There is too much anger in the world. Anger grows out of frustration and resentment. All too often we see it grow into violence. For some reason, anger and fundamentalism seem to make great partners. They use violence to dominate the heretics or the infidels. It works for a time until violence overtakes their domination and on and on and on it goes. Seeds of hatred and anger are constantly planted and watered.
Every so often a great leader and a great teacher emerges to say we can overcome domination with love and compassion. We can stand strong in a non-violent way. But it is not the easy path. It takes much discipline and a very clear vision. It requires a long term commitment. You have to believe in the greater spirit - be it God or the universal spiritual desire for happiness. You truly must believe that love conquers all. You must believe that the light will overcome the darkness. If you cannot believe that, you too will become trapped in the darkness. You will be angry, frustrated, resentful and prone to violence. You will be your own terrorist.
We will never be able to walk down the street and know who the next terrorist might be. We will never be able to lock our borders or lock our doors and know that no terrorist will intrude. Our anger, frustration and resentment will never make us safe.
We have to love our world out of this anger. It starts right where we stand. Right where we are. What grudges are we holding in our own lives? You expect a terrorist to change - how about you and I? What bitter branch are you chewing?
If we want peace in the world, we each have to create peace in our corner of the world. Then we need to support those who are able to create greater peace in the world. We need to understand and comfort those who are angry and resentful in a way that leads to peace. We have to love each other out of bitterness. We have to start a new world. It starts right where we stand.
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Drama
At one time or another most of us have said "I hate drama". But that is only half true. Our lives are full of drama. Our lives are a drama. Who doesn't love watching a friend tackle the seemingly impossible thing and succeed? We love watching a contest of endurance or competition. We LOVE drama.
We spend hours watching movies and TV shows. Even the news is now a drama show. We LOVE drama.
We love sharing our drama. We post on facebook. We twitter. We instagram our drama.
So, when we say "I hate drama", what do we really mean?
For some, it seems to mean "I hate people questioning me!"
For others, it seems to mean "I hate all the excitement over this?"
I'm a PG, Hallmark Channel, kind of person. I do tend to get excited over certain things though. Mostly, if I was asked to define "drama" it would be generating UN-neccessary trouble. But watch - trouble and conflict make the most popular drama.
If you "hate drama", the only thing to do is tune out of the drama you hate. Tune into the drama you like. It's all drama. It will go where we go.
We spend hours watching movies and TV shows. Even the news is now a drama show. We LOVE drama.
We love sharing our drama. We post on facebook. We twitter. We instagram our drama.
So, when we say "I hate drama", what do we really mean?
For some, it seems to mean "I hate people questioning me!"
For others, it seems to mean "I hate all the excitement over this?"
I'm a PG, Hallmark Channel, kind of person. I do tend to get excited over certain things though. Mostly, if I was asked to define "drama" it would be generating UN-neccessary trouble. But watch - trouble and conflict make the most popular drama.
If you "hate drama", the only thing to do is tune out of the drama you hate. Tune into the drama you like. It's all drama. It will go where we go.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
On Veteran's Day
On Veteran's Day I feel humbled and a little embarrassed when someone thanks me for my service. I'm proud to say I'm an Air Force Veteran but I served in peace time and was an entertainer for those doing the heavy work.
In my last year, I was stationed at the Air Force Survival School headquarter in Spokane, WA setting up a media relations program for the Public Affairs office. There, I met POW's from Vietnam and many of the Survival Instructors I worked with every day were veterans of that war. When I think of veterans, I think of them. I think of my nephew who served 3 tours in Iraq. I think of cousins who served in the Gulf war. I think of Uncles who served in Korea and in World War II.
During my tour, there was only one night I feared and wondered if I might need to risk my life for duty. But it did not come to that. While I remember it, it has never caused me nightmares. I witnessed no bloodshed. I experienced no terror.
I know a veteran of such experience - witness of bloodshed and terror - by the look in their eye. They have been to a place that never quite leaves them. To these men and women I humbly defer recognition of service. They lost a part of themselves in that place that never quite leaves them. It becomes a ghost that follows them - distant but hauntingly real.
I can only hope to entertain them.
In my last year, I was stationed at the Air Force Survival School headquarter in Spokane, WA setting up a media relations program for the Public Affairs office. There, I met POW's from Vietnam and many of the Survival Instructors I worked with every day were veterans of that war. When I think of veterans, I think of them. I think of my nephew who served 3 tours in Iraq. I think of cousins who served in the Gulf war. I think of Uncles who served in Korea and in World War II.
During my tour, there was only one night I feared and wondered if I might need to risk my life for duty. But it did not come to that. While I remember it, it has never caused me nightmares. I witnessed no bloodshed. I experienced no terror.
I know a veteran of such experience - witness of bloodshed and terror - by the look in their eye. They have been to a place that never quite leaves them. To these men and women I humbly defer recognition of service. They lost a part of themselves in that place that never quite leaves them. It becomes a ghost that follows them - distant but hauntingly real.
