Essays 2005

The House

2005-12-25T18:24:00.000-05:00

This week we look forward to the start of a new year, untouched, like a slate that is unmarked and clean, just waiting for us to paint our thoughts and impressions onto it. Many of us will start to compile a list of New Year resolutions....setting goals for 2006. For a lot of us, by the end of January many of those goals start to unravel, and we become discouraged, wondering why we should continue on the course that looked so bright at the beginning.

I think if we approach the New Year with a different perspective and keep a symbol or image in our minds it may be easier to stay focused and navigate the road ahead. I approach the New Year as a builder, a person who sees a piece of land, and the possibilities that can come forth. I look at the formulation of my goals, hopes, and dreams as a house....a beautiful shining building that by the end of the year I can be proud of. A builder needs tools, not just hammers and nails but Faith, encouragement, conviction and the belief that when you put your mind to it, anything is possible.

In January we start the foundation....we make sure it is strong and has the potential to hold what we place upon it. We make sure there are no cracks. Each proceeding month we add to our house....floor by floor we put in the plumbing, the electrical wiring, the heating system, etc. Sometimes we make mistakes, one room may not be wired right, so we go back, repair the damage and continue on. By the Spring, we see that our house is off the ground and rising. The contributions we have made to our house are beginning to show. People pass by and are amazed how "fast" the house is starting to come together....but little do they see the problems that we encountered to get to our level. So on we go, each day building brick by brick with the sky above us.....and with each brick a feeling of accomplishment comes over us and a better understanding of the mistakes we have made so that we try not to make them again. God looks down and sees a person trying to push forward with a house of meaning and purpose. A badly built house with a weak foundation won't stand very long....but a good house can last forever. God understands how hard it is to built good houses.

By the Fall, our floors are completed, and we are about to add our roof. We want a roof that will not leak, that can take the elements. If we have done all our work and done it well, by the end of the year we will be standing in front of a house amazed that we were able to accomplish this once monumental task. We look at each brick and floor and see a story. We see the set-backs and the over comings. It is possible to build a good house, God willing, with the right tools, and determination.......All things are
possible.

Good Luck with your house,

love, Jennifer Avalon
© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

Stages of Development

2005-12-11T10:57:00.000-05:00

This time of year many of us will be attending Christmas, Holiday, and New Year parties. On more than one occasion we may be running into people we only meet once or twice a year. Almost always the first question that's asked is, "What have you been doing?" or, "How are things going?" When we look around the room there could be quite a few people in various stages of development...so too are we.

Some grow throughout their lives in a smooth, even keel, while others evolve in spurts. A year could go by and when we look back nothing great in particular happened....then before too long something extraordinary leaps forward and takes us to the next level. Growth has an uncanny way of coming along when we least expect it. Inside our minds could be a roomful of treasure, just waiting to be unlocked. That key could come in the form of an experience, or just somebody uttering the word "Hello." Each one us are unique....with our own perceptions and opinions on any given subject. Development comes many times to those who are open and patient. If life is truly a miracle, then each one of us, within our hands, can hold the gifts of Heaven. The miracle that we are has to be spread far and wide, for the good of mankind. That is our true responsibility. For when we pass on, the money and houses may wither, but the miracles will shine on.

As the world spins through space, we spin with it. Each morning brings forth an evening, over and over again. As our planet evolves, so too do we, never forgetting, without miracles, neither the planet nor us could exist. So if you would like to give someone a far-out answer to the question, "How are you doing?" you could answer, "I'm continuing my journey through time and space, that one day will take me home." You just may see a jaw drop, but that's really what is happening. We're all in various stages of development.....

Shine on,

Jennifer Avalon

© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

Ho Ho Ho

2005-11-27T10:35:00.000-05:00

As we approach the Holiday Season this year the door opens on a cascade of advertising bombardment where multiple companies compete for our buying power resources. Every December brings with it the list of the "must have" toys, presents, and gadgets. This reached the ultimate frenzy a few years back with the Cabbage Patch Kids phenomenon. People would fly...I kid you not...to other countries to devour these rare dolls. This year it's looking like Microsoft's new "X-Box" is the "must have" present under the tree. Unfortunately, we have already been informed, surprise surprise, that there will be a severe shortage of X-Boxes to satisfy the hungry customer....can you say "up goes the price?" The X-Box truly is a wonderful, innovative addition to any home....but let's all just keep it in perspective. Has the sound of Ho Ho Ho gradually turned into Buy Buy Buy?

This past year we have had more than enough struggles and disasters to handle on a worldwide scale. Have we found that the distraction of shopping is the ultimate diversion? Perhaps so....but we must never forget the joy of Love and Peace and it's priceless qualities. The Christmas Season, we must not forget, is not only the celebration of the Birth of Christ, but also the embracing of Peace on Earth, and Brotherhood of Mankind. As much as our brains take in the glitz and glamour of the Holidays, the true treasure can only be experienced through our hearts. The family, our friends and loved ones...what more could we give them than a kiss, a hug, or a smile. No one wants to be called a Grinch....but the memories around the dinner table can last for many years. Each year at the table there are always additions and unfortunately, someone who is missing. As we pass the food and the beverages, in the back of our minds we always ask the question, "How many of us will still be here this time next year?"

The celebration of the season ultimately comes down to us. The trick is to find the balance between the presents and the heart, and, whenever possible, making the two meet. As time is fleeting, the mistake we can make is taking it all for granted. If the world is one great hotel that we all visit, let's try as much as possible to have an insightful time, while not forgetting that one day it's time to go back home. I often try to plan the weeks around the Holidays to get a better grip on what I need to do and where I want to go. As always, things don't go according to plan every time, but overall things do pan out much more smoothly than having no plan at all. We are not perfect...we make mistakes...but the gist is to become better people. The wheel rolls 'round each year....still we try as best we can to not get caught in the spokes.

With all the hustle and bustle, take care of yourself out there. There is always something new to see, and somewhere familiar to go. Enjoy, embrace, and experience the life and the love around you.

Be of Good Cheer,
love, Jennifer Avalon

© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

Repetition

2005-11-12T09:15:00.000-05:00

It's quite extraordinary how, when we repeat tasks, they become easier. What was once feared, over time can be looked back upon as simple and easy. Once one crosses the threshold of fear, a sense of peace and calm can take hold. When I was a kid in gym class I had a fear of doing a tumble toss...you know, where you place your hands on the ground and roll over forwards. Well, I had an extreme fear of performing this exercise, until one day the gym teacher said to me, "Jennifer, come here, let me show you how easy this is." The teacher slowed the process down so that my mind could incorporate the task, without fear. I rolled over once, then twice, then three times. Afterwards, I laughed. I could not believe why I was so fearful of this exercise. I understood that my fear had convinced me that I couldn't do it, when with a little encouragement and support it was performed quite easily.

