If the weather permits, Judy and I have a habit of drinking a coffee (mine being 'special') while sitting on our porch, looking south over the treed lawn, across our country road and into the fields and woods beyond. It's always a movable feast for the eyes. But not only. Our ears are saturated with the sounds of birds near and far. And the various insects, of course.
Those precious minutes, while reminding me of the beauty that surrounds us, also brings to mind the fact that we in our culture are so small in our understanding of reality. Today is Aboriginal Day here in Canada, the first day of summer. If I had been born here three hundred years ago I would have been raised as a hunter, but not one who searches, 'hunts' as we do, what with our scopes and long-reaching rifles, but one who sits and waist, observing, hearing and smelling, until the opportunity comes within reach of an arrow. How wonderful must be the knowledge that only comes from waiting and being truly part of our surroundings.
How utterly foreign that concept is to those of our culture. To WAIT? Do it or buy it NOW! To observe, really listen and take it all it before we act? If we can't do something now, and quickly, we don't bother.
On one hand, in our minds, we really know that we're a part of the 'whole' of things, that we don't and can't exist apart from 'nature' and all that that entails, but our actions and lives deny that whole reality, giving it such a small part of our experience. And we don't show any signs of getting 'smarter'. The truth that most of us know, is that unless we begin to see, hear, smell, act and live again with our world, and hold each other as true brothers and sisters in this world, we are enacting death. Few of us really understand this, yet alone, are trying to live in this reality.
I know this is hard, maybe impossible for us to do. For me, I know that I need those twenty minutes or so, sitting out there with my sweety, sipping on my coffee, not saying much, just listening, seeing, smelling, soaking up the world and recognizing my very small place in it.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Friday, April 14, 2017
A TERRIBLE FRIDAY
No 'Good Friday', please.
For me, it's a real perversion to call today 'Good Friday'. We remember Jesus of Nazareth getting excecuted by the Romans, for being very guilty of the charges against him: advising people to not pay the Roman tax, for starting a riot, and for claiming to be king, the Messiah. All were crimes against Caesar.
These actions were taken because Jesus was following the law of Love, of Shalom, the basis of Jewish understanding. Although he had not claimed the throne, his followers had. He was guilty. He was killed for his convictions. Where's the GOODNESS in that? As of this day, he was a failure on all counts. The lessons learned: LOVE has a very high price indeed; You can't fight the system; Might is right; and so on.
Please don't try to change this lesson by the old Pauline and Augustinian claim that Jesus died for our sins. It doesn't 'wash' anymore. That might have made sense to first century Greeks who believed in sacrifice and unloving gods, but for me that old doctrine, however orthodox, just doesn't help at all. This doctrine makes a monster out of God. We shouldn't wonder why most 'Christians' stay home from worship today. Any kind of 'loving' God will forgive their 'children' without having to kill off the best of them as some example. And besides, I'm still far from perfect. Just ask Judy, or any of my friends. Or am I supposedly only now 'forgiven' from the that old sin of 'The Apple'? Who knows?
So, today we have a very bad Friday. Let's learn from it. Love and Justice are costly. Following Jesus in any way does and will have a price. As he urged many times, even as he was asking others to follow, before we chose, look closely at the cost and weigh carefully what you value most in life. If you want to be popular and 'successful', don't even think of trying to follow. Stick with going to church and feeling good. Or keep on by yourselves. It's much easier and hasn't the perils of following Jesus.
For me, it's a real perversion to call today 'Good Friday'. We remember Jesus of Nazareth getting excecuted by the Romans, for being very guilty of the charges against him: advising people to not pay the Roman tax, for starting a riot, and for claiming to be king, the Messiah. All were crimes against Caesar.
These actions were taken because Jesus was following the law of Love, of Shalom, the basis of Jewish understanding. Although he had not claimed the throne, his followers had. He was guilty. He was killed for his convictions. Where's the GOODNESS in that? As of this day, he was a failure on all counts. The lessons learned: LOVE has a very high price indeed; You can't fight the system; Might is right; and so on.
