My theme this year is Burma AKA Myanmar. I used to live in Laos, so this was a return to Southeast Asia that I looked forward to. I spent a little over three weeks exploring this country, learning a bit about its culture: its history, religion, and language. I thought others might enjoy some of what I learned and see some of what I saw.
Building or contributing to the building of stupas enhances Karma |
Karma’s not a bad concept when you think about it. If you believe your actions of today are going to affect your next life, maybe you’ll do more good than bad daily.
Coming back as an aardvark would not be my choice, but there are some creatures I fancy. And that started me thinking. What would I like to return to this earth as if that’s indeed the way the universe is programmed?
Birds always seem so free. But they live a short time, and they have all that nest building and hawk-dodging to do, so maybe not a bird.
Lions are strong and beautiful. But their habitat dwindles daily and I like my meat medium, so maybe not a lion.
Horses can run long and fast. But then they have saddles and spurs to contend with–not to mention the steady diet of hay and oats, so maybe not a horse.
Writers are pretty cool. They’re a always coming up with stories and characters to capture the reader and keep them enthralled in stories. But then they have line edits to do, and agents to hire and fire, and reviewers that love them one minute then hate them the next, so maybe not a writer.
Well, those are my best choices just off the top of my head. So far I’m not keen on coming back at all. How about you? What would you come back as if you had the option?
Answers to J: What do you know about Jaggery?
T 1. Jaggery is predominantly sucrose (C12H22O12), with traces of mineral salts, iron and some fiber.
F 2. Jaggery is digested in the same way sugar is digested.(While sugar releases in a burst of energy and can harm some internal organs, Jaggery is far more complex than sugar. It’s made up of longer chains of sucrose, so it’s digested slower than sugar and releases energy slowly and not instantaneously.)
NOW what do you know about Karma?
T/F 1. This Endless Knot is the symbol of karma.
T/F 2. In Buddhism, karma theory is used to explain the cause of evil.
Hats Off Corner Welcomes Sylvie Grayson
AMAZON |
Sylvie Grayson says
Hi everyone,
Thank you for the good wishes, it's been fun.
Not sure what I'd come back as if I had the opportunity. It's probably not my decision. π
Sylvie
Empty Nest Insider says
Congrats to Sylvia! My hope is to be a guardian angel for my boys, and future grandchildren.
Julie
Empty Nest Insider says
oops…I meant Sylvie. Sorry about that.
Julie
Birgit says
I won't answer the questions because I somehow missed this one yesterday and saw the answers:) Congrats to Sylvia firstly-good for you! I like to think we do come back but I think we come back as a human being trying to right the flaws we had in our previous life until we finally reach that level and can feel "heavenly" for lack of a better word. Hmmmm-If I picked an animal I would like a dog but only a dog that is loved and taken care of….same for a pussy cat. I could come back as a crow-I can live long and I am quite intelligent. I would also think about a dolphin as long as the Japanese don't find me and want to eat me
Nadine_Feldman says
I wouldn't mind coming back if it were to a better world. My luck, I'd come back as one of those stray dogs you wrote about.
Christine Rains says
I'd come back as a pampered house cat. π
Jemi Fraser says
I'm with Medeia! π
I hope Karma works!!
Medeia Sharif says
Well, I'm a school teacher and writer. I think I should come back as a millionaire. π
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – congratulations to Sylvie – it sounds an interesting novel .. intrigue and romance. Karma – we should all practise it .. whether we believe we're coming back or not .. I love warthogs .. not sure it's the best choice .. but I've always love the little creatures! A cat would be a good one .. cheers Hilary
Natasha Duncan-Drake says
You're the second Karma I've bumped into for K π I think I wouldn't mind coming back as a pampered pet cat π I'm firmly of the belief that being good to others enhances your own life, which is kind of karma.
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
Clarabelle Rant says
Some headlines can make me not want to come back, but then pictures like your stupas change my mind. Beautiful picture and what they represent.
You can find me here:
ClarabelleRant
Tammy Theriault says
Stupas look awesome. I love seeing there new designs and ideas they have!
Yvonne Ventresca says
I like to think good actions come back to us in our existing lives, too.
Yvonne
Michael Di Gesu says
Hi, Lee,
Fantastic pics! Thanks for sharing your time in LAOS with us. I always enjoy reading about other lands and their culture….
All the best, Sylvie with your newest novel!
Sylvie Grayson says
A big thank you to Lee for having her on her fabulous blog. It's very exciting. And a huge welcome to all of the commenters. Thanks for taking the time to read about my book. Hope to see you again soon,
Sylvie Grayson
Tara Tyler R says
loving these words and learning so much! i like that symbol, but i don't think it's for karma, i'm betting it's the second one.
Lisa says
Third blog today talking about Karma! And all different! I'd love to try some Jaggery. I don't know what I'd come back as because every choice has drawbacks, but perhaps I'd like to come back as a Sequoia, so I could see life pass over a loooooong stretch of time… Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com
DMS says
I believe in Karma. I think I would like to come back as a bird so I could fly. π
~Jess
David P. King says
Karma is a good friend to have. So when life doesn't seem to be going the way I would like it, I have to reevaluate what I'm doing. Karma keeps me in line. π
Donna McDine says
I firmly believe in karma. What you dish is, is what you get in return. Hmmm, I'd like to come back as an illustrator.
