Tuesday, April 29, 2014

What does The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Alice in Wonderland, A Beautiful Mind, and Big Mommas House have in common?

 



 Until You Walk The Path, You Won’t Know Where it Goes will be chatting with producer, director and special effects master Harvey Lowry May 1, 2014 at 1 pm eastern. Lowry will be sharing his insights in to the film industry as well as some of the behind stories of his current project Deadly Sanctuary. 



 
Harvey Lowry entered the film industry in 1990 and soon became the President and Director of Operations for one of the largest special effects and film production companies in California. Over the course of nineteen years, he has supervised the production, special effects, makeup effects, visual effects, animatronics and/or specialty costumes for over 150 feature films, television shows, music videos, commercials and documentaries. He has independently produced 19 feature films and 3 television shows. Harvey has collaborated on the films The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Alice in Wonderland, A Beautiful Mind, The Passion of the Christ, Hannibal, Big Mommas House, The Watchmen and many others. Harvey began his career as an actor before starting his career in special effects. In late 1994, he began his career in special effects as an assistant at an effects studio and quickly grew his skills with the company. Soon promoted to Director of Operations, Harvey and the company collaborated on many high profile films and television shows producing visual effects, special effects, props and costumes.





Harvey began producing independent films in 2000. Since then, he has produced nineteen other projects ranging from the dark horror film Trailer Park of Terror (the only film in the Slamdance  Film Festival history to have a second screening due to high demand), to the family comedy Soccer Mom starring Emily Osment and Missy Pyle.


 


In 2006, Harvey formed his own very successful special effects and film production company and immediately began production on a series of feature films, such as The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and The Watchmen, television shows such as Moonlight and Saving Grace, and many commercials and music videos. As his company continued to grow, Harvey put more emphasis on producing independent films such as Farmhouse and Night of the Demons starring Shannon Elizabeth and directing special effects heavy scenes for movies. In 2009, under his Green Pictures banner, he produced the family comedy Monster Mutt. In 2010, Harvey furthered his independent producing career with such films as Sinbad: The Fifth Voyage featuring Patrick Stewart and Paranormal Whacktivity, as well as directing for three television shows. Harvey continued his success producing special effects for blockbuster films such as Dead of Night starring Brandon Routh, Night at a the Museum; Battle of the Smithsonian and the upcoming Humpty Dumpty. Harvey continues focusing more on producing and directing independent films, television shows music videos, commercials and documentaries, as well as supervising special effects on films and television shows around the world. Harvey is currently directing the television series America’s



Next Best Bartender for BRS Media and NBC. He recently directed the dramatic thriller, Cassidy Way and the quirky comedy, Light on Sunshine. It is undeniable that his track record for success in film and television will carry over into any venture he chooses to be a part of, making him one of the entertainment industry’s elite producers and directors.

 Lowry's websites

Tune into http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theresachaze on May 1, 2014 at 1 pm eastern to learn more about an insiders view of the film industry from Harvey Lowey. The phone lines and chat will be available for those who wish to ask questions. The phone number is (347) 838-9927.




























" Instant Karma is going to get you."
                                       John Lennon

Have you ever met someone and suddenly  felt love or hate? Yet for the life of you couldn't remember  them.  Would you want to  remember? Would you want to know if it could save  your life?


Never Can Say Good-bye is a paranormal thriller  feature film with the  logline love and hate survives death




http://cproduction5.wix.com/cosmos-productions-






Saturday, April 26, 2014

How to help homeless Veterans

Until You Walk The Path, You Won’t Know Where it Goes will be chatting with Veteran Advocate Matt Davison April 28, 2014 at 1 pm eastern. Davison will be talking how his role veteran advocate he helps homeless and incarcerated veterans. 


