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It’s the fate of the oppressed to always know their oppressor’s far better than they know themselves. After all, how do you define white without black. There is a third category that can best be described as the infinite amount of detailed missed on a black and white set. I have learned to recognize these people not by their propensity to run from black and white reactions to calm informative options.

Every one serves somebody. This can be called servitude, job, or marriage. In the end, it’s just the knowledge and fact that we are all interconnected. No war is waged individually but if only one can shine, the rest should be rewarded fairly. I wish I would have understood this at a younger age.

Once I understood this great “servitude” role that society asks us to play, I started looking at potential mates with the question of are you worthy of me and will you be as loyal and unwaivering to me as I will be to you. I have found that it is difficult to cut someone off and educate at the same time. I have found that allusions of shortcomings will fall on deaf ears on those that see themselves before they see me. I keep the company of those that listen and view them with respect and benevolence. I have found that my time has become more valuable and I must remind myself to be compassionate at all times. I found that the quality of my friendships have significantly increased though I remain single by my choosing. I have found this increasing need to be the best ambassador through my actions alone of my faith, community and teachers. I found I am stronger by acknowledging how weak I am.

I see interconnection opposite of the current banking crisis. The blame falls on many. How many executives will plead like a divorced Hollywood wife that they should be allowed to keep up their lifestyle? How long do I have to see the decline of my savings and hear that? I watch a 40 year old mother help her mother in a walker into the sauna. Ten percent of me I keep to love myself, the rest belongs in service to honor those I love. I wish that this would be a requirement of those in higher power, perhaps this could have been avoided.

I use to think of money as a negative sign from a person. Too much worrying is a sure sign of greed, for what is perceived in scarcity anyone will horde. Too little worrying, meant foolishness or a rich family background. A friend pointed out that a “money-less” society is unattainable because someone will always want to take more than their share. Money is a human made instrument to limit greed like a rope is to gallows and ships. I have since changed my indicator of a person from money to compassion.

I like and show my philosophical side the older I get though I take to silence in public more often. I also like this in my writing. Liking one’s self is important.
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“Strange thoughts are much like hangovers: you feel better without them…” –C. Bukowski
“It is better not to bring up daughters. They are a blemish to the family name and a shame to the parents. The eldest daughter is special.” –Hagakure

The India, Japan, and China albums have been created and Houston has been updated. Just click on the image above and go to my flickr account. Sorry but organization of over 3k images takes time.