I came across an article in my Google news via the London Times about Slovenia's president--or soon to be former president, Janez Drnovsek.
I don't honestly know much about Slovenian history, but I do know a radical change of heart when I see one. Back when Drnovsek was Prime Minister of Slovenia, he was described as rather a dull, glum man who didn't like visionaries, and he was also referred to as someone who didn't take care of his people too well.
Yet, following a cancer diagnosis, Drnovsek has suddenly morphed into this peace-loving, animal-and-human-rights champion who made it a point to go into Darfur to help stop the suffering. And, in short, has gone from pallid president to love-is-all-you-need New-Age-style leader...not too unlike Mohandas Gandhi, who went from lawyer to mystical, non-violent visionary who fasted in the name of bringing to an end the occupation of India by the British Empire.
I read the comments following the Times' online article, and there were some detractors with some rather unforgiving attitudes. But there were also people who highly praised Drnovsek for his change in mind and spirit.
Here's the sticker, though: Was Drnovsek's "conversion experience" due to the prospect of death, with a potential fear of what might happen in the afterlife if he didn't change his outlook and attitudes on this plane, or was the change genuine--even if Death was staring the Slovenian in the face? I mean, the guy went all out--becoming vegan and living without a television--and totally ignoring state functions. Plus, when he was interviewed by the London Times, he seemed to be calm, at peace with himself, evidencing this by saying he wasn't worried about any detractors.
That's not the mark of someone who's not genuine about their transformation. That's the mark of someone who, even in their own "eleventh hour" has made the proverbial 180-degree turn and truly started to live life in a higher frame of consciousness.
In light of the coming holiday season, one might think that Death was potentially all three Dickensian Ghosts of Christmas for Drnovsek, because of such a sudden turnaround.
I just wish I could say the same for the American president.
BB,
Rev. Kat ^.^
Friday, November 23, 2007
Thursday, November 22, 2007
The 8 "Be Awares" by Rev. Kat
These are 8 guidelines that I came up with, based on the kind of life experiences I've had in my short time on Earth. For each guideline, I'm including an example to help clarify what I'm speaking about. If you like what I have here, feel free to copy and paste this and pass it around the 'Net. Attribute it to me, or not, it makes no difference, because these are things I am sure others have experienced as well. Human experience is human experience and it needs no copyright.
I created these guidelines a year ago on an older blog. They didn't exactly belong on the blog in question as my blog was meant for stories. I've since abandoned that blog to focus on this and Foolbard, but maybe I will re-start another story blog. I dunno. We'll see.
Caveat: Keep in mind that I am a person that calls it like she sees it.
That being said, here's what I've got to say:
1)Be aware that you *can* take responsibility for your own actions and emotions. This generally means thinking before you speak and act in order not to hurt others, even yourself. Whether you believe in the existence of a representative of "absolute evil," or not, doesn't mean that excuses you for any irresponsible choices you make towards yourself or others.
2) At the same time, be aware that you don't have to take responsibility for other people's crap, no matter how empathic, gentle and tenderhearted you might be. If someone's having a bad day or taking things personally and you're feeling the effects of their temper tantrums, realize that it may not have anything to do with you at all and they're the ones who have to own up to their having a short fuse. And even if it does have to do with you, still be aware that the ones with the short fuse end up with the short end of the emotional stick when it comes to having friends.
3) Be aware that it's okay to cry and make a fuss when you need to. Not showing emotions can lead to mental instability. People who expect you, as a chronological adult, to be stoic and logical all the time are probably the ones who really need to let loose and feel they aren't allowed to for some weird reason. Don't let that be you--especially not to yourself.
4) Be aware that the Biblical passage about "putting away childish things" has been misinterpreted many times over. The grown-ups who created Bugs Bunny, Daffy and Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, the Animaniacs etc have made animation their jobs because they know that being an adult does not mean they have to stop watching what has been scornfully dubbed "kids' stuff" by 'obligatory' adults who take the Apostle Paul's writing way too seriously.
5) Sure, you're a chronological adult with adult worries. Be aware that it is easier to solve those worries when not spaced out on chemical vices that harm the body, mind and soul. Even antidepressants aren't a complete and permanent cure-all. I missed more school while taking Zoloft and Paxil than I did when feeling and experiencing those down and out emotions.
6) Be aware that being an adult doesn't mean you can't ask for help--ANY kind of help. Being independent is one thing, but having the desire to be completely and totally self-reliant and not ask for any outside help when you know you need it is quite another. Have the humility to ask for a helping hand. People will be more offended if you don't ask than if you did.
7) Be aware that as an adult with free will, it does not mean that doing as you want to will not have consequences of some kind.
8) Finally, be aware that as an adult, you have choices about the way you view the world. You do *not* have to see things the way your parents did, or react the way your parents reacted. You are your own person, your own soul, with your own views. Cherish that part of being human, because people can try to take away stuff that isn't theirs to take away. Once you know this in the core of your being, you will also know and remember that the people who try that kind of BS will experience the consequences (see #7).
