The Deep End
(Quotes, Thoughts and Words of Wizdom from the Karmic Jesters)
- When you believe in the Infinite ALL things are possible...
- Live like there is no yesterday...
- Being crazy is what keeps me sane...
- Rules aren't made to be broken, just avoided...
- Reality is brought on by the lack of drugs or alcohol...
- Politics is a team sport where the winners don't play by the rules...
- Heroes never die, they ascend...
- Nothing is real until it's recorded...
- There are no rules, only conventions...
- I'm not really who I am. You're just witnessing my vivid imagination...
- You can't argue with stupid...
- Drink beer, find God...
- The Future is Watching...
- We can be ruled by either realism, idealism or fear...
- A louder lie does not make it true... (nor do ALL CAPS!)
- NAMASTE MOTHERFUCKERS!!!
- Unexpect the Expected...
- The grass may indeed be greener on the other side, but do you fertilize your own lawn?
- One decision is worth a thousand discussions...
- Greed Trumps Empathy (sadly)
- When we help others, we help ourselves...
- Good lies ahead...
- We're all naked under our clothes...
- Mortality SUCKS!
- Run towards the fear...
- Violence is for pussies!
- A coward with a gun only thinks he is brave...
- Cows are not pigs. (Actual quote from my Granddaughter)
- Just eat the doughnut...
- I'm not as old as the people my age...
- 3 Martinis is my favorite place to be...
- You're never too old to start something really cool...
- Intelligence is the enemy of fools...
- Many can be a prophet, but few can be a guide...
- You are now a 2nd degree of Kevin Bacon...
- I know Comedy and she's NOT amused...
- I've decided to go incognito today - I'm appearing as my true self.
- Live in the light, but walk in the shadows...
- Meditation. Education. Acts of Creation.
- I may not be right, but don't let me be wrong.
- It only takes one asshole to stink up a room.
- All we are is what we leave behind...
The 7 Virtues of Bullshit:
- Lie
- Mislead
- Exaggerate
- Twist (Bait & Switch)
- Ridicule
- Attack
- Smugness (Self Assurance)
If you see any of these "virtues" in others, avoid the bastards. If you see them within yourself, do the rest of us a favor and learn a little humility. I promise, you'll be happier if you do.
Just say YES!
If you want a great life you must earn it. That means doing. Taking risks. Fearless adventures. Not procrastinating but saying "yes" to life, then grabbing it with both hands and pulling it close. Not idly thinking about what you want, but making a decision and putting that decision into action. It can come at a cost - great disappointments, injuries (both physical and emotional), and even death if you are not careful. But living life to its full potential means embracing the love of life and all it has to offer, then taking the necessary steps to experience all that you dream. And it begins with one simple act - saying “YES!”
Thoughts on "Roadrunner" - A film about Anthony Bourdain
I finally watched "Roadrunner," a movie about the life of Anthony Bourdain. I needed to wait till Anthony's suicide wasn't so raw and I had the time to watch without interruption. I loved the person I thought I knew. Most of us did who didn't really know him. After watching the documentary I can honestly say I still love the man... but now with more pain and sorrow and sadness. Yes he was flawed, but he lived his life to its fullest, and as best he thought he could. But as life will do, the demons he was running away from finally caught up with him. Our demons never stop chasing us. Inner Demons never sleep. To protect ourselves from our demons we must build our shields and use them diligently. Our inner light is our most powerful shield. Light is love. It is energy. And as long as we can fill ourselves with love... knowing we are loved, and caring about those who would be hurt if we succumbed to the darkness our demons bring - we can prevail. It's not easy. And the darkness can be overwhelming - overwhelming enough to overcome the seemingly unconquerable beautiful being that was Anthony Bourdain... and so many others.
I'm sad that Anthony was defeated by his demons, but his life is still a wonderful lesson and inspiration to the rest of us. LIVE! Live life to its fullest. Battle your demons as long as you are able. Never give up. Be creative and live in the joy of life. Anthony did... until he couldn't anymore. But we can.
I wrote this poem shortly after I learned of Tony's death. One day I hope to set it to music. Thank you all for indulging me. It's called "The Long Goodbye."
