I discovered the philosophy of Change in Octavia Butler's Parable novels recently, and have been giving much thought to how I was trying so hard not to change - to put everything back so it makes sense. It is mostly grief from losing my husband, but also losing my belief in my country, fellow citizens and civilization in general that was keeping me frozen. Reading those two novels has given me a new perspective and, I think, some tools to cope with the ongoing chaos. Sort of a macro view of the world and where I may fit into it, or just survive it until I can make a difference.
All these geeks think taking a time machine and changing one tiny detail in the past would affect the future in major unseen ways going forward. I'm not as smart as you guys, but I refuse to be a victim. It's time to figure out how to shape the change, to alter it, to transmute it in whatever tiny way toward a better world. I already know right from wrong, good from evil, and how bad it is and will get. What I need is the knowledge on how to survive financially - and that's not easy for many of us. That's the missing piece that you, Umair, can teach us. It is not useless. We need you to help us shape the future. Surviving is power. Outlasting the evil is power. Tiny rebellions by the millions can combine to bring down the mighty.
'Purpose unifies us:
It focuses our dreams,
Guides our plans,
Strengthens our efforts.
Purpose defines us,
Shapes us,
And offers us
Greatness."
Time to kick Thanatos in the balls as hard as possible.
These are frightening times, to be sure, but we are not doomed. There is still a lot of love in the world. Build community, keep your loved ones close, and we will get through this.
I feel your pain brother. The fact that you, me, and others like us feel that pain gives me hope. I’m an American living on the other side of the planet, and I’d to share two hopeful stories.
One: Sri Lanka, where I live, was torn by a vicious civil war for 20+ years. Towards the end, guerilla groups from both sides were living and fighting in the Kumana wilderness preserve. They had no provisions so they survived by hunting the protected wildlife. By the time the war ended all the water buffalo, deer, leopards, jackals, and elephants were gone. The warden told me when he first returned they could only find one deer. Now, 15 years later, all the wildlife has returned in abundance. It seems like a miracle but Nature is resilient.
Two: In the 6 years I’ve been here, the country has gone from abundance to covid lockdown to economic collapse to political collapse to political revolution to sort of stability to huge political change with a genuine man of the people with a socialist anti-corruption agenda elected president and now, along with big challenges, big hopes for the future of the nation and its people. So, people too are resilient and good does triumph.
Let’s hope we see that change for the better in the USA too
I implore all to embrace the longer timelines. If we focus on the last 200 years of what has been 2000 years of toxic masculinity, the darkness overwhelms. The light of divine femininity has been with us and growing for a long time. Many see it, many do not. But it is at hand. It has felt like, and truly is, walking in mud waist deep. But the beauty of possibility is before us. Many are tired, will choose not to move forward and wait for a later timeline before joining in again. That is understandable. Many more will move to an understanding of the positivity of the universe and embrace the beauty and love of each other and all things. The journey, though necessary, has not been easy. Emperors and kings, despots and nihilists have run their course. The next 2000 years will be marvelous. Bank on it.
Thank you for all you share with us, Umair. The times do feel dark. And at the same time, this is an opportunity to go deep within. The darkness out there is a reflection of what is within each of us. And the light out there is a reflection of the light within each of us. There is opportunity for awakening within all the abhorrent things going on around us.
Umair, I will go with you. For none of us go alone, we as a people, as a universe, are one. The principle of interdependence is inseparable from the fact that we exist. Only when we decide it is time to sacrifice our ‘self’ do we begin to truly live. As the ancient doctrines profess, We live in a degenerate age, in the fertile ground of chaos a new world is born
Others have written heartfelt words with wisdom end encouragement. This says so much. We need one another always and especially in these times. Love can defeat evil and Thanatos. It helps to have a kick ass attitude. It helps me to participate in resistance activities and to be buoyed by like-minded people, of whom there are MANY. And, Umair, I must suggest that you talk to someone professionally about your mental state. We do NOT want to lose you. We LOVE you!
"All that you touch
You change.
All that you change
Changes you."
