Soul Encounters of the Human Kind

[rabid1st]

On a day like today, it is tempting to think that people suck and the world is a terribly dangerous place. But what truly sucks is this omnipresent coverage by the news media sources. There are a thousand stories not being reported today, because they are never reported. The Millennium Goals of 2000, for example, made by the UN to help developing countries should be making news. Revel in the 5000 children a day (YES! A DAY!) saved from dying this last year in Africa thanks to these development goals being met and check out how to save the world with your own grassroot activism...

http://www.ted.com/talks/jamie_drummond_how_to_set_goals_for_the_world.html

Shamanism teaches us that God is in everything and is communicating with us on a continual basis. But you shouldn't just be on the lookout for animal encounters. Sometimes, you encounter the right person at the right time, too. For example, 7 year old Jake ran into 70 year old Bill as Jake was on his way to the hospital to have his right leg amputated. Bill was the perfect spirit guide for Jake, because Bill had lost his own right leg earlier that year.

Comments

[thisficklemob.livejournal.com]

That was truly beautiful.

I think the best part was when Jake said, "It's cool to be different from everybody else." That... that will take him far.

It reminded me of a speech I went to by an elder of the Onandaga Nation. He said that among his people, the highest compliment one could give a child was, "That kid is different."

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

Absolutely! I was just going through the Myers-Briggs quiz with my sister and when we got to the question "I am attracted to the strange," she laughed and asked what that meant. I said, "Well, I definitely am attracted to people and things that are out of the ordinary...strange. The strangeness itself is what attracts me."

She shook her head, then, and said, "No! I'm not."

I think "That kid is different" is a marvelous compliment. It means he/she an individual...strange and wonderful. HEE!

[thisficklemob.livejournal.com]

IIRC, I think in that case, it was also about what value that brought to the community. Like, a kid who is different might grow up to be a leader or a healer, or they might have different insights that would benefit everyone.

I mean, it might sound individualistic, but it was also about valuing different people for what they bring. Y'know?

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

Exactly! In shaman circles, my tendency to notice different people is just a sign of my calling as a shaman. It is expected of us, so that we can fit people into the tribe to be the most use to the tribe. I am reminded of this story about why the shaman lives outside the village. The gist of it was that the village must be observed from the outside if it is to be healed and guided properly. It is not the place of the shaman to "belong."

Of course, on the flip side of that I am a "Group Fangirl" and it is true that I do seek my own kind when it comes to fannish things. I am not one of those people who go to other sites and try to sway people to my beliefs. But I do enjoy a good group squee over my particular "objet de l'affection."

[keswindhover.livejournal.com]

You're right of course.

At least the BBC actually reports and analyses good news from time to time:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18899360

I think the point about attempted murders being down as well as murders is a very strong one. Of course, if you read nothing but daily stories in the newspapers you'd think we're all likely to be gunned down by out of control gangs or stabbed by our loved ones at any minute.