Free Life Blog

The Hawk

A Freedom Spirit Poem by Chris Bunton

I was at work, walking outside when I heard a hawk call.

His beautiful cry, in the crisp fall air, instantly brought me back to the forest I miss.

Just sitting in the woods spending time with God; watching His creation work around me, as I become one with Him and It.

The smell of wood smoke from long ago, rising up as I rise with it to be free.

The feel of layers of rough cloth on my flesh, protecting me from the chill, pleasing in its warmth.

The crunch of leaves under me, as I shift my position.

That cycle of life around me, growing for a season, then falling to the ground to feed, protect, and warm the Earth again.

And there’s that hawk in the highest peak of the tree in the distance, crying and flying into the air to be free.

He cares for nothing but what he is doing in that moment.

He knows what he is, and who he is, and that he will be fine.

He does exactly what God created him to do, and he feels no shame.

He is free.

And I return to my head, praising God and longing to be among my friends the trees and to be free also.

To love, to praise God and to live in peace with everything.

Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

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Trust

Political Truth by Chris Bunton

One of the first things that needs to be done, is for “leaders” to prove that the masses can trust them. We currently do not, and for good reason. Any effort to effect change in our world will fail without the masses of people supporting it in some way. But, when we get told that we should stop living in a manner that is irresponsible while seeing our leaders, living high on the hog, it’s just another example of why we cannot trust them.

Our leaders support the major industries and corporations of the world, who are the ones doing the raping of our world. They create the poisons and machines that have done all the destruction, then tell us they have the solution. They take money from our checks, keeping us in poverty, and then give it to their friends in high places. They pass laws that ruin our lives, while giving their friends loopholes.

We see “important” people breaking laws, and doing things that would get the regular guy a visit from the FBI. We see those same people getting light sentences for crimes that would put Joe Blow away for a decade.

We see leaders constantly working to pass laws that would chip away at the Constitution piece by piece. They make promises to us to get elected, and then never follow through. They are just a different suit on the stage pushing the same agenda, while the media lies to us over and over again.

How can we trust people who we all suspect might put us in concentration camps one day? And don’t act like you don’t think it. I don’t care what side of the fence you are on.

So, when they come out with a “Deal” to save the world, why should we trust them? When they call us names and treat us like we are stupid, why should we support them? When they say the science is settled, but their college buddy still poisons the world from his factory, why should we trust them?

Our leaders in all walks of life need to start being more honest, open, trustworthy, and fair. They need to stop pushing secret agendas, and being corrupt. They need to stop making themselves rich, while we are poor. They need to stop voting for their own pay increases while we live hand to mouth. They need to stop being millionaires while the vast majority of us cannot afford to lose a single paycheck. They got rich while they were in office, and we should trust them?

The masses need leaders who are real with us. We need leaders who are really for us. Leaders we can trust to not pass laws that steal our freedom and our hopes. Maybe then we can trust them enough to believe them. Maybe then we can change things.

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Photo by the writer. The Washington Monument in D.C.

Release

Spirit Poem by Chris Bunton

I was in the arctic.
Those frozen forests of Alaska.
North of Fairbanks,
in the wild Yukon.

It was night,
and the moon shown,
on the white, bright snow.
Everything had a light, blue glow.

It was cold,
minus 60 degrees,
and I prayed to God,
for a sign to go.

I needed a change.
A new life, away.
And a way to go.
A way to escape,
that life I was in.

I no longer cared.
I no longer tried.
I no longer lived.
It no longer mattered.

Then, something drew my gaze.
I cannot say what.
There was nothing there.
But, I knew it would appear.

And before it came,
I was excited to see it.

Ready for whatever was
coming; ready for it to be.

And there it was!
An Arctic Fox appeared
on a small mound before me.
And he watched me, as I watched him.

And I knew in that instant that I was free.
Free to go. Free to flow.
Free to die. Free to flee.

It was ok. God was with me.

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Photograph by the poet a frozen Alaskan road at sun rise, north of Fairbanks in 1991

Telephone and Address Required

Conspiracy Theories by Chris Bunton

This is going to sound crazy, but I want to be truthful and straight about it. I really hate when government or business organizations require that I provide a street address and/or a phone number. This has been a recurring theme in my life for years and I’m honestly tired of it.