Please don't try to change this lesson by the old Pauline and Augustinian claim that Jesus died for our sins. It doesn't 'wash' anymore. That might have made sense to first century Greeks who believed in sacrifice and unloving gods, but for me that old doctrine, however orthodox, just doesn't help at all. This doctrine makes a monster out of God. We shouldn't wonder why most 'Christians' stay home from worship today. Any kind of 'loving' God will forgive their 'children' without having to kill off the best of them as some example. And besides, I'm still far from perfect. Just ask Judy, or any of my friends. Or am I supposedly only now 'forgiven' from the that old sin of 'The Apple'? Who knows?
So, today we have a very bad Friday. Let's learn from it. Love and Justice are costly. Following Jesus in any way does and will have a price. As he urged many times, even as he was asking others to follow, before we chose, look closely at the cost and weigh carefully what you value most in life. If you want to be popular and 'successful', don't even think of trying to follow. Stick with going to church and feeling good. Or keep on by yourselves. It's much easier and hasn't the perils of following Jesus.
Friday, April 7, 2017
WHAT YOU WON'T HEAR THIS SUNDAY (Palm Sunday)
WHAT YOU WON'T HEAR ON 'PALM SUNDAY'
Most churches are dying, along with classical Christianity. Being more truthful might make a difference. A good example of this is what will be heard from most pulpits this coming week, on Palm Sunday. What you won't hear is the reality of how Jesus had been asked, time and time again, to lead the people in revolt against Rome, to be their Messiah Of how even the mention of 'messiah' was a crime against Rome. Of how many of his disciples and followers were supporters of the Zealots, the movement that was dedicated to revolt and the killing of not only the Romans, but all who were profiting from their occupation of God's Kingdom.
Jesus had finally said YES. He entered the city through the main gates, going right past the Fortress Antonia which housed the Roman Legion. Pontius Pilate was probably there as well, as his palace wasn't nearly as secure and easily defended against the expected attack. At church we sing of Jesus being followed by bands of children, a family occasion with smiles all around, hardly offensive or a threat in any way. Garbage! There would have been a short sword or dagger under every third cloak. If not, if the Romans hadn't known this, they would have arrested or killed Jesus and his followers right then. Long before he had urged the people to not pay the Roman tax. Now he was causing a revolt and claiming the throne as the Messiah. It was no secret. He was been expected.
So Jesus entered the city which was, for the most part, in his control. He even closed down the Temple, calling the High Priest and others 'Thieves.' But he didn't order an assault on the Romans or the wealthy. He shared the Seder Meal with his inner group that evening - and then he left the city to return to his unprotected camp in the nearby hills.
Why? Because he knew that violence was not the Way of Abba, the God that he knew. Only in the giving away of his power might the people begin to understand this concept. Up to that point he had not been able to make them understand; all they wanted was a messiah to solve their problems.
The truth of what we call 'Palm Sunday' is so much more interesting and valuable than the usual fare. It's something to inspire, challenge and teach us. Why don't we hear of it? Why are churches so afraid of the truth? I can't understand it. Why do they insist on boring us to death when there's so much life and excitement to share?
I'll probably stay home and read, or, if it's not raining, go for a walk on Sand Beach.
Anthony
(If you'd like to read more on this, try my Simeon's Gospel, book on Amazon)
Most churches are dying, along with classical Christianity. Being more truthful might make a difference. A good example of this is what will be heard from most pulpits this coming week, on Palm Sunday. What you won't hear is the reality of how Jesus had been asked, time and time again, to lead the people in revolt against Rome, to be their Messiah Of how even the mention of 'messiah' was a crime against Rome. Of how many of his disciples and followers were supporters of the Zealots, the movement that was dedicated to revolt and the killing of not only the Romans, but all who were profiting from their occupation of God's Kingdom.
Jesus had finally said YES. He entered the city through the main gates, going right past the Fortress Antonia which housed the Roman Legion. Pontius Pilate was probably there as well, as his palace wasn't nearly as secure and easily defended against the expected attack. At church we sing of Jesus being followed by bands of children, a family occasion with smiles all around, hardly offensive or a threat in any way. Garbage! There would have been a short sword or dagger under every third cloak. If not, if the Romans hadn't known this, they would have arrested or killed Jesus and his followers right then. Long before he had urged the people to not pay the Roman tax. Now he was causing a revolt and claiming the throne as the Messiah. It was no secret. He was been expected.
