I had a great session with my therapist yesterday, clearing out a lot
of garbage from my childhood. Not a lot of insight, but a lot of
clearing the air. I told some secrets, and allowed him to get to know
me. We talked about my growing up in Los Angeles and why I have the
insights I do into the area and industries of Los Angeles. We talked a
little about my schooling, and where I hung out as a kid.
That
work cleared the way for a lot of stuff today. I want to be the person I
was meant to be, instead of the person I was expected to be by all
those folks who "knew me when." That means I need to go within.
I also want to be more in touch with my spirit. So, I'm taking today to re-connect with myself.
We talked a little about Deepak Chopra. He was on PBS over the weekend, and it was kind of like a powerpoint presentation - slides with words on them, narrated by Deepak Chopra. Interesting, and I yelled at the TV a couple of times. He gets it almost, but not quite, right.
I don't know where it comes from, exactly, but perhaps my training: Instead of being so worried about and interested in "how the world affects one," take a look instead at "how one affects the world."
Thoughts are physical things. A person with enough mental and emotional energy can effect a deep change in the world. That's why I listen when the Dalai Lama speaks. He has that energy. What he says makes a change in the ether of the unverse.
The Catholic Pope may want to be that effective, but each Pope is imbued with only his human spirit, and while he may want to be larger and have a deeper effect, the Dalai Lama seems to have the energy and the Pope does not.
While the Pope is supposed to be the re-embodiment of Peter, it doesn't always work that way. He's supposed to be touched by the Holy Spirit (whether I believe it or not, my thought isn't where it counts). I think the Catholic Church lost something along the way.
So, getting away from that debate, let's look at the individual.
When a person, individual person, has a deep desire for something, the way a person thinks about that desire is important, but the desire itself has energy. The way a person thinks about the desire (lack or attraction) will effect the universe in such a way to repel or attract. Thinking "lack" produces more lack. Thinking "attraction" produces more attraction. So thoughts are physical and have a physical manifestation in the ether of the universe, which then becomes material in the material universe.
Deep shit, right? But it's true, too.
So, I decided to look at what I want to see my world reflect back to me. No, I don't like what I see today. But I know that my thoughts put this stuff into action. It's one of the laws of creation. So, my fear, brought about by my concentrating on what I feared, manifested that thing, bringing about today's world. Everybody can do this. It isn't rocket science. Let me see if I can simplify this....
If I fear being broke (lack of funds), I worry about being without and concentrate on my lack. By concentrating on my lack of funds I bring about more lack because I can't let go and share my meager purse, which might allow more to come in. It becomes worse because I cannot invest in the future or even the present. Eventually, I stagnate with nothing.
It's a self-defeating and self-creating circle. It feeds on itself and grows bigger....
Let's turn it around....
I desire abundance, and I notice the abundance coming into my life and express gratitude. I share my abundance and I feel gratitude that I have abundance I can share so my abundance multiplies. This abundance might be funds, food, shelter, clothes or anything else.
This is how I grow in a different direction. In no way do I even notice lack in the second example....
The universe fills a void. It rushes into the vacuum. Where we concentrate, that is the vacuum. So, what vacuum do I want filled?
Today, I am looking at who I want to be in the world I want to see around me. That's another spiritual law, to "act as if" something was already manifest....
IF my world had no Donald Trump in it;
IF my world had a Congress that worked for the people;
IF my world provided a decent living for all it's citizens;
IF universal, cradle-to-grave healthcare were a reality for all persons;
IF my world had a beautiful environment that included clear skies and clean water;
IF my world were truly a loving, safe, and benevolent place;
IF war did not exist;
IF there were no people trying to hurt other people;
IF women, men, and LGBTQ persons were all equal in the sight of law and religion;
IF race and ancestry was ignored by all;
IF money had never been invented;
IF (fill in your blank);
I would be. _______________________
This is my task today. To become more of that unknown quantity....
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Why I Blog Against Trump
I was thinking about why I do this in the face of relative anonymity while putting myself in harm's way....
It's a moral imperative. "The Only Thing Necessary for the Triumph of Evil is that Good Men Do Nothing."
Whether first stated by Edmund Burke, Charles Aked or John F. Kennedy, the quote is how I feel. I need to speak up and point out inconsistencies, illegalities, and manipulation. It's what I was educated to do.
