Rigteousness belongs to the Creator ALONE ...

He gave them free-will, resulting in a glorious array of diversity which has woven a magnificent tapestry of life on this rapidly spinning Blue Planet, but they fail to see and accept this diversity for the gift that it truly is.  Instead look what they do with this most generous gift of free-will ... Their pride and self-centered way of viewing the world around them consumes them.  They bicker and argue over trivialities –for they cannot see beyond this here, this now.  They do this all in the name of a false sense of righteousness which they believe affords them the right to judge, condemn and ultimately control others in an effort to align others in the world around them with their narrow-minded way of thinking.  But perhaps the greatest affront of all comes from those who claim that their judgment and resultant actions are the will of the Creator.  Those who act in violence using His name are the greatest affront to His gift of all.  How much longer do you suppose He will leave these humans to act in violence using His name? Righteousness belongs to the Creator and to Him alone.

Judgment Should Be a FOUR-Letter Word ...

Sometimes I forget that just because I am about Peace, Love and Understanding (Non- Judgment) that doesn’t mean that others in this world are coming at me from the same angle. Just because I choose not to judge others does not mean that they won’t judge me in return. Sometimes those wake-up calls catch me off-guard and maybe that makes them hurt all the more?

Sadly if I had to name the one thing that is WRONG with world today, I would have to say that it was unequivocally: JUDGMENT. In my eyes judgment is at the root of all that ails us in our personal lives, families, communities, cities, states … nations. To my way of thinking judgment lies at the root all evil: materialism, racism, chauvinism, favoritism … to name a top few. Judgment is perhaps at the core of our human nature, but in order to evolve on a spiritual level we must overcome judgment and begin to move beyond.

Most days I have a dreamer's hope for the world, but on days like today I look at the world and see a world slowly strangling itself and it grieves me greatly …





“Scales of Disillusionment”


Coldness of metal rests hungrily beneath icy feet.
Twirling fan above
warbles in a feigned breath of lifeless air.
Intermittent slicing splinters superficial light.
Disillusionment yields a limited sight.
Close my eyes to wonder if I’m still here?
Is anybody else awake out there?
Too tired to even sigh … Breath won’t come?
Fuzzy mind’s now incapable of pondering why.
Weight of the world once seemed to balance
My scale, but day’s growing longer now.
Slowly slipping into the inevitable pale.
Wisdom of ageless sages can’t prevail.


@Isabelle Black Smith. 2012.

Image Source

I have often said that “I think perhaps our truth is that we live in black and white

while dreaming in color.” ~Isabelle Black Smith

Song: "Sensible Heart", By City & Colour

7/28/2015  I have been reflecting on the concept of judgment as outlined above and it now occurs to me that a necessary distinction should be made between "judgment" and  the notion of "assessment."  To my way of thinking assessment is at times required in order to make subsequent decisions from an informed position.  Take for expample the election process.  It is entirely reasonable, if not a useful necessity, for a voter/constituent to assess the record of a candidate before casting his/her vote for or against said candidate in an election.  The latter assessment helps to ensure "accountability" in government.  Similarly, assessment of one's immediate surroundings, at any given point in time, can help to minimize risk of serious harm or injury.  And there are likely countless other examples.  So how might one quantify the distinction between and assessment vs. outright judgment?  Perhaps, merely that the former produces a useful byproduct while the latter does not?

"Parasitic Ineptitude" ...

"Parasitic Ineptitude" ...

Definition: My new 'phraseology' for the blind incorporation of judgmental and divisive attitudes in the form of religious moral beliefs, allegedly based upon “the interpretation of sacred scripture”, in the name of Christianity or any other religion.

Of course the recent “Chick-Filet” incident springs to mind. I have no problem with CEO Dan Kathy believing whatever he wants to believe and practice in his own life. Further, Kathy has every right to apply those practices to the way that he runs I business, I suppose, but I do find his implication in a public arena that other types of families (i.e., those unions not between a man and woman) are not “family friendly” to be divisive and judgmental.  I also find his statement in the public arena to be counter-productive to the running of a business, in general, much less a business that claims to be a “Christian” business. I have to say that scores of “Christians” rushing to the nearest “Chick-Filet” to support Kathy kind conjured up the image of Lemmings jumping off of a cliff, but I’ll stop myself there … Save to say, can you imagine the things that we could accomplish in this country if everyone was willing to jump into their car, with a fistful of cash, in support of meaningful issues like “Let’s put an end to homelessness in America”?

