I Peopled This Week

People-ing (being around people) isn't a big deal for most of you. I can usually get by fine without it. Tuesday I was all set to go out to the ballgame, but decided (at the last minute) that staying home would be more enjoyable.
I missed a lunch meeting for chaplain volunteers yesterday (could have made it, but had other things to do) and was pretty on the fence about leaving the comforts of home to go to our Thursday evening gathering of Venues' people at Mother's Brewery. I have to admit that the decision to actually go was largely influenced by the need for coffee (I only had enough left for this morning). If I didn't need to go into Springfield for coffee, I might not have gone.

As it was, I had an enjoyable time conversing with some new people and enjoying this year's Oktoberfest brew from Mothers. There were several people that I hadn't met and a few more that I just hadn't seen in quite some time. The conversations and the beer were both good. Maybe I should get out more often.
As is often the case after a Thursday night at barchurch, I begin to think that maybe I should start going to church on Sunday mornings -- until Sunday morning rolls around and I think, "What was I thinking?" as I enjoy my quiet time and coffee on the deck.

I may be out (again) on Saturday night to watch the UFC PPV at a Springfield movie theater. I've watched a few this summer and it isn't a bad deal. There is a sports bar nearby and I can watch the prelims there and then walk to the theater for the PPV card. 
There really isn't very much people interaction involved and the reclining theater seats and big screen are a definite plus.

I have no people-ing planned for today. 
I have my pour-over brewed coffee for this morning and have a jug of Ethiopian cold-brew steeping for the coming days. I have good cigars, tequila, bourbon, a six-pack of Mother's Oktoberfest, several books, a comfortable chair, and lots of time. 
I may do a little plant re-potting today. We'll see.

For the most part I expect it to be -- just another day in the life of John.

John

Thursday Theology -- but not really

This quote is more about religion than it is about theology, but it definitely should make one examine their own religious beliefs and actions.

John

Wednesday Wisdom

A thought provoking perspective, isn't it?

John

Contemplating Imperfection

It has recently come to my attention (though not for the first time) that I have no marketable skills. There really isn't anything that I do well. Although I enjoy flower gardening, a cursory glance at my flower beds will quickly tell any observer that I am no gardener. The landscaping pictures in my head never quite make it to real life.

Past life John did well in retail sales, managing a jewelry store for a national chain and then leading two stores in sales for a now defunct lumber company. People sometimes commented about the difference when I switched from wearing a suit and selling jewelry to wearing khakis and loading lumber. I generally responded by telling them it wasn't that different -- I just went from selling rocks to selling sticks.

I generally did okay at sales. At one point I even peddled salvation for your soul. At least that's what the evangelism gig often felt like -- carnival barkers looking for suckers to bring into the big tent. 
Incidentally, I did pretty well at that, too.

The air traffic control (ATC) gig had a pretty unique set of skills. I can't really think of another occupation that they would transfer into. It is a good thing that retirement suits me well. I am extremely comfortable enjoying life from the deck of our rural home and being a non-productive member of society. For the past decade, my sole contribution to society has been as a consumer and that's pretty much it.

I embrace the low skill level I have when it comes to gardening. I'm learning as I go.
The same goes for my struggles with learning to smoke meats on the little smoker I have. Learning by failing kind of sucks, but it seems to be okay in gardening and outdoor cooking. It probably is not a great way to learn that ATC job.

I think that for most things in life a little imperfection is okay. Perfection is often oppressive and the stress to be perfect can be detrimental to one's health or even to relationships. I'm not saying that we should strive for imperfection, but I do believe that we should recognize that all of life is a learning process and that imperfection is a necessary part of that. 
And perfect can be different depending on perspective.

When I am cutting flowers to bring into the house and put into a vase, I look for the perfect ones, the fully developed ones with no missing nor damaged petals. The butterflies and bees seem to like the newly opened blossoms and the golden finches go for the ones that have started producing seeds. The insects and hummingbirds are attracted to the brightly colored ones, but I like to mix in a few of the pale colors for contrast.
Maybe nature is trying to teach me that imperfection isn't really a thing and that understanding that timing and purpose makes it (and us) all well suited to the moment.

Hmmm...

John

 

What are you reading?

I like to read.
I don't consider myself to be a voracious reader, but I usually have a book or two that I am reading. Research shows that the average US adult reads about 12 books per year with half of the population reading only 4 or fewer books in a year. I set a modest goal of reading 24 books this year -- just two books per month.

I finished my 24th book on my Kindle a couple of days ago, plus I've read three actual books from the library. (Several of the Kindle reads were also from the library.) At this pace I should finish the year at around 40 books completed.

