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Saturday, July 2, 2011
Charley Reese's Final column!
I copied this from my private email and thought it was worth sharing. Hope you think so also.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Whose Rights Are Right?
Every now and then something comes across my path that provokes deep emotions of disappointment and sadness. I was raised to respect the rights of others, to conduct my own actions and related words on a manner that allows my neighbor, whether I know them or not, whether I like them or not, to enjoy his or her human rights that are guaranteed by our Bill of Rights. In other words, I believe that my rights end when I intentionally infringe on the rights of someone else.
This morning I was watching a video which was posted to my Facebook page. I listened with interest as this individual described how he and his wife and daughter were verbally attacked as they watched an Alfred Hitchcock movie which was shown out-of-doors in Bryant Park, NYC. The treatment they received was deplorable, and I admire them for not retaliating, even when the man's wife had a glass of wine kicked at her back, forcing her to sit on a wet blanket on the ground in a wet blouse and slacks that reeked of alcohol.
In spite of this treatment, the three-some sat quietly and watched the movie in its entirety over the din of hecklers who spewed hate and diversity accusations in their direction.
After I watched the video and considered using it as the basis for my blog, I was reminded of a movie that taught me a lot about acceptance of people, "A Reason to Kill". In what was a truly emotional closing speech made by the defendant of a murder trial, the defense attorney asked the jury to close their eyes and visualize as he described the torture a young girl went through, the daughter of the defendant, as she was gang-raped by young men in the southern town she and her family lived in.
At the very end of his closing comments, the attorney asked the jurors to put themselves in the place of the young girl...then, he asked them to imagine that this young victim was white. There was almost an audible gasp in the courtroom. Why? Those who have watched the movie will know why! The young girl was black and her attackers were white. The father, who in a fit of rage over the personal violation of his daughter, was on trial for killing the young men as they were being escorted to the courthouse for arraignment, also wounding the deputy who said under oath that he didn't hold no bad feelings against the defendant. The father was found not guilty.
It doesn't matter who the man in the video I watched this morning was...he and his family was exercising their right to enjoy an evening in the park park, the same right each and every other person there was enjoying. Please, watch this video with an open heart! Put yourself in his place, your family on that blanket, eagerly waiting to watch a movie by a favorite screenwriter.
Then, ask yourself after you've reached the end: "How would I like to be treated as he and his family were treated? "How would I have reacted under the same circumstances?" and "What gives citizens of this country of inalienable rights the right to infringe on the rights of another?"
What are your answers?
American Family Attacked in Bryant Park, NYC
This morning I was watching a video which was posted to my Facebook page. I listened with interest as this individual described how he and his wife and daughter were verbally attacked as they watched an Alfred Hitchcock movie which was shown out-of-doors in Bryant Park, NYC. The treatment they received was deplorable, and I admire them for not retaliating, even when the man's wife had a glass of wine kicked at her back, forcing her to sit on a wet blanket on the ground in a wet blouse and slacks that reeked of alcohol.
In spite of this treatment, the three-some sat quietly and watched the movie in its entirety over the din of hecklers who spewed hate and diversity accusations in their direction.
After I watched the video and considered using it as the basis for my blog, I was reminded of a movie that taught me a lot about acceptance of people, "A Reason to Kill". In what was a truly emotional closing speech made by the defendant of a murder trial, the defense attorney asked the jury to close their eyes and visualize as he described the torture a young girl went through, the daughter of the defendant, as she was gang-raped by young men in the southern town she and her family lived in.
At the very end of his closing comments, the attorney asked the jurors to put themselves in the place of the young girl...then, he asked them to imagine that this young victim was white. There was almost an audible gasp in the courtroom. Why? Those who have watched the movie will know why! The young girl was black and her attackers were white. The father, who in a fit of rage over the personal violation of his daughter, was on trial for killing the young men as they were being escorted to the courthouse for arraignment, also wounding the deputy who said under oath that he didn't hold no bad feelings against the defendant. The father was found not guilty.
It doesn't matter who the man in the video I watched this morning was...he and his family was exercising their right to enjoy an evening in the park park, the same right each and every other person there was enjoying. Please, watch this video with an open heart! Put yourself in his place, your family on that blanket, eagerly waiting to watch a movie by a favorite screenwriter.
Then, ask yourself after you've reached the end: "How would I like to be treated as he and his family were treated? "How would I have reacted under the same circumstances?" and "What gives citizens of this country of inalienable rights the right to infringe on the rights of another?"
What are your answers?
American Family Attacked in Bryant Park, NYC
Thursday, June 23, 2011
It Makes me so mad....
I sit here and ponder the madness that surrounds the present debates about "to raise, or not to raise the debt ceiling", and I know that there is so much "pork-barrel" spending, so much unnecessary spending in the White House (all in the name of protocol or keeping up appearances), or so much administrative (or now campaign?) travel and related expenses that could be eliminated. So many expenditures that are unnecessary, and yet our own president isn't willing to let go of these "extras" to save the economy of our country.
He, who never served in the military, would let our service men and women, whom he plays around the world like so many chess pieces at his own whim, would see the military budget be cut before cutting back on the astronomical size if his and his wife's "personal" staff.
Our own Congress has pension and health benefits that will keep them healthy and fat the rest of their lives, although many of them are millionaires in their own right. All this, and all they have to do is serve one term - yes, that's right just four years (the president only served a year and a half in congress) - and they get to have the brass ring HANDED to them. And, although I don't know what their going yearly salary is for members of each house, but I'm certain that with all the fringe benefits, they're making out quite well while they work.
The federal government is top-heavy with administrators, czars (and their staff), and various and sundry other private sector workers while national forests, parks and landmarks are having to let go of staff and/or face closing because their budgets are being whittled away. Yes, our children and grandchildren may not be able to experience these historic or natural prizes because the federal government doesn't feel keeping them staffed or open a necessary element of life. If I had the financial ability, I'd rather take my grandchildren to one of these natural or historic wonders than to any one of the overrated theme parks with their bright lights, exorbitant prices and crowded play yards.
Meanwhile, public sector jobs are disappearing before our eyes because of an economy which is bad, to say the least, but made even more unstable by the outrageous impact of Obamacare...you remember, the bill passed over a year ago?...the one that the then Speaker of the House told us (in one of her brighter moments) that we had to pass to find out what was in it?
Guess what?
We're finding out what's in it and even the some of the Democrats who voted in favor of the monstrosity do not like what they're finding out. It's so impractical, not to mention fiscally irresponsible, that big industries (I mean the really big ones) are asking for waivers because they can't afford the new requirements. Companies like McDonalds would rather pay the fines than provide insurance for workers who have to have a full-time position before they qualify.
And...while I'm on a role...if the mandatory "Ponzi Scheme" called Social Security is cut back (or even worse) cut, there will be millions of people without any income. What will they do? Fill the State rolls of no-income residents?
Imagine it!!
Millions of senior and disabled Americans citizens (that's spelled l-e-g-a-l) kicked out of their houses, apartments, assisted living centers, nursing homes, or adult foster-care facilities clogging the streets of our once prosperous country because they no longer have their measly, but necessary, government income. As I pointed out before, and I know has been highlighted by others, when it comes to entitlements (a word which is now spit-out like so much verbal ca-ca), we had no choice. The money was removed from our income, before we were ever issued our net income checks, without our say-so...except for federal employees who have their own pension plan which is paid for by the tax-payers, many of whom are facing untold of fates, some already, because there has been no CLR increase in two years.
Others, like myself, live in dread because we don't know if our already scant incomes might be cut even more. I recently checked into government-subsidized housing which I'll qualify for when I turn 62, roughly six months from now. I cannot live on the SSD I receive now and stay in in the apartment I live in now. I've heard members of congress, political analysts, or talk show hosts pontificating on the irresponsibility of citizens who planned on living on SS when they reached retirement age. Let me tell you something, big-mouth, arrogant, mouthpieces:
I never "planned" to live on SS. I had no choice but to file for SSD due to back problems that still are not corrected with two past surgeries and at least one looming in the future. I worked, sometimes jobs of men, to make a living so I could be a good citizen and pay my taxes. That's why my back, and other parts not necessarily the attacked by the aging process, are in the shape they're in. I could hold down a part-time job, but I can't guarantee I'd be able to work every day because my shattered nerves often keep me bedridden for one or two days at a time. So, who would hire me?
My parents planned for their retirement. Dad passed 6 1/2 years ago, but three years ago my mother found that their 401k plan was penniless and the investments from selling their house before moving into an apartment were slowly loosing their value. Although these investments are doing better, my mom is certainly not convinced that her own carefully planned and saved for retirement will be the golden years she had looked forward to. My mother is just one of millions who have had to pack-up their dreams of travel and comfort because their nest-egg has been shattered and Humpty Dumpty cannot be put back together again.
It makes me so mad I just might swear, so I'll get off the soap box and say thank you!
He, who never served in the military, would let our service men and women, whom he plays around the world like so many chess pieces at his own whim, would see the military budget be cut before cutting back on the astronomical size if his and his wife's "personal" staff.
Our own Congress has pension and health benefits that will keep them healthy and fat the rest of their lives, although many of them are millionaires in their own right. All this, and all they have to do is serve one term - yes, that's right just four years (the president only served a year and a half in congress) - and they get to have the brass ring HANDED to them. And, although I don't know what their going yearly salary is for members of each house, but I'm certain that with all the fringe benefits, they're making out quite well while they work.
The federal government is top-heavy with administrators, czars (and their staff), and various and sundry other private sector workers while national forests, parks and landmarks are having to let go of staff and/or face closing because their budgets are being whittled away. Yes, our children and grandchildren may not be able to experience these historic or natural prizes because the federal government doesn't feel keeping them staffed or open a necessary element of life. If I had the financial ability, I'd rather take my grandchildren to one of these natural or historic wonders than to any one of the overrated theme parks with their bright lights, exorbitant prices and crowded play yards.
Meanwhile, public sector jobs are disappearing before our eyes because of an economy which is bad, to say the least, but made even more unstable by the outrageous impact of Obamacare...you remember, the bill passed over a year ago?...the one that the then Speaker of the House told us (in one of her brighter moments) that we had to pass to find out what was in it?
