Virus: Not Verifying Before Sharing

We have a serious virus running rampant on social media. It's called sharing before verifying facts or truth. This has me, ocassionally, sharing information with people, if I see a meme or fake news site that's been posted, which needs more input or disputing. I've seen others do this too. It, normally, only takes a few minutes of research to gather facts but maybe the virus makes it too difficult to think. What I find even more appalling is the effect of said virus when the presented information is completely ignore by some. Maybe it wasn't important enough to read because the lie was more important. Another side effect?

I think this virus makes people overly sensitive too. I don't do a rebuttal to be harsh, to ridicule, or even deliberately offend anyone (which is what I've "heard"), but only to help keep the record straight, if possible. If this offends anyone, please do some self analysis on why, because I'm really surprised there aren't more people "verifying before sharing." Particularly due to the amount of fake stuff that we've been inundated with over the years. 

With more and more people knowing there are lies being perpetuated everyday, I'm surprise over this lack of interest, especially due to the destructive nature it can create. For instance, even if I don't like a person, that's being lied about through a fake meme, I still feel it's more important to correct the lie by sharing whatever truthful facts I can find. I'm not referring to things that are created for good-natured levity but those that are deliberate lies for cruel intent. 

Furthermore, this virus is causing some people to be duped over unsubstantiated conspiracies, faux or satire news, and bias hearsay, because of not taking the time to verify through credible sources. Worse are the people being destroyed over Internet defamation due to those effected by this insidious virus. It is also wearing down the fact finders. Lately, I've been reading comments stating that people shouldn't have to do this research for another. Sadly, I too am beginning to feel the same. Often, I bypass a post and tell myself: don't bother. Yet, the only reason I feel that I persevere is due to wanting my grandchildren to grow up in a better world - a mentally healthy world - a world of more love and less fear. 

Furthermore, virus or not, it's still a form of bullying. Young people have committed suicide because of hateful, lying, social media posts about them, which have been indiscriminately shared by others. Lies seem to run through the Internet like a wildfire feeding off of the negativity. Among other things, politics and religion tends to show the ugly in people too. Another side effect?

The power of thought is very real - negative or positive. Kill the virus. Don't be hasty in sharing something, especially about another person, before checking the facts. After all, there are "young ones" who rely on someone being a mature adult who will save them from this nasty virus. 

Diversity

We all fuss and fume about it but let's face it, it's not going to change. At least anytime soon. We're not homogenized. We're different. We're diverse. We are a variety. The spice of life.

Fingerprints remind us how unique we are. We don't have to like another's uniqueness, allowing doesn't mean putting up with things, but we can still try to be loving. That takes time, patience and understanding in order to know more.

We know a lot about what we know, but we don't know everything. That may take another's knowing to be helped along our journey. When you close down to only your knowing, you may miss an important lesson.

Are you seeing the bigger picture now?

Ecosystems: Why We Need Wolves and Humans

Ocassionally, I read comments, from those who feel meat-eating humans are cruel, that all humans need to be vegans. I have, politely, pointed out the many reasons there are flaws in that way of thinking, because meat-eating humans are also an important part of our current ecosystems.

I can understand why vegans turn their noses up to other's food choices, I too might feel similar if I had to eat a bug. However, thankfully, there are other creatures on our planet that are bug eaters, which can handle this ecosystem responsibility.

Yet, I can't understand how people are irate over a cannulated cow because of the purpose it serves. Isn't it the same principle of what we do to humans with a colostomy or a tracheostomy? We're putting holes in our bodies for quality of life, among other things. What's the difference?

Thankfully, I know a few vegans etc., that aren't being sanctimonious over another's food choice. They, obviously, understand the need for balanced ecosystems. They eat their plant life, but don't act smug about another's decision by calling all humans cruel barbarians. Seriously?! Compared to how wild animals hunt and eat, the majority of humans are not cruel. I've watched many who hunt and fish, even watched some who raise our food sources. Please don't classify them under the same umbrella as other humans who act like wild animals. I do mean "wild animals" and not the cutey, animated ones.

Yesterday, a friend shared a link (see below) regarding the importance of having wolves in our ecosystems. I had learned about this, some time ago, through a television program regarding wolves in Yellowstone. Upon visiting Yellowstone, one year, I saw this in action; a wolf on a hunt. It was also the first thing listed on the ten reasons we need wolves.

