Mythos & Marginalia

life notes; flaws and all

j.g. lewis

original content and images ©j.g. lewis

a daily breath...

A thought du jour, my daily breath includes collected and conceived observations, questions of life, fortune cookie philosophies, reminders, messages of peace and simplicity, unsolicited advice, inspirations, quotes and words that got me thinking. They may get you thinking too . . .

I'm like a pencil;
sometimes sharp,
most days
well-rounded,
other times
dull or
occasionally
broken.
Still I write.

j.g. lewis
is a writer/photographer in Toronto.

follow on social media

keep in touch

Enter your email to receive notification of significant posts. Don't worry, I won't clog up your inbox or sell your data

To Respect What Happened
Posted on November 9, 2016 by j.g.lewisLeave a comment

page

My page is blank. My mind is numb.

There is not much to say today. I, at least, have very little to contribute to the topic of the day

Perhaps I am a little shocked, or stunned, but know I shouldn’t be. I have said (not loudly and not to a lot of people) that Donald Trump could become the next president of the United States of America. I’ve said it a couple of times, at different times, throughout the campaign.

Even yesterday I was not dismissing the possibility. I even said it out loud.

I made the statement as an observer, as one who has watched and observed politics for many years. Election campaigns are often baffling, but made for some of my most exciting days in my former newspaper career. Much of the time I hated the politics, but enjoyed the race leading up to an election. I loved the challenge and I was energized by the chase.

I’ve only had the experience of covering Canadian politics. We do things differently here. American politics, for me, has more been entertainment or a chance to learn about issues on the global scale.

The USA. has been, is, and will continue to be, a major force in how this planet functions.

I respect that.

And I respect what happened yesterday. I have to respect what happened because I believe in democracy and I believe in the right to vote. Majority rules. The people have spoken.

So I respect the principal, but find it hard to respect the results.

Yes I think it’s sad, and I don’t at all like it, and I believe those people who voted the way they did were not even considering what would happen in the coming days, months and years. I’m not sure if they realize how bad it will get before their America can be great again.

Do they not remember the collapse of the financial markets in 2008? Do they not remember the devastation of the global economy? Do they not remember the recession that followed?

What happened in 2008 (it wasn’t that long ago) was an economic crisis that was born in the USA and it devalued currencies across the globe. The United States took it the worst, and recovery took much longer than expected. Has the country even recovered?

I haven’t recovered. I know what happened in 2008 affected me personally, and not just financially. I know some of my plans, dreams, and goals were lost in the last economic meltdown.

I know we must all be prepared to lose even more whether we live in the USA or not.

A Lot Of Thinking
Posted on November 2, 2016 by j.g.lewis // 1 Comment

thingggg

I’ve been called stubborn, and principled (and words even nastier). I tend to take a stand, but still respect those who may not see the world, or an issue, as I do. I can be convinced otherwise, or persuaded, but when it comes right down to it I end up doing what I believe is right, or proper, or necessary.

I do this thing called whatever the fuck I want.

Certainly it has taken time, and a great deal of trial and error, but I think I’m at the point in my life where I’ve become comfortable with what I say and do (within reason). Some may call it selfish, but I say it’s honest because I am aware of the consequences of my actions.

If I get involved with a charity or take on a cause, if I am committed to a project, principle, or person, it’s because that’s what I want. The reasons may vary, but not my intent. I’m all in or not at all. Why get involved if you are not interested?

It comes with knowing, and learning, what you are capable of, what you can withstand, and what will allow you to live a life with integrity, and distinction, and purpose. You have to trust your gut, but it also takes thought. I do a lot of thinking.

When making a decision, I am considerate and careful when it comes to the feelings of others, and I do step back or step away if a situation becomes too complicated, one-sided, or boring.

Driven by my intentions, I prefer calm and collected instinct instead of walking through an emotional battlefield; I’ve been there before and still have the scars to prove it. Guided by true emotion, I try not to shy away from tough decisions where the results could be frightening. Fear and panic never were the most helpful emotions, so every attempt is made to step past those stumbling blocks, if it is something that I really want.

And it’s not that I am ignorant, or unmoved, by the advice of others. Many times somebody’s theory or knowledge will impact my decision. I can be influenced and often take another point of view under advisement. Consideration is the fulcrum providing balance to my actions but, ultimately, it is not somebody else’s decision that I am following, but my own.

Wrong advice: I’ve gone along with ideas that weren’t entirely sound, and I suppose I’ve followed as much as I’ve led. I’ve dealt, or am dealing, with those things. Poor choices; of course we make them. Bad decisions just happen, though they weren’t meant to be at the start.

The wrong road is not often identified, and you usually fail to see the caution signs when you are determinedly looking ahead.

Maybe that is why I have resolved to follow my own path, for that way there is no one to blame for what happens, or does not happen. If it is a mistake, it is my mistake. Perhaps it seems careless, but I believe it’s being responsibly irresponsible. I can live with that (I have to) and at the core it was something I wanted to do at the time. I own my mistakes. You don’t learn if you don’t make mistakes and I always make new ones. I can be convinced, sometimes too easily, of trying something or changing up my ways, but in doing so I am doing what I want to do at that time or in that head space. It seems to work.

You have to own up to what and who you are and become comfortable with where you are and why you are doing it. It’s doing what you want not because you have to, but because you need to.