tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81782114182938442952024-02-19T17:31:43.939-05:00Sucarichi RebootMusings on how to live the one life we have with peace, love, and joy....if we choose it!Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.comBlogger135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-47942977528936364572019-04-04T15:05:00.002-04:002019-04-05T10:38:00.917-04:00Who ARE we????<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ok. I get it now.<br />
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I've posted back and forth with them. I've read the statements and articles and memes. I've watched Fox News at primetime. I get it.<br />
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We are not correct in believing all Trump Supporters to be dim, gullible, racist, or any other horrible descriptions others have stated. I'm not saying 'some' have not shown those characteristics, repeatedly. There are actual pro-Nazi far right individuals who are a danger to themselves and others.<br />
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What I've discovered is the 33%-35% of those supporters are mostly frightened, not evil. They will never admit to the rising fear and the reasons behind immature, hideous, and at times, dangerous behaviors. However, there is first a legitimate fear of their safety and security, of losing money and having their households affected by a lack of funds, food, and freedom.<br />
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The fear stems from the decreasing number of Caucasians that was predicted in the 80's, along with the increasing number of Hispanics, also predicted. The fear, also, stems from the power African-Americans have recently shown, in the polls, and economically. They fear this will "leave them out" if they are barely surviving as a middle-class family. I want to always assure these groups they do not have to fear they will be treated as People of Color have in this country. We wouldn't do that.<br />
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The fear, secondly, is a adamant insistence on<i> not</i> looking at the Big Picture of Life and the World. Many are Christians but have little faith in the outcome of the World, and certainly not in God's care and love of them, personally. Therefore, they strike like a cornered animal at any changes and perceived threats to their existence. It is not an uneducated population, entirely. It is, however, a willfully ignorant one. There is no "One for All and All for One" in the United States. It's a "I'll get mine and take yours, too, if you turn your back!", Independent, Conquer and get the most toys because I'm better than you! It's a constant reminder of how very young our country is.<br />
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On that note, the final observation I've had is the fear is being stoked, daily, to keep the flames high, harmful, and to distract. I have my problems with the Left as much as with the Right. Neither is all correct or all wrong. You can see and hear some pretty ugly stuff coming from the "Left" on the daily, too.<br />
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All can benefit from the following: you can open your eyes, look, read,<i> think,</i> and ask simple questions like<i> "Why?</i> to discover the truth of what's happening around you. If you see the President of the United States lies about<i> everything</i> then ask yourself "Why?". If you see the President resisting what is politically, socially, and morally acceptable, ask Why?. If you see the House of Representatives seeking more and more information, ask "Why?". If you see Senators fighting like mad to defend the President's lies, ask yourself "Why?". If you see the Mueller Report being delayed release to the public, while Clinton's was out in<i> two days</i>, ask yourself "Why?".<br />
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Ask yourself why you were willing to accept a man who harassed women physically, and admitted to it on tape of grabbing them by the pussy, walked into teenager's dressing room during pageants to see them half or undressed, bragged that he paid zero taxes because he is "smart", speaks in nonsense sentences without a beginning, middle or end, like a 3rd grader giving a report on a book he didn't read, who disrespects the Constitution of the United States like it is a mere suggestion not the basis upon which we govern out society, has committed tax, bank, and insurance fraud, calls people names like a school bully, and, generally, has brought the dignity of the Office of the President down to where no one in the World respects us in the same way anymore, ask yourself "Why?" WHY did I select this person?<br />
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Did I believe he'd make me rich like him? (He's only 'rich' on paper, btw.) Did I think he'd be different than all the other politicians? (He is. He's definitely not a politician but that also means he has no idea what he's doing in office.) Did I think my business would do better with him in office? (It might be. It would be the cause of the previous administration's work kicking in, not anything done in the past two years, though.) Was I thinking he'd be good for manufacturing in the U.S. and jobs and the economy? (The tariffs he started are costing farmers their farms, increasing prices for consumers of Walmart who gets almost everything from China, and companies are closing plants in droves. That is the great 'business mind' he has at work.) Did I fear the brown people coming over the border and knew he'd stop them? (If he closes the border as he now threatens, it will cost the country 1 Bil per<i> day</i>, he has no 5th Century wall, and speaks of caravans of 'bad' people who are those seeking asylum as your ancestors did.). Or did I think Trump would just be fun to watch? (Having fun yet?)<br />
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My point is that there are many reasons Trump ended up as president. We can stop trying to understand that "Why" now. My 'Why" is Why would anyone still want to keep him there now or in 2020 after he's wrecked the country. It will be<i> years</i> before we recover from the damage he has done. I get it. You, personally, are doing ok. But what about the rest of the country. What about the polarization that has taken us back almost 100 years with each other? What about programs for the underserved he's cutting? Do you truly not care as long as you get yours? If you are a Christian or any other religion that cares for others, that's a strike, isn't it?<br />
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You can no longer call yourself a lover of mankind as you've centered only on your own self and family. You cannot say you are a good person if you don't care about your neighbor's suffering. You cannot claim all the riches you can because despite what you think, that will not bring you the peace and security you desire. If you shut the door and your ears to others' plight, the voices will still be there and you will have to explain to your children why you are ignoring them. You will have to explain why you support an ignorant, mean and classless President who brought down America for his personal profit and you cheered him on in your bright red hat. Or you quietly sat and pretended you<i> didn't</i> vote for him and said nothing as the damages occurred. I don't know which is worse. Are you still fighting your family and friends about him? Are you truly willing to continue to risk relationships over <i>Trump</i>? Do you feel that he is worth it? Do you feel your greed is worth it? Is your Soul worth it?<br />
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Sucarichi Reboot Challenge? BOTH sides...Watch a different news channel with an open mind. Get a different view. See actual facts and think and compare. Figure out which might be true. Grow in your thinking and in your responses to others that disagree with you and learn to discuss, rather than insult. Lastly, pray about it all, and love one another.<br />
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Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-9163307858503012612019-01-09T16:27:00.000-05:002019-01-09T16:27:47.228-05:00Do You See What I See?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Nope.<br />
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My eyes see. Your eyes see. They are different visions and different perceptions of what we each see (google Rashomon).<br />
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When I look into a mirror or any other reflective surface, I see the opposite of what you see looking at me. We may see colors or light (which determines color) differently. <br />
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What I hear is based on my own ears, my own brain, the sound resounding within my ear. I hear my own voice in a different manner than you do because it's in my head. Record it and it's different that what I heard. Many say they hate their recorded voice because deep within, they know they don't sound like that. Others hear a voice that is different from what I 'know' I sound like. That voice I know as mine is different than the unspoken voice in my mind, even. Music will never be heard the same by any two individuals and you'll never really know what you sound like. Pop! Mind blown.<br />
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My sense of smell is different than yours. You may like how raw eggs smell. It makes me gag. But I like mayonnaise (google it). Brussel sprouts are another. Meat cooking makes some mouths water and others run for a toilet to unswallow their lunch. No matter how expensive or wonderful my perfume is, Hubs says smells like bug spray.<br />
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I taste a beet or banana and think, Yum. You may say Yuck because of your "taste buds" or because you hate the texture. I avoided watermelon for years because the texture was 'wrong'.<br />
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Feeling hair or fur comforts many but there will always be those who self-describe 'freak-outs' at the thought of touching a brick wall or a piece of coral.<br />
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How then, do we communicate anything ever?? It's a miracle we are able to exist together at all, when you consider the basics of what we consider living, daily. It's a miracle we can accomplish anything together. It's not as if we locate and are only within the group that has the exact same sensory reactions as we do.<br />
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Human sensory actions are as varied as every hair on a head. We can call them all hairs but they may react in unique ways. Group mentality is a phenomenon that speaks to a basic emotion in many, seek pleasure and avoid pain. If it's broken in any manner, everyone walks away to live their lives as they are made to.<br />
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We force ourselves to forge ahead in uncomfortable, irritating, or fearful situations to 'fit' in, overcome an internal or external resistance, or for survival.<br />
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If, for instance, Bird Box were real, and you had to blind yourself or die, your decision would largely be based on what the others around you were doing to survive. Unless you are one of the critical thinking creative analyzers who looks for other answers, you would gladly blind yourself, leaving your other senses which aren't foolproof, to take over. Never mind senses, you'd have to <i>trust </i>others around you to help keep you from harm. There is no 'sense' for that, there is only faith.<br />
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How important is it in our daily lives to trust in that way? I may have said before in a post, we <i>trust</i> everyone will stay in their lane on the freeway. We<i> trust</i> we'll wake up every day. We <i>trust</i> the surgeons, dentists, policemen, judges, politicians and the pizza guy to do the right things. We have more childlike innocence than we like to admit. If we didn't, what would life be like? Would be able to rent or buy a home? Would you be able to feed yourself without others to taste your food first like a King? Would you trust the clothes you wear won't irritate your skin or give you cancer? Would you leave your house knowing a big fiery ball is in the sky beaming down on you? Will it fall? Do you trust the scientists? Were the steps or elevator leading to your home built safely?<br />
