Hey man! This article is very well-written and nuanced. It seems like you're very interested in Christianity and existentialism! I recommend Soren Kierkegaard, who is considered to be the founder of modern existentialism. He deals with the topics you are concerned with, and from a Christian perspective.
Your article got me thinking about these sorts of things too! It seems like Jesus' resurrection is rather irrelevant, especially since his life on Earth is very far removed both in location and time from our lives. However, when considered from a certain perspective, it is not irrelevant. In particular, if it is true that Jesus made radical claims about being the Son of G-d, and that he was physically resurrected from the dead, then it very probably follows that his personal claims were correct. In other words, his rising from the dead validates what he was saying about himself. And if this is the case, then it has everything to do with us, since we would then have a basis for meaning in our lives, for understanding the universe, for having hope in an afterlife, and (most importantly) for knowing who G-d is and how we relate to Him.
With regard to New Testament history, I would recommend looking up N.T. Wright and Craig Keener. Their writings are very lucid and exciting.
I'm glad you got to read Sartre! I have not yet gotten to him. Right now I'm plowing through philosophy of language. People like Frege and Russell and Putnam and Kripke. I would check them out, if you can. Their writings can be hard to find.
Keep on trucking. It's great to hear you're living in a spirit of Resurrection. I know many people who struggle with depression and anxiety; they wish they could live with that sort of attitude. Keep building the good mental habits. I read about this one lady, who was a chronic drinker, smoker, and party-goer, who was stuck at low-income levels, and who was very unhealthy. Long story short, she was able to break her smoking habit. Four years later, she was working on a graduate degree, was tan and healthy, and was interviewing for top-level jobs. She, along with many others like her, was being studied by scientists. The researchers discovered that once we break a "keystone habit", we can change many other things about ourselves. And once we're locked into good cycles, it gets easier to carry out good habits. It's from a book called "The Power of Habit". I only read the first couple of pages, but it seems great! I would check it out if you can.
Anyway, I'll catch ya later brother! Great to hear from you again. Keep on writing. Can't wait for the next piece.
Hi Teddy, I did a little research online for you and discovered that this business is well known for not delivering subscriptions to inmates and not responding to inquiries made about the orders. A Utah TV station even did an investigation into the company. They found out that "The American Magazine Service has no physical address. The business uses a mailbox at a Midvale postal shop to solicit business. Its owner is unknown."
The Better Business Bureau has given the company an F rating and there are over 300 registered complaints on them. The Better Business Bureau suggests that customers contact Utah’s Division of Consumer protection to file a complaint in an effort to get their money back. Their address is:
Division of Consumer Protection 160 East 300 South, 2nd Floor P.O. Box 146704 Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-6704
You have to fill out a consumer complaint form and provide supporting documentation (your order confirmation), so you will have to contact them for that form or I can print you out a copy and send it to you...your choice! -Melanie
This was fantastic to read, for so many reasons. It is individuals like you who have motivated me to work toward the position I'm currently in - doing a PhD at the University of California, Irvine in Criminology, Law & Society. I taught Philosophy and Ethics for the Prison University Project at San Quentin, and saw the tremendous need for exactly the kind of approach you suggest. I'm working on developing a research proposal for implementing a large number of the policies and practices of offender treatment and social attitudes from the Nordic countries. My contention so far has been that the unit of focus for rehabilitation needs to expand beyond the individual inmate, and also encompass the local communities into which they are released. The public imagination needs to be rehabilitated too. I would love to hear more of your thoughts and ideas about how this might happen. I feel the perspective of inmates is invaluable in this endeavor.
I SHALL with my words before I give them breathe, and I shall speak to thee as I think, and hope it suffice you. If I have any grace or power to move you.you shall know my mind,my drifts,my effects.do devour up my discourse and find good means. I appreciate your comments. PLEASE forgive my late response and my lack of use on this blog. I will do to the best of my ability to be more attentive. If you would like to read more of my poetry, I have more poems that I could write you.
Best Regards R.Cooper If you would like to write me here is my address * #1517361 777 fm 3497 Woodville Tx 77990
Dear Maisha, Already over a year ago, I (and my assistent Jennifer) can to Pulaski to make portraits. You were one of the people I portrayed. I sent your (and all the others') portraits to Pulaski, and as far as I know, you must have received that photo.
I have to apologize for not having posted the work on my website (www.janbanning.com) publicly, as I promised: I have to do this work in my spare time, and I don't have much of that.
The photos are on the site, but still behind a password (Pulaski123). But soon, a first series of portraits and texts will be 'unlocked'. I'm afraid there is no way for you to see the work, but let me explain briefly what my intention is, below.
I have an important question: is it OK for you if I also post your texts from “Inkspills”? I hope you are able to answer to this.
