Face to Face

OK, so I am going to be candid for a minute. I was shocked by the responses I received on my last post. Not sure if many of you have been reading some of the things people were writing, hopefully you missed the bulk of negativity as I have had someone working consistently to take down the negative and hateful comments as quickly as possible. I was so disappointed and discouraged. I feel so naive.

 

See, I have this idea. An idea that involved the creation of a place that fosters the development and discovery of interactions that inspire thought, the building of wisdom, and the advancement of love.

 

After the responses from last week I realized building this type of community may take more thoughtfulness and work than I imagined. I didn’t really know how to do it but I figured a good place to start would be by looking into those who have tried this before me. I am not so arrogant as to think this is a new idea. So I decided to investigate and turned to the godparents of philisophy. Have toga will travel.

 

My research led me to Aristotle who was generating these types of scenarios way back in the day. He built something called the Lyceum where he would lead meandering discussions and inquiries. He had students he called “peripatetics” that he would question and engage in philosophical thoughts and explorations.

 

The intention of the peripatetic student was to evolve their way of thinking; proactive intellectual evolution. Ooo. . . Just the sound of that gets me excited, yes, it’s true, I am a total philosophy geek. Throughout these discussions each of the students were asked questions intended to shine light on their beliefs, prejudices, and confusions and, as a result, each philosopher would walk away from their time at this “Lyceum-brain-gym” having a stronger, more ethical, and more holistic understanding of the concepts discussed.

 

This is beautiful to me. The idea of intellectual exercise is so intriguing. I want it. I want to be the Ultimate Thinking Champion!! I did not have a formal education. While many of my friends were in university I was fighting aliens and overcoming kryptonite poisoning. I spent most of my twenties seeking learning elsewhere, everywhere, in life and with people.

 

I don’t believe educational institutions have a monopoly on learning. It is possible to create such an experience anywhere: in line at the grocery store, at a coffee shop, a dinner party, a yoga class or at the gas pump. I also believe the internet is an incredibly accessible forum for this type of community to blossom. The simple fact that anyone with a computer from anywhere in the world can log-in to a “room” with the sole purpose of reading and sharing offers the perfect formula for learning. A modern Lyceum, using new tools to create new class rooms.

 

This is what I want to create with my site. I want allisonmack.com to be a place all people feel not only welcomed, but encouraged to come and share their voices, their perceptions and their beliefs. At the same time I would hope this site is a place that encourages curiosity and openness. A chance to truly hear others and adopt new ideas instead of blindly holding on to what is most familiar, to what we have always known.

 

I also believe that in order to have a space like this we need to agree on a few things. I see this as an opportunity to proactively generate the type of environment needed for modern peripatetics to run wild! Sounds like a bunch of frenetic dinosaurs.

 

So I came up with a few ideas. Agreements for engagement.

 

To open the conversation here are a few things I have been thinking:

 

1. Please be kind. Simple as that, just be kind. If you do not like the topics or the way I express myself, don’t come back. I have a writing style that is very personal and honest and I like that; if you don’t then maybe this isn’t the site for you. In my mind, kindness and creativity go hand in hand, so let’s make this a space to nurture and build.

 

2. Please express honestly, but respectfully. No haters please, and, if you don’t agree with what someone writes, absolutely share your perspective with respect. However, if you feel you cannot speak without berating or attacking the other person, be responsible enough to write about it in your own journal, not here please.

 

3. Please refrain from any slanderous commenting on any person’s character or history. This is a space for free expression, but name calling and negativity is simply not something I am interested in supporting. It is too easy and cowardly to objectify a person when you are not standing face to face with them.

 

What I ask on this site is that you take the same care and attention with your fellow writers that you would with someone you are staring at directly. Please remember, there are people on the other side of the words you read.

 

4. I want to make it clear that I live my life in search of wisdom and education. The most important thing for me is learning. I want to share this learning with those who care. We are all learning, stumbling and striving to figure this crazy “life-thing” out. It is hard enough out there without someone deliberately looking to beat you down. Let’s be sweet with each other and be sweet with ourselves in the process.

 

And I would also love to hear from you. What do you think is important when one is building such a forum? What types of things would you include in this list? Please, feel free to share your ideas and let me know.

 

Thanks for reading and I am excited to read about your thoughts and ideas, failures and successes, dreams and disappointments. . . it’s the stuff art is made of, it is what makes us human, and ultimately, it is the whole point and purpose of existence. . . in my opinion, of course. :)

 

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  • ???

    http://saratogaindecline.blogspot.com/2010/09/insidious-recruitment-of-young-people.html

    http://blog.timesunion.com/readandreact/1565/secrets-of-nxivm-the-untold-story-of-keith-raniere/

    http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/In-Raniere-s-shadows-3341644.php

    http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Secrets-of-NXIVM-2880885.php

    http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/NXIVM-is-a-litigation-machine-3334301.php

    http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Ample-evidence-to-justify-investigation-3337402.php

    http://saratogaindecline.blogspot.com/2012/05/cult-attorney-robert-crockett-has.html

    http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/nxivm

    http://saratogaindecline.blogspot.com/2012/03/keith-raniere-runs-away-like-little_4612.html

    saratogaindecline.blogspot.com/2012/02/end-of-nxivm-part-2.html

    saratogaindecline.blogspot.com/2012/02/drink-like-bronfman-all-fine-young.html

    saratogaindecline.blogspot.com/2012/02/keith-raniere-and-steve-man-coffey-sued_13.html

    saratogaindecline.blogspot.com/2012/02/details-emerge-in-ohara-v-raniere.html

    http://saratogaindecline.blogspot.com/2012/04/federal-marshals-poised-to-serve-keith.html

    saratogaindecline.blogspot.com/2012/02/end-of-nxivm-part-3.html

    saratogaindecline.blogspot.com/2012/02/lifestyles-of-young-and-bronfman-all.html

    saratogaindecline.blogspot.com/2012/02/bronfman-vacation-all-fine-young.html

    saratogaindecline.blogspot.com/2012/02/drink-like-bronfman-all-fine-young.html

    saratogaindecline.blogspot.com/2012/02/some-are-wondering-why-ive-spent-so

    http://saratogaindecline.blogspot.com/2012/02/nxivm-foundations-exposed-and-plug-for.html

    http://saratogaindecline.blogspot.com/2012/03/keith-raniere-two-bit-con-man-blast.html

    http://saratogaindecline.blogspot.com/2012/03/kristin-keeffe-nxivm-cult-monkey.html

    http://saratogaindecline.blogspot.com/2010/07/is-nxivm-up-to-something.html

    http://unchartedathena.wordpress.com/2011/06/11/nostalgia/

    http://blog.timesunion.com/asp/383/dalai-lama-visits-albany-amid-controversy/

    http://metroland.typepad.com/blog/2010/03/this-clip-of-simply-human-performing-crazy-has-been-floating-around-the-interwebs-for-awhile-now-but-this-weekend-i-became-o.html

    http://www.cultnews.com/?p=2291

    http://westendsingleton.wordpress.com/2012/03/20/quick-post-and-a-quick-question-why-are-two-actresses-from-smallville-in-a-cult/

    http://www.acappellainnovations.com/acappella-judges.php

  • Anonymous

    I agree that there are many ways in which to experience the world. However, I cannot agree that going to college is unnecessary. Higher education is not simply about listening to lectures and being forced to regurgitate memorized facts on exams. It’s about knowledge, exchange of ideas, exposure to vast breadths of information often facilitated by educated experts in their fields. It may not teach you all you need to know, but it’s a hell of a start. There is a reason why educated individuals are more liberally- and open-minded than those who are not. There is a reason why educated people tend to be more tolerant those those who are not.

