Graceful Quill

Author: Cheryl Stead

  • A Sensate Independence Day

    Today I was contemplating the writings of the sociologist Pitrium A. Sorokin and it occurred to me that my post from yesterday exemplifies some of his ideas.

    He theorized that there are three types of culture: sensate, ideational, and idealistic. The hallmarks of an ideational culture are beliefs in the ephemeral. People do not believe that material things are the source of happiness. They pursue moral and spiritual things.

    The stark alternative is a sensate culture, which pursues sensory experiences. People in this culture believe that the material world is all there is, and the only thing worth pursuing.

    An idealistic culture combines some elements of both the others, arriving at a sort of middle ground.

    There is a great deal more to his theory, but it occurred to me today that the whole issue of people using illegal fireworks boils down to a sensate culture vs an ideational one. The sensate culture will ignore the principle of right and wrong (e.g. the laws against fireworks) and pursue instead the sensory pleasure of the forbidden activity.

  • Who’s First on the Fourth?

    July 4, 2025

    I’m writing my first post on the Fourth of July. This was not calculated, it just turned out that way. As I think of how we celebrate of our country’s birth, it seems we’ve lost our way. I will explain.

    The quintessential expression of our Independence Day is a fireworks display. But people are often not content to watch their local municipality’s. They want their own.

    Enter the illegal fireworks industry. Pyrotechnic displays require some basic safety considerations, and so they are restricted. Nonetheless many people manage to obtain them.

    This is not a safety briefing. You can look up for yourself the penalties associated with selling, possessing, or using such devices. My question is simply why? Why must people make Independence Day about themselves?

    If a person uses illegal fireworks, even if no harm comes of it, they are making a statement. They are saying their own satisfaction comes before the love of their country.

    If you really love your country, obey its laws. True patriots are not sending up illegal fireworks displays tonight. In our hearts, I think we all know this.

    Have a safe and wonderful Independence Day and remember how blessed we all our to live in this wonderful nation.

  • My Writing Journey Updates

    Thanks for visiting. I will be posting updates here on my writing journey.

  • Hello World!

    The world is a beautiful place! Celebrate God’s creation with me as I embark on my writing journey. I will be exploring my new home in rural Virginia with an eye toward spiritual allegory.