tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34912505107380468252024-02-18T20:06:30.672-08:00Scooter's Big AdventureCo-Creating and Co-Writing LifeScott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.comBlogger388125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-39474102320213832592023-01-30T19:32:00.001-08:002023-01-30T19:32:29.480-08:00Until We Can't<p>Until We Can't</p><div style="text-align: left;">Let us breathe</div><div style="text-align: left;">Let us dance</div><div style="text-align: left;">Let us pray</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Let us stand at the door</div><div style="text-align: left;">Let us eat and drink and be merry</div><div style="text-align: left;">We shall do these things because we can</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Let us know who we are</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Let us ask</div><div style="text-align: left;">Let us seek</div><div style="text-align: left;">Let us knock</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Let us take the shot</div><div style="text-align: left;">Run the race</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Become mouthy</div><div style="text-align: left;">Become bold</div><div style="text-align: left;">Become the aggressor</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Take the leap</div><div style="text-align: left;">Try big tries</div><div style="text-align: left;">Fall</div><div style="text-align: left;">And get back up</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Cry</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ball</div><div style="text-align: left;">Weep bitter tears</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Let us stand again</div><div style="text-align: left;">And enter Sacred Space</div><div style="text-align: left;">Through the Hearts Door</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Remember</div><div style="text-align: left;">We Are One with the Infinite</div><div style="text-align: left;">One in the Infinite</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Let Us Love</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hold</div><div style="text-align: left;">Give</div>Scott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-15579145935129271852021-01-10T03:44:00.000-08:002021-01-10T03:44:07.454-08:00Do the BasicsPractice. Work. Everyday is another chance to choose: Groove or ground.<br />
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Let me explain with a story. When I was a kid, I played sports every chance I got. I played because it was a social thing, because I enjoyed it, because I loved how I felt. Playing sports so much helped me gain confidence that I had the ability to learn and get good at things.<div><br /></div><div>Then something shook my confidence.<br />
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When this happened I began to lose my swagger and confidence in sports. I went looking for a way to get myself back. I think this is when I decided to switch schools and play football. But, it's a tired old saw. I'm tired of the narrative. It's time to change it all up!<br />
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Football was a great challenge for me. I wanted it! It's how I started to go for goals. I told my family that I wanted to play in the NFL. That may not have come, but at least I went for something and started dreaming.<br />
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There's nothing to judge from my past. Nothing. With nothing to judge, I am free to choose my story, free to look forward, and look where I DESIRE to Be. I was at a conference a couple years back where I heard Terri Savelle Foy speak. She was talking about keeping focus on where we wish to be. She said that in order to do this, we can not keep our eyes on the circumstances around us but on the path ahead and on the vision of where we are going.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>When this, this, this all about us comes to be the focus, then going somewhere takes much longer because we end up spinning in circles, dog meet tail.</div><div><br /></div><div>Somewhere I have a picture of the first dog ever given to me. My brother brought this little fur ball home in the pocket of a flannel shirt he was wearing to school that day. He was in 7th grade, so I think maybe I was in Kindergarten when I first met our little golden mini-collie/other little golden dog mix.</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't recall why I called her Choo Choo, but I did. It must have been the angels whispering to me, because she turned out to be all that and more. She was super cute, very fun, happy and energetic and she had two habits that made her Choo Choo.</div><div><br /></div><div>One: She would run circles around our little house like she was on a track. She had such short little legs and was so quick that her features were a blur as she chugged past each time. Habit Two: Choo Choo would then step up to the landing on the front concrete steps and do crazy spins. And if you were standing beside the step and she could use the whole 9 square feet of the landing, then you could have seen why we could have called her Tornado or Twister or some such name.</div><div><br /></div><div>And what, you might ask, does this have to do with goals? Well, to this day I don't know exactly why Choo Choo did what she did, but if she wanted to take her little caboose somewhere else, she would have had to take her eyes off her tail or her race track around the house and then look where she wanted to be going. We all have a "tail." Are you chasing yours or letting it help balance you like a squirrel on a telephone line?</div><div><br /></div><div>When we take control of our focus, then we can take control of our balance. And when we control our balance we know it's easier to point in one direction and get where we plan to go</div>Scott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-85560268689959467592018-07-31T22:03:00.003-07:002018-07-31T22:03:40.818-07:00A Goal and a Promise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My goal, maybe even a mission statement, is to be open and serving to others.<br />
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There's a level of openness that used to be a part of me when I was younger. The whole park ranger gig, tour guiding through ancient cliff edge homes at Mesa Verde National Park, was a really great way to have a giving nature. I constantly found ways to give of my gifts of storytelling, kindness and creativity. These days, I find myself seeking to be more generous and open to Life. The Giving Spirit is returned; it's what I choose to be about.<br />
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There is an analogy I've heard used for spiritual growth of a person: Imagine a spiral staircase. When a new soul incarnates, they have to start from the ground floor. They begin the climb of Spirit incarnating and simply going through lessons and life. As we grow we continue to climb the stairs, eventually returning to the same side of the stairs but one flight up. The lessons in that spot are a mix of the old lesson on that step and an elevated degree of the original lesson. A new degree creates a new lesson, each building on the last and creating momentum.<br />
