Ralph’s Reflections on Christmas

I would like to share a few thoughts about the feast of Christmas in this blog. Later in the week, I would like to share thoughts about the arrival of 2010.

The first thought that comes to my mind, is that Christmas is a birthday celebration. A Birthday, is both a special event in and of itself, and it is a marker on our path of life.

Birthday as a special event, marks our transition from our mother’s womb, where our physical form develops, into a physical  manifestation of our spirit on planet earth. A birthday also marks an anniversary of our coming into physical form. Although time and space only exist while we are in physical form on this planet, a birthday acts as a significant marker in our life. It could be a time to become spirit minded, that is reconnect with our spirit, reconnect with our thoughts, our feelings and renew, refresh or change our choices, for the time that we have on this planet. 

I would like to point out that the seeds of a birthday develop well before we pop out from our mom. 

When I teach, I ask my students some pre-birthday questions.Where does our sense of self begin? With whom do we have our first relationship? The students really wrestle with these questions and come up with some interesting answers which usually include responses such as, at conception, or at birth. In terms of relationship, the students usually state that our first relationship is with our mother or mother-figure. The students give me interesting glances when I ask them if it is possible that we existed prior to the romantic moment when our parents made love, and the egg and sperm got together to do their dance and become one. That one eventually develops into our physical body. I get even stranger glances when I suggest that we chose the moment to come into existence, to whom we would be born (i.e. our parents, family), our life circumstances, our mission while we are in physical form, and set forth vibrations to attract all of the people whom we will encounter. I add that our first relationship is not with our mother. Although mothers are very important, our first relationship I would suggest is a dual relationship; we are in a relationship with ourselves and with Source Energy (God).

I do agree with Abraham-Hicks(Abraham and Hicks 2009) that the purpose of our birth is to come into physical manifestation on our planet in order to fulfill our desires and to expand the universe. Prior to birth, only the positive intentions to live an exciting life and contribute to the expansion of physical reality, exist. Once we emerge from the nourishing enclosure of our mother’s womb, however, all that we may experience may not be positive energy. There is much noise, much misinformation spread by allowing  negative emotions to develop and grow. These negative emotions cause us to be distracted from our original intentions to be creative and to make the world a better place, to have fun and to expand reality as we know it. Some people in their fear, place self, namely themselves, at the center of things and begin to accumulate possessions for their own use without being concerned with or connected to Source or to others. 

How is all of this related to Christmas, I am glad that you asked, I will share how I relate all of this to Christmas. Christmas is the birthday of a man called Jesus. Christianity teaches us that Jesus is special, he is a God-man. He is the intimate connection between God and man. He is the son of God the father. This relationship speaks of a close relationship between a child and a parent. He is also infused with the Holy Spirit. It is difficult to talk about God in words, so the gospel writers used relationship concepts that could be understood in human terms. 

Christians all over the world, celebrate the specialness of Jesus’ birth. Non-Christians celebrate the spirit of Christmas, namely, like Christians, they come together for the sharing of food or gifts in the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Why do we remember Jesus’ birth over 2,000 years after Jesus’ return to spirit? Perhaps it is because of the person that Jesus was. Some people have trouble seeing Jesus as both God and as man. More significantly, people had trouble accepting Jesus because he was a radical human being. Even more significantly, we still celebrate his birthday because of his lifestyle and the message or witness that he gave us. He didn’t lose focus of why he was born and came to our planet. From my perspective, Jesus was a man who had 2 basic messages for us. First, each of us are called to an intimate relationship with Source Energy (God) whether we wish to acknowledge the connection or not. Second, the only reason we are here is to seek fulfillment of our human and spiritual potential by being open to all that exists, following our desires, acknowledging Source Energy (God) and  loving others as we love ourselves.  

 Jesus was a leader. Jesus was a witness to a greater reality. Jesus through his actions challenged us to live without fear, to offer our special unique talents without reservation. Most importantly, if you follow his life, he did not go by the superficial elements of our world, namely title, ego or physical trappings. He was open to all, most especially to those who had faith and chose not to be afraid to be themselves. He had the courage to be himself and not be controlled by the religious leaders of the time and the dictates of the Roman Empire. Both the religious leaders and the temporal leaders were exclusively focused on the physical dimension, status, ego, power and money. He  remind them that life was not about what they preached but rather about sharing, loving, expanding life and recognizing that all people are important.  So, as a radical person, who combined the divine and the physical, He chose to live life fully and ask us to live life fully by getting in touch with our inner voice and the voice within us that is connected to Source Energy (God). Only by connecting with Source energy can we be truly ourselves, truly be creative and leave the world a better place because of our journey through life. Rules are created by many groups to guide others, but Jesus’ witness was, that when we work together with Source energy, Spirit, in all it’s manifestations, will guide us along the path that is unique to us. Jesus was not afraid to witness to living a loving life. The religious and earthly rulers that existed at Jesus’ time felt so threatened by this spiritual, loving person and his witness so bad that they murdered him. Jesus knew that death was just a shadow, that we are spirit in physical form and that death is not the end, just a return to spirit. 

Celebrating Christmas, is not just honoring a radical human being, named Jesus. Christmas is a reminder of the true purpose of life that Jesus called to our attention, namely to connect with Source Energy (God) and to love ourselves, and to love others by sharing food or gifts.

I am happy to Celebrate Christmas, I am grateful for Jesus’ witness and call to a higher level. 

