Gaps Between Ideas & Reality
Gaps Between Ideas & Reality
Have you ever ridden on the tube in London? If so you know the reference we make for this series – as you depart the trains the electronic voice tells you to, “Mind the Gap.” Tracesea and I have previously written on gaps between people of different cultural backgrounds but we think it goes deeper than that.
We think this is a great metaphor for life. I'll use some of my gaps as an example. If I believe that heaven is on earth, then I need to mind those times when I can't see any heavenly outcomes to the situations I am in. As I believe that all the people on earth are one lovely diverse family, then I need to mind the gap when I find myself in judgement about others. In short the biggest and smallest gaps in my life are those in my head, when I am unable to see the beauty in life or to live exuberantly.
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Discovery: Ruiz and Covey
Written by Alana
Tracesea and I are participating in Philosophers Notes 50 Day Challenge. This means that we will read or listen to the synopsis of philosophical and practical self-help texts for the next 50 days. The outcome of immersing ourselves in other people's ideas will be increased mindfulness as to the gaps between those ideas and the quality of our lives. Some people might say that this is a set up for discouragement, but we believe it will be invigorating as it helps us redefine the direction of our lives and this work.The first two philosophers were Don Miquel Ruiz and Stephen Covey. Together they form a foundation for mindfulness. The first through keeping agreements with ourselves, and the second building on those agreements with habits of outlook and action. Ruiz suggests we build the integrity of Self in our words, center on our own track refusing to take personally how others react, forgo making assumptions and playing hard and with commitment to whatever we do (he calls this one "doing our best"). The gap for me here was the idea that I did not have to kowtow or pay lots of attention to others reactions
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GEEEEEZ- been here three years and still I am unpacking the differences between UK and US English (let along Irish English which is a mixture with its own peculiarities. The new information/understanding that came to light on Friday night was that cardigans are not jumpers. Here I had thought that jumper was synonymous with sweater - after all in most cases you hear it when you are referring to sweater. What I did not realize was that cardigan (which I would maybe call cardigan but most likely title sweater as well) is clearly NOT included here in the jumper category. Oh no - cardigans are not jumpers even though both are sweaters.
Got that straight?
How about your puddings? Are they sweet or savory? Savory is not a word that I used in the states but here it is a clear delineation with foods being either it or sweet. Puddings on the other hand are NOT the semi gelatinous but cloudy variety that cluster in the chocolate, vanilla or tapioca range. Rather puddings are (or so I have sorted it out as of now) to be any desert. But just as with sweater in the US there are many varieties. Whether or not cakes or pies are included in puddings, I am still not clear, but I am sure that cookies are not because they don't have cookies here, they have biscuits. Cookie, when it was used in the home of one of our friends ONLY referred to the classic Toll House or chocolate chip (as that is the one that is truly linked to America). It is also the one that does not necessarily appeal to the tastes of our neighbours.
But then you know what they say about taste and the fact that there is no…
Reflection: Mind the Gap,Part 1
Written by E. Alana James
This is for all the people in the world who feel as though they “don’t fit.” Certainly that means the majority of people who have moved out of their culture to live somewhere else in the world, that also likely includes most of the gay and lesbian population, youth, etc. Maybe it includes all of us.
My message to myself is to “mind the gap.” Like the trains in London that come into the station 6” away from the platform, we can get caught in the difference and hurt ourselves if we don’t watch out. Last night was one of those occasions for me – lots of well meaning people and a very fun event and yet I have to confess that as much as anything I didn’t mind the gap and ended up hurting myself.
