I am trying to figure out how to discretely turn my tiny rented bungalow into a greenhouse, extending the living space to outdoors, add a couple of walls of glass windows, which will be not only comfy but brightly lit and filled with plants and the divine smell of leaf and flower and moist soil. THAT’S a place to sleep! To write, to paint, to work, to live! Wahooooooo!!

Which makes me think of Buckminster Fuller, the darling. (Click on his name for an old Sunday Morning tv segment about his work and interviews).  His daughter said he described himself as a “comprehensive, anticipatory designer”.  Isn’t that lovely. Using the dandelion, the flow of ocean on sand, the planet he loved with all his heart, its endless skies (“You don’t get it,” Bucky Fuller said to someone wondering next to him what it would be like to live in outer space, “we’re all astronauts.”) for inspiration, here was a man who believed that if you could think and dream it you could do it. Which makes perfect sense.

So I suggest an imaginative run into 2013 of all we’ve dreamt (and likely been told ‘IMPOSSIBLE’) for starters in January. And the ready answer to all naysayers including the big screaming Kahuna inside our own brains, NO IT’S NOT IMPOSSIBLE! I CAN DO THAT!

And from my favorite Ray Bradbury, ‘Jump off a cliff, THEN make wings”. I do that.

Afternoon little saplings,

Now we’ve all heard that Mother’s know best, Wisdom comes with age, the older you are the wiser you are. Can I just say that is a hell of a load of Bullcocky!.

You could say this is possibly a reaction from reading Other words for Love by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal. You see, in the novel Ariadne Mitchell’s mother Nancy is well a bit of a Negative Nancy. In one instance there is a conversation between Nancy and Ari where she asks her daughter if Blake has gotten Ari ‘In the Sack’  and Ari says no because well, they haven’t slept together. Her mother than goes on to say “Good. I’m glad to hear it. Because guy’s Blake’s age are flighty-they’ll tell you anything to get laid and then they move on to the next victim” within the same conversation she says “if that kid does anything to hurt you, I’ll chop off his nuts and shove them down his throat” . This conversation and actually multiple conversations throughout the book that involve Ari and her mother in regards to boy’s remind me of my own mother.

I’m a big believer in having someone out there who you are meant to meet and live happily ever after with in a nice house and little kiddies running around whilst both being happy, la-dee-da all that jazz. My mother on the other hand is a lot more cynical in the ideal’s of love. She claims that her ex-partner from about fourteen year’s ago was her soul-mate and she will never love anyone else again. She also harps on about how horrendous men are, how they use you, they cheat, they  lie…and well you get the drill.

I suppose the reason this has gotten to me so much is because the way Nancy behaves in the novel is so similar, when I was seeing my hombre, before we became an ‘official couple’ my mother knew about him. Of course she did, even if we weren’t a couple he was still a relatively large part of my present lifestyle. The things that have left my mothers mouth in regards to my now BOYFRIEND have at times been absolutely atrocious. A good example would be how he would never love me, after he said it to me, she tried to say he didn’t mean it and was just telling me what I wanted to hear. After that, she accused him of still being with his ex, of cheating on me…and well you get the idea.

I suppose to be fair, my mother isn’t always of the most sound state of mind. In fact, we had schoolies last weekend and my mother saw it on TV yesterday and says to me “Oh you should of gone!”

Can I just point out that

1. I’m too old for Schoolies

2. No way in hell would I go all the way to  Victor Harbour

3. I’m not interested in a teen orgy.

I tried to explain to her what exactly occurs at schoolies, how people behave and this only seemed to strengthen her opinion that I should have gone. It was like highschool again where she was spending $200-$300 on alcohol for my house parties.

Mother does not know best ,older is not wiser and some people never change.

I say FUCK the wiser, FUCK the older.  How about making your own decisions, evaluate your OWN situations and don’t rely on those older than you for advice because you know what, they’ve probably made twice as many mistakes as you and some just keep on repeating them.

