Blogging is about writing dynamic content versus static website content. A blog offers fresh, new posts that are frequently published for the world to read.

Blogging adds a personal touch to each article. For example, if you are an expert in a specific field, then perhaps you may want to create a blog that shares your ideas within that particular industry for other like-minded people to read. Or if you embarked on a thrill-seeking adventure, you may want to blog about your experiences on a daily basis so others can follow your journey.

Blogging is also a very creative way to present your articles. Not only can you write about what you want, you can also post photos or videos to enhance the content. Whatever the case may be, just know that what you post will be published for other eyes to see. Granted, not everyone will know about your blog until you’ve actively promoted your site –that’s a whole other subject to be discussed at a future date.

With the advent of the Internet, blogging has become a universal phenomenon — anyone can develop a blog. Yet, with blogging there comes responsibility. Do you really know how to write? Does your content make sense? Are your facts in order? Or does your writing seem more like ranting and raving? Or more importantly, pointless?

Blogging is more than being a serial journal keeper. Out there, in the vast blogosphere, there are millions of blogs to read. The types of blogs are countless, anything from the arts and entertainment to archaeology and science, from celebrity gossip and religion, to what is fashionable and what is reprehensible, and the list goes on.

Where do you fit in as a blogger?

Sure, you can start up a blog, but then what? Are you committed enough to follow through with fresh and interesting content? Do you know how to express yourself properly so that your readers will take you seriously? And more importantly, do you really have the extra time to maintain a blog?

Ask yourself these questions, and then decide whether blogging is for you (or not)?

Remember, what you write about in your blog, and the way you express it, is how you will be perceived.  Blog well and prosper!

No I didn’t attend the 54th Grammy Awards ceremony – but I did watch it, and there were a few high points of the event that were praise-worthy. The first being Willie Nelson singing Coldplay’s “ The Scientist” for the Chipotle commercial that aired – it was classic! Then the Chipotle commerical itself was superb (check it out). And what about Adele winning all six of her nominated categories? Epic! Congratulations Adele, may your voice always be strong and may you carry on singing in that authentic style of yours that is so rich and pure.

The other memorable moments at the Grammy’s was Jennifer Hudson singing “I Will Always Love You” in memory of the true diva goddess, Whitney Houston. Whitney’s songs will love on and so will her voice – we love you, Whitney — RIP . Last but not least, Macca and his super cool friends ripping a classic medley from the Beatle’s – Abbey Road album to close the show was a classic ending. Plus it was great to see Joe Walsh picking those strings again.

Now for the obvious odd moments at the Grammy’s – why were so many props needed to support these musicians? The Grammy’s is not Broadway. These are musicians and singers who use their instruments to entertain us. I’ve never seen so many stage props at a Grammy event. Thank goodness for Adele’s performance which was actually staged sans props and half-naked dancers. Then, OMG, Nicki Minaj delivering what was (IMO) a very surprising and most bizarre (provocative) act somewhat synomous to the Exorcist movie. And, I certainly didn’t understand a word she uttered – I guess that’s because she was possessed — wonder what the Catholic church has to say about that act? And then there were all these duets that didn’t really match up. For instance, Rhianna and Coldplay – didn’t get that one! And pairing up the venerable Tony Bennett with Carrie Underwood wasn’t exactly a hit – I’m not an expert but I do have a musical background and there was just no chemistry at all. At least two of my fav female artists Bonnie Raitt and Alicia Keyes bested the duo acts when they paid tribute to the late Etta James singing her classic “Sunday Kind of Love” — they were on it!

Paying homage to the living legends who have entertained people for decades is a very good thing to do at these award ceremonies –because they’re the pioneers. They’re the ones who paved the way for the new generation of musical geniuses. Watching the surviving members of the Beach Boys giving us a preview of what they will be performing during their 50th Anniversary Reunion tour was touching – one does really miss those good old days when Dennis Wilson was beating the drums to the Beach Boys singing the epitome of California life. Their music still lives on, and Mike Love still looks cool in his classic baseball style hats. Kudos to Maroon 5 and Foster the People for their rendition of the Beach Boys classic “Surfer Girl” hit song – painful to listen to, but they did try!

And what about Glen Campbell – he’s another living legend who needs to be remembered for his countless hit songs. I thought Blake Shelton did a great job in his rendition of “Rhinestone Cowboy” and there was a moment when he actually sounded like Glen Campbell – well done!

There are so many talented people waiting to be discovered, and there are many great performers who have been discovered, and then there are the legends who have inspired and paved the way for the new generation of talent – thank you for giving us your voice, your music and your heart!

