"No, people don't expect government to solve all their problems. But they sense, deep in their bones, that with just a slight change in priorities, we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life, and that the doors of opportunity remain open to all. They know we can do better. And they want that choice."
President Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States.
"Fractal Fireflies #15 (Prayer Abacus)"© 2009
From The "Spidey-Hole Series, Fractal Fireflies Subset"
"Codependents believe they are somehow more capable than others who need their direction or suggestions to fulfill tasks they are responsible to complete."
Bronxscape - Construction Detail 2008
Parsons School of Design
Roof top "oasis" at a home for assisted living. A gathering space for those individuals that have 'aged' out of foster care.
I imagine that future Historians will have a field day analyzing what I refer to as our current World Situation. Perhaps they will weigh out our intentions. Critique our problem solving skills. Certainly they will document the many ways that we (as a Global Civilization) tended to hold onto that which we Know. I wouldn't be surprised if that tendency will be viewed not as respect for tradition, but as fear based decision making.
"Portal Study, Micro/Macro" © 2008
From the Spidey-Hole Series - Bloated Geometries
As we insist on maintaining our Mechanistic concepts of relatedness, we will always see our government, our jobs, our obligations and our responsibilities as something outside of our Selves. We will see the pattern of our lives in the classic model of triangulation. In this regard, we become a Codependent Nation.
Yet, we thrive within our communities. Our Book Clubs. Our ball teams. At our family gatherings. Openings. Concerts. We thrive with our friends, within the creativity of our hobbies and avocations.
Our Faiths, our Questions, and our Dreams.
I suspect that we can adjust to bouncing interest rates and meager rationing.
It may be possible that we can even live with diminished Hopes.
But Joy?
We can not. We must not.
Live without Joy.
Yet, we thrive within our communities. Our Book Clubs. Our ball teams. At our family gatherings. Openings. Concerts. We thrive with our friends, within the creativity of our hobbies and avocations.
Our Faiths, our Questions, and our Dreams.
I suspect that we can adjust to bouncing interest rates and meager rationing.
It may be possible that we can even live with diminished Hopes.
But Joy?
We can not. We must not.
Live without Joy.
"Toe River - Celo, NC" © 2009
From "The Systemic Amazement Factorial"©
Empathinc. understands that many topics included within this blog are taxing.
So.
Here is a quiet space. Please view this short bit of footage.
Experience the complexity of textures and sound, as you care to.
I'll put on some tea.
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4 comments:
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Thanks for the marvelous link, benford! When is the solution more troublesome than the problem? To quote my wonderful wife, Sheila, "It's a cost and a promise."
Oh, and thanks for joining The Conversation.
Crucial to this post is the "read more here link." * Games on facebook show people looking for this kind of checklist from any angle: who am I, measured and compared with these criteria? what does it indicate? what can I do with that knowledge, however gleaned? Spiritually we might even consider this process as "examination of conscience" prior to making a decision or putting ourselves in a position of prayer. Individually or collectively, this concept of the codependent nation reminds me of my mother's explanation of child development from her psychology studies: cephalocaudal/proximodistal: head, then arms and trunk, then legs... then hands and fingers. We interpret our world as individuals from our experiences, observations, thoughts; then the creative challenge is to develop our actions and our constructions as whole entities. We don't even have to have pure, altruistic motives for what we chose to do. That "good" comes of it may be the ultimate internal and external gifts as we choose and act well on our own behalf -- personal satisfaction, peaceful conscience. We are well served as persons and societies when we are mindful and when we keep assessing indicators and nudging positions so the water keeps flowing.
* I also think codependency needs a new name: the co part sounds constructive/ cooperative, and that's the lure of it...
Mary,
Thank you for your thoughtful and provocative addition to The Conversation. I was contemplating your use of proximodistal development and began thinking about one way of walking the labyrinth: considering the trip in as finding the center, and the trip out as working FROM the Center.
I had not thought of the quizzes on Facebook as self qualitative exercises.
Silly me. Thanks for reminding me how the obvious may remain hidden so much of the time. Forest. Trees.
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