The Immortality Suit

 There once was a scientist who was obsessed with immortality. Ever since he heard of the Fountain of Youth as a boy he knew that his life quest would be to extend human life for as long as possible — forever if he could.

So dedicated was he to this goal that he devoted his every waking moment to the study of medicine, genetics, astronautics and all manner of science. Eventually as he drew close to his ultimate goal he was granted a research position on a space station orbiting Earth where zero gravity made new experiments possible.

 The scientist had been orbiting the Earth for some time when his experiments hit a snag. He tried everything he could to make them work, but they could go no further until the space station was resupplied from Earth. When he learned that resupply would not happen for weeks, the scientist conducted thought experiments instead. But delay after delay held up the resupply. The space station had plenty of food and water so he was in no danger, but his experiments had reached a frustrating dead end

Finally in desperation the scientist resorted to new and untried tactic.

He prayed for help. “Please help me to finish my work so I can invent a way to live forever,” he prayed.

Much to his surprise his prayer was answered and an angel appeared to him on the space station.

“I have heard your prayer,” said the angel, “and I’ll grant you what you seek.”

The scientist just stared. He didn’t know what to say.

“If you want to live forever, all you need to do is climb into your spacesuit. I’ll permanently seal you in and you’ll be immortal,” explained the angel.

“All this time I’ve been working on experiments and you’re telling me that all I need to do is wear my spacesuit?” said the scientist.

“That’s correct,” replied the angel. “But once I seal you in. You’ll be locked into it forever. There will be no going back, no taking it off.” “I can’t ever take it off?” “Not even when you return to Earth. It’s the price of immortality,” said the angel.

“How will I eat or drink or go to the bathroom?”

 “You won’t need to. You’ll be immortal.”

“I had not considered that,” said the scientist. “It’s not what I thought.”

“I’ll let you think about it,” said the angel. “Give me your answer when I return tomorrow.” With that the angel disappeared.

 Once the shock of talking to the angel wore off, the scientist began to ponder the angel’s offer. Here was the answer to his prayers. Here was what he had been seeking all these years. No more sickness, or pain, or fear of death. Here was the answer to humanity’s quest for immortality. Yet it wasn’t what he expected. How was he supposed to function trapped inside the space suit? The scientist pondered his choice for hours as the blue and white sphere of the Earth rotated amidst a sea of stars outside his window.

As promised, the angel returned the next day. “Have you made your choice?” asked the angel. “

It’s a more difficult choice than I thought,” said the scientist. “It’s what I’ve sought all my life. In fact, in a way it’s better because if I wear the suit I can wander around in outer space too. But the suit is bulky and awkward, and if I put it on I’d be cut off from so much. No more eating or drinking. No more smelling things. No more touching people. I’d be cut off from so much in life. Life would be right in front of me but I’d be limited in how I could interact with it. It would be a remarkable loss of immediacy and intimacy. That’s a higher price than I thought it would be.”

“That’s right,” replied the angel.

 “Somehow I thought it would be different,” said the scientist. “I thought I’d be inventing a pill that people could swallow.”

“Actually, it is a pill,” replied the angel, magically producing one in his hand. The scientist was shocked. “Then why did you tell me I’d be wearing the space suit?”

“Because I wanted you to recognize the truth of what your physical body actually is. You needed to make an informed choice,” said the angel. “When you are born you put on a space suit called the physical body,” said the angel. “It lets you operate in three-dimensional space and time. Your body makes possible a wide variety of experiences you could otherwise not have. Yet in your physical form you are also cut off from much your greater spiritual nature.

“Death is a way for you to take off your body suit when you no longer need it. Death allows you to return to your true form and to interact with All-That-Is on a more intimate level,” said the angel. “The immortality that you seek would make that impossible.”

 “I’d never thought of it that way,” said the scientist.

 “Many people fear death,” said the angel. “Few work as hard as you to keep it at bay. Your quest for immortality has been important to you, but now it is time for you let go and release your fear of death and remember that you are already immortal. “Life is not the opposite of death” the angel continued. “It’s a transition between states in a much larger scheme than you’ve previously imagined. Enjoy life in every moment. Prolong your rendezvous with death if you wish. But don’t fear dropping your three dimensional space suit and returning home when you are done.” The angel placed the pill in the scientist’s hand “It’s yours if you’d like to swallow it,” said the angel. “I just wanted you to make an informed choice.”

The scientist stared at the pill. It represented the fulfillment of his quest. But was it the boon to humanity he had supposed? Now he was not so sure. “Is that the body suit you want to wear in immortality?” asked the angel.

The scientist looked up at the angel and back down at the pill. Then he was silent for some time. “I don’t know,” he finally said. “Forever is a very long time.”

