Internet Battles: Calm the Mind

There's plenty of opinionated, social-media, rhetoric, especially when it's political, which is stirring up a lot of vitriol. Some have noted that it's creating feelings of unrest worldwide. Here's a little advice to hopefully calm the mind. 

With any particular fervor, it would be prudent to take statements lightly. Do your own research. Know the facts/truth. Don't be a puppet. Don't be too fast to assume. Try not to be a hearsayer. Be part of the solution, not the problem. 

For instance, when it comes to politics, and their media supporters, we know there can be errs, and they can often err deliberately and deceitfully. Sometimes, politicians have selective or faulty memory, but, hopefully, there will be plenty of areas to fact-check outside of bias media. 

Avoid the temptation of sharing anything dishonestly mean and hateful. It may escalate this hostile energy being felt by all, as well as create a vindictive retaliation. If you share what you feel is the truth, hurt feelings are their responsibility. Also, avoid the pitfall of placing oneself on a self-indulgent pedestal, which may prevent conversing in a civilized manner. Deliberating seeking to persecute, torment, or intimidate may undermine believability. 

Learn to sense those who are being, intentionally, offensive or provocative, don't take the bait... ignore them. And, if you can sense someone baiting you, than you should also be able to sense when someone is giving educated information. Use your sixth sense wisely. Use your freedom of speech wisely. 

Lastly, ask yourself, often, if these internet battles are really worth the stress... worth your time? If so, a calm mind can often think more clearly. However, with current enforcement of certain social media rules, on removing accounts they deem as hateful, this may be a moot point.

Although, being calm, especially within a storm, is an accomplishment one should still aim to acquire. 

Morals

I was listening to this gentleman on TV about certain people lacking morals. He was referring to people entering countries illegally and all the countries involved, including us, who allow it.

A definition of morals is a person's standards of behavior or beliefs concerning what is and is not acceptable for them to do. It's principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior.

No one can tell me that we, depending on certain situations, don't have this within us all. Let me tell you why I feel this way with a little personal story. When I was younger, we had a rabbit that was innocently fed some poisonous flowers by one of my younger siblings. The rabbit died.

Here's were morals/morality comes into play. Knowing this was done, albeit innocently, taught us all a lesson: you don't feed any creature anything you want, because to do so could be harmful. However, knowing this, and still continuing to do so, is showing a lack of morals, virtue, integrity, decency, a code of conduct, or any name you wish to use to let you know you're doing something nafarious, whether it's through a lesson learned directly or indirectly. In some cases, it's even considered evil.

One would have to ask why someone is, continually, choosing a path they know in their heart is wrong, that can be, intentionally, harmful to another or others, unless there is a lack of morals. Breaking into another's country is just as immoral as breaking into another's home. It's iniquitous behavior and those who promote it are just as unscrupulous.

In other words, morals protect us and others from doing anything we want just because we feel like it.

ANGER

We all get angry, occasionally, we're only human. Anger, not to be confused with passion or drive, can occur when triggered with feelings of being threatened, frustrated, powerless, and, as Yoda told us, even fear. However, learning to channel anger into a positive direction can be a better strategy, because anger only begets more of the same.

One of the best ways to conquer anger is through education. Educated people tend to use a mediator, or court system, to fight their battles - whenever possible - leaving no body scars and, hopefully, less stress. If we don't like the outcome, we have the option of taking it to a higher court, or develop the attitude of better luck next time. Besides, knowledgeable people shouldn't have to fight (unless it's in self-defense of themselves or loved ones), because they know how to reason and compromise. 

But, we need to be reasoning with reasonable people for that to work. We have all types of people on this planet and not all are aware about self control, or better ways of communicating, no matter where they live. They are in that life-force that thinks the only way to win a battle is arm to arm combat - so to speak - butting heads like rams, etc. They are, generally, people who want to blow things up or have someone else do it for them. That's their ability to reason. 

As a final point, when we become more metaphysically aware, we learn that being in constant anger and hate may only hurt us more than our perceived enemy. Because, we will be sick and die due to the stress we have allowed to our bodies and minds. Remember, knowledge is power too, not just brute force. But, if force is necessary, may the force be with you. 😉 

Saving The World?

I often wonder if being too caring leads to controlling. Maybe that's why we get into wars, because we may be seen as interfering instead of helping. I don't mean never help; there are times of crisis and we should do all we can, and we have. I mean this attitude that many have that they need to save the world, yet it's crippling some because of it. 

Now and then, I think about this African woman, I watched on a video, who was yelling for America to stop helping Africa so much as it was making them weak. That they needed to learn to be more self sufficient. There are people who have research financial aid given to countries and say this is true. It has often crippled their economy. 

