"Synchronicity is the experience of two or more events that are apparently causally unrelated or unlikely to occur together by chance, yet are experienced as occurring together in a meaningful manner. The concept of synchronicity was first described in this terminology by Carl Gustav Jung, a Swiss psychologist, in the 1920s.[
"The concept does not question, or compete with, the notion of causality. Instead, it maintains that just as events may be grouped by cause, they may also be grouped by meaning. A grouping of events by meaning need not have an explanation in terms of cause and effect." Wikipedia, - the free encyclopedia
We take two routes back to where we camp. Last Saturday afternoon we took the back route, which is through a rather large park and is used for walking dogs, jogging, walking, football and virtually any other field activity. We were early so we sat on a bench for a few hours and simply relaxed and I listened to a few mp3 lectures.
In the field across the path a number of dog owners were playing with their dogs and one in particular caught my attention, "That one looks like the dog I used to have". I was referring to a rather large golden colored dog, possibly a Golden Retriever or maybe even a smaller Leonberger. "It's tail is identical to the ones our dogs have". This dog reminded me of one of the Leonbergers we had, and I spent considerable time walking and playing with in the back yard. It brought back some good memories, I loved those dogs, and especially Bogart, the bigger male. Bogart was not as bright as the smaller female, Leyna, but he was lovable, and needed the extra attention. You see, as a pup, he had been mistreated and kept in a cage that was way too small for such a large dog, and when we got him we knew there must have been some abuse. But, he fit into the family, and was an excellent watch dog, and very protective of us, and the smaller female.
Yesterday my daughter posted an update on her Facebook page, it read "Animal Lovers; My mom's beloved leonberger, Bogart, died this morning at the house. I'm at a lost. What do we do with a 150lbs dog? Who do I call?"
Was this a synchronistic event or just some sort of coincidence? … Coincidence? … No I do not believe so … There are too many such too simply be a thing of chance. And as Jung and others have proved, happen more often than we realize, but we have been taught to write them of, to ignore them. We have been taught wrong … and there is a great deal more we can get out of life, that "God" or the "universe" would have us experience, IF we are willing to consider that there is more, and we don't have it all together, like we were taught.
.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Monday November 26 – two Ghosts and the Boogeyman - Part Three
Scrooge faced a third ghost: “Scrooge looked about him for the Ghost, and saw it not. As the last stroke ceased to vibrate, he remembered the prediction of old Jacob Marley and lifting up his eyes, beheld a solemn Phantom, draped and hooded, coming, like a mist along the ground, towards him.
“THE Phantom slowly, gravely, silently, approached. … It was shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its head, its face, its form, and left nothing of it visible ... But for this it would have been difficult to detach its figure from the night, and separate it from the darkness by which it was surrounded.
“He felt that it was tall and stately when it came beside him, and that its mysterious presence filled him with a solemn dread. He knew no more, for the Spirit neither spoke nor moved.”
Friday night, late, or early Saturday morning, 2 or 3 A.M. probably, we had a visitor. Apparently Mary heard something first, but she thought it was me, so she stayed huddled in her sleeping bag. I heard someone come along side me, and I believe they said “Excuse me”.
My first thoughts were “Damn … It’s the cops.” Then I thought, “Wait a minute, something is wrong here. The cops would be shining their flashlights at us to keep us blind.” And there were NO lights. So I peeked out from under my sleeping bag, and what’s this I see. The ass end of someone crawling up the hill with their pants down, I mean bear assed. I was a bit in shock, but I continued to watch and whoever this was found them a place about 15-20 yards up the hill from us. I wasn’t about to challenge this visitor. He was minding his own business and keeping a safe, respectful distance, so “You stay there and we’ll stay here”.
A bit later I started moving around a bit and this must have awaken him. I could tell where he was by his silhouette, other than that, he was pitch black. He apparently stood up, I thought he was going to leave, but as I watched, he appeared to be “heaving” – throwing up what may have been consumed earlier in the evening. His head hung down and I could tell he had a large hoody on and he reminded me of this third ghost, or the “grim reaper”. Then I thought “It’s the boogeyman”.
“Boogeyman is an amorphous imaginary being used by adults to frighten children into compliant behavior. The monster has no specific appearance, and conceptions about it can vary drastically from household to household within the same community; in many cases, he has no set appearance in the mind of an adult or child, but is simply a non-specific embodiment of terror. Parents may tell their children that if they misbehave, the bogeyman will get them. Bogeymen may target a specific mischief — for instance, a bogeyman that punishes children who suck their thumbs — or general misbehavior, depending on what purpose needs serving. In some cases, the bogeyman is a nickname for the devil.” Wikipedia Online Encyclopedia
He slid down the tree he was against and laid there for the rest of the night. I was watching him for the better part of the night from then on until I eventually fell asleep. I woke about 5:30, we got ourselves together and went on our way. Our visitor was dead to the world and oblivious to anything from his descent down the tree on.
