Diversity 2021

The new year beckons us to a fresh future. New possibilities. Potential unlimited. What will we do with it?

Hope should draw us toward full inclusion of all of us in the doing of life, making more possible, and accomplishments worthy of our effort.

Long ago women were included in the workplace. Reluctantly but it happened. Much of this happened because of World War II and the absence of male workers in our factories. Those men were in the military fighting the war. So, women were hired to take their place. The rest is history. Women changed the workforce and expanded society’s ability to achieve and produce.

Years later we cannot imagine a labor force without women. Their intellectual gifts alone are reason enough to have included them. Craft, imagination, persistent effort, and much more is the legacy of women in the workforce. They are the equal or better than men.

Since World War II America’s labor force has expanded. Now we have ethnic, immigrant and cultural ingredients added to the stew of talents and potential. It is a rich brew that leads to discovery, invention and innovation. Diversity enriches. Diversity expands potential. Why we would avoid such benefits baffles me.

The new year should be the era that recognizes once and for all the beauty and value of diversity. It is a foundation stone of America. We are a nation of immigrants, of differentness. It is what makes us what we are. A melting pot that is of gold.

Let 2021 be a year of great strides in including all of us in the doings of our society.

Please make this happen. Be the beacon of change and acceptance. So, we can be all that we can be.

December 31, 2020

 

 

Betting on the Future

We have the past and all the confused writing of history. Constantly unfolding rewrites as we learn more and understand better what happened and why. We have the present and all the chaos of the happening now reality. What does it mean? Do I understand all the pieces before me. How will they all or each affect me? What do I do with the present? What choices are optimum; which not?

And then we have the future. What will be. What can be. What ought to be.

We cannot change the past. It was what it was. [Some would say it is what it is! But then that is using the present tense for a past happening.]

We are the present and will do whatever it is we do in this moment. We can be more aware of our surroundings and understand them more fully, or we can be lazy and just wade through the chaos of now. Once happened, however, it is past and cannot be changed.

The future, though, is blank canvas on which to create desirable outcomes. It is the home for possible.

That motivates me. We know from past and present what is wrong and undesirable. What we do desire is possible if we plan for it and work toward fulfilling the dream. That is what ‘future’ is. It holds such promise! We can imagine many ‘what ifs’ and outcomes better than todays. Creativity is not only possible, it is pulling us forward to a new horizon we can effect.

I have been a strategic planner for many decades. The process is fairly consistent over most applications. We work from the general to the specific. We keep it simple and broad at the beginning of the process. That calls forth other elements that flow logically forward. Each step calls forth more details and that is when the details are most important. The general or broad is the focus on who we are, what we are and why we are. What is our mission for being? Not a catalog of what we do, but the why we do what we do.

The next step is the vision or dream of the long distant future. If our mission is successful, what will we look like 10 or 15 years from now? How would we be described then? Would the outcomes be as we dream them to be? You see, that’s the future we are working for. That is what is pulling us forward.

Now, how do we measure current health of the organization? Do we have the resources to perform as we hope? How do we know if we are succeeding in the short term? Or are we failing and need to repair our abilities in order to continue on our journey? What are those measurables?

From there we consider an inventory of our positives and negatives, internally, the ones we can control. Then the positives and negatives in our environment or surroundings. What could we adopt or defend against, you know, the opportunities and the threats.

The inventory is a reality check. It asks us to be realistic, to better understand what we have going for ourselves, and what we need to overcome.

Identifying the critical factors that are or will block our success is the next step. A short list of the most important factors is all that is needed. Maybe 6 or 10 items. Most may be related to one another. If so, group them.

Now consider which are the most important two. Focus on them. Imagine them successfully managed in time. write a measurable goal statement for the top two factors. What action is needed, what is the measurable result, and by what date will it be accomplished? That’s the goal statement. Below it, tick off the items from the inventory list of positives and negatives. These are the areas that will need inclusion in the goal if success is desired.

Once these two (or three) goals are identified, detailed work is employed to create the action plans – what needs doing, by whom and by what date – to truly bring the goal to fruition.

That’s planning. That’s strategic planning. It does not start with the end product and work backward. It starts with the primary value of who and what we are, what we do, and why we do it. That is the focus. Then the dream. The rest is used to make that dream happen.

If the dream is undefined, there is no plan. There are only unrelated details that will frustrate and block progress toward the desired outcome.

So many people get this wrong. They go about planning in reverse and then wonder why results are poor.

Now you know why.

December 30, 2020

 

Being Happy

What makes you happy? I have wondered about that for years. I struggle to know what the term means. Of course, like many others, I wonder if I’m happy or just playing as though I am.

Happiness has many dimensions. Feeling happy is an emotion. Elated is momentary happiness for something very pleasant in life. A sudden good surprise? Seeing a loved one again after a long absence is an example. Winning a prize of some sort, getting recognition for something you have done are more examples of feeling elated. Those elevated highs ebb. We think back on them and receive more happiness from the initial moment.

Situation in life is a cause of happiness – having a pleasant home to come back to after a day of working; or working with friendly, supportive people in a place of employment, even having pleasant working environment while at work; sufficient income to pay the bills and have enough left over to plan on desired purchases, or planning a trip; knowing that household income is sufficient to nearly guarantee adequate housing will be a constant in my life; or food is readily at hand and delicious; no food insecurity or fear of loss; plentiful transportation resources, my own personal car, a new one at that, or a fancier one than others have; clothing is more than adequate, even stylish and makes me feel good! These are all examples of feeling happy for a reason.

As life continues through many aging phases, happiness itself is redefined. The causes of happiness are less external and much more internal. A friend once said he chooses to be happy. He said that in reaction to some of my critical essays that explored social ills and their likely causes, and solutions.

Choose to be happy? I’ve often wondered if that is true. Certainly, a positive mental attitude helps to be happy. But is it a simple matter of choosing to be happy?

I know people who work hard to make more money so they can buy things that will set them apart from others in society. It is a form of motivated class-ism. Is that really a road to happiness? A lasting road?

I think not. No, happiness is a state of mind that goes beyond feeling satisfied but doesn’t seek to outperform another person. Looking for meaning and value in life is a powerful builder of happiness, but is this a choice? A conscious choice?

A senior citizen has a lifetime of experiences to draw on. Those can be analyzed and used to deal with life. It is the inner wisdom gained by surviving to an older age. But seniors are not universally happy. No, they sense the end of life approaching. They wonder how much time do I have left? What will I do with this time?  Can I do the wanted things or will my health and finances block those options? Will this cause bitterness and unhappiness? Faced with the options, how do I handle those options? Do I feel happy or not after wrestling with the issue?

In my own case I focus on future. I create vignettes of what I hope will be, usually scenarios where current problems and crises are managed with better outcomes. Those are positive thrusts into the future. That makes me happy. Just knowing problems have solutions. Whether a society does the work to make outcomes better than yesteryear, is another matter. Often this is a cause of disappointment for me. Wasted effort. A chance to get something great done but society fails to muster the strength to get it done.

World peace is one of those disappointments. So too the overwhelming toll of poverty among so many. Or the lack of healthcare options for billions of people. Or the growing crisis of global warming. Adequate drinking water is another, proper disposal of human waste is another, especially in underdeveloped countries.

The condition of mankind is a heady ponderable. Solutions are not readily at hand. But they can be. Some take enormous resources while others will fall to the simplest of effort if we but try. Will humankind rise to the occasion and create a good outcome? Or will it fail to act and allow the problem to persist?

Hoping that good will be the outcome makes me happy. Knowing it is not automatic creates anxiety. We can and should take comfort in the successes. Just know they are momentary. The longer term still beckons for our investment today for solutions tomorrow, and the tomorrow after that.

Our work is not done. Age has taught me that. Good intentions are not enough. Dedication and persistence are needed to take happiness in desired outcomes. This is not ideology. It is hope for community and its success.

This lesson is known and learned by many people. When will the others gain this lesson? How can we help them along?

December 29, 2020

 

What’s Wrong With Us?

We are tired of struggle. Some of us have more trouble than others, but still, most of us have homes, safety, food, clothing, and family and friends so we are not alone. Maybe we remain distanced for safety during COVID, but we are not marooned on some desert island or remote forest cabin.

