Angry Rants

Written By Don Shetterly

I'm overwhelmed these days by most things online.  It feels like there is enough stress in a day and then seeing angry rants just pushes it over the edge.  I'm not sure why we as a world are at the place we are, but I'm worried for the future of our civilization.

No one seems to want to listen to another.  We only seem to want to scream and push our point of view on everyone.  I think many feel like no one hears them and if that's the case, the result is to scream louder to compensate.

Everyone seems to have their point of view and belief system.  While that is fine, when you force it upon everyone else, what do you profit?  How do you make their life better?  How do you make the world better?  After all, they are "our" beliefs.  Often times, "our" beliefs are not backed up by as much truth as we think they are.

I see the I'm right, you're wrong in the angry rants.  It doesn't matter the issue.  The ego is crafty and smart and powerful.  It says, my way or the highway and to heck with your views, thoughts, or ideas.  The only thing is, if we are all right, and everyone else is all wrong, then we've got a mess on our hands.  Surely life is more than you're wrong, and I'm right.

Angry rants go on about this individual or group of people.  It often centers around politics and the latest headline of the day.  I'm bewildered when I see the constant stream of it online, weeping in sadness for how we treat one another.

Surely our lives are more than angry rants of who is right and who is wrong.  Are we not more than all of the mind-numbed issue ranting of the day?  If you really look at it, it is not a conscious behavior.

I'm not saying that we should ignore injustice, abuse, and bullying.  In fact, I think we have to speak up, but there are different ways of doing that.  Many that are being used today are not effective and become nothing more than a noisy gong.  We are drowning each other out.

I get the frustration with what is happening throughout the world.  It feels frightening at times and stressful most other moments.  It feels like there is nothing stable or permanent.

In my mind, I see the pendulum of the planet swinging so far back and I wonder how much further it can go.  What will happen when it reaches its furthest most point?  My mind wonders about what will happen when it swings back and hits all the other balls hanging there without motion.

Some days I feel like the only one seeing this, but lately I've noticed I'm not alone.  There are others that see this and try not to add to the anger in this world.  I am inspired and hopeful by these connections.  The peaceful and loving ones are beginning to emerge.

Each and every human needs to stop and take stock of their lives.  We need to be mindful and aware of what we are putting out into the world.  There is more than one way to communicate and right now as a civilization, we're really messed up.

May we figure this out before the pendulum swings too far back.  I hope that everyone who reads this will stop and think about it for one moment.  We cannot expect everyone else to do what we want when we're doing the very same behavior.  We cannot expect others to listen if we do not hear.  If we are screaming, we can not expect them to be silent.

We may think we are right and quite possibly that is true.  However, being right comes with a responsibility to see others through the eyes of love and understanding.  In fact, love and understanding see beyond who is right or wrong.  Angry rants do very little to help.

How do angry rants impact your life?  Do you see anything that you can do differently to be part of the healing in this world?

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Blog Post And Images (c) 12/14/17 by Don Shetterly

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We Help Through Our Own Vulnerability

In my many years of healing, I have found that we often hold back far too much.  We are afraid what others might think or scared of how we will impact them.  We walk on eggshells around them.  We hold back.

Yet, it is through our own vulnerability that we meet others where they are and we help them.  By sharing our pains and struggles, they find that they are not alone.  Together we accomplish much more healing than if we would have hidden inside our own cave, keeping vulnerability out of sight.

I do realize that it isn't easy being vulnerable and sharing, but I know from firsthand experience that it is crucial to helping others.  No one wants a scientific emotionless person there to be a sounding board.

You want someone that has walked through the fire.  You want someone to grab your hand and say, I'm here for you and I'll walk through the fire with you.  Together, we will make it.

They say it not as mere words, but as someone that has been there and fought every inch of the way to find their footing and existence in life.  They say it as an extension of their heart that they give without judgment, in pure love and compassion to say - I'm here for you.

