Finding our way to The Way one situation at a time. I don't know how great it will be, but I expect it will be interesting, and I look forward to it going on past all reason because wonder is just that way. Are you coming or not?
Sailboats at Sunset — Silver Lake, Ocracoke Island, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Outer Banks, North Carolina
We lived for a while with the fantasy of Galahad and his heart of nobility, purity and grace carrying us forth like Jesus from the grave as a goal for us to strive for, a human wonder for us to be, but.
There was always littleness, meanness, hatred, greed, wrath and fear shinning through, getting in the way, and, in the end, the truth prevailed.
More of us wanted to be like Donald Trump than like Jesus and Galahad. And if not actually more, close enough for it not to matter for the dream of Liberty! Justice! Equality! Truth! to become just another WOKE dream crashing into the reality of My Way Now No Matter What! hidden beneath the guise of MAGA! And its disdain for Democracy and its hope for how things ought to be.
How ought things be? Who says so? Who cares? Here we are! Now what? What guides our boat on its path through the sea? My choice is for Emptiness, Stillness, Silence to lead the way.
Sitting still enough long enough to see, hear, know, understand, what's what and what is called for and what needs to be done in its service no matter what, when, where and how it needs to be done, and rising to do the right thing at the right time in the right place and the right way here and now day by day forever, starting now, you and I together, all the way--may it be so, no?
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.
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4 thoughts on “September 17, 2025”
Jim, you are a continually inspiration for me. Thank you for being you & doing what fits💕 The next right thing has helped me immensely at work and home as I strive to live in the moment without past haunting or future anxieties. Let it be so, and peace on you, brother!
No preferences except a high preference for no preferences. No expectations except the expectation of being at peace by having no expectations. No plans except the plan to have no plans. No desire except the desire to have no desire. No wants except wanting to have no wants… Just seeing, doing, knowing what’s what and what is called for in response to knowing what is called for. This is basically straight from the womb stuff. When we start imposing our idea of how things ought to be on how things are, we are laying the foundation for trouble and sorrow and that egg will surely hatch sooner than we think. No? Thanks for your comment!
Your words capture this moment so well. I have been trying to avoid the current news cycle and live in each moment more fully than ever. But the Kimmell news was unavoidable and stark notice of how far we have fallen. Your posts continue to help me stay afloat.
It is essential that we keep one another going and thereby bearing witness to the importance of the old Taoist commitment to doing the right thing in the right way at then tight time in the right place. The power of doing that, of being those who do that, who believe in the importance of doing it again and again forever in each situation as it arises for no reason beyond the joy of doing it (The right thing, etc.) and the satisfaction of having done it–changing the baby’s diaper, doing the dishes, mowing the grass, etc. eternally and always. Because that is who we are and what is ours to do (The right thing, etc.). And we don’t let “So what? Who cares? Why try? What does it mean or matter?” get in our way! Because that is who we are! And that is what we do! Always and forever! Amen! Let it be so!
Jim Dollar's Photography and Philosophy 
Jim, you are a continually inspiration for me. Thank you for being you & doing what fits💕 The next right thing has helped me immensely at work and home as I strive to live in the moment without past haunting or future anxieties. Let it be so, and peace on you, brother!
Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer
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No preferences except a high preference for no preferences. No expectations except the expectation of being at peace by having no expectations. No plans except the plan to have no plans. No desire except the desire to have no desire. No wants except wanting to have no wants… Just seeing, doing, knowing what’s what and what is called for in response to knowing what is called for. This is basically straight from the womb stuff. When we start imposing our idea of how things ought to be on how things are, we are laying the foundation for trouble and sorrow and that egg will surely hatch sooner than we think. No? Thanks for your comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stunning photograph.
Your words capture this moment so well. I have been trying to avoid the current news cycle and live in each moment more fully than ever. But the Kimmell news was unavoidable and stark notice of how far we have fallen. Your posts continue to help me stay afloat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is essential that we keep one another going and thereby bearing witness to the importance of the old Taoist commitment to doing the right thing in the right way at then tight time in the right place. The power of doing that, of being those who do that, who believe in the importance of doing it again and again forever in each situation as it arises for no reason beyond the joy of doing it (The right thing, etc.) and the satisfaction of having done it–changing the baby’s diaper, doing the dishes, mowing the grass, etc. eternally and always. Because that is who we are and what is ours to do (The right thing, etc.). And we don’t let “So what? Who cares? Why try? What does it mean or matter?” get in our way! Because that is who we are! And that is what we do! Always and forever! Amen! Let it be so!
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