The goals of the post: Aim 1: Challenge our views on criminality. I am not condoning crime. I just refuse to accept that people who committed one are fundamental different from us, that they are the bad guys as opposed to us, the goodies. What about you? Are you sure that decent citizens are better human beings than these inmates? In the past, I for one have done something that could have landed me in prison. But since I was not caught, I am one of the flawless. And do we really want to limit ourselves to punishing them, even though no connection has been proven between imprisonment and crime rates? Or is there more than cynicism in the term “Department of Corrections”?
Aim 2. Question the role of the internet. We as a society have decided that the consequence of committing a serious crime is serving time in prison. If and when a person has served that, he/she is entitled to start a new life. But recently, a second – life - sentence has been added, so far especially in the USA, by a new form of people’s tribunal outside of the democratic decision-making process: offenders’ names, faces and other information are put on the internet. The availability of this is bound to have a strong impact on former inmates’ lives and their chances to move on to a new, non-criminal life – if only because the big mayority of U.S. employers performs criminal background checks on prospective employees.
Of course, I can tell you more about it - if you like.
I hope you are doing well - at least as good as is possible, under the circumstances. I also hope we will be able to communicate via this blog. Best regards and good luck from Utrecht, the Netherlands, Jan Banning info@janbanning.com
Your daughter is a teenager. This means that she is struggling with the same things that all teens struggle with. On top of that -- there is a whole lot more, of course.
I do not want to speculate about it on a public forum for a variety of reasons - the first of which is that this is her story. She is in charge of her narrative (and I respect that).
Of course, she will either continue to talk about it - or not. And she will continue to do so here - on this forum - or in private.
She is very articulate and I have confidence that she will do what she needs/wants.
My only advice to you is that you must accept her anger and her hurt (as you have). This is your job.
But, you must also be careful not to hold to this too tightly - you must accept it - because it is true, but then you must forge ahead with compassion (for everyone - including yourself).
All of us learn by example - you have learned that by being compassionate you can heal. So, even with this new hurt - you must continue down that path. This is the example you must set for others. Okay?
I am sure that this does not feel like enough - but it is. It is all you can do in this moment, so it is a complete action. It is enough.
Maybe you will have a chance to do something else - soon - or maybe someday way off in the future. If you do, then bring your compassionate self to that task, too.
But today - just do today - okay?
It really is enough.
And if you do that - everyday - you will ALREADY have answered the questions in your post :).
This piece reminds me much of a modernist, stream-of-consciousness style. I like it. I wonder why it's called Irish Soup? Because the piece is a potpourri of different thoughts? I hope you find that wisdom lying around somewhere (check under the desk). But seriously, being respected is one gift of growing older; glad to see you're enjoying it. By the way, your handwriting is very unique, and the different colors really pop out and emphasize the whole 'Irish Soup' theme. Memories and dreams are pleasurable, but sometimes they can distract us from the joys right under our noses. Anyway, I hope you continue to write; can't wait to read your next piece. Best, Calhoun25
RSS
Your article got me thinking about these sorts of things too! It seems like Jesus' resurrection is rather irrelevant, especially since his life on Earth is very far removed both in location and time from our lives. However, when considered from a certain perspective, it is not irrelevant. In particular, if it is true that Jesus made radical claims about being the Son of G-d, and that he was physically resurrected from the dead, then it very probably follows that his personal claims were correct. In other words, his rising from the dead validates what he was saying about himself. And if this is the case, then it has everything to do with us, since we would then have a basis for meaning in our lives, for understanding the universe, for having hope in an afterlife, and (most importantly) for knowing who G-d is and how we relate to Him.
With regard to New Testament history, I would recommend looking up N.T. Wright and Craig Keener. Their writings are very lucid and exciting.
I'm glad you got to read Sartre! I have not yet gotten to him. Right now I'm plowing through philosophy of language. People like Frege and Russell and Putnam and Kripke. I would check them out, if you can. Their writings can be hard to find.
Keep on trucking. It's great to hear you're living in a spirit of Resurrection. I know many people who struggle with depression and anxiety; they wish they could live with that sort of attitude. Keep building the good mental habits. I read about this one lady, who was a chronic drinker, smoker, and party-goer, who was stuck at low-income levels, and who was very unhealthy. Long story short, she was able to break her smoking habit. Four years later, she was working on a graduate degree, was tan and healthy, and was interviewing for top-level jobs. She, along with many others like her, was being studied by scientists. The researchers discovered that once we break a "keystone habit", we can change many other things about ourselves. And once we're locked into good cycles, it gets easier to carry out good habits. It's from a book called "The Power of Habit". I only read the first couple of pages, but it seems great! I would check it out if you can.
Anyway, I'll catch ya later brother! Great to hear from you again. Keep on writing. Can't wait for the next piece.
Best,
Calhoun25
I did a little research online for you and discovered that this business is well known for not delivering subscriptions to inmates and not responding to inquiries made about the orders. A Utah TV station even did an investigation into the company. They found out that "The American Magazine Service has no physical address. The business uses a mailbox at a Midvale postal shop to solicit business. Its owner is unknown."
