OMG

If You Like Socialism You Will Love Fascism!

2009-02-09T18:54:00.000-08:00

Just watched most of the first presidential news conference. OMG it was boring, long winded, did I say boring? More like a monologue and with such stimulating questions about baseball and steroids! How about "Do you think there are Taliban in Pakistan?" Wow! I don't know, what do you think? Is the Pope catholic? Ok so its not funny but here is what is scary. No doubt about it Barak is a populist but not in the best of way. From Wikipedia: "Populism may involve either a philosophy urging social and political system changes and/or a rhetorical style deployed by members of political or social movements competing for advantage within the existing party system." Rhetoric? You bet! But why scary? Welllll when someone opposes you you invoke vilification of those who oppose you.

By the way, for the record, when the Stimulus bill was voted down in the house 100% of the Republicans voted against it. They were also blamed for it's defeat and the claim was made that they were partisan and not bi-partisan. Well guess what, not a single republican vote was needed to pass the bill and it was only defeated because of many democrats (Gang of 18) voting along with the Republicans!! Uh, that sound bi-partisan to me! Just not the way the Pres and other Dems want bi-partisan to be!

Ah but is digress, let's return to the scary part. There is an interesting paragraph in Wikipedia under the heading of Populism and about the vilification of anyone who opposes you. Here it is:

Populist movements can be precursors for, or building blocks for, fascist movements.[29][30][31] Conspiracist scapegoating employed by various populist movements can create "a seedbed for fascism."[32] National socialism populism interacted with and facilitated fascism in interwar Germany.[33] In this case, distressed middle–class populists during the pre-Nazi Weimar period mobilized their anger at government and big business. The Nazis "parasitized the forms and themes of the populists and moved their constituencies far to the right through ideological appeals involving demagoguery, scapegoating, and conspiracism."[34] According to Fritzsche: The Nazis expressed the populist yearnings of middle–class constituents and at the same time advocated a strong and resolutely anti-Marxist mobilization....Against "unnaturally" divisive parties and querulous organized interest groups, National Socialists cast themselves as representatives of the commonwealth, of an allegedly betrayed and neglected German public....[b]reaking social barriers of status and caste, and celebrating at least rhetorically the populist ideal of the people’s community...[35]

Hmmm, shades of things to come?

Politics - Same Old Same Old

2009-01-30T08:15:00.000-08:00

Change, Hope, Cronism, Phoneyism.

The Dems are pushing through a "stimulus" package that is a boondoggle and a lie. Look at it this way, everyone agrees that the "system" is not well. So how do you treat a system? by focusing on a symptom? No. But by treating the whole system. The quote unquote stimulus of the Democrats is like treating the knee cap, or elbow of a body that is systemically not well. What is needed is a treatment that affects the entire body, the entire system. How is this related then to the economic system? Treating symtoms is to pump money into lawn care (Washington Mall resoding), global warming research (mythology) and on and on stupidity. Please note: when these funds are expended, follow the money, much of them will go to contractors that are either unionized or somehow some other way made contributions to the politicians that get the port. So how to treat the whole system? Give the money evenly to everyone. Or better yet, stop taking it from them meaning, lower taxes, stop taxing. Put the money into the pockets of the everyday citizen NOT the bankers, not the corporations, not even the stock holders and certainly NOT into the pockets of politicians! BOTH PARTIES are crooks, however not equally so. Mr. Obama, you may be more noble than the rest of your party but your party is out of control! In naming the crooks I can easily come up with 10 names of dems and am harder pressed to name repubs!Barney Frank, Nancy Pelosi, Christopher Dodd, Dick Schumer, Harry Reid and these are just off the top of my head!

Honestly, I am not sure what is the solution and it is difficult to hang onto much hope but tossing them all out would be a nice option.

37 Years of Bailout History!

2008-12-12T07:39:00.000-08:00

In 1971 after my mother died and I had an inheritance, I decided to do two things with my money until I could figure out where to go from there, 1. Finish my college education and 2. Buy a new car. I don't remember how I narrowed my choices down to three specific makes and models except I did have the wisdom to see the handwriting on the wall. I wanted a car that was economical especially with gasoline.

So there I was, looking at brand new Chevy Vega's, Ford Capri's and Toyota Celica's!

The Vega and Capri were eliminated from my choice as the quaility was apparently inferior even from my perspective. I decided to buy the Celica and never regreted it. in fact, I owned it for 25 years and 200,000 miles! It was not eventwo years after buying it that I could not find one incidence of a Vega or Capri on the road. Why? because they were were junk! Crap! I heard that they were actually made to fall apart after a few years so that people whould have to buy a new car every so many years. That was the beginning of the end for the big 3 automakers. They were making crap back then and continued to do so for many years until they lost so many American buyers they lost them forever.

Years after I bought my first Toyota several Chryslers and Fords and for the most part the Chryslers were ugly and pretty junky. The Fords were gas gusslers. By comparison when ever I rode in a foriegn made car the quality was noticeably apparent.

Why bail out the big three? The only reason I can see for it is because so many may lose their jobs. That is always a tragedy. But they could work for far less which is better than not working at all. Who is in the way of that? The unions. I could care less about the unions. No matter what some say THEY are a big part of the problem. Toyota and other car manufactures are doing just fine down south. I this light I suggest you read a short little book titled "Who Moved My Cheese?"

Something not talked about is the need to keep auto manufacturing facilities in open and good repair. One simple word, defense. Our national defense depends in part on our ability to manufacture tanks and other heavy equipment. BUT I would suspect the factories in the south will suffice this need.

Why not bail out the big three? Cause it is a waste of money and rift with back east corruption from the unions to the halls of congress. THIS IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF AMERICA! I am losing faith in the leadership of this country and I say throw them out!

Who?

2008-11-09T14:52:00.000-08:00

I have been one to think that if Barack Obama was elected we would experience Jimmy Carter II, but lately i have been rethinking that. For one thing Carter was a religious man (sincerely) and tried to be a Christian in office. Obama is in it strickly for greasing palms and personal advancement politically. Jimmy Carter also failed miserably and I am more hopeful for Obama than that!.

No Obama is not Crter the second but rather Clinton the second! Maybe the true black Clinton! With all the talk of change we are seeing the placement of the tired old hacks of the Clinton era. Emanuel, Kennedy (Bobby Jr.) Volker, and even John Kerry! You have got to be kidding me! But here is why Obama is even more like Clinton. Both are liars. Clinton perjured himself and became the first president impeached. Clinton like Obama will say one thing if it is to their advantage then do another. It was this practice of Clinton that lead me, a life long Democrat (up until this point) to leave the Democratic Party and never look back. I don't trust or beleive either the Republicans or the Democrats but i don't trust the Democrats even more. They are as far as I am concerned liars. Not all of them, but more of them, most of them.

I Remember John F. Kennedy

2008-11-06T21:49:00.000-08:00

President elect Barack Obama, you have excited many people and mobilized many young people to get involved in the political process. Not since John F. Kennedy have so many young people be mesmerized by eleoquent speech and not since JFK have so many had their hopes lifed.

I rememeber JFK for I was one of those young people inspired and hopefilled by him. I remember JFK and sadly, Mr. Obama, you are no Jack Kennedy! JFK had not only eleoquence but substance, content and decency. Mr. President elect, you are very slick. Listening to you closely which most do not do, and to devel into your carefully chosen words and phrases shows you to be a hollow man, talk and nothing solid. Time will bear you out. Even already there are indications that your "Change we all can beleive in." is nothing more than the same old same old from the democratic partners. Also, watch out Mr. President elect, watch out from your friends, your fellow democratic colleagues which will turn against you in short order.

