The experience of being alive

Posted on April 13, 2013 by The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap

I’m dedicating this to my friend, Perpetua (Seeker). Thanks for all the inspiration and support. 🙂

“I don’t believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive.” Joseph Campbell

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About The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap

The year 1895 was filled with memorable historical events: the Dreyfus Affair divided France; Booker T. Washington gave his Atlanta address; Richard Olney, United States Secretary of State, expanded the effects of the Monroe Doctrine in settling a boundary dispute between the United Kingdom and Venezuela; and Oscar Wilde was tried and convicted for "gross indecency" under Britian's recently passed law that made sex between males a criminal offense. When the news of Wilde's conviction went out over telegraphs worldwide, it threw a small Nevada town into chaos. This is the story of what happened when the lives of its citizens were impacted by the news of Oscar Wildes' imprisonment. It is chronicle of hatred and prejudice with all its unintended and devastating consequences, and how love and friendship bring strength and healing. Paulette Mahurin, the author, is a Nurse Practitioner who lives in Ojai, California with her husband Terry and their two dogs--- Max and Bella. She practices women's health in a rural clinic and writes in her spare time. All profits from her book are going to animal rescue, Santa Paula Animal Shelter, the first and only no-kill shelter in Ventura County, CA, where she lives. (see links below on Ventura County Star Article & Shelter) To find out more please go the The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap on facebook or Amazon or e-mail us at the gavatar addresses. Thank you. (photos: of Paulette, her family, and a reading at The Ojai Art Center, July 2012)

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17 Responses to The experience of being alive

seeker says:

April 13, 2013 at 8:42 pm

You just have an uncanny way of knowing a person without meeting them, Paulette. Joseph Campbell has so much wisdom. It means so much to me to stay alive rather than finding the meaning of life. Paulette, thank you for dedicating this to me. God Bless. Seeker aka Perpetua.

Reply
- The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap says:
  
  April 13, 2013 at 9:18 pm
  
  Sometimes, we do connect with another, through their words, their hearts, if they are authentic it isn’t difficult. For me your kindness and heart are right out there and it’s a pleasure to have you as my cyber friend. God Bless you also.
  
  Reply
beebeesworld says:

April 14, 2013 at 1:28 am

What a peaceful, lovely pic! beebee

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- The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap says:
  
  April 14, 2013 at 2:25 am
  
  Yes, it is so peaceful. I’d love to be sitting there right now. 🙂
  
  Reply
FlaHam says:

April 14, 2013 at 2:18 am

That is a bench I could sit upon for an extended period of time. It conveys a place where one can in fact live. Thanks for sharing this — Bill

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- The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap says:
  
  April 14, 2013 at 2:26 am
  
  Absolutely! It’s such a gorgeous spot. Thanks for stopping by, my friend. 🙂
  
  Reply
2embracethelight says:

April 14, 2013 at 2:35 am

That is so beautiful.
Yisraela

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- The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap says:
  
  April 14, 2013 at 2:50 am
  
  Yes, it is. 🙂
  
  Reply
gita4elamats says:

April 14, 2013 at 3:26 am

I love Joseph Campbell. This reminds me of a poem of mine. :} Here’s a part of it:

The meaning of Life is no mystery:

it is to survive, to stay alive!

It’s all been done before; why, it’s written in history!

Live each day, each moment, despite the pain and strife.

Ebb and flow…

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- The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap says:
  
  April 14, 2013 at 2:50 pm
  
  Wow, that’s a great poem. So perfect with this post and I’m thrilled you shared it here. I love Joseph Campbell also and how he drew a thread through all religions and their commonality, specifically the mystery aspect that no book, no words, no talk touches on, that mystical aspect of the miracle of life, the source of it all, that no one knows in the truest sense. When “we” dialogue with others and there’s an openness sometimes what we disagree on, what causes us to go to war, becomes apparent in this mystery which seems to dissolve hatred. Campbell talked about it brilliantly. I admire him deeply.
  
  Reply
  - gita4elamats says:
    
    April 15, 2013 at 1:46 am
    
    Here’s the link to the full poem: http://poet4justicedotwordpressdotcom.wordpress.com/2012/09/18/ebb-and-flow/
    That’s it, the mystical thread that he weaves unites most beliefs into the web of life. 🙂
  - The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap says:
    
    April 15, 2013 at 1:55 am
    
    What an incredibly wonderful poem of yours that is. Thank you for the link. 🙂
  - gita4elamats says:
    
    April 15, 2013 at 2:07 am
    
    🙂
Lorna's Voice says:

April 14, 2013 at 5:18 pm

I always find it interesting that people seek meanings of things like life, as though if they only looked in the proper place, they would find what they are looking for. The truth of the matter is, at least from my perspective, that we need only reflect inward. All the meaning is there inside us. The rest is window dressing.

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- The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap says:
  
  April 14, 2013 at 7:51 pm
  
  Very wise statement, my friend. Thank you.
  
  Reply
Paula says:

April 18, 2013 at 2:01 pm

Who’s got the credits for this beautiful photo? I couldn’t agree more with the quote 🙂

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- The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap says:
  
  April 18, 2013 at 2:35 pm
  
  Hello Paula,
  I’m not sure. It’s a reblog from: http://drbillwooten.com/2013/04/13/the-experience-of-being-alive/ and I just went to check to see if I could answer that for you but was
  unable to find any.
  Yes, I agree with the quote as well.
  Thanks for stopping by and nice meeting you.
  Paulette
  
  Reply