No; we are in modern living quarters with heat, air conditioning when needed, fully applianced and comfortably furnished. We have laundry in our unit and two bathrooms for convenience. The car is safely garaged in its first floor assigned space. The elevator whisks us to and from our aerie on the fourth floor to the mail room, lobby and garage. We have freedom to move outdoors and out onto the roadways.

We order food and other necessities online and pick them up curbside in most locations. Drive through facilities are the other conveniences for pharmacy, fast-food and some other outlets.

What can we possibly complain about? Circumstances that are restrictive? For our own good? And for others’ good? It is the disease that restricts us, not rules and regulations. Common sense rules for common good outcomes.

And the vaccines… miracles all. Their formulation is new and revolutionary using RNA and high science. The vaccines are safe. They are effective. They are the best we can possibly have and to use. Worrying about what is in them is nonsense and tomfoolery. Take them or not. I trust the researchers and the scientists. I trust the manufacturers and their sterile procedures. I trust the vaccine.

Besides, I have nothing else to put in its place. I am not a scientist. I am not a doctor. I am just a citizen and consumer.

Being a critical thinker is one thing. Being a critic is another. We are not all endowed with brains that exceed the smartest among us. We must trust the instincts and talents of others who know so much more than we do.

I have faith in our society and government. We have oversight for much of it. We have the data to support our faith and trust.

Those who do live in fear and suspicion are to be pitied. Smile at them. Wish them well. And plan your life according to your beliefs. Take the vaccine for your own good. And for the rest of us too!

The Holidays next year will be much better. Meanwhile, Happy Holidays!

December 28, 2020

 

Christmas 1965

It was Christmas eve 1965. I had graduated from college that June. I was the newbie at the office so they asked me to close it up so others could go home early. As I drove home to my cheap, studio apartment, I battled heavy traffic in the dark. It had rained and then frozen during the day. Sleet was pelting my new car. The crown of the road caused the car to slide toward the curb continually. Scary. New to Chicago. Still finding my way in new surroundings.

And alone. Very alone. My first Christmas alone.

Once home I fixed a simple supper of instant mashed potatoes. And instant coffee. That’s it. Nothing else. The cupboard was bare.

After supper I watched mindless television programming.

My eyes darted to the few packages that had arrived in the mail a few days before.

I opened the one from my brother in Syracuse. It was a pair of leather slippers. I put them on. They fit. And then I wept. Something from them. Something personal. It fit and was instantly useful. It reminded me of our connection. Caring and reaching out nearly a thousand miles.

And me alone. Feeling sorry for myself.

I opened the rest of the gifts and began to feel whole. I was me and the family was still the same, only separated by many miles. My sister was in California. Parents and brother’s family in Syracuse. Me in Chicago. Separated but linked. Feeling the presence.

I was OK.

Alone but OK. That was the last Christmas I was alone. Never again.

Even in pandemic 2020, we are two of us and our neighbor Pam. The rest of the family is close and on Zoom. We know who we are. We know who we have in our lives. The presence that keeps on giving!

December 25, 2020

 

Christmas Eve

The memory bank is filled. 77+ years of memories, well, not the ones when I was so young there is no memory. And of course, this year’s memory is yet to be.

Great expectation of family closeness. Cold outside but warm and cozy inside. A fire in the fireplace, crackling and lending its smoky aroma to the air (inside and out!). I remember tidying up the walks and driveway of the latest snow fall, making certain they are all clear and safe. Firewood stacked by the front door ready to boost the fire on the Eve, and again on Christmas Morning.

The tree is ready, gifts piled everywhere. Expectations. Of joy and surprise for the kids as they discover what’s in those packages.

Soft music playing in the background, or one of the treasured movies on the TV or VCR. All is well. All is snug.

In our home we had a gala dinner of Lasagna. A great recipe as near authentic as possible. A great pairing of red wine along with garlic fresh bread. And a salad, freshly tossed and richly appointed. The dinner table was set with Christmas dishes and tablecloth. Flowers festooned both dining room and living room. A lot of red, pink and variegated white poinsettias. The chandelier was on but dimmed. Candle light flickered the room. All was set. And then we sat and enjoyed the food, atmosphere and each other.

Those are now long ago days. Well remembered days and eves.

Back then I stayed up for the 11 o’clock Christmas Eve service. I sang in the choir and we practiced long to make the night memorable. Out at midnight, the fresh Christmas morning. Luminaria lined the streets back to our home. Then to bed thinking of the morning’s first light.

Today we plan a scrumptious dinner with neighbor Pam. Beef tenderloin and great trimmings. The rooms will be dim, but likely no candles. Soft Christmas music in the background. Great company for just the three of us. Outside COVID continues its ravage and we distance from family and friends to keep safe.

Tomorrow is Christmas Day. For dinner, my daughter and family will bring us the Family Lasagna! Fresh and ready to re-heat and enjoy. No wine these days, but fresh baked bread and Christmas cookies for dessert. This will become our memory of COVID Christmas 2020. Apart but so near to all those who are important to us.

Merry Christmas everyone. Let the memories continue to color this special season of spirit and worth.

December 24, 2020

 

Networking

He phoned a friend. Out of the blue. The call was answered. Small talk lasted only a bit. ‘I need some help. Can you talk with me a while?”

The friend replied, “Sure? I have time right now. What’s the problem?”

“I’m down, blue. Frustrated and feeling hopeless. A lot hopeless, really.”

“Why is that? Especially now during the Holidays?”

“Oh, there are a lot of reasons, and then some aren’t as good as others. I don’t know. I don’t have a good answer right now.”

And so it began. Unloading a burden of hurt by one friend to another. Vague feelings shared with attempts to clarify and articulate the issues better. One person in pain, the other helping to ease that pain. Just by spending some time with him. Just listening and processing words. Helping the other person pull out feelings and thoughts. Together making sense of the fuzzy world of feelings.

The core of this conversation is buried deep. One person knows he is not alright and cannot deal with it alone. He must reach outside of himself. He needs contact with the other. Best if that other pays attention, truly hears the request for help. Recognizes it.

Whether this is personal or merely a transaction of practical matters, the connection is important. The vitality and authenticity of the connection allows communication to happen between the two people. Only then can true sharing happen. In the middle of a normal day or in crisis, the cue for help is in the chosen words and inflection.

An understanding friend ponders solutions and suggestions to the friend in need. They might even trade contacts with others with similar experiences. Perhaps those connections would be helpful? One doesn’t know until the suggestions are tried.

With that a network begins. Similarly, it will spread to more players. Soon helpful solutions are shared and absorbed, understood, and implemented. Feedback may show what worked and what did not. Communications continue and the network is proven or amended for accuracy of expectation. It will be used again. For others. With others.

I think networking is taken for granted. We use them more than we realize. Some people are hesitant to engage the network for whatever reasons. If they try it they the results will probably please them. Surprisingly efficient and helpful. No contracts. No obligations. Just sharing.

Somehow this makes us whole. Our community web expands its knit.

Something to be grateful for. Reach out and be heard. Answer the call to hear. Now be one to the other.

December 23, 2020

 

Tiny Homes

I have been fascinated by the tiny home movement. I can’t imagine living in 200 square feet or less, but 400 might work for us. No lofts except for storage. Ladders and stairs are not a good thing at our ages. But living efficiently in a small space is attractive. Convenience and ease of maintenance are two primary benefits.

Cost of heating and cooling the space is also attractive. Learning to live with fewer things and complexities is very alluring. Of course, there are problems, mainly the restrictions on where to locate the tiny home. Many are built on trailer beds with wheels for ease of moving to various locations. I don’t need that feature. Just a plot of land on which to place the tiny home, preferably among friendly neighbors who seek similar acceptance.

That is a big problem for tiny homes. Building codes prohibit them in most places. Even placing one in a backyard of a family member is not allowed most of the time. Now I understand the wheels! They are needed to keep one step in front of the building code police!!

I have a SCORE client who thinks the tiny home movement is a good answer to homeless veterans. She’d like to assemble a small community of tiny homes to house veterans. Her plan includes an activity center adjacent to the grouping of tiny homes, so the vets would have a place for one meal per day with their peers. The community center would also house laundry facilities, visiting nurse and/or doctor, a fitness center, and meeting rooms for classes, counseling and so much more.

