True Rain

There's respite walking in the rain
where none can see my tears

If only drops could come
and wash away the fears

At times

A slow gentle shower can
calm my weary soul

The sound of falling water
begins to fill the hole

And when

Soothing rain does come
too soon it has to go

Leaving my essence with
so much left to know

And then

The True Water of Life
comes to pay the toll

If only I'll follow while
He makes my spirit whole

Jennifer Willey
September 11, 2010

Individual vs Conformity - A somewhat rambling post

The earthquake in Haiti sadness all of us. The world is poised to help and will in time be able to help. But the history of a very unstable society and government is making the process very difficult. The history of this country, formed from a slave revolt, has been unstable due to many factors. Most of which I probably don't understand well. This post is not about Haiti - there are many who understand that society who will write about this disaster.

However this event with a lot of other factors at work, church, and home has given me pause to think about the individual vs the community. We in the US strive to protect the individual and individuals rights, yet we must also protect the community. The community protects and nurtures the individual or should I say "should" do this. In turn individuals have responsibility to support the community. And I should say the individual has a responsibility to take care of themselves. This is where I think we have lost our way. Most demand their rights but many ignore their responsibility. By virtue of being alive, many think they deserve the best in life regardless of how they get it.

I believe the solution to get people to contribute to society and to their own support is education. The difficult question is how best to make education available and regrettably I think I must say attractive to those who could benefit from it. Of course we'd then have to decide what we should teach. Even though we'll never completely know the answer we should move forward.

This is not a political post but tends to creep close to that area. For that I apologize - there is little I hate more than politics. My question now is when should the individual conform to societal norm. The easy answer would be when the "norm" is good for the society. Others would say when the norms are moral by God's laws. But then we'd have to agree what is "good" for society or what is moral. I don't have any answers but think it's important to ask the questions and try to solve them.

In my next post or two I'll try to explore the questions. Now I have to ponder the questions and watch Red Green. Hum I wonder if Duck Tape would help.

Christmas is almost over for this year. I spend more time this time of year thinking about family and friends. I hope I will continue to be more thoughtful thru the year. I need to "spend" my time more carefully. More thought and more laughter is needed. Balance in all things. I've run into a couple of good blogs and want to explore what others are thinking more. I want to learn more and play more. I don't want to just be a "cubicle dweller" - and I'm a good "cubicle dweller" if I say so myself.

Let's explore life more this year. Thanks to all who've inspired me to think more. Let's take care of each other "out there".

A long time between posts

It's hard to say in words what I often ponder - so I gave this blog up for a long time. I did a lot of thinking at church today (often it's easy to be distracted) A couple of things were said I didn't like - I keep thinking I need to be less judgemental. Many things were said I did like and made me think of the ways I need to do better.

What to judge and what not to judge is the question. And not an easy one. I want to do the right things but it's getting harder for me to tell. I ponder my own perceptions and get lost. When do I stand up for what I think is right and when is it better to keep my mouth shut.

A wise person once said something - I have often regretted the things I've said but rarely regretted being silent. I think there is a lot of wisdom in this saying.

I'm not even close to being who I should be but I truly want to do the right things - but I'm also cynical and wonder how many people really want to be good. I do know a few, I think? But they truly are far and few between. There's a song in the movie Pump Up the Volume called Everybody Knows that says Everybody knows the good guys lost, etc. - Yet somehow a couple of people fight back - knowing they probably can't win, at least not completely - Maybe we just need to win the battles in our lives and leave the outcome of the war to Heavenly Father.

I know I can't win the war - but with God's help - maybe I can win my battle.

Conference Weekend

I'm Mormon & just spent the weekend with friends listening to Conference. I enjoyed many of the talks - but one in particular made me laugh. It was the Young Women's President. She talked about hiking with her presidency. Then a picture of them hiking showed up - I laughed - thinking of them dragging a photographer with them on their "spiritual" hike. I'm bad and probably going to burn. But I don't like pre-staged stuff - it seems so fake to me. I know the message she was giving was good but it hit me funny. Especially the photo of the baby blessing - from above - I can picture the photographer following her around with a ladder to be able to take the best picture.

I'd like things to be less staged and more "real" but oh well. That's life.

It's been a while

Maine in the Fall

I've not posted for a while - I've been back to Maine for a visit - then catching up with work since I've been back. Time passes us by. Both my parents are close to 80 and wondering where the years have gone. I wonder too. Luckily the memories remain and we can enjoy those.



Will write again soon.

Doing What's Right

It seems the vast majority of people fall into two "camps"
about what is right,how to vote, and what to do.
Those that follow the established "politically correct" view
and those who rebel against this view.
However, I've meet a few souls who try to do what's right
regardless of which "camp" endorses it.

I hope to be one of these souls someday.