Judas Needs Sympathy and Kindness

 

Judas is a character highlighted during Holy Week who really needs a Hug. He is often seen as one of the villains of the tale but I see him more as a tragic figure and I am not the only one (see Jesus Christ Superstar).

Going into this week his friend Jesus talks all kind of what must have sounded like nonsense about having to die, and not always being there etc. (I mean if anyone today spoke like Jesus did they would likely be diagnosed with major depression and suicidal ideation because without the end of the story and Easter what he said made zero sense) None of his found family of disciples really knew what to do with him other than to be like oh you will always be here. In addition Jesus had just marched into Jerusalem and I assume Judas could see that was just asking for trouble. 

I can imagine Judas being like Jesus is a danger to himself and others. I do not know what Jesus has planned but this whole thing is getting dangerous. I can imagine Judas going I have to do something to help my friend and after some thought thinking that the religious leaders might all things aside help Jesus if only so that they themselves would not become the targets of Rome.

So using modern day language Judas asks the cops to do a wellness check on Jesus because he sounded like a danger to himself and maybe send him to an inpatient clinic for a few days so things could blow over. But then (and like all to often today) such a wellness check leads to death instead of wellness.

And when it came time for the Kiss I could see Judas saying Jesus you need help, I am here for you but you need help, and giving the kiss as a reminder of his Love. And if this happened to be true, then Judas would not be the first or last person who tried to get help for a friend who was suffering and ending up the bad guy in the tale.

I can see Judas playing a role like Deadpool when dealing with a women having a mental health crisis in Deadpool #20 by Gerry Duggan.

Deadpool: ...I’m smart enough to known I’m dumb enough that I can’t help you. But they can.
Woman: You promised to let me go!
Deadpool: I am. This is where you and I part ways. I’ve been texting the staff. They’re expecting you.
Woman: What if I don’t want to go inside? Are you going to make me?
Deadpool: I -- I dunno. I don’t think I’ll have to because … I think you want to walk in. Will you walk in with me? Plus, maybe we can visit all the elderly people I accidentally beat up. Listen I don’t think you’re crazy. You just need a little help, and I am NOT the guy to help you. (Duggan, 2016)

Now after the fact the gospels editorialize and make it clear that religious officials were up to no good from the beginning but without hindsight it seems possible that no one really understood that these leaders would be willing to sacrifice one of their own. Again using modern language knowing that calling the cops is often dodgy and a bad idea but also believing/hoping that sometimes when the cops are called unarmed civilians are not going to be killed.

Now Judas made a bad call trusting the religious leaders but I can have sympathy for him because I could see him as being caught up in the moment, trying to do his best, having it all go wrong, and having the guilt hang over his head for the rest of his short life before he dies by suicide. 

Or in the word of Leslie Odom Jr when he was speaking about Burr but could completely be used to describe Judas too:

None of us wants to be judged by our worst act on our worst day, and we consistently judge Burr for that. He was not a perfect man, but he's not a villain. He's a dude, just a guy.

This Weeks Good News

 

Dr. Rachel Levine was confirmed making her the first openly transgender federal official to win Senate confirmation. Here is the statement she made in response:

"I am honored that the U.S. Senate has voted in favor of my nomination to be Assistant Secretary for Health at the Department of Health and Human Services. I am grateful to President Biden and Vice President Harris for nominating me to this important post. I look forward to working under the leadership of Secretary Becerra and ensuring that we promote policies that advance the health and wellbeing of all Americans.

As I prepare to take my oath of office and begin serving as Assistant Secretary for Health, I would like to take this opportunity to address members of the LGBTQ community. First, thank you. Only through your work and advocacy over many decades is my story possible. I am humbled to be the first transgender individual to serve in a Senate-confirmed position. As Vice President Harris has said, I recognize that I may be the first, but am heartened by the knowledge that I will not be the last. When I assume this position, I will stand on the shoulders of those who came before- people we know throughout history and those whose names we will never know because they were forced to live and work in the shadows.