I believe we have no ghosts to be afraid of, I believe the “boogeyman” is real, but more scared of us than we are of him, and if we pay him no mind, he will not come back. The ghosts are illusions, the product of one man’s genius. They are metaphors of life. We can accept them, and live in them, or we can dispel them. It’s our choice. It’s our choice to remain in ignorance and suffer want, or defines our own reality around us, homeless or housed comfortably in the midst of family and friends.
“THE Phantom slowly, gravely, silently, approached. … It was shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its head, its face, its form, and left nothing of it visible ... But for this it would have been difficult to detach its figure from the night, and separate it from the darkness by which it was surrounded.
“He felt that it was tall and stately when it came beside him, and that its mysterious presence filled him with a solemn dread. He knew no more, for the Spirit neither spoke nor moved.”
Friday night, late, or early Saturday morning, 2 or 3 A.M. probably, we had a visitor. Apparently Mary heard something first, but she thought it was me, so she stayed huddled in her sleeping bag. I heard someone come along side me, and I believe they said “Excuse me”.
My first thoughts were “Damn … It’s the cops.” Then I thought, “Wait a minute, something is wrong here. The cops would be shining their flashlights at us to keep us blind.” And there were NO lights. So I peeked out from under my sleeping bag, and what’s this I see. The ass end of someone crawling up the hill with their pants down, I mean bear assed. I was a bit in shock, but I continued to watch and whoever this was found them a place about 15-20 yards up the hill from us. I wasn’t about to challenge this visitor. He was minding his own business and keeping a safe, respectful distance, so “You stay there and we’ll stay here”.
A bit later I started moving around a bit and this must have awaken him. I could tell where he was by his silhouette, other than that, he was pitch black. He apparently stood up, I thought he was going to leave, but as I watched, he appeared to be “heaving” – throwing up what may have been consumed earlier in the evening. His head hung down and I could tell he had a large hoody on and he reminded me of this third ghost, or the “grim reaper”. Then I thought “It’s the boogeyman”.
“Boogeyman is an amorphous imaginary being used by adults to frighten children into compliant behavior. The monster has no specific appearance, and conceptions about it can vary drastically from household to household within the same community; in many cases, he has no set appearance in the mind of an adult or child, but is simply a non-specific embodiment of terror. Parents may tell their children that if they misbehave, the bogeyman will get them. Bogeymen may target a specific mischief — for instance, a bogeyman that punishes children who suck their thumbs — or general misbehavior, depending on what purpose needs serving. In some cases, the bogeyman is a nickname for the devil.” Wikipedia Online Encyclopedia
He slid down the tree he was against and laid there for the rest of the night. I was watching him for the better part of the night from then on until I eventually fell asleep. I woke about 5:30, we got ourselves together and went on our way. Our visitor was dead to the world and oblivious to anything from his descent down the tree on.
I believe we have no ghosts to be afraid of, I believe the “boogeyman” is real, but more scared of us than we are of him, and if we pay him no mind, he will not come back. The ghosts are illusions, the product of one man’s genius. They are metaphors of life. We can accept them, and live in them, or we can dispel them. It’s our choice. It’s our choice to remain in ignorance and suffer want, or defines our own reality around us, homeless or housed comfortably in the midst of family and friends.
Monday November 26 – two Ghosts and the Boogeyman - Part Two
Charles Dickens, in his “A Christmas Carol”, wrote of three “ghosts”, the ghost of Christmas Past, the ghost of Christmas present and the ghost of Christmas yet to come. The second, the ghost of Christmas present was described thus: “It was clothed in one simple green robe, or mantle, bordered with white fur. This garment hung so loosely on the figure that its capacious breast was bare, as if disdaining to be warded or concealed by any artifice. Its feet, observable beneath the ample folds of the garment, were also bare; and on its head it wore no other covering than a holly wreath, set here and there with shining icicles. Its dark brown curls were long and free; free as its genial face, its sparkling eye, its open hand, its cheery voice, its unconstrained demeanor, and its joyful air. Girded round its middle was an antique scabbard; but no sword was in it, and the ancient sheath was eaten up with rust.”
Towards the end of this ghost’s visit with Scrooge, Scrooge noticed something peculiar and: "Forgive me if I am not justified in what I ask," said Scrooge, looking intently at the Spirit's robe, "but I see something strange, and not belonging to yourself, protruding from your skirts. Is it a foot or a claw?"
