Wednesday, September 23, 2020

A heart-touching interview of sister of 28-year-old doctor who died of Covid

I don't think anyone could watch this interview with a woman from Syracuse -- and not cry along with her at the loss of her dearly loved sister, a Syracuse native who was serving as a doctor in Houston.  Kate Bolduan, the interviewer, was in tears herself.

and 

What are we going to do about Trump, who hasn't an ounce of compassion in him -- and who is getting cheered at his rallies when he tells his supporters that Covid is only killing the old?  That in itself is terrible, because it implies that older people don't matter, but it isn't even true.  I don't know how the diehard Trump lovers can be reached. But the rest of us can make sure we vote and get others around us to vote.  We must rid ourselves of the heartless monster in the White House, before he wreaks more havoc on our country and its people.  He is already in the midst of taking away women's rights with his choice for the Supreme Court. What is next on his agenda?  The reversal of Brown v. Board of Education?  
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Monday, September 21, 2020

There is something missing in this White House

Written by Elayne Griffin Baker:  There is definitely something missing.

"There is no literature or poetry in this White House.
No music.
No Kennedy Center award celebrations.
There are no pets in this White House.
No loyal man's best friend. No Socks the family cat.
No kids' science fairs.
No times when this president takes off his
blue suit-red tie uniform and becomes human,
except when he puts on his white shirt-khaki pants
uniform and hides from Americans to play golf.
There are no images of the first family enjoying themselves together in a moment of relaxation.
No Obamas on the beach in Hawaii
moments, or Bushes fishing in Kennebunkport, no Reagans on horseback, no Kennedys playing touch football on the Cape.
I was thinking the other day of the summer
when George H couldn't catch a fish
and all the grandkids made signs and
counted the fish-less days.
And somehow, even if you didn't even like GHB, you got caught up in the joy of a family that loved each other and had fun.
Where did that country go? Where did all
of the fun and joy and expressions of love and happiness go? We used to be a country that did the ice bucket challenge and raised millions for charity.
We used to have a president that calmed and
soothed the nation instead dividing it.
And a First Lady that planted a garden
instead of ripping one out.
We are rudderless and joyless.
We have lost the cultural aspects of
society that make America great.
We have lost our mojo. Our fun, our happiness.
The cheering on of others.
The shared experiences of humanity that makes it all worth it.
The challenges AND the triumphs that we shared and celebrated.
The unique can-do spirit Americans
have always been known for.
We have lost so much
In so short a time."
~Elayne Griffin Baker
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Saturday, September 19, 2020

Looking at today's news and musing....



I am convinced that incarnations on Earth are strictly for soul growth -- gained through many challenges (and heaven knows, we all get them in one way or another!).  How we handle those challenges determines our maturation as souls.  Judging from past history, there will always be wars, rumors of war, dictatorial leaders and madmen locked into greed and lust for power, making the lives of others miserable as they pursue their obsessive goals that lead them finally to death and karmic justice.  As Leonard Cohen says in his song Anthem: Oh, the wars they will be fought again, the holy dove, she will be caught again -- bought and sold and bought again -- the dove is never free.  But I do believe we, as souls, can find freedom within ourselves, and Trump and his ilk are goads to incentivize us in that direction.  Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a shining light for all of us to be inspired by and to follow.  Einstein is another admirable figure, worthy of following and learning from:
Albert Einstein



"A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."


 Albert Einstein
I just watched the Netflix documentary series "Challenger"  about the unnecessary astronaut deaths (and death of teacher Christa McAuliffe, too) in that tragedy that shouldn't have happened.  It, too, made me think about the frailties in human consciousness, and how much we have yet to learn.  On the plus side, I also believe Unconditional Love is the most powerful force in the universe. ❤️️  So, ever onward and upward!!!!❤️️
❤️️


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Thursday, September 17, 2020

Some Trump supporters will believe anything he says -- Stephen Colbert show proves it

You've probably seen Triumph, the insult dog with the cigar in his mouth, at other times, making social commentary for laughs. Well, this time, on the Colbert show, he is commenting on actual Trump supporters who have agreed to be in a focus group in which possible Trump ads are supposedly being reviewed.  The joke was to find out how far would actual Trump supporters go in their support of their cult leader?  The ads suggest preposterous things (only in Trump years would ANYone believe such things!), and the group members are asked to comment on them. Surely there would be a limit to what the MAGA folks would believe and approve of!  

