NATURAL ELEMENTS - WATER

THE VERDE WORD

This article on Water is the fourth in the series of Natural Elements and follows the same principle of displaying the use of natural elements of fire, earth, wind and water terminologies in our everyday language.

The elements are also used to promote personal thought whilst proposing an alternative philosophical viewpoint to display the relationship between natural elements and human behaviour.

From the language perspective, we use phrases such as 'it rolls like water off the ducks back', 'still waters run deep', 'being as calm as the ice on a frozen pond', 'rolling with the flow' or, 'being weak as water'.  However I believe the analogies drawn below can be used for empowerment.

Throughout our lives we may strive to survive, or achieve and tackle obstacles head on.

This can become a rather exhausting and sometimes fruitless.
No matter how hard we battle through, becoming exhausted with the effort, we sometimes get nowhere.

To go from nowhere to nowhere, with force, what is that about?
Can we achieve better outcomes by focussing on the path rather than forcing a path?
Equally important, why does everything have to be done now, immediately?
What would happen if we paused and waited?
Is it a matter of timing that dictates whether or not we are successful?

Constant striving and achieving  can be a battle unless we change our ways of being.
Why not naturally follow the nature of water?

Whilst standing at the edge of the river, we debate whether and when to cross and what route to take.

The river is more of a stream about twenty feet across, shallow with some rocks.
Do we use the rocks as stepping stones, or is it be better to simply walk through the water after pulling up our trouser legs.

Perhaps we should take off our shoes?  If we do, our feet could be cut on the sharpness of the rocks, stones and pebbles.  Then again, if we keep our shoes on, the rest of the walk will be with soggy shoes and feet.

Perhaps we should wait til the water level drops, then again, it could rise instead.  Perhaps we could progress up or downstream where the water may be more shallow and flowing less rapidly.
Regardless, whether we proceed we still have to be careful as flash floods can occur at any time even if we are half across standing on a rock.

This is life.  No matter how well prepared we are we remain subject to the whim of nature and natural elements.  We are also subject to other variables whether they be people, money, laws and regulations, friends and relatives, personal preferences and responsibilities to ourselves and others.

"The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men oft go astray"

Robert Burns (1795)

.  

From the poem 'To a Mouse, On Turning Her Up In Her Nest  With the Plough'.

The key to handling the variables of life lay in nature and this particular example is the nature of water.

Water is life, water is the life of life.

Water has it's own flow and finds it's own level.  Rain falls onto plants and the water rivulets makes its own way via the easiest path.  Water does not stop to think and decide which way to go, whether down this leaf of that.  Water simply does what water does, it flows down and along the easiest and most natural path finally to or forming a puddle or pool that gives life to plant or animal organisms.

The puddle or pool may turn into or flow to a river.  The river water flows along naturally doing what water does, simply being what it is and what nature intended.  It flows deep, shallow, by the riverbank or mid-stream, over, around, through or under soil, sand, sticks, logs, pebbles or rocks.
Water continues the flow regardless whilst paying no heed to any forces placed upon it.

People and other animals swim in the river, buckets of water taken out, the hole formed by the bucket is immediately replaced by more water, animals and organisms imbibe the water, yet the water still remains and continues to flow.

Is it not easier to continue through our lives and our never ending events if we followed the nature of water?  There is no obstacle that water is unable to overcome, and all with it's natural flow.

Our human drama, troubles, sadness, are easier to handle if we follow the nature of water.
Instead of finding obstacles to achieve what you want in your life, be like water, simply follow your own personal flow.

Don't accept others' opinion or negative comments and thoughts, they are the same obstacle as a rock in the river, and guess what?  The river water simply flows around the rock.  The rock, the obstacle is of no consequence to the water.  Water simply keeps on flowing it's natural course regardless.

Be like the river water, follow your dream, tackle your life issues and problems like water.
Simply flow.  Because if the nature of water is followed your human life issues and problems are indeed the rock.  What happens to the rock after you (being the water) has transversed over, around or under the rock and solved your problems and achieved your dreams?

That same old rock in many centuries will still be sitting there (like your old problems and life issues), for a very very long time.  Leave it all behind,  be as the water, and flow.

Conduct your life fluidly and calmly whilst allowing your inner being to guide your path of the flow be it stepping stones, rivers, floods, beach sand and waves, rain, mist, fog, waterfalls.  Let nature be your guide.

Verde.

Extract from Robert Burns poem extracted from http://www.robertburns.org/works/75.shtml <Viewed 31st December 2013>.

NATURAL ELEMENTS - WIND

THE VERDE WORD

Wind is the subject of this week's Verdeword.  It is the third in the series on the natural elements of nature being: Fire Earth Wind and Water.

My philosophy on Wind is not about what we see, rather, what we do NOT see.  That is, cause and effect.  We do not see wind but instead we see it's effect and the effect can last forever.

