One of the profound reads I’ve ever had. I got to the end. I’ve seen that flash. I almost put a rifle bullet through my now exes head. I saw that white hot fury and instantly lowered the rifle- slowly. But I never forgot.
Great insightful writing. It is surely incontrovertible that accepting the shadow of our natures is key to living as free people . Choose 1 of 3 options: Good, Evil, Don't Know, this last seems increasingly the default position for our conscience. To invert Shakespeare "conscience doth make cowards of us all." Let me always harken to that still, small voice!
This is beautifully put. The shadow is the price of freedom, and “Don’t know” is the anesthesia. I’m with you: better to hear the still, small voice than pretend we can’t.
I was like 9 or 10 when I sat next to my parents and watched this movie with an executioner—guillotining heads like he was on an assembly line.
Someone told me, “It’s horrible, but it’s a job.” And I just… started asking myself a million questions. You cut off a hundred heads, then eat dinner, then go to sleep? I was just a kid. I didn’t get it, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It kept buzzing in my head.
Years later, I got beaten by the police at a sit-in. Someone told me that you either become a criminal or a cop—and really, nothing changes between the two. Chance, friendship… the one doing the hitting and the one taking it are just two sides of the same coin. Both of them just want get out of the ghetto.
As an adult, when I sank into a deep depression, a lot of lifelong friends just… looked the other way. I was like a weeping willow, and I had to dry my own tears.
I guess thinking, connecting the dots, it can make you stronger or weaker—but I could never do it any other way. And… well, we’ll see how this whole dance called life plays out.
If not I would have not subscribed to Second Thoughts, maybe. Or I would have found useless or boring your contents. On the contrary every single "letter" from you fascinates me and stimulates my brain. I will never be thankful enough for this. Hugs always
"You can't prevent what you won't admit is possible." I put it on a note card and set it against my monitor. I want to see it every day. I want it to remind me that I prefer to deny. Even after 80 years, I still prefer to deny. There have been times when I didn't even when I still had skin in the game, which I really don't have now. But there weren't enough of those times, and I regret that.
Me too, Wally. I feel there is so much more I could have done. It takes so long to get past the BS we are fed. We do what we can. We do it together when we can.
Powerful article. Staying aware... woke... making conscious choices every day to be better, to choose kindness, to think rather than just exist in our bubble, isolated from the consequences of our selfish choices if we are lucky. But once you are aware, the guilt inside, the self loathing over the pain of having taken the way of ease, knowing you hurt someone else, or a lot of someone elses... becomes much less bearable.
We can't always fight the big fights because the reality is that we do have to make choices we don't like to put food on the table and keep ourselve and our children safe...and we all have our emotional, physical and financial limitations. BUT... I am aware of those compromises I make right now, and I keep trying to stay aware of each choice and why. I also try to balance things by writing about stuff like this and helping others be more aware and unable to turn away.
I also watch a lot of historical documentaries on youtube and read historical accounts of people who lived through times when evil seemed to be the norm, and how they felt, and their reflections. I was always interested in the regular people that surrounded, for example, the Nazis at the highest level... their wives, their children, their grandchildren, and their thoughts and actions. And regular Germans, and their children.
I fight to stay aware and I hope to do better with the small things in the future when I'm able to. It's so easy to slip into a self-centered bubble of ignorance and just turn a blind eye... to "nod" at the dinner party and avoid conservations that are guilt-inducing and uncomfortable. To raise issues with relatives that I can tell want me to stop talking. To face ourselves and what we are capable of.
I think one of the biggest issues in the US (I'm Canadian), is that so many believe in the constructed mythology of America.. the great fighter for freedom, the shining city on the hill... you often hear "This isn't who we are!" when they see the cruelty being implemented by the current Administration. But if they honestly look back at their history... it IS who they are. So many are unware of horrible things their own government has done in the past. They prefer not to really deal with the issue of racism and bigotry, and would rather sweep it under the rug and pretend it's not as bad as it used to be. But so much still simmers under the surface waiting to rise up if given the chance.
That's why it's so important to keep reminding ourselves that the horrors of Nazi Germany can easily happen again. That many people will commit atrocities and still consider themselves good soldiers, good people, just following orders. That every day we have to think and make choices to be better, and try our best to not just lie to ourselves.
Great article because it's something no one wants to hear or think about, but is spot on!
Suzy, you have just described me to a T. There is so much packed into this comment, it would make a great post. As we need to be reminded over and over, and over. Thank you for your insights. I have felt them deeply.
Great post. We need to slow down and recognize our own Eichmann moments. Like another commenter, I've had that red-hot moment. Fortunately, I saw myself in the mirror. Good sign that i'ts time to end a marriage.
One of the profound reads I’ve ever had. I got to the end. I’ve seen that flash. I almost put a rifle bullet through my now exes head. I saw that white hot fury and instantly lowered the rifle- slowly. But I never forgot.
