The REAL 'Christ' Spirit: It's in St. Nicholas and in ALL These People!

"God created heaven and earth, but they lacked the ability to understand the happiness of their existence. Then God made creatures who could understand the happiness of their existence, and who could create a single body from all of its thinking parts. All people are members of this one body: in order to be happy, they should live in harmony with the will that governs its life. We should live in harmony with this great soul and love it more than we love ourselves."

Blaise Pascal



On a daily basis today we're all being given living examples of these truths realized by Pascal in the *17th century.

Nothing brought this fact home more than a headline on Dec. 8. It was announced then that an additional group of 17 individuals and families signed a pledge that they would give up the majority of their wealth to help others...not when they died, but NOW.**

How is it that these individuals are able to do this? Is it that when you reach a certain critical mass of wealth you can no longer feel the joy of getting more, unless you let others in?
I truly believe that when our individual Souls reach a point of its own beingness, it has to reach out to other Souls in order to feel its true worth: yes, this is the concept of ONENESS.

According to Spiritual Laws That Govern Humanity and The Universe:

"There is an inherent mystery in life—an inner urge, an attraction to move toward the light. This mysterious component of life is innate in all life forms. It is an urge to seek illumination or to manifest the Creator’s beautiful light. This urge is responsible for the interplay of human relationships and experiences. It is responsible for evolution’s forward movement and progress toward the greater light."

Leo Tolstoy:

"We manifest in love our understanding of the unity of our being with others, and in so doing we make our life greater. The more we love, the wider, larger and more joyful our life becomes."

Could it be something at the core of their being?

Of that, I have absolutely no doubt.




With each succeeding generation, in each new century, we see ourselves moving inexorably towards this light and this greatness, first manifested by the Christ Spirit in the body of Jesus of Nazareth (5 BC/BCE – c. 30 AD/CE.)

Twenty years ago, very few, if any, of us could imagine waking up to this type of headline:

"Seventeen More U.S. Families Take Giving Pledge
Additional Billionaires Pledge Majority of Wealth to Philanthropy"

But this was the title of the Dec. 8, 2010 press release. Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, the youngest at age 26, was among those creating a stir for giving away the majority of his wealth. Here's what he said:

“People wait until late in their career to give back. But why wait when there is so much to be done? With a generation of younger folks who have thrived on the success of their companies, there is a big opportunity for many of us to give back earlier in our lifetime and see the impact of our philanthropic efforts,”
said Mark Zuckerberg


The full list of 17 families, by state, is below:
California
Michael and Lori Milken
Dustin Moskovitz
Mark Zuckerberg

Illinois
Joe and Rika Mansueto

New York
Nicolas Berggruen
Ted Forstmann
Carl Icahn
Sidney Kimmel
Tom and Cindy Secunda
Charles Zegar and Merryl Snow Zegar

New Jersey
Lee and Toby Cooperman
Duncan and Nancy MacMillan

Oklahoma
David and Barbara Green
South Dakota
Denny Sanford

Texas
Lyda Hill
George P. Mitchell

Virigina
Jean and Steve Case

Some, probably without even knowing or caring that there may be "Spiritual Laws That Govern Humanity and the Universe," give these reasons for giving:


 Nicolas Berggruen: "Everyone is dealt a group of cards at birth. With them come possibilities and responsibilities. What one does with them is up to each one of us, and the sum of those choices, constitute our lives. I have been blessed with the chance to build the Nicolas Berggruen Charitable Trust."

 Steve and Jean Case: "We share the view that those to whom much is given, much is expected. We realize we have been given a unique platform and opportunity, and we are committed to doing the best we can with it...We also look forward to working with the dozens of others who have made the Giving Pledge commitment to share lessons, perspectives and best practices."

 Lee and Toby Cooperman:
"[We] feel it is our moral imperative to give others the opportunity to pursue the American Dream by sharing our financial success...In the 1930’s, Sir Winston Churchill observed that 'We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.'...It is in this spirit that we enthusiastically agree to take the Giving Pledge."