I don’t want these people calling me or visiting me. Period. The fact that they demand or require that I provide this information before receiving the services attached to it, is basically treating me as though I am guilty of some crime before I do anything. They are assuming they will need to come get me. We seriously need to stop punishing or restricting innocent people for crimes that a few people commit. Punish the guilty not the innocent.

Why else would a government agency, such as the DMV require my street address? I provide a P.O. Box, so they can mail me things if needed. But, that’s not good enough. I must give an actual address. I assume it’s so that they can come get me for some future crime, which I might possibly commit. Neither the government nor a private company has any reason to know where I physically dwell. There are no debtors prisons, where they will come get me and take me to if I don’t pay my bank fees. But, they demand it. I provide them with the info needed to collect any debt. They do not need more.

I realize that if there’s an accident or if you’re dead the address can be used to notify relatives. But, what if you don’t want your relatives to know you’re dead? It should be voluntary to announce your private residence, not required.

I asked the DMV what would happen if I was homeless. Are homeless people not able to have a driver’s license or vehicle license? After the lady at the counter went into a back room for a bit, a man came out and informed me that I would have to provide an address for a church, or homeless shelter or some other place. So, I said, “but then I would have to come back and change my address if I moved, and then change it again if I moved again, sort of like a registered sex offender, right” And that’s basically what it does. It makes us register like a sex offender.

It’s illegal to not change your address on your license every time you move. But, honestly why do they need to know where you live? My address is not proof of identity. Can I get a license with a water bill only? No. But, your bills are proof of where you live. It’s so they can come get you, or tell your people you’re dead or hurt. That is the only real reason I can come up with. Do you realize that if your friends, family or neighbors think there’s something wrong they can have the cops check on you? And apparently this wellness check even bypasses the Constitutional requirement to have a warrant. Yeah.. I know it for a fact. Maybe I will write about that someday.

What if I decided to have a nomadic life style? I would be required to have an address in order to have a license, so how could I exercise my freedom to travel or move around, unless I walk everywhere. Course, if you walk everywhere you will eventually be stopped and asked for ID, which might require an address. I do not mind providing mailing info, or such things needed to do business, but I hate providing my exact location. It’s none of their business where I live. I’m not guilty of anything, and they should not assume I will be guilty in the future.

“If you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to fear”—Goebbels.

(I think all the people who have been wrongly convicted and sent to prison would disagree.)

If I register for things online, they often require a telephone number for their free service. Well, it’s not actually free if you are requiring me to pay for a phone, now is it?
This is why Obama decided to give out free phones. It is becoming virtually impossible to do business or get jobs without a phone. And how do you pay for a phone, without a job?

And that brings me to the conspiracy theory. Why do they want or need my phone number? So, they can track us. We all know they are doing it. They= Business and Government.

We sit around and talk about Dog food, and low and behold, we see ads for Dog food on Facebook. Who knows what else these people are doing. They have already proven the sort of stuff they are capable of.

As a conspiracy theorist and a watchman, I know where all this technology is heading. It is ultimately heading to the fulfillment of Bible prophecy with the Mark of the Beast, where all buying and selling is controlled. (Rev. 13:1-18) You will not be able to purchase anything from anyone without having this Mark. That is where this technology is headed. Total control.

Imagine that you are standing in line at the store, and the cashier says, “I’m sorry Miss, but you cannot purchase any food this week. Your funds have been shut down because you made a politically incorrect statement in a phone conversation last week.” (And yes, this sort of Social Credit system is already going in China.) Or they might say “You purchased a bag of rice two weeks ago. You have 3 people in your family, and based upon serving sizes, it is impossible for you to have used up the bag of rice yet. So, you cannot purchase another one until a week from now.” Total control. And that does not even include the loss of our souls..

I pay for things with a check or cash normally, because I’m not a fan of cards. So, I go to Wal-mart and buy my groceries with a check. Normally, there’s no problem, but on occasion they will “randomly” ask for my phone number, which is not on my checks. One time I refused to give it. I said I have no phone. They literally had to shut down the line until a manager came and figured it all out. The computer would not work until a phone number was put into the system. Why? Doesn’t the check reader see that I have the funds available? Why does Wal-mart require that I have a phone? Can I not purchase food without one? I provided a Drivers License number, which is good enough in most places.

Facebook wants my phone number. My email accounts are all going to want my phone number. I found one that doesn’t and I love it, but how long will that last? I have an email account that is locked because I refuse to provide a number. Why do you need it? Are you going to harass me with every email? Are you going to ask me out to the prom? What if I legitimately do not have a phone, or the money to pay for one? Do I have to lie? Do I have to give someone else’s phone number? Is it really that important?

