Smelling The Roses

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on November 24, 2019 in collaborating, Community, distraction issues, impediments, Inner Struggles, Inspiration, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Striving

November 24, 2019-

For the longest time, I went through life being purposeful, and regarding taking time with non-essentials as a waste of time. Even time in nature had to be for the purpose of reaching a goal.

Penny got me to slow down, just a bit, and to not look at life as just a thing to be accomplished. Since I wasn’t really all that ambitious, in the conventional sense, learning to relax and not be time-driven was actually refreshing.

Jordan Peterson’s twelfth rule for life is “If You See A Cat on The Road, Pet It.”. Although many of the cats I’ve encountered in life are hardly willing to be petted, the sentiment is a charming one.

Being semi-retired, I now take more time for the gentle pleasures of life. Most of the people in my life understand this, and many say it’s high time. I have encountered a few who take umbrage at my pastimes, and their words sometimes trigger memories of my past. This leads me to lash out, as I did in the earlier version of this post. Time away, reading “Abby Wize”, brought me back down to the level at which I am in a better frame of mind. Nobody likes being triggered, yet I need to keep above it.

That is the thing. I have worked hard, at a number of endeavours, both professionally and socially. I have earned a measure of taking time to smell the roses. Lest anyone think I was playing the victim card earlier- think again. Lest anyone think I am dodging social responsibility, think twice. I continue to be very much involved in community activities. That, to me, is part of taking time for what is beautiful in life. Towards that end, I enjoy walking in our lovely town, spending much time in leisurely walks through nature. I will continue to enjoy time with non-judgmental people. I will pet animals, especially dogs, which enjoy that kind of attention. As you may have guessed, I will also continue to travel widely, especially towards the late spring and summer months of next year. As Dr. Peterson says, taking time for what is meaningful is what keeps us in good health, and even helps the sick to recover.

This concludes my first set of commentaries on the Twelve Rules for Life.

Fulfilling vs. Expedient

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on November 11, 2019 in collaborating, Inspiration, Personal Values, Service Activities, Striving

November 11, 2019, Santa Monica-

A few days ago, back at Home Base, I found that some javelinas had knocked over a couple of neighbours’ trashcans. Although it was early morning and I was in relaxation mode, there was the element of “We don’t have to live like this”, which has long been my mantra, with regard to tolerating a squalid environment. I went outside and picked up the entire mess.

Jordan Peterson’s seventh rule for living is “Do what is fulfilling, instead of what is expedient”. My mother never let us slide, when it was time to get a task, chore or school assignment done. God knows, there were plenty of times when I would have loved to hang loose and slack off. It is a blessing that I never got away with it.

Many times, people have said to me that I do things “the hard way”. Mostly, if I do such things, it is so I can remember how to do them properly, the next time. As for not being necessarily expedient, I have found that cutting corners almost always returns to haunt me. It’s better to go the extra mile, the first time.

That is also the way of the veteran, whose service rarely, if ever, allowed for expediency.

Growing My Vision, Part II

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on October 24, 2019 in Inspiration, Matters of Faith, Personal goals, Personal Values, Service Activities, Spiritual, Striving

October 24, 2019-

I’ve had a fair amount of time to reflect on how life has been, and where it’s going. An online purveyor of life coaching is claiming I will “stagnate”, if I don’t pay for his coaching method, as opposed to The Law of Attraction and its 11 corollary laws, which he says “fail”.

Well, so far, since I studied and implemented these twelve laws, my life has, for the most part, worked out in a satisfying way. He sees me as stagnating, because my nest egg is modest, I don’t have one special significant other, and my travel plans don’t involve expensive resorts. Sound familiar?

I live in a small apartment-true, but it’s comfortable. I live in a town where I am, for the most part, loved and respected. I would only move, if it seemed like my family needed me to be closer. So far, I have seen no indication of that. I do plan on a more fluid schedule, even more of being on the move, after next year-but that’s also contingent on whether I am needed by anyone. Family will always trump journeys of discovery.