There are many who believe that before we are born our soul makes definite choices as to what it wishes to learn, so that we may burn off our karma and fulfill our destiny or “true purpose”. The dilemma of course is to know what is our destiny and how to go about fulfilling it? I’ll bet there’s very few of us with little or no clues as to what we have committed to do in this lifetime, and perhaps that is where fate has a significant part to play. Fate calls us to attention and knocks us back onto the path when we stray too far from our true purpose. Fate is that unseen force that can seem harsh and impulsive. Sometimes it can shake us up which seems unjust, but often times it is through hardship that we can be led back onto the right path. So is destiny something preordained for our soul and is fate something that seemingly happens to us to keep us from straying off the beaten path?

I would like to think that life is much finer than just burning off karma. If it were as simple as that, then all of us would inevitably tread carefully on this journey, and think clearly before we act or react to person, place or thing. I have honestly asked myself this question: “If I had known from the outset what lessons I needed to learn in this life, would I have done anything differently thus far?” This is the gazillion dollar question and one which I have no answer. I want to believe that life is unfolding as it should. Yet there are those obstacles I call “meisms” that have ostensibly kept me from realizing my “true purpose”. The meisms are conditioned habits from when we were young that keeps us bound to the self-conscious or self-centeredness that makes the world revolve around the “ME”.

Therefore, like an archaeologist, I must go digging into the past, and like any process that is worthwhile, the task requires considerable patience and courage — patience because it can be a long and arduous process, and courage because it requires one to face or see some event or incident that had caused great pain or suffering and had seemingly been swept under the carpet. Once I see it — is it as simple as just “letting go of it”? Is it as easy as emptying the bin of unwanted or useless data from the computer so the computer can operate faster and more efficient. Perhaps so, but I won’t know until I can actually face it head on. Afterall, everything, and I mean everything is a projection of the mind, as well as pre-ordained. So if my mind is responsible for projecting my reality, then my mind is also responsible for projecting its destiny. And if that is a truth, then letting go of the past should be quite painless. We’ll see!

Stay tuned . . .

Watch more videos at PETA.org

How long must this deplorable act of cruelty to turkeys continue? What kind of human finds the mass slaughtering and heinous treatment of these gentle creatures as being acceptable as a way to make a profit for the traditional Thanksgiving meal?

I implore you, take the time to click on the embedded video link and watch the horror show in how your packaged, de-boned, plucked, and ready to bake turkey becomes your main meal for Thanksgiving.

Why not gorge yourself with a huge helping of mashed potatoes, dressing and a tofu roast with tons of gravy? We all know how much Americans love to pork out on Turkey Day! So eat till your hearts content, but just be aware of what you’re eating and where it came from. If you truly desire to eat a turkey, then at least buy it from a reputable source.

Have A Happy Thanksgiving!

Guru Whattanuttananda

We are happy to announce that Guru Whattanuttananda is back from his long sabbatical in the wilderness. Our featured guru is as wise-cracking and real as ever. We hope you will find his satirical sage advice somewhat helpful. Enjoy!

Questioner: Hello Guruji, welcome back. Dr. Phil says that Self matters and we need to “Define our Authentic Self? I’ve been to see many teachers, healers and therapists and have attended yoga retreats and even signed up to a life-coaching event. But, so far, I’m still the same person with the same ups and downs and feel no different. Can you help me find my authentic self?

Guruji: Authentic Self . . .what is it this new buzzard word buzzing around creating more money opportunities for so-called healers etcetera etcetera, to keeping you always occupied looking for something that is no farther than the tip of your nose? Look in the mirror . . . will you not still have hair, eyes, nose, limbs, moles, warts, perfect teeth etcetera etcetera? I say phooey to this nonsense about authentic anything! Instead why not be paying attention to your thoughts? Find out who is the watcher watching the world . . . pay attention to the very second you have a feeling, an emotion that stirs. You shall be learning for yourself, the only authentic anything is this very second, moment that is happening right now. There is no authentic person, place or thing, to discover . . . so why be looking anywhere other than the very tippy toppy of your own nose. If you are looking for approval or happiness from others, then you will be having trouble even looking in the mirror. For one must be appreciating what one sees when looking in the mirror. If you are not, then you will always be looking outside of yourself. And, by all the means of the world, if you are not liking what you are seeing in the mirror, then get rid of all mirrors. Stop worrying about finding answers to meaningless endeavors . . . start enjoying your relationship with yourself. Find out if you can be in a room with no phones, no technology, no books, and see how quiet your mind is or not. Okey-dokey!

Questioner: Guruji, I’m a 20 year old girl in my last year of college, and I feel that my future is hanging on a thin thread, with all the global problems, from the economy being in the toilet to the climate changes and natural cataclysms. I am constantly worrying about everything. Can you help me?

