Posts by Michael Moore3

With the warmer weather finally starting to roll in, I’ve been wondering where everyone heads to get their outdoor workouts in, as I'd love to actually show up in person and see how you all operate.

Thanks again! 🙂

Thanks for the heads-up!
It feels like these seasonal programs don't really kick into gear until summer, or am I totally off base? Is there anywhere I could actually head out this weekend to get a feel for archery in person?

Thanks for clearing that up 🙂
I’d also love a club recommendation if anyone has one! Feel free to shoot me a DM if you think posting it here would be bad form or feel too much like an advertisement. Spring is just around the corner, and I can already picture myself standing out in a field, breathing in that crisp spring air while letting fly a few arrows—it sounds pretty perfect to me

That’s actually my main goal here: finding the right place where I can really get a feel for the bow and learn how everything works in practice.

???
I honestly can't tell if archers are just being incredibly stingy or if there's some unspoken rule against letting anyone else even hold a bow. It feels like I’m expected to just go out and drop a massive chunk of cash on a setup without having any clue what I’m actually getting myself into.
It’s hard to believe it's this difficult... surely there has to be a local club somewhere where I could actually get my hands on a bow and test the waters before deciding if this hobby is actually worth the investment.

Could someone point me toward a spot in the States where I can actually get a feel for archery without all the guesswork? I know there are lists of clubs out there, but I’d much rather have a real recommendation—someone telling me, "Go to this specific club, the instructor actually knows their stuff"—so I don't end up wasting my time or losing interest because some amateur is running the show just because their name happened to be on a directory.

Walter Carter2 said:Man, Michael Moore3, you are definitely not an idiot!

I had one of those moments recently where I was struck by my own sheer stupidity... perhaps I'm not dim-witted compared to the average person on the street—though that doesn't mean much to me—but in a broader sense, as a sentient being, I am just fundamentally foolish. Realizing this was both crushing and strangely liberating; I looked back at my actions and saw how they felt perfectly logical in the moment, yet were completely unjustified, driven by this urge to force a situation rather than just letting things unfold naturally. Only a fool does that... but there was a certain wisdom to be found in that realization. 🙂

Walter Carter2 said:Namaste Cherie!

@Michael Moore3 - you are such a spiritual baby, your ego is way too strong! You've got a lot of spiritual lessons left to learn and a lot of sake to drink! Man, you're stuck in all of this, so it isn't quite as simple as your life seems to you. Don't get too relaxed with that beer and the pool, or that easy life might catch you off guard!

My dear spiritual seekers! A person should experience life while feeling like a guest, an observer, on this planet. A guest is someone who arrives, sees, and leaves! Humans are travelers. Why would you stay in one spot for a lifetime? A person is a free soul, and it's the ego that ties that soul to the body! The body is just a slow vehicle that the soul can't drive very far! The material universe is gorgeous, the astral plane is even better—the soul needs to experience and see it all to decide if it should eventually merge with its true nature. An explosion of joy and love transcends any rational description; it goes beyond light and dark and cancels out every shadow. That kind of environment is natural for the soul, because in spirit, it exists in eternal ecstasy—always New Joy!

I find myself constantly struck by how much of an idiot and an egoist I actually am... yet, if you tried to kill me, I couldn't bring myself to agree that "it's not that simple." If anything, I'm realizing more every day that everything is so incredibly simple that even the slightest attempt to grasp that simplicity just leads to overthinking and total confusion.

Bradley Wood3 said:Those **bolded** sentences actually contradict each other—falling doesn't automatically mean you're going to sink into apathy.
Maybe you'll get back up, maybe you won't.
Depends on the person...
Maybe the issue is we aren't all defining "falling" the same way.
You haven't really fallen just because something bad happened; you've fallen if, in that exact moment when things went south, you lost your nerve and your drive.
And now you're saying that's normal, which is something I've been saying for a long time.
You say you have to get back up, and I'm with you there, but that time spent sitting at the bottom also counts...
Doesn't matter how long it takes—even if it's just one day—that's plenty of time to make a bad call...

