by John Philipp

Member since:
August 10, 2006

Thought~Byte No.167

September 29, 2009 11:55 PM EDT

views: 141 | comments: 86

Thought~Byte No.167

Concept and words by John Philipp. Drawings by Phil Frank.

(The comments below are where the wisdom is found.)

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Tags: thoughtbytes, philosophy, psychology, writing, life, relationships, cartoon, johnphilipp, wwe, ltbrgtunderstanding, knowing, knowledge, beauty

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Comments: 86

John Philipp Sep 29, 2009, 11:55pm EDT

Mini Thought~Bytes (words without drawings) appear every day on my Twitter page.

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John Philipp Sep 29, 2009, 11:56pm EDT

Thought~Bytes are posted every Wednesday. To see all Thought~Bytes and get an email when new ones are posted, please join Thought~Bytes

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Jan S. Sep 30, 2009, 12:00am EDT

It's not good to over-analyze. As a former city kid, I am fascinated by nature here at the lake. When I see a new species, I enjoy watching, but want to find out more about them, too....after I enjoy the sight.

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 12:22am EDT

A good approach, Jan. Might want to try that in the city too. We often miss the beauty in the familiar.

Dennis Gilman Oct 1, 2009, 3:42pm EDT

You know, I was awake when Jan S. wrote this. Shoulda taken out my BlackBerry and posted then. Always have to think of something else to say when Jan comments before me :-D)

Jan S. Oct 1, 2009, 6:39pm EDT

LOL. Great minds think alike, Dennis!

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Lee P. Sep 30, 2009, 12:01am EDT

I'm a Picasso fan.

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 12:23am EDT

That's how I approach Picasso, Lee, because I sure don't understand him :)

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JOHN BECK Sep 30, 2009, 12:10am EDT

Understanding and enjoying are certainly not mutually exclusive. For example, when Leonard Bernstein would explain some facet of music, it often enhanced rather than detracted from the enjoyment of that music. That said, certainly music can be over-analyzed to the point that enjoyment of the beauty of the music gets lost.

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 12:24am EDT

Absolutely, John. Thanks for bringing that up.

It is a balance though many of us get seduced by the analysis side.

K D. Sep 30, 2009, 1:28pm EDT

I agree with you, John. I approach Mozart that way and the study of how he wrote enhances my ability to play his music.

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Karen E. Sep 30, 2009, 12:14am EDT

Often, I have to challenge myself to do the learning piece, I enjoy the "enjoying" much more than the learning.

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 12:25am EDT

Challenging yourself is always good, Karen.

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Vivian A. Sep 30, 2009, 12:15am EDT

I agree John. Don't forget to live for today as you plan for tomorrow. Excellent.

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 12:25am EDT

A good build on this, Vivian. Present and future need balance too.

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Deloris Wright Sep 30, 2009, 12:20am EDT

Nature is not hard to understand. Just have to keep your mouth shut {no noise} and your eyes open

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 12:26am EDT

Thanks, Deloris. Not so easy for some. :)

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Dianna Doles-Petry Sep 30, 2009, 12:30am EDT

An overly analytical mind can also be a tortured mind. Sometimes we are not supposed to understand the fine details. It's much more enjoyable to go with the flow than to determine where the flow started and in what direction it hopes to go!

Robert - just a simple man - B. Sep 30, 2009, 12:54am EDT

i agreed with you in the comment below. could have just cut and past my comment here....

Robert - just a simple man - B. Sep 30, 2009, 12:54am EDT

but that would have been redundant.

(this way JP gets more comment bubbles)

Elizabeth R. Sep 30, 2009, 1:13am EDT

You always have such a wonderful way to explain things, Dianna. Thank you.

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 5:45am EDT

Well said, Dianna. Clearly one of the facets to this Byte.

Thanks.

