Zorro!
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
A trusted friend says I am a “dreamer”, another sent a note suggesting “a wild card”, an acquaintance on the road described me as “clever.” An insightful teacher inquired about my favorite childhood movie suggesting somehow that would open a door — I responded with the comfort-food types such as Stand By Me, and in my young adulthood, Good Will Hunting, almost anything Gus Van Sant, explorations of Phoenix, the meaning, and so many more interests — connections, people, nature, relationships, potentiality, our art.
Could the above statements give you an idea of the kind of person I am? Certainly not a complete picture, but something? Not enough information?
Maybe you care to know that I was raised in one of the safest suburbs in the United States, the first-born of a picturesque All-American family. Ah, but pictures are deceiving, aren’t they? Sometimes. The decline started before I was six years old. So maybe it’s better to think of me, my single life, as the classic tale of the American Dream. I could be the rags to riches kid – overcoming daunting obstacles, not without serious challenge, to arrive at the pinnacle of life, on top in many ways — happy. Yes! I’m grateful and happy much of the time, but the question is, at least for me, am I satisfied with the status quo? Not really.
These tales are so unsatisfying in all the obvious lacking. The macro should come with the micro — or vice versa. Correct? There must be more to it.
If you go by what the Myers-Briggs personality test concludes, I’m an ENTJ, but close to an INTJ and ENFJ. These archetypes, inspired by Carl Gustav Jung’s ‘Collective Unconscious’ theories, of which I am influenced by, are without a doubt very interesting. However I believe the evolution to understanding ourselves lies in the cracks between the obvious divisions — as in the immortal words of Leonard Cohen “there is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.”
A revealing glimpse could be found between the pages of Jared Diamond’s book Guns, Germs and Steal, Will Durant’s The Story of Philosophy and Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers — but the details and strokes of genius put into those ideas could only have a mirror reflection crafted by the masters; Monet, Kahlo, Van Gogh, Carr, Bosch, Chagall…
Whomever you might choose, but them, or a genius, alas, I am not.
I’m also not a hippie, though have respect for some efforts and their predecessors, the beatnik generation, artist activists across the ages from Allen Ginsberg to Shepard Fairy. I’m also not punk rock, but enjoy much of what the movement spawned. Fun stuff to be sure and a big part of my life.
Working with interpretations and perceptions, across the board, can be charming — but truth? Who’s to say what truth is?
Then a important question may be — Am I honest?
I’ll answer that direct as I can. I try to be, even have my own experiments between honesty and truth. Driven by impulse. But! Am I any good? Well, now you know my greatest fear. Define the word ‘good ‘ and in what context? There is light and dark in each of us, no doubt.
How about faith; do I have, or must I have that? This defines a person, rightly or wrongly, depending on your point of view. Right?
Well, yes, I do have faith, but I wasn’t raised with religion, or rather indoctrinated into a religion, though was lucky enough to learn and even enjoy religious practices across the spectrum. This enabled me to be a free thinker that accepts people for who they are, whatever culture or creed. I’m able to take the best practices and teachings across each belief system, learn from them, use what makes sense.
But this way of life can be difficult; most people do believe in a specific religion (or the opposite of the absolutist spectrum) and have a historic habit of judging others who are not on the same page.
No matter, I can’t get myself to believe in absolutes. But since many others do, I’ll give this subject extra attention; a lesson learned, that which guides me.
See my family’s sacred text, a book that would give me the tools I needed to succeed in life was Atlas Shrugged and other books by Ayn Rand. And although the theories espoused in that all-time best selling book, second only to the bible, was an important influential gift, I’ve since learned that it is lacking critical lessons. That we are indeed human, and if this current finacial crisis, the fallen head of the United States of America has taught anything, it’s that humans don’t always do what’s best for other humans, and when that happens, it hurts all of us.
Reciprocity is real. That I believe. And I’ve learned it is best to understand that luck plays an important role in our lives, our destinies; that we must be grateful for what we got, do our best to help others while we do what’s best for ourselves, live life to the fullest but also be compassionate, give back, pay it forward.
Love is tattooed on my ring finger as a testament.
To be clear, I’ve had and will continue to have good moments and battles like anyone else, the ebb and flow of life shall hopefully continue. With this, I evolve. So maybe, for now, it comes down to this: trust and time. Soon you will see who I am, what I’ve become.
I’m producing this project because there is, almost, nothing else I want to do. This is my human aspiration and I am focused. Taking in every moment and if possible, I would like to continue to some sort of logical conclusion. But planning is often futile. I’m just going with the flow, keeping a clear vision in mind. I’m writing my first book.
Some say wild card. You may call me a dreamer. I don’t have a preference of either, of any stereotypes. I’d rather we start the discussion on broader topics.
OK, that is enough for now. Let’s let our paint breathe fresh air. Yes? Let’s continue soon, but with this last thought to ponder.
Names are helpful. How about we give life, or at least this one, a new name — a fresh definition for this discussion. There are so many versions across history! Some say God or Allah, some say you, I was given a surname, but some say it should be this or that. For the purposes of this project, I’ll use the following:
Zoe has generations that do not die, like our DNA Memory
Bios is the life that no matter what, is limited, in it’s measure, like you and me
I dedicate this theme song to us, listen here.
Thanks for your time.
Yours truly,
Zoe Bios
XXX
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The Journey into Common Ground – a story, with a review of Jewish and Muslim/Palestinian DNA Memory
Listen to your mama and you never will forget it /And if anybody wonders you can tell them that I said it /The only thing I know is that I never can forget ya..
So I guess that makes you “unforgettable”
Love your site man keep up the good work
Keep posting stuff like this i really like it
cool