Author: Frances

In the shadow of shoppers I’m hiding in a bookshop, taking a breather. Outside the shop’s door are people everywhere-a children’s dance recital, a concert, big shopping bags hanging from hands, crowds gathered in the fast food heaven food court, credit cards pulled out of wallets, you can almost feel the magnetic pull of the many stores.

In the aisle of the mall are stalls set up. Getting by without being slathered with products, and without dampening the Christmas spirit of the overeager salespeople, requires tact. It’s interesting to observe, while waiting for the elevator, the subtle ways people have of getting their point across. Mostly people shy away, except for teen age girls who tend to try nearly anything, including having their hair straightened-with the newest gadget-in the middle of everything.

At Brookstone a robust-looking young man is taking a nap in a cozy, comfortable chair. How easily he sleeps in the midst of shoppers, seeming to not have a care in the world. Many have a coffee cup in hand. I know the feeling well, it’s as comforting to an adult as carrying Paddington Bear is to a child.

Children everywhere and not much screaming or crying today, except for the overextended ones. What are they feeling as they look up, always having to look up, at everything?

This once a year shopping experience is almost over.

Happy Holidays Everyone.

Have you ever stood in one spot for a few hours in a crowd? This past Sunday I did, in a large ballroom with hundreds of other people in Manchester, NH, waiting for Barack Obama to appear. The word was out, tickets sold fast; come early. It was a miserable three hours of standing. A $25.00 ticket should have gotten, at the very least, a chair. It didn’t. There was food, but clearly, most people weren’t there to eat, so, by-passing the tables of cheese, crackers and wine many eagerly headed to the next room to see what the democratic party’s new star had to say.

On the faces of some it was evident that they would have accepted pain and punishment just to be part of this democratic process in action. After an hour’s wait someone thought to open a door. We all looked; what a bright idea, yes, open a door to the outside. Let us breathe freely. We did, for a few minutes, before the door was closed. Many leave. The thought occurred to me that, had our brains not turned to mush, we could have marched out in unision, backs turned to the stage. Why so complacent? There’s power in numbers. Whisperings in the crowd are heard, they say, “Barack is delayed at a big fundraiser.” This is where he was? Indeed, it was all clear, politics as usual.

Finally, the governor and the rest of the party arrive. Speeches and more speeches-nothing new said.

Was it worth it? Were there any electrifying moments? Barack Obama seems a nice, authentic, intelligent, often witty, human being. You sense a pleasant presence. Will someone please save him before . . . well, you know.

What an afternoon. We leave, exhausted.

I’m wondering, what is this “impact” that took place Sunday afternoon-the one written about in newspapers and talked about on television?

Is there such a thing as easing into winter? Yes, if you’re a skier, a skater, one who relishes the cold. How to ease into winter when thoughts of Ecuador, Panama, places of the sun take hold in one’s mind. Winter scenes are beautiful and people say the four seasons are refreshing. True for them perhaps. But I say it’s nice to see the sun, strong and vibrant, with a staying power of more than 30 minutes.

I understand a change of attitude is necessary here. Otherwise it’s going to be a very long winter.

Is there a person, hopefully not more than one, in your life who tries to control you in very subtle ways? Usually you feel tense with this person, and are not sure what to say or how to be. No matter what you say or do, it’s never quite right. To top it off, the controlling one is also sensitive, and can be as sweet as candy when the situation warrants. This kind of behavior leaves you not knowing whether you’re coming or going.

Walking on egg shells-not wanting to upset the apple cart-leads to a crazy, tricky, lopsided relationship. And I’ve come to realize that it’s okay to upset the apple cart because walking on egg shells is not fun, and upsetting the apple cart is. Really! Have no fear; change can be ever so fine. Indeed!

The stress of a holiday can heighten the egg shell walk. The thing to remember is that the bark of the controlling one is usually much worse than the bite. Sit, relax for awhile, and ask yourself why you allow this relationship to be as it is, and how can you change it. Use your imagination to its fullest. There’s always a way. Sit, relax, feel-without any fear.

Cancer is a puzzle to a lot of people. I wonder what people did before chemotherapy, before any treatment was available. I wonder what happens when people are unaware of having a serious illness. Down the road do they have a spontaneous healing? I’ve read about, and heard stories about, people who’ve gone on long trips after being told they have a serious illness, and returning completely healed. What has to occur for this to happen? Does one forget about the illness and become absorbed in new surroundings, thereby clearing the mind of stagnant, confused thoughts? And how is it that some are healed when undergoing chemotheraphy and others are not? Or some choose an alternative treatment and are healed, and others are not, with the same alternative treatment. Does the degree of belief in the treatment make the difference?

Chemotherapy – what exactly is it? In Canada there’s a treatment called 714x. I’ve heard good things about it, too. And there’s the Hoxsey treatment. Andrew Weil in Healthy Aging writes about alternative treatments. I’ve read of the curing benefits of Graviola. I wonder about cancer and ayahuasca. This world – it offers us so much. And then there’s the power of love. What has to occur for a complete healing to happen? Complete healings do happen. If it happens to one it can happen to everyone. We’re all “cut from the same cloth,” so to speak.

“There is nobody else like you. The more you can quiet your own thoughts, fears, doubts and suspicions, the more will be revealed to you from the highest realms of imagination, intuition, and inspiration.” -Kenneth Wydro, American lecturer

“Silence is the great teacher, and to learn its lessons you must pay attention to it. There is no substitute for the creative inspiration, knowledge, and stability that comes from knowing how to contact your core of inner silence.” -Deepak Chopra, Indian-born physician