Guruji: I am understanding your concern. However, even though I can not be changing the weather, or the strife and meltdown of the current economic situation . . . I can say this to you, your worrying about these things will not change anything — it will only be making you more anxious and afraid. What you can be doing are little things such as getting involved in environmental organizations, or voicing your concerns to your local, state and national politicians. Why not be creating a blog and address your ideas to others and see what may transpire? After all, blogging and tweeting, I am liking this tweeting, tweet-tweet, fun isn’t it? Anyway, this is the new way for communicating on a larger scale. Besides, when you are writing out your ideas or thoughts, it is a way to release what seems to be sitting inside your mind. Getting rid of that weight will most certainly be making you feel better at the very least. And as you Americans say, Go For it Girlfriend! Guriji hopes there is a smile on your face.

Guru Whattanuttananda wishing you all joy within your heart and mind.

Before

After Devastation

Father and Son after the devastation

After witnessing the devastation in Sendai, Japan caused by the recent earthquake and tsunami, and now the serious threat of a nuclear meltdown, don’t you all feel silly and stupid for continuing this endless war-game you have thrown us, the global citizens, into?

Will you all (and by all that also includes political parties, special interest groups, corporatists and war-mongers) lay aside your anger and hatred, your fragile egos, and self-centered pride, and direct those feelings into compassion for our brothers and sisters in Sendai, Japan whose lives have been gravely impacted by recent events.

WE have had enough wars to last us hundreds of lifetimes. These senseless conflicts have burdened and ruined economies, displaced people from their homes, killed thousands of innocent victims , created strife and suffering for the aged and sick, women and children. Need I go on?

WE must open the door instead of looking through the keyhole to see the larger scope of what is happening right before our eyes. We’re in dire shape. Life on the planet is becoming worse by the day. And waging war is not the solution to the problem. Even before the Sendai cataclysms occurred, we have been experiencing serious global changes that are going to kick our arses big-time.

When it comes right down to it, WE are all facing the inevitability of death. It’s not how long you live for? It’s HOW you live? Do you want to go out in anger and hatred with regret and resentment for what you could’ve, should’ve or would’ve done? Or, leave this world with a clear mind that you did your best — no regrets with plenty of compassion and forgiveness to spare?

WE all share this planet. No one owns it. So let’s own our responsibility as custodians of the earth. There is no more time to waste – right now is the only moment that counts. Do something good for those who need help! Whether you believe in positive thoughts, prayers, meditation, rosaries, donations . . . whatever it may be – YOU and only YOU can own that moment!

Cheers!

Below is a list of well-established organizations that are providing relief for Japan’s survivors:

Action Against Hunger/ACF-USA
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
AmeriCares
Architecture for Humanity
Catholic Medical Mission Board
Convoy of Hope
Direct Relief International
Doctors Without Borders, USA
Food for the Hungry
International Rescue Committee
Relief International
Save the Children
Stop Hunger Now
World Vision
American Red Cross
GlobalGiving
International Medical Corps
Mercy Corps
Oxfam America
Samaritan’s Purse

At the end of every year most of humanity will reflect on the past year and compare what has happened during that time to the present. Is it because at the stroke of midnight, December 31st marks the beginning of something new and fresh that will usher in a promise of a better future? And the year’s past events will seem but a blurry memory and not a reminder of what, we, as humans had failed to achieve?

You believe that you must make new resolutions that will improve your lot in life. Or at least resolve to fulfill the past resolutions that went unnoticed, like completing that novel you started 2 years ago, or joining a yoga class, or falling short of losing that extra ten pounds you had sworn to lose last year.

Or due to circumstances beyond your control did an event occur which had made a huge impact on your life – like a divorce, the death of a loved-one, job loss, housing foreclosure, a natural cataclysm such as the Haiti earthquake? In which case, you were subjected to deal with it and hope for the best.

Whatever the situation, we as human-beings, feel inclined to be with loved ones at an intimate gathering to share those final 10 seconds of count-down leading up to the moment when the clock strikes midnight and then we toast one another, share kisses and hugs and perhaps reflect on all the past events good and bad. And then with great resolve we make declarations that will hopefully bring about positive changes in our lives.

Indeed, it is a pleasant occasion to be with people you love and care for – and around the same time, someone else from another country may only be grateful for a bowl of rice and a corrugated roof over their head, and they too will hope and believe that one day their life will change for the better. The only difference is that they won’t have a fluted glass filled with champagne to toast in the New Year.

