A new journey begins

If you have read the previous post from this morning you will know that today is the anniversary of my birth. I was (and remain) the 5th child in birth line but not the last of my parents. There are two more who followed me. I am the second male, preceded directly by a brother who suffered much and three sisters whose lives differed greatly from my brothers in ways that remain undefined and unspoken and unclear with many remaining questions which will never be answered.

For many years now I have tried to express my thoughts and other things in a journal. I have tried different formats and books and even online. Then I discovered the practice of blogging thanks to Kevin Presseault. I have truly enjoyed blogging however there are limits to what seems like a limitless method of communication. There are so many comments/thoughts/feelings and even opinions that I would like to state but I am hamstrung by civility and the possibility of a lawsuit that prevents me from putting the thoughts on the blog.

So (and yes I am now finally getting to the point), I have decided to return to the world of journalling effective immediately. I asked for a journal for my birthday and received a beautiful book this morning. Do not fear or fret, the blog will continue. I need a lighthearted way to get some things out and there still resides the possibility that the obscure musical lyric (OML) will return. On another note(pun intended), the OML will be taking a new form soon. For those of you who read this at my place of employment, the company newspaper ATB will start publishing a version of the OML probably in the new year.

Funny, I am listening as I write. the song "Time Was" is on the playlist currently with the opening line of "I've got to rearrange my life, I've got to rearrange my world". I guess that starting to journal will help me to rearrange my world and place the important things first.  

It may be difficult to define what goes where at first, but I anticipate that in time life will find a way of sorting itself out.

Peach and Shalom to you all

Of book burning, mosques, 911 and other stuff..........

What is it with people these days anyway?

Maybe, just maybe, Rodney King had it right when he said "why can't we all just get along?".

It's probably because of one thing, selfishness. The burning of someone else's holy book no matter what you think of it and its' contents is just plain wrong. There is nothing good that can come from this behaviour. But, to blame it as an excuse for other behaviour is just idiotic and irrational. That's tantamount to saying "you made me (add your own action here)". No one can make you do anything you choose not to do. So, now thousands in places afar and to most unknown are protesting and burning flags and who knows what else, and not just American flag by the way. I wonder why? This just gives the haters another stage and who is to blame for that? For the so called leader of the free world to get into this "discussion" is also idiotic. The press blew the story about the 50 member church in Florida into the flames that it has become (no pun intended). This is so much more than the 15 minutes that they deserved, if in fact they deserved any. The time to stop reporting this on national news is now. It's time to stop reporting on this selfish man and his flock. Take away the platform.

And another thing is this mosque or centre that they are planning to build. The plan is to name it Cordoba, and not after the car by the way. They hold Cordoba as a bastion of inter religious equality, but a good read of history tells a different tale. The place was taken by force from Christians many years ago. Read the truth and see what it really means. So, why would a "peace loving" group want to put an Islamic Centre near the place of almost 3000 murders? Why is there a church still awaiting permission from the City of New York to repair their building damaged on 911 when this "centre" has been given permission to go ahead? Mr. Trump is offering to purchase the land at a 25% premium in cash so that they would not build their centre there and what has been the answer? They purchased the property for 4.8 million less than a year ago and Trump offered them 6 million. They said no because the property is worth more than 20 million. In an article in "The Atlantic" Trump refers to this as "extortion". Hmm, selfishness, you bet! Just watch carefully and see what they do with this one.

This weekend, tomorrow to be exact is the 9th anniversary of the murders of September 11, 1991. Some people are looking at the beginning of the Jewish High Holy days, the end of ramadan and the anniversary of 911 as some type religious confluence or convergence of great import. This is being used to talk about tolerance, a wonderful word that currently seems to mean "don't disagree with me or I'll add phobe to the end of whoever I am and apply it to you". What I believe is really happening is the opportunity to trick people into accepting what they do not wish to accept under the guise of tolerance and political correctness . Once again, selfishness but to what aim? What's next a one world religion?

Why can't we just get along? Because in a life without peace, forgiveness and some semblance of a "golden rule" there will always be selfishness. How can we change the course of humanity? Try a little tenderness, (I just had to have a musical reference). But seriously folks, when was the last time you worked for peace? When was the last time you forgave someone? When was the last time you did to someone as you wish they would have done to you? Life isn't about burning books, or imposing oneself on others, or extortion but rather on living a life beyond the mirror of self and one of serving others.

Some thoughts as the summer draws to an end and the fall begins and winter awaits.........................

Some people think the flight attendant is a hero?

I don't get it.

