Love this very philosophical piece and your list is spot on. Honing our intuition is a biggie - not only for having a bullshit detector for all the lies and propaganda we’re constantly bombarded with, but to be in as in tune with nature, our environment, our bodies, our heart and gut as possible.
I think history will always repeat itself, however. We contain a destructive dark side just as natural order contains a seed of chaos. We’ll keep making mistakes but we need to keep owning up to them and correcting them. True transcendence might be the acknowledgment of the essential messiness of life rather than a state of flawless achievement.
You can always work on being the best you, but there’s no guarantee anyone will do the same. If you become frustrated that others aren’t living up to the same standard, that’s when your dark side might emerge. I’m sure that those who impose their will on others most often think they’re doing it for some sort of greater good.
Yeah, I went to see The Third Man at the cinema recently. There’s a glamour to older movies (particularly when viewed from a velvet seat) that is hard to replicate these days.
Yes it’s easy to get frustrated with what others are doing but we can’t let it affect our own energy. Agreed.
So many cinemas closing down but I think the ones that survive will be those offering something different either by means of vintage films or perks such as fancy seats.
A lovely reflective piece, Julie. I often think how, as a species, we don’t really learn from others’ mistakes, determined that we’ll get it right/ better. As I’m getting older (not old! Though I did just turn 60 🤣) I find myself withdrawing from the messiness of the world and focusing more on my ‘list’. It bears a striking resemblance to yours. The church to which I used to belong many moons ago had a frequently used phrase - to be ‘in the world, but not of the world’. I try to observe but not absorb, and try not to become too emotionally affected by it. That’s the hard bit and, I think, where those ‘leaders’ want us; emotionally charged and unable to function as our pure selves. Keep working that list, Julie 🥰 xx
I like your list. It’s exactly how I am trying to approach the issues we face. Peaceful non compliance and finding trustworthy sources of information and support is all I can do.
It was at a cinema on a festival weekend and was such a treat. Felt so epic. The cinema ran an interval like they did in times gone by. The red curtains swished open and closed. An usherette shuffled to the front selling ice cream on a tray at the front and that was just the presentation 😂😂
The film was a masterpiece - the cinematography, the costume, the score….
A wonderful piece, Julie, I’ve posted it on my Stack, if thats OK. It’s close to my heart
“…when we reduce human beings to sets of data, expressions of probability and mathematical equations for the purposes of justifying actions for the ‘greater good’, part of our humanity is destroyed, our empathy diminished.”
David Lean directed some wonderful films. Zhivago is terrific, I also love the lesser-known Ryan’s Daughter (despite some of the dodgy attempts at Irish accents) and the romantic Summertime shot in that saturated popping Eastmancolor which makes the film look hyperreal, like a strange dream.
I haven’t seen Ryan’s Daughter. Was very impressed by the film as a whole. Once a film exceeds 2 hrs, I struggle but it held me. The cinematography was amazing, I was transfixed by the beauty of all those snow and ice shots, the daffodils, the costume….a true epic.
Yes, once we start with ‘the greater good’ business, it’s a slippery slope imo.
David Lean was a wonderful craftsman and his shots are amazing. Ryan’s Daughter is a sort of remake of Madame Bovary just as Brief Encounter is Anna Karenina redux in a very restrained English manner.
I love Brief Encounter, Lean was a master film-maker. The things unsaid but felt, so English
I saw Dr. Z with a date in my second year at uni. Now that I'm more than 50 years older I should probably watch it again. Julie Christie was amazing, and Omar Sharif wasn't bad either. Lara's Theme in the soundtrack haunts me still.
Well said Julie be who you are and be here now in this day, as tomorrow is never promised .Its sunny here in Scotland just now, that helps. l saw a tiny bird today and l was happy to see this wee soul.The Dr Chivago film is great . Romance and suffering true to life . It's a great story.l love Gone with the wind.l read the book Margaret Mitchell was the author.Its and old film.We are living in bad times too much evil going on by the Hierarchy. Personally l think they read 1984 by George Orwell ,and this helped their plan to destroy us.Thanks Julie l hope for better World for our families.God help us.x🦋🕊️😊♥️.
I love this piece and would like to add my two cents. There are a lot of people trying to connect to some form of spirituality right now and that’s great. Problem is that they are still looking outside of themselves instead of taking responsibility. And that’s understandable given the education system. But to me that implies that we are not quite ready for this next evolution. I believe we’re getting there though.
I’ve been involved in a number of meditation groups over the years and there was always someone with an agenda = the ego vibration. While we as a species are still in that vibration, we remain stuck. Having said that, ‘every little helps’ as they say and I’m not belittling those groups; its just that I believe we need to reach beyond the immediate ‘fix’. I haven’t been attached to any group one way or another for years now and that works for me cos I only have my own ego/battles to deal with!
