11 January 2015

It's That Time Again

Actually, past time.

I'm all "politicked" out ... enough, already.

A diet of unrelentingly bad news is damaging my calm, so I'm turning it off for awhile. There are plenty of bloggers, and a reporter or two, who are pursuing the problems and tribulations in this dysfunctional Union, and around the world.

I want to follow that other Paul's injunction:
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
(Phil. 4:8, NKJV)

I choose to walk the high places and commune with nature, and nature's God. I want to feel the wind in my face ... hear the eagle cry ... and watch the play of light and shadow on the land.

I choose to pay attention to life; not the world of men, but the world itself. God's creatures are not jealous: they do not strive for vainglory, nor aspire to greatness. They go about the business of living, finding food and shelter, and survival in the purest and simplest terms. They exist, and that is enough.

I want to get to a quiet place, where I can still my soul*, and encourage my spirit to hear the voice of God.


* The mind, will and emotions

12 comments:

Matt said...

Same thing here. Tuning out has helped me a lot. Whether or not the crack up happens and some boogieman takes over will not be affected if I listen to all the rotten news and politics. Might as well keep it tuned out.

Rev. Paul said...

Matt - the more I think about that, the more appealing "tuning out" is.

Tewshooz said...

Thank you for that. It pulled me up short as we have been watching the bad news constantly. Time to listen to some calm music or go for a walk down our dirt road and watch the wildlife. Boy, I needed that.

Rev. Paul said...

Tewshooz, I'm glad it helped. Too much negative news (that's 99.9% of it, these days) will leave you angry & paranoid.

I just don't want to do it anymore.

PioneerPreppy said...

I guess I don't really see most of it as bad news. Most of it means no more to me than if I was reading a history of the last days of Babylon. The death throes of a civilization that at best has shown me low level contempt for no reason except that I was born White and Male. AT worst has openly admitted it hates me for the same reasons. Not a world I really care about enough to get upset over any bad news.

Not that I take glee from news of others misery but I will not deny I feel some of them deserve it.

Old NFO said...

NOt a bad idea... That's why I've pretty much stopped putting anything political up...

Cathy said...

Beautifully stated, Rev. Paul. Truly.
We all are exhausted by the darkness and your path is one that, in the end, is the only one that makes sense. We have no control over the macro events that cloud the horizon. Yes. This:
" . . . .if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."

Ed Bonderenka said...

Man, I don't want to leave the fight, but I'm getting PTSD.
Anger, bitterness, not fruit of the Spirit.

Sandy Livesay said...

Rev. Paul,

Getting in touch with our spiritual side makes more sense than listening 24/7 to the news. I find my blood pressure reduces when I'm away from the radio/TV/newspaper.

God has created this beautiful country, it's time we appreciate it more.

Guffaw in AZ said...

Probably wise.

gfa

ProudHillbilly said...

Costa Rica and minimal internet was nice...

Rev. Paul said...

PH - I agree that's a nice change of pace. We enjoy Hawaii because it's a self-imposed isolation from being connected 24/7.