The guy was sworn at (allegedly) and got bumped on the head by a piece of luggage. It appears that someone on the plane didn't play by the FAA rules, and of course he has been an arbiter of these rules for twenty years.

Does that give him permission to swear at everyone on the plane? (he allegedly used the intercom system), to steal (he took beer that was not his to take) to potentially put people at risk (he opened and then exited by the emergency chute)? Then it is reported that he ran to his car and drove home without finishing his shift (yes I assume that this is not normal end of day practice).

What in this scenario makes this guy a hero? To steal (and modify) a line from an old movie "he got mad as hell and didn't take it anymore". That's not the way I taught my children to respond to difficulty and I bet that many of you out there taught the same. Oh yes there have been days when I might have wanted to say "take this job and shove it", actually to be honest, there was only one time and I didn't do that. I faced the difficulty, created a plan and successfully moved on without burning bridges.

I try to treat others with respect even when I receive disrespect from them. The people I rub shoulders with, work with and many others follow the same standard. They have chosen the higher approach (pun not intended) when they are treated with disrespect because they know that they are called to treat others the way they want to be treated.

When we lash out we do not know what will come back. This person will likely lose his job and potentially pay a higher price for his choice. Yes, it was a choice he made. We all have to take responsibility for our actions. Isn't that something most people learned and then taught their children?

A hero? Definitely not in my opinion. A hero is someone who is admired (although some do admire this person) and also idealized for courage, achievement and nobility. None of these were expressed in his behaviour. This is not the hero I would "hold" up for others to emulate.

Too bad though, he was a twenty year employee and that's quite an achievement isn't it?

Can you see the real me? Can ya, can ya?

No I haven't been listening to Quadrephenia lately, however maybe I should. I digress of course, if you have never listened to this wonderful piece by The Who, or haven't listened lately, you should.

I heard someone use similar words to the title of this post today. Then she began to talk about masks and the practice that most of us have in wearing masks to hide who we really are. I do it and you probably do it too, so let's be honest about it.

I'm quite sure I have posted about this before, the Greek actors or "hupokritēs" wore masks just for that reason. They were two sided. We, however can be more than two sided, can't we? "Why" is the question that I have. Why do we determine that we need to wear a mask? Why can't we trust others enough to be open and honest? Why can't we trust ourselves to be open and honest with others.

The question asked is can you see the real me? What or who is the real me? I have spent time in solitude on numerous occasions trying to answer that ever so simple question. I don't need to answer the simplistic questions that can be answered with empirical data. I do need to answer the questions that delve deep past the masks and lies. I need to drill down below the tapes that have been playing for so long. They don't define who I am. That is something that I am happy for.

Can I see the real me, Can I, can I?

I was thinking about sandals recently........

Yes, sandals, and no, not the expensive resort although we have been planning a trip to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary.

I have been thinking about the piece of foot apparel. I am not developing a fetish, so you can forget about those crazy ideas. I was thinking about these wonderful sandals that my beloved had me buy because they are supportive (both of them, the sandals and my beloved) and they should help me with my recovery. They were not cheap, they weren't even inexpensive, and they will help.

Thinking on those lines, I remembered as a youngster what my father would do in the late spring and early summer, when my feet would be getting too big for my shoes and there was no money for buying new shoes. My dad, along with all the dads on our street and probably most of Walkinstown and Dublin, would cut the front out of the shoes so that my toes could wiggle freely in the air without restriction. There was no shame in all this, everyone did it. Clearly, no one could afford the luxury of new shoes the way that we can buy them to the tune of Imelda Marcos. It doesn't appear to be something that happened in North America, at least my beloved never had this type of home made sandal.

It makes me think of the limited resources that my parents had. The were both born in 1921 and were married on June 5, 1944. They lived through times of abject poverty both in financial and emotional terms. But they found a way. My parents raised 7 children in a home smaller than my first home of 1000 square feet. They didn't have central heating (never mind air conditioning). The heated our home (the home I was born in; 109 Bunting Road, Walkinstown, Dublin 12) with coal. I can still remember the coal delivery days having to put newspapers down to try to minimize the inevitable dust the collier would leave behind. I remember going out to the coal shed to fill the scuttle and bring it in to heat the house. I remember laughter and singing. I remember the angry times too but as I get older the sad and bad memories are being replaced with the good and happy ones. I remember the many Irish Christmas mornings (I celebrated 11 there) and the orange in the stocking. We didn't have and couldn't afford fresh fruit, so Christmas was about more than toy presents, it was about a Jaffa orange, all the way from Israel. There was the mesh packets of Cadbury's chocolate, the annual compendium of games and the books, usually followed by my Dad saying to me "Robin, read everything you can get your hands on, it will be the best education you can get".

