Gender

The beauty of the different genders is that it is designed so. The differences should draw us together, not alienate us. If we would agree that there are some basic differences, we might be able to appreciate each other.

Carol Gilligan in her book In Another Voice notes that women are morally shaped by three distinct areas: relationships, care, and responsibility. Men are morally shaped by justice, rules, and regulations. These basic differences note a contrast in our views, perspectives, opinions, and values. Instead of ostracizing each other because we fail to work at understanding each other, we must come together to embrace the majesty of these differences. Women and men are both unique, special, incredible, and bearers.

We must not allow the easy work of alienation to put a wall of divide between the sexes, rather we need to deconstruct the walls of social alienation between the sexes. This social alienation is contrived by the powers that be in order to suppress both sexes. You see, when one gender exploits another gender, both genders are the less. When one gender demeans the other gender, then both are trivialized. When on gender complains of the other gender's lack of understanding, ignorance prevails.

Now, the move of gender understanding that I encourage still leaves us lacking in both cases. We must never be absolutely dependent on the other gender for our basic needs. We were fashioned in such a way that human interaction, as powerful as it can be, still leaves us desiring more. We were never intended to be the sole (soul) providers for each other. There is a connection that can reach to the depths of our being and gives us what we thirst for.

Let us be about gaining the understanding we need of the different genders. The direction that our pursuit of gender understanding should be to contemplate more, oh so much more.

Humanity

Coddled within the time-space continuum is humanity. Time is both beyond us and the very constraint of us. Time is contemplated within increments of seconds, minutes, hours, days, and years. Yet, what does this mean? Can the very nature of a sequential process give meaning to anything other than itself? Does time define humanity? Would it be better to understand time as both inconceivable and finite? What is it about time that gives it any sense of meaning? Can we really embrace a knowledge about time?

Our attention now causes us to wrestle with the notion of space. Space would seem to be inherently constraining. Yet, space is so vast and beyond us. Can we be wooed into acknowledging both a vastness and limitedness of space? By the way, what is space? This fundamental question must be pondered for one to understand the suspension of humanity within the matrix of time and space. So, what do you think space is?

Whatever our conclusions about both space and time are, it appears that we are nestled within the very grips of it. How did we get in this place? How did humanity come to rest in both space and time? The answer to this question might reveal a profound understanding of the very essence of humanity, tread lightly, you might be surprised. Could it be that the human race has found itself within this matrix for a simple yet profound reason? Could there be a reason to our existence? Ponder with a mind wide open, you just might discover a rich intentionality to your existence.

Ah, humanity -- the rich collection of a multiplicity of physical/spiritual genres. The diversity of humanity at first glimpse seems to be endless, but look into the soul of a human and you find some very common threads. A hunger for things that are inherently relational seems to be at the heart of humanity. Could it be that we were wired for relationships? Is it possible that we have arrived at this moment because of a longing for meaningful relationships? When we look at humanity in such a light, don't we find an amazing clarity of the simplicity of humanness? We may think that humanity is incredible diverse, yet when we probe we find a commonality that is delicately construed.

Humanity, what is it all about? It would serve you well to grapple with the utter simplicity of the complexity of humanness. Happy ponderings...

Music

The collection of notes that seem to be random, yet embody a beauty that renders moments of majesty. How is it that music is so maligned? People's preferences are one thing, but when people try to moralize the uniqueness of amoral notes it is like throwing pearl before the swine. Granted, lyrics can make a song moral or immoral, but notes can never do that. Notes are essentially arbitrary and suspensive. They can be put together by a musician to make grand overtures, yet when played with by the untrained, they can cause a deep dissonance within a person.

Music is a tapestry of artistry that covers the walls of our souls. We find ourselves embracing music to reflect the deep contemplations of our soul. We yield the clutches of human fraility by being able to enjoy music. Music has an existential appeasement that can enrapture us and take us to another place and another time. This type of transport at once lifts and moves. The beauty that seems to be essential in music causes us to foster an experience that is ethereal. The ethereal is suspended within the fractured reality we live in. Suspended because we are encased in the brokenness of life, yet it still has an ability to shine through.

The apparent universality of music should cause us to contemplate the breadth and depth of the enterprise. What is it about music that causes all of humanity to reach beyond themselves to embrace something so simple and basic? Could it be that within music there strikes a resonance within the soul of each of us an overture that is beyond us? Could it be that music touches a realm that we struggle to understand? Could it be that music draws us near only to take us far? Is it possible that music captures the spirit in such a way to strive for liberation? Ah liberation! Liberation from what? Music could possibly be one of the only things we know that can in some liberate us from the confines of our existence. Could it?

Musicians, the weavers of tapestry, seek to manipulate the notes in such a way as to escort them to a place of immanence. This manipulation is not as we think, but rather the artful task of utilizing the beauty in such a way as to paint a portrait. This portrait is fashioned within the minds of the listeners. Each person when listening to music acknowledges a portrait that has been masterfully done by the musician. Yet, the portrait is different for each listener.

The music industry, the money changers in the temple, seek to exploit the nature of the pristine pageantry of the notes. This exploitation is as we think! We need to be careful to mix these two dimensions together. The notes and musicians seek to transfix the hearer in a way that is majestic. The industry on the other hand, seeks to suffocate the penetrating voice of music. The very notion of putting value on music must be contemplated. Can one really buy music? Sure we know the etiquette of culture, yet the liberating nature of music is stifled by the confusions of money, pirating, contracts, etc. What do you think?

Just some musical meanderings...

Language

The very nature of language seems to be inherently communicative. Yet, what is communication? Is language something that liberates the soul or does it have the potential to imprison the soul of someone? Is there a necessity of finitude and a person's inability to be infinite that allows us to observe the limitations of language? If language is inherently communicative, does it utterly expose the bondage of the human condition? Could language be an indicator of the opaque understanding of humanity's limitedness?

Just some thoughts...

Meaning

Meaning...What really gives our life meaning? Is it possible for inanimate objects to genuinely give us meaning? Can paper with shades of green give us meaning? What fundamentally gives meaning to our life?

Meaning...Is there a sense in which meaning can be derived from relationships? What about bad relationships? How do we ascertain the extent and potentiality of the meanings of relationships? Could relationships cause of to sense a lack of meaning in our lives?

Intro...

Hello world...I am getting into the groove of the 21st century, let me hear from you.