Bad paths

[John]

It's been said if we always "act as if the whole world is watching" we'd be better off.
If we are needing to be sneaky, maybe we are choosing the wrong path.

If we are secretive - and tell half-truths - with our "friends," this might indicate how far we have gone.

We CAN always turn around and go in the other direction – if we CHOOSE.

[Jim Johnson]

You're definitely being sneaky here.

What is the secret that you are trying to tell us?

[John]

Interesting observation, Jim. Thank you for it. I'll take it under serious consideration.
Maybe I am on the wrong path.

I stated the ideas for general consideration.
BTW - I'm not claiming, nor have I ever claimed to be pure.

Folks who consider themselves to be friends, can contact me if they want to. I think friends often help each other to get things right. I certainly appreciate the support of friends.

I've been working very very hard trying to help some people with some very difficult problems.
I try to help people find Peaceful solutions, but sadly, in some cases we are only able to move towards less-violent answers rather than Peaceful.
In one case, things are not going even that well. Yet, I am resisting abandoning at this point, but I'm definitely being tested.

[MaineShark]

There are varying reasons why folks may tell half-truths.  Sometimes, they are afraid of the truth being known, for no good reason.  Sometimes, for a very good reason.  Sometimes they are obligated to conceal certain things in order to adhere to agreements they've made.  Sometimes they make agreements like that, as an excuse to be secretive.  Sometimes, they've lived in fear so long that concealment becomes the habit and the norm.  Sometimes, they're new to having fear in their lives, and they conceal much because they don't yet know how to deal with it.  Sometimes they are attempting to walk the best path they can, in an imperfect world.  Sometimes, they are part of what makes this an imperfect world.  Sometimes, it's a game, and other times a defense mechanism.  Sometimes a sign of strength, where lying outright would be the easier path.  Sometimes, a sign of weakness, where total honesty would be the more-honorable path.

There are many who do it, and many different reasons why they do what they do.

In any case, your work is most definitely appreciated.

Ten years ago - heck, five years ago - if someone told me that I'd sit down and chat with the pastor of a church for an hour or two, and I'd ask his advice and he mine, and that we'd share our concerns and hopes, I'd probably have told whomever said that, "don't hold your breath."

And now, well, I couldn't really imagine not having you around.  You're a force for good in this world, and that's not always easy when there's so much evil being done; standing against the tide never is.  But without the breakwaters, the harbor would be gone and the beach eroded away.  It's an important, and often thankless job, so... "thank you."

[K neth]

There are many paths we can take, and they all lead nowhere.  The best we can do is to choose a path with heart.