I HAVE BEEN TOLD…

That blogs, being purposed for the actual technological generation, should be, not only short, concise, briefest as possible, but at the same time they must show, at a glance, the whole context of the intended message.

This includes, of course, the other, so popular, cybernetic communication programs such as Facebook, Twitters, Chats, Forums, etc.

Besides, I have been told that, in order to attract the attention of internet navigators, I should not emphasize the ideas through long or extended writing, as our generation was so used to.

And the reason why I have been told so is, apparently, because of the present generations´ usual short span of attention.

Consequently, in their understanding and recommendation, I should use as much as I could, images, pictures, and texts special effects. Let´s analyze all this!

I have decided to blend both tendencies, theirs and those of their generation graphical and pictorial fastness and special effects, and the ways of our generations, concentrated on concepts and discourses. I will try to adapt both into a single sequence of messages that could appeal at least to a single soul in the inner solitude of the spirit.

This is not a beauty or popularity contest. It is intended for the ones who, by God´s guidance may open their hearts to it.

If you become interested in these digressions keep rolling down to the next posting below, as these month´s blogging insertions are intended to be a series of meditations on this subject

START ROLLING DOWN THE LAST 8 ENTRIES IN THE BLOG IF YOU WANT TO VISUALIZE THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF THIS SERIES OF MESSAGES, DIGRESSIONS AND COMMENTARIES

THE TECNOLOGICAL FLOODING

Just a few decades ago, back in 1969 when I was studying logistics, we had a monster computer, lodged in an air conditioned building, with myriads of bulbs.

It was a hard task to learn how to learn the mysteries of the little slots meaning “void and filled”, one and zero, as the basis of the perforated cards, the COBOL or Common Business Oriented Language programming system, and the rest of the early computer paraphernalia stages.

We just dreamed about, the around the corner, coming third generation of computers that would use transistors instead of bulbs. We never imagined what is just an everyday unending and growing sophistication of the gadgets of today.

I honestly believe there has never been such a sudden and overwhelming flooding of technological development that has fueled the sizzling consumerism of today.

I remember at that time learning in my finance management training the principle of obsolescence, where you, at the same time learnt to plan, develop, envision and visualize, not only what you had on hand but its potential and inevitable replacement.

For these reasons I am not surprised by what is now the subject of so many harangues and complaints about the irrational consumerism of today.

The assembling techniques, the development of the already stated “obsolescence principle” now see themselves carried away to the ultimate sophistication stages.

And their end result products fill the radio waves, the television screens, and the cybernetic presentations, as in the latest presentation of the World Social Forum that took place in Belem, Brazil, in late January and early February 2009

Little chips, little things, little peripheral additions are visualized to keep the market going and the consumers buying.

But one thing remains unchanged as we were told in those early days. Planning logically and in sequence, as this is the only base for change and evolution. As in the Spanish saying: dress me slow because I am in a hurry.

And our instructors emphasized the need for us to remember that there is an axiom in everything: if you let garbage get into the system, you will only obtain garbage as the end result, despite how exquisitely disguised!

The logical end result has been that the common guy in our present generations has become extremely skilled in the usage of what the fewer in number thinkers, and programmers, have devised for what has become a trinket acquisitions world.

I am a trinket buyer and consumer, as the rest of all my brethren, as my wife jokingly say. But I still keep in my inner being that certitude that everything that repeats itself more than three times requires a systematic approach, planning and development.

KEEP ROLLING DOWN THE BLOG! THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST MESSAGE OF THE SERIES

ELDERS AND YOUNGSTERS CAN LEARN AND PROFIT FROM ONE ANOTHER EXPERIENCES, SKILLS AND EXPECTATIONS…

An interesting fact of life is the apparent generational contradiction in its appraisal of meaningful and natural behavioral tendencies, appreciation of circumstances, and cultural tastes.

We absorb ourselves in the melodically sweet sounding, for us, and tasteful rhythms of the blues, country, and early pop styles.

We also find repetitive, almost maniacally noisy and physically strenuous and strength depleting the, in our ears, un-meaningful fads of today.

Our youngsters find us prehistoric, boring, stiffly, and intolerant dinosaurs. They do not apprehend the notion that we were young as they are, but in more sedate times and circumstances.

We had boogie boogie. They have aerobics and rap. We did tap and rolled. They jump and crawl! They at times bring back melodies of our past and adapt them to their taste.

We did shout as crazy when, raptly, crowded the concert halls. They do shout in very similar, only separate in time, circumstances.

