Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Contradictions

Happy Summer!

I’m not trying to be morose here, but I have questions.

Contradictions. One definition is: a direct opposition between things compared; inconsistency. Inconstant: Changeable. Variable.                                                              

Sometimes it seems like simply too much. We know, on an intellectual level, if we think of it at all, that we will lose people during our life’s journey. But that doesn’t prepare us. I guess I thought I would be old and gray and past caring. Funny that.

Contradictions. I wasn’t prepared for the asymmetry. The suddenness. The inexplicable. The random nature of well, nature. How is it that some people endure a long multitude of diminishing illnesses that lead to the inevitable… while others, too, too young vanish in a breath? And every permutation and combination in between. No one is assured a set journey. A set amount of time. It’s inconstant. Inconsistent.

In every single case the people remaining are in shock, grieving, trying to process the loss. I don’t get it. Is this some cosmic decision made before we are born? A decision to suffer…or not…for our soul’s growth? For someone else’s? That maybe makes sense.

When I was young, I desperately wanted to know what the future held. Now I know why most of us don’t have that gift. It would not be a gift. There was wisdom in that.

So what I say to myself every single day is: Be present. Pay attention. Be grateful. Don’t complain. We have Light and Dark. We have Joy and Sorrow. We have right now. Right 
Now. 

Possibly a Jack Kornfield interpretation of the teachings of the Buddha. Either way, it’s good, yes?

Saturday, June 18, 2016

JUNE 2016 BOOK SELECTION- THE SHORT DROP

Because I have spent the last several weeks traveling, I carried my Kindle for convenience sake. When I’m home, I still prefer a book in my hands but this gave me a chance to peruse the free downloads I have accumulated. My first read I will not discuss because, although I did finish it, I decided early on not to give bad reviews.

My second read, The Short Drop by Matthew Fitzsimmons was a real surprise. I have to admit I chose it thinking it was an easy one to let go. You know, read a few pages and delete? I was hooked from page one. What is even more surprising, this, like The Killing Floor (my April selection), is not my usual genre. Gritty, action adventure can be fun if done well. And this one, Fitzsimmons’ FIRST (published at least) novel is terrific. It is well-written, multi-layered, with complex, mostly well-rounded characters.

The novel centers on the mysterious disappearance of a young girl that has attained mythic status in the ten years since its occurrence. Gibson Vaughn, the anti-hero protagonist has a deep connection to this girl. As an infamous computer hacker and former marine with his own tragic past and a bleak present to contend with, he is given the chance to find out what happened to her.

Fast paced and surprising, this one was hard to put down. I am definitely a fan. I’m looking forward to his next one, Poisonfeather, due out in the fall.


Yes! Read this one.