"Reason 1: Without wolves and other large predators, ecosystems can go haywire. A 2001 study found that when wolves went extinct in Yellowstone, for example, the moose population ballooned to five times its normal size and demolished woody vegetation where birds nested. As a result, several bird species were eliminated in the park."

To read the other important and very interesting reasons, please go to link.

http://www.whitewolfpack.com/2011/05/10-reasons-we-need-wolves.html?m=1

In summary, it was humans that took wolves out of Yellowstone and it was humans that realized their mistake and brought them back. We're constantly learning. We know that some animals eat grass and grain and their manure helps fertilize the grass and grain. Some animals, including humans, maintain the balance by eating other animals, fish and fowl, along with grass and grain. We may not always want to understand certain methods utilized, but we know the importance of raising or growing more food due to human population expansion, for example. However, we're slowing learning that it's wars, natural disasters, pestilence and diseases which helps maintain human overpopulation. No one is immune to the circle of life and death.

Why We Cannot All Be Vegans

I had a friend post a picture of a cow, with an overly huge udder, suggesting that everyone should be a vegan. Below is my initial response.

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Ain't happening. We would have to get rid of every animal, fish, bird, insects, or whatever is considered edible, to prevent human temptation and that would destroy nature as we know it.

On top of that, we would have to pray that the edible vegetation, that we can accomplish without the help of the aforesaid mentioned above, isn't destroyed by acts of nature (fire, ice, drought, floods, etc.) causing severe starvation and death to humans.

So yes, it all may sound good but I've investigated this idealogy for years and it's not really a good thing. Nature has designed a far better plan for this planet and it's only humans that try to screw it up with being unknowing or interfering about all life.

A lion doesn't think twice about thinning out the herd of water buffalo. It's the law of nature or we would have populations of all species out of control and eating the vegetation that some people think everyone should be only eating. We even thin out the over production of human life via wars, diseases, pestilence and starvation. Sad as it is, it's a fact of life.

It's best to understand why that cow's udder was so full, and fix that, then asking the universe to cause their, or others, extinction, just to placate our egos.
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In summary, humans should be compassionate and generally most are, especially when compared to a hungry wild animal. I've watched a lot of wild animal shows and can attest to that, even though history has shown that humans have been cannibalistic, we are, by far, a league above eating another animal, mammal, fish or bird while it's still alive.

I've also watched a lot of vets taking care of various animals and can see the pros and cons too. Huge cow udders aren't always a bad thing but they can be. No, not everything is perfect but most ranchers do their best at a high cost in doing so, as well as saving us the time and effort in raising or growing our food for survival as our ancestors did; as I have minimally done also.

I've learned that not everyone can grow their own food, especially city dwellers. I've learned that farmers and ranchers are often fighting off local animal predators with what they grow and raise to protect their investments, which protects our overall costs too. I've learned that even the Dalai Lama eats meat, occasionally, and why he does. I've learned that "new vegans" are often more judgmental than those who are metaphysical and understand the complete picture. Because of that, I can appreciate what our farmers and ranchers do and I, with the help of guidance, removed myself from the "it's all about me" pedestal a long time ago.

Transformation: Nanny McPhee

I love this movie quote from Nanny McPhee: "There is something you should understand about the way I work. When you need me but do not want me, then I must stay. When you want me but no longer need me, then I have to go. It's rather sad, really, but there it is."

I also love how she shows up looking like a hag. As the children learn their lessons from her, she becomes prettier with each lesson learned. It's as if their heart ugliness is represented by her looks. When they start behaving, learning the lessons she gives them, she becomes more beautiful, mirroring the children's transformation.

It's a riddle that makes sense. The children are horrid - so she must stay. They've learned their lessons - so she must go. Transformation is complete. No need to stay around. Off to others who need transformation.

This was what my metaphysical teachers taught me many years ago: "As in any teaching situation, we teach, we see your transformation, and then we (teachers/students) move on."

Because our hearts have been opened; we've learned our lessons.

As Nanny McPhee said, "It's rather sad, really, but there it is."

