tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.comments2023-03-31T05:03:34.062-04:00Four for a YearFour for a Yearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022910822459378503noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-80943363840456592042011-09-19T10:49:09.636-04:002011-09-19T10:49:09.636-04:00Bumper car stickers are mainly a medium for market...Bumper car stickers are mainly a medium for marketing. But since they have become personalized and opinionated (to an effect), they have become a medium for bashing and other bandwagon motives. People can't find the time for real debates anymore, especially if all they know of the issue is already printed on the stickers.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.applesonpress.com/four-color-process-labels.htm" rel="nofollow">Granville Lochrico</a>Granvillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13935321632971587898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-42628829232380479432011-09-05T12:42:59.908-04:002011-09-05T12:42:59.908-04:00It seems like it is hard to not take something per...It seems like it is hard to not take something personally when it concerns certain aspects of my life, self, whereas when it touches on certain other aspects of my life, self, I have no problem not taking something personally.<br /><br />I am very rational, well-balanced in many areas of my life and thinking and self-understanding, but there are these shadow sides of the self that don't appear too often, but when they do, I have no better self-understanding than a possum. Question is: can we anticipate when one of these lurking demons is going to be provoked or has perhaps escaped from the barn and needs to be caught, tied up and locked up again? Or, maybe it is possible to bring these shadow sides of the self to the light of day so that they are seen for what they are: not some big, bad demons, but just some petty parts of our selves that don't deserve the attention they often get when provoked.<br /><br />It is hard to admit to being petty. At least when you are admitting to some evil, there is some real drama to it that feeds the need for self-importance.george houston watershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07551741287830911012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-52683989471014921092011-05-21T06:16:33.960-04:002011-05-21T06:16:33.960-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Muhammad Azeemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12974854965953781617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-59195783145501669462011-05-20T18:20:13.286-04:002011-05-20T18:20:13.286-04:00I always thought WWJD meant "What Would Jesus...I always thought WWJD meant "What Would Jesus Drive?"Four for a Yearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07022910822459378503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-85985613564784445352011-05-20T15:19:27.927-04:002011-05-20T15:19:27.927-04:00I want one of those WWJD bumper stickers because I...I want one of those WWJD bumper stickers because I'm constantly wondering about what my boss Jane would do. Not always what I would...ajvphilphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02727875013852226459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-16835408926003932002011-05-17T06:39:07.178-04:002011-05-17T06:39:07.178-04:00It is easy to counsel people about anger. It is e...It is easy to counsel people about anger. It is easy to write wise words about how to handle or avoid and get rid of anger. But, when you really have a case of it, deep down, it is another story. Nothing about anger is easy when you really have it. It probably brings out the worst and best of us, and it is real easy to get mixed up about what is worst and best in us. The real scary thing about anger when it is the real thing is that it is, as you say, intoxicating. It feels like a part of us that we do not want to let go. Of course, sometimes we shouldn't let it go but have to ride it like a wild beast to some better place. Sometimes, we probably need to get off the wild beast immediately. God have mercy on all of us when we have a real case of anger.george houston watershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07551741287830911012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-52091218029263027022011-05-16T11:57:17.807-04:002011-05-16T11:57:17.807-04:00Whatever the case may be, I am so glad that OBAMA ...Whatever the case may be, I am so glad that OBAMA did it for us, finally! How many years have we been waiting for this great day?? Now that Osama Bin Laden is dead... let us hope that we can call this as end of terrorism :-) But then, I am seeing in the news these days that Pakistan themselves are in trouble due to the terrorists. How true it is to say that, If you choose violence to kill people, violence is gonna kill you!<br /><br /><a href="http://ecybercrime.com" rel="nofollow">Cyber Crime</a>Z3R0 C00Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05339420175272697881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-90898285965978379462011-05-11T23:06:40.604-04:002011-05-11T23:06:40.604-04:00Listen more, talk less - a long-time (unfulfilled)...Listen more, talk less - a long-time (unfulfilled) goal of mine. Good post!IKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16858768503484909535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-59341067068035827492011-05-06T10:11:03.200-04:002011-05-06T10:11:03.200-04:00Sarah, I was in seminary during 9/11. I remember ...Sarah, I was in seminary during 9/11. I remember in the days after as we tried to make sense of what had happened there was a forum/open discussion on campus. During that discussion an exchange student from New Zealand stood up and passionately encouraged us