    I understand, again, that there are many ways of educating the self, and life experience is a big part of that. But so is higher education, and Allison, I would really recommend that you consider it. Many child performers take a small break from their industry to attend college, and you have to ask yourself why, when they are likely set financially, have many wonderful life experiences under their collective belt, etc. I believe it is because there is no substitution for the experience of being exposed to knowledge across many disciplines delivered by educated instructors with the qualifications to disseminate said knowledge to others. Here, you will meet individuals with diverse backgrounds and experience and have the opportunity to debate with them on all kinds of material–art history, philosophy, science, women’s studies, sociology, etc. This type of forum–the kind that you seem to seek–is exactly how we grow the mind, expand our perspectives, and ask the questions to answers we desperately seek.

    Why not check out NYU or Columbia or Fordham? I think you may really benefit from higher education. Take care.

  • EdiciusEric

    I’ve never really understood the reasoning behind a forum. I always thought it was a way for someone to talk- who wanted to talk and could be heard by people who wanted to listen. Goes without saying that there are two different kinds of people (yes boys and girls… I know my mom had the “TALK” with me when I was 16.) I mean listeners and talkers. I get told to “shut up. You talk to much” at least once a week. Only because I don’t… I dont talk around my friends if there are two or more around. I guess this makes them uncomfortable and thats why the tell me to shut up; as a joking comment that friends say in order to communicate or inquire. Most of the people who come to this site would be listeners. (I think.) Thats my theory anyway.

    A listener wants to hear the entire conversation and try to understand the point of view from the authours perspective before drawing his/her own opinions. I love the AllisonMack dot coms. Where other celebrity forums show you pics and clips of thier work, Allison has always invited you into the world of her fav. Artist… paints, jokes, and books and movies. Who among us can forget the cookie lady? The holloween costume of a guy dress like and upside down guy? I still get cracked up from the “pinching hazard” joke she played on her friend. lol Even with all that, the forums have always been there with a reponse button and a comment page for group fan’s interaction. Anyway I’m getting off topic.
    Things to include: No biting. No running in the forum halls. Fun should be handed out daily with food and water. Twice as much fun will take place every weekend and on Allison’s birthday. Listen like a child and type like an adult. (Who has a Momma, that doesn’t want to be embarresassed by anything you wrote.) Everyone will do 10 jumping jacks before posting a comment. (Medically, the exercise is good for the heart and I want all of the posters out there to write what I read for a long time. Also, increased blood flow to the brain gives better wittier comments and lowers bad comments posted by 17 percent. Also, it counts towards the “FUN” factor.)

    • Beth

      EdiciusEric, that comment was like a breath of fresh air.
      Thanks for the comedy :)

      • EdiciusEric

        Awww… Shucks… It’s what I’m known for… funny left-field jokes that come out of no where and latch on to you- like this:
        Growing up in the irrational fields of Iwoa, I became a normal man who worked his farm and paid his taxes until one evening, out of somewhere I heard a voice that said to me “If you build it, they will come.” to which I didn’t understand the meaning but felt helpless to ignore. After convincing my wife, I plowed under the 10 or so acres of corn that I worked so hard to cultivate so that I could build, in its stead, a baseball field, but in doing so, I put my livelyhood in danger against the evil bankers of our town. Mark tries with conviction to get me to sell the farm, but my wife (played by Amy Madigan) agrees with me not to sell. “Shoeless” Joe Jackson then appears out my corn field and asks to play catch with me. After which he replies, “Is this heaven?”
        I answer… “No… No, this is Allison Mack’s website. One of the few places my wacky mind can run free.”

        *edit* You can call me Ed.

        • Beth

          I stand by my initial comment :)

  • Alexis

    Check out the last few seconds when her “dear friend” talks about having people killed for his beliefs.

    Get some help, Allison.

    • DavidHayes1956

      Let’s be fair. Taken out of context “I have had people killed for my beliefs” isn’t what he was really communicating. He was saying that people who follow him have been killed for spreading his message. In other words “I have had this event happen in my life” not that he ordered a hit. Just like when he said, “I have had people take shots at me” doesn’t mean that he hired someone to shoot at him. He was describing things that have happened in his experience. If someone came to me with only this video and said that this condemns the man I would tell them to watch it again and listen closer. There is plenty of other information to filter through without taking things out of context.

      • Guest

        Such an explanation would be more viable if someone who has been portrayed to have such a high IQ used the correct phrasing, i.e. “people have died for my beliefs” or “people have been killed for my beliefs.” The way he said it seemed like an underhanded threat as the emphasis was on the first person point of view, i.e. “I’ve had…” Either way, neither explanation looks good: 1) it is evidence against his claimed high IQ 2) it is actually a reflection of it and is a subtle attempt at a threat. Of course, like you said, it could simply be a mistake. But when you surround yourself in controversy where deaths due to psychological manipulation, coercion, or breakdowns have been linked to your organization, you’re simply asking for the negative implication, fairly or unfairly.

  • Mify4u

    I fully understand and respect that the owner of this blog chooses to decry hatred. I also understand that there is a push for an open discourse and honesty, so I’m just hoping that this discussion can continue in a respectful manner.

    Many of the posters here have spent long years following the owner of this blog in her career, supporting her in different endeavors and basically rooting for her success and happiness. For them to be labeled as “haters” for showing concern is very disappointing. I hope that I’ll be proven wrong.

  • http://www.facebook.com/neverc13ar Geoff Deuce Reeves

    I love the idea of a free knowledge/information exchange forum, and am excited to have stumbled across this wonderful website (thanks Twitter!) because face to face, I’m not much of a conversationalist. Not for lack of interest in people; the words just seem to flow better when written. It gives me time to think about what I am going to say and how I’m going to word it, where in conversation, I tend to get interrupted and the flow and subject matter of the conversation changes directions, thereby rendering my point null. I’d much prefer to listen, absorb the information, and wait to be asked my opinion rather than volunteer it.

    I, myself, only have a year of college under my belt, undeclared of course. It just got too expensive. I made good grades in high school, but nothing impressive enough to merit a scholarship. I had intended to study graphic design, but my heart wasn’t really in it. All I’ve really wanted to do is play music, and not to toot my own horn, so to speak, but I’m confident in my ability to do so. It’s really about the only thing I do well.