So Jesus entered the city which was, for the most part, in his control. He even closed down the Temple, calling the High Priest and others 'Thieves.' But he didn't order an assault on the Romans or the wealthy. He shared the Seder Meal with his inner group that evening - and then he left the city to return to his unprotected camp in the nearby hills.
Why? Because he knew that violence was not the Way of Abba, the God that he knew. Only in the giving away of his power might the people begin to understand this concept. Up to that point he had not been able to make them understand; all they wanted was a messiah to solve their problems.
The truth of what we call 'Palm Sunday' is so much more interesting and valuable than the usual fare. It's something to inspire, challenge and teach us. Why don't we hear of it? Why are churches so afraid of the truth? I can't understand it. Why do they insist on boring us to death when there's so much life and excitement to share?
I'll probably stay home and read, or, if it's not raining, go for a walk on Sand Beach.
Anthony
(If you'd like to read more on this, try my Simeon's Gospel, book on Amazon)
Friday, March 31, 2017
CHOOSING BETWEEN BEING FREE OR SLAVERY
Choosing Between Freedom or Slavery
Being Human is not easy. On one hand, we're basically lazing, yet on the other hand we're always striving for more. We often chose to evade responsibility and yet bridle and complain when we don't get our own way.
The myths of the ancients, those old stories that tell of universal truths, remind us of these conflicting forces that are within us. The biblical stories tell of this struggle. At first, the ancient Hebrews (Jews) had no king (unlike all other peoples around them), only Yahweh. They were free to figure out things for themselves. They couldn't pass on responsibility to any other. But, eventually, they chose to choose a king. From then on, they could blame all their problems on that figure.
Jesus plainly thought of himself as a child of God, a teacher, not an authority figure in any way, not one who longed for or sought power or control. Many around him were searching and longing for a messiah, a king to lead them in a revolution against Roman occupation. He declined, time and time again. He couldn't have been more plain and direct.
Yet, even in his death, he was re-created as a risen Messiah, and came to be thought of as being even as part of God by later Greek-thinking followers The churches still proclaim him as such. The only responsibility Christians have is to 'believe'. All else is the Will of God. We PRAY. God DOES. Such a shame. And completely against all that Jesus said, lived and died for. (You can see why Good Friday is not my favourite time.)
Each of us lives in this dilemma. We want to be free, whatever that means to us. And yet we'd much rather leave the 'heavy lifting' in most areas to others. When these two forces meet within us, we feel much discomfort. We are well aware of the great powers that influence our lives, powers that we can do little about. Yet we usually do little in those areas we CAN affect. Few of us are active in any real political way but we rarely hesitate to complain about those exact same areas. Many of us are still 'going to church', listening to 'priests' of one stripe or another who 'tell us like it is' from an official point of view, but we rarely share spiritually with each other or take the risk of questioning, learning and growing like Jesus of Nazareth urged us. Leave the 'spirit stuff' to the paid/trained staff.
In other words, we're just human. That's both a hope and a curse. It's up to each of us, and us together, to chose which force will be given the most power. If we believe in the kind of God that Jesus knew, we'll know that we've got to do it ourselves. LOVE shares that responsibility. The slavery and powerlessness that we might feel is self imposed, although traditional. It is still chosen. Let's not waste our time, but choose for freedom. It might be costly (the Cross demonstrates that fact), but it's worth it.
Again, thank you for your time and thoughts.
Anthony
Being Human is not easy. On one hand, we're basically lazing, yet on the other hand we're always striving for more. We often chose to evade responsibility and yet bridle and complain when we don't get our own way.
The myths of the ancients, those old stories that tell of universal truths, remind us of these conflicting forces that are within us. The biblical stories tell of this struggle. At first, the ancient Hebrews (Jews) had no king (unlike all other peoples around them), only Yahweh. They were free to figure out things for themselves. They couldn't pass on responsibility to any other. But, eventually, they chose to choose a king. From then on, they could blame all their problems on that figure.
