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Elliot’s Run For Class President

October 6, 2015 By paulosophia in Uncategorized Tags: parenting, teens

Elliot is my youngest. He’s 14. He just started high school. Elliot is unlike me in so many ways. He’s an extrovert’s extrovert. For every degree of awkward aloofness that permeates my every cell in every social setting, Elliot thrives in crowds, makes friends quickly, becomes popular with blinding speed.

A few weeks ago, I heard through his mother, who teaches at his high school, that he was “running for class president.”

I’m no tiger dad. I have no vested interest in his winning. I have no vested interest in leveraging his self initiated ambition (I don’t even know how he came up with the idea of running) for “his” future benefit.

I don’t care if he wins or not. Loosing might be a better teacher. It usually is.

Elliot is not an object, he’s my son. I’m not trying to churn anything out of this.

But I’m happy to see his initiative. I did ask him on Monday, “Elliot, heard you’re running for class president, do you need any help?”

Classic Elliot: “no.” End of conversation.

I heard he made the posters. Apparently he copied a famous image of Cesar Chavez and inserted his head. (I think I remember lecturing him on a drive up the 55 freeway on workers’ rights and wage disparity while I was listening to Springsteen’s The Ghost of Tom Joad). Everyone loved the poster, his mom told me. He likely had the idea for the poster but had friends (probably female) “help” him. He wrote the speech, I presume. He writes better than his dad.

His mother just forwarded me the quicktime video of that speech.

“I vow to be a humble, caring, thoughtful leader…”

I had absolutely nothing to do with any of this. He stood at the podium. Classic Elliot. Poised. Huge smile. Hand in pocket. Nonchalant. Booming deep voice. Crowd swooning (female) with his every gesture.

A humble, caring, thoughtful, leader.

I’ll take it.

He’d Rather Forgo A Party Than Read My Writing

October 6, 2015 By paulosophia in Uncategorized Tags: parenting, teens

My answer, to this moving Saturday night text, from a loved 17 year old male, who shall remain nameless, was a very easy “no.” A dangerous sign for this aspiring writer, though, given that even his own son would rather pass on the party, than read one of his father’s paragraphs.

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I Store Up Treasures On Earth — A Confession

September 19, 2015 By paulosophia in Religion, Spirituality Tags: my life, philosophy, religion, spirituality

 

Recently I heard a sermon. The preacher (whom I admire and respect deeply) was talking about Jesus and that famous passage about storing up treasures.

Most of us have heard it before — people are to not store up treasures on earth.

I listened. I looked around. I sat wondering what Jesus meant by “treasures.”

Then I gazed around it occurred to me that everyone in the room was in clear violation of Jesus’ words.

Everyone was disobeying Jesus’ command to not store up treasures on earth because everyone in the room, I presume, had stuff that they liked, or even loved: books, cars, handbags, iPhones, furniture, homes, jewelry, surfboards, shoes, clothes (not to mention abstract things like reputations and image).

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21, NIV).

So what could have Jesus meant with these famous words? I can think of a few options.

Perhaps he was speaking to small group of people who were called to take vows of poverty. He called the 12 to follow him, and leave behind everything else. He didn’t give those radical orders to everyone. Today, many monks and nuns and priests take similar vows. They give up their stuff. The scripture would make sense in this case — those people should take Jesus at his word, literally, and not store up treasures on earth.

Or maybe Jesus was saying something like this: “It’s okay to have stuff, but don’t love it too much.”

We’ve all heard that axiom before.

But I struggle with this option. How much is too much?

I own a Rolex watch that was a gift from my father when I graduated from college. I like my Rolex. Or maybe I love it. I want to keep it (store it?) until I die.

I thought I left it at my yoga studio once, and I was a complete basket case until I found it under the seat of my Prius (which I also really like). My attachment to my watch is not solely because of its monetary value; it has meaning to me, there’s a story behind it, I want to pass it to one of my children.

I have other possessions, some that I keep (store up?) and which have great meaning to me: my books, my Martin J40 guitar, photos of my family and friends.

