(Quotes, Thoughts and Words of Wizdom from the Karmic Jesters)

Timisms

• When you believe in the Infinite ALL things are possible...
• We conscious souls are merely the tips of the fingers of God…
• Be what you want in others…
• 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)
• The difference between an eccentric person and an insane one is about a million dollars.
• 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...
• Will do tricks for treats!
• 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…
• Miss Fortune - tragedy follows her everywhere…
• Con-fus-ed says “I don't know.”
• Life is a tennis match. Be the net, not the ball.
• 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.
• The past is a fun place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there.
• The nectar of gratitude is joy..
• All we are is what we leave behind…
• Beauty is not the package, it’s the gift inside.
• Love is a game played by many, each with their own set of rules.
• Life is either what you create, or what you settle for.

The 7 Virtues of Bullshit:

1. Lie
2. Mislead
3. Exaggerate
4. Twist (Bait & Switch)
5. Ridicule
6. Attack
7. 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…

The System

You work hard.

Do what’s right.

Man of your word.

Live your life.

Evade conflict.

Avoid pain.

Stand when called on.

Dutiful and kind.

You make your mark.

Just not too high.

Don’t draw attention.

Keep it tight.

You know what’s out there.

 Hold it taut.

No time to speak. 

Must stay aware.

You do the best

With what you have.

And you keep going

As long as you can.

Don’t stop.

Keep moving.

Let go of want.

Let go of fear.

And where you go

Is up to you.

Trust your guide.

Your inner you.

The way is steep.

The path is long.

As we continue to sing

The eternal song.

Soft light and peace upon you.

Dance upon the stars.

Be all as you desire.

But beware.

All eyes are now upon you.

Everyone can see.

No place to hide, exposed. 

You are free.

"haze of a morning forest" 

a memory

obscured recollection 

entangled in mystery

forgotten 

where is not location

nor life a journey’s end

one precious step onward

eternal

haze of a morning forest 

wandering a trail leading everywhere

all paths converging to one

peace

Slow down…

Be quiet…

Ask questions…

Listen inside…

Receive wisdom…

Find peace.

Seeds of Light

I want to plant seeds of light all around the world. 

Ideas and questions that germinate and grow, 

bringing more light, love and positive energy into our world.

What is?

What is water?

Is it the ocean?

Is it the droplet?

Is it the stream?

What is life?

Is it the living?

Is it the liver?

Or is it the way?

Simple yet profound. We humans (at least those using the “Western” mindset seem obsessed with labeling everything - possibly thinking that giving something a name makes it real. But I feel some things shouldn’t be confined by a mere label, and be open to all that it can be outside a name.

My practice, for instance. It is not Zen or Tao or any religion. It is beyond those titles. It is nameless as the great creator/s should remain nameless. To do otherwise dishonors the enormity of its grand divinity. 

Don’t put “God” in a bottle. Set God free.

Life.

So real and yet not. 

Tick. Tick. Tick.

and it’s gone.

Slow down…

Be quiet…

Ask questions…

Listen inside…

Receive wisdom…

Find peace.

There are no Messiahs

There is only us

There are no heroes

There is only you 

Moments

I’ve spent most of my life grasping at moments 

To catch them and keep them alive

But moments aren’t meant to be held on for long

Set the moment free to move on

Love

"Love is a strange phenomena. 

Can’t always choose who and how we love. 

Only how much."

Each Journey

"Every person born embarks on a journey.  Some are long and some very short. 

Each has a different destination.

And each journey affects both the traveler and those they come into contact along the way.

Celebrate each journey as they have all led us to where we are."

A Perspective of Age

"The young man looks and imagines what could be

The mature man admires and wonders what could’ve been

The old man gazes lovingly remembering what once was and now what will never be 

Thankful for a life fully lived"

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 them."

“We don’t get to choose how long we live, only how short.”

“Ideas are the fireflies we chase with big butterfly nets.”

“Life may only give us a few chances to do something really special…

…so take the chance."

“To die alone and unloved is probably the worst death of all.”