Like the other elements of fire and earth, we use terminology in our everyday language.  We may use phrases such as 'winds of change', 'an ill wind blows no good', or 'being a big wind' referring to someone with the attribute of being a big talker.  We also use the analogy of bending in the wind like a tropical palm, boughs on a willow etc. meaning to be flexible.  Then we have the poetical 'winds of change' as we face our destiny.

At times we innocently say things that have an effect that is not only unseen but can also have a enormous affect on people around us.

There are times we may not realise the greatness of what we have said, nor the impact, but like the wind, it blows and flows freely whenever and wherever and it can create an unexpected impact which is so far-reaching it is almost not even imaginable.

In 1973 the United States via NASA launched it's first space station named Skylab. Skylab was used for science experiments, photography and communications.  Unfortunately Skylab was damaged during the launch and this shortened it's life and was brought back to Earth in 1979.

To decommission and dispose of Skylab, NASA's plan was to destroy Skylab by setting a trajectory into Earth's atmosphere to ensure the craft would either totally disintegrate and/or crash into the desert of Western Australia.

Naturally, both the United States and Australian Governments worked in tandem on this project in the same way as they worked together on the Lunar Landing.

As an important part of the decommissioning, the United States were to download all the data, including current and past recordings of communications stored in the on-board computers.

Because of the shape of the Earth, the downloaded data was first heard by the Australian Government telecommunications technicians who then relayed it to the United States Government (the same as the Lunar Landing [which means that Australian scientists were the first people on planet Earth to hear the famous words "The Eagle has landed"]).

As the communications data was being downloaded from Skylab, the Australian technicians found they were listening to Morse code, aircraft communications, two way radio voice messages and phone conversations to and from ships.  Often the ship and plane names and identification codes were mentioned at the beginning and end of the communications. One particular technician had a 'gut' feeling that these transmissions did not sound like normal transmissions of 'the day'.

The data download was slow and the technician decided to investigate what he was hearing. His investigations revealed that the Morse code and voice communications was from World War aircraft and other Morse code and two way radio (ship to shore) and some phone conversations came from merchant and passenger ships that were very old and no longer existed. The technician had also historic shipping records.

However, what does this have to do with wind and what we say?

Every word we say, utter, mumble, shout, sing, cry etc. keeps on going forever.  All threats, abuse, words in anger, war cries, gun shots, bomb explosions, expressions of pain, love, prayers, song, music, television commercials, the X-Factor  and that golden oldie Days of our Lives tv show all continue to exist forever as does the effect of the sound of wind.

Can you still hear in your mind the sound of the wind brushing the willow boughs at the bottom of grandmas garden when you were a kid?  It is not only a memory as the sound of the wind from those days is still circulating, it may not be heard, but it still exists in our atmosphere.

As I said before, there are times where we may not realise the impact of our words.
Remember the wind, and the science of communications, the wind blows whenever and wherever, sound does not die, it continues on for eternity.  Thus, the impact of our voice and words are so far-reaching it is almost not even imaginable.

The next time you feel like saying something judgemental, nasty or angry to get back at someone or make a speech, think carefully about your words and language because whatever you say, it will indeed last forever.

Verde.

Check out the Australian movie 'The Dish'.

NATURAL ELEMENTS - EARTH

THE VERDE WORD

Earth is the second in the series on the four natural elements of Fire, Earth, Wind and Water.

What do we mean by the word 'Earth'.  Do we mean planet Earth or the earth in which we plant our flowers and veggies or perhaps we mean the language we speak such as 'she is earthy', 'the salt of the earth', 'what on earth are you talking about', 'where the earth is he?',  or maybe being an 'earth mother', coming down to earth' or even 'Mars, this is Earth calling, are you receiving me? Over'.

In this article, the use of the word 'Earth' has two themes.  The first is on planet Earth and the second is on the earth, or soil we walk upon and sow plants.

As with the first element of fire, earth has many uses besides being used in our common language vernacular to refer to people and other animals and their behaviour.

In line with the previous article on Natural Elements - Fire, this is a brief description of what earth is, does and, demonstrates how we can use the same natural earth behaviour to adapt our human behaviour to improve our life, health and well being.

But first, we hark back to Fire and volcanoes.  Magma is forced above ground and the name becomes Lava, same stuff, different name. From lava to rocks that finally fall apart and becomes soil, or earth.

On the surface of our planet, rocks are slowly pressured by winds and minuscule pieces of grit are loosened and spread across the land.  Following, those individual pieces of grit may end up helping to form deserts, mountains and even make a contribution to the floor of lakes and oceans.

Change happens naturally and as nature intends.  Everything adapts to constant change which is often driven by other things.  For example, the aforementioned grit is blown from a rock, it may land in a lake.  The lake dries up, sand dunes form, deserts form and towns are covered over.  Besides that, a rock has vanished, or, changed form. It only takes one small change to have a domino effect.

Land or undersea earthquakes happen regularly and each time there is even a small tremor the earth moves.  Our planet is in a constant state of change.  We know that continents, islands and lands on our planet are not at the same location they were millions and billions of years ago.

