Did you know ... ?

It's about that time of year when we gather for gift exchanges with friends, coworkers, and relatives.
If your exchange is of the "White elephant" variety, you'll be prepared with this interesting fact:

John

So long, old friend.

I'm on the road this morning and sharing from my Mom's place in central Illinois. I made the journey to be with family at the funeral of a cousin's spouse. Jim was my friend. He was always ready with a smile and always pleasant to be around. We (Chris and I) stayed with them on different occasions when we were in the area for family gatherings and truly enjoyed our late night conversations.

I know there are people from different faith backgrounds among my readers. It's a little weird that the most conservative Christians have quit following me from being offended, while I still have a couple of atheists that regularly read Out of My Hat. 
Or maybe it's not so weird.
In general, I've found atheists to be much more likely to allow varying faith beliefs as long as you're not trying to force your beliefs on them. In truth, many of them know more about different faiths than the adherents of those particular beliefs.

For my friends that believe there is more to our existence than our relatively short span as humans, perhaps you will find comfort in this simple statement from CS Lewis.

John

Wednesday Wisdom

I'm going to have to get my quiet time on the road today, but wanted to keep the November streak going with today's Wednesday Wisdom post.

Who are you?
Are you the person that society has crafted?
Or are you the person you were born to be?

John

Researchers Needed!

Researchers sounds better than testers.
I'm going to accept the protein and omega 3 numbers from the fact site, but am especially interested in the "reportedly taste like bacon" part.

Let me know.
I'm already thinking of a compost to kitchen marketing for the ELT -- Earthworm, lettuce, tomato sandwich! I think sourdough should be the bread of choice.
Are you in?

John

Rain

It's cool and damp this morning after last night's rain. The overcast layer of clouds will be with us all day and there will be periodic showers and maybe a thunderstorm late in the evening with more rain likely tonight.

I'm thinking about how my thoughts on rain have changed throughout my life. As a kid, I never understood when adults would say that we needed rain. I was a kid and I needed the sun to be shining so that I could be outside playing. Summer showers meant baseball games getting rained out or playing on muddy fields. We weren't farmers and I didn't worry about the cost of produce. 

As an adult, I recognize the near drought conditions we've been experiencing this year and the need for rain. I don't like having to water the flower beds during the hot, dry summer and I am much more appreciative of the cooling effects of a summer shower.
I still believe that if you are going to pray for rain, you should pray for it to rain at night. That way the earth gets the water it needs, and we get nice, sunny days to enjoy.

I love sitting on the covered deck and enjoying a nice steady rainfall. The sound of the rain has a peaceful, calming effect on my soul. Sometimes I wonder how far this water (rain) has traveled. Maybe it evaporated in the tropics, was carried here by the Coriolis effect, cooled by the colder air from the northwest, and then dropped on the Ozarks of Southwest Missouri. If raindrops could tell the story of their travels, what would those stories be?

I should probably mention that while I still enjoy nighttime rain showers, I am now very aware of the unsheltered population and the problems they face with inclement weather. That knowledge has somewhat dampened (pardon the pun) my enjoyment.

Sun, rain, flowers, food -- it's all a part of the cycle of life.
A little rain is good for this morning's meditation.

John 

Just stuff in my head today...

Most of you know that I don't care much for always being around people. I think it needs to be said that it's not that I don't like people -- I just don't want to be around them much. Even so, there are some people that it feels good to be around. Their very presence can be an uplifting experience. Even their social media posts tend to make the virtual world a brighter place. I am always grateful for the moments I get to spend with them, the life energy they are willing to share with me, and the hugs. 

The hugs are a big deal.
As I have become more contemplative and self-aware of my own life force, energy, frequency, or whatever you want to call it -- I have also become more aware of frequencies that other people put out. Just like in music, some frequencies are more pleasing on their own, some harmonize and go together especially well with my frequency, while others make an uncomfortable sound, either on their own or when put together with mine. 
Although that harmony can be sensed by mere presence, I believe that it is best shared by physical touch -- a handshake, a pat on the back, an arm across the shoulders, a hug. 

Hugs are the best.
You can give energy (strength, comfort, love) to someone that needs it.
You can receive energy when you are in need of strength or restoration.
You can share energy and both be recharged and uplifted.

This morning I'm wondering about what happens to a person's life energy when their physical body is no longer alive. 
Does it go somewhere?
Is it given to loved ones to exist with their own energies?
Is it reclaimed by the universe?
Does it cease to exist?

I don't think it's the same as our soul, but I really don't know.

Hmmm...
Just stuff in my head this morning.

John

Just Another Saturday

It is most of the way through the day and I'm just realizing that I haven't posted and am about to miss my goal of posting for every day in November.
Taking Chris to the airport this morning was a change to my regular morning routine that includes my blog reading and writing time. I did manage to read a couple of my regular favorites, but my coffee drinking time and Chromebook time was cut short, so -- no blogging. Now that I'm enjoying the nice afternoon with a short robusto smoke and a bit of tequila, I just realized that I need to post.

It's a little depressing at how quickly the day passes and darkness swallows the Midwestern sky this time of year. It'll be dark around the time the UFC prelims start. I'll watch the early prelims on the deck, but will probably move inside for the rest of them. I don't know if I'll go out for the PPV, try to find a good stream at home, or just skip them. I'd say early money is on going out, but that may change. Staying home is always a safe bet.
The UFC and other MMA events are about the only sports I watch on TV anymore and I don't know too many people here that are big fans. I'm not even sure that I'd say I'm a big fan, but I do enjoy watching. It's probably strange that an old, fat guy is a fan of a sport that takes pretty extreme conditioning. Being a spectator doesn't take much conditioning at all.

There is a part of me that feels bad about contributing to a culture that idolizes entertainers and athletes with huge salaries while other more necessary professions are greatly undervalued. People need to be well compensated for being the best in their fields, but maybe teachers, mechanics, waiters, etc., need to have agents or better unions looking out for their interests as well.

Sorry for the late post today.
I'll work on being better in the remaining two weeks of November.

John

Is it a difference of opinion?

An interesting perspective on opinions and why opinions don't really matter.

John

Post-deconstruction Remodeling

I've never been a real fan of the term deconstruction to describe the evolution of my faith.
I get it. I certainly had to tear down and remove much of the bullshit that was nothing more than the rules of men and the control of religion. But I didn't just bulldoze everything and rebuild a faith or belief from scratch. It was (and still is) more of a remodeling project. Certain underpinnings of my previous faith remain foundational in my current beliefs and are what I am rebuilding upon. 

One of the biggest differences between the religious John of the past and the more spiritual John of the present is that I am now more concerned about my own faith and relationship with my Creator than I am about the relationships of others. In fact, I really feel like your relationship (or lack of one), or your faith is none of my business.
I am more than willing to share my thoughts, beliefs, and life philosophies with you. And I am equally willing to hear your thoughts, beliefs, and life philosophies. I just no longer feel it is important to me that you convert to my way of thinking.

Growing, changing, evolving as a spiritual being is a full-time gig for me. Being nice is a daily struggle when my natural tendency is to be a snarky, sarcastic asshole. 
Trying to understand and follow the teachings of Jesus seems to work for me, but it is an ongoing project. I have to admit, it's a little bit disheartening to think that I'm going to be changing constantly and never really complete the remodeling project of becoming the John that I need to be, but the work continues. Maybe I need a sign -- Please excuse my mess. Remodeling in progress.

John

 

Wednesday Wisdom

I wasn't sure if I should post this today or save it for tomorrow's Thursday theology. It works pretty well for both.

John