Debating Tips for the Holdays

This post is inspired by the Atlantic Article called "If You Must Talk Politics at Thanksgiving, Here's How: 10 Unsatisfying Rules For Disagreeing With Friends and Families Over the Holidays."

Their suggestions are good advice for any time of year,  although I'd recommend avoiding any and all serious discussion during a holiday if you possibly can. It's a time to be welcoming our nearest and dearest, not driving them away.


Still... I am aware that some of us have friends, neighbors, community members, or relations who just cannot be discouraged from venting at our political affiliation, religion, or other differences. Then you have but few (angelic) choices: refuse to discuss it, defend yourself respectfully, leave or ask them to leave (if it is your house.)

If you find yourself tempted into the fray, then may these tips be of some help to you. This is how I try to approach such discussions (though I'll admit I don't always handle it perfectly either.)

The basic strategy here boils down to respecting the person even when you don't agree with them at all. This may mean ignoring what can seem like a personal attack on your status in the group and your personal worth. Even if a personal attack is exactly what is intended, it never helps to point this aspect out.  It's not about who is right or wrong, but surviving until dessert is served. You need a fire extinguisher, not gasoline.

My tips:  It is helpful if you make an effort to acknowledge all valid points from the other side, and accept in advance that the most you are ever going to do is sow some seeds of doubt in the 100% rightness of their position. Never even hope you can change the other person's mind entirely, as that way endless debates and acrimony loom. The other side assumes that nothing will do but their total submission to your incredible wisdom, and that just ain't gonna happen, Hoss.

Stick with demanding a little respect for your differences - and let the rest go. Say what you think is the most important parts of why you believe/live as you do, back it up with what facts you have, and (ideally) look for the earliest moment to end the debate in a way that is respectful to both sides...without retreat...without hard feelings. Grit your teeth if you must, but realize this is the best gift of peace and love you can offer to everyone at the gathering. It is the wise thing to do.

Family fights are memorable but NOT great for cozy holiday memories, which is why debates like this should be avoided whenever possible, and ended quickly when they arise, as long as this doesn't steamroll others' self-worth.

Opinions are like noses, everybody has one and they all drop *ahem* less than delightful offerings from time to time. Yeah...eeeeewwww

 (and a tissue box)

Real Humility and the Pharisee

Inspired by JMT's video blog

GOSPEL
Lk 18:9-14
The tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke
Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
“Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—
greedy, dishonest, adulterous—or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Some proud people believe that 'humbling' themselves before God is good enough, but are like this Pharisee.  This scene shows the Pharisee bragging on all the works he has done to express his devotion.  Jesus’ statement that the lowly sinner was more justified would have been a shock to at least some of his listeners. How could God like a blatant sinner more than a highly respected religious official? This was pretty close to saying that a convicted conman who was sincerely penitent meant more to God than leader of a super-sized church or cathedral who was prideful to poor sinners – even when he faithfully fulfilled his usual duties and was genial in his dealings with his preferred circle of society.  Even today, such a plain assessment from Heaven would shock people. In general, I would expect them to resist this Word as being the real deal, even if God freshly sent a prophet to them to say exactly that.

After all, not everything the Pharisee did here is wrong. He was reminding God of all the ways he acknowledged the most High and God’s laws.  He made a public confession of his faith and his testimony.  This kind of statement may have played well with the local priesthood, but the government of Israel as a satellite state of Rome was far more pagan/secular. He knew his stance would have limited his upwards progression within the Roman Empire. The Pharisee has sacrificed all higher ambitions to stand for God. That’s praiseworthy.

 So what was messed up?

# 1 Well the testimony itself sounds a bit egotistical doesn’t it?  The Pharisee sounds like he is demanding God recognize how special his service to heaven has been (or else?) Even then, Godlessness was so prevalent in Israel (thanks to the occupying Romans) that the Jews often figured God ought to especially appreciate that they still live in a way that ‘officially’ honored His name.  Many had been persecuted to varying degrees for remaining Jews. That Pharisee could have aimed for a state career if he hadn’t valued serving God more, so choosing to honor the Faith of the Fathers in such a detailed exacting way ought to be worth extra credit. God should be impressed!

Go ahead and laugh, but people still feel that way. 

Today Christianity is mocked and marginalized in many places, and rather than realize that this means that whole world really is leaning towards hellish attitudes, people think they are doing God a favor for even considering worshipping Him when His stock has slipped so much in society, TV shows, movies, and the news media. He doesn’t seem as great to a population propagandized against him since their earliest school years.  Some of that dismissive attitude bleeds over into church living. Even though most believers had a sense of their own sinfulness and extreme unworthiness once, probably when they seriously converted and accepted Jesus as their savior, this sense is easily lost.

