man test: save the world

When I was at University, those many years ago, my housemates and I stayed up to watch the American Superbowl. The boys, Jay and Steve, had brought in some beers and Beth and I cooked up food for us and brought along our added bit of lady banter to the late night's gathering.

Given we didn't really know what was happening in the small hours of the morning in this American Football game; we created an even better game to accompany the scene that brought us together.

This was a game of chance involving a giant orange dice. The boys would take it in turns to roll and the girls imposed some naughty rules which went something along the lines of:

1 = man test
2 = remove a piece of clothing
3 = truth
4 = put some make up on
5 = wear a piece of ladies clothing
6 = man test

I remember "Man Test" the most. It ranged from eating soil, snorting vodka, 10 press ups or doing a shot of Tabasco.  It was a bit of 20 year old fun, we had a great night and by the end of it the boys were being rather amusing; Jay ended up naked with a hat over his privates while Steve was wearing a lot of make up.  An amusing memory to reflect upon and giggle.

My father used to say "My House. My Rules" and what a great way to create a mini dictatorship in the family unit. Nevertheless I'll always appreciate his adage "a family that eats together, stays together" however admittedly the moment I was able to be out of the dictatorship, I was.  From University, to London, to Sydney, to now.

For me, the home serves as a beautiful symbol of unity.  

Metaphorically speaking, how wonderful would it be to realise that all the people in the world are our family and the roof has been extended to encompass everything under the sky not just the old man's rooftop.

And if that be the case, I'd love us to throw away the dice and put some real man tests out there rather than getting drunk to football. To encourage us all to step up. To open our eyes to what we have co-created; a world headed towards its own self-destruction. Where nature is plundered and money is worshiped.  Where sex and god are tools for manipulation to buy or hate as opposed to creating loving togetherness and joy.

Marianna Williamson reminded me that perhaps eating soil isn't a great man test anymore, that we can all do our bit to heal ourselves and extend that loving kindness to the people around us, if not the world. That we do not have to live at the mercy of a megalomaniacs fantasy nor behave like badly brought up children.

At this time the great market segment of Baby Boomers are facing their mortality. They also have acquired a lot of wealth in the West and yet, in their older age, there seems to be an acceptance that the 'kids will take care of things' as Western society hides the elderly away (compared to places such as remote India where the feet of the elders are touched as a mark of respect).

Just the other day a lovely mature woman in Woodstock, explained to me how she's relying on 'my generation' to fix things. I was pretty stumped. Everyone is an equal part of this story and boomers have so much to give the world beyond their immediate family that can dramatically change the way we perceive it and the lives of others around the globe.

Much of mankind has emotionally entangled itself with the impermanent, to the 'sins of the body' and not been brave enough to forgive, let go, move on and heal while seeing the bigger picture; this is not a game anymore.

I too feel this need for a 'love revolution' - a united consciousness.  The world needs it.  The disparities have got too wide, our minds too manipulated by greed and our hearts lost in attachment to the impermanent.

I propose a new man test for our home: Save the world.