March 9, 2006 Issue: #334

Got Truth?

. . . what is it and who has it?

PLUS . . . . . .

       Baby Boomers Busted

       Your Brain Fingerprinted

       Dolphins to the Rescue!

and other News, Humor & Fun Stuff

“A man's private thought can never be a lie; what he thinks, is to him the truth . . . always.”
--- Mark Twain quotes (Renowned American Humorist, Author and Lecturer. 1835-1910)

* Skip to Baby Boomers Busted
* Skip to Your Brain Fingerprinted
* Skip to Dolphins to the Rescue
* Skip to Live Long and Prosper
* Skip to Cosmic Quotes

What is the Truth?

A parable by Paula Peterson

"What is the truth, Joe?" Hillary Hedgehog whined in frustration. "I mean THE truth? I can't seem to make up my mind on what to believe."

Joe Rabbit thought carefully for a moment then replied, "Well ... do you really think there is only one truth? After all . . . you were quite accurate when you said, 'I can't seem to make up my mind' about it. That's really all there is to it."

"But that's rhetorical", snapped Hillary. "How does that help anyone? Most folks don't have a clue about what to believe. They need guidance. No one automatically knows how to KNOW."

"They do know ... " smiled Joe, "The trouble is, they've been pursuaded out of knowing."

Hillary eyed Joe suspiciously. "How so?"

"As little ones, we all had to learn how to follow the rules of the family and be obedient - or else we wouldn't get our needs met. Who would feed us? Clothe us? Protect us from harm? Even though some of those 'rules' were inappropriate, unnecessary, smothering or outdated, we complied or else we would suffer the consequences - maybe even die. It's as simple as that.

"Then when we grew up and left home," continued Joe, "that obedience and compliance extended into the larger world and all those additional rules and expectations of society."

"Yeah ... I've heard it all before and it makes sense," sighed Hillary. "But where does knowing THE truth fit into all of this?"

"As souls we already know. But as creatures with physical bodies . . . " Joe lamented, " . . . we forget. Its more than that, though. Its learning about the truths that apply to whatever happens to be going on in our lives in each moment."

"Oh . . . I don't understand," whimpered Hillary.

Joe thought for a moment then went on, "Well ... look at it this way. Lets say that through and through you have the heart and soul of a true hedgehog. Ok with you?"

"Sure. I like being a hedgehog," Hillary eyes twinkled sweetly.

"Great. Now let's say that you were sent to a faraway land to live among Giraffes and learn their ways . . . "

"That's silly!" Hillary interrupted, "Why would a hedgehog hang out with Giraffes?"

"I'm going some where with this ... so be patient." He looked hopefully at Hillary as she rolled her eyes to the sky but then gave a nod for Joe to continue.

Joe readied himself to tell the parable about truth. And this is what Hillary heard that day:

"Okay. So here you are ... among Giraffes. You don't know their language and you don't know their ways. It's also a foreign land and you don't know anything about how to live there. So what do you do?

"I start asking a lot of questions!" replied Hillary all wide-eyed with curiosity.

"But what if you can't ask any questions because you don't speak Giraffe .... and they don't speak Hedgehog. You're surrounded by Giraffes ... and since there are far more of them it doesn't seem practical for them to learn Hedgehog. So you are forced - in a way - to learn their language so you can understand their explanations and descriptions of what it's like to live there and how they live their lives.

"From then on, you spend almost all your waking hours learning their language, learning about the land and learning about the kinds of food available, as well as the type of weather. You also learn about the dangers: what to watch out for and how to avoid the predatory animals.

"In fact, you spend so much time learning about the ways of Giraffes in order to survive that you begin to forget what it was like to be a hedgehog. And since the Giraffes are very successful at being Giraffes, you begin to wonder what was so special about being a Hedgehog in the first place.

"You begin to doubt that being a Hedgehog had any value at all. In fact, you start to forget that loving your Hedghogy-ness was your truth.

"The Giraffes believe that the best edibles are at the tops of the trees - and so they spend a lot of time with their heads high up on the tops of tallest trees happily nibbling on the tender leaves and blossoms that they find up there.

