tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52264035213788203822024-03-05T09:00:27.611-08:00Why Don't You Just Get Started?Motivation to Get Started and to Keep Going - Inspiration to Actionrobertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.comBlogger894125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-10294754918286436522022-07-09T18:01:00.009-07:002023-06-26T11:18:29.725-07:00The Happiest Days, Part 1<span id="docs-internal-guid-4afb3baa-7fff-21e2-41d7-64afa13463bc"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The happiest period of my life was, without a doubt, my 10th grade year in Marina, California. And the happiest part of that year was from about March to June. It took me a long time to understand what made it so good, because there was more than one thing.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The first thing that made that time so happy was that I was experiencing almost complete freedom. I had all the money I needed, which wasn’t a lot in 1976 - comic books, about the only thing I bought for myself - only cost a quarter. I earned money by working at the 7-11 on Reservation Road, owned by Jim and Linda. I also had all of the benefits of being taken care of with almost none of the problems. In other words, I didn’t live with my family and that was another type of freedom. My mom, in an act of awareness and kindness, arranged for me to live with John and Joan Eich (and their son Tommy), so I could finish out the year (and the school play </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Date with Judy</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">). For reasons I won’t go into here, it was a huge relief to not have to deal with my parents (especially my mom, despite this kindness) every day. Joan was my mom’s co-worker at </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Monterey Herald,</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and I would babysit their son Tommy. Tommy and I would watch wrestling on TV and then we would pretend we were the wrestlers and then he would happily go to bed and I would happily read some comic books. The house was always cold perhaps because the Eichs wanted to save on their gas and electric bill in the midst of the Energy Crisis. But the Eichs knew and liked me so they were happy to host me for a few months. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I wasn’t home, I would walk around Marina. Just walk. I would think up comic book stories and just enjoy being free. Sometimes I would walk to Ralph and Diane’s apartment. Diane said I was like a son (though in fact they were only nine years older). But mostly I would just walk around. It was a small town, but there were four different places to buy comic books off the spinner rack (this was before comic-book stores were as available) - t</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">he Food Corral, Stop-and-Shop, Rexall’s, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 7-11</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - so I always had somewhere to go, but nowhere I had to go.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">School was the second reason this was such a happy time. I went to Seaside High School and it was only the third year I stayed in the same school for an entire school year. Every morning I would walk a fair distance to be at the same bus stop as my best friend Rudy. Rudy and I had our last three classes together. We had different math classes for Period 1 and for Period 2, he had Photography and I had Psychology, and for Period 3 I had Science Fiction and I don’t remember what he had. On the second half of the day we shared PE, General Business, and Journalism. After school I went to rehearsals for the school play </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Date with Judy</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. I played the character of the annoying little brother Randolph, complete with a squeaky pre-adolescent voice. (That voice was my own brainstorm and kept me from getting dropped from the cast.) Judy was played by Cindy who was Rudy’s girlfriend. Cindy’s best friend Patty was also in the play.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After rehearsal I’d take the late bus home. I’d take some good-natured teasing from friends about the size of my nose or notice the shape of clouds (one time I was reminded of Jesus breaking the bread) or read whatever book or magazine I had on hand. The bus rides home were fun and the song I associate most with those rides was </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Still Crazy after All These Years</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Paul Simon.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was free and I had friends. It was a nearly perfect time.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And it had to end. It took me a long time to realize it had to end and the lack of that realization caused me problems for a long time. But it had to end and, thank God, it did.</span></p><br /></span><p> </p>robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-18199044714574874002022-07-09T07:45:00.002-07:002022-07-09T07:45:40.418-07:00A Practice Blog<p> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tomorrow Is a New Day</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a8bbfd52-7fff-fce0-37d2-2da1a55b8bff"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s almost July 4 and I haven’t written about freedom in days. I was so diligent and then I fell off and I don’t know why. I could easily come up with all kinds of excuses…being busy, celebrating my birthday, being tired, being scared. They’re all true, but the last reason especially. I am sure I have nothing to say. I am reading a lot and that’s good. I'm also writing in my personal journal, but I haven’t written anything for this book in five days! I’m writing a book about freedom, but without self-discipline there is no freedom and there will be no book. This is a hard truth.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In my head, I write every day. Every day. Without fail. I’d even be happy with five days a week with weekends off, as if this were an actual paying job. But I can’t afford to take five days off from writing this book. The other day someone told me that my inability to sleep without medication (which started during the pandemic) is because I need to get out of my place and to the same place every day - a coffee shop or a library, perhaps - and work there. That might not also help me with my sleep issues, but maybe, just maybe, being in a different place, a place I have to walk to, a place that is quiet, might give me the structure I need in order to write on a consistent basis. Although tomorrow is July 4, I could still get up early, go to the gym, come home, have breakfast and shower, and then go to a coffee shop and work. I’d rather go to the library, but it will be closed for the holiday. Tonight, after writing here, I could pack my lunch and book bag in preparation for the morning.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Tomorrow is a new day.” That can be an excuse for not doing work today or it can be a beacon of hope. Tomorrow will be a new day and every new day is a new chance. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Steven Pressfield writes in </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The War of Art</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, “</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Never forget: This very moment, we can change our lives. There never was a moment, and never will be, when we are without the power to alter our destiny. This second we can turn the tables on Resistance. This second, we can sit down and do our work.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pressfield also says, “The more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am scared of this project, but I’m more scared of not finishing. I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing. I feel like I’m being presumptuous and foolish and that I’m wasting my time and that nobody likes me and nobody will read it and that I should be looking for a “real” job. But then I look at the state of the country and how it’s sliding into totalitarianism and I have a gift of writing and I have the time to read a book a week and I’m great at summarizing ideas and synthesizing them into my own and I don’t want my kids to live in Nazi America, so I have to do something even if it’s to write a book that nobody will read. I have to be able to say I at least tried.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today someone told me that this country has been in this shape before and we will either bounce or go splat. I want to see our country bounce back into full freedom for everyone. Tomorrow does not seem like a new day for this country, but an older and much harsher day. I want to help make tomorrow a new day.</span></p><br /><br /><br /></span>robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-80811155805313652842021-04-25T21:07:00.003-07:002022-07-09T07:42:58.534-07:00Just Getting through LIfe<p> </p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I’ve spent much of my life just getting
through life. But once in a while I’ve actually accomplished something. And whenever
I’ve done that I found most of my accomplishments all had something in common. First,
they were, as I said, difficult. Not one of them was easy. Secondly, they
usually took time, sometimes months or years. Thirdly, there were always, always,
always obstacles. Fourth, I would usually have at least one major setback that
made me want to quit or made me feel the goal was no longer possible. Finally,
when I did reach my goal, I always felt better about myself and I could always
look back on that accomplishment and know that no one could take it away from
me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Interestingly,
however, I found there were different circumstances or origins of those goals. One
was simply that it came up, usually unexpectedly, but it looked like something
that was fun. For example, when I was 13, I learned that there were events
called “Comic Conventions” or “Comic Cons” in which hundreds of comic
collectors and professionals would meet in a common place to buy, sell, and
discuss comic books. Being the comic book enthusiast I was, this seemed like my
idea of Heaven on Earth. Then about a year later events conspired to allow me
to go to my first Comic Con in San Diego. My dad would be living in San Diego
and so my parents arranged it so I could stay with him and go the 1975 San Diego
Comic Con. Once this was settled, I did everything I could to earn money
including babysitting and delivering newspapers. It was a magical time full of
optimism and excitement and it was when I first understood the power of goals. (Also,
was my father moving to San Diego, of all places in the world, serendipitous or
did I somehow manifest it? If I did create that, what does that say about our
potential power?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Another
reason I reached a goal was more negative than positive, but no less effective.
When I was 18, I joined the California Conservation Corps because I desperately
wanted to travel. I was so excited when I was called and asked if I was still
interested in a job I had forgotten I had applied for months previously. But my
excitement turned to fear when I realized what a rough group of kids I worked
with and, more significantly, how easy it was to be fired or “terminated” as
the CCC called it. As I saw people being terminated right and left, I made a decision:
I would survive the training month and go on to my first assignment. I did not
want the humiliation of being fired. I did not want to return home a failure. That
would have been too horrible an embarrassment. The day I graduated was one of
the happiest of my life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
third reason I set a goal was because a gauntlet was hurled. I had recently
finished writing my fiftieth blog and someone challenged me to reach one
hundred blogs before my next birthday (which was about two weeks later). The goal
seemed fun and do-able. It was also hard. There were setbacks, like the time I realized
I had miscounted and had to write one more blog. I found myself being irritable
if I were in social situations instead of at home and writing. Very little else
mattered except reaching 100. I reached it on my birthday. A teacher in the 9<sup>th</sup>
grade telling me I wasn’t mature enough to understand Kurt Vonnegut was another
gauntlet hurled that caused me to read most of his works within the next six
months.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
fourth reason I accomplished something was almost unknowingly. I did not set a
goal or have a vision. Instead I simply found myself in circumstances, not
completely of my own choosing, in which I had to change. The circumstances were
difficult and unwanted, but they were thrust upon me. I was
like Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski in the film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Big Lebowski.</i> Through no fault of my own circumstances intruded upon my
life and peed on my rug. (See the movie if you don’t understand the reference.)