    I’m not going to dispute the importance of higher education. I really wish I could have afforded to stay. However, I think college may not be for everyone. Sometimes life experience can teach you so much more than can be learned in the classroom. I’ve always been a kinetic learner, so this works well for me. But then, that’s just it. It works for ME. I’ve always felt that life is about finding your niche and using it for the betterment of society. Allison, I think, is well on her way, and all of us here who have posted owe her our gratitude for giving us a place to congregate.

    • Beth

      Great post in general, but I particularly agree with your last sentence.
      From some of the recent comments, the fact that Allison is interested in running this blog seems to be taken slightly for granted by a few posters. Many with Allison’s level of fame may not bother to do the same.

      This is a unique website.
      We. Are. Lucky.

  • Cc79759

    I like a girl who just broke with her ex a few months ago. She told me she isn’t ready to go back on dating, just on school. I’m trying to be there for her, but i’m not sure if she knows that i like her…..
    Nice blog Allison :]

  • Laetitia Tardieux

    Hello Allison ,
    I’m french and my name is Laetitia. I just would let you know that at first a discovered you as an actress (with lots of talent) I do some recherch for know more about this personality will seems different of this others at the TV. And I discovered your website. From this moment I have always some time for going here and read you or following your adventures (music/art/though…).

    Most of the time I never comment any of your post but I feel to do that now just because I want to tell you that what you do : that’s works. I mean I love to make a break and find some inspiration here. Your view of this life , of how to fingured out things or your way of thinking inspirate me a lot. Because sometime I just tought : “we need to be brave enough for sharing and accept things as there are or for make the choice to live simply and as we decided too” That’s why I love to came here : because I guess for now you are the only personn “I know” in this all world who are able to do that. So yes you’r inspire me , I’m not like a kind of fanatic or fan …I just recognized when people are good.

    I learn a lot when I read you . I like to open my mind and asking me some strange questions about the meaning of our existance… and I like to read people who do the same. PS: In France tonight was our presidential election : we have a new president for 5 following years ” François Hollande”. Such a great feeling. Things can change , never loosing hope. Have a nice life/ I hope your wishes became true.

    From a girl of this world.

    ps: sorry for my english

  • jennygirl

    Yey! A new forum!! I have missed the old one so!

    • http://www.manton.karoo.net/index2.html 3tesla

      Greetings, jennygirl! Keeping well, I hope?

      • jennygirl

        Very well, thank you! And yourself?

  • Kendra

    It’s a shame that Allison had to drop down the rules because folks don’t instinctively know how to be respectful of one another. Part of that is the nature of the internet. I hope folks follow her “rules” so we can keep coming to this positive place. :)

  • http://twitter.com/dedicated_music Laura

    I have not yet completed my school studies so I don’t have many major failures but I do have big dreams. When I was 4 years old I wanted to be an astronaut and for my 5th birthday I received my first telescope. As a couple of years went by I forgot about it and it sat in my cupboard collecting dust. When I started watching Smallville it reminded me of what I love most; the universe and the idea that anything is possible. I now know what I plan to do when I leave school; to go to university and study astrophysics. My dream job is to work with NASA and discover new planets and galaxies. You want this site to be about learning and discovery. If I ever have a genius thought or idea you will be the first to know. :)

  • BOUROUX

    Allison said in the section About Allison.
    “Allison recognizes the great responsibility in being a public icon and has enormous respect and honor for the implications of such an honor. She seeks to utilize her craft as a vehicle for positive influence and change in the world. It is her intention to invoke and inspire dialogue and thought to encourage her audiences to have a deeper understanding of them selves and the world around them, and as an effect building a more compassionate and joyful world through the arts.”
    Allison, you are a public icon because your fans love you. When people are worried and shocked because they see lots of negative things about you, you would reassure your fans. You often use your personal life, yours strengths, weaknesses to pass your messages and love having our reactions. To have a positive influence, they should not have plenty of gray areas, which bear a shadow over yours credibility. Honesty and transparency should apply to all subjects with respect of your private life.

    Allison, you live in a community that has some values different from ours. The vast majority of your fans are not familiar with these values and you have perhaps forgotten ours. A little update would allow us to better understand.

    About compassion. In Quebec, there are student leaders who strike for scholar fees and who do not assume their actions. They have the compassion for those who make the violence, they have compassion for the victims, they have the compassion for students who will lose their summer work. They use compassion to achieve their goals. Many students are beginning to realize they have been manipulated by leaders who had hidden agendas.
    When the Dalai Lama recommends compassion, it’s not to justify actions which do not respect the human being in all its integrity.

    Your loyal fans as loyal friends rejoice your success and are pained when you’re in trouble. Unfortunately we cannot tell you our concerns face to face.

    Yesterday, I thought Whitney Houston fans who have seen this amazing, beautiful and talented singer ruining her career and her life after meeting Bobby Brown. If she had listened to her family, her friends and fans, but he took the control of her mind without she realizing it.
    You must stay connected with all your fans, not just with those who approve you all the time.

    Take care of you.

  • http://www.manton.karoo.net/index2.html 3tesla

    Allison is fond of the Dalai Lama, so the following Buddhist concept, from the Noble Eightfold Path might be worth bringing up:

    No. 3: V?ca; correct speech; speaking in a truthful and non-hurtful way; refraining from verbal misdeeds such as lying, divisive speech, harsh speech, and senseless speech.

    The art, I suspect, is in knowing how, on those rare occasions, to balance telling someone an unpleasant truth without it hurting them; through “speaking the truth in love” as Christians would say (Ephesians 4:15).

  • Elicrazy2006

    Querida Allison
    no te conozco.pero más o menos puedes tener una vision de como eres en realidad. tengo 22 anos y puedo decir que soy muy madura.la vida es como la 2 fases de una corriente de electricidad son cosas opuestas pero que se atrae.para ser buenas personas debemos aceptar el bueno y el malo,porque aquel que dices que solamente quiere cosa positiva en su vida es una hipocrita y si una persona realement te quiere debe ser honesta contigo aunque duela.
    asi puede conocer tu fallo y intenta remediarlo.Mi padre siempre me dijo cuando quieres coger alguien como un ejemplo a seguir ,su vida debes ser ejemplar

  • K Kareb

    As a individual with ancillary education, I applaud the pursuit of knowledge and the ability to maintain a grasp of concepts learned. I commend those who try and learn and those who try and fail. The continued pursuit toward increasing a knowledge base can provide tangible gains for cognitive processes alone. Before wading into the abrasive effects of negativity upon advancing education and the process of learning, it is important to remember ideas are what we label them. Negative attitudes are helpful to cap obsessive positivity. However, negativity, for the sake of negativity is not an exercise in learning. If negative comments are to be removed, the query that logically follows is whether the subjective labeling of positive or negative is to be applied according to a set standard (like the one you provided) and if that set standard is agreeable to society at a macro level. However, given societies continual paradigm shifts it is better to attempt to understand ideas as they were conceived during a specific point in time. Therefore, removing information (comments in this case) weakens the collective knowledge by which observers subjectively view information and deduce any and all information he or she deduces. Nevertheless, this website can operate on the terms of its creator. If there are any grammatical errors I apologize to any readers and also I like and appreciate this site. I am just leery of censorship. If we are presented with several views of an idea, as well as comments that many would describe as ludicrous rantings, we can have both a better understanding and appreciation for what is provided for all to learn.

