Everything dies. Everyone dies: humans, machines, migrating birds, beliefs, families, doubts -- everything. We perhaps will never learn the purpose, even if we have faith in a "higher power" -- as I do.
There are no doubt physical and mechanical laws governing this. Or perhaps reasons in faith beyond our ken. The only thing we can be sure of is that everything does die, in its own time, in its own way.
Mankind didn't cause death; mankind is not responsible for it. Perhaps the higher power is the cause of death?
It is an age old question discussed by every religious tome and in every college dorm. And it is a verity.
Monday, April 9, 2018
Sunday, April 8, 2018
Mentor
As a mentor, whether it is within a business or a classroom or as a "life coach," it is always important to announce your "steps" (in an interview for example) clearly, forthrightly, and without prevarication.
I have always done that -- in all my "interviewing" in various jobs as a grants investigator, as a background checker, and as a teacher. Sometimes employees or interviewees are so "taken" or "excited" that they fail to hear correctly. When I announce that I have to ask invasive questions -- I would always give my reasoning. That is the "honor code" of a teacher, a life coach, a mentor, and a friend.
I have only had one example in my entire life as a teacher, leader, mentor and friend (52 years of service) of someone who so confusedly misconstrued my motives that they "warned me never to do it again." People are always entitled to their opinions, even when they are wrong. The example was very, very recent -- and it involves basic self-delusion on the part of the individual being interviewed. I believe there is nothing I could have done differently, and nothing I should have done differently, and nothing that I would have done differently. I swear on my life that this is the "truth" as I see it.
If there is disagreement -- the two people involved should both "walk away" -- which I did and urged the interviewee to do as well. I wish this person "good luck" always.
I have always done that -- in all my "interviewing" in various jobs as a grants investigator, as a background checker, and as a teacher. Sometimes employees or interviewees are so "taken" or "excited" that they fail to hear correctly. When I announce that I have to ask invasive questions -- I would always give my reasoning. That is the "honor code" of a teacher, a life coach, a mentor, and a friend.
I have only had one example in my entire life as a teacher, leader, mentor and friend (52 years of service) of someone who so confusedly misconstrued my motives that they "warned me never to do it again." People are always entitled to their opinions, even when they are wrong. The example was very, very recent -- and it involves basic self-delusion on the part of the individual being interviewed. I believe there is nothing I could have done differently, and nothing I should have done differently, and nothing that I would have done differently. I swear on my life that this is the "truth" as I see it.
If there is disagreement -- the two people involved should both "walk away" -- which I did and urged the interviewee to do as well. I wish this person "good luck" always.
Saturday, April 7, 2018
No Quarter by Death for Linda
My younger sister died two days ago, on April 5, 2018. She did not deserve to die; no one does. And yet human beings die -- unsolicited, undeservedly, without grace or quarter. Why?
Why are we here? Christians say "to redeem our corrupt souls!" Why are we corrupt? Because we are human? Because of the "sin" committed by the first two humans. Sorry, I just can't fathom that. It makes no sense -- even with the eyes of faith and belief. So Linda died for no reason except her body fell apart. Mechanical, not vengeful!
Linda did not deserve to die. No one does. Why did God, if there is one, do this to humankind. Why does anyone still believe in an all-powerful but vengeful God? Why? Why? Why?
Why are we here? Christians say "to redeem our corrupt souls!" Why are we corrupt? Because we are human? Because of the "sin" committed by the first two humans. Sorry, I just can't fathom that. It makes no sense -- even with the eyes of faith and belief. So Linda died for no reason except her body fell apart. Mechanical, not vengeful!
Linda did not deserve to die. No one does. Why did God, if there is one, do this to humankind. Why does anyone still believe in an all-powerful but vengeful God? Why? Why? Why?
Sunday, March 11, 2018
The Hard Life of Women
As we all watch the "rise" of women throughout the world -- we need to reflect: "why has it taken so long?" Then we need to take "action!"
