2025 Daily - 07/02/2025 - express yourself and ... love

Express yourself .... a song by Madonna is what I had in mind... AND -- as I listened to it I also considered the lyrics with reversed gender (her to him)... and it worked.

TODAY I thought about Expressing oneself when listening to a young person say it was necessary as murals were being used for expression in Philadelphia - see: 

Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau

https://www.discoverphl.com › Blog Posts

Philadelphia is known as the “Mural Capital of the World,” with over 4,000 murals created in the city. What started as an anti-graffiti program in 1984, ...

It was an interesting assertion that was different than the other assertion which is: People need/want to be PRODUCTIVE... 

Expresssive vs productive ... Art/leasure vs capitalism.

SO - lets assume for a moment - Capitalism is a very good way to produce the necessities of life such as food, clothing, and shelter. As Erich Fromm said, I think in Escape from Freedom, such needs are able to be taken care of in the 20th and now the 21st Century. Fromm than points out that these Freedoms FROM allow us Freedoms TO -- but are we able to TO??? When we have freedoms TO do whatever is that not difficult for some? He shows yes... and I forget now what solutions he offers BUT - artistic expressions might be one FREE TO 

I have soo much to think about these days ... as in all my days. Freedom is often (always?) on my mind as are SHOULDS which are in a fight with what I might want. 

To consider Expressiveness -- I agree it is a need many if not all people have. AND I want to add here and now -- being expressive with an audience that is reached is important and might be essential. Me, for instance, write this and other things without getting an audience while I hope for an audience someday. My hope sustains me, I think! And hope. \

SO the mural project in Philly is VERY COOL... and I will share the info w/Robin who went looking at murals in various eastern european towns/cities.

BACK to EXPRESSIVENESS... there is the Charles W Wright

Express Yourself lyrics - and that is another thing!!!! 

Wright is RAPPIN".... while Madonna is lovin" and both talk to me while Wright may be much more communicating to the Philadelphia projects and their likes.

NOW: Let me talk a bit about LOVE... and respect and 2nd best and tests and certainties.

Have I settled? Did others settle on me? Where was respect and where were the expressions of affection. And what are the TESTS?

AHHHH..... Tests! I once thought I tested my partners by being angry and I wanted to know how much they would take. This was based, I think, on a model I saw growing up where at least anger directed at my mother's working as a my father's secratery was rampant! She didn't do all he thought she could, should, and he wanted.  However - the women with whom I related did not work with me... yet anger got expressed and used and that was wrong, wrong, wrong. And ineffective.

RESPECT -- goes both ways as does expressing affection. I must wonder about how much expressions of affection came my way and where was my need? My need was probably based on not getting much from mom and dad. As for Respect -- I got little of that and likely gave little to others - while admiring and respecting those partners. One was effective. One had a great memory. One had religion and that was important to me. One was ???? And one did offer affection.... Or at least put LOVE out as essential and basic. Another was creative and another was very hardworking. (name those names!!!??).

As for certainty - I have come to think and believe that little or nothing is certain except HERE AND NOW....

And ESSENTIALLY - I have also come to think/believe - I never felt deeply enough.... about anyone or anything. SAD for me and for others!

THEREFORE - 2nd best may have been had often... or worse - very good and essentially best people where not treated as queens, etc.! MY BAD....

SO - here I am.

Still wondering - what do I want? Who do I want? When? Where? WHY?!!!

In a person I look for, I think: compassion/understanding; open curiosity; some similar interests (music, art, films, tv, philosophy/religion; travel to support the previous qualities; and independence moderated by togetherness; and good looks, too.

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