The other side of repetition is a sad example. Down the street from where I live is a neighbor who has an extreme case of OCD (obsessive/compulsive disorder) I have observed at times the lady locking her front door and checking it for 15 minutes, to make sure it was locked. I ran into her at the local supermarket and the OCD also affected how she bought her groceries. She had to check each item she picked up numerous times before she purchased it. OCD is more common than we may think. I was once on line at a store and in front of me was a man who had to count his money ten times before he would give it to the cashier. It got so bad that the cashier finally said, "You can count it as many times as you want, but I'm also going to count it." This kind of repetition, I believe, is fear that is not overcome.

We can never forget that we are all, in one form or another, creatures of habit. What we choose to enter into our lives can easily become tasks that are carried out over and over again. It could be work, play, food, or leisure....once the formula of repetition is applied, these tasks can mysteriously turn into friend or foe. Prayer and meditation are a wonderful form of self-examination to enhance what is good, and weed out what is false. Peace of mind can be attained when prayer, purpose, and silence take hold.

Many people around the world use prayer, chanting, and different forms of meditation as a way to still the mind, and center the consciousness. When we stop and take hold of the moment, it is much easier to choose the next step. Repetition is grand, when the tasks are beneficial and sound...but destructive if it disorients and confuses the mind. From the words of a George Harrison song, "If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there."

Walk peacefully,
Jennifer Avalon
© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

You're Not Crazy

2005-10-29T18:48:00.000-05:00

When I was a child, I was always told that the world is a wonderful place, and that there are only a few bad apples out there wreaking havoc upon the masses. Good prevailed over Evil, and when something went wrong, it was only a way for us to learn and improve our lives. While that may be true, one day I asked myself, "If there are so many good people walking around, how come the world for so long has been such a mess?" All a person has to do is open the Bible, and over and over again there are scriptures telling us about the landscape in which we live. I am not one who takes kindly to refuge in falsehood...I do believe the Truth does set you free.

So let's take a look under the microscope of the world around us....why do so many become puzzled and confused about the sights and sounds that engulf their daily lives? As Jesus is known to have said, "I am sending you off as lambs among wolves." For if we are pure of heart, with good intentions, we are lambs...but lambs can learn to watch for wolves in sheep's clothing. So what is it? A Good world, with a few taints of Evil? or, an Evil world, where Good must overcome? It can't be both. When I was younger, I was oh so willing to believe that goodness was fully in control. Yet, each year I become less convinced. Why, you may ask? Well what can be said of a world that in the past 100 years has invented it's own destruction, embraced promiscuity, practiced genocide, and now, in it's wisdom, is starting down the road of gene-splicing human beings with animals? So if you're feeling depressed, or confused about the way of life today, you're not crazy.....

Hey, enough of the doom and gloom! What can we do to make things a little better and more tolerable? Well for one, we must see things as they are. The day is born Evil, and it is up to us to put our stamp upon it and make it Good. For if Evil is a coward, the Light of Good will make it scour and wilt in it's glow. The only weapon that Evil has over us is deception, fear, and cover-up. We can't correct what we don't see. I recently heard a lecture where a man stated that all that mankind wants is sex, drugs, and riches. He went on to say that many people believe that if they can obtain those three things, their problems will disappear and everything will be nirvana. Yes, we all have to pay our bills, but what's so funny about Love, Peace and Understanding? Governments all over the world, for many years, have believed that if you throw handfuls of money at a problem, it will disappear....then later we learn how corruption takes hold of that money and the needy never get it. Mankind can truly do heroic deeds, yet why is it so easy for man to swim in a cesspool of manipulation?

I would do all of you a disservice if all I do is talk about the positive and not try to shine a light on what is wrong. How can we correct the mistakes if we refuse to examine them? You're right.....I, like many, are concerned where we are going, and what the future may hold, but I also have hope that the ship of humanity can be steered to a port of pure water. That can only happen if we see things for what they truly are. I am not crazy, you're not crazy...we just care.

Keep the candle burning,

love, Jennifer Avalon
© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

The Dream Train

2005-10-16T07:27:00.000-05:00

A dream is like a running locomotive that barrels along the tracks to a station in infinity. That train keeps right on rolling and only we decide if we hit the brakes. All trains have a starting point....could be last year, yesterday, or today. We load up our train, yell "All Aboard!", and off we go!! The Dream Train crosses all kinds of terrain, and battles many shades of weather. The Dream Train is our vehicle for us to carry our hopes, ambitions and plans.

In the beginning, as the dream percolates in our minds, we face a train stationery on the platform of life. We stare it down, imagine the possibilities, and determine with this locomotive....can the dream become reality? In our hands we hold a clipboard with a list of passengers we would like to have on our train...as each one boards, we check off on the list that they are accounted for. The passenger's bags are loaded in the cargo car. We are fully aware that in life it is impossible to know everything...but with a little help from each individual passenger on our train, we may be able to avoid detours to nowhere.

As the train pulls out of the station, the wheels grind and the whistles blow...excitement fills the air! Each passenger looks at each other with both fear and excitement etched across their faces. This is a journey of a dream, where miracles can and do happen. We pull out of the station, pick up speed, and head off into the wilderness. Like all trips, we can be sure that we will make stops along the way to pick up and let off more passengers. Some will be around for the complete journey, while others may decide after one or two stops that they want to get off this Dream Machine. After each stop, we press on through both day and night, while many watch in wonder. As the train crosses the country, it gives hope to those who too want to have their own Dream Train. Through each intersection, and with each passing mile, people wave and cheer as the Dream Train barrels along into the future.

Each dream has a sight and a sound...so too does the Dream Train. Nothing can erase despair like the sound of an approaching locomotive that signals All Things are Possible. The Dream Train is timeless....it is where both young and old can sit together...where black and white can embrace the Power of the Thought. Each life has its share of mountains, valleys, rivers, and tunnels....as long as there are tracks in front of us, the Dream Train can weather it all. We all know that there is a station waiting for us, where our Dream Train waits for us to board. All it takes is a thought and a few beginning steps to enter that station, smell the air of departure, and see, waiting on a platform, a train for us to board. There is a Dream Train in all of us....all we have to do is take a ticket.

Dream On,

love, Jennifer Avalon
© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

The Ultimate Computer

2005-10-02T08:33:00.000-05:00

We all have different brands and types of computers that we use daily...be it a Dell, Hewlett Packard, Apple, etc. We have come to rely greatly on this tool for interaction, expression, and work, yet, the ultimate computer is still the mind.

The computer works within and outside the home. We use cable, DSL, and telephone lines to bounce around the world in seconds. What once was inconceivable a generation ago can now be accomplished at the tap of a finger. The human mind is no different....it pulls and transmits information twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. Using sensors, memory, and experiences, the human mind is by far the greatest laboratory we will ever witness on an individual and collective level. All that we have seen and heard and all that we are is stored in the mind. How we love, hate, fear, embrace, our happiness, sadness, joy, and depression...all interact within the mind.