 







 
Davison is service-connected disabled Air Force veteran of the Vietnam era. For the past 14 years, he has advocated for homeless, addicted, dual-diagnosed, and incarcerated veterans. His work has resulted in the Associates Vietnam Veterans of America Member of the Year, the California State Council of Vietnam Veterans of America Member of the Year award, and the Chaplain of Four Chaplains Humanitarian award, and a number of other acknowledgments. For 3 1/2 years, he coordinated a federal program going into four federal correctional institutions twice weekly, preparing incarcerated veterans for successful re-entry back into society. He is currently Chairman of the Veterans Incarcerated Program for VietNow, a national veteran service organization.



 
Davison's links.

Tune into http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theresachaze on April 28, 2014 at 1 pm eastern to learn about how to help veterans from an advocate and veteran Matt Davison. The phone lines and chat will be available for those who wish to ask questions. The phone number is (347) 838-9927.



The interview will be available in the archives at
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theresachaze/2014/04/28/until-you-walk-the-path-you-wont-know-where-it

















Horses and Heroes is not about pointing fingers or creating a political firestorm. It is a documentary, which will help military personnel and veterans find a new way to cope with the physical and emotional challenges brought into their lives by war. Equine Therapy does not involve drugs nor lying on a couch and spilling their guts. What it does do is help them find new ways to see and react to their emotional triggers. It helps their bodies remember how it used to work. It can't replace what was lost, but it can give them the confidence to see that they are more than the sum of their body parts. Horses and Heroes will give veterans and military personnel the information they need to find alternative healing solutions, which can help prevent another Fort Hood.


Horses and Heroes website






Thursday, April 24, 2014

The Eagle Cried

The Eagle Cried…
Rick Turton
Viet Nam
1970-1971

The acrid smell of cordite
Still hovered in the air.
No breeze to wash away
The scent of Satan’s hair.

The Medivac’s are fading now,
Their cabins filled with dead.
So many grisly pictures
Are surging through my head

Another hill’s been taken
The earth all charred and black
We all know what’s coming;
Tomorrow…”Give it back!”

The Eagle cries from barren trees
His tears, he cannot hide.
Where once a proud, young soldier stood
My Warrior Brother, died

The scorched ground that surrounds me;
Am I in Dante’s Hell?
This skirmish now is over
We saw them as they fell.

My Warrior Brother, Donny,
Died that gruesome day.
He took the bullets meant for me
With his final words did say,

“Tell Mom and Sis I loved them!
Please! Don’t let me down!”
I promised I would tell them
A promise I’d soon drown.

The Eagle cried that tragic day,
Back in Sixty-Eight.
A promise made…un-kept,
To my Warrior mate.

One thing that I’m sure of,
A thing that gives no rest.
The hounds of Hell still battle
Deep within my chest.

A bottle’d been my address
For forty years or more.
I’d take ‘most any drug,
I couldn’t find the door.

Somewhere there’s a record,
Of drugs and booze and tears.
When I crawled out of the bottle
I’d been buried in for years.

Half a decade sober.
Not a real long time.
That’s how long I’m clean tho’,
My life’s becoming mine.

The winds of war are blowing by;
In history books they last.
I’m in the winter of my years,
My best days...they have passed.

The one thing that I’ve never done
One thing I cannot face:
To visit the Memorial,
The headstone for that place.

My daughter said, “You have to go,
To honor those who died!”
I said I know I should…
But that I’d go…I lied

Then one day the phone rang;
A call I knew I’d dread.
It was Donny’s sister,
“Please help me!” Karen pled.

“I’ve spent these years just searching
I even hired a sleuth.
I finally found out where you live…
I need to know the truth.”

 “The Army’s always been real vague,
And their answers never matched.
I need to know what happened;
They always seemed detached”

“Our Mother has passed on now,
But I still need to know;
I’d really love to meet with you,
Please…just show me how!”

The hounds of Hell are roused again;
Their howling has re-started.
I force their shrieks out of my mind,
My path, it has been charted

Quiet now, you dogs of war!
It's time for a new quest!
It's time for me to wrestle you,
And lay your souls to rest!

