It's still true today :)

what's better about writing? if that is, you're a writer. [why write?] is it possible to ask bad questions, questions that complicate good, generous simplicity? it seems to me that there are moments when everything is distilled, and you know not to chase after a dream, a dream that maybe is extravagant and certainly somewhat gratifying, to try and do something or become someone that maybe you're not. maybe the motive is somehow pride...and subtle discontent, a desire to feel more interesting. ["i've travelled there." "i did a PhD." or "i've won at black jack on the 9th hand.] the subtle difference then from striving to make a thing happen, and doing whatever 'it' is because life changes, things come our way...we don't determine everything; the difference is that we take too much pride in accomplishments. "i will do this. I will have that." ...we feel better when we're defining ourselves. then later, we want to do more, travel, move to a different city, edit the image...and discontent creeps back in. perhaps this is anything but living in the moment. perhaps some people are better at being and feeling content and enjoying themselves. that factor of enjoyment is critical. because while some strive and strive and strive, others attach themselves to every moment, as if the moment is why you live. so how does one live in the moment? with reasonable expectations...making plans, chasing dreams...relishing experience? how do you weigh the present? it's inescapable.

i know that living is no longer for me alone. ...to a degree, it's also not for others. i know that plans fall through and dreams are often never realized. I can see that the "rich and poor have this in common: the Lord is the Maker of them all." and that he sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. i know that the moment is experiencing a Maker through a veil dividing heaven and earth. and I know that there was a veil torn in the temple when Jesus died. Jesus said, "Trust in God; trust also in me." and then, "Because I live, you also will live." i know that dreaming and making goals and not worrying are all good and have their place in a God given life. ...and life is only for a moment and then for something more.

That must be why Solomon said, "What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seeen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil - this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him."

today, that's why i write. :)