DESPOILING THE SACRED:
How Much Paper? A Bit Too Much Perhaps?
As I drive around or look out my front windows and view the lovely array of trees growing here in central Tennessee, I try to imagine the vastness of leaves in the world. How many leaves on that tree? Or this one? How many leaves are there on the average tree, if there is such a thing? For statistical purposes, I suppose an arborist or botanist could come up with a figure. Then there would be a separate figure for the number of needles on a pine… I boggle my mind with these thoughts… How many leaves are there in the world?
And yet, with the rain forests and other woodlands disappearing to the blades of the timber industry and the bulldozers of developers, how many have been lost? How many trees, how many leaves, how much potential for oxygen production and CO2 absorption?
Breathe deeply. It is necessary to breathe more deeply to accommodate the thinner mix we are left with. The same could be said for the kelp beds which in some areas of the seas have become sadly endangered.
How many pieces of paper are there in the world? Perhaps as many as the current leaf population. Such conjecture is unfounded and unprovable, yet it is food for thought.
If every American must deal with the same amount of paper in their lives as that which pours into my life from assorted sources, then the number would be incomprehensible to me. My unfounded guess is that not very many other countries would use the same per capita volume of paper each day, week, month or year as here in America.
“Oops! That’s a bad copy. Let me make another.” “Oh goody! Another envelope from Publisher’s Clearing House.” Every single EOB form from my insurance company sends with it a sheet of paper telling how to file a disagreement. It is the same thing each time, and also, if three EOBs come in the same envelope(good they are saving envelops and postage) they still send three of those crazy repetitive complaint forms with it.
Sell a house. Buy a house. The stacks of papers to sign is nearly six inches thick. How thick is the Obama Health Care Plan and how many copies have been printed?
Where I work we sell newspapers, among other things. On average, we sell about thirty copies of a given newspaper per day. They bring us ninety. Why? Then they pick up the leftovers. Someone said they recycle them into cellulose insulation or something. Why print all those extras in the first place?
Paperback books. Same story.
We despoil the sacred trees in an arboristic form of mass genocide, then we make paper, which we despoil with inanities and annoyances. When the used paper is not recycled, then even more trees are cut to grind into pulp for the creation of yet more paper products which will largely go unused, wasted or soiled and spoiled.
Do we not know that paper, because of its sources and the Source of its sources, is a sacred thing?
Worthy endeavors are worth the use of paper. Art, literature, currency*, first editions of new books and reprints of old classics, library books, reference, research and text books, wallpaper, stationary, greeting cards, and personal notes can all be deemed worthy uses of paper. I’m sure there are others.
But, overruns of mass market paperbacks, overruns of newspapers and magazines, excessive and unnecessary packaging materials** advertising junk mail and duplicates of duplicates in corporate cube farms are a sad, sad waste of paper… of trees.
The First Amendment to our Constitution of the United States declares most rightly, that we all have the right of free speech. That does not guarantee us the right to be wasteful. Some discretion must be used in publishing, advertising, the business world and government.
The written word is powerful and wonderful, and as a writer, I am fully supportive of writing in all avenues of endeavor. I do believe, however, that all industries from advertising to publishing to law and government, should take it upon themselves to plant a tree or donate to the Arbor Day Foundation for every ream of paper they consume. And I support the immediate cessation of any and all cutting of old-growth forests.
The planting needs to happen where things have already been cut, and not used to justify fresh cutting. Tree farms will be sufficient for the building and papermill industries. If that makes prices of paper and wood go up a little bit, then so be it. The price of a magazine will increase, but it will not matter because those who want to read it will do so anyway.
*I am surprised by how many people disrespect even the money they carry with them. So many times the money I take at the cash register at work is not only filthy, but is handed to me wadded up and crumpled like so much used toilet paper, or folded and refolded and drawn and written on. If we can respect the money that represents our abundance and livelihood, then what do we respect?
**Paper packaging is wasteful, but plastic packaging is another whole subject for another day!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
# 7: STUFF, STUFFING, AND DESTUFFING OUR LIVES
Issue #7 A Harsh Look at Stuff
It’s All Too Much, Isn’t It?
Nearly everyone I know has or has had too much stuff in their lives. We accumulate stuff for various reasons, such as fear and insecurity, loneliness, guilt, or boredom. I’ll bet you can think of a few other reasons. Sometimes it seems there was no reason at all. The stuff just slowly appeared.
I got out of college and I had some clothes, a foot locker, a few dishes, a hot plate and a couple of pans. I had some stuffed animals, a couple decks of cards, a dice game, and some books, some toiletries and sheets, towels and a couple of blankets. It all fit nicely into my ’68 Chevy BelAire.
The guy I had met in college had a kitchen in his Des Moines apartment that was set up by his mother, a real Joy of Cooking aficionado… her, not her son. So most cooking we did was at his place.
I moved to Boone and took a job as a news journalist, weekend editor, feature writer, etc. In taking the job, I also took the apartment of the fellow whose job I wound up with. With the apartment, came a coffee table and a wire cage containing two gerbils.
My guy followed me to Boone and got a place across town and a couple of jobs.
