Welcome. Thank you for your eyes, thank you for your ears, and thank you for your support.
You may know who I am, or perhaps you’re not yet familiar… While I might not mean much to you at this moment; I certainly do for a large contingent of people from my section. My area. My region.
My home state. My hometown. My community. My locality.
I represent it and I reflect it. I speak like them while advocating on our behalf. Importantly – I penned each of the subsequent works; addressed personally to you, by way of them. Through a lens of-which shines light from the abyss.
Humorously – I’m merely kidding. There is nothing bottomless about our collective origin. Simply undiscovered and overlooked. However – I possess an instinctive aptitude in identifying beauty amongst the unseen. The competence to recognize greatness in the present. All the while, affirming those individuals who are often misconstrued and misunderstood.
Understand that as human beings, we are complex creatures. Cogitatively and biologically. But this is not exclusive to us. There are several complex organisms; especially when considering the biodiversity on planet Earth alone… There are dolphins, elephants, and gorillas. Ravens, crows, and parrots. Bees and ants. Oak trees, ferns, and coral reefs.
Complexity in creatures can be defined by intelligence, social structure, and adaptability. Bees and ants are known for having intricate social structure and division of labor. The queen bee and queen ant serve as the leaders of their colonies. Worker bees and worker ants build and defend the colony. Also, crows and ravens are incredibly intelligent, and even octopi can adapt to their surroundings by changing their color and their texture.
Even within our human species, specifically, is our uniqueness reflected by our advanced cognitive abilities. Our complex languages, our self-awareness, and our consciousness. Our moral and ethical reasoning. We all possess the same organs, and if we’re lacking, hopefully, we find others who can donate theirs. The difference is in our cultures, our beliefs, and our emotions. Sometimes, we take those differences to different levels.
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Alligators and crocodiles both death roll. And, while I ain’t no herpetologists neither… What I know is that it don’t matter if it’s a caiman, saltwater, nile, or an American crocodile. You dangle large protein in any reptile’s face, and I guarantee that it will clamp down its powerful jaws and spin itself until all that remains is minced meat and bones; and if that.
Have you ever known lions to feast on herbs? Likely not. Plus, they’re prideful animals too, literally. Highly intelligent, especially when working together as a collective.
Do you ever ponder the lifespan of a lion that doesn’t consume meat? It’s unlikely to become tenured, my friend. They can’t turn down an overweight impala, or an aging, well-marinated wildebeest; to opt for grazing in the fields. Lions are obligate carnivores. And, I ain’t no carnivore ecologists either… But what I do know is these animals gotta have protein in their diet or they won’t survive. Not out in the wild.
“So, is this book about animals?”
No, just follow me.
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Fortunately – as human beings, I would like to believe that we are more advanced than animals. But I’m not a Zoologist; I just watch online documentaries. Trust and believe though, you will not find me near a snake. But I don’t know… I also believe as humans, we tend to harbor deep feelings and emotions about trivial matters. So, in this regard, perhaps I don’t know if I would unequivocally state that we are more complex than animals. Mainly because it ain’t my area of expertise. However – in my lifetime, I’ve yet to learn about vegetarian tigers.
But I have met several human pescatarians. Vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians. Part-time vegans and three-quarters vegetarians. Only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Which is either a personal choice or a medical condition. Ultimately, a person’s decision to adhere to specific dietary restrictions or a lifestyle is of their volition.
This is just one privilege that we assume as humans, which is the choice of what to eat. Or, what not to eat.
“Eww, what is that?”
On a macro level, it’s our ability to make personal decisions. The selection to our consumption. While we are all in control of our actions. We’re often not in control of the outcome. So, as a result, we must do our best to realize that this “thing” is always greater than us. So, try to establish genuine and sincere pride within yourself; as well as in the greater collective…
“Wait, this is still about animals, right?”
I guess so.
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I did not compose this narrative to tell anyone what to do regarding their personal decisions. People will navigate their lives accordingly. I’m certainly not looking to influence or coerce anyone into making a decision that would be detrimental or a hindrance to their self-progression and enlightenment.
My ultimate goal is to relate. Perhaps, inspire and maybe motivate, but not necessarily to influence. However – if I’m able to do it all within this text? Well, that would be me taking care of several birds-with-a-stone.
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I’m not expecting this literary work, FreeSense, to meet the expectations of every individual who turns the following pages. I don’t expect you as the reader or listener, to be in complete alignment or agreement with 100-percent of the content that I’ve produced.
What I can provide you with as the engager is food-for-thought. With, a side of transparency to cleanse away ill thoughts and maybe elevate your mindset.
Granted, not everyone can stomach reality. We’re all just merely required to reside here. Luckily, entertainment can bring escapism. Fables & fairytales. That, or commercialized trainwrecks.
Fortunately – as a human, there’s an abundance of options available for your consumption. So, need not continue perusing this body of work. You are welcome to consume other shit. And, that there is some more food-for-thought. Because if you’re a lion, then you should already know what type of cuisine will be on the menu. Lord, I hope to never reincarnate as a wildebeest or impala. Because over there you’re either the hunter, or you’re prey.
Permit the narrative to serve as a vessel that can potentially lead toward enlightenment and self-awakening. Zion. Paradise. Bliss; not the abyss. Heaven.
I implore you to read through the text. To analyze and interpret past the page. Again, while you might not know me personally, hopefully, you understand yourself. Or, you’re on a path toward self-discovery. Hopefully, then, this text will assist you along the journey.
Be certain to discuss this work with others. For a book club, or in an academic course. At a panel, in a meeting, a symposium, whatever. I encourage you to facilitate discussions regarding any of the topics and themes presented within the text. These are a just few ideas on how to engage with the narrative. Get creative because that was how I composed this work.
This literary work, FreeSense, was intended to be consumed more than once. You may think to yourself as the reader or listener, “Oh, I’ve got this, I understand it all…” Well, trust me you likely don’t. As there is always more room for inquiry and greater food-for-thought.
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Trust me, I did not seek to write something that you’ve already read.
I don’t wish to be compared with another author’s work. Not my writing style, not my life. I’m not in the competition of sales either. Instead, I’m striving for critical acclaim. FreeSense is not a how-to book. This isn’t a self-help guide. And, as the engager, you are unlikely to find exact solutions to your issues in these passages. Conversely – it may leave you with greater questions… And that’s all good with me.
So, if you are seeking a more prescriptive approach to literature, feel free to explore elsewhere. Go check out other options. Read something else.
Because I’m a Lion. So… you should already know what you’re preparing to ingest. Absorb it all.
Peace, Love & Respect,
StandPat