The Darkness Within

Every individual carries darkness inside, a inner-demon that usually grows proportionate to the darkness seen. Maybe it’s a defense mechanism of the psyche or amygdala in the brain so when you meet the Big Bad you can introduce it to your Big Bad.

However, it remains like a clump of crude, misshapen iron ore that is only good for a bludgeon. The key is to grab the darkness and put it to the fire and shape it into a sword or your weapon of choice. Depending on the size of the ore you carry the work necessary may take longer than others; the heating, beating, shaping, tempering, repeating the process till its time to put the razor edge to it. Doing this instills discipline, control and focus that can be used accurately and gracefully. 

Instead of giving in to the darkness and throwing it at the nearest person, draw the sword from its sheath (inner-calm) and focus the fury to strike the Big Bad with one almighty blow. Then shake the blood off, sheath the weapon and leave the Bad you faced in the past. Only you can resurrect it and fight the battle eternal until you’re willing to strike the final blow or fall to it and lose everything. We’ve enough enemies to fight without raising the dead, look forward towards Valhalla and carry on.

The Irony of Religious Values in Politics

One of politics biggest ironies to me is when people try to line up their vote with their religious beliefs, and then get self-righteous about it.

“I voted for Obama because he will help the poor.”

Alternatively…

“I voted for Romney because he will keep America’s traditional values and a God-Fearing man.”

Really people? I’m about to reduce your soapbox to kindling. Let’s look at a few relevant scriptures in the Ten Commandments first.

“You shall not murder.” Exodus 20:13

If you were bombed at a wedding, would that be murder? What if, you were minding your own business and someone kicks open the door, you run and get shot down. Oh, it was a drug task force, raiding the wrong house. Murder? Let us go on…

“You shall not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14

How many politicians have been caught doing this? Clinton, Gingrich and the one Governor with the Brazilian mistress spring immediately to mind. Not exactly people you can trust, let alone with a tool as powerful as the government.

“You shall not steal.” Exodus 20:15

Taxes? Civil Asset Forfeiture? Eminent Domain? Answer this honestly, how big of a check are you willing to write to the government? Should I have to write one too? What if I don’t want too? Then what? It is my money, I gave up time and effort to earn it, so who has a right to it?

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Exodus 20:16

What are politicians caught in all the time? Lies! Yet, people elect a person who has proven they cannot be trusted and get all self-righteous that they voted for them and when caught in a lie they cannot escape from, they quickly make excuses for them. Way to live by your principles people.

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.” Exodus 20: 17

What is Obama practically famous for? His ‘spread the wealth’ line in that interview. If you think along those lines then you are coveting.

Let’s look at the Golden Rule.

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12

Good Principle? I think so, lines up well with the Non-Aggression Principle; however, when you force your morality on others but recoil when they do the same, then you both have broken the Golden Rule.

Now some may quote the Sermon on the Mount’s Beatitudes to me, however that is Jesus advocating charity from the goodness of your heart and property. That can be admirable, however saying ‘those poor souls, you go help them or else’ isn’t by any stretch. One is charity, the other is welfare.

Think about all this before you consider yourself a good Christian by voting for your particular political flavor to act as your proxy. For them to do what you ask they are committing sin so do not be so proud of yourself, after all you’re an accomplice to everything you proclaim to be against.

The Price of Friendship

A true and honest friendship cannot be bought with money or favor, for it is free. Anything else isn’t a friendship at all, but a business transaction. ~Ronin

I wrote this after dealing with some “family” member, and a conversation afterwards. I was told by the good Samaritan that she keeps helping because if she doesn’t she’s worried that she’ll lose her “friend”. Say what? That’s not a friend, that is a user high on the drug of irresponsibility. My friends are few and far between, and you know what? I don’t expect a damn thing from them.

They’re my friends because of similar values, joy in company, and a pleasure to be around. If they start messing up, I’ll point it out, and if wrong I’ll correct them. What they see is what they get, and for them it’s the same. I make a mistake, they point it out, I’m wrong, they correct. I want friends, not enablers. When you do something for a friend it’s because you care about them, not out of fear. Fear is the tool of control and if a friend used it against me, I’d be hurt that they just killed the relationship.

A true friend is priceless and anyone who taints it is a counterfeit friend.

Where?

Where were you when she was at her lowest
Where were you when she needed you
Why do you expect her when you’re at your lowest
Why do you call when you need something

You claim you’re close as sisters
You claim that she’s your best friend
More like family when you want to move
More like a friend when it benefits

I remember a long night in the Emergency Room
Fear of the unknown, the what if
Where were you then
At home talking to a friend

Days later back at the ER
To my surprise you were there
Not for your sister, your closest friend
But for another friend

When she wanted to talk about her pain
Your answer was “Get over it, move on.”
When she went to a baby shower to support a friend
Where she broke down, yet remained

Where were you when she was at her lowest
Where were you when she needed you
Now you’re in pain
Insides are twisting

You called her, she came
But you’ll always stay the same
In past you were there
But that was then, this is now

Where were you when she was at her lowest
Where were you when she needed you
Why do you expect her when you’re at your lowest
Why do you call when you need something

You don’t realize how lucky you are she isn’t me
The kindest soul I know
I’m done with you for what you’ve done
Hurting me is one thing, hurting her is a deadly sin

Where will I be if you’re at your lowest
Where will I be when you need help
I will be where you were when she was at her lowest
I will be where you were when she needed help

Not there

Is Honesty Too Much To Expect From People?

Honesty. What is so difficult about this concept, this principle that you do not deceive another for your own reasons?

I’m brutally honest; if someone does not want the truth as I see it, then don’t ask me. Even honest to what some would consider a fault and here’s an example of it. Little over a year ago, I ordered a 44lb kettlebell, costing me over $100.00 bucks with shipping. Well I got it, and a few days later, I got another one. So I called the company I ordered it from and told them about their mistake. Could I have used another kettlebell? Hell yeah. I would get to double kettlebell training eventually, and a friend suggested that I don’t tell them and keep it. Something I could use and a high value. However, that’s not me; so I called and one of the owners said let me call you back. A little later, I got a call telling me “Merry Christmas, keep it.”

I’m sure the difficulty of shipping a 44lb hunk of metal played on their decision, however, my conscience was clear, and would have been clear either way. Why is this important? Because when you are honest with others, they know that you are honest with yourself and what they see is what they get. When you lie to others, they cannot be sure, when you are honest. Or if how you present yourself is a façade or real.

The reverse is the same when I deal with others, if you lie to others, then I see I cannot trust you and any dealings I have with you will be superficial to nil. The amount and depth of the lies tells me the type of person I’m dealing with. Give me the brass-knuckled truth to the brain rather than the double-edged blade of a lie to my back. You make a vow, like a wedding vow, you stick to it until the other person absolves you of it. Face it, marriages die, but until released you are committed to that person. So if I see someone in a long-term relationship or marriage and they’re fucking around, they have shown me the type of person they are. If they will break a solemn commitment to another, it would be easy to be dishonest in their dealings with me. Therefore, I don’t associate with them, I am not giving someone I cannot trust or like an ounce of my time. We would have no chance at being friends until they see what is wrong worth them and actually change. I do give second chances, however not third chances. After that, you are dead to me.

How important is honesty?