I THINK, THEREFORE I ACHE.

WHY I DIDN'T VOTE

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Thu, 08 May 2014 05:11:00 +0000

Yesterday, along with others that I know of and numerous more that I don't, I chose to exercise my right not to participate in the South African elections.

This choice attracted fervent criticism from some, and a number of accusations were levelled against me. Now, as much as I don't owe anyone an explanation for the choice that I made, a choice which for all of us is an inherently personal one, I have no desire to fend off countless interrogations in the days or weeks to come. So, herewith follows a brief summary of my feelings on the matter, in response to criticisms directed towards me.

Criticism Number 1
I'm too young to remember the horrors of apartheid. If my own life and the lives of those I care about were more directly impacted by injustice, I would never exhibit the kind of ignorance and selfish irresponsibility that I apparently have by not voting.
Now, I won't bother explaining my own experiences with apartheid, which I recall all too vividly. However, I know people who have lived significantly longer than I have and who have participated as much as anyone in the struggle for equality - people who, like me, have chosen not to participate in an electoral process which they have become disillusioned with. These people, like myself, cannot and will not in good conscience vote for the lesser of evils, and reserve the right to withhold their vote until such time that a choice exists that they feel they can lend their support to with peace of mind. To suggest that every one of these people is ignorant of the past or minimally affected by the horrors of apartheid, is ridiculous and insulting.

Criticism Number 2
Given the fact that I've opted not to vote, I automatically lose the right to voice any objection in the face of political corruption, or any dissatisfaction in the face of poor service delivery in my community. Neither do I have any place in a functioning democracy.
Now, let's reduce the scope of the situation from voting on a national or provincial level, to say, voting for who heads up a household, for example. Now, if I was part of a family, and two people were running for the position of heading up the home, it may just so happen that I have no faith in the integrity of either person to run the affairs of the home selflessly and fairly. For this reason, I refuse to support either of them with my vote, and opt out of the process. Does this mean that I can no longer disagree with either of them? I think not. One could argue (to some degree) that you lose the right to object to the conduct of the person/party you voted for and supported, but given that I have not expressed my support for either candidate, I reserve my democratic right to express indignation in the face of any corruption, thank you very much.
Furthermore, using the example of the household, I play my part and pull my weight as much as anyone. I put in an honest days work and do my share of the chores. I contribute to the marketplace. I pay my share of the rent (or taxes in the bigger picture). To suggest that I and others like me have no say in the life of the household/country...equally ridiculous I think.

Criticism Number 3
I am spitting in the faces and on the legacies of those who sacrificed their lives and well-being so that I could have the right to vote and enjoy the freedoms that I now enjoy.
This one I find particularly insulting. If this is the case, I (along with the aforementioned individuals who are older, wiser and more selfless than myself) am spitting in the faces of friends and loved ones. People who sacrificed in the struggle against apartheid did so in order to secure a society in which freedom of speech and expression are cherished and guarded - a society in which people are regarded as equals. That is part of what the South African constitution is supposed to guarantee, at least theoretically if not always in practise. That includes the freedom to opt out of a voting process if I, for whatever reason and based on whatever research I've done or attitudes I hold to, feel led by my conscience to do so. Claiming a belief in freedom of speech and expression is meaningless when we only respect the freedom of other people's choices when those choices or viewpoints happen to agree with our own. In the words of the American linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, logician, political commentator and activist, Noam Chomsky, "If we don't believe in freedom of speech for those we despise, we don't believe in it at all."

What we're talking about here are matters of conscience. There are no right or wrong views, only personal opinions and choices. Sure, some opinions mirror popular public opinion more than others, but that makes them no more legitimate. To engage in a discussion on this matter thinking that the person who doesn't share your view is simply wrong/ignorant/narrow-minded/whatever, is an exercise in futility.

Now, you may not agree with or understand my choice. That is fine. You may not care to either. That too, is fine. But what you have to do is respect my right and freedom to make whatever choice I care to. Why? Because if you don't, any talk on your part about the value of liberty and democracy becomes laughable.

I have as much right as anyone else in this country to arrive at the conclusions and hold to the convictions that I currently have and do, without being condescended to or attacked. Isn't that what living in a so-called free society is supposed to be all about?

KICKASS MOVIE QUOTES

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:58:00 +0000

Holy shish kabobs! I haven't posted here in quite a while. Shame on...someone.

I was having a chat with someone today about memorable movie quotes. Sometimes, while catching a flick, I find myself struck in the face by a line that just jumps out at and resonates with me. I thought I'd take a few moments to populate this space with some of my favourites from my movie-going experiences over the years. Here they are in no particular order:

"Your heart is free. Have the courage to follow it." Braveheart

"You know...sometimes it's hard to breath. I feel like this beast inside me... I didn't know...I just never knew it was supposed to be this hard. It wasn't supposed to be like this, Paulie." Rocky Balboa

"Every man dies, not every man really lives." Braveheart

"What we do in life, echoes in eternity." Gladiator

"Do, or do not. There is no try." The Empire Strikes Back.

"Am I not supposed to have what I want? What I need? What am I supposed to do?" Spiderman 2

"Dark and difficult times are ahead. Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy." Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

"Sometimes a man can find his destiny on the road he took to avoid it." The International

Frodo: "I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened."
Gandalf: "So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." Lord of the Rings (Fellowship of the Ring)

"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place, and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done! Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you! You're better than that!" Rocky Balboa

Which movie quotes have rocked your world?

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME?

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:32:00 +0000

A little while ago I did something I have not done in quite some time...I watched a sunset. It was the first time I did so in an age. I admit this with some embarrassment given the fact that I live in a city which offers so many great vantage points from which to experience this beautiful natural spectacle.

As I stood watching the solar fire ball dip below the oceanic horizon, it felt like my soul was taking its first deep breath of fresh air in far, far too long. Since that encounter with nature's beauty, I've been thinking about other important things that haven't been a part of my life for an unacceptably long period of time.

One of these things is a gut-busting, belly-aching laugh that brings me to tears. It occurred to me that I haven't laughed like this in ages. That's just not flippin' cool. When did life become so darn serious? Thinking along these lines is the motivation for this blog entry. Think about it...what are the immeasurably positive things that you've been neglecting for no good reason whatsoever?

When was the last time you literally stopped to smell some roses? When was the last time you told a friend or family member that you love them? When was the last time you did something, however small, to brighten the day of someone less fortunate? When was the last time you cranked some music obnoxiously loud and danced your ass off like an idiot until your heart raced and the sweat flowed? When was the last time you took a risk to chase a dream?

The list could be endless. What makes life worthwhile if not a series of inspiring and exciting experiences that we allow ourselves the freedom and permission to enjoy? Good grief, people! We were meant for infinitely more than the vast majority of us typically settle for.

When was the last time that life was something you enjoyed, not endured?