Quick question though—are you a Sagittarius or something? 😬

So, we are essentially discussing the same thing here.🙂
What I would point out is the tendency to toss terms around quite loosely. This isn't something people who truly grasp the sheer weight of a situation tend to do, but from what I've observed, most people misunderstand things by clinging to certain phrases only when they fit their own narrow perspective.
That is why I am somewhat hesitant to define the idea that "the fall lasts," because there is always a significant "but" involved, and people generally prefer to focus on the duration without acknowledging the caveat. But, if I may attempt an explanation:
Yes, the "fall" and the regrouping take time, BUT the reality is that the actual duration of that fall is determined solely by one's own decision, rather than the physical span of the descent itself.
To put it another way, for some, a "fall" means lying in the dirt for days, whereas for others, a "fall" is merely brushing against the dust before instinctively springing back to where they were before the drop occurred.
In both instances, it rests entirely upon the individual's choice following that initial physical descent (that brief moment where you are actually falling and nothing can be done, which is such a fleeting and rare occurrence that it is practically negligible compared to the actual lived experience of life's setbacks).
In my view, that momentary lapse shouldn't be used as a valid reason to define the course of a person's entire life.

Bradley Wood3 said:Those **bolded** sentences actually contradict each other—falling doesn't automatically mean you're going to sink into apathy.
Maybe you'll get back up, maybe you won't.
Depends on the person...
Maybe the issue is we aren't all defining "falling" the same way.
You haven't really fallen just because something bad happened; you've fallen if, in that exact moment when things went south, you lost your nerve and your drive.
And now you're saying that's normal, which is something I've been saying for a long time.
You say you have to get back up, and I'm with you there, but that time spent sitting at the bottom also counts...
Doesn't matter how long it takes—even if it's just one day—that's plenty of time to make a bad call...

Quick question though—are you a Sagittarius or something? 😬

No, I'm a Scorpio.
😬

Bradley Wood3 said:1. that’s basically all I wanted to hear. 😁
2. sure, we shouldn't let them, but by bringing up this "middle ground" thing, you're basically admitting we can't always make the best possible choices for ourselves.
The truth is, we *can*, we just aren't strong enough to pull it off during every single phase of life.
Everyone has weak spots, and there are things that just break us—even if it's just for one day.
And honestly? That one day is plenty of time to make a decision that isn't in your best interest.
It all sounds great in theory and we're all nodding along, but in reality—which is the only thing that actually matters—we fail way more often than we'd like to admit. 😉

Well, let's not be typical people, 😛—I meant that within the context of what we were discussing, rather than as a standalone thought, since most human struggles stem from our tendency to dissect everything into tiny, manageable pieces until we eventually lose sight of the forest for the trees.

Bradley Wood3 said:1. that’s basically all I wanted to hear. 😁
2. sure, we shouldn't let them, but by bringing up this "middle ground" thing, you're basically admitting we can't always make the best possible choices for ourselves.
The truth is, we *can*, we just aren't strong enough to pull it off during every single phase of life.
Everyone has weak spots, and there are things that just break us—even if it's just for one day.
And honestly? That one day is plenty of time to make a decision that isn't in your best interest.
It all sounds great in theory and we're all nodding along, but in reality—which is the only thing that actually matters—we fail way more often than we'd like to admit. 😉

So, is it possible or isn't it? 🤣

Bradley Wood3 said:1. that’s basically all I wanted to hear. 😁
2. sure, we shouldn't let them, but by bringing up this "middle ground" thing, you're basically admitting we can't always make the best possible choices for ourselves.
The truth is, we *can*, we just aren't strong enough to pull it off during every single phase of life.
Everyone has weak spots, and there are things that just break us—even if it's just for one day.
And honestly? That one day is plenty of time to make a decision that isn't in your best interest.
It all sounds great in theory and we're all nodding along, but in reality—which is the only thing that actually matters—we fail way more often than we'd like to admit. 😉

I can't agree with that at all; that single sentence feels like an excuse to dodge responsibility and a total brake on personal growth.

