A reason, a season or a lifetime

Isn't it incredible how the right people come into our lives when we need it the most? I am continually amazed by this phenomenon even though it has happened so much in my life. Even when we aren't looking for guidance, somehow, we are given it and the moment the person leaves, it's like a light goes on and we realize, "Wow! This person really helped me to realize ______". At least, that's the way it has always been for me. I'm sure if you think back on your life and remember the people who are or who have been a part of it, you may be able to make sense of the moment and what it was that they brought to your life’s' table that enriched you. It's the concept that people come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. Not everyone we meet will be ours forever but it's ok. We weave intricate networks that work together and eventually, form a beautiful overall picture.
My best friend gave me so much before he died. When he passed away last June I felt like knowing him had been such a curse. I thought I'd never get over grieving and I never wanted to feel that sense of loss ever again. But after a while of working through the hurt, I realize what a blessing it was to have had such a wonderful friendship like the one we had. He taught me so much about love, life, friendships, loyalty. And his words of wisdom still resonate with me. He is not here but I feel like if he is on the other side, he is on my side. And there is nothing better than feeling like someone is watching out for you all the time. It gives me a stronger sense of connection to my universe, I guess. Sometimes people come into our lives for a short time but what they give us lasts our lifetime. Today I am thankful for those people who are in my life, or who have come and gone. I will not mourn the loss because I have lost nothing at all.

Happy Again

In many ways, I hate to be one of those persons that believes everything happens for a reason. It's like the analogy of the groundhog seeing it's shadow. Spring is here, spring isn't here, etc., etc. The groundhog sees whatever the hell the groundhog wants to see because the whole thing is a sham, anyway. But in life, it's a little more complicated than that. And I am really coming around to the idea that maybe there is something to the 'everything happens for a reason' belief. I think about the last year of my life and know for certain that I would have NEVER come back to Texas on my own accord.  After a bit, I have settled into this place and my new life pretty well. I am OK with my career but even better, I have reconnected with my love for music and singing. I bought a guitar and I think I'm doing pretty well with it. My life goals have shifted and lean more towards what I naturally gravitate to. Where did all of this come from? Was it always there, laying dormant and waiting for the right moment to hatch?
In life are we continually searching, growing, learning and discovering-even when we aren't paying attention to our progress? It is important to stop and smell the roses. Look back, see your progress, observe what you've learned--but don't live in the background.

So here I am in Texas, and I'm really happy about that. I think only time will tell how everything will really work out. I am OK with not having it all figured out. I think that's what makes this journey so interesting. But in the meantime, I am happy to say that I am very happy and satisfied with everything.

We never stop growing up

It's been 8 months and 3 weeks since I moved back to Texas. And what a bizarre 8 months it has been! Loss, transformation, realization, patience, reflection, growth, some regret but mostly inquisition.

It is our innate nature as humans to be curious about ourselves and the world around us. Have you ever watched a child discover his world? He touches everything, asks hundreds of questions and puts random objects in his mouth. The curiosity never stops. Even in our adult lives, we are always seeking an answer, a truth, deeper meaning. I am beginning to appreciate the fascinating journey of my life again. I am now at a place where I am still; I am asking new questions and looking at life from eyes that don't assume they know everything. When we admit that we still need to ask questions, the answers come. I have learned to identify old fears passed down to me from my mother and grandmother and have let go just a little more. I don't know if this comes with age or through stages. Either way, I am thankful for the insight.

Maybe We Are Just Sea Monkeys

I have this theory that humans are just a huge science experiment. Perhaps a science experiment gone wrong? The more and more I look around us, the more it just feels like we belong to some higher alien life form and we are the sea monkeys in a jar floating around, pooping in the tank and destroying the ecosystem. I mean, we own ant farms for fun and what do they know of us or their surroundings? They have no idea they are in a plastic cube on display for our enjoyment; In their world, it's just business as usual. And at any given moment we can decide they suck and the fate of their lives are quickly rinsed down a toilet bowl. 