We did see technique, analysis and planning in a more overt way. They just enjoy the special effects that people like us, but faster in adapting the technological changes, offer them in such a flashy way.

But we can learn from each other. We can complement our experience with their renewed, even if some times, weird and confusing for us, understanding of the present and the coming times.
Generational living together can be like a pulsating hinge. Both past and future are joined together by the present in the middle.

The past is comprised by us, the grandparents, and our grown up children. At the same time we, both, are an undeniable and unavoidable reservoir of the experience available to the present.

Our grown up children and their children, at the same time, are also part, with us, the grandparents, of the present and the future!

We all have present and future valid expectations. We, even if waning ones, the expectation of a better future, before we depart from this world, if possible!

Our grown up children, the ongoing building up of their immediate future and their inheritance for their children!

Standing on the side, we, in the bottom of our hearts long for respect, and recognition, as the waning head, but head anyway, of the family nucleus.

Pitching on with what we feel is the precious reservoir of our memories, understanding of life, because we have already lived through many things and circumstances, and experience.

This getting together in the realm of this present can make the hinge close and open, depending on its flexible operation, and if it is not corroded and made useless by intolerance, misunderstanding, indifference and distrust.

My sons have taught me the intriguing ways to utilize the modern communication cybernetic programs. They have had to be patient enough to show, click by click, how to do it, as I am patterned by the step by step procedural ways of my past life.

I can convey to them my perspectives and perceptions, through my usage of these technical developments. Our generations can benefit from these exchanges and complementation of experience and skills.

This way I have finally found and understood the real meaning of the waning days of our lives. We can become the beacons of the experience light.

We can also become the sentinels on the ramparts who watch and keep safe the gates of the city and the sleep of its inhabitants, our children and descendants.

Because as we go down the road to our final rest we, paraphrasing, can still be like the prophet found out in Habakkuk chapter two verses one to three.

2:1. “we will stand at our watch post and station ourselves on the ramparts; we will keep watch to see what He will (and life) will say to us and what He (and life) will answer concerning our concern”.

2:2. “then the Lord (and life) answered us and said: write the vision, make it plain on tablets, so that runners (our children and younger generations) may read it”.

2:3. “For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay”.

There lies the vision. There resides the mission for our later days.

KEEP ROLLING DOWN THE BLOG ENTRIES IF YOU WANT TO SEE HOW THE TALE UNFOLDS.

WE COULD BE DANCING AWAY UNTIL THE FINAL REST COMES…

BUT THERE ARE STILL THINGS TO SPEND TIME IN.

At this point in time along the path of my digressions about life, it became plain, and clear, the different phases of our living on this earth.

Ecclesiastes Chapter three and some of the verses from verse one to eight took a greater and more resplendent shape in my spirit. Paraphrasing again and specially focusing on the positive sides of the living equation that is, so precisely, presented there.

3:1. “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven”.

3:2. “A time to be born, and a time to die”. (But keeping active and transcendently acting until your departure time comes)… “A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what has been planted”... (For the profitable benefit of the ones who still have to live and learn).

3:3. “and a time to heal… and a time to build up.

3:4. “and a time to dance… 3:5. “A time to embrace… 3:8. “A time to love…”

But also… as in 3:3. “A time to break down… (To expose what is wrong even if accepted, endured, or emphasized by the world) and a time to build up… (To write the vision and make it plain to be seen, taken and run with it)...

Life´s railway to Heaven!

Life is like a mountain railroad with an engineer that's brave! We must make the run successful from the cradle to the grave!

Watch the curves that fill them tunnels! Never falter! Never fail! Keep your hand upon the throttle and your eye upon the rail!

Blessed Savior Thou wilt guide us till we reach that blissful shore where the angels wait to join us in Thee praise forevermore!

Blessed Savior Thou wilt guide us till we reach that blissful shore where the angels wait to join us in Thee praise forevermore!

KEEP ROLLING DOWN THE BLOG

WHY HAVE WE FORGOTTEN THAT WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD?

WHY HAVE WE FORGOTTEN THAT WE WERE BORN TO BE BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

AND DESTINED TO LOVE,

TO SHARE

AND PROTECT?

In one of my last postings I was referring myself to the need of having the most complete and firm conviction in relation to our individual worth because of having been made at the image and similitud with God, our Creator.

If we were really conscious about it. If we could perceive in others that image and similitud. If we could understand it, then, despite the apparent differences in color, race, nationality, social status and life styles, how different our attitude towards life could be.

Then, we could again become the children the Lord tells us about in His Word, when saying that if we do not become like them we will not be able to enter the Kingdom of God, His Kingdom.

