Our son gave us quite a scare. He told us he doubts the existence of God. Interestingly enough, my wife was very upset. I was not.
Perhaps because when I was a little older than him I too had my doubts. Unfortunately I listened to people that were strident in their beliefs. As I would later say, I would rather be in hell without people like that than with them in heaven. Besides, I know hot, I was raised in West Texas.
The reasons it does not bother me are numerous. First, he is actually thinking why. That is not necessarily bad. Second, I think he will discover as I did that the road to an enlightened religious life is a journey. I take great comfort in that.
I cannot tell you the date or the month I felt it. I can tell you the year. It was 1999. It was several events. The first one was my doctor told me about a song the choir would sing that Sunday. It was hard and beautiful. We went to the same church. Second, I went to a Sunday School gathering with my wife (she was miles ahead of me on her journey) and actually enjoyed the people. Third, I took a course at Eastminister Presbyterian Church called Alpha. Finally, and I may not recall this correctly, but I was listening to a GOP debate on the radio and Gov. George Bush was asked who was his favorite philosopher. His answer was Jesus Christ. He got some ridicule for that, but after I thought about it, I think he was right.
Why? If you consider Jesus Christ a philosopher, then Christianity is a philosophy. If that is so, then it is a choice you make to follow. While I heard vague references to that, I never heard it so eloquently stated as then Governor Bush did over a decade ago. As I reread the New Testament, I found this philosophy quite engaging. Jesus Christ is a knowledgeable and compassionate spokesman. You see, it is a choice he will make at some point. My money is on his discovering why as opposed to doubting. Perhaps that will make him a better Christian.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
A Troubling Situation
One of the reasons I like running is the lack of distractions. As you know, I do not play music when I am on a trail. You can hear birds singing, leaves rustling, and my shoe hitting wood chips, gravel or soft ground. You can see leaves falling (at least this time of the year), a butterfly, numerous trees and occasionally a deer. I let my mind wander and percolate. Or as Jack Welch, former GE CEO, used to say, "Let's noodle it."
Several weeks ago i went to the Smithsonian American History Museum. You may recall on my Facebook page I posted pics of Julia Child's kitchen.
I "noodled" over this for several weeks. What troubled me happened in another part of the building. The museum had an excellent exhibit on Southern culture in the 1850s and slavery. I was looking at one piece and standing next to four young ladies also looking at the exhibit (see below).
The young ladies were in high school and talking about how bad slavery was and that they would never approve. You must admire their sense of fairness and justice.
As I listened, I realized these intelligent ladies had no sense of history. They did not know why slavery existed, the economics of slavery, how the slave trade worked, only one knew what Eli Whitney's cotton gin was but not how it impacted slavery, how the country struggled with slavery for over a century, or other times the U.S. treated a race cruelly. A couple of the young ladies asked a few questions and I think were surprised at what they did not know.
One asked me has the U.S. recently treated any group as badly as slaves. I think they were again surprised at my answer. Basically I told them other races the U.S. treated harshly were the Indian and the Japanese after the start of World War II. Those are two examples.
I spent 20 minutes with the young ladies. It was fun for me and I think for at least one of them.
I bring this up because I recall the famous saying by Edmund Burke, "Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it."
We need to teach kids history so they have an appreciation of sacrifices older generations of Americans (and others) made to offer them the potential of a better life, the mistakes we made in building the U.S and the importance of their participation in our country and the social fabric. I sometimes think we take this for granted. But then consider this, how many of your friends' children know their family history and history? Yes, it may be boring to kids, but later in life these children will be grateful for learning it.
In a broader sense, how can we know an injustice if we are not educated to see it? At its very best, history offers all Americans a sense of perspective or a touchstone. It allows us to contrast a current situation to past events. That is why history is important. History is a timeline usually in a book that all of us can share, contemplate, discuss, debate, contribute to, and learn from.
Several weeks ago i went to the Smithsonian American History Museum. You may recall on my Facebook page I posted pics of Julia Child's kitchen.
I "noodled" over this for several weeks. What troubled me happened in another part of the building. The museum had an excellent exhibit on Southern culture in the 1850s and slavery. I was looking at one piece and standing next to four young ladies also looking at the exhibit (see below).
