This is the first huge step in elevation. This is progress.
My life has been in upheaval over the last nine months. These personal set backs have allowed me time to reflect and time to reach conclusions. It has been my will that has made the most important step of putting those conclusions to use and acting upon the instincts in my soul.
During our lives, it is inevitable we will come into some inter-personal conflict. It's an immutable fact owing to the many facets of human nature. It is during these conflicts that we test our perseverance, our ability to maintain poise, demonstrate class and exercise grace.
What are the prices of these traits? Why do they hold such weight?
There is no price for such attributes. Dignity can bring you intangible riches. Dignity can set the course for success in any endeavor. Dignity can let you smile on your death bed. But none of those things can bring you dignity. They are all byproducts of inner confidence and self respect.
Those traits hold so much weight and are regarded so highly because they are so very difficult to understand and practice regularly. They are kingly virtues they one can attain without being a king. But some kings don't have these virtues either.
It's difficult to control one's hostility, one's aggression. It's difficult to turn your back on hatred and contempt. For we are so tempted, perhaps by our base animalistic nature to confront and combat our aggressors, to engage in behavior that debases ourselves. We are perched precariously between the line that separates thought, speech and deed. We can let go and roam with the animals, or more appropriately, we can transcend.
It's easy to shout and roar and challenge those who disagree with us or even go so far as to threaten us. Of course it is. And I don't mean to suggest there are not times to take up arms or respond with physical violence. I am not Gandhi or a living Buddha, but rather a product of my environment and that environment suggests that I may do unto you three times the harm you have done to me. That exception extends only into the realm of physical confrontation. Some live by the law of "eye for an eye". In a hand-to-hand encounter, I abide by "eye for an eye, tooth and nose."
Thomas Carlyle in Latter-Day Pamphlets better describes this principle. "Soft of speech and manner, yet with an inflexible vigour of command…'iron hand in a velvet glove,' as Napoleon defined it."
It is my responsibility as a man with dignity and self respect to not let an encounter range itself to that point. I am in control of my emotions, speech and acts. This cognitive approach is what separates us from the animals. Any dumb beast can and will react with aggression. I am no such thing.
So while some of our antagonists would degrade themselves by attempting to bait us into encounters of vile words and accusations, we can turn our backs on disgraceful behavior. We can not let those things stand. The clear solution is to physically turn our backs to it. I need not engage in a verbal sparring match. I won't humiliate myself by responding in kind.
"God appoints our graces to be nurses to other men's weaknesses," said Henry Ward Beecher
Each of us, as citizens of the world, owe each other that respect, that courtesy, indeed, that civil liberty.
It's worth more in the end as are all virtues.
Journals35
Newest
Up Around the Bend
4 min read
Whew...deep, deep breath as the weight of the world comes of this shoulders and I realize I will no longer be stationed aboard the USS Enterprise. Nothing more to worry about except how to spend the five weeks of leave before I report out to California. Time to hit the road and visit friends and loved ones.
I've put more than 2500 miles on the car in the last three and a half weeks with the lion's share of mileage yet to come. The engine is tuned and humming. The gas mileage is a ridiculous 47.25 miles per gallon and my expense report is clearly in the black.
A few things to report in the first blog since I don't know when. A few things one learns from driving all the time.
1. Ohio has the cheapest gas prices in the north. $2.66 a gallon in some places. This is still ridiculous of course, but it's better than most places I've seen. I'm certain that sooner or later the American public will come to the realization that by elected oil men to office gas prices will rise. Now that we're all used to paying through the nose for gas we'll never see the prices go lower. Never.
2. Mobil gas stations have the worst road trip coffee around, far and away the worst. The Ohio and Pennsylvania turnpikes have Starbucks at the rest stops but they always, always burn the coffee. The mom and pop joints in the boondocks always have the best coffee. Always. Bank on it. You may have to drive a few miles off the freeway, but it's certainly worth it.
3. Terra Huate, Indiana has the best radio stations at three in the morning. Deep cuts, eclectic choices and full length versions of very long songs. I heard Zappa and the Mothers live with Sting on vocals, I heard Pink Floyd's Echoes in its entirety, and a live version of Can't You Hear Me Knocking. Thank God for free form FM radio. That's how it should be. Clear Channel has a a virtual monopoly on the radio and now they're airing these absurd commercials about how people shouldn't have to pay for radio. Well...I shouldn't have to pay for the freedom of speech either.
4. The gas stations and the motels on the edge of town nearer the freeways are always more expensive than the ones closer to the town center. ALWAYS. Think about it: Most people pulling off for the night of for gas stop at the first open place they see. This is bad for the wallet and while one is on a tight budget, any extra loot is welcome. Of course, quitting smoking will do wonders for the finances as well, but what can I say?
So, I've had strange looking veal cutlets and cups of coffee so strong they'll beat the shit out of the veal. I've been to Detroit to see a Tom Waits show at the Detroit Opera House, I've visited several life-long friends, three uncles, one aunt, my mom and step dad, my dad and step mom, more than 30 friends of the family, I've partied in Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, Cleveland and my hometown of Detroit, I had a steak dinner with my best friend's folks in their lovely new home, I've been in one physical altercation that was resolved before I split anyone's head, I visited one grave and took photographs of the Au Sable river in upstate Michigan, I sang out loud to Three Dog Night's Never Been to Spain and the Chambers Bros. Time Has Come Today while riding shotgun sitting next to my Dad. I've also thought about every bad decision and mistake in my life and I'm still here with my glass much, much more than half full and life, I assure you, is good.
