Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Dalai Lama's Eighteen Rules for Living

  1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
  2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
  3. Follow the three Rs:
    1. Respect for self
    2. Respect for others
    3. Responsibility for all your actions.
  4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
  5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
  6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
  7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
  8. Spend some time alone every day.
  9. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
  10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
  11. Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
  12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
  13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
  14. Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.
  15. Be gentle with the earth.
  16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
  17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
  18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

Thursday, October 09, 2008

One Year Later by Sydney Nicole Paradise

A year ago today
i saw you finally lay down
eyes closed although puffy
hands folded over a stitched up chest
which my hand caressed in all
it's biological horrified glory

Just to let you know i care
flip switch and know today i lay
legs crossed near a box that holds
your remains

your short red hair
almond brown eyes
flecks of flesh, bone and organ
contained in a double sealed bag
boxed up in black water-proof casket
so if the world explodes you will
still be in tact.
kind of?

We layed your ashes with a Stonecold plant
and Grandma asked to make sure you were there
All of us grasped you in our hands
you which was once to big and alive to pick up

The breeze carried parts of you off
but i know dear twin, dear brother
that it was not you
it was just all the parts that we needed
to let go

because you sire are everywere
and that ash in it's bags and box
is just what it sounds like
it's just the baged box that
held your lovely spirit back
from being as alive as you wanted

I love you Nicholas I love you Twin
and i'm so glad i got to share a
womb with you
and i'm so glad you get to share
your soul with me.