Guess what?
We're finding out what's in it and even the some of the Democrats who voted in favor of the monstrosity do not like what they're finding out. It's so impractical, not to mention fiscally irresponsible, that big industries (I mean the really big ones) are asking for waivers because they can't afford the new requirements. Companies like McDonalds would rather pay the fines than provide insurance for workers who have to have a full-time position before they qualify.
And...while I'm on a role...if the mandatory "Ponzi Scheme" called Social Security is cut back (or even worse) cut, there will be millions of people without any income. What will they do? Fill the State rolls of no-income residents?
Imagine it!!
Millions of senior and disabled Americans citizens (that's spelled l-e-g-a-l) kicked out of their houses, apartments, assisted living centers, nursing homes, or adult foster-care facilities clogging the streets of our once prosperous country because they no longer have their measly, but necessary, government income. As I pointed out before, and I know has been highlighted by others, when it comes to entitlements (a word which is now spit-out like so much verbal ca-ca), we had no choice. The money was removed from our income, before we were ever issued our net income checks, without our say-so...except for federal employees who have their own pension plan which is paid for by the tax-payers, many of whom are facing untold of fates, some already, because there has been no CLR increase in two years.
Others, like myself, live in dread because we don't know if our already scant incomes might be cut even more. I recently checked into government-subsidized housing which I'll qualify for when I turn 62, roughly six months from now. I cannot live on the SSD I receive now and stay in in the apartment I live in now. I've heard members of congress, political analysts, or talk show hosts pontificating on the irresponsibility of citizens who planned on living on SS when they reached retirement age. Let me tell you something, big-mouth, arrogant, mouthpieces:
I never "planned" to live on SS. I had no choice but to file for SSD due to back problems that still are not corrected with two past surgeries and at least one looming in the future. I worked, sometimes jobs of men, to make a living so I could be a good citizen and pay my taxes. That's why my back, and other parts not necessarily the attacked by the aging process, are in the shape they're in. I could hold down a part-time job, but I can't guarantee I'd be able to work every day because my shattered nerves often keep me bedridden for one or two days at a time. So, who would hire me?
My parents planned for their retirement. Dad passed 6 1/2 years ago, but three years ago my mother found that their 401k plan was penniless and the investments from selling their house before moving into an apartment were slowly loosing their value. Although these investments are doing better, my mom is certainly not convinced that her own carefully planned and saved for retirement will be the golden years she had looked forward to. My mother is just one of millions who have had to pack-up their dreams of travel and comfort because their nest-egg has been shattered and Humpty Dumpty cannot be put back together again.
It makes me so mad I just might swear, so I'll get off the soap box and say thank you!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Sad, Isn't It?
This came through my private inbox, I'm sharing it because I agree with what has been written!
Entitlement my ass , I paid cash for my social security insurance!!!! Just because they borrowed the money , doesn't make my benefits some kind of charity or handout !! Congressional benefits , aka. free healthcare , outrageous retirement packages , 67 paid holidays , three weeks paid vacation , unlimited paid sick days , now that's welfare , and they have the nerve to call my retirement entitlements !!!!!!.....scroll down...............
Entitlement my ass , I paid cash for my social security insurance!!!! Just because they borrowed the money , doesn't make my benefits some kind of charity or handout !! Congressional benefits , aka. free healthcare , outrageous retirement packages , 67 paid holidays , three weeks paid vacation , unlimited paid sick days , now that's welfare , and they have the nerve to call my retirement entitlements !!!!!!.....scroll down...............
What the HELL's wrong???
WAKE UP AMERICA !!!!
Tuesday's Daily Bulletin paper, ran two articles on the front page side by side :
1- Calif 's 20 Billion Dollar Budget Deficit
2- The Calif Supreme Court ruling that ILLEGALS can attend college and get benefits.
Why don't they just deport them when they arrive to register?
3- Last year they ran an article on the yearly costs to Calif Taxpayers from Illegals using Hospital Emergency Rooms for their general health care -
At just one hospital the cost to tax payers totaled over 25 million a year
Someone please tell me what the HELL's wrong with all the people that run this country!!!!!!
We're "broke" & can't help our own Seniors, Veterans, Orphans, Homeless etc.,???????????
In the last months we have provided aid to Haiti , Chile , and Turkey . And now Pakistan ......home of bin Laden. Literally, BILLIONS of DOLLARS!!!
Our retired seniors living on a 'fixed income' receive no aid nor do they get any breaks while our government and religious organizations pour Hundreds of Billions of $$$$$$'s and Tons of Food to Foreign Countries!
They call Social Security and Medicare an entitlement even though most of us have been paying for it all our working lives and now when its time for us to collect, the government is running out of money. Why did the government borrow from it in the first place?
We have hundreds of adoptable children who are shoved aside to make room for the adoption of foreign orphans.
AMERICA: a country where we have homeless without shelter, children going to bed hungry, elderly going without 'needed' meds, and mentally ill without treatment -etc,etc.
YET.....................
They have a 'Benefit' for the people of Haiti on 12 TV stations, ships and planes lining up with food, water, tents clothes, bedding, doctors and medical supplies.
Imagine if the *GOVERNMENT* gave 'US' the same support they give to other countries.
Sad isn't it?
Sunday, June 12, 2011
When Does Enough Become Too Much
One of my favorite movies is a Harrison Ford drama, "Regarding Henry", about a high-powered attorney within a high profile law firm. In a strange twist of fate, he is seriously wounded after walking into a NYC corner store during a hold-up. The part of his brain that was injured as he tried to escape was responsible for long term memory, but the neurosurgeon assured his wife that this loss could be recovered with time and patience.
Eventually, Henry thought he was well enough to resume his position at the law firm. During his review of past cases, he became confused by certain facts of his last case that were purposely withheld, causing the plaintiff to loose his case of malpractice against a hospital where he had suffered debilitating side effects as the result of negligent intake procedure. The new Henry found the fact that he argued this case purposely concealing pertinent evidence deplorable and he resigned as a partner soon after telling his secretary he'd had "Enough".
The last eight years of my life have been much like Henry's recovery after his gunshot wound. Because he lacked the memory of his past personality, Henry was faced with the necessity of reinventing himself, from the inside out. I, was also faced with the same challenge; however unlike Henry, I had to do so with the memory of my past. Eventually, I also had to say "ENOUGH"! and deal with today in healthier ways without the negative influence of past unhealthy coping and life skills.
One piece of wisdom that has guided me on this journey goes something like this: "Q. What is the definition of insanity? A. Doing the same thing the same way expecting different results." As a result, I finally came to the realization that if I was to make better choices in life that I would have to base my decisions on wisdom and not radical emotion.
As I observe the life and drama in the world around me today, I see many, many examples of this self-same INSANITY! When something, anything, does not produce positive results the mirror of honesty reveals that it's absolutely ridiculous to continue feeding into the same pattern of insanity while expecting sane and productive results.
Politically speaking, this applies to: printing money with no value to back it... Enough!; sending foreign aid to countries where the government officials pocket the funds or, even worse, use the money to support the forces we're trying to eliminate...ENOUGH! Elected officials who knowingly break laws, fraudulently subvert public funds, or "get caught" with their hand in the morality cookie jar, have broken the trust of their constituents and must suffer the consequences of their actions...not be coddled or protected by party pals. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
There are many grassroots movements in our country whose purpose is to cleanse these negative elements from our government. Beware!! They have already said "Enough is Enough!" and they're working openly and often covertly, to rid society of these evils and remove what they perceive as "undesirable" elements from national and global attitudes, actions and behaviors.
Not all of these movements, however, are in the best interest of the citizens of our country or the world. Greed, control, power, and self-interest fuel the engines of their progress and it is our responsibility to recognize those individuals and groups who would knowingly lead us down a path of destruction. When we as citizens see these forms of negative progress in the world around us, it's our responsibility make wise decisions and to say "Enough!"
It's also our responsibility as citizens of the country and the world to know when stand tall for our God-given rights and not fall for the cleverly disguised ploys of the power hungry greed-mongers who would lead us down a path of insanity with promises of hope and change that clearly have been shown to be tools of seduction. Open your eyes and your mind and you'll soon know the difference. The only people who fear the truth are those who work so hard to distort it.
Eventually, Henry thought he was well enough to resume his position at the law firm. During his review of past cases, he became confused by certain facts of his last case that were purposely withheld, causing the plaintiff to loose his case of malpractice against a hospital where he had suffered debilitating side effects as the result of negligent intake procedure. The new Henry found the fact that he argued this case purposely concealing pertinent evidence deplorable and he resigned as a partner soon after telling his secretary he'd had "Enough".
The last eight years of my life have been much like Henry's recovery after his gunshot wound. Because he lacked the memory of his past personality, Henry was faced with the necessity of reinventing himself, from the inside out. I, was also faced with the same challenge; however unlike Henry, I had to do so with the memory of my past. Eventually, I also had to say "ENOUGH"! and deal with today in healthier ways without the negative influence of past unhealthy coping and life skills.
One piece of wisdom that has guided me on this journey goes something like this: "Q. What is the definition of insanity? A. Doing the same thing the same way expecting different results." As a result, I finally came to the realization that if I was to make better choices in life that I would have to base my decisions on wisdom and not radical emotion.
As I observe the life and drama in the world around me today, I see many, many examples of this self-same INSANITY! When something, anything, does not produce positive results the mirror of honesty reveals that it's absolutely ridiculous to continue feeding into the same pattern of insanity while expecting sane and productive results.
Politically speaking, this applies to: printing money with no value to back it... Enough!; sending foreign aid to countries where the government officials pocket the funds or, even worse, use the money to support the forces we're trying to eliminate...ENOUGH! Elected officials who knowingly break laws, fraudulently subvert public funds, or "get caught" with their hand in the morality cookie jar, have broken the trust of their constituents and must suffer the consequences of their actions...not be coddled or protected by party pals. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
There are many grassroots movements in our country whose purpose is to cleanse these negative elements from our government. Beware!! They have already said "Enough is Enough!" and they're working openly and often covertly, to rid society of these evils and remove what they perceive as "undesirable" elements from national and global attitudes, actions and behaviors.
