Peace, Love, Joy, Harmony (Part #4)

"But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?"

-Albert Camus-

"Harmony is one phase of the law whose spiritual expression is love."

-James Allen-

"Harmony is pure love, for love is a concerto."

-Lope de Vega-

"He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe."

-Marcus Aurelius-

What is it about the human spirit that makes us feel the need to prove we're right?  What is it that makes us want to show we're faster, stronger, better, smarter, prettier?  Why do we feel such a strong desire to "look out for number one" or "protect our own"?  How is it that we long to compare ourselves to others and see them as "less than" or more importantly, ourselves as "greater than"?

The State of Arizona recently passed an immigration law that, among other things, requires immigrants to carry proof of their status.  It further allows police officers to ask for proof of immigration status to those they suspect are "illegal".  Additionally, there are stiff penalties for companies that employ illegal immigrants.  I'm sure there is much, much more to the law, but frankly, I'm not interested.  This law has Democrats and Republicans alike in an uproar about the constitutionality of the law and government officials from both sides of the isle are concerned about its far-reaching ramifications. 

This is the fourth entry in a series entitled Peace, Love, Joy, Harmony.  By now I hope you've realized, this one is about Harmony.  I searched for an appropriate definition of Harmony on my handy online dictionary and most were about music.  And although there may be some parallels, none seemed to define what I'm about to try and say. 

Since the beginning of time, humans have been at war with each other over things as simple as food stores or territory and as complicated as religion and politics.  Even the beloved Native American Indian, who I have generally admired as living in Harmony with Mother Earth, were at war with each other over things like hunting territory and food supplies. It has taken me 49 years to get to where I am today, but here it is.  I just don't get it.  No matter how you slice it, every single thing that keeps us OUT of Harmony revolves around MY turf, MY food, MY religion, MY political party, MY need to protect my freedom, ad infinitum.

Recently, I have been enthralled by the many new and intelligent friends I've met on Facebook.  It really is a fascinating tool for learning new things and I've been known to try and add my two-cents-worth on a variety of topics.  The mental exercise is stimulating and I truly am enamored at the depth of people's knowledge.  In fact, many times I feel like a mental midget (ok, little person) and cower from conversations because I feel intimidated.  But at the same time, I've felt a strong urge to explain things from my perspective; to show people what I know.

Today, while in the Walmart parking lot, I was struck by a spiritual baseball bat.  I was thinking about dozens of things from recent conversations and how I might rebut, when I realized with total clarity, "It just doesn't matter."  If I'm going to live harmoniously with my fellow man, then my opinion about things really doesn't matter.  Neither does yours.  Ouch!  Here's the thing, and I'm amazed that it really goes back to the second post in this series.  You'll even see it in some of the quotes.  What's important isn't who's right or wrong or who does the most research or believes this way or that.  What matters is love.  (I will NOT relinquish my Man Card!) 

So let's reexamine the legislation from Arizona.  The reason we're concerned about immigration in America is because people from other countries, here by "illegal means", compete for our finite resources.  To care for them, our government needs to be bigger.  Our taxes soar higher.  They use up our oil, water, medical care, etc. etc.  I get it.  I do.  But as you may have noticed from previous posts, I think for us to survive as a species, we have to stop thinking about resources in terms of "theirs" or "ours".  They aren't America's resources.  They are GLOBAL resources and our survival as a species will require that we all share.  I have NO idea how that will all materialize, but I do know this.  It WILL materialize in a way we can't yet see and everything WILL unfold as it should.  This isn't a problem for the United States or Great Britain or Mexico.  It's an opportunity for the universe to unfold precisely as it should, precisely as it will.

A friend of mine recently told me my writing style and perspective on things had changed.  She's right.  It has.  And I'm happy about that.  From a Midwestern staunch conservative has emerged a humanist that thinks the answer isn't about walls or sides, or right and wrong.  It's about love and living in Harmony with each other.  It's about accepting each and every person exactly the way they are, WHERE they are.

Share what you have today.  Accept someone's perspective on things and don't argue your point.  Don't steadfastly hold your ground or insist you're right.  Just try it.  Just for today.  In the overall scheme of things it just won't matter.  The universe is unfolding exactly as it should.  Thanks for reading.

I feel much better. 

Peace, Love, Joy, Harmony (Part #3)

“The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to love, mad to talk, mad to be saved the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow Roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars.”

