Word from the Apricot Room Regarding the Flaming Heart:

     We study the skies trying to determine what the weather has in store for us, and we do that quite well! Then a dark night with lightening flashing across an ominous sky followed by rolling thunder, that dark night invades our thoughts, sending us off on tangents we fear are far beyond our inept understanding. Yet it happens, straight out of the blue! Listen, the Art of War has been with us for centuries, but what about the Art of Peace? Yes, what about that? What do we fight about, for what or why? Here's a thought. What about "the grass is always greener in the next pasture"? Or is it boredom? Napoleon Bonaparte had no trouble gathering armies which unfortunately met their Waterloo! It seems that a lack of imagination keeps us from discovering the wonders at our own fingertips, the wonders in our own backyard! Yes, there have always been people, perhaps blindsided themselves, who are cantankerous or downright warlike, but the lambs far out number them!

     There is another aspect: what about the thousands upon thousands who have all the advantages, a good heritage, great education, free time, financial backing, great personal contacts, etc. and they disassociate themselves from this human family? It's unfortunate! There is a certain loneliness being in bed with Mammon, when out here in the world there are so many wonderful and generous people seeking only the necessities of life, time to enjoy their families and friends, and looking forward to a sunrise, a new day, a new time...

     There is something else to consider: who's manning the lighthouse, the watchful eye? There are countless intelligent, well-meaning humans who run hellbent acquiring their castles with moats and all and can;t even see that the world around them is in sheer chaos, and when the saviors, the Hitlers, step in to reshape the world in their own images, these others are still too busy raking in the money while the Houses of Cards come falling down. Maybe it needs to be said here that the misguided saviors should be saved from themselves! But woe be to the highly endowed who impatiently charge recklessly ahead and leave the sheep unprotected! Should the sheep rise up to lead? It's beginning to look that way! Well, maybe a greater voice is needed to insure, right action heartbuilt to capture the Golden Fleece, that elusive Peace!