In particular, I want to address transgender youth. I know that each and every day you confront many difficult challenges. Sadly, some of the challenges you face are from people who would seek to use your identity and circumstance as a weapon. It hurts. I know. I cannot promise you that these attacks will immediately cease, but I will do everything I can to support you and advocate for you. President Obama often reminded us that not all progress goes in a straight line. What I can tell you is that there is a place for you in America and in our government. Our ‘more perfect union’ includes you, too.”

Alan Turing an LGBTQ+ British icon will be the new face on England's £50 note. Alan Turning broke the enigma code, set up many of the foundations for modern day computers, and was persecuted by the government to the point of dying by suicide. 

Recent polls have shown that three-quarters of Americans support LGBTQ nondiscrimination laws. This support is across the political and religious supreme:

Support was strongest among Democrats (85 percent) and independents (79 percent), but it also 
included a majority (62 percent) of Republican

Broad majorities in nearly every religious group favor protections for LGBTQ people, with the largest among white Catholics (77 percent), Mormons (78 percent), Jews (79 percent), Hispanic Catholics (81 percent), white mainline Protestants (82 percent) and the religiously unaffiliated (82 percent).

White evangelical Protestants, the group least likely to favor nondiscrimination laws, endorsed them by nearly 2 to 1 (62 percent to 32 percent).

"The data is clear: the vast majority of Americans support LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections no matter where they live, the party they belong to, or the church they belong to," PRRI research director Natalie Jackson said in a statement.

Work and Meaning via Pop Culture

 

One of the lighter news stories this week is the news that Mr. Harry (Markle) has found himself a new job at an organization working on mental health issues. My response is good for him for finding work that is meaningful to him, but on the other hand it was interesting to see the bemusement of many others. These individuals are the same ones who over the past several years have been anywhere from bemused to openly hostel to Mr. Harry and Mrs. Megan's long term career choices.

I have to say I imagine some of the conversations Mr. Harry and Mrs. Megan had with the rest of Mr. Harry's family went something like this from the flash. 

Captain Cold: What to do with me now, Barry Allen?

Barry: It needs to end.

Captain Cold: Can't do that. It's what I do.
- 

Barry: Find a new line of work.

Captain Cold: Don't want to.

Barry: Why's that?

Captain Cold: The same reason you keep running after guys like me. The adrenaline. The thrill of the chase. I love this game. And I'm very good at it.

Please don't ask who is who in this conversation, it is not a perfect fit, but the above quote gets to the idea that we can not change who we are or what gives us meaning just because someone asks us to.

And I am pretty sure some of the behind the scene conversations among Harry's Family went like this scene from Legends of Tomorrow:

Rip Hunter: They are irresponsible, undependable, unpredictable, dangerous. And yet effective. At least on occasion.

Agent Sharpe: Is that the reason they're not warming a cell back at headquarters as we speak?

Rip Hunter: They're not warming a cell, Agent Sharpe, because they might just be our best hope of defeating what's coming.

And while I don't think The Family really wants Mr. Harry and Mrs. Megan to be locked up I do think they would prefer if they were out of sight out of mind. And Mr. Harry and Mrs. Megan are much more adorable band of misfit aka Legends of Tomorrow type of people.

But then again many of us are Legends of Tomorrow type of people who have to work hard to figure out where we fit within a larger ever changing cast of characters and stories of life, work, and meaning. 

Related to this is a book I read every New Year's Eve "Hell Yes" by Elizabeth Cogswell Baskin which breaks down all choices as either a "Hell Yes" or a "Hell No". I always love the part that suggests saying no to things that are not "Hell Yes" opportunities for you, means that they are available for others who find those opportunities to be their "Hell Yes" opportunities. 

The key is knowing what work environments are "Hell Yes" environments for you and knowing what is a perfect job for you might be a horrible fit for someone else. 

So in the end finding meaning in work may just come down to:

You've got to know when to hold 'em
Know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you're sittin' at the table
There'll be time enough for countin'
When the dealin's done

(The Gambler)

Spring Is Here

 Spring Is Here

Spring is here, Spring is here, Spring is here

This is a season of growth

Personal Growth

Green Growth

Imaginative Growth

How do you want to grow?

