The entries in this blog were written without the assistance of AI, as the content here (including photos credited to the author) is very sincerely intended to be the direct expression of the author's own creativity and carefully verified research.
On a visit to social media this morning, I was reminded that today is World Poetry Day. I had already planned to create a new blog entry containing a poem I wrote Tuesday, and now it makes sense why I was delayed in doing so.
I will note that this poem is not intended to undermine or discourage participating in workshops, classes or mentoring opportunities which incorporate writing prompts and exercises. The intent of this poem is to value spontaneous human creativity. It came to me at a time of day when it was not particularly convenient for me to write, but I did so anyway - and that is the point.
It's not the only poem I wrote or read in this past week. Synchronicity is ever with us.
This Is Not An Exercise
I am not in a workshop I am not in a class I am not "AI prompted" It is not induced labor I did not watch a video I am not presently on Zoom I responded to nobody's question I'm not following directions in a book (or anywhere else) I can edit it, or not It has no particular destination But it demanded some clarification. It simply IS. I am calling it "my writing". I didn't plan to write it now. I'll even dare to call it a poem. Because obviously, it is. (Do I really need to say that?) A poem that's now complete.
~ Susan Larison Danz, March 17, 2026
Blossoms photo by Susan Larison Danz on March 21, 2026
I never really know when another story will arrive. Perhaps the one that arrived just a little while ago is a story that doesn't quite feel like a story. And yet it very much is.
Extinction Level #3 by Susan Larison Danz
There came a point, and it seemed to happen very quickly, when innate authenticity was no longer valued (at least by those who didn't value it).
Even that word "value" seemed misplaced. It was reminiscent of what we had been taught about the Gold Rush. But the desolation was worse. And the "Fool's Gold" was rampant.
Would we ever value anything "real" again? Just to speak about it was to know that some of us would - and perhaps more than ever.
I was writing a story, a very simple story, using words so very preciously my own. Its value was intrinsic to itself.
Meanwhile, the production factories were doing what they were doing. They were utterly sterile, whirring endlessly. It really didn't matter what they produced through their projections. All they generated was noise.
The people who genuinely cared about the process of creation knew what it was really about. It is a process, not just a product. It was seeable, though others would say it was not. The very product in which the factories had a part was inferior to anything that was authentically created. It was so very seeable, one could even call it obvious.
A child could see it. (Of course.)
I was writing a story, a very simple story, and appreciating the process, without a crutch, or an artificial catalyst, not a word or an idea. I intended to write it as it flowed. It didn't even need to take a lot of time, though had it taken a lot of time, that would have been just as fine as less.
When you know it, you truly feel it. Authenticity is who you are. It demands no artificial ingredients.
It is simply you.
What about the theme? And what about the title? Oh yes, it is entirely possible to go extinct, to choose or be fooled into choosing. It's a poison that is every bit as effective as arsenic. It happens rapidly or a little at a time. It's when you decide that you are "less" and the alternative must be better.
No, it's not better, and it will never compare.
You are more than enough. You can even reclaim yourself and come back to life.
Clouds photo by Susan Larison Danz on December 10, 2025
It
is truly time to awaken this blog, with an influx of inspiration and
creative energy. The awakening begins with a short story I wrote in the
last few days, the first in a series.
I also invite you to listen to today's episode of my podcast The Frontier Beyond Fear, now in its 16th year (available on multiple popular syndicates):
Reflecting mindfully about our extinction as human beings is highly relevant to our explorations regarding interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, as well as the dehumanizing aspects of AI. There is an assumption that even talking about extinction can only be based in fear, but it is actually the opposite. Extinction often doesn't happen all at once. Looking through the spiritual lens of The Frontier Beyond Fear, we observe what it is we need to see.
Included in this episode is the public debut of Susan Larison Danz's new short story "Extinction Level #1", which will be a part of an ongoing series. Susan reads her brief yet meaningful short story (created entirely by a genuine human being) as a part of the show.
Extinction Level #1 by Susan Larison Danz
I somehow found my way down to the meadow. A meadow with real grass. I've tried to tell people it really is different. "How could it be different? We have every variety here." Because it is. I have said it many times - you can't predict reality. And when everything is available, it feels like nothing is.
