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Feb 8, 2008
I have been absent for some time. The Care2 Network had ceased to be caring. A place that is for Humanities, it is surprising how dangerous it can be. Spiritual people, at least self-professed spiritual people, who go around causing mental or emotional harm are in direct violation with spiritual law. Not having Intent is insufficient when there is lack of Awareness and one claims Enlightenment.

Regardless, I did not come here to quibble. I came by to say hello, and to say that I have not ceased my own campaign of sharing positive, inspiring, and challenging words to Internet audiences.

My occupational journey has taken a side-step into a new arena made possible by all of my online work, engaging with people from various Internet communities. I am currently building online communities for my local region.

For those who want to catch up, here are some links to share:

One Man Can - my inspirational blog continues
One Man Can Connect - my commentary on social media
Live In Strathcona - favourite work is with the Arts & Culture pages
Live on Commercial Drive - just a baby, needs lots of work and in-roads to be developed
Living In Mount Pleasant - gaining ground with the City of Vancouver and Mount Pleasant

So that's more or less what I've been up to. If you dig in a bit, you'll likely discover much more. For example, see if you can find the photo of my busted shoulder. Not gruesome, just odd.  
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Posted: Feb 8, 2008 2:34am
Feb 9, 2007

Love and life are funny things that often bewilder us, creating feelings within our body that are not really caused by any physical injury. Take heartbreak for example. Heartbreak is not a pain caused by a physical injury to the heart. The pain we feel is an emotionally generated pain, triggered in part by our mind based upon an experience. And what about that chemistry that jazzed the both of you when you met? Then wonder, “what more?”

Just as suddenly as the juices got jazzed you find yourself running, laughing, playing, and enjoying a budding relationship. You can’t believe you could be so lucky! You think about this miracle that came into your life throughout each day. You feel the energy in your body inspiring your life. You feel so alive! You know all of this though and realize you have to get through each day, keeping balance and perspective so you don’t neglect other areas of your life. Too bad about that really, it would be great to just walk off into the sunset and not have to worry about the realities of life for awhile. “Give us some time” I’d say, knowing that in time we’ll both come back to the planet looking to explore other avenues of our lives. Let’s get back to reality though.

Now, I can only speak for myself and others like me. I don’t fall in love to just walk away. Yet, too often, that is what we are required to do. As compatible as a relationship might feel or seem, timing could be everything. Someone’s distortion could have their values out of whack. Knowing the inner-qualities of each other, you could have even been certain that you’d never be dropped for material reasons. This love, this woman, or this man, is deeper than that. It’s there, in all the journals, in every conversation, in the eyes, and the vision for the future. Then life shows up and serves some humble pie.

Bad things happen to good people all the time. Someone is struck ill with a serious illness and before long the retirement savings are gone. The recovery can take months or even years, if at all – for some. The physical toll can be too great for some people to handle. The emotional stamina required to endure the trials may be to costly to another. The financial strain may threaten a required sense of security for others. For the person it is all happening to, it can have profound and life-changing impact.

Deep loss is experienced as an old identity passes away and a new identity comes into being. Death and birth, experiences equally bound in both pleasure and pain. Not just a physical death, a psychological death. Not just a physical birth, a metaphysical birth. Some people end up lost in the bottom of a bottle while others stab out the misery with a needle; both scenarios leading to more misery and death. These are just examples, the scenarios are limitless. Some recover, some don’t. Death isn’t the only thing that can kill you.

In spite of what we see on the streets and played out in the drama of each others’ lives, miracles still happen all the time. These miracles happen even through the loss and in spite of loss. Someone may truly be gone forever and yet, someone else is saved as a result. An illness could miraculously disappear, leaving no trace of ever having been there. Financial ruin could bring two closer together, empowering and strengthening beyond what each could do individually. Important changes in society could come about as lives are radically changed through tribulation.

Too often judgment is heard spilling from lips of those who don’t know or are arrogant. If you’ve ever fallen, why would you laugh at another who has fallen? You remember what it was like. You understand the pain and even the embarrassment you felt. You remember the judgment others threw in your face. Everybody hurts, sometimes. Judgment, ridicule, laughter, and self-righteousness are uncomfortable disguises of your own frailty. Bad things happen to good people all the time. It could happen to you. This is uncomfortable to admit. It recognizes your powerlessness to control every aspect of living your physical life on earth. You only control your response, reaction, your attitude.

