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

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

-- W. Shakespeare

*****************************************

I have had 13,017 views of my blog during the past week.

*****************************************

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

Living life between the ticking of a clock. Well, with digital timepieces, young people may soon be growing up not ever realizing what tick, tick, tick means. For me, especially at 71 years of age, the ticking of the clock occurs every day. 

I was researching art for my post on "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. She was absolutely beautiful, as I'm sure the artist was well aware of the beauty of this woman who posed. 

I inhaled a breath and lived a lifetime. I exhaled and time began anew.

She was French, maybe Italian, and possibly Jewish. She might have been a New Yorker. Period? I will guess, the late 18th century to the very early 20th century. She was probably younger than she looked, and all the "virgin of the Madonna" she was posing to be. Like a photograph, this work would be worthy of note, but from paint, brush, and palette... the artist's ability to capture an essence of her, and communicate that to those who would gaze upon canvas 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. I did. You can almost feel her staring back; almost see her inhale, and there, a twitch... 

I knew her but for a second. 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 living life between the ticks of a clock.

Tick...tick... 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 view any more right or wrong than the other. Opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form their own opinions, 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 while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning those opinions offered. After twenty-three years of military intelligence, I believe that engaging each other in this manner, and in this arena, is a 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 United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. Following his service career, he spent 17 years working with the premier and world-renowned Western Institutional Review Board, helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. He also served 8 years on the Board of Directors for the Angela J. Bowen Foundation.

Ordained in 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As a weapon for his war on intolerance, he chose the pen. He 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 personal, spiritual path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

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