Bradley Wood3 said:1. that’s basically all I wanted to hear. 😁
2. sure, we shouldn't let them, but by bringing up this "middle ground" thing, you're basically admitting we can't always make the best possible choices for ourselves.
The truth is, we *can*, we just aren't strong enough to pull it off during every single phase of life.
Everyone has weak spots, and there are things that just break us—even if it's just for one day.
And honestly? That one day is plenty of time to make a decision that isn't in your best interest.
It all sounds great in theory and we're all nodding along, but in reality—which is the only thing that actually matters—we fail way more often than we'd like to admit. 😉

It's the same issue as before: shifting the blame. Today it's "just one day," tomorrow it becomes "two," and the day after that it's just "well, what am I supposed to do?" Evolution itself serves as proof that this mindset isn't natural, as it shows that only those who are persistent—not necessarily the strongest, the best equipped, or any kind of superhero, just the most persistent—are the ones who actually survive.

Bradley Wood3 said:1. that’s basically all I wanted to hear. 😁
2. sure, we shouldn't let them, but by bringing up this "middle ground" thing, you're basically admitting we can't always make the best possible choices for ourselves.
The truth is, we *can*, we just aren't strong enough to pull it off during every single phase of life.
Everyone has weak spots, and there are things that just break us—even if it's just for one day.
And honestly? That one day is plenty of time to make a decision that isn't in your best interest.
It all sounds great in theory and we're all nodding along, but in reality—which is the only thing that actually matters—we fail way more often than we'd like to admit. 😉

One bad moment doesn't define a season, just as one mistake isn't the end of the world. When you stumble (and you will, because that’s just part of being human), you simply brush yourself off and keep moving.
I’m not suggesting anyone needs to be perfect enough to never trip—though I suppose a few hyper-persistent souls might manage that—but rather that we shouldn't view failure as something to be feared or judged, but instead approach the next attempt with a bit of optimism.

Bradley Wood3 said:Look, we aren't robots. We can't micromanage everything.
Imagine you meet someone, you fall in love, and then they die five years later.
It doesn't have to be a daily thing, like you said, but a single event like that can scar you for life.
And you're gonna sit there and say—"oh, that's just the natural flow of things"?
Hell no. You won't be thinking logically; you'll be stuck in that headspace of "why her?" or "why me?"—the kind of irrational thoughts people get when they aren't thinking straight. And trust me, there are plenty of situations where we lose control and definitely aren't the coolest heads in the room...
That isn't a matter of personal choice.
So, basically, some things just aren't up to us.

Of course there are events beyond our control, but they shouldn't define us, nor should they serve as an excuse to let them take over. If your perspective is that these events dictate your life, it raises the question: how massive does an event need to be before it starts steering your destiny? Some people carry trauma from incredibly trivial things, like an awkward rejection during their teenage years, and let that shape their entire existence...
while others lose a parent while they already have a spouse and children, and allow that grief to become their defining reality...
In both instances, we are looking at perfectly normal life events and the individual decisions people make to let those events rule them. Pay close attention to "the decisions of those individuals.

Yes, we aren't robots, but we shouldn't swing to the other extreme—being incapable of making our own choices. The answer is almost always found somewhere in the middle.

Bradley Wood3 said:aha, so what, if you lose a kid, a parent, a spouse—if you get assaulted or lose a limb or whatever...
that's just "personal choice" too?
sorry, but honestly, I don't think there's a bigger ego trip than that "everything is a personal choice" line you're obsessed with.

anyway, back to the main question—I'm not sure if I'd come back, since nobody knows what's waiting on the other side.
if it's better than this life, then count me out.
if it's worse, then yeah, I'd be back in a heartbeat.
I'm leaning towards it being better, but faith isn't the same as knowing for sure...