But no!  I watched in awe as they approved of everything Trump (supposedly) said -- even to the point of agreeing that possibly microwaving people would kill the virus(!)...and that children could be put in the work force because they are "immune to the virus."  Many other "suggestions" were made (ostensibly by Trump), all of which met with the approval of these committed (and certifiably commitable!) Trump supporters.  SCARY!!!!  No longer do we need to wonder how Hitler got so many Germans to go along with the murder of "non-Aryan" victims in WWII.  The Trump cult appears to be cut from the same cloth. YIKES! 🙁😫
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Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Delightful video: baby hearing violin music for first time

A heart toucher!  Scenes like this are the perfect antidote to Trump.  Babies are the BEST! :-)❤️️

https://www.facebook.com/ClassicFM/videos/3162600107184522

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Sunday, September 06, 2020

A little more about the movie "A Hidden Life"

A Hidden Life. A film by Terrence Malick, made in 2019, now available for rental on Netflix.  

In contemplating more about this film (re. a conscientious objector to Naziism in Hitler's time), which I watched last night and highly recommend, the word "cult" became prominent in my thoughts.  I looked up its definition:
A system of devotion or loyalty directed toward a particular figure or object.  A misplaced or excessive admiration for a particular person or thing.

It's pretty obvious that because earth humans are tribal beings, we instinctively group together.  As I look at life objectively with a somewhat simplistic view, it seems to me that every grouping of mankind eventually becomes a hierarchical "cult" (using the least offensive descriptive sense of that word, because cults are most often identified with fanaticism), in which one must put their faith if they are to comfortably live/work within it. If the authority/leader at the top (whether it be a husband, a parent, a CEO, a priest, minister or a President) uses power selfishly to their own advantage against the welfare of the overall group, the cult can quickly become a dark -- and even dangerous one -- especially for the most vulnerable members on the lowest rungs of the group's ladder.  

Using this as a guideline, perhaps it is important and necessary to recognize this fact -- and to look beyond appearances to discover one's true identity, in order to live an authentic life. One's own experience is always the best teacher.  Franz, the main character in the film, was driven--no matter the cost--to live by his core principles when dark forces invaded his and his family's peaceful pastoral existence. He was impelled to live by his own truth--and his wife, though grief-stricken, honored and loved him for following his conscience.

The way the family in this film is treated by their friends and neighbors because of the husband's decision to leave the Hitler cult is a familiar story. Cults, big or small, don't look kindly on "deserters" who rock the boat as they dive overboard and swim away. To use another metaphor, there is usually a price to pay when leaving the herd.

The Christian mystic, St. John of the Cross, once put it this way: "In the inner wine cellar I drank of my beloved, and, when I went abroad through all this valley I no longer knew anything and lost the herd which I was following.  If then, I am no longer seen or found on the common, you will say that I am lost, But, stricken by love, I lost myself, and was found."

I realize my musings are a simplistic view of things. There are many philosophical nuances that can be added, and the film shows some of them, even without words needing to be spoken -- as different characters along the way in Hitler's time evaluate their own beliefs and actions in contrast to Franz.  In their eyes, you can see the reflection of "What if I......"  I wonder how many of the Republican "leaders" in America today are experiencing that kind of self-reflection?  As in Hitler's time, we can see them murmuring in angst behind the scenes, but none of them are speaking out in public defiance of Trump. The courage it takes to leave the herd seems to be absent in them.

Variety had a very good review of the movie (see: https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/a-hidden-life-review-terrence-malick-radegund-1203220352/), ending this way:
In this film, Malick draws a critical distinction between faith and religion, calling out the failing of the latter — a human institution that's as fallible and corruptible as any individual. At one point, Franz goes to a local chapel and speaks to the cynical old artisan (Johan Leysen) restoring the damaged paintings on its walls. "A darker time is coming, and men will be more clever," the man tells him. "They don't confront the truth. They just ignore it." In recent years, Malick may have seemed out of touch, responding to issues that interest him more than the public at large. But whether or not he is specifically referring to the present day, its demagogues, and the way certain evangelicals have once again sold out their core values for political advantage, "A Hidden Life" feels stunningly relevant as it thrusts this problem into the light.
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Want to see a good movie? Here's one I saw today and recommend

It's called "A Hidden Life," and was made last year by director Terrence Malick. It is almost 3 hours long -- and speaks perfectly to the times we are in, though it is based on a true story that took place in Hitler's Germany/Austria during WWII.  The cinematography is incredibly beautiful!  If you have never visited Austria, prepare to be visually overwhelmed by beautiful natural scenes that will take your breath away. Almost every scene in this movie is like a perfect painting (some reminded me of Van Gogh's paintings of farm workers and house interiors) -- with light, shadows, color, and visual depth that evokes feelings of being a participant, rather than a member of the audience. The little vignettes of life events in a little Alpine village are so realistically depicted, the viewer feels as though he is in the movie, living it along with the characters. You can almost feel wet spray on your face as the characters walk by fast-splashing water being turned by a mill wheel.

