Strange Bird

No Turning Back

pcadams — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:06:08 +0000

Today provides us with irrevokable proof that Autumn is winding down. The oak leaves have begun to fall.

What do we do with such evidence?

Today a student of mine learned a lesson today in inference and proof.

“Well, in the end, we just don’t know, do we?”

Is there anything else to say?

Rascal Flatts Why

Be well, and at peace,

Phil

Endings and Beginnings

pcadams — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:05:37 +0000

Perhaps it has become an annual tradition now…

Elizabeth Parcells sings Last Rose of Summer

When does one thing end, and another begin, anyway? Today, it’s difficult to see the possibility of that.

It’s not an easy feeling to admit the construct of beginning and end.

Be well, and at peace,

Phil

Putting In Your Two Cents

pcadams — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:53:59 +0000

There was something about that story that really reached me today.

In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds,
“Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes
and accept greetings in the marketplaces,
seats of honor in synagogues,
and places of honor at banquets.
They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext
recite lengthy prayers.
They will receive a very severe condemnation.”

He sat down opposite the treasury
and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury.
Many rich people put in large sums.
A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,
“Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more
than all the other contributors to the treasury.
For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,
her whole livelihood.”

(NAB, Mark 12:38-44)

And something happened when those two coins finally fell out of her hand, and amazingly, she was at peace.

Perhaps we’re not talking about widows and money here, are we?

Maybe you can just reflect on that for a while.

my two cents

Be well, and at peace,

Phil

Losing a Sense of Self

pcadams — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:30:35 +0000

Can we ever really have a self-portrait, anyway?

What does that show us?

What happens when we fear losing our sense of self in…

…a relationship

an interaction

our work

…

can that really happen? Or what if you were to just sit, and breathe for a moment, and then realize…that the losing and gaining all is, and when all is said and done, nothing can really be taken away or given.

I don’t know. I’m still thinking on that.

[Les Miserables] 10th anniversary – WHO AM I?

Be well, and at peace,

Completion?

pcadams — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:55:27 +0000

The kitchen is finally done.

So what do we do with that?

Or maybe there are some things that are yet left to do with it…

That’s it.

Rattle those pots and pans

Be well, and at peace,

Phil

The Numbers Game

pcadams — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:37:44 +0000

Ever think about that?

still counting...

It’s amazing how much our life is all tied up in this construct. Something a colleague said not long ago has stuck…

“All measurement is just an approximation. How close do you want to estimate?”

There’s at least a couple of ways to look at that. You may either choose to throw up your hands in futility, and say, “why bother,” or simply be satisfied with being where you are now. After all, when all is said and done, where does this need for knowing where we fit in the lineup get us anyway?

(running scenarios now…)

Derren Brown – Numbers game

Thievery Corporation – The Numbers Game

Be well, and at peace,

Phil