Spreading the Word

No, this is not a religious tract. But it does have something to do with spirit and positive attitudes.

Think about it:

“Imagine what the world would be like if all the gossip began with: ~ You are loved, pass it on?”

 -- Words by Noetic Alchemy

And if you find it hard to love others, work on it. It helps if you love yourself first, not out of egotism, but your own appreciation of self as good and earnest. You try to do the right thing and you have no doubts about that. If this is working in you then you likely are able to move to the next step.

Every religion in the history of Man exhorts us to love others as ourselves. Christianity is not the only belief system to support this tenet. Most of the others, if not all, have followed the same logic.

If we love others we care for them and nurture them. We seek to do no harm. This starting point avoids judging them, thinking negatively about them. If they are strong and well, they are like partners in the community; making us all strong. If they are weak and unwell, we have work to do. That work teaches the other that we mean well. We are not enemies. We are alike. The base of this relationship is well laid and the future has much potential.

The same can be said of our brothers and sisters in community. We seek commonality, not sameness. We are each unique but still serve joint interests for the common good. Our differences enrich our brotherhood and potential. Our hopes and dreams spring forward with different skills and talents. Together we are strong.

We have much to love in each other. We have much to gain by it, too.

An anonymous offering from the Internet shares this thought with us:

“If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.”

           

Go after it. Don’t assume it. Don’t take it from someone else. Earn it and learn from the effort. Compare notes with what you’ve learned before this moment. Grow. Develop your own strengths and talents. But seek what you need and want. Share it with others so they do the same. Together your community will gain strength and happy futures. If you don’t try, they most likely won’t either. Seeking makes progress possible. No seeking; no progress. You may be stuck in a rut.

A similar piece of advice from the Internet, of course anonymous, reads:

“Keep your eyes open and your feet moving forward. You’ll find what you need.”

That takes faith in your own capabilities. It also takes faith in the good nature of strangers. That requires a leap of faith. It is not without peril. But remember this admonition from a Methodist pastor:

“God prefers kind atheists over hateful Christians.”

~Tom Tate, Rose City Park United Methodist Church (state unknown)

Not a bad way to end this posting. Know yourself and love yourself. Do the same for others. Trust strangers and do good together. A good lesson. We learned it both in Kindergarten and church school. Trust it. It works!

August 24, 2012

Expansions

Feet grow. Even when you are an aging adult. Who’d a thunk it?

OK. There is a story behind that line. Here it is.

I’ve complained to my team of doctors that my feet hurt, ankles tire easily and, in fact, the feet are partially numb. This has slowed my gait and reduced physical activity. As the weight piled onto my limbs the doctors told me to eat less, exercise more and lose the weight.

Finally, my partner Rocky let me accompany him to his quarterly foot doctor visit. He is a diabetic and Medicare pays for close attention to feet. His podiatrist is connected with a renowned orthopedic clinic so I thought I’d seek some advice. Two months later I had my own appointment for an assessment of my feet.

She prodded them and x-rayed them; she listened to my complaints. Her diagnosis: compression of nerves in the ankle, slight edema in ankle, and a growing presence of arthritis in the feet. This explains some of the symptoms but not all. Further discussion uncovered the basic fact that feet continue to grow throughout our lifetime, although slower as we age. Elderly experience a spreading of the feet as well.

Long story short: I had long fit my feet to shoes sized 10 and a half A (narrow). The doctor recommended a visit to a sports shoe retailer for an accurate fit. When I arrived at the New Balance store, they measured my feet at 12 and a half with a D width! I was shocked.

Moments later I was walking the store in new walkers of the proper size and marveled at their comfort and how easy my feet performed. I wore the shoes home like a kid! Even ordered a second pair for dressy occasions.

A day later I could feel the improvement and figured after a few months I ought to have more spring in my step, less pain and the willingness to walk regularly without fear of pain.

How simple. How basic. Now, all of you in reader-land, raise your hands if you knew feet continued to grow throughout adulthood!  I thought so; it was news to you, too.