I had many that were there for me, some in deeper ways than others.  Since others have been there for me, I try to be there for people who are needing help, support, or just someone that understands.

In this day and age, we've got too many people hurling insults at one another, but not enough that will say "I understand your pain.  I understand your struggle.  I've been there." We need more people to be there for one another, not stand opposed as is seen on every street corner of this world.

I share my struggle in this blog.  I share my struggle with those who know me personally.  I am often criticized for not "moving beyond" or "not being positive".  Yet, I know that many have shared with me how something has touched their lives.  They were impacted positively because they knew that someone understood and cared.

Sharing my struggle is my truth.  Quoting other people is their truth.  Coming up with my own set of beliefs to explain every mystery is not necessarily a valuable thing.  It can help, but more often than not, the beliefs hinder and blind us.

I don't plan on changing how I do things because I know that we help others through our own vulnerability.  When others are able to connect with us in those deep ways, their lives are transformed.  Often times, my own life is transformed as well.

Let's not hold back being human.  Let's not numb and disconnect into a positive and happy thought only reality.  Let's be real and authentic and through our vulnerability, let's show that to those who need a helping hand, a moment of support and understanding, or an extra ounce of love to know that they matter.

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Blog Post And Images (c) 2017 by Don Shetterly

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Shallow Judgment

Too many times, I see people respond, post, and interact with one another online and I almost feel cheated as a human.  While people may mean well, I think that they are often practicing what I would call shallow judgment.

If you don't agree with them, it isn't so much that you are wrong, but maybe that you've seen a different side of the world.  If you don't agree with them, it is maybe that you see more fully something that they have yet to understand.

Unfortunately online, there is so much shallow judgment.  Moments of judgment where a single fact is portrayed as the answer to everyone's ills, issues, and struggles.  There is not a desire so much as to understand and learn from one another.  There is not a desire to see life from a different perspective.

With shallow judgment, what is spoken and shared is not something that can be repeated from person to person.  Sure, it is a lesson that worked for this individual, but until you can go from person to person and repeat it, there is something lacking in total understanding.

We are too quick to judge...

We are too quick to judge others these days.  We are too quick to judge ourselves these days.  Judgment is generally not a deep thought.  It is a more of a shallow thought process that elevates one person above another.  Judgment is not helpful in the grand scheme of human evolution.

Judgment is far too common these days and it is destroying our humanity. I don't care what issue it is about, because judgment only points you in one direction.  It does not embrace the whole of a person.  It does not embrace the possibility of what could be.  It narrowly forces a view point of what it feels is correct and true.

Instead of giving judgment to one another as filtered through your own views, why not try to put on a  new outfit of sharing, listening, and actively engaging through compassion and love.  Why not replace the judgment you have with the emotions and feelings of your heart.

For to say you have love, but you allow judgment to project through your words and actions, is being a person who uses doublespeak.  I don't believe one can have judgment and love at the same time.  Unfortunately, this practice is shown every day in our human interaction as if it is possible.  In reality, it only leads to a disconnect with all things human living in our society.

#Judgment

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Blog Post And Images (c) 2016 by Don Shetterly

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Everyone Has An Opinion

I have them.  You have them.  We all have them.  In fact, everyone has an opinion about just almost everything these days.  If you don't, you might be the exception and that's okay!  In fact, it is completely fine for everyone to have an opinion.  It is part of what makes us each special and unique.

Unfortunately, those opinions, have gotten in the way of us truly being real and respectful with one another.  Instead of listening and honoring the life that we all share together on this planet, we seem more hell-bent on trying to make each other out to be some label or something that is anything but positive.

If you watch the news, you'll see this in full force.  If you read social media, you'll either have those who are respectful or those that just hurt others.  There is very little middle ground.  Its almost like a game that everyone plays and it is almost like this has become the norm.

Opinions aren't always a bad thing...

