Short post today. I will let the article speak for itself. All I can say is...SERIOUSLY?!?
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/09/07/florida.quran.burning/index.html?hpt=T2
Seriously about me
- Serious
- I refuse to describe myself as "just an ordinary guy". My opinions are my own but far from ordinary. This is my attempt (and first at that) at lets just say, venting about things I come across in day to day life that catch my attention. They could be inspiring, a true rant or sometimes just random neurons I put words to. Whatever it is, it should be a different and exciting journey. Well, at least for me. I hope you enjoy!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
A Journey
What a wonderful conversation I had with a friend today. We talked about "life's journey". Interesting topic. Thousands of books, poems and songs have been written on how to determine your path in life. How to choose your path. How to find the "end".
I believe there are two camps of thought on this. First are those that believe that the ultimate glory in the journey is the what lies at the end. Whether you believe in Heaven/Hell, Nirvana, or maybe just another chance at this life again, you know that what lies at the end is why you have travelled this path. The second group are those that believe that the path itself is where joy is derived. They don't know what lies at the end and they care not, for its the choices in paths that drive them. They believe in the old Chinese proverb "The journey IS the reward".
Yes, I know that both of these groups have their feet on both sides at times, but only one of these thoughts drive how they live. It drives their ambitions, their dreams and their very existence.
Which one are you?
I will leave you today with two quotes.
The first might sum up where I believe I am today. “I haven't a clue as to how my story will end. But that's all right. When you set out on a journey and night covers the road, you don't conclude the road has vanished. And how else could we discover the stars?”
And the last is for everyone to remember, especially in dealing with others and their own journeys. “All of life is a journey which paths we take, what we look back on, and what we look forward to is up to us. We determine our destination, what kind of road we will take to get there, and how happy we are when we get there.”
I hope you treasure your path and reach your intended destination.
Seriously.
I believe there are two camps of thought on this. First are those that believe that the ultimate glory in the journey is the what lies at the end. Whether you believe in Heaven/Hell, Nirvana, or maybe just another chance at this life again, you know that what lies at the end is why you have travelled this path. The second group are those that believe that the path itself is where joy is derived. They don't know what lies at the end and they care not, for its the choices in paths that drive them. They believe in the old Chinese proverb "The journey IS the reward".
Yes, I know that both of these groups have their feet on both sides at times, but only one of these thoughts drive how they live. It drives their ambitions, their dreams and their very existence.
Which one are you?
I will leave you today with two quotes.
The first might sum up where I believe I am today. “I haven't a clue as to how my story will end. But that's all right. When you set out on a journey and night covers the road, you don't conclude the road has vanished. And how else could we discover the stars?”
And the last is for everyone to remember, especially in dealing with others and their own journeys. “All of life is a journey which paths we take, what we look back on, and what we look forward to is up to us. We determine our destination, what kind of road we will take to get there, and how happy we are when we get there.”
I hope you treasure your path and reach your intended destination.
Seriously.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Does a life of privilege begat a life of injustice?
Ah Joran, how I despise thee. Let me count the ways. I am speaking of course of young Joran Andreas Petrus van der Sloot, my favorite misaligned misogynist. Here’s to hoping his life of privilege has run its course.
He once again graces the pages of news as a Peruvian panel is deciding whether or not to uphold the confession of Joran in the accused killing of 21 year old Stefany Flores. Strange note here is that the murdered Flores was found exactly on the 5th anniversary of Natalee Holloways disappearance? Coincidence? Karma? I find that interesting. Just sayin’…
Joran believes his confession is no longer valid due to the fact there wasn’t an “official” translator at the time and his state appointed attorney did not have a document accrediting her as an attorney. He claims his attorney was imposed upon him as well as being involved with a police officer. Oh, and also his laptop was improperly searched. I love hearing how his constitutional rights were violated. <cough>
You either have to love this guy because he has managed to use his knowledge of law (and his father’s) to get himself out of “sticky” situations or dislike him (I don’t use the word hate) for the same reason. His own mother stated he had a problem lying as a child. Here is a man that basically has led a life of gambling and partying whenever and wherever he choses. No responsibilities. No regard for his own actions. Must be nice....or is it?
And now to my point.
Joran is really just another example (albeit worst case) lately of what I fear to be some kind of societal change. It’s nothing more than a massive sense of over entitlement. Where is the accountability for ones actions? Why is there no responsibility tied to reward? Why do we believe everything is “owed” to us? And God forbid that anyone should try and hold us accountable for our actions or deny our instant gratification, for that triggers the inevitable call of injustice itself. My rights have been violated!
I am not conferring guilt to Joran nor am I saying he has no right to a fair trial. What I AM pointing out is that through his life of privilege he has formed some sense that he is “owed” everything and responsible for nothing. I used to think that this was only a problem with the younger generation but I do not hold true to that line of thought anymore. It truly is a much broader problem.