Let's imagine for a moment ourselves sitting in front of a vast keyboard, which we use every moment...and placed right above is a sign that flashes "Welcome to the World As You See It." We tap away on our keyboard, sending out commands on what we want to accomplish and avoid. Like the world of the Internet, there are safety zones, and places of imminent danger. The person behind the controls determines the roads that are traveled, and the pitfalls to avoid. Just like the computer, we too have to install our share of firewalls, spy-ware, anti-virus software, and ad-ware. Our minds, like computers, can just as easily be invaded by an outside, unscrupulous source. Hey, virus worms can do damage everywhere, even in our minds. The ultimate computer (the mind) learns from experience how to update and maintain its anti-virus software, or, fall prey to invasion. The human race, as we all well know, is an interactive network, where good and evil is on full display. Yes I know, deception too can easily confuse an individual, but our experiences and beliefs are what we use to decipher the difference.

So can we ask ourselves, how can the ultimate computer be best served and run at full potential? Only when the Divine is at the controls. For if the ego unchallenged and unsupervised has its way, the greater good cannot be accomplished. The Divine has all our best interests at heart. With life being so temporary, the Divine reminds us that there was life before, now, and after. What we contribute is what we will be remembered for. Each day behind the controls, our hands follow the maps and decide the paths of our consciousness. The closer we are to the Divine, the smoother, clearer, the more open our computer runs. The programs that we choose to govern us can only come from the ego, or the Divine. The Divine sees the greater picture....and the common good of our existence. All that we can be, and must. So is our computer in partnership with the Divine? or the unchallenged ego? That we must decide. The greatest achievements in this world came from a thought. What thoughts we choose to pass along are just a fingertip away.

Peace be with you,
Jennifer Avalon
© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

9 Years

2005-09-17T17:48:00.000-05:00

This week marks the beginning of the ninth year of the website and newsletter. Little did I know back in 1996 that the journey would have lasted this long....but here I am, and it has. Over the years many of you have dropped a line or two expressing how much of a difference the newsletter and my music have made to your lives. It has been my pleasure to e-mail and post the essays to the website, which as of today are a collection of 331 essays, and 73 songs. Each week one can easily find a new essay, new song, or new quote, for free, at either site: jenniferavalon.net, or, aviatorrecords.com. I honestly believe the best is yet to come.

In 1996 I remember being excited if 35 people visited the website each day. Today, easily, 8,000 people visit daily. As technology has grown, I have tried to keep up with the growing trends. This past year we have had to open a new site, jenniferavalon.net, to handle the volume of downloads. With the collapse of the music business model, I decided a year and a half ago to allow my music to be downloaded for free. Thankfully, many of you have purchased CD's through the website...I am very grateful. Also some, through their gratitude, have graciously donated to the upkeep of both websites. Over the next year, I am going to be actively seeking a sponsor to help me to continue to grow both sites. I fully expect to expand into video and film in the coming year. It's only a matter of time before movies and short films will be able to be downloaded as easily and as quickly as music. Many have expressed to me their desire to have my essays and songs available in a DVD format....hopefully that can come to fruition soon.

The world has changed much in the past 9 years...God only knows what Planet Earth will be like 9 years from now....I hope to be there with you on this journey through Life. As long as Love and Peace flicker in the human heart, all things are possible.

Thanks again,
love, Jennifer Avalon
© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

Smell The Coffee

2005-09-03T17:57:00.000-05:00

As many are aware, the disaster that hit the Gulf Coast of the United States this past week was monumental. As the stories and images unfolded before our ears and eyes we had to keep reminding ourselves that this was coming from a part of the United States, not a Third World country. Yet, lurking right underneath the surface of this tragic disaster is a wake up call for all of us. The people of the Gulf Coast were blasted by a large hurricane that stretched for many miles and wreaked havoc in four states, but it could just as easily have been an earthquake, tsunami, tornado, or terrorist attack. This is a warning for all of us to never forget to smell the coffee.

This Hurricane Katrina was fully expected. The authorities and the folks were completely aware that it was heading for them. The surprise was that no one expected the damage to be so extensive...still, each day as the storm approached, the National Hurricane Center was desperately trying to figure out where the center of the storm would hit. Last year the city of New Orleans dodged a bullet...one of the hurricanes just missed the city. As Hurricane Katrina headed towards New Orleans the levees would only be able to withstand a hit from a Category 3 Hurricane. Katrina was Category 5, until it just reached shore. 80% of New Orleans had heeded the warning to evacuate...yet, I kid you not, the night the storm hit there were Hurricane Parties along Bourbon Street. Many had told the authorities that they would not leave no matter what. Some were too poor to be able to leave...that responsibility fell to the city leadership to come up with a means to evacuate those in need. From what I've heard and what I've seen, there was a failure on the city, state, and federal levels to comprehend the enormity of devastation this storm could and would deliver. As you can imagine, the political Talking Heads are searching for someone to blame. The first name that always comes to mind for some is President Bush. Perhaps he was a little slow out of the starting blocks, but not as slow as the Mayor of New Orleans and the Governor of Louisiana. If anyone out there thinks that the government is some great "Big Daddy" who is always going to be able to be there immediately to help us and take care of us when we fall down.....smell the coffee!

Since 9/11 there have been multiple articles stating that two events have a greater then 70% chance of happening within the next few years in the United States. One, that the city of New Orleans would be hit badly by a catastrophic hurricane, because of the deficiency of it's levee system to hold back the water. Number two, is that California will be hit by a massive earthquake. What we have learned is that preparations were not put in place to protect New Orleans. I just hope California has looked at this disaster and prepared for worst case scenarios to protect themselves, if they receive a jolt from nature.

So what are we to learn from all this? I, living here in Massachusetts, have been told that one of the hurricanes this season could head up along the eastern seaboard of the United States and deliver a knock out punch to my state. If Massachusetts does get hit, and we are warned days ahead of time to prepare, it would be irresponsible of me not to stock up on bottled water, flashlights and batteries, canned food, and prepare my house as best as possible. While the authorities or the National Guard may get to me at some point, it is up to me to keep myself as safe as possible until the Calvary arrives. As I care for all of you who read this newsletter, I cannot stress enough that where ever you live, you be prepared for whatever events could pertain to your area, to keep yourself and your loved ones as safe as possible. Yes, there's always a chance that we may not survive, but at least we did everything we could to place the odds in our favor. Let's all smell the coffee....

Be safe,
Jennifer Avalon
© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

Landmines

2005-08-20T07:22:00.000-05:00

To me, life is one great field. From the day we are born, we make our way across the field, from one end to the other. All around us are beautiful trees, glorious flowers, and heavenly skies, yet, unfortunately, across the field, some large, some small, are landmines.

As we journey across our field, the first step is to acknowledge the existence of the landmines, and prepare as best we can to avoid them....for to journey across the field of life without taking into account the effects of the landmines can be disastrous. Think to yourself....wouldn't it be wonderful at the beginning of the field if we could put on a pair of special glasses that would spot out all of the landmines so that we could walk through the field safely? Impossible, you may say? Perhaps....or perhaps not....but the realization of the existence of landmines would help us step carefully.

