Musings of a Philosopher

Relaxation Therapy.

2006-04-07T10:37:00.000-04:00

Self-remembering does wonders for relaxation. Self-remembering is also described by the term
“divided attention”. It is easy to concentrate our attention on one thing exclusive of all else. We all do it,
hardily anyone can do anything else but “identification” as this is called. But can you concentrate on two things at the same
time, one of them being yourself. This is “divided attention” or self-remembering. Try it, then try it again. It is quite
relaxing and there is much benefit beyond that of relaxation. As a matter of fact, I highly recommend study and practice as a priority for a fuller life.

Self-remembering- Easy but Not Easy.

2006-03-30T10:32:00.000-05:00

Why do I keep writing this so called blog when I have no idea if anyone is reading it? And why don’t I care? Because, it is worthwhile for me alone, even if there are no readers but one. The preparation and the writing; the post thoughts about what was written, all serve as reminders to practice self-remembering and about capturing the present.

Early this morning, I started my day self-remembering with a determination to hold on to it. Hours later, this blog, helped ne realize that it had disappeared; self-remembering and my goal . I think that it was during a phone call.

The process is easy but takes more than determination to make it work. Anyone that masters being present to the present and takes advantage of self-remembering will live a longer, fuller life. This blog works as a shock to my system, reminding me to grasp on to things eternal.

Practice Presence.

2006-03-23T10:13:00.000-05:00

For most of the people that I know, the bulk of their thinking is either episodes of the past, plans for the future or something in fantasy land. The healthier way is to be in the present, moment by moment. To “make the most of the day”, is to recognize each moment as important and be fully alive to that moment, not in concern over the past or the unknown future. “Practicing the presence of God” is a book title as well as a teaching, that God is in the present moment and that we should be there too in order to experience oneness with Him.

“Self-remembering” is most helpful in finding the present moment and staying in it. We need to see ourselves fully in what we are doing or thinking about, what ever that is. See ourselves when reacting to anything, see ourselves in what we are concentrating on. Usually we are so absorbed that we lose ourselves in the object of our thoughts. But if we can see ourselves as we are thinking, reacting, loving, hating, planning…, then we can see the greater problem, the need for self transformation. Furthermore, how can we expect help from our higher power, if we are blind to our own need? Self-remembering helps us to see clearer; how important we are and how life changing it can be to be living in the present. I am sagewitageatyahoodotcom.

Best Friends.

2006-03-17T11:26:00.000-05:00

A big difference between ‘best friend’ and true friend. A true friend passes every trial that could possibly test a friendship. Disagreements and disappointments of every description cannot cause a wedge between them. Maybe it is impossible to find a true friend, maybe, just maybe there is no such thing as a true friend. Yet everyone wants one.

OK, so the next best bet is ‘best friend’. One earns this title by being, more consistent than the others in the ‘best friends’ category. We usually exercise caution with a best friend so that a trial does not appear that will test this less than perfect relationship. More often than not an outsider comes along and offers more, and we know the rest of the story. For now, my best friend is me and at times I feel like dumping him.

In My Humble Opinion....

2006-03-14T09:44:00.000-05:00

Subject to the harshest criticism are those most right and those most wrong. Those most right are the ones we agree with (based on our opinions) and those most wrong are those that are just plain wrong. “Please don’t confuse me with your so-called insight; my mind is comfortably made up. And for goodness sake, don’t call a conference, how can we dialogue if you can’t speak my language? No… no… just shut up and listen to me,….”

There is an outward and an inward, an external and an internal. The eternal is more internal than external. The deepest part of my internal is reserved for the eternal. OK, so I can't change the world but, I will to be a factor for change because I am listening deep within. There is no question in my mind and heart that this state is not reserved just for those that lean toward my views.

Garbage In, Garbage Out.