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there was a goal, it was this: get
through this thing and be successful with it. Interestingly, these have been
the events that changed me the most.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’ve
learned something else about myself. I have not usually planned or set goals. As
I said, I’ve just gotten through life. But sometimes something would come up – an
opportunity, a challenge, or a difficulty and I rose to meet it. I would
persevere and win. And I was in the moment and in the future simultaneously. That
had advantages, but I’ve since realized that unless I have a goal, I’m only in
the moment – not present, as Eckhart Tolle says in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Power of Now</i>, but just in the moment with no eye to the future
for myself, my kids, or my career. This is why it is important to think about
the future: so we can begin to create it. Life will still happen to us, but
maybe not as hard if we Get Started and Keep Going and not just get through
life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-7452428057639757562021-03-27T23:38:00.003-07:002021-03-28T10:35:42.330-07:00Our Country<p style="line-height: 250%;">The United States seems
to be creeping towards becoming a totalitarian country. This movement is<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 250%;"> </span>being (and has always been) fueled by an ideology that
favors whites over people of color, guns over lives, fundamentalism over
grace, fear over love, and the maintaining and increase of profit over everything
else.<o:p></o:p></p><p style="line-height: 250%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Because
our country has lived in (relative) peace since 1945 many of us have grown
inured to the lessons of history. Totalitarianism and mob rule happened in 18<sup>th</sup> century
France, Nazi Germany, Communist Russia, China, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The
turning in and turning on of friends, family members, and neighbors happened in
those times and places, not in America (forgetting the less-violent, but no less
real Red Scare of the 1950s). Most of the world’s collapse of governments and
the ensuing insanity happened “there and then” and it could not possibly happen
here and now.<o:p></o:p></p><p style="line-height: 250%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Because
our country has lived in (relative) prosperity we are certain the conditions of
Ethiopia, Central and South, America, southern Asia, or Haiti could never
happen here, not realizing that those conditions are created not just by
politics, but also by exploitation of the weak, the poor, the racially
marginalized, and by environmental changes that could alter life as we know it
in a heartbeat.<o:p></o:p></p><p style="line-height: 250%; text-indent: 0.5in;">We decry
abortion but not the economic and social conditions that make abortion a viable
option. We want the baby to be born but we defend its death as an adult in
routine traffic stops, while sleeping, jogging, or even a trip to the grocery
store. My faith teaches me to oppose the ending of life before it begins, but ignores the means and conditions in how it lives or how it ends. <span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">We say “Blue Lives Matter” but apparently not when a Blue Life is ended
by a white life with a semi-automatic weapon. But we do send “thoughts and
prayers.” Equally
frightening, a trend is occurring (actually re-occurring) to suppress voter
rights and to make it illegal to even give water for those waiting in line,
thus ignoring and contradicting Jesus’s own words, “When I was thirsty you gave
me something to drink.”</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/robert.farrell/Desktop/Our%20Country.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1; text-indent: 0.5in;">[1]</a></p><p style="line-height: 250%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><!--[endif]--></p><p style="line-height: 250%; text-indent: 0.5in;">The
faith I embraced for so many years, Evangelical Christianity, a faith I thought
to be based on love, grace, inclusivity, has a dark counterpart. Historian Will
Durant said of it, “It’s done devilish things, but it’s been basically
beautiful.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/robert.farrell/Desktop/Our%20Country.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;">[2]<span style="color: black; text-decoration-line: none;"></span></a><!--[endif]--></p><p style="line-height: 250%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Jimmy
Carter wrote, “(T)he greatest challenge we face is the growing chasm between
the rich and poor people on earth. There is not only a great
disparity between the two, but the gap is steadily widening.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/robert.farrell/Desktop/Our%20Country.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;">[3]<span style="color: black; text-decoration-line: none;"></span></a><!--[endif]--></p><p style="line-height: 250%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> Totalitarianism
has only increased the conditions of injustice, racism, and wealth disparity.
Ultimately it has also damaged and destroyed its most fervent supporters. It is
based on, above all else, fear, fear there will not be enough money, land or
resources for all of us. The answers are complex and not easily reached, but
perhaps we can start with the admonition of the ancient Hebrew prophet Micah:<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 250%;"></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">He has shown you, O man, what is good;</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">And what does the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> require of you</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">But to do justly,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">To love mercy,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">And to walk humbly with your God?</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/robert.farrell/Desktop/Our%20Country.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black;"></span><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--></b><span style="color: black; text-decoration-line: none;"></span></a></span><!--[endif]--></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 300%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 300%;"></span><br clear="all" />
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</o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 300%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;">
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</div>robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-90911251502019258632021-01-15T21:26:00.003-08:002021-01-16T15:37:09.611-08:00Nixon and Trump<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">There have been
comparisons to Richard Nixon, the 37<sup>th</sup> President and Donald Trump,
the 45<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first glance, it’s
not a far stretch. Both were considered extremely corrupt. Both made use of the
existing divisions in the country. Both made populist appeals, Nixon to the “Silent
Majority,” and Trump to angry (mostly) white voters who felt disaffected by
Democratic politics, the Affordable Health Care Act, and changing demographics.
Both men had highly questionable pasts, Nixon politically as a Red-baiter
(someone unjustly accusing people of being Communists) and being fast and loose
with finances. Trump had multiple accusations against him for questionable
business dealings, such as Trump University and Trump Tower. And there are
other similarities between the two men.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The first similarity is the word “impeachment,” a word that
will be written in the histories of both men. But for Nixon it was only a
threat, a highly likely one given his admitted obstruction of justice in the
Watergate affair. The threat, however, was enough to cause Nixon to be the only
US President to resign. If he had been impeached would he have been removed
from office? That is only for lovers of counterfactual (What-if?) history to
debate, but it should be noted that three presidents, one before him and two after
him (Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump) all survived the
impeachment process, if only barely. Trump survived his impeachment, but, as of
this writing, is undergoing an unprecedented <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">second </i>impeachment for his incitement of riot in Washington, D.C.
on January 6, 2021. However, by the time that process is through, Trump’s term
in office may already be over. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For both
men, the end of their terms were and are highly controversial, leaving many
Americans cynical about the government while others breathed a sigh of relief
that it was over.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But here the similarities end.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nixon, for all his faults, was a brilliant man, at least
in some areas. His knowledge of foreign affairs is legendary. Had it not been
for Watergate, Nixon would have been most likely remembered for the president
who ended the Viet Nam War, sent a man to the moon (though that process started
under the Kennedy and Johnson administrations), and, most of all, “opened” or
re-established a diplomatic relationship with China. Unfortunately, he was also
a Shakespearean man, like Hamlet or Romeo, sowing the seeds of his own demise.
Henry Kissinger, Nixon’s Secretary of State, said, “Can you imagine what this
man would have been like if somebody had loved him?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Trump is not brilliant. He seems not Shakespearean, but
Faustian, like a man who had sold his soul to the devil, gained the world, lost
his soul, and then lost the world he craved. His story is not over and is too
current to be history, and maybe that’s why it’s easier to feel some sympathy
for Nixon because time can soften anger and create perspective.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Both men seem narcissistic, craving constant attention and
approval, but Nixon was far more introverted. He was also sneakier. He secretly
taped all his conversations from 1971 to 1973 and that was what undid his
presidency. Trump, far more extroverted, constantly “tweeted” his thoughts
without hesitation or filter. Unlike Nixon who kept his thoughts secret though
ultimately they became public, Trump wanted everyone to know what he was
thinking at any moment. Finally, Twitter, the app he used as his public
platform, closed his account, but only at the end of his presidency during
which time he incited the first American insurrection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>History allows us the privilege and the burden of never
ending our stories or our interpretation of events. But for the sake of this
country, I hope our stories get better than Nixon and Trump.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-18680882102418962812020-09-12T14:32:00.007-07:002023-07-21T15:01:10.355-07:00Being Broke Is Expensive, Part I<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">Being Broke Is Expensive, Part I<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">“<span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Empty pockets never held anyone back.
Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.</span>”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;">Norman
Vincent Peale</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Were
you born poor?” a friend asked me.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">I’d
never considered the question, but I suppose I was. As an abandoned baby from
Turkey, I can only guess as to the economic situation of my birth mother and/or
father. I was adopted seventeen months later by an American couple. He was in
the Navy and they were stationed in Turkey and unable to have children at the
time.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Elite/Desktop/Being%20Broke%20Is%20Expensive,%20Part%20I.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">In
the military many needs are provided for the one who serves and for his or her
dependents. This includes health care, housing, and reduced prices for goods
and services. I remember at the age of ten my mom taking my brother and me to
Saturday catechism classes and from there we would walk to the base theater and
watch two movies for free until about 4:00. It was free childcare for my mom
every Saturday. She might meet us before the movies and get us lunch at the
base cafeteria. Popcorn was ten cents. Sodas and candy weren’t much more. I did
this every Saturday for about a year. (To this day when I see movie credits, I
want to have popcorn.) <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">Other
services were provided for military dependents like art classes or sports and
to my knowledge all of these activities were at a reduced price or free. When
we moved to another military base, movie prices were an astronomical 25 cents.
Yet as a kid almost everything in my life was doubly-provided for – first from
my parents, then from the military.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">Yet
despite all this, something was rotten in paradise. My dad almost always worked
two jobs. He would leave the house many nights to teach English to Japanese
adults. When we left Japan and moved to California, both parents worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Between those two stops we lived in Indiana
with my grandparents for a few months while my dad stayed free of charge in a
small apartment called Bachelor Officer’s Quarters (BOQ). Yet despite both
parents staying rent free, my mom felt the need to get a job for those few
months. I also remember her complaining that her own parents wouldn’t give her
gas from the gas tank they had on their farm and a depressing conversation
about money troubles she was having. I don’t remember the details, but I
remember how hopeless I felt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">There
was another more significant sign. Every once in a while, after my parents gave
me money or I had earned it, they would question me about where the money went.