  • http://twitter.com/TinaKramer1 Tina Black

    Dear Allison,
    I’ve got a few years on you (cringe) and I’m still trying to figure my life out. I’ve been very stuck…for several years. I found peace in writing. Not that I have THAT all figured out either. I’ve writtern and re-written a book. It brings me joy. My story is pathetic but, it may help you or someone else who is feeling a bit low and just needs some friendly advice. After a tragic event in my life as a child, I was left feeling empty, hopeless, alone, mis-understood, (swept under the rug). I tried for so many years to figure out why this terrible thing had to happen to me. What I did to cause it. Feeling as though I must be less important than anyone else in the world to be left alone in my pain to try and put my life back together and somehow…go on. I had a baby girl when I was very young. I was alone in that too. I married the first man who asked. Someone who has less than our best interests at heart and has controlled my every move for the past 11 years. Now, at nearly 40, I’m in the battle of a life time. I realized that I’m stuck. I realized that I need to somehow get out of this situation that has caused my daughter and I so much heartache. The only thing I have is time alone with this machine, to jot down thoughts and occasionally reach out from beyond my little cell and hope…pray…that someone will reach in to me. That is why I write. That is why I wrote my book. I haven’t been allowed to work outside the home. I don’t have controll of any of the money. I’m not allowed to oppose his beliefs or state my own opinions. I know that so many people thought that this type of …marriage went by the way side in the 50′s but, I’m here to tell ya, Spousal abuse comes in many forms and I’m living proof. I would love to hear suggestions. I’ve created art work, and my books and screenplays in the extreme hope that I will somehow be able to secretly make the money I need to start a new life for my daughter and I, and run far far away. I want more education. I crave to opportunity to be with others who love to write, create, and love life. Until I can pry myself and my daughter out of this choke hold, I can only sit by and hope to be a comfort to someone else who might be going through the same thing. Wow! Felt so good to get that all off my chest. I don’t really have anyone to talk to. Not allowed to have friends or be with people other than my husbands friends and co-workers. I know this isn’t what you created this site for and I’m so sorry that I got so completely off track with what I wanted to say to you. I’m very happy that you are going to be doing more acting. I loved your part as Chloe in Smallville. You’re very talented and if that is something that you love and feel good about I say GO FOR IT! Live your life. Love your life. Get up every morning and tell yourself that you are happy that the sun is shining and God willing, it will shine again for you the next day. Thank you for reading. Even if I never hear from anyone. It’s helpful to know that I finally said some things that I have literally been too terrified to say for sooooooo long! I haven’t given up hope. I’m doing what I can. Again, I thank you for this time and hope to hear any suggestions/comments. I would however like to state that I also hope the comments are kind. I’m sort of fragile these days. So, PLEASE be helpful…not hurtful.
    Much Love,
    Tina (Black)

    • DavidHayes1956

      It’s not a good time for me to answer you here, but I want you to know a few things.

      1. Believe it or not, you are stronger than you think.
      2. There are people that care.
      3. There are people that will help you when you are ready, but BE SAFE with your current situation and be careful who you decide to trust to help you.
      4. You already have some tools to protect your self through the control and abuse. You are keeping your mind free in your thoughts and dreams and this will help you make it when you do decide the opportunity is right to get out.

      If you are able to make phone calls without your husband knowing, find the number of a help line (specifically about spousal abuse or shelters would be most specific to your situation) so you can talk to someone about options you have. You are not alone. Situations like yours are now so common that medical providers are now required to ask you on every visit if you feel safe in your own home.

      Take care of yourself and your daughter and keep hope. Keep dreaming.

    • arash

      Tina;
      you are not off track with what you wanted to say. You said exactly what you wanted the most. Allison has created this community to help, inspire and be compassionate about eachother.
      deep philosophical discussions are not worth a dime if we can’t even provide an emotional support for one of our community members when we are blessed with the opportunity. We talk about changing the world, well lets start from home.

      you are not alone.

  • http://twitter.com/Jon_Mills Jon Mills

    Candid, honest, lovely as always miss mack.

  • Lexpaker

    Allison,acho que este é o preço pela popularidade.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1549285447 Artie Sherman

    Ooops, sorry, I dont blog much. If I posted twice, please delete the second post. Thanks

  • Icthacker

    “I don’t believe educational institutions have a monopoly on learning.”
    This is a statement that I live by too-
    As a “Christian” I sorta lived my life according to what I was taught to believe and what was expected of me, as a “believer”. I went to Bible College, bought all the clothes according to a dress code (it was a private college), and through out my stay on campus, and my experience in the classroom, I have to be honest, I felt really jipped and robbed of my money. To this day, I can’t remember one thing I was taught in a classroom that was valid. I found that most of my lessons were taught me by the student body in the hall ways, on my way to class, in the lunch room, and the dorms.

    I still find most of my valuable lessons just by keeping my spirit man receptive to the Lord as I see Him in all his creation, as a-pose to what people taught me to see. I had to empty myself of those filters and get new spiritual glasses, and now my vision is corrected, and I am able to see clear without other peoples tainted views.

    My lessons are quicker, and my experiences are more pure. Serving God and knowing Him is nothing like what I was taught, with the exception of my experience with Jesus as Lord of my life. I found that he isn’t so religious as some make him out to be. I really think, he would be the guy on the Harley Davidson, or the guy on the street, or anyone that
    is humble and caring, regardless of his status, thats who he would be- (I think that just rhymed! lol)

    By the way, I’m so sorry you actually had to add some common mannerisms to your site. How in the world could anyone be provoked to disrespect anyone on your site, when you inspire such a positive and honest views?

    Hope things get better!

    Love ya woman! keep on keepin on!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1549285447 Artie Sherman

    Dear Allison, I loved your character as “Chloe Sullivan” but I know “Chloe Sullivan” is someone you’re not. I often wished I could get to know you as a personal friend, I think you’re pretty cool. Show biz is interesting, but it’s out of my league. I would enjoy watching you in action while you memorize your lines & rehearse for your scenes. It sounds like fun, It’can be hard work, I’m sure.

    Here’s something I like to throw at you. Would you be interested learning animation? I stumbled onto (open source) free animation software that I would like to share with you. Grant it, I just bought a Dummies book for the Blender software & it should be arriving soon. When it arrives, I’m going to dive right in.

