Did anyone ever tell you that you are delightful? I think YOU are one of my favorite things, Michael. This is such a lovely post. I will be watching via ZOOM, an LATimes Book Club event on January 25th with Stephanie Land, the author of "Maid"! I, like you, thoroughly enjoyed the series and look forward to reading the book. Another favorite thing...Trees! Nothing quite stirs my soul than looking at their beauty, majesty and simple being! Thanks for all you have us ponder on each day!
Favorite things...words. -Example: (1) My married name Hug-Hart. When people ask me to spell "Hughart" I spell "Hug" and then "Hart". People respond "Aww..." (2) Inadvertently making people laugh: Example: Today when I talked to the plumber's receptionist, she expressed to me how her calendar for appointment requests was making her go crazy. I answered "We're all going crazy at once so Who Cares!" She began laughing uncontrollably, and that made me start laughing uncontrollably so that the two of us laughed uncontrollably for a while until I made more remarks that made both of us laugh even harder. I can't remember the next remarks because I have short term memory loss.
I applaud your optimism, but you're a generation or two too early. There are too many broken parts to this "so-called minority-run democracy" that can't be fixed given the current political and governance situation. The constitution is outdated, the electoral college is a mockery, the senate "broken rules" are impediments to progress, the campaign financing system is corrupt, voting rights are laughable, and on and on (not including cultural, economic, labor, education, social, etc. issues)! I'm 82 and don't expect to see any changes. My kids are X-generation and won't see any changes. My grandkids are Z-generation and may begin to see some changes. But it's really going to be a generation or two after the Z's that may be able to bring about the necessary changes. In the meantime, hang one tight, keep your airsick bags handy, and try not to weep as the country sinks to new lows. bob resseguie
Sadly I have come to the same conclusion (I am 74). Michael has been speaking Truth to Power for decades yet so little has changed. The one hope is that it seems the majority agree with him, finally. He was marginalized as fringe, now he is listened to. Now we must overcome an excruciatingly unfair system of elections that allows a minority to rule by blocking legislation without offering alternatives. The dumbing down of Americans that Carl Sagan saw and wrote about in the 80's. This is not sustainable and will lead to further degradation of our Nation. Shocking that industry does not see where this will lead us and continue to dump money into preserving the status quo. An amazingly productive propaganda machine keeps people in line. Love you Mike.....
Truth I'm 79 - I can't see these changes happening in my lifetime. I've not given u but focusing on dance yoga doing what I love. I'm 79 it's my only way to stay sane. I love you too Mike with you all the way ❤️
Industry does not care; their only reason to exist is to make money; more and more; and they continue to make money until they collapse the entire world. I just read a great book, titled 'The End Of The Megamachine.' Dr. Wolff had him on Economic Update, and I was able to obtain the book through the library. It outlines 5000 years of history, how wars and 'military industrial complexes' of previous years, the history of metal mining and weapon making, the limitations then, and how it is violence against a populace propped up by state sanctioning of the elite and the powerful (in our case, mega-corporations) , to include the fact that we must work or face starvation, are evicted for non-payment of rents to those who buy up properties to extract wealth, on and on, and the solutions - small - that must be done to being to undo the megamachine. I never thought of our entire system as systemic violence against the majority in servitude to 'the machine' - the capitalist continued need to expand, more and more, and the crushing it does to humans, as well as other living beings, and our earth. An excellent read. Any person concerned about our current system, and wondering 'what comes next' may want to read this.
My library has it; but I see that Amazon Kindle has a digest of the book I can read through my prime, so I downloaded it to preview! Thanks! Have been studying Marxist Economics with Dr. Wolff, and now through another series via moralmarkets.org.
See if you can download the 'Hoopla' app, and then sign up via your library, which did have the book (that is how I got a copy; our Pima County local public library did not have it; the Phoenix Public Library did, but I don't live in Phoenix). Do try Hoopla....
I hope t find it at my library. I'm not surprised. I worked until the pandemic - age 77. The office closed. We are income based housing or we'd be homeless. This really is a death culture - slaves to the machine as in The Matrix movies. I feel strongly we are in the end times.
I loved the Matrix movies. It is probably the only movie i had ever watched more than once. After watching it I remember thinking - well, that makes about as much sense as belief in god. And how DO we know we are not just software programs? I remember that black cat, and the de jevu and wow that hit me. I can't say how many times I have had moments where i thought, "I have said that exact same thing in the exact same place at some time in my life somewhere..." Someone else commented that their library does not have the book. I suggested downloading an app called HOOPLA, which is a new digital library lending platform. Our local library didn't have an e-book, but they now participate in Hoopla e-books, and through my library, and Hoopla, is how I got the book. Check it out. And if your library does not have it, contact them to ask them to have one sent to you via the interlibrary loan or to request a copy be purchased there. I have borrowed many a book through the "Interlibrary Loan" programs.
Hi class of '69 - me too; although I had a high school where my class was 100 students. I certainly wasn't as brainy as you sounded. I was just a jerk who liked boys back then. I didn't really grow up until about the age of 50. Sad, I know....I was an A-B student and had I applied myself, might have actually been in the top 10 percentile - can't claim I'd be at the top. Besides, in college I learned that it is the C students who go on to make the most money. Go figure; I guess it's the A and B students who are the most anal-retentive, perfectionist, and inflexible (yup, I turned out to be 3.95 in masters program) - and must figure that top earning potential must have a grain of truth to it, for sure!
