Quite a while ago, I signed up for the USPS Informed Delivery service. Although it’s imperfect, it does come in handy as I receive an email notification every day.
When I occasionally open these emails, I am ‘informed’ about the mail pieces and packages that will soon appear. The correspondence supplies a picture of first-class mail and I even know who has sent it.
All right. Given that this is December and considering the title, you’re going to think this is about a ritualistic end-of-the-year review along with the why-do-we-do-this practice of resolutions for the next.
It is not.
I’ll soon be traveling back west (I will never get used to saying that) to spend a couple of days reconnecting with my daughter, her husband, and their four kids, most (All?) of whom are no longer such very small people.
While looking forward to this always-too-short trip, I ruminated. Don’t we all.
Anyway, it’s common that we’ll watch a couple of movies together with popcorn and if lucky, ice cream. Last year, we watched a movie called, Croods: A New Age. If there are no children in your gatherings, you might have missed this one as it probably compares less favorably to things like, well, Die Hard: With a Vengeance.
Hey Everybody - You're Invited no matter where you live!
Here's a quick invitation to those in and around Cincinnati. Lowe's currently has small poinsettias for $1.00 (YES - that is ONE dollar). They're small but kinda' cute, really.
Emily has been chasing her dad for quite a while. Her concern appears valid; he’s become detached from reality. In one lucid moment, he promises to be there for her graduation. Suddenly, he finds that he is fired (for cause, really) and the fog sets in for (Doctor) Greg Wittle. The Graduation promise is left hidden in folds of vapor with all intentions of mind and deed.
The Wikipedia link is in the first line in case you want to know more about the film. Just to be clear, this production was not favored by most critics. Audience reviews could also be called troublesome.
"An example from my life.
"FIFTY years ago - I have never forgotten. The girl is long gone and never knew of the intentional sacrifice. This friend hasn't been seen for more years than I can remember. But his gift will live in the realm of self-sacrificing love of one for another, forever.
"In spirit, I am awarding this trophy to a forever friend that lives 750 miles away. Perhaps one day, I'll do this in person."
The above was copied from Everybody Deserves (Sandals and a Stick). You can read the whole story by clicking the link.
After publishing that article, I was haunted for several days. Something in me proclaimed that if this standing ovation is truly important, there should be no delay, no excuse - and that includes distance.
Not so very long ago, the phrase “Shop early with this soon-to-expire coupon” was a tag-line incentive to get us into a particular store before moving on to the inevitable competitor. The theory was sound; capture the customer with the coupon and statistically, the customer will be spending more money at the first stop than the second.
I suppose that still works, but I’ve noticed that today’s incentives also include an element of fear. I am seeing this to be quite powerful.
We still see the ‘Shop early with the soon-to-expire coupon’ but are also threatened (is that too strong?) with the notification that global supply shortages and shipping delays could prevent your package from arriving on time for Christmas!
Shriek! I mean - SHRIEK!
Today, I'm going to start with a word association game. Since I am not asking for results, you are completely safe in your own psychological cocoon.
Besides, ask anyone. I do not play games. No Monopoly. No Scrabble. Nope, not even Simon Says.
So, here's the test. Write down the first word that comes to your mind when someone says:
Whiplash. Again!
Forty-five minutes into today's article and I was thinking it was turning out pretty good. But then I stopped. When it no longer feels "right", it is time to move on. Bookshelf this one for another day, then.
This is not giving up. It's re-routing. It's turning around, I will compare this to the GPS as it starts whining when you make that wrong turn. This technology allows for mistakes and will always continue serving destination-specific instructions. We will get where we need to go.
Sometimes, I think that's what happens here. My Guide speaks softly, "Not today. Go here instead." And the direction, even one in which I prefer NOT to travel, is clear. It is getting me where I NEED to go.
“Who is it that I aspire to be? That is the question we should be asking of ourselves all the time.” Mr. Browne, Movie: Wonder, 2017.
