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This week I asked myself, "If I could only choose one, what single, consistently-redundant experience or observation generates the greatest intensity of mind-numbing, jaw-dropping, heart-rending, gut-clenching anger?" My answer? "Most definitely injustice... no, ignorance; or maybe politics (defined as any struggle for power and control); or perhaps bureaucracy... no; it would have to be consumerism; or maybe inefficiency; no... it has to be unshakable certainty in the face of rational, reasonable disagreement... okay... I don't know. I need to dig deeper.

Each of these candidates bring outstanding attributes to the table. Many are interrelated in one way or another. For example bureaucracy and inefficiency are nearly synonymous from the bureaucracy end, but inefficiency can also stand alone. And I believe consumerism and unshakable certainty to be the manipulative, illicit progeny of politics. Additionally, injustice is often the outcome of ignorance, politics, or bureaucracy, while ignorance often appears to be a requirement preceding any one of the contestants. So if this last observation is accurate, it appears that the winner should be ignorance. So I suppose if I could only choose one, my answer would have to be ignorance.

But ignorance is like the elephant that can only be eaten one bite at a time. Yet to think of devouring even one of the six remaining elephants feels daunting and formidable as well. If the elephant matriarch is "ignorance" and if I were to follow the family tree, I believe politics and injustice would be included in the second generation. The third generation would give birth to fraternal twins bureaucracy and inefficiency, as well as consumerism, and unshakable certainty. We would also find many other baby elephants scattered throughout the herd, sharing traits and characteristics of Mom and Grandma and siblings and cousins. Unlike most elephants who limit the size of the herd, this herd continues to grow larger, trampling over everything in sight. I lack confidence that one bite at a time will slow them down, much at all. So what can we do?

Again, I need to dig deeper. So I ask myself, "How can I best react to intense anger brought on by one, (or more than one), rampaging elephant?" Like the earlier question on anger, I have a difficult time coming up with a single answer. The candidates here are uncertainty, truthfulness (not to be confused with unattainable Truth---truthfulness is sincere expression of thought), skepticism, creative tension (defined as nonviolent direct action leading to nonviolent confrontation), and spirituality. Like the previous answers on anger, these answers appear also to be interrelated. Uncertainty and skepticism appear to be nearly synonymous, but I believe uncertainty to reflect an internal questioning within oneself, and skepticism to be a more overt, active questioning of status quo or disagreeable circumstance. And I believe both (uncertainty and skepticism) can lead to creative tension which should then be utilized to lead to negotiation and growth. I believe spirituality to be a result of consistently practicing truthfulness, uncertainty, skepticism, and creative tension. Spirituality leads to a serious consideration of the intangible or unexplainable without inventing implausible explanations. Spirituality is not organized religion. I believe organized religion to be a fourth generation elephant. And, bringing us full circle, truthfulness appears to be a requirement preceding any constructive advancement of the other four entrants.

Elephants are afraid of mice.

A group of mice is called a mischief.

I believe truthfulness to be the first generation Matriarch of our mischief. The second generation includes fraternal twins uncertainty and skepticism; and the third generation would give birth to creative tension and spirituality. As with the herd of elephants, there is the potential for many other mice to share traits and charcteristics of Mom and Grandma and siblings and cousins. As with the herd of elephants, we must not limit the size of our mischief. The greater the number and frequency of mice turned loose at the feet of the elephants, the greater the chance our mischief will frighten them into retreat.

It is a good plan.

Think about it; carefully; beyond (and within) the play on words.

It is a good plan.

Sunday: Today I woke up wondering, "What is it all about?" As I pondered this question in the quiet early morning hours, it became somewhat obvious that the ultimate goal must be survival. And since I will not survive this world, my ultimate goal should be to aid the world in its quest for survival; most notably, I am concerned with the survival of humanity, but if the world around us does not survive, it is unlikely we will hold on alone. So today I kept this thought close in my mind as I spent a sizable portion of my day in the pursuit and capture of food, drink, and fun. Specifically, today was all about grilled / smoked chicken marinated in and basted with a white bbq sauce, a pint of Guinness followed by a pint of hard cider, guests, and board games. I believe social civility and time to recharge contribute to the constructive propagation and ultimate survival of Humanity.

