Soul Searching

Word of wisdom on the day: We tend to become the decisions we make. What starts as your decision can eventually become your nature. If you choose a life of unforgiveness you will develop a bitter nature. The more we choose something, the more we become that something. Chew on this a while and let me know what you think.

I’ve been reading more in “Letters from a Skeptic” and I’m truly fascinated by the discussion between the father and son. One of the questions I read on Wednesday was: If God is so caring, why does he create earthquakes and famines when they aren’t the result of “evil” humans? Great question. Is it bad that I often wonder the same thing? When you hear of food riots in Haiti, earthquakes in Los Angeles, hurricanes in New Orleans, tornadoes on the Great Plains, and floods in Bangladesh; it’s difficult not to question, “Where was God?” Any time I watch specials in third world countries I can’t help but ask how God could allow it. The book does an excellent job at discussing these good questions that everyone has asked at one point or another. I totally recommend reading it and letting me know what you think. It’s by Dr. Gregory Boyd if you are looking for it.

Dr. Boyd answers this question with three main points. One of them really stuck out at me because I believe it’s an American problem. He said that many “natural” evils could be prevented if people simply loved their neighbors as themselves. He says:

Imagine how much ‘natural’ evil could be prevented if there were no political
wars, if there were no arms race, if there were an equal distribution of the
world’s resources, if humans who had the means cared enough to invest in the
safety and welfare of others? Take famines, for example. Do you think anyone
would starve if people loved their neighbors as themselves? I’m told by
specialists in the field that there is more than enough food in the world to
feed everyone. It’s just that it’s hoarded by a few who already have more than
they need, at the expense of those who have less than they need. Americans, to
be more specific, make up about 7% of the world’s population, but we consume
over half its resources!

Wow. I’m not taking a jab at America here, but come on people! I realize that we are one of the world’s leaders in monetary donations to charity and in foreign aid, but why stop there? Look at all the resources we are using. It doesn’t take rocket science to realize it’s doing more harm than good. Too much of anything is a bad thing. I’m really noticing the impacts of wasteful living out here because the whales (an indicator species of the health of the local ecosystem) are not doing well. It’s time for us to become conscious of our consumption of resources and make it a priority to use a fair percentage.

One of his other points is best summed up in another long quote. He talks of how creation is limited, which is basically the whole yin and yang approach to nature. With every positive aspect comes a negative one, depending on the circumstances.

Any created thing must, for example, possess a limited set of characteristics
which rules out the possibility of it possessing other characteristics
incompatible with these. But this can lead to some unfortunate consequences. The
rock which holds you up must also be hard enough for you to stub your toe on it.
The air which you breathe must also be thin enough to allow you to fall through
it when not supported by a hard surface. The water which quenches your thirst
must also be dense enough so you can’t breathe it in, and so on. The
dependability of the world which makes it possible for rational, morally
responsible creatures to live works against us in certain circumstances.

Indeed, every positive feature of any created entity is a potentially negative feature in certain circumstances.

And now on to the best quote so far in the book, “Love must start free – but its goal is to become ‘unfree.’ To be unable not to love is the highest form of freedom in love.’”

I’m really enjoying this book and the food for thought it’s giving me. I really hope you guys decide to read it because I think it’s an awesome way to evaluate your beliefs. A book that forces you to do a little soul searching is, in my opinion, the best kind of book.

I’ve continued my painting. I did two more on Thursday night. Mike isn’t here because he’s working for Beam Reach this weekend, so I needed something to do. We haven’t seen orcas lately, so I’ve really had to work hard. I needed some time to distress and didn’t want to sit around and watch TV, so I did two more 8 x 10s. The one of the whale on its back is called “Horsin’ Around” and the one of the lone whale with the wavy fin is called “Ruffles’ Journey Home.” I’m not too confident with how they look because they still seem cartoony, but at least it’s something to do. If you see one you really like and want, let me know. I’d be happy to send it to you. (I won’t even charge you for it!) Hahahaha. Mike and I were joking that I should die my hair black, change my name to Talks with Whales, and sell my paintings at the Native American Galleries for hundreds of dollars. LOL. So, if you would like one, I can give you a tribal deal… no charge! Hahahahahahaha.

Yesterday we saw a Minke Whale (below). They are the smallest of the baleen whales (about 30ft long) and eat krill. Minkes tend to be shy and this guy was just hanging out around Saturna Island in Canada. Although I’m sad we haven’t seen orca since last Saturday, it was nice to see the Minke and learn more about another type of whale. I’m still loving my job and it really gives me a “cause” to advocate for (good practice). I probably won’t have a day off until next Thursday so please feel free to call if you’re in the mood to chat.