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I feel that the lesson I'm in has been taught me many times before. Learning to give of Who and What I Am is the true purpose of the lesson, and perhaps to do it more authentically seems like a big start.<br />
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Open up and give authentically. Some people look around the world and see what's on the news. They focus on it, they expect it and it becomes what they see.<br />
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Upon reflection, I realize that I have withdrawn, not allowed my personality free. This is my resolve: I've got to be set free.I am more valuable than that. What do I mean by this? I have been withdrawing into my fear. I apparently have been afraid of life here in Sioux Falls, in the world outside of a nature camp or a national park, or a job in which nobody is expected to contribute greatly. Or, to put it another way, if I am in a job that I can sleepwalk through, then that's what I do and nobody bats an eye at me, the way I'm performing.<br />
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There's nothing being risked, and if it is, the risking is backed by something which balances the risk with safe feeling, not trying too hard, not putting myself out there.<br />
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Now I have an opportunity to put myself out there. Each day, we have the opportunity to put ourselves out there. I do, you do, we all have choices. They may seem really small, but we all have those chances. They are also known as choices.<br />
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As an example, I will use my writing. I recognize now what has kept me from writing much in a long time: I am feeling not confident about what I am writing and whether someone will agree that what I am writing makes sense and is a good point.<br />
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The internal worry is always really only and ever about me. I am essentially being selfish by not putting my creative talents out there. It's a worry about me, instead of a caring about someone else. This makes so much sense.<br />
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I would venture to say this is a result of the belief in comfort as something for which to strive. The idea that we need to be comfortable is a key issue with this world in which I live. Please don't get me wrong, I like comfortable things, but when it comes to life and people and the opportunity to share something of my self in order to improve the world of others, I must acknowledge discomfort is the way to go.<br />
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And what would I say if someone told me: "Get uncomfortable with everything in your life."? I would argue, perhaps from the soft part of me, that there's nothing wrong with having a level of comfort. It's not about complete comfort or not. It's about risking looking the fool to help break down the walls of society.<br />
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Walls are splitting, dividing, and separating devices. We don't need no education, if that's what we are being taught. Each day, I want to do something, perhaps many things, which bring a smile, some joy and perhaps a sense of hope to someone I meet.<br />
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It's time to step back into the world with that mindset, every day, to do what I can to bring value to a life through what I have to offer. Not every person is going to want what I have. That's okay. But, I will continue to grow and offer what I have to give.<br />
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That is my promise to Me and You.Scott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-89582928573038024042018-06-12T10:52:00.001-07:002018-06-12T10:53:20.082-07:00Spirit of Summer<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of my favs together on a summery Memorial Day.</td></tr>
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There's a turtle dove bobbing it's head as it strolls down the sidewalk. The dove is one of my favorite birds. I remember fondly meditative afternoons on the front step at our Corsica, SD, home, sitting and listening to cicadas and doves with their hypnotic chorus of buzzing and cooing. The cicadas eventually drown out the dove sounds on those sleepy summer afternoons that melt into evening into the short and long night of Summer.<br />
The wait was sometimes a patient one. I would allow my focus to go soft, my view to widen as in would fly the white horse of Spirit. Working with myself in such a way, I would often reach into relaxation and grab hold of something unholdable. When it would slip through my fingers I did not care, often because I would feel so in tune with it I was beyond care. The State would travel with me for a while.<br />
The joy of connecting to Spirit, to God, is a warm bath on a cold Winter's eve. It's a cool river, in the shade in the desert, cottonwood trees and sandstone creek bed forming the cozy meeting spot of Spirit.<br />
That meeting spot is a glimpse into who I Am. It's the dove cooing, the humid summer day oozing into me or the blending of cool stream and pounding desert heat.Scott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-35807255873632178922017-12-24T20:04:00.000-08:002017-12-24T20:07:19.771-08:00Exposing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Breath is Life. God Breathed Life into the inanimate and made Life physical. Breathing is the Human body's connection to the Soul and Spirit that I Am. Breathing brings Spirit and energy into the body.<br />
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There's life everywhere in the Universe. God the One breathed it There. There's Life in infinite forms. Life is Infinite, and the most astonishing thing to some is that we are not alone in the Universe. We are not alone in our Galaxy, nor our star cluster, nor our solar system. Life takes many People forms, and many human forms. We are not even Alone as Humans on our planet Gaia Earth. It is logical, and there are so many stories to tell us, even from the Bible, that this is so.<br />
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Life is Ever Expanding and Contracting, infinitely pulsing. God's Grace is infinite, like Breath. When you are done breathing in this physical life, you continue breathing in the Next. And the Next. Life and Breath go On and On, which means you keep going on and on.<br />
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Marvelous, right? These are things I've wanted to say for a long time. So many things. Love has given me the wings to take off now, to say what I've wanted to say. It's time that I express what is in me, what my Soul wants, NEEDS to speak.<br />
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You are loved. You are Love. Infinite. It's what you ARE! Know it. Feel it, and breathe.<br />
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Scott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-935817602848293672017-06-26T08:52:00.001-07:002017-06-26T08:52:23.428-07:00To Niwot, and Beyond! A Week of Celebrations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kellyn, Violet, Joey and Blaine</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick with Violet and Adela</td></tr>
