Is she seeking Justification or compromise?

A lot has been spoken on the plagiarism of other people’s works.  I saw a site today while perusing the net and it has many Pdf’s on it of other people’s books.  There was a contact button, so I sent an email saying:


Form1=Contact Us

Name=Shae

Suggestions=Posting complete books that have been scanned into a Pdf is the same as downloading music ..The author is losing money and it violates piracy and copyright laws. It’s wrong morally and ethically
…..Simple, and just little FYI both from a legal and personal standard.  I got a response..It amounts to a explanation of why they think they have the right to do so:
Date: 1/5/2012 11:47:04 PM
To:
Subject: RE: DEW Contact Us

Thank you for your email. I always appreciate hearing the opinions of my readers and others. I certainly can see your point and I respect it. Please allow me to explain my thoughts on the subject briefly.

 

First, I do hope you took the opportunity to review the remainder of the website as a whole. You will notice that there are many, many articles written over the span of several decades. All of them, wherever possible, provide author credit, link backs to where I got the information and copyright information when attached to an article. It has never been my intention to claim credit for that which I did not create.

 

Secondly, you might have also noticed that some of these links are no longer viable. I have lost a great deal of information simply by keeping a favorites link and going back to find important information gone because the site is no longer maintained. That’s why I always download and link.

 

Thirdly you may not be aware of the sincere difficulties those of us who are both solitary AND living in a deeply religious area, such as Lynchburg, VA for myself, function under. I didn’t buy books, or jewelry or magazines or anything else because I didn’t dare. I have been shot at, physically and verbally threatened and I live daily with the knowledge that were my family to find out my religion, I would be banned from seeing them and from contact with my cousins, who I love very much. It is quite difficult to learn about my religion under those circumstances.

 

Fourth, when in college, I still look back in wincing pain as I remember days of ramen noodles and five solid weeks of KFC chicken because my friend next door was a manager and brought home all the chicken at the end of the day for us to eat. Ugh. Book purchases outside of textbooks were a ridiculous idea. Please note that I am not saying that copyright violations are an acceptable excuse, I am raising a point. How shall I educate the poor, the disenfranchised, without the books?

 

Fifth, when I finally moved to Northern VA and married an open minded man, I attended my first coven groups. We sang many wonderful songs. The HPS of the evening possessed only a few crude mimeograph copies of the lyrics, not even the musical copy. I kept those two pages for many years, but time killed my memory and I did not know how to sing them. I could not teach my coven to sing them. At long last, I learned that the lyrics came from Starhawk’s lovely albums, still available, and A Circle of Women, which was no longer published. This is among the many reasons I am so adamant about knowing and remembering who created it. There are so many things lost to us now because our American Wiccan founders, the early singers and writers, could not pass the information widely enough to survive.

 

My final point is this. My actions are based strictly on my own experiences as a Wiccan of 20 years. I firmly believe in the Wiccan Rede. I did not intend to harm anyone, I give you my word. Under NO circumstances did I intend to steal from anyone. My intent was and remains the goal of education for Wiccans today and to teach Wiccans of the future their past as it revolves around us and those who preceded us. Today I own a library containing many of the books I posted, and many more I have not. My coven members have always had access to it; indeed, anyone interested is welcome to what is on my shelves. But unfortunately, that is only for those local to me.

 

I am sure you understand the points I am making. So I will ask the question of you that I am asking of everyone this evening. It has no easy answer. If those like Starhawk, Gerald Gardner and many many others had not recognized the value of educating others BROADLY, around the world, about our religion, how would Wicca grow? How will it grow into the future? Uniquely lacking a gathering place, unsafe to announce our religion aloud even here in America, I ask you once again. How shall I educate without the books? Surely somewhere, there is compromise.

 

All the best,

 

Pamela Meek-Hennessy

 