I can only hope to entertain them.
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Writing on...
Why do I write?
At some point in my young life I discovered that writing - words and tunes - provided a sort of release valve for expression of feelings I could not quite grasp but needed to explore somehow. Words grew important. I grew weary of spoken words floating around me that were ill thought and questionable in motive. Writing provided opportunity to carefully select the right words or to simply let them flood the page and then I could look at them for careful reflection.
All these years later, writing is still a release valve. More and more I find I need to write - just need to write. Then I go back - read the words - go back to what I wrote a year ago or 5 years ago and check myself. The words provide a measurement. The thoughts and expressions of feelings about issues or events helps to ground me and to check my compass. Was I - Am I - pointed in the right direction.
Those words from years ago through to now are a map. They foretell where I am going.
I write to map my present location and push myself to explore the next.
Writing is my adventure.
At some point in my young life I discovered that writing - words and tunes - provided a sort of release valve for expression of feelings I could not quite grasp but needed to explore somehow. Words grew important. I grew weary of spoken words floating around me that were ill thought and questionable in motive. Writing provided opportunity to carefully select the right words or to simply let them flood the page and then I could look at them for careful reflection.
All these years later, writing is still a release valve. More and more I find I need to write - just need to write. Then I go back - read the words - go back to what I wrote a year ago or 5 years ago and check myself. The words provide a measurement. The thoughts and expressions of feelings about issues or events helps to ground me and to check my compass. Was I - Am I - pointed in the right direction.
Those words from years ago through to now are a map. They foretell where I am going.
I write to map my present location and push myself to explore the next.
Writing is my adventure.
Friday, October 30, 2015
Mr. Tommy Cat
It's time once again for a furry friend story. Today is the story of Mr. Tommy Cat, the newest addition to the family.
It begins a little sad. Our friend Mr. Jeepers disappeared as mysteriously as he appeared. For those who may not know, he showed up on the porch 2 years ago and we were determined to ignore him. I wrote the Mr. Jeepers story last March. http://lindaunderground.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-mr-jeepers-story.html
Mr. Jeepers was a perfect gentleman indoors but he still had a love for wandering and he fully expected that if the dogs could go out, he should too. He was very good at finding a way to get past us and escape. Sadly, one day a few months ago, he did not return. We filed missing cat reports. No Jeepers. We still hope that he is somewhere and loved but we have missed him so.
Last Saturday morning Holly said "Let's go out to the humane society and see the kittens. Just look." Of course, we both knew we were most likely to return with a cat. On the way Holly said, "We're just looking but I would most prefer a kitten."
When we arrived a volunteer encouraged us to see the pretty tabby cat she had grown fond of - not a kitten. Our attention fell to the 3 little kittens below. Then nearly in unison, we caught sight of a cat off to the right. "Jeepers!", we said. But upon closer look we learned that he was only 1 year old and unmistakably NOT neutered. His name was Tommy. Though he seemed so very much like Jeepers, he is too young to be a son and came from a home who had to give him up.
Mr. Tommy Cat came home with us.
I hope he doesn't mind that we could not resist his resemblance to Mr. Jeepers in both looks and demeanor. The shelter staff description of what they experienced with him and our brief meeting with him at the shelter have rung true. He is a gentle soul, as was Mr. Jeepers, and I am looking forward to learning more about his special personality.
In less than a week, he seems quite content and is gradually feeling more secure. Tobey, as with Jeepers, is most interested in interacting with him and he does not seem to mind (though he was unsure at first). He prefers higher posts so I think my mission soon should be to make him a little condo of his own.
We miss Jeepers. We did not intend to have a cat at all. Perhaps his mission in life was to show us that we should. Thank you Mr. Jeepers. Thank you Mr. Tommy Cat.
It begins a little sad. Our friend Mr. Jeepers disappeared as mysteriously as he appeared. For those who may not know, he showed up on the porch 2 years ago and we were determined to ignore him. I wrote the Mr. Jeepers story last March. http://lindaunderground.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-mr-jeepers-story.html
Mr. Jeepers was a perfect gentleman indoors but he still had a love for wandering and he fully expected that if the dogs could go out, he should too. He was very good at finding a way to get past us and escape. Sadly, one day a few months ago, he did not return. We filed missing cat reports. No Jeepers. We still hope that he is somewhere and loved but we have missed him so.
Last Saturday morning Holly said "Let's go out to the humane society and see the kittens. Just look." Of course, we both knew we were most likely to return with a cat. On the way Holly said, "We're just looking but I would most prefer a kitten."
When we arrived a volunteer encouraged us to see the pretty tabby cat she had grown fond of - not a kitten. Our attention fell to the 3 little kittens below. Then nearly in unison, we caught sight of a cat off to the right. "Jeepers!", we said. But upon closer look we learned that he was only 1 year old and unmistakably NOT neutered. His name was Tommy. Though he seemed so very much like Jeepers, he is too young to be a son and came from a home who had to give him up.