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Robert - just a simple man - B. Sep 30, 2009, 12:52am EDT

That's so right. There's absolutley no reason to read that the thing above you is the infamous swoozy-belly-meat-eating-carnivoroburd who make their nests out of the mud swamps west of Tuscaloosa.

And I also agree with DDP's gem: "An overly analytical mind can also be a tortured mind."

Robert - just a simple man - B. Sep 30, 2009, 12:53am EDT

ooh look, silly me spelled carnivorobird wrong, where'd that 'u' come from anyhow?

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 5:46am EDT

"There's absolutley no reason to read that the thing above you is the infamous swoozy-belly-meat-eating-carnivoroburd"

unless of course they eat humanoids.

K D. Sep 30, 2009, 1:30pm EDT

I challenge you all to say that fast three times!

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Tanya P. Sep 30, 2009, 1:40am EDT

A bit of "don't forget to stop and smell the roses". Sometimes we've got to get the mind out of the way and just flow with the beauty around us; be 'one' with it, not analyze it.

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 5:47am EDT

One suggestion is to always appreciate the "beauty" or "essence" first. Then, if needed/appropriate invite the mind in.

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Cheri Cabot Sep 30, 2009, 2:01am EDT

Marvelous!

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 5:47am EDT

Thanks, Cheri.

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Ruth J. Sep 30, 2009, 3:02am EDT

Learning about and enjoying are both important parts as long as we don't over analyse. I sometimes feel we over analyse literature as well as nature. Flowing with what is around me is one of my favorute thins to do.

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 5:48am EDT

You just keep doing it, Ruth.

And I agree with the literature part as well.

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Ada D. Sep 30, 2009, 8:28am EDT

How true. All too often, that book is a camera or video recorder. People become so obsessed with capturing every moment of their vacation, or their kids lives, that they never see any of it except through a camera lens. They also destroy the beauty for everyone else by obsessive "stage directing" to get the perfect shot.

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 11:58am EDT

An excellent example, Ada.

And most of those photos will spend the rest of their lives in a cabinet drawer.

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suzie muscrat Sep 30, 2009, 9:03am EDT

I didn't have time to read all the comments, so I may be reiterating a thought already expressed, but this one really hit home. As someone who loves to be in the midst of what, for me, is beauty, I feel too few people just STOP to let the beauty sink in to them. Ironically, they often think they are members of the "beautiful people." Nothing could be farther from the truth.

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 12:00pm EDT

Suzie, the fact they call themselves the "beautiful people" already belies the statement.

Also, never be concerned you are reiterating a thought already expressed. No two people ever have exactly the same thought, expressed exactly the same way. Please never deny us your difference even if it is subtle.

Now go back and stand in the middle of some beauty :)

suzie muscrat Oct 1, 2009, 9:04am EDT

Will do that tomorrow AM - flying out to the midwest for a driving vacation

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Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Sep 30, 2009, 9:15am EDT

Ha ha. Yeah.

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 12:01pm EDT

Seems so simple, yet people ...

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arleen hodge Sep 30, 2009, 9:25am EDT

quite self-explanatory.

morning, john!

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 12:01pm EDT

Morning, Arleen ... we know you see the beauty, we've seen your photographs.

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Judi F. Sep 30, 2009, 9:34am EDT

wow, we're going deep today!

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 12:02pm EDT

There are deep layers and there are deeper layers.

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Robin O. Sep 30, 2009, 10:58am EDT

Wow!!! sometimes we miss the obvious,

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 12:03pm EDT

Too often, Robin, because the obvious is familiar and because of that we forget to look.

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Heidi S. Sep 30, 2009, 11:33am EDT

This is funny because I always have my bird book out - but I spend plenty of time watching and enjoying them, too - that's truly the best part! Another good byte, John....

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 12:04pm EDT

Thanks, Heidi. A good example of a situation where one could miss the beauty if they were caught up in the analysis.

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Steph-in-NE ..... Sep 30, 2009, 12:43pm EDT

that is so true,, thanks for this

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 1:11pm EDT

You're welcome, Steph.

