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In recent news articles I read about discoveries that change scientist’s views about ancient cultures. In one a sandal is found—and it carbon dates to earlier than any other shoe unearthed to date. In another the presence of gluten on a grinding stone shoots down the belief that bread was not a part of the human diet during that time period. The author indicated that a popular diet based on the “hunter/gatherer” culture would have its basis knocked from under it because of this discovery. The followers of this fad diet believe they will be physically healthier if they make their food intake as close as possible to that of early man.
If the author is correct, then the followers of this diet may find they need to adjust their thoughts on early human diet and therefore adjust their behavior to meet their new beliefs. Would it be better for them to follow research on what is the ideal diet for optimum health of modern humans, and then adjust their food intake to match? If their ultimate goal is, indeed, providing their bodies with the best mix of nutrients to stay healthy, do they really need to go all the way back to early humankind for answers? Or should they be willing to accept that humankind has grown, evolved, and changed, resulting in corresponding changes in what the human body needs?
Similar questions can be asked regarding our spiritual health. New information is available to modern society that was unknown to earlier generations or cultures. Do we need to stick to the specifics of worship as defined by the early Church, or can we accept that there is new information available to us—that Christianity has grown, evolved, and changed? Just as the basic human body remains recognizable over generations, so does Christianity. The core belief remains, but some of the trappings of religion are different.
Do we need to partake of communion in secret behind locked doors, sharing our most sacred trust only with those we have identified as being sympathetic to our beliefs? Many of the early Christians did just that. Do we need to return completely to our roots and make animal sacrifices on the altar, as described in Genesis 22:1-13? Should we require that all Christians follow kosher laws?
We have evidence of the growth of the early church in the New Testament writings. For example, controversy existed regarding whether members were required to keep a kosher kitchen ( Romans 14:13-18)and questions were asked regarding whether Gentile converts would be required to be circumcised (Acts of the Apostles 14:1-9).
Even as early as the times of St. Paul the Church was changing as it grew. The important thing was that the core beliefs remained. The trappings of religion were in place, but they were not stagnant. As we grow together spiritually we need to remember that our core beliefs are what have brought us together. The Episcopal Church is not full of members who are treading water in a stagnant pool. We are a diverse membership who are able to adapt with the changing times while retaining that which makes us Christians.
And as we do so, we welcome all—no matter how much more or less fond they may be of the traditional trappings of our religion.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
A new recognition
Today in church a relatively new priest to the congregation, the chaplain at the local air force base, chanted the Eucharistic Prayer. It was wonderful. He's as good as my very favorite priest (you all know who that is). After the service I told him his presence in the service helped me miss home a bit less. He asked where I was from and told me he knows exactly what I meant. Seems he's buds with the IL priest.
Anyway, until today I would have said that my biggest pet peeve durig the worship service is people who carry on conversations during the service. I truly believe that if you need to talk, you should be respectful and take it out of the nave. Tody, I discovered that an even greater pet peeve is people who mock the priest during the Eucharistic Prayer!
A family who routinely arrives late with three kids in tow--two in high school and one in grade school--seems to believe that the worship service is a social hour. Unfortunately they almost always sit within a few pews of me and chat away. The parents are as bad as the kids. I just don't understand. What is the purpose of attending church? You can stay home and chat with each other. But I guess if you do that then you miss out on the entertainment in the sanctuary which provides such fodder for mockery!!!
Yes, I am incensed. There was truly no excuse for this behavior. Small children talking through a service can't learn a more appropriate way to behave unless they are taught better behavior through modeling and repetition. You have to bring them to church to teach them to behave respectfully in church. I get that. However, this was the high schoolers. And Dad was sitting right next to them the whole time.
Whether their problem with the priest stemmed from their lack of exposure to chanting the prayer, their lack of exposure to someone who knows how the chant the prayer, the fact he is black, or anything else does not matter. It disrupts the service and is disrespectful.
Wish someone would appoint me the verger. Then I'd be able to bop them with a big stick.
Anyway, until today I would have said that my biggest pet peeve durig the worship service is people who carry on conversations during the service. I truly believe that if you need to talk, you should be respectful and take it out of the nave. Tody, I discovered that an even greater pet peeve is people who mock the priest during the Eucharistic Prayer!
A family who routinely arrives late with three kids in tow--two in high school and one in grade school--seems to believe that the worship service is a social hour. Unfortunately they almost always sit within a few pews of me and chat away. The parents are as bad as the kids. I just don't understand. What is the purpose of attending church? You can stay home and chat with each other. But I guess if you do that then you miss out on the entertainment in the sanctuary which provides such fodder for mockery!!!
Yes, I am incensed. There was truly no excuse for this behavior. Small children talking through a service can't learn a more appropriate way to behave unless they are taught better behavior through modeling and repetition. You have to bring them to church to teach them to behave respectfully in church. I get that. However, this was the high schoolers. And Dad was sitting right next to them the whole time.
Whether their problem with the priest stemmed from their lack of exposure to chanting the prayer, their lack of exposure to someone who knows how the chant the prayer, the fact he is black, or anything else does not matter. It disrupts the service and is disrespectful.
Wish someone would appoint me the verger. Then I'd be able to bop them with a big stick.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
We won the bid!!
Thanks to Lit's willingness to watch Oyster recently, Chill and I were able to attend the local Artists Against AIDS Auction. I was amazed at the large number of merchants represented along with the local artists. The many paintings, sculptures, jewelry items, blown glass, pottery, one afghan, and one quilt were displayed throughout a large room--that really could have been a lot larger. What a fantastic problem! Too many donations!
If I have figured this out, here is a photo of the quilted wall hanging I donated this year. Thanks to Oyster to holding it up to be photographed. Sorry for the bad quality of the photo--I used the cell phone and this was the better of the two tries.
Anyway, tucked amongst the original art were services from local businesses, such as clarinet and saxophone lessons, spa weekends, YMCA membership, dinner at local restaurants, and decorating consultations. Dinner for six with the mayor went for $750. Of course, he egged it on by bidding up to $500 himself. A framed autographed Thriller album went for around $2500. A 1970 autographed Sonny and Cher album and a Rolling Stones album signed by the entire band were also up for grabs.
Airline tickets, hotel, and show tickets to several places were auctioned off--Ellen Degenres tickets went for over $3000. A NASCAR event was also on the list. I admit I didn't pay much attention to that bid.
Because the ballroom at the El Dorado, the refreshments, and the printing of the tickets were all donated, this particular auction came pretty darn close to being 100% profit. I'm guessing the cash bar provided a hefty amount.
As for us, I just got off the phone with someone calling to tell me how to deliver my money and pick up my treasure. Life is good.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Observations
Over the summer I have noticed an increased number of odd items on the side of the road as I drive a short distance on the interstate to and from work. Now, I know I have expressed dismay at the number of shoes on the roadside before, but in addition to those there have been some bigger and more disturbing items.
