A very close and dear friend of mine died this past year. They didn't die of the usual causes, either. It wasn't a heart attack or a tumor. They didn't contract some dreadful disease and perish nor were they lost in a traffic mishap nor did they slip and drown in their bathtub. No, they changed. With it, they took the parts of them I knew and most treasured. They became just like everyone else. The qualities that made them unique, much like a terminal disease effecting the body, they just withered away and died. I would like to say these qualities were replaced with equitable qualities, perhaps hidden from view. Yet, my faith in that possibility just isn't there.
No memorial services will be held...
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
About...
To know me is to see what I've sacrificed to uphold my beliefs and my convictions. To understand me is to seek out those beliefs and convictions in me and potentially realize their impact on my decisions and their influence in my life both past and present. To love me is to accept that those beliefs and convictions are hard and fast and will only change if I feel they no longer serve my best interests. I have become a much more confident individual and I pray those who are setting sail to discover themselves that their voyage be filled with the treasures of self-awareness and enlightenment. I know my voyage is far from over but my heart and soul treasures a very special and unique gift I've discovered along the way...
Friday, May 09, 2008
If the Stilleto FIts
Perhaps the most daunting of tasks for any one female; to fill the shoes of those who came before her. How, in today's society, can a woman truly make a difference? Has the role of gender really been cast aside in lieu of a better, genderless based society?
In a word, hardly. Have situations and such been 'brought up to par' in terms of equality towards women? Some would argue that yes, in fact, they have. Others might argue that perhaps the stakes have been swayed in favor of our ultra-feminist counterparts. Those 'thug' types whose sole agenda seems to be a dominating role over their male rivals. Still others would argue that we still have a ways to go in the fight for women's liberation.
Thing is, at least from this males vantage point, the scores are about neck and neck with just as many women out there trying to make a difference; at least in this country. Hell, even in the grand old backwards state of Alabama we have women making contributions to society on a far grander scale than in times past. That, in my mind, is a true representation of progress. Let's face it, battles may be won but the war is far from over.
So what happens when the typical male reads headlines about feminists and their agendas? Here in good old Bama Country, even if it happens on a subconscious level, men everywhere are picking up their weapon of choice for 'their cause' and battling back. I don't necessarily see this as a bad thing. It stimulates competition between the sexes which I believe is as important as the oxygen we breathe. The important thing is that both men and women are each given an opportunity to be everything they desire to be without restraint from the other side.
In my humble opinion the true definition of equality is lost on the population and a poor choice of wording for our nations founding documents. You cannot have two sides considered 'equal' until both sides match-even basic math tells us this. Hence I, myself do not subscribe to the belief that all men or women are created equal. If we were we would all possess the same level of skill and capable of the same potential. As imperfect creatures, that just doesn't add up. However, when you substitute the word balanced, which I will humbly admit sounds absurd when speaking of man in general, you arrive at an entirely different conclusion. Each has an ability or skill to bring to the table. Each has the infamous three levels of goals (private, public, political) and each will take away a different piece of the pie; some larger, some smaller. This, I believe, goes a bit farther to describe what the forefathers of our country had in mind when speaking of equality. Each man and woman, because we are of one race, human, have certain rights given to us by virtue of living here and being citizens and being human. After that, you're on your own. Does that mean one person is better than another? Nope, in fact using a term such as balanced removes the possibility for that statement altogether. It means you are a puzzle piece with a place to fit in should you be fortunate enough and diligent enough to find it.
My favorite example of this is as follows. I have a very dear friend; a colleague of mine where I work. She is my sounding board, my confidant, and someone I truly admire. To those who know her she is strong willed, confident without the ego and man oh man can she accessorize...but, I digress. She is one of the few people I know that genuinely cares about others. Sure, on the surface there are those who seem to care but will only act if it involves them personally or will impact their situation in a positive way. My friend, on the other hand, although approaching a situation with calculated compassion, always weighs both sides and arrives at what most would consider to be a fair and just compromise that will usually leave both parties feeling satisfied.
My friend is someone who dedicates herself to something willingly and faithfully; never picking up a responsibility unless the cause is something other than rewarding for herself and others.
She once said that her role as temporary chair of the Women's Leadership Institute was a dubious one. How could someone not influenced by the idea of gender ever serve to fill this type of role (since historically the role has been served by feminists, at least from my perspective and possibly hers.) My answer was swift and confident; because she, as someone without a gender agenda can more fully dedicate herself to obtaining the balance of roles between men and women. Placing more emphasis on women in a leadership role with a positive influence rather than the negative stereotype. Yet, she can still realize when the potential greatness of a man in a leadership role will serve the greater good. More at home with a power saw than a box of bonbons and the daily soaps, she champions the ideal of true leadership with her ability to see past gender bias and cut right to the meat of the matter. She can see the true potential of a person, male or female, and challenge them outright if necessary (challenges stimulate strengths) to help them achieve their true potential.
