I am [insert your preferred belief system or philosophy here].
Are you really?
Is that "You"?
Or is that simply a concept that you identify with?
Human constructs.
Based on Fear.
Because when we find "the others" we feel less alone in an often confusing and frightening world.
We feel as though we belong somewhere.
And we "fit in".
At last.
I've been meaning to write this post for months, actually.
It's on a film (and yes, a film and not a movie because when I was a lass, film makers had stories to tell).
And stories connect us, you know.
I first watched this film many, many moons ago and was blown away by how it shared some incredible wisdom.
I was also stunned and shocked at how well Paul Haggis told this story. At one point, during the film, I shot up straight on my couch (watching it alone, by the way, and I think when you LOLZ for real or have this kind of reaction when you are alone it shows just how authentic it is), put my hands in front of my mouth and actually said, "Oh NO!" out loud.
I sat there wide-eyed, dreading what I thought was about to happen, but unable to look away.
I wept with relief at the end of that scene.
Brilliance!
But no spoilers because it's more than worth seeing.
Especially now.
I've shared, on my travels around the amazing Hive-Verse, about how I talk to everybody.
I'm about to start sharing more life stories about why this is, maybe, so but all I'd like to share here today is that it is only by being open-minded and non-judgemental that I Imagine we can change our world for the better.
Again.
And Now, more than ever before, I feel as though we are at a tipping point. Or a crisis. Depending on how you choose to see things.
Of course, none of us can see clearly if we are afraid to look at everything, listen to everything and be open to everything.
Especially the things that frighten or offend us the most!
Because what we see in others is always what we unconsciously see within ourselves. Or our past experiences.
And until we know ourselves well enough to be able to separate our unconscious from our perception of our surroundings and other people, we are only going to create more discord and acrimony. And war.
So... we need to know ourselves well enough to be able to separate our unconscious from our perception of our surroundings and other people...
to see what is happening around and to us clearly Now.
If this is even possible for we humans.
It's enough to practice curiosity, open-mindedness and non-judgement until and when, and if, we do.
I abhor Fascism and Racism, to be clear.
And ANY "isms".
In my opinionated opinion all "groups" of humans are formed for one reason and one reason alone...
survival.
And in my opinionated opinion the only way "out" is to become so well "individuated" that nothing outside of ourselves can affect our balance and peace of mind.
I also think that this will help humanity, as a global community, to avoid a lot of conflict and manipulation by less ethical groups and institutions.
But you may say I'm (still) a Dreamer. John Lennon, of course
So today I moved my new (classic) car, so that the gardening service around here could mow the lawn outside.
I began to talk to the guy in charge of the crew about my car because it's got a lot of history in South Africa. This particular brand - Datsun! story to follow in a bit
I told the guy managing the crew a bit of the story about how I (finally!) found and bought the car. I threw in that I visited a pretty hectic gang heavy area on the mission at one point.
And I spoke a bit about my experience of it.
It was also (due to ongoing systemic racism in my country) an area that was inhabited, mostly, by "people of colour".
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wtf does "people of colour" even mean, I'd ask at this point?
I'm a "person of colour".
Either kinda blue-ish cream depending on how much computer time I'm having; or a liddle bronze if I've been out and about and forgot the sunscreen; or kinda red if I've put my foot in it again
Which would make me a "person of colour" as well, surely?
Or would that make me a person of many colours then?
It's all very confusing.
But on we go because we don't wanna talk about this much either.
Mostly because we're afraid to be labeled and judged.
So some pretty matter of fact sharing about my experience of crossing the (still obvious and entrenched) colour divide (again).
He didn't flinch.
I guess because he could tell I don't think I'm better than him because I'm a darker shade of pale. Or lighter depending on said screen-time again
But, as we finished our chat and he walked off, that little voice in my head you know that inner critic that likes to get all voifciferous? Yeah... that one piped up:
"Well that was a bit racist." #SystemicRacismExists #WeAreAllResponsible #ItsNotPersonal
Or summink like that.
And meaning I'd been racist in the exchange, to be clear.
Now once-upon-a-life-ago I would've felt a sense of shame and/or embarrassment and then I prolly would've gotten all defensive and pissed off about it.
Today I nodded to myself and said:
"Yep that was a bit racist."
Because we are all racist at times.
Even if we aren't fully aware of it.
Yet.
Because this shit is systemic and unconscious.
Largely.
As all the "isms" are.
And, even if we don't believe in whatever an' all that jazz, we all have unconscious bias, prejudice and programming that needs to be unraveled somehow.