So spread the word. Feet grow and spread. Proper shoe sizing is well worth checking. Now all I have to do is find a new home for my shoe wardrobe worth well over $2000! Anyone interested?

August 23, 2012

Some Interesting Dichotomies

Many ideas flow on the Internet. Some are very clever; they make me laugh out loud! Others pull at the heartstrings while still others pique deeper thought. I’ll try a few out on you. See if you find them as curious and tempting as I do.

Renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright:

“If capitalism is fair, then unionism must be. If men have a right to capitalize their ideas and the resources of the country, then that implies the right of men to capitalize their labor.”

In other words we can make a market for key resources – labor, money, commodities, land, homes and buildings. Why not consumers, then? And voters?

Just a thought!

From an ecard site on the web, www.someecards.com:

“If voting for the GOP is the ‘path to prosperity,’ why are most GOP-leaning states the poorest and most uneducated?”

Check this assertion out on the Web. Statistics surrounding this statement suggest it is correct. Just saying…..

On March 13, 2012 Mitt Romney stated:

“Planned Parenthood. We’re going to get rid of that.”

On March 28, 2012 President Obama stated:

“If you truly value families, you shouldn’t play politics with a woman’s health.”

President Obama also said:

“No, you can’t deny women their basic rights and pretend it’s about your ‘religious freedom.’ If you don’t like birth control, don’t use it. Religious freedom doesn’t mean you can force others to live by your own beliefs.”

Well these three quotes sum it up pretty well, I think. Believe what you will, politically or religiously, or philosophically; but don’t even try to legislate it. That is imposing your belief system on everyone else. How can anyone say that is fair?

And if you doubt that, ask a woman for her opinion on this controversy!

Rachel Maddow made this statement on her TV show:

“Here’s the thing about rights. They’re not supposed to be voted on… that’s why they call them rights.”

Rights are provided in the US Constitution. As a nation the document itself was voted on for ratification. After that, however, it is the law of the land subject to interpretation by the US Supreme Court only. Rights in all other respects are not subject to public vote; if they were the majority would always crush the minority. And that’s the reason why rights are not subject to popular votes. Rachel gets it. Why don’t conservative state legislatures and congress understand these basics?

From www.facebook.com/welovetoirritatehatefulrepublicans.com:

“Lately Romney keeps referring to President Obama and his ideas as being ‘foreign’ but what’s really foreign are the countries that Romney invests in and the places he outsources our jobs to.”

While Romney worked at and owned Bain Capital, foreign outsourcing of American jobs was common. Now his wealth is deposited all over – in America to be sure, but also in Swiss bank accounts and Bahamian banks and other off-shore financial institutions. It is legal to do so. But why won’t he engage in a public discussion about this practice? Is this good policy for America? From someone desiring to be the President? And tax reporting – why does he get a free pass on ignoring the legitimate interest of the American voter? We want to see his tax returns to determine if he paid his fair share or if he dodged via many loop holes available only to the rich? How transparent and honest is Mitt Romney? We may never know. He hides.

George Carlin (1937-2008) wisely said:

“If you have selfish, ignorant citizens, you’re gonna get selfish, ignorant leaders.”

I know Carlin was often profane. But he got people’s attention. His wisdom was bottom line and spot on.  Basic and clearly understandable. I miss him.

           

From the social commentary cartoon folks who gave us Maxine (Hallmark Cards):

“Let me get this straight. You want to defund Social Security, and take people’s security in the future away;

            You want to defund Medicare and take away their security now;

You want to defund Planned Parenthood so that we have more unwanted children and more sexually transmitted diseases;

You want to defund education so only those who can afford a private education will be educated;

            You want to defund HUD and put poor people onto the streets;

            And you want everyone to have the ability to buy assault rifles?

            What the hell could possibly go wrong?”