 David and Barbara Green:
"Like my parents and their parents before them, you don’t have to be wealthy to give. You can give your time, your talents and your passion. We congratulate those who have taken on this wonderful pledge."

 Lyda Hill: "I wish to make the world a better place by advancing solutions to medical and environmental issues through investments in and donations to science."

 Carl Icahn: "Until Bill, Melinda and Warren started this project, I never considered going public with my intentions. However, I certainly see the value of a project that encourages wealthy individuals to step forward and commit to use their wealth for the common good. I hope that by adding my voice with those who are supporting this project, we will all encourage others to participate."

 Sidney Kimmel: "My thinking is rather simple: I learned as a young boy that sharing with others is the right thing to do, a lesson I observed from my father’s willingness to share even our meager means with those less fortunate. Ever since, it has never been difficult for me to continue to do the right thing."

 Duncan and Nancy MacMillan: "We very much believe that the accumulation of wealth gets us nowhere. Money has the most value when it’s used for others and the greater good, for sustaining and enriching our world. In our minds, foundational areas like education and health are the most critical."

 George P. Mitchell: "Throughout my life I’ve seen firsthand how even a little financial assistance could mean a chance for struggling students, dedicated scientists, and families to reach their goals."

***F. Robert De Lamennais said these words in the 19th century:

"Mankind moves ceaselessly toward perfection, not of every person's accord, but through the efforts that some particualr individuals make toward their personal perfection. The kingdom of God will be created by these individual efforts."

We'd made progress then.

****Margaret Mead said these words in the 20th century:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Warren Buffett, in his role as co-founder and chairman of the Giving Pledge, said these words on Dec. 8, 2010:

"I’m delighted to welcome these 17 families into the Giving Pledge community. In just a few short months we’ve made good progress. The Giving Pledge has re-energized people thinking about philanthropy and doing things in philanthropy and I look forward to many more conversations with families who are truly fortunate, and whose generosity can and will change lives."

Just 10 years into the 21st century, we have made leaps!




Last year, around this time, I'd featured Warren Buffett as St. Nicholas. He totally deserved that honor. Not only in terms of his tithes, but this is a man who gives of his talents and his time. (See Dec. 20, 2009 post by keying in "Warren Buffett" into the search field of this blog.)

Now, a year later, we are celebrating so many others who have decided to give of their tithes and talents.

Let us celebrate the many St. Nicholases among us. Whether Jew or Gentile, these people each reflect the "Christ Spirit" they have shared with the world.

Most especially, this Christmas, I invite you to look around and among your friends and family members and think of the many St. Nicholases who brighten your life and lighten your load...day by day!



Merry Christmas, St. Nicholases...May God Bless You ALL:
Ho...Ho...Ho!


Namaste',

Che'

NOTE: A full list of those taking the pledge and personal letters by many of these pledgers outlining their commitment to give is available online at http://www.givingpledge.org.

*Blaise Pascal: June 19, 1623 – August 19, 1662), was a French mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer and Catholic philosopher.

**"The Giving Pledge is an effort to help address society’s most pressing problems by inviting the wealthiest American families and individuals to commit to giving more than half of their wealth to philanthropy or charitable causes. The pledge is a moral commitment to give, not a legal contract, and it does not involve pooling money or supporting a particular set of causes or organizations. While it is specifically focused on billionaires or those who would be billionaires if not for their giving, the idea takes its inspiration from other efforts that encourage and recognize givers of all financial means and backgrounds." Press Release

***Hugues Felicité Robert de Lamennais, also known as Frédéric de La Mennais (June 19, 1782 - February 27, 1854),was a French priest, and philosophical and political writer.

****Margaret Mead was an American cultural anthropologist and became very well known as a feature writer and speaker in the mass media throughout the 1960s and
1970s.

