Since I can't be at Kaywood next week, I thought I would create it for myself! 
Friday, February 4, 2011
A message from Dan perhaps?
I receive these little "dailyoms" in my email everyday, and was sent this one recently. Thought I would share it, and if anyone has any thoughts, tips, feelings about how to encompass this way of being, please feel free to comment!
We are on this earth, in our physical bodies, because our souls have things to learn that we could not learn in any other way. It is through our physical body and the physical world that we can experience life. Purely spiritual beings are just that – they are in a state of being rather than doing – in a place that is beyond the limitations of time and space. But when we incarnate on the physical plane, we are automatically subject to the laws of physics and the world of dualities. In this place, we know what happiness is because we have experienced sadness, and we understand the value and power of light because we have known darkness. Knowing this, we have the opportunity to let ourselves be spiritual beings having a physical experience.
There is no pain in the spiritual realm, because we know we are one with the limitless source of the universe. But here, in the material realm, our sense of limitation and separation allows us to feel our emotions and to learn about love, forgiveness, and compassion. We go from a spiritual state of oneness to learning how to be in relationship with people who are different and distinct individuals. We learn to understand ourselves through our relationships with the world around us—its seasons and landscapes, challenges and opportunities. And through our journey to find our place among so many others, we begin to recognize our own glimmer of light in a constellation of stars.
Once we remember that we are spiritual beings, we can revel in the experience of being human while knowing we are all connected. We can live from the place of oneness while truly appreciating the beauty of diversity, the bittersweet feel of love and loss, and the elation of triumph over challenges and adversity. It is through these opposites that we experience life itself, and we can ride through the dark times with the understanding that it will help us to appreciate the light of life and love and spirit more fully. We are here now because we made the choice to experience an earth life, so now we can choose to enjoy the journey as completely as possible.
We are on this earth, in our physical bodies, because our souls have things to learn that we could not learn in any other way. It is through our physical body and the physical world that we can experience life. Purely spiritual beings are just that – they are in a state of being rather than doing – in a place that is beyond the limitations of time and space. But when we incarnate on the physical plane, we are automatically subject to the laws of physics and the world of dualities. In this place, we know what happiness is because we have experienced sadness, and we understand the value and power of light because we have known darkness. Knowing this, we have the opportunity to let ourselves be spiritual beings having a physical experience.
There is no pain in the spiritual realm, because we know we are one with the limitless source of the universe. But here, in the material realm, our sense of limitation and separation allows us to feel our emotions and to learn about love, forgiveness, and compassion. We go from a spiritual state of oneness to learning how to be in relationship with people who are different and distinct individuals. We learn to understand ourselves through our relationships with the world around us—its seasons and landscapes, challenges and opportunities. And through our journey to find our place among so many others, we begin to recognize our own glimmer of light in a constellation of stars.
Once we remember that we are spiritual beings, we can revel in the experience of being human while knowing we are all connected. We can live from the place of oneness while truly appreciating the beauty of diversity, the bittersweet feel of love and loss, and the elation of triumph over challenges and adversity. It is through these opposites that we experience life itself, and we can ride through the dark times with the understanding that it will help us to appreciate the light of life and love and spirit more fully. We are here now because we made the choice to experience an earth life, so now we can choose to enjoy the journey as completely as possible.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Where Has the Pondering Gone?
What happened? Do us Pontarelli's no longer ponder? I sure hope not. Perhaps we need a prompt to get this blog back on its feet...
Finish this sentence: "I never thought I'd..."
May we never stop the ponder.
Kate Motor Mouth Short Hairs
Finish this sentence: "I never thought I'd..."
May we never stop the ponder.
Kate Motor Mouth Short Hairs
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
First of all, Happy Birthday Ty Ty Tyroni!
Secondly, I thought I would start this Pontarelli Ponderings back up in hopes of getting the ball rolling on points of interest me might like to discuss. Here is my point of interest in the past week...