My most recent non-fiction book was Curveball by Peter Enns.
I am putting this into my highly recommended category. I would go so far as to say even if you are a person of faith that is not a Christian you will benefit from reading this book that challenges how we view God and how our perceptions should change. In fact, I truly believe that atheists would find the evolution of faith process to be quite interesting. This isn't an attempt to proselytize, but a genuine belief that our perspectives can and should change as evidence and experiences change.

Curveball addresses the process and challenges of the author's faith deconstruction/evolution/growth or whatever you want to call it. I find it both interesting and sad that many people's idea of God is the same now as it was when they were 10 years old. Most of us have been encouraged by religion not to allow our perceptions of God to change. It's probably fair to say that I'm more angry than sad about religious control over peoples' perception and understanding of a supreme being.

If you have ever wondered about God, considered the existence of God, struggled to understand God, or determined that there is no God -- give it a read and let me know what you think. I am open to your thoughts on the matter.
Just FYI -- the two books I picked up at the library yesterday are on shamanism and spirit animals. Yeah, I'm a bit of a heretic to my former evangelical acquaintances. 
So what? As I mentioned earlier -- some people don't evolve.

What are you reading?

John

Friday Fun Fact

Did you know... ?

John

Thursdays are for Thanksgiving!

Happy Thursday, my blog reading friends!
I am, admittedly, a little sore from yesterday's yard work. Some days the work is just a little more intense than on most days. Fortunately, I have the option to do little to nothing today -- balance, right?

Several months ago, I ran into a friend that was hosting an aunt and uncle that were visiting. When I asked later about how their visit went, the reply I got (after a long, thoughtful pause) was -- Sometimes family is hard.

Yeah.
Isn't that the truth!
Whether it is differing and divisive politics, divergent lifestyles, religious beliefs, personality clashes, unmet expectations, or something else -- conflicts within families can be difficult to manage. It seems to be far easier to walk away from friends or other relationships that cause stress than it is to leave behind the people that are connected to us through familial relationships.

My family and its extensions are a pretty diverse group and we are not without our conflicts, but (so far) we have managed to remain close and loving to each other. I often think that it is strange that such a large, close family seems to be the exception rather than the rule.
After spending the weekend with family, I have to admit that the introverted part of me is happy to be back to my quiet, rural, and somewhat isolated life, but it was so good to see everyone and feel the loving energy that exists in that large, diverse group of people.
I honestly don't understand families that have disowned members or have completely cut ties with each other.

So...
Today I want to express how thankful I am for my family and extended family.
At our recent reunion, each of my mom's kids was missing one of our kids and their SOs and kids -- 13 (I think) more that would be in this pic, plus a number of cousins and their families that were unable to attend.

That's quite a clan!

John
 

Wednesday Wisdom -- Listen

How often are you in a conversation when you are constantly being interrupted by someone?
Oftentimes, I find myself being interrupted when answering a question that the person asked.
Far too often people are either listening to reply or not really listening at all. 

Perhaps listening is an underdeveloped skill in today's world. 
Or maybe it is conversing with meaningful dialogue that is the lost skill. People want to be heard, but they don't want to listen to what others have to say. They may hear you speaking, but they don't really listen to understand -- they listen to know when you've finished (or not) so that they can resume speaking.

Maybe for today we can all try listening -- not listening to reply, not listening to hear, but listening to understand.

Listening takes purposeful practice.
Truthfully, sometimes I do not converse because it is just a waste of time.

John

This Place

I tend to be comfortable wherever I am, but this place -- home -- is definitely a favorite place.
After being surrounded by family for the past weekend at our family reunion, home feels good.

Aside from the time at the reunion picnic, our immediate family of siblings and kids spent many hours around the outdoor fire pit or indoor breakfast area. The general conversations and memories were wonderful and often entertaining. There were several new members introduced to the family as our kids brought in their new-to-the-group significant others, and there was one kid (along with their SO and kids) missing from each family. 
I enjoyed meeting the new people and wonder what they might be thinking about the rest of the clan.

Although yesterday was a good day to catch up on some work around the house, I did absolutely nothing. I just enjoyed being home. I had an evening cigar and a small pour of bourbon while listening to the night sounds and reading a book on the deck -- simple and glorious at the same time.
Today I will have to get some work done, but even that will be a comforting kind of thing. 
It is a wonderful feeling to be at peace in the place where you spend most of your time.

I hope you have such a place -- even if it isn't your home, but a place where you can escape to when you need to re-establish your peaceful mindset.

Life is good here.

John