Books

I like books. I like their smell. I like the feel of the pages as I turn them one by one. I like the identifying covers, the titles on the spines, and the fact that I can picture that book in my mind’s eye, knowing where it sits on the shelf (and after I have read it, what it is about).

Those things are hard to replace by e-books…

On the other hand, the fact that they don’t take up space in the book case is definitely a point in favor of a more modern perspective on reading. As well as the possibility of a multi-media experience where the pictures clarifying the text can come to life as the video stream is accessed.

Ultimately, its about the content of the book. Whether it is an old fashioned page-turner, or a more modern e-book; whether it is a roman, a detective, a thriller that we may enjoy as relaxation, or a book on a topic we want to learn more about, that really doesn’t matter.

And when thinking content, books can give us a context.
Of course we can find any and all information online, but more often than not, when we search for it online we tend to find little tidbits of information without the broader view. In other words, we find the answer to our question, while a book may also answers those questions we hadn’t even thought of…

Yet, both paperbacks and e-books seem to give way, slowly but surely, to video’s.
We want to read less and less. At 38 pages in an hour reading takes a lot more time than finding a video that tells us what we want to know in 10 minutes. (And plain information video’s need to be even shorter.) And when we do want to full content, there are ‘spoken books’ and podcasts that we can listen to for easy access.

From a sensory perspective, it means that we are starting to rely more on what we are hearing than on what we are seeing. It may not be a lack of awareness, as it is a different awareness. An awareness that brings sound more to the foreground. An awareness that, when raised, can let us hear ~ and even feel ~ things that for the casual listener aren’t there.

And just like we can block the light ~ and to a certain extend what we see ~ with sunglasses, we can block the sound with ‘earbuds’, controlling precisely what we are hearing…

Almost like discerning which book to read at any given time…
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Traveling

The new bag of cat-litter shows a kitty with a background of Europe in cat-litter. Its name? ‘Euro Kat s’.

It brings to mind a fairy tale cat who was dressed in ‘7-mile-boots’ and who could travel over enormous distances in very short periods of time. After all, a little kitty cat would need boots like that to actually make it all over Europe.

The other thing it brings to mind is the perspective that the best travel is to those places where one can bring their own cat-litter. Or in human terms, where we can eat the same type of food we eat at home, preferably speak the same language as we do at home, and thus create an environment that is fairly predictable. Just like it is at home.
Some people prefer traveling that way; and, truth be told, there is nothing wrong with that. After all, when we start traveling to other places, more often than not it is to enjoy ourselves, to relax. And if we can best do that while having the certainty that things are not quite as different as they are at home, then that is what we should go for!

Others travel to explore. To feel the differences in the soil as they travel from one place to the next. To taste different foods, smell different flowers, meet different people… They may relax most exploring the dissimilarities between home and the places they are traveling to. They desire to be comfortable, yet they don’t necessarily need the comforts of home wherever they go.

And then there are those who truly enjoy the comforts of home right where they are at; at home. They may not see the need to travel at all!

As it turns out, whether we travel long distances, short distances, or not at all; whether we bring ‘home’ with us wherever we go, or explore everything about the place we have travelled to; it really doesn’t matter as long as we are enjoying ourselves.

It is like traveling our personal paths. Whatever our next step is, how we take it, where we explore and gain new experiences, it is what we choose to do. In other words, where we find ourselves at the end of the day is a place of our own choosing; as are our experiences along the way.
It is up to us to be discerning, and choose those things that bring us happiness.
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Thunder and lightning

So far this Summer ~ which is only a couple of weeks ~ there has been a lot of rain with relatively high temperatures where I live. Not exactly Summer temperatures, but not unpleasant either. It is a combination that sparks thunderstorms…
The unexpected thing is that right now, we hardly see any ‘thunder-heads’ in the clouds. Some days because it is so overcast we simply cannot see them. Other days, like today, because they simply don’t seem to be there. And yet, there is an almost continuous sound of thunder in the distance; even when the sun is out.
Last night, after seeing the bright light of lightning in the night sky, the thunder never came…

There are many myths and legends about thunder, lightning and rain; almost every culture has one. The loud noises an fierce lights that come from the skies simply have to be the work of ‘the Gods’. And when a thunderstorm breaks with heavy rain and lightning right overhead, it is easy to understand that this was sometimes looked upon as ‘the Gods’ talking to us; even being angry with us.