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We made a party of it. Our recent road trip to Custer, SD, and Niwot, CO, was a wonderful celebration of family, especially the less-than-a-year-old kind. We celebrated A LOT! There was so much to be grateful for that we were Great-full!<br />
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First we stopped in Custer to take a break and spend time with the Custer Kortemeyers. We enjoyed a beautiful night grilling on the deck and enjoying family time. Amazing food, grilled by one Alexander Kortemeyer. Nice work Big A! And everywhere we went it was a celebration of sweet baby Violet!<br />
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We took off the next morning for Niwot, and made it there just as sweet niece Adela cranked up her party celebrating her 3rd birthday. Friends, pool and water fun, and of course, sugar.<br />
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As her uncle, I was obliged to play the part of the "scary bear" and chase Adela and her friends all around the house. I loved it. Too bad I didn't have a costume.<br />
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And we celebrated meeting Leo and Violet. Leo is two months old and Violet is six months, and the cousins had not met, not to mention the Aunts and Uncles hadn't met the other babe either.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Violet, Leo and Adela</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Siblings Nick and Molly and their Babes Leo and Violet<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leo celebrating Life!</td></tr>
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It was such a joy to spend time with everyone. Leo and Adela are such beautiful children. It was a real joy to finally meet Leo and to reaquaint ourselves with the energetic Adela. It's really wonderous to watch children grow and get to know them. The whole adventure was wonderful.<br />
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On the way home, Molly and I celebrated our third anniversary of our commitment to love. It's been a fun ride, and we are just getting warmed up. Celebrating our togetherness on this trip was effortless and joyful. And, oh yeah, we also got a first Father's Day and Summer Solstice in there, too. That's a lot to celebrate. I'm grateful for the love that brought us all together and made this week of celebrations possible.<br />
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<br />Scott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-87990133293573749192017-06-11T17:13:00.001-07:002017-06-11T17:13:21.494-07:00Breath Inspired<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-tbIh1flPDqVUJKIbYeOMilC0sJBLStQk6Oo60fTKwY9hpAaeLU9tbQAqCoj-LkTtz9DjeaCHUEv77TV1aaBb2mNM43fCrTReQ0kUOvhKblp7GGc6Q90_Sx8i54uBu3gbbj_iHWHSoOI/s1600/20170530_145649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-tbIh1flPDqVUJKIbYeOMilC0sJBLStQk6Oo60fTKwY9hpAaeLU9tbQAqCoj-LkTtz9DjeaCHUEv77TV1aaBb2mNM43fCrTReQ0kUOvhKblp7GGc6Q90_Sx8i54uBu3gbbj_iHWHSoOI/s320/20170530_145649.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Josiah's Coffee House, 8th and Railroad, Sioux Falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What to say?<br />
<div>
How to hope?</div>
<div>
Faith to build</div>
<div>
Let go of oars</div>
<div>
Start to flow downstream</div>
<div>
Feeling</div>
<div>
Breathing</div>
<div>
Thinking Thinking Thinking</div>
<div>
Breath</div>
<div>
Think Think</div>
<div>
Breath</div>
<div>
Aaah</div>
<div>
Open</div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKdDhgOxvTeH22UgjMm-j2cQanxpCwnOuqN_0cmJsTmw3sFgje0Y5z0mw1dmETegmO32T4D5dKSl2NUwjSbVxiLfheRz1Tw-WCzF8BEqCbTMGZDeFBZJJ5_0gZTaKHU2LsmoAle2VVawb/s1600/20170530_145711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKdDhgOxvTeH22UgjMm-j2cQanxpCwnOuqN_0cmJsTmw3sFgje0Y5z0mw1dmETegmO32T4D5dKSl2NUwjSbVxiLfheRz1Tw-WCzF8BEqCbTMGZDeFBZJJ5_0gZTaKHU2LsmoAle2VVawb/s320/20170530_145711.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my art-inspiring places</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Think</div>
<div>
Breath</div>
<div>
Breathed</div>
<div>
Moved</div>
<div>
Flow</div>
<div>
Let go</div>
<div>
Let</div>
<div>
go</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
O</div>
<div>
Om.<br />
</div>
Scott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-42227538941039253082017-06-11T16:58:00.001-07:002017-06-11T16:58:43.823-07:00Letting it Out<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHlclTl2A3BhCUn52h1oUldXJ-2H5Tzc2dtKOCYG6zziwT5LfsP_fVuFngqFFjPQcvG5UDEk85oh2szHVGriaPNaaTd4Y9VpVqLiwwkQoVqTPPtmTbvToxSSsRjESLNrXVs9HJ38xsOMo/s1600/20170531_152546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHlclTl2A3BhCUn52h1oUldXJ-2H5Tzc2dtKOCYG6zziwT5LfsP_fVuFngqFFjPQcvG5UDEk85oh2szHVGriaPNaaTd4Y9VpVqLiwwkQoVqTPPtmTbvToxSSsRjESLNrXVs9HJ38xsOMo/s320/20170531_152546.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penstemmon in Leaders Park, Sioux Falls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What has become apparent: I have to write. There can be no mistaking it. Overall, my health improves when I put myself out there. And that's the difficulty of it and the point. Putting one's self on a page, for art, for self expression is a process of stripping off layers of armor. We do this all the time. We make friends. We reach out, testing the waters with someone.<br />
Do you want to be my friend? It's our most basic unspoken question and one that boils us down to essentials quickly. Sometimes, in our innocence, we are able to speak it. Innocence and boldness and daring are traits which are easy to lose in adulthood. They are not lost permanently, however, but are strengths, or muscles which must be worked out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2KwLNKkH1kClxAHEVzUN6YklpXzvaKtz3CjCXOwxfdAAMunroYFIKekiqyWItT_wuPSy8J2qjxLMh71SAUL4wua1eE_drllkhs209Xx0_Eiy9zPijWJcElrlY3dlGTm0Q0DLtOeKE9Jl/s1600/20170531_152604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2KwLNKkH1kClxAHEVzUN6YklpXzvaKtz3CjCXOwxfdAAMunroYFIKekiqyWItT_wuPSy8J2qjxLMh71SAUL4wua1eE_drllkhs209Xx0_Eiy9zPijWJcElrlY3dlGTm0Q0DLtOeKE9Jl/s320/20170531_152604.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Writing from the heart is the real practice, as well. It's what helps me release what's inside. It's what helps me get the God Energy within me and put it out into the world. And if I don't put that out of me, it will stay inside and get stuck within. And when an energy gets stuck within, it can create a blockage - stagnant energy within blocking the healthful flow of my life force energy, the God Energy. It creates dis-harmony and eventually, dis-ease or better known as disease.<br />
This stuff has to come out. For my health. It doesn't matter what happens with it. What I'm discovering is that the energy within me must come out.<br />
<br />
Post Script<br />
I wrote this and saved it over a year ago. I'm just now posting it because I think it's still relevant and I'm definitely enjoying putting these things out there. This blog has been all but abandoned in recent times. I would like to bring it back to life: more art, more photography, more travel posts when available.<br />
<br />
Thanks for checking back.<br />
<br />