As for the hurt that comes with the human experience, the shift in perspective can view the emotional pain as a good thing. The ache in the heart chakra is a blessing of your aliveness. It affirms your divine capacity to love another being. The ache that comes with the turmoil of disappointments affirms your love of self. The ache that comes with betrayal in society affirms your connection and love to your fellow beings. You are a divine creature living in a physical world. Lifting the veil, seeing your own inner-spirit, you will experience and observe and learn to be with the aching emotions. Make that your challenge – to ‘be with’ the pain and witness it as a good experience. Shift your perspective to see that your spiritual being is embracing each experience and will rise above each experience.

This brings me full-circle, right back to heartbreak. Don’t run away from love. Don’t run away from loving another. Run away from fear. Run away from doubt. There is power in love and it is the only thing that you have in life that cannot be taken away. Health: Who knows when, if, what, or why, but you could be hit. Money: That balance sheet is all over the place and depends a lot on other circumstances that may be beyond your control. And what will you give up for that? Too many look for the bling without really seeing the stars. If you’re wondering where to look, try deep into the eyes of the other.

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Posted: Feb 9, 2007 6:17pm
Feb 8, 2007
A recent exchange spoke to the challenge of accepting the hurts that are thrown at us. I've long been an admirer of Gandhi, Martin Luther Kind Jr., Jesus, Einstein, Mother Theresa and many other magnificent men and women. Didn't they ever get angry? Sure they did, and they used it powerfully in positive ways that rose to the defense of Spiritual Principles, the Spirit of Self, the Spirit of Unity - so let's just say God and what God has given. In fact, let's recognize that anger is a natural part of the human range of emotions, therefore it has a purpose. Maybe we just haven't been recognizing this or accessing it correctly. So here is the result of the email exchange from my end in response to the emotional trauma and the experience of being bullied.

Bullying! I'm very familiar with that. I learned a great deal about it as a child, and only once as the 'disher' in grade3. The rest of the time I was the 'dishee', right on through to high school graduation. The most humiliating was when the girls did it.

Part of the reason I accepted such behavior from others is having been raised by a bully, too, who was more concerned with his image than his kids well-being. He punched me in the jaw at 10 years old and threatened me with more violence if I continued that kind of behavior at school. This was the day I defended myself and won. I hate fighting and would much prefer friendship. Thankfully, the kid that instigated the fight became fast friends.

I'm more than happy to discuss some of these delicate life issues and relationship issues. One thing I can say right now; "there is a place for anger." You consider you, your being, your values, the principles you stand for; when someone violates you in any way, anger rises up within. Too often, wanting to be spiritual, peaceful, loving, or higher minded, we quell that anger and that anger is speaking so strongly - to you! What's it saying?

"Speak up! Stand up! Set a boundary! Ask for what you want! Don't settle!" These are just a few examples that I've come to experience. Naturally, being a peaceful and loving human being, this may feel conflicted with how we want to experience the world and relationships around us. Even so, isn't it interesting that the kid who picked on me became my friend after the fight? Isn't it interesting that another bully respected me after I put flies in the sandwich he took from me. Always he came, always he took, always he ate, and when I got tired of it I acted. He ate that sandwich before learning about the flies, and when he did find out, he didn't beat me - Go figure! In fact, he admired me and smiled.

I share this message this week because anger is a theme that showed up for me, the peaceful warrior, who had to learn not to be so passive, maybe even passive-aggressive. It harms our own spirit, and it harms Spirit. You know the axiom, "Do no harm." It's already been done when the bully, or values, or principles, or whatever, have experienced the violation within you.

Love is Anger, and the expression of anger when you are violated is a clear demonstration of that Love for Self - the gift of Spirit. Does Spirit demand anything less but the best?

Spirit could be responding to many issues in this context.
  • You: It is responding with strength to our own defense, boundaries, and peaceful existence.
  • We: It is responding with admonition for the behavior that fails to recognize One, that we're the same.
  • Truth: It is responding to principles and values inherent in all of humanity, in all of existence, and waits upon us to respond accordingly.
I'm often amazed at how often I have ignored that quiet voice inside, always thinking that the peace is the loving response. This is the illusion.