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NOTE: Feel free to reprint this post. Should you do so, kindly include the following byline:

Grant Alexander Cyster owns the blog entitled "I THINK, THEREFORE I ACHE.", offered as part of his Cape Town based freelance media business at: www.grantcyster.com

MOTION AIN'T ALWAYS PROGRESS

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:35:00 +0000

Such is the nature of the universe that it is governed by certain laws. These laws do not require us to like them or agree with them, but we would do well to take heed of them. A true law can never really be broken. It can perhaps be counter-acted or resisted with a certain amount of pressure or force, but in the end, the law always wins. Why? Because the law expends no energy existing as it is. It can rest in that state infinitely. Any effort to resist it however, is eventually doomed to exhaustion, and to the subsequent consequences of standing in opposition to that law.

As it is with the universe, so it is with the human condition. We, too, are governed by laws. One such law, as I have heard it referred to, is the law of work. Simply put, the law of work states that nothing starved of attention and effort ever improves on its own. Never. Things that are left to neglect, are ultimately left to ruin or to loss. That's the problem with stagnation - things don't actually stop. They rot.

At any given point in time, our minds and our bodies are in a state of motion. However, motion is no guarantee of progress. A state of decline is just as legitimately a form of motion as is a state of improvement. What it effectively means is that motion holds absolutely no value in and of itself without intentional constructive and healthy focus. The path to satisfying and fruitful development is journeyed only as a result of systematic and consistent decisions to embrace it, or through actively positioning ourselves in an environment where flourishing can naturally take place.

What's the alternative? The news ain't good. We can wilfully throw ourselves into the pursuit of ruin. That shall surely suck. We can choose apathy, and while it may take a little longer, ruin will come just the same. That is the law. What we don't use, we lose. Period. There is no such thing as stationery. There is only growth or degradation, and without purposefully choosing growth, we have intentionally or by default made bed-mates with the latter, in which case, being utterly screwed ought not to leave us too surprised.

"I have set before you this day, life and death. Choose life, that you may live." And all the wise among us say...duh!

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NOTE: Feel free to reprint this post. Should you do so, kindly include the following byline:

Grant Alexander Cyster owns the blog entitled "I THINK, THEREFORE I ACHE.", offered as part of his Cape Town based freelance media business at: www.grantcyster.com

PARALYMPIC PARADIGMS

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 02:02:00 +0000

A few days ago, along with hundreds of millions of people around the world, I watched the final day of the London 2012 Paralympic athletics programme. I witnessed individuals with some of the most severe disabilities known, push themselves to the limit of their physical capability.

A typical response to this kind of display is often pity. Sometimes, it's ridicule or insult. As I watched these athletes compete, I couldn't help but think that if any pity was called for, it ought to rest squarely on the shoulders of us 'normal' people spectating, before it could ever rightfully be directed towards any Paralympian.

What makes a champion? Surely it has to do with a passionate embrace of purpose and life in the face of seemingly overwhelming obstacles. It is reflected in the radiance and courage of the heart far more than it is in the display of skill. It's about dedication, about sacrifice, about picking yourself up off the floor when you have a perfectly reasonable excuse to curl into a ball and silently hope for an end to it all. The business of valour has everything to do with the realm of the heart.

I'm of the belief that natural strength, speed and endurance will eventually fade, but what will endure is faith, hope and love...the tenacious refusal of the human spirit to quit. I'm of the opinion that character is of infinitely greater importance and value than talent. It is for this reason that I believe that the true champions among us are not the strongest or the fastest, but rather those who grace us with glowing examples of what it means to find joy in the exuberant pursuit of life, especially in the face of otherwise tragic loss and limitations.

The truth of the matter is that these 'disabled' Paralympians are more alive than the vast majority of us who opt to spend most of our lives watching life rather than living it. Poor them? I think not. Poor us. Let us not condescend to these champions by offering them pity. Let us instead honour their example by seizing the day, our day, our dreams.

I have watched those without eyes race before thousands. I have observed those without limbs inspire many millions. In light of this beautiful bravery, what then, I ask myself, is my excuse?

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat." (Theodore Roosevelt)
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NOTE: Feel free to reprint this post. Should you do so, kindly include the following byline:

Grant Alexander Cyster owns the blog entitled "I THINK, THEREFORE I ACHE.", offered as part of his Cape Town based freelance media business at: www.grantcyster.com

GAME ON!

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 21:45:00 +0000

So, with today being my birthday, it's got me feeling a bit contemplative. You know, the kind of thoughts that deal with dreams and potential, purpose and destiny. I've been sensing a gentle nudge over the last few weeks - a reminder that there's something for me to do, and that it will require some dedication of me to do it. It's a sobering thought that I will never be the person I have the potential to be unless I commit passion and persistence to the endeavours that I believe matter to me.

Now, I'm not talking about having to do a bunch of stuff to win anyone's approval. I'm talking about being the best version of yourself that you are capable of being. The fact is, that's something that won't be achieved without an investment of dedication to a worthwhile pursuit. It's the difference between chasing a dream and indulging a fantasy. A dream requires work, goals, effort. A fantasy, in this context, is intimately acquainted with procrastination and is perpetually relegated to the realm of the intangible.

I sometimes suspect that I put off chasing my dreams because I'm scared of failing. At least if I don't try (I foolishly and unsuccessfully convince myself), I can always say that I could've been great if I ever bothered to really give it a shot. It's kind of like a wannabe athlete way past his prime always going on about how awesome he would've been if it hadn't been for that unfortunate knee injury decades ago. That approach sure is a lot safer than attempting what really matters to you only to discover that you're simply not good enough. But is it really safer?

Besides, who are we in competition with anyway? If the goal is to be the best version of yourself that you can be, screw what anyone else thinks and does. Your responsibility is to be true to yourself and to mine your potential, and if you're going about that honestly and with gusto, that right there is your success. In reality, the worst thing possible is to take the dreams that really matter and lock them away where they never see the light of day. Now that is a tragic failure.

Now is as good a time as any to roll up the proverbial sleeves and tackle your dreams to the ground. So you may graze a knee or bruise an elbow. Frankly, so what? The alternative of inaction comes at a far higher price. Let's stop living life so darn safely. Let's get ready to rumble!

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NOTE: Feel free to reprint this post. Should you do so, kindly include the following byline:

Grant Alexander Cyster owns the blog entitled "I THINK, THEREFORE I ACHE.", offered as part of his Cape Town based freelance media business at: www.grantcyster.com

CHECKING IN

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 02:45:00 +0000

Greetings dear bloggeree!

I've been away for a while, but rest assured (or shriek in horror), I've not retired my bloggerings. Life has tossed a bunch of distractions my way lately, but I promise to add new content here in the next day or two. Well, short of death that sees me jump into the arms of Jesus.

If you're reading this, I hope this little check-in finds you and yours well. Remember, in the face of all life's storms and trials, hope springs eternal. You just can not keep that beauty down. God is good all the time.

Blessings be upon thou. Watch this space for new ramblings very soon. Adios for now.

Grant

FIRE AND FAITH (PUBLIC SPEAKING EVENT)

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 04:17:00 +0000

UPDATE (July 17th): This event has been postponed due to an arm injury I've managed to secure. Details of a new date will follow in due course.

I'm hosting an multi-media event/talk, including live music, dealing with the beauty, value, and tenacity of hope in the face of all life's struggles.