I took Women's Studies. It is misnamed because the study is really about developing a social and political conscience. It makes me pay attention and have an informed opinion about things. It taught me to research the assumptions, not swallow them whole. It taught me to think for myself. That's always dangerous to people in power.
If one doesn't remember history, one is doomed to repeat it.Nazi Germany didn't come out of nowhere. It was an economic reality caused by the treaty of Versailles after WWI, combined with a seeming lack of power by the populace. That sounds very familiar today. Instead of blaming the bankers and 1%, we, the other 99%, have been deflected to Muslims. "Divide and conquer" is an old strategy. It works. We've been divided and are looking for scapegoats, instead of paying attention to the real causes of our distress.
I'm also a minister in an obscure religious sect. That gives me a certain leeway to express my opinions. I don't have a "church" or "congregation" because I don't care to follow that path. I counsel and educate. That's my ministry.
My tax status is that of an ordinary person. I have no tax breaks or special deductions. I file my tax paperwork every year just like the majority of citizens do, and make sure it's in by April 15th. If I owe anything, I pay. I generally get a small refund.
I hope to build a local business this coming year. That's all I will say on it at the moment since it's in the planning stages. My vocal response to Trump may cause that to remain an unrealized dream.
So, speaking out is what I feel I need to do. It's important that I do not remain silent. No race or creed is responsible for this situation. No one group of people caused this mess. We all did. I will point out when we need to correct our course. That's what I feel called to do.
It's a moral imperative. "The Only Thing Necessary for the Triumph of Evil is that Good Men Do Nothing."
Whether first stated by Edmund Burke, Charles Aked or John F. Kennedy, the quote is how I feel. I need to speak up and point out inconsistencies, illegalities, and manipulation. It's what I was educated to do.
I took Women's Studies. It is misnamed because the study is really about developing a social and political conscience. It makes me pay attention and have an informed opinion about things. It taught me to research the assumptions, not swallow them whole. It taught me to think for myself. That's always dangerous to people in power.
If one doesn't remember history, one is doomed to repeat it.Nazi Germany didn't come out of nowhere. It was an economic reality caused by the treaty of Versailles after WWI, combined with a seeming lack of power by the populace. That sounds very familiar today. Instead of blaming the bankers and 1%, we, the other 99%, have been deflected to Muslims. "Divide and conquer" is an old strategy. It works. We've been divided and are looking for scapegoats, instead of paying attention to the real causes of our distress.
I'm also a minister in an obscure religious sect. That gives me a certain leeway to express my opinions. I don't have a "church" or "congregation" because I don't care to follow that path. I counsel and educate. That's my ministry.
My tax status is that of an ordinary person. I have no tax breaks or special deductions. I file my tax paperwork every year just like the majority of citizens do, and make sure it's in by April 15th. If I owe anything, I pay. I generally get a small refund.
I hope to build a local business this coming year. That's all I will say on it at the moment since it's in the planning stages. My vocal response to Trump may cause that to remain an unrealized dream.
So, speaking out is what I feel I need to do. It's important that I do not remain silent. No race or creed is responsible for this situation. No one group of people caused this mess. We all did. I will point out when we need to correct our course. That's what I feel called to do.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Struggling with Story - Grateful for Recovery and School
I've been writing a story for my classes this semester, which is "genie in a box" style, and have a good start with 25 pages for the screenplay, and nearly 38 pages for the manuscript. However, the point of view is skewed. I thought my "heroine" was a certain person, but she's so weak, so meek and so stupid, I just can't go there. The other woman in the story is also not the heroine, since she's pure evil. I've decided to write the story from the chauffeur's point of view. He's a relatively present character, and I think I can turn his character arc into something that works.
What a tangle! I'm still converting the screenplay into a manuscript. When it's done, I'll go back and do the POV to pull the story together. It's a "whodunit" as well as "genie in the box" so it can be an entertaining read - if I ever figure out the thief! Yep, even I don't know whodunit...
At least not yet. I have suspicions, but it will all come to light at the end one way or the other. Considering this is the first full story I've written in a long time, it's kind of fun to see how it all develops.
I'm a much better writer for these classes this semester. I'm thankful I took them, even though they don't really count toward anything in my degree. I've learned something from every class I ever took - even the ones I didn't need for the degree I was pursuing. I think education is valuable for it's own sake. The more you learn, the better you can relate to your world - even if the class doesn't seem to relate - you will learn something.
