Disqus - Latest Comments for cwaluk

Re: 10 Ways to Fail to Communicate

cwaluk — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 19:52:11 -0000

In my true heart I'd often like to be a closer, but I'm horrible at it. My go to line is, "well, what are you gonna do." It's a horrible line and only achieves awkwardness. It's right up there with the slow drawn out, "yeah." I suppose you could say I'm a passive closer, or a crappy closer if you like alliteration.

Re: could you ever sacrifice your wedding ring to help the poor?

cwaluk — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:55:31 -0000

As usual, I'm a late on this one, but I love this idea. I recently got engaged, and my fiance and I agree that expensive wedding rings are merely a product of American marketing. "A Diamond is forever" was the most successful advertising campaign of the 20th century and has shown us that DeBeers might have a bigger influence on marriage in America than the church. I'm not sure that Jesus' model for marriage endorses the idea that a man must lavish his wife with extravagant gifts. It's such a secular way to demonstrate love. I think God would prefer us toss our expendable income off to somebody who wants it more while we demonstrate the love for our wives in more meaningful ways.

All the same, I'm not sure that less money on wedding ring = less poverty, but I do think that anyone who gives away the treasure on their finger will reap a reward in both this life and the next.

Re: some 'kingly' wisdom: who do you struggle to love?

cwaluk — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:26:42 -0000

This was kinda my point when I originally commented that it can be offensive to make the statement, "I struggle to love _______". It's interpreted as passive bashing. Example: I struggle to love ZACH.

I think of it as a Christian way of taking a dig at someone. It's right up there with having a philosophical argument and using, "I'll pray for you" as part of your argument. A seemingly innocent comment that can really piss somebody off.

Extended example: I struggle to love Zach. Bless his heart. I'll be praying for him.

If you were attempting to love the guy you wouldn't say things like this to others.

Re: a needy soul

cwaluk — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:47:37 -0000

It's amazing how giving away your money can be much more fulfilling than cable. I like your perspective that sponsoring a soul provides YOU with blessing more than anything else.

I learned this lesson when I first went to Uganda a few years ago. In one of the villages I was in, the people were so poor, yet so happy and generous to each other, and me. A group of them asked me about rich people in America who commit suicide; they couldn't understand why someone with wealth would ever kill them self. I responded by telling them that it's not Americans who are rich (most of us are depressed), but that it is them who are rich, because they are so joyful.

When I returned home after that trip, my material possessions that I once thought were so cool, no longer had as much value to me anymore. And I haven't had cable since.

Re: dear aids

cwaluk — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:57:40 -0000

Uganda was one of the earliest countries to be devastated by AIDS, but in recent years has been one of the most successful in fighting AIDS. The situation in Uganda is much more filled with hope than it was say 10 years ago.

It is a beautiful country though. If you have a day, go white water rafting. If you have a week, trek to the top of Mount Margherita (seriously, it's amazing!). Don't be afraid of the street food: chipati and samosas are excellent, and always try and start your day with a rolex....trust me.

Gulu is one of the friendliest places in Africa (if you can believe that). I hope you get a chance to visit there.

Re: Thoughts on Becoming Human by Jean Vanier

cwaluk — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:03:57 -0000

Nice book report. I brought this book down to Guatemala back in April and read about 30-40 pages of it. Tita got a hold of it and asked if she could keep it. I think the entire Lemonade Organization has now read the book, at least everyone in Guatemala, and I am still in the dark. Although, I've heard the Vanier interview on SOF and I saw him in person; so not that dark.

Re: Miyah's New Thing

cwaluk — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 17:19:30 -0000

Wow. That girl must have some sherpa in her. My favorite part is when Bill says, "Can you go higher?" I think my mom would have slapped me right off the wall had she ever seen me climb something in the house like that.

Re: Bummed For (And Impressed By) Tom Watson

cwaluk — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:27:42 -0000

I think Gordie Howe is somewhat comparable as he was still the best player on his team well into his late 40's. He scored 15 goals his final season in the NHL at the age of 52, which shows that he was at least still competitive. To be clear Tom Watson has NOT been a highly competitive golfer for quite some time before this past weekend. He won 8 major championships between 1975 and 1983 and zero since then. What would have made this story so great is the 26 years between championships. Tiger had been training for months to win the Open, where Tom was just hoping to make the cut.

I'm not sure if Tom would agree at the moment, but sometimes life is better without the storybook ending. You learn more about someone's character after they lose a heartbreaker, than when they win in miraculous fashion. Athletes do play to win, but the joy is in the competition itself. The "story" at the end is never quite as great.

Re: Mohammed Yunus - A "Worm's Eye View"

cwaluk — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:05:37 -0000

Well then, it looks like I am going to have to read Banker To The Poor.

Currently, I am reading about Gandhi. Despite not being a Christian, Gandhi loved the message of Christ's love and in my mind understood the message of Christ more than anyone else I can think of. It's weird to think that I am a Christian and I still need Gandhi to help me understand how death on a cross is more powerful than fire from the sky.

I tend to admire people who stand against convention, but it's rare to find someone like Yunis who stands against convention and then actually turns out to be dead on with his ideology. It only makes sense that people like Yunis and Gandhi have philosophical similarities to Jesus. It's not like Jesus just taught us an arbitrary way to live our lives, but he taught us a very logical, albeit radical, way that we are designed to live.

Re: Friendship, Change & Letting Go

cwaluk — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:05:13 -0000

Bill, I'm sorry that you broke your new camera on your last trip to Guatemala. If I'm not mistaken, that picture of Leah looks like it was taken on an old camera phone. Tough times, man.