Simply Said

 Greetings to any, for whom this collection of musings finds it's way to you. I have been relatively inactive on this blog (okay, in all honesty it has been languishing somewhere between stagnation and obscurity). I can't say that it was vastly well distributed and read even when I was more consistent (much more). But I did discover there was far more readers than I imagined.

So for now, I will say, I'm going to take another stab at it. I don't know the frequency at present. I think to any hope of keeping anyone's attention, it needs to have some consistency and cannot wait for me to "be inspired." If you've ever read this blog before then you know it consists one occasions of poetry (of sorts) while the musings, meander around encompassing personal experience, perspective, and witnessing of "slices of life" and sharing of what I'll call in this moment - "consciousness dumps..."

Let the games begin: "Jesus" was quoted as saying, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." (Matthew 25:40)

This passage (or the idea my memory held of it) came to the fore today. My partner and I, were having lunch at a coffee/eatery, which is midway from the small town 2hrs. north, where we spent the last 4 or so days, and Victoria which has been "home" for me, my entire life (or said another way, seems like and eternity..) We were nearly ready to leave, when a women was observed going table to table down the long corridor asking people for "spare change." On the one hand, given the state of the economy and the crushing inflation - who has spare money (or money to spare) - except of course, the ?governing bodies that have created the economic crisis, but good luck getting any money from them. You have to travel to some offshore tax haven. But I do digress.

Eventually she made her way to where I was still sitting and asked me the same question she had posed to each table in turn. I said yes, I could come up with something. Am I brimming over with money? Hell no! I got some pension money coming in and that's currently about it. However, I just finished lunch, I would be completing the journey down island in a warm, dry car and be brought back to my apartment (home) also warm and dry (albeit a little low on provisions). I reasoned the $3.00 I gave her would neither make or break my day (how do I know that when I go to the grocery store I won't end up being $3.00 short? I don't, I don't know much - I suppose that's me exercising a little faith).

I can hear some already - "what are you doing, she will just spend it on drugs..." she just might! When I decide to give someone money, I divest myself of any opinion or notion that I have any right to decide what they will, should or should not, spend the money on! For those of you thinking this way, the last time you got a cheque (or auto-deposit) did it come with restrictions or opinions on how you spend it?? (likely not, though those same government bandits, will do just that if left unchecked).... So lighten up on the judgment about what someone else may do. Then there is the other crowd.... "teach a man (or woman) how to fish......." well enough of that too! She wasn't asking for a fish (yes I'm infinitely aware of the parable and use of metaphor). This was an in the moment request (and presumably need) it's not my place to be her "life coach..." in my judgement, she looked tired, she already had to wrestle with herself, and run the risk of some self-righteous inflection be directed her way, each time she asked. Maybe, just maybe people just need a break...

Did I save her life? I don't know... Will this change her life? I don't know that either. She asked me for something and I decided I was able to oblige her request (if even in a small way) she thanked me, I wished her well.... and she moved on. 

Is life really "that simple?" It could be... I don't like how much the government (at all levels) robs from me in taxes. I disagree with their policies and the premises under which they extract that money. I largely don't believe much if any of it is going where they would have us believe it's going. I also don't know how to solve this dilemma. The scenario I described previously is not to "virtue signal" or paint myself as a hero (I'm not looking for accolades) - just describing an example of me - being the change, I want to see in the world. Simply that! I don't know how to stop the wars. But, I have a fighting chance of disarming the arsenal within myself. I don't know how to stop the globalists, but I will refuse to comply with any of their agenda and ignore their "catastrophes!" 

My adopted mother used to say of me, "you could complicate the Lord's prayer" (no she didn't write a book on child-rearing) she also said, "you're as stubborn as the day is long...." she didn't teach me self-confidence or self-respect when I was child. However that childhood served as "grist for the mill..." for my ongoing spiritual journey. She was right, I can over-complicate things - answer: KISS (Keep it Simple Sweetheart). My "stubbornness" at times is nothing more nothing less - than just that. However, it has also be refined to yield persistence, resilience and the ability to stand for what I believe in. Which as time passes I realize means I may well stand "alone..." In the instance of this story, perhaps my actions subject to the scrutiny of others would have me standing alone... However, what if those very actions were what convinced her, in that moment that she wasn't alone????