China Jon's Syncretic Journal

So I read this little quote:

Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me: Anything can happen, child. Anything can be...`

by Shel Silverstein, in "Where The Sidewalk Ends"

And I thought about it... ==>

Read more...

Here is a puzzle for all you math wizards out there>
The 4 shapes can be arranged in two ways, but the two areas are different.
How can this be true?


It's magic!

Truth and Consequences
Very few people don't worry about consequences. I believe that in general, people act according to one of three basic beliefs about themselves and others:
1. They believe that others are generally better in some way. Others are smarter, stronger, bigger, better mentally or physically than the person. It is not exactly fear, because they learn ways to cope with these beliefs that let them function in the world. This is the most common point of view. Personal attacks on them cause them to be hurt emotionally and they respond with tears and withdrawal.
2. They believe that they are generally better than other people. They are smarter, stronger, bigger, better mentally or physically than other people. Other people are not respected even thought these people know how to act in a polite way and hide their beliefs from the other people they have to live and work with. In its worst degree, these people are criminals and rapists. Personal attacks on them cause them to be angry emotionally and they respond with energy and argument.
3. They believe that they are as capable as other people. That an equal relationship where sharing and consideration of everyone's feelings and needs will lead to the best life. Personal attacks on them cause them to be introspective and evaluative and they respond with dignity and reason. They often ask "Why do you..." and "When will you..." because they seek equilibrium and a continuing happy, or at least workable relationship.

Do you fit into this idea? What do you think of this theory?

I wrote such a long reply to pilchbo that I decided to post it:

Hello
Long time to reply, sorry.
I just thought a little grumpiness was creeping in to your blog and thought I would re-direct your wasted energy.

The signature I put on many of my letters and replies is "Miracles happen every day! Pay attention!"

You say that God lives within us. I must believe that you mean that this includes the " vehement, in-your-face, Newt-Gingrich-styled Republican" that is fueling some grumpiness on your part. Hmmm. I would guess that you are seeing this relationship as adversarial, when in fact it is cooperative. You and he are building some sort of miracle together if you can just relax and let your love guide your actions. Perhaps he needs something from you. Perhaps you need something from him. Perhaps you both need the same thing and your interaction is the attempt to bring it to fruition. The first rule applies here: Don't be afraid. If indeed God is working through the two of you to create this miracle then why not let the love light burn and let the miracle begin. I certainly don't know what the motivation is that is bringing you two into interaction. But no matter what it is, if you approach the interaction from the light of love rather than with anger or some other negative position, the experience will be in the direction that the miracle needs in order to come to fulfillment.

Pay attention to the reality of the moment. Find a way to accept the inner worth of someone who seems bent on driving you to a negative state. Ask yourself some questions during interactions with this person:

1. When will I see the path that leads to the miracle?
2. How long will it take ME to understand what needs to be said to this person to enable the miracle?
3. Can I pay attention to this person well enough to understand the real meaning in this moment?
4. What is the best outcome that can happen as a result of this interaction?

Love is a powerful force within us. But it is only through our interactions with others that the light of love can create miracles. Don't think that you can do it by yourself. Pay attention to those around you, and watch for the one who is there to create a miracle with you! Let your love shine out of your face to the other person and let the miracle begin!

Here are some statements about me. Some are more important than others. Some will always be true. Others will become false.

1. I was born in March
2. I am an American, and more
3. I have one sister and two brothers
4. My childhood was happy
5. I have many friends, but I don't know all their names
6. I have a life-long fear of spiders
7. At 8, I was attacked by a roving pack of dogs.
8. I have had my tonsils removed
9. The ladies in my life - I still love 'em all!
10. The first time I saw a Mac I loved it - and I still do!
11. I play Marathon Infinity derivatives
12. I am that I am. I will not fear.
13. I believe in the power of love
14. I am searching for dreamers
15. I have never tried marijuana
16. I tried cigarettes twice hated them. Still do.
17. I rarely use alcoholic beverages
18. I'm not a good cook except BBQ
19. I love my wife
20. I love my job
21. I love The Great Outdoors
22. Graceful, kind women are the prettiest
23. I liked designing my own home
24. I wanted to be an architect
25. I like cats because they are wise
26. I dislike dogs because they are pushy
27. I look great in a suit and tie
28. I prefer living on the top floor with a view
29. I love to ride motorcycles and dirt bikes
30. I never get drunk with alcohol - with love, yes
31. Bailey's Irish Cream & Kaluha are my favourite drinks
32. I think there are too many selfish people around
33. Politically I'm to the far out
34. I believe the best society is one where the people trust each other
35. I know a lot about Chinese culture but not enough
36. Chinese American children are very beautiful
37. I left my friends and family for love
38. My favourite foreign city is Hong Kong
39. My favourite foreign country is China
40. My favourite food is Pizza (Is chocolate a food?)
41. If I were rich, I would build my own school
42. I believe in Miracles
43. My aim is to become more understanding
44. I am fascinated with dreams and prophesy
45. I live in a bubble of sanity
46. I Know what the opposite of love is (not hate!)
47. I live in a crowded city
48. I am usually the first to say 'Hi!'
49. I read some books again and again
50. I am a frequent visitor to Wal-Mart
51. I hope never to lose my mind
52. I watch DVD movies rather than TV
53. I listen to a lot of music I downloaded
54. I knew that we 'are' what we remember, but..
55. I found that we are also 'a result' of what we agree to forget
56. Sometimes I write poetry
57. My favourite season is spring
58. I don't like cold drizzly rain
59. I don't like tropical moist heat
60. The worst crime is cheating your friends
61. I miss driving on the wide open road
62. I like watching sci-fi and action-adventure flicks
63. I think astronomy is facinating
64. I gave my first love a tiny bottle of perfume
65. She took one whiff and threw it over the back fence!
66. I can still remember the first girl I ever kissed
67. She had long red-gold hair
68. Listening to the surf relaxes me
69. I often get sick from eating too fast
70. I love composing on my guitar in the dark
71. I have visited many countries in this world
72. I think civilisation is over rated and self destructive
73. I want to get a beautiful fountain for my patio
74. I know that societies must be responsible for revenge, so individuals aren't
75. I am a chocoholic: Raspberry+Semisweet+Macadamia!
76. I usually drink one cup of coffee a day
77. I wonder why computers are so interesting
78. I have been a 'techie' for most of my life
79. I got my first bike at the age of 6 I think
80. My brother taught me how to ride without training wheels
81. I treasure sweet memories of my parents, both gone
82. I am happy when people respect my writing
83. I can see how my beliefs have evolved over my life
84. I know that most people don't believe what I believe
85. I am not very talkative
86. I believe that beauty is deeper than skin
87. I started losing my hair recently - bummer!
88. Too many people don't care about anybody else
89. I have probably lived more than half my time on this planet
90. I think it is better to make love than war
91. I lost a fight with my best friend, and lost my best friend
92. I have a powerful temper buried under a lot of patience
93. I have never been a vegetarian
94. I have had more girlfriends than boyfriends
95. I don't like repetitive boring conversations
96. I like clever humor rather than slapstick or anal
97. The smell of pine trees is relaxing
98. I think I am a procrastinator, I haven't decided
99. I might finish this list later