A NUMBER OF MONTHS AGO, I wrote a blog about Ontological Blessings
(it's in the October, 2013 file). That was based on a sermon I had given that seemed to invoke a great deal of resonance. So go read that now. I'll wait.......
Finished? Okay. Now keep that in the back of your mind.
I will admit a true confusion with certain aspects of the human condition. I have my quirks, foibles, faults, and downright sins - and they are many. But I cannot understand some things, and wonder what causes them:
~why is it so important to be on TV? I don't mean starring on a series, or the Daily Show. I mean, why do otherwise intelligent people mug for the camera? Waving hysterically, making faces, mouthing "hi, mom"? Is it to prove you are somewhere important enough to warrant a television camera being there? (And it's not as if a television camera is such a rarity nowadays. Cameras are around for every ribbon cutting in America)
~Someone's autograph? Okay, SURE, I can understand getting one on the bottom of a cashier's check :-) But just to be able to say, "I own a piece of paper that Tom Hanks signed" ? Maybe in a financial sense, one could sell it at some point for a profit. Otherwise.......?
~what is it about pictures of celebrities? I can understand pictures of someone is a true inspiration to you - maybe. If it's a grandchild, or favorite teacher - certainly. But be truthful with me now. You see, say, a famous athlete or singing sensation at the airport, or walking in Starbucks and you shout: "QUICK!! Get a picture on the phone!!" Really? Why? Because they're there? To show you saw them? (are you such a liar that you have to prove you saw them because otherwise no one will believe you? And what is the importance behind the fact that you DID see them?)
~Who thinks they are important enough to jump into someone else's picture? "Hey - there was this high school reunion group saying good bye in a restaurant, and I totally jumped into their shot". (And probably ruined it) Um, why?
~And selfies? Now, I understand wanting to get a picture of you and some friends without finding a disinterested third party to take a snap shot, so you go to arm's length and take your own; or taking a shot of your new hair cut, or bridesmaid's dress. But to take shot after shot of yourself - smiling or frowning or looking silly, then posting it or putting it on Facebook or your website or twitter account? So someone will respond "You're pretty", or "looking good"?
I have a theory, and it has to do with the above mentioned ontological blessing. Can it be that we are soul starved enough to have to take pictures of ourselves to prove we exist? Do we stand next to someone famous to prove we have worth? Do we own signatures to show we have been close to someone important, thus being sort of important because we were in fact close to them? Do we mug incessantly behind some poor sports reporter in order to announce that we are THERE and we BELONG??
I think there is a spiritual issue being addressed in this. Furthermore, I am afraid that taking a picture will not solve anything. I agree that probably 99% of human beings on this planet need to feel that someone sees them, truly sees them, for who they are; they need to have people in their life who see the potential and power of God within them; they need to feel that somehow, somewhere, they belong. But I don't think any of that can be accomplished at the end of an iPhone, by an autograph pen, or on a TV screen.
Do you need someone to see you? Volunteer at Gateway Homeless Shelter. Do you need to take pictures? Take shots of animals waiting to be rescued, or pictures of a flower garden to send to someone homebound. Do you need an autograph? How about the signatures of 24 first graders who are thanking you for helping to rebuild a playground. Photo Bombs? How about offering to take the group shot, and leave yourself out of it? And selfies? You're on your own at this point....................
(it's in the October, 2013 file). That was based on a sermon I had given that seemed to invoke a great deal of resonance. So go read that now. I'll wait.......
Finished? Okay. Now keep that in the back of your mind.
I will admit a true confusion with certain aspects of the human condition. I have my quirks, foibles, faults, and downright sins - and they are many. But I cannot understand some things, and wonder what causes them:
~why is it so important to be on TV? I don't mean starring on a series, or the Daily Show. I mean, why do otherwise intelligent people mug for the camera? Waving hysterically, making faces, mouthing "hi, mom"? Is it to prove you are somewhere important enough to warrant a television camera being there? (And it's not as if a television camera is such a rarity nowadays. Cameras are around for every ribbon cutting in America)
~Someone's autograph? Okay, SURE, I can understand getting one on the bottom of a cashier's check :-) But just to be able to say, "I own a piece of paper that Tom Hanks signed" ? Maybe in a financial sense, one could sell it at some point for a profit. Otherwise.......?
~what is it about pictures of celebrities? I can understand pictures of someone is a true inspiration to you - maybe. If it's a grandchild, or favorite teacher - certainly. But be truthful with me now. You see, say, a famous athlete or singing sensation at the airport, or walking in Starbucks and you shout: "QUICK!! Get a picture on the phone!!" Really? Why? Because they're there? To show you saw them? (are you such a liar that you have to prove you saw them because otherwise no one will believe you? And what is the importance behind the fact that you DID see them?)
~Who thinks they are important enough to jump into someone else's picture? "Hey - there was this high school reunion group saying good bye in a restaurant, and I totally jumped into their shot". (And probably ruined it) Um, why?
~And selfies? Now, I understand wanting to get a picture of you and some friends without finding a disinterested third party to take a snap shot, so you go to arm's length and take your own; or taking a shot of your new hair cut, or bridesmaid's dress. But to take shot after shot of yourself - smiling or frowning or looking silly, then posting it or putting it on Facebook or your website or twitter account? So someone will respond "You're pretty", or "looking good"?
I have a theory, and it has to do with the above mentioned ontological blessing. Can it be that we are soul starved enough to have to take pictures of ourselves to prove we exist? Do we stand next to someone famous to prove we have worth? Do we own signatures to show we have been close to someone important, thus being sort of important because we were in fact close to them? Do we mug incessantly behind some poor sports reporter in order to announce that we are THERE and we BELONG??
I think there is a spiritual issue being addressed in this. Furthermore, I am afraid that taking a picture will not solve anything. I agree that probably 99% of human beings on this planet need to feel that someone sees them, truly sees them, for who they are; they need to have people in their life who see the potential and power of God within them; they need to feel that somehow, somewhere, they belong. But I don't think any of that can be accomplished at the end of an iPhone, by an autograph pen, or on a TV screen.
Do you need someone to see you? Volunteer at Gateway Homeless Shelter. Do you need to take pictures? Take shots of animals waiting to be rescued, or pictures of a flower garden to send to someone homebound. Do you need an autograph? How about the signatures of 24 first graders who are thanking you for helping to rebuild a playground. Photo Bombs? How about offering to take the group shot, and leave yourself out of it? And selfies? You're on your own at this point....................
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