Spiritual: My Life's Lessons

My life has taught me to be more spiritual than any particular religion. I was raised Catholic. My mom was Catholic but my dad was Baptist. However, he converted to Catholic when I was around seven. The strange thing was that my mom, eventually, converted to Baptist when I was around twenty. Crazy mixed up family but it gave me a broader outlook on religious beliefs.

I was also raised to be respectful. My mom made sure of it. So, as a teen, I was invited to go to services with a neighbor to her Baptist Church. Everything was good until the visiting minister started spouting off that everyone but Baptist were going straight to hell. I was in shock. How disrespectful! I got up and walked out because I knew I was a good person and that was just BS to me. I told my neighbor I wasn't feeling well because I didn't want to hurt her feelings.

All I could think was, how absolutely horrid the Baptist were. After visiting other churches and seeing more hypocrisy, including with the Catholic Church, I decided that "my church" was going to be a direct connection to the Divine.

That Baptist church wasn't the only one I visited when I was younger. I heard some pretty wild things. It made me wonder why all churches weren't more careful in what they preach because they never know who's ears they may fall on ... including God's.

It was my dad that sealed it for me. He said that God was either no religion or all religions, depending on how you look at it. Besides, if God was everywhere, why would anyone need to go to a building to pray to Him? You should be able to pray in your home, or in a field, for Him to hear you. This made sense to me. It truly resonated.

Also, because I have a curious nature, when I was around forty, I decided to study the Bible along with other major religions. I even got a minister's license to help in counseling others. Of course, this was also due to my direct contact with the Divine, by this time, and being asked to understand as much as I could in order not to judge.

Among other things, that I've learned, my spiritual awakening taught me that God's not stuck in the past anymore than we are. To me, that made sense too, because it would make Him seem intolerant. Isn't that what religions, including spirituality, tell us not to be? Also, I was taught that world religions are like God's children; siblings in a big family. Anyone who's seen or been part of a big family will know that not everything runs smoothly and children can misbehave. It's up to this "big family" to keep everyone in line and from getting out of control. In our families, our siblings are different but we don't worship them. Why should we worship our religions?

Lastly, this video (link), that I made back in 2009, talks about a few things that I've mentioned in this blog but goes into a little more detail explaining why all my multiple life's lessons helped in my conclusion of being more spiritual than religious.

I'm Spiritual but not Religious - https://youtu.be/1qOt6MRyUPE

Rights: How Far Will We Go?

I was reading about the recent religious freedom decisions of North Carolina and Mississippi along with Facebook comments regarding judging and accepting. Then my husband read me a news article about a nine year old girl in Utah "allegedly" being ganged raped and sodomized by four men while her mom was using meth in the garage. Allegedly telling her that they would kill her if she told anyone.

Something clicked in my brain about all this: how far do we keep allowing someone's rights to supercede another's?

First, let me explain that I do not like the too far right or too far left mentality. Yet, I understand the need for check and balance, the need for fairness, the need for understanding, but also the need for common sense. How far do we keep telling ourselves to stop judging and be more accepting? How far are we willing to go before WE draw that line?

Will it be our child or grandchild that's raped before we do? Will we finally be forced to accept others selling their children so they can have money? Will we be told it's people's "right" to seek sexual pleasure with our young? Will we be told to stop whining, stop judging, be more accepting? Will we be told that we're not being understanding or loving enough? What's anymore wrong in accepting this idealogy then anything else we once felt was morally wrong - regardless of religious beliefs?

Oh, but that's not the same thing!

Really? Why isn't it?

Try this one on. Think about what you find morally disgusting and then think about how you'd feel when you're told to suck it up buttercup. Will you? After all, maybe a rapist and murderer was born that way too. Maybe someone who abuses animals or other humans will use that idealogy against us: I was born this way, it's my right, it should be allowed!

We keep pushing this invisible morality line further and further away. What's fair and to who's reasoning? Will this be the next bridge we're asked to cross? How far will we go with allowing rights?

