Of Gardens and Relationships

    Relationships consist all of existence, and whether or not we are aware of this, everyone and everything is bound together in an intricate network. The following piece is a series of metaphorical expressions that have striking similarities between gardens and relationships. I give credit for the format used here, to Jesus of Nazareth. Like his parables, this story provides a basis for understanding by using comparison as the tool to enable the reader to easily identify and comprehend the concepts within. Please note that the title I used was inspired by the American author John Steinbeck and his 1937 novel "Of Mice and Men." Therefore I give him the deserved recognition and credit for my title.

    A relationship being established is like unto a patch of earth being turned over for the preparation of a garden. Just as life provides the opportunities for relationships to form, such is the same when the seeds are sown in the soil. In order for gardens to be fruitful, they must be maintained throughout their development. Indeed, it is likewise for new-found relationships. Maintenance depends upon the mutual understanding of responsibility, which is shared by all who are involved. Yet if anyone becomes slack in their share of the chore, then gardens and relationships alike, will begin to suffer. Both become vulnerable to invasive and toxic elements (i.e. weeds = people). This is also the reason why both must have boundaries clearly established and mutually supported. The best defense for either is teamwork. Without that, both gardens and relationships will surely perish.

    However, dangers posing a threat to the health and growth of gardens are not entirely external. Consider the fungus gnat; its larvae resides in the soil and feeds on the highly nutritious organic material within it, including the roots to your most precious vegetable plants. As an adult, they have the capability to transfer pathogens from a sick plant to a healthy one. That's not all; adult females can also lay up to 150 eggs and can hatch within four days! As a result, a proliferation of sick plants occurs and gardens can essentially die if not treated. The same can be said in relationships as well. When individuals are allowing negative, unhealthy, or toxic behaviors go unchecked, it quickly turns into negligence and/or abuse. These are the signs that relationships are diseased, and must be addressed. If the disease continues to be allowed to thrive, then it will become the harbinger of destruction for relationships.

    Ironically, excessive efforts to maintain or trying to fix something that's not needed, is as equally destructive as negligence. A classic example for gardens is the mistake of watering during the peak hours of sunlight or applying too much fertilizer, thereby resulting in damaging or killing crops altogether. In relationships, giving advice turns into demands, upholding boundaries becomes possessiveness or separation, and even attempts to "spice things up" can be fatal towards it. The most important element during the development of gardens and relationships is the active investment of genuine love. Without that, neither field or relationship can be truly enjoyed or productive to its highest potential. Besides, the quality of fruit yielded from both is always better when love is put into them.

- by Thomas Daltry

UNITING THE HUMAN SPIRIT (PART TWO)

THE PURSUIT OF ASCENSION

    In our endeavors to become an advancing civilization, we must strive to establish a universal awareness and tolerance towards spirituality. By now, as an intelligent species, we should be able to recognize the need to collectively support an individual's right to choose the path they wish to walk, and not fear judgement or persecution because of it. Spirituality is not suppose to be defined by the establishment of organized religion; instead it should be discovered as a way of life. Furthermore, through continuous enlightenment, we should be able to understand that the essence of the Supreme Creator is, by far, too vast to be captured by any singular religion. This is best said by Mahatma Gandhi - "The essence of all religions is one, only their approach is different." And as such, we must have the wisdom and responsibility to set aside our individual perspectives in order to allow our common moral principles to coalesce as One.

   As we are living in a physical state of existence, we should be able to understand that what is currently known through science is part of a much larger awareness. We must be able to embrace it as much of a vital role, in our pursuit for the ultimate truth, as spirituality. Science magnifies our understanding of the architecture while spirituality magnifies our understanding of the architect. What we know as science, and what we believe as faith, is a symbiotic relationship that must never be separated, nor destroyed by one from the other. As Carl Sagan has it - "Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality." It coexists for good reason; a purpose that even we, as intelligent beings, have difficulty comprehending. It compels us to endeavor towards a higher state of being. Perhaps if we continue to strive for that, we will truly begin to understand who we are, where we came from, and where we need to go. Perhaps then we will be ready, as a united and matured civilization, to ascend into the heavens and live harmoniously throughout the stars.

   Imagine, for a moment, of what will potentially happen if only we just raise our blinds, open our shudders, and let our light shine within. We could pass that light down upon future generations to come. By doing that simple act, we could give them what is needed to rise above our current troubles as a civilization. And when we are free from the chains that currently hold us down, we will go forth throughout the heavens, discovering new worlds and new life. As we set our feet upon other worlds, we shall be faithful enough to look forward to the next, while wise enough to look back at Earth just to see how far we came. Perhaps if we continue to strive for the stars, we will eventually reach a place in the heavens where an advanced human civilization exists- who have already become transcendent and visited our Earth throughout its history. Perhaps they are, and always have been, the centerpieces throughout our religions, and will welcome us home at last.