This season

What do you want to grow?

This Season

Why do you want to grow?

This Season

What are you becoming?

What do you desire to become?

What do you hope to become?

This is a season of opportunity

This is a season of possibility

This is a season of Hope

Spring is here, Spring is here, Spring is here

This is a season of growth

Personal Growth

Green Growth

Imaginative Growth

Luck (And History) Of The Irish To You

 

Today is St Patrick's Day. Today this day is often celebrated with lots of green, many people overindulging in alcohol, and a myth that St Patrick got rid of all the snakes in Ireland. 

For my own part I am wearing green today, even have a green shirt with a snake on it, listening to various Irish music stations, going to a few virtual events celebrating St Patrick's day and Ireland, and may have a can of ginger ale in celebration (since I don't drink alcohol).

I also found myself wanting to know about the history of our modern day St Patrick's traditions, so here is an explanation for some of the ways that St Patrick's day is celebrated.

Why Green?

The Irish countryside may be many shades of green, but knights in the Order of St. Patrick wore a color known as St. Patrick’s blue. The association with green probably dates back to the 18th century, when supporters of Irish independence used the color to represent their cause. (Source history.com) 

Why Alcohol?

St. Patrick's Day first started to honor Saint Patrick on the anniversary of his death. Traditionally the Irish drink during wakes to honor the dead. In addition the Christian people held a great feast for which Lenten food and alcohol restrictions were temporarily removed, which is why drinking has become synonymous with the holiday. (Source totalwine.com)

Why Snakes?

The myth that St. Patrick banished all the snakes from Ireland came from the idea that the snake was a symbol of paganism and it is St. Paddy that can be accredited for ridding Ireland of paganism and bringing Christianity to the green isle. (Source irishcentral.com) 

St Patrick's Day

(by Dreaming Ace)

A day that reminds us

We can leave a mark

On places we go

Not by choice

A day that reminds us

That celebrating

In the midst of death

Can be holy celebrating

A day that reminds us

Our paths are always unsure

We never know when

Someone might call us saint

May the road rise to meet you

May the wind be always at your back. 

May the sun shine warm upon your face, 

The rains fall soft upon your fields.

(Irish Blessing)

Ides Of March

 

Today March 15th is the Ides of March. Today this day is celebrated with memes about Caesar salads and stabbing things. This year I am seeing the Ides of March through a different lens. What are some of the ideas and practices that are "Caesars" in our lives that need to be dealt with? 

What are those things that some of us worship but are not conducive to healthy living? For some of us it might be busyness, for others unhealthy coping mechanisms, for still others the simple fact we have not done much needed internal work. 

Or if self reflection is something you have already been doing a lot of you might think of concrete "Caesars". You might choose to do one pecky thing that has been on your to-do list for what feels like forever. You might choose to finally send the email, or card, or letter to someone you have not been in touch with recently. 

So instead of beware the ides of march maybe we should embrace the ides of march as just one more opportunity to reflect on and tackle challenges in our lives.

Everyday Good News

 

Sometimes in the middle of life we simply have to take a step back and celebrate the progress we have made so far. Here is a list of some of LGBTQ women serving or nominated to serve in the Biden Administration that has been complied by the Victory Institute. 

Compassion And Understanding

Now I have been getting lost in the comment sections of life, and yes I know that is never good, but I have noticed a real lack of compassion and understanding. Often in these comment sections this appears as individuals dismissing the struggles that others are going through. There seems to be an idea held by many that we can know the struggles someone is really having based on outside criteria and when people open up they are just "looking for attention." 

Important facts to remember

Socio-economic status does not prevent all struggles. Access to money does not prevent someone who is BIPOC from experiencing racism or anyone from experiencing mental health struggles. Now access to money can mean someone can get the help they need, or be able to leave a toxic situation, that others in a different socio-economic position could not, but it does not mean that access to money means someone does not face racism or mental health struggles.

Socio-economic status does not determine whether someone who is white has done the internal anti-racist work needed to work towards being anti-racist in all areas of their lives nor if they are working towards building anti-racist communities, organizations, and institutions. Neither does socio-economic status determine if someone is aware of the white privilege that has been codified by the institutions they interact with on a daily basis.