"It might be a claw, for the flesh there is upon it," was the Spirit's sorrowful reply. "Look here."
“From the folding’s of its robe, it brought two children; wretched, abject, frightful, hideous, miserable. They knelt down at its feet, and clung upon the outside of its garment.
"Oh, Man! look here. Look, look, down here!" exclaimed the Ghost.
“They were a boy and girl. Yellow, meager, ragged, scowling, wolfish; but prostrate, too, in their humility. Where graceful youth should have filled their features out, and touched them with its freshest tints, a stale and shriveled hand, like that of age, had pinched, and twisted them, and pulled them into shreds. Where angels might have sat enthroned, devils lurked, and glared out menacing. No change, no degradation, no perversion of humanity, in any grade, through all the mysteries of wonderful creation, has monsters half so horrible and dread.”
Prior to Thanksgiving I had begun to wonder whether I, or should I say we would have found ourselves under this spirits robe. I don’t believe that to be the case now.
You see, over this week of “Thanksgiving” I have witnessed, and been the beneficiary of a lot of peoples generosity. Starting with the Resource Fair for the Homeless, and Thanksgiving dinners five out of seven nights, including a virtual stampede of volunteers stepping over themselves (and occasionally us) to see that we had anything and all we wanted. I mean I have never seen so much volunteer service put forth by a community. Many, if not most, came from some religious setting, many, just out of the kindness of their hearts. On Thanksgiving Day itself, in the parking lot across from the ARCH, Individuals as well as Church groups were constantly parading in with food, and some with blankets and other assorted clothes. It has been said, and more than once, “it is impossible not to eat in Austin”, and from what I’ve been experiencing, that holds a lot of truth.
It is true, on a natural way of thinking, there could have been a lot more in the way of “coordination”, spreading the blessing over a longer time frame. But that is not the point. The point is people, for whatever reason “giving of themselves”. And there is no way any of us receiving can be thankful enough. Yet there are those who can only find their place under that robe. You see it in the faces all the day long. You hear it in the bitching and griping, ignorance and want.
"Spirit! are they yours?" Scrooge could say no more.
"They are Man's," said the Spirit, looking down upon them. "And they cling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased…”
I am finding, I believe WE are finding, we do not have to suffer the fate of ignorance and want. We are being provided for. Some may simply attribute this to “God’s” grace upon us. Others, our following the innate connection we have with the universe, and subsequently seeing things fall into place. I don’t believe it matters which you believe. It’s all the same. Only different methods and perspectives, but, it’s all the same. Yet I do wonder, as some have expressed, “it’s great to have this kind of outpouring at this holiday season, but what about the rest of the year?” I have no answer. I can only attest to what I have been seeing and personally experiencing, and something is working, and I’m not to overly concerned about the rest of the year. It will take care of itself when it gets here.
Continued
Towards the end of this ghost’s visit with Scrooge, Scrooge noticed something peculiar and: "Forgive me if I am not justified in what I ask," said Scrooge, looking intently at the Spirit's robe, "but I see something strange, and not belonging to yourself, protruding from your skirts. Is it a foot or a claw?"
"It might be a claw, for the flesh there is upon it," was the Spirit's sorrowful reply. "Look here."
“From the folding’s of its robe, it brought two children; wretched, abject, frightful, hideous, miserable. They knelt down at its feet, and clung upon the outside of its garment.
"Oh, Man! look here. Look, look, down here!" exclaimed the Ghost.
“They were a boy and girl. Yellow, meager, ragged, scowling, wolfish; but prostrate, too, in their humility. Where graceful youth should have filled their features out, and touched them with its freshest tints, a stale and shriveled hand, like that of age, had pinched, and twisted them, and pulled them into shreds. Where angels might have sat enthroned, devils lurked, and glared out menacing. No change, no degradation, no perversion of humanity, in any grade, through all the mysteries of wonderful creation, has monsters half so horrible and dread.”
Prior to Thanksgiving I had begun to wonder whether I, or should I say we would have found ourselves under this spirits robe. I don’t believe that to be the case now.
You see, over this week of “Thanksgiving” I have witnessed, and been the beneficiary of a lot of peoples generosity. Starting with the Resource Fair for the Homeless, and Thanksgiving dinners five out of seven nights, including a virtual stampede of volunteers stepping over themselves (and occasionally us) to see that we had anything and all we wanted. I mean I have never seen so much volunteer service put forth by a community. Many, if not most, came from some religious setting, many, just out of the kindness of their hearts. On Thanksgiving Day itself, in the parking lot across from the ARCH, Individuals as well as Church groups were constantly parading in with food, and some with blankets and other assorted clothes. It has been said, and more than once, “it is impossible not to eat in Austin”, and from what I’ve been experiencing, that holds a lot of truth.