Beautiful People Profile: An "Ordinary, ExtraOrdinary" Young Man!

Santino Wong is a handsome 28-year-old man, carrying himself with ease and grace in his six-foot frame, and he most always wears a smile....except when it comes to Sports and his team isn't doing well, as below.


I don't recall at what precise time this "ordinary" young man became "extraordinary" in my eyes. But at some point, I know he caught my attention as being "extraordinary" in very "ordinary" circumstances.


Yes, I'm using the term Condi Rice coined for her memoir, "My Ordinary, Extraordinary Family and Me," because it so accurately describes Santino Wong. I've now come to know him as a young person who lives by grace and is gracious in all that he does in his interaction with others.


The grace that you feel emanating from Santino comes from his ever-ready smile, his light-heartedness and his winning sense of humor. That's the first sign that something is not very "ordinary" about him.

No one goes through life smiling, much less being gracious, even in moments of defeat. As a matter of fact, that's when Santino starts getting downright funny.


You see, I've seen Santino not win a sale, yet not become defeated. This was during the time I interacted with him in his Sales job at an Internet company in Pleasanton, California.

When others became desperate in wanting to meet their Sales quotas, I've seen Santino distance himself from "the game" of Sales and become even more PRESENT to himself. Ultimately, I've seen him come back from behind his quota to largely exceed it, because of this strategy.


Now that I've gotten to know him a little better, I believe this is the way Santino has learned to survive: through distancing himself from the "object" and becoming PRESENT in the fullness of who he is in Body and Spirit.

"I don't allow 98 percent of things to take the smile off my face," Santino says.

I speculate that when he goes from being "ordinary" to "extraordinary," Santino begins to live fully through the strength of Spirit within him.

This is the goal most of us striving for many years on the Spiritual Path aspire to achieve!

I don't think Santino is even conscious of the fact that his style changes, so I know he cannot explain this phenomenon to us.


All he says simply is that "I feel God is constantly with me in everything I
do."

He just becomes that special being!

Most of the time, if you're discerning, that's who and what he is in all ways.

Now that I know his story, I can say with ease that it is not a technique. It is his beingness.

This young man of grace and extraordinariness is a cancer survivor.

At age 19, Santino discovered a lump on one side of his neck, then a second on the other side. These turned out to be the symptoms of Hodgkin's Disease (Lymphoma).

Imagine the plight of this young man, next to the last, in a family of five
children to a single mom. He has a sister, Cindy, a brother, Timothy, then sister, Antonia, above him. Then there is his sister,Tiana, below him.


His family rallied around him with a love so fierce and so strong that it was greater than the chemotherapy and radiation treatments he had to endure.


His parents' families came together to help this young man ...fight...fight hard...to live! His mother, sisters, brother, aunts and uncles all were available for whatever he needed, whenever he needed it.

"I love my family to death and consider them the best in the world. Anything or anywhere I'm with the family is going to be great. We're all upbeat and positive, and we all keep each other balanced as family, as friends, and as people," Santino says.

He did tell me about the excruciating pain he experienced having marrow taken out of his bones. But now, he prefers to focus less on the pain he endured and more on the love he used to survive and thrive during this two-year odyssey.


His sister, Antonia, singularly undertook the task of writing a weekly newsletter, "Tino's World." This kept all the relatives
up-to-date on Santino's treatment and progress.

Aside from providing information about Santino, Antonia also included "a lot of fun stuff in there, so it wouldn't be such a drag," he says.

His entire family, Santino says, responded "like professionals."

Santino had to win. There was no question...no doubt.

"It was all forward motion, if you know what I mean. Game plans and strategies were written out, and we all tackled them together," Santino says.

By Grace, Santino won. By Graciousness, he now thrives!


In meeting Santino less than 10 years later, I'm truly awestuck by the resilience of this "ordinary, extraordinary" young man.