Think about this.  Where would the American, African, Australian, the Arctic and Antarctic continents be and what physical condition would they be if they had not moved and rolled with the natural flow and movements of the Earth?  Would they be at the bottom of the ocean, or perhaps be covered by other land masses because they did not move whilst other natural cataclysmic events overtook them?  

However, the continents and land masses did roll with the flow.  Whether it was because of volcanic eruption, earthquakes or whatever, they simply allowed nature to form them into whatever and wherever they are supposed to be.

Not only is our planet in a state of change but the whole universe is as well because it is continually expanding.  Everything is constantly on the move whether it be in sub-atomic form or much larger.  In billions of years, the map our planet will be unrecognisable because of these constant changes regardless of the size.

We humans are constructed of the same stuff as the rest of the planet, water, minerals, chemicals and, neutrons, protons and electrons.  Therefore, as our planet, our individual human lives continue and very slowly we change.  Wrinkles appear, our body shape changes, our hair turns grey and we tend to shrink.  Even our mental attitudes alter. These things will happen as surely as the earth is in a constant state of change as well.   This is how life is, ever changing.

So what does this mean to you?  

Because everything is in a state of change, the trick to survival is physical and mental adaptability.

If we take heed from our planet and nature, there will be less of a battle for our personal psychological health if we do as nature does and adapt to change and let things happen, naturally.

Forget the dramas of last year's holiday celebratory period, snow, ice, traffic, flights grounded, accidents, deaths, family arguments, disappointments with gifts, food 'not quite right'  etc.

Accept it, forget it and move on.  All things will be different tomorrow, next week, next month and next year.  I guarantee it.  Why?  Because like our planet and nature, people change.  They change their minds, their likes and dislikes during a day far more often than they change their underwear. 

Life without change can be so darned boring, would you like to live today exactly the same tomorrow, the day after, the day after that, and the day after that...again and again and again?

Look at the tree outside, the leaves are facing a different direction, look at the cat...another rich long whisker, look at the baby...the smile is becoming wider, look at the ocean, gosh wasn't it a different shade a few minutes ago?  Look at the veggie patch soil, is it lighter than it was this morning?

Who put that ding in my car?  "Johnny!!!!!!!!  You used my car last!!!! That ding was not there yesterday!!!!!"   "You want me to relish the change to the shape of my car?????" I hear you say.  "Ok, but I would also relish the shape being changed again to how it was before you drove it"  (So sayeth Mum).

Take time to see things slowly change, enjoy it because in change, what you see now, you will never see again.  Why?  Because everything, absolutely everything in the universe is constantly changing!  In order to survive, we need to open our minds and become adaptable to anything that comes along or, stay stuck in the present.

Look at it this way, if nothing changed, our body would never die and we live forever with each day the same as today.  Forever!!!!!!!!

Like, how many times can you wake up on the 9th December 2013 and live the same day over, for ever!!!!  No way Jose!  Welcome change.  Love change, relish each and every moment, hour, day, week month and year being different!

To welcome and adapt to change, this is how we learn, develop and grow.  The added bonus is we increase our spirituality.  When the time comes and we leave this physical life and go onto another as a better person, there is change in that re-newness of life.  Change is exciting!

Is it preferable to have an eternal life or an infernal life where everything stays the same?

Enjoy each and every moment, every instant of your life.  Adaptability, is the key.  Be prepared to embrace change and be prepared to reap the rewards.

So Says...

VERDE

NATURAL ELEMENTS - FIRE

THE VERDE WORD

This week is a short and light contemplation on Fire.

The following three weeks will be focused on Earth, Wind and Water.

 As well as discussing the importance of the four elements equally we are able to use them to help shape our personal philosophy for guidance and behaviour.

As I have been saying over these past few months, all things in the universe originate from one source.  Thus, all things in the universe are linked to everything else as are the four elements.

When we think of fire we may think about volcanoes, wildfires, barbecues, house fires, firework celebrations, lava, cigars, prehistoric mans’ discovery of fire and even, camping.  Many things and associations come to light. (no pun intended).

Our sphere, the rock third from the sun, Planet Earth, could not and would not be alive without fire.  Without the sun, the earth and all living things we would not exist in our current  form.

Magma at the core of our earth is molten earth consisting of rock, semi-melted rock, chemicals and solids.  No matter how scientifically fantastic it is, I find it difficult to imagine rocks melting, but they do.  Molten rock in the core of the Earth is called magma.  After it has emerged or flowed from a volcano it is called lava. Same thing but different names in different circumstances.

Lava may emerge on the surface of the earth or undersea though volcanic vents and flows as liquid rock while solidifying.  It is a cycle, from solid rock to molten rock to solid rock again.  Life for everything is circular, we come and go, are born and die and are born again.  Thus it is with the cycle of life, rocks and lava.  Over millions of years soil on the surface sinks, becomes rock then magma and over time it re-emerges as lava and then solidifies into rock again.

