People always tell me we should try to "build more bridges than burn them".
Even Saint Paul says, in Romans 12:18: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
Great words of wisdom.
And now, to comment on the subject, the Great One, himself:
"Be kind to the people you meet on the way UP. Cause you're gonna meet the same people on the way DOWN" -Jackie Gleason
So true, Jackie, so true.
When people see you coming, do they roll their eyes and say, oh no, here he comes? Yeah, if we can have less people do that, we're probably doing something right.
I would rather people say, "John's here, let's get this party started."
Just a bit of advice there.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
POLITICS - OSAMA BIN WHO?
Well, Osama's "bin" dead for a month, yesterday.
I remember the euphoria many of us felt after he met his justice, Old Testament-style, son. I was there with you. It closed a chapter to a very long, and arduous subplot, if not the novel.
But, it's interesting how quickly we forget. After about two weeks, when we have to pay five dollars for gas and realize that we're still fighting three wars in the Middle East and may get into a fourth one in Yemen. Now, we're starting to say, wait, it took us how long to get this guy? Sure, we're glad we got 'em, but dang! And we invaded Iraq, because, why? And we've been giving Pakistan, how much money???!!!! And the U.S. Gov't wants to destroy public service jobs in America, while they're helping to indirectly fund terrorism, abroad? Is the U.S. Gov't that dumb?
That last question is rhetorical, you don't have to answer it.
Now, that "Arab Spring" they talked about is looking more like a "Russian Winter"...desolate.
Well, until we start seeing the Arab George Washington ride in on a white camel, I think it's about time to pull out of the Middle East.
Of course, that's a rhetorical statement, too. You know we're never gonna get out of the Middle East.
This whole Antichrist thing is starting to make sense. Anyone who could bring peace, even a temporary peace to the Middle East, would be followed to the ends of the earth.
I'm not saying I'm "John the Revelator". I'm just saying...know what I'm sayin'?
I remember the euphoria many of us felt after he met his justice, Old Testament-style, son. I was there with you. It closed a chapter to a very long, and arduous subplot, if not the novel.
But, it's interesting how quickly we forget. After about two weeks, when we have to pay five dollars for gas and realize that we're still fighting three wars in the Middle East and may get into a fourth one in Yemen. Now, we're starting to say, wait, it took us how long to get this guy? Sure, we're glad we got 'em, but dang! And we invaded Iraq, because, why? And we've been giving Pakistan, how much money???!!!! And the U.S. Gov't wants to destroy public service jobs in America, while they're helping to indirectly fund terrorism, abroad? Is the U.S. Gov't that dumb?
That last question is rhetorical, you don't have to answer it.
Now, that "Arab Spring" they talked about is looking more like a "Russian Winter"...desolate.
Well, until we start seeing the Arab George Washington ride in on a white camel, I think it's about time to pull out of the Middle East.
Of course, that's a rhetorical statement, too. You know we're never gonna get out of the Middle East.
This whole Antichrist thing is starting to make sense. Anyone who could bring peace, even a temporary peace to the Middle East, would be followed to the ends of the earth.
I'm not saying I'm "John the Revelator". I'm just saying...know what I'm sayin'?
PERSONAL NOTES - HOW CAN SOMETHING THAT FEELS SO RIGHT BE SO, RIGHT?
So much has been going on in my life between jobs and career choices, etc, lately. All good news, thank God. But I haven't posted in quite a long time...consistently, that is. I hope to do so, soon.
Things are going well here, and I guess, it's that old idea that when there's no current "angst" in the writer's life, he/she has nothing left to write about.
My wife used to ask me, "why don't you write any new love poems for me?" To which I respond, when you find the love of your life, your true soulmate, like I have found in you, there's nothing more for you to write about. Only lonely writers write about love. When you are experiencing love in your own life, you want to bask in the warmth of that sunlight and experience it for yourself.
If you are a writer, and you're indoors on a truly gorgeous day like today, and you get to peek outside your house with all the windows closed. And yet you sit there and you claim to know what it feels like to be outside. You only get a glimpse of that beauty. You don't feel the warmth of the sun, or the coolness of the breeze, hear the birds singing, smell the flowers in full bloom...and the same with love, I used to think I knew what love was, but until I experienced it for myself, I didn't truly understand it.
Yes, I could bring my notepad with me to write the next great love poem or song. Or, if I was an artist, paint the beauty I see in front of me. Or, everyone today is an amateur photographer. Maybe I could try to freeze a part of heaven in my camera. Memorialize a glimpse of that fleeting moment...but you can't truly understand it unless you experience it.
