Gray Matters

[ArcturusI]

Tangled Webs and Cotton Candy


My, my, my……..what tangled webs we weave! I have spent some time reading over several statements, made by some rather visible and local celebrities that have taken up residence here. I have started at the top, and moved to the bottom (meaning: moderator to newbie). What had started out as mere curiosity has turned into incredulity. And I am not one easily swayed toward active disbelief.

What is being exhibited here are Tangled Webs of discontentment, contradiction, deceit and demagoguery, colored by puffy, bright clouds of Cotton Candy optimism. The former are most deadly to independent thought, seeking always to shake faith, and darken the spirit. The latter are merely wishes of better days, without the bulwark of rational flow toward an unseen or unknown conclusion.

Rather than submit to the temptation of throwing stones, suffice it to say that there are many of you who vacillate wildly on the fence post which you currently occupy. To many, the only correct course is the course which leads to personal, individual satisfaction. To others, the only course is one in which the outcome MUST be black or white; there is no room for gray. [It is my sad duty to inform that most choices which are born solely of emotion, springing from wishes, are decidedly gray.] This isn’t to say that wishes do not come true, nor does it signify that the world contains no color. Rather, it demonstrates that what we want and what we get are not always the same, and occasionally not very compatible. Hope is a good thing. Faith is critical to living in ways other than fear. To Hope is to be desirous of a certain outcome; Faith is believing in that which can bring about the outcome. But woe be unto those that follow the will o’ the wisp; often one is led down a thorny path.

The Atheist would have you believe that there is no Supreme Being, willing instead that we are all born of chaos and random actuation of molecular mischief. Free will is simply a product of nature and nurture; conscience a construct of man. In proclaiming a denial of a Supreme Will, a “Grand Design”, the Atheist, then, denies the nature of their own will, their own existence, for, if there is no structure of will, no constructive thought behind the cosmos, then existence itself is in denial of its own laws. [And, no, I do not wish to turn this into a discussion of theology - this is not the correct forum and you'd lose]

The Believer, on the other hand, would have you come to a Master Crafter, a Grand Designer of all that you see an hear. Nothing is by chance, and all is by design. If that is the case, then there can be no free will. Without the laws of karma, of cause and effect, there can be no existence. Without free will, we are not images of the maker. IF we have free will, then what we are, what we do, cannot be preordained, it cannot be orchestrated. We do have a choice, and we make them at every turn. Even deciding NOT to decide is a choice. If we have a choice, then we can assist in the determination of what the outcome can be. If we can have a say in what will be, then we must sit in judgment of ourselves AS the judge. We will open the book of Life, and we will judge whether or not we have overcome that which we stumble upon. We will decide if we used the gifts given to their greatest potential for the greatest good.

Do you see, then, where this leads? Wisdom is gained by first understanding that you know nothing. Knowledge is gained through personal, singular experience. Love is earned only after one becomes worthy of that love. Charity and patience are the pillars of a life well lived. Think about one who has passed, and who was lauded by all, far and wide. What did they do to deserve such recognition? What did they do that was so worthy of praise? Have Faith in yourselves; then you may help to bring about that which you desire, or is of the greatest good. There is much truth to ‘positive thinking’.

If our words do not match our actions, then what is the worth of either? If our attention is guided by “topic du jour”, then what does that say about character? ‘Cogito ergo sum’ is simply not enough. Many a business has gone bankrupt with the slogan “We deliver”. When one delivers words as a medium, uses prose to mobilize thought, one must first understand and decide where one is and what one wishes to be. One must analyze, meditate and act upon a course which leads to an unspoiled conclusion; one that is not arbitrary and weak, rather steady and unimpeachable. This is not to say that the conclusion is correct – it is possible to make no mistake and still be found wanting. Consider the world of the explorers of old. The Americas did not exist on the maps of the day. The mapmakers did nothing wrong, yet they were still incorrect. Knowledge was found wanting. Simply stated - find a position that is true to yourself, and defend it with honor and integrity. If it is found to be wanting, step back and reconsider the position. Then, move forward once more.

Stop searching for that which cannot be found. When it is time, it will be revealed. Stop arguing banalities. So far, NO ONE is correct. Not one single thread has answered the question. Not one thread (or book) has uncovered the truth. Contrary to popular belief, the Government of Malaysia, Bank Negara, and all affiliated sources are not saying “boo”. What they are saying is “None of your business. When (we) think it IS your business, we will tell you………if we feel like it.” Mr. BM is not saying “boo” either because it serves no purpose. Do you tell the curious child what is under the tree? Christmas comes, whether we believe in it or not. (Just hope there is no coal in your stocking! )

Patience, grasshoppers. Peace and contentment. Faith and perseverance. Every word spoken out of turn is counted; every utterance in anger is a dagger to your own heart. The Master challenged anyone worthy to cast the first stone……….I am not worthy to even stoop and search, let alone draw back my arm. Anyone here that claims to have proof will have a line of those ready to refute the same. All those who refute that proof, will be followed just a closely by those who have facts to refute the challengers. And the wheel goes ‘round…………………. Abuse and accusations serve no purpose but their own; and that purpose is self-destruction. One cannot expect roses when all one plants is briars.