Most of the time, I didn’t know. Honestly. I really couldn’t recall where my
money went. Sometimes I knew I had spent it on comic books, but most of the
time I really couldn’t remember. These were often tense conversations. There
were two underlying problems with these conversations: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">first, I could not make an account of my
spending; and, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">second, though my parents berated me for
wasting money, they never, not even once, told me how I should handle money. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">I
never heard words or phrases like “invest,” “delayed gratification,” or even
“save.” They just told me I wasn’t good with money. So, then I would stop
spending for a while or, amazingly, give away the things I had bought thinking
that would undo what I had done, but eventually I would go back to my old
habits.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">If
I had any philosophy about money at all…and I don’t think I did…it was, “If I
have money, I can spend it. If I don’t, I can borrow it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">I
may have picked this up from my parents. They seemed to spend money when they
had it and had lots of bills when they didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To be honest, I’m not sure. But I do know that birthdays and Christmases
were often extravagant affairs. In addition, they had four strong, active,
healthy boys, all of whom ate lots of food, drank lots of milk, and had lots of
needs and wants. Of the four, I may have been the most ambitious. I mowed
lawns, babysat, and delivered newspapers starting at the age of 13. When I
turned 17, I got a job at McDonalds (though that didn’t work out so well; I was
ambitious, but I could also take the path of least resistance, which isn’t a
good trait in the fast-food industry…or any job). But from the age of 13, I
never stopped working. I might also add that I’ve been very fortunate and have
never been out of work for more than two-and-a-half weeks, unless it was by
choice, for my entire life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">And
yet, I have almost always been broke.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">Even
when I was married, there were financial struggles though we both had full-time
jobs. Two people who are not good with money are not going to suddenly become
one who is good with money. (More on this later.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">Here
are some of the financial lowlights (not highlights) of my life:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">defaulting on a student loan simply
because I did not provide a change of address and paying thousands of extra
dollars in penalties over a period of years<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">having to work fifty hours in one week
just to be able to buy tires for a car that was almost as old as I was<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">having people I knew see me going through
trash cans to get recyclables<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">constant stress with my kids over
supplying basic needs and not-so-basic wants<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">always, always, ALWAYS having to look for
sales, discounts, and bargains not out of thrift, but out of necessity<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">standing in a Wal-Mart wondering if I
could afford a $2. mini tube of toothpaste<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">realizing I had not saved any money for my
kids’ college<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">not being able to live where I wanted<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">not wanting to go to a college reunion
from embarrassment that I was in worse financial shape than I was when I was in
college (when I was also broke)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">having the lack of money be a constant
problem throughout my life no matter how much I earned<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">realizing that I was worth more dead than
alive.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">This
blog and subsequent blogs will be about my financial journey. That journey has
been largely an unhappy one and for the last three years it all culminated in
one of the most difficult periods of my life. During those three years I would
be filled with daily anxiety, fights with my kids, feelings of disappointment
and worthlessness, fractured relationships, limited choices, and, at times,
uncontrollable sobbing at how my life came to this point. In addition, even
when I did my best, events seemed to conspire against me. This is not a pretty
story and, as of this writing, it is an unfinished story. But hopefully it will
be a helpful one.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">Through
it all and at this point, I have learned two things that help me to Get Started
and Keep Going:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 74.85pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 74.85pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">I survived this difficulty as I have
survived many others, and <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 74.85pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 74.85pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 300%;">I can change myself and thus change my
life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Elite/Desktop/Being%20Broke%20Is%20Expensive,%20Part%20I.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 8pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 8pt;"> Shortly after
adopting me, my mother got pregnant and had three more children over the next
ten years.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-44355538444048654632020-06-16T23:28:00.001-07:002020-07-11T20:29:19.823-07:00It's Not a Privilege<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It’s Not a Privilege<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dying young is hard to take”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sylvester Stewart – <i>Thank You Falettinme Be Mice
Elf Agin<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It’s
not a privilege to be pulled over by the police and not worry if I might end up
in the hospital, in jail, or in the morgue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s not a privilege if I can buy a
home in any neighborhood or that I don’t even know what redlining is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It’s not a privilege to not have my home
foreclosed unjustly because of my ZIP Code.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s not a privilege if I don’t have
to change my name on my resume to make it sound “less ethnic.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s not a privilege to not have to
change my hair for a job interview to make it “less threatening.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s not a privilege to be hired for
or not hired for a job based on anything other than my qualifications.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s not a privilege that I don’t
have any ancestors who were enslaved, lynched, forced to come to this country,
or prevented from coming to this country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s not a privilege to know that
none of my ancestors were placed on plantations, internment centers, or
concentration camps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s not a privilege to live in
neighborhoods that are not riddled with liquor stores, crime, potholes, and
needles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s not a privilege if I have equal
access to education, healthcare, or any other public resources.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s not a privilege to be able to
vote without harassment or literacy tests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s not a privilege to know that an
inordinate amount of people with my skin color are not imprisoned at a higher
rate than others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s not a privilege to go through
most of, if not all of, my life without being called an ethnic slur.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s not a privilege to know that my
skin color, ethnicity, or sexual identity is not a barrier to employment or to
anything else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s not a privilege to wonder if
I’m going to make it to adulthood and realize that there’s a strong possibility
that I won’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s not a privilege to not worry
that I’m “not enough” because my parents were of different ancestries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s not a privilege to not be less
than.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It’s not a privilege if I don’t have to
say that my life matters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>These are all basic, human rights,
not privileges. Anyone and everyone should have them, And the fact that they are labeled as privileges says that we
have to Get Started and Keep Going to make our country better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<br />robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-52311232488320206602020-03-15T22:55:00.002-07:002020-03-15T22:55:28.894-07:00Unprecedented<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The country and perhaps even the world are in
an unprecedented crisis – COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus. The latest
origin story is that it came from bat soup served in China. That may or may not
be true and it may be years before we all find out. What’s more urgent is what’s
happening now. Italy has all but closed down and the United States may soon follow
suit. In order to maintain “social distancing,” churches, schools (from pre-school
to universities, professional sports, amusement parks (including Disneyland), bars,
and restaurants have all closed or will close soon. People have been hoard-shopping,
not for food, but for toilet paper, paper towels, and hand sanitizer. Things changed
from concern to near panic in just the space of a few days, especially from
Wednesday to Friday of this week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As stated above, the crisis is unprecedented.
The closest comparisons are the Black Plague (1347-1351) which took the lives
of up to 200 million people. The Spanish Flu (which actually started in a
Kansas boot camp preparing recruits for World War I) killed up to 100 million
people. As of this writing, the Coronavirus has taken the lives of 6000 people..
worldwide. So, at this point, in pure mathematical terms it is not that
significant. What is significant is the panic and also, again this word, the
unprecedented nature of this crisis. This is not to say the crisis is not real;
it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the fallout is creating more
problems. The following have happened before in history, but not all at once
and not like this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">Widespread hoarding despite no actual
shortages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">Truth and rumors together<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">Lack of (or refusal of) preparation on the
part of the federal government, especially the White House<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">Quarantining of much of or entire countries<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">What can be done when there is no model of
what has been done before? The following advice may be helpful in this
situation and perhaps in all others:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">Take care of yourself – eat well, drink
water, get plenty of rest, and exercise. If you feel ill, call the appropriate
agencies in case the worst is happening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">Take care of those you love. Limit
contact, especially with the elderly and with large groups of people (that
number changed from 250 down to 50 today).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">Be extra kind to everyone. Everyone is
scared even if we don’t want to admit it, some of the disease, some of losing
work while the economy slows down, (my oldest child lost their job this week
because of this), and some of an apocalyptic future that suddenly seems to be
upon us now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">Guard your intake…and output…of
information. As with all crises, a lot of rumors are floating around. I define
a rumor as information that may or may not be true but should be treated as
false until verified. For this reason, I do not share things I have heard
unless they are verified or have happened. I am also careful about what I believe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">Focus on today. Today is all I have. Yes, it
helps to prepare for possible disasters and have enough food, water, and cash
ready, but when shouldn’t I do that? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What can I do to make today good? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What can I plan for today? Today is all I have.
“Tomorrow will take care of itself.” Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">Look for or create good in a difficult
situation. I have created goals for each day and for the next three weeks (as
well as for the rest of the year – a practice I started months ago). Now I have
been given more time to work towards achieving those goals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">In
other words I have an opportunity to Get Started and Keep Going, one that is unprecedented.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-19879525294983824292019-07-01T21:48:00.000-07:002019-07-01T21:48:03.189-07:00HAPPY Birthday<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Today is my birthday, but I woke up a little depressed
and anxious. There were some problems from the weekend that had not yet been resolved.
I got up, made my coffee, and made a decision: I want to be happy – as much as
possible and as long as possible. I qualify it because I know it is not possible
to be happy all the time. I also know that the desire to be happy is suspect
because it smacks of selfishness. Some assume (as some once did to me) that I
will abandon everyone I love and do horrible things. What they failed to
realize that if I did those things I would be unhappy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
is what I know about happiness:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The decision to be happy is exactly that –
a decision, a constant and mindful decision.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It is a discipline. It takes work (and
meaningful work often leads to happiness, but more on that later).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It requires analysis of my internal and
external life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It may require change and acceptance of
what is at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It is an art and a science.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Interestingly, a lack
of challenges doesn’t always create happiness. When I was 15, I lived with
another family and away from my parents. I was extremely happy not only to be largely
independent, but to have good friends, adults who loved me, very little stress,
and some self-created challenges. I spent a lot of time on the phone talking to
friends and playing Pyramid Solitaire. I tried my hand at drawing. All my needs
were provided for. I had no financial struggles and no one to take care of. It was
one of the few times in my life in which happiness was given to me. Now I have
to create it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">These are the ways
I can create happiness”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Setting and achieving goals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Being with my Muse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Having fun and meaningful times with my
kids.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Serving others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Working on something meaningful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Teaching.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Learning<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Exercising<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Reading or listening to books about US
Presidents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Reaching new levels on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Toon Blast.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Yes, that last one
makes me happy. It’s good to have fun and even do something meaningless once in
a while. I imagine my list differs from everyone else’s and that’s a good
thing, but I think the principals are the same. I take care of others and I
take care of myself. A meaningful combination of both makes me happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I’m also happy
when I Get Started and Keep Going. I think that’s what I’ve been saying all
along.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-86138131663477345872019-06-30T08:31:00.000-07:002019-06-30T08:31:13.098-07:00Just Another Blog after a Long, Long Time<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">This is just another blog
after a long, long time because for the first time in a long time I am not
dealing with a crisis. But the last three years or so have been little more
than crises, shocks, and disappointments. Many of them have been huge, traumatic,
and even life-altering. I no longer know what to believe and I no longer know
what do – with this moment or with my life. Much of what I do currently and
many of the choices I am making are responses or reactions to whatever crisis
is occurring at the moment. I am trying to improve things, but I’m making
choices to do that, not because I have an inherent love for any of the choices I’m
making.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Napoleon Hill, author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Think and Grow Rich</i>, says that one needs a definiteness of purpose.
I have none at this time. In the past few years I have worked on being a
writer, a historian, a teacher (both Adult Ed and 7-12), and a better parent. I
have been involved in local school district politics (and even won an election)
and I’ve been involved in my church. All of these activities have taken a toll
on me because they all came with unexpected twists and turns. Each area has brought
me joy but also pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So I’m sitting here with nothing to do, writing my first
blog in months. I feel lost. I don’t know what to do, but what I’m doing. And I’m
trying to do my best at that. I’m creating a new life, but I’m not sure how to
do it and I’m not sure what my creation will look like when it’s done. I just
know that I don’t want to be broke any longer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That was written three days ago. Since then I’ve been hit
with circumstances and inspirations that have reminded me of what I love and
what I need to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The circumstances are my children and being made aware
over and over again how much they need me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
inspirations are finishing my third of three tests and now being eligible to
teach every level from kindergarten to college. I also just finished teaching
summer school and I was reminded of what a good teacher I am (and how I can improve).
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have rekindled my love for the subject
of US Presidents and want to put more time into studying that. Finally, my
Muse, whom I have not been giving enough attention to reminded me that I need
to return to my love of writing even if nothing comes of it. This makes her
happy and that’s enough for me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Something
I’ve often wished for is for God to come down and give me direction through a burning
bush like He did for Moses or write letters on a wall like He did for Daniel or
even speak to me through an animal like He did for Balaam. I’ve wanted, for
years, for God to say to me, “This is the way. Walk in it,” like he did to Isaiah.
But no mystical revelation seems to be forthcoming. So, all I can do is what’s
put in front of me. But I think I can do it better and do it more purposefully.