Where do you get the constitution to keep on going!?

Santino says that his illness made "me realize what was important and what wasn't," he says. "It taught me that being happy is being healthy. I don't let anything bring me down."

But I still am confounded! The reason is that Santino's illness and recovery was NOT the end of his or the family's trials!


Three days ago, on December 9, was the second anniversary of the death of his mother: Patricia Ann Alba. Yes, on that day in 2008, his mother died at age 59.

As I write this, I shake my head in wonder and awe.

Yes. I'm awestruck!

How do you...how can you ...move forward?

Forward march did Santino...and his three sisters and brother.

Truly the question is: Is it Faith, or, Is it Grace? Or, Is it ...Love?


I think it is all those things.

Santino says he grew up going to Catholic Church but now attends Christian churches.

Does it matter if he attends every week?

I never got around to asking that question ...it seems so irrelevant.


What I know about this "ordinary" young man is that he did not finish High School, yet he writes and speaks with the intellect of someone who went through at least four years' of college and interacts with the sophistication of a PhD in Psychology.

Yes. Santino dropped out of High School, started working at age 14 and began in Sales at age 16.

The fact that he's an awesome Sales person, exceeding quotas and results far above his college-educated peers, is just part of the story. The other part is that this "ordinary" young man has taken the "extraordinary" circumstances of life and survival in stride, without any trace of bitterness or self pity and has made it into a personal style of dignity and graciousness.

Yes. Santino grew up fighting for his life, as a child of Chinese and Mexican parents, in very dismal socio-economic circumstances in San Francisco.

Maybe, that's where he learned to get into his PRESENCE.

Maybe, that's where he learned that there is a part of himself that is greater than any "badder" boy or situation he encountered.


Maybe, that's when he began to look to one of his heroes, Bruce Lee, for strength.

Maybe, that's where he learned to rely on the Grace that supports us from within.

But what I know in truth is that today, Santino Wong, aka Adam Zapple on Facebook, is one hell of an "ordinary, extraordinary" guy!

He says that he overcomes any challenges with, "My faith in God and an awesome support system of family and friends."

Santino's goals in life are to be "Happy, Healthy and Successful" in Sales.

But there, he says, he has a strategy he's learned from his family, too:
"Hard Work."

Typically, when I ask people,"Who is God to you," few, regardless of education, religious or spiritual training, can respond with the directness, grace and clarity that Santino did:

"God is my creator and who I look to first for everything good or bad."

Yes, that's what this "ordinary, extraordinary" young man told me, without much fanfare, just eloquence.

This simply IS...the way it is with Santino Wong.

No fanfare. No fuss. No bother.

Just Grace...Just Graciousness....exuding from this...

ordinary, "very extraordinary," young man.

May God so Grace the rest of us in our lives!

Continue to walk in the light of Grace and Love, Santino Wong!


R.I.P. Patricia Ann Alba: It's such a pleasure to know of your wonderful family. You've left a great legacy in this "ordinary, extraordinary" young man!

Namaste',

Che'

Our Singular Journey: Our Singular Soul!

ABC Correspondent Dan Harris was on assignment in Baghdad in 2006, covering the Iraqi War. Of course, reporters are human and sometimes can lose their "distance" from the people they cover while doing a story.

That's exactly what happened to Dan Harris. He covered a story that included an 18-year-old Iraqi and his heart ...and Soul...went out to this little guy, also named Dan.



That's where the story of Dan and Dan began.

After the segment that included Iraqi Dan aired on ABC at the beginning of 2007, viewers wrote in and wanted to reach out to the 18-year-old. A small Liberal Arts college in Maine, Thomas College, went further: they offered Iraqi Dan an opportunity to attend college free. The question was: how would Iraqi Dan get into the United States.


That's when Dan Harris asked for and received permission from ABC management to intercede and help out.

That he did.