There are all different kinds of landmines in life...health, financial, violence, and pure old hate. All different shapes and sizes, just waiting for us to place our foot in the wrong location. Sometimes it almost makes one feel that life is a war that each of us fight, and strive to win. Experience and knowledge can help us see these landmines in front of us, but we must never forget, when called upon, there is a spiritual birds-eye-view that can be tapped into to help us through rough terrain. So imagine for a minute yourself journeying across the field of life wearing body armor, full sensor technology, and aerial reconnaissance above, that gives a full picture of what we need to cross the field. In accepting the existence of landmines, and accumulating the knowledge and faith to sidestep them, we not only become better people, but better souls too.

One more point....feel free to exchange stories with others who are crossing the field also. Shared knowledge can always increase the level of survival. Life being a shared experience, over time the correct path through the field can become more pronounced if more succeed. There will always be those who will say to heck with it....I will do what I want, I don't need anyone. Unfortunately, many times they are the first to become the casualties of the landmines. The field can be crossed....while we may accumulate our scars and bruises along the way, when looking back we will be able to see what we have overcome.

Those who cross the field successfully before us have left a trail. If we are willing to walk the straight and narrow, and abide by the rules to stay on the path, we can make it through intact. The wheel doesn't have to be re-invented....it just needs to be rolled.

Step wisely,

love, Jennifer Avalon
© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

Weathering Heights

2005-08-07T09:10:00.000-05:00

This time of year in the Northeast of the United States much of the talk turns to the weather. August is traditionally known as the unofficial "steam bath" season. It's quite interesting how each person has their own favorite season and time of year. So how about you? Are you a warm weather person, or cold weather person, or someone in-between? It does have an effect on our lives.

Personally, I used to always consider myself a warm weather person. Seeing that I grew up in Southern California, it's quite understandable. Warm weather, the sun, the beach....all year round. After awhile it was quite easy to feel that a Mediterranean climate was the norm, until I moved to the Northeast of the United States, many moons ago. Can you say, culture-shock?? Well these days I have done an about face.....cold, cool weather is not looking so bad anymore. How do I know this? After the winter we have had here all it took was one month of 90 plus degree temperatures to start dreaming about snowflakes again. I kid you not....as I write this, hot August is living up to it's name. Winter evenings by the fire are beginning to look mighty good! Still, I am not foolish...I know there are many out there who just love the warm rays of the sun on a summer day, and they, God Bless them, wouldn't want it any other way. Four seasons, Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall...which one is your favorite? For me, I love the Fall....the cool crisp evenings, and walks under trees ablaze in orange and red and yellow. So you see, we all scale the Weathering Heights.

Is it any surprise how much the weather has its effect on people? Productivity, emotions, communications, and health. The weather, in it's own quirky way, in one swoop can either heal or destroy. When there is a drought, mankind prays for rain. When there is a flood, he hopes that the waters cease. As we all live under the skies, we are amazed at it's beauty, glory and power. With a greater understanding of how much the weather effects us on a daily basis, we can have a better grasp in adapting to it's influences.

May the sun shine brightly over your head, may the warm breezes of Heaven flow through your heart, and may the cool winds of contentment soothe your Soul.

love, Jennifer Avalon
© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

Snapshots

2005-07-23T08:05:00.000-05:00

We all grow at different rates. While one person can arrive at a conclusion at twenty, it may take another until they're forty. Our minds, over time, become an elaborate and unique camera that consistently takes snapshots along the road of life. These snapshots can easily become objects of great value, an individual perspective on any given subject or idea that we may arrive at. Snapshots are real, but how society reflects on them and uses them is truly another matter.
How many times have we heard somebody say that they could not have been able to handle or arrive at a certain conclusion earlier in life and that it took them maturity to grasp what it was they had discovered and were able to use? Yet, still our society seems to be fixated on the premise that "the faster you get there, the better you are." One person may learn to ride a bike at five....while another at fifteen. Even though both are doing the same activity, their experiences and comprehension can greatly differ. The same snapshot taken at different periods of time can give a different perspective. How many inventors have stood on the shoulders of the giants who have come before, and taken their previous research to the next level? A bird may fly through the air, but for a man to accomplish that task it took a different mindset. So today man can fly like a bird....almost.

Snapshots of thought are very much like snapshots taken by people....images frozen in time that capture a memory. An author may write a great novel in their twenties, yet how many times do we hear that same person in their sixties or seventies say, "I don't know how I did it. It's almost as if someone else wrote it." Strangely, society seems to think that it can lump us all into boxes that can be broken down into age, race, and religion, as if that is all we are. The mistake that is made is that we all grow at different rates. What's missed is that we are really an accumulation of our experiences...all different, all quite unique. Although many would like us to believe that we are nothing more than just one more drop in a sea of humanity, it is quite the opposite...we are all rare and special droplets that are inter-connected with the Universal Divine. Each life is as sacred as the next. When one life is lost, it can never truly be replaced on earth. It all reminds me of a television show I saw last summer called "The Prisoner." The line that was repeated over and over throughout the series was, "I am not a number, I am a man."

No matter how many people may visit the Holy Land, each one comes back with a different story. Snapshots of a land that has been visited time and time again, yet with each one having a different texture and angle. This camera work goes on over and over again throughout our lives....perhaps because one day when we pass we are hooked up to the ultimate projection screen, where all can see who we are and what we went through.

May your life contain many beautiful pictures,

love,
Jennifer Avalon
© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

Consumers of Time

2005-07-09T17:25:00.000-05:00

It's quite interesting to observe a room or a home that has not been occupied for a period of time. When one opens the door one is surrounded by cobwebs and dust, for this marks a location where human activity has become sparse. If we were to stand in one place for an extended period of time without any movement, we would be sending out a signal to the air around us, through our lack of movement, that life has ceased. Movement is the ultimate vehicle of motion. As long as we move, we are Consumers of Time.

As Life moves forward through time, we become some kind of pac-man....gobbling up the air and space in front of us, and casually, as we take a look behind, we can see clouds of dust and debris. To live is to constantly push forward....as I have said before, today is tomorrow's yesterday. As long as we breathe, we can make a difference...we have the choice of how much air to breathe, how much time to consume. Our choices truly matter. As each breath is a miracle, each moment is sacred. There is a responsibility for the time we digest. While we may not know the exact second of the end of our lives, we do know that the time that we have here is not infinite. With each moment that we live, we move one minute closer to our own succession of time. In knowing this, what we consume from our tomorrows must have meaning, for those who have come before, and for those who will follow. Once we stop moving, we too become dust. At that point within the mourning can be a heart of celebration, for a life that had meaning and made a difference. In this troubled world, the currency of Time has become that much more valuable. Even as the dust of the past lays behind us, on the horizon is a sunrise in the morning, waiting for our touch.