Why not wake industry up and make them pay a price for funding those who are destroying democracy? We have to raise awareness of those who are funding seditious conspiracy and organize boycotts. We are the majority and have more buying power.
Remember when conventions and projects were cancelled in North Carolina the “bathroom bill” was reversed.
Because of extreme voter suppression in Texas, corporations located there must be pressured. Finally their focus on short term profit will help us.
Yes! It's the only hope for quick change. Industry bought the system and they are the ones who must fix our democracy. They need to understand that their profits are not sustainable in a deeply divided, unequal system which is turning American cities into homeless camps. Nobody gains. Nobody gains from a civil war or an unhealthy population. We need to wake them up. Street protests don't work, but withholding cash will put pressure on them.
Industry will never save us. Complicated, but I recommend the book, The End Of the Megamachine. It explains history, the various systems throughout the last 5000 years, heightened in the last 500 years, and why industry will not save us, even to save itself. It cannot. Only we can, and of course, when I say 'we' I don't mean us, per se, but collective action and resistance to 'the machine' by people, over time, in small wins. I do a terrible job of book reviewing, but I pretty much can assure you if you can get hold of that book, you will not regret it!
About the propaganda machine…DirecTV has dropped One America News (OAN). Common Cause had pressured DirecTV and now Common Cause has a petition for AT&T, who funds 90% of OAN, to stop. See October news reports about AT&T basically creating OAN.
I changed from AT&T years ago when I learned about the $ they made from pornography that exploited and degraded women.
I survived a situational major depression with the help of short term antidepressants and the decision NOT TO BE A VICTIM. After I made that decision I realized I WAS COMPLICIT. Did you notice that neon orange 4x6 card behind Michael that said, " I'M COMPLICIT"?
We are complicit because we weren't paying attention the last fifty years when Then New Deal, The Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts, unions, the EPA, all the gains of the sixties that made us complacent, were destroyed. Read "Evil Geniuses" by Kurt Anderson. Knowledge is power. We let it happen so we are responsible for doing what we can to fix it. The evil geniuses may have more money but there are more of us- IF we don't give up and become victims.
Solidarity and eternal vigilance.
When we are drawing our last breaths and our lives are passing before us, let's make sure the last thing we see isn't that orange "I'M COMPLICIT card."
The older you get the more observant you are--the more observant you are the more cynical you become--'cynicism is but the smoke rising from the embers of unrealized dreams'.
One of the little things that is very underrated, is. A breath of fresh air, that sudden slight breeze, sometimes is a little bit chill, but feels bracing. It fills your lungs with refreshment, and gives you that instantaneous lift that while only for a fraction of a second, cleanses your soul.
Loved the series Maid also. So much that we’re looking to help a single mom and have her live with us for awhile to help her get on her feet. Thanks for sharing and giving us hope in the world of fears
That's so wonderful! I was a single mom and it was very hard on my son. I struggled with working more than one job, hard to pay for child care. One time, when I finally had a better paying job working in a car factory, I had to sneak him in to work and had him hide in cardboard parts boxes, due to not being able to find safe child care for the second shift.
When I was growing up, my grandfather always had a case of Vernor’s when we visited. First thing I asked him was if he had any Vernor’s. He’d smile and say sure do. Best ginger ale ever.
Your podcast and your writing are 2 of my favorite things. Another is my milk frothier that I use w/oat milk on top of my morning coffee. I take this delicious beverage into a room in my house that faces the east every morning and watch the sunrise while I meditate, lift in prayer those who come to my mind each morning and express gratitude for my blessings.
This ritual has grounded me, given me measures of peace and been my sanity’s lifeline during the Trump regime and continues as we head into our 3rd year of this pandemic.
Thank you. My Frenchie is doing much better on antibiotics and prednisone. He has pneumonia. Be safe and well. We are hunkered down waiting for the Nor'eastah.
We do not grieve without having loved first! So while you grieve hold on to the blessing of your little terrier. We lost our Boston, Buttercup, last week. She would have been 16 this week! What a little trooper...Three others age 12 hanging in there...our families are so blessed with these deeply satisfying relationships...but oh how it hurts...only the gratitude of all those shared years of love makes it almost ok. I am so sorry!
So sorry for the loss of your Boston. Thank you for your kind words. I have a Frenchie, a small Terrier mix and 3 cats. Ages 10-16. The Frenchie is recovering from pneumonia.
We both are in for some rocky times with all these seniors. Remembering all the good memories is what helps. Best of luck with your seniors.
Oh gosh, I’m so sorry about your Terrier, that is heart breaking. It’s so tough losing a beloved pet. I hope your Frenchie is doing ok. I have a cat with renal failure and I treasure every day that I have with him. We lost our two beloved dogs, one in 2020 and the other 5 months later in 2021. Those losses have been difficult, so my heart goes out to you.
Been thinking of you these past few days and wanted to reach out.
Words do little justice to soothe affairs of the heart.
Still, as Jackson Browne sings "In our hearts we turn to each others' hearts for refuge".
