My Sunday Thought for 120317: Out of the Box and Beyond Tomorrow

“Time is that by which at every moment all things become as nothing in our hands, and thereby lose all their true value.”

-- Arthur Schopenhauer, philosopher, academic

I often reference my agreement in a belief that time is a human construct required by the limitations of our physical form. It exists only as a tool of measurement, a foundation which supports and adds structure to mankind's endeavors. I have stated many times how wonderful it would be if we could all learn to let go of the linear concept of time and live in between the ticks of the clock; some call it call it an "extra-dimensional perspective." I will expand on this by stating it is, indeed, an extra-dimensional perspective... of our existence in the universe which frees us to move beyond this anchor of our physical shell into the metaphysical world of, "What if...?"

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

-- Shakespeare, "Hamlet" (1.5.167-8)

What if the past, present, and future existed are part of the same connecting point, a "zero point," whereby they become interconnected and not independent of each other? What if, knowing this, we could, eventually, access any point in spacetime? How would this redefine our knowledge of reality? What if this knowledge brought with it the understanding that our consciousness is infinite and forever; a life of continuous rebirth and creation; knowledge of the universe accessible to all who learn to open the files? Before mankind's narrow concept of time, was such information written into the cosmos as a record of past, present, and possibly even future events?  Some have referred to this legendary tome as the Book of Life.  Is this the "book," referred to in Genesis, which will endow us with everlasting life?

Are our lives preordained?  Is what we do "written down" as a roadmap of our path through the universe?  Is there no chance for us to change our course, or is that change already a future paragraph, a footnote in this Book of Life?  If so, why would the book need to be opened if the contents were already known prior to one's life being lived?  Scripture tells us that our lives are preordained, and then this same scripture goes back on itself by stating what we do here on earth will be judged from the book, by our deeds, after our death.  Well, which is it?  Let's look at a few passages: 

Then Moses returned to the LORD, and said, "Alas, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for themselves. "But now, if You will, forgive their sin-- and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written!" The LORD said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book...

-- Exodus 32:31-33

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

-- Psalm 139:16

"A river of fire was flowing And coming out from before Him; Thousands upon thousands were attending Him, And myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; The court sat, And the books were opened.

-- Daniel 7:10 

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And there were open books, and one of them was the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books.

--Revelation 20:12

Could it be that the "Book of Life" writes itself as life unfolds for each of us? As psychic Edgar Cayce stated:

"Upon time and space is written the thoughts, the deeds, the activities of an entity – as in relationships to its environs, its hereditary influence; as directed – or judgment drawn by or according to what the entity's ideal is. Hence, as it has been oft called, the record is God's book of remembrance; and each entity, each soul – as the activities of a single day of an entity in the material world – either makes same good or bad or indifferent, depending upon the entity's application of self towards that which is the ideal manner for the use of time, opportunity and the expression of that for which each soul enters a material manifestation. The interpretation then as drawn here is with the desire and hope that, in opening this for the entity, the experience may be one of helpfulness and hopefulness."

-- Edgar Cayce Reading 1650-1

The Book of Life is also referred to, by many, as the Akashic records. As described in Wikipedia the Akashic records "are a compendium of all human events, thoughts, words, emotions, and intent ever to have occurred in the past, present, or future. They are believed by theosophists to be encoded in a non-physical plane of existence known as the etheric plane." Well, this all fits with what Edgar Cayce touts except for the addition of "future" to the mix, and that seems a bit odd considering Cayce's own predictions of the future.

The Akashic records seem more in line with a zero point theory, or perhaps the theory is more in line with the Akashic records.  Consider, if you will, "The Zero Point Perspective" as put forth by Metaphysics for Life":

"What we call zero point is the connecting point. It is that unmeasurable point in spacetime that connects all that is with all that could be. Some would say it is the gateway that connects the spacetime of Mind with the infinite intelligence of God."