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One can drive themselves insane without trust, without faith.<br />
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Trust your own eyes, ears, and opinions, then. Trust the research you do to discover the truth and come to your own conclusions. Be able to discuss or debate, if necessary, for your own well-being and advocacy. Ask questions of everyone, not only to show interest or start fights (especially if you have no desire to hear the answer), but to gain knowledge. The knowledge you gain is compared and weighed against other information you find to land on what is known as <i>Common Sense</i>. Following others is wise at times and at others, foolish.<br />
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Just because someone says it enough times repeatedly doesn't make it true. Just because you are around a majority that say so doesn't make it true. Just because that person is the loudest or most persistent doesn't either. <i>Think.</i><br />
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That's the only message I ever really want to get out here is to encourage thinking for oneself. I think out loud here. Take it or leave it. That's the Free Will we have and should use.<br />
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Sucarichi Reboot Challenge? Trust like you trust every day occurrences. Listen to the 'other' side and see what, if anything, makes sense. Look for the reasons behind the messages, the hidden or not-so-hidden agenda that everyone has. It has nothing to do with paranoia but with info-gathering from reliable sources. Is what you find a benefit or a detriment to you and yours and All? Educate yourself on topics currently foreign to you to see the wider impacts. Revisit History to see mistakes are being repeated.<br />
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As the kids say, "Stay woke". It's more important than you think. <i>See?</i></div>
Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-21726412253857098612019-01-05T16:49:00.000-05:002019-01-08T14:47:52.374-05:00Breathing in 2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello. I'm a news junkie. I think if anything ever happened to our way of life, the only survivors may be really strict Amish people.<br />
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So....there's that.<br />
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The goal for 2019 and forward is to remain aware of the happenings of our Country but include the rest of the World even more than I do now. I merely have to do it in a less obsessive way.<br />
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Currently, I can tell you every action, theory and prediction of politics, names of the players, and my thoughts and philosophies about it all. Breathe.<br />
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I run on all cylinders with the volunteer work I do with the Guardian ad Litem Program in my County. Breathe.<br />
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My home is undergoing a rehab of monumental proportion (overdrama, much?).<br />
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What is in the home is to be used up. What is not wanted will be sold or donated. What is in the kitchen pantries and fridge will be eaten. What takes up precious space in my small home is leaving. What is not recyclable or reusable or up-recyclable will not make it into my home. What is plastic will not be purchased for my home, nor will chemicals for cleaning it. Hello, DIY! I will no longer use paper towels, paper plates, plastic utensils or straws, and disposable cups. Looking closely at the packaging of items I buy and making some big changes!<br />
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Simultaneously, my body is undergoing a rehab.<br />
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What is not, technically, 'food' will not enter my body (Bye-bye, Coca Cola and fast food!). I'm cooking even more at home. In fact, I'm growing and re-growing some of our food.<br />
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AND...Breathe.<br />
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It sounds like a lot to take on all at once, doesn't it. Did that make you feel uncomfortable and squirmy? Did it make you annoyed with me? Good. Didn't want to feel all of that all by myself!<br />
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Here's the part where the annoyance may increase. I really don't have that far to go to be lower-waste at home and didn't realize I'd taken on the task many years ago! Being old-fashioned about a lot of areas of life, I follow my Grandmother's and Great-Grandmother's methods of living (except for paper towels. My Grandma went through a LOT of paper towels! Like, forests full.)<br />
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In considering all of the new year plans, I embraced the name of "Collector of All Things Glass" given to me by my husband. My glass jars have been in use for years for storage in pantry and fridge instead of plastic fake Tupperware. Now, I will fill them from the bulk area of the grocery stores.<br />
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I wash my dishes by hand, although I own a dishwasher (that has never been used except for storage!). I make my own hair and beauty products and cleaning supplies already, use cloth rags (old t-shirts) for cleaning/dusting, cloth napkins (but need to make more) and the car only when necessary. I use essential oils, a stainless steel straw, make my own toothpaste, use leftovers and veg scraps (for stock!), carry cloth grocery bags, shun Styrofoam, use a refillable water bottle and have a simplified life with less and little shopping because that's how I roll, Finally, just before the year ended, (don't hit me!) I found the easiest recipe for making delicious bread, EVER! I'd never considered all of this is part of how we travelled to Berlin, Prague, Amsterdam, and London in 2018! I never considered I was well on my way to zero-waste living. That's not my goal yet, of course. Not yet.<br />
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So what's left? Breathe.<br />
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Will purchase a reusable razor like men used in the olden days. Make those cloth napkins I mentioned earlier. Use up all products in the house before buying new or making new ones. Make the small repairs in my garments instead of tossing out and buying new clothes until absolutely necessary. Plant the seeds and grow nutrient-dense sprouts, more regularly. Shop the thrift stores. Bake the bread when this store-bought plastic-enclosed loaf is gone. And, Gloriosky!...SAVE the money I'm not spending on all of the above for a wonderful memory, like another vacation! That'll be another challenge to see how I can travel with this mentality. I know it can be done. I will take the last of the nonrecyclable items used up from the house, including makeup, and dump it with the promise of "nevermore". Then I will go forward with a lighter heart.<br />
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And.....Breathe.<br />
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Although, my husband's pleased that on the 5th day of 2019, I've only spent $8.93, including $4 for valet parking and tip, I'm already tap-dancing on his last nerve with these discoveries because I now talk about them instead of just doing it. Like me, he'd never noticed. He only appreciated having a wife that doesn't have the 'shopping gene' women are supposed to have. In confronting him with our lifestyle, it's been the equivalent of introducing myself to everyone as a Vegan before my name (You know who you are!). As with everything, it's better to live it without words than talk about it.<br />
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HOWEVER.....I helped deliver a beautiful little baby in December and pushing me to think of the kind of world she will live in. It's changing so fast and being ruined at a speed I fear we will never be able to backpedal and correct the damage. At least I can say, I did a little less damage in my later years.<br />
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Doing what I can with the information that's out there and encouraging everyone to do so, no matter how much. Our ancestors did fine with less. I laugh when I see how going backwards in methods of living has become cool but I'm cheering young people on vigorously! When I see ridiculous prices for reusable items, it's not so funny. Keep it simple. One step at a time. It's not necessary to start all at once with all new stuff. Find a single difference in your own life that can be made that isn't inconvenient, uncomfortable, or impossible for YOU but still effective.<br />
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That's the Sucarichi Reboot Challenge for 2019. Wishing us all good luck!<br />
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Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-52476047592777204812018-08-08T23:27:00.001-04:002018-08-08T23:27:37.417-04:00Who's the Boss?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have an employee I need to discuss. Let's call him Richard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Without sugarcoating this, Richard is rude and separates the team with his boisterous arrogant attitude towards some of our customers. It's not all of the customers, which is key here. He treats others like they are family but talks about them behind their backs terribly. He feeds them lies about what he's able to do as an employee and, unfortunately, they believe him. That makes them question MY company's policies! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The personality Dick showed our panel during the interviews had me concerned at the time but they assured me he was a 'sane' worker. Later, I found several questionable situations he'd been involved in and confirmed he'd lied about a lot of his references. Sigh.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last straw has been that he's been consulting with a major competitor behind our backs, RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR FACES! This particular company has been trying to take down our business since my grandparents days and he knows it. They know our business treats customers and employees better than they do and they absolutely HATE it. Rather than do better for their people, they want to ruin ours. I don't know what they've promised him but it hurts that he is operating in this way. He's been asked about it and keeps taking up for them. The guy has no loyalty at all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've decided that Dick really is quite a bully. He likes to pick fights with everyone and does so frequently. But, I have noticed he backs down pretty quickly if he's confronted with his own words. It happened recently with one of our English clients. He couldn't repeat what he'd said to her face. Typical of insecure, sad little men. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He seems to <i>always</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> be on vacation and never around when we need him to take care of business. However, there are many times it's preferable that he stay out of business discussions. He lacks, uh, professionalism. Yes, we'll go with that word for now. </span></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My biggest pet peeve is that his manipulations are awful for team morale. Dick's been dividing and pushing others to anger quite quickly and then stepping away, grinning, as if he had nothing to do with it. I think they call that Narcissism. The team members are afraid he will cause trouble for them so they say nothing. It's strange how he constantly claims everyone's against him...like a little kid. It's pretty pathetic, actually.