From FaceBook (http://www.facebook.com/StartLoving1) dialog with Kristen: SL initial post: "The Kindest thing I do is Face, Reflect, and thereby Bear the Price of Our Massively Sick way of Being." SL
Kristen: True, true...Question, how do you suggest dealing with very materialistic people when you are trying, and living a "simpler" life? How do you not insult, but stay true to your way of life? Asking because I live in a very wealthy NYC suburb, and my kids are around the "Haves" all the time. We proudly, are among the "Have Less":)
SL: Sister Kristen, you've asked the most important, most difficult, entirely crucial question on earth. More later, a few things now. I was born and raise in one of the wealthiest towns on earth, Short Hills, NJ, in a $2-3 million house. Wh...at you ask is the equivalent of - how do I grow grass in the middle of a freeway lane; or how do I raise a healthy child when the only thing to drink is Draino; or, if all in my extended family and community are alcoholics, how do I raise my child to abstain, while avoiding animosity from my extended family? It is that dire. It is that necessary. A bit more from me, I expect, later. Your brother, SL
Kristen: Thank you Start, familiar with Short Hills, renting in Tenafly. Your analogies are so accurate.It is overwhelming and trying, but trying to just be who I am, putting around in 90 volvo stationwagon, and telling my kids most of what they want just isn't real~Namaste and the best to you
SL: Life IS devotion those most suffering - clinically, let alone according to the life and teachings of those like King, Gandhi, Jesus... Therefore, IF WE LOVE OUR CHILDREN, WE WILL RISK EVERYTHING, SACRIFICE EVERYTHING... FOR OUR CHILDREN AB...OVE ALL... TO HELP THEM FORGET THEMSELVES, AND SPEND THEIR LIVES ENTIRELY (DID I SAY ENTIRELY?) ON THE NEEDIEST OF OUR HUMAN FAMILY. Those extreme few that find the Love for their children, courage and wisdom to follow what I've said - WILL PROBABLY BE HATED BY THEM, DIVORCED, ABANDONED. And those few WILL BE THE ONLY ONES THAT LOVE THEIR CHILDREN ENOUGH TO GIVE THEM A CHANCE AT LIFE. Your brother forever, no matter what, SL
the Gov, I find myself Hopeless, pretty much. We are entirely unqualified to govern America. Uneducated, spoiled, selfish, ignorant, arrogant cancer." SL
"I'd rather die than be Dead drinking." SL TIME: Why Do Heavy Drinkers Outlive Nondrinkers?
Been there, done that. Heaven is a clear head and Heart devoted, not to "socializing," God no, but to those who are most suffering. OF COURSE it is occasionally depressing. HOW SICK to not occasionally be depressed in the face of so much suffering. Only the Dead would not be. Oh.