The idea is to give these lot's of thought. Get in touch with your spiritual, mental, emotional and physical aspects. It's possible to have a few answers; if you do, good! For maximum benefit, write down your answers and use it as the first draft of you life's road map. Also, keep in mind that you are not alone in the world, that you are part of a family, community, nation and world. How will what you're thinking about impact these?
Part Three
What would you like to do less of, do differently or stop doing altogether?
How could you begin?
What support do you need?
What’s the most important thing in the world to you, right now?
What do you want to experience in your life, right now?
How would that look, sound, taste and feel? Really get into it. Feel it, see it, be it now. Claim it for yourself. Choose now to orient your life around creating it. [Be-Do-Have]
Where are you, in relation to that on a scale of 1-10, how close?
Be as honest and accepting of your current reality as you can. By holding your vision and your reality simultaneously, you create a structural tension that will help pull you towards the successful realization of your vision.
What would it be like for you, if this were two points higher?
What would it be worth to achieve that?
What would you be willing to do, right now, to move forward?
And, after that?
What might prevent you from doing those things?
What two actions will you take in the next few hours to overcome the blocks and move forward?
How can you be sure you’ll take those actions? What will you do to be sure you’ll take those actions?
Friday, January 29, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Handsomey Cat
Handsomey Cat
“Oh,” Robert said, stroking the cat’s back, feeling the luxurious softness deep in his chest. “You are such a handsomey cat!” His voice was low and deep. Hollowing his fist, he gripped Buster’s tail lightly and slowly pulled upward. The purr rumbled deep in Buster’s throat. “Oh, yes,” Robert said, making a hollow fist with his other hand, running Buster’s tail through it then alternating, one hand over the other, enjoying the sensation of supple softness. The cat arched his back and flipped his tail back and forth.
Oh, this was soo good! And the cat was always there too, waiting right outside the front door. The luxurious feel of fur, the intimacy, effortless responsiveness and open defenselessness of the animal was seductive. Every morning before running, no matter how scheduled the day ahead was. Robert made time to be with Buster.
Five months ago, when their relationship began, Robert would stand, hands at his sides as Buster approached in narrowing circles until the cat rubbed Robert’s shin. Now, Robert sat on the rose-colored slate-paved driveway, a few feet from the front door, left leg forming a triangular opening the cat liked to go in and out of, while Buster stood, facing him, front paws on Robert’s right thigh, face just inches from Robert’s own.
“You are such a handsomey cat.” Buster meowed. “And you speak cat so well!” It felt good to praise the cat, sacred, somehow. Stroking Buster, feeling the softness, the flesh beneath and the firmer muscles and bones beneath that, grounded Robert, made him both more real and more other, more connected to everything and nothing, more deeply sensual and fleshy, and more ethereal, too. Time stood still, thinking, counting, planning and proving ceased in those luxurious strokes.
Robert had had dogs before. Buster was his first cat. He wasn’t actually Robert’s cat. Buster belonged to a woman across the street, two doors down. Dogs were fun and responsive, but not like this cat. Buster was more independent than his dogs had been. He required space, even respect. The cat was more self-contained, quieter, more focused and intense than any dog, and appreciated Robert’s attentions more, positively basking in the stroking.
That and the purring, the rumbling, deep in Buster’s throat, audible two feet away, made Robert want to play with him. No, not ‘play’ with, be with. Robert found himself wanting to please Buster, to repay him for the wonderful luxurious, sensual spirituality Robert felt deep in his chest as Buster moved under Robert’s hands. The animal was so other! And those eyes – all black pupil in the dark of early morning, then concave green in the full daylight.
“Handsomey, handsomey cat,” Robert praised, putting his face close to Buster’s feeling the long whiskers touch his cheek. He ran his open hands along the cat’s grey tiger-striped flanks. Buster shifted, moved and arched into the stroking and brought his face closer to Robert’s. “Handsomey, handsomey cat.”