ScottScott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-58768230084986181342016-02-29T13:27:00.001-08:002016-02-29T13:32:12.670-08:00"The Return" - a story in celebration of Leap Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6uKqN7yCzk63uLS-Nb5vrCR88tkmXgW1OAJf9RjgSYnrCILyEBBzag44tpq5bRu9UB8FnE4T2XGj9H9QMiou_Ay-pz2M_gBhSzXRPnyEkJIqdeUBCtfk4B9gEMUrNG9VJGjymUebfNCW/s1600/wallpaper-light-blue-and-pink-nebula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6uKqN7yCzk63uLS-Nb5vrCR88tkmXgW1OAJf9RjgSYnrCILyEBBzag44tpq5bRu9UB8FnE4T2XGj9H9QMiou_Ay-pz2M_gBhSzXRPnyEkJIqdeUBCtfk4B9gEMUrNG9VJGjymUebfNCW/s320/wallpaper-light-blue-and-pink-nebula.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
He stepped down into the visible world. To the unknowing observer, you would say he dropped from heaven, an angel, or was a ghost crossing from the other side to speak words of warning or the opposite, to tell us everything is okay, that grandpa is there with grandma.<br />
Last time he had stepped onto Mother Gaia he was 18 years old, a mere pup. Since then he had been on the ships, serving in various capacities and in various Sol Systems. His favorites would be hard to gauge, but for shear beauty, being invited to the Pleiades system and seeing the Great Purple Lodge from the ship had to be on the list.<br />
That's not to mention the obvious, the first time he saw our blue-green beauty through the floor of the first ship he left home upon. Seeing our Great Mother's body, knowing the success of pure water for all, of the great abundance Gaia's children were experiencing and how pure each conscious breath could be on her face.<br />
And that now all Mother Earth's children were connected, one people, a Galactic, Cosmic Society. We had become Trekkies, trekkers of the MultiVerse.<br />
He had done and been what he had hoped to be and do. And he now came back home to transition. 800 odd years later, he stepped onto Medicine Butte, quest completed. He vanished again. Now he was the wind.<br />
<br />
------- -------<br />
<br />
Dear Friends,<br />
I wrote the above fiction to celebrate Leap Day - to celebrate the Leaps we as humans are capable of and will experience. You may not know it or believe it, but I believe we are not that far away from this society. We will have to get there together, or not at all.<br />
<br />
We WILL get there. Together.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading,<br />
<br />
Scott <br />
<br />Scott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-58726656931209137442015-04-11T20:24:00.000-07:002015-04-11T20:27:17.943-07:00Grace and Love from our Mother<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
No Judgement. We humans have a lot of it. Mother Earth does not. Spirit, Creator, God, Allah? No judgement.<br />
Jesus is always going to be one of my heroes. One key message I got from Jesus is that there is no judgement from God. We are the ones who bring that. A Being that is Pure Love has no need of judgement, wouldn't dream of that. What you do for another, you do for yourself. To judge another is to judge your self.<br />
-----------------<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZgncHP_9exZPPjcAkirMuSEtrX3n97ZSNw1n6IdEVJIKhHovtx9HvdQ0qudEilqgZ5cS5-OshuYpFoQzUZMedBDWOp5z3KxirpahSiLln1khKGuGNt8Ldf782Fja6wbG_t0PrB02SzGt/s1600/20150325_144124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZgncHP_9exZPPjcAkirMuSEtrX3n97ZSNw1n6IdEVJIKhHovtx9HvdQ0qudEilqgZ5cS5-OshuYpFoQzUZMedBDWOp5z3KxirpahSiLln1khKGuGNt8Ldf782Fja6wbG_t0PrB02SzGt/s1600/20150325_144124.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a>"Just the other day I was out exploring. While on my journey I found a section of woods and swamp I had never been to before. As I entered the woods, I saw quickly that I was wrong. I had been all throughout this place. There was sign of me everywhere. You can see the pictures above. Pretty obvious I had been there lots.<br />
<br />
Now, to be fair, not all the trash I collected did I drop in the woods. Some of it I dropped in the parking lot of the gas station. I notice I drop a ton of those cigarette cellophane wrappers off the top of my cigarette packs. Maybe even literally a ton of them. I smoke a lot. I get excited and don't think when I get my ciggies. And the wind takes this stuff right to my favorite places. My friends the trees are just trying to help. And the water, well, it is doing its part, too. They are really good at catching and holding stuff.<br />
<br />
I also drink mucho, mucho soda and sports drinks. Beer, too. And I don't remember it. Along the lines of not remembering, apparently I drink lots of liquor in those little bottles about the size of what you get in the hotel liquor cabinet, only to drink and find out just how expensive having liquor pre-placed in one's hotel room can be! <br />
<br />
Good on me that I thought to put a nice strong garbage bag out there the last time I was out. And apparently I have had a lot of that white foam that my TV's and ninja juicers come packed in. Not to <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklf4ppnuvDM9-BZfLQN4HCGcO0tAxnLq6DiFKtMMQzkQjcmGW4d-pso498T-g19tiAiIUQfY-BxHJHjY_umDgqSKZuGQm5v1MNkAvNmnjBZwHukjZwCvg8XCzGrEicAEcI5WZ8rqkOYOf/s1600/20150325_144134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklf4ppnuvDM9-BZfLQN4HCGcO0tAxnLq6DiFKtMMQzkQjcmGW4d-pso498T-g19tiAiIUQfY-BxHJHjY_umDgqSKZuGQm5v1MNkAvNmnjBZwHukjZwCvg8XCzGrEicAEcI5WZ8rqkOYOf/s1600/20150325_144134.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a>mention, I apparently have been to the grocery store and, as has been the case quite often, I've forgotten my re-useable bags. I get so many of them that I lose track of one or two. Those babies really can fly in our stout SoDak winds.<br />
<br />
Wood and water, wind and wing, these are elements I need. So as I visit my friends in-swamp, I see that they love to accept me back. They say nothing about the detritus of life on Earth accumulated here, yet I know they are glad I've come back to take care of things."<br />
...................<br />
<br />
Love yourself. You have Grace. You can start now. Love our Mother. She Loves you unconditionally. Mother Earth is not judging you. You Are a marvelous Creator. Love yourself and love your Mother. Have Love for yourself - you are doing the best you can in any one moment. When you judge yourself, you separate yourself from the Love that is always available for you. Forgive. Forgive others, forgive yourself. You are Forgiveness.<br />
<br />
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-CTQbBJikvtg%2FVSnT3S2lzGI%2FAAAAAAAAIHM%2FcvDQpdUmLXs%2Fs1600%2F20150325_144124.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZgncHP_9exZPPjcAkirMuSEtrX3n97ZSNw1n6IdEVJIKhHovtx9HvdQ0qudEilqgZ5cS5-OshuYpFoQzUZMedBDWOp5z3KxirpahSiLln1khKGuGNt8Ldf782Fja6wbG_t0PrB02SzGt/s1600/20150325_144124.jpg" -->Scott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-26805543944680064292015-02-22T16:00:00.001-08:002015-02-22T16:00:24.675-08:00Love For Ernest<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3CPQHxlTAQrudSdKTwcB9B6I_XmX8HlyW5uQKirPaHltezf9oK9_qBWx9PydhSnDIK_6Z0L8Vd07yFgNhDKdUwxVPHxqZuPvUcu0mVvnShxXIbNQJdRP5SMtKddthK8bsTel30TFxzEU/s1600/ernie+2+16+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3CPQHxlTAQrudSdKTwcB9B6I_XmX8HlyW5uQKirPaHltezf9oK9_qBWx9PydhSnDIK_6Z0L8Vd07yFgNhDKdUwxVPHxqZuPvUcu0mVvnShxXIbNQJdRP5SMtKddthK8bsTel30TFxzEU/s1600/ernie+2+16+14.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A joyful kitty, a joyful poem to honor his life.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I Am Brilliant!<br />
