Happy Thanksgiving

[level_head]

It has been a difficult year for me, with no hint of what was to come when it began. From the loss of my lifemate, to the recent discovery that my inability to walk is perhaps not fixable after all, and financial impacts from all of this, it could be a time of great depression. But I don’t feel that way.

Comments

[ext_1399643]

Happy Thanksgiving.

I suppose there is no substitute for being thankful for and appreciating what we have. Wanting more and more is a treadmill. There can never be enough. Yet if we carefully examine what we have, we will always discover we have more than we thought.

Thank you for your example.

[level_head]

You're welcome, even if my example is a terrible one for some of your purposes. ];-)

But unquestionably, as the song says, "life's been good to me so far" - on balance, at least.

===|==============/ Keith DeHavelle

[ext_1399643]

That's interesting observation. Is your example a terrible one for my purpose? If I judge you as I would be judged, no. You know scripture. Don't I serve myself poorly if I judge anyone more harshly than I must?

You say there is no God, no Final Judgement. Yet, from what I can see you live as if the Final Judgement is real. If that is so, then why should anyone who fears the Final Judgement condemn you?

How God will judge us? That's will be according to His purpose, and I think it best not to be included among those, even among those Christians, who take upon themselves to know only what God can know.

[level_head]

"You say there is no God, no Final Judgement."

You know, I've never said that in my life. What I do say, instead, is that I have seen no compelling evidence for God.

There is tremendous, compelling, internally consistent evidence supporting life and the universe we live in as natural phenomena, though this doesn't absolve mankind of the responsibility to make the best of it.

But what I was referring to was being a well-adjusted, morally cognizant person who tries to abide by a demanding code of ethics despite being a lifelong non-theist. The difference is, perhaps, that I try to avoid bad behaviors and do good things because I think that they are right actions, not from fear of the consequences of a Final Judgment.

I would rather do business with a conservative atheist than a liberal Christian, because I have been aware for decades that it is ideology, not faith, that has the largest practical control on moral codes and their effect upon actual behavior.

===|==============/ Keith DeHavelle

[makovette]

I was unaware your health issues were persisting, this is rather concerning news to me.

I am curious what the accurate diagnosis is, and if there are any treatments that can heal at least some of the damage; as well as what support I can offer to help out. I suspect the probability of a water pump replacement for a big block Chevy is rather low, but should other things need doing, please do let me know.

Are you still commuting up here from time to time, or are you mostly still in the Southland?

CYa!
Mako

[level_head]

Hello, Mako

[rowyn]

I am glad you are in good spirits, dear sir. I wish you were in better health as well. :/

But it's good to hear the hand controls work for your car! I remember how much you like driving, in addition to the utility value of it. :)

[level_head]

Thank you, Lady Rowyn. I'm not quite back to that stage yet, partly because getting to and from and in and out of the car is a Project these days. But being able to travel when needed is definitely a very large plus.

There are many who, through eyesight issues or other problems, are no longer able to drive at all. I had a taste of that, and I am quite pleased indeed to no longer be in that dependent mode. With luck, it will be a long time yet.

===|==============/ Keith DeHavelle

[c_eagle]

I'm so glad your son was able to help, and that you are in god spirits as you pursue the treatment!

[level_head]

Thank you, sir. We each have our handfuls of things to deal with.

===|==============/ Keith DeHavelle

[firebyrd]

I'm so sorry your health problems are continuing. I hope the new diagnosis and treatment will help halt the deterioration. What is with our confused immune systems these days?

[level_head]

Thank you.

In this case, it is a clever trick evolved by Campylobacter jejuni; its external membrane has become an excellent mimic for the external membrane of the Schwann cells that wrap the axons of the peripheral nervous system