My Dad's pet name for me was Robin. I can't recall when that started, probably when I couldn't comprehend anything but food and nappies. He continued to call me that even for many years after we came to Canada. It was one of the ways that he demonstrated fondness towards me. There were many more, I'm sure.

That's what I love about doing this blog thing. One single thought, a mental picture becomes an engine through which my mind takes me through the forgotten recesses of memory. A simple thought about a sandal, a mere piece of footwear, has brought me back 45 or more years. What a gift I have been given with the ability to remember.

I wonder what will stimulate the next venture and bring the next memories to light? I have my book by my side so that when they do arrive like the birds at the feeder, I can write them down so as not to lose the thought.

unknown commenters # 2

It just may have worked. I was given a suggestion by a work colleague (thanks again Jon) who said that it was probably spam that was auto-commenting on the blog. I haven't received any comments in 11 days.

So, after next week, I may unleash the freedom to comment again, have patience.

Some changes

OK, so a work colleague gave me a hint to try to get rid of the "spam" that is the oriental commenters. Thanks Jon. I have made some changes that should hopefully eliminate the unwanted and unreadable comments.

The unknown commenters

Back in the '70's there was the "unknown comic". There was a group of us who loved the "gong show" and we tried to emulate many of the things about that show even including the "worm dance". We also loved the "unknown comic" with his "chuckie, chuckie, chuckie" rant.

But this post has nothing to do with the unknown comic, it has everything to do with the "unknown commenter's". Who are you? Why would you comment on an english blog in chinese? This author cannot read your comments and neither can most if not all of my other regular readers. Seems much like the anonymous commenter who refused to give his/her real name until they were called out by this writer.

If you cannot respond in English, then why hide behind something that the others who read this post cannot read? If you cannot respond and identify yourselves, then I may have to resort to removing the ability to comment and that's not fair to others.

So, it's up to you. Choose today how you will respond and comment.

The unknown commenter

For some time now, I have been receiving comments from someone who leaves his/her comments in a language that I do not speak or read. It appears to be in one of the oriental languages: Chinese, Japanese, Korean or something else. It looks beautiful but I have not been able to find a website that can translate it yet.

So whoever you are, thanks for the comments (I think), but I can't read it, so try and get it translated for me please.

Having a bad day?!

I've been having a tough time lately. Self imposed difficulties, extremely busy schedule (I guess that's self imposed too), Seasonal Affective Disorder (not my fault), way too much pain, frustrated with people, limited in my abilities, away from family and friends, man the list just keeps growing. Even when something good happens like getting involved with Hope for Bastion, I feel defeated because I can only do so much.

Guilt screams its' lies to me about my past and my frailties. Those (except my family) that I depend on leave with no excuse, The lies rattle around my head making more noise than a Dash 8 and more confusion than a 51 year old with Andropause. I got screamed at by a punk 23 year old because in his ignorance, I don't do enough from a social justice perspective. One of my last resorts, my small group, almost all come down with some illness, leaving my prepared lesson unopened.

And then my pity part ended. My beloved calls and says watch this. I dare you to watch this and feel sorry for yourself ever again. I dare you to watch this and say "I can't". I dare you to go and help someone else. Get a life and do something for someone else, I dare you!

Here's another one which allows you to hear where his joy comes from. I am amazed at the phrase, "I love living life I am happy"

I guess it's not such a bad day, week, month or life after all, is it?

"You Lie"

Wow, never have two little words created such a stir.

While the words may have been out of place, maybe a lack of decorum and even inappropriate these two words expressed the truth. A brief review of the things this person has said have shown significant lack of integrity in his ability to maintain the truth. And in the land of the free and the home of the brave where freedom of speech is so firmly ensconced in the national fibre, the attacks on the individual who spoke them is tremendous.

I am not a fan or supporter of either the Republican or Democrat party in the good ole U. S. of A, fortunately. I am also not a citizen of the US, I am Canadian. According to the leader of the US, that country is not a Christian nation, but one made up of citizens.................. duh aren't we all citizens, well maybe all of us except illegal immigrants, but that's another post.

Anyway, with regards to the sacred notion of free speech, I guess it is when you speak things that are approved, or are aligned with the correct group (or the politically correct). Fpr a comparison, what happened when the previous president Bush was booed during the "state of the nation address"? Did the world go into such a a tizzy as this? of course not, this is going to be used as a smoke screen so that Obama care and the fairness doctrine will be passed by the bleating sheep in the house and congress.