I Am Joy<br />
Creator of Blue Creator of Destiny<br />
I Am Youthing<br />
Delivering Hope<br />
Knowing The Best of Me<br />
And It's only the Beginning<br />
I walk with a spring<br />
My Smile has bounce<br />
I look and see you<br />
And then I announce<br />
There goes a living breathing Son of the Living Dog<br />
I mean God <br />
We are Masters of the moment<br />
Keepers of Enrollment<br />
We are joy we are fun we are seasons in the Son<br />
We lift off and soar with Angels wings<br />
Free Healthy and New<br />
We are a wave arriving in time to greet a<br />
First step into the ocean<br />
<br />
We are heat and a cooling breeze<br />
Love has overtaken Me <br />
Wars will be played on apps on phones<br />
Left behind are the ones to bare bones<br />
Gone are the battles used to raise thrones<br />
We are Increasing We Are Bequeathing<br />
Hope to the Faithful<br />
Love to the Hopeful<br />
Love to the Lovely<br />
That's You, That's You<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Scott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-64286727770374163092015-02-11T21:07:00.000-08:002015-02-11T21:07:04.425-08:00Black and white thinking.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUwEBj9L5jVgsFuja1zYW6UvqkIu0We-9mDzYNwnzVzYpf4mwAat4PIW0Fh9Qggt9PNmu-chJYP_JDMwdls2UJoKcMoIlIQ_CR9xLJ3_9o6YMOdZ9Oot6SjdWlXerctZJ0TtUsjjmFwT7/s1600/1423092885905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUwEBj9L5jVgsFuja1zYW6UvqkIu0We-9mDzYNwnzVzYpf4mwAat4PIW0Fh9Qggt9PNmu-chJYP_JDMwdls2UJoKcMoIlIQ_CR9xLJ3_9o6YMOdZ9Oot6SjdWlXerctZJ0TtUsjjmFwT7/s1600/1423092885905.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A path less traveled, a photo more edited, taken at Good Earth State Park.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm sitting in the kitchen of our lovely 1950's house reveling in the quiet. Keystrokes on a soft clacking keyboard, a helicopter, a conscious breath or two and the knock of something distant and hidden in the house: these sounds are my companions.<br />
It's a lovely, lonely moment, which is something I appreciate about quiet and photography among many other arts. It's the experience of contrast within a moment, captured in a piece of art. I feel gratitude to the Creator for such moments.<br />
It is in such a moment, in such a state of awareness, that I reach out. I stretch my self toward the stillness. In such moments I am more aware of frailty and I am simply more aware and able to be so. These times have contrast. They have a quality not unlike a black and white photo. During such moments paths through a murky field of what's possible become imaginable. <br />This is when imagination finds root within. It gets watered, or pruned and strengthened and sometimes it dies within me at these times of contrast, these times of awareness. Yet even that hope, the one that dies from a shallow root, gives space and time for a new root to grow. I do so love these moments of human awareness, knowing that I Am Spirit on a Human Journey, that the imagination and the space to have one are key to my Being.<br />
Something to love, something to learn, joy to have. These times give voice to dreams and unheard of realities which remain so until I write.<br />
<br />Scott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-23220754766270285282015-02-01T21:36:00.000-08:002015-02-01T21:36:07.937-08:00Roots to Sky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-K8xtDr7V6F2wc9ZP2EmY6104j5dC89wzEN1mg3jhvVqaxMw_P0Rw3se-amT_tBw4jclqZS7rd9Mth6jvm4kZHVLV1GYCk0vxYPvbV6OavIej4jbYBQ-bNQVxlGLiB5sKgOmIieGduqFv/s1600/20150127_170649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-K8xtDr7V6F2wc9ZP2EmY6104j5dC89wzEN1mg3jhvVqaxMw_P0Rw3se-amT_tBw4jclqZS7rd9Mth6jvm4kZHVLV1GYCk0vxYPvbV6OavIej4jbYBQ-bNQVxlGLiB5sKgOmIieGduqFv/s1600/20150127_170649.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
On this day I remember a dear old friend. On this day I remembered how sweet friendship be, how friendship can be between me and a tree. This friend is a giant in a very old park. Here I am pictured, me and it's bark.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3vs7eacJfOU3lY4bDRwdJhjNMD7bs2cfnnOnRA99Fjwzrr6LCeladEjqU9hc5zH1qq4JHqkWbUgIFjrXEbqttEqyTAcZ1U667oOeq-FWRkZpgiJ24Gwc4UhBaOL8Kg0xUL_M70c3RW2R/s1600/20150127_170844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3vs7eacJfOU3lY4bDRwdJhjNMD7bs2cfnnOnRA99Fjwzrr6LCeladEjqU9hc5zH1qq4JHqkWbUgIFjrXEbqttEqyTAcZ1U667oOeq-FWRkZpgiJ24Gwc4UhBaOL8Kg0xUL_M70c3RW2R/s1600/20150127_170844.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
I've grown quite a lot at the base of this tree. Sat out some storms, grew a few leaves. Used to be often we talked when I walked. Darkness in mind, confusion of thought, made clear in the sun at the base of the oak, when to it I leaned, my troubles I spoke.<br />
<br />
The old mighty oak is a powerful force. It took all my carbon, breathed out a new course. Couldn't help me but love the tree and it's forest. Yet not as the blue jay did this joy alight, but like root water flow did Joy in me rise.<br />
<br />
Old Oak is so big, mighty and sound, would take two of me fully arms stretched to hug her round. And even though never was my view from above, here these roots found me the basis of love. Love for another, human or tree, this basis for living took root here in me.<br />
<br />Scott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-53578504911499308062015-01-25T08:58:00.001-08:002015-01-25T08:58:19.719-08:00This little light. A meditation.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgw3zkWzbMMv35AvPuhDWlBGxSasIP8HPIdlNChezV1gpOgM7V4BjrDshOHQDvzwEhAgUQCbaHDKA17MibmnEbjwzN0bM4K00KBCZleYQzQs4a13z8SaNT96-GvnSTjFaY8W_oWlKUHGT/s1600/20150120_184732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgw3zkWzbMMv35AvPuhDWlBGxSasIP8HPIdlNChezV1gpOgM7V4BjrDshOHQDvzwEhAgUQCbaHDKA17MibmnEbjwzN0bM4K00KBCZleYQzQs4a13z8SaNT96-GvnSTjFaY8W_oWlKUHGT/s1600/20150120_184732.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow and pavement, shadow and light.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I let go of the angst, the me inside the complaint, I become nothing and the complaint falls. When I reach into the quiet and drop the thinker, the "bushel" around me falls and I "let it shine." I smile and open up like a new story page freshly drawn in an artful manner. This light is not mine, but it can be seen like a city on a hill at night.<br />
<br />
There is no taking away darkness, there is only the adding of light. The darkness is necessary for a light to know itself, yet the light can never be the darkness.<br />
<br />
