Dreamt of Philosophy

It’s interesting how life and science fiction can help you learn more about humanity, its flaws, and its greatness.

I’ve been spending time with a new friend who has been having a rough… life. Through my friend’s eyes, I am seeing more and more of the subtle messages that have long been in both my real life and in the Science Fiction that I enjoy, in new or more in depth ways. This is, to me, why community is so very important. If we only see the world through our own filter, or through the filters of the same sources, without change we can become so complacent with our world view that we can no longer see anything outside of what we expect to see. To quote The Bard “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

Those words are always on my mind, now so even more. Shakespeare knew so very long ago, that one singular point of view will always prevent one from seeing the entire picture!

How have you challenged your point of view lately?  What lessons have you learned to expand your dreamt philosophy?

November 19th 1863

Have you ever read this famous speech from November 19th 1863?

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Abraham Lincoln
November 19, 1863

Now that you've read it, do you comprehend the weight and force of history that it was born from?

I hope everyone does. This country is amazing, we fight to reach our dreams and defend our rights! That is an amazing thing. An amazing freedom! Look at other countries, where else does this happen? Where else are you free to state publicly that you disagree with the government?

Yes, some freedoms can be taken too far, but they also serve a purpose to prevent other freedoms from being taken away by the same government we live under. Government tries hard, but sometimes it fails. When that happens, We The People must stand up and remind the government what this country is supposed to be!

Choices and Questions

We are all able to make choices. Do we wish to be the person made from easy choices? Or do we wish to be the person made from hard choices? What is the effect on our spirit from each type of choice? Should we only make hard choices? Easy choices? Or should we make both? If both, how do we know when to choose the hard decision over the easy one? How do we know what is Right? How do we know what is Wrong? Is the world only black and white or are there billions of colors seen and unseen that we need to acknowledge to be able to reach who we are supposed to be? What if you’re blind and are unable to see any colors? How will you make your choices then?

For me, I truly try to answer questions like this in the simplest way possible. Those answers come from additional questions thought.

Will this help me? Will this harm me? Will this help others? Will this harm others? Is the good greater than the harm? To me? To them? If I choose to help myself, will I have a chance later to help others who are harmed by my choice? If I choose to help others, will I later be able to recover from the harm to myself? If not, can I live with that harm I took on to help others? Will they help me now that I’m in need?

So many questions for every decision, so many answers too! It has been said: There are two spirits inside us all who fight for dominance. The one that will win, is the one we feed the most. Sometimes we may need to feed the evil spirit with in, but hopefully we can feed the good spirit on a regular basis so it will not be harmed when we must make bad choices for good reasons. Jumping in front of a speeding car is a bad idea, but if you save your child by pushing them to safety, it is worth the consequences.

Life is no easy thing. Every decision has a ripple effect and we won’t know until the end, if they added up to a tsunami or canceled each other out creating smooth waters. 

Deadbeat Dads

Yes, deadbeat dads are a very bad thing, but… it goes both ways. Here’s the deal. If you want fewer deadbeat dads (or moms, because that’s a thing too) there are a few very effective ways to make it happen.

• Know who you are having sex with! If you don’t know someone well enough to know if they want kids in the first place, don’t sleep with them! 

• If you haven’t know the person long enough to know you are willing to spend the next 18 years of your life interacting with them on a regular basis, don’t sleep with them. 

• If you know the person already has kids and is a deadbeat, don’t sleep with them!

• If you aren’t comfortable talking to the person about the possibility of having kids due to having sex, don’t sleep with them. 

It really is that simple. Get to know the person properly. Over several years! Then sleep with them. If you or they aren’t willing to wait, then they probably aren’t willing to wait around for a kid to grow up before they move on with their life.

Ladies, you have the most control. You are the ones who can have babies. You can turn off access. If you really want fewer deadbeat dads, be a lot pickier about who you sleep with!

Personally, I refuse to sleep with anyone who has multiple kids from multiple men. Hell, I won’t sleep with a woman who offers herself to me the first few months we date. I don’t want to be in a position where my children grow up in a broken home. It’s not fair to them, their mom, nor me.

Sex creates life, but to live your life, sex is not mandatory. To live a happy life, sex should be meaningful. Not just a way to feel good. Be responsible! Don’t risk your happiness, your children’s happiness, nor your partner’s happiness! Keep your privates private until you are truly ready. Because otherwise you just look like a dumb slut regardless if you are male or female. 

Dying Alone

A show I was watching was talking about "dying alone" and I realized something.

No one dies alone. Anytime someone dies they take a small portion of soul from every single person who knows them. That's why it hurts. You can fill the void by making new friends, but that piece of your soul will forever be gone.

This isn't really as sad of a thought as you may be thinking though. Take a second and process what I said. That person who died has a part of you with them forever for whatever is 'next'.

Even if you're an atheist like me, think about the science of energy. Energy can not simply cease to exists. It's always in a new form instantly if the last form stops for any reason. Every time you interact with your friends, whether it be a hug, kiss, handshake, or even a fist bump... you're sharing energy like kids (in my day and before) became blood brothers. You are literally a part of your friends, family, and loved ones on a scientifically proven level.

This means that when they die, you will always have a part of them with you. This isn't wishy washy religion, it's science.

So the next time you are thinking about that person you lost. Remember that they are in some way with you, and you are in some way with them. Then think about what they'd say to you about being sad and missing them. Do you think they'd want you to be miserable? I doubt it.

When I die and you all are thinking of me, know that I'd tell you to smile and go do something silly. If that doesn't work, know I'd grab your tits (ladies) and kick you in the balls (gentlemen) because that's the type of weird person I am. I want people to be happy even if I'm not with them. I love life and the adventures people can find, and I hope all of you do too... even if I'm not there with my camera taking a thousand photos of moss on a tree while you impatiently wait for my ass to finish.

So, again, next time you're sad over the memory of a loss in your life, just connect to that small portion of the person that is a part of you and listen to their advice. Most of our friends know they're smarter than we are anyway!