On Interior Space (Sanctuary)

Words hurt, however, only as much as we allow them to. If someone says something critical or hurtful to you, ask yourself if what they are saying is true. If it is, acknowledge, reflect further on, or address what was said. If not, pay them no mind. In both instances, you will grow.

Sometimes we obsess over what has been said to us, whether it is true or not. When someone cuts us with words, we might think: "How can they say such things? They haven't the right to do so! How disrespectful of them! They are a [this] or [that]! They'll get what's coming to them." In this instance, we amplify the effect of their hurtful words.

When we engage in such mind chatter and stew in the negative emotions that arise from falsehoods, it makes matters worse. We occupy our minds with unnecessary thoughts that generate crippling feelings—the cut deepens, and the wound festers. If we recognize the absurdity or untruthfulness of what is said, we can disregard it

Short Story: 'The Lovely Langolier'

I’d grown irritated – perhaps jealous even – by how everyone would always compliment her on her open-mindedness. I asked her, "How can these people think you’re open-minded when you refuse to consider the possibility of any of their ideations being the only true road to their Gods, Goddesses, Sacred, or Source? To this possibility you've clearly remained closed."

She paused, as if to gather her thoughts, and replied, "I have listened to and watched them. I have lived with and learned from them. I've asked and was allowed to do so, and they asked for nothing in return. My openness was welcomed by their openness, and we all benefited from the experience of this openness."

She continued, “As different as people's thoughts and practices might be - as divided as their labels, names, or boundaries might convince you of their being - their spirits are unmistakably adjoined. They love, they suffer, and they live. We all love, suffer, and live...together."

Poetry: 'Womban'

Two years and three months ago Life conspired in an unimaginable way, bringing me back together with my biological mother, five brothers & sisters, and ten nieces & nephews. I was adopted at just four days old. Yesterday was my Mother's birthday. Today I was inspired (by many things, to include RasLumbre Jeremy), and wrote the following. Love your Mother(s). Love each other.

To my wonderful Mother:
You are Womban. You are Queen.
You are a sacred vessel - 

A channel through which Life was made,
A consecrated trestle.
You were chosen, as were we.
You are temple within which
The Sacred, Truth, and God exist.
You are gift. You are Love. And, this...
without you, as we do, six lives would not persist.
God's favor rests upon you, all born-of-you: fortunate.
Life's fiat you did not ignore or selfishly resist.
You could have chosen differently.
You could have just declined.
Yet because of who you've been, here I write you to remind...
that had you not the heart & mind,
your offspring's lives, to include mine,
could have been yours to rescind;
potential scattered in the wind,
but instead here we stand, alive to realize...
that breath, not death, is what you've been.
A blessing in our eyes - A sun admist our skies!

I love you, Queen Lourdes. I acknowledge God's presence within you with each breath I take. My hope is that you will Love yourself as much as we Love You. Thank you for my Life (our Lives). Happy Birthday, Mother!

Your Robert G. Lumiano

On Caritas | Discover. Love. Anew.

What is the longest that you have devoted to piecing yourself apart and back together again? For the past two years I've reflected on different aspects of my life experience. A handful of those reflections were posted on a blog, others are found maniacally scattered within journals, in notebooks & page margins, or on loose leaf. And, others still were symbolically disposed of (i.e. burned) or just plain ripped to pieces in fits of lamentation or rage. I have an extremely patient and understanding companion, who puts others before herself. She has not only allowed me to lose myself in this experience, but has at times encouraged me to do so, and in having lost much of myself I have gained far more than either of us could have ever imagined possible. Not everyone, who is in a relationship, is so fortunate to have someone as open to this type of exploration as I am, so I take the opportunities I am afforded to deeply reflect on life as seriously as a person employed in some other manner of preoccupation - it is my vocation. However, I put no store by it.