It is true, on a natural way of thinking, there could have been a lot more in the way of “coordination”, spreading the blessing over a longer time frame. But that is not the point. The point is people, for whatever reason “giving of themselves”. And there is no way any of us receiving can be thankful enough. Yet there are those who can only find their place under that robe. You see it in the faces all the day long. You hear it in the bitching and griping, ignorance and want.
"Spirit! are they yours?" Scrooge could say no more.
"They are Man's," said the Spirit, looking down upon them. "And they cling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased…”
I am finding, I believe WE are finding, we do not have to suffer the fate of ignorance and want. We are being provided for. Some may simply attribute this to “God’s” grace upon us. Others, our following the innate connection we have with the universe, and subsequently seeing things fall into place. I don’t believe it matters which you believe. It’s all the same. Only different methods and perspectives, but, it’s all the same. Yet I do wonder, as some have expressed, “it’s great to have this kind of outpouring at this holiday season, but what about the rest of the year?” I have no answer. I can only attest to what I have been seeing and personally experiencing, and something is working, and I’m not to overly concerned about the rest of the year. It will take care of itself when it gets here.
Continued
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Monday November 26 – two Ghosts and the Boogeyman
Monday November 26 – two Ghosts and the Boogeyman
From early October for the next six weeks we had been “camping” most nights in a small park at the south end of the University of Texas. On “game nights” we would find alternatives so the “kids” could throw their party and we wouldn’t be in the way. This was a pretty well hidden location as we eventually pulled back in under the cover of some trees and bushes which hung over us as a canopy. But, eventually we were paid a visit by the UT campus police, three of them at 2:30 in the morning. And informed we could not continue to stay there. We had our I.D’s run again and cooperated as we were instructed and the campus police were polite and cordial enough as they recognized we were no threat.
So we began our search for another spot we might regularly return too. It took a couple of days, and during this time we would make do wherever we happened to be. We are now located at a spot, to remain undisclosed for the time being, that is relatively well hidden and out of sight of most, as long as we do not stay past sunrise each morning. We will continue to search for an even better site, but walking distances and those” fucking Austin hills” can prove inhibiting.
Shortly after we were evicted from our first base we received sleeping bags, which greatly improved our comfort through the nights that are beginning to turn cold. We made it huddled under a few blankets, but there is a hell of a difference.
Sleeping bags in order, I am now thinking about things to carry us through the winter. I have been told “snow” is generally not a problem here, but we might expect rain and the coldest months are the end of January through February. Considering personal past experience “camping”, I have little doubt a couple of “Yankees” can make it through a “confederate” winter with a little planning and common sense. But, there are shelter options available should we find the need. Beginning this week we will be looking into “case management” services to help us get our birth certificates and Texas I.D’s together. We will look into new glasses for Mary come mid –December.
continued
From early October for the next six weeks we had been “camping” most nights in a small park at the south end of the University of Texas. On “game nights” we would find alternatives so the “kids” could throw their party and we wouldn’t be in the way. This was a pretty well hidden location as we eventually pulled back in under the cover of some trees and bushes which hung over us as a canopy. But, eventually we were paid a visit by the UT campus police, three of them at 2:30 in the morning. And informed we could not continue to stay there. We had our I.D’s run again and cooperated as we were instructed and the campus police were polite and cordial enough as they recognized we were no threat.
So we began our search for another spot we might regularly return too. It took a couple of days, and during this time we would make do wherever we happened to be. We are now located at a spot, to remain undisclosed for the time being, that is relatively well hidden and out of sight of most, as long as we do not stay past sunrise each morning. We will continue to search for an even better site, but walking distances and those” fucking Austin hills” can prove inhibiting.
Shortly after we were evicted from our first base we received sleeping bags, which greatly improved our comfort through the nights that are beginning to turn cold. We made it huddled under a few blankets, but there is a hell of a difference.
Sleeping bags in order, I am now thinking about things to carry us through the winter. I have been told “snow” is generally not a problem here, but we might expect rain and the coldest months are the end of January through February. Considering personal past experience “camping”, I have little doubt a couple of “Yankees” can make it through a “confederate” winter with a little planning and common sense. But, there are shelter options available should we find the need. Beginning this week we will be looking into “case management” services to help us get our birth certificates and Texas I.D’s together. We will look into new glasses for Mary come mid –December.
continued
Sunday November 18 - More fair Stuff
Sunday November 18 - More fair Stuff
Well there are a lot more homeless around here than we originally figured. And as well, a lot more people from the "outside" contributing their time, energy and resources to meet the need. I can only guess at about 1500-2000 homeless and about half that number volunteers. And at points it was a real circus. You couldn't tell what was going on, but once you found something you could recognize things went smoother. But getting through the plethora of venders offering services was enough to drive one crazy, if not to the point of discouragement.