Yet, sometimes it seems the light disappears. In our Multi-Verse we have many different ways for light to be experienced. There are forces so powerful they draw all energy and matter into them. The light so absorbed still exists, however. It waits while being transformed into something new, it awaits the next chance to be light again, as a flower.Scott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-48923517120597691302015-01-20T09:30:00.001-08:002015-01-20T09:30:22.311-08:00My FeelingHow I feel about me is not dependent on anyone other than me. Right now, I get to choose, each and every moment. If I'm not feeling good, or I want to feel better, I get to choose.Scott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-91927429168344772422015-01-17T20:38:00.003-08:002015-01-17T20:38:52.508-08:00Heart Radio<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0D9Bh4OCCy3Imbp3YYQzXGLtl42rdS-3MKDQaTMhlvlHYkiqksn_zskUP2lNGVS11VVr8Uobpu9naHdMAvkz6_0TxSa8UFha7ZJhjPMIQmyvSWTnAISaCIdxMr1uFm7ul1y51mLfSzgEo/s1600/20141224_201635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0D9Bh4OCCy3Imbp3YYQzXGLtl42rdS-3MKDQaTMhlvlHYkiqksn_zskUP2lNGVS11VVr8Uobpu9naHdMAvkz6_0TxSa8UFha7ZJhjPMIQmyvSWTnAISaCIdxMr1uFm7ul1y51mLfSzgEo/s1600/20141224_201635.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Great Heart Teacher KK</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My emotions are a signal. The heart is a radio. When I turn on my heart radio I get a picture of what my thoughts are, conscious or not.<br />
<br />
Prayer and meditation have allowed me to work with my friends in the unseen, to request and receive help in getting back to my heart. What that means for the receiving end is that I've been able to get more reception from my radio. I'm great-ful.<br />
<br />
The heart is also a sender, a communicator, a tool in co-creation. What we put out into the world, we will receive. We are all creators.<br />
<br />
What to create? How about a world where young people are safe at home, in the community, in school. They are safe to be themselves, safe to walk in the community, or ride their bikes and know that they are supported in getting where they are going.<br />
<br />
Young people are safe in the society I see. I see it and know it is real, if only initially in my heart. There are many realities. Each one we create has the potential to be elevated to the reality we share in this life. My children are loved and respected and celebrated for their uniqueness, and so are yours. Whether they are attracted to a man, a woman, if they are a woman in a man's body, a man in a woman's body or some mix in between, they are loved and celebrated for the individuation of God that they are.<br />
<br />
That's my world, the one I see, the one I dream, the one I create, today. Come. Join me.Scott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-43766009723752193862015-01-11T22:49:00.000-08:002015-01-11T22:49:00.317-08:00Me After Midnight<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlQLt6QOCN5Jq0DC5KKXYm1SA_q0FCHSs12YdtEAioYoh3NoEfTJQEPcFbxJm5KOmBZysxVp3orvqyoMkoTb4cG_D-_dYaRZ3j0dAXw01Nk-e_olBxemLQnRluskl6EaIEsAg_t_d_71-/s1600/20141216_101114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlQLt6QOCN5Jq0DC5KKXYm1SA_q0FCHSs12YdtEAioYoh3NoEfTJQEPcFbxJm5KOmBZysxVp3orvqyoMkoTb4cG_D-_dYaRZ3j0dAXw01Nk-e_olBxemLQnRluskl6EaIEsAg_t_d_71-/s1600/20141216_101114.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zen Master Wentworth, One of My Teachers</td></tr>
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I've had one intense day. Four meltdowns dealt with at work, then me to deal with. Lucky for me my co-worker is caring and skilled and that I had Molly and the cats to come home to tonight.<br />
<br />
Four 12-hour work days in a row have me wiped out. Some dark days for mood also have made me all the more wiped. Being seasonally affected, I have need to be outside enjoying the sun even more during these days. That didn't happen much during my work week, which has an effect on mood. Also, there's been a general lack of exercise for me.<br />
<br />
With that hay in the barn, I say that my writing has had to wait, as well. It's what has gone on, or not gone on to get me here. Trying to please everyone, realizing I can't, taking my work home with me or at least residual energy from it - these all contribute to this mood, and mode of writing.<br />
<br />
And Wentworth has been incessantly asking to go outside, though it's cold and dark and I don't want to let him out. I look at this all and find myself smiling and laughing quietly to myself. So, this is life? Whatever it is now, I can take credit for Co-Creating.<br />
<br />
Ahh, yes, that's it. Non-judgement of what is before me. This is Where I Am. I co-created it, so I should congratulate myself. And then go make some more choices. Whee! I guess sleep is the next choice.Scott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-38954029635416478792015-01-11T21:58:00.002-08:002015-01-11T22:01:46.423-08:00Faith Hope Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoPApKgVcEOZcJzlyxy4VnWe3kmNfZsX1wlCnxdnsQPawKFVVM23ve7JIJ-GXEGp9Aua76Q9qNRXLA_wtnMccBRRfSTX4Yv7Fq7JPA8jed6Rcpq4mu4VtWQYTgdkm_L62YcE42yXqNvdg/s1600/Photo+on+2015-01-11+at+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoPApKgVcEOZcJzlyxy4VnWe3kmNfZsX1wlCnxdnsQPawKFVVM23ve7JIJ-GXEGp9Aua76Q9qNRXLA_wtnMccBRRfSTX4Yv7Fq7JPA8jed6Rcpq4mu4VtWQYTgdkm_L62YcE42yXqNvdg/s1600/Photo+on+2015-01-11+at+23.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I have writers block. I have blocked myself. Over the last couple weeks I have listened to voices that are not mine, but they are in my head. They stem from a thing called anxiety. What I'm learning is that this thing called anxiety gets in my head when I stop trusting myself and listen to others instead of my own knowing.<br />
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Hope comes in this knowing, and it can also be called faith. To know. To know that my father will protect me no matter the cost is a type of faith. To know I will protect my self from all enemies "foreign or domestic," is faith.<br />
<br />
To love. To love is to know, is to know and trust yourself. It is yellow sunshine in the middle of harsh, gray winter.<br />
<br />
When I let these anxiety voices take charge, I lose my sense of knowing. I don't trust myself. Or perhaps it is really that when I lose faith in me, I then let the voices rule. It's one in the same now. No matter which comes first, this "chicken and egg" already exist. I will stop listening to the voice that tells me other peoples opinions are more important than my own. I will know my own knowing is good and right.<br />
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After all, the good and right knowing is the Lord within us. It's the energy from the One that helps us know. I will trust that. It's internal Leadership.Scott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-17899834278268873542015-01-01T21:53:00.001-08:002015-01-01T21:53:09.018-08:00Compliment - a poemHouse<br />
Home<br />
Wedding<br />
Ceremony<br />
Cats<br />
Family<br />
Hope<br />
Knowing<br />
Religion<br />
Kindness<br />
Love<br />
Lover<br />
<br />
We start with one thing and it becomes another<br />
In the One is so much to discover<br />
To say we know God is <br />
To say we Know <br />
It's what we have to go on<br />
We dig in or fall in<br />
Or stumble on the door step<br />
We are all dancers spinning<br />
Our dizziness we offer<br />
Prayer of Intoxication<br />
For the Eternal LoverScott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-108082861633480142014-12-30T17:23:00.001-08:002014-12-30T17:26:24.081-08:00Snow Sun Cold Day<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnC8pwXmTvYU-uSPbujLAK4p_5nepWdwgh5RH5Mp_H3LIYCA6PZV9iKZjFJeVkTXQX-G0tsWaA80bOxwDZLRzKaY2PnJg4jc1Z8FEpjgoCDkjO-Q3Q4ZHEbS35nRBcUoQoLVcJYkxijcs/s1600/20141229_115935-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnC8pwXmTvYU-uSPbujLAK4p_5nepWdwgh5RH5Mp_H3LIYCA6PZV9iKZjFJeVkTXQX-G0tsWaA80bOxwDZLRzKaY2PnJg4jc1Z8FEpjgoCDkjO-Q3Q4ZHEbS35nRBcUoQoLVcJYkxijcs/s1600/20141229_115935-1.jpg" height="320" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun Dog - Looks Like the Zia, a Pueblo symbol</td></tr>
