The Sun, the Moon, the Stars and Maya

8142019 The Sun the Moon the Stars and Maya

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-sun-the-moon-the-stars-and-maya 117



Co983152yright copy 2013 Rich Okun

Al983148 rights re983155983141983154v983141983140 No part of 983156his b983151ok may b983141 use983140 or 983154e983152983154o983140uc983141d by an983161 means graphic el983141983139tronic or me983139hanic983137l

including phot983151983139o983152ying re983139o983154ding taping or by an983161 i983150formation st983151rage 983154983141tri983141val sy983155tem withou983156 the writ983156en

p983141rmis983155983145on 983151f the publisher 983141xcept in 983156he cas983141 of brief quota983156i983151ns emb983151die983140 983145n cr983145ti983139al 983137rticles and revi983141ws

Balb983151983137 Pres983155 b983151oks may b983141 orde983154983141983140 throug983144 b983151oksel983148983141rs o983154 by c983151nta983139983156ing

Balb983151983137 Pres983155

A Div983145sion 983151f Hay 983112ouse

169830943 Lib983141rty D983154iveBlo983151mingto983150 IN 4798309203

w983159wbal983138983151983137pres983155c983151m

1-(87983095) 40983095-983092847

Be983139aus983141 of the dynamic nature of the Int983141r983150e983156 any we983138 ad983140res983155983141983155 or links c983151ntai983150e983140 983145983150 this b983151ok may h983137ve change983140

sinc983141 publicat983145on a983150d m983137y no l983151983150ger b983141 valid The vi983141ws expr983141s983155e983140 in th983145s work a983154e sol983141983148y those 983151f the author and 983140983151

not 983150e983139983141s983155arily 983154efl983141983139t 983156he vi983141ws of the publisher and the publisher 983144983141983154e983138y discla983145ms 983137ny resp983151n983155ib983145lity for them

Any p983141o983152le d983141picte983140 in sto983139k imagery p983154ovid983141983140 by Thinksto983139983147 are mo983140983141ls and

such images 983137r983141 being use983140 for il983148ustra983156ive pur983152983151se983155 only

Certain sto983139k imagery copy Thinksto983139983147

ISBN 978-1-452983093-7169-0 (sc)

ISBN 978-1-452983093-719830950-6 (e)

Libra983154y of C983151ngres983155 Contr983151l Numb983141r 20139983088642983094

Printe983140 in the Unite983140 S983156ates of America

Balb983151983137 Pres983155 983154983141v date 042983092983090013



mdashDEDICATION

Sometimes ndash Magic will appear in your life especially if you are looking for it Such magichas found me and it must be shared because you deserve some magic toohellip

- For my wonderful wife Kathleen daughter Nicole sister Val Mom Dad Maya SolomonRaven Phil Crystal Cynthia Sammy and all the ma ny magicians in my life past

present and future Thank youhellip Mitakuye Oyasin (all my relations in Lakota)

ldquoThe fact that I can plant a seed and it becomes a flower share a bit ofknowledge and it becomes anotherrsquos smile at someone and receive a smile in

return are to me continua l spiritual exercisesrdquo -- Leo Buscaglia

I must look deep withinthat is where I will findwhat you have givennot the noise of my mind

I feel the fearI see the wonderyou call me nearbut thoughts will plunder

For my heart to leadif allowed to beatmy fear will bleedand face defeat

So I look withinfor the answers soughtwith all that you have givennot quite what I thought

Each day is a celebration somake every day your foundation

This book is dedicated to you

Some illustrations are inspired by images from Vladmir Zotov Dragan TodorovicIsrael Fichman and Candy Avera wwwPicturePerfectbyCandycom

mdashD

i983145i



mdashPREFACEmdash

The Sun the Moon the Stars and Maya a collection of famous quotes along with short simple lyricalinterpretations about enormous spiritual matters presented by Maya the Shih Tzu puppy poet Each quotepoem is illustrated and is meant to elicit thoughtful discussion amongst family members related to theseoften-neglected spiritual and moral subjects with their children

