"I Have Not Yet Begun to Fight!" - - - - John Paul Jones

I owe my readers a quick apology for my recent silence. I have not abandoned this blog, but I have been dealing with unexpected complications in life.  It started with a torn meniscus in my left knee, followed by finals at school, and culminated in launching an online business.  These have have all been vampires of my time. I should have made a statement sooner so please forgive me. My goal is to have three separate focuses:

•  Religious / Philosophical ideas
•  My Journey into the World of Writing 
•  Business and he realm of affiliate marketing

I will return next week with a vengeance, so get ready!

Great Interview About Self Publishing

http://michaelhyatt.com/an-interview-with-kevin-weiss-about-self-publishing.html

Want to Write a Blog? – Plan First

"He who fails to plan, plans to fail." --- Winston Churchill

Photo complements of freedigitalphotos.net

Abracadabra!  Poof!  Now you write a successful blog, have a huge following, and a check is waiting in the mailbox.

Graphic complements of freedigitalphotos.net

If only we could say some magic words, or use a special potion, blogging would be a piece of cake.  But sadly, it’s not that easy.  Some specialists believe there are well over a billion blogs out there, so your chances of hitting it big, might be better, playing the lottery.  However, if you are like me. . . you are still interested in blogging in spite of these odds.  Here are a few questions that you should consider before committing:

• What elements make a blog successful?
• Who is your audience?
• What is your goal?
• How often will you post?
• Is somebody already writing your topic? 

If you are unable to provide yourself with the answers to these questions, take some time to do research.  If you only want an online diary for personal use, keep it private.  This personal journaling might excuse you from some of the questions, but you still need to have goals.  I am on a quest to write successfully.  Here are the answers for me:

• Content, design, and a sound marketing plan will contribute to my blogs success.
• My primary targets are writers and artists.
• My goal is to exercise my writing skills and develop discipline.
• Originally, I wanted to have four content-rich posts per week,  I am re-thinking that.
• There are many people writing about similar things, but none of them are me.

Currently, I am taking a college level course titled, Writing for the Web, and one of my goals is to use this page to practice what I am learning in class.  If you want to tag-along with me on my journey. . . I say welcome.  What tips do you offer to bloggers?

America is a Liberal Nation, Founded by Liberals: The Meaning of Words

It is common for people to use words without having a comprehensive understanding of the definitions.  This simple clip from the movie Princess Bride, is a humorous example of a character, misusing the word, inconceivable.  In the past, I assumed the word ”liberal” was reserved for those associated with social activism, abortion, gay rights, and big government (whatever that means).   Likewise, I believed that Christians, small business owners, and patriots had a monopoly on the term, “conservative”.  This skewed viewpoint does not embody the core meaning of these words.

I will admit it can be a little confusing.  The meaning of a word can change over time, but if we are going to be competent writers, it is critical that we understand both the original meaning of a word as well as its mutated form.

 

The lines between these two words are not as distinct as one might think.  This can be evidenced in philosophies presented two hundred and fifty years ago, by political theorist, politician, orator and author, Edmund Burke.  He is a paradox when dealing with the words “liberal” and “conservative.”  Many consider him the father of modern conservativism, but he is also often identified as an icon for classic liberalism.  Burke supported British rebels such as Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, and Ben Franklin who defied English monarchy/parliament to found the United States of America.  A little research reveals that the founding fathers were strongly committed to change and a liberal philosophy:

• Limited government involvement in the lives of individuals
• Freedom of religion, speech, assembly, and free markets
• Liberty of individuals (other than women, slaves, and Native Americans)
• Strong support of entrepreneurs (a.k.a. capitalism)

Many consider John Locke the father of classical liberalism.  It is worth doing a little homework if we are going to sound educated when writing about complicated subjects, and this is one of them.  I do not pretend to understand all the nuances surrounding these words, but I clearly recognize that they are misapplied and over-generalized all too often.  