We all suffer, we all have experienced pain, which means we should all be compassionate when we see someone else is suffering or when someone tells us they are suffering. This can be shown in a classic Buddhist story:

Kisa’s only child, a very young son, had died. Bringing the body of her son with her, Kisa found Buddha and pleaded with him to help bring her son back to life. He instructed her to go back to her village and gather mustard seeds from the households of those who have never been touched by the death. From those mustard seeds, he promised he would create a medicine to bring her son back to life. Relieved, she went back to her village and began asking her neighbors for mustard seeds. All of her neighbors were willing to give her mustard seeds, but they all told her that their households had been touched by death. They told her, “the living are few, but the dead are many.

Now compassion does not mean we have to condone toxic behavior, or that we need to provide physical, economic or emotional support to everyone who feels like they are suffering, but it does mean we can acknowledge what they are feeling and say we are sorry you are hurting. This also means it is important to have self-compassion and self-awareness and know when leaving a situation is what might be best for all involved. 

"The Interview" and Mental Health

My knowledge about "The Interview" (Oprah interviewing Mrs. Meghan Markle and her husband Harry) comes from news reports since I have not seen it and don't plan to, but what stood out to me is that Mrs. Markle spoke about her own real struggles with mental health as seen in the below bits (these are from various sources so not in order of the interview):

"I was really ashamed to say it at the time, and ashamed to have to admit it to Harry especially, because I know how much loss he has suffered. But I knew that if I didn't say it, that I would do it -- and I just didn't want to be alive anymore,"

"I just didn’t want to be alive any more. And that was a very clear and real and frightening, constant thought. And I remember how he [Harry] just cradled me.

""Right before we had to leave for that (event), I had just had that conversation with Harry that morning,"

"That you don't want to be alive any more?"

"Yeah," Meghan confirmed. She said that she attended the event with Harry that night because she felt she could not be "left alone" and recalled Harry gripping her hand tightly while in attendance at the Royal Albert Hall." 

""I went to the institution and I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help … And I was told that I couldn’t, that it wouldn’t be good for the institution.

I remember this conversation like it was yesterday, because they said: my heart goes out to you because I see how bad it is, but there’s nothing we can do to protect you because you’re not a paid employee of the institution."

There has been push back by some to the interview in part because as a member of the royal family/royal corporation the expectation is you just do not share your vulnerabilities with others. I see it as evidence even institutions which have been around for generations often do not know what to do when someone is in mental health crisis. If someone has enough courage to stand up and say they need help you find a way to get them help.  

When someone is in crisis you do not talk about the institution instead you find resources to help them. I would think based on the number of individuals who are part of the institution they would have several therapists on staff on an ongoing basis knowing that those who are part of the institution can't exactly walk down to the local clinic. Or at least have individuals who are trained in mental health crisis management. 

There has been push back from others which I would summarize as saying she should have known what she was getting herself into and should have been able to handle it. 

A) I am not sure if these individuals have ever read a book, it is common when you are in love, to look the other way or minimize in your head the power that attitudes and extended family will have on you, which later can become toxic. In addition when you are a first in any area you can not really know how everyone is going to respond.

B) A bee sting framework. Most people who get stung by a bee go ouch and maybe use some choice words around bees, but if you are allergic to bees that same ouch can become a matter of life or death. If you have never been stung by a bee you might not know you are allergic until it happens and even being warned that you will be visiting a bee hive does not matter if you get stung and realize you are allergic and can't breath.

And in this bee framework anyone can be allergic, it does not matter if you appear successful, or "have everything you should ever need", and you can never tell from just looking at someone if they are allergic. And you never say well your don't have the correct employment heading so while you are having an allergic reaction and can't breath we can't help you, nor seek others who could.

I am glad that Mrs. Meghan Markle was open about her struggles in "The Interview." Every time someone, especially someone who has been in the public eye, opens up about mental health challenges including suicidal ideation they do their part to decrease the stigma around talking about such issues. 