Please note: While the theme of this group is motivated by a belief in Jesus Christ, you are welcome to join no matter what your personal convictions might be. Well, as long as they're not aggressively anti-Christ (skinning poor cats, chatting up demons, casting dodgy spells, etc.) :) We may not always agree (which is perfectly fine) but you have my word that you will be met with respect, never judgment.

This group/event is aimed at those of us who have lost the courage to dream in the face of hardships and struggles that have left us jaded and cynical...those of us who have resorted to settling for an uninspired and tame existence. They are also intended for those of us who may have become disillusioned with organised religion, but who desire to maintain our devotion to Jesus. They are intended for those who acknowledge the reality of God, but who have come to reject the increasingly self-serving machine that parades itself as His church.

If it all goes according to plan, there should be a healthy amount of crap talk, laughs, and hopefully, encouragement for all.

The first public event is being planned for August 1st in Cape Town. Join my Facebook group for more details:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/239242892854392/

Grant

LIVE YOUR DREAM

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:10:00 +0000

There's lots of talk flying around about pursuing one's dream(s). You see it on posters. Read it on bumper stickers. Hear it in movies. But what is this business of pursuing one's dreams really all about anyway? How do we bring it from the realm of the ethereal and the abstract into the tangible world of the real and the achievable? Well, let's take a look at a few of the signposts along the road of life that will help give you an indication of what you were called or meant to do with your life, or at least, what you can engage in to the betterment of yourself and others.

What brings you joy?

A strong indicator of natural gifting is the sheer enjoyment you get from doing something. We have been created in such a way (yep, I do mean created) that our God-given talents are designed to tug at our heart-strings. When we direct our energy and effort into putting these gifts and talents to use, it fills our hearts with joy. These are the things that we would happily do for free if we had to because the satisfaction we derive from doing them is reward enough in and of itself. If you want to begin to understand what your dream is connected to, examine what brings you joy. The story does however not end here. When it comes to identifying what we were meant to do with our lives, joy is not enough. Think the opening rounds of American or Pop Idols. There is no shortage of us who have a desperate desire to do something, but the natural gifting simply is not present. Now, don't get me wrong...if doing something gives you joy, no matter how much you suck at it, then it's absolutely worth doing. :) However, what we're talking about here is the pursuit of dreams and the identification of gifting, and that almost always involves the kinds of things that impact not only our own lives for the better, but also the lives of those around us. To this end, the joy we experience in doing something is only one piece of the puzzle.

What comes easily to you?

What I'm referring to here are the kinds of things that you can do that require hardly any effort; they kinda just flow or ooze out of you. This is one of the hallmarks of natural gifting. Now, this doesn't mean to say that any gift or talent can not be sharpened and made to be more effective with effort and discipline. There is always room for improvement. However, there are certain things that we do with an immediate level of proficiency right out of the starting blocks. This is an indication of God-given talent. In fact, it's also one of the reasons why many people often fail to recognise their gifts. These gifts are typically things that they can do with such ease that they simply figure there's no big deal to it. They think to themselves that if it's so easy for them to do, it must be easy for everyone else, and they consequently dismiss the significance of their ability. This may well be something that you have fallen prey to. Don't. Just because something is easy for you to do, does not mean that the same holds true for everyone else. Do not be so quick to write off the abilities that your Creator has blessed you with.

What are the voices around you saying?

Now, the important thing here is to listen to the right voices. Some voices are purely malicious and selfish in intent. They belong to people who can't stand the thought of others succeeding, because they have failed to embrace the courage to chase after their own dreams. Their attitude is one of, "If I can't live my dream, then no-one else ought to either." These kinds of voices need to be completely ignored. Do not validate them with a response. On the other hand, the voices that are worth listening to are the ones that have, over the course of your life, provided you with an honest estimation of the level of your talent or skill at a given task/activity. As you look back over the course of your life, you should be able to see a trend. Take singing for example. If 98% of all the people you have ever sung in front of have told you that you've caused them internal bleeding, it may be time for a sobering reality check. You can still sing for the love of it (an entirely valid motivation), but it may not be what you were called to do with your life in terms of positively impacting others. That's just the reality of life. If, however, your singing has been affirmed and validated over and over again by people whose opinion you have no reason to question, then you may very well have identified your calling, or at least one aspect of it. The honest feedback of those around you can be a powerful tool in realising what you were meant to do with your life.

So in summary: consider what you love doing, consider what comes naturally to you, and consider what has been affirmed through the honest feedback of those around you. If you are able to tick all 3 boxes, you may well be on your way to living your dream, and your life and the lives of countless others you cross paths with will be the richer for it.

Have you identified your dream? What's proven useful to you in doing so? What are you finding frustrating? Feel welcome to share your thoughts. Thanks for your time!
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NOTE: Feel free to reprint this post. Should you do so, kindly include the following byline:

Grant Alexander Cyster owns the blog entitled "I THINK, THEREFORE I ACHE.", offered as part of his Cape Town based freelance media business at: www.grantcyster.com

SUBTLE NOW, BOLD LATER

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Fri, 04 May 2012 05:09:00 +0000

You may be familiar with the well known concept about boiling a frog in a pot of water. There's a smart way to go about it (not that you have any such intention, of course). If you place a frog in a pot of boiling water it will immediately hop right out if possible. I mean, come on...it's flippin' hot. However, place that same frog in some nice cool water, and gradually increase the temperature to a boil, and that sucker will just continue to park off right there and eventually boil to death. What's the moral of the story then? The danger, as it relates to the frog, lies in the threat of subtlety and stealth.

A couple of nights ago I was working at my desk during a night of heavy rainfall, and without warning one entire wall started leaking. I mean, the whole wall. Water came streaming down virtually every part of it. The cause, as I was to find out from my landlord the next morning, was a gradual accumulation of leaves in the roof gutters that were allowed to pile up to their heart's content. There was no harm during the piling up process. No warning of impending doom. They just lazily added to their number day in, day out, until just enough time had passed and the right (or wrong) circumstances came along. And then, seemingly out of nowhere, I'm almost snorkeling indoors.

That's the thing with the incremental and the subtle. They attract potentially damaging conditions with hardly any effort at all. Calamity waiting to happen is often the bosom buddy of the gradual and the ignored. It's the kind of threat that doesn't announce itself on loudspeaker or make any huge fuss, but give that puppy enough time to do its thing unchecked behind the scenes, and your ass be cruisin' for a bruisin'. It is the power of repetition, and it dishes out consequences for good or for bad. It's an odd thing, however, that the dark side of the coin requires no effort. All it asks for is to be ignored, and it is perfectly capable of cultivating hazard all on its own. Think of a garden left untended. Or what about a body that's not exercised? What about that unhealthy little habit that is never acknowledged and dealt with? Yep, do nothing, and degradation will often take care of itself.

Not so with the light side of the coin, in many cases. It's true that repetition carries powerful consequences for good as well, but these are consequences that often only come about as a result of deliberate and sustained action on our part. Few good things that require time ever happen on their own. They require the mind and hands of a creator who wills and acts them into reality. A garden must be cultivated. An investment must be managed. An exercise plan must be followed.

