treatment

I like writing about people, not about individuals in a gossipy manner, but how all of us are exploring this vast universe, our world, our private thoughts, our interactions with others. One of my goals is to offer information about these explorations to many people who are looking for it, to meet others and to share knowledge. I would be the first to say: hello you! I'm learning too!

If you would live by yourself all the time, like a hermit, what would you learn really? Don't we learn most when we are interacting with others? At times, the more friction, or upset, the more we can learn, although I wouldn't advocate starting arguments or wars in order to achieve that progress. I read somewhere that the people who challenge us the most, who touch us deeply or simply piss us off beyond belief, are our best teachers. I think this is very accurate.

Instead of perceiving other people as the ones who I'd never like to see again and stay far away from, I have found that it actually doesn't bother me anymore, quite literally too, if I do run into them on occasion it's all fine with me. This is a funny thing and surprisingly: offers great freedom. I can actually wish them well, even if I choose not to be friends with them anymore. I guess we can only be "free" from those, if we have learned to let go of the notion  that we somehow have to "be right" at the end of the conversation, or the silly idea that we always know best. I prefer to think of it as a wise and mature approach, and whenever I catch myself being stuck in an "ego" debate I try to look past whatever it is and "get over it" by realizing I'm being petty or that I don't know all the details.

Being right has never brought anyone anything, except ignorance and arrogance. Haven't we got better things to do? Aren't all of us here to do the same thing? To experience, to grow, and to have fun in a loving and preferably more or less safe environment? I like the idea of treating everyone I meet as if they were related to me in some fashion. This automatically meant I would treat them well, support them in whatever they do and help them if asked for. I will not ask them for anything, as I have all I need inside of me and everyone has got enough to do already. Still, many manage to surprise me with their love, friendship and honesty. To me, that is the most valuable thing of all.

genuine

Today is a day of kind, sweet and decent people. They come and see me, they email me, they facebook post me, they tweet, and they text. (Funny enough they haven't phoned.) I, in turn, send messages to these wonderful beings bless them. 


All these happy folk have in common that they are genuine, love to be genuine and want to have friends who are equally 'genuine'. How straightforward is that? I'm loving it. So I proclaim today to be Genuine Day from henceforth just for the sake of it. 


While we are on the subject, there is a New Zealand organisation called "Forest and Bird". They protect wildlife and are currently on a mission to prevent chunks of precious native land to be turned into mining harvesting dead lands. I wholeheartedly support their initiative and have designed 3 T-Shirts for them that can support their cause. (see below)

"The 7000 hectares at immediate threat have all received 'schedule 4' protection from mining because of their special features – the plants and animals, the habitats and their special landscapes. Forest & Bird wants to see the ongoing protection of these special areas.

Mining in any of these presently protected areas will further imperil our threatened species, destroy important habitat and leave us with contaminated waterways, scarred landscapes, erosion problems and  - in the worse case scenario - an almighty clean-up bill from 'orphaned mines'.

Moreover, it will severely tarnish our 'clean, green' image.Mining inevitably damages or destroys habitat, and the native plants, birds, bats, insects and frogs they contain."

Always groovy to support a green campaign, empowering "genuine" goals and people. If all of us think other people will do the good work for us, then it doesn't happen. Get out there and help others who need a hand. What free time have you given to someone recently just to make them grow?

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