windmills, crusades and causes
windmills - idealism, romanticism, poetry, music, beauty...crusades - peace, justice, fairness, equality, self direction, self expression...causes - truth to self, truth to others, recognition of and interaction with the 'other', (those who are strangers to us or our way of life)...

windmill:

"The New Quixote"
to my daughter, Linda, for Valentine's day

I've tried to train fire not to run as it will,
rushing water not to flow down the hill,
baby birds not to leap from the nest,
the travlin' sun not to set in the west,

But, win or lose, you shall know that I fought,
to stanch a harm, I shall do what I ought,
My lady, your windmills I'm tilting at last,
by pipQuixote, the die has been cast.

You read the foregoing, I look like a fool,
but in you I see a most precious jewel,
one to be treasured, one to be praised,
one whose hopes be not dashed, but raised.

You have far to go, great things to do,
and if not, whatever, it is for you,
to decide what you want, that is your right,
and for your cause, I'll stand fast and fight.

Having no wealth, I still bear a gift,
time and knowledge, to help you to sift,
through all your talents, your dreams, your desires,
give you encouragement, and stoke your fires.

I can't save the world, tried it, I'm done.
None will listen, so I've picked out one,
and that one is you, one who is golden.
I am inspired! It's to you I'm beholden.

Don't fret about me, what I may do.
I'll just pledge this endeavor to you.
I'll stay far away o'er the oceans.
Wires will sing out all my devotions.

If you'll be the lady of my dreams,
my one Dulcinea, what this means,
I'll tilt your windmills and stay afar.
I'll be in orbit, you'll be my star...

crusade: (rewritten 02/18/2006)

We must make sure we change the direction in which our country is going. We must become honest with ourselves as citizens. Due to our self deception, we are not truly, at the present, an "exceptional" country "except" in our wealth and power, both of which have been appreciably diminished in the last few years.

Yes, we have many things in our history as a nation with which to be proud. We also, have other things with which we have been shamed and have not learned the maximum from due to not addressing these things honestly. The historical record is there, both past and recent, but a good share of our population lives with an arrogance which would belie this knowledge.

Much of our leadership makes decisions based on the conclusion that we 'are' exceptional, not that we could be and should be, not that, unfortunately, we truly are, due to fallible leadership, as fallible as most nations. The national honesty necessary for us to behave as a nation may be impossible to attain without the capacity for self honesty on a personal level. Yes, we are a nation of laws, but this nation is governed by men, fallible men, (and women).

Self honesty is born of a self knowledge of what makes us who we are and an empathy for what makes others what they are. I say, self knowledge is a bedrock prerequisite for self honesty. In fact I would say that is the only conclusion a logical mind could come to.

Admitting one may not already have self knowledge, and thus, self honesty is difficult. However, admitting that it would do no harm for one to do a little self evaluation, looking at personal motives, personal reactions, questioning ourselves on why we do some of the things we do, is a beginning. Gently questioning the actions of those around us, either covertly or overtly, also gives us further insight into ourselves.

It helps to remember that although certain behaviors can be devastating in various ways, the motives, personal needs, incorrect perceptions behind those behaviors are generally innocent and benign. We make innocent mistakes constantly, but those will become more rare as we acquire more self knowledge and thus gain the ability to use more free will in our actions.

The self defeating things we do can be explained by considering our inherited genetic tendencies along with our personal histories, peers, surroundings. Those inherited genetic tendencies and our personal histories are our nature/nurture. That nature/nurture is our 'self', the self which will react to certain stimuli exactly as programmed, *unless* we factor in the free will engendered by self knowledge and the inherent self honesty it carries with it.

Of course, no one can become a productive member of society without naturally acquiring a certain amount of self knowledge/self honesty. These things are inherent in most families. Therefore, they are naturally inherent in the nature/nurture of most of us. What I am suggesting is for each of us to take the next logical step in our personal development, which is to attempt to become truly self aware and self honest. We will never attain that goal completely, but, if we truly have a destiny as human beings, might it not be this quest?

How we would create a universal 'catalyst' for this self honesty crusade will be discussed in a future post. There is a 'planetary' theory being crafted. Whether it is feasible is another question.

cause:

Each of us, every day, must take the time to give inspiration to someone who needs it. Inspiration is one example of a catalyst which could very possibly make a difference in another person's life. Please remember, little things do mean a lot.