Many people are going through financial nightmares and the long road to be taken in trying to get home loans modified (including quite a few close friends). It is a frightening, stressful time. The only thing worse than losing your home would be losing loved ones.

(The image of the lamb was taken in Wales near the slate mines. It was so peaceful that it truly seemed as though we were seeing the Lamb of God.)

I just got off the phone with a gentlemen whose stress level is causing health problems. Nothing, absolutely nothing is worth making yourself sick over. So, I eMailed the following to him and I hope it will help others in the midst of any kind of trials and tribulations.

Whenever my mind won’t leave me alone — which is frequently, actually — I repeat something uplifting until my brain shuts up. My absolute favorite, even though I don’t follow any specific religious doctrine, is:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

I’m also currently reading books on changing my DNA so that my response to challenges is calm and allows me to plan: I am the Captain of My Fate; I am the Master of My Soul. Also, several new movies illustrate just how challenging life is for others and how beautifully they overcome: “Avatar,” “Mandela,” and “The Blind Side.”

Almost all stress is of the mind. Almost all disease is just that — “dis-ease” — as philosopher Alan Watts pointed out in 1960 (or so) during his on-air Meditations. His writings and early morning radio talk-show enlightened many of us: “The Way of Zen,” “Buddhism, the Religion of No-Religion,” “Become What You Are,” “The Wisdom of Insecurity” . . . Alan Watts is the philosopher who sat on the top of Mt. Tamalpais in Marin County facing West. He breathed and followed his breath around the world until it came around and brushed him on the back of his head. It was a stunning image then and it still is now. To quote Joseph Campbell: “No one has given such a concise . . . introduction to the whole history of Far Eastern development of Buddhist thought as Alan Watts.”

Also, I am of the Be Here Now generation. Right now I’m sitting in my home, warm, comfortable, on my marvelous computer. We are in beautiful Marin County with everything we need. I’m not anywhere else. Yesterday is gone; tomorrow hasn’t arrived. At the moment, the reality is that I have no problems — I COULD worry about tomorrow, but why bother.

Okay.

Hugs.

1. Taylor Martin Says:
   January 28th, 2010 at 10:40 pm

   Your website looks really good. Being a blog writer myself, I really appreciate the time you took in writing this article.