So I walked up to the guy working at Barnes & Nobles. I said, "I am conflicted. I can buy everything in this store for nearly half price online, but I like being able to come to this store and sit, relax, and read. What should I do?"
Well, his lame answer prompted me to buy my first ibook, "Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter." From the writer of "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies".
The book was $15 in B&N and $10 (still too much for a book) on my iPad. And I can't even give it to friends or sell it to half price books when I am done. Though Deb will enjoy it I am sure.
Borders already bit the dust and now B&N will be next if we don't spend too much money to shop there.
What to do?!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
#6 Prayer and Meditation
So the book on meditation I have been reading simplified the difference between prayer and meditation as follows:
Prayer is related to the heart and meditation is related to the mind.
At first this seems quite reasonable. But perhaps a bit too simplified. I would offer that prayer is often offered up to some deity or god so that it is a conscious decision and effort whether its source is mental or emotional. The sharing of prayers for many purposes is deemed both correct and beneficial.
True meditation is quite the opposite. It is the purging of mental or emotional distraction to find inner resolution or enlightenment. And though we can share acts of meditation, the purposeful result is always internal.
It is here I will be focusing my spiritual energies; internal balance and harmony. Though that does not preclude the attendance of religious services and the shared and quite heartfelt messages and community that is brought together by them.
I want to experience things that bring about positive social, spiritual, interrelationship, physical, and mental change. Why limit yourself to prayer or meditation or inner or external development when there is benefit to be found in all of these things?
Jesus Christ will almost assuredly NOT become my lord and savior. But I truly appreciate the positive values his teachings and others' belief in Christianity can bring. And my wife certainly appreciates the opportunity to experience these things as well.
Religion is a limitation on growth. It is an acceptance of a particular dogma or set of rules to govern existence and the metaphysical. Sharing in the tenets and values of multiple systems as well as just educating yourself on them seems to be the most "enlightening".
Prayer is related to the heart and meditation is related to the mind.
At first this seems quite reasonable. But perhaps a bit too simplified. I would offer that prayer is often offered up to some deity or god so that it is a conscious decision and effort whether its source is mental or emotional. The sharing of prayers for many purposes is deemed both correct and beneficial.
True meditation is quite the opposite. It is the purging of mental or emotional distraction to find inner resolution or enlightenment. And though we can share acts of meditation, the purposeful result is always internal.
It is here I will be focusing my spiritual energies; internal balance and harmony. Though that does not preclude the attendance of religious services and the shared and quite heartfelt messages and community that is brought together by them.
I want to experience things that bring about positive social, spiritual, interrelationship, physical, and mental change. Why limit yourself to prayer or meditation or inner or external development when there is benefit to be found in all of these things?
Jesus Christ will almost assuredly NOT become my lord and savior. But I truly appreciate the positive values his teachings and others' belief in Christianity can bring. And my wife certainly appreciates the opportunity to experience these things as well.
Religion is a limitation on growth. It is an acceptance of a particular dogma or set of rules to govern existence and the metaphysical. Sharing in the tenets and values of multiple systems as well as just educating yourself on them seems to be the most "enlightening".
#5 If you win the rat race, You're still a rat
The title is the best line I read this morning from, The Everything Guide to Meditation for Healthy Living. So why on Earth am I reading about meditation. Have I gone off the deep end?
Nah, once again, just trying to use tools to help put body, mind, and spirit into balance.
I barely got into the HOW to meditate before I had to go to work, but I learned a lot about WHY, and WHO, and what not.
Does it make sense to find some quiet time to find this natural meditative state? I think it does. I canno wait to learn more.
Damn, I love reading.
I will share more when I learn more. Feel free to send me a comfortable pillow or a big candle. ;)
Nah, once again, just trying to use tools to help put body, mind, and spirit into balance.
I barely got into the HOW to meditate before I had to go to work, but I learned a lot about WHY, and WHO, and what not.
