So, had maintenance done on my right eye a week ago Monday and to the left eye this past Monday . . . lasering away the film that had grown over the back of my eyes after cataract surgery a year and half ago. I can see clearly now [again]. However, now my right leg is rebellious---hurting continually, no matter what position it is in---knee and ankle and foot and all the muscles in between. I keep pressing onward, putting off another Dr's visit thinking life will get better. Finished the mowing and almost all of the weed-eating yesterday and today. I refuse to get too discouraged because I know from whence my peace: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" ---Phil 4:6-7.
I learned---endlessly---last night and this morning that Prince had passed away, probably the result of overdosing. I know almost nothing about this celebrity and wonder how his passing will really affect the human condition. Not much I suspect [don't mean to be too harsh]. And how about me, too? I'm hearing moderns question more and more again the crisis between the individual good and the common good. Our country is so confused about the conflicting need for individual freedom and need for common decency and common sense and the community of humans. Not sure where it all ends. All I really know is and all I'm going to try to do in my last years is delineated in this verse: "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" ---Micah 6:8. I'm too old to do much else, and the drama of everyday events is seen through a much less intense lens when one is older in one's faith.
Sorry, I needed for myself to get a couple of points in here first. All of that was said as I was trying to get to this. When I was little, my Mother (and Dad mostly in silent agreement) imprinted on my little brain that common decency was absolutely necessary. Now, looking back, I don't believe an actual definition was ever provided me, but inevitably I created my own. It involved all of the following: using phoniness to advance oneself was totally inappropriate, as was lying which was not only devious but also showed disrespect to others. Not respecting others' property, not having compassion for the unfortunate for whatever reason, being dramatic to try to gain attention to yourself were all unacceptable. Talent was to be seen as a responsibility. Perceiving the wonders of God's universe and recognizing human artistic efforts were important to understand one's purpose in life. Running oneself down in order to gain some emotional control of others was a definite no-no. Tolerance, gentility, courtesy, and friendliness were absolute "musts" for a decent human being. This list goes much further, but I'll let it rest here---with the point made, I think. Decency involves our relations with others and, therein, lies its importance.
Now, I don't know, but many moderns simply don't care about decency. So, why does it matter? I read that a man boarded a plane bound for Phoenix wearing only a pair of women's panties, a bra, and thigh-high stockings. No one at the airport or on the airplane said one word to him; a flight attendant said U.S. Airways has no dress code for passengers as long their privates are not showing. Hmm, whoa . . . common decency? Tolerance? C'mon, Americans, the decline in our civilization surely is indicated in this story (won't swear that it's true), and I can just hear my Mom and Dad discussing it. I would love to sit in on that conversation. They weren't old-fashioned; they were decent!
I believe that decency is crucial. That civilization suffers when we belittle it. That we could let indecency go so far that our civilization joins that of the ancient Romans. (So, someone sasses, "But what a great time we'll have on the way down!") I guess the enticing qualities of depravity is a topic for another day. God bless, y'all . . . and try to be decent, okay.
Sorry, I needed for myself to get a couple of points in here first. All of that was said as I was trying to get to this. When I was little, my Mother (and Dad mostly in silent agreement) imprinted on my little brain that common decency was absolutely necessary. Now, looking back, I don't believe an actual definition was ever provided me, but inevitably I created my own. It involved all of the following: using phoniness to advance oneself was totally inappropriate, as was lying which was not only devious but also showed disrespect to others. Not respecting others' property, not having compassion for the unfortunate for whatever reason, being dramatic to try to gain attention to yourself were all unacceptable. Talent was to be seen as a responsibility. Perceiving the wonders of God's universe and recognizing human artistic efforts were important to understand one's purpose in life. Running oneself down in order to gain some emotional control of others was a definite no-no. Tolerance, gentility, courtesy, and friendliness were absolute "musts" for a decent human being. This list goes much further, but I'll let it rest here---with the point made, I think. Decency involves our relations with others and, therein, lies its importance.
Now, I don't know, but many moderns simply don't care about decency. So, why does it matter? I read that a man boarded a plane bound for Phoenix wearing only a pair of women's panties, a bra, and thigh-high stockings. No one at the airport or on the airplane said one word to him; a flight attendant said U.S. Airways has no dress code for passengers as long their privates are not showing. Hmm, whoa . . . common decency? Tolerance? C'mon, Americans, the decline in our civilization surely is indicated in this story (won't swear that it's true), and I can just hear my Mom and Dad discussing it. I would love to sit in on that conversation. They weren't old-fashioned; they were decent!
I believe that decency is crucial. That civilization suffers when we belittle it. That we could let indecency go so far that our civilization joins that of the ancient Romans. (So, someone sasses, "But what a great time we'll have on the way down!") I guess the enticing qualities of depravity is a topic for another day. God bless, y'all . . . and try to be decent, okay.
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