Go ahead and have your opinions.  There isn't anything wrong with that.  However, when it comes to not listening to one another and thinking that your opinion is the only right one out there, something is a little wrong.  It means were  not connected to our heart, but we are connected to our ego.  Our ego has to grandstand and be right.

Sometimes life can be very difficult and in this day and age with all the frightening events going on, don't let fear rule your opinions and be the bully.  Don't let fear cloud your judgment and close your heart to your fellow humans.  We need each other to make it through this journey called life.

If we stand opposed...

If we stand opposed all day long with one another, how will we ever join together for our common good?  How will we advance our civilization if we are constantly tearing each other down by the words we speak and the actions we take.

Opinions are fine as long as we temper them with compassion and understanding.  When we resort to calling each other names and screaming at one another, we're so far from the point of compassion and understanding.

Open up your heart and let that guide your opinions, rather than being ruled by fear and the ego.  You may find in the end that your opinion isn't as strong as you thought it was or that it wasn't as big of a deal as you once believed.

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Blog Post And Images (c) 2016 by Don Shetterly

• Permission required before any part of this blog post is reprinted, reworded or used in any form. 
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You Don't Understand

I've seen this happen so much lately, it has made my head spin round and round like a child's toy top.  People say far too much, "you don't understand" and this really hurts me to no end.  The pain that statement inflicts is just as bad as if they pulled a gun and took a shot.

Years ago, I was at an event and this person that was in a wheel chair was trying to be strong.  I was trying to help them a little and they really got angry at me.  They stated strongly to me and in no uncertain terms that I just didn't understand what they were going through because I was not in a wheel chair.  Their eyes got real wide when I looked at them and said, "oh, but it wasn't but a few years ago that I was!"

It leaves me scratching my head...

I've had moments online lately that I have truly tried to be encouraging and then heard the words, "you don't understand".  It always leaves me scratching my head because if the person only knew just how much I truly did understand, they probably would blush with embarrassment.  I always think, but if I have missed something, why not try to help me understand, rather than just dismiss me as being "stupid".

I know we all have our difficulties and our struggles.  I know some of us face some very tough and insurmountable odds in getting through our days.  I get that.  I've been through those moments and if you go back through this blog, you will read many of them.  From depression, anxiety, suicide, paralysis, Conversion Disorder, full body rashes, body pain like no other and just trying to deal with the many circumstances of life - yes, I think I have a pretty good idea of what others go through.

Maybe I don't fully understand...

Maybe my experiences don't match up to yours 100%.  Maybe I don't fully understand what your day is like or what that particular part of your story means.  Maybe I see things through my life's experiences and not necessarily your filters, but it does not mean I don't understand.

I feel for others more than most will ever know.  I hurt when I see others hurt.  I want to scream when I see injustice.  I want to rid this world of the pain and I often feel like I'm not enough to help.  To say, "you don't understand" to me is like a big slap in the face.

What if instead of saying "you don't understand", that maybe you help someone understand.  Share more of your story.  Write about what you are going through.  After all, these are ways to help heal and make sense out of what is happening when it seems like nothing makes sense.

I write on my blog and in my tweets the things that I know have helped me.  I write to help give a brighter outlook on things or to give hope that things can change and get better.  I write to help give a different perspective or conscious awareness that may is hard to see.  At no time is my writing about inflicting hurt upon another.

Challenged to look further....

The things that helped me the most in addition to understanding and compassion were the moments when I was challenged to look further, to be more than that moment, and to see other ways I could view what was taking place.  It was in challenging those uncomfortable moments that I began to find my way forward.  I try to do the same with everyone I meet.

I wrote this blog post some time ago about Holding The Space For Someone and I think it matches up to the point I'm trying to make here.

Question Of The Day

What other ways can people help us heal and progress in life or understand what we are going through?

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Blog Post And Images (c) 2016 by Don Shetterly

• Permission required before any part of this blog post is reprinted, reworded or used in any form. 
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No Blame - Just Understanding

When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you don't blame the lettuce. You look into the reasons it is not doing well. It may need fertilizer, or more water, or less sun. You never blame the lettuce. Yet if we have problems with our friends or our family, we blame the other person. But if we know how to take care of them, they will grow well, like lettuce.