Not all of these movements, however, are in the best interest of the citizens of our country or the world. Greed, control, power, and self-interest fuel the engines of their progress and it is our responsibility to recognize those individuals and groups who would knowingly lead us down a path of destruction. When we as citizens see these forms of negative progress in the world around us, it's our responsibility make wise decisions and to say "Enough!"
It's also our responsibility as citizens of the country and the world to know when stand tall for our God-given rights and not fall for the cleverly disguised ploys of the power hungry greed-mongers who would lead us down a path of insanity with promises of hope and change that clearly have been shown to be tools of seduction. Open your eyes and your mind and you'll soon know the difference. The only people who fear the truth are those who work so hard to distort it.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
The Joshua Books
Many years ago my father introduced me to the Joshua books by Joseph F. Grizone. I was instantly intrigued by the first book of the series, simply entitled Joshua, which was described as a parable encouraging the reader to think about what it would be like if Jesus came back to live in this time in our history; what would he be like, and what would his suggestions be to promote peace, love and prosperity, both intellectually as well as spiritually.
Ten years later I decided I wanted these books to add to my own growing library so I went online in search of the books written by the retired Catholic priest. I loved his style of writing...it was simple and believable. To my surprise I found that the author had written more books with the remarkable Joshua as the central character who traveled around the United States as well as the Holy Land. The next couple of months found me ordering each of these books and savoring the messages and miracles brought about by this simple man of faith.
For this blog I would like to relate one of the solutions proposed in Grizone's book, Joshua and the City which takes place in a large metropolitan city, much like, if not, New York City. Initially, he befriends a single-parent family and helped the two teenage sons begin their own furniture upholstering business. By working with these young people he brought about great changes in a section of the city that was suffering from the same symptoms of many low-income neighborhoods. Many unaddressed and unattended to social ills were brought to light and with community spirit and pride, answers were found.
In another part of town, Joshua brings healing to a couple who had grown apart because the husband, owner of a large corporation, found more satisfaction in his work than in his marriage relationship...or so the wife believed. Slowly but quite surely, healing brought joy back to their marriage and their lives and they found great admiration for this humble man of love.
One of the suggestions I felt had great merit was taking the burden of public high schools from the state and place it in the hands of large corporations. The reasoning behind this suggestion to the corporate owner was that within the curriculum of the schools, participating corporations could find students with talents and skills in specific areas of the work force and begin educating them before graduation. This way, students would have valued jobs waiting for them upon graduation, companies would have qualified workers for necessary positions, and the responsibility of paying for public education would be shifted away from the state (and federal) government to private funding.
I value education, however, all things taken into consideration, I believe that higher education has becoming greatly over-rated. All too many graduates, young and older alike, who have invested time and money to earn higher degrees of education are out of a job and collecting unemployment, under employed, or seeking additional education to qualify for jobs now requiring a greater degree of technology, a result of our out-of-balance and out-of-touch educational requirements..
Educational systems must be able to keep up with the technology of today. Not all students are college material but feel the need to follow the present system if they want the coveted high-salaried jobs in fields of endeavor that are changing constantly as a result of the rapidly changing technology of today and tomorrow.
Yet, there is also a great need for workers. Yes, people who have talents and skills that lie outside the perimeter of the corporate world. Technology has also touched every aspect of the service industry, and service workers are still needed and must be trained, but not necessarily in a college setting and without the pressure of college curriculum and unrelated classes. And, while a well rounded education is certainly something to strive for, many people have continued their education later in life, either by taking classes of their choosing or through self-education, much of which comes with the maturity and gradual wisdom of life and the lessons of living.
I think Joshua's suggestion is something that is worth consideration in any country. Our economy needs more balance, more jobs, more job-specific options for education. So, why not begin on the level where our young people are beginning to think about their own future. Young adults that feel they have succeeded in the responsibilities of life are much more apt to feel positively about themselves and their chances of succeeding if employment promotion is their decision later in life. Wouldn't we be doing our young people a greater service in educating them for the jobs that are out there instead of requiring them to sacrifice four to eight years in higher education only to find that there are just no jobs available for the level of education, high or low, that they possess?
Ten years later I decided I wanted these books to add to my own growing library so I went online in search of the books written by the retired Catholic priest. I loved his style of writing...it was simple and believable. To my surprise I found that the author had written more books with the remarkable Joshua as the central character who traveled around the United States as well as the Holy Land. The next couple of months found me ordering each of these books and savoring the messages and miracles brought about by this simple man of faith.
For this blog I would like to relate one of the solutions proposed in Grizone's book, Joshua and the City which takes place in a large metropolitan city, much like, if not, New York City. Initially, he befriends a single-parent family and helped the two teenage sons begin their own furniture upholstering business. By working with these young people he brought about great changes in a section of the city that was suffering from the same symptoms of many low-income neighborhoods. Many unaddressed and unattended to social ills were brought to light and with community spirit and pride, answers were found.
In another part of town, Joshua brings healing to a couple who had grown apart because the husband, owner of a large corporation, found more satisfaction in his work than in his marriage relationship...or so the wife believed. Slowly but quite surely, healing brought joy back to their marriage and their lives and they found great admiration for this humble man of love.
One of the suggestions I felt had great merit was taking the burden of public high schools from the state and place it in the hands of large corporations. The reasoning behind this suggestion to the corporate owner was that within the curriculum of the schools, participating corporations could find students with talents and skills in specific areas of the work force and begin educating them before graduation. This way, students would have valued jobs waiting for them upon graduation, companies would have qualified workers for necessary positions, and the responsibility of paying for public education would be shifted away from the state (and federal) government to private funding.
I value education, however, all things taken into consideration, I believe that higher education has becoming greatly over-rated. All too many graduates, young and older alike, who have invested time and money to earn higher degrees of education are out of a job and collecting unemployment, under employed, or seeking additional education to qualify for jobs now requiring a greater degree of technology, a result of our out-of-balance and out-of-touch educational requirements..
Educational systems must be able to keep up with the technology of today. Not all students are college material but feel the need to follow the present system if they want the coveted high-salaried jobs in fields of endeavor that are changing constantly as a result of the rapidly changing technology of today and tomorrow.
Yet, there is also a great need for workers. Yes, people who have talents and skills that lie outside the perimeter of the corporate world. Technology has also touched every aspect of the service industry, and service workers are still needed and must be trained, but not necessarily in a college setting and without the pressure of college curriculum and unrelated classes. And, while a well rounded education is certainly something to strive for, many people have continued their education later in life, either by taking classes of their choosing or through self-education, much of which comes with the maturity and gradual wisdom of life and the lessons of living.
I think Joshua's suggestion is something that is worth consideration in any country. Our economy needs more balance, more jobs, more job-specific options for education. So, why not begin on the level where our young people are beginning to think about their own future. Young adults that feel they have succeeded in the responsibilities of life are much more apt to feel positively about themselves and their chances of succeeding if employment promotion is their decision later in life. Wouldn't we be doing our young people a greater service in educating them for the jobs that are out there instead of requiring them to sacrifice four to eight years in higher education only to find that there are just no jobs available for the level of education, high or low, that they possess?
Thursday, June 2, 2011
The Fix
This came as a private email. I think it makes sense so I'll blog it:
Subject: The Fix
BEST THING I HAVE HEARD YET.....From a senior citizen around 80 yrs. of age. We aren't useless yet.
The Fix
There recently was an article in the St. Petersburg , Fl. Times. The Business Section asked readers for ideas on: "How Would You Fix the Economy?" I think this guy nailed it!
Dear Mr. President:
Please find below my suggestion for fixing America 's economy. Instead of giving billions of dollars to companies that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan.
You can call it the "Patriotic Retirement Plan":
There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force. Pay them $1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:
1) They MUST retire. Forty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.
2) They MUST buy a new AMERICAN Car. Forty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed.
3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing Crisis fixed.
It can't get any easier than that!!
P.S.. If more money is needed, have all members in Congress pay their taxes..
Mr. President, while you're at it, make Congress retire on Social Security and Medicare. I'll bet both programs would be fixed pronto!
God Bless America!
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and
to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
If you can read this -Thank a teacher!
If you can read this in English thank a soldier!!!
"LIVE FREE OR DIE"
Subject: The Fix
BEST THING I HAVE HEARD YET.....From a senior citizen around 80 yrs. of age. We aren't useless yet.
The Fix
There recently was an article in the St. Petersburg , Fl. Times. The Business Section asked readers for ideas on: "How Would You Fix the Economy?" I think this guy nailed it!
Dear Mr. President:
Please find below my suggestion for fixing America 's economy. Instead of giving billions of dollars to companies that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan.
You can call it the "Patriotic Retirement Plan":
There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force. Pay them $1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:
1) They MUST retire. Forty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.
2) They MUST buy a new AMERICAN Car. Forty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed.
3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing Crisis fixed.
It can't get any easier than that!!
P.S.. If more money is needed, have all members in Congress pay their taxes..
Mr. President, while you're at it, make Congress retire on Social Security and Medicare. I'll bet both programs would be fixed pronto!
God Bless America!
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and
to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
If you can read this -Thank a teacher!
If you can read this in English thank a soldier!!!
"LIVE FREE OR DIE"
Getting Real
I'm looking at the weather today and it could warm up to be a very comfortable day. I might take my lounge chair outside and read my newest book; or I could get my bike out of storage, pump up the tires, and see if I can find my balance again; or I could...oh well! When you have to take an early, medical retirement, you have all kinds of time but not much money to spend, so options are decidedly a bit narrower, but they can be found.
The first thing I see on FNC is a group (herd is more like it) of women sprinting for a courthouse door to be first in line to sit through the Casey Anthony murder trial. What is wrong with this picture? What is so alluring about watching a young woman and her family stumble, lie, and cry their way through a pitiful farce of injustice. What's even more distasteful to me is that there is an element of our society that is hooked on this kind of "reality". What has our society come to? For some reason I'm reminded of the Roman reality, many years ago, involving lions, humans and lots of bloodshed.
