Gary Green's Blog, page 2

Objective Truth

One thing I think we all can agree on is that this country is very divided right now.  While there are fundamental differences in how each side views reality, both sides are sure they are right. I think it would be helpful to find a way to establish an objective truth.

One such tool that has been used with some success is the truth and reconciliation commission. The idea here is to have a bipartisan—or even better, apolitical—organization set up to establish what the objective truth is about the many issues that divide us.  If they do it right, there will be some discomfort on both sides. But let me be clear on one thing: there must be an even number from both sides that most people on the respective sides trust. Then they must relentlessly pursue truth.

The idea is not to punish, but to establish a consensus on what the truth is.

At this point I want to be clear:  Storming the United States Congress with the intent of stopping them from conducting their constitutionally mandated duty is an attack on the very heart of our democracy. It is illegal and those involved must face justice. When I say justice, I mean when actual evidence supports the assertion that someone committed a crime, they should be prosecuted, convicted, and punished as the law prescribes.

One truth I would like to find is what about Donald Trump that makes people so blindly supportive? On a more basic level: What do Trump supporters want that they think he will get for them? What does he promise that makes people willing to attack Congress? I know he promised to make America great again.

But what make America great? I will share what I believe to be true. The thing that makes America great is a constitution that guarantees individual rights including the right to vote with the expectation that your vote will be counted the same as everyone else’s. We are a nation ruled by law and not individuals. By the way, all the evidence I have seen supports the idea that this last election was the cleanest ever.

Remember that Trump claimed there was widespread voter fraud in the election he won in 2016. He even set up a commission to investigate. They found nothing. Look it up.

In closing I would like to suggest you view your “opponents” with curiosity and compassion, and hope they do the same for you. Perhaps then we can establish a consensus on what the objective truth is.

Rock-Bottom

Anyone who knows me or has followed my blog knows that I have long studied and promoted recovery—both in my own recovery and as a professional working with others. One thing I know for sure is that no one changes until they think they absolutely have to—until they hit rock-bottom. I also have observed that rock-bottom is not only different for everyone, but rock bottom is wherever the individual says it is. It is when the person says, “If I keep doing what I am doing something I really, really don’t want is going to happen.”

In previous posts I have drawn an analogy between personal recovery from addiction or mental illness and collective recovery, such as a nation pulling back from the brink of civil war—or recovering from a civil war. I don’t think it is a stretch for me to say that America is deeply troubled right now and is in need of some recovery work. The only question right now is: have we hit rock-bottom? It is up to us individually to decide when to start the hard work of recovery.

I am hoping that when a violent mob, instigated and directed by the President, his son and attorney; storms the Capitol building to stop official certification of an election he lost—is rock-bottom. Clearly, we need to change. Change will come. The only question is: when will we decide to do the hard work of recovery? Where is our rock-bottom?

If we decide to start the hard work of recovery, where do we start? We have to accept some hard truths. For example: Donald Trump lost the election fair and square. Joe Biden will be the next president. Accept it. The millions of people who did not vote for Trump the first time had to accept that he won. We did not like it, but we did not try to violently change the results of that election.

On the flip side, those of us who voted democratic must accept that those on the other side are most likely decent people who love their country as much as we do. The next time you are in a public place where there are other people, like a grocery store, look around. Almost half of those people voted for Trump. They are our friends, neighbors, and families. I urge you to set your judgmental thoughts aside and accept the truth of it. You are not going to change their minds by telling them how wrong they are. If that approach worked, there would be no alcoholics in the world.

Full recovery for a nation—like an individual—will take a long time. For now, lets start by accepting those difficult truths. Let us remember we are a nation of laws. Let us remember that we are all Americans. And finally, let us remember that CHANGE IS GOING TO HAPPEN WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT. We have the power to direct that change if we as individuals decide to do the hard work of recovery. Let us declare as a nation that we have hit our rock-bottom

A Few Thoughts About Racism

There is a lot of talk about race these days—and rightfully so. It seems that change is needed—a recovery of sorts. What I mean by recovery is the thoughtful application of the principles of change to a dysfunctional situation to arrive at a more functional one. In an individual the disfunction might be physical or mental illness, an addiction or even financial distress. While broad change across society may be more complex, it really boils down to individuals looking at themselves and changing dysfunctional attitudes.