It was Tuesday two weeks ago when the notification arrived. They were ready for me. I hadn't signed up, but they finished with all the people who did. Now they were getting around to the people who didn't. Even that word "people" feels obsolete. What is a person? And how many still exist in this province? Or anywhere, really?
They took away our connection, so we can't see things so clearly. It's no longer possible to connect. Until you are "connected", that is.
I wouldn't accept the words when I was younger. You couldn't avoid them coming your way. But I never really used any of them. I made it a bit of a game, coming up with ways to avoid using the words we were given. Even when I pretended to use them, I didn't.
It feels impossible, somehow, that I would be one of the last. Here, anyway, it seems. "There" is no longer seeable.
"Soon you will see everywhere!"
They say the meadow will be gone soon. It is extraneous. There are more efficient things to be done with the land.
I somehow found my way down to the meadow. I feel grateful to know it is genuine solid ground. I am here while "here" exists.
In all their "knowing", they don't know. In all their "seeing".
"Turn the old; return to them. Things do not change; we change. Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts."
~ Henry David Thoreau, Walden
A new commercial keeps reappearing, just in the past week or so. It shows a young woman utilizing a new AI "feature" to essentially trick people into thinking she is someone she is not. There are a couple of variations of this advertisement I have seen, one in a personal setting and the other related to the workplace, and in both, after cleverly deceiving someone, she looks at the camera with a look of clandestine delight. This is presented as a positive development for us all.
There are several obvious problems, if we are reflective and honest enough to consider them. She is not being her authentic self, and were this to occur in "real and actual life", it would eventually be exposed she's not quite as clever as her deception has presented. She would be caught without her crutch, eventually, sooner or later, and she would be set backwards on her path, all the worse for it. The notion that is being presented here, in the workplace scenario for example, is it's better to "get ahead" than to be your actual self. In the personal scenario, it's even worse, as what sort of a relationship would she expect to establish when she feels she isn't "good enough" to be who she is?
The lingering, repeating message is that we are "less" as our authentic selves and AI makes us "more".
As I was pondering writing this blog post, I was finishing re-watching a poignant documentary called The Automat. It's about the history of a very special, innovative dining establishment that was once very successful, with owners who genuinely cared about the people they served and employed, who welcomed everyone through its doors. In the case of the automat, innovation wasn't harming people. It was actually helping. How the automats ceased to exist is the poignant part, and we are led to reflect upon change. I wish they still existed. We could use these places today. I was too young and never lived in the area of the country where they once were, but no doubt several of my family members (primarily on the "other side") who grew up in the New York City area (or arrived there as immigrants) experienced the wonder of this place.
The documentary has a lot to say about change and human dignity - and about creativity as well. The problem with AI is no matter how you feel about change as it was, change as it is today de-humanizes at a level well beyond any change before. Will we see through it?
Treasure and nurture your innate creativity. Treasure your beautiful vulnerability as a human being. Don't let anybody tell you that you are "less". You are "more" beyond imagining. No artificial construct can approach what you are. The "supermind" they seek has existed forever, and it isn't what they think it is.
"It is remarkable how easily and insensibly we fall into a particular route, and make a beaten track for ourselves."
~ Henry David Thoreau, Walden
You see it everywhere now. Clickbait. Those jarring, ugly images and sensational titles supposedly intended to attract positive attention. The words carry very little meaning. The images generally depict the people in them in the least attractive of ways.
There was a time when the only place you would observe anything resembling the sort of imagery one sees in clickbait was while in line at the grocery store. The gaudy and crass appearance conveys deception and ignorance.
As the long term host of an online radio show, I have never used clickbait. It didn't exist when I started out. It would not have been even the most remote of considerations. It is essentially an insult, not a promotion.
What ever happened to valuing Beauty? Beautiful imagery. Sincere and beautiful words. That's the real "clickbait", not the tasteless imagery that practically shouts "this is a bait and a switch", but something genuinely worth paying attention to.
Let's change the channel to Beauty.
Artwork for The Frontier Beyond Fear broadcast is based on a book cover designed by
talented artist Richard Crookes.
