Spiritual Things Matter

Our task must be to free ourselves from our prison by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. ~Albert Einstein

I forwarded this link of Christian the lion and his human parents to a few of my regular readers. I was so moved by it that I wanted to put this wonderful clip on my site. Here you can read the article that tells about the story.

Jimmy J., one of my dear readers, wrote, “Back in the early 60’s, they made a movie about George and Joy Adamson entitled - Born Free. It was the story of Elsa, a lion cub they raised to adulthood and then worked to teach her how to be a wild lion. When she was ready, they released her successfully into the wild. There was a wonderful song written for the movie. You may know it:” I added the song and a clip of Elsa next to the title of the song. Enjoy! It is very nice.

Born Free (clip with song)

“Born free, as free as the wind blows
As free as the grass grows
Born free to follow your heart

Live free and beauty surrounds you
the world still astounds you
Each time you look at a star

Stay free, where no walls divide you
You’re free as the roaring tide
So there’s no need to hide

Born free, and life is worth living
But only worth living
’cause you’re born free

Stay free, where no walls divide you
You’re free as the roaring tide
So there’s no need to hide

Born free, and life is worth living
But only worth living
’cause you’re born free.”

One of my favorite authors often writes of the love portrayed by the wag of a dog’s tail or the purr of a cat. I own both a cat and a puppy, and it is amazing how animals are capable of giving and receiving such a tremendous amount of love. Baloo, my cat, loves for me to put him over my shoulders and rub his neck. His purring can bring such calm and peace to me. Kai-Ying, our little puppy, rolls on her back to receive a tummy rub. She then licks us in appreciation for such a treat.

This clip of Christian the lion, moved me to tears because it spoke directly to my heart. All living things deserve our utmost respect.

I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection. ~Sigmund Freud

Being a father is not an easy task. Our men need to be honored in their commitment and their efforts. Pope John XXIII said, “It is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father.” I live in a community where there are many committed fathers who truly love their children.

Today, I want to thank my husband and all those men who are fathers to their children for all the effort and hard work that they provide. I want to also thank them for being thoughtful in what their children need from them and for giving another hour of their time even though they have worked all day long and are very tired themselves.

Thank you for being the visionaries that you are - able to look ahead and plan wisely for your children’s future. Thank you for providing opportunities for a good education in order for your children to grow up having all the chances in the world to succeed. Thank you for being wise and able to think through decisions that need to be made in order to come up with the best solutions for your children.

It matters not if you have one child or if you have many at home, but what does matter is that you take the time to love them intensely and to tell each of them how much you cherish them and care for them. Playing with your children and truly learning to listen to them will bring insurmountable value into their person-hood. Giving them the gift to truly be children for as long as possible will give them a youthful spirit and anticipation well into their adult years and beyond.

You understand the importance of your love for the daughter in your life and know that she will grow into a secure and confident young woman not having to shy away from the challenges that will come her way. She will value her womanhood because you have always valued her childhood with all her fragile and sensitive ways. You will always be her hero if you honor her with tenderness, respect, and care.

From your own boyhood, you understand deeply how important a strong and positive leadership role you must play for the son in your life. As he watches every move you make and listens to every word that comes out of your mouth, you have been motivated to be the very best that you are. You understand that the tenderness you show today will be his ability to be a leader for our future. In your wisdom, you understand that in your corrections need to be valuable lessons that will not be feared, but rather will be honored and respected. It is in these valuable lessons that your sons will grow up to honor you all of their days. They will speak of you fondly as they tell their stories in years to come to their own sons.

In your fatherhood, you will discover yourself. You will grow in your own manhood and you will discover that you have been enlarged and enriched as you tirelessly give of yourself. May your own desires be realized and may all your needs be met. May you express yourself in many endeavors to fulfill your dreams and longings. Most of all, in your searchings, may you come to know your God intimately so that your children will follow you in a more excellent path of honor, peace and joy.

Let love always guide your mind and your heart. Life will prove to be much easier that way.

Wishing you a very Happy Father’s Day today!