Building of Logic

So clear the words but not the thought

Clear the emotion unexpected nor sought

Feeling, tasting, the scent of logic sweet

In minds and words, we may then meet

Challenge truths without selfish emotion

No salve, no need for soothing lotion

Question the stairs, the rooms, the doors

Building of logic, hidden truth in stores

But at times others cannot follow

Proceeding without, I did when I was callow

Now it seems those truths hidden deep

Are fine and fair to know, but not keep

They remain as they are

To me close and never far

But for those truths hard to take

We play with words for elusions sake

Hi, I’m updating this post, because no one seemed to get that the perspective this is written from is as a ghost.  Yes, odd for sure, but it was a dream I had.  I was a ghost, and surprised to be one by the way, and found myself looking on to conversations in search of sincerity… Hope you like the poem…

Sincerely, Mike

Sincerely 

 

Mysterious at first as I try

To reach across and ask

Frighten then calm, I realize

 

Move seamless among them all

Listen carelessly, but searching

Then onward beyond the wall

 

Searching as Diogenes did

For something, someone sincere

Where true intentions never hid

 

When I find a virtuous track

I listen to see if its circumstance or time

Causes of one or many topple the stack

 

I give a nudge, carefully if I might

Encouraging the sincerest road

I know they feel, if only slight

 

I listen and get the occasioned lie

For if it helps others, of course

If sincerity in such intent does not die

 

What matters it really seems

Is sincerely to know one’s self

Not believing those fanciful dreams

 

Finding purpose in life in-between

Pushing toward small victorious joy

Sincerity intent often going unseen

 

This is a week for giving thanks!
So many people see the bad things in life, the struggles and the risks. They always feel like life is not fair to them, or somehow, someway they see only the risks and worries that darken their days.

Some see an election that didn’t go their way and they are inconsolable, instead of realizing that they live in a country that gives them an opportunity to have their voice heard, their vote to count, and to realize that transition of those who “serve” us in government is peaceful.  Furthermore, we have an opportunity to listen to our fellow citizens and understand what and why they see such a need for change.  We are thankful for opportunity to listen.

We may complain about cost of government (taxes), but we should be thankful that we live in the greatest nation of all time, and that naturally comes with a cost.

We may complain about an education system that leaves some under prepared for our work environment, but we should be thankful for the variety and wealth of education available to us if we seek it out.

We may complain that wages are low, but we should be thankful for low unemployment, and wages that still are so much better than almost anywhere in the world.

We may complain about the decline of a middle-class, and we should be concerned for the implications of this social-economic situation, but really think about how nearly everyone can afford quality entertainment systems and instant access to information and communications.  Technology is something to really be thankful for as well as our relative wealth and ubiquity of information and life enjoyment entertainment.

We may complain about decline of social mores, we may complain about the ugly discourse in so many parts of our world, but I think rather we should be thankful that charity spending is up, that people volunteer their time, that so many are really trying to make our world a better place.

Yes we should be thankful this week.  Let’s see the good and wonderful things in our world today and be thankful for the people in our lives that make us better, that help us grow and share our love.  There is plenty of time to see the troubles of our world and to use those times to do something positive about it.  If we didn’t see the problems, then we would never change, and for that too we are thankful!

 

I’m reading a book now that I’m only 40% thru so it is too early for a book review, only a musing on how this book feels to me.  The book is “A Gentleman in Moscow: A Novel” by Amor Towles.

This book is like a favorite desert, I want to have small bites and savor its taste.  Some books I read, I can’t put down because I want to see what happens next and I read fast to get to the next action or event, they are like a main course!  And some I read fast just because I’ve committed to it, and I want to find out how it ends, even though I more often than not have anticipated the ending, these are like fast food dining.

In this case there are so many ideas and fine imagery and careful, thoughtful prose, I have slowed down to savor every taste, to get its texture, it’s scent, and all of its flavor.  It may take me a couple of months to read this book, and that would just fine with me.  Some may not like this desert, some may want just the main course, and care not for desert… but I think that if you find the right flavors, there is nothing better than the journey a book can take you on… best expressed in a poem I like by Emily Dickinson…

A Book – by Emily Dickinson

There is no frigate like a book

To take us lands away,

Nor any coursers like a page

Of prancing poetry.

This traverse may the poorest take

Without oppress of toll;

How frugal is the chariot

That bears a human soul! 

