Category Archives: Community

The Road to Diamond, Day 60: Floating and Weaving

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Posted by on in animal and plant life, Assistance, collaborating, Community, impediments, Inner Struggles, Inspiration, Matters of Faith, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

January 27, 2025, Hong Kong– When I was a teen, boxers would speak of the technique of bobbing and weaving, as a means of dodging an opponent’s punches and getting in blows of their own. On a long-distance aircraft, the techniques for safely navigating an expanse of ocean, or of continent, or both, require knowing when to move aside an air current and when to “float” through it. The flight crew of our Cathay Pacific craft handled the turbulence over the mid-Pacific very well tonight.

It is the time of Lunar New Year, ringing in the Year of the (Wood) Snake. The holiday in general leads thousands upon thousands of East Asian people to travel to their ancestral homes, and there was quite a multitude in LAX, on our flight and others like it, and in the transit lines at Hong Kong International Airport. We moved, sometimes in flow and at other times haltingly, but there was only a minimal delay in take-offs and in deplaning upon landing. What issues arose were mostly because of scanning issues, with regard to passports and boarding passes, or because people did not understand the concept of facial scanning. It could be construed as a privacy issue, but to me, the government knows what I look like already and I have nothing to hide from any given national authority, so I look straight into the screening device and am waved on my way.

Wedged as I was between two Chinese men, both bigger than I, on the fifteen hour haul from Los Angeles to Hong Kong, it was nonetheless a stress free leg. The three of us had an unspoken agreement that when Window Seat passenger needed to answer nature’s call, we all found our way to the Comfort Room, Aisle Seat passenger going last. There is plenty of leg room and a fairly ergonomic seat construction. Even though we were at the very last row before the galley cabinets, room was still made for us to recline our seats. In fairness to everyone else, who had to bring their seats upright at meal times, we uprighted ours as well. The meals themselves, dinner and breakfast, were fully balanced and appetizing, by airline standards.

I slept for probably 6.4-7 hours, during the flight, availing myself of three films, during the waking portion. “The Wild Robot” explored the notion of adapting Artificial Intelligence to interpreting and communicating with non-human sentient beings. It also considered the adaptation of AI independence from possible future orthodoxy and repression. “Kingdom of Heaven” followed one man’s spiritual progress through the terrifying time of the Second Crusade, and the overarching climate of relative harmony between Christian, Jew and Muslim up until the time that a boorish claque of English and French nobles used the death of the Christian King of Jerusalem and Acre (Akko) as a pretext to seat one of their own on the throne and to wage war against the mighty Saladin. Various documented aspects of the actual Second Crusade, which ended with Saladin’s capture of Jerusalem were incorporated into the film’s narrative, but the story was greatly embellished. “High Noon”, a classic Western of the early 1950s, is a film I had not seen, though I was named for its lead actor, Gary Cooper, and its themes of the nobility of a true hero and the fecklessness of both politicians and the average “get-along” citizen are quite remarkably presented. The film is about 1 hour long,and its plot concerns itself with one hour in the life of a small southern New Mexico town of the 1880s.

So, my time crossing the Pacific was well-spent, and now I ready myself for the final 2-hour flight to Manila. Much will be decided, these next three weeks.

The Road to Diamond, Day 57: Better Power Source

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, Entertainment, impediments, Inspiration, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

January 24, 2025- In the end, I can remember four of the five elements that inspirational rapper Colby Jeffers listed, during the course of his Better World concert this afternoon, at Prescott’s Yavapai College. Better knowledge, principles, creativity, power source, and one element that I have blanked out, were the main focuses of Colby’s message to both college age youth and mostly Boomer adults who gathered to hear his message.

Hip hop concerts, especially during the Friday lunch hour, attract people who can stay for a while, enjoy some of the songs and then have to go on to meetings, athletic practices or Friday seminars. Ten of us stayed for the entire session because, well, we can use the connectivity.

At my age, when I am a bit fatigued, especially at the end of a day, I yearn for a better power source. I don’t feel on the verge of dementia, but it would be nice to have longer recall, without having to take copious notes. Maybe I’ve always been the sort who’s needed to write things down, yet it rankles more now.

Hah! The fourth pillar is better action. That was on the edge of my tongue for a while. The last step of any prayer is action, otherwise one is stuck looking at the bridge that isn’t building itself. So, in order to get a handle on this little “brain blip”, I put on some choral music this evening and stimulated that part of my cerebrum that tends to put a choke hold on certain nuggets of cognition. Music is, for me, a better power source than is “dry” recall.

Better knowledge leads to better principles, creativity, action-and power source. I knew I could get this recapped, sooner or later!

The Road to Diamond, Day 56: The Blessing, or The Curse?

