REMEMBER Your BURDEN is Bringing a BLESSING........

TODAY's INSPIRATIONAL “MYTHOLOGICAL MAGIC”

~~  Gandalf    (THE LORD OF THE RINGS)

~~ Alfred    (BATMAN BEGINS)

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Yesterday morning, I incredibly INSPIRED by a speech given by Joel Osteen.  I must profess I rarely watch his show and have yet to read any of his best selling books, but as I was switching channels this day, the moment I turned to his show, he was espousing the importance of looking for the BLESSINGS that come with most of our daily burdens.   And of course being The New Age Nerd that I AM, I was hooked!  So much of what he was saying resonated at a deeply profound level for me.  Much of it because it correlated very closely with the core vibration of this site, that being The Hero's/Heroine's Journey.  And the fact that NO THING that comes into your experience is a coincidence.  Be it illness, loss, betrayal, as well as the many wonderful and amazing things that we co-create each and everyday.  It is all a part of the DIVINE'S way of supporting us on our true path. It does not mean that these experiences and emotions are easy.  In fact, some of them can feel downright painful, and cause us to question what the hell is going on in our lives.  Some of us get hit so hard, and in so many ways(often all at once), that we start to lose our faith.  That is why his message was such a powerful infusion of Re-membrance for me and I am sure many others.

Mr. Osteen told some powerful and humorous stories about his own life in which some quite challenging personal events forced him to face, became some of the most magnificent  BLESSINGS he had ever experienced.  For instance, his father was a pastor who actually started the church in his family.  Joel was much younger then and was quite introverted and shy.  He much preferred to stay behind the scenes and help his family by serving the church from behind the stage. UNTIL, his father suddenly passed away.  And in the middle of his heavy grief, he had a huge decision to make.  In order for the church to continue, he knew he would have to take the lead and become the pastor.  Something that scared the ‘HELL’ out of him.   But he decided to put his entire faith in Spirit, and so the following Sunday, he gathered (was given by Spirit) the courage and strength to grab the microphone himself for the very fist time, and get on the pulpit to carry on the work that his father had started so many years before.  And as we all now know, Joel is one of the most loved spiritual teachers currently on this planet!  He has inspired millions of people to live the Greatest Version of the Grandest Vision ever held of themselves.  Now that is a transcendent example of turing a burden into a blessing.  Not only for himself, but for the world!

It also brought to mind a powerful story from the life of Napoleon Hill, who started the modern day movement toward self transformation back in the 1930's.  Of all of the magnificent stories he has shared through his many books, none is near as powerful as the story of his second son in his seminal tomb ‘Think And Grow Rich.’  You see, Napoleon Blair Hill was born without any physical signs of ears.  From birth, all his doctors proclaimed that due to his physical deformities, he would live a life of being both deaf and mute. A devastating declaration for any parent!  However, Napoleon Hill was a true Bringer of the Light.  He made a vow that very day the doctors told them their opinion, that his son would INDEED one day learn to hear and speak!  He has said his determination came from a famous quote from transcendentalist Ralph Waldo Emerson, who profoundly stated, “The whole course of things goes to teach us faith. We need only obey.  There is guidance for each of us, and by lowly listening, we shall hear the right words.”

To help demonstrate the power of DESIRE, in the second chapter of his book, he outlined his plan to assist his son toward his goal:

Napoleon's plan included:

• renewing his own pledge daily for Blair's wholeness;
• imparting his burning desire to Blair;
• not teaching sign language to Blair;
• mainstreaming Blair's education instead of sending him to a school for the deaf;
• creating bedtime stories for Blair with themes "designed to develop in him self-reliance, imagination, and a keen desire to hear and to be normal" as well as to establish the belief that"his affliction was not a liability, but an asset of great value"
  

Through the use of several techniques, Napoleon started gaining some progress, as Blair slowly began to hear vibrations and even music if played loud enough.  Hill was able to use his own now famous declaration that “every adversity brings with it the equal seed of opportunity,” with the example of teaching his own son how to hear.  