I would hope that if a recliner fell off the back of a truck I was driving that I would notice. Same goes for a very large metal desk. However, these two items each spent almost a week in the median of the interstate this summer--spaced about two days apart. To me the most disturbing part of this is the danger to other motorists as items this large and heavy are heaved from the back of a moving vehicle at interstate speeds. And I have to wonder, did they originally land in the median, or did they block the road until someone later moved them out of traffic?
There have been several days when it appeared someone was making an effort to pick up trash, as there were somewhat evenly spaced trash bags tied up on the shoulder. But other days there have been what was more likely someone's bags of trash spilled at the roadside. There have even been a couple of suitcases, popped open with clothing strewn for a half mile or so. Fast food waste paper, drink bottles and cans, and other assorted trash can be viewed daily. Occasionally large numbers of beer cans are clustered together. Makes me glad I was not on the road alongside the car that dumped them.
The items I have found the most interesting for long-term observation are the pair of sandals that I have been watching all summer long. As I whiz past I get the impression they are expensive leather, much like Birkenstocks. And, as they have held up through some rough weather (and probably some heavy tires), my impression is reinforced. They are on a bridge, and are slowly being forced further and further apart, but both are still visible on 3132 as I am exiting onto I49. Although assorted other shoes have put in appearances, they seem to disappear from view within a few days. I guess they are falling off into the grass or being picked up along with the trash. (Trash retrieval does not appear to happen on the bridge where the shoulder is much more narrow).
Today was less exciting. All I saw of note was a push broom. And, of course, the Birkenstocks.
I would hope that if a recliner fell off the back of a truck I was driving that I would notice. Same goes for a very large metal desk. However, these two items each spent almost a week in the median of the interstate this summer--spaced about two days apart. To me the most disturbing part of this is the danger to other motorists as items this large and heavy are heaved from the back of a moving vehicle at interstate speeds. And I have to wonder, did they originally land in the median, or did they block the road until someone later moved them out of traffic?
There have been several days when it appeared someone was making an effort to pick up trash, as there were somewhat evenly spaced trash bags tied up on the shoulder. But other days there have been what was more likely someone's bags of trash spilled at the roadside. There have even been a couple of suitcases, popped open with clothing strewn for a half mile or so. Fast food waste paper, drink bottles and cans, and other assorted trash can be viewed daily. Occasionally large numbers of beer cans are clustered together. Makes me glad I was not on the road alongside the car that dumped them.
The items I have found the most interesting for long-term observation are the pair of sandals that I have been watching all summer long. As I whiz past I get the impression they are expensive leather, much like Birkenstocks. And, as they have held up through some rough weather (and probably some heavy tires), my impression is reinforced. They are on a bridge, and are slowly being forced further and further apart, but both are still visible on 3132 as I am exiting onto I49. Although assorted other shoes have put in appearances, they seem to disappear from view within a few days. I guess they are falling off into the grass or being picked up along with the trash. (Trash retrieval does not appear to happen on the bridge where the shoulder is much more narrow).
Today was less exciting. All I saw of note was a push broom. And, of course, the Birkenstocks.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
LET US WELCOME THE BEAUTY AROUND US
This is the August newsletter column:
Having spent most of my life living in a rural setting, I have always been pleasantly surprised by the abundant wildlife within the city limits. I’ve been known to pull over and watch a red-headed woodpecker seeking its breakfast or a territorial spat between a blue jay and a cardinal. I have especially enjoyed the hummingbirds that come to admire themselves in the mirrored glass of the parish office door and the red-throated lizards that puff up in the bush outside the office window. Baby rabbits and even a shy little mouse have been crouched near the flowers along the walk as I leave in the afternoon. Other favorites include the turtle dove who has made her nest in the light fixture above the main entrance to the Narthex and the two nests of ground snakes living in the remembrance garden, under the protection of St. Francis. I’ve heard rumors they have cousins behind the Garrett-Hall Building, but I must admit, I don’t make it out there often enough to have personal knowledge of the wildlife on that part of the property.
I find it reassuring that despite urban sprawl, God’s creatures have found places to create their homes. They continue to live their simple lives surrounded by the bustle of mankind. We could learn a lesson from them. They have adapted to the changing world. They retain their identity and work around the obstacles placed before them in their quest for survival. As Christians we must also live in a changing world, while working to maintain our identity.
One of the greatest strengths of the Episcopal Church is the fact that we welcome all. And we do so, despite the world around us that wishes to force us into their view of Christianity, telling us to only allow a membership of people who are, “like us,” or who are free of sin. However, if we were free of sin, there wouldn’t be a need for the Church, would there? As the world changes, we will not allow ourselves to be pulled into the trap of bigotry and hatred that some pass off as Christianity. We will maintain our identity, following the examples Jesus set, welcoming all into our membership. And that will keep us strong.
Just as the blue jay and the cardinal offer no apologies for their existence, we have no need to apologize for ours. We should be comfortable in our identity and proud to share our beliefs through our actions in welcoming others…in welcoming all.
Having spent most of my life living in a rural setting, I have always been pleasantly surprised by the abundant wildlife within the city limits. I’ve been known to pull over and watch a red-headed woodpecker seeking its breakfast or a territorial spat between a blue jay and a cardinal. I have especially enjoyed the hummingbirds that come to admire themselves in the mirrored glass of the parish office door and the red-throated lizards that puff up in the bush outside the office window. Baby rabbits and even a shy little mouse have been crouched near the flowers along the walk as I leave in the afternoon. Other favorites include the turtle dove who has made her nest in the light fixture above the main entrance to the Narthex and the two nests of ground snakes living in the remembrance garden, under the protection of St. Francis. I’ve heard rumors they have cousins behind the Garrett-Hall Building, but I must admit, I don’t make it out there often enough to have personal knowledge of the wildlife on that part of the property.
I find it reassuring that despite urban sprawl, God’s creatures have found places to create their homes. They continue to live their simple lives surrounded by the bustle of mankind. We could learn a lesson from them. They have adapted to the changing world. They retain their identity and work around the obstacles placed before them in their quest for survival. As Christians we must also live in a changing world, while working to maintain our identity.
One of the greatest strengths of the Episcopal Church is the fact that we welcome all. And we do so, despite the world around us that wishes to force us into their view of Christianity, telling us to only allow a membership of people who are, “like us,” or who are free of sin. However, if we were free of sin, there wouldn’t be a need for the Church, would there? As the world changes, we will not allow ourselves to be pulled into the trap of bigotry and hatred that some pass off as Christianity. We will maintain our identity, following the examples Jesus set, welcoming all into our membership. And that will keep us strong.