So on we go, Consumers of Time....spinning through the Universe, creating our own unique, individual atmosphere, which collectively makes up our planet. Still, we have to understand that as Consumers of Time we too are polluters, but in our case, we decide which one...are we polluters of Love, or Hate? Our consumption too has a lasting effect. Each moment is ours to mold, to shape, to bend. A priceless commodity that is rare, precious, and beautiful.

To everything there is a Time,

love, Jennifer Avalon

© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

Winds of Love

2005-06-18T12:57:00.000-05:00

It's always a good point once in awhile to sit down, take a look back, and see where one's life has been heading. Over time, our hopes and dreams may evolve and where we were headed in one direction, we may have, somewhere along the way, taken a detour on a different road. We evolve and grow, but it's always important to stay focused on what it is we want to accomplish with our lives. The questions always lay before us....who are we? what do we want? where do we want to go? and, what do we want to leave behind?

For myself personally, my mission in life has come down to three things. Number One: I want to have and maintain a good and loving relationship with my family and friends. Number Two: I want to be financially responsible so that money never becomes a generator of heartache and pain. Number Three: Last, but not least, I want to give and leave behind a body of work that can be helpful, and enjoyed long after my passing. While the time is quite short on earth, I do feel that if I can accomplish these three things, I will gladly lay down my head when the time comes, and rest in peace. In doing so, I will have proven to myself that I can embrace and exchange Love, not allowed addictions to control me, and given something back that says "I was here."

So there it is....those are my three personal wishes. How about you? What are yours? What things can you do to contribute to yourself, friends, family and the world? No dream, no wish, is too big. If all of us picked three things and tried our best to accomplish them the world would be better off than it is now. I received an interesting letter recently, where a man said to me that if the world is so full of good people, why is it in the state it is? He went on to say everyone he knows these days just wants to get as much money as they can, no matter how they get it. He believes there are quite a number of people who would have no problem morally, robbing a bank, if they knew they could get away with it. He further continued to touch on different subjects, like health and crime...basically with the same viewpoint. I wrote back that I did understand what he was saying, but instead of focusing on what is wrong, what would he do in his own way, to help make it right? He hasn't written back yet (ha!) His complaints were many....his solutions few. Look, we all can sit around and see what's wrong....but it can only stay that way when we believe it can never change. I believe we all can have a positive influence, not only for our current generation, but for those to come...we can make a difference, if we want to.

Love is the most powerful emotion we have at our disposal. If we can get past the twisting and corruption of Love, Pure Intelligence can reign. More can be learned in the human heart than can ever be read in a book. The only way this world can get better is if we let Love blow like the wind. There is no corner of the planet that it can't reach. Truly, the answer CAN be blowing in the wind.

Let the winds of Love prevail,

love, Jennifer Avalon
© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

Emotional Stations

2005-06-05T08:38:00.000-05:00

Sometimes during the evening before I go to sleep, I daydream about different subjects and ideas. One evening this past week I heard on the news that during the summer season many will be using their cars to go to their vacation of choice. The price of a gallon of gasoline will truly be an issue on the amount of money needed for that vacation. So I got to thinking, we take our cars....we pull into the gas station, replenish our tanks, and simply gas up. Many of us never give it a second thought....we unscrew the cap, insert the hose, pay the amount, and drive away. We are not much different than the car that needs gas to run... replenishment too is needed for us to go about our lives.

We daily search for ways to recharge ourselves, both physically and mentally. We look for places in our neighborhoods and on the Internet that are geared towards helping us emotionally. I call these places "Emotional Stations," and I consider my site one of them. Days can go by and lo and behold we start to feel run down, and, truthfully, running out of gas. We begin to realize that we can only go a little more on the road of life until we have to pull into a rest stop, for a little rest and relaxation, and refueling. Hey, we can only get so far on a low tank before it goes to empty.

So imagine to yourself....a fictitious gas station that we drive to that on the pumps instead of saying "Regular" and "Premium" it says words like "Positive Reinforcement," "Spiritual Healing," and a special pump that says, "Blessings and Prayers." As we fully accept that a car, a home, an airplane, or a train needs energy to run....why is it so inconceivable for some of us to understand that we too need energy? Can you imagine these "Emotional Stations," on certain street corners? Churches and Places of Worship do fill the void....yet there are so many that while searching get lost. The highway of life can sometimes be a very treacherous road and it's quite easy to run into a traffic jam. One can sense the beads of sweat dripping from one's brow while gazing at a gauge on "almost empty."

Many of the solutions to our problems are right there in front of us....the difficulty is allowing ourselves to see them. That's why I am a big believer in cross-referencing as a way to put the pieces of life's puzzles together. Often difficulties facing one subject or idea can simply be transposed onto another situation to arrive at an answer. Cars need gas stations...we need emotional stations. The entrepreneurial spirit can also help us with this dilemma. Some have already started building emotional stations...myself included. Down the road I see my website developing into a full blown emotional station that will include not only words and music, but also film. Today with the advent of the Internet, so much more information is available at the touch of a finger.

So this summer while you're enjoying your vacation, and periodically gassing up the car, don't forget to take a little time to visit your emotional stations too.

Happy Motoring,
love, Jennifer Avalon
© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

The New Cutting Edge

2005-05-22T12:30:00.000-05:00

There was a time when controversy was generated by artists such as Madonna and Gangsta Rappers....until one day the envelope in that direction had been pushed just about as far as it could go. Well folks, welcome to the new cutting edge, where religious and certain spiritual products are now considered "controversial." Last year, for months, all you would hear about was the reaction to Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ." It has now become so cutting edge and controversial that in many places if one was to walk in and say the word, "God," the sheer silence could become deafening. Political Correctness has now led us to the platform where in some locales saying the word, "Jesus," can get you in a whole heap of trouble, while in other places the people will embrace you. In 2005, the symbol of cutting edge has become "God."

As you may have noticed, much of my work involves spiritual overtones...I can honestly tell you for every ten letters I receive praising my work, there is always one that blasts me for having not only any moral compass, but any spiritual viewpoint as well. Christian Persecution and Racism is not only alive and well, but it has become a full occupation for some. I never thought I would ever become in some corners a "controversial" artist...but these days a Christian viewpoint can easily be considered on the fringe. I consider it a badge of honor...I am just one of many who have stepped forward and said "Enough." For some, it is fine for you to express your opinion as long as you agree with them, but if you veer in any way from their position, you may find very quickly your thoughts will not be tolerated. Welcome to the new cutting edge.

This cutting edge has spilled over into all walks of life....school, work, play, and last but not least, the home. And, there may be hope out there....recently I have heard interviews by some in the general population that they are finding with all the materialism out there they are being left with a sense of emptiness. To quote one woman, "I don't get it...I have ten times more than my parents, and I'm not half as happy." Another man said, "I sometimes feel like a ship that's lost at sea...not knowing where to go, while all around me are pirates." Unfortunately, these pirates are out to take more than your money...your Soul.

So here I am, Jennifer Avalon, Christian, spiritual, and may I say, self-help artist, who believes that with a little help from above, there is nothing that can't be accomplished. Truly controversial!! or, "cutting edge!!" If all we do is feed ourselves physically, we can easily die of starvation...but what wonders can we accomplish when the soul is fully nourished?