Blair not only made it through a basic education, but later excelled at the University of West Virginia.     After graduation, he reluctantly traveled to New York as a company who had heard about his story, developed a hearing aid device they thought would support his deep desire to hear clearly.  But so many former attempts of turing various devices had all failed.  But little did he know his Hero's Journey was beginning anew!

The device actually worked tremendously and allowed Blair to hear clearly for the first time in his life.  So excited and now doggedly determined to use his father's philosophy that included turning burdens into blessings, he asked the company that designed the device if he could work on a marketing plan.  His goal was to “render useful service.... to bring hope and practical relief to thousands of deafened people who, without his help, would have been doomed forever to deaf mutism.”

Blair spent a great portion of the remaining of his life on his mission.  And DID INDEED help millions of hearing impaired individuals all around the world to live new lives through the use of this magical hearing aide device.

In what ways can we all start taking a look at the BURDENS we are currently carrying, and decide to ask for Spirit's guidance in showing us how we can turn them into BLESSINGS.  Not only for ourselves, but for all the other people that these examples might serve?!?!  And what an extraordinary
way to help shift the consciousness of the planet..............


Nerdmaste,

Jeffrey Louis Martinez

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TIPS To Develop YOUR Own Set Of SUPER POWERS.......

~~  Clarence      (IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE)


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For the second weekend in a row, ‘Spiderman : Now Way Home’ has dominated the box office turnstiles.  And it deserves to, as it is one of the best pure cinematic experiences of the comic book genre!  And that is indeed quite impressive considering some of the recent films in the genre that have filled our multiplexes over the past few years.  Personally, I don't believe this  explosion in the cultural zeitgeist toward the ‘SUPER’ popularity of these films is any coincidence.  Think about it, comic book characters have been around since the 1940's, yet with a few rare exceptions (Batman, 1989) this trend of such a deep desire to see our favorite heroes and heroines on the big screen has been a much more recent phenomenon.  

I believe that our collective consciousness has come to a TIPPING POINT.  In which we are slowly shifting away from a paradigm of chasing false idols such as materialism -  that we thought would fill the longing in our hearts and souls.  Tired of the “quick hits” we receive from buying things we don't need, abusing drugs and alcohol, and looking for others to complete us, so many are searching for something that supersedes the hollow life they have created for themselves. A life filled with a deeper meaning. Something that gives them the experiences that their life matters.  A way to feel more at peace, and to connect with others in a more purpose filled manner.  To be better versions of who they currently are.  And to make a difference in the world that has gone awry in all the wrong places.  We are longing for real life SUPERHEROES. Both around us and within us.  

And while the pastiche of Superhero based films and TV shows can be a wonder filled inspirational vehicle, they hold little long lasting value until we soak up that movie magic and use it as fuel in our own lives.  

Now we know that we are not going to be able to transcend our current human capabilities and learn to fly like Superman, or wield a magic hammer like Thor.  However, there lies within each and every one of us true ‘SUPER POWERS’ that can support us in transcending our current level and state of our lives in Amazing ways just as worthy as Spider Man.  There is a transcendent force that surrounds us all that may be called by many names ; Source, Spirit, Infinite Intelligence, God and Goddess.  And when we learn to put into practice tapping into this magnificent, loving, and ultra supportive form of ‘magical guidance’, we too can learn to control our fear and live LARGE.  And create real change for ourselves and others.  Just like our favorite heroes!!

The late Wayne Dyer was on a 40 year mission to learn from the many masters on this planet of just how we can all learn to tap into this Source of Spirit and transform our vibrations to transcend any limiting beliefs and co-create a life of MIRACLES.  In his book ‘Co-Creating at Its Best: A Conversation Between Master Teachers,’ he had an enlightening conversation with Abraham. (A collection of master energy channeled by Esther Hicks.  Regardless of your belief in such manifestation, so many of the messages from Abraham ring so true for me! )  In one passage, Abraham explains, “And when you get control of your own vibration, the first thing that happens is your sense of self-worth comes into place—because the entire Universe is assisting you. You feel clarity, and everything works out. It’s like a concierge leading you everywhere that you want to go. There are no missteps. Things no longer feel difficult. In fact, things that at one time felt difficult often feel humorous to you.”