Please know that you are remembered as you miss your Cairn Terrier buddy.
And please know soft and caring thoughts are sent, from me to you, for all your loved pets, and for your unfolding life.
We've got a blizzard coming today, you and I. Stay warm. Keep it Simple.
Love picturing you in your little home in the woods, mortgage free, and digging in the dirt-- Spring will be here soon enough!
Many good memories of my earlier life with hubby and our many day trips to Gloucester-- before we went to Texas for 16 years. Glad we got out in time for us-- life on Cape Cod and 30mph driving always suited us anyway! Hope your life in NH is lovely now, a day at a time.
Thank you for your kind words. I am doing ok and my French Bulldog, Louis is recovering from pneumonia.
I am prepared and hunkered down for the Nor'easter. I'm more inland, won't get the brunt of it. I lived in Gloucester during the Blizzard of 78. I hope you'll be safe on Cape Cod.
My cousin is leaving Austin, TX after 34 years and moving back to New England. He's had enough of it. He is a master luthier at Collings Guitars. He was the first employee there.
Thanks for sharing Louis name and health recovery/update.
Again, thinking of you and all these past days (and years) have brought to you.
My loved and loving husband left the planet suddenly and it's taken me time to absorb and move through all the trauma. So I can understand.
Please be gentle with yourself going forward-- a day/a moment at a time.
Trust yourself to know what's best for you. Makes all the difference.
Glad you are inland. I was in Holliston for '78's blizzard. Feels like yesterday.
Also lived in South Austin, near your cousin's place of work. Listening as I write this to "Before the Deluge" -- Jackson and David Lindley-- magical. Always!
Peace to your cousin as he heads north. Grateful he brought music to the world. And peace to you, Pam. Thanks for your kind thoughts as Mother Nature arrives.
So sorry for the loss of your husband. Losing someone is never easy. I lost my parents in 2005. 48 days apart. My mom from Leukemia and my dad from a broken heart. I miss them every day.
Newly discovered favorite thing… this forum where I can read comments by sane, thoughtful, freedom loving individuals, and be reassured that there is intelligent life on This Planet.
Lionel trains ….Classic Movies….1957 Chevy Belair ……..50’s music 60’s music and classic records that our parents listened too ………popular hits …….Snow faking on the ground …..a fire place and a glass of wine
Please watch your dreams, maybe keep a journal, but please keep it private if you do.
Someday we'll return to the eternal dream of spirit-elements, places, animals and things.
What we feel and experience that can be directly associated to each element is a key.
As well as any biblical or mythical parallels, like burning bushes or talking birds.
Primitives painted, carved, sculpted, sang and danced their dreams.
It helps dreams to live, as well as us. Crayons work fine.
Jung was right about The Archetypes.
The Deities of Mt. Olympus everywhere also reside in us, mostly along the chakras and in our solar plexus, even as you read this. Notice anything different?
Ancient Greeks built temples to pay rightful homage.
The Soul of men and women is feminine. Feeling our feelings, caring for and understanding them is important. It helps us to be true to ourselves and not need to see a therapist.
Dreams clearly reveal things we've yet to realize about ourselves, which are usually projected out on others, especially when we dream of those we dislike. We need to see where we may be acting like them or could.
It's not rocket science that we have a good side and dark side. But few care to realize their Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, or Ms. Hyde. It's how we can be whole in ourselves. Or holy.
The more we are "aware" of any iniquity, we're less likely to succumb. Unless we want to harm someone, even ourselves. How we treat one another has a direct effect on our well-being. Mistakes are unavoidable, as long as we're learning and can amend.
The Taoist Lao Tzu said it best some 2,500 years ago:
"If you see something you like in someone, strive for that quality." (iow don't be jealous)
"If you see something you dislike in someone, look within. In meditation, go deep. No fight. No blame. Don't take things to the hilt!" He was speaking to his own people.
Some martial artists know that when we fight with others, we're fighting with the worst in us. Any verbal or physical violence should be in strict self-defense.
More importantly, Lao Tzu says:
"Know the ways of man, but keep to a woman's care to be in the world's channel."
The union of Yin and Yang is universal, like the Star of David with Heaven and Earth, The Above and Below coming together, both containing a part of each other in dynamic motion.
This is the world's channel, feeling connected to oneself and the Universe.
I was fortunate to work with Arny Mindell in the early 80's. This little man and his little wife are great of heart, helping many of us to evolve as human beings and persevere in "this impossible place." One can work with what we feel and experience on our own, if we can be so honest with ourselves, like looking in the mirror each day and the mirror of our dreams.
It is possible to love ourselves, just as we are. We might then love others, or at least not hate them, and can accept how they may need to be, even GOP Republicans like Trump.
But few care to get to the source of what we feel and experience like Lao Tzu as Jung later did, to see what spirits or issues may need to be addressed.
Just as dreams reveal the spirit-elements of our psyche, so does our body, especially Divinity. It can help with our wounds, issues, demons and desires.
Disturbances to our psyche or body may be meaningful in helping us to be mindful of what we feel and experience and what it may be about. Especially if we neglected wounds that need to be cared for. They will fester and upset until we do. So-called psychosomatic illnesses are actually psychogenic, usually from harm we've suffered or may have caused that we need to resolve.