Justification of violating the law?  She apparently thinks that she must have been the only solitary in existence I too live in a southern atmosphere of GOD, church, family…Anything outside the norm of the socially accepted churches are often treated with contempt and looked at like second class citizens(and this includes, faiths that don’t preach Jesus, and yet are mainstream faiths).  Like-minded individuals are few and far between, so one has to learn on their own and seek others out in other ways.  That means buying books that are sold in bookstores, online.  Libraries are free resources.  many in larger cities carry a lot of religious/occult books.  And yet many who claim to be poor do not avail themselves of it.  In the modern age of technology, one can even use the Library of Congress if you wish to, but many stay on a narrow course and do not read history to go along with what they learn of magical workings.  That is in my opinion, an incomplete  faith/spiritual path.  How do you know why things are as they are if you do not know where it came from?  I also beg to differ with her about Starhawk, Gardner and others not wanting to be compensated for their knowledge.  Why else did they copyright their works?  They did intend it to reach others in a broad manner, but in a manner that also helped them reap the benefit of sharing that knowledge.  There are still classes and meetings, but I’ve always found there to be an admission fee.  To want to share is admirable, but one has to go through proper channels  of use.  One pays a small fee to use the material in a limited manner.  If it’s just for her coven, then why would you have issues with not giving the artisan their due?   She adheres to the Wiccan Rede?  Then I have to say she’s done a suck ass job at doing so.  “Harm none” is a broad statement, and to violate the laws of the land, the theft of research, time and energy of those who wrote those books in the first place is morally and ethically wrong.  So whatever she uses to justify her continuous act of thievery, will not hold water.  Sorry Hon, you’re wrong, and I’m sure if you ask those authors who’s works you post in full, they will also tell you the same.

Plagiarism is wrong on any level.  whether it’s of someone’s personal blog or their published works.  you steal from those who put forth the time and energy to put those thoughts out to the universe.  So don’t come claiming “harm none” and still do the same shit you’ve been doing in the name of “helping others”.  Fuck that.  It’s an ego stroke for you to have people come and exclaim all over your ass for “sharing”.  Check that mirror again and this time be honest with what you see and what your true objectives are.

 

If any would like to know where this site is and why the controversy, here it is:  http://daughtersofearthwisdom.org/reading/ebooks.html

 

DEUCES

 

 

Just some rambling thoughts

So, have been thinking  about a few things.  I freely tell people I have control issues..want things just so because the out of focus/out of line crap just grates on my nerves.  It works that way with other things too.  I want people to be knowledgeable about that of which they speak, even if it is their personal experience.   How else am I going to know if they don’t?  I’ve always had a tendency to speak with confidence(if one wants to call it that) about UPG of my path as well as things I might have learned, discerned in the process of that walk.  Oddly enough I’ve learned that to some, they have a tendency to think its judgmental or  an “arrogance” of sorts.  “Professor” is a name tossed at me (in jest I hope) although I did have a friend in school who used to call me “the brain” because I helped him in business law class, so if the name assigned to me was in respect of that knowledge, then I can live with it.  I honestly don’t think I judge others, unless one counts the fluff who come in talking about dragons helping them with therapy(bitch please, they’re liable to eat your ass and spit the bones on the pile to use later as a toothpick), or those who think everything printed on the web is gospel.  Those type people are dangerous because they have no clue who or what they are in the first place, no idea that manipulating energies will give them the worst witchfuck they’ve ever encountered, not to mention open doors that need to stay closed. So I guess that is judgmental, but I never considered it to be so for those I know who walk a pagan path.  IDK,maybe  somehow I do that..I mean it’s a human thing sometime for us all to view things from our perspective and I set high standards for myself so automatically expect others to be right up there with me…not realistic I know, but deep within I feel that they are worth more than they see sometimes, so I want to “nudge” them..ok dammit, sometimes I downright SHOVE, but it’s only because I love them and see their value that they sometimes overlook for whatever reason.  Guess I’ll work on the pushing stuff where some are concerned…others, not so much…they get shoved out of my way for their stupidity…just more junk food for the dragons I guess,lol.  Anyway, changes in the works for me …think some of it will be in this area,wonder if I need to hand out earplugs to drown out the yelling that will come with my being dragged along?

 