The angel smiled. “Immortality is a lot longer than that.”

Story by Matthew Joyce

The Seven Principles of Mevlena…

 

1. In generosity and helping others, be like a river.

2.In compassion and grace, be like the sun.

3. In concealing others faults, be like the night.

4. In anger and fury, be like the dead.

5. In modesty and humility, be like the earth.

6. In tolerance, be like the sea.

7. Either exist as you are, or be as you look.

 

Roots….

Ever wonder if you were a tree, what kind of tree you would be???  Enjoy my beautiful hearts.

Jan 01 to Jan 11………………………..Fir Tree

Jan 12 to Jan 24………………………..Elm Tree

Jan 25 to Feb 03………………………. Cypress Tree

Feb 04 to Feb 08……………………….Poplar Tree

Feb 09 to Feb 18……………………….Cedar Tree

Feb 19 to Feb 28……………………….Pine Tree

 Mar 01 to Mar 10…………………….. Weeping Willow

Mar 11 to Mar 20……………………….Lime Tree

Mar 21……………………………………..Oak Tree

Mar 22 to Mar 31……………………….Hazelnut Tree

Apr 01 to Apr 10………………………..Rowan Tree

Apr 11 to Apr 20………………………..Maple Tree

Apr 21 to Apr 30………………………..Walnut Tree

May 01 to May 14………………………Poplar Tree

May 15 to May 24………………………Chestnut Tree

May 25 to Jun 03………………………..Ash Tree

Jun 04 to Jun 13……………………….. Hornbeam Tree

Jun 14 to Jun 23……………………….. Fig Tree

Jun 24………………………………………Birch Tree

Jun 25 to Jul 04………………………….Apple Tree

Jul 05 to Jul 14…………………………..Fir Tree

Jul 15 to Jul 25…………………………..Elm Tree

Jul 26 to Aug 04………………………… Cypress Tree

Aug 05 to Aug 13……………………….Poplar Tree

Aug 14 to Aug 23……………………….Cedar Tree

Aug 24 to Sep 02………………………..Pine Tree

Sep 03 to Sep 12………………………..Weeping Willow

Sep 13 to Sep 22…………………………Lime Tree

Sep 23……………………………………….Olive

Sep 24 to Oct 03………………………….Hazelnut Tree

Oct 04 to Oct 13…………………………..Rowan Tree

Oct 14 to Oct 23…………………………..Maple Tree

Oct 24 to Nov 11………………………….Walnut Tree

Nov 12 to Nov 21…………………………Chestnut Tree

Nov 22 to Dec 01………………………….Ash Tree

Dec 02 to Dec 11………………………….HornbeamTree

Dec 12 to Dec 21…………………………..Fig Tree

Dec 22…………………………………………Beech

Dec 23 to Dec 31…………………………..Apple Tree  

 APPLE TREE (the Love) – of slight build, lots of charm, appeal, and attraction, pleasant aura, flirtatious, adventurous, sensitive, always in love, wants to love and be loved, faithful and tender partner, very generous, scientific talents, lives for today, a carefree philosopher with imagination.

ASH TREE (the Ambition) – uncommonly attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent,talented, likes to play with fate, can be egotistic, very reliable and trustworthy, faithful and prudent lover, sometimes brains rule over the heart, but takes partnership very seriously.

BEECH TREE (the Creative) – has good taste, concerned about its looks,materialistic, good organization of life and career, economical, good leader, takes no unnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime companion, keen on keeping fit (diets, sports, etc.)

BIRCH TREE (the inspiration) – vivacious, attractive, elegant, friendly, unpretentious, modest, does not like anything in excess, abhors the vulgar,loves life in nature and in calm, not very passionate, full of imagination, little ambition, creates a calm and content atmosphere.

CEDAR TREE (the Confidence) – of rare beauty, knows how to adapt, likes luxury, of good health, not in the least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, determined, impatient, likes to impress others, many talents, industrious, healthy optimism, waiting for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.

CHESTNUT TREE (the Honesty) – of unusual beauty, does not want to impress, well-developed sense of justice, vivacious, interested, a born diplomat, but irritates easily and sensitive in company, often due to a lack of self-confidence, acts sometimes superior, feels not understood, loves only once, has difficulties in finding a partner.

CYPRESS TREE (the Faithfulness) – strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give, content, optimistic, craves money and acknowledgment, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered, unruly, pedantic, and careless.

ELM TREE (the Noble-mindedness) – pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands, tends not to forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, likes making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of humor, practical.

