People and their masks....

From: http://www.joelwlamoure.com/id43.html

Greetings my gentle readers to this week's installment of the "Be yourself, often" blog. This as you well know is a time when we can all sit back and step back and reflect on the opportunities and challenges and successes of the day, week and what we call life on this big blue marble.

As we look ahead to this weeks topic, just a reminder of the expression that reminds us that we are not the ones in charge here. Its is not that we are the omnipresent beings, despite our common delusional ego-centric belief systems. A good and very humbling reminder. For in reality that and its subsequent ego-perversion is its own mask that we wear. That we are humans with the rare spiritual experience. In converse, we are spiritual beings having a very very human experience.

And so this has started to unmask the concepts of this week's blog, which is the premises of masks. For goodness sakes, we wear so many that its like Tammy Faye bake with multiple levels of makeup that we cant even begin to see the underlying person and real healthy (or pallor) of skin tones that we truly possess and have. What a shame isnt it? Was a great revelation and discussion I have had multiple times this week, and in fact had a topic selected about masks last Sunday! As such, maybe the filter of reflection that Ive had this week is that of the delusional masks that we wear. I know myself that there are so many and it was humbling to apply that filter and mirror to myself.
For the masks that we do wear are not unlike that of Erik, the protagonist/antagonist in the Phantom of the Opera.  Really we do exist in this beautiful cathedral and Opera House of life (and I have seen the famed Paris Opera House) yet exist in this subterranean reclusive pattern and do not see the marvels and beauty all around of us! We wear masks that are compensatory in nature, thinking there is some horrible defect within ourselves. Eventually...as I believe that masks beget masks and more and more are piled on until you cant even begin to recognize yourself. All ego driven of course and purely delusional. Like the magic hat trick and how many CAN you wear? This starts in child hood and play nice, societally acceptable, dont express yourself, get an education, get a job, have kids, develop accolades, win-win-win. Thanks Coach Lombardo for reinforcing the need the "Winning is Everything". It and they are all masks.

BUT, heres the thought of the day and going back to the underlying premise discussed at the beginning of theblog. What if, just what if that underlying thought is accurate that we ARE indeed spiritual beings having a human existence. I actually fully believe that and reinforced more and more as I write these blogs, talk and listen to people (especially my psychiatric patients), and advance my ministerial roles and the radio show "Prescribing Spiritual H.O.P.E". Just maybe if that is true we are indeed afraid to show the person that we really are? Born in purity, innocence and genuis? With the ability to heal, see and believe? A miracle of the moment? As we progress across life, those masks only dull that set until we in reality are unrecognizable, stifled and suffocated by the "Delusional Ego Mask Overt Narcissistic Syndrome" as I like to call it. And son of a gun and page the Pope... that spells DEMONS. oopsies. Could man really be do demonic with the masks as to commit atrocities, mass murder, starvation, greed, ethnic cleansing, genocide and create at times a hell on Earth?

Now theres a point to ponder.

Lets look at ourselves and commit to strip down and remove the masks and look at the fact there may actually be spiritual angels that reside within ourselves that resonate with spirit, goodness and kidness. An eye for an eye means everyone is blinded. I would rather embrace the innocence and happiness of a child and be that myself and along the way together you can be yourself, often.

--- Rev. Dr. Joel Lamoure      February 2012 

At the end of the day...