I think her idea is terrific. But she has a problem: no one wants a tiny home community in their town or city. Even land that lies unused has been declared out of reach. Political leaders (mayors) fear voter reaction and dare not risk this project.

Yet the unemployed, homeless veterans in our midst need our help. A tiny home neighborhood complex would be a good answer. Especially if that program included support services to help them train for a new career, connect them with employers, and most of all, a warm and welcoming home.

How can we make this happen? Anybody out there with the courage and resources to help her?

If yes, please contact me at saffordcu@gmail.com. I’ll be waiting. And sharing the results.

December 22, 2020

 

Pre-prepared Meals

Rocky doesn’t cook for us much anymore. Breakfasts yes; dinners no. I’m not much of a cook but both of us must pay attention to our diet or health problems will escalate. Solution? Order pre-prepared meals from one of the many on-line providers in the market.

A neighbor put us on to Factor. Excellent meals, well prepared and tasty. A little costly at $12.50 per person. We chose 4 dinners per week. That cost $101 per week delivered. Late delivery only once in several months of service.

$100 a week is a lot of money but by eliminating fast food runs, we saved not only money but also decent diet. We figure we actually paid for Factor by not eating out (curbside pickup). Almost even-steven cost wise.

Then, our neighbor switched to Freshly. The neighbor shares dinner time with us nearly every day. So, we watched her eat these convenient meals often and came to realize how healthy, sensible and tasty they were. So, we changed to Freshly, at least for a while to see what it was like.

Freshly meals are smaller and have fewer calories. They are still healthy and taste good. Bland is another descriptor. Factor meals have much more flavor. The first week, our delivery came at the same time as our neighbor’s. The next week hers came early and ours came very late in the day, almost missed dinner time. The third week the deliver was a day and a half late. The fourth week the delivery arrived on the third day. Freshly advised us to trash the food because of expired timeline. We got a credit on our bill. The fifth week the delivery arrived early on the second day.

So, with Freshly, Monday delivery may mean any day of the week. Frustrating. Totally bolloxed up our meal planning and diet. Complaints were handled quickly with small credits for our inconvenience. But the real problem is the continued unreliability of delivery time.

We also live in a condo building with 39 units. We have a building front door and lobby, then an inner lobby with a security communication panel. Delivery drivers are to announce themselves and we buzz them through to the lobby and tell him to just leave the box there. We go down and retrieve the goodies quickly.

But Freshly delivery merely drops the box outside the front door of the build. Under a portico but outdoor weather. We have no way of knowing the delivery has been made. Another point of frustration.

Seems Freshly doesn’t much care about customer satisfaction. We are working with them on that because the product is good and affordable. Their prices allow us to buy 5 meals per week for each of us for less than Factor’s total invoice. On the other hand, Factor delivery was reliable.

To replace Freshly, I went on-line and shopped for alternatives. I learned two things: first, pricing is highly variable, some astronomical for two senior citizens surviving on Social Security. Second, website designs are confusing and impenetrable.

So, we remain with Freshly and hope for on time delivery.

December 21, 2020

Agenda for Biden

Now that the loser is vacating the White House, the nation makes way for a new administration, the Biden/Harris Administration. That is good news and a big positive at a time of bleakness.

Bleak because of the nasty politics and public behavior of so many uncivil people over the past 20+ years. It has been a horrid time in our history but it hopefully peaked in the last 4 years.

Also bleak because of the COVID pandemic. Bleak, too, because of natural disasters – flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires – most likely caused by global warming. Also bleak because what all of these forces have done to our economy and the international scene.

We have a fresh start toward a kinder, gentler and more productive stance. We need this refresh. Most of us have yearned for it for some time. Welcome it and nurture it!

The Biden/Harris team represents a bridge to our future. It will resemble the past but forge new boundaries and norms. It is a natural outcome of major change. The process needs to be thoughtful, inclusive, and transparent. So far Biden/Harris appears to be on that track.

Of course, there are those who will force their point of views onto the political stage and attempt to bully the new White House team to include them. Most likely their concerns will be included, and I fully expect that to be the case. Whether their views become a dynamic part of the agenda approved and worked in the future, is another matter. Compromise will be a prominent feature of Biden/Harris, or should be. But caving into raw political pressure? No. We’ve had that for the past four years. No more.

Americans are pragmatic, reasonable people. That’s because they understand most issues and their complexity. Getting along with people of different views requires listening, understanding, reasoning and consensus. If a party is outside that consensus, their role is to be patient and try other means of getting their point accommodated. Automatic acceptance and implementation is not likely now, but in the future, maybe. Wait in line like the rest of us have.

For now, Biden/Harris have to focus on the most important issues in need of attention. These include: COVID response and recovery of both the public’s health and our shared economy; renewal of our economic system to sustain innovation and growth for the common good, not unlimited wealth for a few; expanded health care; improved life-long learning; and global relations building toward sustainable world peace.

In each of these issues are sub issues of great importance. Global warming is one. Renewal of infrastructure is another. Both of these issues will greatly impact our economy and well-being.

It will take time to work out the details. It will take compromise and collaboration with different power centers. If these players truly care about our nation and its heritage, and respect the common good of all people, they will cooperate with one another. That will lead us all to a better world in which to live.

Rather than tearing down along ideological lines of division, let’s work together to get the really big jobs done. The time is now. The team is right. Give them and us the opportunity to get down to meaningful work. And outcomes.

December 18, 2020

 

Seasonals

There are four seasons of the year, right? Wrong. Actually, there are as many seasons as you wish to label. Meteorologically, we have Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. But we have many more.

Oh yes! For one, there is road construction season when traffic is totally balled up. There is the building construction season when many homes and large commercial structures are begun and worked on for months. There are sports seasons, too, like football, hockey, baseball, basketball and God knows what else. But there are more. Some deserve some time in the limelight if for no other reason than to better understand them.

Seasonal depression is one of those. SAD is an acronym for Seasonal Affective Disorder. SAD happens  when individuals feel blue in cycles that mirror meteorological seasons. Fall is a SAD period for those people depressed by the disappearance of green foliage and the sure sign that bare trees and shrubs will soon appear signaling cold, bleak winter. For some it is winter alone, the barrenness, cold and windswept landscapes, and painful bitter cold winds. Spring may trigger depression for some, perhaps because of the beginning of an allergy season? Well, you get the idea.

Another seasonal depression is common at the Holidays. It may seem opposite of what should be a joyous time of year. For many, though, Christmas, Hannukah and the New Year’s festivities are depressing. Perhaps it stems from expectations of too much happiness and joy that can’t possibly be realized? Or perhaps the celebrations have little to do with the original reason for the season?

Arguments can be made for those theories and more. The fact remains that the Holidays are difficult for many people. Deep down sadness and hopelessness live deep in the bones of such folk. I’m one of them. I speak from personal experience.

Although the Holidays have often been times of joy for me, those were times when the kids were little and very hopeful. They gave me the joy of the season. Later, when they matured into adulthood, the season lost much of its meaning.

Today that is true. Elder issues emerge, too. I watched my parents journey onward through their final yeas. Dad's ended at 88 after a long illness. Still a long and good life. Mom's lasted much longer, 104+ years. She was pretty healthy until the last 6 months, then it was the usual decline. Still, a long and happy life in many ways. For the rest of us, the journey will be much the same. Horizons become nearer, fewer goals and bucket list wishes to explore. Not hopeless, but narrower, and narrower.

Senior citizen status is more than anticipating the end. It provides rich perspectives and understanding of life. It is a time to share what others skills and knowledge that will help them. That alone is the bright light of life and possibility.

Seasons come and go. Some are delightful, some not. What matters is the movement and what we do with it. Moving forward, learning still more, sharing even more. Always looking for the next new day.

And making the best of what we have. Each moment valued. Like right now. Happy new day! May it be bright and happy for you.

December 17, 2020

Ripe for Innovation, Part 2

Educational process: learning at home via electronic means was a tough sell even for a ‘short time.’ For a longer term the shortcomings in virtual education became more apparent. Attention span is one. Effective learning methods is another. Variety of learning customs to the student’s needs is yet another.