"And so the Giraffes insist that, "the absolute truth of the matter is that the tastiest, most nutritious edibles are at the tops of the trees and if anyone tells you differently, they're disillusioned."

"Of course, you can't reach the tops of the trees: you're a hedgehog. And even though you've accepted yourself all along as a hedgehog - and was very happy being just that - living among Giraffes in a foreign land is beginning to erode the confidence you once had in being a hedgehog. It all starts to become rather confusing.

"Along with that, when the Giraffes want to move from one place to the next, they stride swiftly on long, limber legs and get to the next place very quickly ... while you waddle along on short, stubby little legs that get you there hours after the Giraffes have long arrived . . . "

A little annoyed . . . Hillary squinted at Joe. But eager to know the rest of the story, resisted the temptation to defend the virtues of Hedgehog-y-ness.

"You can see for yourself . . . ", Joe went on, ". . . just how happy the Giraffes are and you see them easily getting their needs met. Nevertheless, you remember a time and place somewhere else where there were yummy and nutritious edibles at ground level hidden under the lowest leaves and vines . You remember being happy and content with what you had. But the Giraffes know nothing about the tasty edibles that grow so low to the ground - and so they can't tell you where to find them. They even doubt that such edibles exist at all since they have never seen them.

"And so, you settle for what you can find close to the ground in this land of Giraffes: but everything that you find is unfamiliar and rather bland for a Hedgehogs taste buds. All the while you watch the Giraffes easily get at their favorite food. You watch them for months then years ... and slowly ... gradually ... you begin to envy those Giraffes and wish you could be more like them. You may even try to emulate them ... much to the dismay - and sometimes even humor - of those watching.

"You try to climb your way to the tops of those trees . . . which usually ends in great exhaustion and not much achieved to show for all your hard work. You even try numerous ways to stretch and lengthen your short, stout little hedgehog neck.

"You try more and more ways to be like the Giraffes, act like them and even to look like them. Since you can't change the nature of who you are, however, you begin to think of yourself as broken, useless and unworthy. It gets harder and harder to get a sense of your value because you keep comparing yourself to the Giraffes.

"Along with that, you've made little or no effort to find other Hedgehogs . . . and so you forget more and more. All that you ever knew about being a hedgehog becomes a vague dream.

"Even when you try to tell the Giraffes about the virtues of being a Hedgehog and how wonderful and beautiful life can be at ground level ... they all laugh while accusing you of being weird, crazy or delusionary.

"So at this point I ask you, dear Hillary, "Joe smiled softly," Who in this story has THE truth?"

"Hmmmmm ... I see what you mean, "Hillary was most thoughtful now and her eyes were wide with a deeper realization. "I had truth because I knew what life was like from my point of view. And the Giraffes had truth because they knew the world from their experience. But it seemed like their truth was more true because there were more of them who believed the same way ... and there was only one of me. I had forgotten what it was like to be happy being a hedgehog and to live among other hedgehogs."

"Now you're getting the picture," Joe brightened enthusiastically.

"But isn't there such a thing as THE truth. I mean . . . well . . . here we are on earth in different shapes and sizes with different tastes and viewpoints. If we want to live a Giraffe-kind-of-life . . . we become a Giraffe, live among Giraffes and do Giraffe-type things. If we want a Hedgehog-kind-of-life . . . we become a Hedgehog and do Hedgehog-type things . . . so on and so forth . . . " Hillary's face twisted into comical puzzlement.

"On the other hand . . . " Hillary went on, "we all have bodies. We all have to search for food, eat, sleep and need play. We all hurt when injured. We all cry when sad and laugh when we're amused. We all want to be loved and safe and happy. There seems to be certain things that are true for everyone ... right?"

"There are such things as Personal Truths, Shared Truths and Absolute Truths," Joe stated confidently. "For instance, we all came from the same Cosmic Source - call it God or Creator if you wish. That's an Absolute Truth and a fact for everyone and everything. That Light of Truth lives in each one of us like a divine spark - acknowledged or not, large or small it is a force that unites us one and all.

