Addie's Ascent

C.W. Young

Description

Seeking superman status, Addie ascends Mount Bedlam, where he faces monsters—both inside and out—that lead this average guy to enlightened greatness.

Addie is a normal guy trying his best to transform from an average and unlucky creature to a powerful and conquering superman. His transformation begins on a trek up Mount Bedlam, where he encounters beasts and demons, as well as people of different virtues, powerful angels, and all types of fears and phobias.

Addie is challenged to overcome the vices and temptations offered within the three civilizations through which he travels. He summits the mountain, discovering the secrets for a meaningful life, while learning what it means to be a true superman.

In Addie's Ascent, experience an entertaining and interesting journey with Addie, and learn the basic tenets of living a momentous life in this world and the next.

Sujets

• Psychological
• Christianity
• Fiction

Informations

• Publié par: Archway Publishing
• Date de parution: 02 mars 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781665738705
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

ADDIE’S ASCENT
A Story of Hope
C.W. YOUNG


Copyright © 2023 C.W. Young.
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
 
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
 
 
Archway Publishing
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Bloomington, IN 47403
www.archwaypublishing.com
844-669-3957
 
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
 
ISBN: 978-1-6657-3871-2 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-6657-3872-9 (hc)
ISBN: 978-1-6657-3870-5 (e)
 
Library of Congress Control Number: 2023902504
 
 
 
