I guess it's the whole changing the world with their silence that seems so ... pretentious, to be honest.

This, for me. It's fine to say "I need three years of Me time to decompress" but claiming it's for the betterment of the outside world rather than for your personal benefit is frankly BS.

Hey, happy birthday, lady! I wish you cake.

Happy Birthday Jess!

I tend more to an isolated cabin somewhere where I could farm a little and still have a kick-ass internet connection. what?

Right? Idyllic, I tell you what.

I guess it's the whole changing the world with their silence that seems so ... pretentious, to be honest.

This, although, I've been giving it some thought, and I do of course believe it's possible to change things through prayer, so maybe it's a hypocritical criticism from me?

But also,

I knew a woman who quit her job after saving money and traveled around the world by herself for a year,

"saving money" is the critical bit here. The asking for funding to sit around is part of what's twigging me here. But there again, I live entirely on other people's money, who give it to me so I can futz around on guitars and not ever work a regular schedule. Okay, that's probably not why they give me the money, but they're at least okay with the fact that that's what I do with it. And frankly, I live pretty well on other people's charity for my idea of doing good.

I dunno. I guess the people donating to them know what they're giving for. And I guess the caregivers know. So if they want to spend their money and time that way, I guess more power to them?

So all that leaves me objecting to is the cultural appropriation. Which I object to everywhere. So I guess I have the same problem with this group of meditators pledged to silence as I do with Outkast.

Happy birthday, Jess!

I just got the link to the pictures from the Halloween party I went to, and they are excellent. Here I am: [link]

This, for me. It's fine to say "I need three years of Me time to decompress" but claiming it's for the betterment of the outside world rather than for your personal benefit is frankly BS.

And yet, if every person were a better person wouldn't it equal a better world?

Jesse, I LOOOOOOVE that picture!

Happy birthday Jess.

As far a s the 3 years of meditation... I just can't imagine. I consider my self on the couch potato side of life. I can sit and do nothing , but for 3 years? I don't think so. So I can't even relate.

I like my nose from the front, but nsm from the side. I generally hate my profile and prefer to believe Everyone sees me as I see myself, in the mirror.

ME TOO! Exactly.

I was thinking my nose hasn't really changed since I was a kid but I just looked at some pictures and it has. Still recognizably the same nose though!

Grace walking is so freaking awesome!!

Happy Birthday, Jess!

Jesse, that is fantastic!!!

happy bday, Jess!