From Reality TV to Reality

Life is but an experience to be savored and reflected upon. Learning from an experience is just as important as being in it. This is what I learned this summer while I was collaborating on a Big Brother blog.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the show, Big Brother is a reality show produced around a group of people who are essentially cut off from the outside world as they compete in and undergo several forms of physical and mental challenges for the chance of winning half a million dollars. The fact that they willingly participate in this emotional soup of human adversity is quite astounding; but the fact that millions of us choose to witness this on a daily basis through the live feeds, is even more so.

This reality show is truly a human experiment; but it is not one only centered around the house participants; it very much so includes all the fans who develop very real attachments to the people in the house. For over two months, we not only witness the extreme highs and lows of human nature in the house, we hop on to that roller coaster ourselves. Fans develop very real attachments to the players; attachments that prompt friendships, online families and fan pages; attachments, that often prompt debates, arguments, even online hate pages.

As a transcriber of the live feeds, a moderator of fan comments, and a participant in online communications centered around the show, I have witnessed moments of incredible humanity and tenderness, as well as those of horrific hatred and cruelty not only in the house, but outside it as well. People can, in one moment, display such joy at someone's success or compassion for someone's loss or misfortune, while in the next moment, voice sentiments of such hatred, that it would make my jaw lock in horror.

What I will take away from this experience, is not only knowledge about people in general, but about myself. With every experience, I learn what I can and will not subject myself to; what I want to have in my life and what I don't. I have made some good friendships with people that I truly care for and will keep in my life; and as the house guests leave the Big Brother house, winners or not, better from the experience or not, having gotten past the pettiness that this experience can engender or not, I exit the summer, knowing that I embrace all the beauty of human nature, while feeling an incredible sadness for its underbelly.

Peace on Earth

You know when you make that perfect cup of coffee? Or tea or hot chocolate or martini? It has the exact proportions of all the right ingredients that when blended together make a heavenly concoction.

Right now, I am drinking a perfect cup of coffee. My mouth is smiling, my brain is humming, my tummy greets it happily.

This is my morning ritual. I don't care what anyone says, coffee is Zen. :)

This is just the beginning of my Sunday morning ritual which culminates in a lovely brunch while watching Corrie Street.

If you haven't tried the show, don't knock it. It's comfort food for the soul. I have watched it for more years than I have watched anything. There is something about its grass roots aura that appeals to me. It's touching and endearing and goes perfectly with bacon and eggs, raw baby spinach and sprouted grains toast. :)

Outside, the snow is coming down. The streets are quiet. People are sleeping. Everything is blanketed in peace. For now, no one is gunning for the mall in gluttonous consumerism. Right now, no one is screaming at anyone else because of a fender bender in the mall parking lot. This moment, no one is worried because their to-do list is too long.

Right now, as I count my blessings, I send out into the world the wish that everyone is warm, fed, and their thirsts are quenched. Yesterday, Serena posted a powerful video that touched the very core of my belief system. If you haven't had a chance to see it, you can watch it here.

This year, I am deeply aware of the sharp contrasts between the haves and the have-nots. The need for human kindness is greater than it has ever been before. Yesterday, a man approached me, visibly distraught, because he needed gas to get his wife home. I didn't stand there and deconstruct why he was driving on no budget. I didn't wonder if he was scamming me. I took out what change I had and gave it to him. No one should ever be in that position to beg for anything. He told me he was very ashamed having to ask, and I replied, "There is no shame. Any one of us can be in this position."

Anyone of us can be in this position.
Any one of us.

I am acutely aware of the fact that I am blessed. The Universe has heaped me with blessings. I have the luxury of brunch and Corrie in a warm house with a loving cat to scratch for scraps of bacon, and to curl up snoring on my legs. I have the luxury to decide which book I will read today, which movie of the six that I rented to watch. I can plan whether I want lentil soup with sauteed onions for dinner, or chili. I have choices. I am blessed to have them.

I have the luxury to create and be inspired. I can watch a video like the one Leah posted here and be moved to reach for my soul's passion.

Life is so delicate
a transmuting thing,
One moment we're
flying on gossamer wings
The next moment we topple
overcome by the strain
Our whole world
encumbered by
deep-rooted pain
Some people possess
riches untold
While others starve
outside
in the cold.
The Universe's bounty
is limitless
and while we strive for
enrichment
we must remember this
That others on earth
need our prayers too
We must spread our love
and let it shine through
to everyone around us
not only our friends
because any one of us
can meet with this end.

Today marks the unveiling of the final Major Arcana card I designed - Balance. Formerly known as "justice". Balance is a more comprehensive and less bureaucratic manifestation. With balance, we can make wise and considered choices while looking at the big picture of life. Our actions are balanced by our reactions. Our pain is balanced by happiness. Out of a devastating storm comes overwhelming humanity. From tears comes laughter. Without the darkness, we cannot see the light.

This card is not about lawyers and litigation. It's about the infinite wisdom of our instincts - both spiritual and carnal. We have all the tools to maintain a balanced life- being thankful for our blessings, while acknowledging that others need help to find their own.

Balance is about the serenity of knowing one's place in the a world filled with souls each on his/her journey to find their source.

May your life be balanced. May your tables be full. May your hearts glow with love.

Blessed be :)