Living on the edge:)
love, Jennifer Avalon
© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

The CFO

2005-05-08T05:03:00.000-05:00

Many of the e-mails I get involve subjects pertaining to faith, empowerment, emotions, and how overall to continue to evolve in life. There are some things in our lifetime we may never truly understand, so that leaves us with that which we do have some control over. There are many who believe that by not owning one share of stock keeps them out of the stock market. Quite the contrary... if one works, has a mortgage, and pays down debt they are one of the main components of the stock market. On a basic level, we are the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) of our lives... the buck stops with us first.

The CFO of our own lives, you may ask? Yes indeed. We are a physical body that has emotions, and makes multiple choices daily. By not seeing this, and understanding the full range and scope, we are at a tremendous disadvantage over how many of our problems are created and handled. Let me give a few examples of how this scenario works: Each week we work at an occupation which hopefully at the end of a one or two week interval pays us a check for our services. That check is converted into money. Money is our primary financial asset of each week. So stick with me here... picture in your hands the money you have earned for the week. I know... in many cases it doesn't stay in your hands for very long!... but it's what we do with it that matters. So, in our hands is the money, and over the coming week we transfer that asset of cash into other assets. Some assets appreciate, while others depreciate. Have a guess...what do you think is the most depreciating asset that is in our lives on a daily basis? Food. Yes I know, we need it to live on... we can't starve to death! but think for a minute. We go out... we take some of that cash from our hands, buy some food, bring it home, cook it and eat it... and guess what? It's gone. The money is spent to pay for the food and then one trip to the bathroom and voila! To throw insult to injury, they tell us Americans that we have an obesity problem that is reaching epidemic proportions... well, that's great to know... that means we are burning through more of our money then usual! It falls upon us to educate ourselves on where all of our money goes... it doesn't just go away by itself.

Being the CFO of our lives, we know over time we have to balance the books. Yet so many of us get buried in debt. Most of the items we purchase deteriorate in value with age. Yet we still seek out the latest and greatest version with all the bells and whistles. I understand... the car is a more convenient form of transportation than a horse!...but are we aware that once driven out of the showroom, we can cross off half of it's value? As we look back on our choices over the years, is it any wonder how we can so easily end up with half of the value of that money that was originally held in our hands? Wall Street holds each company to standards to set a fair market value for its stock... the earnings are supposed to increase or the stock gets punished. In our society, the same holds true for the CFO of the household. The more debt we accumulate, the more stress and emotional anxiety. Still, the rich are hated, yet why do so many play the lottery to become one of them? We may never be able to get all that we feel we are entitled to in life, but can we appreciate and enjoy what we already have? How can we enjoy the wonder of our lives if all we do is focus on what is missing?

The wise person on their deathbed listens to what their heart is saying... even though all through their life they may have only heard their own mind. As the Rolling Stones say, "You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need." There is a CFO within us... that knows, that feels, that understands what the right thing to do is. Choices are sometimes not easy, but it's not impossible to run a tight ship that shines in the harbor.

Set sail,
love, Jennifer Avalon
© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

Stairway to Heaven

2005-04-24T08:43:00.000-05:00

Over the years many have written to me asking how I arrived at my belief system. I am a Christian, but I have on many occasions visited different Houses of Worship. There is something to be learned from all Faiths. Not surprisingly, there are common bonds running through many of them. The discovery of these bonds has only re-enforced my own belief system. So what do I believe? How does it work for me? Well, here goes:

What I have learned is that the Trinity exists. Unfortunately, many preachers, over time, have bent and twisted the Word of God, for their own control and satisfaction. Yet, there are also those who totally understand what it is that Jesus was trying to say. I believe that Faith is a very personal thing. Many of us have our own personal relationship with God. I have always believed that simplicity, most of the time, works best. So simply, the Trinity represents to me God (The Creator, Higher Force), Man (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit (Breath and Power of God). It's as simple as that. What I have learned is that man or woman must embrace the Holy Spirit to form a union with God. The components of life do start to fall into place when these principles are practiced. When Jesus was asked,"Lord, where are you going?", He answered,"You know the way to the place where I am going."(John14:4) The Way that Jesus meant was to see His life as a blueprint on how to live. The role of Jesus is a coat we all can wear. Prophets before and after have re-enforced many of the teachings and convictions of Jesus.

As I have said, I am a Christian who prays daily, but I cannot begin to tell you what I have also learned from friends who believe in other Faiths. One of the most profound spiritual experiences I have ever felt was a visit to a Buddhist Monastery in upstate New York. Just walking into the temple, one could easily feel that they were in not only a House of Worship, but a very spiritual surrounding. Perhaps it is because the monks and nuns who pray there many times a day ask for forgiveness for their sins across the spectrum of their lives...in this life, and any past lives they may have had. I have also learned that I have much in common with my Jewish friends. God is all around us, and we all have much to learn. When I visited the Middle East I had much respect for the many calls to prayer of the Muslims... they kneel to God many times daily. Prayer is a wonderful observance to participate in, and observe. We are ALL God's people... struggling to learn it is not THEM and US... it is WE.

True intelligence is the dance between Man and the Divine. Prayer is our dialogue with God. Faith is when the Ego of Man accepts a Higher Purpose... Peace of Mind is the Gift of Acceptance. One of the hardest obstacles to overcome in life is that death is NOT a punishment. It is a stage of life. Each one of us are called Home at different times. Human existence is one huge school to discover and understand the Stairway to Heaven.

May you discover yours,
love, Jennifer Avalon

© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

The Flavor of Life

2005-04-09T17:16:00.000-05:00

The palette is a strange thing indeed...what once tastes fresh, over time can easily become bland. Regardless of the delicacy, the taste of what was once new can surely spiral into decay. So too does our palette for Life...repetition tends to let the air around us grow stale.

Have you ever noticed that after a mild illness or a touch of the flu, your senses, in some strange way, reset themselves? I know for myself after a few days of a bad cold, where I have no desire to eat, once the fever subsides the first spoonfuls of soup that touch my lips feel like a gift from Heaven. Perhaps it is the relief of knowing that I am getting better...but lo and behold all of my senses start to take in information as fresh and as sparkling as the day I was born. One has to wonder, without this realignment taking place periodically, Life can profoundly be taken for granted, for if the beauty lies in the beholder, the flavor rests on the palette.

So how about if we begin to look at ourselves as one walking computer that needs to be depleted of viruses, spam, and pop-up ads, on a regular basis. Our hard drives and memories need to be updated and our monitors wiped down once in a while. Hey if we can do that for our computers, why can't we do it for ourselves? For if we are well taken care of, when things tend to lose their rhythm all we have to do is hit the reboot button. Automatically, all of the systems would restart and synchronize. Like I said, if it's good for the computer, it is just as good for us. Eventually, like the PC, we will wear out. But with a little tender, loving care we may be surprised at how many more hours we can squeeze out of our lives.