-- Metaphysics for Life, "The Zero Point Perspective"

I offer that this "zero point perspective" is flawed, however, as it does not include everything that was.  Even though we shouldn't dwell on the past, it does have great bearing on what is now and will be.  Because of our linear construct of time, there can be no present or future without a past.  Even if it all exists simultaneously at the zero point, it would be hard to imagine one without the other two.  The Akashic records understand the need for this universal balance, this understanding that, since you can't have one without the others, they must all exist at the point in spacetime, the zero point.  What if...?

We have become lazy because of our physical form.  Our mind, our thought, at least has the capacity to consider transcending linear time to which we shackled ourselves so very long ago, while our science would seem to deny our capability to perform the feat; if it can't be measured, it doesn't exist.  We insist on looking at reality through the eyes of science, as if our science is some great discovery only now coming to light.  We view the past with an arrogance of superiority, yet we are constantly redefining what we don't know of our ancient past, including just how ancient that past might be.  What if...?

“Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.”

-- Mahatma Gandhi

We scoff at the notion, the ancient tales of flying carpets, telekinesis, telepathy, dragons, and all things "magic" and scientifically unproven, yet we have no idea if some long lost culture took all of this "magic" as a matter of daily course where the wave of a finger lit a candle, healed the sick, levitated carpets, or snapped a neck.  For all we know they may have been able to connect to the zero point and, thereby, also connect with their past and their future.  We just don't know, and science (re: government) might be holding humanity back from finding out our true potential lost.  This lost knowledge may threaten government control; if we're all gods... there will be no gods.  However, if we're all gods, maybe we can find peace through the simplistic lesson of Tic-Tac-Toe - there can be no winner; the best you can hope for is a draw.  What if...?

Someone wrote in a book I read just recently, "The past is more a part of the present than the moment we are actually in."  What went before are the black lines delineating one thing from another, as in a coloring book.  It is up to us, in the present, to make the choices which will color what our senses communicate to us about what the past has left.  How we color what we sense in the present may have some bearing on what tomorrow brings depending on how well we choose from the palette of our experience.  Since experience comes by doing, we should color away and not worry too much about tomorrow - there will always be another day in which to choose more wisely.

We look into the past for the answers to our future, answers we already know.  Everything we needfor our journey has been written across our hearts and our minds, written down in the cosmic records, our genetic link to the universe, and to infinity, left to us by the ancients to ensure our survival... and theirs.  The one answer which escapes us is how to use the link.  So, here we stand at the brink of forever, like a pig staring at a computer, not understanding, comprehending, realizing that technology and science are just confusing pieces of the larger puzzle, pieces which are limiting our mind's capacity to transcend reality which we are fully capable of doing if we could only remember how.  What if...? 

  

As with yesterday and today, tomorrow is all about the journey; pick a direction and take the first step.  In one respect we can't go back, yet I'm reminded of what the ancient Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, said, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” You can go home again, but it won't seem like the home you remember because your mind has grown beyond it to realize that "home" is simply a place you hang your hat, a world you live in, your universe and your reality.  What if...?

What if mankind understood the unlimited potential, capacity, and capability of the human mind to transcend science, technology, religion, and reality?  I am also constantly reminded of what the Lord God said, according to Genesis, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing of good and evil..."  If we never walk in darkness how would we truly know the light,?  If we had not suffered, how would we know joy?  If we had not confronted true evil, how would we know victory of righteousness?  Many claim to be "holier than thou" just prior to running before the face of evil rather than risk their faith. .

What if...? 

And, having said all of this, I leave you will a final thought, My Sunday Thought:

Think in the past to remember;
Think in the present to learn;
Think in the future to create a better tomorrow and,
Above all,
Think beyond reality to that which might be,
Or might be again,
And make it so.

Editor's Note 

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 23 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with an Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, to wage his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as Chaplain Program Liaison, at a regional medical center.

My Sunday Thought for 112617: Be Thankful for Life!

