We are not spiritual beings simply because we read about spirituality, no more than we are cobblers because we like shoes. Embracing a spiritual life is one of the best things that we can do for society and for ourselves. Treating others compassionately and without judgment, begins with self and should be all of our goals when bridging the path to enlightenment.

Our view of the world as a meaningful place is expressed in our ability to find acceptance in all that is around us, even the sorrows and despair. We are a sum of our experiences and as authentic as our intent and understanding.
Being of good nature and having a strong belief will not shield us from pain in our lives. We can not live a life of bliss simply because we adopt doctrines of peace. Our spiritual practice will not protect us from the intricate perfection of nature's mortal imperfection. We can not use our belief systems as means to avoid, disavow or mask that which we are not comfortable with. We must embrace all that we encounter in our lives as messages of enlightenment and opportunity for growth.

It's much easier to lay "righteous" claim to something when the majority of people laying claim look alike and reap the most benefits of that claim. No one except the ancestors of slaves wants to deal with slavery and what it means; how that legacy has affected people today. When you build a country on the backs of humans and then claim that you are the greatest country in the world that puts you in a slightly different cast than just another nation that has conquered a territory. 

The argument that the conquering of nations results in suffering seems reasonable if you're the victor. Had what’s been done to others, been done to the colonists, the U.S. would be in even greater debt, due to the reparations that would still be paid for European-American suffering.  Socialism would not be confused with communism, and universal healthcare would be the norm.

Sometimes you have to dig really deep to learn truth and even then truth can be considered unnecessary and burdensome if it shows the ruling class in a bad light. If we believed everything that we were taught in basic American history classes, we'd think that all Europeans are geniuses, the pilgrims were kind and that the Natives should have been more accommodating.

In this turbulent time we are living in I have found myself less spiritual and a lot more cranky.  I realize this isn't a healthy way to live.  So I asked myself How does one find peace during a time of chaos?

The first step is the acknowledgement and acceptance that it is missing from your life.  Too often chaos, anxiety along with constant activities become such a normal part of our lives that we don’t realize the harm they are doing.  The next step is to reassess our values, our desires. Being aware of what we need versus what we want.  Determining the things that are a necessity in our lives from those that are just desires based on a competitive lifestyle or superficial and fleeting fulfillment that is not lasting and will ultimately lead to more stress and less peace.

Finding peace shouldn’t be stressful.  Peace like happiness can seem out of reach. But if we just take a step back, take a breath and release we can begin to feel different and therefore see ourselves differently.  I find peace when I recognize that the only person pressuring me is me. I can let go of unrealistic goals and strive to live my life daily based on needs and less wants.     

Purple Karmic Musing

I recently saw the film “Purple Rain” again for about the 30th time. Even after more than 25 years after its release, it’s hard to resist that distinct “Minneapolis Sound” and the saccharine sweet story of a misunderstood musical genius who just wanted to be loved. As we watched my husband laughed and asked why did the club owner not want to dump Dez Dickerson, who sang about his quest to be a “Mountaineer?” Hmmm…well it wouldn’t have been much of a film if it were that easy but on the other hand, was his one song that compelling that it should replace “The Bird?” or “Computer Blue” permanently?

After an iced Skinny Cinnamon Dolce my Buddhist brain was on rapid fire. I mused that perhaps “The Kid” and “The Time” had a bit heavier karma than “the Mountaineer,” and until “The Kid” worked on his family dynamics he’d always be in a place of alienation and confusion. Morris’ behavior toward women didn’t exactly propel him forward in his “human revolution” so for all intent and purposes, “The Mountaineer” seemed the less heavy of the three, perhaps the club owner was on to something or maybe Dez was a Buddhist that chanted like crazy day and night and was changing his heavy karma rapidly--or maybe I was just too caffeinated.

The reality is that we see this often in our everyday lives, ordinary people that become celebrities almost over night, while some of us toil away at our craft and wonder if we will ever be the success that we desire to be. How is that some people just come by their success as easy as breathing, while the talents of some are never recognized or acknowledged?

How do we break through our heavy karma? Is it fair that we are paying for something in this lifetime that we don’t even remember doing in a past life? No easy answer and no “one” answer but for me, I summarize it like this: Karma is like the bank of your soul. Some accounts are fuller than others, You have areas of your life that are weak and you have areas of your life that are strong. Great financial karma, but problems with your family life. Great family life, but problems in your romantic life. How do you get past this?

Make better causes for yourself. Keep in mind that for every action there is a reaction—cause and effect. Karma translated means “action.” It doesn’t mean “Karma is a bitch” Make better causes for yourself and build up your karmic chips.

The Woes of an Ex-Party Girl Writer

Ok so I’m working on my script “Mojo,” I’ve got tech-itis-- Meaning, I just want to crank out my story without worrying about arches and beats. But since others seem to be on the Civil War path—I wrote it first! I swear! I started this script in 1991 and put it away. Now I hear my favorite Blaxploitation director—no not Melvin Peebles—Yes Quentin T is doing a slavery film with Jamie Fox!  I’ve got to finish mine! I really do.  Think Darlene think, what is the conflict in every scene???!!!

I can’t think because I’m on HCG  trying to squeeze myself back into the land of the skinny minnies—and guess what, it’s not working!!!!

I’m going to LA next week for my 100^th birthday—ok not quite but after 40 they all just fly by—anyway…I’m going to see my friend Malina Moye play on the same bill as Chaka (sang it girl) Khan, Stevie Wonder and super sexy Eric Benet among others. It’s all going down on my birthday—November 1^st—that’s All Saint’s Day for the Catholics out there.

Yet, I’m feeling vexed. Is it because my script isn’t finished and here’s the perfect opp to shop it? NO! It’s because I’ve not quite shrunk back into a 4—add about 1.5 sizes and I’m bigger than most of Hollywood put together. Even a “4” is fat in La-la land.

And…I’m not botoxed out! Dang it! My eyes crinkle when I smile! I don’t have any filler so I have “parenthesis” not much but enough to stare at myself in every mirror, wondering if I look like “Madam” that old puppet on a string from the 70s. I’ve been practicing tiny smiles, but mine is big and broad. Why do I have all these teeth!

My friend Malina isn’t botoxed out, she’s beautiful and doesn’t have a panther face but she is a double 0. (I plan to bring cake for her to eat lol).  I hope that if we take a picture together some other poor wandering soul from another planet that just happens to eat a meal every day, takes one with us. Us size 8 and up girls have to stick together.