First, what is TRUTH? According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary it is ‘sincerity in action, character, and utterance’. And yet, when a person, frequently but not always a politician, is reported to have said something that is hurtful or accusatory, when approached for comment will invariably answer, ‘I was quoted out of context.’ Why not tell the truth and apologise straight away as it is sure to haunt one otherwise. In relationships, when one person cheats or does ‘things’ behind a partner’s back out come those famous words, ‘I never meant to hurt you.’ Why not be honest and say, ‘I was aware that what I was doing would hurt you but I did it anyway. I apologise.’ Why do we always try to deny something or worm our way out of it? Probably because we know that the truth hurts – not only those affected by our behaviour but ourselves too. We would much rather pretend something didn’t happen or if, found out, try to play it down; not take responsibility. Then of course, there are those who speak the truth no matter the situation and at times it may be better not to say anything at all.

We then come to LOYALTY. Where truth is about sincerity, loyalty is defined in the Free Dictionary as ‘A feeling or attitude of devoted attachment and affection’. I find the Wikipedia definition, ‘Faithfulness or devotion to some person, cause or nation’ more specific and it clarifies that loyalty is not only toward family or friends but also to our employers, club memberships, business clients, country and any other groups to which we have committed ourselves. Why then are we so quick to talk about friends and others behind their backs? Why do we constantly run down our country? As I have said before, SA does have problems but then so do most other countries. Ours may seem worse than others but they are different. Do we support our families and friends through every situation? How often we hear the comment, ‘Now, we really know who our friends are’ when someone has been through a difficult or testing time. If it is illness, we all rally around and care for the person or affected family but when it is financial, a social ill we do not approve of or even criminal, we so often turn our backs.

ETHICS is not commonly discussed or even thought about in day-to-day living. Many see it is one of those old-fashioned words which they prefer not to think about. What is ethics? That is much more difficult to define than either truth or loyalty. This is because ethical behaviour can be approached differently in different contexts. What is ethical in business in one country may not necessarily be considered ethical in another; in a particular culture compared with another, in one religion as opposed to another. Broadly, ethics is defined as ‘the rules of conduct recognised in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group or culture.’ For example, in business, is socialist or capitalist more ethical and for whom? Religious ethics deals more with the social morals of a society or an individual whereas in academia, the manner in which one does research needs to follow certain norms and rules. We all know of plagiarism but there are other issues such as correctly citing references. Today, creating a pollution-free environment and being more concerned with protecting it, is a new ethical problem. Which is more ethical:  a) to ensure that all have electricity and water or b) to close-down all coal-driven power facilities and stop building dams for water storage to allow rivers to flow in their natural manner?

As one can see, ethics is the most difficult of these to define, to write about and to practise but I believe that if each of us spoke the truth and remained loyal to all to whom we have made a commitment, we will be considered an ethical person. We would probably see less corruption and crime as well, as we will be creating respect for each other as a priority.

The A.C. is blowing off some cool air, freezing the hot corners of my harmless abode- my body but still, there is a tumbling disturbance in my tummy, revoking a sense of confusion within me. I don’t know what do I mean to say to me, what does this tumbling mean to me, how is it affecting me? What I know is nothing compared to what is happening to me.

I feel disturbed whenevr mum’s voice echoes off from the living room, reaching my ears when I’m in deep thought- her voice isn’t soothing for me right now, its disturbing how it is disturbing me right now.

And then I would have to shout out to her to decrease the volume of the T.V., the nonsense stuff of daily drama serials she is watching. And then, she would response by calling out to maid asking her to shut my already shut gate- the maid shuts it again- what? it is nonsense, it is making me feel even more disturbed. The voice of the T.V. is still disturbing me, it isn’t reduced even after I have shouted to her, wanting it to be reduced so that I could think more about my recurring thought and the tumbling in my stomach.