'

“Love only ends in heartbreak, so we must keep it alive.”

“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."

“Evolution is a game nature plays to help mortals better survive.”

"Acting is the process of exploring deeper truths... through lying."

"All religions are cults.

Some are just larger and more accepted than others."

“The truth lies hidden in the shadow of light.”

“True freedom resides in the realms beyond heaven.”

"Embrace the notion of unexpected change."

“There’s more joy in discovery than in any gift. “

"Happiness is a choice.

Smiling is a physical mechanism to help us get and stay there."

“Sometimes the bad times are there to remind us to 

better appreciate the good times when they happen.”

"Fears are like demons that haunt us in the shadows 

creating illusions of worlds and feelings we want to escape."

“The darkness inside is the fear of the unknown. 

When lost in darkness, look for the stars.”

“Our daily lives is a continual moment of removing obstacles.”

“Do what you can do, let go of what you can’t.”

"Don’t leave an empty kettle. Refill it so others don’t need to."

“Life is better when you’re not an asshole.”

"Be cool. Be good. Be better. Just be."

“Of all the yous you can possibly be, be the best one.”

“When you make life better for others,

you also make it better for yourself.”

“When I do better for the world, the world does better for me.”

“The Balance of Stillness” - How Karma seeks to pay all debts.

“We are defined by our choices. 

Learn to make better choices for ourselves and our world.”

“Coincidence is God’s way of staying anonymous.”

“Why limit yourself to belief and faith 

when you can know and know that you know.”

“Eternity is a very long time. Enjoy the journey.”

“Magic happens when you put right energy into right focus.”

“Do what you can do now until you can do more later.”

"The Ocean swallows the Land,

but the land contains the ocean."

“Life is sacred, but to a point.”

"The first rule of life - Don’t be an idiot."

"Stupid people are like drowning people. 

If you’re not careful they will drag you down with them."

“Slow and simple and don’t do anything stupid.”

“Everything happens in its own time.”

“An idle mind is a playground for the devils.”

“Devils are our thoughts, urges and fears that distract us from our path toward Enlightenment.”

“Love can bring lovers together and also drive them apart.”

“Love can’t be owned, only shared.”

“A Dreamer is someone who uses their mind and imagination to create magic.”

“Dreamers create worlds and the rules they desire.”

“Moments recorded are not moments lost.”

"Everything moves toward stillness."

Hearts rhyme in time beat as one."

“Better insight leads to better foresight and 

lessens the need for better hindsight!”

“I'm not hiding, you just haven't found me yet.”

"The better our choices the better our aim."

"The more we all grow, the better and happier we all become."

"Play nice in life. Help each other grow."

“Life gets easier when we make better choices.”

“The higher our aspirations for ourselves, 

the more positive influence we have on our world around us.”

“Everything is connected. All of our paths intersect. Understanding that we are all connected, and respect those connections,  the more harmony each of us can give and experience.”

“True love’s value is the greatest because 

it is so difficult to achieve and endure. “

“The agony of unfulfilled love is the risk 

and what makes true love so valuable.”

"Accept love with a grateful spirit and it will find a home inside you."

“It’s more fun when you know what you’re doing.”

“Harmonize with Karmic Destiny.”

“Steel on steel sharpens both blades.”

“I mine my mind until it is mine!”

“Allow”

“Be good”

be

“Each of us can dream of a better world, but unless we stand up for that dream, it will be lost to the chaos of the unenlightened.”

“Pull, aim, let go.”

“Enjoy… but not too much.”

“Seek perfection but not at all costs.”

The human male has a basic instinct it lives by - its primal urges:

Wake, Mate, Eat, Shit, Sleep.

…repeat…

"Take a step back and look at who you are…

Take a step back and look at where you are…

Take a step back and look at how you are - 

not just the when and the where but also why. 

How it all happened."

“Congratulations. You have done everything right. 

You have made all the necessary mistakes 

to lead you to this moment.”

Words

“Words are vocal sounds we agree to give meaning to.”

“Words have no power except that we allow them.”

“There are no bad words, only bad intent.”