I created these guidelines a year ago on an older blog. They didn't exactly belong on the blog in question as my blog was meant for stories. I've since abandoned that blog to focus on this and Foolbard, but maybe I will re-start another story blog. I dunno. We'll see.
Caveat: Keep in mind that I am a person that calls it like she sees it.
That being said, here's what I've got to say:
1)Be aware that you *can* take responsibility for your own actions and emotions. This generally means thinking before you speak and act in order not to hurt others, even yourself. Whether you believe in the existence of a representative of "absolute evil," or not, doesn't mean that excuses you for any irresponsible choices you make towards yourself or others.
2) At the same time, be aware that you don't have to take responsibility for other people's crap, no matter how empathic, gentle and tenderhearted you might be. If someone's having a bad day or taking things personally and you're feeling the effects of their temper tantrums, realize that it may not have anything to do with you at all and they're the ones who have to own up to their having a short fuse. And even if it does have to do with you, still be aware that the ones with the short fuse end up with the short end of the emotional stick when it comes to having friends.
3) Be aware that it's okay to cry and make a fuss when you need to. Not showing emotions can lead to mental instability. People who expect you, as a chronological adult, to be stoic and logical all the time are probably the ones who really need to let loose and feel they aren't allowed to for some weird reason. Don't let that be you--especially not to yourself.
4) Be aware that the Biblical passage about "putting away childish things" has been misinterpreted many times over. The grown-ups who created Bugs Bunny, Daffy and Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, the Animaniacs etc have made animation their jobs because they know that being an adult does not mean they have to stop watching what has been scornfully dubbed "kids' stuff" by 'obligatory' adults who take the Apostle Paul's writing way too seriously.
5) Sure, you're a chronological adult with adult worries. Be aware that it is easier to solve those worries when not spaced out on chemical vices that harm the body, mind and soul. Even antidepressants aren't a complete and permanent cure-all. I missed more school while taking Zoloft and Paxil than I did when feeling and experiencing those down and out emotions.
6) Be aware that being an adult doesn't mean you can't ask for help--ANY kind of help. Being independent is one thing, but having the desire to be completely and totally self-reliant and not ask for any outside help when you know you need it is quite another. Have the humility to ask for a helping hand. People will be more offended if you don't ask than if you did.
7) Be aware that as an adult with free will, it does not mean that doing as you want to will not have consequences of some kind.
8) Finally, be aware that as an adult, you have choices about the way you view the world. You do *not* have to see things the way your parents did, or react the way your parents reacted. You are your own person, your own soul, with your own views. Cherish that part of being human, because people can try to take away stuff that isn't theirs to take away. Once you know this in the core of your being, you will also know and remember that the people who try that kind of BS will experience the consequences (see #7).
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Climate Change is hittin' the Cheezburger Spot
I saw something both humorous--and very telling about the way people are responding to the climate crisis. One of my favorite humor sites, icanhascheezburger.com, has recently featured an LOL-picture of a polar bear. The top half of the pic shows the polar bear sleeping peacefully on a blanket of snow, with a caption of "I has an ice cap." The bottom portion of the picture shows the melting of the ice with the polar bear trying to swim through the ice chunks, the caption reading: "Noo, they be stealin' my icecap."
The emotional comments that followed the picture were encouraging. The comments told me that there are people out there that truly care about our Mother Planet. While icanhascheezburger.com is not out to be political on purpose, someone saw the need to be funny even while raising the clarion call to get our butts on the move and do something about the climate change.
If there is one site--at the very least--that can help wake us all up with a snarky swat of a kitty paw, and raw kitty pissy-ness, no less, I truly believe it is icanhascheezburger.com.
After all, as I commented on the polar bear pic: It's easier to help save the planet when you're not depressed. So I'm over there makin' LOL's and submitting them. :-D (btw--it's easy to do this with their LOL-cat builder.)
So...in LOL-cat style, I say this:
*switching to LOL-speak*
"Glo-ball warmingz? DO NOT WANT!"
Your Sister in Saving the Mother,
Rev. Kat ^.^
P.S. If you want to see the polar bear picture (you can't miss it!), go to: www.icanhascheezburger.com
The emotional comments that followed the picture were encouraging. The comments told me that there are people out there that truly care about our Mother Planet. While icanhascheezburger.com is not out to be political on purpose, someone saw the need to be funny even while raising the clarion call to get our butts on the move and do something about the climate change.
If there is one site--at the very least--that can help wake us all up with a snarky swat of a kitty paw, and raw kitty pissy-ness, no less, I truly believe it is icanhascheezburger.com.
After all, as I commented on the polar bear pic: It's easier to help save the planet when you're not depressed. So I'm over there makin' LOL's and submitting them. :-D (btw--it's easy to do this with their LOL-cat builder.)
So...in LOL-cat style, I say this:
*switching to LOL-speak*
"Glo-ball warmingz? DO NOT WANT!"
Your Sister in Saving the Mother,
Rev. Kat ^.^
P.S. If you want to see the polar bear picture (you can't miss it!), go to: www.icanhascheezburger.com
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