Please pray (or however you wish to approach it) for me? (Jesus, Earth)

[Feathers in Hair]

I'm having difficulty typing right now, and I'm sorry, since I try not to be bothered by earthly stuff. The neighbors upstairs last night began turning up their music around 10 pm last night. As usual when that happens, the bass was such that my mom's pictures (they have their music turned up in their bedroom, above hers) began to shake off the walls. We waited about 15 minutes, hoping that it would be turned down before my mom then called the non-emergency police number.

The neighbors politely said to the police that they would be more than happy to turn down the music (according to what the police said later). After the police had left the parking lot, however, they turned the music back up and then began stomping repeatedly on the floor. This continued for awhile, until my mom had to call the police again. The police met with us afterward, and discussed things. "Have you tried filing a complaint?" they asked. We actually have tried, repeatedly, but not only is is nearly impossible to figure out how (we have talked with several police officers over time, and each of them have a different explanation about how to go about filing one) but that the office states that they can't throw these neighbors out unless there's proof of drug use. The officers said that they'd seen boxes upstairs, and that it looked like the family was moving. Unfortunately, the family was supposed to have been moved out about a month ago. At any rate, the police left, and we thought all was well.

This morning, (ironically enough, as we were going up the hill to sign the lease that we're having to) we noticed my beloved van was leaning a little bit. My mom and I went around the van, counting three slashed tires and the oh-so-lovely marker on the side, stating 'B**ch.'

At first, I not only felt horrified about the situation, but also felt horrified since I'd done a protection spell on the van the evening before. I was questioning myself and feeling even more useless, until my mother pointed out that this is the male upstairs is the same one who has a history of smashing car windows in the parking lot. Maybe my spell was enough to at least protect the windows, which would have been much more difficult to replace.

The rental agreement says that we have the right to a calm and safe environment. However, I'm starting to feel like we're trapped because of our financial situation. It's as if the management agency (since the place turned to section 8 housing) expects us to behave badly because we have a low income.

I'm really too overcome by sadness about this to even feel the flickerings of anger yet. I guess I feel badly for the family upstairs that this is what they felt was appropriate retribution for having called the cops.

We're seeing if we can get the money together to get the van towed to a safer area. Then we can see if we can save toward some non-flat tires.

If anyone can think of some prayers, meditations or anything that would help, please let me know.

[QTpi]

Oh, Feathers, I am so sorry you have to deal with all of that noise and meanness. I will certainly keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

[ayani]

aw Feathers, that sucks!

honey, you'll be in my prayers.

[No*s]

That's sorry, and there's rarely anything one can do.

You have prayers

[SK2005]

Oh, Feathers that just makes me want to go and pick you and your mom up and bring you to my house. I'm sorry about all of that. You are in my prayers!!!

[michel]

Feathers, I am with you in thought and in prayer; I wish I could be with you in person. I have tried to find some texts to comfort you, but I have so little to offer.
This is an all too common occurence, and perhaps it is a test of our faith; I will say some prayers for you; in the mean time, these may help;
Jesus said:-
"You have heard people say, 'Love your neighbors and hate your enemies.' But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:43-48).

Henry Suso (1295 - 1366 AD)

Lord, it may well be that suffering brings great good, provided that it is limited, and that it is not too dreadful and overwhelming. You alone know all things, seen and unseen, and you know the weight, the number and the size of things. So you know that my sufferings are without limit, that they are wholly beyond my power of endurance, that I am quite overwhelmed with pain. Lord, is there anyone in the world who suffers more constantly and more deeply than I? If you would just send me ordinary sufferings, I could bear them. But I do not see how I can endure such extraordinary sufferings as these -sufferings which so oppress my heart and soul that
Dharma : conformity to one's duty and nature

Meditation in Affliction

Assailed by afflictions, we discover Dharma
And find the way to liberation. Thank you, evil forces!

When sorrows invade the mind, we discover Dharma
And find lasting happiness. Thank you, sorrows!

Through harm caused by spirits we discover Dharma
And find fearlessness. Thank you, ghosts and demons!

Through people's hate we discover Dharma
And find benefits and happiness. Thank you, those who hate us!

Through cruel adversity, we discover Dharma
And find the unchanging way. Thank you, adversity!

Through being impelled to by others, we discover Dharma
And find the essential meaning. Thank you, all who drive us on!

We dedicate our merit to you all, to repay your kindness.
--Gyalwa Longchenpa

*Hugs* Michel

[michel]

By sheer coincidence, Martha posted this for Jensa to help a friend of hers; I thought it might well be 'a propos' your predicament


Persistence and Hope, The Dalai Lama

"Think, think, think. Do not be discouraged. It would be very foolish to give up now. On those occasions when you feel most hopeless, you must make a powerful effort. It is important to meet adversity with a positive attitude. Keep this in mind: By greeting trouble with optimism and hope, you are undermining worse troubles down the line. Beyond that, imagine that you are easing the burden of everyone suffering problems of that kind. This practice- imagining that by accepting your pain you are using up the negative karma of everyone destined to feel such pain- is very helpful.
Under no circumstances should you lose hope. Remember, you can overcome any problem. Be calm, even when the external environment is confused or complicated; it will have little effect if your mind is at peace.
Our adversaries provide us some of the best opportunities to practice patience, tolerance, and compassion. In order to practice compassion, you should have an adversary. When you face your adversary who is going to hurt you, that is the real time to practice tolerance. Once something has the relationship of arising from that thing, one cannot consider that thing from which it arised, as a harmer,rather it assists the production of the effect. Reflection on this type of reasoning can help develop great patience, which in turn develops powerful compassion. Real compassion is based on reason. Ordinary compassion or love is limited by desire or attachment."

[robtex]

Feathersinhair first off I am really sorry and if I lived closer to you I would give you abig hug.

You must do three things at this point:

1) to go the police and press charges. For vandalism and the threats (calling you a ***** can be a threat make them see it that way). Plus any verbal discussions you have had with them are threats. Not a complaint a charge.

2) Go to all your neigbors and get them to write letters asking for their expolsion.

3) when you gather all the letters go to the managers office and demand their immediate (not 30 day) eviction. they will not evict them immediatly because it is against the law but using that word makes them negociatate to a time frame that is closer to now than what they would have offered.

4) If the apartment complex does not agree on the eviction realize they are liable and make sure they realize that too and sue them. May sound mean but you are recieveng property damage and this has been going on since last last year when u first posted it.. at this point they should have long gone.

5) every time they speak to you and you detect any threat another police report...get your neigbors to colloborate and witness to come forward....build a case and dont let the cops give you the run around. Those guys know how to file complaints and they also know you can file charges and if they are giving you a song and dance they are avoiding the issue..don' t be confrontational with them but be firm...find out how to file a complaint and a charge by online research and asking the operator about filing complaints and make sure the officers know you know how the system works .

I am really sorry sweetie....if i was over there i would cracking skulls right about now for you....