The Sun the Moon the Stars a nd Maya and website are offered as my effort to contribute to a better worldMy story I have always wanted to do something creative When I was very young my mother encouraged myinvolvement in the arts At 6 years old I was the youngest member of the Art Studentsrsquo League of New Yorkacross from Carnegie Hall however my careers were a little bit of everything else including flying airplanesand corporate positions in both established and startup companies Nothing felt right and I was always a fishout of water wherever I had a job After leaving corporate America and trying a pa rtnership in online retail Ihad created a blog I wanted to explore the spiritual side of the business so I would take quotes from famouspeople and then write a short interpretation of that quote These became quite popular on the blog andthrough social media

In April 2011 our beloved Sammy a 15-year-old Shih Tzu died After months of watching me mope around mywife thought it was time for a new family member and it was evident that Maya chose us to be her family - Ihave been and am like Tevye the father from Fiddler on the Roof always talking to God asking advise offeringsuggestions sharing something funny a prayer or two etc For as long as I can remember and everyday sincelike so many other people I asked what should I be doing with my life why am I here how can I help One hotsummer day while walking Maya I heard a soft whisper inside my head guiding me to further develop thisformat using Maya as a muse and illustrating her in appropriate settings to help children and parents discussspiritual matters I decided to listen

ldquoAnd the day came when the risk to remain tightin a bud was more painful than the risk it tookto blossomrdquo -Anais Nin

I like it here itrsquos so nice and warmI feel I could disappear turning it into an ar t formItrsquos only when we feel the pullovercome the now and then and stop the bull

I would like to thank the many people in my lifethat have helped me but most of all I would liketo thank my wife Kathleen She is my greatestteacher my very best friend and my inspirationfor all things beautiful and has been so suppor tiveand loving throughout our entire life together

ldquoAs you go the way of lifeyou will see a great chasm JumpIt is not as wide as you think rdquo~ Native A merican proverbGo ahead and jumpyou know that you want toYou just might land on your rumpwith a different point of view

iv



mdashINTRODUCTIONmdash

Maya has a song to singhellip We all do Maya is a special puppy a Shih Tzu All puppies are specialbut Maya has two things that s tand out - the first is that she has rainbow colors all around herand the second is that she likes to recite her wisdoms in rhyme all the time When I read her

a famous quote a lyrical saying is the result She can also help adults and the child in us

- Mayarsquos story begins when Rich had a wish

There was a young boy who grew into a man with a long ago dream to see like Peter PanWanting magic and awe to fill all of his days but in order to see needed a special gaze

Then along came a puppy whose name is Maya She was about to inspire and set their worlds on fireBefore she got there she had already arrived the answer to a prayer that over time had su rvived

He could feel her coming and could hardly wait His heart was a drumming their life to createWas she a premonition Or just a wish This sweet little magician from start to finish

Who might these two be (asked an angel up high) ldquoAnyone and everyone they are you and IrdquoAnd so it began with love not disguise to achieve his plan and help open his eyes

That she was special was clear he knew right away Rainbow colors appear in the light of day He could tellby her style and the way that she looks Laug hter comes from her smile her sweet ways a re the hooks

That rainbow grew brighter with colors everywhere both darker and lighter gently dancing in her hairEars flopping along head sha ped like a heart Body slender and long she sure does seem smart

One day while reading a quote to his surprise she suddenly spoke so warm and so wise

Yes he heard her speak from inside of his head He started to freak when he heard what she said

She says everything lyrically it just comes out that way Recites simple poetry from the quotesothers say Young or old the words that she uses lets the truth be told in a way that she chooses

And what takes the cake is that she acts out the scenes of these wisdoms to bake and to clarifywhat she means She helps him make it through things he doesnrsquot understand She wants to helpyou too your wish is her command When you wish for a miracle they often come true for you

The Sun the Moon the Stars and Maya is a compilation of many different spiritual subjects thatMaya wanted to speak about ndash inspired by Rumirsquos quote that ldquoThe eyes are small but they seeenormous thingsrdquo here is The Su n the Moon the sta rs and Maya ndash a collection of little sayings

about enormous thingshellip She hopes to show you how to find the magic in the ordinary

There will be many more books ndash each with a different theme in the very near future Wealso provide a private link to a collection of audio readings of these quotespoems as well asfull sized high-resolution illustrations that you can download You can find those treasuresand much more herehellip ht tpwwwmaya-the-puppuppy-poetcombook_goodies