A couple of years ago, I came to watch this movie and while the credits were rolling, I ordered the book by R. J. Palacio. Something began to grow in my heart and now it’s time to set this idea free.
It's hard for me to believe that anyone hesitates to improve themselves. I think it's universal that we aspire to some kind of greatness. We strive for better. And we spend a good deal of money to do it.
“I like spring, but it is too young. I like summer, but it is too proud. So, I like best of all autumn, because its leaves are a little yellow, its tone mellower, its colours richer, and it is tinged a little with sorrow and a premonition of death. Its golden richness speaks not of the innocence of spring, nor of the power of summer, but of the mellowness and kindly wisdom of approaching age. It knows the limitations of life and is content. From a knowledge of those limitations and its richness of experience emerges a symphony of colours, richer than all, its green speaking of life and strength, its orange speaking of golden content and its purple of resignation and death.” Source: My Country and My People, Lyn Yutang
My inbox held this piece of written art the other day. It reminded me of the beauty of all seasons and the appreciation I have for each one. Coming from Minnesota as I do, I cannot match the affirmation of the writer. However, I will agree that this season is exceptionally beautiful as vibrant colors peak.
I remember, well at least I think I do, a story about a harp. Two of my relatives were in some topic-unknown discussion. One was asked something in the order of, “What is it you want from me?” The reply was a little bit weird, and completely outside the realm of what any sane person would do.
Given the fact that these were MY relatives, the saneness condition no longer applies. Low and behold, a harp was playing on the doorstep within days. There were no angels harmed in this story to the best of my knowledge.
Well, we know what a harp is. It’s a six-foot-tall stringed musical instrument that weighs about 80 pounds. To move one of these things is no easy task, but I have been told that a crane is not required. To this day, I have no idea what the procurement cost was for this ‘special request’, nor do I know what melody was offered.
I start with this story because harping could mean playing the harp but, in this article, the two have nothing to do with each other.
Harping, for today’s purpose, is described by Dictionary.com as, ‘Dwell on, talk or write persistently and tediously on a particular topic.” The etymology is derived from playing the same note repeatedly, as in "to harp on the same string".
Just my two cents; it seems to me that "bass-on" would be more appropriate, but perhaps that just my familiarity with a bass (the choir reference) combined with my ignorance of the instrument called a harp.
The prologue being complete, here's where I am going. You see, I have looked back over several months of posts and found a few similar and recurring themes.
I not crazy about the reputation for harping on, but I am afraid I have been well, harping on.
Admission requires the ‘what now’ question. Let me discern publicly.
I have determined that relationships (that's really what all those points above point to) are very difficult. Let me repeat, very difficult.
It is certainly possible that this shortlist is only the starting point in a quest to determine why relationship-building is difficult. I could also, from personal experience, provide a litany of attempts made to foster relationships that have crashed and burned.
I guess that was the reason for today's letter. Between the failures and the ‘harping thing’, I often feel that I should just move on. Enough already. It is almost – no, it is absolutely despair.
That won't do. We are encouraged to recognize that we can't change everything. We will agree that we can't change everybody. It is probably true that we can't change anybody. (God can, but that's a different article.)
But we are not allowed to give up. We are not allowed to quit.
In that light, I have made my decision. I will continue to "harp on" the idea of reconciled relationships. The way through despair is action. However, I do promise that I will concentrate a little more on variety. We good?
I firmly believe that this difficult subject is critical for life in Christ and life with each other. There are verses all over the Bible that talk about it. Below are a few that I found; you will know of others.
Meanwhile,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” Matthew 6:19
You see, in the end, Christ died for all. He created a family that includes all, even those we dislike. Yes, while painfully clear this relationship-building process is difficult for everyone, let us recognize that moving toward this goal is one way in which we store up treasures in heaven. Let us recognize that each person on earth is a treasure made by God. Our only job is to acknowledge this.
An added benefit creates peace and harmony here on earth. And, for those of you questioning, "No, I am not an angel, and I am certainly not running for Miss Universe."