What seemingly harmless and unhealthy habit are you allowing free reign in your life because the consequences simply appear too petty to fuss over...for now? What good thing are you neglecting because the result of ignoring it just isn't worth worrying about...for now? Are you planting life-sustaining crops or suffocating weeds? In either case, a harvest is on the way. It's just a matter of time.
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NOTE: Feel free to reprint this post. Should you do so, kindly include the following byline:

Grant Alexander Cyster owns the blog entitled "I THINK, THEREFORE I ACHE.", offered as part of his Cape Town based freelance media business at: www.grantcyster.com

JOY COMES IN THE MORNING

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:09:00 +0000

There is a verse in the good book (no, not the TV guide) that reads: "Sorrow may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

One of the things I like about the Bible is that it makes no attempt to gloss over the brokenness that is so often found in the world. Sorrow is an everyday part of life on this side of eternity. It's important to acknowledge that we live in a reality that has been distorted and scarred by our own imperfections and weaknesses. How is a physician to embark on a course of restorative action if there is no admission regarding the existence of the illness in the first place? Authentic joy in this life can only be experienced when we stare heartache in the face, and by the grace of God, overcome it.

In my last post I listed a bunch of quotes on the subject of sorrow. In the interests of balance, not to mention ultimate and enduring truth, here are a few that deal with the subject of joy:

"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11

"The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy." Psalm 65:8

"Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls." Mother Teresa

"I sometimes wonder whether all pleasures are not substitutes for joy." C. S. Lewis

"Man cannot live without joy; therefore when he is deprived of true spiritual joys it is necessary that he become addicted to carnal pleasures."
Thomas Aquinas

"For happiness one needs security, but joy can spring like a flower even from the cliffs of despair." Anne Morrow Lindbergh

"Technological society has succeeded in multiplying the opportunities for pleasure, but it has great difficulty in generating joy." Pope Paul VI

"Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into t produce food, either." Joseph Wood Krutch

"I can say that I never knew what joy was like until I gave up pursuing happiness, or cared to live until I chose to die. For these two discoveries I am beholden to Jesus." Malcolm Muggeridge

"His anger lasts only a moment, his goodness for a lifetime. Tears may flow in the night, but joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5

HEARTACHE HAPPENS

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 05:40:00 +0000

I feel sad today. It's more complex than my ability to express or fathom. I suppose it's the result of a sober awareness that this life is often not as it was intended to be, and in many respects not as I expected or hoped it would be. Some things lost. Some things never found. Other things found and subsequently lost. Still other things found that would have been better left lost. For now at least, I'm just going to allow myself the space to be sad...the license to mourn. I hope that's OK with you. Besides, I question the legitimacy of any claimed joy that refuses to acknowledge the reality and validity of occasional heartache. So, I thought I'd take a few moments to share some quotes on the subject of sadness that have given me pause for thought. Here they are...

“Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is only sad.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“There is an ache in my heart for the imagined beauty of a life I haven't had, from which I had been locked out, and it never goes away.” Robert Goolrick

“When you've suffered a great deal in life, each additional pain is both unbearable and trifling.” Yann Martel

“I have been smashed and put back together so many times nothing works right. Nothing is where it should be, heavy thumping in my shoulder where my heart now beats.” Elizabeth Scott

“There are moments when I wish I could roll back the clock and take all the sadness away, but I have the feeling that if I did, the joy would be gone as well.” Nicholas Sparks

“The trouble with a great sadness is that it doesn't fit inside your body." Manuel Rivas

"The world has not yet seen what God can do with a man who gives both halves of a broken heart to him. And I don't doubt that a man like that can change the world...or at least a little part of it.” Chris Fabry

"I don't need to manufacture trauma in my life to be creative. I have a big enough reservoir of sadness or emotional trauma to last me." Sting

"I think often sadness is a great place to get songs from." Sarah McLachlan

"I've cried, and you'd think I'd be better for it, but the sadness just sleeps, and it stays in my spine the rest of my life." Conor Oberst

“But suppose that what you are up against is a surgeon whose intentions are wholly good. The kinder and more conscientious he is, the more inexorably he will go on cutting. If he yielded to your entreaties, if he stopped before the operation was complete, all the pain up to that point would have been useless. But is it credible that such extremities of torture should be necessary for us?” C.S. Lewis

“Can a mortal ask questions which God finds unanswerable? Quite easily, I should think. All nonsense questions are unaswerable. How many hours are there in a mile? Is yellow square or round? Probably half the questions we ask – half our great theological and metaphysical problems – are like that.” C.S. Lewis

THE MEASURE OF SUCCESS

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 15:38:00 +0000

How does one measure success in life? What does it look like? What are its trademarks? How much of our lives have been needlessly squandered in pursuit of a definition of it that is neither worthwhile nor accurate? There is seemingly no end to the ways in which a materialistic and self-absorbed culture would seek to impose its interpretation of success upon us. Suffocating notions of it are so pervasive in our everyday experience that few people actually stop for a moment to question the trajectory of their own life in practically mindless allegiance to them. We are all guilty of this to some degree or another. A sweeping statement perhaps, but one that is true nonetheless in light of human temperament that is self-centered and self-serving by nature outside of the redemptive influence of God.

How have we largely come to understand how success is measured? One such method in a word, is stuff. The size of the house we own. The value of the car we drive. The cutting edge nature of the gadgets we possess. The prestige attached to the type of vacation we're able to afford. The list goes on. Another way we find ourselves measuring success is through our social standing in relation to those around us. The pedigree of our education. The impressiveness of our job-title. The social network we choose to be associated with. The certificates and awards that adorn our walls and our shelves. This list goes on as well. Do we ever pause for a while to ponder what the forces are that drive our measurements of success? Without doubt, the motivations that fuel our achievement and acquisition are as complex as they are varied. That being said, one stands out above all others in my personal experience. It is a motivation which I suspect is shared by a great many of us, and one from which I believe all other destructive ones are derived. It is an undeniable fact that we inextricably draw our sense of self-worth and self-value from the approval, covetousness and/or admiration directed toward us by our family, friends and peers, or even total strangers for that matter. Actually, from anyone close enough to notice the trappings of "success" that we so desperately take pride in.

It is in my opinion a tragic symptom of the devastating habit of human hearts losing focus of their Creator, and consequently their inherent and immeasurable value derived simply as a result of being His children, fashioned in His image. This inherent value is a truth which, once grasped and embraced, liberates us from all striving after acceptance which we then understand is already ours...from the One whose opinion matters most. It is also a truth which, until grasped and embraced, finds us willingly forfeiting our precious heavenly birthright in favor of temporal and superficial trinkets and trophies...reputations and rewards. And yet, despite the severity of the griefs we pierce ourselves with in scrambling after these things, it is a vice which can be undone just as surely as it has taken root. In the end, it is a simple matter of focus, and of where we choose to direct it. Focus, like trust, is one of those things which is almost never absent. We may not choose to direct it in the healthiest or most productive ways, but make no mistake, we are directing it in some manner just the same.

The words of the old hymn ring true: "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace." Ultimately, in my humble view, there are two types of people in this world. There are those who comprehend with head and heart that they are completely loved and accepted by a God who delights in them, and then there are those who spend a lifetime attempting in vain to earn that acceptance from Him, or from any place else. There is indeed a success to be found. It is the success that flows out of human acts of love and service that are undertaken in response to a heavenly Father's lavish love for us, and our purposeful focus on Him. It comes from the rock solid assurance that nothing we can ever do or achieve in this world can alter the worth of who we are as children of God.

