(All photos are mine unless noted. You
can bring the pictures up in full screen by double clicking on any image. Click
on a border to return.)
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Consumerism and the current state of men in American society:
Once upon a long time ago when archetypes were being set in masculine DNA or soul, the hunter gatherer instinct was what men were about primarily - finding and getting food for family and children. This basic component of men's basic nature is still very much in place although it has been redirected along new pathways. In young single men the instinct to provide for others has been replaced by the necessity of getting goods and things for self-gratification only. Selfishness? Yes, yet goods are gathered, tossed aside and regathered in a new version with alarming frequency.
What is considered the hot newest and greatest today will soon be passe and old before its time, enabling the new and improved models of objects to become that which is desired above all others - becoming the next necessary "animal to be slain for food," so to speak. A strange twist as the old is kept alive until the new arrives on the scene. Sort of keeping the 'animal' in the cave and killing it only when it is deemed ready for the garbage heap. Strange food, "strange fruit" as Billie Holiday sang about the dark sides of love.
I was taken with the photo below which shows a modern man being applauded by his tribe after slaying a salesclerk and bagging a new Ipad, Iphone, whatever, his "I,I,I,I" ego now satisfied for a few moments. What is amazing to me is that he is also on his Ipad thingy in his left hand which has a camera and is most likely showing the world on twitter his strength and ability to bring home the bacon. I imagine that the next day at work he will proudly show everyone what a remarkable hunter he is by letting lesser men know that they have a long way to go before they reach anything near approaching his killer attributes.
A week later perhaps this man will be lusting for a new kill, filled with expectations of the next modern day prey to arrive outside the cave.
So it goes in the wilds of modern day life.
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Consumerism and the current state of men in American society:
Once upon a long time ago when archetypes were being set in masculine DNA or soul, the hunter gatherer instinct was what men were about primarily - finding and getting food for family and children. This basic component of men's basic nature is still very much in place although it has been redirected along new pathways. In young single men the instinct to provide for others has been replaced by the necessity of getting goods and things for self-gratification only. Selfishness? Yes, yet goods are gathered, tossed aside and regathered in a new version with alarming frequency.
What is considered the hot newest and greatest today will soon be passe and old before its time, enabling the new and improved models of objects to become that which is desired above all others - becoming the next necessary "animal to be slain for food," so to speak. A strange twist as the old is kept alive until the new arrives on the scene. Sort of keeping the 'animal' in the cave and killing it only when it is deemed ready for the garbage heap. Strange food, "strange fruit" as Billie Holiday sang about the dark sides of love.
I was taken with the photo below which shows a modern man being applauded by his tribe after slaying a salesclerk and bagging a new Ipad, Iphone, whatever, his "I,I,I,I" ego now satisfied for a few moments. What is amazing to me is that he is also on his Ipad thingy in his left hand which has a camera and is most likely showing the world on twitter his strength and ability to bring home the bacon. I imagine that the next day at work he will proudly show everyone what a remarkable hunter he is by letting lesser men know that they have a long way to go before they reach anything near approaching his killer attributes.
A week later perhaps this man will be lusting for a new kill, filled with expectations of the next modern day prey to arrive outside the cave.
So it goes in the wilds of modern day life.
AP Photo
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Fall has arrived in Maine and is on its way out fast.
Here are two photos taken last week in Acadia National Park -
Lee on the Jessup Path
The leaves of Autumn , so beautifully decorated,
are, as we can be in our final hours,
putting on their finest clothes to greet
the next stage of life.
- A Simple Yes –
Do not fret if you are the first leaf to fall come
Autumn,
Soon there will be plenty of company to enjoy.
Let those who let go of the tree first teach you –
If you are first, be the teacher.
These lessons are best learned in Spring and Summer.
Ego always says, "Fuss and worry ! " It
wants its way.
Wait. The waves of Divine Love will come soon,
To push you in the Right Direction toward
acceptance.
Love comes in a boat with no anchor or sail –
What need can these devices be to the dying?
Once on board, we cannot sail back to known shores,
Nor hold on in place attempting to halt the
inevitable.
God will have Love's Way –
The distant island's shores will be landed.
A simple "Yes," eases the pain of
resistance
To the unavoidable, the What Will Be,
A Power Greater than all our refusals.
The request from Jesus was, "Follow me."
Stop, look, listen, and go.
Bill Lagerstrom, 2007
This picture came from a photograph taken near Mt. Katahdin, Maine.
One of the wonders of the digital age and photo processing.
Taken two weeks ago.
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Here is a song by Gary Malkin titled "We Are Not Alone" - Something for the Fall season of all our lives.
Click here: https://www.box.com/s/0mh47a84gh6j3vpojeql
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A little humor from today's paper:
Until next week, Peace,
Bill Lagerstrom