Just as the blue jay and the cardinal offer no apologies for their existence, we have no need to apologize for ours. We should be comfortable in our identity and proud to share our beliefs through our actions in welcoming others…in welcoming all.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
The moral of the story
Just as if I had grown up in a good Jewish household, my family taught by allegory and story—much like the parables of the New Testament. As a result, my daughter has learned that just about anything in her life could be the jumping point for education. Most recently she has been subjected to the morality tales hidden in many of the stories of Greek Mythology. She started out by enjoying a game of Poptropica with me on the computer. The online world takes children to fantasy places, often based on history or mythology. Links within the game take the child to sites where they can learn the real-life story associated with the characters, places, or events in the games.
The game she is currently playing teaches her about the ancient Greek gods. She showed such interest that we incorporated the television show, “Hercules, the Legendary Journeys,” into our regular family activities. After the show we frequently discuss the differences between the legends as they have been handed down and the story depicted in the television series.
I was struck by the common theme running throughout the show, wondering just how much the current beliefs of the writers and directors have influenced the central characters. In several episodes our hero, known for his strength and might, refuses to fight. He opts, instead, for the non-violent answer, telling his antagonist that he refuses to hurt others for someone’s pleasure. Invariably someone whines, “But you promised to fight for us,” to which Hercules responds, “No, I promised to help.” Hercules doesn’t knuckle under to peer-pressure—he always does what he knows to be right, despite demands to give in. Sounds to me like the Hercules of the television is based more on the Son of God than on the son of Zeus.
This is among my favorite morals: when someone asks for assistance, they don’t always immediately realize that the answer to their prayer has arrived. We sometimes see only one possible solution or conclusion. We need to be open-minded enough to recognize that others exist—and often the best answer is the one that hurts the least number of people.
The game she is currently playing teaches her about the ancient Greek gods. She showed such interest that we incorporated the television show, “Hercules, the Legendary Journeys,” into our regular family activities. After the show we frequently discuss the differences between the legends as they have been handed down and the story depicted in the television series.
I was struck by the common theme running throughout the show, wondering just how much the current beliefs of the writers and directors have influenced the central characters. In several episodes our hero, known for his strength and might, refuses to fight. He opts, instead, for the non-violent answer, telling his antagonist that he refuses to hurt others for someone’s pleasure. Invariably someone whines, “But you promised to fight for us,” to which Hercules responds, “No, I promised to help.” Hercules doesn’t knuckle under to peer-pressure—he always does what he knows to be right, despite demands to give in. Sounds to me like the Hercules of the television is based more on the Son of God than on the son of Zeus.
This is among my favorite morals: when someone asks for assistance, they don’t always immediately realize that the answer to their prayer has arrived. We sometimes see only one possible solution or conclusion. We need to be open-minded enough to recognize that others exist—and often the best answer is the one that hurts the least number of people.
Monday, June 21, 2010
And so it begins
Summertime, and the living is easy--or so you hear in Porgy and Bess, my favorite opera.
Summer officially begins today or tomorrow, depending on who you ask. Summer camp officially began this morning. Oyster has about half an hour left of her first day of camp, and I anticipate picking up one very tired girl today. But it will be a good kind of tired.
She left this morning sporting a pair of white shorts over her black swimsuit. She listened to my warnings that if she sits in the dirt and gets them grimy I will probably not be able to make them pristine ever again. Fashion won out over good sense, in my opinion. While I am hoping she doesn't get disappointed, I think it would be a good lesson learned if she is. Well, at least I hope she will learn.
It is hard for parents to allow children to make mistakes and be disappointed, but I think it is important for them to do so. I won't be around to correct her decisions when she is an adult, so she needs to learn to think about the possible outcome of the different options and choose wisely. Just as importantly, she needs to learn to cope with the consequences of making a less than wise choice.
So, we have several weeks of camping fun laid out for the child's summer. She had a four-day session of beginning sewing last week, which she thoroughly enjoyed and begged to return this week for the next class. However, when given the option of real, outdoor, swimming, running, hiking, playing camp, she decided she can learn other sewing skills from Mom. Hope Mom is up to the task.
Summer officially begins today or tomorrow, depending on who you ask. Summer camp officially began this morning. Oyster has about half an hour left of her first day of camp, and I anticipate picking up one very tired girl today. But it will be a good kind of tired.
She left this morning sporting a pair of white shorts over her black swimsuit. She listened to my warnings that if she sits in the dirt and gets them grimy I will probably not be able to make them pristine ever again. Fashion won out over good sense, in my opinion. While I am hoping she doesn't get disappointed, I think it would be a good lesson learned if she is. Well, at least I hope she will learn.
It is hard for parents to allow children to make mistakes and be disappointed, but I think it is important for them to do so. I won't be around to correct her decisions when she is an adult, so she needs to learn to think about the possible outcome of the different options and choose wisely. Just as importantly, she needs to learn to cope with the consequences of making a less than wise choice.
So, we have several weeks of camping fun laid out for the child's summer. She had a four-day session of beginning sewing last week, which she thoroughly enjoyed and begged to return this week for the next class. However, when given the option of real, outdoor, swimming, running, hiking, playing camp, she decided she can learn other sewing skills from Mom. Hope Mom is up to the task.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Curiosity
Anyone know what's up with Polio's blog? I clicked on it and discovered he was up to 33 posts on his Christmas list for 2007. Thinking that was more than I had recalled from the last dozen or more times I visited, I checked them out--expecting family and friends to be making encouraging comments about updating the posts. Or snide remarks. Whatever.
What I discovered was a list of posts in the last few months that appear to be coming from another country--or at least are being posted in a language that is not English. Polio--are these friends of yours? Nosy people want to know what they have written.
Has Polio's blog become popular in another place and if he would just keep it up he could get a cult following? Has he learned a new language and is practicing his conversational skills?
Nosy people want to know. At least this one does.
What I discovered was a list of posts in the last few months that appear to be coming from another country--or at least are being posted in a language that is not English. Polio--are these friends of yours? Nosy people want to know what they have written.
Has Polio's blog become popular in another place and if he would just keep it up he could get a cult following? Has he learned a new language and is practicing his conversational skills?
Nosy people want to know. At least this one does.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Different viewpoints
We are 2-1/2 months away from our third anniversary, and Chill and I have never really had a fight. We don't always agree, but so far there has not been a disagreement where we both felt so strongly about our positions that we were unable to find an acceptable solution.
There are some things that we view differently that are not likely to change. For example, the food I love most to cook and to eat is bread. I married a guy who could happily forgo bread at most meals. To him, bread is for keeping the mayo and meat off your hands when you eat a sandwich.
Then there are meal times. Before we married Chill often ate no meal until he got home from work in the evening. Breakfast was a never meal and lunch occurred if a buddy showed up with something. Efforts to seek out a mid-day meal were pretty much non-existent. I, on the other hand, ate four meals daily and at pretty much the same time each day. It keeps my blood sugar more consistent. And I snack in between, too.
I have adjusted the time of day that I eat so that I can have a snack when Oyster comes home in the afternoon and supper with Chill after he gets home in the late evening. He still skips breakfast, but he dutifully eats the sandwich I prepare for him most weekdays. We generally share a meal as a family between church and his opening the shop on Sundays.
