Call me Ishmael.

I have been away - visiting - listening - sorting out my narrative. I ponder Herman's words written so many years ago in the tome "Moby Dick". Call me Ishmael. What has changed in the human condition? How much of Captain Ahab is in my being? Are my obsessions leading me to my own death? Is my destiny unfolding as the fates are directing? Is my life providing sustenance for others?

 I live in Canada a country where the Captain's - obsessions are destroying and holding many entwined to a dream - more like a nightmare! The narrative of my country is not based on a victory on some foreign soil, where our patriots left their bodies for the worms as the military mongers proclaim! Yet our government is promoting and using the military budget to do just that.  Canada's great victory in the war of 1812??? Huh?

I am painting my own "white and black" house with strips of "dried red blood". Old Mexico is the color. What lies hidden in the unconscious of such choice? A house planted on territory that from many was said to be unoccupied - yet perhaps stolen by the newcomers intent on building a new life for themselves! People from crashed and war torn countries were "advertised to" by the corporate interest who marketed a dream of "the new land".   I am now coming to recognize my Canadian identity as a member of Treaty 6.  As it takes two parts to a treaty I am beginning to identify with my responsibilities of the treaty.

They had promised to share the land - water - and resources. Many are still in wait for promises made years ago.  I too complicit in the ongoing story - wanting to hide my white shame privilege through busy-ness and distraction.  It seems like Chapter 90 in Herman's Tome. The winds of time - still blow "the Pequod" the ship of life that I am on - towards the unknown future. Yet it is known - like the whale oil industry - taking everything than innocently lives - and regardless of the cost - there still is blood on the light in my house and the gas in my car! I confess - and promise to repent! But when Jesus asks -

"What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' He answered, 'I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, 'I go, sir'; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.

Why can I understand it but not implement the choice I need to change! Grant me forgiveness - so I can heal - and take steps to the new life that is upon us.!

Just still wondering -  Have you made changes in your life lately??

Friends we need to know!!

I discovered something about myself today.  An article at the Toronto Star challenged my sense of my own being.  I have to interpret my own competency.    http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1137874--why-incompetent-people-are-too-incompetent-to-know-they-re-incompetent?bn=1#article 

Are humans questioning what is happening in their world?  The impacts of the internet has help us to look at ourselves. It has the potential to challenge and assist humans to confront or use critical questioning as to what they believe they know with what they actually know.  An example of misplaced assumptions in Canadian parliamentarians filled the House of Commons with mea-culpas as some realized some incidental truths of what they thought they knew, had to be confessed only to find out what they claimed a few days before as truth was false.  The Vikileak and Anonymous related to issues in some way creates a level of mis-trust that leaves everyone's integrity in question.   What appeared  yesterday as attempts to "save face" perhaps will provide a saving grace that will reduce their ego's impact on the denial of truth and what is spoken.  Consider  the possibilities of the internet becoming the "new Parliament of the Canadian People" and the impact on the current institutions and procedures.

I sense Parker Palmer in his description of "standing in the tragic gap" may have an insight we can use. His call to introspection of our living and using community to as part of the reflection model may offer a way forward.  Watch the video



It seems to me that with opportunities to gather people from all over the world in conversation small groups the world could be changed dramatically for the better.  If each of us was to treat everyone as a friend and others as a friend I haven't got to know yet we could make a difference.  I want to thank the person I did not know across the table at a pancake breakfast - ask me the question - "What will you be doing with the rest of the day?"   A good way to enter deeper into relationship with those we do not know as friends.

Hope you see new ways to encounter others in your life!  Would you recommend a community that is welcoming and challenging?

Still wondering