The Long Goodbye
My world I lost a very good friend today
And though I loved him, he never knew my name
In and Out will never taste the same
He’s left us to the long goodbye
We traversed cultures down dark city streets
Hustled the bustle with new friends that we’d meet
Get drunk on passion for the foods that we eat
But now we say the long goodbye
You had the perfect life, you danced the perfect tune
A poet adventurer and culinary tycoon
You seemed to own the whole world, but spent it too soon
Why did you need to say the long goodbye
Did you have us all fooled, concealing all the while
A darkness hidden behind a Bugs Bunny smile
Another broken soul we should’ve seen for a mile
All leading to this long goodbye
Though your journey is over, this song at its end
The story’s not over, as new ones begin
You inspired many souls, now it our turn my friend
Till we meet in the long goodbye
My world I lost a very good friend today
And though I loved him, he never knew my name
In and Out will never taste the same
Damn I’ll miss you… Tony Bourdain
Timothy L Boggs – Composed on June 8, 2018
Not Alone
Gaze deep.
What do you see?
What do you feel?
What do you think?
Breathe.
Take the journey.
Leave all fear behind.
Relax.
You are safe.
You are not alone.
There’s peace inside the moment…
this moment…
this.
Close your eyes.
Do you still see?
Have thoughts and feelings changed?
Nothing stays the same.
Something is different.
All in constant motion.
Where does your journey lead?
It’s up to you.
All up to you.
Find a place of peace and call it home.
You’re not alone.
We are not alone.
Not alone.
Timothy L Boggs - Composed on March 19, 2020
The Light Inside
My philosophy for a long time has been that when there is darkness in our lives, we must turn on the light that's inside of us. For me that means my creativity - to capture and create beauty. To find ways to make others smile. To share love instead of anger or fear or any type of ugliness. Life is so precious and we are all connected to one another - we must tend to each other in kind and gentle ways. Alleviate fear and anxiety where we can. Listen with an understanding and non-judgmental ear. Practice empathy and compassion to all others whether you agree with them or not. The more we can care for others, in thought and action, the more light we create within ourselves. It is that light that connects us, protects us, and guides us, and keeps us centered and whole. You don’t need to practice any particular religion in order to shine this light. You don’t even need to believe in it. It’s just simply there. When you feel it, you know it. And if you don’t, that’s fine too. Just be compassionate. If acts of kindness and compassion make you feel good, then you understand. That’s the Light. So please, keep shining. The brighter we each shine, the better we will be able to face the challenges ahead.
Thoughts on the movie “The Marksman”
(Written July 16, 2021 - I guess I was a little pissed off and hadn't read the post above! I struggle sometimes…)
Watched “The Marksman” tonight with Larry. I thought it was classic American storytelling. All the major themes of Heroic Americanism were present. Liam Niesen channeling Dennis Weaver. Rugged masculine individualism vs “The System.” The systems - government bureaucracy, capitalism, immigration, and even the drug cartels, our hero must conquer, even his own greed.
I found myself watching myself and observing these classic American themes. No subtlety in the performances.
I enjoyed it, but it was almost too perfect. Everything was perfectly set up. All the conflicts - both physical and psychological - I felt like it was written by a computer or by committee. How many boxes did they check off? And still, surprisingly good and entertaining writing. Well directed. Again, a classic American movie with a cherry on top.
But that is also why it’s hilarious to me. Because it really is able convey the present state of today’s USofA. And the present state is pretty fucked up. Global Warming and stupid people. I don’t know what else to call them. Because they are everywhere. Just plain old stupid people. Trump supporters (I’m trying to be nice), climate change deniers, anti-vaxers. Stupid. They don’t seem to believe in science, or much of anything intellectual. They don’t believe some basic medical tools can save their lives, but believe a conman was cheated out of the Presidency? Just fucking stupid.
And global warming is here. People can disbelieve all they want, but it doesn’t care. It’s here to stay till we either figure out how to fix it, slow it down, learn to live with it, or go extinct.
I’m not very optimistic… and I’m an optimist! I’m Mr. “Where there’s a will there’s a way.” But I’m losing my faith in the human species. Because if we don’t figure out something soon about the warming of the planet - no matter what caused it - there will be no YOU!
But if fighting climate change isn’t daunting enough, we also have to deal with the stupid people. So many stupid people - greedy, power hungry, opportunistic, exploitative, self-centered narcissistic DICKS! And then the racist ones on top of that!
PEOPLE… it doesn’t have to be this hard.
The sooner we all learn to get along with each other to work toward a common good and sharing the wealth, the sooner our species can live on a balanced healthy planet.
