In Character - Forgiveness

There is a great website I just found called In Character that is a quarterly publication all about character. This quarter is Forgiveness and I just read an article with nine different point of views. All are somewhat similar; they require or advise forgiveness as long as the perpetrator has met certain requirements of admitting wrongdoing and has apoligized.
Rabbi Boteach, a radio and television personality, urges hatred against the wrongdoers. It is complicity to evil which is evil. It allows dictators like Pol Pot and Adi Amin to die peacefully in their sleep. We must turn the other cheek at slights to our honor, but to mass murder there is no other course but hatred of them.
Marietta Jaeger Lane had her daughter brutally tortured and murdered. She asked God to change her heart from one of hatred to love and to change the heart of the murderer. She is respectful in her actions.
Robert Thurman brought up the concept of karma, the evolutionary action of life. Buddhist believe there are five heinous crimes or sins, but even they are not unforgiveable. Karma, being an evolutionary force, is the contant, second-by-second shaping a person soul.

I think about this stuff everyday. I'll have to read the whole publication.

Pre New Years

Over again.

I am indecisive. That's because I procrastinate.

-Don't procrastinate.
-Be decisive.
-No more Coke. Or how about making positives instead of negative and say more tea and sparkling water.
-Read the Journals.
-Read Anatomy, math, and biology.
-Keep reading the news.
-Study the GRE.

Thursday the 18th

Classes are winding down tomorrow and I am faced with more doors being closed. Let's look at what to do next.

Let's start by starting now, not waiting to implement these later.

- I'm going to stop taking flute lessons. I want to be able to keep time. That means play piano or guitar and go back to the basics. 

- Work in some stuff about computers. The knowledge is invaluable.

-  I will read two science related books for every general interest book. It's not fair, but you can't complain until you read more. 

- Read magazines frequently.

- GRE everyday. Prep course also.

- Write essays more frequently.

Sunday the 23rd

We have hit another low point. But I can tell that things come slowly. Let's plan for the next week/month.

No sugar/carbs. I just finished Good Calories Bad Calories. It was great and I'm glad to finish it. It has really changed my thinking.
Start a new book. There are many I want to start, but I need one.
Study Chemistry, Math and Anatomy.
Keep working on my literature book.
Study GRE. Maybe I'll get to that.
Convert my records.
Read news (like the economist) every day (week?)

Monday the 27th

Initiative is the key. Maybe just one key that I lack.
Initiative is useful because once you start something, you might find that it was really short or easy to do.

I was good today about finding graduate opportunities and volunteer opportunities. I got to study a few different things including my new math book and a few pages out of my Calories book.

This month should have goals. (Like all other ones).

1. Drastically reduce coke/sugar intake. No eliminate, just reduce.
2. Follow up on leads to graduate school.
3. Spend time studying.
4. Spend time with my book, math book, chemistry book.
5. Spend time with my GRE book.
6. Drastically reduce TV, replace with records.
7. Do the right thing.
I'm going to mail that letter to the soldier and find somebody else to write to.

Follow-up 101408

I have been very good about not drinking Coke, if you don't count Coke Icees.
Everything else has not been so good.

So let's dismantle and evaluate thus far.
-First, Gatorade should be banned too. It also has high fructose corn syrup. Bye.
-I think I really only have four days to work with since the others I have work and class. I'm going to say to focus on those four days and the other three are dedicated to class for good reason.
-Everything has been getting done somewhat but on a slower scale. I have spent some time studying for the GRE and cleaning, just not the way I proposed.
-It's monotonous without television.

Here is my corrective action.
-More myself away from the desk with the television and computer to the other desk, with the light.
-Use my one hour block method - where I spent one solid hour working on something. I don't spend any more time unless I determine that after the hour. Either way, it's solid studying.
-Spend everyday with something new. Why should I wake up tomorrow? I need new things. Maybe pick a page out of a book and learn the page.
-Keep looking for graduate opportunities.
-Keep looking for volunteer opportunities.

Follow-up 092808

Here is my 30-Day Challenge

1. Drink no Coke, soda, mocha or unhealthy drink.

2. Act like I am addicted to exercising and studying

3. Clean and organize for one hour a day.

4. Spend one hour a day cleaning.

5. Spend half-an-hour cleaning computer.

6. Spend one hour every day preparing for GRE.

7. Watch no television.

I started on 092108 and today is 092908. Here's my progress.

I have not had Coke for the seven day period. That has been hard. Water does not taste better with time. I have not had other sodas or many sugar based drinks but I have been trying new items at Starbucks. Two sugary drinks that I have had I actually drank half and I justify buying that because I was trying something new, I am going to stick with water, sparkling water, tea and coffee that I will make at work to save money. It is just as good anyway.

I have not studied like I have planned but then again I didn't plan to do it that much. I always say that I will but there is never much of a plan except "Have At It!" I'm going to focus on planning my day more.

I have done a significant amount of cleaning recently and have spent more time then I would have liked but my room sure looks good. I will continue to clean regularly.

I gave back my GRE book to start new with all my library books. I will get the book tomorrow.

I have been pretty good about cutting my television time. I still make exceptions for Sunday night and Intervention. I will cut that down to certain shows Sunday night and Intervention. My real problem is shows I have on my computer and Netflix. I will allow Netflix but not the shows on mu computer anymore.


So here's a wrap up.

Tomorrow I will make coffee at work then grab the GRE book.
I will probably want to watch my Netflix.
I should listen to one new piece of music.
I must study and read.
I need to do some of my errands.