Wow... Words can not express how sadly I feel for what you and Steve have been through. You have received a lot of meaningful advise and expressions of sorrow and concern. J, you know me. Nothing happens as a coincidence. There is a teaching or learning opportunity in all circumstances. The "world"
has its way of wiggling around any Godly laws, just as Satan did in the garden. Water down truth and it becomes a total lie, not a little lie, white like, it is total untruth. And oh yes, for over forty years of my life as an adult, my language could be and was often terrible. A dear friend once said, that this display was indicative of my limited vocabulary... the rest is history. "Dang it" ....
Oh gosh! %#!@** ! We are learning learning learning just like Nemo kept swimming, swimming, swimming, if you are familiar....
I have never believed in coincidence. Your empathy is appreciated and all the comments and the writing itself certainly helped me work through the paradox that so many people are wonderful and others intentionally hurt others in a myriad of ways.
Sorry for your recent travails, Janice. Swindlers were around for millennia. They are in history books, plays, and poems. In itself, it is not a reason for optimism. But I would argue, things are not getting worse, they just have never been amazing, in terms of human integrity. I think coming across swindlers is a factor of moving through life, the longer we live the more likely we are to run into a few. And as we do it is easy to lose belief in people. Yet, most of the people are wholesome folk. Hope things go your way next few weeks.
Why is it such a challenge for some humans to have integrity? Why must those few take their path and hurt the wholesome folks? This is perhaps the larger question. Of course treachery is everywhere in history and our modern world, but I do wonder why.
So pleased you sent chapter two of your first fiction. I LOVED it.
As a young lower deck rating in the Royal Navy the phrase 'Illegitimus non carborundum' became a mantra. It was only years later I found out it wasn't true latin!
Given the apparent increase in bastards out to grind us down these days I find the saying as useful as ever.
Well first, f***, f***, f***ity, F***!! I'm really sorry. Being swindled is such a tricky thing, part infuriating, part humiliating. The awareness that we would NEVER, not EVER just pours salt on the wound. Aarrrgh! 🏴☠️
Maybe it's the former sailor in me (or the former farmer), or that I spent too many years thinking swearing was a ticket to hell and finally figured out there was more to it than that, but any filter I ever had has thinned to the point of being quite hol(e)y. I still work hard to rise above, and it is work. It helps to back myself out of the personal affronts to look at humanity as a whole. Contrary to popular belief, there are statistics to show that we are less depraved now than we once were. If you scroll to the linked video in this post (https://elizabethbeggins.substack.com/p/all-clear-are-you-ready) and the paragraph after, you might find at least a modicum of uplift.
We are far from perfect, and there are those for whom a karmic ass-kicking is surely in order, but your stories of all the genuine, giving folks you've met secure my belief that the good still outnumber the bad. :sigh:
I believe that the world was smaller when it was more polite. A person could not steal from their neighbors in a small town and stay in business for very long. The anonymity of the digital age has led a man to believe that because he stands behind a closed door that he is a “million” miles away.
I also think that the “polite” world was a more violent world. Rustle cattle and you’d hang from a tree; no questions asked. Ira Glasser, one of the ACLU’s greatest proponents of free speech, tells a great story of growing up in Brooklyn and how too much free speech would most likely get you a bloody nose! Such confidence that man had that you would not burn down his house, or at least slash his tires.
As for karma, we use to have a chef in Carmel who famously sent home any kitchen staff who yelled or were otherwise having a bad day … the ingredients would be infused with the negative energy and the meal ruined …
As the author, I am still contemplating what spurred me to complain today when ordinarily I wouldn't. The Schooner man subscribed to this very website last week and I was sending him a message that fate does not forget such bold indiscretion. A very wise friend of mine said, "maybe he will make it right." And I hope that he does.
The other reason was this; sailors be warned, we are a small, interconnected community. The boat is a stunner and recognizable, now in the Eastern Caribbean. Perhaps some of you know the vessel of which I speak. Has the Captain changed his ways? Only time will tell. I certainly hope so. Thanks for all the lively conversations. J
All the really good cuss words were invented by Dutch sailors, so you are standing on the shoulders of giants!
And my favorite sailing song is Southern Cross, by Crosby, Stills, and Nash. Every time I heard it, when I was sailing the Chesapeake, I wanted to turn south and keep going until I got tired of it. Who knows when that would be.
I’ve also noticed that conning someone & lying has become not only acceptable, but also commendable for some over the last decade or two. However, I do think that trend is beginning to dissipate. I am so sorry that you were taken advantage of…especially in such an uncaring manner. I try to tell myself to imagine how they grew up and what they must have been exposed to as a child. Children learn from experiences & I believe they had to have experienced devastating harm/trauma to become the adults they now are. It’s ok to swear like a sailor when we are angry. It helps us to get rid of the hurt. Then we can breathe and let it go. Your thoughtful writing has helped you let it go & remain the kind & thoughtful person you are.