While i am on this subject allow me to also state clearly here that I think nothing could be worse than harm come to President elect Obama. While I am no doubt not excited by our new president I pray for his safety and I pray for those who have the responsibility for his safety.

The End of America

2008-11-04T21:01:00.000-08:00

I have not been one to post politics nor speak about it in relationship to my position in my job or community but that time too has passed with the election tonight. The end of America! The election on this evening of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States marks the departure of America as it has been known. America will now be a socialist government, a weaker nation, and most likely lead the world in a new economic dark night. Chicago corruption comes with Obama and the beginning of the end of free speech. A demagogic Charlatan in the White House with followers that have been deceived by rhetoric and charisma. If you don't believe that listen to his acceptance speech tonight, it is devoid of content, so typical of his eloquent elitist arrogant style. History will bear these things out. It is a sad day.

We shall see in the near future if our military is weakened; that we once again will abandon those we have freed as in Iraq; eliminate secret ballots and stifle free speech; redistribute what one has earned to those who squander; punish success and create new dependency; create stagflation if not a new economic depression.

Too many questions remain unanswered. It will be interesting to see if they will remain unanswered. Half a trillion dollars spent and a media in the hip pocket for now; birth records and religious and radical affiliations.

Goleta Fire

2008-08-25T21:30:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe I lived just a half mile from this location. This is a beautiful rancharo fromt he Spanish Days of California.

OK so much for disasters! the next few pictures are from Sedona vacation in July.

The last picture is of Lunchbox at Lake Powell.

New Pictures!

2008-05-07T07:26:00.000-07:00

OK so it has been a long time! But I think there are a few who still come here once and a while to look! So look away!

I still love trees and this picture came out pretty good. It is a Cottonwood near Red Rock Crossing and Cresent Moon Ranch in Sedona, Arizona.

The one to the right is called Devil's Bridge, also in Sedona. My son and his girlfriend are walking across it.

The Last one is a picture as one drives north into Monument Valley. Yes, I took it while driving!

If I hear from anyone I will post more and revive this blog!

A few from Colorado!

2007-08-06T11:16:00.000-07:00

It is interesting since someone asked, I have gone on a quest to find some pictures that I thought I had in my computer but have not found. But here are two I did find. Both show an area nearby my home were Lunch gets his morning and evening walk. It is a combined area of the Highlands Ranch golf course and the open space called the High Line Trail and Canal.

The pictures were taken in early spring and do not show the green trees. I will try to post that later.

The last picture is just for Susan in Ca. We think Lunch is a beautiful Queensland Blue Heeler. Can you imagine some have actually said he is an ugly dog!!

Ok it may not be Colorado but Arizona is still close!

2007-08-05T19:16:00.000-07:00

Someone on the DPS discussion board mention that the last pictures I posted here were deep in the snow of Colorado. For some reason I do not have one picture of Colorado in my puter but will correct that soon. In the mean time, I have a retirement home in Sedona Arizona and I post a few pictures here of good ol' Lunchbox.

The first is on the Cathedral Rock trail. Lunch loves his walks.

The second is Lunch and my youngest son (who originally got Lunch from a girlfriend.
These pictures are at Red Rock Crossing .5 miles from my home there.

Lunch now lives with me in Highlands Ranch were we live near a golf course and an open space called the High Line Trail and Canal.

Lunch loves the water too!

Soon!

2007-02-13T06:22:00.000-08:00

So here it is, Cathedral Rock at Cresent Moon Ranch, Sedona, Arizona. Known to most as Red Rock Crossing it is the most photographed place in Arizaona. This is just 1/2 mile from where I bought a investment/retirement home, the fulfillment of a life long dream! Now I just need to reitre!

I took this picture myself on a recent trip there. Looks post card perfect to me!

ENOUGH ALREADY!

2007-01-21T21:02:00.000-08:00

Criminy! It is snowing here again! No one is enjoying it now, not even the life long locals. Problem is not necessarily the snow per say but that it doesn't melt off before the next storm as is normal for these parts. One bit of good news though about it all is that there will be no drought and no water rationing this summer!

The Blue Healer though loves it. Here he is with a frozen face!

At Least Someone Likes Snow!

2006-12-29T07:45:00.000-08:00

Now, for all you winter voyuer's, a couple of pictures of the Cul de sac I live on, from the FIRST storm which brought about 30 inches. Since then, we have received another 14 inches or so and it ain't over yet!
This is my son and "Lunchbox" making paths.

My youngest son, Tyson again. Good thing he was here to help dig us out!

A rare picture of me but it gives you perspective. I am around 5' 9" tall.

Another of me embracing all this as 'mine.'

Queensland Heelers, also known as Australian Cow Dogs, apparently loves snow! The following pictures are of the first snow storm in the Denver area!!

This next picture is "Lunchbox" catching some snow from being shoveled and thrown.

And finally, what it looks like here "most" of the time. This was taken from a balcony of a house we were considering to buy.

That's enough for now!

Queensland Heeler

2006-12-26T17:23:00.000-08:00

I love this dog. He is a Queensland Heeler otherwise known as an Australian Cow Dog. They have a fascinating history! Also known as Blue Heelers (there is also a branch known as Red Heelers), they are working dogs and high maintenance as far as exercise goes. They are a breed now unto themselves but made up of many breeds including Dingo and Dalmation! There is a white mark on the top of their head that is called a Bentley Mark. They are smart and loyal and the best frisbee dogs ever.

This is my son's dog, Lieutenant Lunchbox, but we call him Lunch for short (just don't call him Dinner!). My son, Tyson, got him about a year ago from a former girlfriend. Tyson now attends Arizona State University.

Fortunately he LOVES snow!
He also loves tug of war and we do this crazy game of hide and seek, and chase through the house.

Isn't he handsome?

Loyal and gentle (when you tell him to be). Here he is with one of his babies! A stuffed cow but he has already consumed the two horns and ears!

We are thinking of getting him a buddy.

Looking for some Christmas gifts we found a couple of interesting t-shirt ideas like the one below:

Colorado Pictures

2006-12-25T20:01:00.000-08:00

Ok, here are some after the blizzard pictures!

This is me on the Cul de sac where we are renting a home. NOT a good place to be after a blizzard as we found out they do not plow the Cul de sacs!

This is a picture of Lunchbox and a "girlfriend" at the dog park about a mile down the road. Notice the beautiful snow covered Rocky Mountains off in the distance.

Now that I have a scanner and a new panasonic digital camera, maybe I will begin posting more, more often, if anyone is interested in pictures!

Merry Christmas

2006-12-25T11:55:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2006 was nearly ruined by a blizzard in Colorado. The day before the Winter Soltice, December 20th we received about 24 inches of snow and pretty much Wednesday and Thursday came to a grinding standstill! We lost a day and a half of work requiring everything to happen on Friday and Saturday in prepartion for Christmas Eve Day. The most dissapointing aspect to the blizzard was that my oldest son, Grant had to completely cancel his trip to Highlands Ranch for Christmas.

Beyond that, now that Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is over I can now concentrate on the New Year and get things in order and get going in life! I promise more regular posting in the New Year! The picture is of Lunchbox who seems to be the only one who absolutely loves the snow!

I Have Moved!

2006-11-25T19:42:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends!

If you are reading this it is for one of two reasons: either you have stumbled upon my infrequently posted to blog or you are a friend of mine from a previous aquaintance! Either way I would welcome your encouragement for me to reactivate posting to my blog! Send me a comment or email!