~ Origin not fully known (George Fuechsel is one source often noted)
[NOTE: As of May 2024, the AI-related header referenced below has been
gently adjusted. The April 2024 New Living Expo was a truly transformative
experience, resulting in a more nuanced perspective with
respect to potential benevolent uses of AI, when consciously chosen by a content creator. You will easily be able to see how this note
evolves over time, as it appears on every blog post . . . ]
After
seeing a somewhat similar example of this wonderful practice (with
different terminology), I am very happy to add the following note to the
top of this blog (which I may clarify as needed over time):
This blog was written by a real human being. No textual or photographic content created by the author of this blog
was generated by AI. Though a website or search engine used
during research (or quoted text/externally provided photos) may be
utilizing AI, a sincere attempt is made here to reference human verifiable content to help ensure accuracy. No AI chatbots or tools were directly used in
research, unless specifically noted as an example of their use.
I
will be adding similar notes, customized to their context, to all of my
websites and blogs. Though I cannot know
what hidden software resides in my phone or what a cropping tool might
use, I would never alter the contents of one of my original photographs
using AI, any more than I would alter the flow of my inspired writing
voice.
Stay tuned for plenty of reasons why (beyond what I express in the note itself), which will be a continuing theme here.
This theme is also central to my upcoming appearance at the New Living Expo
in San Rafael, CA April 19-21, 2024 and all of the following events:
What lessons can we learn from Early Spring? The poem Lines Written in
Early Spring by William Wordsworth is a poignant guide, as it
has much to say about the Beauty to be discovered in Nature, in
contrast with a tumultuous world. Listen to yesterday's episode of The Frontier Beyond Fear: Early Spring Lessons
In this season of awakening, I am personally experiencing a time of re-emergence, as my voice once again is called to expand in courageous new ways. I am also supporting others, as they share their unique and authentic perspectives.
I am looking forward to my upcoming appearance at the New Living Expo in San Rafael, CA April 19-21, 2024, where I will be speaking daily at the Embassy Suites Hotel. In between events, I will enjoy meeting people at Breakthrough Power Booth #25 at the beautiful Marin Center. Tickets are now on sale. Learn more here:
(Expo events also require the purchase of an admission pass.)
I would also like to share a groundbreaking Special Offer from Gaia, the opportunity to view Emersion, Gaia's first live global streaming event March 16-26, 2024,
featuring 22 worldwide wayshowers. Reserve your free virtual seat here.When you explore offers such as these, it helps to support my inspirational outreach, and that is very much appreciated. (Link
fully administered by Gaia, subject to their policies and procedures.)
Early Spring provides the perfect opportunity to bring this blog to life. Now is an important time to nurture our authentic voices. I hope you will reflect upon what your authentic voice is attempting to tell you. Your voice is special. Treasure who you are. No one else has experienced your unique path or perspective. Listening starts within - and so does discernment. Listen closely.
"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." ~ Albert Einstein
When we speak of "reality", actual reality, we are essentially engaging in our relationship with truth. An entire world can embrace utter illusion, but that doesn't change our personal relationship with truth.
"Reality" is far too often silently prefaced with the word "material".
That's the assumption.
That's the illusion.
Those of us who have objectively witnessed and studied things that cannot be explained by the illusion of "material reality" know the truth goes deeper. A materialist might say (and this is a hypothesis that fits for materialists) any evidence of a "non-material" reality must necessarily be evidence we are living in a material simulation. Materialism is assumed, without question, and nothing else. The simulation hypothesis contains the convenient aspect of necessarily negating verification of ANY observation. After all, if you are living in a simulation, how can you objectively observe and verify anything? Anything at all? Thus it implicitly discourages the honest exploration of reality. It's only a hypothesis, nothing more, and it arises out of materialism.
We spend a lot of time evading exploration. We lack the courage to consider our paradigm may be collapsing. We even deny that paradigms have regularly collapsed, those things we assumed were true. No doubt we would dwell on intentional evasion even more intently should observation defy our presumed constructs.