There is also the slim possibility of serving at the Baha’i World Centre, in Israel, for 12-18 months, in a couple of years. It would be strictly dependent on that institution’s needs.

My vision, regardless, will continue to grow. There are always new things to learn about the nature of the soul, about quantum physics and the vastness of the Universe, both macro and micro. There are always new friends to make and new things to learn about those in my life at present.

The old dog is up for learning new tricks. Just don’t ask me to jump out of a plane, unless the thing is going down.

Mandala

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on September 22, 2019 in collaborating, Community, Matters of Faith, Personal goals, Personal Values, Service Activities, Spiritual, Striving

September 22, 2019-

The mandala was prescient.

This is the last day of summer/winter (I reference the juxtaposed seasons, in acknowledging the essential unity of north and south. Both extreme seasons present challenges.) Fall/spring, starting tomorrow, will offer celebrations of fruition or of new beginnings.

I drew a mandala, yesterday, in the course of attending a small peace gathering, in the early evening. Being no great artist, but having a curiosity, I let the Universe guide my thoughts, starting with a bright, fiery orange circle and moving outwards.

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Clashing, opposing colours are placed alongside, or in succession to, one another. A green human and animals of colours with which they are not normally associated, occupy the outer layer. That you may not be able to distinguish which is which, is a testimony to my own rudimentary art skills and to the thick, stubby crayons provided. No matter-the message is one of coexisting with differences and among opposites.

That was a key point of the entire day. I spent a good part of Saturday walking a hilly neighbourhood, visiting people ranging from a transplanted Southern man proudly displaying a Confederate flag to a young woman professional and her dogs, all for the sake of verifying that the homes either had working smoke alarms or that my team mate and I installed them, before leaving the area. It was all part of a concerted effort by the Red Cross to keep yet another neighbourhood safe. Most people in the area covered have indeed tended to their own safety. Heightened awareness, and insurance company diligence, have greatly lessened our workload.

After resting a bit, the evening Peace events beckoned. I walked a labyrinth, at a church up the street, savouring the serenity that such calm attention to detail brings. Then came mandala activity, followed by three of us Baha’is saying prayers, in front of a very small audience-quality not quantity! Before we prayed, a very nice lady, who had practiced three songs of peace, but had not had an audience for her scheduled performance, was invited to offer the songs. Delivered a capella, these original songs, in a soft jazz lilt, created a lingering air of power and strength.

The evening brought another activity- Dances of World Peace, which I learned is an ongoing monthly activity of the Prescott Sufi Community. Building peace between individuals, these dances involve following a few fairly simple moves, and rotating among partners-without regard to gender or age. The point is acknowledging each person’s presence and spirituality. That draws people out of pre-conceived notions and out of their comfort zones. Yet, as I think of it, that which takes me out of my own comfort zone, has the effect of expanding that zone.

The mandala was prescient. It had me draw opposites together, which is really the point of world unity. The past several days, most recently this morning, I have been contacted by social media friends from countries I’ve never visited, and which have not been on my immediate radar. The Universe is telling me, a few years in advance, to get ready to expand my world, and comfort zone, even further.

The words that came to me, to write on the mandala: “Night is the frontier we cross. Daylight waits beyond the gate of trial.”

Home Is Fluid

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on September 17, 2019 in Community, distraction issues, impediments, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Striving

September 17, 2019-

“Well help me figure this place out. I know I’m an outsider, but I’m not an enemy.” “No, you’re not. But in this town those two words mean the same thing.” – Toni Morrison, “Paradise”

So, I was part of an interview, this morning, promoting a Home Safety event, sponsored by the American Red Cross, and to be held this coming Saturday. Inside that little room, among friends, I felt like somebody, safe and honoured. The interview went well, and I felt secure in sharing it on social media, once back in my apartment.

