Showing posts with label Maxims by Steve. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maxims by Steve. Show all posts

Monday, March 26, 2012

Maxims From Stephen- "Things Change"

"THINGS CHANGE"
25 years ago, I entered an unexpected, inexplicable metamorphism in deportment, demeanor & disposition. This was not a gradual move, but rather as if some had flipped a switch & the next moment I had become a man of few words, who wore cowboy ware, watched wrestling on TV, listened to George Straight on the radio & drove a very fine old Ford Pickup. Nearly 3 years later, the entire persona changed instantaneously & my new Green Man epoch began.
Seattle 1986






In 1950 when I was born
Papa couldn't afford to buy us much
He said be proud of what you are
There's something special about people like us

People like us
(Who will answer the telephone)
People like us
(Growing as big as a house)
People like us
(Gonna make it because)

We don't want freedom
We don't want justice
We just want someone to love.
Someone to love.

I was called upon in the 3rd grade class
I gave my answer & it caused a fuss
I'm not the same as ev'ryone else
& times were hard for people like us

People like us
(Who will answer the telephone)
People like us
(Growing as big as a house)
People like us
(Gonna make it because)

What good is freedom?
God laughs at people like us
I see it coming
Like coming down from above

The clouds roll by & the moon comes up
How long must we live in the heat of the sun
Millions of people are waiting on love
& this is a song about people like us

People like us
(Who answer the telephone)
People like us
(Growing big as a house)
People like us
(Gonna make it because)
We don't want freedom
We don't want justice
We just want someone to love.

Someone to love.
Someone to love.
Someone to love.
Byrne, Franz, Weymouth, Harrison
1986


Friday, July 22, 2011

Reflections On Being Wronged

"I shall allow no man to belittle my soul by making me hate him."

 Booker T. Washington


 
It is difficult in actuality, but most rational people agree that hate is a acrimonious & antagonistic poison. When I think of hatred, I think of Hitler & the Nazi concentration camps, or the horrifying violence heaped upon African- Americans by the Ku Klux Klan & of course the Christian Right attempting to destroy gay peoples' lives. As horrifying as it is that these victims of hatred had to endure such evil, the biggest victim of hatred is the hater.


Hate & resentment can tear you apart. If you have been wronged & hold resentment towards someone, you need to forgive that person. I have been hurt so unjustly that the thought of letting that person off the hooked seem more than I could handle,& bitterly blameworthy. The problem is, by holding resentment, you are not punishing that person, but hurting yourself. Do you realize that the person you resent most likely thinks of you as shit or doesn’t give you consideration whatsoever? It’s extremely unlikely that your resentment is harming that person in any way, shape, or form. I guarantee, however, that holding on to hate or resentment, is poisoning your life.

I forgive people who have wronged me, not to be a goody-2-shoes or to let the asshole off the hook, but to free myself of the venom inside of me that is tainting & trashing my own inner life.  If I can actually release that resentment in my life & free myself to be the person I can be, I may start enjoying the life I have.

If all else fails, & I am still holding in the poison feelings, well then, I try a little revenge. It can be very tasty if I am creative & careful. I have been very creative & what a pretty picture it did make. But, I attempt to take the high road, really.