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lastly, I found out that Dick sold the Human Resources Representative a bill of goods. He made it seem he really wanted the job and was soundly qualified to do it. If HR had checked his application more carefully and spoken to his former employers, they would have found the jobs he held were definitely in sales, which was OK but not what we needed. But, the rest was a twisted, fabricated mess of 'little white lies' he told and shady dealings are popping up everywhere in his past. I want to fire the HR rep, too, but my partners are preventing me, so far. I have to bide my time on that as I argue my case. I don't know why everyone doesn't see the proof that he doesn't <i>fit </i>what we stand for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could say I just don't like the guy but he and others would look at that as being prejudiced and unfair. Personality does not make or break an employee, or rather, it shouldn't. Whether they are capable of good performance is the criteria. I don't care if they join the team for a barbeque or drinks after work as long as they don't cost me clients, our reputation, money, other good employees, or our mission statement. Our clients have been pushed away. Our reputation is in the toilet. Dick's costing us more than our profits. Employees are quitting but are being quickly replaced. We are hoping for a wave of new hires in November after our Job Fair.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, yes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our mission statement is the foundation of our company. It starts with "We the People...". You may know it. I discovered this guy hasn't even read it and he mimes his way through our company singalongs pretending he knows the words. Sigh.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not good at firing people. But this guy's gotta go. He's creating damage that will take YEARS to correct! When the Fraud and Press Departments are done gathering information, I'll present it all to the board and hope they finally understand the humungous error we made in hiring Dick. He has been a little antsy lately like he knows the firing is coming. Maybe he's worked out a new job with the competition. I hope so.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you asking me why he still works for us? I'm wondering that, too. Especially since he believes we work for <i>him</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wish us luck.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EbnGqY8kzc_l6JGQA-acl7Y6qzX0HjlKAkDkcTlhu5-Xbp6HyRp4YaCo5tBNHXYVk2cS4UJhMCOCyrjPUXamrk3sSKB5RoM0esC6mppe1Y3b3mToU5xRbBkuVGNbWE2EF-alUH6gbcQ/s1600/trumptruck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EbnGqY8kzc_l6JGQA-acl7Y6qzX0HjlKAkDkcTlhu5-Xbp6HyRp4YaCo5tBNHXYVk2cS4UJhMCOCyrjPUXamrk3sSKB5RoM0esC6mppe1Y3b3mToU5xRbBkuVGNbWE2EF-alUH6gbcQ/s1600/trumptruck.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Say Goodbye, Dick.</div>
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Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-15682666741683879592018-06-30T11:03:00.001-04:002018-06-30T11:33:47.672-04:00Is it Hard to be NICE?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think so. Because, in my opinion, it's not a real word. It doesn't require anything of you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nice is what someone says to not hurt your feelings about an outfit that doesn't look good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nice is how you describe a meal you didn't care for but pick at for the hostess' sake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nice how we think others see us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nice is the equivalent of today's 'fine', 'ok' and 'whatever'. It's a non-descriptive non-committed word.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I prefer words that fully describe feelings and leave no doubt. Recently, I've jumped on the word "Care" as a verb. Care is an action word. It involves someone besides yourself. You either do or you don't.</span><br />
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<li class="va-top ml-20 mb-8" style="margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow: auto; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><span class=" fw-xl d-ib va-top cl-b p-abs " style="clear: both; display: block; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">1.</span> <span class=" d-b cl-b ml-25" style="clear: both; display: block; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 25px;"> feel concern or interest; attach importance to something: </span> <span class=" cl-b d-b fc-13th ml-25" style="clear: both; color: #999999; display: block; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 25px;">"they don't care about human life"</span> </li>
<li class="va-top ml-20 mb-8" id="yui_3_10_0_1_1530366258790_389" style="margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow: auto; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><span class=" fw-xl d-ib va-top cl-b p-abs " style="clear: both; display: block; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">2.</span> <span class=" d-b cl-b ml-25" style="clear: both; display: block; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 25px;"> look after and provide for the needs of:</span> <span class=" cl-b d-b fc-13th ml-25" id="yui_3_10_0_1_1530366258790_388" style="clear: both; color: #999999; display: block; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 25px;">"he has numerous animals to care for"</span></li>
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On the First "Lady's" trip to show compassion for others or whatever her intention, she revealed, she may or may not care. Her husband shows again and again he does not care about everyone. The people that support him, I have hope for. If I don't have hope, I have nothing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Citizens have allowed brazen and disgraceful behavior to become the norm in the United States. I refuse to believe it is because people don't care. I want to believe it is because of a misplaced sense of survival, they don't recognize it or know how to confront it. Perhaps people feel weakened. They may feel there is nothing to be done and no way to help others. If the mindset is to accept the flourishing corruption in our country, the demise of Democracy and rise of not caring, we are ALL in a profoundly scary place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The bells are chiming lately to be 'civil', aka nice. The humans hearing that actually believe they ARE. Where is the disconnect? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The disconnect is because we tend to think in terms of black and white, not only in skin color, but for every issue you can name. Let's face it. It's easier that way. This is Good. They are Bad. They are all Rich. They are all Poor. The White Hat wins. The Black Hat loses. We are Smart. They are Dumb. They are the Elite. We are the Elite. We are Honest. They are Crooks. We tell the Truth. THEY are liars. We are Right. They are Wrong. We are Moral. They are Sinners. Ooh. That's a tricky one!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As divided as we have become on many issues since the never-ending campaign for this presidency, those same issues are bringing to light one glaring similarity. The statements above could be coming from the Right OR the Left. In fact, you will hear each one from both sides. Why do others not see that?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They don't care?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I listen to news channels discussing politics too much these days. It is akin to seeing a couple of Kindergartners in a sand box. They play while saying what they want. The talk doesn't have to be related to what the other is saying at all because neither child is really listening. However, an ear will perk up if one hears the word "ice cream" or "Superman". In the 'grownups' case, it's when they hear the catchwords "right" or "left".<i> I find the demand to identify with a side fascinating!</i></span><br />
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Cities are gathering this weekend to protest America's recent disgraceful Immigration policy of separating children at the borders from their parents without a solid plan to house or return them. I'm glad for anyone showing they care. I'm sad it took this to display it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love Rachel Maddow and how she presents news. I wept with her reacting to small, confused and frightened immigrant children. Now, don't scream at me. I want to open a discussion also related to children. Where are the tears and protesters when children are being separated from their lives in their mother's wombs? Where are they when foster children in the system already in the country need homes and stable families...of any sexual orientation? Where are they when children are being raised with trauma disorders, merely from being a certain color in this country? Where are they when those same children are exposed to violence from their neighbors and from those hired to serve and protect?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ones gathering at rallies to support policies displaying who we are NOT in this country should look within and at the religion they profess to be. Demonstrations of Christianity should bring others to God, not cause others to joke and sneer at Him and call you out as a hypocrite. Actions speak louder. LOVE speaks volumes! Caring is a start.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We are distracted by labels when caring for the Poor and disenfranchised should be our focus. We are stunted by our failure to communicate while sitting smackdab in the middle of the dwindling Middle-Class. Somehow we have lost our sense of what it means to be human and to care about fellow humans. The "self-made man" hears hackneyed words of "love of brothers and sisters" because they don't need anyone (pride) and anyone who needs help is weak (Ahem, Pride.) and to mention you need help is a weakness (Yo!! PRIDE!). The result is a failure to care.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">No one is asking for you to reach into your wallet constantly. To be honest, the Poor seem to understand what is real in life, i.e. Faith, Love family and human dignity. The rest just have a 'nicer' house and 'better' food. The Poor learn to care from a young age, to read faces and behaviors and care about what they find. They learn to share and to survive with others. The downfall of a neighbor is their downfall. The dignity of a man is important to his family's survival. An ability to care for a child is a mother's strength. The rest, well, they have the latest smartphone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How distracted are we to not see money does not make one virtuous nor does title and power? It doesn't even provide so-called Happiness. Seeing each person AS a person helps. No one has a patent on loving and supporting a family. Realizing we are ALL on this very fragile planet and only separated by water and ideals helps. Letting go of biased opinions and seeking to meet and understand others helps. Seeing others as we see ourselves helps. Not being an Us and a Them helps. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nice doesn't help. Caring does.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reboot? Review what issues and beliefs you have in common with the other "side" as a human....like they are. What can you do to show you care?</span><br />
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Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-60481637732897062062018-02-10T11:53:00.003-05:002018-02-10T11:53:40.997-05:00Russia aside...WTF?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Puzder<br />Porter<br />Bannon<br />Sorensen<br />Moore<br />Ailes<br />Lewandowski<br />O'Reilly<br />Kelly<br />
TRUMP<br />
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Women. Humans.<br />
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Abuse. Insults. Predatory behavior. Chauvinism. Illegal activities. Financial 'mishaps'. Changing the rules of our Democracy. Staff leaving before it all blows on a daily basis before they can be investigated? No CIA/FBI clearance of staff members of the White House? Cover-ups? Still employed? Lies about why they are unemployed now?<br />
