ever upward, ever outward

Reaching toward the sky. This is one of my favorite photos by Williams Perera of World Photography Studio. The way he captured our reflections in the water is awesome. Pointing up and pointing down. Duality is a very pervasive theme in our Universe. Light requires darkness; matter requires antimatter, female requires male; straight requires gay; Democrats require Republicans, etc.

The shadow play on my shoulders creates an illusion that I have long ears like a Pandoran Na'vi (see below).  I had the good fortune of seeing the 3D version of Avatar when it was released in 2009. The movie spoke to me in many ways. There are certainly times I feel like a Na'vi warrior protecting my Pandora (Paya Bay) from the onslaught of dark forces, blind ignorance, insatiable human greed, and disrespectful development.

I'm happy and grateful The Force is with me.

quote of the day

Lots of people talk to animals.... Not very many listen, though.... That's the problem.

- Benjamin Hoff, The Tao of Pooh

photo of the day

Lunchtime at the hummingbird feeder. That IS condensation visible on the jug. For this particular feeder, Mom makes a half gallon of cane sugar nectar in the mornings, stores it in the fridge, and refills the feeder once or twice a day. The birds seem to love the liquid when it's nice and cool after a refill. These hummingbirds have become very accustomed to and unafraid of humans. Even if a person is standing a couple of feet away they will still turn their backs to you and feed. Fearless. They know who their "sugar humans" are!  Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

be present

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

- Buddha

food for thought

Photo: Wonkette

Consider this concept in the context of the mind-boggling $3.7 trillion dollars the U.S., for example, will spend on its wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan. (That amount, obviously, doesn't take into account the horrific toll these wars have had/will have on human life.) These are all wars, mind you, that have their roots in religion and the absurd "my god is better than your god" mentality. As the earth's population rapidly approaches the 7 billion mark, the need for a shift in human consciousness has never been more urgent. Imagine if $4 trillion "ameros" had been spent on finding and implementing solutions to humanity's self-destructive dependence on fossil fuels. I could be wrong, but odds are our species would be in a much better position right now.

the ocean would be less

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.

- Mother Teresa

going green

For the first time in Honduran history, today more than thirty wind turbines began generating about 68 megawatts of renewable energy, capable of illuminating at least 70,000 typical homes. The company Mesoamerica Energy began testing the wind farm in Cerro de Hula, 24 miles south of Tegucigalpa. The site will eventually host 51 turbines, generating 102 megawatts, and catapulting Honduras into the position of the biggest producer of renewable energy in Central America. The current 68 megawatts represents just 1% of the country's wind energy potential.

Photo and source: La Prensa

looking sharp

We just completed repainting and doing some redecorating of Paya's dining room and the Bliss Bar. This splendid space is looking quite spiffy!

spread love

Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.

- Mother Teresa

that you, freddie?

Is Marc Martel the reincarnation of Freddie Mercury? Suddenly the void that resulted from the transcendence of the original Mr. Mercury doesn't seem as immense. In addition to the remarkably similar voice, Marc's physical resemblance to Freddie is uncanny!

open up the flow of abundance

The ancient Babylonians practiced a vital law that was the cause of their immense prosperity. They used the tithing law, which involves giving one-tenth of all money or riches that you receive. The tithing law says that you must give to receive, and the Babylonians knew that the practice of this law opens up the flow of abundance. If you are thinking, "I will give when I have enough money," then the tithing law says you will never have enough money, because you have to give first. Many of the wealthiest people on the planet tithed their way to wealth, and they have never stopped tithing!

- lessons from The Secret

another reminder

This view of Bliss Beach is another reminder I live in heaven. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

the beginning of love

Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.

- Mother Teresa

photo of the day

Some afternoons the Universe gently reminds me that I live in heaven. A view of the high peaks of eastern Roatan island from the Main Deck. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

your next door neighbor

I want you to be concerned about your next door neighbor. Do you know your next door neighbor?

- Mother Teresa

sky trail

These photos give glimpses of the new Sky Trail that winds through one of the most lush and biologically diverse areas of Paya Bay's property.

The Ananda Movement Center as it can be appreciated from the Sky Trail. Learn more about Paya's network of nature trails.

karma in action

Please pardon me as I luxuriate in delicious schadenfreude. Dan Savage deserves an award for this brilliant move!

sharing paya

Even watching storm clouds go by on a rainy afternoon can be fun if you do it with friends.