I think we are living in a time where what you are saying needs to manifest. I think we are witnessing and experiencing the birth pangs of a higher vibration human. We just have to go through this process first, even with all the egos around. Some people will cling desperately to the known, others will take the step. either way, there is movement.
I’m not an expert on anything and am winging my way with this, but I do work with energy and I’m feeling my way along the path. And today, I am hopeful.:)
I think there is a tendency to pitch everything as ‘them v us’ which limits what we as individuals can do. Leads to feelings of futility.
Whilst it’s good to be aware of ‘the bigger picture’ we have to keep a closer eye on ourselves and own habits as they are the things we have most control over.
Elections loom in the US and it’s sad and disheartening to see yet another batch of people get sucked up into the same cycle again and again, but at the same time conversations I hear whilst out and about, I think more people are switching on to things.
I guess these things take time. Time spent working on ourselves, being the change we want to see in the world has such a knock on effect that it can’t be underestimated.
It does look rather ominous. The fear and loathing, the violence and depravity. IIm not a religious person. Spiritual maybe with a fetish for ancient wisdom. Perhaps what we see is mos tly what some want us to see.. And then in turn feel how they want us to feel and act as they want us us o act. We all have the free will to turn away and act in the service of others. http://www.zippittydodah.com/2024/10/thats-how-it-looks-on-surface-that-is.html?m=1
A really lovely piece to read on a Monday morning. So much common sense, so much wisdom ffs!
I'm just not so sure we are better than animals. I can't communicate with them so I don't know. But they don't seem to have tied their species up in knots the way we have with ours. If I had to guess I'd say they pity us. But that's anthropomorphism isn't it?
Yes anthropomorphism has a lot to answer for. Bloody Beatrix Potter. Let’s blame HER!😂
No, I’m messing but I get what you are saying. There’s a human arrogance that wants to believe that we are superior, that a God created everything else for us which I don’t buy into, myself.
But even if we are, in reality, no better than animals, the fact that we either think we are or aspire to be so, is what we all wrestle with.
Well now …in “my” humble opinion Drake wasn't just wrong, he was all wrong. I'd be willing to bet he did the old boy skim read and plopped you in the overboard women's lifeboat, in need of rescue.
I remember my then girlfriend taking me to see Zhivago in the 70's reissue at the Balboa theater in Southern California. Oh great…a chick flick !
I believe I see the world's ills in a broadly similar way. I've also never voted to promote a system so obviously flawed. But I think that we do remain essentially animals, driven by similar base behaviours within brains not so far removed from what we look down on. The greasy pole of social hierarchy and the urge to survive are embedded within us, no matter the smears of culture and religion we adorn ourselves with. Selfishness is the necessary counter to altruism and community; criminality to justice and moral duty; wars to gain territory and property are necessary for a tribe to thrive through greater abundance and prosperity. We aren't going to stop having leaders who kill or underdogs who steal – or writers who hope...
'It’s about recognising these very systems have for centuries caused chaos and distress.'
True. From there, we need to build movements, cultivate leaders/representatives and vote them into positions of power so that they can implement changes to the current system.
Isn’t that what we’ve been doing for centuries though and then they’ve been voted in and they’ve dropped the ball/not given a damn? How many election promises broken over decades? How much trust abused over centuries?
I think cultivating leaders from grassroots movements and having such movements back their political campaigns instead of them coming from mainstream political parties can make a difference. Cause they're likely to be more principled and following an ideology that's genuinely pro-people, rather then pro-elites and corporations.
Power seems to turn people with good intentions into crazed idiots. Still, you never know. We have to keep hope. I can longer invest it in others but I see why others choose to. I’m probably just a bitter old lady.
Love this very philosophical piece and your list is spot on. Honing our intuition is a biggie - not only for having a bullshit detector for all the lies and propaganda we’re constantly bombarded with, but to be in as in tune with nature, our environment, our bodies, our heart and gut as possible.
I think history will always repeat itself, however. We contain a destructive dark side just as natural order contains a seed of chaos. We’ll keep making mistakes but we need to keep owning up to them and correcting them. True transcendence might be the acknowledgment of the essential messiness of life rather than a state of flawless achievement.
Yeah, just felt a bit philosophical today. I really enjoyed the film (a couple of weeks ago) and it really made me think.