How much research and innovation has been done on this challenge? How quickly are we learning to adapt to a new methods of education? Will it improve more? Will effectiveness of teaching and learning expand in turn? All unknowns currently. Much work needs to be done. Much research. Risk taking and innovation will demand a lot of our educators. And the students if we are to weather the change well.

And then the policy question will be: is remote learning better overall than in-person instruction? If so, do we need school buildings? Or will those buildings continue in demand but of different design parameters?

Public health practices and policy: will face masks be a retained appurtenance to our way of life? Will we protect ourselves and others by wearing masks as a public courtesy? Or at least some form of respiratory protection? China has been doing this for years, but mostly because of poor air quality. Now the focus is on preventing the spread of germs of whatever variety.

Will doctors’ offices be re-designed for traffic separation? What about cleanliness of labs, waiting  and consultation rooms? Will virtual visits be the norm with in-person visits saved for more critical examinations and treatments?

What effect on the healthcare industry will we witness in the next 10 years? A lot, I bet. And will it be cheaper or more costly?

Housing: with work from home expanding, commuting will lessen or disappear. More focus on individual workspace in homes will occur. Quiet zones in homes for study, learning, working and chilling out will become an important feature of most homes. Location will be less important. Urban, rural or far rural will be equalized for work purposes. Property values will be lower as more diverse locations lower the cost of land per dwelling. Town amenities will become more important to support enriched cultural experiences for residents. Long commutes to cultural meccas in urban areas will be less. The face of housing will shift with lifestyle changes and focus. Size of space will be called into question when 24/7 use shrinks personal space. Just think of it. Imagine it.

Consumerism: America is the land of consumption. Having more and better of anything was the sign of success and upward mobility. Those two benchmarks were all-important to the common man. Will this remain? Or will consumer behavior become more personal and private? Will we demand as much quantity as we have in the past? Or will the focus be on use and longevity qualities? Will the use outside of the home still be an important consideration on which car, house, clothing, jewelry to buy? Or will we become tamer, less flashy?

Each of the above assumes a lasting shift in American lifestyles. If that is true, then entertainment will change as will most occupations. This will require a supportive change in education and interpersonal relationships. Soon philosophy and sensitivity to history and news will be recast.

A new millennium? Or a false start? When will we know which? If even?

December 16, 2020

 

 

 

 

What’s Ripe for Innovation?

Office space structures: the norm was a rabbit warren of offices, or large assemblage of desks in a work pool space, or a sea of cubicles. None of these environments kept co-workers safe from flu, colds or viruses, certainly not pandemics. Individual offices provided more protection, but even they relied on personal connections, visits, drop-by-the-door messages, and delivery of interoffice mail and documents. Working from home was the first line of defense during the COVID-19 pandemic. Still is. And it will likely remain in some form or other.

With this development, office buildings became vertical ghost towns. Their elevator lobbies and cars became virus central. So, too, their halls and cafeterias, coffee shops and what all. Abandoning the office building model of commerce may be something that lasts, or it will undergo a monumental change.

Downtown districts: with vacated office structures, downtown commercial districts also became ghost towns. Of what purpose did they become in the interim? For a short time, they became the mecca of entertainment sites and museums, libraries and other public institutions. But not for long. Soon these institutions were shut down to contain viral spreads. With a surge in residential buildings in downtowns, people were still present there. They just didn’t commute to work anymore but remained home at their computer desks and phones. In fact, living downtown where work once was, became a burden as restaurants and bars shut down. Already sparse grocery outlets were struggling to keep their doors open with lighter customer traffic. Soon, however, those grocers perked up as local residents relied on them for breakfast, lunch AND dinner.

What will become then, of downtown districts if office buildings do not return to use? Will public institutions such as banks, libraries, museums, art galleries, entertainment venues and the like be enough to maintain the infrastructure of a modern urban center? Much doubt in that. Much doubt.

Public transportation: with commuting patterns changing what will become of public transportation networks? Certainly, their origins and destinations will change greatly. That demands a change in network size, design and interconnections. But that only addresses the larger infrastructure and use of it. The point of lost ridership is the cause – spread of virus and other illnesses. If public transportation was shunned during the time of pandemic, will trust return to previous traffic levels to support public transportation systems? Most likely not. Besides, the economics of public transportation was already shaky. Without public subsidies ridership costs may very well become grossly unaffordable to individual riders.

Having said that, if the downtown districts reduce their traffic lure, then ridership will decline even more making the systems unaffordable without huge subsidies.

Personal transportation: the private auto remains a bubble of health safety. However, one must ask from where to where will the auto be used? If not to work or major local attractions, what will be the effect on auto design? Smaller size? Shorter range? More electric propulsion? Fewer muscle cars? Less traffic on area roads? Less private auto ownership? More leasing or short term rental?

These elements are many and far reaching. Surely the private auto is at risk. In the future, personal transportation will be the focus and not the vehicle itself. This may be a stunner of a social change for which we are unprepared.

That’s enough for one day’s post. Let’s pick this up tomorrow.

December 15, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting On With Business

The title covers a lot of territory. Political? Economics? Governance? COVID? Personal life? What?

The ‘what?’ is most likely. The fact we have so many focal points to deal with, each of them vital to us all, says a lot about the year in which we have been engaged. 2020 will go down as momentous for many reasons, surely the Pandemic is primary, but so too the shambles of national governance experienced throughout the year. National, yes, but state, regional and local, too. The infection of propaganda and power grabs by elected officials was a shame on our nation not soon to be erased.

There is more to the ‘what,’ however; how about personal responsibility to take care of self, family and friends as best we can. Why rely on organizations or government agencies to help us unless it’s the last resort. Why can’t we take responsibility for our own actions and reduce the spread of a disease through commonsense actions? Why can't we train our own kids at home in the basics of good citizenship and manners without always assuming the schools or churches will do this for us? Parenting is not a remote control enterprise. It is up close and personal. Besides, we learn good things about our kids in such interpersonal relations. And they learn about us as adults, too. Role modeling is effective educational process.

Innovating products and services are not just for the entrepreneur. It is also for professionals engaged in their employment throughout their life. Improving the quality of life in commerce is up to all of us, not just the stock owner or CEO of the company. We are the persons at the ground level of business. We are the ones doing the business, buying the services, being the customer, and serving customers. It is we who have the power to know and act for the good of all.

Keeping our neighborhoods neat and tidy is not up to the Streets and Sanitation Department; it is up to each of us to keep litter minimal, to pick it up when spotted, and to maintain our own yard and building as best we can.

The rules of the road are helpful but keeping traffic well-modulated and moving is up to our own sense of right and wrong as well as manners. The Golden Rule helps here: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It makes sense on paper, in the mind, and behind the wheel of the car. Practice it well.

COVID will eventually go away. In the meanwhile, strengthen resolve to do great things. Plan for them in your life. Have time on your hands now? Write that book or essay you have been aching to create. Research the small business you have always wanted to open. Read the long list of books you have been putting off for so long. Plan what you want life to be for you, not what the next step on the treadmill of consumption is. Take the time to know yourself. Be that person now and prepare for the day COVID is not a constant concern.

Our society will return to a normal routine. We don’t know what that will be or how it will be. Just prepare to adapt and thrive in whatever environment comes to be. Accept change as a dynamic of possibility. And then make it work for you and your dream.

December 14, 2020

Hopeful

It is the season to be positive. Expectant. Of better things.

Why wouldn’t we be? 2020 was a year of awful. Unexpected bad things, worst case scenarios playing out for many people, and then the end of year and what do we have? Christmas or just the plain Holidays and New Year’s.

Social norms taught us to be happy this time of year. We celebrate the end of a year and the beginning of a fresh one. What’s so bad about that? It’s all good, right? Well, maybe.

At least this year we can rightfully feel 2021 will be better than 2020; it must be. How worse could it get? Well, let’s not test that concept. A lot could still go wrong in 2021 despite its promising start with new vaccines to end the pandemic. For one, the vaccines might boomerang and their effectiveness fail. Not likely, but possible. If the pandemic carries on a lot longer – the effect of poor vaccines – then we enter a Modern Dark Ages era. Our economies will need reinvention. Our cultural norms will need to be redesigned. Housing and food/diets will change to fit production and supply realities. Transportation modes and networks will shift to meet existing requirements. Commuting and work locations will morph toward home and small business sites.  Education in both content and process will become very different from past experience.

