Dear Friends,

As I write this there are just a few days before the U.S. election of a new president, cabinet, and senate. Much will change, as it always does. The law of rhythm states all things have a beginning, a period of growth, a peaking and an eventual end; but when something ends, something begins that has been born of that ending. So it is, so it has always been, and so it will always be. Cycles. When something dies, something else is born.

I have faith in the fact that we see the world we wish to see. Attitudes; that is what makes each individual reality unique. Consider your attitude towards your family, your friends, the city you live in, the country of your birth, the country you live in, your religion, your beliefs, in short, the things that make you who and what you are.

In addition to attitudes there is the 'ego' concept that drives one's attitude. Ego is your opinion of yourself, but in addition to self ego there is also family ego, friend ego, country ego, religion ego, community and city ego as well; remember the ego is an opinion. You do have an opinion of all the above. There is also an emotional or love ego. What is your opinion of love?

We are constantly being beset by catchphrases like ‘love one another’, ‘love yourself,’ love, love, love, but no one seems to explain just what that, best of all the four letter words, really means. The Greeks, from whom much of our language has evolved, felt it such a complicated word that they expressed it in many forms. Agape, for spiritual love, Philos, brotherly love, Eros, romantic love, Storge, love of family, and on and on. But those words just trade one abstraction for another without truly defining the word.  A general definition is necessary so that all forms of love can be understood and utilized as a resource in one’s life. Here is a simple, all encompassing definition of the word.

Love, is a positive viewpoint.

That’s it. Utilize that definition and the word can not only be understood it becomes a tool to dig you out of whatever quagmires you may encounter in life. Allow me to tell you a short story that will better explain the concept of a positive viewpoint. But do understand that love, like all things has a hierarchy, a scale of degrees. On the one hundred degree side of the scale there can be no negatives whatever. You would see only the positives; as the viewpoint changes, the line of degrees diminishes.

As example: Sally and Marvin were newlyweds, they were, of course, in love. Their viewpoint would be one hundred percent, they could see only positives in one another. Sally was brushing her teeth one morning, wearing her old, raggedy bathrobe, and was drooling a bit as she brushed. Marvin glanced in and thought, ‘Gee, she even looks good when she’s drooling; and that bathrobe, its practically in pieces but she wears it like a Queen. And she has the cutest walk, she kind of hops every now and then.’

He can see only the positives in his spouse. But as would happen, time goes by and the positive viewpoint slips down the scale a bit; now he’s down to 90 degrees on our arbitrary scale and a few negatives are creeping in to mar his attitude. He says to Sally, ‘Honey, would you mind closing the bathroom door when you brush your teeth, you drool you know, it doesn't look good. And I wish you would get yourself a new robe, that one makes you look like you're homeless.’

More time goes by; the positive viewpoint slips down another few degrees, he still loves her; but... Marvin comes home one day and says, ‘Sally, I've enrolled you in a charm school; you have the silliest walk.’

But what’s changed? Sally hasn't, the only thing that has changed is his viewpoint.

Love is a positive viewpoint, the higher the degree the less you see the negatives.

I hope this has been of help to you. I will, from time to time contribute a few thoughts here. When I do have something I feel will be of special interest I'll title the piece, ‘Burt’s Little Corner.’

Incidentally, some of you may know that one of my loves is painting, which I've only recently discovered a bit of talent for. The photo here was taken a few weeks ago as I was putting a few finishing touches to my version of Vincent’s bedroom. Enjoy.

Burt Goldman