Many people do not pray because they do not believe in God, or a God, or any God.
But prayer does not require belief in a God.
Praying for someone to overcome misfortune
or ill health or to wish them good fortune
only requires that you believe that the good
you feel in your heart will connect with
the good in the hearts of others.
Richard Edward Ward
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
April 24, 2019
Copyright © 2019 by Richard Edward Ward
Looking at The Sacrament Of The Last Supper painted by Salvador Dalí brings back many memories of when I was studying for a Bachelor of Theology degree in the 70s in the Faculty of Religious Studies at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec.
I had a large print copy of the painting hanging in my apartment. It was very, very trippy and then some.
The School of Religious Studies, at McGill, has enjoyed a long history of providing a wide range of programs, including B.A. programs, theological programs, and several specialized graduate degree programs. The School’s expertise in world religions engages many methods and disciplines, combining the rigorous and historically focused study of religious traditions and contexts with approaches that explore contemporary expressions of religions.
I was also working as a bouncer in a bar, The Boiler Room, on Crescent Street. The bar lasted from about 1969 to 1973, and later taken over by an expanded Sir Winston Churchill Pub, was opened by the legendary John Vago, the King of Crescent St., (December 5, 1923 October 20, 2018 ) who was responsible for creating much of Montreal’s downtown club scene. Read Last hurrah for the King of Crescent St. written by Bill Brownstein in the Montreal Gazette.
Vago, along with his now-deceased brother Peter, is credited for having designed, built and/or owned over 150 city bars and restaurants — including the famed Boiler Room, Casa Pedro, Pam Pam, Carmen and Don Juan. He is also credited for having brought the café culture of Europe here to de la Montagne and Stanley Sts.
Lots of memories.
The Full Moon Update for April 19, 2019 by Lena Stevens continues her tradition of providing useful and timely insights for those of you with an interest in astrology and shamanism.
You can read the full report on the The Power Path School of Shamanism website.
This Full Moon Update caught my attention today so I thought I would share it.
Full Moon is Friday, April 19 at 5:12AM Mountain Daylight Time (MDT).
This is an intense full moon pushing us through our own birth canal into new truth, choice and action.
It is an important time to complete and put to rest anything that stands in the way of moving forward.
Take the time around this full moon to declutter and continue any projects that are in process of being completed.
The less you procrastinate the better. The less you worry about how others may judge you, the better. The less you blame others “out there” for the state of things, the better.
Stay in your own lane this weekend and try not to get rattled, overwhelmed and irritated.
Nature heals, so use the time to be in nature, feeding yourself with the energy of beauty, abundance and simplicity. It is an exciting time of many possibilities even though it maybe challenging to navigate.
Instead of being triggered by what is happening around you that you may not agree with, adopt the mantra “this too shall pass”. This is not about being passive by any means. It’s about being neutral but actively moving forward “in your own lane”.
Blessings,
Lena
You can read the full report on the The Power Path School of Shamanism website.
God grant me
the courage & serenity
to help change the things
I can no longer accept.
So many things need to be changed in our world as the 1%, having bought so many of our elected politicians as well as our civil servants, are driving our Western societies back in time to a New Feudalism.
How do we, who do not wish to become slaves and serfs again find the courage and strength to change the things about our societies that we can no longer accept?
Gangsters Are Running This World by Roger Taylor of Queen caught my attention today as I was browsing music on YouTube. A timely song with insightful commentary about the state of our world given the slow, but steady, takeover of our world by the 1%.
There’s blood on the streets
Panic in the air
The markets are trading up
In madness and fear
As I lay on my bed
Mind’s trying to rest
There’s a whole heap of worry
Pushing down on my chest
Gangsters are running this world
You can shout but never be heard
Gangsters are running this world
We all need a reason
To be alive and wonder
The smell of the coffee and bread
The sound of the rain and the thunder
The mist in the frozen fields
The thrill of the race
The sweet pain of your first love lost
The sun on your face
(All the while)
Gangsters are running this world
We’re all just sheep in the herd
Gangsters are running this world
I wanna fly on the wings of love
I want the clean, fresh air in my face
I wanna tear down every border and wall
I wanna take part in the human race
I wanna fly on the wings of love
I wanna run down a path of hope
I wanna fly on the wings of love
Gangsters are running this world
You can shout but never be heard
Gangsters are running this world
(All the while)
Gangsters are running this world
Lyrics by Roger Taylor
Roger Taylor is a singer, guitarist and drummer known for playing with legendary band Queen and for his work as a solo artist.
Born on July 26, 1949, in King’s Lynn, England, Roger Taylor would become a member of famed band Queen with lead singer Freddie Mercury, releasing major hits like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Under Pressure.”
Taylor embarked on a solo career, releasing several albums, and also formed group The Cross.
After Mercury’s death, he has continued to play with Queen and create new productions.
“I woke up this morning and I was above ground.” has been an ongoing response from me when someone asks me how I am doing and I may not be feeling very upbeat and positive.
I am not sure when I first heard this expression but I did post it to the blog on May 28, 2007.
But, of course, all things in our current lives begin when we wake up and we are above ground, and not dead and buried under ground.
Moreover, if we are not above ground my expression “Be practical and expect miracles if we just take the first step forward every day” becomes superfluous. Therefore I think that I need to reframe this expression. An attitude of gratitude would probably be more appropriate for me. what do you think?
