So here is part 2 of my book project, I overlapped a little from part 1… (https://steemit.com/ecology/@stephanestp/deep-ecology-and-my-initial-awakening-pt-1)
Parents’ separation and divorce, circa early 80s, troubled waters
Happier times, pre-separation
My first major life crisis was in the early 80s when my parents finally separated. I remember this being one of the hardest periods of my life even up to date. It was a period of much introspection, even more so than usual, but it was a period where I started to find myself, what I loved and having glimpses of my calling.
Part 2 calling
For example, during my last year in elementary school at 11-12 years old, my dream was to become an astronaut. I’ve always been a huge amateur of sci-fi, fantasy and comic books, and I found that an astronaut was the closest thing to an actual superhero that I knew of (at the time). I enjoyed gazing at the stars and the moon with my telescope and my goal was to live my dream and explore the Galaxy, or at least my little corner of it (see image)! I’ve always been very curious, and I loved science. I was also very good in math having beaten the 6th-grade class in math jeopardy (or some sort of contest like that)!
Other interest during my youth were the Beavers and then Scouts which began my wilderness and outdoor training, and to always "Be Prepared", their motto. Even though I had been camping with the family a number of times, we tended to stay in KOA Campgrounds and campers.
Scouts initiated me to the great outdoors and also team spirit, spending nights outside, telling scary tales by the fire, which christened me to the art of storytelling, which I am exploring here on my blog, and my e-book project you are presently reading. One of my most amazing awe moment was seeing my first aurora borealis in the Quebec North. It was for me a new respect for Nature and the glory of Gaia.
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“Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy. Be content with what you have got and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of things instead of the gloomy one.”
– Robert Baden-Powell,
High School, let the good times begin, not so fast…
High school was when I was introduced to bullying and was immersed in it as the victim. My mouth got the best of me more often than not, and the numerous bullies always knew how to put me in my place. My scrawny 100 lbs (if that) back then couldn’t help me from them picking me up and putting me on top of lockers, giving me wedgies, throwing me out the window or just hitting me. Whatever violent method they used, they knew how to shut me up.
I’ve pretty much hated bullies ever since then, and without delving into politics too much, this made me despise Donald Trump, as one of the main reasons he got elected in my opinion was because of all of the bullying of his opponents. Truly a man with no substance. But I digress, these early lessons, and further readings/teachings of Buddha and other spiritual books and wisdom have made me very much someone who always takes for the underdog (unless he is morally not right).
“With ignorance comes fear- from fear comes bigotry. Education is the key to acceptance.”
― Kathleen Patel, The Bullying Epidemic-the guide to arm you for the fight
End of part 2.
https://steemit.com/ecology/@stephanestp/deep-ecology-and-my-initial-awakening-pt-1
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