-Jack Kerouac –

"The beating heart of the universe is holy joy."

-Martin Buber-

Joy  –noun
1.the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation:

Nearly 30 years ago, I crossed the Red River on I35 for the first time under my own power.  I'd crossed it dozens of times on visits to see my grandparents, but this was my first real adventure into the unknown.  I was actually driving this time and I can remember singing as I transponded via concrete bridge from Oklahoma into Texas.  The very first thing I can distinctly remember seeing was a bumper sticker which read as follows:   "Welcome to Texas.  Now go home."  Turns out that was advice I should have heeded, but thats for another time.  The point is, it just wasn't joyful.

For the past several months I have had the honor and privilege of getting to know someone who LIVES the word Joy.  From a history I won't go in to, this amazing person has learned to grab onto life one amazing moment at a time.  She wakes up grateful, she smiles at everyone she meets, and I am yet to hear her say an unkind word about anyone.  And she has known some people that deserve a bad word.  But thats not her style.  Thats not her mantra.  She simply lives in Joy.  In fact, her code name on my phone is Joy.  When she calls, thats what I see and thats what I feel.............Joy.

It's a lesson for us all isn't it?  To live in Joy?  How many times every day do you make a choice to smile or frown;  let someone into your lane on the freeway or cut them off?  When was the last time you took a day off and walked through the grass barefoot?  When did you last sing in the shower?  When did you do something entirely...........Joyful?   For many of you I'm guessing you can't remember the last time you did such a thing.   If I wasn't learning to be so joyful, that'd make me sad!

I have made a number of choices in life that mainstream society would find, well, selfish or self-seeking.  I can now say without question that although not selfish, the decisions I've made have been entirely self-seeking.  Thats what it's all about.  It's about ME finding JOY!  "Well, that IS selfish", you might say.  "It's all about Matt."  But is it?  Whom do I serve if I live a life that isn't fulfilling; that doesn't bring me Joy?  I'll tell you who it serves.  No one.  If I live in Joy and continually seek the things that bring me such, I do all those around me a great service.  They each get a smile and they all get to see an example of someone who hasn't sat idly by and waited for Joy to arrive. 

Now here's the kicker.  Joy comes in a different package for everyone.  Some I've known have found complete Joy and honor and fulfillment in raising a family.  Some find it in their job.  Still others find Joy in their religion. A select few actually find "Joy" in their suffering!  I know, right?   From where does my Joy come?  It comes from doing my best to stay in the moment.  It comes from smiling and breathing and admiring trees and birds and animals and spending time with my daughters.  It comes from spending time on the farm, meditating, working, writing, truffle and fossil hunting, and  holding close the one who showed me what Joy is all about.

You see, Joy is everywhere.  And Joy is what we make it.  There is Joy in everything we do, every moment of every day.  It's simply a choice.  So join me for a day will you?  Do something that brings you Joy.  Do it just for today and see how you like it.  Try it on for size.  Living in Joy isn't burying your head in the sand...........................

It's taking it out.

The Moral of the Morel

                              

                                 The Moral of the Morel
                                       by Linda Faris

This is a story of a day in the life of me. Somehow, I am able to find adventure almost every day. Sometimes the adventures are small and may seem insignificant to others, sometimes, the adventures are huge. This particular day was huge in my estimation.

One day last spring, I drove out to my favorite running spot. It was a fine evening. It had been a warm spring day, the time was around six o’clock and the night coolness was intermixed with the warmth left over from the day. The air was fresh, pure and clean…full of promise for a spectacular run. I decided to make this a “run as fast as I can” run. Sometimes, I don’t worry about my pace, (who am I kidding? I always worry about my pace!) I guess what I’m trying to say is sometimes I try to run as fast as possible in an effort to improve my overall fitness and running ability. This was going to be a maximum performance run.

I parked my car just off the highway, hopped out and jumped onto the Mopac Trail. I pushed the “start” button on my GPS Forerunner, (my method of keeping track of my runs, pace, calories burned, routes, about anything you want to know including ovulation dates) and headed out for what I hoped would be 5 miles in record time (for me).