    Allison, Check this out:
    http://www.blender.org/

    Here is a showcase of animation titles that were made using the Blender software
    http://www.blender.org/?features-gallery/movies/

    Take a look at them, you’ll be amazed at what you can create using the software. Here are a couple of my favorites.
    1.) Big Buck Bunny – http://vimeo.com/1084537
    2.) LightHouse – http://?responsibility-project.libe?rtymutual.com/films/?lighthouse/?#fbid=d_K1KryvrXg

    Allow me to digress my dear, borrowing from your words, If you want a life built on a foundation & the advancement of love, try God. Jesus Christ loves you, Allison he really does. He knew of your name before it formed on your lips, he knew of your form before He created you. God is awesome -talk about wisdom – Wow!

    This is What God says about YOU!

    Jeremiah 29:11 -For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

    Allison, were not promised tomorrow, don’t build your life upon sand but build it on a sure foundatuion; The Lord Jesus Christ.

    Step 1: God’s Purpose: Peace and Life

    God loves you and wants you to experience peace and life—abundant and eternal.

    The Bible says …

    “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” —Romans 5:1 (NIV)

    “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” —John 3:16 (NIV)

    “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” —John 10:10 (NIV)
    Why don’t most people have this peace and abundant life that God planned for us to have?

    Step 2: The Problem: Our Separation
    God created us in His own image to have an abundant life. He did not make us as robots to automatically love and obey Him. God gave us a will and a freedom of choice.
    We chose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in separation from God

    The Bible says …

    “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” —Romans 3:23 (NIV)

    “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” —Romans 6:23 (NIV)

    Our Attempts to Reach God

    People have tried in many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God …

    The Bible says …

    “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” —Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)

    “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” —Isaiah 59:2 (NIV)

    No bridge reaches God … except one.

    Step 3: God’s Bridge: The Cross

    Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between God and people.

    The Bible says …

    “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ.”
    —1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)

    “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”
    —1 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

    “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
    —Romans 5:8 (NIV)

    God has provided the only way. Each person must make a choice.

    Step 4: Our Response: Receive Christ

    We must trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receive Him by personal invitation.

    The Bible says …

    “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will
    come in and eat with him, and he with me.”
    —Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

    “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to
    become children of God.”
    —John 1:12 (NIV)

    “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised
    Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
    —Romans 10:9 (NIV)
    Where are you?

    Will you receive Jesus Christ right now?

    Here is how you can receive Christ:
    1. Admit your need (I am a sinner).
    2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
    3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.
    4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit.
    (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)

    Pray from your heart, use your own words if you wish. Please understand it’s not the words that I use in prayer that save you from your sins, there’s nothing magical about them, but it’s the sincerity & condition of your heart when you pray them that matters. Please find a way to get back in touch with me. I look forward to hearing from you.

    Your prayer may sound something like this
    Lord Jesus, I come before you as a sinner & I repent of my sins, please save me from my sins. I believe that you took all of my sins upon yourself when you died for me on the Cross. I invite you into my life to take full control. Your Word (The Holy Bible) tells me in the book of John chapter 3 verse 36 – “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” The Holy Bible also says in John Chapter 1 verse 12 – “But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name.” – Lord Jesus, I receive you & welcome you into my life this very moment. The Holy Bible (The Word Of God) tells me that I become a Child Of God this moment. When my life is finished here on Earth, you will take me to spend all of eternity with you. Thank you Lord Jesus for coming into my life. Thank you Lord Jesus for saving my soul & thank you for the wonderful gift of Eternal Life. I pray these things by faith in the Lord Jesus! I pray these things in Jesus name, AMEN!

    • http://www.facebook.com/runningice Jacob Laferriere

      amazing

  • bourdieu_boy

    Symbolic power – as a power of constituting the given through utterances, of making people see and believe, of confirming or transforming the vision of the world and, thereby, action on the world and thus the world itself, an almost magical power which enables one to obtain the equivalent of what is obtained through force (whether physical or economic), by virtue of the specific effect of mobilization – is a power that can be exercised only if it is recognized, that is, misrecognized as arbitrary. This means that symbolic power does not reside in ‘symbolic systems’ in the form of an ‘illocutionary force’ but that it is defined in and through a given relation between those who exercise power and those who submit to it, i.e. in the very structure of the field in which belief is produced and reproduced. What creates the power of words and slogans, a power capable of maintaining or subverting the social order, is the belief in the legitimacy of words and of those who utter them. And words alone cannot create this belief.

  • HomelyPoet

    In a world so lost and scared,
    easily breeds negativity and hate,
    disappoints and discourages those ‘naive’ who cared,
    to foster discovery, development, wisdom to create,
    advancing love in every way.
    Harder work, and more, than imagined to come,
    learning more, and new, everyday.
    “Oh, Peripatetics, Your modern Lyceum!
    Encourage kind openness,
    respectful honest curiosity,
    show restraint from dark slanderous,
    wisdom through education, not blind familiarity.”

  • Stacyannroe

    dear allison
    i’m 32 with dislexia & subsaquent diffaculty reeding & spelling so i beg ur 4giveness & paeshents with this responce. i am a big fan of ur work on screen & the more i lern about the work u do off screen the more of a fan i become of that 2.
    that said i boleev u pritty mutch covered the baces but i would recomend 2 the reeders that they do like u using i statments like “i boleev” or “i think” or “in my opinyen” this cuts down substanchely on missunderstandings. also i think u may finde it benafishel 2 all 2 consider adding a help department 2 this site aquipt with an instruction manuel. i had 2 lern how 2 operate this site from scratch & with my reeding isues it was not easy. lastly i have self esteem & self confadence isues so i would grately apreshiate getting a responce from u so i can feel like i at least matter enuf 2 b egnolaged. (the previous is not a statment on u but the state of my apinyen of me) i would b happy with as little as a “thank u stacy ann 4 ur responce. sined allison mack” it would meen so mutch 2 me 2 have evadence that some 1 i ideelize thot i mattered enuf 2 egnolage my existence, AT ALL.
    of cores i dont no if u can even fiend the time 2 respond, after all u r a verry bizzy woman making the world a better place, with in the best of ur mortal limatations. so i will not take ofence 2 a lack of responce, but on the off chance that u may find the time & if i happen 2 b lucky enuf 4 u 2 not forget me as so menny do, (sutch is the nature of human memory) then as i do not no witch methad would b moste convenyent 4 u i will leev u all my info.
    phone: 207-948-5564
    e-male: stacyannroe@yahoo.com
    facebook: stacy ann roe
    mailing address: 209 barker rd troy me. 04987
    i’ll settel 4 a e-male reeding “hi stacy from allison”
    ur nolage wisdom compashon & selflessness holds u in my eyes 2 the level equivalent of an angel or a saint. that will not waver with or without a responce but a responce would b grately appresheated.
    thank you
    from stacy ann roe

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Roan-Carratu/100000633498157 Roan Carratu

    Allison, I am a fan, for sure. I have spent the last week watching every episode of Smallville, really the only thing I’ve seen you on, although I am sure you have a lot of credits to your name. I was impressed with your intelligence, which seems very common among the actors and actresses on that show. I have the time because I’m fighting cancer and cannot do much else but the Net. But that is not what I am writing you about.

