Every group has its inside jokes and group vernacular. Some groups, like engineers, use acronyms that can make conversations completely unintelligible to outsiders. This is fine and good. Especially since it often speeds up communication... except when talking to people outside the circle. They can feel excluded and very confused.
Christianity is really bad at this. Christianese is something that I am sure you have heard whether you have spent much time in the church or not.
"Walk by faith, not by sight"
"Invite Jesus into your heart"
"Walk with G-d"
"Seek after G-d"
"Redemption for sin"
"Share your testimony"
I could keep going if I wanted to spend the time thinking about it. We don't usually use acronyms thankfully, but there are many many many phrases like the above. The problem is that they are said so often that I think they begin to lose their meaning even for the people who use them and should know what they mean. They are responses that become almost mechanical. Ideally they serve to communicate a real truth in a concise way, but if you aren't familiar with the term (who uses the word redemption in conversation) they will quickly get lost.
For example, if a Christian friend is having a tough time it is perfectly reasonable and all but expected to suggest they "seek G-d" or "press into G-d" in their difficult situation. But what does that mean? I mean, if you were banned from using the phrase how would you articulate that? What does it actually mean, in normal language to seek G-d? Do you even know? If a drill sergeant got in your face and commanded you to drop and seek G-d what actual action would you take?
My answer, not to leave the question completely open would be to practice some contemplative prayer. However, I am not sure that I have heard in very many places how to practically go and talk to G-d about what His will is in a situation or request His intervention in something. We throw "walk with G-d" and "Jesus' shed blood for the redemption of sin" around left and right. Many times I have heard "I'll pray for you" or some other "christian" response to a difficulty and it reminds me of the verse in James where is says: If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?
So cut the Christianese. Think about what you are actually wanting to say. I bet you sometimes don't even know.
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Saturday, October 29, 2016
You Were the Youngest Person On Earth
A friend of ours had a kid today. It occurred to me that at least for a moment the baby was the youngest human on earth. Then of course I wondered how long he was the youngest... So... here you go.
The earth's population produces a grand total of 131.4 million babies a year.
There are 365.2422 days in a year. That's 8,765.813 hours, or 525,948.77 minutes, or 31,556,926 seconds.
(31,556,926 seconds) / (131,400,000 people) = 0.240 seconds.
So in case you were wondering, you were the youngest person on earth for just under a quarter of a second. Congratulations!
The earth's population produces a grand total of 131.4 million babies a year.
There are 365.2422 days in a year. That's 8,765.813 hours, or 525,948.77 minutes, or 31,556,926 seconds.
(31,556,926 seconds) / (131,400,000 people) = 0.240 seconds.
So in case you were wondering, you were the youngest person on earth for just under a quarter of a second. Congratulations!
Friday, October 28, 2016
Measuring Relationships
Talking about Social Progress the other day I began to wonder if it would be possible to quantify how strong a societies relationships were. A way to quantify social progress. I don't know what value exactly could be had by doing that. It might be a way to determine how different cultures compared to each other. Or if your society was headed in the right direction.
British anthropologist Robin Dunbar theorized that there is a maximum number of people a single person can maintain stable social relationships with. The number is commonly thought to be around 150. The average number of relationships had in a society could be a good input for measuring social progress.
The number of general social connections is important, but there are other relationships that are specifically important. Stable and strong romantic relationships, namely marriages, are critically important for the well being of both the couple as well as any children. So the divorce rate and marriage rate would both be important numbers to consider.
Lawsuits are a sure sign of relational breakdown. You only seek legal arbitration if you are not able to work out disagreements independently. So the per capita lawsuit number would be a good input.
Suicide rates might also be a means of measuring average relationship strengths. The more aloneness and disconnection people feel the more suicides there could be.
Putting it all together one could come up with a number to measure a country, state, region, or city, and how socially progressive it was. It would be very interesting to build something like that up and determine if it was at all representative of the overall advancement and functionality of that specific society group.
British anthropologist Robin Dunbar theorized that there is a maximum number of people a single person can maintain stable social relationships with. The number is commonly thought to be around 150. The average number of relationships had in a society could be a good input for measuring social progress.
The number of general social connections is important, but there are other relationships that are specifically important. Stable and strong romantic relationships, namely marriages, are critically important for the well being of both the couple as well as any children. So the divorce rate and marriage rate would both be important numbers to consider.
Lawsuits are a sure sign of relational breakdown. You only seek legal arbitration if you are not able to work out disagreements independently. So the per capita lawsuit number would be a good input.
Suicide rates might also be a means of measuring average relationship strengths. The more aloneness and disconnection people feel the more suicides there could be.
Putting it all together one could come up with a number to measure a country, state, region, or city, and how socially progressive it was. It would be very interesting to build something like that up and determine if it was at all representative of the overall advancement and functionality of that specific society group.
Thursday, October 27, 2016
I'm Late, I'm Late for a Very Important Date!
There are times when getting from point A to point B in an expeditious manner is very important. My wife's water just broke and the contractions are minutes apart or my kid fell through a window and I are rushing him to the hospital. Sometimes it isn't quite as important. Like when I am hurrying to the movie theater to not miss the previews, or rushing to the grocery store because... they might sell out the last couple cans of baked beans.
It is very rare that I NEED to shorten my travel time by a meaningful amount, but I do. I often find myself in some level of hurry to get where I am going. To not be late, even if there is no deadline for my trip. To some extent I find myself at a higher level of stress, taking events on the road much more seriously than I need to be. Getting mad at the guy who won't change lanes and is only going a couple miles an hour over the speed limit.
However, the frustration and stress is not completely unjustified. The focus is just deceptively placed. The issue is not when I arrive. The issue is that I am frustrated at myself for putting myself in the situation where I feel rushed. For laying in bed for ten more minutes. For browsing those last 20 memes on imgur. For not prioritizing what is now important over something a little less important earlier.
Feeling rushed is a matter of priorities. I can choose the pain now of putting down what I'm doing and leaving, or the pain later of feeling rushed and stressed over my imminent lateness.
The tragedy is that I actually like driving, and when I'm not rushed it can be quite relaxing and pleasant. So don't do what I do. Get up and out with time to spare and enjoy the ride.
It is very rare that I NEED to shorten my travel time by a meaningful amount, but I do. I often find myself in some level of hurry to get where I am going. To not be late, even if there is no deadline for my trip. To some extent I find myself at a higher level of stress, taking events on the road much more seriously than I need to be. Getting mad at the guy who won't change lanes and is only going a couple miles an hour over the speed limit.
However, the frustration and stress is not completely unjustified. The focus is just deceptively placed. The issue is not when I arrive. The issue is that I am frustrated at myself for putting myself in the situation where I feel rushed. For laying in bed for ten more minutes. For browsing those last 20 memes on imgur. For not prioritizing what is now important over something a little less important earlier.
Feeling rushed is a matter of priorities. I can choose the pain now of putting down what I'm doing and leaving, or the pain later of feeling rushed and stressed over my imminent lateness.
The tragedy is that I actually like driving, and when I'm not rushed it can be quite relaxing and pleasant. So don't do what I do. Get up and out with time to spare and enjoy the ride.
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
What is Progress? - Part 3
Now that we have covered economic progress we can get into social progress. As defined before I define social progress as advancement in the number and depth of relationships.
Economic progress is sufficient that there is no technical reason why the whole of humanity couldn't live in a connected and dignified way. Obviously that is not the reality of the world we live in so why isn't it? The answer can be found in social progress. To approach the concept I'll describe a society with a very regressive social structure and the affects followed by what I think is possible.
Regressive Social Structure
Regressivestan is a troubled country. Families are often broken, leaving many children with little or not structure. This, along with the lack of opportunity leads to significant crime and drug problems. There is significant distrust between groups and self serving attitudes prevail across the board. Economic, racial, and even geographic differences function as almost impenetrable cultural walls. With all the degraded relationships there is a distinct lack of national or shared cultural identity.
So while they are rich with natural resources and have even been able to develop many of them, and while this has allowed the country access to expensive and advanced technology, most of the people live in abject poverty. The rich are very rich, the poor are very poor. There is extensive abuse of power both by the rich and by government leaders. Corruption is the rule of the day. The only way to be successful is to have a lot of money so economic mobility is really not a thing.
All this because of a weakness in relationships. A strong nation is built on strong marriages, strong families, strong communities, strong business agreements, and strong public trust of public institutions.