"Then there are the Shared Truths that are shared by all folks that live on the planet: like the sun shines everyday and the earth turns and creates day and night. Or if you fall from a tree you'll hit the ground because of gravity. Or if you don't have enough oxygen to breathe or enough nutrients, you'll wither and die. Or if you don't have adequate shelter or protection you increase your chances of being harmed. Or if you don't respect Mother Earth and abuse Her generosity, there are consequences that can affect everyone else on the planet.

"These are the "laws" - so to speak - that apply to living here on earth in this particular dimensional reality that everyone has to deal with regardless of whether you're a Hedgehog, a Giraffe, a Rabbit or a Worm.

"The Personal Truths are the ones that are true for each individual. And they are important. The world you see as a Hedgehog is your truth. And when you have peace of mind and are genuinely content to be the best Hedgehog you can be, then you're being natural and nothing can shake your faith in that part of you that is authentic and eternally connected to the Cosmic Source.

"The only time you'll ever goof-up is when you try to be a Giraffe . . . or a Squirrel . . . or a Duck . . . instead of being true to yourself. In those cases, you'll only end up feeling empty, unfullfilled and disappointed.

"And as long as you keep trying to live some one else's truth - something other than what is natural and authentic for you - you will be unhappy." Joe studied Hillary in hopeful anticipation.

"Sounds like wise advice," admitted Hillary. "I think that if everyone discovered what their true nature is and come to love that about themselves, that there would be a lot more happiness and peace in the world."

Joe heaved a great sigh. "True. Most are quite busy trying to be someone or something they're not. They spend a lot of time and effort trying to convince others - even themselves - of something that isn't really true. And even though they may have moments of happiness and peace of mind . . . it's mostly fleeting because they're not truly content with who and what they are."

Hillary started to walk away in deep thought then suddenly turned around and asked, "Oh ... and about that Giraffe story ... why is it that I was sent there in the first place?"

Joe grinned his famous big toothy grin and replied, "To learn your truth, to believe in yourself and to express your real nature; to know and appreciate your self-worth and value . . . regardless of what others think.

"It's the path of true liberation and freedom. It's the direct line to the Cosmic Source of All That Is. You'll see."

* Skip to Baby Boomers Busted

(The usual features - HUMOR BREAK, FUNNY PHOTOS and other FUN STUFF - are further below)

C O S M I C Q U O T E S

"Walking your talk is a great way to motivate yourself. No one likes to live a lie.

"Be honest with yourself, and you will find the motivation to do what you advise others to do.”

--- Vince Poscente (Peak Performance Strategist, Olympic Speed Skier, Motivational Speaker and Author)

Baby Boomers Busted

Reach for the Truth no matter what!

Wow . . . yeah . . . like where the heck has the newsletter been? Some of you have been wondering . . . .

Yep. It's been longer than usual since the last issue, much to my regret. I've got excuses galore. Surprises, delays, detours, interruptions - you name it - have repeatedly grabbed my time and attention. It's been intense on the inner levels, too. Lot's to ponder: past events - like tv reruns - are surfacing for review.

Some reruns have been insightful and liberating while others invoke a "Whoa . . . I had forgotten all about THAT. Yuck!"

Go on . . . admit it. Many of you reading this are also being "squeezed" or "squished" in one way or another. You may be baffled, bewildered, flabbergasted or annoyed. You may be wondering why this, why now? Or you might be thinking that you're going nutty.

Change is afoot ... and a re-assessment of your life may be stubbornly vying for your attention. So what's up with that anyway?

The Baby-Boomer Bash

Certainly, such inner conflict can strike anyone at any time. However, if you are between the ages of 50 and 68 you are likely getting a double whammy.

So why those ages?

Baby Boomers in that age bracket were born with the Great Reformer and Transformer, Pluto, in the sign of Leo of your astrological layout at birth. Currently - and for about the next two years - you have transiting Saturn (the Great Definer) influencing the Pluto in Leo aspect in a big way: flushing out hidden memories, emotional wounds, or anything else that needs to be exhumed and reviewed in the full light of day.

Its like rummaging through the old dusty attic, the cruddy dark basement or the cob-webby closets to drag out stuff you haven't seen in years - even decades.