And the only way we can do this, I reckon, is by getting to know the inner workings of our own minds.
But, of course, we're too offended (or, more correctly, afraid) of the possibility of being less than perfect to even do the work ourselves.
Mostly.
So this movie.
Brilliance!
Because this film Oops... see how easy it is? shows how unconscious bias and prejudice "works" incredibly well.
And this is the main reason I no longer listen to gossip or buy into any information that I haven't taken the time to research and experience myself these days.
It's just too complicated.
All this philosophy. These politics. This game.
And it's dangerous now.
With the way smear campaigns and people's fears are so easily used to manipulate hidden agendas.
Perhaps we need to bring it all into the "Light".
With "Love" (unconditional acceptance).
Perhaps then we will find just how much we all have in common for a change.
So you think you're [insert belief or philosophy here].
Really?
I'd respond by asking (again): How well do you know yourself?
Do you think they're a [insert belief or philosophy here].
I'd respond by asking (again): How well do you know yourself?
We are not who we think we are.
Not even remotely.
But that's another part of the story.
Watch "Crash".
Please.
And don't beat yourself up if you missed something. Please. This is only going to slow our progress down and we need to progress! 馃挏
Celebrating #ThreeTuneTuesday with one of my favourite Dads and family men. The generous and super cool (and often tired, I suspect) 
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Thanks for keeping us connected, Daddio!
Saw her perform live at what was once "The Three Arts" out here many moons ago. Man can she hella hit those notes!
I've narrowed my "good fight" down to only one thing over these last years.
And man have I railed against a LOT of behaviours, systems and philosophies to try and save my family.
But it was unconscious bias, prejudice and judgement that messed us up, you know.
And only this.
Judgement.
Unconscious judgement.
My more "a person of colour" than I am, and myself, were both innocent of everything that was said, and then assumed and then shared/gossiped about us.
And we lost everything because of other people's unconscious fears.
Yep.
We lost everything because of other people's unconscious fear and the judgement and assumptions that rose from this.
I'm sharing my own track (again) because this...
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Yeah I know and I've asked my very talented daughter to redo the vocals. Desperate times called for desperate measures
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And it's gonna make some of you very fuckin' uncomfortable!
And this is not only okay...
This is the point!
I'd invite you to try and sit through any "dis-ease" you may feel, and to try to observe your own thoughts and reactions (gently and with curiosity).
And then I'd suggest you curiously ask yourself why you think or react in whatever way you do.
Is that "right". Am I "wrong"? Are they "wrong"?
Is there a point at which your principles and values I assume we are all into freedom around here fall away, and you get to play judge and jury, and to decide who is allowed to be free and why?
Do you get to play judge and jury/"god"?
Why do you care what "they" do anyway?!
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How far down the rabbit hole are you prepared to go?
You see where I'm going with this.
This is what the music video was created for.
Exactly this.
Yep. My only enemy, these days, is FEAR itself.
It's all or nothing Now.
Because we all stand to lose a lot now.
You wanna be free.
Be Fearless!
I was at psychedelic trance party go figure once-upon-a-life-ago and my husband at the time accidentally took some LSD.
Some person offered him a sip of some "water" on the dance-floor and next thing he was tripping balls. He didn't like LSD, by the way. It overwhelmed him.
This should have been a deal-breaker straight off the bat but I try to be tolerant and non-judgemental. 馃槅 And you don't need to do drugs to understand the "psychedelic experience, kids. In fact... it's better totally sober and conscious. More to follow. (again)
Long story short he bailed and hid in the back of my bakkie (my "truck" for the American folk).
Myself and a dear friend of his stood outside the window for ages, trying to coax him out of the car. Terrified, he was!
While we were standing there (trying not to) laughing at him, his friend began to sing:
And this, my beautiful people...
is the psychedelic experience in a nutshell.
Isn't is sad that most of us need to take drugs to Remember that we are not this?
Or take other mind altering substances to try and repress who we truly are?
Non-judgement. 馃挄
With just this we are more than halfway there.
Bonus track because
Eternal Seeker
Hardened Dreamer
Mother
Peaceful Warrior
Determined Dancer
and Stargazer
still...
Beyond fear is freedom
And there is nothing to be afraid of.
To Life, with Love... and always for Truth!
Nicky Dee
All images my own for this one. All photo editing done with GIMP. Only the remake of "Bang a Gong" is my own music track - other music video artists found in video titles.
Knock knoc... I mean "Gong!"
 