Well for one, the Aurora, Colorado rampage in the theater; Columbine High School massacre for another; Oklahoma City bombing by Timothy McVey for yet another. Rage is hard to contain on the road or in the gun store or other public places. We treat these elements lightly at our own peril. And that’s just the guns and ammo discussion. The education, Social Security, Medicare, Planned Parenthood, HUD, National Endowment for the Arts, et. al. are just the separate topics acting as explosives for the well-armed and hateful. What a commentary on modern life in the USA!

Franklin D. Roosevelt gave us this pearl of wisdom:

            “The best customer of American industry is the well paid worker.”

Bottom line this thought is gold. If manufacturers want to move the merchandise they have made, if retailers desire strong sales, then employers need to pay their employees good base pay and build strong future oriented careers. Together these work to produce a sound economy in which all parts are well rewarded. Focusing on the needs of only a few creates imbalances that spin the system out of control to our common detriment.

All owners of resources needed in the American enterprise must be willing to take risks if they are to earn rewards. That includes owners of labor as well as capital. And to enrich labor by education makes capital worth more as well.

We need to pay attention.

August 22, 2012

Putting Things in Order

Incredible weather. Cooling at night; low 50’s. Warm and dry by day; 70’s with humidity in the 20’s. For the Midwest that is like perpetual Indian Summer. Greens are greener. Blue skies are deepest azure. Colors of flowers are vibrant. A hint of color change among the trees. Breezes are modest, even wafting.

With gentle weather comes pause for thinking. Wondering. Appreciation for feelings and relationships. A time to think things through and feel good about them. In short, putting things into perspective.

Doe Zantamata (www.happinessinyourlife.com) suggests “Taking time to do nothing often brings everything into perspective.”

To make this work for you find a place that provides a calming view. Maybe it is sitting upon a rock on a hill looking toward a horizon of nature. Maybe it’s a log in the woods with damp decomposing woods, leaves and soils underfoot while gently fluttering leaves of surrounding trees provide sheltering cool. Perhaps it is a rocky outcropping in the desert giving silence three dimensions. Silence. Whispering nature. Depth of aloneness. Just for a while. Peace.

These then are moments of ease. Feel it in your bones and sinew. Relaxation slowly bringing tensions to rest.

The brain responds. Fills the space with thought patterns. Who am I? Where am I?  What is happening? Where am I headed? Am I all right?

“The happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything.”    ~ www.justequotes.com

 Moments to appreciate the little things and make them big: weather, deep full breaths, strides that pull muscle and bone in harmony with a bit of stretch, a view that pleases all the senses, loved ones nearby, a sense of home, good friends puttering about with purpose and enjoyment. All good things. All so basic and simple. Like a meal with simple flavors which spark memories of years gone by, people now gone. A sip of cool water to soften thirst.

In moments such as these we reflect on meanings. We value what we often forget while busy or stressed. We do those things why? To make a happy life? To earn the means to buy food, shelter and nurture? Yes; but remember the why!

“Some people create their own storms, then get upset when it rains.”  ~ kushandwizdom.tumblr

So why don’t they create their own peace to avoid the rain and drama?!

Mary Travers cautioned us when she said, “It’s not politics. It’s ethics, it’s humanity. It’s community, trying to figure out a way to live.”

Along this pathway is found what is really important to us. It’s not about government, is it? It’s not about religion solely, is it? It’s not about power over others, is it? What it is is basic. It is about finding place for self. That rarely has value unless self is found with others. Definition of the person is found through relationship with other persons. So evident yet so difficult to realize.

This is a journey. The travel is challenging yet enjoyable. The mind alerts to differences encountered. The journey takes on a life of its own and partners with our personhood. So much so is the journey itself important that it is the destination! It matters little where we arrive or intend to get. It matters greatly that we are on the journey and seeing ourselves in new ways and different situations.

“Pain makes you stronger. Tears make you braver. Heartbreak makes you wiser. So thank the past for a better future.” ~Anonymous

And one should add,…thank the journey for providing the perspective of the past so we can use it for building the future.

We mustn’t get lost in the past. It is important to live in the present but also not get absorbed by it. These two prepare us for future. Enjoy all the tenses but move from one to the other fluidly.

Now is that putting things in order or not?!

