Master and slave... when locked with trust will become involuntary and automatic... when handled properly will enable growth... happens between a Master and a higher being... is solely based on trust...

Ok here's the deal... multiple slaves - male and female rooming together in service to different Masters all visiting together in one house... slave A wakes up in the morning with an erection... he stays in bed until it subsides... Is he acting out of respect for the female slaves or out of ego? Is he being disobedient to his Master because he didn't ask him what he should do? Should he have just gotten up and went on as if nothing happened?

Personally I feel he just acted out of respect for the females... but it seems that I have been mistaken... or have I? just because I am a slave does that mean that I no longer need to view the female gender slaves as ladies that should be respected simply because they are ladies???? If that's the way it should be .... I will be turning in my slave card... I was raised with respect for ladies be they slaves, Masters, Mistresses, Mothers, sisters of just the lady next door... it's who I am!

WOW!!! A flurry of post on Oprah.com!!! Todays show was on Spirituality 101... she had on 3 ministers (note there were NO PRIESTS!!!) During the show a gay man from FL skyped in to ask a question... the first response was from a Minister seated next to Oprah... his statement was "Remember that being gay is a gift from God"... Everyone on the panel agreed and applauded him!!! I almost fell off my chair! What a great statement! Why can't all religions feel the same way???

The Oprah boards lit up with the bible thumpers and their we are the righteous attitudes... as one said... we need to be the MORAL COMPASS of the U.S.A... I simply responded back with a question... Who gave them the authority and right to assume the responsibility of MORAL COMPASS... wasn't that GOD'S JOB????

Wow! What a show!

Last night was an emotional time for me... contacting and tuning into my spirit guides tends to always be that way... last night I had the pleasure of visiting with a dear friend of mine that left this world in 1987... at the age of 38... he was on his way to stay with his parents in Wells beach... he dozed off and hit a bridge abutment... I had know him for many years... he lived on the same terrace as my Aunt and Uncle did... we would all play together as kids... I never really thought of him as a Spirit guide before... not until about 2 years ago... I was at a very low point... I was sitting in meditation... I could hear someone call my name... I thought it was one of my parents... but then I opened my eyes to see Paul Hallorin sitting in front of me reaching forward for me to grab his hands... As I did a great feeling of calm enveloped me.... from that day forward Paul has been part of my life...

As I said last night in my blog my Spirit guides had been busy leaving things out of place for me to find... they needed my attention... and so I gave it to them... Paul explained that indeed my attention was needed that a loved one in my life needed prayers... their faith and security was in jeopardy of coming untangled... and my prayers would help strengthen them.... so I did... and as I awoke this morning I offered my day to them... I will continue this until I hear again from my guides...

I have other guides that I hear from but most of the time I hear from Paul... I'm glad that he is there watching over me and guiding my steps!

Something is up today... I wish I knew more... my spirit guides have been very active in setting forth ideas and things for me to find and work with today... tonight I will spend in meditation and centering to contact my spirits... I need to know what they want of me...

Ok - I just reread that... sounds odd I know but it is the truth...

so no I am NOT going CRAZY!.... at least I don't think I am... lol

On New Years Resolutions....

I no longer do a New Years resolution... I have found that they are a great set up to failure... that is until I read Dear Abby on January 1st... I repost it here with her permission:

JUST FOR TODAY, I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I will not set far-reaching goals or try to overcome all of my problems at once. I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will be happy. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me. If my mind fills with clouds, I will chase them away and fill it with sunshine.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things that I can correct and accept those l cannot.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration. I will not be a mental loafer.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will be kind and courteous to those who cross my path, and I'll not speak ill of others. I'll improve my appearance, speak softly, and not interrupt when someone else is talking. Just for today, I'll refrain from improving anybody but myself.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will do something positive to improve my health. If I'm a smoker, I'll quit. If I'm overweight, I'll eat healthily -- if only just for to¬day. And not only that, I'll get off the couch and take a brisk walk, even if it's only around the block.

JUST FOR TODAY, i will gather the courage to do what is right and take responsibility for my own actions.

And now, Dear Readers, I would like to share an item that was sent in by I.J. Bhatia, who lives in New Delhi, India:

DEAR ABBY: This year, no resolutions, only some guidelines. The Holy Vedas say "Man has subjected himself to thousands of self inflicted bondages. Wisdom comes to a man who lives according to the true eternal laws of nature," The following prayer of St. Francis contains a powerful message:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; "Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; To be Understood as to under¬stand; To be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.