Random Thoughts this a.m.

I quit blogging for awhile after a flurry of essays in the month of January. Now it is March and I am reminded to return to my desire to express myself by writing. Please forgive the randomness of this entry.

I sure enjoy a good cup of coffee in the mornings. Not too much, but a little is a good way to start the day. Sometimes shared with friends, sometimes alone, but always a time for positive reflection of the goals for the day. While I have little interest in the weather, and in fact quickly become bored with weather discussions, I have noticed a significant mood swing in people due to the conditions outside. Just an observation and not worthy of much thought.

Switching directions for a minute. I often wonder where our society would be had not slavery been a major industry in our country for so long. Is it possible or even likely that financial and industrial development would have been slower? Did slavery contribute to our development as a major force in the world? Or did slavery and general bigotry that pervades our country's history actually slow it down in many respects. This is certainly true when one studies culture in terms of refinement and human improvement. Like most people, I consider slavery one of the most despicable and embarrassing events in our history.

Let's think on church music for a minute. While hymnody was finding its voice in the middle of the 19th century through great hymns developed in the Methodist church, at the same time, African-Americans were singing and worshiping in their own brand and musical language very different from that of their anglo counterparts. Because of the mystery, maybe fear, that people ultimately had of the slaves, is it possible that an entire body of important musical literature has been displaced as having merit? Even today, do we tend to look at African-American religious music with a curious form of rejection of worth in modern church worship? Has this contributed to segregation of worship in today's world? I believe so. In fact, I think this polarization is manifested in what we call worship wars in the church. In thinking through this issue, I realize that worship wars have a history in our society dating back before the civil war. More on this later.

Sitting in the coffee shop, enjoying a good cup of coffee, listening to jazz, and thinking about church in a few minutes, I search deeply for meaning and purpose in this world. Being a pragmatist in daily life, of course everyone is to an extent, I also often dabble in philosophical thought and my ultimate role in the world. This is one of those times. Is my eclecticism, my broad interest base, my strange brand of creativity and artistry actually beneficial to anyone? I just can't decide. Perhaps it is time to narrow my focus. Not sure I can though.

I am almost done with another biography of Blind Tom http://www.blindtom.org and continue to be entranced, angry, joyous, and in awe over his life and complex issues surrounding his gifts. What an amazing and frightening story with large social questions that have meaning even today. I would enjoy hearing what other people think about the saga of Blind Tom.

So my random thoughts are taking several pathways this morning but none are necessarily negative. I think writing helps me overcome my tendency to spiral downward. I feel better already. Time to accomplish something positive.