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The swamp is being filled with Trump and his appointees, People.<br />
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Ivanka? Anything you'd like to comment on before next Friday?<br />
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Sucarichi Reboot? Open eyes and pay attention to news DAILY as changes and news happens. Tolerance becomes acceptance. Abnormal becomes normal. Unprecedented becomes the new norm if we don't pay attention.<br />
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Make America SANE again.<br />
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Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-47585782900162473352018-01-24T11:15:00.000-05:002018-01-24T11:15:23.727-05:00When In Doubt, Travel.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sounds too simple? It is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My husband and I just returned from a trip that was sorely needed. We had been facing an unsure America, our aging, our future needs and wants, what would be available for us that was promised by our Government but is ever-changing on a daily basis, and an unsure future under the current political atmosphere. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We put all that behind us and planned a vacation. We had to or go insane. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've found that getting away from your current surroundings is like a breath of fresh air. It allows you to drift from the ordinary days to one of curiosity, excitement, a newness clearing the mind and the spirit to come back and face it all again. It doesn't matter if the trip goes awry, if your luggage is lost, if Customer Service is rude, or where you went doesn't have your kind of toilet paper! (Yes, I've heard that complaint before.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The idea here is to let yourself be free to explore another area, nearby or far away. But it must be different than your own daily life. It doesn't have to be for long. For instance, this was a 12 day trip and we covered exactly what we wanted to and whatever else we found interesting. It wasn't necessary to spend a month looking at<i> everything</i> and going<i> everywhere</i> in Europe. We had a flexible plan. And it was great! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The negatives weren't 'negative' enough to completely absorb us, because you must have a selective memory of the negative or you will spend every moment of your time and money being miserable! And who wants that?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, we covered Berlin, where my daughter lives and showed us around, Amsterdam, and Prague. The pictures I took do not do these cities justice. I know you always hear that. Perhaps some of them do, as I am obsessed with doors, windows, and floors wherever I go. I love old Churches and structures. I love nightlights of cities as workers head home or out for the evening. I love quirky posters, ads, or, even stickers on windows. I am that kind of person you see taking pictures of the local food because it will always be a good reminder of the place, the atmosphere, the servers or guests we met. Their faces will come to me and I'll smile later. We talk to everyone, especially drivers who see the city and its people the most. We ask questions they are usually able to answer about themselves, if we speak a little of their languages and they speak a little of ours. Sometimes it's an hilarious exchange and we all laugh, settling on a few English words that get the meaning across.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We returned with fresh eyes on our Country to the same crazy daily news and chaos but we know the entire world is not like this, right now. We have hope that lessons will be learned from the places we've visited, good and bad. We can look at our lives and say, it's not that bad. It's not great. But it's not so bad. In short, we can deal with whatever the world throws at us. When we feel jumpy again, we'll plan something else. Fortunately, it doesn't require a lot of money, just time and flexibility.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All in all, I arrange our travels, not on guided tours, but to be free to hop a train to another city or town, to wander crooked cobbled streets to find a restaurant a driver recommended, to see and hear about the history behind a building or bridge we find. For instance, Daughter took us to Templehof Field. The entire area was an airfield for German Nazi planes just behind the buildings they used. We walked through this giant area that is now used for entertainment, sports, walks, runs, picnics, dog-walking. It's used for joyful experiences. They have completely taken its past and brought it into a peaceful future. I can appreciate it because one must take that conscious action of changing the negative to a positive to truly live. The hate must become love. The irritation must become tolerance. The frustration must become patience. Any other reaction is wasting your precious time while you are here.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGJLfEQEmv_MTBiZ8A27ukRS12h6GhJzBLojm-aZRSHXDB0QUaItRuozGPLMusnmsBbLm-CMNYEQJ_7iPmiQ-dOIZev6COi1DDJfgbn5-64Zc_FnRb3Z7ODJle7tX4zvplm328nxC0sw/s1600/20180116_150018%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGJLfEQEmv_MTBiZ8A27ukRS12h6GhJzBLojm-aZRSHXDB0QUaItRuozGPLMusnmsBbLm-CMNYEQJ_7iPmiQ-dOIZev6COi1DDJfgbn5-64Zc_FnRb3Z7ODJle7tX4zvplm328nxC0sw/s320/20180116_150018%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">It reminds me of when my older brother was around 8 years old and I was 6. We'd get on a bus just to see where it went, all the way to the end of the line to the other. We didn't tell Mom about that until we were adults or she'd have been crazy with worry. </span></span></span>We had a 'loose' plan but left room for what? We didn't know. But, even then, I knew we'd find it when we got there. It was called an adventure.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, that, my friends, is Life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sucarichi Reboot Challenge? Head out to a new neighborhood, city, a tourist place in your own city, take a bus tour like Hop-On Hop-Off of your own city, talk to people and find the best places to eat or to get coffee, ask about the neighborhood you are in. Maybe you'll hear some history if you ask an elderly person that's been there for a long time. You'll hear more interesting stories than if you were on a tour, I'll guarantee that! Live well, have fun, learn, connect with others. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I say again. This Life is not a dress rehearsal.</span></div>
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Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-73416755196644945402017-12-10T15:22:00.000-05:002017-12-10T16:16:15.831-05:00Is Trump the Anti-Christ? Or only Caligula-ish?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Great! Now that I have your attention. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I wouldn't even go here if I didn't truly believe the world doesn't revolve around me or you, but US, collectively, whatever religion, ethnicity, culture, country, status, class, sex, or any other reason we find to separate ourselves from one another. When I wake up with these thoughts on my mind, they have to be written. I felt the need to remind and inform about a few things. You may agree or not. That's our freedom. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">For now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">There is no other reason besides the following to assume this particular person's actions and behaviors portend the end-times. OF COURSE, we have no idea when that will be, if you believe it, and we aren't supposed to know. We are just supposed to be ready as it comes like a thief in the night. Every era has 'predicted it' inaccurately. I don't claim to see "signs" of anything or be in the prediction business. I just know that our time is not completely known. A day can be a thousand years and a thousand years, a day. We just don't know. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>HOWEVER</i>....Bear with me as I point out a few things and ties with Evil we haven't seen accumulate in such a short time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Who is known as the king of<i> </i>LIES?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Who profits by DIVIDING humans?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Who cheers for the DESTRUCTION and DECIMATION of both the planet and its inhabitants, humankind?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Who has become the BEST at sowing discourse amongst humans not only in this country but in the World?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Who encourages HATRED of others who don't look or think like they do?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Who is breaking up FAMILIES, FRIENDS, and NEIGHBORS who don't share the same opinion of him or his 'policies'?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Who is fast becoming the voice of WARMONGERING that will lead to the END of military and civilian lives?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Who is making the idea of grabbing a woman by the P@SSY something to aspire to because you can STILL become a President if ya do?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Who is ignoring the plight of the POOR, WIDOWS, SICK, IMPRISIONED, and WOMEN, in general, and pushes the same behavior in others?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Who gets the most joy from causing CONFUSION amongst the human race in that the less facts you know, the easier you believe the crazy?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">That's ten. Shall I stop here? I have more but yes, I will.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's incredible how much confusion and ignorance is circling like vultures around the world at each word, or tweet, that comes from his mouth or tiny hands. I'm being critical. Yes. I'm being unlike my usual calmer, peaceful, loving self. Yes. Forgive me. I'll get over it in a bit. This is justified anger but not clouding my Love, as I have hope, even for him and his cronies.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Keep in mind, I'm watching the slashing of our Democracy at the hands of someone who barely reads, let alone knows anything about our Constitution and treats everything like a 7-year old laughing at a fart joke. We've all come too far to have our lives run backwards by a quarterback who only wants to make a name for himself. By the way, he is running towards the other team's goal with the ball. (Yes! A football reference! Hope it's correct.) He may, as I've also given him, be the Best Salesman in the World. But he has sold the world a bill of goods that he can't deliver. And, shouldn't.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Every day you expect something odd to come from the White House. Every day we are no longer surprised. For a while every Friday, someone was fired or arrested or resigned. Every day Trump causes some DISTRACTION so you don't notice what he is really doing. (Prestidigitation. My favorite word but not how it's used by him. It means "sleight of hand".) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times";">Thank God for serious journalists who do their research! </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The important actions he can get away with like taking Native American/Public lands and selling to oil companies (whose pipes destroy that land with spills seen recently!), signing executive orders that will do more harm than good for anyone but him and his family and rich donors, hiring nonqualified individuals to run departments and allowing them to fire most of the staff who know what's happened (i.e. Secretary of State, Department of Education, Department of Energy who actually didn't understand his job description any more than the President did!), dealing with KNOWN adversaries for tit-for-tat financial profit and/or to pay back loans and/or keep secret whatever that country has on him. He leads the tax cuts that will hurt more than help the ones who need it most. Under the cover of night, he and his party sneaked a healthcare issue into the bill, with over 400 page poorly made copies with illegible handwritten notes in the margins. He made a conscious effort to break down <i>any</i> type of Peace Talks that have existed for 70 years, <i>tried</i> to allow trafficking of killed innocent sentient animals in Africa, and, finally, he's been cherry-picking which immigrants he will 'tolerate' based on how much oil they have and how much he can make off the deal. Otherwise, he has no use for them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black;">Basically, none of this means<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> he's stupid, only greedy power-hungry and underhanded. He won't even send his own emails (either he doesn't know how to or they are written proof that can be used in courts, as DJTJ just found out) but he still believes he's free to tweet every thought that comes into his head. It's a ploy. His backers, donors, supporters, and Party all have a sense of it but can't put their finger on it. Nor can I. We can only deal with ourselves and trust in God and Robert Mueller, at this point. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">If my fellow Christians actually realized how off-track he is leading them from God...Well, I pray for them, too. Each time his party was in office, to get there, they made promises in order to keep the base, had opportunities to make the desired changes, and didn't. Why? It would remove the issues that divide the parties the most and then, how would they keep you separate? When the best answer to questions I ask is, "I heard...", "They say...", or "Look at (insert name here) instead." and cannot be reasonably supported, it's not a reasonable debate. Just the facts, Ma'am. Just the facts.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As with everything, and I've said it before, what we tolerate now, we accept later. And, our children and grandchildren will pay for it. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We are becoming anesthetized to his nonsense. We laugh at the talk show hosts who point out serious problems with his thinking process, his narcissistic psychopathic nature. He can only hide so much though. What happens in the dark eventually comes to light.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Meanwhile, I pray for Donald J. Trump and his family as I have for every President in office that one day soon, he will realize....</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Truth will set you free, Mr. President.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sucarichi Reboot Challenge? Step away from the negativity today. Be kind to someone you may not know. Have a conversation with someone with differing ideas in your 'inside voice', logical, compassionate, and peacefully. Don't form opinions and responses until you've HEARD the other person's words. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times"; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i>Silent and Listen have the same letters. </i></span>Agree to disagree, if necessary. But don't fall into the trap of hatred and divisiveness that swallows us all these days. With understanding of what motivates others to believe what they do, we find understanding of ourselves. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We can be louder than the voices inside Donald Trump's head. (Oops. I said I'd chill. Sorry.)</span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-42796585234080662582017-10-21T14:33:00.000-04:002017-10-21T14:33:20.483-04:00Suffering 102 - The Sequel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last year I wrote of the onset of the sudden sorrow that impacted my life and others near to me.<br />
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Before you say, YEAH! She's better! Hold that thought...<br />
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I am better each second that ticks by because I'm here to witness it and live it. However, in witnessing what is happening in my State, in my Country, on my <i>Planet, </i>it's not going anywhere any time soon.<br />
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I could go on a Trump rant. I could go on a political one because even I can't say that he is the only one to blame for our ills. I could go on a racial rant or a human one or any number of rants that are consuming all of us these days.<br />
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No rant. I desire, no need, to speak soundly and clearly with you and whomever I encounter these days. Many will not broach particular topics with me. My husband was the first to notice the lack of bumper stickers on cars supporting Trump. I think back to when I was entreating my friends and family members to recognize that he was a dangerous man during the election year. Many are NOW beginning to see why I said it. Trump still cost me someone I thought was a good friend. Dropped like a hot rock, I was. I pray for her that her eyes have been opened by now. But there are still many who will not admit the error. I'll live with that.<br />
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It wasn't news to hear families, relationships and friendships were being broken during that time. I just never thought it was going to happen to me. Isn't that always the case, though? It's a common theme in war. Divide and conquer.<br />
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Fridays used to be the day we all looked forward to but now has become a test of my Faith and of my patience and of my security in this country, I grin and bear it knowing the end of the story. If this is the worst, we'll all be ok. If we haven't seen the worst to come, we'll still be ok.<br />
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News stations interview politicians, those with nothing to lose that is, saying we are being led to World War III. Children are worried they will have to leave all they know to go to other countries they've never even visited. The elderly and the sick are wondering if they will be able to care for themselves or afford treatments they desperately need. Young men of color are hesitant and emasculated by the feelings about driving in certain neighborhoods or walking the street where they may encounter violence (and it could be from those sworn to protect and serve us!), women cannot guarantee they will not be harassed because they have to work or walk down the street, and children have to watch the news with fear that they or their parents will die at any point. I know, Little Miss Sunshine over here.<br />
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Hurricanes, fires, floods, and random and intentional murders, poverty, greed, political strife, foreign threats, <i>domestic </i>threats....Earth has seen it all. We're still here. We suffer, we rebuild, and we are still here. <b></b><br />
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We rebuild because of our Will to survive. We help because of an innate desire to not see suffering in others. Yes, there are those that close themselves into their own world and fool themselves into thinking events won't affect them or their families. It's worse where they believe nothing they do affects others or don't care if it does. They are wrong. You cannot run from weather, violence, the very earth beneath you trying to shake you off. You can only hide, like in the Purge movies for so long before you or someone you know is affected. You are then forced to deal, personally, with the impact. <br />
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I believe there is a population of humans who do not believe they are like the rest and are fearful they are being eradicated in some way. They won't admit it as fear but it is and under the guise of defense of Patriotism. I think that is so very sad. Instead of reaching out, they feel trapped in a psychic corner when no one is actually 'after' them or their money. This increased paranoia is cheered on and encouraged and in my eyes, can only be called, Evil. Lies and confusion never comes from Good and Good never is the result.<br />
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Eyes have been closed to reality, to neighbors, to Love by someone without the best interest of the supporters of the lies in mind. People are vulnerable, willing to believe anything told to them at this height of fear and anxiety. That's all it is...anxiety. It is whipped up into a frenzy with a crowd mentality which can turn dangerous. We're seeing it everywhere. I'm speaking of ALL humans, not only one or the other political party or country.<br />
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Meanwhile, we fill our days with escapism, into social media platforms to calm our fears. We take a selfie with our best makeup because it may be the last. We suffer in silence, trading real people for "@" names that agree with us, consistently. Does it really matter how many people we don't even know 'follow' us?<br />
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Well. If that makes one feel better, I can only say Go for it. But you are missing out.<br />
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Love, Beauty, Forgiveness and Peace exist. A concerted effort is being made to hide them and destroy them but they are still front and center if you look with clear and loving eyes. Being afraid and angry will build a wall...yes, I said it...that will block whatever good you could otherwise see and appreciate. It stops everyone from hearing your true voice. It stops you from hearing others. It stops the connection we are supposed to have while we are here. That is the source of my recent sorrow.<br />
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When I look around me, in real life, I am surrounded by love and look for beauty and feel as peaceful as possible. If I get online, there are many who seek to disturb it all. I'm managing now to sidestep it. I don't <i>have </i>to respond to every negative post. I don't have to win. It's common sense. Step away from it. Minds determined NOT to change, will not BE changed. Not by us. We can only try by planting the seed, then leave it to grow or die.<br />
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If it were easy, we wouldn't have the list above of crisis in every direction you look or the depressing paragraph written above.<br />
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The Crisis of Us is helped with a checklist of self-awareness. What is it that you truly fear and feel threatened by? Why? Why do you feel actual hatred? How does that make you feel? How is that viewed by the children around you? What do you want others to know about you? Are you open to learning about others? Who do you love? Why do you love them? What good do you contribute to the conversation? <br />
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And there DOES need to be a conversation. Conversing is hearing speech, interpreting it, responding to it in a way that assures the speaker you heard correctly, then listening again. It is rude to be in the midst of formulating your response before the other person is even done speaking, don't you think? Yet how many times a day do we say to others "you are not listening to me" or "you don't understand". That was a Plank-in-eye moment, in case you missed it.<br />
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All won't be solved in a day, but what if all won't disappear in a day, either. We don't know when our individual or collective End comes. Do we really want to waste the time like this? What if there <i>is </i>a tomorrow?<br />
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Sucarichi Reboot Challenge?<br />
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1. Have a face-to-face conversation with someone of a different viewpoint without raising voices or trying to 'convert' them or focused on being 'right' today. <br />
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<i>2. Look at the sky, at the ground, a tree or whatever you consider Beauty. Take a deep breath. Realize that it's there for everyone to enjoy. Be happy about that.</i><br />
