The prate falls and pitfalls I experience when I fall down the rabbit-hole of the Internet make me laugh and cry. The sense of crying comes when I feel us being distracted by so much information…that we miss the moment – and one another.
The laughter comes when I see how funny we are with the tantalizing tidbits we post
on You Tube! (just Google kittens and puppies!). My favorite part of experiencing the joy in how alike we all are --- is when I start to type in a search request. Google starts to populate the text-box with searches the millions of other hitchhikers of this Google-galaxy have similarly requested.
It amazed me one day, thinking "oh I've got one no one could have tried yet", as I
speedily attacked my keyboard with "…Is the Restasis commercial doctor-woman real or digital?". I almost fell off my ergonomic computer chair when not only did the text box
similar-search thingy take off , but it generated page after page of people wondering not only the same thing --- but queried it in even more hilarious ways than I could imagine! Apparently, I am not alone at being weirded-out by this more than bizarre looking human. I swear she is some sort of robotic-artificial-intelligence. But the gamut of
data that resulted proved she is apparently not only human, but a real doctor, based on those who seem to be "in the know"! I smiled at feeling quite connected to potentially millions of us wondering the same silly things!
Another experience seemed to show me not only how similar we are, but how
far we have come. I was watching The Today Show, when we were first introduced to President Obama's awesomely forward thinking choice of Ms. Elena Kagan as the next
Supreme Court Justice candidate. I said out loud to myself "Alright! She's GOT to be a lesbian ---- wow, now THAT WOULD be amazingly forward thinking!!!!".
Again, I found myself almost falling down in the rush to keyboard Google-search anything about her. It was as if I typed in slow-motion anticipation of what might
be populated into my text box by what I was sure millions of other inquiring minds
just HAD to know. I started with "Is Elena Kagan………_____" and then stopped.
I figured I'd get things populated like……..gay, queer, a dyke, homo….or a
cacophony of other spite filled words. I think this time I may have literally fallen off
my chair when the generated word-choice supplied was ………………. married.
I could not stop laughing….and was filled with hopeful amazement – thinking:
Wow ---- that's a step-UP for America! Instantly I next wanted to cry at the sad juxtaposition of this inquiry with today's reality of the discriminatory injustice gay American's experience by being disallowed not only the experience of marriage, but the constitutional right to the pursuit of happiness. I wanted to laugh again at the Catch-22, that this woman could become of all things a Supreme Court Justice.
The list of my Internet experiences runs the gamut of reactions of joy, sadness, frustration, laughter, anger, social togetherness and unrelenting social isolation. It was
Face book that pushed me over the ultimate edge when I just couldn't take the bombardment of information, the one-liners and people seeming to connect but yet seeming to be so disconnected. I found myself taking the summer off and not using ANY source of technology.
Then, low and behold in the midst of my frustration with technology and Face book feeling like it separates us, the Social Network's non-shadow side presented itself in all its glory --- by uniting us. It took just one man's ultimate frustration with non-freedom to end his life by lighting himself on fire…..to begin a revolution of fire in the hearts of others to blog, log, and twitter their angry yet peace-filled messages from Yemen, Eqypt, Syria and more. Words posted on the universally shared "walls" of Face-book, began the domino tumbling down of the Berlin-like walls that separate us. This one man's final action allowed others to begin new action by speaking in the voice that makes us One; the sound of which, due to Face book, was heard through out the world!!!!!
It leaves me with just one thought ---------------------------- Awfully Amazing!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Be-Friending: The King's speech vs. Face-book
Having just seen "The King's Speech" --- I find it funny that my blogging, albeit - few and far between, has so far been sparked by some form of Art (movie, radio, music). Hmmm – a lovely laugh at that.
But – it is Art that moves me to "blatheringly" blog.
I woke up yesterday, with a thought in my head of the gamut of distance between "The King's Speech" and "The Social Network". I haven't seen "The Social Network" --- but I have fallen down the rabbit-hole of Face book. I only got on Face book so I would know what it was in order to talk with youth about what it is, what it is not, and who we "are" as social beings.
But – it is Art that moves me to "blatheringly" blog.
I woke up yesterday, with a thought in my head of the gamut of distance between "The King's Speech" and "The Social Network". I haven't seen "The Social Network" --- but I have fallen down the rabbit-hole of Face book. I only got on Face book so I would know what it was in order to talk with youth about what it is, what it is not, and who we "are" as social beings.
This summer I took a hiatus from all technology. I avoided cell phones, all phones, computers, email, and any type of computerized social-network. It was lovely. It helped me to "be" where I was --- moment to moment without bells or whistles.
