Posts Tagged: search

The Journey Beyond — No Comments
22
Jul 10

Big Arms and a Clear Head

Hi there.  Good to have you visit.

I learned something this week.  I learned that if you think you may be a writer; don’t read a book by an outstanding author.  Whoa, intimidating.

I am amazed at the art of words at the hand of a good writer.  It is one thing to create a picture using a myriad of adjectives and sentences.  It is quite another when a brilliant word artist pierces your mind with a vibrant image using a few simple words.

My first thoughts were a short lived comparison of the masterpiece I was reading and my feeble little blog.  “Jerry, you don’t want to go there.”

Now don’t go being all concerned about my damaged psyche or emotional condition.  All’s good.  But it has been interesting to discover what kind of stuff was dislodged and started tumbling around inside of me as a result of all this.  Especially being a person who tends to be pretty protective of what people think of me.

I was reminded that things that grab you by the throat and toss you around a bit won’t kill you but gets your attention and forces you to focus.  It quickly causes one to filter the clutter and grab hold of the center of the issue.

The fact that the author of the book I am reading is an outstanding writer says something about him and his talents, not about me.  I cannot be him and he cannot be me… and I think we are both happy.

“I yam what I yam and that’s all that I yam!”

- Popeye

It’s a nice feeling knowing who you are.  That doesn’t mean we settle for being less than what we can be, but not be burdened by being something we weren’t intended to be.

It is amazing how much time and energy we spend in our lives trying to be something we’re not.  It is a great relief and joy to know who you are.  Just like Poyeye.

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So this blog journey I started in January is going well from my perspective.  I’m learning a lot and I continue to type away.

I may not be flowery or create great word pictures but I sure hope I make you think.

Oh, by the way, some of you may be wondering what I am reading.  It is the fiction Peace Like a River by Lief Enger.

A Review:

Leif Enger’s remarkable novel Peace Like a River quietly slipped into bookstores in September. Like the smart kid who sits at the back of the class and seldom speaks, it was very nearly overlooked during the brawling Franzen-Oprah hoopla. However, Peace Like a River is a book worthy of the loudest trumpet fanfare and showers of confetti available. Put this one right to the head of the class.

- Reviewed by David Abrams, January Magazine

Bye, see you Monday.

The Journey Beyond — 2 Comments
18
Mar 10

Searching or Discovery

Good to see you again.  Or if it’s your first visit… welcome.

I thought it would be good to stop a moment and make sure I am going in the right direction on this journey of mine.  And most importantly make sure I continue to be clear on WHY I am on this journey.

I am on a journey of discovery and not destination (see blog # 4 “The Voice).  I am not searching to try to find something, but I am out to see what I can discover.

Side Note: Just so you know, I can read your thoughts.  After reading the sentence above you just tiled your head and said, “Huh?  There he goes getting all weird on us again.”

Stick with me; it will make more sense in a bit.  At least I hope it does because I would like to know what I’m talking about also.

“Searching” to me denotes looking for something.  There is intent, expectation, desire, or need driving the activity.  And honestly, we all have times in our lives where we are on a journey searching for something.

Side Note Again: This metaphorical walk that some of you have decided to join me on may be a journey of searching for you.  And that is absolutely fine.

That’s the beauty of all this.  Two people walking side by side can be on two different journeys.  Cool huh.

I personally am on a journey of “Discovery”.  I am compelled to explore.  I have no expectations but I do have expectancy.  It is a journey into the unknown.

“You cannot have discovery unless you have the unknown. “

- Penelope Stokes

Let me explain it another way.  As I have already shared, I am a devoted Christ follower (Don’t worry my dear non-Christ following friends, I’m not getting preachy).  I see my Spiritual journey as one of discovery… amazing discovery.

I hear this call from beyond to continually pursue Truth.  These Spiritual truths seem just beyond my grasp.  I sort of see them and can almost touch them.  They begin to emerge through the fog of intellect but quickly retreat into the shadows (kinda like a Divine hologram).

Spiritual truths have an interesting paradox.  I have discovered that you…

  • Can never possess them – they posses you.
  • Cannot master them – they master you.

The discovery process means that I have to diligently pursue these truths.

In essence, I chase them until they catch me.

That’s the joy and beauty of discovery.  Sometimes what you discover may have been there all the time.

What an exciting adventure.  I can’t wait to see what we find.

Au revoir.

The Journey Beyond — No Comments
18
Jan 10

Head for the Hills

Hello, me again.

Last time we decided that this is a journey of exploration not destination.  So let’s explore.

I think it would be good to first get our bearings.  It’s important to know where you are.  So we are going to the mountain to look around and get a lay of the land.  We can wander around and decide where to head to next and what dragons we want to slay.

Bumper Sticker I saw yesterday:

“Not all who wander are lost”

We will have plenty of time to go through the valleys, peek in the caves and walk the streams, but right now… off to the mountain.

So I tighten my boots, straighten my pack and off we go.  We will explore as we go.

I love to explore.  I remember as a kid the pure joy of poking around old abandoned houses or attics.  I remember one time digging all around an old farm house because legend had it that one of its occupants buried their life savings during the Great Depression.

Why is exploring so exhilarating and fun?   The DISCOVERY.

There are things that magnify the experience of exploring.  You might say they are the steroids of exploration (sorry Mark).  They are the risks of the unknown, the magnitude of the potential, and the significance of the effort.  All mixed together they create a life cocktail that can be quite intoxicating.

I know people who literally search the globe going to exotic places for a new adventures and discovery.  I have one friend who actually climbed Mt. Everest.  I am not judging this at all.  You see, adventure and discovery is a part of our emotional DNA.

“From the moment of Creation, humankind has felt the pull toward discovery.”

- Penelope Stokes

But there is a question that must be asked, and it is a hard question.   We must ask… am I doing this to fill a hole or to be whole?  So I ask myself and you… am I going on this journey to fill a hole or to be whole? They sound the same but they originate from a totally different center point.  One is out of empty need the other out of fullness expanded.

I personally do not have a hole to be filled.  But God knows that I want the full expanse of being.  I want the whole enchilada of life.  And this has nothing to do with having to experience everything there is in the world.  If anything it is the opposite.  Let me quickly say, I do enjoy experiencing new things and traveling to see the vast beauty and diversity of our world.  But being full (some people say I am full of ”it”, but that is a different topic for a different time) of life and appreciation for the simple brings a wholeness and satisfaction no specific experience can bring.

Side Note:

I know that this may be a bit confusing because as I write it I find myself cocking my head.  But I do know that there is a core truth here… an important truth to grasp.

I feel sort of like the kid who knows there’s a horse in here somewhere.  You may have to dig through the crap to find it.  But it’s there.

Also, as mentioned earlier, this is a journey of discovery not destination.  Filling a hole is a destination.  So if you’re in need of filling a hole… you might be a bit frustrated by this meandering expedition of exploration.  But you’re still more than welcome to tag along.  I always enjoy the company.  And who knows, this may be one of the pieces that leads to filling the hole.

So let’s wander around and explore as we head up the mountain.

Since I am basically pretty lazy I am not looking forward to the climb. Mountains can be very difficult.  I would much prefer a picturesque helicopter ride to the top.  But once again, if I want the full expanse of being then the easy method is not the way to get there.

As we hike up the mountain we’ll chit chat.  I have something important I need to share in my next entry.  Hopefully it won’t cause you to stop traveling with me… but for some it might.

Later… how’s next Thursday?