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Posted by on in collaborating, Community, impediments, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

January 23, 2025- A meteorologist in Milwaukee was fired by her manager, at a TV station, ostensibly for publicly using profanity to criticize a certain public figure for displaying a Nazi salute. The manager reportedly said it was about the cuss words, not the criticism per se. Fair point, and as the son-in-law of a departed American combat veteran, who was also a Prisoner-of-War during the final months of World War II, and was a Jew, may I ask for grace to be given to the foul-mouthed commentator, and never mind that she was expected only to provide a weather forecast?

The cheapest of all shots made at athletes, musicians, actors, comedians, and others in the entertainment sector is the message that they should play, sing, act,make us laugh-and leave the social commentary to “citizens”. The late Bill Walton had it right, when he urged his coach, the legendary John Wooden, of UCLA, to speak out against the Vietnam War. Coach Wooden had expressed his opinions privately, and Walton was telling his mentor that speaking out was the proper way of the citizen. Entertainers are full-on human beings, and do not deserve to be shut out of the public sphere. Colin Kaeparnick has the right to express his views, in a non-violent way. So do Mel Gibson and James Woods. expressing views that are opposite Kaepernick’s. Marlon Brando and George C. Scott got into it with John Wayne and Charlton Heston, back in the day. Each of them had the right to speak out, as well as to ply their craft.

Freedom is a blessing, even unto those who curse. It is not without cost, and I don’t just mean the sacrifices of military or First Responders. It is a sacrifice unto all, when we must be confronted with habits and mannerisms that we personally find offensive. It is a challenge, when we must stand against those, even in our own ranks, who would take that freedom away from certain people-because they find that freedom rankling. What is taken from one, as my father once said, relative to George Lincoln Rockwell, (whom he loathed) may be taken from anyone else.

Devout people of faith and those of no faith have the same rights under the Creator, no matter their relationship with the Divine.

The Road to Diamond, Day 55: Eggs

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Posted by on in animal and plant life, collaborating, Community, impediments, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

January 22, 2025- Whilst shopping for other breakfast items yesterday, at Trader Joe’s, I encountered two store employees explaining to another shopper that they were out of eggs. It seems that the wholesale distributors have put grocery stores and some restaurants in a pool. Every establishment gets an allotment, usually on a daily or semi-weekly basis. TJ’s would have received their allotment this morning, and probably again on Friday.

Like toilet paper before it, the egg has become in short supply due to a virus. This time, it’s avian flu that is the villain. As poultry, and, for the most part, not people, are the direct victims, all we can do is wait. https://www.abc15.com/news/national/america-is-in-the-middle-of-an-egg-shortage-causing-prices-to-rise

I am not an eggs for breakfast, every morning, sort of soul. I like a plate of scrambled eggs, meat and home-fried potatoes, once or twice a week. I like an occasional omelet. Otherwise, I am not an egg aficionado. I do, however, feel for those who can’t be without the food. We are, simply put, reaping the benefits of industrialized agriculture. Viruses and bacteria thrive in environments where animals, (including humans), are crammed too close together; where hygiene is second fiddle to moving product; where hormones and chemicals are administered to the “producers” (hens), to increase output. The same disease risk faces cattle, swine and sheep. Farmed fish have their own hygiene risk factor.

The egg crisis will pass, though it may, like the TP crisis before it, force people to look at alternatives, in the event of a worst case scenario. It is not, on its face, the government’s fault, though pulling out of WHO was probably not a good idea. It is not the fault of the distributors, who are at least for now, trying to be as fair as they can to retailers and to the public. It is not the fault of the retailers, who at least for now, are tempering the law of supply and demand with the need to stay on the good side of their customers.

Let’s see what the large producers can do, on their own, to safeguard their animals-and take the long view of the matter. People will still want eggs for breakfast, 10, 20, 50 years from now. Going back to smaller flocks, with more actual free-roaming space, would seem to be one answer. Removing hormones, chemicals and antibiotics from the regimen is definitely another practice worth considering.

The Road to Diamond, Day 54: Common Sense

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, Inspiration, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

January 21, 2025- One of the stated principles of the new administration in the Executive Branch is “the return of common sense.” We’ll see.

The concept means different things to different people. As one who used to overthink matters, or rush through things without a thorough thought-process, or sometimes both at once, I began to consistently adhere to common sense, rather late in life. Now, though, even the most random or novel of events are unlikely to throw me off.

There are matters that would appear to be easily decided by common sense-like “two sexes”. That is what is necessary for natural procreation. IVF and artificial insemination also require a male/female interaction. In the world of modern genetics, however, the effects of chemical contamination, from microplastics in the blood stream to adulterated foods, have been more and more evident in the past three decades. Thus, mutations present themselves, across the world of nature, including the human race. Common sense tells me to accept people as they are.