Yes, the expression of anger does not require further trespasses to principles of Spirit.

Expressing anger is to give voice with passion, with integrity, with strength, and certainty - and I'm certain more adjectives of appropriate nature can be added - for justice, for peace, for love, and Spirit.

It requires trust in Spirit, trust in Self, and trust in Love. It also requires courage, from you and from me, as we face the admonishment from Spirit and must learn from the opportunity about whatever needs to be different. Assuming I've wronged you: What do I need to about you, your values, and how I trespassed? Understanding each other, in any relationship, is hard work sometimes for our frail emotional egos. Spirit is stronger! Trust, faith, courage, hope, and love. Add more!

It requires the setting aside of a vindictive and malicious ego, to be replaced with the voice of passionate love and beautiful reason. It requires faith in your own humanity and the ability to forgive. This is our societal challenge today. We all make mistakes. Speak and be heard! Listen and learn! Feel the passion and love! Build the bridge to understanding. Forgive and heal with love!

I forgot something: Be Willing To Be Wrong!

Have a blessed day!

Lee

Addendum: I was surprised on another blog where I posted this to hear someone defend violence. Please do not misunderstand, this is not what this topic is about. It is about standing your ground and working through the tough stuff. The child fought, the adult does not, and won't, and would go to prison for such actions.
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Posted: Feb 8, 2007 11:13am
Oct 2, 2006
On another blog, I received a response to my entry about the wounded warrior that didn't sit very well with me. Here is my wounded warrior entry:


The wounded warrior doesn't lose his edge, he gains another. The new edge is the edge of reconciliation, of empathy, of understanding, and of valuing life. Do not let anyone minimalize the wounds you have earned, that you have gained understanding from, and from which you have grown to love more humankind. Neither let yourself suffer from arrogance, or any form of grandiose thinking of any kind; remain the humble servant who understands more than they let on.


The response caused a moment of pause as I reflected yet again upon the judgment they placed with their opinion. Through such a comment and how it may or may not apply; our broad brush-strokes are so quick to color every encounter, every person, and every lesson to be the same. What was said is not far different from what many people believe. What was said also can be completely true for many people. However, it is not applicable to all who suffer. Here is the commonly held belief posted in their response:


Ideally, those are the lessons one would learn. But everyone has their own journey and some make it harder than it should be. They must learn their lessons the hard way and it takes much longer. It depends on what level of understanding one has reached.


Everyone does have their own journey and some individuals do make it harder than it has to be. Some wish to make it easier and do not seem able to lessen the severity. Some people are fast learners, others are slow learners. Some learn best by reading, others learn best by doing, and yet more need to hear the words that will help them learn. The poor individual who is going through hell and back who would read that they're a complete loser for "not getting it" sooner. And yet, my immediate heartfelt thoughts upon reading the reply highlights an even more profound statement for the wounded warrior. What about the greats in our history who have suffered greatly?


My first hero, Gandhi, was the first to come to mind when I read that some make it harder, and that a lesson must be learned. I've had a similar discussion around the homeless issues as well. All things serve a greater purpose and it is so easy for us to judge from the perspective that others "just aren't getting it" and we can wash our hands of all responsibility to see change occur in our society. Gandhi put himself into harms way repeatedly. Gandhi, through all the situations that deepened his wounds saw his heart for God, his heart for his people, and his heart for the world grow. Gandhi did not shrink from the cup chosen for him, neither did many other great leaders no longer with us today. You know who some of them are. So who needs to learn the lesson?


A wounded warrior did not come to fight with violence, fists, and bloodshed - unless it is his own and even then it is not a prefered avenue. The wounded warrior values life and typically in higher regard than the common everyday man. Gandhi, my friend, my example: What lesson did you make harder to learn? To walk away from conflict? To walk away from injustice? That one man cannot change the world? No, no, I didn't think so. I see it myself and it is what I want all to see.