Merry Christmas to All !!!

Copyright 2009 Ralph M. Ferraro

Bibliography   Abraham and E. J. Hicks (2009). The Vortex: Where the law of attraction assembles all cooperative relationships. New York City, Hay House.

Merry Christmas !!!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to all !!!
From My family to all who visit my site.

My reflections on Christmas will be posted by Monday 12/28.

Medicine ~ Feelings ~ Letting Go

"... The very best approach to medicine is,"Well, I see your physical body is sick, what's been bothering you? What are you worried about? What are you angry about? What are you frustrated about?" Because that is what is at the root of all of this. 
And then say, "Let it go, let it go, let it go." 
That's the message, and if they could hear you and do that, then they would all be well right away."
--- Abraham

Excerpted from the workshop in Ashland, OR on Tuesday, May 16th, 2000

www.abraham-hicks.com

Language ~ Vibration ~ Feeling

"... the Universe is not responding to your language anyway. The Universe is responding to your vibration, and your vibration is about the way you feel."


--- Abraham

Excerpted from the workshop in Seattle, WA on Saturday, June 20th, 1998

The Cork ~ Clarity ~ Happiness ~ Success ~ Source

"Just as a cork, when it is held down under the water, will take the most direct route back to the surface when  it is released, when you release the resistance caused by your contradictory-to-Source thoughts, you will return to clarity, happiness, success, and the knowledge of your Source."

Abraham-Hicks

The Vortex, p. 159

The Joy of the Dance

“Many think success means getting everything I want. 

And we say, that's what dead is, and there is no such thing as that kind of dead. 

Success is not being done; not being complete. 

Success is still dreaming and feeling positive in the unfolding.”

--- Abraham

Excerpted from the workshop in Sacramento, CA on Saturday, March 15th, 2003

www.abraham-hicks.com

It is an early Saturday morning, well before sunrise, in the middle of December in the year that we call 2009. I, or perhaps more accurately, my spirit, is in physical form. Within my physical form, I have changed. The way I view things, the way I experience things,  the joy and excitement of experiencing things and my ability to be patient and accept things and people’s choices have changed. Even when my invitation to a person to join me in the dance of life is not accepted, I have changed. Sometimes the choice not to dance with me hurts on a feeling level. I sometimes feel a strong sense of loss or frustration, yet I no longer get lost in the feelings of pain, loss, frustration. I am better able to allow the person to chose not to accept my invitation to dance, while still feeling positive about what that person has brought into my life, sometimes still leaving the invitation to dance open. Perhaps at a later time, our vibrations will compliment each other, the invitation will be accepted and we will radiate the joy of emotional expression that is part of the music, that is part of the dance, or perhaps not.

In the physical dimension of time, during the last year and one half, if one choses to measure the time, I have experienced much that at times jumbles the music, jumbles the rhythm of the dance. My feet and my body are unsure how to move to the music. Yet my feet move, my body moves, the music plays. Somehow as I allow the negative feelings, the insecurities to leave, my body finds the rhythm. In seeking new relationships, in deepening relationships, in allowing others to be, whether their movement is toward me or away from me, I am reconnecting with my spirit, my eternal spirit, the spirit that was me long before I entered this physical form as Ralph Michael. I am still learning to accept others as they are and relate to them as they are able or wish to relate to me. This accepting is like my dance, it is not perfect, sometime I lose the beat, lose the rhythm, sometimes I stumble, sometimes I revert to the old feelings. 

To dance is to connect with the music. Music is nonverbal, it is an expression of emotional energy. Music invites us to be free, to connect with emotional energy, to connect with ourselves, with source energy (God), and to connect with others on a most intimate level. Words fail to  describe the joy and excitement that is experienceable when we strive to connect with the music and dance. The imperfection, the mis-steps, the mistakes are part of the learning to dance with joy. If we allow fear or insecurities to prevent us from allowing the imperfection, the mis-steps, the mistakes, we will be unable to experience the joy of our body/life in motion. I would suggest that our only mission is to allow ourselves to radiate the joy of dancing to the music. If we chose to radiate the joy of the dance, others will notice. Some will still allow fear and other insecurities to cause them to hesitate to join the dance. Others will be inspired to do their own dance. While still others will dance with us. Shared joy is beyond  expression in words but would be foolish to miss experientially. The joy of the music/dance far exceeds any fear, self-doubt, or insecurities that we might at times feel.

I am able to appreciate on a deeper level all that I have experienced, especially in the last few years. There have been so many twists and turns on the path, yet the music grows more intense and beautiful. I look forward to the various sharing with the people in my life, family, friends, colleagues, students, people who seek mentoring for their own growth. I am grateful and excited that the next few weeks will be celebrating by sharing food, gatherings, and most importantly the joy of the dance. 

Copyright 2009, Ralph M. Ferraro

Healing Blue ~ New York City

Copyright Ralph M. Ferraro 2009

"Healing Blue ~ NYC"

Camera: Canon 40D   Lens: Canon EF-S 17~55 f2.8 IS USM

Sunrider Blog

Today I added a link to the Sunrider International Blog, an Herbal Company in which I am an independent business owner.
Sunrider has great herbal products that my family & I use all the time.
The products include teas, herbal foods, vitamins, skin and body care products.
The Sunrider philosophy fosters the spirit of Regeneration !
Sunrider's products help a person to Nurish, Balance and Clease their bodies.
If you are interested in learning more about Sunrider, Please email me @ RmfTop@gmail.com and I will be happy to share more info with you.

