There Is No Present Like TIME

In the movie called "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" about elderly people in India, Judi Dench's character states:  "There is no present like time."  This, of course, is a take-off on "There is no time like the present."

I have been thinking a lot about time lately.  Am I old?
After all, I one of the first ones approved for the COVID vaccine.  Am I retired?  No, I don't think so.  Parts of my life have changed, but I am still in the world, doing something I hope is valuable to others.  My official "jobs" are over.

I taught college for 40 years.  I was a therapist in private practice for 25 years.  I led men's and couple support groups for 25 years.  But I am still a husband, a father, a friend, a grandfather, an uncle, and a community member.

All of these official occupations were a big part of my life. But my life goes on after those endeavors are completed.  I wrote books, plays, and produced films.  They are still out there, and on my shelves.  But they are not my essence.

I have wondered with this virus, "How long do I really have to live?"  I don't know.  I've never known, and I don't know now.  So, it is not yet my time to die.  Being close to 80 seems like it is moving into the final stretch.  Betty White turns 100 as I write this.  Cicely Tyson is 96.  Both are functioning, creative, and inspiring people.  Maybe I have lots of time?  The question remains:  What do I do with this precious, amazing time?

What I have come to believe is that TIME IS A GIFT.  TIME is not to be taken for granted.  As long as I am able to listen, support others, and live with compassion, I will continue to do so.  It doesn't have a name, or definition.  It is just a blessed gift of time.  As my wife, Gloria, says, "It is my job to be available."

Time to be available.  To be a constant force for love in the world.  Maybe that's what it is all about.  Using the time when I have energy, health, and prosperity to be a light in the world.  This means living in integrity, being consistent, telling the truth, supporting those in need and having a compassionate ear.  I can also promote social and racial justice, fairness, equality for all, and mindfulness about the environment.

Yeah, that's it.  A Compassionate Ear and a Passion for Positive Change.   I can share my ideas, and make suggestions when I am asked to do so. I am committed to being present, loving, and kind.

There is no job definition of those, and no paycheck.
But, my time has come to use what I have studied and learned about people, social institutions, and how life seems to work -- to be an elder.

Wait a minute.  Being an "elder" is too limiting also.  I am every age I have ever been.  Maybe it goes like this:  Just be, be grateful for the gift of time, the health, the ability to shut up when necessary, to speak up when it makes sense, reach out and pay attention.

So -- that's my identity.  That's my category.  No category -- but continuing to do God's will, to bring out more peace, understanding, and justice in the world.
We certainly need it.  Thank you, God, for the gift of TIME.

We're all in this together
We need each other for support
So let's start over with empathy
And learn to share, care, and forgive

We can pray for peace
But we must do our part
Protect those in need
And overcome selfishness

There is much to be done
And great suffering abounds
We must free the outcasts
And lift up the underdogs

We must overcome this virus
And move into health
For all in our community
It is time to get real

Racism, classism, ageism
Sexism, heterosexism
No one is superior when
When we are all one

Let us remember our Creator
Who gave us all life
And supports our every breath
As we keep fighting for justice

We are Unity Minneapolis
We are united in our purpose
To spread Divine Love
All over this planet

The earth needs tender care
Let us be aware and mindful
Of global warming and pollution
With responsible stewardship

So let love guide our hearts
And heal our souls
As we come together in peace
And turn our prayers into action

Every day, we have an opportunity to do our part to bring more love, peace, and joy into the world.  Our every action can make a difference in somebody's life.  When we leave this earthly body and this planet, it is helpful to know what we have learned, and what we have left behind.  This is called our "legacy."  

Here, we will take the letters of "legacy" and describe in more detail what that can look like.

L -- Love Lessons
We have daily opportunities to share love in the world.  We can be kind to those we know, and those we hardly know.  Our behaviors reflect our feelings.
So, it is important to ask oneself, "What is the most loving thing I can do in this situation?"  We also learn to love ourselves, and receive love from others.  This caring, nurturing feeling reinforces our knowing our own beauty and God-like-ness.  We can also teach others to love more by setting an example, being a role model.

