Tuesday, June 26, 2012

How Dinnertime Could Reinvent the Modern World

O.K., so I am reading "How the Scots Invented the Modern World " by Arthur Herman.  Listen to this- pg. 72:"As human beings living in society,we have certain rights that we bring to the TABLE with us from our natural state, such as the right to our own life and our property.  But there are certain obligations we have to observe.  One of the most obvious of these is obeying the laws established through common consent.  But the other is the moral law governing our private conduct towards others.  Without a moral law, no community is possible.  Without community,  there is no protection for ourselves and the things we need to survive, i.e., our property.  When we realize...that our self-interest dictates that we treat others as ourselves, we are ready to live among our fellow men."  This came from the Scottish intellectuals in the early 1700's setting the stage for our Declaration of Independence.  They talked of rights that come with obligations.  They talked of a moral law directing our "private"(everyday) actions toward and for others.  They talked of the need for community for our very survival.  So dinnertime, regularly sitting at your own table, with the TV off perhaps is one of those obligations and actions you can take for your family,even if it is just 2, that cements the family as a small unified community discussing the joys and trials of the day, checking everybody's schedules, making plans for future events, bringing new words to the table( Katie Couric's parents did that), discussing articles, finding out where your teenager has been driving etc.  "When we realize...that our self-interest dictates that we treat others as ourselves,  we are ready to LIVE..."  and reinvent and reenergize the modern world!

Monday, June 18, 2012

"... For the Happy Heart, Life is a Continual Feast."

Yesterday was Father's Day and the restaurants were jammed with families celebrating with food a special day.  I have been quiet as a blogger as I regroup from my daughter's wedding 3 weeks ago.  I never teared up once because the whole week-end, I felt pure happiness.  The same happiness I felt at my wedding 32 years ago.  It was a time to escape the problems of the world, a time to talk with and enjoy the presence of family and friends, a time to enjoy a beautiful setting enjoying the views of gently rolling mountains and beautiful arrangements of flowers, and a time to sit around various tables at breakfast, lunch and dinner to savor carefully planned and prepared food.  The wedding dinner was especially memorable and just a taste of what the banquet in heaven must be like.  That taste of happiness which we enjoy at weddings and Father's Day is described above in Proverbs 15:15.  To have a happier heart, perhaps our lives need to sup on continual feasts which can be enjoyed by planning and cooking your family dinners.  Make it creative and fun.  Don't worry, instead be happy!