From: http://www.joelwlamoure.com/id43.html

Greetings my gentle readers and welcome to this week's installment of the "Be Yourself, Often" blog. A time where we can sit back all together with a cuppa Jo and reflect on the sanities and insanities of the week. What it was, what it will be.... but most importantly what we have and can celebrate in the NOW.
I apologize that this blog is being written a day late and likely because (as most people have)... it has been a week of the thrill of Light and inspiration and insight, coupled with the crush of defeat. And to make it better, often these events transpired within mere hours of each other. So after much mindful reflection and the kind words and gestures of friends and feeling like being hit with a whiffle bat, lets see where this goes.
This issue of the challenge matters not in the context of this discussion, for the events have different names my gentle readers but all translate to the same end issue. And that is a feeling that this wasnt and didnt go down the way I planned and prepared so meticulously. You play the game, do the right steps and booya.... theres the whiffle bat! Does not matter what name we ascribe to it. Could be loss, disappointment, grief, agony, separation, unexpected negatives but the same outcome is consistent. The person inside. I cant and will not judge levels of importance. If it bites and feels like a bat, it is.
Here lies last weeks discussion on abundance. What do you wish to pollinate and propagate? More of the same or a different overall long term outcome? Sadly we dont know how long it takes to get to the other side of the tunnel. But resentments along the way is poisonous and deadly... guaranteed.  Resentments about a situation where one has been mindful and honest and true to themselves or others is to denigrate the wins and successes that have gone into the situation. Its like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. Its like the cat pooping in your Rice Krispies thinking it was the litter box and then ingesting. Pick your analogy. No matter what, resentments carry a toxic energy that an individual has one foot and one in tomorrow and sadly ends up urinating on today. SO not pleasant.
As you know, we have the Free Will Covenant and the ability to make some choices, to move ahead and beyond the mess of the situation. First off is the chance to step back and reflect from the challenge of the day (and there are SO many) in the course of the Western society! Did you put your all into it and why? If you did, what is the person in there thinking and believing? What was the root cause and root operating system that you have within you. Can that shine and are there masks that are dulling the reflections and ultimately the abundance that we all have? When you are faced with such an eye opening thought it well... opens your eyes. Even more than that if mirrored through the right gentle soul, venue and format can make you realize that ultimately "This too shall pass". That the spirit inside very well may have been repressed and in the societal crud of the day. You arent getting the chance to live your own dream, you are living someone else's dream. And as Harry Chapin said 35 years ago... at end of the day you dont settle easy.
To touch that soul and spirit within is a gentle caress opening up and finding the flame that is within us. A chance to look at our spiritus and touch the eager child within who is brilliant and young at heart. To be able to touch eternity. That is a miracle. There are miracles in the moment as we have described before. We need to step back from the societal drudgery of the day to be able to touch them. Rip off that mask (with assistance from friend and the situation) and say Hi y'all! I'm here! That touch of infinite in the moment, when we can be able to see the Spiritual Code written within us.
And when you reflect it that way, and can fearlessly take a step back.... you realize the buggers did you a favour instead of something punitive. You dont have to add another level to the mask and pander to societal rules and dictates. Maybe by touching the inner self, you have and can see that you have been given a favour and chance and incredible opportunity in the now... and that is to finally be yourself, often.

--- Rev. Dr Joel Lamoure  February 2012

Prescribing Spiritual HOPE of Abundance

From: http://www.joelwlamoure.com/2012.02.01_arch.html

Greetings my gentle readers to this week's installment of the "Be Yourself, Often" blog. A time when one may sit down and reflect with a cup of tea, coffee or water and muse of the silent wonders of the week that has transpired and how these may be translated into wins and opportunities of the weeks and months ahead.

 We have been now running weekly with only 1 week missing since September 2009. Its a pleasure having you here. Please feel free to look through the blog archives. There is something for everyone and I can totally guarantee that there will be something resonating for you.

This week we will build on the last week blog and cover two parts. The topic is "Prescribing Spiritual H.O.P.E. of Abundance". Prescribing Spiritual H.O.P.E. is actually a radio show that I do with BTR on the ULC Radio Network. The show airs every Tuesday at 9pm Eastern Time and is radio archived. H.O.P.E. is actually an acronym that I have decided best captures what we are trying to do in humanity. It is what we can share and what we can have and something that holds our skirts and trousers up at the end of the day. H stands for holistic health. O is that we must be outcome driven and be able to read from a map in our mind and have a clear delineated destination. P reflects (and last weeks show and blog here were all about reflections!) that the venture and journey that we share is very personal in nature. So much in fact as it has been written that we are not people having a spiritual life and experience, but rather the corollary may hold true. That indeed we are far more powerful in many schema than we expect. That in itself is an incredible and also mind-blowing experience and concept, n'est pas? E is empowerment. For ladies and gentlemen, gentle readers we are the ones that can make the decisions that will ultimately decide and define our outcomes, often in the face of cynicism and deridement. But that we are and SHOULD be empowered to make conscious and spiritual connections that impact and impart on what and how we do things, including basic human interactions, including with ourselves.