E -- Energetic Experiences
By living fully, in the moment, and being the vibrant creation that we are, we feel a deep connection with all there is in the world.  This feeling of connection affects our actions, thoughts and feelings.  We have had many different types of encounters.  Some of these encounters have been joyous and meaningful, filled with love.  Others may have been painful, challenging and ultimately enlightening.  We leave behind the complexity, depth, and intensity of what we have lived.

G -- God's Grace, Gratitude and Generosity
We live in God's grace, knowing we are loved, cherished, forgiven, and appreciated.  With this, we do not need to applause, attention, and approval of others.  By knowing this about our lives, we develop freedom to help others become their true selves.  We are generous with our resources including our time.
We live in gratitude and appreciating our gifts and talent.  We do not take for granted our good health, mental and physical skills, and ability to connect and care about others.

A -- Affirming Actions and Availability
We live with a positive attitude about ourselves, life, and the world.  Our actions reflect this positivity.  Our actions affect others, and they, in turn, affect others.
So, by affirming that WE ARE LOVE IN ACTION, we become instruments of God's unending love.  We make ourselves available to others in need.  We listen, care, and support those around us who are hurting.


C -- Courageous Connections
We develop friendships and intimate connections with others.  We are courageous and take appropriate risks.  We live out our potential and dreams by going out into a challenging world, and difficult situations.  We speak up for justice, truth, and integrity of all people.  We are mindful and selective as we venture into uncharted waters.  We also teach others to be courageous by our example.  We are blessed to have resilience, the ability to bounce back.

Y -- Yearning for Yonder
As creative human beings, we have the gift of imagination.  We can see beyond the obvious.  We wander, and we wonder.  We explore and we move into the spiritual realm.  This energy of exploration means that we are continuously expanding, and learning new ways of being.  We move into worlds different than the one we were raised in.  We travel to different places, see different people.  All the while, we realize we are one with God, and each other, and nothing can separate us from that knowing.  As we have goals and dreams, we inspire others to see that were is more beyond the horizon.

What a journey it is to live this human experience!  Since we are spiritual beings, we have a depth to us that transcends what is visible.  As we move into later life, we become aware that our legacy is not just money or possessions, but an imprint that has made a meaningful difference in the human world.  And for this, we are grateful and blessed.

​I grew up in rural central New Jersey on a 10,000 white leghorn chicken farm.  All chickens, no roosters. My father, mother and I worked hard every day collecting, cleaning, sorting, and packing eggs.
 
My Dad did not believe in caging animals.  So, no cages.  Coops with room to run around, and free range time on five acres during the warmer months.  There were about 200 per room.  Chickens made lots of noise, cackled from 5 a.m., and smelled like manure which they readily manufactured.  The laid eggs in wall nests, and slept on wooded perches.
 
We got to go outside when the chickens moved onto the range for the five warmer months, April through September.  I remember the small pleasures I had as I fed them by spreading grain from pails.  There was an airport nearby, and I imagined the pilots getting a laugh as they flew overhead.  I wrote out words on the ground in grain, and the chickens all ate in the configurations of the words, making them even larger.  At age eight, words like "shit" and other curse words were my favorites.  My father never knew.
 
We had several dogs as pets during my childhood, but they would run out to the highway and get killed.  So, we couldn't have dogs anymore.  However, when was around age ten, I had a pet chicken named "Troodle" for Gertrude.  She would run across the room in the coop when I called her name.  She would sit down in front of me, and I would pick her up and pet her.  She had a painted red mark on her white feathers.
 
When the chickens molted and were sold to the butcher, Troodle was spared.  Although she had molted like the others, eventually all of her feathers grew back, and she looked vibrant again.  She lived over five years which is long for a chicken and died of old age.  I was about
fourteen, and cried very when she passed.  I never had another pet chicken.
 