Some will say, “But here you are online having obviously given out tons of info.”

Yes…my hypocrisy knows no bounds.

Well anyway, my life is moving into a more electronic state whether I like it or not. Yes, I could go be Grizzly Adams, and would love it. But, currently that is not an option if I want to function in society as a normal person. So, they are forcing me to provide the info as I get more connected. The thing that makes me feel better is the fact that if they do not have my physical body, then they really do not have me. But, perhaps that is why they will eventually force you to have a mark or a chip implant?

There will be no escape.

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Photograph by the writer This is his old flip phone. He had to use a rubber band to keep the charger in place.

The Wall

Political Poetry By Chris Bunton

I walked past the wall, my head held low.
My father made it home; no one’s there I know.

But I saw him there, a man that could be a friend;
another son, looking for someone, to bring an end.

I began to feel the tears welling; my heart broken.
They rose and began to flow, but I kept walkin.

I wanted to stop, as he frantically scanned the names,
searching for the one, lost long ago, among his friends.

It flashed in my mind, millions of families, through ages gone,
scanning papers, names and every knock on doors done.

Where is my son? Where is my friend? Where is my love?
Never seen again; just gone, to the place above.

I wanted to put a hand on his shoulder, and be near.
To help him look, for the one held dear.

But, I kept walkin, and prayin, and weepin, for him, and for us,
to be together again, in a perfect land, that is just.

(From the Poetry eBook “Against the Man” by Chris Bunton)

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Photo by the poet. Washington D.C.

Adventure Where You Are

Encouragement by Chris Bunton

Traveling is an adventure. It’s the hope of seeing new things and getting that ‘Wow” factor that thrills you. It’s also that feeling of enlightenment, when you have experienced something that moves you, or alters your life, or fills a void, or answers a question for you. It’s something that moves you forward in your life’s journey.

Are you open to it? Do you chase the dream you have been given? Do you go after the things you have been drawn to? When you are right where God wants you to be, things happen. You might not understand why or what, but seek, ask, knock and it will open. Try and trust. Confront your fears, and see what happens.

This journey can happen anywhere. This adventure can thrill you at any time. It’s your soul and spirit that is growing. It’s the real you who is climbing the mountain or trudging through the valley; that real you. It’s the person that no one knows but God; that real child that this world forced you to swallow down.

It’s that child who sees things, and loves things, and is free. It’s the child who is fearless and wants to adventure; the child who continues to grow within us, despite our efforts to be grown up.

Change your mind. Choose to be happy. Be the joy you want to see. Be the person you want to be. Focus on the love and directions you are called to. Focus on God and let Him grow you and direct you, and you will see great things. You will adventure right where you are.

Remember those dreams you had before you were forced to start being a slave and working to make money. Go after them again. Ignore the voices that say you can’t. Ignore the thoughts that turn you toward your responsibilities. You were not born to pay bills and then die. Just take a little step in the direction you love. You don’t have to jump off a cliff today. Just look into it. Pray about it. Watch doors open as you focus on what you love and want to do.

It’s not where you go, or where you are that matters. It’s the thrill of living the life you choose to live. And being where God wants you to be.

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Photograph by the author the Little Muddy River in Southern Illinois

Friends Gone Away

A Recovery Poem by Chris Bunton

I still dream of my friends,
The ones I used to know.
The ones passed away,
The ones still at home.

I miss my friends,
But I don’t miss the pain.
The shady lies,
And back dealing shame.

Never knowing who to trust,
Or which one would betray.
Wondering who would be there,
And who would throw me away.

Booze and drugs flowing deep,
Lust and demons on the watch.
To tear us apart for fun
While we party too much.

I remember those days,
When you had to be cool.
When your life depended
On wearing the right shoe.

Then later, in years gone by
When we still drank
And ran all day
To our own silly tune.

Did I ever really care about you?
Or did we just lie to get by?
I don’t know.
Does love really die?

I remember those days
They seem like a dream.
Did it really matter?
Those things we always did?

It seemed so important,
In that insane drunken haze,
To be near the action
And part of the games.

But now I don’t care
To be anywhere near
The stuff of my past
I’m glad it didn’t last.