2006-03-09T12:47:00.001-05:00

We are always in a position of giving and receiving. Human machines can’t control what's received or given out, unless they are working machines, working to be present, working to give of themselves. To start the day out with God is to begin with presence. I can self-remember when I am present; a good place for decision making, especially decisions that make for a positive expression, like kindness or compassion or..... The list goes on. I am sagewitageatyahoodotcom.

Its Spelled Self-remembering.

2006-03-07T12:08:00.000-05:00

To the man in Flordia that paid his court ordered debt in $1 bills. "You are inwardly an angry man and need help. I have compassion for you because I was like you and didn't recognize my own anger. You need to learn about the priciple of 'self-remembering' and hope that there is time for you to awaken before you have a stroke. Self-remembering; its spelled,
S-E-L-F R-E-M-E-M-B-E-R-I-N-G. You can purchase books on the subject and find good web sites. Know, that learning about it is not doing it, and doing it is hard because it is so easy. But, you will find it eternally rewarding. I prayed for you; hope others will too."

Bear Facts.

2006-03-01T11:35:00.000-05:00

Two of Richmond’s finest were euthanized, dumped then later exhumed from a landfill and cremated. Bears; not just regular bears but Virginia black bears. Two bears that had their own story. Anyone that thinks they have the full story, but never visited the adopted home of the these bears, does not know the full story.

Out of sight and mind is our knowledge of senseless and sometimes necessary killing of animals. Our minds automatically deny feelings of regret, even for road kill. We all know about the Chicago Bears, but how many know the Richmond bears, now deceased.

The Richmond bears are and will continue to be symbols of things in life that we hold most dear. Things like innocence, pride, rugged individualism and freedom. On occasions that I visited them, more that once I left wondering just who was in captivity, the bears or myself. For those that have the full story, each visit to the new burial place should affect how we look at life and how we see ourselves.

My Dad Was A Classic?

2006-02-27T12:06:00.000-05:00

Richmond Times Dispatch columnist (www.timesdispatch.com) John Markon alludes to a secret blogsite. His column today reveals part of this supposed blogsite including this: “Wednesday, Feb. 15: Franco, a security guard at my housing complex, ends a discussion about classic Italian cars versus American cars by saying that Ford once built a car called the "Torino" but that no Italian company ever built a car called the "Detroit."”

My first car was a 1934 Ford coupe, a $75 purchase. Big-time for a high school sophomore. Never was into custom hot rods but had I kept that car… A couple of years later it was a “49 Ford” sedan, again big money for a senior. Now that I’m a senior again... Memories, oh’ the memories. Memories are good, so are old cars. They last longer than old men, sometimes. Would that my children, all six of them have a few good memories, old cars, old parents. Hopefully I’ll have time to make a positive memory for them. In my opinion, Fords haven’t been so great over the past 50 years but neither have I.

Had I to do it all over again, I’d strive to be a classic. I am sagewitageatyahoodotcom.

Look Into My ‘I’s.

2006-02-27T10:55:00.000-05:00

Fourth Way teaching places strong emphasis on an individual’s ‘I’s and why it is important to understand the concept. Until I could see for myself what was being talked about, it was confusing to me. Again, in Girard Haven’s, “The Prize is Eternity”, the glossary defines ‘I’s: “short lived thoughts, emotions, and sensations which one takes to be the expression of oneself in the moment they occur…” He goes further to say, “People have a tremendous number of ‘I’s, many of which are contradictory, but ordinarily fail to notice any of this”.

It has become important for me to find the dominant ‘I’ or ‘I’s that are the essence of who I am. Having come to a basic understanding of this theory, it is easy to see the multitudinal conflict in myself and in others. Many changes of heart and mind in a single day. I see my aptitude for countless changes of behavior in observing others. Don’t know about you, (if there is anyone reading this blog other than myself) but for me, I am sagewitageatyahoodotcom and hopefully I’m not too old to become.

'Presence' Is A Quality Of Life.

