Bird Droppings September 15, 2012

What about trying to clear your head?

 

“The hands will solve a mystery that the intellect has struggled with in vain.” Carl G. Jung

 

            I have been a fan of Jung for some time perhaps as I like his view of having more than simply a black and white view of psychology as Freud does. Jung saw that there were possibilities that we currently do not understand and or cannot understand about the mind. Just like many teachers know some children will learn so much faster when the hands are engaged as well that tactile sensation adding to intellectual pursuit. I was reading numerous blogs this morning many are simply hatred with some sugar coating generally along the lines of religionism.

As I headed to the high school to pick up a camera from my room and computer I decided by chance to stop at a local eating establishment and went through the drive through. As I pulled in the girl at the window said the person in front of you paid for your breakfast and asked me to give you this. While the emphasis was on a Christian radio station and included their phone number and such no real advertising was included. It was about people doing things for others and called the “drive through difference”. It did sort of make me smile and a nice warm feeling and helped me make it through the sludge of hate mongers that plaster blogs stirring up religious war and condemning others for not being like themselves.

 

“Never be afraid to sit awhile and think.”Lorraine Hansberry

 

I have found in a world of crazies it does require time to ponder before acting rashly. One of the draws for me to John Dewey is his constant discussion and introjections of reflection into education process. For it is in reflection that we analyze and truly give credence to ideas and thoughts.  I truly wish we would do more in classes to reflect and provide pondering time for students. Most students would not have ever pondered before or reflected for that matter so it is a new concept for some.

 

“No matter where you go or what you do, you live your entire life within the confines of your head.”Terry Josephson

 

Perhaps some of us do far too much internalizing of where we are and why but so much of our existence is in our heads through perceptions and beliefs. Beliefs and perceptions are very hard to change and often are not changeable even when faced with reality.

 

“People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.”Soren Kierkegaard

 

I have often wondered about freedom of speech when so few even consider that unless it is generally in a manner contrary to popular thought. But then is it freedom of speech when we make laws to prohibit that which is free such perhaps is the paradox of our society. The freedom of thought while not something that can be measured or categorized is so critical to democracy and individuality.

 

“Too often we… enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.” John F. Kennedy

 

“Some people get lost in thought because it’s such unfamiliar territory.” G. Behn

 

I was thinking about some that get lost because what is seen as reality is too painful for them. Working with numerous people over the years many times the “real” world is harsh and bitter and withdrawal into a private realm is deemed far more enjoyable and safe.

 

“We spend our days in deliberating, and we end them without coming to any resolve.”L’Estrange

 

With each second of each day so many people squander their own reality spinning about never seemingly going anywhere. I have many times found myself in this trap looking for something to grasp to get hold of and pull me out of the quagmire.

 

“Few people think no more than two or three times a year; I have made an international reputation for myself by thinking once a week.”George Bernard Shaw

 

When I read this I thought of The Blue Collar Comedy Hour that has been on Comedy Central and my local favorite ethnic group, rednecks.  Where in the definition do so often we need to use the word ignorant. But as Atlanta Comedian Jeff Foxworthy has built his fame and industry on redneckism I find it most interesting his kids go to one of Atlanta’s most exclusive private schools. I find that sort of serious paradoxical redneckism.

 

“Belief is when someone else does the thinking.” Buckminster Fuller

 

This brought to mind the dark ages when society was imprisoned by those who could read and write and think freely predominantly “the church” and all thought was restricted to thought allowed by the church. I also find it interesting that many great thinkers actually perished in practicing wrong thinking.

 

“Iron rusts from disuse, stagnant water loses its purity and in cold weather becomes frozen; even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind.” Leonardo da Vinci

 

I have found the more I study the more I think the more I want to study and learn more which is an interesting thought as so few aspects of life are self-perpetuating such as thinking.

 

“A sect or party is an elegant incognito devised to save a man from the vexation of thinking.”Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

I could not have expressed my self-better than RWE. Politics takes away thinking and there are so many political aides who simply spin reality in favor of that person or ideology they have chosen to support, right or wrong,  theirs will be most likely to be picked. The secret is do not let the populous think too much.

 

“Thoughts, like fleas, jump from man to man.  But they don’t bite everybody.” Stanislaw Lec

 

“The world we have created is a product of our thinking; it cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” Albert Einstein

 

Albert hit the nail on the head we have to change our thinking or else it will become as Emerson and Fuller stated become belief, a sect and even a political party. A circular effort we begin to think which becomes common place and soon everyone follows suit and that idea becomes law and belief and then we have to rethink everything all over again. What if human nature were not so lazy and would stay in motion and if thought would continue instead of constantly wanting a break?

 

“No amount of energy will take the place of thought.  A strenuous life with its eyes shut is a kind of wild insanity.”Henry Van Dyke

 

So much truth in this statement and so much a part of so many and for today as always please keep all in harm’s way on your mind and in your hearts and always give thanks namaste.

 

Wa de (Skee)

bird