August 21, 2012

Looking Forward?

It pleases me that one of my old heroes, Dwight Eisenhower, is quoted today. Here it is:

“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children.”

Of course we have to defend ourselves and be ready for emergencies. That is a good and proper role of government. But it is also the role of government to spend wisely and discern the needs of people. Dollars spent in one way necessarily reduces its presence to pay for something else. Eisenhower knew the necessity of both as a career military professional.

When I was 9 years old, the political talk of the nation was General Eisenhower’s masterful management of America’s victory over both Germany. His efforts were critical in making the world a safe place once the world was rebuilding following the devastation of war. His hero status was well established and well earned.

What surprised many was his shift to policy away from military matters. Although a cool assessor of the Cold War, Eisenhower was also keenly aware of the stresses in a nation that led to unrest, turmoil and war across borders. Quality of life was his focus and how to bring that about for the masses. Not a socialist and certainly not a communist, Eisenhower focused his attention on getting the American war-weary capitalist system working smoothly for the long term future.

He warned us of the military-industrial complex, a massive corporate structure deeply embedded in the nation’s business culture. He feared the manipulation of international issues to boost business interests. He was right to be concerned. Military expenditures continued to soar as the country rearmed itself following World War II and the Korean Conflict. Military hardware was reinvented and engineered in an endless array of armor and capability. Bigger and better was the cry! The armed forces were preened and trained for an Armageddon that might come but never did. Meanwhile, those involved corporations, management teams and stockholders reaped endless riches. 

When the Space Race replaced in some measure the Arms Race, technology held center stage and manufacturing and electronic industries were transformed. We still feel those impacts today as we reinvent our worlds of commerce, science and communications at a continued fast pace. At least now we are building a means to enrich our life experience rather than end it in violence.

We would be wise to listen again to Eisenhower’s admonition. There is a far greater need to avoid war and international unrest than to merely be ready to defend ourselves. The latter creates endless waste and military expense. The former requires us to use our heads and endeavor towards peace. It is possible with effort. And the reward is a deeper appreciation of cultural differences that enrich our lives rather than threaten them. It is the positive task. It is uplifting.

And it is a proper role for government ~ ours at least ~ to pursue. To make the world a better and safer place in which all peoples may live bountiful lives.

Author and political analyst Chris Hayes reported his views on August 11, 2012:

“There is zero – ZERO – evidence that the Republican Party is committed to cutting government in any way; it is a question of who that government benefits. Government as a percent of GDP did not go down under Ronald Reagan. Government as a percent of GDP did not go down under George W. Bush and Tom Delay when they had all three branches of government.

And Paul Ryan was sitting there along with Rick Santorum voting time and time again for things like the Medicare Part D prescription benefit; a completely unpaid for new, very costly bit of social insurance that Paul Ryan cast the deciding vote for.  So the idea is that we want to choose between this grand ideology of Ayn Rand and some collectivist strawman.

I just refuse to concede the premise that Republicans are interested in cutting government because there is no record that they are.”

           

            Hayes has it right. Who benefits from the central government seems to be

the ideological divide. Currently it is the wealthy and high income earners. The poor and young and elderly are not the focus. In fact spreading the cost and pain to these citizen demographic groups appears to be the aim – regardless of the damage done to these brothers and sisters of our tribe.

That is decidedly not the American Dream, or the American Compact witnessed by the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Those cornerstones of our nation bring us together to labor on our common tasks and needs together – not apart.

For the Party of Lincoln, times are bad indeed. They have lost their way and do damage to the very tenets of our republic. So we all suffered under Bush II; and the architects of that debacle of eight years seem to think more of the same is the ticket to the future. No; it is not.

Rather we seek solutions that fairly include us all. The November election is very important. Think seriously and wisely before casting your vote. Do not listen to the uncivil attacks and mean spirited rhetoric. Pay attention to the issues and the solutions offered. Make sure the solutions are thought out and well delivered, not mere rhetorical catch phrases. Think about those solutions.

