Life On Earth - Heaven Or Hell

Life On Earth - Heaven Or Hell - Good afternoon everyone! After what happened in Paris last night, I am still at a loss for words. My heart goes out to all who have lost loved ones in this senseless act of terrorism. May God help them through those darkest hours and guide them into the healing light. I am planning to write more about this immanent subject, but for now, please accept what I have prepared for this week. - A few days ago I was watching half of a documentation about the natives in Okinawa. They are a people which doesn't just enjoy life to the fullest but at the same time consists of the highest number of centenarians in the world. "At 70 you are still a child, at 80 you are a teenager, and if they ask you at 90 to join your ancestors, just say no, not yet, come back and ask me again when I am 100 years old", so one jolly inhabitant of Okinawa. However, he also says that it would just not be the same joy with a sick body or a failing mind which is a clear indication that the vast majority of those centenarians is very well both physically and mentally. What the secret was, Western journalists wanted to know? Little surprisingly, the answer didn't reveal anything new, though. The key to longevity lies in a well- balanced mix of multiple factors almost like a good- tasting soup which, too, requires a fair selection of different ingredients. The Okinawa indigenous believe that recipe is made of good genes, great social surroundings, positive life attitude, healthy nutrition and plenty of exercise as well as sufficient sleep and, of course, as little distress as possible. Last but not least, pursue in life what you really like doing, and sure what else, laugh a whole lot. Doesn't this sound a little too good to be true, you might wonder? No, actually it doesn't, and even though this life- style concept may strike you as that of a lazy person, it definitely isn't made for lazy bones at all. First and foremost, a great deal of ambition is required to ultimately achieve that so hard- to- reach state of contentment or happiness. Moreover, don't forget about all the effort needed as far as preparing your own meals in a healthy and natural way, adding healing and health promoting herbs, spices, roots and other miraculous natural drugs to your diet. Last but not least, there are all those daily exercises that you are supposed to do without letting them become stale and routine- like chores rather than overall movimental benefits. What's more, not being from there and hence possibly not all too familiar with practices that help calm down and relax our stressed- out minds such as special rituals, massages, baths and meditation, just to name a few, may clearly prove to become another trip hazard, so to speak. Social contacts such as family, friends and acquaintances are also not easily maintainable without regularly putting the adequate amount of both time and energy into them. You see, longevity is quite unlikely to be achieved through a lazy, or should I just call it sluggish attitude and way of life. Of course, as if that wasn't enough yet, we should not blend out Karma at any rate either for, in fact, we all live the lives we firsthand deserve as a result of how well or poorly we led our previous existences. I find it quite interesting that very morning the folks in Okinawa pray to their ancestors who are dead, of course, but then, at least according to the laws of Reincarnation, they themselves might easily have been reborn in the meantime. So, it is actually quite possible that the ones praying now are doing this to both their ancestors and their own pre- existences on earth. Fairly intriguing! I think, there's indeed a lot to learn from those genuinely happy people who are lively in a way most of us have never been and never will and easily get up to a high age because they simply appreciate life as a gift and are willing to embrace it with all its challenges and possibilities, because they hold no grudges against anyone, because they honor family and thus cherish their time with them, and because they don't fear death at all. I have heard quite a few wise people say that the abstract concepts of heaven and hell are both relevant and above all very real in our earthly lives as it's entirely our choice what we make of either one. More next time.