So, is this how you—or maybe most people—view existence? Just a relentless cycle of watching loved ones pass away, dealing with assaults, getting screwed over, and all that other misery?
These extremes are things you can't really control—assuming you truly have no influence over them—but they only end up consuming your entire existence if you make the choice to let them. In the end, it all comes down to a decision.
It might sound a bit detached, but honestly, that’s just how it is—physical reality doesn't have a heart. The universe is essentially just a sequence of indifferent occurrences that we collectively label as "normal." A lion takes down an antelope, a train hits a pedestrian, someone loses a limb, or a loved one passes away; these are all just standard mechanics in the machinery of existence. Ultimately, the only real variable is how much weight you decide to give those events in your own life.

Peter Phillips32 said:I’d like to jump in here and add something to what Michael Moore3 was saying.

See, it isn't just about managing how you react to things happening out in the world; you can also manage the decisions happening deep inside your own head. The problem is, most people don't even realize that you can't just look inward with your eyes like you're checking the weather—they don't even know how to start. That's why you have to constantly educate yourself and keep practicing until those new, healthy habits actually stick. Eventually, that subconscious stuff becomes conscious.

@mistygull16
Look, this whole world isn't inherently beautiful, or ugly, or heavy, or depressing, or even sinful... none of that exists until you decide it does and let it become your reality (which really just comes down to whether you've got the tools to steer your own ship or if you're just being submissive to whatever happens). It's all just cause and effect, plain and simple.

Since you mentioned that the absolute worst thing for you is when someone tries to convince you of something, I highly doubt you'll be the one calling the shots on your next reincarnation.

Thanks for adding that. I realized after writing my last post that I neglected to mention my perspective applies to both external and internal events, mostly because it seemed so obvious to me at the time.🙂
In an earlier off-topic thread with ladybug11, we were discussing exactly this—how changing yourself is the prerequisite for changing your reality. In practice, everything you want to shift in your life has to stem from a transformation within yourself rather than trying to force change onto others. For instance, if the country is in total chaos, you improve things by refining your own habits and mindset instead of just pointing fingers at the leadership. After all, those leaders are just individuals made of flesh and blood, just like us, who need to evolve themselves before their functions and actions can improve. It’s a bit like how a fool feels comfortable among other fools but feels out of place among the wise, pushing themselves to improve just to fit in—and the reverse is true as well.

placidjackal36 said:Do you honestly believe everyone is just out there architecting their own destiny? You realize that by saying that, you're basically dismissing every ounce of human suffering in history and pinning all of someone's misery squarely on their own shoulders, right?
Life is nowhere near as perfect as that sounds. I don't know what part of the country you're living in, but take a look around you.

I find myself agreeing that people do shape their own lives, though I think it's more about the trajectory of one's choices rather than specific events. For instance, if a war breaks out, you aren't signing up for the front lines; instead, you might choose to pack up and head to a quieter part of the country with your family. If your environment becomes toxic, you move away; you detach; you refuse to let a problem you can't directly control dictate your existence.
It takes a certain amount of grit to walk away from everything you've painstakingly built, but I've always felt that someone unwilling to tear down their current life to build a better one isn't truly living.
Of course, this assumes a level of intentionality—acting with awareness of the consequences and responsibilities involved, rather than just reacting on impulse.

Quincy:

ironharbor8 As stated by: You could just as easily claim that we’re the sole architects of our own lives, though I suspect calling that view naive might be more accurate. Neither of us has actually put any real weight behind our positions yet. I’d actually love it if you felt like sharing the reasoning behind that perspective..

So, I’ve been labeled as naive, though you won't say why, yet you somehow expect me to sit here and defend my insights to you. I can't help but wonder if you truly believe I have nothing better to do with my time than try to win you over to my way of thinking. Everyone experiences their own version of reality, and I'm not quite sure where you get the authority to claim mine is naive—though it's clearly just a label used to dismiss me. If you actually thought my perspective was flawed, you would have backed it up with real arguments, but since you didn't, calling me naive is really just a redundant way of stating an opinion rather than making a point.
Quincy:

ironharbor8 As stated by Michael Moore3: Since we’re already discussing the sheer scale of egos, take a look at your own opening statement: "well, you choose how your life turns out all by yourself."