Playful Sun, Clouds & Colors

Copyright 2009 Ralph M. Ferraro

Just under 40K Feet over the Pacific

Camera: Canon G10 (point & shoot) Telephoto setting

Review "The Lost Symbol"

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown NY: Doublday, 2009, ISBN: 978-0-385-50422-5

Dan Brown is a master story teller. Initially I had doubts about how he might combine Washington DC & Masonic elements into an intriguing story. Yet he did. Within a few short moments of opening the cover to his book, the Lost Symbol, and beginning my reading of his novel, I was hooked.


He introduces characters gradually with just enough spice to make you want to know them better. He adds puzzles to the plot. To appreciate and enjoy the puzzles that he adds, you don’t have to be a mathematician (i.e. totally abstract, totally a cerebral construct). The puzzles are made up of human elements that don’t seem to add up when your senses first experience them, yet they pull you further into the story line. They draw you into human relationships and behavior with the spice of historical elements. The author works tension into the puzzles by developing contrast not only with character personality development but with the development of their motivation and their goals. The time frame of the story is set by an impending disaster that will happen at a certain proximate time if the lost symbol falls into the wrong hands. The tension between positive outcome and negative outcome builds until the very end of the story.
 Once I finished the Lost Symbol, my musings began to imagine the next adventure that Dan Brown might be using his artistic and creative talents to create for us.


A side benefit of reading the Lost Symbol for me was its help in facilitating my healing. My son brought me the book while I was in a cardiac care unit recovering from a major heart attack. The enjoyment of the story of the Lost Symbol helped me to focus my emotional and intellectual energies into a positive framework which I believe was a valuable asset in my recovery.


The Lost Symbol is definitely a must read in my opinion. Enjoy!!!

Copyright 2009 Ralph M Ferraro
Rmf

Analysis, & Argumentative chatter v. Allowing & Mindfulness

“Analysis, with all of its argumentative chatter, causes resistance to the natural course of information as energy. Just let the energy flow.”

--- Adam, The path of the dream healer, Plume/Penguin, ISBN: 978-0-452-28846-1, p.119 (i)

“A feeling of being overwhelmed is your indicator that you are denying yourself access to all manner of cooperation that could assist you if you were not disallowing them.
As you begin to feel freer regarding the expenditure of time and money, doors will open, people will come to assist you, refreshing and productive ideas will occur to you, and circumstances and events will unfold. As you change the way you feel, you access the Energy that creates worlds. It is there for your ready access at all times.

--- Abraham Excerpted from the book "Money & the Law of Attraction:

Learning to Attract Health, Wealth & Happiness" (ii)

I / V) I was struck by this short sentence connecting analysis, arguments, resistance and flowing energy and the contrast provided by Abraham talking about allowing/disallowing our flow of energy.


II / V) Analysis, Argumentative Chatter, the intellectual construct of resistance ---
Analysis and argumentative chatter seem to be allies in moving a person away from the experience that they are immersed in. Moving away from direct experience adds a layer of a mental construct which moves a person away from what is. This creates fragmentation. Analysis which breaks things from the totality of what they are and arguments that create differences and then try to justify the differences, move people away from their energy source. A person who moves away from his/her energy source creates resistance to what is and impedes the energy flow towards expansion.


III / V) Feeling overwhelmed and fragmentation, loss of energy ---
Feeling overwhelmed jumps from analysis and argumentation to the other extreme of disconnect or fragmentation. Feeling overwhelmed results from a flooding of data that is unmanageable, which removes us from the direct experience of the moment in which we are living. Removal from the direct experience leads to a resistance to the flow of energy, which is vital to life, to expansion, to prosperity.
Removing feelings from the equation, such as in the case of argumentative analysis, or not tuning in to our feelings saps us of energy. Depleted energy creates a resistance to living, to seeking and obtaining our own well being.


IV / V) Allowing, Relaxation, Flowing Energy, Prosperity
Both Adam and Abraham are suggesting that we allow our experience to be, that we allow the energy of our experience to flow. Allowing energy to flow removes the wasted energy of resistance; it permits a person to be relaxed. When we are relaxed energy flows more freely. When we allow our intellectual experiential energy to work with our experiential emotional energy, we increase our awareness not only of our being but we open ourselves to becoming, to increasing. Opening ourselves to becoming allows us to attract, recognize, and activate possibilities for advancement. As Abraham says, “doors will open, people will come to assist you, refreshing and productive ideas will occur to you, and circumstances and events will unfold.”


V / V) No Shortcut to Mindfulness ---
Allowing, relaxing, flowing are our keys to achieving a deeper appreciation for that which we experience. They are also the key to our joy and prosperity in health, finances and relationship.
Tapping into mindfulness which includes intellectual energy and emotional energy requires daily investment. The daily investment is taking a few minutes to meditate, to focus on breathing, to allow the quiet of being with oneself. The quiet of breathing and being with oneself allow a person to connect with two inner voices, the inner voice of self, and the inner voice of Source Energy (God, Yahweh, Allah, higher power …). Meditation allows a blending of that which we are directly aware of about ourselves and that which we are less directly aware of about ourselves. The aforementioned awareness of mindfulness links our creative powers with the creative energies of the experiential flow of energy that we are encountering in the now.
Mindfulness will help us work synergistically with the flowing energy of Source and the resources of the universe.

