Human beings, as creatures of the flesh, are limited, to a greater or lesser degree, by their physical body.  We can, of course, try to keep our body in good shape.  In the end, however, we are only capable of a limited strength, jumping so high, traveling so fast, and living so long as that package of meat and bones allows.  We need food, shelter and water to keep that body alive, and are vulnerable to illness, injury and death.  Men and women need each other, to satisfy their sexual appetites and to produce children who will carry their genes, and hopefully some of their ideas and values, into the future.  Children need their parents, to protect them from danger, and teach them what is expected of them in the society in which they live.  Luckily, we do not exist only as creatures of the flesh, but as creatures of the spirit.

Our spirit, unlike our body, is capable of anything.  Some believe the spirit is the soul, separate entirely from the body, and even separate from the mind.  Personally, I believe mind and spirit are one and the same.  In our mind, we can  travel to the most distant areas on the Earth, to other planets, and even to worlds existing only in our own minds.  We are capable of experiencing great depths of sadness and great heights of joy and pleasure.  Both Love and Hate can be indulged to their fullest.  All hunger, lust and other passions can be satisfied, without us suffering any consequences.  We can take a terrible revenge on those who have done us wrong, if we choose, or create a reality in which no harm is done to anyone, ever.  We can cure any disease, and bring back loved ones who are no longer with us in this world.  Even after our death, a part of our spirit lives on in the memories of those among the living whose lives we have touched.  I don't know if the spirit carries on in another form after this life is over, although of course it would make the idea of death far less terrifying.

The spirit can be wounded too, of course, but it has a great capacity for dealing with wounds and carrying on with life.  We can choose to live in pain and regret, or we can choose to try to be the best person we can, and love others.  The latter is a lot more likely to let us live a happy, fulfilling life.

I know it's a repost, but I hope you enjoy it!

This poem is dedicated to storyslut .  Her post Tuesdays with Puck - St Patty Day led to the exchange that inspired this.
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The day after Saint Patrick's,
and plain to be seen
was a line of small footprints
colored shimmering green.

Twelve tiny beer bottles
littered the floor
and a trail of smashed Pringles
led back toward the door.

I followed these clues
with great wonder, my friend,
but that trail it ran out
half a foot from its end.

My cats refused food,
as though already stuffed,
laid around all day long,
coughing balls of green fluff.

Oh well, it was fun,
so I raise a green beer
in a toast to Saint Patrick
'til we see him next year!

Copyright 2009 by lonelywanderer2 @ Xanga

Most Native Americans believed, in years long past, that nobody could own the land.  Hoever, when they were threatened by increasing numbers of settlers taking up residence in their home territories, they fought to keep it, so obviously they did feel it was "theirs".  People these days like to own land and homes of their own, as well as other material goods, but the truth is, you only own something as long as you can keep it, whether by legal means or by force.

The Government can ban something you legally possess, and take it away from you.  They can decide you have more than you need, and take some of your wealth away in the form of taxes, to be spent as they decide best on others.  They can also take your land by using a power called "Eminent Domain" if they decide a greater good is served by that land being used in a different way.  It used to be used onloy only for things like the building of roads or railroads, but increasingly it is being used in cases where letting a developer build a store or other commecial enterprise will bring in more tax dollars for the Government.  The link below is to an article that deals more extensively with the subject.