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[Brandy]

Removed due to possibility of a publishing [book] contract based on these articles, and the associated need to retain first publication rights.

[Gliondrach]

You responded well in that second encounter, Brandy. If the man can think clearly he might learn something from what you said. But he probably can't think clearly, judging by his behaviour.

I've noticed the increase in boorish, loutish behaviour. It wasn't like that years ago. It existed but it was confined to a minority. It is much more widespread now. I really have difficulty keeping my temper sometimes when I am out and about.

What did you say about nature that provoked that other character's response?

[Charmagne]

Very nice article Brandy. In my opinion the rudeness of the teenagers can PROBABLY be traced back to their parents - unless they just make it a point to go out of their way to be rude. I believe kids - even teenagers - learn by what they see as they are growing up. My son would never even think of blocking the pathway of another person - older or not. I also have encountered the pushiness of the religious nuts. The Mormon church around here have members that park their car at the end of the streets and walk the entire street trying to hand out information regarding their church. I answered the door not too long ago and told them we had our own beliefs and did not want the information offered. One of the men looked at me and asked "If you died tomorrow are you sure you wouldn't go to hell". I was taken aback for a few seconds and then told him I was as sure as he was. I couldn 't believe he actually said that.

I am also concerned that a lot more people seem angry in their everyday lives. It brings to mind the book you recommended that I am almost finished reading - Phoenix Rising - where No Eyes is showing Summer what is to come but I'll PM you later because I'd like to know what other books by the same author you'd recommend.

[Brandy]

What did you say about nature that provoked that other character's response?
I actually had a whinge about it here at the time :o although I may have deleted my comments ... I don't remember now. :dizzy:

Anyway, I had commented about how much I love trees - I love trees almost as much as I love animals - and the nature-hater let me have it! :(
... I also have encountered the pushiness of the religious nuts. The Mormon church around here have members that park their car at the end of the streets and walk the entire street trying to hand out information regarding their church. I answered the door not too long ago and told them we had our own beliefs and did not want the information offered. One of the men looked at me and asked "If you died tomorrow are you sure you wouldn't go to hell". I was taken aback for a few seconds and then told him I was as sure as he was. I couldn 't believe he actually said that.
Oh, well said, Charmagne! :yea: He deserved that - and at least you weren't rude, which is more than could be said for him! :grumble:

[Brandy]

Removed due to possibility of a publishing [book] contract based on these articles, and the associated need to retain first publication rights.

[Gliondrach]

I agree with what you say about the tendency to judge people by their appearance. We should get to know people before we form opinions about them. Perhaps it's because there are too many people in the world and we take shortcuts. It's a pity, because many people are probably better than 'first appearances' suggest.

Recent research suggests that Jacobson's organ or vomeronasal organ might be a sixth physical sense, and might be used for detecting pheromones.

[Charmagne]

I agree with what you say about the tendency to judge people by their appearance. We should get to know people before we form opinions about them. Perhaps it's because there are too many people in the world and we take shortcuts. It's a pity, because many people are probably better than 'first appearances' suggest.



Another great article Brandy and I agree with Gliondrach that most people are too quick to judge based on appearance.

[Oracl]

Because any time that we judge ourselves by external appearances – any time we ignore our own taste in clothing or hairstyle in order to appear more socially acceptable – we betray our own beautiful spirits. Yet as unique beings we all have the inherent right to express that uniqueness without ridicule.
This is so true! :agree:

As I get older I find it so much easier to be myself and not care about being socially acceptable. :)

[Gliondrach]

I've never been sociably acceptable.

[Brandy]

Removed due to possibility of a publishing [book] contract based on these articles, and the associated need to retain first publication rights.

[thevegantwins]

I wasn't offended at all, Brandy. I thought it was another poignant work and have wondered many of the same questions. One of the reasons why I enjoy coming to this site so much is that I don't feel so alone though Mr. TVT does share the same beliefs.

[Bowwowmeow]

... A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, accordingly is a human being only as good as the worst flaw in their character? ...

