Model Behavior

I introduced you to Gwenn Jones back on July 13th, 2013 (see archive). As the world spins in torment and the agony of self-incrimination, I thought I would share how Gwennie responds to the madness...

I recently read a Patricia Storace quote: (The Book of Heaven) "Women are the knights without armor, the soldiers without an army." As terror grips the planet, take comfort knowing there are those who stir the stagnation of fear by tracing the infinity sign in the morass whispering, "thank you." Not in ignorance, but defiance.

Ahlan wa Sahlaw

The welcome I extend is to the first visitor from the United Arab Emirate. (first new country since the Bahama's on 7-20-15) The UAE consists of 7 emirates with Abu Dhabi serving as the capital. It is an Islamic country who's official language is Arabic. Interestingly, immigrants outnumber nationals by a 9 to 1 ratio. I am curious if the visitor is an actual Emirati, or an ex-patriot currently residing in the UAE. I had a former teammate from Troy High School (Brian Lester) who once lived there for some time, coaching a basketball team in Dubai. Still, I know so very little of the country, I would be grateful if the unknown guest would take time to post a comment and tell us about themselves, how they found this blog, and anything permissible to share (it seems wise, given the circumstances, to be discreet on social media). Maa salama!

Source of Gratitude

Your brain makes instantaneous evaluations of everything, in terms of threat or benefit (approach or avoid--fight or flight). No conscious reasoning goes into these evaluations. You actually have what is called an "affective reaction" just reading words (for instance; happiness or disgust). Because affective reactions are so tightly integrated with perception, we can find our self liking or disliking something the instant we notice or experience it. What G-G-G promotes is honoring the initial experience, (be it thought or emotion) then allowing for other possibilities of perception to present themselves.

The possibility we strive for is the event (whatever it may be) being viewed as a "gift." When we experience something negatively, it takes aptitude (skill) to create a scenario of that negative event being seen in such a way. (ie; as a gift.)  We aren't grateful when we lose a job, for instance. What we encourage and ask our readers to do is foster a BELIEF that the universe is inherently biased toward expansion. A baby does not want to leave the womb and is forcibly ejected, screaming and crying. Trauma! Yet we all know it is essential for the baby's growth. The events in your life can be interpreted in the same fashion. As much as it hurts, as painful as it might be, the attitude that it is an expansive experience that currently defies our understanding can be cultivated.

While it is true the heart constantly sends messages to the brain, it is also true the brain has an innate ability to disregard the messages. Think of those that have anger management problems. The heart tells the brain this isn't good for us--yet the brain justifies and continues the behavior. (however irrational) Unless and until the brain is harnessed, the hearts communication is lost in the ongoing and persistent "chatter" of the brain. And that chatter is going to consist of justification of one's behavior. (As an example: victims feel totally justified whether they have actually been victimized or not. http://www.newschannel5.com/news/local-news/woman-arrested-after-she-said-she-pulled-gun-inself-defense)

It is the view at G-G-G that gratitude is the outcome of perceiving events (life experiences) as a gift. Perceiving events as a gift when everything you know or believe tells you otherwise is a difficult proposition. Why aren't I grateful for this gift? That question reveals the personal bias in play that can sabotage any further consideration of the event. If there is no further consideration of the event, we won't be, can't possibly be, grateful for that event. It is in this sense, the ability to invert, expand, disassemble, or reconstruct the event into a gift, is where the learning takes place.

To understand "gift" as essential for gratitude, see the very first post AURORA. Use the Blog Archive to the right. Click on 2012 and scroll to the bottom.

(A readers question ["What do you mean a learned skill, I thought gratitude comes from the heart."] was the source of this post--thank you.)

Sign of the Times

Quaquaversal

God whispered, "Write."

I laughed, "Why? I've told them what they need to know and they don't understand."

She said, "It doesn't matter. Try again."

"They are locked in their paradigms," I replied. "And they are really, really stupid. I am sorry, but they are."

A smile flickered as He asked, "And you?"

"Less so."

"Tell them how."


1) God isn't anything that you can describe. God is limitless.

2) You get to see aspects of God.

3) The aspects you see are your life experiences.

4) The experiences you have are dynamic--not static.

