Ron's Blog
Living with Open Hands . . .
in a world of clenched fists . . .
The open hand is a tangible expression
of an open mind and an open heart.
Question, examine, think, learn, grow . . .
Thoughts and Meditations on Life.
"Poetry may make us . . . a little more aware of the deeper, unnamed feelings
which form the substratum of our being to which we rarely penetrate;
for our lives are mostly a constant evasion of ourselves."
T. S. Eliot, Nobel Prize acceptance speech, 1948
in a world of clenched fists . . .
The open hand is a tangible expression
of an open mind and an open heart.
Question, examine, think, learn, grow . . .
Thoughts and Meditations on Life.
"Poetry may make us . . . a little more aware of the deeper, unnamed feelings
which form the substratum of our being to which we rarely penetrate;
for our lives are mostly a constant evasion of ourselves."
T. S. Eliot, Nobel Prize acceptance speech, 1948
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Why blog?
For me, it is mapping a journey . . .
I've been blogging since April Fool's Day 2006 (blog #1). It has
become a way for me to find my voice and to give voice to my
questions; a journey from dogmatism and certainty to inquiry and
dialogue, from living with clenched fists to living with open hands.
For me, it is mapping a journey, not unlike the Israelites' journey in
the wilderness. They could not see around the bend. Many
surprises were in store. . . both good and bad.
Whenever a significant event happened they were admonished to
REMEMBER. Each learning experience imparted a new lesson, a
new measure of wisdom that they must not FORGET. As a tangible
reminder of these life remembrances, they built a pillar of rocks, so
they could return to them (physically or mentally) to draw deeply
from the wisdom that was imparted.
Along my journey, each of my blog entries is another pillar of rocks,
a monument to a new insight, a new learning experience (usually
born out of pain), a new question (mostly), a new perspective, a
new surprise (good or bad). Therefore, I return to each of them
regularly . . . lest I forget . . .
I must remember to befriend life's dark places ,
lest I forget the truths hidden there.
I must remember to face life's pain ,
lest I forget the pain of others and the learning that pain imparted on
me.
I must remember to embrace life's mystery,
lest I forget and think I KNOW . . .
For me, it is mapping a journey . . .
I've been blogging since April Fool's Day 2006 (blog #1). It has
become a way for me to find my voice and to give voice to my
questions; a journey from dogmatism and certainty to inquiry and
dialogue, from living with clenched fists to living with open hands.
For me, it is mapping a journey, not unlike the Israelites' journey in
the wilderness. They could not see around the bend. Many
surprises were in store. . . both good and bad.
Whenever a significant event happened they were admonished to
REMEMBER. Each learning experience imparted a new lesson, a
new measure of wisdom that they must not FORGET. As a tangible
reminder of these life remembrances, they built a pillar of rocks, so
they could return to them (physically or mentally) to draw deeply
from the wisdom that was imparted.
Along my journey, each of my blog entries is another pillar of rocks,
a monument to a new insight, a new learning experience (usually
born out of pain), a new question (mostly), a new perspective, a
new surprise (good or bad). Therefore, I return to each of them
regularly . . . lest I forget . . .
I must remember to befriend life's dark places ,
lest I forget the truths hidden there.
I must remember to face life's pain ,
lest I forget the pain of others and the learning that pain imparted on
me.
I must remember to embrace life's mystery,
lest I forget and think I KNOW . . .
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If I loose my grip . . .
will I take flight?
(Bruce Cockburn,
Strange Waters lyrics)
will I take flight?
(Bruce Cockburn,
Strange Waters lyrics)
Oh Love that fires the sun
keep me burning
Bruce Cockburn
(Lord of the Starfields)
keep me burning
Bruce Cockburn
(Lord of the Starfields)
Gotta search the silence
of the soul's wild places
to find a voice
that'll cross the spaces
Bruce Cockburn
(Justice)
of the soul's wild places
to find a voice
that'll cross the spaces
Bruce Cockburn
(Justice)
Comments:
(Please leave comments by
clicking here)
"I like reading your blogs. Every time I read your blogs I
get something new out of them. So I'm printing them off" .
. . 60 pages later . . .
Rest in peace, Grandma, I miss you!!!
At age 90, she was my first blog fan!!!
I stumbled on your blog....and was blown away by your
depth and honesty. Wow! You seem to have followed that
less well traveled path I myself have traveled, yet
stumbled off of in search of "security"...you eloquently
express many thoughts I've pushed down over the years
as I immersed myself in raising a couple of kids and
letting myself get sucked into the mundane side of
domesticity and work...I read most of your myspace
blog....what an amazing journey you have taken and
continue to take. Keep exploring the hard questions and
working through the rawness of life lived beyond the
surface...inspiring!
Ron, your blog spoke to that buried part of my soul in a
deep way....I felt tears of empathy for the courageous
journey you so eloquently express--what a precious gift of
vulnerability you have given. I'm blown away to find
somebody from my youth who might actually be able to
understand ME, the me that nobody knows or
understands.
Kay
Comment on "Malignancy":
I think you have done a very good job of describing one of
the greatest problems of our modern world. I think each
one of us has to realize that we can cure it in every
conversation, every interaction, and every moment that
we spend with others.
Power Ranger Freak
I believe your blog will be a source of inspiration for her.....
if it could pull me right out of the fog I've been stuck in for
a decade now, it can certainly help inspire her to live the
courage of her convictions.
I feel like I have been reborn--not 'born again' but
awakening what had gone dormant......I feel the urge to
have an exchange with you about each one....to slowly
digest them and let them water my dry spirit.