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Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-12345707428386298842017-04-06T12:42:00.000-04:002017-04-06T12:42:04.916-04:00Suffering 101<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>Beautiful Mind</i><br />
<i>Voice</i><br />
<i>Squad 38</i><br />
<i>Jealousy Incarnate</i><br />
<i>The King's Face</i><br />
<i>Love Me If You Dare</i><br />
<i>Kill Me, Heal Me</i><br />
<i>Gaekju: The Merchant</i><br />
<i>Innocent Defendant</i><br />
<i>Tree With Deep Roots</i><br />
<i>Arang and the Magistrate</i><br />
<i>Scarlet Heart: Ryeo</i><br />
<i>The Legend of the Blue Sea</i><br />
<i>Better Call Saul</i><br />
<i>Grace and Frankie</i><br />
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<i>The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt</i></div>
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<i>Billions</i></div>
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<i>Feud </i></div>
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<i>On Writing</i></div>
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<i>Why We Eat Pigs, Wear Cows, and Love Dogs</i></div>
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<i>Divine Intimacy</i></div>
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<i>Tuesdays with Morrie (on hold until further notice)</i></div>
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<i>Woman's World (weekly)</i></div>
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....and this is part of what has occupied my time since December 20, 2016. </div>
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Tuesdays with Morrie was a book I started and threw into the back seat of our vehicle until I dare to face it again. It was hitting too close to home. Morrie had time. Morrie wasn't gone in a little over a week. Everyone prepared for Morrie to leave. Morrie prepared for <i>himself</i> to leave and was making the most out of his final moments. We did not. My Mother did not.</div>
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The suffering and sorrow that comes with losing a loving parent is not anything I'd wish on my worst enemy. It can consume you if you allow it. Any type of suffering can. </div>
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<i>"The soul that is absorbed in its own sufferings and concentrates its whole attention on them, becomes unable to bear them serenely an courageously....Even when our suffering is intense, let us not exaggerate it, nor attach too much importance to it: let us not foster a morbid tendency to nurture our sorrow, to ponder over it, weighing and analyzing it under every aspect.. To act in this way would result in the paralysis of our spirit of sacrifice, of our ability to accept and to act, and would make us useless to ourselves and to others. One who is oversensitive and preoccupied with his own suffering, often becomes insensible and indifferent to the suffering of others." - Divine Intimacy</i></div>
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Losing my Mom on that day kicked into gear every thought of my own mortality, of sheltering my daughter from the dark hole that tends to swallow the strongest of us, and, literally, staying on my feet to do all I can while I am here, no matter how small the tasks.<br />
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As she lie upon the hospital bed, connected to everything but us, we gathered around her. We talked to her, we encouraged her, and we made sure she knew how much she was loved. When the time came for her to be called home, we were at her side with prayer, and watching the life leave her body. We toasted her with her favorite drink, cans of Pepsi (which mysteriously appeared in the room...seriously, they were NOT there earlier, only ginger ale!), and we thanked her for being such a stellar mother and grandmother. We stayed with the shell of her body left behind without her Spirit, wept, shared stories, and laughed a little. We finally left, reluctantly, as my daughter said, she didn't want her to be alone. <br />
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From that point on, there has been a humongous void in my life. It can't be filled by K-dramas, books, or magazines, or even the wonderful care and love from my family. I was sinking fast into the darkness of the soul many Saints spoke of and I was fully aware it was happening. It didn't shake my Faith but Life suddenly became tedious. It didn't happen immediately. As long as I was all about the business of handling the business of caring for Mom and travelling to make sure all went well for the rest of the family, I was, well, cool. <br />
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Girls' Night Out at Tracy Morgan's Show</div>
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But returning home, avoiding the street she lived on, the stores we frequented, the music she loved and the places we had our best laughs, even sitting in the car, or our last outing to see Tracy Morgan perform, I realized this is going to take more time than I thought. I can't pick up the phone to call her. I can't drop by to see her or surprise her with anything and we can't watch movies together. <i>What about our annual gathering with my husband to watch Tombstone!</i>. I'll have to bring palms to her on Sunday to a different place. I can't lovingly fuss at her about eating too much ham on Easter Sunday. I do laugh with her and talk to her, still. I see things she'd find amusing and laugh to myself. <br />
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I disappeared from the negativity of Facebook. I rarely make phone calls. Loving friends call me to check in. Family called. A wonderful priest told me to stop trying to hold in the grief and let my daughter know I feel it instead of 'being strong' for her. He emphasized the need to grieve together. It's better than grieving alone and brings loved ones even closer.<br />
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The suffering is real, Folks. How we handle it is by getting outside of it. We all think our suffering is the greatest because it is ours. <br />
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<i>"We must forget ourselves, go out of ourselves and our own sufferings, become interested in the sufferings of others and endeavor to alleviate them. This is a very effective way to regain in times of discouragement the strength to bear our own crosses. We should be mindful of the truth that we are never alone in suffering: That if our sufferings are great, there are always those who suffer incomparably more than we. Our troubles, often enough, are but a drop compared to the sea of sorrows in which mankind is engulfed, and are practically nonentities in comparison with the Passion of Jesus." - Divine Intimacy</i><br />
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Throwing my time and energy, what little there is, into being an advocate for foster children is like a rope thrown down to me in that dark hole I fell into, helping me slowly climb to the surface. The suffering I see in young eyes that didn't ask for the situations they are in snaps me back to reality that there are, indeed, so many more worse things that can happen....and ARE happening in the World. I abandon myself to it. I must. </div>
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I not only have to look outside of my own sorrows and sufferings but look outside of my house at others, look my city, at the State, at the Country, at the World! This, you would think, would make One more sorrowful at the overwhelming picture of suffering. But you'd be mistaken. It makes you see the needs and ignites the desire to do something about it. It forces you stop complaining and <i>do something. </i>It helps you see the beauty when a child hugs you and tells you they are glad you are there for them. It allows you to see that along with the suffering, there is peace. It <i>makes</i> you see one cannot exist without the other or you would appreciate neither.</div>
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My big brother, Dad, and Mom are not here. They are missed so very much. So, as I continue to binge-watch my Korean dramas, at the times I need to, and will pick up Morrie when I'm able to, I know this is, simply, Life. This is Living. This is Loving. This is Loss. But, it's not the End. The Love remains.<br />
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Sucarichi Reboot? What suffering can you name in yourself? How are you living with it? What are you doing to alleviate it outside of yourself?</div>
Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-1435800568931064072016-11-14T21:36:00.002-05:002016-11-14T21:54:22.281-05:00Been There, Done That!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Imagine if he'd lost.<br />
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The thought occurred to me on the way to Mass. It would be so much worse for everyone. Stay with me now....<br />
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That fired-up population that supported Trump was being stoked into a frenzy of hatred, insults, all based on fear. Knowing they will soon become a minority in this country frightened them silly! It was predicted many years ago that the Hispanic population would grow at a considerable rate in the United States. Guess some of them had the book "MegaTrends" read to them. Sorry. I mean the rumor got around. Hence, the Great Wall of Trump.<br />
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Many rumors got around. When President Obama was elected, there were rumors he would become a dictator and have white people picking cotton. They were only off by 8 years. KIDDING! I will respect the Office of the Presidency. I will pray for the man that occupies the office. I will pray for his soul that seemed so disgustingly, dare I say, evil?, to be changed by God's grace. I've handed the reins over to God, which is what needed to happen for my own peace.<br />
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For the United States to have any semblance of Peace, this all needed to happen in just the way it did. The pseudo-manners needed to be seen for what it was. The fear, anger, hurt, and offenses needed to be heard on both sides if only to realize there are those feelings existing on all sides of humanity. I have plenty of theories about what will occur next but they mean nothing in the face of what he's promised. <br />
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It's, to use a weak term, unfortunate, that voters will find none of the promises kept, that they will lose more money, insurance, have more taxes to pay, and, sorry, no wall will be built. At least a physical one will not be built. IF the citizens of this country continue to be divided since Trump stirred the pot, we will all lose. Many cannot see that yet. Trust me, I hope I'm wrong. Still, all signs point to the egotist and what he can gain from where he is now. <br />
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He's currently stating that he doesn't want to live in the White House all the time but in his NYC penthouse apartment. So the King can look down upon the rest of the World as he's always envisioned? That's what he's concerned about now. Amongst all the work he'll need to hit the ground running to do, his penthouse and businesses are on his mind? OK. Those in his camp hint he didn't get the full job description before beginning this wild ride. I believe that. I say his party wanted <i>anyone </i>from the party to be there. I wish them luck controlling his impulsive, compulsive nature. Voters will find that much of what he proposed doing is not Constitutional, irrational, and, certainly, not under the description of President.<br />
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They may be very disappointed, in other words. <br />
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Me and people like me? We've been through so much in this country that this will be a cakewalk. That's why I encourage others not to lose their minds over this, try to soothe the angry rhetoric, and calm souls whenever I'm able. I do this only after I've checked my own feelings, of course. It's a struggle. But, this is just another bump on the American Road. We are the toddler of the World and were just given a loaded pistol. <br />
