November 21, 2023 – A

Posted byjimwdollarPosted in06/25/2020
West Prong 10/26/2006 — Little Pigeon River, Chimneys Picnic Area, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, Tennessee 
Things aren't what they need to be
because somebody doesn't want them that way.
We all want things to be
the way we want them to be,
and we want them to be different ways
right now.

Arranging things the way they ought to be
would be a matter of getting rid 
of everything with an opinion
of how they ought to be.

Opinions get in the way.
In my opinion.

Living with no opinion in any matter
is the quickest way to contentment
and satisfaction.

Should be a law:
No caring about the wrong things!
In my opinion.

And, No opinions ever about anything!
In my opinion.

Opinions run,
and ruin,
the show.
Every show.

Theology is nothing more
than a collection of opinions
about hearsay.

The world is built on opinions.
They are the foundation of everything.
In my opinion.

I don't know how we get rid of them.
I'll show you yours
if if you will show me mine.
Maybe that would work.

Probably, it would lead to more war.

All war is over disagreements in opinions.
So are all denominations.
That list has no end.
In my opinion.

–0–

Published by jimwdollar

I'm retired, and still finding my way--but now, I don't have to pretend that I know what I'm doing. I retired after 40.5 years as a minister in the Presbyterian Church USA, serving churches in Louisiana, Mississippi and North Carolina. I graduated from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, in Austin, Texas, and Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. My wife, Judy, and I have three daughters, five granddaughters, one great granddaughter, and a great grandson on the way, within about ten minutes from where we live--and are enjoying our retirement as much as we have ever enjoyed anything.

4 thoughts on “November 21, 2023 – A”

  1. In my twenties, I realized that I had none to very few (and not strong) opinions about anything, when everyone else around seemed to be strongly opinionated about most things. I thought that perhaps I lacked genuine passion and interest in things, so I must try to consciously ‘develop’ some opinion about everything I come across. I tried that for many years…turned out I was right the first time. Now I am on my way back to my natural instincts again (not to have opinions on all random things, unless they are spontaneous and cannot be put aside…or inherently a part of who I am). Thank you for this!

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    1. Finding our way back to our natural instincts is complicated by what the old Taoists called “the 10,000 things.” While the natural world lives from there and gets along just fine, except for our interference in its life. Indigenous peopes know this to be so around the world, throughout time. Civilization hasn’t added much to our quality of life, and many of its children think we ought to be happier than we are, but never look at what we are destroying in the pursuit of happiness. But, I’m preaching to the choir, here, or being antiphonal to the preacher!

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      1. You are absolutely right. Regarding preaching, I think you continue doing what you are inclined to do, it will not change the course of human civilization but if it invites even one person to revisit their thoughts/ attitudes/ opinions/ behavior… it will all be still worth it?
        The rain simply falls, not caring for whether the soil receives it or it slides of the rocks!

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