Whenever I am with her I ask the question ldquoWhat new adventure do you have in store forme What magic will you open my eyes to seerdquo and magic always happenshellip

1



Chapter 1

MiraclesldquoThe miracle is not to fly in the air or to walk on the water but to walk on the earthrdquo ~Chinese Proverb

Therersquos no need for frills

or looking for ghosts

or seeking big thrills

nor spiritual boasts

What life makes

is so extraordinary

there are no mistakes

only magic in the ordinary

There is magic in the air everywhere

Just look and you will find it there

2



Cursing the Rain

Many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head and knows not thatit brings abundance to drive away the hunger ~ Saint Basil

We want everything to be nice

making a list and counting it twice

But it doesnrsquot always go that way

the lsquonicersquo may be caught in timersquos delay

Instead of seeing it as a curse

why not try looking in reverse

3



Trust More

I think we may safely trust a good deal more than we do ~Henry David Thoreau

What does it feel like

to have no doubt

of all the things

I canrsquot know about

Perhaps this kind

of faith and trust

will sprinkle upon me

its magical fairy dust

Watch my Rising

ldquoYoursquove seen my descent Now watch my risingrdquo mdashRumi

Into this world we come

each to the beat of a different drum

We stumble we fall

we try our best to recall

what we may have forgotten

while sometimes acting rotten

But once we awaken

ever so gently shaken

we examine our lives

and decide how best to embrace

an ever-growing state of grace

4



Around the Bend

ldquoWhen things just donrsquot work out as good as you really thought they would Itrsquos not rotten itrsquos not overitrsquos not finished or the end All it means is something better is waiting for you around the bendrdquomdash Doe Zantamata

Arenrsquot you tired of those positive quotes that promote the misfired and donrsquot really float your boats

But in realityrsquos experience you will find that itrsquos true

Without your own interference therersquos something better for you

5



You have a body

ldquoYou donrsquot have a soul You are a soul You have a bodyrdquo mdash CS Lewis

Silly us to think this way

Busy worry guilty is all we can say

Pushed and pulled swayed and stayed

Not realizing how much we have paid

But we can sing our truth out loud

when we no longer cling to the crowd

6



Godrsquos Gift

ldquoYour talent is Godrsquos gift to you what you do with it is your gift to Godrdquo ~Leo Buscaglia

Each of us brings something to the table

Try as we might do what we are able

Unmask in this journey that never ends

Enter true meaning that allows and transcends

Once Imagined

lsquoWhat is now proved was once imaginedrsquomdashWilliam Blake

How many times

are our facts portrayed

with a bell that chimesor a noisy parade

But every proof is a seed

of a thought once discredited

It took some courage to lead

from the dark brightly edited

7



Who do I think I am

ldquoAlways aim for the Moon even if you miss yoursquoll land among the starsrdquo - W Clement Stone

Just who do I think I a m Dare compare to such a great

I dunno it just happens so itrsquos my destiny itrsquos my fate

I may ask why shouldnrsquot it be this way

Are you up to the task is today the day

Or maybe tomorrow yes tomorrow might be better than today Shed no tears in sorrow

any time will point the way

Start or wait it doesnrsquot matter

Simply create then watch your illusions shatter

And just then there will be an opening

right where an opening s hould be So yes dare compare

8



Its not how it looks

ldquoSome changes look negative on the surfacebut you will soon realize that space is

being created in your life for something

new to emergerdquo mdash Eckhart Tolle

Sometimes it just works out this way

that things can look so bleak

lsquoWhatrsquos wrongrsquo some will ask and say

lsquoyoursquore not operating at your peakrsquo

But not to worry its not how it looks

Though your vision be blurry

its how a gourmet chef cooks

Messy and disorganized

until its essence is realized

No circle of hysteria

to square your lifersquos sacred area

Create Create

ldquoYou may not be a Picasso or Mozartbut you donrsquot have to be Just create to

create Create to remind yourself yoursquorestill alive Make stuff to inspire others tomake something too Create to learn a bit