The great debate goes on about whether our brain is the producer or receptor of psychic phenomena. But it does seem that our brain is the receptor. Neuroscientists have yet to account for the origin of DNA and the autonomy of psychic phenomena. The so-called God particle of Higgs-Boson gives us a clue, something of a microcosmic big-bang light burst breaking thru, as with our universe.
What Jesus says to Mary Magdalene indicates our brain is the receptor, as in other ancient texts. Our mind is separate from our brain in Greek alchemy, representing our psyche, which they symbolized with the butterfly. It can be how we can evolve as human beings from our hard-crusted chrysallis or cocoon.
10) I said to Him, Lord, how does he who sees the vision see it, through the soul or through the spirit?
11) The Savior answered and said, He does not see through the soul nor through the spirit, but the mind that is between the two that is what sees the vision and it is [...]
(end of excerpt)
What's important is working with the psychic phenomena of dreams, visions, voices etc, as Jung did. Seeing images in trees, clouds, rocks etc, like hearing a familiar sound, song or voice are in inherent part of our being, even when they take on a life of their own.
Primitives knew to pay attention, as seen in their totems and sculptures.
Native Americans sent their children on vision quests to know their inner spirit-guide.
(imaginary friends aren't so imaginary, such as many of us knew as children)
So must we, unless we want to be individualistic or ego-centric, that we miss our essence.
World religions are culprit. If Jesus came today, He'd say the same things about the hypocrisy, the proverbial beam of pride in our eyes that blinds. Jung confirmed knowing the evil in us rather than projecting it on others. Dreams don't lie. There is light in the darkness that Freud failed to see, these Symbols of Transformation.
13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to."
19 "For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander."
The Church and Christian religions have been the worst, even to small children.
Politicians can be misguided. What spirit do you suppose moves some to be fascists and others to be democratic with liberty, justice and equality for all?
That is the spirit we need to live by, like Michael, to persevere thru Apocalyptic Times.
The great mythologist Joseph Campbell confirmed what Jung said, if one can travel the labyrinth of their mind, dreams, visions and voices and all we feel and experience. Indeed, the Hero has a 1,000 faces, who can help us, if we ask.
I was fortunate to meet this great man shortly before he passed away. Having experience of divinity in us can help us on our way. He reminded us what befalls us mortals who act like Gods and Goddesses. The Golden Rule has always been The Golden Path to Divinity, treating others as we'd want to be, amending when we fail.
My only disagreement with him is that out of the Pantheon of Deities, Yahweh is the only one to become one with creation and suffer at the hands of man. Who can love and worship a God who subjects us to evil, but doesn't help us or suffer it Himself?
Did anyone ever tell you that you are delightful? I think YOU are one of my favorite things, Michael. This is such a lovely post. I will be watching via ZOOM, an LATimes Book Club event on January 25th with Stephanie Land, the author of "Maid"! I, like you, thoroughly enjoyed the series and look forward to reading the book. Another favorite thing...Trees! Nothing quite stirs my soul than looking at their beauty, majesty and simple being! Thanks for all you have us ponder on each day!
Delightful! That's the word for Michael. He's def one of my favorite things, too.
Favorite things...words. -Example: (1) My married name Hug-Hart. When people ask me to spell "Hughart" I spell "Hug" and then "Hart". People respond "Aww..." (2) Inadvertently making people laugh: Example: Today when I talked to the plumber's receptionist, she expressed to me how her calendar for appointment requests was making her go crazy. I answered "We're all going crazy at once so Who Cares!" She began laughing uncontrollably, and that made me start laughing uncontrollably so that the two of us laughed uncontrollably for a while until I made more remarks that made both of us laugh even harder. I can't remember the next remarks because I have short term memory loss.
Hugs to you, Kathleen! I take comedy improv classes and making people laugh is just the best.
I applaud your optimism, but you're a generation or two too early. There are too many broken parts to this "so-called minority-run democracy" that can't be fixed given the current political and governance situation. The constitution is outdated, the electoral college is a mockery, the senate "broken rules" are impediments to progress, the campaign financing system is corrupt, voting rights are laughable, and on and on (not including cultural, economic, labor, education, social, etc. issues)! I'm 82 and don't expect to see any changes. My kids are X-generation and won't see any changes. My grandkids are Z-generation and may begin to see some changes. But it's really going to be a generation or two after the Z's that may be able to bring about the necessary changes. In the meantime, hang one tight, keep your airsick bags handy, and try not to weep as the country sinks to new lows. bob resseguie
Sadly I have come to the same conclusion (I am 74). Michael has been speaking Truth to Power for decades yet so little has changed. The one hope is that it seems the majority agree with him, finally. He was marginalized as fringe, now he is listened to. Now we must overcome an excruciatingly unfair system of elections that allows a minority to rule by blocking legislation without offering alternatives. The dumbing down of Americans that Carl Sagan saw and wrote about in the 80's. This is not sustainable and will lead to further degradation of our Nation. Shocking that industry does not see where this will lead us and continue to dump money into preserving the status quo. An amazingly productive propaganda machine keeps people in line. Love you Mike.....