Monday: Today I made a mistake. I am very hard on myself when I make an avoidable error; some tell me I am too hard on myself. Though I can come up with multiple legitimate justifications for this lapse, I can also come up with multiple ways in which I could have avoided this logistical snafu. I was not thorough. In recent years I do not have the number of opportunities for redemption that I once did; so when I blow an opportunity to exhibit responsibility, (as I did this morning), I feel I have reduced even further the possibilities for future opportunities. I have always, (even as a child), had very high expectations. In recent years I have discovered that I am the biggest screw-up I know; but I also recognize that this is so because I am on such intimate terms with myself. I know EVERY SINGLE misstep I make or even think about making. I believe if there were a way to measure my rotten apples to another's rotten apples, I would find that I am a fairly typical human, with a fairly typical number of rotten apples. I tell myself this and I am (eventually) able to move past the breach; but only after I am too hard on myself. I believe one should learn from their mistakes. I will always have high expectations. As I gain Life experience, I have come to believe that these high expectations should be---(exclusively?)---focused on myself. I will continue to be too hard on myself. I will continue to learn and grow. I believe learning and growth are necessary for the constructive propagation and ultimate survival of Humanity.

Early Tuesday morning thought: I do not want to believe in a God who has a chosen people. It appears that most people who claim a strong faith in their God also believe they are amongst his (or her) chosen people and all others will (and can) go to Hell. I believe this purposeful divisiveness has the potential for destructive propagation and the ultimate extinction of Humanity.

Tuesday, end of day: Today I listened, asked questions, interpreted, and translated. I did so efficiently, effectively, and with considerable regard and respect for all parties involved. Additionally, I helped to maintain the consistency and integrity of a process that, (once translated and communicated), will have impact on many lives for many years to come. I took this task seriously and I worked very hard for a beneficially productive outcome. I believe all parties involved took this task seriously and worked very hard for a beneficially productive outcome. I believe that to be efficient and effective, communication must be mutually respectful and beneficially productive. I believe efficient and effective communication to be a result of empathic listening for understanding, skeptical questioning, thoughtful interpretation, and careful translation. I believe efficient and effective communication to be a result of very serious, hard work. I believe efficient and effective communication to be necessary for the constructive propagation and ultimate survival of Humanity.

Wednesday: It is not that I object to being objectified; especially when I consider the enormity of the scope of Humanity. But it is irksome to be specifically objectified by one who appears to have little or no concept of the enormity of the scope of Humanity. Today this inner consternation bubbled to the surface when a repeat offender once again reminded me of my place. I know I have a place. I am slotted and defined accordingly by each individual interaction; and this is not only okay, it is often necessary. But repetitive, one-on-one interactions consistently characterized by unnecessary reminders, dismissive interruptions, and an "I'LL TALK---YOU LISTEN" condescending aggressiveness, is not okay. It is irksome. It is also a helpful reminder to keep my personal ego in check, consistently practice efficient and effective communication, and utilize objectification only when necessary as a tool for organization. I believe an active recognition of the enormity of the scope of Humanity is necessary for the constructive propagation and ultimate survival of Humanity.

Thursday: Today I crossed a finish line. The crowd cheered, I raised my arms in victory, I looked around for congratulations, and I realized the crowd had already dispersed and the other competitors had disappeared. As I thought on this, I began to wonder if I had only imagined the other competitors. I would swear I felt them breathing down my neck; but I guess I never did actually turn to see them. And the crowd? I know I heard them cheer. But it "was" a rather brief and unenthusiastic cheer. Perhaps they were merely cheering the end of the race. I guess if I had to hang around to watch one guy cross a finish line, I might lack enthusiasm, and be ready to move on, as well. Regardless, I enjoyed the race. And maybe it is okay that I was the only entrant. Perhaps I was breathing down my own neck, urging myself onward. And perhaps by competing hard, against and with myself, I have found an evenly-matched foe. Perhaps I now also recognize my inner agent, trainer, coach, and cheerleader; and based on this crowd reaction, I believe I will let my agent and cheerleader go. They feel extraneous. The competition though, was fierce; and, (though when the crowd sees only one competitor, I understand it is difficult to measure), my performance was top-notch. So "Congratulations!" to the trainer, the coach, and all the competitors.