There’s this cast-iron Staub cocotte I bought my Mom for Christmas. Before she had her stroke. She never used it. She said it was so beautiful she wanted to keep it perfect. I now keep it on my stove to remind me of her, and of her love of cooking.

 

Plato did talk about the three appetites of man: for pleasure, for status, and for knowledge.

Many of our things bring us pleasure and, clearly, status.

I hate to admit it but I probably like my Rolex because it’s a status symbol. Damn, I hate to admit that but I know it’s true.

I bet you can relate, though. I bet you and have things you really like, or even love.

I left church that day feeling unsettled. The congregation heard the words of Jesus and the preacher, but it seemed clear that everyone was probably in clear violation of his teaching.

His teachings are hard. I read them. I contemplate them. I try to follow them.

But I like my stuff, my treasures. And I like to store them up.

Something tells me he’s okay with it.

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Stuff I Write About

education (1) family (6) for the children (13) metaphysics (1) my life (156) parenting (90) philosophy (31) politics (134) relationships (43) religion (121) social justice (1) spirituality (78) spiritually (1) teens (45)

About Me

Former U.S. House of Representatives candidate. Writer. Activist for children of neglect, abuse, and abandonment. Politics junkie. Chess geek. INTP. Enneagram 5w4. Mediterranean cook. UCLA. Philosophy.