Every now and then, it hits me hard that the whole Earth is incredibly messed up, hate-filled, ignorant, selfish, and just plain sinful by God’s standards. THAT is when I freshly appreciate how amazing, how strong, how HUGE a deal is God’s Love and Grace. I figure these moments of clarity are a gift of the Holy Spirit, because it doesn’t take long for that awareness of the filth to fade away. I reacclimatize to my current world, and then society doesn’t seem to be so bad. Time goes by and I start to feel pretty good about my ethics and progress compared with others. That’s when God’s judgments and requirements seem a little extreme.  Seriously, everyone is prone to this. As long as we look around us more than we look at God, we will overvalue ourselves and undervalue God’s patience with our flaws and our horrendous situation. We forget how miserable we were. We forget that we needed saved from the very world that says God’s opinion doesn’t matter, and the Hell that the world is headed toward. We even forget how much He loves us.

     That Pharisee wasn’t an idiot. He was just couldn’t imagine how lowly he really was compared with God. The Pharisee didn’t see how loving and gracious God had been in creating the Abrahamic covenant he depended on. God had set terms to show man his own tendency towards lawlessness; God was making a pathway that allowed Him to be officially pleased with a fundamentally flawed lowly creation like him. God didn’t need his tithes or herbs. The Pharisee was more open with that his ‘God had better appreciate my sacrifice or I can find a god I like better’ attitude because he was on the earlier covenant, which didn’t include the inward warning of the Holy Spirit about the inappropriate pride his attitude expressed. The Comforter had not yet come to Earth to abide in the hearts of God’s people. The Holy Spirit makes us aware sometimes of how silly we are, how hard-hearted and prideful we prefer to be, and He does it because He loves us. It’s the abiding comfort, love, and peace that make the remonstrations bearable.  It’s shocking that any Christians could make this mistake, but we do; we just aren’t as blatant about it, because we feel that internal correction.

# 2 -- Today we can see the pride in the Pharisee’s assertions but many still don’t get the whole picture. The Pharisee was trying for higher heavenly status the same way he networked and maneuvered into Earthly status.

In the time this was written, toadying was highly acceptable behavior. It still is, but people are often slightly more discreet with their flattery these days. To gain an influential person’s ear, it helped if presented yourself as a valuable person to the VIP, so working in a certain amount of bragging in between your bouts of flattery and other seductive behaviors is generally a successful tactic.  You want them to see you not only as a loyal supporter, but a valuable one, as close to the leader’s status as you can manage. As part of your claims of fealty you would work in mentions of the many resources you’ve put at their disposal, or otherwise put to work for them. At the very least, you would still sell yourself as an extreme ‘fan’ and remind them of how you supported them publicly. [Celebrities feel entitled to everyone’s adulation, devotion, and affection, so the bit that stands out is your own ‘higher’ status and gifts – which they won’t even recognize as your contribution if you didn’t point it out directly.]  Look again at what the Pharisee is saying. He’s exactly in this format, selling himself as a valuable ‘fan,’ blithely unaware that God already knows all about him. Nor does the Pharisee take in that God doesn’t require a human PR department. God doesn’t really want us to ‘flatter’ Him.** We can’t anyway, because flattery implies that the praise we give is excessive, but no praise is too little for the Almighty, Holy, and True.  If we think we are flattering God, then we are actively failing to recognize how awesome He really is! God will always be the greatest being – beyond our imagining – whether we worship Him or not. God’s main interest in telling us about Himself is so we can development a proper relationship with Our Father, God, the one who made everything we have and who is also the being who has already condescended to meet with us and care for our neediness individually.  Not many worldly celebrities, even really minor ones like a regional boss or a homecoming queen, truly care about their fans. Worldly leaders often see followers as exploitable, expendable resources, and feel little or no loyalty towards those they use and discard. This is probably why God stresses that HIS leaders should consider themselves as shepherds who protect and guide their sheep. God has strong angry words for those leaders who call themselves Christians but view their ‘flocks’ in that heartless carnal way. 

If you - as a influential societal leader/celebrity - figure that you can set your followers to attack a poorer person because you don’t like what he said to you, you are not humble. You are a user and not a shepherd.  If what you didn’t like to hear was a word from God given through a poorer, weaker person (and God LOVES to send brave impecunious believers with a Word) and you tried to ‘get back’ at him or her for it instead of going to God prayerfully to discern what if anything you needed to fix, then you’ve chosen a path that has more in common with the heathen Haman than with Jesus. This you’d-better-kowtow-to-me-or- else attitude was what initiated the crisis in Esther. Mordecai would not worship Haman,  and told Haman what God thought of such practices, so Haman griped to his fans/followers, friends, and family until they came up with a plan to kill Mordecai – and all the Jews with him.

**People still try to manipulate God to gain favor the same way they would an easily flattered foolish fellow human too. Seems crazy to me to try that on with Omniscience, who sees all hearts, but I have seen folks who give it a go!

#3  So far I have talked only about how the Pharisee approached God in pride, holding way too high an opinion of what he was offering God and much too high an opinion of himself generally, but now I think we should talk about the pride the Pharisee displayed toward the other fellow worshiping God in that service.  

The Pharisee’s egotism was obvious, but he was talking mostly to himself/God about how messed up the other guy was, and even thanked God for allowing the Pharisee a higher social status. People still do this, just not out loud.