Within a few months, March 2007, Dan Harris was greeting Iraqi Dan at JFK International Airport in New York City. From there, they journeyed to Waterville, Maine and Iraqi Dan began his "American" life.


Happy ending.

No...actually. NOT ...a happy ending.

Iraqi Dan got enamored with freedom in the United States and began to party and party really, really hard. The story took an ugly twist when about nine months later, despite all their efforts at helping him, the administration at Thomas College expelled Iraqi Dan.

The story took many, many twists and turns with Iraqi Dan getting many chances to straighten up his life and capture a part of the American Dream.


His odyssey included a stint at a Maine group home, near homelessness, and a move to a Boston.

Nothing worked for Iraqi Dan.

Two years and four months later, the story ends with Iraqi Dan returning ....happily ...to Iraq. He wanted to go back home and rejected staying even a few more months to pick up his "Green Card" that would have assured him of entry back into the United States.


He simply did not want it.

Tracking Iraqi Dan in his homeland a year later, Dan Harris realized that Iraqi Dan achieved something in Iraq that money, freedom and access to a "greater life" could not buy: happiness!

Iraqi Dan was home and he was wiser and smarter for his American journey.

Many American who saw that story on Nightline, as I did several nights ago, probably ponder why access to the ultimate in life did not work for Iraqi Dan: access to education, to more money, to freedom to all the things that he seemingly could not get in Iraq.


Were these viewers to get stuck on those points, they would miss a tremendous lesson about life and about our Soul's journey.


Our journey in life is not to achieve status, money and power. Yes, these are by-products and tremendously rich by-products of our journey. But, our ultimate purpose here in this life at this time, or at any other time, is for the evolution of our Soul!


To not know this is the reason many Souls wind up going around and around and around and around searching for their tails!


If you believe like I do, then you'll understand that the journey of this life is the continuation of the Soul's journey from a previous lifetime. This is NOT an argument for the Theory of Evolution. Nor is it a belief in the the same BODY having the same experiences as it did in a previous lifetime.


But it is a thesis for the same SOUL continuing on its journey from one lifetime to the next continuously moving, or in some cases, inching, closer to what, I believe, IS the ultimate goal in life: a closer connection to the universal energy we call God.


This lifetime, like any other, is an opportunity to refine and improve upon a previous one, where our human traits and characteristics may have so intruded on our spiritual passage that we got LOST in the journey and ultimately lost connection to our Soul.

That Soul comes back with all the ingredients of the previous lifetimes, continuously urging, nudging, calling, whispering to us to get on "the right path."


That right path has nothing...NO THING...to do with achieving riches, unless it is to contribute to the growth of that Soul.

That right path has nothing...NO THING...to do with living in the best country on Earth, unless it is to contribute to the growth of that Soul.

And...every BODY...every Soul has a singular journey.


No two Souls are evolving at the same rate at the same pace at the same time.



Each Soul is navigating its way along its own path in this journey of this lifetime. This is a singular experience for that singular Soul.

"Remember that the spirit of God exists in every person, the same spirit that gives you life. Therefore you should not only love but respect the soul of every person as a holy place."

Epictetus


People make so many, many mistakes when they believe that "what is good for Susie is also good for ME..."



Through envy, jealously, greed, passion or other dark traits and emotions, people get lost to themselves and the journey of their Soul.

That's where they truly make their mistakes.

Sometimes that loss comes about at the hands of others.


But, if a body is connected to its Soul, it knows what it needs to go back HOME. It knows what it needs for ultimate happiness, like Iraqi Dan.



It begs to go back home, Green Card, or no Green Card.

That is the story of how an Iraqi teenager, now man, taught America an important lesson of the singular journey of a singular Soul!

Don't miss your lesson!


Namaste',

Che'
NOTE: Dan Harris also detailed his time with Dan in a "Reporter's Notebook." See it by cutting and pasting this link:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/reporters-notebook-dan-met-dan/story?id=12270612&page=1