I think the thought is disturbed now beyond any repair, it has sneaked back to the part of my mind, I can’t extract it from again till the time it wants to come back to me. The tumbling feel is slowly reducing as well. I am so feeling disturbed now for these two things were bringing some inner sense of pleasure to me. But I shouted, the T.V.’s noise continued and now I am disturbed- and I am powerless, I am not even shouting now. I am just typing and that is it.

How do you actually experience anything as being true?  How do you know a judgment, an opinion, an insight, an assumption is valid?  What is the difference between truth and falsehood?  Guessing and knowing?  What is the difference between scientific-mathematical certainty, simply feeling something is true, or mere aggressive assertion (it’s true because I say so!)?

This goes to the heart of the questions raised on this site. We claim that aesthetic and moral judgments are real.  In what sense can this be the case?

The sense of truth, of validity associated with personal feeling is the most common source of conviction and is experienced as obvious, as self-evident.  Judgments arising from personal feeling are powerfully reinforced when repeated over and over again, that is, by habituation.  Habit is a mighty force in human life, all the more so because its presence almost always goes unrecognized.  The hypnotic effects of repeated advertising illustrate this phenomenon.  Advertising relies on repetitive reinforcement of the sense that something is true.

Subjective feeling is not a reliable means of ascertaining validity.  Feeling pertains to our inner life, to our likes and dislikes, but tells us little or nothing of the real state of affairs outside ourselves.  Feeling leaves us vulnerable to manipulation.

Willing is a second claim to truth.  It determines something to be true as a demand that it be so.  This is the will to power, which issues claims to knowledge for its own, usually hidden, purposes.  It is the driving force behind all rationalizations and lies of psychopaths and narcissists.

“On to Baghdad!”

“Today, what have we to do with destiny?  Policy (my will) is destiny.”  Napoleon

This kind of willfulness tries to impose inevitability on the world.

The best established forms of knowledge, of real certainty, are proven propositions of mathematics.  A number of thought-forms are assumed, called axioms (taken as given, without evidence or need of proof).  Through a series of logical inferences (steps linking one thought to another in series) ideas are woven together, leading to the proof of some statement (a hypothesis-which when proven is called a theorem). Anyone who has followed an elementary proof to its conclusion knows the experience of proof. This experience is a kind of feeling-knowing–often described with words like “elegant” or “beautiful.”

The rules of logic are not commandments–they are like laws of nature in that they are a description of how things actually work and interact; in the case of logic the “things” are those invisible entities we refer to as thoughts, ideas, concepts.  Logic describes what it is like to experience the truth or falsity of thoughts, independent of personal feeling or preference, but consistent with a ‘feeling’ for truth and fact.

Although it can be subtle, the feeling associated with recognizing logical-mathematical truth is a satisfying harmony; that of error or untruth, dissonance.

None of this is to denigrate feeling and willing in life, but to portray their relation to thoughtful judgment.  Feeling is the center of human life, without which nothing is worthwhile.  Without will, we would not act.

But thinking is the truth faculty, the basis for sound judgment.  A bridge built by an idiot with a kind heart and a strong will collapses; one engineered with clear thinking stands.

This may be made clearer with a brief fable.

Cast of Characters:

Thinking:      Old Farmer

Feeling:        Rocket Scientist Grandson

Willing:        Realtor (villain)

It is 2005.  A young rocket scientist casually tells his ancient grandfather, a retired farmer, of his desire to buy a house.  The young man has little money and no financial experience, and has heard over and over that “real estate always goes up” and that he is missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime.  He is both normally greedy for money and fearful of poverty and failure.  A charming, predatory realtor has aggressively groomed him to lever up and buy the biggest house with the least down payment and as large a mortgage as he can get.

The old farmer has little formal schooling but a lifetime of experience and reflection, that is, wisdom.  He has lived through the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, and many other events besides.  He warns his grandson that real estate can and does go bust as well as boom, and of the folly of speculation.  This deal, he tells him, is a bad idea and could be ruinous.  He tries to walk him through historical facts, the nature of money and property, and, with clear logic, warns him to go against the herd.  His grandson politely spurns his advice, again led by fear and greed.