Which brings us to...
Progressive Social Structure
Next door to Regressivestan is an amazing country called Amazingstan. Amazingstan has a very high marriage rate and very low divorce rate. Community structures are rock solid. Most misbehavior is handled at a very low level so crime and incarceration in general are at very low rates. Children grow up in secure environments which allows them to dream and explore. Amazingstan has quite a lot of diversity both in economic terms as well as a large variety of ethnic backgrounds. Despite the differences in culture the groups do a great job of getting to know each other, celebrating their differences and fostering a culture of good will. There is a widespread understanding that everyone in Amazingstan is working towards the same goals making even members of widely disparage economic situations sympathize with each other's struggles.
Amazingstan is not a country with rich natural resources. However, they work very hard to conserve what they have and put everything to the best use possible. That ethic combined with the stability of their culture combines to make Amazingstan significantly more prosperous than Regressivestan despite being a smaller and more resource poor nation.
Conclusion
With the diversity of media, culture, experiences, and wealth, we have in these United States it makes it very difficult for us to relate to everyone. We do not have a single common point to relate on. That discontinuity of culture combined with an increasingly ethicsless society creates an environment where cross cultural relationships and relationships in general become fewer and weaker.
We are rapidly trending towards Regressivestan, but there is one way that the trend can be stopped. Not just stopped though, but reversed at full speed. That involves adding a point of commonality. A set of perspectives and experiences that as they become more widespread will naturally lead to the trickle up affect of national unity. That commonality is Jesus. As individuals of a nation turn to G-d and seek His will for their lives the relationships they have will get stronger. They will naturally build more diverse relationships. The more this happens the more the culture of the nation will naturally begin shifting to look more like Amazingstan. It won't require passing new laws. It won't even require electing new leaders. The change can happen with the exact people we have today or whatever mix we have tomorrow.
We can progress as a society. We just need G-d's help to do it.
Economic progress is sufficient that there is no technical reason why the whole of humanity couldn't live in a connected and dignified way. Obviously that is not the reality of the world we live in so why isn't it? The answer can be found in social progress. To approach the concept I'll describe a society with a very regressive social structure and the affects followed by what I think is possible.
Regressive Social Structure
Regressivestan is a troubled country. Families are often broken, leaving many children with little or not structure. This, along with the lack of opportunity leads to significant crime and drug problems. There is significant distrust between groups and self serving attitudes prevail across the board. Economic, racial, and even geographic differences function as almost impenetrable cultural walls. With all the degraded relationships there is a distinct lack of national or shared cultural identity.
So while they are rich with natural resources and have even been able to develop many of them, and while this has allowed the country access to expensive and advanced technology, most of the people live in abject poverty. The rich are very rich, the poor are very poor. There is extensive abuse of power both by the rich and by government leaders. Corruption is the rule of the day. The only way to be successful is to have a lot of money so economic mobility is really not a thing.
All this because of a weakness in relationships. A strong nation is built on strong marriages, strong families, strong communities, strong business agreements, and strong public trust of public institutions.
Which brings us to...
Progressive Social Structure
Next door to Regressivestan is an amazing country called Amazingstan. Amazingstan has a very high marriage rate and very low divorce rate. Community structures are rock solid. Most misbehavior is handled at a very low level so crime and incarceration in general are at very low rates. Children grow up in secure environments which allows them to dream and explore. Amazingstan has quite a lot of diversity both in economic terms as well as a large variety of ethnic backgrounds. Despite the differences in culture the groups do a great job of getting to know each other, celebrating their differences and fostering a culture of good will. There is a widespread understanding that everyone in Amazingstan is working towards the same goals making even members of widely disparage economic situations sympathize with each other's struggles.
Amazingstan is not a country with rich natural resources. However, they work very hard to conserve what they have and put everything to the best use possible. That ethic combined with the stability of their culture combines to make Amazingstan significantly more prosperous than Regressivestan despite being a smaller and more resource poor nation.
Conclusion
With the diversity of media, culture, experiences, and wealth, we have in these United States it makes it very difficult for us to relate to everyone. We do not have a single common point to relate on. That discontinuity of culture combined with an increasingly ethicsless society creates an environment where cross cultural relationships and relationships in general become fewer and weaker.
We are rapidly trending towards Regressivestan, but there is one way that the trend can be stopped. Not just stopped though, but reversed at full speed. That involves adding a point of commonality. A set of perspectives and experiences that as they become more widespread will naturally lead to the trickle up affect of national unity. That commonality is Jesus. As individuals of a nation turn to G-d and seek His will for their lives the relationships they have will get stronger. They will naturally build more diverse relationships. The more this happens the more the culture of the nation will naturally begin shifting to look more like Amazingstan. It won't require passing new laws. It won't even require electing new leaders. The change can happen with the exact people we have today or whatever mix we have tomorrow.
We can progress as a society. We just need G-d's help to do it.
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
What is Progress? - Part 2
I have been thinking on George Santayana's concept of progress being our ability to remember the past
better. I realized that that is largely a evolutionary perspective. The idea that we are "progressing" as a species. To contrast that I was referring to progress in the context of society. I do not believe that we are progressing as a species at all. With the advancement of economic progress we are able to do a lot more things than our ancestors were able to, but that isn't biological at all. We do live longer, but that is due to advances in medicine and nutrition, not biological shifts.
To that end I want to discuss economic progress today. Economic progress allows societies to advance and become more productive. Improved farming techniques have allowed us to shift beyond being a primarily agrarian society. A few people can produce food for everyone. That frees up millions of people to pursue other functions.
Medicine has improved. We have all but wiped out a number of terrible plagues that cost millions of lives. With improved food availability and medical knowledge we have added decades to life expediencies and reduced infant mortality significantly. This makes life more predictable and allows people to make more secure long term plans.
The invention and refinement of the automobile and aircraft allow us to travel cheaply and quickly even great distances. This has significantly increased economic flexibility where people can travel all over the world for work. This coupled with the internet has allowed people to work with other people all over the world. The innovation and opportunity this has opened up is unprecedented.
The internet in addition to shortcutting the need for a lot of travel has allowed instant and automatic communication for a host of purposes. We are able to manage our lives and our resources much more efficiently. This offers the opportunity (thought it isn't always taken) to be much more productive as individuals and to cut expenses.
Improvements in design, materials, and testing allow us to make significantly better products. From houses and cars to flashlights and faucets. Things can last longer, be made faster, cost less, and do more.
In basically every aspect of technology and human understanding we have made significant progress. The technological progress is sufficient for every human on earth to live a life with enough food, good medical care, internet connectivity, reasonable housing, and transportation. In short the technological progress has reached the point every human could live a life focused on their individual skills at a high level of productivity. Obviously we do not have that in reality, but the technology is 100% there. The issue falls under the second category. Social Progress.
To that end I want to discuss economic progress today. Economic progress allows societies to advance and become more productive. Improved farming techniques have allowed us to shift beyond being a primarily agrarian society. A few people can produce food for everyone. That frees up millions of people to pursue other functions.
Medicine has improved. We have all but wiped out a number of terrible plagues that cost millions of lives. With improved food availability and medical knowledge we have added decades to life expediencies and reduced infant mortality significantly. This makes life more predictable and allows people to make more secure long term plans.
The invention and refinement of the automobile and aircraft allow us to travel cheaply and quickly even great distances. This has significantly increased economic flexibility where people can travel all over the world for work. This coupled with the internet has allowed people to work with other people all over the world. The innovation and opportunity this has opened up is unprecedented.
The internet in addition to shortcutting the need for a lot of travel has allowed instant and automatic communication for a host of purposes. We are able to manage our lives and our resources much more efficiently. This offers the opportunity (thought it isn't always taken) to be much more productive as individuals and to cut expenses.
Improvements in design, materials, and testing allow us to make significantly better products. From houses and cars to flashlights and faucets. Things can last longer, be made faster, cost less, and do more.
In basically every aspect of technology and human understanding we have made significant progress. The technological progress is sufficient for every human on earth to live a life with enough food, good medical care, internet connectivity, reasonable housing, and transportation. In short the technological progress has reached the point every human could live a life focused on their individual skills at a high level of productivity. Obviously we do not have that in reality, but the technology is 100% there. The issue falls under the second category. Social Progress.
Monday, October 24, 2016
What is Progress?