That leads to the second part of the title and that is one that we may have HOPE of Abundance. And what is abundance? Basically, it is being able to meet our needs and not our greeds. Abundance is not the shiny BMW (Biatchy Moany Whiny) in the driveway (preferably 3 of them actually), the huge house and the refrigerator overflowing with goodies all for me. Abundance is a way of feeling, expressing and living. Abundance is something that many people strive for in the material world while so many wonderful people are struggling at every step for these material needs. Abundance in my clinical experience (and yes, I am supposed to be a hard headed man of science as a professor and scientist) is in a persons heart and Belief and generosity. Abundance comes when we share in true love. Animals love unconditionally. Humans love with conditions often sadly which creates a non-abundant, ego-centric perspective. All parties lose, especially those of kind heart and soul who just wants a gentle hug and a warm embrace. In my mind, abundance comes from real love and real love is a root intelligent concern for others. Might as well write about Love on Valentine's Day. But I'm not going to give the schmaltzy definition and certainly not reflect from a corporate perspective. Give real love and that is from not the heart, but giving of us in a spiritual way. We are all as humans well loved, but sadly very ego driven and cannot appreciate the abundance of love that we have been granted. Too focused on our OWN God---> Per wit as I believe humanity runs as their GOD is Goals, Objects and Dollars.

So where does abundance really come from and how can we capture it in the moment? That will be discussed in this week's radio show . Hopefully we can learn and advance together, so we and you can be yourself, often.

--- Rev Dr. Joel Lamoure   February 2012 

Polishing the Filter to Reflect Clarity

From: http://www.joelwlamoure.com/2012.02.01_arch.html

Greetings my gentle readers to another week's instalment of the "Be Yourself, Often" blog. A time when we can all stop and reflect on ourselves, our interface with others and nature and the big blue marble that we call earth, plus the heavens and all things good in between.

This week let us take a look at stopping and reflecting. Reflections. These are mirrored back if the surface that is creating the reflection is good and true. Small ripples or aberrations in the reflecting source will cause a corresponding change in what is seen.

So...let us reflect on actually how we reflect and when we do, what is the filter or surface that mirrors the reflections back to us. We know that the tincture of time tends to heal things and adds a reflective filter of sepia that we consider to be nostalgia. There are more sinister, yet hidden reflective surfaces. One is that of self delusions and the other that of self preservations. Both of these surfaces or filters are inherently what I would call an "Ego-Filter" and as such the reflection that is considered is one of fallacy as it is created to enact and preserve one's own objectives, even at the cost of others. These forms of reflections often come across as gross hypocrisy to then informed and mindless pandering to the general population and wise expressions of insincerity to the uniformed mindless ones who are not able to reflect on their own. In my experience, the latter category people are more worries by boobs cubed. The body one, the TV type (immersed with their shows and fashion) and the blunder (self-image) type.... all self (and false)- idoltry. They wouldnt appreciate a valid reflection if it came their way out of FEAR, causing the root endpoint of F--K Everything And Run. Seeya. 

What we need to REALLY do is to look at HOW we reflect and our meditative patterns that create that patterns. It should be in line with reality, as easy as that. And sometimes those reflections and corresponding honesty and truth hurt. I know that from experience. The ego-centric "all important ME" takes over and defends, cajoles and then pummels into submission those that dont reflect the way we want. "Tell the Truth"- you cant handle the truth unless you are able to SEE it my gentle friends!

So, how do we gain this clarity of filter? By example. By practice. By a fearless acceptance of the truth. By listening. By self-reflection and honesty. Our closest friends are the ones that can give us the clarity of honesty and allow us to see our filtering system as it really is. By mindful reflection, we can actually FEEL and be at ease in the head, heart and gut if what we are thinking is indeed accurate. Children and their thoughts and play and perceptions in youth is pure and they speak that of wisdom in honesty. They appreciate the beautiful sounds and such for what they are, not what they see, or even worse are TOLD to see.