You can call it whatever labels - Communist, Socialist, Snowflake… but really it’s just common fucking sense. We need to work together to survive what’s coming. If we don’t, complete madness will erupt. You’ve seen all the Apocalypse movies, you know how that ends. Not pretty. No Awnold to come save us. And when I speak of sharing the wealth, I don’t mean equally. Honestly, we’re not evolved enough yet to do that… but I hope someday soon we will. I just think everyone on this Earth should be insured some basic simple rights that not only ensures their survival but gives them basic healthcare and opportunities for growth. Right now human beings are not built for complete communism. It’s a noble idea - everyone sharing everything without complaint, all for the betterment of the whole. It just doesn’t work. Human beings are still greedy little shits. They need competition and reward. The better you do, the greater the reward. They haven’t quite learned altruism. Most haven’t anyway. And even those who are on the surface altruistic, would fight like hell if you tried to take their possessions away, even if for the common good.
We need to take better care of each other, and stop taking advantage of each other. Helping each other climb rather than pulling people down. And at the same time living simpler more sustaining lives. I was about to write “efficient lives” but I don’t want us becoming robots - completely programmed to live efficient lives. I want us to be free, to enjoy life, have fun - but to live that life with balance. Not live for greed. Live to make each other happier every day. Sounds corny I know. But it makes sense. The more we help each other, without exploitation, the better our world can become. And we must get together to battle the climate. I say battle, but it’s really not a battle. Mother Nature is going to kill us someday. The question is how soon? The human species must find a way to live in harmony with this planet of ours, or it will kill us sooner rather than later. She didn’t start this fight. We pissed her off. All we need to do is stop pissing her off and being much kinder to her and her children. If we don’t, she’ll smoke us…. or drown us…. or freeze us to death, then start over again in a few million or billion years. Makes no difference to time and the Universe. A blink in cosmic time. And the Universe is impersonal. But I do believe there is a desire to see the human species survive and grow - to reach its ultimate potential - Creators of worlds as we were created all those many millenniums ago.
But to do all that we must first fight the stupid people. They are the ultra conservatives.
"WE SHALL NOT CHANGE!!!"
But somehow we need to unstupid them. I don’t have any idea how to unstupify most of them. So many are too far down the stupid well.
But it must be done with respect and dignity, even though I think a kick in their collective asses is what those dipshits need.
But if we kick them in the ass, they will most likely pull out a gun and shoot us… just like the baddies in “The Marksman” did.
They don’t need re-education. They simply need educated. But wouldn’t that be a type of indoctrination? Yes it would… if done correctly… but hopefully they would be programmed with the ability to reason for themselves, and reject any bullshit that isn’t constructive and true. The trick is not to feed them more bullshit. They’ve eaten quite enough, thank you.
Again, I don’t have a lot of optimism because their numbers seem to be growing and we can’t fight both climate change and these selfish greedy idiots.
I’ll try to do my part. Whatever I do will not be enough. But if I can raise awareness, using the songs… I don’t know….
maybe…
A Treasure of Moments
At birth we are given a treasure of moments to last our lifetime. It is up to us how we spend those moments.
“We don’t get to choose how long we live, only how short.”
“Ideas are the fireflies we chase with big butterfly nets.”
“We need to think for ourselves… or others are gonna do it for us.”
“What doesn’t kill us, saves us for the next meal!”
"We humans have 4 options as the world moves forward in time:
Progress, Regress, Stagnate or Die.
That’s all there is folks. I suggest option #1."
"The future is written by the choices we make.
Be careful the fate you choose."
"Acting is the process of exploring deeper truths... through lying."
"All religions are cults.
Some are just larger and more accepted than others."
"The first rule of life - Don’t be an idiot."
How to Help the Planet
If you really want to help the planet, and like me, have no fucking clue as to how… just start with yourself by helping those around you. Make their lives better, easier, more livable and enjoyable. And by doing so, your world will improve as the good karma ripples out to those around you. And those around you will be influenced by your good vibes and will in turn radiate out goodness to those around them. And those vibes influence others who influence more others and pretty soon those vibes are radiating goodness across the world.
It’s really that simple.
That doesn’t mean we will end war and hunger and strife immediately… it just means we are contributing to a positive, non violent way of subtly influencing the world while at the same time improving the lives of ourselves and those around us.
Subtle… but simple…
…and no one needs to wear a cape!