![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Had a wonderful conversation with Swift last night which got me thinking. As did ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
pampaskitty's entry yesterday, and Pampas' latest entry on the new 'Awereness' forums.
Yes, I caved in and joined the new 'Awereness' forums. I don't intend to actually post there, just to observe from on high in a lotus position. Er, maybe not, but I like to observe whatever the 'community' consists of these days from a considerable distance--both personally and figuratively.
Plus Uath is at the helm of therianthropy.org, and he is a good-hearted fellow.
Something I spoke about to Swift last night: Observing. It's astounding what can be learned from observing people, both on-line and off. The lack of on-line maturity is outstanding, but sadly, is only reflective of off-line society's growing lack of importance placed on social skills, social interaction, and compassion.
It's interesting how few animal folk, mostly the next generation, don't get along. Why back in my day, when we padded uphill both ways to get to school, us animal folk all held paws and sang campfire songs. Well, perhaps not, but the core of us had an unspeakable connection. Many of us have remained friends longer than most marriages these days last. I've never once questioned the love or loyalty of these old friends.
I feel this same unquestioning safety with the core of animal people I've discovered through LJ now. Is it a 'Were' thing? From my experience, I'm inclined to say yes.
Why? I've no real answer. Also, I can't say all animal people are this way.
It's something to ponder, though.
What is the essence of our animalness? Is it a phase, a delusion, a coping mechanism, or something divine? Something outside of us, or just us, end of story?
It's not up to me or any one else to answer that. It's up to you. It's a unique phenomenon, utterly individual.
So what's my take? Ever-changing. I'm constantly studying myself, asking questions, probing my connection, wondering. It's that wonder that keeps my heart young, that keeps my mind sharp.
I am lynx, and I'm Sarah. Lynx is part of me, and lynx is apart from me. Lynx isn't an animal somewhere, lynx is a mythological archetype. Lynx is also the melding of wolf and cat spirit. All simultaneously, in timeless time and space without space.
My personal view, or my personal madness, if you like *grins*. It's not a detriment to my life or my interaction with others. In essence, it's no big deal--like me being gay, or being in a wheelchair.
I believe this is transitory for some, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Life is funny, and has a way of interfering with eclectic or esoteric pursuits. That's why not everyone's interested in being or cut out to be a monk, or a nun, or a minister, etc. It also depends on one's individual view of their relationship to/with said animal. Totems or guiding spirits come and go as needed in one's life to deal with certain issues.
pampaskitty's entry yesterday, and Pampas' latest entry on the new 'Awereness' forums.Yes, I caved in and joined the new 'Awereness' forums. I don't intend to actually post there, just to observe from on high in a lotus position. Er, maybe not, but I like to observe whatever the 'community' consists of these days from a considerable distance--both personally and figuratively.
Plus Uath is at the helm of therianthropy.org, and he is a good-hearted fellow.
Something I spoke about to Swift last night: Observing. It's astounding what can be learned from observing people, both on-line and off. The lack of on-line maturity is outstanding, but sadly, is only reflective of off-line society's growing lack of importance placed on social skills, social interaction, and compassion.
It's interesting how few animal folk, mostly the next generation, don't get along. Why back in my day, when we padded uphill both ways to get to school, us animal folk all held paws and sang campfire songs. Well, perhaps not, but the core of us had an unspeakable connection. Many of us have remained friends longer than most marriages these days last. I've never once questioned the love or loyalty of these old friends.
I feel this same unquestioning safety with the core of animal people I've discovered through LJ now. Is it a 'Were' thing? From my experience, I'm inclined to say yes.
Why? I've no real answer. Also, I can't say all animal people are this way.
It's something to ponder, though.
What is the essence of our animalness? Is it a phase, a delusion, a coping mechanism, or something divine? Something outside of us, or just us, end of story?
It's not up to me or any one else to answer that. It's up to you. It's a unique phenomenon, utterly individual.
So what's my take? Ever-changing. I'm constantly studying myself, asking questions, probing my connection, wondering. It's that wonder that keeps my heart young, that keeps my mind sharp.
I am lynx, and I'm Sarah. Lynx is part of me, and lynx is apart from me. Lynx isn't an animal somewhere, lynx is a mythological archetype. Lynx is also the melding of wolf and cat spirit. All simultaneously, in timeless time and space without space.
My personal view, or my personal madness, if you like *grins*. It's not a detriment to my life or my interaction with others. In essence, it's no big deal--like me being gay, or being in a wheelchair.
I believe this is transitory for some, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Life is funny, and has a way of interfering with eclectic or esoteric pursuits. That's why not everyone's interested in being or cut out to be a monk, or a nun, or a minister, etc. It also depends on one's individual view of their relationship to/with said animal. Totems or guiding spirits come and go as needed in one's life to deal with certain issues.
