Goldfish Memory

Goldfish memory. That’s what I seem to have these days. Goldfish memory.

They say goldfish do not get bored in their tiny goldfish bowls, swimming around and around all day, because they have a memory span of only 3 seconds. “They” being scientists, sociologists and such.

I was in the Alzheimer’s ward of a retirement home recently, visiting my sister’s godmother. Whether she knew who were or not was unclear. We had visited several times before when her memory was better.

She would greet us happily however and greet us with “Hello! How are you! How have you been?”

Perhaps this was her standard greeting to everyone. Soon she would tell us how happy she was, that she was doing fine. At some point she would tell us how much she loved Santa Fe, which where her home for many years had been, before living in the nursing home.

But that was about as much now as we would get from her. After a few minutes, she’d almost greet us again; as if we just arrived there and then tell us how she was doing, ending on how much she loved Santa Fe.

It was sad to watch and almost painful, if she hadn’t been so happy. She was like the goldfish in the bowl, happily swimming in circles, coming back to the same spot with no memory of being there before. Goldfish memory.

There were many others in the ward with more devastating types of memory loss and moods dark and grim. It wasn’t a happy place. To know there are cures out there that aren’t being allowed must be frustrating to so many.

Thankfully for us, my sister’s godmother was happy at almost ninety.

But I was planning on making a point with my own memory. Something about…. oh rats, there is goes again. I don’t remember.

Ah well, goldfish memory. I’m sure I’ll think of it soon.

Practice ARK

I saw a wonderful movie the other day: “Evan Almighty.” This was a spin-off movie to the more comedic “Bruce Almighty” with Jim Carrey and Morgan Freeman.

In this movie, “The Office’s” Steve Carell played Evan Baxter, who is a newly elected congressman who wants to change the world. Consequently he is visited by God (Morgan Freeman expertly reprising his role), who instructs Evan to build an ark, as in Noah’s ark. Soon strange biblical-type events begin to occur. Amid funny scenes surrounding animals and growing facial hair, there are many poignant scenes as well as gentle messages that are coming directly from the heavens.

At one point, God incognito as a waiter named ‘Al Mighty’ sits down with Evan’s wife, for a heart to heart talk. She is torn between loving her husband and wanting to lock him up as a nut case, since he’s building an ark in their backyard. She also wonders, as does everyone else about the Evan’s new beard and wardrobe. Evan’s hair is now grown out along with his beard; he tried to shave but God just grew it all back in an instant. Evan is also now running around with shredded robes and dress of the original Noah. According to Evan, the outfit provided by God, is very comfortable compared to his three-piece designer suits that he was custom to wearing, before all the craziness began.

God sits down with Evan’s wife, played by Lauren Graham from TV’s “Gilmore Girls”, and points out that people pray for all sorts of things. New jobs, new cars, happier families (her prayer) and that God doesn’t instantly wave a magic wand and give these items to people; rather he provides opportunities for these items or events to happen. When Evan begins building his ark, he has his sons to help him and they all become closer as a result. Evan’s wife’s prayer is answered.

I thought that this was an excellent method of reminding people of the way God works. When we prayer or ask, it is indeed given. But not necessarily in the manner in which the person specifically wants. Rather opportunities are presented so the final outcome is what the person wanted or needs. The essence or underlying truth of the request is always fulfilled.

Look back on what you’ve asked God for lately and observe how your life has been presented with opportunities for the request to take place.

The other poignant moment come when God speaks to Evan about how to change the world. According to God, one can change the world by one act of random kindness at a time. Acts of Random Kindness…ARK…. building an ark…was the biblical story really a metaphor for something bigger than a flood?

The movie has us thinking on that point and introduces several other relevant issues pertinent to today’s world and how we tend to operate. It is funny and poignant, without being preachy. It is a great movie for the entire family.

I know for me I will continue to build my own ark, practice my acts of random kindness and watch out for floods where ever or when ever they may come.

Honoring the Earth

My fairy class last weekend went very well. I love it when the students can connect with the material offered.

In this class I think one of the highlights was a photo in the workbook of a fairy ring. For the caption of the picture, the fairies had asked me to put ‘Can you find the fairies?

The photo in the book, “Connecting with the Fairies” was originally in color, but for the book was in black and white. I had needlessly worried that the photo wouldn’t show as well in black and white.

For this picture, a close-up of the toadstools in the fairy ring, which had shown up last summer in my front yard, was a great photo and was apparently full of fairies! My students saw them before I did!

There was a small gnome fellow and a female fairy, complete with wings, among several others the students found in that photo. I was thrilled and I think my students really enjoyed the class. I was also introduced to JaJaiai – a fairy queen who reigns over the flowers and field beyond my back yard. She came to me in a meditation that was part of the class.

The fairies remind us to be kind to Mother Nature and all of her plants, minerals and animals. In the time of ‘going green,’ remember to honor and respect Mother Earth. Make every day Earth Day. The fairies will bless you when you do.

I know I have been blessed with more energy and love recently. I have been given new knowledge and ways to connect my life with that which is beyond, that which is Divine. I feel richer as an individual and more connected to the whole. For this I am grateful to both the Divine and to the fairies.

As you honor yourself, you honor the whole.