more about yourselfrdquo mdash Frederick Terral

Are the things we value what help us to grow

Are our thoughts tried and trueInquiring minds want to know

We are who we are and we are all we can be

That doesnrsquot mean we canrsquot improveor that we might just get lucky

But whatrsquos most at risk is if we donrsquot allow

That creative force to kiss across our brow

To drive us towards our purpose our being

Written in our records createcreate says the all-seeing

9



Days are wide open

Grow old with me The best is yet to be

~Robert Browning

As I look in the mirror and see the years past

I know and understand that time is not long las t

I remember when younger so filled with possibilities

Waking with that hunger eager to explore

new capabilities

But now not so wide open as I once saw life to be

Even if unspoken its a subtle reality

I found my solution a fashion of that magic stuff

Now my days are wide open not so tragic or tough

Nothingrsquos Impossible

ldquoNothing is impossible the word itself s ays Irsquom possiblerdquomdash Audrey Hepburn

A word play with meaning thatrsquos really so trueDefinitions convening as if right on queue

Wersquove got it all backwards in the ways that we thinkOur thoughts casually discard all coincidences in sync

Donrsquot limit your cause or put your life on pa useBelieve in your ME and be all you can BE

10



Miracle of a flower

If we could see the miracle of asingle flower clearly our whole

life would change ~ Buddha

To look deep

within a flower

swelled promise must keep

to understand its power

The wondrous mystery

of it all

Will lend a rich history

to the call

Do Nothing

To do nothing is sometimes a good remedymdashHippocrates

So many things that can hap pen making it hard to predict

Fixing things is our passion but whose action just may conflict

There are times when the flow is not the normal one you know

Where looking outside can turn and make a young man yearn

for an inner resolve to find that balance evolve

allowing the flowering of your soulrsquos empowering

1983089



Chapter 2

Heart

Practical life teaches us that people may differand that both may be wrong it also teaches us

that people may differ and both be right Anchor

yourself fast in the latter faith or the former willsweep your heart away

~Augustus William Hare and Julius Charles Hare

Itrsquos a matter of how you see things

to get the proper view

A good perspective always brings

peace in your heart to ensue

No need for others to be wrongWe all sing our most beautiful song

All of us are doing the best that we can

following our versions of the exact same plan

We may have a dif ferent delusion

often being right is only an illusion

12



Love calls

ldquoLove callsmdasheverywhere and always Wersquore sky bound Are you comingrdquo mdashRumi

Where do we come from

Where do we goThe void is the sum

of all that we know

Is it dark and empty

as some have said

Or filled with spirit

and love instead

Everyone belongs

to this song of songs

Deepest Essence

ldquoPerhaps all the dragonsin our lives are princesses

who are only waiting tosee us act just oncewith beauty and couragePerhaps everythingthat frightens us is inits deepest essencesomething helplessthat wants our loverdquomdash Rainer Maria Rilke

When you really look

at what drivesour behavior

fear is the hook

and love is the savior

13



Co983152yright copy 2013 Rich Okun

Al983148 rights re983155983141983154v983141983140 No part of 983156his b983151ok may b983141 use983140 or 983154e983152983154o983140uc983141d by an983161 means graphic el983141983139tronic or me983139hanic983137l

including phot983151983139o983152ying re983139o983154ding taping or by an983161 i983150formation st983151rage 983154983141tri983141val sy983155tem withou983156 the writ983156en

p983141rmis983155983145on 983151f the publisher 983141xcept in 983156he cas983141 of brief quota983156i983151ns emb983151die983140 983145n cr983145ti983139al 983137rticles and revi983141ws

Balb983151983137 Pres983155 b983151oks may b983141 orde983154983141983140 throug983144 b983151oksel983148983141rs o983154 by c983151nta983139983156ing

Balb983151983137 Pres983155

A Div983145sion 983151f Hay 983112ouse

169830943 Lib983141rty D983154iveBlo983151mingto983150 IN 4798309203

w983159wbal983138983151983137pres983155c983151m

1-(87983095) 40983095-983092847

Be983139aus983141 of the dynamic nature of the Int983141r983150e983156 any we983138 ad983140res983155983141983155 or links c983151ntai983150e983140 983145983150 this b983151ok may h983137ve change983140

sinc983141 publicat983145on a983150d m983137y no l983151983150ger b983141 valid The vi983141ws expr983141s983155e983140 in th983145s work a983154e sol983141983148y those 983151f the author and 983140983151

not 983150e983139983141s983155arily 983154efl983141983139t 983156he vi983141ws of the publisher and the publisher 983144983141983154e983138y discla983145ms 983137ny resp983151n983155ib983145lity for them