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This beautiful sun dog made an almost complete circle around the sun today on one of the coldest days of snowboarding I've ever enjoyed. I got things started this morning at 10:30am, and man what a thrill it was to come flying down the hill in the 4 degrees Fahrenheit. It was exhilarating to say the least.<br />
<br />
If you don't know what sun dogs are, they are rainbows that show up around the sun on cold days. Often they show up earlier or later in the day. They appear, from my understanding, as light refracted through ice crystals in the atmosphere. I have never seen a sun dog as bright, clear and defined as a rainbow. Rarely have I seen a sun dog as big and well defined as this one.<br />
<br />
I really enjoyed the cold today. Rode for a while with no face covering, but started to get a headache and, after a quick cappuccino break and a face mask donning, I rocked the day. Had some pizza and some pumpkin seeds and water about 12:30 then got back after it. Prior to that I had an apple, as well. Why do I mention the food? I have a suspicion that I eat emotionally. This isn't the first time I've suspected this, or noticed it.<br />
<br />
I eat as celebration and a way to feel connected to someone. I eat for acceptance, or a fear of rejection. There are many reasons to emotionally eat, many ways to do so. I'm just starting to explore my understanding.<br />
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I have used cafes and baked goods and mocha lattes as a comfort/reward for work. I eat to celebrate around the holidays. We have an ongoing theme, it seems. Thanks for reading. I'll write more about this later. For now, I must sleep. A day of snowboarding in the cold really takes it out of me.<br />
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Scott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-68936998298218174692014-12-28T21:42:00.000-08:002014-12-28T21:56:15.312-08:00Attitude Reminder<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqieQLyoU5u3kHFjq4nBYj_bXPTz-pzQ4ittGQL_drE33aEaak1NoKmoh7n4IkraJmFTBSkXVacGtgSqZhTJeO-4Sggjpk0tw5a-4dLAll-kq-rdF_ubxg2nfA-PN8XK1m-abmIJJsc98a/s1600/20141226_232704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqieQLyoU5u3kHFjq4nBYj_bXPTz-pzQ4ittGQL_drE33aEaak1NoKmoh7n4IkraJmFTBSkXVacGtgSqZhTJeO-4Sggjpk0tw5a-4dLAll-kq-rdF_ubxg2nfA-PN8XK1m-abmIJJsc98a/s1600/20141226_232704.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I miss my little friends when I work all day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Work. It seems it's all I did for the last three days. Definitely had some sleep in there, too. (Just not while AT work!) And we had snow. Which, much to my chagrin, I did not get to play in as I would have liked. Tonight, I did walk in the virgin snow in the park behind my workplace. We are on the Beadle Greenway along the bike trail near downtown Sioux Falls. I walked many blocks in fresh, four-inch snow in the dark, cloud veiled twilight.<br />
<br />
It was a heavenly feeling. I love snow. It scares me some times, thrills me at others. When I get to walk in it for fun, it's peace-inducing. Realistically, I may sometimes have a worse opinion of walking in snow, like when I'm cold and working in it. When I worked at Great Bear Ski Park on the lifts, sometimes the snow became part of my excuse to have a poor outlook. But mostly I love it.<br />
<br />
<br />
Working or playing, I always have the opportunity to choose a positive thought about whatever I'm doing. I still can feel first, then choose how I will respond. Seems like the feeling part gets lost with me most. The tricky part in this is being aware. Once I'm aware, then I can "have" the feeling, which includes acceptance and non-judgement of that same feeling.<br />
<br />
And having a feeling, a.k.a. being aware, allows choosing, creating and co-creating the World with the Oneness that is all of God. And then we experience our Divinity.Scott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-83903338079029896892014-12-23T21:17:00.001-08:002014-12-28T21:49:49.093-08:00Eve of the Eve of Christmas<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqVZ1XieIvZT90vcvFJu99BpkcJvTGL6IqGIt8xvdpppBFt8rvQZom9kd-YXAtxfAjoG9p4mKcV4ohnb37uOmKeLzVJaCdokl-xITYXoJlkPg2jHIkm9qzWp3sa4ReVsnpIn17EDEqV0N/s1600/20141224_201630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqVZ1XieIvZT90vcvFJu99BpkcJvTGL6IqGIt8xvdpppBFt8rvQZom9kd-YXAtxfAjoG9p4mKcV4ohnb37uOmKeLzVJaCdokl-xITYXoJlkPg2jHIkm9qzWp3sa4ReVsnpIn17EDEqV0N/s1600/20141224_201630.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home for Christmas with the Kortemeyers</td></tr>
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So grateful am I to the One for this realization. I didn't believe in my self enough to say "I can have good and right things."<br />
<br />
It has been a fun time this past few days. I've enjoyed myself, and my how time has flown. Molly and the cats and I all headed from Sioux Falls to Aberdeen, SD. We were in search of that "home for Christmas" feeling that comes when the journey is made, real or simulated, to find the comforts and joys of being a kid again for Christmas.<br />
<br />
We achieved this aim on Saturday, the last before Christmas comes this year. We made it to Aberdeen and were able to enjoy family time, time relaxing and the anticipation of love realized again in their company. And there's still more to come. But it was hard leaving Aberdeen today. It was hard to come back to Sioux Falls. And that's when it happened.<br />
<br />
Molly and I were together on the couch, watching a favorite show of ours. As it turned out Molly was sleeping out the end of an episode that I had continued to watch. When it was over, I had managed to find myself sleepy as well. I leaned over, found myself tucked in beside Molly, and went to sleep, with Wentworth the boy cat joining us on the couch, in the snooze as well.<br />
<br />
When I woke, it was clear to me that all was well and that my life felt very good to me. And a realization came to me then and there. My unhappiness in life had come as a result of a belief that I should not have good things in my life, because it would mean I wasn't putting God first. I believed further that having good things is what leads to loss and pain and that the solution was to not have good things that I could lose, especially not to really love those things which would hurt the most in the losing.<br />
<br />