In the end, with more positive influence from this younger, leaner, unbiased generation, I believe we will begin to see a sway away from the days of old where your gender defines your personality. At least, I hope it will one day.
In a word, hardly. Have situations and such been 'brought up to par' in terms of equality towards women? Some would argue that yes, in fact, they have. Others might argue that perhaps the stakes have been swayed in favor of our ultra-feminist counterparts. Those 'thug' types whose sole agenda seems to be a dominating role over their male rivals. Still others would argue that we still have a ways to go in the fight for women's liberation.
Thing is, at least from this males vantage point, the scores are about neck and neck with just as many women out there trying to make a difference; at least in this country. Hell, even in the grand old backwards state of Alabama we have women making contributions to society on a far grander scale than in times past. That, in my mind, is a true representation of progress. Let's face it, battles may be won but the war is far from over.
So what happens when the typical male reads headlines about feminists and their agendas? Here in good old Bama Country, even if it happens on a subconscious level, men everywhere are picking up their weapon of choice for 'their cause' and battling back. I don't necessarily see this as a bad thing. It stimulates competition between the sexes which I believe is as important as the oxygen we breathe. The important thing is that both men and women are each given an opportunity to be everything they desire to be without restraint from the other side.
In my humble opinion the true definition of equality is lost on the population and a poor choice of wording for our nations founding documents. You cannot have two sides considered 'equal' until both sides match-even basic math tells us this. Hence I, myself do not subscribe to the belief that all men or women are created equal. If we were we would all possess the same level of skill and capable of the same potential. As imperfect creatures, that just doesn't add up. However, when you substitute the word balanced, which I will humbly admit sounds absurd when speaking of man in general, you arrive at an entirely different conclusion. Each has an ability or skill to bring to the table. Each has the infamous three levels of goals (private, public, political) and each will take away a different piece of the pie; some larger, some smaller. This, I believe, goes a bit farther to describe what the forefathers of our country had in mind when speaking of equality. Each man and woman, because we are of one race, human, have certain rights given to us by virtue of living here and being citizens and being human. After that, you're on your own. Does that mean one person is better than another? Nope, in fact using a term such as balanced removes the possibility for that statement altogether. It means you are a puzzle piece with a place to fit in should you be fortunate enough and diligent enough to find it.
My favorite example of this is as follows. I have a very dear friend; a colleague of mine where I work. She is my sounding board, my confidant, and someone I truly admire. To those who know her she is strong willed, confident without the ego and man oh man can she accessorize...but, I digress. She is one of the few people I know that genuinely cares about others. Sure, on the surface there are those who seem to care but will only act if it involves them personally or will impact their situation in a positive way. My friend, on the other hand, although approaching a situation with calculated compassion, always weighs both sides and arrives at what most would consider to be a fair and just compromise that will usually leave both parties feeling satisfied.
My friend is someone who dedicates herself to something willingly and faithfully; never picking up a responsibility unless the cause is something other than rewarding for herself and others.
She once said that her role as temporary chair of the Women's Leadership Institute was a dubious one. How could someone not influenced by the idea of gender ever serve to fill this type of role (since historically the role has been served by feminists, at least from my perspective and possibly hers.) My answer was swift and confident; because she, as someone without a gender agenda can more fully dedicate herself to obtaining the balance of roles between men and women. Placing more emphasis on women in a leadership role with a positive influence rather than the negative stereotype. Yet, she can still realize when the potential greatness of a man in a leadership role will serve the greater good. More at home with a power saw than a box of bonbons and the daily soaps, she champions the ideal of true leadership with her ability to see past gender bias and cut right to the meat of the matter. She can see the true potential of a person, male or female, and challenge them outright if necessary (challenges stimulate strengths) to help them achieve their true potential.
In the end, with more positive influence from this younger, leaner, unbiased generation, I believe we will begin to see a sway away from the days of old where your gender defines your personality. At least, I hope it will one day.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Musings on Life
Life. It is an idea before it ever becomes a reality. If you believe in God, as many do; before he created the heavens, the Earth and all life that dwells within it, even He must have had an idea before that creation was brought into place. Parents, the ultimate example of true human creativity, have an idea of what their children will look like, act like and how they will interact with that new life. We are an idea before we ever become a reality.