I listened to two men discuss their 33-year-old kinship this morning. A deep, committed, and personal relationship exists between them, and in every sense of the word, they are friends.
And you should know that this all started with two strangers and a lengthy argument in a school parking lot.
“It has always seemed strange to me…The things we admire in men, kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding, and feeling, are the concomitants of failure in our system. And those traits we detest, sharpness, greed, acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism, and self-interest, are the traits of success. And while men admire the quality of the first, they love the produce of the second.” | John Steinbeck
I wonder how many people see this statement as true.
Whindersson Nunes is an influencer. Even if you do not know who Mr. Nunes is, you would know what he does. The word “influencer” is familiar.
I found an article with the title, “The Most Popular Influencers on Instagram”. This blog lists various people who are now famous with tens of millions of followers. I guess they have something important to say. It is probably more accurate to say, “Many people BELIEVE these influencers have something important to say.”
While thinking about the popularity of these ‘celebrities of opinion’, it occurs to me that we ALL have something important to say. We ALL have contributions to make within our own circles of influence and beyond.
You, yes YOU, are an influencer!
The iPhone 13 is HERE!
I don’t think I’ll be buying one. I’m kind of an Android guy which is, on some level, similar to cheering for the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field.
I’m probably going to be looking at a Pixel 5a or Pixel 6 sometime next year if you’re curious.
So then, “Why all this talk about Apple?”, you say.
"A preposition is a word—and almost always a very small, very common word—that shows direction (to in "a letter to you"), location (at in "at the door"), or time (by in "by noon"), or that introduces an object (of in "a basket of apples"). Prepositions are typically followed by an object, which can be a noun (noon), a noun phrase (the door), or a pronoun (you)." Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
According to one source, there are about 150 words that qualify as prepositions in addition to several phrases.
Whew!
I intended that this article be a quick read. My thinking was that you deserved short and sassy because some of the recent articles were somewhat protracted. This, however, is just a nice way of saying that I am feeling lazy today. Never mind. Let’s just get through this.
I will not be analyzing 150 tiny words. For today, I will concentrate on only two “very small” words showing “direction” with people” as the pronoun.
To.
I am afraid that I am finally (well I am finally admitting it) falling behind in the world of technology. I can no longer keep up with all the latest communication apps available to us. The word, "pointless" comes to mind, but that's probably age speaking. Nevertheless, some exposure is inevitable. Today, I read about a current TikTok trend called, “Beaning.”
Apparently, people have created a new form of the age-old game, ding-dong ditch. (That’s what it was called about the time television was introduced to the masses. Oh, and television is a vacuum-tube-filled box that sits on a stand in the living rooms of American families so that people can gather to watch silly 30-minute sitcoms, the news, and Johnny Carson.)
It’s a craze, for certain. And I agree, it’s silly and mostly inconsequential but with millions of likes and shares, it’s just a today-version of things we do TO other people
"Truly I tell you, whatever you did FOR one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did FOR me." Matthew 25: 40
He asks, “Are you saved?”
I will guess that you have been the subject of this query at some time in your life. It certainly has been asked of me on multiple occasions. Come to think of it, maybe I should spend less time on the question itself and more time on why I am asked so often. Perhaps another day. I'm on a roll.
My reaction to this question depends on the source of the inquiry. I list a few below in no specific order.
One quote.
“When we recognize our unsurprising fallenness and keep our eyes joyfully open for the glorious exceptions, we’re much less offendable. Why? Because that’s the thing about gratitude and anger. They can’t coexist. It’s one or the other.
One drains the very life from you. The other fills your life with wonder.
Choose Wisely.”
Yesterday, for a couple of hours, I scribed ramblings-of-my-own
to be sent to your inbox today.
Halfway through, I found that the premise being promoted to
make my point might be incorrect.
In fact, perhaps being so very wrong that a complete 180-degree reversal was required. I continued to write but with a completely new
focus on the examples. It happens.