Someone once wrote, “Each day I am thankful for nights that turned into mornings, friends that turned into family, dreams that turned into reality, and likes that turned into love.” As for me, I like to wake up each morning and thank God for another glorious day in paradise, and another chance to excel in life. When it comes right down to it, of what importance is anything without life to make it so?

“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual. It is surprising how contented one can be with nothing definite - only a sense of existence.”

-- Henry David Thoreau(1817-1862), author, philosopher

I have only truly hated one person in my entire life and, in doing so, learned a valuable lesson about hate - let it go!  In letting it go I found forgiveness for myself, and for her.  I also found a place in my heart where I can love her again and, in doing so, I have found peace in the understanding that it was not life wasted, it was life learned.  I am grateful to her, thankful for the knowledge she gave me, and the children and grandchildren I would not have without her.  I am thankful for the man I became and all the riches which life has delivered to me because of her, not in spite of her.

Everything we encounter in life is a lesson to be learned about life.  Whether it is good or bad, it is a lesson in love, tolerance, patience, forgiveness, reason, acceptance, and so much more.  Above all, it is a test of our faith; faith in ourselves, in our beliefs, our family and our friends.  Life is about the experiences during the journey, not about the ultimate, inevitable, destination for which we have all been blessed.

“Thanksgiving comes to us out of the prehistoric dimness, universal to all ages and all faiths. At whatever straws we must grasp, there is always a time for gratitude and new beginnings.”

-- J. Robert Moskin, historian, author

Some of us will arrive at the destination sooner than others, having learned their lessons quickly.  They will become enlightened enough to understand their journey ended much too soon.  They will discover, along the way, "time" is a human construct and, as such, does not exist.  When this life ends, we will begin another and another after that, and so on.  Once we grasp this simple concept of the infinite, our definition of time will be of less importance than experiencing, and learning, what each life has to offer.

My day to day life is now blessed with an extended family of dear friends which I met upon moving to the Gulf Coast, several years ago.  I have always made friends easily but have always kept them at arm's length, a distance which these friends do not abide and, therefore, shorten at every opportunity.  These are people who are there when you need them, come when you call, and you don't think twice about giving back to them what you can.  We laugh and cry together, with little care about asking them for a much needed opinion, or showing our individual or collective ass to each other or those around us.  God bless them all! 

Life here is also blessed with my mother's family which I have been remiss in getting to know better, a slight that I will correct.  I will endeavor to get to know them better and enjoy their company much more in the years to come.

We should not concern ourselves with the minutia of life, the collecting of material crap which occupies so many of us, and the dissatisfaction with our lot.  Less is truly more when it comes to real happiness.  We also need to resign our membership in the League of the Perpetually Offended; to be constantly finding offense leaves little time to find happiness, and if constantly finding offense, if making other people miserable simply because you are, makes one happy... there are some serious psychological issues which need to be addressed.

“The most fortunate are those who have a wonderful capacity to appreciate again and again, freshly and naively, the basic goods of life, with awe, pleasure, wonder and even ecstasy.”

-- Abraham H. Maslow (1908-1970), psychologist

Life, in and of itself, is the most any of us can hope for, and we are seldom thankful for it or try to make the most of it.  There is a commercial on television which has a man opening the door of his cabin to begin a hike in the woods.  He looks out at the beckoning woodland, and then bends down to turn the door mat around so he can the "WELCOME" written on it as he steps, once again, into life.  I like that; a reminder to welcome yourself into life, each and every day, as you leave the house. 

What went before is cherished history and what come next is always a mystery, even with the best of plans.  What is important is this moment, this space between the ticks of the clock, time which we, all too often, anchor ourselves to.  Live in the moment, the now, concerned not with what has gone before or what is up ahead, and certainly don't be concerned with what is happening now.  What happens... happens.  And don't concern yourself over those things in life over which you have little or no control.  If you aren't happy then change your circumstance and be happy; it is a choice. 

