Sometime ago I floated a question on d web.
As you do.
It was
Does God love the poor less than the rich?
One person answered and said
'Yes - because they chose to be poor.'

There is a lot of talk at the moment about
'benefit scroungers'.
Meaning those humans here in the UK
who are not employed but survive with monies from the state.

I heard one woman say
'these white people are lazy because
they draw money from the government
and are happy - and they demand a house too.'

Someone said to me that prisoners live in luxury.
(luxury |ˈlək sh (ə)rē; ˈləg zh (ə)-|
noun ( pl. -ries)
the state of great comfort and extravagant living : he lived a life of luxury.)
They like it because everything is done for them.
Someone wrote to me last week from prison
and said they are banged up 20 hours a day ....................

'It is the parents fault'.
Sometimes I am asked this
as a statement or question.
I stumble words out to the effect
that many parents have few resources
to bring to being successful parents.
I mean emotionally, adequate role models,
social skills and general deprivation.

Many have failed to love and
have been unable to love.

Someone once asked me
where I found my wisdom.
I laughed - me!!??
Thinking about it -
I came up with the answer for me,
that I received any wisdom I have - by being
amongst those who struggle in life.
The young offenders.
Those who are dependent on
alcohol
or drugs -
lack any confidence
self esteem
for many damaging reasons.

Politicians can be so removed from normal every day humans.
Their powerful positions cultivating nodding heads.
No challenges or different views - cushioned from diversity.
'That shall not the way amongst you' - comes to mind.

It seems to me
that the examples in the first four paragraphs above,
- reread them,
are proceeding out of the mouths
of humans who have little or no contact with
the poorest in our society - disturbed/inadequate/poor.

I suspect that they live clustered in their own social groups
attend church with their own strata
work alongside those who are similarly rich
so don't feel the souls of those at the bottom.
Don't listen to their stories.
Touch their leprosy.
Fight back the tears when sitting alongside.

Those beautiful humans with strong characters
beautiful personalities
but struggle in life.
They viewed as
'those people'
from a distance -
'that kind'.
from a distance.
Distaste stagnates in their mouths
from a distance.
......... and call them scroungers.

I have felt that they have been abused
in these past days during the time called
'UK General Election'.


I feel hurt now.
I feel hurt for them too.

"Incredible thinking back to that stuff you lived through.
And your words terror and failure - so powerful.
You do and say incredible things." Annabel.

This cut-out was me from 25 years ago.
I started working at the YMCA 1985 yesterday.
I was there for 18 years.
I was due to start 1st May but ........
My Aunt Mary had died and I went her funeral.

I came as a battered human.
I had lost resilience.
I was in need of refreshment
re-energising
much to offer
but ready for a different challenge.

We all moved into the second floor Hostel flat.
It was a great relief to be there.
It was a haven for me
as I led creating a haven for 150 others.

The first job was to demolish a cupboard.
I wanted it because it was right next to the coffee-bar.
In the heart of things.

It became my office
juke box
pinball machine head
critical cartoons of Margaret Thatcher
(I was told to take them down by a Board member).
..... and I moved in there too with my PA ..... Mo.

I was made welcome.
It was strange though.
I was amongst strangers
coming from a community of well-knowns.

My head was still full of court cases.
I had spent a lot of time in Crown Courts.
I had been supporting so many kids as they faced Justice.
I was there as their only articulate friend.
(Articulate - me!!)
and it was really good drinking tea in the court cafe
with lots of family members and the accused.
Bu I had to move on with head heart and activity.

I started a film/discussion evening.
It started at 10pm.
It was a short movie film/10 minutes.
Then a hot HOT discussion.
Never about God - but she always came into the frame
- and not via me!

This text could develop into the first chapter of
'Gutter Feelings - and Beyond' - a new book!
(My first book was called 'Gutter Feelings')
I covered the first 40 years of my life.
I now have a few more years for the next one ....

I am publishing a book in August 2010.
Watch this space because
I am keen for it to be a virus
spreading wide .................

Title is forthcoming ......

We are midst an election here in the UK.
Election day is this Thursday.
Three main parties.
I have been wanting to Blog about it for a long time.

1 Labour:: who have been in power for 13 years.
2 Conservative:: who have bee in/out of power when Labour haven't.
3 Liberal:: who have always been the third/minority party.

1 Have a leader who looks uncomfortable in his skin. He has messed-up in massively publicised blunders. He smiles like he has forgot how to do it. He leads a party who are traditionally from the working class communities but in the last two General Elections they have attracted a middle class following too. They have had strong links with the Unions who themselves have reduced in numbers over the years. They have had a strong following in the north of England, Wales and Scotland. They have worked long and hard to help the poorest to be helped to escape poverty and become working families. They are not as popular at the moment because of their term in government and many imperfections in managing the nation. Labour attract people who have leanings to the Left.

2 Have leader who is articulate, younger, passionate, smooth and from the upper classes, educated at Eton a famous public school. Traditionally the party has represented the professional classes including the middle class and the top earners in the country. Their most famous recent Prime Minister was Margaret Thatcher who is loved by many and the opposite by many. They have many of their MPs representing more wealthy areas in the country. Conservatives attract people who have leanings to the Right.

3 Have leader who has come to prominence in three televised debates between the three. First such debates in the UK. He is a passionate speaker and, to the surprise of many, was voted winner in most of the debates. They have many less MPs in Parliament than the other two parties. Many of their constituencies have traditionally from the south west of the UK and a minority spread over the nation. They have never really been considered to be a party to form a government but not they are in the frame if a coalition government is formed. Liberals attract people who have leanings to the Left and the Right.

The above is just a quick sketch of the leaders and the parties. It are my simple overview and, I think, not highly disagreeable to anyone.

