Thursday, December 28, 2023

NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW


Jennifer and I lost our Hennessy Akita girl in 2021. Yet the love continues. I realized that I could never truly know the loss and pain my wife was experiencing. And so this poem came to mind, for us all.  

Who will know, who can go there, to that place?
Beyond common comprehension, above all time and space 
Embraced by simple grace and the purest of pure perception
We may have smiles stolen from our face, feeling only deception 
Who will really know of the love and the loss that was revealed here? 
When it appears that all heartfelt appearances disappear 
Who will be able to pause this world, so that we may know where to go?
Who can it be … when no one will ever know?

No one will know, except for the two who took part in this love
Experiencing precisely what this relationship is made of
Spending time together, walking in the park, snuggling in the dark
Protected by not a bite, but a ferocious and cautionary bark 
A precious pet, a friendly pooch, a loving and guiding partner in life 
After the goodbyes, it becomes only empty days and lonely nights 
What is there left in the end, what can any of us show?
No answer found here; no one will ever know

Perhaps that is the way it is for everyone, walking in their own shoes 
They are the ones who take the brunt of the good and bad news
That news that hits that mark in their own part of the human race 
The news that impacts us in that most personal secret place
The love we have for another soul – no matter the species or kind 
The love that no one ever, ever, ever can truly define 
It is elusive, mysterious, intangible, neither above nor below
It is something no one else can ever know 

Far from common comprehension, traversing all space and time 
Who will know, who can go to a world beyond “yours” and “mine?”
Who will really know of the love and the loss that was experienced here? 
When it appears that all heartfelt appearances disappear 
Perhaps in a realm sublime, where there is no need for separation 
We can transcend depression, pain, hopelessness, desperation 
And find the one heart, joined with another dear pet partner in tow   
And make peace with the love that only we can know 


Sunday, October 1, 2023

He Was One Of Our Own

A man who belonged to Mentor Discover Inspire, Steve Krescanko expressed love for all the men. Years later, his giving spirit lives on. 


For Steve Krescanko (January 14, 1964 - October 2, 2011)



To encompass a life – for a son, a brother, a father and a friend

It would take a song eternal, and words without end 

But we gather here – in the presence of the shadows and the light

Honoring a man’s soul and celebrating a man’s life

What can be said? What can be known?

Perhaps it’s just simply … he was one of our own


A brother … and a son

That little mischievous, silly one

With the angst of boyhood, with its ups and its downs 

One million smiles … and one million frowns

But steady was his care, from a seed that had grown

For Steve’s family – he was one of their own


A friend to many – a buddy, a pal, a mate

A mentor for agents in his real estate

A solid and steady support, forever giving of his time 

“San Diego Blood Bank,” “Feeding America,” fundraising in kind

This was a man to be reckoned with, a man to be known

For Steve’s friends – he was one of their own


As a teammate, as a man in our circle of success

He was game for every mountain, ready for every test

He stepped up quite often – leader, impact player and point man

Doing whatever he could – to make a mark, to take a stand

His comeback into honor and power was to be made at all cost

His fight was our fight … his loss was our loss

Sometimes raw, biting and bitter, sometimes rock on bone

On a restless and turbulent sea, often tossed and thrown

From him a deep, and lasting, guttural groan

A spirit having loved, a spirit having flown

Building a heart out of ashes, and a soul out of stone

For those of our Men’s Division – Krescanko was one of our own


And finally … for his children, the most dear to his heart

There is no measure of this devotion – no end and no start

Putting them up high on his shoulders, and carrying them way up above

Nothing, nothing, nothing can ever take away this love

His “comeback” was for the kids, he fought to earn his right

To be in the company of these two – having fought the good fight 

May they always feel his presence wherever they may roam

For little Lauren and Andrew – he was one of their own


Thank you daddy, thank you brother, and thank you dear friend

This song eternal is for you, a love without end

We wish you well on your journey, on your way back home

Knowing forever in our hearts – you shall never be alone

Knowing forever in this world – the light that forever will be shone

Steve Krescanko – you are one with us – you are one of our own



Monday, August 21, 2023

ONLY 10 MINUTES WITH YOU

I started a 31-day writing challenge, writing every day for each day of March 2023. I used the hashtag #justwrite31. Since I only had 10 minutes before the end of the day before writing this prose, maybe I can call it #justwrite10minutes. 



