When I was young and read Macbeth In highschool I was obsessed with humanity’s ‘black and deep desires’, and since growing up I’ve realised they are closely woven with emotions that are positive. Examples of this are the idea that suffering is always an element of desire, that control and love are so linked, and pain brings greater joy. As I’ve become more articulate about the tumble of emotions that reside within me like a thunderstorm, I’ve discovered that destruction is a temptation of love. And I won’t to know why.
(PS I am a big fan of Cheryl Strayed and want her to tell me a life story that will explain this).

I’m asking because it is a question, after standstill discussions with peers — some for; some against — I cannot clarify to myself what I believe. To have this question answered would not only put my mind at ease, but influence how I see the world and go about my life.

(In Memoriam Lewis Carroll.)

The public seems to be content with castigating honest and reasonable mistakes while overlooking genuine issues in favour of “weapons of mass distraction”.

I’m asking this question because it is, without doubt, something that most of us want to have happen, and I would like it to be both possible and to be brought about. However, I’m wondering if thinkers who have had more experience of life and of thinking, than I have, believe that it is actually possible. It matters to me because I see peace as enabling any person to experience a positively richer experience of life, and for this reason, I view it as being something that should matter to all of us.

I’ve found it hard to remember how to play after having my kids, and wonder why I ‘grew out’ of it. I’ve loved relearning it but it’s been hard. I think we’d probably be nicer to each other if we kept more of our sense of wonder and joy and curiosity.

The current political system is under pressure around the world. High levels of community distrust, eroding of 2 party systems & decreasing membership, rise of extreme groups, loss of national sovereignty, impact of global corporations.

I have a mental illness in a regional city. I had an episode of anger which I understand is due to acute anxiety, at my daughter’s school. Three years on, people still cower, there is gossip about me, that is of the effect that I am going to coffee shops to ‘meet’ and ‘pickup’ men, and that I am most interested in meeting married men. I am told I have to just move around and amongst the society, (by my psychologist) but I find it safer and apparently I am becoming more reclusive, to remain at home. I don’t condone aggressive behaviour. The school and my workplace, were trying to ‘support’ me, by having psychologists at the school, monitor my behaviour and have people behave ‘accordingly’. I began to feel I was living ‘The Truman Show’, and realise none of my interactions were authentic. Initially those people were being ‘kind’ but misguided, in supporting me, and I guess, my daughter. I have 3 years until she leaves school. I will go ‘somewhere else’. Michael Kirby has spoken of the chaplaincy program being a ‘front’ to filter through students of need/risk. I plod on. This stigma came into my new workplace. I plod on. Btw: this is not my paranoia. Underneath, I find it deeply alienating and distressing.

I need to know, and so does the whole of humanity. What exciting ramifications might come from an affirmative?

People keep repeating the same mistakes despite a fairly good recording of historical events and I wonder if this is an aspect of our biology we seem unable to address.

So. Many. Festivals.

We are all searching for answers – that is the very point of asking questions. Specifically, our quest for answers comes down to a quest for meaning. Finding meaning in the absurd, the ecstasy, the tragic, the triumphs of life is often a challenging and perilous journey. Indeed, Cheryl Strayed walked more than 1.100 miles to make meaning of her life and experiences. Is the search ever complete? Have any of you reached a place of fulfilment, and if so, how, when and where did you find it?

Our recent political leaders are too busy fighting egos, within their own parties as well as the opposition’s, to get down and make some inspired choices for the future of Australians. There’s no long term planning because of all the navel-gazing and it’s embarrassing! Australia could be a world leader with the great minds we have in this country, and the freedom to voice ideas, and yet none of this seems to float to the top, where the decisions get made.