So in the end, we can only do our best. What constitutes our best is another matter, but are we honest with ourselves about what it means to try? I try to do that, I try to be honest about where I am coming from with any given point, when I’m communicating to others, and seeking to make connections, deep and meaningful connections.   I’ve noticed that I am a kind of outlier, in certain groups, and this is because I don’t follow the usual group dynamics, and conform to said group. This doesn’t mean that I am not accepting … Continue reading Poverty: A Reflection (by Phoenix)

My attempt in this article is to open the eyes of those that do not understand ever going without food or shelter, to broaden horizons of a new view, to shift perception, with more energy used to educate and to teach an unfamiliar perspective: A perspective, of love and compassion for humanity.   I know that when the individuals that I serve with when we do our service project Feed the Streets do it out of love and compassion for those that are experiencing being homeless. We are there without judgment of what our brothers and sisters are going through. … Continue reading Shifting Energy by Dan Davidson

FROM BEING A MENACE TO SOCIETY, TO A PERSON OF LOVE AND COMPASSION FOR HUMANITY. RAISING THE BAR, SMASHING STIGMAS, DESTROYING DISCRIMINATION , CHANGING THE LANGUAGE WE SPEAK, SHARING THE TRUTH, SHIFTING PERCEPTION. I want to take a moment and give an introduction of myself. I’d also like to discuss with you and describe my personal story and my shift from the person I had become, to the person I am today. My intentions are to share my experience in being a racist, sexist, discriminating person, to becoming the man I am today. I believe that if I can make … Continue reading From Hate to Love by Dan Davidson

As I write this, I am feeling both successful and content, as well as sad and defeated. It is difficult for me to express what I feel, and what I think about things, so I will start with a simple idea and feeling, and go from there.   From this point forward, my life is changing. Perhaps for the better, perhaps not. I must remain open. There are many things going on in my life, which requires me to look at things differently, and take certain steps. Now, I am feeling both positive and overwhelmed at where my life is … Continue reading Swan Song by Phoenix

I have been thinking a lot about meaning, and whether or not my life has any meaning. There are many reasons for this, recent triggers and stressors that have made me wonder if my life carries with it a sense of purpose. One reason is because recently, I have had a general limited feeling of purpose, but I have also collapsed into a certain nihilistic worldview that I am actively trying to combat, and to be blunt, I have struggled with suicidal thoughts and depression, among other symptoms of mental illness.   I think this is an important question to … Continue reading A Sense of Purpose: The War against Nihilism by Phoenix

At my last outreach, a volunteer said in a moment of frustration, “Why don’t the lazy people just get out of bed and work?” He was referring to the homeless, to the mentally ill. He was referring not to his own opinion and prejudiced perspective, but to what people say about the homeless and the mentally ill. Depression is as simple as “getting out of bed” and finding work.   I could go on and on about why this is a major misconception, but I’ll keep it simple. As it stands, we don’t understand the mind, and we don’t have … Continue reading Mental Illness and Homelessness by Phoenix

Today, when I was at Desert Industries looking for some good books to read, I felt a little sad because I didn’t get to go to the library and check out some resource/research materials, and I was frustrated with my bike. For whatever reason, I cannot get the bike to work, as the brakes are problematic and it makes a funny sound that I don’t trust. I hate riding this bike because it’s kind of unsafe, but I can’t figure out how to fix it. Anyway, I was frustrated with the bike and sad I couldn’t go to the library … Continue reading The Bike: An Anecdote by Phoenix

Often times, this cruel world wants to push us to be “realists.” Meaning, “it is what it is,” or, “I accept reality at face value,” or, “it’s black and white.” Recently, this term “realism” was used pejoratively against me, meaning, they were saying that “I don’t see reality as it actually is.” They were implying everything from I live in a fantasy world to I don’t confront reality as it actually is due to inherent weakness. But, as a metaphysician, while I acknowledge that some things in this existence are “fixed” (just think of Bertrand Russell’s “facts”), not everything is … Continue reading Realism by Phoenix