I got a ring.
We got a place together. And a tank of fish. And some furniture.
We got married and received tons of stuff, including an antique cherry drop leaf table.
There were souvenirs of the wedding and souvenirs of the honeymoon. The stuff accumulated.
We moved when he became a cop. More stuff appeared: guns, targets, more clothes, a constant influx of books. And a dog, my dog: Fluffy was pregnant, so we took her from my parents to make a good home for her.
We got kicked out for smuggling a dog in and out of the window of the apartment, so we rented a house: three bedrooms, 928 square feet. Soon, it was all full. Of course the puppies had arrived and accoutrements began to collect. Bowls, toys, beds, blankies, and oh yes, somewhere along the way a second pair of gerbils had joined our household.
So fish, a wayward snail named Speedy, four gerbils, three dogs and a partridge in a pear tree. Well, not actually, but there was a parakeet for a short time. He was a real screamer. The bird soon went to live with another policeman who raised parakeets. Owlie turned out to be quite a little egg layer, and was soon a mother. I guess he was a she. A brief experience with a kitten shocked us into realizing that vertical surfaces were fair game and the kitten went to live with a cat lady.
Stuff. We sold a lot of stuff before moving to Florida. A small rental house awaited us. Then a move to a bigger rental we shared with a friend. Then she bought a duplex. We rented half. We got a windfall and were informed we had to spend it on a house of our own. (bad advice from an accountant) 900 square feet or so had always seemed about right, even though it may have grown a bit cramped with stuff.
So we built a new house. 3,660 square feet is just about four times larger than what we were accustomed to. So what did we do? We promptly began to fill it with stuff. The stuff we had did not begin to fill it up. We had to get more stuff. And so we did.
Too much stuff. And now, post-divorce, and no longer in Florida, I find myself with enough stuff to supply maybe 3 large families with adequate stuff. Garage sale-ing has been a slow way to divest myself of stuff. Many more weekends shall be taken up by baring my retail soul to the passing public. I’m Craigslisting also, and thinking of giving Half.com a try.
The goal: Freedom through simplicity. Eventually I will spend much less time and money maintaining and warehousing stuff. This house, which is on the market, is about 2800 square feet. It’s full, but the dogs and I only live in three rooms of it: kitchen, bedroom, and ‘dog den,’ plus the bathrooms. Oh yeah, Munchie eats in a wee corner of the dining room to keep him from fighting with the others. Mealtime crating could also solve that issue. The rest of it is storage for furniture, books and miscellanea.
Having lost three of my six dogs this past year or so, I see clearly how having TOO MUCH in the way of pets can really complicate your life. I miss Tucker, Bob and Sierra fiercely, but know now that three is my absolute limit for sane living. Eventually it will be two and I do not intend to go beyond that.
In my garage sale, I have a number of purses for sale. Almost new, they are the result of choices based on color more than anything else. Are they cute? Damn straight they’re cute. Useful? Not so much. To me, a soft-sided purse is a collapsing star. You put something in it and the black hole enfolds itself over the item and you may never see it again, unless it is ejected by some cosmic mishap, like a spillage. It makes a nice show but you wouldn’t want to live there.
I stumbled across a web site earlier today that promised the ultimate in bags. Every single bag I looked at had some issue taking it out of the running for me. (except one, but I won’t get it due to the aforementioned financial difficulties). Anyhow, there were thousands. I do not know how many thousands, but certainly the styles and designers outnumber the population of Great Britain and the Commonwealth.
Point? Too many choices. In many cases the distinguishing characteristics amounted to nothing but variations in the shape and amount of bling. Why are so many resources used to make so many worthless purses? It is a competition based fundamentally on greed, I think. The creativity that has been spent on the various designs only makes them different enough to not be copies of basic patterns. It’s All Too Much!
Point? I think perhaps I will decorate an empty paint bucket and carry my stuff in that. It’s the right size. It’s got a sturdy handle, and hard sides to keep it from collapsing. I’d rather it were rectangular instead of round, but hey, sometimes our choices are not perfect even when they are the best at the time.
So, here’s the deal.
I am in this uncomfortable financial, emotional and physical situation because of the choices I have made. I have chosen to seek security in the accumulation of stuff. What I have found instead of security, is enslavement.
As goes the individual, so goes the nation. Who said that? Not sure, but it is demonstrated to be true over and over again. We as individuals have overspent ourselves into various levels of personal financial crisis. America has overspent itself into a state of unprecedented and perilous financial crisis.
As I work to excavate myself from this dark pit of debt, I pray that America will begin to follow suit.
Let’s save America one individual at a time. Join me in my quest for debt free, low impact living.
My first step has been to stop all spending. Now I only buy gasoline, food, and replacement clothing for work. Okay, confession time, the hardest thing to give up has been buying books and, I’m tapering off rapidly. The only books I’ve purchased recently were used books, for mere pennies. But I’ve taken a lesson from several of my bookstore browsers (cannot call them customers since they do not buy, only browse). I use my cell phone to take shots of books that I want. It’s like a cooling off period. If I’m still really interested in the book, I can borrow it at a library or get it used for pennies. Meanwhile, I no longer whip out the credit card, and I also leave the debit card tucked away safely.