I can study more in order to be more knowledgeable about Presidents and
parenting. I can listen to YouTube and audiobooks. I can go to lectures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I
can also write more, not because I think anything will come of this, but because
I love writing. I lost my way with writing because I didn’t know who my
audience was and I allowed some well-meaning critique derail me. My Muse is my audience
– no one else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">If
none of this makes any sense or doesn’t seem completely clear, that’s because this
is just another blog after a long, long time and I’m a bit rusty. I’m also just
walking one step at a time. Presidents and parenting. I’m also involved in my
church and my union and I can deal with those activities as needed. But otherwise,
Presidents and parenting. And writing for my Muse. And the consistent reminder
to Get Started and to Keep Going<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-46284916268751262872018-10-03T01:01:00.003-07:002018-10-03T01:01:37.922-07:00The Desert<br />
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Tonight I felt hopeless. It’s not the first time I’ve
felt hopeless in the last year or so. I’ve been in an ongoing battle for hope
for several months now. It’s been one disaster after another. My own mind doesn’t
help matters. I recently learned that I struggle with anxiety. I’m not sure to what
degree, but it explains a lot. In his book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Courage to Be</i>, Paul Tillich differentiates anxiety from fear, the latter
being a response to a real event or danger. Anxiety is more free-floating and
can be present when no actual threat is present. I think many of us might be
anxious. Some anxiety may feel justified. As I’ve said, I’ve had several events
in the last year and a half that have ranged from exhausting to traumatic. Some
are ongoing. None have completely resolved and I have many things hanging over
my head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
Lately I’ve had this fantasy in which I get up one
morning, very early, pack a few things, and drive away while it’s still dark, telling
no one, leaving everything and everyone behind, except that which I can put in
my car. In my fantasy I drive to some small desert town and get a job as a janitor
or as a convenience store clerk. In my spare time I read and live alone. I keep
to myself and live out my days alone and quiet. I’m never seen again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
It’s a great fantasy. It’s the fantasy of someone who is
emotionally exhausted. But it’s also a fantasy of a coward. I don’t have the
luxury of running away. Nor do I truly have a desire to do so. What keeps me
from acting out my fantasy? The first reason is that I have people l love and
am committed to where I am. My Muse wants me here, not for my comfort, but for
my growth. My children want me here, not for my comfort, but for their growth. I
cannot be the man I am supposed to be in the wilderness. I cannot dessert to
the desert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
The second reason I will not flee is because I am with
me wherever I go. I created, directly and indirectly the life I have now, and I
would just re-create it somewhere else because I would still be me. I would
still be the man who loves his children and tries to do the right thing and
tries to listen to his Muse. We keep creating and re-creating our problems
until we truly solve them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
Finally, life, true life, requires courage. Paul Tillich
says this: “Courage is strength of mind, capable of conquering whatever
threatens the attainment of the highest good. It is united with wisdom, the virtue
which represents the four cardinal virtues, (the two others being temperance
and justice.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Elite/Desktop/The%20Desert.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Courage then, when used, brings with it wisdom, temperance,
and justice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
These blogs almost always encourage the reader to Get
Started and Keep Going. I’ve often said that Getting Started is the harder
part. I was wrong. It’s often surprisingly easy to get started (but not always).
To keep going, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after
year – that’s hard. These last several months have been the hardest of my life,
not only because of the difficulties, but because of their severity, their
frequency, and their seeming unending nature. I have sometimes felt that I am
specially cursed by God for reasons I don’t understand and that my life will
always be like this. Or maybe, just maybe, if I Keep Going, I will end up at
the beach instead of the desert with my Muse and my children watching the waves
from my house.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Elite/Desktop/The%20Desert.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a> Tillich, Paul, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Courage to Be</i>, Yale
University Press, New Haven, CT and London, 2000.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-91264940291137786652018-05-04T05:48:00.001-07:002018-05-04T05:48:04.329-07:00Superheroes<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">In comic books there are different types of
superheroes. (The same applies to supervillains, but I’d rather concentrate on
the heroes.) One type of hero is the mutant. These characters are born with
their powers. They have an extra advantage (or disadvantage as the case may
be).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Examples of this type are Wolverine
and the X-Men. For our purposes here, we will not discuss mutants. For the same
reasons, we will not discuss magic-based characters such as Dr. Strange.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">Another type of super-hero is the one who
is an ordinary person but gains his or her powers through some fantastic event.
Most superheroes fall into this category. Some are ordinary but have honed themselves
to near perfection, like Batman, Hawkeye, or Black Widow. Others are powerful
usually because of some scientific or biological discovery or mishap that
created the character’s powers. Most characters fall into this category – the
Black Panther, Spider-Man, the Hulk, Captain America, the Flash, Daredevil, and
the Fantastic Four. (Some characters also have a technological power like,
again, Hawkeye, or Green Arrow, Green Lantern, and Iron Man.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">Finally, there is the hero who is not
magical or mutant but is born with his or her power. The most well-known heroes
of this type are Superman and Wonder Woman. As stated in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kill Bill 2</i>, while Spider-Man is really Peter Parker in disguise
and Batman is really Bruce Wayne in disguise, the reverse is true for Superman.
He really is Superman. Clark Kent is his disguise. Diana Prince is Wonder Woman’s
disguise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">Still, it is not disguise, but <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">identity</i> which is relevant here. Identity
and power.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">We all have identity and we all have power.
Sadly, many people find neither or at least not enough to fully realize their
full potential. But we all have identity and power. And realizing one helps us
realize the other. It doesn’t matter which we find first because they go together.
It doesn’t matter if our powers came to us one day through some fantastic or
even tragic event. It doesn’t matter if we’re Superman and Clark Kent or Peter
Parker and Spider-Man. There are two truths at play here. One: we can choose
who we want to be. We can also choose how to think, how to spend our time, and
how to behave towards others. We can choose to view problems as obstacles or
opportunities. How we choose to think is part of our super power. How we choose
to act is another power we have. Ultimately what defines most comic book characters
is not their costumes or even their unique abilities, but how they face adversity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">Most superheroes are borne out of crisis
or tragedy. Most non-powered heroes are, too. None of us is immune to tragedy,
setbacks, heartbreaks, or disappointment. It’s how we deal with them that makes
us heroes (or villains). It’s how we choose to Get Started and Keep Going or
how we quit that makes us heroes, defining and determining our identity and
power (or not).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">I have seen in my own life in the last few
months an unusual number of setbacks and disappointments. I think if I had the
choice, I would have just stayed at my place and retreated forever. But the
nature of my problems and the love I have for those in my life and the love
they have for me does not allow a retreat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">In her book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You Are a Badass at Making Money</i>, Jen Sincero discusses how it is
the subconscious, even more than the conscious than can determine our lives and
allow us to tap into or, more commonly, limit our power and hide our identity from
us. She calls the subconscious “the little prince” and his job is to keep us
safe. When we are young, this is helpful. But when we become adults, this is
often counterproductive and even harmful. We say we want to be wealthy, but our
little prince does not like the inherent risk, so he sabotages us by making us
late to appointments and getting us into fights with the people we love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">A superhero is different. He has power and
knows who he is, so he faces danger. He doesn’t look for it because it’s always
there anyway. And so he often goes towards it because he knows on the other
side, there is a better life. He is rescuing himself so he can take care of
those he loves. He or she Gets Started and Keeps Going because that’s what
superheroes do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-13875357471349046522018-03-03T00:13:00.002-08:002018-03-03T00:13:51.872-08:00A Lesson Relearned<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">Recently I learned
a lesson. Perhaps I relearned it because I had forgotten it. Either way, it was
powerful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">At work there was
a project that everyone had to do. The project was long, boring, and full of
problems. No one, including those who were in charge of the project, were
completely clear on all the elements necessary to do the work correctly. Inconsistent
and even contradictory information was given by different supervisors. This was
not intentional, but it created stress nonetheless. In addition, the project
had a deadline and all other work, no matter how important, was to cease until each
person completed his or her part of the project. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">As I worked on my
part of the project, I got into some trouble. It began taking longer than I thought
it would. It was also harder than I thought it would be. I thought I would be
in for a long and lonely night, trying to finish. I was reminded of another
night when I was trying to finish a paper for a history class and it was taking
far longer than I thought it would. It began feeling overwhelming and traumatic.
And instead of bringing me comfort or rest, my easily distracted nature created
more stress. I got on Facebook for a while and had a very unpleasant encounter
with a complete stranger. I went for<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a
walk, but I felt scared and tired walking late at night. Nothing was comforting
except doing the work, the work that seemed to take so long. Of the year and a
half of my history Master’s program, that was my worst night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">Working on this
project felt similar. I started feeling stressed and panicked and wondered if I
would be exhausted and miserable in a couple of hours. Then something happened:
a co-worker offered to help me with my work. At first I said no because I thought
I was the only one who could do my part. My co-worker pointed out that this was
incorrect. Then I almost said no again because I was embarrassed. But I said
yes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">In thirty minutes,
we were done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">It was amazing. In
thirty minutes, we were done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">And here’s what I learned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">It’s better to work with others than it is
to work alone, but only if you work with the right people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">It’s better to be with others than it is
to be alone, but only if you are with the right people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">Work gets done faster not just because two
or more people are doing it, but because the enthusiasm generated creates even
more speed and enthusiasm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">I actually learned this lesson once before. Under the
direct influence of someone I love very deeply, I got more work done in one
week than I had gotten done in the previous month. I wanted to be like that
person, to have her work ethic, and so I found the work invigorating in a way I
couldn’t find on my own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;">It’s okay to be
alone. I have no problem with or fear of it. But sometimes, often, we need each
other. We are not meant to go through life alone. I Get Started and Keep Going
when my Muse or anyone who works well with me, pushes me to be better with
someone than I can be alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-5318270766198662082017-12-20T09:15:00.001-08:002017-12-20T09:21:06.909-08:00I'm Working<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .25in;">
It’s the
Christmas break but I’m working. I’m housesitting for a couple with a dog. The
job is a little more work than I thought it would be. The dog is great, but he
can be a little demanding. He barks at me when he wants to eat, have a treat, go
outside to use the bathroom, play with me, and, surprisingly, even when I’ve
forgotten to give him his medicine. So this dog, Kiko, keeps me working. I’m also working
to change my life for the better and it seems I’ve been doing that for a long
time with mixed results. I was reviewing some of my older blogs and this led to
(again this word) mixed feelings. Most of them are well-written and
encouraging. I did a lot of work and
reached some personal goals. There’s a small amount of contentment in what was
accomplished. But there is a down side. One can’t help see what has changed,
but also, what hasn’t. Here is what hasn’t changed:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 300%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I still don’t have enough time with those I
love.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I still don’t have enough money and, in fact, my
financial situation is worse than it’s ever been in my life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 300%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 49.5pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I’m still nowhere nearer to my house by the
beach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; tab-stops: 49.5pt;">
I’m not complaining, just
stating facts. But here is what has changed in the five years since I wrote my
first blog:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 300%; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 49.5pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I have finally, after all these years, learned
how to handle money well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 49.5pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I’ve written two or three books.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 49.5pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I got a Master’s Degree in US History, something
I’ve wanted to do for years.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 49.5pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I traveled through a good part of the country.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 49.5pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I’ve joined a church that values my service.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 49.5pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I’ve found new paths in Purpose with educational
politics.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 49.5pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I won an election.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 49.5pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I’ve helped people graduate with their high
school diplomas or equivalencies. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 300%; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 49.5pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I haven’t had a panic attack in months (except
one when starting a new project).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; tab-stops: 49.5pt;">
Here are some other things that
haven’t changed:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 300%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: 49.5pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I still face fear and procrastination.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: 49.5pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I can still write.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: 49.5pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->My Muse is still with me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 300%; tab-stops: 49.5pt;">
My life is not perfect. But the challenges
I’m facing feel more meaningful and even more helpful than what I’ve faced in
the past. Brian Tracy said that it’s not reaching your goals that is the most
important thing, but who you become while striving to reach your goals. So now I’m
working harder than ever to become better than ever. I’m working on my
character, to not be negative in thoughts or words, to be a better father, to
take up the cause of others, and most of all, to wait patiently for what I want
and need. I’m working on my ability to Get Started and Keep Going.<o:p></o:p></div>
robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-56133842053387792032017-12-03T23:51:00.001-08:002017-12-03T23:51:42.597-08:00John Quincy Adams and Purpose<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
I am currently
reading about John Quincy Adams, the sixth US President and I find we have some
things in common (but not everything). I want to write a blog about it, but I’m
not sure if I know how any longer. It’s been so long. My life has gone in new
and unexpected directions, particularly educational politics and trying to get
out of debt, but I miss this. I miss the communion with my Muse that I once
shared regularly, even daily for a while. I still have the same old doubts
about myself and the same old questions:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Will I make a difference in this world?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Can I do something that will garner positive
attention (and maybe some money)?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Will I ever get my house on the beach?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Can I be a good father?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Will I write or teach history one day?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Why do I have so many passions?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in;">
That last question
is tricky. (They are all tricky.) When I first started doing these blogs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
was
very excited because I felt that they were giving me some direction and some
much needed <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
courage
to make some changes. After having done about fifteen, I shared my excitement with
a<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
men’s
group I was in at the time. Their response was less than enthusiastic. The comment
that <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
hurt
the most was, “You always start things but never finish them.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%;">
Maybe
that hurt because I believed it was true. But maybe it wasn’t (or isn’t) true
at all. Maybe I just have a lot of interests. Since that tepid response from those
men, I’ve written nearly 900 blogs. I also got a Master’s in US History, traveled
through part of the United States, self-published a book, won an election, and
made significant contributions to my work and church. I created curriculum,
taught middle school, and expanded my occupational skills. I think it was Brian
Tracy who said, “It’s not the goal that’s important, but who you become as you
strive to reach that goal.” I’ve become a different person. More accurately, I’m
becoming a different person.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%;">
For
better or worse, one of my greatest priorities is to become a better, kinder, more
useful, and more knowledgeable person. So I find myself doing many things,
reading many books, and having many priorities. One of my current projects is
to read or listen to two books on every single US President. I’ve read or
listened to about sixteen books so far. I’m
currently listening to <i>John Quincy Adams:
A Public Life, A Private Life</i> by Fred Nagel. What I’ve learned about the
sixth US President is that he too had many interests and many things he was
good at, including science, writing, and poetry. He was, like me, very driven
and very, very hard on himself. Also like me, he may have had mild ADHD, but
that was not an identified condition at the time. He was, like me, easily distracted
and would procrastinate even on things he loved to do. He was, unlike me, cold
and aloof with many people. He was disagreeable, and very impolitic for a politician.
