For whatever reason... do you ever feel that way Cosmic Reader? That's where I am today, restless. And yet.... I really want to write. So... what to do?
Subject? How 'bout.... absolutes! Do you believe in absolutes? I do. And I think that whether or not you want to admit it, everyone has absolutes. Me? I have a number of absolutes the critical, underscoring, irrevocable one is - I believe in God.
Not gods, not 'a' god, but God. The creator. And I would argue that it's irrelevant whether you do or not - He is. He has always been and He will always be. God exists and is in everything that has life. Ah but, that's another issue - what is life? That, dear Cosmic, is for another blog - life - this one is about absolutes.
Absolutely, irrevocably there is a God and He impacts all that is. He is the absolute. ... that pretty much ends the discussion.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Goal driven.....
Don't know about you, Cosmic Reader, but I'm one of those who is goal driven. I think I always have been. For me, it provides focus. It 'tells' me that out of all the various paths before me, one leads more directly to where I'm going.
I should define my words - goals are not necessarily tangible 'things', they can be personal character building. Also, I don't think goals should be striven for, they should be 'worked' on.
Goals need to be attainable as well. If they are merely ideals, they will wither in time. Personally I like the intermediate goals approach to the overriding goal. It seems that attainment is an impetus to continue.
I realize that the word 'driven' is ladened with the idea of sweat and tears. And yes, this does happen some of the time. However, this is not, repeat not, the primary modus operandi. Driven is defined (here) as the direction of movement. I've never been particularly good at standing still and driven means, for me, the idea that I'm moving forward - toward something.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Glass.... half full? or half empty?
I'm a half full type. I don't remember not being this way. If there's a silver lining... I'll find it. If there's something 'good' to be seen... I'll see it. And I think I'm really blessed to be able to look at life in this way.
This particular mindset, though, can be extremely annoying to others, at least that's what they've said to me. It doesn't deter however. And, it isn't 'pie in the sky'. I just seem to be the optimistic type that will search out the positive, something to be learned rather than wallowing in the negative.
I'm not setting myself up as some paragon because just like you I wallow too. Feeling sorry for ourselves seems to be part of our makeup. I just try and not stay there very long - to me it wastes time.
Being of a somewhat logical bent I tend to look at whether whatever I'm doing will accomplish anything. For me, half empty doesn't. It doesn't move me. You?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Work vs. Job
They aren't the same, you know. However, to save any initial argument I'm going to provide my definitions so you'll understand why I'm saying what I'm saying.
Job: something you do to increase the flow of money into the family unit. Work: something you do that provides you with fulfillment, motivation, and challenge. This means that, though the potential is there, they are not necessarily interrelated nor do they define each other.
Obviously, with my definition, the preferred is 'work'. Work should be equated with your passion - one of the reasons you get up in the morning. It is something you do even in the midst of problems because the work gives meaning, purpose to your life. The answer to what defines/describes your work undoubtedly is different for each person, though similarities may exist.
So, what are you passionate about? What is essential to you? And, most important, are you actively involved in this? Probably even more important - what are you willing to do to be involved? And, what is the cost to you to not be?
Job: something you do to increase the flow of money into the family unit. Work: something you do that provides you with fulfillment, motivation, and challenge. This means that, though the potential is there, they are not necessarily interrelated nor do they define each other.
Obviously, with my definition, the preferred is 'work'. Work should be equated with your passion - one of the reasons you get up in the morning. It is something you do even in the midst of problems because the work gives meaning, purpose to your life. The answer to what defines/describes your work undoubtedly is different for each person, though similarities may exist.
So, what are you passionate about? What is essential to you? And, most important, are you actively involved in this? Probably even more important - what are you willing to do to be involved? And, what is the cost to you to not be?
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Something is better than nothing.....
not necessarily. Compromise... Is it an ugly word? A behavior/action to be avoided.... at all costs?
I remember a comment by Oral Roberts that what you compromise to get/keep you will lose. That's paraphrased but the essence is there. Compromise, Cosmic Reader, may be 'helpful' but it also may be insidious.
Yes, I know, it is relative. But the mindset isn't.
How do you, Cosmic, view compromise? Is it the standard by which you act and decide? Do you suggest it first? Or is it an option of last resort? Or, is it dependent upon the 'subject'?