For instance, I've learned a lot about myself and my history during this semester. Stuff started "gelling" about my history and I found words to describe things that I experienced that had no words before. I realize what happened and why I got embroiled in them. As a result, I've found forgiveness for my foibles, strength of character, and respect for myself that I didn't have before. That just can't be a bad thing!
I also found more forgiveness for those around me.
I guess this is all a part of maturing toward 60, but somehow, with my history, I don't think I'll ever feel 60. It's amazing I made it past 13!
Meanwhile, my home group continues to struggle with Tradition 2 - and what the oldtimers mean and how things should be run. It's a grueling and scary process for us. The tolerance levels are higher since the group conscience, but I find myself more pissed off than ever. I write about it nearly every day. I got myself on the "committee" for change and evaluation. All of us want a good strong home group, all of us respect the traditions and expect change - even when it's scary. All of us have over 20 years. I think I might have the least sobriety (at 20+ years) on the committee, and I've been in the group the least amount of time. The other members, Jim, Cindy, Mike and Doug, are all folks I respect a lot. Jim, Mike and I are the most widely traveled, and Jim beats us all by thousands of miles!
So, knowing that life changes, that my character arc is building into something that makes sense, and coming to the end of another semester, it's all playing out in my life.
Summer classes are two web-based classes - one a psychology, the other history. The psych is the last of the writing for a while, and the history is the last of the core requirements for Tennessee. Starting August, the Women's Studies courses begin, and I have decisions to make - whether to pursue the Appalachian side of things, literature, or history. I'm so drawn to history, but the literature is also important. I think you have to have both to truly understand what's happened to women in history. To put together the story of women.
I want to teach this stuff, so a blending would be really nice.
What a tangle! I'm still converting the screenplay into a manuscript. When it's done, I'll go back and do the POV to pull the story together. It's a "whodunit" as well as "genie in the box" so it can be an entertaining read - if I ever figure out the thief! Yep, even I don't know whodunit...
At least not yet. I have suspicions, but it will all come to light at the end one way or the other. Considering this is the first full story I've written in a long time, it's kind of fun to see how it all develops.
I'm a much better writer for these classes this semester. I'm thankful I took them, even though they don't really count toward anything in my degree. I've learned something from every class I ever took - even the ones I didn't need for the degree I was pursuing. I think education is valuable for it's own sake. The more you learn, the better you can relate to your world - even if the class doesn't seem to relate - you will learn something.
For instance, I've learned a lot about myself and my history during this semester. Stuff started "gelling" about my history and I found words to describe things that I experienced that had no words before. I realize what happened and why I got embroiled in them. As a result, I've found forgiveness for my foibles, strength of character, and respect for myself that I didn't have before. That just can't be a bad thing!
I also found more forgiveness for those around me.
I guess this is all a part of maturing toward 60, but somehow, with my history, I don't think I'll ever feel 60. It's amazing I made it past 13!
Meanwhile, my home group continues to struggle with Tradition 2 - and what the oldtimers mean and how things should be run. It's a grueling and scary process for us. The tolerance levels are higher since the group conscience, but I find myself more pissed off than ever. I write about it nearly every day. I got myself on the "committee" for change and evaluation. All of us want a good strong home group, all of us respect the traditions and expect change - even when it's scary. All of us have over 20 years. I think I might have the least sobriety (at 20+ years) on the committee, and I've been in the group the least amount of time. The other members, Jim, Cindy, Mike and Doug, are all folks I respect a lot. Jim, Mike and I are the most widely traveled, and Jim beats us all by thousands of miles!
So, knowing that life changes, that my character arc is building into something that makes sense, and coming to the end of another semester, it's all playing out in my life.
Summer classes are two web-based classes - one a psychology, the other history. The psych is the last of the writing for a while, and the history is the last of the core requirements for Tennessee. Starting August, the Women's Studies courses begin, and I have decisions to make - whether to pursue the Appalachian side of things, literature, or history. I'm so drawn to history, but the literature is also important. I think you have to have both to truly understand what's happened to women in history. To put together the story of women.
I want to teach this stuff, so a blending would be really nice.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Future Dreaming
I've always wanted to write Science Fiction. Maybe that sounds a little strange, but it's true. I guess the first time I read "Stranger From a Strange Land" I got hooked on sci-fi.
I was told early on, that if I wrote sci-fi, I would never be taken seriously as a writer - as a way to deter me from genre fiction. I guess that person thought the "Great American Novel" was the way to go. But you know, people who write the GAN never make a penny. I want the cash and the fans.