And then, there are commercials, which are created to tug at our heart strings, telling us to help those less fortunate. But are they? Do they want our help? Do they think they need help? Or is it to feed into another's fantasy instead? Possibly a money making scheme? Because we all know there's good and bad in everything.

Sometimes, I feel it's the haves projecting way too much onto the have nots. The philanthropists needing to save people. But, and I mean this seriously, do we have that right? Unless someone asks for help, do we have a right to change their way of life? Especially if their way of life isn't looked on by them as poor or deprived? It's just their way of life. They don't know any better. We implant that feeling onto them that it's bad. 

You see, I learned that as a child. I was happy with what I had. I didn't know it was supposed to be better. We didn't have a lot of money, but we were rich in things money couldn't buy. I was able to smile and appreciate my life until I grew older and saw myself in other's eyes. It was then that I felt like I was less because of their "poor you" attitude. I felt uncomfortable. I didn't like the, occasional, patronizing feeling I sensed. But, was it just me or did others feel the same? If they did, I could understand how this could, among other things, cause discord and resentment in some people being "saved."

Being a people watcher, most of my life, taught me never to assume. There are those who really need help and were gracious, but they had lines we shouldn't cross. It taught me that some people were perpetual users, abusing the kindest of others, and got angry when they were deprived of their freebies. And yes, as in my case, it taught me that some people don't think they're poor and need saving. They're often more happy and content in their simplicity then most of us are in our materialistic world. They may even think we're the ones that need saving.

Dream: Psychic Attachments

Strange dream this morning. It left me feeling it was a personal message not to sweat the small stuff.

I was trying to make plans for things and kept feeling doubt. Couldn't shake it off. Then I was sitting next to a very old man and telling him about my feelings, and he told me that he knew what was going on. I said, "maybe it's because of my own doubts or insecurities."

He said, "No, it's because of other's desires. You have too many strings attached to you. It's their strings of wishes and hopes for them. You're having these doubts because someone could be ill and may want you nearby. Or someone may be planning a trip. They may want to include you, but haven't told you, yet. Sometimes, it's someone in the universe giving you doubt about making plans because they know someone is getting ready to cross over and they want you nearby. See? Plenty of attachments being created to give you doubt."

I asked, "So, what do I do? If I stay I may begin to feel I'm being used. That I'm only serving another's needs."

He said, "Then set your priorities, make your plans the best you can. If it's meant to be, it will be. The flow can't always be about another unless you keep allowing it. Don't forget, even if someone gets ill or crosses over, their destiny is already seen. Do you think you can change that by not going anywhere?

I asked, "Can I?"

He asked, "Can you?"

I woke up wondering how many of my thoughts are attaching to other's plans and giving them doubt. Then I wondered about the demands on God and His council and wondered what they do if or when they want a vacation. Do they get one or are the demands (strings) too great on them to remove?

Then I chuckled and thought, I bet their scissors are huge.

Where Do You Draw The Line?

I was having a conversation with a friend last night about various medications. I mentioned that I can't blame people for doing whatever they can to have a better quality of life. But, this morning, I had a message in a dream about that. This man asked me: "where do you draw the line in someone pursuing their quality of life when that pursuit may harm another or others?"

Hmmm... deep.

It made me think of many areas. For instance, drug abuse for one. Drug pushers (legal or illegal) need drug addicts or drug dependency people. Or, prostitution, as another example. People are deprived of their quality of life in order to help another have what they want.

But the one major thing that came to mind is people arriving illegally into other countries, seeking a better quality of life, but are possible germ carriers, which may cause a pandemic in the country their fleeing to. What about those natives' quality of life? History has advised us of past pandemics. So, why are some promoting this illegal, mass-migration mentality?

Unless some actually want a pandemic to kill off millions of people like the 1918 pandemic. Population control? Think about it. We create vaccines, but then there is a scare put out about them. Then there's mass migration worldwide. What next? Another pandemic? Decreasing population worldwide?

This could be a flight of fancy of an over active mind. But, it could also be from someone observing and seeing things adding up. You see, if people are becoming obsessed about over population, and thoughts create our reality, will our thoughts create a mass de-population? Is that something the "behind the scenes" people may be doing today? Even unconsciously? After all, we're only creating a better quality of life - in the long run.

Yes, that was a very profound dream message. Where do you draw the line?

Zorro

Around the early 2000's, when I was working for Disney, I had a dream about Zorro that was in animation. Animation! Never before or since have I ever dreamt like that. It was wild!! The day after, I told my manager about it. She was going to look into it, but no one from Disney called me. 

The dream was so vivid that it made me wonder if I dreaming of an animation in the works. Like being in the mind of a Disney animator who may be making an animation about Zorro. Apparently, they weren't. I'm still waiting to see if my dream makes it into the mind of a Disney animator. 

