Never rule out being a Polyanna or the power they might wield. She changed the heart of a town with a smile, a heart of gold, and eyes that’s saw through the outside to the soul within.
After a day of watching the news this story and the responses helps my blood pressure lower, aids in my dinner digestion, and gives me some hopium. Well done people.
I think one of the keys, as you pointed out, is introspection. Self examination and striving to be our best selves will bring us forward. Thank you for your article. I will be ROARING on October 18.
At the risk of pissing some off, the ideals so well pointed out here sound like progressive Democrats ideals. Unfortunately we live in a political country/world. Vote wisely.
Sadly, I think the discontent has been around for many, many years. Trump gave these people the confidence to publicly release their “feelings” and the dam broke. However, they are all about to feel the pain of 🤡 not giving a sh*t about them, he NEVER did. These are the real “suckers and losers” 🤡 was referring to.
Thank you Erik! You know. Respecting oneself and others is not just a Christian or Abrahamic idea.
Over 2000 years ago in China, Confucius said: "What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others." This is the Golden Rule. As humans, I believe, it is an innate concept. So, what happens to a human to turn off caring and empathy? To go from selfless to selfish? It is born out of neglect and abuse. From their own fractured lives, they need to control to gain some semblance of individual power. They have chosen to turn their internal rage and insecurity out against their own human species for the addictive need to be seen and heard.
Our challenge now is the fight that has been long for our species. If we don't find a way to promote compassion and humane treatment for all, in every democracy, this species may fail. We must shift the power from hatred to that of love. This is a generational challenge.
We do not yet have the emotional intelligence to handle the intellectual intelligence that created raw materials and weapons of war. I fear that we are running out of time. We, as a species, are on the precipice. And those who now have control of the machinery that can oppress do not possess the emotional capacity to wield their authority with reason, logic, fairness, or compassion.
It truly is up to us to right this ship toward a more humane democracy. To wrest the power from those who intend to abuse their power through control and manipulation. And to find a way to appreciate the diversity of all human beings. This can't happen without cultivating kindness, compassion, and, yes, empathy. Violence is not the answer. But defending oneself from violence can be righteous.
Thanks again for your article and reminding us that there were those thinkers and writers who, early on in America, knew that liberty cannot happen without equality.
Thank you for fleshing out this thought process that I am working through. All through history we see examples of this mindset but only in fits and starts. Since it takes work and sacrifice, it is a philosophy that is intellectually challenging yet if we step away from our own selfishness, I think it may not be as hard as one would think.
I agree. We are a species that has the same primal "limbic system in our brain that is part of the autonomic nervous system. It is how all animals survive with the fight, flight, or freeze/fawn response. Additionally, humans developed the neocortex, which includes the prefrontal cortex, allowing the ability for executive functioning. A uniquely (as far as we know) human capability. So, we are able to think about thinking. And therein, I think, lies the human problem/dilemma. To paraphrase Alan Watts, "because humans are conscious, they therefore become Self-conscious." The challenge is coming to terms with the subjective Self and the objective reality, big T truth (to which our lowly human brains do not have access.) The "hard" part for one is how to be selfless and empathic when to show that vulnerability is at direct odds with one's survivability. Then it comes down to the individual's subjective perception of threat. Which is relative depending on temperament/genetics and environmental factors, or one's level of early childhood nurture/abuse/neglect experiences. Sorry, I hope I didn't go on too long with this. I don't want to be presumptuous of your knowledge or desire to "get into the weeds" with how I think about this stuff. I think it helps to understand how humans got to this point and how others can behave so incomprehensibly toward other humans.🙏
Keep the the fire burning. They will self destruct. Be patient and relentless.
Never rule out being a Polyanna or the power they might wield. She changed the heart of a town with a smile, a heart of gold, and eyes that’s saw through the outside to the soul within.
After a day of watching the news this story and the responses helps my blood pressure lower, aids in my dinner digestion, and gives me some hopium. Well done people.
