Sunday: Impossible!
How long do you think a plant seed can maintain the ability to grow into a plant? In northern China a lotus fruit seed was discovered in a dry lake bed (which once was cultivated but has long been dry). The seed was estimated to be 1,300 years old. Amazingly, the seed was able to germinate into a healthy plant (http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/content/abstract/89/2/236). While this is the oldest germinated seed on record, there are numerous accounts of seeds lying dormant for 100s of years until they experience a cataclysmic event (such a fire) that destroys all other plant life. These seeds then sprout, and without them it would take a much longer time for vegetation to return to the devastated area.
Monday: Say What?!
In the great Amazon River there lives a species of fresh-water dolphins. They hunt fish with a sonar system. Their mating ritual is especially interesting: the males swim to the bottom of the river, pick up large rocks in their jaws, and carry them to the top. It seems that the rock must be completely out of the water for it to “count.” The only real theory about this is that the males are showing how strong they are, hoping to attract a female... not that different from humans, actually.
Tuesday: So That's Why:...
Why is American culture so powerful and universal today? We see pictures of a child in a Mickey Mouse t-shirt in rural Uruguay, Eminem fans in Bosnia, and McDonald's in just about every country but N. Korea! May historians emphasize the very early importance of Hollywood. Of course we know the strength of Hollywood today. But the key is that the US jumped on the opportunity afforded by the silver screen sooner than anyone else. During WWI the rest of the western world was decreasing their cultural budget and pouring money into the war. President Wilson, however, saw the war as a chance to increase US influence in the world, and he dramatically increased the funding for film-making, and made sure that film-makers had enough nitrate (a vital element for film and munitions). By 1925, US films made up a huge proportion of films internationally: In Germany, 60% of the films shown in cinemas were make in the US; in Italy, 65%; France, 70%; and in Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, 95% of films were American! The influence of these early films on the local populations cannot be overestimated when we think about the exportation and popularity of the American lifestyle and “American Dream.”
Wednesday: Interesting Place Review:
The city of Potosi in south-central Bolivia is today a city of about 115,000 people, and is at an altitude of 13015 feet (3967 meters), which makes it the highest city in the world. It sits on the silver mines that provided most of Spain's silver (according to official records, 45,000 tons of pure silver were mined from that area between 1556 and 1783, which at current market prices is about 1.5 billion dollars). So it was also one of the richest cities in the world. Founded as a mining town, it soon become the largest city in the Americas with a population of over 200,000. At one point it reportedly had a higher population than Paris or London. But then the silver ran dry, and the economy plummeted. Today tin and a little silver is still mined under hellish conditions, and life expectancy for the miners is about 40 years (however, most of the mines are controlled by the workers, who share all profits. They choose to be miners only because there are no other jobs available).
So, why would you visit Potosi? One reason might be to see the magnificent buildings erected during the town's heyday, but there's a more interesting attraction for the seeker of the bizarre. Apparently Potosi is something like the Las Vegas of Latin America, which seems to attract “get rich quick” hopefuls, alcoholics, and lowlifes who have little left to live for. Both Vegas and Potosi offer the dream of striking it rich without working, but Potosi “takes the cake” when it comes to “laying it all on the line.” Go to any Potosi market and you'll find sticks of dynamite for sale “over the counter.” Anyone with a a few last dollars can buy a detonator, fuse, and stick of dynamite for less than $2 US. There are mine tours for visitors, and part of the tour is to buy the dynamite kit, go down into the mines, and explode the dynamite. Then you can sift through the rubble and see if you've “hit the jackpot.” Happy Blasting!
Not to be too frivolous, there is a tragic side to this as well. Over the centuries of a few drunk crazies who think they're going to make their fortune, and the many peasants trying to survive, it is estimated that 8 million people have died because of the mines (more from diseased from bad air and mercury contact than from cave-ins). The locals say that they are “eaten” by the mine. The dilemma is similar to that over African diamonds; the western consumers create a market for the silver from Potosi (maybe my silver ring was dug up by a 12 year old who spends 10 hours a day hundreds of feet underground), but at the same time, if we stop buying silver, they won't have any income at all.
http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/Potosi/blog-77769.html
http://www.rhymer.net/New%20Folder/AltiplanoI/gallery.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potos%C3%AD
Thursday:
During the Chinese Shang dynasty (1700-11 B.C.), dead kings were often buried with many other bodies, usually with their bodies laid neatly in a row with their heads stored elsewhere. These bodies could be of men, women, or children, of dogs, horses, or other animals that might serve as food, servants, or guards in the afterlife. One such tomb near Anyang contained 160 decapitated victims besides the king himself.