To filter through a defective filter is to get an altered image. Many, many people seem to want that. Sad, isnt it? If you want me, send me an email at rev.joel@live.ca. Please feel free to join me as I'll be off polishing my filter with the goal to be myself, often. Will allow me to be good to myself and others. Join the filter polishers and be yourself, often

--- Rev. Dr. Joel Lamoure     February 2012 

The Sound of Silence

From: http://www.joelwlamoure.com/2012.01.01_arch.html

Greetings my very gentle readers to this week installment of the "Be Yourself, Often" Blog. This is the time in the week when we can step back and reflect on the myriad of positives and negatives that have transpired across the past seven days. A time when we can give silent thanks for the opportunities that have arose, both good and bad.
For as we all know, everything is an opportunity and alluded to before, it is what we do with these observations and feelings and how they are interconnected. We have the blessing of the Free Will Covenant so items that occur if we pass judgement on them that they are negative, WILL be negative. In fact, in my observations and experiences, that almost always will come to be. It as if our conscious and subconscious put an energy onto our thoughts which then are imparted to whatever the even that transpired was. That will then translate through into become realities... and as if we had wished it (which we did) it becomes truth. And not only that, there is a separate gift with purchase that translates through and in a negative perception will be guaranteed to add that little extra suck factor to the next event. Lets call it scribbling all over the paper with a black marker.
Sometimes my friends, the road less travelled is the one that is of the most reward. Although it may not be in our immediate best interests, if we can step back and reflect and strategize potential wins, then we shall approach the challenge ahead with relish and excitement. Seems to hold true as there are many positives in peoples' lives and they all look like they have the suck factor squared (or to the power of four) and those who seem to have a lemon handed to them are able to somehow find some salt and a bottle of tequila. Ole!
And how do we find the salt and tequila in life? Quiet reflections and the sound of silence. To listen to the moment and be able to reflect. To give quiet thanks and blessings with the knowledge that this is exactly what it is meant to be. That the next steps in collaboration are moving forward and advancing. To sometimes not take this so darn seriously and step back and reflect and look at this with the eyes of a child who can create magic out of nothing. A piece of wood can become a truck, car or building. I flashlight can become the sun and the vitality and clarity of those details are exactly perfect!
Step back, breathe deeply in and out and there is thanks in that my friends. That in that period of silence we can feel and hear and see the winds around us and the invible lines and shadows may just show themselves to proceed to the next steps and open the next doors. The door opens to those that quietly reflect, watch and imagine that there even is a door there.
And then you open that door of mysticism and blessings and beauty and wide eyed perception of the young and once again you can become and be yourself, often.

--- Rev. Dr. Joel Lamoure   January 2012 

Being a General with a Platoon of Idiots

From:http://www.joelwlamoure.com/id43.html

Greetings my gentle readers to this week's installment of the "Be Yourself, Often" blog. There has been so many things that have transpired in the worlds of nature, politics and rumblings at a small and large level on so many fronts. A time for reflection on who is wearing a mask and who is true... addressing old party lines along a new perspective. A time where the old have fallen and the new jockeying for acclaim beyond their time in shameless displays of self-perpetuity. A time when the real core of individuals come out and please allow me to state, it isnt pretty. Man truly does have many sociopathic traits and truly does not play well with others. But whats new?

Enough on my lament on the discourse of human beings and human behaviours in situations that are stoked by things that at then end of the day truly do not matter. I have and would rather to continue to practice with pride, honour and integrity and lose than to cut someone down... and then that it it is allowed to be continued to propagate at a minor and local level, which will ultimately translate into larger failings. Ouch.

Ok... I diverted again from my initial thoughts. That being to define what is truly important at the end of the days. I know that I have said over before in this very venue that an infusion of $50 bills (Canadian polymer pending) being run through and IV line will not save you. At the end of the day, it comes down to the person that we are and what we believe, which defines  what we think which defines our thoughts and thus defines our outcomes. People are quite predictable if you can look at and assess their root belief system. One can see how good they will be in the good days and in the challenging days.

Who are you? What do you stand for and what is your belief system? if its all about you and you are a General in your own army, then you are leading a platoon of fools my friend. Soory to say that. If you do truly believe that you know best and not open to the concepts that your way may not be the best, then the logical way you react is to attack. Scorched earth policy and hurt everyone before those darn liberals come out and nail you with their books and rhetoric. Yet the liberals may also react the same way in their bunker of books and suffer from their own rhetoric, plus smoke inhalation (puff-puff-pass dude).
Yet as trite as those comparisons are, they do certainly not capture the real essence, and that is the root analysis of humanity. And who are we and what are we able to do? Especially if we can link together and realize we are neither general nor soldier... nor liberal or conservative. There is a root humanity that we should really address and that is an intelligent concern for others, plus ourself.
We need not look to the large picture as we will get lost, but rather look to the smaller gifts and thoughts in the days. There are evil people and evil deeds and the converse. But in ourselves, we have that ability to make the decision of which way that we wish to be in this game of life. And to find the big picture and the grand schema, we must honestly look to the smallest and insignificant pieces in life. For these are NOT insignifant, but of great importance. The ability to be alive and to love, to express intelligent concern for others. To offer a gentle hand to others and not suspect or worry of them lashing back, but merely to do it for the sake of helping. Only we can truly decide how we feel about things and events.

