Times are such that there are many who would gladly delve into spite. It should not be this way. Blame should be accepted by the responsible party. If the rules were broken then proper actions for correcting that will be taken. There should be no hard feelings or sense of betrayal when such a thing comes to pass. The consequences are as they should be. All anyone can do is apologize for a lack of foresight…a lack of good judgement since those are the causes of most mistakes. “I should have known better than that.” But then, hindsight is usually a much clearer view of things.

All anyone can hope for is that when a final tally is done, the actions over the years are honestly weighed against any moments of duress, stress, or frustration…that the true feelings and intents are found through the overall picture and not through a momentary slideshow of life’s moments that seem overwhelming and chaotic.

Such is human folly. We all have vice, we all have weakness. That is a part of life. Anyone truly living is growing and learning every day. Anyone who thinks they’ve come as far as they can has merely fooled themselves. It is the strive to make the imperfect a reflection of the perfect that drives us. An unobtainable goal that keeps us going through all else. It is a testament to the will of mankind. It is this which let’s us overcome amazing odds as victors.

Far too often, however, people feel slighted for having been in some way punished for a failing. Spite and bitterness rear their ugly heads and lead the person into a foolish course of action that do nothing but cause harm. It solves nothing nor does it make the situation any better. When has revenge or striking back ever really done good overall? I believe I can safely say that it has never ended in a good way. It is a waste of effort.

Rather than look for the spiteful response, mankind should look for the path of improvement. We should all look for what weakness lies within us and strive to master it and make it our greatest strength. By doing so, we rise to a better level of understanding and wisdom. We make ourselves better living organisms. And we eventually will turn old strengths into weaknesses only by comparing them to our new strengths. This will allow us to make the old strengths even stronger when they become our weakest virtue.

This cycle of self-improvement can only begin once responsibility is accepted. Until a person has matured enough to admit fault, the path cannot be found. One cannot seriously make a journey while harboring hubris or a belief that mistakes are the fault of another. This stumbling block is quite probably the most difficult to overcome. The first step usually is, though. Realizing that all of the Human Race suffers from vice and folly and weakness can make this a little easier to accept. Nobody likes to be alone on that side of the line. While none of us ever really are, it can feel that way from time to time.

One cannot get stronger until one admits weakness. One cannot find enlightenment until one admits foolishness. One cannot find inner peace until one admits to inner turmoil. One cannot accept blame until one finds responsibility. One cannot be self-aware until one matures. These are, in a way, truths of existence. Some are bitter pills to swallow. All are doors that lead to a path of betterment.

Mankind is polyamorous by nature. The idea of monogamy is an invention of the church that is reinforced by the belief that by denying such a primal and natural way of life…we are somehow better people. The ability to only have a sexual relationship with a single person does not, in fact, make someone a better person. It merely makes them a person who has a sexual relationship with only one person. This is neither good nor bad. It just is. Any attempt to justify Mother Culture’s tripe about how it makes us better is futile and foolhardy. Why people have a hard time with this is a mystery to me. If a person is inclined to enter into a monogamous relationship, wonderful. If someone else is inclined to have more than one, wonderful.

One thing that this world is short of, and I’ve stated it before, is love. We all need more love in our lives. As long as there is honesty about the polyamorous nature when entering into a relationship, there is no wrong. There is no evil. There is no fault. It should be just as acceptable as an exclusively monogamous relationship. However, Mother Culture has determined that it is against what is right and good. She has decided to teach us that anyone who feels this way is somehow defective and in need of help. I cannot understand why it is so wrong to share something like that with anyone there is an attraction to if they are willing.

Now this does not mean that one should sleep around with anyone and everyone. Even I have been influenced by Mother Culture. My personal opinion is that if you have an attraction to someone and they do also, go for it. The attraction can be purely physical, but it will probably be a more moving experience if there are other feelings there beyond lust. This does not necessarily mean ‘true love’, but a love of some fashion. An example would be that my closest friends are all loved by me. It isn’t a romantic love that faery tales glorify. It is a love born of the deep care I have for those that are close to me. Some of these close friends are of the opposite sex and more than a little attractive. I would be willing to join in such activities with them if they wanted.