One day, there will be a reckoning.

You lie, no kidding, he does, I do and so do all of you. Now as to the lack of decorum, some of the things I have read from those who wish to make Mr. Wilson a saint and those who think he is a demon lack more than decorum, they lack what they themselves have, forgiveness and the freedom of speech.

9 9 9

Today is the ninth day of the ninth month in 2009. September 9, 2009 has arrived. I am not much into numerology or most other kinds of "ologies" (except theology) but the three nines has a bit of a ring to it.

Will it change anything about my day? I doubt it! As I watch the early morning sun begin to stream across the sky I am encouraged by the red sky in the morning. I know there are lots of rhymes about red skies in the morning, in fact in the book of Matthew, Jesus is quoted as saying, "red sky in the morning means foul weather all day". I also prefer to hearken to the following: "do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself, each day has enough trouble of it's own". This was also spoke by Jesus after teaching the disciples how to pray.

So, today is 9 9 9. What does it mean? Take today, this hour, minute and even every second captive and be blessed by everything: the breath that you take as you read, the labour that you do to feed yourself and others, the beauty of sunshine and rain, the frustrations of life because they compare with the wonderful positive moments, the car requiring repairs because you have a car, the giving of pleasure, for is it not better to give than to receive?

I know that when the next 9 9 9 arrives, I will no longer reside on this planet, so today is a day that I will revel in the many blessings that I have been given, what about you?

Blogging anniversary 1 year completed and more to come

I was sitting and thinking and looking at changing the blog this morning and realized that I have been doing this for some time now. I started to blog July 28/08 as a means to stay in touch with you after my back surgery July 3/08.

I can't believe that a year has already passed since I started to put my toes into the ocean of blogging. I am not a literal swimmer and in this pool I have barely begun to paddle even after this first year. I have recently begun to write about being honest with myself and you and this new year of sorts will be a different challenge, and those of you who know me well, know that I like to challenge people to change mindsets, get out of self created prisons and to reach out to others so they are not alone in this journey.

A year, that is: 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8760 hours, 525600 minutes, 31536000 seconds that I have not used to my potential to do the best for others. My new year challenge to myself and to you, take every second captive to do my (your) best for others. If done, this place will be better for all. Never mind all the political wrangling, care for your neighbour, look out for those who are hurting(they are probably working right beside you(or even living in your home) and reach out and make this existence better for someone else.

Time for a change

I decided the blog needed a little changing.

So I did, I hope you like it, it's a little stark, maybe even severe in the look, but I wanted it to be different, and it is. Let me know what you think.

Rob

Another senseless (is there an acceptable one) murder

It's Sunday morning. I'm reading yesterday's papers. I got home late last night and didn't have time to read them because we are at the Home and Garden show in the big city yesterday. Enough about my weekend.

The headline cries out "Justice for Stefanie" after a "teen" is convected of first degree murder. Because the murderer was a "teen" at the time of the death, her name or her co-accused cannot be named because of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

So here we go again, a jealous girl over what appears to be a prolonged period of time uses the withholding of sex from her boyfriend until he agrees to kill their target of the girls jealousy.

The cry for Justice should not be the question.

Why should be the question. What did this girl believe in that she determined that it was acceptable to force someone else to kill someone whom she clearly hated or was threatened by? This apparently "normal" kid with a 90% average in school somehow determined that this "rival" should be eliminated. What brings us to the place where the ending of the life of someone else is acceptable? More and more I see the stories of killing, brother against brother, nation against nation and wonder when God is going to step in?

There's the rub. I want God to step in, which by its very assumption means that I know better than God himself. Trust me, I do not and do not even mean to convey that I know better. My frail and very human heart and mind want it to stop. I think I know enough of the heart of God that He wants it to stop too.

God in His wisdom will set a timeline when all of this will end, and in the meantime, we are called to love Him and our neighbours with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. That would suggest that forgiveness rather than justice is required here.     

Hockeyville is finally over

That may sound like heresy from someone from Woolwich Township, but to be honest I don't care that Hockeyville 2009 is over and "we" didn't win. I am so glad that it is finally over. There was such an overarching feeling that everyone had to "buy" into this thing and to speak against it (there were a few brave souls) appeared to have been taken as a personal affront of enormous proportions.

Don't get me wrong, the extra money would have helped purchase some extras for the rink that hopefully the entire community would benefit from. I was quite fearful that when the NHL game came to town (and I like others predicted a Boston vs. Atlanta matchup, even though the area is populated with thousands of Leaf fans who would never get a chance to see their team play) that there would be no tickets for the many thousands who supported this bid but were not in the forefront or friends of same. Just to be clear, I was not planning on attending so don't go throwing sour grapes at me.  

