[Posted 6:30 AM EDT - Thursday morning, 9/11/2008]
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Osda Sunalei [Good Morning in Cherokee]
Read the last Daily Message titled, Deal Me In!
I am a person who just Loves my family, my city and my country. There truly is 'no place like home'. I come from a very theatrical and jovial family whose collective sense of humor has a wonderful child-like innocence about it. I don't just mean my parents and siblings, I mean my entire extended family as well. Every single day of the week I talk to at least four family members which might be a parent, sibling, aunt or cousin. I talk to my daughter every day. If I tell one sibling something, then they might respond, "That's what so and so said." Word of anything spreads faster than a glass of water tipped over and 'the news' of whatever is pretty dang accurate. Okay, mom still gets her six children confused but that's just mom.
Yesterday I had to trek up to Champaign, Illinois for a dental check-up, which is a three hour drive. I know, that's a long way for a teeth cleaning but it's totally worth it since I have the best dentist in the world. As many of you know, my brother Tom is a dentist so the drive was nothing and afterward we had a fantabulous lunch together. Tom and I are sushi-addicts, so that's what we do. Just to give you an idea of the family humor; as I laid there getting my teeth cleaned I could hear Tom walk into the area next to me and his patient said, "Dr. Standley! What happened to you?" In a serious and sensitive tone he responded, "Oh, it was a horrible dental accident." It was hilarious! You could hear other patients in their chairs laughing as well. See, Tom had a minor motorcycle accident last week while down in Cherokee, NC visiting my parents and he broke his leg, so he's on crutches. He has a fantastic sense of humor and always pulls some silliness when I'm in the chair. My entire family is always ready to bust a gut and have a Good laugh.
When it comes to my hometown city, St. Louis is a very playful, artsy, cultural and active City. Every week my friends and I go to one of the concerts in the park around town. On Tuesday night we were sitting with our picnic baskets, chairs, blanket, wine, cheese and other delicious provisions talking about how much there was to do in St. Louis . . FOR FREE! I made the comment that those who think the City is boring has to be a boring person because there is so much to do . . and FOR FREE. How can you pass up free? Two weeks ago we went to the free Blues Festival downtown next to the Gateway Arch, spread out our provisions and stayed all day. There is just so much to do that I could go on and on and on.
Then there's my country, the United States of America. When I think about the worst day of my Life, it has to be, hands down, this date seven years ago, September 11th, 2001. On an emotional level I don't understand how that date couldn't be the worst day for the majority of people because it was so horrific and it changed all of our lives in an instant on so many levels. On an astrologic level I get it because we are all made up so differently which makes us act and react differently. This was my homeland and I won't let myself forget that date. It also helps me appreciate my freedom that much more. Folks, I am a Cancer Rising (home and family) with Mercury (communication) in Cancer. So naturally my home and family means everything to me and communicating within my home and family includes my biological family, my city and my country. I can't help but be an active participate in my family, city and homeland. Cancer rules the 'homeland' so it stands to reason why I feel the way I do and why I have a deep attachment to all three . . my biological family, my city and my country. I would do whatever it takes to protect my homeland (family, city and country). My Jupiter in Aquarius (the most freedom loving planet in the most freedom loving sign) coupled with my Love and respect for my homeland in all forms makes for these strong attachments and will cause me to protect my freedom at all costs.
What ever is happening on a personal level,
is happening on a community level,
is happening on a national level,
is happening on a global level.
Dr. Loretta Standley~
And so, having said that, I pray that everyone can experience the kind of Love, appreciation and respect for their homeland (family, city, country) that I experience every day. I also think the world would be a much more peaceful place if we came from the space of Love, laughter and respect than any other emotions. Granted there are many things I don't like personally, locally, nationally and globally but whining about it just won't cut it. Standing in what you believe, living what you believe or doing something that will make a positive difference will make a difference in the world. It begins with you, not someone else. It's up to you, not someone else. It's your Life, not someone else's. Begin inside your own four walls (home) and you will see, there really is no place like home.
"Now get out there, go place yourself UP!
and practice being you."
-- Dr. Loretta Standley