Then I thought the one thing,
A thought I'd never say,
Should I meet her at The Wall,
And put my hounds at bay?

I finally said I’d meet with her,
With a voice that was not mine.
“The Wall is where I’ll meet you.
I’ll see you there at nine.”

I saw flowers in her hand,
As she walked my way.
“Yellow roses were his favorite.”
Later she would say.

“Hello, my name is Karen.”
She said when we did meet
“Donny wrote me many things,
I knew that you’d be sweet!”

“I know this must be hard for you,
But I really need to know.
Please tell me how my brother died,
That day, so long ago.”

The moment had arrived.
I could hide this fact no more.
I said things I’d kept hidden,
Behind my mind’s locked door

She took my hand in hers,
And waited patiently.
My head bowed down as I thought
Of words I had to say.

I knew my words would stab her heart
But she would not look away.
She watched me as I told her
Of that ghastly day.

“Your Brother died in my arms
In that nameless place.
He took the bullets meant for me
And died as we embraced!”

Her head dropped down, when I was done
Her chin upon her chest.
A single tear rolled down her cheek,
“Now Donny’s laid to rest”

I walked with her as she made her way
To the Wall of Stone.
She laid the flowers at the base
Her silent prayer was sown.

At last I’ve honored those who fell,
Whose names are etched in rows.
We touched the name of Donny,
Who died so long ago.

And we cried…

The Eagle’s cry is heard again;
It lives within the Wall!
Each time that a name is touched
The Eagle gives his call.







Horses and Heroes is not about pointing fingers or creating a political firestorm. It is a documentary, which will help military personnel and veterans find a new way to cope with the physical and emotional challenges brought into their lives by war. Equine Therapy does not involve drugs nor lying on a couch and spilling their guts. What it does do is help them find new ways to see and react to their emotional triggers. It helps their bodies remember how it used to work. It can't replace what was lost, but it can give them the confidence to see that they are more than the sum of their body parts. Horses and Heroes will give veterans and military personnel the information they need to find alternative healing solutions, which can help prevent another Fort Hood.

To learn more please visit our website at http://cproduction5.wix.com/cosmos-productions-#!page3/cee5





Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Interview with Star from Betty White's Off Their Rockers Series


Until You Walk The Path, You Won’t Know Where it Goes will be chatting with actress, comedian and prankster Ann Benson on April 24, 2014 at 1 pm eastern. Benson will be talking about her role on the hit comedy series, Betty White’s Off Their Rockers as well as sharing her experiences in film, television, and on stage.


 

From the board room to the green room, Benson has proven the diversity of her acting talent and business acumen. In the 1960’s into the 1980’s, she toured as the Financial Spokesperson for Merrill Lynch. Additionally, she created a free educational program for women on investing and managing money that won a Silver Anvil (equivalent to an Oscar) in 1980 from the Public Relations Society of America. From comedy to drama, Benson has been been cast in both starring and featured roles in film, television, and theatrical productions. She has also appeared in numerous commercials. Currently, she is part of the regular cast on Betty White's Off Their Rockers. Billed as a combination comedy-reality series, the cast pranks unsuspecting people. Initially, part of the NBC line up, the series will begin its third season on the the Lifetime Network.









Marrying her childhood sweetheart, writer Jerry Segal, Benson has two children, Shelli Segal, a well known Fashion Designer, and Robby Benson, actor-writer-director, currently Professor of Practice, Dept. of Telecommunications Indiana University. 

 


Tune into http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theresachaze on April 24, 2014 at 1 pm eastern to listen to learn the secrets of Ann Benson's success in the entertainment industry. The phone lines and chat will be available for those who wish to ask questions. The phone number is (347) 838-9927.



The interview will be available in the archives at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theresachaze/2014/04/24/until-you-walk-the-path-you-wont-know-where-it


" Instant Karma is going to get you."
                                       John Lennon

Have you ever met someone and suddenly  felt love or hate? Yet for the life of you couldn't remember  them.  Would you want to  remember? Would you want to know if it could save  your life?