Converting to a cash-only basis is a challenging adjustment, but I was surprised to find that it actually feels good.
Some contend that ceasing spending will further ruin the economy. I agree it will have impact, but I think it should be looked at as a transformation rather than a ruination. The future will be different than the present. We know that. It’s a given. And that is a topic for another issue.
Be Well
Victoria
It’s All Too Much, Isn’t It?
Nearly everyone I know has or has had too much stuff in their lives. We accumulate stuff for various reasons, such as fear and insecurity, loneliness, guilt, or boredom. I’ll bet you can think of a few other reasons. Sometimes it seems there was no reason at all. The stuff just slowly appeared.
I got out of college and I had some clothes, a foot locker, a few dishes, a hot plate and a couple of pans. I had some stuffed animals, a couple decks of cards, a dice game, and some books, some toiletries and sheets, towels and a couple of blankets. It all fit nicely into my ’68 Chevy BelAire.
The guy I had met in college had a kitchen in his Des Moines apartment that was set up by his mother, a real Joy of Cooking aficionado… her, not her son. So most cooking we did was at his place.
I moved to Boone and took a job as a news journalist, weekend editor, feature writer, etc. In taking the job, I also took the apartment of the fellow whose job I wound up with. With the apartment, came a coffee table and a wire cage containing two gerbils.
My guy followed me to Boone and got a place across town and a couple of jobs.
I got a ring.
We got a place together. And a tank of fish. And some furniture.
We got married and received tons of stuff, including an antique cherry drop leaf table.
There were souvenirs of the wedding and souvenirs of the honeymoon. The stuff accumulated.
We moved when he became a cop. More stuff appeared: guns, targets, more clothes, a constant influx of books. And a dog, my dog: Fluffy was pregnant, so we took her from my parents to make a good home for her.
We got kicked out for smuggling a dog in and out of the window of the apartment, so we rented a house: three bedrooms, 928 square feet. Soon, it was all full. Of course the puppies had arrived and accoutrements began to collect. Bowls, toys, beds, blankies, and oh yes, somewhere along the way a second pair of gerbils had joined our household.
So fish, a wayward snail named Speedy, four gerbils, three dogs and a partridge in a pear tree. Well, not actually, but there was a parakeet for a short time. He was a real screamer. The bird soon went to live with another policeman who raised parakeets. Owlie turned out to be quite a little egg layer, and was soon a mother. I guess he was a she. A brief experience with a kitten shocked us into realizing that vertical surfaces were fair game and the kitten went to live with a cat lady.
Stuff. We sold a lot of stuff before moving to Florida. A small rental house awaited us. Then a move to a bigger rental we shared with a friend. Then she bought a duplex. We rented half. We got a windfall and were informed we had to spend it on a house of our own. (bad advice from an accountant) 900 square feet or so had always seemed about right, even though it may have grown a bit cramped with stuff.
So we built a new house. 3,660 square feet is just about four times larger than what we were accustomed to. So what did we do? We promptly began to fill it with stuff. The stuff we had did not begin to fill it up. We had to get more stuff. And so we did.
Too much stuff. And now, post-divorce, and no longer in Florida, I find myself with enough stuff to supply maybe 3 large families with adequate stuff. Garage sale-ing has been a slow way to divest myself of stuff. Many more weekends shall be taken up by baring my retail soul to the passing public. I’m Craigslisting also, and thinking of giving Half.com a try.
The goal: Freedom through simplicity. Eventually I will spend much less time and money maintaining and warehousing stuff. This house, which is on the market, is about 2800 square feet. It’s full, but the dogs and I only live in three rooms of it: kitchen, bedroom, and ‘dog den,’ plus the bathrooms. Oh yeah, Munchie eats in a wee corner of the dining room to keep him from fighting with the others. Mealtime crating could also solve that issue. The rest of it is storage for furniture, books and miscellanea.
Having lost three of my six dogs this past year or so, I see clearly how having TOO MUCH in the way of pets can really complicate your life. I miss Tucker, Bob and Sierra fiercely, but know now that three is my absolute limit for sane living. Eventually it will be two and I do not intend to go beyond that.
In my garage sale, I have a number of purses for sale. Almost new, they are the result of choices based on color more than anything else. Are they cute? Damn straight they’re cute. Useful? Not so much. To me, a soft-sided purse is a collapsing star. You put something in it and the black hole enfolds itself over the item and you may never see it again, unless it is ejected by some cosmic mishap, like a spillage. It makes a nice show but you wouldn’t want to live there.
I stumbled across a web site earlier today that promised the ultimate in bags. Every single bag I looked at had some issue taking it out of the running for me. (except one, but I won’t get it due to the aforementioned financial difficulties). Anyhow, there were thousands. I do not know how many thousands, but certainly the styles and designers outnumber the population of Great Britain and the Commonwealth.