When we are born the world is instantly transformed forever because our presence is now within it. The tiniest of beating hearts seemingly have very little effect on the rest of the world but through the idea that events chain themselves from other events, the birth of one small child can have a lasting impact and no one person could ever realize just what that impact could be. All of this happens in just a matter of a few moments but can last for generations.
With each passing day we as individuals, after becoming self-aware, begin making fantastic and sometimes dreadful memories of our daily lives. It is also true that others are making memories of their daily lives and we are a part of those memories. From the smallest, most intimate moments to the grandest of events in which we each play a part, memories are being made; whether they are cherished, regretted or otherwise.
As we get older we find ourselves harkening back to days when the times were more relaxed and life was a bit easier to deal with. We remember old friends and family who have moved on or left our side for good. Some have moved on to bigger and better things and left us with impressions on our lives that changed us, molded us and sent our lives in directions that may not have occurred had they never been there; some have even passed to a much better place.
From my perspective it is so very important to remember those who have passed on to a better place. We should always let their memory stand as a testament to who they were and never fail to mention them or cherish them at any chance we are given.
Death is just a stage of life that the body must go through in order to complete a very complex cycle. It has been said, “If it were not for death life would have very little meaning.” Without death life has no real significance.
So many think of death as such a finality. In a way, the physical presence being removed from this world, it is very much a finality. However, the person is not just a body. Their personality, their memories, their experiences and the contributions that they make to the world are really what make up the person.
When you are in a dark room and strike a match the light burns into your eyes and for several moments afterward the light is still a glowing memory that will eventually fade into darkness. The same can be said of a person in another persons life. If they are there for a brief time and suddenly leave the warm glow of their memory can be felt by both mind and heart, hopefully for years afterwards.
It is my personal feeling that each individual that touches your life brings a lesson to learn, not only in life but also death. As we mature and grow wiser the memories of those who have gone before us can help us to learn from our current experiences in different ways. This is why death is not a finality to me. They may not physically be in our lives any longer and the pain that is suffered during the loss can be tremendous. They will live on in our hearts, though and if the heart becomes forgetful and all that they were passes beyond memory; that is truly the end of a life. The end of an idea: for it can be said that we come into this world after the idea is formed and we leave before the idea can be forgotten. Never forget them and a persons life is never truly final.
When we are born the world is instantly transformed forever because our presence is now within it. The tiniest of beating hearts seemingly have very little effect on the rest of the world but through the idea that events chain themselves from other events, the birth of one small child can have a lasting impact and no one person could ever realize just what that impact could be. All of this happens in just a matter of a few moments but can last for generations.
With each passing day we as individuals, after becoming self-aware, begin making fantastic and sometimes dreadful memories of our daily lives. It is also true that others are making memories of their daily lives and we are a part of those memories. From the smallest, most intimate moments to the grandest of events in which we each play a part, memories are being made; whether they are cherished, regretted or otherwise.
As we get older we find ourselves harkening back to days when the times were more relaxed and life was a bit easier to deal with. We remember old friends and family who have moved on or left our side for good. Some have moved on to bigger and better things and left us with impressions on our lives that changed us, molded us and sent our lives in directions that may not have occurred had they never been there; some have even passed to a much better place.
From my perspective it is so very important to remember those who have passed on to a better place. We should always let their memory stand as a testament to who they were and never fail to mention them or cherish them at any chance we are given.
Death is just a stage of life that the body must go through in order to complete a very complex cycle. It has been said, “If it were not for death life would have very little meaning.” Without death life has no real significance.
So many think of death as such a finality. In a way, the physical presence being removed from this world, it is very much a finality. However, the person is not just a body. Their personality, their memories, their experiences and the contributions that they make to the world are really what make up the person.
When you are in a dark room and strike a match the light burns into your eyes and for several moments afterward the light is still a glowing memory that will eventually fade into darkness. The same can be said of a person in another persons life. If they are there for a brief time and suddenly leave the warm glow of their memory can be felt by both mind and heart, hopefully for years afterwards.
It is my personal feeling that each individual that touches your life brings a lesson to learn, not only in life but also death. As we mature and grow wiser the memories of those who have gone before us can help us to learn from our current experiences in different ways. This is why death is not a finality to me. They may not physically be in our lives any longer and the pain that is suffered during the loss can be tremendous. They will live on in our hearts, though and if the heart becomes forgetful and all that they were passes beyond memory; that is truly the end of a life. The end of an idea: for it can be said that we come into this world after the idea is formed and we leave before the idea can be forgotten. Never forget them and a persons life is never truly final.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
In the Fields - Personal Writing
In the Fields
Where else can you find something as special and eternally sacred? None but those fields of dreams where the heart escapes the reality we box it in. The soul shall endeavor to discover the path for thy heart to run free and find solace in those fields forever and ever. When the path to those fields is turned asunder by the misfortunes of life it is our duty to clear the path and begin again the cycle of harrowing those fields to return a crop of peace and prosperity for the heart and soul to graze upon. When their time has come to dwell again amongst that of other souls they shall find a comfort for they can know true peace and can spread that joy to all they come to acquaint themselves with amongst kin and brethren alike.