Jesus plainly thought of himself as a child of God, a teacher, not an authority figure in any way, not one who longed for or sought power or control. Many around him were searching and longing for a messiah, a king to lead them in a revolution against Roman occupation. He declined, time and time again. He couldn't have been more plain and direct.
Yet, even in his death, he was re-created as a risen Messiah, and came to be thought of as being even as part of God by later Greek-thinking followers The churches still proclaim him as such. The only responsibility Christians have is to 'believe'. All else is the Will of God. We PRAY. God DOES. Such a shame. And completely against all that Jesus said, lived and died for. (You can see why Good Friday is not my favourite time.)
Each of us lives in this dilemma. We want to be free, whatever that means to us. And yet we'd much rather leave the 'heavy lifting' in most areas to others. When these two forces meet within us, we feel much discomfort. We are well aware of the great powers that influence our lives, powers that we can do little about. Yet we usually do little in those areas we CAN affect. Few of us are active in any real political way but we rarely hesitate to complain about those exact same areas. Many of us are still 'going to church', listening to 'priests' of one stripe or another who 'tell us like it is' from an official point of view, but we rarely share spiritually with each other or take the risk of questioning, learning and growing like Jesus of Nazareth urged us. Leave the 'spirit stuff' to the paid/trained staff.
In other words, we're just human. That's both a hope and a curse. It's up to each of us, and us together, to chose which force will be given the most power. If we believe in the kind of God that Jesus knew, we'll know that we've got to do it ourselves. LOVE shares that responsibility. The slavery and powerlessness that we might feel is self imposed, although traditional. It is still chosen. Let's not waste our time, but choose for freedom. It might be costly (the Cross demonstrates that fact), but it's worth it.
Again, thank you for your time and thoughts.
Anthony
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
LOVE DOESN'T ALWAYS WIN
SO LOVE ALWAYS WIN?
Sorry, friends. I just don't buy it. I know that 'God' is Love. I believe the concept of God being 'forever' and hence, 'Love' must be forever and therefore. But does that men love must win in the end, if we just wait long enough? Using the same argument, death always wins, because we all die in the end. So nothing we do in live makes any difference.
I'm having a running conversation on Facebook regarding this, a no-win situation, but one where both of us really have a great deal of hope and faith. We're coming from two very different positions. She believes in the absolute power of LOVE, of God being both eternal and all-powerful, and therefore, where all we have to do is have faith and believe, because in the end, LOVE will prevail.
I hope she's right. She's spending her time and life doing nothing but just living and enjoying her situation (a rather good one). I envy her in many ways. What a comfortable and worry-free existence. To her, everything in the world, her country, her city and neighbourhood is unfolding as it is preordained to do. It is all beyond her influence. Even more: if she interferes, she is disrupting God's plan, hindering the Way of Love that will all become plain to us, in the end.
What does she think of the innumerable examples of hatred throughout the eons? She doesn't thing, really, saying only that "They all ended, didn't they?", thus proving, in her mind, that evil doesn't last and that love always wins.
As I see it, and I have to think that God's Creation gave me a brain with which to think, that the power of hatred is getting even stronger with time. Ten-thousand years ago hatred might have killed a dozen or so persons, or at the most, a neighbouring tribe of a few dozen. Then we became 'civilized' and hatred could kill many thousands. In the 1940's hatred killed fifty million. Now, one person has 'the button' and can kill the world. How can anybody really believe that the power of hatred/evil is not growing? As our technology has grown, the power of one hate-filled person has grown exponentially. I know without a doubt, that if I wanted to, it would be so very easy to kill many hundreds of people. I only have to look on the Internet to find many ways.
But yet, I believe in LOVE and the God of love. I also know that true LOVE has no CONTROL, as all parents eventually discover. By the time their children reach the age of sixteen (give or take), a loving parent has long given up any idea of control. All they have left is LOVE. The child has by then the choice to accept that love or not, to live in ways of love or to chose others for themselves.