Blaming has no positive effect at all, nor does trying to persuade using reason and arguments. That is my experience. No blame, no reasoning, no argument, just understanding. If you understand, and you show that you understand, you can love, and the situation will change. - Thich Nhat Hanh


I saw this quote on facebook and it is attributed to Thich Nhat Hanh.  While I'm not certain if he said it or not, I'll give him credit for it until someone comes along and sheds further light on its origin.  It says so much and just too good to pass up sharing on this blog especially in light of an experience that happened yesterday where I walked away from engaging in argument with this place of "so called love".

Healing Starts When You Know You Are Not Alone

The other day I was watching the interview of Paula Dean on the show, Oprah's Next Chapter.  Regardless of what others say, I love Paula Dean.  To me, she is an inspiration in life because she went through some very horrible moments in life and managed to make something of it.  Maybe her life isn't perfect to everyone, but in my mind, she comes across to me as a down home person who is genuine.  Please keep in mind that this blog post was written before the more recent news articles about her surfaced in the news.

On the show, Oprah was talking with Paula Dean and asked her a question about how she recovered from anxiety and agoraphobia.  I myself went through a time where I was afraid to go beyond the doors of my house.  It was miserable and difficult.  At times, I still want to hide, but now I try to stop that when it happens.  In many ways, I can really identify with Paula Dean.

Try Not To Engage

More and more, I try not to engage with people when they are spewing vile on the internet.  At one time, I would have gotten in there and rumbled with the best of them.  However, I'm learning that there are far better ways to spend my time.

Most of the time, the people that spew vile are just trying to stoke the fire.  Wow, that almost rhymes!  They really don't want to move forward and they may be wrestling with some issue, but they try to take it out on innocent bystanders.

I saw this scenario play out the past two days in an online chat room of a site I am a member.  The person really didn't not want resolution as much as they thought they needed to air their problem in a place that was not appropriate.  I was trying to nicely ask them to move on because I was tired of seeing the vile repeated over and over.

Thank You Atlantis and NASA

I stand in awe of what was accomplished by the people of NASA throughout the history and especially the space shuttle program. I'm inspired by all that they accomplished and all that we as a civilization learned from their experiences. The learning has not stopped because it will carry us into the future of our world and beyond.

I am saddened that today has come but I hope that this difficult time will lead to many more discoveries ahead and into worlds that we cannot even imagine. I hope that we will learn more about the possibilities that are beyond our comprehension and come to understand the things we all reside in, known as our body. May our minds never cease to stretch the boundaries and limits of all that there is. May we never stop reaching for the points that cannot be seen.

Photo by NASA/courtesy of nasaimages.org.




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Lunar Eclipse on Winter Solstice

Some times I sit here gazing up at the stars,the sky, the moon and wondering what is it like to be in outer space. I wonder what the world truly looks like from so many miles above. I wonder what it feels like to be way out in space where you are so high above all the worries, concerns, cares and noises of our every day existence. What is it like to go into places where few (if any) have ever traveled?

Yes, I know that books and movies and the Nasa TV channel are available which gives me a view of what it is like in outer space. There are many pictures that show what earth looks like as well as other planets. The only thing is, seeing these things are not the same as observing them. I still remember my first trip to Kennedy Space Center when I was around 8 years old and the fascination it held for me then. In fact, today Kennedy Space Center still holds tremendous fascination for me.

At times, I get discouraged in life because I wonder if there is more out there for me and how I will get to the discovery of it. Sometimes the process gets difficult and I wonder if I can journey that far out. In those times, I gaze at the sky and see that there is really no end to all that there is in the universe. I see that the potential for life exists far beyond that which my eyes can see and my mind can understand. It is through gazing into the heavens that I find solace and grounding here on earth.