And this morning, I now find that yesterday’s efforts are to
be delayed or more likely, scrapped altogether. It happens.
While I witnessed the internal debate (to continue or not to continue), I came across this 5-minute Ode to Joy Flash Mob YouTube video. And with that, the decision was made in full agreement with those in-house adversaries.
The Hole in One.
Primarily, this is a golf term. But we use this phrase (or forms of it) for other purposes as well.
In the game of golf, this phrase means that you’re have been able to place a ball with a diameter of 1.68-inches into a 4.25-inch-wide hole located about 700 feet from the tee using a 44-inch-long stick - with only one shot. That is one amazing feat! (Sorry. I just liked the feet/feat thing.)
In life, it means you’ve ‘nailed it’ the very first time. You’re an “Ace” - please take a bow.
I haven’t played golf for quite some time now (a little bit sad, but it’s just too dang hot!) but just like you, I have played at "life" every single day.
I have never accomplished the “hole in one” while playing a game of golf. However, I have achieved more than a few “eagles” which, for scoring purposes, are ‘like’ the hole in one – just without the one part.
You'll be excited to hear this.
Today's article is SHORT!
The first explanation for this anomaly: Last week's article was lengthy, and you deserve a break.
The first true reason: I'm a little short on time today because, ta-da, I have family visiting me in Cincinnati! (My temptation was to include a dozen smiley-faces along with a few hearts and maybe a party horn or two, but I refrained! I told you I was going to get better at this emoji thing!)
Getting to the matter at hand, then.
"Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?"
I don't know where you stand on that hot political issue (only because everything is a hot political issue) and I really don't care.
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| Photo 48853467 / Chicken Egg © Tsekhmister | Dreamstime.com |
It happened again. I have no idea where today’s ramblings originated, but I am staying on the path.
“A picture is worth a thousand words”, she said. I’ve heard this expressed more times than I can count. I understand it to mean that one could talk (or write) for a very long time and never reach the level of comprehension, love, empathy, joy, sorrow, or even hatred that one well-crafted image will convey.
Think about these random pictures. You probably have hundreds of beautiful photographs in your own image library so any of those would do as well.
For some reason, I seem to be chastising myself when it comes to “simple things”. Today, that means washing hands and rinsing dishes.
Fortunate to live in a country where obtaining potable water does not involve a 3-mile walk with a 50-pound container on my head, I have only to pull a shiny, chrome-finished handle. In the blink of an eye, I am gifted with as much temperature-controlled water as I wish.
Perhaps I am thinking about this more while seeing drought affecting our western states. I suppose that happens when problems hit closer to home. Knowing that a billion people in our world are making that 3-mile walk has apparently not made the impact that it should be making. Shameful.
I think that on more than one occasion, I have muttered the phrase, “From out of the mouths of babes.”
This phrase is typically meant to indicate that someone (usually a child) has said something profound by articulating some tidbit of wisdom that is considered well beyond their years of education and experience.
I was not privy to the origin of this expression, so I was a bit surprised to read that it is a quote from the Bible. I rarely (about as often as I choose to eat a Carolina Reaper – look it up) pick up the King James Version. This completely explains why I was uninformed as to this translation of Psalm 8:2.
But sure enough, that’s exactly what it says – exactly!
If you have read these musings for any time at all, you will have noticed that inspiration (if that is truly what it is) seems frequently to be found in the dialogue between movie or television characters.
Stop here for a second.
I think (yes, right here in the middle of writing) that I need to mention how grateful I am for the talented and deep-thinking writers out there creating life-changing transcripts while entertaining us. In addition to the television and movie writers, I must also include authors of everything from children’s books to academic tomes. Thank you!
We are "Back Again". No, that is not the subject movie for today. I have chosen the 2012 release of Still Mine instead.
Wikipedia informs us that this movie is a true story based in rural St. Martins, New Brunswick, Canada.
I received an email this week. The words were generally polite yet firm, threatening and demanding.