Running along happily, thinking to myself how great I was doing and feeling anxious to see how fast the first mile was going to be, I played the usual mind games with myself…if I run this one too fast, it might slow me down overall, no, don’t worry, run as fast as you can, it’s a great night, no holds barred, left right left right left right, smile!!! This is a great run…keep on truckin’, I am doing fantastic, I think I am definitely going to have a PR tonight, wow, what a great night, what a great run, etc, etc…when all of a sudden at 0.6 mile…. I DROPPED MY KEYS!!!!!!! Oh crap…now that is definitely going to slow my time down that I have to STOP and lean over and pick up my damn keys!!! How could I be so CLUMSY to drop my damn keys!!! Oh heck, maybe I will just leave them here and pick them up on the way back (as if!). ARRRRGGGHHHH!

With great reluctance, I stopped and leaned over to pick up my keys, aware of the precious seconds I was losing in my “great time”…and all of a sudden, the Universe reminded me ever so gently…”It’s all okay, Linda, there is a reason for everything.” I sighed, relaxed and remembered being uptight about unexpected events is a complete waste of time and energy.

The Universe is full of gifts and treasures, if we but pay attention. As I leaned over to pick up my keys, out of the corner of my eye, just over the bank of the Mopac Trail, standing in glory much like a beautiful castle on a Scottish moor, was a TRUFFLE!!! In fact, that is the exact word that rebounded and echoed in my brain as I laid eyes on the little beauty, “TRUFFLE!!!”

I will explain now, “truffle” is a slang word for the edible mushroom known as a morel. These fungal gems are available for only a few short weeks each spring, and one must be particulary wily to be able to find them. I have enjoyed “hunting” morels, as long as I can remember. I’m not sure where the term “truffle” came from, my family, or perhaps a regional colloquialism, it doesn’t matter to me…I had just found a truffle in the most unlikely of spots at the most unlikely time. And that made me giddy.

Next decision to be made: pick the truffle now and bag the run, or mark the spot, continue the run and pick the truffle on my way back. I decided to continue the run, despite the fact that my PR had just fizzled for the night, and grab that pretty boy on my way back.

I headed back down the trail with visions of truffles crowding thoughts of my PR completely out of my consciousness.

Morel magnetization is very strong. Ah heck, the run was officially over, I ran back to where I saw that truffle!!!

I scrambled down the bank and with great delight, picked that morsel and giggled to myself about how great the Universe and my life are. As I picked that truffle, in customary fashion, I scanned 360 degrees around the spot. Behold!!! MORE TRUFFLES!!!! Yeehaw!!! I scrambled up and down those banks, in and out of thick briar and bramble…first 10 truffles, then 20 truffles, the more I picked the more I found.

I was unstoppable!!! I was completely unaware of the scratches and grazes on my exposed skin, I was focused on my fungal cache. I had found so many, I could no longer hold them in my hands. I whipped off my running singlet, tied the sleeve holes and neck hole together and fashioned a mushroom sack.

I spent the next hour and a half or so filling my sack with my trophies! It was so much fun!!!

Eventually, I realized how much time had passed and I headed back home…I’m pretty sure I looked like a wild woman to the people I passed on the trail as I headed back to my car…covered in blood oozing scratches and abrasions, dirt, sticks in my hair, a sack full of some mysterious collection and a huge grin on my face.

Back home, I counted my truffles…over 200!!! I may not have accomplished a running PR this night, but an important lesson was reimpressed on me…don’t sweat the small stuff and remain open to all the gifts of the Universe no matter what form they may take. In my case, the gift was dropping my keys. It was a great night and a great lesson!

April 11, 2010

Fill-The-Boot

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” – John 15:13 -

Yesterday, I had the distinct privilege as a firefighter, of standing on a street corner with an empty firefighter boot and asking the public for money.  It's for a good cause.  Every cent collected goes to the Muscular Dystrophy Association to help fund research for a cure to a variety of dreadful diseases.  Some would argue that too small a percentage goes to actual research.  Others would argue that what we do is comparable to begging or panhandling.  I disagree, of course, but even if it were, it's a much bigger picture we're talking about.

When you're standing on that corner, dodging traffic and an occasional irate driver, you encounter miracle after small miracle if you only LOOK!  I made a concious decision yesterday to smile at every car that went by.  I smiled and waved to people who gave.  I smiled and waved to people who didn't.  I smiled and said hello to people who picked up their cell phones to look busy so they wouldn't feel bad about not giving.  I gave stickers to kids whose parents did not donate.  I gave a sticker to a lady just for smiling.  I offered another sticker to a lady just so she WOULD smile.  One of my coworkers dubbed it "feel good Friday."  And it was.  I felt good about being out there.  And I tried my best to make others feel good too.

