July 18, 2022
Thought for Today
"At eighteen our convictions are hills from which we look; at forty-five they are caves in which we hide."
F. Scott Fitzgerald,
Bernice Bobs her Hair (1920)
Monday, July 18, 2022
Sunday, July 17, 2022
JULY 17, 2022
Reflection
WON'T BUDGE
"Budge" is an interesting word - but what does it really mean?
Not having a dictionary on hand, I'd guess it means "move".
We hear comments like, "You can't budge her." or "He won't budge an inch."
But it has negative overtones or connotations. As in stuck .... As in stubborn .... As in wrong .... As in being a pain....
Budge....
But's it's mainly in the context of the other guy or gal - never ourselves.
Well, not never ourselves ....As we think about issues, we have to see things we won't change our opinions on: spitting, criticism of someone's mother in public, lifting the embrgo on some place, capital punishment, etc.
Budge ....
It's a word that has some good connotations in it as well - now that I think about it - so see I can budge. I didn't begin this reflection with any positive thoughts about this word "budge".
So I'll have to write a poem or some short piece using the word "budge" in it. I could bring into a poem or poetic piece words like "bridge" or "bud" or "breakthrough" or "blossom" or maybe even the word "burn".
Oops - even more - budge can give hints of resurrection - which brings up the question of death.
Who is going to move the stone?
Maybe if I stop throwing stones at those I don't like - or those I think dead - or at those I don't think will budge - maybe they will budge.
Is that the way this works?
Saturday, July 16, 2022
July 16, 2022
Reflection
THE OCEAN OF MARRIAGE
Marriage is a mighty ocean.
Having stood at its shore for years a couple move into its waters on their wedding day - if not earlier.
Some stay near its edge - the shore - the sure - for years - enjoying the waves - the crashing - the splashing - the surfing and the sailing.
But as time goes on some couples move out into the depths of its waters.
Marrriage can be mighty deep - hopefully.
To sail smoothly, a couple needs to be willing to dive into the emotional isssues of life together. This takes time - lots of time. People need to learn to swim - so they won't sink or drown. Some are scared to death of the waters.
A couple needs to allow for moods and mistakes - waves of emotions - drifting - as long as they stay together - communicating, listening, talking with each other - being open to what's happenng within each other - and their marrriage.
Figuring takes time - figuring needs time. They need to put everrything on the table - everything of each other. Figurings are the gifts of marrriage - the self- discoveries - the other-discoverings - the life discoveries.
Communion - communications - call for basic postures.
Wanting to make a marriage work is good - but it's not enough. Wanting can be too passive.
Willingness too is good - but it too is not enough. Willingness is the choiice, but it needs more. It needs actions.
Working is the key - working to make the marriage work - now that's closer to the key.
Better: it's working on specifics - particulars - behavioros - the big things - the little things like not slamming doors - putting dishes in the dishwasher - and emptying the dishwasher - handing the TV clicker to the other - asking - seeking - knocking on the other's door - and being invited within over and over again.
Friday, July 15, 2022
JULY 15, 2022
Reflection
PRONOUNS
He kills pronouns when he speaks them.
When he reads, he keeps on putting a heavy emphasis when he speaks HIS pronouns: his, she, they, our, us ....
Why?
We're not born that way.
Everybody doesn't do this.
So why the emphasis on pronouns?
I was wondering if there might be a tape recording around somewhere - say from 35 years ago - when he is speaking? We could check that and listen to him there and listen to his pronouns.
You never know. There he is saying a few words at a wedding or a funeral. Check out his pronouns.
So, has he always been doing this? What about other people way back when?
I don't know.
Can he change? Should he change? Does he have to change?
Is my way of thinking and assuming how pronouns should be sounding corrrect? Is there a correct way? Is there a standard?
Isn't the beauty of language its varities - accents, regional pronouncements - etc.?
I don't know.
Is all this simply my opinion?
To me he reads like a little child reading at a school ceremony. In fact, I think most kids read better than he reads.
Why does this bother me?
Maybe that question is the question.
Does it bother anyone else?
Is the real issue: my wanting my way - my wanting to control the world? Is it my wanting to play God?
Should I be thinking of everyone who is speaking - saying and praying of and for them, "THY will be done" not "MY willl be done"?
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