Whatever! I probably say it a dozen times a day, and it makes things feel better. It has an odd power to shift the mind off the subject at hand and on to other things. It can allow us to cope with the crap this world brings to us daily. So…
When your spouse or lover says something that you hate to hear say “Whatever”. When they tell you they are going to do something you can’t stand, and you wanna jump them for it, say “Whatever”. When they break up with you again, say whatever. Enough of those “whatevers”, will become nevers; oh never ever again.
When your boss chews you out again; breathe whatever. When they pile more work on you than you can possibly do; say whatever. When they screw you out of money, or time, or anything; just think whatever. Eventually, you’ll have enough of it, but not today.
When your family sticks their nose in your business, one more time, just say whatever. When they try to control you, and force you to do what they want you to do, just say whatever. When they show tough love, and ruin your plans or dreams, just say; whatever. All the “whatevers” make you stronger and show that you tried to get along, until you are finally done. Oh whatever.
When you get that bill in the mail; say whatever. When the neighbor does it one more time; say whatever. When the phone rings and you hate who it is, say whatever. When your plans get screwed up or stood up, say whatever. Get up and fix the problem, driving all that care away with whatever. Things will work out, and there’s almost always another choice.
When the traffic sucks, and your car barely works. Whatever. When things are too much, and it’s falling apart. Whatever. When you can’t take much more, but you know that more will always come. Just shout whatever! When you need a break, but the break won’t come, just say whatever. Whatever happens happens. Pray and give it to God, and say whatever. Release it, and let it go till next time. The fight will come, as it always does.
We get stronger and learn. We grow, as we break, again and again. Not every hill is a hill to die on. Some are just, whatever. As time goes on, more hills become whatever, and you start to focus on the things that make you say “Yes” All the distractions and frustrations become whatever, and the loves, joys and thrills of life become more and more Yes, yes, yes.
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“
I remember the days of old, when I crossed the fields alone. When I ran the forests; when I ran the trails, in those days of youth, in those days of sun.
I remember the color of life. Everything seemed different. There was a brightness to the light; a shine, to everything.
I remember hopping those fences. Going to those hidden places, to see what I could see. Those secrets of the Elders.
That disobedient boy; that boy who never sat still. That boy who still disobeys; that boy who is free.
Do you wanna know where I am? I am in the deepest forest alone. I am around a campfire of stone. I smell that smoke, with a smile.
I am safe because God is with me. That fire licks the dark air. It drives the chill away. I smile to know who I am.
The light flickers on the Oak trees; orange, yellow dancing dark leaves. I’m gone to another place; another time, another realm.
Where cavemen looked at the fire. Where thousands of warriors stared. Where my ancient ones watched, and prayed. That flicker, the brave and fugitive loved; In that ring, where the elemental danced,
Not too long has gone; just a blink of an eye. A moment in the spirit, where we all are one.
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“
Those mines ruled my world. The coal mines of Southern Illinois.
My family came from, the Tennessee mountains. to dig in those mines.
They fought the Civil war and died. They farmed and mined. They sang, fought and prayed.
Working men breathing that dust, killing themselves every day, and drinking it away at night.
Union men from Lewis day, beating scabs to death.
Living in coal mine camps, those little towns today.
Every morning, down the hole, every evening drink some more.
The bar b ques,, and parades., the strikes, and bar fights,
Threats on the phone, “We’ll kill your wife,” Now, there’s a gun by the bed.
Every business bowed to coal, every man worked it somehow.
Till the day coal died, and those mines closed down.
Spelling the death of the little town, and the life they knew.
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“
We hear calls for free universal healthcare. But, why don’t we demand a healthy society? We demand that healthcare be provided, but we do not demand that we be protected from the things that could be causing disease.
According to the CDC among the top leading causes of death and disease in the U.S. are Heart Disease, Cancer, Stroke, Alzheimer’s, Diabetes, and Respiratory Disease. These things have caused great harm and anguish to our families, in the hundreds of thousands.
