perceptions

Must See – Day 808

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Photo: L. Weikel

Must See

One unexpected result of the pandemic, for me, has been my appreciation for the allure of Twitter. While I’m not one to initiate tweets, I readily admit to being a reader of them. I think my fascination with the platform arose during the George Floyd protests. Because I’ve carefully selected the people I ‘follow,’ I honestly feel my exposure to and understanding of the world has expanded tremendously. Mostly this expansion has related to politics, as well as breaking national and international news. But most recently? I was tipped off to watching something I can only say is a must see.

The tweet itself, like this post won’t, didn’t describe the program. In fact, it suggested, as I do as well, that you not read about the premise or, really, do any research on it before watching.

Just approach with an open mind and watch it.

Some Just Can’t

I realize that taking a risk – even if it’s just flirting with the possibility that I’ll waste 90 minutes or two hours on something that’s a dud – is something that floats my boat. It’s an especially intriguing prospect when I get the sense, vague as it might be, that it could push my perception of reality or of who I am. That’s like catnip to Cletus, baby. Sign me up.

But I realize that some of you might not be as turned on by the prospect of indulging in a film that has the potential to shift your conceptions. Maybe you need a little bit of a teaser (even if it’s recommended that you go into it with a paucity of preconceptions). For those of you, I offer the official trailer.

And for those of you who like to read reviews, here’s one from Rolling Stone. Perhaps Rotten Tomatoes is a leading indicator. I just checked and it’s got a 100% rating.

Detox

I recognize that I’ll be snagged back like a fish on a hook to watching what’s happening in Washington D.C. when the impeachment trial begins. And I admit to relishing the ability to peek in on press briefings from Jen Psaki, President Biden’s new Press Secretary, or to occasionally listen to highlights of briefings on Covid and the Climate Crisis.

But I must confess. After watching the interview I referenced last night with Senator Schumer, I’m actually giving myself permission to enter into a more comprehensive detoxification. I do not need to compulsively check my Twitter feed to assure myself we’re not on the brink of another crisis.

That’s not to say appalling information, especially with respect to the plotting behind the 1/6 insurrection, isn’t continuing to come to light. It is. And there are expositions of scandals buried and time bombs planted by the previous administration (hopefully not literally) just waiting to be revealed.

But for the first time in a very long time I’m starting to feel like I can breathe between crises.

And that means I can start taking the time again to contemplate the stuff that makes life worth living. My focus can return to that which reminds me of the magic of life. It’s that magic that feeds my passion for shamanic work and writing and journeying and listening.

Stir Your Soul

So…take a risk. Trust me. Don’t follow the links above. Instead, just watch In & Of Itself on Hulu. You need to see it to believe it. Or do you?

(T-303)

What Do YOU See – Day 193

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What Do YOU See?

So much of what we perceive is influenced by our expectations. Our beliefs about lots of things, but particularly the nature of reality, shape our perceptions.

Obviously, this can occasionally have huge consequences and at other times less significant (indeed, some might argue inconsequential) impacts upon us and our lives.

I try to pay attention to my surroundings. I try to see details and, let’s face it, I try always to remain ‘open’ to whatever messages or meanings might occur to me when I encounter aberrant things in my environment.

Back In the Walking Saddle

I’m glad to report that Karl and I managed to squeeze in a satisfying four mile walk today. It’s been a while since I logged anywhere near as much mileage s as I did through most of April. In fact, that reminds me – I was going to write a post about the number of miles I’ve walked since turning 60. I surprised even myself.

Anyway, we were walking early this evening along a long straight stretch of road that leads to High Rocks. We were marveling at the explosion of growth in all the plants along the road.

As we were walking along, my eyes lit upon something that seemed extremely out of place. I’m sure I did a double take, and know I bent down close to inspect.

First take a hard look at the photo that’s at the beginning of this post (and the one that hopefully showed up in the teaser on Facebook).

To quote a famous Christmas carol: Do you see what I see?

Can You See It?

Candy Cane Surprise – Photo: L. Weikel

Here is the close-up. If I asked you to take 100 guesses as to what I found along the road today, hanging daintily from some sturdy green grasses/weeds, I doubt you would guess what’s in this photo.

And while I don’t particularly ascribe any meaning to this discovery, I do appreciate the magic it brought to our walk. Who finds stuff like this on a walk in the middle of nowhere?

Which reminds me of yet another discovery I made while we were walking a few weeks ago. Hmm. Maybe I do have a few more blog posts left to write!

I wish you all a wonderful Friday filled with ‘sweet surprises’ to be discovered in the most amazing places!

(T-918)

Perspective – Day 168

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Icy Perspective – Photo: L. Weikel

Perspective

We just finished watching the most recent Game of Thrones episode: the battle scene with the Undead in the final season. (Just in case this ever gets read at a time when they have no clue which episode I’m talking about!)

First of all, I need to confess that I’m a latecomer to GoT. Karl and I were so turned off by the first episode that it took us seven years to come around to giving the series another chance. That’s because we tried again maybe three years in and got turned off again within an episode or two by all the violence and gratuitous sex.

I’m far from a prude. But yowza, it took some fortitude to stick with it long enough to get hooked on the characters.

But third time was a charm, and we ended up watching all seven seasons last year. We started in, committing to “sticking with it this time,” months ahead of the release of Season 7, so we could slide right into it.

It was immensely satisfying. And yes, we were hooked.

After watching tonight’s episode, as well as the ‘after-program’ in which the show’s creators describe some of their thought processes in writing and filming it, Karl and I commented on how we might actually enjoy watching the entire series over again.

Not a Fan of Reruns or Reading Books Twice

That’s not something I would expect of myself – I’m not one to watch reruns nowadays (unlike when I was growing up and ‘reruns’ were the only game in town), just as I am loathe to re-read a book. There’s too much fresh content, too many new books being written (and older ones I’ve never read) to reread one I’ve read already.

But there was a lot of detail in all those episodes, and it is easy to see how I may have missed some things that later would become surprisingly relevant. I could actually see how watching it a second time could actually reveal enough nuances to make the entire journey enjoyable again.

And that’s when it occurred to me why I treasure my journals and appreciate the discipline of keeping one as consistently as I’ve (mostly) been able to do throughout my life.

When I go back and read my entries, I not only ‘see’ things from the perspective of that part of myself who wrote it. And that perspective is actually quite easy to recapture, as I was routinely highly descriptive. I’ve always made a point of being raw and honest in my journal writing. Otherwise, what’s the point? I never could see the purpose behind sugar-coating anything, but especially something you are writing for yourself.

And truth be told, as I’ve engaged in research to begin writing the sequel to Owl Medicine by going back and re-reading my journal entries, I’ve been fascinated at times with the things I thought and believed at the time. To read those entries with the knowledge of how things actually played out adds a dimension that can change the dynamic of your entire perception of how life has worked out.

Perspective.

It colors everything. Yet it is so incredibly easy to lose sight of precisely how important it is to understanding our feelings as well as our beliefs about the nature of everything – at least certainly the nature of our reality.

Just How Accurate Are Our Perceptions?

Knowing what we know today, how accurate do our beliefs or judgments as recorded years ago measure up? Would we interpret certain feelings or experiences the same way now, knowing how we once did? And perhaps more importantly, how we acted in reliance upon those interpretations?

I love the task of honing my awareness and ability to read persons, places, and circumstances.

And sometimes I think there is both great value and opportunity provided by watching reruns or allowing reruns to play in our mind by rereading old journals. Opportunity to learn about ourselves and others, which to me is what life is all about.

Who’d a thought I’d come to that realization from finally succumbing to the allure of GoT?

(T-943)