I have been down here in Ponce with Lynn and Eileen and Gramps, having a gay old time. Lynn and I even got a famous Tony tour and climbed the lighthouse yesterday. It was hard walking into 87 Calumet for the first time and not seeing Gram across the way, sitting in her favorite chair out by the pool, reading a book or finishing a crossword. But the familiar smell of the house and the ocean swept over me, and it was bittersweet to realize how much I missed Gram but how many lovely memories we have all shared in that house!
So, my birthday arrived and I told my parents I wanted to spend it at the beach. As we were lounging away, I had a secret wish to see some dolphins make a little birthday entrance for me. Well, sure enough, a few hours later there they were, just their fins popping out of the water as they strolled by. But then out of nowhere, one does this incredible flip/twist while jutting out of a wave! I have never seen anything like it in Ponce, especially in the ocean (most dolphin sightings are in the inlet). Then another one jumped, and then one was carrying on by flapping its tail on the water. Another Grammy miracle perhaps?? I like to think so!
So, I will throw out a question, and feel free to answer if you like. Just to get us pondering once again. If we are to be reincarnated, and to choose what animal we would like to come back as, what animal (or creature, what have you) do you think Gram would have chosen? Or, what animal would you choose for Gram, and why?
Happy Ponderings.
Kate Wodder of Short Hairs
Secondly, I thought I would start this Pontarelli Ponderings back up in hopes of getting the ball rolling on points of interest me might like to discuss. Here is my point of interest in the past week...
I have been down here in Ponce with Lynn and Eileen and Gramps, having a gay old time. Lynn and I even got a famous Tony tour and climbed the lighthouse yesterday. It was hard walking into 87 Calumet for the first time and not seeing Gram across the way, sitting in her favorite chair out by the pool, reading a book or finishing a crossword. But the familiar smell of the house and the ocean swept over me, and it was bittersweet to realize how much I missed Gram but how many lovely memories we have all shared in that house!
So, my birthday arrived and I told my parents I wanted to spend it at the beach. As we were lounging away, I had a secret wish to see some dolphins make a little birthday entrance for me. Well, sure enough, a few hours later there they were, just their fins popping out of the water as they strolled by. But then out of nowhere, one does this incredible flip/twist while jutting out of a wave! I have never seen anything like it in Ponce, especially in the ocean (most dolphin sightings are in the inlet). Then another one jumped, and then one was carrying on by flapping its tail on the water. Another Grammy miracle perhaps?? I like to think so!
So, I will throw out a question, and feel free to answer if you like. Just to get us pondering once again. If we are to be reincarnated, and to choose what animal we would like to come back as, what animal (or creature, what have you) do you think Gram would have chosen? Or, what animal would you choose for Gram, and why?
Happy Ponderings.
Kate Wodder of Short Hairs
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Back from Jolly Ol' England
Been quiet around these parts lately, so I thought I'd post a little synopsis of my latest adventure.
As most of you know, I've spent the last couple years trading oil derivatives. Last week, the petroleum industry held their annual International Petroleum conference in London. I attended with a number of others from my firm, and had the chance to meet (face-to-face, finally) several people we do business with and a bunch of others we don't. Also got the chance to experience London from the perspective of a Londoner, as opposed to a tourist.
While the particulars of the business side of our trip aren't all that interesting, the city of London is a very cool place to spend your time. The people are universally warm and welcoming and great to be around. The city itself does a tremendous job of intermingling the old with the new, as parks and squares and cathedrals are interspersed with office buildings and sushi restaurants. The streets are very clean, and the sidewalks are not poured concrete but stone tiles; it was like constantly walking around on someone's back patio, which I thought to be quite charming. Though at first a bit difficult to navigate, what with the maze of Mews and Gates and Squares, once you figured out where the major thoroughfares were you could get around fairly easily without asking directions.
The populace is very multicultural; I attended a get-together on Wednesday evening hosted by an Iranian broker, and spent the night getting to know an Indian, a Frenchman, a Dane and an Atlantan, all living and working in London. They all had nothing but good things to say about their adopted city and were as eager to show it off as the natives were.