Maybe one of the children who got a sticker will remember that day and grow up to be a firefighter that saves a life.  Maybe the lady who needed to smile will smile every time she sees her sticker and pass it on.  Maybe she won't, but that's not my business.  My business is just sharing my smile and hoping it gets passed on. 

Sadly, there are those in the public who feel like they're being inconvenienced by our presence during their daily commute.  I witnessed a couple small incidents of "road rage" where someone didn't make it through a light because the car in front of them donated money.  I always smiled at them and thanked them for their patience. Even more amazing is the fact that there are those firefighters who feel inconvenienced by our one-day act of kindness to help in a worthy cause.  Come on fellas, it's just one day and we can make a huge difference.  I'm even hoping that one of the people I smiled at may be the deciding vote for our next raise!

The point is, every day in our life is what we make it.  And what we make of our day can profoundly influence the day of another human being.  So why not make the best of it?  Whether you're filling the boot or just going about your daily chores, pass along a smile.  Wave at the next car, bus or train.  Forgive the driver that cut you off.  It all starts with you.

Put on a smile will ya?  Let's make a difference.  And let's do it today.

Peace, Love, Joy, Harmony (Part #2)

"Since love is the most delicate and total act of a soul, it will reflect the state and nature of the soul. If the individual is not sensitive, how can his love be sentient? If he is not profound, how can his love be deep? As one is, so is his love."

-Jose Ortega y Gasset-

“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, is not pompous. It is not inflated. It is not rude. It does not seek its own interests. It is not quick-tempered. It does not brood over injury. It does not rejoice over wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

- 1 Corinthians 13 -

As promised, this is the second of the series on Peace, Love, Joy and Harmony.  Admittedly, finding the words to write about Love has been a challenge.  I reread the piece I wrote for Valentine's Day, hoping to find some inspiration or insight.  As I read that entry, it ocurred to me that Love is most difficult to define.  I didn't do it justice then, and I feared I wouldn't do it justice here.  Love simply "is".   The Universe is Love.  God is Love.  We are Love.  Love abides in us as does God and our universe.  It's all the same stuff.  Love is all we need whether its in a relationship or simply dealing with the dry cleaners or that person driving slow in the fast lane.

Having stumbled along with all that, in the midst of searching for words of eloquence that would stir the masses, I was given one of the most precious gifts of all from one who lives the words she shared.  We don't know the author and I pray that you won't mind reading the words of someone more gifted with pen than I.  This says it better than I ever could.  Thank you, Linda. 

          A Definition of Unconditional Love

I love you as you are as you seek to find your own special way to relate to the world, or the way you feel that is right for you. It is important that you are the person you want to be and not someone that I or others think you should be.

I realize that I cannot know what is best for you although perhaps sometimes I think I do. I've not been where you have been, viewing life from that angle you have. I do not know what you have chosen to learn, how you have chosen to learn it, with whom or in what time period. I have not walked life looking through your eyes so how can I know what you need.

I allow you to be in the world without a thought or word of judgment from me about the deeds you undertake.

I see no error in the things you say and do, in this place where I am. I see that there are many ways to perceive and experience the different facets of our world. I allow without reservation the choices you make in each moment.

I make no judgment of this, for if I were to deny your right to evolution then I would deny that right to myself and all others. To those who would choose a way I cannot walk, while'st I may not choose to add my power and my energy to this way, I will never deny you the gift of love that God has bestowed within me for all creation, as I love you so I shall be loved.  As I sow, so I shall reap.

I allow you the universal right of free will to walk your own path, creating steps or to sit a while if that is what is right for you. I will make no judgment of these steps, whether they are large or small, nor light or heavy or that they lead up or down, for this is just my viewpoint. I see you do nothing and judge it to be unworthy and yet it may be that you bring great healing as you stand blessed by the light of God.

I cannot always see the higher picture of divine order. For it is the inalienable right of all life to choose their own evolution and with great love I acknowledge your right to determine your future. In humility, I bow to the realization that the way I see is best for me does not have to mean that it is also right for you. I know that you are led as I am following the inner excitement to know your own path.