(This article was originally written for CrossRhythms.co.uk and is re-printed with permission.)
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NOTE: Feel free to reprint this post. Should you do so, kindly include the following byline:

Grant Alexander Cyster owns the blog entitled "I THINK, THEREFORE I ACHE.", offered as part of his Cape Town based freelance media business at: www.grantcyster.com

DEALING WITH DEPRESSION DEMONS

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:47:00 +0000

Life can be plain flippin' hard sometimes. Believe me, I know. I'm not the type to advocate sticking one's head in the sand and thinking happy-clappy thoughts, as if real challenges and problems don't exist, or as if they'll magically evaporate just because we will them to. No. There are times when our circumstances are simply gruelling, and it's a reality which I have no intention of dismissing.

However, with that said, it doesn't mean that you have to assume the posture of a helpless victim when the depression demons come pounding on your door. You have the ability to choose, and with that power comes the possibility of taking steps that can significantly reduce, if not eliminate, the storm clouds that are so callously peeing on your head. Locking yourself away with the curtains drawn is a No-No. If you desire to fight your way towards a healthier frame of mind, that option is available to you.

Get some sunshine and fresh air - The benefits of sunshine and the outdoors are as much psychological as they are physiological. Take a walk. Bask in some rays for a little while (with some protection if need be). Give your body a chance to soak in those warm and fuzzy rays and life-giving oxygen.
Get active - Take a walk. Do some gardening. Pop to the gym. Whatever you can. The benefits of exercise are age-old and undeniable. It's a sure-fire way to strengthen the body and mind.
Get social - Surround yourself with the company of positive, loving and inspiring people. We human beings are social creatures. Resist the temptation to shun good company. Sometimes, in this depression game, you need to do things for yourself that you know you need, even if you don't particularly want them very much.
Get inspired - Identify something that you can do that you enjoy and that invigorates and/or challenges you. It could me learning/playing an instrument, reading a good book, catching a good movie, blogging or journaling, building a model aircraft...whatever gets your creative juices flowing. The sense of enjoyment and accomplishment associated with feeding your creative side can work wonders.
Get help - If you're able to, there's absolutely no shame in seeking out professional counselling or therapy. Being able to 'offload' in the presence of an insightful and empathetic expert in these matters can help shed light on things and usher in healthy perspective. Ask people you trust if they're able to suggest someone, and make an appointment. It's worth the shot if you're able to take it.
Get proactive - If you know you're prone to depression, expect it to try its luck on occasion, and be ready in advance to take proactive, positive action. Don't allow yourself to be sucker-punched and to go into automatic defeat mode. When you sense that nasty gremlin approaching, make up your mind to run toward the light through embracing the aforementioned kinds of actions, rather than shutting yourself off from it and thereby exacerbating the problem.

Again, it's not my intention to make light of the depression issue. It's very real, and all too often very suffocating and seemingly overwhelming. It takes courage to face it head on, and a self-owned desire to experience life free from its clutches. At the end of the day, the smallest positive step that you can take is a step worth taking. Godspeed to you!
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NOTE: Feel free to reprint this post. Should you do so, kindly include the following byline:

Grant Alexander Cyster owns the blog entitled "I THINK, THEREFORE I ACHE.", offered as part of his Cape Town based freelance media business at: www.grantcyster.com

THE STUBBORN TENACITY OF HOPE

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 19:39:00 +0000

Today is a day when the permanence of hope is celebrated by billions of people around the world. It is a hope that has been made available to all people, no matter their creed, culture, language, race or economic or social status. It doesn't matter what your belief system happens to be, hope is something we can all use more of.

Live on this earth long enough, and you come to realise sooner or later that we find ourselves in a broken world. Disappointment, heartache and evil abound. I don't have to convince you of that. Turn on your television. Read your newspaper. The threats of wickedness and the curses of poverty and loss make their presence known loudly and proudly. These are the things that are shoved into the forefront of our consciousness on a consistent basis.

Conspicuous as this negativity may be, there is another side to this saga that often goes untold, but that quietly and tenaciously persists nonetheless. It is the story of good, the story of hope. Hope, gentle and modest as it may often seem, will never be extinguished. It is never lost. Hope will endure to the very end of this age and beyond. Indeed, life can be bitterly painful at times, but there is always reason to continue fighting. When it is all said and done, all the darkness in this world will never overcome the wondrous luminescence of hope.

Why is that? Well, opinions will surely vary, but I believe that the permanence of hope is based on a promise made by Someone who is incapable of breaking a promise He has made. It is a promise that speaks of restoration, of justice, of reconciliation. It is the promise that no matter how damaged this world may be and the hearts that dwell in it, every wrong will eventually be made right, and every tear of sadness will be compassionately wiped away from every eye. It is a promise that has conquered death and the grave, and no power in existence can stand in opposition to it.

It's a hope worth clinging to, one worth fighting for. Whatever challenge you may be experiencing, do not give up. Whatever hurt you are facing, do NOT give up! Sorrow may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. It always has, and it always will, and there ain't a darn thing permanent that the foes of hope can do about it.
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NOTE: Feel free to reprint this post. Should you do so, kindly include the following byline:

Grant Alexander Cyster owns the blog entitled "I THINK, THEREFORE I ACHE.", offered as part of his Cape Town based freelance media business at: www.grantcyster.com

CRUISING THE FREELANCE FREEWAY

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 10:55:00 +0000

Good day boys and girls. I hope everyone is fine and dandy this gorgeous Cape Town day, or wherever and whenever it is in the world as you are reading this. I'd like to direct your attention to a freshly published article of mine. If you've ever been curious about trying your hand at a freelance career of some kind, you may find the following read useful:

Cruising The Freelance Freeway

UNCOVERING THE MASTERPIECES INSIDE

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:40:00 +0000

I was reminded today of my favourite artist, Michelangelo. I'm fascinated by his sculptures in particular. Sketching or painting something with convincing realism is hard enough to do, but carving insanely intricate lines out of a massive, solid chunk of marble just astounds me. It's all the more baffling when you consider he had no power tools, and that he consistently worked through the night with nothing but soft, flickering candlelight to guide him.

Michelangelo said (paraphrased) that he never really created any masterpiece. He said that the masterpiece was always there, hidden in the marble. All he did was chip away the useless pieces. Emmm...excuse me? I'm guessing that it involved just a bit more than that, you modest man, you. This, in my opinion, is the kind of thing that constitutes real art. Step aside Justin Beiber (good grief).

The artist's quote always gets me thinking. What masterpieces are hidden away in me, masterpieces that will never see the light of day without some serious chipping away? In other words, without some serious work. And beyond the work, it has to begin with a conviction that there's something underneath that 'block of marble' that's worth doing a heck of a lot of chipping away at to uncover in the first place.

What works of art do you sense are locked away inside you? What has your Creator tucked away in your heart? It may be well hidden most of the time by the cares of this world and your doubt in yourself. However, you can't deny that there are those unavoidable moments when the clouds part and you see clearly, and you just know that you have something beautiful to share.