My computer had been infected and was being monitored. The writer explained his expertise in matters of this type and ransom paid would prevent exposure of well, something.
I felt some fear at first, especially since the correspondence was sent from my email address – or so it appears. Calmness set in as I thought, “Do what you need to do, hacker. I have nothing on my PC that would cause embarrassment if revealed to the world. I am not paying you.”
Like many people, I have set a goal for weight loss and the number is significant! I understand that it took years for me to arrive at this place. Rationally, I understand that the reverse will also be true.
That realization makes me want to quit immediately.
I read the articles. I reviewed fad diets that promise amazing results. I noticed that we should not expect life-changing weight loss in just a few months. I listened to people inform me that weighing yourself should never be daily activity but should only be done once a week. Apparently, the roller-coaster of scale measurements can be discouraging.
I am sure you have all been chomping at the bit to know if I survived Brood X, the Cicada invasion of 2021.
The media hype was justified, but not so much in my neighborhood.
Yes, I heard them! I walked outside and heard the constant buzz of nature’s once-in-every-17-years event. The experience was awesome, I will admit. But the anticipated ‘close-the-windows-because-it-will-be-like-a- weed-whacker-gone-wild? Not even close.
Sandals and a Stick is designed to keep me focused and maybe provide some examples of how I see the world around me. It is designed to remind me of how I should live while recognizing God’s gift of life.
Since we have only recently begun to explore our environment again, the only experiential input for the past number of months consisted primarily of passive electronic stimulus.
Although I am still not wandering around much, I visited the traveling replica of the Vietnam Memorial last weekend. This personal tour proved more than adequate in producing emotions that bubbled up from deep within.
Perhaps the excursion to the "Wall That Heals" had exposed a few raw nerves preparing me for the viewing of Short Term 12 (2013 Movie).
Imagine this, if you will.
You are empty-nesters and have downsized. Or you are a college student experiencing life on your own for the first time. Or you ran into some financial trouble mandating a lifestyle contraction. Maybe you are considering the new tiny house trend!
Whatever the explanation, you are now living in one room.
There has been quite a lot of work to do lately. I have been diligently creating a backup of each posted article. There are hundreds and when adding those to partial, non-posted 'ideas', well you do not really want to know the final number.
I have also discovered that embedded videos do not transfer well. (Read, at all.)
And neither do hyperlinks. This one was a surprise. Apparently, copied links from this platform include a full HTML address rather than the specific link to a video or an article.
During this process, I have had the opportunity to experience small 'snips' of reflection when reading just a few of these older musings. I am looking forward to having the time to read all of them.
First, let me thank you for hanging in there!
I was recently informed that the service (Feedburner) used for sending subscriber emails on this platform will be discontinued by Google in July.
This is an easy method for unsubscribing as those who do NOT reply to the email address above will be deleted and will not receive future postings.
When (if) a new delivery method is chosen, each subscriber will be encouraged to re-register.
I have also begun to research formats other than Google's Blogger. This will take some time to determine if a change is beneficial.
EFFECTIVE DATES
If you do not receive the emailed article on June 20, 2021, please let me know.
It might also be a good time to SHARE Sandals-and-a-Stick with others, should you wish! I would be honored, of course, especially since there are considerations for several enhancements in the future.
These enhancements could take this 'Sandals and a Stick thing" in some new and exciting directions.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
One more thing, if you please.
I also wish to apologize. This past weekend, you might have received a post from December 2020. I have not a clue as to why that article was resurrected and sent to you again. Perhaps there is more going on than suspected.
Please feel free to reach out anytime should you have questions or concerns!
Thank you so very much for your love and support,
Mike
I have been warned that "Brood X" is coming. The news pundits have done their jobs.
I poked around Google and even downloaded "Cicada Safari" (available for Android and iPhone) thinking this event will be interesting but probably annoying for the most part.
Brood X is a particular group (if you call billions a group) of insects known as Cicadas. There are a few different broods, but this happens to be the one causing all the fuss.
