Amazing Scotland

My favorite photographer has been in Scotland, check out his blog. Beautiful!!

http://tao-of-digital-photography.blogspot.com/2009/08/preturnaturally-sublime-beauty-of.html

Another Philosophy Paper Down! :)

Is it rational to believe in God?

Blind belief in God in not rational; however with all of the knowledge we have at our disposal we can surely make a rational choice to believe or not.

To imagine God as a grandfatherly "Gandolf" figure with a long white beard, we cross into an area of presumption without validation. We must try to remove any physical preconceptions the human mind can conceive of in order to make any concept of God reasonable. If we choose to simply use sound judgment and define God as a creator or rather an artist who assembled the pieces from the already existing materials in the universe to create a world and its inhabitants, then we fall closer to a realm of possibility. Any being capable of that task is beyond our finite understanding but not beyond belief.

When we define rationale or reason, we learn it is to be in accordance with common sense or normal practice. So, what we do have to work with is the unified strength of many intelligent minds over time that can help us with this age old quandary. Through the current knowledge provided by the physical sciences (physics, biology etc), we can see the intelligent design of our own human bodies and of our wonderful planet.

There are components of our biological structure (such as the eye) that rule out the possibility of evolution. Evolution defined as a means of adaptation is a proven reality, but evolution as a means of human creation is not a biological possibility. Something from nothing is an impossibility.

We are not self-existing beings. We are the biological product of our parents. Yes, once matured we can exist on our own, but our individual creation follows a course, a process that can be mapped. Every original creation must have a map or set of instructions, and every map requires a master designer who understands the path. If our creation was within our comprehension then we would be self-existent.

Beyond the physical human body there is an undefinable life energy. Uncharted by any science, call it the soul, the spirit, or the undeniable life force that burns as long as we live. Like a fingerprint it is unique to everyone and defines our personality. A personality cannot merely be predicted or measured by genetics and environment. The beauty of the soul, like a flower or a rain forest confirms for me further evidence of a creator because of its' unique quality.

If reason is a justification for beliefs, then yes, we can find a rational avenue for a belief in God. When we try to use or corrupt that belief in God for power or control then it creates irrational behavior. Sadly, two missing towers in New York City are evidence of this. For most, a belief in God improves quality of life and provides a moral compass. However abstract or incomprehensible the concept of God may be, when God is defined as a creator, it is absolutely rational to believe in God.

Phil paper

Sorry it has been so long since I posted, school and work keep me pretty busy. Wanted to share my latest Philosophy paper. Would love any thoughts you guys have on the topic! The question was...

Why should I be moral when it is not in my best interest to do so?

Morality affects us on every level of human existence. How is it not always in my best interest to be moral? If in the moment of choice we understand that remaining moral is in our best interest, then regardless of the situation it is an easy decision. We are guided toward morality through our conscience. Maybe not as colorful as Jiminy Cricket, or as condemning as the threat of Hell created by organized religion, conscience is very real. A guide we can choose follow or ignore, but an immoral life is not without natural consequences. Some see our conscience as a spiritual reaction to immoral behavior; personally I believe it is completely biological.

On a physiological level, it has been proven that we benefit from the release of endorphins and other chemical reactions that increase function, healing, and growth through every system of the body. I believe negative actions also release chemicals as a warning system to alter our unsafe or immoral behavior. We interpret those as our conscience or instinct. If we trust the higher function of our brain to keep us safe and happy, it will do so. Lack of conscience (or a chemical imbalance) could explain a mass murderer who displays no guilt but has been raised without abuse or any other environmental reason for his behavior.

Our mental state of well being has a direct impact on our physical health. I believe that negative emotions like shame or guilt can fester over time and manifest themselves as cancer or other serious health problems. If we act immorally, the body actually works against us. The mainstream medical community has tied stomach ulcers to stress; however, they have yet to prove or acknowledge that other diseases are related to mental health. I predict in the years to come that many more health issues will be tied to our coping mechanisms, actions and even our decisions. Depression and lethargy definitely act against our best interest. With all of the environmental and genetic stresses our bodies endure, why would we consciously add to that?

Moral behavior reinforces our personal integrity and self-worth, which also contribute to our mental stability. Without our integrity, does anything else matter? Personally I choose morality, I see it as a key to happiness and wellness. Both of which are in my best interest!

Black and White

Black and White Photography has always been one of my deepest passions. Something about the lack of color adds another dimension, leaving an honest, almost raw image. Anyway I found a new photographer, rivalling...yes I dare say.. Ansel Adams! Please take a minute to check this site out...I was amazed!!
Tao of Digital Photography

A new book

Flesh and blood quickly becoming a thing of the past, live interaction going out like the cut of my jeans. A diary for the world to read, what a strange concept. No longer stuffed between matress and springs, not hidden from small prying siblings.