Yes maybe you’re right in what you’re saying about accepting the messiness…..but it feels so much like giving in, doesn’t it? :)
You can always work on being the best you, but there’s no guarantee anyone will do the same. If you become frustrated that others aren’t living up to the same standard, that’s when your dark side might emerge. I’m sure that those who impose their will on others most often think they’re doing it for some sort of greater good.
Yeah, I went to see The Third Man at the cinema recently. There’s a glamour to older movies (particularly when viewed from a velvet seat) that is hard to replicate these days.
Yes it’s easy to get frustrated with what others are doing but we can’t let it affect our own energy. Agreed.
So many cinemas closing down but I think the ones that survive will be those offering something different either by means of vintage films or perks such as fancy seats.
I’ve never seen that either.
A lovely reflective piece, Julie. I often think how, as a species, we don’t really learn from others’ mistakes, determined that we’ll get it right/ better. As I’m getting older (not old! Though I did just turn 60 🤣) I find myself withdrawing from the messiness of the world and focusing more on my ‘list’. It bears a striking resemblance to yours. The church to which I used to belong many moons ago had a frequently used phrase - to be ‘in the world, but not of the world’. I try to observe but not absorb, and try not to become too emotionally affected by it. That’s the hard bit and, I think, where those ‘leaders’ want us; emotionally charged and unable to function as our pure selves. Keep working that list, Julie 🥰 xx
I really see a difference in both myself and others when they have been ‘too close’ to the news, social media etc
It really leaves a dark shadow becoming embroiled in all that stuff.
Stay in the light, my lovely xx
Snap!
I like your list. It’s exactly how I am trying to approach the issues we face. Peaceful non compliance and finding trustworthy sources of information and support is all I can do.
Yes, I think so. No-one is coming to save us. Sooner we wake up to that the better.
It’s been decades since I watched it. You’re inspired me to watch it again, and read Boris Pasternak’ novel! Thank you!
It was at a cinema on a festival weekend and was such a treat. Felt so epic. The cinema ran an interval like they did in times gone by. The red curtains swished open and closed. An usherette shuffled to the front selling ice cream on a tray at the front and that was just the presentation 😂😂
The film was a masterpiece - the cinematography, the costume, the score….
I haven’t read the novel but maybe I should, yes.
I still haven’t got the hang of this Substack thing; posting other writer’s articles as one example
You can restack them but do as you feel. :)
Restack, you sya. Hmm, I’ll look into that
A wonderful piece, Julie, I’ve posted it on my Stack, if thats OK. It’s close to my heart
“…when we reduce human beings to sets of data, expressions of probability and mathematical equations for the purposes of justifying actions for the ‘greater good’, part of our humanity is destroyed, our empathy diminished.”
David Lean directed some wonderful films. Zhivago is terrific, I also love the lesser-known Ryan’s Daughter (despite some of the dodgy attempts at Irish accents) and the romantic Summertime shot in that saturated popping Eastmancolor which makes the film look hyperreal, like a strange dream.
I haven’t seen Ryan’s Daughter. Was very impressed by the film as a whole. Once a film exceeds 2 hrs, I struggle but it held me. The cinematography was amazing, I was transfixed by the beauty of all those snow and ice shots, the daffodils, the costume….a true epic.
Yes, once we start with ‘the greater good’ business, it’s a slippery slope imo.
David Lean was a wonderful craftsman and his shots are amazing. Ryan’s Daughter is a sort of remake of Madame Bovary just as Brief Encounter is Anna Karenina redux in a very restrained English manner.
I love Brief Encounter, Lean was a master film-maker. The things unsaid but felt, so English
The greater good is always the excuse of tyrants.
I saw Dr. Z with a date in my second year at uni. Now that I'm more than 50 years older I should probably watch it again. Julie Christie was amazing, and Omar Sharif wasn't bad either. Lara's Theme in the soundtrack haunts me still.
Yes, 🙌 if only we realised how power we are 💜
Well said Julie be who you are and be here now in this day, as tomorrow is never promised .Its sunny here in Scotland just now, that helps. l saw a tiny bird today and l was happy to see this wee soul.The Dr Chivago film is great . Romance and suffering true to life . It's a great story.l love Gone with the wind.l read the book Margaret Mitchell was the author.Its and old film.We are living in bad times too much evil going on by the Hierarchy. Personally l think they read 1984 by George Orwell ,and this helped their plan to destroy us.Thanks Julie l hope for better World for our families.God help us.x🦋🕊️😊♥️.
I haven’t read ‘Gone with the wind’, maybe I should.
Yes little blessings like birds turn the day around, don’t they? Precious :)
Hi Julie,
I love this piece and would like to add my two cents. There are a lot of people trying to connect to some form of spirituality right now and that’s great. Problem is that they are still looking outside of themselves instead of taking responsibility. And that’s understandable given the education system. But to me that implies that we are not quite ready for this next evolution. I believe we’re getting there though.
