Here's a gratitude game I play with myself.

I pick a modern object and ruminate over how much history went into making it possible. Take this rig: the metal components come from tens of thousands of years of metal-craft. The paints and rubbers come from synthetic versions of natural dyes and fibres that cost hundreds of thousands of lives to industrialize. Then there's the engineering, and the distribution challenges...

We live on the shoulders of so many.
And we take *such* gifts for granted.

@MLClark

one time long ago, when i smoked, i was on acid and, as i struck a match to light another one, suddenly the whole history of our learning to handle fire ran through my imagination.

it struck like lightning.

caused cosmic laughter at human stupidity. i quit smoking, but it's not easy.

@holon42 @MLClark A friend told me several stories of his acid trips. He should have been a stand up comic.

e.g. His mom was watching TV that had a raging fire coming out of it. Since she didn't react, he decided he was hallucinating and went back in his room. 🤣

This fits him so well because he always analyzed everything. He could even rationally analyze being stoned out of his mind.

@poemblaze

yes, i did that too. in those days it was alternative therapy because psychedelics open new pathways and we sorely needed them.

still do💪🏾

i'm waiting for mushrooms to be legalized. it's coming but the us forces against increasing consciousness are fighting it.

@holon42 There is more news about therapeutic use of hallucinagens.

@poemblaze @holon42

Yes indeedy.

I know a ketamine derivative is now prescribed sometimes for bipolar, but I have a strong aversion to drugs after a bad marijuana trip made me realize I was *very* susceptible to being one of the not-insignificant few who can have schizophrenia triggered by weed or other drugs.

I'm super glad it works for some!

I still have to find other ways to manage my bipolar II longterm (& do, though some seasons in the world are tougher than others to survive). Cheers!