Wisdom in these words, Jen. We are products of our environment. Sharing the story has certainly done me a world of good. And I hope you're right about the dissipation of an uncaring philosophy. I, too, see a corner ahead. Thanks, as always for weighing in and following along. J
I am old, living alone and sailing singlehanded on a fifty year old, 30 ft., nothing special - production sailboat. Like taking a staycation, I spend several days and nights stayvoyaging off the grid on the open water of a large estuary; only returning to my slip for logistical purposes.
I have learned to be content with what I have, with where I am, and with how things are. In achieving this contentment my greatest demons to overcome were anger and ill will. Now my categorical moral imperatives are kindness towards all living creatures and harmlessness towards nature and the environment. “Happy are those who are free from ill will and are kind to all living creatures.” (Buddha).
I did add a comment that, if you have an opportunity and the inclination, I'd like you to peruse. You are lucky indeed to be able to disregard and forgive those who intentionally cause you harm. I want that. Thanks again. J
Share these words of wisdom as often as you can, Daniel. I wholeheartedly agree. And thanks. Very often simply sharing our experiences allows us to forgive and move on.
Your Life sounds peaceful and fulfilling. I imagine that will be us someday.
The 6 IF’s, preach J! I’ve always found myself being an optimist in most situations, perhaps to a fault. That said, some people just suck, and that man that sold you the van will get what he gave. Hard to believe how wrong some people can be. I listened to the John Denver song, hadn’t heard that one before. Interesting how you remember your amazing mother, singing that while cleaning. Can’t help but think that the lyrics of mountains and sailing away had some direction in your journey. Thanks for the great read!
What a great thought Keith, who knows what exactly directs our paths? This morning has been an amazing study of responses on the topic of trust, deception and hope for a better way and a better day ahead.
It's so sad, Tania! Hard to overcome and overlook these difficult lessons, although we must to be happy...life is such a journey. May happiness follow you and thank you for following me!
Wow... Words can not express how sadly I feel for what you and Steve have been through. You have received a lot of meaningful advise and expressions of sorrow and concern. J, you know me. Nothing happens as a coincidence. There is a teaching or learning opportunity in all circumstances. The "world"
has its way of wiggling around any Godly laws, just as Satan did in the garden. Water down truth and it becomes a total lie, not a little lie, white like, it is total untruth. And oh yes, for over forty years of my life as an adult, my language could be and was often terrible. A dear friend once said, that this display was indicative of my limited vocabulary... the rest is history. "Dang it" ....
Oh gosh! %#!@** ! We are learning learning learning just like Nemo kept swimming, swimming, swimming, if you are familiar....
I have never believed in coincidence. Your empathy is appreciated and all the comments and the writing itself certainly helped me work through the paradox that so many people are wonderful and others intentionally hurt others in a myriad of ways.
Always, you add value. Thank you for being here.
J
Sorry for your recent travails, Janice. Swindlers were around for millennia. They are in history books, plays, and poems. In itself, it is not a reason for optimism. But I would argue, things are not getting worse, they just have never been amazing, in terms of human integrity. I think coming across swindlers is a factor of moving through life, the longer we live the more likely we are to run into a few. And as we do it is easy to lose belief in people. Yet, most of the people are wholesome folk. Hope things go your way next few weeks.
Why is it such a challenge for some humans to have integrity? Why must those few take their path and hurt the wholesome folks? This is perhaps the larger question. Of course treachery is everywhere in history and our modern world, but I do wonder why.
So pleased you sent chapter two of your first fiction. I LOVED it.
Oh, wow - thank you for your kind words on the piece :-)
An entertaining read Janice.
As a young lower deck rating in the Royal Navy the phrase 'Illegitimus non carborundum' became a mantra. It was only years later I found out it wasn't true latin!
Given the apparent increase in bastards out to grind us down these days I find the saying as useful as ever.
Well first, f***, f***, f***ity, F***!! I'm really sorry. Being swindled is such a tricky thing, part infuriating, part humiliating. The awareness that we would NEVER, not EVER just pours salt on the wound. Aarrrgh! 🏴☠️
Maybe it's the former sailor in me (or the former farmer), or that I spent too many years thinking swearing was a ticket to hell and finally figured out there was more to it than that, but any filter I ever had has thinned to the point of being quite hol(e)y. I still work hard to rise above, and it is work. It helps to back myself out of the personal affronts to look at humanity as a whole. Contrary to popular belief, there are statistics to show that we are less depraved now than we once were. If you scroll to the linked video in this post (https://elizabethbeggins.substack.com/p/all-clear-are-you-ready) and the paragraph after, you might find at least a modicum of uplift.