Now, the problem that some people have with that is it leads to a misguided conclusion that there must be strong romantic love involved. This is not only wrong, it’s naïve. Sexual intercourse can merely be for the enjoyment it brings. Trying to turn it into something it isn’t only causes problems. Don’t get me wrong. Sex can certainly be a sharing of an intense and deep romantic love between two people. It just isn’t always necessarily so.

On the other hand, some people are under the unfounded impression that anyone of a willingly polyamorous lifestyle is a harlot. This is just as naïve as someone believing sex leads to true love. Following Human Nature does not make someone less sophisticated or refined or socially acceptable. It just means they are in touch…and comfortable…with core impulses and feelings of Mankind. This is not the result of some degenerate strain of DNA or chemical imbalance. It is just Nature following itself. People can live happy lives and have meaningful romantic relationships while living a polyamorous lifestyle.

Living this way does not exclude the possibility of having a special relationship with someone, either. One can be more attracted romantically to a single person while have said relations with others. As long as that person understands and agrees, things can work out just fine. This doesn’t mean there won’t be problems…every relationship has them. There are couples that have been happily married for years yet live this lifestyle. They understand that just because there is attraction and possibly consummation with other people, it does not mean there is anything lacking in their relationship. It does not mean that they love their significant any less just because the did something enjoyable with someone else. It simply means that they enjoyed something nice with someone.

It will be a good day when Mankind finally figures out how to ignore Mother Culture and just get back in touch with instincts and intuitions. Our Race has a huge potential that was once utilized but now sits largely untapped because we have ‘advanced’. All we have done is trade a strong and deep source of knowledge and power for a quick and shallow power because it is easier. Actually…that can be its own rant on another day.

I don’t know why I felt the need to go on this little rant. I just dislike it when there are a whole different set of rules for those that are ‘different’ from the norm.

Religion. It can be a touchy subject, especially to those who follow Pagan paths. I don’t know why it has become the standard to assume the pose of a misunderstood and abused soul simply because one chooses to look at things from a different perspective. It seems more than a little silly. If one were to step back an look, say, at both Judeo-Christian religions and Wicca and related Pagan beliefs then one would find a remarkable similarity. The differences really are not all that profound. In fact, they are laughably subtle in their own way.

Both sides have rituals and celebrations. A goodly number of the Christian holidays coincide with Pagan celebrations. It was a way to encourage the conversion of ‘heathens’ to the ‘true’ religion. Many of the rituals are formalized on both sides. There are certain prayers that should be said or certain actions that should take place depending on the particular day in question. Unfortunately, many of the rituals have become so commercialized that the true meaning of these days is now largely irrelevant. Pagan holidays have been fortunate enough through obscurity to maintain their original meanings. It is my belief that this lack of commercial sanitation is why Pagans revere and rejoice more sincerely during these times. It isn’t that Christians do not care or that they do not have the strength of faith. The problem is that Mother Culture has succeeded in slowly dulling the mind to the spiritual meanings behind the holidays.

Ceremonies exist in both paths. They range from weddings to funerals to regular congregations of rejoicing. Pagans for circles for most anything that fills their hearts with song and joy. Christians routinely attend church functions for the same reason. A marked difference is in the style. Many covens will create rituals for circling that have a deep meaning for that group. Church mass has been standardized like a public school test and is very much the same from coast to coast. This isn’t to say that one way is better or that there aren’t standard rituals for Pagans. I am merely pointing out that while the styles for these things are different, they are still the same at the core. The point of mass or a circle is to rejoice in the divine. It is to find that connection with something far wiser that our conscious selves and try to make ourselves better through that contact. This leads us to another similarity.

Both sides believe in divine power. A Christian believes in God and that all power comes from Him. A Pagan believes in the God and Goddess and that the power resides in us because we are of them. Both sides believe in the divine power, the difference is in where the divine resides. God resides in Heaven for Christians. The God and Goddess reside in everything and everyone for Pagans. Yes, I know that Christians believe God inhabits us all, but the popular view is that the majority of what makes up God is in some place that is separate from us on this world. Pagans have a more personal connection with divine power. It is within each and every one of us. We merely have to quiet our minds enough to touch it.