Friday:
Question: Is there anything in your life that you feel you should control more or less?
Question: If you could combine any two animals, which two would you combine and why?
Sunday: On a Personal Note:
“The Battle is in Surrender.” I must admit that I really wondered how to tell this story. But you are the people who have expressed an interest in my life and thoughts, so it would be incredibly shallow to share the thoughts that are relatively abstract and not those experiences that make me feel more vulnerable. This is complicated, and I'm not even sure if I can explain it, so don't feel like you have to read all this. I'll try to explain this as quickly as possible.
Some of you know that over the last year or two I've been struggling with two serious things.
1. The conflict between who I show people I am, and who I really am. I've realized that I'm good at controlling people's perceptions of me, and the problem is that I want to look as perfect as possible. I've worked harder on my image than on my heart, and it has started causing problems. One problem is when people have gotten the feeling that I'm a selfless person (because that's what I project), when I'm not really selfless by nature. But being very conscious about what people think of me, I've lost the ability to be honest about my negative side, so I just get frustrated. The other problem is that I always try to say the right thing or do the right thing that will hit closest to showing my ideal characteristics (quick-witted, calm, wise, capable, etc). If this makes any sense so far, then you can see the problems. I was essentially trying to show only my “ideal self” without changing my true self. For some of you it might be hard to believe that I work through a filter, “But Caleb, you're so open about everything!” Yes, because openness is a positive characteristic that people admire. I don't have much problem writing this so far because I know that most people will admire me being so open about my “mask.” But if it's something I can't put a positive spin on... Yes, maybe now you're starting to see how it works...
2. The second struggle has been with my faith. Most of you know my commitment to my Christian faith and service to Christ, except perhaps those of you who know me only from the last year. That's because I've been inactive in my faith since I returned to America. There are many reasons for this, known and unknown. One is that I am simply not good at balance, in any area of my life. My faith is something like a marriage, there are good years and bad ones. This time, I haven't questioned my belief or God's hand in my life as I have before, I simply felt distant, and unable to close the distance regardless of anything I tried. I felt that I had little choice but to wait for God to speak. I knew from experience that He was waiting for me to be ready to hear what He had to say, which frightened and baffled me. What was He waiting for?!
On Friday I watched the movie “V for Vendetta,” and then I went for a walk, thinking hard about changing the world. I often suffer from delusions of grandeur. I was also thinking about what a person must be like to change the world. I got an urge to stop several people on the street and really ask them what they were truly looking for, what would make them whole. I didn't, but I did take out a pen and make a list of characteristics. “In my heart, I don't care about being: Successful, Popular, Comfortable. I want to be: Peaceful, Joyful, Loving.” I was thinking about what it would mean to really live according to these priorities. As I started walking into an almond orchard I looked up to say hello to the man and small boy playing near one of the trees. Surprisingly, I recognized the guy. His name is Jeff, a student I knew at Butte College, at least five years ago. Turns out he lives a few blocks from my house. Being in the mood to talk with someone I pursued a conversation.
We talked for about half an hour there on the side of the orchard. After a few questions I found out that he's very involved with a new church in Chico, and I asked a lot of questions about the activities, characteristics, and attitude of his church. He enthusiastically told me some of his experiences in the church about people whose lives were completely changing, and about the spirit of excitement and commitment that covered the small congregation. That got my attention. I told him a little of my background and current struggle, and asked him how they sustain and maintain closeness with God. His answer surprised me. “Well... I think it's a lot about surrender.” That wasn't the word I expected, so I took out my pen and wrote “surrender” on my list of characteristics. Jeff went on explaining his meaning of surrender, that it meant giving control of our lives to God, not fighting His plan, letting go of all the details, really trusting Him to be the master planner. This is all stuff I've heard before, but it sounded different somehow.
We talked about other things, and he invited me to his church and evening Bible study. As I walked away I pulled out my list again, and noticed the word “surrender” written there. Suddenly from nowhere I remembered an experience I had 6 months ago, when I was first back in America and very burned out spiritually. I was in church, sitting in front of the parents of one of my friends. At one point the mother leaned forward and said “God gave me a word for you...” To be very honest I'm usually pretty skeptical these 'messages from God', since I know how many voices I have in my own head. But of course I couldn't say I didn't want to hear. I leaned over, and she whispered in my ear “the word is Surrender.” I looked thoughtful and politely said 'thank you,' but I didn't think much about it afterwards. Until now.
