Blog 832 – 12.03.2017

The Proud Boys

In my usual way of not fearing to tread where even angels might I would like to share a few words about the group known as “The Proud Boys.” I understand they are a group of young white men who are in one of their own spokemen’s words tired of apologizing for slavery, minority discrimination, and everything others think of as not very politically correct about Western Society. They are admittedly anti-Muslim and anti-Feminist. I usually have a probably with any group that finds it necessary to first and foremost define themselves by what they are against, what they oppose. The first precept in the ten intentions that I try to live by states:

“I refrain from opposing or harming anyone. I allow others to have their own experiences. I see life in all things and honor it as if it were my own. I support life.”

Having said the above I would also like to add that I also have a problem with groups who identify themselves as “victims.” To identify yourself or your group as victims denies not only your own power but your own responsibility for who, what, when, why, and where you are. A friend of mine says we should leave the cursed “hows” to God, the Universe, but that we are responsible for the five W’s by choosing and continuing to choose the thoughts we think and dwell on.

In a week-day email that I receive from my friend, Mike Dooley, called, Notes from the Universe, today I received the following:

“There must be a bug in the system, David, because according to my records, you’ve never been told exactly how powerful you are.

Very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very to the ten zenbillion.

K?

The Universe.

Thoughts become things…choose the good ones.

Careful now, David, of what you wish for, what you think about, and when you say, “So Be It.” “

Mike Dooley has quite a gift for channeling the Universe but I believe that we all do. We have it In us, this wonderful connection to all there is. But, sadly many times we allow some situation, or the actions of some person or persons, or even some perceived misstep of our own to get us stuck, make us feel isolated, all alone, and victimized. Or in the case of the Proud Boys, white men, Christians, Trump supporters, you name the group – think ourselves persecuted. All of us at one time or another have held opinions that are not popular. Sometimes we change our minds, sometimes not. Kind of silly really being so proud of our opinions. To me as silly as thinking one sports team is superior to another, one automobile, or detergent brand. I love the line from “The Christmas Story” the perennial favorite about the boy who wanted a B.B. gun for Christmas. As his dad is cursing a blue cloud over their house at the furnace the narrator voicing the boys point of view says, “Some kid’s dads are Presbyterians, Catholics, or Baptists, my dad is an Oldsmobile man.” Strong opinions aside most religions except perhaps Oldsmobilism consider pride a sin to be avoided so perhaps we should not be so proud of our opinions and allow others to have their own.

Your friend and fellow traveler,

David White