Lord, I’m one, Lord, I’m two, Lord,
I’m three, Lord, I’m four, Lord,
I’m five hundred miles a way from home.
Five hundred miles. Five hundred posts are just around the bend. I’m about to open myself 500 times to make sense of the world we share, while sharing a bit of the world I “sense” each day.
I copied articles about 50 times, including a post-a-day of the 37 Bodhisattva Practices as well as the commentary and introductory pieces. Found out I could rise to a higher level of consciousness simply by writing, editing, and then proof-reading the versus, seeing each word over and over again. I couldn’t help but feel in touch with a higher spirit while performing such a joyful task.
But, for the most part, I tried to be original. Provide a “ring of truth” in thoughts and ideas, giving credit to others as much as possible, as well as seeking out and giving encouragement to new talents entering the world of blogs. I offered a spiritual, but not necessarily a “religious” voice to the “market place of ideas.” Got angry almost weekly and let it show through PTSD articles on post traumatic stress. Took on small-minded persons planning to burn books or close immigration borders to minorities. Championed the empowerment of women every chance I got, and am hoping to challenge the top Kabbalist to elevate woman to “leading roles” in that spiritual theatre. Hey, we got women ministers and rabbis, not to mention “taras,” the female equivalent of a Buddha, and female deities throughout the Hindu religious lands. When will humanity see the need to be represented by both sexes among our Muslim brethren and the Kabbalistic ones, both groups seemingly unbending in their repression of women?
This will be post number 480. I’m trying to reach the 500 miles stone by Oct 1, 2010, just about a year after starting this effort last September. Effort‘s not a good choice of words. It’s been more like a love affair. I’ve been waking up early — 6 to 6:30 am — and getting morning chores done before meditating and “watching” ideas form. Inspiration might arise in one or two words. “Altar boy” would trigger a post from when I was 12 asking the Highest Authority to help another 12-year-old “like me, I mean really like me.” My union activities would surface on seeing a word like “revenge,” reminding me how I waged war against management for being overlooked for a promotion and sought to “raise hell” while also raising the rights of newspaper reporters where I worked. (I showed ’em what disgruntled really meant.)
Found out the stories I liked best were ones where I looked deeper, to perhaps see some hurt in me, or of a hurt I caused another. I learned how to say “mea culpa” in several languages while prostrating myself on a floor with the best of Buddhists.
Tried writing in the first, second and third person, as well as the present and past tense, sometimes not knowing where a story would finally go until reaching the end and rearranging words to fit better. It’s fun. I like playing with words, phrases and sentences. Graphics soon became another aspect of communications. Did not know how to use “images” until half way through my 500 offerings. Got to like the”doubled flushed” look. That’s when all the sentences are flushed to the left and to the right as in most magazine columns.
Biggest problem was sticking to a self-imposed 500 word limit. Made it more than half the time. Missed it this time, but don’t hold it against me. I promise I’ll be more concise my next 500 posts.
Contoveros 
Wow! I have completed 814 total blogs as of today, 1-9-2017. It took me some six years to complete some 300 posts, while it only took about one year to get to 500 when I first started writing.
Who cares? I still like to write but not as often as I once did.
Michael J, who has written two books and hopes to get the one on Vietnam published real soon
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I guess I should say congratulations on your quest…I’m sure you’ll reach it. Although I’m just “meeting” you now and enjoying your words, I must admit I doubt I’ll get through all the previous 500, but I look forward to your words of wisdom in the next pieces…
cheers!
Carmen
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I just finished number 495, and have three days to knock out five more.
Let me catch my breath. Thanks. Now where did I see those pearls of wisdom? At the Wolfshade’s site. Let me borrow some from him to get this task completed.
michael j
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*smile*
Last time I heard that song it was being sung to me by someone I love very much.
We were driving in the dark – very lonely stretch of road on our way to snuggle off the chill.
He had a beautiful voice and he held my hand the whole while and used his other to steer.
So 500 already eh?
Geez you are prolific Michael – now I know I have some back reading still to do but wow!
Good thing I have a few days off.
I think the posts about your childhood and young adult years have been among my favourites – I can picture you so clearly and see the path you walked to become the man you are still changing into (we are never finished, are we?)
Love to you (and thank you for reminding me of one of my most beautiful memories – even if it was unintentional)
Love to you and yours,
L.
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Ever think the Universe intended it just for you? I mean that. Perhaps there is a Force that motivates us to do Its bidding on behalf of another if we just open ourselves to the possibility. Call it the “Collective Consciousness,” if you will. The more we tune into ‘It,” the more we’re able to communicate at a level only those “feeling” the interconnectness can appreciate, and relate to it at a level that appeals to them. But, you gotta be open and “surrender” to that Benevolent Being or Higher Self that all can serve as guides, helping direct and protect that “child” in all of us like an old-fashioned “Crossing Guard.”
Here’s to Peter, Paul, Mary and L
michael j.
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*smile*
I have been ignoring that voice for a few years Michael – it USED to be my guide and I knew its voice, its song…
It always welcomes back any who have lost their way…
Love you,
L.
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“Love you.”
You really mean, that don’t you?
Thanks.
Conshohocken is only 500 miles away from the great Canadian land up North . . .
Just give me a call from the Yukon, L., and who knows how quick my trusty snow dogs can get me to your front porch!
michael j
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LOL! Careful there Michael – keep that talk up and you just might land yourself a date with a hot Canadian babe… (just sayin’)
I only have the one dog myself but might be able to meet you halfway – thank gods southern Ontario doesn’t see the kind of snow they do farther north!
*grin*
L.
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A southern gal, huh? So that explains my attraction to you!
I dig your long curly hair, my hot Canadian babe . . .
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*snicker*
Funny – funny.
L,L.
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L, michael j</em
(is that how you say it?)>
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when I say your name it sounds like I divide the stresses. “Mic
h – a el.
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P.S? “love you” – yes.
It’s what I meant.
Love is better when it is shared with friends…
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Love should always be shared with frends, by friends, for friends.
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I can’t reply to you here anymore – you don’t have enough room *smile*
I would though…
L,L.
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[…] 500 posts […]
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