More flooding in South Dakota and the state of Massachusetts was hit with devastating tornadoes . I recently read a report accusing the mainstream media of ignoring the flooding in the Midwest and playing up the same conditions in the southern tier states along the Mississippi River as it flows into the Gulf of Mexico. Well, I don't watch mainstream news just for that reason. Admittedly, states like Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas have suffered greatly at the hands of Mother Earth's indignities. Many places still have not totally recovered from the throes of Hurricane Katrina six years ago. Be that as it may, the states of Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri may never recover, and the effects from flooded farmlands will have a negative effect for years to come.
I have been watching with interest the developing list of GOP hopefuls vying for the Republican nomination to run against the current president of my country. I was a fan of Sarah Palin when she ran on the Republican ticket with John McCain in the 2008 elections. I liked what I heard from her. What I didn't like was the way MSMBC (the cable news channel I watched at that time) attacked her and other conservative candidates. So much so that when it was suggested that I watch Fox News Channel, I immediately knew I was "home", politically speaking. I was disappointed when Huckabee recently announced that he would not be running, glad when Trump made a similar announcement, and very much impressed with what I was hearing from Michelle Bachman. As a friend posted yesterday, wouldn't it be just the ultimate if we had two female politicians running on the GOP ticket in 2012? Imagine that!!!
Right now I'm listening to Marco Rubio, a Republican senator from the state of Florida, share his views on our current Medicare programs. He agrees that the Ryan plan, while not perfect, at least offers a way to begin the magnanimous job of reform. Additionally, he challenges the other side of the aisle to offer something concrete that will be part of the solution and not more of the problem. The man makes sense, listen to him! Reform, do not continue to deform!
Another equally ridiculous state of affairs is this obsession of the GOP to pressure Chris Christie to run. The man said he didn't want the job of president of this country. Leave him alone! Let him continue his plan as governor of New Jersey. I like his no nonsense approach to state government. He takes a stand and follows through regardless of the flack or criticism coming from the biased media looking for a chance to pounce and publish.
Lastly, and embarrassing so, is New York congressman, Anthony Weiner who still will not make an affirmative statement regarding the photo that was Twittered from his personal account. First of all, this man has never failed to provide me with another "I can't believe he said that" exclamation. He either sent out a picture of himself in his briefs or he didn't, how complicated can that be? And the more he tries to deflect this primary question with alternative scenarios the deeper he digs the hole he may accidentally find himself looking up and out of. Keep digging, Weiner.
I have friends from other countries who read my blogs, so I try to share some background that will help them understand what I'm talking about The facts of many of these matters are often embarrassing. The solutions from some camps are just plain pitiful and inadequate, and the simple state of our union has reached a dangerous level that has been so far obscured that truth is hidden and often conveniently hard to find.
A decade ago I was sitting in a modern truck stop restaurant as the big rig my husband and I called our "home on wheels" underwent some much needed repairs. Behind me was another commercial driver coaching his trainee and I listened with interest as the trainer pointed out to his student that the reasons he used for not properly executing a "backing-up" procedure amounted to nothing more than not accepting responsibility. I realized at that time that I, also, had been guilty of this in too many areas of my life.
From that eavesdropped conversation I came to terms with my own shortcomings and made a promise to myself to correct those self-defeating cover-ups. After that day, I intentionally kept track of my actions and reactions and as I gradually made some necessary changes, I came to experience the freedom to learn from my mistakes so that I could face the future with more confidence and no guilt.
I'm hoping to see more examples of this in the upcoming elections. Stick to the issues, present viable solutions, and DO NOT engage in mudslinging. Be responsible, candidates! If the election can't be won by dealing with the facts of the issues, then it's not worth running, for anyone. Our country's candidates for any public office must be trustworthy, and trust is earned, so why not start with the campaign? Please!!!
The first thing I see on FNC is a group (herd is more like it) of women sprinting for a courthouse door to be first in line to sit through the Casey Anthony murder trial. What is wrong with this picture? What is so alluring about watching a young woman and her family stumble, lie, and cry their way through a pitiful farce of injustice. What's even more distasteful to me is that there is an element of our society that is hooked on this kind of "reality". What has our society come to? For some reason I'm reminded of the Roman reality, many years ago, involving lions, humans and lots of bloodshed.
More flooding in South Dakota and the state of Massachusetts was hit with devastating tornadoes . I recently read a report accusing the mainstream media of ignoring the flooding in the Midwest and playing up the same conditions in the southern tier states along the Mississippi River as it flows into the Gulf of Mexico. Well, I don't watch mainstream news just for that reason. Admittedly, states like Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas have suffered greatly at the hands of Mother Earth's indignities. Many places still have not totally recovered from the throes of Hurricane Katrina six years ago. Be that as it may, the states of Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri may never recover, and the effects from flooded farmlands will have a negative effect for years to come.
I have been watching with interest the developing list of GOP hopefuls vying for the Republican nomination to run against the current president of my country. I was a fan of Sarah Palin when she ran on the Republican ticket with John McCain in the 2008 elections. I liked what I heard from her. What I didn't like was the way MSMBC (the cable news channel I watched at that time) attacked her and other conservative candidates. So much so that when it was suggested that I watch Fox News Channel, I immediately knew I was "home", politically speaking. I was disappointed when Huckabee recently announced that he would not be running, glad when Trump made a similar announcement, and very much impressed with what I was hearing from Michelle Bachman. As a friend posted yesterday, wouldn't it be just the ultimate if we had two female politicians running on the GOP ticket in 2012? Imagine that!!!
Right now I'm listening to Marco Rubio, a Republican senator from the state of Florida, share his views on our current Medicare programs. He agrees that the Ryan plan, while not perfect, at least offers a way to begin the magnanimous job of reform. Additionally, he challenges the other side of the aisle to offer something concrete that will be part of the solution and not more of the problem. The man makes sense, listen to him! Reform, do not continue to deform!
Another equally ridiculous state of affairs is this obsession of the GOP to pressure Chris Christie to run. The man said he didn't want the job of president of this country. Leave him alone! Let him continue his plan as governor of New Jersey. I like his no nonsense approach to state government. He takes a stand and follows through regardless of the flack or criticism coming from the biased media looking for a chance to pounce and publish.
Lastly, and embarrassing so, is New York congressman, Anthony Weiner who still will not make an affirmative statement regarding the photo that was Twittered from his personal account. First of all, this man has never failed to provide me with another "I can't believe he said that" exclamation. He either sent out a picture of himself in his briefs or he didn't, how complicated can that be? And the more he tries to deflect this primary question with alternative scenarios the deeper he digs the hole he may accidentally find himself looking up and out of. Keep digging, Weiner.
I have friends from other countries who read my blogs, so I try to share some background that will help them understand what I'm talking about The facts of many of these matters are often embarrassing. The solutions from some camps are just plain pitiful and inadequate, and the simple state of our union has reached a dangerous level that has been so far obscured that truth is hidden and often conveniently hard to find.
A decade ago I was sitting in a modern truck stop restaurant as the big rig my husband and I called our "home on wheels" underwent some much needed repairs. Behind me was another commercial driver coaching his trainee and I listened with interest as the trainer pointed out to his student that the reasons he used for not properly executing a "backing-up" procedure amounted to nothing more than not accepting responsibility. I realized at that time that I, also, had been guilty of this in too many areas of my life.
From that eavesdropped conversation I came to terms with my own shortcomings and made a promise to myself to correct those self-defeating cover-ups. After that day, I intentionally kept track of my actions and reactions and as I gradually made some necessary changes, I came to experience the freedom to learn from my mistakes so that I could face the future with more confidence and no guilt.
I'm hoping to see more examples of this in the upcoming elections. Stick to the issues, present viable solutions, and DO NOT engage in mudslinging. Be responsible, candidates! If the election can't be won by dealing with the facts of the issues, then it's not worth running, for anyone. Our country's candidates for any public office must be trustworthy, and trust is earned, so why not start with the campaign? Please!!!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
It's All Relative!
As I sat here this morning watching my daily dose of FNC, I observed Republican lawmakers filing into the White House for a meeting with our president to discuss our debt crisis and ways to cut federal spending. It makes sense that IF the debt ceiling is raised (i.e. borrow more money) then spending MUST be reduced to a greater level so that the national debt can be brought under control. Raising taxes is presently one of the options, but as discussed today, more jobs are needed to provide a greater tax base with which to operate. It's just one viscous circle dance, almost like a game of chicken, to see who is the first to give in or flinch.
In my opinion, this meeting was just another opportunity for "arm twisting" behind closed doors. The it's my way or the highway attitude has out-stayed its welcome. The time for honest, bi-partisan, negotiations is here, now...there is no more tomorrow. The political cars are speeding toward the cliff but neither party seems willing to yell, "Uncle". I'm mixing my metaphors but the message in each case is the same. "Out of control" by any other comparison is a path of destruction. Instead of waiting till the last minute and the eventuality of jumping out of the vehicle, why not put on the brakes and save the car and the drivers...and our country!
My youngest son and his best friend (my adopted son) have been doing some work investigating their individual family trees and found, in the process, that their families share the same branch some several generations ago. As they were investigating my own family tree they found that my paternal great grandfather was born into a family of slaves. And, after sharing this information with my father's younger brother, he discussed his grandmother (my great-grandmother) and his memory of her as a "redskin woman with a long, silver braid down her back". This memory was validated by my son's recollection of a similar conversation with my father many years ago.
For some years after embarking on a single life, I had an unexplained "draw" toward the unique representations of this indigenous American culture. When asked, I couldn't find an explanation as to why I decorated my living room with dream catchers and other replicas of Native relics, or why I was so moved by the wisdom and spiritual depth of this culture's written philosophies and beliefs. From earlier reading I ascertained that this passion might have originated from a soul-memory of past lifetimes; from my uncle I found that it originated from the call of my own blood relationship to this culture that remains to this day, so spiritually bound to the greatness of Mother Earth and Father Sun.
Last fall I wrote about my cousin and his condition of dementia which manifested after hip surgery almost seven years ago. At the suggestion of a friend I investigated the possible cause of this perplexing occurrence and found the possibility of a reaction to the anesthesia administered during the surgery, a sad side-effect that I have become more and more aware of since it hit so close to home.