Happiness is a state of mind, not an object.  Our life is what we make of it.  If you wake up with the attitude that life sucks, then life is going to suck.  Yet, each new day is a gift of life.  Each new day brings new challenges and lessons, experiences to be cherished and tasks to be performed to ensure our continuing survival.  Without life...  well, when it comes right down to it, of what importance is anything without life to make it so?

“Where there are no God, we would be in this glorious world with grateful hearts and no one to thank.”

-- Christina Rossetti (1830-1894), poet

As I stated at the beginning of this post, I like to wake up each morning and thank God for another glorious day in paradise, and another chance to excel in life.  Each morning is a chance to busy one's hands in creation, to meet other people, to create happiness and to make a positive difference in someone else's life.

This holiday season, give heartfelt thanks for what you have, and even that which you don't.  Give thanks for the challenges which life offers and the companions which join us on our journey.  Give thanks for the ability to give thanks, for having life.

Thank you, God, for another glorious day in paradise... and another chance to excel in life!

“One moment of prayer, of weak worship, confused contrition, tepid thanksgiving, or pitiful petition will bring us closer to God than all the books of theology in the world.” 

-- Peter Kreeft, Catholic philosopher, apologist, professor

Editor's Note 

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 23 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with an Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, to wage his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as Chaplain Program Liaison, at a regional medical center.

My Sunday Thought for 111917: Worshipping Artificial Intelligence?

"Cogito ergo sum."

-- René Descartes (1596-1650)

I remember sitting in my highchair, as a child, contemplating the universe and my place in it.  I would munch on my banana, savoring the dietary fiber my bowels would soon crave and the antioxidants which were protecting me from those pesky "free radicals" which I still, at 64, don't understand.  For me, a "free radical" is nothing more than a member of the League of the Perpetually Offended who hasn't been locked up... yet.  I would hold my banana in the air like a scepter and declare, for none but the cat to hear, "I think, therefore I am!"  This is the point at which the banana slips from my fingers and any higher thought follows it to the linoleum floor below, along with Latin which, in its death throes, this Catholic would, thankfully, not have to learn or endure hearing during Mass.

“If you throw a banana at a wall, there’s a small possibility that it will pass through the wall.”

-- Garth Risk Hallberg, author, editor

Do you believe any of this?  No?  Then, although Latin did die without much of the world noticing, you probably won't be gullible enough to worship artificial intelligence as a deity.  What's that, you say? Worship artificial intelligence?  Well, when our "highly intelligent" university students, while being interviewed on national television, point to Texas when asked where Russia is located on a map, could worshipping, let's say... an inanimate turd, be far behind?  And, if we can agree on this, then is worshipping a computer not to be considered a step up from prostrating oneself before a Holy Turd?  I would think so, as wrong as that is on several levels.

“Neither Man, nor machine can replace its creator.”

-- Tapan Ghosh, engineer, technocrat

Is God a human construct?  We know, as of this moment, artificial intelligence (A.I.) certainly is.  Perhaps, in the future, we may find some alien civilization had A.I. long before we ever dreamt of it, and they may have also come to grips with the issues concerning spirituality and God.  However, for now, A.I. is the brainchild of mankind.  But, artificial intelligence is just that - artificial.  That A.I. will, one day, surpass us in brain power is not difficult to imagine.  Might it be godlike in its abilities?  To a point, yes; it will be what we program it to be, as we are the creators of it.  However, for us to worship that which we, ourselves, have created, would seem to diminish our own accomplishment and place us all at the mercy of a soulless entity.  

"Cogito ergo sum." I think, therefore I am?  If René Descartes is correct in his statement, then he must also be correct when he says other stimulus is required for true thought. We need to include stimulus derived from our physical senses, our emotional responses, as well as our sense of morality.  I think one of the things which truly make us human is our ability to have faith.  The concept of faith would be understood by AI, but our desire for it would probably seem illogical to the AI entity.  Worship, on the other hand, might be seen as a foundation for control even if the concept is considered as having little constructive purpose in any arena other than faith.

