Here in Surreal World

Hey, gang! Welcome to my life – where anything is possible and nothing is as it seems. I’m Freedom and I’ll be your host, coming at you from within the depths of Geistopia. 

DOC: Velcum To My Life ees a prochect, un experiment in Life unt ART. A living storyboard, if you will. Its premise ees zat life ees experiential, unt zat you can, unt do, experience ze life you choose. It ees based on Ze Veel of Life unt Ze ARTs for Ze New Millennium as life building tools. Ja, it’s true! 

WALT: Welcome to my Life is a Geist…House Players Production, in association with the Center for Creative Inspirationalism. JustUs Productions, the parent company, would like to give a ‘Shout-Out’ to the following for their ongoing, and oft-times unknowing, inspiration and support:

Princess Cuddlebug

Princess Sunshine

Company

The Shaman

The Pillar

F’n Bob

The Entire Putt-Putt-Putter Clan

The Warden

FaeriePrincess

Professor Siggy Chong

Sparky Wentz-eclaus

The VanMan and General Ralph Glossop, and Craze (may they R.I.P.)

The Messengers of The Galactic Federation

 Looch

BJ & The Bull

Ace

Bert-On

The Baker of the Cornbread

Andy Pandy

The Mudder

Wilson

Zason

St. Diane & You (5)

Brother John & Sister Jen

The Bee Man

Spooky Queen

Boom-Boom Snuffbox

The Nameless One

Tim-Bo

The Mayor & The Turkey Man

The Rox

PDT

Sir Richard Slouch

The Wix-ians

The Socialite

The Village of Idiots

Piz-Niffer

Dancing Queen

Downtown Encyclopedia Brown

Chicken Witch

Dick Pointer

Soup, the Son

The Legendary Pink Elephants

Baby-Mama Rabbit

Wisconsin Belle

The Babes

Aaaand, of course, a very generous sponsor who (not-so-much) wishes to remain anonymous.

It is…Sunday, January 26, Two-Thousand and Twenty-Jive. Time...Reflecting

Theme – Don't Give Up

 This was such a Theme this week that it even appeared on one of my lighters. Things get hard. Things go wrong. You just can't ever give up. The only time you lose or fail is when you give up.

Lesson – Quiet

 I have to keep myself out of touchy debates. Religion and Politics - the two things we should never discuss. Everyone gets touchy and defensive. Myself included. I have lost some friends and family recently due to my feelings on the recent state of things in America. I've been attacked and bullied and accused of spreading hate. That's fine. I will stop my personal commentary. I will stop commenting on others' posts. I will no longer respond to aggressive or argumentative comments on my posts with anything more than an "ok." I am not going to stop expressing my views. I will just use others' posts, memes, and videos to do it. My voice is silenced though.

Observation – Ignorance is Bliss

 In my downtime I got to reflect on my life. Fueled by the "real world" comment. Also by the accusations that this previous President/administration was so terrible. I thought on it and realized that I did'nt really know anything that was going on. I had bigger things on my plate. It's hard to keep up with world news whewn you're homeless and trying to survive. Then I moved into the house and it took well over a year before I was able to work news back into my life. I thought further back and realized I've never really paid any of it much mind. I was too busy living my life. Then I realized that those were my best times. I fely better. I was more connected to Spirit. I saw magick and miracles on a regular basis. It's time to return to that.

The Post

 When I started writing for last week's entry [which never got completed] I was going to title it Running the Marathon. This was a shout-out to my physical therapists explanation of why I had previously experienced such fatigue. The explanation was that my body is healing and therefore is expending a great deal of energy all the time - even when I'm sitting. So, the more activity I engage in, the more energy used. The simplest tasks, like making soup, can result in pushing out the same energy as someone who ran a marathon.

And, that's how I've been feeling lately. I've been engaging in more and more activity around The Homestead. I've also been 'paying the price' for that. I've had plenty of days with no strength or energy. Some days I've even had soreness.

I've been 'running the marathon.'

However, in some social media debate or another this past week, someone told me that I "don't understand how the real world works." At first, I took some offense to this. How does one say that to somebody? I'm going to be 53 this year. I'm pretty sure I have at least a clue.

Then I got a little deeper. I can't find words to explain my thoughts, so I will just use an example. I will use the XL Pipeline here in America. The former President shut down construction. For so many people that is the reason gas prices got so high. That's the "real world." He limited supply [or decreased it] and therefore prices went up. I can follow that logic. It's easy to draw that conclusion and live there. But, when you look deeper into things, the truth is that the pipeline had little impact on anything - nor would it have made much of a difference had it continued under construction.

In fact, there are other things that impacted prices more than the pipeline could have. First, sanctions against Russian oil - imposed by our country and others. This technically limited the global supply. Prices go up. Similarly, just as with many other industries, COVID had a great impact. The world shut down. People weren't working. They weren't buying much gas. Gas supplies backed up for a bit, eventually resulting in production slowing or even halting in some instances. Then, all at once, things started back up again. Demand was up and there was supply enough to sustain us for a bit. But, there wasn't enough to support a long haul. Demand was up and supply was down. Still, for so many, it was simply the pipeline. That was what they knew. That was "The Real World."

So, my thoughts turned to how our realities [our "Real World"] is so very influenced by perception and understanding.

This triggered thoughts of my life - what I've done, where I've been, my experiences, how things have played out. It has been far from the "reality" others tell me I must be living or experiencing. It has been surreal.

It's true that there has been much loss, poverty, struggle. It hasn't been the kind of life for which anyone would strive. I have failed at a lot. Still, there have been times of plenty and success. Things always work out for the best even if it isn't what I personally was planning.