I learned about nurturing animals, the cycle of birth and death.  We had to deal with diseases and hurricanes.  I worked with my parents every day after school, and all day in the summer and on weekends.  I started around  age seven.  I collected eggs, and helped wash, sort, and pack them.  I was proud that our truck had letters written on it saying, "David Obsatz and Son."
 
At times, I really resented the farm and the chickens, the daily routine, and the lack of free time to play with friends.  However, we spent many evenings in the summer as a family going to the ocean in Asbury Park, about fifteen minutes away.  We watched the waves, the pigeons, the seagulls, and eating salt water taffy.  You'd think that I would be tired of birds of any kind by evening.

​Adolphe Adam wrote the words for "O Holy Night" in 1847.
 
Some of the words include:
 
"Long lay the world in sin and error pining.  Then He appeared and the soul felt it's worth,"
Truly He taught us to love one another.
Chains did He break, for the slave is our brother.  And in His name, all oppression shall cease."
 
In order for us to love one another, we must know and feel our own self-worth.  Oppression can only cease when we feel love for all, including ourselves -- Oneness Consciousness.
 
Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, and the internal movement in each of us from Empire Consciousness to Oneness Consciousness.
 
It is a song about liberation from darkness, despair, and hierarchy.  This despair comes from lack of love -- of self and others.  This is the root of sin and error.
 
"Black lives matter" is about love, respect, equal treatment and appreciation of Black people.  It means seeing Black people for who they really are, as brothers and sisters, rather than different and unworthy.  
 
Over 170 years ago, we had poetry and music that celebrated the connection among all of humanity.  Maybe this holiday season, people will stop, among the gift-giving, to pledge for peace and valuing of all.  

These are challenging times.  The pandemic has continued now for six months.  Over 162,000 Americans have died.  Five million people in America have experienced COVID-19.  It is sad.  We don't know when it will end.

Every day can be difficult.  There is the continuous grieving of losses -- loss of freedom, loss of physical touch from loved ones, loss of familiar daily routines, loss of income, loss of security and safety.

There is a great deal of anger, rage, and violence across the country.  Hate groups, racists, and other hostile people are acting out.  Cities, including Minneapolis and St. Paul, have witnessed arson, looting, and increased homicides.  

We may mistrust those in charge -- the political leaders, the police, and others.  Where do we find stability in this time of unrest and upheaval?

How do we get through it?  We can pray and connect spiritually.  We can live in gratitude for every little opportunity, every sunny day, every beautiful creation of nature.

In his book, "Ordinary Magic:  Everyday Life as a Spiritual Path," John Welwood reminds us there is magic in simple things.  There are spiritual opportunities all around us.  During the last six months I have tried to notice more trees and flowers, and pay attention to details I have previously ignored.

Here are some possible strategies for managing the uncertainty, stress and anxiety of these challenging days:

1. Create routines which are enjoyable.
2. Find some pleasure in small, mundane tasks.
3. Connect with several people daily through electronic devices, mail, or telephone.
4. Practice living in gratitude every minute.
5. Don't take anything for granted -- health, eyesight, ability to walk, breathing, energy level, etc.
6. Be there to support others by listening to their stories.
7. Read spiritually uplifting books, articles.
8. Watch podcasts and videos which promote love, connection, and meaningful living.
9. Help the poor and hungry through monetary gifts and service.
10. Support spiritual institutions which focus on   oneness and connecting.
11. Pray for world peace, and love and acceptance of all diverse groups of people.
12. Take care of your physical health.
13. Take epsom salt baths and engage in calming relaxing activities.
14. Be safe-- wear masks, practice social distancing, wash hands and pray that others learn to respect everyone's safety.
15. Limit the amount of negative news you are exposed to.  Pray for our leaders.
16. Eat healthy food, and savor every bite.
17. Grow vegetables and flowers if you can.
18. Thank all the caregivers and workers who work for our health and well-being across the planet.
19. Grieve losses, and be sad about the current state of turmoil.
20. See beyond appearances and know that God is greater and is our constant support.

