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Saturday, April 23, 2011

Each day is another opportunity...

Yet another opportunity to learn and move forward. Each day is another opportunity.

Ahh, the tribal ritual of confusion has set in. Trying to understand this event that takes place this Sunday. So in winter it is always the same date. Dec. 25th. It never changes it never falters it is always the 25th. Some go to houses of worship some don’t. Some simply practice a bit of druidism and worship the tree and the bounty below it. Either way it never changes it is always the 25th.

But this whole ghost rising seems to be move all over the calendar. What? One year it is in March, the next year late April then mid April? I don’t get it. It would appear that this “one” event can’t be pinned down to one specific date? Despite the pinning down of the event of birth. At least that is the story, the birthday that is. Even that is disputed in some circles, none the less one specific date was settled on. However this rising seems to be based on a lunar cycle, not an actual date.

I am not mocking nor ridiculing anyone’s faith here. I do not suffer from any illusions of knowing with absolute certainty the vast array of faith systems. I put forth this question each spring in my attempt to understand the ghost story. Alas like most ghosts the story is shrouded in mystery and elusive. Along with being subject to multiple interpretations.

When pondering such questions I am reminded of a bright sunny day, I spent talking with a Catholic Brother who was visiting his blood brother and his family. They ridiculed his choice for a spiritual path that led him to farm with brothers of the catholic faith. The family from his blood line whispered in arrogance behind his back.

I seized the opportunity to ask questions. What kind of life he had led. He spoke with a calm unlike I had heard in a long while. Descriptions of a simple life raising the dairy cows and crops to sustain the farm some sales of their dairy products to the local community. Mixed with daily meditations and a striving for peace in this world thru their faith. Whether I agreed or his blood line agreed with him was of no relevance. However the calm this man displayed was rather impressive. It reminded me that I don’t know everything, his constant mention of learning and striving to learn more showed me something about living. Living is a constant adventure in learning. The key seemed to be the willingness. As opposed to a closed off judgmental attitude that minimizes and ridicules others for having a different idea. He never once displayed that attitude.

Funny thing was I asked about the rising of the dead and the changing of the date, this quiet peaceful man smiled and said… “Ya’ know Chris, I have asked more than one bishop about that over the years. Some got a bit defensive others just asked me to seek out the answer for myself… I still don’t have the exact answer. Chris if you find the exact answer please let me know, you may have better luck in your circles and in your seeking then I have or will.” “Exact answers!” I said. Then we both just burst into laughter. I heard he had left his vehicle a few years back and went on to other adventures. So for him and for me, I still seek and wonder. (without wonder might as well close the lid)

Yesterday I spent a better part of the day in conversation that was about questions and seeking. The one thing that happened thru out the day was laughter. Laughing about joy and discovery. Much like that sunny day many years ago. Maybe that is was easter is all about for me this year not the date, but just being able to ask questions and seek laughter.

Chris…


©2011
All rights reserved
Chris J Hutchins
Dog Hair Productions

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

It’s just for fun…Until money is involved then it gets personal!

It comes down to this… I think, some people are only in love with an idea, not the actual reality. When reality hits they find out it is work.

When trying to avoid potential problems in a project. I always ask what the participants are expecting. Most of the time I get a shrug. I try to be very clear about the reality of the project and that I want no disputes over numbers later on down the road. Compensation etc. Or what is owed monetarily.

It is during the inception of an idea that the doubters come along and assist with the idea or attitude that the project will go nowhere. Spouting all sorts of love and support as long as they are not associated with any failed projects. No backing no support. Complaints of even being associated with the projects. Requests to have their names removed from the credits. In my attempt to accommodate them, it is best to remove the credits and hope for the best.

But when the checks come in who is first in line demanding their cut? Those same who doubted any actual outcome, then all of a sudden they espouse how much they believed in the idea… Bullocks, pure un adulterated fertilizer. I find it funny and ask, “was that when you adamantly complained about be associated with the project that you were such a believer? Or was it when you found out that there was serious commerce involved?” The real kicker is when asked to produce any documents (that they turned down) they get rather frustrated and cry that they were scammed.

If you cut yourself off don’t come skulking around later expecting any compensation. I asked if you wanted it in writing, you said, “No, no need I’m just doing this for fun…” Well then here is a flat rate for time given. Now go… Have fun!

Always work out the numbers/ points/ percentages, ahead of time so much easier up front then later on. Or simply accept the one time payment for your time.

You really know who your friends are when people see you as a pauper.
Chris…



©2011
All rights reserved
Chris J Hutchins
Dog Hair Productions







Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Time to get real in my humble opinion.

“The organizing principle of any society, is for war. The authority of the state over its people resides in its war powers.” General X

That being said makes one wonder or does it? As to why the US is involved in all the skirmishes it is involved in. I refuse to follow leaders blindly. Lots to think about.

