You can make it hard on yourself or ride the easy way.

He’s comin’ down fo’ ya like some runaway midnight train.

Prob’ly catch ya with yore pants down squattin’ out in the rain

Relieve ya of that shitstorm you call “my brain”

trouble is,

he will always come fo’ ya like some runaway midnight train.

Who are you to hold a grudge when the Lord forgives us all?

Who are you to hold a grudge when the Lord forgives us all?

Years ago I was in the original Whole Earth Provision Company store near the campus. It was my favorite place to shop. I came upon a framed story near the mountain climbing gear that told of an ancient people who lived in a valley surrounded by mountains.  Nobody in the village had ever seen over the top of the mountains to know what is on the other side, so, many stories were invented to tell by the campfires to explain what was on the other side. One such story has evolved over time into what is now called religion. Another story has evolved into what is called science. These hypothetical stories continue to grow false explanations of the unknown regions beyond the valley.

However, one day a brave lad did climb to the top of a peak and looked over.  When he came back he told what he saw and though he still lived in the valley for the remainder of his life he always remembered what lies on the other side. The others failed to understand him. The story concluded that once you have seen the other side you will never forget and will know what is there. I knew the author was really writing about meditation, not mountain climbing. You never have to pretend you do not know what the trees have to say.  You can live by that knowledge at all times in every decision. In truth you can live the meaning of the saying that "You never have to make another decision in your life if you decide to see the other side of the mountain for yourself.” Even though few people do, you can.

Peace is not the opposite of war.

War is a fool's search for peace. Peace is the presence of itself in the union of good and evil. It comes to all who want it passionately enough to clean up after themselves without expecting a reward.


Then it comes. To those who truly want it, it just comes as a promise fulfilled.

Everyday I tramp a secret path where all things wild do hide and grow.

You must think me mad to say it although I must declaim that it is so.

A madness is afoot beside the world you know; and in it dwells a heart so big you will not believe it so;

but belief is not at all involved in digging for what just may or may not be so

with a faithful dedication to your dream and the magic touch of a friend I want you to know.

I am reading about a woman who has lost her memory. She awakens every morning with the idea she is young and at the beginning of her life only to discover again that she is in her 40's and married and has had a child all of which she does not remember. Blank you might say. At the point in the story where I stopped reading she has come to fear the day she will awaken as an old woman thinking she is young and discover the truth and the reality she has nothing to show for her life for she believes all we are is our accumulated memories, and in a way she is correct. For most people it is so. It is so because most are asleep, in a trance, living only a pretend life. Playing roles in somebody's else's (Kodak) (Facebook) (Norman Rockwellian) drama. For those ones, the predicament is dire. And yet, they know it not so to be. I write for them.

Once the mouse of freedom met the military lion who had been sent often into war.

The lion pitied the tiny mouse and laughed in the face he wore.

Out of my way, you insignificant mite,

and bother me no more.

But the mouse, he grinned, and asked the lion the names of each of the badges he proudly wore...and, what were they given for.

The lion straightened up, puffed out his chest and let go a mighty roar.

Oh, said the mouse, for sounding off, is that what all that brass is for?

And the lion was angry and blew a whistle that called forth the entire corps.

For one small mouse? Is that bravery you salute? All dressed in a look alike suit? Why you polish your boots to march off a lost ghost among troops? To wage one more war without asking what for? Is that bravery you salute?  

Give Up Wickedness?

A paper lay on the table before the young person who had been told he is a citizen of a country with morals and ethical standards. He could not fathom such a possibility, that is, a nation having morals and ethics, things he associated with individual, living human beings. Then he was told to sign the document to show his agreement with its terms. As he read it, he wondered: who do these people think me to be?

The document read:

I hereby pledge to give up my wicked ways which are selfish and to instead lead a moral life of loyal trustworthiness in my dealings with all good citizens I encounter on life's way.

The young man signed and began immediately to live a wicked life grounded in deceit, competition, hatred, envy, greed, and malice, all of which were unknown to him before signing. Thus did the boy learn that a man who declares himself to be good is a bad man and he later wished he had remained in his original state.