There's so much more to say on this matter, but for now, trust me in my knowing that Life is supposed to be good. It's not always. Trust me in that as well. But it's not the experiencing of good or having of it that is the cause of the "bad." If things didn't hurt, I would not know or realize the depth of the Goodness and Love in my life. That had gotten lost and now it has returned, home for Christmas, a brilliant gift.Scott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-4574477403728357552014-12-16T22:07:00.004-08:002014-12-17T14:08:24.635-08:00Feelings, Nothing More Than....<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kOnSyELM_SogHVF1C1ksEgZSSDEviW762GOiGWrDIqSr_ZbAkERVTFIIri2NpsFrWe5yDFYriS6R33gmMGOTEwf4Ekdp9lV8eFtkaia4sD8RNfO-Lq8vkFRpKp3-ZFpYyiV8m5CZAGaa/s1600/20141216_095015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kOnSyELM_SogHVF1C1ksEgZSSDEviW762GOiGWrDIqSr_ZbAkERVTFIIri2NpsFrWe5yDFYriS6R33gmMGOTEwf4Ekdp9lV8eFtkaia4sD8RNfO-Lq8vkFRpKp3-ZFpYyiV8m5CZAGaa/s1600/20141216_095015.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wentworth, a great teacher of relaxation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I've expected Happy. I've expected to not feel bad. Ever. And if I did, I would judge it. Feeling frustrated was bad. That's what the thinking said. How did I get that stuck in my head? Don't know for sure, but it's a pretty typical message to get from church and religion and parents immersed in this, who were raised by parents immersed in it. It's not a blame game. It's a reality that we pick things like this up unconsciously. We can believe or not, but it takes fortitude to withstand this.<br />
<br />
If I'm doing everything correctly, the belief goes, I'm always going to be happy. And if I get mad, then something bad has happened, and I've done something wrong. If Mom or Dad, or anyone else I give power over me, is mad at me, then I've done something bad. It's a very primal belief. If they are mad, I am bad. If they are happy,
I am good. This has been with me for a long time, longer than just
this lifetime, I feel.<br />
<br />
By extension of these deep seated beliefs, I've judged myself this way, too. If I get mad, it's bad. I then judge the feeling based off of my feeling, not a behavior. I've made the feeling, the emotion, bad. Frustrated, instead of just a feeling, becomes a bad thing to feel in this way of thinking. Scott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-54370441002925217812014-12-16T21:37:00.002-08:002014-12-16T21:37:22.523-08:00Perfection<h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNPvLCy-LC597SvhPSbsoR2E26vGUknWvE-Y-ofO_vXxEGARjNZHGjO95qP3mVtmnfRaNs_4DPOk03SauTamuL9sEjFO4KDDjfkCBFh2ItvKlZXA5KGcckJkoJIJa_ZptZJx36EQqFkwN/s1600/20141011_101425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNPvLCy-LC597SvhPSbsoR2E26vGUknWvE-Y-ofO_vXxEGARjNZHGjO95qP3mVtmnfRaNs_4DPOk03SauTamuL9sEjFO4KDDjfkCBFh2ItvKlZXA5KGcckJkoJIJa_ZptZJx36EQqFkwN/s1600/20141011_101425.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My youngest nephew's football team.</td></tr>
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<h3>
The Game, Too. </h3>
I used to think life was a lot like baseball. There were ups and downs, plays that went according to plan and many that did not, but rarely was there perfection. Baseball is as apt a metaphor for life as any, so let's roll with it.<br />
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Growing up in the game, we knew all too well that perfection, not dropping a ball, never striking out, always getting the grounder available to us and making an on-target throw each time, is not reality. Baseball made life a little more understandable.<br />
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Grateful for the opportunity to play the game, I now sense a more subtle reason for my life with baseball. Love is now my coach, and I'm so happy. Not referring to human love, this is more about Divine Love and the goodness the Universe Is. That Coach brings all the opportunities a guy could ever want, and the teaching comes from the One True Coach.<br />
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<h3>
Respect the Game</h3>
My baseball manager, my favorite baseball manager I ever had, is named Brian Baker. He used to remind me that what I did affected the whole team. In one game, after I had struck out and smacked my bat down on the ground, scowling in dejection, Brian came up to me and said, "Scott, keep a positive attitude even when you strike out. Your teammates look up to you and follow your lead."<br />
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These many years later, I appreciate even more what a lesson this was. The message was not "You need to hit the ball every time," or "I'm mad at you for not playing well." The message I got from Coach Baker was that being positive and productive doesn't require perfection. He taught me that attitude determined altitude. How you deal with failure, big or small, determines your fate more than succeeding every time. By the way, I borrowed the "Attitude Determines Altitude" line from John C Maxwell. At least I think it was his line.<br />
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Funny how messages have a way of being idle for decades and then suddenly becoming obvious at the perfect time. Like silver threads woven through thorny bushes and thick woods, these ideas survive all that seems irredeemable from life to show us the silver tapestry our life has woven.<br />
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Life now says to me in new ways, in new situations "You can't be everything to everyone. Quit expecting perfection from yourself."<br />
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All that is left is to Live Life. Life is perfect in all it's wrinkles and Pimples. The Oneness does not make mistakes. Relax and acknowledge your errors and how you feel about them. Do this with your amazing catches, too. They are all a part of the same Game.<br />
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<br />Scott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491250510738046825.post-55890651382911168002014-12-16T21:19:00.002-08:002014-12-16T21:19:27.149-08:00Essence<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful restored home in Canton, SD.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We are all the same. Simple points sometimes stir up the most feeling, so I understand if this is difficult for you to swallow. Let's not make it difficult, though. So I'll just say that this is paradox. True and not depending on the approach.<br />
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All humans need the same things. We need food. Love. Water. Air. Shelter.<br />
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Yet we come from different places, we are after different experiences while here on Earth and our starting circumstances are always different. We each come into life uniquely<br />
in looks, thought and on top of that, we have unique experiences that help shape us. Yet, we still have the opportunity to choose how we will approach it all, what attitude we will have, and whether we will accept life and those around us as they are.<br />
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While we may not have a house, or maybe we do, our essential needs remain the same. The mansion still does the same thing as my house. We choose what to make of our situations. Underneath the skin, we all have blood, we all have intestines and the same functions inside them. What we do with the energy coursing through our veins, that's the real movement, that's the test of who we are in process of becoming.<br />
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And yes, we are still all the same, all the Children of the Oneness.Scott P Kortemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163874495530513552noreply@blogger.com0