

Bringing together meaning from the "relationships and connections" established with the people in our lives. Understanding our own identity. Seeing the impact of not just people but thoughts and books. Seeking for the intellectual insight and understanding of why our life story came to be.
Today we went to the Bosque. This area along side the Rio Grande is interesting to walk through and for being right in the middle of a city it is a pretty amazing experience. This tree was to be the sight of a family picture but we found out that on the back side of this tree live a lot of bees or wasps. First half of a Saturday. On the other hand the ducks were almost in a row.
If excellence is what we repeatedly do then is it the repetition or the perfection of what was repeated. Either way the suggestion is that it is a characteristic of a person or a reflection of what they have become. It must be that one becomes "excellent". It must be a step by step process. The problem with this definition is that it also implies that it is created rather than sought for. ..........................................On the other hand what about Selflessness. this is by definition: "The act of sacrificing ones own interest for the greater good". This too is a problem in that it implies that the greater good is not necessarily found without but is above self and what is good for the self must be given up for the greater good. Which is excellence. That which is reached for or that which is perfected.......................So this may not be the most important item to be thinking about but "o well" if your willing to give the time to read this then in that sense you must be selfless. A fine thing you have done. Selfless for sure. Reading all these words and then no real excellence achieved. If I were to recreate the message from Aristotle I would suggest that: What we repeatedly do is indeed what we are and if we are to become excellent it is as much about "motive" as it is about a specific act. See highest form of motive in the blog a few days back.
Once upon a time, in a house by a river, in a town far away, I had a little sister. I remember her well. Things change, times change, I suppose. Still now, still today, I have a little sister, just the same.
So is this nice young lady "inside the lady we know today" ...............................or "was the lady we know today, even then, inside the young lady back then?
Then too why was this picture taken back then? What was the parent who most likely took this picture wondering then? Where they asking themselves what is she thinking? Maybe it was just that they were captured, as I am now, by the impressionable look on this cute face?
Interviewing folks who may be"NUTS" sounds like it can be a cultivated and acquired talent. I was told by a pro on this subject (don't think he was interviewing me?) that a standard list of questions are useful in letting the State know that their funds are indeed being spent in a appropriate way and that the particular candidate in question is documented as nuts. Thinking back on some of the questions, or perhaps some that should be listed.
1. Tell me know how do you feel about yourself
2. Have you had any thoughts of hurting yourself or somebody?
3. Are you working right now?
4. Do you have a place to live or are you getting kicked out
5. Have you been talking to any imaginary folks lately.
6. Any racing anxiety.
7. Any trouble sleeping.
8. You sometimes have trouble understanding who is interviewing who.
9. Your not sure if your giving or getting an interview?
10. Try as you will you have no #10 for a list like this.
Conclusion: Big Trouble in River City.
It was about 1967 or so. We were just married. Our rent payment was around $100 or so a month give or take some. I, at best, had a part time job, and was going to collage. Kathy was working. For some reason we needed a new stereo. You had to have a stereo in 1967. It cost probably $150, maybe. We went to the Sears store and bought it. We got some terms. We later made a payment. They lost the payment. We were young. We thought cash was money. We had to pay again. I think we had a receipt but they just would not accept it. We both made a pledge, figure it as sort of an early marriage pledge, to never in our lives buy anything more from Sears. We have not since then. They have no idea how much they have lost. On of us is a world class shopper. Stores close when she moves she is so good. Last week I was in the Sunland Park Mall. I was in El Paso. Had dinner with Mike. He left and I went looking for something to wear while running. There was a Sears store right there. It was a lot closer than any other store that would have running shorts. I went in. I walked a ways. I had thought of "it" before entering but I was alone in a far away place. I realize that you can get in real trouble when your out there along in a far away city. Folks rationalize in these situations. I looked up Integrity in the Wikpedia and found out that it was consistent actions that were in tune with ones core values. I knew that. I know integrity when I see it. It is obvious when you see it. ..............Well this indeed was a big step against my core values. Even so I was true to my promise. Never means Never. I turned and walked away. The hollow feeling in my stomach started to get better. I left. I can tell you it was like a mist of darkness had come over me the further that I went into the store. As I left it was lifted. My head cleared. I felt so clean. Found another store. Found what I needed. Never. Never. Never I say. It is a matter of integrity.
Sunday, this picture reminds me of a poem I like
And on her lover’s arm she leant,
And round her waist she felt it fold
And far across the hills they went
In that new world which is the old;
Across the hills, and far away
Beyond their utmost purple rim,
And deep into the dying day
The happy princess follow’d him
Alfred Tennyson
(KJ, see yesterdays blog. Your appreciated.)