Change is good

I don’t think I have to quote statistics or site specific studies in relation to how happiness is created rather than purchased.  “The Happiest People don't have the best of everything, They just MAKE the best of everything.”  I’m not even sure who coined that phrase, but it was sent to me by my wife, who has lived her life Making the best of Everything.  

There really is a simple answer to all of our current problems,  do you want to guess what that answer would be?  Here is a hint, it’s written above in bold/ Italicized words, but if you need a clearer understanding of what I am trying to get at, let me repeat myself.  “The Happiest People don't have the best of everything, They just MAKE the best of everything.”

There is obviously some debate regarding what is happiness but, the general rule is contentment, cheery and joyful.  Being content with your surroundings, your life, your station.  This is not to suggest that being content means not wanting to improve, but it’s understanding that we can be content while striving to improve or expand, or alter our lives.  Perhaps it’s like having a job, being grateful for your employment, thinking positively about your job, but also realizing that you can do better.  

Instead of going to work each day and crumble or complain about your current situation, you smile, are cheerful and try to seek out the positives of this aspect of your life, grateful for the opportunity that you have to work, earn and have the freedom to do so.

For those who are not naturally happy, this process can be difficult.  We often follow a pattern of behavior that prompts us to act in accordance with how we have acted in the past.   Old habits are hard to overcome.  Or, it's hard to train and old dog new tricks, but when you think about it, most of us have the capability to learn and expand, regardless of our decisions, patterns or current mindset.

As we strive to change our behaviors and accept the reality that, happiness is our goal, we will eventually become what we practice.  I think most of us agree with this, and understand the value of acting toward a given goal, and in this case happiness.

I can hear the naysayers now:  but our economy is so bad, gas prices are so high, our politicians are this or the government is that etc…etc…etc…we can always find much more wrong with our lives if we choose to focus on those negative and harmful emotions.

The opposite is also true.  If we focus on the good, the wholesome, the kind and the beautiful, we can develop new engrams into our thought processes, and in so doing develop new attitudes of positivity that supersede the old ways of negativity, that used to cloud our judgements, alter our emotions and disturb our peace of mind.  

One good example from my life comes from a recent condition that forced me to adopt the above process literally. I developed a blood clot in my right leg, the pain was excruciating and debilitating. I was told I needed surgery ASAP, but didn't like how the doctor was trying to push me into that surgery. I eventually went to the emergency room and I was checked in to the hospital for three days and two sleepless nights. Not my favorite place to be.

The good news, however was that I was able to see different doctors, that agreed that surgery was not warranted, but I had to start walking. I had to walk through the pain and force my veins to reroute my blood flow away from the clot, that was 100% blocked.

At first I could only take a few steps before the pain stopped me from moving, but everyday I walked longer and everyday I improved. I am now walking about three miles a day and the pain is lessoned considerably. We can all change, we can all improve our lives.

The simplicity of this suggestion is universally available to everyone who wants to live a happier and more fulfilling life; they only have to want it, and live in accordance with that principle.  

My best advice is to try it.  You can start now.  No training is needed, no education is required, just you and your mind making the decision to want to live a happier life, regardless of your current situation, in spite of your surroundings, your income, or lack of, your marriage, or lack of, your relationships, your skin color, your background, your mistakes…Do I really have to spell it out here?

Even if you're in the most dire of situations, a prisoner or in prison you can decide right now to start to look at life as a positive and not a negative and begin to reap the benefits of this new you, this changed person, who now looks at this life as the gift that it is.  

I beg you to try, what have you got to lose?  I mean, really what do you have to lose?

There is no better time than now, this weekend is perfect, we are celebrating Memorial day.  This day we honor our fallen soldiers who gave their lives for us.  We show gratitude for their efforts to keep us free and safe.

Of course there are those who only use this day as a day off or even those who feel anger or shame about our countries role in these “unjust wars or conflicts”, but let's leave the negativity behind us this weekend and be grateful for those who died.  They may not have understood the politics or the reasons why they fought but they did and we should HONOR them for their SACRIFICES

What better day, or time is there to start thinking of HAPPINESS than this Memorial Day, 2022.  We can all use a bit more happiness, don’t you think?

TYRANNY

When you think about life, your life, or the life of others, we all really want pretty much the same things.

 

Black or White, Asian or Latino, we are all the same.  The problems arise when one group of individuals want to take from you and keep it for themselves. 

 

Governments, Political leaders and Parties, Democrats or Republicans, kings, despots, local taxes, state taxes, or however you want to dissect the numerous issues that plague our lives, they all come down to individuals working together to take from others, so they can enrich their lives, their influence to control and enslave those who are less able to defend themselves.

 

Regardless of the past atrocities by man toward other men and women, groups, beliefs or skin color, we are all the same.

 

Like most of you, I have no desire to control another, force another or even influence another to do as I say.  I will admit that I am in favor of teaching the truth, searching for the truth and attempting to live by what I believe, but I also understand that even though what I believe is life changing for me, it may not be to others, so be it.

 

The beauty of this life is in the choice we enjoy to choose and decide for ourselves.  Those choices cannot and should not be forced, mandated, or limited by those in power, especially when they fail to follow those mandates that they have demanded from us.

 

Your politics, and our choices are yours to make, as mine are as well, but when your choices infringe upon my choices, then one of us has moved beyond the principle of example and has adopted the idea of force, without constraint, to muscle or constrain others to their will, especially when the will of some is not followed, obeyed by those demanding it.

 

I am willing to let others live any way they desire, but on that path, I find that when I do, the response has inevitably been to force me to comply with their choices in such a manner that I am forced to agree with their choices, not just letting them make those choices.  I am forced to be complicit and agreeable with them and their choices and their lifestyles, even if I am not.

