I’ve been watching a show with surprise appearance of William Shatner as the monster they’ve been seeking. A truth: most monsters are not ugly and scary looking like the sci fi and horror shows would have you believe. They are disguised as people close to you, disguised as people who say they are there to help you. The shinier the facade, the deeper you have to scratch the surface to see who they really are.
Watching Haven on Netflix. In season 5 one of the characters gets stuck in a purgatory like place with a dozen other people. He knows there is a way to get out of it but he needs the help of a few others to do it. Except everyone else in there is insistent that there is no way out and that the only way to make it through life there is to accept where they are and make the best of it. So which would you do? Would you keep working to remedy the situation for the good of everyone or would you stop striving to get out and make the best of it where you are?
A spiritual life is not about getting guidance on how to stay safe in this world. A spiritual life means that you excavate your false gods, fears, and illusions that hold you prisoner. You face these false powers and free yourself from them. Facing personal myths and purging yourself of addictions or manipulative habits require strength, courage, humility, faith and other qualities of a soul with stamina, because you are not just changing yourself, you’re changing the Universe.
A spiritual life is not about getting guidance on how to stay safe in this world. A spiritual life means that you excavate your false gods, fears, and illusions that hold you prisoner. You face these false powers and free yourself from them. Facing personal myths and purging yourself of addictions or manipulative habits require strength, courage, humility, faith and other qualities of a soul with stamina, because you are not just changing yourself, you’re changing the Universe.
WWYD? Watching Haven on Netflix. In season 5 one of the characters gets stuck in a purgatory like place with a dozen other people. He knows there is a way to get out of it but he needs the help of a few others to do it. Except everyone else in there is insistent that there is no way out and that the only way to make it through life there is to accept where they are and make the best of it. So which would you do? Would you keep working to remedy the situation for the good of everyone or would you stop striving to get out and make the best of it where you are?
The 50 senators who opposed Betsy DeVos as United States Secretary of Education represent 179,381,386 people, while the 50 senators who supported her represent only 143,064,962 individuals. Scary how the system works but it is what it is. This election cycle has taught us a lot about the current system. I’m sure there are a lot of changes in the works and we will see it in upcoming years. My mom once told me “don’t expect life to be fair” but that if I remain flexible and morph with the changes, I can have a happy life no matter what. So far, so good.
A Facebook friend wrote, “The 50 senators who opposed DeVos represent 179,381,386 people, while the 50 senators who supported her represent only 143,064,962 individuals. Scary how the system works.”
It might seem scary but it is what it is. This election cycle has taught us a lot about the current system and gotten us to move on important issues. I’m sure there are a lot of changes in the works and we will see it in upcoming years. My mom once told me “don’t expect life to be fair” but that if I remain flexible and morph with the changes, I can have a happy life no matter what. So far, so good.
I just made curtains for the windows in the shed! It now houses all my scrap wood and empty plant pots and gives me counter space for working on projects. I appreciated it storing all the extra furniture and furnishings the last 20 years. I’m glad I emptied it out because I was no longer using that stuff. Now I value having the empty space so when I want to build something or work on something I can just carry it into the shed and start working on it instead of clearing a spot to work on and trying to do it in cramped quarters. One of the first things I’ll do is I have some translucent hurricane shutter material. I’m going to cut it to fit each of the shed windows so that in the summertime when the windows are closed it will seal the heat out and still let the light through. It used to have an air conditioning unit in it. If I find I need to, I can always stick a window unit in again.
I woke today from an odd and complex dream about walking through a large open building and opening doors and windows. It was deja vu when I stepped into the shed to work and the first thing I did was open the doors and windows. I’ve spent the past two months clearing the shed of 25 years worth of furniture and furnishings (and old Horizons magazines!) I was no longer using. It now houses all my scrap wood and empty plant pots and gives me counter space and floor space for working on projects. I value having empty space so when I want to build something or work on something I can just carry it into the shed and start working on it instead of having to clear a spot to work on and trying to do it in cramped quarters. We replaced some indoor lighting, updated the security lights and replaced the locks. One thing I’ll do is use some translucent hurricane shutter material cut to fit each of the shed windows so that in the summertime when the windows are closed it will seal the heat out and still let the light through. It’s well built so the moisture doesn’t settle in. The shed used to have an air conditioning unit in it. If I need to, I can always stick a window unit in again. Today I made curtains for the windows. The shed sits in a woodsy part of the property, so the curtains are a jungle scene with red and yellow parrots. The curtains make it kind of cozy in there. I feel like a kid with a new playhouse.
Recognizing someone has a serious mental illness and is expressing in unhealthy and dangerous ways. It’s good to know that those with authority to do so are taking remedial steps. It’s easy to hate someone who acts in despicable ways but when you can recognize they have a mental illness and the emotional maturity of a child, it’s easier to feel compassion. Saying prayers that everyone in the situation gets the help they need. Let the healing begin. For all of us.