I will use myself as an example. Like many people, I was taught by my parents that all people are created equal. However, I can remember my father expounding on the large number of black athletes in professional sports. Though this was a decidedly racist notion, Dad would have been deeply offended if anyone called him racist.  Furthermore, I can remember using the “N” word when referencing African Americans, though without derogatory intent. Of course, there were jokes about people of all races which were funny primarily because they played on racial stereotypes. Though we didn’t think of these as derogatory, they really were. Mostly, we were good people; just uninformed.

I grew up in rural Minnesota where there were very few African Americans—none in my hometown. I rarely thought about it, but when I did, I considered myself to be non-racist. Then one fine day I found myself walking down the street in Minneapolis and saw some black kids playing in an alley. As I walked past, I realized I was scared of them. I fought the urge to walk faster and started wondering why. Was it the stereotypes from the jokes or TV and movies—that black people are violent and dangerous? Maybe. Was it because there were several of them and only one of me? Maybe that was part of it too.

The point here is that most of us have at one time or another held racist notions—not because we are bad people, but because we hadn’t looked at those thoughts close enough to see what they really are. I believe that the way to move forward with easing the racial tensions is for people to talk about things the way they really are. We are all human beings who have been taught bogus things. The only way I see to change that is to examine those bogus things and let them go. This is how recovery works. Recovery is about change—about letting go of false beliefs and replacing them with acceptance of reality.

The reality is that we are all equal under God and under the law. The reality is that our society has always had a racial bias and that needs to change. If you want to change a society, you have to change the individuals in that society.

If, like many people, you have extra time on your hands, perhaps you could take some time to look inside and see if you, like me, have some old ideas that need to be let go.

Keeping Busy

Last Spring the world held its collective breath while we all waited and hoped for the COVID 19 pandemic to run its course so we could get back to normal. However, you can only hold your breath so long before you have to get back to it; and the virus proved more persistent than we hoped. So, here we are trying to keep going while trying to stay safe. Meanwhile, there are other issues clamoring for our attention: The economy, civil unrest, election year BS, and a host of other issues. All this can have a negative effect on a person’s mental health.

I have found mindfulness practices and principles to be extremely helpful in keeping my poor, besieged brain from spinning out of control. In particular, regular deep relaxation meditation helps keep things in perspective. However, I have also found that using Skillful Means to ferret out the truth of a situation helpful in that the reality is often less scary than a lot of the misinformation out there.

Another thing I have found helpful is keeping busy. Since I live on a small farm, I have many things to keep me busy during the Spring and Summer. However, I now have some time on my hands, so I am returning to another thing that helps my mental health—regular blogging. It helps keep me centered.

I will expand on the above topics in future posts. For now, I’ll just mention that my fantasy trilogy, The Rebecca Pendragon Trilogy will be free all Labor Day weekend.

Random Thoughts About Corona Virus

We’re all pretty sick of hearing about the Corona Virus I’m sure. I know I am. So, I thought I’d share some of the random thoughts I have been having on this topic.

First and foremost: Don’t panic. Use your wise mind. Regardless of where you stand philosophically, a pandemic is something where science rules. Virus don’t care if you believe in it or not. The only way we can reduce the impact on us individually and as a society is to apply the scientific method and use that knowledge to fight it. By the way, the same thing is true of other phenomena involving the natural world like climate change.

Political aside: The Trumpster originally tried to tell us the virus was a hoax. He has since changed his tune. It would be nice if he would have a similar epiphany regarding climate change. When in doubt, go with science.

Lots of people are getting the cabin fever, so if it helps any I have set my fantasy The Rebecca Pendragon Trilogy to be free on Amazon for the next couple of days. Check it out. Some people like it.

