I Said All That… ~ Copperhead Quips

Greetings Dear Reader,

We all know someone who is deft at the subtle but painful barb in conversation.  He or she will be talking merrily along and you are engaged in the palaver.  Then, without warning, the strike comes.  The pleasant moment is transformed into one where you are bitten and the poison is injected.

There are people I love dearly who do this regularly.  A recent example can refine my point.  I was having a nice conversation with someone about project Tortoise Shell with someone who should be supportive and loving.  The person seemed to be engaged in this very vein.  Then, I paused in my description of the motorhome that fits my needs and desire.  This person struck: “You won’t really do this.  You don’t have what it takes.  You won’t follow through.”

There was no thunderous warning like a rattlesnake.  There was only the instant strike of the copperhead.   The poison was there trying to kill my joy.  It put my dream on the knife-edge of doubt and tried to murder my heart for it.  I felt my pain and doubt try to surface.  Worse than a hemotoxin or neurotoxin, this form of spirit-toxin can kill dreams, aspirations, and goals.    

We are supposed to use the power of our words to build up each other.  We are supposed to be kind and loving.  Still, the world is filled with copperhead quips that poison dreams and destroy hope.  I must not engage in them and must find ways to fight the poison of spirit-toxin.  It is vital to be sure that my words are encouraging.  I am required to be good to you and never inject harm just because I can.

I said all that to say this Dear Reader:  If someone treats you this way, you do not have to believe, endure, and embrace it.  It might be hard but you are better than the copperhead quips of others.  I love you.  I believe in you.  Even if you are one of those who bite at me, I will love you and never do it back.  I know that some of you have copperheads in your life.  Remember that it is not you, biting is just their nature.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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Searching Social Stances – Issues versus Insults

Greetings Dear Reader,

I used to get so angry when students would refuse to learn.  As I grew in my teaching experience I realized that one cannot force anyone else to learn.  One cannot legislate learning.  It is the meeting of two minds over knowledge, understanding, and application.  It is the bridge of two people in academic congress journeying to a new place.

The social stances I see hinder learning.  Instead of speaking to each other we have become embattled factions hurling epithets and insults.  We damage each other over ideals instead of reason and conversation.  We fail to hold back our emotions in favor of conversation.

With me the anger, disrespect, and violence weakens one’s position.  I will always listen to a reasoned conversation.  I will withdraw from insults, derision, and attacks.  I will not support those with whom I agree who employ such tactics.  One cannot love one’s enemies and use these tactics.

We attack instead of expressing the need.  When we do express the need we load it with conditions and provisos that make compromise difficult.  I will always hold to standards that align with my faith.  That means that no matter what I think of someone’s morals or values I must care about his or her needs.  I must love him unconditionally.

We can discuss anything.  I must not argue or divide just to win my way.  The values I hold are worthless if they cannot abide honest discussion over issues.  My faith is a failure it cannot stand with all its requirements.  If the greatest commandments are to love God and love humans I cannot water that down and be honest.  I do not need to insult others to live my faith.  If you need to argue this then perhaps we do not share the same faith.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)