Never Can Say Good-bye is a paranormal thriller  feature film with the  logline love and hate survives death


http://cproduction5.wix.com/cosmos-productions-
Courage isn't the lack of fear, but the ability to set it aside and  focus on what is truly important






Monday, April 21, 2014

Never Can Say Good-bye combines Ghost, Always, and What Dreams May Come

Never Can Say Good-bye is a paranormal thriller that combines the concepts of Ghost, Always and What Dreams May Come.

Logline: love and hate survive death.

Shane has been cast by Lillian Lamour. We still have several important roles to cast, including our male lead.

Michael is 45-50 any ethnic background. Michael is a man who has been looking for his twin flame for his entire life. He things he found her only learn he made the same mistake. He has to decided between rekindle the love flame or destroy them in the flames of revenge.

Sara Jane Late teens/early twenties Must be able to sing and look like could belong in Dyan Cannon's family. A loving woman whose life is cut short. Her ghost is unable to save her son from the woman who sees him as only stumbling block to her finding love.

Jefferson a man in his mid to late 20's any ethnic background. He must be able to sing well. He is a man who has blinded by love until it that love nearly kills them all.

If you were given a second chance, would you choose love or revenge?

Please share and let the six degrees of separation work.
http://cproduction5.wix.com/cosmos-productions-#!page2/cjg9
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3138218/combined

Sunday, April 13, 2014

The Truth About Charges Against Charity Hill Ranch



There has been scuttlebutt being spread about the Charity Hill Ranch in Rapids City. There have been individuals who have attacked the owner's character and ethics. What I have heard directly and indirectly has not been my experience.

A mutual connection made aware of Charity Hill Ranch when I told him about Horses and Heroes. He highly recommended Christine O'Connell and the Charity Hill Ranch. He introduced us and we started talking about using Charity Hill Ranch as the primary location for Horses and Heroes.


I found Chris to be an honest and straight forward person. Nearly immediately she told me of the conflict with the woman, who was to be her partner on a larger ranch closer to Traverse City. Chris said that once the new ranch was established, the partner set out to take control. Chris did not give me the details. I didn't need to know and she refused to speak badly of the other woman. She gave me the option of backing out and recommended several other ranches around the state. If Chris had been the person the other woman had claim, she would not have been as forth right, nor would she have given us the option out.

However, the woman's claims were further proven to be false when the international organization Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (P.A.T.H) gave the ranch their highest rating. P.A.T.H. individually visits, tests, and certifies each of their centers. If Charity Hill Ranch hadn't met the below standards, they would not have be Northern Michigan's only Accredited Premier Center.


P.A.T.H. Code of Conduct

1. The member respects the rights, dignity and well-being of all individuals (human and equine) and promotes well-being for all involved.

Guidelines:
1.1 The member shall promote a holistic awareness of body, mind and spirit in equine-assisted activities and therapies for all involved.

1.2 The member shall be responsive to, and mutually supportive of, the individuals served, including families, colleagues and associates.

1.3 The member shall respect the unique nature of each individual and shall be tolerant of, and responsive to, differences. The member shall not discriminate based on age, gender, race, nationality, religion, ethnicity, social or economic status, sexual orientation, health condition or disability.

1.4 The member shall follow equal employment opportunity practices in hiring, assigning, promoting, discharging and compensating staff.

1.5 The member shall maintain in professional confidence participant, volunteer and staff information, observations or evaluations and shall adhere to all legal requirements.

1.6 The member, in community settings, shall use caution in forming dual or multiple relationships with participants or former participants where there is a risk of a conflict of interest. The member, in clinical treatment settings, shall avoid dual relationships when possible. In situations where dual relationships are unavoidable, the member shall be responsible for setting clear, appropriate and sensitive boundaries.

1.7 The member will understand the sensitive nature of physical touch and use it with caution.


Principle 2

The member accepts responsibility for the exercise of sound judgment and professional competence.

