*Namaste*

(Remember? My eternal soul is greeting your eternal soul.) Dear Readers! My golly! What’s been happening? It is with much sadness and also much hope in my heart that I write this article.

No doubt you’ve all read or heard by now about the recent tragedy where 39 people committed mass suicide in correlation with the comet Hale-Bopp. Just about every single form of the media (tabloids, radio stations, television journalists) are jumping on the band wagon to call this a “New Age” tragedy. They also point out quite quickly that it is the “internet” that is at the crux of the whole scenario. I submit to you that the entire episode has been pulled out of proportion, presented in the way that it has for the purposes of sensationalism and that it is unfortunately not as an unusual an occurrence in American history or that of other cultures as well as some would lead you to believe!

Do you all remember Jamestown? No internet there! How about Charles Manson? He probably never even saw a computer! No, the comet, and the internet are insignificant details that have been used and misused to give a new lilt to a terrible and scandalizing occurrence.

Interestingly enough, I originally toyed with the idea of writing about the comet this week.

If you’ve been following my articles regularly (which I know from your calls and letters that so many of you have) you don’t get anymore “new age” (I really hate using that word) than I am. You also can’t get anymore “internetish” (I think I just created a word here! J) than I am. Therefore, in my own humble opinion, who more qualified to speak on this subject than I? First let’s talk about the internet. The internet happens to be a wonderful manifestation of the science and technology of mankind. Never before have so many people been able to meet, share, form bonds, learn and ultimately...grow! I am both blessed and of course pleased, to have made the intimate acquaintance of so many. I have many global friends. All of us are philosophers. All of us are very spiritual. Not a spirituality that is bound by convention, but one of a higher plane where labels and tags…mean nothing! While all of the societal expressions are there, we do not see one another as the Catholic, the Buddhist, the Jew, the Agnostic or the Atheist. We see within. We look within. That is precisely why I named my column: The Journey…Inward!

All of us come together daily to share whatever and whoever we are. We talk about everything! Our conversations range the all the way from the very profound (some consider this is “new age”) to how messy the kids leave their rooms and what we’re going to eat for dinner. And yes, it is a chat forum. We have come to care very much for each other.

Why do we care so much about one another? Why do we share so much? The answer is that we have become friends! That’s what friends do. Through this “coming together” we have all grown to care very deeply about one another as I said. We have formed very strong bonds and really do consider ourselves a “family” of sorts but never once have we had to relinquish who we ourselves are! None of us are a self-appointed “god”! We are all very well grounded and all have a very “regular” and ordinary role in society.

This recent tragedy is so very heart sickening for so many reasons. We are living in a wonderful time. So much is happening. Technology (which is really a manifestation of the intellect of man) is racing ahead. The earth we live on is changing, we can all see that. That which is outside of our immediate sphere of reference such as other planets, other beings…are all becoming an intriguing area of examination and speculation.

So many more than ever are now soul searching, looking in, seeking answers. While this is philosophically good……it can also be a very opportune time for the vipers of society to take advantage of those that are struggling.

I’m sure that if you look at the pages of the book of everyone’s life, there are enough trials and tribulations to make a juicy novel. While it may seem that some “get more than their share”……it really isn’t so. As you know, I haven’t exactly lead an uneventful life myself. I’m only 41 and I’ve already experienced more things than some 95 year olds. But that doesn’t matter! Experiences are not meant to be compared. They are not linear. They are independent happenings that are meant to make us grow, strengthen us, and help show us what is expected of us. They take us to a new ~place~. They are supposed to make us a new and better person.

Unfortunately, strength of spirit and character are not evenly divided amongst our fellow man. Some of us are very centered, very strong….even from day one of our life. Others of us are more needy. Neither one is inherently good nor bad…..just different. And the weaker can always become stronger. We always have free choice. We were designed by the creator to grow spiritually as well as bodily. Some seem to forget that. Some seem to feel “destined” to live and die an observer of life.

I read somewhere a very appropriate saying. (I know, I just love sayings! J) It wasn’t in a house of worship, or a library, or even a bookstore. It was in a music store and it was on a key chain that way hanging on a display near the counter. Anyway, I found the saying to be very thought provoking and true. The saying was the following: “There are basically 3 kinds of people: Those that make things happen, those that watch things happen…..and those that wonder what the heck just happened!” Particularly the latter part, seems to be true for too many. Thank God….not all though!!!

Those of us that are stronger, I believe, have an obligation to look out for the weaker of our brothers and sisters… to lend that helping hand whenever and wherever necessary. We never have to be that lost soul. We do not have to be either the “wonderer” or the wanderer…. not know what’s going on or where to go!

From my heart to yours I caution all of you never to relinquish all decision making for yourself. True friends and true family members never want anything from you other than your company. They do not desire to “lead you” or make your decisions. Never look to another human being as if they “know it all” and can give you direction. You are you and I am me! Only you, can know what you were created for. Only you can steer your ship! Only you were meant to. Always safeguard your existence…your mortal life! Life is dear, and precious and a gift from the creator. Never ever forget that. Even if we live to be 101 I’m sure that the journey here is swift. So! Lets just live in peace sharing who and what we are, quietly. Take your place in the world alongside every other human being for without a doubt you belong there and are as equally important. When your time to leave has come, you will know it and no one else will have to inform you of it. In-between it all we can of course be there for one another… to share the tears and more importantly the laughter!!! The laughter, the smiles and the good times are just as present, just as powerful, just as meaningful….and just as poignant as those rough times!

Yes my dear friends! When those good times come along (and they will)…ya just gotta grab hold of ‘em! Enjoy them and cherish them for they are the “moments” that carry you through those rough times! And don’t ever forget how unique and special you are….for you are!!! Once you realize that…You’ll be as strong as a rock on the inside where it really counts…and you won’t be needing any others to show you the way for it truly is within. Just listen to that “little voice” (sometimes known as your conscience) and you’ll never go wrong! Take care of yourselves! Really!!!!!!

Love, Light and Peace to you All…..Always!

~*MoonLady*~

The Following Article is an original publication written by (me *S*) Donna Helgeson.

It first appeared in the Brooklyn Baron in my continuing column: The Journey...Inward!!!!

All rights are retained by the writer.  

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