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For those too young to know or those who haven't studied U.S. History, we've been here before and survived with less. The young people protesting in the streets of all races and sexual orientations, my heart goes out to them. I realize they are hurting and want to get it all out of them. The emotions are running high. We mustn't let the emotions sap up all of our time and energy, though. Petitions will not remove Trump nor will it make Clinton president. A biggie would have to happen before the inauguration in January. So far he's done everything short of burn down an orphanage on Christmas Eve and still has support. Despite the conspiracy theories and dissatisfaction with the Election process, there <i>is</i> a Democratic process that was followed and must continue to be respected or we are all sunk. It's the rubber band holding this country together, these days.<br />
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Everyone has an issue that they thought would be resolved by whoever they voted for. That's not how it works. For instance, abortion is legal, with conditions in several States. Both parties have had their chance in office over the years and neither has actually <i>done</i> anything about it, for OR against. The reason they ignore it once elected is because it is a 'hot' issue that secures their base for their party. That's all. No one will ever change it. Google "stare decisis et quieta non movere". It is Latin and means to stand by and adhere to decisions and not disturb what is settled." Good luck finding a Supreme Court Justice of any belief that will mess with it. We can't agree on <i>anything, </i>let alone something as important as that law. This is the reason I disagreed with the <i>American </i>Roman Catholic Churches and their stances which were obviously against what Pope Francis could clearly see yet all Christians could not. <br />
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Anyway, there are many other issues to consider that won't necessarily be pointed at as moral ones, unless we are speaking about our planet's health, the benefits to elderly and disabled, giving helping hands to those who need it, not splitting up families and more. It makes us look like we are not as loving and charitable as I know we can be.<br />
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Meanwhile, I've had good friends for years that thought differently and could not discern <i>why</i> I could not endorse the man. These are truly good people with kind hearts. Every question was met with what sound like Trump's voice. No one was thinking for themselves or about others, at all. It pained me with all that was said and done against people who look like me, against women in general, they could still say he was the better candidate. They couldn't see. It made me question if they've ever really seen 'me'. Are they among those who've sold their souls to the Devil for money or the promise of more money? Do they really not see the negativity brought out in others by him? Did they not see the darkness in the eyes at rallies, the physical attacks on others, the lack of reason and love? It made me question so much it shook my faith in man...a little. It did confirm that there is a faction feeling they must make others feel poorly in order to make themselves feel worthy. That is sad...But!....<br />
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Hey, still me over here. Will always be. This uniform I wear, this colorful outer shell, is decorative, yes. It is the first thing others see about me. But, it can cause fear, hatred, and breaks down communication. It makes others believe I lack intelligence, skills, or experience. It makes others think of me as 'less than'...less than human, not kind or loving to others and without a loving family. Still, some want to touch it. Some want to own it. They wonder if it comes off, if it's soft or rough, if they will like it or not. Not if they'll like ME or not. I think that's the true fear. They might like it...and me. Then they have a real dilemma. They will <i>care.</i> Egads!<br />
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You think it's not easy being green? Try being brown in the USA. The country's mask was ripped off and shocked itself and the World. Thank you, Mr. Trump. It is a good thing you did, even if you don't realize it.<br />
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Reboot Challenge? No more 'tolerate' other races, seek to understand. No "agree to disagree", have the discussion not a fight. Love your enemy and everyone else, too! </div>
Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-70279552841232683902016-09-14T13:19:00.000-04:002016-09-14T13:20:51.159-04:00One Thing I've Learned....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Alright, maybe two or three.<br />
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1) No one thinks the same as you do, 2) No one can do what you do, and 3) No one else can BE you.<br />
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I should end this blog right there. But, you guys know me by now and I am incapable of that.<br />
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When I wrote my first book and published it, although it's under the pseudonym Rostand Reads, I had many people thinking and saying, "That came out of HER?"<br />
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What I write was very different than the 'me' others know. It <i>should</i> be that way or it's not good fiction, in my humble opinion. It surprises many that, yes, she has an imagination. So do you. If you don't write or even think and speak honestly and truthfully from your inner being, you risk being seen as a totally different person than intended. <br />
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You are what you think. Share it. It gets others going, too.<br />
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Getting the first book out there shocked many. The second and third of the series will, too.<br />
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When did she do that? How did she do it? Why didn't she say something about it? I have my reasons. When I complete something is when others find out about it, normally. That is to avoid the naysayers and fear-mongers of the world afraid to move and veer off-course. Not that I have any special talents that I know of, but when you do what only you can do, it's done in the way that only YOU can do it. Does that make sense? <br />
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For every step you take in life, it's yours and only yours. No one can step for you. No one else can bring you up or down (or shouldn't be allowed to!). No one is on <i>your </i>journey but you. Walk on. Oh, whatever, RUN if you want to! <br />
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There is only one You ever created on Earth. You have not existed in the past and will not one day in the future. What you leave behind you will matter to someone somewhere. Make it count. I'm leaving a beautiful, accomplished and fearless daughter behind one day, for sure. I don't expect to leave masterpieces behind in writing, painting, composing, or the cure for the common cold, but I'll tell you a secret. <br />
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Someone I greatly admire pointed this out to me recently and I have to share it. <br />
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The way you can tell how a person lives is not by judging them but observing them. It tells how they are and will be with you. It's how they treat the people they are responsible for in life.<br />
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You can see how parents are with their children, how politicians are with their constituents (and families!), husband and wives with each other, teachers with students, owners/managers with their employees...you get my drift. There is a wealth of information there about "the Person". In saying this, I realize, personally, how I must be aware of those I'm responsible for, including myself. <br />
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Be the person others can turn to. Be the person who cares for themselves. Be kind to yourself. Be the one that is willing to help and to listen. Be the one that respects and encourages others. Be the one that cheers when others do well. Be the one that loves everyone and wants the best for them and yourself. For there truly is only one 'you'. <br />
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Reboot Challenge? Start being the best YOU today.</div>
Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-18778041204055299112016-08-28T14:39:00.000-04:002016-08-28T19:41:45.866-04:00Dove Right In!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
With every blog post, I've tried to encourage others to live their lives to the fullest, in peace, try new everything, and love everyone. I, mostly, have hinted at leaving your comfort zone, not in that terminology. <br />
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Well. I decided to take my own advice. <br />
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I wrote a book. It may not be a classic any day. But, I wrote it. I edited it. I designed a cover for it. I self-published it. And, I market it on my own. I learned each step along the way and made mistakes that I had to brush off and start over and start all over again. It's been quite the learning experience. There are still quite a few things left to understand and grasp, but you get the main idea.<br />
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Who knew that I could do such a thing? It's not bragging. It's telling you that leaving your comfort zone that keeps you in one place and miserable or stagnant, is not as difficult as you think. I want to shout it from the rooftops but only my neighbors would hear me. Not sure my husband would bail me out or have me committed to an asylum, if I did.<br />
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So, that's the main topic I thought of this morning. Whatever it is that you long to do, do it! Whatever it is that you desire to learn or try, try it! It may not be the best, but it will be YOUR best. And that's really all that matters in the long run, right?<br />
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I refuse to be 80 years old one day (God willing!) and regretting that I never tried. It's not for the huge amount of sales one imagines. It's not to get my name out there because I publish under a pseudonym. It's not for bragging rights. It's just because I wanted to experience it. <br />
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There is more under wrap for this story, as a collection, for other book ideas I have on various topics, and who knows what will come next. We all have a book in us waiting to be written. This is what I imagined from The Five Chinese Brothers and Pippi Longstocking to Agatha Christie and Victor Hugo growing up. I'm an information-junkie and that will never change. My imagination can take any news article and bring up questions to be solved, lots of "what-ifs" and change it into a tale of whatever spills out. <br />
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Fear must have no part in any of the process. "What will people think?" "What if it doesn't sell?" "What if it's just baaaaaad?" Who cares? The process was for <i>you and no one else.</i> I want to get this book out there just because I want to share it with others. There is no other reason. If they like it, great. If not, O.K. my feelings aren't hurt. In fact, I encourage ALL honest reviews and opinions. It helps me become a better writer and stronger person than if all my family and friends said "That was fantabulous!" but didn't mean it. The bad comments will never kill you, I've decided.<br />
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If anyone is interested, it's here with probably some formatting issues I missed, but the story is a good short-read with more to come. <br />
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(Don't forget that review!!)<br />