Walking from the studio to Ms. Natural’s, I crossed the Courthouse Plaza, normally a neutral place, where all are welcome, at least officially. Today, I had to pass by those who glared at me in my Red Cross shirt and ball cap; pass by the well-to-do, who look down at anyone not dressed for business. It’s never pleasant dealing with the Self-Perceived Originals, in any community.

It was much different at Ms. Natural’s, as it always is. Claudia and the young ladies are not from here, either, and know some of what gets thrown around, by some of the Pioneer Families and the faux elite. I am at home there. Sharlot Hall, one of the original pioneers, for whom Prescott’s Historical Museum is named, would spin in her grave at the pretense and the snobbery.

No matter; I am here to serve those who need it and just have to put my lingering Impostor Syndrome and refugee mentality aside. The people who accept me, and take me into their circle, are also from somewhere else. These are the ones who matter. They are the ones who make it all worthwhile. Home, for me, is a fluid term.

A Sense of the Present Mood

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on September 14, 2019 in collaborating, Community, impediments, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Striving

September 14, 2019-

I went over to Farmers’ Market, this morning, and found more of a subdued mood. I’m not sure what is going on, but I basically bought what I was planning to get, and did not get into any conversations-even normally friendly people were very much into themselves. A harpist, who was playing as a featured musician, was emotionally very distant from any of the people walking by. I liked her music, and left a tip, as usual, but with no acknowledgement.

There was quite a bit more animation at Prescott Stand Down, our annual distribution of clothing and outdoor equipment to veterans who are in varying degrees of homelessness. It is indicative of our community’s positive outlook towards the homeless, that a dedicated park for their feeding and recreation has been established through a partnership of community agencies and the Hilton Corporation, after the latter took out a long-term lease on city property that had been the site of a squatters’ camp. The displaced can now at least get a meal on Saturday (typically an off-day for other groups that feed during the week or on Sundays. There are also maintained toilets and paths for walking.

At my last meeting of the day, planning Hope Fest, which takes place two weeks from today, an offhand remark was made about how girls do well to be a bit sassy. I believe that speaking up for oneself is a very basic skill, that ALL children should be taught. My young charge of yesterday has been so taught. So are several children who were present at this planning meeting. They will be higher-functioning adults, as a result.

What happens when a child is oppressed and battered, on the other hand, has been chillingly borne out by the behaviour of a person whom I tried to help, last Fall, only to to encounter resistance and personal attacks. This same one has tried to get me to resume contact. The old saw- “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me,” comes into play. The needs of such a person go far beyond what one individual can provide. I leave that matter to the wider community.

On the other hand, working with organized groups remains a source of fulfillment. I don’t regard being part of a team as either an act of cowardice or an attempt to dodge personal responsibility, as a few have suggested, elsewhere. There are simply a good many social tasks, even involving one troubled individual, which cannot be done well by a person acting alone. I have lost a few friends over the above-mentioned issue, but my take remains as described here.

The Gold Standard

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on September 9, 2019 in Community, Inspiration, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Striving

September 9, 2019-

Bill Tracy passed away last Thursday, after a month-long decline, triggered by a fall from the roof of his Palm Desert restaurant. Bill was one of those rare individuals whose concept of business was primarily as a means of giving back. He had three restaurants in Prescott-The Dinner Bell (ironically, a breakfast and lunch establishment), Bill’s Pizza and Bill’s Grill. Feeling age, he sold those establishments, in 2015, to a friend who has kept Bill’s vision. Bill’s Pizza, for example, donated about twenty large pies to the Farmers’ Market Board, yesterday, to feed volunteers and staff at the Farm-to-Table Dinner.

Bill’s philanthropy was where his heart was. He gave to a variety of causes and regarded the needs of the community, both in Prescott and in the Palm Springs area. He has helped our local Red Cross Chapter, as well as the Farmers’ Market and a local street ministry. Bill hired those who were disadvantaged, and worked with them to develop job skills. I have eaten at all three of his restaurants, on several occasions over the years. I never met the man, but I saw his ethic at work and notice that there is a close camaraderie in each of the establishments.