2006-02-24T11:48:00.000-05:00

When finding presence, I don’t expect it to last but a few seconds. Mechanical thoughts replace this moment of presence with concerns and imagination. But I need to quickly come back to presence. The route back is through self-remembering and the ‘I’s that help me to self-remembering are the working ‘I’s. Their job is to get me back on track. If I concentrate on using those working ‘I’s for their intended purpose, it is easier to stay in presence longer and there is an improved quality of life. Concerns are not so life threatening and an understanding comes, that there is little I can do about most of it anyway. When in the present, there is a higher knowledge at work ready to assist in solving issues. Problems do not go away just because we are present, but there is a higher order, a better knowing for dealing with them. Presence is ‘divine presence’ for God is in the present.

Not to long ago I believed that thinking was the thing. Great thinking led to great knowledge. Hey, that’s for me! I am finding that there is a greater knowing that comes from presence, at the cost of minimizing the value of thinking. It is difficult for me to ‘not think’ but to just ‘be’. Not there yet, but working on it.

Who Is Following You?

2006-02-22T14:14:00.000-05:00

There is a measure of God's presence in each of us. As machines the extent of indoctrination; what we have been made to believe will affect the way we respond. IF it is truth, that God does not judge, but looks on the heart, this too is good. Regardless of who we are, God follows us. And we have first right of refusal.

True Conversion.

2006-02-22T11:12:00.000-05:00

True conversion to Christianity has no beginning, has no ending. In the beginning it was with God; it is ongoing. IF there is an end, a limit to the greatness of God then there may be an end to the process of conversion.

True conversion comes from inside out. It is not a decision of the mind, it is not a following after God, so much as it is God following after us. Such arrogant thinking; that we have a power to find and follow God. From the most cynical to the most believing, he follows us.

Conversion; Change From One Position To Another.

2006-02-20T12:18:00.000-05:00

I believe that there is a higher order of existence. Philosophy and religion is evidence of man’s belief in a higher order. If we think we have found it, then we believe in a need to convert to its order for the sake of posterity. The way, find the way, find the truth. So many ways, so many truths. Jesus Christ had the audacity to claim that he was the way to God and that he is the truth of God. How dare he say such, unless…, unless he knows something beyond our knowing.

Conversion? We all seem to be converting to something or another. What does it all mean? IF Christ’s claim is true, then maybe we should check the end result and the cost of this conversion. Conversion of this type comes from the inside out. Paul, the great teacher and apostle, claimed that this Jesus makes his abode within us. IF this is true then maybe we need to test this whole thing out.

Just what is the greatest, highest, most eternal thing we can convert to? What ever it is, that’s for me.

Identification.

2006-02-17T18:25:00.000-05:00

Identification is when our attention is focused on a single situation or circumstance to the exclusion of anything else. We all do it, our thoughts and feelings are centered on the external issues of life, things things good or bad, things we can not control. All at the expense of self-remembering and being in the present. We identify with thoughts, we identify with feelings. It consumes our day and robs us of rest.

Self-remembering is my out; for it brings me back to the present where God and sanity dwell.

Shocked Into Self-Remembering.

2006-02-15T15:39:00.000-05:00

Self-remembering, as taken from Girard Haven’s glossary, means, “the practice of bringing a sense of one’s presence or existence into the moment; being aware of oneself as well as of what one is doing or experiencing. …’being present’, is an aspect of self-remembering”. If anyone thinks that self-remembering is easy then they are not doing it. Anything that stimulates me to move from a sleep state to self-remembering is referred to as a 'shock’ in the Fourth Way tradition. So I look for ways to shock myself into self-remembering. Since I do it only to often, eating is one of those chosen shock times. But too often it’s forgotten until several meals later. Whatever it takes and that which works is what is important. Determination is paramount; the fruits of the labor will be worth it all.

There Is No Pie in the Sky.

2006-02-13T10:50:00.000-05:00

That we are machines is not a new concept. And I’m buying into it. This person is tired of being a machine without knowing the real person. It was the noted philosopher Eric Fromm ("Art of Loving") that put me on to the idea of ‘essence’, and true personality. "The essence of what we were at the beginning is our true personality". (Not his exact words.) It is not hard to figure out how parents, schools, the church and society, machines that they are, have forced our becoming something other that what God might have intended.