But then there is how we view lawn care. Chill sees it as a battle that must be waged to keep everything neat and tidy. He likes order and he hates for he plants to fight back. Trees that I see with graceful branches reaching out to drape across the landscaping he views as adversaries out to slap him in the face as he mows. I like the wild and untamed landscaping of wildflowers and ground cover without straight lines or symmetry. I've been trying to teach Oyster the difference between balance and symmetry. Balance is more pleasing to the eye and less boring.
As a compromise, I am trying to limit my planting to the edges of the lawn--up against the fence, close to the walk-way, and near the front of the house. I've also put in a few things around the trees (where previous residents left perennials). And Chill has asked me to point out what I would like to survive the battle when he mows or uses the weed eater. While we may never truly agree about which landscaping rules are the most important--we are both making an effort to see the other person's point of view.
There are some things that we view differently that are not likely to change. For example, the food I love most to cook and to eat is bread. I married a guy who could happily forgo bread at most meals. To him, bread is for keeping the mayo and meat off your hands when you eat a sandwich.
Then there are meal times. Before we married Chill often ate no meal until he got home from work in the evening. Breakfast was a never meal and lunch occurred if a buddy showed up with something. Efforts to seek out a mid-day meal were pretty much non-existent. I, on the other hand, ate four meals daily and at pretty much the same time each day. It keeps my blood sugar more consistent. And I snack in between, too.
I have adjusted the time of day that I eat so that I can have a snack when Oyster comes home in the afternoon and supper with Chill after he gets home in the late evening. He still skips breakfast, but he dutifully eats the sandwich I prepare for him most weekdays. We generally share a meal as a family between church and his opening the shop on Sundays.
But then there is how we view lawn care. Chill sees it as a battle that must be waged to keep everything neat and tidy. He likes order and he hates for he plants to fight back. Trees that I see with graceful branches reaching out to drape across the landscaping he views as adversaries out to slap him in the face as he mows. I like the wild and untamed landscaping of wildflowers and ground cover without straight lines or symmetry. I've been trying to teach Oyster the difference between balance and symmetry. Balance is more pleasing to the eye and less boring.
As a compromise, I am trying to limit my planting to the edges of the lawn--up against the fence, close to the walk-way, and near the front of the house. I've also put in a few things around the trees (where previous residents left perennials). And Chill has asked me to point out what I would like to survive the battle when he mows or uses the weed eater. While we may never truly agree about which landscaping rules are the most important--we are both making an effort to see the other person's point of view.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Do you believe in magic?
I believe in magic. I look at the wonders of this planet on which we live and I am astounded at the magic all around us. According to Wikipedia, one definition of magic is, “the use of supernatural forces to manipulate natural forces.” Merriam-Webster says magic is, “an extraordinary power or influence seemingly from a supernatural source.” Sure sounds like antiseptic descriptions of God to me.
When most people think of magic, they envision white tigers with tuxedoed trainers and whips, coins being pulled from behind ears, card tricks, or disappearing buildings. But those are actually sleight of hand parlor tricks that require much practice and a bit of redirection. God doesn’t ask us to look away while he performs his magic. He doesn’t try to hide the mechanism. In fact, as humankind has developed, God has slowly given us insight into his creation.
Consider the science of evolution. How can that possibly be accidental, coincidental, or happenstance? From the migration of the birds and butterflies to the pollination of the trees, magic is present everywhere, and I believe that magic was instituted at the hand of our Creator. In addition to the gift of life itself and all the wonders that abound around us, we are being given the opportunity to learn about our Creator by learning about his creation.
We have the chance to learn the physics, biology, and chemistry that make up our world. We get to see the mathematical progression and the psychology of life. We are privileged to see the wonder, the magic.
Let’s make the most of the world around us. Take a moment to contemplate how truly fantastic our environment is. Whether it is the joy of biting into the first fruits of the garden, the fun of watching a child watch an insect, or the breeze wafting the smell of the Easter Lilies, recognize God’s magic and revel in the wonder.
As the Book of Common Prayer says:
“God of all power, Ruler of the Universe, you are worthy of glory and praise...At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home...From the primal elements you brought forth the human race, and blessed us with memory, reason, and skill…”(Eucharistic Prayer C, page 370)
I believe in magic. Do you?
When most people think of magic, they envision white tigers with tuxedoed trainers and whips, coins being pulled from behind ears, card tricks, or disappearing buildings. But those are actually sleight of hand parlor tricks that require much practice and a bit of redirection. God doesn’t ask us to look away while he performs his magic. He doesn’t try to hide the mechanism. In fact, as humankind has developed, God has slowly given us insight into his creation.
Consider the science of evolution. How can that possibly be accidental, coincidental, or happenstance? From the migration of the birds and butterflies to the pollination of the trees, magic is present everywhere, and I believe that magic was instituted at the hand of our Creator. In addition to the gift of life itself and all the wonders that abound around us, we are being given the opportunity to learn about our Creator by learning about his creation.
We have the chance to learn the physics, biology, and chemistry that make up our world. We get to see the mathematical progression and the psychology of life. We are privileged to see the wonder, the magic.
Let’s make the most of the world around us. Take a moment to contemplate how truly fantastic our environment is. Whether it is the joy of biting into the first fruits of the garden, the fun of watching a child watch an insect, or the breeze wafting the smell of the Easter Lilies, recognize God’s magic and revel in the wonder.
As the Book of Common Prayer says:
“God of all power, Ruler of the Universe, you are worthy of glory and praise...At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home...From the primal elements you brought forth the human race, and blessed us with memory, reason, and skill…”(Eucharistic Prayer C, page 370)
I believe in magic. Do you?
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
May I brag?
I sent the following message out via e-mail to family and friends recently. And I am still bursting with pride, so here it goes again (for those who already received it) and here it is (for those who did not). There is something different at the end--so if you stop reading now, you may miss something.
Hi, everybody--
Just a proud mommy writing to let you know that three of Oyster's art projects were chosen by her teacher to send to Art Break this year. She has had at least one piece in the show each year we have been in town. This year one of her three won a Showcase Award! Each school gets to choose 21 pieces to enter into the contest. I have no idea how many win or what the various names of the awards convey--but the ribbon was blue.
Also, at the after-school program she attends she had several poems chosen to go into a book. They named the book after one of her poems, "Over the Hill and through the Gate." And here is the poem:
Over the Hill and through the Gate
Every once in a while, I dream of my own personal playground. It is magical. My mom always comes with me. When we go, we just walk over the hill and through the gate. The gate is made of wood strips. The hill's grass is green. There is an invisible man. Sometimes he even makes ME invisible! He is the one who makes everything magic!
