Tragedy and suffering is a time for change, a time for rebuilding...if we focused as much energy as a society on building a better tomorrow and working to prevent future tragedies instead of placing blame and trying to exonerate ourselves at the expense of our fellow citizen, then we would be that much closer to a brighter future.
We hide too much from ourselves. We cannot stand to look in the mirror, to look each other in the eye. Instead, we bend over backwards trying to explain how its not us, it is the faceless other. Please do not make me look at myself, it is too painful...I am only strong enough to be comfortable, nothing more...
I am responsible for what happens in our world. We are all responsible for our activity as human beings. It is ok to be ashamed, we should be. It is the only pathway to future strength. A society that is not allowed or forgets how to feel shame will languish in apathy. Banish the apathy, bite the bullet, and ask how you are part of if all- because you are. There is no such thing as a bystander when we all live together.
Dare yourself to be above the common human malfunction of scapegoating, othering, and blind-aversion to pain. Pain can be constructive, being ashamed can be constructive, admitting guilt can be constructive. Yes, it is hard, but the best things in life are hard- they are only achieved by overcoming ourselves, by hoping valiantly into the future in spite of our flaws. Hoist up your baggage and take it with you. Do it for the honor found in a full life!
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
A Vampire Hunter's Guide
[From an ancient manuscript unearthed in Transylvania in the mid 1500s.]
Beware, the agents of darkness pass amongst us. They may look like one of us, but let this not betray how their blood has turned to dust and how they are but shadowy silhouette of their former selves. Yes, I speak of the vampires! Listen close, wanderer, and I shall tell you how to recognize and vanquish such creatures.
Vampires, in their cursed suffering, seduce the living to give up their very vitality, their life's blood. To gain your attention, they may shower you with attention, lust after your trust. Then, when you can no longer resist they bite, draining you of your energy, your sanity, and your hope!
The vampire dwells in darkness. You shall know the vampire by its negativity. Shrouded in darkness, the vampire only sees obstacles, pain, and misery. The glass is half empty and everyone's flaws are laid bare. The vampire complains and excuses, seems an expert on life's problems, delights in the loneliness of their suffering...Beware, these are but the ghosts the vampire fights with, that drive them to feed!
The vampire is drawn to those who are already bleeding. The vulnerable make easy targets with their defenses weakened- susceptible to the hollow comforts, thin promises, and fake gifts the vampire may bring to ensnare. The vulnerable soul is easily manipulated and suggestible. The vampire flourishes in allowing the dazed and confused to miss the subtle warning signs: the cracks in the veneer, the shroud of darkness, the elongated teeth.
The vampire is unable to give to others and only takes away. They are creatures totally dependent on blood. In anticipating the feast, the vampire is a poor listener, has a deficient imagination, and will always look after itself first. Empathy is nearly impossible for the vampire and it will never be a true support. Beware! Do not be one who donates their blood freely, you must preserve, must prevent the bite lest you become a vampire too!
What can you do? Can you fight back? Yes! For all of the vampire's maleficence, they are always the most fragile, weak against the strong-hearted, the prepared! The strong know this. You must pay close attention, look for the signs!
The vampire fears the light. Shine hope, positivity, and joy towards the vampire and it may flee. Do not be remorseful if they do, it is but their nature. The vampire ultimately fears any genuine and consistent positivity. The light burns their attachment to the darkness and they will try to turn away. However, only be a shining beacon, but never mistake your light for your blood. The light challenges the darkness, is difficult for the vampire to face, but blood just feeds the vampire and keeps them decrepit.
The vampire fears the well armored. Teeth can only dig so far, but if one is well armored in self-respect and high expectations for others they will be invulnerable to vampires. The vampire is unable to set standards as any commitment to someone else's values violates its need to shape-shift to seduce its next meal. The vampire may flee your solid armor, your expectation of mutual respect, but do not be remorseful, it is their nature.
The vampire fears the mirror. In their suffering, the truth burns the most for the vampire. They are invisible to themselves in the mirror. Do not be afraid to wield the mirror! A strong person will bask in their healthy reflection. But, the vampire will turn away and may even punish you for holding up the mirror. The vampire cannot drink its own blood, cannot stand the very treatment it gives to others. Do not be remorseful if the vampire turns away from your mirror, it is their nature.
Can the vampire be redeemed? Yes, but only if they submit themselves to the light, to the armor, and to the mirror, and it is only within their power to so. No one else, not even the strong, can cause the final transformation, the final cure. It is true that some who walk among us had their life blood restored, their pale and fragile skin painfully burned off by truth and hope. Their lust for blood but a memory and a warning for the future.
And, finally, wanderer, there is one last thing you should do. Look in the mirror! Can you see your reflection? If not, it may be your blood lust has already taken hold. Yes, be diligent against any poison that may have entered your veins. Vampires love to conceal their bites. Make sure you have not lost the ability to bask in the light. Be strong, and if you are bitten, know that you can be healed if you fight for restoration!
Beware, the agents of darkness pass amongst us. They may look like one of us, but let this not betray how their blood has turned to dust and how they are but shadowy silhouette of their former selves. Yes, I speak of the vampires! Listen close, wanderer, and I shall tell you how to recognize and vanquish such creatures.
Vampires, in their cursed suffering, seduce the living to give up their very vitality, their life's blood. To gain your attention, they may shower you with attention, lust after your trust. Then, when you can no longer resist they bite, draining you of your energy, your sanity, and your hope!
