[Brinty]

Originally Posted by rhythm

no reply to the above ....as yet !!!
i will give it one more airing
then let it go .....
going going archives !!!!..........

I must confess rhythm that it's something I've never thought about. Like you, I am who and what I am. I'm now in a position to do what I want to do, whenever I want to do it. I haven't worn a watch for more years than I care to remember - sometimes I don't even know what day it is. I'm not constrained by timetables or appointments. On that sort of level, I feel as free as the breeze.

When it comes to labels, I feel that many of the worlds current problems stem from our acceptance and worship of labels. Everything has to be put into some sort of category. Take for instance two people who have been friends for years - one day a situation arises whereby it is discovered that one of them is into pornography. BANG, end of friendship.

But what has actually happened? The non-porn one has suddenly found that he had his friend labeled wrongly. The friend hadn't changed in any way, he'd always been into porn, but the other guy had never known. Now that he does, he's disgusted.

How much of the world's strife is caused because of religious beliefs? or non-beliefs? or skin color? or the lack of some perceived necessity? No two people see things the same way - no two people looking at a rainbow, see the same rainbow. In fact, your own two eyes each see a different one. Not until we can accept the fact that life is what we make of it, and stop applying inconsequential labels to it, or try and fit it into preconceived categories, that we and the world will be truly free.

I recall reading many years ago a story involving two factions. One lot wore blue capes and the others wore red. These two groups were so into their own self importance that they ignored each other to the point that they couldn't even see the other colored people.

A Gulliver's Travels type bloke appears on the scene and he can see both. It takes him a while to appreciate the situation and when he does, he comes up with a plan. He approaches the leader of each group and asks them to meet privately with him and one other person. But he asks each one to came dressed in a white cloak.

The appointed time comes and both blokes appear and there is a dialog and friendship is realized. When the two show their true colors, they realize how stupid their attitudes had been.

It's not the labels themselves, but the importance we place on them, that has caused our difficulties over the years. When each of us can accept two facts of life, then we will truly start to experience true freedom.

FACT 1. All people are born equal.
FACT 2. Each of us has a skill that helps our community to function.

By ourselves, that skill is useless. But used in support with the skill of others, our communities prosper. Like well oiled cogs in a giant machine, things will run smoothly and progress will be assured. When some of the cogs stop turning, or try to turn in the opposite direction, the whole contraption comes to a halt.

Forget about what other people think - be yourself, follow your heart of hearts, it will NEVER let you down. True spirituality is what is in your heart - give it a chance to show itself and you will discover a wonderful world of treasures that has been shut off from you because of your acceptance and worship of labels.

Meditate, contemplate, discard prejudices. It's then that you will be able to release the spirit in your heart and let it flow and carry you to unlimited heights of spirituality.

Why put it off? Just try. It might not be easy, but I can assure you, persevere and you will reap the rewards that are just waiting for you to claim.

Peace and love will prosper - they can never be destroyed because they have a power of their own. Like seeds, they will lay dormant until we apply the requirements that will ensure germination. Once that has begun, by applying more of those requirements, they will prosper and grow.

What are the requirements? Just accepting the two facts of life mentioned above, is enough to start the germination of your spiritual freedom.

Good luck on your journey into freedom.