Photos taken this past weekend at the Ananda Movement Center, Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras. Special thanks to Lisa, Jade, Gary ("Mr. 80%"), "Lempira," and "Dos Lempiras."

feeling the good

Never let a day pass without looking for the good, feeling the good within you, praising, appreciating, blessing, and being grateful.

Make it your life commitment, and you will stand in utter awe of what happens in your life.

- lessons from The Secret

liberation

The reason why the romantic love relationship is such an intense and universally sought-after experience is that it seems to offer liberation from a deep-seated state of fear, need, lack, and incompleteness that is part of the human condition in its unredeemed and unenlightened state.

- Eckhart Tolle

independence doodle

Google is honoring Honduran Independence Day with a retro doodle. I'm not sure if this being seen worldwide or just here in Central America. Today, September 15, Honduras (along with Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica) celebrates 190 years of independence from the Spanish Crown.

spiny-tailed

Endemic to Roatan, the Black Spiny-Tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura oedirhina) has been classified as endangered as a result of habitat loss, hunting, and human encroachment. There is a thriving population of these fascinating mid-sized lizards at Paya Bay.

This healthy-looking, breeding-age female seemed very at ease as I photographed her this past weekend. I've noticed that this rare and unique species of iguana seems to have virtually no DNA-encoded fear of humans. This makes sense if you consider that they -- very likely -- evolved on an island devoid of human presence for (I'm guessing) thousands (perhaps even tens or hundreds of thousands) of years. Ironically, this "evolutionary innocence" makes them easy prey for the modern, hungry, protein-hunting man (and his super-efficient sidekick: the feral domestic cat).

It would be unconscionable for aware, educated, 21st century people to allow these animals to have the fate of the Dodo bird. In an effort to help protect them, I've designated an area of the property where these iguanas are especially plentiful as the Tropical Garden Reserve. As long as it's my decision to make, this multi-acre area of the property will remain deliberately undisturbed so that these precious animals may have a safe place to call their home.

Learn more about the effort to save the Roatan Spiny-tailed Iguana.

faith vs. fear

Faith is trusting in the good.
Fear is putting your trust in the bad.

- lessons from The Secret

ten years later

This police officer's poignant gesture reflects my own sentiment exactly.

Photo: Yahoo News

single most vital step

So the single most vital step on your journey toward enlightenment is this: learn to disidentify from your mind. Every time you create a gap in the stream of mind, the light of your consciousness grows stronger. One day you may catch yourself smiling at the voice in your head, as you would smile at the antics of a child. This means that you no longer take the content of your mind all that seriously, as your sense of self does not depend on it.

- Eckhart Tolle 

f_ck it!

Unable to find a proper shell to use for a 'house,' this hermit crab opted to go with a plastic soda bottle cap.

Sometimes you just gotta say, "F_ck it!"

- Michelle Stryzinski, one of the strongest women I've ever known and one of the most important people in my life. Love, love, love.

"drunk swedish elk found in apple tree near gothenburg"

With a headline like that, I just had to click on this story. The photo is hilarious!
Reminds me of me and some of my friends back in crazier days.

photo of the day

A view from the main deck at sunset. The "alligator head" rock formation can be seen in the background. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

wow. wow. wow.

Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.

- Mother Teresa

What a profound statement.

Think about this in the context of women's, civil, and gay rights.

Think about this in the context of the way you treat anyone who you consider to be "less fortunate" than you.

photo of the day

The explosion of green that is The Paya Trail. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

a total reversal of the truth

To the ego, the present moment hardly exists. Only past and future are considered important. This total reversal of the truth accounts for the fact that in the ego mode the mind is so dysfunctional. It is always concerned with keeping the past alive, because without it - who are you?

- Eckhart Tolle

first water war?

"If Egypt is a gift of the Nile, then the Nile is a gift of Ethiopia,” Ethiopians shoot back with growing confidence. And they have a point. More than 85 percent of the waters originate in Ethiopia, which relies on foreign aid for survival and sees hydropower dams as a potential cash cow and central to its plans to become one of Africa’s only power exporters.