It is now 2012.  Much has occurred in the last 7 years.  In particular, the value of houses in the scientist’s subdivision has collapsed by at least 50%.  He is now quite thoroughly miserable as he surveys the neighborhood, now dotted with ‘for sale’ signs and more than occasional foreclosed homes.

“A sadder and a wiser man, he rose the morrow morn”    -     ‘Rime of the Ancient Mariner’

“Where there is no vision the people perish”            Proverbs

Thoughtful Contemplation:

‘

Aristotle Contemplating a Bust of Homer’ – Rembrandt

“Contemporary humanity is in the midst of many crises. At the heart of them all is the crisis in the inner life of the human being. We are writing for the consciously distressed.”

Genre: YA paranormal mystery
Published: August 5th 2011
Publisher: Bokheim Publishing
Pages: 190
Source: Purchased Paperback

Goodreads Summary:

One year ago, something happened to David. Following the only clue he had he headed out into the desert. Now he has asked me to come see him. But when I arrived, he was gone. The people in town claim they have never heard of him and everyone wants me to leave.

But I know he was here and he is in trouble.
He can’t survive out there for long.

Can he?

David. I will find you.

My Rating of this Book – 4 out of 5 Stars

My Review:

Anasazi is an awesome, thrilling mystery. So much better than the first novel, The Thirteenth Chime (my rating: 3 stars). The plot was more grabbing and there was so many cool twists and turns throughout the novel. Though, I did miss the more supernatural element of The Thirteenth Chime. Anasazi seemed to me a little more down to earth.

What also really made the story were the characters. Megan was truly a refreshing character, especially after Destiny from the first novel. I loved her kick-butt attitude and her sarcastic remarks. However, I was a little turned off by her advances towards David in the end. I found it a little annoying. She’s still a great character, though. And David is still my all-time favorite! I really just love his personality and the mystery surrounding his character!

Overall, I really liked this book! I can’t wait to see what happens in the third!

but can you express the description of what you want and who you want to be?

If you are not able to say clearly what you want for your life,

then read on for you are in for a surprise.

Your ability to say or write what you truly know about

your life is an active force within you.

The problem is a blockage between the knowing

that is alive within you and your ability to mentally

connect with that source of knowing.

Through practicing daily journal writing, topical focused

writing sessions with music and daily writing with focus

on my intention for completing daily tasks, I have found

that I am making a connection with the true knowingness

within my heart and soul.  A sense of truth is emerging and

I find my writing flowing with greater clarity about what I

want to express.

When I began to write about what I thought and felt inside,

I found it a great struggle. I remember the first time I wrote

out my own thought about a conclusion I came about on a topic

of interest to me. I thought at the time that it was a great revelation

to me. Some years later when I came across the saved scrap of

paper in a drawer, I remembered having written it, and as I read it,

I saw that the sentence made little sense as it was written. I realized

that I was so very frightened of saying what was really true within me.

I wonder if this is true for you.

Do you feel a great desire to express yourself and yet hold back

due to a great fear of saying what you really think, believe and feel

about what you have experienced in life?

If you are a shy, quiet person who feels inadequate about

speaking up, but you know that inside you are a dynamo

just waiting to make an appearance, then you are ready to

take a step toward a plan for making a change in your life.

You might say that you have a Genie inside just waiting to

step forward, ask you what you want and

begin granting your wishes!

That Genie is the image of the true you.

You could say also that this is your soul.

Getting to know the true you is what life is truly

all about. You can find your way into the true you

and live out of the truth of you while you continually

update the design of your life as you go forth through your life.

Your destiny is then in your responsible hands.

Your destiny is always in your hands, but until you

commit to being fully responsible for you life and the

plan of your life, your destiny is being lived out through

your reactive thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

This is the source of so much drama in your life.

Are you ready to change that? 

I have found my way through the maze of my story.

The results are truly amazing.  I have found a greater clarity.

My energy is high, I am able to focus for a longer period of time

and I love doing what I have set out to accomplish.

You too can find your way and connect with your soul.

 Much Love and Joy!

 Arielette