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New York spring. #paulosophia #leicaq2 #leica #p New York spring. #paulosophia #leicaq2 #leica #picoftheday
I saw her today. Now I am writing about her. Tomor I saw her today. Now I am writing about her. Tomorrow I will post thoughts. #paulosophia #freedom
Meet Majorie Taylor Greene, a member of the United Meet Majorie Taylor Greene, a member of the United States House of Representatives. #paulosophia
Using my voice, earlier. #paulosophia #leicaq2 # Using my voice, earlier. #paulosophia #leicaq2 #bastion #warbyparker #pictureoftheday
My sole decision for choosing UCLA in my early thi My sole decision for choosing UCLA in my early thirties was its world renown (analytic) philosophy department. I couldn’t give a rip about the “top university” nonsense, though they rank in the top 15 in the world for research. It was only later that I learned that some innovators had preceded me. (Of course I knew about John Wooden and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.) Today as we celebrate Bruin Jackie Robinson’s 75th anniversary as the first black person to play in the major leagues, and his radical activism for civil rights, there are others I’m grateful to call fellow UCLA alum. To name a few: James Dean, James Franco, Mayim Bialik, Francis Ford Coppola, Jim Morrison, Ralph Bunche, John Williams, Sally Ride, Sara Bareilles (but don’t care much about Nicholas Cage or Ben Shapiro). #ucla
On the 75th anniversary of the great Jackie Robins On the 75th anniversary of the great Jackie Robinson taking the field as the first black person in the majors, I call for a new political party — The Robinson Party! #paulosophia #ucla #jackierobinsonday #gop #politics #racism #blm #maga #ınstagood
Came across this — she’s even rockin’ a Pret Came across this — she’s even rockin’ a Pretenders t-shirt! Miss her more than ever but this made me happy. #mom
The One Thing in America today, redux. #paulosop The One Thing in America today, redux. #paulosophia #putin #blm #ukraine #politics #instagood #racism #georgefloyd #equality #lgbt #queer #progressive #maga #americanbully
I have to brag about my friend @lizadonnelly (agai I have to brag about my friend @lizadonnelly (again) for using her art to advocate for human rights — and sometimes she gifts us with her wit. This one is in @newyorkermag print edition! Bravo, Liza! ✍🏻 🙌🏼❤️
I love this woman. 🇺🇸 I love this woman. 🇺🇸
If you didn’t hear Senator Cory Booker’s speec If you didn’t hear Senator Cory Booker’s speech today — tears of joy and hope. Ketanji Brown Jackson #ketanjibrownjackson
Photography is therapy. #paulosophia #leica #lei Photography is therapy. #paulosophia #leica #leicaq2 #pic #pictureoftheday #photo #photographer #bar #art #style
Everybody needs to swipe left after I talk. Then p Everybody needs to swipe left after I talk. Then print out the drawing so we can, together, “Overthrow the order of ignorance and injustice.” #paulosophia #confirmationbias #belief #religion #politics #love #art #science #cdc #masks #philosophy #instagood
As always, my friend @lizadonnelly’s talent and As always, my friend @lizadonnelly’s talent and commitment to justice…changing the world with the stroke of her pen. 🇺🇦🙌🏽 ✍🏻 @newyorkercartoons #ukraine #zelensky
Traditional Saint Patrick’s weekend river dye. N Traditional Saint Patrick’s weekend river dye. No color filter here — it’s that green. 🇮🇪 #leicaq2 #paulosophia #stpatricksday
Chicago. #sunset Chicago. #sunset
The metaphysical question "What is art?" can produ The metaphysical question "What is art?" can produce an array of responses, sometimes accompanied by passion. French artist Marcel Duchamp purchased a urinal from a sanitary ware supplier and submitted it in 1917, signing it "R. Mutt 1917". "Fountain" was questioned and deemed a not a piece of art, but a piece of sanitary ware. In 2019, a banana was duct-taped to a wall by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan; it sold for $120,000 at Miami’s Art Basel. In my view — despite the intentions of the artists, often the criteria for what qualifies an artifact as art — neither of these are art. One was a urinal. One was a banana duck taped to a wall. Last week, while on a walk in Corona Del Mar, I shot this photo. It's a small section of a water barrier that allows entry into Newport Beach's bay (swipe left). Strange thing is, I've seen this utilitarian structure a hundred times before. Never thought much of it. But once a photo, the wall took-on an artistic quality, as if those who constructed it, intended it to be art; of course, they didn’t. I’m not sure this section couldn’t be cut and removed and put in MOMA and named, “Wall.” I could write much about the complexity in this photo: the grays and parallel lines, a mean face, the oranges and browns under, withering due to salt, the contrasts. I will likely frame this photo and hang it on my wall. Even if I decide to name it “Wall,” I don't believe the wall itself is art. It's a barrier in Newport Beach, California (For books on philosophy of art, I recommend Danto's "Transfiguration of the Commonplace" and Goodman's "Languages of Art." Swipe for red squares and pay attention to the last sentence of the first paragraph.) #paulosophia #art #philosophy #metaphysics #leica #leicaq2 #writersofinstagram #photography #pic #pictureoftheday #newportbeach