Truth I'm 79 - I can't see these changes happening in my lifetime. I've not given u but focusing on dance yoga doing what I love. I'm 79 it's my only way to stay sane. I love you too Mike with you all the way ❤️
Industry does not care; their only reason to exist is to make money; more and more; and they continue to make money until they collapse the entire world. I just read a great book, titled 'The End Of The Megamachine.' Dr. Wolff had him on Economic Update, and I was able to obtain the book through the library. It outlines 5000 years of history, how wars and 'military industrial complexes' of previous years, the history of metal mining and weapon making, the limitations then, and how it is violence against a populace propped up by state sanctioning of the elite and the powerful (in our case, mega-corporations) , to include the fact that we must work or face starvation, are evicted for non-payment of rents to those who buy up properties to extract wealth, on and on, and the solutions - small - that must be done to being to undo the megamachine. I never thought of our entire system as systemic violence against the majority in servitude to 'the machine' - the capitalist continued need to expand, more and more, and the crushing it does to humans, as well as other living beings, and our earth. An excellent read. Any person concerned about our current system, and wondering 'what comes next' may want to read this.
Now read Doughnut Economics:7 Ways to Think Like a 21st Century Economist. by Kate Raworth. The doughnut is the sustainable model.
Amsterdam is using it. You can read news reports. A plan has been created for Portland and I think Austin.
We still have the power of the consumer
If you can’t get the book at your library, I will send you a copy if you promise to pass it on.
My library has it; but I see that Amazon Kindle has a digest of the book I can read through my prime, so I downloaded it to preview! Thanks! Have been studying Marxist Economics with Dr. Wolff, and now through another series via moralmarkets.org.
The problem with the power of the consumer is that you have to buy something
Or NOT buying. Changing service providers. Divestment.
Like to read I can pass on want you other ne too
Megamachine not available at library even digital too expensive over $20 - neither Portland library or clackamas has it
See if you can download the 'Hoopla' app, and then sign up via your library, which did have the book (that is how I got a copy; our Pima County local public library did not have it; the Phoenix Public Library did, but I don't live in Phoenix). Do try Hoopla....
Thank you
I hope t find it at my library. I'm not surprised. I worked until the pandemic - age 77. The office closed. We are income based housing or we'd be homeless. This really is a death culture - slaves to the machine as in The Matrix movies. I feel strongly we are in the end times.
I loved the Matrix movies. It is probably the only movie i had ever watched more than once. After watching it I remember thinking - well, that makes about as much sense as belief in god. And how DO we know we are not just software programs? I remember that black cat, and the de jevu and wow that hit me. I can't say how many times I have had moments where i thought, "I have said that exact same thing in the exact same place at some time in my life somewhere..." Someone else commented that their library does not have the book. I suggested downloading an app called HOOPLA, which is a new digital library lending platform. Our local library didn't have an e-book, but they now participate in Hoopla e-books, and through my library, and Hoopla, is how I got the book. Check it out. And if your library does not have it, contact them to ask them to have one sent to you via the interlibrary loan or to request a copy be purchased there. I have borrowed many a book through the "Interlibrary Loan" programs.
Absolutely Chris Hedges my guru also
Hi class of '69 - me too; although I had a high school where my class was 100 students. I certainly wasn't as brainy as you sounded. I was just a jerk who liked boys back then. I didn't really grow up until about the age of 50. Sad, I know....I was an A-B student and had I applied myself, might have actually been in the top 10 percentile - can't claim I'd be at the top. Besides, in college I learned that it is the C students who go on to make the most money. Go figure; I guess it's the A and B students who are the most anal-retentive, perfectionist, and inflexible (yup, I turned out to be 3.95 in masters program) - and must figure that top earning potential must have a grain of truth to it, for sure!
Why not wake industry up and make them pay a price for funding those who are destroying democracy? We have to raise awareness of those who are funding seditious conspiracy and organize boycotts. We are the majority and have more buying power.
Remember when conventions and projects were cancelled in North Carolina the “bathroom bill” was reversed.
Because of extreme voter suppression in Texas, corporations located there must be pressured. Finally their focus on short term profit will help us.
Yes! It's the only hope for quick change. Industry bought the system and they are the ones who must fix our democracy. They need to understand that their profits are not sustainable in a deeply divided, unequal system which is turning American cities into homeless camps. Nobody gains. Nobody gains from a civil war or an unhealthy population. We need to wake them up. Street protests don't work, but withholding cash will put pressure on them.
I think peaceful street protests that expose corporations will also work and recruit more people to join the boycotts.
The problem is, who's going to take to the streets? There's a serious problem of apathy.
Also a fear of unwanted crowds
They are very much aware. They don't care we are collateral damage- expendable for the sake of the system
Industry will never save us. Complicated, but I recommend the book, The End Of the Megamachine. It explains history, the various systems throughout the last 5000 years, heightened in the last 500 years, and why industry will not save us, even to save itself. It cannot. Only we can, and of course, when I say 'we' I don't mean us, per se, but collective action and resistance to 'the machine' by people, over time, in small wins. I do a terrible job of book reviewing, but I pretty much can assure you if you can get hold of that book, you will not regret it!
Boycotts are the only way we can protest and make our presence felt.
About the propaganda machine…DirecTV has dropped One America News (OAN). Common Cause had pressured DirecTV and now Common Cause has a petition for AT&T, who funds 90% of OAN, to stop. See October news reports about AT&T basically creating OAN.