Self-remembering is helping me rise to a higher level of consciousness of my feelings, attitudes and behavior. It wasn’t long ago that ideas like, ‘higher level of conciousness’ posed a threat to my then (but not now) fundamentalist brand of Christianity. The machine fights any attempt to awaken self to its environment, for to be aware of self in this way, is to be in the present. It is easier and comforting to stay in the dreamworld of past experience and ‘pie in the sky, bye and bye’. But, where is the reality in past and future only? God is always in the present. It safe for me to be there too.

Finding That 2 %.

2006-02-09T11:35:00.000-05:00

IF Fourth Way principles are 100% right and workable, then… IF the principles of Fourth Way teaching are 75% right, then we need to give particular attention to them. IF this teaching is 50% true, careful attention needs to be given. IF we find only 25%, we still need to seriously consider the parts of it that might enrich our lives. As for me, even IF it were but 2% worthwhile, I will look for that 2% that I might become a better person.

A good read for the beginner is, Girard Haven’s, “The Prize is Eternity”. It is short, easier to read and has a good glossary. This book has helped me better understand a few of the concepts that were a struggle for me. My childhood, fundamentalist, evangelical, upbringing still plays a part in my thinking and I tend to challenge about everything new. When an idea becomes part of my belief system, it is often tested even after the fact. An open minded, optimistically guarded approach works well with me.

A Struggle To Be in the Present

2006-02-08T21:16:00.000-05:00

In the workplace I struggle to be in the present moment. One of the signs that I’m not in the present is in an awareness of communication going on in my head. Voices. Fourth Way teachers speak to us about the many ‘I’s that each of us have. Not one ‘I’ but many. When an ‘I’ or several are speaking, I suppose them to be me, but in a moments time there are contrary voices heard and I think they too are me. But none are the true me, for the many ‘I’s, block out the true me so that it is not recognizable.

All these ‘I’s hinder me from self-remembering and from being in the present moment. When shocked into an awakened state, self-remembering shuts down the ‘I’s; my senses become more aware of the moment and the surroundings, any tension subsides and intuition seems to take its place over thinking.

Often in times like this, thinking is not clear until I have made an effort to not think but just be aware. An intuitive knowing will bless me with right answers and choices. Scripture gives credence to all this when it encourages us to take captive our thoughts and wait on the spirit within us.

Look For the "If's".

2006-02-02T12:09:00.000-05:00

If that is true, what do I do about it? The action behind the word “if” should be in direct proportion to the truth we discover. Or so it seems. Every great idea challenges us with “if’s”.

Do zealots formulate their beliefs by challenging the ‘if’s” that are presented or do they blindly accept indoctrination? Christians that are rewarded by using blind faith are often the same ones that are most critical of other persuasions that do the same. For me “if’s” are a good way to test truth.

If there are higher states of consciousness that make me a better Christian then… If desire to face squarely, habits and attitudes is moving out from sleep into a higher state, then… What do I do about the “if’s”? I determine to test as many as I can, hoping that in the passing of time I become more aware of where I need to be.

Discovery, with faith in God, prayer and guarded openness.

Philosopher is good.

2006-01-30T21:53:00.000-05:00

In the beginning I couldn't settle on a blog title that fit what I wanted to do so what started as "Much todo" is now Musing....., better I think.

Having read and sometimes devoured a great work, I have often labeled the writer as a good philosopher, or theologian, or some other descriptive status. Whatever becomes of this blog site and these writings, and if there is at least one loyal reader, hopefully he or she will be able to say of this writer, “he was a good something or other”. “Musings of a Philosopher”- "philosopher" may be stretching it, for it is a title that must be earned. My idea of a philosopher is one who has studied the subjects has the knowledge, wisdom and understanding to make good judgments and communicate such. Just maybe over a period of time and postings, it will be me that has benefited most from these writings. Isn’t it usually the teacher that gets most from the teaching?