Here is a simple fact, although the Pharisee acknowledged that God was greater than himself, he still felt he held a much higher slot in the spiritual hierarchy. If he was a dog, you’d say he was an alpha dog, submitting to the Master, but not to other dogs. He is secure in his belief that he holds a much higher place in life. He submits to strength greater than his own, never to dogs weaker than himself. Those who fall to any weakness are beneath him.

That’s very carnal behavior, the inner ape-man bellowing and beating his abs.

The crazy bit is that many believers feel they have been humble enough to satisfy Heaven as long as they acknowledge God – and social equals/superiors- with any kind of deference.  In truth, this isn’t humility at all! That’s just a practical acknowledgement of personal relationships and power bases that can hurt you if you act ugly to them. ANYBODY will do that. Dogs, zebras, and peach-faced lovebirds will do that. The only reason most people don’t defer to God now is because they don’t think He exists!

No, humility means recognizing AS EQUALS OR SUPERIORS people who do not have your advantages in life. Humility is recognizing God in every one of us, to the lowest beggars on the street. It means being willing to love others as God loved your otherwise worthless hide.

The rich and Pharisees ‘believers’ in Jesus’ day had lost any idea of remembering God’s calls to humility in the Old Testament. Some still shared food or clothing with the poor, but very few felt any obligation to spend any time with them.

This is why the Pharisee disrespected the other believer, the repentant taxpayer. The Pharisee saw a worthless lowlife and sneered at the man’s tears before Heaven. He didn’t realize God loved that sinner as much as God loved him. He didn’t see that God was willing to remake both broken lives into something much more beautiful, but this required willingness to change and willingness to take the relationship with God seriously. The Pharisee sure didn’t realize that the taxman was making the right choice and he was not.

Those raised high in Christian hierarchies or in church ministries often feel pretty blessed. Their Moms and Dads often have great standing with God and man. All recognize they have a huge advantage in knowing about Jesus from an early age. All that is actually fine, great even, but they are at risk of developing the idea that their family legacy includes being pretty awesome from birth - compared with the ‘outsiders’ and the ‘little people’ – especially those they see as lower caste sinners.  We have got to watch out for that attitude, as it can lead to the Pharisee’s failing. God can greatly use anyone who truly seeks His Face. Those who have grown up comfortable, in grace, are often not as strong in faith or wisdom as those who have been in the spiritual wars and found Jesus’ support is as faithful as He promised it would be.

Any trial another brother or sister in faith faces could be or could have been our fate. We should see Jesus in their midst. We should identify with and help those we can, as good neighbors, not as Lady Bountiful condescending to drop a few goodies to the starving serfs from our safe proud perch on the high balcony. Fake humility mouths some platitudes, congratulates itself on how much better its own life is, and keeps emotional distance from the losers shoved into its awareness. Real humility looks our fellow humans in the eyes and sees mirror of our own flawed humanity. Real humility loves others as much or more than it loves itself.

God prefers real humility.

We had better be glad of this, because it is in God’s incredible humility that we find His miraculous love, acceptance, interest and concern for us.  God’s not asking us to do anything He isn’t doing Himself for us, every single day.

Humble Pie in an Amish Paradise

Amish Paradise is one of my favorite Weird Al tunes. That may seem odd since some feel this song makes fun of Christians in general & the Amish in particular, but I don't think it's all that bad. Every time I see or hear it, I just remember how much I liked the Amish people I've met. Besides, those who can't take a gentle ribbing generally have ego issues, and we called to be humble Christ-like lovers of mankind. Occasionally that means eating a little humble pie with good grace.

Aside from using the word "fool" - devout believers like the Amish avoid insulting others like that - it's kinda true. I've never been Amish, but I have lived in some very basic rural situations, and some of those weren't but a few miles down the road from real Mennonites. I loved those guys! This is how I relate (at least to some of it.) Back to the land living is indeed plain, simple, peaceful, beautiful, but those not raised with that kind of quiet life often get freaky without all the usual noises and distractions. Yes, the lady is plain, but not ugly. She's just not what 'modern' people are used to seeing. This is the whole point of the song - even when its an Amish Paradise - when all is well, the weather is nice, the animals are healthy, the crops are abundant, and the Amish are actually having a great time, most city folks look at their lifestyle and go "Blech!"

Weird Al points out some of the stupidity the Amish put up with, and how they are likely to be tempted to respond. (You could even consider that part a warning to the English. Quit pushing them. They are human. They do have feelings.) As for those who make fun of the practical, old-fashioned clothes they wear? The Amish have long ago learned that is rarely worthwhile to respond to shallow, silly mockers, but you may as well know that you look just as ridiculous to them.

My favorite bit is this ~

"Think you're really righteous? Think you're pure in heart? Well, I know I'm a million times as humble as thou art! I'm the pious guy the little Amlettes wanna be like - On my knees day and night scorin' points for the afterlife"

ROLFLOL!!!!