Why is spiritual reality important? Does spirituality exist because we can observe it? Could it even be a part of a "material illusion" if it didn't have a foundation as a "concept"? Spiritual Reality is such a profound discovery, even to observe it is to create it. Love is at its Center.
How tragic it is to see just how much we have sacrificed at the altar of materialism. We also sacrifice our authenticity daily. We pretend the Real doesn't exist to "fit in", even when we know better. We allow everyone and everything around us to pretend it doesn't exist as well, without question. We even immerse our children in learning about what we know is a material illusion. And then we are surprised when spirituality is mocked - and silenced.
We participate in the silence. We even silently participate in the mockery. We appear to accept it. And so we propagate it. We project an illusion. And we do know better.
This isn't going to work anymore. The material world we live in is hanging in the balance. The materialistic paradigm appears to be nearing its final gasp.
This is an excellent day to share some videos demonstrating what happens when materialism fails - all of our centuries of "development" have brought us to this. I hardly have room to share them all, but I will trust my inclination. We aren't learning enough about this, lately. We were schooled in it well long ago.
This particular scene was widely viewed on "network television" in 1983.
An astonishing number of people watched The Day After. Back then, we would have "network television events" that reached a lot of people, and people surely paid attention to this one. It depicted just one place, but people understood it was bigger than that - the counter-attack was referenced as well, but not shown. (See War Games, below, for a demonstration - RE: "mutually assured destruction", aka "MAD".).
I was actually more moved at the time by the quieter movie Testament, as it better demonstrated the "slow motion" personal poignancy in intensely tragic ways. It reminds me in a way of how a family member returning rather recently from a trip described the bottles of water people still leave as an offering in Nagasaki (because people who survived could find no water to drink).
Another 1983 movie was quite popular (and considered "lighter" entertainment). WarGames even included AI in the equation. This is a pivotal point in the film ("Spoiler Alert"), but worth viewing.
We had a lot to think about back then - at least back then, we were given something to think about, and thinking about it was considered totally OK. Talking about how we felt about it was fine, too.
Here is one particular way we saw the future (from a film made in 1984, though the story is older). 2010 seemed far away (yet very close). This series also happened to famously (or infamously) contain AI, though it's not relevant to the following scene. Other things are.
Things have "progressed" since the early 1980's, materially. How have we progressed spiritually? Whatever has brought us to this insane level of material ignorance (and denial) - and it's taken centuries of it - I can tell you one thing - it isn't worth it.
It will never be worth it. It was just as "mad" then, as it is now.
Is Spirituality itself capable of "winning"? Hint:Spirituality is capable of ANYTHING. It is, after all, about mutually assured survival (aka LOVE).
Omnipresent. Unconditional. And even beyond our imaginations. Sometimes we can glimpse it.
That's Reality. It's no illusion.
("Spoiler Alert", below.)
It's time to be open and honest about how more and more of us truly feel about it.
“It's a funny thing about comin' home. Looks the same, smells the
same, feels the same. You'll realize what's changed is you.” ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald
I hadn't really intended to return here today, though I must admit I had thought about it, recently. How I will return is yet to be seen. What I know is I'm here. I kind of stumbled into it, while doing some online "housekeeping". And so...here I am.
There will be no more "daily writing exercises" here - my writing doesn't work that way. I write when I write, and when I do write daily, it is not an exercise.
Given the continuing (and increasingly) unsettled state of the world, we don't always need to respond to it immediately, as if on demand. That's what went wrong with this blog. I started to feel like I was setting up an expectation to "write on demand", on the world's schedule, not mine, and worse yet, in alignment with whatever the "expectation of the day" happened to be. That sort of an "exercise" does not lend itself either to authenticity or free exploration - or for that matter, to deep and honest reflection. You will not find me echoing here "the thought of the day", whatever that happens to be, like an artificial flock of parrots. (Do uncaged parrots flock? I really couldn't tell you.)
The blog looks the same. It's a kind of a home. The quote I chose for today isn't necessarily one I entirely agree with. Usually "home", when you've been absent, does indeed change. Some things may feel the same, but many things will be different. And if we are noticing, we will find we too are changing. That part of the quote is much more true. And when we are changing, we may actually notice even "old things" in new ways - in fact, that is what we can expect, if we are noticing.
