Why blind faith?

On my way to class this morning I passed and was questioned by not one but two 'bible thumpers'. It got me thinking about God and religion. To clarify, I believe in God but I don't believe that any one religion has or deserves a monopoly on God. The three major, monotheistic, world religions all worship the same God but in different ways. Their beliefs however, are based on the teachings of various religious leaders and their interpretations of religious texts. I find it thoroughly astounding that these three aforementioned religions have been at war with each other for hundreds of years, at least until I remember who/what is responsible for these wars; greedy/depraved leaders and ignorant followers who would rather blindly accept the 'beliefs' their leaders feed them than study for themselves. I freely admit that I am in no way a religious scholar but I at least have the sense to read not only the Bible but other religious texts such as the Torah and Qur'an before taking someone else's interpretation as truth. Thus far, my beliefs are that fate has a fucked up sense of humor and that if you're a decent person and treat others with respect you'll go to whatever afterlife you believe in or at the very least you'll have lived a good life because those are the basic tenants of the majority of religions worldwide. What are your thoughts?

Distance

Distance makes us useless to our fellows who suffer. Helplessly, we are forced to sit and watch. While they are subjected to their trials. When what we desire most in the world is to help; to do something...anything that would ease their burden. But NO, no matter how much or how hard we wish, plead, hope and beg, in the end there is nothing we can do. Nothing that matters anyway. Nothing but sitting and waiting and saying those three insignificant words.... I am sorry. Those words that mean nothing yet have such an array of meanings. They are our security, what keeps us from realizing though we appear concerned we sometimes could not care less about your trials or what have you. They are our little voice of  comfort that reminds us that you know we would like nothing better than to take your place or make things go away. Most of all, they are the words that express when we realize that, whatever happens, we are connected. Despite distances.

Mirrors and Thoughts

What would we see when we looked into a mirror that reflected who were truly are, from the depths of our consciousness?
Its more than likely that said reflection would not be show us as we view ourselves. Therefore our closest approximation to what we could see in the aforementioned mirror is an amalgamation of our friends descriptions/opinions of us. I say an amalgamation because one person's opinion/observation of us is only a few aspects of who we really are. Yet, if we try to discover those opinions of us, they undoubtedly change. Simply because we asked.
This topic came to mind when I thought of how people would react if we all expressed our deepest thoughts, those that are hardest to express in words. I admit that I often say to those around me (usually friends) "penny for your thoughts" or "whats on your mind". Wouldn't it shock you though, if the person you ask replied with something as unexpected as "I am thinking about how best to invoke a reaction, within myself, to the world around me because I find that I am numb"? What illusions about humanity would an honest statement like that disintegrate? What "basic" beliefs?
So I ask you, my dear readers... what would you see in your mirror

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

I know it's been two weeks since I last posted but unfortunately I had nothing happen in my life that truly stimulated my curiosity. Therefore I will simply wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah and Happy New Year!

P.s. I successfully made a holiday dinner for my family and they loved the presents I got them. Hope you readers had a fantastic holiday!

Poetry

So to make up for the "prepackaged" post this weekend I figured I'd treat those who read and hopefully follow this blog to a bit of my poetry. Hope you enjoy

Breezes
Life requires air, as does sanity
Old stories of sailors caught in doldrums,
driven insane
For want of a breath from any of the four winds.
Seemingly directionless, but purposed all the same.
The simple movement of air can change the course of history
or return life to a wasteland
It is an oft occurring miracle, not religious, no.
But awe inspiring just the same.
For without it, everything would wither to dust.
Such power of creation and destruction all in one,
It's a wonder we don't revere it more.

Finals

Note: I did not write this, I am simply sharing it

taken from "Laws, Gods, and Heros" and dedicated to college students everywhere this finals season

"And it came to pass,

Early in the morning toward the last day of the semester,

There arose a great multitude smiting the books and wailing

And there was much weeing and gnashing of teeth

For the day of judgment was at hand

And they were sore afraid, for they had left undone

Those things which they ought to have done,

And they had done 

Those things which they ought not to have done

And there was no help for it.

And there were many abiding in the dorm

Who had kept watch over their books by night,

But it had availed them naught.

But some there were who arose peacefully,

For they had prepared themselves the way

And made straight paths of knowledge.

And these were known 

As wise burners of the midnight oil.

But to others they were known as "curve raisers"

And other things not fit even for unclean ears.

And the multitude arose

And ate a hearty breakfast

And they came unto the appointed place

And their hearts were heavy within them.

And they had come to pass,

But some to pass out.

And some of them

Repented of their riotous living and bemoaned thier fate,

But they had not a prayer.

And at the last hour there came among them 

One known as the instructor; and they feared exceedingly.

He was of the diabolical smile.

And he passed papers among them and went his way.

And many and varied 

Were the answers that were given,

For some of his teachings had fallen among firtile minds,

While others had fallen flat.

And some there were who wrote for one hour,

Others for two.

But some were turned away sorrowfully, and many of these

Offered up a little bull

In hopes of pacifying the instructor.

And these were the ones who had not a prayer.

And when they finished

They gathered up their belongings

And went thier way quietly, each in his own direction,

And each one vowing unto himself in this manner,

'I shall not pass this way again'"

Unexpected moments

Audrey Hepburn once said "To have beautiful lips, say beautiful things; to have beautiful eyes look at people and see the good in them; to stay thin share a meal with someone who is hungry."

I had an unexpected encounter this weekend at the airport, wherein I had a chat with someone who hurt me in the past. We have both since moved on with our lives but what was interesting about this encounter was how at peace I was with having a friendly chat with this person, and how I was finally (after 2 years or so) able to truly wish the best for them. To me this proves the adage that time heals all wounds. That is not to say that they wont hurt but perhaps they hurt less and less as we ourselves to accept the hurt as a learning experience and allow ourselves to move on and grow.

I would add to the above quote that to have a beautiful life recognize the moments where you need serenity and those moments will make you who you are meant to be.