She turned in her Share Fair project today and I have my fingers crossed that she will get an A. She and her firend, Abalone, put a lot of work into it. Abalone wrote about how Egyptian pyramids were constructed. Oyster wrote about what has been found inside Egyptian tombs. Last year she received first place in the Science and the Social Studies fairs. This year the third grade combined them into one fair and the kids had a lot of latitude in choosing a project. The competition looked pretty tough (I helped set up the displays yesterday evening after the PTA meeting). Keep your fingers crossed.
As soon as school ends (May 27), Oyster goes under the knife. Adenoids and tonsils come out on May 28 in what is scheduled to be out-patient surgery. The doctor advises she needs one week in bed and a following week of very quiet activity, then should be able to resume her normal life. We are hoping this will nix the chronic cough she has had since she was two. We will no longer be dealing with huge tonsils that make it hard to swallow, too. And, I have heard that maybe her disposition will become less irritable when she is feeling better. We will all enjoy that.
Hi, everybody--
Just a proud mommy writing to let you know that three of Oyster's art projects were chosen by her teacher to send to Art Break this year. She has had at least one piece in the show each year we have been in town. This year one of her three won a Showcase Award! Each school gets to choose 21 pieces to enter into the contest. I have no idea how many win or what the various names of the awards convey--but the ribbon was blue.
Also, at the after-school program she attends she had several poems chosen to go into a book. They named the book after one of her poems, "Over the Hill and through the Gate." And here is the poem:
Over the Hill and through the Gate
Every once in a while, I dream of my own personal playground. It is magical. My mom always comes with me. When we go, we just walk over the hill and through the gate. The gate is made of wood strips. The hill's grass is green. There is an invisible man. Sometimes he even makes ME invisible! He is the one who makes everything magic!
She turned in her Share Fair project today and I have my fingers crossed that she will get an A. She and her firend, Abalone, put a lot of work into it. Abalone wrote about how Egyptian pyramids were constructed. Oyster wrote about what has been found inside Egyptian tombs. Last year she received first place in the Science and the Social Studies fairs. This year the third grade combined them into one fair and the kids had a lot of latitude in choosing a project. The competition looked pretty tough (I helped set up the displays yesterday evening after the PTA meeting). Keep your fingers crossed.
As soon as school ends (May 27), Oyster goes under the knife. Adenoids and tonsils come out on May 28 in what is scheduled to be out-patient surgery. The doctor advises she needs one week in bed and a following week of very quiet activity, then should be able to resume her normal life. We are hoping this will nix the chronic cough she has had since she was two. We will no longer be dealing with huge tonsils that make it hard to swallow, too. And, I have heard that maybe her disposition will become less irritable when she is feeling better. We will all enjoy that.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
continuing conversation
We shared a conversation in the car today that echoes others from the past. Let's start at the beginning--as much as I can remember, anyway.
At age 3 Oyster got in trouble at daycare for stating, "Boys have a penis. Girls have a vagina." I found this much less horrible than the daycare lady, and I must admit I was proud that Oyster was able to pronounce the words well enough that when they were repeated by another child to the daycare staff that they were understood. One of the other mothers found it just as amusing as I did--and told me she believed her child had actually been the one to teach these facts to Oyster, as they had discussed the topic at bathtime the previous evening when her daughter noticed the difference between her parts and those of her younger brother.
Until I was told this I had figured Oyster got the info from her aunt or grandfather when visiting them. The aunt frequently took her to the zoo where sometimes things are much more obvious than they are in other settings. The grandfather has many horses and Oyster was just at eye-level with certain protruding parts that may have aroused her curiosity. It seemed reasonable to me that if she had asked, either of them would have answered in a matter-of-fact manner and never thought it was significant enough to mention to me. I would have agreed.
At age 6 Oyster got in trouble at Catholic school for coloring a penis on one of her coloring pages. The drawing showed a monster with his pants unzipped and I have to agree with Oyster that it sure looked like he had a penis before she ever received the paper. If she hadn't used that word, her unimaginative teacher would never have suspected that was what she thought. However, the straight-laced Baptist teacher at the Episcopal school didn't see it that way and was totally horrified. She berated me for ever having allowed my daughter to know what a penis is.
So, now at age 9 it comes up again. We are driving down the road and I pointed out a mastiff puppy sitting on a porch. I commented that he was pretty. After advising me that pomeranians are pretty, and he was not a pomeranian, she added that he may not have even been a he. I replied, "It was a he," to which she asked, "Do you know that because you saw his penis?" I said, "yes," and figured that was the end of the conversation.
However, she was on a roll. She declared everyone has a penis. I disagreed, thinking I wasn't certain I was ready for this conversation--especially if I have to face another teacher who is up in arms about whatever will come out of this at school tomorrow. After telling me several times that girls have penises, but they are smaller and you can't see them, she finally admitted she was just pretending.
I told her she doesn't want one. She's much better off just like she is. So she asked, "Is that because they stick out and get in the way? And you have to wear a cup to keep it from getting hurt?" We left the topic with my agreeing that was it exactly.
Now, please, God. May I wait another three years before she wants to discuss this again?
At age 3 Oyster got in trouble at daycare for stating, "Boys have a penis. Girls have a vagina." I found this much less horrible than the daycare lady, and I must admit I was proud that Oyster was able to pronounce the words well enough that when they were repeated by another child to the daycare staff that they were understood. One of the other mothers found it just as amusing as I did--and told me she believed her child had actually been the one to teach these facts to Oyster, as they had discussed the topic at bathtime the previous evening when her daughter noticed the difference between her parts and those of her younger brother.
Until I was told this I had figured Oyster got the info from her aunt or grandfather when visiting them. The aunt frequently took her to the zoo where sometimes things are much more obvious than they are in other settings. The grandfather has many horses and Oyster was just at eye-level with certain protruding parts that may have aroused her curiosity. It seemed reasonable to me that if she had asked, either of them would have answered in a matter-of-fact manner and never thought it was significant enough to mention to me. I would have agreed.
At age 6 Oyster got in trouble at Catholic school for coloring a penis on one of her coloring pages. The drawing showed a monster with his pants unzipped and I have to agree with Oyster that it sure looked like he had a penis before she ever received the paper. If she hadn't used that word, her unimaginative teacher would never have suspected that was what she thought. However, the straight-laced Baptist teacher at the Episcopal school didn't see it that way and was totally horrified. She berated me for ever having allowed my daughter to know what a penis is.
So, now at age 9 it comes up again. We are driving down the road and I pointed out a mastiff puppy sitting on a porch. I commented that he was pretty. After advising me that pomeranians are pretty, and he was not a pomeranian, she added that he may not have even been a he. I replied, "It was a he," to which she asked, "Do you know that because you saw his penis?" I said, "yes," and figured that was the end of the conversation.
However, she was on a roll. She declared everyone has a penis. I disagreed, thinking I wasn't certain I was ready for this conversation--especially if I have to face another teacher who is up in arms about whatever will come out of this at school tomorrow. After telling me several times that girls have penises, but they are smaller and you can't see them, she finally admitted she was just pretending.
