Tag: love

The Clearing

The notion that the species can be improved in some way, that everyone could live in harmony, is a really dangerous idea. Those who are afflicted with this notion are the first ones to give up their souls, their freedom.

Cormac McCarthy

The Road by Cormac McCarthy does not simply depict a dystopian vision of the post-apocalyptic human condition but in effect is an allegory of the kind of existence that we are tasked to bear and witness as humans.

We are thrust into this world with a spark of light inside which is not anymore ours as our lungs and the air that our lungs yo-yo with is ours—

A light that whether in the form of a roaring blaze or more like a still candle flame we are to carry through the darkness that surrounds us every step of the way.

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And for what?

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For the sheer imperative to obey the mindless call of life to become more mindful of it.

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And the only reward for all of our effort is nothing but the sheer gesture of passing this light on.

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That is the arriving we have been seeking from the very beginning.

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That is our redemption.

Aye

It’s like a big blank screen

with a blinking cursor in it

waiting for you to type—

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but no matter how much

you type

the cursor keeps blinking

winking

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because that’s life

that’s us…

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a joke without a punchline

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a shot long in the blank

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a rolling stone made of moss

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the cud God is chewing…

And all the people you meet are but different bodies of yourself

the same depthless presence we are—

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we cannot give anything to each other that we do not already have

we can trigger highs and lows with a vengeance but ultimately

we are all the same one thing interacting with itself

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the possibility of our interactions is the payoff

the joy of creation is the payoff

the singular moments of our encounters is the payoff

giving yourself chances is the payoff

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it all happens here

there is nowhere else

but here.

Adding Blue to Red Yields Magenta

What’s more interesting than the polarization intensifying in the culture right now is the fact that there seems to be two major types of humans—each with their respective strengths (virtues) and weaknesses (sins).

To wit: while some of us lean more toward socialism others of us tend more toward individualism. Apparently.

The problem with socialism (as I see it) is that it is based on the dynamics of codependence: Wherein the parties are at the mercy of those who become the dominant members of the group. And the problem with individualism (in my view) is that it is based on the psychology of separation and distrust.

In codependence the parties can abuse each other to the extent they are reliant on one another. In independence the individual is left to their own limited devices and is exposed to the elements on their own.

These are the psycho-energetic poles we are magnetized around when operating from existential anxiety. We either seek solace in the crowd or in the illusion of control of a self-directed life.

. . .

Polarity is not something to be resolved, though. Polarity is a creative tension or force that drives development and growth.

It is the inter-personal conflicts between different temperaments that sets intra-personal growth in motion. This is why individualists need socialists (and vice versa): in order to grow and continue to align and mentally evolve.

In a way we were all waiting for the present stir of events. That’s why it’s here. And all that we can do is embrace for impact.

Precisely what we are aching to do.

Remember

there is enough treachery, hatred violence absurdity in the average
human being to supply any given army on any given day

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and the best at murder are those who preach against it
and the best at hate are those who preach love
and the best at war finally are those who preach peace

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those who preach god, need god
those who preach peace do not have peace
those who preach peace do not have love

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beware the preachers
beware the knowers
beware those who are always reading books
beware those who either detest poverty
or are proud of it
beware those quick to praise
for they need praise in return
beware those who are quick to censor
they are afraid of what they do not know
beware those who seek constant crowds for
they are nothing alone
beware the average man the average woman
beware their love, their love is average
seeks average

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but there is genius in their hatred
there is enough genius in their hatred to kill you
to kill anybody
not wanting solitude
not understanding solitude
they will attempt to destroy anything
that differs from their own
not being able to create art
they will not understand art
they will consider their failure as creators
only as a failure of the world
not being able to love fully
they will believe your love incomplete
and then they will hate you
and their hatred will be perfect

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like a shining diamond
like a knife
like a mountain
like a tiger
like hemlock

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their finest art

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Charles Bukowski

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People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

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If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

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If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

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The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

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Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

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The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

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People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

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What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

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People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

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Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

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Kent M. Keith

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