Point? Too many choices. In many cases the distinguishing characteristics amounted to nothing but variations in the shape and amount of bling. Why are so many resources used to make so many worthless purses? It is a competition based fundamentally on greed, I think. The creativity that has been spent on the various designs only makes them different enough to not be copies of basic patterns. It’s All Too Much!
Point? I think perhaps I will decorate an empty paint bucket and carry my stuff in that. It’s the right size. It’s got a sturdy handle, and hard sides to keep it from collapsing. I’d rather it were rectangular instead of round, but hey, sometimes our choices are not perfect even when they are the best at the time.
So, here’s the deal.
I am in this uncomfortable financial, emotional and physical situation because of the choices I have made. I have chosen to seek security in the accumulation of stuff. What I have found instead of security, is enslavement.
As goes the individual, so goes the nation. Who said that? Not sure, but it is demonstrated to be true over and over again. We as individuals have overspent ourselves into various levels of personal financial crisis. America has overspent itself into a state of unprecedented and perilous financial crisis.
As I work to excavate myself from this dark pit of debt, I pray that America will begin to follow suit.
Let’s save America one individual at a time. Join me in my quest for debt free, low impact living.
My first step has been to stop all spending. Now I only buy gasoline, food, and replacement clothing for work. Okay, confession time, the hardest thing to give up has been buying books and, I’m tapering off rapidly. The only books I’ve purchased recently were used books, for mere pennies. But I’ve taken a lesson from several of my bookstore browsers (cannot call them customers since they do not buy, only browse). I use my cell phone to take shots of books that I want. It’s like a cooling off period. If I’m still really interested in the book, I can borrow it at a library or get it used for pennies. Meanwhile, I no longer whip out the credit card, and I also leave the debit card tucked away safely.
Converting to a cash-only basis is a challenging adjustment, but I was surprised to find that it actually feels good.
Some contend that ceasing spending will further ruin the economy. I agree it will have impact, but I think it should be looked at as a transformation rather than a ruination. The future will be different than the present. We know that. It’s a given. And that is a topic for another issue.
Be Well
Victoria
Sunday, September 12, 2010
How Did This Happen to Me? Blog # 6
It’s All Too Much
Quite suddenly, I find myself faced with impending foreclosure and on this day, 9/11/2010 Yes the 9th anniversary of the terrible attacks on our nation) I find myself attacked. I am a victim only of my own poor choices and bad decisions and of course, failing in my marriage.
I must move out of my house prior to October 13th, or the people who do these things will come here and place me, my dogs and all of our belongings out in the ditch (we have no curbs in this neighborhood) and we will be deciding if Tent City is our only option or not.
Following ill-advised ‘legal advice,’ I find, although I tout the principles of simplicity, ethics, and good stewardship, I am now reaping the spoils of poor stewardship that I could or would not see myself committing for the past twenty years.
There are so many ‘if onlies’ that come to mind. They are nothing but stumbling blocks at this point, unless I make sure to learn from them. If given an opportunity in the future, I will certainly comport myself differently.
If I had even half the money I have spent on books during the past twenty-five years (many of which have not even been read) I would not be in this situation. Creditors will not take books or other goods, they are not barterers, but operate only on a cash basis.
If you have been reading my blogs, you will see that I have shared with you some pearls of wisdom along the way. This is one of the most important practical things I can share with you today:
Get out and stay out of debt. Never purchase anything you cannot afford to purchase for cash. Credit is a temptation from the dark side. Become a cash- only person. Spend cash when you must, or use a debit card if you have to, drawing only on what is actually in your bank account. Save for contingencies and unexpected pop-ups. Invest only in things that have real value that will always appreciate (if there is such a thing) and be smart, aware, and wise to the ‘moneychangers’. Know this: in spite of the old laws on the books to prohibit it, usury is alive and well in the world today, turning well-meaning ordinary folks into serfs and slaves.
Here is an important article I want to share with all of you:
Click here: Secrets of the debt-collection biz uncovered by a reporter
So, just so you are aware, sometime in the next several weeks, I may not be able to post regularly. If I am living on the street, it might be a problem using electricity and the internet.
I looked at an apartment last night. It had no room for my bed. 400 square feet for $630.00. It is the first place I’ve seen. It was wonderful location and landlady-wise, but Add storage fees and I might as well live in storage… Didn’t Kramer do that at one point? Someone did. I think it’s illegal.
I apologize for this posting. It is not solution-oriented as I strive for. That is because no solutions have occurred to me. I just want to be forthright with my readers and perhaps, if you could offer some feedback it would help me to find the solution to all of this. I cannot say that prayer has not worked. On the contrary. My heartfelt distaste for where I live and why I live here is coming home to roost. I did not realize how fond I am of this solid brick ‘money pit’ until faced with the utter loss of it. It is a perfect example of the song:
Our thoughts are prayers
And we are always praying
Our thoughts are prayers
Listen to what you saying
Seek a higher consciousness
A state of peacefulness
And know that God is always there
For every thought becomes a prayer.
It is true, what is said: “All prayers are answered”
It is also true: “Be careful what you pray for”
Remember: WORDS ARE POWER
Love to all
Victoria
Quite suddenly, I find myself faced with impending foreclosure and on this day, 9/11/2010 Yes the 9th anniversary of the terrible attacks on our nation) I find myself attacked. I am a victim only of my own poor choices and bad decisions and of course, failing in my marriage.
