Creation

     Every human being has a tremendous ability to create.  From your unique self, something equally unique can be created.  Of course, procreating, reproducing, is a prime example of creation.  You and another person, or at least a vital contribution from another person, can create a new human being.  Then, the activities of  parenthood along with other factors can develop the child into an adult.
    Setting this aside, we need to think about what else we are creating.  Our skills and talents can make creations which can have positive effects on ourselves and others, or negative effects.  Some creations may be copies of what our predecessors have created, repetitions of the same behaviors and beliefs without much analysis or judgment on our part.  Real creativity occurs when we use our potential to create something unique.  The more we develop ourselves, the more we are able to create.
     Whether you are a scientist or artist, a teacher or healer, a producer of goods or services, you can give the world something new.  Use your time, energy, and talents and create. 

Limitations

     Some limitations are self-imposed or imposed on us by others.  Some limitations are beyond our control.  Power to those who can diminish or delete their limitations.  Empathy to those who must accept and compensate for what they cannot do.
     We are born with limitations.  Much of our blueprint cannot be altered.   Society imposes some limitations for the survival of the group.  Religions add  limitations by labeling some behaviors as sins of commission or omission.  Each individual needs to decide which limitations to accept.  We should develop empathy for the physical and mental limitations of others.  We should not limit the rights of others in order to satisfy our own wishes. 
     No matter how well we have taken care of ourselves, we may begin to notice that our body and mind can't do want they used to.  Others around us are also showing signs of aging.  Again, we must learn to adapt and compensate.
      A sand fence limits damage caused by wind, storms, and pedestrians so the dunes can continue to protect inland areas.  We need to deal with what nature has given us and set limits to protect ourselves from dangerous behaviors and manipulations.
          

Exposure

     For the most part, nature is friendly to us; otherwise, our species would not have survived.  Nature, however, can also be dangerous when we expose ourselves to extreme temperatures, too much sun, harmful plants, insects, and animals, plus unhealthy bacteria, viruses, and diseases.  We also polute the air, water, and  soil which exposes us to other dangers.  Consuming harmful substances can also expose our bodies to poor health. 
     Our mental state is also affected by overexposure and underexposure.  When we allow false or exaggerated ideas to flow into our mind and block out a variety of good ideas, our thinking can become stagnant and dangerous.  The extreme heat of emotion can burn out logic.  A cold heart can freeze out empathy.  Our minds can become poisoned with unhealthy ideas.  Exposure to bad behavior may tempt some people to lower their standards; whereas, exposure to good may help improve our lives. 
     Just like a camera needs correct exposure to produce a good photo, our own eyes need good light to see our world.  Our minds also need beneficial exposure to understand that world.

Just Because You Can

 
     Just because you can doesn't mean you should.  We have to consider the consequences.  Also, be aware of who made your Should List.  Many people have contributed: parents, society, government, religion, peer group, friends.  The list goes on.  Be sure you have the final say.
     Our parents and family members, perhaps from many generations back, form our earliest list of should and should nots.  This list may be based on survival, tradition, religion, and common sense.  Realize it is their list, and you have the right to form your own.
     Our society has established certain norms which have similarities and differences of other societies around the world.   As we become exposed to other groups, we can better understand ourselves and others.  Every society lives under a form of government from dictatorships to democracies.  Here in the USA, we are exposed to various candidates and are free to vote for representatives who we hope will uphold and design laws to protect our freedom.
     Religions also have their lists of shalls and shall nots.  Some lists were formed thousands of years ago but may or may not be complete or valid for today.  Many people believe their scriptures come from the highest authority and should be followed.  Here in the USA, we have the freedom to follow religion or not.
     Many forces influence our thinking.  It is difficult to go against what your family has taught you, what your society expects, what religion professes, what your peer group and friends do.  We need to realize that we can decide what we should and shouldn't do.          
       

Power

 
     With each passing year, we increase and maintain power over our own bodies and minds.  As we control our health, strength, flexibility, and endurance, our bodies become powerful.  As we control our mental and emotional health, continue our education, become exposed to a variety of opinions, and deal with challenges, our minds become more powerful.  We also learn to resist being overpowered by parents and peers.  We increase our abilities to have power over others, to define our own opinions and persuade others to see our point of view.  We should use our powers for our own good and for the benefit of others.
    Sometimes, we group together to increase our power.  Other times, we give power to others to act on our behalf with our own best interests in mind.  We give power to elected officials through our votes and support; however, some of them use their power to benefit themselves and their own parties at the expense of  doing the right thing for our country.  By refusing to cooperate and compromise, they obstruct progress. 
     Keep your body and mind powerful.  Use the best fuel, plan your route, and do what it takes to get the job done.   Be that little engine that could.
     
     

Beyond Survival

  
     Nature's focus is on survival and reproduction.  In order to accomplish this, the animal kingdom followed patterns learned from their parents.  The  species that survived were creative, inventive, and adapted to a broader world.  We need to see how following traditional patterns may stop us from developing our personal talents and interests.
     For much of the 20th century, the pattern was mostly about marriage and reproduction.  In order for the family unit to survive, father brought home the bacon and mother fried it up in a pan (plus took care of the house and children.)  Young men were advised to find a career that provided a good economic compensation to support and pay the family bills.  Many young women didn't envision a career beyond marriage and family.  If they did, they felt that career must coordinate with their many family responsibilities.  The American Dream was a picture of mom, dad, and the kids.  Survival and reproduction were the goals.
     In the 21st century, we can see the shortcomings of this pattern.  The traditional American Dream is changing.  Many families need two incomes to survive.   Young men and women are encouraged to develop their talents and interests, get an education, and begin a career before marriage or at least before having children.  People are beginning to realize that they should not sacrifice developing their own talents and interests in order to reproduce the next generation. 
     Encourage your teenagers to design their own dreams, find out what they want to do with their lives, and develop their own potential.  Of course, they need to be able to support themselves, but their career should be something they enjoy, something beyond survival.
 
        
      
    
          

MARCH

     March comes in like a lion (winter) and goes out like a lamb (spring.)   The Northern Hemisphere is beginning to get more hours of daylight and warmer temperatures.  Nature is waking up from a dormant sleep.
     This month, the Irish celebrate St. Patrick and the Italians honor St. Joseph, whose legends include banishing snakes and bringing rain.  In NOLA, we celebrate with parades and food. The Irish throw cabbages and carrots from parade floats.   The Italians also parade, but in addition make altars of baked goods with religious symbolism and give out fava beans as reminders of the crop saved from drought.
     This year, Easter is March 27, and Christians will celebrate all over the world.  Coloring and decorating eggs is a traditional activity.  Parents promise young children that the Easter Bunny will bring baskets of treats.
     The Romans named this month after Mars, the god of war and agriculture, two seemingly opposite endeavors; however, spring improved the conditions for soldiers to fight and farmers to plant.  Let's hope our world reduces the amount of fighting and increases our ability to feed the hungry.   We need to grow peace in our hearts and plant seeds in the earth.  Become less like a lion and more like a lamb.