Guidelines:
2.1 The member shall accurately represent his/her level of expertise, experience, education and actual practice and provide service only to those individuals he/she can competently serve.

2.2 The member shall engage in sound business, employment and administrative practices.

2.4 The member shall engage in continued personal growth, continuing relevant education and professional skill development.

2.5 The member shall recognize and take appropriate action to remedy personal problems and limitations that might cause harm to recipients of service, colleagues or others.

2.6 The member shall demonstrate objectivity and fairness by interacting with individuals in an impartial manner.

2.7 The member shall accept responsibility for the exercise of sound judgment when interacting with individuals and animals.

2.8 The member shall demonstrate openness to, and respect for, other colleagues and professionals.


Principle 3

The member shall respect the integrity and well-being of program equines and animals whether owned, leased or borrowed.

Guidelines:
3.1 The member shall recognize and respect the individual character, nature and physical attributes of each program equine.

3.2 The member shall encourage safe and respectful human and equine interactions, placing equines in activities suited to their temperament and physical ability.

3.3 The member shall support the highest standard of care, maintenance and selection for each program equine, understanding and responding to the equine's need for socialization, play, turnout, time off and retirement.

3.4 When equines are borrowed or leased, the same high standards of equine respect, care and maintenance apply.

3.5 The member shall cultivate a barn and practice environment that supports personal and professional development and is compliant with PATH Intl. standards.


Principle 4

The member shall be truthful and fair in representing him- or herself and other members or centers.

Guidelines:
4.1 The member shall be responsible for providing each participant with accurate information regarding programs, services, professional training and credentials, as well as possible benefits, outcomes, expected activities, risks and limitations of the service or program.

4.2 The member shall meet commitments to participants, colleagues, equines, agencies, the equine-assisted activities and therapies community and the community at large.

4.3 The member shall use the PATH Intl. logo only in accordance with the PATH Intl. brand policy.


Principle 5

The member shall seek to expand his/her knowledge base related to the field of equine-assisted activities and therapies.

Guidelines:
5.1 The member shall maintain a high level of professional competence by continued participation in educational activities that enhance basic knowledge and provide new knowledge.

5.2 The member shall support the sharing and dissemination of information, the provision of training and conducting of research for the benefit of the profession.

5.3 The member shall demonstrate commitment to quality assurance. The member in clinical treatment settings shall engage in providing and receiving individual or peer supervision and/or staffing consultation on a regular basis.


Principle 6

The member shall honor all financial commitments to participants, personnel, vendors, donors, PATH Intl. and others.

Guidelines:
6.1 The member shall negotiate and clarify the fee structure and payment policy prior to the initiation of service and charge in a responsible and reasonable manner.

6.2 The member shall not misrepresent in any fashion services rendered or products dispensed.

6.3 The member shall be truthful and fair in representing him- or herself in fundraising activities.

6.4 The member shall honor all debt obligations.

6.5 The member shall maintain membership in PATH Intl. and pay the appropriate fee as determined by the Board of Trustees. Instructors shall remain in good standing with the annual compliance process for instructors


Principle 7

The member shall abide by PATH Intl. Standards and Guidelines and all state, local and federal laws.


Principle 8

The member supports PATH Intl. in its efforts to protect participants, equines, the public and the profession from unethical, incompetent or illegal practice.

Guidelines:
8.1 The member shall present this PATH Intl. Code of Ethics to all staff and personnel, outlining their collective obligation to support it and address any questions or concerns pertaining to it.

8.2 The member accepts the responsibility to discuss suspect unethical behavior directly with the parties involved and, if unresolved, to report unethical, incompetent or illegal acts to PATH Intl.