Rmf
Copyright 2009 Ralph M Ferraro


(i) Adam’s book describes his journey as a healer. His paradigm is that of science. It is an interesting book and a quick read. Available through Barnes & Noble and other book sellers.


(ii) Abraham’s teachings are through workshops, books and DVDs created with Ester & Jerry Hicks. Abraham’s teachings are based on spirit, connection with Source and the Law of Attraction. Available through Barnes & Noble and other book sellers.

Modulate Feelings rather than taking score

"Begin modulating thought in terms of the way that it feels
rather than in terms of the results that it will net you.
The tendency is to flow a little Energy and then take score.
Well, the problem is, as you flow the Energy, the Universe responds instantly.
But when you take score, you're right back in that reality again."

--- Abraham   Excerpted from the workshop in San Rafael, CA on Wednesday, March 4th, 1998

for more of Abraham Quotations of the Day go to http://www.abraham-hicks.com/ . You can sign up to recieve the daily quotations sent to your email. This service is free.

Sun & Clouds Play over Pacific

Copyright Ralph M. Ferraro 2009

Sun & Clouds Play over mid Pacific Ocean

Taken at about 38,000 ~ 39,000 feet above ocean
Camera:  Canon G-10 point & Shoot   ~   mid-telephoto position (approx 70mm equivalent)

National Speakers Association ~ October meeting

On Friday, October 16th I attended the National Speakers Association October Meeting at the NY Bar Association.

NSA had two special presentations for us:

1) Margaret Marshall who specializes in Nutrition and Weight Loss Coaching, gave us a mini-presentation on "5 Healthy Habits." She covered several points that she linked to our five fingers in order to help us remember or inspire us to eat healthy. Two very important points she highlighted were the need for balance, and the need to remember our goals as a guide to keep us healthy. She did a great presentation.
If you wish more info on Margaret Marshall & her Nutrition & Weight Loss Coaching, please contact me via email ~ RmfTop@gmail.com and I will facilitate a referral.

2) Rande & Robert Gadalia, were the main presenters, and gave us an hour workshop on "Speaking for Results." They presented many interesting facets of speaking that will enable a professional to fully engage their audience. They involed the audience in order to demonstrate some of the techniques that they were presenting. They even got me to speak for a few minutes on my love of photography. They did a great presentation.
If you wish more info on Rande and Robert Gadalia and their speaking for Results, please contact me via email ~ RmfTop@gmail.com  and I will facilitate a referral.

I will keep you posted  on other events that I attend.
Be prosperous !!!
Ralph

Through Joy, Good things come !!!

I would like to share with you two powerful quotes that I have uncovered (source is indicated after each quote), and my reflection on them.

"The greatest revolution of our generation is
the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds,
can change the outer aspects of their lives."
Willian James, Psychiatrist (Jack Canfield, The Success Principles, p. 187) (i)

“… You cannot struggle to joy.
Struggle and joy are not on the same channel.
You joy your way to joy.
You laugh your way to success.
It is through your joy that good things come.”
--- Abraham (Excerpted from the workshop in Los Angeles, CA, 08/02/98) (ii)

As I am healing from the major heart attack that I had just over three weeks ago, I began to think of struggles. I began struggling to create my health rather than focus on the negative possibilities of my heart attack. The negative possibilities included permanent heart muscle damage with associated complications, returning to a job with administrative duties, the “justifying paper work,” that does not inspire my passion nor does it help me pursue my bliss. Added to the burden of coping with the death of my wife over one year ago is the care I need to give my paternal aunt in a nursing facility, whose affairs I administer. All this has led to a very chaotic year prior to my encounter with the “Widow Maker.” Many things were left unfinished, many tasks were left unattended.

Given this situation, it would be easy to focus on the negative because a clear alternative was fuzzy and without a clear path. Struggling through the negative, creates no space for joy and no space for creating an alternative. There is also the contrast within me evoked by my doctor and my family and friends who all are saying “relax,” “rest,” “take it easy,” “come back strong,” “bounce back,”. [I] wish for [you] lots of rest, relaxation and all the things you need to make you better :) {J.C.}”. All these good wishes, while they come from genuine concern, create an experience of contrast between what I seek to finish and complete and what I am told to do to heal and recuperate.

Interestingly enough my son, Thomas, is going through a parallel process. He just successfully completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at St Joseph University in Philadelphia. Many of his friends who graduated with him have already gotten their first jobs. He is still exploring and searching for a path which he can pursue with passion. As he once said to his professors “You’re telling me how to be an employee, I want to be a business owner.” Despite the lure of available job possibilities or connections, he is holding to his plan of finding a path that he can develop and expand as an entrepreneur. So he is also facing his own contrast; his path is not fully clear but nonetheless is developing. These contrasts in parallel, happening at the same time between Thomas and myself, makes for an interesting household.

Experiencing contrasts could lead to increased stress, which can be exacerbated when its sources are fed and nourished. So we must actively choose another option by shifting our attitudes toward the goals we seek to realize. For me these goals are writing (blog & web site soon), teaching, presenting workshops on emotional energy and prosperity, writing books, etc.. For both Thomas and myself this is a period of exploring, as well as developing and testing our ideas.

We also choose to open up to joy and laughter as our way of focusing our energies and expanding our positive reality.