5) This means experiences are SUBJECT TO CHANGE!

6) You can change (alter, amend, modify, revise or redact) your experience.

7) The quality of change is usually (but not always) subject to your involvement, interest, enthusiasm, adaptability and perseverance.

8) You can view your efforts impersonally. Results are neither endorsements nor rejections.

9) God encompasses whimsy and extravagance. (google; leafy sea dragon) Limitations are the cornerstone of your paradigm.

10) Expect nothing--ask for everything.


"Happy?"

"Are you?"

"Won't do much good."

"We'll see..."

"Ha!"

"I suggest you review # 8."

"Touche."

"...Pat, thanks..."

"Good Lord it wasn't anything..."

"Either am I."

"You can't be anything if you're everything."

"So you did have something to say after all."

"I've already told them that."

"Yeah, but you know how everybody loves Cliffs Notes."

That Tat

I admire Bekah Miles and I don't wish anything I am about to say to be interpreted as criticism. She is brave to have come forth publicly with her problem. That said, it is important you are aware that 'Save Me' is nothing more than a compelling, seductive, spiritual snare. Those with a conscious spiritual directive (as I assume those who come to this site have) would do well to avoid the pitfall of anything resembling a "messiah complex."

As spiritually driven individuals it is inherent in our nature that we reach out to help others. Success, however, can lead to credit oneself for that which Life does through us. Here the ego plays on our vanity and we start believing we're something we aren't. That it was our power (intellect, wisdom, character) that initiated the transformation, when, in fact, it was our ability to let God (Life) work unopposed by ego that brought about any particular change. Personal feelings of what is best for an individual must be set aside so that their truth emerges--not a confirmation of ours.

What I believe would be beneficial for Bekah to realize is: No one can do it for Bekah but Bekah, so 'Save Me' is misguided. I think she unconsciously realizes this because she is the only one able to read the message Save Me, while everyone else sees I'm Fine. (although it is interesting to me that I'm Fine is harder to detect [not as legible] as Save Me--again, an unconscious clue) The other revealing detail was her use of the word, should. ("when I know I should be happy") Should is a very restrictive word. It reveals how things are suppose to be. If things aren't that way, then something must certainly be wrong. And is so often the case, the individuals blame themselves. (there must be something wrong with me!) Should is a very harsh taskmaster. Much better is replacing the word should with could. Not only in this specific case, but in nearly all situations.

I'm Fine Save Me

A young lady (Bekah Miles) has received a great deal of attention for sharing a Facebook post regarding a tattoo she got above her left knee. Read from our point of view it says I'm Fine. From her point of view (looking down) it reads Save Me. She meant for it to be a conversation starter for mental illness.



See her story here...

"To me it means that others see this person that seems okay, but, in reality, is not okay at all. It reminds me that people who may appear happy, may be at battle with themselves." Bekah then goes on to write what depression means to her: "To me, depression is..." concluding with; "Depression is the tears I have because I don't know why I feel so worthless, when I know I should feel happy."

Of course this comes as no surprise to me. (Or you either, if you have been reading this blog.) On October 10th, 2012, I wrote the following in the post Not Good Enough:

"Whenever I engage with an individual on an authentic, genuine level, the deeply ingrained feeling of not being "good enough" will surface. Time and again, over and over, this "hidden" secret comes out. Exploring it's range and scope usually reveals the obstacles that individual is currently dealing with, or has buried to their detriment. It is so prevalent it is predictable."

I wish to be clear; I have no degree in psychology. I am not a trained therapist. What I am is a person who has a relationship with God (or Life, the Presence, Cosmic Consciousness--whatever you wish to call it). Within that relationship certain things are brought to my attention that are obvious. You may disagree with my conclusion or maintain I oversimplify serious mental illnesses. I won't argue with you. But I will ask you this: try it. Put G-G-G to the test. Start by sliding down the page and reading About That Vase (8-5-15) or archiving Wabi Sabi (2-13-14). Read the rest of Not Good Enough. If you are interested, read the entire blog and get a real sense of what it is I'm suggesting. Then come at me with everything you've got! (which, if we're being totally honest, may include a disorder or two of your very own)

--- View the  Huffington Post write up of August 31, 2015 ---