Concord Hymn

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Photo: Kirk Heflin BY the rude bridge that arched the flood,  Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,  Here once the embattled farmers stood  And fired the shot heard round the world.  The foe long since in silence slept;  Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;  And Time the ruined bridge has swept  Down the dark stream which seaward creeps. On this green bank, by this soft stream,  We set to-day a votive stone;  That memory may their deed redeem,  When, like our sires, our sons are gone.  Spirit, that made those heroes dare  To die, and leave their children free,  Bid Time and Nature gently spare  The shaft we raise to them and thee. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) (The Battle of Concord was fought on April 19, 1775, the start of the American Revolutionary War)

10 Things I Just Don’t Understand

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Years ago I worked for a man who modeled an excellent response to frustration. He would return from a meeting or a business errand, go to his office, sit motionless for a few minutes (eyes closed, most likely praying). Then he would stand up and say, “there are some things I just don’t understand,” laugh a little, then go about his day. Here are 10 things “I just don’t understand.”

  1. How forgiveness can be restorationless.
  2. How restoration can be directionless.
  3. How help is available to those who can afford it.
  4. How “we all love ourselves more than other people, but care more about their opinion than our own.” (Marcus Aurelius)
  5. How there are some who think that if they can’t win, it’s ok to change the rules. 
  6. If “that made me mad” or “that made me happy,” then “that” can make anyone do anything. 
  7. How “all roads lead to God,” yet each road has disagreeable distinctives concerning God. 
  8. How people can blatantly do evil while simultaneously deny responsibility for their actions. 
  9. How is it ok to work harder, not smarter?
  10. That evil will increase in days to come.

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