Personally I'm a rotten compromiser. I don't like compromise and the 'something is better than nothing' mindset isn't one I prefer. Do I compromise? Of course. We all do. That doesn't make it the best approach though.
The more important the 'issue', the less I'm likely to compromise. Does this mean that I 'lose' a great deal? I guess that depends on your definition of losing and the quality of the item lost.
I remember a comment by Oral Roberts that what you compromise to get/keep you will lose. That's paraphrased but the essence is there. Compromise, Cosmic Reader, may be 'helpful' but it also may be insidious.
Yes, I know, it is relative. But the mindset isn't.
How do you, Cosmic, view compromise? Is it the standard by which you act and decide? Do you suggest it first? Or is it an option of last resort? Or, is it dependent upon the 'subject'?
Personally I'm a rotten compromiser. I don't like compromise and the 'something is better than nothing' mindset isn't one I prefer. Do I compromise? Of course. We all do. That doesn't make it the best approach though.
The more important the 'issue', the less I'm likely to compromise. Does this mean that I 'lose' a great deal? I guess that depends on your definition of losing and the quality of the item lost.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Gardening.... as in vegetables
P. 6
My Dad never met a tomato he didn't like. For him it was a case of... if one tomato plant was good, 200 would be better. Seriously, 200. It's late January and by now he would have started at least 50 seedlings and begun to baby them along. I believe they always got leggy but he had great fun planting, watering (read - over watering), fertilizing, watching, keeping them warm, etc. I really don't ever remember eventually planting them in the garden.
Don't get me wrong. I think tomatoes are a wonderful fruit/vegetable (depending on your outlook) but enough is enough! Poor Mom, at harvest, not only would the plants have outdone themselves in producing a bumper crop but Dad would go to the Farmer's Market and BUY, yes I said BUY, bushels of them.
What would happen to the tomatoes? Why they would be processed into tomato sauce, tomato juice, and assorted tomato products. Nary a one was wasted. The amazing thing to me was that by the time it was harvest time again, all of the various tomato thingees would have been totally depleted. Not sure exactly how Mom accomplished this.
For Dad, all other vegetables took a back seat to the tomato. However, cucumbers came in a close second. Cukes also seemed to always be a bumper crop and yes, he purchased bushels of these from the Farmer's Market too. Mom was a mean pickle maker. She had a couple of recipes that were closely guarded.
Growing up in my family at harvest time meant processing vegetables. And I haven't even discussed the corn, peas ........
My Dad never met a tomato he didn't like. For him it was a case of... if one tomato plant was good, 200 would be better. Seriously, 200. It's late January and by now he would have started at least 50 seedlings and begun to baby them along. I believe they always got leggy but he had great fun planting, watering (read - over watering), fertilizing, watching, keeping them warm, etc. I really don't ever remember eventually planting them in the garden.
Don't get me wrong. I think tomatoes are a wonderful fruit/vegetable (depending on your outlook) but enough is enough! Poor Mom, at harvest, not only would the plants have outdone themselves in producing a bumper crop but Dad would go to the Farmer's Market and BUY, yes I said BUY, bushels of them.
What would happen to the tomatoes? Why they would be processed into tomato sauce, tomato juice, and assorted tomato products. Nary a one was wasted. The amazing thing to me was that by the time it was harvest time again, all of the various tomato thingees would have been totally depleted. Not sure exactly how Mom accomplished this.
For Dad, all other vegetables took a back seat to the tomato. However, cucumbers came in a close second. Cukes also seemed to always be a bumper crop and yes, he purchased bushels of these from the Farmer's Market too. Mom was a mean pickle maker. She had a couple of recipes that were closely guarded.
Growing up in my family at harvest time meant processing vegetables. And I haven't even discussed the corn, peas ........
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Scottish Terriers
P.5
(Sorry Cosmic, still cogitating on 'Heroes' but will return to the subject.)
I fell in love with Scotties when I was 3 or so and saw a picture of them in "Life" or "Look" magazine, advertising, I think, liquor. But they looked so adorable that I was hooked.
It was another 40 years before I was able to fulfill my desire and purchase a Scottie. However, I couldn't choose between the male and female so I got both. In my innocence I thought they could be chums when I wasn't there. That was true but they also were able to create far more mischief - not just doubled, exponentially more.