In this age, I know that love CAN win. The facts, however, tell us that only where many join together in LOVE, do they have a chance at combating hatred. Our books are filled with quotations of people from the past and present who exhort us with warnings of 'good people' doing nothing, of how good wishes, thoughts and prayers allow evil to grow, flourish and spawn. Churches and many 'feel-good' organizations abound, patting themselves on the back in the firm knowledge that because they are loving and helping people, all is well in the world and God is in His place. And hatred grows. If there is a Devil, he must be ecstatic with this self deception and ignorance.
I am as appalled as any with the rise of Trump and his kind but I am so pleased with the thousands of 'nice' people who are being prodded into action. Hatred can be defeated, time and time again, but only by much, much work and love. Hatred is alive and well all around us, and even within us. This is reality. This is who and what we are. Only if "two or more of us are gathered" in love, can we grow and work for life and against the force of hatred and death. Please, people of good will, however you name yourselves, do not stay alone. If you remain so, you are wasting your lives, allowing hatred to grow in this time of change and crisis. Now is the time to grow yourselves, to reach out and find your life, no matter your age or background.
Churches, before you die out completely, re-discover your roots of loving action. Lay aside your mere 'beliefs' and need to control. Learn to live in love, to share. We all need your ancient heritage that rebelled against hatred so long ago.
Yes, dear friend, LOVE can win. Just don't count on it. Count only on people who will empower LOVE. There is always a chance and a hope. I'm trying.
Continuing to live in hope,
Anthony
Sorry, friends. I just don't buy it. I know that 'God' is Love. I believe the concept of God being 'forever' and hence, 'Love' must be forever and therefore. But does that men love must win in the end, if we just wait long enough? Using the same argument, death always wins, because we all die in the end. So nothing we do in live makes any difference.
I'm having a running conversation on Facebook regarding this, a no-win situation, but one where both of us really have a great deal of hope and faith. We're coming from two very different positions. She believes in the absolute power of LOVE, of God being both eternal and all-powerful, and therefore, where all we have to do is have faith and believe, because in the end, LOVE will prevail.
I hope she's right. She's spending her time and life doing nothing but just living and enjoying her situation (a rather good one). I envy her in many ways. What a comfortable and worry-free existence. To her, everything in the world, her country, her city and neighbourhood is unfolding as it is preordained to do. It is all beyond her influence. Even more: if she interferes, she is disrupting God's plan, hindering the Way of Love that will all become plain to us, in the end.
What does she think of the innumerable examples of hatred throughout the eons? She doesn't thing, really, saying only that "They all ended, didn't they?", thus proving, in her mind, that evil doesn't last and that love always wins.
As I see it, and I have to think that God's Creation gave me a brain with which to think, that the power of hatred is getting even stronger with time. Ten-thousand years ago hatred might have killed a dozen or so persons, or at the most, a neighbouring tribe of a few dozen. Then we became 'civilized' and hatred could kill many thousands. In the 1940's hatred killed fifty million. Now, one person has 'the button' and can kill the world. How can anybody really believe that the power of hatred/evil is not growing? As our technology has grown, the power of one hate-filled person has grown exponentially. I know without a doubt, that if I wanted to, it would be so very easy to kill many hundreds of people. I only have to look on the Internet to find many ways.
But yet, I believe in LOVE and the God of love. I also know that true LOVE has no CONTROL, as all parents eventually discover. By the time their children reach the age of sixteen (give or take), a loving parent has long given up any idea of control. All they have left is LOVE. The child has by then the choice to accept that love or not, to live in ways of love or to chose others for themselves.
In this age, I know that love CAN win. The facts, however, tell us that only where many join together in LOVE, do they have a chance at combating hatred. Our books are filled with quotations of people from the past and present who exhort us with warnings of 'good people' doing nothing, of how good wishes, thoughts and prayers allow evil to grow, flourish and spawn. Churches and many 'feel-good' organizations abound, patting themselves on the back in the firm knowledge that because they are loving and helping people, all is well in the world and God is in His place. And hatred grows. If there is a Devil, he must be ecstatic with this self deception and ignorance.
