We view the world through filters: the filter of our upbringing, the filter of our family patterns, the filter of our societal norms, the filter of our religious backgrounds, etc. These filters bring certain things into focus and filter other things out. Our filters shape our perception of reality. Some of my friends, for instance, …
Tag: Philosophy
Determinism and Free Will
"Again, if all motion is always one long chain, and new motion arises out of the old in order invariable, and if the first-beginnings do not make by swerving a beginning of motion such as to break the decrees of fate, that cause may not follow cause from infinity, whence comes this freedom ('libera') in …
Truth and Goodness
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." ~ Albert Einstein I've often marveled at the ingenuity of those standouts in history who dedicated their lives to the restoration of goodness and truth to their rightful place at the apex human understanding and function. It hasn't been easy. Human beings …
The Spirit of the Age
"The spirit of the age is filled with the disdain for thinking." ~ Albert Schweitzer Learning to think is one of the most underrated and overlooked of the steps that lead to living a purposeful, meaningful and fulfilling life. Far more than developing the ability to ingest, digest and retain information, learning to think involves …
Reverence for Life
The holidays are fast upon us and I had the good pleasure of watching A Charlie Brown Christmas with my sons after dinner last evening. At one point in the show, Linus mentioned that Albert Schweitzer's dislike of Christmas stemmed from the fact that he did not take kindly to writing thank you notes. I …
Hasty Judgment
"A hasty judgment is a first step to recantation." ~ Publius Syrus I have an acquaintance who is one of the most outstanding examples of someone who is hasty in judgment, but slow to recant. Both are curses to her and I wish there was some way that she could be free of one or …
Be Ye Therefore Perfect. Seriously? Seriously.
My youngest son (4 years old) passed the weight test to climb the 24 foot rock wall at the Atlanta Zoo (40 lb. minimum) the day before yesterday and he made a bee line for the top, rang the bell and belayed down. He never hesitated, he remained focused on the goal and he never …
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The Antidote to Premature Aging
A friend of mine told me that she was inspired by the example of others recently to start a new hobby. The hobby she chose, rowing, met several criteria for her as it was outdoors, involved opportunities for solitude as well as social time and provided exercise without physical exertion being the central focus. …
Secret O’Life
While driving to vote this morning I heard a James Taylor song that I have only heard once before. Entitled "Secret O'Life", Taylor suggests that the secret of life is "enjoying the passage of time." A simple idea, to be sure, but one that eludes many people in their frenetic quest for happiness and satisfaction. …
Arms Crossed but Open Hearted
A conscious mind correctly functioning is a guardian for the heart. A weak and permeable conscious mind makes no distinction between that which should or should not be allowed into the heart, much like a border crossing guard asleep at his post. The world is full of dubious and nefarious agents. Anyone who interfaces with …