He dropped out of high school and told the concern He dropped out of high school and told the concerned principal he would "hire the brains," then ventured ahead, his way. Values: hard work, pay down debit, build it or fix it yourself to save money. Remain curious. Worked seven days a week at a gas station for years as a teenager. His friends would drive by on Saturdays in their convertables on the way to the beach screaming, "sucker." He purchased his first house at 18, right here in Orange County. Then he built and fixed: a cosmetology school, a state-of-the-art beauty salon, houses, retail properties, a ranch, his cars and tractors, you name it. He didn't just acquire: he built. Retired in his early 30s with paid-off businesses and real estate rentals. I don't ever remember the word "college" used by Mom or Dad. But Dad exemplified curiosity about pretty much everything from organic farming to dog breeding to history, welding, electrical, plumbing, pit barbecues, wine making, civil engineering, irrigation, carpentry and countless more. He casterated the pigs and I had to hold the back legs. Docked the tails of the Springer Spaniel and Doberman litters. Cut and stitched the ears on the Pit Bulls. Sheered the sheep. Slaughtered and butchered so we'd have meat to eat. He built this massive bird sanctuary with individuals cages for quail, pheasants, finches, pigeons. Once he asked me to get a box so we could take two of the homing pigeons to Mexico. He left their cage door open. A few hours later we arrived in Rosarito Beach, well over 100 miles away. We got out of the van. He grabbed and opened the box. Off flew two white birds into the horizon. Three days later we were back home. I run to the cage. "No way could they figure out how to get here," I thought. But deeper down, Dad was almost always right about everything. There they sat, perched and content. Now he's working with other things: thoughts. I wonder if he's right about this, too. #paulosophia #philosophy #dad #spirituality #selfhelp #mindful #education #learning #college #school #success #dad #success
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Yesterday, and today. ❄️🌊 #paulosophia # Yesterday, and today. ❄️🌊 #paulosophia #pictureoftheday
Saw birds today. #leica #leicaq2 #pictureoftheda Saw birds today. #leica #leicaq2 #pictureoftheday #pic #photo #bird #chicago
Period. Period.
The Esquire Theatre opened in 1911, showing silent The Esquire Theatre opened in 1911, showing silent films and featuring live events on stage. Can’t say enough about this city. #paulosophia #leica #leicaq2 #picoftheday
Too many, far too many, believe the ultimate good Too many, far too many, believe the ultimate good to be financial success. And too many of these misled and very often noble souls, later in life, come to realize that truth: what matters most is what one does to help others. And pursuing one’s passions, for the sake of nothing else. We must teach children, in word and deed, to pursue their talents, dreams, visions, passions, regardless of this pounding social trope that lies to us, that ties happiness to wealth, that treats education as a means to an end. I've come to this very deep conviction, perhaps, because I came from a home with money. My father, a high school dropout, retired in his early thirties. And yet, never has he manipulated me with his wealth. In fact, besides a modest birthday or Christmas gift, he's kept his investments to himself. It once infuriated me to no end. Now I relish the fact that I did this by myself. He did at times model audacious encouragement. Always to pursue passion, purpose, what's in your heart. And to be curious, always curious, and suspicious of convention. #paulosophia #parenting #money #dreams #education #college #mom #parent #success #happiness #selfhelp #artist #purpose
Soul and mind officially scrubbed and clean by sol Soul and mind officially scrubbed and clean by solitude, quiet, nature, just being a person. Thank you @theland.earth #paulosophia #mindfulness #solitude #selfcare #flow #newmexico #soulcleanse #grateful
Video journal from @theland.earth day 8 “Far be Video journal from @theland.earth day 8 “Far better it is to dare might things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to rank with poor spirits who neither enjoy much, nor suffer much, because they live in that grim twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.” - Theodor Roosevelt #paulosophia #mindfulness #bikram #yogapractice #yoga #inspire #good #newmexico #rayban #lululemon #instagood
Thoughts after 144 hours at @theland.earth #paul Thoughts after 144 hours at @theland.earth #paulosophia #newmexico #berkeley #parenting #parent #children #rayban
Journal from @theland.earth, 144 hours Shot this Journal from @theland.earth, 144 hours Shot this then ate dinner. Woke this morning at 6 in silence. Waiting for the coffee. The shape of the window. Earlier I shot this photo of one of the many ponds. Listening to all the trickling of water. There were damns made by beavers. I forgot to take a photo of a damn. Maybe I will tomorrow. I realized as I looked at the construction of twigs and branches — I realized I don't even know why beavers make damns. Brown medley rice with black barley and daidon radish seeds. I always brown yellow onion first in olive oil, then I brown the rice. Brown browned rice. I added green beens at the end. They were nice and crisp. Yesterday I marinaded an organic chicken in lemon and salt and pepper and just a pinch of oregano. I put it in a pot with a lid and left it on the back porch for 24 hours. Today it reached 50 degrees and and night it was 20 so it was fine. I cooked it slowly in the barbecue for over an hour. But first I had to remove six inches of snow from the lid. A mixed green salad with fresh dill and sour cream and olive oil and lemon dressing. Water from the well. I'm going to post a video story in my next post of the food and some thoughts, including missing them. #paulosophia #newmexico #leica #leicaq2 #food #pic #picoftheday #writersofinstagram #write #damn #selfcare
Thanks to Matt Davies and @newsday for describing Thanks to Matt Davies and @newsday for describing how too many parents “think.” #momsdemandaction #everytown
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