What am I doing? Why am I doing it? And who am I anyways?
All important questions to answer if I’m going to do this right I guess. Any time one ventures into new territory they should definitely declare the causes which impel them to the… Anyways, I’ll give an overview here and follow-up in a day or so with a paradigm-defining piece so you’ll have a general feel for where I’m coming from.
What am I doing?
In the simplest terms – I am thinking out loud. I like to pontificate about a good many things, so I might as well spend that time attempting to define for you (and to no little extent, myself) what I think and why I think that way. Hopefully I am helping you see another point of view, maybe I am at least enabling you to understand another point of view, mostly I hope I am challenging you to think critically about topics – and that you will in turn challenge me to do the same. I hope to cover the gamut, from my personal beliefs to my views on governance to issues of the day to how the Bears/Cougars/Cubs/Blazers are doing to what movies I’ve watched and what books I think you should read to what astronomical event/scientific discovery has caught my attention.
Why am I doing this?
Well, in this uncivil era where voices struggle to be the most strident and most provocative – civil discourse and explanations of one’s reasoning become more and more imperative.
While others strive to drown out opposing views and disdain those who disagree with them – I feel the need to critically examine my beliefs, and then to make sure my opinion is known. This is not to say that a scathing exposition won’t be warranted from time-to-time; I can almost guarantee there will be more than a few – but I will try to focus rather on the positive… if I can… I swear I’ll try.
I also need an avenue from time-to-time to express myself personally and politically, and believe this may be the most appropriate venue – I’m almost always better at the written word than I am verbally; I am much more able to express myself and make sure my reasoning is sound when it is on paper… or the ether of the internet… maybe it will get lost in the cloud, who knows.
And who am I anyways?
No one of consequence, that’s for sure! 🙂
Just a normal guy – I’m a middle-class 30-some year old male. I have a degree in public policy that I put to work doing… absolutely nothing with public policy! Money well spent, I tell you. (Note to anyone not in college yet: get a STEM degree! It’s much more sensible and will probably pay off a lot more in the long run)
Once a child with delusions/dreams of grandeur – I wanted to be President. Since then I have sizably downgraded those – from President to some State office, to maybe some local office, to working on campaigns and donating for/to people I believe in, to just wanting to get through one day without hearing histrionics on the news about some policy something or other.
* I think that is an imminently more reasonable dream; and yet, it seems so unattainable at times! *
I identify myself as a Christian, a family man, and a conservative – but that is something I’ll get into in another post; I strive to be as diverse as a modern-day renaissance man could be with interests that include the theater/performing arts, literature – classic and new, religious theory/study, fiction and non-fiction, politics (theory and practice), the sciences (astronomy in particular), history, and sports (some would say I identify too closely with my teams at times); and I try to be as involved in my community as possible through my church, volunteer opportunities in the community, and civic engagement.
Last year I took time to identify the verses in the Bible that spoke most to me and I would seek to have best define me; I also compiled personal vision and mission statement. I’ll include them here, and maybe if I’m not living up to them you can help put me back on the right path. 🙂
Life Verses
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
~ Philippians 2:1-4 ~
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
~ Psalms 139:14 ~
Life Quote
“I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.”
~ George Washington ~
Vision Statement
My vision is a world where the people that come in contact with me know that I am a Christ follower; that my nephew and those around me can look to me as a role model; that I am a positive influence on the people around me; where my relationships with my family and friends are strong; where my co-workers know they can depend on me to do my work capably; where I am viewed as a leader in my community and give back to it regularly; where I make a positive impact in my community and make it a better place for the future; where I am ever-inquisitive and ever-learning; and where I do all of this cheerfully.
Mission Statement
In my life I will make time daily for prayer and study so that I can grow closer in my relationship with my Creator; I will take more care of my well-being – both physical and mental – by being more careful of what I say and do; I will strive to be a better example to those around me; I will take time each week to build stronger relationships with my family and friends; I will organize my days – both personally and professionally so that I maximize my time and my talent (while maintaining flexibility when the need arises); I will find more opportunities to be involved in my community through service; I will make my voice heard in the community on the issues that matter to me; I will always seek to learn more about this grand Creation; I will find time every day to be thankful for something/appreciative of someone/encouraging to someone; and I will do all this with the joy of my Creator.
It seems to me that covers everything for now… I’ll catch you on the flip side
Thanks for taking the time to check me out. If you ever have questions or comments, I look forward to hearing from you – the one thing I ask is that we all remain on-topic and civil.
The Musings of Me 