Dear spindoc,

I'm sorry that you seem to have misunderstood
what I was trying to say.

What I was referring to was that human beings have
a free will. We have the freedom to choose how
we perceive the world around us. We may or may
not be able to change the world to our entire
liking but we have the freedom to perceive the
world in any way we chose. We can say life is
terrible and ugly, or we can say it is beautiful
and enjoyable. We can enjoy life to its
utmost by taking responsibility for the way we look
at the world, how we perceive life - either as
miserable or as wonderful - the choice resides in us
as individuals. In other words it is up to us to
bemoan or enjoy the interval between being born and
dieing. It is up to us what we make of our lives,
and how we view life in general. It is up to us.

As far as the legacy of what we leave our children
goes - that is a separate issue. I have always
tried to surround my children with a sturdy
sensibility, a world view, and I tried to make it
different from the "Me" mentality of modern culture.

What I consider important- is the content of my children's
hearts and minds, or what is often described as character.
When we say, "It's what's inside that counts, we speak a
simple but profound truth. Our job as parents is to try
to raise a decent human being. Thankfully, my husband and
I have succeeded with both our sons - of whom we are very,
very proud.

I hope that this clarifies things for you just a tad
spindoc and I am very flattered that you cared enough
to ask.

Thanks for that.

BTW: As you know from my posting records on this forum -
I care and worry about "others," very, very, much.
And in my experience most people
believe in the "basics" like respect, loyalty, and a sense of
fair play

Dear Jayb.,

I certainly could have used the bag-pipes
when it was my turn to feed the chooks.
I was eight years old and dad gave me that job
after I got home from school. Well I hated it
not only because I hated mixing up the mush
but then upon entering the chook's enclosure -
there was this feisty rooster who had it in
for me and would attack me.

Bag-pipes just might have scared the living daylights
out of him. He sure scared the daylights out of me.

Dear O Sung Wu,

This is especially for you, to cheer you up:

"As beautiful as the most awesome of sunsets
As vast as a clear, cloudless sky,
As bright as the first twinkling star of
the evening,
As rare as a jewelled butterfly ...
As wondrous as blossoms unfolding their
splendour,
As wise as the tallest trees,
As grand as the mountains that reach to
the heavens,
As free as a lighthearted breeze -
You're the best of God's gifts -
His most precious creation -
A one-of-a-kind, perfect you!
And in this discussion is a time to give
thanks and remember
That you are a miracle, too."

You know how it is JAYB, the ebbs and flows ? Good idea though, having a chat with blokes who know what you're talking about. Thanks again mate ! An aside, why ever do they call a deployment, 'a tour' ? It's almost like going on a holiday ? A quiet Sunday afternoon drive in an APC, terrific ! A nice drive up to the Long Hai's for a BBQ perhaps ?

CONSERVATIVE HIPPIE...

There are many people who choose to follow some of the more traditional Eastern religions, like the Buddhists as an example. A feature of the Buddhist philosophy that I find appealing is their reliance of generating a sense of real calm and quiet. They try to inculcate into the practices of devotees, various methods of quietening and calming of the mind. Most, start with a head full of worry and anxiety, and by the time they finish, they reckon they feel completely relaxed ! I'd give my right arm to learn that skill.

A female colleague some 18-20 years ago now, who was a strong supporter of yoga and Buddhist mental health practices, 'tried' to teach me the various strategies of relaxation. But I found I was hopeless at that sort of stuff ?

Further, the Buddhists wrote a compilation titled; the 'Book of the Dead'. Where they sought to explain the various spiritual journeys a human being took, post his death. A type of reincarnation, almost a circulatory process of; birth, living, and death. Then to re-commence the same process over again ? Truly fascinating stuff, but do I personally believe in it ? I dunno, I'm not sure 'hand on heart' if I believe in anything to be perfectly honest ?

Thank you FOXY, a lovely verse. We spoke of poetry a few months ago, and most agreed that a well written poem tended to 'cut to the chase' as it were, similar to yours now, again thank you so much.

O Sung wu

' However with respect to them, how would they know, where's the evidence ?

there are numerous books written with different people including lawyers and scientist looking at the evidence as to Christ's resurrection. There are also the likes of John Lennox (Professor of Mathematics Oxford) and many others with intellects at least that of Hawkins who believe in Christ and His claims.

At the end of the day it is faith to believe what someone says. For me to trust a man who I believe never lied or a self interested scientist who also displays great faith is a no brainer.

The old saying that believing is seeing proves true with Christ. Everywhere you look speaks of design, Creator and order. Those who want to see before believing will always remain blind despite the ever changing pseudo science explanations.