“Thinking” About Water

I saw an interesting post on the My Life Thinking BlogCatalog group called Water by G – great metaphors for what we can learn about ourselves by examining the characteristics of water. It got me thinking…

My family and I like to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee.  The park contains lots of rivers and waterfalls (which my husband likes) that are easily accessible without devoting a full day to hiking (which I like.)  Most of the water in the Park is only seen in small trickles or shallow streams, especially at the lower elevations. It’s humbling to realize, however, that the entire mountain range was formed by water over time. A slow, steady and persistent trickle, seemingly insignificant and at times made more powerful by violent storms and the inevitable inertia of flowing downward — It has carved and pushed and molded the earth into astounding new forms.

That which is most hard –- rock, soil, earth — has been moved by that which is most fluid and malleable — water.

What a metaphor for changing a life!  What a metaphor for affecting change in a world!

“Cyber-Bullying”

Cultural Context:  The term used by MySpace and FoxNews.com to describe the actions of Lori Drew, a Missouri woman who allegedly engineered a fake profile of a teen-aged boy on MySpace which she used to deceive a neighbor teen-aged girl.  The teen-aged girl committed suicide after receiving numerous “cruel” messages from the non-existent boy including one telling her that the world would be better off without her.  Ms. Drew was indicted this week on federal charges of conspiracy and accessing protected computers without authorization related to the girl’s death. Read the stories here and here.

Hmmm…
As I read the stories linked above, one question screamed and then came barreling full steam to mind:  WHERE are the grown-ups here? Continue reading »

C is for Cobwebs

Cobwebs are what creep up in corners when you’re not paying attention.  A moment of shame. A mistake. Something you can’t remember or can’t forget.  They are sticky and catch things that brush against them by accident.  It helps to sweep out your cobwebs.

“Endurance Specialist”

Cultural Context: The term used by Fox News to describe the “occupation” of David Blaine, who broke the Guinness World Record for holding his breath (17 minutes, 4 seconds) –– a feat which he accomplished on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” on April 30th (read the story here)

Hmmm… Continue reading »

B is for Bridge

Bridges are what you jump off to get into something.  They are what you cross to get over something, or get to something.  Some are strong and won’t move.  Some are shaky and creek.  You never know when you might need one.  Be careful about burning bridges.