In the mean time this is the flag of my new homestate for now. Not quite as interesting as my last home state flag.

Then finally there is m

y someday hoped for return to home state flag.

Well, that is it for now. Write me!

Back to the Dogs

2006-07-08T22:36:00.000-07:00

Ok so my blog has been a dog for a while - I have been busy, ok?

Actually a lot has been going on and soon I will spill the beans of the entire story right here for everyone to read and marvel about! Ha! No actually I have some very important news soon, in a week or two.

In the mean time this is Lunchbox. It is my youngest son's dog given to him by his ex girlfriend last Christmas who he of course has since broken up with and cannot properly take care of.

Lunch is a Queensland Healer and undoubtedly the smartest, most human dog I have ever had. I mean this dog gives hugs! Uses all four legs to hold on to your arm when he is on his back playing with you and looks at you and you swear he is about to say "What's Your Problem?"

The Tower

2006-03-01T20:43:00.000-08:00

This is like my most favorite ever story that I read years and years ago but misplaced where I found it only just recently to come across it once again. So here I share, with proper credits! Enjoy! Think about it! Use it!

There once was a country where none of the people ever lifted their heads. They always looked downwards, just in front of them. And yet every person in this country spent their whole life searching for the highest tower in the world.

Of course, no one ever found the tower, because not one head was ever lifted. And so they were a restless people, never happy with staying in one place, always searching and forever moving about. Every day you could see them walking up and down all the winding little roads, studying maps and arguing with each other.

There were, in fact, signs which pointed to the tower. But as the people wouldn’t look up, they never saw the signs.
Instead they argued with each other about the ‘right’ road to the tower. They never followed a road to its end, because as soon as they’d traveled a little way along it, they would be persuaded to try a different road. Thus they went around and around in circles.

One day a man named Trevor was walking about when he saw a large gathering of people. They were gathered around the lake, all pointing excitedly at the reflection of the tower in the water. Many of them jumped into the lake and were drowned. Some of the others said that the tower was evil; others said that there was no tower, it was just and illusion.

In the commotion which followed, Trevor was knocked down. Now this might not sound like a big deal, but in a country where all the people always look down in front of them – well, let’s just say that people didn’t fall very often. When the crowd had cleared, Trevor was still lying flat on his back. But when he opened his eyes, he could see the tower clearly, way off in the distance! He tried to tell his countrymen, but they thought he was mad. In fact it was a sign of disgrace to fall down like that.

So Trevor journeyed towards the tower alone. There were many roads which seemed to lead to it, but he took the nearest one. The journey was not easy. The road was sometimes rough and bumpy. And he wasn’t sure sometimes that he was heading in the right direction.

A couple of times he slipped and fell over again. But it was at these times that he was able to gaze up at the tower and get his bearings again.
And he noticed that the only other people who traveled in the right direction were the sick, the crippled, the lame and the hungry. For only they who had fallen were able to look up and see the tower.

Original source: “Stories for Sharing” by Charles Arcodia, E.J. Dwyer Publisher 1991

"This is Dedicated to the Ones We Loved...And Loved Us!

2006-02-25T19:08:00.000-08:00

Seems lately that many, many of my friends have for one reason or another lost a beloved pet dog or cat. I too have had to often do the "humane" thing and put a beloved dog "to sleep." Seven total actually in thirty years and it never is easy, in fact, has gotten harder to do, to the point where we are "not ready" quite yet to get a new friend to live in our house and have wait at the door until someone comes home never once asking "Where have you been?" But rather always with a greeting of "Great to see you!!!!!" If you peruse other parts of thsi blog you will see some of the unconditional lovers my family has had.
The book cover above is one in a series of different books that acknowledge the "specialness" of our friends and loving companions of the furry type. One of my favorite titles of another book is "Will My Dog Go to Heaven?" of which the gist of the story is "If having your dog greet you in heaven will make you happy then God will have your pet there waiting for you!" In my case it will be a pack and I look forward to it. For all my friends who have recently lost a loved one, this post is dedicated to you! I hope it brings you a little comfort.

Inspiration

2006-02-15T15:17:00.000-08:00

I am in the throws of work and study and come across many quotes and sayings that are thought provoking. Here is one:

“Then a woman said,
Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow.
And he answered:
Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises
Was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper the sorrow carves into your being,
The more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that holds your wine the
Very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven?”

Kahlil Gibran, the Prophet

This Is How I Feel Much of the Time...

2006-01-14T13:30:00.000-08:00

This is the cover of a book I received as a gift this past Christmas. Even if I never read more than a few pages, the title and cover picture speak volumes to me. How about you?

In my office for years I have had another sign that reads:
"For God so loved the world, that He didn't send a committee!"

I have been going too and putting up with committee meetings for nearly 25 years now and have had just about enough! It wouldn't have been so bad if three things had been different.

#1 Had I been able to run the meetings myself and use (benevolent) dictatorial parliamentary procedure, which boils down to

A. There is no discussion on anything without a motion.
B. No one speaks unless recognized by the chair.
C. Your time to speak is limited.
D. You may not speak again if others desire to speak and have not already.
E. You may not speak again if you have nothing new to say but just want to say the same damn thing again and again until you finally badger them into agree with you or seeing your myopic little way.

#2 This one is contained in the saying, "It isn't that everything hasn't already been said about the subject, it is just that not everyone has said it yet." It is amazing how much people (don't) listen and what they (don't) hear. Then with ever so slightly different words or ways, pretty much say the same damn thing!

#3 Finally, it never ceases to amaze me how a few or even one can hold everyone else back and hold everyone hostage to moving forward. Too many committee meetings have had the silent majority do nothing for the sake of being nice instead of being truthful.

Ok. There. I have expressed my feelings and thoughts. It feels good to get this off my chest.

Guess I am not fit for public office! (Incidentally I say this after catching some of the hearings by the Congressional Committee on the appointment of Sam Alito to the Supreme Court. In a word, especially the democrats were simply nauseating!)

Now mind you I don't think all meetings are bad, but do think that most church (committee) meetings (and congressional hearings) are pretty bad.

God help those who have many meetings yet to attend!

(I would love to hear your favorite sayings on the subject - got any?)

Thank God It's Here!

2005-12-21T11:11:00.000-08:00

Today is the shortest day of the year, or the longest night, which ever you prefer!

The Winter Soltice was my absolute favorite day of the year when I lived in the state of Washington because the days would start getting longer and the light return. It was a sort of, over the "hump" part of winter. Of course in Washington the worst of it was January; cold, dark and dreary - a state of depression! But that is now behind me as I have returned to the southern sunnier regions in which I grew up and where I have spent most of my life. Still I have a great appreciation for the Winter Soltice.

Now obviously the celebration of Christmas - the birth of Christ, that actually no one really knows when that occurred, was picked to be this time of the year in the Northern Hemisphere for the same reasons, the return of light as in Light of the World.

Now Christmas is almost here. On it's heels is the New Year and I so greatly look forward to that, a "new beginning" of sorts. This New Year looks to be great for me with many positive changes! (I hope for you too!).

In contemplating all this I have come up with a quote of my own:

Yesterday is the darkest to tomorrow's dawn!

I like that. It says a lot to me. I think it can say a lot to others too.

Hope springs eternal (as does Life)!

