There are many small irritations which We must endure in the Wild. For that reason We try to avoid periods of tempestuous emotion and aggrandized strife on a daily basis. Habitual resort to Frenzy easily leads to a life dedicated to Drama, which is generally unattractive. Good morning, I’m Onstage! Five minutes please, five minutes please.
We are not anti-silly; We just like our silly moments to be more unpredictable. Also, widely spaced can be more engaging than otherwise.
We are not sure where many phenomena come from. How they happen, or why they occur is not knowable. We credit what We see, but the cause is often mysterious.
Rhinos are resigned to varying amounts of cloudiness on most issues. It seems silly to pretend We comprehend the Wild, right?
Or even comprehend ourselves. We just do the best We can.
In broad terms, We are awake or asleep, generally, if you see what We mean. However, for Us, the dreaming mechanism never gets switched off; it’s running all the time, eyes open or closed. We pay more or less attention to the information it produces, but the system never shuts down.
We are not always sure exactly which incoming thought has meaning. Is the idea We are weighing new, or a dream, or a dream’s perspective on something new or old? Dreams are multifaceted and seductive, but nobody would suppose they are foolproof proof of anything. Often they involve a connect-the-dots element, relating one idea to another.
It would be nice if consciousness was more comforting, but it isn’t entirely. Leastwise, not ours.
Inside of Us We keep the records of what We have been up to, each of Us, all through our lives. Does it really feel as organized as this? No. It probably looks more like all the notes in the files and crates, tossed helter-skelter into a wind tunnel. Many bits, all adding up to Us. What version We get depends on which paper gets plucked from the twister at any particular moment.
Some of the broad topics our individual records cover are Lessons, Precepts and Concepts, Notions, Mistakes, Memories- both sweet and sour, Ideas, Thoughts, Ideals, Plans and Projects, Aspirations, Assumptions, Impressions, Doubts, Concerns, Intentions, Confusions, and Contradictions.
The trunk is for Regrets. We have them too.
There is a musical style called Funk, which We are not discussing today.
We are talking about the rare situation when a Rhino goes into a slump. The phrase We like is “in a funk”. Coping with depression. These conditions usually dissipate naturally, but they are plenty unpleasant while they last. The Rhino feels like a slave to moodiness.
Another use of the word “Funk” refers to a foul odor- to which We are sensitized. When one of Us is “in a funk”, Rhinos of all ages know because of the malodorous nature of the environs. We give that Rhino plenty of room to recalibrate.
Please Note: Not the ideal time for the cheery hello or tickling.
Rhinos are sometimes thought of as aloof, but that is an inaccurate assessment. We are preoccupied with Quest Issues, and ponderings on Cosmic and domestic Questions. A lot to consider, like what is for lunch.
“Minding My Own Business” is the message each of Us sends. That is how Rhinos handle matters in general. Not antisocial, just absorbed.
Rhinos have a wealth of Systemic Contributors. They are all dashing around inside, adding a dash of paprika to each thought and transaction. At least, that’s what We have always assumed was going on in there.
Nobody has actually seen a Vibe, probably because they are mega-quick. Maybe like Electricity, which We have not seen either. We see the results, but not the juice itself. Who has seen a flavor? Right.
Goes a long way in explaining our Rhino Demeanor, ask anybody.
Until sufficient bulk is attained, Rhino Tots are vulnerable to predation. What stands between each Young Rhino and disaster is Mother. The Gold Standard is, and has been, and doubtless will be, Mom.
For Rhinos, single parenthood is the only system We know.
Each of Us is only here because Mom guaranteed our well-being through those crucial years, so every day is Mother’s Day.
For Us, all art forms have a theoretical component. We don’t own things or make things. But We do appreciate Thing-ish ideas, mostly from a distance. We are familiar with many human cultures and aesthetics. After all, We were there for the development of most of them. Lots of ways to imagine things.
Here is a sample brooch design, celebrating the Rhino ability to move in many directions at once.
With flair.
Life involves many small disasters and misunderstandings; the odds of doing brilliantly in a given situation are not outstanding. Too many variables and unknowns lurking in the margins. And half the time We are looking in the wrong direction to begin with. The Woops Factor.
The Big Task is keeping a cheerful mindset, moving forward as best We can. Each minor mess will get corrected shortly, so why flip out?
We figure We will be able to tell the difference between a mistake and the End of the World.
Your Inner Rhino 