I told her she doesn't want one. She's much better off just like she is. So she asked, "Is that because they stick out and get in the way? And you have to wear a cup to keep it from getting hurt?" We left the topic with my agreeing that was it exactly.
Now, please, God. May I wait another three years before she wants to discuss this again?
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
In the news...
I've found news stories as told by the local radio announcers and headlines on what "my home page" thinks I want to see to be equally annoying. Here are a few:
Two attractive blonde women wore identical dresses in public. Why should I care? And not only does this seem like anti-news, is it all that unusual?
On the heels of the healthcare reform bill being signed 13 states have put together bills to exempt themselves from certain aspects of the bill on the grounds that no where in the constitution does it say that the federal government has the right to mandate health insurance to the states. Where to begin? Let's see--unless they happened to have a mobster with goons demanding payment to insure the goons did not damage a shop, home, or family, I don't think there was insurance in colonial days.
In a related story, the local radio idiot seemed rather proud that Louisiana is one of those 13 states. He was definitely proud when he proclaimed that none of the Louisiana legislators voted for the bill. I'm not sure which of these individuals comes across as more stupid or mean-spirited--the elected officials or the newscaster. None of them will get my vote in the next election.
An illegal alien shot and killed one police officer and wounded another during a traffic stop in Florida. Cops hunted him down and put 68 bullets into him. The glee in the voice of the announcer disgusted me, as did his commentary about the story. It seems in his mind the most important part of the tale was the citizenship of the individual. Does he honestly believe that American citizens are not out there committing equally stupid acts? And jokes about how the man died of natural causes--that he was shot 68 times, so naturally he died--or that the cops put that many bullets in him because that was how many they had--are not what I consider appropriate for my child to listen to as we drive to school.
Or how about this one from the drive to school one day just before Spring Break began? A Florida woman wrecked her car because she was shaving her bikini area while driving. Her husband was steering for her so she could be shaved when they got to her boyfriend's house. Yeah. That was an interesting conversation starter as I was dropping Oyster at school. We even talked about it again after school--at her initiation.
By the way--we don't listen to the radio in the car, anymore.
Two attractive blonde women wore identical dresses in public. Why should I care? And not only does this seem like anti-news, is it all that unusual?
On the heels of the healthcare reform bill being signed 13 states have put together bills to exempt themselves from certain aspects of the bill on the grounds that no where in the constitution does it say that the federal government has the right to mandate health insurance to the states. Where to begin? Let's see--unless they happened to have a mobster with goons demanding payment to insure the goons did not damage a shop, home, or family, I don't think there was insurance in colonial days.
In a related story, the local radio idiot seemed rather proud that Louisiana is one of those 13 states. He was definitely proud when he proclaimed that none of the Louisiana legislators voted for the bill. I'm not sure which of these individuals comes across as more stupid or mean-spirited--the elected officials or the newscaster. None of them will get my vote in the next election.
An illegal alien shot and killed one police officer and wounded another during a traffic stop in Florida. Cops hunted him down and put 68 bullets into him. The glee in the voice of the announcer disgusted me, as did his commentary about the story. It seems in his mind the most important part of the tale was the citizenship of the individual. Does he honestly believe that American citizens are not out there committing equally stupid acts? And jokes about how the man died of natural causes--that he was shot 68 times, so naturally he died--or that the cops put that many bullets in him because that was how many they had--are not what I consider appropriate for my child to listen to as we drive to school.
Or how about this one from the drive to school one day just before Spring Break began? A Florida woman wrecked her car because she was shaving her bikini area while driving. Her husband was steering for her so she could be shaved when they got to her boyfriend's house. Yeah. That was an interesting conversation starter as I was dropping Oyster at school. We even talked about it again after school--at her initiation.
By the way--we don't listen to the radio in the car, anymore.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
with age comes maturity--sometimes
Parenting can be fascinating, fun, frustrating, and a few other f-words. (Like fabulous--get your minds out of the gutter)!
Lately I have noticed a new maturity that is at odds with the little girl whine I hear almost daily. Chores get done without reminders and nagging. Sometimes. Clothing choices are definitely becoming more sophisticated--except at bedtime when the footie pj's are just as likely to be donned as the oversized t-shirt or the Halloween jammies.
A desire for grown-up hairstyles competes with an equal desire to let the tangles fall where they may. An interest in how teeth become beautiful fights with the reluctance to put forth the effort to keep her teeth as healthy as possible.
It is interesting to discuss the books Oyster is reading and hear her perspective on the characters and events. Sometimes she is right on target (Sounder is the only character in the book with a given name because he is the only one who is special--all the others are interchangeable with any number of individuals and the author wanted to convey his uniqueness). And sometimes a cat is a cat, no matter how special the author tried to make it.
The dichotomy is fun to watch and I plan to try to take note of the changes as they occur. You can actually watch the brain develop if you pay attention.
Lately I have noticed a new maturity that is at odds with the little girl whine I hear almost daily. Chores get done without reminders and nagging. Sometimes. Clothing choices are definitely becoming more sophisticated--except at bedtime when the footie pj's are just as likely to be donned as the oversized t-shirt or the Halloween jammies.
A desire for grown-up hairstyles competes with an equal desire to let the tangles fall where they may. An interest in how teeth become beautiful fights with the reluctance to put forth the effort to keep her teeth as healthy as possible.
It is interesting to discuss the books Oyster is reading and hear her perspective on the characters and events. Sometimes she is right on target (Sounder is the only character in the book with a given name because he is the only one who is special--all the others are interchangeable with any number of individuals and the author wanted to convey his uniqueness). And sometimes a cat is a cat, no matter how special the author tried to make it.
The dichotomy is fun to watch and I plan to try to take note of the changes as they occur. You can actually watch the brain develop if you pay attention.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
promises, promises...
Here we go again. The landlord--you know, the one who promised that as long as the rent is paid on time he would not sell the house to anyone? Yeah, that one. The one who didn't give us a new lease when the original expired on Jan 1, stating that we have proven to be trustworthy, so he didn't see it was necessary? Yep.
He told us yesterday that he is having financial problems and has to sell the house. But, being a nice guy and all, he is letting us have first refusal. He needs his answer in, "a week or two." After that he will list it with a realtor and the price will go up, "considerably."
Anyone know of a fantastic place that has more space than this house, is closer to all the places we need to go, is in a great neighborhood, has wonderful neighbors, and costs less than this house?
Oh--and is insulated?
He told us yesterday that he is having financial problems and has to sell the house. But, being a nice guy and all, he is letting us have first refusal. He needs his answer in, "a week or two." After that he will list it with a realtor and the price will go up, "considerably."
Anyone know of a fantastic place that has more space than this house, is closer to all the places we need to go, is in a great neighborhood, has wonderful neighbors, and costs less than this house?
Oh--and is insulated?