In short, the world and life as we now know it will be vastly different. Surely this will not be so?!

Time will tell us the outcomes. We will pivot to whatever we face. We will adapt. We always have. Maybe with a smile or most likely with a pout. But adapt we will. There is no alternative.

Yes, no alternative. Thus, the motivation to create, invent and innovate. That is the root of hopeful in this day and age. Hopeful. What we see, feel and do, will cause us to act in a way to make the best of it. We’ve done this in the past. Our ancestors did as well. Humankind has always done this. And we will too.

So, best we put on a happy face and make for fun. 2020 is grinding down to be one of the worst years ever, so 2021 is likely to be a booming year of positivity.

All we have to do is decide to make it so.

Just do it!

December 11, 2020

 

 

 

Parts Falling Off

So, the cell phone acted up telling me it wasn’t connected to the network. I don’t know what that means, so I gave the phone to Rocky to figure out. As usual, he did. Took him about 15 minutes.

The next day I started my day at the computer, around 5 am. Everything happened in slow motion. Blog software started up slowly, very slowly. Then my Word.doc files were not readily available. I had to rebuild the file listing. That took 15 minutes. Another layer of slow occurred booting up Facebook, then the internet, and finally each and every one of my internet favorites I scan each morning to start the day.

I almost rebooted the computer. What with the missteps, slow speeds and the coffee pot whistling its readiness, I took the quick way to normal. Short cuts.

By 6:30 am I was almost back to normal. Then the Monday prepared meal delivery did not show up as scheduled. The delivery tracker never showed it advancing from the delivery driver firm. By 8 pm no meals. Next morning the food people notified me the delivery would take place before 8 pm Tuesday.

On Tuesday, the meals did not arrive. By bedtime they reported delivery would take place by 8 pm Wednesday. Then, shortly after that notice was another notice advising me to trash the delivery when received and they would refund the full price. They said the food was beyond safety protocols for freshness, so I guess I await the next week’s delivery.

What you don’t know is this happened last week, too. Got the delivery around 1 pm Tuesday, but not before upsetness took over the day. And frustration. Lots of frustration.

I understand the problem of delivery during COVID. Everyone is ordering everything on line and having it delivered. On top of that is the Holiday Season and Christmas shopping and delivery to the max. Delivery people are stressed to the max.

Guess that means food delivery will be unreliable, exactly the opposite of the need.

Where this ends, I don’t know. I do know the nation is in a tailspin of expectation right now. Our nerves are frayed. Promises are broken. Serious needs are going unmet with little alternative solutions. Dinner for two five days a week in healthy, portion controlled meals is a necessity for two old guys with health issues.

I won’t share the name of the provider because I am hoping they will regroup and fix their distribution system. This is their business and future. Both are bleak if they can’t get the perishable goods to the right address on time and in good condition.

How many other industries are struggling with similar issues? I shudder to think!

December 10, 2020

 

Meanderings

Stimulus Relief: Let’s see, one side suggested $3 trillion back a few months; the other side suggested $500 billion. Far apart. Later $3 trillion is the known need; one or two segments maybe? Now the suggestion is closer to $908 billion. Still not enough, but a good start. Depends on where it goes. First to people struggling to buy food and pay for housing. That should just about eat it all up. Then another trillion just to help out state and local governments saddled with revenue declines because of the COVID economy shutdown, and higher expenses to safeguard the health of their citizens. Perhaps another trillion is needed to ensure commerce and industry – especially small businesses – are kept operating? There’s the 3 trillion mentioned earlier. All studies show this to be correct. At least for now.

Congress get to work!

Pardons: Pre-emptive or not, pardons ought not be granted except in special cases. Protecting one’s close advisers in the White House is not special; it is criminal. Maybe the federal pardons will work for trump’s gang, but state laws will hopefully snag them on their way to their future lives?

COVID Restrictions: People are reacting to the restrictions imposed to reduce spread of disease during the pandemic. I understand they are frustrated and irritated, but the disease is what they should be fighting, not public servants charged with the responsibility to do what they can to keep us all safe. Come on people! Get on the right track here!!

Trump in 2024? Not likely. Even if at 78 or 79 he is alive and well enough to run, the interceding four years gives the justice system time to identify and prosecute him and his allies thoroughly. Pardons, by the way, are an admission of guilt, of felonies. I doubt such a person could be elected dog catcher unless it is widely viewed as a punishment.

December 9, 2020

 

Troubles

I’m in a stew. Trying to work it out and restore calm. Meanwhile, I’ve withdrawn from some connections. Trying to separate from toxic situations. Not an easy task in a society of complex relationships.

Finding the core problem at the root of division is the challenge.

We are in a world of change. Of course, that occurs all the time. it never rests. Life is filled with change and adaptation. It is often uncomfortable and disruptive. But the new is refreshing and open to new possibilities. That is also life – possibilities continually available for exploration.

Some people handle change poorly. They don’t want to give up a treasured habit, heritage or routine. But what are those ‘unchangeable’ things? Are they things, art, modes of action, thinking? Or are they process mostly? Or are they unalterable truths?

We all know examples of this. Thanksgiving Day in America is family and very close friends, sharing time and table with one another. This year Thanksgiving was different. Family connected by phone or video. Households remained distant to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We didn’t like this alteration to our norm, but we accepted it and lived it this one time. Whether this becomes a new norm is unknown, but one we hope will not be.

Wearing masks in crowded places is another new action required of us. Not pleasant or desirable, but necessary to reduce the spread of disease. We may find this more common in the future during times of seasonal disease such as flu and the common cold. For now, however, it is new and foreign; we dislike it and want to avoid it.

Church life is another arena for upset. Gathering for fellowship of like-minded worshippers is currently forbidden, certainly not advisable. Same for weddings, funerals and other ritual acknowledgement of special meaning. Mixing of people in such crowds has been shown to spread disease. So, we abstain from it.

Meanwhile, churches are adapting to the new. Facebook and website streaming of worship services is common. Learning to provide appropriate musical accompaniment continues to be a struggle. Sound and recording systems (and equipment!) used by churches is not up to the task of ‘making a joyful noise.’ Distortion and lack of tonal blend create caterwauling musical interludes. Much is yet to be learned how to produce a better product. For now, we accept the situation we are dealt. Trouble is that the architecture of the experience undergoes more alteration and into the deep end of the pool we go.

Talking this through and understanding each other is a challenge. We are successful sometimes, and patient for better results a lot of the time. When patience runs out? Then toxicity enters. Best if the participants separate. In my case it requires a full withdrawal. Voices are encouraged to speak but are not heard; new ideas are buried and not acted on. Possibilities are muffled and suffocated in quiet. Months of this tells the story.

If I am to be me, I must seek new things and fellowship. In this I am not alone. How common is this right now? I do not know. Perhaps those of us in this awkward phase will find each other?

I know possibility is ever present and beckoning. That’s how change brings us futures of promise. And so the journey continues!

December 8, 2020

 

Mislabeling

Nonsense in politics skews meanings. Here are some that pop to mind:

Black Lives Matter: this is a true statement. Black lives do matter. All people matter, of course, but the timing of the BLM movement is a to bring attention to Black Americans, not to others. Blacks have suffered enormous discrimination and marginalization for hundreds of years. That’s the issue under the microscope at the moment. Why do police kill more black suspects disproportionately than whites? Answer that question. Either black lives matter or they don’t. Our culture has not affirmed support for Black Americans. We need to do this.

Time for other colors and labels after we have solved this problem. Meanwhile, avoid falling into the trap of troublemakers who claim ‘all lives matter.’ They seek to divide and roil, not calm and solve.

Defund Police: this label means to rearrange funding priorities, so police are still funded but other social services gain more funds to solve social problems that have led to horrendous police oversteps. Reducing funds to police is a signal that they have mishandled their jobs in many ways. And that other solutions need to be tried other than calling in the guns and hot heads.

Re-imagining Police would be a better label. How can we control violence while reducing its causes at the same time? That is the paradigm we should be focused on creating. Not all police are bad, but some are; the good ones need to cull the bad from their midst. Civilians cannot do that job as well as the rank and file police officers who work with the bad every day.