Memories: 1967 Long Beach California

This blog picture shows the Long Beach California State Theater in 1972 (source unk.) where I worked in 1967. I started out in concessions and went to work in the box office nearly a month of being there. I, eventually, impressed my night manager, praising my efficiency, because I was not only fast, with the nightly box office reports, but accurate as well. I often started them while the box office was slow; all I knew is that I just wanted to get home faster. ☺

Long Beach is a Navy port and I cannot begin to tell you how many Navy guys came up to that box office window and asked the same thing - over and over - can I buy a child's ticket for my child? One man would stoop low so he looked small. At first, I just laughed. Eventually, I would just shake my head and say: no but you can purchase two military discount tickets. Jeez!!! 

I had moved from San Diego to Long Beach to stay with my sister and this was my first job. The best thing, since I had no car, it was in walking distance to our apartment. The theater was also near the Pike Amusement Park with the wood roller coaster that went out into the ocean. I never road it. Maybe instinct told me to stay off of it. That wood was too freaky for me. But I did enjoy the beach and the park. 

Months later, I left the theater to work at a pawn shop just a little further up the street. That's when I learned that pawn shops take advantage of people. Could be why I made a lot more money there than the theater. They sure made enough of it off of another's bad luck. The good thing was that I was still in walking distance to my apartment. I'm still amazed, when I think about that, that I walked about six, long blocks at night going home from both jobs. I know that would be impossible today but I never felt unsafe back then. 

Lastly, one of my highlights, while working there, was watching the Queen Mary dock in Long Beach on December 9, 1967. It was truly exciting to watch. Soon afterwards, I moved from there to Missouri. I was only there for a few months and moved back to Tampa in February 1968, where my family had relocated from San Diego. I've been living in this area ever since. 

Here's more information about State Street Theater and surrounding area w/pictures. https://sites.google.com/site/losangelesmoviepalaces/state

Video of the Queen Mary arriving in Long Beach. https://youtu.be/SsK6MsNeNS4

Thanks for walking down memory lane with me. ☺

Walls or Open Borders?

It's interesting to watch all the debates on walls and open borders lately. Everyone's opinion is, apparently, based on their experience, need, or, maybe, something they know but aren't saying. There isn't much unity and a lot of division. That's why I was surprised to see something I wrote on April 2, 2013, on my social media page. It didn't pertain to today's political debates but it did in a roundabout way. So, I thought I'd share it in my blog.

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I just had this weird ah-ha moment this morning. I was thinking how everyone has unique metaphysical experiences and how special they each feel about them.

I even felt that there was an underlying falseness to the experiences, including my own first experiences due to my innocence at the time. Of course, it was still helpful in our awakening. It brought us out of the box. So, why is there still so much controversy?

Than I had a flash of insight that open my eyes. It was like this: each experience is unique and different for a much broader understanding then you have gained (until now). For if you had unity in your experiences, you would have more proof. There are those that don't wish this and will do all they can to deceive the very elect in order to divide and conquer; to destroy proof.

I felt sorrow and frustration; the message was loud and clear. Ah-ha! The divide and conquer scheme.

The truth is in the universe but the ego prevents it from presenting itself. For if the truth presented itself, unity and proof would prevail. It would knock down walls, but hmmm, a broader picture presented itself ... maybe some walls are not ready to be knocked down.

I see. We are all still learning. We are being fed what we need when we need it. Knowledge without wisdom can be dangerous; as we have witnessed many times on this planet when ego and power gets out of control.

One day we will wake up in the future and there will be an understanding of unity and proof but now we are still blind to egos that cannot or will not allow transparency due to the density we still carry within us.

Some walls keep us from getting out and not only for protection. Hmmm ...
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What I shared above made me think "ah-ha" again. We are often kept in the dark to protect us. Walls aren't always to keep our enemy out but us in, also as a form of protection. The more we know doesn't always provide protection. In fact, the more our eyes are opened, we often sense we may need more protection.

Innocence isn't always bliss. Just as we, as children, hope our parents protect us from harm, we also hope our angelic guidance will do the same. We may not always understand the "invisible" walls they put around us, but surely they do. And yes, sometimes even those invisible walls are breached too, but does this mean that open borders are better? Based on experience, leading to wisdom, maybe not. There are some who still want to divide so they can conquer. Isn't that what we're seeing with political parties' opinions? Who is to be believed, when it comes to our overall welfare?

History has shown us when walls are important; as long as there is fighting and division, they serve a purpose. As guidance suggested above: maybe some walls aren't ready to be knocked down.