Does it make sense to find some quiet time to find this natural meditative state? I think it does. I canno wait to learn more.
Damn, I love reading.
I will share more when I learn more. Feel free to send me a comfortable pillow or a big candle. ;)
#4 A prayer for those lost to stormy weather
There is much to say when you start a new blog, but this blog entry will instead discuss the terrible storms hitting the country over the past two weeks an particularly in the past 24 hours.
Lives have been lost. Homes and families have been shattered. Prayer doesn't have to ask for something. It doesn't need to to be to someone. It can just be a moment of reflection for those in need and for all of us that need to ask that those affected can endure the pain and damage inflicted.
So this blog asks that if you are one of those people, you may find time to pray for the lives affected by these terrible storms and that we can all stay safe.
I for one intend to not be around if at ALL possible when storms like this arrive. I will be getting my family in the car, given ANY forewarning, and driving far from any powerful storm striking near my home. I will sleep at a rest stop or at a distant hotel, but I fully intend to keep my family COMPLETELY away from any affected area.
It sounds like a good time to pay a GREAT deal of attention to incoming storms and weather patterns. IF I had a basement or a safe place to stay I would go, but in Texas we pretty much have no safe place to go, and it looks like we are not alone.
So this is a prayer for those already affected and for all of us to be attentive to these situations and stay safe in this worst storm season in our lifetime.
P.S. If you see something bad coming, please let your friends and family know as soon as possible.
Lives have been lost. Homes and families have been shattered. Prayer doesn't have to ask for something. It doesn't need to to be to someone. It can just be a moment of reflection for those in need and for all of us that need to ask that those affected can endure the pain and damage inflicted.
So this blog asks that if you are one of those people, you may find time to pray for the lives affected by these terrible storms and that we can all stay safe.
I for one intend to not be around if at ALL possible when storms like this arrive. I will be getting my family in the car, given ANY forewarning, and driving far from any powerful storm striking near my home. I will sleep at a rest stop or at a distant hotel, but I fully intend to keep my family COMPLETELY away from any affected area.
It sounds like a good time to pay a GREAT deal of attention to incoming storms and weather patterns. IF I had a basement or a safe place to stay I would go, but in Texas we pretty much have no safe place to go, and it looks like we are not alone.
So this is a prayer for those already affected and for all of us to be attentive to these situations and stay safe in this worst storm season in our lifetime.
P.S. If you see something bad coming, please let your friends and family know as soon as possible.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
#3 The Weeds of Death, Wounds, and Sin
So I went to a Christian church on Easter. I am pretty sure this is the 3rd such religious service I have attended in 20 years. And I have always been very proud of that record.
Did something change?
Society has views I do not necessarily share. I do not want to handicap my son my preventing him his own opportunity to determine whether he wants to share those views.
Was it worth it?
Honestly, it was fantastic. Now I do not want to get anyone's (Sandy) hopes up.
I am not looking to be a Christian. I am looking for spiritual identity. I am not happy with evangelists, telling me I must believe as they believe, I am not happy with establishmentarians telling government to implement religious morality into law, and I am not happy with newfound modern interpretations of ancient scriptures. These things weight HEAVILY against Christianity.
That being said, I heard a couple of things that struck me during this service. I found them both compelling and a tongue in cheek bit of marketing for the church. The preacher said that we look for salvation because our lives become overcome with weeds. Weeds of death, weeds of wounds, and weeds of sin. And I agree completely that this is why people find religion.
Not unlike Obama said. People cling to religion and guns in times of hardship. Because religion offers a path, a way to rise above our loss and say that we are in "God's" hands. That concept disgusts me. For me, it instantly removes self responsibility and purposeful choices from our lives.
I have thusly always opposed religion and I have yet to overcome that distrust. However, I am open to spiritual growth if not dogmatic faith. I am reading a new book. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment. I will discuss it at some length in a later post. But for now let us say the doors are no longer completely closed to allowing myself to be a spiritual being.