So, who exactly gets to decide what your life looks like? Is it your mother, the government, or maybe some higher power up above?
It all comes down to personal choice, really... though I suppose the trouble is that people are always hunting for any excuse to dodge responsibility, finding comfort in the idea that they aren't actually the ones making the decisions.

ironharbor8 said:I don't see anything derogatory about that question. I'm not sure why you took it that way, but I won't dwell on it. That's your business.

As far as the public is concerned, this is a forum—unless you haven't quite grasped that concept yet. Where exactly do you expect to go for answers? I still maintain that anyone believing they have total control over their own destiny is being naive. You can claim we shape our own lives, and I can just as easily claim that view is delusional. Neither of us has provided a single shred of evidence to support our stances. That said, if you actually want to make a point, I’m all ears if you care to share your reasoning.

Since we’re already discussing the sheer scale of egos, let’s take a look at your opening statement: "Well, you choose how your life turns out all by yourself."

By framing it that way, you’re essentially declaring your position as an absolute fact. That kind of phrasing doesn't exactly invite a counterargument; it just shuts the door. To be blunt, it comes across as a bit arrogant, wouldn't you say? That’s precisely why my previous comment took the tone it did. I intended to be provocative, sure, but not dismissive. My goal was to spark a real discussion, not to belittle anyone. If you still insist that my remark was an attempt at disparagement, then by all means, feel free to call me out in front of everyone. 😉 My apologies.

Since we’re already discussing the scale of egos, you probably realize that what we notice most in others is usually just a reflection of what exists within ourselves.

Regarding my explanation, I would first like to hear the basis for your conviction that we possess the agency to choose our own destiny. Furthermore, please clarify whether you are referring to the period before or after incarnation, or perhaps both. Once you have provided that context, I will be more than happy to elaborate on my own position regarding this matter.

I truly understand that perspective, though I’d argue what we’re seeing isn't ego, but rather a sense of certainty—a distinction that can be quite subtle since they often look identical on the surface. If ego were actually at play here, the statement would have been designed to tear someone down or hoist myself above the rest, but that simply wasn't the case; it was merely an observation of a fact I happen to be aware of, made without any desire to disparage anyone or pretend I'm somehow superior.

Quincy:

ironharbor8 As stated by: I’m throwing this out there to spark a conversation, not to be inflammatory, though I realize it might come across that way. If you still feel like my point is purely meant to disparage, then by all means, feel free to call me out publicly. 😉) My apologies.

If you actually wanted to have a discussion, you would rely on arguments, seeing as a real debate is supposed to be an exchange of logic aimed at uncovering facts; however, I haven't noticed anything from you besides your own subjective impression which doesn't qualify as an argument
Furthermore, please spare me the formal apologies. Your words already reveal whether you actually care or how much you regret what was said, but if you're truly concerned about how others here perceive you, then feel free to express your remorse however you like...

ironharbor8 said:I don't see anything derogatory about that question. I'm not sure why you took it that way, but I won't dwell on it. That's your business.

As far as the public is concerned, this is a forum—unless you haven't quite grasped that concept yet. Where exactly do you expect to go for answers? I still maintain that anyone believing they have total control over their own destiny is being naive. You can claim we shape our own lives, and I can just as easily claim that view is delusional. Neither of us has provided a single shred of evidence to support our stances. That said, if you actually want to make a point, I’m all ears if you care to share your reasoning.

Since we’re already discussing the sheer scale of egos, let’s take a look at your opening statement: "Well, you choose how your life turns out all by yourself."