When I first got on Twitter – I thought it was rather ridiculous and that it would fall by the way side. What do I know, except for how to be judgmental. I am thankful for how nations apparently have been toppled by those that send one-liner sentences letting us know that Tibetans are being killed or that Egyptians are knocking down their own Berlin Walls! I've learned there is an art to messaging in 40 characters or less, to grab one another's short attention span with wit, wisdom and a wee bit of irony and folly.
Then came "The King's Speech", about the heaviness of our interactions, lightened by the gentleness of friendship. How the history of our life stories can weigh heavily in each moment – to the point of making us stop, stutter, hide and freeze with fear.
I am always amazed at times in history when the world is drawn together, with masses of us listening and focused on the same event at the same moment: September 11th, the death of a princess, the assassination of a president, his brother and a peacemaking preacher who happened to be black.
When I first got on Twitter – I thought it was rather ridiculous and that it would fall by the way side. What do I know, except for how to be judgmental. I am thankful for how nations apparently have been toppled by those that send one-liner sentences letting us know that Tibetans are being killed or that Egyptians are knocking down their own Berlin Walls! I've learned there is an art to messaging in 40 characters or less, to grab one another's short attention span with wit, wisdom and a wee bit of irony and folly.
Then came "The King's Speech", about the heaviness of our interactions, lightened by the gentleness of friendship. How the history of our life stories can weigh heavily in each moment – to the point of making us stop, stutter, hide and freeze with fear.
I am always amazed at times in history when the world is drawn together, with masses of us listening and focused on the same event at the same moment: September 11th, the death of a princess, the assassination of a president, his brother and a peacemaking preacher who happened to be black.
Yes, technology today draws us together in very powerful ways – but it separates us in more ways than I wish to imagine.
In the time of "The King's Speech" – when communication was NOT instantaneous, each and every word carried intense power. It still does today. We forget, that the meaning of the moment shared with intense one-word focus, devotion, and the power of allowing – IS exactly what is needed.
"The Kings Speech" – reminded me of a variety of moments shared in my own in-the-moment "word" therapy with a hakomi therapist.
I remember my therapist saying "I can't wait for the story you tell, of the day you find your voice". It is a gift to have traveled with another person through the roller coaster challenge of finding, knowing and celebrating who I am; who we all are………..now and historically.
There was a sweetness in watching the friendship between the King and his therapist-friend. A shared growing between the two of them, helped guide them both – and all of humanity through a moment of Fear and War – to the other side of a shared spectrum.
Technology back then (radio) – brought people together. Today, technology does this even so. But in so many more powerful ways it can also keep us--- apart.
In the time of "The King's Speech" – when communication was NOT instantaneous, each and every word carried intense power. It still does today. We forget, that the meaning of the moment shared with intense one-word focus, devotion, and the power of allowing – IS exactly what is needed.
"The Kings Speech" – reminded me of a variety of moments shared in my own in-the-moment "word" therapy with a hakomi therapist.
I remember my therapist saying "I can't wait for the story you tell, of the day you find your voice". It is a gift to have traveled with another person through the roller coaster challenge of finding, knowing and celebrating who I am; who we all are………..now and historically.
There was a sweetness in watching the friendship between the King and his therapist-friend. A shared growing between the two of them, helped guide them both – and all of humanity through a moment of Fear and War – to the other side of a shared spectrum.
Technology back then (radio) – brought people together. Today, technology does this even so. But in so many more powerful ways it can also keep us--- apart.
I cannot understand, nor accept someone befriending hundreds of anonymous people – when in reality, it only takes one. One true-one, to Be-friend us ---- with ourselves, to ourselves…...... let alone --- with one another.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
The Mana of each moment
Last week on my way to work I was listening to NPR on the radio in my car.
I was thinking about where I was going and what I would be teaching today. I was headed to Crispus Attucks - thinking "how amazingly lucky I am to go to this school - of all schools". Thinking of history and pride, culture and conflict, differences and kids.
I was hoping and praying that whatever comes out of my mouth today with my students - would be guided from the "Powers that be" - and not from just "me". Then I heard this NPR radio cast.
Wow.
Many of my friends came to mind - and I was grateful.
Grateful for the time we have to sing and share, teach and learn, talk and listen, dance and laugh, cry and scream, love and hate....but especially to just --- be.
One never knows what simple moment will ripple out to the all in all of us. What 3 a.m. moment of clarity, flash of insight, tone of voice or timber of song --- will make all the difference in the world!
I hope you enjoy the pod-cast about the awe-some opportunities we have each day, to think, speak and share from an energy knowledge called "Mana" - a sacred source of spirit that flows from nature, the divine and each human.