FIG TREE (the Sensibility) – very strong, a bit self-willed, independent, does not allow contradiction or arguments, loves life, its family, children and animals, a bit of a social butterfly, good sense of humor, likes idleness and laziness, of practical talent and intelligence.

FIR TREE (the Mysterious) – extraordinary taste, dignity, sophisticated, loves anything beautiful, moody, stubborn, tends to egoism but cares for those close to them, rather modest, very ambitious, talented, industrious, discontented lover, many friends, many foes, very reliable.

HAZELNUT TREE (the Extraordinary) – charming, undemanding, very understanding, knows how to make an impression, active fighter for social cause, popular, moody, and capricious lover, honest, and tolerant partner, precise sense of judgment.

HORNBEAM TREE (the Good Taste) – of cool beauty, cares for its looks and condition, good taste, is not egotistic, makes life as comfortable as possible, leads a reasonable and disciplined life, looks for kindness and acknowledgment in an emotional partner, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with its feelings, mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very conscientious.

LIME TREE (the Doubt) – accepts what life dishes out in a composed way, hates fighting, stress, and labor, dislikes laziness and idleness, soft and relenting, makes sacrifices for friends, many talents but not tenacious enough to make them blossom, often wailing and complaining, very jealous but loyal.

MAPLE TREE (Independence of Mind) – no ordinary person, full of imagination and originality, shy and reserved, ambitious, proud, self-confident, hungers for new experiences, sometimes nervous, has many complexities, good memory,learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.

OAK TREE (the Brave) – robust nature, courageous, strong, unrelenting,independent, sensible, does not like change, keeps its feet on the ground,person of action.

OLIVE TREE (the Wisdom) – loves sun, warmth and kind feelings, reasonable, balanced, avoids aggression and violence, tolerant, cheerful, calm, well-developed sense of justice, sensitive, empathetic, free of jealousy, loves to read and the company of sophisticated people.

PINE TREE (the Particular) – loves agreeable company, very robust, knows how to make life comfortable, very active, natural, good companion, but seldom friendly, falls easily in love but its passion burns out quickly, gives up easily, everything disappoints until it finds its ideal, trustworthy, practical.

POPLAR TREE (the Uncertainty) – looks very decorative, not very self-confident, only courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, artistic nature, good organizer, tends to lean toward philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership serious.

ROWAN TREE (the Sensitivity) – full of charm, cheerful, gifted without egotism, likes to draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest, and even complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive.

WALNUT TREE (the Passion) – unrelenting, strange and full of contrasts, often egotistic, aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions, spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and uncommon partner, not always liked but often admired, ingenious strategist, very jealous and passionate, no compromise.

WEEPING WILLOW (the Melancholy) – beautiful but full of melancholy, attractive, very empathetic, loves anything beautiful and tasteful, loves to  travel, dreamer, restless, capricious, honest, can be influenced but isn’t easy to live with, demanding, good intuition, suffers in love but finds sometimes an anchoring partner.

There is always a way…

This was passed along to me by a dear friend. I just could not resist sharing it, as the lesson is enormous. Hope you enjoy!!!

An old Italian gentleman lived alone in New Jersey. He wanted to plant his annual tomato garden, but it was very difficult work, as the ground was hard. His only son Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son explaining his predicament.

Dear Vincent, I’m feeling really sad cause it doesn’t look like I’m going to be able to plant the tomato garden this year. It’s too hard, and I’m getting to old to be digging up a garden plot. I know if you were here my troubles would be over. I know you would be happy to dig the garden for me, like the old days. Love Papa.

A few days later he received a letter from his son.

Dear Papa, Don’t dig up the garden, that’s where the bodies are buried. Love Vinnie.

At 4am the next morning FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left. The same day the old man received another letter from his son.

Dear Papa, Go ahead and plant your tomatoes now. It was the best I could do under the circumstances. Love Vinnie.

 

The Weight of Love…

 Mr Rogers  was a staple in my household as a child. I used to turn up the music really loud as I would role play along with him putting on my sneakers; which weren’t really sneakers but rather beat up old Chinese slippers. Then we were off  to the land of make-believe everyday. Just where I loved to take myself, out and away from the chaos called home.

I recently found out that this kind, mild-mannered, man maintained a weight of 143lbs. for more that 30 years. At first I paid no mind, until the explanation as to why he was insistently regimented to do so, was brought to light.

Mr. Rogers felt that he must maintain this weight as it represents the ideal weight of love. Let me explain:

 

1(one letter) = I

4(four letters)= LOVE

3 (three letters) = YOU

 

Do Oompa Loompas really exist???

