Muddling Toward Maturity Blog

A FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN

The following will probably irritate some folks, but it rings true to my experience.  Men tend to use more nouns than women.  See if you agree.  The following is from C.S. Lewis's novel, That Hideous Strength, ch. 8:

"The cardinal difiiculty," said MacPhee, "in collaboration between the sexes is that women speak a language without nouns.  If two men are doing a bit of work, one will say to the other, 'Put this bowl inside the bigger bowl which you'll find on the top shelf of the green cupboard.'  The female for this is, 'Put that in the other one in there.'  And then if you ask them, 'in where?'  They say, 'in there, of course.'  There is consequently a phatic hiatus...." [ a lapse in communication]

"There's your tea now," said Ivy Maggs, "and I'll go and get you a piece of cake, which is more than you deserve.  And when you've had it you can go upstairs and talk about nouns for the rest of the evening." 

"Not about nouns: by means of," said MacPhee, but Mrs. Maggs had already left the room.  

Me:   So what do you think?  Does this observation ring true to your experience?

MAN WITH DOWN SYNDROME TELLS CONGRESS "MY LIFE IS WORTH LIVING"

I know a young man with Down syndrome, who (much like the man testifying before Congress below), lives every day with verve, relish and love, and who is admired and loved by all who know him.  That the world should be deprived of such men and women is beyond despicable and quite horrific.   And yet it's happening... it's happening... 

It's true what one person commented:

"Eliminate the good, the evil grows stronger.

First the weak, then the helpless, then all who disagree.

Once a society engages in the murder of its own... its only a matter of time until our number is up."

CALIFORNIA FIRES -2017

This was from a few days ago.  The fires roll on and the number of deaths continue to rise.  The picture of devastation shown below offers a vivid reminder of life's uncertainties and the tenuousness of possessions,.  The fires offer a strong corrective to man's pride and delusion of mastery.    

 

SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER - A VICIOUS HATE GROUP

If you are not yet familiar with the "friendly face" but vicious character of the SPLC, be sure to watch this video.

 

BEETHOVEN'S "ODE TO JOY"

When I came across a link to this website and heard this familiar piece played once again, the thought ran through my mind: "You won't find anything like this in Islam."   Joy (and love and peace and gratitude) are dominant themes in Christian faith.

Hymn of Joy lyrics:

 

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,

God of glory, Lord of love;

Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee,

Op’ning to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;

Drive the dark of doubt away;

Giver of immortal gladness,

Fill us with the light of day!

 

All Thy works with joy surround Thee,

Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays,

Stars and angels sing around Thee,

Center of unbroken praise.

Field and forest, vale and mountain,

Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,

Singing bird and flowing fountain

Call us to rejoice in Thee.

 

Thou art giving and forgiving,

Ever blessing, ever blest,

Wellspring of the joy of living,

Ocean depth of happy rest!

Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,

All who live in love are Thine;

Teach us how to love each other,

Lift us to the joy divine.

 

Mortals, join the happy chorus,

Which the morning stars began;

Father love is reigning o’er us,

Brother love binds man to man.

Ever singing, march we onward,

Victors in the midst of strife,

Joyful music leads us Sunward

In the triumph song of life.