William James is not alone in stating that by changing our thoughts and attitudes we can change our physical reality. Quantum Physicists (iii), Psychologists, and Spiritual Writers are all talking about how we as individuals co-create with Source Energy (God) the reality that we experience. This is really mind blowing. It allows changes that “observable facts” seem to deny. It means that we are living in a dynamic universe that is alive, that is not fixed, which we co-create and expand. Obstacles can be overcome when we pursue possibilities for expansion which are endless. As what is often told, mountains can be moved when we have faith. These thoughts empower us to take full responsibility for where we are and more importantly where we want to go. They enable us to be creative and happy. They banish the deficit or the victimization mentality that pervades many news stories.
Abraham~Hicks adds to James’ comment by introducing emotions. Abraham-Hicks talks about allowing ourselves to seek and experience Joy. Once we experience Joy, we can inspire others to go “where no man [or woman] has gone before [according to Star Trek].” We can help others to seek their own joy instead of becoming mired in limiting “facts.” Abraham-Hicks talk about laughter which is an emotional and physical expression of joy, a sense of amusement which resonates throughout our body. Joy and laughter are also relational (as per the smiley face above and the wishes of family & friends & the treatment team).

So how does mind, attitude change, Joy, laughter translate to me and Thomas? For starters we watched the entire 1st two seasons of “Two and ½ Men.” We laughed much. I also enjoyed the relational antics of the rich personalities in the show “NCIS” which has a cast of characters so unique that one could not imagine how they are able to function as a team. Yet these very different characters blend as a team to focus on their mission. In their blending, they are comfortable with their individual uniqueness, as they share a good laugh and care for each other. These shows help me and Thomas to relax and refresh ourselves. Some might say that watching back- to- back episodes of such shows when there are so many things to do is a waste of time. Yet I can assure you that this is the kind of wasting time which creates space for our healing, expansion, and joy.

So at the moment, we are relaxing, healing, exploring and following our bliss and our passion. Stay tuned for more of my exciting adventure with possibly some of Thomas’ adventure also.

Hint:
• Sometime soon, I will be making a switch.
• I have added a photo to my blog in the side bar ~ I will try to reposition it into the main blog space.
• I will be expanding my profile on this blog
• I will by putting up a web site as soon as I can find someone to help me create a friendly website that I can customize without having to be a computer wizard.

Until the next time, be prosperous in all of life’s dimensions.

Ralph Michael
© 2009 Ralph Michael Ferraro
__________________________
i) Jack Canfield’s Book, The Success Principals” is available at Barnes and Nobles. I highly recommend the book.

ii) More sayings from Abraham are available in the Abraham-Hicks series of books dealing with the Law of Attraction at Barnes and Noble. In addition quote of the day is available at www.abraham-hicks.com
iii) See DVD “What the Bleep!#, Down the Rabbit hole,” which will be reviewed on my blog within the next few weeks.

Photo "Colors 1 ~ NYC"

Colors 1 ~ NYC

Copyright 2009 Ralph M Ferraro

I posted a photo that I took while walking the streets of NYC in the rain.
Camera: Canon 40D   Lens: Canon EF-S 17~55mm f2.8
Hope you enjoy.
Once my website is up, I will add photos so you can view them in larger size.
Please feel free to comment on the photo at end of this blog post.
If you are interested in obtaining a copy or print of this photo, please email me at RmfTop@gmail.com.
Enjoy
Rmf

Ralph's encounter with the "Widow Maker"

Setting the Stage for the Encounter

Approximately one week before my birthday celebration, I enjoyed a lunch date with my friends and fellow professors at the College where I work. We had a great meal and shared enjoyable conversation. On my birthday, my son, Thomas and I went for a drive and shared a great lunch of Peking Duck down in Maryland.

On my birthday itself, our energy level was a bit low. One factor was that my wife of thirty one years had died just over one year ago. The restaurant where we went for the Peking Duck was the one where my wife, Thomas and I had shared many meals in the past. Although we enjoyed the Duck, Thomas and I felt the loss of Cecilia.

I was also at a crossroads in my life as to the goals that I wanted to pursue. A contrast[i] had been developing at the college where I am the chairperson of the business department, as well as, teach courses in psychology, growth and development, and ethics and the law. The administrative part of my job was “justifying” the quality of the department via paperwork. I knew clearly that spending a great deal of time on “justifying paper work,” was not my area of joy. There were other administrative changes that were being implemented that I also did not like. I knew that my mission is to help people move past obstacles, expand and live life with joy. The path to achieve my mission was not clear, however. This lack of clarity indicated that the contrast that I was experiencing, while an intense source of stress, was not sufficient yet to make me embark on my new path.


The Encounter

Two days after my birthday, the “Widow Maker” invaded my space. I say invaded but I wonder how I attracted the “Widow Maker” into my life. My son and I were at an animated movie. I started getting pain and couldn’t get comfortable in the theater. I didn’t want to recognize the “Widow Maker”. I chose not to feed the negative emotions of fear or the negative consequence of some heart attacks, namely death. After arriving home, I took some herbal foods that I knew were targeted for the heart and began feeling better. I began visualizing my heart and body as healthy and strong. I went to sleep. When I awoke, the pains returned, I was concerned but uncertain what to do. I am not a fan of western medicine. The thought of going to the hospital was not prominent in my mind. I still believed my heart and body were healthy and strong, yet the pain was indicating something needed attention. On a feeling level, I was prompted to call my friend Magdy, who is a doctor. I woke him up early on a Sunday morning and described the pain. He told me to go to the hospital to be evaluated. He knew the “Widow Maker” had arrived.