If I choose to make my life harder, if I choose to be the change I want to see, if drastic action is called for to have society witness its' failings, then so be it. How can I possibly communicate clearly to others that which I cannot understand? I have understood much about the human condition, society, our frailties, hopes, fears, and dreams; our relationship to each other, how it has shifted over time and continues to shift; how the media clouds our vision, politicians and religious leaders influence our beliefs, interpreting the signs of the times and literally telling us the cause and effect relationship that requires change. We've become such amazingly obedient sheep for our shepherds.


We follow along, we point fingers, we lay blame, we act the victim, and almost literally only take care of our own personal agenda and insular sphere of influence. The rest of the world, the rest of the country, the rest of the government, the rest of the community, the rest of the street... and so on... can go to hell, I've got enough to deal with on my own! Sound familiar? I've heard these standard statements often throughout my life. Even so, the influences that sing in my heart are laid by the examples of such as Jesus, Gandhi, JFK, Martin Luther King, just to name a small few. Check carefully before concluding that someone isn't learning a lesson. Maybe they're trying to show the rest of the world something that society has created, or that people are ignoring, etc.


This brings me back to one of my favorite issues related to society washing their hands - the homeless. I have even heard it said by spiritual and/or religious people that the homeless chose their lot, made their bed, and therefore must suffer the consequences. In the same way, some would say they're on the street learning a lesson. What I know is that there are many on the street who have chosen to leave the monstrosity of the rat-race - that truth and love is virtually non-existent in the corporate setting, or the business machinations of what is our society today. I know that some of these people are there, and the problem is growing, because the rest of society has failed to act! The issue isn't about providing shelters, food, and treatment programs. The issue is about a systemic problem with the way we get along, the way we work together, the way we compete, and the way we judge, hate, segregate, and so on. It's strictly about the heart.


Yesterday, a very new and dear friend of mine got on his own high horse ranting about the problem with the street people in a very bad area of our city. "Give them what they want and what they need," he lamented! Very curious I continued to press him for more explanation. I don't remember all that he said but let me sum it up as best I can.


Giving these people a city-block facility with housing, treatment, counselling, injection sites, dispensed substances, etc., would free up a great deal of resources chasing them all over town trying to police, intervene, and treat the problem. You give them a place to go, provide them with clean and safe substances and the opportunity to make a different choice. Those that make the different choice have access to treatment, counselling, and shelter. If they fall, they fall, and they're given the opportunity to try again. At least then there is a chance, there is no judgment, and we would no longer be de-humanizing ourselves in the process!


That is not a perspective I could have vocalized in such a powerful way before. I concur completely with our responsibility and failings as a society to resolve what seem to be such fundamentally simple issues - at the heart level. Why so many walk past the problems and are so completely unaffected has bothered and puzzled me for years. Until he finished his statement recognizing the de-humanization of the general public, any reasoning I heard or tried left a sour taste. Of course! We have systematically seen the dehumanization of our culture consistently through news, media, television, movies, video games, and our own streets. Is it all bad? Likely not, it is a contributor though, along with our ability to make a judgment that places full responsibility somewhere else.


With so much said I'll wrap it up with a few statements of encouragement. Accept the journey others are on, be curious, ask questions, and park your judgment. As Martin Luther said, I have a dream. As JFK said, ask what you can do for your country. As Gandhi said, be the change you want to be. As Jesus said, love covers a multitude of sins. Be love, love is. If this was the guiding principle behind government, business, and our community, how many different outcomes would have seen a world shaping into something far more beautiful than we thought possible?

Jul 14, 2006
On the battlefield a fallen soldier will often lay there near death, expecting death, when a comrade will stop and offer comfort and aid. Encouraging and strengthening his fallen comrade simply through comfort, the yell will follow, "Medic! Medic!" as help is sought that will bring the wounded soldier the medical attention that is needed. There are times when death will come too quickly or help will come too late. When the help comes in the right time, the medical attention will quite often save the life of the fallen comrade and life goes on.

As observance is given to happenings in society today, I am left with the sense that too often we pass by the wounded soldiers lying on the battlefield of life. Life can be a struggle for many people for a variety of reasons. It's easy to wipe our hands of responsibility, laying blame through our judgment, thinking 'you made your bed, now lie in it!' This scapegoat thinking dismisses the fact that people make the best choices possible with the information that is available to them. It dismisses the fact that not everyone has had the best opportunities available to them or the fullest access to their own personal power in making choices.

