Shministim

The Shministim are a young group of Israeli conscientious objectors. These people have made the decision to peacefully protest the Israeli-Palestinian situation by refusing to join the Israeli army. It is truly amazing that there are a group of individuals so committed to nonviolence. I have the utmost respect for the values that these people are upholding.

They are sent to military prison because they believe in a better, more peaceful future for themselves and for Israelis and Palestinians, for all people. They refuse to join the Israeli army. The sentences are relatively short, but they are sent to prison repeatedly, and several of them are currently serving their 3rd or 4th sentence in a military prison. They are all holding strong against immense pressure from family, friends, and the Israeli government, but they need your support - Today!!!

Check out a two-minute video about the Shminitim <www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNjggLhQo6w>

You can also go here <www.december18th.org> to show your support for their cause.

Secrets

Secrets can damage relationships; they can offend others; and they can tear your life apart.  I know that I have a secret.  Sometimes I think that it is going to kill me; other times I think I am overreacting.  Life is so much more fun without secrets.

I am too busy to do something about it.  Is that an excuse?  Should I drop everything and put all of my efforts toward ridding myself of this secret?  Or should I be strong enough to get over it without putting my life on hold?  I go back and forth.

Hey there pretty lady, what are you doing to yourself?  Why are you slowly killing yourself?  Cutting your spirit into pieces.  Throwing up the passion of your life.  And for what?  All I want is to be normal.  What is normal, does it even exist?

Did you ever wonder why...

sometimes you feel the most alone when you are surrounded by people?

Cities scare me.  I feel like one small insignificant fish in the vast ocean of everyone.  There are so many personal stories screaming to be told.  Every single person that you pass on the street has a different life story; I want to hear them all.  Instead I hear the honking of taxi cabs; the impatience of everyone is overwhelming.

Did you ever wonder why...

the littlest things can make you so incredibly happy?

Sometimes its the smile of a stranger, the fascination from a new toy, the organization of your 'things,' or simply the dawning of a new day.  Appreciation for the small things in life keeps me going day after day.  My ability to let loose and laugh over anything gets me up in the morning.  So whether its the beauty of nature or the uniqueness of life, take a moment to fully enjoy your surroundings.

Impressions

First impressions are the craziest things; when you really think about it, it can be a scary thought. The extent to which you can extrapolate a person based upon a one minute interaction. At this point he is merely a two dimensional paper cut out of a person standing in front of you. He is in black and white, as if trapped in a disregarded photograph.

And then you see him again. Now he begins to take on the depth of color. You can shade in some areas with the vibrant emotions that he expels. He breaks away from the cut out black and white old photograph that you have in your head. Every interaction brings a slightly new dimension which allows you to question your first impression.

Eventually you begin to know him. He is now a constantly changing impression that has taken form in the three-dimensional world.

And then one day you wake up and have no idea who is he; your image completely shaddered.

expect the unexpected

And so the mania continues…maybe that is why I am desperately seeking stability. My volatile ways are too much to handle without the consistency of mundane routines.

Are you afraid of change? Am I afraid of change?

I think I have a good thing going…now all I have to do is fail to mess it up.

As the seasons turn

Sometimes I feel like I was transplanted into an alternate life all while I was sleeping and thus I am completely unaware of my current surroundings. Does that ever happen to you? There is this slight moment, where all of a sudden you feel completely lost. You instantly have no idea how you got where you are and why you are in your current position?

The leaves are changing with the season; beautiful hues of greens and yellows and oranges and reds and even purples are visible in contrast with the vibrant blue of the sky. I want to get lost in the nature that encompasses me. I run each morning, exploring the earth upon which I live. And each day I am surprised by some wonderful little miracle of the planet. These little miracles make every day that much more amazing. Running allows me to value the depth of my surroundings.

The changes of the seasons have brought confusion with them. The coldness is present one day, followed by a day of warmth, and then again it returns to just above bearable levels. Who knows what the next day will bring?

I am looking for consistency; or some kind of decipherable pattern. And at the same time I need the little surprises to keep me on my toes. How do I find the balance? Am I confused about what I want? Or am I too sure?

Positive Energy Beginnings

The story of my life... infinite energy in at the outset, unlimited thoughts of opportunities swimming through my mind, the mania of endorphins racing through my body, positive energy in every direction. That is the beginning of each and every day, each and every fresh idea. Then reality starts to pile on top of my shoulders. Eventually I am weighed down with millions of minute details holding me back, so many little entities to consider that I am ultimately unable to move forward.

Then I wait for a new day and a new idea so that the sun can be shining again.

My most recent burst of sun shine has been a wonderful surprise. Friends who truly care can keep my positive energy alive for increasing amounts of time.

So for now the sun is shining brightly and the stars are twinkling, as our adventure begins...