My friend, who was married to my cousin over 20 years ago, and I, along with my uncle, have been visiting him weekly and earlier in this year we were all very concerned when a form of flu struck him and caused his usually up-beat personality to diminish as his physical condition also deteriorated. We continued to encourage him and remind him of our related past experiences, and challenge his short-term memory. Because my cousin's son was not communicative with the rest of the family I couldn't help but wonder if we would even be notified in the event his father had to be hospitalized.
Gradually, my cousin's condition began to improve: he became more talkative, initiating more conversations; asked more questions; and verbalized his frustration when his short-term memory continually failed him. We answered his questions (repeatedly) and did all we could to improve his living environment. I took pictures of the birthday party we had for him and of our visits and placed them in a frame to hang on his wall. The Center hung his picture outside his door so he could find his room, my friend's daughter bought him a very nice flat-screen TV, and his sister gave him a comfortable recliner to sit in while he watched TV or played his ukelele.
His condition is improving so much so that he's now asking when he can get out of this assisted living environment. We don't have any answers for him just yet, but promised him that we would check into it. In every way he has made remarkable improvements, and it's almost like he's willing himself to making progress.
While we accept the fact that he'll always have deficit memory retention, there is nothing in writing that says he'll never recover his ability to recall recent conversations...because he's already doing this. His ability to reason facts given to him always surprises us as does his repetition of recent issues discussed. Prayers are being answered, reality is always a given, and healing has already began. God is beneficent, life is good, and I have found a new peace. Namaste!
In my opinion, this meeting was just another opportunity for "arm twisting" behind closed doors. The it's my way or the highway attitude has out-stayed its welcome. The time for honest, bi-partisan, negotiations is here, now...there is no more tomorrow. The political cars are speeding toward the cliff but neither party seems willing to yell, "Uncle". I'm mixing my metaphors but the message in each case is the same. "Out of control" by any other comparison is a path of destruction. Instead of waiting till the last minute and the eventuality of jumping out of the vehicle, why not put on the brakes and save the car and the drivers...and our country!
My youngest son and his best friend (my adopted son) have been doing some work investigating their individual family trees and found, in the process, that their families share the same branch some several generations ago. As they were investigating my own family tree they found that my paternal great grandfather was born into a family of slaves. And, after sharing this information with my father's younger brother, he discussed his grandmother (my great-grandmother) and his memory of her as a "redskin woman with a long, silver braid down her back". This memory was validated by my son's recollection of a similar conversation with my father many years ago.
For some years after embarking on a single life, I had an unexplained "draw" toward the unique representations of this indigenous American culture. When asked, I couldn't find an explanation as to why I decorated my living room with dream catchers and other replicas of Native relics, or why I was so moved by the wisdom and spiritual depth of this culture's written philosophies and beliefs. From earlier reading I ascertained that this passion might have originated from a soul-memory of past lifetimes; from my uncle I found that it originated from the call of my own blood relationship to this culture that remains to this day, so spiritually bound to the greatness of Mother Earth and Father Sun.
Last fall I wrote about my cousin and his condition of dementia which manifested after hip surgery almost seven years ago. At the suggestion of a friend I investigated the possible cause of this perplexing occurrence and found the possibility of a reaction to the anesthesia administered during the surgery, a sad side-effect that I have become more and more aware of since it hit so close to home.
My friend, who was married to my cousin over 20 years ago, and I, along with my uncle, have been visiting him weekly and earlier in this year we were all very concerned when a form of flu struck him and caused his usually up-beat personality to diminish as his physical condition also deteriorated. We continued to encourage him and remind him of our related past experiences, and challenge his short-term memory. Because my cousin's son was not communicative with the rest of the family I couldn't help but wonder if we would even be notified in the event his father had to be hospitalized.
Gradually, my cousin's condition began to improve: he became more talkative, initiating more conversations; asked more questions; and verbalized his frustration when his short-term memory continually failed him. We answered his questions (repeatedly) and did all we could to improve his living environment. I took pictures of the birthday party we had for him and of our visits and placed them in a frame to hang on his wall. The Center hung his picture outside his door so he could find his room, my friend's daughter bought him a very nice flat-screen TV, and his sister gave him a comfortable recliner to sit in while he watched TV or played his ukelele.
His condition is improving so much so that he's now asking when he can get out of this assisted living environment. We don't have any answers for him just yet, but promised him that we would check into it. In every way he has made remarkable improvements, and it's almost like he's willing himself to making progress.
While we accept the fact that he'll always have deficit memory retention, there is nothing in writing that says he'll never recover his ability to recall recent conversations...because he's already doing this. His ability to reason facts given to him always surprises us as does his repetition of recent issues discussed. Prayers are being answered, reality is always a given, and healing has already began. God is beneficent, life is good, and I have found a new peace. Namaste!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
That's Life!
It seems like every time I sit down to share my thoughts in a blog, the thoughts I had yesterday, the day before or even two hours before are predictably missing. So, I'll start out and hope something will come to mind as I clear my thoughts of all but what is essential, at least from a blogging view.
Yesterday in my country we celebrated Memorial Day, and as it is also with other countries, we honor the members of the Armed Forces who have served in our country's military as well as say Thank You" to those families who have sacrificed loved ones to fight for and preserve the liberties we have come to take so much for granted. On a personal note, my celebration was wonderful. The food was fantastic, the company was perfect, except for the absence of my daughter and her husband, and the mood was one of blending and love. Three generations were represented and family-of-the-heart were welcomed again. During the course of the day, one of my favorite songs by the Statler Brothers, "Silver Medals and Sweet Memories" was playing softly in my mind as I thought of the members of my own family who had either made the supreme sacrifice or served unselfishly for me, my family and my country.
As the sun set on a beautiful day, I looked out my bedroom window and saw that the new flowers Jan planted in the ground below my window were thriving and that reminded me that this year I wanted to get my Topsy Turvey tomato plant set up so that I can enjoy this seasonal favorite this summer. Living in an apartment, I miss the garden and yard work I did when I lived in a house in the country; but this small measure will help ease the longing for one of my favorite salad compliments.
I'm not much of at TV watcher at this time of my life. Normally, I would have the Fox News Channel on all day, catching a bit here and there as I go about my day or sit in my recliner with my laptop in front of me. So much sadness in the news these days, primarily (to me) the destruction and death caused by the unpredictable catastrophes Mother Earth/Nature has caused, not only my country but many others around the world.
Yes, this Lovely Lady is ticked-off! We have taken Her for granted, and too little too late "green" efforts have too often been selfishly initiated. Our government has promoted efforts aimed at what we can get from the Earth (solar, wind power) and all but ignored what we need to give back. That which has been instigated to protect endangered species has been manipulated by political causes, often with greed as the root cause and effect.
And we scratch our heads and wonder why: we have a national debt in the trillions: high national unemployment and local unemployment at record highs; available jobs are hard to find; the housing market is going crazy and demand for rental properties is soaring; more and more citizens do not trust the decisions made by our nation's leaders. Greed, power, and lack of accountability!.
Sometimes I wonder if our nation's opportunities for holidays have become hollow excuses to take a day off of work to meet with family or friends, or just kick back and enjoy the day as we wish.While there is nothing wrong with this, we often get lost in the celebration and forget the reason. Our country has become polarized and finding center is becoming more and more difficult to do, politically, socially and morally. Yet, there are great signs of renewal and personal recovery that cannot, and should not, be ignored. Regardless of what we have stood for in the past, our options are becoming fewer and fewer because while we have slept our rights have slowly been taken away from us. We need more patriots, more patriotism, more honesty and more pride.
I think back to what I've read about this country nearly 100 years ago when our soldiers fought in WWI, and then WWII. Would those whose pride took them to far away countries to stop the forces that might threaten our freedom recognize the country they protected when they signed on the dotted line and volunteered for military service? Are the changes we take for granted, good and bad, what they envisioned for our country? If not, why not?
I also think back to what I've read about the early beginnings of the Constitutional Congress that formulated the living document which guided the early formative years of our country's growth. I thought it was meant to be the blueprint for the future of our country, and wonder now what happened to to precepts set down by our Founding Fathers? Where did we go astray? What was the name of the Pied Piper who charmed our intelligent national leaders to create laws and pass legislature that has found us in this almost dead end road of economic disaster?
In the weeks and months ahead I'll be sharing my own personal opinions. I'm sure I'll meet with some criticisms, possibly denials and hopefully some well thought out agreement, but as the song that's been in my head today goes: ""That's Life"!". In fact I'd like to get some responses, any responses. That would mean that someone is reading my blogs.
Yesterday in my country we celebrated Memorial Day, and as it is also with other countries, we honor the members of the Armed Forces who have served in our country's military as well as say Thank You" to those families who have sacrificed loved ones to fight for and preserve the liberties we have come to take so much for granted. On a personal note, my celebration was wonderful. The food was fantastic, the company was perfect, except for the absence of my daughter and her husband, and the mood was one of blending and love. Three generations were represented and family-of-the-heart were welcomed again. During the course of the day, one of my favorite songs by the Statler Brothers, "Silver Medals and Sweet Memories" was playing softly in my mind as I thought of the members of my own family who had either made the supreme sacrifice or served unselfishly for me, my family and my country.
As the sun set on a beautiful day, I looked out my bedroom window and saw that the new flowers Jan planted in the ground below my window were thriving and that reminded me that this year I wanted to get my Topsy Turvey tomato plant set up so that I can enjoy this seasonal favorite this summer. Living in an apartment, I miss the garden and yard work I did when I lived in a house in the country; but this small measure will help ease the longing for one of my favorite salad compliments.
I'm not much of at TV watcher at this time of my life. Normally, I would have the Fox News Channel on all day, catching a bit here and there as I go about my day or sit in my recliner with my laptop in front of me. So much sadness in the news these days, primarily (to me) the destruction and death caused by the unpredictable catastrophes Mother Earth/Nature has caused, not only my country but many others around the world.
Yes, this Lovely Lady is ticked-off! We have taken Her for granted, and too little too late "green" efforts have too often been selfishly initiated. Our government has promoted efforts aimed at what we can get from the Earth (solar, wind power) and all but ignored what we need to give back. That which has been instigated to protect endangered species has been manipulated by political causes, often with greed as the root cause and effect.
