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Saturday, December 31, 2005

2005 becomes 2006...

As the year comes to an end, I'd like to generate a post bidding farewell to 2005. Moreover, I'd like to welcome 2006, the lessons it will hold, and the opportunity it presents for me to right some of the wrongs I committed in 2005.

My primary and main prayer for entering 2006 is that the War in Iraq will be ended before I post here again at this same time next year.

I decided to scan over my relatively few posts of 2005. In doing so, I noticed that my writing style was somewhat grandmotherly. I'm definitely not anybody's grandmother, nor even female, but I'll be a proxy grandma or grandpa in case anybody doesn't have one .

I can only say that the grandmothers and grandfathers of the world have been one of the few vestiges of certainty that many of us have had to cling to in our lives. Others of us have had similar supporting mentors. It's good to remember them and their love for us, and to consider how we might perpetuate their love in 2006.

Back to why I write what I write. I'm aware that all "thoughts-morphed-into-words" are a pre-cursor to creation. The creation of anything. In the beginning was the Word.

When I write, I'm always aware that I'm creating, that I'm generating power. Nothing more. I never think I'm sending a message from God or from my perceived notions of creation. Maybe the power some of us create with our words gets routed into the city dump, maybe not. Nonetheless, I'm persuaded that I need to take responsibility for what I write and what I say. Therefore, I never release into print anything that I consider to be subtractive from the human dimension. I steer away from political issues. We'll all be earth soon enough and then it won't matter. All you gotta do is read a few history books.

I once had a friend tell me to "come down off my cross." I must say that "stung." In any case, I do believe the pen is mightier than the sword, so I'll just keep on a keeping on! My interest is in the human condition, the dynamics of human relationships and the world at the larger level. There will be no subtractive posts from me. Check in this time next year and we'll look at my scorecard. I may change my mind . Again, that's part of the human condition, too.

In closing, it's not that I don't feel negative quite often, it's not that I don't feel depression, it's not that I don't flip the finger at the driver in the car next to me in traffic, it's not that I don't curse like a sailor, it's not that I'm not a gossip, it's not that I'm not selfish, it's not that I don't give enough to charity. My personal selfish list is endless, endless, endless. I have manifold behaviors that need work, that need forgiveness, that need understanding, that need correction. But, I can fix them all in 2006!

There you have it, my confession is rendered to the world. I guess the church lady writing style will continue -- both for my personal learning initiatives and to make sure I don't discourage anyone else on their own journey.

From my favorite billboard:
"God Bless the Whole World -- No Exceptions."

Happy New Year 2006 to All!

Chuck

Saturday, December 24, 2005

Right before my eyes...


Tonight, my mind was whirling along ... contemplating rants I might make about all sorts of perceived inequities in our present system of government. And, then, I happened upon an Asian quick-food restaurant. It has been there for years, I suppose. I can't ever remember it not being there. It always seems to be open, and I guess I've taken it for granted. Tonight, they had this great sign above their store. It captured my heart. I'll share it here and pass its message along to you.

This is my Christmas wish for 2006 to everyone.

The rants will resume tomorrow. For tonight, they're stifled. Peace on earth. No exceptions!