Pyramids of our Souls

Since ancient times, we've been clinging on to things. Things of value; jewelery, furnisher, paintings, vases, cars, knick knacks galore. The more things, the more we authenticate our lives. The pharaohs believed in this so much so that they built incredulous dwellings to house all their belongings to take with them in their afterlife.

They believed that things defined them and they needed those things so much that they had to take everything with them. Wow! That's a lot of baggage! Yet, who are we, what have we accomplished, and how will anyone know if we don't have things to accredit our existence.

And so, we live our lives building pyramids of our own and in there we stuff every single thing we can to authenticate our lives. We become so dependent on what we've accumulated that we cannot move forward for fear that everything in our pyramid will be lost and then what will we do without our things.

Instead we should be building a pyramid for our soul because that is the only thing we take with us whenever and wherever we go. A house is just that, a building with walls and a roof to shelter us from the outside world not to house our soul. And, yes, we turn them into homes, but it is the love and the memories that we cherish, not the floors or ceiling. The things we collect are not important but the memories they bring is, and those memories are stored in the pyramid of our souls and no where else.

Life is an incredible journey. It has highs and it has lows. There is so much to see and so much to do and it is our human instincts that tell us we must hold on to it all. Everything we gather and flaunt must be stored, kept, and we must cling to it because it identifies us and justifies our existence. In a way, it does, it is not the material that is of value but what we cherish in our hearts and store in our souls.

The only thing we need in this life time and all others, is us. We need very little things to travel anywhere; as a matter of fact, the lighter we travel, the farther we'll go. We live many lives and make many decisions that are so difficult because they mean that we may have to let go of all those things that we think define us when in fact it is just our heart that is the foundation of our pyramids. Ah, and those memories, those amazing beautiful memories that is what we take anywhere we go.

 Copyright ©Lucy Tamajon 2014

Time and Time Again

I’ve written about time, time and time again.  I believe that time is man-made and not a measurement of the universe, I too get caught up in the trivial ticking of the clock. 

I won’t bore you with the specifics of the theory of relativity but here’s the foundation. Einstein believed in multiple worlds.  And, I agree!! Naturally! He was way ahead of his time, oddly, but he proved Newton wrong who’s theory was that time was absolute. Time is relative as Einstein proved.

The thing is that if we clear our minds of the clutter that we have created, if we toss away all of the time constraints imposed by society, we would be eternally free.  Time is not linear, it does not end and begin anew; it continues on and on, just in different forms and simultaneously.  Our past, present, and future all happen at once.  Weird concept...not really. It makes perfect sense.

We do not and cannot age, our souls are ageless.  The change we see in the mirror is what our minds have created due to the constraints of the society we live in.

Okay, let’s break this down because I know I’m giving you a headache right about now.  Let me give you a proven fact and example of multiple worlds and time.  How many times have you thought of someone in your past, that you hadn’t spoken to or seen in years and at that precise moment of your thought, you bump into them or they call or someone brings them up?  It’s happened to all of us and that is because the past is happening right now. Today is the future!  Confused?  Well, of course because we have been trained to set limits and not open our minds to the greatness of the universe.

Humans have isolated time to its ultimate stressful form; there are years, months, weeks, days; and as if that isn’t enough, hours, minutes, and seconds.  We live our lives with a giant stop watch in our brains…TIC-TOC… TIC-TOC.  We scurry around day in and day out, hurry, hurry…do more, you didn’t do enough…. TIC-TOC… TIC-TOC.  Another day, another week, oh my God! Another year and what have we accomplished…. TIC- TOC… TIC… TOC!!!  We go to bed exhausted and we wake up at the sound of a deafening alarm yelling….HURRY!!! TIC!! TOC!!!  We drive like maniacs constantly looking at our watches… TIC-TOC!!!  Unitl…. BOOM!!!  We’re done!!  Time’s up!!!

It’s insane, this world we’ve created measured in time.  Einstein’s theory is the only thing that does make sense!  There is no existence of time.  Time is eternal as created by the universe.  Today is the future, today is the past, and today is the present; all wrapped up in one beautiful life that we need to just simply live without a ticking time bomb.  We need to remember what made us smile at the age of five because it will probably warm our hearts today.  And, as this memory comes to life, it IS happening, we are five again and we glow from the inside out.  Memories are not dead, they are real and exist, they are happening right now.  We just need to set our minds free and get rid of all the earthly things that tie us down.