Reality and maturity require us to engage our intellect and logic. Suffer not the fools of political games and noise. Do not be distracted. Seek peace and understanding.

August 20, 2012

Matters Gay

As I sit at the keyboard this day has dawned sparkling clear, cool, crisp and calm. It is a Friday morn. The sun washes through freshly mown grass pixilating the greens only imagined in dreams. Dew drops lazily fall from overhead leaves building rainbows only seen by birds and insects. Blue skies offset by tree silhouettes, their branches tipped with gold from the early morning sun.

Enjoying the scene; appreciation opens another day of possibility and value. Allowing our senses to receive such stimuli is a joy. Simple. Deep breaths. Serenity.

So why the title of today’s blog? Maybe because serenity is disturbed by comments continually uttered by malcontents who refuse to understand realities of Nature. The Anthony Perkins of the world roils opinions because that brings him attention; the Family Research Council spews its hate and discontent because there is a political center of votes drawn into battles that win congressional seats. Power comes from these ill-formed urges and twists of logic. So vitriol spills over the land as wild as a river roaring down a narrow mountain chasm. The too-clever comments hurled before TV cameras hit the mark of immature souls who feel good hearing their bias’ aired in public.

And yet the FRC gets away with this because it attaches Christianity to its missives, the hallowedness of patriotism to its message and garners support from unwitting conservative republicans; or just plain ignorant people. Those who do not question the speaker or author as to the credibility of their words. Saying it is so doesn’t make it so. We all know that, or do we?

As politicians continue to damage their own credibility by spewing nonsensical bleats during campaigns, they damage also our ability to pay attention to the things that matter. Along with that come boredom, ennui and a ceding of discussion. Those left on the battlefield let stand the untruths; and upon that scrabbled foundation a creed begins to form.

Only if we let it. It takes courage to recognize the need to fight on, to set the record straight; to maintain truthful standards as foundations of beliefs.

Let me put forth a few comments regarding gay culture in America.

James Carville has said, “I was against gay marriage until I realized I didn’t have to get one.” Right on Mr. Carville! It doesn’t apply to you, only to those who are gay and desire equal treatment under the law. But first those who hold the votes have to allow equal treatment under the law to be granted to all of its citizens.

Dan Savage, noted humorist, author, reporter and gay ‘tilter at windmills’ shared this story with his public:

“The clerk called over her manager, a nice older white man, who explained that Amy and Sonia couldn’t have a marriage license. So I asked if Amy and I could have one – even though I’m gay and live with my boyfriend, and Amy’s a lesbian and lives with her girlfriend. We emphasized to the clerk and her manager that Amy and I don’t live together, we don’t love each other, we don’t plan to have kids together, and we’re going to go on living and sleeping with our same-sex partners after we get married. So could we still get a marriage license? “Sure,” the license-department manager said, “if you’ve got $54, you can have a marriage license.””

Now isn’t that just special? It’s not about right or wrong, up or down; it’s about process. Words meaning nothing but process holding mathematical certainty.

Yet, Focus on Family, Family Research Council and the Boy Scouts of America are obsessed about homosexuality and what they think it means. No research have they done; nor thoughtful interrogation or discussion. Just empty statements forming vacuous conclusions. Oh, and some drivel about the US Constitution and religious freedom, and of course that leads to accusations that religious freedom is under attack. No, folks, that isn’t what is under attack.

What is being attacked is fairness and logic. Assertions don’t count. Facts do.

There is no Gay Agenda; I’ve never found any coherent remnant of it, or read a cogent summary of it. I’ve not encountered one organized clan of gay persons who agree with each other! They are willo-the-wisps. Misty creations of conservative minds willing into being enemies who are not there.

What are there are American citizens living their lives in honesty. They live in fairness and respect toward others. They expect the same in return. They don’t always get it, but expect it, yes. That is our Constitution.

If gays cause some people consternation, then that’s their problem. Trying to make this a religious issue so they can make it a political issue is sheer bosh.

But last I check bosh does sway voters. Unless we can collectively laugh loud enough and long enough to sway them back to logic or silence.