Where else can you find something as special and eternally sacred? None but those fields of dreams where the heart escapes the reality we box it in. The soul shall endeavor to discover the path for thy heart to run free and find solace in those fields forever and ever. When the path to those fields is turned asunder by the misfortunes of life it is our duty to clear the path and begin again the cycle of harrowing those fields to return a crop of peace and prosperity for the heart and soul to graze upon. When their time has come to dwell again amongst that of other souls they shall find a comfort for they can know true peace and can spread that joy to all they come to acquaint themselves with amongst kin and brethren alike.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Whence the Child - Personal Writing
Whence the Child
Standing as the child, in the distance and from a place very far away, the wind brings upon it a faint and foreign melody. The tune soothes and calms as none have before yet it instills mystery and intrigue but before it can really be heard it is gone as if it were never there. Now here, in what was once a childhood paradise, the melody heralds back to the ears and heart that have patiently awaited its return. Many years have hardened history’s child but the melody can still calm and soothe, not like the echoes of memory but the true vibration of melody in motion. Suddenly, without so much as a shred of warning the melody swells to the grandest level as though played by a worldwide symphony of angelic musicians and then all at once is stolen away by the tide and the emptiness that follows is a crushing silence that seems to have no end. Then, as the child who once was, the melody sweeps across the spaces of time and light but the melody has changed caliber and has taken on a grand variation while still maintaining the tones and the marks that made the melody so dear to the heart. As it plays out in endless fashion in all corners of the mind and heart its rise in volume is slow but sure, steady and never falters.
Standing as the child, in the distance and from a place very far away, the wind brings upon it a faint and foreign melody. The tune soothes and calms as none have before yet it instills mystery and intrigue but before it can really be heard it is gone as if it were never there. Now here, in what was once a childhood paradise, the melody heralds back to the ears and heart that have patiently awaited its return. Many years have hardened history’s child but the melody can still calm and soothe, not like the echoes of memory but the true vibration of melody in motion. Suddenly, without so much as a shred of warning the melody swells to the grandest level as though played by a worldwide symphony of angelic musicians and then all at once is stolen away by the tide and the emptiness that follows is a crushing silence that seems to have no end. Then, as the child who once was, the melody sweeps across the spaces of time and light but the melody has changed caliber and has taken on a grand variation while still maintaining the tones and the marks that made the melody so dear to the heart. As it plays out in endless fashion in all corners of the mind and heart its rise in volume is slow but sure, steady and never falters.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Don't Let It Happen Here
Don't Let It Happen Here
By Charles Mingus
One day they came and they took the communists,
And I said nothing because I was not a communist.
Then one day they came and they took the people of the Jewish faith,
And I said nothing because I had no faith left.
One day they came and they took the unionists,
And I said nothing because I was not a unionist.
One day they burned down the Catholic churches.
And I said nothing because I was born a Protestant.
Then one day they came and they took me.
And I could say nothing because I was guilty as they were,
For not speaking out and saying that all men have a right to freedom.
---
I discovered this a while back when I gave my sisters play-list a spin. I was floored by the power of this poem in its simplicity. The song that accompanies the poem is wonderful as well. For someone raised on freedom and diversity it was refreshing to discover this, literally by accident. If you've heard it you will know exactly what I'm talking about. If you haven't, give it a spin.
By Charles Mingus
One day they came and they took the communists,
And I said nothing because I was not a communist.
Then one day they came and they took the people of the Jewish faith,
And I said nothing because I had no faith left.
One day they came and they took the unionists,
And I said nothing because I was not a unionist.
One day they burned down the Catholic churches.
And I said nothing because I was born a Protestant.
Then one day they came and they took me.
And I could say nothing because I was guilty as they were,
For not speaking out and saying that all men have a right to freedom.
---
I discovered this a while back when I gave my sisters play-list a spin. I was floored by the power of this poem in its simplicity. The song that accompanies the poem is wonderful as well. For someone raised on freedom and diversity it was refreshing to discover this, literally by accident. If you've heard it you will know exactly what I'm talking about. If you haven't, give it a spin.
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