People like Bill Tracy are the gold standard, combining social sense, business sense and deep character. Many of us strive to develop one or another of these qualities, and make a good effort at it. Bill had the drive and sense of constancy to keep up with the changes and chances of economic downturns-and was a force in establishing shelters and care programs for the homeless, both in Prescott and in the Palm Springs area.

He won’t return to Prescott, but I daresay his spirit will never leave this community.

Back to Harmony

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on September 8, 2019 in Assistance, Community, distraction issues, impediments, Inner Struggles, Inspiration, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Striving

September 8, 2019-

Yesterday, I let the sour mood pass through. I think it was a reaction to the falling barometer. We got about 1.3 inches of rain, in this neighbourhood and in points east. A trip to the laundromat, on the northwest side of town, revealed continued “dry as a bone” conditions. Whilst at Farmers’ Market, I learned, from a vendor, who is a mutual acquaintance, that an erstwhile tormentor had found some peace in her life. That is comforting, as unhurt people are less likely to hurt people. As the day wore on, and the rain had passed, I felt more in tune. Spiritual Feast, in the evening, was vibrant and well-attended, another uplift.

Today has seen a nice breakfast at Post 6 come and go. Now the long and celebratory Farm-to-Table Dinner will occupy my afternoon and evening. This is one of four large social events of the Autumn-three of them this month and the last, on November 2, which will keep me connected to the community and offer a form of activity, in addition to Planet Fitness and whatever hiking I do, here and elsewhere in the Southwest. Service projects, other than the above, will also be performed, through the Red Cross. Home safety, simply put, is our major focus, in areas at risk for wildfire.

The message comes to me that disharmony is, largely, actually a product of not being in sync with the community. Letting other people’s pain affect my own self-concept is a disservice, to them and to myself. So, back to a state of balance I go.

Today will make many people happy.

Inside and Out

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on September 3, 2019 in Community, impediments, Inner Struggles, Service Activities, Social, Striving

September 3, 2019-

I stopped, briefly, at the new location of SunFlour Shops, about four doors down from the former SunFlour Market. My purpose was to deliver a bouquet of sunflowers, on the occasion of the store’s Grand Opening. This, I did, and was treated to a fine cup of coffee, whilst the owner hobnobbed with the people who will make up her primary customer base.

The store is more focused on dry goods than its predecessor, although her fresh-baked pastries are still featured, along with espresso and other coffee drinks.

As a result, seating is less of a priority, at this point. There is, however, a huge patio, which will be amenable to visitors tarrying, in a month or so, when the heat subsides.

The storefront is not signed, as yet, but I knew the location from the window decorations.

My time there was limited by two things: I wasn’t entirely welcome in the shop and there was a meeting of the Prescott Red Cross Chapter, where I was welcome and where my input on a few things was needed. After being asked if I needed anything else, I left Superior quietly and headed back to Home Base, getting to the Red Cross office, in time for a barbecue and the brief meeting.

The two situations are a snapshot of my relations with groups. There have been, historically, few groups where I have been “on the inside”. The old SunFlour was one of those. The Red Cross Chapter has evolved into such a place. My last fulltime place of employment was, as well, until newcomers decided I was not ” a good fit”.

These situations are always fluid, given the vagaries of human nature. So, I’ve learned where, with whom, and how much time, I should focus. It’s no surprise that some parts of southern California, the Midwest and South are always places of refuge. The area of my childhood and youth will remain welcoming, also. Wherever my little family is, likewise, will be home. Prescott, and a few other places in Arizona, are ever home.

Maybe it’s more because of my more globally-focused nature, that I am more of an outsider. It’s not something that hurts all that much, though running into closed groups is always a challenge.