Adios

Mieka

xXx

Just curious, or nosy, and definitely not being scientific, but have to ask:

• How much time do you spend creating each post?
• How much of your day do you spend reading blogs (WordPress or otherwise)?
• How often, or how much time, do you spend thinking about your next post?
• Where do you draw inspiration?
• Do you have an editor read behind you?
• As a blog reader, what draws you in to a blog entry? Words? Photos? Other artwork?
• Is blogging primarily a weekend/holiday gig or do you blog anytime?
• Is blogging part of your job?
• For those who take part in weekly challenges of any sort, how much time do you spend meeting the challenge?

(Of course this could be done in a poll, but the comments section offers more flexibility in answers.)

Look forward to hearing from you!

Common sense is described as the basic level of practical knowledge and judgement that we all need to help us live in a reasonable and safe way.  And although that seems like a very simple idea, there are many people not akin to the premise behind that idea.

I have had this discussion with many friends on many occasions – would you rather be book smart, or have common sense?  My answer was always the same and always will be – I would far rather have common sense. People with book smarts that lack that aspect of common sense are few and far between, but it does happen.  They can memorize an entire year of law reviews and quote Roe v. Wade verbatim, but when it comes to simple, common sense decisions, they lack the ability to put things into a functional perspective.

I am fortunate that I was born with a quick, analytical mind.  I can take a situation and process it quickly to come up with a viable solution.  This to me is common sense – being able to scrutinize your surroundings and make a valid decision based on your opinion.

Common sense allows you to interpret and respond to a situation within seconds.  It may seem like a snap judgement, but there is stronger force helping guide you to that decision that you feel in your gut is the right thing to do. Book smarts can only get you so far, but common sense will guide you seemingly and effortlessly through this journey we call life.  I can’t tell you the outcome of Roe v. Wade, but I can certainly get myself through any situation with some careful thought and conscientious decision-making.

There is a profound satisfaction in knowing that, although I may not be entirely book smart, I can navigate my way through life with a sense of knowing that I will be able to conquer whatever arises with a bit of common sense.  I can always pick up a book, or Google the answers that evade me in certain circumstances, but situational awareness and the comfort in having common sense will far outweigh being my own Encyclopedia any day.

When I look back I have been working and going to school at the same time for a rather long time. Now everything seems to have come to this void in my brain (don’t we only use a small percentage of our brains anyway??) So I am thinking that I am using even less, than the less, I normally use! I have not even been writing, and I have more time now. Does that make my brain on vacation since May??

I can tell you, after learning to drive a manual transmission car a few weeks ago, my brain was NOT on vacation!!!

Anyways, I have seemed to ramble on in many different directions than the one intended…does that mean I am using my brain?

SO…I have decided to apply for a Master’s degree (not sure exactly what for at this point). After all I was never one-hundred percent sure about not going back to school. And chances are that I will throw myself back in my writing someway, somehow. And I am sure that once everything feels in the reachable avenues work will turn crazy. I might be crazy, but at least I will be using my brain crazy J

Fourth graders (and up) were a great audience.

And so, talking with the 4th, 5th and 6th graders during our visit to St. Mary of the Lake School last week was a treat. During the Q&A part of our presentation to the older kids, one boy asked, “Is it boring, not being able to see TV?”

After giving the question some consideration, I told him I guess I’ve gotten used to it, and no, it isn’t boring. Not at all. “It’s kind of like reading a chapter book all the time,” I said. “Without any pictures, I always have to imagine what the stuff in my story looks like.”

A New York Times story I read after visiting St. Mary’s reported that in addition to stimulating the “classical” language regions of our brain, reading fiction also activates a whole bunch of other parts:

Words like “lavender,” “cinnamon” and “soap,” for example, elicit a response not only from the language-processing areas of our brains, but also those devoted to dealing with smells.

The piece quoted similar research about the sense of touch – when people read descriptions involving texture, say, “hands like leather” or “hair like silk” the part of the brain responsible for perceiving texture through touch was activated. Another study explained that words describing motion activated the part of the brain that coordinates the body’s movements, but there was no mention of any study showing that vivid descriptions of visual images might activate the part of the brain that has, in my case, been dormant for so long. If it turns out that it does, I guess I have something new to worry about: my visual cortex might be over-stimulated!