It is time to love one's neighbor as oneself.  It is time to ignore petty arguments and stay focused on love, peace and spiritual connection.

Peace and blessings,

Mike Obsatz

When I was a young child, I heard some people say to me, "You're too smart for your own good."

I believe there has always been a sentiment of anti-intellectualism in America.  This means that a person who studies, reads, learns, and goes to school for many years is sometimes labeled as an "egghead," "nerd" or "wierdo."

There is an association of highly trained and educated people as being out of touch with reality, or somehow seeing themselves as superior to others.  This is intellectual snobbism.

Many bright, creative, educated people are as far from that as possible.  They are dedicated citizens who want to use their knowledge to help society grow intellectually, spiritually and emotionally, and maintain good mental and physical health.

Experts write the books, create the videos and maintain a presence in the public eye.  Some supposed "experts" are phonies and don't know what they are talking about.  However, most of them have something of extreme value to share with others.

Some anti-intellectualism comes from resentment of experts for the power they have.  Other people are envious because they don't believe they have the brain-power to study, read, and explore in depth certain areas.

The experts who have studied COVID-19 have worked long and hard to understand their field.  If they tell people to wear masks in public and keep a social distance of at least six feet, they are not doing this to inconvenience people.  They are trying to protect all of us from becoming ill and dying.  It is for social interest, for the good of society as a whole.

As some Americans refuse to listen the expert epidemiologists, we see death rates from the virus rise.  More and more people are infected.  So far, in America, over 135,000 people have died from the Corona Virus.  More than 3 million people in America have been infected by the virus.

I believe the anti-intellectual bias in America is due to the mistaken belief that freedom means one can do whatever he or she wants.  Immediate gratification becomes an addiction.   Some additional beliefs:  Nobody is going to tell me what to do.  The experts are pompous idiots who don't know what they are talking about. 

As we have re-opened stores, restaurants, and businesses, and are planning to re-open schools, the death rate will probably rise higher.  The intellectual experts have warned us about this.  It is challenging and also sad to watch some people ignore their suggestions, keep this pandemic killing more people and continuing longer.

Peace and blessings,

Mike Obsatz

1.  PERSONAL/EMOTIONAL/SPIRITUAL

From:  I feel alone and abandoned
To:  I feel loved and connected to all of creation

From:  I don't think I'm worthy of being loved
To:  I am worthy of love just as I am

From:  I live in shame, and will never be enough, have enough
To:  I love myself.  I have everything I need, and I am more than enough

From:  The world revolves around me
To:  I am part of the Universe, and it is all significant

From:  My worth comes from what others think of me
To:  My worth comes from within my very being, and my spiritual connection

From:  I dwell on the past, and worry about the future
To:  I live in the moment with gratitude, love and acceptance

From:  I am detached and aimless
To:  I have meaning and purpose in my life

     2.  SOCIAL

From: Nobody is worth trusting
To:  I am selective about who I trust and trust myself and life itself.

From:  I need to dominate and control others, especially those who are beneath me in status and power
To:  I value and respect that all others are Divine creations and have a right to express their own uniqueness

From:  I have to be better than everyone
To:  I don't need to compare my self to anyone

From:  I compete with others all the time
To:  I focus on collaboration, cooperation, and creating peace with others

From:  Those at the bottom are worthless and deserve to be there
To:  I am committed to help all others despite their situation and social status

From:  My group is the most important and matters most 
To:  I am here on this planet to bring peace, love and meaning to everyone I can

     3.  POLITICAL

From:  We must be the strongest, most powerful nation in the world
To:  We must work hard to feed everyone, and keep everyone safe

From:  We will kill anyone who gets in our way 
To:  We work for peace, non-violence, and love as the only way to live 

    4.  ENVIRONMENTAL

From:  The earth and its resources are for me to use as I wish -- and I don't have to conserve anything
To:  I am mindful of ecology, and know that we need to preserve the air, earth, and water of this planet

    5.  PHILOSOPHICAL/INTELLECTUAL

From:  There is a scarcity of resources and I must take anything I need
To:  There is an abundance of resources --enough for everyone to share.  I am committed to sharing.