I am no crazy hockey hater either. I served the community and Woolwich Minor Hockey for 8 years and 5 of those I was the Association President. I have two children both of whom played hockey here. I have been a fan for many years and in fact I remember watching my first hockey game on tv in the winter of 69/70 just after my family came to Canada. It's just that hockey, like other things has become an idol that is worshipped rather than a game that is enjoyed and my worship is dedicated towards someone much greater than a game.

I'm also not a grumpy old man with nothing better to do. I have priorities in life that do not involve things and I'm not interested in making a name for myself on the backs of others. My priorities are to serve God (He alone is the source of my worship), my family and my community and by doing so I will endeavour to improve the lot of my fellow man and woman.

If all the efforts expended over the last months on Hockeyville (not just here but across the country) were given to serve those who really need it then this world would be a better place. What will happen to the energy that is available? Will we put up signs that say stop the rapeand genocide in Darfur? I doubt it. Will we dress up mannequins on our front lawns to bring attention to the needs of starving children in all parts of the world? I doubt it. Will we do anything now that our efforts at getting another $100,00.00 for the rink have been thwarted? I doubt it. We will go back to our lives, sit in our fancy homes, watch hockey/NASCAR/baseball (you get the point) on our big screen tv's while the rest of the world starves and goes to Hell.

The greed of North American living has to stop.

One day there will be a reckoning.   

Happy New Year, 2009 is here

I have been looking forward to 2009 for some time now. Suffice it to say that 2008 was difficult. It was, however, a time of significant learning and of faith testing experiences. We experienced and heard things things that we should not have. But, God (the one they call Emmanuel) was and continues to be "with us" as we move from 2008 to 2009.

That's the exciting thing about difficulties and challenges, we believe that we are not alone. Based on that I can go into 2009 with great expectations, which by the way is another book i want to read again. 

I don't make new years resolutions for many reasons. I do like to make plans for the year. I want to be healthier, I want to challenge my mind, primarily by reading. I want to read more of the classics for example the works of: Steinbeck, Hemingway, Dickens and C.S Lewis. I also want to read more poetry. It is my intention to read through the bible again this year, this time my plan is to read it chronologically. I want to drink deep of the fountains of spiritual knowledge as well as being quiet and listening once in a while too.

Most importantly I want to be kind, not just to the ones I love, but to all people. I want to be forgiving and I want to dispense grace, not the before meal prayer, but the behaviour that places others before myself and extend to them that which has been extended to me. I want to seek to understand, rather than getting my point across. I want to stand for what is right and stand against that which is wrong while still demonstrating love.

I know that by seeking to do this, I will have opportunities that will challenge me to act in ways that match these values. I wanted to learn patience this past year and had many different circumstances placed before me to teach me patience.

Whatever this year has for me, I am ready and not alone, for He is "with us".

As always, I will keep you posted on my progress. Much like the Pilgrim in Pilgrims Progress, I will press on to the goal as I trust Him for direction and guidance in my life.  

Happy New Year, indeed!    

New gadget added (feedback please)

I've added a new gadget to my blog. I'd like to know who and how many people are reading the blog. So, feel free to click on the "followers" gadget and let me know if you are following and what you think.  

I'd really like some feedback to see what you think of the blog and my thoughts. I have also added a comment control feature, so you will find that when you make comments, they have to be pre-approved by me prior to being published. It's a simple way to ensure that spam and other stuff like that is managed well.

Happy reading.

And away we go

Been thinking about doing this for some time. I am in the process of recovering from yet another surgery, this time to rebuild my back. I have experienced numerous setbacks on this journey already and decided that this might be a good way to manage some of my frustrations.

This blog will eventually take the place of my "obscure musical trivia" contest that I have been running for the better part of this year with a group of friends and colleagues, via e-mail. It's not really a contest, but rather a chance to play with music, one of my great loves.

I may also discuss my culinary attempts and successes as well as my spiritual journey.

I am attempting to read through the bible in a year and so far I have been mostly faithful in my attempts to keep up with the reading. The greatest thing that I have learned from my reading is obedience.

Now obedience is not something that is heard of these days unless we are talking about animals. It seems to be much easier for us humans to disobey than it is to obey. The word itself seesm so difficult to say. It's easier to go against the rules than to walk with the rules, I'm not sure what that is all about, but I am sure that I'm trying to obey while still colouring outside the lines at least once in a while.