I get it. I really do. When things are so out of our control - what billionaires spend their billions on - it can make us put a microscope on our own spending. "How can I do more?!" we think. It feels wrong when you finally choose to participate as a direct consumer instead of getting something secondhand. To put things in perspective, though, if you have this phone for another ten years, your payment for that $600 is about $0.16 per day. At that rate, it's a huge bargain to have the privilege of connectivity, and a very powerful tool (computer) and social connector in your pocket. It's okay to invest in the things that make your work possible.
I’ve enjoyed your musings, brother Greg 🙏 and took a moment to be grateful for the device in my hand that allowed me to contribute to your cause(s) from the other side of the world. Many blessings to you, your family, and those who’s hearts you touch ❤️
Well played, Rather. This piece was layered with riddle. And you spotted one of the hidden clues:) It’s not about extreme's. As living beings, we will always consume. This cannot be escaped. It’s a matter of honoring what generously died for us to live. Knowing this, What actually are we holding in our hand? What minerals are in this magical talking stone-mirror? From what mountain ranges do they come from? What songs were sung by the people who called those places home long before Steve Jobs came along? Knowing the details of what we need to live really gives us life and, in turn, keeping alive their Story feeds That Which Gives Life. I am grateful for this here device in my hand too, and for you. All blessings…
Thank you. As I reflect with you I wonder if we are suffering from a lack of initiations that help us become “peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of every kind…people who live well in their places, people of moral courage willing to join the fight to make the world habitable and humane in the word of David W. Orr. Powerful rituals of purpose and belonging are needed to help Americans choose generosity over greed. As one with high sensitivity and an initiated elder I know that 1/5 of the population needs these initiations desperately- without them collective morality really suffers.
I couldn't agree more. But even more than initiations, we need communities of initiated ones who know how to welcome the initiates home. A curious conundrum we have found ourselves in, to be sure. We likely won't see the world we are calling into view now. But it doesn't make the work we now do any less important. Let's dance!
Beautiful Cynthia. And that, in turn, gives us all hope. A question for you, from a kindred soul on the other side of the globe… Regarding community, did you happen to attend any of the protests yesterday? If so, would you be willing to share some of your experience?
I attended the Hands Off Protest at the California State Capitol. It began, as did the women's march I attended in D.C. in 2016, in awe as my partner and I crammed onto a full light rail train. Signs of human kindness were everywhere, as well as conversation and connection.
Two elders, both white, were seated in front of me as I held onto the bar overhead. Their sign was straightforward. Hands Off Resist. I asked if I could take a picture. The man's ball cap said Special Forces Airborne. I asked the woman if she was with a group. She told me she was a member of the League of Women Voters and recognized that we have a lot of work to do.
Another woman I met was young and black. The train was jerking around, and I gently stabilized her as we were right next to each other in the aisle. She seemed relieved. I asked if she was meeting a group, and she said, No. Her friends were afraid to attend, telling her to delete her fingerprint ID on her phone, etc. So, she was alone. I thanked her for attending. I knew about the fear and frustration among Americans of African descent from friends and had already made a small sign that said "I am here protesting on behalf of my queer, trans, black, brown and immigrant friends. I used it primarily to show people around me and for social media, as I didn't feel up to carrying a big sign.
So many creative signs. The capital grounds were packed with people of all ages and genders. Lots of old white people. More people than expected. The organizers couldn't do their planned community activity.
I think my favorite moment happened early on. I moved all the way to the top step to see the musicians and speakers. Two punk trans musicians did a set of protest songs. One of them is Evan Greer, a well-known activist. The punk screams finally made sense to me. The lyrics carried the emotional profundity of the fight for all human beings to be recognized, honored, and included as free! I was about 15 feet away. I cheered them on, as many did.
I came home tired but energized. My partner Stephen felt irritable. He is 76. Not sure why. Probably worried. At one point, when I started feeling overwhelmed (High sensitivity) I told him and he said, "I just stay inside my heart." That really helped me. Grateful.
It was great to see friends all around the U.S. sharing pictures on Facebook. Don't have a clue about media. I did hear that South Korea put down their autocrat!
Always love your perspective. I pray that Musk will somehow have an epiphany and become a true hero for the planet instead of the monster he has become. Just imagine what that would mean and what an example it be for the mega-rich. What would it take for that to happen? It would be a major tipping point in the direction your write about here. May it be so!
It's happened before. I reflect over King Asok, the third emperor of the Mauryan dynasty in India who, after many bloody battles ultimately embraced nonviolence. It's important to not give up hope. Active hope. I am trying to defeat the Elon Musk inside of me, and defeat my own ignorance. Indeed, May it be so! Thanks for sharing, Daniel.
If you could be locked in a room with Musk for a day, do you think you could get him to change direction and become a hero for the planet instead of a destroyer? Or . . . is he hopelessly locked into to his mindset? Honestly . . . it's like a very virulent virus he and so many others like him are infected with. Is there a cure? Is their an antidote this side of death?
I don't think I could get him to change, no. I can barely get myself to change my own harmful habits. Hard to say what is even genuinely harmful or helpful in these times. Sometimes virus' are mightily beneficial. Maybe the sickness itself is the cure. I wonder...