I always buy Skippy Peanut Butter. As a snack, it goes quite well with bananas.
I tried buying another brand once. I peeled the banana and then opened the jar. There was a shimmering pool of oil (or some viscous substance) floating above what I assume was the peanut butter. The sight made me think I should be 'Oreo-dunking' the banana. Still, after many years, the thought makes me well, gag a little.
Recently a friend bought a new car. Suddenly, I am noticing that “his” car (Make, model, and color) is everywhere! This always seems to happen, and I have always wondered why this is true.
I decided to check it out. Scientifically, this is called the “Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon”. Wikipedia states that:
“Frequency illusion, also known as the Baader–Meinhof phenomenon, is a cognitive bias in which, after noticing something for the first time, there is a tendency to notice it more often, leading someone to believe that it has a high frequency (a form of selection bias).”
Towards the end of the TV show, a mother explains that she always tells her child, "Take what you need but give all you can." Kojak (2005) Season 1, Episode 2.
A feel-good ending and this capped it off nicely, I thought. I was not in the mood to write and thought this would be a good way to complete my self-imposed deadline in a simple yet powerful way. Just a quick check to see where this quote might have originated, and I am good to go.
Oops.
Glossary.
Rotary-Dial Phone. When I grew up (back in the dark ages), it was not required to define a telephone as rotary-dial. This was the only option. Using this phone required one to place an index finger (sometimes, to prevent damage to human appendages, a pencil was used) into a circular dial mounted on the base. Each number had its own hole. Making a call was done one number at a time while then waiting for the dial to complete its rotation.
Corded phone. This was also the standard for all homes. The phone was physically bolted to a wall. The distance you could ‘travel’ while talking on the phone was limited by the length of a curled plastic cord which connected the handset to the phone appliance. A private conversation was completely dependent on the authority of the person using it. If you had the power, you could banish others to locations that would prevent eavesdropping. If you had no power, well even a whisper would not prevent the entire household from knowing your business.
Common and harmless is the ‘white lie. And perhaps this is true when used to avoid harming another person in some trivial doesn’t-matter-at-all kind of way.
Common and harmless is not the description for many lies that we hide behind the ‘curtain of white’, however.
Although the IRS has extended the deadline for 2020 taxes by a month or so, April 15 is still the deadline for filing and paying estimated taxes. Some of us need to remember that and get busy, I suppose. It is this deadline that suggested today’s conversation.
When it comes to taxes, we can tend to be creative. Sometimes, our ingenuity leaves behind honest accounting. Legal tax deductions and exemptions are to be used – that is what they are for. But in the past, those computations have been, well maybe inflated would be an appropriate description.
Although a bit humorous, one widely abused example involves children. This 1989 LA Times article explains that in 1987, the IRS began mandating the inclusion of social security numbers for all children deducted on tax returns. Coincidently, it was the exact moment that nearly 7 million kids disappeared from the face of the earth.
We waited.
Everybody waited.
From all around the world we came, we took our seats, and waited.
Some had prepared for months. For others, a last-minute opportunity had presented itself. But we were now mingling with people of many nations while we waited.
Our group, from Japan, Russia, and the U.S. stayed together. The bus had arrived early enough that we quickly found seating without having to navigate the uncomfortably steep, bowed concrete amphitheater steps.
I’m thinking that I’ll just wrap up the 3 remaining lines that are hanging out there from the original article called Post-it Ponderings. Says a strong ego, "I know you've been patiently waiting for this!"
“On the other side of fear, is freedom.
On the other side of hate, there’s love.
Just pray you’ll make it home.”
It is difficult to listen to the news, talk with others, or even watch a sermon without being reminded of “THE Anniversary”. We are all aware that it has been one year since Covid-19 was declared a pandemic.
Alright but here's something to celebrate. “Happy Spring, everybody!”.
It could be only the spring of 2021. It could also be the spring that marks the 'beginning-of-the-end' for this virus (heavy on maybe).
