Take.Leave.

I often say things that really don't make sense to the audience. Usually, I have to explain what I mean, which is not a bad thing because I enjoy speaking. My friends would say I am quite at home giving lengthy explanations of things that are often matters of little to no consequence.

There was someone who once taught others how to speak. He told them that questions should always be answered with the fewest words possible. That's a terrible thing to hear if you're one of the words who gets chopped simple because an orator wishes to be concise. I, on the other hand, feel that one should use as many words as possible. I say this with tongue in cheek. One must always exercise discernment.

I will eventually get to the point of this post, but not quite yet. Indeed, many readers would thank me if I would simply come to the point, but if I do it too quickly then the reader will not have earned my meaning. Why tell someone something they can figure out for him or herself? So I feel that if anyone is willing to labor through all the meaninglessness in hopes of gaining the meaningful, then then the reward will be had by the deserving.

I have one friend who I feel will be faithful to read this blog, even if only occasionally, which I guess would draw into question my understanding of the word faithful. However, he knows who he is and I am certain he will appreciate being one of the few in mind as I type away on this tiny keyboard.

I am not always blessed with eloquence in communication, at least not as regards the thoughts others would consider personal. I do not mean those things we keep as secrets from the world at large, but merely the ideas that make me me and make you you. Another way of saying this is that I can more easily explain a principle of chemistry or a tenant from a systematic theology in a manner that is understandable and transferable for another, but often have trouble bringing someone inside that they may see my thoughts through my eyes and grapple with me-hood the way I do.

I recently read Ishmael by Daniel Quinn. It was a provocative read and perhaps you will read it. The teacher in the story describes two types of people: Takers and Leavers. I have not developed my thoughts about Takers and Leavers to their end, but I have begun.

I have something on my wrist. It will always be there. Most people cannot read it. It is all Greek to them. It is a quotation. Quinn's Ishmael gives yet another angle of meaning to these words. The quotation on my wrist is from someone famous. He said to abide in him. Ishmael says that I should live in the hands of the gods. Ishmael did not have it all figured out. Some of his logic was off, or ill. However, truth, wherever found, is true by default.

Sometimes we hear something so many times that we lose its meaning. If it be a true statement then it never loses its meaning; we do. I had heard something over and over and allowed myself to lose its meaning. Then Ishmael said it in a different way, though not his intention at all, and perhaps only because I read into his words what was not there I have remembered the statements meaning as if having only just heard it for the first time.

That's all.