Both sides pray. We all do so in slightly different ways and for vastly different reasons. Take this example: If someone is extremely ill and in need of help to heal, a Christian will pray to God asking for Him to aid the person in their time of need. They will bend their thoughts and thus their will to the desire of that person getting better. If it happens, the God has been benevolent and has performed a miracle. A pagan will cast a circle, draw the energies from his surroundings, and send it to the person in need so that they can be healed. If it works, then the spell has been successful. What’s the real difference at the core of this? There isn’t one. A Christian’s prayer is merely a ritual used to channel the energy of the one praying to the one in need. The intent is to heal because that is what the prayer is about. That is what the will is forging with the energies. But a Christian does not accept the success or failure as his own. It is God’s will that must have that burden. One could argue that Pagans are vain and suffer from hubris. One could also argue that a Christian hides from responsibility by consciously accepting that it is not his will but God’s to save the person in need of help. I do not think either way is better…they both have faults.

Oh how Pagans love to wallow in martyrdom. It is a silly pastime and it serves no purpose. To be taken seriously, we should act serious. Save the performances for the stage. If you are that uncomfortable with the decision to follow an alternate religious path, you have some soul searching to do. It may be that you have some pretty significant doubts about the choice.

Christians on the other hand have a completely different set of issues. This constant badgering of people to convert is absurd. If a person is truly interested in finding a new way to worship, they will look for it. They will ask for it. If they don’t, then leave them alone. They obviously are not ready or not interested. Just learn to back off and wait. While you are at it, however, why not take a little time to find out the true Christian meanings for the holidays. Odds are they do not include buying larges amounts of things and covering them with bows and fancy paper or about dying eggs and hiding them. The true meanings of these days are much more moving.

It occurs to me that the problem with human conflict is really a minor thing blown out of proportion. We are all different. We have different likes, views, opinions, dreams, hopes. Many times we will find that ours will conflict with those we spend time with. The problem isn’t the differences themselves. The problem is that some people cannot, will not, or do not know how to deal with these differences. In reality, it isn’t that hard. There is beauty in what is not the same. There is beauty in seeing things from another perspective.

However, some find it difficult to see the beauty. Many times these people are expending large amounts of energy and willpower attempting to bend others to their point of view. They will try in vain to cram someone else into a mold never meant to hold them. They will strive and struggle to achieve something that is futile and has no meaning. When they fail, they lash out in anger and frustration. Sometimes this lashing out is done quietly or behind the backs of those they failed to force into their little view of the world. The intrigue and drama of a bad situation is only heightened by such an act.

This is a poor way of handling other people. Unfortunately, this is what most often happens. Why is it so difficult to accept someone’s differences? Why is it such an outrageous expectation to accept that the differences among peoples is a wondrous thing that brings insight and knowledge? How often have people learned new and interesting things about themselves, the world, or the Universe after observing the myriad of differing aspects of Humanity? Knowledge is the only true power in the Universe and it cannot be gathered by a closed mind. It cannot be harnessed by someone whose eyes are closed to the landscape of Mankind.

I’ve said it before and I do not think it can be emphasized enough. Take off the rose colored glasses. Step out of the fantasy world of your delusions. Spend some time in the real world. The world of diverse beliefs and opinions is reality. Some will agree in part with your own ideals. The amount will vary by individual. Some will not agree at all. Some will be diametrically opposed. Do not take this as a sign of the other’s shortcomings. See it for what it is. It is an opportunity to better understand yourself and others through the exploration of that which makes us all unique in some way.

We are all of one Race. We are all of one planet. We are all of one Universe. However nobody shares the exact combination of every Human aspect with you. Some of these aspects you may never know until you meet someone with a differing one. The exploration is a journey into the unknown parts of yourself by way of the road of dissimilar facets of Humankind. This journey can either be a joyous excursion of discovery and understanding or a long winding battle with unchangeable miens that will ultimately bring melancholy and rancorous moods and thoughts.

