There once was a farmer who had a son and a horse.  One day, the horse broke the fence and ran away.  The townsfolk came to console him saying, "oh, what bad fortune..."
The man replied with, "Maybe."
A few days later, his horse returned with three other wild horses.  People came and said, "oh, what good fortune!"
"Maybe," he replied.
A few months later, his son tried to ride one of the wild horses and was thrown off, breaking his leg.  Again, the townspeople came to say, "what bad fortune."
"Maybe."
Then there was a conscription notice for all able-bodied men for something like a suicide mission.  They saw the old man with his son that had a broken leg.
The townsfolk noted: "What good fortune!"
"Maybe," said the man.


It took me forever to figure out what that meant.

I do not work the most glamurous job in the universe.  I work at Taco Bell.  I'm not even a manager yet.  However, I still have the ability to look beyond the mundane and see the ultimately spiritual.  But sometimes, I have to be reminded how to do that...

The other day, all over St. Charles the power went out and so of course, Taco Bell's didn't (we were SLAMMED).

 One customer in particular was very impatient about getting his/her tacos.  At the window they honked and carried on, just because we weren't moving fast enough or whatever and I was getting really upset because that's how it had been all night long.  I turned to face the window and this jackass to see who they were so that I would have that "bastard's" face imprinted in my mind for all eternity and always give them "shit" about being so obnoxious to everyone working when..........all I saw was my reflection.   

I know that when you are looking at a window where your side is really bright and the other side is really dark, that's what happens.  I know this as a scientific fact.  But I couldn't help but stop at least a nanosecond and realize that there was some kind of lesson here.  Something that the Gods or Spirits or whatever wanted me to see so that I could get on with my life and not be so easily shaken when it comes to dealing with other people.

These types of moments happen all the time in my life and I find myself forgetting them eventually.  But since my eyes are open to them constantly, I feel that that it's more about noticing them than it is about learning them.  Like, you don't have to remember every sunset/sunrise out there--they all look the same.  What is important is experiencing the majesty of it, taking time to rediscover how magnificent life and nature are.

 I hope that no matter what job I have, I am able to see these things!

 

BTW, I've decided on my career finally:  I was just meant to work at a church of some kind--preferrably the one I am wanting to start.

Okay guys, here's my BIG PLAN:

 I want to start a community right here in St. Charles where anyone and everyone of all faiths can come to pray, learn, laugh, rest, work, and celebrate in a more spiritual environment.  This "church" will be registered with the government, so all donations will be tax-deductable.  We will actively participate and host many different forms of charity such as habitat for humanity, different animal shelters/clinics, food pantries, clothing drives and so on.

Services for the members (and visitors) will be things such as weddings, baptisms (not required), coming of age ceremonies, and other more mundane things like childcare, choir, band/orchestra, plays, talent shows--then of course classes on religion or even crafts.  Perhaps sometime farther in the future a board-certified school! 

Just one of these communities would make this area so much better, but imagine if hundreds popped up all over the country and even the world?   So many lives would be touched--how can we *not* let this happen?  Join me in this Work of ALL Gods (and even the lack thereof)

Some things we need to do:

(This will be a far from exhausted list, but just putting a few things in words will help get a general picture across.)

Get a name!--something to get us recognized by, a symbol to relate to, as well.

Get registered as non-profit.

Set up an area to meet

Appoint positions such as treasury, publicity, etc.

Decide what we are able to provide with the money and people we have.

Publicize!!  I think this can *in part* be taken care of through press-releases

 

Any Suggestions? Questions? Comments? Whatever?  Let me know, PLEASE!!  Anything to help will be ABSOLUTELY appreciated! 

Well, this is my first blog entry here (as is apparent by the title, I guess).  First, let's get an overview of what I'm doing right now:

I work full-time during the summer at Taco Bell (yeah, yeah, I know--not so glorious)  and part-time during school

I am going through school (college) for...something--I'm not sure yet.  At the moment, I'm going to change my major to Religious studies, but last year it was psychology so--we'll see!

I am in the process of applying to volunteer at the World Bird Sanctuary. Interested? www.worldbirdsanctuary.org

 I am also trying to get into a routine of exercising via jogging and yoga--body and soul, baby!

One last thing:  What time I have left, I am writing a novel--but this is only on the side at the moment.  

If I ever get enough people rallied for the spiritual community I would LOVE to build, I would TOTALLY be willing to give most of my time up for that!  Please let me know if you are interested ^.^

Occasionally I also paint commissioned work...jeeze, it sounds like I always busy--I promise, I'm not!  Feel free to chat me up!!