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Two steps back
I love spring and despise cold weather, which pretty much kills any love for winter I might have ever had. The best part of winter is watching it be taken over by spring. I love the warm air and the new growth.
I've been enjoying watching the snow drops blooming next to the neighbor's house and have been noting the progress of the Easter Lilies along the sidewalk leading to my office. (Every year the potted lilies are put out on the walk (after the blooms die back) for any parishioner to take home. Any left get planted on the church grounds. I hope to get one or two this year--they all disappeared last year before I got to work the following Monday).
Alas, the snow storm today covered the poor little lily leaves and I am afraid they may just decide to quit trying for an Easter bloom this year. With Easter coming earlier than usual, they had to get it into gear in order to make it, anyway.
But spring will be here eventually, right?
I've been enjoying watching the snow drops blooming next to the neighbor's house and have been noting the progress of the Easter Lilies along the sidewalk leading to my office. (Every year the potted lilies are put out on the walk (after the blooms die back) for any parishioner to take home. Any left get planted on the church grounds. I hope to get one or two this year--they all disappeared last year before I got to work the following Monday).
Alas, the snow storm today covered the poor little lily leaves and I am afraid they may just decide to quit trying for an Easter bloom this year. With Easter coming earlier than usual, they had to get it into gear in order to make it, anyway.
But spring will be here eventually, right?
Friday, January 29, 2010
Repercussions
Well, that darn annual report has been shared with the parish and the phone can't stop wringing. Here are the complaints, in no particular order:
* One person did not like the photo I chose to place next to her name. She would like it to be deleted out of the computer and never used again. (She could provide me with the photos she would like me to use and then she won't have to worry about whether she likes what I happen to have available to me).
* Most people liked the format. One found it to be a waste of resources and money. It should just be on boring white paper with nothing to make the page interesting, like photos, frames to separate the different reports, etc. If each individual report is on a page by itself, they don't need fancy stuff to separate them. (Of course, if the document is one report per page it would have used a lot more paper, taken much more time to run off, and been difficult to staple together, not to mention bulky and more difficult to read, but that is beside the point).
* Not all the financial information was available--and it was not passed out at least a week in advance so the parishioners could take time to study it. (Federal law gives financial institutions until January 31 to get that information out. It has been trickling into the office since about January 15. We still do not have all the year-end statements from all the financial institutions and were darn lucky to have received enough to put together any type of report by January 24, let alone a week earlier. Besides, realistically, how many members of any church actually take the time to read the financial report, understand it, and ask questions about what they don't understand)?
* If we are expecting a lower income next year than last year, based on the pledges received, why are we bothering to send money to the diocese? (Why, indeed?!? Maybe because in order to remain a parish in any organized church you have to be able to prove you are financially able to take care of yourself. If you can't meet your fiscal obligation to the diocese you are in danger of losing parish status and becoming a mission. The bishop has the authority to assign a priest to a mission. A parish gets to choose their own priest. Since our part-time, priest-in-charge is scheduled to retire in about a year, maybe now is not a good time to give up our say in who gets the job next).
Wish I could remember all the comments, as some were pretty interesting. However, most of them were complimentary. And it is really good to work at a place where I feel that my efforts are appreciated. It's also kind of fun to laugh at the oddities while being thankful for having a job I enjoy where I get to interact with people I like.
* One person did not like the photo I chose to place next to her name. She would like it to be deleted out of the computer and never used again. (She could provide me with the photos she would like me to use and then she won't have to worry about whether she likes what I happen to have available to me).
* Most people liked the format. One found it to be a waste of resources and money. It should just be on boring white paper with nothing to make the page interesting, like photos, frames to separate the different reports, etc. If each individual report is on a page by itself, they don't need fancy stuff to separate them. (Of course, if the document is one report per page it would have used a lot more paper, taken much more time to run off, and been difficult to staple together, not to mention bulky and more difficult to read, but that is beside the point).
* Not all the financial information was available--and it was not passed out at least a week in advance so the parishioners could take time to study it. (Federal law gives financial institutions until January 31 to get that information out. It has been trickling into the office since about January 15. We still do not have all the year-end statements from all the financial institutions and were darn lucky to have received enough to put together any type of report by January 24, let alone a week earlier. Besides, realistically, how many members of any church actually take the time to read the financial report, understand it, and ask questions about what they don't understand)?
* If we are expecting a lower income next year than last year, based on the pledges received, why are we bothering to send money to the diocese? (Why, indeed?!? Maybe because in order to remain a parish in any organized church you have to be able to prove you are financially able to take care of yourself. If you can't meet your fiscal obligation to the diocese you are in danger of losing parish status and becoming a mission. The bishop has the authority to assign a priest to a mission. A parish gets to choose their own priest. Since our part-time, priest-in-charge is scheduled to retire in about a year, maybe now is not a good time to give up our say in who gets the job next).
Wish I could remember all the comments, as some were pretty interesting. However, most of them were complimentary. And it is really good to work at a place where I feel that my efforts are appreciated. It's also kind of fun to laugh at the oddities while being thankful for having a job I enjoy where I get to interact with people I like.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
It's all in your head
Here is the latest editorial I printed in the Spirit, which was passed out to all those attending the annual meeting today. The two parishioners who read it in advance told me they were a little insulted, as they felt it was written directly to them. The bossman told me to print it, anyway. He thinks it won't hurt them to be addressed, if they do indeed need to hear this. I am wondering whether they will call a special meeting to ask me to go away, if they are that insulted. We shall see...
We are all aware that there are triggers in our environment that bring about certain emotions. As mature adults it is up to us to determine how we display or "handle" those emotions. We think of them as being unavoidable and we may even rationalize poor behavior by stating that we, "couldn't help it," because we were upset. In fact, our society even allows a legal loophole for emotions by assigning a lesser sentence to those convicted of, "crimes of passion," than what is handed out to those whose behavior is considered, "premeditated."
The belief is that when experiencing intense emotions humans just can't control their impulses. But is that really true? Can we help it? Is our emotional center the heart, or is it really the head?
Anger is a secondary emotion, meaning it stems from another emotional source. Frequently this source is disappointment. Anger happens when expectations are different from reality. We expect others to behave in a preconceived manner: when they do not, we are disappointed and become angry.
By recognizing in advance that anger is a possible by-product of a situation, we have the ability to exert control over our behavior should anger surface. We can plan in advance to be in control: in effect, we can premeditate positive behavior.
So let us take a look around our environment. What triggers exist that might lead to negative emotions that need to be reined in? And better yet, what triggers exist that may lead to positive emotions? How can we plan to increase those triggers, thereby increasing our opportunities to react positively?
We have the power to change some of the triggers, either by making physical changes in the environment or by recognizing the precursor event and taking a preemptive stance. We can decide that when we encounter a situation that previously made us disappointed or angry that we will react according to the new plan.