We are far from perfect, and there are those for whom a karmic ass-kicking is surely in order, but your stories of all the genuine, giving folks you've met secure my belief that the good still outnumber the bad. :sigh:
Again, so sorry.
Your empathy is treasured. Arrrgh indeed. And YES, we do.
Thanks as always! Truly !
J
Very well done! 🤣
Why thank you!! Sometimes the stories must be told!! May humanity just settle down a bit and look around at how actions effect others. !!
J
I believe that the world was smaller when it was more polite. A person could not steal from their neighbors in a small town and stay in business for very long. The anonymity of the digital age has led a man to believe that because he stands behind a closed door that he is a “million” miles away.
I also think that the “polite” world was a more violent world. Rustle cattle and you’d hang from a tree; no questions asked. Ira Glasser, one of the ACLU’s greatest proponents of free speech, tells a great story of growing up in Brooklyn and how too much free speech would most likely get you a bloody nose! Such confidence that man had that you would not burn down his house, or at least slash his tires.
As for karma, we use to have a chef in Carmel who famously sent home any kitchen staff who yelled or were otherwise having a bad day … the ingredients would be infused with the negative energy and the meal ruined …
Ah! Your words bring up a vision of simple 'justice'....the thought of retribution did cross the mind.
I need to remind myself be happy when cooking! The power of negative energy is a force indeed.
Thanks as always for your diverse insights! J
As the author, I am still contemplating what spurred me to complain today when ordinarily I wouldn't. The Schooner man subscribed to this very website last week and I was sending him a message that fate does not forget such bold indiscretion. A very wise friend of mine said, "maybe he will make it right." And I hope that he does.
The other reason was this; sailors be warned, we are a small, interconnected community. The boat is a stunner and recognizable, now in the Eastern Caribbean. Perhaps some of you know the vessel of which I speak. Has the Captain changed his ways? Only time will tell. I certainly hope so. Thanks for all the lively conversations. J
All the really good cuss words were invented by Dutch sailors, so you are standing on the shoulders of giants!
And my favorite sailing song is Southern Cross, by Crosby, Stills, and Nash. Every time I heard it, when I was sailing the Chesapeake, I wanted to turn south and keep going until I got tired of it. Who knows when that would be.
CSAnd N are a constant on STEADFAST!!
I’ve also noticed that conning someone & lying has become not only acceptable, but also commendable for some over the last decade or two. However, I do think that trend is beginning to dissipate. I am so sorry that you were taken advantage of…especially in such an uncaring manner. I try to tell myself to imagine how they grew up and what they must have been exposed to as a child. Children learn from experiences & I believe they had to have experienced devastating harm/trauma to become the adults they now are. It’s ok to swear like a sailor when we are angry. It helps us to get rid of the hurt. Then we can breathe and let it go. Your thoughtful writing has helped you let it go & remain the kind & thoughtful person you are.
Wisdom in these words, Jen. We are products of our environment. Sharing the story has certainly done me a world of good. And I hope you're right about the dissipation of an uncaring philosophy. I, too, see a corner ahead. Thanks, as always for weighing in and following along. J
I am old, living alone and sailing singlehanded on a fifty year old, 30 ft., nothing special - production sailboat. Like taking a staycation, I spend several days and nights stayvoyaging off the grid on the open water of a large estuary; only returning to my slip for logistical purposes.
I have learned to be content with what I have, with where I am, and with how things are. In achieving this contentment my greatest demons to overcome were anger and ill will. Now my categorical moral imperatives are kindness towards all living creatures and harmlessness towards nature and the environment. “Happy are those who are free from ill will and are kind to all living creatures.” (Buddha).
I did add a comment that, if you have an opportunity and the inclination, I'd like you to peruse. You are lucky indeed to be able to disregard and forgive those who intentionally cause you harm. I want that. Thanks again. J
Share these words of wisdom as often as you can, Daniel. I wholeheartedly agree. And thanks. Very often simply sharing our experiences allows us to forgive and move on.
Your Life sounds peaceful and fulfilling. I imagine that will be us someday.
J
The 6 IF’s, preach J! I’ve always found myself being an optimist in most situations, perhaps to a fault. That said, some people just suck, and that man that sold you the van will get what he gave. Hard to believe how wrong some people can be. I listened to the John Denver song, hadn’t heard that one before. Interesting how you remember your amazing mother, singing that while cleaning. Can’t help but think that the lyrics of mountains and sailing away had some direction in your journey. Thanks for the great read!
What a great thought Keith, who knows what exactly directs our paths? This morning has been an amazing study of responses on the topic of trust, deception and hope for a better way and a better day ahead.
Yes, I've noticed integrity is disappearing in society, and with it trust. 😥
It's so sad, Tania! Hard to overcome and overlook these difficult lessons, although we must to be happy...life is such a journey. May happiness follow you and thank you for following me!
J