I changed from AT&T years ago when I learned about the $ they made from pornography that exploited and degraded women.
You can sign the Common Cause petition now.
I survived a situational major depression with the help of short term antidepressants and the decision NOT TO BE A VICTIM. After I made that decision I realized I WAS COMPLICIT. Did you notice that neon orange 4x6 card behind Michael that said, " I'M COMPLICIT"?
We are complicit because we weren't paying attention the last fifty years when Then New Deal, The Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts, unions, the EPA, all the gains of the sixties that made us complacent, were destroyed. Read "Evil Geniuses" by Kurt Anderson. Knowledge is power. We let it happen so we are responsible for doing what we can to fix it. The evil geniuses may have more money but there are more of us- IF we don't give up and become victims.
Solidarity and eternal vigilance.
When we are drawing our last breaths and our lives are passing before us, let's make sure the last thing we see isn't that orange "I'M COMPLICIT card."
Or, as is said in recovery: There are NO victims, only volunteers!
Yes. The far right are victimizing themselves by believing the lies and becoming addicted to hate.
The truth will set you free.
The older you get the more observant you are--the more observant you are the more cynical you become--'cynicism is but the smoke rising from the embers of unrealized dreams'.
Were they dreams or expectations?
At some point I realized that people kept saying to me, “What did you expect?” I then realized that I expected things to be fair.
Now I try to stay aware of expectations.
Stay in awareness and dream a new dream.
Let go of expectations and outcomes just do what's right for the good of ALL.
Exactly! Thanks for the clarity.
Nil desperandum.
One of my favorite things is reading your thoughts or hearing them. If I could choose any person in the world to spend the day with, it would be you.
Thank you for your comforting thoughts. How lucky the world is to have you and all of the people who truly admire you. ❤️
One of the little things that is very underrated, is. A breath of fresh air, that sudden slight breeze, sometimes is a little bit chill, but feels bracing. It fills your lungs with refreshment, and gives you that instantaneous lift that while only for a fraction of a second, cleanses your soul.
So true, Howard.....& I appreciate every breath of FRESH air I can find!!
It does pretty good for the people who don't believe in 'souls' as well.
Loved the series Maid also. So much that we’re looking to help a single mom and have her live with us for awhile to help her get on her feet. Thanks for sharing and giving us hope in the world of fears
That's so wonderful! I was a single mom and it was very hard on my son. I struggled with working more than one job, hard to pay for child care. One time, when I finally had a better paying job working in a car factory, I had to sneak him in to work and had him hide in cardboard parts boxes, due to not being able to find safe child care for the second shift.
Vernor’s ginger ale. My favorite pop in Ohio. Did you have that in Michigan?
When I was growing up, my grandfather always had a case of Vernor’s when we visited. First thing I asked him was if he had any Vernor’s. He’d smile and say sure do. Best ginger ale ever.
It was invented and produced in Michigan.
A trip to Michigan isn’t complete without at least one Vernors.
you Michael my favorite human your heart a billion dollar bit coin as shiny as the sun 🌞
Your podcast and your writing are 2 of my favorite things. Another is my milk frothier that I use w/oat milk on top of my morning coffee. I take this delicious beverage into a room in my house that faces the east every morning and watch the sunrise while I meditate, lift in prayer those who come to my mind each morning and express gratitude for my blessings.
This ritual has grounded me, given me measures of peace and been my sanity’s lifeline during the Trump regime and continues as we head into our 3rd year of this pandemic.
1.My favorite colors blue, red and yellow. I have deep golden walls in my livingroom.
2. They smell of salt air. You can take the girl out of Gloucester, MA but you can't take Gloucester out of the girl.
3. The warmth of the sun at the beach.
4. Gardening, planting, playing in the dirt.
5. My little house in the woods with no mortgage.
6. Social Security and Medicare. They've saved me when I lost my veterinary technician job of 31 years.
7. My pets that have kept me company during the pandemic.
8. And of course you Michael Moore/Rumble for giving me hope. Keep up the good fight. Thank you for doing this list today.
My dogs don't bite but I'm feeling sad.
(I've had a sad day my Cairn Terrier woke me up at 12:30am collapsed and was gone at 3:30.
My French Bulldog has an appointment this afternoon for labored breathing. Not looking good). 3 dogs and 3 cats 10-15 years old. 😢
Thanks for your list and kind words. So sorry about your pups.
Thank you. My Frenchie is doing much better on antibiotics and prednisone. He has pneumonia. Be safe and well. We are hunkered down waiting for the Nor'eastah.
We do not grieve without having loved first! So while you grieve hold on to the blessing of your little terrier. We lost our Boston, Buttercup, last week. She would have been 16 this week! What a little trooper...Three others age 12 hanging in there...our families are so blessed with these deeply satisfying relationships...but oh how it hurts...only the gratitude of all those shared years of love makes it almost ok. I am so sorry!
So sorry for the loss of your Boston. Thank you for your kind words. I have a Frenchie, a small Terrier mix and 3 cats. Ages 10-16. The Frenchie is recovering from pneumonia.
We both are in for some rocky times with all these seniors. Remembering all the good memories is what helps. Best of luck with your seniors.