What would you do if you had all the time in the world?  You do, so do it!  

Copyright ©Lucy Tamajon 2014

Forgive but Never Forget - it's okay

Forgiveness is one of the most difficult teachings of any faith and the cornerstone of all.  Letting go of the anger and the pain of betrayal is so incredibly difficult.  We want to strike back, hurt as much, as deeply, cause as much anguish, and this is isn’t enough; we not only want all of this but we want to witness and relish the pain we cause because it was done to us.  An eye for an eye, if you will.

Yet, none of this brings peace to our souls much less heal our hearts.  I don’t think we can ever get over the pain of betrayal especially at the hands of someone we care about. The ugliness is difficult to understand.  

However, it must happen.  We must forgive even the greatest of offenders.  There is no other way to heal.

It is human nature to strike back, to hurt someone who has hurt us, but we must reach deep within our souls and find the inner strength to simply walk away. Any mortal can strike back but few have the heart to simply forgive.

Forgiveness does not mean, we forget; nor does it mean we condone.  Things may never be the same, you may never see that person again or speak to them and this is okay.  It means you say, “I forgive you for what you’ve done to me.”  And that’s it.  By saying and meaning that, you start the healing for you.  You put that person and the situation in the powerful hands of the Universe.  You let go and move on.  This may take a while, it does not happen overnight, but it must happen.

For me, I retrieve.  I retrieve deep into the depth of my soul and I find a quiet spot.  One that no one can enter, one that is just for me, and there in silence.  I do what I must.  Sometimes, I cry.  Sometimes, I scream.  Often times, I curse.  Sometimes, I pray.  Other times, I write or paint or draw.  Sometimes, I walk.  Sometimes, I eat or not or have wine and then sleep.  Sometimes, I read.  Lots of times I laugh, I dance, and I sit.  I do not revisit the past., only on TBT and only when it's good.      

                                                                                                                      

Then one day, it’s gone, the anger and the hate replaced by nothing.  You feel nothing for that person. And, someone wants to drag you in again into the darkness that is vengeance, and you smile, and say, “Nah, it’s okay.  It was no big deal.”  They think you are weak or stupid for not taking the opportunity to strike back.  But, you are not at all.  You are strong enough to let go, and wise enough to move on.  And, the wound is healed, a small scar remains, but that is okay.  It helps us remember the pain of betrayal and the peace that comes from moving on.                                                                                                                                                                         

Today, the sky seems to be a different shade of blue, a blue we have never seen before.  We smile because no one can break our spirit.

Copyright ©Lucy Tamajon 2014

Cheers to Cupid

Saint Valentine's Day, what isn't there to love about this day (no pun intended).  It's all about hearts, roses, chocolates, yadda, yadda, yadda.  But, it really didn't start out that way at all.  Although, there have been many myths, stories, and fairy tales throughout the centuries, one fact remains.  Valentine is a Catholic Saint, and we all know that to achieve that title, one must be a martyr, naturally. His crime, he believed in love and he paid the price, with his head.  Literally, he lost his head for love.

It was never about him, it was always about loving others and bringing people together.  It was about sharing what sometimes lies so deep within our hearts.  It was about mending broken hearts and soothing lonely souls.  He committed no crime only to believe in love.

I may live a thousand years and have many lives, and will never understand why love is persecuted in such a way.  It is our only one true purpose.  The reason for our existence.... to love, to give love, to share love, and to allow love to bloom without boundaries.

How beautiful it is to see young love.  How wonderful to see "old" lovers whom have spent a lifetime together still in love.  How amazing to see a child loving his teddy bear and clinging to that blankie that loves him back.  How truly beautiful it is to see the flowers blooming in spring after a cold harsh winter letting us know that there is always the promise of something new.

Love.  How simple it is to do, and how difficult we make it.

We were created to love unconditionally and to trust with all our hearts.  Therefore, on this beautiful Valentine's Day, I'm sending a Valentine to the Universe.  It is simple and it from my heart of heart.  I ask to love simply all that there is to love and there is so much in this beautiful universe.  I ask to baste in the love you see all around you; to smile at a stranger; to laugh a little more often; to give without expecting anything in return; and to share your beautiful heart with everyone you touch.

I raise a glass of red and say, "Cheers to Cupid, good job Saint Valentine, and Happy Valentine's Day."

