When I was young(er), I used to ask this question of men that I met in my life:
"If there was a nuclear war...what would you do?"
There was no right or wrong answer of course, but it gave me an insight into the person...how they would view adversity (albeit the example in this case was an extreme one). Those that said they'd stick their head between their legs and kiss their butt goodbye never impressed me. Those that said they'd want to survive...interested me.
I've always been a fan of catastrophe movies...and not just for the special effects (although I must confess I truly do enjoy watching the obliteration of Paris for some warped reason). I believe adversity brings out our true nature...tests our mettle, so to speak.
If I knew that the world would end, without hope of life continuing in some form or another...then I'd accept it peacefully, spending what time was left appreciating the world around me and the people that mean the most to me. If however, there was even a smidgen of hope that the world would go on...even drastically altered...I'd probably do my best to be prepared. I just wouldn't want to miss the adventure...
The real problem comes when I think about my pets. Do I stock up on Cat Chow or set them free...maybe turn them into my personal hunting pack...and would they be loyal? There are so many things to think about when it comes to the end of the world. Maybe I should make a list...
the tattoo on your right back arm is AMAZING! I just came across your blog and wanted to introuduce myself. My name is Jessica and I am from FLorida. I would like to write to you but not sure how? Can you explain the exact directions on how to write to you?
I was reading this and realized I know a girl who writes for Paranoia Magazine, I didn't remember sending you the subscription until I read this. I met her a few weeks ago. When I see her I will find out if she is interested in writing to you.
Do you have the magazines called "THE SUN"? Its a great one. I had them coming to me for awhile but now that cash is slim, I cannot renew my subscription. Try to get it.....I know u will enjoy it. U can submit storie,poems,photos......try to see if u can get ur hands on "THE SUN"
Hey Scot! I wish I did have one of your painting! I saw a few u sent to the gal, Sandra? They're wonderful. Id love to see the ones that u no longer have. I can only hope the folks u sent em to will take a photograph of your art and post it here for all of us to see. You have really come up as an amazing artist. The paintings I saw were very, very good!! I loved them! I hope you're doing as well as can be. At least you're at the best place u can be, providing u have to be there! The weather is good there, the grounds are nice, Eucaliptus trees, wildlife, its peaceful at times there. Thank God you are not somewhere like cochran in the desert, or somewhere worse. You're closer to family, making it easier for them to visit, if they do indeed visit....I hope so. I don't know if u have contact with Guero ~ Arnold. If so tell him hello. I lost all addresses. I hope and pray for you to have the best day! Take care and I will try to send u a few cool postcards soon. ~peace & blessings~ always. Krickette~
Your blogs are incredibly raw and heartbreaking. I find myself wanting to respond to them all, yet I keep finding myself sitting here in front of the computer screen, my words won't come & I feel my heart rise in my chest harboring a shame in my fellow humans and how we treat each other through either our actions or inactions.
Your writing is intense & inspirational and leaves me posing the weight of the question 'what can I do?'. I don't even live in the USA, but I am a fellow human being and I feel the strength of the pain in your words.
I hold a different perspective on forgiveness. I don't think it is something that 'can' be asked for, but something that must be given willingly in that person's own time.
Having said that... I also don't think it is a gift to the recipient of that forgiveness, but a gift only to the person who forgives. Holding onto feelings of hatred and anger have power over us and to forgive someone is to let go of that negativity and the control it can have over us.
I'm not sure it's forgiveness that anyone sitting in a prison cell really needs; unless we're talking about forgiving themselves. None of us live in a vacuum. All of our actions or reactions are a result of other experiences in our lives and we don't always make the right choices with the tools we're given to maneuver in this world. None of us are perfect and at some point, we hopefully make the right decisions to do all we can to live the best life we can live.
If we concentrated more on taking care of one another, asking "what can I do to help you today" rather than trying to even the score - there would be no need for 'forgiveness' at all.
On another note; from the few of your blogs I've read, you do seem to be handling your sentence with a great deal of grace & self reflection, which is inspiring. Finding a place of peace within that environment shows incredible inner strength & that's something I truly admire. Each and every one of us only really has today. And yes... what IS up with single ply toilet paper!? :D
RSS
When I was young(er), I used to ask this question of men that I met in my life:
"If there was a nuclear war...what would you do?"
There was no right or wrong answer of course, but it gave me an insight into the person...how they would view adversity (albeit the example in this case was an extreme one). Those that said they'd stick their head between their legs and kiss their butt goodbye never impressed me. Those that said they'd want to survive...interested me.
I've always been a fan of catastrophe movies...and not just for the special effects (although I must confess I truly do enjoy watching the obliteration of Paris for some warped reason). I believe adversity brings out our true nature...tests our mettle, so to speak.
If I knew that the world would end, without hope of life continuing in some form or another...then I'd accept it peacefully, spending what time was left appreciating the world around me and the people that mean the most to me. If however, there was even a smidgen of hope that the world would go on...even drastically altered...I'd probably do my best to be prepared. I just wouldn't want to miss the adventure...
The real problem comes when I think about my pets. Do I stock up on Cat Chow or set them free...maybe turn them into my personal hunting pack...and would they be loyal? There are so many things to think about when it comes to the end of the world. Maybe I should make a list...
What a beautiful way to communicate; we should ALL correspond this way! :D
Your writing is intense & inspirational and leaves me posing the weight of the question 'what can I do?'. I don't even live in the USA, but I am a fellow human being and I feel the strength of the pain in your words.
Thank you for sharing Jeremy!
Having said that... I also don't think it is a gift to the recipient of that forgiveness, but a gift only to the person who forgives. Holding onto feelings of hatred and anger have power over us and to forgive someone is to let go of that negativity and the control it can have over us.
I'm not sure it's forgiveness that anyone sitting in a prison cell really needs; unless we're talking about forgiving themselves. None of us live in a vacuum. All of our actions or reactions are a result of other experiences in our lives and we don't always make the right choices with the tools we're given to maneuver in this world. None of us are perfect and at some point, we hopefully make the right decisions to do all we can to live the best life we can live.
If we concentrated more on taking care of one another, asking "what can I do to help you today" rather than trying to even the score - there would be no need for 'forgiveness' at all.
On another note; from the few of your blogs I've read, you do seem to be handling your sentence with a great deal of grace & self reflection, which is inspiring. Finding a place of peace within that environment shows incredible inner strength & that's something I truly admire. Each and every one of us only really has today. And yes... what IS up with single ply toilet paper!? :D
Nicki