It is a small step in the right direction I believe. And yes, the Easter sermon did move me to tears multiple times. The joy that those people have in their shared belief in Jesus Christ is uplifting and admirable.
Did something change?
Society has views I do not necessarily share. I do not want to handicap my son my preventing him his own opportunity to determine whether he wants to share those views.
Was it worth it?
Honestly, it was fantastic. Now I do not want to get anyone's (Sandy) hopes up.
I am not looking to be a Christian. I am looking for spiritual identity. I am not happy with evangelists, telling me I must believe as they believe, I am not happy with establishmentarians telling government to implement religious morality into law, and I am not happy with newfound modern interpretations of ancient scriptures. These things weight HEAVILY against Christianity.
That being said, I heard a couple of things that struck me during this service. I found them both compelling and a tongue in cheek bit of marketing for the church. The preacher said that we look for salvation because our lives become overcome with weeds. Weeds of death, weeds of wounds, and weeds of sin. And I agree completely that this is why people find religion.
Not unlike Obama said. People cling to religion and guns in times of hardship. Because religion offers a path, a way to rise above our loss and say that we are in "God's" hands. That concept disgusts me. For me, it instantly removes self responsibility and purposeful choices from our lives.
I have thusly always opposed religion and I have yet to overcome that distrust. However, I am open to spiritual growth if not dogmatic faith. I am reading a new book. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment. I will discuss it at some length in a later post. But for now let us say the doors are no longer completely closed to allowing myself to be a spiritual being.
It is a small step in the right direction I believe. And yes, the Easter sermon did move me to tears multiple times. The joy that those people have in their shared belief in Jesus Christ is uplifting and admirable.
#2 Tell me about the physical changes first Scott
Scott, I would be happy to.
I was dying. There is no better way to put it. Sleep apnea was killing me. I would wake up 3-5 times a night "consciously" with a very bad headache from not breathing.
I was around 300 pounds and I was killing myself every night.
Willpower, I have. Motivation I lacked. Imminent death seemed like as good of a motivation as any.
Ok, so you have lost nearly 50 pounds, you can't even remember the last time you woke up with a headache? Why are you still pushing to be more?
Why not. I can do it. When was the last time I actually proved to myself I could be more than I am. It's time. Being 40 seems like a good threshold to cross into a healthier place to me.
Ok, but you read about this stuff for 4-10 hours a week, exercise, nutrition, meditation, attitude changes, etc. not to mention hours at the gym, in the park, and in the kitchen. Why so much effort?
Why not? You got something better to do? Are you not already reaping the rewards?
Be honest you just want to be a hot hunky dude desired by women and awesome to other guys.
DAMN skippy. My wife has always been beautiful and grows moreso everyday she does this with me. Me? I want to be badass. I want to wow others. For no other good damn reason than my ego would REALLY like the praise.
So your wife is doing this too? Is that helping?
I couldn't do this without her. I wouldn't want to. We are greater than the sum of our parts. She makes me MORE than whole.
Wow, Scott. You are such a kissass.
Maybe, but I really believe in the power of 'Us'. And I truly believe Michael will make 'Us' even stronger.
Well, that's a good blog for today. Odd writing style you have there Mr. Schindler. Maybe you can talk about your spiritual changes tomorrow?
It is pretty new to me, but I would love to....see you then.
I was dying. There is no better way to put it. Sleep apnea was killing me. I would wake up 3-5 times a night "consciously" with a very bad headache from not breathing.
I was around 300 pounds and I was killing myself every night.
Willpower, I have. Motivation I lacked. Imminent death seemed like as good of a motivation as any.
Ok, so you have lost nearly 50 pounds, you can't even remember the last time you woke up with a headache? Why are you still pushing to be more?
Why not. I can do it. When was the last time I actually proved to myself I could be more than I am. It's time. Being 40 seems like a good threshold to cross into a healthier place to me.