Save the Earth, Don’t Fart.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 60% of the leading causes of global warming and greenhouse gasses are the result of enteric fermentation, what I like to refer to as ‘agricultural farts’. Most recently, the EPA sent an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking announcement of it’s intent to tax farmers for their cows’ emissions.

Let’s break it down:

An operation with more than 25 dairy cows, 50 beef cattle or 200 hogs emits more than 100 tons of carbon dioxide; Methane gases from cows and hogs oxidize into carbon dioxide therefore producing a potent greenhouse gas. Methane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas emitted from a variety of both human-related (anthropogenic) and natural sources. It remains in the atmosphere for approximately 9-15 years and is over 20 times more effective in trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (CO2) over a 100-year period. Human-related activities include fossil fuel production, animal husbandry (enteric fermentation in livestock and manure management), rice cultivation, biomass burning and waste management.

Backing up the EPA on this proposed ruling is PETA, the non-profit organization of People for Ethical Treatment of Animals. I love PETA. I love animals and I believe in what this organization does. PETA spokesman, Matt Prescott, made recent statements on The Glenn Beck Show stating, “If humans all became vegans, we would quickly and greatly reduce the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. The UN Report has found that the meat industry produces more global warming emissions than all of the world’s transportation combined.” Additionally, he adds: “Just switching to a hybrid car is not even as effective as switching to a vegetarian diet”. All of this information hit me square between the eyes.
“Is it really that easy?” I asked myself.

Al Gore is not vegan or even a vegetarian. Isn’t it only natural for someone who endorses the fight against global warming to not contribute to the very thing that may be causing the problem? Maybe PETA is getting a little rambunctious on this particular issue. It is just as much their choice to be vegan or vegetarian as it is another's choice not to be. I spent the better part of a decade being nearly vegetarian until my body protested, “Hey! I need some more protein here, I’m getting anemic!”

I do not agree with or condone factory farming, I personally feel we should all be growing our own foods and farming our own meat but that’s not only for another article, it’s just never going to happen. On a side note, if we all become vegetarian, how will that eventually effect our emissions? According to Dr. James L. A. Roth, the author of “Gastrointestinal Gas”, two-thirds of adults pass gas that contain no Methane. But what about the other 1/3 that does? And, in “Facts on Farts” by Brenna Lorenz, human emissions are comprised mostly of Carbon Dioxide. Now if cow farts oxidize into Carbon Dioxide and we already emit Carbon Dioxide, then are we not contributing to global warming ourselves?

In 2001-2002, there were an estimated 2.5 Billion cows and pigs on the earth. Are there not more humans on this earth than cows and pigs? As of March 2009, the world's population is estimated to be about 6.80 billion. If the average human emits ½ liter of farts per day, that is a total of 335 lbs of gas per year, multiply that number by 6.8 billion and we humans are probably pumping out enough gas per year to fuel New York City and Las Vegas.

In another study, the leading cause of sphincter emissions are caused by the swallowing of air and vegetables such as cauliflower, corn, bell peppers, cabbage, milk, bread, eggs, beer and raisins. That looks like a vegetarian-based diet, doesn’t it? Now if we switch our daily diet to vegetarian, yes, we are knocking out the demand of meat from the farmers, which decreases the number of cows and pigs, which in turn, decreases the amount of enteric fermentation, which of course, decreases our greenhouse gases, thus decreasing global warming. But will we be making a difference in our atmosphere based on our diet change? So what is the solution? Hold it in and combust, or let it out and destroy the ozone? A reader states: “Invent Fart Farms that bean eaters can feed their methane through tubes to compression tanks. These tanks of methane can be sold on the market to fuel automobiles. Anyone who complies can be rewarded with Fart Credits”.

Perhaps the answer is moderation and the use of Beano.
Or perhaps, the answer is staring us in the face when we look in the mirror. People need to stop pointing the finger and picking global warming apart. The number one cause of the emissions is still landfills. Caused by whom? Us.