If I only had 10 minutes to spend with you 
What would I say; what would I do?
Would I spit out a ton of rapid thoughts and emotion
Or would I move towards you in effortless slow-motion  
And look deeply in your eyes, rekindling a love  
Would I reveal what our relationship was made of 
Or maybe clear up any misunderstandings or spite 
Those barriers that block the miracle that is life

What would I say or do Mom? 
We pretty much always got along 
I'd want to know more about you, your inner world
The you that was you when you were a little girl

What would I say or do Dad?
Engaging and enlivening were the times we had
I may find out what you know now of 911 and JFK
But most of all, I'd want to know if you are OK

What would I say or do Miss Hennessy dear? 
You were the cherry on top, that is clear
I would simply want to grab a chew toy and play 
And do with you what I miss now every day

For all the times I've said goodbye 
I want to awaken to the connections that will never die 
So now, I endeavor to fill my heart with loved ones in gratitude
As if I only had 10 minutes to spend with you ...


 

Friday, July 21, 2023

Bob Roth’s Special Byyyeeeeeeee


Bob Roth and the unique way he says “bye” - it really is something to hear. 

Now, how could a simple “bye” as in “goodbye” be so special? Doesn’t everyone utter this phrase every now and then? Yes, but this one is different, and the way he carries himself around this self-expression is something to behold. For good reason.

First off, some background. Bob Roth is a near-50-year teacher of Transcendental Meditation or TM. Ever since the society shutdown of 2020, he has been broadcasting a 20-minute Zoom meditation practice – for those of us who need a bit more support in our day-to-day meditation.

For over a year, for some reason (even unknown to him), Bob has been closing his sessions with an elongated and dramatic phrasing of “Byyyeeeeeeee.”

Today I heard an extra “bye” with a space in-between. Recently he created a space between the closing of the session and his utterance of the final word. 

And why is that? 

Turns out he was getting some negative feedback around this fun way of expressing his farewell. 

And it’s in his approach to the negative feedback that has inspired this post. I am so impressed. 

Normally when I get some negative feedback – especially around some of my expression – I first get defensive and then offensive, wanting to find a way of delivering a mighty and destructive comeback.  Maybe I need more meditation in my life!

For Bob, who has been calming his mind and maneuvering into those transcendental states for decades, his response was a bit less combative. And so much more mature, centered, and wise. 

Did he attack those detractors? Did he stifle his expression? Did he go quiet? No, none of those reactions would reflect the sort of mind transcending a common warpath. No – the chronology of Bob’s experience unfolded this way:

  1. He received feedback.
  2. He didn’t take it personal.
  3. He didn’t get flustered around it or emotional.
  4. He DID NOT CHANGE WHO HE IS or how he has been inspired to move about the world, in spite of a few folks who weren’t fans of a certain behavior.
  5. He created a workaround so that others out there could also have their needs met.  
  6. He continued to have his fun. 

His workaround was to simply let everyone know he would take a pause between the end of his audio sessions and when he completed with his signature “bye.” 

For those who wanted to disconnect before he said his goodbyes, they could do so. That way they wouldn't hear what they didn’t want to hear, and he could continue his free expression, spoken freely. 

Brilliant. 

What an inspiration. What a state of equanimity. What a perfect endorsement for this sort of freeing meditation. And what a guy. 

Leaving only one last thing to say before I take my leave…

Byyyeeeeeeee! 


The Thoughts That Do Not Matter




Sometimes I get scared. And then I wonder why.


Thoughts come and go, no more than a side-show

I mean really – anyway – what do they know?

 

To the wind, may some get splintered and scatter 

Such are the thoughts that do not matter

 

The fears that do not ultimately matter 

Reveal as anger from characters such as the Mad Hatter

 

All that’s left is a hammer and the sound of shatter 

So goes the fears that ultimately do not matter 

 

That which matters originates deeper from within 

This is the starting point, the haven from which we begin

 

Served in a feast upon the most sacred of platter 

Now we really knows what truly matters

 

 

 

A Puppy's Life




Some time doing some "puppy yoga" can really give you some perspective. 


