What is love; part 2.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. - 1 Corinthians 13:5-7

Have you ever had one of those friends whith whom you felt so comfortable you trusted with just about any confidence? You didn't feel like your 'dirty laundry' would soon be put out for all the world, but would be cherished as a part of you entrusted into the care of someone special. This person gloried in your successes, loved you through your failures, encouraged you to strive for more and greater things in your life, and endured through your temper tantrums and other emotional disasters. This friend who would stand by you and weather any storm, holding you by the shoulder, the hand, or even the head. And, when the storm is over, when the tears take a time out, when you can finally catch your breath and look out into the world again to see the birds sing, watch the sun rise and allow a bit of light into that darkness, you turn to your friend and thank him - only to be told "bah! You'd do the same for me."

Here comes the million dollar question: Could you be such a friend?

Here's a better question: Wouldn't it be great to try?

A reader recently told me that he didn't like my previous post because he was alone and didn't have anyone to hold, to love, to experience all those life affirming quotes - and it made him sad to realize all that he was missing. I told that person that he was only missing things he chose to miss - due to fear. That, in fact, I was like him and felt very alone at times, very withdrawn, very concerned that life was speeding by like cars on the highway and I was too afraid to put my thumb out. Maybe show a bit of ankle - whatever is needed, eh? Maybe, in the best of time, in the best of circumstances and with all due effort, some of us are destined to live life alone. That makes us bachelor's, not hermits living in exile. We have neighbors, at whatever point of miles that definition requires......and in the age of email and blogging (smile) distance is no object. I have a friend in Germany, and I live here in the U.S. - is he my neighbor?

Well, I have a lot going on today. Ironic as it may be, I need to mow my neighbor's lawn.....she lost her husband some time ago to a sudden flu developed pneumonia. Her son lives and works a long way from here, so I am her "adopted son". She's a sweet lady and worth every moment.

I find that I have a few bad habits that I need to purge, a few - ha! Yeah, a few. They are habits that helped me deal with my world and my view of myself in the world. They are comfortable, like an old pair of stinky shoes - and just like the shoes, need to be thrown out. But, all of you who have had such a pair of shoes know, easier said than done. My hope, my real hope, is that I will some day have the courage to be the friend I know I should be. Maybe when that day comes I will no longer be alone.....or better yet, maybe it won't matter if I am because I will no longer be lonely.

　

What is love?

Recently, Scottie posted a very interesting vid about how judgement can be skewed by scripture if one stops reading at what one chooses to find. There are many opinions in this world, and we all know the rest of that joke, but in reality folks like to judge. Folks like to place themselves in the position of being right. Righteous? In my life, I've lived in chaos at time. I foolishly lusted, fed hatred with despair, cloaked hope and denial under acceptability, and wandered in darkness. I've looked down on the world in contempt, looked up at it in supplication, and ignored it in withdrawal. I'm now trying to embrace it in love. Well, I wanted to know what was love. So, like any living in this century, I googled it. Here is what I found. "One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love." - Sophocles "Love stretches your heart and makes you big inside." - Margaret Walker

"Loves makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place." - Zora Neale Hurston

"Love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence." - Erich Fromm

"In the final analysis, love is the only reflection of man's worth." - Bill Wundram, Iowa Quad Cities Times

"Love doesn't make the world go round, love is what makes the ride worthwhile."

- Elizabeth Browning

"To laugh often and love much... to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to give one's self... this is to have succeeded." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Give your hands to serve and your hearts to love.'' - Mother Teresa

Just some nice cute pictures I found that I like. Hope you do, too.

Happy Summer, Everyone!

What is to be in my life?

I've taken some time to think over these past two days, just basically lazing about the house in my drawers - or less - and considering life in the slow lane. Work has been taking it out of me and I needed some recoup time as well, so this has been a functional laziness, thank you. What do I really need in life? What do I really want in life? I think we so often get our needs and wants cluttered with junk, spur of the moment junk. Now, don't get me wrong, feeling good for the moment is great. Frankly, it's what gets me through my days. I just want more, and less - I don't want to have to work my life away, but I sure like to eat. So, I am just trying to figure out how to play that one. Further, I am often so concerned with "appearances". Apparantly, being happy has not hit on that topic, so I need to find some solution to all of that. When thinking on all of this today, as often happens a song starts going through my head. Sometimes it makes me laugh to realize what song it is. That was the case today, and I wanted to share it with you. Don't you all feel so lucky. Chime in as you feel....I'm open to all opinions.

Waiting for Miles to make it back......

Hey Miles; Cheezy grins running wall to wall waiting for your return to us all.

(thanks to the originator of these borrowed pics.)