There's still some more travelling to do and the lucky for me, the road goes on forever. Just ask Gregg Allman.
I've put more than 2500 miles on the car in the last three and a half weeks with the lion's share of mileage yet to come. The engine is tuned and humming. The gas mileage is a ridiculous 47.25 miles per gallon and my expense report is clearly in the black.
A few things to report in the first blog since I don't know when. A few things one learns from driving all the time.
1. Ohio has the cheapest gas prices in the north. $2.66 a gallon in some places. This is still ridiculous of course, but it's better than most places I've seen. I'm certain that sooner or later the American public will come to the realization that by elected oil men to office gas prices will rise. Now that we're all used to paying through the nose for gas we'll never see the prices go lower. Never.
2. Mobil gas stations have the worst road trip coffee around, far and away the worst. The Ohio and Pennsylvania turnpikes have Starbucks at the rest stops but they always, always burn the coffee. The mom and pop joints in the boondocks always have the best coffee. Always. Bank on it. You may have to drive a few miles off the freeway, but it's certainly worth it.
3. Terra Huate, Indiana has the best radio stations at three in the morning. Deep cuts, eclectic choices and full length versions of very long songs. I heard Zappa and the Mothers live with Sting on vocals, I heard Pink Floyd's Echoes in its entirety, and a live version of Can't You Hear Me Knocking. Thank God for free form FM radio. That's how it should be. Clear Channel has a a virtual monopoly on the radio and now they're airing these absurd commercials about how people shouldn't have to pay for radio. Well...I shouldn't have to pay for the freedom of speech either.
4. The gas stations and the motels on the edge of town nearer the freeways are always more expensive than the ones closer to the town center. ALWAYS. Think about it: Most people pulling off for the night of for gas stop at the first open place they see. This is bad for the wallet and while one is on a tight budget, any extra loot is welcome. Of course, quitting smoking will do wonders for the finances as well, but what can I say?
So, I've had strange looking veal cutlets and cups of coffee so strong they'll beat the shit out of the veal. I've been to Detroit to see a Tom Waits show at the Detroit Opera House, I've visited several life-long friends, three uncles, one aunt, my mom and step dad, my dad and step mom, more than 30 friends of the family, I've partied in Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, Cleveland and my hometown of Detroit, I had a steak dinner with my best friend's folks in their lovely new home, I've been in one physical altercation that was resolved before I split anyone's head, I visited one grave and took photographs of the Au Sable river in upstate Michigan, I sang out loud to Three Dog Night's Never Been to Spain and the Chambers Bros. Time Has Come Today while riding shotgun sitting next to my Dad. I've also thought about every bad decision and mistake in my life and I'm still here with my glass much, much more than half full and life, I assure you, is good.
There's still some more travelling to do and the lucky for me, the road goes on forever. Just ask Gregg Allman.
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Thank Heavens for the Sun
1 min read
Been awhile for a bit, let my account expire, got lazy...and do offer my apologies to my, admittedly few, fans. Thanks for hanging in there. Good to be back, and as I take a long look around DevArt I realize the more things change the more they stay the same. Welcome home, kid.
I'll be posting three and four at a time of the images I've shot over the last four months or so. I hope you enjoy and if you don't, tell me why you think I'm a hack.
Duuuuuuudddddddeeeeeee...
I'll be posting three and four at a time of the images I've shot over the last four months or so. I hope you enjoy and if you don't, tell me why you think I'm a hack.
Duuuuuuudddddddeeeeeee...
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Man, That's My Kind of Love
1 min read
Been awhile. Please forgive me.
So, as W.C. Fields was going about the task of dying, he confided in his lover that he had a great fondness for sitting on the roof of his home while it rained. Unbeknownst to Fields, his lover, the much younger Carlotta Monti would climb to the roof in the night and spray the garden hose over the roof. Fields died with a smile on his face.
I can only daydream that the woman I choose to take as my bride, would be so kind.
So, as W.C. Fields was going about the task of dying, he confided in his lover that he had a great fondness for sitting on the roof of his home while it rained. Unbeknownst to Fields, his lover, the much younger Carlotta Monti would climb to the roof in the night and spray the garden hose over the roof. Fields died with a smile on his face.
I can only daydream that the woman I choose to take as my bride, would be so kind.
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Life is Good
1 min read
Since September 2, my life has been spent in a state of perpetual awe. You see, bettiepage23 and I had our little girl. Actually, Heather had the little girl, but you get the idea.
Bella Sophia is absolutely lovely. I couldn't be more proud or more happy.
I'm stunned, truly and utterly. No words really sound right when I try to describe it. Perhaps one day I may be able to gather the words and put them in the right order.
Oh my stars and garters...Life is good.
Bella Sophia is absolutely lovely. I couldn't be more proud or more happy.
I'm stunned, truly and utterly. No words really sound right when I try to describe it. Perhaps one day I may be able to gather the words and put them in the right order.
Oh my stars and garters...Life is good.
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The Price of Dignity
4 min read
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