We do not need to wait until afterdeath to consider ourselves immigration candidates in full, with all the spiritual visas conceded and applied, presented and stamped at the heavenly customs posts, as in this so divided and discriminating world.

We can become citizens of this Kingdom while we still linger around in this earthly world, so saturated of pain, injustices, crisis and problems of every imaginable type.

This brings to my memory those statements about how the Kingdom is to be conquered by violence. But not violence as we understand it and we have got used to, up to the point that it seems that we rejoice in it, when endured by others.

The violence I refer to, in my limited understanding and discernment, is the necessary shaking up of our inertia, our blind egotism, passivity, complicity or even worst, our implicit acceptance of abuse, as the inevitable condition to attain what we visualize as our progress, comfort or convenience.

I AM A MAN. I am supposed to protect, provide, give and share love, give and share assurance and trust.

I understand this as a natural responsibility when talking about our own ones. But I do not consider it essential in relation to the rest of the people. THIS HAS BEEN THE EGOTISTICAL REASONING OF THE GREAT MAJORITY OF CARNAL MEN THROUGH AL GENERATIONS PAST AND PRESENT.

BUT, at the first clash with the trials and adversities, as Adan we give up and choose our women as the scapegoats justifiers of our cowardly claudications.

And consequently, carried away by envy and rancor with ourselves, as modern Cains, we martirize the brother or sister who finds acceptance, benevolence and grace in God, for having a clean heart and presenting to him a total and plentiful offering of his or her beings, deeds and actions.

So, this way, after oppresing and abusing even those we consider our own, we end up considering the rest as rightful recipients of our prime and first responsibility of our existence.

Let´s reflect, meditate and recapacitate, so we can become aware and certain about the fact that all love and tenderness revolves around the children. As the mothers who sing lullabies and carry them in their arms or on their backs snugly wrapped in the warm sarapes of their love.

Or as the elderly men and women, who, gradually, and hopefully gracefully, as their age approches the twilight of their lives, become like children needing love, protection and support,

as they recover the lost innocence of looking for life to bloom.

Only by transforming our external strenght and experience, into the apparent weakness and expectancy about life, that children posses as the prime gifting of their starting life, we will be able to experience the real nature of love. The love that God had planned for us all in Adan and Eve, our primigenial parents.

There are two images indelibly printed in my memory. Images that, in my heart, my spirit and mind, embody the essence of God´s love and image, to which the video refers to.

That of a young mayan girl, walking along the cold roads of the high lands of the Guatemalan mountains, with her breat open to the air, giving to her child her nourishing milk of life, oblivious to any wrongful understanding or curiosity of the passerbyes.

The other one, that of another young mayan girl, with a wrinkled and demaciated body, looking like an old rag, already marked by the rutlesness of life, vicissitudes, and trials, sitting on the border of a busy sidewalk.

She was holding her child protectively on her lap. He was not only minusvalid but looked even older and wrinkled than her.

She had bought a soda pop and a piece of bread and was wetting the bread and masticating it so she could, lovingly kissing her child, make possible for him to swallow it.

For all this, and only this way, we can understand to its fullest extent the human parable of the child and the couple of elders you will see in this enclosed video.

Both women and elders and the children in each case are the corresponding sides of the equation of love, of the image and similitud of God in every human being, pressed and indelibly printed, again by love, in every one of us.

Because this is the natural and supernatural destiny of men, women, children and older. To reach the total communion, silent by its plenitude, with Him, so beautifully described in the sharing of the vivifying nourishment we receive throughout the length of our journey on this earth.

KEEP ROLLING DOWN THE BLOG FOR THE NEXT AND SUBSEQUENT MESSAGE OF THIS SERIES OF RUMINATING DIGRESSIONS

LUNCHING WITH GOD! WE MUST NOT DESPAIR JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE ARRIVED TO THE SHORES OF OUR GOLDEN AGE!

Not because we are seen as old and retired because we are not apparently useful and fighting anymore! Nor because we could be rejected, isolated or ignored by the worldly systems!

God is with us, even when we sit, resignedly on the sidewalk benches of the park to feed the doves.

God will be with God, and come to share His time with us, until the end of our earthly times and into the everlasting peace and eternity that is waiting for us.

In the mean time, He will pass by the site where we sit, probably in despair and solitude, inviting us to lunch with Him.

LUNCHING WITH GOD! AN ESSENTIAL MESSAGE, SPECIALLY NECESSARY IN THESE TURBULENT TIMES!

