On Positive Writing

On positive writing

Write something positive, I am told. Everything you write is dark and negative.

I am positive, I can. I said, for I am a positive person.

But, I am also a realist. I see things that are askew.

Life is complex. I sigh.

I work to pay bills, but bills are never paid.

I pray for peace, yet look to war.

 

True, those are real events. Things happen. Bills are due. People fight.

Yet isn’t there sunshine. Isn’t there laughter.

 

Sunshine brings bugs, and bugs sting and bite.

As for laughter what is funny? Everyone is sensitive. Everyone is touchy

 

Ok then but what about the dog?

The dog is happy.

The dog is happy, because the dog is fed, is safe and has no worries.

Besides, isn’t it sad when I leave?

 

Yet, it survives.

See, it recline on the couch, its paws strechted out. It cares not that you fret. It cares not that you have no money, or that you have had a bad day.

It is happy.

I look. I see my dog. It is asleep. It looks peaceful

I relax and look closer. That bill that I have to pay looks smaller than before. I want to nap---with my dog

I lay down. Dog comes. Licking begins. Tail wags.

Dog is happy.

Dog makes me happy.

Good dog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Never

Never

 

When I was young

It seemed that I would never get to drive

It was all that I thought about.

 

When I was in school

It seemed that I would never get finished

It was all that I thought about

 

When I was single

It seemed that I would never get married

It was all that I thought about

 

Now I have a car

And a diploma

And a spouse

I never thought I would

 

Often it seems as if “never” will never come

But it always does

Just never when we want it to

 

Compare

COMPARE

 

I don’t like to do it,

But it comes naturally

I see this and want that

I compare.

 

I want to stand out

I want to “be me”

But, can I be different

If I need to compare?

 

Is it right?

Is it wrong?

I don’t want really want what they have

Do I?

 

Envy, Jealously, Want,

These are a part of me

It all seems innocent

As one child staring at the other’s toy

 

Which is better?

Which is worse?

Is it mine, or is it yours?

Lo! Each one is unique.

 

But as I watch them

I cannot become me

For if I am not them

Then I do not need to compare!

 

I want to shine

I want to be known

I want to make my own way

I don’t need to compare.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Small Things

                                                                  Small things:         

Thirsty Lizard

Today I saw my first thirsty lizard! I had never seen a lizard drink.  It was a magical peaceful, moment.

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              The sun shone brightly off the pond behind our apartment. Despite the summer heat, a pleasant breeze made the screened-in back porch comfortable. Nearby ducks searched the grass for food as squirrels chased each other between the trees. Everything seemed alive and fresh—the green grass, the clear water and the blue sky.  Here, surrounded by nature I liked to read.

Suddenly I noticed four potted plants resting upon the window ledge. One was dead; another had been overrun by weeds. Just two were alive, but they needed water. Grabbing a nearby jug, I decided to water those plants. It was the least I could do.

Soon a tiny pond formed at the base of these pots. I stopped pouring for I did not want water to spill over the ledge. From behind the plants, a small lizard—an anole—popped out of hiding. At about two inches long, it could easily have hidden between the plant and the window screen.

I had to watch. Somehow I had the feeling that an event was about to occur. Slowly, cautiously the anole crept to the edge of the water. It extended its neck, and reaching down, began to drink, as ripples vibrated.

For that moment everything seemed to stop. This little creature was thirsty, and, for a brief time, let its guard down. The potted plants, the ledge, and the window screen created a little world of safety and serenity for the anole. For it, this was an oasis. After a few seconds it had its fill. The anole turned around and quickly slithered behind the plants, and back to safety.

It was such a small and simple act—an ordinary ritual. Yet there was a beauty, as this made life seem in harmony. Ducks were waddling, squirrels were scampering to and fro, as this little lizard took a drink.

 Once again small things provided a glimpses of truth: life has a design. It has a purpose. Everything is interconnected—the water, the plant, the anole and myself. We all are but bit players in the cosmic play.

I felt connected, and at peace.  I returned to my book.

 

 

 

Between a rock and a hard place:

 

A reflection on conflict

Conflict is universal.  The desire to live peacefully is challenged daily by both internal and external forces.  To live ethically means putting the needs of others into consideration. This occurs on the international scale, as in the plight of refugees, and it happens on a personal scale, such as on the job. It is common to be pulled in two opposing directions.  For example, a co-worker may want your assistance with a particular project, while at the same time someone else, be it another co-worker, a boss, or a customer, asks for you to take on a different task. Thus we are often between “a rock and a hard place”, amid two difficult solutions. Conflict therefore is bound to ensue.

