To be honest, I cannot name ten movies. I tried to remember some this morning and I remember about three. Not that I do not watch movies or TV. It just generally does not have a great effect on me. It wastes time – fills in dead space. But is not a life-changing thing.
So, what?
What do you enjoy most about writing?
Being me for a moment. Not hiding to make other people like me. Allowing “me” to connect with another “me”.
What positive emotion do you feel most often?
There is only one option for me: gratitude.
I am thankful to all the people who help me everyday (who pray for me), for the parish that has given me a place to live (to fulfil a vocation), and the many other things that I do not deserve but are still part of my life.
While I have a “philosophical issue” with language, I dislike how people use the word “unique”. And especially how sometimes people say “very unique”, “extremely unique”, or some other superlative qualifying “unique”.
A word I feel people use too much is “surreal”.
Guggenheim: Can’t Help Myself
I would open a bookshop which also serves various types of tea.
The books would be a range but, maybe, more existentialist. Maybe some Kierkegaard, Kafka, and Camus? The tea would be Russian! Or some Earl Gray. Leafs only. There would be afternoons for people to discuss ideas – any idea! Tea, books, and real conversation.
I am a stickler for references. No reference (which I can check), no quote. But I am breaking my own rules and sharing this quote from Augustine:
This quote summarises “anchorite spirituality”. Affective piety that reflects on the Passion of Jesus.
(So if someone could please give me the reference, I will be eternally thankful.)
Let me preface this by saying I am no philosopher, theologian, or sociologist.
I think “modern society” lives with the belief that “if I can measure it, I can create it”. The problem is that it is somewhat true. Yes, physical things can certainly be measured and then created. But what about things like beauty, community, fellowship, or love? Can I measure these and then create them?
The church is not immune. Sometimes people preach a gospel of “let’s do it”. All of that is fine without any thought to sin. God creates community and fellowship by His presence, as He does beauty, not by our agreeing with each other or being “nice”.
So what would I change: the certainty that it is within human reach to create everything.
Anyway …
