Embrace The Confusion

     

I have often said if I were ever to write an autobiography it would be titled Embrace the Confusion.  In fact, I spend most of my waking hours confused.  If anyone knows me they know that I am not only a fountain of trivial knowledge but, I am also a geyser of questions.  The most commonly asked is why.  

    In fact I drove some high school teachers to distraction with all my questions.  Poor Mr. Dumanski in Grace Nine Science was tortured for an entire term.  This course was an introduction to several topics, including biology, physics and a bit of chemistry.  Mr. Dumanski was patient but apparently I was asking some questions beyond his scope of knowledge.  This didn't in anyway make him a bad teacher.  After all he was teaching the course as a replacement for a teacher on maternity leave.  At some point, I think he became overwhelmed and brought in the head of the science department, Mr. Tucci, to answer some of my questions.  Let's remember, this was science; some times it just is.  I think there is a why to everything, but we just know what it is yet. 

    I asked many questions through out my scholastic career and beyond.  I admit that it has become even more intense in my adulthood.  This is not something of which I am ashamed; in fact, quite the opposite.  I also taught my children to do the same.  Whenever you read, see or hear ANYTHING ask who is saying it; why are they saying it;  and who benefits.  This allows them to make intelligent and some what educated decisions.  The most important skill I had to teach my children was to think.  The world doesn't need blind following drones; it has enough. 

Some of the questions I ask may seem a bit ridiculous, even to me.  Be that as it may, they continue to randomly enter my mind.  Such as:

•    Why does the Pythagorean Theory work? And who truly discovered it?  Pythagora? The Babylonians? The Egyptians?

• What is Goofy? A dog? A cow? Some sort of genetic hybrid?

• What does human history look like to a 200 year old tree?

• Why do moths fly towards the light?  Are they seeking heat or spiritual enlightenment?

    And these are just a few that could pass through my mind in a given day or even an hour.  I guess these would be the more light hearted sort; nonetheless I would like to know the answers.

    

    Not all my questions are so benign.  Human behaviour has always fascinated me and confused me.  For instance:

• Why do people hate? How does it happen? Is it taught? Is it learned? Why can't people see it's destructiveness?

• Why is there war?  Does anything good come from it? If yes, what is it?

• Why does industry seem to think that profits are more important to people?

• What is the benefit of being rich, if the planet is unliveable for the human race?

   My most perplexing questions are of a more personal nature.  It goes way beyond "Why am I here?". I, at least, have a vague idea about that.  But I want to know more. 

• Am I here to learn a lesson or teach a lesson? If yes, what is it? How do I do it?

• Why do my life teachers die before I have learned all I can from them?

• Am I living my life according to God's plan for me? If not, how do I find The Plan?

• Have I have done enough to make the world better? What else can I do? Why does it never feel like I am doing enough?

    I have met many people who move through life with few to no questions about anything.  There is something to be said for the adage that ignorance is bliss.  But I  seem to be anatomically in capable of living that way.  Sometimes, I wish I could.  It seems like it would be a much more peaceful existence.  For me, that is all it would be, existence.  I could not grow.  And this goes against everything I know and feel in my heart and soul.  

    So I had to embrace the confusion.  To accept that I have an instinctual need to know why.  I cannot imagine myself being any other way.  I accept that this is me and regardless of the chaos it may cause, every answer is worth it.  It makes me a better person and affords me the chance to share my knowledge with others. 

That is why I am here.

The Path to Courage.

 The Path to Courage

Courage is ever elusive.

It hides in the light.

A light that is blinding,

Or are we just blind to see it.

It is obscured by circumstances;

Places we have been!

Times we have lived!

Things we have seen!

Making our eyes focus;

Focus on what is, not what could be. 

We do not realize what we can be. 

We stay trapped in what we are.

Imprisoned by false limitations;

Shackled to walls by chains;

The chains of fear and doubt.

Struggling and searching.

Still fearing what we will see.

It is there; it is somewhere; it is everywhere. 

We wander lost in a jungle!

A jungle of of our making!

A jungle we feed everyday!

A jungle ever growing!

We must learn to tame this jungle.

The light we are seeking is within us.

We need only to push fear aside.

The glow is ever present as sure as the Sun.

There to warm us!

There to move us!

There to guide us!

We have only to follow 

Follow as the Star of the Magi.

The fire of hope is bright.

An eternal Flame with in us.

A Flame in our mind!

A Flame in our soul!

A Flame in our spirit!

A Flame burning in our whole self.

We have only to let it consume our disbelief.

Hope cannot live without our attention.

It has a constant need of stoking. 

Hope must be loved!

Hope must be adored!

Hope must be worshipped!

It must be tended with all the passion of our Heart.

Know that Hope will illuminate us.

It can only brighten our World. 

We will see what we are!

We will see what we can be!

We see what we can do!

Hope will always be there if we believe.