I am as appalled as any with the rise of Trump and his kind but I am so pleased with the thousands of 'nice' people who are being prodded into action. Hatred can be defeated, time and time again, but only by much, much work and love. Hatred is alive and well all around us, and even within us. This is reality. This is who and what we are. Only if "two or more of us are gathered" in love, can we grow and work for life and against the force of hatred and death. Please, people of good will, however you name yourselves, do not stay alone. If you remain so, you are wasting your lives, allowing hatred to grow in this time of change and crisis. Now is the time to grow yourselves, to reach out and find your life, no matter your age or background.
Churches, before you die out completely, re-discover your roots of loving action. Lay aside your mere 'beliefs' and need to control. Learn to live in love, to share. We all need your ancient heritage that rebelled against hatred so long ago.
Yes, dear friend, LOVE can win. Just don't count on it. Count only on people who will empower LOVE. There is always a chance and a hope. I'm trying.
Continuing to live in hope,
Anthony
Friday, February 24, 2017
DREAM A LITTLE DREAM WITH ME
DARE TO DREAM......AND TO SHARE IT
There are some things that all of humanity shares. Dreaming is one of them. I don't mean the wide-awake yearning/hoping/scheming that we do: dreaming of a new job, more money, getting rid of aches and pains, of being young again. I mean the real dreams we have when we're deep asleep, the images and feelings that connect us with our sub-conscience and the basic earth and meanings of our being. These are the dreams that are remarkably similar throughout the ages and cultures of humanity.
But we try to forget them. We degrade them: They're only dreams! Not real. Make no sense. Ultimately private.
In our cultural ignorance and to our loss, we waste them. Like most other things of value, we don't share them. We are trained from infancy to keep private anything of importance. (Is it any wonder that we're as spiritually deprived and confused as we are?) Literally every ancient culture valued dreams. They were shared, discussed, remembered, sometimes dismissed, often treasured.
Our modern mental health was based on teachings of doctors who greatly valued dreams. Yet we don't. Why not, I wonder. Is it just too much for any of us to share on that deep level? I guess that's really the case. Not many of us can afford a psychiatrist's time and goodness knows, we certainly aren't going to share anything of importance or of a personal nature in church, school, or on the ferry!
This world and time in which we live is entering a crisis which is beyond anything we have yet seen. Only if we chose to use all the tools that nature/God has given us, will we have a chance to come through it. Only if we chose to start sharing in all ways will we have the knowledge, strength and wisdom that is needed today and in the future. To me, how we treat dreams, a universal gift given to all, is a test that shows our potential for survival. If we can't share in this, when it costs us nothing, what chance do we have in other aspects?
So, anybody out there who wants to share dreams? It's better with three or four of us.
Thanks for your time and thoughts,
Anthony Gifford
There are some things that all of humanity shares. Dreaming is one of them. I don't mean the wide-awake yearning/hoping/scheming that we do: dreaming of a new job, more money, getting rid of aches and pains, of being young again. I mean the real dreams we have when we're deep asleep, the images and feelings that connect us with our sub-conscience and the basic earth and meanings of our being. These are the dreams that are remarkably similar throughout the ages and cultures of humanity.
But we try to forget them. We degrade them: They're only dreams! Not real. Make no sense. Ultimately private.
In our cultural ignorance and to our loss, we waste them. Like most other things of value, we don't share them. We are trained from infancy to keep private anything of importance. (Is it any wonder that we're as spiritually deprived and confused as we are?) Literally every ancient culture valued dreams. They were shared, discussed, remembered, sometimes dismissed, often treasured.
Our modern mental health was based on teachings of doctors who greatly valued dreams. Yet we don't. Why not, I wonder. Is it just too much for any of us to share on that deep level? I guess that's really the case. Not many of us can afford a psychiatrist's time and goodness knows, we certainly aren't going to share anything of importance or of a personal nature in church, school, or on the ferry!
