Weekly Recap September 12-16

Welcome to the weekly recap of ET's Reflections.

Included here are two of the reflections sent out to the daily subscribers. The first, a review of "The Upside to Anger" is included because I loved the quote at the end of the movie. The second, Me and My Books, I included for the ,hopefully humorous, insight into my personality.

All reflections are posted on Love Expressing in the ET's Reflections archive in case you would like to read the daily postings missed.

I appreciate your interest in what I have to say, and would love to hear your input in one of the four discussion forums.


Review of "The Upside to Anger"
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Starring Joan Allen as a grieving, abandoned wife and Kevin Costner as an interested, drinking buddy/friend, this movie examines the temporary insanity we all experience when anger becomes an overwhelming emotion.

When you settle in to watch this, strap yourself to the couch; because, this is one wild ride. Hilarious peaks and deep dark valleys toy with your emotions. I am guessing this is by design, to place you, the viewer, in a better position to empathize with the lead character.

I found myself wanting to scream at Joan Allen’s masterfully played character! “Get over it and move on you cruel b____.” To evoke that emotion in me requires a skillful director. I am typically fairly unemotional during most movies.

So, is it worth watching?

I think so. There is a very interesting twist, at the end of the movie and then a monologue by the 15 year old daughter, who is actually our story teller, throughout. I would recommend the movie just for the lesson that the ending and the monologue have to teach.

I was telling a few friends about the roller coaster ride, which was my experience of the movie. All three said, “Just like real life”, which is interesting to me, since it was three separate conversations at three different times.

I give the movie three hourglasses.

I am presenting the monologue here, because I think it is the most significant aspect of the movie. It really sums up the overall lesson I garnered by watching.

I do not think this monologue will ruin the movie for you, but you may want to stop here just to make sure. I would not want to spoil the ending for you!

I tried to write this, as the girl stated it. The formatting may not be perfect, but it seemed particularly poignant, as recited in the movie.

Anger and resentment can stop you in your tracks.
That’s what I know now.
It needs nothing to burn
but the air in the life that it swallows and smothers.

It’s real though;
the fury.
Even when it isn’t
it can change you,
turn you, mold you and shape you into someone you are not.

The only upside to anger then, is the person you become.

Hopefully, someone that wakes up one day
and realizes they’re not afraid of it’s journey.
Someone that knows that the truth
is at best a partially told story
but anger, like growth
comes in spurts and fits
and in its wake
leaves a new chance at acceptance
and the promise of calm.


Me and My Books
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh, how I love books.

I once remember reading that a person could not love an inanimate object. This author reasoned that love was an exchange, and that something that did not breathe and have a heartbeat, could not possibly exchange the required energy.

This author did not have the passion for his books that I have.

Besides, I disagree with his basic premise. Yes, it is true that my books do not breathe. They are not a biological organism, with a beating heart and a series of systems (which I view as a good thing, since I don’t have to clean up after them!). But, no one will ever convince me that these books are not alive.

Some day we will be able to measure the life energy in anything. When that occurs we will know that even rocks are alive. The life force which binds a hydrogen electron to its core is very much alive. This vibrating, bonding energy is Love.

When something is created in Love, it resonates with that energy for all time. The books I love most were clearly written as an act of Love. Just sitting with these books inundates me with a quantifiable (even if not fully measurable yet) energetic experience. I am lifted up and feel blessed just by walking into this room of collected wisdom.

I have been collecting books for 17 years now. I can not say for sure how many books I have, but it is somewhere over 3000. I intend to have a lending library one day as part of a healing center. It may turn out that I do not lend the books at all, but simply allow individuals to sit, immersed in the loving energy captured in these writings.

I do not think my passion for books is too dysfunctional, although space is a challenge at the moment. I do not see myself as obsessive/compulsive with this hobby, although I do frequently find myself setting limits on purchases. If I was really obsessive/compulsive, I wouldn’t be able to honor these limits. Right? Please say yes.

I have been buying and selling books for 6 years now as a way of financing my habit. This is the first year where I actually have kept track of the expenditures and income. So far this year, I am a little ahead of the game. I am pleased to see that something which brings me so many hours of pleasure actually pays for itself. Thank you God!

Sometimes I sell a book that I was hoping to read, before forwarding to its new owner. When I list one of those books for sale, I set the price high to give myself a little extra time to get the book read. Occasionally, someone will surprise me and pay my elevated price for the book. I admit to feeling saddened as I pack the book up to ship away.

“Farewell friend, until our paths cross again”, I think but dare not say aloud.

OK! Perhaps I am a bit obsessive.

Oh well! I hope each of you have a pastime that stimulates your experience of joy, as my book play does for me.