❤
...you too! learning a lot helping them with as much dignity as we can muster
So many caring people on this site. ❤
Oh gosh, I’m so sorry about your Terrier, that is heart breaking. It’s so tough losing a beloved pet. I hope your Frenchie is doing ok. I have a cat with renal failure and I treasure every day that I have with him. We lost our two beloved dogs, one in 2020 and the other 5 months later in 2021. Those losses have been difficult, so my heart goes out to you.
Morning Pam.
Been thinking of you these past few days and wanted to reach out.
Words do little justice to soothe affairs of the heart.
Still, as Jackson Browne sings "In our hearts we turn to each others' hearts for refuge".
Please know that you are remembered as you miss your Cairn Terrier buddy.
And please know soft and caring thoughts are sent, from me to you, for all your loved pets, and for your unfolding life.
We've got a blizzard coming today, you and I. Stay warm. Keep it Simple.
Love picturing you in your little home in the woods, mortgage free, and digging in the dirt-- Spring will be here soon enough!
Many good memories of my earlier life with hubby and our many day trips to Gloucester-- before we went to Texas for 16 years. Glad we got out in time for us-- life on Cape Cod and 30mph driving always suited us anyway! Hope your life in NH is lovely now, a day at a time.
Connie,
Thank you for your kind words. I am doing ok and my French Bulldog, Louis is recovering from pneumonia.
I am prepared and hunkered down for the Nor'easter. I'm more inland, won't get the brunt of it. I lived in Gloucester during the Blizzard of 78. I hope you'll be safe on Cape Cod.
My cousin is leaving Austin, TX after 34 years and moving back to New England. He's had enough of it. He is a master luthier at Collings Guitars. He was the first employee there.
Be well and be safe.
Take care..
Thanks for sharing Louis name and health recovery/update.
Again, thinking of you and all these past days (and years) have brought to you.
My loved and loving husband left the planet suddenly and it's taken me time to absorb and move through all the trauma. So I can understand.
Please be gentle with yourself going forward-- a day/a moment at a time.
Trust yourself to know what's best for you. Makes all the difference.
Glad you are inland. I was in Holliston for '78's blizzard. Feels like yesterday.
Also lived in South Austin, near your cousin's place of work. Listening as I write this to "Before the Deluge" -- Jackson and David Lindley-- magical. Always!
Peace to your cousin as he heads north. Grateful he brought music to the world. And peace to you, Pam. Thanks for your kind thoughts as Mother Nature arrives.
So sorry for the loss of your husband. Losing someone is never easy. I lost my parents in 2005. 48 days apart. My mom from Leukemia and my dad from a broken heart. I miss them every day.
I love Jackson Brown too.
Powerful sharing with me, Pam.
Thank you.
I miss John every day, too, even as I feel his love around me.
Now, I may lose power -- the storm is ramping up.
My phone is a landline and I use John's HP desktop computer. I am living in the 60's and 70's pretty much. Suits me! John was the tech guy.
Wanted to write back though-- let you know I'm glad we've connected and I'm glad to know you love Jackson, too.
Music for me has always been life-giving and life-sustaining.
Born in 1955, for me, it's all been the best bunch of music, and musicians ever. Kept me afloat. Stay safe.
Thanks for your list! Add Canada Dry Ginger Ale for an upset stomach! ❤️
No more carpets for me
Newly discovered favorite thing… this forum where I can read comments by sane, thoughtful, freedom loving individuals, and be reassured that there is intelligent life on This Planet.
Lionel trains ….Classic Movies….1957 Chevy Belair ……..50’s music 60’s music and classic records that our parents listened too ………popular hits …….Snow faking on the ground …..a fire place and a glass of wine
I love people who can take me to new places in my head,
Adobe architecture
The scent of sage, pine, eucalyptus fresh from Mother Nature
Please watch your dreams, maybe keep a journal, but please keep it private if you do.
Someday we'll return to the eternal dream of spirit-elements, places, animals and things.
What we feel and experience that can be directly associated to each element is a key.
As well as any biblical or mythical parallels, like burning bushes or talking birds.
Primitives painted, carved, sculpted, sang and danced their dreams.
It helps dreams to live, as well as us. Crayons work fine.
Jung was right about The Archetypes.
The Deities of Mt. Olympus everywhere also reside in us, mostly along the chakras and in our solar plexus, even as you read this. Notice anything different?
Ancient Greeks built temples to pay rightful homage.
The Soul of men and women is feminine. Feeling our feelings, caring for and understanding them is important. It helps us to be true to ourselves and not need to see a therapist.
Dreams clearly reveal things we've yet to realize about ourselves, which are usually projected out on others, especially when we dream of those we dislike. We need to see where we may be acting like them or could.
It's not rocket science that we have a good side and dark side. But few care to realize their Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, or Ms. Hyde. It's how we can be whole in ourselves. Or holy.
The more we are "aware" of any iniquity, we're less likely to succumb. Unless we want to harm someone, even ourselves. How we treat one another has a direct effect on our well-being. Mistakes are unavoidable, as long as we're learning and can amend.
The Taoist Lao Tzu said it best some 2,500 years ago:
"If you see something you like in someone, strive for that quality." (iow don't be jealous)
"If you see something you dislike in someone, look within. In meditation, go deep. No fight. No blame. Don't take things to the hilt!" He was speaking to his own people.