- Reuters

A radical change of perspective is desperately needed by all parties in this quandary.

remembering freddie

Freddie Mercury, the musical genius, would have been 65 today. Thank you for being such a unique and astonishing human being, Mr. Mercury! Your light burned BRIGHT, dude!

Special thanks to my high school/college friend Mario Montoya (a.k.a. "Mario Mercurio") who through his own passion and enthusiasm opened my eyes to the Queen/Freddie Mercury phenomenon. Mario's a talented singer and a HUGE Queen fan. He and two other classmates were Spanish Fly, a high school-era rock-and-roll band. Back in the day whenever he sang Queen's songs Mario would come very, very close to hitting Freddie's out-of-this-world high notes! Gracias por estos recuerdos, cabrónes! Long live Spanish Fly! (And the Fat Bottomed Girls!)

the power within

No person or power in the outside world can compare to the power you have within you. Seek the power within, as it knows the perfect way for you.

- lessons from The Secret

making little lizards

There's a reason these lusty little green critters are not endangered! This seems like a lot to accomplish while holding on for dear life on a smooth vertical wall. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

quote of the day

If you judge people, you have no time to love them.

- Mother Teresa

burning man

The nouveau hippie in me so wants to experience this! The whole concept is exquisitely radical and light years out of the ordinary.

Photo: Time

namaste

The highest in me bows to the highest in you.
May this be the happiest day of your life.
And so it is. 

Thank you, Tanya. Your light is mesmerizing, magnificent woman.

yummy, delicious, happy energy

You know, now that "extra" money is manifesting in my life, I'm finding that the thing that makes me happiest about money is giving it away. Not being frivolous, careless or unappreciative about it, but rather using whatever I feel is "extra" to help the many people I see around me that are SO drastically less fortunate than I am. The mixed reaction of surprise and gratitude I see in people's eyes and faces when I open my wallet and hand them a five, ten, or twenty dollar bill they were not expecting is indescribably gratifying. It gives me chills and goosebumps every time. I find myself grinning from ear to ear for hours afterwards. I don't recall any purchase I've ever made of something material resulting in such an intense rush of yummy, delicious, happy energy. This is particularly true if I perceive the monetary gift was really needed. Awareness combined with empathy and generosity is a natural "drug." Who knew?! Now I know what Bill and Melinda Gates smoke in their "crack pipe."

The infinite abundance of the Universe is mine (and yours).

independence

September is Honduran Independence Month. Dad raised our flag this morning in celebration. Our independence from Spain is celebrated on September 15. An argument has been made that Honduran independence is actually a myth.

powerful

Que nadie te lo cuente.

This life-changing little tidbit was suggested to me by Luís Pérez-Eguiarte, a very significant Mexican friend. The wisdom we exchanged accelerated the process of my eyes opening. This chilango has had a tremendous impact on my life. In a fantastic way.

It roughly translates: "Don't let anyone have to tell you."

In other words, truly live and experience your Life. Have as many interesting, life-enriching, and amazing experiences as you possibly can. Try it. Do it. Taste it. See it. Drink it. Eat it. Listen to it. Learn it. Feel it. Breathe it. Dance it. Visit it. Climb it. Explore it. Embrace it. Enjoy it. Be fearless and courageous. Jump into the Universal pool of infinite possibilities and JUST GO FOR IT!

It is a powerful little gem of wisdom related to:

Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt, being all metaphysical in his First Inaugural Address.

After all, fear truly is the only thing that limits us from our godlike potential. The opposite of fear is love. Realize that deeply and saturate your life with love. Continuing this narrative, some profound wisdom from an unexpected source:

Life is a buffet and most poor suckers are starving to death!

- Auntie Mame*

The infinite abundance of the Universe is ours, if we would simply open our eyes and realize it. This "opening of the eyes," in turn, is alluded to by the singing Jamaican prophet:

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds!

- Bob Marley

There are a whole lot of fear-bound, enslaved minds in this world, let me tell ya. Yet, I truly believe the "emancipation" of the collective human consciousness has not only begun, it is accelerating. (Observe, for example, how the Arabic peoples of the Middle East and North Africa are rising up, demanding, fighting for, and even courageously giving their lives for justice, their human rights, and their freedom.) The best is yet to come for humankind. The glass is half-full. It only gets better.


*Thank you, Claiborne Parker.