The best part of Christmas and the Holy Days (including New Year) is the presence (not the presents) of that Hope and Life.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Happy Christmas and Merry Holidays

2005-12-18T13:13:00.000-08:00

Ever since I was a kid I have heard complaints about the commercialization of Christmas. This year it seems to have come to a boil as what I consider a great diversion. The news media I think is fueling the feeding frenzy over stores like WalMart saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." (Note: who uses the word "merry" anymore anyway? Do we say "Merry birthday?" or "Merry Anniversary?" and what is a "holiday" anyway? Last time I checked it was the short for Holy Days)

Who cares?

I have been a life long Christian and an Ordained Minister for 25 years and I frankly don't care. It seems silly and a waste of time. Since when should Wal Mart do the evangelizing the church (as in people) are called to do by virtue of being followers of Christ aka Christian?

Those who get in a huff, is their faith that fragile? Do they think more people will be lost because a store clerk says, "Happy Holidays" or because "indignant Christians" are in a huff demanding they say "Merry Christmas?" (I have long held that some "churches" grow by identifying some "enemy" out there and go on a crusade. Obviously that branch of Christendom has not learned that lesson.) Lest we forget, there have been Christians in the past who outlawed the celebration of Christmas. The Puritans where one group. Now we have new puritans insisting on its usage.

Would more be brought to Christ by ramming Christ into their vision or earshot? I really don't think so, in fact it makes me even want to run! Years ago I remember being accosted by zealots asking me "Have you been saved?" and if you said "Yes." Then came the next question "When?" To which the best answer ever given was "About 2000 years ago!" But undaunted they would then ask if you went through their formulary of the Four Spiritual Laws (aka "Get on your knees so I can hank another 'soul saved' on my belt.)

Nothing can remove Christ from my understanding and celebrating Christmas, nor keep me from that at home or in my church. Isn't about time we bring "Merry Christmas" back to church?

I have heard more sane Christians tell me that when they are in a store and someone says "Happy Holidays" they just respond with "Merry Christmas" and most receive it well!

Oh, and one more thing. Let's put X back into it and P as well. (No I am not referring to Microsoft Windows latest version although that is a topic for another post.) For all those who get upset about Xmas it was first used by Christians! X being the Greek letter for Ch the first two letters of Christ - it was like a little secret code when persecuted. (P is Greek for R so XP is Ch (Chi) R (ro) unless that is too deep for some.

I think just to make fun of all this hoopla I am going to say "Happy Christmas and Merry Holidays!"

Friedman's Fables

2005-12-10T18:40:00.000-08:00

I highly recommend this book. Here is an excerpt for obvious reason for those who know a little bit about me and my life.

The Friendly Forest

Once upon a time in the Friendly Forest there lived a lamb who loved to graze and frolic about. One day a tiger came to the forest and said to the animals, "I would like to live among you." There were delighted. For, unlike some of the other forests, they had no tiger in their woods. The lamb, however, had some apprehensions, which, being a lamb, she sheepishly expressed to her freinds. But, said they, "Do not worry, we will talk to the tiger and explain that one of the conditions for living in this forest is that you must also let the other animals live in the forest."

So the lamb went about her life as usual. But it was not long before the tiger began to growl and make threatening gestures and menacing motions. Each time the frightened lamb went to her friends and said, "It is very uncomfortable for me here in the forest." But her friends reassured her, "Do not worry; that's just the way tigers behave."

Every day, as she went about her life, the lamb tried to remember this advice, hoping that the tiger would find someone else to growl at. And it is probably correct to say that the tiger did not really spend all or even most of its time stalking the lamb. Still, the lamb found it increasingly difficult to remove the tiger from her thoughts. Sometimes she would just catch it out of the corner of her eye, but that seemed enough to disconcert her for the day, even if the cat were asleep. Soon the lamb found that she was actually looking for the tiger. Sometimes days or even weeks went by between its intrusive actions, yet, somehow, the tiger had succeeded in always being there. Eventually the tiger's existence became a part of the lamb's existence. When she tried to explain this to her friends, however, they pointed out that no harm had really befallen her and tha perhaps she was just being too sensitive.

So the lamb again tried to put the tiger out of her mind. "Why," she said to herself, "should I let my relationship with just one member of the forest ruin my relationships with all the others?" But every now and then, usually when she was least prepared, the tiger would give her another start.

Finally the lamb could not take it anymore. She decided that, much as she loved the forest and her friends, more than she had ever loved any other forest or friends, the cost was too great. So she went to the other animals in the woods and said good-bye.

Her friends would not hear of it, "This is silly," they said, "Nothing has happened. You are still in one piece. You must remember that a tiger is a tiger." they repeated. "Surely this is the nicest forest in the world. We really like you very much. We would be very sad if you left." (Though it must be admitted that several of the animals were wondering what the lamb might be doing to contribute to the tiger's aggressiveness.)

Then said two of the animals in the Friendly Forest, "Surely this whole thing can be worked out. We're all reasonable here. Stay calm. There is probably just some misunderstanding that can easily be resolved if we all sit down together and communicate." The lamb, however, had several misgivings about such a meeting. First of all, if her friends had explained away the tiger's behavior by saying it was simply a tiger's nature to behave that way, why did they now think that as a result of communicaiton the tiger would be able to change that nature? Second, thought the lamb, such meetings, well intentioned as they might be, usually try to resolve problems through compromise. Now, while the tiger might agree to growl less, and indeed might suceed in reducing some of its agrgessive behavior, what would she, the lamb, be expected to give up in return? Be more accepting of the tiger's growling? There was something wrong, thought the lamb, with the notion that an agreement is equal if the invasive creature agrees to be less invasive and the invaded one agrees to tolerate some invasivenss. She tried to explain this to her friends but, being reasonable animals, they assured her that the important thing was to keep communicating. Perhaps the tiger didn't understand the ways of the lamb. "Don't be so sheepish," they said. "Speak up strongly when it does these things."

Though one of the less subtle animals in the forest, more uncouth in expression and unconcerned about just who remained, was overheard to remark, "I never heard of anything so ridiculous. If you want a lamb and a tiger to live in the same forest, you don't try to make them communicate. You cage the bloody tiger."

The Amazing World of Goggle Images - The Star of Bethlehem

2005-12-03T20:00:00.001-08:00

I did a gravesite service today for a woman I never knew, personally. However I did feel a kindred spirit for her. She was a Jungian Psychologist and I was told to keep the religious tone down a bit but go for it as far as spirituality. Jungians are a interesting bunch, I feel drawn to much of their theories, especially when it comes to symbolism and arch types. The collective unconscious or self, well, how much more religious can you sound to be than that?

Anyway, I first felt a kindred spirit with this Jungian woman when I moved here five years ago. She was thinking about selling her home and we were told about it by her accountant who went to our church. We visited her house and it felt "right." It was laid out just right (feng shui?), had items that seemed very appropriately symbolic and spiritual. But we couldn't afford it and later she decided not to sell it.

One of her own arch types was the rose. It happened to be her middle name too. Think about it. She like you and I could easily explain how a rose is a symbol of life too. The bud and the unfolding of the pedals, the fragrance, the hues and colors, even the thorns on the stem. I said at the service, "I have learned of another symbolic aspect of the rose as metaphor for life. A wise mentor of mine when I was younger explained that one cannot hurry things. Pealing back the pedals of a rose will not make it blossom faster. It takes time." So time is also a component of a rose just as the bud, pedals, fragrance and thorns. Or should I also say, patience?