Whether with oneself, or an individual or team with other opponents, competition should not be mistaken for divisiveness. Arrogant, disrespectful competition can lead to divisiveness. Volitional competition in pursuit of mutual excellence will lead to synergy and an interdependence of respectful creative tension which is necessary for the constructive propagation and ultimate survival of Humanity.

Friday: Today I bought some music; "Mule Variations" and "The Low Highway" from Tom Waits and Steve Earle respectively. I'm on my way home now for a listen.

Music is magic. I believe I find it magical partially because I will never understand the wonder of its creation. How does one mind, or more than one mind in collaboration, turn ideas and thoughts into such moving, universal expressions of Love, Sadness, Joy, Jealousy, Exhilaration, Anger, Energy, Fear, Confusion, Peace, Pain, Guilt, Loneliness... I see some imaginative / creative / framing / inspirational correlation with writing, from personal experience; but to translate the sound in one's head into the harmonies of musical vocalization and instrumentation is amazing. For me, it is magic.

The wonderment gives a depth to the enjoyment. I don't need to invent an explanation for what I cannot explain. I can (and I do) study and contemplate to better understand, but it is not only okay, I feel it is necessary to leave some questions unanswered. To do otherwise is misleading and (in some cases) delusional. I will never know, with absolute 100% certainty, "all" the intricacies of musical creation. I can search; and I do. I can conjecture; and I do. I can ask questions; and I do. And each time I gain a bit of understanding, I can enjoy the remaining mysteries; and I do. I believe an active acknowledgement of the wonder of creation is necessary for the constructive propagation and ultimate survival of Humanity.

Saturday: Today I unplugged a vacuum cleaner hose that had accumulated what seemed to be mostly a conglomeration of pine needles and dog hair. Four months ago my cardiologist unplugged some arteries that had accumulated what was most likely a five year conglomeration of stress, anger, and genetics. Six years ago my cardiologist unplugged some arteries that had accumulated what was most likely a fifty year conglomeration of fried chicken, potato chips, coconut cream pie, stress, anger, and genetics. I have now learned how to take apart the vaccum cleaner hose. It took fifty years to learn that a steady diet of fried chicken, potato chips, and coconut cream pie was not a heart-healthy diet. I am now working at reducing excessive stress and anger. I am afraid genetics cannot be unlearned.

Healthful habits lead to a greater likelihood of extended survival. Each day this week I have translated various events and thoughts into an analysis of the constructive propagation and ultimate survival of Humanity. I have, in a sense, unplugged daily tunnel vision, clearing away the pine needles and dog hair, in order to see beyond the commonplace regularity of one's everyday Life. Humanity must begin to practice more healthful habits. For me, this begins with me. I believe each day, and each moment, is an opportunity to work toward the constructive propagation and ultimate survival of Humanity.

I'm tumbling past their eyes, yet they don't see
I'm mumbling my goodbyes, yet they don't hear
I'm feeling hopeless hurt deservedly
I'm reeling from the dirt and dung and fear.

But as the years go by, I learn to grow
And actively defy this place I'm in
Reality dictates haphazard flow
As anger obfuscates regret and sin.

This body-mind connection won't let go
Forcing staid reflection, asking why
Beyond the truth of all that I did know
Flailing as I fall, I grasp the lie.

Though seen thusly diminished and unfit
I see a Life unfinished. I won't quit.

Another pep talk. The Sonnet above is chronologically reflective of recent years and how I am where I am today. This week that body-mind connection has been particularly powerful.