Copyright ©Lucy Tamajon 2014

Beam me up Scottie

I remember watching Star Trek as a kid and thinking how incredible it seemed for the Star Ship to do the things it did, it could never happen.  I know people now a days make fun of the "technology" of these shows, but we lived in different times.  And, I for one, miss the simplicity of it all.

We had no microwaves, no cell phones, no computer; hence, no internet; no cable TV as a matter of fact we had three major networks and one public channel.   We did not have any GPS; yet, we didn't need any of it, we knew exactly where we were headed and we were never bored.  Yes, yes, as my children tell me, "were there dinosaurs, too!"  Smart asses.

I miss the times when people had conversations, we've lost the beautiful art of conversation.  I walked into my house yesterday, and my son said "Mom, you've been here 20 seconds and you've said more then most say in a day!"  And, I thought, how sad.  We just don't talk anymore and share our thoughts and ideas one on one.

We sit behind a computer and post.  We post where we go, where we eat, what we eat, and create a virtual world that's cold and distant.  We can't sit through dinner without texting or emailing or whatever, as a matter of fact, we keep are smart phones right next to us "just in case".  Just in case, what?  Not quite sure. We've become so connected that we have totally disconnected from our souls.  We can see what Prince William does across an ocean, but we don't know what is going on in our own communities.  We're too connected to the world and just do not have the time to sit and have coffee with our neighbor.

We have a whole generation that cannot put a sentence together, they write bingo instead of English.  We are missing living the moment because we are so busy posting the proof that there is a moment.  Now, don't get me wrong, I think it is awesome that we are able to stay in touch with family and friends across the miles.  It's fun.  However, let's not miss site that if we are living in a virtual world, we cannot experience the beauty of the real world, and it's passing us by at the speed of light.

I for one miss the human element.  I miss long dragged out conversations about nothing.  I miss sitting at a restaurant with a friend and just looking into each others eyes instead of texting and posting.  I miss that when someone had something to say to you they picked up the phone to say it.  I remember when there was a knock on the door and you opened it and there was someone just stopping by to say "hi".  Wow!  I took it for granted then.  Now, you get a cold frivolous text which may not even be a full sentence, but, "hey". Really you don't even have 10 seconds to text a full freaking sentence.  I'm over it, but I'm wondering how this new generation born into the cold gray world of technology will interact fifty years from now when "we" the Cavemen of the 80's are gone.

"Beam me up Scottie."  No, thanks, I'll just do it the old fashion way.

Copyright ©Lucy Tamajon 2014

Havana on the Hudson

We were asked to come up with a resident of Union City, New Jersey who would be worthy of a life time achievement award.  As I thought, the floodgates of my mind opened and memories of the town I call home came gushing out.

Union City, New Jersey is not only historic but a town filled with incredible love.  It has earned two nicknames through the centuries,  the Embroidery Capital of the United States and Havana on the Hudson.  Incorporated in 1925, it is rich with unbelievable history that has woven a fabric unlike any other city in this great country.  Influenced by two major waves of immigrants Germans and Cubans, it has made its place on the map as “Havana on the Hudson”.  Yet, it is the greatest of melting pots that will ever exist composed of Germans, Irish, Italians, Jews, Polish, Puerto Ricans, dating back to the Dutch settlers in the 1660’s.

Growing up in Union City was a unique and soulful experience.  We were surrounded by the greatest city in the world, New York City.  The view on my way to school every day and as I stood on Summit Avenue and 28^th Street was the Empire State Building, and what a view it was.  It represented everything we could be and held my every dream.  We were lucky enough to have grown up in Union City when things were still “small” and there was a sense of community.  Everyone knew everyone else.  We were neighbors and everyone helped everyone else get their feet on the ground.  We bought milk and bread from the corner store.  There was a butcher down the block.  We rode bikes to school, played along Boulevard East and stared at the big city across the river with all its promises.

Who can forget Thanksgiving Day and the big game, Emerson and Union Hill?  Thanksgiving has never been quite the same without that game.  Roosevelt Stadium, Hudson County Park, St. Michael’s Monastery, Holy Family Church, Union Hill High School, Emerson, Robert Waters, Washington School, and Bergenline  Avenue, to name a few; all brings a smile to my face.  And, of course, Cuban Day Parade which is still happening and one of the biggest events that now take place and securing its nickname, Havana on the Hudson.