I know that the many races, religions, customs, nationalities and beliefs within our world bring us great richness and allow us the benefit of teachings of such diversedness. I know we each learn in our own unique way in order to bring that love and wisdom back to the whole. I know that if there were only one way to do something, there would need to be only one person. I will not only love you if you behave in a way I think you should, or believe in those things I believe in. I understand you are truly my brother and sister though you may have been born in a different place and believe in another God than I.

The love I feel is for all of Gods world. I know that every living thing is part of God and I feel a love deep with every person, and all tree and flower, every bird, river, ocean and for all the creatures in all the world. I live my life in loving service, being the best me I can, becoming wiser in the perfection of divine truth, becoming happier in the joy of unconditional love.

Anyway

MOTHER TERESA'S "ANYWAY" POEM

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;

Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;

Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;

Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;

It was never between you and them anyway.

Peace, Love, Joy, Harmony (Part #1)

                 

"The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us."

-Black Elk-

"Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal."

-Martin Luther King, Jr.-

"We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace."

-William Gladstone-

"When my heart is at peace, the world is at peace."

-Chinese Proverb-

Peace   /pis/ Show Spelled [pees] Show IPA noun, interjection, verb,peaced, peac·ing
1.the normal, nonwarring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world.
7.a state of tranquillity or serenity: May he rest in peace.
 
Ok, so I know I've beaten the quotes and definitions regarding Peace to death already.  Funny how speaking of Peace creates a great dichotomy doesn't it?  I know you've all heard it before from your coach or some other mentor.  "The best defense is a good offense."  or "The best offense is a good defense."  Even Ronald Reagan, whom I admire greatly, believed that the way to world Peace was through strength and a strong military.  He stated it publicly in July of 1980 and lived that philosophy every day.  In other words, if we have enough nukes no one will mess with us. 
 
But is lack of conflict truly Peace?  Of course it isn't.  Not even close. Even now we have troops all over the world, most specifically Afghanistan and Iraq that are fighting and dying under the cloak of maintaining "peace."  Is it working?  Well, it's entirely possible that it has offered a few people a higher level of freedom and might possibly have averted terrorist strikes on our nation (I realize those points can be argued either way.  Perhaps another subject for another time.), but has it promoted Peace?  I find it hard to believe we can wield an M16 or 50 Cal. in one hand and still allow the word Peace to spew from our lips.  Yet that's the way we've being doing it for centuries.  We've mistakenly considered lack of conflict on OUR soil to mean Peace.  It simply isn't so.
 
There's a popular definition of insanity that most of us have heard.  "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."  Don't be fooled by propaganda that says we're living in Peace regardless of whether or not we have troops on the ground.  As a human race, we haven't even begun to grasp the concept of Peace, yet politicians use the word as a campaign platform every year.  We've become ignorant and numb to it's true meaning.
 
The second definition of Peace you read above says, "a state of tranquility or serenity."  NOW we may be on to something.  Is it realistic to think that an entire nation, let alone an entire planet can suddenly find tranquility and serenity?  At first you may answer as I have, that it's an unrealistic expectation.  But if that's true; if we live believing there really is no hope for us to live as a peaceful, global human race, then we never will see that come to fruition.  It's cliche, I know, but Peace starts with each and every one of us......individually.  It starts by finding your own tranquility and serenity.  It begins by discontinuing your search on the outside and looking INSIDE yourself for the Peace that already lives there.  Oh, it's in there alright.  How bad do you want to find it?  From there, it's simple really.  You share that Peace with a friend, neighbor or stranger.  You invite them to find THEIR Peace and then pass it on, and so on and so on and so on.  It's the world's most awesome multi-level marketing plan.  It's "Pay It Forward" on steroids. 
 
I can already feel some of your eyes rolling.  I can hear you saying, "Matt has finally derailed."  Have I?  Or are we so used to rifling down the same track that the thought of Peace just sounds too tough to tackle?  I have a vision that I often play in my warped little mind.  It goes something like this.  Two opposing military units approach each other in Civil War style.  In rigid formation they come closer, weapons shouldered, awaiting the order to "make ready."  As they prepare to take aim and fire, one commander simply orders his troops to lower their weapons to the ground and extend a hand instead.  Not in surrender, but in brotherhood.  Sounds nice doesn't it?  
 