This book of faces, a declaration to the world, a digital facebook, a brilliant creation. A history of an entire civilization stored in bytes, where children are displayed like prize winning fair animals. Generation X converts their memories to mega bytes. Generation 'why' finds a new place to be angry.

Old lovers and friends faces haunting my dreams again. Some reunions sweet, dripping sugar, others painful, twenty year old scabs removed. So many years past teen spirit, past superficial judgment and yet strangely a cast system comes rushing back with no cause. A cheerleader's body ruined by alcohol and too many babies, but still she believes she is somehow better than me. The sweet boy no one noticed now in the hollywood spotlight, suddenly everyone wants to be his friend.

Joyful memories of fun times with good friends catch me off guard and bring me to tears. A love from sixth grade, handsome even grey, a wonderful find but rude, crushed even after all these years. Emotions running hot and high as if still charged by the hormones of youth.

A dark cloud with a silver lining? A brilliant new interface? Pushing so hard to connect to everyone, quickly typing conversations to fill curiosity. Wondering how many years away we are from complete physical disconnect. Will our children go to school online to avoid the bullies and the drugs? How is honest communication achieved in our cyber world without a voice, without body language? How long until we all live in a small box without windows, only a bed and a computer? Sperm banks shipping product via FedEx already.

So how long? Maybe a book of faces can tell us.

Visit

The Carson City kids (my brother's family) spent this last week in Utah and we had a really great visit! Every time they are here there are always a million things going on and the time seems to go by in such a blur they are gone before we know it. This visit was special because it was Summer's Birthday and the Easter weekend, but honestly just them being in town makes it a special occasion. I will keep the cheese to a minimum, but I have to say, I really love my family and I am so amazed at the wonderful little people my siblings are raising! I am blessed with 8 nieces and nephews, each one a phenomenal miniature human!
Papa Dave & the Carson Kids Easter morning, super cute! :)

Funny random observation for the day

You know when you buy and new car and then notice the same make/model everywhere you look? Well this week I have noticed more posters, commercials and ads for smokers than ever before. I just have to tell you about one that I read that almost threw me on the floor with laughter!

In my pediatricians office they had a poster listing ten reasons why life would be better if you quit smoking, things like "your house & clothes will smell better" (I'm thinking, that's true). So I get to number five and it says, "you will have fewer burns on your clothes and furniture"......FEWER? LMAO!! Like a normal person, a non-smoker should expect SOME burns in their clothing, but if you quit smoking, you will have a fewer number of burns than usual. Sigh...LOL....Who writes this crap?

Quilt to Quit

My first quilt, tackled in a week! A square for everyone I love and some memory pieces from favorite baby clothes, old shirts and even grandma's old table cloth. Basically the oddest collaboration of colors and fabrics ever, but I love it. This quilt kept me distracted while I quit smoking, a blanket that saves lives....*covering Daisy's ears*...LOL, most people have dogs who save lives! The whole project was so extremely domestic that I almost wonder if I have been abducted by aliens, but hey I can check something off the bucket list! :)

The Truth...

Ok we have all heard the advertising campaign "the truth about smoking", so I would like to share the truth about quiting! Today is day 6 of my smoke free life, and this week has been a roller coaster *cough* from Hell. For all of my friends and family who are smoking, I would still encourage you to quit just because I'm selfish (Love ya'll) and want to die before any of you, so you may want to stop reading here.

The Truth they don't tell you about quiting....

1. Your children/teenagers may die in the process, or kill you which ever comes first.
2. All the hype about the taste buds returning is NOT a good thing when your butt doesn't need any additional twinkie padding!!
3. As my sense of smell is also returning, I now have no problem finding the cat box when I am in the basement. :(
4. All these years of showering before I go out so that I won't smell like cigarettes is strangely still necessary everyday! LOL Dunno why but the two have always gone together in my brain.
5. Same goes for brushing my teeth...Damn it the task is still necessary!
6. I am no longer physically addicted to cigarettes. Now I am addicted to nicotine gum (fives times as expensive per piece)!
7. Last but not least....Now I will live to a ripe old age and with all the money I save I can afford the nursing home where I can live out those extra years!!!

As with any loss there is a grieving process, I am sure that my current stage of grief is anger....sigh, I'll post again when I get to acceptance.

Great timing...

Not sure if it was just great timing or if I have great guardian angels, but this morning after a heavy snow one of our big trees lost a limb and just missed me! It fell where I stand every morning while my dog (remember I'm not a dog person!) is doing her 'business'. I turned around, came in and then the limb fell, it would have gone through my chest! Scared the crap out of me!! It hit the back door, luckily my patio furniture buffered the fall or it might have gone through the glass. Think I will stay out of the back yard today!