With the election coming up in a few days there has been a lot of thought nationally about what progress looks like. Obviously "progress" as a concept is a highly subjective state of affairs. One man's societal progress is another man's societal decline. However, it follows that since there are moral absolutes there could be an underlying concept of progress that is also absolute.
The idea for the post came from a radio piece on NPR about George Santayana. He was the guy who coined the origin of the phrase "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." He had a concept of progress simply put that progress is being able to remember the past better. I think that that concept is certainly part of progress, but I am not sure it can hold the entire definition by itself.
I am pondering this as I write, so we'll see where I end up.
What kinds of progress are there?
Economic Progress
Making more stuff, making it nicer (longer lasting), and more effective (more advanced) improves everyone's life. It raises standards of living. It allows us to focus on things we would rather spend our time on instead of just making do.
For example, China between 1981 and 2012 reduced its poverty rate from 88% to 6.5% (% of people making less than $1.90/day). That adds up to over a half billion people. That's huge.
Social Progress
Developing more and better relationships is arguably harder to do. It inherently involves people and that is always messy. However, when there are good relationships across a society that makes a huge difference in peoples lives. There is less conflict (wars, lawsuits, arguments, disunity). There is more sharing and helping (philanthropy, community, service). Even when there is a lack of economic prosperity strong social structures can lead to a pretty decent quality of life.
Conclusion
While I do think that knowledge of history and past experience is an important tool of progress I do not believe it is progress itself. I think progress can be measured by one simply explained thing: How well society, and the individuals in it are living out their G-d given purposes.
When you are scrounging for food and shelter, and on constant guard against attack you are not in a good position to live out anything resembling a calling. So social and economic progress are important enablers to allow us to serve G-d in the way we are made to.
The idea for the post came from a radio piece on NPR about George Santayana. He was the guy who coined the origin of the phrase "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." He had a concept of progress simply put that progress is being able to remember the past better. I think that that concept is certainly part of progress, but I am not sure it can hold the entire definition by itself.
I am pondering this as I write, so we'll see where I end up.
What kinds of progress are there?
- Economic progress (more advanced/nicer/more stuff)
- Social progress (more/better relationships)
Economic Progress
Making more stuff, making it nicer (longer lasting), and more effective (more advanced) improves everyone's life. It raises standards of living. It allows us to focus on things we would rather spend our time on instead of just making do.
For example, China between 1981 and 2012 reduced its poverty rate from 88% to 6.5% (% of people making less than $1.90/day). That adds up to over a half billion people. That's huge.
Social Progress
Developing more and better relationships is arguably harder to do. It inherently involves people and that is always messy. However, when there are good relationships across a society that makes a huge difference in peoples lives. There is less conflict (wars, lawsuits, arguments, disunity). There is more sharing and helping (philanthropy, community, service). Even when there is a lack of economic prosperity strong social structures can lead to a pretty decent quality of life.
Conclusion
While I do think that knowledge of history and past experience is an important tool of progress I do not believe it is progress itself. I think progress can be measured by one simply explained thing: How well society, and the individuals in it are living out their G-d given purposes.
When you are scrounging for food and shelter, and on constant guard against attack you are not in a good position to live out anything resembling a calling. So social and economic progress are important enablers to allow us to serve G-d in the way we are made to.
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Why Was Saul So Bad?
When the people of Israel rejected G-d and demanded a king He gave them Saul. Saul was ok in that he didn't lead the Israelites into pagan worship, but he did reject G-d in 1 Samuel 15 by failing to completely destroy the Amalekites. Which, seems on the grand scale of evil not horrible. So why, after that, did G-d not only plan to replace him, but end his ruling lineage? Future kings of Israel were downright evil, leading G-d's people in worshiping other gods and seeking to kill G-d's prophets. You'd think they would deserve to have not just their reigns ended but their lineages and blood lines ended.
The answer is simple yet profound. I include the whole section because it is a powerful passage. One of the great covenants in the Bible.
2 Samuel 7:8-16
‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. 9 And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’”
The short answer is G-d promised David an eternal lineage. So winding through the years David's descendants took many terrible turns, but G-d was always faithful in keeping it going. All the way to Jesus. The eternal King of the Jews.
G-d keeps His promises. Even when we do terrible things He stays faithful and holds up His end. It really makes me wonder what promises He has made to me...
The answer is simple yet profound. I include the whole section because it is a powerful passage. One of the great covenants in the Bible.
2 Samuel 7:8-16
‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. 9 And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’”
The short answer is G-d promised David an eternal lineage. So winding through the years David's descendants took many terrible turns, but G-d was always faithful in keeping it going. All the way to Jesus. The eternal King of the Jews.
G-d keeps His promises. Even when we do terrible things He stays faithful and holds up His end. It really makes me wonder what promises He has made to me...
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Yes That's A Thing
So, again to share something a little lighter and happier watch this: video
Sometimes people are dumb. Sometimes systems are dumb. Sometimes people and systems are dumb to the point that they create amazing things that you'd never imagine would ever be a thing.
At this point it really should just stay. I mean, it's very existence institutionalizes the reality of the church there as a whole and represents a silly, but real history.
Sometimes people are dumb. Sometimes systems are dumb. Sometimes people and systems are dumb to the point that they create amazing things that you'd never imagine would ever be a thing.
At this point it really should just stay. I mean, it's very existence institutionalizes the reality of the church there as a whole and represents a silly, but real history.
Friday, October 21, 2016
Cool News
With all the negativity and yuckiness of the news I came across this article in Popular Science. Go read it. It shows some really neat stuff. I won't repeat it all here, but there are a few that I am particularly excited about.
- Supersonic business jet: Supersonic travel has been lost since the Concorde was retired. Seeing it become a thing again is great.
- The Juno mission: We will actually learn a good deal about the internal structure of Jupiter. It has been so mysterious I am really excited to learn more.
- The SPIDER thing: The SPIDER is not that exciting by itself, but the airships that Lockheed Martin is building are sweeeeet. I love the idea of airships and this may be the beginning of a modern renaissance of the platform.
- Most important: SpaceX's landing first stage. The cost of rockets is only 3% fuel. The other 97% of the cost is the hardware. So being able to reuse the hardware with minimal rework means that the cost of space access could begin to meaningfully drop. This is the biggest news in the article. I'm really excited about the potential of this development. This could truly usher in the space age.
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Find Your Purpose
I wrote a few days back about finding your identity. Identity is the most important concept to have a good grasp on as far as introspective analysis is concerned. It really is the foundation upon which your life is built whether you see it or not.
The second most important thing to understand is your purpose. How do you, as a son or daughter of G-d, structure your life? Finding your purpose allows you to make priorities and determine what life choices are best. There are five questions proposed by Adam Leipzig. Many of these questions might not be super simple to answer, but they will give you a starting point for living a life of purpose.
1. Who am I?
The answer to this goes back to identity. You are a son or daughter of G-d. Embracing that and living fully in that identity is the process of a lifetime.
2. What do I do?
The way Adam suggests to answer this question is by thinking about the one thing that you are extremely qualified to teach others. However, what about those, like me, who don't have an area like that? "I am not amazing at anything" you may say, or "I'm great at one thing, but it's not something I love or even like."
When I answered this question it was largely aspirational for me. I am not great at it, but I want to be eventually. I used that to inform the next three questions which were also somewhat aspirational. However, if you really are stuck on this one you might have some success by coming back to this one after answering the next ones.
3. Who do I serve?
Is there a group of people you specifically want to help or are already helping?
4. What do they get?
What kind of help do you give them? What areas of their lives do/will you affect?
5. How do they change?
At the end of the day, what changes in their lives? What is the end result of your purpose? Adam Leipzig says that the answer to this question is a great response to the question "What do you do?" It forces follow up questions. For example, when asked the question you could say "I help people live long full and active lives." The natural response then is "how do you do that?" It is a great way to get into your purpose and share what you are really interested in.
In the video Adam makes it sound really simple, and if you can answer these questions right off the top of your head then that is great. However, I suspect many people will get hung up pretty hard on some.
Once you do get to the point of having some answer I want to add a final step. Writing a life sentence. Take the answers and combine them into a single sentence. Memorize it, write it down, put it on your bathroom mirror. It will be a valuable guide whenever you question your path and direction in life. Revisit it occasionally to update and revise it as your perspective changes. It may change a lot as the years pass, but having a guide will always be helpful.