Who has held the "chains of repression" so tightly -- via societal norms, religion, local mores, and family prejudices to keep women "in check" for so long? Who is to blame? All of us -- men and women -- are to blame. We have all held women back.
The "weaker sex," too emotional, too unschooled, "the Bible says...", "according to 'sharia law,' my Mom told me, my Aunts say "you just don't do things like that" and on and on. We have created the great inequality when really there is only differences, wonderful differences, that make the whole system work.
Why don't we have women Presidents in our history: in government, in business, in societies, in associations, in sports, in everything? Why are women placed as second class regardless of the situation.
Prejudice, ignorance, chauvinism, religious bigotry, Biblical and Koran misinterpretation (along with those of others sects), fake standards of comparison, ridiculous old tales that presume without proof, ad infinitum and ad nauseam.
And continue to Resist, the devil that is Donald!
Who has held the "chains of repression" so tightly -- via societal norms, religion, local mores, and family prejudices to keep women "in check" for so long? Who is to blame? All of us -- men and women -- are to blame. We have all held women back.
The "weaker sex," too emotional, too unschooled, "the Bible says...", "according to 'sharia law,' my Mom told me, my Aunts say "you just don't do things like that" and on and on. We have created the great inequality when really there is only differences, wonderful differences, that make the whole system work.
Why don't we have women Presidents in our history: in government, in business, in societies, in associations, in sports, in everything? Why are women placed as second class regardless of the situation.
Prejudice, ignorance, chauvinism, religious bigotry, Biblical and Koran misinterpretation (along with those of others sects), fake standards of comparison, ridiculous old tales that presume without proof, ad infinitum and ad nauseam.
And continue to Resist, the devil that is Donald!
Saturday, March 10, 2018
The Passing of MICHAELA -- the Rise of SYDNEY
Life brings changing circumstances and intriguing questions. What happened to Michaela ? Tall, slim, smiling: the best new waitress at Perkins and my pony-tailed server on a number of my trips through the region. Has she indeed just changed names and morphed into Sydney: tall, slim, ditto ditto ditto -- even down to the pony-tail?
What happens to those memories that have become legends or even rich fantasies in our brains? Are they still alive in some other continuum? Are they still waiting for our arrival? Are they a part of our future? Our "could-be" future? Our heaven?
I hope so!
RESIST Trump, as always.
What happens to those memories that have become legends or even rich fantasies in our brains? Are they still alive in some other continuum? Are they still waiting for our arrival? Are they a part of our future? Our "could-be" future? Our heaven?
I hope so!
RESIST Trump, as always.
Monday, March 5, 2018
Dumbstruck
Some of the things I see happening around me are just astounding. Greed and self-soaping dominate in every level of news, politics, personal relationships, and even family life. Communication has been stymied or controlled for selfish personal reasons by supposedly "good Christian people" on a national and a personal level.
Grow up America! Let your "children" go! Let people make their own decisions. Don't demand, for example, that people should be allowed to have any gun they choose; because some moronic politician [who has no values or moral code] tells you he is against abortion. Don't stop or try to control the way your kids think, just because they don't espouse what you believe. Let Christian be a Christian, not a closed-off clone of you!
And everyone...continue to resist.
Grow up America! Let your "children" go! Let people make their own decisions. Don't demand, for example, that people should be allowed to have any gun they choose; because some moronic politician [who has no values or moral code] tells you he is against abortion. Don't stop or try to control the way your kids think, just because they don't espouse what you believe. Let Christian be a Christian, not a closed-off clone of you!
And everyone...continue to resist.
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Incredible Change
Look around. The world has changed. The NRA is on the run. Even the sociopathic Trump is feeling the heat. Another mass shooting; but this time an international movement, led by heroic students from Parkland high school in Florida, is making the argument. The Republican disinformation machine, that tries to turn victims into "crisis actors" hired by the FBI no less, is shown for the salacious crap-load it really is.
Thank you God--for sending all of us relief from evil. We must continue to RESIST!
Thank you God--for sending all of us relief from evil. We must continue to RESIST!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)