The parallels between the main character's dilemma, determined by having to live in a country where Hitler is the leader -- and our own time and dilemma with our similar leader in the White House are very clear to see.  Plus, the existential questions the film delves into are the same ones that have been asked by humans throughout history -- and are ones that we are asking today. 

In the review below, the main character is compared to Bartleby the Scrivener from Herman Melville's short story, and yes there are times in the story when I wanted to shout at him in frustration that there are other ways you can do this!   It's a slow-paced movie but oh so worth the viewing, if only for the treat of seeing the majestic, idyllic beauty of the Austrian Alps and the meadowlands below them.  Add in the story (a true one) and you have a memorably magnificent movie -- one that will stay with you because of the deep questions it presents about life and love and the principles we hold dear. The acting is superb, too, for every character!   Highly recommended!

You can view a short video preview of the movie at:

https://www.google.com/search?q=a+hidden+life+movie+review&oq=A+Hidden+Life+movie+review&aqs=chrome.0.0l7j69i64.4643j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

and read a long written review of it at:

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/a-hidden-life-movie-review-2019

EXCERPT from the review:

The phenomenon of ordinary citizens investing their pride, their sense of self-worth, and (in the case of men) their fantasy of machismo in the person of a single government figure is one that many nations, including the United States, understand well. Malick doesn't give interviews, but I don't think we'd need one to understand why he would release a film like this in 2019, at a time when the United States is being torn apart over the issue of obedient support of an authority figure, and have the dialogue alternate German with English. But the film is rich and sturdy enough to transcend the contemporary one-to-one comparisons that it is sure to invite—and it's not as if we haven't seen this scenario elsewhere, before and after World War II, or will never see it again. The social dynamics presented here are timeless.

And yet, improbably, "A Hidden Life" is a tragic story that doesn't play solely as a tragedy. The misery endured by Franz, Fani and their children is presented as a more extreme version of the pain everyone suffers as the byproduct of life on earth.

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Thursday, September 03, 2020

Trump calls wounded and killed American soldiers "losers" and "suckers"

Please share this informative article with friends, especially Trump supporters who are vets or now serving in the military.  

It's enough to make you weep 😪.... what must the veterans and present military troops who support him think of these contemptuous comments byTrump?  Or do they even know about it?  This article in the respected magazine The Atlantic tells many facts about Commander-in-Chief Trump's true feelings about the military (which he never served in because of 5 deferments for his claim of a "heel spur").  He revealed his disdain for military heroism in public when he said about John McCain,  "He's a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren't captured. The following article tells more verifiably witnessed facts about the president's disrespect and contempt for the military. He has repeatedly disparaged the intelligence of service members, and asked that wounded veterans be kept out of military parades, multiple sources have told The Atlantic.   I hope more of our troops hear of this as they get ready to vote.


As for Trump's heel spurs, many reports have now come out that he never had any. As he said scornfully to his lawyer, "I'm not dumb. Do you think I was going to go to Vietnam?"  See: https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2019/02/27/trumps-lawyer-no-basis-for-presidents-medical-deferment-from-vietnam/   and https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2018/12/27/trump-vietnam-war-bone-spur-diagnosis/2420475002/

EXCERPT from article:  When President Donald Trump canceled a visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris in 2018, he blamed rain for the last-minute decision, saying that "the helicopter couldn't fly" and that the Secret Service wouldn't drive him there. Neither claim was true.

Trump rejected the idea of the visit because he feared his hair would become disheveled in the rain, and because he did not believe it important to honor American war dead, according to four people with firsthand knowledge of the discussion that day. In a conversation with senior staff members on the morning of the scheduled visit, Trump said, "Why should I go to that cemetery? It's filled with losers." In a separate conversation on the same trip, Trump referred to the more than 1,800 marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood as "suckers" for getting killed.