A bit of beauty found floating about....

tired...... I am always careful now days about what I put on the site. All too often, and most recently in a friend's very G-rated boy site, folks call themselves the "last bastians of decency and morality" fighting the "good" fight of "right" vs. what is in actuality quite beautiful. I'm somewhat tired of that, I guess. I am somewhat tired of hiding my visions of what is beautiful under what is "acceptable" under these "moral watchdogs". God - who I do believe watches over us, knows us, and loves us - made flowers and puppies, sunsets and rainbows, and the most beautiful of all he placed over them all: man. These young men are a vision of beauty. I see the wonder of God imbued in flesh and spirit, mind and soul. I think of my German friend who wrestles under the punks who masquerade as watchdogs, and I am tired of it all. There are some people out there who, quite frankly, need to get over themselves.

I saw this and just had to share it...too funny!

Suddenly, I think I should be drinking more water.

It's good to have a friend......

A few days back I found myself in a bad spot. But, I had a good friend who listened to me, didn't judge, and supported me through a very rough moment and rough following days. In reading a letter from him today I found myself thinking how wonderful it is to have such a friend. And, maybe it was a phrase, or - well, who knows, but in my mind begins this song, and I just wanted to share it with you. If I may be so bold as to thank my very good friend for his friendship by offering my shoulder to another...sort of a pay it forward type thing. I know that I am not alone, despite how I sometimes feel. If you have something weighing you down, hang tight my brothers and reach out. We can all be here for eachother.

Cute and odd photos that made me smile. Hope you like them too.

In a very serious situation, some take things just a bit too seriously.

I'm sure this has a great deal of meaning to those who are involved. It does my heart good to see them shake hands there at the closing. But, from my very limited perspective, this is very odd behavior.

Ok, now I'm pissed!

Hi Everyone; Yep, here I sit, pissed off! I'm hoping all who read this will investigate on thier own and tell their friends....shoot, tell your enemies too. I have received 4 calls in the last two months from an organization that depicts itself as standing up for children with leukemia. Now, helping sick kids.....that's a heartstring button if there ever was one. You tell me you need money to help a sick kid I ask where and when. But, something slowed me down on this one. I asked them to send me their information so I could investigate their charity. Oooh, it got quiet. It got real quiet. "We can't do that, sir". Hmm. They told me that because mailing out the information was cost prohibitive I would need to commit a donation. Well, that wasn't going to happen, but I bought their line about the expense and shrugged it off as just not something that was going to work out. Then I got their next call. Well, today I have received my fourth call from them. Now, that is four calls that I have answered. My caller id lists at least 10 others. Since that first call, I have informed the solicitor that I would not donate without better information. Today's call interrupted my sleep and I answered out of habit, barely awake. I angrily told the solicitor that they have yet to send the information yet continue to call asking for money. Do not call me again. Would you believe the jerk hung up on me?! Well, google to the rescue. I asked how to rate a charity and found a site that showed the rating for this charity was 2-of-4 stars. Most of that was for "capacity"....ie: how much could they fleece. They give out less than 1% of the revenue. I can't wait for the next call !!! So, here is my request to you: If you get a call for donations, be generous - but wise. Look up the expenses to dispersals rate. How much of a dollar gets to the child. If it's a scam, I say let them have it with both barrels! What assholes. Aaargh!

Dominant Ideology

What is the dominant ideology of your world? Is it the same seen on the 6:00 news? Is it written in the local newspaper? Do you see it from the pulpit? Now, here is the big question: is it factual? Or, here one: is it right? One of the wars going on in my mind is the conflict I feel being raised in the republican conservative all's-good-on-Sunday-if-we-don't-talk-about-it ideas. I read Scottie's calling out and wonder if he sees it so clearly why are we not seeing it in other media. I look into the words of those who pound the podium in self-agandizement soon found charlatan and hypocrite and wonder if they can continue spouting the party line despite their life then the party must only care about the line not the messenger. And, it's eaten up. That line of ___ is eaten up by a populace that just doesn't want to think, to feel, to know. Somewhere it just wants to be assured, consoled and patted on the back. It wants to believe that the little world in which it lives is right with God and man. It wants to find someone to hate....it really doesn't care who, as long as it's someone, or at least something, but just one or two to keep things understandable. It doesn't want anything to really love outside of itself, maybe it's offspring as long as no one threatens the status quo. It's living life as a marshmallow....keep it in a nice climate and all is sweet and good. I feel hurt and angered when I hear people pounding the podium, where-ever that particular "podium" is found. Soap-box politics; let me stand up and shout out the party line and all is good. Think? oh hell no! Just follow. It's ever so much easier. Thank you to all those out there who force me to think. To come out of my little comfort zone, typically kicking and screaming, and look at the world around me, to look at the me in the world. I love this song. I hope you do too.