Instead of making tenuous resolutions that you will most likely forget about, why not make a concerted effort to look at each day as a new beginning, rather than wait for the end of the year to come? A new day that will garner a change in perception, such as looking at someone who isn’t the same color as you, therefore they are not like you. So why don’t you look at them as you would a flower? There are many shapes, sizes and colors, and varieties, and yet they are always perceived as a beautiful flower. Or take a moment to reflect on the intelligence of nature when she ushers in a change of season and how you can welcome this change as something new and grand. Volunteer your services once a month to a charity organization, take up a cooperative gardening project, or write your congressional representative and voice your concern about the state of the economy, the environment, rather than wait for others to do your bidding. These are ideas that don’t require a change from you but more so as a change that can be caused by you. Think about it!

Every day, whatever unfolds in each moment, you can make a difference in your perception about life. And in that effort of seeing each day as a new beginning, perhaps you will keep your New Year’s resolution this time around.

So don’t wait until the end of year is near to reflect on all that has happened, reflect every day and you will see a great transformation taking place.

From my heart to yours, Gram of Truth wishes you a very happy moment in every day for the rest of your life!

Happy 2012!

Today is Labor Day. All across America, millions of people are discovering that the best way to celebrate Labor Day is by not working.

Do you live to work, or do you work to live?

If you are married, look at your wedding album; are there any pictures in there of you at work?

And on your tombstone, do you want it to say, “I wish that I could have spent more time at work”?

Here is what Robert Kennedy had to say about this, 42 years ago:

“Too much and too long, we seem to have surrendered community excellence and community values in the mere accumulation of material things. Our gross national product … if we should judge America by that – counts air pollution and cigarette advertising, and ambulances to clear our highways of carnage. It counts special locks for our doors and the jails for those who break them. It counts the destruction of our redwoods and the loss of our natural wonder in chaotic sprawl. It counts napalm and the cost of a nuclear warhead, and armored cars for police who fight riots in our streets. It counts Whitman’s rifle and Speck’s knife, and the television programs which glorify violence in order to sell toys to our children.

“Yet the gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages; the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials. It measures neither our wit nor our courage; neither our wisdom nor our learning; neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country; it measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile. And it tells us everything about America except why we are proud that we are Americans.”

When Robert Kennedy said these words, the unemployment rate in America was 3.7%. Today, it is almost three times as high. Too many of our working brothers and sisters are out of work, thanks to over a decade of economic mismanagement. 10% of us are unemployed, and the other 90% work like dogs to try to avoid joining them. Which is just what the bosses want.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. I look forward to a Labor Day where every worker has a job, every worker has a pension, every worker has paid vacations, and every worker has the health care to enjoy life.

My opponents call that France. I call it America, an America that is Number One.

Not #1 in wasted military expenditures.

Not #1 in number of foreign countries occupied.

Number One in jobs. Number One in health. Number One in education. Number One in happiness.

As Robert Kennedy famously said, “I dream of things that never were, and ask ‘why not?’” Why not? Let’s make it happen.

And then all of us who are Americans, including the ones today who are jobless, homeless, sick and suffering, we all can then say, “I am proud to be an American.”

Are you with me?

Truth,

Alan Grayson

And then a man enters. A man I have seen many times. He
looks my way, yet he sees me not. Oh, but do I ever see him, the
green of his eyes, the arc of his brows, the strands of gray amidst
a thick, dark wavy head of hair. And the delicate lines that etch
the curves of his mouth. His stride is confident and relaxed.

He passes by and to my surprise he sits right behind me.
I can hardly contain the giddiness within. Feeling the warmth
of his back just inches from mine sends me spinning. The
mere presence of his being causes any appetite for food to
plummet, and my voracious appetite for passion to escalate.

I imagine we are lying on a bed of soft, green moss in the middle
of a forest, filling the atmosphere with particles of joy and rapture.
Him, kissing the nape of my neck, me caressing the tautness of
his back. He whispers in my ear. A warm sensation shoots up my
spine. We kiss with extreme passion locked in each others arms.

Time does not exist . . .

I don’t know how long it had been since I was caught up in
this fantasy when I hear a voice say “hello”. I turn around
to see him smiling at me. I smile back. Face is flushed
with naughty embarassment. Did he know what was going on
inside my mind?

I feel a strong impulse to tell him how often he has invaded my dreams,
my thoughts? Yet knowing all along it is I who creates these images,
not him. Is that pathetic or prophetic — him being so familiar and
yet a complete stranger? This stirring of my emotions is the affect
the Son of Eros has upon my psyche.

Perhaps I shall keep him in the dream realm — there we will
always have a safe haven where passion for love can morph
into endless bliss. In the meantime, we exchange names, and
he invites me to join him rather than eat alone. I wonder if he
is Greek?