And we scratch our heads and wonder why: we have a national debt in the trillions: high national unemployment and local unemployment at record highs; available jobs are hard to find; the housing market is going crazy and demand for rental properties is soaring; more and more citizens do not trust the decisions made by our nation's leaders. Greed, power, and lack of accountability!.
Sometimes I wonder if our nation's opportunities for holidays have become hollow excuses to take a day off of work to meet with family or friends, or just kick back and enjoy the day as we wish.While there is nothing wrong with this, we often get lost in the celebration and forget the reason. Our country has become polarized and finding center is becoming more and more difficult to do, politically, socially and morally. Yet, there are great signs of renewal and personal recovery that cannot, and should not, be ignored. Regardless of what we have stood for in the past, our options are becoming fewer and fewer because while we have slept our rights have slowly been taken away from us. We need more patriots, more patriotism, more honesty and more pride.
I think back to what I've read about this country nearly 100 years ago when our soldiers fought in WWI, and then WWII. Would those whose pride took them to far away countries to stop the forces that might threaten our freedom recognize the country they protected when they signed on the dotted line and volunteered for military service? Are the changes we take for granted, good and bad, what they envisioned for our country? If not, why not?
I also think back to what I've read about the early beginnings of the Constitutional Congress that formulated the living document which guided the early formative years of our country's growth. I thought it was meant to be the blueprint for the future of our country, and wonder now what happened to to precepts set down by our Founding Fathers? Where did we go astray? What was the name of the Pied Piper who charmed our intelligent national leaders to create laws and pass legislature that has found us in this almost dead end road of economic disaster?
In the weeks and months ahead I'll be sharing my own personal opinions. I'm sure I'll meet with some criticisms, possibly denials and hopefully some well thought out agreement, but as the song that's been in my head today goes: ""That's Life"!". In fact I'd like to get some responses, any responses. That would mean that someone is reading my blogs.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Have A Little Faith In Life!
Every now and then life just seems to creep up on me, things start going from bad to just a little bit worse and each day seems like it should be labeled: "No Relief In Sight". So, it's just one day at a time and one foot in front of the other as the days go by.
Then, something will change, a spark of an idea followed by another logical conclusion, a phone call here and an agreement there and within 24 hours something that seemed impossible to overcome has found resolution.
Well, maybe I should explain that I believe miracles happen every day:...but not the hocus-pocus type. I mean the kind of human miracles that are the result of a beautiful kind of synchronicity, the kind most people chalk up to luck. I just had to know how to see them and how to appreciate them. Because a miracle by any other name that brings joy and peace to someone is certainly cause in my book for wonder at the greatness that this world and the people in it can hold.
As some of my closer friends know, my mini-van has been on the injured list for several months now, waiting for a solution to transmission failure. At this time in my life, my choices were replace or rebuild: the first proved to be difficult because my van is a 1996 and low mileage replacements were very scarce; the second was even less of an option because the vehicle was not worth investing the money to have the transmission rebuilt.
Time was getting short and my nerves were going from slightly to raggedly frayed as I relied on my son, my mom and my best friend to take me to the necessary places I visited each month for groceries and other home necessities. I had to make a decision, and I realized it was time to face the truth: I had to borrow the money from my mom to replace the vehicle, but I needed (if at all possible) a reliable source for this challenge.
Last night I called my niece's husband who works at a local Honda dealership and asked for his feed back on my situation. After he assured me that my thinking was rational and (all things considered) practical, I asked if he might know of a vehicle in my price range that was worth investing in.
Now, my niece, Leslie, is truly a sweetheart and Brett is the perfect compliment to her personality. He assured me that he'd not suggest any vehicle that was not safe, something I just took for granted. He was so comforting and thorough that I knew I had made a good choice to call him. And, he had a vehicle that he thought might fit my needs.
Long story short: My son, Ray, and I met Brett at the dealership at 9am this morning, we looked at the car and liked it; for our test drive, we took it to my mechanic for a once-over (and pick up the license plate from my mini-van). My son noticed a wobble in the front end, which turned out to be a tire that was beginning to show some wear on the belts. He mentioned this to Brett and a couple hours later I drove the car home with a "nearly new" set of tires and a great feeling of peace in my soul.
My point to all this is that sometimes we become so burdened with the challenges of life that we just want answers, solutions and resolutions...and we want them right now, especially if we've had to struggle with a certain life issue for a period of time. I read in a book somewhere that when you don't know what to do, don't do anything at all, just trust that the answers you seek will come when the time is right. It wasn't easy, but I waited, and prayed and trusted some more. The answer came!
Best of all, I know this is right. It feels right and has played out just right. My mother's generosity in lending me the money is basically the pivot point that made it happen, and the candle of gratitude I lit was for her, Brett and his staff. Simply put, never give up, and don't give in until you feel absolutely right about your decision.
Don't let "I shudda" keep you from experiencing all life has to offer. Go for the gusto and meet life head on. I'll never know what is beyond the next curve until I get there, but if I stop before I get there, I've possibly thrown away any chance of finding out.
Then, something will change, a spark of an idea followed by another logical conclusion, a phone call here and an agreement there and within 24 hours something that seemed impossible to overcome has found resolution.
Well, maybe I should explain that I believe miracles happen every day:...but not the hocus-pocus type. I mean the kind of human miracles that are the result of a beautiful kind of synchronicity, the kind most people chalk up to luck. I just had to know how to see them and how to appreciate them. Because a miracle by any other name that brings joy and peace to someone is certainly cause in my book for wonder at the greatness that this world and the people in it can hold.
As some of my closer friends know, my mini-van has been on the injured list for several months now, waiting for a solution to transmission failure. At this time in my life, my choices were replace or rebuild: the first proved to be difficult because my van is a 1996 and low mileage replacements were very scarce; the second was even less of an option because the vehicle was not worth investing the money to have the transmission rebuilt.
Time was getting short and my nerves were going from slightly to raggedly frayed as I relied on my son, my mom and my best friend to take me to the necessary places I visited each month for groceries and other home necessities. I had to make a decision, and I realized it was time to face the truth: I had to borrow the money from my mom to replace the vehicle, but I needed (if at all possible) a reliable source for this challenge.
Last night I called my niece's husband who works at a local Honda dealership and asked for his feed back on my situation. After he assured me that my thinking was rational and (all things considered) practical, I asked if he might know of a vehicle in my price range that was worth investing in.
Now, my niece, Leslie, is truly a sweetheart and Brett is the perfect compliment to her personality. He assured me that he'd not suggest any vehicle that was not safe, something I just took for granted. He was so comforting and thorough that I knew I had made a good choice to call him. And, he had a vehicle that he thought might fit my needs.
Long story short: My son, Ray, and I met Brett at the dealership at 9am this morning, we looked at the car and liked it; for our test drive, we took it to my mechanic for a once-over (and pick up the license plate from my mini-van). My son noticed a wobble in the front end, which turned out to be a tire that was beginning to show some wear on the belts. He mentioned this to Brett and a couple hours later I drove the car home with a "nearly new" set of tires and a great feeling of peace in my soul.
My point to all this is that sometimes we become so burdened with the challenges of life that we just want answers, solutions and resolutions...and we want them right now, especially if we've had to struggle with a certain life issue for a period of time. I read in a book somewhere that when you don't know what to do, don't do anything at all, just trust that the answers you seek will come when the time is right. It wasn't easy, but I waited, and prayed and trusted some more. The answer came!
Best of all, I know this is right. It feels right and has played out just right. My mother's generosity in lending me the money is basically the pivot point that made it happen, and the candle of gratitude I lit was for her, Brett and his staff. Simply put, never give up, and don't give in until you feel absolutely right about your decision.
Don't let "I shudda" keep you from experiencing all life has to offer. Go for the gusto and meet life head on. I'll never know what is beyond the next curve until I get there, but if I stop before I get there, I've possibly thrown away any chance of finding out.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Rambling Fun: Off the cuff or off the wall?
I just came back from a quick run to the pharmacy and noticed that the lilacs are almost in full bloom. I love the colors and fragrance of these springtime beauties. Deep purple to white and just about every shade in between. I love them all. One spring day a few years ago I picked a nice bouquet of them from the neighbor's bushes (with their consent). I put them a vase and placed them in my bedroom. By the time I went back later in the evening to read, my room was filled with the heady bouquet which relaxed me to sleep that night. Spring is here!
I've been waiting for the opportunity to get a really good case of Spring Fever. I have no alarm clocks to answer to in the morning, no routine or demands except for what I set for myself, and all kinds of time to slip outside and either read in the sunshine or take a short hike to the back side of the wooded lot behind my building and read, there surrounded by my favorite tree,.or should I say trees...six smaller trunks literally exploding from one root source, growing in a semi-circle which makes the perfect seat to let nature embrace me and drown out the din of cars, trucks, dogs, neighborhood kids and life. It's a temporary escape, but so worth the effort.
For six years or more I have enjoyed a relatively enjoyable online experience, starting out with Yahoo 360. I opened a Facebook account about a year later but until my cousins in the southwest came online, it was just something I came around to every now and then. Yahoo eliminated its social forum but by then I was more and more involved with FB so the transition was effortless. Little did I know then that I had been a part of an online experience that would gradually evolve into a super personal social network that not only allowed me to keep in touch with family and friends from Yahoo 360 but offered me an online forum which brought even more opportunities to meet people from my own country and on around the world.
The thrilling part for me is making contact with people who had once been in my life but moved away. Recently a dear online friend who went in another direction when Y360 folded found my comment on the page of a mutual friend and sent me a message. What a beautiful FB reunion, one of many. I also look forward to finding new friends, and this has been my pleasure through the applications/games that have challenged me these past few years. Yes, unless I have plans outside my apartment, my computer is on most of the day while I carry on with my housekeeping, laundry, and meals, but I'm not on seated at my PC the whole time!
While this may seem like a lot of online time, I don't feel that it's something that's out of control in my life. My early mornings and early evenings are often spent journaling my dreams, and later evenings are spent reading. Rarely do I spend more than a half hour at any one activity, as I am easily distracted and once I get up to get more coffee/tea or other necessary activities, I can usually find something else to do before finally remembering what it was that I got up to do in the first place.
