As above, so below, as within, so without, as the universe, so the soul…
Hermes Trismegistus
Hello Tribe. I’ve been MIA for a bit but it was all by choice. CHANGE of any sort often requires one to focus, go within and recalibrate. This most definitely applied to moi in 2022. Disconnecting from any form of social media was a natural course of action and quite liberating especially if you’re approaching the“Edge of Happiness” about to engage authentically in the world on you own terms.
Peering through the veil has only revealed much public unrest, conflict and even tragedy happening in our country and world. It has been absolutely mind blowing. Simply watching the news (local, national or international), listening to an entertainment show or a sporting event can trigger a gambit of emotions from disbelief, sadness, disgust to anger or outright rage. The feelings of happiness, love and joy also linger somewhere in the middle creating the preverbal yin/yang energetic dynamic. These events and stories do not necessarily support one in maintaining a healthy and balanced mental state (especially for the individuals or groups personally involved in some of the novellas) but they do shed a light on our collective life struggles.
In this blog post, I thought about discussing some of those triggering stories but instead choose to expose them using an animated platform in order to not engage in more triggering diatribes and to allow some grace and levity for those individuals going through these experiences. In reality, it could be any one us experiencing similar events. If you look closely at the broader themes imbedded, you will definitely see the connections to real life news stories. The issues being exposed are definitely 100 percent trUe and real indeed. Something is being said in this moment in time about our quality of life and humanity itself.
Perhaps we’ve sunk deeper within the abyss and exposed situations once hidden. By un·veiling these events, however, there could be a profound foreshadowing about CHANGES yet to come. It also gives us an opportunity to reassess our own worldview and behavior and/or allows one to engage or sit on the sidelines and learn from someone else’s lesson (pain or joy). This angst is a necessary first step for both growth and CHANGE as we steer hopefully towards a balanced, healthier and peaceful tomorrow. Until we create and embrace a more authentic and democratic way of simply BEING, the battles and struggles will continue at the “Edge of Happiness.” Relax and brace yourself for the ride.
As above, so below, as within, so without, as the universe, so the soul…
Hermes Trismegistus
Hello Tribe. I’ve been MIA for a bit but it was all by choice. CHANGE of any sort often requires one to focus, go within and recalibrate. This most definitely applied to moi in 2022. Disconnecting from any form of social media was a natural course of action and quite liberating especially if you’re approaching the“Edge of Happiness” about to engage authentically in the world on you own terms.
You can do it too tribe!
Peering through the veil has only revealed much public unrest, conflict and even tragedy happening just below the surface. It has been absolutely mind blowing. Simply talking to and watching friends, family, neighbors and others can trigger a gambit of emotions from disbelief, sadness, disgust to anger or outright rage. The feelings of happiness, love and joy also linger somewhere in the middle creating the preverbal yin/yang energetic dynamic. These community novellas do not necessarily support one in maintaining a healthy and balanced mental state (especially for the individuals or clicks personally involved) but they do shed a light on our common and collective life struggles.
What happened to us following the Golden Rule? Do unto others as you would have done to you.
In this blog post, I thought about discussing some of those triggering events but instead choose to review them using an animated platform in order to not engage in more triggering diatribes and to allow some grace and levity for those individuals going through the drama. In reality, it could be any one us experiencing similar events. We are all HUMANBEings still trying to understand, embrace and possibly CHANGE some of own own flaws and f*ckery. So if you look closely at the broader themes imbedded, you will definitely see the connections to real life events and challenges. The issues being exposed are 100 percent trUe and real indeed. Something is being said in this moment in time about us.
Cyberstalking and bullying are illegal too.Harming someone out of envy and jealousy is not just morally wrong but sometimes legally!!!
Perhaps we’ve sunk even deeper within the abyss and exposed situations once hidden. By un·veiling these events, there could be a profound foreshadowing about CHANGES yet to come. It also gives us an opportunity to reassess our own values and behavior and/or allows one to engage or sit on the sidelines and learn from someone else’s human lesson (pain or joy). This angst is a necessary first step for both growth and CHANGE as we steer hopefully towards a balanced, healthier and peaceful tomorrow. Until we create and embrace our own personal authenticity and a more humanitarian way of simply BEING, the battles and struggles will continue at the “Edge of Happiness.” Relax and brace yourself for the ride.
Growth and CHANGE can only happen when you clearly see the trUth (un·veil) about self and others.
Ohh boy …
What was hidden will eventually be unveiled at the …
2022 has definitely un·veiled the unseen, hidden or unknown.
All is being laid open and bare.
As TrUth triggers transparency, our beliefs and actions (past,present and future) will come under scrutiny and the oldindoctrination systems might c-o-n-t-r-a-c-t, c-a-v-e and c-r-u-m-b-l-e.
