How You Know You’re Dead, Part 2 January 27, 2006
Posted by Yvonne in Distinctions, Dynamics of Resistance, Indirect Approach.1 comment so far
This thing has just not let me alone. So here’s the latest:
- Nothing scares you.
- You’re not a member of any clubs or organizations, movements or communities.
- You don’t go on bike rides.
- You haven’t seen a movie for quite awhile, and if you did you don’t remember it much.
- You don’t stretch in the morning.
- You forgot your name.
- You don’t check the mailbox.
- You can’t smell the flowers.
- You don’t get dressed up for anything.
- You feel really stiff.
- You can’t spell.
- You don’t notice anyone around you.
- There’s no journey you are on.
- You are very efficient, using the least amount of power.
You’re Happy, What’s Wrong With You? January 27, 2006
Posted by Yvonne in Evolution of We, Power of Dialogue.3 comments
It was only a few minutes conversation. I was sitting in a coffee joint last evening, reviewing some papers submitted for the upcoming Conference for Global Transformation.
The young woman a seat away, was fumbling in her backpack. She’d spilled something and needed to wash it out. “Would you watch this stuff for me? I’ll be right back.” “Sure,” I said, “Will it do anything interesting?” We laughed. When she returned, there was a bit more banter in fun, then she said, “You’re happy, what’s wrong with you?”
That Dead blog that hasn’t let me alone since I wrote it, and I replied, quite deliberately and with a big smile, “I’m alive.”
She stopped cold.
“Right. You’re alive.” she replied. Then, after a bit, said, “I’ll never forget that. ‘I’m alive.’” Then, while gathering her things to go, confided, ”You know, I wasn’t feeling so well today, but I’m feeling better now. I think I’ll go home and take a bath.” “And it will be good for you, and you’ll enjoy it.” I said quietly. She didn’t say more, and left the place surrounded in her own thoughts.
I was astounded. Another gal who had witnessed this, and I looked at each other. The young woman told us: “I’ll never forget that: ‘I’m alive.’” And we wondered together for a moment: Who will she be?
One connection, one comment. A life transformed. Wow.
As a dear friend has said:
“One conversation can transform a life. A transformed life will transform the world.” - B. Regnier, CGT 2005
Pratice: Lift someone with your words or smile today. See someone.
Brer Bear’s: Oh Man! This is Really Livin’! January 23, 2006
Posted by Yvonne in Distinctions.3 comments
This conversation started with How You Know You’re Dead and when we’d had enough of the blazing truth in our faces, we moved onto Signs of Life, from which we’ve graduated, though not fully, to this further distinction of “really livin’.” [Some people just can't be with reality! So ...] On to fantasy!
Inspired by Brer Bear who, when getting a perfect back scratching from one of the other creatures; wriggled into it saying in a low and lusty growly voice, “Oh man! This is really livin’!”
- An afternoon with Camille, going for mani-pedi at Silk in SF, nice puffy chairs, chocolate, lots of time to relax and that warm, yummy smelling heavy cream they massage your legs and arms with - ooooo! Guys and gals enjoy!
- Riding my very sincere, tomato red and cream vintage Vespa on a bright spring day with a heavy leather bike jacket, classy black boots and Gucci sunglasses.
- May and October, eating fresh figs right off the tree with some special soft goat cheese (was it from Spain?), hand picked to match the taste by the so very knowledgable and gracious folks at The Cheesboard Collective
Please comment with your version of “really livin’”! Those who are dead or near dead do need your help!
(Just so you know, I’ll be watching and might just have to try a few of your suggestions!)
Blog for Disruption and The Porous Membrane January 23, 2006
Posted by Yvonne in Distinctions, Dynamics of Resistance, Indirect Approach.add a comment
Another big thanks to Scoble for the tip on Hugh MacLeod. Found his impact of blogging for business and the porous membrane useful. The cartoons are cool too.
Reminds me of a lecture Bruce Lipton gave to the AMA sometime back. I saw a video of it and it was mindblowing. He talked about how biology is responsive to environment at the DNA level, cells respond to perception and all that. There was a bunch of stuff in there about membranes (meme-brains) and how they work. (more…)
Surrendering to the Call of Community January 23, 2006
Posted by Yvonne in Dynamics of Resistance, Evolution of We, Power of Dialogue, beginner blogger.add a comment
Benson posted a feed to my blog at LiveJournal. I have no clue where that goes or how it works, but I guess that just provides access to the conversation for another community, another avenue for search? or whatever? Thanks, bud!
Mostly, I continue to be surprised that I have so much to write about and also that folks are interested what I’m writing. What a surprise … too fun!
Humbling and inspiring, really - and it’s getting me to give up being stingy with what Spirit has to get through me into the world. (And it’s so darn easy; WordPress is a breeze, thanks to Scoble’s tip-off.)
So although I suppose The Holy Who Knows (Barlow’s very cool name for It) can probably even use a rock to get any job done, I’m taking a tip from my Dad, and saying it this way: (more…)
Blessings of the Blog World and The Art of Being Just Not There January 23, 2006
Posted by Yvonne in Distinctions, Evolution of We, Power of Dialogue, beginner blogger.3 comments
Something magical happened today.
I was looking at my Blog Stats - wordpress lets you know how many times your site is hit and which posts get the looks. You can also see who’s looking, or at least where they are coming from. And I gotta tell you: I’m blown away - so moved. I followed a couple links and found some amazing connections. How the heck did they find me? Where did they come from? I can’t believe it. Dallas? China? Italy? Escondido? There’s fab people everywhere!
And I would have never met them, but for this technology, and my willingness to jump in and play.
This game has brought more life, more reality, more intimate connection - (more…)
Signs of Life January 23, 2006
Posted by Yvonne in Distinctions.1 comment so far
Reflecting on the How You Know You’re Dead post, I can see that I still am not completely clear on when I’m really, really dead. Seems like if there’s the slightest response, then there actually is some life there. Like being irritated, or noticing something. So that is what we are investigating here …
- Screaming children.
- You finally notice that the pain in your back is related to sitting on your wallet, or crossing your legs while at your desk, or being a tall person bending to get into a dinky little car. Or maybe it’s those high heeled shoes.
- You see the splotches and drips on the fridge shelf.
- You go investigate that intermittent bump in the night and find there’s a window that a guest from weeks ago didn’t quite shut fully.
- You do laundry on the day the last undies are used.
- You check the t.p. before going into the stall.
- You stand back to let the folks who are in the elevator or subway come out first.
And maybe there are items on the Dead list that should be moved here. Nominees?
