Tag Archives: consciousness

The habit of despair

Last night I watched the very moving documentary Crooked Beauty* about Jacks McNamara’s  life, art, music, poetry, and activism – threaded through her experience of mental illness.  I’ll watch it again.  I was reminded of something I’ve been thinking about, … Continue reading

Posted in awareness, body, consciousness, Feelings, Insight, personal growth, psychology, reflections | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Different drummer

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. It is not important that he should … Continue reading

Posted in causes, community, consciousness, history, Inclusion, Insight, love, marijuana, personal growth, personal power, reflections, social change, social justice, values, volunteering | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Blogging Woes

As they say, “some days are diamonds, some days are pearls” and some are akin to lumps of coal.   I spent yesterday doing research around a couple of pet subjects, instead of writing, and ended up frustrated.   That’s rare for … Continue reading

Posted in blogging, Internet, personal power, psychology, Reflection | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Look who’s voting!!

Voting without doing the ‘homework’, and then not watching what they do in government, is like handing a stranger the key to your house, and going for a walk.  It’s risky.  It’s naïve.  It’s irresponsible.  And it’s damn lazy. A … Continue reading

Posted in awareness, consequences, education, history, ignorance, privatization, reflections | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

‘Stigma-free’ and real education…

We hear a lot of talk these days about ‘stigma’ around mental health issues.   But what does this mean? It means you have to be awfully courageous to admit out loud – for example – that you are depressed (especially … Continue reading

Posted in awareness, education, fear, Feelings, ignorance, Inclusion, psychology, reflections, stigma, values, Wish List | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Here-and-now vs. There-and-then

So what exactly does it mean, and what was life like before I learned to stay in the here and now? Well, the opposite to staying in the here and now could be, for example, remembering, or imagining, or analyzing … Continue reading

Posted in awareness, consciousness, Feelings, personal growth, psychology, Reflection, reflections | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Friendship is blind…

Sometimes I look back in wonder and appreciation for the people who’ve contributed to who I am today.  I owe so much to individuals who’ve come into my life and shared their thoughts and feelings, their experiences and insights. One … Continue reading

Posted in awareness, blindness, communication, compassion, education, fear, friendship, ignorance, imperfection, personal growth, Reflection, reflections, values | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Dancing off on a tangent…

I’ve waxed ecstatic about Swing Dancing, but there are aspects of dancing which I don’t care for.  One is the learning part.   If I had it to do over again, I would only go to the occasional workshop rather than … Continue reading

Posted in consciousness, dancing, Feelings, imperfection, modern life, reflections, values | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

“A Hard Name” – the documentary

The other night, for the second time in a week, I watched the TV Ontario  documentary A Hard Name.*  No doubt I’ll watch it again.  This is unusual behavior for me, but I know I’ll realize something new yet again, … Continue reading

Posted in child abuse, consciousness, convicts, criminal, parenting, pedophile, reflections, social justice | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

‘Gay’ as I’ve known it…

I must have been 14, when my friend June informed me that there were boys who preferred boys instead of girls. “They’re called ‘queer’”, she said.   I still remember some of my mixed reactions: weird; interesting; and concern that this … Continue reading

Posted in awareness, causes, consciousness, education, friendship, gay, history, homosexuality, ignorance, Inclusion, love, modern life, personal growth, Reflection, reflections, values | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment