Who am I? Besides consciousness, which we are all an expression of, this form known as ‘Ivor’ or ‘Brian’, has been on an evolutionary journey (as we all have). For decades I made my living. I went through the motions of daily business running, sometimes working hard if not always smart. I was mostly on auto-pilot doing my part in what I thought we were supposed to do – make some money, pay the bills, accumulate stuff. For me, the real dream, was way off in the future. The back of the mind scenarios where I would be self-actualized and feel worthy. Eventually, in mornings before work (see Coffeehouse Philosopher) I started thinking about more than working and paying bills. I wondered as I rambled about why the human world is as it is and not better for all people and all life. Visits to the Amazon helped me crystallize my desire to make a positive impact on conservation of natural areas and also to help, move us collectively towards a more just, kind and sustainable future
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That sounds highfalutin but I am referring to incremental contributions on our journey along a good path—for all people—the natural world—the Earth and beyond. I found there are others who feel in a similar way. I discovered there are organizations who will indulge or tolerate a crazy dreamer, amateur explorer and wannabe scientist.
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Related to decades of existing under mainstream society’s norms, sometimes I realize I’ve spent an hour unconsciously at some activity. We have finite time in physical form—limited time to do things we feel are worthwhile. When I am doing something, I now ask myself, “what prompted this action or behavior—consciousness, or the ego?” I use the term, ‘ego’ the same way spiritual teacher, Eckhart Tolle does. We all have one. It is the mind-made self we use for convenience in dealing with the physical world. However, many times it takes on a life of its own and we become ‘unconscious’ in our behaviors. I have found it is good to step back and observe what I am doing presently, and then decide consciously, “Do I want to continue this action or behavior?”
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Here’s to a happy, healthy, one-world, positive, just, kind, sustainable and green 2021!