To listen to and move from Mana in every word, sound and action we invoke and evoke. Much sacred peace to us all this new year, next year, new moment, next moment and in each moment of NOW!
http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=131812500&m=131842319
I was thinking about where I was going and what I would be teaching today. I was headed to Crispus Attucks - thinking "how amazingly lucky I am to go to this school - of all schools". Thinking of history and pride, culture and conflict, differences and kids.
I was hoping and praying that whatever comes out of my mouth today with my students - would be guided from the "Powers that be" - and not from just "me". Then I heard this NPR radio cast.
Wow.
Many of my friends came to mind - and I was grateful.
Grateful for the time we have to sing and share, teach and learn, talk and listen, dance and laugh, cry and scream, love and hate....but especially to just --- be.
One never knows what simple moment will ripple out to the all in all of us. What 3 a.m. moment of clarity, flash of insight, tone of voice or timber of song --- will make all the difference in the world!
I hope you enjoy the pod-cast about the awe-some opportunities we have each day, to think, speak and share from an energy knowledge called "Mana" - a sacred source of spirit that flows from nature, the divine and each human.
To listen to and move from Mana in every word, sound and action we invoke and evoke. Much sacred peace to us all this new year, next year, new moment, next moment and in each moment of NOW!
http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=131812500&m=131842319
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Avatar the movie vs. the "meaning"
"Avatar": The movie
I am probably the only one on the planet that thinks this movie is a DUD!
I get tired of all the special affects used now...that yes, are awesome...but without a deep story-line,are distracting! Digital-awe when "depended on" by the director......shows weakness.
Heck I thought "Dances with Wolves"....(which is basically the same theme used in "Avatar")....at least gave us a message with depth. "Avatar" used the same story/format and fell flat. Bummer.
Jeez...I hope people take the chance to google the word Avatar and understand it's true meaning re: the Divine and Spirituality. Jesus was an Avatar - and many faiths believe he was not the only one. But, I'm guessing the movie does bring home good points to a large group of people.
I LOVED the side references to George Bush "shock and awe"...and the U.S. taking the step of using preemptive strikes as a new U.S policy/concept (i.e., totally about the Iraqi invasion by the US).
Ok call me crazy to not have liked this movie....but I'd rather focus on the positive. So, I'm hoping, yes, the movie will wake up the minds of the majority to understand that it is the indiginous wisdom that will save the planet and ourselves. If you are into it...check out the book "Grandmothers Council the World".
If you are a grandmother, I'm pretty sure you know what is like to have your heart opened by the birth of a grand child. Gotta give it to those grandmothers. The book is about the 13 indigenous grandmothers who found one another in 2000...and started meeting in 2004.
Time to listen to them. Perhaps the movie will get people thinking....and maybe reading this book...instead of only being dazzled by incredible digital cinema.
I AM loving the book I mention vs. the "shock and awe" of digital movie-making. Especially with the fact that we are only 2 years away from 2012 - when a new time is prophecied to begin. Just ask those grand-mothers!
I am probably the only one on the planet that thinks this movie is a DUD!
I get tired of all the special affects used now...that yes, are awesome...but without a deep story-line,are distracting! Digital-awe when "depended on" by the director......shows weakness.
Heck I thought "Dances with Wolves"....(which is basically the same theme used in "Avatar")....at least gave us a message with depth. "Avatar" used the same story/format and fell flat. Bummer.
Jeez...I hope people take the chance to google the word Avatar and understand it's true meaning re: the Divine and Spirituality. Jesus was an Avatar - and many faiths believe he was not the only one. But, I'm guessing the movie does bring home good points to a large group of people.
I LOVED the side references to George Bush "shock and awe"...and the U.S. taking the step of using preemptive strikes as a new U.S policy/concept (i.e., totally about the Iraqi invasion by the US).
Ok call me crazy to not have liked this movie....but I'd rather focus on the positive. So, I'm hoping, yes, the movie will wake up the minds of the majority to understand that it is the indiginous wisdom that will save the planet and ourselves. If you are into it...check out the book "Grandmothers Council the World".
If you are a grandmother, I'm pretty sure you know what is like to have your heart opened by the birth of a grand child. Gotta give it to those grandmothers. The book is about the 13 indigenous grandmothers who found one another in 2000...and started meeting in 2004.
Time to listen to them. Perhaps the movie will get people thinking....and maybe reading this book...instead of only being dazzled by incredible digital cinema.
I AM loving the book I mention vs. the "shock and awe" of digital movie-making. Especially with the fact that we are only 2 years away from 2012 - when a new time is prophecied to begin. Just ask those grand-mothers!
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