I ran across a series of books that may help steer us away from some of the acrimonious and vitriolic thinking in which we have engaged. You know that it isn't healthy to harbor negative thoughts and feelings. Anger and hate builds up like tar and nicotine inside the lungs of a smoker. So let's do something a little bit of fun, something that could be constructive for you, and something that will definitely make you think. The book before me is called If . . . Questions for the Soul by Evelyn McFarland & James Saywell. They also wrote: If . . . Questions for the Game of Life, If2 . . . More Questions for the Game of Life, and If3 . . . Questions for the Game of Love. Periodically I shall choose provocative questions to get you thinking. If you are a person who feels you can't ever think of anything to say, ask one of these questions in a group, and you will probably fire off a discussion. If you want to get your kids to know you better and vice versa, introduce one of these questions over dinner. Obviously, you should not force people to answer if they appear uncomfortable. These questions can make you actually think, and can make you know yourself better. Let me know what you think of this exercise.
When you respond to the question, copy and paste the question or refer to it so we will know what you are answering.
1. IF YOU WERE TO LEARN THAT THERE ACTUALLY IS A HEAVEN AND A HELL, WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU’D CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE?
2. IF YOU WERE TO ADD AN 11TH COMMANDMENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
3. IF YOU COULD HAVE AVOIDED KNOWING ABOUT ONE THING DURING YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE, AND WHY?
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8 comments:
Doodlebug opines:
Commandment 11A: Coast drivers would let go of their arrogance and ignorance and SIGNAL FOR TURNS!
Commandment 11B: ALL drivers on cell phones would have the intelligence to use the speaker phone or head sets and keep their hands on the wheel and attention on the road.
Perhaps this is just too much to expect of knuckle-draggers.
1. IF YOU WERE TO LEARN THAT THERE ACTUALLY IS A HEAVEN AND A HELL, WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU’D CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE?
Since I believe there is a heaven and a hell --- well, nothing. I think I do the best that I can each day with whatever I have that day.
2. IF YOU WERE TO ADD AN 11TH COMMANDMENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Stupid people would not be allowed to breathe or breed...thus leaving room for the rest of us....errr what I meant to say was people with addictions would have money for treatment and not be marked forever.
3. IF YOU COULD HAVE AVOIDED KNOWING ABOUT ONE THING DURING YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE, AND WHY?
Violence --- experienced it in a very personal way.
How is Wes doing?
Dear Anonymous,
Wes finally sounds much improved. I talked to him early this week, and his voice sounds stronger. He says he is not in a cardiac rehab program, and this concerns me. He has lost a lot of weight and he says the food is pretty mediocre and not very tasty. I believe he may have developed cervical radiculopathy (just to make sleeping uncomfortable), and he says he is still sore from the surgery. That is to be expected. They do have him on a heart-healthy diet which may explain why the food tastes crummy. Wes has the type of personality that allows him to make the best of any situation. He also is the kind of person who manages to fit in wherever he finds himself. He doesn't see himself as better than anyone else or worse than anyone else, so he meets everyone as his equal. Now I don't want to hear a lot of crap about nobody else is his equal because he is a criminal and they aren't blah blah blah. His setting is somewhat like a dorm, and his cellmate is a college professor (I forgot to ask what subject. I kind of hope it's Economics or Statistics.) Several people have formed a bible study group which Wes thoroughly enjoys. He has been a devoted Sunday school teacher for a long time and is in close touch with God. Again, I don't want to hear a bunch of crap about well if he is in such close touch with God, why is he a criminal? I'm just not in the mood. The lesson to take from this is that Wes hasn't curled up and died from all of the trials and tribulations he has endured. He has continued to press onward with the faith that God has a purpose for these tests of his faith. Personally, I hope God has some rewards in mind for him in view of these tests of faith and travails of spirit. He reads a lot there and has no access to a computer or internet. This drives me as crazy as it does him because I need to consult with him very frequently and there is no way to do it except to pray for his sporadic phone calls and our mail exchange. That isn't nearly as exciting and satisfying as instant communication. It was really brought home to me that Wes is actually in prison in our phone conversation when I asked if he could have a cell phone. Wes said emphatically: "No! If anyone gets caught with a cell phone, he gets put in the hole!"
And on that note, the Sur-Realist reminds the readers that people love to get mail. You can talk about what's going on in your life, what's going on in town, in the state, etc.
We hope to see his appeal soon in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. You will get the news when I get the news.
The Sur-Realist.
P.S. Would somebody please tell me how to sign in to leave a comment and choose some name besides anonymous. I tried OpenID but it seemed to want a URL which I don't have. I don't understand how to use this thing as a commenter.
To leave your name, choose "Name/URL" and put the name you choose in the name field. Leave the URL field blank.
This is a test. Thanks, b.c.
I'm trying and trying, and this isn't working.
I would like to give my opinion of Wes. I won't sign this for he will know who this is from. I feel betrayed. You were my friend and my attorney and you did nothing. I looked up to you and admired you. I grew up with you and Tommy. We went to church together and lived in the same community when we were growing up. When I needed your help, you gladly took my money but you would not return my phone calls and would brush me off like a "dumb kid" when I would show up at your office. They say power and money change people. In your case, it did for the worse. I hope that you are not guilty of what you are accused of but I know you are. I feel for Myra. You are living where you have no worries and she is the one who has to live in the mess you and your son have created.
You're not alone. Wes did the same thing to hundreds of other clients. Go read the comments on the earlier posts and see for yourself.
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