© Copyright 2007 Brandy Ryan.
First published in Universal Mind magazine May 2007.
Wow, I've never thought of this before. :rubchin:

I hope your article has stirred lots of controversy Brandy. :agree: People need to wake up yesterday, because I am afraid it is already too late for most of us Earthlings. :sigh:

[Charmagne]

Great article Brandy!:yea: I feel like BWM - I hope it makes everyone who reads it uneasy and aware of what is happening to our Mother Earth and its inhabitants.

[Oracl]

Very interesting and thought-provoking article, Brandy. :agree:

This is my favourite question:


 Why do people generally appreciate butterflies but routinely squash or poison caterpillars? How is it possible to cherish one but not the other?
:monarch:

[Gliondrach]

Excellent observations. I have no answers except that humans are daft.

Yes, I thought the chain one was very good. It is true. But I've never thought about it like that before.

[Brandy]

Thanks everyone. :hug: If I may paraphrase what TVT said, it is nice to be here and not feel so alone. We great minds obviously think alike! :agree: :D :professor:

I'm so glad that you all read the whole article rather than just bits of it. It was astonishing how upset some people got about the "weakest link" question. Must have really struck a nerve with some people!? :rubchin:

... I have no answers except that humans are daft ...
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[thevegantwins]

Very interesting and thought-provoking article, Brandy. :agree:

This is my favourite question:


:monarch:
Mr. TVT loved this question too. One of those questions that make you go, hmm? :rubchin:

[1vegan]

 A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, accordingly is a human being only as good as the worst flaw in their character?

© Copyright 2007 Brandy Ryan.
First published in Universal Mind magazine May 2007.

Ok, I'll be the first to say "basicly, yes"

There's a slight chance that I'm not understanding the statement, but I will say that if I know a person, just one or two things can make a definate assumption or assesment of who that person is.

I don't care how nice one behaves or whatever could contribute to me feeling positive, but if I know you've got a basic "flaw", then that "only flaw" will almost completely determin how I value that person.

Single statements can also fully alter my perception of a person.

A good example would be racism, or feminism.
If a person has something against "non-whities" or certain rude remarks about lets say muslims in general......

My total "judgement" of that person will mainly be about that point, doesn't matter how great you are.

For instance, Jerry Falwell might have been a nice person in real live, but his statements, though probably a small part of his character, THAT makes up who he was for me.

[Brandy]

Removed due to possibility of a publishing [book] contract based on these articles, and the associated need to retain first publication rights.

[Bowwowmeow]

That reminds me of a dove I found once, a long time ago, who had been attacked by a cat. She was in much worse shape, having had so much of her body torn away that I could see inside her chest cavity from her back. :( :( :( I couldn't believe that she was still alive, but she was. She was covered in ants, so I got a soft towel to set her in on my lap, and gently cleaned the ants off her. I knew she wouldn't live, and I felt the pressure of the opinion held by so many people, that it is best to kill animals like this, to put them out of their misery and end their suffering. So I tried to close her nostrils to stop her breathing, as I couldn't bear the idea of doing violence to her, and I couldn't think of anything else to do, but she struggled, so I stopped. I simply was not physically able to kill her. My hands and arms would not obey my brain. So I sat with her and stroked her forehead, which seemed to sooth her, and presently she closed her eyes and died.

I always felt like I failed her in her suffering somehow, because I couldn't kill her. And yet when I tried, she struggled, because she, like all who have life, wanted every last moment being alive that she could get. I can't know what the urge to live is like in other beings, and I can't know how they perceive their own suffering; whether, in spite of it, they find life sweet enough to cling to no matter how painful their existence. I am careful not to discuss this widely, because it will look like a justification to some for the unnecessary suffering experienced by animals who get exploited by humans. But it gave me a different perspective on the idea that we, as humans, are naturally more qualified to judge another's suffering and desire for death to end it than the victim himself. How can I decide that an animal in pain should die, when so many animals are capable of doing things in desperation, such as chewing off their own limbs to escape traps, that I myself could never do? How can I know that the animal has attained what would be an unbearable level of suffering for me, especially when that animal suffers in silence? That dove I found had the whole lower half of her body torn away, and yet when I tried to "assist" her death, she struggled as if to say "Let me die in my own time. Its coming quickly enough, and I want to see the sun on the leaves and breath the morning air as long as I can."
Its a lesson I cannot forget.

