Glenn Stewart Coles, 9251 Yonge Street, Suite 8-924, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, L4C 9T3

Text Box: Sometimes people think that I am strange. On some occasions they will come right out and tell me. Other times I notice the quizzical look, the squinted eyebrows and tilted head that indicate wonder and confusion. Though each person is unique, sometimes people look at me as if I have truly gone beyond the barriers of normality.

People think I am strange for my viewpoint about world events. I do not hate the Iraqis or Iranians or Chinese or any other group. I tend to see every group as a combination of people, and people cannot be stereotyped. While I may not agree with the political stance of a party or nation, I realize that people have rationalized justification for their thoughts and actions. Feeling hate for a person, group or nation only makes things worse. It is through compassion and sharing that we can make the world better.

People think I am strange for the variety in my life. While I have worked standard jobs deemed socially acceptable, I have included many experiences in my life. I have run for mayor, dressed as Santa Claus, given professional massages and led drum circles. Sometimes the hardest question that people ask me is ‘what do you do?’

People think that I am strange for my perceptions. I have been seeing auras for years, and consider my awareness of auras ‘knowing’ rather than ‘belief’. I have heard voices when people aren’t there and choose to listen to them. I can feel an energy field around people with my hands, face and chest. I even hear a constant high-pitched sound, almost like a ringing in my ears. However I know that it is not just my hearing, since the sound disappears when I am in the country. It is only in cities that I perceive the sound that I identify as an electromagnetic field.

People think that I am strange for the way I treat animals. I realize that each animal is unique and has feelings. I allow my cats to sleep on my bed, walk on my furniture and eat from my plate. I say good morning to the squirrels when they shake their tails at me. I recognize the power and symbolism of animals when they enter my life and learn lessons from them. I recently saw an aura around a spider and realized that it too is a life force. When I catch an insect or mouse in the house, I take it outside and let it go free.  

People think that I am strange because of my interests and beliefs. I have studied most world religions, and lean towards Buddhism and Taoism. I accept the influence of Asian culture, including tai chi, falun gong, reiki and chi gong. I include Native American spiritualism in my beliefs, and have attended sweat lodges and worked with shamans. I am interested in the beliefs of Pagans, Wiccans and Druids and feel that they have much to teach the world. Ultimately I am open to anything mystical and continuously seek enlightenment.

People think that I am strange for my optimism. I choose to see the light in each day and attempt to find joy no matter what my circumstance. I choose to see each person as a shining soul and to believe that there is good in everyone. I also choose not to get angry at traffic. Once during a traffic jam I referred to the mass of cars around me as ‘road-buddies’. That phrase really resulted in a look of wonder.

People think I am strange for continually retaining hope. I believe that the world is a wonderful place. I believe that things are good and though we have challenges we can make the world better. I believe that our history is fascinating, that the moment of now is glorious and our future has great potential. I believe that we have the capability of creating a paradise that can be the glory of the universe. Ultimately I believe that love is stronger than hate, that peace is stronger than war and that hope is stronger than despair.

What I find strange are people who choose to lead their lives in anger and pain and despair. I think it is strange for people to feel hatred for others, even when they have not met. I think it is strange to carry anger for days, weeks, months and years, long after the event that triggered the anger. I think it is strange to get upset over the name of a teddy bear. 

I choose to accept my role in the creation of every interaction and experience in my life. I choose to move forward with light and love. Ultimately I choose to feel blessed for my family, friends, capabilities and experiences. Sounds strange, doesn’t it?



© Copyright Glenn Stewart Coles, 2007


First Published December 2, 2007

People Are Strange

 

It is through compassion and sharing that we can make the world better.


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