A society that is afraid of a mythic enemy and kept in fear, is far more likely to follow blindly into a notion of a so called “good war.” A society that is free thinking, and free to speak out is subject to the harassment of the so called officials. Either by a local police force ordered harassment or government officials that belong to some alphabet group.

I have watched and heard the so called grown ups and now the officials repeat the same old garbage over and over. What bothers me more than anything is their utter arrogance. Their attitude towards those they are supposed to help. One poor decision after another.

The problem with revolution is… After time the victors in the revolution fall subject to the same temptations of greed. Their arrogance of being victorious fuels their rationalizations. “Animal Farm” comes to mind.

Not being an elected or appointed individual to any position of political importance- impotence. I have the dubious luxury of watching from the outside of the bureaucratic pool of thick oatmeal.

I did however have the opportunity to experience a similar experience in the private sector. ( for nine years in a large corporation nationwide, that held contracts with city municipalities) That being said. I saw that a simple decision that could take a matter minutes could get caught in a quagmire of red tape and diluted from it’s inception into a meaningless directive that fixed nothing. Nothing. Lets make that clear. Nothing after weeks or in some cases months… Nothing changed.

The person, or persons who could have benefited from a simple choice was in the same predicament as before. Of course all those involved in the long discussions and meetings felt very full of themselves. They truly believed that they had examined and weighed out all the options. Yet… Nothing actually changed. Government has been that way for far too long. Hence the same old “Forever Argument” has been going on since I can remember.

Personally I think it boils down to this... Personal accountability has become the “monster” that many fear is hiding under their bed. Few seem to believe in themselves these days. They second guess their choices. The discussions begin and the individual is left with a bowl of options from others who know little of the situation. In the end no one individual is held accountable. The beginning of plausible deniability is born. Just like baby Huey, the big baby crushes everything in it‘s path. And NOBODY is held accountable. Sleep well with that notion, whilst thinking of the so called leaders of freedom.

Remember the incident in the early 90’s when Janet Reno, told congress she took “accountability” for the inferno at Waco TX.? (Wow big word!) Yet she was not relived of her position. Janet Reno claimed accountability for the inferno that killed American citizens and nothing came of it. The American Attorney general just went on about her business. Interesting indeed.

The reports about the massive arms build up in Waco and the urgent need to get into the compound before a miniature Armageddon took place in Waco. After the smoke cleared and the ashes settled what did the ATF find? NOTHING. Nothing other then the corpses of the people who were burned. Janet Reno took full accountability, she said it over and over. No weapons… No massive stock pile was found. The whole rationalization for an e attack on the people of America practicing their right to freedom of religion. Of course their numbers were small so it was deemed a radical cult. (If they only had, had much larger numbers in their belief structure it would have been sanctioned as a religion. You have to remember that the big time cults have had thousands of years to recruit.) I digress… Lets fast forward to the next level.

Iraq… Massive stock piles of weapons of mass destruction. (Many I am sure that the US had sent over during the Iran, Iraq war.) Where were all the weapons? Looked like Waco at the end of the day. You have to admit that had either of the above mentioned had, had massive stock piles the forces that intruded would have brought in the media to show that the end justified the means, we would have seen the burnt remains of gun barrels and what ever type of weapons … Talk about P.R.!!! “Holy Geeezum Crow … Rest easy. We are safe now! This is XYZ reporting from ground zero of potential terror.” Please note in both cases that did not happen. A whole different song and dance or, dog and pony show distracted the masses. As they changed the television channel with their remote control.

Just like Waco in Iraq, we had the best of intensions for illegally entering the country/ property. Yet the President made use of his teleprompter and spoke the words that scared the people and led the charge. How much money was/ is wasted on that endeavor?

The US forces were able to capture the dictator with a Pay Day candy bar in hand… Yet they can’t find the evil doer who master minded the “attack” on 9-11? Makes me wonder what the hell the CIA is getting paid for? Who are they really looking for?

Ahem CIA, FBI, KGB, ATF, NSA, SPD, all the same to me. As somebody close to me said… “Professional door kickers, that’s all.” Waco, Iraq, now Libya. Where the hell was the American fighting might during the Rwandan Genocide? How is New Orleans doing? How is the infrastructure here at home? How is the health care issue going in your family? Or your neighbors? Are you scared of outside forces yet? Are you scared? Are you? If you are scared of some evil unknown force taking over your life that is not wrapped in the American flag… The ruling class has got you exactly where they want you. They love it when you are scared. They profit. They have you organized for the collection plate. Or the 1040EZ form.