Ok, but you read about this stuff for 4-10 hours a week, exercise, nutrition, meditation, attitude changes, etc. not to mention hours at the gym, in the park, and in the kitchen. Why so much effort?
Why not? You got something better to do? Are you not already reaping the rewards?
Be honest you just want to be a hot hunky dude desired by women and awesome to other guys.
DAMN skippy. My wife has always been beautiful and grows moreso everyday she does this with me. Me? I want to be badass. I want to wow others. For no other good damn reason than my ego would REALLY like the praise.
So your wife is doing this too? Is that helping?
I couldn't do this without her. I wouldn't want to. We are greater than the sum of our parts. She makes me MORE than whole.
Wow, Scott. You are such a kissass.
Maybe, but I really believe in the power of 'Us'. And I truly believe Michael will make 'Us' even stronger.
Well, that's a good blog for today. Odd writing style you have there Mr. Schindler. Maybe you can talk about your spiritual changes tomorrow?
It is pretty new to me, but I would love to....see you then.
#1 So let the blogging begin... again....
First of all...this is for me. From me > To me. Thank you Scott. No, thank you.
I am grateful for family and friends reading these postings, if indeed anyone actually does, but it really is a place for me to whisper, scream, and philosophize about all that I experience in my life. It is here to remind me where I have been and where I am going. Because I have someone I need to be and I am constantly adapting exactly who that person will eventually become.
So why a blog? Honestly, I don't know. Where else to rant incessantly and make it available to others to share? Facebook's 140 characters seems like it would be a limitation to what I am trying to accomplish. Twitter...does anyone on twitter actually KNOW me?
So what is it about? Well, that's in the description below, but to paraphrase, it is about growth: physical, mental, spiritual, social, and interpersonal growth.
Why? I guess because getting fat and then working my way back toward thin (and sexy) has made me realize that there MIGHT be a few other things I could improve in my life. Ok, to be honest, sex is getting way better and that made me realize there was value not initially obvious from these new physical changes. So I naturally wondered, what else can I change. (to make sex better)
And then I realized I could make other stuff better too...
Ready to read more? I have a lot to share and a WHOLE LOT to learn. But let's keep these blogs short, because my attention span is short and thus I will keep these short so I can digest them again someday.
P.S. Life isn't easy. Being an adult is more responsibility than I afforded it. Being a parent is way more of a responsibility than I could have imagined. But the attitude I bring to these things is mine to choose. I have always believed I could be anything I wanted to be. I simply never chose to be anything but a survivor. That time is over.
I am grateful for family and friends reading these postings, if indeed anyone actually does, but it really is a place for me to whisper, scream, and philosophize about all that I experience in my life. It is here to remind me where I have been and where I am going. Because I have someone I need to be and I am constantly adapting exactly who that person will eventually become.
So why a blog? Honestly, I don't know. Where else to rant incessantly and make it available to others to share? Facebook's 140 characters seems like it would be a limitation to what I am trying to accomplish. Twitter...does anyone on twitter actually KNOW me?
So what is it about? Well, that's in the description below, but to paraphrase, it is about growth: physical, mental, spiritual, social, and interpersonal growth.
Why? I guess because getting fat and then working my way back toward thin (and sexy) has made me realize that there MIGHT be a few other things I could improve in my life. Ok, to be honest, sex is getting way better and that made me realize there was value not initially obvious from these new physical changes. So I naturally wondered, what else can I change. (to make sex better)
And then I realized I could make other stuff better too...
Ready to read more? I have a lot to share and a WHOLE LOT to learn. But let's keep these blogs short, because my attention span is short and thus I will keep these short so I can digest them again someday.
P.S. Life isn't easy. Being an adult is more responsibility than I afforded it. Being a parent is way more of a responsibility than I could have imagined. But the attitude I bring to these things is mine to choose. I have always believed I could be anything I wanted to be. I simply never chose to be anything but a survivor. That time is over.
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