The second most important thing to understand is your purpose. How do you, as a son or daughter of G-d, structure your life? Finding your purpose allows you to make priorities and determine what life choices are best. There are five questions proposed by Adam Leipzig. Many of these questions might not be super simple to answer, but they will give you a starting point for living a life of purpose.
1. Who am I?
The answer to this goes back to identity. You are a son or daughter of G-d. Embracing that and living fully in that identity is the process of a lifetime.
2. What do I do?
The way Adam suggests to answer this question is by thinking about the one thing that you are extremely qualified to teach others. However, what about those, like me, who don't have an area like that? "I am not amazing at anything" you may say, or "I'm great at one thing, but it's not something I love or even like."
When I answered this question it was largely aspirational for me. I am not great at it, but I want to be eventually. I used that to inform the next three questions which were also somewhat aspirational. However, if you really are stuck on this one you might have some success by coming back to this one after answering the next ones.
3. Who do I serve?
Is there a group of people you specifically want to help or are already helping?
4. What do they get?
What kind of help do you give them? What areas of their lives do/will you affect?
5. How do they change?
At the end of the day, what changes in their lives? What is the end result of your purpose? Adam Leipzig says that the answer to this question is a great response to the question "What do you do?" It forces follow up questions. For example, when asked the question you could say "I help people live long full and active lives." The natural response then is "how do you do that?" It is a great way to get into your purpose and share what you are really interested in.
In the video Adam makes it sound really simple, and if you can answer these questions right off the top of your head then that is great. However, I suspect many people will get hung up pretty hard on some.
Once you do get to the point of having some answer I want to add a final step. Writing a life sentence. Take the answers and combine them into a single sentence. Memorize it, write it down, put it on your bathroom mirror. It will be a valuable guide whenever you question your path and direction in life. Revisit it occasionally to update and revise it as your perspective changes. It may change a lot as the years pass, but having a guide will always be helpful.
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Getting to the Basics
Some days the list of things going right is long. Some days the list is very very short. When the list gets short it is necessary to narrow your focus and keep your eyes just on the few things that you absolutely have to.
Make sure one of those last few things is G-d. In the end He is the only one that matters.
Keeping that as your central focus is not just theologically correct, but keeping focused on Him can make everything else a good deal less stressful.
Make sure one of those last few things is G-d. In the end He is the only one that matters.
Keeping that as your central focus is not just theologically correct, but keeping focused on Him can make everything else a good deal less stressful.
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Rejecting G-d
When the Israelites crossed the Red Sea they began the journey into the inheritance that G-d had prepared for them. Unfortunately, they did not embrace it fully. Here are a couple of many examples:
We reject G-d's rule over our lives. We put other priorities over Him. We establish our own kings. We put our spouses, children, money, career, ourselves on the throne of our lives and displace His rule.
When we do step into the calling and inheritance He has laid out for us we only do so half-heartedly. We only work at it for a while and with limited effort. Once we feel we have a nice little ministry, a nice little fulfillment, we stop. We leave the fullness of our calling on the table. We do not press into it with vigor.
We allow fear, selfishness, and small mindedness prevent us from taking the massive inheritance waiting for us, and from allowing G-d to rule.
- They rejected G-d's gift of their inheritance. Numbers 13 describes their foray into Canaan and the spy's report that the land was full of giants. Then in Numbers 14 the people respond and reject G-d's gift. He then sends them to wander in the wilderness.
- They rejected G-d's rule over them. In 1 Samuel 8 the Israelites reject G-d and demand a king like the nations surrounding them. They then get to pay taxes.
- G-d outlines the territory that He is giving them in Joshua 1:2-4. That territory constitutes about 300,000 square miles. In the end the Israelites take 30,000 square miles. Just 10% of their promised inheritance.
We reject G-d's rule over our lives. We put other priorities over Him. We establish our own kings. We put our spouses, children, money, career, ourselves on the throne of our lives and displace His rule.
When we do step into the calling and inheritance He has laid out for us we only do so half-heartedly. We only work at it for a while and with limited effort. Once we feel we have a nice little ministry, a nice little fulfillment, we stop. We leave the fullness of our calling on the table. We do not press into it with vigor.
We allow fear, selfishness, and small mindedness prevent us from taking the massive inheritance waiting for us, and from allowing G-d to rule.
Monday, October 17, 2016
G-d and My Fear of Pink Short Shorts
For quite a while I have struggled with the desire to really seek after G-d. I have struggled with trusting Him. While I cannot say I have dealt with it completely I am beginning to develop an understanding that allows me to embrace our relationship with increasing vigor.
The crux of the issue has been my attachment to how I view my identity. I have largely identified myself in relation to my intellect, my ideas, and my big dreams. Those things are a big part of who I am, however they are not WHO I am. I am discovering, step by step, that my identity is fully defined in my being a son of G-d.
Now, I knew this intellectually, and that actually contributed to my apprehension and distrust. Any time you shift your identity the transition changes a lot of things about you and can be very painful. So my hesitance was understandable and to some extent legitimate. However, a larger part was I was afraid that if I embraced that identity of sonship that the things that I had previously identified myself as would get taken away. That I would have to change to be a fundamentally different person.
The somewhat humorous image I had in my head was that if I accepted G-d's calling and really embraced Him He would call me to be a missionary to Africa where I would wear pink polyester short shorts. I'm not sure why that embodies the worst possible calling in my mind, but it did. Needless to say, I didn't want to want to do that. It was a real road block in my desire to seek intimacy with G-d.
Additionally, there was another part of me that feared being identityless. Basically, losing my existing identity, and finding little or nothing to replace it with.
All of that of course is not true. Being a son or daughter of G-d is far from a "nonexistent" identity. It does not involve a stripping away of the fundamental reality of who you are. It probably will result in significant changes in your life, but those changes will result in you being more you than you were before.
Here are some verses that helped me realize this.
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
The crux of the issue has been my attachment to how I view my identity. I have largely identified myself in relation to my intellect, my ideas, and my big dreams. Those things are a big part of who I am, however they are not WHO I am. I am discovering, step by step, that my identity is fully defined in my being a son of G-d.
Now, I knew this intellectually, and that actually contributed to my apprehension and distrust. Any time you shift your identity the transition changes a lot of things about you and can be very painful. So my hesitance was understandable and to some extent legitimate. However, a larger part was I was afraid that if I embraced that identity of sonship that the things that I had previously identified myself as would get taken away. That I would have to change to be a fundamentally different person.
The somewhat humorous image I had in my head was that if I accepted G-d's calling and really embraced Him He would call me to be a missionary to Africa where I would wear pink polyester short shorts. I'm not sure why that embodies the worst possible calling in my mind, but it did. Needless to say, I didn't want to want to do that. It was a real road block in my desire to seek intimacy with G-d.
Additionally, there was another part of me that feared being identityless. Basically, losing my existing identity, and finding little or nothing to replace it with.
All of that of course is not true. Being a son or daughter of G-d is far from a "nonexistent" identity. It does not involve a stripping away of the fundamental reality of who you are. It probably will result in significant changes in your life, but those changes will result in you being more you than you were before.
Here are some verses that helped me realize this.
26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said,
“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’
This shows us that our identity is as children of G-d. Also, when I read "In Him we live and move and have our being" I realized that by embracing my identity in G-d, by allowing Him to define me I was in fact embracing my fundamental self. How can I fully come into my full "being"? By being in Him.
Again, we are adopted children of G-d. That is who we are, but not just children, heirs. G-d wants to give us an inheritance and for us be glorified with Him. To me this speaks to me that He wants to make us bigger and better versions of ourselves and to give us the resources we need to do it.
29 But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.
It may be scary. It may be hard. But it is possible and He really wants us to do it.
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Congressional Transparency
Given that we live in a republic we have representatives who work for us representing our interests in our state capitals as well as in Washington DC. They vote on laws that affect our daily lives and the future of our states and country. We vote every few years to decide if they should stay in office or be replaced by someone else. I realized the other day that as with everything if you can't measure a reps voting record it is hard to decide whether you think they are doing a good job or not.
Now, most votes are a matter of public record. You can find out who voted how for most laws. The exception is for voice votes where the bill passes or fails based on whether the "ayes" sound louder than they "nays" (yeah, that is a thing). In those cases no individual record is kept of who voted how. Anyway, overall we can know how everyone voted.