The presidents, the congress, the senate, governors they come and go. (Some get a nice tidy some of cash as well.) The ruling class they ain’t moved and are working real hard to make sure you don’t know they are there. The ruling class supply the illusion of freedom. Most happily the sheep pay for it at four dollars a gallon and rising. While enslaved to their mortgage of thirty years. Along with the automobile payments of seven years. That roll into the next automobile loan after about five to six years.

Look most do not earn enough these days to say they are prepared to go a year with out income. The idea of losing a job, that is only allowing one or two, or three, etc. etc. etc. to live pay check to pay check, is scary. Gotcha!

The Ruling Class has gotcha. Are you willing to accept this? Are you willing to accept more wars? Are you? After all the elected have waddled off to their retirement on your dime and leave other unresolved issues for your children, and mine, are you going to still think the monster under the bed is actually from the outside? Or maybe we can start talking about “Real Change?” Time to get real in my humble opinion.

Chris…





©2011
All rights reserved
Chris J Hutchins
Dog Hair Productions





Tuesday, April 5, 2011

The universe echoes.

'If you can’t look at yourself and accept who you are… How can you expect others to truly see who you are and accept you for you?' Chris J Hutchins



If my attitude is one of a pissy diva, it comes back ten fold. If I engage with the testosterone overload , sure enough somebody wants to square off and challenge it.

Now here is the fun part it ain’t coming back right after I have behaved poorly towards others. No, no, no, it comes back sometimes slowly, (ahem that could mean years later…) sometimes quickly. None the less my behavior echoes back right in my face eventually. Knowing that, one needs to take care to be sure about what they are giving out to the universe/ world, it comes back.

The funny part is when I hear others complain incessantly about how everybody else is so rude or pissy. It seems so shocking that some complete stranger would be rude. The famous last words… “I did not do anything to deserve that…” Really?

I thought about it off and on over the years, I concluded that… Yes I did. I was rude to somebody a few days before, for no reason other than I had been having a self imposed bad day. Misery loves company. (Ahem so does serenity) Trite tired cliché? Maybe but clichés start somewhere, and the Dr. Buzz Kill loves to offer his/ her prescription of downers to point out you are nothing and that it needs to be pointed out. Then when Dr. Buzz Kill, is slammed by strangers for some idea he/ she might have, he/ she cries himself or herself to sleep thinking he/ she is all alone and nobody understands him/ her. The idea that years of minimizing and rude behaviors towards others is not coming back, strange indeed. Get ready for the storm.

Now think of the possibility of a 180 degree change in thinking. Start simply but start to reverse the directions. Change those potential echoes of disregard. Change them into being accepting of others. Acknowledge the toxic ones that want to tear down. Then choose to not engage in the behavior.

Do not get discouraged nor expect anything to change right away. The echoes of the universe sometimes take a long time to get back. However the good thing I discovered is it happens in little bits real fast. Take it from one who knows, those little ones seem so huge they build up and last. The alternative is simply a devastating idea after just a few gifts echo back. 

I can deal with name calling on this subject I can deal with the accusation of Poly Anna, rose colored glasses, etc. etc. I can deal with it because after spending years in the world of “everything sucks…” A confidence has been restored.

A confidence that allows me to be willing to accept accountability. It is far more empowering when one is accountable for their actions and more importantly their behavior. It opens the door to confidence in ones actions. Without accountability, it is a corrosive that erodes your being able to find peace. Hence the vicious cycle of the echo of coming back to you ten fold of intolerant rude pissy people. Remember the term, “like attracts like” act like a jerk, and it comes back.

In the end… We all want the same thing. To be content. To find contentment one needs to treat others as they want to be treated. I can deal with being called Polly Anna, I never could deal with being disrespected very well. But looking back I was being disrespectful to so many. So it is no wonder I got it back ten fold. I got it back without expecting it. So it only makes sense that I have to leave that same idea of no expectations if I go the other direction. No expectations leaves one/ me with no disappointment. It only stands to reason doesn’t it?

If one thinks my expressions are odd, or disingenuous. All I can say is my experience has taught me otherwise. All I can say is living outside of fear, living in the notion of hope and freedom of expression has allowed the criticisms to have less and less ability to debilitate my pursuit of understanding.

I would love to wave my magic wand or sprinkle the pixie dust to make it all better, but like anything it is a matter of practice. It is a matter of personal accountability. So rather than rant about the geo political stuff, I thought how about sharing this idea instead. It felt great to come across this idea and share it I hope it rings a bell.

I can say this with conviction. It took changing my attitude of ridicule so I could tell you I love you. I believe with all my heart that love is a verb. A VERB! I know that we can find peace in the tasks that face us on a daily basis. Shame of having hope is not going to let hope happen. Pride in having hope will let the hope be shared.

Embrace your feelings they are yours. It is what you do with them that decides the rest. Give without expectations, and the rest will follow.
Chris…



©2011
All rights reserved
Chris J Hutchins
Dog Hair Productions