He claimed that his true love was literature and study, but he spent most of
his life (including his adolescence) in some political or diplomatic position
or other until the day he died, literally in the Senate chambers on Capitol Hill
while arguing a point. His funeral was the most attended in US History until
Abraham Lincoln’s.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%;">
Most
historians agree that his tenure as US President was forgettable (due much in
part to an extremely oppositional Congress who believed he brokered a deal with
his Secretary of State Henry Clay in order to give Adams the required number of
electoral votes to make him President). Like his father, John Adams, JQA only
served one term (both Adams were the only two of the first seven Presidents to
do so). But Adams, despite his often-denied desire to become President, wanted
to be remembered for his other accomplishments. Diplomat, Harvard professor,
poet, scientist, author, husband, parent, Congressman, Senator, and scholar. He
was more than his famous father’s son and he was more than a President. He may
have not done it all, but he did more than most men do in two lifetimes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%;">
One
of the reasons I like history is that it shows us that our problems are not so
unique or unprecedented. Our forefathers often struggled with the same things
we do today. This makes me feel less alone. I, like JQA, have a lot of interests.
My Muse tells me I can pursue them all if I just use my time well. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%;">
I
believe her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%;">
That’s
why I Get Started and Keep Going, just like JQA.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-80587679460036637492017-07-23T21:50:00.000-07:002017-07-23T21:50:16.624-07:00It's Been a While<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
It’s been a long
time since I’ve written a blog. My confidence in my writing abilities and in
myself are at a low. I’m facing some unprecedented crises that will most likely
pass one way or another, but I don’t know how or when, so I’m shaken. What does
one do when things feel darker and scarier than they’ve ever been? In my case,
it’s the same thing, I Get Started and I Keep Going. I have set some very clear
goals, even a couple of not-so-clear goals, and I’m working towards them. Resolve
is important. So are reminders – constant reminders.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
One of those
reminders is a book I’m reading (listening to, actually) called <i>You are a Badass – How to Stop Doubting Your
Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life</i> by Jen Sincero. It just showed
up on my YouTube channel and I have found it very helpful. In no particular
order, here are some things I am realizing or have been coming to realize over
the last several weeks. This book is solidifying things I’ve been thinking and introducing
new ideas as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
First, I need to
change my way of thinking, especially about who I believe I am and what my
capabilities are. I have always believed that I am far less capable than I am. “Inferiority
complex,” “low self-esteem,” “untapped potential,” call it what you will, but I’ve
suffered from it all my life. It’s like a chronic condition or a disease. But the
truth is, self-perception is a choice. There are plenty of people whose lives
have been far worse than yours or mine who have gone on to great success. There
are people who have made worse mistakes, had greater setbacks, were older, less
intelligent, or had greater obstacles and still achieved great success. There’s
no reason I can’t do better in all areas of my life. I don’t know how I’m going
to achieve what I want, but everything I’m reading says the how will come to
me. I just need to start doing something. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
To that end, I try
to learn all I can. I take action where I can. For example, recently I went to
the Richard Nixon Library, leaving at 1:00 a.m. to avoid the traffic, sleeping
in my car when I got tired and then researching most of the day (in between
naps). I didn’t even find much of anything useful. But I took action and that’s
what mattered. Now I know that I don’t need to go back (at least not for this
project). Experience has taught me that action is the cure for almost
everything. Actions that have helped me in the past have been:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Studying<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Cleaning<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Walking<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Working<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Writing<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Organizing<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Waking up early<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%;">
There are probably more, but those
have been the most helpful for me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%;">
Another
concept I’m realizing is what a friend told me – Question everything. This is a
difficult and painful process. I’ve questioned a lot of things, especially my
spiritual beliefs. I am still sure there is a God and that He is a God of love.
I still believe in the power of prayer as a healer and change agent. I still believe
the Bible can speak to me and is God’s word. Everything else I question. Questioning
is scary because it may mean that some, much, or all of what I have based my
faith on may be false. That’s a scary place to be. On the other hand, a lot of
the paths I followed for years led to great unhappiness and futility. The truth
is I don’t know what to believe anymore other than what I still believe. This is
still an unresolved area of my life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%;">
The
final large concept I’m dealing with is money, or lack thereof. This has been a
problem my whole life. I’m not sure why, but it has. The why doesn’t even
matter. What matters is changing the behaviors (or misbehaviors) I’m aware of
and creating new behaviors. At the point in my life where others are close to
retirement and building their nest egg, I am starting all over again and in the
negative. But I’m also (finally, finally, FINALLY) developing habits and a
mindset that should keep me from ever being in this place again. I’ve also set
a goal around money that’s larger than just getting out of debt. Now I’m
thinking about others and about my future and their futures. I wish I had known
to do these things years ago. It doesn’t matter; I’m doing them now.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%;">
I
wish things were better. I wish I had more positive things to report. I’m
struggling, but I’m not unhappy. I’m blessed. I have my health and my job and
my car and the means to do things I want to do (most of them anyway). People are
praying for me. I still Get Started and Keep Going and that’s all that really matters.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-75122858560048405482017-04-30T21:23:00.000-07:002017-04-30T21:25:03.955-07:00The Golden Charge<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129;">There’s a concept called the “Golden
Charge,” which is an expression of admiration for another person usually around
a quality that other person has. I’ve also seen it expressed as genuine affection,
such as when a man told me he was sincerely happy to see me again after a
prolonged absence on my part from our men’s group. Generally, however, it is
more often associated with a quality. I have had golden charges around people’s
appearances, sense of humor, intelligence, wisdom, kindness, or leadership
abilities. Like its opposite, “the charge” (no color), in which I feel less
kind about another person, the quality I admire is often something I also have,
but it has remained dormant, undiscovered</span>, or underused. Another way of
stating it is saying that the golden charge is a positive judgment rather than
a negative one that most of us have about others. So what could be wrong with
that? What’s wrong with seeing and admiring the good in others? Nothing, if
that’s where it ends. But of course, it often doesn’t. At least not in my case.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
In the men’s group
ManKind Project (MKP) I was taught to “own”
my problems, to not only take responsibility for them, but to recognize that it
is my problem, not someone else’s and to not project my faults on other people.
On the other hand, I’m aware that my failings and foibles are not unique and
that maybe sharing my struggles will help others with the same struggles.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
My problem with
the golden charge has been a life-long one. It comes from a good place, a
genuine love for others and a heart that sees the good over the bad. But it
also comes from a bad place, a sense of inferiority, a belief that there is a hierarchy,
and that most people are better – smarter, wiser, stronger, funnier, better-looking
– and in all ways superior to me. A few were my equals and these became my
friends. And a few were my inferiors. This led to a bizarre dualistic thinking
and behaving that taught me to treat people based on my view of them in the hierarchy.
Fortunately, it was tempered with a genuine love and acceptance of most people,
but it still colored many of my relationships. The golden charge, as benign as
it seems, was especially damaging. First, it put me in an inferior position. Second,
and this was worse, it put me in a dependent position. Because I was “inferior”
I was dependent on those to whom I had given a golden charge to supply wisdom
or guidance to me. Third, it prevented me from seeing these people as what they
really were – people. They were neither gods nor gurus. They were not my father
or my spiritual guide. (Even my own fathers weren’t my fathers. I never met the
first and I often had a very distant and tenuous relationship with the second.)
