Reflections
In my reflections, if a bona fide member of the academy comments that my reflection contains either an original thought or argument, I will note it in that reflection. Also, if it is brought to my attention that what I have said is also mentioned in another source, I will also note it. My intention in these reflections is to stimulate inquiry, imagination, and broadening of horizons.- JP
Note: The most recent reflection is at the top and my first is at the bottom. You can either start at the bottom of the well and swim up or start at the top and dive in, your choice. – JP
Thread 06 August 2026
On this day in 1945, the world changed. For both the people who made the decision to the tribe in the Amazon who had yet to encounter the 20th Century, life changed. On that day, a thread was added to the world’s life tapestry. A thread whether willingly or reluctantly or unknowingly woven into the tapestry is there and cannot be removed. This thread is not the first thread in the tapestry and not the last, but one that affects all the other threads whether they like it or not. And, does this thread affect the threads that were in the tapestry previously and will it affect the treads that are to come? All this leads me to ask, what is the first thread of the tapestry and does it affect all the threads that have been added?
While working on an answer to that question, I see this reflection could go one of two directions. One is to put together a multi page effort which could contain seemingly prophetic thoughts and insights of a stunningly poetic and epic nature or devolve into a word quagmire of thoughts and superfluous verbosity. Second is to keep it as simple as possible. I’m going with door two.
To keep it simple, in an environment made up of a multiplicity of political positions, environmental concerns, economic conditions, spiritual approaches, medical situations, the concerns of Disclosure and personal approaches to the degree of involvement in living, could seem like embarking on a fool’s errand. However, not getting caught up in examining all the fibrous off shoots of the thread, will improve the possibility of keeping it simple.
The first question I ask is, “From where does the first thread originate?” Of course, that question embodies all the philosophies of life and the discourses on consciousness. There is, I believe, an answer that does not get tangled up in the mechanics of existence. Don’t get me wrong, I am not discounting the mechanics of existence at all. On the contrary, I find the mechanics to be an infinite pool of discovery we should all enjoy swimming in. I acknowledge that my answer to the origination question is a belief answer. I can’t prove it and would not attempt to. I only proffer it for your consideration.
There are innumerable thoughts on formulating an answer to the origination question from scientific, spiritual, materialistic and academic orientations. The answer I believe incorporates all of the aforementioned disciplines. Not because I am wimping out and not being an absolutist, but because I am convinced all of existence is connected and to isolate an approach to the answer is a diminishment of a conclusion. Although my answer may be seen as isolating, bear with me because I can not, not feel all the disciplines are included.
There are three specific aspects to my answer which come from both my seminary background and conversations with colleagues. Two are based on translations and one is from the writing of a mystic. The first is the form of a word from the Gospel of John. John begins with, “In the beginning was the Word”. What needs to be noted is that the word “Word” in Greek is not a noun form, but a verb form. John did not see God as a definable being, but as a continual, active presence with no boundaries. The second is how the first phrase of Genesis is to be translated in English to be an accurate presentation of Hebrew thought. The word “Bearsheet” (Anglicized pronunciation) does not mean “In the beginning” but “When God began”. The Hebrews see God not as acting in a point in time, but as timelessly acting. The third gets to the origin question.
Consider that when Consciousness, Source, God, became aware of self and being, a decision was made to share the delight of that knowledge and existence happened. For me, that is the origin of the first thread. This first thread of existence is composed of all the fibers that are present in the tapestry of life. The first thread is composed of a character of gifting. Existence was gifted with delight. However, to know what delight is, its opposite also has to be known. This is when the tapestry moves from being hung on a wall to a carpet we ride through the universe. We are all on the carpet and if we are to keep from falling off, we have to stay connected to the thread of delight and assist those around us to do the same. Our existence is not static and neither is our carpet. If we let go of that first thread, our carpet unravels. Hold on tight to that first thread and smile that Steppenwolf might be right.