Let´s meditate on the wording of the message:

Lunching with God! A Human Parable!!

A little child wanted to meet with God. He knew he would have to travel far to reach the place where HE lives. So, he placed in his backpack little chocolate cakes and fruit juices and went on, on his way.

After walking for some hours he saw an old couple, along the way. They were sitting alone, on a park bench, silently watching some doves picking up the crumbles of bread they were throwing to them.

The child sat beside them and opening his backpack started drinking a juice when he noticed that the old couple was watching him

So, he offered them two of his juices. They gratefully accepted and smiled. theirs were very beautiful smiles, and the child wanting to see their smiling, again, offered them, this time, two of his little cakes.

They smiled again. The child was mesmerized. And he stayed with them all the rest of the day, the three of them, cozily nibbling, sipping and smiling, without uttering a single word.

As darkness approached the child stood up to go back home. After a few steps he stopped, did turn back and ran to the old couple and hugged them. They hugged him back, and then gave him the greatest smiles in life.

When the child arrived home, her mother was surprised by the happy countenance of his face. She, then curiously asked him: My son, what did you do today that made you be so happy?

The child answered her: I had lunch with God today! And before her mother reacted, he added. And, do you know what? God is an old couple! And they have the most beautiful smile I have, ever, seen!

Meanwhile the old couple, radiant with happiness, too, went back to their son´s home. He was surprised by the peace shining on their face, and asked them : Mom, Dad, what did happen to you today that made you be so happy?

The old couple answered: We had little cakes and juices at the park, with God ! And before their son replied anything, they added: And, do you know what? He is younger than we thought!

Thanks, GOD! Because you are who you are!

Thanks, GOD! Because young or old, we can be your image in other people´s lives!

Frequently, we do not realize the strength of a hug, or of a pat on your back, or of a sincere smile, or of an encouraging word, or of an attentive ear, or of a pleasant word, or of the littlest gesture of care and concern.

But all those simple details have the magic power of changing yours and other people´s life, giving them the needed turning point to happiness.

People come into our lives for a reason. It could be for just a little time or forever. Let´s receive them all, the same!

AH, BUT LET NOT FORGET TO ALWAYS SIT AND LUNCH WITH GOD!

KEEP ON ROLLING DOWN THE LOG ENTRIES

WE MUST BE REALISTIC; PLANT FIRMLY OUR FEET ON THE GROUND AND NOT TO BE UTOPIAL…

We must recognize the facts of life as they unfortunately are.

Let´s meditate, ruminate, and make our own the knowledge of the facts of life as described in the message I received and did turn into a video.

Facts of life

Stones are only thrown to fruit filled trees. I do not know any other sign of superiority than righteousness and kindness

What´s gone is gone! What you wait for is still absent! Only the present is yours!

The fearful of suffering suffers precisely out of fear. There are no placebos for fear.

Dig your well before becoming thirsty or going to your neighbor for water. It is a vital matter of dignity and self support.

Patience is a bitter root tree with very sweet and luscious fruits.

Lying can take far away… but will not leave you hopes to get back to the right tracks.

The Great Architect of the Universe made mankind with two ears and just one mouth so it can listen from both sides what is uttered in the middle.

If what you want to say is not more beautiful and meaningful than silence, don’t say it.

Is never easier to deviate too far than when we believe we know we are on the right path.

“Cruelty, abuse and violence” is the strength of the cowards.

There are no standing trees that the strength of the storms and the winds has not tested.
The footsteps of the people who walked beside you are never erased or forgotten

KEEP ROLLING DOWN THE BLOG!

BUT WE ALSO MUST FACE LIFE WITH OPTIMISM AND RESOLVE, SAYING, WITH DEEP CONVICTION, ALONG WITH THE SINGER…

That´s life! That´s what people say!

You are riding high in April, shot down in May. But I know I’m gonna change that tune when I´m back upon top in June.

That´s life, funny as it seems, some people get their kicks, stepping on dreams. I won´t let it get me down cause this ol´ world it keeps spinning around.

I´ve been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn and a king. I´ve been up and down, and over and out, and I know one thing…

Every time I find myself, flat on my face, I pick myself up and get right back in the race.

That´s life, I can´t deny it. Oh, I thought of quitting but my heart won´t buy.

And if I didn´t think it was worth a try, you know I would roll up in a big ball and die. One morning I would roll up in a big ball and I would die.

THIS IS THE END OF THIS FIRST PART OF THE SERIES OF RUMINATING DIGRESSIONS.

WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE, NEXT MONTH!