I kept thinking that when I had a concrete idea or neat story all perfectly wrapped up with brown paper and tied up with string I would get back in front of the ancient laptop and write something useful or helpful or inspirational or moving or even just silly. But then the noise in my head just kept getting in the way and not letting me have enough wiggle room to even conceive of a 'thing' to write about.
Then a friend said, "Come on, girrrrl, just get writing! Anything. Nothing polished, even. You have NO idea how your words might help someone else." And to be honest it was a welcome kick in the pants. Truth does that. And I was full of resolve that the very next morning I would get up and write something, anything.
So here I am, writing something.
Well, actually, five whole months after that conversation, writing something.
Why did it take me so long? Fear mostly. Because this isn't a blog that will always be nice or very shiny. Sometimes (often) it will be angry, honest and, hopefully, provocative. I want people to wake the fuck up and see the other people, the other creatures, the other living beings, the whole world around them and see the Creative Hand in it all. And I want the world to actually really, fully, truly, madly, deeply love all of the goodness that they see and I want to hear less and less "US" and "THEM" BS when talking about "other people".
And I'm often the one falling at the first hurdle. But that doesn't nullify my argument or render my words void or abnegate my responsibility to stand up and speak Truth to Power and All.
Another reason that it took so long was another sustained sit-in by the Depression Monkeys of Doom speaking likes into my brain spaces and not leaving me alone one second of the day. It has been hard and horrible to be trying to deal with the depression and that then be exacerbated by massive spikes in all of the anxiety nonsense because of the building work going on in my home. Or, not going on, as is now the case. Why can't people just do the fucking job they claim they are qualified for (and have been paid tonnes of money, that may or may not be able to be claimed back from them, for)? Honestly!
Sometimes I just wanna stab people inna face.
But that doesn't solve anything. So instead I try very hard to forgive and move on. Holding onto anger is always a self-defeating, destructive exercise. I learned long ago that rage needs to be channelled, not in violent ways, but in constructive ways. Easier said than done to be sure, but needs must. Love is the only way through the darkness.
Which brings me to a vague point to my writing to the ether today. I am one of "those people" that many talk about when talking about "others/them". I have lived my entire life at the margin because I am disabled, because I am female, because I survived childhood sexual abuse, because I have mental health problems, because I love Jesus and - now more than ever - like to challenge religiosity and indoctrination BS. However, I am not weak, I am not pathetic, I am not stupid, I am not crazy, I do not foam at the mouth; I am a warrior, a survivor and a voice that cries in the wildnerness, alongside so many others, saying "wake up people! Repent! Time is running out!"
I don't mean that in a Book of Revelation quoting, pulpit pounding "turn or burn" kind of theology, although come to think of it, it almost IS exactly that. Time is running out for swathes of humanity if we do not take responsibility for our actions from food choices, to clothing choices, to fuel choices, to attitude choices.
We absolutely must engage our entire selves in turning ourselves around from the destructive practices we employ in our daily lives in order to effect positive change that might, possibly, see the tide turn in our environment's favour, or get burned by global famine, toxic air, poisoned water and searing heat and bone-chilling cold.
We western humans are a dumb section of the human species.
For all our clever science and technology, our creativity, our wordsmithery or physical strength, even our wisdom, we really are dumb and dumber on steroids.
The love of money, the desire for more/bigger/better/faster and the endless pursuit of "happiness" has robbed us of our connection with our consciences. We blame everyone but ourselves (the real problem) for our problems.
But what actually happens when, say, the crops in Africa, Asia, Central & South America & the Caribbean and Eastern Europe that feed the (predominantly) white west begin to fail year after year?
What actually happens when the use of evil toxic chemical sprays kill off thousands of insect species, especially bees, and there are fewer and fewer pollinators around for forests, crops etc to continue their reproductive cycles?
Who suffers?
NOT the west, not initially, but those who work tirelessly to provide far more food than we in the west have need for while they themselves will starve to death every day. Sadly this is already the reality today. Imagine how bad that will get when the crops around the world DO start to decline - and they will.
Of course the USA and Australia & New Zealand also over produce food, but mostly for others in the 'west'. So obesity continues to rise whilst the majority of the world starves and the west whinges about not having 'enough'. (Enough what?! Death?)
What I would like to see happen is the governments of the west to order a reduction (and eventual cessation) of large-scale meat production, a reduction in fishing quotas, the banning of GMO crops, the banning of pesticides and a total ban on intensive farming of all kinds (meat, dairy, fish, agriculture). I would also like to see a total ban on cutting down rainforest areas.
Drastic? Yes.
Overly ambitious? Maybe.
Impossible? No. It shouldn't be. Not if people really put their money where there mouths are.
We need to wake up to the cold hard truth that the way we live in the 'west' is damaging the rest of life on Earth. We alone must bear the lion's share of the blame. We are the ones who colonised, raped, pillaged, plundered and massacred our way around the globe and it is about time that we stood up and faced the Truth. Repent! The time is NOW for us to act.
We have the power. That power is nothing but bluster if we do not use that for the good of our home. Stop confusing power with domination and subjugation, and recognise that it is more effective and beneficial when used to raise up and submit to the needs of all people.