From:  We are separate and competing with each other 
To:  We are all one, sacred and loving, peaceful and connected

From:  I know everything I need to know
To:  I am always open to learning new ideas and growing

Who Is a Racist?   What Do We See When We See a Person of Color?

There is a lot of talk about racism these days since the recent murdering of numerous Black men and women.  Am I a racist?  Are you a racist?  Is our system racist?

We live in the American empire which is a racist culture.  All empires are racist, classist, sexist, ageist.  They discriminate between the rich and poor, Black and White, gay and straight, etc.  The American Empire is no different than any other empire.  It was founded by people who experienced oppression, and then oppressed Native Americans, the ones who were already here.  That is called genocide.

"Isms" all imply better than/worse then.  This hierarchical thinking is the cornerstone of Empire Consciousness.  Fear, belief in scarcity, and anxiety fuel the desire to get more, own more, have more, be more -- than someone else.  All Empire Systems are hierarchical.  Those at the bottom are viewed as less worthy tn those at the top.  There is constant scrambling to get to the top, stay at the top once you get there.  And there is the dehumanization of anyone who is different, and not at the top.

We are programmed by Empire Consciousness.  We are taught early on that some are more entitled than others because of who they are, how they look, or their racial  backgrounds or other characteristics.  We are taught to fear, hate, discriminate, and oppress those who are "different," usually meaning "inferior."

So when we see a person of color, we cannot be "colorblind."  We see them as brown, black, yellow, red, etc.  Seeing them as the race they are does not make a person a racist.  It is how we view them, the attributes we ascribe to them, the way we treat them which determine whether we our actions are racially motivated.  

Jesus, the creator of the Christian tradition, taught people to see everyone as worthy, lovable, and deserving of a meaningful and prosperous life.  This Oneness Consciousness was his alternative answer to the Empire Consciousness he experienced all around him.

The Unity belief system says that we are can notice the Divine in every person, no matter of their race, class, sexual orientation, age, etc.  So, racism comes from making certain assumptions about a person of color.  You can still see them as Black.  You know that Black lives matter.  And you know there is the same Divinity in them as is in you.  That is more complicated than the question, "Are you a racist?"  

White, Christian, upper class, able-bodied, heterosexual males have had more options and opportunities than others.  Acknowledging this means that some people may believe they are more entitled than others.  It is challenging to empathize and truly understand the oppression, pain and suffering that many others of differing backgrounds have experienced.  So, we are different, diverse in that way.  

However, we are alike in our Godlikeness.  So Oneness Consciousness is acknowledgement of the EXTERNAL situation of the person in their uniqueness.  It also offers the awareness of the Divine Interconnection of the INTERNAL nature all people.  We are separate and ONE at the same time.

Empire Consciousness separates, isolates, and discriminates. Oneness Consciousness encourages deep connection, seeing the Divinity, beauty and lovability of ALL PEOPLE.

Racism, sexism, heterosexism, classism, ageism, ableism -- all about limiting opportunities, choices, and access of a group of people out of fear and the need to feel superior.

Systemic racism is the continual limitation by economic, educational, political, health care and social institutions to provide access to prosperity and freedom for certain groups.  We must realize that no one is safe until everyone is safe.  No one is really free until everyone is really free.  Empire Consciousness is built on fear, oppression, and suppression of individuals and groups.

We can experience both the uniqueness (age, race, abilities, class, sexual orientation, etc.) of a person as well as the inner beauty and Divinity of that person.  We are not "colorblind," but we can ALSO deep our spiritual consciousness to experience the "Oneness of us all."

We can work to change institutional racism, systemic racism.  We can work on moving from Empire Consciousness to Oneness Consciousness for the good of all creatures of the Universe.

Love and blessings,

Mike Obsatz