The O-town Scene - Oneonta, NY
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/25742
Keep Up Now! Choose to love rather than fear “Your greatest efforts can’t break free of the confines of this world we’ve created. It is but an illusion. When we accept it for what it is, it will be no more. We are light whose frequency is timeless, whose source is boundless and are ourselves open channels of creative force from which we shine.” – Rob Ludwig You are in charge of the Universe! And the best part about being in charge is you get to change it up whenever you choose. You may not even realize you’re making choices that are manifesting your world, but I assure you… it’s all you! Let’s begin with thought. Thought manifests word … word manifests deed, deed manifests your reality. Since you’re creating, remember “with great power, comes great respon- sibility.” Creation is a double-edged sword. Peace, happiness and love can quickly turn to chaos and disaster. To direct your manifestations, first, you have to accept your creative power. Next, you need to understand the laws of creation. There are only two choices; love or fear. Loving thoughts create a happy world; fear thoughts create an unhappy world. Simple … not easy! Forgiveness and gratitude will set you on the path to create your world from a place of love. If you’re unsure; ask for help from your higher Source; it’s just a thought away. Each morning I make a conscious decision to think happy thoughts! I know I must maintain a loving state of mind because I KNOW I’m creating my world, and those nasty fear thoughts; guilt, lack, judgment; wreak havoc in my world! Therefore, I CHOOSE to plug-in to my “feel good music” and begin my daily 2-3 mile walk/run. My morning routine releases endorphins; boosting my self-assurance and my music reinforces optimistic thoughts. When fear thoughts come creeping into my brain I just say “No,” and I remember; I am never alone! I CHOOSE to create from a place of love because I know, firsthand, what it feels like to create from a place of fear… it’s AWFUL! Actually, it’s a living hell. I realize some of us; myself included, have to experience AWFUL before we understand we no longer want it! But know; the alternative truly is heaven on earth. Heaven or Hell, the choice is yours; it has been all along. “Keep up Now! with the stream of higher consciousness and stay connected to the Source.” —Terry Ludwig Terry Ludwig’s brother, Rob, passed away in 2004 after battling AIDS. Before he passed, he shared his message. “Keep Up Now!” is the result of that communication. She can be reached at keepupnow@ gmail.com, and followed on Twitter and Facebook. Guest Column While showering at the gym recently, a fellow commented on my tattoos, many with the rainbow colors of diversity in creation. His next statement betrayed his real intent, “Aren’t you worried about burning in hell for all eternity?” A comment condemning my gay sexual- ity. Astounded at my lack of concern, several other comments followed, dis- playing parroting rather than accurate interpretation and understanding of scripture. Recalling the scrip- tural mandate to “turn the other cheek” when confronted by hate, I expressed concern for those who usurped divine authority in judging others and determining who is or is not saved, for in so doing, they impale their own souls. In the Biblical times, to “turn the other cheek” meant to deny power to an adver- sary to strip you of your God given dig- nity and self-worth. In so doing, the adversary was shown to be powerless over you and an object of scorn. This incident caused me sparked self-reflection on the new perception of me as father, husband, friend, and physician. It brought new insight concerning my coming out, living openly. Now I would be forever viewed as and defined by my sexual orientation rather as my roles as a man who hap- pens to be gay. Thus, a gay person is defined as different, aberrant, an “abomination” rather than as a person with the same God given blessings, talents, and rights as heterosexual persons. We are inferior, suspect, undesir- ables. The principle culprit in this dehu- manization is the institutional Chris- tian Church, which actively and pas- sively promotes such attitudes through its teaching and more importantly its silence. Witness the silence of the church last fall concerning gay teenage suicides resulting from bullying and harass- ment. Turn the other cheek to those who criticize Witness the suspension of Catholic charities programs in Washington, D.C., by the archbishop because of the legalization of gay marriages. Those who can afford the loss of these programs least — the poor, the home- less — are punished. Certainly not an action Christ condones. When all is said and done, though I may have dropped in public esteem by family, friends, colleagues and society in general, I would not reverse the path chosen three years ago, nor should any gay person grant power to any person or authority to make us less in our own eyes. We must “turn the other cheek.” We must show our persecutors that they can not deny us our dignity, our self- worth. We all must be true to ourselves regardless of the cost, for in doing so we free ourselves and others from the power of hate. Is it an easy task? Certainly it is not. Eventually, the youth who follow us will know true freedom and accep- tance because of our sacrifices, just as we enjoy more freedom today due to the heroes of Stonewall. In conclusion, I thank my daughters who never stopped loving me, my LGBT friends who walked with me. Hear-felt thanks to my spiritual adviser the Rev. Fred Daley of All Saints Church in Syracuse, himself openly gay and having tasted the bitter wrath of Church hierarchy for “coming out” and establishing a truly welcoming loving Faith community for all gay persons. David Martin has been married for 37 years, but lives separately from his wife. He is the father of five adopted children, and has practiced as a solo internist physician for 32 years in Central New York. He was educated at Fordham University and Upstate Medi- cal University. He attends All Saints Church in Syracuse, and hosts parish for the Catholic LGBT community. Feb. 24, 2011 O-Town Scene 25 the Diversity Scene Feb. 24-March 2