Man is a Machine

2006-01-27T10:51:00.000-05:00

P. D. Ouspensky’s book, “In Search of the Miraculous”, has been a life changing study for me. This book serves as a reference to my on going study of the Fourth Way tradition. This challenging study forces me to examine my mechanicality. Often becoming so identified with a thought, I have to put that particular thought on one of the shelves in my pantry. After a time, it is usually proven right or wrong, acceptable or unacceptable. It’s easier to “throw the baby out with the wash water”, than to accept anything that challenges tradition, but we who are dedicated toward self-improvement set higher standards for ourselves.

One page 21 of the above mentioned book, Ouspensky quotes G. I. Gurdjieff; “Man is a machine. All his deeds, actions, words, thoughts, feelings, convictions, opinions, and habits are the result of external influences, external impressions… To establish this fact for oneself, to understand it, to be convinced of its truth, mean getting rid of a thousand illusions about man…”

Much examination of my own convictions has helped me accept many of the Fourth Way principles, including for the most part, that we are machines. A major obstacle for me is the Apostle Pauls marvelous revelation, “Christ in you, the hope of glory”. And so, with Christ in me, my work is to recognize how, why, and where, I am a machine.

Self-Remembering

2006-01-25T15:59:00.000-05:00

The books written about the Soul, by Thomas More, led me to an interest in Fourth Way teaching of G. I. Gurdjieff and Peter Ouspensky. For a couple of years I have read, studied and made attempts at personal application of the Fourth Way. Sometimes “the further I go, the behinder I get”, in the workings of it all. Part of the problem is in attempting to justify and bring into balance, this new teaching, my WASP past and Catholic present.

There are several good books written about Fourth Way teaching and a Google search yields many websites. The key for me has been to not become “identified” with, but work at applying the principles. As I continue to blog this site, my writing about Fourth Way will help give me direction, whether or not anyone reads. My experience with “self-remembering” and “identification” have had a positive affect on me, and so I encourage all read up on it.

It Takes More Than Motivation

2006-01-23T10:51:00.000-05:00

To my loyal reader(s), I have neither forgotten nor abandoned my writing ambition. Was hoping that this web host because of its affiliation with Google would be easier to use. It look three attempts to post the last “much todo” for reasons unknown. The weekend was spent checking out other web hosts with the thought of change. Today I was pleasantly surprised to find the last post in place. I'm baaaack.

For the one that may be thinking, “He's desperate for attention”, negative. I'm motivated to write and feel that it is the right thing for me to do. Most good stuff I know and believe has come from those who dared to share. My hunger for knowledge has been rewarded without selectivity or partiality of persons. As God is not partial as to who seeks Him or how. I have not been partial in my learning. A power in my innermost being, tells me what is and what is not good. I am grateful to the Source for my intuition, grateful also for those who were faithful in communicating their knowledge to those of us who have the ears to hear.

So, I'll continue to write and post at this site, will also “link” when it's a good one.

Lesson On Self-Giving.

2006-01-17T21:40:00.001-05:00

What prompted it, is neither remembered nor important. On this particular day, I took note how positively Christopher the cat responded to being fondled. He responded in positive fashion outdoing himself with cat like overtures, letting me know how much he cared. He was starved for attention but just like a cat, had not made this known to me. Cats are like that. And so I decided to give him time each day and this I did with stroking, brushing and play.

We expect it from dogs, not cats but from that day on Christopher was constant in his expression of love. He made a fuss over me each morning as I left for work, and met me at the door upon each arrival with overtures only a cat can make. And so it went, a man and his cat. Now cats don’t understand the terms overkill or obnoxious. And yes at times it got to me but I kept up my part and so did he.

Then along came the new addition to the family; “puppy from hell.” How do you explain to a cat that a supercharged ball of fur with the sharp teeth just wants to play? It’s been several months now and Roxy is made to stay down stairs. Christopher can go wherever he wants and what he wants is to be as far from dog as possible.