In a study of Genesis about Abraham and Sarah I was particlarly struck by how long it took for God's promise (of a son) took for them. 10 years passed, 20, 30! No wonder Sarah laughed as well as Abraham. "What? You have to be kidding! You are still talking about that promised kid?" And yet the scriptures are full of stories about waiting; the Hebrews in Egypt; Israel in exile. Seems pretty applicable to us today who want everything in our lifetime to hurry up and happen now! Instead, the holy text tell us, it could take a lifetime to hear, heal, happen. Be patient.

Lately I have begun to see the scripture stories as more and more symbolism, arch types even.

I asked everyone at the graveside to be silent for a few moments and listen to the creation around them as well as the sounds of the world of humanity. It made us all focus in upon the present moment; aware that we are apart of something larger than ourselves all around us. It was I think a Jungian moment.

What was the Star of Bethlehem? What did the Wise Ones see? Was it more than a heavenly body? Could it have been something we all can look for inside? So much to ponder and not enough patience to reflect upon.

And by the way, I got the picture by typing "star" in a goggle search of images. It is a great diversion but I am pretty sure not all that Jungian!

Pre-Thanksgiving Thought - America the Beautiful

2005-11-23T09:52:00.000-08:00

The picture is of the Grand Canyon and my oldest son.

Last night attending a community Thanksgiving Worship service we sang "America the Beautiful." Just about everyone knows the first and last line of this hymn but in our present day, with all that is going on around us and between us as a nation, I thought the other verses of this great hymn are food for thought (there will be plenty of turkey tomorrow!).

"O beautiful for pilgrim's feet, whose stern impassioned stress

A thoroughfare for freedom beat across the wilderness!

America! America! God mend thy every flaw,

Confirm thy soul in self-control, thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife,

Who move more than self their country loved and mercy more than life.

America! America! May Gold thy gold refine.

Till all success be nobelness, and every grace divine.

Happy Thanksgiving!

OK - So this Blog Is Going To The Dogs!

2005-11-18T14:59:00.000-08:00

I would like to introduce you to Kacckers. Kacckers is my youngest son's girfriend's dog. Yes, she is a Chihuahua (the dog, not the girlfriend!). No one knows how old Kacckers is but we do know that she was in the dog pound and had been abandoned apparently after years of abuse and neglect. Kacckers has several physical problems associated with that past abuse. (Notice the ever vigilant ear. The other ear is deformed from some past trauma.)

Kacckers came to live with us, my wife and I about 2 months ago. (Not to mention both my sons and the girlfriend, but that is another story, another time.) Other than Kaccker's hypertension, most of the time she is cute and loveable. Even Maggie (see below) found a friend and companion in Kacckers. Kacckers and Maggie would lay in the sun together, go out to the back yard together, why they even slept in the same dog bed together one weekend.

Kacckers has eased the pain of losing our other dog, Maggie. Not replaced her but reminded us that life goes on, there are others needing love and attention. The last few nights Kacckers has sat in my wife's lap as to say, "It's O.K. I miss her too!"

I like to think that the picture above of Kacckers is her sunbathing in the light of her short time companion, Maggie. The sunbeam almost seems to say "Thank You! You are special!"

Kacckers and Maggie have something to teach us all. One of those things is maybe it wouldn't be so bad if somethings in our lives would be to have them 'going to the dogs.'

In Tribute to Maggie

2005-11-16T22:46:00.000-08:00

Maggie: March 1992 - November 2005

Back on March 17th of this year I wrote about a dog's life. Now I find myself writing about a dog's death.

About 3 months ago we took Maggie to the vet because she was sick. We were told that her heart was enlarged and she did not have much time. She immediately was prescribed two medicines and we immediately went into denial. Everything seemed better at first but about a month ago Maggie had a seizure. A week later another. We figured out that any time she ran or climbed stairs her heart must have gone into arythmia causing a seizure which kicked her heart back into a proper beat. Last Saturday night as I worked in my home office, Maggie came in and snooped around then suddenly I saw her flip over onto her back and go into a seizure. It was not a pleasant experience.

Then last night my wife came home. Maggie is really her dog more than anyone else in the family. She called Maggie who was in the back yard and she came bounding in like a puppy, wagging her tail in happiness, but when she reached the inside of the house she went into another seizure. This time she did not come out of it. My wife picked her up and my son drove them to the vet immediatly. A quick x-ray showed that her lungs were filled with fluid. They could barely hear a heart beat. A prompt decision was made to "put her down" so that she would not suffer.

Maggie was gone.

My son said it best. "Maggie died happy, in the arms of the person she loved." We should all be so lucky.

What is it about our animals that tears at our hearts when they leave us. I have heard many explainations. One was "their childlike unconditional love." Another said that "as we care for our pets we pour a portion of our souls into them which brings them immortality with us."

I miss Maggie. I will continue to miss Maggie. She was a good friend, a simple life full of love and acceptance. She may have been just a dog, with a dog's life, but we should all be so lucky!

Don't Move Here!

2005-10-07T16:31:00.000-07:00

For years I have dreamed of early retirement to Sedona, Arizona. Like where I live now, it is a dream destination with a price. With real estate prices going up, up, up everywhere, it is making it harder to even imagine a dream retirement location, let alone my children every owning a home ANYWHERE!

I suspect the picture above might give you an idea of why I would like it there. Take a look at this one below which is from the window of a house I saw on my last trip, just last month, as we went around town looking at available houses. How would you like to look outside and see this on any given morning? This view will cost you around $500,000!

Timing is everything. For right now it is still a dream, but dreams can and do become reality! Here is one more look for you from my own camera!

What is everyone doing? It is near the airport, some 500 feet (I believe) above the city on a Mesa. They are waiting for the sunset!

Ok here is my last picture of that sunset we were all waiting for....
It reminds me of the champagne I will uncork when I finally get there! On a scale of 1 to 10 it is about a 5 for Arizona!

Please don't move there until after me!

Say what?

2005-10-03T22:18:00.000-07:00

After a long hiatus, I'm back! I actually have had a few contact me and say, "Make a new post man, will you?" Thanks LF!

Guess I am just too busy, like all of us.

So what shall I post? How about a little bragging. This is my one and only grandson (to date!) Ain't he cute? I think so. Unusual to say the least. How about them baby blues?

OK other bragging rights, my youngest son, the Marine Reservist, after 5 weeks of training in the past two months, becoming a Military Martial Arts Green Belt Instructor and going to Jump School in Columbus, Georgia, informed me the other night that he has been nominated for Marine of the Year!

Holy Smokes Batman! (Check out those arms on that boy! And yes that is the family dog, Maggie)

Now I would like to say that it is for the whole U.S. of A. but not quite. And it is just a nomination but still.... ya gotta feel proud!

My oldest son I am proud of too, having finally landed a decent job and getting out of debt! He is back at playin the git-tar. I tell ya life is gettin better.

More to come too in the next few weeks. Start school again tomorrow and just had a trip to Spokane, Washington, Las Vegas to see Circus Solei "KA" and of course visit my favorite place on earth, Sedona, Arizona.

Please write me a comment or drop me a line!

2005-08-05T15:39:00.000-07:00

Jesus said, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat."

They replied, "We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish." Matthew 14:16-17 (Gospel for July 31 + Pentecost 11)

August already! The summer in nearly over, fall looms on the calendar! Sunday School, Confirmation, Choir and various other programs to plan for, I feel the need for a miracle!