DEUCES

Conversation with the Mage

The observer had watched with interest the interaction of the Mage and querent.  Seen all the working and reading done, heard the questions and answers.  Now he sat in silence.  Watching.  The Mage himself sat silently off a little ways from the fire upon a log, his long legs stretched out before him.  He pulled a pipe from somewhere beneath the cloak and began filling it slowly, his fingers long experienced with the task.  At last he was satisfied and touched a small match to a flint rock near his feet, setting off a small spark, then flame as the smell of sulfur filled the space around him.  he lit the pipe, drawing in the smoke, then exhaling it out almost obscuring his face.  So observer, you have questions yourself?  Startled out of his reverie, the observer looked at the Mage in wonder at how he would know that.  “Yes”, he said.  “I have a few”.  “Speak them”, says the Mage.  The Observer begins hesitantly, “You spoke that the past was finished, and yet some aspects of the past remain with us.  It holds power”.  “Who gave it power?”, asked the Mage.  “I’m not sure”, said the Observer.  “You give it power”, said the Mage.  “Nothing can have power in your life until you allow it to be so.  Not love, hate, energy.  If you refuse to let it exist, it will remain dormant to be washed away from this existence”.  “But we all have things from the past that color our presence, yes”? asked the Observer.  The Mage smiles as if speaking to a child who has yet to grasp the meanings of the words he speaks.  “And if it colors the presence, then it has some power does it not”? asked the Mage.  Like a light starting to push apart the fog, it becomes clear to the Observer that what he thinks in the Here, that is sometimes overshadowed by echoes of the past, is only because he allowed it be so.  “So how do I remove the power”? asked the Observer.  The Mage looks at him gently.  “I am only a simple man, not some deity in which I can only speak to make it so…It takes work within yourself to allow the past to have no conflict with which is the Now.”  “If you can do that, then the future will mold itself as it should”.  The Observer realizes then that the Mage has told him as he told the querent that all answers lie within.  Power is within, to be used accordingly.  As if the Mage realizes that the Observer understands, like a fast moving mist, the Mage is gone, leaving nothing behind but the smell of tobacco smoke lingering upon the air as if its just one last caress.  The Observer smiles and starts his journey, paying attention to the sights and sounds around him.  What a great place he thinks.  He chuckles, to think, I have always had the power within. Amazing.

 

DEUCES

The Mage

He stand just beyond the fire, sheltered among the trees, watching.  the smoke swirls and seems to caress him as it drifts in and out among the tree limbs.  He takes a deep breath then steps inside the circle, pushes back the hood of his dark cloak and pulls the small bag that hangs around his neck, from under his clothes and steps to the center.  The smell of herbal incense seems to surround the circle, drawn with sand, its perfume drifting upon the breeze as it combines with the smoke, as if in a spiral dance.  The Mage opens the bag and pours out its contents upon the ground.  Bones, small, white, sun bleached, they tell him the answers to what he seeks.  “What do you see?”, comes the voice of the querent from beyond the sacred circle.  “The present and the future” answers the Mage.  “Why not the past”, the voice asks again.  “The past is finished.  Its purpose is only to teach us so that we learn new lessons.  Nothing is ever learned by looking backwards, the answers belong to Here”.  “I’m not sure I understand”, comes the voice.  “Are we not to learn from the past, and continue on into now”? Patiently the Mage looks at the querent .  When he speaks it as if he speaks to a child.  “You want to know what is going to happen in your future, so I explain the whys of now.  The past has already been dealt with, it cannot be changed.  It’s lessons have been explained, and if you have not learned them by now, they will reappear in your present. Not always in the same form, but it’s the same lesson”.  “I cannot tell you what to do, just show you what will appear.  What you do with it is all your responsibility”.  The Mage picks up the bones again.  He places them one by one back into the small pouch, examining each one as he does so as if speaking to them individually.  He puts it back around his neck, dropping it down within the confines of the heavy cloak he wears.  He then picks up a small cedar branch and begins the task of sweeping away the circle chanting softly as he does so.  As he nears the place where he started, he lays the branch down and reaches for the soft feather that lies next to the fire.  He wafts the incense to all four corners , still softly chanting.  As he turns to the one who had requested his work, he smiles for the first time.  “Go in peace”, he says.  “Take care of Here, and what will be shall be”.  Then as if in a blink, the Mage seems to disappear from sight.  All that remains is the small fire as if to remind the querent that the light resides within.

DEUCES

 