By framing it that way, you’re essentially declaring your position as an absolute fact. That kind of phrasing doesn't exactly invite a counterargument; it just shuts the door. To be blunt, it comes across as a bit arrogant, wouldn't you say? That’s precisely why my previous comment took the tone it did. I intended to be provocative, sure, but not dismissive. My goal was to spark a real discussion, not to belittle anyone. If you still insist that my remark was an attempt at disparagement, then by all means, feel free to call me out in front of everyone. 😉 My apologies.

Since we’re already discussing the scale of egos, you probably realize that what we notice most in others is usually just a reflection of what exists within ourselves.

Regarding my explanation, I would first like to hear the basis for your conviction that we possess the agency to choose our own destiny. Furthermore, please clarify whether you are referring to the period before or after incarnation, or perhaps both. Once you have provided that context, I will be more than happy to elaborate on my own position regarding this matter.

And? It seems you're quite busy spotting specks in other people's eyes while ignoring the massive log in your own.

ironharbor8 said:I don't see anything derogatory about that question. I'm not sure why you took it that way, but I won't dwell on it. That's your business.

As far as the public is concerned, this is a forum—unless you haven't quite grasped that concept yet. Where exactly do you expect to go for answers? I still maintain that anyone believing they have total control over their own destiny is being naive. You can claim we shape our own lives, and I can just as easily claim that view is delusional. Neither of us has provided a single shred of evidence to support our stances. That said, if you actually want to make a point, I’m all ears if you care to share your reasoning.

Since we’re already discussing the sheer scale of egos, let’s take a look at your opening statement: "Well, you choose how your life turns out all by yourself."

By framing it that way, you’re essentially declaring your position as an absolute fact. That kind of phrasing doesn't exactly invite a counterargument; it just shuts the door. To be blunt, it comes across as a bit arrogant, wouldn't you say? That’s precisely why my previous comment took the tone it did. I intended to be provocative, sure, but not dismissive. My goal was to spark a real discussion, not to belittle anyone. If you still insist that my remark was an attempt at disparagement, then by all means, feel free to call me out in front of everyone. 😉 My apologies.

Since we’re already discussing the scale of egos, you probably realize that what we notice most in others is usually just a reflection of what exists within ourselves.

Regarding my explanation, I would first like to hear the basis for your conviction that we possess the agency to choose our own destiny. Furthermore, please clarify whether you are referring to the period before or after incarnation, or perhaps both. Once you have provided that context, I will be more than happy to elaborate on my own position regarding this matter.

In other words, you don't actually have a stance of your own, but rather you're asking me to present mine so you can use it to construct yours.🤣
That isn't going to work.☕
You called me naive, so by all means, explain why using actual arguments.

ironharbor8 said:Is it actually possible for someone to be this naive?

I find myself wondering if you truly possess such immense wisdom and mysticism that you feel compelled to question me so condescendingly in front of everyone, as if you’re trying to signal to the room that your intellect somehow towers over mine.

Perhaps it would be best to check that ego at the door, come back down to earth, and if you really think you have a better interpretation, feel free to share it with me—or with the rest of us, if you’re feeling particularly eager to point out a supposed "error" in my thinking.

Betty Morgan5 said:Anyway... just so you're in the loop, I finally got back to doing the one thing I actually love, I've been training consistently again for about eight months now... I'm officially back in the game...
it's honestly not such a bad thing to feel this happy 🤣🤣

"nobody can ever cause you as much trouble as you can manage to cause yourself"
just keeping my head up and moving forward 🙂

Betty Morgan5 said:well obviously it bothers me... though I have seriously tried to change my ways, it's just been such a struggle, things aren't really clicking!
but you know what, I'm going to try a whole new approach, maybe over the next couple of days, and we'll just see how it goes!
I'll let you know how it turns out!😉

That’s certainly one way to look at it, and honestly, I’m quite curious to see what happens. 🙂

Betty Morgan5 said:honestly, who knows!
but I'll be the first to admit I'm a massive pessimist...
🤣

To be fair, having that kind of outlook tends to drain the energy out of everyone else in the room... does that thought bother you at all?