Tag Archives: society

The Illusion of Civilized

Civilized is not
computers and skyscrapers,
it’s caring for Life.

As our buildings get taller and our computers faster, it seems that modern society is simultaneously sliding downward in terms of the fundamental life principles needed to build a truly great civilization. There are cultures we might label as “primitive” that have or had a much greater grasp of the ethics and integrity of a respectful and fulfilling society.

In the Star Trek series (there are several), there is a law of noninterference called “The Prime Directive”. It dictates that there be no interference with the natural development of any primitive society. In the Star Trek stories, the defining line is that another (alien) society must have achieved warp speed technology on their own before any contact can be made with them. These days I wonder what civilizations might be observing us and just shaking their heads. Observation of our incessant human wars could be one example.

“Sorry, we would really like to help you, we see you are floundering around and it is really painful to watch. But, you haven’t figured out certain basic things on your own yet… Give us a call when you get it.”

Inspirational Quotes:

As we stand on the brink of WW3, the first quote from Albert Einstein is particularly poignant:

“I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.” ~ Albert Einstein

“Most people do not really want freedom, because freedom involves responsibility, and most people are frightened of responsibility.” ~ Sigmund Freud

“What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or in the holy name of liberty or democracy?” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

“If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there would be peace.” ~ John Lennon

“When the enemy has no face, society will invent one.” ~ Susan Faludi

The haiku Lunacy is an excerpt from Humanity’s Lament. It’s free here.

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Freedom from Fear

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What is external
that controls you with fear is
what is NOT your friend.

Fear has a way of dissolving our resolve, when it is strong and threatening enough. Discernment, critical thinking and our wise intuition go quickly out the window. The black ooze of fear grips us in a stranglehold. To say fear is uncomfortable is an understatement. It undermines that which we long for and value – comfort and safety.

But as Franklin D. Roosevelt famously said in his first inaugural address, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

When we are gripped by fear, we become very vulnerable to the manipulations of those who like to control others. We just want relief, in the fastest way possible. The controllers are only too happy to spoon-feed it to us, in order to gain their advantage.

When we are fearful is exactly the time when we should not succumb to the “easy and fast solution”. It’s the time to stand back, take a deep breath, and look for the way that makes sense logically, does not undermine our own moral compass, and perhaps most importantly, what ultimately feels right at a gut instinct level.

Never give over your own power out of fear of the unknown. Look for the truth of “what is” in yourself, rather than succumbing to the manipulations of others that are rooted in your fear of “what is not”.

Believe it or not, that is ultimately what will keep you safe, and you can also take comfort in the fact that you were true to yourself. Comfort derived otherwise is false, and you build your house on shifting sand.

Inspirational Quotes:

“Becoming fearless isn’t the point. That’s impossible. It’s learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.”  ~ Veronica Roth, Divergent

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” ~ Nelson Mandela

“I believe that anyone can conquer fear by doing the things he fears to do.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

“Through every generation of the human race there has been a constant war, a war with fear. Those who have the courage to conquer it are made free and those who are conquered by it are made to suffer until they have the courage to defeat it, or death takes them.” ~ Alexander the Great

What is your greatest fear, and what do you do (what have you done) to overcome it?

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The haiku Fear is from Humanity’s Lament: Poetry for Our Times. It’s a free download here.

Blossom

Sacred Ground

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Fiercely I protect
the place within
that cradles my
brightest dreams
and deepest truths,
that precious locus,
where my soul
whispers wisdom
of lessons learned,
eternally echoing
across all of time.

My heartaches,
and yes, heartbreaks,
over many lifetimes
hammered and
tempered the line,
beyond which now
none are allowed
to trample upon,
or desecrate my
hard won ground, my
sanctuary inviolate.

Caves are Sacred

And this is a repost from August 1, 2021, on preserving your own inner sacred ground:

Today I tip my hat to the wisdom of men, and one in particular who taught me (with much head bashing on my part) that “caves are sacred”.

Do you have a designated place where you can go to claim a quiet interlude, far away from the fray and anger of the world? Our modern world is always a noisy place, but the volume got turned up full blast in 2020. The mental discouragement and emotional processing of negativity just feel like too much to bear some days.

People often equate the word sacred with church, but have you considered that the term should encompass protecting your own internal landscape? If you do not honor and protect your own peace of mind, if you do not recognize that it comes first and foremost, sooner or later the current craziness of life will take its toll.

If you have not already done so, establish a sacred place where you can find some quiet and cultivate peace within yourself, where you can hear your own voice.

I have noticed that men (at least the ones I have known) are particularly good at this. They call it “going to my cave”. When the big problems feel overwhelming, going to a quiet place and working in solitude on a smaller solvable project allows them a) time to process their thoughts, and b) restores their sense of mastery over their environment. They emerge feeling more in balance.

On a humorous note, a girl friend’s husband emerged from his cave on one of my visits, sporting a T-shirt that read, “What happens in the shop stays in the shop”.

Hmm… It did make me wonder what exorcisms those walls have seen.

“Your sacred place is where you can find yourself, over and over again. ~ Joseph Campbell

Rejuvenate

When city voids me,
I flee to garden refuge.
Hummingbird dances.

Happy

True, real, enduring,
happiness is being at peace
with who we are.

Sacred Ground, Rejuvenate, and Happy are excerpts from Soul Journey: The Poetry of Life.

The haikus are also included in my Hart Haiku Vol. 1 collection from my original blog. A collection of the 100 best on photo art cards, it is for sale here.

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Humanity’s Dance

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Humanity’s a
wallflower, sidelined,
waiting for a dance.

Worn shoes, shabby frock,
her sad eyes have seen too much.
“Who would dance with that?”

The crowd parties on,
make-busy taking selfies,
tries to ignore her.

She’s irritating,
that girl waiting for her chance,
hoping for a dance.

Overindulgence,
the laughter now rings hollow,
the clock strikes brittle.

Someone looks over,
overcome by compassion,
can bear it no more.

Extending their hand,
Humanity stands to dance.
(Crowd’s silent snicker.)

Slowly, gracefully,
wisdom learned, eons shine in
Humanity’s moves.

The tired crowd watches.
Perhaps there’s something to that
girl who wants to dance.

Mesmerized, new thoughts
energize the soul-weary,
move them to the floor.

Humanity’s dream!
She just wanted the chance to
teach them how to dance.

Humanity’s Dance is from Humanity’s Lament: Poetry for Our Times. | Download it free.