But, I still dream of my friends,
And I care about them all
Our souls are mixed together,
In a nostalgic soup of time.

I see that those days,
Made me who I am
For good or for bad
And I cannot escape.

I’m glad I knew you all
I grew up with the best
But I was toxic with you
And dead to myself.

I still dream of you,
These years gone by
On random nights
You appear in my mind.

I really don’t know why.
Who are you today?
What do you symbolize;
in my burned out mind?

I pray for you all,
I want to see you there.
On that day when we crossover,
Into Paradise forever.

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Photo by the Poet. No clue what it is. But, it shows confusion.

Barefoot Hiking

Natural Living by Chris Bunton

Hiking has been a part of me since I can remember. Even today I need to get out into the wilds and walk. Whether it is alone, or with others. Hiking quickens my soul.

We live in a fast paced world of busy, busy, busy. No time to slow down and release all that stress and drama. No chance to get away. Hiking is an escape. Getting away and thinking of nothing but the walk, the trail, and nature.

Barefoot hiking is a way that I use to alter my reality. It is the simplest thing in the world. We did it when we were babies, and wild eyed kids. Just go barefoot. Take off your shoes and enjoy.

“But, I’ll get injured!” Your fear screams. Yes, you might. But, you will survive and your feet will get used to it. Just like life in general. We live in a rough world, bad things can and do happen. But, to gain the good, we must deal with the bad, and we do get stronger. Perhaps we can even learn to enjoy the bad.

Barefoot Hiking is not like traditional hiking. You do not trump down the trail from point A to Point B. You walk slowly, observing the sights around you, communing with nature, talking with God, and meditating. Since you are moving slowly, feeling the earth under your feet, the odds of injury are very unlikely. I have barefoot hiked for years, and with the exception of a few splinters, or stone bruises, I have never had a problem.

It can also be healthy. It can bring stress relief along with strengthening your feet and calves. Also, there’s an alternative healing method called “Earthing” or “Grounding”, which brings health by connecting us to this Earth, God created. Our modern world separates us from nature. How many illnesses do we have because of it?

I pull up to my hiking destination. (Not all trails are suitable for barefoot hiking unless you are used to it.) I am wearing loose, comfortable, clothes in earth tones or even camo. I remove my shoes, and put on organic healthy sunscreen or bug spray as needed. I put on my gear, as minimal as possible. Water bottles, survival kit, first aid kit with splinter removal tools, and snake bite kit or sometimes no gear at all. I tie my hiking shoes to my belt. Because sometimes you’ll encounter terrain that requires shoes. Then I grab my walking stick and head out.

A walking stick or trekking pole has many uses when hiking. Just the other day, I went hiking and came to a very muddy hill. The walking stick helped me safely climb and descend the hill without sliding all the way down. Find a stick you love, and use it.

When you enter the forest and have walked far enough inside to leave everything behind, just stop and listen. Clear your mind as best you can. Notice the changes in nature around you. All the beings in the forest know you are there and have reacted. Wait a bit. Perhaps sit down. You will slowly become one with the forest and nature will return to normal. This might take different amounts of time. But, the purpose is to leave all those concerns about time behind you. Now rise and walk slowly. Feel the dirt, stone, mud, and grass under your feet. Walk a little bit, then stop and listen, Watching. Then, repeat.

When you walk slow, going barefoot and silent, while wearing earth tones or camo, you will be able to see more wildlife. I have stalked up to many creatures and enjoyed seeing them wide-eyed wondering how I ever got so close.

When you come to a mud hole, or stone place on the trail, walk through it. Do not avoid it. Experience it. Live in the moment. Feel the squish between your toes, or feel the cold hardness of the stone

You will most likely meet people on the trail. Don’t worry about what they think when they see your bare feet. Just smile. Many of them secretly desire to do the same. Many will try next time. Some will be afraid, talking themselves out of it. Just move along. They are on a different journey than you are. Just like life. Keep trekking. Enjoy.

(Now be aware that not all trails are conducive to walking barefoot. Be smart about it. Don’t walk the Pacific Crest Trail carrying a pack barefooted, then blame me if you get hurt. BUT…If you decide to be the first person to hike the Appalachian Trail barefooted, I would love for you to give me a shout out. Course, do not start out on long treks barefooted. Work your way up.)