I must move out of my house prior to October 13th, or the people who do these things will come here and place me, my dogs and all of our belongings out in the ditch (we have no curbs in this neighborhood) and we will be deciding if Tent City is our only option or not.
Following ill-advised ‘legal advice,’ I find, although I tout the principles of simplicity, ethics, and good stewardship, I am now reaping the spoils of poor stewardship that I could or would not see myself committing for the past twenty years.
There are so many ‘if onlies’ that come to mind. They are nothing but stumbling blocks at this point, unless I make sure to learn from them. If given an opportunity in the future, I will certainly comport myself differently.
If I had even half the money I have spent on books during the past twenty-five years (many of which have not even been read) I would not be in this situation. Creditors will not take books or other goods, they are not barterers, but operate only on a cash basis.
If you have been reading my blogs, you will see that I have shared with you some pearls of wisdom along the way. This is one of the most important practical things I can share with you today:
Get out and stay out of debt. Never purchase anything you cannot afford to purchase for cash. Credit is a temptation from the dark side. Become a cash- only person. Spend cash when you must, or use a debit card if you have to, drawing only on what is actually in your bank account. Save for contingencies and unexpected pop-ups. Invest only in things that have real value that will always appreciate (if there is such a thing) and be smart, aware, and wise to the ‘moneychangers’. Know this: in spite of the old laws on the books to prohibit it, usury is alive and well in the world today, turning well-meaning ordinary folks into serfs and slaves.
Here is an important article I want to share with all of you:
Click here: Secrets of the debt-collection biz uncovered by a reporter
So, just so you are aware, sometime in the next several weeks, I may not be able to post regularly. If I am living on the street, it might be a problem using electricity and the internet.
I looked at an apartment last night. It had no room for my bed. 400 square feet for $630.00. It is the first place I’ve seen. It was wonderful location and landlady-wise, but Add storage fees and I might as well live in storage… Didn’t Kramer do that at one point? Someone did. I think it’s illegal.
I apologize for this posting. It is not solution-oriented as I strive for. That is because no solutions have occurred to me. I just want to be forthright with my readers and perhaps, if you could offer some feedback it would help me to find the solution to all of this. I cannot say that prayer has not worked. On the contrary. My heartfelt distaste for where I live and why I live here is coming home to roost. I did not realize how fond I am of this solid brick ‘money pit’ until faced with the utter loss of it. It is a perfect example of the song:
Our thoughts are prayers
And we are always praying
Our thoughts are prayers
Listen to what you saying
Seek a higher consciousness
A state of peacefulness
And know that God is always there
For every thought becomes a prayer.
It is true, what is said: “All prayers are answered”
It is also true: “Be careful what you pray for”
Remember: WORDS ARE POWER
Love to all
Victoria
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Too Much? Simplify
Simple Simplify Simplicity
It's All Too Much #5
‘Tis a gift to be simple ‘tis a gift to be free
‘Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be
And when we find ourselves in a place just right
We’ll be in a valley of love and delight
When true simplicity is gained
To bow and to bend
We shan’t be ashamed
To turn, turn will be a delight
For by turning and turning we’ll come ‘round right.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amcGIfMu0bw (copy and paste for link)
That little song, a standard of the Shakers, has a profound message. Of course there are those naysayers who will say it is too radical, to subservient, or too something else. Well, if we could just simplify our outlook and find the succulent tidbit of truth within for each of us, then perhaps criticism could be curtailed.
You may know, there is a monthly magazine devoted to simplifying your life. This somewhat oxymoronic publication is thicker than Cosmo and filled to overflowing with advertisements for all the things you have to purchase in order to make your life simple. The articles themselves are mainly more recommendations for things that assure you will simplify your life, thus leaving you more time for you.
I have yet to achieve my desired state of simplicity, but I know it will entail removing things from my life, not acquiring more things to hold and organize the things that already have me overstuffed.
I am not planning to join a convent or move to Lancaster County. I simply want to lighten my load and free myself of the burdens of past choices that have weighed me down.
Seems to me that Madison Avenue, much like the Pharisees, Sadducees and the Catholic hierarchy have striven to alter the fundamental meanings of certain words, to bend them to their own use.
Meekness
Stewardship
Simplicity
These, to me, are the most glaring examples.
But then, to further point a finger, the word ‘acedia’ has been almost totally excised from dictionaries, from common usage, and even from acknowledgement by the clergy who exist to help us with our spiritual and emotional needs.
Meekness, as we discussed in a prior blog post, is, according to Jesus best defined as ‘moderation.’
Stewardship is caretaking and watching over, as a shepherd with a flock, or a mother with a toddler.
Simple means to be uncomplicated, easy, without worry over excessive concerns.
These words are virtues to be attained in order to achieve inner peace. Inner peace leads ultimately to outer peace.
It begins right here. Inside of you. Inside of me. As I am the center of my own universe, you are the center of your universe. Our individual universes (auric fields) interact, and impose influence on each other and with all of those who inhabit this planet.
The principle of the monkeys applies here. You know the story, It was observed by a biologist in the field, that one day, a monkey went down to the lake and washed his fruit before he ate it. Next day he did it again. The following day, another monkey joined him in fruit-washing. And on it went. One day there were half a dozen monkeys washing their fruit, the next day, all the monkeys on the island had joined them. At the same time, tribes of monkeys on other isolated islands began to also wash their fruit.
We are looking to achieve a shift in consciousness on a planet-wide basis. To do this we begin where we are. With diligence, sharing, and sincerity, we will achieve the critical mass to alter the direction humanity is headed. Like the monkeys, we will influence our greater society for the good.
Looking for grandiose, complicated, dazzling political solutions does not work. How many times have we seen huge efforts fail to do anything but palliate, placate and ultimately alienate?
May Peace and Joy and Simplicity and Meekness reign within you.
Blessed Be
Victoria Lea
It's All Too Much #5
‘Tis a gift to be simple ‘tis a gift to be free
‘Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be
And when we find ourselves in a place just right
We’ll be in a valley of love and delight
When true simplicity is gained
To bow and to bend
We shan’t be ashamed
To turn, turn will be a delight
For by turning and turning we’ll come ‘round right.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amcGIfMu0bw (copy and paste for link)
That little song, a standard of the Shakers, has a profound message. Of course there are those naysayers who will say it is too radical, to subservient, or too something else. Well, if we could just simplify our outlook and find the succulent tidbit of truth within for each of us, then perhaps criticism could be curtailed.
You may know, there is a monthly magazine devoted to simplifying your life. This somewhat oxymoronic publication is thicker than Cosmo and filled to overflowing with advertisements for all the things you have to purchase in order to make your life simple. The articles themselves are mainly more recommendations for things that assure you will simplify your life, thus leaving you more time for you.
I have yet to achieve my desired state of simplicity, but I know it will entail removing things from my life, not acquiring more things to hold and organize the things that already have me overstuffed.
I am not planning to join a convent or move to Lancaster County. I simply want to lighten my load and free myself of the burdens of past choices that have weighed me down.
Seems to me that Madison Avenue, much like the Pharisees, Sadducees and the Catholic hierarchy have striven to alter the fundamental meanings of certain words, to bend them to their own use.
Meekness
Stewardship
Simplicity
These, to me, are the most glaring examples.
But then, to further point a finger, the word ‘acedia’ has been almost totally excised from dictionaries, from common usage, and even from acknowledgement by the clergy who exist to help us with our spiritual and emotional needs.
Meekness, as we discussed in a prior blog post, is, according to Jesus best defined as ‘moderation.’
Stewardship is caretaking and watching over, as a shepherd with a flock, or a mother with a toddler.
Simple means to be uncomplicated, easy, without worry over excessive concerns.
These words are virtues to be attained in order to achieve inner peace. Inner peace leads ultimately to outer peace.
It begins right here. Inside of you. Inside of me. As I am the center of my own universe, you are the center of your universe. Our individual universes (auric fields) interact, and impose influence on each other and with all of those who inhabit this planet.
The principle of the monkeys applies here. You know the story, It was observed by a biologist in the field, that one day, a monkey went down to the lake and washed his fruit before he ate it. Next day he did it again. The following day, another monkey joined him in fruit-washing. And on it went. One day there were half a dozen monkeys washing their fruit, the next day, all the monkeys on the island had joined them. At the same time, tribes of monkeys on other isolated islands began to also wash their fruit.
We are looking to achieve a shift in consciousness on a planet-wide basis. To do this we begin where we are. With diligence, sharing, and sincerity, we will achieve the critical mass to alter the direction humanity is headed. Like the monkeys, we will influence our greater society for the good.
Looking for grandiose, complicated, dazzling political solutions does not work. How many times have we seen huge efforts fail to do anything but palliate, placate and ultimately alienate?
May Peace and Joy and Simplicity and Meekness reign within you.
Blessed Be
Victoria Lea
Saturday, August 14, 2010
I Have a Confession
It’s All Too Much Issue # 4
I have a confession.
As an unwitting victim of hyperbole I have taken a close look at myself recently and have grown uncomfortable with what I see.
I have allowed some of my talent to be misappropriated. No, no, that’s not correct. I take full responsibility for my lack of awareness. As an airy Gemini, I possess a predilection for words, drama, and enthusiasm. This is the good part.
The dark side is when I have fallen into tendencies toward hyperbole, exaggeration, expletives, misuse of words of power, and a tendency to over-dramatize when I speak. Not always, certainly, but rather often. I watch myself do these things when I am agitated, aggravated, angry … Hmmm seems like when I am under the influence of adrenaline.
I was a sponge for dramatization throughout school, being in every play that came along. I adored speech class. To this day, I love public speaking. Without an outlet for these passions, it appears I have allowed them to seep into my daily interactions in ways that ultimately disempower me.