Being vulnerable is never easy, and made even harder when surrounded by others who think such information should not be shared or made public, but every time someone is willing to be vulnerable uncountable others are helped and feel more confident getting the help they need.

Mental health challenges can be experienced by us all and it is important to reach out when we need support. It is also important to reach out to those we think might be struggling as well as finding resources for individuals who come to us and need help. 

Sometimes the only way to keep ourselves safe and alive is to put ourselves first. And in truth sometimes when we do this we will be faced with those who refuse to see our suffering and tell us we can't get help, and in these cases even though it might feel close to impossible we need to keep going until we get the help we need in what ever form that might take.

If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal thoughts or crisis,

call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 or

 text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

Amazon BoyCott This Week

This week marks the start of amazon workers at the Amazon facility in Alabama voting on weather or not to unionize. Amazon is doing everything in its power to prevent them from unionizing while just staying within a fuzzy zone of legality.

So what are unions anyway? Unions are organizations who speak on the behalf of the workers. In the same sense you have elected officials who speak for you in politics. Unions have won us all a number of benefits.

Personal Story:

I remember when I worked at an organization, which was later absorbed into Amazon, that was not unionized. I saw signs up that said unions are not needed here because we have an "open door policy". 

I was also on committees (or in "the room where it happens") where I heard leadership talk about employee complaints (as the result of a company wide anonymous employee survey) as only coming from "bad apples" and having those complaints dismissed and disparaged. One of the complaints was what I had written but based on their responses I did not stand up and share it was mine. Knowing that leadership dismissed all complaints meant I was not going to bring my concerns up to them.

I also saw the unevenly distributed hiring and firing that occurred, some individuals were never told they were close to being fired until they were fired, while others who had more points stayed for years and years. Also some individuals had regular work hours and others had all sort of crazy work until 10:30 pm and be back at 6am, or work 10 days in a row, schedules. Over all the organization was a mess and a toxic workplace for various reasons, and really did a number on my mental health.  

From this experience I have a personal understanding of how helpful unions can be. In my case if we had a union then there would be rules in place that meant that hiring, firing, hours worked ... were handled evenly across the board. All workers should be able to choose to be part of a union. 

So what can you do right now in support of Amazon workers? 

Send an email to Jeff Bezos to protect the rights of those who want to unionize through Amnesty International 

Support the virtual boycott this week by not using any Amazon products or services.

Share information on your social media channels why you support Amazon Workers Unionizing

15 Sleeps Until Spring

 

The weather at least in my part of the country is really starting to feel like spring once again which is nice since this has been a long winter for many of us. One thing I am doing is to try and accomplish 15 small cleaning projects in that time so that I feel refreshed for spring, and then Passover, and then Easter... If you like this idea here are some ideas to get you thinking. You might choose to do one of the below each day until spring. This is a way to pretty painlessly do a deep spring cleaning of your life.

Physically Cleaning:

• Sort one drawer filled with important papers
• Clean one window in your home
• Dust one shelf
• Sort one junk box/drawer/closet …
• Change out your soft goods (Pillow/Pillowcases/Bedding/Dish Towels ....)

Virtual Cleaning:

• Delete old email
• Organize email
• Cleaning your computer's desktop
• Sorting favorites or photos
• Closing extra open tabs

Health Cleaning:

• Drink water
• Take a multivitamin
• Eat veggies
• Go for a walk outside
• Find one new recipe to try

Mental/Emotional/Spiritual Cleaning

• Inventory what is going well in your life, and where you might like to improve
• Mediation/Yoga/Journaling
• Writing out some of the challenges you have had and then burning them in a fire safe location
• Process: Out loud/In writing/Through Art or Dance/With a friend/Alone ....'
• Remembering no matter what you are experiencing you are not alone, you are beloved, and you are LOVED

Reframing My Faith

 

Today I went on a nice walk to the lake since the weather was nice and the sun was out. As I walk walking some of the things that have been going through my head for lent started percolating and I ended up with a new modal for my personal faith. Not bad for an nice afternoon walk. :)

First I recognize that since I was raised pretty much secular, when I was growing up I did not have a clear faith tradition to be actively involved with. And the faith leaders who were on TV were really grumpy and mean and did not ingratiate themselves to me. So I gravitated to characters and their world view stories such as the character Delenn's we are all parts of the universe trying to figure itself out.