I would wager that the whole of Human suffering from wars to inequalities to poverty could be traced back to a single source. A failure to understand and respect our own differences and in doing so, a failure to understand ourselves.

In times of uncertainty and stress, people most often find ways to attribute the unease of life to external factors. The problem with this is that external factors are rarely the cause of the problems. If traced back to the source, it is one’s own self. Nobody wants to admit that they are the designers of their own hardships…their own shackles. Nevertheless, this is the case the majority of the time.

By refusing to admit fault in these cases, one is denying a much easier path to finding a resolution. Denial never makes things easier. Quite the contrary, it lets problems fester and grow. This only makes a bad situation worse. Who in their right mind actually wants a problem to be bigger and harder to solve? Nobody that I know of wants that. Yet here we are, ignoring the fact that we cause the majority of our own problems. Here we are finding ways to logically explain how it isn’t our own making but the work of an outside force. Here we are deluding ourselves into believing that we are mere victims of situations beyond our control.

Take off the rose colored glasses and open your eyes. Follow the path of the problems. It starts and ends with you. The solution also lies with you. You cannot see it until you first admit that you caused this problem to begin with either through action, inaction, thought, or intent (will/magick/various metaphysical means). It isn’t an easy thing to do or accept. I make no pretenses that it is. Nobody wants to be wrong. Nobody wants to be the cause of trouble. Tough. Welcome to the Human Race.

One should always be willing to explore their faults. By doing so, one will understand where improvements need to be made. Eventually one will understand what needs to be done to bring about those improvements. Only then can we begin to truly better ourselves and in turn, the Human Race as a whole. This race, like so many things, is merely a sum of its parts. Until we each accept our role as a part of this Race, we work against it. Any system or organism that works against itself is doomed.

Counter-intuitive efforts are not a path to a better future. Look at failed systems such as Russia’s implementation of Socialism. It had too many problems with worrying about the ‘evil capitalist America’ that ate resources it should have been expending to improve the overall existence of its citizens. Those were counter-intuitive forces. The system eventually collapsed upon itself. We are on a similar, though much longer, path. The entirety of Humanity is working against its various parts. We will collapse inward upon ourselves if nothing is done to change it. We will become nothing more than a footnote in the planetary or universal history by whatever race comes along and discovers the aged and decrepit remains of what some want to consider the paramount achievement in the Universe.

Why is this Race so determined on hubris? Why does Humanity have to be the absolute pinnacle of all creation in the Universe? Sure, it’s a nice thought…but so is the thought of world peace. I may be a bit weird, but I think that world peace…planet-wide understanding and tolerance, is a much more worthwhile endeavor for our Race than proving we are the best of the best in all creation. Besides, if we can achieve that, we would be more worthy of that hubris, however ridiculous it truly is. Nobody else seems to get that, though. It’s too bad really. This Race is full of untapped potential to achieve truly great things. I don’t mean mundane things like better technology or feats of engineering. I mean understanding the Universe, understanding ourselves. I mean we have the ability to truly contemplate and understand the depths of compassion and love. We have the ability to look into the vastness of knowledge that is beyond our comprehension and realize how little we know.

Instead, we weave fairy tales of how Humanity is the greatest of all creations and the best that the divine was able to conceive. I find little credence given to that pretentious concept. Look at our world. Look at the way we use resources that cannot be replenished in ways that damage the environment we need to survive. Look at how we turn to our neighbor and find more and more gruesome ways to destroy them because we have differing views on some aspect of life on this planet. Look at how we prosecute any who sow dissent among the majority rule. Is this how the pre-eminent result of divine creation should behave? I think not.

Let me start with an apology. There will most likely be typos and this won’t be my normal quality of rant. I haven’t slept in roughly 38 hours. I’m exhausted. I really needed to get some of this off my chest after a few things I watched last night, though.