There is the matter of criminal justice. “What constitutes a crime?” is a process that has evolved, since the dawn of civilization as we know it, across the continent of Asia, in northeast Africa and in various parts of the Americas. Punishment of crimes has likewise evolved. Common sense would seem to indicate that a crime has been committed when one or more persons cause injury or death to one or more other people, or when they steal, or cause damage to, public property or the private property of others. This has been complicated, by the notion that public order is at risk, if a certain level of respect is not shown to rulers or other public officials. Common sense tells me that ridicule, alone, does not impede a leader’s , or other official’s, ability to do her/his job. An emotionally secure person can take quite a lot of ridicule.

We will see to what extent common sense prevails, in the next four years-and beyond.

The Road to Diamond, Day 53: Widen the Circle

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Posted by on in children, collaborating, Community, impediments, Inspiration, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving

January 20, 2025- Over 400 people gathered at the modest United Methodist Church, in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Many marched from Prescott College, around the Courthouse and back to the church. Others gathered at the church, in advance of the celebration. I walked from Home Base I to the College, and caught up with the marchers as they were stopped on the west side of Courthouse Square, then went over to the Church.

The celebration itself had several moments of joy, especially a lengthy spoken word poem and address by Jeff Daverman, a progressive activist. He again stressed the need to maintain action, in pursuit of one’s goals, especially as it pertains to justice. Jeff stressed nonviolence, a key point for people across the spectrum to keep in mind, in this time of social ferment. (Is there ever a time when there isn’t social ferment?) After several songs, by Womansong, Rose-Gibbs Duo,and Prescott Interfaith Choir, another activist, Truth B. Told, took the stage and also called for a concerted effort, day to day, to bring about social justice. He also stressed nonviolence, but did not call for non-confrontation. No Black man growing up hard, in a Michigan factory town-or anywhere, for that matter, can be expected to view the world the way Whites view it.

A little girl was soloist for Prescott Interfaith Choir, on a song whose message called for widening the circle. Jeff, and Chris (aka Truth), both spoke to the dilemma faced by Whites, especially in a town with few African-Americans, itself having the past of a Sundown Town. (Except for the few who settled here, in the 1870s, Black people were not allowed to stay overnight in Prescott, until the 1970s.) The circle, in that respect, is a fair amount looser than it was back then. That was 50 years ago, though, and there is a lot more to be done, in the expansion of our diversity.

The thing is, though, diversity cannot be forced, nor can it be contrived. Each individual has the responsibility for her(his) own personal growth. Gimmicks, like DEI committees, will not, of themselves lead to the widening of the circle. Conversely, canceling Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will not make the issues that led to these committees go away. Equity is not a four letter + two word. It means, simply, being impartial and fair. In that respect, it has the same cachet as equality. Inclusion means inviting those who might be marginalized into the decision-making process, especially in matters that pertain to them. Diversity may shake the comfort zones of those whose world has been homogeneous, for a very long time, but it will not shatter that world.

Widening the circle depends on each of us, at least a little, every day.

The Road to Diamond, Day 52: Doughnut Economics

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Posted by on in collaborating, Community, Education, Matters of Faith, Personal Values, service, Social, Spiritual, Striving

January 19, 2025- Consider the musk ox. The animal, found across the Arctic region, will gather in closed herds, with the larger and more robust members forming a circle around the youngest and more infirm members of the group. The needs of all are considered, as the guardians stand shoulder to shoulder against predators, and the neediest are safer from harm.

I have often wondered at the possibility of a human community that would operate under a similar aegis. It has ever seemed possible, given our collective intelligence and drive towards survival. Today, at a devotional brunch, one of the participants spoke of Doughnut Theory, as means for conservative and liberal thinkers to reach common ground.

In 2012, the English economist Kate Raworth published a paper, on behalf of the famine relief organization, Oxfam, calling for an economic model that balances basic human needs with the boundaries of this planet. She called it Doughnut Economics. https://doughnuteconomics.org/about-doughnut-economics. After working in a micro-enterprise project in Zanzibar, in the mid-1990s, Ms. Raworth became critical of the notion of unfettered economic growth. She began to advance a model that promotes meeting the basic needs of every human being, such as nutrition and education, while protecting the ecosystem and thus not limiting opportunities for future generations.

The “wheel” of the doughnut has an inner layer,the social foundation; then there is a mid-section,a regenerative and distributive economy and an outer layer, the ecological ceiling. Outside the “wheel” are the challenges facing humanity: Air pollution, ozone layer depletion, climate change, ocean acidification, chemical pollution, nitrogen and phosphorous loading, freshwater withdrawals, land conversion and biodiversity loss. Inside the “wheel” are the spokes: Gender equality, housing, networks, energy, water, food, health, education, income/work, peace/justice, political voice, and social equity. The risks are two: There can be a shortfall in meeting one or more of these essential needs and there can be an overshooting of facing one or more of the challenges.

