Tag: communication

Posted in Political

Escape America’s Scaphism—WE CAN

Posted on by simplebender

America is suffering its own self-inflicted Scaphism torture. The body America is restrained and sandwiched between unyielding aspects of our political system. Our head, arms, and legs extended out of our encasement as misinformation is feed to us like milk and honey. We eagerly engorge ourselves on unfiltered and uncorroborated statements and political propaganda vilifying our opponents without ever clearly stating our own direction. As we, the body America are trapped, encased in our vessel the maggots, flies and birds begin to find our filth inviting and our defenselessness exciting. We, the greater populous are trapped and dying because of special self-interests, single issues, and greed.

This is an unusually cruel form of torture, humiliation, and death. The greater body trapped, unable to move as our extremities flail. Slowly succumbing to the attacks from the vermin outside and knowing it is our own fault that we cannot escape. Our enemies celebrate and make wagers on how long we can survive. Our allies look on as our great democratic republic, once the envy of the world, is reduced to a heap of rotting flesh. Able only to scream, curse, and cast blame on everyone else. It’s the extreme right, the progressives, the immigrants, it’s misinformation, it’s the mainstream media; it’s everything’s fault but ours. In factuality, we are the problem and our own cause for our pain and demise.

We listen to the attacks on our national institutions and the steady drumbeat of lies, steals, dishonor, witch-hunts, scapegoats, all of those believing they are being persecuted, and all the victims. Lies and propaganda are espoused to deflect blame and avoid accountability and responsibility. The once moral majority has lost its moral compass. Our elected representatives succumb to the threats of violence and the greed of self-interest for re-election. We have allowed ourselves to be imprisoned in our own horrific Scaphism.

Can we escape our own torture? Yes, we can. We must be willing to work toward the greater good and move forward not backwards. A nation of sons and daughters of immigrants shouldn’t belittle and vilify new immigrants, regardless of skin tone or religious background. Our religious communities should follow their own teachings and be accepting and supportive of those who are different and downtrodden. We should, without hesitation, embrace our unvarnished national history and acknowledge what we did right and what we’ve done wrong. We need to be unabashedly proud and uncomfortably ashamed at the same time.  We should welcome challenging ideas and ideals while respecting our neighbor’s individual preferences and orientations just like you want yours respected. Check and double check everything we see, read, and/or hear on the internet or media.

We don’t have to live in an all or nothing social and political system. If we don’t start listening and understanding all perspectives and compromising; our representative democratic republic we will perish a very public, humiliating, painfully slow, grotesque death and fall into a tyrannical autocracy. Unfortunately, there are a lot among us those who want nothing more. #NeverFearTheDream simplebender.com

This article was first published in the Bend Bulletin 1/24/24

More articles by simplebender

Please consider following simplebender, you’re reading makes my writing more fun..…

I always welcome comments…..

Posted in Philosophy

Tribalism: Once Saved Us; Now Threatens Us

Posted on by simplebender

Tribalism, the mutual agreement to join for the collective good, may have been the deciding act which saved humankind from extinction. We are weaker, slower, and mature at a retarded pace as compared to other top tier predators. Our intelligence and communication skills allowed us to recognize we are stronger together than we were apart. Tribalism saved us as a species. Tribalism is now about the control of thought and dictating morality. It threatens the wellbeing of our communal lives and wellbeing.