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Tuesday, September 01, 2020

Some astrological observations of the times we are experiencing

For anyone who might be interested in exploring for answers about present events in all our lives:
I've been doing astrology charts and readings again lately, paying attention to the transits in this "interesting" time for all of us.  Particularly for Capricorns and the other Cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer and Libra.  In truth, we are all being affected by the unique and important time in which we are living, and astrology can give an understanding that you won't be hearing in the mainstream media.😊

If you are interested in learning a little about what is going on now, here is a video link of one astrologer's explanation. Don't worry if you don't understand all the astrological terms she uses. Much of her talk is in common terms that anyone can understand, and she has some good insights that match with what we are all experiencing. She speaks of the full moon in 11 degrees of Pisces that will occur on September 2nd, and its effects, as well as other planetary influences that are affecting us on Earth at the present time.  Even if you don't believe in astrology, it's comforting to hear uplifting information that is meant to bring clarity, instead of the confusion we are bombarded with daily from Trump. 🙂 See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I9dh0MWxK8&feature=youtu.be

Right now, it looks like we, our government, and the Earth itself are in the midst of a bumpy ride as inexorable transitions are taking place. Psychically derived Sabian symbols tell an interesting story about the transition. I've found them to give very helpful guidance when applied to one's birth chart.  If interested in finding more about the origin and history of Sabian symbols and how they were derived (a very interesting story!), go to: https://sabian.org/sabian_symbols.php

The full moon of September 2nd will be in the 11th degree of Pisces.  I think the Sabian symbol for that degree fits very well into the story of what we are all experiencing now.  It's not surprising that all these happenings appear to be in perfect alignment with the stars.  As we live through this transitional and transformational period on Earth, it's important to know the turmoil and confusion are temporary and necessary, as we are meant to rise from one level of consciousness to another of higher understanding.  This kind of revolutionary transition doesn't happen overnight, either on a personal level or a cosmic level, but, since it is occurring, we need to trust that it is a change we are ready for and is for the ultimate good. 

As we look around us, we can see the element of conservative thinking has become outworn and outmoded. We, as a planetary people, are in the midst of inevitable change to more progressive thinking.  But, as other times of dramatic changes in past history tell us, there will always be those who dig in their heels and refuse to move forward in the ways the time demands.  We are presently witnessing the turmoil caused by whipped-up fear and hatred as hard-liners desperately try to hang on to greed-and-power-driven systems that no longer serve the planet or its people. We have grown beyond those beliefs and it is time to move on from them, into a wider-based, more inclusive vision for life on Earth. Everything that is happening now, including climate change and the Covid virus, is telling us we cannot stay with the old ways. 

In the midst of all the confusion and rabid rhetoric from the dug-in leaders and their followers who refuse to move forward, tumultuous events are occurring. Regardless of how hard Trump and the old guard (and other leaders of their ilk around the world) try to keep the status quo of conservatism and racial divide, their efforts are doomed to fail. Massive changes are in the works, and divinely-protected events will inexorably continue to move us in a higher direction.  Wise sages keep reminding us that no matter the appearance of anything and everything that may occur in our lives during these difficult times, we must have faith that, truly, All is Well. 😇 💫

See the following interpretation from astrologer Lynda Hill of the Pisces 11 Sabian symbol...as well as for the symbols before and after Pisces 11.  I like her insights, and you might find them interesting, too. The symbols are an eye-opener, in their perfect alignment with what we see happening all around us. To me, it is proof that the ancient science of astrology is a legitimate way of gaining deeper understanding for our lives. ..."As above, so below."
💕
Eileen

Pisces 11: On The Path To Enlightenment

Pisces 11: PEOPLE TRAVELING A NARROW PATH, SEEKING ILLUMINATION

ascensionAre you on your own path? Are you heading for a desirable destination? Are you allowing distractions to take you away from what you know you should be doing? Do you feel supported by others in your quest, or, is this a more solitary journey? Do you seek the light, but sometimes find yourself wandering around in the dark? Is it time to get going on your one true path?

This Symbol shows the ability, or the need, to be able to have a quest, to "Seek Illumination", to have a "Path" and to stay on it regardless of what life throws at you. Sometimes the search for high ideals and understanding places us at odds with the more conservative social expectations of others. It is the ability to persevere with the search, regardless of the cost, that marks the sincerity of any path or journey. You may, at times in your life, have to go without some comforts or stick to a rigorous agenda. Most times this quest is very illuminating, sometimes it's confusing. You will need to reject that which is unworthy, while staying true to your objectives in order to arrive at your destination.

People 'on the path'. Having a cause to follow. The promise of light at the end of the day. Sticking with objectives. Being in the now. Going towards the light. Spiritual journeying.

The Caution: Being blinded by the light. Not knowing where you're going. Denial of physical pleasure. Puritanical and one-eyed. Distractions. Narrow minded. Disillusionment.