Jesus performed a miracle in the feeding of the 5000! The disciples were resistant at first, doubtful, then amazed! How similar are we to those first disciples? The world, our issues, to do lists, and all kinds of problems can seem overwhelming to us. We too may protest, "We have nothing...but"

But is the glass half empty or half full? Five loaves and two fish do not look like much in the face of over 5000, but they are something. If we honestly look at what we have, we will see we have more than a little. We have a lot, actually. I am reminded of a popular contemporary hymn:

"All that we have, and all that we offer,
comes from a heart, both frightened and free.
Take what we bring now, and give what we need.
All done in His ame."

However one interprets the feeding of the 5000, like the disciples we are to see the glass as full! Our part may be the water, God's part is the air that fills the rest of the glass. We supply what we can; God will provide what is beyond our sharing.

2005-07-08T00:02:00.000-07:00

Fits Like Clothing!

2005-07-07T23:57:00.000-07:00

Remember the Beatle's Song "Baby, You Can Drive My Car?" Well I have a new version. "Baby, You Can't Drive My Car!" cause I am in love with my new ride! Yes, for those who know me, it has been a long time coming! I have driven some pretty pathetic wheels in the past but now, finally I am in Infiniti heaven! While it is used, I bought a 2003 G35 with only 7000 miles on it! It is a Santa Barbara story for another time. But what I really want to say, is that a "new" car is like new clothing; you feel much better in it! As crazy as it sounds, it boosts your self confidence and your feeling of self worth. Vain? Yes. Tough! I have sacrificed for YEARS driving embarassingly unsafe cars that probably also polluted! No you cannot drive my car but I will be glad to give you a ride!

2005-06-15T14:11:00.000-07:00

Don't be your own worst enemy! (A picture from my youngest son's collection.)

Confusing Needs and Wants

2005-06-15T13:55:00.000-07:00

We live in an age of change and too often, confusion.

One of those changes and confusions too many have is in the understanding of the difference of needs and wants. What many say they need is really what they want.

Needs are fundamental, such as being safe, loved, forgiven, encouraged, blessed and to express thankfulness through worship. Wants are personal preferences that sometimes express certain needs, but too often, wants become demands and believed entitlements.

I too need the things mentioned here, above and below.

> In addition, I need to be human when others want me to be more.
> I need God's grace, often I need it through others, when I want to find an easier way to avoid difficult moments.
> I need to care for myself and family, when others want me to sacrifice their needs.
> I need to care for others, especially when I want to care only for myself.
> I need to give as well as receive, in order to be vitally alive, even when others want more than I think I can give.
> I need to grow, especially when I come up short.

I have too many concerns like most, and need to be more concerned with what I need from God, and what God wants from me, for me, and for others through me.

Yes! I Am Bragging

2005-05-27T18:00:00.000-07:00

VictoriaWestMusic.com

OMG this is my second post in two days! Now if I can just get people to visit the site and read it.

Well, anyway....

I guess I am into new territory. Talking about, posting pictures and bragging about my family.

This time it is about my oldest son. There is much I could say about him, his past, sturggles, character, etc. But I don't really think that he would be happy about dad's "motor mouth" so suffice it to say "I am proud of him!"

Why? you ask? Well for one reason, for a young man who is shy and basically introverted, he is not so in front of a mike. Check it out, he has a website of his band. Why you can even listen to his singing! Go to:

www.victoriawestmusic.com

And let me know what you think!

Besides being lead singer and guitar, he wrote the songs. The band also has played at several places in Santa Barbara, Velvet Jones, Left at Albuquerque's, Rocks and SoJo's. Not too shabby!

And yes that is him in the refelction of those "Foster Grants" in the middle. Why his name is even Grant too! How cool is that? Ok, I am bragging.

How to Cure a Lack of Inspiration!

2005-05-25T22:18:00.000-07:00

Hey Baby! You are an inspirational Star!

Again it has been a long time since my last post. I can claim the lame excuse nearly all of us have, "I've been busy!" It's true but its boring and lacks inspiration.

Since I like to post pictures with my posts, I started looking through my files. I have resisted posting pictures of my family but here is one of my favorites. It is of my step-grandson nearly a year ago at my youngest son's Marine graduation (he is the baby's uncle). Besides loving this picture it made me realize what inspiration is inherent in new life. Of course I think he is cute but don't you have to agree he is cute in those "Foster Grants?"

Besides this, this coming Sunday in the middle of the Memorial Day weekend I will baptize him and his newborn cousin. Of course he may walk to the baptismal font seeing that he is 13 months old. If my daughter waited a bit longer he might be able to give the sermon!

The baptism though is sure to cure my lack of inspiration unless of course he screams his bloody head off during the dunking! That could be embarrasing. "Be good so everyone will know what a good grandpa, grandpa is!"

Oh yea, that is the top of my head and my spouse in the picture!

2005-05-02T23:00:00.000-07:00

I recently turned 55! I can hardly believe it! But I refuse to let them tell me I am old or even in midlife. Rather I consider myself now at cruising speed!My friend cats (check out her blog at www.findingavalon3.blogspot.com) posted recently about her children and the blessing of them, and how they grow up soo fast! I remember well when my youngest son, now 21 was turning 8 years old. The night before his birthday as I tucked him into bed I asked him if he was excited about his birthday coming? He immediately begain to cry! When I asked him why he was crying he said without hesitation, "I will never be seven again!" Ahhh kids! Wise beyond their years. How profound when you think of it. I will never be 54 again!

2005-04-22T21:42:00.000-07:00

Well waaaay too much time has passed since my last post. But no one seems to have missed them. Oh well.

This is one of my favorite pictures of my youngest son (who is now a 21 year old Marine Reservist!) taken at the mission, I believe, at San Luis Obispo California. It is one of those rare pictures that you take that comes out far better than you ever expected. Kinda like you hope for your life! I like to call this picture the Hall of Innocence.

So where have I been? Busy. You know that place that takes up most of our time? I have finished the book Authentic Happiness by Martin E.P. Seligman and finished another quarter of schooling towards an MA in Clinical Psychology.

What I am into now is a great thing presented by some guy name Kluckholn that he calls the five value orientations or worldviews. Here they are:
1. Time
2. Activity
3. Relationships
4. Orientation to Nature
5. and Belief of Human Nature

Each of these has three components.

Time has Past, Present and Future.
Activity has Doing, Being and Becoming.
Relationship has Hierarchical, Collateral and Individual.
Orientation to Nature has Mastery, Subjugation and Harmony.
And Belief of Human Nature is Good, Good and Evil, and Innately Evil.

Point is, each of us is somewhere on each scale. I like to think of them as Triads (Triangles), which can switch depending on what area of life we are focusing upon. Let me be specific. For example, most Americans when it comes to time are Future oriented. The second tier of their priorities towards time is the Present moment and the Past has least importance. Americans are Doers when it comes to Activity with Being being second and Becoming usually third or in complete competition with Being. Get the idea? Point is, we have choices. We can change what is to what we would like to become. All the while dealing with what is. Maybe if someone asks I can explain the rest. Otherwise this is a great exercise in contemplating ones own navel! Got a comment? Question? Let me know.

2005-04-01T15:00:00.000-08:00

Gone From My Sight by Henry Van Dyke

2005-04-01T14:41:00.000-08:00

Who cannot help but to comment on the similarities and differences to Terri Schiavo and Pope John Paul II?

As Terri has succumbed to, and the Pope appears to be near death it seems to me that there just may be some "winners and losers."

At first I only thought there would be losers. It seemed to me everyone was going to lose as most of us watched in horror our media drag us, willing I might add, into a terrible, nasty family feud. As everyone else piled on, no one ever came up with a winning idea that got implemented.