Being who I am, I chose not to call the ambulance and go to the ER of one of the three nearest hospitals to my home. I chose to go to a Community Hospital on the south shore of Long Island which is approximately thirteen miles from my home (the two closest hospitals were less than ¼ mile from the house ~ the third hospital was within a few miles). Craziness? Perhaps. I chose to go to the Community Hospital for two reasons, number one, I trusted Dr. Magdy and knew that he would help me obtain the care that I needed. Second, I had the faith that I would be okay and that the staff at the Community hospital would provide the best and most caring interventions that I needed. We had prior experience at the hospital when my wife had been sick.

For my son, it was the third time we had to go to the Emergency room of this hospital, twice for my wife and now for me. The second trip to the hospital ER with my wife was a horror story. She was very sick and died in the hospital. Despite whatever worries that he might have felt, Tom remained positive and quickly got me to the Emergency Room. The potential for a multiplication of negative energy, fear, grief, depression were not given space to grow by neither Thomas nor myself. Both Thomas and I remained positive despite the seriousness of what I was experiencing, and the memories of Cecilia’s last trip to the ER.

Once at the hospital, the ER team quickly worked on me with a variety of tests. Dr. R., a cardiologist, a colleague of Dr. Magdy, was called. The staff in the ER knew the “Widow Maker” was in my body. Time was now a critical factor. An interventionist doctor was called. The interventionist and his assistant (a nurse practitioner), coordinated with Dr. R. and the ER staff, but they knew the clock was running. They were concerned about the life threatening dimension and the possible increase of damage to the heart muscles. Two arteries were blocked, one of whom was the “Widow Maker”. The blocked main artery earned the name the “Widow Maker” because it is a main artery and when it is blocked it usually takes the life of the person while they sleep. The doctors were also concerned by the delay of my getting to the hospital, approximately 15 hours from the time the “Widow Maker” arrived and started to present pain. The Teams’ goal now was to unblock the arteries and insert two stents. Once the plan was established, we were rolling. As the Interventionist wound the tube through my arteries and into my heart, I was talking with him and we were sharing stories, while he watched the progress of the tube that he inserted on a large LCD monitor.


Summary:
The Good news: the arteries were now open and the stents are in place.


The 50/50 news: Damage may have been done to the heart muscles. It will take 6 weeks to 6 months before they know the degree of recovery.


Prognosis: We work on healing and we wait.


Plan:
· Use common sense with diet
· Exercise
· Allow the heart to recover from the shock of the attack ~ apparently the shock was a major one and the heart slowly recovers
· Cardio Rehab where a doctor, nurses, and a therapist teach me exercises to help my heart recover and stay healthy.


Critical time periods:
· 1st outpatient checkup, ten days after discharge
· First six weeks after initial checkup
· First six months after initial checkup


Reflection:

My dance with the “Widow Maker” was brief. I will not ask the “Widow Maker” for a second dance. The time from the 19th of September until now, 18 days later, was an incredible journey. The long and short of it is that I could have passed from the physical/spiritual dimension to the totally spiritual dimension about 18 days ago.

I am grateful to my son Thomas, for giving so much of himself during this crazy adventure. I am grateful for the support of all my family and friends who expressed their concern and prayed for me. I am grateful for my friend Dr. Magdy, Dr. R., the interventionist and his team, and all the doctors, nurses and the support team at the community hospital for helping me through this difficult time. I am grateful for Al & Jenny taking the time from their hectic schedules to bring me Malaysian food with spicy sauce while I was in the monitoring unit. The laughter and stories that Tom, Al & Jenny and I shared that night were very healing. The food and spices were also great.

Now my task is to learn from my encounter with the “Widow Maker” how to focus on achieving my own desires and joy, as well as is to help people move past their obstacles, expand and live life with joy.

I will pursue my desires in many ways, through my blog, through my website (hopefully by end of year), by writing and presenting workshops on emotional energy on the different levels that I’ve experienced it. For sure, the reason I survived my dance with the “Widow Maker” had to do with my positive emotional energy, focusing on the positive dimensions of a healthy body as opposed to the negative energy possibilities. I was able to link with the creativity of the spiritual emotional energy dimension to create a continuation of my experience in the physical dimension. I also know that I have much to do with my time on this planet. The medical crisis intervention done by the professionals dedicated to overcoming medical problems on a physical level was also a significant factor during this crisis. I will talk more about emotional energy on different levels and how to use this energy in a positive manner in future blogs.
As I continue my healing journey I will update this blog.



In the above article I am describing my own experience. I am not prescribing my actions to anyone else. The art of working with positive emotional energy involves seeing what is not physically seeable and requires the self to take full responsibility for their life and their actions.

I hope you enjoyed the article and welcome comments or questions that you might have.


© Ralph M. Ferraro 2009

[i] Contrast is explained in the works by Hicks~Abraham and their Law of Attraction books and workshops. Anytime we experience an event, the event helps us to develop a contrast. The Contrast is either liking where we are and what we are doing or not liking where we are and what we are doing. Our liking or disliking where we are or what we are doing is part of our emotional guidance system to help us determine whether we are in alignment with ourselves and in alignment with Source Energy or not. When we align with our self and with Source emotional energy, we experience the Joy of being alive and fully present to our experience.

Power of Choice is Within

Interesting quote that I received today.

"Our ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide
How anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us."
Stephen Covey

from Nightingale-Conant Motivational Quote of the Day.

Most Important Relationship & Flow of Relationships

Daily Law of Attraction Quotation
My Most Important Relationship Is With My Source...
There is no relationship of greater importance to achieve
than the relationship between you, in your physical body, right here and now,
and the Soul/Source/God from which you have come.
If you tend to that relationship, first and foremost,
you will then, and only then, have the stable footing to proceed into other relationships.
Your relationship with your own body; your relationship with money;
your relationship with your parents, children, grandchildren,
the people you work with, your government, your world . . .
will all fall swiftly and easily into alignment once you tend to this fundamental, primary relationship first.
--- Abraham

Excerpted from from Abraham's newest book, "The Vortex, Where the Law of Attraction Assembles All Cooperative Relationships "

If you would like more inspirational daily quotes (7 days/wk) go to http://www.abraham-hicks.com/ and click subscribe to daily quotes (it is free).

Medication, Drugs, Feeling good & Positive Vibrations

The following question was submitted by Bismellah via email:

“What is your opinion about people who are on medication, drugs, or even alcohol, who feel good, do they have positive vibrations?”

This is an excellent question.
Keep in mind that I am not a medical doctor and do not practice medicine.
The Vibrational universe

Vibrations & Joy
From my perspective, everyone and everything is vibrational. The goal is to be in tune with our self. Being in alignment with ourselves puts us in vibrational alignment with Source Energy (which we usually call, God, Allah, etc.). By being in tune with ourselves our goal is to be in a state of joy. One caveat, to be in a state of joy, one cannot be intending or activating a vibration field to deliberately harm someone else.
The Vibrational universe that we live in is dependent on thoughts and feelings. With our thoughts and feelings we create our universe and attract both the people and events that come into our life. Our thoughts and feelings can alleviate pain, facilitate joy and promote healing. They create our biochemistry. According to what I have read, if we focus on negative feelings or on pain, we trigger a negative path for our biochemistry. If we focus on positive and happy thoughts, we trigger a positive path for our biochemistry. This positive biochemistry, in my view and the view of the Law of Attraction and certain Quantum scientists, can produce the same euphoric chemistry that people sometimes use drugs or alcohol for. I do believe that this positive biochemistry can even facilitate the healing of our cells and body.

Drugs
From my perspective, certain drugs like methadone or mild tranquilizers (for anxiety & similar symptoms) as well as hard liquor (wine or beer in excess), block some of our most valuable assets, namely the ability to feel (i.e. work positively with our emotions) and to use our experiential thoughts to evaluate what we are experiencing and to choose the best path for our well being.

Medications
Medications are of a different dimension. If a caring doctor provides medication, with the exception of the aforementioned medicines, in order to help the patient obtain relief and move their thoughts to a better place, then medication can be a helpful tool. The caveat here is that the doctor cares about the patient; seeks to help the patient move to a better place; closely supervises the patient’s reaction to the meds; and adjusts and monitors as necessary how long the patient needs to take the medication.

Positive vibrations
Positive vibrations can only come about when we are in touch with our spiritual self, when we feel good about our self, and choose a path that will lead to happiness. Positive vibrations and happiness can only come from within ourselves when we are connected with our spiritual self. Drugs and alcohol interfere with the process. These substances are outside of ourselves and attempt to change what they cannot change. Happiness, Joy, Positive vibrations can only emanate from within ourselves.
Once again, I wish to reiterate to readers that I am not a medical doctor. I believe, however, that everyone must take full responsibility for the choices they make, including how they interpret and use the information which I presented.
I hope this will help people explore the topic in question and guide them in their choices.
Thank you for a great question Bismellah.
Ralph

Submitting questions or comments

Hi Everyone,


If you have a comment or a question, Please feel free to post your comment or question on the blog by clicking the "Comment" button. Putting your question or comment on the blog might be helpful to other viewers or lead to a clarification of the issue. If you prefer or wish to ask a personal question, you could email me your comment or question. I will do my best to answer the question or respond to the comment. If you ask a question or make a comment, you will be identified by the name that you give in your comment or question.

Ralph

Review "The Vortex ..."

9/17/09 Review of
“The Vortex: Where the law of attraction assembles all Cooperative Relationships”
By Esther and Jerry Hicks and the voices of Abraham
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4019-1875-0 Tradepaper ISBN: 978-1-4019-1882-8
pp 238, plus CD excerpted from Law of Attraction Workshop with Transcript

Rating: A MUST READ !!!

1) Vortex & Energy
The Hicks and Abraham pose a conundrum to the readers. They highlight a powerful Vortex of positive energy in which all the elements (health, wealth, relationships, etc.) that we would wish for in prosperity are being created and coming to us. Yet the vortex has no door, no physical entry point. The complementary side of the vortex can also pull to us negative energy. The issues are: what is this vortex? How do we access it? How do we direct the energy field of the vortex toward positive or negative fulfillment?
Imagine a vortex, as a swirling energy field that pulls to us every object of our desire based on the vibrations that we send out to the universe or source energy. We are the only one who has the key for our entry into the vortex. Our vibrations are the energy, either positive or negative, that shape our relationship with the vortex.
The title of the book hints at one key to the conundrum, Relationship, Cooperative Relationship. The authors indicate this vortex is a relational vortex. They denote that the base relationship is with the self, it is important to have a healthy relationship with our self. A co-existing relationship is with our self and with Source Energy. This indicates that there is a primary intimate relationship between our physical self, our spiritual self and Source Energy. This primary relationship is eternal. We can “pinch” ourselves off from Source to a degree, but we can never break the bond that exists between self (physical, spiritual) and source. So at this fundamental relationship between self and source, you and source form the nucleus to co-create what you experience here in the physical dimension of our experience on the blue marble (earth).