The second challenge to Charity Hill Ranch's reputation came from the man who introduced me to Chris O'Connell. The man sent me an email, stating that he had ended his relationship with the ranch. Of course, I wanted to know why and was told that she was demanding money from him. I called Chris. She explained that they had asked him to sign a boarding contract for his four horses. It would protect everyone, including him and his horses. The agreement also stated that he agreed to pay the boarding fees. He refused to sign and they asked him to move his horses. Asking him to pay for the food and shelter of his horses seemed like a logical and reasonable request. I told him to keep me out of it. Their disagrement had nothing to do with me or my project. When I refused to move Horses and Heroes from Charity Hill Ranch to the ranch he was now supporting, which just happened to be Traverse City Ranch that Chris helped create, he became abusive. He contacted our director, Larry Wilcox and told him that Charity Hill Ranch was being closed, because they were neglecting and abusing the horses. He was also very quick to point out here was another ranch available for the documentary. He also pitched his projects to Larry as alternatives to Horses and Heroes.

Shortly after, he filed abuse and neglect charges with the authorities. He made a point to tell me of his actions as if the accusation was proof of guilt. The next day Chris told me that the authorities had inspected the ranch that day and found his charges totally false. In their report, which is public record, they found the horses to be well cared for and the ranch well maintained. We were out there a week to ten days later to film footage for Horses and Heroes. Our footage proves that all the horses, including his, were well cared for. Although horses can lose weight rapidly, it takes much longer for them to gain weight.





He continued to harass me by email and telephone continued until I blocked him on Facebook and threatened to take legal action.



It took him months and a court order for him to move his horses. Common sense states that if he truly thought they were at risk, he would have immediately moved them. But he did not.

I am writing this posting because these events continue to affect both the Charity Hill Ranch and our documentary, Horses and Heroes. The ranch has lost sponsors and donations that the ranch it needs keep their programs affordable. Investors have shied away from Horses and Heroes, because of the location. I am asking that before you accept the message as truth that you look at the messenger and their motives. Ask yourself: Would an internationally known and respected organization that has been around since 1969 risk their reputation for one small ranch? Wouldn't he have immediately removed his horses if they were in danger?

I'm asking those who read this to help both Charity Hill Ranch and our documentary Horses and Heroes. Please don't let these two self serving people hurt those who are trying to help.



Horses and Heroes is not about pointing fingers or creating a political firestorm. It is a documentary, which will help military personnel and veterans find a new way to cope with the physical and emotional challenges brought into their lives by war. Equine Therapy does not involve drugs nor lying on a couch and spilling their guts. What it does do is help them find new ways to see and react to their emotional triggers. It helps their bodies remember how it used to work. It can't replace what was lost, but it can give them the confidence to see that they are more than the sum of their body parts. Horses and Heroes will give veterans and military personnel the information they need to find alternative healing solutions, which can help prevent another Fort Hood.




To learn more about how  Horses and Heroes will be helping veterans please visit our website.







Sunday, April 06, 2014

How to avoid another Fort Hood


 


It has been known by many names.   During the Civil War, it was called “Soldier's Heart”.    During World War II they called it "Shell Shock".   It has also been called "Combat Fatigue".   The current label is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PSTD.  

In the past, it was down played.  Sufferers were told to man up.  They were medicated, but instead of healing the medication turned them into zombies and created more emotional issues, which frequently had tragic results.  Many have tried talk therapy.  Results were limited.  Most military personnel thought that only one who had lived through the experience could possibly understand the emotional and physically toil of war.   Buddy therapy is an effective, but it is also limited by the number of veterans available and willing to participate.

No matter how it has been labeled, the emotional and physical ramification have caused have had tragic consequences in some veterans lives.  It has cost them jobs, marriages, their freedom...even their lives.  The shootings at Ford Hood are prime examples of how the over loaded system is failing our veterans.  In the latest incident, the shooter asked for help and was in the process of being evaluated.  But instead of the support he needed his was given drugs to deal with the symptoms instead of dealing with the core issue.  The VA stats state that on average 23 veterans a day commit suicide.  The number only included the eight states that keep records.  Nor does it account for the veterans who suicide by enemy, cop, vehicle accident, fights, drugs or the many other ways they are statistically accounted for on other books.  Many veterans and civilian organization claim the number of those who chose to die rather than live with the pain and guilt to be closer to 200.

