It's All in the Metaphor

How interesting it is when an idea develops and brings people together. My friend, Amos, posted a blog that started with the following quote: "Justice is what Love looks like in public." He asked his readers for their thoughts about such a rhetorical statement. Ironically, the conversation b/t Amos and myself has turned to how to define "rhetoric" and if it should be used...how, when, and why it is often used today.

Then after a lengthy conversation, tonight, at my favorite coffee shop, with people I'd never met- the insight was amazing.

It came down to this: it isn't always WHAT is said, but rather, HOW it is said. You see I believe that rhetorical statements and questions and be used effectively by a person's tone or attitude about the matter.

But let me back up; the definition, understood for "rhetoric" is this: "the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, esp. the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques."

Of course, looking at dictionary.com, I came across definitions like these: the study of the effective use of language or the ability to use language effectively.

Now granted, rhetoric is often stained b/c politics has coined it to express campaign slogans that often mean very little. Companies use catch phrases in their commercials to sell you a product, which isn't necessarily wrong- as their goal is to keep their product in the memory of the viewer. These may be types of rhetorical thought....

But the dictionary's definition clearly defines the word as a metaphor used to explain something that might not be easily understood by the common receptor. It is a way of expression and often considered a skilled form of expression. Such uses of language can clearly express something TRUE and RIGHT. However, it will only be accepted if the delivery is pure of heart. If the oration or notation is harsh- presumptuous - unjust, hurtful, unkind, demanding...then it was un-necessary.

Rhetoric is not a black and white issue. There is a lot of room for grey, here. The person using the phrases, stories or parables has a responsibility in the delivery. The person recieving has a responsibility to take the words for their worth and decide if the rhetoric is useful for them.

But this is only scratching the surface. It is taking on semantics...and it can be complicated. Nevertheless, such an interesting discussion deserved my acknowledgment in a blog. What do you think?

...And He Sang to Me

"My name is Royal, you know, like a royal pain in the ass!" He winked and lit a cigarette. He was charming and I couldn't help but return his firm hand-shake.

He sang for his supper; so I fished my pockets for coins to toss in the can. I figured him to be in his 40's. He wore a faded t-shirt, his baseball cap backwards, jeans with holes and carried a mustache over his grin. What was not to like? He played the oldies on his guitar and his rough vocals made for great sidewalk entertainment. I asked him to play me another and he whipped out "Brown-Eyed Girl," just for me. In fact; he played "Brown-Eyed Girl" every time I walked by.

He loved playing on the streets. The view of beautiful Colorado Springs had a lot to offer. And a local cigarette shop let him use their window as a backdrop.

It wasn't an easy life, Royal admitted, but he was playing music and that's all that really mattered to him.

He went to the soup kitchen every day for a meal and just barely afforded a room at a small apartment near-by, that is, if he could make $12 a day. On a rare occasion he'd land a gig or two a local bar. It was the life he lived and he was ok with that.

Royal spent his early years in the military and had even spent time in a Community Corrections Facility. His on again, off again girlfriend, Kathleen, was a left-over hippie and played music on the street as well, usually just a few blocks away. They depended on each other and certainly did the best they could to survive.

Most days, his mood was cheery and welcoming. He enjoyed playing for the children that stopped to gawk. But often there was loneliness behind his eyes. It was sense of distance or perhaps misdirection. I asked him about it.

He told me that he had two daughters (ah...children of his own). They were grown, he said, he'd even raised them for several years of their life. They were both involved in music production of some kind. But yet; they never did look kindly on the lifestyle he chose. They rarely paid him mind. And he never saw them. Yet he could not justify leaving what he loved.

To most, Royal was exactly what they saw: a guy down on his luck hoping to get a little sympathy change. To me; he was the epitome of survival. He did what he enjoyed the most and he was willing to work hard for it, even if it meant being satisfied with little. He believed in people, even if they didn't believe in him.

I saw Royal just about every other day for a little over year. We were friends. Sometimes I brought him lunch and more often - we just sat and talked. I was his break either way. I played and sang with him a few times, helped him make a buck or two. I often wish I had pictures of him, but I don't.

I wonder where he is today, if he still plays in front of the cigarette shop or if his music still touches other people. I wonder if his daughters ever came to see him, just like he had hoped. I wonder if he ever made it "big," just like he dreamed.....

Patience is a Virtue

It's been a few days, and I appreciate the patience of all my readers. What have I been thinking about and so consumed with, you ask?