This past weekend, browsing through a large collection of postcards at a flea market, I came across the one pictured above. On the back was a one cent stamp and a postmark dated "9pm Sep 15, 1916 Vandalia Mo." The postcard was addressed to a "Miss Effie" in "Louisiana Mo." Written in pencil, the missive on the back read as follows:

"Miss Effie... I thought I would wright you a few lines as I would like to have a date with you for sat night and bring a friend with me so answer sat morning. By By from a friend Walter..."

A few months shy of one hundred years ago, I wonder what became of Miss Effie and Walter? Did Miss Effie accept Walter's invitation for a Saturday night rendezvous? Was it the beginning of a lifelong relationship with children and grandchildren; (and by now, possibly great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren)? Or was it perhaps the end of a relationship? Or was it a first date, or even a blind date, that never went any further? And who was the friend tagging along with Walter? And why was he (or she?) tagging along? Could it have been a business proposition of some sort? Could the friend have been code for something else? Perhaps a jug of homemade moonshine? Or maybe the love of Walter's friend Jesus? Or maybe a veiled threat alluding to Walter's friends Smith and Wesson?

There are so many possibilities, and as this week has progressed, I have discovered that I like not knowing. Even though whatever came of this, has already transpired, it is good to see the incalculable possibilities. Walter and Miss Effie lived out a succession of events after this 9pm September 15, 1916 moment in time; some impacted by choices they made, (together or separately), and others most certainly impacted by circumstance and factors beyond their control. In a sense, this unknown past, involving these two individuals, is a reflection of one's personal unknown future as it is impacted by our choices and reactions in this moment. Walter and Miss Effie have reminded me to like the uncertainty of my moments and days to come. The mystery is kind of cool. And for those of you who have it all figured out, and know exactly where you are going and how you are going to get there; or even worse, if you believe you are already there; I am sorry for your loss.

For the past 3 to 4 weeks I have been looking for an answer, and today I realized that I had not yet clarified the question. Who am I kidding? I don't even know if I know what the question is. I have been here before; and I have a nagging suspicion that I have previously written on (or at the least, I have often alluded to) the lack of wisdom in placing answers before questions. So now, through this self-guided form of written analysis/therapy that I perform each week, I am going to take a step back, and make an effort to objectively identify the question, and then seek potential resolution.

To seek an answer before a serious consideration and a careful formulation of the question, is a bit like consulting a psychic; and (respectfully) most friends and acquaintances, if asked for advice, (especially with no dog in the race), will respond psychically as well. I may find some general, non specific wisdom hidden in the proverbial and predictable platitudes, but these psychic counsels will be superficial and will more likely lead to a superficial and temporary solution.

And this is where I find myself, again. Previous solutions have been temporary, and I keep cycling back to what appears to be the same question. I am looking for an an answer that will calm internal disquiet, and I have previously determined the ultimate question to be one of comfortable safety vs. uncomfortable principled action; (see this previous post). But after this, my fourth (or fifth?) cycle, I am reasoning that perhaps I am asking the wrong question. Perhaps if I hop off this merry-go-round, instead of hopping onto another merry-go-round, I should first ask which piece of equipment will be more productively agreeable. But it feels like that is what I have been doing, only to find the jungle gym (or the swingset, or the teeter-totter) is either housed upon a merry-go-round, or, (after a given time), magically morphs into a merry-go-round. If due to circumstance, each piece of equipment on this playground ultimately creates vertiginous instability, perhaps I need to find another playground. Yet I have been assigned to this one; and there are electric fences; with razor wire; and guards at the gate.

In fairness, I am relegated to this specific playground only for a specific role/segment of my daily existence. Once my daily (maximum security) time is served, I am often transported from this playground to various minimum security playgrounds that provide more productive, rewarding diversion. And, on a fairly regular basis, I am released to explore other, even less restrictive playgrounds of my choosing. I also understand that there are some playgrounds much worse than my maximum security playground. So perhaps the question some would have me ask is---"Why not be grateful? And quiet? And serve your time"---but I refuse to ask that question, because from experience I also know there are nicer playgrounds; playgrounds from which I am banned. And I am not one to quietly accept what I perceive as injustice.

