Streams II

Sunshine brings warmth.
I took my shirt off at the office today. Sat for a couple hours just rocking the white T.
I've been thinking a lot lately.
What am I doing with my life.
Part of it is going very well. I'm living in a foreign country. I have a good paying job. I have an awesome girlfriend. I squeeze out something creative from time to time.
I still feel that I'm not living up to my potential.
Most of the time, as this happens frequently, I berate myself for not having done better since the last time I berated myself for not having done better. Obviously, this has not produced the desired results.
There is no one that has the power to make me do anything or hold me back.
Except, of course, myself.
I am the omniscient emperor of Adam.

Now, to decide what to do with that. 

Today

I thought about me.
I thought about God.
I thought about Christianity.
I wondered what it means to be a Christian.
I wondered why it seems so difficult to define.
I wondered why so many scramble for just the title.
I asked what was expected of me.
I asked what I expected of me.
I asked why it mattered.
I took a moment to enjoy the sun.
I took the chance to play football with strangers.
I took the opportunity to talk to someone.
I hoped I would do the same tomorrow.

Always Trade Up

A friend of mine once told me to "Always trade up."
She had noticed that people sometimes make terrible choices and trade something of great value for something that has much less value or something worth nothing at all.
Whatever you place value on, this is pretty sound advice. Take advantage of your opportunities and watch out for things that may seem good, but are hollow.
I've been trading up for several years and have reached a place in life where I am very happy.
I have a great job.
I have a terrific girl.
I'm in good shape.
I make good decisions.
I'm building friendships.
I'm more aware of others' needs.
I'm keeping my house clean. :-)
I'm making plans to sail. This is something I've wanted for years.
I'm pursuing my photography.
I will own a motorcycle in a couple months. :-) Another thing I've wanted to do for years.
I like who I am.
I like my job.
I like where I'm living.
I like the people I work with.
I love the people who have stood by me for the past few years. You are my family.
I traded up, Cheryl.
I done good, yo. :-))
I'm happy. 

0 to Teacher in 3 classes

It's like riding a bike.
3 classes in and I'm swinging like the best of times.
I love new jobs.
I am not sure if I like that I like new jobs... but I do just the same.
I want to like one for a long time.
I like teaching.
I like interacting with students and teachers alike.
I love the atmosphere that surrounds children.
You never know what is going to happen.
What they are going to do.
What they are going to say.
Likewise, I'm never quite sure what's going to pop out of my own mouth.
This is a source of much pleasure and, frequently enough, trouble.
The totals at the end of the day are in the black.
I love teaching.

Idealism

I have known for many years that I really should avoid talking about politics. It's not that I don't care. It's not that I am completely uninformed, though completely is the operative word there. I do not claim great knowledge or deep political insight.
It's that my motto for politics is this; "Why can't we all just get along?"
I realize how invalid this is based on the reality of centuries of cycling history, yet I still blindly wish that we could somehow quit hating each other and reach a point of mutual acceptance.
I know it's absurd.
It may make you laugh.
The naivety of the idea might make you cry.
I don't want to hate you.
I don't want you to hate me.

Each of us have something that captivates our energy and our thoughts. I've tried to understand this. My failing to understand political disagreements, hatred and war originates in my personal life. Most of my energies have been focused on connection and acceptance. There is little room for either of these on a personal level in the realm of political discussion.

I will try not to be too hard on your politics.
I will try to understand that our divergent, though sometimes trivial, desires will continue to lead us against each other in the global arena.

I know that this is naive.
I know that tomorrow some of you will kill others of you.
I hope you will think about this before you pull the trigger.
The man in your sights is you.

I hope we can meet one day.
That we can shake hands and share a meal.
And be better off for having done so.

Japan, a brief impression

I've seen some of the crazy stuff that has come out of Japan, and I've been more than a little curious as to the source. I spent 33 hours in Fukuoka this week. This is what I discovered.
Sushi is defined as anything raw from the sea.
The subway is very expensive.
The Japanese are quite reserved in public.
They have a good sense of style.
There are bikes everywhere.
Bike seats are set at the lowest possible position. (??)
Public restrooms exists.
The Japanese love trees and the take VERY good care of them.
They can drink quite quickly.
Seem very willing to experiment with life.
The streets are filled with squarer, more European style cars.
There are older cars on the road.
 I encountered many who were very willing to attempt communication in spite of a complete lack of common language.
They have AWESOME toilets!!! The feed line to fill the tank is run through a small sink at the top so that you can wash your hands using the water for the next flush. Very cool!!
I'll be back!!

Superpowers

I have a superpower.
OK, it's probably not as big a deal to you as it is to me, but I do possess a craft of sorts.
My subconscious latches onto my feelings in a moment of heightened sensation and matches it with a lyric floating around in my head. The songs, or more often pieces, are then pushed upward into my consciousness and I start sing the song in my head.
More often then not, this is a song I've not heard in quite some time, maybe years. This is how I figured out what was going on. The songs were from old playlist and fit perfectly with what had been going on in my head. It has happened often enough for me say that this is true.
My subconscious expresses itself through song.

There may be a songwriter in me yet.
:-)