However, the laws that are passed these days, especially on the federal level are almost all massive and hugely complicated tomes. It is not uncommon for them to be hundreds of pages long. Some are even more than 1000 pages. In those cases it becomes significantly harder to understand clearly which way you would even want your senator to vote. There are probably things you like about the bill, but almost certainly at least a few things you don't. So how do you know if your representative is voting in line with your convictions? Maybe they voted the way you think they should have, but for very different and conflicting reasons? Maybe they didn't understand the bill anymore than you did and they were guessing or only following instructions from party leadership. That isn't good. But how do you know?
I propose two things. First, make every vote a vote of record. Hold representatives accountable for their votes.
Second, I would like representatives to write opinions like the supreme court does. When the supreme court makes a decision they have a majority opinion (the court's official ruling) as well as the dissenting opinion (why the dissenting judges disagree). Senators and congressmen/congresswomen should write opinions on each vote explaining why they voted the way they did. What went into their decision and what they liked and disliked about the bill. That would help their fellow representatives to know how they might encourage a future bill to pass in the case of a no vote. It would help congress work better together.
Most importantly, for the people they could see what the concerns were and make a more refined judgement of the vote. It would help them decide whether their representatives reasoning fell in line with their values. It would show potential holes and weaknesses in the representatives arguments. It would hold them to account.
Now, most votes are a matter of public record. You can find out who voted how for most laws. The exception is for voice votes where the bill passes or fails based on whether the "ayes" sound louder than they "nays" (yeah, that is a thing). In those cases no individual record is kept of who voted how. Anyway, overall we can know how everyone voted.
However, the laws that are passed these days, especially on the federal level are almost all massive and hugely complicated tomes. It is not uncommon for them to be hundreds of pages long. Some are even more than 1000 pages. In those cases it becomes significantly harder to understand clearly which way you would even want your senator to vote. There are probably things you like about the bill, but almost certainly at least a few things you don't. So how do you know if your representative is voting in line with your convictions? Maybe they voted the way you think they should have, but for very different and conflicting reasons? Maybe they didn't understand the bill anymore than you did and they were guessing or only following instructions from party leadership. That isn't good. But how do you know?
I propose two things. First, make every vote a vote of record. Hold representatives accountable for their votes.
Second, I would like representatives to write opinions like the supreme court does. When the supreme court makes a decision they have a majority opinion (the court's official ruling) as well as the dissenting opinion (why the dissenting judges disagree). Senators and congressmen/congresswomen should write opinions on each vote explaining why they voted the way they did. What went into their decision and what they liked and disliked about the bill. That would help their fellow representatives to know how they might encourage a future bill to pass in the case of a no vote. It would help congress work better together.
Most importantly, for the people they could see what the concerns were and make a more refined judgement of the vote. It would help them decide whether their representatives reasoning fell in line with their values. It would show potential holes and weaknesses in the representatives arguments. It would hold them to account.
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Finding vs Making Time
There are so many things that we as adults can do. It is the biggest thing we look forward to as kids. When I grow up I can do whatever I want. It really is true to a large extent. However, there are piles of things we have to do. Go to work. Clean the house. Take care of the yard. Grocery shopping. So when you do come across something you want to do or need to do the question is usually "how can I find the time?"
How can I find the time to work out? How can I find the time to read my book pile. How can I find the time to take my wife on dates? How can I find the time for that extra project at work or that new program at church?
The thing is, "how can I find the time" is the wrong question. Our lives are busy. They will fill up naturally with any and everything. So realistically the answer to "how can I find the time to..." is "I can't." I don't work out. I don't read regularly. I don't go on dates. Because there is no time. It's taken up with goofing off on my phone. Reading the internet. Low priority tasks that I may or may not really need to do. Getting busy with other people's priorities.
The real question is, "will I make the time?" Is my continuing education important enough to put my phone down and read for 30 minutes? Is my relationship with my wife more important than vegging out watching TV for an evening? It turns out I am always deciding whether or not I will take the time. The difference is whether I recognize the decision, and make the effort to trim away the wasted time and energy and fill it with things that fit what I actually want my priorities to be.
How can I find the time to work out? How can I find the time to read my book pile. How can I find the time to take my wife on dates? How can I find the time for that extra project at work or that new program at church?
The thing is, "how can I find the time" is the wrong question. Our lives are busy. They will fill up naturally with any and everything. So realistically the answer to "how can I find the time to..." is "I can't." I don't work out. I don't read regularly. I don't go on dates. Because there is no time. It's taken up with goofing off on my phone. Reading the internet. Low priority tasks that I may or may not really need to do. Getting busy with other people's priorities.
The real question is, "will I make the time?" Is my continuing education important enough to put my phone down and read for 30 minutes? Is my relationship with my wife more important than vegging out watching TV for an evening? It turns out I am always deciding whether or not I will take the time. The difference is whether I recognize the decision, and make the effort to trim away the wasted time and energy and fill it with things that fit what I actually want my priorities to be.
Friday, October 14, 2016
The Corporate Ladder and the Skills Gap
The corporate ladder is a thing of the past for the most part. Gone are the days when you could get a job at a company in the mail room and 30 years later be named CEO. The average worker changes jobs every 4.4 years and for millennials (me) that is down to half that. There are many reasons for that, but I think that we should fight to bring back the corporate ladder.
A major issue that companies are challenged with these days is that finding qualified workers is hard. This is commonly known as the "skills gap" and is a common problem discussed in business circles. There are many high paying technically involved jobs out there, but not enough people to fill them.
I think there is a solution here that the corporate ladder is uniquely qualified to fix. Companies know what skills they need, and in most cases they already have those skills in the company, they just need more. So to solve the issue they could hire motivated but unskilled workers and teach them the skills they need to do the jobs required. The risk of course is that once they have spent the time and money training these people with valuable skills the newly marketable employees will walk off and get jobs elsewhere. This is where the corporate ladder comes in. Most people don't want to move around. People hate change so if you offer them a solid job making good money, invest in them, and offer a clear path (assuming they perform) to promotion and advancement they will stick around.
Treating employees as commodities is a large part of why workers are so mobile. The idea that "anyone is replaceable" is only marginally true, and it most certainly fosters an attitude of disloyalty towards workers.
So if you want to keep you people and have a never ending supply of motivated and skilled labor promote from within, train your people, and give them a clear and achievable path to the top.
A major issue that companies are challenged with these days is that finding qualified workers is hard. This is commonly known as the "skills gap" and is a common problem discussed in business circles. There are many high paying technically involved jobs out there, but not enough people to fill them.
I think there is a solution here that the corporate ladder is uniquely qualified to fix. Companies know what skills they need, and in most cases they already have those skills in the company, they just need more. So to solve the issue they could hire motivated but unskilled workers and teach them the skills they need to do the jobs required. The risk of course is that once they have spent the time and money training these people with valuable skills the newly marketable employees will walk off and get jobs elsewhere. This is where the corporate ladder comes in. Most people don't want to move around. People hate change so if you offer them a solid job making good money, invest in them, and offer a clear path (assuming they perform) to promotion and advancement they will stick around.
Treating employees as commodities is a large part of why workers are so mobile. The idea that "anyone is replaceable" is only marginally true, and it most certainly fosters an attitude of disloyalty towards workers.
So if you want to keep you people and have a never ending supply of motivated and skilled labor promote from within, train your people, and give them a clear and achievable path to the top.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Reinstate the Draft
Yesterday I talked about the war we are involved in in Yemen, and how we really shouldn't be. Beyond that though, you may not realize that we are involved in six wars in the middle east currently. In Libya, Somalia, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. Not all those wars are superfluous or unnecessary, but there is very little public awareness and therefore scrutiny of those actions.
I propose that we reinstate the the draft. Not at a high level, maybe keep it at a level to provide 10% of the military strength or so. But enough that most people would know of someone who was drafted.
Why you ask?
If you don't have skin in the game you aren't going to care, and some things need to be cared about.
I propose that we reinstate the the draft. Not at a high level, maybe keep it at a level to provide 10% of the military strength or so. But enough that most people would know of someone who was drafted.
Why you ask?
- We have been involved in wars all but two years since 1978. The fact that we have been able to sustain that level of involvement for so long is impressive. But having a reliable source of military strength would be helpful.
- Increasing the diversity of the military (or any organization) often results in a stronger product. Including perspectives outside of the ones that naturally occur from people purposefully choosing the military would widen the organizations awareness of the world.
- Most importantly though, when the population as a whole knows that they could be on the hook to fight they are going to care a lot more about where and when we get involved in wars. It would contribute to a heightened awareness of our foreign policy and global awareness in general.
