Gotta Have Faith

Another beautiful day today.
A beautiful day + a clear agenda + a full tank of gas = an adventure.

I started my day just driving...
With no idea where on earth I was going to end up...
Maybe a beach, a museum, a park, a friends house, a coffee shop....
I had no idea.
I drove around mindless.
I drove places I've never been before.
And as I kept driving, i passed many places of worship.
Just out in the middle of nowhere.
Some of these places you would never notice.
Some of these places you would never find unless you knew how to get there.
But somehow fate brought me to each and every one.
So I decided to stop at each and every one for a prayer.
I prayed to Allah
I prayed to Buddha
I prayed to Jesus
I prayed to Ishvara
I prayed to god.
In my mind they're all the same, and are all just as important as the other.
Why did i feel the need to pray?
Because I've been losing my faith in humanity.
I figure that sometime within my lifetime, I will witness either the end of the world, or the beginning of a new start.
And lately I've been fearing the end.
We're at a time where we should all be able to communicate and understand one another.
I don't see why it is so hard for people to put away their differences, and realize that we're all just humans trying to find the same thing.
We all just want to live happy.
Everyone.
We all just want to live with content.
Without fear.
Without hunger.
Without illness.
With love.
Everyone.

I learned about many different cultures today.
Sure we all have different customs and routines to communicate with god.
But if you take all of that away, and translate each language.
Its all the same.
There is no right or wrong.
Why must we fear each other so much?

I must say, it was a bit intimidating going in to some of these places of worship. Especially being a tall 21 year old Jewish white boy who sticks out like a sore thumb. But each and every place I went to was so welcoming, and the people I met were so generous and enlightened. I just wanted to hold hands with them all at once. Unfortunately that wasn't possible. But I WAS able to hold hands with them all in a single day, and that I find truly amazing in itself. I love the diversity of this country. This is what has made me keep my faith in humanity. The fact that WE ARE ALL HERE. All of these different races. We're all living in this one single spot - in harmony (most of the time). I hope we can be an example for other places around the world.

Here are some photo highlights from my adventure:

So there we go. 14 places of worship in one day. I dont think I've ever lit so much incese in my entire life. Unfortunately I wasn't able to make it to any synagogues, but I've already been to PLENTY of those.

I must say, the most interesting experience I had was praying and chanting with 45 bald women in the first Buddhist temple I went to. It was almost an out of body experience. The energy we created in that room was incredible. These women had so much faith, and we just so intune with the universe. They just pulled me right in.

I will never ever forget this day as long as I live.

After my adventure I went to the beach to do some thinking, some writing, some meditating...and some balancing. So many answers and so many questions. But thats what makes life so great.








*DEEP BREATH*

mmmm

I feel so alive!

And yes...thats how I hold a pen...weird eh?

I also found this place along my way home. Only stopped for a quick picture though. It'll have to be an adventure for another weekend.




Peace and love my brothers and sisters
xoxoxo
Jordan

random writings to myself

Dear me,
And anyone reading...

Be a poet,
Write forever,
And never lie to yourself.

Don't forget to take care of your heart,
Since its the only body part you ever bloody well listen to.
Just take more vitamins...Or eat some beets...

Don't forget to buy trail mix tomorrow.

I can feel the energy of the millions praying to Jesus today.
Its stronger than usual.
He was such an enlightened man.
I wish my people hadn't killed him.
But I guess everything happens for a reason.

Pick up hitchhikers whenever you can,
Unless it doesn't feel safe.

Write forever,
Be patient...
Thats something you're good at.
Don't forget to edit.

Fall in love with a blond girl.
Who can look good with brown hair too.
Thats a smart idea.
There will always be ups an down in a relationship.
No matter how perfect you are.
Just have patience.

Don't park in handicap spots.
Open the door for people whenever you can.
If you ever go to jail...
Don't be anyones bitch...
....you should probably work out more.

You are a lucky son of a bitch
My brother is my lucky charm.
Although I should really find a charm I can carry around with me...
Any suggestions?

I hate commercials.
What the fuck is a salad spritzer? And why would I ever actually need one?

Love is the way back to the light.
One love.

Don't drink more than 5 drinks.
5 drinks is plenty.
Unless you're having strawberry daiquiris.
In that case drink all you want.

There is always a reason for someone's actions.

Forgive.

Fruit is a great thing to put in your cereal.
Fruit is great anytime.
It's natures candy.

Don't call anyone a bastard.

Apparantly it is a word that still offends people.
This I did not know.
My apologies to the tyee editors.
I didn't mean to offend,
and have a great respect for what you do.

Buy the following sometime within the next 2 years:
a trampoline
a hot tub
a better bookshelf
a vespa
an entire box of those delicious caramel cookies from england
and a shower radio

Buy lottery tickets once in a while.
But never pay more than $3.

Do chicks still dig money?
And nice cars?
I hope not.
I'll keep the same car forever if i can.

And I plan on giving away all I have someday.
I do not plan on ever being a rich man.
Not rich with money anyways...

Be a fucking philanthropist.
And practice some chess.
Learn how to filter your joints properly.

Try to be better with remembering birthdays.
And names.

Does the queen wipe her own ass?

How about Oprah?
Does Paris Hilton's shit stink?
I think probably so.

Grow a nice garden.
And go on picnics as often as possible.
Take that blond girl, who looks good with brown hair.

Lean how to bake.

Always have faith.
Always.

And get a fucking haircut ya hippy.

Yours truly,

Yourself

balloons and lottery tickets

I was going through one of the drawers on my bedroom today.
I found a stack of about 31 lottery tickets.
Hadn't checked a single one.
I just sort of buy them and then throw them in there.
Cause I know I'm not going to win millions,
I just like to buy the dreams that come along with the ticket.
But today I decided to take them in, and check my numbers before the damn things expire.
I ended up with $35 and three free tickets.
Considering I payed an average $7 per ticket, I'd say it wasn't the greatest investment.
But the dreams were definately fun.
So theres a lesson for you kids today...
Don't count on the lottery!
I don't, hell i was surprised i even won $35!
....hmmm what do spend it on....

Last week, along the way to work, I saw this store having this big sale just down from my gallery.
They had these big bundles of pink balloons hanging from their sale signs.
And i thought to myself...I'd really like to have some of those balloons, but then just kept driving and eventually forgot about it.
Then later that day I was upstairs in the photo gallery, enjoying a coffee right before I left for home. And i looked down the street at these balloons.
For some reason, i just really wanted them. I haven't had balloons in such a long time.
So as I'm watching these balloons dangling from this store front, a big gust of wind comes along and rips this one bundle right off the sale sign!
It floated right through traffic 2 blocks down 4th avenue.
Bumping into cars, and letting the wind have its way.
Then they turned the corner and gently floated over to my car, that was parked right outside the gallery, and got tangled in the antenna...it was like a gift from god!
Or so i like to think...
I rushed downstairs, stuck em in my car, and took them home.
They're now hanging right over my bed.
Thanks god for the pink balloons
...but next time make it a winning lottery ticket :)

Peace & Love
Jordan