Many individuals I have both read about, seen on TV and spoken to - want to appoint the leader who will lead the country in a way to meet their own needs. Only thinking personally and in relation to their own social group. Self interest.
I was surprised to see three individuals interviewed on TV this week who all talked about the need of a government to strive to meet the needs of all people in the nation - and beyond and consider the poorest in the world.

Many don't see beyond the party leaders personality and communications skills. Not looking beyond beyond.

I am always reflecting on emotional intelligence and this area is no exception. EI seems to me, and everyone has different wording when striving to define, to be about being able understand our own interior - our own emotions, and those of others. The first one is a road less travelled and a never ending journey - it seems to me. The latter is again awareness and skill which can be learned but never complete.

Relating this to democracy/elections/governments - it seems to me we need to examine our soul. We need to examine our emotions and wisdom and life experience. At the same time know our subject. Read, listen, ask questions - strive understand not just the superficial and first impressions.
And vote from our balanced/informed position.

I yearn to entwine my faith and values together. I strive to consider the whole. I believe that all our politicians are human and beautiful humans. They are also beautiful imperfection like me (and you - just checking?).

The party which tick the boxes in my soul - gets my vote.
The party not the Leader.
The party of 'we' not 'me'.
The party which has a world view.
The party with clear practice at not discriminating against minorities including faith, sexual orientation, race and colour of skin.
The party which considers every poor person to be valuable and precious.
The party which considers those who draw benefits are beautiful humans and need assistance to become all that they can be.
The party that strives to rehabilitate the prisoners because a caterpillar looks nothing like a butterfly but one develops from the other.
The party who is good news to the poor, proclaims liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind and set free the oppressed.
THAT one will get my vote .............

Beautiful Human Granddaughter

-- Posted from Pip's iPhone
You are beautiful.

Inside of me there is a deep well.
In it God sits.
Sometimes I can reach him.
But more often stones and debris block the entrance.
Then God lies buried.
Then he needs to be excavated.

by Etty Hillesum
She was a Dutch young woman who wrote reflections every day during the Nazi occupation of Holland.
She was arrested by the Nazi occupiers and died in the concentration camp called Auschwitz in 1943.

Hello
Late night Wilson here
from the Leaning Towers of pipwilson.com

I am tired right now.
I don't feel like going to bed.
I want to blog.
I want to expel
I want to reflect
I want to undress
I want to undress my soul......

Joan has bought me tickets
to see Gil Scott-Heron live
in London at Somerset House.

We had a small group of Level Fivers
meet together last night.
My favourite Italian in Covent Garden
London Town folks.
Massive in terms of food but,
by no means, however,
can it be superior to
the humans present.

This year come August,
we will have been meeting for 30 years.
All of us don't meet -
we are scattered nationwide- and beyond.
My previous blogs have reflected on L5
and on our group.
What we do
how we come together
how we connect and enjoy ...............
It is beautiful.

In the L5 group
I feel accepted
in the long term.

That acceptance is real in other groups/parts of my life too
but L5 is special because we are apart and yet .....
we come together and take our clothes off our souls.
There is a link from my www homepage about L5.

In some networks I don't feel accepted.
I think I am seen as odd.
I agree with the odd bit.
A few years ago I was on holiday
and I decided I was odd.
I don't fit the frame, don't comply,
don't use the language,
go to the right places for some.
I accept that as I do being 'odd'.
I don't think it is
Spiritually Intelligent
or
Emotional Intelligent
to change a decided life style to fit into groups.
I feel I am too-much-full-on-faith for some.
Some others I feel don't consider me to be OK in this area.

I believe in 'belonging'
and want to be loyal to groups.
I don't want to isolate myself.
Wrap myself in 'family' like so many do.

I believe the Divine accepts us.
Just as we are.
Becoming perfect today
could not increase the love tomorrow.
It is 100%

You are accepted.
You are accepted,
accepted by that which is greater than you,
and the name of which you do not know.
Do not ask for the name now;
perhaps you will find it later.
Do not do anything now;
perhaps later you will do much.
Do not seek anything, do not perform anything,
do not intend anything.
Simply accept the fact that you are accepted.’
If that happens to us, we experience grace.
paul tillich

I wonder if you have decided.
Decided on life?
Something written?
Writing makes things concrete.
Always changeable -
but writing is reality now.

Knowing we are loved -
and we want to reside
in a place called change.

Write write write
even if only you sees it.
Write a Mission Statement.
A vision ............

"If your vision doesn't scare you,
then both your vision and your God
are too small."
- Brother Andrew

I have changed this week.
The humans I have
talked with
worked with
mixed with
eat with ........
have added to my life
like the power switch thrown.

I love being thrown .........

throw |θrō|
verb ( past threw |θroō|; past part. thrown |θrōn|)
1 [ trans. ] propel (something) with force through the air by a movement of the arm and hand : I threw a brick through the window.
• move (a part of the body) quickly or suddenly in a particular direction: she threw her head back and laughed.
• project or cast (light or shadow) in a particular direction : a chandelier threw its bright light over the walls.
• deliver (a punch).
• direct (a particular kind of look or facial expression) : she threw a withering glance at him.
• project (one's voice) so that it appears to come from someone or something else, as in ventriloquism.
• ( throw something off/on) put on or take off a garment hastily : I threw on my housecoat and went to the door.
• move (a switch or lever) so as to operate a device.
• roll (dice).
• obtain (a specified number) by rolling dice.
• informal lose (a race or contest) intentionally, esp. in return for a bribe.
2 [ trans. ] cause to enter suddenly a particular state or condition : he threw all her emotions into turmoil | the bond market was thrown into confusion.

Thank you for being my friend

-- Posted from Pip's iPhone
You are beautiful.

Beautiful humans L5 Covent Garden

-- Posted from Pip's iPhone
You are beautiful.