However, (yep, here it comes), I have given myself permission to go where the wind blows me, whether it's indoors or out. I've never made a secret of my age and I've finally reached the age where that honest admission often comes with a "Senior Citizens Discount" at restaurants or check-out counters. I allow myself those "Senior Moments" even when they come two or three in the same hour and I reserve the right to change my mind on a moment's notice. I can dote on my grandsons or spend three days in my apartment without going out because I enjoy my own company and also look forward to opportunities to spend time with the people I love.
I never had a career, something I've often regretted; but, I've had quite a few jobs both working for others and as my own boss and I've learned a lot about life, love and lies. I take people for who they are to me, not because of the likes or dislikes of other people. I learned the lessons of life the hard way holding on to hurtful friends while overlooking the honest souls because someone else had a problem with them. Fortunately I was given second chances to correct my errors in judgement, and I learned that because we're all human, we're all here to learn our life lessons and the only way to do that is to take a chance, live life and not be afraid of making mistakes
Where am I going with this? Nowhere! Absolutely nowhere! Isn't that great. Unlike professional writers who have to have a beginning, ending and in-between, bloggers can share their thoughts, express opinions, give their viewpoints or ramble to their heart's content. Blogging is therapeutic and challenging. For me, when I first came to blogging, I was surprised to find that there were people in the world who agreed with me, even more surprised that they enjoyed reading what I wrote. I learned to take constructive criticism and came to enjoy the times when a great debate among friends developed.
Lastly, Knowing where you live, being able to find where you live doesn't assure you of a place to live. That is something you must earn by hard work and sacrifice. See, I told you I wasn't going anywhere...I'm still here!
I've been waiting for the opportunity to get a really good case of Spring Fever. I have no alarm clocks to answer to in the morning, no routine or demands except for what I set for myself, and all kinds of time to slip outside and either read in the sunshine or take a short hike to the back side of the wooded lot behind my building and read, there surrounded by my favorite tree,.or should I say trees...six smaller trunks literally exploding from one root source, growing in a semi-circle which makes the perfect seat to let nature embrace me and drown out the din of cars, trucks, dogs, neighborhood kids and life. It's a temporary escape, but so worth the effort.
For six years or more I have enjoyed a relatively enjoyable online experience, starting out with Yahoo 360. I opened a Facebook account about a year later but until my cousins in the southwest came online, it was just something I came around to every now and then. Yahoo eliminated its social forum but by then I was more and more involved with FB so the transition was effortless. Little did I know then that I had been a part of an online experience that would gradually evolve into a super personal social network that not only allowed me to keep in touch with family and friends from Yahoo 360 but offered me an online forum which brought even more opportunities to meet people from my own country and on around the world.
The thrilling part for me is making contact with people who had once been in my life but moved away. Recently a dear online friend who went in another direction when Y360 folded found my comment on the page of a mutual friend and sent me a message. What a beautiful FB reunion, one of many. I also look forward to finding new friends, and this has been my pleasure through the applications/games that have challenged me these past few years. Yes, unless I have plans outside my apartment, my computer is on most of the day while I carry on with my housekeeping, laundry, and meals, but I'm not on seated at my PC the whole time!
While this may seem like a lot of online time, I don't feel that it's something that's out of control in my life. My early mornings and early evenings are often spent journaling my dreams, and later evenings are spent reading. Rarely do I spend more than a half hour at any one activity, as I am easily distracted and once I get up to get more coffee/tea or other necessary activities, I can usually find something else to do before finally remembering what it was that I got up to do in the first place.
However, (yep, here it comes), I have given myself permission to go where the wind blows me, whether it's indoors or out. I've never made a secret of my age and I've finally reached the age where that honest admission often comes with a "Senior Citizens Discount" at restaurants or check-out counters. I allow myself those "Senior Moments" even when they come two or three in the same hour and I reserve the right to change my mind on a moment's notice. I can dote on my grandsons or spend three days in my apartment without going out because I enjoy my own company and also look forward to opportunities to spend time with the people I love.
I never had a career, something I've often regretted; but, I've had quite a few jobs both working for others and as my own boss and I've learned a lot about life, love and lies. I take people for who they are to me, not because of the likes or dislikes of other people. I learned the lessons of life the hard way holding on to hurtful friends while overlooking the honest souls because someone else had a problem with them. Fortunately I was given second chances to correct my errors in judgement, and I learned that because we're all human, we're all here to learn our life lessons and the only way to do that is to take a chance, live life and not be afraid of making mistakes
Where am I going with this? Nowhere! Absolutely nowhere! Isn't that great. Unlike professional writers who have to have a beginning, ending and in-between, bloggers can share their thoughts, express opinions, give their viewpoints or ramble to their heart's content. Blogging is therapeutic and challenging. For me, when I first came to blogging, I was surprised to find that there were people in the world who agreed with me, even more surprised that they enjoyed reading what I wrote. I learned to take constructive criticism and came to enjoy the times when a great debate among friends developed.
Lastly, Knowing where you live, being able to find where you live doesn't assure you of a place to live. That is something you must earn by hard work and sacrifice. See, I told you I wasn't going anywhere...I'm still here!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Now You See It...Now You Don't...or do you?
Well, it's been a few days since I last blogged, and I'm quite certain that subconsciously I took the time to be sure that what I felt and wanted to blog about was not just a rant but based on not reaction but a response to what I consider appropriate and acceptable. But, I'll get to that in just a bit.
My heart goes out to the people in the south and southeast portion of my country. It has been, in this area, one natural disaster after another: tornadoes, hurricanes, floods...there are portions of New Orleans, Louisiana, that haven't totally recovered from Katrina and now face the prospect of being flooded from the north...unless thousands of miles of rural farmland and small town are flooded. And, that is the decision that was made to save New Orleans, the capitol city of Baton Rouge, and Ol' Miss, the University of Mississippi. Sincerely, I would not have wanted to be the person making the decision...who gets to stay, who has to pack up and leave behind a lifetime of work, memories and attachments. Who said life was ever fair, no matter how much we wish it to be.
I've been watching the line-ups for the Republican bid for our 2012 election. It's interesting, yet there's still a lot of time to see how things will eventually go down. I was sad to see that Huckabee was not running, but after watching his program over the weekend, I could see that the passion necessary to run for and then run our country was just more than he was willing to give of himself and his life at this time. And, although I've never run for any office, I know what burnout is like...a path that once gone down you never fully recover from and regret the rest of your life.
I am old enough to remember the speeches given by John F Kennedy...they were moving, sincere, and straight to the point. I have listened to many speeches by many presidents,vice-presidents and lawmakers (federal and state), and even I do not remember any who has proven, time and again (to me), that he lacks the simplest of considerations as does the present president of these United States of America. His lack of tact is truly embarrassing at times, and his arrogance while taking victory laps is appalling.
Asking if the GOP wanted a moat built across the nation's southern boarder, and possibly alligators in the moats was dropping to a new low in my own personal respect that I can only describe by repeating what I heard shared about the former Madam Speaker of the House: "The gift that keeps on giving".
In my opinion, taking credit for "making the call" to advance Navy Seals on a Pakistan compound for the purpose of removing the threat of a foreign religious leader is incomprehensible. Anyone can pull a switch to throw light into a darkened room. It's the people who ran the wires from the electric source to the light bulb and secured the connections who deserve the credit, something that became almost an afterthought for this president.
I came this close to respecting him for this decision, until I saw the peacock preening his feathers in the aftermath. I asked myself: "Why now? This switch could probably have been pulled months, maybe even a year or two ago (for all we know, or ever will know), so what is so important about now"? Unless it might have something to do with polls, points and probabilities.
What those probabilities are, I'm not sure of right now. But, I do know that time will tell, and when it does, the the same nay sayers and finger pointers will clash trying outdo the other and either prove the obvious or fight even harder to cover up what could again prove to be very embarrassing for citizen, party or nation.
One thing I have learned in the past four years of my own political awakening: never take anything at face value; always watch the other hand and don't ever, ever take your hand off the shell with the pea; and, don't get too attached to one politician. He or she is just human, and sadly these days that is more an excuse than a reason. JFK had his faults, his personal life was not to be held up to children to be admired. But when he came before the country and spoke to his fellow citizens, we believed him; and, to my knowledge he never publicly embarrassed the citizens of my country as much as I've been embarrassed as an adult in the past two years.
I'm not naive, I'm not necessarily gullible, I would just like to know that the people who represent me and the citizens of my country will try their hardest to do so with an acceptable degree of honor and good ol' simple consideration. I was that 13-year old who stayed glued to the television that life-shattering weekend in November in 1963. That will be the standard by which I will always judge the the personal character of the people who hold public office in my country.
In my lifetime I've come to the conclusion that public personalities who try too hard to wow us with their grandeur are usually are no better than the people they appear before. And, anyone who has to prove their worth by attacking others and confusing the issues are just as insecure and afraid as the most and least among us. So, I ask, why the outrageous facade? Why can't someone just be himself? Oh yes, he just decided not to run for office because his heart wasn't in it because he is a man of soul!
My heart goes out to the people in the south and southeast portion of my country. It has been, in this area, one natural disaster after another: tornadoes, hurricanes, floods...there are portions of New Orleans, Louisiana, that haven't totally recovered from Katrina and now face the prospect of being flooded from the north...unless thousands of miles of rural farmland and small town are flooded. And, that is the decision that was made to save New Orleans, the capitol city of Baton Rouge, and Ol' Miss, the University of Mississippi. Sincerely, I would not have wanted to be the person making the decision...who gets to stay, who has to pack up and leave behind a lifetime of work, memories and attachments. Who said life was ever fair, no matter how much we wish it to be.
I've been watching the line-ups for the Republican bid for our 2012 election. It's interesting, yet there's still a lot of time to see how things will eventually go down. I was sad to see that Huckabee was not running, but after watching his program over the weekend, I could see that the passion necessary to run for and then run our country was just more than he was willing to give of himself and his life at this time. And, although I've never run for any office, I know what burnout is like...a path that once gone down you never fully recover from and regret the rest of your life.
