Christine Smith's Blog

My Recording of “The Woman in Me” at Red Karoake

My first recording at Red Karaoke. I invite you to listen.

The Woman in me – Vote for my rendition!

Christmas Eve Day, 2011, video at my home

Sharing my Colorado Rocky Mountain paradise with you. Merry Christmas! Approx. 6 min. video (YouTube) I made at my home on the morning of Dec. 24, 2011. CLICK HERE TO VIEW.

Christmas Greeting from Father and me

Christmas Greeting from father and me – Click here.

Peace

“Peace” is a word often heard, especially during the Christmas season. It is said, written, sung, and prayed – but is it lived? How does one who believes in love, and in bringing peace to every situation, maintain peace within when the world around them is filled with just the opposite?

Are you living in freedom relating to others or by obligation?

Truth is the prerequisite to peace. If an individual, a group of persons, or an activity is not about truth, it will trouble you to the degree you voluntarily choose to interact with it.

Peace is of God. Let peace and its joy and contentment be born in you this Christmas. Love yourself, and you will love others. Remaining peaceful allows you to share peace with others.

Here are some things I’ve learned about maintaining and nurturing peace within. I invite you to view my latest video “Peace” (10 minutes length) : CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO AT YOUTUBE.

Christmas Wreath, Father and me

Put up our Christmas wreath which I made – it is always Christmas in our home. I took my father’s photo, then he took mine, then I made this photo collage. (November 22, 2011)

The Difference Between (libertarian) minarchists and anarchists

The principle of freedom cannot be compromised.

While minarchists say they reject big government, they often condone the police, courts, and prisons – thus saying the collective “good” of those justifies the evil coercive/violent authority of government.

The simple truth is you either have faith in freedom or faith in government.

I invite you to view my latest video sharing some points which helped me evolve from minarchist to anarchist (8 minutes length) :

CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO AT YOUTUBE

Father and me (photos, Nov. 15, 2011)

I Don’t Play Games

“Play the game” say many in regards to the personal, social, business and political arenas.

Some have expressed much anger because I don’t play the game in politics, but the most interesting phenomena is that of those who consider themselves good persons who espouse the value of honesty and truth, but who will simultaneously advocate deceit in order to get something they want.

I invite you to view my 8-minute video as I’d like to share examples of where people rationalize “playing the game”- and my choice to do just the opposite in all areas of my life and where it’s led me.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MY VIDEO, “I Don’t Play Games,” ON YOUTUBE.

My first KARAOKE Channel video-singing “What Made You Say That”

Sharing my first KARAOKE Channel recording. After a long day’s work, thought I’d try this and sing a song:

CHRISTINE SMITH sings WHAT MADE YOU SAY THAT in the style of SHANIA TWAIN

Use it or Lose it!

Your physical, sexual, emotional, mental and spiritual happiness and healthiness depends on it. If you say ‘no’ to natural desires, I think you begin to die right then. Life is to be lived!

Neglect any part of your being, and your entire life suffers.

Repression and inhibition is unnatural and unhealthy and will certainly make you unhappy. Be true to your whole self.

Most of my friends/acquaintances care about freedom in their life, but you must not neglect personal freedom and focus only on political/societal freedom. Freedom begins with you!

I invite you to view my latest video ( 7 minutes length) :

Use it or Lose it! CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO AT YOUTUBE

Easter 2011, Gratitude, Love, Grace, Freedom

Spiritually, this time is a commemoration and a celebration of the ultimate freedom, given to us by grace.

Jesus died in His love for us, and taught us to love one another. All that we do in life, all that we teach through our interactions with others, if out of love, will bring beauty and joy. I share a few thoughts below with you this Easter 2011.

For me, this is a blessed time, both being Good Friday and Easter this Sunday, and a time in my life when my endeavoring to love others is paramount, my devotion to freedom and to sharing its truth at a height, and my joy overflowing. I am abundantly blessed, and for all in my life, from my loving father, my home in the mountains, to all the abundance I have been given, I thank God the Father, his Son Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and Mother Mary for an example of virtue I treasure.

