General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFlower Power
Well I see fingers, hands, and shapes of faces
Reaching up, but not quite reaching the promised land.
Well, I taste tears and prayers and precious years wasted,
Saying, Lord, please give us a helping hand.
-- Jimi Hendrix
What Im about to say may not be popular on this forum. But Ive never been particularly concerned with being popular. I do try to be a Human Being, but recognize that entails many complexities and contradictions.
I believe that humans are Earth Flowers. As individuals, we have the potential to bloom, and to reach the highest levels of earth consciousness. Those higher levels are usually associated with the teachings of the human races great teachers, or masters. But it can be found in every-day life. Onondaga Chief Paul Waterman taught me to listen to the song of the smallest birds.
Earlier this week, for example, when I went to pick my daughter up from high school basketball practice, I saw God. A friend who really cant afford to -- she is a single parent with many responsibilities -- had taken in a four-year old girl who had been rejected, hatefully, by her biological mother. This little girl, a Central American Indian, had been severely abused by her young mother (who now resides in NYC). The love of my friend and her family is providing this beautiful little child the fertile ground needed to bloom.
Im economically poor at this time, and so Im not in a position to offer my friend financial assistance. However, because some of the best lawyers and the judge in this county are friends and extended family members, I can make sure that all the legal costs my friend has volunteered to take upon herself will be provided at no charge.
There is also the potential for humans to do bad things. When a society such as our own secretes so much fear and hatred, it creates a poisoned environment -- just as surely as the mindless dumping of toxic industrial wastes poisons the environment. When healthy populations are exposed to high levels of toxic wastes in their land, air, and water, a number of them will develop cancerous growths in their bodies. When a population is exposed to the hatred, tensions, and fears that poison so much of this nation, it should come as no surprise that it will take root, and result in destructive individual rages.
Im getting ready to go to my daughters school soon, to watch her basketball game. As a parent and a school board member, itll be the end of a busy week there: a couple of ball games (boys and girls), two board committee meetings, and a few meetings with teachers. After the game, my family and I will be going to our friends home; he is a teacher, and she is a social worker.
When I got up this morning, I thought today would be pleasant. That Id be enjoying watching some of the youngsters who have grown in the garden that is our school. The other team comes from the next town, and so well be seeing relatives and friends who are also there to enjoy watching their children and grandchildren play.
But tonight will be different. Todays events will impact the mood. Its not only the knowledge that it could have been our school, or the opponents, or yours. It was someones. And it was everyones.
I gathered 68 stones earlier this week, mainly from a vein of white flint cobbles. Tomorrow, I will bring loads of wood down to the fire pit near my sweat lodge. On Sunday, Ill be doing a sweat lodge ceremony, most likely by myself. Some people see power in weapons; others see power in corporations. I think that real power is found in nature, in the natural world. The stream where Ill get my water for Sunday is power. The stones, the trees, the fire: they are power. Human beings have real power, too, and I believe that we need to gather it together, to contest all of that hatred that is being poured into our environment.
Onah.
H2O Man
bunnies
(15,859 posts)H2O Man
(73,232 posts)Probably in poor taste to kick my own thread.
woofless
(2,670 posts)Thanks again.
H2O Man
(73,232 posts)I'll do it again.
bunnies
(15,859 posts)Wish people would read it.
H2O Man
(73,232 posts)I like the OP -- it's something that I think is important. But I'm not surprised that it has gone largely ignored. That's the nature of DU in recent times.
spanone
(135,586 posts)k&r...
H2O Man
(73,232 posts)I just got home from my daughter's basketball game, and then going to one of the coach's home for pizza. At the gym, and at my friend's house, a lot of the conversation focused on today's horror story. And in talking with literally dozens of people, i can say that all of the conversations were more than civil.
Here on DU, I am not surprised by the different view points on the causes of such violent events, and possible ways to reduce the number of them. But I have been disappointed by some of the petty arguments, which seems too often rooted in purposeful attempts to divide people.
I think my OP, which was written in all sincerity, is solid. I understand that others may or may not agree with my view point. That's a good thing. But I had also hoped that it could start a reasoned discussion about today's tragic events, and the larger context of violence in (and by) America.
nolabear
(41,902 posts)We are all part of One Great Mystery, in my opinion. That's my idea of God. And we are all connected in ways obvious and incredibly subtle, and we influence one another in ways we will never know. But the more we pay attention, the more we WILL understand. Separating ourselves from one another is poison, for we can do to those we are separate from things we could never do to those we know are a part of us.
I wish I could join you. I've never done a sweat, though I'm proud of the Old Blood in my veins. I'll think of you on Sunday.
H2O Man
(73,232 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(149,181 posts)And I am never disappointed.
This is beautiful, and so thoughtful. You possess much wisdom, and I'm honored to be able to share it. I only hope I'm absorbing it so that it will help me be less toxic in my own life...
Like nolabear, I will be thinking of you tomorrow.
Thank you.
H2O Man
(73,232 posts)I've been lucky in that I have had some outstanding mentors (and tormentors) in life.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,181 posts)wovenpaint
(1,472 posts)thank you
K & R