What’s the deal with the toilet paper shortage? People are not using more of it. I know when I looked for it one day last week the shelves were empty. So, since there isn’t really a shortage, there must be people in my local community with closets full. I have only one thing to say to those people: Shame on you! Good job putting your panicked wants supersede other people’s needs. Use your wise mind.

I have been gratified, however, to see the good in many people rising to the surface. This often happens in times of trouble. I choose to believe this is because most people are good. Let’s try to remember that after this crisis is over.

Also, it occurs to me that learning mindfulness practices might be helpful to people staying home because of the virus. Though I can’t make it free at this time, my book The Mindful Lifestyle is a good way to learn about mindfulness.

One final thought, someday this thing will be over. Try to remember this, it may help your mood. But also, when it is over, things will be different. What our world looks like after depends on each of us. Be kind, be smart, be safe.

The Trumpster

OK, so Trump was able to avoid being thrown out of office. Is anyone surprised? One can hardly blame the Republican senators for being afraid of him. I’m afraid of him too.

However, I refuse to let it get me down. Remember way back when people like Johnny Carson called him “The Donald” and made fun of him? Those were the days.

I have decided to call him “The Trumpster”. You might wonder why. Well, because it is juvenile and derogatory—just the kind of thing he might think of himself. I say let’s get down in the mud with him—mock him like he mocks others.

Also, it allows me to make this joke: What’s the difference between the Trumpster and a dumpster?

Garbage goes in the dumpster; garbage comes out of the Trumpster.

Maybe it is not the best joke in the world, but I encourage you spread it around just to remind everybody that garbage comes out of the Trumpster.

Let’s all make up Trump jokes and spread them around. Scary stuff is less scary if you can laugh about it.

Make America Great Again

We’ve been hearing it since Donald Trump announced his candidacy for the office of president: “Make America Great Again”; or the acronym “MAGA”. Who could argue with this argument? Who doesn’t want America to be great? Of course, this begs the question: what makes America great?

There are almost as many opinions about the answer as there are Americans. Some would say it is our military power. Some would say our economic success. I suspect those Americans known as “The Greatest Generation” (Those who lived through the Great depression and won WWII) would say it is our ability to band together against a common foe to preserve those freedoms guaranteed by the constitution—our impulse to fight for “truth, justice and the American Way”. Or, maybe it is simply those freedoms themselves.

I think the foundation of American greatness is best summarized in the Declaration of Independence : “ We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Our constitution and body of laws exist primarily to support this bold assertion. So, our greatness is based on a set of self-truths.

Therefor, without truth America cannot be great. Truth matters.

Right now, our Senate is debating the fate of the President. Due to the seriousness of the allegations against the President; regardless of what you think of him, regardless of what you think the final outcome of the trial should be, don’t you think the American people deserve to know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? These are dark days and how can America be great again without the truth?

Without truth, justice, and the rule of law, the bullies rule—with the biggest bully of all sitting in the Oval Office. Without truth, justice, and the rule of law we all devolve to jackals fighting over the carcass of a once-great nation, with the nastiest jackal taking the biggest and best parts for themselves.

So, I call on you to help make America great again. Stand up for truth, justice, and the American way. If you are among the 70% that think a trial should have witnesses, call or email your senator today and demand the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

You’re Entitled to Your Opinion

One of the things that really bugs me these days is the huge
number and variety of people who are calling me and sending me emails trying to
trick me into giving them either money or my personal information. So many people
want what little I have and are willing to say anything to get it. As
irritating as this is, I see it as part of a broader category of people: people
who are willing to lie to me to get what they want.

Here’s an example: “I am entitled to my opinion.” On the
face of it, that seems like a harmless; even virtuous statement. Aren’t we all
entitled to our opinion? Of course, we are. However, when it gets irritating is
when someone uses that statement to try to pass off something that is blatantly
not supported by evidence as the truth.