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Because I had
burdened them with a golden charge, I could not see (or was unwilling to see) that
the same people whom I saw as kind or wise or funny or golden could also be mean
or bizarre or boring or indifferent, or wrong, or tarnished. Or human. Their advice
wasn’t always good. Sometimes they hurt me, even deeply. Once, when I was 16,
one of my golden charges, a clerk who worked in a bookstore I frequented said
loudly upon my arrival, “I cannot handle you today!” Devastated, I turned
around, walked out, and never saw her again. Another golden charge gave me the
worst advice of my life causing me to make one of the worst mistakes of my
life. And, around the same time, another golden charge completely ignored my
plight, when only a few words of wisdom would have prevented me from making
that mistake.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
None of this was
their fault. It wasn’t even mine. I was too young or too inexperienced to
understand, really understand that what I needed to was not burden anyone with
a golden charge, but to appreciate what was good in them and forgive the bad. I
also was too young and inexperienced to realize that what both they and I
needed was not golden charges, based upon skewed perception, but love. By love
I mean acceptance of who these people were – imperfect, tarnished human beings
with some gold in them, but not completely them. If I had known this I would
have established boundaries for them and for me so that I would not be
devastated or misled. I would have trusted my own heart more and listened
better. I would have been more sensitive, less needy, and stronger.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Here’s one other
aspect of charges, golden or otherwise: when I see something in someone else
that strikes me, it’s often because I have, or potentially have, that same
quality. Focusing on the golden charge, that means I already possess the
wisdom, kindness, intelligence, humor, or any other admirable quality I see in
others. It’s in me and it’s up to me to bring it out and develop it. I have the
ability to Get Started and Keep Going. I have the ability to be golden.<o:p></o:p></div>
robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-13733812271496488212017-03-21T00:20:00.001-07:002017-03-21T00:20:10.263-07:00I Hate Myself<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
I hate myself. I hate
my life. I hate the stress that comes with a new situation. I hate how I never
feel prepared enough no matter how little or how much I work. I hate how I don’t
use my time as well as I thought I would. I hate how I feel that I’m not
reaching my potential.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
I’ve had this
problem all my life, but it really became evident when I was in the 7<sup>th</sup>
grade. I was lazy, disorganized, immature, and afraid. Bad work habits (no work
habits) and disorganization brought me to a place of self-loathing as
assignment after assignment piled up and my report card looked worse and worse.
I was sure that I was stupid and that everyone else was better and smarter than
me. I was terrified and miserable and the only things that would have fixed it
were understanding the work I was supposed to do (math was especially hard) and
doing my homework every day. But I didn’t know this. I also didn’t know I had
ADHD.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Now I’m working
with students who have some of the same problems. I work with a group of 7<sup>th</sup>
and 8<sup>th</sup> graders who all admitted to me that the reason they are in
the Credit Recovery class is for not doing their work. They are smart enough to
not blame their teachers or anyone else. They take the responsibility. But they
need to go further. They need to change what got them to me in the first place.
So my job as a teacher is not to teach only about Charlemagne or the Holy Roman
Empire or George Washington, but to teach students self-discipline and love for
learning. I need to teach them that purposeful action is the key to self-love.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
I also need to
teach them (or maybe myself) to not be too hard on themselves. This self-hate
is really just another form of self-sabotage that keeps us from doing our work.
Also, that critical voice is never satisfied. It never says, “Okay, you’ve done
enough. Good job.” It always says that you haven’t done enough or that that it
could be better. Here’s the funny thing. It rarely is enough and it probably
could be better. But that’s not the point. The point is I got started. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
This is what I want
to teach my students – to Get Started. So many things don’t get finished
because they don’t even get started. The other thing I want to teach them is to
Keep Going. That is the other reason things don’t get finished. People don’t
Keep Going until something is done.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
But when we finish
something, even if it’s not perfect, (whatever that means) the self-hate
disappears. At least mine does. I realize it was a lie, that I don’t hate
myself, I’m just nervous. That’s when my Muse comes and whispers in my ear. “Good
work. You did your best. Don’t compare yourself to others, no matter how much
you admire them. When you read a book on how to get better in something, even a
very good book, and the author seems perfect and disciplined and orderly, just
remember that he or she is a writer just like you. He or she is also imperfect
just like you. You only see the book, not the whole life. And he or she is
growing and changing just like you.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
And when I feel
disappointed in myself, my Muse adds, “I am not disappointed. I am so proud of
you and everything that you are doing.” I love that encouragement. It’s the
same encouragement I want to give to my students. I want to do for them what my
Muse does for me – show them that they can Get Started and Keep Going.<o:p></o:p></div>
robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-72450532236180481632017-01-28T23:30:00.001-08:002017-01-28T23:30:07.331-08:00I'm Scared<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Maybe this is where I should have
been all along. Here, writing, and on my knees, praying for this country, the
United States of America. Donald Trump has created more fear and anger in his
first week than probably any President in American history, with the possible exception
of Lincoln. (There the comparison ends.) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Here is what has happened in the
first eight days of Trump’s presidency:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 58.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On January 20th, 2017, DT ordered all regulatory powers of
all federal agencies frozen.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 58.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On January 20th, 2017, DT ordered the National Parks Service
to stop using social media after factual, side by side photos were posted of
the crowds for the 2009 and 2017 inaugurations.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 58.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On January 20th, 2017, roughly 230 protestors were arrested
in DC and face unprecedented felony riot charges. Among them were legal
observers, journalists, and medics.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 58.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On January 20th, 2017, a member of the International Workers
of the World was shot in the stomach at an anti-fascist protest in Seattle. He
remains in critical condition.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 58.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On January 21st, 2017, DT brought a group of 40 cheerleaders
to a meeting with the CIA to cheer for him during a speech that consisted
almost entirely of framing himself as the victim of dishonest press.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 58.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On January 21st, 2017, White House Press Secretary Sean
Spicer held a press conference largely to attack the press for accurately
reporting the size of attendance at the inaugural festivities, saying that the
inauguration had the largest audience of any in history, “period.”</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 58.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On January 22nd, 2017, White House advisor Kellyann Conway
defended Spicer’s lies as “alternative facts” (lies) on national television
news.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 58.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On January 22nd, 2017, DT appeared to blow a kiss to director
James Comey during a meeting with the FBI, and then opened his arms in a
gesture of strange, paternal affection, before hugging him with a pat on the
back.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 58.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On January 23rd, 2017, DT reinstated the global gag order,
which defunds international organizations that even mention abortion as a
medical option.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 58.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On January 23rd, 2017, Spicer said that the US will not
tolerate China’s expansion onto islands in the South China Sea, essentially
threatening war with China.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 58.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On January 23rd, 2017, DT repeated the lie that 3-5 million
people voted “illegally” thus costing him the popular vote.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 58.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On January 23rd, 2017, it was announced that the man who shot
the anti-fascist protester in Seattle was released without charges, despite
turning himself in.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 58.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On January 24th, 2017, Spicer reiterated the lie that 3-5
million people voted “illegally” thus costing DT the popular vote.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 58.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On January 24th, 2017, DT tweeted a picture from his personal
Twitter account of a photo he says depicts the crowd at his inauguration and
will hang in the White House press room. The photo is of the 2009 inauguration
of 44th President Barack Obama, and is curiously dated January 21st, 2017, the
day AFTER the inauguration and the day of the Women’s March, the largest
inauguration related protest in history.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 58.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On January 24th, 2017, the EPA was ordered to stop
communicating with the public through social media or the press and to freeze
all grants and contracts.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 58.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On January 24th, 2017, the USDA was ordered to stop
communicating with the public through social media or the press and to stop
publishing any papers or research. All communication with the press would also
have to be authorized and vetted by the White House.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 58.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On January 24th, 2017, HR7, a bill that would prohibit
federal funding not only to abortion service providers, but to any insurance
coverage, including Medicaid, that provides abortion coverage, went to the
floor of the House for a vote.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 58.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On January 24th, 2017, DT ordered the resumption of
construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline, while the North Dakota state
congress considers a bill that would legalize hitting and killing protestors
with cars if they are on roadways.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 58.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On January 24th, 2017, it was discovered that police officers
had used confiscated cell phones to search the emails and messages of the 230
demonstrators now facing felony riot charges for protesting on January 20th,
including lawyers and journalists whose email accounts contain privileged
information of clients and sources."</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Elite/Desktop/Blogs/I'm%20Scared.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Today he began the
banning and deportation of people from seven different (Muslim) countries. This
act was overturned as unconstitutional, but that probably will not stop Trump
from doing more damage. His office also did not mention the Jewish people on
Holocaust Remembrance Day (today).<a href="file:///C:/Users/Elite/Desktop/Blogs/I'm%20Scared.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
I don’t know what
to think anymore. I know there are people who argue better than me, maybe even
people who know more than me. Maybe they are even right. But all of the events
of the last week seem wrong. This whole week, when reflecting on these events, I’ve
felt nothing but fear and rage. Perhaps then I’m not reflecting, only reacting,
but I’m scared. Every day, yes, every day, there is something new that scares
me. And I don’t know what to do with my fear and rage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Some say it’s just
the media and we should all unite against that entity. Except the media is not
one entity. It’s liberal and conservative and moderate and radical left and alt
right. It’s television and radio and talk shows and newspapers and, for better
and worse, social media, each arm with its own agenda. Perhaps some are doing
their best to be impartial, but if even half of what is being reported is true,
then things are scary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Some say we need
to fight for or against the current administration. I hate fighting. I hate
conflict. But I really wonder if we aren’t sliding into fascism and if I might
need to fight. Often, when someone doesn’t like a President, that President is
compared to Hitler. Obama certainly was. Now I think we have a President who
might really be like Hitler. A family member said I shouldn’t criticize Trump
because as a naturalized citizen I could be deported. Will I have to fight for
the freedom of speech that was already mine?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Some say things
will be fine. I have a friend from the South who said people in his are weren’t
worried at all. This was before the inauguration. I wonder how he’s feeling
now. A cheerful and optimistic co-worker said things would work out. Maybe they
will, but if that belief is based on past American history, I’m not sure. Trump’s
election, his complete lack of experience in government, the law or the military,
the protests and his low approval rating before he even took office, are all
unprecedented. He really does want to build a wall and he’s working on it now. (One
thing I will say for Trump is he is doing everything he said would.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Here’s all I know
to do at this point:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Study, read, and write.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Follow my passions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Love people, even those I disagree with, but don’t
take abuse.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Love people who need a lot of love during these
days.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Call or write my representatives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Fight for what I think is right until or unless I
see that I am wrong.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Pray.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Breathe. A lot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Get Started.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Keep Going.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div>
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<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Elite/Desktop/Blogs/I'm%20Scared.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/jan.d.hutchins/posts/10156121098553682">https://www.facebook.com/jan.d.hutchins/posts/10156121098553682</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Elite/Desktop/Blogs/I'm%20Scared.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/28/politics/white-house-holocaust-memorial-day/index.html?sr=fbCNN012917white-house-holocaust-memorial-day0530AMVODtopLink&linkId=33891522">http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/28/politics/white-house-holocaust-memorial-day/index.html?sr=fbCNN012917white-house-holocaust-memorial-day0530AMVODtopLink&linkId=33891522</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-6550982384352117812017-01-23T16:57:00.001-08:002017-01-23T16:57:12.241-08:00The Lord's Prayer - Part I<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<b>Our Father<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Yesterday at
church the pastor encouraged us to pray the Lord’s Prayer five times a day for
thirty days. Being the kind person he is, he said that if some were not able to
do that, they could do it once a day for the first week, twice a day for the
second week, and so on. Being the less-than-kind person that I am, I told him praying
a simple prayer five times a day would not be too strenuous for anyone<a href="file:///C:/Users/Elite/Desktop/Blogs/Our%20Father.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> and that he should retract
that statement and push us harder. He wisely declined my less-than-gracious
offer. Despite this small difference of opinion, I thought his idea was
powerful and potentially life changing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Growing up
Catholic, I had, like many good Catholics, memorized the Lord’s Prayer (we
called it the “Our Father” or <i>Pater
Noster</i> in Latin) by the time I was five or six years old. (I also knew the
Hail Mary prayer.) But, as Bloom’s taxonomy, a hierarchy of learning, shows us,
memorization, while important and necessary, is only the beginning of learning.
