Life is not a journey;
Life is the journey.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Greatness revisited
A friend asked me today if I had ever put in the "10,000 hours" needed to achieve mastery in any of the skills I have tried to develop. For the unfamiliar, I was lamenting about the "sea of mediocrity" in which I seem to have spent my life: Jack of all trades, master of none.
He also implied that to arrive at greatness, one has to be in the right place at the right time.
I homed in on two words: mastery and greatness.
It may well be that huge amounts of practice time are required to reach mastery. Ten thousand hours is the equivalent of five years of 40-hour a week effort. Not many of us are willing or able to devote that much time to an avocation. An hour a day comes to 365 hours a year. So to reach the 10,000 hour threshold would require 27 years.
This isn't an unreachable limit, but certainly requires persistence and dedication. I also imagine that somewhere along the way I would require "progress payments:" that is, indications of progress to motivate me and justify my investment of time.
It is at this point that I seem to have failed. Golfers, runners, and other skill-builders tell me that they periodically "hit a wall" where it seems like they will never progress further, but they ultimately "break through." I can only conclude that my walls have been to high or thick for me to have the patience.
On the other hand, perhaps I really did lack that one magic ingredient: talent.
In spiritual matters, we all have the span of our lives to practice until we either give up or progress toward "mastery." Here, I think, is where the "right place at the right time" enters my spiritual journey. I have heard how some soar to the pinnacle of spiritual enlightenment in a moment of epiphany. For me, God has said (s)he doesn't work that way.
But at least this is one quest I have not given up on. Do I have 10,000 hours in? If I count 24 hours a day as being practice in my spiritual journey, I should have reached mastery between my fourteenth and fifteenth month of life. Obviously I didn't. At twenty minutes a day I am unlikely to make it before my life is over. But, by the same logic, if I live spiritually every waking moment from now on, the possibility exists that I will reach that moment at the correct time when I'm at the right place, too.
On the other hand, God just might change his/her mind and provide me with an epiphany.
The peace of God be with you.
He also implied that to arrive at greatness, one has to be in the right place at the right time.
I homed in on two words: mastery and greatness.
It may well be that huge amounts of practice time are required to reach mastery. Ten thousand hours is the equivalent of five years of 40-hour a week effort. Not many of us are willing or able to devote that much time to an avocation. An hour a day comes to 365 hours a year. So to reach the 10,000 hour threshold would require 27 years.
This isn't an unreachable limit, but certainly requires persistence and dedication. I also imagine that somewhere along the way I would require "progress payments:" that is, indications of progress to motivate me and justify my investment of time.
It is at this point that I seem to have failed. Golfers, runners, and other skill-builders tell me that they periodically "hit a wall" where it seems like they will never progress further, but they ultimately "break through." I can only conclude that my walls have been to high or thick for me to have the patience.
On the other hand, perhaps I really did lack that one magic ingredient: talent.
In spiritual matters, we all have the span of our lives to practice until we either give up or progress toward "mastery." Here, I think, is where the "right place at the right time" enters my spiritual journey. I have heard how some soar to the pinnacle of spiritual enlightenment in a moment of epiphany. For me, God has said (s)he doesn't work that way.
But at least this is one quest I have not given up on. Do I have 10,000 hours in? If I count 24 hours a day as being practice in my spiritual journey, I should have reached mastery between my fourteenth and fifteenth month of life. Obviously I didn't. At twenty minutes a day I am unlikely to make it before my life is over. But, by the same logic, if I live spiritually every waking moment from now on, the possibility exists that I will reach that moment at the correct time when I'm at the right place, too.
On the other hand, God just might change his/her mind and provide me with an epiphany.
The peace of God be with you.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Mind control
http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=182441
This article details how, in some Universities across our nation, authorities are demanding that deeply-held Christian beliefs be abandoned in favor of acceptable policies of other institutions. I fear that if these cases are not clearly and promptly found to be violations of our fundamental constitutional rights that religion in this nation will be in jeopardy.
This is not about the issue of homosexuality but about the misuse of power. Today it's homosexuality and abortion. Tomorrow it could be anything.
This article details how, in some Universities across our nation, authorities are demanding that deeply-held Christian beliefs be abandoned in favor of acceptable policies of other institutions. I fear that if these cases are not clearly and promptly found to be violations of our fundamental constitutional rights that religion in this nation will be in jeopardy.