If you don't have skin in the game you aren't going to care, and some things need to be cared about.
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Yemen
It's not in the news very much, but did you know that the United States is fighting a war in Yemen? Well we are. We have been fighting there for almost two years in support of Saudi Arabia. We currently have a full carrier group stationed there providing tanker support to the Saudi air force, intelligence support, and logistical support.
Well, there must be some major threat that we are going after right? The war on terror and all that? Well... no. Not really. The war is a civil war between the Houthi's who are trying to reinstate Ali Abdullah Saleh who was deposed during the Arab Spring four years ago by Abed Mansour Hadi. The Saudis are trying to support Hadi and prevent the Houthis from taking back over. What is worse is that by supporting the Saudis fighting the Houthis we are actually fighting on the same side as Al Qaeda. To top it all off, the Saudis, who are managing the air campaign, seem to be relatively indiscriminately bombing military and civilian targets. Most recently bombing a funeral killing 140 people.
The Saudis are our allies, so it stands to reason that we would support them to some extent. We do sell them significant amounts of weapons and technology. But getting involved in a civil war is a bridge too far. Especially when it poses significantly more of a threat to American lives to be involved than to not.
Well, there must be some major threat that we are going after right? The war on terror and all that? Well... no. Not really. The war is a civil war between the Houthi's who are trying to reinstate Ali Abdullah Saleh who was deposed during the Arab Spring four years ago by Abed Mansour Hadi. The Saudis are trying to support Hadi and prevent the Houthis from taking back over. What is worse is that by supporting the Saudis fighting the Houthis we are actually fighting on the same side as Al Qaeda. To top it all off, the Saudis, who are managing the air campaign, seem to be relatively indiscriminately bombing military and civilian targets. Most recently bombing a funeral killing 140 people.
The Saudis are our allies, so it stands to reason that we would support them to some extent. We do sell them significant amounts of weapons and technology. But getting involved in a civil war is a bridge too far. Especially when it poses significantly more of a threat to American lives to be involved than to not.
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Vote Santa 2016
Given my general distaste for all the presidential candidates this round I have been pondering alternatives. Third party candidates came up short to my chagrin so I have to cast my net even farther.
A coworker suggested Santa Clause as a write-in candidate, and I must admit Santa has some really great curb appeal. To be thorough though I really should give him a good once over to be sure he meets my requirements.
Santa has run North Pole Inc. quite successfully for hundreds of years which bodes well. However, his revenue streams are quite murky now that I think about it. Where does he get the resources to pay for all those toys? He is very generous, his philanthropic activities are literally world renowned. But then again, he seems to give away a lot of stuff which makes him seem more on the socialistic end of the spectrum...
That plays into the question more generally of transparency. We don't even know where his base of operations is let alone what goes on there. What are the working conditions for the elves? How does he treat the reindeer? What kind of corporate culture does he encourage? These are important questions and really the very fact that we do not know is worrisome. Government transparency is important to me and I am not at all confident that he shares that value.
Mr. Clause seems to be very economically biased. I am certainly not one to quickly jump on the wealth inequality bandwagon, but he seems to really give a lot more to rich kids. They really don't need more stuff. It's his prerogative as an entrepreneur, but some people will really have a problem with that.
Another large concern is what are Santa's foreign connections? Where are his loyalties? He seems to source very heavily from China. Would he be inappropriately biased towards those connections?
Finally, ol' Saint Nick was born in Turkey, so he really isn't constitutionally eligible. That really is the last nail in the coffin of his campaign. I guess it is for the best though. He never looked presidential anyway. And he always wears red, and lives right near Russia... is he a commie?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Put your troubles away 'til tomorrow, if your lucky someone will break into your house tonight and steal 'em.
A coworker suggested Santa Clause as a write-in candidate, and I must admit Santa has some really great curb appeal. To be thorough though I really should give him a good once over to be sure he meets my requirements.
Santa has run North Pole Inc. quite successfully for hundreds of years which bodes well. However, his revenue streams are quite murky now that I think about it. Where does he get the resources to pay for all those toys? He is very generous, his philanthropic activities are literally world renowned. But then again, he seems to give away a lot of stuff which makes him seem more on the socialistic end of the spectrum...
That plays into the question more generally of transparency. We don't even know where his base of operations is let alone what goes on there. What are the working conditions for the elves? How does he treat the reindeer? What kind of corporate culture does he encourage? These are important questions and really the very fact that we do not know is worrisome. Government transparency is important to me and I am not at all confident that he shares that value.
Mr. Clause seems to be very economically biased. I am certainly not one to quickly jump on the wealth inequality bandwagon, but he seems to really give a lot more to rich kids. They really don't need more stuff. It's his prerogative as an entrepreneur, but some people will really have a problem with that.
Another large concern is what are Santa's foreign connections? Where are his loyalties? He seems to source very heavily from China. Would he be inappropriately biased towards those connections?
Finally, ol' Saint Nick was born in Turkey, so he really isn't constitutionally eligible. That really is the last nail in the coffin of his campaign. I guess it is for the best though. He never looked presidential anyway. And he always wears red, and lives right near Russia... is he a commie?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Put your troubles away 'til tomorrow, if your lucky someone will break into your house tonight and steal 'em.
Monday, October 10, 2016
Life Is Not Fair
The world is not a fair place. Despite being the same age as Aaron Levie I, unfortunately, am not worth $100 million. That is not fair. Charlie Keating died fighting in Iraq, but his squad mates weren't. That is not fair. Usain Bolt also is my age and is the fastest man in the world and makes millions off of endorsements. That is not fair.
The world is not supposed to be a fair place though. When G-d gave us free will it meant we would all get different results. Some people would get killed by other people. Some people would be very successful. When we all have agency and the ability to make our own decisions we will all end up different places.
Even beyond that though, we all have different purposes. Some of us are meant for the spotlight. To wield power. To direct and guide. While some of us are called to toil quietly away in the background. Doing useful work, but never known to anyone. Some people are even called to die. To do work so dangerous it requires their life. This is not fair. This is not equitable. It often isn't even pleasant. But it is necessary for the greater good.
We play different roles over the course of our lives. Some bigger, some smaller. But we must never forget that if we are in G-d's will, no matter how lowly or mundane it may seem, we are right where we need to be. And while we may not understand why, we can trust that it is important. Even if we never gain any notoriety.
The world is not supposed to be a fair place though. When G-d gave us free will it meant we would all get different results. Some people would get killed by other people. Some people would be very successful. When we all have agency and the ability to make our own decisions we will all end up different places.
Even beyond that though, we all have different purposes. Some of us are meant for the spotlight. To wield power. To direct and guide. While some of us are called to toil quietly away in the background. Doing useful work, but never known to anyone. Some people are even called to die. To do work so dangerous it requires their life. This is not fair. This is not equitable. It often isn't even pleasant. But it is necessary for the greater good.
We play different roles over the course of our lives. Some bigger, some smaller. But we must never forget that if we are in G-d's will, no matter how lowly or mundane it may seem, we are right where we need to be. And while we may not understand why, we can trust that it is important. Even if we never gain any notoriety.
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Wolfram Alpha
Wolfram Alpha is a website. It is a self proclaimed "computational knowledge engine". It works like google where you type stuff in and hit enter, but it is a repository for knowledge, not links. To explain let me share a few of my favorite uses for it.
- Want to know how many days old you are or between any two dates? Enter in "how many days between 3-Jan-2002 and today" and it effortlessly lets you know that it is 5392 days.
- Wanting to cheat in scrabble? Enter "st__k" (with underscores) and it will give a list of all the words with those letters in those places: stack, stalk, stank, stark...
- Trying to cheat on your algebra homework? Enter in "solve x2 + 5x - 6 = 0" and it will factor it and give you the answers of x = -6, 1. It will even graph it for you.
- Curious how your third cousin twice removed is feeling up in Barrow AK? Type in "what is the weather in barrow ak" and it gives you the current temperature, the temperature graph for the past week and even the last hundred years. I suspect your cousin is cold. I'll leave it at that.
Saturday, October 8, 2016
250! (plus 2)
I've posted 252 posts this year. Today is the 282nd day of 2016. So I have missed 30 days. 22 of them being for a work trip that I didn't plan on posting during. So I've only missed 8. That's not too bad. Overall I am very pleased with my progress. The year is coming to an end though. There are only 83 days left. That actually doesn't seem so many at this point.