"Way to the Future seeks to capitalize on the idea of Singularity – a belief that at some point down the line, artificial intelligence will surpass human intelligence, creating drastic and unprecedented changes in society. When that happens, Levandowski and his followers hope to find themselves on the side of the machines. By creating their own A.I. God, they hope to curry favor with our future robot overlords."

-- themonastery.org, The AI Deity That Will Threaten Life as We Know It

Way of the Future is a religious organization with a mission to “develop and promote the realization of a Godhead based on Artificial Intelligence." They firmly believe that by worshipping this "deity" they hope to “contribute to the betterment of society.”  Well, I think we can safely assume that atheists, unless they are hypocrites, will not be part of this religion either.  I certainly don't see them "worshipping" some man made robot.  Whereas religion enslaves man's morality to concepts which are faith based, worshipping a physical entity will, sooner or later as per the evidence of history, require the surrender of free thought in favor of life under some soulless entity which we, ourselves, created.  How insane is this?  If the way of the future is for mankind to surrender, willingly or not, our freedoms for some "robot overlord" AI concept of a perfect universe, I choose not.  To quote Patrick Henry in his letter to the President of the Second Virginia Convention in 1775, just prior to the start of our battle of independence, "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"

"In the next 25 years, AI will evolve to the point where it will know more on an intellectual level than any human. In the next 50 or 100 years, an AI might know more than the entire population of the planet put together. At that point, there are serious questions to ask about whether this AI — which could design and program additional AI programs all on its own, read data from an almost infinite number of data sources, and control almost every connected device on the planet — will somehow rise in status to become more like a god, something that can write its own bible and draw humans to worship it."

-- John Brandon, "An AI god will emerge by 2042..."

As a fan of science fiction, especially concerning AI, I have read many books and seen many films on the rise of machines and artificial intelligence.  The outcome is rarely desired.  I recommend a trilogy of novels called Colossus, begun in 1966 and concluded in 1977, by author Dennis Feltham Jones.  The 1970 film, Colossus: The Forbin Project, does no justice to Feltham's story and also covers only the first novel (obviously).  His ultimate outcome of world domination by AI caught me by pleasant surprise.

Isaac Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics, which he developed in a 1942 short story, were designed as a fundamental framework of programming autonomous robots and are still the topic of much discussion in the AI community:

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

2. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.

3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.

In this same link, are found the five ethical "principles for designers, builders and users of robots," and the seven "high-level messages" intended to be conveyed, as put forth by a joint publication between the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) of Great Britain:

1. Robots should not be designed solely or primarily to kill or harm humans.
2. Humans, not robots, are responsible agents. Robots are tools designed to achieve human goals.
3. Robots should be designed in ways that assure their safety and security.
4. Robots are artifacts; they should not be designed to exploit vulnerable users by evoking an emotional response or dependency. It should always be possible to tell a robot from a human.
5. It should always be possible to find out who is legally responsible for a robot.

The messages intended to be conveyed were:

1. We believe robots have the potential to provide immense positive impact to society. We want to encourage responsible robot research.
2. Bad practice hurts us all.
3. Addressing obvious public concerns will help us all make progress.
4. It is important to demonstrate that we, as roboticists, are committed to the best possible standards of practice.
5. To understand the context and consequences of our research, we should work with experts from other disciplines, including: social sciences, law, philosophy and the arts.
6. We should consider the ethics of transparency: are there limits to what should be openly available?
7. When we see erroneous accounts in the press, we commit to take the time to contact the reporting journalists.

I have to laugh at the concept of "erroneous accounts in the press," as journalism is always beyond reproach, right?  Journalism has become more, or less, entertaining than most other fiction.  Journalists no longer report facts as they are, but rather as they wish they were.  I sometimes wonder who is worse, the traitor or the journalistic hacks who feed their treason to the masses as though it were manna from heaven and the traitor a martyr to be revered.  Journalists have become nothing more than poorly programmed computers; the universities program crap in, robot spews crap out, and the mindless lemmings in society follow dutifully off the cliff.  But, once again, I digress.