Ever start looking at old photos you haven't seen for a long time and feel those familiar emotions and reactions again as if it were yesterday? Reviewing your life can be a lot like that. But as you know, spring cleaning is worth all the grumbling and the effort.

Even though all of this may cause an annoying snag in your usual routine and delays or confusion may result, it's temporary and will pass. But while this aspect has taken up an unwanted residence in your psyche - like an irritating in-law arriving for a long, unannounced visit - take heart! You will glean the rewards of greater liberation if you practice patience, acceptance and a willingness to look deeply and responsibly into whatever comes up. It won't be easy ... but it will be far harder in the long run if you don't take the time to examine the issues - even if it slows things down for a while.

Look at me ... I haven't produced a newsletter in my usual timing because major concerns and a few surprises have popped up at the most inopportune time. But it's all related in one way or another to the past. Some of it has been delightful . . . while the rest has been . . . well . . .

Be Brave ... Take the Plunge

The inner planes can be a bit murky and rocky once you launch your exploration of "self" and navigation will be tenuous at best. But let thoughtful introspection grab your attention. Take the time to look, feel, contemplate, examine and evaluate.

If you've had the tendency to fill your life up with lots of busy-ness and distraction for a good part of your life to the point of successfully forgetting about some past unresolved hardship or emotional pain . . . then its likely that past memories will surface with an extra wallop.

The good news? You're being given the opportunity to re-define yourself, re-adjust your course of navigation, re-form your beliefs about yourself and the world and to re-new your vision.

You're being seriously nudged to move up a notch in the areas of personal growth and responsibility. And wherever Pluto in Leo happens to fall in your astrological layout (there are twelve major potential scenarios and countless minor ones) ... that is likely the area of your life where you're being hardest hit.

Never fear, it will pass .... but maybe not for a couple of more years. Yikes!

The most important question you can ask yourself at this time is: Why do I do what I do?

Aw goan ... ask it, "why do I do what I do?" To hear the most truthful answer to that question, you must, must, MUST be brutally honest with yourself.

When we can be deeply honest with ourselves, we are more open to receive the kind of divine guidance, clarity and wisdom that can help us make healthier choices and discover healthier solutions to the obstacles, glitches and confusion in our lives. Hooray!

Namaste' ~ Paula Peterson

(The usual features - HUMOR BREAK, FUNNY PHOTOS and other FUN STUFF - are further below)

LIVE LONG AND PROSPER

You are entering the future

What kind of health, quality of life and level of joy do you want to have in your 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and beyond???

Its never too soon nor too late to consider your future health - as the foundation of health you will have in your elder years is being built today.

Did you know . . .

. . . that no matter how many potions, lotions, cremes, ointments or "miracle" oils you put on your skin, if your diet lacks the health-building nutrients that build healthy skin then all the effects of skin cremes - even the most expensive ones - won't last! This is a fact.

As you age, old, nutrient-starved and damaged skin eventually rises to the surface to "take over".

Don't believe the old cliches about growing old!

You can still have clarity of mind; you can still have a strong and agile body; you can still have a cheerful attitude toward life; you can still have a healthy apearance --- you can have all of this up until the day you die.

This is not fantasy - but is actually a more normal and natural way to age. All that is needed is to learn how to live a health-building life-style.

You have a choice: you can have healthy looking skin well into your elder years - and feel great and healthy, too - or be prepared to accept the inevitable!

Along with healthier skin automatically comes a healthier mind, balanced emotions, stronger immune system, resilient body and a more cheerful attitude.

How does this happen?

A take-it-at-your-own-pace, in-home course via the internet

For more than sixteen years, I have offered this essential information in seminars. Now I offer it for a very low price in an educational and easy internet course ( " ... you should charge more" as one student put it. But I don't for ethical reasons) - and you can take it at your own pace using your computer.

Want to ride the waves of change with greater grace and ease?

This in-home course will help you do just that!

Check out the details here for the next course in April (discounts for early sign-up):

Transformational Diet In-Home Course

http://paulapeterson.com/transformational_diet.html