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Ratan . Sep 30, 2009, 1:12pm EDT

Very thought provoking. Good one, John!

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 3:47pm EDT

You're welcome, Ratan.

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~Sia McKye~ Sep 30, 2009, 1:12pm EDT

Is this kinda like not seeing forest for the trees?

Good thought byte John, as usual. Book learning is good but take the time to observe first, check it out later.

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 3:48pm EDT

Definitely part of it, Sia.

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K D. Sep 30, 2009, 1:25pm EDT

Isn't that the truth! We sure can analyze things to death can't we?

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 3:48pm EDT

Not only can, K D.

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Bill W. Sep 30, 2009, 2:32pm EDT

Actually, understanding the birds and the bees led to greater enjoyment of beauty. I think my bride would agree to that (but not much more).

Here's to blissful ignorance - "CLINK"

Rest easy

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 3:49pm EDT

You've earned it. :)

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Angela A. Sep 30, 2009, 2:34pm EDT

They say knowledge is power. But, if you never apply it, how does it help?
So true.

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 3:51pm EDT

Some say knowledge can also be a weakness, Angela. We will have some future Bytes that deal with the difference between knowledge and Knowing.

This Byte skirts the edge of that topic. Thanks for bringing it up.

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Sandre M. Sep 30, 2009, 3:01pm EDT

Our minds put us at an arm's length from living sometimes. It's great to just "disconnect" and be.

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 3:51pm EDT

Disconnecting is another facet of this Byte, Sandre. Thanks.

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Chas Andrews Sep 30, 2009, 4:42pm EDT

thanks! (sorry, kinda rushed)

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 7:35pm EDT

You're welcome, Chas.

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Sheila Deeth Sep 30, 2009, 6:43pm EDT

Okay. That is definitely neat, and makes me think of certain boys I've known.

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 7:35pm EDT

I believe this Byte is gender neutral, Sheila :)

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Linda T. Sep 30, 2009, 9:48pm EDT

This byte reminds me of when my son was a cub scout and I was the Cubmaster. We would take the boys on hikes and many of the parents would bring along nature books so they could identify plants and animals along the trail. I never brought any. Some of the parents used to get annoyed with me and ask how I expected the boys to learn if I did not have the books to correctly identify things. My response was that the boys were being taught to accept the beauty of nature and not being taught to analyze it.

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 10:26pm EDT

Great story, Linda. Right on point.

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blaine d. Sep 30, 2009, 10:11pm EDT

great one!

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 10:26pm EDT

Thanks, Blaine.

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Patricia Arnold Sep 30, 2009, 10:50pm EDT

Great reminder, John, that we gain knowledge from more than the intellect. Powerfully expressed!

John Philipp Sep 30, 2009, 11:57pm EDT

Thanks, Patricia. We often forget that.

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Lance L. Oct 1, 2009, 11:15am EDT

So I shouldn't ask her if they are real? :~)

John Philipp Oct 1, 2009, 3:41pm EDT

Correct, Lance. That would be over-analyzing and under-appreciating.

Lance L. Oct 2, 2009, 3:20pm EDT

I guess I'll just have to find a subtle way to find out if those are real diamonds.

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Sherry J. Oct 1, 2009, 1:39pm EDT

That's cute and so true.

John Philipp Oct 1, 2009, 3:42pm EDT

Isn't it nice that cute can be true too, Sherry.

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Dennis Gilman Oct 1, 2009, 3:51pm EDT

I enjoy it the beauty first, then if I really am enthralled, then I study it and analyze it and end up appreciating it more.

In school, I was always required to analyze something without discovering if it was beautiful or not. I hated "To Kill A Mockingbird". Years after I left school I returned to it. GREAT BOOK. Hated Shakespear's plays in school love 'em now.

I appreciate the beauty around me now that as an adult, I get to enjoy it first before examining it.