Money Cannot Buy Happiness

...or so they say. Obviously, money is necessary to buy the essential or basic things in life. I have come to realize that money is not everything. I think it is relatively dangerous to keep wanting things in order to satisfy an insatiable hunger for more and more or to become upset when others have more than you. It's just not good for the soul and mind. I know a lot of people who "knowingly" live beyond their means, yet are perfectly comfortable buying the latest model car. I ask why do we put ourselves in this situation...then again who am I to judge :)

What Exactly is True Altruism?

I often wonder what is true altruism? First, let's make an attempt to answer the following: Is true altruism the act of doing something or the result? I would think true altruism is the end result. If you are doing something other than the end result then you would be fulfilling your own desire or purpose. Right? For example, you may be compelled--to giving because of the emotional attachment or tension. Consequently, this begs the question of whether every decision is based upon personal merit, in the first place?

The Dinner Buffet

As I was stuffing myself at the buffet tonight, I suddenly felt a bit of guilt come across my conscience. Here, I am able to eat as much food as possible, yet there are children starving in the world. I normally eat with my "partner in crime", but tonight I ate alone and perhaps that is the reason I am feelt guilty. With a moment of peace, I am able to reflect on how good I really have it. No, I am by no means rich or even near wealthy. In my perspective, I live a well-balanced life. I can afford to buy most things, but I do need watch my budget. My wife is able to stay home with the kids, so we have enough income to support the family. Latley, I have been thinging about helping children in need of education. Perhaps, when I retire I'll make trip to Africa and teach. I believe I can give more to society.. than my money for dinner buffets. I ask: Do we all owe a little something back to society?

Living is an Importance

I am currently reading “The Importance of Living” by author Lin Yutang. I read quite a bit, but never heard of the author. Perhaps I need to read more. Anyways, the book is easy to understand and fun to read.  I get bored very easily, so it is always a pleasure finding a book that keeps by attention.  I have read 103 pages and found a few quotes that I thought worth mentioning (of course there are many more; Yutang, 1937, pp. 11-103):

“The mature Chinese is always a person who refuses to think too hard or to believe in any single idea or faith or school of philosophy whole heartedly. When a friend of Confucius told him that he always thought three times before he acted, Confucius wittily replied, “To think twice is quite enough” (p.11).

In China as compared with the west, man lives a life closer to nature and closer to childhood, a life in which the instincts and the emotions are given free play and emphasized against the life of the intellect, with a strange combination of devotion to the flesh and arrogance of the spirit, of profound wisdom and foolish gaiety, of high sophistication and childish naïveté (p.11).

Now it happens that subtle common sense, gaiety of philosophy and simplicity of thinking are characteristic of humor and must arise from it (p.79).

It is difficult to imagine this kind of a new world because our present world is so different. On the whole, our life is too complex, our scholarship too serious, our philosophy too somber, and our thoughts too involved. This seriousness and this involved complexity of thought and scholarship make the present world such an unhappy one today (p.79).

The ideal character best able to enjoy life is a warm, carefree and unafraid soul (p. 97).

The courage to be one’s own natural self is quite a rare thing. Consciously or unconsciously, we are all actors in this life playing to the audience in a part and style approved by them” (p.103).

My Week In Korea

The last few weeks have been interesting for me. I traveled to Korea for business and unlike other trips I managed to dedicate a whole week to myself without any interruption and minimal interaction with other humans...lol.  What I mean is that I had a week of total uninterrupted solitude. Reflecting back on that week, I realized certain things that I have taken for granted. Perhaps being away from home made me realize what I truly have: a loving wife and three wonderful children (not that I did not realize this prior to leaving, but you get my point). But, what I could not understand is how this trip was different from all others?  Perhaps this trip offered new meaning and further reflection upon my life. I definitely realized that without my family I truly would be a lonely soul.