Mr. Tommy Cat came home with us.
I hope he doesn't mind that we could not resist his resemblance to Mr. Jeepers in both looks and demeanor. The shelter staff description of what they experienced with him and our brief meeting with him at the shelter have rung true. He is a gentle soul, as was Mr. Jeepers, and I am looking forward to learning more about his special personality.
In less than a week, he seems quite content and is gradually feeling more secure. Tobey, as with Jeepers, is most interested in interacting with him and he does not seem to mind (though he was unsure at first). He prefers higher posts so I think my mission soon should be to make him a little condo of his own.
We miss Jeepers. We did not intend to have a cat at all. Perhaps his mission in life was to show us that we should. Thank you Mr. Jeepers. Thank you Mr. Tommy Cat.
Thursday, October 29, 2015
The Seeds you Plant
Every day we are planting seeds.
Your words, your acts, your thoughts - they are all seeds.
Think about that a moment.
Every word - every act - every thought is planted. It has the potential to grow. You have no way of knowing what will grow and what won't.
Every word - every act - every thought is a seed.
It does not matter if it is an angry word, act or thought or a happy word, act or thought - It is still a seed. You have no way of knowing what will grow or not. Once it's released to the universe, the determining factor is where it lands. Once you say it, do it or even think it - it has it's own energy. Once released, it is no longer solely yours. It now has potential life of its own.
You do, however, have control over the seeds you plant. You CAN change your words, your actions and your thoughts. And only YOU can.
What seeds are you planting?
Your words, your acts, your thoughts - they are all seeds.
Think about that a moment.
Every word - every act - every thought is planted. It has the potential to grow. You have no way of knowing what will grow and what won't.
Every word - every act - every thought is a seed.
It does not matter if it is an angry word, act or thought or a happy word, act or thought - It is still a seed. You have no way of knowing what will grow or not. Once it's released to the universe, the determining factor is where it lands. Once you say it, do it or even think it - it has it's own energy. Once released, it is no longer solely yours. It now has potential life of its own.
You do, however, have control over the seeds you plant. You CAN change your words, your actions and your thoughts. And only YOU can.
What seeds are you planting?
Monday, October 26, 2015
Changing Focus
We're very good at focusing on what is wrong in the world and what we don't like. And we express a great deal of emotion - especially anger - about what we don't like and don't want. Everywhere you look, people are talking about what's wrong and what we hate. It's not a liberal thing or conservative thing. It's not a religious thing or an agnostic thing. It's the American culture today.
We obsess over bad news, people who should be hated, and things that shouldn't be happening. We do it at both ends of every spectrum and across most of the in between. We focus on what didn't/doesn't work and love to place blame on somebody - anybody.
With the energy we put out into the world, we help create that world. If our vision goes no further than what we hate, what we don't want, and who to blame - we will get more of what we hate, what we don't want and someone to blame. We need to create a vision of what we want to see happen and put more energy into that vision than we do focusing on what we don't want. That vision needs to be facing forward creating a beacon for where we will go.
Things change. That's one thing we can be certain about. It doesn't need to be a whirlpool or a cesspool. If we help create the change we want to see, we can be positive about it. It can be difficult as often things seem to be beyond our control but I tend to think every effort we make in a positive direction will help change the course.
Here are some small strategies I'm trying:
1) Try to state a positive outcome instead of focusing on the negative thing that happened.
2) Consider how to get to that positive outcome
3) Avoid inflammatory characterizations or statements
4) State facts and avoid emotional reactions
5) Don't make fun of anyone - in other words, do no harm
It will be a great deal easier to talk to one another if we can all do these few basic things. We still may not agree but we might get a lot closer to real solutions to real problems. I know I can't change the world but I can change me. This is where I'm starting.
We obsess over bad news, people who should be hated, and things that shouldn't be happening. We do it at both ends of every spectrum and across most of the in between. We focus on what didn't/doesn't work and love to place blame on somebody - anybody.
With the energy we put out into the world, we help create that world. If our vision goes no further than what we hate, what we don't want, and who to blame - we will get more of what we hate, what we don't want and someone to blame. We need to create a vision of what we want to see happen and put more energy into that vision than we do focusing on what we don't want. That vision needs to be facing forward creating a beacon for where we will go.
Things change. That's one thing we can be certain about. It doesn't need to be a whirlpool or a cesspool. If we help create the change we want to see, we can be positive about it. It can be difficult as often things seem to be beyond our control but I tend to think every effort we make in a positive direction will help change the course.
Here are some small strategies I'm trying:
1) Try to state a positive outcome instead of focusing on the negative thing that happened.
2) Consider how to get to that positive outcome
3) Avoid inflammatory characterizations or statements
4) State facts and avoid emotional reactions
5) Don't make fun of anyone - in other words, do no harm
It will be a great deal easier to talk to one another if we can all do these few basic things. We still may not agree but we might get a lot closer to real solutions to real problems. I know I can't change the world but I can change me. This is where I'm starting.
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