Which will it be? Today it is the ‘gay agenda’. Perhaps tomorrow it will be national parks? Or smaller government? Or Social Security? Or Medicare? Which fight do you prefer to fight?

Or do we realize this is really all of them, all of the time. Being a woman, or a poor person, or a Muslim, or African American, or immigrant, or….. This is our full-time being so it is our full-time job to protect and defend. Or am I a hopeless ideologue who believes in the American Promise and its Constitution? I hope I am that. I hope you are my blood sibling in this as well.

August 18, 2012 

  

More Campaign Intelligence

That title may seem like an oxymoron but come along with me for a bit.

Jim Sinegal is the CEO of Costco. And he backs President Obama on his business policies.  He stated, “I’m proud to support him [Obama] in this election. Don’t let Mitt Romney’s misleading ads or false attacks tell you otherwise.  President Obama’s support for small business owners is unwavering.”

That’s important because Romney’s attack is baseless and opposite from the facts. Romney’s focus is not on small businesses but large corporations. That’s where the money is. But it is not where the job creation is. Jobs are created by small businesses as they innovate and create new products and services. They are the generators of new technology and adoption of same in the American culture. Economists understand this very well. And entrepreneurialism is not much mirrored in large corporations. It is, however, in small businesses. That’s where the personal risk of investment pays the largest dividends.

A.C. Grayling stated this regarding religious discussions:

“Religious apologists complain bitterly that atheists and secularists are aggressive and hostile in their criticism of them. I always say: look, when you guys were in charge, you didn’t argue with us, you just burnt us at the stake. Now what we’re doing is presenting you with some arguments and some challenging questions, and you complain.”

Discussing theology is fun and exciting. It tickles the intellect. It helps each participant in the discussion to better understand their beliefs and the beliefs of others. Comparison of ideas is helpful to form yet newer ideas. But to go into the discussion saying and believing your point of view or belief system is the one and only, well really! Isn’t that a bit rude? There are all sorts of Christians; not all are alike. That should not make enemies, rather just interesting discussions. Likewise, there are many religions much older than Christianity that have billions of followers. Only God can say which is right. And he’s not talking!  Get along folks; respect each other’s differing points of view.

Ecards.com provides this apt quotation:

            “I was hoping for a battle of wits, but you appear to be unarmed.”

Bill Maher offers this observation:

“Trying to get today’s Republican to accept basic facts is like trying to get your dog to take a pill. You have to feed them the truth wrapped in a piece of baloney, hold their snout shut, and stroke their throats. And even then, just when you think they’ve swallowed it, they spit it out on the linoleum.”

I can’t improve on that. If the analogy doesn’t fit, substitute putting a pill into a cat! They still manage to spit the pill out. Sometimes they sneak away and spit it out when you are not looking; and in a secret place, too!

David Letterman offered this bit of insight:

“Wall Street says they prefer Mitt Romney for president. And by God, who could question Wall Street’s judgment?

Indeed! Our current economic chaos was created by greed on Wall Street and in a time of relaxed regulation. Both conditions produced mind numbing human misery we are still climbing out of. And is there cooperation in Washington? No sir! There is blockade by republicans to everything Obama. Obama’s policies aren’t working? Far from it; things are improving because of those policies in spite of enormous blocks thrown in the way of their success by republicans.

Isn’t it time we told the congressional republicans to go home and stay there? Leave the heavy lifting to the willing and caring public servants.

Finally, I give you a quote from Senator Bernie Sanders, Independent from Vermont. He said:

“We all remember Abraham Lincoln’s wonderful remarks at Gettysburg in which he describes America as a country ‘of the people, by the people and for the people.’ Well, with the Citizens United Supreme Court decision we are rapidly becoming a nation of the very rich, by the very rich and for the very rich. And that is a horrendous tragedy. This is not the America that men and women throughout our history fought and died to defend.”

Senator Sanders has it exactly right, I think. It is time we supported the basics and get down to business. There is much to do!

August 17, 2012