“I just kind of knew that she’s the one,” he said – on Page 2 – Read whole story

WHAT happened was - that whilst this man “kind of knew that she’s the one”, it is because she IS, but “the one” out of many versions of his “one”. He has failed to utilize his brain and has actually left the correct version of his “one” that he IS married to and HAS children with because he has forgotten WHO he IS.

“What we have here… is failure to communicate!” – Civil War by Guns -N- Roses

The Human brains are above the hearts for a reason, your eyes and ears are attached to your heads for a reason. Yes, look and listen to your hearts people, but use your brains to make sense of what you see and hear. That’s why he “kind of knew” - his heart is saying YESSSS, but his brain is going: “Now, hold on a minute…. You are forgetting the Where and the When of it.”

The Proof is in the History

Rule # 1

Engage cognitive Thinking whilst Listening and Looking into What Your Heart is Saying to You.

If you have answered or are continuing to update answers to the five main questions and keeping a journal of yourself – than you should already be engaged – mentally.

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As for the Interdimensional Parallelism and Time Travel, One has been given ”authority” to explain it as it pertains to this specific subject, for the specific purpose of clarifying certain questionable and “unexplainable” matters of the human heart. For a more detailed explanation as to how time travel and interdimensional parallelism works, there are many “good” works of theory that can be obtained from books or internet. If you want to know why people are running into their mates at the “wrong” place at the “wrong” time, that is in another blog One has in Draft status due to some of its content which has to be “authorized” before One can release it.

You look left and right
as you cross the street.
And don’t go bare foot!
You could hurt your feet!

We need to stay safe, no time for feelings
and please look out for those glass ceilings!
Be armed, be prepared,
be on your toes!
We need to stay safe
not just see how it goes.

Wear your helmet, your vest,
your steel toed shoes!
For heaven’s sake,
if you dare you may lose!

We need to stay safe, that I’m not disputing,
only the fear-tactics some are using!
Use your head, use your brain,
use your eyes and ears.
We need to stay safe,
not crumble with fears!

Watch Your Spiritual Diet

But of far greater concern should be our spiritual diet. We see the same signs of problems in spiritual lives that we see physically. Like the big chain restaurants the first problem is food quality. Few Christians stop to think about the junk with which they fill their ears, minds, and hearts with on a regular basis. We live in a day of spiritual junk foods. Now the younger generations of Christians do not know any better, but those of us who have been around for a while realize that things that are different are just not the same. Psychology has replaced preaching in many Bible believing pulpits. Six ways to do this and seven ways to do that—are a Steven Covey way to psychologically motivate people to action—but believe me a steady diet of this anemic stuff will neither grow strong Christians or much else either. We have moved to educating people to become Christians rather than preaching until the Holy Spirit convicts and births Christians into the body of Christ. It reminds me of Rehoboam’s substitution of  shields of brass replacing Solomon’s shields of gold which were stolen. (II Chronicles 12:10). While things look alright, the difference in quality is quite telling. I would remind that God chose the foolishness of preaching to save the lost. And I did not say foolish preaching either. Too much of what is going on in our churches today is foolishness and barely meets the standard of Bible preaching.

When preaching is replaced with Psychology then we end our services with a big group hug, sing Kumbaya together and go home, we have a problem. Preaching is not a group counseling session. How much difference do you see these days between going to a motivation seminar and going to a church service? Musically, you can close your eyes in the average service and not be able to discern whether you are in a bar or a church, and by the same token, church anymore is a motivational hurrah to get out the vote, get in the people, give up your money, and come to all our events during the week. So if you are going to be spiritually fit, watch what you are eating.

Truth in Advertising Applies

You notice that spiritual advertizing is about as deceptive as the ads for fast food restaurants. They show you a fresh, wonderfully prepared burger, fries and a coke and the whole ad is a masterfully laid psychological ploy to tell you that you need a Big Mac. You really ought to study the psychology of color (Red and yellow induce hunger, greens and blues induce peacefulness), serving size (all you can eat restaurants use smaller plates, peaceful colors that kill hunger, etc), and all set the atmosphere to get your money.

