This man inspires me and makes me a little teary...
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Dichotomy
Lately I've been faced with what some consider an issue of faith, and others consider an issue of humanity.
There is a common belief that in order to be "moral" one has to be a believer in some kind or religious being.
Moral, according my old friends Merriam and Webster, is
1. of or relating to right behavior
3. conforming to a standard of right behavior
4. sanctioned by one's conscience or ethical judgement
5. capable of right or wrong action
So, morality is acting in accordance with accepted "right" behavior of humanity. Basic human morals come down to a few tenets.
Don't kill me. Don't steal from me. Don't lie to me.
All "moral codes" set by ALL religions and philosophies of the world include those things. Most of them also include some form of what is known as the Christian "Golden Rule" - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Basically, treat people like you would like to be treated.
Christians have and follow their dogma and their morals, hindus believe in karma, (buddhists do, too), those of the Jewish faith believe in the ten commandments like the Christians, and there's no more stringent code of morals than that of the muslim faith.
While these major world religions might differ in many ways, their followers believe that there's something else out there sharing with us morality and ethics. In order to get the followers to follow those codes, they typically have some sort of alternative, typically negative punishment or consequence for negligence or disobedience. Christians, Jews, and Muslims believe in eternal damnation, and those that believe in reincarnation do not want to come back as a dung beetle (although a lifetime as a dung beetle is much more preferable than eternal damnation....)
So, I guess it's hard for someone deeply seeded in a faith so bound by morality (Christianity) to understand how someone without their faith could be moral.
I do not follow the "Ten Commandments" given to us by God through Moses on Mt. Sinai. I don't necessarily believe in all of the teachings of Jesus and his followers. I don't know what I believe in at all. I believe that karma is a force at work in the universe, but it's not contingent on any deity. I do not live by the Bhagavad Ghita, or the Upanishads. I do not follow a book or the teachings of any one religion or philosophy.
While I don't claim a religion as my own, that does not automatically exclude me from the realm of "morality". Morality is not contingent on God, or a god-head delusion. There is god-less morality, and I guess I'm an example of that.
This all has come from how there are people that would never find me to be a moral and good person because my morality isn't driven by God, or whatever. It almost hurts my feelings that I work with people who can never see me as a good person without being a Christian person.
There is a common belief that in order to be "moral" one has to be a believer in some kind or religious being.
Moral, according my old friends Merriam and Webster, is
1. of or relating to right behavior
3. conforming to a standard of right behavior
4. sanctioned by one's conscience or ethical judgement
5. capable of right or wrong action
So, morality is acting in accordance with accepted "right" behavior of humanity. Basic human morals come down to a few tenets.
Don't kill me. Don't steal from me. Don't lie to me.
All "moral codes" set by ALL religions and philosophies of the world include those things. Most of them also include some form of what is known as the Christian "Golden Rule" - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Basically, treat people like you would like to be treated.
Christians have and follow their dogma and their morals, hindus believe in karma, (buddhists do, too), those of the Jewish faith believe in the ten commandments like the Christians, and there's no more stringent code of morals than that of the muslim faith.
While these major world religions might differ in many ways, their followers believe that there's something else out there sharing with us morality and ethics. In order to get the followers to follow those codes, they typically have some sort of alternative, typically negative punishment or consequence for negligence or disobedience. Christians, Jews, and Muslims believe in eternal damnation, and those that believe in reincarnation do not want to come back as a dung beetle (although a lifetime as a dung beetle is much more preferable than eternal damnation....)
So, I guess it's hard for someone deeply seeded in a faith so bound by morality (Christianity) to understand how someone without their faith could be moral.
I do not follow the "Ten Commandments" given to us by God through Moses on Mt. Sinai. I don't necessarily believe in all of the teachings of Jesus and his followers. I don't know what I believe in at all. I believe that karma is a force at work in the universe, but it's not contingent on any deity. I do not live by the Bhagavad Ghita, or the Upanishads. I do not follow a book or the teachings of any one religion or philosophy.
While I don't claim a religion as my own, that does not automatically exclude me from the realm of "morality". Morality is not contingent on God, or a god-head delusion. There is god-less morality, and I guess I'm an example of that.
This all has come from how there are people that would never find me to be a moral and good person because my morality isn't driven by God, or whatever. It almost hurts my feelings that I work with people who can never see me as a good person without being a Christian person.
Hallelujah
Well I heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do ya?
Well it goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall and the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Well Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
she tied you to her kitchen chair
And she broke your throne and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Well baby I've been here before
I've seen this room and I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew ya
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Well there was a time when you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show that to me do you?
And remember when I moved in you?
And the holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Well maybe there's a God above
But all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who'd OUT DREW YA
And it's not a cry that you hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah
---Jeff Buckley
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do ya?
Well it goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall and the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Well Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
she tied you to her kitchen chair
And she broke your throne and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Well baby I've been here before
I've seen this room and I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew ya
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Well there was a time when you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show that to me do you?
And remember when I moved in you?