Wait. Hold on. This wasn’t the way it was supposed to be. Not for Robert Franks, anyhow. Certainly not for Bob Franks on a day with a full schedule. There was a Chamber meeting at 7:30, just two hours from now. No way could he do his mile and a half race walk, meditate, tai-chi, eat shower and shave and be there on time. He’d have to skip the tai-chi and eat a couple of pieces of toast in the car.
“Meow,” Buster said, turning his back on Bob and moving away. He reached out as Buster stepped forward and stroked his tail. “My, my soo furry and twisty! Just a couple more strokes.” The cat sat down and gazed at him. Bob stroked him with both hands. Enough. Gotta get going.
Easy. What’s more important, staying on schedule, keeping your word, being successful? Buster purred and put his front paws on Bob’s knee. Or, just being; just being here and petting this cat? Bob sighed, deeply. Why does it have to be ‘either/or’; why can’t it be ‘both/and’? Why can’t I sit here with the cat and be successful? Does there have to be a trade-off? No. But the extra time would have to come from somewhere. He’d have to get up earlier; or give up something.
The cat’s purr was louder. He turned his little head and looked Robert directly in the eyes. Bob rubbed him behind his ears. Buster tilted his head and Bob caressed him under the chin with his index finger. How good! Being here with this cat, empty of everything but this calm, interactive sensuality was like God soothing him; allowing him the grace of just being and enjoying, of not having to rush, push or prove anything. Like God petting him. Yes.
He was allowing God’s attention, as Buster allowed his attention. As he waited patiently for Buster to turn, arch his back, swirl his tail, so he could stroke and caress him; so God waited patiently as he, Bob Franks, rushed, pushed and tried to prove his worth so that He could share His grace. As his relationship with Buster evolved and the trust grew so that now, Buster came right up to him without a lot of wary circling and evasive moves; so Bob’s relationship with God was evolving and he could accept the grace and benign attention without the wary circling of ritual, guilt and fear. Wow!
As he waited on Buster, delighting in allowing the cat to take charge and make the first moves; enjoying not being in his usual masculine ‘take charge’ mode; so perhaps God was delighted to let Bob be in charge and choose to come to Him. Yes.
What if God was different than Bob’s image of him? What if God wasn’t masculine at all; didn’t have the ‘take charge’ mode everyone thought He had? What if God had no gender at all, but was a benign loving power, always there, always waiting for us to choose It and It’s grace? That just as Bob gave Buster the power to make the first move, so God gave Bob the same power; and all Bob or any of us had to do, now or anytime, was simply choose God, It – this wonderful, sensual feeling of being safe, secure, petted and loved? Wow! What if? Oh, he was such a handsomey cat!
“Oh,” Robert said, stroking the cat’s back, feeling the luxurious softness deep in his chest. “You are such a handsomey cat!” His voice was low and deep. Hollowing his fist, he gripped Buster’s tail lightly and slowly pulled upward. The purr rumbled deep in Buster’s throat. “Oh, yes,” Robert said, making a hollow fist with his other hand, running Buster’s tail through it then alternating, one hand over the other, enjoying the sensation of supple softness. The cat arched his back and flipped his tail back and forth.
Oh, this was soo good! And the cat was always there too, waiting right outside the front door. The luxurious feel of fur, the intimacy, effortless responsiveness and open defenselessness of the animal was seductive. Every morning before running, no matter how scheduled the day ahead was. Robert made time to be with Buster.
Five months ago, when their relationship began, Robert would stand, hands at his sides as Buster approached in narrowing circles until the cat rubbed Robert’s shin. Now, Robert sat on the rose-colored slate-paved driveway, a few feet from the front door, left leg forming a triangular opening the cat liked to go in and out of, while Buster stood, facing him, front paws on Robert’s right thigh, face just inches from Robert’s own.
