He Took the Words Right Outta My Mouth

I've been having some rather frustrating "discussions" with old friends lately (that was probably my first mistake). It's clear we inhabit different worlds now. My frustration lies both in my inability to adequately express my worldview as well as in their refusal--or fear--to open their minds.

But here's a quote I found that wonderfully expresses what I feel and believe. Maybe I'll just start repeating this from now on:

"A living planet is a much more complex metaphor for deity than just a bigger father with a bigger fist. If an omniscient, all-powerful Dad ignores your prayers, it's taken personally. Hear only silence long enough, and you start wondering about his power. His fairness.  His very existence. 

But if a world mother doesn't reply, Her excuse is simple. She never claimed conceited omnipotence. She has countless others clinging to her apron strings, including myriad species unable to speak for themselves. To Her elder offspring She says: 'Go raid the fridge. Go play outside. Go get a job. Or, better yet, lend me a hand. I have no time for idle whining.'" 
--author David Brin

 Yay, Mama Earth!

He Took the Words Right Outta My Mouth

I've been having some rather frustrating "discussions" with old friends lately (that was probably my first mistake). It's clear we inhabit different worlds now. My frustration lies both in my inability to adequately express my worldview as well as in their refusal--or fear--to open their minds.

But here's a quote I found that wonderfully expresses what I feel and believe. Maybe I'll just start repeating this from now on:

"A living planet is a much more complex metaphor for deity than just a bigger father with a bigger fist. If an omniscient, all-powerful Dad ignores your prayers, it's taken personally. Hear only silence long enough, and you start wondering about his power. His fairness.  His very existence. 

But if a world mother doesn't reply, Her excuse is simple. She never claimed conceited omnipotence. She has countless others clinging to her apron strings, including myriad species unable to speak for themselves. To Her elder offspring She says: 'Go raid the fridge. Go play outside. Go get a job. Or, better yet, lend me a hand. I have no time for idle whining.'" 
--author David Brin

 Yay, Mama Earth!

A Night of Drumming, the Green Fairy and Fire!

Got together last night with some friends who attended the Shamanic Mystery School with me last year, for "food, fun and fellowship" as the Christians like to say. Except it was a lot more fun and boisterous than any of those Baptist get-togethers I used to frequent.

Bawdy humor, of the shamanic variety, a great venison dish and my first taste of absinthe! I didn't actually see any green fairies (as the drink was once called) but then i only had 1 small glass. But it was tasty--if you like licorice.

Then the 6 of us headed outdoors around the fire for some drumming, and my friend sang a beautiful Native American song. Then we took turns throwing something into the fire that symbolized what we wanted to leave behind (my fear of what others think) and something symbolizing 1 thing we wanted to create this year (a new relationship with my partner). The fire was warm as was the spirit energy in that small circle. Then we headed back inside for a long period of drumming. It's been long overdue!

And so I left feeling refreshed and my perspective--on lots of things--renewed. Now to just hold on to that perspective and try to carry it into the coming week.

Thanks for stopping by!

A Night of Drumming, the Green Fairy and Fire!

Got together last night with some friends who attended the Shamanic Mystery School with me last year, for "food, fun and fellowship" as the Christians like to say. Except it was a lot more fun and boisterous than any of those Baptist get-togethers I used to frequent.

Bawdy humor, of the shamanic variety, a great venison dish and my first taste of absinthe! I didn't actually see any green fairies (as the drink was once called) but then i only had 1 small glass. But it was tasty--if you like licorice.

Then the 6 of us headed outdoors around the fire for some drumming, and my friend sang a beautiful Native American song. Then we took turns throwing something into the fire that symbolized what we wanted to leave behind (my fear of what others think) and something symbolizing 1 thing we wanted to create this year (a new relationship with my partner). The fire was warm as was the spirit energy in that small circle. Then we headed back inside for a long period of drumming. It's been long overdue!