Carpe Diem,
love, Jennifer Avalon
© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

Pope John Paul II

2005-04-03T14:04:00.000-05:00

This week the world lost one of the Champions of Peace...Pope John Paul II. A man of strength and conviction, who called it the way he saw it. This Pope did not withhold his shots...where he saw cruelty and injustice, he made his voice known. With his passing, we will all now be able to see the full scope of the man's life. Prayers and Blessings to you Pope John Paul II, and may God keep you forever in the palm of His hand.

love, Jennifer Avalon
© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

The Protection of Life

2005-03-20T07:45:00.000-05:00

This past week two totally different stories engulfed the headlines of the evening news. Both, as of today, ending up in the determination of life. Little Jessica Lunsford was kidnapped and murdered by a pedophile who was staying across the street from her home. At the same time, a judge ruled that Terri Schiavo's feeding tube was to be removed so that she can starve to death over the course of the next few weeks. Cases like these are becoming all too common. And these two cases in particular may redefine the rights of life, and how to protect them.

Children are in need of protection now more than ever. The kindly stranger who once was trusted now has to be looked upon as a potential attacker of the innocent. The Jessica Lunsford case, like so many others, has left parents scratching their heads, wondering, "Who can we trust, and how much?" The man who killed Jessica was a registered pedophile, but little did that help Jessica's family in knowing that he was staying right across the street, within striking distance. The rights of Jessica were violated. Society failed her. Pedophilia, from what I understand, is an incurable disease, so pedophiles must be monitored at all times, either with an ankle bracelet, or some kind of system that determines their constant whereabouts. In my view, they have lost their right to privacy once it has been proven they have violated a child.

Terri Schiavo has been fed intravenously for over 15 years. The case has gone through the courts...on one side is her husband, who wants the tube removed...on the other side is her family, who wants it to remain. Terri can breathe on her own, and from all accounts, is not on medications, but she has been deemed by a number of doctors and experts as brain dead. Yet, her eyes open and close, she breathes air through her lungs, and can make sounds through her mouth. Before succumbing to this condition, Terri did not write any conditions down on what was to be done if she was to ever come to that state of being. Terri's husband has said that it was Terri's wishes that she be allowed to die, if she arrived at that condition. Her family disagrees. This weekend the United States Congress has met in a special Saturday session to draft a bill that would be signed as soon as possible by the President to instruct the judge in the case to reinsert the feeding tube. This coming week the latest chapter in what we consider the Protection of Life will begin to be written.

What scares me the most is the slippery slope that we may be embarking upon. One has to ask themselves, how many defects are "allowable" before we deem a person so incapacitated that termination of their life is acceptable? Are stroke victims, or brain damaged individuals who cannot feed themselves, or be of clear mind, next? As a society, what we now consider horrific, is it possible to eventually arrive at it's doorstep? Being kept alive on respirators for an indeterminate amount of time is one thing, and signing Health Care Proxies is another, where one's wishes are known, no matter what they are..... but starving people to death is unmerciful. We always assume that loved ones will know the right thing to do....well that decision sometimes can get real cloudy. A person of sound mind at any time can sit down and draw up a document stating what procedures are to be followed if they are incapacitated or at death's door. It's easy and it's simple, and should be notarized. Then our wishes rest with us...otherwise, we leave them for someone else to decide.

Life and Death....issues that we struggle with daily. There are no easy answers. Yet we must strive to be humane as much as possible.

love, Jennifer Avalon
© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

Up The Ante

2005-03-06T14:11:00.000-05:00

It has been roughly 2000 years since the death of Jesus Christ. Each succeeding generation has tried, and many times accomplished, to improve the quality of life of the whole. In doing so, we have also sharpened and fine-tuned our weapons over the previous generation. Sticks and stones gave way to bows and arrows, which gave way to swords and shields, which evolved to guns and bombs, until now, where we are at nuclear proliferation. Mankind, in it's "wisdom," with each step, gives and takes from life. Yes, indeed, we have fully "upped the ante."

This past week I rented a video that was made in 1970, called "Colossus." A little cheesy, but the message was quite powerful. The United States decided that it was going to turn over its entire national security and nuclear weapons program to a computer complex known as "Colossus." On the day of the unveiling the President and the inventor of the program stood around for photos and a press briefing. They believed that Colossus would not be able to make the same mistakes that mankind would, and the world would be a safer place. The same day as Colossus was launched, Colossus discovered that the Soviet Union also had a computer complex to do the exact same thing for them. The United States was in shock, but they were not prepared for what came next. Colossus informed the Pentagon that it was aware of the other system and it wanted to communicate with it. The Russian system was called, "Guardian." Colossus and Guardian communicated back and forth for hours....at a certain point the United States and Russian governments started to get concerned that they felt cut out of the loop, so they decided to pull the plug on both computer systems, at the same time. Colossus and Guardian got wind of this, and simultaneously launched two nuclear warheads aimed at both countries. The computer systems threatened that they would allow the missiles to reach their designated targets unless they were both allowed to continue to communicate without human interference. Time and time again both countries tried to secretly shut down both computer systems....each time they failed. Finally, Colossus and Guardian announced a joint message....that there would be world peace and no more famine, as long as they were in control. The price for noncompliance? It would be the launch of all nuclear warheads, one by one. This did not sit well with the governments of the world. Wasn't world peace and the end of famine important? What was revealed in the movie was that to the powers that be, control was far more important than world peace.

As we go forward in time, how many more ways do we have to find to destroy each other before we feel safe? Can safety be fully guaranteed in 2005? Unfortunately, does it have to take a Colossus situation for safety and peace to be obtained? A third party who implements their rules to solve our problems? What we have failed to see is that to bring about world peace, religion, government, physicality and spirituality all have to walk hand in hand. If not, we all just stay on the merry-go-round.

The latest and greatest doesn't always have the answers...sometimes all it takes is the embracing of a word that has echoed through the eons...that word is "Love." All we have to do is listen and believe.

love, Jennifer Avalon
© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

Human Highway

2005-02-20T10:45:00.000-05:00

Life is one big freeway...traffic flowing back and forth. We use these highways as a way to get from one destination to another. Each day many of us incorporate these roadways as a part of life...yet, underneath the surface there is a far greater highway in existence...one called the "Human Highway."

So what is this Human Highway? Well, here goes...on one side of the road are the "abusers"...on the other, the '"abusees." And right slap dab in the middle is the "divider"...the middle ground. We become one of these three in Life. So let's address each one individually:

The "abuser" is a person who has to have total control over all situations...they have to feel that their opinion reigns over all others. The abuser's wants and needs supersedes those of wife/husband, family, and friends. Every decision, thought, and action is geared towards the accomplishment of what's right for them. Gifts, blessings and kind words are given under false pretenses, as a form of deceiving an "abusee," so that the abuser can get more. The abuser is the ultimate emotional blackmailer. They set up their lives to make all roads lead to them. With all this manipulation going on, what they don't realize is that it is totally self-destructive. One habit that the abuser always reveals as a show of hand, is that once someone catches on to their plans, they abandon the person and replace them with someone new...kind of like when a lightbulb burns out, and it is replaced with a new one. The abuser is so caught up in themselves that they lose full meaning of the word "Love." In some crazy way, whether they care to admit it or not, they look at others as nothing more than "work ants" for their causes and needs.