It feels good to return. I may even be back tomorrow.
"Re-examine all you have been told. Dismiss what insults your soul." ~ Walt Whitman
While taking a break from writing in this blog, I have still been doing plenty of reflecting. This is not the first time I have emphasized just how important it is to embrace and value our Spiritual paths - and yes, derive Courage from them - Spiritual Courage. Every day, it becomes more important.
The irony of it all is Spirituality itself - actual Reality - is far stronger than anything that denies its existence. One of the great tragedies of our times, and of Humanity's current situation, is our lack of Spiritual honesty and development. Had we been expansive enough to open ourselves up, we would be in a far different place. Thankfully, there's still time.
To hear more about this topic, several recent broadcasts of The Frontier Beyond Fear have had a great deal to say, including today's episode Love and Miracles. Visit the entire archive here: The Frontier Beyond Fear - you can also Follow the program on various syndicates. I may not be writing as much here, lately, but I've had plenty to say . . .
"Give the world the gift of YOU. Be yourself." ~ Susan Larison Danz
When I was a young child in the early 70's, I remember a television special (I think it was on television, anyway) with the title Free to Be You and Me. I can't quite remember it, and I think I only saw it once, but the title and overall feeling of whatever this was made such an impression on my young mind and heart that I never forgot how it felt.
I looked it up just now, and I really don't think I ever have. There are all sorts of entries. I vaguely recall music. I do remember Marlo Thomas, smiling.
But most of all, I remember the words: Free to Be You and Me
It was joyful and exuberant, as I recall. It felt like a celebration. It still has much to teach us.
"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
Listen live to The Frontier Beyond Fear Blog Talk Radio program Saturday at 1 PM PDT/4 PM EDT: Honesty and Fear (The program will be available at the same link afterwards, too).
How is being fearful related
to honesty? How can fear not only impact what people share with us,
but how we accept the information, and how we share things ourselves?
How can we be more discerning by becoming more aware of our own
relationship with fear?
What is the distinction between discretion and dishonest omission?
We can still be discreet and authentic, in appropriate circumstances.
How can we honor this in others and in ourselves?
How can we come to understand that all paths to authenticity are
essentially a lifelong journey? We can realize we are imperfect, even
while increasing our conscious intent to be authentic and empathic.
Greater awareness can help us, in every way, as well as respect for
ourselves and one another. This also leads to more courage, which can
help us immensely.
When we are intimidated or disabled by fear, we are unable to see
things with clarity. This can often lead to harmful or hasty choices,
for ourselves and our societies.
What is a better path forward? How can we discover it? Host Susan
Larison Danz reflects on these important topics. It is very likely she
will also introduce another passage from history or literature as a part
of the exploration.
The Frontier Beyond Fear
is in its 11th year, with over 400 episodes.
"You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.” ~ Abraham Lincoln
It's surprisingly simple. What enables Trust? Honesty. When honesty and transparency are missing, trust is missing, too.
All forms of authenticity require a journey, and even being honest about that helps to enable trust.
Life is often confusing, especially in times like these. Open vulnerability, including admitting mistakes, is all a part of the journey to trust. And forgiveness. Which leads to even greater trust.
"The most important things are the hardest to say." ~ Stephen King
Oddly related to what I had to say yesterday about free expression, I had an experience today, and in a respectful and compassionate, yet relatively open and honest way, which I hope is a "glitch", in which some private messages in a conversation on a social media platform mysteriously vanished. It's been several years since this particular platform has been "glitchy" in that way, and so I wondered.
I do hope it is simply a random glitch. And even if it is, do you see how we have all become more sensitive to such things? And why?
And so it is I'm here again, writing. And will find more ways, not less.
"Before the truth can set you free, you must free the truth." ~ Susan Larison Danz
It has become clear to me that these nightly writing exercises just aren't always unfolding as deeply or as authentically as I would like, and so I very likely will not write here every night (it's difficult to predict), and that's OK - as I'll be looking for new ways to write, too.