I did talk to a woman who works at the ARCH as a "case manager" and confirmed that case management could help both Mary and I get some things needed together, without imposing their own ideas on us or attempting to change things we are already committed too. So, eventually we will look deeper into the "CM" services.
There were also legal and medical providers vending their services, but we did not look into them at this time, but it's nice to know they are there and if needed CM can make the right connections. Mary currently makes use of the ARCH clinic and this gets her required meds. Now I guess we'll have to look into vision care as her glasses were lost with her purse yesterday. But the means are there.
A group known as "Mobil Loaves and Fishes" fed this entire bunch yesterday. They operate the food trucks that frequent the area distributing meals to the poor and homeless. It was really rather impressive. It would probably remind many of a mobile army field kitchen and well run. They obviously have been doing this for a while and have the experience to make it work.
The afternoon was spent laying around on the grounds of the Austin State Hospital. This is, or at least was, a "mental hospital", although there was virtually no evidence of any current activity. I must admit having the thought that they were "measuring us for size." There certainly was enough room to accommodate the lot of us. The thing is, none of the real "truly" crazies that frequent the ARCH never showed up. I guess they were scared of the location, possibly having been here before.
Looking at the mass of broken humanity I could not help but think of Moses, leading the children of Israel out of Egypt. That must have been one hell of a job. And though so many have come together to provide basic services and needs, and even though some parrot the religious rhetoric espoused by well-meaning providers, there was no value system which met the real spiritual needs of these who at the near close of the fair wandered off in their separate directions, each finding their own ways in a setting increasingly hostile to them. It reminded me of the final scene of my favorite motion picture, "Lawrence of Arabia".
Lawrence, who at the end of World War One tried to help organize the Arabs into an independent entity, had just been promoted Colonel in the British Army. He was being chauffeured to a port and return to England. Along the way he passed Arab Bedouins he had led and fought alongside with. They, returning to what he knew was, for the time, was to be a life of subjection to Imperial powers, greater than what they were capable of contending with. I believed he realized "he was British", he could not help them, they had to learn and come to a place where they could help themselves. A place of adapting to the world , as it is, and yet retaining the values and traditions that make ones culture unique and valuable.
Despite all the negativity I believe there is a sort of "tribal" value system that is being experienced amidst the homeless, similar to the "hippy" experience of the sixties. True, there is No unifying philosophy or code of ethics, except the natural recognition of the individual conscience for that which is innately and universally accepted good and of value. It is not perfect, but potential. And There are rebels, unwilling, or unable, to accept any value system.
Well there are a lot more homeless around here than we originally figured. And as well, a lot more people from the "outside" contributing their time, energy and resources to meet the need. I can only guess at about 1500-2000 homeless and about half that number volunteers. And at points it was a real circus. You couldn't tell what was going on, but once you found something you could recognize things went smoother. But getting through the plethora of venders offering services was enough to drive one crazy, if not to the point of discouragement.
I did talk to a woman who works at the ARCH as a "case manager" and confirmed that case management could help both Mary and I get some things needed together, without imposing their own ideas on us or attempting to change things we are already committed too. So, eventually we will look deeper into the "CM" services.
There were also legal and medical providers vending their services, but we did not look into them at this time, but it's nice to know they are there and if needed CM can make the right connections. Mary currently makes use of the ARCH clinic and this gets her required meds. Now I guess we'll have to look into vision care as her glasses were lost with her purse yesterday. But the means are there.
A group known as "Mobil Loaves and Fishes" fed this entire bunch yesterday. They operate the food trucks that frequent the area distributing meals to the poor and homeless. It was really rather impressive. It would probably remind many of a mobile army field kitchen and well run. They obviously have been doing this for a while and have the experience to make it work.
The afternoon was spent laying around on the grounds of the Austin State Hospital. This is, or at least was, a "mental hospital", although there was virtually no evidence of any current activity. I must admit having the thought that they were "measuring us for size." There certainly was enough room to accommodate the lot of us. The thing is, none of the real "truly" crazies that frequent the ARCH never showed up. I guess they were scared of the location, possibly having been here before.
Looking at the mass of broken humanity I could not help but think of Moses, leading the children of Israel out of Egypt. That must have been one hell of a job. And though so many have come together to provide basic services and needs, and even though some parrot the religious rhetoric espoused by well-meaning providers, there was no value system which met the real spiritual needs of these who at the near close of the fair wandered off in their separate directions, each finding their own ways in a setting increasingly hostile to them. It reminded me of the final scene of my favorite motion picture, "Lawrence of Arabia".