But while most around the world says that America is the standard bearer for conspicuous consumption, let me tell you that we have nothing on the Brits. Everyone is dressed to the nines virtually all the time. There are as many shopping districts as anything else; I discovered, as I wandered around the city, three different areas that could be considered comparable to our own Michigan Avenue here in Chicago. I spent an hour inside the famed Harrod's building and didn't even see a fraction of their inventory. And the cars, oh the cars. The streets were practically lined with Bentleys, Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Rolls Royces. It was as if spending well into the six figures on an automobile had become de rigeur. And they would park them on the street!
But despite all the trappings some took a relatively leisurely approach to their work. It was nothing to go down to the pub mid-day and have a couple pints at lunch or for a break in the afternoon. We were visiting a broker in the downtown area in their brand new, state-of-the-art building. We got a tour of the office and met some of the people that we deal with often, then went down to the pub around the corner for a pint or two before lunch. The pub, which happened to be one of the oldest still operating in London (it poured its first pint in 1610), was packed, with several people even lining the ledges they installed on the outer perimeter of the place (for resting drinks) and chatting with their co-workers or friends in the fresh air.
Yet in contrast to the propensity for mid-day drinking, everyone we met maintained the air of professionalism that we'd come to expect, and which I think is part of the British culture. They assume that everyone deserves the utmost respect and courtesy until they encounter evidence to the contrary. It was truly a wonderful experience getting to know the people and culture of London in such a way, instead of via the usual avenues of getting it from ticket-takers at Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. I highly recommend it to any and all with the means and the desire.
Hope you all enjoyed my travelogue. Still getting over the jet lag as I returned yesterday afternoon, so I might have some updates as I shake out the cobwebs. Stay tuned.
As most of you know, I've spent the last couple years trading oil derivatives. Last week, the petroleum industry held their annual International Petroleum conference in London. I attended with a number of others from my firm, and had the chance to meet (face-to-face, finally) several people we do business with and a bunch of others we don't. Also got the chance to experience London from the perspective of a Londoner, as opposed to a tourist.
While the particulars of the business side of our trip aren't all that interesting, the city of London is a very cool place to spend your time. The people are universally warm and welcoming and great to be around. The city itself does a tremendous job of intermingling the old with the new, as parks and squares and cathedrals are interspersed with office buildings and sushi restaurants. The streets are very clean, and the sidewalks are not poured concrete but stone tiles; it was like constantly walking around on someone's back patio, which I thought to be quite charming. Though at first a bit difficult to navigate, what with the maze of Mews and Gates and Squares, once you figured out where the major thoroughfares were you could get around fairly easily without asking directions.
The populace is very multicultural; I attended a get-together on Wednesday evening hosted by an Iranian broker, and spent the night getting to know an Indian, a Frenchman, a Dane and an Atlantan, all living and working in London. They all had nothing but good things to say about their adopted city and were as eager to show it off as the natives were.
But while most around the world says that America is the standard bearer for conspicuous consumption, let me tell you that we have nothing on the Brits. Everyone is dressed to the nines virtually all the time. There are as many shopping districts as anything else; I discovered, as I wandered around the city, three different areas that could be considered comparable to our own Michigan Avenue here in Chicago. I spent an hour inside the famed Harrod's building and didn't even see a fraction of their inventory. And the cars, oh the cars. The streets were practically lined with Bentleys, Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Rolls Royces. It was as if spending well into the six figures on an automobile had become de rigeur. And they would park them on the street!
But despite all the trappings some took a relatively leisurely approach to their work. It was nothing to go down to the pub mid-day and have a couple pints at lunch or for a break in the afternoon. We were visiting a broker in the downtown area in their brand new, state-of-the-art building. We got a tour of the office and met some of the people that we deal with often, then went down to the pub around the corner for a pint or two before lunch. The pub, which happened to be one of the oldest still operating in London (it poured its first pint in 1610), was packed, with several people even lining the ledges they installed on the outer perimeter of the place (for resting drinks) and chatting with their co-workers or friends in the fresh air.