Left and Right: these labels also seek to divide and unsettle the body politic. I’m a middle roader who prefers to borrow ideas from both liberal and conservative camps. This affords me more options to understand issues and possibly spot solutions that are amenable to more people. Of course, that requires the art of compromise, another label that offends some people.

The Right is attached to conservative politics. The Left is attached to liberal politics. Neither is fully correct or in error. Both contain truths that matter. Finding a happy balance is a challenge. If you are interested in solving problems, you will find the truth that matters. If you wish to upset the discussion, then you will seek words of division; solutions will be hidden, obfuscated, which is the point of the troublemakers.

Socialist: this is a cheap shot and divisive label. Truth of the matter is America is a blend of socialism and democracy. We vote openly and competitively for people and ideas. That’s what makes us a democracy. The programs adopted to benefit those in need or for the common good of the people, are often socialist in design – that is, resources are taken from all to provide benefits to many in need.

Social Security and Medicare are examples of that, but in our democracy, we pay premiums for these that are collected in a way reminiscent of taxation. Not the same as taxes, but almost. Medicaid is a socialist program, but worthy of our support. So is public education, public universities, state-supported research, and many more programs.

Focusing only on the socialist label is misleading and intentionally disruptive.

Time we gave divisiveness a rest and got down to finding solutions to our common problems. You know, that means we would be working toward “a more perfect union.” Where have we heard that phrase before?

December 7, 2020

 

 

Innovate

Tony Hsieh died at 42 years of age. Way too early, and much needed in our world. He was a business leader, a visionary in business, and a risk taker that earned enormous returns. But then, his work benefitted the world, business, customers and employees. We all gained from his visionary trips into the unknown. So did investors benefit.

Being a visionary means what? A short definition might be ‘seeing what can be and making it happen.’ That’s what Hsieh was and did. Others can do it as well. Why they don’t, remains a mystery.

In business matters, here’s what is involved for you and me.

What does the customer need?

With many options from which to choose, we buy what is available. However, someone had to realize the need existed in the first place. Start there and think of what is missing. Not easy to do, is it? But that is the basic nature of envisioning. What is needed that is not now being addressed in the marketplace?

Answering that question doesn’t take a lot of research. Once the product or service missing is identified, it will take research to nail down the specifics of the product or service. But then the next leg of the visioning odyssey begins.

Who can produce the product needed?

Remember the Space Program? Getting to and from the moon safely, placing a man there and retrieving him, was the goal. The how was unknown. We worked from what we knew and built on that platform of knowledge. We grew that platform. We enhanced that knowledge base and tweaked it constantly until we were certain we had all the answers. We made the moon shot. We calculated the flight there and back; we invented the moon landing method, and the blast off to mother ship, and then finished the return trip. Along the journey we invented many products that hadn’t existed before. We use them everyday now and mostly take them for granted.

In the world of commerce, once the product is being built and prepared for use, we need to get all of that to the end user, the customer. That’s the next leg of innovation.

How do we distribute the product to the customer in need of it?

Used to be we visited a store, found the product we needed, bought it and took it home. Today we research the product on-line via the computer. We research who has the product and who has the best reputation for quality product and service. We check prices. We calculate the pros and cons of a product versus its price. And then we make the choice, pay for the transaction, and the supplier ships it to us.

It took genius and a lot of hard work for Jeff Bezos to invent the Amazon distribution method. But he did it, right? Remember earlier times buying goods from a non-Amazon retailer? Their on-line software system was cumbersome and frustrating. Often, we cancelled the order and advised the retailer to ask Amazon how to do this!

Today, Amazon still rules on-line commerce. Finding the product or service in the marketplace, learning about competing brands, considering price differences, and then paying for the goods remotely, is a very complicated process. Getting the goods to the customer is another complicated process. Amazon combined it all saving the consumer untold running around, time and money.

Pure innovation exists in many forms at many points in any process, not just creating, manufacturing and delivering a product. The moon shot program alone gave us GPS, new materials, fresh engineering discoveries, and medical breakthroughs. Each of those items were innovations. Then spurred more innovation. And that critical cycle continues.

Fresh thinkers and ponderers are needed. Entrepreneurs are needed. The world is hungry for these people and what their thinking produces. Bill Gates is one. Steve Jobs was one. Tony Hsieh was one.

Be one of those people.

And watch the visions soar!

December 4, 2020

 

Lowest Common Denominator

Entertainment in the USA – or what passes for it – is pitiful in content. I speak mainly of TV and much of radio. Turn to any station/channel and witness material offered for public consumption. Ask the question, has this material informed me? Has it motivated me to think more acutely? Am I better off having consumed this material?

Your answers will likely be negative. To each of the questions. Try it out sometime.

News programs are trying, but they report mostly negative news; if it has negative value, it runs. If it is positive in nature, it rarely is aired with the exception of the last 60 seconds or so of the broadcast. You know this is true.

Movies. Concerts. Music. Discussion or debate. Most are vapid. They do not challenge the audience to strengthen their minds or understanding of our world, society or nation.

Just escape. Mindless music. Popular music forms with lyrics that are mumbled or over played by loud music that drowns out the message. What are the artists saying? What is the meaning of their art? What are we to know from it, grow from it?

Movies are focused on sex, nudity, bawdy language, violence, blood, killing, etc. The more violent or prurient, the more likely it is to be included in the movie. Even plays or musicals.

I seek escape from common day worries just like everyone else. But at the end of the day my mind needs feeding on things of value, things that matter, things that suggest we can and ought to work hard for better outcomes.

Why should this be a challenge? Why can’t American artists and entertainment moguls aim for higher standards of artistry and golden values? British movies and TV programs are better, why not us?

I see this whole problem as underachievement. It is the easy way out for most audiences. They don’t want to ‘work’ for their entertainment. They want the story to be given to them, not unfolded using some of their own brainpower.

Many people do not go onto college because they lack confidence they can do the work. So, they avoid higher education and settle for something more immediate. That choice often works out – entrepreneur small business, artist self-taught, building trade that really cooks for the person, etc. No argument either on the decision or the outcome. Both are excellent for the person involved.

But what happens to most others who opt out of the hard path? Will they do the same with every hard decision that comes their way? Will they be underperformers for their entire life? Will this affect their happiness, emotional stability and so much else?

And what price does society pay for underachievers? The answer to that question is long, complicated and worthy of much research. I suspect many PhD’s could be earned in just this field of study alone.

OK. Lowest common denominator. Underachievers. Underperformers. What else? Maybe tens of millions of people who simply do not engage with the complicated real world and its many unsolved issues? Might these people be looking for easy answers or leaders who simply ‘do it for them?’

Methinks this is a root problem we need to invest time and resources in. Might you be interested in joining this crusade? 

December 3, 2020

 

Meanderings

Flynn Pardon: As expected, Mike Flynn has been fully pardoned by the White House occupant. There are two things this action tells us: first, the Flynn is a convicted felon and carries that with him for the rest of his life; second, the pardon is a strategy to protect the White House occupant from criminal prosecution. Whether these two things will have a lasting effect, history alone will tell us in good time.

Meanwhile, Flynn should worry about his military legacy and benefits. They are in peril. Similarly, White House occupant’s legacy is toast; his benefits are very much in question. But he is wealthy beyond belief, right? So why would he worry?

Selfishness: Self centeredness has been the watchword for the full 4 year term of the current White House occupant. If memory serves me correctly, not one time did the incumbent act for the good of the nation, only for himself and what he perceived to be voter attraction. Strategy and tactic was never far from mind. The crassness of this type of life is staggering. What a pitiful being he is. No heart. No empathy. No long term projection of values. No values. Just empty shell of what looks like a human being. But is not. Total zero.

Focus on Good: The starkness of good and evil, right and wrong are stunning. What our nation has experienced over the past 4 years is a deep lesson in right and wrong. It culminated with over 300,000 deaths from COVID-19 by January 21, 2021 (check the tally then to see if I’m close with this estimate).

The republican control of the federal government will be history’s example of perfidy and travesty. The government of, by and for the people did not serve those people. Only a few benefited. All while so many suffered and paid high costs. Some with their very lives.

In this month of December, let us focus on the future and what we value as positive and good. Sharpen that focus. See it. Smell it. Feel it. Then do what you need to do to make it come to life. That is my job, your job, our job. It belongs to no senator, congressperson or White House occupant. Nor even a robed justice in any court in the land. This nation was founded by us. It stands for us. And will not again suffer a charlatan passing as leader.