Lawrence, who at the end of World War One tried to help organize the Arabs into an independent entity, had just been promoted Colonel in the British Army. He was being chauffeured to a port and return to England. Along the way he passed Arab Bedouins he had led and fought alongside with. They, returning to what he knew was, for the time, was to be a life of subjection to Imperial powers, greater than what they were capable of contending with. I believed he realized "he was British", he could not help them, they had to learn and come to a place where they could help themselves. A place of adapting to the world , as it is, and yet retaining the values and traditions that make ones culture unique and valuable.
Despite all the negativity I believe there is a sort of "tribal" value system that is being experienced amidst the homeless, similar to the "hippy" experience of the sixties. True, there is No unifying philosophy or code of ethics, except the natural recognition of the individual conscience for that which is innately and universally accepted good and of value. It is not perfect, but potential. And There are rebels, unwilling, or unable, to accept any value system.
Saturday November 17 - The Paradox, Living In Austin
Saturday November 17 - The Paradox, Living In Austin
Today was a mixed blessing and loss. It started out at a bus stop. In our hurry to get on the bus, half awake, and not quite in our right mind, we boarded and went about a mile. I noticed Mary holding her day pass and told her to put it away safe. A few moments later she looked at me, in shock, "I left my purse back at the bus stop."
"Well", I said, "We'll have to go back and get it." So we got off before our destination and walked back to the first bus stop. Well … it was gone. I checked the trash cans on each corner, but no luck. Essentially this contained her "life" … meds, I.D., birth certificate … whatever might be important and needed … glasses … damn.
Well, we immediately figured there are ways to replace all of these … it is just a pain in the ass to have to structure your life around all of this "stuff". So, we bite the bullet and plan accordingly. And thus we caught the next bus and proceeded to our original destination.
We were on the way to a "Homeless Resource Fair". We had preregistered at the ARCH a week before and they provided day bus passes for us. This "fair" is sponsored by an organization called ECHO and their purpose is to assist the homeless, similarly to that of the ARCH. "Front Steps" is the organization who runs the ARCH and works closely with ECHO.
ECHO coordinates the efforts of numerous social and medical agencies and puts on this Homeless Resource Fair once a year. And there are more agencies than I can put my finger on who are ready, willing and able to lend their support, time and energies into this event. And this is where the "paradox" manifests. At the fair sleeping bags and back packs are given to the homeless. Clothes, shoes, gloves, stocking caps, medical care, dental care, vision care, toiletries, showers, haircuts, and just about anything else you can imagine one living on the streets might need. About 900 sleeping bags are given to any who need them, and these provided by the Downtown Austin Community Court … the same court you must appear before if you are ticketed or arrested for sleeping in a public area. Yet, we have sleeping bags, and back packs. Of course, I can't take my sleeping bag into the library … "It's against our rules".
This is a battle of "wills" and spiritual values I can see here in the Austin community. There are those who would like a hard line against the homeless, and there are many. They find the homeless presence and embarrassment. This week there is a Formula One race taking place in Austin and the police have orders to clear the streets of the homeless. There is an expected 200,000 international visitors coming and we don't want the homeless presence. They smell, they beg, they are dirty and they do not reflect our capitalistic corporatist values. They "do not" exist in "our world", at least, not if they can't be seen.
Then there are those who for whatever reason recognize that such a situation exists, which would leave a man, a woman, a child … without house or home or resources to what are considered normal expectations in life. These causes for this are innumerable. Yes, drugs and alcohol can play a part, so can psychological conditions, bad decision making … the list can go on and on... even matters of "no fault" must be considered. Yet there are persons of vision and faith who realize the value of a human being, imperfect as any may be. And these give of themselves to help, some by profession … others by volunteering. And the thing that motivates them may be just as innumerable and complex as the cause of the necessity. And, we can not discount the religious motivation. Yet, those who are, for the most part, are soft spoken about it.
And I am believing, even though the city fathers and civic organizations are pressuring the courts (and the police), not all, as part of these structures are as hard lined as the "John Wayne" types would like them to be. After all, the courts gave me a sleeping bag.
More about this tomorrow … But that sleeping bag sure made a hell of a difference last night …. Ask Mary.
Today was a mixed blessing and loss. It started out at a bus stop. In our hurry to get on the bus, half awake, and not quite in our right mind, we boarded and went about a mile. I noticed Mary holding her day pass and told her to put it away safe. A few moments later she looked at me, in shock, "I left my purse back at the bus stop."