I really do not feel that I need to, or really want to for that matter, continue this blogging experiment. This is very helpful and useful and I am learning a lot. I think I want to branch out next year though and do something different.
I have found a daily creative activity like this has been extremely helpful. It makes me more creative in general and I feel it is somewhat therapeutic to be able to consistently express myself. So a new creative project for next year is high on the list. I just don't know for sure what yet.
I really do not feel that I need to, or really want to for that matter, continue this blogging experiment. This is very helpful and useful and I am learning a lot. I think I want to branch out next year though and do something different.
I have found a daily creative activity like this has been extremely helpful. It makes me more creative in general and I feel it is somewhat therapeutic to be able to consistently express myself. So a new creative project for next year is high on the list. I just don't know for sure what yet.
The Hurricane That Couldn't
Hurricane Matthew is currently right offshore of Melbourne Florida. A couple friends from work just moved down there so I have been particularly paying attention to the storm's path. Nice housewarming huh?
But looking at the track it looks like the storm oh so wants to hit Florida but just can't. It is tracking right along the coast at a pretty consistent distance. But it just can't do it. I'm sure there are reasons for it, but it really looks like a drive by.
I guess it just isn't allowed.
But looking at the track it looks like the storm oh so wants to hit Florida but just can't. It is tracking right along the coast at a pretty consistent distance. But it just can't do it. I'm sure there are reasons for it, but it really looks like a drive by.
I guess it just isn't allowed.
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Cultivating Motivation
Motivation comes and goes. When it is really flowing it is easy to dive in and do even the hard things that need to be done. When it ebbs though... why... am... i... doing... this...? The thing is though that motivation is not an uncontrollable force. It probably is impossible to be highly motivated always, but you can take actions that build up your motivation and increase your effectiveness.
Here are four ways to cultivate motivation in your life and increase your capacity to achieve what is important.
Answer the question "why?" One of the biggest reasons for lack of motivation is just not knowing why you are doing something. It's close cousin is having dumb reasons for doing something. When you don't have good reasons for doing something it is easy to lose interest in pushing. When you don't think your job matters you aren't going to show initiative and do a good job.
So find your "why". Figure out what drives you and motivates you. Maybe it is providing for your family. Maybe it is a desire to make the world a better place. Find the things that are important to you. Define your priorities and you will discover a deep well of motivation.
Be careful though. Figuring out your priorities can have a very disruptive affect on your life. Especially if you've been coasting for a long time. It could cause you to quit your job, fix your marriage, become a better dad, who knows? Risky business that.
Manage your environment. Once you know your "why" it is important to protect it. Stay away from people who tear you down and don't appreciate your "why". Look for people who respect your priorities and, even better, encourage them. Life will bring enough troubles that you don't need saboteurs trying to steel your motivation.
Use motivation boosters. I'm sure you've red a book or listened to a radio show or podcast that really revved you up. It spoke to your "why" whether you recognized that or not. It encouraged your drive to make your life better. Take note of those things. Write them down. Make a list and when you are feeling low and unmotivated pull one out and use those performance enhancing motivation drugs to put you on a better path.
Remember your context. Usually when I am feeling discourage and unmotivated it is at least in part because my perspective has shrunk to a tiny little bubble around me. All I see are the immediate issues and struggles and problems. Broadening your perspective doesn't make those things go away, but it helps you see the bigger picture.
I might have had my boss turn me down for a raise, had an argument with my wife, yelled at the kids, and gotten a speeding ticket (not really, just for example). However, I am making more than I ever have, my marriage is stronger than it was a year ago, I'm gradually becoming a better father, and I am all around a lot more mature than I was ten years ago.
Progress is being made. So sure, today might be a bad day, but if I stay focused and motivated there is a good chance that in another ten years my life will be even better.
I hope this helps you. I wrote this mostly for me. I don't do this very well sometimes... but I'm getting better! :D
Here are four ways to cultivate motivation in your life and increase your capacity to achieve what is important.
Answer the question "why?" One of the biggest reasons for lack of motivation is just not knowing why you are doing something. It's close cousin is having dumb reasons for doing something. When you don't have good reasons for doing something it is easy to lose interest in pushing. When you don't think your job matters you aren't going to show initiative and do a good job.
So find your "why". Figure out what drives you and motivates you. Maybe it is providing for your family. Maybe it is a desire to make the world a better place. Find the things that are important to you. Define your priorities and you will discover a deep well of motivation.
Be careful though. Figuring out your priorities can have a very disruptive affect on your life. Especially if you've been coasting for a long time. It could cause you to quit your job, fix your marriage, become a better dad, who knows? Risky business that.
Manage your environment. Once you know your "why" it is important to protect it. Stay away from people who tear you down and don't appreciate your "why". Look for people who respect your priorities and, even better, encourage them. Life will bring enough troubles that you don't need saboteurs trying to steel your motivation.
Use motivation boosters. I'm sure you've red a book or listened to a radio show or podcast that really revved you up. It spoke to your "why" whether you recognized that or not. It encouraged your drive to make your life better. Take note of those things. Write them down. Make a list and when you are feeling low and unmotivated pull one out and use those performance enhancing motivation drugs to put you on a better path.
Remember your context. Usually when I am feeling discourage and unmotivated it is at least in part because my perspective has shrunk to a tiny little bubble around me. All I see are the immediate issues and struggles and problems. Broadening your perspective doesn't make those things go away, but it helps you see the bigger picture.
I might have had my boss turn me down for a raise, had an argument with my wife, yelled at the kids, and gotten a speeding ticket (not really, just for example). However, I am making more than I ever have, my marriage is stronger than it was a year ago, I'm gradually becoming a better father, and I am all around a lot more mature than I was ten years ago.
Progress is being made. So sure, today might be a bad day, but if I stay focused and motivated there is a good chance that in another ten years my life will be even better.
I hope this helps you. I wrote this mostly for me. I don't do this very well sometimes... but I'm getting better! :D
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Theory vs Application
Theory is important. We need to understand WHY. We need to understand HOW. But if theory does not translate into application it really is kinda useless. It might be super fun, and I've been guilty of having long winded arguments on small little points of theory. But in the end, it's not useful.
Even when theory has extensive application getting buried in the theory can only take you so far. I'm sure you are familiar with the stereotype of the overly educated intellectual who is completely incapable of simple life skills.
A more direct issue is that without application it is really really hard to gauge how important each particular piece of theory is in relation to others. For example, with aircraft there are different forms of drag including lift-induced, form, skin friction, and wave drag. Reading a textbook you could easily miss the fact that the significance of each type varies dramatically. You could spend tons of time trying to figure out the wave drag for an aircraft design and miss the fact that your glider (slow) is going to have almost 0 wave drag.
So go out and do things. Learn the theory, but go and apply it. That's where it matters.
Even when theory has extensive application getting buried in the theory can only take you so far. I'm sure you are familiar with the stereotype of the overly educated intellectual who is completely incapable of simple life skills.
A more direct issue is that without application it is really really hard to gauge how important each particular piece of theory is in relation to others. For example, with aircraft there are different forms of drag including lift-induced, form, skin friction, and wave drag. Reading a textbook you could easily miss the fact that the significance of each type varies dramatically. You could spend tons of time trying to figure out the wave drag for an aircraft design and miss the fact that your glider (slow) is going to have almost 0 wave drag.
So go out and do things. Learn the theory, but go and apply it. That's where it matters.
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
National Unity
During the Korean War General MacArthur was fired by President Truman. A special senate hearing was held in order to review MacArthur's removal and the state of the war more broadly. The Smithsonian has a very interesting article outlining those hearings. However, that is not the point here. I was reading it and a quote from the committee's public findings leaped out at me.
“The issues which might divide our people
are far transcended by the things which unite them. If threatened danger
becomes war, the aggressor would find at one stroke arrayed against him
the united energies, the united resources, and the united devotion of
all the American people.”
Is that true today?
I think it clearly was during WWII and when the quote was written in the early 1950's I'm sure it still was. However, I am not sure that is true in the US anymore. I am unsure that there are many things that unite us as a nation anymore. There just aren't the fundamental values that seemed to be largely shared at that time.
Many people do not value or even desire the principals that our nation was founded on. Freedom of speech. Personal responsibility. Love of country. We increasingly see those around us as enemies and threats.