Second I have adopted an "American God's" framework where there are lots of gods who need our belief in order to stay alive. This pared with deep seating issue making choices, means being in a position where I feel I am choosing one God or set of Gods over another, is complicated.

Third the faith tradition I have ended up in, was more a case of finding a cool community I wanted to be part of than any deep seated theological reasoning or belief. It was really like finding a cool group who was into a different fandom and becoming part of that fandom because that is what they were talking about.

So:

As I was walking and thinking about some of my plans for Easter, I thought it might be nice for my friends such as Ganesh, Captain Cold, Loki maybe a Thunderbird .... to be there as witnesses for parts of some of the personal rituals I am creating to celebrate this year. And I realized that this was a friends modal that works well for me right now. (And yes I am aware knowing myself, ask me next week and I might come up with a different modal)

I can have one tradition which is the equivalent of my "faith family" or maybe my "home base" faith. This works well and reminds me that while I might have chosen one faith because of social reasons and I might have been just as likely to have ended up in a different faith tradition in a different situation in truth if I was born in a different time or place or universe I would have a different "family" family too. 

I can have many other Gods/Characters/Stories/Myths which are the equivalent of my friends. Yes it can be a lot of fun to hear stories about what these individuals have gotten up to over the course of history, and hear about all the trouble they caused and had to creatively find solutions to. We can hang out, eat good food, laugh, and in general have a great time. 

And there will be times when these "friend Gods" and their faiths feel much cooler and more exciting that my "faith family"/"home base faith", because the grass often looks greener on the other side, but that is how it works with all relationships. I don't have to be all things to all gods in order to be there to listen and believe in them and for us to have many thoughtful adventures. 

My Relationship to Socializing

The BBC shared a post entitled Why we may have to re-learn to socialize about what socializing might look like in a post-COVID world. This got me pondering my own feelings and interactions with people. I also recognize some of these ponderings may not translate in a way that others outside my brain will understand but I will give it a try.

Even in the before times I had a complicated relationship with the concept of people. When I thought about having to meet up in person and interact with people, I felt various levels of low level stress. Nothing that negatively affected my day to day but still there in the background, and which I sometimes refer to as people being too people. 

In general my attitude has been why meet in person (or even worst call on the phone) when an email, Facebook message, or text would do just as well if not better. In situations that involve people I have often felt more comfortable in the role of observer. Or at least staying at a social nicety level (How is your day going/Have a good day ...) For example; I am at this street festival to get freebees and dance to the music, I am at this talk for the free food and the talk, I am at this convention to hear the panels and maybe people watch, not to talk to people.

In addition I have found ways to have the social interaction that we all typically need, from people I do not have to have physical interactions with. Most of the time given the choice of an fictional character/ historical figure/celebrity that I will never personally know beyond a possible autograph or a physical person to hang out with I will choose one of the former. 

Though even though I might say I have historically had pre-people anxiety once I am actually interacting with people in person, it works out fine, understanding that my introvertedness will often make an appearance and I will probably get peopled out way sooner than others at the event.

(Now I will caveat the following with the fact that I have been lucky enough to have great roommates this whole time which is not the case for all people.) 

So personally unlike many people I have found our current times to work well for me. I have had little or no reason to have in person interactions (outside my household) that lasted more that a quick how is your day going to the person ringing up my groceries etc. And I have found since everyone has put their activities online I can go to and enjoy more activities than ever before with out having to worry about having to actively socialize. I have to confess part of me is like even once we are all post-Covid can we keep up the "social distancing" thing because it works well for me.

So again personally (and I know many others have had difference experiences) I have liked this period of rest from in person socialization. This means I know I have to think more about socialization and what that might look like moving forward. While we still have some time before this all really comes to the forefront, since it is going to take time to vaccinate us all, self reflecting now or how I want that post-Covid world to look like for me, is an important to-do.