The Irony of Man

Irony of Man

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The Irony of Man is not a new problem but a repeating cyclical behavior passed down from generation to generation. Aristophanes referred to this as eiron, the Greek word for irony, and applied its usage to any shady or annoying characters. The irony was that Aristophanes himself was a ‘jokester’ and often annoyed others within his time. Classic case of projecting shadows onto another.

Carl Jung proved the shadow effect to be that of projection of oneself onto another: In some cases, we see positive in another, wishing we could be more like them; In others, we see negative aspects of ourselves we do not care for, commenting on them as “Ironic” or as Aristophanes called annoying. The first example is self-explanatory as we want to be more like that which we desire to become, thereby causing a natural gravitational pull towards positive people in our lives. The second is not so apparent.

Our thoughts and attitudes need persistent training in a world so intent on convincing us that we are who we are not and that we are not who, in fact, we are.~Debbie Ford

While projecting Shadows, we not only display judgment through bitterness but also express malicious verbal accusations of another. Failing to realize we are merely looking into the mirror with our reflection projecting onto others, we find disgust with them and subconsciously ourselves. Those remaining in their shadows either stay in darkness or turn towards the Light.

We can chase our shadows of doubt or turn our attention toward the source of Light,leaving our shadows behind us forever.
~Joseph

Our shadows can shine brightly as the source of Light, through which awareness and mindfulness are achieved. Remain in the shadows, and that is where we remain. Turning attention towards source energy, we receive lessons of acceptance for all (you, me, he, she, we, they). Acceptance for all ironies of life, finding humor in the ironic behavior of man.

Isn’t it ironic that we pay for gym memberships when we could easily walk outside, getting more fresh air, vitamin D and an overwhelming feeling of well-being? We pay for ‘Coaches’ to tell us how to live when we need only sit and ponder our lives. We want to get healthier but are unwilling to change our diets or lifestyles, instead paying someone to keep us on track. We have known health issues but fail to change our ways…further paying someone to aid us with our health…usually in the form of a convenient pill. Our lives are filled with ironies.

Is it a case of laziness or subscribing to a belief of doing something every moment, forgetting to reconnect with the Canvas of Life? The Canvas of Life has no rules but has consequences. We can choose to take our time while painting our canvas or rush through it, splattering paint everywhere with little care about how it falls. One can yield a peaceful, tranquil moment while embracing the Canvas; the other yields chaos, angst, and often misery. Misery brought on by deadlines and timelines…always living for the clock… missing the beauty provided by the Canvas.

While our moments may not always be what we expect them to be, they can be enjoyable no matter what. The Irony of Man does not have to complete the cycle anymore. We can break the cycle of irony and begin a new cycle. A cycle that includes awareness, forgiveness, gratitude and Love. Wait no longer…change our worldly view. Turn from the shadows of darkness and turn towards the Light.

If all we have in our hearts is Love,
there can be room for nothing else.
~Joseph

While the Pilgrim subscribes to the Irony of Man, allowing the cycle to continue in his lineage, the Warrior (Ani Po) subscribes to a new irony…one of awe-inspiring uncertainty. On a personal level, it can change with a single thought. On a global level, same thought. We find in ourselves and others that not one human being is perfect. In this recognition, we find perfection in all imperfections.

Stepping into the Canvas serendipitously. With every step, every thought…may it be aligned with the seven generations. With our ability to alter the cycles, we align our thoughts with that of source energy. Focusing on our shadow, we remain in darkness: focusing on Light, we Shine On into another day. Shine On!

Photo by mugi jo on Unsplash

Thank you

Diana C., jules, Ravyne Hawke, @spyder and the Know Thyself Heal Thyself Family for holding this sacred space.

Much gratitude for those who take time to read, ponder, and allow the inner workings of self to come forward. Grateful for the feedback, love shared, and, more importantly, the Dance with Inspiration. Deep Peace.

Joseph Lieungh

Photo by Javardh on Unsplash

On the Outskirts of Reality


On the Outskirts of Reality

Shaving a little mystery into the collective Myst

Photo by Thom Holmes on Unsplash

Sitting on the outskirts of reality, somewhere between galactic, whittling wood — shaving new thoughts into a spiraling collective pool of thoughts.

