My reasons for blogging in English are mixed. I want to write in English so I don't forget all I learned in school two life times ago. Reading is easy, thinking and writing is quite different. I also like to learn to know people from different cultures and values than my one. Being a Christian I find it interesting to learn how people on other continents are thinking and worshiping.
My dad used to teach me that in Our Father's Mansions there are many rooms. Guess I'd like to be acquainted with some of the people I'm hopefully going to meet on the other shore. I has been an interesting journey.
Most people have been polite and expressed their opinions highly and freely. Marvelous.
We all love our countries.
Some, more than others, seems to mean they are entitled to pass judgments on cultures and political systems they are hopelessly ignorant about. To be frank; that pisses me off. I'm fine with listening and learning. Pay respect and expect ditto, that should not be to hard to do, even for self righteouslies. I remember asking my daughter a couple of years ago, when I understood there were big differences in thinking and opinions. She came in and flipped a Coca Cola cork bottoms up. "Show them who you are" were the words of wisdom. I've let that be my policy. Where has it lead me? I've found genuine, sweet, loving, artistic, brave, honest, hardworking, intelligent people in three continents. I've been enriched, and hopefully somewhat wiser. Amrita has taught me a whole specter of rich Indian rainbow. She lives as she talks and wow, has she got wisdom and insight. Lidj has opened doors to her country as well as to her heart. I'm forever grateful and impressed. Robin has taught me a lot about the cradle of our belief and culture; Israel. The land God gave the Jews. Terry, my bestest ,has through her life and words revealed depths of Christian love I seldom see. Saija, Debbie and I share pieces of mutual background and culture. It has be so wonderful to experience how important roots and background are, and how the positively are building an identity, a ground wall for life. And there are Catholics, Jews, atheists, searchers, Methodists, Anglicans, Baptists and Pentecostals alike, politically ranging from blue/black to pink (in the broadest sense). How intriguing to try out if this variety of people can respect each others pluralism! Indeed I will go on blogging. I need getting more wisdom. I also have my own place to speak freely out when I feel the ugly smell of censorship.
Well, to quote father Shakespeare; "My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: Words without thoughts never to heaven go." At least I know where I am headed and why!
PILGRIM CHAPTER 33
See him wasted on the sidewalk in his jacket and his jeans
Wearin' yesterday's misfortunes like a smile
Once he had a future full of money, love and dreams
Which he spent like they was going out of style
And he keeps right on a changin' for the better or the worse
And searchin' for a shrine he's never found
Never knowin' if believin' is a blessin' or a curse
Or if the going up is worth to coming down
He's a poet, he's a picker, he's a prophet, he's a pusher
He's a pilgrim and a preacher and a problem when he's stoned
He's a walking contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction
Taking every wrong direction on his lonely way back home
He has tasted good and evil in your bedrooms and your bars
And he's traded in tomorrow for today
Runnin' from the devil Lord and reachin' for the stars
And losin' all he loved along the way
But if this world keeps right on turning for the better or the worse
All he ever gets is older and around
From the rocking of the cradle to the rolling of the hearse
The going up was worth the coming down
He's a poet, he's a picker, he's a prophet, he's a pusher
He's a pilgrim and a preacher and a problem when he's stoned
He's a walking contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction
Taking every wrong direction on his lonely way back home
There's a lot of wrong directions on that lonely way back home
Kris Kristofferson