People in this country would do well to grasp one simple and fundamental concept: the distinction between holding a personal moral conviction or belief and the infliction of those convictions upon another. One of the basic tenants of most religions is the concept of “free will.” In essence that is why we are here: to make choices that will advance or hinder the progression of our spiritual evolution. We can’t make the choices for others, but we can perhaps share an enlightened wisdom and lead by example. I don’t think that judgment and division serve any useful purpose toward the end of spiritual evolution and enlightenment.

I would challenge those who would call themselves “Christians” to re-examine what being a Christian truly means to them, individually, instead of merely being content to be led by others and always follow the crowd. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t Jesus the man who willingly associated with the undesirable and the impure on a regular basis? And was he divisive and judgmental in his dealings with these people? Jesus to my way of thinking was about Peace, Love & Understanding.  Jesus focused his efforts where he saw that they would potentially do the most good and he spoke and acted with a message that would knock down barriers, eliminate division and heal those most in need of his compassion and love. If your approach to life and dealing with those that you encounter along your journey is anything less than the latter, then perhaps you would do well to call yourself something other than “Christian.”

The United States of America is already divided enough these days.  Instead of finding and embracing reasons for further divide, I wish we would focus on coming together as Americans, working together to find solutions for the really BIG issues issues facing our nation right now.


Peace & Love and Understanding  ... Here's to putting them into action.



~M




P.S.  This was written on day three of a really pounding, debilitating headache, so maybe I'm not "speaking so softly"?  What can I say, everything seems to be amplified with a headache, I guess? ... I just couldn't stand seeing another "Chick-Filet" support posting from friends and family without having a place to vent.  I may revisit this post and edit further at some point after the headache clears.  And yes, I finally did post my opinion about the important distinction between holding a moral convinction and the inflinction of those personal beliefs upon another, coupled with my hope that Americans can somehow find a way to unite behind finding solutions for the REALLY BIG issues currently facing our nation.

Spiritual Intellect: the seemingly superfluous and downright absurd

I think I’ve reached some level of higher spiritual evolution when I can hear someone say something caustic and degrading toward a certain ‘demographic’ – who are actually a group of real people, with hearts, minds and feelings-- in a covert effort to elevate themselves in the eyes of others (on some level) and not be offended by their words. To not be offended by the latter, to not feel compelled to strike back in anger, or at the very least to offer a stern rebuke for said individual’s thoughtlessness, would by many people’s standards take a great restraint, right?  But instead, these days, I find myself feeling sorry for said individual on some level. Instead of anger or a self-righteous need to correct their transgression, I feel an almost maternal regret for their small spiritual intellect and I find myself praying for their continued (and future) enlightenment on this journey we call 'Life'.

Maybe, I’ve just finally come to accept that I can’t change the world around me for better or worse --single-handedly-- but I can be part of a collective voice that speaks for a greater good. I can also pray for the change that I would hope to see in the world and be an example, myself, for this change and if someone earnestly asks for my opinion in an effort to embrace understanding and new ways of thinking, I can attempt to convey the wisdom and insight that I have gained thus far --spiritually speaking. And I don't have all the answers; if I did:  I wouldn't still be here searching myself.  The latter being said, however, some of us are understandably further along on our journey of spiritual enlightenment than others. As such, we are called to help others learn, grow and evolve in a spiritual sense.  The learning and growing is the real point of this journey we call 'Life'. 

To me the foremost sign of an enlightened individual is a willingness to take the back seat in a room, to not always have to be ‘seen’ and more importantly a willingness to listen and not always –not saying never … there will be times when an enlightened individual is called to lead-- need to be heard. Anything else, on a spiritual level, is seemingly superfluous and perhaps downright absurd?