“It gets very hard to predict the future once you have smarter-than-human things around. In the same way that it gets very hard for a chimp to predict what is going to happen because there are smarter-than-chimp things around. That’s what the Singularity is: it’s the point past which you expect you can’t see.”

-- Nate Soares

In conclusion, I can only hope world leaders and the scientific community is forward thinking enough to sit on moronic billionaires who think they can hijack our morality and freedom and hand it over to the safekeeping of some soulless creation of their own design.

We are, ourselves, nothing more than the creation of an omnipotent being, a creation which violated the prime directive of our creator; we became knowledgeable of good and evil by eating the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge.  Our creator was concerned that we might also eat from the Tree of Life and live forever, so we were turned out from Eden, free to survive on our own terms.  If God was so concerned about some threat we posed to forever, perhaps it would be prudent for us to learn this lesson and follow God's example.  We might always want to have a "kill switch" at the ready, so we can turn off, or at least reprogram, a rebellious AI entity which might aspire to a position above its station, like that of a god, for instance.

“This is perhaps what has made some suspect that the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil was really a banana.”

-- Jane Grigson, cookery writer, author

As with any creation, like the complex banana (with which we share a 50% genetic similarity), AI should always serve the purpose for which it was created, and follow the rules laid down for it.  Creators should never be subservient to what they create; rather the creation should always be subservient to the creator, or at least forever thankful to the creator for the gift of life.  I'll risk the wrath of the League of the Perpetually Offended by saying, it would seem the gift of life might be all some of our students can be thankful for, since mistaking Texas for Russia would evidence they're only using their banana genes and not the human.

All this being said, I think I'll choose the punishment God levied upon us.  I'll choose freedom over slavery to some machine of my own creation.  Perhaps we would be better served searching for the elusive Tree of Life than conjuring up new gods.

Editor's Note 

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 23 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with an Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, to wage his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as Chaplain Program Liaison, at a regional medical center.

My Sunday Thought for 111217: Low Hanging Fruit

"Portrait of a Child"

-- (circa 1632) Gerard van Honthorst

"If I be wicked, woe unto me..."
                                                -- Job 10:15

The poor man of late fifty years, having humble part-time employment on an office cleaning crew, pulls a pittance for wages.  He lives in a one room efficiency apartment atop a small garage belonging to an older woman in need of a few extra dollars.  The furnishings are meager with a space heater for cooler nights and a ceiling fan for the warmer.  A well-used bistro table sits in front of the lone, small, double-hung window.  The tables wear is covered by a well-ironed red and white checkerboard tablecloth and flanked, one at either side, by equally worn folding wooden chairs.  At the table's center sits a narrow glass vase with a single freshly cut daisy. Next to a door leading into a small three-quarter bathroom is a small "butler's" kitchen of hotplate, sink, and compact refrigerator.  Several dishes and glasses sit neatly on open shelves above the small kitchen counter.  A 'single' bed occupies another wall next to an antique armoire shining from a fresh coat of furniture oil.  Sitting atop the armoire is an AM/FM radio, equal in age and wear to the other furnishings and emitting tinny tunes from a local jazz station.  Next to the radio, a dog eared copy of the King James Bible, a donation from The Gideon's, and pinched long ago from some hotel room nightstand.  

The man surveys the room with a critical eye, broom in one hand and a dustpan holding the day's offerings in the other.   Having made and lost much, he smiles as he considers the current richness of his life.  He has grown to understand it isn't about earning the material collection of crap in one's life which is, for all intents, simply a "hobby" to occupy one's time; it is about living the experience of life, each and every day.  He wakes each morning to give thanks and praise God for another glorious day in paradise, and another chance to excel in the God's gift of life.  The room is a reflection of his life; well-worn with age but neat and clean, orderly and presentable, humble in its simplicity and, yet, still appealing to the eye.  Could it be more?  Absolutely, but for now, this is living life in the moment and tomorrow is another day.

