Life on Neptune

Now when the darkness came over the earth Joseph of Arimathea, having lighted a torch of pinewood, passed down from the hill into the valley. For he had business in his own home.

And kneeling on the flint stones of the Valley of Desolation he saw a young man who was naked and weeping. His hair was the colour of honey, and his body was as a white flower, but he had wounded his body with thorns and on his hair had he set ashes as a crown.

And he who had great possessions said to the young man who was naked and weeping, ‘I do not wonder that your sorrow is so great, for surely He was a just man.’

And the young man answered, ‘It is not for Him that I am weeping, but for myself. I too have changed water into wine, and I have healed the leper and given sight to the blind. I have walked upon the waters, and from the dwellers in the tombs I have cast out devils. I have fed the hungry in the desert where there was no food, and I have raised the dead from their narrow houses, and at my bidding, and before a great multitude, of people, a barren fig- tree withered away. All things that this man has done I have done also. And yet they have not crucified me.’

Not to use the word HATE to describe my feelings towards something I don’t care for at that particular moment. 

Not to use the expression, “You know what I mean?”, when searching for what to say next or noticing that I’m losing someone’s attention.

Not to show up for dinner without bread, wine or side.

Not to eat too much food in front of someone without offering them some.

Not to raise my voice unless I’m projecting.

Not to intentionally speak loudly about my accomplishments or sorrows in public, so as to have nearby strangers hear about them.

Not to complain about the generation above or below me.

Not to use positive quotes as if I’m saying something prolific.

Not to be secretive about my distastes for religion, but most certainly not to be confrontational about them either.

Not to complain or boast about my financial situation to others.

Not to ever pass up a game of tennis for sleep.

Not to act as a conduit for slanderous gossip.

Not to eat anything that can love, laugh, or answer to a name (before it’s been given a chance to do all three.)

Not to assume the best or the worst, but prepare for both.

Not to be offended by someone’s punctuality, but rather take it into account when dealing with them.

Not to use old references with young people and then be upset that they haven’t seen or heard such.

To maintain relationships with the people I care about and let them know it, even if I fall victim to love.

~CC