America. Land of the Free. Nation of Liberty and Justice for all. Except that it isn’t. You see, there are many hypocrisies in our nation that politicians and patriots try to justify with sophistry. Here are some of the illusions of our nation as I see it. We have the right to own land. Wrong. First off, the land belongs to the universe, not us. Secondly, if we fail to pay our taxes…or rent…to the Government, they take it back. This means we do not own it. We merely rent it. Any attempt to argue otherwise is foolish. I’m not saying that taxes are bad or unnecessary…just that the above statement is a falsehood that should no longer be bandied about as though it were fact.

The First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” This touches two important areas.

Separation of church and state. While this particular phrase is not in the Constitution (it was taken from a letter written by Jefferson), it is there in the concept behind the opening of the First Amendment. If there is a separation implied, then why are so many policies and bills Christianity oriented? For that matter, why are there religious lobbies? The simple fact is that this country is a simple majority rule and Christianity is the majority. This does not mean that other religions are forbidden or that you will be in some kind of trouble for choosing another path, but there is greater scrutiny and less of a chance of favorable legislation (which by all rights shouldn’t exist according to the First Amendment) if you are not a part of the religious majority.

We have freedom of speech. What does this make the FCC? They abridge what can and can’t be said by the media. The popular argument for this is that someone has to protect our nation’s youth from foul and harmful language. I agree. Children should be somewhat shielded from the more vile things that are out there until such time as they have matured enough to be able to look at it without scarring, but the Constitution of the United States forbids the Government from doing that. I also agree with that idea. Parents, take responsibility for your children. To touch briefly on the previous topic of religion (and no, this isn’t a “I’m an abused Pagan” rant by any means), a large majority of the censorship in this country is prompted by the religious majority and lobby groups. Yes, we sure have come a long way from the Middle Ages where the Church told us what to say and to think and to do…haven’t we?

We are not a Socialistic or Communistic nation. Oh really? In that case we need to dump all Social Security, Welfare, and other such Government provided programs. The idea of everyone contributing to the good of all for a matter of equality among citizens is Socialistic or Communistic, depending on the administration of said programs. Look it up if you don’t believe me, Merriam-Webster can explain it to you. These are good programs…abused…but good programs. I do believe that any advancing society should feel a moral obligation to help those less fortunate. Notice I said ‘advancing’…if we were truly advanced, there would be no ‘less fortunate’ ones among us. See, we are a Democracy in the way we elect leaders (in theory). We are a Capitalistic society in that we have privately owned corporations that produce some great (and sometimes terrible) things. Microsoft would not exist in a purely Communist society. On the other hand, there would be no aid for the elderly in a purely Capitalistic society. There is no one right answer for all of the needs at this stage of our evolution. Let’s at least accept the fact that we’re a hybrid nation that uses ideas from several philosophies of government to achieve a greater good for all.

There are so many more of these little gems in our nation. It is a country that was originally founded on the ideals of open-mindedness and acceptance of differences. We are a country of close-minded hypocrites that shun anything that is not like us…and by us I mean the majority. Again, this isn’t a religious rant…the previous statement applies to social, economic, racial, sexual, educational, political and many other aspects of Human Kind. Okay, perhaps I should make that more general…it isn’t just an affliction of the majority. The minorities in this country have the same complex. This just exacerbates an already unstable and potentially volatile situation. We are all so distrustful of each other and so focused on our own little desires and goals that everyone outside that little piece of tunnel vision gets run over. This is not the Liberty we were promised by the Founding Fathers. This is not what they envisioned this nation becoming. How about we take a moment and look around without those rose colored glasses? A couple of minutes in the real world could have some really good effects on this nation and the world.

I say the world because we are pretty much the only ‘World Power’ left out there. Whether we like it or not, we are both imitated and ridiculed for our every action and inaction. What happens within these borders causes waves and ripples throughout the ocean of Humanity. Let’s try to be careful in how we rock the boat, shall we? America was never designated the World Police Force. America was never elected Nation of the One True Government. America was never appointed Mommy and Daddy of Planet Earth. Let’s stop acting like we were. We should not ignore the needs of the rest of the world, but how about spending a little more time fixing the wounds inside our own country first?