Lava flows down through mountains and forests, across fields and towns whilst the liquid carpet destroys or buries everything in its path.

(I find this photo (#) of a lava flow at Pahoehoe in Hawaii particularly interesting.  I can see the movement and the dark streaks remind me of human veins and skin.  It looks alive. Awesomely beautiful.)

Because so much molten rock is spewed from a volcano and the lava can flow long distances, hills and mountains may change shape, rivers disappear and new ones appear and coastlines and the seabed can change shape, grow and move. Fire is an element that constantly changes the shape of our earth.

Lava soil is very rich in nutrients that are excellent for growing crops.  Thus, although the erupting volcano and lava has created much damage both human and geological, they have a very important role in the form and shaping of our planet.  I ask the question, what would Planet Earth be like without historic or current day volcanic eruptions?

It is common to use fire in language such as; 'he is a hot head', 'firebrand', 'it is hot as hades', ‘he/she is hot', ‘it is hot' (stolen) etc.  However, the language of fire and heat can also be transposed to our moods and our behaviour.

If we are in a rage, feeling heated about things, furious as hell or, often when upset our skin may turn red etc., all these feelings inside may be related to heat and fire.

When we lose our temper and verbally explode ejaculating unexpected and offensive language in a rage of a temper lost, is it better to vent our feelings so others know we feel, or keep it in? 

Perhaps more can be achieved by expressing ourselves calmly and rationally however that is sometimes not so easy to do.

If we are feeling angry and the body feels hot, we are able to turn our mind to calmness by thinking of cool things such as being as calm as ice on a frozen pond, the stream meandering along in a shaded glen or the trees quietly wafting on the breeze. 

Alternatively, if we are losing control of our anger, and are upset and becoming hot under the collar it can ease our minds by feeling the metaphorical cool ice soothing our neck or the breeze brushing our skin.  By concentrating on things that are cool can take the heat out of the situation.

Conclusion.

Whether it be volcanic eruptions, or a human rage, after a while, the eruption and rage dissipates.  Eruption and rage always ends and life continues on.  We all learn lessons from eruptions of any kind and those lessons generally provide us with a better understanding of our planet and people.  Following, we are better able to manage the situation next time.

As I say, life is a cycle, born die and be born again, the same is with volcanoes and us, we erupt calm down and learn.  Moral of the story?  Calm down, chill out.

VERDE

Folks, a very dear friend, also a philosopher, has contributed additional thoughts which takes the above idea further forward.  Although the path can be painful, it also leads to enlightenment and a beautiful renewed life conclusion. You will enjoy her thoughts and words.



ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTION FROM A FELLOW PHILOSOPHER

"There is another physical and emotional connection I find obvious and fascinating- what you describe here is also clearly a life cycle of a relationship...melted rock- magma- lava- hardened rock...at the end - changes: scars inside and out...icy cold rocks- and a new rebirth-spring crocus or a prickly cactus emerge out of a hardened lava...both are planted solid to stay until the earth moves again and rocks melt".

© Anonymous Fellow Philosopher - April 2014.

# Photo obtained from Wikipedia (2013) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magma (Viewed 2nd December 2014)

NATURAL ELEMENTS - INTRO

THE VERDE WORD

This weeks post is an introduction to the natural elements of Fire, Earth, Wind and Water and these will be individually addressed during the four weeks of December.

As you know, we all come from one source, one origin of energy.  Not only do we come from one energy source, but all things in the universe come from that same source.  We come from a matter-less state into a state of matter.

All plants, animals, rocks, gases, liquids, solids etc., absolutely everything is formed from a matter-less source. Call it Source, God, Mohammad or George,  the name does not matter.  What does matter is to recognise that everything in the universe is comprised of mini-micro organisms, neutrons, protons, electrons, and sub-atomic matter, all of which came from nothing. Non-existence into existence. Non-matter into matter.

As everything originated from non-matter into matter so do the earthly elements of Fire, Earth, Wind and Water.  Although we can touch, see and feel the effects of these four elements, they not only affect our human existence but also our moods, feelings and our personal behaviour.

For example, although our homes, towns and cites can be affected by these four elements, we may also be frightened during wildfires, we may live in an earthquake zone and be afraid of disappearing into the earth caused by the movement of soil.

We may be threatened by tornados and the wind, or the water storm surges brought by the sea, or the rain brought by hurricanes or even being afraid of deep water and what is unseen below the surface.  Some people experience ill health such as headaches when low pressure weather is present, or migraines when the wind is blowing, or heat stroke during hot weather, or hypothermia in snow or ice storms and blizzards.

It is paramount is that we need the four elements of Fire, Earth, Wind and Water for survival. We need  fire to keep warm and cook food, earth to grow our crops,wind to pollinate and populate plant life and water to cleanse and hydrate plants and animals.  Humans and all animal life on planet Earth need the four elements to survive.