True power, wisdom and might is in knowing that we must seek Justice, love Mercy and walk Humbly with our God and our fellow living creatures (especially the human ones of all nations and creeds).
Tell people you love them today, it may very well make a difference.
In rage and hope,
I pray Shalom.
TL
So here I am, writing something.
Well, actually, five whole months after that conversation, writing something.
Why did it take me so long? Fear mostly. Because this isn't a blog that will always be nice or very shiny. Sometimes (often) it will be angry, honest and, hopefully, provocative. I want people to wake the fuck up and see the other people, the other creatures, the other living beings, the whole world around them and see the Creative Hand in it all. And I want the world to actually really, fully, truly, madly, deeply love all of the goodness that they see and I want to hear less and less "US" and "THEM" BS when talking about "other people".
And I'm often the one falling at the first hurdle. But that doesn't nullify my argument or render my words void or abnegate my responsibility to stand up and speak Truth to Power and All.
Another reason that it took so long was another sustained sit-in by the Depression Monkeys of Doom speaking likes into my brain spaces and not leaving me alone one second of the day. It has been hard and horrible to be trying to deal with the depression and that then be exacerbated by massive spikes in all of the anxiety nonsense because of the building work going on in my home. Or, not going on, as is now the case. Why can't people just do the fucking job they claim they are qualified for (and have been paid tonnes of money, that may or may not be able to be claimed back from them, for)? Honestly!
Sometimes I just wanna stab people inna face.
But that doesn't solve anything. So instead I try very hard to forgive and move on. Holding onto anger is always a self-defeating, destructive exercise. I learned long ago that rage needs to be channelled, not in violent ways, but in constructive ways. Easier said than done to be sure, but needs must. Love is the only way through the darkness.
Which brings me to a vague point to my writing to the ether today. I am one of "those people" that many talk about when talking about "others/them". I have lived my entire life at the margin because I am disabled, because I am female, because I survived childhood sexual abuse, because I have mental health problems, because I love Jesus and - now more than ever - like to challenge religiosity and indoctrination BS. However, I am not weak, I am not pathetic, I am not stupid, I am not crazy, I do not foam at the mouth; I am a warrior, a survivor and a voice that cries in the wildnerness, alongside so many others, saying "wake up people! Repent! Time is running out!"
I don't mean that in a Book of Revelation quoting, pulpit pounding "turn or burn" kind of theology, although come to think of it, it almost IS exactly that. Time is running out for swathes of humanity if we do not take responsibility for our actions from food choices, to clothing choices, to fuel choices, to attitude choices.
We absolutely must engage our entire selves in turning ourselves around from the destructive practices we employ in our daily lives in order to effect positive change that might, possibly, see the tide turn in our environment's favour, or get burned by global famine, toxic air, poisoned water and searing heat and bone-chilling cold.
We western humans are a dumb section of the human species.
For all our clever science and technology, our creativity, our wordsmithery or physical strength, even our wisdom, we really are dumb and dumber on steroids.
The love of money, the desire for more/bigger/better/faster and the endless pursuit of "happiness" has robbed us of our connection with our consciences. We blame everyone but ourselves (the real problem) for our problems.
But what actually happens when, say, the crops in Africa, Asia, Central & South America & the Caribbean and Eastern Europe that feed the (predominantly) white west begin to fail year after year?
What actually happens when the use of evil toxic chemical sprays kill off thousands of insect species, especially bees, and there are fewer and fewer pollinators around for forests, crops etc to continue their reproductive cycles?
Who suffers?
NOT the west, not initially, but those who work tirelessly to provide far more food than we in the west have need for while they themselves will starve to death every day. Sadly this is already the reality today. Imagine how bad that will get when the crops around the world DO start to decline - and they will.
Of course the USA and Australia & New Zealand also over produce food, but mostly for others in the 'west'. So obesity continues to rise whilst the majority of the world starves and the west whinges about not having 'enough'. (Enough what?! Death?)
What I would like to see happen is the governments of the west to order a reduction (and eventual cessation) of large-scale meat production, a reduction in fishing quotas, the banning of GMO crops, the banning of pesticides and a total ban on intensive farming of all kinds (meat, dairy, fish, agriculture). I would also like to see a total ban on cutting down rainforest areas.
Drastic? Yes.
Overly ambitious? Maybe.
Impossible? No. It shouldn't be. Not if people really put their money where there mouths are.
We need to wake up to the cold hard truth that the way we live in the 'west' is damaging the rest of life on Earth. We alone must bear the lion's share of the blame. We are the ones who colonised, raped, pillaged, plundered and massacred our way around the globe and it is about time that we stood up and faced the Truth. Repent! The time is NOW for us to act.
We have the power. That power is nothing but bluster if we do not use that for the good of our home. Stop confusing power with domination and subjugation, and recognise that it is more effective and beneficial when used to raise up and submit to the needs of all people.
True power, wisdom and might is in knowing that we must seek Justice, love Mercy and walk Humbly with our God and our fellow living creatures (especially the human ones of all nations and creeds).
Tell people you love them today, it may very well make a difference.
In rage and hope,
I pray Shalom.
TL