Charity is the greatest of all virtues, and love is the greatest gift. Practice first what you would have done to you, then sit in judgment of your fellows if you dare. One cannot be both villain and hero. Either he is, or he isn’t. Either it is, or it isn’t. Right now, we are in the gray. All the webs and all the cotton candy cannot weave together the fabric of this circumstance. All it can do is get in the way.

Arcturus

[everwiser]

[bigopie]

hmmmm...so in other words,we r right back where we started from.....which in reality,is,no where....lol...but that was a nice post....it speaks volumes because in a sense,we are no closer to knowing what really happened in the first place...better to get a grip on life,and move on with life after pips....rather u a believer or non-believer....i keep checking back here because i have an investment.....or loan as some are quick to point out....but it does'nt matter....its my money...not anybody else's....i'm not a cheer leader....but i am not a nay sayer,tg.whatever else people who don't agree with certain people are supposed to b...all i am is a person who invested some money in a program that was supposed to work....if pips does come back..great...if it does'nt i'm out some money.....no big deal....but...i do have a right to my opinion without having some one who thinks his or her oopinion is the only one that matters bashing me for not being a true pipster or a naysayer...i know some people lost a lot of money in this program....and i feel for those people....perhaps those that want to always cheer about or for pips need to think of the feelings of others b4 they bash them..IMHO.....Pat

[Filistyn]

[snip]

Summary: Pray a lot, have lots of patience and all might turn out right.

[P2Pips]

Pat, you have so far and always maintained my position in sharing your perception and views. It is OUR money, however large or minimal and no one has the right to shut us out of our opinions especially when we feel it is a right we owe to ourselves!
With all respect and dignity, we deserve to be heard as well as be given a response in whatever degree to alleviate growing consternation and uncertainties.

P.

[paddyfield]

Me old da was a wise old bugger.
I remember one time, he was sat in his old rocking chair,
puffing on his pipe, whilst his stockinged feet smoked
before a roasting fire.
Youth, he said. I dont think he ever knew me proper name.
Youth, I,ll tell thee summat. Thas them that know summat,
t,thers that know nowt, and some that think they know
everything. He closed his eyes and left me to ponder this
great relevation, puffing on his pipe till the sparks singed
the cat asleep on his lap.
By heck, he sure had me poor head thinking but I could,nt
figure what he meant fer the life of me.
Next day, whilst I was hoeing the spuds in, he came up to me,
and stood there a moment, rocking in his wellies with that
glint in his eye that always made me afraid I,d done summat
wrong.
Time to feed yon pigs youth, come and see this.
We wandered down to the pig pen and da pointed out the wisdom
of his words the night before.
See dem pigs milling about in the corner? They dont care if
they get fed or not. Now lookee at dem others milling around
shute No 2. Did,nt we fed em from there yesterday, and aint it
shute No 1 today. Them pigs think they know the answer, but
its those smart alecs at No 1 who know we alternate dem shutes
every day. Tha sees wat I mean youth? Some of them there pigs
are real wise.
By heck what a revelation. Next day, when I went to work, I
looked at those fellow workmates, and I got wise real quick.

[P2Pips]

Hmmm, I once had a pedigree import named: Pigs Might Fly, made him up as Nat'l champion at the shows and was he wise...like a pig, always winning the hearts of the Judges!

P.

[fluffy]

GRAY = a kind of fish.

GREY = colour resulting from a mixture of black and white.

[mingdynasty]

Fluffy -
your post has left us all wondering what wisdom is held within your being. Perhaps you should find more knowledge before you venture to show us what level of wisdom you have.
The combination of colors white and black according to dictionaries worldwide is the word grey or gray - either spelling is correct.

Now that we have cleared up this deep thinking grammar issue. Let us move onto other things --- the gray area of life. If one looks into this forum one can clearly see that there is much gray here. There is little black and white. The black and white that is clear to see quite clearly is one of a group or individuals that have set themselves upon one side of the fence claiming they have found the pasture to which they sit themselves down upon to be one of lush grass. I will not want to be there when such individuals awaken to find themselves not sitting on lush green grass but dirt and rocks for they have been led to believe they are in a green pasture and they want it to be so therefore they have not opened their eyes. What faith you have in those that are leading you.

My words of wisdom to all of you is to open your eyes, ears and minds to see that which is there for you to see. The path you take is on your own will and it is that will that shall lead you to your own destiny.

You will not find any answers here for the answer are veiled in secrecy and can not be revealed until the time is right. The time is not ours to know but for us to be patient for. We must wait and for those that wait with hope shall find themselves always on the bright side. It is hope and dreams that keep the universe moving and keeps you evolving.

Ming

[paddyfield]

Blimey, I hope this is not developing into a scientology debate :0)
Why do we have a three cornered act??
Surely we only need one of you to tell a fairy tale, and not very good at that!!
paddy