There are down times...I felt this last year was a whole year of down times. But, now, I can say I am happy again. Should I feel guilty for being happy?
I guess the Generation Xer in me is looking for that "angst" again in my writing. The Grunge rocker can't write about rainbows and sunshine. Can he?
Well, let's just say, I'm not out there with a flashlight looking for my "edge". Ignorance is quite bliss right now. hehehe.
Happiness and satisfaction are fleeting, but joy and contentment are eternal. Like Saint Paul said: "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:11-13).
It is my nature to bemoan and complain bad situations, but, instead of being grateful for the GOOD situations, I start asking, "where did I go right?" Something must be wrong if I'm feeling this good. Instead of thanking God for bringing me through all situations, good and bad, and, yes, even providing blessings once in a while, I just sit there and try to figure out why I am feeling so good right now. I should be depressed. Shouldn't I?
Am I selfish, being this happy? I wish I can let everyone experience this with me. But then again, we will all experience it, in our own lives, in our own way. The idea is to be content, in all things, and be happy with yourself.
I think most relationships fail because we are looking to find our happiness in our significant other when we don't know how to be content with ourselves. You have to bring something to the table, before you even think about getting involved with someone. And that works for romantic relationships, as well as friendships.
So, you know what? Put on a happy face! A smile is contagious. Laughter is the best Ecstasy pill. And it's free, with no harmful side effects, either.
But you have to learn to laugh at yourself, when everyone else is silent. You have to be the life of the party. Don't expect others to make you happy.
Don't be the understudy in the play of your life.
In the end, I think what Paul was trying to say was that God is with you through the dark valley experience, but he will also raise you up to the mountaintop, once in a while. And I think I might stay here for as long as I can. The view is beautiful up here.
Things are going well here, and I guess, it's that old idea that when there's no current "angst" in the writer's life, he/she has nothing left to write about.
My wife used to ask me, "why don't you write any new love poems for me?" To which I respond, when you find the love of your life, your true soulmate, like I have found in you, there's nothing more for you to write about. Only lonely writers write about love. When you are experiencing love in your own life, you want to bask in the warmth of that sunlight and experience it for yourself.
If you are a writer, and you're indoors on a truly gorgeous day like today, and you get to peek outside your house with all the windows closed. And yet you sit there and you claim to know what it feels like to be outside. You only get a glimpse of that beauty. You don't feel the warmth of the sun, or the coolness of the breeze, hear the birds singing, smell the flowers in full bloom...and the same with love, I used to think I knew what love was, but until I experienced it for myself, I didn't truly understand it.
Yes, I could bring my notepad with me to write the next great love poem or song. Or, if I was an artist, paint the beauty I see in front of me. Or, everyone today is an amateur photographer. Maybe I could try to freeze a part of heaven in my camera. Memorialize a glimpse of that fleeting moment...but you can't truly understand it unless you experience it.
There are down times...I felt this last year was a whole year of down times. But, now, I can say I am happy again. Should I feel guilty for being happy?
I guess the Generation Xer in me is looking for that "angst" again in my writing. The Grunge rocker can't write about rainbows and sunshine. Can he?
Well, let's just say, I'm not out there with a flashlight looking for my "edge". Ignorance is quite bliss right now. hehehe.
Happiness and satisfaction are fleeting, but joy and contentment are eternal. Like Saint Paul said: "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:11-13).
It is my nature to bemoan and complain bad situations, but, instead of being grateful for the GOOD situations, I start asking, "where did I go right?" Something must be wrong if I'm feeling this good. Instead of thanking God for bringing me through all situations, good and bad, and, yes, even providing blessings once in a while, I just sit there and try to figure out why I am feeling so good right now. I should be depressed. Shouldn't I?
Am I selfish, being this happy? I wish I can let everyone experience this with me. But then again, we will all experience it, in our own lives, in our own way. The idea is to be content, in all things, and be happy with yourself.
I think most relationships fail because we are looking to find our happiness in our significant other when we don't know how to be content with ourselves. You have to bring something to the table, before you even think about getting involved with someone. And that works for romantic relationships, as well as friendships.
So, you know what? Put on a happy face! A smile is contagious. Laughter is the best Ecstasy pill. And it's free, with no harmful side effects, either.
But you have to learn to laugh at yourself, when everyone else is silent. You have to be the life of the party. Don't expect others to make you happy.
Don't be the understudy in the play of your life.
In the end, I think what Paul was trying to say was that God is with you through the dark valley experience, but he will also raise you up to the mountaintop, once in a while. And I think I might stay here for as long as I can. The view is beautiful up here.
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