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(Photograph is by the writer. A trail in the Shawnee National Forest of Southern Illinois)

New Dystopian Fiction eBook

By Chris Bunton

I have released my new eBook called “The Future is Coming”. It is a collection of short and flash fiction stories with a dystopian theme.

You can purchase the eBook everywhere online except for Amazon. Amazon doesn’t like when you post things previously online. Some of the stories in my eBook had been been published in online magazines.

But anyway, despite Amazon thinking that they rule the world, other book sellers have the book and are happy to sell it to you.

You can find it at Barnes and Noble HERE

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Fight the Crab Mentality

Breaking Free by Chris Bunton

What is it?

Well, the idea comes from what happens when you put crabs in a bucket.

One crab will see a way to escape, and as he is climbing up out if the bucket, the other crabs will grab a hold of him and pull him back down.

What you’ll find is that as you try to change your life. People around you will do things to shoot you down.

This can come in many forms.

Let’s say you want to lose weight or be healthy. Well, you’ll find that people around you are not as supportive as you’d like. It’s not just that they live their lives like normal, which is their right. They are not required to support you. But, they seem to actively shoot you down. They invite you to meals, then when you order a salad they make comments about it. They might call you a crazy vegan. They might invite you over to a party and have nothing for you to eat.

Let’s say you want to stop drinking or taking drugs. You’ll have friends trying to get you high or making various comments to stop you, saying things like “Quitters never win”. They will show up, wanting to take you out to party. They will call you while they are drunk, trying to get you to come out with them.

Maybe you want to try a business idea. People like friends and family might tell you it will fail, or how you can’t get a loan, or how they tried and it didn’t work. Just all sorts of things to put fear and doubt in your heart. Do your research and prove them wrong.

They might not mean to. They might think they are helping. But, like a crab they pull you back down into the bucket where they think you belong.

I’ll tell you a story. I knew a young girl who was in grade school. She was thinking about being a dentist. She mentioned this to an older woman who said, “It would be great for you to be a dental assistant, or dental hygienist.”

To which I said, “Why can’t she be the Dentist?”

No answer was given. But, knowing the older woman she probably thought that girls can’t be dentist’s. Or that it cost too much or was too hard.

All these ideas are designed to keep us in our places. We all go to school to be molded into good little employees. Then, we go into college programs for jobs that keep us in the bucket.

Everywhere, we are surrounded by things that keep us in the bucket of our servant lives, for generations. When one industry closes another is created and jobs are pushed in it.

Do not get me wrong. I know we are responsible for ourselves and our own success. I know that blaming others does not help. But, whether we like it or not we are impacted by others. Sometimes, things in our past keeps us down and we do not realize it. Sometimes, we don’t see the control people have over us. Each of us have our own mountain to climb, with all its pitfalls. I simply want to point out a monster that lurks along the way.

I know a boss who constantly ridicules things in his employees private lives. If they have a hobby. He attacks it. If they like to travel, he dumps on it. Instead of lifting people up he drags them back down. It doesn’t matter what it is. You could be the best painter on Earth, and he’ll make snide comments and dump on it. He thinks he is funny and a people person. But, he’s not. You know these people in your own life.

Be aware of the crab mentality. Anytime you try to change things or step out of the mold. You will encounter people and ideas that seek to keep you trapped. They plant seeds of failure, and help water them.

Sometimes, these ideas are in your own mind. You were raised to think it. You had an adult or a whole family of adults who let you know where you should be. These ideas, even manifest in your mind in the voice of the person. Such as, “Quit with these ideas of yours and just go get a job at the factory like everyone else. Grow up”

When I have a thought of fear or failure, I can see exactly the person who has propagated that thought in my mind or life. When I seek to do something new, I can hear the voice of the person who will make the snide comments about it.

It can be family, friends, co-workers, bosses, teachers, or even the music you listen to, or shows you watch. All putting ideas in your mind to keep you in the bucket. To keep you from rising above your station.

Escape the bucket you dirty peasant. Shed off those pincers that grab and pull you back down. How far would you be if the crabs around you had helped instead of dragging you down? Get away from the crabs and find people who are on your side.

The failure I’ve had to overcome would be far less, if I had pulled away from some crabs in my life, long ago.

If only we honestly helped each other.

Maybe that’s the difference between successful people and failures.

Maybe most successful people were surrounded by folks who encouraged and helped them in every way they could.

But, the rest of us were surrounded by crabs.

Fight the Crab Mentality. Many have overcome it. You can too.