The young ladies were in high school and talking about how bad slavery was and that they would never approve. You must admire their sense of fairness and justice.
As I listened, I realized these intelligent ladies had no sense of history. They did not know why slavery existed, the economics of slavery, how the slave trade worked, only one knew what Eli Whitney's cotton gin was but not how it impacted slavery, how the country struggled with slavery for over a century, or other times the U.S. treated a race cruelly. A couple of the young ladies asked a few questions and I think were surprised at what they did not know.
One asked me has the U.S. recently treated any group as badly as slaves. I think they were again surprised at my answer. Basically I told them other races the U.S. treated harshly were the Indian and the Japanese after the start of World War II. Those are two examples.
I spent 20 minutes with the young ladies. It was fun for me and I think for at least one of them.
I bring this up because I recall the famous saying by Edmund Burke, "Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it."
We need to teach kids history so they have an appreciation of sacrifices older generations of Americans (and others) made to offer them the potential of a better life, the mistakes we made in building the U.S and the importance of their participation in our country and the social fabric. I sometimes think we take this for granted. But then consider this, how many of your friends' children know their family history and history? Yes, it may be boring to kids, but later in life these children will be grateful for learning it.
In a broader sense, how can we know an injustice if we are not educated to see it? At its very best, history offers all Americans a sense of perspective or a touchstone. It allows us to contrast a current situation to past events. That is why history is important. History is a timeline usually in a book that all of us can share, contemplate, discuss, debate, contribute to, and learn from.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
A Pleasant Walk to the Bookstore
Today I went to the Politics and Prose bookstore off Connecticut Ave (see first pic). I took the Metro from the Vienna/Fairfax GMU Station, changed from the Orange line to the Red line at the Metro central station and got off at the Van Ness station off Connecticut Ave.
During the trip on the Metro I texted and read Fortune on my Kindle. I also watched people get on and off. It is a great way to get into and out of Washington DC.
Unlike other excursions into DC, I had to walk about a mile from the Van Ness station to the bookstore. It was a cool day and lots to look at. For example, I passed several apartment complexes, all with vacancies. Names included the Chesapeake, Albemarle, etc. Two embassies are off Connecticut Ave. You will find three gas stations, a Shell, Exxon and I forget the third. The difference in the price per gallon of gas was $0.06, a little higher than I expected. You will also find two CVS drugstores within the mile walk.
The selection of restaurants was very diverse. You had several chains like Potbelly, Subway, etc. You could also get Italian cuisine. Some of the restaurants had outdoor seating. Finally, you could order a thick sandwich along the way to the bookstore. The walk included going by a general store, Office Depot, and similar stores.
I heard a three-piece band playing as I departed and returned to the Metro stop (third pic). They were across the street. The music of choice was classical.
Side note, when I walk or run, I do not listen to music, I prefer to listen to the sounds of the environment. When I run on a trail, I can hear leaves rustling, birds singing, and the sound of my shoes breaking twigs.
What surprised me were the people walking on the sidewalk. Singles have headphones in their ears and/or constantly reading texts or emails or some website. Now I ask you, what is so important that cannot wait until you have reached your destination. Enjoy the season and scenery. Listen to the sounds. Look at the people, architecture, and surroundings.
Instead of reading texts or anything else on my smart phone, I actually looked at the architecture of the various buildings, read the names, looked at how crowded parking is, the number of stories in the different apartment complexes, entrances of apartment complexes, and what is down each street. Some apartment entrances were really classy. Also during my walk to the bookstore I could hear leaves rustling in the wind, cars and trucks drive by, brakes squealing, conversations of couples, and of course a three-piece band playing classical music.
After a brisk walk, I arrived at the Politics and Prose bookstore. If you watch CSPAN you may recognize the name. CSPAN featured authors speaking at the bookstore throughout the years. The bookstore is two stories, and has a coffee shop. A book group was meeting downstairs. The store had numerous staff to help. A lady brought her Great Dane in, it was among the biggest dogs I have ever seen. On his four legs he brushed up against my stomach. I did not have to bend down to pat his large head. My two hands together may have covered his head. He had a friendly disposition.