    A ‘Cloud phenomena’ is something new that was created by the ability of the Net to connect people worldwide on a personal level. It is the forming of a group of people on a global level that are about a particular set of ideas but which have no ‘leaders’, no ‘organization’, no set symbols, do no harm, and which is emergent, that is, it constantly changes because more is learned and discovered by science and individual people who share it. One of the first ‘cloud phenomena’ is a group called the Zeitgeist Movement (ZM). It is not political, economic, religious, or any of the ‘isms’ that people tend to think in. It is something new to humanity.

    We are not technocrats nor are we proposing anything ‘authoritarian’ or in any other way coercive. We are about applying the scientific method to social concerns, ending all poverty, ecological destruction, and all the other symptoms of our current global system and allow a level of freedom in the world that has never been attempted or attained in history. Discoveries in Science makes it possible. Frankly, to many, it seems quite impossible at first.

    We are about sanity and compassion, above all else.

    Science now knows how to feed, clothe, house, and provide all the needs for all humanity, and do it in an ecologically harmonious way, but the current system is based upon scarcity, and that is literally a dead end. We don’t have a ‘plan’, ‘agenda’, or anything but concepts that if understood by enough of humanity could change the world in very big ways for everyone. So that is our task during this time of Transition, and the ZM is all about communication of those important concepts.

    I’m a 63 year old man who has spent my entire life studying why humanity is insane and what needs to be understood to change our path as a species. The Zeitgeist Movement has been around about 5 years and now has somewhere around a million members globally, mostly young people in their twenties and thirties. We are in almost every country in the world and in a high percentage of the cities in those countries. In opinions we have the full bell curve, but we all have a few ideas in common… that solutions can emerge over time if we talk about it enough. The only ‘organization’ existing is makeshift out of necessity, and completely volunteer. Money is not involved.

    I know nothing about your opinions or ideas, other than what shined through your face as you acted. That impressed me enough to write this to you. When you have an hour or so free in your busy schedule, please watch Zeitgeist Addendum or Zeitgeist Moving Forward. I do not suggest you watch Zeitgeist: The Movie, because it was a college video made by one of the members and most of it is irrelevant, just his opinions before the ZM came into existence. But he became the ZMs main movie maker and the other videos contain better, more relevant, concepts. But he is not ‘the leader’ or anything more than a particularly good communicator member, although like all groups, we have some who think otherwise.

    http://www.zeitgeistmovingforward.com/
    http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/

    I bare my soul at http://www.facebook.com/roan.carratu
    My statements are not exactly ‘soft’ statements and I hope they don’t offend you. I have been around too long to say a lot using vague words.
    If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them as best I can. My email is Worldmind@yahoo.com. Put Zeitgeist in the subject line so it gets through the spam. lol. I get a lot of that.

  • beuns, french

    Allison continued to persevere, do not be influenced not such discourses otherwise it is taken that will win, the Internet is a picture of our society except that the anonymity allows some to have profited. Does not change, you may be naive but the world needs it.

    For those interested, my small part-time as an amateur photographer
    http://beuns.photos.free.fr/topic/index.html

  • Colleen Proctor

    “I don’t believe educational institutions have a monopoly on learning.” – Allison
    “Word” – Colleen :0)

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=26507227 Anna Seesock Langston

    Hi Allison! I have read some of your blog posts…you are a beautiful writer…very descriptive. I loved Smallville…I can only imagine it was hard for that chapter of your life to end. I don’t know if you’ve read some of C.S. Lewis, but some of his quotes might encourage you as you venture down a new path:)

  • http://www.chefkendranguyen.com/ Kendra

    Just be kind is a great step. I would just add a couple of things. One is respecting one another, like you would if you met them in person. Sitting face to face across a dinner table, with good wine, fine music and a friendly spirit. Treat folks like you would like to be treated and things will always progress nicely rather we agree with each other or not. The second thing I would add is to listen and think instead of hearing and quickly reacting.

  • http://twitter.com/mayra_sthefany Mayra Sthefany

    Oi Allison ameii o site estou muito contente aqui do outro lado em saber que você está bem e feliz, me sinto semelhante á você pela sua intelectualidade! Espero uma dia conhece-la!!!

    Beijos

  • http://twitter.com/mayra_sthefany Mayra Sthefany

    O Brasil te ama!

  • arash

    I have thoughts and techniques that always help me to deal with negative comments;

    Thought # 1;
    A comment about you does not prove anything about who you really are but proves a lot about the person making that comment. I usually just smile and listen carefully and ask the person to go on!

    Thought # 2;
    Your feelings come from inside. They are yours to control. when you become sad or angry, you are hurting yourself and you should ask yourself if you deserve this. Do you feel that you have done something that you have to punish yourself.

    Now if the person continues with the third negative comment, then there is a technique you can use;
    This person is creating more distance and gap between the two of you, maybe instead of doing the same you should take a step forward. At this point I will not write all the details but you have to know this only works if you are wearing safety boots and the other person slippers!

  • arash

    And about Education, I think it is only fair for everybody in the world to have access to the best Education at the cost of internet connection. And it is very possible. Universities should be also open for those who only get motivated by preset deadlines and expensive courses.

  • Enrique R

    I love this idea and love that in this moment people can be a little more open and see what is it that makes us tick. Because for me a reason can be no reasons but for some odd reason it’s someones else’s reason or reasons to do something ^_^. The world is only as big as we see it but learning the things life has to offer! It’s countless, the biggest thing I can say I have learned is that love is a lot of things. May it be between one for a spot or love for someone. I also beleive that you can love the things you can stop to cherish. If something was so happen then why over look it and smile. When we loose something it’s hard but we never loose something that is always in our mind. We can choose what side we loved the good or the bad. I would love the good and as for the bad throw it in the ditch lol haha

  • Mayra Sthefany

    Alli I love youuu!

  • http://www.facebook.com/bluepoet Jeremy Guerrette

    I recently tried to share fully of myself with with world, and from a position of relatively meek ‘fame’ compared to yours, I tried to offer my best to those would have me. I was the production manager and community manager on a now multimillion dollar game that came out last year, and in my naivety I believed those who I shared all of myself with in that community would accept me as the kind hearted person I have always made a point to be. But I suppose the situation I then now found myself in, was a place one can’t really be open in, without being seen as a fool or even a liar, with no reason behind such judgments. I received hate mail, harassment on a scale that in the end, ruined everything that I am, and even turned my trusted co-worker and friend against me to the point he fired me to prevent the hate I received unduly from spreading to him. I had to remove myself from all social media that wasn’t ‘privacy protected’, take down all of my once cherished poetry from sites where you share such works, which was in the end tainted by those who took it and plastered all over, attaching meanings to them I never had intended. Even going as far as creating a page, filled with hateful lies about me, and labeled it as “the truth about”. I was not hurt as much as I was when I discovered an image of one of my greatest friends had been plastered around as well, and was being altered as well, simply because she knew me… Yes, It is true that many people who enjoyed the game I helped create supported me and called me an inspiration and kind hearted soul… but in the end, I found myself too afraid to even face the world anymore and show the kindness in my heart, as It is something too important to me to allow it to be destroyed by strangers. I spent all of the money I earned from the game in one large whirlwind, just so I could be rid of it, as it gave me a terrible taste to remember what hatred came with it. And it all stemed from simply sharing of the kindness within myself in the only way I knew how. Complete and utter honesty, but that was a way that seemed to bring in such hate to counter it… I will never understand why people will hate those who offer nothing but kindness to them. I hope you can weather the storms of negativity better than I did, and are able to communicate in this community you are building without having to face what I have. I myself am now a recluse and barely even leave my apartment in fear someone will recognize me and tear me down in person… I have been unable to write, create or do anything I once aspired too, as I fear people will simply tear it down as well and further ruin the joy I once had in giving. But I see a light in your talent and skills that I once had hopes for in myself, and I hope you never have to know the pain of losing all those hopes any desire to even try. I hope that light in you burns brightly always. Fight the good fight for kindness and the good in what you share of yourself.