“You are such a handsomey cat.” Buster meowed. “And you speak cat so well!” It felt good to praise the cat, sacred, somehow. Stroking Buster, feeling the softness, the flesh beneath and the firmer muscles and bones beneath that, grounded Robert, made him both more real and more other, more connected to everything and nothing, more deeply sensual and fleshy, and more ethereal, too. Time stood still, thinking, counting, planning and proving ceased in those luxurious strokes.
Robert had had dogs before. Buster was his first cat. He wasn’t actually Robert’s cat. Buster belonged to a woman across the street, two doors down. Dogs were fun and responsive, but not like this cat. Buster was more independent than his dogs had been. He required space, even respect. The cat was more self-contained, quieter, more focused and intense than any dog, and appreciated Robert’s attentions more, positively basking in the stroking.
That and the purring, the rumbling, deep in Buster’s throat, audible two feet away, made Robert want to play with him. No, not ‘play’ with, be with. Robert found himself wanting to please Buster, to repay him for the wonderful luxurious, sensual spirituality Robert felt deep in his chest as Buster moved under Robert’s hands. The animal was so other! And those eyes – all black pupil in the dark of early morning, then concave green in the full daylight.
“Handsomey, handsomey cat,” Robert praised, putting his face close to Buster’s feeling the long whiskers touch his cheek. He ran his open hands along the cat’s grey tiger-striped flanks. Buster shifted, moved and arched into the stroking and brought his face closer to Robert’s. “Handsomey, handsomey cat.”
Wait. Hold on. This wasn’t the way it was supposed to be. Not for Robert Franks, anyhow. Certainly not for Bob Franks on a day with a full schedule. There was a Chamber meeting at 7:30, just two hours from now. No way could he do his mile and a half race walk, meditate, tai-chi, eat shower and shave and be there on time. He’d have to skip the tai-chi and eat a couple of pieces of toast in the car.
“Meow,” Buster said, turning his back on Bob and moving away. He reached out as Buster stepped forward and stroked his tail. “My, my soo furry and twisty! Just a couple more strokes.” The cat sat down and gazed at him. Bob stroked him with both hands. Enough. Gotta get going.
Easy. What’s more important, staying on schedule, keeping your word, being successful? Buster purred and put his front paws on Bob’s knee. Or, just being; just being here and petting this cat? Bob sighed, deeply. Why does it have to be ‘either/or’; why can’t it be ‘both/and’? Why can’t I sit here with the cat and be successful? Does there have to be a trade-off? No. But the extra time would have to come from somewhere. He’d have to get up earlier; or give up something.
The cat’s purr was louder. He turned his little head and looked Robert directly in the eyes. Bob rubbed him behind his ears. Buster tilted his head and Bob caressed him under the chin with his index finger. How good! Being here with this cat, empty of everything but this calm, interactive sensuality was like God soothing him; allowing him the grace of just being and enjoying, of not having to rush, push or prove anything. Like God petting him. Yes.
He was allowing God’s attention, as Buster allowed his attention. As he waited patiently for Buster to turn, arch his back, swirl his tail, so he could stroke and caress him; so God waited patiently as he, Bob Franks, rushed, pushed and tried to prove his worth so that He could share His grace. As his relationship with Buster evolved and the trust grew so that now, Buster came right up to him without a lot of wary circling and evasive moves; so Bob’s relationship with God was evolving and he could accept the grace and benign attention without the wary circling of ritual, guilt and fear. Wow!
As he waited on Buster, delighting in allowing the cat to take charge and make the first moves; enjoying not being in his usual masculine ‘take charge’ mode; so perhaps God was delighted to let Bob be in charge and choose to come to Him. Yes.
What if God was different than Bob’s image of him? What if God wasn’t masculine at all; didn’t have the ‘take charge’ mode everyone thought He had? What if God had no gender at all, but was a benign loving power, always there, always waiting for us to choose It and It’s grace? That just as Bob gave Buster the power to make the first move, so God gave Bob the same power; and all Bob or any of us had to do, now or anytime, was simply choose God, It – this wonderful, sensual feeling of being safe, secure, petted and loved? Wow! What if? Oh, he was such a handsomey cat!
