Life or Comfort?

1930's

I read today of a Nazi Prisoner who was imprisoned at a camp. Was it because she was an unmarried woman? Was it because she was Jewish?

I know now that Nazi camps imprisoned Jews, Catholics and those who were not white men. But I haven't read enough to know what the initiating reason was other than to create the myth of men being in control. Which ultimately meant creating a society of fantasy - we are all white. Obedient and strong.

This is playing out in the Trumpian America. 

If we are all good obedient strong citizens we shall make America great.

The idea of Christianity struggles with this in America. But it means, in my opinion, we can assume we are all the same if we look the same and therefore everyone will think the same as I think.

The truth is a monotheistic dream.

I prefer MLK's dream. And the fact a highly educated religious man was murdered because of the colour of his black skin,  is very disturbing to people who seek to live in peace.

Peace won't be available to us if we seek to feel superior and murder those who are smart, articulate and loving.

As a child who thought herself "not good enough" then in her fantasies said to herself, I will save the world.

Our imagination could at least inform us of our errors.

Thank You Danielle - there is hope yet

 https://daniellemoodie.substack.com/p/the-cost-of-hubris-how-exceptionalism?utm_source=podcast-email&publication_id=3059853&post_id=191494973&utm_campaign=email-play-on-substack&utm_content=watch_now_button&r=pwb38&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

You Possess A Rare and Beautiful Gift

 No I am not about to get slushy or fill this page with sweet thoughts.

I was raised to believe I would never amount to anything. I was once a lay chaplain in the Unitarian Universalist church. Before that I became a wife and soon after that, a mother. I am now convinced that living a loving and responsible life is the reason. 

The people who said I would never amount to anything were mothers and housewives. My own mother believed our power was in the things we did and believed. My mother was also a singer, a dancer, a cook and housekeeper.  

She raised four children, loved and respected family but never spoke about her values. She relied on "feminine mystique" and was loved by many but the word LOVED was never used. 

In Britain at that time people did not use gushing words. This was England where many lost their lives or loved ones during WWII.'

I can hear one of my three children sigh. Because my writing is "preachy". I love all my children and grandchildren. They are part of my family who remind me that life matters. More than that, they are smarter than me.

I love the people who care about health, my mental health, the people who keep the Nanaimo Unitarian Fellowship going and the doctors and nurses who care about my health. I love the Jewish people, the Christian people, the gardeners, the tree trimmers, the producers of vegetables and TV programs. I love the neighbours who visit when my husband has to do his duties around the home and garden.

I love the people who have offered to take me to the synagogue when they were going. I love the mechanics who fix things. I love the neighbours who let me know when they are going shopping in case I need a lift. I love the woman who visits the tree in my back yard and trims it each year, the family who fix other broken things. 

This is a long-winded way of saying I love humanity.

Flowers or Man

I thought I would write another poem here.

But I did this instead

 

In all the media coverage that entered my computer

I think about a photo of Greta Thunburg

with an ad on top of that

saying she is struggling with her health

surrounded by advertising for things you can buy.

This is not the first time I have compared

life to the images bought and paid for

by corporations selling their products.

How are we? What will tomorrow bring?

You may think this is a blank space but I think it is an opportunity to write some words down to remind all of us who we are.

Who are you?

How do you feel about the state of this world? How do you feel about your family? Are they doing okay? 

What if I told you your purpose, your life, is yet to start?

You are here to bring humanity back to life.

To stop judging others, the news headlines, the "rulers" and "leaders".

Yes we all have  a problem. This world is a mess. Men who think they are ordained to lead us, to fix the problems.

No I can't tell you who you are or why you are here. I have been scanning opinions all over this computer and I don't know what the answer is.

For centuries we have told ourselves to think. Get it right. What is the problem?

Is it anti-semitism? Misogyny? Greed? Capitalism? Fear? Poverty? 

I think it is the endless competitions to win. We can't just live our lives. We must leave the world a better place than we found it.

It is the endless arguments that fill up our heads.

What do I have to do to prove .... stop!

You do not have to prove anything. You have to live your life?

I'm not the expert I think I should be!

I'm not special in a fantastic way.

I am special in a quiet thoughtful way but not more special than you.

Yes you are special.

Every raindrop is special.

How do I know that? I feel it.

Feel you ask?

How do you know, how can you prove.

I am not here to prove, I am here to help humanity see its worth.

No this is not self aggrandizing. I am not special any more than all other living things.

How do I know I'm special then?

We are all special. Even Donald Trump!

What way am I useful? What can I offer this world? How can I save it from nuclear war? From egocentric "leaders". 

This planet is at risk of being destroyed by egocentric egos.