The simple truth is, World Peace will never happen until someone sets the example.  Are there risks involved?  Of course.  Some will take advantage.  But the rest of the world looks at the United States as an example of strength and freedom.  How about we lower our weapons and give them an example of brotherhood instead.  Maybe....just maybe, they'll follow the lead.
 
We aren't divided by borders, we're connected in brotherhood.....the human race.  Isn't it time?

Fossils, by Linda Faris

"I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief."

-Gerry Spence-

One of the "things you can look for this year" on the blog I failed to mention, is that I'd like to open it up to those of you who like to write, but as yet have no public venue.  I know at least three people who have wonderful skill at putting pen to paper and I've encouraged them all to share their creations.  After a little prodding, I have my first taker.  For anyone else reading, I'd love to read what you have to say.  If you'd like it posted to the blog, simply attach it to an email addressed to me.  I promise you'll get full credit.   Thank you Linda, for getting things started.  I know everyone else will enjoy this as much as I did.  Ladies and Gentlemen..............Fossils.



Ahhhh, it’s a beautiful summer day at nearby Memphis State Park. The breeze rolls off the lake and caresses my face and hair just as a young mother lovingly draws her fingers over her newborn’s face. I sigh with complete contentment, looking forward to a relaxing day with friends and family. As usual, I drop to my knees and begin scouring the rocks remaining from a mostly forgotten camp pad.

“What are ya lookin’ for, Linda”, my stepfather says with a cross between a wink and a scowl (because he full well knows what I am looking for).

“Fossils.” I answer in the same sing song voice each time he asks, then….wait….wait….wait for it…..

With a snicker and a grin he snorts, “then why don’t you just go look in a mirror?!!!”.

He chortles with delight at his customary retort, I smile back.

There is just something about fossils that delight me. I’m not sure what it is, but as long as I can remember I have had a love affair with them.

In my later teen years, I lived in a house alongside the distant end of the Platte River.  As one can imagine, the river was a most excellent place for fun, exploration, meditation and my favorite, “hunting for fossils”, as I call it. I’m not really sure if “hunting” is an accurate term for my pastime…but this is how I fondly consider it.

I would either sit on a log or just crouch down low and peer at the sandy silt until the perfect roundness of a crinoid would catch my eye. A bit of excitement passed through me each and every time I would find one of these treasures…a sigh of contentment, a smile of knowing, a softening of my features as I would more closely examine my newest find.

The river was rich with fossils, especially crinoid stems, as the entire midwest region was once covered with shallow seas of water which gave rise to underwater forests of the graceful and beautiful crinoids. Crinoids are one of the oldest fossil remains that we know about…dating back at least 450 million years ago. Get that???? 450 MILLION years ago!!!! I find that fact staggering. Especially when I am holding one in my hand and gazing upon it. To think that this remnant has been around possibly 450 million years and all that has transpired around it and now, at any given moment, I am holding it in my hand. Absolutely blows me away!!!

There are good explanations of why these delicate gems have fossilized so well, but that is not my topic today. The crinoids I find are just parts of a larger organism…what I actually find are more specifically “crinoid stems”. Crinoids are also known as “sea lilies” or “feather stars”, both appropriate designations for these lovely animals. Sea lilies, while looking like sea plants, are actually animals of the phylum Echinodermata, the same from which starfish and sand dollars belong. They actually look like a flower, a stalk holds them to the sea floor, at the top of the stalk is a radially symmetrical array of “arms” that have filters attached. These arms filter algae, larvae, crustaceans and so forth from the water as food sources. I like to imagine the crinoid swaying to and fro in the water, turning its crown in the direction of food material…just as land flowers turn their heads to the sun for sustenance.

Even more amazing about these gorgeous creatures that lived 450 million years ago is that they exist even today. True, they are not exactly the same, but the species living today is a close enough relative to my ancient friend to allow scientists much study material.

I have hunted for fossils in each and every place that has limestone rocks. I have even hunted for fossils in areas of rock without limestone, just in case! At the end of my runs on the Mopac trail, I spend a few minutes searching for fossils as I stretch my legs…sometimes a few minutes turns into an hour. But it is all good, the more fossils I find, the happier I feel. I have cases full of my finds. There are other fossil freaks out there, I understand them. Any friend of fossils is a friend of mine.

-Linda Faris-