Go to Earth Magic
- Add a comment
- Go to Do I Really Own Anything?
Ariala
Thanks. I'm leaning more into these topics now. They seem to be hitting home with me.
posted by
avant-garde
on September 23, 2006 at 6:01 AM
| link to this | reply
Sometimes there are triggers from the past that feed our insecurities
causing us the need to assert ownership...I hate when that happens to me...I seem to lose balance at such a point and hurt others and myself along the way. Good post!
posted by
Ariala
on September 23, 2006 at 5:47 AM
| link to this | reply
TAPS
This is a hard lesson to learn, too, when we are constantly bombarded with themes of ownership.
posted by
avant-garde
on September 23, 2006 at 4:45 AM
| link to this | reply
Julia
Yes. These dogs I have selected to take care of teach me much about myself. They would sacrifice everything if I merely asked them to. But, my job is not to exact their loyalty, but to marvel at their love.
posted by
avant-garde
on September 23, 2006 at 4:44 AM
| link to this | reply
Mari-am
Yes, YPunday is speaking from direct observation of the world and how it currently exists. We can begin to make the shift in consciousness by realizing that other choices are available. We can begin to incorporate these understandings in little ways.
We are, after all, the world as it is seen.
posted by
avant-garde
on September 23, 2006 at 4:43 AM
| link to this | reply
Jomei
That
would then, make the body a temple.
posted by
avant-garde
on September 23, 2006 at 4:41 AM
| link to this | reply
YPunday
You've raised an important issue. It is true that the world is driven by the madness of the ego. Those who would show the way appear mad themselves. When we are young, the boundaries have to be in place so that respect is learned and gratitude is felt. Unfortunately, people tend to be devoid of these lessons throughout life.
posted by
avant-garde
on September 23, 2006 at 4:38 AM
| link to this | reply
Mason
Thanks, my friend.
posted by
avant-garde
on September 23, 2006 at 4:35 AM
| link to this | reply
marie
I am learning this lesson a little at a time. I took Sam with me to do a job yesterday. I felt so obliged to watch over him, but I turned away and went to work. He had the time of his life!
posted by
avant-garde
on September 23, 2006 at 4:35 AM
| link to this | reply
Troosha
Yes, partners is most appropos. Power is divided equally.
posted by
avant-garde
on September 23, 2006 at 4:34 AM
| link to this | reply
Schatz
Spoken like a true parent. Thank you.
posted by
avant-garde
on September 23, 2006 at 4:33 AM
| link to this | reply
FLIGHTPATH
You are absolutely right on that.
posted by
avant-garde
on September 23, 2006 at 4:33 AM
| link to this | reply
Mystic
I caught myself saying the other day, 'My job is not to give you everything you want. It's to keep you alive.' Hmmm.
posted by
avant-garde
on September 23, 2006 at 4:32 AM
| link to this | reply
OFFBEATS
Thank you for stopping in. How's your kitty doing?
posted by
avant-garde
on September 23, 2006 at 4:31 AM
| link to this | reply
Tanga
Freedom is merely a reflection away. Thanks for the read.
posted by
avant-garde
on September 23, 2006 at 4:27 AM
| link to this | reply
afzal
Thanks.
posted by
avant-garde
on September 23, 2006 at 4:27 AM
| link to this | reply
GE PRUITT
Thanks, my friend.
posted by
avant-garde
on September 23, 2006 at 4:26 AM
| link to this | reply
avant-garde, Have you ever noticed that one of the first words that little children learn and use often is the word "mine"? They really latch on to that ownership concept quickly. And then it seems to stick with us through life until we suddenly realize toward the end that we just can't take it with us.
posted by
TAPS.
on September 22, 2006 at 11:13 PM
| link to this | reply
avant--
very nice post. the one that always gets me is the universal "pet owner." I do not own my cats, I am their protector and human companion. I'd like to see that term abolished but it probably will never happen.
posted by
Julia.
on September 22, 2006 at 8:39 PM
| link to this | reply
Avant
I respect ang accept your wise idea.you are always , always wise one . top on religious talking with bhaskar . there some thing also cannot be neglect about Ypunday `s comments , seems , how about you .
posted by
Rosetree
on September 22, 2006 at 5:04 PM
| link to this | reply
Yes, I've been having a similar realisation lately
not even my flesh is "mine", just on loan for a while. when I die, it gets returned, only what is essential remains, yet that can be realized while I'm alive.