I get it. I really do. When things are so out of our control - what billionaires spend their billions on - it can make us put a microscope on our own spending. "How can I do more?!" we think. It feels wrong when you finally choose to participate as a direct consumer instead of getting something secondhand. To put things in perspective, though, if you have this phone for another ten years, your payment for that $600 is about $0.16 per day. At that rate, it's a huge bargain to have the privilege of connectivity, and a very powerful tool (computer) and social connector in your pocket. It's okay to invest in the things that make your work possible.
Thank you Amy. I needed that:)
I’ve enjoyed your musings, brother Greg 🙏 and took a moment to be grateful for the device in my hand that allowed me to contribute to your cause(s) from the other side of the world. Many blessings to you, your family, and those who’s hearts you touch ❤️
Well played, Rather. This piece was layered with riddle. And you spotted one of the hidden clues:) It’s not about extreme's. As living beings, we will always consume. This cannot be escaped. It’s a matter of honoring what generously died for us to live. Knowing this, What actually are we holding in our hand? What minerals are in this magical talking stone-mirror? From what mountain ranges do they come from? What songs were sung by the people who called those places home long before Steve Jobs came along? Knowing the details of what we need to live really gives us life and, in turn, keeping alive their Story feeds That Which Gives Life. I am grateful for this here device in my hand too, and for you. All blessings…
Thank you. As I reflect with you I wonder if we are suffering from a lack of initiations that help us become “peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of every kind…people who live well in their places, people of moral courage willing to join the fight to make the world habitable and humane in the word of David W. Orr. Powerful rituals of purpose and belonging are needed to help Americans choose generosity over greed. As one with high sensitivity and an initiated elder I know that 1/5 of the population needs these initiations desperately- without them collective morality really suffers.
I couldn't agree more. But even more than initiations, we need communities of initiated ones who know how to welcome the initiates home. A curious conundrum we have found ourselves in, to be sure. We likely won't see the world we are calling into view now. But it doesn't make the work we now do any less important. Let's dance!
It gives me hope that there are so many groups of women who continuously initiate each other, all of it off the radar. And, yes! More community!
Beautiful Cynthia. And that, in turn, gives us all hope. A question for you, from a kindred soul on the other side of the globe… Regarding community, did you happen to attend any of the protests yesterday? If so, would you be willing to share some of your experience?
I attended the Hands Off Protest at the California State Capitol. It began, as did the women's march I attended in D.C. in 2016, in awe as my partner and I crammed onto a full light rail train. Signs of human kindness were everywhere, as well as conversation and connection.
Two elders, both white, were seated in front of me as I held onto the bar overhead. Their sign was straightforward. Hands Off Resist. I asked if I could take a picture. The man's ball cap said Special Forces Airborne. I asked the woman if she was with a group. She told me she was a member of the League of Women Voters and recognized that we have a lot of work to do.
Another woman I met was young and black. The train was jerking around, and I gently stabilized her as we were right next to each other in the aisle. She seemed relieved. I asked if she was meeting a group, and she said, No. Her friends were afraid to attend, telling her to delete her fingerprint ID on her phone, etc. So, she was alone. I thanked her for attending. I knew about the fear and frustration among Americans of African descent from friends and had already made a small sign that said "I am here protesting on behalf of my queer, trans, black, brown and immigrant friends. I used it primarily to show people around me and for social media, as I didn't feel up to carrying a big sign.
So many creative signs. The capital grounds were packed with people of all ages and genders. Lots of old white people. More people than expected. The organizers couldn't do their planned community activity.
I think my favorite moment happened early on. I moved all the way to the top step to see the musicians and speakers. Two punk trans musicians did a set of protest songs. One of them is Evan Greer, a well-known activist. The punk screams finally made sense to me. The lyrics carried the emotional profundity of the fight for all human beings to be recognized, honored, and included as free! I was about 15 feet away. I cheered them on, as many did.
I came home tired but energized. My partner Stephen felt irritable. He is 76. Not sure why. Probably worried. At one point, when I started feeling overwhelmed (High sensitivity) I told him and he said, "I just stay inside my heart." That really helped me. Grateful.
It was great to see friends all around the U.S. sharing pictures on Facebook. Don't have a clue about media. I did hear that South Korea put down their autocrat!
More Shall Be Revealed.
Always love your perspective. I pray that Musk will somehow have an epiphany and become a true hero for the planet instead of the monster he has become. Just imagine what that would mean and what an example it be for the mega-rich. What would it take for that to happen? It would be a major tipping point in the direction your write about here. May it be so!
It's happened before. I reflect over King Asok, the third emperor of the Mauryan dynasty in India who, after many bloody battles ultimately embraced nonviolence. It's important to not give up hope. Active hope. I am trying to defeat the Elon Musk inside of me, and defeat my own ignorance. Indeed, May it be so! Thanks for sharing, Daniel.
If you could be locked in a room with Musk for a day, do you think you could get him to change direction and become a hero for the planet instead of a destroyer? Or . . . is he hopelessly locked into to his mindset? Honestly . . . it's like a very virulent virus he and so many others like him are infected with. Is there a cure? Is their an antidote this side of death?
I don't think I could get him to change, no. I can barely get myself to change my own harmful habits. Hard to say what is even genuinely harmful or helpful in these times. Sometimes virus' are mightily beneficial. Maybe the sickness itself is the cure. I wonder...