An Easter Message (I wrote March 23, 2008) which I wish to share again with my friends is below – it includes a link to a beautiful piece written by Jacob G. Hornberger from 1999. This is followed by what I believe, The Catholic Apostles Creed, and a few favorite scriptures from the book of John.
A Blessed Easter to my friends.  — Christine Smith

Think about it–everything we espouse as libertarians–comes down to essentially respecting the free will, the sovereignty, of the individual…of individual rights. To me, that is at the heart of what love is.

On this Easter, a time of reflection and contemplation for me, I simply want to share a belief I hold and endeavor to live/practice as it is fundamental to how I wish to relate to others and fundamental to my adherence to libertarian principles. I believe we should live teaching only love through all we do, for love is what we are.

We, as libertarians, as individuals, come from many different backgrounds including the religious or spiritual beliefs we may hold or perhaps once held…we are diverse…but the common denominator we all share is our commitment to advancing liberty.  There are often many a practical, logical, pragmatic and therefore powerful argument for each libertarian solution we offer to share with others – and it is they I focus upon most often – but for me, and a few others I’ve had the blessing of meeting, there is also a deep commitment to liberty based upon the ethical, the spiritual, and the moral.  It’s not often something we necessarily have oft the opportunity to share, but today I decided I wanted to share a few personal beliefs.

To me, nothing is more loving to my brothers and sisters than wanting to achieve and working for liberty.  Using their free will, each individual chooses for themselves how they wish to live, with the only qualification that it not initiate force (harm) against another.  Think about it–everything we espouse as libertarians–comes down to essentially respecting the free will, the sovereignty, of the individual…of individual rights.  To me, that is at the heart of what love is.  Love is not conditional; it is not about control; it is neither hungry for power or greedy.  Love, too, is strong, bold and courageous.  Love, for me, is the fundamental basis of my libertarianism.  Libertarian principles illumine what is otherwise a very dark arena – politics.  It is such principles this nation was founded upon, and to which we must fight to return.

Sure, I’m proficient (and always learning) at sharing the many aspects (statistics, facts) we have as libertarians at our disposal to support our principles and solutions, but, again, on this Easter morning I would like to share another aspect, a personal aspect of my beliefs, with you…and I would like to do so by simply directing you to a beautiful piece entitled “Freedom is the Key to Life’s Short Journey,” a piece written by Jacob Hornberger in 1999…when I first read it, I felt such a rapport with it – for it expresses precisely the thoughts, pondering, and beliefs I hold.  Thus, I share it with you:

Freedom is the Key to Life’s Short Journey
by Jacob G. Hornberger, May 1999

Peace,
Christine Smith

What I Believe:
The Catholic Apostles Creed

biblical selections from the Book of John, King James Version:

John Chapter 3:16-21:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

John Chapter 6
37-38: All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
47-48: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life.
51: I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

John Chapter 7
37-38: In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

John Chapter 10
27-30: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.

John Chapter 11
25-27: Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

John Chapter 12
26: If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
46: I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

John Chapter 14
1-4: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
21: He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

John Chapter 15
11-14: These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

John Chapter 16
33: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Prayer

Only when I cease to be in prayer, do I experience the feelings and thoughts I reject as untrue in life. In prayer, unceasing, the continuity thereof, I find myself in joy, contentment, peace, happiness…and only then I am able to share such with others.

Praying the Rosary is one of the most fruitful blessings and spiritual practices for my life.

The deep meditative time I’ve spent on each Mystery has brought peace and understanding into areas of myself I needed help with to become stronger in understanding and in action. Those who have never prayed in this manner, but are thoughtful and seeking, will likely not understand my comments upon it, as you will view it only from a detached sense. But I can speak for myself, my life has been manifold enhanced by it.

It is for me one of the “forms” of prayer which has benefited me…thus I share my experience with you. But let me broaden my comment here, to speak of prayer, no matter the form it takes.