Cracks me up every time because I have seen that one! I've met so many sincere believers who started off making some radical life changes in order to walk before God as perfectly as possible. Initially they knew that what they were doing was not required for salvation or even a close walk with God, (though the dedication and devotion that inspired that choice was beautiful IMO) but then they got to the point where they figured that only those who live just like they do are the 'real' Christians or maybe they recognize that other believers will probably go to heaven but are sure that they are 'scoring far more points for the afterlife' because only their sect is all that serious about following Jesus. IMHO, Weird AL has caught that particular head-trip perfectly. His lines show how pride can trip up even the kindest, most determinedly humble folks. It's not just the Amish, guys! We ALL have to watch out for that trap. Real humble pie shouldn't gas you up like that!

Psychological Assault

Post by Susan McGaw.

Repeaters for the Devil's Radio

"Believe nothing of what you hear, and only half of what you see." old proverb

Malicious gossips wouldn't manage much harm if many others weren't complicit by being:

1) So Gullible (accepting accusations without evidence.)

In many places and times, a lot of innocent people have been killed because bad gossip swayed neighbors into believing someone was a witch/wizard with an 'evil eye' that's causing all the problems or 'must be the one who did it' when the only 'evidence' was a preponderance of wagging tongues . This is actually why trials were instituted in every civilized society (and mob 'justice' outlawed.) If there is no evidence that can bring the accused to trial, then the most common reason will be because the accused is actually innocent, no matter what 'everybody' has been persuaded to believe

The 'logic' doesn't have to be any better than this...



It says sad things about the state of our society that people have gone back to believing rumors as a primary source of news. Given the propaganda issues with some mainstream sources, and the way local news sometimes just seems to get ignored by the official newscasters, I understand why word of mouth is proliferating. Just make sure your local 'news' actually has credible eyewitnesses and evidence. For those who believe in God, I STRONGLY recommend praying for discernment as to what is the real truth - especially before you act on a rumor in any way! It could be a FrameUp

2) So Judgmental - so ready to internalize a bad word and turn on others, especially friends, family, neighbors...

Any accusation making the rounds effectively acts as a social demotion in most groups. It doesn't need to be all that credible for former friends to shun you. The real message (if your enemy has spread Malicious Slander far enough and didn't get enough flack back for it) is that the herd/flock is turning on you, which means your enemy has more social support and it's safest to dump you.* Since this is a kind of treachery, people feel best about themselves if they 'officially' believe the Demonising Lies. (Cognitive Dissonance) This is why even when you can prove it's a lie, you may have a hard time getting a fair hearing to Clear Your Name. If they accept the truth, then they have to choose between openly turning on you because it's socially expedient or championing your now unpopular position, becoming controversial, and risk being tarred with the same BS brush used on you. The most common compromise position is for a 'weak friend' to continue friendly communications, but only if you agree to keep their support a secret. Eventually most of these either make up their mind to truly remain a friend or stop talking to you, lest the others find out...

In this situation, the best you can be is a Hero With Bad Publicity

* [If you are ever fully ostracized, this enemy's next goal will likely work toward using the group's Moral Myopia to create a Torches and Pitchforks scenario (the virtual version often uses hackers.)]

3) So Ready to Become Repeaters for the Devil's Radio -

Those who are willing to 'back up' a lying jerk are the worst. In some cases they initially back such stories as just juicy gossip, figuring others are solely responsible for discerning whether there is anything to it. They usually tell themselves that since they didn't start it, they are just passing on what's going to go around anyway, but every repetition makes it seem more real to other listeners. This is what pushes incredible assertions past 'the tipping point' into a contagious social agreement - this is what makes even ridiculous hoaxes seem so believable. Not surprising that socially adept bad-mouthing persons/cliques push rumors enough times, in enough places (or just often enough from the same person), their rubbish tend to be accepted as truth. There's no Snopes to prove or disprove their accusations about private people.

The repeaters may even reason that you must deserve it, since Ole Crocodile Tears is a 'nice person.' Well, NO, O.C.T. is NOT a nice person if he/she is trying to get you to say ugly things you don't personally know are true. I don't care if Ole Crocodile Tears says they are 'warning' you about them. That's just a clever ruse to make their little drama sound less selfish/evil and make you feel like they care about you while messing with your head. SEE: Wounded Gazelle Gambit. All you Really Know is that O.C.T is upset with them/thinks they are bad/dislikes them. The result is always that they want you to do their dirty work. *rolls eyes*

God regards the repeaters as slanderers too

Being an easy tool of a slanderer doesn't say good things about you.

Be careful about who you let bend your ear.

Remember: "A clean conscience makes a soft pillow."

Gatekeeper Society

Yep!
Some communities figure that having a 'gatekeeper' mentality will ensure that only the best will be within their group. They believe this will maximize the enjoyment of those encouraged to remain, and foster community growth of the best kind. It may be well meant but it just doesn't seem to work! Such societies regularly fail everywhere: be they online, planned developments, elitist communes...whatever!