Research has shown and even proven in some cases that the chemicals in our foods, drinks, air, hygiene products, and virtually everything we consume or come into contact with are the culprits for the diseases in the list above. I’m not even going to try to prove it or post links to evidence. Because once a study is done, another study pops up that refutes the previous study. Then, the talking heads argue about the FDA keeping us safe. And the corporations do research to prove the products they use are safe. Then, the doctors say it’s all genetics. Meanwhile chemicals keep getting pumped into us by a dozen different avenues.
We have lived our lives surrounded by the evidence and proof. It’s simple. If you would not eat or drink a glass full of (Insert Magical Chemical Name) by itself, then why do you think it’s better, just because they mix it into our food or water or air or deodorant?
So, why don’t we demand a healthier society that would reduce these diseases? Why don’t we demand laws, which would stop preservatives and other chemicals from from being in our food? Why don’t we demand laws that keep certain types of oils that are killing us, from being used? Why don’t we demand that certain herbicides and pesticides stop being used? Why don’t we demand that aluminum stop being put in products? Or demand that refined sugars or high fructose corn syrup is outlawed? Why don’t we demand laws that stop chemicals that can cause obesity? Why don’t we pass laws that push for more Organic foods and products? Money….That’s why.
I realize that many things have been outlawed. But, the fact is that they just change the name, or start using an equally bad alternative.
If we demanded a healthier society, we would not have as much need for universal healthcare, and the healthcare we did get would be far cheaper. We demand healthcare and more taxes, but not a healthier world. Why not demand that companies stop poisoning us, and the environment? Where’s the outrage? We fight to stop climate change, but do not realize that the real culprits are the corporations who pump chemicals into the environment and our bodies. The things destroying the Earth are also destroying us with disease. Start blaming the real culprits.
I am not suggesting that we regulate the size of soft drinks. I’m saying that we stop letting them use chemicals in the soft drinks that have long been suspected of being bad for us. Every product that exists, has an alternative that is organic. There is absolutely no reason for any potentially poisonous chemicals to be in our food, drinking water, or anything else.
And don’t say it’s safe. Because we consistently see reports where companies are sued or chemicals recalled by the FDA because it hurts people. You must realize that virtually every chemical the FDA recalls, was first approved by the FDA. That should worry you.
I am normally very liberty minded and do not like too many laws. I believe in letting people solve their own problems. But, sometimes it cannot be helped.
In this case the people and corporations who rule the world have made it virtually impossible for regular people to escape. Unless you own a large piece of property, raise your own organic food, and water and make your own products. You are subject to the desires of the corporations.
Yes, you can buy organic. But, let’s flip the script. Let’s make everything organic, but allow only a small group of products to be filled with chemicals. Do you think people would run to buy the chemically laced foods? Would you? If it was cheaper?
Our world needs to restore health. Not only for people but the planet also. It starts by solving the real problem. Not by playing political shell games or loving money.
Let’s stop allowing leaders and corporations to create problems, and then pretending to be our saviors.
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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”
Photograph taken by the author, is of an Andy Warhol Painting at the Andy Warhol Museum, in Pittsburgh PA. If you look at the shadow the skull makes, you might see something interesting.
For many folks, family is not a good thing. They are a bunch of people that you are required to answer to. They are just another layer of rules and laws designed to keep you from being you. They are a bunch of people who were raised as jacked up as you were and yet they think they have some ability to speak truth into your life. But, the truth is often sickness. It’s negativity that comes in the form of subtle ridicule. It’s the place and people that you spend your entire life trying to escape from and being healed from. The people who never wanted you to rise above what they think you should be.
But yet, you find that the world is full of these people. They are all jacked up, and you learn that it’s ok to be jacked up or else you will go insane, desiring something better. There is no better. It’s just a different kind of jacked up. Your friends are jacked up, your co-workers are jacked up, your church is full of jacked up people. But, yet God loves all of them and loves you and me too. He wants us to love them as well. There is nothing better in this fallen world. We are all covered in filth. And it’s ok. We give ourselves to God, and He makes our souls golden, and then starts the process of correcting all the devastated things in our lives, while helping us resist the piles of new ruin that comes upon us daily.