Yet in contrast to the propensity for mid-day drinking, everyone we met maintained the air of professionalism that we'd come to expect, and which I think is part of the British culture. They assume that everyone deserves the utmost respect and courtesy until they encounter evidence to the contrary. It was truly a wonderful experience getting to know the people and culture of London in such a way, instead of via the usual avenues of getting it from ticket-takers at Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. I highly recommend it to any and all with the means and the desire.
Hope you all enjoyed my travelogue. Still getting over the jet lag as I returned yesterday afternoon, so I might have some updates as I shake out the cobwebs. Stay tuned.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Motor Mouth Wodder With Shocking Current Events
While the fate of our country is terribly important, and I have enjoyed reading all of these brilliantly written, heartfelt posts (bravo fam), I have some tragic news I fear we would be foolish to ignore (not to mention, unenlightened (synonym of "ignorant", didn't want to put "ignor-" twice, as to come off sounding "imprudent"... The thesaurus is my bible... but religion will have to wait for the next post).
First of all, I know Mandy and Jon, offspring and newly engaged Linds and Ferber, are all headed to the ski slopes in T-minus a few months. I would be remiss not to warn you of your possible fate. Jon, please do not embarrass your son by pulling a stunt like this. These are critical years in your children's lives, one slip up and you may never hear the end of it. For instance, Eileen refused to let me play the trumpet when I was younger. Has she ever heard the end of it? No, she hasn't. Have I missed out on being the next famous trumpet player? You bet your bottom dollar. Don't let this be your fate M and J, and Ty, this doubles as my words of advice to you and Lizzie as you set sail on the wings of love. Also, brush your teeth regularly. Bad breath really puts a damper on romance as well as aspiring to meet "couple friends", as Timmy recommended. One shot, that's all you've got. So far, neither of you has offended me while conversing, so you're off to a great start.
Here is the site: http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0106091vail1.html
Also, I want to take a moment to reflect on the terrible attack of an innocent bicycler at Timmy and I's old stomping grounds; University of Colorado. I just hope to God the cows at Wagner Farm don't start getting any ideas from these crazy Boulder cows...:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/odd_cow_tips_woman
And lastly, so I come off as "learned" and politically involved/concerned:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KogebxJkHig
God Speed,
Kate Wodder of the short hairs and the big Motor Mouth
First of all, I know Mandy and Jon, offspring and newly engaged Linds and Ferber, are all headed to the ski slopes in T-minus a few months. I would be remiss not to warn you of your possible fate. Jon, please do not embarrass your son by pulling a stunt like this. These are critical years in your children's lives, one slip up and you may never hear the end of it. For instance, Eileen refused to let me play the trumpet when I was younger. Has she ever heard the end of it? No, she hasn't. Have I missed out on being the next famous trumpet player? You bet your bottom dollar. Don't let this be your fate M and J, and Ty, this doubles as my words of advice to you and Lizzie as you set sail on the wings of love. Also, brush your teeth regularly. Bad breath really puts a damper on romance as well as aspiring to meet "couple friends", as Timmy recommended. One shot, that's all you've got. So far, neither of you has offended me while conversing, so you're off to a great start.
Here is the site: http://www.thesmokinggun.com/
Also, I want to take a moment to reflect on the terrible attack of an innocent bicycler at Timmy and I's old stomping grounds; University of Colorado. I just hope to God the cows at Wagner Farm don't start getting any ideas from these crazy Boulder cows...:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/
And lastly, so I come off as "learned" and politically involved/concerned:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KogebxJkHig
God Speed,
Kate Wodder of the short hairs and the big Motor Mouth
Thursday, January 29, 2009
HAPPY 60th ANNIVERSARY, MOM & DAD!!!!
Just wanted to post my congratulations to the Pontarelli Grand Pubba Parental Units for their outstanding "stick-to-it-ness" over the last 60 years! You truly are an inspiration to us all!
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