Scholarship Soup 18 May 2026
Our Rotary Club Scholarship Committee concluded this year’s effort of reading applications and awarding scholarships to continuing post secondary students and graduating high school students. The applications covered a myriad of interests, motivations, backgrounds, academic achievement, extracurricular involvement and community service. The applicants are pursuing degrees and experience in nursing, business, environmental toxicology, welding, aviation, mathematics, astrophysics, physical therapy, mental health, social work, farming, energy infrastructure, teaching, computer cryptography and sport medicine, just to name a few.
I mention this because, as I read the applications, the negative things being said about students and those embarking on life after school were present in personal conversations, editorials, podcasts, national news and television shows and I was seeing a clear contrast to those accounts. What I was seeing in those applications were people motivated to learn, expand, and improve their community, society and environment. Of course I realize we would not see an application from those with a negative view of either their prospects or life.
It is to those persons, if they are reading this, I say that it is a decision to sell yourself short and I implore you not to do that. Consider connecting with those receiving the scholarships and those who have graduated and moved into their vocations to work with you to embrace your passion and reap the benefits of a positive outlook.
My only regret is that we did not have enough resources this year to recognize as many as we wanted. I also keep in mind that there were plenty of ‘Debbie downers’ speaking about my high school contemporaries, but six decades later, as Cher might say, ‘Still kickin’ b######’. I am sure that six decades from now there will be those who received scholarships from our club, will still be kickin’.
JP Carver+
Ponderay Centennial Rotary Club
Reacquainted when seemingly stuck 25 March 2026
When you feel things can’t get any worse and are becoming convinced there is no way out, a light appears. It has been a journey to learn to stay open to seeing the light and never qualify when it will show. I had that experience recently when I let myself settle for being entertained and taking a break from putting in the effort to not be overcome by the dark. The light came when I was watching StarTrek / Starfleet Academy. An observation about the series before I go any further.
I am disappointed that the producers did not stand up for the show and pulled it after only one season. The people who critiqued the show, I believe, missed the point. We all go through a time when we are finding ourselves and need to know we are not the only person having that experience. To have a show that appeals to people who like stories set in the future which speaks to their personal adventure in a non formulaic sci-fi setting is a stretch and a breakthrough.
In high school English class, we read Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. I was a plot oriented teenager and missed what Wilder was saying, except for the long address on the envelope. In episode eight of Starfleet Academy, a long time from high school, I got it. Acknowledging that dark is ever present and choosing not to be overcome by it takes effort. Realizing that there is support for the effort which comes from many directions, puts a smile on your face. A smile that supports others on the same journey.
I commend for your viewing, the ten episodes of Starfleet Academy. To not be stuck in the dark is a good thing.
Not Sorry! 04/06/2025
No, this is not a Reeses’ ad. In the time from my last reflection, I have been trying to find a thread for all that is going on in the world and it has not been an easy time. So rather than write what could be considered a fluff piece reflection, I have been listening and considering what to say and how to say it. In a casual conversation I found the thread. The subject was how to converse with a person who sees life completely differently than you do. The person I was listening to said, “I’m sorry, but …” and that response crystalized the thread for me.
Whether we are talking in the abstract or concrete, no matter the object of the conversation, the ‘ I’m sorry, but …’ belies a condition which has subtilely taken over our ability to be accountable for ourselves. This may seem a harsh perspective, but consider what those three words say about our attitudes and self evaluation. And that is the reason so much time has elapsed since my last reflection. Owning my attitudes and self evaluation is a deep dive. The dive encompasses everything from hearing from sources I had not considered before to ultimately learning how to authentically look in a mirror. All this gets me back to why those three words are destructive to our being.
When you say I’m sorry, do you really mean it? When you say I’m sorry, but …, my response is, If you’re sorry, why won’t you own it? If you are truly sorry, leave the but out. If you are truly sorry, try this. “I am sorry you feel this way, please help me to understand why you feel this way. ‘ I’m sorry, but …’ dimness and trivializes anything that follows.
We can only live as intended with one another when we do not dimness, trivialize and disregard the dignity of with whom we are communicating.
There is nothing wrong with being sorry. It is harmful to you when you don’t own it. So leave the but out and eventually you will find more fulfilling ways to communicate. I know that it won’t be easy, I speak from experience. I also know that when it really gets to you, a peanut butter and chocolate cup may not make it all better, but it sure tastes good.