Friday, October 17, 2008

What Crisis?

So, the world economy is in crisis. I'm told at my office that people have completely stopped buying anything because of uncertainty with the banks. The business that I've owned for 26 years faces the biggest challenge since our opening day. Do I feel any stress? Nope.

Stress is when you are not sure where your next meal is coming from. Fear is that your child may die from disease or lack of food. We do not have a crisis in our country. Crisis exists in Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, among others, countries that our corporations have milked for all that they could so that we can have the life that we live. No, we are not in crisis.

Traveling around the world has opened my eyes to the terrible crimes that our country has committed against others in the name of freedom. A lie. I see how most of the world lives and they have so much more than we do in our country and now all we can think about is ourselves.

It is interesting that the main reason we are about to elect a black president isn't because he is the best choice to lead our country, even though I believe he is, but people are voting for him because he will help them financially. It isn't our banks that are bankrupt, it is us.

Still, I am at peace because I know that the Universe has a way of taking care of things, there is justice and fairness. I believe that in the end we all get what we deserve, we reap what we sow. Crisis, are you feeling crisis? Let go of what you want and you will find peace.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Feeling Safe and in Saigon

I have learned from others and my own experience that we drawn things to ourselves. That can be good or bad. Since I have been more present, more aware of the inner me, I can feel a strong sense of being protected and blessed upon, for lack of a better word.

An example of this was yesterday. I checked out of my hotel in Saigon and forget to get my passport. (Hotels always hold it for security.) I didn't realize this until I was on the bus for Da Lat. I told the driver to let me off. They would not turn back. I was told that the hotel would send it to the bus company and I could pick it up in Da Lat tomorrow. That is not a comfortable feeling.

As I sat back in my seat the other passengers looked at me, as if saying, "good luck." I certainly felt vulnerable and insecure. Within a minute I remembered to be present and look at this as an opportunity to be trust the Universe. So I did. I didn't like it, but I accepted the situation.

Less than five minutes later the tour guide for a group on the bus is on the phone with my hotel asking them to bring my passport to a toll booth that we have to stop at. No one even asked him to try that. Another five minutes and there we are on the side of the highway and I am handed my passport. Sometimes I just feel that if I let go of what I want I am really letting go of my problems.

In the same sense, I jog on the street or park and smile at anyone I make eye contact with. You know what I get in return? Yup, a big smile. Isn't life grand?