I certainly hope our differences are "far transcended by the things which unite" us. But these days I see the former a lot more. I hope I am just blind to those uniting forces.
I think it clearly was during WWII and when the quote was written in the early 1950's I'm sure it still was. However, I am not sure that is true in the US anymore. I am unsure that there are many things that unite us as a nation anymore. There just aren't the fundamental values that seemed to be largely shared at that time.
Many people do not value or even desire the principals that our nation was founded on. Freedom of speech. Personal responsibility. Love of country. We increasingly see those around us as enemies and threats.
I certainly hope our differences are "far transcended by the things which unite" us. But these days I see the former a lot more. I hope I am just blind to those uniting forces.
Monday, October 3, 2016
EMPs and Humans
Occasionally a puzzling question comes into my head and sticks out because of its peculiarity. I have one for you today.
Why don't EMPs (Electromagnetic Pulses) affect humans? To give you a little background EMPs are pulses of electromagnetic energy (hence the name) that can produce currents (electrical flow) in electrical systems and devices whether they are on or not. The EMP can be powerful enough to overheat the wires and components of the system or device and melt it thereby destroying it. Imagine every electrical thing from your local power plant to your cell phone getting fried all at once.
They can be cause in many ways, but the two that people are usually most concerned about are man made EMPs caused by detonating nuclear bombs in the upper atmosphere and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that are produced by the sun. CMEs are basically really big solar flares. They happen periodically and if one hit earth directly the sunward facing side of the planet would experience widespread electrical melt down. Not a good day.
I don't really want to get into the topic at large. I am more interested in why EMPs do not melt humans down (they don't by the way). But, you may ask, why don't they since the human body uses electricity to power our hearts, and our nervous system is electrical in nature.
The explanation is actually pretty simple and short which is why I've waited to the end to tell you, but basically nerves use electricity internally to each cell, but communicate between cells using chemical communication. That means the length of "wire" where the electric circuit could be messed with by the EMP is tiny making any affect very very small. So the only way an EMP could hurt a human was if it was soooo strong that you'd get completely fried regardless of anything.
So don't worry, all of human technology could get reduced to a smoldering pile of melted wires, but you'll be fine.
Why don't EMPs (Electromagnetic Pulses) affect humans? To give you a little background EMPs are pulses of electromagnetic energy (hence the name) that can produce currents (electrical flow) in electrical systems and devices whether they are on or not. The EMP can be powerful enough to overheat the wires and components of the system or device and melt it thereby destroying it. Imagine every electrical thing from your local power plant to your cell phone getting fried all at once.
They can be cause in many ways, but the two that people are usually most concerned about are man made EMPs caused by detonating nuclear bombs in the upper atmosphere and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that are produced by the sun. CMEs are basically really big solar flares. They happen periodically and if one hit earth directly the sunward facing side of the planet would experience widespread electrical melt down. Not a good day.
I don't really want to get into the topic at large. I am more interested in why EMPs do not melt humans down (they don't by the way). But, you may ask, why don't they since the human body uses electricity to power our hearts, and our nervous system is electrical in nature.
The explanation is actually pretty simple and short which is why I've waited to the end to tell you, but basically nerves use electricity internally to each cell, but communicate between cells using chemical communication. That means the length of "wire" where the electric circuit could be messed with by the EMP is tiny making any affect very very small. So the only way an EMP could hurt a human was if it was soooo strong that you'd get completely fried regardless of anything.
So don't worry, all of human technology could get reduced to a smoldering pile of melted wires, but you'll be fine.
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Conspiracies
In general when a conspiracy theory is presented people laugh it off and ignore it, and to be fair they probably should. However, there are such things as conspiracies, and people do try to do devious stuff now and then. So it isn't inherently unreasonable that conspiracies exist. Not all, but some.
I have always said that I have never had an original thought, and to my knowledge that is true. So one day I had a thought. Presupposing someone was going to have a conspiracy that ended up being successful it would require at least a few really smart people. So hypothetically if the conspirators discovered that some bit of their nefarious plan was going to become public knowledge they would get ahead of it by contacting the kookiest nut job conspiracy theorist they could find and give him a rundown of what was going to be discovered. He would then go NUTS and tell everyone who he could get within earshot that he had super legit real info. Everyone would ignore him and then when they heard about the information from a somewhat less sketchy source they would already have associated the story with crazy wahoo dude and ignore it a second time.
Thus, given my never having had an original thought, and the fact that successful conspiracies (some of which must exist) involve smart people who have good ideas. This is OBVIOUSLY proof positive that they have done this. Thereby making not EVERY single thing crazy conspiracy wackoos say complete craziness...
Oooooooh, maybe the president is a lizard man.
This post is brought to you by up too late with too little sleep.
I have always said that I have never had an original thought, and to my knowledge that is true. So one day I had a thought. Presupposing someone was going to have a conspiracy that ended up being successful it would require at least a few really smart people. So hypothetically if the conspirators discovered that some bit of their nefarious plan was going to become public knowledge they would get ahead of it by contacting the kookiest nut job conspiracy theorist they could find and give him a rundown of what was going to be discovered. He would then go NUTS and tell everyone who he could get within earshot that he had super legit real info. Everyone would ignore him and then when they heard about the information from a somewhat less sketchy source they would already have associated the story with crazy wahoo dude and ignore it a second time.
Thus, given my never having had an original thought, and the fact that successful conspiracies (some of which must exist) involve smart people who have good ideas. This is OBVIOUSLY proof positive that they have done this. Thereby making not EVERY single thing crazy conspiracy wackoos say complete craziness...
Oooooooh, maybe the president is a lizard man.
This post is brought to you by up too late with too little sleep.
Saturday, October 1, 2016
Embrace Obscurity
My pastor is preaching a series on David. There were a bunch of cool points I have been collecting from it and this along with a few more might end up on here.
The first is about how David grew up in the lime light having a royal lineage. He had the best teachers, trained under the most accomplished generals, and was the pinnacle of manhood, making him the obvious choice for king... or not.
He was a shepherd. His very own father did not even bother inviting him to the house when Samuel came to anoint on of the sons. But he had already displayed the characteristics that G-d was looking for.
At this point he immediately took up arms and ousted Saul from power declaring his divine anointing as king... or not.
He was anointed at about 10 years old and went right back to the sheep. While he does have a storied life he doesn't become king until about 30 years after he is anointed into the role. If you read the book of 1 Samuel it is clear that while he had his high points during that period, he was far from living an overall comfortable and lauded life.
It is clear from the story that he embraced his calling, but also was content in G-d's timing. He embraced obscurity and did not seek to promote himself on his own strength. David took the lumps and lessons, happily staying in the wing until G-d called him on stage to fulfill the anointing on him from so long before.
We need to learn that contentment as well. We need to learn to be content tending our sheep. We need to learn to tend them well and learn how to overcome the lions and bears we face. Even to succeed in our unglamorous and boring roles. If we excel in our little quiet corner we show that we are ready for the role G-d has for us. Whether it is big and glamorous like being king or quiet and unnoticed.
If we can't learn our lessons in a quiet corner G-d is certainly not going to put us out on stage to learn them.
The first is about how David grew up in the lime light having a royal lineage. He had the best teachers, trained under the most accomplished generals, and was the pinnacle of manhood, making him the obvious choice for king... or not.
He was a shepherd. His very own father did not even bother inviting him to the house when Samuel came to anoint on of the sons. But he had already displayed the characteristics that G-d was looking for.
At this point he immediately took up arms and ousted Saul from power declaring his divine anointing as king... or not.
He was anointed at about 10 years old and went right back to the sheep. While he does have a storied life he doesn't become king until about 30 years after he is anointed into the role. If you read the book of 1 Samuel it is clear that while he had his high points during that period, he was far from living an overall comfortable and lauded life.
It is clear from the story that he embraced his calling, but also was content in G-d's timing. He embraced obscurity and did not seek to promote himself on his own strength. David took the lumps and lessons, happily staying in the wing until G-d called him on stage to fulfill the anointing on him from so long before.
We need to learn that contentment as well. We need to learn to be content tending our sheep. We need to learn to tend them well and learn how to overcome the lions and bears we face. Even to succeed in our unglamorous and boring roles. If we excel in our little quiet corner we show that we are ready for the role G-d has for us. Whether it is big and glamorous like being king or quiet and unnoticed.
If we can't learn our lessons in a quiet corner G-d is certainly not going to put us out on stage to learn them.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)