Write Lightning is a blog from writer Deb Thompson.
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Wed, Jun 27 2007
Memories can make us react physically
The idea that one's heart could react on the anniversary of some traumatic event doesn't really surprise me. Some years ago I read of a woman who woke up one day in a really bad mood and proceeded through her day with a series of unexplained crying jags, feelings of despair and sadness and lack of energy or motivation. When something later in the day prompted her to look at a calendar, she realized that it had been three or four years to the day since her mother had died. She hadn't been the type of person to dwell on these sorts of things and note each anniversary with memories and a pity-party type of day, so she was astonished at her mind and body's ability to react in such a fashion.
How often have we picked up a phone to call a friend or loved one and found out they were calling us at the same time? Some of these moments can be explained away as coincidence, or the hearing of a news story that prompts shared memories with friends to come to the surface. But sometimes there is no real logical explanation that we can use. Time and events are recorded by our minds and the emotions that accompany events may somehow be imprinted on us in ways scientists haven't yet learned how to identify or measure. I'm thinking of that passage from Psalm 139 that speaks of praising God because "I am fearfully and wonderfully made". The more we find out about the human condition, the more we can see the outright precision and grandeur with which we were created. If you need a boost for self-esteem, think about that.
posted at: 09:51 | category: /Health and Fitness | link to this entry
The idea that one's heart could react on the anniversary of some traumatic event doesn't really surprise me. Some years ago I read of a woman who woke up one day in a really bad mood and proceeded through her day with a series of unexplained crying jags, feelings of despair and sadness and lack of energy or motivation. When something later in the day prompted her to look at a calendar, she realized that it had been three or four years to the day since her mother had died. She hadn't been the type of person to dwell on these sorts of things and note each anniversary with memories and a pity-party type of day, so she was astonished at her mind and body's ability to react in such a fashion.
How often have we picked up a phone to call a friend or loved one and found out they were calling us at the same time? Some of these moments can be explained away as coincidence, or the hearing of a news story that prompts shared memories with friends to come to the surface. But sometimes there is no real logical explanation that we can use. Time and events are recorded by our minds and the emotions that accompany events may somehow be imprinted on us in ways scientists haven't yet learned how to identify or measure. I'm thinking of that passage from Psalm 139 that speaks of praising God because "I am fearfully and wonderfully made". The more we find out about the human condition, the more we can see the outright precision and grandeur with which we were created. If you need a boost for self-esteem, think about that.
posted at: 09:51 | category: /Health and Fitness | link to this entry
Follow the money, if you can
I keep looking at news headlines, articles and blog entries this morning. I know something is wrong. Finally, I've realized what it is. After reading for months about Iran's supposed efforts to install centrifuges for uranium enrichment I am suddenly reading that the country is rationing gas, because it doesn't have enough refineries of its own and has to import gas. To compound my confusion, I'm reading that Iran already subsidizes the cost of gasoline to its inhabitants, so that they only pay about eleven cents per liter. If Iran has money to enrich uranium and money to subsidize gas for Iranians, why don't they have money to build some refineries? My astonishment may be arrogant-sounding, but it is geniune. What on earth are they thinking?
posted at: 07:35 | category: /Politics | link to this entry
I keep looking at news headlines, articles and blog entries this morning. I know something is wrong. Finally, I've realized what it is. After reading for months about Iran's supposed efforts to install centrifuges for uranium enrichment I am suddenly reading that the country is rationing gas, because it doesn't have enough refineries of its own and has to import gas. To compound my confusion, I'm reading that Iran already subsidizes the cost of gasoline to its inhabitants, so that they only pay about eleven cents per liter. If Iran has money to enrich uranium and money to subsidize gas for Iranians, why don't they have money to build some refineries? My astonishment may be arrogant-sounding, but it is geniune. What on earth are they thinking?
posted at: 07:35 | category: /Politics | link to this entry