And so I left feeling refreshed and my perspective--on lots of things--renewed. Now to just hold on to that perspective and try to carry it into the coming week.

Thanks for stopping by!

That's What Friends Are For

Just realized that ended on a preposition--but I digress...

Can't you just hear Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder and friends singing along??

I have that song in my head because, well, my friends have been so great these past several weeks during all my relationship drama. They've bought me meals and drinks; listened and counseled; helped me move and given me furniture and items for the apt; provided gift cards to buy stuff; and encouraged me that all of this work itself out for the best, no matter what.

And that is what friends are for. I'm very fortunate. So be a good friend today, and don't take the friends you have for granted.

That's What Friends Are For

Just realized that ended on a preposition--but I digress...

Can't you just hear Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder and friends singing along??

I have that song in my head because, well, my friends have been so great these past several weeks during all my relationship drama. They've bought me meals and drinks; listened and counseled; helped me move and given me furniture and items for the apt; provided gift cards to buy stuff; and encouraged me that all of this work itself out for the best, no matter what.

And that is what friends are for. I'm very fortunate. So be a good friend today, and don't take the friends you have for granted.

Beer and Baklava: It Does a Body Good!

Beer and baklava may sound like a bizarre combo, but it was just the thing to hit the spot after moving my first truckload of stuff to the new apartment. Moving this first load was unbelievably difficult, but it's done. So I met 2 good friends afterwards and rewarded myself with the beverage and the sweet treat.

Sorry I don't have much more to talk about except the breakup and the move, but that is my life at the moment. But I will one day get back to politics, celebrities and spiritual musings. I'm also way behind on reading my own favorite blogs. Anyway, all things in good time.

And of course, thanks for stopping by!

Beer and Baklava: It Does a Body Good!

Beer and baklava may sound like a bizarre combo, but it was just the thing to hit the spot after moving my first truckload of stuff to the new apartment. Moving this first load was unbelievably difficult, but it's done. So I met 2 good friends afterwards and rewarded myself with the beverage and the sweet treat.

Sorry I don't have much more to talk about except the breakup and the move, but that is my life at the moment. But I will one day get back to politics, celebrities and spiritual musings. I'm also way behind on reading my own favorite blogs. Anyway, all things in good time.

And of course, thanks for stopping by!

The Reptilians Continue to Infiltrate--Spread the Word!

Yes, my tongue is firmly planted in cheek. But here's the creepy part. Last week I was out of town at a conference. A good friend from high school lives there, so I thought it would be great to catch up. We headed to the downtown area and had a wonderful sushi lunch. We're talking about old friends, jobs, relationships and so on. Keep in mind that we both went to the same Christian school, so spiritual things were also in the mix. Turns out he's also gay (didn't know it at the time--funny how that happens).

This friend knows nothing about my interests in paganism, shamanism or New Age-type pursuits--hadn't broached the topic yet. So imagine my surprise when he just volunteers that his spiritual interests have changed, and he's been reading this book that describes how reptilians control the world!

He was referring to writer David Icke, who believes all world governments, monarchies and secret societies are really full of malevolent reptilian humanoids. I don't really know all the details (nor do I believe it, for the record), but these kind of crazy things come up now and then in those shamanic workshops I've been attending. I posted recently on a parahistory of Earth--not the same thing, exactly, but it requires the same suspension of disbelief.

Whether or not any of this is true, why is it after 15 years we end up talking about reptilian aliens?! WTF? I find this most intriguing. Only last summer, another friend of mine briefly described how he thought aliens were actually living on Earth. What is going on? These ideas are truly entering the mainstream. So what does this say about our collective psyche?

And don't forget those Hulu commercials!

The Reptilians Continue to Infiltrate--Spread the Word!

Yes, my tongue is firmly planted in cheek. But here's the creepy part. Last week I was out of town at a conference. A good friend from high school lives there, so I thought it would be great to catch up. We headed to the downtown area and had a wonderful sushi lunch. We're talking about old friends, jobs, relationships and so on. Keep in mind that we both went to the same Christian school, so spiritual things were also in the mix. Turns out he's also gay (didn't know it at the time--funny how that happens).