The irony is breathtaking. We eagerly join our ‘tribe’ at a sporting event and cheer for our team. We collectively jeer the opponent and their supporters. We don’t ask if the tribesman next to us is of any specific religious or political persuasion. We don’t care, they are part of our team’s tribe, yelling as loud as us. We will part ways and then subdivide into alternate tribes for religious service or a political rally. We will hear how ‘we’ are right, and ‘they’ are wrong. Even though just a few hours before we were high-fiving and hugging ‘them’ at every score. As our tribes shrink, differences magnify. Pride in heritage warps into fear of the unfamiliar and righteousness crowds out nuance. And so, the walls arise. Brick by brick dividing neighbor from neighbor, hands once joined now curled into fists or spread in contempt. Religion is not supposed to be divisive. It is an individual’s path to spiritual enlightenment and salvation. Don’t question their chosen path; be glad they are on one. Politics is a blood sport and all about power. Setting policy and governing is supposed to be an opportunity to politely voice our opinion about the community direction. Expressing one’s opinion, in a democratic republic, was never supposed to succumb to violent yelling or physical threats. But rather, thoughtful debates and exchange of ideas and ideals. Building from our differences for our betterment. True strength springs not from might over another but the robustness within. Creating societies where all parties thrive, not in spite of diversity but because of it. Where our shared hopes eclipse artificial difference. Remember, the opponent’s supporters are neither deplorables nor vermin, they are people. People who have different experiences and beliefs which we can learn from and not fear.

It’s hard to lead when you won’t listen to opposing ideas. Opinions and politics are partisan, the truth isn’t. The whole truth is just the truth, and sometimes it’s hard to hear. Unwillingness to listen leads to authoritarianism. The tribes we are now so closely aligning ourselves to aren’t working for our general well-being but for division. Divisions, initially narrow and arbitrary, will widen and bring general pain and suffering. There is more we can do by being cooperative than being repressive and judgmental. It will not be easy to transcend tribal instincts wired over eons of struggle. The tendency to sort people into “us” versus “them” arises innately. Still, humanity has forged bonds across divides before. We as a country have done this so many times. We must execute that legacy now when tribal lines harden once more. Keep sight not just of our group’s glory but those waiting in the gaps longing to contribute their verse. Our joint chorus will achieve symphonic resonance if we let it. Distinctive voices yet harmonizing ones.

Perhaps new generations will look back at this era of ossified tribalism as the last gasp rather than the death knell of our inclusive society. We must nurture change over panic; patience over prejudice; conscience over convenience; country over party; acceptance over judgment; and truth over fear. The effort is constant and hard. The effort yields a better world and a better country. A community, a grander tribe, where we all belong. #NeverFearTheDream simplebender.com

This article was first published in the Bend Bulletin as a Guest Column 12/14/23

Please consider following simplebender, you’re reading makes my writing more fun….

Posted in Philosophy

Four Personal Promises

Posted on by simplebender

First of a four-part series based on “The Four Agreements – A Tolec Wisdom Book”, by Ruiz

There are four personal promises which might transform your life. Easily made and so hard to keep; like most promises. These promises are to yourself for yourself. No one will know if you’ve kept them or not; only you, and you are the only one who counts. Promise to:

  • Choose your words carefully;
  • Take nothing personally;
  • Never make assumptions;
  • Do your best, always.

Your first personal promise –Choose your words carefully:

The words you speak or write reflect you for all the world to hear and see. Say what you mean; not what you think others want to hear. Express the truth without deriding or belittling anyone, especially yourself.

Your words are your power. They can build as easily as they can destroy. They are your force in the world. Your power to communicate and express your beliefs and opinions. But remember, they are your beliefs and opinions, not others. They are formed from your experiences, your beliefs, your aspirations, and especially by your ego.

Your words can be enduring, so be careful. Those who hear and read your words are absorbing and growing. They are trying to grow and learn just as you are. Your words can be thoughtful, inspiring, and uplifting. They can also be shallow, self-serving, hateful, and spread fear. There is enough of the later and not enough of the former. If your words spread hate, maybe just maybe you should keep them to yourself.

They are swords which can cut deeply in both ways. On one side the edge of truth and dignity. On the other, hate and lies. As you wield your sword be keenly aware of which blade is cutting. You are responsible for choosing your words. If your words express hope, support, and are uplifting you show yourself honorable and a person of integrity. If your words spread gossip, or seek revenge, you are showing the world your pettiness and shallowness. You are responsible for when and where you brandish your sword. Reflect upon your words before you express them. Choose your words carefully as they become you to others. You will be revered or reviled both at the same time. If you’ve chosen well with impeccability, you won’t have any regrets. Choose to hold your tongue rather than force others to hold their ears. #NeverFearTheDream