Life’s A Recipe

Wayne is my cousin and one of 7 siblings. He and twin sister Wendy used to live together in Brooklyn; New York. When I came to visit during holidays or for no particular reason, they’d have the most boss music tunes playing. House music or Rhythm & Blues, and regardless of what Wayne was cooking, it was soulful and inviting. He’d make his amazing corn pudding. The atmosphere is beautiful, from the polished dark-wood floors with a glass shine to the smells from the kitchen, and the tidiness artful of their interior decor. I didn’t mind the traveling distance from my beach home in Far Rockaway; Queens across the waters to see them. The crazy thing is, we all used to be homeless at one time. Like all the adults in our family were dying or leaving us at the same time. Cousins are nature’s little helpers.

New York City 5 boroughs are islands with many cultures and neighborhoods of many backgrounds. The 5 Boroughs are Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Manhattan (New York City), Staten Island (Is that an Island?) surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean (Read more and check out Title “A Brooklyn Project”).

Often I download, purchase or set up music playlists of people’s places, and things I’ve been. Here’s one of my Youtube Music Playlists. Leave a comment on my playlist and let me know your thoughts. Check out other articles here for other playlists, ie: Education… We hope you have an “Aha! Moment”. Our Youtube Channel. Wayne’s Corn pudding recipe in Our Random Recipe Files on Facebook. Subscribe and share.

Meditation

Meditation is good for the soul. (The Soul: One’s recognition of himself in counterpoint to another; The divine spark) Meditation allows you to reflect on things with clarity. Take time out of your daily schedule to do this. I can’t tell you what to do but I can say, try the beginning. At the start of your life, when you became conscious of yourself. Think of your positioning, environments, and the surrounding people. Observe from the point-of-view of an outsider looking in. Everyone should take stock of themselves or sort themselves out. Each day, do this to sift through different relationships, jobs, schools, yourself… Use a journal (previous article) to write your thoughts down. 

Preparation

1. 1. Light a scented candle or incense or spray your favorite perfume (olfactory senses to relax)
   2. Clean your area or home
   3. Find a personal space to meditate
   4. Soothing Music without Words; ie: Ocean Wave, Flutes (Optional)
   5. Sit wherever or incense your space (lying down may tempt you to fall asleep)
   6. Relaxed Clothing without shoes
   7. Discipline and focus with eyes closed to block out outside light
   8. Avoid distractions – telephone, doorbell, popcorn in the microwave
   9. Have a cup of warm tea before you begin
   10. Warm Bath – often a warm bath will get you in the meditation mood
   11. Yoga Mats
   12. Toss out the trash (people, places, and things)

Why All of This Works?

It works because you allow yourself to stop for a minute, look around you, and all you created, which was once just a mere thought. A Reflection on things will aid in better understanding because of newfound information (adult-eyes, new friendships, a college class recently taken, a trip once taken,…). Think of it as an upgrade or upload of software. Do not dwell there, but carefully peep inside with understanding and love. If you have a partner, maybe you can meditate together. Optional even within relationships, you may desire some alone time for this simple house cleaning. 

Tired of Falling for Mirages?

These days, reasons for irritability pop up as regularly as Facebook advertisements. Of all the reasons to be irritable, this one has to be the worst: We often want things that turn out not to exist. People can spend their lives wholeheartedly pursuing unreal things. These mirages burst like soap bubbles, and we are left disappointed and frustrated. This book exposes 5 things people want from God that don’t exist -so that we can retrain our desires to focus on what exists. When we pursue what exists, we will find our souls satisfied.

DANIEL J. MCCOY Daniel is happily married to Susanna, and they have 3 daughters and 2 sons. Daniel works as editorial director for Renew.org. He has his Bachelor’s in Theology (Ozark Christian College), and his Ph.D. in Theology (North-West University). He is the co-author of The Atheist’s Fatal Flaw (Baker, 2014) with Norman Geisler, as well as the general editor of The Popular Handbook of World Religions (Harvest House, 2021). His passion is to help people understand that they can totally trust Jesus.