Archway Publishing rev. date: 3/1/2023
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements
Prologue
Chapter 1 – I See Souls
Chapter 2 – Meeting My Sherpa
Chapter 3 – Preparing The Mind
Chapter 4 – The Tunnel Experience
Chapter 5 – Meeting Marxie
Chapter 6 – Solomon’s Thoughts
Chapter 7 – Finding Lily
Chapter 8 – Marxie’s Story
Chapter 9 – Love’s Music
Chapter 10 – Simonson’s Gehenna
Chapter 11 – Power of Living Water
Chapter 12 – Creativity is Personal
Chapter 13 – The Nature of Music
Chapter 14 – Leaving the Valley
Chapter 15 – Entering Zarathustra
Chapter 16 – Finding the Professor
Chapter 17 – Saving Oz and the Teachers
Chapter 18 – Storming the Gates
Chapter 19 – An Unexpected Marriage
Chapter 20 – The Official Welcome
Chapter 21 – The Stinging Bee Keeper
Chapter 22 – Love, Creativity, and Music
Chapter 23 – Owls, Red Birds, and Beginnings
Chapter 24 – The Summit
Chapter 25 – A Few Hours of Perfection
Chapter 26 – Seeing the World from the Top
Chapter 27 – The Battle for Life
Chapter 28 – Time To Go
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Each person in this story represents an important figure in my life. My wife is the rock, who embodies love and honor. My children represent intellect, bravery and creativity, while my parents represent truth, and resiliency. My sister is emboldened by a curious spirit, and my aunt and mother-in-law each add to the conversation of historical culture and value. My dog, Rook, represents resiliency and justice, while Dr. Tucker represents service. To each of you I am indebted. My journey would not be so great had it not been for you.
To the redbird, eagles, artist and shadows thank you for the blessings and the challenges – my life is content because of your endless gifts. To Thoreau, Emerson, Nietzsche, Adler and all other academics who are (were) pushing for truth, even though we disagree on so much, you are the inspiration to a fickle world.
Last but not least. For Nick, I wish this book was done much earlier when you asked for it. Your early departure from us will forever remind me, never to waste time. Although you are missed by everyone – we all know that we will see you again. Rest easy for now my friend.
PROLOGUE
“One of the first things I think young people, especially nowadays, should learn is how to see for yourself and listen for yourself and think for yourself. Then you can come to an intelligent decision for yourself. If you form the habit of going by what you hear others say about someone, or going by what others think about someone, instead of searching that thing out for yourself and seeing for yourself, you will be walking west when you think you’re going east, and you will be walking east when you think you’re going west.”
—Malcolm X
Observing the physical world teaches us that learning comes from developing our thoughts thoroughly, while wisdom comes from reconciling and communicating these ideas. It further appears, however, that the communication of such beliefs must not be explicitly written for the use of others but can and should include one’s personal service in a manner that helps the person develop morally, cognitively, and spiritually. Furthermore, writing one’s thoughts down on paper and arguing why these thoughts are accurate, coherent, and void of contradictions is an arduous task that almost none of us consider. Take, for instance, the stiff-necked miscreant who aligns as the intellectual blue or aw-shucks scoundrel who aligns as the laissez-faire red. Almost none of these individuals can reconcile their ideas about what it means to have a meaningful life, not to mention a coherent system of politics, religion, economics, and culture that support their philosophy or worldview, devoid of contradiction.
To understand our own philosophy or that of others, we must recognize and reconcile the ideas within and at the intersection of politics, economics, religion, and culture. I refer to these cultural influences as Intersections . This reconciliation is not an easy feat. If done correctly, it is uncomfortable yet enlightening and a work that should never end if we accede to a solid and curious intellect.
A systematic philosophy and, perhaps, a theology is developed on the following pages. Embedded within any philosophy, including this one, are the questions of existence: Why are we here? Why do we exist? What comes after this existence or life? What precludes us from pursuing a life of meaning? What are the limiting conditions to the fulfillment of such desires?
Additionally, there are questions about how philosophy or theology works. How does one component of the philosophy impact another? For particular purposes here, I will refer to the contents within this book as a philosophy, yet knowing there are substantial and explicit references to theology.
The philosophy here begins with exploring what it means to pursue a meaningful life, focusing on the individual as the starting point, yet continuing in a logical manner that embraces a community ethic, joining the individual’s passions with the desires of a healthy community. The philosophy that follows is existential, focused on observations of the physical world through the senses, while not forgetting the essential irrational notions of the otherworldly. I explore the Intersections of power, which often tend to purposefully or accidentally influence individuals’ desires and outcomes, which, by extension, impact the community.
The ideas developed here are imperfect and may succumb to the blessings from the critic’s pen; though these criticisms are welcome, they should be genuine and thoughtful. The writer of Proverbs suggests that when one criticizes a wise person, that person becomes even more discerning, while attacking a scoffer brings dislike. I hope to listen to the criticisms in a way that improves this manuscript.
Through this writing process, I discovered how best to enjoy life while maximizing blessings in the present while also enjoying the notions of the irrational God. My philosophy is the beginning of an anticipated journey of self-discovery. I hope to think with my head and feel with my heart, understanding the truths and lies within my passions, while not forgetting the importance of the faculties. I hope to think more seriously and personally about the senses, science, creation, government, scarcity, wealth, security, and irrationalities, including God.
This book is an outgrowth of a semester project I historically assigned to graduate students of political economy and, to a lesser extent, students of business ethics. The assignment requires students to develop a personal worldview, reconciling ideas and positions on politics, economics, religion, and culture into one unified perspective. To those students who take this challenge seriously, it is commonplace to hear at the end of the assignment statements such as:
(a) I do not believe I am a [conservative, liberal, or libertarian] any longer;
(b) I am not sure if [ laissez-faire or socialist] economics is correct;
(c) I am not sure if my religion is accurate;
(d) I think all forms of government are flawed; and
(e) Big business is unethical, and bigger government is even worse.
It seems the reason for many of these comments is because the person, probably for the first time, is thinking for themselves, regardless of the master, teacher, politician, or preacher. Traditionally, many absorb commentary from people of influence and attempt to make these commentaries their own without understanding the inherent inconsistencies. They conclude a theory on one subject, yet fail to consider how one issue integrates and affects another. When a person attempts to reconcile their definition of meaning within the Intersections, they find an excess of inconsistencies and a philosophy that does not hold up to self-scrutiny, not to mention the scrutiny of others.
To begin developing a worldview, a person must ask the question passed down from the ages: “ What is a meaningful life?” There is no one correct answer to this question but an endless array of propositions, each based on the luck and circumstances of the person addressing it. Answering this question is Step One in the long process of developing philosophy. A note of caution here: this questi