God's Whisper

Some people see God's mysteries and work in everything.  I'm afraid I don't always see Him in my general surroundings; there is so much anger and evil in the world, I have a hard time believing, or accepting, that God is everywhere.   No matter your religious perspective or belief system, I think you have to agree there is Yin (good, light) and Yang (evil, dark) at work.  Now, before I'm assaulted with a history lesson in Chinese lore, I understand that Yin/Yang (Ch) or In/Yo (Jp) does not necessarily equate to good and evil.  However, the concept is that of man and woman-opposites that rely on one another to co-exist and meld the world into proper shape; hence, my American-ization of the Asian concept.  Just indulge me here, okay?

Now that I've spelled out my take on God's presence, or lack thereof, let me tell you where I have witnessed God at work.  When I see a baby, I see God's soul--pure and innocent.  As I've traveled around the world I've seen the result of God's handiwork, such as the mountains in Villa Escadero, The Philippines, Mount Fuji, Japan, the tundra of Quebec City, Canada, His tapestry on the coast line of San Francisco, CA, USA.  And recently I heard God's whisper in the Continental Divide in Colorado, USA. 

While driving alone through a valley toward Estes Park I remember saying aloud, "My God," as I stared in wide-wonder at the magnificent colors of the trees.   Craggy mountains stood erect, in sharp contrast to the beautiful mountain stream flowing gently toward the valley bottom.  The mountains seemed to swallow me as I drove through the valley, elk grazing in a meadow, the bright blue sky directly overhead.

When I arrived in the small Colorado town of Estes Park, I felt the cold air glide across my face as I exited my vehicle.  I closed my eyes and breathed in the clean oxygen, vaguely aware that my senses weren't detecting smog and vehicle emissions, nor hearing horns blowing or motorcycles roaring by, that I wasn't afraid to touch something for fear of catching someone else's cold or malady. 

As I inhaled in the mountain breeze, I realized I could almost make out a voice, a whisper really.  Suddenly, I was attuned to a force much greater than myself and also realized a gentleness was at work in my mind.  God whispered, "This is my house, behold." 

It was then I saw the world in a whole new light.  For a time people didn't look so mean and the Earth didn't seem as evil as I had once perceived.

I only want to hold onto that sound and remember God's Whisper.

Hey, white guys....

I don't purport to be some sort of fashion guru, but over the years I have developed an ability to match clothing.  I've seen a lot of guys that do this well, but there's one particular group of men who seem incapable of even a modicum of fashionable sense.  So, here's to you the "I have no inkling in the world how to match socks to shoes white man."

You see, I notice things like socks not matching shoes, and for the most part white males lead the way in the inability to do so.  Perhaps it's a lack of caring, I'm not sure, but let me tell you, when I see a guy with dark sneakers, blue jeans and white socks on I want to slap him.  Why?  Because other ethnicities make fun of we whities for things like this.  Okay, admittedly, we can't dance.  There's not much we can do about not having rhythm--it's in our DNA.  But white men, pick up an issue of GQ and do a little reading.  If your shoes ain't white, your socks shouldn't be either.

Now, let me say, I've seen a few white women who are guilty of this fashion sin, as well as a lot of Asian men.  Very few black men fall into this trap, although I have seen a few, but for the most part they have this down pat.

So come on fellow white guys!!!!  Get with the program. 

Here's a hint if you are still misunderstanding me:  Dark shoes with jeans-dark socks (including footies); dark sweat pants and dark/gray sneakers-dark socks/footies. 

I hope this helps--and women, if your husband is guilty of this faux pas, slap him and help him.

On southeastern conference football

Listen, I realize I generally look through crimson colored glasses when I talk college football.  I was born and I bleed the University of Alabama football, and most who pull and cheer for their team in the SEC do the same.  It's comparable to a lifelong ailment in the south; football is life and college football is the soul that makes high school and professional football worth watching.

Fans of other conferences will tell you the SEC is overrated, the conference is one dimensional (we are all about football) and we are arrogant when it comes to our collegiate football dominance.  Well, it ain't smack if it's fact!  :)

First, the SEC isn't overrated; on the contrary the kids who play for a conference school are elite athletes.  They are the best of the best in high school, and more often than not, they are the best college football has to offer. 

Next, the conference isn't one dimensional.  Florida has won national championships in football, track and basketball.  Alabama has won football, baseball, gymnastics and softball national championships.  Numerous other schools have won multitudes of championships away from the gridiron, but one thing holds true--football championships are the focus.  So, call the fanbase one dimensional if you want, but don't lay blame on the schools or athletes.  Our conference is awesome all the way around!

SEC fans are arrogant.  Okay, you got us on this one.  We are arrogant when it comes to football and have little respect for teams from other conferences because they don't play against championship calibre teams every week like our conferece.  We feel like the winner of the SEC not only deserves, but is destined to play for a national championship.  No, we are entitled to play because of the level of competition within the conference itself.

I invite my non-SEC friends to visit a campus on game day.  I think your attitude will either change about our conference or the visit will bring about reinforcement to your current beliefs.  Either way, we are winners and can't wait to meet your butt on your field or a neutral field.  Makes us no nevermind!!

Rammer jammer yella hammer, give 'em hell Alabama!