Friday, January 22, 2010
A 'True Conservative'
Wow! A one-two punch – first Massachusetts and yesterday the Supreme Court. What does it mean – to me, to other individual Americans, to our ideals and to our society as a whole?
My initial reaction, as a true conservative, is that something important has been lost and we are set back as individuals and as a society. First, let me explain by what I mean by a ‘true conservative.’
To me, a true conservative is both an idealist and a realist and does not favor one over the other. For example, realizing we live in a society, allegedly ‘the greatest in the world,’ with 42 million people unable to get health care, and realizing the humanitarian and moral tragedy this represents for such a ‘great’ nation, and realizing the effect this lack of care and the upward spiraling health costs have on our ability to compete and be prosperous, a ‘true conservative’ would to me, be a realist and try to find a way to deal with this situation, not sit on the sidelines, criticize, obstruct, and hold to doctrinaire ideals – which are really a cover for win/lose party politics.
A ‘true conservative,’ a ‘compassionate conservative’ would be a realist and put herself in the shoes of those people unable to get care and not cling to so-called ‘ideals’ of Conservatism, letting all these years go by and allowing all the pain and suffering they have contained. A ‘true conservative’ like me, would be less interested in winning and proving himself right than doing something to address the pain, suffering and erosion of our competitiveness.
Doctrinaire, extreme radical positions support only the status quo. It hasn’t worked so far, it definitely didn’t work when the so-called Conservatives controlled all three branches of government, why do people think it will work now? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, is one of the definitions of insanity. It’s broken and has to be fixed.
My initial reaction, as a true conservative, is that something important has been lost and we are set back as individuals and as a society. First, let me explain by what I mean by a ‘true conservative.’
To me, a true conservative is both an idealist and a realist and does not favor one over the other. For example, realizing we live in a society, allegedly ‘the greatest in the world,’ with 42 million people unable to get health care, and realizing the humanitarian and moral tragedy this represents for such a ‘great’ nation, and realizing the effect this lack of care and the upward spiraling health costs have on our ability to compete and be prosperous, a ‘true conservative’ would to me, be a realist and try to find a way to deal with this situation, not sit on the sidelines, criticize, obstruct, and hold to doctrinaire ideals – which are really a cover for win/lose party politics.
A ‘true conservative,’ a ‘compassionate conservative’ would be a realist and put herself in the shoes of those people unable to get care and not cling to so-called ‘ideals’ of Conservatism, letting all these years go by and allowing all the pain and suffering they have contained. A ‘true conservative’ like me, would be less interested in winning and proving himself right than doing something to address the pain, suffering and erosion of our competitiveness.
Doctrinaire, extreme radical positions support only the status quo. It hasn’t worked so far, it definitely didn’t work when the so-called Conservatives controlled all three branches of government, why do people think it will work now? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, is one of the definitions of insanity. It’s broken and has to be fixed.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Shift Questions: Part 2
This is the continuation of the thread begun a few posts ago, about self-awareness being the key to self-actualization. Please as you complete the sentences below, and you may want to complete some of them more than once, take your time and reflect; write down and save your responses.