Animal Assisted Therapy has been extremely effective for those who are physically and emotionally challenged.   It has become more widely used in cases of PTSD, especially in cases of veterans.  Although almost any animal can be a healer, dogs and horses are the ones most commonly partnered with veterans.  Dogs have the advantage of being accepted in both cities and rural areas.  However, horses are known to better reflect the mood of the person handling them.  This ability is helpful for the PSTD patient to learn how to recognize their own feelings.  In this way, they learn how to retrain their mind and body reacts to stressers, so they can heal what has broken and build a new life.

Horses and Heroes is not about pointing fingers or creating a political firestorm.  It is a documentary, which will help military personnel and veterans find a new way to cope with the physical and emotional challenges brought into their lives by war.  Equine Therapy does not involve drugs nor lying on a couch and spilling their guts.  What it does do is help them find new ways to see and react to their emotional triggers.  It helps their bodies remember how it used to work.  It can't replace what was lost, but it can give them the confidence to see that they are more than the sum of their body parts.  Horses and Heroes will give veterans and military personnel the information they need to find alternative healing solutions, which can help prevent another Fort Hood.

But we need your help to make it happen.  We are looking for six veterans in Michigan, who are willing to go through the therapy and share it with others.   We need investors and product sponsors who want to help our veterans heal their way home.   Please visit our website at http://cproduction5.wix.com/cosmos-productions-#!page3/cee5 and read about how we will help.  Then share our link with your friends, family, and on your social networks.  The six degrees of separation does work when people care enough to  make a difference.

 


Courage isn't the lack of fear, but the ability to set it aside and  focus on what is truly important

Friday, April 04, 2014

Graduating to Another Grade at the School of Hard Knocks


Some many people see life as black and white, while life is in reality many shades of gray. The relationships and events that are brought into our lives teach us this by exposing us to many people in different situations to see how we will react. The people we love and trust affect us but they do not reflect us. The situations our decisions put us test us to see how we will react. They are not punishments, but challenges to test our learning process.

Whether it was a karmic lesson or a challenge from this lifetime, I came to believe that what happened to me, around me, and to those in my life was my responsibility. If someone I cared about was hurt, it was my fault. If something broke or if something zigged when I thought it should zag that it was a punishment. That belief was never a truth. It was a challenge for me to over come. The who and the why of how it was reinforced in my childhood is a long story that would make War and Peace look like a novelette. I wrote those tales on pages that have been since been burnt to release the pain and guilt, but also find the love and the hope. The lessons other taught me then are on them, but how I react to them now is mine.

Three years ago a beautiful soul that I named Sophie came to my back door. She is a tuxedo kitty that was so small that I thought she was only about six month old. What I didn't know when I adopted her was that she was a Trojan kitty. Two weeks later, she had four kittens. She was so malnourished from being abandoned that the kittens were smaller than normal and she needed extra care for her to be able to care for them.

I named the babies, Izzie, Simon, Merrie, and Honey-bunny. Merrie and Simon were eager to take on the world. Their eyes opened quickly. Honey-bunny wasn't far behind. Izzie’s was a little slower. Her eyes didn't want to open, but once they did she became leader of the pride. She was clever and courageous. She was the first to explore and last to back down.

I took them to the veterinarian for the first check up at about eight weeks. I took in four healthy kittens, but two days later all of them were sick and refusing to eat. I took them back. The vet took Izzie’s temperature. It was the only difference. He gave them a different kind of worming medication. Within 24 hours, the babies started to recover except for Izzie. Initially, they were all happily eating again. But then Izzie stopped. I called the vet and was told to give her a couple of more days. Izzie started to loose weight. I force fed her water and food. I changed food and eventually went to baby food to help sustain her. Nothing I did made a difference. She weakened. I didn't want to let her go I set up another appointment with another vet for the next morning. That night she began to whimper in pain. I saw what I was doing to her. That beautiful soul was staying in a body that didn't work, because she loved me. I told her it was okay to go. That I loved her and would be okay. She relaxed and smiled a little. I didn't want to leave her, but I suddenly really had to go to the bathroom. By the time I got back, that beautiful soul had left. I was only gone a few moments. But it was the time she needed.


