Complexity

So many parts to a person. Layers and layers. Each form a portion of our being, our personality. In a world constantly changing. A world with impact on each of us; our own layers changing – in size, priority, shape and color. Shifting. Shifting. Slipping into another phase, another shape, another meaning. Morphing toward some point not yet known. We are changing constantly and mostly unaware of it. 

It is the challenge of life always. To be in the moment, from the past, going toward the future. Aware of what we know. Becoming aware of new material, new understandings. Adapting to all of it and using it in the world around us. Changing as it is, we, too, are changing but we rise each morning and face the day and move on into the present-turned-future. 

Exciting to be a part of this. But also suspenseful. We don’t know what it means until later when we have experience and perspective to build on.  

Into this milieu we confront life in all of the moments of time. Some are long; some short; some extend only because they have captured our attention. But confront it all we must; this is what life is about. 

Strange is it not? Not only to contemplate the above, but to consider how others want us to think and believe? They hammer their point of view ceaselessly in our direction. The airwaves are filled with their debate and words of assault. Yet we are free to consider, wonder and analyze the material. It takes time to make up our minds. It takes energy also. When do we have the time and energy together to do this ‘work?’ Do we have the two together very often? You do if you are an academician (researcher and teacher), a minister or religious career person, or retired, a hobbyist in these matters, or…? There are ‘careers’ which lend themselves to this work. Most of us do not have the opportunity to pursue these disciplines. 

So what do we expect the American Experiment in Democracy to do? Endlessly ignore the nonsense in some intelligible manner? Or hope that some power will create a workable template over this arena of exploration and control for appropriate consideration and decision making? Hardly. That won’t help. We are free to think and decide for ourselves. We are allowed the flexibility to read and hear new information and opinion at any time and make judgments about the acceptability and appropriateness of the material. Should we consider it? Do we include it in our conclusions? 

Well, that’s up to you to decide. No one will do it for you. We know that well enough by now. But here’s maybe a helpful tip: Take a deep breath and think for yourself. Don’t adopt someone else’s ideas unless you feel certain you have done the work needed to discern for yourself what’s right and wrong about the material. Are you sure you understand where the material came from? Does it make sense? Does it bear directly on the issue at hand? Does the speaker or author have reliability, credibility and authority to distribute the information? Can you believe her or him? 

Not enough people do this. It’s one thing to be a Doubting Thomas, another to be a cynic believing no one. Or a gullible acceptor of whatever falls before your eyes? Or are you a good processor of new information? A good analyst? That’s what it takes to participate intelligently in these discussions. You have to doubt yourself, doubt your understanding, and consider afresh whatever is being proffered. Does it resonate with my previous understanding? Does this make sense? Is this a sound bite and sound reasonable? Or is it based on sound fact and previous understanding? 

We are in a political age. One which is hot for power and influence. Which ones are shouting? Which are playing dirty tricks? Which are insulting? Which are vitriolic? 

My experience is such players are fearful of losing an argument and are playing on emotions for support. It’s a good sign they don’t have the substance to back them up. 

Quiet calm consideration. Cool deliberation. Seeking more information. Asking questions. These are the characteristics of someone seeking truth and fact. Follow their process. Give yourself the time to think. Then make up your own mind. 

Where there is bullying and bombast there is lack of self confidence. Those persons feel better by pushing others around. The same with logical discourse. Seek such and the bully is declawed. The discussion becomes not a debate. It resumes logical process and conclusions. 

Be there always in the calm process of consideration. Your intelligence will serve you well as you give it a chance to perform its work. 

May these summer months be your season of content! Peace. 

June 1, 2012