Don't Tease the Addicts

Couldn't believe what I saw today. These three Marina girls were sitting near me at lunch, laughing and having a good time. Being kinda loud. This guy walks by and starts talking to them ~ sez one of the girls is his future wife. He talks and talks about the kids they will have, the job he's going to get to support them ~ and as he talks the girls start to talk back, responding to him and encouraging him.

As the conversation escalates I look up and notice the guy is waving a tin foil pipe around, his clothes are filthy, he's unshaven, and completely out of his mind. He starts talking loudly about the speed he has in his pocket. And these idiotic, shallow little girls are giggling wildly and enjoying teasing him!

It made me so fucking mad I can't even tell you. Man I've definitely been through heavy drinking and drugs in my day, and I have a lot of sympathy for people who are lost in using 'cause they're in a lot of pain. I've seen plenty of trouble and felt terrible pain too.

That guy was so obviously sick and these girls were getting off on teasing him for his illness. I wish they could've seen themselves the way I saw them. I wish people could wake up to what they're doing when they treat an addict or alcoholic that way.

Just cut it out.

"The Hindu teacher Swami Muktananda was once asked why he didn't
work miracles. He replied, 'I have no need to work miracles. The circulation of blood through my body is enough.'"
- Wes Nisker, *The Essential Crazy Wisdom*

Symptoms of inner peace

I didn't have a lot of peace back in my day, so I was pleased to find this great writing from Saskia Davis. Check it out.

Be on the lookout for symptoms of inner peace. The hearts of a great many have already been exposed to inner peace and it is possible that people everywhere could come down with it in epidemic proportions.

Some signs and symptoms of inner peace:

• A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.
• An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
• A loss of interest in judging other people.
• A loss of interest in judging self.
• A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
• A loss of the ability to worry. (This is a very serious symptom)
• Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
• Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
• Frequent attacks of smiling.
• An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
• An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.

by Saskia Davis

wasn't that nice of Janis?

This is my chance to officially thank Janis for what she did for me. Maybe I should invite her down here next.
Check out this story below:

Bessie Smith's funeral was held in Philadelphia on October 4, 1937. It was attended by about seven thousand people, according to contemporary newspaper reports. Far fewer mourners attended the burial at Mount Lawn Cemetery, in nearby Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania. Jack Gee, her husband from whom she had been separated, thwarted all efforts to purchase a stone, once or twice even pocketing money raised for that purpose.

The grave remained unmarked until August 7, 1970, when a new tombstone was placed, paid for by singer Janis Joplin and Juanita Green, who, as a child, had done housework for Smith.

Bessie Smith wiki