This is not about the issue of homosexuality but about the misuse of power. Today it's homosexuality and abortion. Tomorrow it could be anything.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Failure?
All my life I've searched for something I could do really well. Not just sort of well, but really, really well. After 68 years I feel awash in mediocrity.
I've tried education, electronics, mechanics, avionics, aviation, foreign languages, singing, guitar, autoharp, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, golf, shooting, aero/thermodyamics, dog training, computer programming, and woodworking. In all those enterprises, I reached the point where I had to stop and admit to myself that I could become "pretty good," but in order to really achieve, I had to have something else: talent.
Don't let this talk of "Renaissance (wo)men" get to you. It's just another label for somebody who seems to know less and less about more and more until (s)he knows nothing about everything (the generalist). The other side of the pancake is, of course, as the joke goes to completion, one who knows more and more about less and less until (s)he knows everything about nothing (the specialist).
Shouldn't there be one thing... just one... that each person could do really well?
One of my retirement endeavors has been woodworking. I wanted to do a project for the church that would complement my spiritual journey, so I selected one to construct a wooden replica of the labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral that could be used as a meditation guide, held on one's lap while tracing the path with the finger. So far, I have created four prototypes, each one of which has been a failure.
In each, I found myself doing what I considered to be "really good work;" then, in each prototype, I committed a catastrophic error that spoiled the work completely.
What message can I take from this? So far, it has been discouragement. Maybe the failures are experiences for me to overcome through persistence and faith in myself.
So far, I'm still wandering. I can't take this project up again until I have the faith I need to go on for a while. So I'll try to be patient with myself.
I've tried education, electronics, mechanics, avionics, aviation, foreign languages, singing, guitar, autoharp, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, golf, shooting, aero/thermodyamics, dog training, computer programming, and woodworking. In all those enterprises, I reached the point where I had to stop and admit to myself that I could become "pretty good," but in order to really achieve, I had to have something else: talent.
Don't let this talk of "Renaissance (wo)men" get to you. It's just another label for somebody who seems to know less and less about more and more until (s)he knows nothing about everything (the generalist). The other side of the pancake is, of course, as the joke goes to completion, one who knows more and more about less and less until (s)he knows everything about nothing (the specialist).
Shouldn't there be one thing... just one... that each person could do really well?
One of my retirement endeavors has been woodworking. I wanted to do a project for the church that would complement my spiritual journey, so I selected one to construct a wooden replica of the labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral that could be used as a meditation guide, held on one's lap while tracing the path with the finger. So far, I have created four prototypes, each one of which has been a failure.
In each, I found myself doing what I considered to be "really good work;" then, in each prototype, I committed a catastrophic error that spoiled the work completely.
What message can I take from this? So far, it has been discouragement. Maybe the failures are experiences for me to overcome through persistence and faith in myself.
So far, I'm still wandering. I can't take this project up again until I have the faith I need to go on for a while. So I'll try to be patient with myself.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Discussing differences
The 2010 General Assembly (GA) of the Presbyterian Church (USA) had a couple of very controversial items on their agenda this year. To provide some groundwork for discussion of the homosexual marriage agendum, the GA formed a Special Committee to Study Issues of Civil Union and Christian Marriage.
This committee issued their final report to the GA this month. It can be found at http://www.pc-biz.org/Explorer.aspx?id=3333&promoID=168.
The most interesting thing about this report, to me, is the words used to describe the process used to discuss the differences and the recommendations made in the conclusions to the Church.
It takes a little while to read, but I found it very helpful.
This committee issued their final report to the GA this month. It can be found at http://www.pc-biz.org/Explorer.aspx?id=3333&promoID=168.
The most interesting thing about this report, to me, is the words used to describe the process used to discuss the differences and the recommendations made in the conclusions to the Church.
It takes a little while to read, but I found it very helpful.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Prayer and Meditation
This morning's church service paid off for me. I've been practicing meditation for several months now and have been frustrated because I have not had any "bright light" or "enlightenment" experiences. Sure, I have managed to let God run the universe for 20 minutes or so without the benefit of my help but I wonder if that's more assistance to God than to me.
I don't mean to blaspheme. My God has a sense of humor.
As the prelude was being played (Alex is just getting better and better) I realized that I was feeling the music, rather than letting it cause my thoughts to wander from one disassociated thread to another. This opens the door to me being able to let my feelings lead to inspiration from the Holy Spirit in the right environment. And perhaps it will even take my mind off my petty troubles for a while, too.