Any p983141o983152le d983141picte983140 in sto983139k imagery p983154ovid983141983140 by Thinksto983139983147 are mo983140983141ls and

such images 983137r983141 being use983140 for il983148ustra983156ive pur983152983151se983155 only

Certain sto983139k imagery copy Thinksto983139983147

ISBN 978-1-452983093-7169-0 (sc)

ISBN 978-1-452983093-719830950-6 (e)

Libra983154y of C983151ngres983155 Contr983151l Numb983141r 20139983088642983094

Printe983140 in the Unite983140 S983156ates of America

Balb983151983137 Pres983155 983154983141v date 042983092983090013



mdashDEDICATION













mdashD

i983145i



mdashPREFACEmdash








iv





















1



Chapter 1






What life makes

is so extraordinary





2



Cursing the Rain








3



Trust More



to have no doubt

of all the things


Perhaps this kind

of faith and trust



Watch my Rising




We stumble we fall




But once we awaken





4



Around the Bend





5



You have a body








6



Godrsquos Gift






Once Imagined


How many times







7



Who do I think I am












8


















Create Create












9



Days are wide open


~Robert Browning





new capabilities










10



Miracle of a flower



To look deep

within a flower




of it all


to the call

Do Nothing








1983089



Chapter 2

Heart














12



Love calls




of all that we know


as some have said


and love instead

Everyone belongs


Deepest Essence





fear is the hook


13



mdashDEDICATION













mdashD

i983145i



mdashPREFACEmdash








iv





















1



Chapter 1






What life makes

is so extraordinary





2



Cursing the Rain








3



Trust More



to have no doubt

of all the things


Perhaps this kind

of faith and trust



Watch my Rising




We stumble we fall




But once we awaken





4



Around the Bend





5



You have a body








6



Godrsquos Gift






Once Imagined


How many times







7



Who do I think I am












8


















Create Create












9



Days are wide open


~Robert Browning





new capabilities










10



Miracle of a flower



To look deep

within a flower




of it all


to the call

Do Nothing








1983089



Chapter 2

Heart














12



Love calls




of all that we know


as some have said


and love instead

Everyone belongs


Deepest Essence





fear is the hook


13



mdashPREFACEmdash








iv





















1



Chapter 1






What life makes

is so extraordinary





2



Cursing the Rain








3



Trust More



to have no doubt

of all the things


Perhaps this kind

of faith and trust



Watch my Rising




We stumble we fall




But once we awaken





4



Around the Bend





5



You have a body








6



Godrsquos Gift






Once Imagined


How many times







7



Who do I think I am












8


















Create Create












9



Days are wide open


~Robert Browning





new capabilities










10



Miracle of a flower



To look deep

within a flower




of it all


to the call

Do Nothing








1983089



Chapter 2

Heart














12



Love calls




of all that we know


as some have said


and love instead

Everyone belongs


Deepest Essence





fear is the hook


13





















1



Chapter 1






What life makes

is so extraordinary





2



Cursing the Rain








3



Trust More



to have no doubt

of all the things


Perhaps this kind

of faith and trust



Watch my Rising




We stumble we fall




But once we awaken





4



Around the Bend





5



You have a body








6



Godrsquos Gift






Once Imagined


How many times







7



Who do I think I am












8


















Create Create












9



Days are wide open


~Robert Browning





new capabilities










10



Miracle of a flower



To look deep

within a flower




of it all


to the call

Do Nothing








1983089



Chapter 2

Heart














12



Love calls




of all that we know


as some have said


and love instead

Everyone belongs


Deepest Essence





fear is the hook


13



Chapter 1






What life makes

is so extraordinary





2



Cursing the Rain








3



Trust More



to have no doubt

of all the things


Perhaps this kind

of faith and trust



Watch my Rising




We stumble we fall




But once we awaken





4



Around the Bend





5



You have a body








6



Godrsquos Gift






Once Imagined


How many times







7



Who do I think I am












8


















Create Create












9



Days are wide open


~Robert Browning





new capabilities










10



Miracle of a flower



To look deep

within a flower




of it all


to the call

Do Nothing








1983089



Chapter 2

Heart














12



Love calls




of all that we know


as some have said


and love instead

Everyone belongs


Deepest Essence





fear is the hook


13



Cursing the Rain








3



Trust More