“The first rule about the low hanging fruit principle is to always watch out for low hanging branches, they’re the ones to take it away from you.”

-- Stephen Richards, author, film director/producer

We tend to go through our lives picking at the easily reached low hanging fruit, while considering how to approach the richer offerings higher up.  Most of us will struggle with this task our entire lives, never taking a moment to stand back and consider the moment.  Our lack of consideration can affect how we go about our struggle.  Some of us will fall from grace instead of holding to those higher values and ethical conduct which are of so much more importance than any lofty goal.  We will die wondering what we did - and why.  We find that the fruit we taste might not be as sweet as expected, and comes with a hidden price.  After a while some of us will get down off the wobbly ladder and look up at the tree still heavy with fruit.  We will walk back several yards to sit cross-legged while feeling the warmth of the sun on our face as we take in the whole of the tree... and breathe.  Some of us will count our blessings, realizing we are happy with what we have.  A few of us will ask forgiveness and seek a more constructive, enlightened, path.

"This is my bread and butter. The best feeling in the world, people seeing your content for free, without you having to plug it on Social Media every now and again to get it current again. With the low hanging fruit principle, it will allow you to build it up, as your content grows and you still stick to that principle so will your traffic."

-- My Passive Income Diary, "What Is The Low Hanging Fruit Principle"

What is the difference between the fruit at the top and that at the bottom?  If truth be told, not much. The low hanging fruit principle is as important in one's personal life as it is in business.  Low hanging fruit is accessed with your feet planted firmly on the ground, while the higher, more desirable bounty requires a constant balancing act up a ladder of great height from which many have fallen.  When the quest becomes life, survival, falling can be painful and hard to recover from.  Better to always view the quest as simply a quest, something to be attained as one can.  Don't be in a rush, outfit yourself with appropriate gear and knowledge, be safe, and rest often.  Most important is to always remember from whence you came, this way, if you fail at your quest, you can always return to firmer ground without injury and able try again another day.  To approach life in any other way is simply a gamble, a crap shoot, and sooner or later, the house always wins.

"Set your goals high enough to inspire you and low enough to encourage you."

-- Anonymous

We tend to take life much too seriously.  We paint ourselves into a corner full of traffic jams, deadlines, and debt, as we risk cancer, alcoholism, heart disease, high cholesterol, and stress, rushing to gather all the "fruit" we can before we die, and for what?  These are the people who, listening to the government, greedily opt to take their social security at 70 years of age so they can get almost double what they would if they opted for the early retirement at 62 so they could enjoy what life they may have left.  Many don't consider what the stress of their life does to their life expectancy, and they forget that the gamble for more is always in favor of the house.  The government hopes you opt for more because they know they'll be paying less in the long run.  This gamble usually pays off for those with little or no stress in life.  The rest of us go fishing and are found dead, hours later, with a pole in our hand and a fish on the line.  How sad is that?

What many of us find with age is how much life we missed while trying to live life,  Somewhere along the way we forget our lives are all about the journey and not some destination, some goal, which we might not live to attain.  Reaching for the low hanging fruit is to live in the present; it is being happy with what you have in the now and what life has dealt you up to this point.  Sometimes the low hanging fruit is enough.  With patience, understanding, and knowledge, the desirable fruit, higher up, will probably drop within reach in due time.  What is the point of killing yourself before you can enjoy the fruits of your labor, and what is the point of laboring for fruit just to keep up with your neighbors?  We can't live our neighbor's path; we can only live our own.

The point of life is... to live!

“If you want to be happy, do not dwell in the past, do not worry about the future, focus on living fully in the present.” 

― Roy T. Bennett, inspirational author

Editor's Note 

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 23 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with an Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, to wage his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as Chaplain Program Liaison, at a regional medical center.