I think one of the keys, as you pointed out, is introspection. Self examination and striving to be our best selves will bring us forward. Thank you for your article. I will be ROARING on October 18.
Thank you Sara
Excellent post, Brother...
I was pretty busy yesterday and just now getting to this.
At the risk of pissing some off, the ideals so well pointed out here sound like progressive Democrats ideals. Unfortunately we live in a political country/world. Vote wisely.
Agreed. Unfortunately whatever we say is scrutinized and twisted to fit the narrative someone wants.
That is the way of the Reich wing today, yes.
Sadly, I think the discontent has been around for many, many years. Trump gave these people the confidence to publicly release their “feelings” and the dam broke. However, they are all about to feel the pain of 🤡 not giving a sh*t about them, he NEVER did. These are the real “suckers and losers” 🤡 was referring to.
Thank you Erik! You know. Respecting oneself and others is not just a Christian or Abrahamic idea.
Over 2000 years ago in China, Confucius said: "What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others." This is the Golden Rule. As humans, I believe, it is an innate concept. So, what happens to a human to turn off caring and empathy? To go from selfless to selfish? It is born out of neglect and abuse. From their own fractured lives, they need to control to gain some semblance of individual power. They have chosen to turn their internal rage and insecurity out against their own human species for the addictive need to be seen and heard.
Our challenge now is the fight that has been long for our species. If we don't find a way to promote compassion and humane treatment for all, in every democracy, this species may fail. We must shift the power from hatred to that of love. This is a generational challenge.
We do not yet have the emotional intelligence to handle the intellectual intelligence that created raw materials and weapons of war. I fear that we are running out of time. We, as a species, are on the precipice. And those who now have control of the machinery that can oppress do not possess the emotional capacity to wield their authority with reason, logic, fairness, or compassion.
It truly is up to us to right this ship toward a more humane democracy. To wrest the power from those who intend to abuse their power through control and manipulation. And to find a way to appreciate the diversity of all human beings. This can't happen without cultivating kindness, compassion, and, yes, empathy. Violence is not the answer. But defending oneself from violence can be righteous.
Thanks again for your article and reminding us that there were those thinkers and writers who, early on in America, knew that liberty cannot happen without equality.
Thank you for fleshing out this thought process that I am working through. All through history we see examples of this mindset but only in fits and starts. Since it takes work and sacrifice, it is a philosophy that is intellectually challenging yet if we step away from our own selfishness, I think it may not be as hard as one would think.
I agree. We are a species that has the same primal "limbic system in our brain that is part of the autonomic nervous system. It is how all animals survive with the fight, flight, or freeze/fawn response. Additionally, humans developed the neocortex, which includes the prefrontal cortex, allowing the ability for executive functioning. A uniquely (as far as we know) human capability. So, we are able to think about thinking. And therein, I think, lies the human problem/dilemma. To paraphrase Alan Watts, "because humans are conscious, they therefore become Self-conscious." The challenge is coming to terms with the subjective Self and the objective reality, big T truth (to which our lowly human brains do not have access.) The "hard" part for one is how to be selfless and empathic when to show that vulnerability is at direct odds with one's survivability. Then it comes down to the individual's subjective perception of threat. Which is relative depending on temperament/genetics and environmental factors, or one's level of early childhood nurture/abuse/neglect experiences. Sorry, I hope I didn't go on too long with this. I don't want to be presumptuous of your knowledge or desire to "get into the weeds" with how I think about this stuff. I think it helps to understand how humans got to this point and how others can behave so incomprehensibly toward other humans.🙏
Keep it coming my friend. I am no expert and I appreciate the information. Thank you.
Glad to have the opportunity to discuss.
Thanks for sharing that quote and attending comments. My bottom line is that the “silent majority” needs to ROAR in upcoming elections.
Cheers, a good way to start a Monday hearing this post.
I am glad it was helpful
Excellent post for today and the future
Thank you Tom