After buying a book, I went to the coffee shop (the large cup of coffee was $2.00 with tax, refills $0,50). Several people were in the coffee shop, two or three individuals on Apple computers, about three couples and one foursome. Lots of talking and drinking. I read my Kindle and the Washington Post (see second pic). After my second cup of coffee I left. I wanted to get back home for my afternoon run in the Manassas Battlefield Park. Glad I did that, it was slightly warmer around 5 PM.
On the way back I walked at a leisurely pace, still enjoying the cool weather and local architecture. I may do it again.
During the trip on the Metro I texted and read Fortune on my Kindle. I also watched people get on and off. It is a great way to get into and out of Washington DC.
Unlike other excursions into DC, I had to walk about a mile from the Van Ness station to the bookstore. It was a cool day and lots to look at. For example, I passed several apartment complexes, all with vacancies. Names included the Chesapeake, Albemarle, etc. Two embassies are off Connecticut Ave. You will find three gas stations, a Shell, Exxon and I forget the third. The difference in the price per gallon of gas was $0.06, a little higher than I expected. You will also find two CVS drugstores within the mile walk.
The selection of restaurants was very diverse. You had several chains like Potbelly, Subway, etc. You could also get Italian cuisine. Some of the restaurants had outdoor seating. Finally, you could order a thick sandwich along the way to the bookstore. The walk included going by a general store, Office Depot, and similar stores.
I heard a three-piece band playing as I departed and returned to the Metro stop (third pic). They were across the street. The music of choice was classical.
Side note, when I walk or run, I do not listen to music, I prefer to listen to the sounds of the environment. When I run on a trail, I can hear leaves rustling, birds singing, and the sound of my shoes breaking twigs.
What surprised me were the people walking on the sidewalk. Singles have headphones in their ears and/or constantly reading texts or emails or some website. Now I ask you, what is so important that cannot wait until you have reached your destination. Enjoy the season and scenery. Listen to the sounds. Look at the people, architecture, and surroundings.
Instead of reading texts or anything else on my smart phone, I actually looked at the architecture of the various buildings, read the names, looked at how crowded parking is, the number of stories in the different apartment complexes, entrances of apartment complexes, and what is down each street. Some apartment entrances were really classy. Also during my walk to the bookstore I could hear leaves rustling in the wind, cars and trucks drive by, brakes squealing, conversations of couples, and of course a three-piece band playing classical music.
After a brisk walk, I arrived at the Politics and Prose bookstore. If you watch CSPAN you may recognize the name. CSPAN featured authors speaking at the bookstore throughout the years. The bookstore is two stories, and has a coffee shop. A book group was meeting downstairs. The store had numerous staff to help. A lady brought her Great Dane in, it was among the biggest dogs I have ever seen. On his four legs he brushed up against my stomach. I did not have to bend down to pat his large head. My two hands together may have covered his head. He had a friendly disposition.
After buying a book, I went to the coffee shop (the large cup of coffee was $2.00 with tax, refills $0,50). Several people were in the coffee shop, two or three individuals on Apple computers, about three couples and one foursome. Lots of talking and drinking. I read my Kindle and the Washington Post (see second pic). After my second cup of coffee I left. I wanted to get back home for my afternoon run in the Manassas Battlefield Park. Glad I did that, it was slightly warmer around 5 PM.
On the way back I walked at a leisurely pace, still enjoying the cool weather and local architecture. I may do it again.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
I Hate Young People, But Not For the Reason You Think
I bet that got your attention. Now do not misunderstand me. It is not for a reason you may expect.
I know the usual reasons you are thinking about.
Youth have too much energy. No, I admire that.
Youth questions too much. No, that is good.
Youth question too many things and standard operating procedures. No, that too is good.
Youth are impatient. You have never been driving with my parents.
Youth take too many risks. No, I like that.
Youth focuses on the wrong things. No, they will learn or I may learn.
Youth relies on new technology. So do I.
Youth is smug when helping us older people adapt to new technology. Not the ones I know. I do admit, they sure can fix a smart phone fast.
Youth dresses oddly. I suspect they say the same about me.
Youth does not respect authority or institutions. Honestly, can you really blame them?
Youth is far too optimistic. And what is wrong with that?
Youth gets news from Steve Colbert and Jon something. Now that one I really do not understand.
Youth protests. That is a cherished tradition in this country.
