Constantly having to come up with BS to justify my excesses is exhausting, so it’s a relief to discover actual proof that supports one of my habits.  Recently in the news, two separate scientific findings show that not only is coffee safe but it has incredible health benefits. 

According to one of these findings it’s the fountain of youth.  In the article, “Act Your (real) Age – YOU Control Your Rate of Aging,” from The Costco Connection, Sept 2011, Dr. Mehmet C. Oz and Dr. Michael F. Roizen both recommend drinking three or more cups of coffee a day as number 5 on the top 10 list of tips on how to make your real age younger.  In it they also claim it decreases your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.  Another unrelated article that appears in the Oct 2011 issue of the Bottom Line sites that “Coffee protects against aggressive cancers of the prostate and breast… Recent finding: Women who drank more than five cups of coffee a day had a 57% lower risk for ER-negative breast cancer – the most aggressive subtype – than women who drank less than one cup a day.  Men who consumed six or more cups of coffee daily had a 60% lower risk for lethal prostate cancer.  The coffee in the women’s study was caffeinated…in the men’s study, both regular and decaffeinated coffee reduced the risk for cancer.”  Wellness Institute, Cleveland Clinic. 

Yes!  Meet me at Starbucks?

If you are wondering what kind of dog I have, she's an "Australian Brindle Hound."  Her disposition is as pleasant and loving as the name sounds.  I have to confess, she wasn't always an Australian Brindle Hound.  She used to be a Pit Bull.  Can you believe it?

It was horrible.  Every time Lori, my wife, and I would be out with Gabby and people would approach to ask us what kind of dog Gabby was, once we said, "She's a Pit Bull,"  the color would drain from their faces and if they happened to have a child with them they'd snatch them up quick and look at us with, "how could you?"

Soon we both dreaded hearing the question and if asked I began to immediately explain how sweet she is, that we have 2 cats she loves, that not all Pit Bulls are bad, that it depends how they are raised, etc... It was so much work.  I would even catch myself firing off a quick Pit Bull history lesson on how at the turn of last Century the Pit Bull, AKA, the American Staffordshire Terrier, was considered America's Sweetheart breed.  Theodore Roosevelt had one, the Buster Brown dog was a Pit, so was Petey on the Little Rascals, Wells Fargo's mascot was a Pit, and even Helen Keller's guide dog was a Pit Bull.  All fascinating stuff, but it never seemed to convince anyone, besides it was exhausting.

Then something wonderful happened.  One day while Lori and I were having lunch at an outdoor cafe with Gabby a couple at the table next to us asked the dreaded question.  "What kind of dog is that?"  I took a deep breath and tentatively let it out, "She's a Pit Bull."  The lady immediately responded, "I thought so, we had a Pit Bull exactly like her.  She was so sweet.  She loved our grand kids."  Lori and I were overjoyed.  Someone knew the truth about Gabby and most Pit Bulls.  I began to tell the woman how most people freak out when they hear she is a Pit Bull.  While the lady was loving up Gabby she said, "I know isn't that terrible, my husband would tell people she was an Australian Brindle Hound."  Lori and I were blown away, could it be that simple?

From that day on Gabby was no longer a Pit Bull she became an Australian Brindle Hound.  As we began introducing her we discovered that everyone loves an Australian Brindle Hound.  Some people, after we answer their question as to what breed she is, have told us how they thought that she was an Australian Brindle Hound by her sweet disposition!  At first I was concerned I was being deceptive.  But then I realized introducing Gabby as an Australian Brindle Hound wasn't deceptive, introducing her as a Pit Bull was.  And although Australian Brindle Hounds only exist in that wonderfully sweet and loving part of everyone's imagination, so does the notorious Pit Bull.  So just like someone once said, "I thought she was an Australian Brindle Hound by her sweet disposition."  So she must be.

*The actual history of the "Australian Brindle Hound," aka the American Pit Bull Terrier is even more fascinating than you probably imagine.  Click here to read about how this heroic breed played an important role as an American Mascot.