The message here is to learn to trust more in the LOVE SOURCE that surrounds you always and worry less. As Gabby Bernstein says, “Worry is a constant prayer for CHAOS!”  And I think we can all agree we are looking to kick ass, and not create chaos in our lives!  Feel me?!?  :0)  The problem is that very often we feel all alone in the world.  Disconnected from Spirit, and the guidance and assistance that it is there to provide,  always and in all ways!  It is our SOURCE of the courage, strength, intuition, and inner knowingness that is available for us to access whenever we desire to.  Even Superman has his Fortress of Solitude to visit when he has lost his way.

One suggestion I have for starting the process and practice of developing your own Super Powers is by writing down the attributes that you have to share with the world.  If you have challenges thinking of what they might be, ask members of your tribe.  You will be amazed by how others see you and the gifts that you have given to them during your times together and apart.   Write these talents and gifts down on a notecard and keep it with you.  Keep it somewhere close by and turn to it often to help remind yourself of ALL the amazing gifts and ‘SUPER TALENTS’  you have to share with the world!   There is a study that actually proves that people who do this are three times more likely to give their time and money to charitable efforts.  Why?  Because this practice creates an ‘I'm able’ energy deep within them!

Check out this passage by Catherine Calarco a contributor for HEARTMATCH LLC when she writes about everyday champions,  “These heroes’ superpowers are really expressions of heart values and true compassion. These values are embedded in each of us and lie dormant waiting to be cultivated. They are super because they can help rewrite a moment, heal emotional wounds, erase negative self-talk, improve relationships, nurture beauty, and grow happiness. They can change the perception and change outcomes — and ultimately, each and every time they are used, they help to create a better world. 

There’s an uptick of everyday heroes unleashing a whole lot of kindness and love on our planet. It’s felt through their acts of care, compassion, tolerance and gratitude. Science is researching how these qualities of the heart can affect many things. They can change your life and the life of others; they can add light to darkness and hope to despair. Research shows that positive heart qualities can affect many living things on this planet — from plants, to animals, and even our own bodies.”

Another great tip is creating a powerful vision of yourself.  Pick a particular Hero in the world of fantasy and think about some of the fear and limiting beliefs and self doubt that are holding you back in your life.  Now sit down and close your eyes.  Imagine the ways that this ‘Hero/Heroine’ would deal with these issues.   Now imagine actually being them for a few minutes.    Keep doing this until you can actually feel some of their heroic attributes being transferred into you own BEING.  Laugh if you must, but I have been doing this for years pulling from the powerful myth of my chosen hero BATMAN.  And how he transformed his anger over his losses into helping others and inspiring the citizens of Gotham to do the same.  And believe it or not, this practice has transformed my life in many ways!  

I hope some of the words from above will INSPIRE each of you to think about what things about how cultivating our own SUPER POWERS can literally change your world and the world around you.  Even if it is just ONE PERSON AT A TIME!

Nerdmaste,

Jeffery Louis Martinez

The IMPORTANCE Of This ONE Thing Being On Your Resume..........

Today's Inspirational “MYTHOLOGICAL MAGIC”

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With the coming of Spring, many people start to feel the metaphorical aspect of New Beginnings to search out new job opportunities.  In fact, according to Forbes, the job hunt season starts to explode just around this time of the year.  For those individuals starting this journey, there are a pastiche of things that are peppered on their ‘TO DO‘ lists.  We suddenly become obsessed with all of the doingness that becomes an inert part of our self identity.  Awards won, sales goals achieved, promotions granted; the list goes on and on.  And in this post recession job market, these are indeed neccesities to help differentiate ourselves from the plethora of candidates that most companies now have to choose from in their intent to find the UBER candidate from a pool of what seems like utter perfection.  