We also had a pair of young starlings, who were being raised by a family of blackbirds. They kept coming down the chimney and getting in the house, sometimes twice a day even! I had to run around the entire house, flinging cloths over them in order to be able to pick them up and put them back outside. Finally, the last time it happened, one of the starlings sat on my finger and stared at me for quite some time after I removed the cloth. As I looked at him, he seemed to be saying "Its been fun, but this is it! See ya!" That was the last time either of them ever came in. Your account of the turtledove reminded me of that, Brandy. Lots of people probably think its just wild imagination. But I know uncommon things can happen, because sometimes they happen to me too.

[Gliondrach]

Poor little doves, both of them - the Australian and the American. They both died in good places with good people.

[Brandy]

That reminds me of a dove I found once, a long time ago, who had been attacked by a cat. She was in much worse shape, having had so much of her body torn away that I could see inside her chest cavity from her back. :( :( :( I couldn't believe that she was still alive, but she was. She was covered in ants, so I got a soft towel to set her in on my lap, and gently cleaned the ants off her. I knew she wouldn't live, and I felt the pressure of the opinion held by so many people, that it is best to kill animals like this, to put them out of their misery and end their suffering. So I tried to close her nostrils to stop her breathing, as I couldn't bear the idea of doing violence to her, and I couldn't think of anything else to do, but she struggled, so I stopped. I simply was not physically able to kill her. My hands and arms would not obey my brain. So I sat with her and stroked her forehead, which seemed to sooth her, and presently she closed her eyes and died.

I always felt like I failed her in her suffering somehow, because I couldn't kill her. And yet when I tried, she struggled, because she, like all who have life, wanted every last moment being alive that she could get. I can't know what the urge to live is like in other beings, and I can't know how they perceive their own suffering; whether, in spite of it, they find life sweet enough to cling to no matter how painful their existence. I am careful not to discuss this widely, because it will look like a justification to some for the unnecessary suffering experienced by animals who get exploited by humans. But it gave me a different perspective on the idea that we, as humans, are naturally more qualified to judge another's suffering and desire for death to end it than the victim himself. How can I decide that an animal in pain should die, when so many animals are capable of doing things in desperation, such as chewing off their own limbs to escape traps, that I myself could never do? How can I know that the animal has attained what would be an unbearable level of suffering for me, especially when that animal suffers in silence? That dove I found had the whole lower half of her body torn away, and yet when I tried to "assist" her death, she struggled as if to say "Let me die in my own time. Its coming quickly enough, and I want to see the sun on the leaves and breath the morning air as long as I can."
Its a lesson I cannot forget.
Bowwowomeow, you certainly didn't fail the dove in any way - although I understand how you feel. :bmoon: You must have given him/her great comfort before the end. To have been attacked by a predator and then be "attacked" again by ants would be such a hideous way to die.

I like to hope that when animals are so badly injured, that something (adrenaline?) would somehow limit the pain they feel. And I do believe that injured animals can receive comfort from gentle, compassionate humans.

I wouldn't have been able to kill the bird either. :no:
We also had a pair of young starlings, who were being raised by a family of blackbirds. They kept coming down the chimney and getting in the house, sometimes twice a day even! I had to run around the entire house, flinging cloths over them in order to be able to pick them up and put them back outside. Finally, the last time it happened, one of the starlings sat on my finger and stared at me for quite some time after I removed the cloth. As I looked at him, he seemed to be saying "Its been fun, but this is it! See ya!" That was the last time either of them ever came in. Your account of the turtledove reminded me of that, Brandy. Lots of people probably think its just wild imagination. But I know uncommon things can happen, because sometimes they happen to me too.

That's so sweet! The starlings were very fortunate to have met you. :D

[Brandy]

Removed due to possibility of a publishing [book] contract based on these articles, and the associated need to retain first publication rights.

[Oracl]

That's a very beautiful and moving article, Brandy. :colors:

[thevegantwins]

:agree: Very touching and sweet article, Brandy. I hope you shared it with your housemate.