We just experienced a lunar eclipse that took place on the winter solstice (December 21, 2010). The previous lunar eclipse took place on December 21, 1638. The next lunar eclipse that takes place on the winter solstice will happen on December 21 2094, almost 84 years from now. When I stop to think of it, this was a once in a life time event. I was fortunate to be living to see this and will most likely not be around in 84 years to see the next one. My mind struggles to fully understand the rarity of the event.

Of course it once again proves to my skeptical mind that we sometimes stand here on earth with so much hope, possibility and opportunity before us. We may never truly understand all that we have been through and in this moment, we may not be able to see how our life will unfold. Yet, as we gaze into the astrological wonders of our universe, we can surely agree that the opportunities are infinite.

If you would like to see some of the pictures I took of the lunar eclipse, you can check out my page on CNN/Ireport.com where I uploaded some of them.

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-531339

May we all gaze up into the heavens and realize what place we hold on this earth. From the power and hope we understand, may it propel us forward into a greater awareness in the days to come.


Blog Post & Images (c) 1/4/11 Don Shetterly - use by permission only

Understanding How Life Works

"Manifesting Change" by Mike Dooley who is the creator of Notes From The Universe. In this new book, Mike breaks down the metaphysical mechanics behind every physical manifestation, including tow most important things we can do to trigger life's magic and accelerate the arrival of all that our hearts desire.

Here is one quote from the book which I am now reading that I really liked.

From page 50, (Manifesting Change)
Again, understanding is what we're after. Understanding is the elixir of life. Understanding how life works puts you in a place of power. With unanswered questions and apathy, you give away your power; it ebbs away from you. You become impotent and incapable of making the changes you want simply because you're got questions about whether or not you're worthy to have what you want - if you've done enough; if you just need to be luckier; whether or not you chose this lifetime to experience poverty (I've actually heard that one), or whatever misfortune you think you're experiencing.

For Further Reading:
Manifesting Change: It Couldn't Be Easier

The Shoes Of Another

No one understands what it is like to walk in the shoes of another fellow traveler until we have actually walked in their shoes. Even through the compassion we may have for others, we will not fully understand. Each of us are unique and each of us walk different paths. We should keep this in mind the next time we feel that we know what is best for the other person. For we may be missing something that is so obvious to them but so insignificant to ourselves.

Confronted With Something New

We often see things around us, through our own eyes and the filters of life that we have experienced. Who can blame us though because these are our tools, our paint brushes and our frames of reference to view everything as a comprehensible piece of information. For without these things, we would miss out on that which we see because it would not compute in our minds and through our eyes.

The challenge we face as humans though is to understand that which we cannot truly see and that which is not clear to us. Whether it is a new concept we have not learned, a spark of an idea that does not have defining edges or someone else going through difficult times, each of these things are an opportunity for us to learn, to grow and to really understand who we are as individuals and how we fit in with the things that are fuzzy.

When we are confronted with something new, let us see if we can define the edges of it so that we have a better understanding of what it is that we are looking at. Let us not be afraid, but welcome the newness with an open mind, an analytical heart and the curiosity of a child.

*Photo by NASA/courtesy of nasaimages.org

Doorways Of Life

When you walk through one of the doorways of life into a greater awareness, you will know it without a doubt. Once you have made the choice, either on your own or with a strong, gentle, nudge of the universe, than it is almost impossible to go back through the door - not that you would want to anyway. The door is an opening to things not currently seen but provide greater awareness, hope and possibility. It now becomes your awareness and everything in your life is now evaluated from that point forward.

This is something, I continually have to remind myself of because people try to keep convincing me that I do not really understand that which I know to be true for my own life. Others attempt to get me to understand my awareness from their point of view and their own awareness. However, that truly does not work for any of us. We can only evaluate some other person's view if we are looking through their mindset and their eyes. May we all never stop searching for a greater awareness and consciousness in our own lives and may we not try to mold others through our eyes but through our true heart with the purest of love.