I am a Pragmatic Progressive.

[johnaries]

Or, perhaps, a Progressive Pragmatist.

I don't fit into any of the "usual" pigeon-holes that are so evident here on DU.

I am also a Taoist, which means that I reject all pigeon-holes.

I am who I am.

I love my country. The fact that I want it to be the best that it can be only be attributed to the fact of my love.

Unfortunately, people are always going to be people.

Why should I be disappointed, if I know that people can only be people, and then they act like people?

But I believe that people can rise above themselves.

But I know it won't be easy. And I rejoice in every single baby-step that people make.

[MercutioATC]

1. Labels are meaningless without reference.

In the absence of a universal standard, you are a "pragmatic progressive".

So was Mother Theresa.

So was Stalin.

So was Elvis.

[Political Heretic]

2. That's exactly right. Thank you for stating this.

The OP, claiming to be a Taoist, should know this.

[johnaries]

7. Yes. Exactly.

"pigeon-holes" are man-made. They are meant only for reference to man-made ideals.

Since so many DUer's are so insistent on "pigeon-holes", I'm just trying to figure out how to describe myself.

Which should be unnecessary.

[elleng]

3. DITTOes!

Hi, johnaries!

[napoleon_in_rags]

4. Thanks. A dose of meditative mind would probably be good for the online political world.

I have been working on some Buddhist meditations, sort of letting all the "what if" thinking go and look at what's in front of you. Mindfulness if you like. I usually use it to look at my life right in front of me, but when I look up at the political scene, it also offers a fresh perspective. It makes me see politicians as these people basically trying to do their jobs, in a really messy and complex world. Its actually quite a relief from my old way of looking at it, because you can actually just let go of all the suspicions and start recognizing real world possibilities. I actually think its quite politically motivating and empowering.

[liberal_at_heart]

5. I study Buddhism. I am also a mother

Being a mother I recognize I will never be a perfect Buddhist but then who is? Buddhist monks are pretty good at not getting attached to the world but being a mother I find myself very attached to the world. When I see other countries putting universal healthcare policies in place I want that for my kids. Yes I can step back and appreciate all that have just as it is. My son is autistic and I am okay with that because he is a beautiful person who is loving, funny, warm, and caring. I try my very hardest not to have any expectations about his future but as a mother I do have days where I am sad when I see him struggle and scared about whether he will be able to take care of himself. So yes it is good to try and step back and let go. To just accept things the way they are, but that does not mean we cannot try to improve things. Even the Dalai Lama tries to improve things by traveling and teaching the world about compassion and social justice. The monks in Burma tried to improve the plight of their people. They did it through non-violent resistance. Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. both improved the lives of many people through non-violent resistance. I believe very strongly in improving the plight of the poor, war stricken, and oppressed through non-violent resistance.

[napoleon_in_rags]

14. Maybe accepting things as they are is the ONLY way to really change things.

Whenever I've gotten too high an idea of myself, I've fallen. I don't think people who do great things think of themselves as great people, I think they are people who know their own weaknesses well enough to work around them. In accepting themselves as they are, the gates open for them to accept others as they are and the world as it is, all ugly things included.

That's a difficult thing to do, yet I also believe its incredibly powerful. It is for this reason that we are confronted with the challenges we have in life, like having a disabled child or money troubles or relationship challenges etc. These things prompt us to abandon the ideal of how things should be, and see them how they really are, wounds included. It is only through seeing the wounds that we learn to become a force for healing, and that's what we're here to do.

There is a story I think I read in a book by a Buddhist author, that tells of accepting the imperfect and what it gives us: It tells of a man who lost his leg in an auto accident and went to a Buddhist monastery. While there, he was immersed in anger and depression for years. He drew these dark pictures, dead trees, desolate scenes and broken vases. Finally, after years of meditation, he had a breakthrough and peace came through into his life. The master noticed that after this, he no longer drew the dead trees and broken desolate scenes, but scenes of life and flowers. Yet when he drew the vases, they still had a crack in them. Curious, the master asked about this. Had he not found wholeness within himself? Then why a crack in the vases?
"That's how the light gets in" the man replied with a smile.

[johnaries]

8. Well said! But if I may, add another layer.

People who cannot view said Politicians as "merely human", but as....

I don't know. Extensions of themselves?

[napoleon_in_rags]

15. I agree. If you think though, its like that with everybody.

We see everybody as an extension of ourselves. The problem is not with this, because I believe in a sense everybody IS an extension of ourselves, but the problem is with what makes up "ourself" :) We tend to get these ideals of what we should be, then we project those outward into the world. The world doesn't live up and we are invariably let down. This is what I was just talking about in the post to the reply above yours (check it out) that if we can accept the imperfections and wounds in ourselves as just being, then we can accept them in the world, and only then can we begin the work of healing the world. Because our culture values youth and energy and newness, it has come through time to a tipping point, and now exalts immaturity, and lack of wisdom. This will collapse. Better to go back to placing value with the those who struggle, who have known suffering. That's really the way to build something strong enough to last, though I think sometimes we have forgotten it:

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Peace!

[tblue]

6. Okay. But you just labeled yourself. Is that different from "pigeon-holing"?

Only asking because I want to understand, with all due respect.

[johnaries]

10. Nope. No different.

But DU - like most of society - requires us to be "defined" or "pigeon-holed" within definitions that all can mutually understand. So that we can have a reference point.

But, in fact, none of us fall completely into that stereotype that we most "identify with", do we?

And yet, people are so quick to judge us based on whatever stereotype or pigeion-hole they decide to put us in.

[Forkboy]

9. I have no idea what to call myself.

But I trust that people here can suggest some ideas. :evilgrin:

[johnaries]

11. Well, you might want to pick one, quick!

Because some of the labels are being flung high and wide!

:)

[Forkboy]

13. I encourage people to be creative with it. Only the lazy ones will bother me.

;)

[ChicagoSuz219]

12. If I were to label myself, I'd be one, too! ;-) n/t

[voc]

16. Labels are meaningless now. nt