One’s Reality

 

 

One’s reality is what it is

Even though it is not

And if that person could really know

Perhaps, he would be shocked.

 

In reality,

Reality is a person’s reality

And this is the reality that person has

Though viewed subjectively.

 

Life is one’s perception:

Perception based on interpretation

Looking through one’s own lens

Coming to one’s conclusion.

 

And this is one’s reality

Which does not always conform

To what many people may consider

To be their subjective norm.

 

 

 

My reality may differ from yours

But it is mine nevertheless

And if it is working out for me

Then for me it is best.

 

My mother was on a bus

While sitting in her wheel chair

Safe and sound in a seniors’ home

And I was also there.

 

She was particularly alarmed

At how the driver was driving,

This was recklessly, to say the least,

And my mother wasn’t joking.

 

I calmly said to my mother,

“One thing I will ask you to do.

Wait till the bus stops before getting off,

That’s all I ask of you.”

 

Yes, I went along with her

Because it was her reality,

That’s how it seemed to her at that time

And she was not being funny.

 

  

In reality, her reality

Was that she was riding on a bus,

And she could not in reality understand

Why the driver was in such a rush.

 

This also holds for mad people

Or rather, the mentally insane,

But they should not be taken lightly-

They are not playing a game.

 

In reality, it’s their reality-

That is how it appears to them,

They need a secure and safe place

To help solve their problem.

 

But for every one of us

Whether considered sane or insane,

In reality, reality is our reality

Whatever we may claim.

 

Stewart Russell © May 29, 2023

 

Objective Is Subjective

 

 

 

Objective is subjective

Synonyms they’ve become,

Ah, but it was not always like this

But today, that’s how it runs.

 

Let me make this point

Now I have got the chance

And I promise I will be objective

Re the point to be advanced.

 

When did these two

Become synonyms, you ask,

But to pinpoint a particular time

Is a difficult task.

 

I use to think and still do

That they were really opposites

But given the way we argue now

Synonymous is the edict.

 

“You are being subjective,”

One says to the other,

Whereupon the other replies,

“You are being a bother.

 

 

 

Both argue objectivity

But within a specific context

Thus, as one analyses their content,

They argue from a pretext.

 

Three plus four is seven

It matters not the base,

Is a clear case of ignoring context

For in base 5 it’s not the case.

 

The lines are now blurred

Re objective and subjective

And arguing based on such a flaw

Has become addictive.

 

“Context is what matters!”

We are great at saying this

But our practice is so at odds,

It’s this tenet we miss.

 

 

Steeped in our traditions

As passed on for years,

We will disregard a biblical text

And what it actually says.

 

Objectively we will pretend

When subjectively we are

And true objectivity will elude us

And the two will be on par.

 

So, what is objectivity?

Let the dictionary speak:

It’s based on observable phenomena

And to this we must treat.

 

Ignore personal bias

And open up your mind

To the actual therein expressed

And accept the new find.

 

Twelve verses in Revelation

Speak to a specific time,

However, we misconstrue all of these,

And void an objective mind.

 

 

 

Subjective we are

But objective pretend

And those twelve verses though clear

We not so cleverly bend.

 

Explicit is ignored

And so too, the implicit,

And sticking to denominational ideals

Become our remit.

 

Objective is subjective

Within denominational confines

And pretext trumps context

And abuses our mind.

 

Read the Bible

With an objective mind

And therein pearls of great price

You will find.

 

Stewart Russell © October 25, 2024 

 

What’s in a Name

What’s in a name

Especially the name Stewart?

The first thing coming to mind

Is probably a joke.

 

But my name means more

Than you could ever think,

It’s probably my strong point

And not my weakest link.

 

Of course, I looked it up

Because I wanted to know,

Don’t stop reading now

Here’s what my research shows.

 

It says I am “spiritually intense

And can sting or charm”

But please understand, my friend,

I mean no harm.

The name Stewart “brings love

And new starts into life”,

For sure you can see

I’m nothing to do with strife.

 

Add to this “originality

And considerable financial success

Along with much versatility”

To which I can attest.

 

“Always looking for an opportunity

To investigate the unknown,

Looking for the meaning of life”

From what wisdom has shown.

“A unique way of thinking:

Intuitive, reflective and absorbing,

Having the ability to learn easily

And putting a premium on understanding.

 

I might be a little subjective

But I am sure you will be more open

So, I will leave you to judge

Whether these be facts or mere notions.

 

Stewart Russell © April 10, 2021