*Just in case you need some more reassurance about Gabby, click here to visit Bad Rap - for all the monster myths you may have heard about Pit Bulls, along with the facts you probably haven't. 

Two weeks ago I walked into my regular Monday evening group where I get together with others to discuss the benefits of the practical use of spiritual principles in our everyday lives.  I sat down and before we got started one of the members asked me if we could talk?  I was reluctant since I never really liked this guy, he’s aggressive and I had a run in with him before.  Well, this time was no different.  He proceeded to loudly point out everything he believes is despicable about me.  Apparently this was brought on because he perceived that I had said something about him that was none of my business.  My initial urge was to become defensive but I resisted and did the best I could with the classic, “That was not my intention.  I’m sorry you feel that way.”  He marched off aggressively mumbling to himself.  I just wanted to get up and leave.  “Screw this place; I don’t need to subject myself to these people.  For what?” I thought.  But another, newer member witnessed the entire event and asked if I was OK.  I said, “Yeah, I’ve been through worse.”  Now I knew I had to remain put.  I needed to act like the adult not let this rattle me or worse tempt me to act childishly no matter how justified.  I stuck it out and so did the guy who was angry with me.  I participated positively when called on and fought off my thoughts of condemnation by reminding myself that his outburst defined him more than it did me.  This did little to change my feelings toward him, but at least prevented me from doing or saying something I would regret later.  When the meeting was over I still smarted and was justifying why I will never come back again.  But I knew better, I can’t win like this.  No matter how many people like me and may agree with me when I bring this guy up and give my description of what happened, it will not bring me peace.  Neither would my repeating the thought in my head of how, “I wish this guy would finally get the trouble he’s looking for so he’d be taken out once and for all.”  I knew the only thing that would work, no matter how contrary to what I may feel, would be for me to send him thoughts of love.  Reminding myself that he’s a scared soul that just wants to feel safe and loved.

So that evening I began.  Every time I thought of this guy I sent him love.  I’d see him in my mind’s eye smiling, happy, feeling loved and safe.  It wasn’t easy, but a lot more relaxing than coming up with malicious thoughts of getting even.  That evening before bed I was reading a book and this jumped off the page.

“Be absolutely undisturbed by injustice and send good-will to all concerned.  ‘My good-will is a strong tower round me.  I now transmute enemies into friends, all inharmony into harmony, all injustice into justice.’ You will be amazed at the working of the law.”

Coincidence?  I chose to see it as divine guidance, reinforcing the idea that I was on the right track, so it became my goal.  In the days ahead I continued; whenever he came up in my mind and the urge to criticize him or wish him gone for good, I steered my thoughts toward love, for him to receive all the good I would want for myself.

A week went by and because of a previously scheduled speaking engagement I missed the following Monday’s get together.  So last night was my first time back since the incident two weeks prior.  I got there right before the start and when I saw this fellow seated in the meeting I genuinely felt happy to see him.  I even smiled in his direction and waved, “Hi!”  It didn’t look like he saw me but as I walked to my seat I was amazed.  I couldn’t believe it.  This wasn’t a forced feeling of acceptance; I had no animosity in my heart at all.  It was incredible and that alone would have been wonderful if that were all that happened but there was more to follow.  When the meeting ended and I was milling around saying my “Good-bye’s” this guy, who just two weeks earlier was ready to tear my head off walked right up to me.  He was smiling with his arms outstretched as if to give me a big hug and said, “Darrell, I’m sorry about last week, man.”  Before I could finish saying, “It’s OK man, we’re all learning.”  “I know, but I was too aggressive and it was wrong.  Are we OK?”  I smiled at him, shook hands, and said, “Yes we are.” 

No matter how many times I experience the incredibly positive outcomes that occur when I comply with the laws of spirit; my initial impulse is always to do the contrary.  Thank God, that at least I am aware that these principles exist and that more often than not I’m willing to surrender to love than to fight my way through fear.