What can I do about that? Who can I influence to not do any harm?

Human history is plagued by egos believing its their duty to teach us a lesson?

How do we influence men who are a threat to our planet? We are still fighting against "the jews", "the Catholics", the "Oligarchs" and the warriors dreaming about how to save the world by controlling it.

For centuries humans have dreamt about how to save this planet with its critters fighting for food and shelter.

We invented "the jews" as a problem that we must "deal" with. Even though they are smarter than us.

But we have an imagination that keeps us awake at night imagining what they may do to us sometime in the future. This is antisemitic. And so it is antisemitism keeping us awake.

Or people of colour who are loved and successful.

Or our children when they grow up and no longer need our protection. Or our neighbours who might be suffering and secretly scheming to take something of ours away? Or an ex who is still angry about leaving. Domestic violence is on the rise we are told?

Feminists? Neighbours? Christians? Transgender people? Strangers? Immigrants?

Just how safe are we? 

No-one can tell me the day and time my life will end. What should I do?

Without Emotions to Balance Our Fears

 We shall use our thoughts carelessly.

We can imagine all sorts of cruel scandals invented by The Other. There's enough there to keep us talking for days. We have a long history from the Romans to the Nazi's.

IS THE WORLD DISINTEGRATING INTO CHAOS?

Or is it just the human mind?

Is our world becoming chaos? Or is it our human ego?

Does it seem like the news is a tight list of everything going wrong? Can humans be blamed for this? Are we so fixated on our own interests, we cannot understand the world any more?

The newspapers write as though climate change, weather, the economy, the planets, are all here to serve us? 

Or, is it, those who follow astronomy and the daily news, see the world as something we own and therefore it should take care of us?

Are we trapped in a patriarchal pattern where man is king and everything else is here to serve him?

What are our major fears? 

Can we do anything about climate change? Can we teach our brothers and sisters to be unpaid servants to our interests?

Do we cry? Or have our tears dried up?

Does fear or anxiety make things worse? Do we harm our world by worrying about ourselves?

Is it possible for humanity to see the universe as something we should take care of?

Mostly when life on this planet seems to be in danger it's when humanity gets so scared it seeks to kill everything to "prove"  we are in charge?

Can we put our arms around everyone we meet to help bring the anxiety level down?

How can love save us when most people are not in our town?

Tumbler Ridge and the disintegration of justice - thoughts from Robert Reich

from  Robert Reich

 Friends,

The neofascist takeover of America — of our cities, universities, media, law firms, museums, civil service, and public prosecutors who tried to hold Trump and Trump’s vigilantes accountable to the law — worsens by the day. 

As I’ve traveled across the country peddling my book, trying to explain how this catastrophe happened and what we can do about it, I’ve found many Americans in shock and outrage.

“How could it have happened so fast?” they ask. I explain that it actually occurred slowly and incrementally over many years until our entire political-economic system became so fragile that a sociopathic demagogue could bring much of it down. 

Some people I speak with are still in denial and disbelief. “It’s not as bad as the press makes it out to be,” they say. I tell them that it is — even worse. 

Others are in despair — heartbroken and immobilized. “Nothing can be done,” they say. I tell them that hopelessness plays into the hands of Trump and his lackeys who want us to think that the game is over and they’ve won. But we can’t let them. The stakes are too high. Hopelessness is a self-fulfilling prophesy. 

Rest assured. The seeds of Trump’s destruction have already been sown. He will overreach. If the Supreme Court rules in favor of birthright citizenship, for example, and Trump announces he’s not bound by the Supreme Court, the uproar will be deafening. 

Or the economy will bite him in the butt. As prices continue to rise and job growth continues to slow — due to Trump’s bonkers import taxes (tariffs), his attempt to take over the Fed, and his attacks on immigrants — America will fall into the dread trap of “stagflation”: stagnation and inflation. After months of this, his base is likely to turn on him — remember, many voted for him because he promised to bring prices down — and he and his Republican lackeys in Congress will be toast in the 2026 midterms. 

Or his brazen corruption will do him in (he’s personally raking in hundreds of millions from crypto, for example). Or Putin will do him in (if Ukraine falls to Russia or an emboldened Russia strikes Lithuania). Or the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. 

He no longer has any truth-tellers to advise him — he has purged all of them. And a president who’s flying blind, without anyone around him to tell him he’s about to crash, will inevitably crash. Many innocent people will likely suffer “collateral” damage. But at least the nation will see him for who he is and consign him to the dustbin of history. 

None of this argues for complacency. We must continue to fight — demonstrate, phone your representatives and senators, boycott corporations and organizations that are caving in to tyranny, protect the vulnerable, make good trouble. 

