Distractions or Detours

Off Track

Life is full of distractions, as I'm sure you have noticed. And we generally look at distractions as inconveniences because we are often side tracked from our purpose or intention. It is very frustrating to be on our way to get something done and suddenly, we are diverted from our course and even possibly forget altogether what we originally set out to accomplish.

We have all had some type of experience where something like that has happened. It may be something as simple as forgetting to get milk on the way home because we got a business call after we left the office. Or it may be something more grand like a life diversion where we have gotten off track from accomplishing a specific goal. It's happened. And we've had to manage it one way or another.

Regaining Focus 

To get back on track sometimes requires great focus; even more so than we had starting out. First we have to think about what we forgot, or what direction we were headed. To do this we may have to backtrack in our footsteps to get back to where we were distracted. This can be very time consuming. Then there may be obstacles to overcome to get back on the right path. When you don't allow for diversions in your goal setting, these can compound and really take you astray. Sometimes within these obstacles are more distractions and if we aren't careful, we will continue to be distracted into perpetuity. How can we make sure we get back on track? With simple reminders, and/or a road map.

If you carry a planner with you, jotting notes down for things you need to get or do can be very productive; i.e. having a to do list. Prioritize what's important and focus on one item at a time, usually the most important one. And for goal setting, being as descriptive as possible even with deadlines can be the map that keeps you from getting too far lost when life throws a curve ball. With your goal setting in place, it can be easy to find your way back to where you were, when you get sidetracked.

Changing Course

Sometimes the distraction may actually be a detour to your intended path. Maybe you forgot the milk, but later found out of an accident on the road you would have taken at the exact time you would have been there. It could have been you! But the distraction saved your life. Maybe you were on your way to become an astronaut but a life experience on the way, which seemed like a distraction from your goal, turned out to show you that your real desire is to be a science teacher. 

We should never be afraid to change course, however we mustn't hasten to change course either. We should focus on what we feel in our heart to be the correct thing to do. Whatever you focus your thoughts on, will be the direction your life will take. If you do find yourself wayward from the direction you were headed, take a moment to take inventory of yourself and what is happening around you because the diversion may be the correct path after all.

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Social Media Etiquette

Netiquette

I was recently invited to be a guest blogger at The Social Media Philosophy Project. Here's a brief snippet of my most recent post there:

Practicing good “Netiquette” is to be respectful of other people you are having conversations with. Being respectful doesn’t mean you have to agree with their point of view, but in essence you agree to disagree. In doing so you also show respect for lurkers, people that don’t actively participate but read the conversations. This way you won’t insult anyone’s intelligence. People will always have reasons to disagree, and most times you will not change someone’s mind. But if you are respectful, your point of view will have a better chance of being considered a worthy point of view for the mere fact that you kept your integrity while discussing it. You may not be the “mind changer”, but by being pleasant and respectful you have a better chance of planting a seed.

Click Here to View Original Article

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Dr. George Tiller

Life

Let me start by saying that I am pro-life. I do believe we all have that same right to life, even beginning at conception. Yesterday I learned of the murder of abortionist Dr. George Tiller. This man made his living for decades performing partial birth and late term abortions. Dr. Tiller has killed enough babies that could have populated a whole city! I do not condemn his murder. But I do not believe it was right for his life to be taken by another man. It was wrong. However, I am glad he is gone, but I do not condone the murder either.

Some bloggers don't share my sentiment:

Obviously, his actions were vile. He did horrible things. I’m not going to rehash the horror stories. However, just as vile has been the response from some of those on the Right. This is not a time to gloat. I am anti-abortion because I value human life… all of it. It’s nauseating to think that anyone would celebrate the death of another person – no matter WHO they were. http://pinkelephantpundit.com/2009/05/31/george-tiller-killed/

The Moral Dilema

Let me ask you something. This is especially for those pro-lifers who do condemn the murder of Dr. Tiller. If your mother was murdered, and then a vigilante one day murders your mother's killer, do you feel sympathy for your mother's murderer? Or do you feel he got his just due?  Do you condemn the vigilante for killing your mother's killer? Or do you feel justice was served?

It's Hypocrisy

So, what I am understanding from various debates about the murder of Dr. Tiller is that some pro-lifers seem to be hypocritical. These pro-lifers shout from the tree tops that all murder is wrong, and condemn the act that took Dr. Tiller's life. But they also say that it's wrong to be glad that Dr. Tiller is dead, no longer killing innocent babies. This is where the whole agreement with me ends. These pro-lifers are outraged that some people are glad over Dr. Tiller's death. While I agree that all murder is wrong and the murderer should be punished accordingly, I also take the position that I am relieved Dr. Tiller is dead. Let's be clear, it does not mean I am glad he was murdered. It only means that I am glad he is no longer alive to continue to perform abortions.

Okay, I'll get to the hypocrisy. What I am wondering is why none of these pro-lifers have shouted from the tree tops that they wish Dr. Tiller was still alive. After all, if you condemn his murder you must wish he were still alive and not dead! Why would you condemn the murder, but be glad he is dead? You do understand that you can't have your cake and eat it too, don't you? You are either glad he is dead, or you aren't, regardless of how it happened. If you are sad he is dead, then you wish he were still alive. And if you do wish he were still alive, you also understand he would continue his heinous acts of killing babies. See the hypocrisy yet? If these pro-lifers do indeed wish he were still alive, that would mean they have to accept that more babies would die by his hand. So, do you wish he were not murdered, and are sad that he is dead, which also means you wish he were still alive? Or are you glad that he is dead, and no more babies will die by his hand? If you are glad he is dead, stop condemning the murder. It makes you a hypocrite.

In Conclusion

Murder is wrong on all counts, no doubt. Those who commit the crime should be punished accordingly, as will Dr. Tiller's killer. Pro-lifers all believe abortion is murder. We do agree on that. Now we should also be glad that the world has one less abortionist. Is that a stretch for you to be happy about?

The Bible tells us that God's law is above man's. Man's law currently allows for murder of innocent life through abortions. Dr. Tiller made his living doing that, breaking God's law everyday, several times a day. Now God will judge him. Let's be glad we don't have to, for I'm certain many of us would be less merciful than God.

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