I would rather be at one with nature and appreciate that we are made in The Image and to be comfortable in our own skins. For that is to be at- ease. And to be at ease will prevent dis-ease which is the root of disease. It is your call and your choice under the Free Will Covenant.

You can find me out looking at the stars and watching the patterns as the water freezes and looking at things with the wonderment of a child. You may join, or go on fighting your own battles and tilt away at a windmill General. Your call. Sir.

I like to think that intelligent concern for others and the simple things will quite simply, let us be yourself, often.

--- Rev. Dr. Joel Lamoure   January 2012

Living the Dream vs Dreaming to Live

From: http://www.joelwlamoure.com/id43.html

Greetings my gentle readers to this week’s instalment of the “Be Yourself, Often” blog. Thank you all for being here and reading and sharing! Perhaps, just maybe we can all dialogue and learn and reflect with each other. Would that not be wonderful?

Those of you who have met met personally know that when people ask how I am doing, I almost invariably reply “Living the Dream”. I say it over and over and with the occasionally interspersed “Making history” for fun and chuckles. I am sure that my poor friends and acquaintances are absolutely sure that either I have suffered a major traumatic brain injury and suffering from residual cranial and brain swelling or I’m purely delusional. I mean seriously… how could someone be possibly living the dream day in and day out? Are we not expected, may ENCOURAGED to have crappy days and be prepared at a whim in true Jerry Springer-esque fashion to divulge all the horrors of the moment? Isnt it like a moment of enjoyment to lather on the lacquer of the trials of the day? Maybe Im just immune. Anyways… I must admit I get interesting responses when I offer either of those answers.

But what my gentle readers if you could live the dream every day? A dream may be good and bad in nature with the horrific ones headed towards nightmare land. However, a healthy fortitude and strong belief structure should allow us to weather the buffeting and challenges of the storms and bumps of the day and night. It is so easy to get so bent, so fast by something SO trivial in the grand schema of things. Sometimes it is better to take the road less travelled and as opposed of engaging and going to launch the nukes that we stop and reflect. Root cause analysis per wit as you know is my favourite teaching and reflective tool. While I am squandering my time away assessing what engaging or complaining about the situation and what it might mean to all parties (not just the all-critical “I”)… the crisis passes. Didnt engage, didnt have a knee-jerk reaction, had time to think it through and in the meantime… the issue passes, as it was not a real issue anyways in perspective. It was only anothers perspective that made it huge. It was just their goal to suck me into their story. Sadly… they often find other victims.

Intriguingly.. there are 2 points from above. That being the “All Critical I”. Meaning I am the root here and my goals and my needs and my integrity and my life and my limbs and my health and my reputation and my ego are at risk here! Oh my salts and grits… thats a load of hooey my friends. Remember… to talk to yourself is to be labelled a lunatic. And if everyone in the world was all about themself? No room for anyone else. Sad state of affairs my friend. Freaking dismal. Its like pulling out a boardgame made for 2-8 players and having 1. Ever played Monopoly with one person? How long does it take before you get bored out of your skin and decide to rob the bank, occupy Boardwalk and Park Place and pillage the Utilites? Sigh.

The second is the work knee-jerk. Second word after the hyphen says it all if you just react. Often you will equal jerk. No information and hasty decision= Jerk.

So it is possible to live the dream and all the time we ARE making history my friends. It is about how you act and react with your friends and colleagues and interact. Love at its root is an intelligent concern for others. Its ok to feel love for others and embrace the moments as they come up. And embracing the moments means mindfulness, meditation, being a kid at times and not taking oneself so darn serious. As you do have a choice my friends and gentle readers… live the dream or dream that you lived. For me the choice is so obvious. To live the dream means you can be yourself, often.

— Rev. Dr. Joel Lamoure January 2012