But there is also something magical about it.
Something very refreshing. After a thunderstorm, the air always smells different. And during a thunderstorm, it seems like people are either afraid of the raw power of it; or are attracted by it, finding it hard to turn away. Simply have to keep watching how the rain pours down, seeing the lightning and then counting the seconds until the thunder follows…
And just like there are myths and legends about it, there are fairy tales and tales about those that wish to use this raw power of nature. Perhaps the most famous quote is found in Shakespeare's Macbeth when the three witches are contemplating their next actions: “When will we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?”

Whichever way we look at it ~ as the scientific phenomenon, the wrath of ‘the Gods’, the raw power of nature ~ whether we are afraid of it, or captivated by it, when it goes on for a prolonged period of time it can make us wonder…
Especially when we find ourselves experiencing a weather pattern that is a-typical for the time of the year; when the amount of rain has changed dramatically and the daily highs and lows of temperature are all over the map. (Last Christmas was warmer than it was on Whitsunday.)

Whether it is coming from ‘the Gods’, from nature, from magical creatures, or just form our own subconscious… What are we being told?
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Picture by Gellius Kaars Sijpesteijn

Standing strong

‘Standing strong’ has a meaning that goes quite a ways back. In the Bible we find: Ephesians 4:14
So we are no longer to be children, tossed back and forth by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching by the trickery of people who craftily carry out their deceitful schemes. (©NET)

In other words, it is important for us to stand strong in the things we believe to be true. To not be swayed by ‘trickery and deceit’, or by other people’s opinions for that matter. To grow up and stand strong for who we are, with all our potentials unfolding in that unique manner that is truly ours. To stand firm as we let our inner light shine, and share ourselves with the world in a way that is loving and without judgement.

So, from its ancient meaning, standing strong doesn’t have anything to do with drawing a line in the sand and protecting our own ‘turf’. It is far from picking a fight for the sake of winning it, and in doing so proving that we are strong. That would be bullying.
Although there are references that say we should stand strong ~ and even fight the fight ~ when injustice is being done. When others are falling victim to trickery and deceit.

Pondering the concept there are two things that make it a bit tricky to see where we are at, when we choose to stand strong.
The first one is that there are two kinds of truth. The factual truth, and our personal truth. The factual truth can often be measured and observed. Our personal truth has to do with our personal experiences, our honesty and respect toward ourselves and others, and ultimately with how well we know ourselves.
Therefore, standing strong for a personal truth may well have to be accompanied by the question whether it will let our own light shine brighter ~ without judgement toward others who may have a different personal truth, or toward ourselves.
The second point is indeed discerning whether what we think is right and the best line of action in a given situation really is ~ or whether it is a judgement based on what we think someone else should do… When something has worked well for us in the past, doesn’t make the same thing automatically the best thing for someone else to do now. And even when we have the best intentions, judgements can slip into our thinking easily and without warning.

That being said, there may not have been any time when it is more true that we need to stand strong. That we need to grow up and be an example as we let our light shine all around us, without judgement.
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Independent

According to the dictionary, it means self-governing, self-ruling, self-determining, sovereign, autonomous, free, nonaligned. Or, when looked at from a more personal level: self-sufficient, self-supporting, self-reliant, standing on one's own two feet, freethinking, individualistic, unconventional, maverick, bold, unconstrained, unfettered, untrammeled.

Reading through the list it is easy to understand why we are valuing our independence so much ~ both on a national level as well as on a personal level. Our independence not only makes us self-reliant, or even self-governing; it will also set us apart from others as it tends to highlight our individualism ~ the unique persons that we are.
Our independence is seen as an empowerment.

Yet sometimes, the stronger, more empowered person is the one who knows when to ask for help. Or the one who is secure in allowing someone else to take the lead in a venture or a process. The one who finds joy and fulfillment in accomplishing something together ~ even if the ultimate achievement will therefore be linked to someone else.

It seems like the concept of independence is changing.
The smaller the earth seems to become, the more we need to address issues and solve problems from a global perspective. No longer is any one Country a self-governing, individualistic island on the face of the earth. Just like we, the people, need each other more and more. Not from a ‘needy’ point of view, but more from a perspective of sharing ourselves in order to inspire both ourselves and those around us.

With that comes the opportunity to extend a helping hand to those who are not quite as strong, those who may stumble and fall. The privilege to help them on their path. Helping them on their path, ultimately will help us on our paths.

And that is where the true difference between independence and dependence is found.

For those who stumble, yet have a mindset that says that they too will be self-reliant and empowered; those who just need that little boost in order to get up and run with it ~ those will never become dependent upon others; dragging others down.
On the other hand, those that have a mindset that says it is easier to have someone else doing it for you; those who ask for help time and time again, without having the desire to step up and start doing it  themselves ~ those will always be dependent upon others.

It is the mindset that makes the difference ~ personally, nationally, and yes, globally.
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