Once we touch that place, we can't unsee it. It makes us stronger.
Great insightful writing. It is surely incontrovertible that accepting the shadow of our natures is key to living as free people . Choose 1 of 3 options: Good, Evil, Don't Know, this last seems increasingly the default position for our conscience. To invert Shakespeare "conscience doth make cowards of us all." Let me always harken to that still, small voice!
This is beautifully put. The shadow is the price of freedom, and “Don’t know” is the anesthesia. I’m with you: better to hear the still, small voice than pretend we can’t.
I was like 9 or 10 when I sat next to my parents and watched this movie with an executioner—guillotining heads like he was on an assembly line.
Someone told me, “It’s horrible, but it’s a job.” And I just… started asking myself a million questions. You cut off a hundred heads, then eat dinner, then go to sleep? I was just a kid. I didn’t get it, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It kept buzzing in my head.
Years later, I got beaten by the police at a sit-in. Someone told me that you either become a criminal or a cop—and really, nothing changes between the two. Chance, friendship… the one doing the hitting and the one taking it are just two sides of the same coin. Both of them just want get out of the ghetto.
As an adult, when I sank into a deep depression, a lot of lifelong friends just… looked the other way. I was like a weeping willow, and I had to dry my own tears.
I guess thinking, connecting the dots, it can make you stronger or weaker—but I could never do it any other way. And… well, we’ll see how this whole dance called life plays out.
Our pain is too painful for those who are afraid of their own. You are a Bodhisattva living in this world with an open, broken heart. Hugs always.
I guess you're right, Gael.
If not I would have not subscribed to Second Thoughts, maybe. Or I would have found useless or boring your contents. On the contrary every single "letter" from you fascinates me and stimulates my brain. I will never be thankful enough for this. Hugs always
Renzo, that means a lot. Thank you, my friend.
💖
"You can't prevent what you won't admit is possible." I put it on a note card and set it against my monitor. I want to see it every day. I want it to remind me that I prefer to deny. Even after 80 years, I still prefer to deny. There have been times when I didn't even when I still had skin in the game, which I really don't have now. But there weren't enough of those times, and I regret that.
Me too, Wally. I feel there is so much more I could have done. It takes so long to get past the BS we are fed. We do what we can. We do it together when we can.
A must read for every human!! That is all.
Humanity! Can't live with it and can't live without it :)
Powerful article. Staying aware... woke... making conscious choices every day to be better, to choose kindness, to think rather than just exist in our bubble, isolated from the consequences of our selfish choices if we are lucky. But once you are aware, the guilt inside, the self loathing over the pain of having taken the way of ease, knowing you hurt someone else, or a lot of someone elses... becomes much less bearable.
We can't always fight the big fights because the reality is that we do have to make choices we don't like to put food on the table and keep ourselve and our children safe...and we all have our emotional, physical and financial limitations. BUT... I am aware of those compromises I make right now, and I keep trying to stay aware of each choice and why. I also try to balance things by writing about stuff like this and helping others be more aware and unable to turn away.
I also watch a lot of historical documentaries on youtube and read historical accounts of people who lived through times when evil seemed to be the norm, and how they felt, and their reflections. I was always interested in the regular people that surrounded, for example, the Nazis at the highest level... their wives, their children, their grandchildren, and their thoughts and actions. And regular Germans, and their children.
I fight to stay aware and I hope to do better with the small things in the future when I'm able to. It's so easy to slip into a self-centered bubble of ignorance and just turn a blind eye... to "nod" at the dinner party and avoid conservations that are guilt-inducing and uncomfortable. To raise issues with relatives that I can tell want me to stop talking. To face ourselves and what we are capable of.
I think one of the biggest issues in the US (I'm Canadian), is that so many believe in the constructed mythology of America.. the great fighter for freedom, the shining city on the hill... you often hear "This isn't who we are!" when they see the cruelty being implemented by the current Administration. But if they honestly look back at their history... it IS who they are. So many are unware of horrible things their own government has done in the past. They prefer not to really deal with the issue of racism and bigotry, and would rather sweep it under the rug and pretend it's not as bad as it used to be. But so much still simmers under the surface waiting to rise up if given the chance.
That's why it's so important to keep reminding ourselves that the horrors of Nazi Germany can easily happen again. That many people will commit atrocities and still consider themselves good soldiers, good people, just following orders. That every day we have to think and make choices to be better, and try our best to not just lie to ourselves.
Great article because it's something no one wants to hear or think about, but is spot on!
Suzy, you have just described me to a T. There is so much packed into this comment, it would make a great post. As we need to be reminded over and over, and over. Thank you for your insights. I have felt them deeply.
Great post. We need to slow down and recognize our own Eichmann moments. Like another commenter, I've had that red-hot moment. Fortunately, I saw myself in the mirror. Good sign that i'ts time to end a marriage.