And the holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Well maybe there's a God above
But all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who'd OUT DREW YA
And it's not a cry that you hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah
---Jeff Buckley
Bummer!
For the past month or so, I switched back to using Bare Minerals makeup because I do love the simplicity and the feel of the makeup. I even spent half of my spending money allowance on a new foundation because what I already had was expired.
In the past month, my face has suffered a severe series of breakouts. I found out today that one of the only 5 ingredients in Bare Minerals foundation, the one that gives skin a healthy glow, is a known skin irritant. Bismuth Oxycloride is a known skin irritant and a by-product of the lead refining process, known to cause irritation and breakouts!
One of the other ingredients in Mica. Mica also gives skin that "glow", but it's known to irritate acne! Gah! I thought mineral makeup was going to be good for my acne! Booo!
The zinc oxide in the foundation, the physical sunscreen, is a skin calming ingredient and skin protectan. It's the same ingredient in Gold Bond, most diaper rash creams, sunscreens, and also calamine lotion. Apparently it's calming properties can't make up for the irritating properties of the foundation ingredients! I'm so sad, because i love the stuff, I just don't love the massive amounts of breakouts I've had since I began using it again.
Boo hiss on Bare Minerals! I know there are a lot of people who love bare minerals, and who don't have any problems with it at all. For that I'm happy - I'm glad it works for someone! Sadly, it doesn't work for me. Anyone want what I have left?
In the past month, my face has suffered a severe series of breakouts. I found out today that one of the only 5 ingredients in Bare Minerals foundation, the one that gives skin a healthy glow, is a known skin irritant. Bismuth Oxycloride is a known skin irritant and a by-product of the lead refining process, known to cause irritation and breakouts!
One of the other ingredients in Mica. Mica also gives skin that "glow", but it's known to irritate acne! Gah! I thought mineral makeup was going to be good for my acne! Booo!
The zinc oxide in the foundation, the physical sunscreen, is a skin calming ingredient and skin protectan. It's the same ingredient in Gold Bond, most diaper rash creams, sunscreens, and also calamine lotion. Apparently it's calming properties can't make up for the irritating properties of the foundation ingredients! I'm so sad, because i love the stuff, I just don't love the massive amounts of breakouts I've had since I began using it again.
Boo hiss on Bare Minerals! I know there are a lot of people who love bare minerals, and who don't have any problems with it at all. For that I'm happy - I'm glad it works for someone! Sadly, it doesn't work for me. Anyone want what I have left?
Why not?
What were you doing ten years ago? I was 15 - so I was probably at soccer practice or at the pool with Candice
What are five things on your to-do list today?
1. Clean up around here
2. Do some laundry
3. Do some more laundry
4. Go to work
5. Get some kitty litter
Snacks you enjoy? Trail mix right now. Crackers or Cheetos or something.
Places you've lived? great old Huntsville, Al
What are 5 things you would do if you were a billionaire? A billion is a lot....
1. Give large sums to charities all over the world.
2. Buy Chris and myself a good house we can live in forever
3. Set up a few trust funds for us to live off of the rest of our lives, and for other family members.
4. quit work (for awhile) and go to school for whatever i wanted
5. Travel
People you want to know more about? I enjoy learning about all cultures and people, so I'm up for whatever!
What are five things on your to-do list today?
1. Clean up around here
2. Do some laundry
3. Do some more laundry
4. Go to work
5. Get some kitty litter
Snacks you enjoy? Trail mix right now. Crackers or Cheetos or something.
Places you've lived? great old Huntsville, Al
What are 5 things you would do if you were a billionaire? A billion is a lot....
1. Give large sums to charities all over the world.
2. Buy Chris and myself a good house we can live in forever
3. Set up a few trust funds for us to live off of the rest of our lives, and for other family members.
4. quit work (for awhile) and go to school for whatever i wanted
5. Travel
People you want to know more about? I enjoy learning about all cultures and people, so I'm up for whatever!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
...
Sadly I'm back from the beach. There is talk of returning for our anniversary this year, since we know that it's off season and it's like a ghost town there (and much cheaper!).
I never want to come home from the beach. I could seriously live near the water and be perfectly happy.
I do my best contemplating while at the beach. There's something about that wonderful ocean air, and the sound of the waves that gets my brain going.
I was able to read 2.5 books while at the beach. I read "Little Altars Everywhere", the book before "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sitsterhood". I liked it, but "Divine Secrets" is SO much better. I also finally read "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath. I dig. I may pick up some of her poetry now.
I don't know why they make you read poetry and such while in high school now a days. They expect so little from students now, it's unfair to assume their mental capabilities are the same as students 30 years ago. Yes they require more subject matter, but they aren't teaching people to think about what they're doing - really think about it. Since they aren't equipped to take in great works or literature, it seems unfair to force it upon them, these young adults that are still treated as children, and expect profound answers. I think it's created a culture of students who don't like to read - not because they don't really like to read, but because they're forced to read things that they aren't fully ready to understand. I doubt I would have understood "The Bell Jar" properly when 15 years old. Yes, it's great literature, but how much great literature can a 15 year old really appreciate?