Adding a little flare to the All in the All.

Expanding, contracting, enriching with every shaving of new possibility, allowing thoughts to stick like wet noodles being tested on the walls of what ifs — leaving morsels for the others to find.

Finding their way home.

Limitless possibilities awaiting — thought process squelching moments of no thought, no thing — little bird singing a new song into existence. Squawkers were repeating historical references of how it ought to be — not from any other reasoning, but that is how it has always been.

Pilgrim’s passing warrior’s worrying thought no more.

Standing before Brother Sun, Sister Moon calls to an inner knowing — merging realms of upper and underworldly presence shared. Calling to inner self — future tense and past reflective submissiveness to shadowy doubts and accepted source of All There Is, as it was before the beginning.

Accepting the All within the All.

Labels passed meaningless doubt upon the reflective whole — planetary alignments — stars guiding lights fading into the continuance of heart-realms. Dropping books of empty dreams — guru’s professing a path for every sentient — beings of following others no longer — hearing the inner voice lighting illuminated trails.

We are following the yellow brick road.

Trail’s end met with an unveiling of a mysterious voice beyond the curtain calling you out by name. Throwing backtracks of early years — simple times inflated by a collective turbulent mosh pit of despair — smiling at once was, now is, and everything in between life’s dash points carved on mortals tomb.

~Ani Po

Adding a little flare to the All in the All
finding their way home
pilgrim’s passing warrior’s worrying thought no more
accepting the All within the All
following the yellow brick road
Ani Po


Much gratitude to @jules for her reply to this week’s prompt, finding her voice and coming to a place of knowing God. Whether, as @ravyne discusses, a Christian, Wiccan, Buddhist, Atheist or ancient way of knowing, a higher power arises within us all while choosing to let go of limiting beliefs of handed down dogmatic truths.

Reading @jules story about finding God already existing, first being challenged by a psychic of not knowing this higher power, I recall a time when I was alone in Boston.

Fourteen years ago, I was let go from a company for which I made a lot of money. The organization’s leaders recognized me, but those direct reports within my department wanted me gone for reasons not fully understood.

In Boston, I found myself in a waking dream on a temporary assignment for transitional management.

Every day, on my way home from work, I would pass a dead-end road — feeling a calling from places not yet recognized.

One day, asking a coworker claiming to be into woo-woo understanding, “What is down that road?

“The only thing I can think of is the Tea Room. It is a psychic reading place. I’ve gone there, and it has always been exactly what was needed.”

I call the Tea Room and ask if there is an opening that day, “I could stop there on my way home.”

“How did you hear about us?”

“You called me every day on my way home, and today I am listening to that call.”

“Ok, I have just the person for you.”

Not knowing what to expect, I arrive and explain why I am there again. I am escorted into a back room, where a psychic reader awaits.

“Your cards, I’ve never seen this before in a spread. Your past, present and future are all in the now.”

Smiling, “I understand this and have always been on time.” -nothing to do with time, but being in the present moment without truly understanding what that meant. I began understanding what this meant to me.

“I am being told you need to establish your relationship with God. Meaning you do not yet know who God is.”

This last phrase made me angry, and I politely thanked her for her wisdom.

Fast forward four years, sitting in the space of my mind, a place I like to call the void. God appeared to me. Like looking into a mirror, I began conversing with myself, unraveling life mysteries and understanding the Great Mystery on a deeper level.

My final analysis, said lightly as I know it is merely a new beginning, was that I was not meant to know Great Mysteries’ complete truth but experience it with a joy-filled heart and acceptance of All there Is.


Much gratitude to Diana C. for holding this sacred space within Know Thyself Heal Thyself, jules, Ravyne Hawke and Spyder for their supportive roles and the whole of the whole — familial presence of all who arrive.


Much gratitude for those who take time to read, ponder, and allow the inner workings of self to come forward. Grateful for the feedback, love shared, and, more importantly, the Dance with Inspiration. Deep Peace.

Joseph Lieungh

Photo by Javardh on Unsplash