Shyness and other lunacy

So how do you meet new people?

Say for instance, your at a church you've never been to before. You don't know a single person. It's not that you don't like people, it's just perhaps your a little reserved because you feel self-aware, out of place, whatever.

Do you walk up and start a conversation? do you wait for someone to talk to you? do you run out screaming, or sneak out quietly before everyone else?

Do you make new acquaintances easily, or do you tend to stick with you closest friends, or do you prefer to be alone?

Thinking on these things, do you know why you make the choices you do? Is it something from your past nagging at you? or have you always been shy/outgoing?

I find myself in this situation often. While I love being sociable, I tend to only be this way around people I'm already comfortable with. I'm slow to speak up in group discussions, and tend to stay to myself most of the time.

I've been made fun of and otherwise hurt in the past, and so for a long time I distrusted and disdained most people.. I guess I'm still struggling with that, though I believe, for the most part, that most people are good.

I notice that I have the most difficulty talking in groups, or with people who I feel are more knowledgable in a subject (IE. I don't want to sound like an idiot so I keep my mouth shut). I don't like to draw attention to myself, though I do like to share my thoughts, poetry, etc, when I feel I won't be ridiculed for it.

I've also noticed that I tend to be more shy around women than men. Which to me doesn't make much sense. I find I don't relate to men very well anyway.. to much macho bs for me for the most part. I think it's … wait for it… Inculturation ..
It seems in our society, the norm is you are only allowed to talk to women if you're flirting with them. How asinine is this? Yet I suppose that's one of my hangups.

Anyway It's something I'm aware of and trying to overcome. It's not easy, though it does seem to get easier the more I do it.

Strangers passing in the street

by chance to separate glances meet

and I am you and what I see is me

and do I take you by the hand

and lead you through the land

and help me understand the best I can

~ Pink Floyd - Echoes

You've got a magic tree.. What does it grow

So if you had a magic tree what would it grow?

I think i would graft several different "cultivars" onto the rootstock.

Let's see:

Peace
Love
Compassion
Community

and that's just a start. Might need a forest of magical trees. :)

It is astounding to me how far apart views can be. It's like there's no cohesion between the left and the right.. or much at all it would seem.

I think once we can all get at least in the same neighborhood as to what needs to be done (or undone) then we can begin to see real change in the world.

If we can ever get past "me, me, me" and back to "we are a small blip in this universe, but we are really fucking things up" that would be a good start.

Just sayin

What can't you say no to?

One word... Chocolate

N-E-S-T-L-E-S

Nestles makes the very best :0

Principles of Life Ownership

I'm feeling a bit dazed and confused after the last two post today.. so I'm going to cheat on this one..

Here is an article written by Shidoshi Ken Harding of the Missouri Budo Taijuydu Dojo

The Principle of life ownership

What's going on

Ok so it's been 3 days since I posted.. Been crazy busy... but OTOH I've got 3 post for you today.. Lucky You!!

Yesterday we went down to Norwood property and staked out an easement for a power line. Think it's going to be ok with the neighbor, have to wait for his approval. Next step would be to get someone out there with a bulldozer to clear the easement, then the electric co can put the polls in..

Looks like it'll cost a bit, the client is responsible for clearing fees as well as paying for the polls (unless you have a foundation/well/septic in place.. then it's free.. lol

anyway I think dad is planning on putting a well out there. We plan to pull the camper down there and live in it for a while, maybe a year or so till we can either get some money put away (again) or give up an decide to stay.

All in all though it was a wonderful day, almost hot (71) for first part of March. Helen and I are both worn out from the trip. slept like the dead last night but didn't want to move this morning.

We got our stash of seed out this morning to see what we have.. picked up a few more at wally world and got our gardening stuff from storage. Got green thumb fever!!

We also went to the local farm store and they had pullets and meat birds as well as ducks and rabbits. Sigh!!! I'm so ready to get a farm up and going!!

Helen is making some chinese food for dinner.. Not sure what it is yet but it smells delish!!!

Good evening

seven-point star

There are so many Star symbols out there today.. From the traditional pentagram on up to 9 point, and likely more I haven't seen.

Today our focus is on the seven point star. What I know about it, and what my research has turned up.

The seven-point star is also know as the faerie or elves star and is considered one of the entrances to the faerie relm, or the gateway to the Otherworld.

I see this star in use in the Feri tradition (which differs greatly from faerie. feel free to google both). But I think the star's meaning overlaps,

Here are several prospectives I found.. then mine:

Each point on the star represents a pathway, or the seven rays of manifestation of the higher self as follows:

1st point - Power, Personal Will,

Determination

2nd point - Unconditional Love,

Wisdom, Growth

3rd point - Knowledge, Intelligence

4th point - Harmony, Tranquility

5th point - Powers of mind and Science

6th point - Devotion, Honesty

7th point - Magic

It is also said that the points closely relate with the pentagram, to include earth, air, fire, water, "above & below", and "self"

There are also other correspondence one could draw:

The chakras, the seven planets, days of the week, moon and sun + 5 visible planets, and so on.

I don't know a lot about different pentacles, but I've seen the iron, perl, ect. I'm inclined to think the first example makes sense.. just gut instinct here. But when I look at the seven-point star I always think :

earth, air, fire, water, spirit, above & below, within and without (external to self), and mystery (Center)

I welcome your perspective and comments

Blessed be

UU

So, We've been attending the Local UU church. It's refreshing in that it is far from the dogmatic, repressive baptist church I grew up in. It's a plethora of intermingled religious/spiritual views. Some of the covenants really fit in with (my idea) of paganism.. Specifically:

The inherent worth and dignity of every person

Justice, equality, and compassion in human relations

Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth

A free and responsible search for truth and meaning

The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all

Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

What's nice is there are different groups within the church. There's a pagan group, humanist group, etc.

We've only talked with one or two people there. The group as a whole seems a bit to themselves, but that is likely just our perspective, we're not exactly social butterflies :)

Anyway, it is a nice change, and really one of only two places around here where you can communicate with like minded folks. There is a pagan meeting there tomorrow night. I think we are planning to go.. kind of looking forward to it.

If nothing else it gives us a chance to keep our minds open and operating outside our normally neutral blah state.