    It would be very unwise to think that we are the only intelligent life in this Universe. That being stated, consider the impressions we will make and the examples we can set by our positive nature towards others. Can one imagine, that, to the surprise of the ever-watching advanced civilizations, just how far we have matured when they have expected less of us? Or what our role would be with them, standing side-by-side for the sake to protect the right to exist against those who will clearly threaten it? Consider the light of hope that humanity can bring to those species who might be less fortunate than us. If we prepare ourselves now, then in the future when we will arrive upon their doorstep, we will shine like unto a beam of light that floods the darkness.

   These ideals may seem far-fetched but just wait and see. For example, novelist Jules Verne had (which were considered to be preposterous at the time) ideals seeded in From the Earth to the Moon and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Therefore I will help seed the ideal of our species having the potential to unite and go forth harmoniously throughout the stars. After all, thanks to Walt Disney- "If you can dream it, you can do it." We already understand that once our imagination becomes an idea, that idea will become a reality. I suspect that such will be the same for the pursuit of Heaven.

 -by Thomas Daltry

UNITING THE HUMAN SPIRIT (PART ONE)

AWAKENING TO THE LIGHT

   During the course of human existence, there will inevitably come a point in time when it becomes imperative for our species to endeavor in dissolving the differences we hold against each other and keep the unity of our spirit intact by embracing peace. I hereby appeal to the Supreme Creator of the Universes, to allow transcending enlightenment be brought forth and established upon our tumultuous civilization, with the firm belief that we are capable of attaining our true potential to love and peaceably exist. Therefore, may it be made possible here on Earth as it is in the Heavens above.

   As intelligent beings, we are compelled to be aware that during our efforts to strive for the stars, we must be able to accept ourselves and one another for the mistakes we have created in the past,  and the potential to create in the future. We must have the ability to grow in understanding that in matters not able to be compromised, that we then integrate such differences and accept them as who we are as an individual and as a culture. We must be able to live on, doing works for the greater benefit of our spirituality, our civilization, and our planet. Take heed and be aware that our existence is temporary, and is by far, too short of a precious opportunity to not live so in peace, love, and happiness.

   Uniting our endeavors and our spirit is a journey, which by no means, is an easy undertaking to accomplish. Ever since the dawn of human civilization, mankind has attempted to dominate the world for the sake of "unity" by means of military conquest. History constantly reminds us that we hardly learn from it, thus repeating itself in vicious and unnecessary cycles. If we allow history to be our guide, then we would come to the obvious conclusion that unification by force is simply futile. To unite through force is to unite in fear, and we already learned painfully that to govern in this manner always brought forth dissent and collapse to every civilization that have tried to do so.

   Yet it is without doubt, that there have been positive outcomes through the rise and fall of empires and nations. Rising out of the ashes came the establishments of free societies, with the gradual sprawl of diverse idealism, science and technology, and culture. However, what price must we continue to pay for the sake of unity, peace, and freedom? How much more blood must be spilled and violence to be perpetuated before we finally understand, that as a species, we are intelligent and capable enough to give rise to these ideals in a peaceful and loving manner? Mark my words here; this current system of dominions, principalities, and authorities struggling selfishly for control and power, eventually will cease to exist. 

   Together we have the potential to create a whole new world; a world that has established a better form of governance, and whose efforts is unilateral towards the improvement of our planet and our way of life. Together we have the potential to be under one flag, with the singular image of Earth, that represents our home and further serves to symbolize our endeavor to flourish as a united civilization.

   Though we have the potential to expand our civilization beyond the confinement of our home world, first we must take responsibility for our past actions and the damaging effects we created upon the planet. For far too long, we have been building an artificial existence and by restraining ourselves within man-made environments, we have become apathetic towards the negative effects resulting from the separation of our species and nature. We must take the crucial steps we already understand as necessary, in order to restore and maintain the symbiotic balance we should have on our Earth. As intelligent beings we have the capability to utilize our technology better, ceasing to use the resources that damage our biosphere and the lifeforms within.

   For the first time in the history of this Earth, there exists a species aware and capable enough to protect all forms of life from extinction, thereby changing the destiny of their world forever. Rising from the ashes of mass extinctions and from the diversity of life here on this planet, we humans arrived at the pinnacle. We came, carrying with us a beautiful mind, body, and spirit-all the tools necessary to partake in a divine purpose. At this very moment, we have the opportunity and responsibility of being the representative caregivers of this beautiful world. Together we can transform this little sphere we call our home into what we have been searching for all along, and now it is within our reach- Heaven.

-by Thomas Daltry