Joylene Nowell Butler says
I actually think about Karma a lot. I think of Karma as a prerequisite of honour. You can't fool karma. I also think most people confuse the definition and don't get that cause and effort never stops. First love yourself, then love others, and watch how wonderful karma can be. However, what happened yesterday is no longer important. Nor is tomorrow. So I take that to mean be kind, be loving, think before you speak, and watch life become pretty darn wonderful for no apparent reason. Love that.
Nick Wilford says
I stand corrected by you, Stephanie and others! I didn't know karma was about reincarnation. I thought that bad people should suffer bad things in the same lifetime… but does that ever happen?
Stephanie Faris says
Congrats to Sylvia. I'm so glad you got the concept of karma correct. So many people think it means that if you cut someone off in traffic, someone else will cut you off in traffic 10 minutes later…that sort of thing. They don't get that karma refers to payback you'll suffer in your NEXT life, not this one!
Melissa Sugar says
I am a big believer in Karma. Sometimes, I begin to wonder, though. It seems like there are some really bad people out there who never seem to get their end of the what comes around goes around. Great article. I wouldn't mind coming back as a strong lion.
TheCyborgMom says
I love the idea of Karma…makes the world seem more fair!
TheCyborgMom
A Tarkabarka HΓΆlgy says
I agree, karma is not a bad view on life to have. If I had to choose, I'd probably like to come back as human again. It is kind of a double edged sword, but full of adventure…
@TarkabarkaHolgy from
Multicolored Diary – Epics from A to Z
MopDog – 26 Ways to Die in Medieval Hungary
Zannie Shaman says
what do I know about karma? I used to believe it was a kind of payback mechanism…good or bad, but now I am exploring non-duality I am no so sure
Michelle Wallace says
Congratulations to Sylvie!
I love her book title.
Karma is all about the laws of the universe… what you give out comes back to you etc.
If I could be an animal, it would have to be a dolphin.
Take care of that sunburn!
T. D. Harvey says
I'm with Brandy. If come back as a cat. They've got it made, really. I'm not sure I believe in karma though. I believe we should be kind because it's a good thing to do, not because it'll be rewarded in our next life.
TD Harvey
A to Z participant
http://www.tdharveyauthor.com
T. D. Harvey says
I'm with Brandy. If come back as a cat. They've got it made, really. I'm not sure I believe in karma though. I believe we should be kind because it's a good thing to do, not because it'll be rewarded in our next life.
TD Harvey
A to Z participant
http://www.tdharveyauthor.com
~Brandy~ says
Another Canadian author doing well! I like it!
As for Karma – I definitely believe in it. Do good; attract good. I think if I could come back it would be as a cat: nine lives, uninterrupted sunbathing, license to be aloof!
I'm on the lookout for blogs to link to on my "K is for Kindness" post today. I'll include yours π
Brandy from Brandy's Bustlings
Patricia Lynne says
Congrats to Silvie!
If I came back as something, I'd pick a cat. Think about it? They basically have the run of their homes and we cater and love them. lol
J.H. Moncrieff says
I love the concept of karma, but I'm not sure I believe it. Too many evil people seem to flourish.
I think I'd like to come back as Stephen King, minus the addictions and all the kids. π
Susan Gourley/Kelley says
Congrats to Silvie. Not sure I believe in Karma because I know too many people who should be suffering now if it really worked. I think I'd like to come back as a dolphin if I couldn't be human again.
Tyrean Martinson says
Congrats to Silvie!
.
I'm a big fan of heaven. π I love the pictures you chose, especially the last one. Writers may have a tough role, but it's definitely good, too. π
Beverly Stowe McClure says
I can't think of a better place to be than Heaven, so I'll stay there.
Congratulations on your new book, Silvie. It sounds great.
Lovely pictures, C Lee. Birds and horses are my favorites.
Jennifer Hawes says
Not coming back to this life! Ha, heaven will be wonderful:) Great pics! The writer with his head in his hands sums up our lives as writers!
Karen Mortensen says
What an interesting idea. I do believe that what you do here will affect what happens on the other side but I am with Alex. I wouldn't want to come back.
Julie Flanders says
I always tell my dog and cat they really have the life so I guess I would choose to come back as a pampered house pet. I could get used to just sleeping all day and never having to pay any bills.
Congrats to Sylvie!
nashvillecats2 says
Congrats to Sylvie I'm sure it will do extremely well.
Thise pictures were awesome.Wonderful post most enjoyable.
Yvonne.
Angela Brown says
Congrats to Sylvie for her latest release. It sounds suspenseful and intriguing.
As for karma, I won't pretend to know the answers to the trivia. I do believe that life involves give and take and that sometimes, giving a bit of good brings positive returns when you least expect it.
Chrys Fey says
I think karma is a very good concept to believe in. If you think doing something bad will come back to you…threefold…then you won't do anything bad.
Congratulations to Sylvia!!!
Nancy Weeks says
Congrats Sylvia! Here is my glass-half-full moment for the day. I would love to come back because my purpose here is to learn how to be the best person I can be. Each new life would hopefully get me closer to that goal. Y'all are welcome to visit my K challenge. Hugs!
T. Powell Coltrin says
Congrats to Sylvia! I'm not sure I believe in Karma, but it's a great thought.
Sarah Foster says
I'd probably want to be a cat, too. They seem to have an easy life π
Natalie Aguirre says
Karma is a pretty cool concept. Not sure how I'd come back.
Annalisa Crawford says
Noting how pampered and lazy my cat is, I have to say that's probably the best option π
Annalisa, writing A-Z vignettes, at Wake Up, Eat, Write, Sleep
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Congratulations, Sylvia!
I don't believe in it anyway, but I certainly wouldn't want to come back. One life on earth is enough.