Even our own nation’s leaders have issue with it. Example. We’ve “successfully” deposed a leader in a country that was oppositional to ours (and possibly dangerous). I will not go into whether the war in Iraq was justified or not. I will however ask that why is the removal of our troops the end? Why do we not have a sense of responsibility to the people of Iraq to help them rebuild what we tore down? Are we entitled to overthrow a government and not responsible to help build a new one? How is that not an injustice based on our own sense of being “right”?
Plato stated he did not know what Justice was but he DID know what it was not.
It is my belief that any attitude that promotes a sense of self importance or self morality, that does nothing to further the better good, is an injustice. To negatively judge others based solely on the fact that they differ from you, is an injustice. To try and impose how you live your life on others because it is the “right” way to live, is an injustice. We DO have a responsibility as human kind to think how our actions and judgments affect one another. Somehow it’s getting lost in the confusion of what we believe is rightfully ours. We all live very privileged lives in one way or another. Life itself is precious. I believe we should try and use our lives in a way that truly “justifies” our existence. Make it count.
Seriously.
He once again graces the pages of news as a Peruvian panel is deciding whether or not to uphold the confession of Joran in the accused killing of 21 year old Stefany Flores. Strange note here is that the murdered Flores was found exactly on the 5th anniversary of Natalee Holloways disappearance? Coincidence? Karma? I find that interesting. Just sayin’…
Joran believes his confession is no longer valid due to the fact there wasn’t an “official” translator at the time and his state appointed attorney did not have a document accrediting her as an attorney. He claims his attorney was imposed upon him as well as being involved with a police officer. Oh, and also his laptop was improperly searched. I love hearing how his constitutional rights were violated. <cough>
You either have to love this guy because he has managed to use his knowledge of law (and his father’s) to get himself out of “sticky” situations or dislike him (I don’t use the word hate) for the same reason. His own mother stated he had a problem lying as a child. Here is a man that basically has led a life of gambling and partying whenever and wherever he choses. No responsibilities. No regard for his own actions. Must be nice....or is it?
And now to my point.
Joran is really just another example (albeit worst case) lately of what I fear to be some kind of societal change. It’s nothing more than a massive sense of over entitlement. Where is the accountability for ones actions? Why is there no responsibility tied to reward? Why do we believe everything is “owed” to us? And God forbid that anyone should try and hold us accountable for our actions or deny our instant gratification, for that triggers the inevitable call of injustice itself. My rights have been violated!
I am not conferring guilt to Joran nor am I saying he has no right to a fair trial. What I AM pointing out is that through his life of privilege he has formed some sense that he is “owed” everything and responsible for nothing. I used to think that this was only a problem with the younger generation but I do not hold true to that line of thought anymore. It truly is a much broader problem.
Even our own nation’s leaders have issue with it. Example. We’ve “successfully” deposed a leader in a country that was oppositional to ours (and possibly dangerous). I will not go into whether the war in Iraq was justified or not. I will however ask that why is the removal of our troops the end? Why do we not have a sense of responsibility to the people of Iraq to help them rebuild what we tore down? Are we entitled to overthrow a government and not responsible to help build a new one? How is that not an injustice based on our own sense of being “right”?
Plato stated he did not know what Justice was but he DID know what it was not.
It is my belief that any attitude that promotes a sense of self importance or self morality, that does nothing to further the better good, is an injustice. To negatively judge others based solely on the fact that they differ from you, is an injustice. To try and impose how you live your life on others because it is the “right” way to live, is an injustice. We DO have a responsibility as human kind to think how our actions and judgments affect one another. Somehow it’s getting lost in the confusion of what we believe is rightfully ours. We all live very privileged lives in one way or another. Life itself is precious. I believe we should try and use our lives in a way that truly “justifies” our existence. Make it count.
Seriously.
The FIRST post
Wow, so here I am. The first post of my first blog. I have to say I'm a little excited about it. Ok, I realize I'm not having my first novel published. But hey, after all the work and thought already put into this "venture" of mine, I'm due a little excitement.
The intent of this blog is to maybe on occasion, bring to the front of our attention, things that we might normally pass up. Or sometimes just ignore completely. I was originally going to place rules around my blogging such as "NO political posts", but decided against any rules. Why limit ANYTHING I want to talk about. Rules for the sake of having rules is just not what I want. Besides, it completely goes against the rebel in me.
I hope you enjoy my upcoming posts. I respect all opinions, even if I don't agree with them. I hope you will do the same.
The intent of this blog is to maybe on occasion, bring to the front of our attention, things that we might normally pass up. Or sometimes just ignore completely. I was originally going to place rules around my blogging such as "NO political posts", but decided against any rules. Why limit ANYTHING I want to talk about. Rules for the sake of having rules is just not what I want. Besides, it completely goes against the rebel in me.
I hope you enjoy my upcoming posts. I respect all opinions, even if I don't agree with them. I hope you will do the same.
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