But so little of my life - especially the best things - have happened in a "real world" kind of way. I can reference my home. I didn't get here in any conventional way. I didn't secure it by any traditional means. I've been sustaining it and maintaining it but I have not been living a typical life.

As another example - taxes. We have to pay them. That is the "real world." From there reality becomes skewed. For instance, I claim every dollar I make. Last year I claimed all of my metal scrapping income even though it was less than $300. Many people would have ignored it. "It only matters if it's over $600." Though it is true, at least in the case of 1099s and such, that employers only need to report after $600, according to the IRS, the individuals are responsible for and required to report any and all income received.

We must pay taxes every year. True statement. Though I have known quite a few people who haven't even filed every year. Personally, I have filed the last three years but, due to a combination of things, I have not have the funds to pay them. I am now on a 6 year payment agreement with the IRS. I have interest and fees now, as well as a list of requirements I must meet monthly/yearly.

So where is the "real world" in all of that?

If I had lived my life according to the dictates of the "Real World" I would have missed out on so much. My experiences would have been so limited. Still I have lived my life. Things have happened. It has all been real. So that is my "Real World."

My Surreal world.

Speaking of my Surreal World...

I had a run of days when I was very off. I was fatigued and weak and unable to motivate myself. It seemed no matter how hard I tried I just couldn't find a groove or stay productive. In fact, it was almost a step backwards. I lost ground on my new routines and found myself slipping back into old habits. [Bonus Observation - Old Habits Die Hard. New Ones Can Die Even Harder.)

I was kind of frustrated by it all until I realized that it had been a 10-Day cycle. [And I just now realized it happened over weeks 10 & 11.] To me, all of that indicates a certain shift or elevation of things.

The 10 Day rift inspired me to try t look at things a little deeper. I still need to battle my old habits and addictions. It is a daily struggle. It is an important struggle and I must stop shying away from. It is a struggle I CAN overcome. Also, I know my life is changing but that is all I know. I know I have a future. I just don't know what it is. I have been focused on returning to my life as I was living it because it is all I know. However, I cannot find my future by living in the past.

My healing journey is moving along slowly. The Therapists are encouraging with recognition of the slightest improvements. But they are also realistic in pointing out that there is still plenty of work to be done. I see minor improvements every day at home as I take on new things. But I also see stagnation - so many things I still cannot do right. I don't stop trying though. As I've previously said, I am either making myself better or learning to live as crippled as I am.

Through the generosity of so many people and the help of GoFund Me I am doggie paddling my way through my financial life. I'm keeping u, but just barely. That is bills and day to day living. Rent is another story and I am hoping something will help to correct that soon.

I'm still waiting to hear from disability. I am still trying to pursue other options and follow up with some others. There's very little else I can do but wait. I've offered Tarot Readings. I can't do Reiki at the moment. I have bee boxes to paint for someone but I need a few things first. Plus Ineed it to warm up since the shop has no heat. I have metal to scrap for at least a little money. But, again, I need it to warm up so I can get into the shop to prep it all. I also need to be approved for driving.

I am going to ask about the driving this week at my neurology appointment.

If you’re not already there, go to the Welcome to my Life Facebook page – WTML. Or the YouTube channel – WelcomeToMyLife08. You can also find me on Facebook under Rev. Matt. And there is the newer TikTok @WTML23

Wherever you are and whenever you are – Like, Comment, and Share – we’re on a Journey and it takes you to get there.

So, without hesitation, for now and for always, from here in Geistopia, this is your beloved Rev…

WALT: And Walt…

DOC:  Unt Doc…

JOHNNY: Aaaaand Johnny…

And those guys, saying, “Stay Tuned-In, Fellow Travelers,” and wishing you Peace, Love, Light…

WALT: And Freakishness, Baby.

The Totems & Archetypes

from Ted Andrews’ Animal Speak

Spider – Creativity and the Weaving of Fate

Maya, the weaver of illusion. Grandmother, link to the past and the future. Mysticism of the geometric form of the figure 8. Symbol of infinity. The Wheel of Life. Teaches you to maintain a balance – between past and future, physical and spiritual, male and female. Everything that you do now is weaving what you will encounter in the future. Rhythms. Creative sensibilities. The past always subtly influences the present and future. Spiral shape, the traditional form of creativity and development. We are the center of our own world. “Know thyself and you shall know the Universe.” Keepers and writers of our own destiny, weaving by our thoughts, feelings, and actions. The magic and energy of creation. Assertiveness of that creative force. , keeping the feminine energies of creation alive and strong. Links with the past and future. Are you moving toward a central goal or are you scattered and going in multiple directions? Is everything staying focused? Are you becoming too involved and/or self-absorbed? Are you focusing on others’ accomplishments and not your own? Are you developing resentment because of it – towards yourself or them? The teacher of language and the magic of writing. Death and rebirth. A lunar symbol. Maintain balance and polarity in all aspects of life. Through polarity and balance creativity is stimulated. A combination of gentleness and strength. Walk the threads between life and death – waking and sleeping – between the physical and the spiritual. How to express the creative energies. Don’t be afraid to employ it in seemingly inaccessible corners. Weave your creative threads in the dark and then, when the sun hits them, they will glisten with intricate beauty. Are you not weaving your dreams and imaginings into reality? Are you not using your creative opportunities? Are you feeling closed in or stuck as if in a web? Do you need to pay attention to your balance and where you are walking in life? Are others out of balance around you? Do you need to write? Are you inspired to write or draw and not following through? Remember that Spider is the keeper of the primordial alphabet. Teach how to use the written language with power and creativity so that your words weave a web around those who would read them.