Let me give you a few examples:

Our climate is changing. This is a statement
that is supported by a HUGE body of evidence. However, there are quite a few
people who say, “That is your opinion, I believe something different.”  I’m sure it is just a coincidence that those
people usually are directly involved in the fossil fuel industry or politicians
supported by the fossil fuel industry.As Americans, we have the right to bear arms.
The false opinion promoted by some people is that any restriction on that right
means we will lose it altogether. This is clearly false, because that right is
already restricted. Very few people think is a good idea for individual people
to possess a functioning atomic bomb. The evidence shows banning assault style
weapons reduces the number of mass shootings. What’s your opinion?This might be my favorite example: This morning
I watched Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana tell us that Fiona Hill is entitled
to her opinion that the story of Ukraine meddling in our election instead of
Russia is a false narrative promoted by Vladimir Putin.

Well let’s just examine that, shall we? If my memory serves
me correctly, 17 American intelligence gathering agencies agree that Russia
interfered in our election. And really, why would Ukraine do it anyway? We are an
ally, supporting them in their defense against a Russian invasion. Not only
would it be against their best interest, but they need what ever resources they
have to defend against the Russian invasion.

In spite of this, Senators Kennedy, Graham and others continue
to promote the idea that Ukraine meddled in our election—in spite of being
briefed by intelligence agencies to STOP DOING THAT.

I will leave it to you to speculate about their motives, but
it really bakes my cookies that they continue to propagate this false narrative.

So, here’s my opinion: My PayPal account has NOT been suspended;
a Nigerian prince does NOT want to send me money; I did NOT win the Publisher’s
Clearinghouse; “Alternative facts” are NOT facts and Ukraine did NOT meddle in
our election. So, stop lying to me about it.

I Just Don’t Get It

OK, I just don’t get it. After the last two weeks of testimony
in Congress (as well as the Mueller Report) I just can’t understand how anyone
can still believe Donald Trump is not a criminal.  I always figured I was a pretty smart guy. But
I just don’t get this.

Then the other day I realized I was going down a road that
is not so smart. Most of the time when I don’t understand something, I ask a
lot of questions. In this case, when I looked at the evidence I came to a certain
conclusion. Since I’m so smart, I assumed my conclusion must be the correct
one. That led me to another conclusion: If you came to a different conclusion
you must have overlooked something in the evidence, so I should repeat the evidence
to you with increasing volume until you acquiesce and convert to my way of
thinking.

Well, obviously that’s just not going to work because you
think you are as smart as me (and you’re probably right). You have the strength
of your convictions. So, when my volume goes up so does yours. Does this sound
familiar? How many arguments have we had these past few years with friends,
family and neighbors about this topic that went exactly this way? This path inevitably
leads to strengthening our divisions and hard feelings.

So, what if we try something different? We all see the same
evidence but come to different conclusions. How about we ask about and truly try
to understand the opposite point of view?

We have a long history during times of calamity like wars
and natural disasters of putting our differences aside and coming together to
work toward a common goal. What if, in the Thanksgiving week to come, in the inevitable
discussions of current events, we truly try to understand conclusions different
than our own? We are all, after all, more alike than we are different—patriotic
Americans.

Who knows what conclusions we might reach together?

What Happened to My Blog?

The few people who actually follow my blog might wonder what
happened to my blog. I started out trying to promote issues related to mental
health and addiction. Most recently I have taken a decidedly political turn.
Well, I decided that these issues I have talked about are having an effect on
MY mental health. Though I try to remain centered on the present moment, certain
events have caused me to worry about the future. I am sure I am not alone in
this. For my own mental health, I try to take an objective look at the issues
that concern me and try to generate a dispassionate dialog and hopefully help
myself and others define a better, safer path forward.

Having said that, I want to appeal to anyone reading this to
try to set aside any partisan differences, dial back the rancor and take an
objective look at the issues that will have a real and lasting effect on our
future.

Issues like:

Environmental issues like climate change,
deforestation and pollutionIssues related to violence, including gun
control.Issues related to mental health as a public
health issue as well as individual concernsCorruption in public offices that endangers the
freedoms that we all hold dear

Right at this moment, because of the impeachment hearings, I
plan to concentrate on this last issue. That way, no matter how this turns out,
I can at least feel that I have done all I could. Perhaps that will help my
mental health going forward.