War

[Gregorian]

38. A transformation story.

Jim was subjected to incredible abuse as a child. He ended up on the streets of San Francisco in the toughest gangs. This guy intimidated the Hells Angels. He was ready to go to Vietnam and kill some "gooks". One of the guys in his gang had already gone to the war. According to Jim he was the original Rambo. The guy who went back up the river in enemy territory, single handed, to get prisoners. When his friend came back from the war, Jim told him how anxious he was to go. His friend just said 'It isn't what you think'. He got the message across that this was something other than what we were told. It was bullshit, in other words. Somehow Jim heard him, and literally went from willing to go to being a CO.

There are a number of great things on the internet now. I've begun watching some Youtube channels that revolve around strength, both physically and mentally. Becoming a bigger and better version of oneself. Not just taking what is thrown at us. It takes effort, and dedication, and knowledge. I think we've allowed ourselves to believe those with the biggest mouthpiece. Buy this; do that; be all you can be; just say no; just do it. But that's changing. I mention this because that Rambo guy is an artist now. And Jim beat his abuse and alcoholism and violence, and now lives a life helping others, and all of the animals that live on his property. I laughed when he told me about coming home at night. He said that the skunks and deer and possums and racoons wait for him to come home. We can change. But it's a challenge. For some reason hatred is much easier to be absorbed by us than love. It's as if love is a higher level that is more difficult, and even distasteful for us. As if we might lose a piece of our self by not fighting back.