"Well", I said, "We'll have to go back and get it." So we got off before our destination and walked back to the first bus stop. Well … it was gone. I checked the trash cans on each corner, but no luck. Essentially this contained her "life" … meds, I.D., birth certificate … whatever might be important and needed … glasses … damn.
Well, we immediately figured there are ways to replace all of these … it is just a pain in the ass to have to structure your life around all of this "stuff". So, we bite the bullet and plan accordingly. And thus we caught the next bus and proceeded to our original destination.
We were on the way to a "Homeless Resource Fair". We had preregistered at the ARCH a week before and they provided day bus passes for us. This "fair" is sponsored by an organization called ECHO and their purpose is to assist the homeless, similarly to that of the ARCH. "Front Steps" is the organization who runs the ARCH and works closely with ECHO.
ECHO coordinates the efforts of numerous social and medical agencies and puts on this Homeless Resource Fair once a year. And there are more agencies than I can put my finger on who are ready, willing and able to lend their support, time and energies into this event. And this is where the "paradox" manifests. At the fair sleeping bags and back packs are given to the homeless. Clothes, shoes, gloves, stocking caps, medical care, dental care, vision care, toiletries, showers, haircuts, and just about anything else you can imagine one living on the streets might need. About 900 sleeping bags are given to any who need them, and these provided by the Downtown Austin Community Court … the same court you must appear before if you are ticketed or arrested for sleeping in a public area. Yet, we have sleeping bags, and back packs. Of course, I can't take my sleeping bag into the library … "It's against our rules".
This is a battle of "wills" and spiritual values I can see here in the Austin community. There are those who would like a hard line against the homeless, and there are many. They find the homeless presence and embarrassment. This week there is a Formula One race taking place in Austin and the police have orders to clear the streets of the homeless. There is an expected 200,000 international visitors coming and we don't want the homeless presence. They smell, they beg, they are dirty and they do not reflect our capitalistic corporatist values. They "do not" exist in "our world", at least, not if they can't be seen.
Then there are those who for whatever reason recognize that such a situation exists, which would leave a man, a woman, a child … without house or home or resources to what are considered normal expectations in life. These causes for this are innumerable. Yes, drugs and alcohol can play a part, so can psychological conditions, bad decision making … the list can go on and on... even matters of "no fault" must be considered. Yet there are persons of vision and faith who realize the value of a human being, imperfect as any may be. And these give of themselves to help, some by profession … others by volunteering. And the thing that motivates them may be just as innumerable and complex as the cause of the necessity. And, we can not discount the religious motivation. Yet, those who are, for the most part, are soft spoken about it.
And I am believing, even though the city fathers and civic organizations are pressuring the courts (and the police), not all, as part of these structures are as hard lined as the "John Wayne" types would like them to be. After all, the courts gave me a sleeping bag.
More about this tomorrow … But that sleeping bag sure made a hell of a difference last night …. Ask Mary.
Wednesday November 7 - Even My Enemies
Wednesday November 7 - Even My Enemies
I used to be a very staunch Evangelical. I would argue with most that I never quite "fully" made it into the "fundamentalist" camp, although I did associate with many of that persuasion. Still, in much of my language there is a remnant of this influence. I will contend now that although these were the affiliations I had, and still respect (for the most part), I never actually was a die-hard, down to the nitty-gritty Orthodox "Christian". Now, understand, I did learn a great deal from many teachers, some who would hardly ever be considered such, and I do not without qualification reject Orthodox theology whole heartedly. I do find it to be too literal minded and misses the point in too many of its supposed absolutes. I do believe there is the need for reassessing the whole of the "Christian" faith in light of historical accuracies and more contemporary scientific insights. To put it plain, Let's cut the "fairy tales" and focus on the truth.
Now I know what I am writing will offend a large number in the "Orthodox" community who I have had friendly, and better than friendly relationships with. I also know that my more "open minded" friends who are not Christian, or affiliated with any such religious or "spiritual" affiliation will also take offense at my more verbal position. Well, get over it. I am what I am and not too disposed to change or accommodate anyone's particular understanding of "God", "reality" or the universe … whatever.
I believe I truly have made friends across the spectrum of religious and political ideologies and appreciate you all, BUT, I am me, and I am (as might be expressed by my Evangelical brethren) following "God" as I hear him, and as I find him. This does not please many. You don't understand me. You may wish that I would get it together and get a job, and get over all this … whatever it is that I am into. Well … this is the way it is … And this is me … Take me, or leave me.