With that idea in mind I began to search the web to see where the expression pops up and I came across Above Ground by Plies rapped by him with the line “I’m just happy I’m above ground”.
I am not a fan of rap but I can enjoy his lyrics.
[Chorus]
I’m just happy I’m above ground
Some may make it this time around
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
Some more got gunned down
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
[Verse 1]
Thank god every day I wake up
For letting me see another 24
And I ain’t letting nobody stress me
I just dance for damn shows
And some people might make happy
I’m just happy I ain’t dead and gone
I’m just happy that I woke up
And my name ain’t called in a tombstone
I’m just thankful my freedom here
That I can see a see help me
I don’t care about all the bell for wussy
I’m just thankful for the selfish shit
I’m just happy I can still walk
I’m just happy I can still talk
I’m just happy that the judge thought look at me sitting my ass off
I’m just breathing this good air
You blessed bitch if you still here
Cuz someones who’s out here
The entire lash ain’t still here
Free all the ones who need freeing
Help all the ones in need
I ain’t let nobody steal my joy
Cuz I’m happy bitch that I can still breathe
[Chorus]
I’m just happy I’m above ground
Some may make it this time around
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
Some more got gunned down
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
[Verse 2]
I ain’t ever have bad days
Best never let the devil have his way
Them broke six figure
I’ma keep a smile on my face
Only caught up into bullshit
I hold a gasp into dumb shit
And please don’t call me
Telling me not somebody I had to say about
Because I ain’t interested
All my focus on is keep shining
Keep balling ad keep grinding
Ain’t word bout another dick
Cuz I’m too busy got to get mine
Ain’t I looking for no love
You can keep your thousands keep your hoes
I ain’t tryna keep it real with nobody
Out here we keep it real with us
Do you and I’ma do me
Cuz I am here where I gotta be
Cuz sometimes you can miss your blesses
When they right in front of you cuz you can’t see
I swear to god I got a plan b
I ain’t let nobody stopping me
I woke up this morning and was still above ground
So I’m winning bitch
[Chorus]
I’m just happy I’m above ground
Some may make it this time around
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
Some more got gunned down
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
Some may make it this time around
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
Some more got gunned down
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I am not a big fan of rap and I have never heard Plies before, so I was curious above who this guy is. Here is the story I found on Wikipedia:
Algernod Lanier Washington (born July 1, 1976), better known by his stage name Plies, is an American hip hop recording artist.
He is the founder of Big Gates Records. Born in Fort Myers, Florida, Washington was a wide receiver on the football team of Miami University in Ohio in 1996 and 1997 before he became a rapper.
After dropping out of college, he founded Big Gates with his stepbrother. Signed to Slip-n-Slide Records, from 2007 to 2008 he released three albums. Plies debuted in 2007 with The Real Testament with successful singles “Shawty” and “Hypnotized”.
Plies also released two albums in 2008, Definition of Real and Da REAList, and later released Goon Affiliated in 2010.
ALERT: Some risque language is present in this video.
Runnin’ Down A Dream by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers is in my My Morning Kickstart Music List.
The idea of ‘runnin’ down a dream that never would come to me” really catches my attention.
Yeah, runnin’ down a dream
Never would come to me
Workin’ on a mystery
Goin’ wherever it leads
I’m runnin’ down a dream
It was a beautiful day, the sun beat down
I had the radio on, I was drivin’
The trees went by, me and Del were singin’
Little runaway, I was flyin’
Yeah, runnin’ down a dream
Never would come to me
Workin’ on a mystery
Goin’ wherever it leads
I’m runnin’ down a dream
Felt so good like anything was possible
I hit cruise control and rubbed my eyes
The last three days the rain was unstoppable
And it was always cold, no sunshine
Yeah, runnin’ down a dream
Never would come to me
Workin’ on a mystery
Goin’ wherever it leads
I’m runnin’ down a dream
I rolled on, the sky grew dark
I put my pedal down to make some time
And there’s something good waitin’ down this road
And I’m picking up whatever is mine
Yeah, runnin’ down a dream
Never would come to me
Workin’ on a mystery
Goin’ wherever it leads
I’m runnin’ down a dream
Yeah, runnin’ down a dream
Never would come to me
Workin’ on a mystery
Goin’ wherever it leads
I’m runnin’ down a dream
Songwriters: TOM PETTY / JEFF LYNNE / MIKE CAMPBELL
Runnin’ Down a Dream lyrics © Emi April Music Inc., Gone Gator Music, Wild Gator Music, Emi Music Publishing France, EMI APRIL MUSIC INC
Runnin’ Down a Dream is a 2007 documentary film about Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, directed by Peter Bogdanovich and a wonderful look at the journey of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
The 4-hour documentary chronicles the history of the band, from its inception as Mudcrutch, right up to the 30th-anniversary concert in Petty’s home town of Gainesville, Florida, on September 21, 2006, at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, University of Florida.
The film features interviews with George Harrison, Eddie Vedder, Stevie Nicks, Dave Grohl, Jeff Lynne, Rick Rubin, Johnny Depp, Jackson Browne and more. Petty’s solo career is also touched on, as is his time with The Traveling Wilburys.
Take a looksee at the review FILMReview: Runnin’ Down a Dream: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers written by Nick Schager.