Isn't it time to start believing that you have something of value to offer this world? Isn't it time to start pouring energy and effort into an endeavour that you know will enrich not only the lives of others, but also your own? Let the chipping commence!
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NOTE: Feel free to reprint this post. Should you do so, kindly include the following byline:

Grant Alexander Cyster owns the blog entitled "I THINK, THEREFORE I ACHE.", offered as part of his Cape Town based freelance media business at: www.grantcyster.com

FOR PITY SAKE

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:17:00 +0000

We see them all over the place. At our front door, alongside our car windows, on street corners...beggars, deadbeats, bums...you know the kind. Always with their hands out, always looking for charity. What, oh what are we to do with all these pesky bums?

Now, a certain measure of common sense is called for. There are undoubtedly people who have made a career out of professional bumming. Why? Well, because the prospect of easy money and/or gifts for minimal effort is an attractive one to the lazy, crafty and opportunistic among us. Therefore, we need to be watchful. As the old saying goes: "A fool and his money are easily parted."

However, what about those people who are in sincere and dire need of a helping hand? Are we to dismiss them along with all the rest of these annoying bums, and simply continue pursuing our plans and our dreams? I pull up to a traffic light, or I open my front door, and I look into the eyes of these bums, these people, these human beings. I hear a faint question ringing in my head: Are the plans and dreams of these people any less valid or important than my own? Do they have any less right to passionate aspirations, even to essential food and shelter, than I do?

I'm mindful of another saying: "There, but by the grace of God, go I." I need to constantly remind myself that I am no better, nor any more deserving of happiness and provision, than the people whose weary and heartbroken eyes I look into as their paths fleetingly cross with my own. I need to remember that the moment I lose my compassion, is the moment I lose my humanity. To live without empathy, is barely living at all.
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NOTE: Feel free to reprint this post. Should you do so, kindly include the following byline:

Grant Alexander Cyster owns the blog entitled "I THINK, THEREFORE I ACHE.", offered as part of his Cape Town based freelance media business at: www.grantcyster.com

YOUR HEART IS FREE!

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:59:00 +0000

(Taken from an article I wrote some time back for CrossRhythms.co.uk. The topic has been on my mind again of late, so here you go. I hope you enjoy it.)

I've seen it said that regret for things done can be tempered by time, but regret for things not done is inconsolable. These words have stuck with me since the moment I read them. They have echoed a sentiment that I have long clung to. Better it is to take risks in life in pursuit of a wild adventure, even at the expense of bruising your head, than to wrestle with the bitterness of regret over chances never taken and paths never followed.

"What would've happened if I...?". "I wonder what...". "I wish I...". These kinds of mental gymnastics are the cause of many an unresolved longing...especially when it's too late to do anything about them. One thing I'm always reminded of is the fleeting nature of time. It seems that when we're looking forward to some anticipated event, time seems to tick by slowly. However, once that event has arrived and is over with, we realize just how rapidly time has elapsed. How often have we reminisced about something that happened years ago that feels like it took place only yesterday? That tells me that a life well lived has less to do with the anticipation of some future circumstance, and more to do with doing our best to actually enjoy the experience every moment along the way.

What is it that you are passionate about? What have you always desired to do, but put off innumerable times because you thought or were told that the idea was too stupid, too risky, or just way beyond your capabilities? What kinds of experiences have you disqualified yourself from because you see yourself as inadequate or incompetent? My guess is that the list of things we can all identify here in that regard is incredibly long and varied. Perhaps you've compared yourself to someone else seemingly more talented, resourced or accomplished, and just thought your own efforts to be entirely pointless. Maybe you've been told all your life that you are good for nothing and that you'll never amount to anything worthwhile. Possibly your previous attempts at pursuing your dreams have ended in nothing but heartache and discouragement. The fear and the experience of failure has squelched many a dream and replaced it with the numbing "safety" of predictability and familiarity. And all the while the clock of life ticks by and yet another irreplaceable moment is lost to the clutches of inactivity and doubt.

For some reading this blog, you've always desired to learn how to play an instrument. For others, you want to travel and experience more of the world. There are those of you who feel called to leave the comfort of a salary check in the pursuit of a vocation that is infinitely more rewarding yet very unconventional. There are loved ones we have never said the words "I love you" to. There are broken relationships that we never took the time to mend...apologies that we never bothered to offer...forgiveness that we never did extend. There are the books and songs that we are too fearful to write. The romance that we are too cautious to pursue. The friendships that we are too timid to explore. We can think of the friend or the colleague who we are too nervous to share the love of God with. We hold all these precious opportunities and more in our hands, and watch them steadily slip through our fingers as fear renders our grip over them useless. My friends...this is not to be the case. We must not let it be, for our heavenly Father has graced us with a spirit of power, love and sound mind...not one of cowering timidity.

And so what if we fail? I am absolutely convinced that when we survey our lives from the twilight of our earthly journey, that it is not these failures that will weigh us down with regret. Rather, it will be the knowledge that we settled for mediocrity and mere morsels when the feast that was laid before us would have been immeasurably more satisfying and fulfilling...had we but had the courage to sink our teeth into it. To quote a line from Braveheart...one of my all-time favorite movies: "Your heart is free. Have the courage to follow it." Life was meant to be an untamed adventure. Our accumulated scars and bruises in engaging it are evidence of our liberty and boldness in embracing it, not of our defeat in being overwhelmed by it. After all, the tragedy is not in being tackled to the ground whilst pursuing our dreams. The tragedy is in failing to stain the field of play with our sweat and our blood in chasing after them. The tragedy is in existing on earth without passion and purpose...a fate far short of what we were all created and destined for.

Dare to dream. Dare to do. I dare you!
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NOTE: Feel free to reprint this post. Should you do so, kindly include the following byline:

Grant Alexander Cyster owns the blog entitled "I THINK, THEREFORE I ACHE.", offered as part of his Cape Town based freelance media business at: www.grantcyster.com

INTEGRITY - WHO AND WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE?

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Mon, 30 May 2011 00:50:00 +0000

I was thinking the other day about a couple of moments in my life that gave me a glimpse of the kind of person I desire to be. I dunno, I'm guessing we all have these kinds of experiences at some point or another? Not to say that I'm doing these ideals justice a whole lot of the time. God knows I fail dismally, regularly. Be that as it may, the fact remains that these moments were for me, indicative of traits and virtues that are worth aspiring to.

The first took place some years back as I was driving a young lady home after we had just been on our first date. It was a relatively long drive, and as we approached the last stretch of the journey, I looked over towards the passenger side and I saw the young lady sleeping peacefully in the car seat next to me. Now...there's every chance that her slumber was symbolic of her opinion of my company, but I'm going to dismiss that option in favor of another! Instead, it made me feel really good inside to know that this girl felt comfortable enough with me on our first date to be able to drift off to sleep next to me like that without a care in the world. I took it to mean that she felt completely safe and at ease. It was a moment that made be understand the kind of person I desire to be.