Yes I believe I am following God, as "He" communicates to and through me. To tell the truth, I'm not sure I like the word "God". It as antiquated and over used and abused by virtually any and every "religious" entity wanting to garner support for their "pet" "religious" cause. And I cannot leave out the secularist who really haven't a clue as to the difference between true "spirituality" and defunct religion … In your own way … It's all a load of crap. But that does not affect or disqualify that which truly is an innate human quality, in relation to higher virtues and character, some things not so easily defined in our lexicon of human traits.
I find even amongst those I would scarcely ever reach out to as friend, a drawing near that quite frankly in the natural I would have a great deal of problem explaining. Not by trying to influence or going out of my way to be friendly (As a matter of fact I am quite cautious and reserved in who I extend friendship too) but by being myself, (reserved as that may be) I draw those who I would otherwise reject. And they extend their friendship to me. We find an acceptance, for who we are, as we are what it is that we are. This may sound "cryptic", but it is perfectly natural. Being myself, not knowing the effect I have on others, They are drawn. Some may say it is "God", some that which is the natural working of our connectedness and the nature of the universe. I say, It doesn't matter … It's all one and the same.
Over the past few days I have noticed a picture several friends have posted with a quote by Thomas Jefferson relating that differences in religion, politics or "whatever" do not qualify as a reason to drop a friend. Proverbs 16:7 says "When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him."
I have found such … such who would normally be considered an "enemy". But He respects me, He thinks I'm "cool" and has given me a nick name. And all I have been doing since I have been here is rejecting his offers to "Make some money", illegally or at the least, questionable. But, we can be friends. I think it only takes a little understanding … on my part … he is only trying to survive.
I used to be a very staunch Evangelical. I would argue with most that I never quite "fully" made it into the "fundamentalist" camp, although I did associate with many of that persuasion. Still, in much of my language there is a remnant of this influence. I will contend now that although these were the affiliations I had, and still respect (for the most part), I never actually was a die-hard, down to the nitty-gritty Orthodox "Christian". Now, understand, I did learn a great deal from many teachers, some who would hardly ever be considered such, and I do not without qualification reject Orthodox theology whole heartedly. I do find it to be too literal minded and misses the point in too many of its supposed absolutes. I do believe there is the need for reassessing the whole of the "Christian" faith in light of historical accuracies and more contemporary scientific insights. To put it plain, Let's cut the "fairy tales" and focus on the truth.
Now I know what I am writing will offend a large number in the "Orthodox" community who I have had friendly, and better than friendly relationships with. I also know that my more "open minded" friends who are not Christian, or affiliated with any such religious or "spiritual" affiliation will also take offense at my more verbal position. Well, get over it. I am what I am and not too disposed to change or accommodate anyone's particular understanding of "God", "reality" or the universe … whatever.
I believe I truly have made friends across the spectrum of religious and political ideologies and appreciate you all, BUT, I am me, and I am (as might be expressed by my Evangelical brethren) following "God" as I hear him, and as I find him. This does not please many. You don't understand me. You may wish that I would get it together and get a job, and get over all this … whatever it is that I am into. Well … this is the way it is … And this is me … Take me, or leave me.
Yes I believe I am following God, as "He" communicates to and through me. To tell the truth, I'm not sure I like the word "God". It as antiquated and over used and abused by virtually any and every "religious" entity wanting to garner support for their "pet" "religious" cause. And I cannot leave out the secularist who really haven't a clue as to the difference between true "spirituality" and defunct religion … In your own way … It's all a load of crap. But that does not affect or disqualify that which truly is an innate human quality, in relation to higher virtues and character, some things not so easily defined in our lexicon of human traits.
I find even amongst those I would scarcely ever reach out to as friend, a drawing near that quite frankly in the natural I would have a great deal of problem explaining. Not by trying to influence or going out of my way to be friendly (As a matter of fact I am quite cautious and reserved in who I extend friendship too) but by being myself, (reserved as that may be) I draw those who I would otherwise reject. And they extend their friendship to me. We find an acceptance, for who we are, as we are what it is that we are. This may sound "cryptic", but it is perfectly natural. Being myself, not knowing the effect I have on others, They are drawn. Some may say it is "God", some that which is the natural working of our connectedness and the nature of the universe. I say, It doesn't matter … It's all one and the same.
Over the past few days I have noticed a picture several friends have posted with a quote by Thomas Jefferson relating that differences in religion, politics or "whatever" do not qualify as a reason to drop a friend. Proverbs 16:7 says "When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him."
I have found such … such who would normally be considered an "enemy". But He respects me, He thinks I'm "cool" and has given me a nick name. And all I have been doing since I have been here is rejecting his offers to "Make some money", illegally or at the least, questionable. But, we can be friends. I think it only takes a little understanding … on my part … he is only trying to survive.
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