PERSONAL BOUNDARIES

You know since my last little blow up about people overstepping boundaries, I’ve been thinking about them somewhat.  As humans we’ve been erecting fences since we selfishly wanted others to stay out of our space.  But physical fences aside, there are often good reasons to erect fences that tell others where you draw the line.  There are people who automatically decide that your friend is also their friend and insert themselves into conversations, meals, etc without even as “may I join you” kind of thing, or the ones who speak your personal affairs all over and to whomever because “hey they care/are proud/ about you dammit”, never once giving thought to the “do you mind if I share this with others” kind of thing. While this may sound petty to some, it’s about consideration and privacy(I did say I have control issues).  There are also the ones who either repost, hell even steal outright things that belong to you personally, that you have written, drawn, produced.  All in the name of “sharing”.  But is it truly “sharing” if one does not either source back to the owner, or taking piecemeal parts of works and passing it off an one’s own?  I think not.  You have crossed the boundary of slime.  In my world, proper etiquette(I’m from the south btw, where manners are taught from birth and expected to be used til one leaves for another plane), says that one always asks politely before doing , saying or inserting ones self into someone else’s privacy or work.  It’s called respect.  A lot of people don’t seem to have the concept of that, but those who repeatedly come into contact with me will damn soon learn it or they will be kicking rocks to somewhere else.  ”Good fences make good neighbors” so says Robert Frost.  I believe that.  Not to keep the neighbors out per se, but to respect each other’s privacy, so that should we decide to have interaction, there is always a gate that can be used to walk through(after an invitation of course). yeah, I know, I’m a privacy geek, but those damn pesky control issues of mine tend to keep me on the straight and narrow.  And that makes me a better friend to others, as well as satisfying the southern manners ingrained into me since the day I arrived upon the earth.

DEUCES

Now wait a damn minute!

Ok, I guess I’ve mentioned the control issues once or twice?  Yeah..well, those who know me well, or read here on a regular basis know how tightened down I keep my security.  It comes from a lot of things, but mostly the need for protection.  The need for self-preservation.  I only allow a few through that web, to know what secrets lie there.  So on Facebook, I tend to keep my page buttoned down as tight as their security will allow.  mainly because living in a small town, I don’t feel the need to have everyone who knows me(and there are quite a few)know all that I do or whom I associate with.  Occasionally I will  accept a request from a friend for games or something, but that happens infrequently.  So…I commented on a friend’s page..one I know pretty well personally, have worked with her, been to her home and she has done the same.  Then I get a friend request from someone I don’t know.  I ask my friend who he is.  She laughs explains he’s just a friend, plays some games, good guy, I should add him.  I think, ok, we’ll try it.  I add him.  JEBUS!!! Up he pops in my chat window to wish me happy new year! Seriously..I wasn’t expecting him to speak to me..not that I have anything against talking to people on there, but a mere seconds after the add, I get a chat window?  THIS is how I’m starting off my new year?  So I fix the chat ,and now I’m not available  so I can keep the interruptions and distractions down.  Today, another friend of mine gets a message from “Jebus” , asking her if her profile picture is one of Countess Bathory(some claim she was ultimate vampire), it’s not it’s something else, but what got me is that after adding me from a friend’s posting/list, he has moved on to one that I know is not on that list, but is on mine.  If ya’ll think I have control issues about myself, you have no idea how it gets with friends that I care about.  they are moved into the protective realm and I choose to not have them harassed , or annoyed by someone who has no sense of boundaries.  Seriously…what would it hurt to send a message with your request and say “hey, I saw you on so and so’s list/post and since I play the same app, would it be ok if I added you?” That would be polite and almost make me willing to say “yes”.  I guess maybe it’s because I’m little OCD, or maybe it’s because I was raised with some damn manners that all of this bothers me.  I don’t care how long you think you’ve known me, known anyone that knows me…you just can’t go around like a troll and collect people off my list. First of all, it’s more than a little rude, secondly, some of those people will eat your ass alive!  You have no idea about some of those people,lol.  I am about to cull my list again..and yeah Jebus will be one of those about to hit the bonfire.  Good riddance , Bon Chance and  Deuces Bitches!

 

Suz doesn’t rhyme dammit

Ya know, I hang out and laugh with my friends, and usually I see things that make me just shake my head at the silliness, but I have to tell you that tonight I think has hit a new low/high for the year.  Tonight I made a small post that linked this blog to one that is on tumblr.  Some of ya’ll might have seen it.  Anyway, in comes this asshat ,DrSuz Belanger, whom, after my  having seen some of his other posts in Pagan Mystics, obviously does not have a command of the english language, decides to voice his opinion on said blog.  Now I don’t discourage comments.  I like them actually because it lets me know someone other than the few friends I have aren’t the only ones reading, but this one is well..bizarre to say the very least.  Here:  I’ll let you be the judge:
DrSuz Belanger women of wonder? i not reading your mine! in tall her ents!rents.
Now first of all.  I’m not Wonder woman.  Cannot come close to having her statistical proportions if my life depended on it, have no magical lasso although I do have a wand.  So he doesn’t want to read the blog..ok, I’m not gonna kick him for that.  Maybe it’s not his cup of tea.  I’m vertically challenged so  can’t be tall anything, although I’m thinking he says “intolerant”, and that is NOT me as ya’ll know.   So why does this asshat decide to hit THAT particular blog about linking this to another blog sitre I have no idea.  You will have to ask him, but don’t count on it making sense.  he doesn’t even rhyme.  I’ve checked out his profile, has quite the pictures of his little fetishes, his love of Disney movies.  Quite the strange individual I would say, just upon casual appearance.  I would read to see more, but his energy reeks and who wants to be covered in slime?  Maybe he has a hellacious autocorrect on a phone, but seriously, can you fix stupid?  He has got to be the oddest bird I’ve run across in some time, and what better way to end the new year but to dust him off and move forward.  Just want to say if ya’ll read this, don’t be afraid to comment.  I really don’t put everybody in blogs,rofl