Using an elitist principle seems to bring out the worst in human nature, and proves stifling even to 'valued members' - since all they do must pass muster with (be seen as valuable by) the ruling elite. The tendency for the rank and file is to become hierarchical and competitive, which is never a welcoming environment for newcomers. Older members tend to flaunt their seniority anyway, add in a filter that declares regular human attributes unacceptable and you create a recipe for a dwindling group, a number of whom will be acting out in unpleasant ways.

I've seen the noble intention of inviting the noble/creative/intelligent into a protective environment derail into judging members as ugly internal politicking heated up. Skilled manipulators will tend to defame as 'unworthy' -members who don't support their goals of control and/or could prove to be competition. You would think that a person's personality, ethics, or skills would be evident, but people are easily swayed (primed) to agree, especially when they are trying to get along too hard. I think the problem is that so many 'good' attributes are subjective, and may even be defined by political/racist/ageist/religious leanings or even what appeals to someone's mouthy power clique as opposed to being based upon a mutually agreed upon set of parameters.

In time, even the 'gatekeepers' may be derided to suit someone else's bid for power. Any snarkiness or inner ring games already available will be used. The battle for power can be an ugly one, even in an alleged meritocracy. Only when courteous behavior is the rule do you have a reasonable basis for banning such games. If any excuse exists to permit rude behavior, it will be used. In fact, the excuses may be planned well in advance of the attack.

This is why I say the judgy opposite approach can create many bad feelings, fracture community spirit, and limit creativity, because people may fear to show anything they aren't sure will be appreciated.

Having a welcoming spirit, gentle ways, and a loving - enforced- code of conduct works far better. Trolls can be evicted fairly and everyone else learns to play together nicely. Then a sharing atmosphere encourages not only the obviously smart, extroverted, creative types, but also the hidden talents shyly scribbling in the corners. Besides, even the most creative types appreciate a well-mannered audience. IMO Kindly, courteous freedom is the only path that works.

[Another post that FB is not allowing through, so I am repeating it here. Photo from https://www.facebook.com/Gr8tful4Hisgrace]

Is this /really/ pure love?

Well love does tend to give freely, forgive easily, hope for the best for the beloved, and look to see the best in the loved ones.

~ However ~
The words in the pic could be a sideways way of demanding unconditional support of anything those you care about decide to do (no matter how unloving, sinful. or just plain rotten.) There do have to be limits somewhere, because even the best people will make bad choices sometimes. When you ask them to turn from what you see as doing evil, the basis of these words could be used to accuse you of having only 'conditional love,' talking with intention, giving of yourself in order to influence, and so on. Can you honestly care and not respond if what the loved one is doing is going to hurt them and/or others? Asking someone you care about to take a better course is an action of love, not a condition or an expectation that holds your love hostage. When you care, you do generally hope that the one(s) you care about will not seriously turn away from the ethics & decency that you valued in the first place. Speaking the truth as kindly as you know how can still be called the opposite, because it isn't praise and they didn't want to hear it. and so on...

Best to compare statements like this with 1 Corinthians: 13

1I f I speak in the languages of humans and angels but have no love, I have become a reverberating gong or a clashing cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can understand all secrets and every form of knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains but have no love, I am nothing. 3 Even if I give away everything that I have and sacrifice myself, but have no love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is always patient;
love is always kind;
love is never envious
or arrogant with pride.

Nor is she conceited,
5 and she is never rude;
she never thinks just of herself
or ever gets annoyed.
She never is resentful;
6 is never glad with sin;
she’s always glad to side with truth,
and pleased that truth will win.b

7 She bears up under everything;
believes the best in all;
there is no limit to her hope,
and never will she fall.
8 Love never fails.

....
11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, thought like a child, and reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up my childish ways. 12 Now we see only an indistinct image in a mirror, but then we will be face to face. Now what I know is incomplete, but then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.

13 Right now three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13: 1- 13 ISV

Hidden In The Bubble

Paul Simon's Graceland album is still the best I ever heard from him, and one of my all time favorite cds. "Graceland" & "Call Me Al" are the most famous tracks from it, but he's actually got much better ones on there, most notably "The Boy in the Bubble" - which is an awesome title because it gets right into the way we naturally cocoon ourselves away from trouble, turning away and concentrating on the shiniest aspects of life.

Paul Simon's song hits on several levels at once, all of them fairly deep. Its a remembrance of the forgotten. Its a recognition of the disparity in life experience between those drinking in the frequent announcements of amazing devices and discoveries of our civilization and those struggling to survive on its fringes. Its the echo of all the times we feel threatened/scared of the threats in the news, and the way the reporters lighten up the reports of impending WWIII, disease, city bombings, lost lives of our soldiers, natural disasters etc with beautiful pics from the Hubble telescope or some cool dancing robot from Japan or the latest medical breakthroughs. Its all that and more, and the fact that a lot of the song's musical complexity is inspired by African folk music just seems perfect somehow.

Its been a lot of years since this album came out, since this music video was made, and it just amazes me that both are every bit as relevant now as when they came out, maybe even more so.

Maybe you saw Graceland on someone's "100 albums you should hear before you die" list? Yes, it really IS that good. Just felt like sharing.

