The political conventions are
over. But how do we figure out the truth? Is there a ‘the’ truth to figure out? How do we separate the hype, spin,
omissions and outright lies from the rhetoric?
As political independents, we
watched some of both political conventions, as I’m sure some of you did as
well. Perhaps some of you watched neither of the conventions. We also began
getting a whole new slew of political emails – asking for money, mostly.
Each email usually begins with
“Are you aware of what Senator (or Representative or presidential candidate) XX
said recently?” Then it goes on to tell how if the Republicans win the White
House and the Congress then we are all
doomed. Or it goes on to say that if President Obama is reelected and
expands the democratic Senate majority and closes the gap in the House of
Representatives, then we are all doomed.
In short, according to the
pundits – consultants that are purportedly smarter than all of us – we are all doomed! Regardless of the
outcome.
I don’t think any of us really
believe that. But it still can scare the beejeejuz out of us.
How do you figure out the truth?
Is there a ‘the’ truth to figure out?
How do we separate the hype, spin, omissions and outright lies from the
rhetoric?
Since I can’t spend all my time
researching the cases both parties are trying to make, I simply go to several
fact checking organizations like www.snopes.com
or www.factcheck.org. Both are independent
groups and have proven their mettle over the last decade. They have been
helpful to me. The results of a fact check query have enabled me to respond to
fear-based emails with a modicum of sanity.
But the fear! How can we deal
with the purposeful fear that is evoked on both sides? Admittedly, I think the conservatives play the
fear card more blatantly and grossly. But both parties are playing the fear
card. Why? Because it works. Why does it work? Because it is the single most
powerful emotion in the arsenal our egos possess. It is the most primordial. It
is basic to our self-absorbed image of who we think we are. If someone can
truly convince me of something that frightens me, then I’m dead meat. So, that’s
what they do, because that is who they aim their ads at. Humans. Very
frightened humans.
Very scared, that is – If
I truly believe I am a human being in a body that somewhere has a soul or spirit.
However, if I can stop, take a
deep breath and relax – just for a moment – and recall that I am NOT
a human in a body with a soul, then I have an opportunity to center myself in
terms of who I really am. I am an already-loved eternal spirit having a
temporary human-in-a-body experience. My
true “I” can become an observer of my fearful emotions and thoughts. Then, just
for a moment, I can get the better of my fears.
Perhaps you can, too.
Another subject altogether.
I need some help. Yesterday
morning I woke up after having the strangest dream. In the dream we had made
reservations at a restaurant. When we got there not only did they take us to
our table, but our dinners were already sitting there – piping hot and
beautifully presented. Additionally, there were some notes on the table. One
note stated: “Belief is accepting the
unthinkable.” The other said: “Evil
is believing that loving and accepting incorrectly is okay.”
I have no idea what all this
means or if it is meaningful at all? It may simply be an undigested piece of
cabbage somewhere in my system. I just don’t know.
If anyone has an idea as to what
the dream (in general) or the notes (in particular) might mean, please email me
at donodell88@gmail.com.
I’d love to hear from you. It might be the subject of a future message.
Thanks for listening, and – as
always – feel free to forward this message to your friends, family, and those
accompanying you on your spiritual journey.
Don
#2 September, 2012
Copyright, 2012
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