 

DEUCES

Working the Tumblr gig

So I got a new gig..sort of.  It’s just another place to write actually, and since several of my blogs as well as others have been lifted and shown up there(some sourced some outright stolen), I decided to check it out.  So for those of you with an account there and want to look the place over, drop on in I’ll be glad to offer you a chair and some conversation.   Here’s where you can find me:

http://amethystsplace.tumblr.com/

 

Have a great new year’s eve, stay safe and catch ya’ll on the flip side of that ball drop.

 

DEUCES

What am I doing?

I find myself sorting things out.  A friend’s dream has me disturbed, and I’m trying to see how it relates to me.  Crazy I know, so I head to where I always go to see if I can find answers.  Off to the swamp and those who keep me on the straight and narrow.  although I can pop in and out at will these days, I take the pirogi and let myself drift through the place that has claimed my soul, appreciating its beauty even in the winter season.  It makes me smile a little to think that in the mundane I have never lived there, and yet, it still speaks my name as if we are old friends.  I arrive at the cabin and the huge black dog that is usually by the fire greets me, sniffing me as if to reassure himself that I am the same Shae that has always come.  Satisfied, he moves aside.  “Strange”, I think to myself.  “I’ve been expecting you, cher”, says Maman as she tosses some more herbs into the giant pot that always seems to be bubbling.  “I took the long way”, I tell her.  She nods.  “Did it help you feel more settled?”, she asks me.  “Some”, I say.  “maman, I need to spin something with you.  A friend dreamed, horrific dream of mangled children, blood…she was so distraught, and yet she says that Brin came to her and that I sent her”.  “Why would I send Brin?”I believe that I sent her because she would not have felt so at peace and able to sleep afterwards, but why would I send MY protection?” Maman looks at me.  “You protect those you love, even if they do not know it.  You allow yourself to be placed in the open so that they may be safe.  You need to start shutting some doors”.  “I walk with the ghede, doors are always open,”I tell her.  Maman chuckles. “You ARE ghede, doors can be closed.”.  “You have placed yourself at risk, the pulls on you are making you ill, even if you will not admit it.  You do as is requested from all of us, and sometimes we forget that as you are, you still walk among the flesh, and have limits, but you refuse to admit that to yourself”.   “I am just tired, “I tell her.  She smiles.  “Brin is yours, she always has been.  You sent her because she was available, and yet she never leaves you unprotected, she does as you ask because of her love for you, as you do for others”.  “It disturbs you because you have never felt the need to do so before.” I agree.  “I’m just having trouble wrapping my head around why I did so now”.  Maman begins,”The dream was of children, your friend loves them.  You have always loved them, the mother to all, as it was before, is now and will be again even if you jokingly say your next life plan you will direct it to not be so”, she laughs.  “The dream bled over into all aspects of her life and it frightened her so badly that she called on the only one that she knew was capable of helping her find her way out-you”.  “Because of that love, you sent the one who could calm her fears, and protect her and allow her to rest so that she can take care of those who depend on her”.  “l’amour d’un ami surmonte la peur”. I nod.  “I am so used to Brin beside me that I was shocked that I would think do such as thing”.  “You did not think Cher”, says Maman.  “You knew the fear and pain, and just did what was to be done, as you always have done, even at the expense of yourself”.  “You did not consider that you might be unprotected, even though Brin would not do that ever, but not once did you consider yourself at helping someone”.  I hear the mild rebuke, and smile a little ruefully.  “I know that sometimes ya’ll are frustrated when I do that”, I begin,”but I have always given everything to those I gather to me like kindred, even if they do not practice nor believe as I do”.  Maman  chuckles”frustration is not the word I would have chosen Cher, but yes…we do shake the head at times.  The way you live and walk this path is what makes you the witch you are.  You give everything.  It’s why even in the midst of the risks you take, those who might harm have to give respect, albeit grudgingly “.  “I’ve always felt its best to respect your enemies, for sometimes they can become your allies”, I laugh.  I sit back in the rocker and let the herbs waft over me , filling my spirit once again,with peace, energy and renewed purpose.  For what exactly, I’m not sure, even Maman cannot tell me everything.  I feel Brin hold me close and begin to sing as I drift off, I tell her “thank you Brin..for being”.  Being what you might ask..not sure of that either.  She is the protection I have always known, the unwavering peace and love.  So being is enough…for both of us I guess.