And, as with many things done by rote, I rarely reflected on this prayer. So,
to keep the Lord’s Prayer from becoming a “vain repetition,”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Elite/Desktop/Blogs/Our%20Father.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> and to understand what I was
really praying, I decided to reflect on the various parts of the prayer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
The version I am
using is from Matthew 6:9-13:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;">
<i>Our Father, which art in
heaven,<a href="file:///C:/Users/Elite/Desktop/Blogs/Our%20Father.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></b></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;">
<i>hallowed be thy name;<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;">
<i>thy kingdom come;<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;">
<i>thy will be done,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;">
<i>in earth as it is in heaven.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Elite/Desktop/Blogs/Our%20Father.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></b></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;">
<i>Give us this day our daily bread.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;">
<i>And forgive us our
trespasses,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;">
<i>as we forgive them that
trespass against us.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Elite/Desktop/Blogs/Our%20Father.docx#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[5]</span></b></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;">
<i>And lead us not into
temptation;<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;">
<i>but deliver us from evil.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;">
<i>For thine is the kingdom,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;">
<i>the power, and the glory,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;">
<i>for ever and ever.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;">
<i>Amen<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 300%;">
<span style="color: #252525; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The first words I reflect on are “Our
Father.” The pastor said that this comes from a Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)
prayer. First I think of the word “our.” It is interesting that Jesus did not
use the word “my.” He was the only one who could claim being the Son of God but
he said “our.” He was sharing. He also
said “our,” not just for His present audience but for anyone who prayed this
prayer throughout all time. Our – all of us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #252525; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then there is
the word “Father.” The concept of the Fatherhood of God was all but absent in
the scriptures until this moment! (Let that sink in.) God as a father was
mentioned fifteen times in the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament whereas
the concept is used over 165 times in the four gospels.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Elite/Desktop/Blogs/Our%20Father.docx#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> While the term father may
not always have positive connotations for everyone, it brings the relationship between
God and people to a whole new, more intimate level.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #252525; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God, then, is
our Father, mine, yours, ours, all of ours. He is the Father who helped me to
Get Started and the Father who helps me to Keep Going.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 300%; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Elite/Desktop/Blogs/Our%20Father.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 200%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
I was able to say this prayer aloud and at a normal pace in 23 seconds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Elite/Desktop/Blogs/Our%20Father.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 200%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Matthew 6:7: <i><span style="background: #FDFEFF; color: #001320;">But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span>do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Elite/Desktop/Blogs/Our%20Father.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 200%;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="color: #252525;">I may have learned it or am remembering it
incorrectly, but I remember it saying “who art in heaven,” not “which.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Elite/Desktop/Blogs/Our%20Father.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 200%;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
I also remember “on earth,” not “in earth.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Elite/Desktop/Blogs/Our%20Father.docx#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 200%;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
I remember “those who trespass,” not “them that.”</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn6">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Elite/Desktop/Blogs/Our%20Father.docx#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/fatherhood-of-god.html">http://www.<i>biblestudytools</i>.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/fatherhood-of-god.html</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-81580674070500575142017-01-07T14:22:00.005-08:002017-01-09T16:32:59.524-08:00Not "(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<i>“Tell me, what is life without your love?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<i>Tell, me who am I without you<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<i>By my side?”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: right;">
George
Harrison – <i>What Is Life?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<i>“Looks like nothing’s gonna change<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<i>Everything still remains the same<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<i>I can’t do what ten people tell me to do<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<i>So I guess I’ll remain the same.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: right;">
Otis
Redding – (<i>Sittin’ on) The Dock of the
Bay<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Suddenly I’m
confronted with numerous challenges, all of my own choosing, for which I am
thankful. But they are still challenges. I have decided to begin work on a
book. The idea of the book (which I’m not ready to share yet) came to me a few
weeks ago and I began some preliminary work on it. When I presented that work
to my former professor, she challenged me to go deeper, much deeper, and to
work harder, much harder. She reminded me of all the methods I learned in my
recent Master’s program that would enable me to write a good book. I’m also working
on a couple of other projects that will allow me to use my Master’s Degree in
History. But as fun as the ideas are, it is all a lot of work and time and
discipline. On top of that I’m still a father. And my job recently became more
challenging, requiring more use of my time.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
My life could
potentially change and the purpose of this blog is to consider that. Because the
truth is I don’t have to let it change. I could get by just as I am doing now (which
is barely). I could be a perpetual kid for the rest of my life, occasionally
bragging about what I’ve done in the past, but all the while knowing that for
whatever I’ve done, the bare, dirty, ugly truth is I have not reached my
potential.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Externally that
shows up in a lack of money. Someone more enlightened may say to content with
what I have and to be grateful. I am but I am not. Sometimes people confuse
contentment with complacency and gratitude with acquiescence. I am content with
and grateful for how far I have come, but that doesn’t mean I want to stay
here. The truth is that a lack of money can create lacks in self-esteem, in
relationships, and in a fuller more satisfying life. Being poor by default is
not romantic or noble. The calm melody of Otis Redding’s song (<i>Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay</i> might
lull us into believing that the protagonist is a hero, a rebel, a maverick, a
non-conformist. But because he “can’t do what ten people tell him to do,” he
has no direction at all except two thousand miles he’s roamed just to make that
dock his home. Yes, he’s sitting there resting his bones, and we all like to do
that, but the loneliness won’t leave him alone. That doesn’t sound restful to
me. It sounds like self-sabotage at its worst. He’s broke, he’s homeless, he’s
alone, and he’s lonely. This is not romantic or charming or heroic. It’s
frightening. Sometimes we need ten people to tell us what to do. Or maybe just
one or two. Or maybe we need to have the courage to tell ourselves what to do…and
then do it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Self-direction is
not easy. I’m not good at it. At least I tell myself that. And now that I have
all these projects on my plate I suddenly find myself playing a lot of online
games. I find myself procrastinating. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
But…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
I also find myself
working. I spent several hours doing research yesterday.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
I spent over an
hour listening to a book about James Madison.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
I’m reading my eighth
US President book. (I've made it a goal to read at least two books on each of the U.S. Presidents in the next year.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
So I am getting
things done.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Perhaps it will
help to write down what I want to accomplish in the three to five years:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Get my house on the beach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Have at least three books published.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Create a course on US Presidents.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Be debt-free.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Read at least two books on every US President.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
There are other
goals just as large, but harder to quantify, but they involve personal relationships
and work goals. The best way to quantify them is to say I will put more time
into both. Because I tell my Muse, ultimately, what are my goals, what are my
dreams, “what is life without your love?” And that’s the most important part. I
have set these goals, all these goals, out of love – love for my Muse, love for
my children, love for my work and the people I serve and serve with, love of
history, and love for myself. I Get Started and I Keep Going out of love. And because
while I may want a home by the dock, I don’t want to "make that dock my home."<o:p></o:p></div>
robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-81833915548717529642016-12-20T11:36:00.003-08:002016-12-20T11:36:46.937-08:00What Are Your Plans?<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
“What are your
plans?” someone asked me today. My Muse was asking the same thing. I realized
that if there are no plans, there are usually no accomplishments. I need a
plan. Before I need a plan, I need to know what I want. Knowing what I want is
difficult for the following reasons:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Lack of belief in the possibility of success<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The feeling of not deserving it<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Fear <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Then even when we
know what we want we still have to deal with these additional obstacles:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Awareness of one’s limitations and failings<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Lack of self-discipline<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Maybe the trick is
to believe what Dorothea Brande said in <i>Wake
Up and Live</i>: Act as if it were <i>impossible
</i>to fail. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Or maybe the trick
is to not focus on the results, but <i>the
efforts</i> and let the results be what they will. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Maybe the trick is
to focus on <i>why</i> I’m doing what I’m
doing, so that I don’t waste time doing the wrong things. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Maybe the trick is
to do something, anything, that moves me forward. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Maybe the trick is
to be present in this very moment and notice the joy here. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Maybe the trick is
to write out what I want to accomplish each day, each week, each year, each
five-to-ten year period. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Maybe the trick is
gratitude. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Maybe the trick is
to take care of my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Maybe the trick is
to believe that I have created all my circumstances and relationships and that I
can un-create or re-create them or refine them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Maybe the trick is
prayer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Maybe the trick is
to start a task and don’t stop until it’s finished.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Maybe the trick is
to ask for help.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Maybe the trick is
to act as if all the results depended on you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Maybe the trick is
to Get Started and Keep Going.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Maybe it’s all these
things. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Maybe none of
these things are tricks, but tools to help me succeed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
I have a lot of
books and one of the best things about books is that there is a plethora of
ideas and inspiration. But it turns out that my plans are the same as they were
almost three years ago when I started writing these blogs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I want to spend my life with my Muse.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I want to have a healthy relationship with each
of my children.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I want to leave enough money for my children and
their children.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I want to have a healthy relationship with God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I want to make a positive difference in the
world.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 300%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I want a house on the beach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
My goals are the
same. My plans are the same. I still want to Get Started and Keep Going. That’s
a good plan.<o:p></o:p></div>
robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-14745651317481458032016-11-27T20:16:00.001-08:002016-11-27T21:35:26.636-08:00Football and Thanksgiving<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: #181818;">“The thing about football - the
important thing about football - is that it is not just about football.”<span class="apple-converted-space"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: right; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #181818;"><br />
</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; text-decoration: none;">Terry Pratchett</span><span style="background: white; color: #181818;">,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i><span id="quote_book_link_6250169"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: none;">Unseen
Academicals</span></span></i></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
One of my earliest
Thanksgiving memories revolves around a moment when I was about six or seven
years old. It’s just a moment that I remember and it may not even have been
Thanksgiving, but I remember the autumnal feeling of the day so I will assume
it was. We lived in Posen, Illinois a suburb of Chicago, but we would often go
to my grandma’s farm in Lake Village, Indiana, about an hour away. Most of my
mom’s family also lived in Illinois or Indiana. The moment I remember was
running around playing with my cousins. I ran into the house and I saw the men,
my grandpa and my Uncle Ray or maybe my Uncle Al, watching football and the women in the kitchen. While
this memory might cause amusement for its old-fashioned depiction or even
rankle feminist sensibilities, I might also add that no one seemed unhappy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
That moment
informed my Thanksgiving for many years. From that point on I thought that on
Thanksgiving men watched football and talked sports. (I made no assumptions
about women.) Yet as I grew older I developed an apathy for sports and especially
for professional sports. Most of my childhood experiences regarding sports as a
small, thin boy were less than positive. Sometimes I even made a point to let that
apathy be known. Then a few years ago I went to Turkey to try to find my birth mother.