In essence, those that politically identify themselves with words like “left” or “right,” need to clarify, left of what?  True “liberals” have always embraced progression, as did the insurgent Europeans who founded the U.S. government.  True “conservatives” would therefore adopt tradition as a focal point.  Had the founding fathers truly been ”conservative,” they would never have supported the mutinous move against the British crown and parliament.  This flawed understanding extends into many areas where we misuse the “conservative” stamp.    Protestants, business owners and even Christ all fall into the category “liberal,” they had change in mind.

The English poet and writer, Edward Bulwer-Lytton coined the phrase, “The pen is mightier than the sword.”  Though an ancient concept, this adage focuses on the power of words to change the world.  Reading and writing allow us to learn not only how others view the world, but more importantly how we perceive reality.  

Click here for more information on "modern AMERICAN conservatism."


What is your definition?

Hell is Real - ADHD

Ever seen this billboard?

Relax; this post is not dealing with theology about those that receive eternal life and live it, in eternal conscience torment.  I spell hell differently than most, I spell it ADHD.  For those of you that have never experienced it, I feel both pity and jealousy.  It is a two edged sword.  Everyday I find myself walking somewhere, and then realize I have no idea what I am looking for, but I end up enjoying the scenery anyway.  If you could spend one day inside my brain, you might experience unspeakable joy like you have never known, or you may want to commit suicide because you have failed at every important juncture in life and disappointed those you love.

Have you ever forgotten to go to work, to attend the most important presentation of the year?  I have.  I was distracted by a homeless, starving hitchhiker with a mangy dog and stopped to pick them up.  The kind that hasn’t bathed or brushed his teeth in six months.  He told me his tragic life story in fifteen minutes.  I cried with him when he shared about getting fired, missing his family, and longed for how life used to be.  I spent all the change out in my ashtray (the last money I had) to buy him lunch, give him a much-needed hug and a prayer before I dropped him back off on the road.  Was this because I am such a great person?  No, I did not understand it then, but he probably had ADHD and I could see some part of me in his eyes.  Wanna' talk about a priceless emotion?  Those of you without ADHD do not experience this, but I do.

I did not believe in ADHD two years ago.  I thought it was just a cop-out for people that had no structure in life.  Though there is some truth to lacking structure it is not purposeful or easily corrected.  After doing extensive research I found that though it is often misdiagnosed and co-morbid, it is very real and scientifically documentable.  Unfortunately, we still don’t understand all of the complications surrounding this condition.

Common misconceptions about people with ADHD

• They are just lazy
• They just need to change their diet
• Medication fixes everything
• They are not intelligent
• They just need to learn discipline
• They are purposefully rude and defiant
• They cannot learn
• They cannot be dependable

There are valid reasons for this perception, but that does not make it true.  If we could go back in history and fix the people who exhibited ADHD symptoms what would the world be like?

Mozart, Edison, Ford, The Wright brothers, Einstein, Michael Jordan and many more fit the bill.  (See a pattern?) People with ADHD do not process information like “normal” people.  That does not make it right or wrong, it is just different.  Instead of shaking your head in disgust at the annoying knucklehead in your office that is always late to meetings, ask him if he has any cool ideas.  If he can think of one, it might just make you both rich, or put you in jail.

Give it All, Give it Now

Photo courtesy of Chrisroll

"One of the things I know about writing is this: spend it all, shoot it, play it, lose it, all, right away, every time. Do not hoard what seems good for a later place in the book or for another book; give it, give it all, give it now. The impulse to save something good for a better place later is the signal to spend it now. Something more will arise for later, something better."  -- Annie Dillard, The Writing Life

The following is a poem, by yours truly.

Muses

Nine imperceptible trickles, each drawn together by the motherly call of Mnemosyne 

Their gentle voices babble gracefully over the worn, mossy riverock in my mind

Tumbling, falling, and slipping through gaps at the edge of my understanding

Closer now, I recognize the splashing as it cascades through my being

The swelling current is demanding and pulls me into the stream

I wade deeper, and join with the singing - we become a river

A strange mixture of fear and exhilaration overwhelm me

Should I return back to my safe haven on the shore?

I am unable to resist, I dive, responding to the call

Faster, deeper into the roaring, crashing waves

I have lost myself in he abyss, we are one

Dancing together we change everything

Laughter bursts forth like a symphony

The stars above watch in wonder

Writing my story in the sky

Plucking an ageless song

It is a tragic love story

Hidden behind a veil

Muses whisper

"Listen!"