A long drive is amazingly conducive to deep thoughts. I found my self considering all of the recent developments in my life…say…over the last 8 months. There’s been a lot of ups and downs during this period and more than a little confusion since words and actions of others have often been in contradiction of each other. Over the past couple of months I’ve been slowly working on getting back into focus on my path. This past month it’s been even more of a priority. There have already been some pretty impressive results in this increased focus. I’m overall much happier than I have been in a while. That isn’t to say I wasn’t happy during some of the times during the past 8 months…but overall I wasn’t happy because I couldn’t have what I wanted. I’ve moved past that, I’ve woken from a very long sleep. I’m not sure the world is ready for that.

See, among my many beliefs is also this: I have traveled this plane before…several times, in fact. I have been amassing a subconscious knowledge that manifests itself in frequent intuitions and moments of epiphany. My soap box rant from a little while back is an example. I really can’t say what the result of my awakening will be. I don’t even know if it will have any effect on anyone other than myself. What I do know, however, is that it has become time for me to stand and speak. To share my thoughts and ideals. To offer the open minds of this world other options. I am not Ishmael, the depth of that wisdom is still beyond my grasp. That is probably for the best, though.

The human race is still far too young to appreciate the brilliance of that wisdom’s simplicity. We are too distracted by inconsequential little things such as politics, religion, and social status. We are drowning in our own delusions of nationality and patriotism. It is as though Mother Culture has played a lullaby for our minds that holds a subliminal message to follow her whims. We are nothing more than biological automaton droids serving our mistress. What has happened to the free thinkers? What has happened to the great philosophers of times past that questioned the truly important things about existence here? When will someone else stand and ask these questions that I am asking?

Only time will be able to answer that question and he is patient. I fear, though, that his patience may allow Mother Culture to kill us all. She breeds in us the hatred and fear for our fellow man. She teaches us that we are special…we are unique…we are better than the others. She convinces us that we are the best of the best and that this world is ours for the taking. She entices us to cast off the natural order of things and bend the very existence of the universe to our will. It matters not that the universe is not meant to be controlled such trivial things as man. She has taught us we are right and the universe is wrong. Therefore, we will rush headlong into a battle that cannot be won. A battle with Nature herself.

I speak not of just trees and grass and rolling countryside. Think in a more universal sense. I speak of this plane of existence. The very nature of the universe in which we live cries out against what Mother Culture has taught us. Who are we to think we can bend the creation of all that is here to our will? For that matter, who told us that our will works as one? Who convinced the ones in power on this planet that mankind could have a single will? One would think that the current state of affairs on this planet would be evidence enough to suggest that one or two people have differing ideas on what should happen and how things should be done.

It is both sad and amusing to see the petit ‘leaders of nations’ preaching that their nations are what is right for the world…especially since they all offer different views on what is right. I find it disappointing that none of the major players have stepped up decided that Mother Culture is wrong and that this planet has but one race that should learn to live together. By that, I don’t mean the lip service that you hear is specially and scientifically crafted speeches that have the sole purpose of generating popular support. Those are nothing more than glorified fortune cookies…only more palaverous.

Even more disconcerting is the number of people that wholly believe what these silly twits are spewing forth. Since when was talk more important than actions? Since when could a little medley of random buzz phrases be enough for people to believe that someone is a good leader that has everyone’s best interest in mind? I have yet to hear a political speech that wasn’t just fluff. I have yet to hear a politician stand up and say ‘Here is the goal and this is exactly what we need to do to achieve it’. Instead it’s ‘Here is the goal. We won’t stop till we get it’. That’s nice. How exactly are you planning to do it. Pitching words like ‘loyalty’ and ‘patriotism’ don’t explain how we are going to get there. Am I the only one that notices this?

Okay…enough rant. I’m tired and want to watch SG-1 before I go to bed. Maybe tomorrow I’ll make you laugh. Today was the day of thought.

Many people would be loath to admit to having the thoughts and feelings I plan to discuss. I suppose that I cannot really blame them. The world today is a mass of confusion running on clumsy feet moving in too many directions at once. I do not claim the ability to change the world myself. I am but one person. The world is populated, though, by a plethora of one persons.