A new beginning is at hand. Make the most of it for all of our sakes.

December 2, 2020

 

World AIDS Day

December 1^st is the Day set aside for World AIDS Day. A day to mark not just the deaths for 35+ million people worldwide, but also to recognize how far we’ve come in managing the disease and its awful outcomes.

In contrast, the COVID-19 pandemic has sickened 62.2 million people and 1.2 million died of the virus globally. In the USA alone, we are 13.5 million cases and 268,000 deaths.

Back to AIDS, over 70 million infections have been diagnosed since 1981 when the disease was first identified in the US. The root disease occurred earlier, at least 20 years earlier. Today, 40,000 new infections occur annually in the US alone. The scourge remains at large globally.

Over 675,000 American have died from AIDS since 1981. Once an annual death rate numbered 40,000; by the end of 2017 the number of AIDS deaths had dropped to 16,350. Medical treatments and protocols have been a Godsend. Still, young gay men practice unsafe sex and contract the disease. They seem oblivious to the manifestations and suffering of the disease, preferring to believe the disease is in the past and manageable if contracted. They are partly right; but where they are wrong carries a heavy price tag of suffering for themselves and loved ones.

I know HIV/AIDS has become passé in America. We have a new pandemic to worry about and politicize. So why worry about AIDS?

Because it continues to march across the globe destroying millions of lives as it has in the past. Just because the ‘victims’ are gay, doesn’t mean society at large suffers no loss. Just imagine the creativity, intellectual strengths, and social value of so many dead people, let alone gays? Or any other selected niche group in society? What would we be missing because of their demise?

And what other costs are incurred that we all absorb one way or another?

But then, there is the toll of suffering. Loss. Pain. Sickness. Stigma. Of the patient or family and friends, the loss is horrendous. And very personal.

Think of the attention COVID-19 has gained. Now, compare it with the AIDS pandemic. That cold draft you notice is named stigma.

May we never forget. And realize we are in this together. Pandemics are uncontrolled. That is their nature. Be grateful you do not have it. Do all you can to avoid spreading it. AIDS or COVID.

December 1, 2020

 

 

 

USA Projection In the World?

With the end of the trump (I still cannot capitalize the name!) term, hopefully an era will be dying and disappearing over time. That raises the question, however, of what the ‘new era’ ought to be?

What face should America be projecting to the global community? What message or value should be pre-eminent, a statement of who and what we are?

I’ll take a stab at this. First and foremost, we ought not to set ourselves up as the world leader. We have played that role for decades. That should remain in our past as a reminder of victories won and digested from the Second World War. We made those victories happen, but not alone. We had a community of nations helping at every turn. That is the ‘leadership’ identity we loathe to give up, I think. But we should.

WWII was in the 1940’s. This is 2020, 80 years later. The world is the same size but contains nearly 8 billion people in over 200 nations. We have instant communications with most of the nations and many of their peoples. The global community is like a village; contained by some land borders, but mostly by blockades of culture and education to understanding one another. Still, it is a small village and one we must learn to play within fairly and with justice.

It starts by acting like we are not the Lord of All.

Like the religious values we tend to identify with, we are to love one another and treat them as we would like them to treat us. We are also to lend a hand to others who need help. If we are blessed with resources, we ought to share them. When commerce is waged fairly, we ought to participate on the same basis as everyone else.

That’s it. One of the family we are; not the dad, mom and overlord.

Nor should we be the fat, rich uncle handing out cash to everyone. No, like Afghanistan, much of the Middle East and many regions scattered around the globe, we have paid dearly to many nations, been taken advantage of, and still try to save the world in their backyards. Afghanistan is ungovernable. So is Iraq and Iran if religion is to be the guidepost of statecraft. They will never learn the how until they do for themselves what is needed.

We can help, but we should not do. We can sweep in and administer aid to the victims of enormous natural disasters as we should; but we do not remain to guide, cajole and pay for their return from victimhood. That struggle is their teacher and lesson plan.

We are not the keeper of world peace. Neither are we the cause of world despair or warfare. Leave that to the Chinas and Russias among us. Too many they are, but their duplicitous power grabs will undo them with their own people in the long run. We can and should protect ourselves and other allies if those allies bear fair financial burden of the work.

We can serve global village tasks, but we ought not control them. That is for the village to decide.

I don’t like trump. I do not agree with him. His international relations gambits were foul and unproductive. But they did reset some benchmarks that needed to be adjusted.

For now, let us move forward with confidence and grace. Humility, too, please. We have much to be proud of, but history reminds us of our many missteps. Yes, we are guilty of many things we need to own up to. But let’s not let that deter us from making the world a better place for everyone.

Not a bad resolution for the new year! Perhaps we should adopt it?

November 30, 2020

 

Day After Thanksgiving

Today is Native American Heritage Day. I don’t know when this became a formal thing, but it is about time! Being a native southern Californian, I grew up with cowboy and Indian themed play, some of the history of the frontier, and much Indian lore. A lot of this history was bunk, but then honesty in history wasn’t a thing back then (1940’s, 50’s).

Over the years I’ve traveled often to the southwestern United States. Love the weather. Love the scenery, topography. Love the architecture, plant life and animal life, as well. More and more our visits delved into the Native American culture and history. As my awareness grew, I was appalled at the injustice apparent in that portion of our nation’s history. We owe native Americans much. Their land. Their spirituality. Their peace and tranquility. And yes, their stoicism.

A direct opposite cultural norm has become the benchmark. The day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday. It is a day set aside for massive shopping by consumers for Christmas. A hideous, romp into stores, through them, and back to the cars with armloads of stuff, needed or not, certain they can be easily returned if not satisfactory to the recipient. Unthinking. Crowded. No class. Certainly, no peace or tranquility.

At least the crowded rush will be less this year as online shopping is the rage in the time of COVID. Online shopping has been growing exponentially for several years now, but with COVID, even the faint of heart are willing to try it this year.

So, the rush is on. Those who are ignorant of COVID’s reality will still rush the stores. The rest will avoid the stores and sit at their computers. I will. But as I age household income is insufficient to participate in the holiday shopping madness. I used to enjoy it much, but then I had plentiful funds in the bank to spend. Today that is not the case. We enjoy a much simpler holiday season.

And that is what I am wishing you on this day. Simple, heartfelt seasonal greetings of the holiday season. May you enjoy the true meaning of whatever holiday you celebrate. And may others not rain on your heritage of celebration!

November 27, 2020

 

Thanksgiving!

Waited for it. Finally came. The big Turkey Day, Thanksgiving!

This is my favorite holiday of the year. There are others on the list, high up, but Thanksgiving is my favorite. I think it is because everything and everybody that is important in my life is present on this day. Good food, too. But none of the pressure of gift giving attached to the day.

Expectations are only of time to be spent with others, and enjoying wonderful foods reminding us of times and people from the past.

Thanksgiving is part of my heritage. Most likely it is of yours as well.

Focusing one day of the year on what matters to me – you, us – is healthy. It is good for our character to feel humility and caring. Empathy is not overrated. It is an essential part of our emotional personality. It is unique to each of us and makes us human.

A better human.

I am not the center of my universe. Oh sure, we are the center of who and what we know, but it is the getting out of that center that allows us to grow, feel and be more human. For one thing, we are exposed to differentness. Uniqueness of others, too. We learn to share the planet with others. We realize the enormity of the world and what we have in common. And feel. And need. The beginning of awareness or at least the expansion of knowing the world in its larger dimension enhances the self, not diminishes it.

For that I am thankful. I am thankful for each and every person in my family. I am thankful of friends near and far. I am thankful for the memories of those long ago visited in the past but not forgotten.

This is a day that helps us understand the accumulative nature of our life’s growth. We live and do things, meet people, experience actions and variable environs and evolve our knowledge of life itself. What does it mean to me? What does this help me do in the future? How can this enhance lives of others?

Thankful, not content. Evolving to something more, not remaining static. Being more in the world, an investment.

And the payoff for this investment? Ah! That’s where it becomes more interesting, enticing! We don’t know the payoff. We just hope it is good and to be the cause of thankfulness in the future.

Cherish these days. They are special. In company of other loved ones or not, reach out with memories of them or phone, email, Zoom or Facetime them.