  • Brandon

    I’m sorry to say that I don’t really have any ideas on how to make your website a modern day Lyceum, but I haven’t even turned 15 so… But I love what you are doing. It is such a great idea and I know others have thought of this too, but you seem so excited about it and a ready to embrace it wholeheartedly. I was afraid that you wouldn’t be what I expected you to be based of of Smallville, but you are incredible. While you are different frim Chloe in some ways, you are also very similar. You both want a very important thing: a better world. Thank you for being such an amazing person Ms. Mack.

  • http://twitter.com/Dru_Zod81 Eric Anthony Wark

    The simple truth is a smart person learns from their mistakes, but a wise person learns from the mistakes of others.

  • Kurt

    First of all I want to say “thank you” for your wonderful website. It is great to be able to read the intelligent and wise writing posted not only by you but also by people who come here. Chloe Sullivan is one of my two favorite fictional characters of all time. After coming here, I can definitely say that the woman who portrayed her is all that she was, and more.
    I don’t know that you can have the forum you want without having some negativity. Unfortunately the human race is heavily salted with Trolls. The simple fact is that Trolls come to places such as this to feed. They will only leave if you do not feed them. So I believe you should not delete them or respond to them. Just let them come here and have their say. Maybe at least some of them will learn something worthwhile here. Maybe something that can make a positive change in their lives. Also, something that is perceived to be negative initially may in truth be not so. Negative or positive, we can learn from both types of experiences. Even if we learn nothing, a negative posting can remind us of our own tendencies towards negativity and help us to foster our positive side.
    I am really looking forward to see what you do with your ideas. I hope you keep this website going for a very long time.

  • Knight1988

    School and institutions like this are not necessary to get wisdom. Family, menthors, book, beliefs too. In this world is one thing very important to us. Our own wit. It makes us the people. When you and me use wit perfectly, when we alone can choose good way, then we are closely to wisdom. I don’t have ‘menthors’, becouse I don’i need them. Not my family, not my friends, not my master in our club, but me. I have eyes. I see, that I’m othen above them. You mu be first your menthor, if you want get wisdom. Sorry for my ‘english’, it’s not my national language.

  • B Best

    God Bless you heart

  • Koni Houdini

    So do you catch yourself still responding to the name Chlioe hehehehe!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jasmine-Bailey-Barfuss/600773162 Jasmine Bailey-Barfuss

    I too have come to see that the whole point of our existence is to open our mind and shed the delusions; shed the fictional stories we’ve created about ourselves, labels and all, and to look to our true selves, often hidden beneath years and layers of blinding, oozing build up. Life is pain, life is sickness, life is aging, wrinkles, teeth falling out, stretch marks, gray hairs. It is unavoidable. It just is. Life is battling the healthcare system, life is raising our children as healthily and happily as can be, life is dreaming vast visions of beautiful creative achievement and seeing those dreams sit on a shelf year after year half done, joy fleeting; but the constant in all of this is our true selves; it’s like the ultimate secret. The light of pure intelligence and truth behind the self-doubt and judgment and blame and sense of powerless victimization in our lives; the quiet voice hidden away in the back of our minds that can hear our thoughts and emotions, can contemplate them, but is not governed by them nor powerless to their destructive force. It is our ultimate power, our true self, minus the layers of ornate crud we have decorated ourselves with over the years. A powerful, beautiful thing. It is the voice we hear when we are living a mindful life. The voice that speaks our personal truth and sheds the delusions set in place by a world and way of being we bought into long ago. We spend our whole teens and twenties trying to ‘figure out who we are’ and attach an appropriate label to it. You: “actress”. Me: “actress” (late teens early twenties), then “makeup artist on films” (twenties, even early thirties), then “professional photographer” (twenties until everyone went digital) and always the vague and general all-encompassing “artist.” Then for the longest time I could think of no label I deserved except: “mother of two beautiful children with Rigid Spine Muscular Dystrophy.” It became everything I was; consumed by it as that is what illness does. But I can’t help but feel that all of these labels are negatives in a way, for what are these labels but tape over our eyes, preventing us from seeing our true selves, forcing us to be hard on ourselves when the labels falter and start to peel away – ‘but it’s who I am!’ ‘work harder!’ ‘do better!’ ‘i am this label, i fit in this labelled box and there i must remain for without this box I am adrift! scared! lost! i need this box!’. I feel sick in that back of my throat thinking about all of my many labels. But for some reason we need an answer when people ask us who we are. Perhaps when we were younger the answers made us feel proud or special or maybe we were even showing off a bit because lets face it, working on films is wicked-cool even with the psychotically long days; it is creatively stimulating and immensely social, and, it’s movies for Pete’s sakes!! But I feel like the labels are untruths now; delusions. Lies even. I may enjoy doing those things, but it is not me. To know that our perceptions of life and death are simply the limited way we’ve been programmed to view life and death in our narrow, western, technology-distracted, instant-gratification, earn-money-and-succeed-at-all-costs, live-in-fear and especially the fear aging and death kind of way. It’s freeing to contemplate this; like I can breathe again after a whole life of suffocation. For eleven years I felt locked into a life not of my own choosing (perhaps even longer); a prisoner to motherhood that stemmed from an unplanned pregnancy (that happened, yes, on a movie set), a prisoner to wifehood and all its loneliness, and prisoner ultimately to a responsibility greater than myself. And while I have never loved anyone or anything more than my children – truly a greater love does not exist – they are both terminally ill which has meant eleven years of my heart breaking almost every day. This reality took its toll, there are no appropriate words. Words are too limited. Eleven years of watching them wish to be normal, to struggle with the simplest tasks, to need help in almost every aspect of their lives. Eleven years of sleep deprivation, nursing, doctoring, navigating this cursed healthcare system that seemed determined to bankrupt us; I completely lost myself and not in the way that is good, but through coping, just barely getting by, not recognizing my mirror reflection anymore, nor the person residing within it. Eleven years of watching their little hearts break, but also seeing their joy – the kind of mindfulness that children have by nature; that natural ability to live in the moment and see things that would normally cause me anxiety and find the good in it. You spoke of mentors, they are my mentors for showing me how beautifully simple life can be; that if they can have peace in their circumstances, then surely I can too. Does it really matter than I won’t have children around me as I get older? That their lives could end at any moment? That they may never know the joy of having their own children? That I will have to bury them? That our family name will end here in this generation? Aren’t we all terminal anyway? The way I have been conditioned screams in response to this, ‘yes it matters! this is so unfair! so sad! so devastatingly sad!’ ‘why me! why us! why why why!!’ But my true self may have something different to say on the matter. Without realizing, the conditioned ideas of birth, life and death that I had learned and clung to, had been causing me great emotional turmoil and a sense of powerlessness, or sorrow, worry and heart break; no comfort or peace at all. My little mentors kept me going through the melt-downs, the tears, through the endless illnesses and hospital stays and specialist appointments, through the consuming darkness where I was unable to see any kind of light at the end of the tunnel; where hope, completely dissipated; my strength, merely reflex action, doing what needed to be done; my laughter, forgotten; my body, a monument to my self-neglect. And apart from the occasional precious moment with my children, moments where they taught me wisdom and helped to increase my ability to love, where their expressions of love for their mother gave me the gift of peace for a moment or two amidst the turbulent tide of high-stress-life-is-hard-ness, the reality was that for eleven years, life was just too much, and had been too much for just too long. Too much pain, too much stress, too much worry, too many tears, too many doctors, too many life-threatening petrifying near-death encounters, too much chocolate, too much self-blame, too much anger, too much hopelessness, too much hard work, too much interrupted sleep… Just too much. And it was no healthy way to live. Being able to step back from all of that and simply hear my thoughts and emotions rather than live and drown in the sess-pool of those thoughts and emotions, has been like a healing hand sweeping its magical light through my broken soul and fractured mind. After eleven years of what often felt like constant struggle, I had come to accept that there was no hope, no peace to be found in life, only high emotion, stress and pain. But those are just conditions, conditions that build delusions. So when I say I appreciate your thoughts here on this blog, I mean it with the greatest sincerity. You speak of mindfulness, it strikes a life-preserving chord. You speak of the advancement of love, it rings true. You speak of intellectual exercise, of not judging, of desiring to build wisdom, of seeing past the world – you are like Buddha on the beginning stages of his journey to enlightenment two millennia ago: you get ‘it’. There is something beyond that of which our North American/western reality dictates. Truth is speaking to you, and you are listening. You are open to new learning, to change, and you are sharing this (through a medium that I have grown wary of, but you and my sis-in-law are lately showing me how beautiful this medium can be) with the world. A precious gift, and I thank you.