The more that are willing to step away from the norm to do what is needed, to do what should be done, the sooner that what we strive for will become the norm. It is not anything remarkably difficult or even troublesome. Perhaps more than a few will even come to enjoy it. All I can do is mention these thoughts and live them myself in the hope that more will come to do the same.

There are so many things to be said, picking one over the others to start is not an easy task. I suppose kindness should start the list as it would probably be the one most overlooked. Simple kindness is not a hard thing to show. Small things like holding a door for someone can have a very large impact on somebody’s day. Personally I think my day is a little better when someone is willing to take that small step to make life that much easier on me. It restores faith in the human race.

Let’s deviate from kindness for a moment to examine that phrase human race.  This planet is populated by one race of people. Though we are all of one race we have many differences. They range from physical appearance to ideals. Why is it that there is so much animosity among this race? Would it seem a bit ridiculous to kill a neighbor just because he or she liked the color blue? I think that seems more than a bit drastic. Is it really that different to want to go to war with another country just because they have a form of government different from ours? This planet is certainly large enough for all of us to have room to live. All that is needed is enough tolerance to let others live the way they feel is right for them. There are basic truths in existence. Our lives here are not eternal. This is not speaking religiously, purely physically. No matter how much one conforms to the norm there will always be some things that differ. No matter how different one feels, there will always be others that feel the same. There are feelings, ideals, emotions, beliefs, and faiths that ultimately bind every last one of us together into the Human Race.

Let me say that again, we are all ultimately bound to one another in the Human Race.

This planet is made of one people. We should act like it. One of the largest problems is that we place too much stock in our own creations. I speak of countries, borders, governments, and nationalities. We have advanced so much from the earliest of mankind that we have returned to ignorance. We truly believe that one country is better than another when in reality there is no country. The countries are simply imaginary constructs we have brought into existence so that we can be unique. Americans have taken it so far as to divide the country into states to further show uniqueness. What should be realized is that we live on a planet. This planet is our country. When a war is fought we kill our own kind. It all seems so senseless if given a good look through the eyes of reality instead of the glasses of our imaginations.

To get back to the point of this writing, there are a few simple things that we as a race should do. First off is to be kind to one another. This includes common courtesies like please and thank you as well as helping those in need. I am not saying that we should all spend our lives doing nothing but building shelters for the homeless and sending food overseas to needy people. I am saying that when the opportunity presents itself to help another person, take it. Kindness alone is not enough. Politics would be a prime example of the way honesty has been devalued. I challenge each and every person in the Human Race to lie no more than once a month. It would be foolish to think that dishonesty could be completely wiped out. I have no such delusions. If, however, we could each manage to tell no more than one lie in a month, how much better would the world become? Trust would not be a problem. People could be more open with one another and many disputes would never even take place. There is no reason for us to accept dishonesty as a fact of life.

Who decided that the Human Race must be closed-minded? People in that state cannot listen to reason unless it is something they already agree with. If we could get every person to truly open their minds for just one day, the world may change drastically. Imagine a world where there is no fear of war because hatred is practically nonexistent, a world where nobody is looked down upon because they are from this country or that region. I can only hope that at least part of this will occur in my lifetime. Perhaps one day somebody truly influential will realize that the things mentioned here are true and that the price to pay to make the world a better place is so very small. I know that I am not that person. I have not the ability to change peoples thinking. I am simply trying to start the Human Race to question the current state of the planet and the way we live in it.

The entire reason that things are not changed is because people feel that because they are but one person, they cannot make a difference. If every person that felt that way all tried at the same time to change the world, life would be much different. All we have to do is work as a team. We are one race. We must work together. The sooner we realize this, the sooner our children will actually have that better world we constantly wish for but never truly strive to achieve. I challenge every member of the Human Race to take off the glasses of the imaginary world for one day and live that day in the real world by the virtues that we pretend do not exist.

Jarek Shadowwalker
Member of the Human Race