The vampire dwells in darkness. You shall know the vampire by its negativity. Shrouded in darkness, the vampire only sees obstacles, pain, and misery. The glass is half empty and everyone's flaws are laid bare. The vampire complains and excuses, seems an expert on life's problems, delights in the loneliness of their suffering...Beware, these are but the ghosts the vampire fights with, that drive them to feed!
The vampire is drawn to those who are already bleeding. The vulnerable make easy targets with their defenses weakened- susceptible to the hollow comforts, thin promises, and fake gifts the vampire may bring to ensnare. The vulnerable soul is easily manipulated and suggestible. The vampire flourishes in allowing the dazed and confused to miss the subtle warning signs: the cracks in the veneer, the shroud of darkness, the elongated teeth.
The vampire is unable to give to others and only takes away. They are creatures totally dependent on blood. In anticipating the feast, the vampire is a poor listener, has a deficient imagination, and will always look after itself first. Empathy is nearly impossible for the vampire and it will never be a true support. Beware! Do not be one who donates their blood freely, you must preserve, must prevent the bite lest you become a vampire too!
What can you do? Can you fight back? Yes! For all of the vampire's maleficence, they are always the most fragile, weak against the strong-hearted, the prepared! The strong know this. You must pay close attention, look for the signs!
The vampire fears the light. Shine hope, positivity, and joy towards the vampire and it may flee. Do not be remorseful if they do, it is but their nature. The vampire ultimately fears any genuine and consistent positivity. The light burns their attachment to the darkness and they will try to turn away. However, only be a shining beacon, but never mistake your light for your blood. The light challenges the darkness, is difficult for the vampire to face, but blood just feeds the vampire and keeps them decrepit.
The vampire fears the well armored. Teeth can only dig so far, but if one is well armored in self-respect and high expectations for others they will be invulnerable to vampires. The vampire is unable to set standards as any commitment to someone else's values violates its need to shape-shift to seduce its next meal. The vampire may flee your solid armor, your expectation of mutual respect, but do not be remorseful, it is their nature.
The vampire fears the mirror. In their suffering, the truth burns the most for the vampire. They are invisible to themselves in the mirror. Do not be afraid to wield the mirror! A strong person will bask in their healthy reflection. But, the vampire will turn away and may even punish you for holding up the mirror. The vampire cannot drink its own blood, cannot stand the very treatment it gives to others. Do not be remorseful if the vampire turns away from your mirror, it is their nature.
Can the vampire be redeemed? Yes, but only if they submit themselves to the light, to the armor, and to the mirror, and it is only within their power to so. No one else, not even the strong, can cause the final transformation, the final cure. It is true that some who walk among us had their life blood restored, their pale and fragile skin painfully burned off by truth and hope. Their lust for blood but a memory and a warning for the future.
And, finally, wanderer, there is one last thing you should do. Look in the mirror! Can you see your reflection? If not, it may be your blood lust has already taken hold. Yes, be diligent against any poison that may have entered your veins. Vampires love to conceal their bites. Make sure you have not lost the ability to bask in the light. Be strong, and if you are bitten, know that you can be healed if you fight for restoration!
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
On the Turtle Shell
Little Turtle popped out his head, looked into the water, and to his reflection once said:
"If you feel trapped, there is yet another to free.
If you feel alone, there is yet another to see.
If you feel lost, there is another to bring to a path.
If you feel sad, there is another to donate a laugh.
If, in living, you feel you are poor, there is yet another to cherish the more.
If, in living, you feel you are forgotten, there is yet another memory to blossom.
If you feel there is no hope, there is another deserving of hope.
If you feel there is no love, there is yet another deserving of love.
To feel is not to be.
To feel is not to do.
To feel is to perceive.
And perception is change."
"Who are you? Who are me?" Turtle said with some glee.
"I am but one who carries a shell."
"If you feel trapped, there is yet another to free.
If you feel alone, there is yet another to see.
If you feel lost, there is another to bring to a path.
If you feel sad, there is another to donate a laugh.
If, in living, you feel you are poor, there is yet another to cherish the more.
If, in living, you feel you are forgotten, there is yet another memory to blossom.
If you feel there is no hope, there is another deserving of hope.
If you feel there is no love, there is yet another deserving of love.
To feel is not to be.
To feel is not to do.
To feel is to perceive.
And perception is change."
"Who are you? Who are me?" Turtle said with some glee.
"I am but one who carries a shell."
On Spring
The beauty of spring is something to behold. The blossoming of the beautiful things- the flowers, the birds, the shining sun and gentle warm breezes- things continue to warm, and before long you find yourself in summer. Everything has flourished and developed, the grass is grown and the verdant leaves sway gently in the breeze.
Oh, fair spring dress,
Such beauty sows,
'Midst willow's caress
And, wildflower's bow.
Some vibrant portal
To dreams immortal
A passing moment
With you 'tis best.
Oh, spring beauty,
thankful for one breath.
How a glance transports
To sweet nature's rest:
Some fair meadow,
Under a willow,
Serene, passing moment,
With you, as guest.
What is wonderful about spring? Its value comes from rejoicing in the beauty of transience. The beauty that transience lends us by granting our minds the ability to constantly play with new toys-new ideas and new experiences. The best things often take time, they are the best precisely because they became something transcendent through continual construction through time. The old, happy couple is beautiful because they were so many different people together and now they have a legacy through time. The flower blossoms once more- the trees branches reach a little farther this year and prepares for new growth.
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