Lying Teachers, Preachers, and Writers

“One is astonished in the study of history at the recurrence of the idea that evil must be forgotten, distorted, [and] skimmed over. We must not remember that Daniel Webster got drunk, but only that he was a splendid constitutional lawyer. We must forget that George Washington was a slave owner. . . [We cannot] simply remember the things we regard as creditable and inspiring. The difficulty, of course, with this philosophy is that history loses its value as an incentive and example; it paints perfect man and noble nations, but it does not tell the truth.”  --- W.E.B. Dubois

You must be a great reader, if you want to be a great writer. This video is a clip from a lecture of one of my favorite Christian Philosophers, Dallas Willard. He points out that the burden of proof rests on the shoulders of the presenter to tell the story accurately, especially if he intends to persuade people. Whether teaching, preaching, writing, or reading, there is an opportunity to seek the truth.

I am currently reading Lies My Teacher Told Me, by James W. Loewen.  The first chapter has forced me to wrestle with an  issue  he calls  heroification.  Initially, I was resistant to what I perceived as an outright attack on my American heritage.  However, after reviewing his sources and delving deeper into the book, I have concluded that he is correct in his assessment that we have a problem that needs addressed.  Our nation and the textbook manufacturers have an agenda, they only share a one-sided version of history. 

Loewen does not say all our former leaders were evil and cruel, but he does bring attention to the fact that they suffered human shortcomings, and made some tragic mistakes.  These significant pieces of information are blatantly omitted in most of our textbooks.  Telling an accurate version of history, and acknowledging failures does not undermine any good or noble cause they participated in, but we cannot ignore the importance of NOT sweeping racism, murder, lies, and blatant propaganda under the rug.  The best policy is to tell the truth.

This brings me to my real dilemma.  Just as I have been guilty of buying into false ideas such as, Thomas Jefferson thought, “all men are created equal,” (even though he owned black slaves), I have also been guilty of believing other false ideology.  Ignorance about American history may be indicative of additional areas in which I am equally ignorant, like church history.  Did writers with a less than honest bias, whitewash the historical icons of the church?  It is interesting that after doing a little research, Martin Luther and John Calvin exhibited extreme racism, and murdered people that did not convert to their version of Christianity.   Does the church protect the deeds of pastors and other prominent figures with the same veracity that the textbooks defend the brutal assault, rape, and destruction of the Native American's?

In his book Pagan Christianity, Frank Viola explores pagan traditions that have been adopted by most groups that identify with the Christian faith.  Some of his facts may shock you.  The same heroification process that most nations have applied to the forefathers seems to be equally active in religious circles.  It paints a pretty picture, but it’s not based on the truth.  Accurate information is available, but not pleasant to share.  Are we perpetuating a lie, when we do not correct this false viewpoint of history?  These are painful discussions, but I believe that it is imperative that those in the academic community make a concentrated effort to avoid following this pattern that promotes falsehood.  Do you think we place the Christian forefathers on a pedestal, just like other empires have throughout written history?  Is it possible that this kind of deception is still going on today?

Sex, Drunkenness, Violence, and The Bible

“Good artists are not cowards.” ----- Kevin Marshall Chopson

One of the most important components of writing is being honest.  Life has many complexities that are not easily explained away.  Personally, I believe that the writers of both the Old and New Testaments were some of the bravest and talented writers in history.  No matter what religious views you maintain, these authors clearly and meticulously documented detailed accounts of sex, drunkenness, and violence associated with humanity.  It seems ironic that so many religious groups resist discussion of these difficult subjects, when the core stories found in the Bible acutely address uncomfortable topics.  From Genesis to the Revelation we read graphic depictions of “normal” humans participating in unspeakable (pun intended) actions.  These accounts detail perverted, and wanton, sexual activity along with savage, unmentionable depictions of violence, and lastly repeated participation in unrestrained drunkenness. 