Part Two
1. Other people usually…
2. The best measure of personal success is…
3. Anybody will work hard if…
4. People think of me as…
5. When I let go…
6. Romantic relationships can be…
7. Nothing is so frustrating as…
8. People who run things should…
9. I miss…
10. The thing I like about myself is…
11. There are times when I…
12. I would like to be …
13. When I have something to say…
14. As a child I…
15. It’s fun to…
16. The teacher I liked best was a person who…
17. My body is…
18. Loving someone…
19. Next year at this time… Five years from now…
Part Two
1. Other people usually…
2. The best measure of personal success is…
3. Anybody will work hard if…
4. People think of me as…
5. When I let go…
6. Romantic relationships can be…
7. Nothing is so frustrating as…
8. People who run things should…
9. I miss…
10. The thing I like about myself is…
11. There are times when I…
12. I would like to be …
13. When I have something to say…
14. As a child I…
15. It’s fun to…
16. The teacher I liked best was a person who…
17. My body is…
18. Loving someone…
19. Next year at this time… Five years from now…
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Humor
25 Truths of Life
1. If you're too open-minded, your brains will fall out.
2. Don't worry about what people think, they don't do it very often.
3. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
4. Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
5. If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before.
6. My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.
7. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
8. It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.
9. For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.
10. If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.
11. Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.
12. A conscience is what hurts when all of your other parts feel so good.
13. Eat well, stay fit, die anyway.
14. Men are from Earth. Women are from Earth. Deal with it!
15. No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes.
16. A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.
17. Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places.
18. Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.
19. Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.
20. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.
21. Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it gain.
22. By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.
23. Thou shall not weigh more than thy refrigerator.
24. Someone who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world.
25. It ain't the jeans that make your butt look fat.
1. If you're too open-minded, your brains will fall out.
2. Don't worry about what people think, they don't do it very often.
3. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
4. Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
5. If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before.
6. My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.
7. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
8. It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.
9. For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.
10. If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.
11. Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.
12. A conscience is what hurts when all of your other parts feel so good.
13. Eat well, stay fit, die anyway.
14. Men are from Earth. Women are from Earth. Deal with it!
15. No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes.
16. A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.
17. Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places.
18. Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.
19. Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.
20. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.
21. Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it gain.
22. By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.
23. Thou shall not weigh more than thy refrigerator.
24. Someone who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world.
25. It ain't the jeans that make your butt look fat.
Monday, January 18, 2010
It's Broken, Let's Fix It!
Churchill supposedly said, “people get the government they deserve.” Scary thought! But say that Churchill is right and I feel I deserve something better. What then? Washington, Franklin and Jefferson thought they too, deserved something better. As they did 234 years ago, I can realize a change is necessary then join with others to discuss and explore something better. That’s what I’d like to do and invite you to join me in such a discussion/exploration.
I’m not suggesting a second American Revolution as some are, or a Libertarian, Tea Party type solution. Frankly, I’m not very sure what to do, and am scared shitless of those who do, that’s why I want to discuss and explore. I do feel that more than cosmetic change is needed, tho; that changing the governing party from Democract to Republican and back again, isn’t working that well; just look at the “blue dog” Democrats. Bi-partisanship isn’t enough. A third party isn’t enough. Washington warned about political parties and factionalism and he was right.
We need a shift to ‘trans-partisanship’ or no partisanship. The Party system and the polarization, gamesmanship and gridlock that go with it are destroying the country. When party labels, party discipline, party dogma and party loyalty become more important than the health and well being of the Nation, as is the case now, it’s time to ditch party labels, party discipline, party dogma and party loyalty.
If you see this too, and know we can do better and would like to explore ways of achieving a trans-partisan system in which party labels, party discipline, party dogma and party loyalty are irrelevelant, please join me and let’s dialogue.
I’m not suggesting a second American Revolution as some are, or a Libertarian, Tea Party type solution. Frankly, I’m not very sure what to do, and am scared shitless of those who do, that’s why I want to discuss and explore. I do feel that more than cosmetic change is needed, tho; that changing the governing party from Democract to Republican and back again, isn’t working that well; just look at the “blue dog” Democrats. Bi-partisanship isn’t enough. A third party isn’t enough. Washington warned about political parties and factionalism and he was right.
We need a shift to ‘trans-partisanship’ or no partisanship. The Party system and the polarization, gamesmanship and gridlock that go with it are destroying the country. When party labels, party discipline, party dogma and party loyalty become more important than the health and well being of the Nation, as is the case now, it’s time to ditch party labels, party discipline, party dogma and party loyalty.