 

Abortion is one of those issue.  The mandated use of pronouns in another.  Racial tensions are yet another.  The political decisions of the left scare me and the changes they want for this country scare me.  Men being allowed to compete in girls sports?  Men giving birth?  Radical abortion laws?  The obvious racism toward some in our society as a form of payment for past atrocities by only a free from our past. Wrong then, wrong now.

 

Like I said above, you can be or do whatever makes you happy.  If you want act like a woman and even surgically alter your body to conform to that desire, by all means, have at it, but when your choices affect my choices then that becomes a group of individuals working together to take advantage of other individuals, like myself, with the general motivation to force me and others to comply to your choices.  

 

THAT IS SIMPLY WRONG AND THAT IS THE DEFINITION OF TYRANNY.  

Wouldn’t you agree?

The Power of Politics

 In our fractured society, there is nothing more divisive than opposing political views, especially when those views are politically motivated.

Some believe that “Politics is everything, and everything is political.”  

The definition of politics is:  the activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power.

The above definition, taken from a simple Google Search, seems to agree with the variation of multiple individuals regarding politics.  It has definitely moved beyond the simple aspects of …the activities associated with the governance of a country…

We can plainly see how the idea of …Achieving Power…  comes into play.

But through the efforts to achieve power, there has developed an almost incongruent defiance toward Common Sense that defies logic, and promotes a ridiculousness never before exhibited.

How irrational will a power thirsty individual go to create a web of deceit, or lies, to achieve their goal?  And, when combined with a group dynamic, that desire for power can be transferred to those who gain very little actual power, but fall for the specter of association, grasping onto the tendrils of hope to buoy their unrelenting lust, not for power but to be on the side that ultimately wins.

There are two sides in this conflict and both have their issues with the truth, and common sense, but if you will indulge me, I will focus on the most egregious of examples to illustrate my point.

Keep in mind that the focus of this discussion is to analyze the decisions towards power that fall the furthest from Common Sense and Logic.

As a note of thanks, I have taken these points from Dennis Preager, who is to me, one of the most consistent and logical thinkers of our Day.

1.  Men can give birth.  This is absurd on its face.  The words are completely illogical and have been since the dawn of man, or woman, don’t want to make any enemies here.  Need I go into the biological basics of life itself?

One thing to think about if you're unsure regarding this topic.  After you die and someone, anyone, finds your bones, they will only be able to determine your sex as a male or female, based on your bones.  No one will be able to tell if your Sis-Gender or your Bi-status or any of the other self proclaiming dysphoric ideas you wish to engage in during life.  

2. Biological men competing against women.  The idea of men competing in women's sports defies any explanation, especially if you're a woman vying for that top prize, only to see it slip away because a young man decided to become a “woman” so they could compete against less muscular, with less bone density, women who are smaller, but who have trained just as hard, shown the same devotion and dedication as their male counterparts.  

There is a reason why they call it “Women's Sports”, Men are not allowed to compete, even those who simply decide that they would rather be a woman in name only.  Despicable, cowardice and politically motivated, as the definition for power stated above outlines.

3. Defunding the police.  The cries for defunding the police was not motivated to improve policing of our cities or assist in controlling the rising crime rate.   It was a political move by a few to gain power over the many, so the few could control our lives through fear, and intimidation.  I have no issues with improving our police efforts, the organizations and the practices but the notion of “Defunding” with the end goal of improvement flies in the face of logic and common sense.

4. Free speech does not allow for hate speech.  We all know the drill.  We walk into a store or answer an ad online for this free event, or product;  we know, but we fall into their trap, forgetting that FREE is very often very costley.  If something, anything is Free, then it is a safe bet that there is no cost, no obligation, no need to pay up front for the privilege.  Free is Free, and like Free Speech, it can not be free when there are conditions, options for some and not others, regulations etc…   simply stated, why is one opinion held up, while others are not?  Even if we have definitive and concrete facts, does not the dissenting opinion matter, should it be allowed to exist?  I say yes.  Remember, who benefits from one position over another?  Is not Politics at play here as well?

Here are a few more topics to consider.  Race matters, really, does it?  

Diversity is strength, I thought strength comes from working together, not through the politically motivated idea that diversity alone will raise your game. 

You're not Human until you are born, but even now there are strong indications that abortions after birth have been performed and are becoming more common.  Makes you wonder if Margurets Sanger is still in charge of Planned Parenthood, (just another oxymoronic title that defies the logic of what really happens behind their doors.  And last but but not a complete list is:

Capitalism is Evil.  Just in case you don’t know, There are advantages to Capitalism, not available in other forms of Governance.

 

1. Capitalism encourages innovation.  Because there is a need to compete to remain profitable, Capitalism is a system that encourages innovation like no other system of economics. 

2. It is a society that is based on the service of others.

3. Capitalism promotes equality.   We are all trying to buy and sell our products and services equally

4. It provides freedom. Freedom to choose for yourself and your family, more choices than any other system.

5. Capitalism promotes self-regulation. Businesses in a Capitalistic society only have power because consumers allow them to have it. If buyers are not interested in the goods or services that are offered by an organization, then that business will not continue to exist. This means businesses must create goods or services that are desired by the society and this helps to serve the needs of individuals and households.

6. It provides a wider range of products or services.  People have unique problems which must be solved. This wide array of needs allows for businesses to find a niche so they can exist. If there is value in the goods or services being offered, defined as being able to solve a problem, then it will continue to operate. 

7. There is an opportunity to be involved in governance.  Capitalism encourages people to get involved in all aspects of society to create the best possible outcome for themselves. That means it is a system that encourages people to be involved with their governance. From voting to serving on local boards to running for a national office, people get involved with government so they can create their preferred outcome.