And that’s the problem with church. It’s a group of people called family who think they have authority over your life. And they often act like real families. Nosy, abusive, demanding, controlling, manipulating, they are like the leach, always saying more and more. God is not so, He sets us free. He convinces us of what’s best. He blesses us. He does not control us, He protects us in our folly, until we realize that it is folly, and then He rewards us. He brings us peace, love and joy, not dread. When I fear God, He tells me that He has it figured out. He has me in His hands, and will never forsake me. He is not my enemy.
If we are raised in jacked up families, failed churches and ruined governments that never really please us or fulfill us; which leaves us messed up and feeling like slaves. If that is all we have ever known, and that is all that all humans have ever known. Then why do we even think of something better? Why do we even realize that there’s a problem with man? Because God has put it into our hearts to seek better, and He is all that is better. He is the answer to what ails us.
This world is fallen; it is in the hands of the Devil. His minions have sought to conquer and control and build a system, since before Babylon. They have created a wealth system that benefits a few while enslaving the rest of us, and exploiting God’s creation, devouring and consuming, like the giants of old. It will grow and wax worse, until the King comes.
Our discontent is designed by God to cause us to seek Him. He is our only source of salvation and sanctification. He has placed heaven in our hearts so we will know that we are not there yet. We know there was better, and there is better yet to come. We know what we see is not all there is, or else we would be perfectly happy in our misery. Does a fish realize he is in water? Does he take yoga and meditation, and Bible studies, and counseling, and prayer circles, and church services, to help him cope with what has surrounded him his whole life?
No, because he does not see a better day. He does not know that his lake is just a small place to live in. But, for some reason humans see a better day, beyond what we are submerged in. We see a day, when we do not need to be slaves to other humans in order to fill our aching belly. We see a day when we can do what we love, and serve others for the joy of it, and be free to walk away. We see a day, where our needs are met, like in the garden of paradise, and we are free, to be alone, and with God. That place where we are really content, not using mind tricks to be that way. We long for that better day. We want to die, for that better day. We have faith in that better day. Whether we build it, or we go there, or it comes to us, it must come, and it must consume us, and set us free.
Where is that better day? Death? Paradise? Heaven? or some future utopia, that mankind will ruin with his filth. Build that better day in you. Let God, prepare you for that better day, lest we ruin it, like everything else we touch.
In that place, in that better day, we will be with our people, and our family. The ones who have gone before and they will be golden. They will be clean and better and full of peace love and joy. No more filth. No more darkness. And we will sit on the porch and laugh, and talk, and happily go to our special places, prepared for us. And we will matter. We will be known, and respected and loved. We will be the being God created and always wanted us to be. And He will be with us, always, and forever more.
Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has been published in several magazines, and has a book of Poetry “Against The Man” and a book on overcoming addiction, “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“
As addicts we need to totally change our lives, in order to be free of addictions and the temptations to reuse.
It is my belief that God created us, and that addiction is not a surprise to Him. Actually, He created everything associated with addiction, but the purpose was originally for good. It was to get us addicted to, and derive pleasure from the good things. It was to help us to be devoted to God, and the things that benefit our lives. But, we are fallen and our love and devotion to good things, becomes used for evil and twisted.
So, as addicts we must replace our bad addictions, with good things. We must devote ourselves to things that do not harm us. By doing this it will help us avoid temptations, controlling influences, and give us a stepping place to be free of everything, except for what we choose to be devoted to.
Addiction is not always based on chemicals we consume. Gambling, Sex addictions, Food addictions, are not caused by chemicals you take. They are from chemicals produced in the brain, that bring pleasure in some way. Even the drugs we take influence those chemicals already in our brain. That’s where the battle must occur.
I am in no way simplifying or belittling the struggle we as addicts face. I’m not saying that simply painting pictures, or going to church, or exercising will cure us. I’m saying these things are tools to a better life, and a distraction from the gnawing desire of what we crave. Then, over time the craving gets less and less. It has helped me.
So, let’s begin. These are things we can become addicted or devoted to that will help us take the focus off of our current addictions and give us purpose, and hope. The first thing is;
God– Become addicted to God, the things of God and serving Him as He calls you. This goes along with any 12 step program, but what I’m saying is that we really let God have more of an influence in our life. He calls you to a relationship with Him. This has worked for millions, and is the real foundation of AA, and the 12 step programs. Ask God to save you and heal you through Jesus Christ. Then walk a spiritual path, with Him working in your life. Addict yourself to it. I have done it and God works in my life daily.
