Random Thoughts for a Tuesday

There's a definite chill in the air this morning...the kind of chill that makes you walk a little more quickly. I enjoy it because it makes me feel more energized. Knowing that this chill will soon be gone, replaced by the busyness that is my life makes me appreciate it all that much more this morning. Like so many others, my days all start before the sun comes up and ends well into the evening. As I reflect on my life I realize that it has always been this way. I'm way too busy. Too busy to enjoy life, my wife, my kids, my work. Too busy to enjoy anything. That's been one benefit of the long period of recovery from my heart surgery and subsequent heart attack....lots of time for reflection. Reflection, when focused on the right things, fuels the soul and promotes positive change. Who of us couldn't benefit from changing some things?

One of the things I've thought about this morning is the lack of civility and concern that has come to characterize our culture. This was driven home to me the other day as I read through some posts on an Amazon discussion board. It seems that we've forgotten how to disagree without being disagreeable. I genuinely enjoy discussing issues with those who don't share my viewpoint, it's a learning experience. There are few anymore who seem to be able to discuss their differences without pursuing a "scorched earth" policy regarding those who disagree with them. I am grateful for those in my life who have taken the time to teach me through disagreement. Yes, there are some issues that I can never change my position on, but there has never been someone who I cannot learn from by engaging in a reasoned, intelligent discussion with. Perhaps our inability to have those type of discussions has more to do with our loss of the ability to reason and learn for ourselves than with anything else.

As I've waited for the sun to rise this morning I've thought of old friends who I've lost touch with through the years. They represent my biggest, and perhaps only regrets. I am grateful for websites like facebook and classmates and the opportunities they represent to reconnect with old friends and to share laughter once again.

I guess I've gone about all the damage I can at this point in the day. As the title of this post indicates.....random thoughts. I hope your day is a good one.