Random Observation

Just wanted to share my random observation for the day. So we all know that our society is changing to an electronic world by leaps and bounds, nothing new, but today I had a sad moment when I found a small victim of our new world. Stationery is gone. Yes, yes laugh at me if you must, but it's true and I am sad about it!

Simple lined writing tablets in pretty colors, covered in little bears or angels in the corner with matching envelopes are just simply hard to find. Sure I could probably find some online somewhere or special order something personalized, but I just want to write a letter to my grandma....sigh.

I went to four different stores, including hallmark and staples and couldn't find any! Sure they have tons of paper you can throw into a laser printer, but come on, doesn't anyone write...physically write letters anymore? Eighty year old grandmas don't do e-mail and they think a blackberry is well a berry. Phone calls are appreciated, but forgotten in moments of senility. A letter is physical evidence that someone still loves them and took the time to tell them with a stamp and a trip to the post office. It can be read over again and can't be misunderstood even if their hearing is going.

I love the speed and ease of computers, but sometimes it is sad how oddly disconnected we all are now with this era of constantly improving connections. If anyone happens across some stationery, let me know where you found it, thanks much! :)

Amazing Day!

Driving, driving through Wyoming
Early, roads slick from fog, hot coffee two sugars
Sun peaking over mountain tops, leaving hazy valleys
Beautiful red sculptures of rock and boulder
Snow, bright, so bright as the sun finds me
Stop, buy sunglasses for this east bound drive
Driving again, engine purring loving the open road

Remains, bless the deer, now a crow's breakfast
No radio, snow patrol sings to my soul
January 20th, a new president on the horizon
Still no radio, more mountains, more snow
Trucks, so many trucks hauling America on their backs
Construction, orange barrels and sage brush
Wind mills pulling energy from God's breath

Static, Anna Nalick tells me to breathe, be patient
A cowboy croons through static, maybe now..surfing
Green river frozen, lone hawk circles..majestic
Yes! More static but almost audible news station
Then Biden, no longer shushing, but swearing an oath
Violin, piano.. John Williams draws peace into the portrait

Laying his hand on a bible once touched by Lincoln
Tears held back for fear of streaming mascara
'Deer crossing next five miles'
Still driving, old friend waiting for a hug
A voice of hope, a voice of integrity and strength
Swearing to lead and hold our nation
Many watching, trusting and listening

Almost out of gas, out of coffee, pulling in
Inside truckers huddle, small crowded lounge with cable
Some with fear, others with hope, watching our fledgling leader
Hurry, don't want to miss.. smiling at fellow commuter
"We have a new president!", too excited not to speak, pumping gas
He smiles back, "Should I be excited?" "Yes!" I flash
"Should we do cartwheels or pray?"
"Do both!" I reply at the handsome face, pulling away

Radio back on, words of humility, words of hope
Faith in this new leader fills me, brimming tears
Road blurs, fight lost with mascara as tears roll
National Anthem, powerful poem by Elizabeth from Yale
Prayer from a man who walked with a legend
Static returns, gifted pocket of reception drifting away

Cold play explains the speed of sound
Baron desert, beautiful, open and endless
'Continental Divide 7000 ft'
America and her power vibrate through my tires
Peaceful, free, alone I fly across her plains
On this day of monumental promises from greatness

Lyrics tag

Not tagging anyone specific, just for who ever wants to play.......... post one of your fav songs. :)

Breathe (2 am) by Anna Nalick

2 AM and she calls me 'cause I'm still awake,
"Can you help me unravel my latest mistake?,
I don't love him. Winter just wasn't my season"
Yeah we walk through the doors, so accusing their eyes
Like they have any right at all to criticize,
Hypocrites. You're all here for the very same reason

'Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button, girl.
So cradle your head in your hands
And breathe... just breathe,

In May he turn 21 on the base at Fort Bliss
"Just a day", he sat down to the flask in his fist,
"Ain't been sober, since maybe October of last year."
Here in town you can tell he's been down for a while,
But, my God, it's so beautiful when the boy smiles,
Wanna hold him. Maybe I'll just sing about it.

Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table.
No one can find the rewind button, boys,
So cradle your head in your hands,
And breathe... just breathe,

There's a light at each end of this tunnel,
You shout 'cause you're just as far in as you'll ever be out
And these mistakes you've made, you'll just make them again
If you only try turning around.

2 AM and I'm still awake, writing a song
If I get it all down on paper, it's no longer inside of me,
Threatening the life it belongs to
And I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd
Cause these words are my diary, screaming out loud
And I know that you'll use them, however you want to

But you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button now
Sing it if you understand.
and breathe, just breathe
woah breathe, just breathe,
oh breathe, just breathe.