Travel– I use travel as a form of healing. When I was a drunk, I had no money or real desire to see the world. When I was in prison I could not see the world. But, now I see it. I use travel to remain excited about life, and to not have a reason to use. Start traveling locally. Go to a new restaurant, museums, parks, and the next town over. Then start planning better trips. Start close, so you will not get discouraged with costs, or the inability to go. Become addicted to exploring and freedom. But, remember you are still an addict and need to avoid triggers.
Health and Fitness– Become addicted to health and fitness. Eat right, try new diets and join a gym. Start running, walking, and cycling. Grow your own healthy food. Go to farmer’s markets and get fresh organic food. Study herbs, and alternative medicines to avoid the pharmaceuticals. Get addicted to it. Not steroids, but health and life. It’s a life style change that will help you decide to stay clean, because you’ve worked too hard to be healthy. I’ve come to a place in my life, where I try my best to take no meds that are not natural. You can do it.
Athletics– Get addicted to sports. Not just watching them, but playing them. Pick a sport you can do, and go all in. Team sports will help you remain accountable. Individual sports will help you to be responsible for yourself and increase will power. Basketball, swimming, rock climbing, softball, tennis, marathons, there are tons of sports to choose from. I went with running. Study it, practice it, and get better and better. Addict yourself to it, and let it heal you. This can be done with other things mentioned here. You can travel to play your sport. You can be healthy for your sport. You can talk to God while performing your sport. Get addicted to it.
Outdoors– Get addicted to the outdoors. Get in love with God’s creation. Go hiking, camping, mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking, or just go out there and sit and meditate. I can tell you that many of the greatest breakthroughs I have had in my healing have come from being in the woods, alone with God.
Serve others– Get addicted to helping others. Join groups that are making a difference. Help others with addiction or who have worse troubles than you. You have come through much, use it to help others. Save the planet, save animals. Give yourself to God and others. Watch what happens to you and your life. Often times when we try to heal others, we find ourselves healed in the process. But, remember that when you are dealing with people it can tempt you to use. You should avoid helping other addicts till you are strong enough. Just get away from that mess. Serve in other ways that is not a trigger.
Start a Business– Get addicted to the excitement of entrepreneurship. Study, go to school, and get a job in the field you love or feel called to, then start your own business so you can provide for yourself and your family. The effort and success will benefit you in many ways, and give you reasons to stay clean. If school and jobs are not an option, then just go out and make it happen. Do not be tied down by fear and controlling influences. Get addicted to success and being financially free. Learn a trade.
Art– Get addicted to creating art. Embrace your creative side and let it heal you. Travel to see art. Buy art. Make art. Go to school for art. Try all the various art forms, painting, music, writing, architecture, cooking, acting, or any other art form that speaks to you. The desire to create can help you avoid things that prevent you from creating.
This is a list of things you can do to change your life and help give you a purpose and a focus that is not drug oriented. But, be aware that drugs and alcohol can easily be involved with all these things, and they can just as easily destroy them. I used alcohol with many of these things camping, writing, and travel or food. But, it destroyed me and kept me from them. I would drink while writing, but after a few drinks I could no longer write, and it eventually kept me from it.
A person can be tempted while doing these things. Art often links to drug use. Sports, involves drinking. Business might cause you to be led into a business meeting where there is alcohol. But, if you use these things in conjunction with other methods of sobriety such as 12 step programs or rehab, they can benefit you. The key is to stay away from situations that will lead you to use, and destroy the life you are trying to build. I currently use all of these methods in my life. My life has become full of goodness and focused on so much that I simply cannot use. I would lose everything. I would not be able to focus. These things give me more reasons to say no. They give me more reasons to get up every day and stay sober. God has helped me and opened my eyes to these things.
Remember, that these things must be a part of a lifestyle change. They cannot be like a diet, where you are just trying to lose a few pounds. You must decide to be new, and give yourself to God, and make changes for real. If you just want to get a little straight, you will be craving your old life, the whole time you are struggling to stay sober. You must decide that the new life is better for you, and be happy about it. You must decide to hate your old life. You must get addicted to the good things.
