General is the best possible description of my interests. I have some degree or level of interest in things from an abacus to a zygote and most stuff between. Some people knew at a young age in what area their primary interests lay. I never really had much in the way of "primary" interests.
I like reading, writing, all sciences, history, current events, social activism, learning, teaching, humor, poetry, language, many 'ologies' and 'isms', not to mention moonlit walks on the beach. I'm a huge fan of shrimp and many other foods. I love movies and TV, though most of my TV viewing tends toward the educational and drama. I find much of what passes for humor to be sophomoric.
If I could be said to have a "primary" interest, perhaps it would be to know as many truths as possible. One of my mottoes is, "I would rather hear the single worst truth in the universe than ten thousand beautiful lies."
..........
George C Wallace Community College-Dothan
Dothan, AL
Graduated: N/A
Student status: Alumni
Degree: None
Major: Psychology/Sociology
Minor: American Literature
Clubs: I had no Greek or clubs, etc., I went to class.
1982 to 1982
Floyd College
Rome, GA
Graduated: N/A
Student status: Alumni
Degree: None
Major: Psychology/Sociology
Minor: American History
Clubs: N/A
I was a field nigger - a white trash one - when I was a child in the Georgia cotton fields. I made my first dollar on my own when I was four by picking 100 pounds of cotton in a day. I stopped going to school and began my education when I was sixteen....
"I walked a mile with Pleasure, She chattered all the way; But left me none the wiser, For all she had to say. I walked a mile with Sorrow And ne'er a word said she; But, oh, the things I learned from her When Sorrow walked with me!"
- Robert Browning Hamilton
What do I put here? How much is too much? Too little? I am an enigma, even to me. After fifty-one years on this planet, I find that "know thyself" and "to thine own self be true" are among life's most difficult challenges... and that "Que sera, sera" is one of life's truest statements.
Truth, Knowledge and Wisdom are my trinity... love and compassion, my advisors.
I am an atheist who loves gospel music, a terminal entity who wants to live forever. I'm a southern redneck who quotes Socrates and Shakespeare, and would rather watch paint dry than any sports. I'm a liberal who has no interest in hunting and fishing, a conservative who demands my Second Amendment rights, an anarchist who understands why it is impossible, a loving dad who never had children. I am a truck driver with no truck and a bad heart, a young old guy with no hair to part. I am a walking contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction, to borrow Kristopherson's line.
I began my religious life as a child as a Jehovah's Witness, went through many flavors of Baptist and Pentacostal, and visited many other churches and religions before emerging into the fresh clean air of atheism. I used to be a zealous debater of Christians until I came to understand that most religious beliefs are either not true beliefs or are not amenable to rational discussion and very rarely is anyone ever convinced by another. I am still an atheist evangelist in the purest sense, though I now present the gospel (good news) of atheism only "for he who has ears to hear".
We enjoy warmth because we have been cold. We appreciate light because we have been in darkness. By the same token, we can experience joy because we have known sadness Breathe and you will find life. Listen and you will find truth. Understand and you will find patience. Question and you will find answers. Speak and you will find a voice. Respect and you will find peace. Learn and you will find hope. Journey and you will find place. Stand and you will find courage. Love and you will find purpose.
Some people try to turn back their oddometers, but not me ! I want people to know 'why' I look this way. I've travelled a long way and many paths - and some of the roads weren't paved !!!
Enjoy your week my friend and remember to give your smiles away - they're free.
I mean truthfully, who can actually tell you how to be happy? Happiness is such an unbodied form of expression. It has no real form or measurement. The smallest things can make you happy, so why do we always expect such huge forms of happiness from others when we should know that happiness comes from within.
Happiness isn't measured in time but in moments People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost.
People who do not love themselves can adore others, because adoration is making someone else big and ourselves small. They can desire others, because desire comes out of a sense of inner incompleteness, which demands to be filled. But they cannot love others, because love is an affirmation of the living growing being in all of us. If you don't have it, you can't give it. One of the least expensive but most valuable gifts we can give at Christmas time is the gift of time. In our busy world, the phrase, 'I don't have time to...' has become a universal excuse. Like a growing plant, any relationship between two people can thrive only if it receives constant care. A phone call to an unhappy friend or a short visit with an aunt who lives alone can be a great gift that costs very little.
Thank you :) Love your prowling ? Is it a wolf or what? And thanks forthe comments. I am sure we are bound to disagree on some issues, but I like hearing what people have to say, and possibly learning from them :) Prayers and best wishes.
Before you label me as insensitive and uncaring, I'd like to introduce you to a homeless friend of mine named Joshua:
I met him during my visit to San Diego. As beautiful as the city really is, the homeless population there is just staggering and truly heartbreaking. As a way to help these unfortunate souls, since I was travelling by myself, I asked them to take pictures of me in exchange for a dollar ($1 per every pic taken). Most of them happily obliged, and since I felt that dollar was rightfully earned instead of donated, what they did with it was none of my concern.
Joshua, however is NOT a "bum" by any stretch of the imagination. He is neither an alcoholic, drug addict or mentally ill. He did NOT come across to me as manipulative or dishonest, nor did he try to con me out of my money for him. Just a very honest and sincere, hard-working GENTLEMAN who lost everything due to circumstances beyond his control. He hung out just outside my hotel and really got to know him over a 3-day period. Found him to be trustworthy, so I offered him meals, a few dollars and even a hot showers and laudry service, which really made me feel AMAZING. Want to know more? Please reply and I'll be HAPPY to share.
Thanks for listening and for not being so judgmental.
I am back again after a few days, so please forgive me if I have missed any blogs etc. I might have the following epitaph on my tombstone (not for a long time though !!) : "TRIED EVERYTHING TWICE. LOVED IT BOTH TIMES." latest poem on my blog is ICE COLD KISSES - thanks to all my readers ! Pictures are from the City of Chester, England. have a great weekend. peter
...................................................