QUOTES:   

The difficulties you meet will resolve themselves as you advance. Proceed, and light will dawn, and shine with increasing clearness on your path. D'Alembert

There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth - not going all the way, and not starting. Buddha

On a long journey of human life, faith is the best of companions; it is the best refreshment on the journey; and it is the greatest property. Buddha

Awake, arise! Strive for the Highest, and be in the Light! Sages say the path is narrow and difficult to tread, narrow as the edge of a razor. Upanishads

Do not say, "I follow the one true path of the Spirit," but rather, "I have found the Spirit walking on my path," for the Spirit walks on all paths. Khalil Gibran

If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track, which has been there all the while waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. Joseph Campbell

How many roads can a man walk down before they call him a man? Bob Dylan



Pisces 11: Men Traveling A Narrow Path, Seeking IlluminationThe following is from Lynda Hill's book The Sabian Oracle: 360 Degrees Of Wisdom

'Men Traveling a Narrow Path, Seeking Illumination' is an image of people on a mission, seeking to find some knowledge or truth. They are on a journey of discovery, endeavoring to find the answers to questions that may have eluded them until now. They are 'Traveling a Narrow Path', one that probably has deep meaning, regardless of the perceived outcome in terms of society's expectations. This journey is likely to be a very personal one for each participant, even though there may be many who are 'Seeking' the same things.

Sometimes the search for 'Illumination', with its high levels of understanding and idealism, places us at odds with more conservative, social expectations. It is the ability to persevere with the search, regardless of the cost, that marks the sincerity of a journey. Most often this quest is 'Illuminating', although it can sometimes be confusing as new information comes flooding into our conscious awareness. You will need to reject that which is unworthy on the 'Path' as it could lead to disillusionment about values and what is truly worth pursuing. This Symbol can indicate the need to go without many things and having to stick to a strict agenda in order to accomplish a task, goal or education. It may have taken some time to find this particular direction in life. Disregarding one's more mundane physical needs and emotions may be necessary in the quest for getting to the place of ambition or attainment. You may have to leave others behind when you set out. As this is a 'Narrow Path', not all can share the same endeavor or, indeed, would want to. The rewards are usually rich in some measure as one moves towards the light - the 'Illumination'. Maybe you should ask yourself – are you on 'a Path' or a treadmill? Be wary of taking shortcuts, as these may not lead to the thing that's intended.

Keywords: People "on the Path". Sticking to one mindset, diet, regimen or habit. Having a cause to follow. Not looking sideways. Awakening one's base senses in order to progress. Physical ecstasy. Being in the now. Going towards the light. Staying true to self. The promise of light at the end of the journey.

The Caution: Blinded by the light. Not knowing where you're really going. Disillusionment about what's been chosen. Being one-eyed about goals and beliefs. The denial of physical pleasure. Puritanical behavior. Distractions that stop forward movement. Narrow mindedness.

The Karmic Condition (the degree before is Pisces 10: An Aviator In The Aviator In The CloudsClouds. There may be a feeling of having to rise above everything in order to get a bird's eye view of what is going on. You may also feel the need to remove yourself from people, places, events, memories, etc, and to see them from a somewhat heightened or 'uninvolved' perspective. 

Keywords: Elevated views. Always seeing the best in people and things. Peace and tranquility. The longing for transcendence. Not seeing limitations. Being in a refined "head space". Mastery. Flight, planes, pilots. Avoidance of time constraints. Pollyanna attitudes. Free flights of fantasy and escapism. The need for accurate navigation. Being in charge of the controls. Seeking higher truths. Maps. Compasses. Global satellite positioning.

The Caution: Sailing through difficulties or missing what's really going on. Escapist use of alcohol and drugs, etc. Lack of grounded energy or reality. Being unearthed. Escaping responsibilities. Isolating oneself. Completely missing the point.  Wrong turns. Missing the signs. We are meant to stay on our paths, that is the true thrust of what's going on. Meanwhile, we may wonder how we are doing in amongst the 'tests and trials' we may be experiencing. 

The Quest (the degree after) is Pisces 12: An Examination of Initiates in the Sanctuary of an Occult Brotherhood. This symbol is one where we may feel we are 'being judged', having to live up to the expectations of others, or, as though we are somehow being 'examined' by life, love, events, people, etc. This is something we may need to work on.

Keywords: The ordeal that comes to any initiate for entrance into higher realms of being. Tests, examinations, having to prove oneself. Being judged. Being cross-examined. Rarefied atmospheres that demand personal sacrifice. The attainment of knowledge. Finding out how and where one fits in. One-pointed dedication. Cults. Rituals.


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