to have no doubt

of all the things


Perhaps this kind

of faith and trust



Watch my Rising




We stumble we fall




But once we awaken





4



Around the Bend





5



You have a body








6



Godrsquos Gift






Once Imagined


How many times







7



Who do I think I am












8


















Create Create












9



Days are wide open


~Robert Browning





new capabilities










10



Miracle of a flower



To look deep

within a flower




of it all


to the call

Do Nothing








1983089



Chapter 2

Heart














12



Love calls




of all that we know


as some have said


and love instead

Everyone belongs


Deepest Essence





fear is the hook


13



Trust More



to have no doubt

of all the things


Perhaps this kind

of faith and trust



Watch my Rising




We stumble we fall




But once we awaken





4



Around the Bend





5



You have a body








6



Godrsquos Gift






Once Imagined


How many times







7



Who do I think I am












8


















Create Create












9



Days are wide open


~Robert Browning





new capabilities










10



Miracle of a flower



To look deep

within a flower




of it all


to the call

Do Nothing








1983089



Chapter 2

Heart














12



Love calls




of all that we know


as some have said


and love instead

Everyone belongs


Deepest Essence





fear is the hook


13



Around the Bend





5



You have a body








6



Godrsquos Gift






Once Imagined


How many times







7



Who do I think I am












8


















Create Create












9



Days are wide open


~Robert Browning





new capabilities










10



Miracle of a flower



To look deep

within a flower




of it all


to the call

Do Nothing








1983089



Chapter 2

Heart














12



Love calls




of all that we know


as some have said


and love instead

Everyone belongs


Deepest Essence





fear is the hook


13



You have a body








6



Godrsquos Gift






Once Imagined


How many times







7



Who do I think I am












8


















Create Create












9



Days are wide open


~Robert Browning





new capabilities










10



Miracle of a flower



To look deep

within a flower




of it all


to the call

Do Nothing








1983089



Chapter 2

Heart














12



Love calls




of all that we know


as some have said


and love instead

Everyone belongs


Deepest Essence





fear is the hook


13



Godrsquos Gift






Once Imagined


How many times







7



Who do I think I am












8


















Create Create












9



Days are wide open


~Robert Browning





new capabilities










10



Miracle of a flower



To look deep

within a flower




of it all


to the call

Do Nothing








1983089



Chapter 2

Heart














12



Love calls




of all that we know


as some have said


and love instead

Everyone belongs


Deepest Essence





fear is the hook


13



Who do I think I am












8


















Create Create












9



Days are wide open


~Robert Browning





new capabilities










10



Miracle of a flower



To look deep

within a flower




of it all


to the call

Do Nothing








1983089



Chapter 2

Heart














12



Love calls




of all that we know


as some have said


and love instead

Everyone belongs


Deepest Essence





fear is the hook


13


















Create Create












9



Days are wide open


~Robert Browning





new capabilities










10



Miracle of a flower



To look deep

within a flower




of it all


to the call

Do Nothing








1983089



Chapter 2

Heart














12



Love calls




of all that we know


as some have said


and love instead

Everyone belongs


Deepest Essence





fear is the hook


13



Days are wide open


~Robert Browning





new capabilities










10



Miracle of a flower



To look deep

within a flower




of it all


to the call

Do Nothing








1983089



Chapter 2

Heart














12



Love calls




of all that we know


as some have said


and love instead

Everyone belongs


Deepest Essence





fear is the hook


13



Miracle of a flower



To look deep

within a flower




of it all


to the call

Do Nothing








1983089



Chapter 2

Heart














12



Love calls




of all that we know


as some have said


and love instead

Everyone belongs


Deepest Essence





fear is the hook


13



Chapter 2

Heart














12



Love calls




of all that we know


as some have said


and love instead

Everyone belongs


Deepest Essence





fear is the hook


13



Love calls




of all that we know


as some have said


and love instead

Everyone belongs


Deepest Essence





fear is the hook


13

The Sun, the Moon, the Stars and Maya

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Transcript of The Sun, the Moon, the Stars and Maya