Oh oh, what have I done? came to me as a thought at the moment I was conceived.
As a spiritual being having a human experience we often choose our next human experience.
More than 71 years later I still wonder.
Reincarnation is found, even if it is not mainstream, within religions around the world including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Jainism, Judaism, and Sihkism.
A belief in rebirth/metempsychosis was held by Greek historic figures, such as Plato, Pythagoras, and Socrates.
BEYOND MOTIVATION by James T. McCay with Richard E. Ward
BEYOND MOTIVATION delivers usable techniques for personal and group development that helps individuals and groups increase their productivity by recognizing that working with others is an exchange of energy.
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.
BEYOND MOTIVATION by James T. McCay with Richard E. Ward
BEYOND MOTIVATION delivers usable techniques for personal and group development that helps individuals and groups increase their productivity by recognizing that working with others is an exchange of energy.
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.
BEYOND MOTIVATION by James T. McCay with Richard E. Ward
BEYOND MOTIVATION delivers usable techniques for personal and group development that helps individuals and groups increase their productivity by recognizing that working with others is an exchange of energy.
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?
BEYOND MOTIVATION by James T. McCay with Richard E. Ward
BEYOND MOTIVATION delivers usable techniques for personal and group development that helps individuals and groups increase their productivity by recognizing that working with others is an exchange of energy.
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%.
Lyrics: Gangsters Are Running This World by Roger Taylor
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
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.
BEYOND MOTIVATION by James T. McCay with Richard E. Ward
BEYOND MOTIVATION delivers usable techniques for personal and group development that helps individuals and groups increase their productivity by recognizing that working with others is an exchange of energy.
“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.
Video: Above Ground by Plies
Lyrics: Above Ground by Plies
[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
Who is Plies?
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.
BEYOND MOTIVATION by James T. McCay with Richard E. Ward
BEYOND MOTIVATION delivers usable techniques for personal and group development that helps individuals and groups increase their productivity by recognizing that working with others is an exchange of energy.
As you can see, things happen a little differently in Spring in Montreal, Quebec.
Today is Tuesday, April 9, 2019, and below you can see Quebec filmmaker Philippe Falardeau taking photos of snowflakes, during a snow shower, in Old Montreal.
This beautiful photo was taken by ALLEN MCINNIS for an article in the MONTREAL GAZETTE.
BEYOND MOTIVATION by James T. McCay with Richard E. Ward
BEYOND MOTIVATION delivers usable techniques for personal and group development that helps individuals and groups increase their productivity by recognizing that working with others is an exchange of energy.
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