As a child growing up, I had a passion for books rather than toys. It was this passion that made me fall in love with the books of Roald Dahl. Endless were the hours spent, in Charlie’s Chocolate Factory, with James and his Giant Peach, and countless other magical places that this timeless author took me to. That which I adored more than anything, is that the books were filled with exquisite messages that I have subliminally carried in my being through this life.

Here now are some of  enchanting quotes from the master storytellers works.

“It doesn’t matter who you are or what you look like, so long as somebody loves you.”

“So, please, oh please, we beg, we pray, go throw your TV set away, and in its place you can install, a lovely bookcase on the wall.”

    “A little nonsense now and then, is cherished by the wisest men.”    

“The witching hour, somebody had once whispered to her, was a special moment in the middle of the night when every child and every grown-up was in a deep deep sleep, and all the dark things came out from hiding and had the world all to themselves.”

“Matilda said, “Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it.  Be outrageous.  Go the whole hog.  Make sure everything you do is so completely crazy it’s unbelievable…”

“If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”

“I was glad my father was an eye-smiler. It meant he never gave me a fake smile because it’s impossible to make your eyes twinkle if you aren’t feeling twinkly yourself. A mouth-smile is different. You can fake a mouth-smile any time you want, simply by moving your lips. I’ve also learned that a real mouth-smile always has an eye-smile to go with it. So watch out, I say, when someone smiles at you but his eyes stay the same. It’s sure to be a phony.”    

“When you grow up and have children of your own, do please remember something important:  A stodgy parent is not fun at all!  What a child wants – and DESERVES – is a parent who is SPARKY!”

“My candle burns at both ends. It will not last the night, but ah my foes and oh my friends, it gives a lovely light.”

“Of course they’re real people. They’re Oompa-Loompas…Imported direct from Loompaland…And oh what a terrible country it is! Nothing but thick jungles infested by the most dangerous beasts in the world – hornswogglers and snozzwangers and those terrible wicked whangdoodles. A whangdoodle would eat ten Oompa-Loompas for breakfast and come galloping back for a second helping.”

“Watch with glittery eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.”

Dekapente…

This should probably be taped to your bathroom mirror where one could read it every day.

1. There are at least two people in this world you would die for.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.

4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don’t like you.

5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

6. You mean the world to someone.

7. You are special and unique.

8. Someone you don’t even know exists loves you.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on you take another look.

11. Always remember the compliments you received.  Forget about the rude remarks.

12. Always remember…. when life hands you Lemons, ask for sugar and call me over!!!

13. Good friends are like stars. You don’t always see them, But you know they are always there.

14. Whenever God closes one door he always opens another, even though sometimes it’s hell in the hallway.

15. I would rather have one rose and a kind word from a friend while I’m here, than a whole truckload when I’m gone.

     Ask…and it shall be given unto you..

Essence…

You are strong…
when you take your grief and teach it to smile.

You are brave…
when you overcome your fear and help others to do the same.

You are happy…
when you see a flower and are thankful for the blessing.

You are loving…
when your own pain does not blind you to the pain of others.

You are wise…
when you know the limits of your wisdom.

You are true…
when you admit there are times you fool yourself.

You are alive…
when tomorrow’s hope means more to you than yesterday’s mistake.

You are growing…
when you know what you are but not what you will become.

You are free…
when you are in control of yourself f and do not wish to control others.

You are honorable…
when you find your honour is to honour others.

You are generous…
when you can take as sweetly as you can give.

You are humble…
when you do not know how humble you are.

You are thoughtful…
when you see me just as I am and treat me just as you are.

You are merciful…
when you forgive in others the faults you condemn in yourself.

You are beautiful…
when you don’t need a mirror to tell you.

You are rich…
when you never need more than what you have.

You are you…
when you are at peace with who you are not.

by Christine Lim

 

The time is now!!!

TTFN=Ta Ta For Now!!!

If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you.

If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together.. there is something you must
always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and
smarter than you think. but the most important thing is, even if we’re apart..
I’ll always be with you.

If the person you are talking to doesn’t appear to be listening, be patient. It
may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear.

When late morning rolls around and you’re feeling a bit out of
sorts, don’t worry; you’re probably just a little eleven o’clockish.

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.

I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart for so long. If we’re in each other’s dreams, we can be together all the time.

Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them.

One of the advantages of being disorganized is that one is always having surprising discoveries.

To the uneducated an A is just three sticks.

Pay attention to where you are going because without meaning you might get nowhere.

                                                                                                               Winnie the Pooh 

The brilliant works of A.A. Milne brought us childhood stories of a Boy and his Bear. Stories adorned with lessons, strategically delivered by the author. The messages found within the adventures, timeless.

Almost everything…

 “.. almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of “thinking you have something to lose”. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” Steve Jobs