For a long time, I blamed myself. I emotionally beat myself with the would-have, should-have stick. The reality was that it was her time. The circumstances of her pregnancy and birth gave her a body that was only temporary. There was nothing that I could have done to fix what was not mine. It was never about me. It was Izzie's path and her choice. When I realized that she was freed of a body that did not work and I started the grieving process. That bright beautiful soul brought a love, joy, and courage into my life. For that I will always be grateful.

Last spring, I was hired to produce a business platform, including the budget, proposal, and operating agreement/bylaws, along with four videos for a new non-profit organization. I was assured that once the platform and the videos were available that the she would have the funding to not only register the organization with the state and federal governments, but she would also be able pay me for my work.

When I set the price for my work, I thought I would be some receiving help with the information gathering. I love research, but some of the budget items like the cost of renting office space would have been more efficiently done by someone who lives in the area. I asked for help, but received none. Additionally, the organization's name changed after the work began, making it necessary for me to reedit the videos that I already produced as well as the business platform. I finished and delivered my work. I asked for payment only to be told that the there would be a delay because the donor wanted to see the organization's website, which had yet to be built. I gathered the information and delivered it to the web master. The site went up. Again payment was delayed due to the time of the year. The donors had already reached their limit, but would again be donating after the first of the year. The first of the year has come and gone. Although small payments have been being made all along, I have only received a third of what is owed. I have been given more promises and excuses for why she can't pay me. Yet she has the funds to travel to political events and conferences. She is able hobnob with politicians, celebrities, and other activists, because of the work I have done. But she doesn't feel the need to pay for the work that opened those doors for her.

The tall and short of it is that the project involved much more work and took longer than I expected. Plus I did more than the original agreement, including organizing the crowd fund campaign that raised enough to register the organization with the state, but instead the funds were spent on promoting the group on Facebook.

This is not a pity party, but the realization that sometimes you do have to fight for what is rightfully yours. I did the work. I also went above and beyond expectations. I deserve to be paid. This mind set is a life pattern that I needed to address. Although, I can find rainbow in this storm, it does not absolve the other person from her obligation. She needs to pay me what she owes now.

It the past I felt guilty about asking for what was owed me. I was afraid that I would loose a friend or that there would be a negative backlash that would cause others to turn against me. This is why I have been taken advantage of in the past. I treated myself like a doormat and didn't understand why other people wiped their feet on me. I have changed this mind set. I am a bright, innovative person, who is a blessing on this world. I am caring and sharing. Now I will be so with myself as well as others.

In this case, I trusted someone, who chose to take advantage of that trust. I am proud that I was able to trust. It's a new concept for me. But I am also proud that I didn't take on the other person's bad behavior. What ever happens from now will be her responsibility.

These were two very important life lessons that I needed to learn. We are only responsible for ourselves, our actions, and the results of those actions. Although we can learn from others, we are not responsible for them or their actions. Although others' lives affect ours, they do not reflect who we are or our destiny. Love and friendship does not mean ownership. To truly love and respect another, it means that you must let go and allow them face the karmic lessons. To do anything else stunts everyone's spiritual and emotional growth. When we take on what does not belong to us, we hurt ourselves and everyone involved.


" Instant Karma is going to get you."
                                       John Lennon

Have you ever met someone and suddenly  felt love or hate? Yet for the life of you couldn't remember  them.  Would you want to  remember? Would you want to know if it could save  your life?


Never Can Say Good-bye is a paranormal thriller  feature film with the  logline love and hate survives death


http://cproduction5.wix.com/cosmos-productions-