For me, this is home, Union City, New Jersey.  A “little” city sitting overlooking the Hudson filled with history, scenic views, mansions, apartment buildings, alleys, crowded streets, back yard bar-b-ques, and most importantly people  you can’t find anywhere else.

Who is worthy of the Union City Life Time Achievement Award?  Only one entity comes to mind, Union City, itself for cultivating a breed and weaving a multi-cultural fabric unlike any other for centuries.

Copyright ©Lucy Tamajon 2014

Fast & Furious

Fast & Furious

2013 has been a year to go down in the record books; well, technically any year that we survive should go down in the record books.  However, this year has been exceptionally fast and furious.  It seems that the year just started and in the blink of an eye, it's over; boy doesn't that sound like something my grandmother would say!

I wonder how many of our new year resolutions we kept.  You know the ones that we sit down  and write out so carefully, "loose 10 pounds, exercise more, eat healthy, be a better mom,"  blah.. blah.. blah...  I for one stopped making resolutions a long time ago, find them fruitless, and well, let's see how can I phrase this tactfully, stupid.  Yes, they are stupid, and that's as tactful as I get.  Seriously, do we really need a list to remind us to be a better version of ourselves?  Not just a list but a list that we tuck away and forget about within a week and we're back to our old, "bad" habits.

"But, Lucy, there's nothing wrong with setting goals!"  My friend scolded when I voiced my theory on resolutions (among other things).  And, no there isn't anything wrong with setting goals, but goals are just that, a goal.  Now, stay with me because my brain is not necessarily "braining" today.

Goals are set as a final destination.  Something that we want and more importantly, we want to achieve.
Goals are challenges that we must overcome at all costs, not set and give up and dismiss at a whim.  Goals are real and they are achievable but with great effort.  I think sometimes we set unrealistic goals and set ourselves for failure.  Take a look at that resolution list, tell me, honestly, how many things on that list are you really going to do and how many are you just writing for the heck of if.  So why do it?  Why set yourself up for something you know you won't do!

Instead realize that in the earthly calendar (I say earthly because there are no calendars and no time in the celestial world - another topic for another blog), we have 364 days in one year.  That is a lot of days we are given to make a lot of changes!  Even when the year is fast and furious and seems to throw crap at us that we do not want to deal with, we can still do 364 things to be a better version of ourselves!

Let's break it down.  That forever item on the resolution list, "Loose 10 pounds", I know it's on there, so don't tell me it isn't!  Well, if you make one or two changes every day for 364 days, don't you think it'll happen naturally?  Of course!  We just stop.  For whatever the reason, we stop doing what we should, we let our brains take control, and all of a sudden we're back on the road to resolution hell and crashing into flames of defeat.  Okay, maybe I'm a bit dramatic, but you get the picture.

Here's the deal I'm making with you because I'm the first culprit to start and give up, I've realized how much so this year, 2013, which seemed to be like a freaking roller coaster ride from some action film which I didn't want to watch let alone be a part of.  Crazy year, the planets were just all bonkers and we here on planet earth paid the price.

The deal is just pick three things, just three things that you really want to do.  Get yourself an earthly calender, I don't have one, so I'll have to buy one... jeeze... hate those things!   Go ahead, write a list and write it on the earthly calendar, it will be your guide.  Be realistic about it.

For example, I have neglected my writing and my art.  I said I would write everyday and blog even if it's silly and no one reads it, but I haven't.  Why?  Doesn't really matter, there really isn't an excuse.  My art, if you can call it that, I haven't reached that part of my soul in years!  I keep putting it off, again, why?  Doesn't mater.  Therefore, first two things I will do this year is blog weekly; and I've committed to going to an art studio on Saturdays.  There.  And, so, that is how I will tackle my demons. One at a time.

Thing is that life speeds by way too fast and often times it lashes out, knocks us down, and beats us up a little.  That's okay, it's supposed to do that.  We need to get up, shake it off, and strike back.  Sometimes striking back just means accepting, adjusting, and embracing the changes in our life.  Sometimes, we can strike back with a smile and say, "that's it?  That's all you've got?"  But, we cannot quit, we cannot give up, and we certainly cannot accept defeat.  There is no such thing.

We buckle up, raise our hands in the air, and laugh.  We laugh as hard as we can because even though the ride may be fast and furious, we will survive it and be a much better version of ourselves.

Here's to 2014!

Cheers!

Copyright ©Lucy Tamajon 2013