These decisions are made in the moment. They cannot be deferred. In situ, we live. We cannot see the whole, and even what we do see; we often wrongly interpret.  Einstein has been quoted as having said, “The more I know, the more I know I don’t know.” That has always stayed with me.  Even with the best of knowledge, humility reminds us that we actually know little.

The only choice for peace, it appears would be to live with the choices that one makes. Autonomy and forgiveness must play a role. To have the option and power to make decisions while also recognizing the unintended consequences and limitations that those decisions make, is, it seems the essence of a moral life. When between a rock and a hard place, we need to brace for an impact, then, after the conflict has ended, forgive, make peace and move on. Nothing else will do.

 

 

Today!

 

Possibly my favorite all time song is “Today”. It is a folk song made famous by John Denver—though it was written by Randy Sparks of the New Christy Minstrels. In 1964 it became a hit.

Easily sung, this song has a simple message: that this day—today—is to be our joy and our focus. Its repeated refrain, “ a million tomorrows will all pass away, ‘ere I forget all the joys that are mine today,” is a line that needs remembering. Let the problems of the past not rob us of our ability to experience the joy of a new day.

It is often difficult to remain focused on today, as fears, hopes and aspirations compete for attention. Things need to be planned for. Problems need to be processed. These take time.

We live in a society where it is very hard to relax and “live in the moment”. The fast paced world of jobs, technology and obligations leave little time for reflection and contentment.

What if others complain? What if they “get ahead” in life, or at work?

Comparing ourselves to others seems to be our curse, for there is always someone who “has it all together”; who is farther along in their career or family life. We are taught to “be all that we can be”—as an old Army commercial implored. More is always needed. More is just ahead. It is our destiny.

We are afraid to let go. Afraid that, if we do then nothing will get done. Others will be disappointed. We may even end up as a bum—with no friends, no home and no purpose.  That will never do.

So we worry and fret. Paralyzed with anxiety we seek only to endure the day. Escaping to the warm glow of the computer screen, we play our games, and try to forget.

Yet peace eludes.

But the song interrupts;  “Today is my glory. . . I’ll laugh, and I’ll cry and I’ll sing.”

With that revelation we can live. The future is coming. The past is gone. All we have is “now”.

It is enough.

 

Someone is better

Life teaches lessons we may not want to hear.  To discover that someone is better, for a competitive person, is difficult to grasp. This seems especially true when the other person seems to be getting all the luck.

I like to think of myself as an easy going person. I know that I am not that good at mechanical tasks, like fixing the car, or other typical “guy” jobs. I know that I at a loss when I need to do basic home repairs.

This does not bother me, for I have rationalized that my gifts are different. I see myself as a scientist, theologian, and artist. I enjoy studying the world, and, using my creativity, to write about it, often from a spiritual vantage point. I like to follow Descartes advice, “ I think therefore, I am”. Thinking and writing about faith and culture is what I do.

So, when I see a blog or a webpage where someone is doing that, I admit that I get anxious. Sometimes when I hear someone on television talking about such topics, I wish that I could do that.

But I do not know how to get known. Often it seems that I can write and post ideas on my blog, and make cogent comments on social media threads, to no avail.

I try to be patient—and persistent believing that if I continue along this path, someday life will change.  But, then I hear someone talk about a topic that I feel passionately about!

I wonder was there something that they did that got them on the air, or on a successful webpage. Some have written books. That, I can understand for it seems natural: you write a book and, if its good, people will read it and then want you to discuss it.

But others have not achieved that fame. Instead they went to a top school like Harvard or Yale. Others seem to get to those positions because they knew someone. I know that this is the reality, and that those people have the right to do what they did.

But it bothers me. I can do what they are doing. But they had all the breaks.

I begin to get jealous, then sometimes, I go into despair. “After all”, I say, “I will not be able to have those connections.”

I must let these feelings go. Someone may be better than me. I need to allow that to be ok.

I have always liked to be different. I have quirks and a unique point of view. But, what if I am not unique enough?

What if that person does a better job at getting their message across?

I have to come to peace with that. I need to do what I do—and not worry what the outcome will be. If I no one ever reads my posts or likes my ideas . . . if I can never make a career from writing, then what. . . .

I do not know. It will be hard. But, I must allow someone else to be better—at least at this stage.

I think therefore, I am. . so I must continue, come what may.