If everything is a BIGDEAL, then nothing is a big deal. Like sensory overload, hyperbole numbs the listener and builds a wall between the ears and the heart. The allegory of the Boy Who Cried Wolf holds a message I have long remembered, but have seldom taken personally.
A few years back, I, much as everyone else within my ken watched a good deal of television. The shows I enjoyed often had a few characters who would totally overdramatize things. Think of Cordelia on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. With Cordelia and her groupies of the 'popular girls,' everything was OMG this and OMG that. Oh yeah, and 'TOTALLY!'. How lame that I would pick that up and incorporate it into my vernacular. And me, an adult, no less. Think 'sponge.'
I guess, one way or another, we all have our bling. Mine is verbal rather than in clothing and accessories.
Living a life surrounded by wonderful men, military men, police officers, strong, good men who fought crime and served our country in both war and in peace, I have enjoyed their influence on my life. Many of my reading choices have been influenced by them, as well as many of the TV shows and movies I have seen. Yes, I do have a personal interest in cop and military books and visual material, as well as those who follow those careers. Not being a participant in the vocations, I have absorbed much of the language. And yes, this does include a full lexicon of less than polite words.
The Power of Words (just a brief look at this vast topic)
No word in and of itself is intrinsically bad. They are a conglomeration of letters standing in for sounds. What is good or bad is the intention of the word and what is trying to be conveyed. The meaning implied or traditionally ascribed to the word is wherein lies the possibility of overstatement, misinterpretation or knee-jerk escalation of conflict.
We touched briefly in an earlier blog, on the concept of offense. I would refer again to that topic as well.
The majority of us all run our mouths off meaninglessly at times. Lacking thought, intention or consideration, sometimes these thoughtless words hurt, sometimes they fall on deaf ears. Couple that with hyperbole, with allowing the ego-self to knee-jerk responses to stimuli whether it be an assault, a reprimand, a flirtation or a stubbed toe, and an individual’s power may drain away much like pouring gasoline on either a concrete driveway or a pile of brush. It will evaporate into the atmosphere, its molecules joining the air we breathe (yuck), or it will ignite into a fiery destructive force.
Wasting power, misusing power, whilst feeling powerless are very common tendencies within our culture. What we do not realize is that every word spoken, every thought held, is an act of power, for good or ill.
I know a woman who stands above this crowd in my eyes. In fact, she has caused me to open my eyes to myself and by comparison, I come up short in this area, and to her I am very grateful. This woman is most uncommon. One does not encounter someone like her often. Especially someone of her generation. She is quite a bit younger than me. Maybe mid thirties. Hard to say. She is genteel. Genteel like my Grandma Fern was. She is soft-spoken. When she speaks, people listen. Actually listen to what she has to say. She does not expostulate. I have never heard her raise her voice, except to communicate with the hard-of-hearing. She has no hyperbole in her speech or flourishes in her demeanor. She is graceful in every sense of the word. She exudes an inner elegance that has absolutely nothing to do with the contents of high fashion magazines. She is blessedly bling-free. This young woman has become something of a role model for me. With all of her unassuming gentle strength, she has achieved management level in the companies for which she works.
In some small way, I think she lives Jesus’ admonitions about a soft answer turneth away wrath and the beatitude that the meek shall inherit the Earth.
The problem with that Beatitude, is that people do not know the true meaning of the word ‘meek.’ Jesus, Himself defines ‘meek,’ in the book Love Without End tm Jesus Speaks by Glenda Green, on page 47, line 36 to 48, line 3, where He says: “In your language meek implies humility and servitude. This is not what I meant. The word ‘moderate’ would more accurately convey my message.”
Temperate is a good word. Moderation in all things does not mean to eschew all things, but simply to consider factors and consequences, take responsibility, and tread lightly. Softness and kindness do not imply weakness. The gentleness of a mother tiger with her kits belies the power and strength within.
It is to these things that I aspire. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable unto You, my Strength and my Redeemer,” is somewhere in the Bible, probably Psalms. I know, I have quoted that previously. It's one I use each day, so bear with me, okay?
But what to do about all of that adrenaline? How does an angered werewolf keep from shifting into the wolf form when adrenaline pumps richly through his bloodstream? I think deep breathing and a silent plea for divine help and guidance are key. Archangel Michael is always willing to help if he is asked to do so. Unless physical danger is imminent and a response is crucial, think about something else. Celery, puppies, birthday cake, or something unassociated and delightfully pleasant will help to calm the beast within, whether one is a werewolf or not.
Hmmm. there is an introduction to a forthcoming topic in that. One near and dear to my heart.
Until next time,
Blessings from
Victoria
PS: to view earlier topics, use the archive buttons in the box at the left. Don't miss out!!!
I have a confession.
As an unwitting victim of hyperbole I have taken a close look at myself recently and have grown uncomfortable with what I see.
I have allowed some of my talent to be misappropriated. No, no, that’s not correct. I take full responsibility for my lack of awareness. As an airy Gemini, I possess a predilection for words, drama, and enthusiasm. This is the good part.