I find it impressive that these talented scribes carefully preserved the vices found throughout their own history.  It appears in most cases, that the reader is intended to identify with the protagonists in these awkward tales.  Just a few of the more base situations to examine:

1)    Lot’s daughters get him drunk on two separate occasions to have an incestuous sexual relationship with him.

2)    After Noah gets drunk his son Ham, appears to have acted on some form of homosexual impulse with his father.  (Scholars disagree on exactly what this refers to, but all acknowledge that someone did something to displease God after the flood.

3)    Though poetic, the story of Oholah and Oholibah found in the book of Ezekiel, is one of the most sexually explicit depictions of carnality in any ancient manuscript.  If it was made into a movie it would be rated XXX.

4)    After slacking as a king, David has sex with another mans wife (causing conception), then proceeds to connive a way to assassinate her husband and keep her to himself. 

5)    A Levite permits men to rape his concubine and then chops her into pieces to send to all twelve of the tribes as a call to arms. 

I could go on and on, since the Bible is full of “normal” people doing really bad things.  Why did these authors focus on such undesirable elements of society?  I am convinced that they wanted us to wrestle with the uncomfortable reality that all of us, suffer from similar desires, addictions, and habits.  The careful reader cannot ignore these challenging subjects, and must discuss them with friends and family.  We must ask the important questions of “why” these particular stories were preserved.  Sharing our problems with others develops a relationship, and we are more likely to resolve both internal and external conflict, which produces a healthy diversity that compels people show what is in the heart.

Practice Your Writing, Like You Practice Music

The 1950 "Trumpet Practice" by Norman Rockwell

Jumping headfirst into the water has always been both a strength, and a weakness for me.  In 1978, I was in the fourth grade.  Following a life long dream, I raised a golden trumpet to my lips, boldly sharing the majestic sounds of the John Williams Orchestra playing the theme to Star Wars.  The old man next door, rudely interrupted my solo, when he yelled over the fence, “Keep it down over there kid, you’re driving me crazy blowin’ on that thing.”

Undeterred I continued on. Surely, the rest of the neighborhood recognized my talent.  Mr. Harris just had no taste.  Besides, I was almost to the best part of the song; you know the part where Darth Vader’s Tie-Fighter gets blown up by the Millennium Falcon?  Interruption struck again, when my mom called me back in the house to clean my room.  I would have to hone my skills another time.

Fast-forward thirty-three years.  Now, my goal is to write literature that is brilliant, complex, and beautiful.  However, learning to write is kind of like playing a musical instrument.  I’m trying to start with a complicated piece and play it perfect.  I forgot about practicing scales, tone, and timing on songs I didn’t even enjoy.  After years of practice I developed my skills enough to play what I wanted, but I didn’t succeed starting with the hard stuff.  Writing is the same way.  You practice on things you don’t really want to do, but these exercises develop your ability.  Soon you will know the craft, and be competent to write what you enjoy. 

No Subject is Taboo - When You Are Honest

Me writing in my backyard.

I enjoy writing, but it is difficult to find time.  I started a blog almost 10 years ago for the purpose of improving both my discipline and my writing skills.  Unfortunately, it only helped for a few months; in less than a year I grew apathetic and lost my focus.  I have had this blog location set up for a couple of years but have waited to use it until I was ready to make a commitment.  I believe I am at that point.

You might ask, “What is the purpose of writing?”  That is a great question with many answers.  These are the three primary motivations for me: 

1)  It’s great therapy and helps me bring all the loose thoughts running through my brain into focus.  This in turn, brings a sense of peace and purpose, once I have put my thoughts down.

2)  It is an important part of rhetoric.  I never knew the true definition of this word until last year.  I want to master the art of rhetoric, and developing my writing is one way to do that.  A person who has mastered the art of rhetoric is valuable at almost all levels.  Career, spirituality, family, entertainment, etc. . . the list goes on and on.

3)  I am glad that someone took the time to write books for me since I love to read.  Sometimes I look for specific kinds of literature, and some has not been written.  That means I have first dibs on writing these novels. 

With these things in mind, I plan on spending a little time on here every week.  What am I going to write about? EVERYTHING!  This blog will probably deal with all the things going on in my life.  No subject is taboo.  You have been warned.