You must wake up to God. You must wake up to life, and hate the death that once controlled you. You must realize that God is healing you, even if you can’t see it right now. That is faith. You must wake up to the child you once were before the poisons took over your life. Remember that free child who had hopes and dreams? Now, go find that little one. That’s the real you. Get addicted to the real you.
This is the link to my addiction recovery book. It’s an Ebook. It tells my story of addiction and recovery, along with my views on how to stay clean.
The philosophy of the turd sandwich is basically where you or someone else tries to convince a person, that the turd sandwich they are eating is actually a roast beef sandwich.
To say it differently, you or someone else is having trouble in life. So, you come up with or deliver some philosophy to someone else; which basically does nothing but make them comfortable, or forget or justify what is happening to them.
I know that is not very clear, so let me give you an example. Let’s say Joe has a job he hates, and a boss who is a jerk. So, he complains to his best friend and his best friend says “Well, at least you still have a job.” That is a turd sandwich. It does nothing to solve the problem, and it only silences or soothes the person who is suffering.
Here’s another one. Sally has a bad relationship, and a life that is unfulfilling for her. While surfing through Facebook, she sees a meme that talks about how a person in Haiti lives in a dirt floor hut, and drinks dirty water. He has a club foot and an infected tooth. Then, the meme says, “Your problems are not that bad.” That is a turd sandwich. It tries to make you feel better by showing that things could be worse. It seeks to guilt you into silence or acceptance of things that should be better or changed. We know things are jacked up. We can see that things are not right.
But, nothing ever gets fixed. Your problems and mine are no less valid, than anyone else’s. Our brain does not differentiate between types of stress and anxiety. I feel for the person in Haiti or anywhere else, and think he should have his problems solved too. The idea behind the turd sandwich is the thought that we cannot solve problems, so we have to justify or make ourselves feel better. There are entire religions based upon this concept. We have kept ourselves, and entire civilizations quiet and docile with philosophies, that continue to let those in power abuse, rob, and kill us. We have created ways to accept, justify, spiritualize or explain away suffering, when we should be putting a stop to it.
Why can’t we fix what’s wrong? I think we can, and I no longer want to accept the turd sandwich they have been feeding us. I want to solve problems, not make excuses or justify evil, or suck on a pacifier to soothe myself.
Those with the power and the voice, and the money do not want to change the system. Or else it would be changed overnight. It’s amazing how fast Congress and courts can move when the system itself is in danger. Those in power can shut down the entire system in a week if they want, but yet claim to be powerless to solve the most basic problems of our society.
We have experts who can tell you how to live your life, and can figure out how to make poisons that destroy our world, and keep us enslaved, but they can’t put their heads together and come up with solutions? And if you think one political party is the solution, and that another party is the problem, you’re not getting it. You are eating the biggest turd sandwich of them all, because neither party has solved anything at all. It’s all just a pacifier to keep you quiet, while you eat the turd sandwich they feed us.
Stop being soothed. Get mad. Stand up, and ignore the lies. Demand that things get solved. We can make a better world, if we try.
Let me tell you, that there are two types of tragedies in this world; natural and man-made. Natural tragedies are things that we are truly powerless to fix right now; such as death itself, diseases, genetics, and natural disasters. Humans are powerless to stop or change these things at this time in history. These are things we must just “deal” with. These are things that our philosophies and religions can help us with.
But, man-made tragedies like poverty, war, crime, inequality, oppression, and these sorts of things can be fixed. Humans have been in societies for thousands of years and we have not been able to solve these problems yet? We have not been able to figure out how to not treat each other like crap? We have not tried. Those in positions of power have not wanted it changed.
We don’t need a turd sandwich philosophy that makes us feel better when it comes to man-made tragedies. We need a philosophy that gets us to stand up and fight to solve these problems and to not take it anymore. A philosophy that realizes that these problems can be fixed, but there are those in power who do not want to fix them.
We need to stop swallowing the turd sandwich and letting suffering continue just because we can come up with spiritual ways to make us feel better in our suffering. Instead we need to come up with spiritual and intellectual ways to solve the problems, and end suffering.
I’m done suffering in silence, and letting those who allow it; get away with it.
Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois.
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