May this be a blessed day for you and yours.

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 26, 2020

 

Alone?

I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently. Most likely others have as well. It is Thanksgiving, after all, and at this time of gathering – people, families, crops and harvests, et. al. – many will not be physically together this year. What’s worse, the December Holidays will be similarly affected by COVID.

But then, I remember when I was a kid, back in the 40’s and 50’s. We had newspapers, Life and Post magazines (weekly?), the radio and TV. TV was fairly new in our home; I think Christmas 1955. National news, even world news was a 15-minute affair nightly. Hardly connected to the global village but we felt so. Of course, the concept of global village was not as well defined then as it is today.

Of course, we had the phone. Our family was spread across the United States. Grandparents in Minnesota and California; aunts and uncles in Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, cousins and what not relations scattered well and far through the 48 states. Yes, 48!

You know where I’m going with this logic. Today in 2020 we have instant global communication complete with sound and live television (and in full color!). Internet connections are exacting to the second and centimeter. We can dial up and talk to anyone we wish to at any time using modern technology. And the news? It is 24/7/365. Furthermore, news can be drilled down into micro phrases of facts and timing. We have the world at our fingertips.

We are not alone. We are present in one another’s lives. Not just memories, but Zoom, Facetime, and all the rest connect us. Our interests are connected as well. We are not alone in our thinking or feeling. We can reach out and satisfy our curiosity, our need for information, and our discussion with trusted allies.

There is still an ache, isn’t there? A sense of separation where once there was companionship.

A favored friend from church called a few weeks back. She said it was time to share dinner again, and she was bringing it with her to us. Dinner for four! And we said yes. The first thing she did after putting down the bags of hot steamy food, was grab each of us in a hug to remember.

We were together. We could feel one another in whole space and time. It was a delicious moment!

That is the alone meant by the title of this post. We are alone in the sense of physical presence and touch. Family is distant whether across the street or across the nation. No matter the miles of separation, we long to touch. Somehow it makes the real, real.

The pandemic takes its toll in many ways. But truly alone is not one of them. We have many methods to use in battling separation and distance from our loved ones. Employ those methods. Spark memories of when you were last together. Savor the sense of connection.

It is as real as you make it.

Then know this separation will one day end. My only wonder is how our immune systems will take sudden socializing? Will we come down with a major winter cold? All of us?

Ah well! That is a small price to pay for being together once again. Hold onto that thought. One day it will be true.

November 25, 2020

 

If You Don’t Care….

Heard on the internet, over the phone or in passing conversations on the street:

·        “They can’t do that to our church, or any church. They can’t just shut us down!”

·        “They are killing my bar – or restaurant – hotel – gym – beauty salon – small business."

·        “This is just all so much bullshit…”

Obviously, people are reacting to enhanced restrictions and advisories established to slow down the spread of COVID-19. Public policy and warnings are made to protect people from the pandemic. Of course, changing our lifestyle because of COVID is hard to do. Wearing a mask is uncomfortable. It makes breathing more difficult, too, especially for someone with COPD, asthma, emphysema, or pneumonia. And it doesn’t smell nice, either!

All I ask is we all follow the suggestions and requirements. Be mad at the disease and its consequences. Don’t be mad at the rules. They are designed to protect us all. It is not a political point of view. It is life.

Besides, the customers of small businesses – and bars, restaurants, gyms salons, hotels, etc. – who are protected will remain healthy to return to those businesses later. If they get sick or die or permanently disabled from the disease, they will not remain customers.

The COVID pandemic is a curse. It has changed our lives in many ways. The old normal is not likely to fully return. So, survive the ordeal inch by inch, hour by hour, and day by day. Together we will get through this.

Hopefully, we will learn to laugh through tears one day.

Courage, people. Courage!

November 24, 2020

 

Bifurcated Society

If you have to check the dictionary for its definition, you may be half of the problem.

Today, we have two societies in America. One that keeps up with things social, culturally, technologically, artistically, and spiritually. That covers all subject matters or is intended to. The other society, dwells in the mind and emotions mostly. They do not check the facts. They seem to dwell on the past and how that affects the present. Mostly absent is future. What will come tomorrow, the day after and the decade after that? 

One portion of our society deals with the whole of our existence, not just part of it. Oh, we have specialties represented within the whole, but even that is folded into the whole to determine how the whole is better or worse because of it. What does it tell us? What will happen if various key points are altered? What will the future be like, and do we need to take corrective action?

The other portion of society doesn’t worry about that. They remain fixated on what is life for them and their family and friends. They little curiosity on how the vast majority of others in this world live and if it is suitable.

Care of others. Empathy. Working not for self but for others. One segment of society does this automatically. The other doesn’t get it at all.

And that’s what America has become in a nutshell.

My opinion, of course, but still, is this how we want to be remembered? Is this the nation we love or loved and still want it to be better.  You know, the Preamble of the US Constitution declares “to form a more perfect union” is the purpose of the US Constitution. It is not perfect – not at the beginning, or now, or any time in between. It is a nation striving for a better, more perfect union. It is a job never complete. It is what we must do all the time.

I think we are better people than two warring camps struggling to be heard. I think we are all in this together to build a more perfect union. We cannot do that while tearing each other down. We cannot do that while ignoring facts.

We are much. We can do much. We have already done much. We are strivers and doers. Each of us has a contribution to make to the whole. That makes each of us more. Your striving makes you more whole. Your working outside of yourself for the betterment of others builds your character. It adds value to you. And to all of us.

This is the United states, not the Divided states. We each have a heritage of which we are proud. But we also know that it is only a small part of the whole of our nation. We should be proud of all the parts; not just one.

Differentness is enrichment. It makes our food taste better. It enhances our art, design and social context. It makes us better and more adaptable. From that we invent and innovate. From that we do more with what is at hand.

Each of us is at hand. Each of us have a role to play. For the good of all. Not for the good of me, or just you, or your ‘kind.’ For the good of all of us together.

As one, we are more.

Let’s get to work.

November 23, 2020

 

Tough Road Ahead

And it’s being made tougher. By politicians focused on personal power, money and ideology.

Enough already!

The American people have spoken. They want the current president out of the White House and a new one installed post haste. And they expect and deserve the president elect to be treated professionally and respectfully to make a smooth transition. A lot is resting on this transition.

The American people did not vote just for Joe Biden. They voted for a return to decency, civility, and order. They wish a return to protocols and processes that are reliable and trustworthy. The Biden administration is a bridge from chaos to order.

That’s it. Nothing else need be read into the election results.

Ideology is not simply left or right, right or wrong, west or east or north and south. Ideology is about the definition of government and her role in our lives. Last time I checked, the US Constitution had this down pat. We’ve based hundreds of years of life and government in the USA on that document. Much has been argued over it and settled in Supreme Court Cases. More will be heard and decided in the future no doubt.

For now, let’s get on with governing the country. The agenda is critical to life and limb presently:

1.      COVID-19 pandemic response; quell the spread; prepare for the vaccine; and get the vaccine to the people quickly. This will take money, coordination and planning. And discipline. And cooperation and collaboration. Present administration must bow to the incoming administration so the pandemic work can proceed unhindered.

2.      Stimulus bill to help states cope with devastated budgets (drop in revenues, increased expenses); most likely this amounts to a need of $1 trillion; maybe more. This aid package will ensure police, fire and health systems are properly staffed.

3.      Stimulus bill to help unemployed with rent, mortgages, food and health expenses. This will likely total another $1 trillion to help families survive the pandemic. Pure and simple.

4.      Stimulus bill to help businesses, mostly the smalls, and the hospitality industry survive the pandemic. This is likely another $ trillion. That makes a total of $3 trillion. We can do this and should. This is a dire emergency and the Congress and White House must collaborate now to get this right.

5.      Military Order: the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the National Security Council, the outgoing and incoming White House administrations need to coordinate NOW to secure and safeguard the military order. The current president is damaged goods and shows it. He is not to be trusted with the national and international machinery protecting the USA. Congress and the Courts must protect the US Constitution at this delicate time in our history.

That’s it. With 60+ days to inaugurating the next president, much needs to be done. Crisis requires extraordinary effort to obtain extraordinary results.

Get on with it!

November 20, 2020