Philosophy, Thoughts and Other Ramblings

I feel badly that I have long neglected this blog while trying to get my other one started. It was not intentional, that is for sure.

So today, I felt it was time for one of those random thoughts blog. This has always been the place where I put those kind.

My son and I were watching a science channel and there was a program on about the universe.  It spurned some discussion about beginnings and other things. We marveled at the things they were showing, knowing it was a part of our universe.  Then I asked him, Do you ever wonder where it all came from?  HOW did it all start?  He talked about gases and other things. So I asked.  Then, where did THAT come from?  How would it be possible for there ever to be nothing?  And if there was always something, just HOW is that possible?

I sometimes marvel at how everything works and fits together.  I look outside in the summer at the fields of corn and think about how the seeds get put in the soil and that along with the sun and water allow it to grow.

 I wonder sometimes, who was the first to use it. To figure it out.  Not just about that either. About everything. We have so much around us, so many things, it is sometimes mind-boggling to think that at one point in time much of it did not even exist.  Someone had to think it up, to invent it.  To dream it.

Music.  Where did that come from?  When was the first musical note?  Do you ever wonder how there can be so many different songs from such a finite set of notes? I do.

Art. What is it that appeals to so many?  Why does it appeal to us?  What is it about art that can bring out emotions in us.

I wonder why someone thought we needed to capture images on paper and invented photography.  Can you imagine if they had not?  Think of the things 'lost' to us forever.  Imagine if it had always existed, the things we could see now.

We had the discussion the other day about thoughts.  Not what we thought about but HOW we did.  Do you ever stop and listen to the voices in your head and wonder HOW you can hear yourself?  Then I wonder as we sit and read, how we can look at a book and hear in our head what is in the pages.  Not only that, but we can picture in our mind the visuals the words bring to us.

I often think when I hear the news and they constantly report on the 'bad' stuff about how we all at one time were just little babies.  How do some grow up to be so violent?  How can some do such horrible things?  I watch when they report about the wars and things and wonder why people can't figure out that we are all more the same than not?  We are ALL just people!  Never will I figure out how killing innocent people, people you do not even know, can solve anything.

Which suddenly makes me think about languages.  Do you ever sit and listen to someone talking in a language you don't understand?  It amazes me that THEY know what they are saying, while I have no clue!  I wonder just why there has to be so many languages out there.  Why can't there be just one? Wouldn't the world be an easier place if there was?

I often look at math, physics, geometry, science, etc and marvel at how someone, somewhere had to figure it all out.  I wonder just HOW all the numbers and letters can mean anything. Why did they decide so long ago to figure it out.

 So much knowledge in the world. So many things.  It all had to start somewhere with someone.

These are just some of the things I ponder......

It ISN'T Just About a Singer....

I was going to wait until tomorrow to post a new blog.  Its' been a busy and emotional weekend, ending in a long day of traveling home, so I was going to rest.  But on Facebook, my cousin, who, I DO love, once again made fun, bashed my Clay 'love' so to speak.  He has done it in the past and while I never have appreciated it, tonight it made me mad and made me think, and got me to post tonight.

Anyone that knows me knows that I am a big fan of Clay Aiken.  But many do not know the whole story, do not understand the whole story.  Many of you, my friends who are also fans, DO understand...

For those of you who don't, I am going to try to tell you, although much of it is hard to put into words.

As you know, ten years ago this month, I was diagnosed with cancer and went through a tough year.  About that time, American Idol 2 was on and we were hooked from the moment we watched Clay during the audition shows.  We watched every week together....voting and wanting him to win!  There was just something about his voice and personality that got under your skin.

I got through treatment, yes he came in second, and I had NO idea how much this man and being a fan of him would change my life.

I decided that I would no longer just sit around and watch my life pass me by.  What is the purpose in that?  I knew that life could be short, saw it many times, was faced with it myself.  My new mantra was find your joy...it STILL is....for without it, what is the point???

Somehow I found the message boards....imagine boards of people who got it!  Who were Clay Aiken fans....of the voice...and soon, of the man.

Kayla and I got to share many many things that I would never had even imagined.  We traveled from coast to coast, seeing places I would never have dreamed to see.  And I still am.  I just returned from another trip to New York City to attend the Celebrity Apprentice finale.  ME?!  Yeah. I did that...  What a blessed life I am leading. I am thankful each and every day.  But it is far far more than just going 'places'.

It is about the charity Clay started. It began as the Bubel/Aiken Foundation.  Imagine a charity about the one thing I had fought for each and every year for Jamie.   INCLUSION.  Making sure ALL kids belonged.... This charity has evolved into the National Inclusion Project.  It continues to grow and continues to make a difference not only in the lives of the kids with disabilities, but in the lives of the kids without and in the lives of the parents.  This charity has my heart. I have supported it from the beginning and always will.  ALL children matter. Clay gets that...and he is making sure that everyone else does too.

Do yourself a favor, check it out yourself!
http://inclusionproject.org/

But you know what? It is not just about the incredible voice.  It is not just about the heart. It is not just about the Project.  It is about people.  It is about the friends I have made.  People from all over the country, the world even.  Other people who get it.  These people...we hug, we laugh, we cry.  We don't just love Clay Aiken.  We love each other. I cannot imagine my life without them!

Respect. Simple word. One that I wish many would think about......So, my dear cousin, and anyone else, maybe you should think twice next time before you bash, or make fun, or say anything negative.  Try to imagine there might be a reason...or many reasons, that I am a fan of Clay Aiken.

I just hope that others can find something or someone that brings as much joy to their lives as Clay has to mine!

That, my friends, is what is on my mind tonight!