Before you begin to sense this post is going to be some boring business dissertation on resume  formatting or anything of that ilk, stay with me for a bit longer.  While that part of the job search process is quite vital, I am FAR from an expert in that field.  (The internet does offer a Gi-normous amount of free sites that offer some terrific tips and fantastic templates to help you in that endeavour)

The way I have chosen to represent myself to others when in the process of selling my services (or myself) changed dramatically after reading the book ‘The Bringers of the Dawn’ by Barbara Marciniak.  The book may be a little too esoteric from some tastes, but it has had a profound effect on my life since reading it several years ago.  It talks about the current state of the consciousness on this planet.  And the fact that we are truly at a TIPPING POINT.  While we may individually disagree on the state of climate change (or I as I believe it should be renamed climate disruption) or the current political discord in the coming race for this country's next President, the one thing I believe we can ALL agree on, is that we have become disconnected on many fronts.  And that terms like unity, community, communal love, compassion, and understanding are becoming relics.  

While there are so many enlightening points of RE-membrance that this book has to offer, one point that it fervently espouses, is the importance of a GLOBAL paradigm shift in our core intention with what we are doing and being with our life.  In one chapter, it says that the ONLY thing we should be concerned our collective resumes imbue is simply that.......   I INSPIRE!!  And, I think that .....  ROCKS!  As well as being right on point!  Barbara continues by saying, “As members of The Family of Light, you are all renegades.  You are system busters, here to conquer your own fears and to show(inspire) the rest of the planet that there is no reason to fear anything......   As you live this frequency, you effect everyone, every place you go.  As members of the Family of Light, you bring information to the planet for your OWN growth.  You need to do this - for your own growth affects the growth of the planet ."  

There is such a desire for most of us to look at what a current job or situation already has in place for us to take part in.   When in reality, our job is often to BRING that which you seek INTO the situation where you currently reside.  Perhaps there is a lack of understanding, joy, or light in your current or new job.  What would it look like for YOU to realize your purpose may be to actually bring those very characteristics and infuse that level of energy into all of your daily co-creations there.  I am not saying we should put up with abuse, or high levels of dysfunction, but sometimes a shift in OUR energy can work miracles when spread to others.  

So I would like to challenge all New Age Nerds to begin a new shift in their energy starting today.  One that will INSPIRE others to do the same.  Have the courage to share your pain and suffering, and the magnificent manners in which you were able to triumph over them.  Champion others for their efforts ‘just because.’  Lead by example in the way you engage others; with a sincere and authentic form of love and kindness, and appreciation! Now if THAT is not a Hero's/Heroine's Journey worth taking, I cannot fathom what is!

Nerdmaste,

Jeffrey Louis Martinez

The TRANSFORMATIVE Power of ACCEPTANCE......

Today's Inspirational “MYTHOLOGICAL MAGIC”

“It's funny.(To his father)  I never really understood where you were coming from with your whole fate and everything happens for a reason point of view. But now I think that maybe I was wrong.  Everything that has happened to us, good and bad, it made us who we are.  I wouldn't change any of it even if I could.  I wasted so much time being angry at what I had lost when I had so much.  My dad, Joe, and you.”  
~~  Barry Allen AKA The Flash    (The Flash)

“Margaret Carter was known to most as the founder of SHIELD. But I just know her as Aunt Peggy. She had a photograph in her office: Aunt Peggy standing next to JFK. As a kid that was pretty cool. But it was a lot to live up to, which is why I never told anyone we were related. I asked her once how she managed to master diplomacy and espionage at a time when no one wanted to see a woman succeed at either. And she said "Compromise where you can. Where you can't, don't. Even if everyone is telling you that something wrong is something right. Even if the whole world is telling you to move, it is your duty to plant yourself like a tree, look them in the eye, and say 'No, YOU move'."

~~  Sharon Carter     (Captain America : Civil War)

~~  Don Corleone      (The Godfather)

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The entire month of March and the start of April brought what felt like a daily barrage of triggering events and challenges into my life.  It culminated with me getting a severe form of bronchitis.  I take some heavy auto immune medication to keep the Crohn's disease I have in remission, but it also makes it quite difficult for my body to to fight off such intense infections when they decide to take refuge within me.  During this episode, twice I ended up in the ER.  Lost about 20 pounds and then contracted a nasty stomach virus that just made things....well...  MISERABLE!! 