While at the beach, I acquired a newfound appreciation for my husband, and the relationship that we have. Our interactions, conversations, and the way we're wonderful friends is so much more than I could have ever really hoped for out of marriage. After 7 days with him non-stop, I didn't want to leave to go to work that morning after we returned. I am so fortunate to have found him so early in life.
I never want to come home from the beach. I could seriously live near the water and be perfectly happy.
I do my best contemplating while at the beach. There's something about that wonderful ocean air, and the sound of the waves that gets my brain going.
I was able to read 2.5 books while at the beach. I read "Little Altars Everywhere", the book before "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sitsterhood". I liked it, but "Divine Secrets" is SO much better. I also finally read "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath. I dig. I may pick up some of her poetry now.
I don't know why they make you read poetry and such while in high school now a days. They expect so little from students now, it's unfair to assume their mental capabilities are the same as students 30 years ago. Yes they require more subject matter, but they aren't teaching people to think about what they're doing - really think about it. Since they aren't equipped to take in great works or literature, it seems unfair to force it upon them, these young adults that are still treated as children, and expect profound answers. I think it's created a culture of students who don't like to read - not because they don't really like to read, but because they're forced to read things that they aren't fully ready to understand. I doubt I would have understood "The Bell Jar" properly when 15 years old. Yes, it's great literature, but how much great literature can a 15 year old really appreciate?
While at the beach, I acquired a newfound appreciation for my husband, and the relationship that we have. Our interactions, conversations, and the way we're wonderful friends is so much more than I could have ever really hoped for out of marriage. After 7 days with him non-stop, I didn't want to leave to go to work that morning after we returned. I am so fortunate to have found him so early in life.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Hope
That word is so over used right now...
But that's ok. So is the word "change", but I'm ok with that too, because those words strike a chord within the hearts of most people.
I'm so excited that Obama is our presumptive democratic nominee for President this election year. I just hope that the opposition doesn't start in with the mudslinging. I hope we can have an honorable and gentlemanly competition and not a pissing contest.
Obama has class, and I hope that it is shared by his opponent.
But that's ok. So is the word "change", but I'm ok with that too, because those words strike a chord within the hearts of most people.
I'm so excited that Obama is our presumptive democratic nominee for President this election year. I just hope that the opposition doesn't start in with the mudslinging. I hope we can have an honorable and gentlemanly competition and not a pissing contest.
Obama has class, and I hope that it is shared by his opponent.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Yankee Bayonette by The Decemberists
Heart-carved tree trunk, Yankee bayonet
A sweetheart left behind
Far from the hills of the sea-swelled Carolinas
That's where my true love lies
Look for me when the sun-bright swallow
Sings upon the birch bough high
But you are in the ground with the voles and the weevils
All a'chew upon your bones so dry
But when the sun breaks
To no more bulletin battle-cry
Then will you make a grave
For I will be home then
I will be home then
I will be home then
I will be home then
Then
When I was a girl how the hills of Oconee
Made a seam to hem me in
There at the fair when our eyes caught, careless
Got my heart right pierced by a pin
But oh, did you see all the dead of Manassas
All the bellies and the bones and the bile
Though I lingered here with the blankets barren
And my own belly big with child
But when the sun breaks
To no more bulletin battle-cry
Then will you make a grave
For I will be home then
I will be home then
I will be home then
I will be home then
Stems and bones and stone walls too
Could keep me from you
Scaly skin is all too few
To keep me from you
But oh my love, though our bodies may be parted
Though our skin may not touch skin
Look for me with the sun-bright sparrow
I will come on the breath of the wind
The words that appear in italics are sung by a man. The words that appear in plain text are of a woman. Those bolded are in unison.
A sweetheart left behind
Far from the hills of the sea-swelled Carolinas
That's where my true love lies
Look for me when the sun-bright swallow
Sings upon the birch bough high
But you are in the ground with the voles and the weevils
All a'chew upon your bones so dry
But when the sun breaks
To no more bulletin battle-cry
Then will you make a grave
For I will be home then
I will be home then
I will be home then
I will be home then
Then
When I was a girl how the hills of Oconee
Made a seam to hem me in
There at the fair when our eyes caught, careless
Got my heart right pierced by a pin
But oh, did you see all the dead of Manassas
All the bellies and the bones and the bile
Though I lingered here with the blankets barren
And my own belly big with child
But when the sun breaks
To no more bulletin battle-cry
Then will you make a grave
For I will be home then
I will be home then
I will be home then
I will be home then
Stems and bones and stone walls too
Could keep me from you
Scaly skin is all too few
To keep me from you
But oh my love, though our bodies may be parted
Though our skin may not touch skin
Look for me with the sun-bright sparrow
I will come on the breath of the wind
The words that appear in italics are sung by a man. The words that appear in plain text are of a woman. Those bolded are in unison.
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