Yesterday morning, I was leaving for the gym at 6:15am, feeling tired and cranky when I looked up in the sky and saw stars. Not alot of them but enough to make me stop and go, "wow". We usually can't see stars where I live because of all the light pollution. Then, I drove down the street to the library to drop off dvd's in the drop box before heading on the highway. I took the longer, scenic way around and as I came around the corner, I saw New York Bay, the glittering lights of the Verrazano Bridge and the most amazing purple/orange sky. I think I had a smile on my face the entire way to the gym. While it is nice to be surrounded by natural beauty in a national park, people need to see the beauty in their daily life. :flower:

[Gliondrach]

We do need to appreciate what we have and the beauty that surrounds us. We should consciously decide to do so, like some people consciously decide to say prayers every day or to take exercise. Some people do it last thing at night or first thing in the morning - count their blessings or think about the good things in their lives.

Very good articles. I particularly liked that bit about not seeing the candles until the lights go out.

[Brandy]

That's a very beautiful and moving article, Brandy. :colors:

Thank you, Oracl. :psmooch:

:agree: Very touching and sweet article, Brandy. I hope you shared it with your housemate.

Yesterday morning, I was leaving for the gym at 6:15am, feeling tired and cranky when I looked up in the sky and saw stars. Not alot of them but enough to make me stop and go, "wow". We usually can't see stars where I live because of all the light pollution. Then, I drove down the street to the library to drop off dvd's in the drop box before heading on the highway. I took the longer, scenic way around and as I came around the corner, I saw New York Bay, the glittering lights of the Verrazano Bridge and the most amazing purple/orange sky. I think I had a smile on my face the entire way to the gym. While it is nice to be surrounded by natural beauty in a national park, people need to see the beauty in their daily life. :flower:

Thank you, TVT. :psmooch: And yes, I did share it with my housemate. I read several versions of the article aloud to her until we were able to agree on one that said what needed to be said without revealing too much of her private business. :zip:

I'm so pleased that you were able to see the stars and the beautiful dawn :D particularly on a morning when you were feeling tired and cranky. :comfort:

We do need to appreciate what we have and the beauty that surrounds us. We should consciously decide to do so, like some people consciously decide to say prayers every day or to take exercise. Some people do it last thing at night or first thing in the morning - count their blessings or think about the good things in their lives.

Very good articles. I particularly liked that bit about not seeing the candles until the lights go out.

Thank you, Gliondrach. :psmooch: I'm glad you liked the reference to the candles. That is probably the best line in the article. :)

[Brandy]

Removed due to possibility of a publishing [book] contract based on these articles, and the associated need to retain first publication rights.

[Gliondrach]

Very well said. I have similar views about the cult of celebrity, the wastefullness of many people and the destructive behaviour that seems much worse than it was when I was a teenager. And I'm glad you ended up counting your blessings instead of sheep. May you have many more. Blessings, that is, not sheep.

[Oracl]

Excellent article, Brandy. :thumbsup: :colors:

[Brandy]

Very well said. I have similar views about the cult of celebrity, the wastefullness of many people and the destructive behaviour that seems much worse than it was when I was a teenager. And I'm glad you ended up counting your blessings instead of sheep. May you have many more. Blessings, that is, not sheep.

:nanakiss: Thanks Gliondrach.

I must admit that I'm currently finding it hard to come up with a long list of blessings to count. :o But right after I give thanks that I have a roof over my head, food on the table, and was blessed to have such a wise mother to teach me what is truly important in life, I give thanks for my extraordinary friends. Better people simply don't exist on this planet. :colors:

Excellent article, Brandy. :thumbsup: :colors:

:nanakiss: Thanks Oracl. :updn:

[Gliondrach]

You're the kind of person anyone would want as a friend. Your mother obviously did a good job. And I'm sure she's proud of that.

[Brandy]

Thank you ... again ... Gliondrach. :friends:

[Brandy]

Removed due to possibility of a publishing [book] contract based on these articles, and the associated need to retain first publication rights.

[Gliondrach]

Very well put, Brandy. At one time in the UK it was very important to some people to find out what someone's father did for a living. Then they could be put in a certain class and the other person would know how to respond to them.

I remember a film or television play. A character was on an ocean cruise. Another passenger asked him what he did for a living. He said that he wasn't going to tell him. He said that if he said he was a dustman, the other man would form a certain opinion about him. If he said he was a barrister, the other man would form a different opinion of him.