  • steph

    I love your style. English is not my mother tongue, so my opinion is what it is, but I find you express yourself with an honesty and an simplicity which are very sweet to read. Keep on it. I write too a blog and I am always scared that one person would be aggressive or not very kind in her comments. Internet is good but it deshumanize our relationships. So, for me, you are a good writer: Congratulations! :)

  • Ron Reisterer

    http://www.davidbowdenpoetry.com/poem/strike-the-water

    Strike the Water – David Bowden

    And here we stand
    Toes wet from the Jordan’s dribbling glands
    Lapping at our feet,
    our digits in river
    Our heels on sand
    Fearful our journey might end in defeat
    The river seems to move more jaded
    Not fluid
    As when we first crossed its flowing sheets
    Upon its bare bed,
    That was made naked
    By that famous
    Prophet’s cloaked feat
    For his strength
    Was ample
    When he took up his mantle
    And struck the water’s solid beach
    But here we stand
    Our feet in sand
    And all we want to do is retreat
    We have all stepped up to this stream
    And heard the current of voices rushing
    Through out heads
    That make our legs
    Give up his dreams for the sake of our screams

    “He couldn’t have meant me,”

    We find ourselves saying
    I am too weak
    Too ignorant
    Too meek
    Too indifferent
    I’m too sinful
    Too lost
    Too simple
    For this cause
    I’m a law-breaker
    A God-traitor
    I am not fit to do this noble labor
    And God looks down on us wild excuse-makers
    And says,

    “No, you may not be great”
    “But I in you is something greater”

    And we start to remember
    when we received our call
    That dream inside our depths
    With which we are enthralled
    And how for such a purpose
    God has withdrawn us
    From the normalcy which formally charmed us
    How we left those idols to which we bowed
    As did the prophet, the farmer’s life disavowed
    And in a holy act of sacrifice we too took up our sacred cows
    And left it all behind, burning on the plows
    Now
    Here we stand
    Toes soaking in the Jordan
    God’s mighty cloak in our hand
    His power our fortune
    This river is our proving ground
    To test whether his calling is certain
    Our purpose lies on the opposite shore
    Where we stand sits complacency and boredom
    Now at this point you may begin to feel burdened
    But remember you don’t fight this battle with your own strength
    But with Him whose victory is already determined
    These waves may be weighty but his power is weightier
    Your doubts may be binding but he will be your vindicator
    The torrent may be rushing
    But he will be your savior
    The call you’ve receive may be great
    But the power that shall accomplish it is far greater
    So take up the cloak and with all the might you can squander
    Lay everything down and strike the water
    God himself will be your partner
    As the water begins to part your
    Waves of guilt and apathy
    Will turn to walls of his adequacy
    Your floods of fear and doubt
    Will become ramparts of Jehovah’s shout
    And stretched out before you
    Will be
    Not a raging sea of worry like there was hitherto
    But a solid path of confidence
    And you’ll make solid prints of providence
    As you march on to what you were born to do
    So for all of you sick of playing it safe, getting by on good behavior
    God is saying to you that he has something greater
    For all of you dreamers disillusioned by the desire to be a world changer
    God is saying to you that he has something greater
    For all of us Christians who want Christ but not the cross, just want him as our savior
    God is saying to us that he has something greater
    He is saying,

    “Lay down your lives for the life of your neighbor
    Give in to the demands of your enemies and of strangers
    Be the world’s lovers, though they be your hater
    Sacrifice your bodies not just your behavior
    Show love in your flesh, not just your Bible’s paper
    Be the shattering of rods, and the yoke’s breaker
    Make allies with weakness, and be power’s traitor
    Develop a distaste for strength, while meekness you shall savor
    Be
    Peace-makers
    Suffering-savers
    Forgiveness-curators
    Justice-laborers
    Grace-vindicators
    True Love-translators”

    So we will
    Burn the plows
    Strike the water
    Be the good-life slayer
    We will be a church
    unsatisfied with being great
    But will make ourselves nothing
    To make Him something greater

  • Ron Reisterer

    Allison
    The poem by David Bowden inspired me. It applies lessons learned by Elisha in 1 & 2 Kings to our personal lives. I encourage you to listen to the recorded version first then read it. I hope it will inspire you. You are a very gifted. Use your considerable talents to inspire others.

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