 

 

DEUCES

Tweaks for the new year

In just a few short days, there  will be a new year upon us.  Many will usher it in with revelry, noise, friends, alcohol, food.. fireworks.  Then what?  Sleep off the hangover, make a few resolutions about personal issues, weight, money, etc. , enjoy a day of football if one is so inclined(I will be among those).  Then the real work begins.  Most of us will go back to work and breathe a sigh of relief that we made it through another holiday season without too much drama.  I don’t make resolutions..they usually fail miserably.  But I do use this time of year to check out things and people on my path and tweak here and there and sometimes just dump whatever isn’t working.  I’ve been amused as of late at the turn things have taken personally connected to my path.  People popping up out of nowhere to ask questions, the blog appearing on other sites and searches. It makes me shake my head and wonder why..what do I have to say that people would take notice of?    Maybe it’s just that I hold no restrictions  as to what I say or how I say them.  This is my space..don’t care for it…kick rocks.   So without going the whole resolution routine and just scratching at superficial changes, I will concede that there are areas  that need tweaking.
I’ve been thinking of what I want on my path, and how I want to achieve that.  I want more peace, so will have to work on adding more meditation to help with that. MORE! I do so every morning before I go to work, which helps start the day off on a good note.  Does it help?  Well, nobody has died yet even though the days can be long and stressful, so I’d say that was a success.  So how to add more? maybe at my lunch hour, I could  just go to the car and close my eyes, listen to a little music and forget where I am and spend a few quiet moments at that special sanctuary that gives me peace.  Before sleep, I could sit and just listen to the quiet, the shadows that feel warm and comforting to me.   I want to add to my knowledge, so how do I do that? First by opening my mind, because one never knows when something will come your way and you can learn from it. Find reliable books on the subjects that intrigue me, that call to me and read up on some of those and see how I can include it into my path.  Listen to those around me that speak with authority  and dismiss those who squawk to hear their own voice.  Listen to my guides.   My guides guide me well, and its only when I disregard advice or worse go off in a half-assed manner do I get into trouble.     Culling people who add nothing to your path or add drama or negativity is also a great way to tweak. Tweak that “friends” list on Facebook.  Too much crap gets posted and while some of it is entertaining, it can also be a negative on a bad day.    The more positive we can fill ourselves with the better.  Although I have no problem with a little chaos every now and then because it tends to clear the air and helps create new beginnings.  This also works in the “real” world., because sometimes people are so toxic we just have to let them go.   Become more creative.  I’ve let this part of me slide, and that’s a shame because when I am pouring candles, crocheting or now knitting I keep a smile on my face and this is a productive outlet for me.  I love getting in among my herbs and making sachets, tinctures, and incense…The smells are heady and intoxicating and fill my spirit with a feeling  that is a better high than anything man made.  Never cut this side of us off because sometimes in the midst we often receive a nugget of wisdom because we have stilled that voice inside us that demands that we keep moving in spite of being told to “be still”.   Reach deep and pull out the spiritual side of this path.  That means acknowledging those I work with , respecting that I cannot change all injustices, but I can do my part to not add to them, however small that may be.  So now that I’ve acknowledged that there are some tweaks I can and should be doing, I have a plan of action taking place.  And in the areas mentioned, I can say that they are more intensely personal and beneficial than some mindless resolution about losing weight, or making more money.  We all can afford to do both of those but what did it change in our inner self?  Very little. I will leave those to the frivolous as they celebrate and make promises to themselves that they have probably made a thousand times over and haven’t kept once.  I choose to be more substantive and make real changes that will benefit me in the long run.  they won’t all be seen just by a cursory glance, but those who know me well will begin to see that change, but what’s more important, is that I will feel it.  And that my friend is what true change is about.

 

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