Through Hope we discover Faith.

There will be no other choice.

Faith in what we are meant to be!

Faith in what will be our future!

Faith in a future of our creation!

Our Faith must burn bright and strong.

Our Faith will always be under siege;

By our own fear, by our own doubt.

Attacked by the words of others!

Attacked by those who love us!

Attacked by those whom we love!

We must build our Faith and defend it until our last breath.

Our Faith will only lead in one direction;

The direction to all that is good. 

Faith leads to our strength!

Faith leads to our endurance!

Faith leads to our continued resolve!

The road takes us all to Courage.

Courage will only take us to our better self.

We will have no choice.

Courage gives us the desire to change!

Courage gives us the fortitude to change!

Courage gives us the need to change!

With our constant movement forward,

We can only be better.

With every inch, step and leap

We will become our Best.

Hope, Faith and Courage is the only way.

Don't be hindered by fear. 

Break free and make the World a Better place.

(Temporary Backup) Cultural Respect???

I want to preface this entry with the following. I support the idea of inclusiveness. There should be no discrimination based on anything. The judgement of any person should be based on their character. 

I also understand that transgendered persons would like to be seen as the gender with which they identify, not what they may have been assigned at birth. The LGBTQ community should be respected. 

Any culture and faith should be able to practice according to their traditions and within the laws of their country. 

All that being said, I think that some people and organizations may be taking this a bit far. 

The British Museum in London, the National Museum of Scotland and the Great North Museum: Hancock have made a decision regarding the term “Mummy.”  These reputable institutions have assessed that the term is dehumanizing and prefer using “mummified remains.”  I would like to remind everyone that these people are dead. And believe that the dead should be respected, but changing the name is literally the least Egyptologists could do. 

According to some, “Mummy” is too much a reminder of British Imperialism. Well, there are far more poignant reminders of imperialism in the world. I draw your attention to most countries in Africa. After the British, and other European countries determined that occupation of African nations was no longer profitable, they left. The transition of power was tumultuous and brought about violence that is still evident decades after being “granted” independence. 

The use of “Mummy” is deemed dehumanizing. In many parts of the world it is a criminal offence to perform indignities to a body. I really don’t think I am stretching to say that digging up a thousand year old body, is pretty undignified. Should I mention the grave robbing?  There have been countless exhibits of King Tutankhamum’s treasures floating around the world after being “discovered” in 1922. Is this not profiting from the robbery of a grave?  

The final reason for the change in terminology is that the word “Mummy,” because of literature and film, has become synonymous with monsters and evil. We all know that this is pretend, right?  I don’t think there are people that actually believe that when children come to their door on October 31st, the one wrapped in toilet paper is there to fulfill some ancient curse. 

Yes, I do believe that language should change to be respectful, but there are far more significant ways to honour an individual, faith or a culture than changing a word. Isn’t said that actions speak louder than words?  

Sources:

elpalais.com

thetutankhumanexbition.co.uk

responsibletravel.com

egypttoday.com

history.com

Happy New Year!??

Since I have been an adult, I have not been a great fan of the whole New Year Hype. I find it a highly over rated paired with high pressure to have fun. I understand that it is a chance at renewal and letting go of the past, but can’t that be done everyday?

I am very happy to see 2022 end. This was a very tough year. Although it started out fine, in June all Hell broke loose. Our car broke down. We purchased a new car but after only 5 days an accident totalled it. There was the ensuing insurance chaos, including injuries. We both battled Covid. There a significant loss of income. And finally, weather conditions kept us from our original plans for Christmas. I felt like I was being punished for something, even though my brain knew differently. 

I had to start anew everyday. I could not carry the anxiety and anger and frustration of the yesterday into the today. Doing so would overwhelm and make it impossible for me to tackle the tasks to be done. And there were a lot. 

Letting go of yesterday, with all its pain and joy is a must, if I am ever to move on and grow. One day at a time is a good strategy for survival. I have had to realize that the challenges were not punishment, but opportunities to learn. If I dwelled on the lessons of yesterday, I could not take on the new ones of todays. 

Many people only make a concerted effort to do this in a new year.  I do not understand. Everyday is a New Year’s Day. It is a new beginning to learn and grow; a chance to be reborn. If you’re not busy being born, you’re busy dying. 

I am not one to put much credit to New Year’s Resolutions. Why only then. A choice to change can happen every morning, not just on January First. 

I decided a long time ago to let go of the hype of New Year’s Eve. Celebrating a new year is good. I chose to spend the evening with close family and friends. Often, we play various board games and share party snacks and drinks. I do not need champagne, someone to kiss at midnight, although today I do have someone special. 

I chose to start a new year every day. As was told to me during my labour with my son, the last contraction is done. You don’t have to worry about it any more. The same can be said for everyday. Yesterday’s mistakes and successes, pain and joy have come to pass not to stay. Enjoy them in the moment; and await those of today.