I am old enough to remember the speeches given by John F Kennedy...they were moving, sincere, and straight to the point. I have listened to many speeches by many presidents,vice-presidents and lawmakers (federal and state), and even I do not remember any who has proven, time and again (to me), that he lacks the simplest of considerations as does the present president of these United States of America. His lack of tact is truly embarrassing at times, and his arrogance while taking victory laps is appalling.
Asking if the GOP wanted a moat built across the nation's southern boarder, and possibly alligators in the moats was dropping to a new low in my own personal respect that I can only describe by repeating what I heard shared about the former Madam Speaker of the House: "The gift that keeps on giving".
In my opinion, taking credit for "making the call" to advance Navy Seals on a Pakistan compound for the purpose of removing the threat of a foreign religious leader is incomprehensible. Anyone can pull a switch to throw light into a darkened room. It's the people who ran the wires from the electric source to the light bulb and secured the connections who deserve the credit, something that became almost an afterthought for this president.
I came this close to respecting him for this decision, until I saw the peacock preening his feathers in the aftermath. I asked myself: "Why now? This switch could probably have been pulled months, maybe even a year or two ago (for all we know, or ever will know), so what is so important about now"? Unless it might have something to do with polls, points and probabilities.
What those probabilities are, I'm not sure of right now. But, I do know that time will tell, and when it does, the the same nay sayers and finger pointers will clash trying outdo the other and either prove the obvious or fight even harder to cover up what could again prove to be very embarrassing for citizen, party or nation.
One thing I have learned in the past four years of my own political awakening: never take anything at face value; always watch the other hand and don't ever, ever take your hand off the shell with the pea; and, don't get too attached to one politician. He or she is just human, and sadly these days that is more an excuse than a reason. JFK had his faults, his personal life was not to be held up to children to be admired. But when he came before the country and spoke to his fellow citizens, we believed him; and, to my knowledge he never publicly embarrassed the citizens of my country as much as I've been embarrassed as an adult in the past two years.
I'm not naive, I'm not necessarily gullible, I would just like to know that the people who represent me and the citizens of my country will try their hardest to do so with an acceptable degree of honor and good ol' simple consideration. I was that 13-year old who stayed glued to the television that life-shattering weekend in November in 1963. That will be the standard by which I will always judge the the personal character of the people who hold public office in my country.
In my lifetime I've come to the conclusion that public personalities who try too hard to wow us with their grandeur are usually are no better than the people they appear before. And, anyone who has to prove their worth by attacking others and confusing the issues are just as insecure and afraid as the most and least among us. So, I ask, why the outrageous facade? Why can't someone just be himself? Oh yes, he just decided not to run for office because his heart wasn't in it because he is a man of soul!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Where Does It End?
When my children were young I found one of the most difficult aspects of motherhood was consistency in setting guidelines and in resulting discipline. As the mother of any child will attest, it's not easy to always have that "good mommy" frame of mind, at least it was not easy for me. Consequently, between my three children (and as a result of the fact of their completely different personalities), my own method of mommyhood changed drastically from child to child, as my own personal maturity and the circumstances of our family life changed. How easy it was to look back in later years and criticize myself for all the things I did not do "right" and all the things I did that were not representative of the ideal mother. Until, that was, I found out that "she" did not exist.
My own adventure into the characteristics of my own motherhood found some real meaning when I was asked by a very wise soul: "If you could have done things better, wouldn't you have done so?". Another way to ask was whether or not I would have done something different if I had been aware of a better way of resolving a certain issue or making a decision. With these two questions in mind, I involuntarily began a mult-year look at my own life as a mother, this time not to assign guilt or blame but to be open to the times when I honestly just did the best I could with the things I had. This proved to be a very cathartic and healing journey into the past to bring about the release of unearned guilt and yes, even shame, in the present.
During this process I found greater strength and personal confidence. I talked to my adult children about the boatload of negative emotions I'd spent so much of my adult life drifting afloat in. This was another eye-opening exercise. I found that those things I'd been emotionally flagellating myself over were either far from or non-existent in the memories of my children or of very little importance in the greater tapestry of their life.
Ahhhh, but..... in asking these questions I realized I'd opened another Pandora's Box of healing. When they were able to be honest with their own memories and emotions, they shared those issues that they had carried all these years, both negative and positive, most of which I had either forgotten or remembered from a totally different memory and point of view. In any case, it became a very rewarding exercise-of-the-heart, one which I wish now that I had been aware of much earlier in my sojourn into adulthood.
However, yep here it comes, just like with children, if they are allowed to get away with something, they're going to continue, any way they can until they are absolutely convinced that this is a lost cause. And, when I was inconsistent in my own setting of the boundaries of life and not consistent with the disciplines of training up my children, their chances of taking each opportunity to a next higher level increased each time. That was until I realized that something is going terribly wrong and I had no one to blame but myself because I failed in my responsibility to guide the young lives entrusted into my care by my God, the Creator of all life.
That's why I now take my life responsibilities as a citizen of this planet more seriously. My children have turned out all right, I believe they each are on the life journey necessary to give them the life skills that they'll need in the future. I'm not as convinced that the government we have responsibility for is learning the necessary lessons to take our country, and ultimately it's citizens, in a healthy direction. As citizens, many of us have, over a period of time, abdicated our responsibility as voters and legal residents of this country called The United States of America.
And, as a petulant child expecting to get their own way, our government has taken on the challenge (for lack of a better word) of moving the boundaries of governing further and further from the original guidelines set by our Founding Fathers; like the errant child who keeps secret their questionable activities, our government, operating on the premise of doing so for our own good, has taken upon themselves to set forth their own rules for the governiing of their own actions. Executive Orders not worth the paper they're written on, hidden rules tacked on to, and assumed, previous agreements, and the ever convenient excuse aptly named "Prior Consent" serve to confuse the the issues and obliterate the fine lines between acceptable and non-acceptable.
If certain actions are acceptable (or lack objection) today, tomorrow they stand a very real chance of becoming SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) tomorrow. And, if that Prior Consent becomes law, over a period of time we then, as a nation, run the risk of falling victims to our own inconsistencies and apathy. By our silence, we have given our consent; by our apathy we have relinquished our rights to object. Like the child caught with his or her hand in the cookie jar, we are blamed for the wrongs committed because we didn't put the cookie jar on a high enough shelf. In the end, it can be accused that if we hadn't had the cookie jar with cookies on the premises, the crime wouldn't have been committed.
I had a cookie jar in my house when my children were growing up, but when I caught their hands anywhere they didn't belong, taking anything that didn't belong to them, that the child's hands were slapped and told that this was unacceptable. They were told that if they wanted something they were to ask first for permission, and that had to be the consistent pattern of responsibility in my house by me, the responsible parent.
Why isn't this the accepted SOP for governing our country?
My own adventure into the characteristics of my own motherhood found some real meaning when I was asked by a very wise soul: "If you could have done things better, wouldn't you have done so?". Another way to ask was whether or not I would have done something different if I had been aware of a better way of resolving a certain issue or making a decision. With these two questions in mind, I involuntarily began a mult-year look at my own life as a mother, this time not to assign guilt or blame but to be open to the times when I honestly just did the best I could with the things I had. This proved to be a very cathartic and healing journey into the past to bring about the release of unearned guilt and yes, even shame, in the present.
During this process I found greater strength and personal confidence. I talked to my adult children about the boatload of negative emotions I'd spent so much of my adult life drifting afloat in. This was another eye-opening exercise. I found that those things I'd been emotionally flagellating myself over were either far from or non-existent in the memories of my children or of very little importance in the greater tapestry of their life.
Ahhhh, but..... in asking these questions I realized I'd opened another Pandora's Box of healing. When they were able to be honest with their own memories and emotions, they shared those issues that they had carried all these years, both negative and positive, most of which I had either forgotten or remembered from a totally different memory and point of view. In any case, it became a very rewarding exercise-of-the-heart, one which I wish now that I had been aware of much earlier in my sojourn into adulthood.
However, yep here it comes, just like with children, if they are allowed to get away with something, they're going to continue, any way they can until they are absolutely convinced that this is a lost cause. And, when I was inconsistent in my own setting of the boundaries of life and not consistent with the disciplines of training up my children, their chances of taking each opportunity to a next higher level increased each time. That was until I realized that something is going terribly wrong and I had no one to blame but myself because I failed in my responsibility to guide the young lives entrusted into my care by my God, the Creator of all life.
That's why I now take my life responsibilities as a citizen of this planet more seriously. My children have turned out all right, I believe they each are on the life journey necessary to give them the life skills that they'll need in the future. I'm not as convinced that the government we have responsibility for is learning the necessary lessons to take our country, and ultimately it's citizens, in a healthy direction. As citizens, many of us have, over a period of time, abdicated our responsibility as voters and legal residents of this country called The United States of America.
And, as a petulant child expecting to get their own way, our government has taken on the challenge (for lack of a better word) of moving the boundaries of governing further and further from the original guidelines set by our Founding Fathers; like the errant child who keeps secret their questionable activities, our government, operating on the premise of doing so for our own good, has taken upon themselves to set forth their own rules for the governiing of their own actions. Executive Orders not worth the paper they're written on, hidden rules tacked on to, and assumed, previous agreements, and the ever convenient excuse aptly named "Prior Consent" serve to confuse the the issues and obliterate the fine lines between acceptable and non-acceptable.
If certain actions are acceptable (or lack objection) today, tomorrow they stand a very real chance of becoming SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) tomorrow. And, if that Prior Consent becomes law, over a period of time we then, as a nation, run the risk of falling victims to our own inconsistencies and apathy. By our silence, we have given our consent; by our apathy we have relinquished our rights to object. Like the child caught with his or her hand in the cookie jar, we are blamed for the wrongs committed because we didn't put the cookie jar on a high enough shelf. In the end, it can be accused that if we hadn't had the cookie jar with cookies on the premises, the crime wouldn't have been committed.
I had a cookie jar in my house when my children were growing up, but when I caught their hands anywhere they didn't belong, taking anything that didn't belong to them, that the child's hands were slapped and told that this was unacceptable. They were told that if they wanted something they were to ask first for permission, and that had to be the consistent pattern of responsibility in my house by me, the responsible parent.
Why isn't this the accepted SOP for governing our country?
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