For example, we can choose to be amused, rather than angered, by poor driving habits of others. We can accept that we will encounter people with questionable driving skills and therefore we will not be disappointed when they cross our paths--and we won't need to feel anger. We can crawl out of bed earlier and allow more time to drive to work or church so when we are slowed down by traffic there is leeway in our schedules.
We can realize that a spouse or child has different priorities and anticipate they will not necessarily remember to perform a task the way we want, such as pick up their shoes or shut the door quietly. We can recognize that sometimes we forget--and therefore accept that sometimes others forget. By anticipating the behavior, we can avoid anger.
And we can realize that, even in a healthy relationship, our behavior may not conform to the wishes of our loved ones at all times. We have the power to recognize behaviors in ourselves that can be adjusted to decrease the disappointment others may experience that brings about anger.
We do choose how we behave. We can practice politeness until it becomes second nature. We treat others with dignity and respect because we choose to do so. We have all heard that a man does not act the gentleman for a lady because she is a lady, but because he is a gentleman. Others do not force us to be polite--or to be rude. We do that on our own.
Maybe for Lent this year we might consider taking on the task of making considered decisions about how we act and react--and accepting control and responsibility. (This is a task I find even more difficult than giving up chocolate).
We are all aware that there are triggers in our environment that bring about certain emotions. As mature adults it is up to us to determine how we display or "handle" those emotions. We think of them as being unavoidable and we may even rationalize poor behavior by stating that we, "couldn't help it," because we were upset. In fact, our society even allows a legal loophole for emotions by assigning a lesser sentence to those convicted of, "crimes of passion," than what is handed out to those whose behavior is considered, "premeditated."
The belief is that when experiencing intense emotions humans just can't control their impulses. But is that really true? Can we help it? Is our emotional center the heart, or is it really the head?
Anger is a secondary emotion, meaning it stems from another emotional source. Frequently this source is disappointment. Anger happens when expectations are different from reality. We expect others to behave in a preconceived manner: when they do not, we are disappointed and become angry.
By recognizing in advance that anger is a possible by-product of a situation, we have the ability to exert control over our behavior should anger surface. We can plan in advance to be in control: in effect, we can premeditate positive behavior.
So let us take a look around our environment. What triggers exist that might lead to negative emotions that need to be reined in? And better yet, what triggers exist that may lead to positive emotions? How can we plan to increase those triggers, thereby increasing our opportunities to react positively?
We have the power to change some of the triggers, either by making physical changes in the environment or by recognizing the precursor event and taking a preemptive stance. We can decide that when we encounter a situation that previously made us disappointed or angry that we will react according to the new plan.
For example, we can choose to be amused, rather than angered, by poor driving habits of others. We can accept that we will encounter people with questionable driving skills and therefore we will not be disappointed when they cross our paths--and we won't need to feel anger. We can crawl out of bed earlier and allow more time to drive to work or church so when we are slowed down by traffic there is leeway in our schedules.
We can realize that a spouse or child has different priorities and anticipate they will not necessarily remember to perform a task the way we want, such as pick up their shoes or shut the door quietly. We can recognize that sometimes we forget--and therefore accept that sometimes others forget. By anticipating the behavior, we can avoid anger.
And we can realize that, even in a healthy relationship, our behavior may not conform to the wishes of our loved ones at all times. We have the power to recognize behaviors in ourselves that can be adjusted to decrease the disappointment others may experience that brings about anger.
We do choose how we behave. We can practice politeness until it becomes second nature. We treat others with dignity and respect because we choose to do so. We have all heard that a man does not act the gentleman for a lady because she is a lady, but because he is a gentleman. Others do not force us to be polite--or to be rude. We do that on our own.
Maybe for Lent this year we might consider taking on the task of making considered decisions about how we act and react--and accepting control and responsibility. (This is a task I find even more difficult than giving up chocolate).
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
I always did prefer perennials
It's that time of year again--and I have been typing my fingers to the bone. The annual report is supposed to be ready to pass out at the annual meeting next Sunday. That means I have to coordinate all the reports submitted by all the heads of all the groups at the church. The hard part, though, is getting them to actually write and submit their portions.
The head of one committee just told me he does not intend to write a report. The head of another sent me an e-mail that stated, "I have to write a report!!?!!" I am not anticipating much from that source. The accountant is working hard on the financial statement, but is stymied by the fact he has to wait for all the banks and investment companies to mail out all their end of year statements--and the law says they have until January 31 to do so. Consequently, he has given me what he has and as new info arrives he has to revise. There will come a point when I just have to go with what is there because I have to print this 24-page document, making enough copies for all those we anticipate will be in attendance.
My favorite report so far came from the nursery. It just states that while previous years saw an average of 8-12 kids, this past year three was considered a big number. She asks the parish to, "Go forth and multiply."
While there is nothing as provocative as that written by the organist/choirmaster from another parish--discussing the "erection of the organ" that year, this group does show a sense of humor. And when they open their documents next Sunday (printed in book form with loads of photographs and graphics), I hope they enjoy what they find.
I do so hate boring.
The head of one committee just told me he does not intend to write a report. The head of another sent me an e-mail that stated, "I have to write a report!!?!!" I am not anticipating much from that source. The accountant is working hard on the financial statement, but is stymied by the fact he has to wait for all the banks and investment companies to mail out all their end of year statements--and the law says they have until January 31 to do so. Consequently, he has given me what he has and as new info arrives he has to revise. There will come a point when I just have to go with what is there because I have to print this 24-page document, making enough copies for all those we anticipate will be in attendance.
My favorite report so far came from the nursery. It just states that while previous years saw an average of 8-12 kids, this past year three was considered a big number. She asks the parish to, "Go forth and multiply."
While there is nothing as provocative as that written by the organist/choirmaster from another parish--discussing the "erection of the organ" that year, this group does show a sense of humor. And when they open their documents next Sunday (printed in book form with loads of photographs and graphics), I hope they enjoy what they find.
I do so hate boring.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Where is everyone?
It was brought to my attention over Christmas when family visited that my conjectures that no one reads my blog were true. Daggs admitted to not even knowing it existed. Others indicated that they have given up because of my lack of consistency in posting.
Seems like a circular problem. Few responses result in fewer entries which result in fewer reads which results in fewer responses...
So, I shall try to post a bit more frequently. And maybe this time it won't just turn into a prolonged conversation between me and Lit--one of the potential readers who is actually someone I see rather frequently and with whom I don't really need to communicate via computer (although I enjoy doing so).
We shall see. Stay tuned for more soon. Hopefully something more interesting.
Seems like a circular problem. Few responses result in fewer entries which result in fewer reads which results in fewer responses...
So, I shall try to post a bit more frequently. And maybe this time it won't just turn into a prolonged conversation between me and Lit--one of the potential readers who is actually someone I see rather frequently and with whom I don't really need to communicate via computer (although I enjoy doing so).
We shall see. Stay tuned for more soon. Hopefully something more interesting.
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jewel tones was the theme