But now it would appear that the Pope's eminent death so close to Terri's that the Catholic Church and especially its theology and ethics will come out a winner (Particularly its work concerning "ordinary and extra-ordinary means of sustaining life). And maybe, just maybe everyone in some small way will be a winner too as we contemplate life, death and everything else.

I refer you to the following link for some thought provoking material. Yes it is from a Catholic source but again I am finding their work and their talking heads to make a lot more sense than most others.

God, law and Terri Schiavo The-Tidings.com

http://www.the-tidings.com/2005/0401/vincent.htm

2005-03-28T21:48:00.000-08:00

Well it looks like the Easter Bunny survived another Easter, but barely.

I digress from my discussion of Martin Seligmans book, Authentic Happiness, for a short commentary on Easter 2005.

Ten, fifteen years ago I remember the Easter Bunny, eggs and candy under attack by fundamentalist Christians. It is a pagan symbol they complained. It has nothing to do with the Resurrection of the Lord, they said. I thought they were killjoys. So I defended the Easter Bunny, embracing it, saying it was about surprises like the Empty Tomb and new life, as in Resurrection.

Amazingly now I hear of people, call them secularist, atheist or capitalist, complaining about the Easter Bunny as a Christian symbol, offensive to non-Christians who want to celebrate the season.

This oddly enough wants me to do a Simon-Peter denial - I dont know the Bunny! But alas, I cannot have it both ways.

Easter is pretty hard on Pastors for the most part. Oh, it isnt all the services really but it is what to say to all the people who come. What to say that is so special on Easter Sunday as compared to any other Sunday of the year. But before I turn too philosophical on you, all I really want to do is tell you a simple aspect of my Easter Sunday morning this year as a Pastor. I probably had around 300 people at the second worship service and my wireless microphone rechargeable battery decided to die early in the service. In fact three rechargeable batteries in a row died within minutes of using them. Finally during hymn before the sermon, I slipped out into the Pastors Sacristy and found a coppertop battery that was full of energy! The service went on and was just fine thanks to me finding the true Easter Bunny that Sunday, the Energizer Bunny!

Surprised?
Long live the Bunny of Easter!

2005-03-22T22:24:00.000-08:00

CAN WE CREATE OUR OWN BLUE SKIES?

In my last post a few comments were concerned with an over simplified approach to happiness and its nemesis, depression.

I certainly did not mean to imply that getting over depression, serious depression, clinical depression is just a simple matter of thinking positive and happy thoughts!
Neither does Martin Seligman.

In fact as I read on in his book Authentic Happiness he makes it very clear, 50% of our basic emotional state of happiness/unhappiness is linked to our genes. Like it or not, half of our base line disposition is basically inherited.

There is bad news/good news concerning the other 50%.

Seligman offers a Happiness Formula and it looks like this: H = S + C + V. Obviously H is for happiness which equals the sum of your (S) set range of happiness, (C) circumstances of your life and (V) those factors are under your voluntary control. Our set range of happiness (S) is our level of positive and negative emotion and represents the inherited aspect of overall happiness. When it comes to circumstances (C) some can be changed and others cannot. Some that can be changed to a certain degree for example are: Money, Marriage, Social Life, Negative Emotion, Health, Education, Place of Living (including climate), and Religion. The next segment, (V) those factors under our voluntary control are the subject of the next several chapters in the book.

Seligman for this section of his book quotes the Christian Mystic Julian of Norwich who sang from the depths of the Black Plague in the mid fourteenth century:

But all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well
He said not Thou shalt not be tempested, thou shalt not be travailed, thou shalt not be diseased,
But he said, Thou shalt not be overcome.

Can we create our own blue skies? Maybe. Maybe not. It still may be worth the effort!

2005-03-17T21:36:00.000-08:00

The Life of a Dog.

Ever think you would like to be a dog?

I like dogs. This is my dog. This is Maggie. A 12-year-old full blooded Dachshund.

For the most part she is a happy dog. Taken care of; not a care in the world other than a spot in the sun, a daily walk, dinner and the backyard. Pretty predictable. No worry about work, time, bills, relationships, but still, very limited, a prisoner of sorts. Dependant. Not much to look forward too. This is the reality of a dogs life.

I dont think I want to be a dog. Ever.

In the book Authentic Happiness by Martin Seligman, he talks about learned hopelessness. This phenomenon came from his research using dogs in situations where they could not modify their circumstances and eventually gave up trying. Seligman and his colleagues go on to theorize that learned hopelessness leads to unipolar depression (unlike bipolar that has a mania stage to it).

Many people today suffer from unipolar depression. While this can be treated by medication, the good news is that there are also other ways than medication. While learned hopelessness is real, so can be learned optimism. Much of Seligmans work now focuses not so much on cure but prevention. Either way his writing focuses upon the growing field of Positive Psychology - a psychological science that is about the best things in life, a classification of the strengths and virtues that make life worth living.

A dogs life may be easy, but it still is a dogs life. A prisoner of sorts. People can have it better. People are meant to be free. Never give up!

2005-03-14T23:23:00.000-08:00

She Did Not Blink! The Truth about Human Evolution.

How absolutely fascinating is the story coming out of Atlanta Georgia about Ashley Smith.

I am going to assume most know the story. If not go here:
www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/03/14/national/main679944.shtml

What I want to write about here is a connection between a book I am reading and this story about Ashley Smith. Or why I think the human race has gotten better (not worse) and is still getting better.

The book is titled Authentic Happiness by Martin E.P. Seligman, Ph.D. and it subject is about a new cutting edge of Positive Psychology. Not to be taken lightly as pop-psychology Seligman is a serious researcher and therapist. I have only just begun this book although I have been carrying it around for nearly a year! Anyway from the first chapter Seligman makes an interesting hypothesis. Talking about human evolution he suggests that as a species we have evolved not by the tired expression The survival of the fittest, but rather by The survival of those who rose to the occasion.

He puts it this way:
In the evolutionary struggle for winning a mate or surviving a predator's
attack, those of our ancestors who rose to the occasion passed on their genes;
the losers did not.
Rising to the occasion, Seligman suggests are what character traits are all about. He calls them signature strengths. Signature strengths are things like wisdom and knowledge, humanity and love, justice, temperance and transcendence.

So what does this have to do with Ashley Smith? Well her survival was at stake when Brian Nichols took her hostage. It wasn't because she was physically stronger than him that she survived. It was because of her character traits that rose to the occasion. She showed great wisdom and knowledge, humanity and love, justice, temperance and transcendence. When the crucial time came, She did not blink!

At this point in time, Ashley seems to be a fine example of the highest level of human evolution. Something we all could see and hear more about, rising to the occasion. I hope we continue to hear more about her and hear about more like her.

2005-03-12T22:31:00.000-08:00

The Driving Hand.

This past Friday and Saturday I spent a total of 6 hours on the freeways of Southern California for a trip that should have taken only 4 hours total. That means I spent 2 hours parking on the freeway!

Having lived in Southern California for at least 17 years the traffic is the worst it has ever been. Where are all these people coming from? (WAATPCF?)

WWJD? Everyone knows what these letters stand for.
(Ok, for some of you: What Would Jesus DO?)

But I have a bumper sticker that says,
HWJD?
(Again for some of you: HOW Would Jesus DRIVE?)

(In Southern California lately it almost seems appropriate to ask as well, WHAT Would Jesus DRIVE? Some say a Beemer others a VW.)