The "abusee," on the other hand, is completely the opposite. Most times they are kind, sensitive, and peacemaking people. They don't like conflict, they don't enjoy turmoil...they try everything in their power to make people happy. This person is who the "abuser" makes a bulls-eye for. The "abusee" will sacrifice time and time again for the "abuser," even blaming themselves when anything goes wrong, or anything brings a frown to the face of the abuser. Some abusees are able to break free from this affliction, after a little while...while others may take years, if not their whole lives. Unfortunately, after a while being emotionally beaten can start to become normal for the abusee, and they can start to forget that anything is wrong. They accept their position willingly, unless something jolts them back into reality.

The "divider,"... this is the point and the position where abusers have realized what they are doing is wrong, and have given up part of their power to compromise and share. The point where the abuser acknowledges that there are goals, dreams, opinions and feelings other than their own. At the "divider," the abusee comes to the conclusion that few of their opinions or feelings were ever respected, and step by step they start taking a grip of the reigns of their life and reestablishing control over their destiny, while not becoming abusers themselves. For abusers and abusees to make the journey to the divider, most importantly they have to accept that they have a problem.

Is it any wonder why there are so many problems in the world? This Human Highway crosses all boundaries...rich, poor, young and old. Without the right physical and mental structural foundation to build upon, it is practically impossible for any of us to accomplish what we deem important in our lives. Here are three quotes that represent examples of the three parts of the equation. The "abuser": "Some people get what they want, some people don't." The "abusee": "It makes me happy to see you happy," and, the "divider,": "Let's sit down and compromise." These three quotes represent fully the three different viewpoints.

As I've said, most of the world's problems can be broken down to basic fundamental issues. There are no mysteries why man has only progressed so far...but until we begin to look at the root causes, nothing will ever change, no matter how much we try to wish it away.

There's always room at the divider,
love, Jennifer Avalon
© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

The Art of Shunning

2005-02-04T19:06:00.000-05:00

The other day I read about a radio station that made fun of the tsunami victims in Southern Asia....it was a cruel and ugly endeavor on the part of the radio station. It upset me, and made me angry. According to the news that evening, it had upset many other Americans also. Then I heard one reporter say, "Well, nobody should be listening to that kind of junk anyway,".....and it got me thinking about that perspective....that if nobody listens, or purchases a product, then the power is taken away from the company that produces the item, or endeavor. Throughout history this has been understood as the "Art of Shunning."

Every business needs financial support...and usually that support either comes from a business loan, and then from customers purchasing their products or expertise. Media, for instance, needs advertisers to support their business model. If a media company doesn't have the viewership, they lose advertisers, which then affects how they can do business. If customers take the time to complain about something that disturbs them, to a business, the people running that company will usually listen, or they risk losing their advertisers...hence, they can lose their business. The fact that there is so much junk out there in the media means to me that enough people don't complain. The general public doesn't realize how much power they have, in the form of shunning. It is probably one of the most powerful tools a person has to control the type of society they will be living in. Remember what happened to Oprah Winfrey when she said on national television that she wouldn't ever want to eat another hamburger? The meat industry went ballistic, and took her to court, where she ultimately won. She won because a person in America is entitled to have an opinion on what they like or dislike....even if they are in the spotlight. The beef industry understood how powerful shunning can be on a mass level...that is why they tried to make an example of Oprah Winfrey...to frighten others from voicing negative opinions. Can you imagine what happens if a large group of people turn off certain television shows? It happens, and those shows go off the air.

When people feel powerless, they can often turn to violence. Violence usually results in a temporary, but short-lived result. There are other ways to assert power, and this is where the Art of Shunning comes in. As long as people don't take the time to turn off demeaning radio or television shows, for example, those businesses will continue to get their advertising dollars and keep gaining momentum. They will tell you that "this is what the people want to see and hear," even though in reality it may be simply through default, meaning because people left their television or radio dial tuned to that particular station without realizing it, those advertising dollars assumed those people were actually interested in those shows.

People are not powerless....their opinions do matter, far more than they realize. These days as I leave certain establishments, they hand me a questionnaire to fill in on how I think they are doing, regarding the help of their staff, their quality of product, how they can improve....it is amazing to me that the average shopkeeper is taking the time to rate their business models through their customers. They know that keeping the customer happy will help their business. The only way the media is going to understand this same concept is through the pushing of a button....your finger on the most powerful tool you own....your television and/or radio button.

Support what you love,
Jennifer Avalon
© 2005 Jennifer Avalon

Scratch Your Niche

2005-01-22T19:05:00.000-05:00

In life, can you be all and everything to everyone? Perhaps not....but what is possible is to find the place and corner of the world where you can be accomplished and make a difference. Marketers call this "finding your niche."

For me, that niche is essays and music. In the essay department I try to focus on uplifting topics and subject matter that hopefully can help people along in their daily lives. With music, that involves a definition that I call, "Spiritual-Acoustic." I have received a few e-mails asking me if I will ever do a heavy metal hard rock song....as much as I enjoy some of the music, I don't believe it is my "niche." When people hear the name Jennifer Avalon, I think it's important that they know what to expect, even though from time to time I do try to push the envelope a little.

Whatever your endeavor is in life, there are always those who will voice their opinion and try to send you off in multiple directions. Like any journey, it's very easy to get lost, and those critical voices never seem to be around to help you find your way back. So whatever you want to do with your life, try to keep it on one course...and simple....for example, "This is what I want to do, and this is where I want to go." For that one decision that you make along the way, you will encounter those who will tell you you're wrong. The "niche," is the little piece of the pie that can be exquisite. The "niche," can be your own special place on a Main Street, that people know where to go to get what you offer. We all have the specialty stores in our neighborhoods that have that one item that no one else seems to carry....their "niche."

The "niche" can be expanded, but it is always the core starting point. Once we decide what it is we want to do, the "niche" becomes the cake that is available at every party and every function. I recently read an article about a company that only makes Christmas items. All year long they manufacture numerous products centered on that one holiday. Their focus is totally on their product and market. If you want Valentine's Day, Halloween, or Thanksgiving products, that is not their forte. And they would tell you, "our line, or niche" is specifically Christmas items." They stay focused and busy all year long. The day after Christmas, they begin centering on next year. Believe it or not, Christmas items sell all year long!

So it's okay to "scratch your niche,"...it shows that you're focused, centered, and in control of the direction you're heading in. It is the acceptance that you fully understand that you can't be all and everything to everyone. As they say, who wants to be a "Jack of all Trades, and a Master of None?"

Keep scratching!
love, Jennifer Avalon
© 2005 Jennifer Avalon