Well...

--I finally watched the Godfather I & II, from start to finish. Unfortunately...the second film includes a LOT of Italian scenes, and no, I did not have the version with subscripts. I know, I get it! What is fortunate is that knowing Spanish, I was able to pick it up in pieces. Nevertheless; I found the ending of the first more profound than the second and the second ending more important than the first.

--You may have noticed that I've often posted stories about homeless people that I've met. I've called it Project Homeless and now I'm exploring ideas for a website and ngo that will not only create awareness, but also create opportunities to reach the poor and assist them in finding resources for help. More to come....

--I'm continuing my study through Hamlet by William Shakespeare. He has met his father's ghost and believed it to be the true soul of his dead father rather than an impostor. What is interesting about this scene is how quickly Hamlet is sucked in by the illusion because of his grief rather than relying on rationale. Of course, had Hamlet not believed in the ghost, we might not have a play. Yet; already stricken with confusion and sadness- his emotion turns to anger and revenge following the conversation. He will not let his friends in on what he hopes to accomplish, only swears them to secrecy for what they do know, and continues to stew over the fact that he must go after his uncle for the death of his father, the late King. It is interesting how the mind quickly turns to an "out" in our most devastating moments, whether it be something/someone else to blame or perhaps a way to conceive the closure we think we so desperately need.

--I have begun to read a new book (recommended by a very stellar blog buddy: Amos)- called Sailing the Wine Dark Sea: Why the Greeks Matter. I will have a full posting on my reading soon.

--And of course, I am consumed in writing projects- whether it be for work, future publishing, blogging or project homeless; the ideas are flowing.

So what are you thinking about? What are you consumed with this week?

Developing Times

There are times when life is chaotic. But sometimes in the midst of it, I find absolution. The last few days, my mind has been clearly consumed with what is next for me and what I need to do to get there. I'm inspired and working up the energy and motivation to fuel it. So here is a snapshot of things lately:

A little of this-

And of course this guy...

Then more of this-

As a result of this-"Desperation 08"

More to come...

Dark and Limitless

"Because he's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now...and so we'll hunt him, because he can take it. Because he's not a hero. He's a silent guardian, a watchful protector...a dark knight." -Lt. Gordon

Just what IS a hero? According to the dictionary, it is a person who is able to perform feats of strength and courage, often for the greater good of the people. But what if being a hero meant not being a hero at all, but something more?

I had never really been a fan of the Batman. That was until I saw Christian Bale's portrayal in "Batman Begins," and of course, "The Dark Knight." I have come to understand the character and how truly complicated Batman really is- he is an outcast, a freak even, ever so much like the villain. You see, Bruce Wayne not only had to learn to face his fear, but he had to become his fear-all this in order to fight for what was right. But he struggled with endurance, he wasn't always popular and he certainly was not a "face" of hope.

Ironically, Bruce tells Alfred the Batman has no limits. But later Batman tells the Joker that he has one rule, a limitation. Mr. Wayne would soon learn that as man, yes, he had limits and questions...and would even want out. Yet when he became what he was truly meant to be-the Batman- rules and limitations were out of the question. And the Joker is right when he said that Batman would have to break his own rule to save the people. Sometimes breaking the rules isn't popular or even easy, but necessary to accomplish great things.

All this makes me think about what it means to live a limitless life.

I believe that each person was created with a purpose. Each person was given talents, gifts, interests, dreams and undeniable personality traits. But what if we were to stop using them? What if, when the task of accomplishing our dreams got harder, we took off our Batman? Bruce Wayne faced that dilemma. He told Rachel Dawes that a day was coming when Batman would no longer be needed, he was worn discouraged. He found excuses for wanting to take off his strength and give in to his limitations.

I heard someone pose this question: "what is your excuse?" Are we really going to give up all that we were meant to be because we can't get out of the box? What is keeping you, us, from breaking out, going beyond what the rules say is possible?

When we become who we were meant to be with One who created us to be that- there is nothing we cannot do. But Heroes are complicated people because in and of ourselves we have limitations; we get wounded, mauled by dogs even, and challenged relentlessly by the villain, the enemy.

So what do we do? Sow up the wounds, realize we cannot always do it on our own (yeah, sometimes we need Alfred, Lucious and Lt. Gordon in our corner), build our weaknesses, sharpen our strengths and believe that we can accomplish good; we can accomplish anything for the better and make a difference in our world.