Time - Life Between the Ticks (Updated and reposted from 12/30/2016)

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

-- William Shakespeare

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

Living life between the ticks of a clock.  With digital timepieces, young people may soon be growing up not ever realizing what that means. For me, it occurs every day... 86,400 times. Yep, even when I'm asleep.

I was researching art for my post on "Mary - the Theotokos" in December of 2016, when time slowed to a crawl, the distance between the ticks of time, a split second that became stretched in my mind's eye. I had come across a painting of Mary, Mariam - the Madonna.  The model was absolutely beautiful, this woman who posed, as I'm sure the artist was well aware. Looking at her, I inhaled a breath and lived a lifetime and. as I exhaled, time began anew.

She was French, maybe Italian, and possibly Jewish (Could the artist be that lucky?). She might have been a New Yorker; time period, oh, let's guess late 19th or very early 20th century.  Understanding, of course, that my timeline for art can be off by centuries. She was probably younger than she looked, and, probably, all the "virgin" of the Madonna she was posing to be. Unlike a photograph, this work is worthy of note from paint, brush, and palette... the artist's ability to capture an essence of her and communicate that essence to those who would gaze upon the canvas.  For me, she is nothing short of breathtaking.  You can almost reach out and wipe the tear from her cheek.  Enlarge the picture, if you dare, and stare into her eyes for a couple of minutes. You can almost feel her staring back; almost see her inhale, and there... a twitch... 

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

Beauty is, indeed, bought by the judgment of the eye, especially when you live life for the moment.

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

“You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful.”

-- Amy Bloom

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. 

I fervently 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