If you see this too, and know we can do better and would like to explore ways of achieving a trans-partisan system in which party labels, party discipline, party dogma and party loyalty are irrelevelant, please join me and let’s dialogue.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Is American Democracy Broken?
Miami held a special election this past Tuesday that cost $300,000. Of the 63,000 residents of the district, 39,961 are registered. Of those, approximately 12% turned out; that means roughly 4,500 people voted. The ‘winner’ got more than half of those votes, and a ‘landslide’ would have been 3,000 votes. So in other words, 3,000 people decided who would ‘represent’ 63,000 people. Does this seem ‘right’ to you? Does this seem like ‘democracy’?
It doesn’t seem ‘right’ nor like ‘democracy’ to me; it seems like something isn’t working and is broken. Many excuses are offered – ‘off-year’ election, local election, but these seem pretty lame to me. ‘Democracy’ isn’t what it used to be, and isn’t working now. Check it out – 63,000 people, approx 40,000 ‘eligible’ to vote, 4,500 vote. Even during ‘on-year’ elections with big issues of state and national interest, only 48% of the ‘eligibles’ turn-out. And, the thirty year trend is for lower registrations and lower turn-outs. Not very ‘good.’
There is something dead, deeply and fundamentally broken about this, and it seems to me until we admit that, until we stop making excuses for it and stop thinking we can patch it up, we won’t be able to fix it. Pretending it’s OK and denying that it’s fundamentally broken, keep the status quo. It’s not about blaming, punishing, or being ‘un-American,’ it’s simply about fixing something that’s broken beyond repair. When our shoes are broken, we fix ‘em, or our cars or houses.
I have some ideas about why this is happening and what to do about it, but before those can be shared, people have got to understand that new ideas are necessary, that the ‘system’ is broken. Until we’re ready to admit it’s not working, until we give up denial and admit we care and can do better, there’s no need to do anything. After all, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
There are consequences to doing nothing and staying in denial; the consequences of not fixing our ‘democracy’ are more polarization, gridlock, corruption and more visible, widespread failures of other systems – energy, immigration, health care. The consequences of letting these systems go is not only the death of the ‘American Dream,’ but the literal and actual death of our standard of living and place in the world. It’s not just politics and usual, it’s decline and dissolution. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
It doesn’t seem ‘right’ nor like ‘democracy’ to me; it seems like something isn’t working and is broken. Many excuses are offered – ‘off-year’ election, local election, but these seem pretty lame to me. ‘Democracy’ isn’t what it used to be, and isn’t working now. Check it out – 63,000 people, approx 40,000 ‘eligible’ to vote, 4,500 vote. Even during ‘on-year’ elections with big issues of state and national interest, only 48% of the ‘eligibles’ turn-out. And, the thirty year trend is for lower registrations and lower turn-outs. Not very ‘good.’
There is something dead, deeply and fundamentally broken about this, and it seems to me until we admit that, until we stop making excuses for it and stop thinking we can patch it up, we won’t be able to fix it. Pretending it’s OK and denying that it’s fundamentally broken, keep the status quo. It’s not about blaming, punishing, or being ‘un-American,’ it’s simply about fixing something that’s broken beyond repair. When our shoes are broken, we fix ‘em, or our cars or houses.
I have some ideas about why this is happening and what to do about it, but before those can be shared, people have got to understand that new ideas are necessary, that the ‘system’ is broken. Until we’re ready to admit it’s not working, until we give up denial and admit we care and can do better, there’s no need to do anything. After all, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
There are consequences to doing nothing and staying in denial; the consequences of not fixing our ‘democracy’ are more polarization, gridlock, corruption and more visible, widespread failures of other systems – energy, immigration, health care. The consequences of letting these systems go is not only the death of the ‘American Dream,’ but the literal and actual death of our standard of living and place in the world. It’s not just politics and usual, it’s decline and dissolution. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
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