Religion and Politics Part 3 - Taoism (and a Bear)

In my {previous post} I talked about how I found Taoism and some of the humble beginnings of learning the Way. In this series, I would like to spend some time looking at why Taoism resonates with me and why over all others I follow Taoism teachings.

Religion and Politics Part 2 - Philosophy and a Bear.

As I try to decide what I believe now I have great difficulty separating what I was raised to believe and what I really think. Twenty years ago had you asked me if I believed in God, in Jesus and the resurrection, I would have answered, without even thinking, that yes, I did. It's the "without even thinking" part that bothers me now.

Religion and Politics, two things you should never discuss. Part 1

I enjoy conversation, I savor great conversation but all conversation is worthwhile. Debate is great, there is nothing that gets the blood pumping quite like a lively debate. Debate has the added benefit of solidifying your own thoughts and beliefs and has the potential to change them. How can you truly believe something if you don't understand it?

Writing in a coffee shop.

Normally I write at home after the house has gone to sleep because it’s quiet and there is nothing else requiring my attention. I tend to do my best work late in the evening, I don’t know if it’s because of the minimum amount of distractions or simply because I  am a night person and naturally more effective at night. Recently though - for probably less than a month - I have been writing during my weekly coffee klatch on Saturday mornings.

Friendship, again and again.

I have been re-reading some of the classics, and I am currently working my way through Euripides. While reading last night a quote stuck with me. "for it is in trouble's hour that the good most clearly show their friendship; though prosperity of itself in every case finds friends" * This passage brought me back to something I have been thinking about for some time. 

A number of my recent posts revolve around friendships in general and my friendships, or lack thereof, in particular. Maybe because I don't have a lot of friendships or maybe because friendships have been much on my mind recently, I find I need to write another post on friendship, if only to clear my mind and let me move on. I've said it before and I am sure I will say it again; friendships, like tents, are hard. 

Movies Redux

It has been a long time since I posted my top 10 movies list, and I never followed that up with the next 10. Since I posted the original list my tastes have changed a little and my original list would be slightly different now. This second list is so much more difficult than the original. A top 10 is easy, the best of the best, but the second 10? There are so many movies that could be on this list I could easily make all 10 of these tied for 11 and make it 100 movies total. That being said here are 11 through 20 of my favorite movies of all time.

Escape

As a lifelong fan of sci-fi and fantasy I have been experiencing make-believe worlds and caring for make-believe people for as long as I can remember. There are those who would have me believe this is somehow unhealthy as if entering into these worlds means I am escaping from my own. Maybe I am escaping the real world... but who would blame me with the world the way it is now.

Midweek Miscellany (weekend edition)

There are a few things this week I wanted to write about, but none of them rated a full post so once again I offer you the Midweek Miscellany. Although being Saturday it will have to be a weekend edition.