There is indeed a spiritual battle, a spiritual hunger and thirst resulting from the spiritual void in the world of man…being in this world, but not of it, requires contemplative prayer/meditation (of whatever faith or belief may resonate with you). For me, deep study and contemplation often upon the Mysteries of the Rosary has been most fruitful, strengthening, reassuring, encouraging and incredibly helpful in all manner of my life.

God is love. Love is of God.

It is not a matter of defining and limiting, but opening to this truth which brings swells of contentment and a peace not otherwise experienced.

At times prayer is in words, but it transforms into something beyond words as one meditates upon the teaching being given to one’s heart. Prayer of words begins the process, and the Holy Spirit takes over, and lessons and messages flow into my heart – sometimes still to my amazement. Then, at other times, prayer is not of words or even emanating from them necessarily from an earlier time, but is a spontaneous happening – a communication heard, received, and then only then, do I respond (my mind then putting words into affect). At such times, I sometimes refrain from words as well, for they are of my mind, and experience only occurs.

Prayer, then, isn’t merely a practice, but perhaps more so a training for an experience far beyond that which our minds grasp. It is at all times when light overcomes our own darkness within. It whisks us from time, from space, from all the mind and society would have distract us, and brings us the ultimate truth. It is not experience of emotionalism or pleading, but of humbly receiving that which you never knew before or needed to be reminded of as only God can reveal…your heart must be willing.

In my life, it is not an obligation or duty to perform, but a blessing, a delight, and a revelation of how much I do not know and need to evolve. When it is a prayer for another, it is my joining, only joining, with that which God would have for them as well – knowledge of Him, of grace, of Love. And my fervent desire, is that I maintain such love for all, and in all I do. (Though I fail at this-making mistakes whenever I at all let any degree of fear (lack of love) affect me-my endeavor is to identify such and return to truth, to love, to become stronger so as not to fall or lapse into fear-induced feelings at all.)

For me, I seek for my life to be a prayer.

I wish you well.

Sharing a few photos – snow, new eyeglasses – good day :)

Went to the city to pick up my glasses yesterday (brought firewood in before I left) and had a delicious meal at a restaurant (a friend recommended a new (to me) Tex/Mex place I hadn’t been before). Just sharing a photo after bringing wood in while I was out in the snow, and sharing a couple photos with my new glasses since so many of my friends and acquaintances provided suggestions to me as these are my first eyeglasses (and several of you sent emails saying I must post pictures).

I was amazed, yes amazed, when I was reading the menu, squinting a bit, then I opened my purse and slipped on my new glasses and –voila!– the menu was super clear. Yes, I felt like a child discovering something new, as this is my first time wearing corrective lenses. Have the premium progressive type, non-glare, scratch resistant, so that I can easily switch from the computer screen to my notebook when I’m taking notes, or from a reading a book to my notepad to computer screen with ease. I spend many hours reading books, researching online, and writing (typing or pen on paper)…so it was time to ease the eye strain. They are for work in my study requiring seeing text whether in a book or on my computer clearly – as I was having difficulty and eye fatigue and strain switching back and forth. Now, with these on, I realize my avid reading will now be much more agreeable.

A special thank you to those who friends who offered advice for choosing my eyeglasses. You suggestions on frame selection, type of lenses and coatings, etc., was most helpful!

Photos below: 1. Before leaving, brought in firewood, taken at my mountain cabin, it’s been cold!
2. Wearing my glasses for first time at the restaurant- helped me read the menu! Was hungry by this time of day, since I did much at home, including outside, and once arriving at the city, and all on a very light breakfast prior to leaving.

Dec. 25, 2010 photos: me, my father, mountains

Took these photos Christmas morning. The mountain photos were taken just outside my home.

My Christmas Video Message For You

It’s Christmas Day. I had just returned from outside from walking around in the brisk coolness and bright sunshine, made a fire in the woodstove, and then sat down in front of my webcam with a cup of peppermint tea to record this video for my friends, acquaintances and colleagues.