Myths about Introverts

(saving  FB post that meant a lot to me before it gets totally lost in the timeline)

"I'm an introvert, and proud to be one. But at times people regard us as 'the other people'. I found this circulating on the net, so here’s Mercatus Center scholar Jerry Brito debunking the top ten myths about introverts:

Myth #1 – Introverts don’t like to talk.
This is not true. Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something to say. They hate small talk. Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won’t shut up for days.

Myth #2 – Introverts are shy.
Shyness has nothing to do with being an Introvert. Introverts are not necessarily afraid of people. What they need is a reason to interact. They don’t interact for the sake of interacting. If you want to talk to an Introvert, just start talking. Don’t worry about being polite.

Myth #3 – Introverts are rude.
Introverts often don’t see a reason for beating around the bush with social pleasantries. They want everyone to just be real and honest. Unfortunately, this is not acceptable in most settings, so Introverts can feel a lot of pressure to fit in, which they find exhausting.

Myth #4 – Introverts don’t like people.
On the contrary, Introverts intensely value the few friends they have. They can count their close friends on one hand. If you are lucky enough for an introvert to consider you a friend, you probably have a loyal ally for life. Once you have earned their respect as being a person of substance, you’re in.

Myth #5 – Introverts don’t like to go out in public.
Nonsense. Introverts just don’t like to go out in public FOR AS LONG. They also like to avoid the complications that are involved in public activities. They take in data and experiences very quickly, and as a result, don’t need to be there for long to “get it.” They’re ready to go home, recharge, and process it all. In fact, recharging is absolutely crucial for Introverts.

Myth #6 – Introverts always want to be alone.
Introverts are perfectly comfortable with their own thoughts. They think a lot. They daydream. They like to have problems to work on, puzzles to solve. But they can also get incredibly lonely if they don’t have anyone to share their discoveries with. They crave an authentic and sincere connection with ONE PERSON at a time.

Myth #7 – Introverts are weird.
Introverts are often individualists. They don’t follow the crowd. They’d prefer to be valued for their novel ways of living. They think for themselves and because of that, they often challenge the norm. They don’t make most decisions based on what is popular or trendy.

Myth #8 – Introverts are aloof nerds.
Introverts are people who primarily look inward, paying close attention to their thoughts and emotions. It’s not that they are incapable of paying attention to what is going on around them, it’s just that their inner world is much more stimulating and rewarding to them.

Myth #9 – Introverts don’t know how to relax and have fun.
Introverts typically relax at home or in nature, not in busy public places. Introverts are not thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies. If there is too much talking and noise going on, they shut down. Their brains are too sensitive to the neurotransmitter called Dopamine. Introverts and Extroverts have different dominant neuro-pathways. Just look it up.

Myth #10 – Introverts can fix themselves and become Extroverts.
Introverts cannot “fix themselves” and deserve respect for their natural temperament and contributions to the human race. In fact, one study (Silverman, 1986) showed that the percentage of Introverts increases with IQ."

source: http://spatialorientation.com/2011/10/14/misreading-introverts/

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Susan's Take:

A lot of the explanations here fit me perfectly.

I *can* chit-chat, but find it wearying after a short while if there isn't anything 'real' to talk about, especially on the phone. I prefer to speak plainly/logically, and sometimes outrage those who expect all speech to be flattery, implications, & euphemisms - just by sincerely/honestly discussing what *I* see as the real problem. When I have tried to be extra circumspect, it came as very strained indeed. I regret the explosions that resulted from my clumsy honesty, but I regret far more the weird communications that resulted from my trying too hard to appease an ego or speak a truth in an acceptably kind way to someone who would not listen respectfully to anything but applause. I like going to parks and museums. I don't mind being in more crowded venues to go shopping, watch fireworks, enjoy a theme park etc...but its not something I want to do every day. Being around so many people seems to take a lot out of me after a bit. I am very fond of people generally, I just don't kid myself about their limitations, which sometimes gives the opposite impression? and so...and so forth...

I looked up the dopamine ref and stumbled across this blog post on the same subject.
 (7 Misconceptions of Extroverts/ 7 Misconceptions of Introverts)

[More thoughts inspired by the 2nd post.]

     I understand why extroverts find some of these assertions irritating, but that doesn't mean they are entirely wrong. While its obvious extroverts have an edge in many social situations, its reasonable to presume that the introvert difference has some advantages or it wouldn't exist. The purpose of extroversion is obvious. Their nature facilitates help within the group and coordinates reactions to changes. So what does introversion do? Well it inspires those blessed with it to observe and consider the larger environment. Some watch the group and some watch the natural environs, and together both will improve the security of the group. There is common sense awareness that social skill requires a certain amount of savvy and concentration that cannot be given at one and the same time to reflection and personal creation. Many extroverts are smart, but juggling a large number of social connections requires a fair amount of mental processing. (This has actually been proven. Its why humans have a natural limit to the number of humans they can truly 'know.') Not all extroverts are bullies by any means. Just as the most principled, loyal introverts can be inspiring to know, extroverts with a loving heart are a huge blessing to everyone near them. The reason why extroverts tend to get a bad rap for bullying is that it is relatively rare for introverts to try it. Bullying usually is a social hierarchical impulse by which one individual (or clique) uses personal power or that borrowed from supporters to increase personal status/power in a community, often by displaying an ability to mistreat someone with impunity, take others' stuff, manipulate the status of a member higher or lower on the societal totem pole, or any combination of the above. In nature, this will discourages most members of the pack from challenging their social dominance, unless they think they have a stronger position still. In human terms, the person most likely to protest the means and purpose ...is likely to be an idealistic introvert

Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill

As the weather warms, I am thinking of the neat festivals that bloom with the flowers...
This guy is one my Mom's favorites. He came to an Irish music festival in our area awhile ago. :D





This snippet of wonderfulness was recorded at the Richmond (VA) Festival in Oct, 2009 :D

Downe in Yon Forest

A Christmas special with medieval carols called Downe in Yon Forest was on in the wee hours & caught me into staying awake yet longer to drink in their antique seasonal delights. I thought I'd share it, since Youtube has another performance of it from the same artist :)

Pirates of Penzance

I had been looking for a decent recording of Penzance (off and on) for YEARS when a friendly acquaintance got a line on an old VHS for me. While waiting, the discussion inspired me to go looking for the '83 movie version done with Kevin Kline, Linda Ronstadt, Angela Lansbury et al online - and I found that some of it is on Youtube broken into 4-10 minute intervals.

I have loved G&S operettas so long I can't remember my first introduction to them. I saw quite a few musicals when I was young, think it must have been then. My life has never been that easy. Little wonder that I love to laugh - and they make me laugh, so I love them. :))

Gilbert and Sullivan operettas are what I think of as painless education. They count as classics AND they are STILL hilarious! "Pirates of Penzance" & "The Mikado" are my favorite Gilbert & Sullivan operettas of all time. It helps even more if you've ever participated in one of them personally in community theater. Though as a young maid, I made a reasonable Pitti Sing, I never played in a Penzance production. I received my favorite recording of "The Mikado" for Christmas one year (Stratford festival - 1980's), but Penzance has continued to evade. Mind you, I wouldn't mind finding this '92 version of the Mikado...










So there you go! You can now answer a few more Jeopardy clues with confidence.

End of the Line...

The Traveling Wilburys turned me Inside Out from the first time I heard the music. The first & third albums are classic, 2nd not so much. If you've never heard this impromptu gathering of music legends that became a band, then you have been seriously missing out. True- there are a few I always omit due to language issues - and a few that too good not to play - but only with headphones as they aren't appropriate for the kids (I won't put any of those videos on this blog), but even so - the Wilburys made unforgettable music together.

The solo albums for each artist from this period were usually done with the other Wilburys' - so they sorta count too. They even appear in many of each other's videos - plus Ringo Starr and/or Jeff Keltner (on drums).

This is the first one I heard. I'd have remembered them forever even if I had only heard this song...
Handle Me With Care

Even a New Blue Moon is unlikely to form anything like the Wilburys ever again. Especially with Roy Orbison AND George Harrison gone. They are still missed. You can listen to a few more from the Wilburys if the sound has Rattled your cage.

Not Alone Anymore

Wibury Twist (PG warning for the one word - doesn't mean a donkey)

She's a Mystery to Me Orbison (PG topic) Written by Bono of U2

You Got It - Orbison

Outtakes 1
includes::
1st Where Were You Last Night?
2nd song Inside Out, always reminded me of the movie Labyrinth
3rd song is Cool, Dry Place - another fav) ::

Outtakes 2 ::
includes::
1.Maxine (lovely Mexican/Latin sound)
2. Like a Ship (very cool!)
3. She's My Baby

Jeff Lynne remembers Roy Orbison & the Wilburys

Jeff Lynne & Tom Petty 2007 interview Part 1 Part 2

The recent Wilburys documentary:: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Congratulations, Margarita - if you watch all these, you'll know as much about them as I do (aside from refs in a Harrison bio I read recently. I am so glad he finally got his dream - the ultimate friends remaining friends throughout the recording session. :)

I liked some songs from Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne , & Roy Orbison since my teen years, but I'd admired George Harrison since I was a little kid. That's actually a little odd when you realize how few albums he made, and how few of those had songs on it I truly loved, but those few - those were unforgettable! Remember Here Comes the Sun? My Sweet Lord ? Give Me Love? While My Guitar Gently Weeps? Then there was that last album before the Wilburys, Cloud Nine. Got My Mind Set on You (still think of my daughter when I hear it as she was new to us when it was a hit), Fish on the Sand, When We Was Fab, Devil's Radio (about gossip), Someplace Else

When We Was Fab was George's memorial to the fickleness of fame & dangers of believing your own publicity. Loved how he made himself back into a 'street musician' for the video. Showed some real humility. It had been decades since he or Ringo actually had to sing for their suppers. Just one of those touches that made George's work so memorable.