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Will you feel pride, shame, joy or fear? Vindication is here either way.
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Mathew 10:26 So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.
“Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.”
George Orwell – Author 1984
Salon Discussion #7
We are currently witnessing the greatest civics lesson while our government is investigating the American insurrection that occurred following the 2020 presidential election. It is quite extraordinary and almost unbelievable that such an event would even occur on these united shores. Yet – it did happen before the entire world with the state of our democracy blowing in the wind. Using this backdrop of events for our final class salon discussion, we will now review the American compulsory education system and critique its results in indoctrinating our citizenry. Whether our educational curriculum and its methods have been successful is still debated as one looks at the state of our union and the mindset of the people. Former American presidents have understood the value of establishing a compulsory public education system since its inception in the early 1920s with the Smith-Tower bill which led to the establishment of the National Education Association. Funding public schools became the national mandate as ALL children were required to attend united under common curriculums to teach what it means to become an “educated American”. The educational system was not always equal but eventually barriers would be legally broken down in order to create a more “perfect union”.
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Today, we are being challenged to understand how and why Americans continue to debate HIS-torical facts with an attempt to rewrite HIS–story. It is quite obvious that something insidious is being said in broad daylight unfiltered and unhinged. Most understand the importance of controlling the narrative within the compulsory education system. It allows those in POWER to indoctrinate – – whether truthfully or falsely – – future generations. Perhaps this is part of the reason we are facing the greatest existential challenge to democracy since the American revolution in 1776 . The halls of our schools have provided the environment for testing our democratic social experiment by indoctrinating children with the most accurate information available (or so it was believed). Many Americans now know that we’ve been lied to about a lot things taught in our schools. We are now also seeing an assault on facts as those in POWER attempt to suppress trUth in favor of outright lies or misinformation to hide reality.
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Each decade, American public policy makers have refined the compulsory education system and its curriculums to educate a future workforce with the necessary knowledge and skills to function in an increasingly CHANGING world. The blue print for achieving this goal has continued to be a challenge as various political parties disagree about what it means to be “educated “ in this country. Indoctrination is not necessarily a negative thing since it can provide a common framework for its citizenry to understand who they are, its government and our collective role in a democratic society. If we look at current controversies and chasms within our culture, it has become obvious that we have failed to teach the undeniable trUths and realities of democracy and the fragility of this American experiment.
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This book of fiction just got real in 2022.
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All of these U.S. states have all enacted legislation to re-write American history, rename American events including slavery or even banned books and other freedoms.
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Most recently, we have American states trying to censor or outright ban the usage of certain books. In 2020, the American Library Association stated that its Office of Intellectual Freedom reported 273 books were affected by censorship attempts. Many of these books had content that highlighted race, gender and/or sexuality. Several states are also completely cutting funding for books written by authors from specific communities. This policy directly impacts Black and LBTQ+ authors whose subject matter focuses on their experiences and backgrounds. For example, Texas is even trying to ban former first lady Michelle Obama’s biography. WOW! Other states are trying to CHANGE the narrative about past HIS-torical facts calling slavery by different names including “involuntary relocation”. WOW again! Most are fighting against Critical Race Theory (CRT) arguing that it teaches racism versus simply reporting what actually occurred in this country and the long term implications. Our citizenry seems to have no idea or very little understanding about our country’s past mistakes and the contributions of some of our ancestors choosing to see the “other” as not being trUly American. Some argue that discussing trUth will make certain people feel bad. Wtf …WOW! All of these perspectives can not be blamed solely on the educational indoctrination system – – after all – – school districts and boards are made of everyday people. But – – we need to still shine a bright spot light on those in POWER who are attempting to re-write the trUth about us/U.S. It is very scary indeed to admit imperfections but the propaganda being used now could lead to unimaginable tyranny and destruction for values once held as sacred – – life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This is no small matter!!!
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Prince Charles of Great Britain has reportedly called for the history of trafficking by slave traders of African people to be taught as widely as the Holocaust in Britain. He also said the Commonwealth needs to “find new ways to acknowledge our past.