The dark side is when I have fallen into tendencies toward hyperbole, exaggeration, expletives, misuse of words of power, and a tendency to over-dramatize when I speak. Not always, certainly, but rather often. I watch myself do these things when I am agitated, aggravated, angry … Hmmm seems like when I am under the influence of adrenaline.
I was a sponge for dramatization throughout school, being in every play that came along. I adored speech class. To this day, I love public speaking. Without an outlet for these passions, it appears I have allowed them to seep into my daily interactions in ways that ultimately disempower me.
If everything is a BIGDEAL, then nothing is a big deal. Like sensory overload, hyperbole numbs the listener and builds a wall between the ears and the heart. The allegory of the Boy Who Cried Wolf holds a message I have long remembered, but have seldom taken personally.
A few years back, I, much as everyone else within my ken watched a good deal of television. The shows I enjoyed often had a few characters who would totally overdramatize things. Think of Cordelia on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. With Cordelia and her groupies of the 'popular girls,' everything was OMG this and OMG that. Oh yeah, and 'TOTALLY!'. How lame that I would pick that up and incorporate it into my vernacular. And me, an adult, no less. Think 'sponge.'
I guess, one way or another, we all have our bling. Mine is verbal rather than in clothing and accessories.
Living a life surrounded by wonderful men, military men, police officers, strong, good men who fought crime and served our country in both war and in peace, I have enjoyed their influence on my life. Many of my reading choices have been influenced by them, as well as many of the TV shows and movies I have seen. Yes, I do have a personal interest in cop and military books and visual material, as well as those who follow those careers. Not being a participant in the vocations, I have absorbed much of the language. And yes, this does include a full lexicon of less than polite words.
The Power of Words (just a brief look at this vast topic)
No word in and of itself is intrinsically bad. They are a conglomeration of letters standing in for sounds. What is good or bad is the intention of the word and what is trying to be conveyed. The meaning implied or traditionally ascribed to the word is wherein lies the possibility of overstatement, misinterpretation or knee-jerk escalation of conflict.
We touched briefly in an earlier blog, on the concept of offense. I would refer again to that topic as well.
The majority of us all run our mouths off meaninglessly at times. Lacking thought, intention or consideration, sometimes these thoughtless words hurt, sometimes they fall on deaf ears. Couple that with hyperbole, with allowing the ego-self to knee-jerk responses to stimuli whether it be an assault, a reprimand, a flirtation or a stubbed toe, and an individual’s power may drain away much like pouring gasoline on either a concrete driveway or a pile of brush. It will evaporate into the atmosphere, its molecules joining the air we breathe (yuck), or it will ignite into a fiery destructive force.
Wasting power, misusing power, whilst feeling powerless are very common tendencies within our culture. What we do not realize is that every word spoken, every thought held, is an act of power, for good or ill.
I know a woman who stands above this crowd in my eyes. In fact, she has caused me to open my eyes to myself and by comparison, I come up short in this area, and to her I am very grateful. This woman is most uncommon. One does not encounter someone like her often. Especially someone of her generation. She is quite a bit younger than me. Maybe mid thirties. Hard to say. She is genteel. Genteel like my Grandma Fern was. She is soft-spoken. When she speaks, people listen. Actually listen to what she has to say. She does not expostulate. I have never heard her raise her voice, except to communicate with the hard-of-hearing. She has no hyperbole in her speech or flourishes in her demeanor. She is graceful in every sense of the word. She exudes an inner elegance that has absolutely nothing to do with the contents of high fashion magazines. She is blessedly bling-free. This young woman has become something of a role model for me. With all of her unassuming gentle strength, she has achieved management level in the companies for which she works.
In some small way, I think she lives Jesus’ admonitions about a soft answer turneth away wrath and the beatitude that the meek shall inherit the Earth.
The problem with that Beatitude, is that people do not know the true meaning of the word ‘meek.’ Jesus, Himself defines ‘meek,’ in the book Love Without End tm Jesus Speaks by Glenda Green, on page 47, line 36 to 48, line 3, where He says: “In your language meek implies humility and servitude. This is not what I meant. The word ‘moderate’ would more accurately convey my message.”
Temperate is a good word. Moderation in all things does not mean to eschew all things, but simply to consider factors and consequences, take responsibility, and tread lightly. Softness and kindness do not imply weakness. The gentleness of a mother tiger with her kits belies the power and strength within.
It is to these things that I aspire. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable unto You, my Strength and my Redeemer,” is somewhere in the Bible, probably Psalms. I know, I have quoted that previously. It's one I use each day, so bear with me, okay?
But what to do about all of that adrenaline? How does an angered werewolf keep from shifting into the wolf form when adrenaline pumps richly through his bloodstream? I think deep breathing and a silent plea for divine help and guidance are key. Archangel Michael is always willing to help if he is asked to do so. Unless physical danger is imminent and a response is crucial, think about something else. Celery, puppies, birthday cake, or something unassociated and delightfully pleasant will help to calm the beast within, whether one is a werewolf or not.
Hmmm. there is an introduction to a forthcoming topic in that. One near and dear to my heart.
Until next time,
Blessings from
Victoria
PS: to view earlier topics, use the archive buttons in the box at the left. Don't miss out!!!
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