Another thought: in our opening hymn, we sang
"Angels, help us to adore him;
ye behold him face to face;
sun and moon, bow down before him,
dwellers all in time and space.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace."
I related that to an earlier post where I pondered the possibility that we step outside of time before we enter and when we leave this mortal coil. Just who are the "dwellers all" who are "in time and space?" If God is included, what is the point of this verse? Sun, moon, and we who behold Him certainly dwell in time and space.
Hadn't thought about stepping outside space, though...
Sharon's sermon about the Good Samaritan (I should probably say, "the Samaritan," because, as she pointed out to us, nowhere does the Bible say he was "good") asked us to identify with a character in the story. As Sharon suggested, I found some of myself in every character. I'm going to strive to be more like the Samaritan and the innkeeper and less like the victim, the perpetrators, and those who passed by on the other side of the road.
Especially the innkeeper.
I don't mean to blaspheme. My God has a sense of humor.
As the prelude was being played (Alex is just getting better and better) I realized that I was feeling the music, rather than letting it cause my thoughts to wander from one disassociated thread to another. This opens the door to me being able to let my feelings lead to inspiration from the Holy Spirit in the right environment. And perhaps it will even take my mind off my petty troubles for a while, too.
Another thought: in our opening hymn, we sang
"Angels, help us to adore him;
ye behold him face to face;
sun and moon, bow down before him,
dwellers all in time and space.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace."
I related that to an earlier post where I pondered the possibility that we step outside of time before we enter and when we leave this mortal coil. Just who are the "dwellers all" who are "in time and space?" If God is included, what is the point of this verse? Sun, moon, and we who behold Him certainly dwell in time and space.
Hadn't thought about stepping outside space, though...
Sharon's sermon about the Good Samaritan (I should probably say, "the Samaritan," because, as she pointed out to us, nowhere does the Bible say he was "good") asked us to identify with a character in the story. As Sharon suggested, I found some of myself in every character. I'm going to strive to be more like the Samaritan and the innkeeper and less like the victim, the perpetrators, and those who passed by on the other side of the road.
Especially the innkeeper.
Friday, July 9, 2010
General Assembly approves "overture 06-09" which would permit ordination of homosexuals
It seems that I have been caught be surprise yet again. Should the congregation not have been notified that this issue was to be presented to the General Assembly? Whichever opinion one has with regard to this matter, it is of importance to many if not most members.
===========================
MINNEAPOLIS
With a 50-vote margin (373-323-4), the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approved an overture from the Presbytery of the Western Reserve that would amend the so-called “fidelity and chastity clause” of the Book of Order (G-6.0106b).
The amendment will now go back to presbyteries, where a majority of the 173 presbyteries must approve it for the change to make it into the Book of Order.
===================
This is the "overture 06-09" which is being proposed and has been approved by the General Assembly, PCUSA:
Shall G-6.0106b be amended by striking the current text and inserting new text in its place: [Text to be deleted is shown between triple brackets, "[[[ ... ]]]"; text to be added or inserted is shown following.]
[[[“b. Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self-acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.]]]
Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (G-1.0000). The governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation (G.14.0240; G-14.0450) shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of office. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003). Governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.”
=============
Does UPC have a representative at the 219th General Assembly? How did he/she vote? What input did our putative representative receive in order to decide how to vote? Did our Session publicize this and/or ask for input from the membership?
===========================
MINNEAPOLIS
With a 50-vote margin (373-323-4), the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approved an overture from the Presbytery of the Western Reserve that would amend the so-called “fidelity and chastity clause” of the Book of Order (G-6.0106b).
The amendment will now go back to presbyteries, where a majority of the 173 presbyteries must approve it for the change to make it into the Book of Order.
===================
This is the "overture 06-09" which is being proposed and has been approved by the General Assembly, PCUSA:
Shall G-6.0106b be amended by striking the current text and inserting new text in its place: [Text to be deleted is shown between triple brackets, "[[[ ... ]]]"; text to be added or inserted is shown following.]
[[[“b. Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self-acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.]]]
Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (G-1.0000). The governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation (G.14.0240; G-14.0450) shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of office. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003). Governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.”
=============
Does UPC have a representative at the 219th General Assembly? How did he/she vote? What input did our putative representative receive in order to decide how to vote? Did our Session publicize this and/or ask for input from the membership?
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