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If you have been a reader of my posts, then you know that I usually end on an optimistic note. I am basically a glass half full type person – – after I’ve had t-i-m-e to vent, process and evaluate most controversies. In this case, however, the attempt to suppress information and facts triggers me to my core. Something awful is being said about us/U.S but I know in my bones that there can be HIS-torical reconciliation with full disclosure of trUth. Even Great Britain has expanded its own views to “unveil” what has been HIS-torically known about slavery but not publicly acknowledged in the past by former world colonizers. Today’s political environment has made some things painfully obvious. No one is safe. No one is really free. Our inalienable rights are not untouchable. No democratic society can survive without trUth being spoken! Perhaps everything we are experiencing is a necessary step before the final CHANGES occur to ensure our republic and the survival of democracy. U.S. Delegate Patrick Henry once said “Give me liberty of give me death,” during the second Virginia Convention in 1775 as a battle cry against England’s perceived tyranny towards the early American colonies. I’m not sure if this is where we are headed but it has definitely gotten real – – 0 to 100. The fight to have access to trUthful information and books within our school curriculums (including in the soft sciences) and to maintain our democratic principles (freedom of speech and expression, free and fair elections, etc.) must not be taken away, suppressed or misrepresented. Recent events have even challenged some of our most sacred assumptions about democracy and the 2020 elections. In spite of all the controversy, however, trUth and jUstice could prevail e-v-e-n-t-u-a-l-l-y as long as WE THE PEOPLE remain resolute to the facts regardless of where they may lead us and irrespective of the chatter bellowing through our respective state flags.
Poetry appears in varied manifestations …. Enjoy this battle cry!!
X
“I soon realized that poets do not compose their poems with knowledge, but by some inborn talent and by inspiration, like seers and prophets who also say many fine things without any understanding of what they say”
“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
U.S. Constitution – Amendment II
Salon Discussion#6
Schools are an intersection of humanity comprised of every ethnicity, age, gender, class and everything else in between. At this critical point in HIS-story, what more should be said about the need for making schools SAFE for children and teachers? Do we need to now teach children how to become “bullet proof” in order to be there? Recent news stories abound related to mass shootings at various places throughout THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – – including schools, churches of worship, grocery stores, concerts, parades, malls, sporting events, mass transit systems etc. Random acts of violence further highlight the reality (not ideal) state of our union. All of these past and present tragedies are a clear indication of some American values run amok. Why are mass shootings not occurring in other civilized nations but remains uniquely an American phenomenon? It is safe to say that we cannot keep our children or anyone else safe in a society committed to unsafe policies deeply rooted in the American idealized view of the U.S. Constitution – second amendment to carry arms without being “infringed” or requiring basic restrictions. People kill people – – not guns – – as some have espoused when the discussion turns to gun control legislation. While this is trUe, it is equally trUe that it is easier to obtain military grade weapons than it is to legally drink alcohol (also known to sometimes have deadly repercussions if abused). We also cannot keep children safe in a country that has not learned how to handle bullying, troubled children and mental health issues in a more comprehensive manner. We definitely cannot keep children and others safe with politicians more committed to POWER than protecting human lives.
Every generation seems to grow up with some type of societal fear. Today we have mass shootings. A 2018 Pew study found more than 50 percent of teenagers were concerned that a shooting would happen in their school, with 25 percent of them being “very worried”.
EVY Poumpouras – Author of Becoming Bullet Proof and former Special Agent, United States Secret Service
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In writing this post, I thought about retelling the recent tragic incidents at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas with 21 innocent children and two teachers being gunned down by an isolated, troubled teenager using an assault rifle he legally purchased on his 18th birthday. After hearing the news, I tried not to imagine the scared faces and fragile bodies of the children and their teachers but the images would not go away in my mind’s eye. My heart cracked each time the faint imagined final moments streamed into my consciousness. The reality of such events reinforced just how unsafe we ALL truly are in this country. As more details of the events continued to be “unveiled,” fear vibrated with such intensity throughout our communities, it is now hard to imagine schools or any other community spaces as being a safe. How sad, unfortunate and angry does this make you feel?
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There were 647 mass shootings in America in 2022.
There are were 632 mass shootings in 2023.
Update 12/28/24:There are now over 488 mass shootings in 2024.
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As I’ve stated previously under my blogging section “why do good teachers quit” related to CHANGING our educational indoctrination system, nothing ever happens in isolation or immediately. Our schools are directly linked to the broader collective societal values, culture and psyche. To the extent society is healthy in mind, body and spirit, both individuals and our government, determine how SAFE our children, teachers and others will or won’t be today, tomorrow and in the future. We are – – for better or worse – – intertwined needing all parts to function healthily to make the whole.
We have to embrace the moral decline in this country. Our kids are exposed to a lot of stuff that’s harmful to them with video games, these violent video games. Some of the rap music they listen to is not healthy. We need to address this kind of stuff.
Taking firearms away from law-abiding citizens is not the answer. That just leaves all the criminals with the weapons, and the law-abiding citizens with nothing to defend themselves with.
Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson – – Response to the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas
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Until Americans are willing to face America trUthfully (not just the good but the bad and ugly), we are potentially headed into an abyss of despair as more children, teachers and others face uncertain and perilous times. This doesn’t have to be this way if WETHE PEOPLE, as a collective, decide to CHANGE what it means to “bear arms” and under what legal circumstances. Establishing reasonable gun control legislation with restrictions, protections and consequences is a necessary component for making everyone safer contrary to the position taken by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and some politicians. We also have to address the broader societal ills like mental health, bullying, isolated/troubled children and violence glamorized in the mass media and broader culture. Even law enforcement has come under scrutiny for its varied tactical responses to addressing crime and mass shootings (sometimes heroic/deescalating/ stopping a target and/or lacking empathy/cowardice). For example, news reports are now alleging that some police officers stood by fearing for their own lives or even ran into Robb Elementary School to rescue their own children while the gunman was barricaded inside a classroom. All of the strategies mentioned above are an important component of a much bigger picture for overall SATEFY in this country. Arming teachers and educators is not the answer either as some politicians have proposed as a solution. It is also nearly impossible to “legislate hate” seemingly so prevalent in halls and echo chambers of our communities.
RIP Robb Elementary School Teachers Irma Garcia and Eva Mireles
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In spite of how bleak things look, one must still hold on dearly to some sliver of hope in US – – the great American experiment – – comprised of diverse humans being able to agree for once to fight for the our collective well being and safety of our children, educators, neighbors, friends etc. Even Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, made a surprise appearance in Uvalde, Texas to pay her respects and lend her celebrity to this cause. NO INNOCENT PERSON (ADULT OR CHILD) SHOULD EVER HAVE TO DIE BY GUN VIOLENCE IN SCHOOL OR ANY OTHER COMMUNITY SPACES! If we can all agree to this fundamental premise, WE have some serious advocating and work to do – – both personally within our families and legislatively with our politicians. Something troubling is being said!Mass shootings are a uniquely American problem! When you have a belief built into the very soul and culture of this country, eradicating it will literally take generations to CHANGE but CHANGE we must! This sad and tragic American phenomenon tells a lot about us/U.S. – for better or worse. What will we do to diminish gun violence and mass shootings going forward? The innocents are watching and hoping to simply have a “GOOD DAY” – – whether in a school, grocery shopping, worshipping at a church, shopping at the local mall or cheering at their favorite sporting event, etc. Where do we go from here to ensure this is possible?
Will today be a “GOOD DAY”?
Mass shootings … Only in America!
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FINAL THOUGHT ….
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Photo by Praveen Kumar Nandagiri on Unsplash 5/31/22: Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced a bill banning all handgun sales in Canada just days after mass shootings rocked America. When Trudeau’s new bill is enacted this fall it will be illegal to sell, trade, transport, or import handguns in Canada. Canada already has legislation in place to halt the sales of all military-style rifles including AR-15 assault rifles.The legislation will also allow authorities to seize firearms owned by people involved in domestic violence incidents.
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UPDATE 6-23-22
The US Supreme Court struck down a New York State gun law regulating concealed carry in one of the biggest gun rights cases in over a decade.
Only in America folks, Only in America
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Update 6-24-22
House Democrats and Republicans voted 234-193 to approve a sweeping gun reform bill, sending it to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.
The Senate voted 65 to 33 to approve the bipartisan gun control bill. The bill won the support of all 50 Democrats and 15 Republicans.
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Over 140 mass shootings in America and counting in 2023...
As humans, we can all use different psychological defense mechanisms to protect our egos and feelings when triggered – – guilt, shame, hurt, angry, jealous, envious etc. The one most mentioned in today’s lexicon is the word – projection. Psychological projection is a common behavior in which someone attributes their own character traits, emotions, intentions, impulses or desires onto another person making the assumption that this person desires, feels, thinks the exact same way. For example, a person who is a liar might assume that ALL people are liars or an honest person believes ALL people are the exact same way without evidence to support this assertion. Most of the time, psychological projection involves the denial of some aspect of one’s own thoughts or behavior while simultaneously assuming or accusing other people of doing or thinking those same things.
“To the selfish, all are selfish.” — Aesop of “The Fox and the Bramble”
So – – have I been guilty of using this defense mechanism? Yes – indeed! I have projected my own value system onto people who had not demonstrated those values, traits or characteristics. Have others used this defense mechanism towards me? Absolutely! Some have accused me of having traits not demonstrated yet those same individuals have exhibited the exact same traits or committed the very same actions towards me and others. Projection allows people to unconsciously confront unacceptable feelings or impulses without directly recognizing it in themselves.
Lights, Camera – – – ACTIONS speak louder than words.
There is no need to fret, however, because within this defensive strategy is a hidden lesson. Do not judge people without evidence – – whether positively or negatively — via first hand encounters over time. Everyone does not think, feel or act the same way. Relationships unfold gradually and people will definitely “unveil” their trUe authentic selves by their ACTIONS – – eventually. Just wait for it ………..lights, camera, ACTION. If you allow for time to pass, you will be able to see yourself clearly (both positive and negative) and whomever stands before you.
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Still interested in Phychological Defense Mechanisms?!?!?
3ACTunveiled 