Lately Christopher has been pulling hunks of fur out of his back side. I shared this fact with a wise dear friend that understands the animals. She suggested that Christopher is not getting enough attention. Things had changed for Christopher since the dog’s arrival. Christopher wasn’t getting so much attention and I was not sensitive to his need. I had stopped giving of myself. And all Christopher wanted was a touch, a stroke and once in a while a brushing.

So Why The Reaction?

2006-01-16T12:18:00.000-05:00

What, me, react to negative people? Certainly not me. They may be the majority when it comes to negative vs. positive, but aren’t we all negative sometimes? And all negative spirited people are positive sometimes. It appears to me that both attitudes feed off there like kind. “Negavites” get their inspiration from those that are and the same with goes for those that are positive.

Why do I react negatively to those that are negative? Could it be…, no it cannot be because I am negative. Oh, spare me. I do not like to be around negative people so it’s got to be that I am a positive person, right? For the most part I am positive in my thoughts and outward expression. Why then do I react to negative expression in others? Because we react to that which is embedded within us, that which needs to go. Others serve us as a mirror so that we can see ourselves through what we react to. There is a higher power within me who’s aim it is to help me become positive in all I am and do. That is why I react to negative. It is best to have a positive attitude at all times for it is positive thinking that gives birth to positive action. Positive makes for positive.

Mirroring In

2006-01-15T18:09:00.001-05:00

We learn much about others in what they react to. I am learning much about myself by observing my reactions. Case in point, I back off those that come across as arrogant. Like arrogant politicians, especially those that strut; they really get to me. A little more tolerant for writers especially when they are friends. Thus, the decision was made to keep my last blog, “Early Reflections” with hopes I can learn about myself and why I so easily become one of them. It was my intention the day after to delete the blog, wanting not to look like an arrogant jerk. Oh, the cost of being vulnerable.

“Self-Remembering”, has become a on-going work of love. One can only love themselves in the present and the process of self-remembering is enabling me to view my reactions as they happen; or as in this case, shortly after. No, it doesn’t come easy, but my need for love, especially loving myself is paramount to loving others. This morning the priest told us that we must emulate love as Jesus did by giving ourselves to others. It’s going to be a tough week on self. Especially as remember to look at myself in my reactions. Check back and see how I am doing.

Early Reflections

2006-01-13T12:38:00.000-05:00

Not yet totally committed to being a blogathur, reflections are in order. I have felt threatened by some of the good blog writers. Could but won’t tell you what I think about the others. As I write, there are several thoughts on my mind waiting turn. What best to say first or when. Threatened because of a need to communicate to the thoughtful teachable types.

Early speculation is that I am neither desiring nor expecting a following as I begin this endeavor of blogging. More interested in dialogue with those having a ravenous appetite for personal growth. “Awake Thou That Sleepest” comes to mind. That we are in a state of sleep is not a new teaching. Believing it is a revelation. The wish to do something about it is the beginning of an awakening.

For me, even a touch of dialogue with “the aroused” is better than endless exchange with those who know not they are asleep. Recognizing of our state and a desiring to become; this is what it's all about.

If blogging interferes with my goals then this what I am trying to do will be short lived. It it’s entertainment that’s needed, I’ll do it on stage where I am more comfortable.

Attitude (Chapter I)

2006-01-10T15:52:00.000-05:00

"Attitude isn't anything, attitude is everything", 'Bartlett's Quotations' will tell who first said it; I didn't, but have repeated it numerous times and so have others. Ten plus years ago, this quote promted me to a study of the subject with personal growth in mind. An Internet search quickly found a great statement by Charles Swindol regarding the subject of Attitude. At that time I made multiple copies for friends. On a recent Internet search, his quotable quote was found on several personal websites. Evidently I was not the only one infected.

Every few months, I have an attitude awakening, an awakening that may last for a few minutes, a few hours, even a day or more. Each awakening seems to end with the onslaught of busyness, worries or seemingly worthwhile projects. Whatever the case, the awakening ends and in it's place, instead of being aware of attitude, I become a self-righteous reactor to the attitudes of others.