I was a little disappointed that they've done so many and not this one. Isn't Zorro public domain? After all, there are Zorro cartoons, but not in the style of Disney or my dream. Disney did produce a "real person" Zorro TV show in the 50's, which I enjoyed watching as a child. In fact, I've enjoyed all the various Zorro movies that have been made: the gallant Spanish hero defending the rights of the innocent against the wicked, based on the 1919 book, The Curse of Capistrano.

Spanish? Hmmm... it seems our Spanish hero may talk with a little bit of an Irish accent. In 2014, I saw a Smithsonian video about Zorro being a Wexford Irishman called William Lamport. Irish not Spanish? Of course, it's believed that the current Zorro is a myth, but as in most myths, there may be some truths involved too. 

Here's the Smithsonian video about it: Zorro Wasn’t Mexican or Spanish, But… Irish?

https://youtu.be/94KiluTAEas

Here's an article about it: The mark of Lamport: The real Zorro was from Wexford

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/abroad/the-mark-of-lamport-the-real-zorro-was-from-wexford-1.3059440

Lastly, after recent investigation, I discovered a possible answer to my question. There has been legal action, for many years, about Zorro rights. Maybe Disney is waiting for the dust to settle and a Zorro animation could still be in our future. Here's hoping. 

Duality: Good or Bad

Good or bad is a human duality (up-down, right-left, top-bottom) concept based on our beliefs.

For instance, most, generally, believe God is good. But, if He punishes us, we may feel the punishment is bad or God is being bad towards us.

We also say Satan is bad, but if Satan awards someone for something, that person may think Satan is being good.

The opposite also applies... depending on what side we're on. We may think God's punishment to another is good or deserving, whereas Satan's reward to someone is bad.

Yet, what if our belief of good and bad is tested, by someone we see as good, when asked to do something we feel is bad or evil? Would we still do it?

This is why humans live in a chaotic existence. Not only are we fighting what we see as good or bad in others, we're, constantly, fighting those feelings within us: the battle of heart and mind.

However, the line between the good or bad duality will begin to fade when we understand universal law and order: as in the Chinese philosophy of the yin and yang where it's believed that seemingly contrary forces may actually be complimentary.

Victimhood

This is why it's important to read people's comments, on various topics, even those that go against our beliefs, because it can help us understand perspectives. I've been reading discussions, regarding white privilege, when it dawned on me that everyone had their perspective based on their life's experiences, but the one thing that stood out the most was how they handled those experiences.

Regardless of skin color, there was a common thread, from some, of "my life sucked more than yours" and now I'm entitled to this chip on my shoulder... this suffering or victim mentality. I could tell that many were perpetuating the hurt and hate in a self destructive manner... a means to an end. But what end? And then it hit me. It's to keep those invisible shackles on so they can use it as an invisible noose around another's neck... to perpetuate the suffering... the victimhood.

I realized, then, that no matter what anyone offered, it would not be well received. They weren't ready to hear it. It reminded me of people who have Munchausen syndrome, who feign disease, illness, or psychological trauma in order to draw attention, sympathy, or reassurance to themselves. Even though their experiences could be real, healing and moving on from their victimhood would not serve their intent. 

Big Government Is Not Our Friend

I'm beginning to believe that most people who feel the government should do everything isn't necessarily due to laziness. It's more about fear in making their own life's decisions - a fear of growing up, as well as being responsible and accountable. I understand that government is necessary to the existence of a civilized society, but it shouldn't deprive us of every individual decision we need to make.

When I was growing up, I couldn't wait to move out and make my own choices, work, pay my bills and be responsible for my life. I was taught that we worked first and played later. If we couldn't afford it, we didn't get it. Part of our monthly bills was having insurance: medical, home and vehicle. To do less was irresponsible. We didn't believe the goverment needed to hold our hands and make mature decisions for us. We were free to make our choices. We weren't children anymore. We worked and helped others when necessary. It was in our nature to be this way. And, there were plenty of avenues to utilize if we ran into problems. 

Thankfully, I have hope for our future. It's refreshing to see some young who feel too much government is harmful to their freedom. They're waking up. They're talking about government overreach being criminal and making people lazy and indifferent. Others are still learning, but it took many years of programing their minds, from nefarious beings and mass educational systems, that "Big Brother" really cared. They're learning that it's not always the truth, especially when they've stepped out into the world and had a taste of reality. 

Those who have never liked excessive parental control see government overreach as another form of giving away one's power... one's freedom... including one's dignity. When it comes to making individual and proper decisions for ourselves, I can assure you that big government is not our friend. Do you want to know why I know this? I've read world history and understand human weaknesses. But, don't take my word for it, do some research. There's plenty of stories on the Internet about governments that failed and why.