Another instance, also some time ago, involved another girl. Only, in this situation, the girl in question was about 4 years old (that's my guess at least). She looked like a little Annie from the movie of the same name. And no...it wasn't a date for flip sake! :) I had been asked at the place I was working at the time to deliver a message to a single mother. This mom was spending the morning in a single mother's group with her little girl, and about two dozen other moms and little ones. I approached the large room in which the group was meeting and opened the door just a crack to try and identify the relevant mom, while attempting to avoid all the chaos. Right then...this little 4-year old girl spots me from the other side of this very large room. I'm still not sure how she did, since she was quite a distance away, and I literally had the door open just a crack. The next second I see this little girl running toward me as fast as her little legs would carry her. She's pushing other kids out of the way, jumping and falling over toys. When she gets to the door where I'm standing, she slips her little hand into the gap between the door and the wall, flings the door open, and then promptly proceeds to wrap herself around my leg for dear life and hug the heck out of it. She just would not let go...looking up at me with her gorgeous, glowing smile. It was an entirely unexpected and unrehearsed moment with a little girl I had never seen before in my life...and it made me feel like a million bucks! To be that attractive and magnetic to a little person so innocent and vulnerable...it made me understand the kind of man I desire to be.

Have you had a similar moment in your life? What kind of person did it inspire you to be, and what are you doing about it?
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NOTE: Feel free to reprint this post. Should you do so, kindly include the following byline:

Grant Alexander Cyster owns the blog entitled "I THINK, THEREFORE I ACHE.", offered as part of his Cape Town based freelance media business at: www.grantcyster.com

CHASING SUCCESS: WHAT ON EARTH ARE WE DOING?

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Sat, 21 May 2011 16:45:00 +0000

“DON’T EVER LET ANYONE TELL YOU YOU CAN’T DO SOMETHING…NOT EVEN ME.” (The Pursuit of Happiness)

Success. Everyone wants it. But what is it? The brand new flat-screen? The looks of envy or admiration you receive when you arrive in your new Mercedes? Being able to introduce yourself and having your name accompanied by a mouthful of titles or letters?

These things feel great to have, don't they? Hmmm...all that status, position, prominence, comfort. I wonder if these things would feel half as great if there was no-one around to witness them. Would we gain as much satisfaction from them if we had no-one to impress but ourselves? How much of what society defines as success is really just doing enough so that we can rank admirably in a glorified pissing contest with the Jones'?

How about being true to who you know yourself to be, even if the path you choose leads to obscurity, ridicule, and a very modest living? What about taking the risks and the chances in pursuing your calling that place you in the position of potentially losing everything, and then trying to find the courage to start all over again if you do? What about living a life that allows you to be at peace with the reflection you see in the mirror and the One who created it?

I have no problem with possessions and achievements. What I have a problem with is the assumption that striving for and having these things so often leads to...that those without them must inevitably be less intelligent, less hard working, less responsible, less yadda yadda. What I have a problem with is a life spent in the acquisition of these things when the God-given desires, passions and talents of those who possess them (and are so often possessed by them) go completely unexplored and unfulfilled. The fear of man and the desperate need for approval and recognition will destroy the very essence of our souls if we indulge them long enough.

We have one earthly life to live. One. And despite our tendency to easily forget, it goes by VERY quickly, and it can end at ANY time. When death comes knocking, and we stand on the threshold of the world unseen, what is really going to matter? What will we look back on with joy and gladness? What will fill us with regret and remorse? Serious and sober self-evaluation is called for. The stakes could not be higher, and the concepts of genuine success in life and the accumulation of material trinkets are used inter-changeably at great risk.

Man sees the outward appearance. God looks at the heart. There is only One whose approval and opinion really matters. To what degree do our choices and pursuits reflect either an agreement with the truth of that statement, or the total disregard of it? May the good Lord Jesus have mercy on us all.

Thankfully, He does.
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NOTE: Feel free to reprint this post. Should you do so, kindly include the following byline:

Grant Alexander Cyster owns the blog entitled "I THINK, THEREFORE I ACHE.", offered as part of his Cape Town based freelance media business at: www.grantcyster.com

WHO OR WHAT'S GOT YOUR HEART?

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 02:04:00 +0000

The lyrics of a song from a few years back read: "There's a God-shaped hole in all of us, and a restless souls is searching. There's a God-shaped hole in all of us, and it's a void, that only You can fill."

The human heart was created to worship. One way or another, it finds something or someone to ascribe worship to. This fact is as certain as it is of a flute that is created to make music, or of a candle that is created to provide light. Of course, just because a candle was created to provide light, does not mean that it cannot be used for another purpose. It can decorate a birthday cake. It can be used in the preparation of an addict's drug fix. It can be used in the destructive act of arson. The possibilities are many, but they do not alter the fact that the candle was first and foremost created to illuminate its surroundings.

The human heart was formed to experience the love of its Creator and to respond to that love in worship. In worshiping the Creator of all things, the human heart finds peace and contentment. It is like a pilgrim returning to a home he has missed dearly after a long and arduous journey. If we fail to direct our worship towards God, the desire and tendency of the heart to do what it was created to do, remains. The human being will find something or someone to worship. If God is not on the throne of our hearts and if His light does not illuminate its chambers, then in the greyness and darkness of his absence lesser idols and trinkets will stubbornly and arrogantly fight to take His rightful place.

This is the essence of idolatry. No matter how noble or ignoble the alternative, it is adoration and devotion directed at something infinitely lesser in power, beauty and worth than the God who reigns supreme in all these areas and more. This idolatry may take the form of an obsession over work. Perhaps an addiction. It could be a proud refuge taken in intellectualism and philosophy. It may be the fanatic devotion to exercise or sport, the starry-eyed wonder over the charms of a lover, the insatiable appetite for adrenalin, food, drink, sex...the list goes on and on.

Darkness has no characteristic of its own. It is defined by the absence of light. It remains empty and void until light enters or emerges. So it is with the heart that fails to direct worship toward God. In His absence, an emptiness remains and the starving heart is left clamoring after the attention of idols that are all too willing to offer themselves as substitute objects of its affection. It is the condition of a wandering heart always missing and longing for home. It a longing that can only be satisfied by the Creator of all things. It is a God-shaped hole that God alone is able to fill.
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NOTE: Feel free to reprint this post. Should you do so, kindly include the following byline:

Grant Alexander Cyster owns the blog entitled "I THINK, THEREFORE I ACHE.", offered as part of his Cape Town based freelance media business at: www.grantcyster.com

WHAT ARE YOU BUILDING ON?

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:14:00 +0000

Not too long ago a friend of mine made the observation about the peculiarity of people constructing nuclear power stations on or in very close proximity to major geographical fault lines. This is revealing itself to be a very precarious business, as is becoming all too evident as we observe events unfolding in Japan, following the 6th largest earthquake in recorded history. May the good Lord be with the Japanese people and bring them comfort. In a tangible sense, it raises the issue of the importance of exercising wisdom and forethought when it comes to constructing something that is not only of great value, but that is also potentially costly when the foundation on which it is constructed proves to be unsound.

Consider this: the foundation is the single most important aspect in the construction of any building. It may seem pretty dull, formed with ordinary materials like concrete and gravel, but without a solid and sturdy foundation, the value and beauty of everything contained in the structure is compromised and at risk. If any workman takes his construction seriously and is intent on creating something that will protect the inhabitants and items that are found within it, especially in the midst of storms and upheaval, laying a sturdy foundation is crucial.