So perhaps I will move closer to the question I need to ask, by asking first, "Does my perception accurately reflect reality?" Utilizing hindsight, I can now see that some past roles were actually simple merry-go-rounds yet I perceived them at the time as jet-fueled rocket ships. My perception failed me then, so am I able to trust today's perceived reality? As I consider this question, it poses a dilemma. Is what I perceive today as a merry-go-round, in actuality a rocket ship? Or a steam locomotive? Or even a tandem bicycle? Am I really just going in circles? Or  is there a spinning forward progress in which I am distracted by the spinning, thus unable to detect the forward progress?

It appears I have determined that (at least) my in-the-moment perception of reality cannot be trusted. Which in turn would seem to dictate that any individual's in-the-moment perception of reality cannot be trusted. And if this is true, then how can I trust any current perception of (past, present, or future) reality. Yet each one of us will continue to perceive and define our individual realities. It also, (at first glance), appears that these arguments may have moved me further from determining the question I must ask to aid in resolving my current discord. But perhaps the redundancy of this specific dilemma cycling round and round, again and again, is encouraging me to look beyond the piece of equipment.

In the past, when there was like turmoil or disharmony, I blamed the merry-go-round and hopped off, only to end up on another merry-go-round. The playmates were different, and the mechanics and operational details were different, but the damn thing, (regardless of marketing propaganda), was still a simple merry-go-round.

So even though the piece of equipment, the playmates, and the operational mechanics have influence, it appears that the ultimate question must be moved toward a bigger picture perspective of the playground and of my perception of reality. So the questions become as follows: 

1. Is it possible to relocate to a different playground?
2. Is it possible to alter my current perception of an unjust reality?

The answer to the first question is "Yes, it is possible, but it is also difficult." I successfully relocated once for a short period, but was ultimately kicked out of the new playground, and sent back to this one.

I will begin to answer the second question with a question: If I manage to alter my current perception of reality and create a new one, which perceived reality then becomes more delusional? Perhaps delusional is too strong a descriptor for the original perception,  but if I cannot completely trust any perception, and if I work to destroy one perception with another, I believe delusional to be an apt adjective for an invading perception created simply to quell an inner uprising. It feels that an uprising is an uprising for a reason, and this is why I do not believe that the first perception will be conquered or destroyed; perhaps forced into hiding... but not destroyed. And if this is the case, it appears that the newer, synthetic perception is merely a pretender to the throne; and the original, organic perception is more truthful.

I believe being truthful to/with oneself is important. To hide truthfulness from another is common and, (for the sake of social civility and progress), often necessary. To hide truthfulness from oneself is quixotic and specious. To hide truthfulness from another can be a strategy for moving closer to Truth. To hide truthfulness from oneself is often a strategy to avoid proximity to Truth. This "fear" of Truth often manifests as certainty. This certainty, as it becomes more and more entrenched, exponentially distances one from Truth and from truthfulness.

Truthfulness is not the same as Truth. Truthfulness is an active acknowledgement of specific uncertainties (and of the inevitability of uncertainty), coupled with serious effort, (often initiated in the form of questions), to find Peace. Truth is that (ultimately unattainable) Peace.

I believe there is Truth to be discerned.
I do not believe perception is reality.
Yet, to be defined, reality must first be perceived / discerned.
Therefore, Truth is beyond reality.
Yet I believe there is Truth to be discerned.

So finally, after all this, my answer to question #2 above is "No. I cannot alter my current perception of an unjust reality." Regardless, in these few days of written thought I have made a stronger effort to detect forward progress within my current circumstance of vertiginous instability, and lo and behold, I have found some. Not a lot. And not as much or as quickly as I would like. But there, nonetheless. I have not altered my perception; I have expanded it. So now I believe the question all along was one of seeing the bigger picture; not only the untrustworthiness of my perception and the whole playground (and beyond), but also the bigger picture upon this specific piece of equipment.

For now, I will hang on.