This world and time in which we live is entering a crisis which is beyond anything we have yet seen. Only if we chose to use all the tools that nature/God has given us, will we have a chance to come through it. Only if we chose to start sharing in all ways will we have the knowledge, strength and wisdom that is needed today and in the future. To me, how we treat dreams, a universal gift given to all, is a test that shows our potential for survival. If we can't share in this, when it costs us nothing, what chance do we have in other aspects?
So, anybody out there who wants to share dreams? It's better with three or four of us.
Thanks for your time and thoughts,
Anthony Gifford
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
WHAT TO DO WITH THE NEW YEAR?
This whole 'gift' of being/becoming self aware is highly overrated. On one hand, one reality for me, is just how small and insignificant I am in the whole scheme of things. I'm an atom in a speck of dust, lying on a hair, growing from a pimple, on a wart, on a scar, on the back of some part of something, doing something, or just nothing, somewhere in some place in some time or another. Who knows anything about anything?
On the other hand, I know, deep within myself (what-ever that is), that I am connected and part of a whole, even though I know that I will only, at best, have an inkling of a glimps of what the 'whole' is. In that connection, which makes me part of that 'whole', I am of ultimate importance and value. Do you connect in any of this?
From the first perspective, I might as well not do anything, for what I do simply cannot be of any importance. What should I therefore do? Live and let live - enjoy the moment and don't rock any boat because it doesn't matter anyway. Anything we might do or think won't change the universe.
But, even if we look at the modern science of it, aside from any 'spiritual', anything, any action or thought, DOES change the whole, We're more like the BORG in Star Trek, part of something where any thought or action really does change and inform the whole.
So, here I am, at the beginning of another trip around the awesome sun, choosing how to spend the precious time and space (both are questionable concepts) that are somehow mine. How do I live them? The thoughts, 'knowledge' and love that I have to share can so easily be put aside as I decide to read yet another good book or learn a new song. And I do this so much. Yet, I know, that these kind of activities are only good in that they give me the strength and time to share with others that which is of greater importance. Or maybe, just a different importance. What do I know?
Here I am, like all the rest of human kind, trying to do what our lives call us to do. As I struggle with my awareness, you are doing also with yours. I urge you all to share these struggles with each other. It's in the sharing that we most can help, not only each other, but ourselves. Let's try to make this new year one of growth and understanding. That means that it has to be, firstly, one of questions and sharing. Like it or not, this is the only way to renewed live, no matter our age or circumstance.
As Red Green tells us every week, I'm pulling for you. We're all in this together. And keep your stick on the ice.
Loving the new year.
Anthony
On the other hand, I know, deep within myself (what-ever that is), that I am connected and part of a whole, even though I know that I will only, at best, have an inkling of a glimps of what the 'whole' is. In that connection, which makes me part of that 'whole', I am of ultimate importance and value. Do you connect in any of this?
From the first perspective, I might as well not do anything, for what I do simply cannot be of any importance. What should I therefore do? Live and let live - enjoy the moment and don't rock any boat because it doesn't matter anyway. Anything we might do or think won't change the universe.
But, even if we look at the modern science of it, aside from any 'spiritual', anything, any action or thought, DOES change the whole, We're more like the BORG in Star Trek, part of something where any thought or action really does change and inform the whole.
So, here I am, at the beginning of another trip around the awesome sun, choosing how to spend the precious time and space (both are questionable concepts) that are somehow mine. How do I live them? The thoughts, 'knowledge' and love that I have to share can so easily be put aside as I decide to read yet another good book or learn a new song. And I do this so much. Yet, I know, that these kind of activities are only good in that they give me the strength and time to share with others that which is of greater importance. Or maybe, just a different importance. What do I know?
Here I am, like all the rest of human kind, trying to do what our lives call us to do. As I struggle with my awareness, you are doing also with yours. I urge you all to share these struggles with each other. It's in the sharing that we most can help, not only each other, but ourselves. Let's try to make this new year one of growth and understanding. That means that it has to be, firstly, one of questions and sharing. Like it or not, this is the only way to renewed live, no matter our age or circumstance.
As Red Green tells us every week, I'm pulling for you. We're all in this together. And keep your stick on the ice.
Loving the new year.
Anthony
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