A young man, wet behind the ears, full of vim and vigor, races into the world to discover, to live, and to enjoy. The taste of freedom is here to read about.
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Posted: Jul 14, 2006 9:36am
Jun 12, 2006
An interesting event occured yesterday that revealed anger to be an opportunity.

I was walking back home after an appointment downtown in the morning and had an encounter with a rude motorist. I gestured a "what gives" posture as I tried to cross at the intersection, on the pedestrian Go signal, only to recieve a tirade of emotions. Equal to the opportunity, I responded with equal stupidity and responded in kind. This is where it begins to get very interesting.

We're all familiar with road-rage and I can recognize that something bigger is happening than the event at hand that triggered the road-rage. Knowing this, after he drove off I continued on my way, along the same route he had disappeared. A couple of blocks away, seeing his vehicle parked I placed my business card in his window. Less than 30 minutes later I received a phone call full of venom and arrogance at my action.

With some perseverance, I stayed present and invoked the Divine into the conversation, knowing that my audience came from a rich background of religious culture. This calmed the situation remarkably, although his passionate response still attempted to re-escalate the situation. At one point, holding the phone away from my ear, I spoke into the phone and said, "If you keep interrupting me, I'm not going to be able to have this conversation." This welcomed an apology and he made room to allow me to speak as well.

The truth is, he made assumptions based upon his current beliefs, his current and past experiences, prejudices, and anger relating to all of these influences. And I asked, "Did it ever occur to you that I was placed in that situation with you this morning to teach you something that you needed to learn?" I know that I did feel that way for myself and I had seized the opportunity to learn and to build a bridge rather than allow the initial encounter to burn that bridge.

Now we're talking about having a coffee, about getting to know one another versus making assumptions and accusations, and I invited him to discover the hurt that causes his anger and how better to counter these influences that continue to cause him pain. This came about after asking him if he knew what was underneath, what was causing his anger. He acknowledged that a lot of painful things have occured in his life, causing him to become more and more reactive as a self-defense strategy. Fight or Flight.

The coming days we will see how this plays out. In the meantime, I learned a great deal about responding to someone else's venom and the opportunity to recognize that so much more is happening. This encounter is an opportunity to extend a hand and heart to have us learn and grow. It allowed the seed of peace.

As for how I turned this around: After he drove off, I invited the divine (in this case I asked the angel presiding over the situation) to take charge and allowed the higher power to speak into my heart. This simple act, be it real or a mind trick, simply parks the ego and allows communication and insight from the higher self or source. This provided courage and humility to see an opportunity and lo and behold, I see his car, placed my card,he called and I reached out to listen and seek peace.

It was a powerful experience and learning opportunity.
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Posted: Jun 12, 2006 5:57pm
Apr 21, 2006
Some stories can really spill the tears when witnessing the tragedy that occurs in people's lives. Seeing the deep love between two people shoved into the pain until they can't see or be with each other anymore is sad and understandable. A child dies, unable to be saved with any treatment, and the parents suffocate themselves in their deep sorrow. The arguments brought on by the pain of the experience rips the fragile fabric of their relationship because the wounds have gone so deep. Already wounded, anything else just makes it deeper. Before long, the couple seperates, divorces, and as time passes the wind drifts the sand of time covering the surface of the wound so that life is more bearable and they can go on with their lives.

Years go by and coincidence introduces them to each other again, matured by time and sorrow, grief and loss, and the same chemistry that brought them together the first time brings a familiar flame of warmth. Like the perfectly matched pair, they get reacquainted and discover (the rest of the article here.)

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Posted: Apr 21, 2006 11:24pm

 

 
 
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Lee Down
male, age 45, single
Vancouver, BC, Canada
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I found this at another network and thought it worthwhile to share here also.I have only skimmed through the pdf file and not yet listened to the mp3.....but must say I am fascinated with what I have quickly read.....EnjoyLove Elizabethx___________...
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LOVE IS 100% RESPONSIBLESometime back I read a wonderful piece written by Burt Harding called "There is only YOU!", embracing One(My)Self of course. I found the article profound in its simplicity. "YOU" are LOVE. That is who/what "YOU"ARE. There is...
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