Driving in Southern California is enough to give you white knuckles! To go along with some of the knuckleheads out there driving. There is nothing worse than thinking your life is passing by like driving 80 mph on a freeway. Ok, maybe when you feel like you are on a highway traveling at 0 mph is worse!

That reminds me of some life driving advice I once got that goes like this, Life is like driving a car, most of what you should see is through the windshield moving forward. Only a small part of it is like the rear view mirror, looking at where we have been. Concentrate on what is in front of you. You can look at what is behind you, but dont stare at it!

I still am not sure where I am driving too in my life or what speed and there has got to be more in my view than just the Driving Hand! Something more has got to be driving with us than just a white-knuckle view through a windshield! Something maybe to remind us that we need to slow down? I offer the following picture sent to me through the window of my computer as one possible symbol we all might drive with in mind!

2005-03-12T21:46:00.000-08:00

HOW Would Jesus DRIVE?

2005-03-10T18:20:00.000-08:00

Yes the picture is out of focus, for a reason.

Who would have ever thought that I would love a blurry picture? And of a blurry eyeball? (This is a picture taken by my youngest son of the eye of a girlfriend. He has an artistic eye and flair to him.)

The picture is deeply mystical to me for several reasons but mostly because of a book I need to get a hold of read because of some of its concepts that are related to modern physics, the science of consciousness, philosophy, spirituality and psychology to name a few disciplines. As well as our struggles to understand life and faith and who we are. The book and its author is: The Sense of Being Stared At by Rupert Sheldrake.

Are we alone? Ever? Who is looking at who? And why?

A NOVA program I saw years ago about time concluded that there had to be a universal consciousness in order for us to commonly and individually experience the passing of time! Hmmm, could it be?

On another blog of a young blogger, she says her physics teacher said that everything in the universe is moving away from everything else, thus making nothing the center of the universe and yet at the same time individually, since everything else is moving away from it, the center! Got that? So she concludes she is the center of at least her own universe but does it matter unless there are others looking?

I am reminded vaguely of the concepts written in Martin Bubers book I and Thou too.

I have been fascinated with the research on consciousness for several years. There is a wealth of new information out there and I think the convergence of many streams of thought we are witnessing are beginning the birth pangs of a new way to see our faith, God and our lives!

What do you think? I am listening.

Another interesting topic of Sheldrakes can be found at:
http://www.sheldrake.org/papers/Animals/animals_tsunami.html

2005-03-09T17:08:00.000-08:00

Unfinished Business - I have a love/hate relationship with computers. I spent at least 2 hours today trying to hook up my phone to my laptop. Drivers, downloads, device management. I hate that. Then I thought, what can I post next on my blog. I chose this uncompleted story based on a real fish (pictured) who has survived an earthquake and a bowl of softened water (another story another time - sometimes truth is stranger than fiction too). Some day I will finish this story and even write a few others (unless the computer kills me!) Here is the story:

"My name is Gobee. I am a Goldfish. I live in a small but nice glass fishbowl. Most of the time I am happy. I have clean water and plenty to eat. I know that someone or something outside of my glass fishbowl takes care of me.

Most days I just swim around. I look at the glass marbles at the bottom of my bowl. I look at the little house ornament in the center of the bowl. I swim around the plastic palm tree next to the house. Sometimes when I really feel good I swim around my bowl very fast. Still other times when I am scared or angry I swim around my bowl so fast that I move the marbles and knock down the plastic palm tree. After I do this often a big hand comes into my bowl and sets things back right again. I think the hand belongs to that someone or something that takes care of me.

Sometimes I am bored. When I am bored I often swim very slowly around the glass of my bowl. If I am really bored or sometimes sad I will press up against the glass and try to look out. I can see that there is more out there than in my small glass fishbowl. When I look out pressing up against the glass I wonder what is really out there. I can see things but they are blurry.

Other times when I am not happy or feeling good or scared or angry, but when I feel sad, I dont swim around my bowl at all. Instead I just lie there near the bottom and see how still I can be. When I am really, really sad, and I lie really, really still, So still that sometimes the hand comes and touches me on the tail. This usually makes me scared and mad and I swim really fast around my bowl and knock everything down again.

The hand sets it all back up and I have noticed that I dont feel as sad anymore after that"

2005-03-08T23:51:00.000-08:00

The Grand Canyon, South Kaibab Trail. Yup, that is me (my backside). Probably the most revealing I will ever post here. I have had the wonderful opportunity to hike this 7 mile long trail that descends one mile from top to bottom, five times (beginning at about 7200 feet to 2000 feet at the bottom above sea level.)! The bottom of the Grand Canyon is higher than Spokane Washington! The trail leads to the Phantom Ranch where the Bright Angel Creek reaches the mighty Colorado River. This is one of the few pictures I have of this spiritual hike. One of the lessons learned in this endeavor was that like many things in life, going down is harder than coming up! I am looking forward to my 6th hike in December of 2006. That's right, reservations now are about 18 months in advance! But it is well worth the wait.

2005-03-08T13:11:00.000-08:00

This is about a 100 year old Live California Oak tree outside the Sanctuary of the church I serve. I refer to it to the congregation as the Tree of Life, but recently much to my near horror, it was looking like it was dying! Maybe I read too much into things but I thought, if this tree dies, does the congregation along with it? How symbolic are our symbols? Anyway, much to my delight, and some TLC by a local tree company and the abundant rains this winter the tree has sprung forth much new growth! And for the time being looks alive and healthier.

(A)Musing Trees for the Right Brain!

2005-03-07T12:46:00.000-08:00

In an effort to produce something interesting here I have posted several pictures I have personally collected of trees. This embryonic hobbie of mine helps me not to be such an over extended left brainer and I hope will force me to be more creative and artistic in my life. I hope you will find them interesting too. Recently through a graduate class in Clinical Psychology, Family Therapy, I was introduced to the tool of a Genogram. This type of "family tree" is unique for each individual but helps to visualize and sometimes explain a few things the way they are in our lives. Also a few years ago I was completely overwhelmed by an image of a symbolic tree from the writings of James Hillman (The Soul's Code) where he talked about the Jewish mystical study of the Kabbalah. In it he describes the symbol of an upside down tree that is rooted in heaven but growing, reaching downf towards the earth until its branches are mixed, even soiled by the earth. For me this was an incarnational image for faith and life combined. Anyway, I hope you enjoy these visual images as well as maybe have stimulated in you, some insight from the right brain in this overly left brain world! OMG

2005-03-07T12:45:00.000-08:00

Another view of trees on the campus of UCSB.

2005-03-07T12:44:00.000-08:00

A lonely Manzanita on the mountain that rises from the ocean in Santa Barbara area. This is in a outcropping of rocks known as the playground.

2005-03-07T12:43:00.000-08:00

A similar tree (unknown type) at UCSB.

2005-03-07T12:42:00.000-08:00

A tree on the campus of UC Santa Barbara.

2005-03-07T12:40:00.000-08:00

My best friend from High Schoold days and throughout life, Charlie and me at the Grand Canyon.

2005-03-05T21:09:00.000-08:00

No matter where I go this guy always shows up! Artwork by HeQi. HeQiArts.com

OMG its TOM!

2005-03-04T15:12:00.000-08:00

Success! How do you define it? Is it material or is it ethereal? Is it enduring or elusive? Everyone wants it, who really acheives it or has it?

I have successfully set up this blog from the encouragement of others. In one sense a success, in an other, yet to be "seen."

I love stories, ideas, ironies, etc. If you have some you would like to share based on what I might trigger in you, I hope you will share them here. I hope I can share something of success for you too!