Today I had the privilege of being in the presence of entities displaying an enlightened, superconscious higher mind. A rare treat, this experience was such a gift to my soul. I must have done something right in this lifetime (and perhaps previous lifetimes) to be invited in as witness of the divine. 

I have been present for the "darshan" of specific living avatars - Sai Baba in Southern India in 1990 and 1996, Mata Amritanandamayi in her California visits many a June, Shivabali Yogi in a special gathering in Laguna Beach in 1991.  

However today was a bit different, as it held the sort of freedom found in mind, heart and soul - a state of consciousness uncommon to so many sentient beings.  

This was the "Puppy Yoga" event at the Pacific Beach studio called Spirit Yoga. 

Yes, there they were, like a dream of effortless flow. 

Unattached, emotionally liberated, mentally all over the freaking place without a care, embracing a free spirt, a high level of equanimity and a joy unsurpassed. 

This is a goal of many a soul. And yet apparently, this is a common happenstance for all these scurrying, hurrying, flurrying beings of absolute bliss, living completely in the moment. 

I believe in my Transcendental Meditation practice, I am to ultimately reach a transcendental state, an elevated level above all worries, concerns, anxiety and judgements. 

Whereas I spend 20 minutes, two times a day in my TM practice - whereas I have spent three decades in the emotional healing field - whereas I have led numerous empowerment meetings within my men's circles, whereas I have taken countless courses in Compassionate Communication, energy work, intuitive sciences - whereas I have brought forth the higher mind in so much of my sacred writings ........ what the hell?  

These puppies seem to have reached such an advanced state simply by ... being BORN A PUPPY!

As they flew around the room, playing when glee was the need, reaching out spontaneously for a playmate, peeing when nature called, it was indeed an inspiration. These gentle and sometimes not-so-gentle guides offered me the insight:

* Don't take yourself so seriously.
* Make mistakes; it's gonna be OK.
* Chaos can be cool. 
* If you mess up, either clean it up, or someone else will; no biggy. 
* Have fun. 
* Interact - there will always be someone around to play with.
* Find others who also have fun and don't take themselves too seriously. 
* A nap can also happen.
* It's OK to ask for help - yip if something goes wrong. 
* Grab the moment; live in the moment; run in wild abandon, seize the day and seize the play.  
* Freaking GO FOR IT! 

OK - got it. 

While the highest humans may be able to reach is to "sign the waiver," I will take this puppy play, this doggy "darshan," as the gift it was meant to be. 

Watch out world. I'm inspired, uplifted, mentally and emotionally stretching and ready to live a life liberated, free ... unleashed.  

Friday, June 9, 2023

I’ve Admired You from a Distance



One of those experiences where I said a phrase "I've admired you Mary Beth from a distance" and I do a double take. Hey that sounds like a poem! Yup, this one from the vantage point of a spirit guide, higher self or angel. 

So far, so far away
I look upon you, with grace, every day
A higher self, a higher mind, a higher being
You may not know the truth that I am seeing 
Without the judgment of a divisive right or wrong
The place you stand is where you belong
Though at times lost, you wander alone in the dark
Before, eventually, you get the horse before the cart
Alas the gift: your very presence, your very existence
Just so you know – I’ve admired you from a distance
 
The list of struggles and stressors are real 
Those who search for the sustenance of a simple meal
Those who have no shelter, no room, no home, no bed
Those who battle inner demons in their own head
You who falter on promises to stop the latest addiction 
You who get bad news of the latest medical affliction 
You who fall prey to the latest government sponsored racket 
You who work hard for money lost in your tax bracket 
In the end, you need not struggle with any offense or defense
For little did you know – I’ve admired you from a distance
 
Those who cheat another for no other reason but because they can
Those who meet their mirror – the karma they come to understand 
Those who believe they have fallen, blindly, too far 
Alas, those who have forgotten who they are
Every hair on your head, everything will be held to account
While every barrier, challenge and mountain you shall surmount
With each resistance met with a soul’s endless persistence 
No, not so far, not so far away – your very existence  
Dissolution discarded, unity embraced, within this very instance 
I will admire you eternally – knowing there is no distance