“Let me get this straight? The economy is collapsing. Gas, food, housing prices are through the roof..Crime is at the highest level in decades.(especially in Dem led city’s) Marijuna is becoming legal and even encouraged in more and more states….And this galley of jesters, is talking about nicotine in cigarettes?!?!….Please?..The higher powers that be….Please?!..Admit we are living in a simulation..You had your fun toying with the matrix and pushing scenarios that defy logic…..So I beg you…..Stop this insanity!!..🤔🤔🛸👽”
[All content, including typos, retained from the original.]
First, let’s get the facts, starting with the economy.
Most every Saturday morning, I and a few fellow martial arts practitioners train in the park on Adams Avenue in Kensington. This is our 20th year of weekly practice. After training, we usually go to the Kensington Cafe for coffee and conversation. We have solved a lot of the world’s problems in our Saturday morning conferences. No one pays attention, of course.
Over the years, our Kenpo club has had members from a wide range of backgrounds. China, Norway, Mexico, Poland, Romania and other countries have been represented. The staff and clientele of Kensington Cafe similarly represent a wide diversity of nationalities. This morning, as we checked in at the host stand, we excused ourselves for perhaps getting ahead of another patron. In replying to our apology, she first said that she was only learning English and could not speak very well.
We encouraged her and a conversation ensued.
“Where are you from?” I asked.
She hesitated, looked down at the sidewalk and then said, “I am from Russia.”
Most of my life has been a pursuit of peace. Even though I’ve had to literally fight to achieve it at times.
A colleague and I were discussing martial arts, after I presented a workshop for his leadership team on constructive conflict resolution using the principles of yin and yang. He looked at me thoughtfully and asked, “You’re a pacifist, aren’t you Stan?” I said, “Yes. But unfortunately, not everyone else is.”
World peace through Tango. You can’t dance and fight at the same time.Continue reading →
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There’s ice on the ground, steam rising from parked cars blasted by morning sun. Cherry blossoms have begun to bloom, along with crocuses and daffodils.
On the way to school Mina notices a plant that looks like a snowflake- a spiky weed covered in frost.
Ukrainians are being forced from their homes, killed by random blasts as they rush to evacuate. Thousands of people in Berlin show up at the airport to offer housing for Ukrainian refugees. Those who remain in the destroyed cities don’t have food, water, electricity, internet. It’s cold there, still fully winter.
Meanwhile, I search for houses on Zillow, talk with our agent, consider a plan for selling and buying. But this morning, my husband and daughter asleep in our cozy bed under the orange velvet comforter- they look perfect, warm, safe, and how could we wish for anything more, beyond the abundance we already have.
In a few days the mask mandate will be lifted. Masks will be optional at Mina’s school. She was five years old, in kindergarten, when she was last maskless in school. Now she is almost eight.
Things are still not okay. I don’t think they ever will be again. For years we have been living in a state of crisis- often multiple crises on top of one another. Now that our perspective has zoomed out, gone global, it’s hard to imagine ever being truly present in one place, and ever feeling again untainted joy or peace.
That’s why, on the walk home, I make sure to reach up and gently pluck one low cherry blossom, severing its stem carefully with my thumbnail. I pinch its stem between my thumb and middle finger, cupping the flower inward, protecting it with the curve of my hand. Its five petals are so pale, almost white, wrinkled like tissue.
At its center, a delicate explosion- frozen in mid burst- the tiniest firework of dark pink and gold.
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