Later, I tried my hand at writing a fictional story, but the lead character took off with the story and wouldn't give it back. Only other writers will know what I mean. I need to learn character development a little better, I guess.
There are only so many plots to fiction. Something in the 200-area, I'm not sure how many exactly. There are colorations, minor plots, major plots, under plots, plots that turn back on themselves, and many manipulations of these plots... But there are only so many original plots, so many Universal Stories.
I picked a couple of these as a fan, until I got tired of them. You know, you read the same story over and over again, and you need something new. I read Robert Ludlum's books until I could just about tell the story for him. Robert Jordan and David Eddings use the same universal plot.
So, I know a little about writing, because I read a lot. And now, life has changed for me once again. The God of my limited understanding has moved me to a new place and time, and given me the opportunity to write stories of my own.
I'm in school. To keep the grants and not have to pay them back, I need to finish the semester, and get at least a "C" in all my classes. So, I plan to do that. Come next semester, I plan on taking my first serious writing class.
Hang the degrees I've been pursuing! I have a new plan. English major? I'm not planning on it. More like the "Interdepartmental Studies" degree that lets you pick the courses and concentration. I need anthropology, biology, chemistry, more sociology, and LOTS of writing classes. I need classes in character development (psychology for writers?), some cultural understanding and maybe more history. I've got some plot structure books coming from Amazon, so that I can actually get started.
Back in 1993, I got this hairbrained idea about Goddess Archetypes, and used them in some work I submitted for school. Then, I did some historical and archeological research (in papers, not the actual dirt) and got some facts laid out about early civilizations. Then, I took some words used in everyday speech and looked into their origin. I studied Latin, Greek, and Sumarian - all on my own. I studied global mythology using Joseph Campbell's works, since all myths and legends have some grains of truth in them. The Bible is another great source for myths and legends!
So, this is a labor of love, and has taken me many years. I have all the results of my research on a disk, one that my current computers can read. I plan to take all this research and use bits and pieces in several stories. Maybe even a multi-generational epic. We'll see what comes out.
So, if I don't post about writing again, it's because I'm busy doing it.
I was told early on, that if I wrote sci-fi, I would never be taken seriously as a writer - as a way to deter me from genre fiction. I guess that person thought the "Great American Novel" was the way to go. But you know, people who write the GAN never make a penny. I want the cash and the fans.
Later, I tried my hand at writing a fictional story, but the lead character took off with the story and wouldn't give it back. Only other writers will know what I mean. I need to learn character development a little better, I guess.
There are only so many plots to fiction. Something in the 200-area, I'm not sure how many exactly. There are colorations, minor plots, major plots, under plots, plots that turn back on themselves, and many manipulations of these plots... But there are only so many original plots, so many Universal Stories.
I picked a couple of these as a fan, until I got tired of them. You know, you read the same story over and over again, and you need something new. I read Robert Ludlum's books until I could just about tell the story for him. Robert Jordan and David Eddings use the same universal plot.
So, I know a little about writing, because I read a lot. And now, life has changed for me once again. The God of my limited understanding has moved me to a new place and time, and given me the opportunity to write stories of my own.
I'm in school. To keep the grants and not have to pay them back, I need to finish the semester, and get at least a "C" in all my classes. So, I plan to do that. Come next semester, I plan on taking my first serious writing class.
Hang the degrees I've been pursuing! I have a new plan. English major? I'm not planning on it. More like the "Interdepartmental Studies" degree that lets you pick the courses and concentration. I need anthropology, biology, chemistry, more sociology, and LOTS of writing classes. I need classes in character development (psychology for writers?), some cultural understanding and maybe more history. I've got some plot structure books coming from Amazon, so that I can actually get started.
Back in 1993, I got this hairbrained idea about Goddess Archetypes, and used them in some work I submitted for school. Then, I did some historical and archeological research (in papers, not the actual dirt) and got some facts laid out about early civilizations. Then, I took some words used in everyday speech and looked into their origin. I studied Latin, Greek, and Sumarian - all on my own. I studied global mythology using Joseph Campbell's works, since all myths and legends have some grains of truth in them. The Bible is another great source for myths and legends!
So, this is a labor of love, and has taken me many years. I have all the results of my research on a disk, one that my current computers can read. I plan to take all this research and use bits and pieces in several stories. Maybe even a multi-generational epic. We'll see what comes out.
So, if I don't post about writing again, it's because I'm busy doing it.
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