There were days where I was literally too sick to walk up the stairs and so needlessly to say, I had a TON of time on my hands.  I tried my best to keep writing posts for The Nerd , but nothing of real consequence was I able to generate.  And as the saying goes, “A dormant mind is the Devil's playground” and many of my days became filled with thoughts of remorse, regret, and the pain of all the loss I had endured over the last few years.  Slowly, over the course of a few weeks, I started to get quite depressed.  And watching repeats of ‘The Ellen Show’ can only do so much to lift one's Spirits.. Just sayin..  

It became ultra challenging to escape a mental loop of MY STORY.  Over the previous few years, I had lost my dad, three dogs, three jobs, two girlfriends, one house, and most of my personal belongings.  And let me tell ya, my mind was recreating movies shot from magnificently different angles worthy of the great Spielberg himself, torturing me with replays of my pain and suffering.  As us New Age Nerds know, most of the things that occur in our life are all in preparation for our Hero's/Heroine's Journey, and it was this RE-MEMBRANCE that brought me out of my deep mental funk and propelled me back toward my purpose.  

It ended up all being about .......     ACCEPTANCE

I believe my body literally became filled with dis-ease during those six weeks because I was emotionally out of alignment.  Now PLEASE understand I DO NOT believe any of us are responsible for our illness, BUT WE ARE responsible to it.  It is our job to truly reconnect with yourselves spiritually, emotionally, and physically when we become ill to see where there may be resistance, or internal discord with our own sense of Self and purpose.    And it was an unexpected visit from a girlfriend I had recently broken up with that resoundingly helped me understand that I had simply NOT ACCEPTED many of the situations that had been brought into my life over the past several years.  Don't get me wrong, I had ‘done the work’ of self forgiveness, and spent many a day reframing many of these painful events as ways for me to gain strength, courage, and insight for my journey and passion of assisting others on their own path.  But, when this gorgeous young lady showed up on my doorstep to say goodbye, as she was leaving with the dog we once shared for Cape Cod, I.....just......knew...     

I was completely overtaken by the raw TRUTH that I had not truly accepted many of the tremendously traumatic events that had occurred in my life.  And when she left, and I watched the tail lights of her car turn the corner of my street until I lost view, heavy tears streamed down my face.  I was a WRECK!  After walking back into my house, I spent the night reflecting.  And many hours later  I heard that “silent whisper” from Spirit that many of us receive in times of great despair, if we LISTEN.  I understood that there was no way I could complete my own Hero's Journey until I made peace with my past, and ACCEPTED ‘that which now is’.  

There is a wonderfully transformative book by Steve Taylor called ‘OUT OF THE DARKNESS’.  He  covers the topic of acceptance in such a beautiful manner, such as in this passage, “I discovered a similar phenomenon when I wrote my book which examines how difficult and dramatic events can sometimes have a positive and transformative effect.  Some of the people in the book underwent transformation after being diagnosed with cancer, bereavement, losing everything to alcoholism, being disabled or suffering from severe depression, and so on.  They found a new spiritual strength inside themselves, felt a new connection to the world, and to other people. A new sense of purpose and meaning.”  But he discovered these transformations ONLY occurred after each individual completely and utterly made peace with the events in their life and ACCEPTED ‘that which now is’.
By letting go and surrendering to the present moment, and accepting it as being exactly where you are NOW supposed to be, can be one of the most powerful practices anyone can incorporate into their spiritual life.

But it is so important to be kind, compassionate, and patient with ourselves through this critical process.  It is not easy.  It certainly was not for me.  And it takes time.   And often assistance from our TRIBE, friends and relatives who can hold a space of love and healing for us, until we are strong enough to do it for ourselves.  That is what got me through this arduous process and completely back on track with my passion and PURPOSE!  And saying the Serenity Prayer, daily.  ‘God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.’

For what we resist will persist, and what we look at eventually melts away.

