Weekly Photo Challenge: Culture ⁴

Aloha, Gratitude, photography • Tags: culture, Hawaii, postaday, postaweek

This week’s photo challenge had me exploring major emotions. Why?

First, my culture is not one culture. I live in a multicultural state and my family is bicultural. The culture where I grew up certainly influences me still. Sometimes the culture of my past clashes with where I am now. The biggest clash is related to religion. Religion is a big part of culture when you grow up in a rural community in the southern part of the United States.

I still have great faith in the Holy Trinity which is largely influenced by my childhood, but I also have come to admire religious leaders of other faiths. I believe there is more than one path to God.

Rabbi Albert L. Lewis said, “Why Tree’s….Why not one prefect tree for the whole earth?” He went on to explain there are oaks and elms, etc. Then he said, “Many trees, the branches all leading to God.” He explained that hate is wrongly engaged in the name of religion for all religions teach, “Honor thy neighbor!”

I love what HH the 14th Dalai Lama said about different religions, “I always believe that it is much better to have a variety of religions, a variety of philosophies, rather than one single religion or philosophy. This is necessary because of the different mental dispositions of each human being. Each religion has certain unique ideas or techniques, and learning about them can only enrich one’s own faith.”

I certainly do not think it is my place to tell you what your path should be. I know Jesus preached love and understanding. I believe that religion is a very personal thing. I think it is important to cultivate a spirit of aloha for all.

Lei: Part of special occasions in Hawaii. It is part of sharing aloha.

The Episcopalian Church is part of my culture.

Multiple cultural influences, starting with growing up in a rural area of the Bible belt of the United States, then moving to Colorado and attending a Jesuit University. Finally I settled in Hawaii where I’ve lived for 19 years.

Buddhism is a cultural influence in Hawaii

2012 Chinatown New Year Parade ©DelightfullyDifferentLife

Also part of my culture.

Spirit Way By Sean K. L. Browne. Photographed at Kapiolani Community College campus.

April 19

Weekly Photo Challenge: Up ¹⁴

photography • Tags: postaday, postaweek

Looking Up.

This week’s photo challenge is up. Sara Rosso first had the idea. My first thought was stairs, but thanks to the example given I remembered the photo above that I took a while ago. Then I looked through some of my old photos and came up (pun intended) with a few more. I hope everyone’s week is looking up.

Up the Stairs

Leaping Up

Flying Up

: Up In the Sky

April 16

Social Media and the Dreaded Question: What If I Am the One Who Is Wrong? ²

Bloggers For Peace, Forgiveness • Tags: Acrostic Poem, B4Peace, Emotions, Facebook

Have you ever responded to someone on Facebook and then asked yourself this question? Have you ever unfriended someone because of something they said or did on Facebook or another form of social media? So, what if I am wrong?

This past week has had me asking these questions. The problem is I honestly don’t know. I am positive that others misjudge me sometimes based on things I’ve said or done on social media including posts on this blog. I know I have even been misjudged based on my novel. Therefore, isn’t it equally possible for me to jump to similar conclusions about others?

Of course it is. Facebook has never been my favorite for just this reason. Twitter is more my style. Somehow for me anyway, it is harder to get in trouble in those 140 characters. Maybe it is because few words make for fewer mistakes. I’m not sure.

I fully understand how young people can get into trouble on Facebook. Facebook seems to thrive on controversy more than any other social media. It is almost encouraged. Then add in the fact that unlike face to face interactions, we have no way of perceiving the person’s emotions or intention.

To any and all I have misjudged or who have misjudged me, I extend the olive branch of forgiveness.

April 12

Weekly Photo Challenge: Change ⁵

Animals, Gratitude • Tags: Change, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, PHOTO CHALLENGE, postaday

Change always reminds me of the old Bob Dylan song: “The times they are a changin.”

This is true for everyone even our cute Pembroke Welsh Corgi. He was an adorable floppy eared puppy when we brought him home; then his ears perked up and became pointed.

Now he is an old dog with a possible spinal tumor, but he still has heart and so far acupuncture is helping his pain. I hope it continues to help because I can’t imagine life without him. He is my children’s first puppy and he brought one of my friends into my life when he was still a hardheaded puppy. I’ll always be grateful to him for all of the love and joy he has given this family.