"Fourth Way" teaching, has revealed much truth to me including the importance of self-remembering. Without it, it's impossible to be in the present but for a few moments. It is in the present that we can best see our attitude and see our reaction to the attitude of others.

Welcome to Williamsburg, John Hinckley.

2006-01-06T14:45:00.000-05:00

“If there’s a sign on a lawn that says ‘keep off the grass’, and he steps on one blade of grass, shoot him”. This is what was heard by thousands of listeners from a prominent radio talk show host a couple of days ago. He was speaking about John Hinckley Jr. and a court order allowing Hinckley multiple visitation rights to the home of his parents in Williamsburg, Virginia. I’m not a fan of “talk radio” and maybe sensationalism is what it’s all about; I was tuned in to this particular station as usual, to get the traffic report. After months of listening, I have begun to look forward to this travel time listening, even though we don’t agree on some things, including politics.

The above quote is just a capsule of much more said on this particular day. Although I agreed with the show’s host and his callers on the issue of the day, I was quite taken back by the severity of their negative reaction. It was bordering on lynch mob mentality.

John Henkley’s home since the assassination attempt has been in a mental hospital and that’s where he should stay even with the favorable doctor’s report on his mental condition. After all, he made an assassination attempt on a president.

If the reader knows where I am going with this, little doubt that it could be said better. And more could be said. But, just how relative is the term “mental illness”? Maybe we should put a check on attitude when we feel the inner reactionary forces taking us over. Were I John Hinckley, maybe I’d want to stay safely in the hospital and become less the topic of a radio talk show lest there be an assassination attempt on my life. My take on this particular talk show host is that he is a “straight shooter”.

"Identification"

2006-01-05T11:16:00.001-05:00

"We become too absorbed in things, too lost in things, particularly when the slightest emotional element appears. This is called identification. It begins first with interest. You are interested in something, and the next moment you are in it, and do not exist any more". (Peter Ouspensky)

According to experts, a good blog has numerous post’s, and often. I’ll blame “Identification” with what I’m trying to accomplish for my failure to meet these expectations. For me,blogging is a new world to discover. My problem with learning it is not so much my ignorance but the frustration of having to read and try to understand directions. What may be clear to the tech mind is not so clear with my mind. Case in point; after a day’s rest, it was discovered that the editor on the host site does not work with Safari. My preference would have been phone dialog with a technician rather than the frustration of trying to make something work that couldn't.

The real problem is not my lack of knowledge or experience but the time and energy lost in identifying with something I was struggling with to control. After few days of being lost in this initial blogging experience, with emotions riding high, there was serious consideration of dropping the whole idea of blogging. I'm wondering how many more times this idea of giving it all up will enter my mind.

New Year, New Beginnings!

2006-01-01T19:36:00.001-05:00

A new blogger and a New Year all in the same day. "New Beginnings" on a Google search provided me with opportunities to take part in churches, family service groups, crisis centers, drug treatment programs; take tours; buy books, all under "new beginnings".
Those of my age appreciate: morning, spring, (not necessarily birtday's) and the anual "New Year" for they usher in to each and to all the opportunity for New Beginnings. A time to take the best of what we have and are and start afresh. My Google search ended with reading a December 2004 blog, entitled, "New Year, New Beginnings".

What, Me a blogger?

2005-12-31T13:10:00.000-05:00

Didn't know the meaning of the word a year ago. And now I are one? What a day; what a time, that technology and such allows and encourages would be writers to come forth, before it's too late. Another thing, does this first blog, which say's so little, mean that yours truely has made a commitment to blogging. Another commitment? And where is the..... is there no spell check(written before author knew that Safari was not compatable with the host site)? No spell check, no think check, just readers check. And the book say's other bloggers, better editors will point the way. Criticism.... criticism, commitment, and I was worried about how to start this endeavor.