Well said. Pay attention. I have always thought the thing that scares the bad guys most is to just stand there, quiet, and smile. They have no idea what to do because you are not creating a threat and they think you know something they don’t. And you do.
Exactly right, Nancy. Nothing unbalances aggression faster than calm confidence. Stillness is read as strength because it is. When you stay centered and unshaken...they can’t script your next move...you’ve already taken control of the room.
I love the guy here in Portland in the inflatable frog costume. Last I saw, he was dancing with a couple of other inflatable-costumed characters. The dirty bastards sprayed pepper spray right into the costume's fan the other day but he keeps coming back. That's the way to protest. Pretty crappy optics of the ICE agent in that case. He literally snuck up on our dear froggy friend. When they go low...
Me, too, Teri. I’ve noticed that even when I lose track of what going on, where and why, I don’t get all rattled. Centering again is easier. We’ve gotta hang in there.
War...is even worse than that, Mary. He wasn't kidding Concern is good. It indicates a solution oriented mind, minus the frenzied fear driven emotional states that effectively shut down the prefrontal cortex, and the ability to do much more than counting up to 10...and maybe 11...crayons.
We all have reason to be concerned. To the degree that we don't let it surge beyond that...we'll be operated in our most useful and effective zone.
One of my all-time favorites, James...and the perfect compass for these times. Keeping your head isn’t passive; it’s the highest form of resistance. The louder the chaos gets, the more power there is in quiet clarity.
Interestingly enough, because I read Rikki-Tikki-Tavi as a 14 year old...by Kipling, and because of my interest in him after that...I discovered his other stuff, and this piece you shared...and it's been in my head for decades now.
Thank you Jack, the admin sure likes to scapegoat people and it’s dangerous rhetoric. I’ve noticed almost everything they accuse anyone of is an admission of who they are.
Jack, every event in your life has prepared you for this moment!!! Whatever you’ve been through and what you have experienced has given you the mental resources to write this SubStack with wisdom, compassion and action steps. You break it down to understandable steps while exuding quiet calm, strength and peace filled with loads of knowledge and truth. Thank you!
Thanks, Jack. Anything that calms my racing mind during all of this crazy bullshit is always welcome. I had to tune out for a few days because... Damn!
My stress level is down and it's Horror movie month so, I will sleep like a baby after watching both of The Nun movies and The Conjuring. Watching the rest of that franchise tomorrow. 😁
Well said. Pay attention. I have always thought the thing that scares the bad guys most is to just stand there, quiet, and smile. They have no idea what to do because you are not creating a threat and they think you know something they don’t. And you do.
Exactly right, Nancy. Nothing unbalances aggression faster than calm confidence. Stillness is read as strength because it is. When you stay centered and unshaken...they can’t script your next move...you’ve already taken control of the room.
-Jack
Lesson learned in the 1970’s, now dragging it out of the closet in my 70’s.
I love the guy here in Portland in the inflatable frog costume. Last I saw, he was dancing with a couple of other inflatable-costumed characters. The dirty bastards sprayed pepper spray right into the costume's fan the other day but he keeps coming back. That's the way to protest. Pretty crappy optics of the ICE agent in that case. He literally snuck up on our dear froggy friend. When they go low...
I needed this tonight after all the chaos . Thank you Jack.
Teri...my pleasure. Sleep well!
-Jack
Thanks. I did buy the glycine and it does work. Really has helped with my sleep without any side effects.
I’m taking glycine too. Thank you for the suggestion.
Me, too, Teri. I’ve noticed that even when I lose track of what going on, where and why, I don’t get all rattled. Centering again is easier. We’ve gotta hang in there.
“War is cruelty. You can't refine it.”
William Tecumseh Sherman, Commanding General of the U.S. Army, 1869-1883
I am very concerned.
War...is even worse than that, Mary. He wasn't kidding Concern is good. It indicates a solution oriented mind, minus the frenzied fear driven emotional states that effectively shut down the prefrontal cortex, and the ability to do much more than counting up to 10...and maybe 11...crayons.
We all have reason to be concerned. To the degree that we don't let it surge beyond that...we'll be operated in our most useful and effective zone.
Oct 18 will be interesting.
I’m concerned too.
Thank you, Jack. This post answers my questions.
You're most welcome, Robert.
-Jack
Excellent breakdown Jack… If you can keep your head while all about are losing theirs and blaming it on you”
One of my all-time favorites, James...and the perfect compass for these times. Keeping your head isn’t passive; it’s the highest form of resistance. The louder the chaos gets, the more power there is in quiet clarity.
Interestingly enough, because I read Rikki-Tikki-Tavi as a 14 year old...by Kipling, and because of my interest in him after that...I discovered his other stuff, and this piece you shared...and it's been in my head for decades now.
-Jack
Yes, and the noise of the chaos is louder than anytime in America right now…
Thank you Jack, the admin sure likes to scapegoat people and it’s dangerous rhetoric. I’ve noticed almost everything they accuse anyone of is an admission of who they are.
Jack, every event in your life has prepared you for this moment!!! Whatever you’ve been through and what you have experienced has given you the mental resources to write this SubStack with wisdom, compassion and action steps. You break it down to understandable steps while exuding quiet calm, strength and peace filled with loads of knowledge and truth. Thank you!
Thank you Jack. Always a steady resource
I needed this on this very morning! Thank you for outlining the definitions.
Thanks, Jack. Anything that calms my racing mind during all of this crazy bullshit is always welcome. I had to tune out for a few days because... Damn!
My stress level is down and it's Horror movie month so, I will sleep like a baby after watching both of The Nun movies and The Conjuring. Watching the rest of that franchise tomorrow. 😁
I am slightly twisted.
You're the best, Jack. Unassailable plan of action, concrete and informative.
I lived Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. It was my first Kipling, as well. Maybe I’ll read it again soon.