How Long is Long Enough

Nine months is long enough for a fetus to develop in preparation for birth.  So science, experience and a mother's attitude will tell you.  College students figure it's about 20-30 minutes that they should wait for an absent professor.  More than an hour for a traditional Christian Sunday morning worship service is pushing the edge of being too long.  One hundred to a hundred and twenty minutes is just about right for the length of a movie.

But how long is long enough to allow a new presidential administration to establish itself before evaluating its performance.  If the actions in the first several days make everyone happy maybe that's enough.  If the actions in the first weeks seem to consistently disturb a large number of people, maybe that enough.  If there are highs and lows, if people have varied opinions, maybe one needs to wait a bit longer, weeks, months, a year?

Today it's been four weeks since inaugural day and the country is gravely divided on the evaluation of these first four weeks and the effectiveness of the government during this time.  Eight years ago an African American nominated and supported by the Democratic Party was elected.  Those who didn't vote for him vowed to disrupt any efforts by him to do anything.  Now the shoe is on the other foot, but again those who didn't vote for the current president have rather consistently blocked most efforts by the present president to govern the country.  Some would even say that he is not governing the country but padding his resumé, bankroll and ego.

While I may be among those who see his efforts as counter to traditional and progressive ideals, I more strongly believe that we must find common ground and work together to advance conditions to help all persons.  Perhaps my frustration comes when I don't see current policies and governance improving the lives of all persons but only some persons.  My frustration is also that that then finding a common goal for the betterment of all persons, we argue about what others are doing wrong and trying to obstruct their efforts.

I have no solution to our dilemma or even a clear understanding of our dilemma just as million of much smarter persons don't have an answer, but I would suggest one place to start.  Work with each to improve life on planet earth by finding a simple common goal and working toward that goal without labels and titles for our philosophies.  I believe that if leaders of traditionally opposed parties would clear define goals to improve life and honestly and intelligently debate the path to those goals we would improve our lives.  We can balance poverty and wealth without taking anything from anyone.  We can accommodate residents, natives and guests around the same table.  We can believe our faith while recognizing those who believe in another faith.

We can continue to maintain a great society.

On the Edge

It's super bowl Sunday; they say it's an unofficial national holiday.  Sometimes I wonder if it's considered more important than Christmas.  Too be a bit extreme, I wonder if comparing a couple teams of big men knocking each other to the ground over or paying thousands of dollars to watch that to a poor man who taught us to love each other, to be non-violent and whose memory and lessons continue to inspire and affect the entire world after 2000 years.

Yet, the wisdom of our current catholic pope saw the virtues of this day: to come together in unity to enjoy ourselves, to be positive; to respect rules and work together.  He helped me to make the connection between something I cherish and something I accept.

At church a mother of a young man, probably just shy of 30 years old, asked if I might visit with him about his questions concerned the reason for life and how God fits into the picture.  He is very close to family who lost a son a dozen years ago to cancer.  Now the dead boy's sister, just over 20 years old, is fighting cancer and not doing well.  So where is God in this scenario?

The super bowl pre-show included a clip of Johnny Cash's "Old Ragged Flag."  It speaks to respecting the flag that has been through many wars.  The men and women that have worked and fought so hard to keep America free both in war and peace, I respect them highly, to the point that I tear-up when I think about it.  However, I don't agree with pledging alliance to a piece of cloth, despite its symbolism, instead pledging alliance to the principles that form this country and society.

A blog I follow recently spoke of an open mind and how after listening openly one can close the mind on an idea judged to be best.  I'd be a hypocrite to say that my mind is more open than that because saying that means I have closed my mind.  Despite being raised in Christian doctrine that didn't leave much room for questions, I think I have more questions than ever including the role of Jesus and the nature of God.

Just about everything seems to sit on a razor thin edge where one could go one way or another.  So what do I know or believe.  I believe that I should first and foremost benefit other people and most issues will stay on the edge as questions that are secondary to what's most important.

I hope that if I fall off the edge on one side or the other I can climb back up to see what on the other side.  And you know even when I question God I inherently accept the God's existence because I'm asking God about God's existence.  Confusing isn't it.  That's living on the edge.