We may need these elements for survival, but we can use these elements as a paradigm, a model of how to better understand and use our lives.

How we use Fire, Earth, Wind and Water is important not only physically, but also to help guide us along a positive behavioural and mental health path.

Fire, Earth, Wind and Water can heal and nurture our souls, our minds, our psychological well being while also, be used as a paradigm for altering our personal way, our journey through life and being enable to think more clearly and act more rationally whilst being objective and calm.

There is the language of Fire, Earth, Wind and Water. 'He is a fire brand', 'She is an earth mother', 'Politicians are big winds', or, 'Rolls off like water on a duck's back'.  Then there is the other aspect of being fired up, down to earth, like a breeze and, watered down.  It is this paradigm of language we use to think of ourselves and others as well as using the four elements to reflect how we handle situations inside ourselves. These are the issues and elements that will be covered during the next four weeks.


Effect of Natural Forces - What is Fact, What is Fiction?

As you may have been taught or have seen on a television history program, Planet Earth has remained the same for billions of years, however the location of land and water masses are in a constant state of change.

Have a bit of fun.

Below is a list of what Verde thinks will happen to the poles, various land masses and oceans over the next 10-50 billion years.  Oh, and the wonderful Tony Bennett, what about Tony?

What do you think?


Planet Earth - 20 Million Years Hence

Fact or Fiction : True or False?

• The South Pole will be the North Pole and vice versa
• North and South America will be joined to Antarctica
• Australia will also be joined to Antarctica
• The Pacific Ocean will be smaller
• The Atlantic Ocean will be larger
• Antarctica will be larger
• Ocean currents will have changed course
• Humans will live on other planets
• Humans will live in other solar systems
• New forms of animal and plant life will exist on planet Earth
• There will be no such thing as land ownership by nations
• There will be no individual national governments
• There will be one World Planet Earth government
• There will be other World Planet governments
• Our sun will be running short on gas
• Hours of sunshine will be shorter
• That wonderful man, Tony Bennett, will still be releasing albums

Next week the first element of this four week series will be Fire.  In discussing Fire I will write about how the element of Fire can be used in a self-focussed lesson how to link Fire to assist our personal growth and well being.

VERDE

SILENCE & PEACE

THE VERDE WORD

The sound of silence.  Does silence exist.  What does silence sound like.  What is the benefit of silence.


Quietly listening, and being aware of the silence we are hearing, are we hearing the sound of silence?  Are we hearing silence or the sound of silence?  Does this mean that silence has a sound and that sound is the sound of nothing?  Therefore, as silence has the sound of nothing, then the sound of nothing does exist.

Silence is the only thing that is not divisible.  Cut silence in half and you have silence, cut it again, you have silence.  Multiply silence, you have silence, and again, you still have silence.  No matter what is done with silence, it still remains with the same amount and that amount is not quantifiable.

Quietude is the state of being still and quiet within ourselves. Silence is how we reach the state of quietude. The result of quietude is peace.

When we as individuals practise silence as a way of stilling our minds or reaching into a philosophical place that not only becomes a space of quietude within ourselves, but also reaches a highly enlightened state of mind.  In turn this produces feelings of awakening and wisdom and a new way of seeing our world and those around us.  We feel at peace and in harmony with our universe.

In contrast, there are also the times when we sit in silence, stunned into silence and perhaps numbed by fear, afraid to act.

The time to be silent must be gauged for the time to speak.  The time for silence must be weighed against the effect of speaking, the time for silence must also be measured against the harm that is done by not speaking.

The effect of remaining silent can be devastating in various ways.

If a nation, state, district, or local area have leaders, politicians, bureaucrats, police, military, business people or fellow townsfolk or citizens who are corrupt, liars, egocentrics, manipulators of humanity, bullies, thieves, rapists, child molesters and murderers, the time for acting by speaking out is now, regardless of the risk, humanity has a need to respond by speaking out.  The time for silence is over.

The effect of being aware of despicable acts yet still remaining silent and non responsive has a devastating impact on society and civilisation.  By remaining silent the harm and further collateral damage is guaranteed.

If one is silent when asked a question regarding knowing of harmful acts against humanity, is this lying?  It definitely is.

Sometimes for a period, it is wise to remain silent for personal safety and survival.  There are times when it is necessary to gauge what is said, when it is said and of course, to whom it is said.

Society can not continue indefinitely turning in another direction to avoid seeing and hearing the sound of children crying, brothers and sons screaming as they die on battle fields, sons and daughters raped as a puerile attempt at self empowerment by the rapist.  Nor can we fail to speak up when children are being harmed by paedophiles.  Nor can we fail to speak up against murderers and sadistic torturers who want to punish women and children for wanting an education for themselves and their country.

Our planet was created beautifully and designed as a place of peace and harmony.  That over 2,000 years ago, historic despots used faith and religion to manipulate the masses to gain more land and political power for themselves is something that is still being propagated today.  We all live on the same planet called Earth and it belongs to all of us.