Scotties, you see, not just believe but know they are smarter than humans. There could be some truth to this claim. I do know that they really are a most intelligent breed with a brave heart that borders on 'treading where even angels won't go'.
My 2, twins, were fantastic - then again, most dog 'owners' believe that of their pet. I must dispel one fallacy though - one NEVER owns a dog. At least with Scotties, they own you. They just let you live with the illusion that you are in charge.
(Sorry Cosmic, still cogitating on 'Heroes' but will return to the subject.)
I fell in love with Scotties when I was 3 or so and saw a picture of them in "Life" or "Look" magazine, advertising, I think, liquor. But they looked so adorable that I was hooked.
It was another 40 years before I was able to fulfill my desire and purchase a Scottie. However, I couldn't choose between the male and female so I got both. In my innocence I thought they could be chums when I wasn't there. That was true but they also were able to create far more mischief - not just doubled, exponentially more.
Scotties, you see, not just believe but know they are smarter than humans. There could be some truth to this claim. I do know that they really are a most intelligent breed with a brave heart that borders on 'treading where even angels won't go'.
My 2, twins, were fantastic - then again, most dog 'owners' believe that of their pet. I must dispel one fallacy though - one NEVER owns a dog. At least with Scotties, they own you. They just let you live with the illusion that you are in charge.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Where have all the heroes gone.....
It could be argued that: 1- we don't need heroes, or 2- there are a number of choices available. Not. At least the heroes of yesteryear seem larger than life but the candidates for heroes today - aren't. But that's not the critical point.
We all need heroes, including adults. I could get 'sophomoric' and say that it depends on how one defines the word - hero. True. And athletes or movie stars, tho' they get treated as such are not heroes in my determination of what constitutes, defines a person as a hero.
So my definition of a hero is: someone who has gone beyond themselves in some selfless act - that the core reason for the action was to help someone else. Then you get into... what is 'gone beyond themselves'? And, aiding someone else may or may not be at one's personal expense. One could easily get into a semantic, definitional battle and never get to the issue. For sake of discussion, I'd define the act as one that may be to the detriment of one's own position - may be. But the focus isn't one's self but another's benefit.
Back to the issue - we all need heroes and we never outgrow that need. A hero is one who becomes a standard from which we can judge our own behavior. The 'standard' is the issue to the issue. And yes, we do need to remember that heroes are human and do make mistakes. However, we seem intent on tarnishing any yesterday hero. Any person that might fill the position of 'hero' has a life expectancy of moments.
Also, to answer your question - there is no such 'type' as anti-hero. That's an oxymoron. If it's anti, then it's against the word it's defining. Perhaps that has been part of the problem.... we've departed from the definition of and reason for a hero and how it impacts who we are and are becoming.
Heroes are not so evident nor larger than life anymore plus we seem to constantly find contenders for the title with feet of gargantuan clay. We become disillusioned and maybe a tad bitter.
So... what's the answer? There are heroes but not on the grand scale of ages past. But is that important? I think this issue needs further thought.
We all need heroes, including adults. I could get 'sophomoric' and say that it depends on how one defines the word - hero. True. And athletes or movie stars, tho' they get treated as such are not heroes in my determination of what constitutes, defines a person as a hero.
So my definition of a hero is: someone who has gone beyond themselves in some selfless act - that the core reason for the action was to help someone else. Then you get into... what is 'gone beyond themselves'? And, aiding someone else may or may not be at one's personal expense. One could easily get into a semantic, definitional battle and never get to the issue. For sake of discussion, I'd define the act as one that may be to the detriment of one's own position - may be. But the focus isn't one's self but another's benefit.
Back to the issue - we all need heroes and we never outgrow that need. A hero is one who becomes a standard from which we can judge our own behavior. The 'standard' is the issue to the issue. And yes, we do need to remember that heroes are human and do make mistakes. However, we seem intent on tarnishing any yesterday hero. Any person that might fill the position of 'hero' has a life expectancy of moments.
Also, to answer your question - there is no such 'type' as anti-hero. That's an oxymoron. If it's anti, then it's against the word it's defining. Perhaps that has been part of the problem.... we've departed from the definition of and reason for a hero and how it impacts who we are and are becoming.