Considering the value of a solidly constructed building is one thing, but what about the importance of a solidly constructed life? Let's assume that there is agreement that the need for building a life on a solid foundation is important. I mean, if you happen to think that living a life of purpose requires no rooted philosophical or spiritual foundation (whatever that foundation is believed to be), then that is an entirely different discussion. For the purpose of this commentary, let's assume that a good foundation is in fact required to live a life that is full of hope, joy and contentment. If that is the case, the next question would relate to what form that foundation takes.

Opinions on this point will no doubt be varied. Some people would speak of the importance of cherishing and cultivating physical health. Others would defend the value of education and self-development. Others still may place a spotlight on selflessness, generosity and compassion. There are those who would talk about living with abandon and pursuing one's dreams. There are voices which would testify to the overriding priority of family and friendship. Of course, there are billions on this earth who would claim as most important, cultivating a heart that is in right-standing with God, or the gods, or the Universe (whichever brand of deity they subscribe to).

Now, you are reading a blog, and it happens to be my blog, so guess what...you get to read my opinion. :) In my view, there is no foundation that is safer, stronger, longer lasting, and more beautiful than Jesus Christ...the Creator of heaven and earth and the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. Nothing else in this universe is as or more important than He. Making this statement is not a matter of tolerance versus intolerance. It is fundamentally a matter of truth. I believe Jesus to be who He said He is. I believe Him to be able to do what He said He can do. In light of His Life and His words, all other foundations are shifting sand...period.

That may seem narrow-minded, even arrogant, but I suppose truth is kind of quirky that way. As someone once said: "No man should be so arrogant as to think he can break the commandments of God. The commandments of God stand forever. He can only break himself against them." As much as this is not a matter of intolerance, neither is it one of judgment. I'm simply saying that in this life, there is such a thing as fundamental truth, and that truth has revealed Himself in the person of Jesus, through the love of the heavenly Father and by the power of the Spirit of God. That is my foundation. It may not be yours, and you will receive no judgment or criticism from me for it. We are all on a journey. We are all pilgrims in this world taking our own pathways through life. I believe that any heartfelt yearning for truth will lead into the arms of Jesus, in this life or the next.

However our unique travels unfold, I believe that it is Jesus alone who holds the keys of death and the grave. I believe that His dealings with us will be merciful, fair and kind beyond our capacity to comprehend. I believe that His name alone provides shelter from the storms of a broken and often unjust world. I believe Jesus to be the only sure foundation upon which life in this world and beyond can be forged. There is one Way, there is one Truth, there is one Life...He is Jesus the Christ.
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NOTE: Feel free to reprint this post. Should you do so, kindly include the following byline:

Grant Alexander Cyster owns the blog entitled "I THINK, THEREFORE I ACHE.", offered as part of his Cape Town based freelance media business at: www.grantcyster.com

CONTEMPLATING THE INEXPLICABLE

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 18:07:00 +0000

A friend of mine recently asked me how I go about understanding God...what concretely defines my "handle" on him. If I was to go with the typical responses I'd expect to receive from many in religious or spiritual circles, I suppose there would be no shortage of trite and neatly packaged slogans and statements used to address the subject. The fact of the matter for me is that the business of attempting to define God falls into a similar kind of category to that of someone, blind from birth, being asked to describe what the sun looks like. There is little or no doubt that the phenomenon exists, but how to go about describing it when subject to such a limiting handicap would prove to be a very challenging task.

On this issue, I feel I a bit handicapped myself. Well, no surprise there, some of you are saying. Oh shurrup! :) Back on point. God defines himself as love. Jesus Christ, God once in the flesh, is love demonstrated in the purest, perfect and infinitely selfless sense. In my humble opinion, the greatest opportunity afforded to a human being to grasp this kind of love comes in the form of parenthood as it was intended to be. It is the experience of loving someone so fiercely and with such abandon, when they have done absolutely nothing to warrant it other than simply being a son or a daughter...other than simply existing. I am not a father, so I cannot grasp this kind of love. I can only imagine what it must be like to feel that kind of affection. To the degree to which I'm able to do that, and to the degree to which a parent loves their child, we are able to begin to understand the kind of affection our heavenly Father lavishes on us.

We live in a world in which suffering, poverty, wickedness and injustice are all too real, and they shout out at us loudly and continuously. In the midst of this reality, God has chosen (for the most part) to adopt a very subtle and veiled role in His dealings with humankind, for now at least. It is an approach that can very often make Him seem elusive, indifferent...even non-existent. So, what handle do I have on Him then? I think about the embrace of or a belly-aching laugh with a genuine friend, the beauty of a sunset, or being moved by inspiring creativity. I recall the moments in my life when He intervened in such an undeniable way that His fingerprints were eternally left on my heart and my soul. I consider the fact that an awareness of and a gratitude toward Him in the face of His love is impossible for me to escape, no matter how hard pressed I am by the brokenness of this world. I contemplate the wonder that the faintest whisper from the lips of my Saviour is infinitely greater than the snarls of the storms that surround me.

With my eyes blinded and my face beaten by stinging winds and rain, I reach my fragile hand out toward Him and remember His promise to save all who would call on His name. Even someone as blind as me. Rather, in light of His great love...especially someone as blind as me.
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NOTE: Feel free to reprint this post. Should you do so, kindly include the following byline:

Grant Alexander Cyster owns the blog entitled "I THINK, THEREFORE I ACHE.", offered as part of his Cape Town based freelance media business at: www.grantcyster.com

HAVE YOU LOVED YOUR BODY RECENTLY?

noreply@blogger.com (GRANT CYSTER) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 03:43:00 +0000

No...I'm not talking about THAT. Tsk Tsk!

There are a number of things in life that are of incredible importance and that we regularly fail to appreciate and cultivate...that is, until we lose them. One of the most important of these things is our physical health. What good is it having the noblest intentions and the grandest plans for the future, if your body is incapable of supporting your journey towards making your dreams a reality? It's like the air we breathe. We scarcely reflect on its importance, but take it away for a few minutes and our priorities radically and rapidly shift. That however is a matter of reaction, which is hardly the best approach to take. The old adage rings true here: prevention really is better than cure.

We have one body, for life. Just one. It has to last a lifetime. Enjoying the benefits of a healthy body does not happen by accident, no more than a beautiful garden creates itself. Intentional and deliberate cultivation is called for. I'm not talking about embarking on some rigorous training regime in preparation for a half-marathon. What about the simple things? When last have you focused on regular stretching to keep your limbs and joints supple and to maintain and/or increase their range of movement? When last were you in the habit of drinking an adequate amount of water every day? How often do you focus on breathing deeply, sleeping healthily, adopting proper posture and eating responsibly? These are the kinds of things that pay dividends of immeasurable value as the years continue to come and go. As we learn to love ourselves in this way, we are more efficiently positioned to positively impact the world around us.
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NOTE: Feel free to reprint this post. Should you do so, kindly include the following byline:

Grant Alexander Cyster owns the blog entitled "I THINK, THEREFORE I ACHE.", offered as part of his Cape Town based freelance media business at: www.grantcyster.com