But please do not fall into denial or despair, and don’t let anyone else.

 

TUMBLER RIDGE

Something terrible happened at this school.  Humans feel they are not safe. Not protected by agreements of civilization. 

There's a sense, a feeling, that those given the task of living in peace and fairness have forgotten what their world needs.

It's like being naked in a cold winter storm.

We need a sense of civilization. Agreements to live and let live. But we are being brainwashed to believe this world is full of excitement, prizes, opportunities to prove our worth by what we can buy.

It's a terrible lie. We need to feel that others care. Not everyone but some of us. Why?

Because we were raised on the notion that we are lovable, useful and smart.

You are worthy of protection, peace and love.

or read this from 

TUMBLER RIDGE

 

This is the bleak reality. We forgot something important and can't remember what that was. It's gone now. Was it justice? Was it wealth for all?

What is wealth? Wealth for all to find contentment instead of contempt? Emphasis on life rather than jewels? 

Acceptance on diversity. Respect for humans and animals? 

I think wealth is HOME!

This planet is home for all who live here and who will be born.

This means we have lost 'SUPERIORITY'.

TUMBLER RIDGE. We Know What The Problem Is!

It's us. People. 

We have been trained to see ourselves as consumers. 

We buy what we want or do without. 

Pride comes in what we purchase.

A new handbag.

A diamond ring.

Something new to impress our friends

who think we don't deserve it.

We fume inside the mind

which otherwise could invent

something new

-- now that would be rewarding.

Something like

diamond rings or bracelets

something to spend our savings on

to make us look rich.

We have made it!

Forget clothes, food or furniture

no matter how much they cost

we can't wear them

and pretend we forgot we had them.

If we had servants 

we would forget them.

To forget we are rich

that is status.

Janet Vickers

TUMBLER RIDGE Jailbreak by Kim Goldberg

 

for the love of breaking hearts and sleepless nights I will select a few poems submitted under this title as your submission to create a poem under this name "TUMBLER RIDGE"

Jailbreak

 

the robots are so good now

they can manipulate scissors

they stand at their stations and snip

each // word // from the // story

stripping all context, this is

The Great Decluttering

dawn of our brave new age where everything 

can be anything and anything 

everything, the words drift 

to the immaculate 

floor (for robots are not dirty)

where they spontaneously 

resequence into poems about locks and 

shrikes, seamless horizons and keys

the jailbreak 

is now complete

~ Kim Goldberg

Thank you Nanaimo poet Kim Goldberg 

Way Beyond Time for Poems "TUMBLER RIDGE"

 

for humanity to realize, we,  all life on this planet is at risk of becoming extinct. Why? Because (for centuries) we humans are far most impressed by stories of shootings, killings, threat of war, strength and wealth than human nature. But there is a very deep message in our grief.

It's not that we don't have  the answer, its that there is so much heartache we feel overwhelmed.

The working title for this book will be Tumbler Ridge. I am not looking for blame or names or what's wrong with us, but for encouragement to believe we will find an answer in lovingkindness.

Scrolling through internet for information on humanity's history

 

This is not a history. Just a few items on the problems of being human.  We love to believe in "success". Ours and others we love to promote.

The problem with "success" it can mean whatever we want it to mean. Which is mostly in my opinion, power. Proof of our power.

But I have come to the conclusion it's a record of "greatness" according to this creatures ego. And that is the problem.

For the sake of  ego I believe humanity is destroying  our planet. It records its achievements by monetary wealth. Yes we have people who have great courage like those who survived Auswich and who see progress as our ability to look at our big mistakes.

Racism. Watching the despair unfold in the US. The automatic assumption that the top of the human race is the white man. 

I don't feel bad or guilty for what the USA is doing to humanity. I feel bad when I fail to do the right thing.

It's a trap in my brain. Not a mistake. I feel bad when I have made the wrong decision.

I know I am NOT superior to others based on my education, my attempts at presenting myself as trustworthy, my habits or beliefs.

FORGET SUPERIORITY IN ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING!.

Humility and respect for others comes first. No-one cares how morally superior this old woman  named Janet Vickers has become. She never made it as Danielle or Washahid. They inspire comfort to me as I mourn for my own attempts to save the world.

All I know is racism is evil, struggling to win in the superiority game is destructive to my ego. So I keep trying to love others. That's all.

I love people. I hope for their success. And I will try over and over again to care for humanity with the help of my friends and family.

WAKE UP! WAKE UP.

You could see what was happening

but you didn't know how to stop it!

If I knew

if I had billions

or fame

or power

I could speak up

but how does an aging wife

get the attention of the rich and famous

whose power comes from

convincing the rest of us

are powerless. 

When Can I Die? Please

I was born 97 years ago. It has been a good life.

I haven't suffered much.

As I look back it seems the world tried

to teach me how

to be a good person.

I wanted more.

I wanted to be a success

famous even.

I doubt I made it even as a good person.

You'll never amount to anything

I was told by one of my aunts.

Her children were raised to be perfect.

I didn't want that.

Girls I supposed to be perfect

not thanked for their efforts

or talents.

They just have to be beyond

anyones notice

seen and not heard

not published

not a star

not even a sex object.

However its unmentioned

but likely

they must be quietly submitting

to whatever anyone and everyone

expects from them.

 

The Palestinian Nose

It's not spectacular

but it is distinct

how can I explain?

Those who have the long thin nose

that enlarges and widens at the bottom

close to the lips

indicates the passage of time

quietly breathing in and out

passed down from parent to child

for as long as the people of 

Palestine 

have been here

you will notice those who are determined

will not give up

or brag the important work

they are dedicated to do

quietly without fanfare

but they finish the task.

Trying to Wake Up

https://daniellemoodie.substack.com/p/the-mirror-of-history-why-white-privilege?utm_source=podcast-email&publication_id=3059853&post_id=185348478&utm_campaign=email-play-on-substack&r=pwb38&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

I am so humbled by white ignorance when it comes to USA politics.

 

The World And All Its Inhabitants

...need care, trust and nurture by education.

The people who are emotionally trapped in a particular belief, need emotional support. A sense of community among other intelligent communities.

We need to know what our family and neighbours think.

Not just the paid for slogans. But what we think when we try to go to sleep. 

Is it believable when it sounds too neat and tidy?

When someone cries while they try to explain how they are feeling? 

When their hometown has been invaded by hate and they are afraid to go out?

Has your world been targeted by suspicious slogans?

Are you afraid to express an opinion which is not shared in the newspaper or posters?

Do you have anyone you can talk to honestly without fear of being shot?

How can we work together to save this world?

We don't have to convince everyone. All we need are humans who do not want this planet to be destroyed.

We don't have to argue over details or plans. We do have to pledge to ourselves that from now on, we don't have to raise thousands of dollars at this point, we don't have to compete with others to select one idea. There are many ideas floating within our imagination. This is not a competition. This is an opportunity to work creatively with one another.

Yes there will be egos who think they have to create an airtight plan. We don't need to be really clever. We don't have to be saviours.

We don't have to create a brilliant new invention. We don't have to be heroes. We don't have to win.

We could gather with friends, workers, artists and dreamer and create a plan for the future, not for the individual ego, not to impress others with our intelligence. We just need to be open and honest with others, think of ideas that work. Then when we begin create ways of working together. Not everyone. Just a few. A committee of willing people, share ideas honestly. Share ideas, thoughts, hopes, strengths and concerns. Be respectful, care for our home, communicate with each other.

Send email to janetvickers@shaw.ca.

 

My People

 

are humans. They sometimes walk on two legs or sit in a wheelchair. My people are curious about other people. Interested in their points of view.

My people are not just Christian, Unitarian, Catholic, Muslim or Jew.  My people are curious. We want to know what you think, how you feel, what you believe and what you do not believe. My people feel pain when we hear others being put down or judged unfairly. My people value the very young and the very old. All genders. 

And my people like philosophy and philosophers and free thinkers and healers. We like the warmth of company. We love children and senior citizens.

poem by Danielle Moodie. https://daniellemoodie.substack.com

He Killed her.

She Was a Woman.

He Killed her. 

She Was a Mother. 

He Killed Her.

She Was a Wife.

He Killed Her.

She Was a Daughter.

He Killed Her.

She Was a Citizen.

He Killed Her.

She Was an Activist.

He Killed her. 

She Was Seeing.

He Killed Her.

She Was Bearing Witness. 

He Killed Her.

She Was Activated.

He Killed Her.

She was Good.

HE KILLED HER.

SHE IS ALL OF US.

—DAM

 

Why Are You Feeling Blah!

 https://substack.com/home/post/p-180630416

Why can't you get your manuscript published?

There is a war on good ideas and examples of human intelligence.

Or wise and profound ideas.

Is it because so many people write and too many MS are sent to publishers?

Or is it because we have  ditched the idea of quality?

I believe it's because we live in a time when only bling impresses. You know, big diamonds, fabulous fashions, shocking beauty, perfect bodies - you know things that show off how extraordinary you are.

I think we have become overwhelmed with ourselves. It's more of a yawn. We are in danger of having become so successful we can't believe it. It' just another yawn.