Heroes are not so evident nor larger than life anymore plus we seem to constantly find contenders for the title with feet of gargantuan clay. We become disillusioned and maybe a tad bitter.
So... what's the answer? There are heroes but not on the grand scale of ages past. But is that important? I think this issue needs further thought.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Design.... Develop...
P3
Hello Coz (new nickname for you)
There really should be another 'D' but none of the words seem to express my intent. As you can easily see, I'm still in the investigative stage of blogging. Clicking madly on one page after another to see all the 'things' available. I'm not going to get too esoteric yet. Need to know what I can do before I start to do it.
I did discover that I have gadgets! Goodness... wonder what that will mean? Gadgets have always meant kitchen gadgets. When I was young, we always went to the state fair and my father would ferret out the latest kitchen gadget. We had a mandolin before mandolins were fashionable. My mother, a model of patience and understanding, always attempted to employ the latest 'devise' once we got home.
Regardless, exploration and discovery will be the order of the day.
Hello Coz (new nickname for you)
There really should be another 'D' but none of the words seem to express my intent. As you can easily see, I'm still in the investigative stage of blogging. Clicking madly on one page after another to see all the 'things' available. I'm not going to get too esoteric yet. Need to know what I can do before I start to do it.
I did discover that I have gadgets! Goodness... wonder what that will mean? Gadgets have always meant kitchen gadgets. When I was young, we always went to the state fair and my father would ferret out the latest kitchen gadget. We had a mandolin before mandolins were fashionable. My mother, a model of patience and understanding, always attempted to employ the latest 'devise' once we got home.
Regardless, exploration and discovery will be the order of the day.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Erudite.... or not to erudite
P-2.
Hello dear Cosmic Reader (I much prefer to be dialoguing w/ someone then to think I'm merely hearing my own heartbeat. I think I shall call you CR for short.)
If you've chanced onto this blog and expect to be intellectually challenged... well... maybe. But not continually, or should that be continuous?, however there will be pearls. Just not today.
I must admit I feel slightly frivolous today. Perhaps that's because the ice storm has me in forced homebound-land. At times that can be a frustrating reality, not today. I think I shall revel in doing those things, like reading, that we always put off because we 'think' we need 'to be doing something!'. My suspicion is that we would all be considerably happier if occasionally we did follow 'cause-I-want-to'. Irresponsible? Nay, gentle reader. The qualifying word 'occasional' is the mediator.
Till the morrow.
Hello dear Cosmic Reader (I much prefer to be dialoguing w/ someone then to think I'm merely hearing my own heartbeat. I think I shall call you CR for short.)
If you've chanced onto this blog and expect to be intellectually challenged... well... maybe. But not continually, or should that be continuous?, however there will be pearls. Just not today.
I must admit I feel slightly frivolous today. Perhaps that's because the ice storm has me in forced homebound-land. At times that can be a frustrating reality, not today. I think I shall revel in doing those things, like reading, that we always put off because we 'think' we need 'to be doing something!'. My suspicion is that we would all be considerably happier if occasionally we did follow 'cause-I-want-to'. Irresponsible? Nay, gentle reader. The qualifying word 'occasional' is the mediator.
Till the morrow.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
So... here we go
After 15 months it seemed like it just might be time to start this blog. I have absolutely no idea if anyone will ever read it. Then again, I'm not certain that is the purpose of blogs. Blogs, in my humble estimation, are opportunities to share. Admittedly I am a self proclaimed frustrated writer but that's OK too.
One might argue that watching "Julie & Julia" caused the resurgence in doing this. Perhaps. Or maybe, just maybe, the timing finally was 'right'. Besides, I had the blog out there in internet-land for some time AND with a title too, I'll have you appreciate the foresight.
Anyway cosmic reader - today is the first. Why not join me in this journey? Journeys can be enlightening. They are never boring.
One might argue that watching "Julie & Julia" caused the resurgence in doing this. Perhaps. Or maybe, just maybe, the timing finally was 'right'. Besides, I had the blog out there in internet-land for some time AND with a title too, I'll have you appreciate the foresight.
Anyway cosmic reader - today is the first. Why not join me in this journey? Journeys can be enlightening. They are never boring.
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