I’ve heard from friends and family that remain distressed about where this country is going and are fearful and disgusted by the results of an election that calls into question how 60 million people could vote for someone that has insulted minorities, the disabled, veterans and has no experience in government, and seemingly no interest in learning…. well… I’m trying to suggest we must give him the benefit of the doubt and allow him to figure out how to establish policy and actually govern.  Its hard to imagine he can, but we must root for him to succeed, it is our countries fate at stake.  When and if he doesn’t and he acts outside of the law and the office, then we impeach…. But until, the office of the president must get our support.  Democracy must be respected, even if we don’t respect some of the people and in this case the person of Donald Trump.  This is what distinguishes us from third world countries where a coup would be the solution.  No we must wait 4 yrs for the process to take its course, unless he departs the pattern sooner thru his own mis-deeds.

If we live by our principles and we support inclusion of all people, and we believe in democracy, and we believe in helping those that have been left behind in the economic recovery for they are too drove this vote for change, then we must be bigger than the few bigots and fascist that so too supported Donald.  For many had legitimate reasons to drive for change.  Its too bad it wasn’t it better candidate, but we must get past this.

We can and should support causes with our time, money and talent that live up to our American ideals, while we pray for the future of our country, and we hold the President, as well as the Congress to hold to American values and principles.

Well the shocking has happened.   We have much to learn about ourselves.  We now must come together in support of the institution of President, and give our President-Elect the space and benefit of doubt to establish his administration and transition from Donald Trump the candidate to Donald Trump the President.  As I’ve said before, I hope… no I expect that he will build a team of smart people and he will find enough humility in himself and respect for the office to actually listen to advice.  He of course realizes that half the country did not vote for him. To be President of all of us, he must reach across the divide to find ways to include all Americans in our future.  To fail in this would mean a failure in delivering on his promise to Make America Great Again.  Give him the benefit of doubt.  Know that he will be held to high expectations in this job by the press, congress and all of us.  He must operate legally and with dignity or risk being fired as prior Presidents Nixon and Clinton experienced through the impeachment process.

However he behaved before, whatever he said before, none of that matters now. What matters now is what he does going forward.   We pray and hope that he rises to the many challenges and becomes a great leader for change and the future of our country.

Saw the movie, Hacksaw Ridge yesterday.  It is an incredible movie.  It’s gory, traumatizing and difficult to watch the effect of brutal war… however throughout the movie we come to understand how one individual’s capacity to love trumps everything around him.  How picking a path of love of family, love of a woman, love of country, love humanity, and love of God, he repeatedly risks everything… and finally he lifts everyone that knows him and is open to him to a higher state of grace.   The remarkable part is that it is a true story.

I have a political thought to share (though you may be tired of the political season) and a philosophical thought to share today, so this is a rare two musings Sunday 🙂 … though you may be too politically worn out to care about philosophical musings… I hope not!

Oh and if you consider this lead-in, then maybe it’s a triple musing day!

Musing 1: A Conservative’s Case for a Hillary Landslide… http://www.mikevargamusings.com/2016/11/06/a-conservatives-…illary-landslide/

Musing 2: Love is… http://www.mikevargamusings.com/2016/11/06/love-is/

 

It may seem counter intuitive, but it is my thinking that a landslide win by Hillary for president has the positive affect of causing a GOP revitalization.   Without a landslide, there will not be enough of a demand for a reunification of the Republican Party.  The splits we witnessed this election season will continue because, each of the elements within the party will see a chance to win and chaos will win the day.   If there is a landslide loss this should force a reevaluation of the reason for losing so much of the country… and thereby force the conversation about a platform that can be a winner.  We need a platform that is dependent on process and principle, rather than personality.

Additionally, for the country a landslide win, would allow Hillary to lead from the middle, where I believe she is most comfortable.  Without it, she would be pulled toward the left by the Sanders socialist progressive movements.  She would seek support of this left wing of the Democratic Party to win the next election, and for that the country will suffer… and the Republican Party will not be able to counter, due to internal fighting.

The country needs both parties to move closer to the middle where most Americans are, and in this rare time, it’s clear that a landslide mandate for the middle is needed.

Love is an emotion – a warm fuzzy emotion… much needed in this world!

Love is love… it doesn’t have end or beginning, it just is, I believe we discover it or we don’t.  It’s in our hearts and minds to be used to express ourselves, whether we connect with others, or not, but always hoping that we find hearts open and with capacity to love in return. It enriches us, making us better people, as we become open to others, thus helping us to grow and learn. It is there as long as we recognize it, take care of it, and most importantly share it!