Some martial artists know that when we fight with others, we're fighting with the worst in us. Any verbal or physical violence should be in strict self-defense.
More importantly, Lao Tzu says:
"Know the ways of man, but keep to a woman's care to be in the world's channel."
The union of Yin and Yang is universal, like the Star of David with Heaven and Earth, The Above and Below coming together, both containing a part of each other in dynamic motion.
This is the world's channel, feeling connected to oneself and the Universe.
Nothing Lasts Forever Only Divinity in us
References:
Cave Of Forgotten Dreams (movie trailer 2:01)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7XTERdQZf8
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/775360.The_Moon_and_the_Virgin
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/67896.Tao_Te_Ching
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50794335-dream-body
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/1237584.Working_on_Yourself_Alone
I was fortunate to work with Arny Mindell in the early 80's. This little man and his little wife are great of heart, helping many of us to evolve as human beings and persevere in "this impossible place." One can work with what we feel and experience on our own, if we can be so honest with ourselves, like looking in the mirror each day and the mirror of our dreams.
http://www.aamindell.net/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjAnF25Km1U
(1:24:46)
It is possible to love ourselves, just as we are. We might then love others, or at least not hate them, and can accept how they may need to be, even GOP Republicans like Trump.
But few care to get to the source of what we feel and experience like Lao Tzu as Jung later did, to see what spirits or issues may need to be addressed.
Just as dreams reveal the spirit-elements of our psyche, so does our body, especially Divinity. It can help with our wounds, issues, demons and desires.
Disturbances to our psyche or body may be meaningful in helping us to be mindful of what we feel and experience and what it may be about. Especially if we neglected wounds that need to be cared for. They will fester and upset until we do. So-called psychosomatic illnesses are actually psychogenic, usually from harm we've suffered or may have caused that we need to resolve.
The great debate goes on about whether our brain is the producer or receptor of psychic phenomena. But it does seem that our brain is the receptor. Neuroscientists have yet to account for the origin of DNA and the autonomy of psychic phenomena. The so-called God particle of Higgs-Boson gives us a clue, something of a microcosmic big-bang light burst breaking thru, as with our universe.
What Jesus says to Mary Magdalene indicates our brain is the receptor, as in other ancient texts. Our mind is separate from our brain in Greek alchemy, representing our psyche, which they symbolized with the butterfly. It can be how we can evolve as human beings from our hard-crusted chrysallis or cocoon.
http://gnosis.org/library/marygosp.htm
(excerpt)
10) I said to Him, Lord, how does he who sees the vision see it, through the soul or through the spirit?
11) The Savior answered and said, He does not see through the soul nor through the spirit, but the mind that is between the two that is what sees the vision and it is [...]
(end of excerpt)
What's important is working with the psychic phenomena of dreams, visions, voices etc, as Jung did. Seeing images in trees, clouds, rocks etc, like hearing a familiar sound, song or voice are in inherent part of our being, even when they take on a life of their own.
Primitives knew to pay attention, as seen in their totems and sculptures.
Native Americans sent their children on vision quests to know their inner spirit-guide.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/78250.The_Teachings_of_Don_Juan
(imaginary friends aren't so imaginary, such as many of us knew as children)
So must we, unless we want to be individualistic or ego-centric, that we miss our essence.
World religions are culprit. If Jesus came today, He'd say the same things about the hypocrisy, the proverbial beam of pride in our eyes that blinds. Jung confirmed knowing the evil in us rather than projecting it on others. Dreams don't lie. There is light in the darkness that Freud failed to see, these Symbols of Transformation.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/114517.Symbols_of_Transformation
Matthew 23:13
13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to."
19 "For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander."
The Church and Christian religions have been the worst, even to small children.
Politicians can be misguided. What spirit do you suppose moves some to be fascists and others to be democratic with liberty, justice and equality for all?
That is the spirit we need to live by, like Michael, to persevere thru Apocalyptic Times.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/588138.The_Hero_With_a_Thousand_Faces
The great mythologist Joseph Campbell confirmed what Jung said, if one can travel the labyrinth of their mind, dreams, visions and voices and all we feel and experience. Indeed, the Hero has a 1,000 faces, who can help us, if we ask.
I was fortunate to meet this great man shortly before he passed away. Having experience of divinity in us can help us on our way. He reminded us what befalls us mortals who act like Gods and Goddesses. The Golden Rule has always been The Golden Path to Divinity, treating others as we'd want to be, amending when we fail.
My only disagreement with him is that out of the Pantheon of Deities, Yahweh is the only one to become one with creation and suffer at the hands of man. Who can love and worship a God who subjects us to evil, but doesn't help us or suffer it Himself?
This is the crux of Jung's Answer To Job.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/859807.Answer_to_Job
Please copy and save, maybe share with those who wish to know their mind.
Indeed:
γνῶθι σεαυτόν
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Know_thyself
https://ancientgreekcourses.com/anthropology/know-thyself/#:~:text=The%20motto%20%CE%B3%CE%BD%E1%BF%B6%CE%B8%CE%B9%20%CF%83(%CE%B5,to%20exercise%20moderation%20in%20life.
It would follow: To Thine Own Self Be True