The Better Business Bureau has given the company an F rating and there are over 300 registered complaints on them. The Better Business Bureau suggests that customers contact Utah’s Division of Consumer protection to file a complaint in an effort to get their money back. Their address is:
Division of Consumer Protection
160 East 300 South, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 146704
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-6704
You have to fill out a consumer complaint form and provide supporting documentation (your order confirmation), so you will have to contact them for that form or I can print you out a copy and send it to you...your choice! -Melanie
This was fantastic to read, for so many reasons. It is individuals like you who have motivated me to work toward the position I'm currently in - doing a PhD at the University of California, Irvine in Criminology, Law & Society. I taught Philosophy and Ethics for the Prison University Project at San Quentin, and saw the tremendous need for exactly the kind of approach you suggest. I'm working on developing a research proposal for implementing a large number of the policies and practices of offender treatment and social attitudes from the Nordic countries. My contention so far has been that the unit of focus for rehabilitation needs to expand beyond the individual inmate, and also encompass the local communities into which they are released. The public imagination needs to be rehabilitated too. I would love to hear more of your thoughts and ideas about how this might happen. I feel the perspective of inmates is invaluable in this endeavor.
Love and strength to you,
Marina
Yours in the struggle,
Jessica Lopez &
Ban Reverse Stings
I SHALL with my words before I give them breathe, and I shall speak to thee as I think, and hope it suffice you. If I have any grace or power to move you.you shall know my mind,my drifts,my effects.do devour up my discourse and find good means. I appreciate your comments. PLEASE forgive my late response and my lack of use on this blog. I will do to the best of my ability to be more attentive. If you would like to read more of my poetry, I have more poems that I could write you.
Best Regards
R.Cooper
If you would like to write me here is my address
* #1517361
777 fm 3497
Woodville Tx 77990
I'm enjoying what I'm reading and experiencing the value you bring to others through your writing. Looking forward to reading more.
Your friend,
Ron
Already over a year ago, I (and my assistent Jennifer) can to Pulaski to make portraits. You were one of the people I portrayed. I sent your (and all the others') portraits to Pulaski, and as far as I know, you must have received that photo.
I have to apologize for not having posted the work on my website (www.janbanning.com) publicly, as I promised: I have to do this work in my spare time, and I don't have much of that.
The photos are on the site, but still behind a password (Pulaski123).
But soon, a first series of portraits and texts will be 'unlocked'. I'm afraid there is no way for you to see the work, but let me explain briefly what my intention is, below.
I have an important question: is it OK for you if I also post your texts from “Inkspills”? I hope you are able to answer to this.
The goals of the post:
Aim 1: Challenge our views on criminality.
I am not condoning crime. I just refuse to accept that people who committed one are fundamental different from us, that they are the bad guys as opposed to us, the goodies. What about you? Are you sure that decent citizens are better human beings than these inmates? In the past, I for one have done something that could have landed me in prison. But since I was not caught, I am one of the flawless.
And do we really want to limit ourselves to punishing them, even though no connection has been proven between imprisonment and crime rates? Or is there more than cynicism in the term “Department of Corrections”?
Aim 2. Question the role of the internet.
We as a society have decided that the consequence of committing a serious crime is serving time in prison. If and when a person has served that, he/she is entitled to start a new life.
But recently, a second – life - sentence has been added, so far especially in the USA, by a new form of people’s tribunal outside of the democratic decision-making process: offenders’ names, faces and other information are put on the internet.
The availability of this is bound to have a strong impact on former inmates’ lives and their chances to move on to a new, non-criminal life – if only because the big mayority of U.S. employers performs criminal background checks on prospective employees.
Of course, I can tell you more about it - if you like.
I hope you are doing well - at least as good as is possible, under the circumstances. I also hope we will be able to communicate via this blog.
Best regards and good luck from Utrecht, the Netherlands,
Jan Banning
info@janbanning.com
I do not want to speculate about it on a public forum for a variety of reasons - the first of which is that this is her story. She is in charge of her narrative (and I respect that).
Of course, she will either continue to talk about it - or not. And she will continue to do so here - on this forum - or in private.
She is very articulate and I have confidence that she will do what she needs/wants.
My only advice to you is that you must accept her anger and her hurt (as you have). This is your job.
But, you must also be careful not to hold to this too tightly - you must accept it - because it is true, but then you must forge ahead with compassion (for everyone - including yourself).
All of us learn by example - you have learned that by being compassionate you can heal. So, even with this new hurt - you must continue down that path. This is the example you must set for others. Okay?
I am sure that this does not feel like enough - but it is. It is all you can do in this moment, so it is a complete action. It is enough.
Maybe you will have a chance to do something else - soon - or maybe someday way off in the future. If you do, then bring your compassionate self to that task, too.
But today - just do today - okay?
It really is enough.
And if you do that - everyday - you will ALREADY have answered the questions in your post :).
Perhaps you already have.
jt
Best,
Calhoun25