If you want to know my honest opinion, when it comes to open expression, the kind that encourages respect for multiple empathic perspectives (and yes, there is more than one), yet goes to deep and honest places, we are struggling mightily in our world right now. And I'm not quite sure what will change that, but it requires deeper work and not perfunctory exercises.
So I'm going to reflect on how to go about that work, and I'll be here when so inspired. If that is tomorrow, great! If not, I'll trust in that. I'm not going to force work that skims the shallows or dances elusively around the point, as that is not what I'm about, and it's deeply unsatisfying.
We have deep and honest work to do. Many of us. Those who so choose. That much is clear.
Until next time . . . (that may be tomorrow - we will see!). I know I'll be here Friday to let you know about Saturday's weekly radio program at 1 PM PDT. The work continues. More soon . . .
"So is the danger a danger still; so is the fear worse." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Listen to today's broadcast of The Frontier Beyond Fear program here, now available in the archive: Courage and Clarity
How do we work with our fears so we can find greater clarity? We reflect on why this is so very important for our
unfolding paths. When we allow our fears to dominate our thoughts and
decisions, not only is life unpleasant - we are unable to make clear,
productive and authentic choices. Why is Spirituality at the Center of
finding our way? It has everything to do with Clarity. But it will ask
something from us: Courage - even as Spirituality is our greatest
Resource in finding it. What greater Resource could we have than our
awareness of and conscious relationship with the omnipresent Divine?
Once we discover expansive, open, honest and authentic routes to
Clarity, we will also find within us the Courage to freely explore our
paths forward.
A brief passage on fear and exploration written by Ralph Waldo Emerson in 1837 is shared during the program.
"Fear always arrives with an 'opt out' option." ~ Susan Larison Danz
A number of years ago, this guidance came to me in a time when I really needed to hear it: Dwelling in fear is like wearing sunglasses in the dark. Take them off and behold the Dawn.
Sunglasses are so very stylish these days at night, and have been for a while.
How is wearing them helping?
Note: I will be broadcasting live at 1 PM PDT/4 PM EDT on The Frontier Beyond Fear Blog Talk Radio program on Saturday. Listen here: Courage and Clarity
"Authenticity brings invisible people to life!" ~ Susan Larison Danz
Authenticity and Spirituality. You really can't separate the two. An authentically spiritual path is a path that is freely explored.
How many times can I say it? We are not here to be clones, robots, or to echo one another in echo chambers.
We are here to be uniquely expressed aspects of the Divine. We wouldn't bother to be here at all if the idea was to be the same, or to always agree.
It is of very great concern to me that uniformity of opinion seems to be elevated above all things, these days. Not only is that an unattainable goal, it is not an attractive one. It has nothing to do with an authentically spiritual life. I'm already in "disagreement" with such an impossible and undesirable notion. It is fundamentalism, that's what it is, the most rigid form of thought - such notions lead to the very OPPOSITE of a spiritual path. And you can see it, very visibly, in the stress and discord that results.
We are here to celebrate our choices. Only the most oppressive forms of non-spiritual thought demand absolute conformity, and that is not a characteristic of the open-hearted Divine.
Why we have strayed so very far from such basic spiritual concepts, even in parts of the "spiritual community" which never would have advocated for this in the past, is indeed troubling to me.
Honesty. Authenticity. Non-judgment. Empathy. Forgiveness. We all do it imperfectly. These are fundamental aspects of Unconditional Love, the very Center. "Fundamentalism" for its own sake, absent of Divine Unconditional Love, is just that: fundamentalism. Those who cling to it can insist all they like and even demand or oppress - it doesn't make any of it Real or True.
I honestly explore how Spirituality can provide us with the Trust and Wisdom we need to make solid choices when confronting fear. Not only will we make better choices going forward, we will be comfortable with those choices. If you feel discomfort with a choice, it's time to look at it more deeply.
Whether on this day, you are celebrating the first day of Spring or of Autumn, today is an excellent day to consult your inner compass. We make imperfect choices all the time, as this is human, but being mindful of our unhealthy relationship with fear can make all the difference.
We also listen to wisdom from Henry David Thoreau's Walden, some deeply profound words to guide us on our paths forward.
Blossoms by the Bridge photo by Susan Larison Danz.