This friend knows nothing about my interests in paganism, shamanism or New Age-type pursuits--hadn't broached the topic yet. So imagine my surprise when he just volunteers that his spiritual interests have changed, and he's been reading this book that describes how reptilians control the world!

He was referring to writer David Icke, who believes all world governments, monarchies and secret societies are really full of malevolent reptilian humanoids. I don't really know all the details (nor do I believe it, for the record), but these kind of crazy things come up now and then in those shamanic workshops I've been attending. I posted recently on a parahistory of Earth--not the same thing, exactly, but it requires the same suspension of disbelief.

Whether or not any of this is true, why is it after 15 years we end up talking about reptilian aliens?! WTF? I find this most intriguing. Only last summer, another friend of mine briefly described how he thought aliens were actually living on Earth. What is going on? These ideas are truly entering the mainstream. So what does this say about our collective psyche?

And don't forget those Hulu commercials!

Power, Chaos and Change

Feelin' pretty impotent at the moment. "Impotent" too loaded a term? Ok, how about powerless.

My sister is a single mom raising 2 kids and struggles to make ends meet. I help her out now and then, but it's never enough.

A friend of mine has a brain tumor--make that several brain tumors. Chemo's not working. Steriods have packed on serious pounds. The docs are now recommending a stronger (ie--more toxic?) treatment regimen. There's little I can do but watch.

Another friend lost her job recently. She's looking and looking, but nothing. This is a woman who inspired me to get back on track with some ambitions and dreams of my own, and now she can't get work. Oh, and her husband lost his job, too! My friend and I talk every couple of days, but what can I do--really?

My father was just in the hospital for a minor thing and he's home now. Dad is 82 and actually in decent health. But I worry about him. He still tries to work and really shouldn't (too many details to go into). He lives about an hour away, so I don't see him as often as I'd like. He also is having trouble in his marriage and is very lonely. What can I do?

Ah, the chaos of life. Theoretically, we're supposed to embrace it and ride the wave, right? I know that when we try to stop change or unravel the chaos is when we lose. And I'm a control freak--so yeah, chaos is not how I roll.

Anxiety, guilt, worry--all illusions, right? When you think about it, who among us really has power? If that's the case, then no one is really "powerless." Power is an illusion.

Yet, how do I help when I can and not let the emotions overtake me?

Power, Chaos and Change

Feelin' pretty impotent at the moment. "Impotent" too loaded a term? Ok, how about powerless.

My sister is a single mom raising 2 kids and struggles to make ends meet. I help her out now and then, but it's never enough.

A friend of mine has a brain tumor--make that several brain tumors. Chemo's not working. Steriods have packed on serious pounds. The docs are now recommending a stronger (ie--more toxic?) treatment regimen. There's little I can do but watch.

Another friend lost her job recently. She's looking and looking, but nothing. This is a woman who inspired me to get back on track with some ambitions and dreams of my own, and now she can't get work. Oh, and her husband lost his job, too! My friend and I talk every couple of days, but what can I do--really?

My father was just in the hospital for a minor thing and he's home now. Dad is 82 and actually in decent health. But I worry about him. He still tries to work and really shouldn't (too many details to go into). He lives about an hour away, so I don't see him as often as I'd like. He also is having trouble in his marriage and is very lonely. What can I do?

Ah, the chaos of life. Theoretically, we're supposed to embrace it and ride the wave, right? I know that when we try to stop change or unravel the chaos is when we lose. And I'm a control freak--so yeah, chaos is not how I roll.

Anxiety, guilt, worry--all illusions, right? When you think about it, who among us really has power? If that's the case, then no one is really "powerless." Power is an illusion.

Yet, how do I help when I can and not let the emotions overtake me?