It was pointed out, at another gathering, this afternoon, that Baha’u’llah has charged all humanity, from rulers and the learned to the most humble and destitute, to face the challenges of living on this planet as a global community, while retaining responsibility for individual growth and the identities of local communities and nations. In that regard, as well as just a general sense of thoughtfulness, Doughnut Economics is worthy of serious study and efforts at implementation.

The Road to Diamond, Day 51: “Everything’s Gonna Hurt”

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Posted by on in Assistance, children, collaborating, Community, Inspiration, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

January 18, 2025- So said a veteran athletic coach to a pre-teen with whom he had worked a few years back, and had not seen in a while. This was in reference to the boy saying he was almost twelve, which sparked Coach’s musings on the joys of adolescence. Everything does hurt, physically, mentally and emotionally, as the body goes from childhood towards adulthood. It is one reason why, after taking Developmental Psychology, I let go of any residual anger I might have felt towards those who bullied me in junior high school. They, for the most part, grew up to lead lives of industry and decency. Those who did not were pretty much nasty to everyone. They also died young.

I have had few aches and pains in my life. There was a bad back, after lifting my semi-conscious wife in 1991, in a situation that is too delicate and personal to share on this blog. (It was, long story short, due to an allergic reaction to medication.) The rest is negligible, especially compared to the constant woes suffered by so many of my peers. A lot does hurt, as one gets deeper into seniorhood. I give credit to Life Long Vitality supplements, Zinzino oil, healthy diet and regular exercise. Sobriety also has a great deal to do with it.

After a brief bout with some sort of crud, I woke up healthy enough, and non-contagious, so today was a full one: Farmers’ Market, Zeke’s and a Baha’i spiritual feast. I took in a concert by another of Prescott’s best, a cover band called Scandalous Hands. That was where Coach was advising his young protege’. A while later, a man two years my senior was advising a couple of other men close to us in age about thriving in one’s seventies. He himself looked like a picture of health.

It could happen, one day, that everything will hurt. For now, all I am doing for myself and for others is enough to keep the pain at bay.

The Road to Diamond, Day 50: Blessed Cinnamon

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, impediments, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

January 17, 2025- It was bound to happen again. I joined a group for lunch, yesterday, and though I sat away from someone who said he’d been sick for the last few days, the sickness found its way into me. I woke up this morning dragging, even after showering and getting self together. By afternoon, the chills and nausea were cues to huddle under thick blankets and a comforter. I forewent attending a matinee concert, in mid-afternoon,but it became clear that I had to knock this illness out of me, before a fairly busy weekend.

Hot cider with cinnamon came to the rescue, and attending an evening Zoom call was not at all difficult. I have found that herbs and spices, from cinnamon to chili, will knock the daylights out of any bacterial infection, even minimizing viruses, as they run their course. Besides, the herbs and spices tend to taste good. I sit here tonight, and feel nearly new.

Faith and healing keep even the harshest infections at bay. It should be a fine weekend.

The Road to Diamond, Day 49: Move Without Fear

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Posted by on in Assistance, Community, distraction issues, impediments, Inspiration, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

January 16, 2025- The woman sitting across from me at lunch was unequivocal: “Asking people to vote for a woman of colour for President was a waste of time.” She went on further, looking at other races that did not go to her liking, and concluding that it is best to conserve money and energy to only run candidates in races that they have a chance of winning.

Conventional practices bring conventional results-until they don’t. I have a lifetime of “punching above my weight”, with checkered results. Looking back, though, my regrets are primarily due, not to taking on challenges, but to lack of preparation and of self-confidence. I have also been guilty of placing too much trust in those who have, in retrospect, given every indication that they had no intention of acting honestly. Following a tack of business as usual has not ended well, in such circumstances. Yet, here we are.

Elections are a basic part of life in a free society, but they are only a part. The hard work of citizenship, if it is to meet with success, has to cast the conventional out, when it no longer works. Typecasting people, by race and/or gender, is an idea that no longer works, if indeed it ever did. Limiting effort, by placing too much emphasis on money and time, especially on the former, is more a reflection of fear and fatigue than on meeting the actual needs of our society-as it exists now. Holding meetings in secret and consigning decisions to a select few is a shopworn idea, counterproductive to progressives and conservatives alike. This last would be well remembered by those who are “okay” with government by oligarchs, who by the way, may be found on both ends of the political spectrum.

Finally, there is the same hand-wringing I have heard, about “what’s wrong with the young people?”, that I’ve heard since I was a teenager myself. Heck, similar messages have been translated from hieroglyphics! What I hear from younger people is that they respect authenticity, above all else. That’s no surprise, given that the primary job of a young human is self-discovery. Fakery is lethal to someone just starting out in life. The second most important quality to youth is courage. Left, right, in -between, fearlessness is what will bring one across the finish line.

Stand tall, keep head and eyes clear and heart open. The world cannot progress, covered in yesterday’s dust.