It Seems that Way

 I have a degree that covers philosophy, psychology, and English, but really a BA in Liberal Arts won't get one very far in life.  The trend in college today is focused more on business and business management with an emphasis on being an entrepreneur.  It used to be that Liberal Arts shunned anything having to do with business, with the thinking that anyone can have a business without being trained for it.  But back in the day it was thought that a BA was more about teaching or a profession like ministry that required my kind of degree.  

And if I seem like a philosopher, I might be more than I am a theologian.  Mostly because I don't care if one has a religion, what it is, or if one even doesn't belong or believes.  I really don't care about one's politics, nor do I really care about what one's sins might be.  I am a Spiritual person and my background helps me understand this.  But I don't force it on anyone, or at least try not to, because each person has their own path and I'm not looking to save anyone.

I believe most anyone comes to some understanding prior to death.  And for some people this is when a person's life makes sense.  Everyone comes to an understanding of why.  For me, the why is simply love for others and not to do harm to others or myself.  This is MY why.  I like what Mark Twain says about two important dates in our lives.  The day we are born and the day we find out why.  And he says his why is to smoke a pipe.  

Many writers in the past have written their best works while smoking a pipe.  That isn't very true today, although there are a few.  I can't write or think, or ponder, as the case may be without a pipe.  But I was doing that before smoking was frowned upon.  It may have been the pipe that was the reason for such good grades in my final year of college.  But who knows?  But take away my pipe and my brain shifts to neutral.  Or I'll stress about something.  

But my pipe is a part of who I am.  Mark Twain also said it's easy to quit smoking.  He said he did it thousands of times.  I can go days without a pipe simply because I smoke it while sitting outdoors.  I can't always sit outdoors.  But when I am sitting and smoking my pipe my wife knows I hate when she has to interrupt me for something.  I'll do what she asks, but not without a frown.  

My point this morning it that I am probably more philosopher than theologian.  But I accept that I am.  I'm not really sure I care if one believes in anything.  One's religion might be centered on oneself.  I still insist human life is what matters.  A devout Buddhist would say ALL life matters.  I struggle with reincarnation, but realize that is the theologian in me that does.  As I smoke my pipe, I hope to resolve my inconsistency of thought.  I work on it.  Today it is my with Dunhill with the last of my Haunted Bookshop. English and a cup of hot black unknown coffee.  Thank you for your time and Peace to each one of you.

Dave