I am so awed at the poetry of your work--how you
combine the visual image with the quotes with your own
reflections and questions--so powerful--such a gift!
Kay
Comment on "This Prey of Grace"
Wheeeewwww! I am blown away by this one my brother!
You have it. You have brought to the place of Peter and of
Paul. You have found the true God-man, the Christ. So
few truly tread there. They dance the fringe of it, fearful of
the Unknown depths of service to a true Master, true
Lord. But you have seen it. It is yours for the taking. Do
not hesitate any longer...TAKE IT!
Peace of Christ to you, my friend,
David
Comment on "Seeing"
Hey Ron,Geez, after reading this, it makes one wonder,
can we really see at all? Keep on bloggin',
David
I thank you for sharing your journey online....it really has
inspired me to "lean into my future" with new enthusiasm.
Kay
Comments on "living the questions"
This is beyond amazing. Thanks for posting! Is this in a
book? Or where can I find this article?
Marty
I crave for more!! And will follow to find more…knowing it’
s out there:)
Lynn
Comment on "the way of the brokenhearted"
Very POWERFUL and so true!! I loves the Psalms too
and know that Gods plan is perfect! Tho He allows us
storms to weather through….His promise is that He is
right there to carry us through…if we let Him with a
willingness. He has carried me through many tough
storms and through each one of them I learn so many
new things . . . Sir, I want to thank you for your words of
wisdom and too I thank God for bringing you into my life,
so I could read the beauty here on this page:)
God bless you,
Lynn
(Please leave comments by
clicking here)
"I like reading your blogs. Every time I read your blogs I
get something new out of them. So I'm printing them off" .
. . 60 pages later . . .
Rest in peace, Grandma, I miss you!!!
At age 90, she was my first blog fan!!!
I stumbled on your blog....and was blown away by your
depth and honesty. Wow! You seem to have followed that
less well traveled path I myself have traveled, yet
stumbled off of in search of "security"...you eloquently
express many thoughts I've pushed down over the years
as I immersed myself in raising a couple of kids and
letting myself get sucked into the mundane side of
domesticity and work...I read most of your myspace
blog....what an amazing journey you have taken and
continue to take. Keep exploring the hard questions and
working through the rawness of life lived beyond the
surface...inspiring!
Ron, your blog spoke to that buried part of my soul in a
deep way....I felt tears of empathy for the courageous
journey you so eloquently express--what a precious gift of
vulnerability you have given. I'm blown away to find
somebody from my youth who might actually be able to
understand ME, the me that nobody knows or
understands.
Kay
Comment on "Malignancy":
I think you have done a very good job of describing one of
the greatest problems of our modern world. I think each
one of us has to realize that we can cure it in every
conversation, every interaction, and every moment that
we spend with others.
Power Ranger Freak
I believe your blog will be a source of inspiration for her.....
if it could pull me right out of the fog I've been stuck in for
a decade now, it can certainly help inspire her to live the
courage of her convictions.
I feel like I have been reborn--not 'born again' but
awakening what had gone dormant......I feel the urge to
have an exchange with you about each one....to slowly
digest them and let them water my dry spirit.
I am so awed at the poetry of your work--how you
combine the visual image with the quotes with your own
reflections and questions--so powerful--such a gift!
Kay
Comment on "This Prey of Grace"
Wheeeewwww! I am blown away by this one my brother!
You have it. You have brought to the place of Peter and of
Paul. You have found the true God-man, the Christ. So
few truly tread there. They dance the fringe of it, fearful of
the Unknown depths of service to a true Master, true
Lord. But you have seen it. It is yours for the taking. Do
not hesitate any longer...TAKE IT!
Peace of Christ to you, my friend,
David
Comment on "Seeing"
Hey Ron,Geez, after reading this, it makes one wonder,
can we really see at all? Keep on bloggin',
David
I thank you for sharing your journey online....it really has
inspired me to "lean into my future" with new enthusiasm.
Kay
Comments on "living the questions"
This is beyond amazing. Thanks for posting! Is this in a
book? Or where can I find this article?
Marty
I crave for more!! And will follow to find more…knowing it’
s out there:)
Lynn
Comment on "the way of the brokenhearted"
Very POWERFUL and so true!! I loves the Psalms too
and know that Gods plan is perfect! Tho He allows us
storms to weather through….His promise is that He is
right there to carry us through…if we let Him with a
willingness. He has carried me through many tough
storms and through each one of them I learn so many
new things . . . Sir, I want to thank you for your words of
wisdom and too I thank God for bringing you into my life,
so I could read the beauty here on this page:)
God bless you,
Lynn
2 AM and I'm still awake, writing a song
If I get it all down on paper, it's no longer inside of me,
Threatening the life it belongs to
And I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd
Cause these words are my diary, screaming out loud
And I know that you'll use them, however you want to
(Lyrics: Breathe, Anna Nalick)
Go into yourself. Find out the reason that commands you to write; see
whether it has spread its roots into the very depths of your heart; confess
to yourself whether you would have to die if you were forbidden to write.
This most of all: ask yourself in the most silent hour of your night: must I
write? Dig into yourself for a deep answer. And if this answer rings out in
assent, if you meet this solemn question with a strong, simple "I must," then
build your life in accordance with this necessity; your whole life, even into its
humblest and most indifferent hour, must become a sign and witness to this
impulse.
Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love
the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a
very foreign language. Do not search for the answers, which could not be
given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the
point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday
far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way
into the answer.
(Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet)