Life

Life is hard. It's trying and unfair. But then, it's suppose to be, isn't it?

I think that people who wonder what life is for usually haven't experienced enough of it. Try to think of you life in the context of bubbles. When you are born, the bubble is relatively small (i.e. you don't have much to do or learn). Well, as time passes and you grow up, the bubble becomes more constrictive because you experience more new things. And just when you feel that you are at the edge of bubble, you learn something that changes your point of view. Then you see that the bubble is far from full. At times like this you may have an epiphany of sorts, a moment of clarity, whatever you call it, wherein you realize that you have nothing but opportunity in front of you.

I remember well in my teenage years when I thought I knew everything. The bubble was tight and I felt almost suffocated by it. Then I got to college and saw that the world was vastly different from my HS reality. They bubble was empty in a way I never thought possible.

As time went on, I experienced this same effect of constricting and release after college, marriage and into fatherhood. It is a strange thing, when you stop and reflect, to see your whole life reflected in a tiny helpless form lying in your arms. So sweet and perfect and pure. All of a sudden things make sense. There wont be any more long weekends away from home. There wont be any more nights out with the guys. There wont be any more lies or deceit or imprudent judgement on your behalf. You are going to do everything you can to ensure that this little child has everything that you ever thought possible.

Thats life. You are at that moment, aligned with the enternalistic mindset I speak of. You see your entire existence in this brand new life and there isn't anything to change that. Some call it enlightenment or focus or any other myriad of words but what it means is this: you see what you live for; to provide for and protect this perfect being.

It gets better, by the way. You have to work though it, to be sure and there will be your share of pits to wade through. You'll have sorrows and snares but you'll also have that light of your family to be your center as long as you honor it. Someone told me one time that you'll be sitting there one day doing nothing in particular and that child will come up and through his/her arms around your neck and say 'Daddy, I love you.' And it will melt your heart. It did.

Even when they are older and more opinionated they will surprise you. Like when they are talking about something that happened at school that day and they say something like 'But I told them I didn't agree with that because you taught me it was mean, right Dad?'

What greater joy is there than in your own posterity? Is there any other source of both your greatest happiness and sorrow? I think that there is not.

So bloggers, keep your family as close as you can. They're the closest you'll find to angels here.

-M

Openings

You know what the crazy thing about blogs is? People let you in to their thoughts. It's like someone writing in a journal and leaving it on your kitchen table. You never see them writing but there is always something new from them. It's a guilty pleasure.
I dont know what thoughts of mine will help or hurt you. I dont know where this will take us. All I really wanted to do was post a thought or two of mine and see how I felt.
I probably wont tell you anything that will be life-altering, but on the off chance that I do.. Let me know about it, hmm?

For me.
I have used the name Mishima for a long time. I traced the genealogy of Musashi Musfane to a family in Japan which used that name and was smitten with it. MISHY-ma, mih-SHEE-ma, however you say it, it sounds cool. Genealogy is a hobby of mine; if you want some help with yours, let me know.
I believe in God and in the devil. I believe that people as a whole fall into one of two categories: those who take responsibility for their actions and those who look for someone else to take responsibility. Usually, I find that the ones who are responsible to be a high moral fiber and successful in their endeavors. Conversely, the other category seems to be less moral and successful.

I believe that one man and one woman can love each other and stay together with complete fidelity their entire lives and be better for it. I also think that society at large has forgotten this as a 'good idea.'
I believe that family is central to happiness in life and can also be the source of the most heartache. Maybe I will share some of my heartaches with you some time.

I believe that they world is so chaotic and unpredictable that any one person who can see it will become bogged down by it unless they have a form of hope to cling to. Some people interpret that hope as a beer with friends on the weekend or maybe a family vacation next month or even attending their favorite sporting event or place of worship. Whatever it may be, it is more directly relied on for their mental and physical well-being then they realize.

I think about a lot of things like blogging for example. Blogging is a good way to organize one's thoughts and to test out ideas and arguments. It can be a good way to keep in touch with friends and to make new ones. Remember 5-10 years ago when everyone was just getting their own website? Now it's blogs.

And blogs post the exact same danger that those websites did: information. Women post stories of what they are doing or have done, complete with pictures and places, times and dates. They post where they are going to be next weekend or where they work. Maybe how they cant stand the new security measures that the IT department it forcing on them or other frustrations about their dorm or the weird noises from your vehicle. You might even go so far as to remark how you would really like to learn self defense. Then people are shocked when you are abducted. People have the audacity to claim that you were 'quiet' and 'kept to yourself' or 'would never hurt anyone or say anything bad.'
You just provided the bad guys (oh yes, bad guys can use the internet from their very own home/library/etc) with your picture, vehicle, schedule and any other piece of information they might need to circumvent any security you may have. They recognize you without a second glance from all the time they've spent fantasizing over your posted pictures of you and your girlfriends out partying. They memorize you - you, on the other hand, wont even see them coming. What if it is your bartender? What about the guy you pass on the way to the parking lot?
I know. I'm paranoid right? Well, you will be too after it happens to someone you know. Ladies, dont be stupid. You are worth so much more than that.. You do not need the attention or praise you feel when some reader remarks "you're not ugly/fat/stupid, you're beautiful!" or "I would never treat you like that, you'd be my goddess/queen/etc." If someone wants to praise you, they will do so to your face. Not to a mental image of you on the internet. Stop making yourself a target and while you are at it, take some martial arts classes. I recommend starting now, not later.
One thing I will always try to do is help. I know a little about a lot of things. If you have a question that you just can not find the answer to, maybe I can help.

Until then,
-M