Anyways, after the meetings I attended, I began to drink out of boredom and soon I found myself wanting to come home. In the past, I had been away for months apart, but this trip hit home. I felt the need for change—to appreciate my family and worry less about trivial things in life. I also experienced a spiritual renewal. I had struggled for several weeks debating the bible and the direction of my faith (don’t get me wrong, I still do), but I think some of the doubt and controversy has subsided. I hope to continue in a positive direction…

Is God Biased?

If we were to look at a few examples of where God appears most biased we may definitely agree that salvation is on the border of fair and unfairness.  According to the bible, we are to love and worship God with all of our heart and soul. At the end of life, we are judged according to our conduct in life. We may enter heaven by the grace of God and acceptance of Christ our Savior.  But, what if we have no knowledge of God or the bible? How are we then judged? Logically speaking, it appears judgment is biased toward those who have knowledge of God and His Word. This presents several problems. Is it fair to be judged based on our knowledge God and the bible? Why then are those of faith held accountable? Some believe that only certain people have a calling to God. What does that really mean? Is God biased toward certain individuals? I’ve heard that eventually everyone will get a chance to acknowledge and submit to God. Thus, judgment is on hold until everyone is given a chance to know and accept God (Jesus).  I would be interested in understanding the purpose in creating humans who have no access to the bible or the Lord’s message (if our sole purpose is to serve God)?  At times, trying to understand God is a complete mystery.  

Btw, I asked my eight year old son the question about those who have no access to religion or the bible and he responded rather cleverly that we should spread the word to those of distant lands. With no religious background, his response was very logical, but what if we can’t get to those people?  

An Omniscience God?

What is an omniscience God? There are many arguments I struggle to comprehend, particularly with a God who knows everything. Also known as omniscience. If God knows everything then He knows the answer to all of our questions and the choices we make. In this respect, we are living a senseless life simply because everything is predetermined.  From my understanding, God does not want obedient robots to worship and love him. In reality, we are preprogrammed (our birth, not necessariy every event in our lives). From God’s perspective, He has all the necessary knowledge of who we are. God knows exactly what we will think and do. His creation is the universal map. Do we have the freedom to choose?

If God is omniscience we may conclude the following: 1) Some things are predetermined, 2) There is no purpose attached to our life; perhaps we are here for God’s entertainment, 3) God allows us to make choices, regardless of Him knowing the outcome(s) 4) God is not testing us because He already knows the outcome.  5) There is no judgment at the end of life; why judge someone if you already know the outcome. The outcome of any judgment is for our understanding and purpose only.

Hopefully, my analogy will not lead anyone to assume we should act without thought or moral code. What I meant by “senseless life” is that there is no relevance in life from a God that knows everything (past, present, and future). I question what relevance are we to God if he knows everything? Perhaps, we only have relevance to each other.  

Note: I really want to stress the point about so called “tests” from God. The only reason to test something is to understand or acknowledge an UNKNOWN outcome. Simply put, there are no tests for God; If we are being tested then from what perspective or purpose?

Let’s look at another analogy of an omniscient God (btw, my next point here could fall under the discussion of God being biased). If God knows everything how come He does not put a stop to people (newborns) who will do more harm than good in life?  Is it to show that He loves us equally at birth despite what we become at a mature age, thus proving his love is unconditional at birth. So, why is the Lord’s Love (compassion) conditional in other cases? Take for example, children who are born with deficiencies. Why does the Lord place a stipulation on how much he loves these babies who are born with a condition? What purpose does that serve? Yes, perhaps the Lord can still love a newborn unconditionally despite a deficiency or in the sense He allows the newborn to cont with his or her existence. I see it as a condition placed upon those who are born with a disability. Perhaps the Lord has no input or connection in the development of a fetus born under such a condition. Are the conditions I described part of the Lord’s strategy in seeking Him closer or a way of testing humans in their ability to accept those who are born with a birth defects?  I think I’m getting into why does God allow suffering to exist, but I trying to stay on track with the topic of God and omniscience.