Spring is a time of renewal. It means that the long dark nights of bitter cold are giving way to the apple blossoms of Washington D.C. (someday I’ll see them). Around here, we’re hearing of winter giving way to Brood X, the once every 17 years Cicada invasion. You’ll probably hear more about this in future articles. Just to clear the air, the pun is intended.
If you read last week's article, you'll remember that I offered no answers to the 'elusive lyrics' that were presented. During the week, I planned to reflect on each lyric starting with "On the dark side of good, there's evil".
This week is over. Thank you, God!
When the work-week is particularly long or frustrating, I will sometimes lose the ambition to write. I am tempted to say, "Forget it this week." Sometime later, however, a semblance of resolve can be found. Even then, my heart might not be in it as much as I'd like.
So here we are then!
Our news-feeds have been saturated with the devastating winter storm in Texas. I simply can't imagine the horrific living conditions resulting from the disruption of electrical power. The state was understandably not prepared for conditions like this.
Our San Antonio neighbors have experienced extreme hardships as a result.
On Monday, February 15, power was subject to planned outages. This, according to KSAT-TV “caused millions to be without power for days.” About the same time, grocery stores began limiting the purchase of water, eggs, milk, bread, and other items.
It’s funny how experience teaches us what to consider right and proper as well as what to reject as substandard and downright unacceptable.
This is the first of two examples.
I admit it. I do not know everything. In fact, I know extraordinarily little.
I cannot know what it is like to live in your shoes. Even if I try, your worldview will probably be misunderstood without a great deal of exploration and discussion.
I admit it.
And yet, my first impulse (and maybe yours as well) is to defend what I “know” to be the truth because I have spent my whole life surrounded by it. It is not my fault if you don't know what's true because you spent your life somewhere else.
Example number 1.
I like to watch movies once in a while. Sometimes, I watch them more than once. Maybe you've done that too.
When watching a movie or reading a book for the second time, we are frequently confronted with new thoughts and impressions. Depending on mood or circumstance, it seems that we analyze the same images and words in a different light.
The motion picture Fast Color brought new insights to me this past week.
A man tells a story about a second date. He had planned for a perfect night. He made the reservations and dressed in his best. He arrived on time. He brought flowers and he opened the car door for his date. Dinner was spectacular. All went as planned.
But, on the way home, a tire went flat. His date expected (as most of us would) a ‘normal’ reaction of anger and frustration. But all he could do was laugh and say, “Good timing. Costco is having a tire sale!”
Season 4, Episode 4 of The Good Doctor, features a patient that exhibits an incredible acceptance of all types of bad news while being treated in the hospital for cancer.
Here is the way the conversations went.
I am guessing that inside each of us, we carry a wild tempest of emotions right now. I am choosing to ignore them today. You have yours. I have mine. My job is to love you – no matter what. In my mind, that is the primary definition of life in Christ. You might feel differently about that too, I suppose.
Today, I look for peace.
Today, I look for joy, celebration, and maybe even some contentment.
"Stars, keep the watch. When night is dimLyrics Credit: Stanza 4 from People Look East written by Eleanor Farjeon
One more light the bowl shall brim,
Shining beyond the frosty weather,
Bright as sun and moon together.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the star, is on the way."
Perhaps this article would have been best served a few weeks ago, but I didn’t know that “East” would be my ‘Word of the Year’.
Let's begin.
Recently created family art-work, a Spanish painter named Antoni Tapies born in 1923, and a hymn written in 1871, were all factors that inspired today’s musings. Intertwining these seemingly unconnected elements will be my goal this morning.
Hope is “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.” That sounds reasonable. We all hope for things to get better, right? We all hope for change that matters to us, our family, and even the world itself.
There are lots of reasons to hope. A staple of writing for me seems to be a little research tool called Google. If you ask the algorithms to search this topic for you, you might find 726 million results like I did. I did not read them all.
A short synopsis reveals that people find hope in different categories.
