But even Wikipedia understands that Calvinism understood as a response to the 5 points of Arminian Remonstrance has little to do with Jean Couvin (aka John Calvin), as "Calvin died in 1564 and Jacob Arminias was born in 1560." (Still with me, Seana? Anyone?)
Likewise. Because there so seldom is one.
Even though not responding seems sort of ungenerous and unpolite, people have their own reasons for doing that, which have nothing to do with me. I have to just get on with it. I can be momentarily annoyed, and forgive myself for that, and then be as responsive and as patient and polite as I, personally, can possibly be, because that is who I am and who I want to be. If I behave badly in response to...the lack of response
Ack! My head exploded.
But, to speak Calvinistically, I have to work to be who I am and I have to choose to be, um, chosen for grace, even if I am not, and even if I am. Head is trembling...*
I have to try to do the gracious thing even if people are ungracious toward me.
Ack! It comes down to Nike. Just do it. Anyway.
*Origami brain syndrome.
Thanks for the hybrid flowers, Lorel.
18 comments:
Origami Brain Syndrome affects thousands of people just like you (it's a commercial--can't you hear it?).
I get ya..
And watch out for any treatments...there are side effects.
Ask your doctor if Calvinism (Trademark) might be right for treating your Origami Brain Syndrome.
Otherwise, an adult beverage might be appropriate. This was my second day of going to a bank after work to straighten out messes. My ET (essential/intentional tremor) has been pronounced of late, and I suspect the bankers have me marked down as a suspicious character exhibiting nervous polygraph mannerisms. Sometimes I can forget all about my tremor. Other times I can't remember if it is an existential tremor or a transcendental tremor.
Hope your side effects aren't worse than your condition!
Is this retreat weekend?
1) I am drinking an adult beverage!
2) My condition is primarily imaginative. I did not know there was a real thing. Although, as I look at your descriptors...
3) I forgot what 3 was.
4) No, the retreat is April 20-22, inclusive of Earth Day.
5) So, if you can still come, come!
6) We like ETs!
Side effects of treatments for Origami Brain Syndrome include:
1) dirty looks
2) folded brain
3) I forgot what 3 was (again)
Thanks for the somewhat Calvinistic lesson. I go to a discussion group which is led by an ex-Lutheran Episcopalian so talk of the thought of these Protestant theologians is not as foreign to me as you might think. Faith and works, etc.
I was very struck by an essay (or feuilleton)by Robert Walser about how people move around in a big city annoyed because they each think they are the center of it and everything should bend to conform to their convenience. I've been noticing a lot how often I am exactly that person. But why should the universe accomodate me at all? It's weird that we can become so attached to our centrality, despite all the evidence to the contrary...
My orgami brain syndrome is that as many times as I've typed out feuilleton, I still can't spell it and have to check it out every time. And in fact, I just spelled it wrong again.
I think we should drive around the city in a phaeton together, talking about the universe, religion, and words, words, words.
Oh. Also, I didn't mean to be arrogant. (Terribly ungracious.) I meant to be funny. And feared I was boring. Sigh...
I knew you could follow me, Seana. I just didn't know if you'd want to...but you were very gracious. Thank you.
Oh, I didn't take it as arrogant, I just meant that the subject might be more interesting to me than you might suppose.
I really should read more of Robinson's essays. I've started Death of Adam a few times, but have gotten distracted, which I do.
OK, good, glad to hear it! It took me a while to read Death of Adam and also Absence of Mind. And now I desire the new one about reading, of course!!
Phaeton, huh? I have to admit that that word has crossed my mind recently too...
I think you have more fun than the average bear.
Did Dorothy Parker ride around in phaetons?
I have more fun, but I get less done. As to Parker, perhaps I shall find out.
Looking forward to your phaeton! I know she rode around in taxis. Maybe some of her characters rode around in a 1929 Graham Paige DC Phaeton...
Ah, Wikipedia!
Oh, I know all about Calvinism, Kathleen. I used to buy his underwear for my husband! Who knew he was famous for so many other things too (Calvin--not my husband). :D
Super Earthing! Your superpowers succeeded in folding the beautiful floral starburst thingeys back into alignment in my brain!!
Catching up on blog reading, and once again feeling a sense of kindred spirit as I read this post. Believe me, I am often having similar conversations with myself in my origami brain, minus the Calvinism since I was raised in the RC Church, the thought of which leads to another whole kind of origami brain. But anyway. Thanks.
Thank you, Molly! I am glad and honored to be one of your kindred spirits.
I think my connection to Calvinism is glancing, mostly in the realm of Protestant work ethic. But there's a deeper philosophical insight or complex layered thing that I understand in little glimpses...like sparks of fire as I dangle over a burning pit. Ouch!
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