A lesson I learned long ago is that churches rarely are serving the fare they advertise. They will use issue preaching to enlist your support. They use psychology. “If you do not take this position you are ungodly!” “Those that go here or go there are sinners!” “If you wear this or that then you are worldly.” Frankly, I was 18 years old before I ever wore a short sleeved shirt because it was “ungodly.”  I am 52 years old and I have yet to see a football game because “Christians should never be found at such places.” They use associations, fellowships, etc. all to create the allusion that “real Baptists” belong here. “Real Baptists” believe this. “Real Baptists” support this. And all they do many times is bring God’s people into bondage. How do I know this? I pastored for twenty years. Many of the preachers who tout all these issues about dress, attendance, behaviors end up out of the ministry because while they rant and rave about you doing them, rarely live that way themselves. It is a psychological tactic to get people to follow them and not ask questions. A discriminating Christian will watch his diet spiritually to make sure what they are eating is the real Word of God and not some issues oriented fake copy.

Don’t Check Your Brains at the Door

So many of our churches have become cultic and scary. I hear of Christian colleges who discourage their students from going home in the summer because they might get out of God’s will, when in reality they fear the brainwashing might wear off. You think I jest. This is actually happening. Christians have long been discouraged to think, to ask questions—all you have to do is believe what the pastor says. Send your kids to the school I tell you to send them too.  What differs between what some of our independent, Fundamental churches and schools are doing and the Jim Jones cult? All that is missing is the cyanide kool-aide. You see the reality is that God does not mind our questions, but he certainly has some leaders who mind. He is honored when we try the spirits. It is a danger sign when some Christian leaders have megalomania to the point they do not dare to be questioned. I remember years ago a very well known pastor/college president who made the statement, “If I fall, Fundamentalism falls!” Let me tell you—if the movement was built on him then it probably should fall!

Beware of places that discourage you to think and ask questions. Always check what you hear with the Word of God. And if the pastor replaces God’s Word with his own words maybe it is time to vacate. Learn to distinguish between the Scriptures themselves and a man’s interpretation, especially the notes at the bottom of the page of your study Bible. The notes are some man’s interpretation of what the verses say and may or may not be valid. Many preachers, while railing on the Catholic Church for its teachings on papal infallibility, indeed practice a version of it. What is the difference between having a pope and being popish? Note the psychological tricks of brainwashing, control and manipulation. Use your brain for what God intended. If you spend more time defending the teachings of some man than you do talking about the Word of God itself and what you have learned you are probably brainwashed and in error. Others see the signs long before you do!

Learn to Feed Yourself.

The easiest way I know to get brainwashed is to depend on the three services a week as your only food source. You have a Bible. Put the elbow grease into studying it for yourself. Just as most of our eating problems have brought on physical symptoms, eating out spiritually and living on junk teachings have caused most of what we see today in the church. Does anyone know what doctrinal teachings are anymore? How about expository preaching and teaching? For the uninitiated, expository teaching is not from Snappy Sermon Starters or 101 Sermons for Sunday Morning. It means a verse by verse preaching and study of a Bible text in which you are given the meaning and sense of the passage and then the principles drawn from it. Today, too many preachers are looking for a text to use as a pretext to preach something out of context. Just as you cannot grow healthy on Big Macs every week, you cannot grow on this style of preaching. A well balanced diet is necessary to grow well balanced Christians. I can always tell an anemic Christian, because when some great Bible text is brought up instead of relishing in the Word of God, they run immediately to chatting about some wedge issue that has nothing to do with the text itself. Amazing how many people can foam at the mouth while talking about the KJV and yet they sit stone cold when you talk about the doctrines of the grace of God. At the very least this indicates our values are misplaced. What is wrong with that? God holds every single Christian responsible for his diet. Now while God will hold the preacher responsible for the buffet line, he gives you enough sense to watch the diet.

Conclusion

There are many other things I could talk about, but for some I have already spoiled the baby’s stomach. I can already hear the sound of Face Book friends dropping me—but that is ok. A prophet who speaks the truth is not often appreciated. Luckily, I am too old and not in any camp where I can be fired, un-fellowshipped, or have my ordination papers pulled. That is the beauty of being Baptist and independent. But we really do need to hear truth today. I am reminded of the cry of Isaiah: “…truth is fallen in the streets.” Just as diet makes the physical man, so our spiritual diet makes the spiritual man, and while we wonder what is wrong today with our church world, the solution has to begin with what we are eating!