“Words are tools. They have no power unless we give power to them.”

Stories

Everyone has a story to tell. Stories they’ve lived. Stories they’ve heard from others. Stories they’ve conjured in their imagination. We all have them, these treasures of images and sound and feeling just waiting to be expressed. To be made real. 

We must set them free. 

Write.

Write

I feel deeply that personal writing is the best way of curing mental stagnation, depression and inner turmoil. The simple task of putting thought to written word. Out of the ether into the physical.  No initial examination of the words - that comes later. Just simply writing thoughts as they come until they flow. Then and only then begin to be more choosy of the words you write down.

Fishes and Butterflies

Seems like each time I close my eyes to sleep, something sumptuous waifs into my creative spirit and beckons me back into the conscious world so I may manifest the idea into the physical plane. 

I capture it. Make it real. From Spirit to Mind into Physical.

My advice to young creators when an idea comes to you as you are about to fall asleep - wake yourself immediately and write the idea down or record it with your voice. Don't think. Don't question. Don't ponder. Just get it down. Don’t let the little fishes swim away where you can never reach them again…  The next morning may be too late. 

Even if you capture some fish later, they may be different fishes, and not as bright as the ones you first attracted. Something similar may smile at you, but it will never be the same as the first true spark of inspiration. It will always be different.

But who knows, maybe the next time the idea returns it will be better? 

We will never know. In my experience, more often than not the fish swim away and the butterflies flitter away to hide. 

The moment is lost.

So I try to capture my fishes and butterflies as soon as I sense they are there and ready to move into the physical world.

Then just add a little love to them as you put them to bed.

Sweet, smiling, fresh newly born ideas… ready to be spanked!

How do you wake an idea?  You spank it! 

With love, of course.

That wakes it up and gets it moving.

Gotta put energy into ideas and creations.  Make them real.

The more loving energy you give, the more likely the creation will love you back in some way (probably not the traditional way). But love is always love - no matter what the form or fashion it takes.

Accept love with a grateful spirit and it will find a home inside you.

Greed vs Humility

If you are a greedy asshole, your karma will eventually put you in lifetime after lifetimes of misery until you learn humility. It all evens out over time. It just lakes a very long time in human perception of time.

If you live a humble, productive, happy and generous life, you learn to flow. To allow. Let life take care of itself without getting too much in the way. Life needs some guidance, but try not to become an obstacle in your own path. Observe  your life from a higher perspective by raising your vibration. And you raise you vibration by being a kind and decent human being. Slow and steady wins the race.

So does kind and gentle. Generous and humble. Doing for others without expectation of reward. 

Simple goodness.

Goodness will overcome all negative forces eventually. The greater number of good, the sooner it is accomplished.

Be good!

View of Life

“Living a life is like climbing a ladder. The longer a person lives the higher they go and the greater perspective they have… as long as they can continue to keep their eyes open and contemplate the view.”

Flow

When we learn to flow with the positive energies, there is less resistance in the long run. Lifetimes become more graceful. Acquired Karma will still need to be cleaned up until the slate is clean, but after that it will be smoother living - lifetime after lifetime - as long as we stay conscious of this way of being.

Falling in Love

“Falling in love. That aching, longing, confused, gut-wrenching and most wonderful of feelings when it is fulfilled. The agony of unfulfilled love is the risk and what makes true love so valuable. True love’s value is the greatest because it is so difficult to achieve and endure.”

Our Highest Ideals

Enjoy… but not too much.

Live… but in harmonic balance with the world around you. 

Raise your sights to your highest ideals. Then ask deep inside -

“How can I achieve my highest ideals?”

The Lesson

Every person we come in contact with has a lesson to teach us. Most in the short term are subtle. But over time these subtleties become more complex and it is how we deal with each lesson - how we treat and respect each other and ultimately form an opinion of each person, determines how well we have mastered the lesson.

The Void

Lights are out so are feelings

Nothing to report.

No sight to see

 Or sound to hear

Just the endless void 

Neither black nor white

Forever in nothing

Vanquished

For all eternity yet

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!