I discovered the philosophy of Change in Octavia Butler's Parable novels recently, and have been giving much thought to how I was trying so hard not to change - to put everything back so it makes sense. It is mostly grief from losing my husband, but also losing my belief in my country, fellow citizens and civilization in general that was keeping me frozen. Reading those two novels has given me a new perspective and, I think, some tools to cope with the ongoing chaos. Sort of a macro view of the world and where I may fit into it, or just survive it until I can make a difference.
All these geeks think taking a time machine and changing one tiny detail in the past would affect the future in major unseen ways going forward. I'm not as smart as you guys, but I refuse to be a victim. It's time to figure out how to shape the change, to alter it, to transmute it in whatever tiny way toward a better world. I already know right from wrong, good from evil, and how bad it is and will get. What I need is the knowledge on how to survive financially - and that's not easy for many of us. That's the missing piece that you, Umair, can teach us. It is not useless. We need you to help us shape the future. Surviving is power. Outlasting the evil is power. Tiny rebellions by the millions can combine to bring down the mighty.
'Purpose unifies us:
It focuses our dreams,
Guides our plans,
Strengthens our efforts.
Purpose defines us,
Shapes us,
And offers us
Greatness."
Time to kick Thanatos in the balls as hard as possible.
These are frightening times, to be sure, but we are not doomed. There is still a lot of love in the world. Build community, keep your loved ones close, and we will get through this.
Umair,
I feel your pain brother. The fact that you, me, and others like us feel that pain gives me hope. I’m an American living on the other side of the planet, and I’d to share two hopeful stories.
One: Sri Lanka, where I live, was torn by a vicious civil war for 20+ years. Towards the end, guerilla groups from both sides were living and fighting in the Kumana wilderness preserve. They had no provisions so they survived by hunting the protected wildlife. By the time the war ended all the water buffalo, deer, leopards, jackals, and elephants were gone. The warden told me when he first returned they could only find one deer. Now, 15 years later, all the wildlife has returned in abundance. It seems like a miracle but Nature is resilient.
Two: In the 6 years I’ve been here, the country has gone from abundance to covid lockdown to economic collapse to political collapse to political revolution to sort of stability to huge political change with a genuine man of the people with a socialist anti-corruption agenda elected president and now, along with big challenges, big hopes for the future of the nation and its people. So, people too are resilient and good does triumph.
Let’s hope we see that change for the better in the USA too
Evil people like to pretend to be Thanatos, right up until they meet Nemesis. And she is near.
I implore all to embrace the longer timelines. If we focus on the last 200 years of what has been 2000 years of toxic masculinity, the darkness overwhelms. The light of divine femininity has been with us and growing for a long time. Many see it, many do not. But it is at hand. It has felt like, and truly is, walking in mud waist deep. But the beauty of possibility is before us. Many are tired, will choose not to move forward and wait for a later timeline before joining in again. That is understandable. Many more will move to an understanding of the positivity of the universe and embrace the beauty and love of each other and all things. The journey, though necessary, has not been easy. Emperors and kings, despots and nihilists have run their course. The next 2000 years will be marvelous. Bank on it.
We must go through it - all other options have been eliminated. Time to start building something kinder and sustainable on the other side.
🫂
Thank you for all you share with us, Umair. The times do feel dark. And at the same time, this is an opportunity to go deep within. The darkness out there is a reflection of what is within each of us. And the light out there is a reflection of the light within each of us. There is opportunity for awakening within all the abhorrent things going on around us.
Hugs
Umair, I will go with you. For none of us go alone, we as a people, as a universe, are one. The principle of interdependence is inseparable from the fact that we exist. Only when we decide it is time to sacrifice our ‘self’ do we begin to truly live. As the ancient doctrines profess, We live in a degenerate age, in the fertile ground of chaos a new world is born
Others have written heartfelt words with wisdom end encouragement. This says so much. We need one another always and especially in these times. Love can defeat evil and Thanatos. It helps to have a kick ass attitude. It helps me to participate in resistance activities and to be buoyed by like-minded people, of whom there are MANY. And, Umair, I must suggest that you talk to someone professionally about your mental state. We do NOT want to lose you. We LOVE you!