to learn from what had happened and to understand that the United States was viewed by much of the world, even our allies, as bullies who would stop at nothing to advance our own agenda. He shared some specifics about our dealings with New Zealand with regard to use of international waterways. I remember being floored, just astounded that others felt this way about us. It was a life changing moment for me...I began to see us on the world stage for the first time, and I did not like what I saw. I had hoped then that our leaders at the time would have had such revelation, but that was not to be. Perhaps we're in a better place to see it now.Four for a Yearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07022910822459378503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-84397434038843621432011-05-05T18:57:22.296-04:002011-05-05T18:57:22.296-04:00Good column. Chocolates -- HA! I had sort of the o...Good column. Chocolates -- HA! I had sort of the opposite reaction: Sunday night at the announcement, I felt gloomy, that this would make no difference in the overall scheme of things, that bin Laden has been irrelevant for years, that we were essentially still where we were on 9/10 (yes, that's nine-TEN), and that violence only begets more violence, which I still think it will. But oddly the next day I was trying to repress the feeling of excitement and woo-hooing that everyone else did from the get-go. Go figure. Oh well, we just have to work and advocate for justice, in every realm. I get frustrated that Amurikans have never really asked ourselves why we were attacked, and why we are hated. We settle for our leaders' pat answers: "We were attacked for our freedom." "We were attacked for our way of life." In the end, I think the wisdom we all need has not been advanced much with this event.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00273274261684364740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-63879915717513366382011-05-05T16:24:43.163-04:002011-05-05T16:24:43.163-04:00Thanks for this comment. I think if we can be kin...Thanks for this comment. I think if we can be kind to ourselves and acknowledge that our minds can be changed by interactions with others, and even should, we begin to see more fully the great complexities of the world--and we can step closer to one another, which is the heart of what I believe we humans really want. The Bible is a wonderful example of this: I never read the same passage twice without having a different reaction to it, based on my situation, the surroundings, discussions with others, and the workings of the Spirit in me at that moment. This does not constitute a rejection of the Absolute Love which underlies the scriptures, but instead embraces the concept that we are "reformed and always being reformed" with regard to our faith and relationship to God and each other.Four for a Yearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07022910822459378503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-44462036952622872032011-05-05T09:52:40.503-04:002011-05-05T09:52:40.503-04:00This really makes me think, Liz. I had a differen...This really makes me think, Liz. I had a different reaction to the bin Laden issue, but your description of the process you went through reminds me of how I think through many things. Only I tend then to be destructive to myself about my initial reactions, beating myself up for not having the "right" reaction (whatever that is) instead of allowing for the fluidity you describe. I worry that I'm too wishy-washy and that I don't know what I think until after I hear from others. Thank you for your thoughts on this - truly the bin Laden event is deeply complex and a complex series of responses would seem to be in order.RevLaurenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03100233600184382401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-72021584414609741362011-04-30T08:54:38.014-04:002011-04-30T08:54:38.014-04:00Jeff, thank you for your kind words. Please come ...Jeff, thank you for your kind words. Please come and comment and add your own insights, we'd love to hear them. I think this process works best when we have people to talk with about our successes and failures. I am amazed that the Agreements offer new challenges every day--and how seriously hard and rewarding they can be at the same time. Looking forward to more conversation with you!Four for a Yearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07022910822459378503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-32771546997980044802011-04-29T16:59:15.786-04:002011-04-29T16:59:15.786-04:00Hey Liz, Hey Laila! I just wanted to come by and s...Hey Liz, Hey Laila! I just wanted to come by and say "hello." I found your blog through The Blog Farm and I think this project you've got going on here is awesome! I love The Four Agreements - actually, all of Miguel Ruiz's books - and I think this is a cool way of making the agreements come alive in the everyday. Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I've enjoyed what I've read so far and I hope you keep it up. You've inspired me to reread the book and make it part of my world again. So, thanks!Jeff Pattersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09911006427597398482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-84984122757335896042011-04-24T14:47:35.821-04:002011-04-24T14:47:35.821-04:00On a positive note, the dog may live. And that wi...On a positive note, the dog may live. And that will have been your doing, at least in part. We can't forget that sometimes we're a mix of impeccable and not-so-much. And also remember that this relationship is one that should probably end for reasons completely beyond the dog.Four for a Yearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07022910822459378503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-19729308046865973572011-04-11T18:10:11.010-04:002011-04-11T18:10:11.010-04:00Oh wow. Accepting a compliment is something I was...Oh wow. Accepting a compliment is something I was taught very early on by my very Southern mother and grandmother! They both said that if you don't graciously accept a compliment by just saying "thank you", you're insulting the complimentor. (Is that even a word?) By contradicting or going on about how wrong they are, it's kind of a slap in the face for them. When I was old enough to really get that, I started just saying thank you, and shutting up if I didn't agree! Being in theater, one has to learn this skill or it can be the kiss of death for a career. I've watched it happen several times. Directors, even Southern ones, don't think it's charming to contradict them! And kind audience members don't want to hear how they can't tell good acting or singing when they see it! <br />You're right about it being more of a Southern problem, but it may apply more generally than just here. (I'm in TX, y'all) Next time you give a compliment and the person doesn't take it well just say, "Oh...yeah...you're right...[it] really does suck after all". Then see what happens! haha.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-2681007543685533112011-04-10T20:00:23.609-04:002011-04-10T20:00:23.609-04:00haha- i totally hear your voice when i read these ...haha- i totally hear your voice when i read these words and love the imagery of you humming to fill awkward thinking-silence! :)Jennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10116089471388488493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-3658597538071331302011-04-07T19:53:39.713-04:002011-04-07T19:53:39.713-04:00I think if you can say it and then move on, and th...I think if you can say it and then move on, and the listener doesn't internalize what you say but is healthy enough to let it roll off their back, it is OK. Maybe what felt so unimpeccable about it to me is that I've said all those things before. If it's really a big deal I should make a change. If not, then learn to love what is.Four for a Yearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07022910822459378503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-5067061164481681382011-04-07T13:56:36.890-04:002011-04-07T13:56:36.890-04:00Depends who you vent to? Better out than in. Then ...Depends who you vent to? Better out than in. Then move on?ajvphilphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02727875013852226459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-2062514435916615612011-04-07T10:42:16.039-04:002011-04-07T10:42:16.039-04:00Yes I agree with that as well. I was thinking abou...Yes I agree with that as well. I was thinking about that too, that it's not right to bottle up our hurt. We should get it out. When is complaining that kind of cathartic experience and when is it just grousing and feeding fear?Four for a Yearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07022910822459378503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-85767654897019463112011-04-07T10:06:12.780-04:002011-04-07T10:06:12.780-04:00What I find interesting about this entry is the wh...What I find interesting about this entry is the whole complaining thing - I had a moment like that yesterday and once it was out it made me realize how silly it was. I actually had a brilliant rest of the day contrary to how I started my morning. So sometimes I think the speaking out loud part helps us get to the impeccable stage.Lailahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04955328353275509983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-8571004679982800642011-04-04T07:38:56.405-04:002011-04-04T07:38:56.405-04:00The preliminary detox holds true for so many thing...The preliminary detox holds true for so many things: I'm thinking of a certain diet we love that has that killer 3 day detox period that leaves us with headaches and cranky! I find it fascinating that our bodies rebel when we force them to get rid of the bad things, if only for a while. Wonder if this is true for the soul as well. Does it rebel when we try to rid it of negativity? Stress and un-impeccable words are not good for us, yet letting go of them is sometimes painful.Four for a Yearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07022910822459378503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-64512148520505311252011-03-31T07:30:26.963-04:002011-03-31T07:30:26.963-04:00Laila, I can't believe you posted on this! My ...Laila, I can't believe you posted on this! My next post was going to be EXACTLY the same topic. As we've talked about, the best kind of funny makes fun of nobody. But it is SO HARD! I'll write my bit on this tomorrow. (off to check out suck.com)Four for a Yearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07022910822459378503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-4858857048421920492011-03-30T12:28:22.733-04:002011-03-30T12:28:22.733-04:00Come over here and say that to my face. ;) (No r...Come over here and say that to my face. ;) (No really, I have coffee and chocolate sauce and I know you're home...)Four for a Yearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07022910822459378503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762019732769443306.post-26448604978000743582011-03-30T10:21:33.912-04:002011-03-30T10:21:33.912-04:00No pass - it's called a challenge for a reason...No pass - it's called a challenge for a reason. I think these things happen in the a.m. so you can determine/choose what kind of a day you are going to have OR you can let an outside force (no matter how little) choose it for you.Lailahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04955328353275509983noreply@blogger.com