Youth taste in music is bad. Yes, I would partially agree with that. Of course I am listening to Lady Gaga on Napster as I write this, so what do I know.
Youth watches weird TV shows. Yes, but then I suspect they say the same about me.
Youth hears a song on the radio and cannot understand how an older guy like me would know the words. It is called a new version and I was a youth once.
Then why? Youth reminds me that I am older. However, not in ways noted above.
Now you must keep in mind that I had gray hair for decades, back to high school. No, it is not looking older. I have always looked far older than my age. Several times my girlfriend, now wife, was mistaken for my daughter. My daughter was mistaken for my grand daughter. Gray hair does that.
In fact, youth does not even know that they make me feel old. It is one single act, repeated every week in the office. I cannot read really small print. Of late I had to get bifocals and even with my new glasses I cannot read small print.
An example. Every week we have a staff meeting. A project report is printed. Those of us over 45 cannot read it. it is small print on one page. Youth I work with says, "Oh you can't? Wow, I can. Let me read it to you." Gee, thanks.
You see, I can do something about almost every complaint you thought I may have. The vision challenge is and will be unresolved. That is youth, unintentionally, reminding me that I am definitely getting older and my body is showing it.
Yes, I know, you want an example. So far this year I have lost weight, took at least 5 inches off my waist, and started running again (not far, but every time is farther and longer than the previous run). I try to find the good in people and try to consider other points of view (regardless of what my daughter says or thinks).
No, it is the vision issue. Nothing I do will ever change that. I will never be able to read really small print again unless I hold it close or use a magnifying glass. Again, youth will say Oh, let me help you.
My only consolation. Very soon youth will be older and they will face their youth. With it will be the very small print that they cannot read.
I know the usual reasons you are thinking about.
Youth have too much energy. No, I admire that.
Youth questions too much. No, that is good.
Youth question too many things and standard operating procedures. No, that too is good.
Youth are impatient. You have never been driving with my parents.
Youth take too many risks. No, I like that.
Youth focuses on the wrong things. No, they will learn or I may learn.
Youth relies on new technology. So do I.
Youth is smug when helping us older people adapt to new technology. Not the ones I know. I do admit, they sure can fix a smart phone fast.
Youth dresses oddly. I suspect they say the same about me.
Youth does not respect authority or institutions. Honestly, can you really blame them?
Youth is far too optimistic. And what is wrong with that?
Youth gets news from Steve Colbert and Jon something. Now that one I really do not understand.
Youth protests. That is a cherished tradition in this country.
Youth taste in music is bad. Yes, I would partially agree with that. Of course I am listening to Lady Gaga on Napster as I write this, so what do I know.
Youth watches weird TV shows. Yes, but then I suspect they say the same about me.
Youth hears a song on the radio and cannot understand how an older guy like me would know the words. It is called a new version and I was a youth once.
Then why? Youth reminds me that I am older. However, not in ways noted above.
Now you must keep in mind that I had gray hair for decades, back to high school. No, it is not looking older. I have always looked far older than my age. Several times my girlfriend, now wife, was mistaken for my daughter. My daughter was mistaken for my grand daughter. Gray hair does that.
In fact, youth does not even know that they make me feel old. It is one single act, repeated every week in the office. I cannot read really small print. Of late I had to get bifocals and even with my new glasses I cannot read small print.
An example. Every week we have a staff meeting. A project report is printed. Those of us over 45 cannot read it. it is small print on one page. Youth I work with says, "Oh you can't? Wow, I can. Let me read it to you." Gee, thanks.
You see, I can do something about almost every complaint you thought I may have. The vision challenge is and will be unresolved. That is youth, unintentionally, reminding me that I am definitely getting older and my body is showing it.
Yes, I know, you want an example. So far this year I have lost weight, took at least 5 inches off my waist, and started running again (not far, but every time is farther and longer than the previous run). I try to find the good in people and try to consider other points of view (regardless of what my daughter says or thinks).
No, it is the vision issue. Nothing I do will ever change that. I will never be able to read really small print again unless I hold it close or use a magnifying glass. Again, youth will say Oh, let me help you.
My only consolation. Very soon youth will be older and they will face their youth. With it will be the very small print that they cannot read.
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