Stop the Insanity!

It just keeps feeding into that need. Almost everything feeds into that need. Faiths, praises, monies, and I know-not what continue to feed into the hunger, the ever-present hunger, the ever-present need of the need. This lecture, that book, those interviews and movies, that belief system and those explanations. The list is never-ending, the need is ever-present, and the awareness is quite painful. Yes, validation. Acknowledgement of one's value and worth. Yes, you matter. Yes, you are a somebody. Yes, the world is better because you are here. Yes, you are kind. Yes yes yes. And the power-hungry, whose need is stronger than average, exploit it to the max. And the worthless, whose need is stronger than average, fall prey without a fight. And the world goes 'round and 'round, both feeding each other, both sending out wails from the bottomless wells dug deeper than deep, confused and righteous, relentless in their stance, fearful to put down the stake and the thistle, look into the reflection in the mirror, and.....melt.  Lower the armor to the ground, undulate the body to the Mother, snuggle into Grace, and breathe....  The simple truth is that yes, you do matter. Yes, you are a somebody. Yes, the world is better because you are here. Yes, you are kind. Yes yes yes. It's just that the knowing is not out there, or with someone else. It's not found in this lecture, that book, those interviews and movies, that belief system and those explanations. It is delicately alive in the bottomless well dug deeper than deep, clear and pure, kind in its existence, vulnerable in every way, ever-ready to luminesce.

Yes, it exists!

I don't know about you, but I have been pulled into it. Completely pulled, by both feet and hands, heart, and, definitely, head. I have succumbed to the notion that winning is important, that winning is valued, and that winning is achieved through competition and withholding of information. Interestingly, the animal kingdom survives and prospers through competition's long-lived foe known as cooperation. As I am pondering these notions and insights, enters a duo into my mostly cluttered space, and demonstrates to me time and time again, over and over again, consistently, without hesitation, without deliberation that spreading the word, sharing rather than hoarding knowledge, and cooperating rather than competing with "the other" is a natural, successful, and a winning way to experience each day. This is the true nature of this duo, and thus, the true essence of their sanctuary. The Sanctuary. May this world's creatures be touched by it.

Just Words

A disjointed set of lyrics and phrases is here:
Just as the clothes do not make the man, according to George Michael, neither does having a "successful" job. There is no need to worry, "'cause every little thing is gonna be alright." After all, "there is no time like the present," and the present is all we got. And dreams do come true, though they may not look like anything we can readily recognize. "Mothers, be good to your daughters," John Mayer begs, for they are the future generation of leaders and trend-setters, and the blueprint for the generations ahead. "All the world is a stage," and we are all main actors in our own plays with tremendous pressure to perform. What would happen if we don't do well, if the Others don't like us, walk out on us, and reject us. The pressure to please by twisting into a form accessible to everyone runs the machine that is the crux of our limited existence. Oh validation! "I don't wanna grow up, I am a Toys R Us kid. There's a million toys at Toys R Us that I can play with!" Showing up to life every morning like a child with nothing to prove, impress, or otherwise demonstrate. "The Return to Innocence." Go Enya! In the meantime, I will continue "sipping on gin and juice." Just kidding! I will continue sipping my warm herbal tea, go lie down on "the bed of roses," (so nauseatingly romantic), and enjoy deep relaxation.

My teacher

Many times. Over many years. I have done it many times over many years. I've tasted the good, the bad, and the ugly. The first few years were fun, regardless of the situation. Pure fun and joy and no consequences. I had no idea what I was doing, or what I was getting myself into. Simply loved being there and being receptive to the musical notes, and lyrical voices, the emotion, and the exploration of it all. Such a high with charged energy would each night bring. More days on the calendar would be crossed off. More practice would be put in. Tastes would become refined while the mind would grow in discriminatory power. The good, the bad, and the ugly would start to separate and show their vibrant costumes. The days would continue to fly by, months would slide along, and years leap into the past. Experience with all of its highs and lows, with all of its colorful spectrum created tremendous awareness. The awareness that demanded particular conditions and refined company. The magic appeared with rarety and soulful beauty. Each encountered mattered. The invisible connection facilitated by the musical notes and the lyrical voices, the emotion and the exploration of it all, with only the gentlest of hearts and the deepest mutual regard, would create the subdued high lighted by the sweetest of energies.

This.... is partner dancing, or my metaphor for life.