Forget what is yours is yours, and what is ours is yours as well.  Grow up and live, the dying is not worth it.

Consider:  If over the past 2,000 years, all the money spent on armaments, military and reparation was put into national development, some of these countries would be amongst the richest in the world.  Look at Australia, peaceful, harmonious and a population of only 22 million. Without many wars and invasions, Australia is one of the richest countries in the world.  That says many positive things about peace and democracy.

Silence of the mind, silence of the conscience, silence of the heart is extremely rewarding as it facilitates quietude and peace.

Verde

BUSKERS & PANHANDLERS

THE VERDE WORD

This post on Buskers and Panhandlers relates to street entertainers and panhandlers in our cities and towns.  Some people may seem ugly and have issues but they are still beautiful inside themselves.  All of us are loved by someone somewhere at sometime.

As well as us all having a need and deserve to love and be loved, how wonderful it is if we look around, open our eyes wide, and see how beautiful people can be even though at times beauty appears to be missing.

My favourite places, street and things change from day to day, but Rue St Catherine in Montreal, Quebec Canada is always a favourite.

  

Rue St Catherine is the main street for retail shopping and it has many entrances to the underground network of arcades, malls and shops such as clothing, luggage, food, fragrances, books, in fact anything at all.  The merchandise varies from inexpensive to luxury goods.

Excluding the Metro, (underground rail network), the buildings both above and underground are generally owned by property corporations and banks.  Generally, in Montreal, buskers and panhandlers are not encouraged on private property, therefore, they have to beg or play their instruments in public places such as the Metro and the streets.  

It is very exciting to be in Montreal in spring and in particular during the Montreal Festival du Jazz as buskers are everywhere.  However, during fall and winter when it is cool to freezing and there is cold wind and light snow and the number of buskers is low it is not unusual to see the regular buskers and panhandlers still working their regular spots.

NO BUSKING TODAY!

Rue St Catherine

Rue Drummond near Rue St Catherine and Rue Sherbrook

(Photos courtesy of Montreal Gazette)

Rue St Catherine, has about five blocks with specific buskers on specific sites on the ouest (west) side of the street.  

Near the Baie department store (Hudson Bay Trading Company) on the corner of Rue Union in front of the Cathedrale Christ Church, there is often a very talented classical/jazz guitarist.  Many times I have been so engrossed in his music I did not want to leave however, when light snow turned to sleet it is time to depart.   

Below, I think this chap in the metro may be the same busker but if not, he sure looks familiar. Then again, I do not recognise the tiles on the wall so this chap could be in Toronto.

Further down Rue St Catherine outside the Complex Les Alles there is a chap that plays a harmonium whilst a marionette dances.  Further down outside the Eaton Centre on the corner of Ave McGill College there is another chap who plays South American jazz on his tenor sax.

In the area of Rue De La Montagne or Rue Crescent there are a large number of very high end retailers as well as classy restaurants near Steilmann's and, a cigar store.

This is where things are even more interesting.  There is a regular tall skinny gentleman who is often dressed a long brown coat.  I have never seen him look anything other than miserable and grumpy whilst playing his wooden spoons.  Never smiles with the joy of playing with his clappers, just looks cross all the time.  

Around the block there is Ave Sherbrooke and this area has many public and private art galleries, museums and McGill University.  The museum area is often frequented by another older gentleman who is a panhandler.  He asks for money and if refused he becomes angry and abusive so I avoid him.

Proceeding north along Sherbrooke, turning left into Avenue Du Parc there is a supermarket which often has two old grubby and dishelved chaps sitting on the pavement drinking alcohol.  They ask people for change as they exit the supermarket and if not given enough they grumble, grizzle and also become abusive.  

Now here's the thing, two blocks up from the supermarket is a very large multi-storied apartment building.  In the spring, an older gentlemen with a wonderful soft kind face, very well dressed in freshly ironed trousers, crisp ironed shirt, with a bow tie and wearing a woollen cap emerges.  This very dapper gentleman appears after lunch and plays piano accordion music that is very French and truly beautiful.

He stands in the space of the revolving door that does not work.  His case is open for donations.  I often stand there pretending I am waiting for someone while I am fully immersed in his music. What do I do every day I see him playing his music?  I toss every coin I have in my pocket into his case.  I always ensure I had at least one or two dollars for him.  He smiles, nods and I pass inside. We formed a very positive connection.

I ask the question, would you rather form a positive connection like my lovely senior accordionist or a negative connection from someone like this chap below?  

Do those that abuse you more than once, benefit from your kindness?  No of course not. The abusers are avoided and thus miss out on a friendly human interaction and sometimes help whether it be financial or otherwise.

Now, here's the thing.

Whether it be the excellent musicianship of a busker, the grumpiness of a less talented busker like the spoon player, the panhandler who became abusive, the two drunks outside the supermarket or my wonderful old accordionist outside the apartment, I love them all.  

I have been following the 'Way' of Taoism for about three years ago.  I try to practice love for everyone. 

The nasty or unfortunate people that cross my path, regardless of where they are in their lives, they are still people with beauty inside and deserving of love.  If we met the grumpy and abusive people in a different time and place in their lives, or ours for that matter, we may like them more. So, if they have issues and problems, are they not the same people and deserving of love?

As I pass people who are hurting, I try to make a point of either sending love by a hand or a thought, and sometimes I smile and nod wishing them a good day.

Everyone deserves to be loved.

Verde

THREE WINDOWS

THE VERDE WORD

What we see is not always the truth.  Things can be skewed.

Down the street there are three windows, transparent glass framed by timber or stone.  The design of the windows may reflect the character of the owners, but what is behind the window?



The First Window

As you walk past the first house a noise, some action is drawing you nearer. Glancing inside you see a tall, strong man standing over a woman.  His body displays strong intent. He is firmly slapping the woman across the face again and again and again in quick succession.  He is angrily shouting at her words you do not understand. Then he takes a long instrument in his hand and stabs her in the thigh.  You see her being physically abused and the police should be called.



First Window - The Reality




Things are rarely exactly what they seem.
The man slapping the woman was his attempt to stop her from slipping into a diabetic coma before the ambulance arrives. The stabbing of her thigh was an insulin injection pen.

 What may seem right or wrong can sometimes be very different.
Encourage your mind to avoid skewing reality.

The Second Window

The 17th or 18th century house is strong, solid and built of stone.  The front window is small and the room within appears dark and gloomy.

On a low stool a young man, bedraggled, dressed in raggy trousers with the cuffs hanging over dark battered and scruffed worn out shoes.  He faces the window. Draped in a striped shirt with the cuffs hanging around his wrists he loosley holds a long bladed carving knife in his hand.

At first he is muttering.  He is angry, frustrated and you hear various words and phrases that are both vitrolic and sarcastic.

"My bloody life is shit!  Christ, why on earth do I bother!" 
"Christmas...joy oh bloody joy! My life festooned with joy?  You've got to be bloody kiddin!   The time of religious and family festive stuff and what do I have...no turkey no duck, no pork, not even a bloody bon bon!  It's all right for everyone else, but what about me, who cares for me? No one!!!"

He looks at the knife.  With intent, the knife is slowly turned and the tip placed at his belly, as he bends forward he tightens his grip on the knife.


You are close to banging on the window to disrupt the impending action.


Second Window - The Reality

The young man leans over to read from paper on the floor.  You realise another person is in the room. Both men stand up and discuss the position of the knife, how to fall from the stool and whether the words in the script are accurate.

The young man is an actor rehearsing for a play. 

Never assume what you view is indeed 'what you are seeing'.

Life experience has many variables. 

The Third Window

Two people, male and female shouting and stomping around with a lot of arm waving.  They are arguing about the water, the broken glass but mainly about the bodies lying dead on the floor.

The woman accuses the man and he accusses her.  "Yeah sure! and my Uncle Fred is my Aunt!"  she yells.  She is furious about the death of George and Muriel.  They talk about getting rid of the bodies and evidence.  There is no blood and the bodies are easy to get rid of as George and Muriel suffocated. 


Third Window - The Reality

There was a large fish tank on a shelf which the large family dog accidentally knocked to the floor. 

George and Muriel are goldfish. 

Never accept the seemingly obvious without evidence and a thorough visual inspection and investigation. 

So often in life, we think we understand what things are, and what is happening.  We use our own life experiences, information and knowledge to understand our world and events around us.  However, we all have different life experiences, learned knowledge which we use to make decisions. 

However, in order to better understand what is happening in our lives and our world, look at things deeply from a different perspective as reality and understanding can become skewed.

Verde

UGLY IS BEAUTIFUL

THE VERDE WORD

I contend that there is no such thing as ugly.

Lao Tsu says that in our world, there are 10,000 things.  Regardless of how many things there are either in our world or universe, all things and their components are, have been and will continue to be beautiful since the beginning of the cosmos and thereafter.

From the viewpoint of the creationist, evolutionist, big-bangist or whatever we believe about the origin of our universe, it is obvious that life as we know it came from somewhere.  That somewhere, whether it was a an atom, neutron, proton electron, sub-atomic particle or a quark then became matter.  Whether it be dark, gray, black or pink matter formed from matter-less energy, it is totally unrealistic that the source or creator, through science or whatever, would make something ugly.  

Human intellect nor language was not in existence at the time of creation because there was only one super-intelligent and that super-intelligent is not human as it is the source or creator.  So, there was no such thing as concepts let alone ugly or beautiful.

From a human perspective, language, tautology and ideology did not exist at the beginning of life because simply, humans did not exist.  Therefore, at the time of pre-human existence in science and nature ‘ugly’ did not exist either.

After the appearance of humans during the continual evolutionary process, intellectual properties facilitated the evaluation of senses and, emotional feelings developed in humans.  Following, the minds of those early humans were capable of an early from of logic and the concept of ugly and beautiful formed.