Okay, I'm being told to stop fighting. Fighting what?! Surrender what?! Six months ago I didn't know, but I'd been thinking a lot since then. I started to get a picture for how much I control my image, and how important it is to me what others think about me. I started to realize that my goal of being a hero, a model person, a person respected by everyone, while these are good things with good motives, they were my goals, and I was pursuing them my way, and I tried to control events around me that I had no business controlling. Maybe God has a different way than me. Well, I'd already written that I would rather be peaceful and loving than popular and successful, right? I didn't seem to have anywhere else to run. I felt certain that I was being told directly to surrender my control of my image, and be who He made me, not who I want people to think I am. I really can't explain why this effected me so strongly. Just one of those moment, you know, when all the little strings of your life come together and you can see the purpose. A sense of peace I've been craving for so long softly returned, and I was able to cry for the first time in a year. I understood why I hadn't been able to hear God for so long, I wasn't willing to listen to this. I realized how deeply rooted this bad habit is, and how much help I would need to open my heart to true change.
I walked home very slowly, feeling that a wall had finally fallen. I wanted it to stay down. I wanted to do something to make it clear that I was now willing to give control of my image, of events around me, of my future, to God. An idea jumped to my mind: for a long time, one of my ways of controlling my physical image, of feeling like I look different, cool, independent, has been my long hair. Now I'm not saying it was the best look, but I like it. I like how it feels to have long hair, to seems a little different and more rugged than others. Was I willing to sacrifice that small part of my self-image? I fought it, but only a little. It was the perfect symbolic act.
To make an already too long story a little shorter, I took an electric razor and cut off a few pounds of hair. I now have shorter hair than I did 4 years ago when I left for Prague (see picture). It's been an adjustment, but in keeping with my new mandate. It was something of a shock for my parents when they came home. I also tried to defined what lesson I'd learned from the experience, and settled on “The Battle is in Surrender.” Very unworldly logic, without question. My realization is that the hardest battle is in letting go of control of my individual little war, and surrender to the Great General, so I can march under His banner again. After that, it's His fight.
I took a black marker and wrote this motto “The Battle is in Surrender” on my forearm. I think I'll keep it there, so I don't forget. I'm not about to get a tattoo, because I hope to learn this lesson eventually, but for now I want to have a constant reminder.
I feel like I've done a terrible job of explaining what this lesson means to me, how much it could change in me, and why it's so significant. There's just too many details, and each person reading this will take it slightly different anyway. In any case, this was a powerful experience and lesson for me, and I couldn't avoid telling you all the story, why I cut my hair, and why I have a strange sentence written on my arm in pen. Let me know what you think, whatever that may be. In any case, if you've read this far, I really appreciate your interest, and I know I can trust all of you for support as I try to refocus my life and reexamine the way I've lived for the last 15 years. We'll see if I can actually follow through on this one. Meanwhile, I'd encourage you to examine the phrase “The battle is in surrender” for yourself, and see if it makes any sense in your life, or if I'm the only crazy one. :-)
Last Week's Question and Answers:
Q: What makes the difference between a person who sincerely cares about other people, and a person who doesn't?
"The first thing that came to mind when I saw the your question (no deep thoughts!), was sacrifice. A person who cares for another, places value on them. How much value? The Bible uses "myself" as the standard- if I value another more than myself, I am fulfilling (one of) God's commands. Thus, if I sincerely care about others, I place a higher value on their need (safety, comfort, growth, etc.) than my own. If I truly care for another, I am willing to sacrifice for them. God shows the degree of His care for us by sacrificing what is most precious to Him- His son. Your question is essentially the same as one asked Jesus in Luke chapter 10 vs. 29, which the He answers with the parable of the good Samaritan. Like I said- nothing deep, but it made me think think a little of the wonderful love that God has for me!" -Matt, Chicago, Illinois.
Corrections for DSN #9:
"There are two wee slips in phrases that Czechs usually use. It should be "Na zdraví" (slip in spelling) and "Je to pravda!" (your word order is correct, but this is the phrase we use). That activity we are supposed to do in Czech Republic when someone is talking / thinking about you is (as far as I know) hiccoughing." - Marek, Prague, Czech Republic.
"One thing though, about what you were saying about Singapore. Yes, it may be a very clean city but the reason chewing gum is illegal is because of the chewing gum being used to disrupt the doors of the Mass Rapid Transit system, causing costly repair and delays. In such a large metropolitan area where most people get around using public transport, a delay can cost thousands of dollars due to the productive hours lost." -Sara, Chico, California.
Thanks Matt, Marek, and Sara!
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