I've liked ELO songs for a long time. I love Moody Blues music even more, but thinking back on it, I'd have to admit to being a sort of a Jeff Lynne fan. I enjoyed the ELO song "Don't Walk Away" so much I bought the goofy soundtrack it came on (trivia question. Do you know what movie that was?) - a fairly rare occurrence for me. My favorite from Jeff Lynne (& another contender for fav of favs) is Hold On Tight to Your Dream (with ELO) . [Added just because I love this song so much.]



& Lift Me Up from the Wilbury era -Armchair Theater album-
(yep, another fav!)




Tom Petty's best ever IMHO (with the Wilburys, anyway) from the Full Moon Fever album.

No, Tom Won't Back Down

This song has long been close to my heart, has whispered comfort to me on my journey. We're all heading for the End of the Line - but it's all right - When you live right with Christ it doesn't matter if "everyday is Judgment day." I think of this song every time someone I have cared about passes away. It was the last thing Roy Orbison ever did. What a great parting message!

As for me - I'm Heading for the Light

Ben Stein & RC Sproul

Stein interviews Dawkins

Messianic favs

Turns out the Lamb music I grew up with is not well represented on youtube or Godtube, and the Kol Simcha they have on youtube isn't the group I had in mind, but there is a little bit out there I can share.

In this video, Joel Chernoff talks a little bit about his background



This is the witness of the new Lamb guy. Chernoff's former partner, Rick 'Levi' Coghill moved to Israel years ago. In all honesty, I miss Levi's touch, but I loved what Ted said in this interview.



This is a more recent Lamb song performed in my state a couple of years ago. The dancers needed more practice imho. I recommend focusing on the singing.




Eli, Eli - by Lamb
- with strange choices on the video. I like some anime, a number of rpgs, and much fantasy art - but I wouldn't have paired ANY of these images with this praise song. At least the pics aren't too embarrassing, if you ignore a couple of symbols. Probably was not meant badly, but - kiddo - 'Eli' means Lord - as in Lord God Almighty. Sharing so you can hear this classic Messianic praise song.



Found an inspiring video from Marty Goetz online too.

fav folk pt2 - Clannad

Whereas Steeleye Span stuck to existing English, Scottish, & French folk songs (with a few modern instruments and beats), Clannad's specialty was & is traditional Celtic/Gaelic music & original compositions. You are likely to have heard a few of their pieces. They made music for a Robin Hood series in the 80's (where I first heard them), and the theme songs for Harry's Game and Last of the Mohicans. I just realized that this means I have been a fan of their music for well over 20 yrs. They were a well known folk group in Ireland for decades based out of their parent's tavern there. The Clannad singers weren't the most famous in their family. The lead singer, (Moya) Maire Brennan, is Enya's big sister. Those other guys? Those are her brothers. They disbanded as a group some time back (I imagine they still met every Christmas ;) but had a reunion in 2007 that may mean good things for those of us hoping for another album

Here's a few pieces to show their characteristic excellence. You can file this one under world & folk music on the records ;)

harp instrumental



Gaelic folk songs




and from the old Robin Hood series (which I remember being quite good in its own right). The original series was finally rereleased on dvd in 2007.
You can hear a clip from "Ancient Forest" & "Lady Marian"

Fave Folk Fun

Awhile back I mentioned some very old favorite songs, a bit sad that I had no way to freely share music from one of my favorite bands since my childhood. Its been a long, long time since these guys were on the radio. Well- imagine my delight to find that a number of old folk, and Christian artists - even Steeleye Span! - have a presence on youtube! Hard to say how long this will last o' course, but its cool to be able to post these folk/rock classics. I could have sworn they weren't there last year!

From the comments I saw, looks like their music may be making a comeback in the UK. Yay! They have to be special ordered here. Best albums (imho) are Below the Salt and Parcel of Rogues - though All Around My Hat is also pretty good.

So here is some holiday excellence from Steeleye Span. You get traditional music credit just for listening ;)

"Gaudete" - Rejoice!


"Sing, Sing" on Earth, eternal praises to our Redeemer ~



More antique holiday cheer :))
"Gower Wassail"


Holly & the Ivy


I've loved this folk tune for years, but more recently I've come to think of "All Around My Hat" as the 'Tiffany Aching' song. Can't honestly say I know why. It just 'feels' like her to me. It is apropos that this performance was on a children's show. The content, while restrained enough, isn't for kids any more than Pratchett's Aching books IMHO - though both are very good. Fits the New Year's mindset of some folks anyway, though I suspect Nanny Ogg would have been much more cheerful about that ring business. I only wished they hadn't skipped the verse with the 'recipe' - it goes like this...




take a quarter pound of reasons and a half a pound of sense
a small sprig of time and as much of prud-ence
you mix them all together and you will plainly see
he's a false deluding young man so let him go farewell he - and
All Around My Hat I shall wear the green willow(etc)

(Once you've listened to the video, you'll know the tune - in fact, you'll likely be humming it still hours from now. BUAHAHAHA ;-)

Okay - so this video isn't so winter holiday-ish, but it shows Renaissance Fairs at their best, so how could I miss it? "Misty Moisty Morning"