2)The next level ~ Relationship with …
The second key to the conundrum is developed over six sections of the book which develop elements of key relationships. Rather than give cursory summaries of each part, I chose to provide the headings of the six sections to stimulate your curiosity. The author’s descriptions are worth the read in detail. The six sections of the book are : Part I, “Your Vortex and the Law of Attraction: Learning to Attract Joyous Co-creators;” Part II, Mating and the Law of Attraction: The Perfect Mate – Getting one, Being One, Attracting one;” Part III, Sexuality and the Law of Attraction: Sexuality, Sensuality and the Opinion of Others;” Part IV, “Parenting, and the Law of Attraction: Creating Positive Parent/Child Relationships in a World of Contrast;” Part V, Self-Appreciation, and the Law of Attraction: Appreciation, the ‘Magical’ Key to Your Vortex;” Part VI, Transcript of Abraham Live: A Law of Attraction Workshop (Audio CD included).” As you can see all of the six chapters offer some juicy topics to wrestle with. Let’s return to the question how do you enter the vortex?

3)Entry into the Vortex
To enter the vortex, the authors tell us, that you need to feel you way in. Only you, can access your entry point into the vortex. Although, the authors talk about feeling your way into the vortex, they do not devalue thought. They suggest that thought predates any physical manifestation. Anything that exists in physical form first existed in thought. They explain in detail how feelings and thoughts working synergistically create your entry point into the vortex and co-create with source your life experience, i.e. what you draw to yourself within the vortex.
One element that the authors stress is that both our feelings and our thoughts are vibrational in nature. They (our thoughts and feelings) vibrate desires into the vortex. Our vibrational desires summon co-operating vibrations, either positive or negative, from the vortex. This vibrational desire brings to us the various people or objects whose vibrations match our thoughts and feelings.
The authors indicate that our thoughts and feelings act like powerful attractors which are based on the vibrations of thoughts and feelings, and not necessarily words. They indicate that our thoughts and feelings may follow either of two types of vibrational fields: one field is that which we do not like, deficit, Lack, suffering, fear, etc.; the other field is that of abundance, joy, creativity. Only we, as individuals, can make the choice for ourselves which path we wish to synchronize our vibrations with. The authors indicate our feelings are our guide as to which set of vibrations we synchronize with. If we feel happy, joy, creative then we are on the track of bringing into our lives the people, money, health and things that will expand our experience. If on the other hand we feel fear, lack, problems, we will attract more of the experiences which further increase our fear, lack and problems.
The journey into the vortex requires a leap into the vortex. We may find ourselves in a position at work, in relationship, with finances, etc that we don’t like. The contrast of feeling of that which we do not like, summons us to think of that which we do like. In a real sense the journey into the Vortex of Co-operative relationships requires us to have faith, that is to see what is not physically present at the moment, and have the expectation that source will join with us to co-create all that we desire.

4)My thoughts & recommendation
Although I have read many of the Abraham-Hicks books on the “Law of Attraction,” I find each new book brings me deeper into the path toward joy. This book is radical in some ways, challenging us to explore our life in a manner that is different from the instructions some of our physical institutions in society have taught us.
I would suggest that exploring the material in this book will bring us to a more joyful, fulfilled and creative life experience while we are in the physical dimension of our planet. This book is not a quick read, the authors definitely pull you into the subject matter, but your openness to reflect experientially, your willingness to experiment, and openness to enter the vortex is necessary to get the full benefit from that which Abraham and the Hicks unfold in the pages of this book.
Definitely a Must Read
I hope you enjoy the book. Please feel free to email me any thoughts about the book at RmfTop@gmail.com .
Ralph M. Ferraro
© Ralph M. Ferraro 09/17/09

5)Coming up in future posts
· Review “What the Bleep: Down the Rabbit Hole” A DVD in which Scientists explore the “Vortex” issues from a Quantum Physics point of view
· Camera tidbits
o How to enjoy photography whether with a “point and shoot,” or with a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex)
o I will share my experience with my Canon cameras
o Your photo questions are welcome
· Mini Photo Essays
o Clouds
o Faces
o Life events

Welcome to Ralph Michael's Blog

Welcome to Ralph Michael Ferraro’s Blog.

On the 61st anniversary of my spirit entering physical form, I am opening my Blog.
I have spent many years studying, living, and growing and enjoying my life on this fabulous blue marble (earth). I have had the good fortune of many relationships that have helped me expand and enjoy my life. I wish to share with all of you who read my blog, my thoughts, my feelings, my wit and my experiences. I will be talking about my personal journey, and provide reviews on books, movies, and of course share my photography. I hope you enjoy the read. I hope the readings and posts will be helpful to you. Please, feel free to email me your questions, thoughts, feelings re: my blog at RmfTop@gmail.com .

On this opening day of my blog, I would like to share with you my review of a book entitled: “The Vortex: Where the law of attraction assembles all cooperative relationships.”
Ralph Michael