I’ve been involved in a number of meditation groups over the years and there was always someone with an agenda = the ego vibration. While we as a species are still in that vibration, we remain stuck. Having said that, ‘every little helps’ as they say and I’m not belittling those groups; its just that I believe we need to reach beyond the immediate ‘fix’. I haven’t been attached to any group one way or another for years now and that works for me cos I only have my own ego/battles to deal with!
I think we are living in a time where what you are saying needs to manifest. I think we are witnessing and experiencing the birth pangs of a higher vibration human. We just have to go through this process first, even with all the egos around. Some people will cling desperately to the known, others will take the step. either way, there is movement.
I’m not an expert on anything and am winging my way with this, but I do work with energy and I’m feeling my way along the path. And today, I am hopeful.:)
I think there is a tendency to pitch everything as ‘them v us’ which limits what we as individuals can do. Leads to feelings of futility.
Whilst it’s good to be aware of ‘the bigger picture’ we have to keep a closer eye on ourselves and own habits as they are the things we have most control over.
Elections loom in the US and it’s sad and disheartening to see yet another batch of people get sucked up into the same cycle again and again, but at the same time conversations I hear whilst out and about, I think more people are switching on to things.
I guess these things take time. Time spent working on ourselves, being the change we want to see in the world has such a knock on effect that it can’t be underestimated.
It does look rather ominous. The fear and loathing, the violence and depravity. IIm not a religious person. Spiritual maybe with a fetish for ancient wisdom. Perhaps what we see is mos tly what some want us to see.. And then in turn feel how they want us to feel and act as they want us us o act. We all have the free will to turn away and act in the service of others. http://www.zippittydodah.com/2024/10/thats-how-it-looks-on-surface-that-is.html?m=1
Yes I think there is something to be said for both seeing the best in others and being aware. Our reactions fuel the next action.
A really lovely piece to read on a Monday morning. So much common sense, so much wisdom ffs!
I'm just not so sure we are better than animals. I can't communicate with them so I don't know. But they don't seem to have tied their species up in knots the way we have with ours. If I had to guess I'd say they pity us. But that's anthropomorphism isn't it?
Yes anthropomorphism has a lot to answer for. Bloody Beatrix Potter. Let’s blame HER!😂
No, I’m messing but I get what you are saying. There’s a human arrogance that wants to believe that we are superior, that a God created everything else for us which I don’t buy into, myself.
But even if we are, in reality, no better than animals, the fact that we either think we are or aspire to be so, is what we all wrestle with.
Hm…..
Started well, but you went totally off the rails IMO. Should have stuck with Zhivago. It’s a great film.
And that’s why…..it’s my very own Substack posting exactly what I want to post!😊
Well now …in “my” humble opinion Drake wasn't just wrong, he was all wrong. I'd be willing to bet he did the old boy skim read and plopped you in the overboard women's lifeboat, in need of rescue.
I remember my then girlfriend taking me to see Zhivago in the 70's reissue at the Balboa theater in Southern California. Oh great…a chick flick !
Except I loved it ….in my humblest opinion.
Who knows but he’s entitled to his opinion, as we all are. Til we’re not one day and thought police n all that…..
😂😂😂
I believe I see the world's ills in a broadly similar way. I've also never voted to promote a system so obviously flawed. But I think that we do remain essentially animals, driven by similar base behaviours within brains not so far removed from what we look down on. The greasy pole of social hierarchy and the urge to survive are embedded within us, no matter the smears of culture and religion we adorn ourselves with. Selfishness is the necessary counter to altruism and community; criminality to justice and moral duty; wars to gain territory and property are necessary for a tribe to thrive through greater abundance and prosperity. We aren't going to stop having leaders who kill or underdogs who steal – or writers who hope...
'It’s about recognising these very systems have for centuries caused chaos and distress.'
True. From there, we need to build movements, cultivate leaders/representatives and vote them into positions of power so that they can implement changes to the current system.
Isn’t that what we’ve been doing for centuries though and then they’ve been voted in and they’ve dropped the ball/not given a damn? How many election promises broken over decades? How much trust abused over centuries?
I think cultivating leaders from grassroots movements and having such movements back their political campaigns instead of them coming from mainstream political parties can make a difference. Cause they're likely to be more principled and following an ideology that's genuinely pro-people, rather then pro-elites and corporations.
Power seems to turn people with good intentions into crazed idiots. Still, you never know. We have to keep hope. I can longer invest it in others but I see why others choose to. I’m probably just a bitter old lady.