Although many times over it has been said that ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ meaning that a picture can be different from one person to the next, it is subjective to individual personal likes and dislikes.

If others do not see beauty this does not mean that that ‘something’ is viewed as anything less than desirable.  Sure, something may not be to our personal taste although it could be viewed favourably to others.  Perhaps it could be viewed as not being ‘as beautiful’ as the other but it is definitely not ugly.

In Taoism and other philosophies there are dichotomies or, opposites such as Ying and Yang but I see one exception.  That exception is ugly and beautiful.  I argue using the point that in various interpretations of faith or religious texts it says that when the world was created, all was beautiful.  Therefore, nothing created was ugly.  So, ugly and beautiful are not in opposition.

In our enlightened world, we know there are opposites such as black being opposite to white, hot cold, happy sad, energetic tired, asleep awake, dead alive, flat round, fat skinny, wet dry etc. are opposites. However, when you look at these terms, they are used to describe things (black, white etc.), reflect human conditions (happy, sad etc.) or natural situations (dead, alive etc.) and ugly and beautiful are neither human conditions nor natural situations however, it can subjectively describe things. 

Generally, I believe the terms ugly and beautiful are often used to evaluate, criticise, judge and measure against each other and this judging or measuring is neither encouraging or helpful as they are often attempts to discredit, destroy or damage or hurt an individual in some way.  
You may be thinking, ‘Ah ha...but what if you are performing a critique?’

Well my friends, as I mentioned in my last blog ‘Criticism and Schism’ a ‘Critique’ is used to perform an evaluation of material in a scientific manner.  Thus, only hard data and statistics is used, not judgemental terms such as ‘ugly’ and ‘beautiful’.

Not everything has an opposite.  After lengthy consideration, the only thing I can think of without an opposite is the source or creator of our universe.  Is there an opposite of the creator being a ‘de-creator’, ‘non-source’ or a ‘non-god’?  No, they simply do not exist.  In that case, I pontificate that it is unnecessary to have a negative word exist that does not promote positivity and that word is ‘ugly’.

It is my belief that what others consider to be ugly can indeed be beautiful to varying degrees and although there may be varying degrees of beauty, as I wrote in the previous blog ‘Being Framed’ the picture of what is seen changes according to its’ environment and the viewer.

How we view things can deliberately be changed to view those things differently.  If we change the way we view things, those things will change to fit our mental picture.  Thus, we will see things in a different light or viewpoint.

Wayne Dyer said ‘When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change.’  If you examine things and see them as being beautiful, so they will be.  What you think and feel will be, your mind is in control and can influence outcomes.

Below, for your piscatorial pleasure are some photos of fish.  From a human perspective, what are you feelings as you look at them?  Do you see beauty?  Alternatively, from the perspective of other fish of the same species, do you think they would consider these fish to be beautiful?  As I say, view them from a different perspective and seriously consider, are these fish ugly or beautiful in their own way?

Figure 1

I see this fish with a human face that appears sad.  Perhaps the fish is considering the inevitability of never seeing home again.  I see kindness and softness. I feel warmth and compassion for this fish.  I see no ugliness, I see beauty.

Figure 2.

I see this fish as displaying the human quality of unhappiness while also looking rather annoyed. There is anger in the eyes and my human thoughts are him thinking, ‘Ok, I’ve had enough, don’t mess with me anymore!’ Again, I do not see ugliness.

Figure 3.

Oh, it can be such a struggle sometimes getting out of the pool sometimes!  I am unsure if it is fish or amphibian or maybe a fish on steroids preparing for the Fisholympics or should that be the Amphibolympics?  However, credit must be given for making the effort to get that body out of the pool. This fish is exactly how it was designed to be.

All of the photos exhibit the fish exactly how they were meant to be.  They are all very different yet beautiful in their own various ways and this is the same with all living things.

No matter what continent, country or culture we come from or our afflictions, behaviour, likes, loves, needs and desires, we are all how we are supposed to be as we continue along our evolutionary path and guess what friends, we are all beautiful.

We may be battered, old, worn out, pale or dark skinned, fat, thin, skinny legs, deaf, blonde, bald, short, tall, hairy or hairless, and have varying personalities.  We might have one leg, two heads, no arms, blind, deaf, smart, silly, do stupid things, but, we are all beautiful. This is how we are, and will continue to be, absolutely beautiful.

The source or creator developed everything from nothing which formed into energy matter. Thus if something is formed from energy matter, our world was constructed with a perfect and immaculate design, all is beautifully. 

In conclusion, there is no such thing as ugly because all living things were designed and made to be how they are.  We came from nothing and turned into many different something/s and this adds to the beauty of how we are as humans while our differences help to make our lives fuller and more interesting.

Again, to quote Wayne Dyer; ‘When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change’.

Everything is Everywhere, Everywhere is Beauty.

Verde