I did not find her, but the experience changed me in two strange ways in what
was a combination of my early Thanksgiving experience. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
First, like the
women of my family on that Thanksgiving, I began to spend time in the kitchen. I
was never afraid of the kitchen but I never really learned how to cook much
more than a few recipes. But now I was cooking regularly. I started looking for
new recipes. I learned about spices and tastes and how to shop for food. I organized
my kitchen and made sure I had fresh food. I shopped constantly. I learned how
important timing is in the preparation. More than once, because of not timing things
well, a meal was ruined. Once I had a friend visit after I had been bragging
about my newly formed cooking skills and I overcooked the meat because I wasn’t
paying attention. That was embarrassing, but he was gracious. I had to be
focused and when I was, dinner came out pretty good. But there was something
else that happened after getting back from Turkey. I suddenly found that I loved
watching football!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
This was
startling. I had spent most of my life ignoring or hating professional sports. I
would complain about the overpayment of professional athletes, especially
compared to teachers. I considered it all mindless entertainment and except in
1995 when the San Diego Chargers went to the Super Bowl I almost never watched
a game. (The Chargers lost to the San Francisco ‘49ers, 49-26.) But, after
getting back from Turkey, I could not get enough football. On Sundays I could
literally watch games all day long. I didn’t care who was playing or who won (except
for the Chargers or the Chicago Bears, my new hometown and my old hometown. I
always rooted for those teams.) I didn’t know anything about football. I didn’t
know statistics or players or standings or the history of any particular team. I
just liked watching the game. And if I wasn’t watching the game I was in the
kitchen making food to eat while watching more games. I still like watching
football, but I don’t own a television these days. I’m fine with that, but I wish
I had one if only to watch football on Sundays. And on Thanksgiving.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Many cultures have
no problem dividing gender roles. Men watch sports and women cook. Ironically,
going back to a very traditional culture enabled me to comfortably embrace both
roles.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
I’ve been
struggling with finding a direction with this blog because I realize that the
discussion of gender roles might upset people. Then I realized that I have to
not care because I have to write from what I know and that it’s not my intent
to offend. This isn’t a sociological treatise on gender roles. I’m describing
what I experienced on Thanksgiving in the Midwest in the 1960s. I also agree
with David Deida who says in <i>The Way of
the Superior Man</i> that each of us has a masculine and feminine side. In my
travels to Turkey I found both. I became a whole person. Or I started to, at
least. I became more whole when I met my Muse and started taking responsibility
for my choices. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Today I don’t have
as much opportunity to cook or watch football. But I can Get Started and Keep
Going. I can enjoy life and be thankful for what was, what is, and what will
be.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%;">
<br /></div>
<br />robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-71536823443831553382016-11-22T14:49:00.003-08:002016-11-22T15:05:51.955-08:00I Know This Guy<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
I know this guy. I’ve
known him for several years. He’s probably the smartest guy I’ve ever met. And I
know a lot of smart people. I’ve often wanted to spend time with him,
one-on-one, but only once did that happen and it wasn’t very satisfying. He was
distracted by something and not completely there. I wasn’t upset by that, just
a little disappointed. That was five or six years ago. We saw each other in
public gatherings occasionally and those were always nice, and I would message
him occasionally about something, but that was it. A few months ago I directly
asked him if we could get together for lunch. He said no. And it wasn’t a rude “no,”
but it was very direct. To paraphrase, he said, his time was very specifically
allocated for his work, his volunteerism, and his close friends and family. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
I won’t say this didn’t hurt, but
after the initial shock I asked myself the following:<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<i>Why this guy?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<i>What did I want from him?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<i>Was I looking for a father, big brother,
mentor, conscience, or guide?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<i>Was I using him (or hoping to use him) to
get my own emotional needs met?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
As I said, this
guy is probably the smartest guy I’ve ever met. And he’s kind. He’s one of
those people I feel I could spend all day with. But I’m also aware that I’ve
spent a great deal of my life looking for a father, big brother, mentor,
conscience, or guide. I’m always looking for the perfect male role model. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
And this guy isn’t
it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
No guy is.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
More worrisome,
though this has decreased as I’ve gotten older, I have often looked for someone
to tell me what to do, what choices to make, how to live. I did that for a long
time and, as a result, made some of the worst choices of my life. And I never found
freedom, true freedom, until I stopped looking for a master and started
listening to my Muse, my heart. Because that’s what I was really looking for: a
master. Someone to tell me what to do. And no one could. And the ones that
thought they could were tyrants.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Some religions and
philosophies will say all we don’t need to look to others for wisdom. All we
have to do is look within and the answers will come. There’s truth to that. But
we do need others. Not to tell us what to do, but to give us ideas and
guidance. We need others to confirm what’s right in our own hearts and what
might lead us astray. As a rule of thumb, I’ve learned the more important a
decision is, the more important wise counsel is. At the same time I’ve also
learned that we must each walk our own path. No one can or should walk it for
us. That is a violation of the human spirit. My path is study. The more I read,
the more I grow. Study has saved my life. Study has caused me to see my
failings. Study has caused me to move forward when I was afraid. Study has helped
me to see I am not alone. Study has led me to my Muse.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
I just finished
reading <i>John Adams</i> by David
McCullough and I learned that Adams’ greatest love besides, God, his wife
Abigail, and his children, were his books. He read and read and read. And he
re-read some books almost to the point of memorization. Sometimes when his eyes
got tired he would ask Abigail to read to him. After Abigail died, he slept in
his library surrounded by his beloved books. Adams also knew a guy, several guys
(and a few women) and they all became his father, his big brother, him mentors,
his conscience, and his guide.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
This guy I know wrote
a book. So if I want more from him, I can read it. I’d probably get more from
him in the hours it would take me to read his book than a ninety-minute lunch. He
can still be my mentor, but not any of those other things. (And, by giving me a kind but firm no, he has already mentored me.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 300%; text-indent: .5in;">
Because that’s the
other thing: everything I admire in this man is already within me if I choose
to acknowledge that. I also have to choose who I am, what I want to do, and what
I want to be. It can’t be this guy’s choice or anyone else’s to Get Started and
Keep Going. I know this because I know this guy. He is me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226403521378820382.post-75220336260843490562016-11-11T16:54:00.002-08:002016-11-11T16:54:35.995-08:00Exhausted<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<i>I’m so tired,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>I haven’t slept a
wink.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>I’m So Tired </i>– John Lennon<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I'm so tired I never want to wake up again. But I've figured
out now that it was never them that made me feel that way. It was just me, all
along.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #181818; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Forever – </span></i><span style="color: #181818; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Maggie Stiefvater<br />
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I think I was,
without realizing it, exhausted. I think we all are. Especially this week. It’s
been a hard week. Donald Trump won the Presidency and whether that is good news
or bad news for you, it’s been an exhausting experience. Some people are just now
recovering from the shock. All over my Facebook page people are talking about
this. Some, normally apolitical, are expressing fear. Most are expressing
anger, no, rage. There is rioting all over America. People at all degrees of
the political spectrum have been spewing towards and receiving hate from
friends, family members, co-workers, and strangers. A precious few, on both
sides are calling for peace and to stop talking about politics for a while.
Unfortunately, almost no one is stopping.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Hatred and rage
are exhausting no matter if one is giving or receiving it. They produce rushes
of adrenaline and although no one likes to admit this, that rush feels good. It
gives us energy. It’s a very focused moment and when we’re focused we don’t
think whether we are right or wrong. We don’t think about the effect our words
and actions have on each other. We don’t realize we’re committing violence with
a keyboard as surely as if we were stabbing someone in the chest. We’re like a
jilted lover who just caught our beloved in bed with someone else and so
without thinking, without control or breaks, we kill the one we love. Almost
all of us have been guilty of crimes of passion these last few weeks.<o:p></o:p></div>
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All this
adrenaline exacts a price. In her book <i>8
Keys to Stress Management</i>,<a href="file:///C:/Users/Elite/Desktop/Exhausted.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Elizabeth Anne Scott
reminds us that when our mind brings us to a place of perceived, <i>not real,</i> threat, our body doesn’t know
the difference. The blood races. The heart pounds. We breathe harder and
perhaps sweat. We’re taxing our hearts, physically and emotionally. We are
damaging ourselves. And we are usually damaging others. On my own Facebook page
a friend, a Christian pastor, told me she is glad I’m going to Hell because of
how I voted. A stranger, a theology student, told me to go kill myself. All this
hatred feels good, but then we feel washed up and exhausted. I have felt
exhausted.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So today I took a
nap. Usually when I take a nap I sleep from ten minutes to an hour. Today I slept
for three hours, hard and sound. I turned off the phone and the social media
and the world and I slept. Now I feel better. People are still rioting but
Donald Trump is reaching out to Bernie Sanders. Maybe it won’t be as bad as we
fear. Or maybe it will be. But today is Veterans’ Day and I remember that we
have survived the wars and divisions of the past. I think Americans need to put
down their protest signs, get off social media, and take a nap. I think America
needs an afternoon nap. Then it can make a nice snack and read a book or spend
time with the kids or watch a movie or go for a walk or just sit in silence for
a while. Maybe we need to start praying for those we have persecuted, those who
have persecuted us and even those we might think are going to persecute us. Tomorrow
we can make a plan to make things better, more just, more equitable, more
civilized, a plan rather than spontaneous violence or hatred or wishes for
death or eternal damnation. We can listen to our Muse, always a peaceful voice
and be creative rather than destructive. Tonight, America can go to bed early
and then tomorrow we can Get Started and Keep Going. That’s hard to do if we’re exhausted.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="file:///C:/Users/Elite/Desktop/Exhausted.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Scott, Elizabeth Anne. <i>8 Keys to Stress
Management</i>, (New York: W.W. Norton and Company, Inc.), 2013.<o:p></o:p></div>
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robertf71http://www.blogger.com/profile/03767397022407181213noreply@blogger.com0