“There are only two ways to live your Life. One is as through nothing is a miracle. The other is as through everything is a miracle”
~ Albert Einstein ~

The photos are from a visit to Ft Stanton and the describing link has more information than I could ever have! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Stanton

Odd loaded question? I am not asking it on a geographical level, but more to the point of a Spiritual question as having perceived some changes emanating from the responses of this Journal, responses which truly should not matter as always writing for myself, interminable ramblings, and yet, they have lately a different outlook. Or not! Analytical internet results are interesting. Sometimes as it is in this case. I am jumping a wall here putting myself in a situation and a writing I have rarely done before as questioning the readers of these pages. I am curious even though if I can perceive the answers. I find it to be a delicate subject since new to me, a subject which demands honesty as they all always have been more in this aspect than ever and yet needs to be diplomatically written, something I am not so good about!

I feel very strongly if we can imagine ourselves traveling on Life’s highway which such path having at least two levels we can be on at the same time. Quite often more. The most common one is its surface path. We are zipping in and out of it faster than ever on those speedy twelve lanes while impatience grows as we want everything now and we want everyone to also know now when we bit into that cheeseburger which its photo has now populated the Facebook and Instagram pages. It is the shiny new truck we have taken an eight year loan on and another one so we can add all the farkles it does not need but will get noticed by our neighbors and friends. Sorry, I am now getting a bit sarcastic and need to revert to a bit of diplomacy. But you get the picture… right?

I fully realize and have known for a long time that Spirit was the Star of these pages regardless if I wrote about him or not. His photos were sufficient to prove that since 15 years ago he was the pioneer of the sidecar dogs. I personally don’t even think he was a dog! Spirit is now unfortunately gone and I alone for now remain with only what I would call a shrine dedicated to him which stares at me every time I pass by it while being against a wall in the center of my living room. I have learned a lot from him and hopefully I will regain and never forget those lessons he has so generously given. The team is now broken up which leads me to more insights thoughts than ever. I feel as I am spending a lot of time on that other level beneath the popular surface. And writing about it.

Respectfully, and I insist, it does not matter to me if only one person reads these pages or none or a million. They are not the purpose, I have said it too many times. And yet, I do know how many come to these pages and interestingly enough looking at the analytical internet results which I glance at honestly maybe twice a year, I read out that the readership has shrunk. And that is okay with me. Of course it is okay. Am I wrong concluding that so few want to hear anything about that level below the surface? A level which is the centerpiece of this Life, the real seed of what has sprouted inside of us which no cover will ever be large and long and thick enough to hide it? I don’t pass judgements. What do I really know? truly not much and one reason why I am not on one of those choleric screaming with a bullhorn type of situation “I am right… and you are wrong…” as there is no such a thing. They are merely, to me anyhow, interesting observations. Is that being diplomatic enough?

That below the surface level I, maybe too often, adventure myself on while needing a powerful flashlight is a rocky and muddy path. It is a tough one. A realistic and honest in your face narrow and windy road which has been set aside with no major improvements ever to its own surface as so rarely it seems like traveled on. The speed limit is slow, the scenery is thoughtful if one took the time to realize its wealth at times hard to discern because of our today’s impatience. I don’t even think there is a single traffic sign with the word “now” posted. They are not the roads which lead to the surface highway. They keep us buried in the multitude thoughts they give us with one difference for some making the mind and awareness surrounding much richer and comprehensible as there are indeed times when I look around me and don’t understand a thing on how to navigate that surface highway while I take refuge beneath it all.

Understanding is a funny thing. Understanding where others in which space they are living. I personally do and at the same time too often don’t. It always brings up my internal question “are we all born the same or…?”. They are the little things which really should not matter in Life and probably only because I am retired and live in a house with nights and days totally free from occupations which are only mine to decide on, I end up observing my surroundings when out including people. I see what I never truly saw before and I must say that honestly it is if at times, even if sad to me, kind of a fun game. Why does this car at 90 mph burns the red light? Why do these people smoke cigarettes in their brand new cars? Why do they arrive at the check out counter with two dozen boxes of processed and frozen food, boxes which their contents are incomprehensibly written? Why do some people loudly enjoy inserting a profanity or two into every spoken phrase? All this is so silly maybe. Is it? That to me is the traffic on the main highway and to tell you the truth 99% of the time I don’t want any part of it even if and when in proximity. Maybe I need to look at myself in the mirror more often as I am sure that most likely others also think of me wondering about their own questions, see me a bit odd as I see them… and I need to lighten up!!! Of course I personally I will say, might be rude, I don’t care what people think of me. I am more often than not hiking on that rocky and muddy path. That is where I live. Where do you live?

Stay well,
               Ara and Spirit [R.I.P. 04/04/2018]