Nerdmaste,

Jeffrey Louis Martinez

A MESSAGE For ALL Our MOMS...................................

Today's Inspirational “MYTHOLOGICAL MAGIC”

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I offer all Mothers and those that offer a Mother's LOVE to someone (even our pets) a day filled with the KNOWINGNESS that they are cherished and revered with a sense of JOY and APPRECIATION more than they will ever be able to comprehend.  Because these feelings are Infinite and Eternal, just as are the gifts they have given to us...................


Nerdmaste,

Jeffrey Louis Martinez

Learn Why Life's TESTS Are Actually OPPORTUNITIES...!!

Today's Inspirational “MYTHOLOGICAL MAGIC”

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When the first trailers for the film ‘Miracles from Heaven’ began hitting the tv airwaves and multiplexes a few months ago, I had mixed feelings about seeing the film.  While I always support spiritual based films, and absolutely ADORE its leading lady Jennifer Garner, the main narrative triggered some panful parts of my past.  Without giving any true spoilers, I will simply say the film is about a seemingly healthy young girl named Anna, from Ft. Worth, Texas who suddenly develops a life threatening and very rare intestinal disorder that send both her and her extended family on a challenging, painful, and FAITH testing journey.   

While it has been nearly 20 years since I had my own several year long experience battling severe Crohn's disease, many of the horrific memories still hang heavy on my heart and  I wasn't sure if this film would offer me an experience I was ready to engage.  But signs from Spirit kept appearing from, well, everywhere that recently prompted me to plop down my Regal Cinema card and see what “mythological magic” might be imbued within it's ‘based on a true story’ narrative.

What I found most profound is that while the film obviously focuses on the nightmarish journey a family of deep FAITH must face, the basic beats of the film are fairly universal and is a wonderful example of the Hero's Journey.  I could completely relate to being faced with an unthinkable challenge, not knowing exactly how to face it, and then “accepting the call”.  And then, baring witness to the MIRACLES that suddenly appear when we most need them to.  Sometimes they can be as simple as an unexpected phone call, or a grand as an accident(as in the film) that causes massive and completely unexpected results.  But, these Heaven sent events often DO NOT appear before we our brought to our knees with despair and our FAITH is shattered nearly to the point of no return.  

In fact, one late night when I was in the hospital for the third straight month with major complications from my Crohn's surgery, a priest walked by my darkened room and I turned my head to glaze into his eyes.  He had been making rounds into my room for weeks and so we had built up a mutual bond of confidence and safety.  He asked me if it was ok if he came in to the room to have a chat with me.  I softly shook my head yes and he slowly walked toward my bed.  He brought out his bible and laid it out near me.  He asked me if it was ok for him to have a serious talk.  In too much pain to worry about what he may say, I said, “Of course, Father.”

He sat pensive for a moment as though he was asking Spirit for the words to share with me.  He then grabbed my right hand and lightly squeezed it.  What he said next still informs my PURPOSE and paradigm for many of life's challenges to this day.  Leaning in close he softly said, “Jeff, I don't know why certain people are meant to suffer.  And I have seen you suffer more than most.  What I can tell you, is that God is testing you my son.”  

While I certainly appreciated his attempt to offer me his love, support, and kindness, his words just DID NOT ring true for me.  After he read some passages from the bible and blessed me, Father left for the night.  And I spent the next hours prior to the sun's rising pondering what he had told me.  I knew that if I had a child, there is NO conceivable way I would put them through the many years of torturous suffering I had endured as a way of “testing” them.  In fact, it almost made me angry.  

The next few days were some of the more challenging and frustrating I faced during my many months laying in that hospital bed.  Pondering that night's engagement with Father.  I knew that his intention was absolutely of pure intent, but facing the endurance test of a several year battle for your own life cases one to go deeper.  There is NO meaning left in simply “punching in and punching out” with life's daily time card.  

About a week later, after my mid afternoon meal (though an IV bag of course), a young boy about 8 years old passed by my room with his parents close by.  They peered in, and and the young lad asked me if I would like to challenge him to a race.  He was fraught, skinnier than a fritter on a frying pan, pale as Casper the ghost and completely bald.  He was hooked up to an IV, but he carried it with a grace as if it was a powerful staff.  

