Time: Life Between the Tick... Tick... Tick... (Updated from 12/30/2016)

"Beauty is bought by judgement of the eye..."

-- William Shakespeare

Tick...tick...tick...tick...tick...tick...tick...tick...

Living life between the ticking of a clock.  Many people have no concept of such a thing and, with electronic timepieces, most young people will be growing up never understanding what it means unless some "old" guy explains it to them. For me, however, as an "old" guy, it occurs every day.  Let's try it. 

Tick...

I was researching art for my post, "Mary - the Theotokos," just the other morning, when time slowed to a crawl, the distance between the ticks, a split second that became stretched in my mind's eye. The painting of the young woman was absolutely beautiful, as I'm sure the artist was well aware.  I couldn't take my eyes off of her, this woman who posed. I inhaled a breath and lived a lifetime.  I exhaled, and time began anew.

Tick...

She was French, maybe Italian, and possibly Jewish. I didn't care.  She might have been a New Yorker; or Parisian. Time period, oh, let's guess... no, I would be so far off. The late 19th, or very early 20th century, would give way to the Renaissance. She was probably younger than she looked, and all the "virgin" of the Madonna she was posing to be was reflected on her beautiful face by the artist.  

Tick...

As a photograph, this work would be worthy of note, but from paint, brush, palette, and canvas... the artist's ability to capture her essence and communicate it to those who would gaze upon his work is nothing short of breathtaking.  You can almost reach out and wipe the tear from her cheek. The artist even captured the differences he noted on both sides of her face. One side is never a true mirror image of the other. 

Tick... 

Enlarge the picture, if you dare, and stare into her eyes. I have done this.  Rivetting.  At an art gallery, I would be embarrassed by my mouth gaping open.  You can almost feel her staring back; almost see her inhale, and there, the faintest twitch... there... at the oral commissure...  

The oral what?

Tick...

I knew her, but for a second, and I will remember her forever. Mankind's ability to create beauty is as close to our creator as we will, probably, ever hope to get.  Those who have such talent are the truly blessed among us.

Tick

Beauty is, indeed, bought by the judgment of the eye, especially when you dare live life between the tick... tick... tick... of a clock.

Tick...

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 an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those 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 22 years with the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and, finally, a senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Western Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved 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, and wages 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 volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony:  tolerantpastor@gmail.com