posted by
Jomei
on September 22, 2006 at 4:00 PM
| link to this | reply
But how do we love & invest in other people, strange folks, with bad hair,
belief systems...it is NOT NATURAL to love others ...not every wold loves a wolf; not every horse or elephant or baboon believes in equality...the problem is how do we move from here to there? Why can't eople see that colonialism is colonialism...what Britain did to India in 1700-1948 is similar to what USA did to American Indians and still do on ther reservations...and what Israel does to Palestinians and Lebanese. Double and triple standards are natural...not RIGHT, but natural. we were and are less harsh on Germany than we are on Saddam and Iraqis? Why? They don;'t belong to our race or religion, or family, or tribe...a lot of work to be done. Thanks for reminding us that OWNING THINGS/land/oil ...is the root of evil. But then we hate Castro too...why? Because...because...he hates democracy. Did any country get occupied from Castro "hating democracy"?
posted by
ILLUMINATI8
on September 22, 2006 at 1:46 PM
| link to this | reply
...asolutely! ...well put... Bravo!
posted by
MasonGarrett
on September 22, 2006 at 1:39 PM
| link to this | reply
so much to think about here.
you are right, ownership implies all sorts of unhelpful behaviour. We want to own "people" so we can be secure and happy, behind it is fear of losing them and the way to keep them is applying some form of control over them. Caring for someone is okay, but sometimes we overstep the mark, the advice becomes a demand etc....it is fine when kids are little but gradually parents have to let go, and relinquish their power, and allow more and more freewill and the most difficult to let someone make the wrong decisions and not try and rescue them but allow them to live through the consequences of their actions. You can provide advice to an adult but you cannot force your will on another. I am only thinking outloud here, not "telling" you anything new. I had to let "go" of my daughter at 19 when she decided to go flatting, it was very difficult but now that I have done it, I feel relieved. She is an adult, and I just let her get on with her life, and trust that she will be wise enough to make the right decisions, and for the most part she is. A good benchmark to find out if you are "owning" someone is to find out if you feel fearful in yourself, and how much you trust the other person. This is a good post, and it got me thinking about my own attitude. I got to a point when I "knew" I had let go of my daughter, I realize I wanted to keep her at home, for my own selfish reasons, to keep me company and also keep an eye on her but she had a right to be free and spread her wings. I always think of the mother eagle pushing her young out of the nest, to teach them out to fly, then she scoops them under her wings, while catching them in mid-air, what an amazing feat!
posted by
marieclaire66
on September 22, 2006 at 1:06 PM
| link to this | reply
A wonderful “epiphany” you arrived at. It’s so true…. When we act in a manner that implies ownership, we will only be perceived as over-bearing and lacking trust. I like your choice of word – stewardship – very befitting particularly when it comes to children. In the case of a spouse, I think "partner" works (at least for me).
posted by
Troosha
on September 22, 2006 at 11:08 AM
| link to this | reply
LOL I came here to quote Gibran...
and agree with you. I don't want to be solely responsible for my children, even as little ones, which they are now. I want them to feel powerful and in charge of whatever aspects of their lives they can right now, so that when they're older I can offer guidance without condemning them for choices they make. If I teach them (read: model for them) healthy behavior now, there's a better chance they'll chose it themselves in the future. Besides, you can't always be there, and what happens when you aren't? Then they're defenseless.
Great post.
posted by
Schatz
on September 22, 2006 at 10:50 AM
| link to this | reply
Each of us has a mind - a wealth to use wisely.
posted by
reasons
on September 22, 2006 at 9:43 AM
| link to this | reply
avant
ownership comes with a great burden of responsibility:-) OUr kids are "life's longing for itself" as Gibran so eloquently put it....arrows shot from our bow with their Father's hand, we are given charge over them to nurture them and keep them safe...and then they seek their own.
posted by
MysticGmekeepr
on September 22, 2006 at 9:40 AM
| link to this | reply
Avant
Good reality check!! Thanks~
posted by
Offy
on September 22, 2006 at 8:29 AM
| link to this | reply
Very wise words
and unfortunately a trap that many fall into. Myself included at times. Thanks for reminding me to avoid "ownership"
posted by
Tanga
on September 22, 2006 at 8:24 AM
| link to this | reply
A thought provoking post.
posted by
afzal50
on September 22, 2006 at 5:16 AM
| link to this | reply
Ameri-Koan
A thoughtful essay! Well done.
Gerald
posted by
GEPRUITT
on September 22, 2006 at 4:26 AM
| link to this | reply