I felt like HELL and was in an enormous amount of pain, but the courage and strength that this young HERO radiated gave me the instant gumption to hop out of bed and walk toward him.  His parents profusely apologized for their son having interrupted me.  I assured them it was my pleasure to meet them all.  I slowly bent down and asked him his name.  “Peter,” he said.  “And I know I can beat you in a race down the hallway!”  Never one to back down from a challenge, even from an 8 tear old, I said,  “ You bet!  We are both going to need to get our strength back up for when we get out of the hospital. ”  

At which point, his mother touched me on the shoulder, and slowly shook her head NO as a small tear strolled down her face.  I knew exactly what she meant.  Peter was not going to be going home.  He was obviously dying from cancer.  It took every ounce of conviction I had to keep from breaking down right then and there.  I took a few deep breaths and addressed Peter again.

“Ok, Peter, you're on.  Let's race down to the edge of the nurse's check in office.  Whoever gets there first shall forever be known as the Race Champion King of George Washington Hospital!”  Peter's parents began a countdown and then we were off.  I started off fast, and then slowed down to let Peter catch up to me, and eventually let him beat me by a a couple of  feet!”  I have witnessed kids on Christmas morning who were not nearly as thrilled as Peter was in that moment.   He began spinning and dancing, and waking his arms in the air.   And then,  Spirit created an opening of KNOWINGNESS that stays with me to this day.  

We aren't made to suffer and be utterly challenged because God is trying to TEST us.  It suddenly came to me that these experiences, albeit hard as hell at times, give us the ultimate experience of having OPPORTUNITIES.  As Napoleon Hill said, ”Your biggest opportunity stands exactly where you stand right NOW.”  For instance, the greatest thrill of my life was in the OPPORTUNITY of letting little Peter experience the feeling of wining our race that day nearly 20 years ago.   Without our pain, suffering, and challenges, we would not have so many of the opportunities that carry with them the majestical miracles that life has to offer.  As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “ Never lose the opportunity of seeing something beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting.”

Please do not misunderstand me, I am not trying to condone or make light of the plethora of tragedy, loss, pain, and suffering we all endure at some point in life.  Nobody s exactly sure of their full purpose.  Life can be BRUTAL.  Even soul crushing at times.  We often lose our faith and belief in any form of a higher power.   But rather than looking at them as TESTS, what would it look like for us to reframe them as opportunities for MIRACLES to surround and support us.  And for US to BE THOSE MIRACLES for others. In the form of love, compassion, kindness, generosity of spirit, and understanding.  THAT is why we are here and without these OPPORTUNITIES  we would not be able to experience the glorious feelings they can bring.  

Towards the end of the film,  Anna's mother gives a speech to her church's congregation:

“When Anna got sick, I couldn't understand. Why?.....I felt helpless, alone..Angry that our prayers weren't being answered. I lost my faith.  Albert Einstein said there are only two ways to look at life.  One is that everything is a miracle.  The other is that nothing is a miracle.  Miracles are goodness....from strangers...to dear friends who are there for us no matter what...Miracles are LOVE...Miracles are GOD and GOD's forgiveness.   Why was Anna healed when there are so many other children around the world suffering?    I don't know.  But, I do know that I am not alone. And neither are you........Because miracles surround us, and miracles are God's way of letting you know you are not alone”

And if you find yourself in a point in life where there seems to be no MIRACLE in sight.....
GO BE ONE FOR SOMEONE ELSE........

Nerdmaste,

Jeffrey Louis Martinez

Happy CINCO de MAYO!!!!!

Today's Inspirational “MYTHOLOGICAL MAGIC”

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Since so many people are not actually aware of the events behind the celebration of Cinco de Mayo, I thought I would post this short explanation.  May today bring us the opportunity to celebrate our similarities, differences, and the realization that WE ARE ALL ONE!!!

Nerdmaste,

Jeffrey Louis Martinez