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Book One ,We Were Choi and Lee is being sold on Amazon.com for Kindle, etc. and paperbacks. It's free for Kindle until 8/29/16 as a promotion to jumpstart it! <br />
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Reboot Challenge? DO IT! Whatever it is!</div>
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Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-66310722096060738172016-08-09T15:25:00.003-04:002016-08-09T15:25:46.694-04:00Time Has Come Today<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There was a post in my head that was thoughtful, relevant, detailed, meaningful, planned, and ready to go! And, then I fell asleep.<br />
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I think we all know how that goes. If ya don't write it down, it's GONE! Poof!<br />
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So, you get this. It's almost as good. Maybe. I don't remember. If I do, you'll be the first to know.<br />
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Anyway. <br />
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Losing that amazing post DID prompt a consideration of Time and how it passes in our lives. I may have said it before, and not to sound morbid only truthful, from the time we are born, we begin to die. It's just a fact. No one's getting off this planet alive. I made your day just then, didn't I?<br />
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This is why every moment we have should be made to count! Every day we wake up should be when we think of what we want to experience and DO that day, what opportunity we want to MAKE happen, not wait for it, and the GOOD we want to leave behind when we are gone. It doesn't matter if our name is in a History book as long as it's in someone's heart and memory.<br />
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We should be making experiences, meeting others that are not of the same neighborhood, let alone the same culture. We should be learning a new skill or hobby or language. We should be travelling to see the rest of the World and its inhabitants, and not afraid to do it. We should, simply, speak to a stranger and/or offer help to one. You never know what that could mean to another's day...or life. Strangers are only those who we haven't met yet.<br />
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Time has come today to not be afraid to live our lives and not stay in a 'comfort zone' forever.<br />
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Those who create anything...art, music, write stories and plays and scripts are successful ONLY because they make that trip outdoors or inside themselves. Yes, the scariest place can be going inside oneself and learning who you are and what you are made of. But, if one lives in the one place, doing the same thing everyday, seeing the same people, having the same conversations, it IS the definition of insanity if you expect something new and wonderful to happen in your life.<br />
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We were not made that way. We were not made to be stagnant. That's why we have free Will and free Spirits to fly and move and change and GROW. We were not meant to be depressed at our situations but to have the courage and curiosity to change it. We are meant for so much more.<br />
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But we have to take that first step in the unknown direction to start.<br />
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Reboot Challenge this week? Don't waste your Time. Soar and be absolutely fabulous at it!</div>
Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-5595967088958187962016-07-27T21:19:00.001-04:002016-07-28T00:07:41.184-04:0010 Christian Myths<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hiya!<br />
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This has been sitting on my mind and heart for a while since we have been going through turbulent times in the U.S.A. in the last few weeks (or decades). <br />
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There is a tension in the air that everyone can feel and trust me, Satan, whether you believe he exists or not, is sitting back sipping a cup of tea like a Kermit the Frog meme, loving every minute of it. Whether or not you believe, please continue reading just to educate yourself on a few matters, in case the topic comes up.<br />
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<b>1) Christianity is a made-up religion used as a crutch by those able to be 'brain-washed' to believe it</b>.<br />
There is a deep history of theologians, scientists, scholars, priests, nuns, laypeople, who have studied, written, and 'believed'. They were not dummies or blind followers but great thinkers and fact-checkers of their day. There are many who started out trying to disprove Christianity and Christians and found themselves converting because they couldn't find anything but the Truth in it. It happens to this day. There are no Crusades. There is evangelization but not in the political meaning being used by Christians in the States. Brothers and Sisters are <i>seeking and learning.</i> I believe that is why some don't seek the information. To be proven incorrect or have to question what you believe can be a painful adjustment. They'd be pulled toward what they 'think' they aren't ready to commit to and being a Christian AIN'T for wimps. That's where the Faith comes in. "Be not afraid."<br />
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<b>2) All Christians hate women who want or have had abortions and the clinics, different ethnicities, homosexual or transgender men or women, and are all bigots.</b><br />
Christians are not taught to hate as Christians. That's a personal problem for each to seek Guidance about. The ones that gather and show their a--, I mean their ugly side, are not following the teachings of Jesus Christ and His Church. We may hate the sin and love the sinner but would <i>never</i> disrespect our neighbors, their funerals their families and friends, their lives as our brothers and sisters, their civil rights, or try to prevent Love because that is preventing Jesus who IS Love from making Himself seen. We cannot <i>condone</i> the acts taken by all of our brothers and sisters. We pray they come to some realization that the sin is not necessary for Love to be shown.<br />
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<b>3) Christians are trying to </b><i><b>control </b></i><b>women's health.</b><br />
A Christian will try to offer an <i>alternative</i> be it assistance to keep a child, adoption, or a method that won't harm women trying not to get pregnant. The science behind the Creighton Fertility method revealed that it is as effective as birth control pills. I'm targeting particularly pills (shot, implants) as they cause the most harm to women's health. Also, problems present themselves when women stop using these types of contraceptives and should they desire to conceive later. Please see www.CreightonModel.com for more information on how to safely avoid or encourage pregnancy.<br />
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It's about knowing our own bodies and when to say 'yes' or 'no'. It's respecting our own bodies and our partners respect it as well to realize it's a 'yes' or a 'no' time. It actually respects women more and gives more control to women than the pharmaceutical companies do with the harmful and less effective, means of knocking on the door of your womb. There are plenty of people trying to conceive that could be helped by this method and it has been proven to work where IVF has not. <br />
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If adoption is not the manner a woman has chosen, there are worldwide organizations to help her to cope with her decision. Everyone says, "It's no big deal. I'll get over it.". However, there are studies that show the many women who've regretted the decision at some point in their lives, maybe not immediately, but at some point. And as a Christian, you better believe forgiveness IS there if they seek it. God and His Children are there for her. If one Christian doesn't help, there's another. Don't give up.<br />
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<b>4) Speaking of which, Christians are unforgiving.</b><br />
Christians believe in Jesus Christ. God appeared in love and weakness in the form of a poor infant, not as King of the Universe everyone expected in a Messiah, in order to live as Man, understand Man, suffer and die for Man, enter Hell and save God's children from eternal death from Original Sin (see Adam and Eve) and rise again. Now, there are disagreements on some of the principles of the Faith that turn others away. This is one of them. Even your holiest, shout in the aisles, and praise the Lord Christian will have someone in their lives that they won't forgive and walk away from, talk trash about, ignore, neglect or fight. This is not the behavior we are called to exhibit so don't get that wrong if you are a nonbeliever or non-practicing Christian. We believe that if Jesus says in the Bible to forgive your brother Seventy times Seven times (and that's only an example meaning "always") then we do. That's all there is to it. We cannot even pray, in good Faith, the "Our Father" (you may know it. Jesus taught his disciples to pray it and we do daily). That prayer specifically asks God to forgive us OUR trespasses AS WE forgive others who trespass against US. Soooo...we are asking for forgiveness but can't give it ourselves? Or we give it stingily? Or we take it back? Then we'll be forgiven the way we forgave others. That's a hot topic and a bad place to be.<br />
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<b>5) Christianity is a special "club" that only Saints can join. Sinners need not apply.</b><br />
The Church calls <i>all</i> our brothers and sisters because all were made by God in our Beliefs, whatever religion you profess to be, if any. The Healthy don't need a Physician. From my studies of World Religions, it is the only one where a God, in this case, just well, God reaches toward Mankind in Love and Desire for Man to love and desire to be with Him. Christians can reach up and, figuratively, grab his hand, instead of climbing a mountain to get to Him, saying the right things and doing the 'right' thing. We just have to acknowledge and love Him and others. Simple. With others Man has mankind doing something extraordinary to reach <i>Him or the place that is their goal</i>. Christianity is full of Love and Peace. Don't get me wrong. There have been times in History where this wasn't shown but don't blame Christianity. Like today, MAN does evil or forces others against their will in the name of God. They have to atone for that. No judgment needed down here from anyone trying to answer the door of their glass house with a plank in their eye on Earth. That's just how it works. This is why you cannot expect every Christian you meet to be perfect. There's no use tossing that into a conversation in order to shame or discredit Christianity. Of course, we are not perfect! We are flawed humans. <i>But we have a chance at Eternal Life.</i> Pardon me but Thank God for that! And, yes, we will die for that rather than turn our backs on the Lord. Martyrdom? Yeah, Duh! That's what you call it.<br />
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<b>6) "If their God is so good aren't all the Christians supposed to prosper" i.e. be rich, have a big house, nice car, designer clothes and money to burn.</b><br />
Christians prosper, just not always in that way. God answers pray<b></b><b></b><b></b>ers but He is not an ATM. Our Bible tells us it is easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle (the small openings in town walls in Israel) than a rich man into Heaven. There's a reason for that statement. Once people are dazzled by currency, they stop seeing the Lord and spending quality time with Him. Either they want it, want more of it, or have it and want more of it. Let those thoughts mean Love of God, not dollars. Christians are called to help one another, to be charitable with whatever we have. There's a Biblical story of a woman that gives her last penny. Foolish woman! The man who shares his last bread with a neighbor? Dummy! Shoulda kept it! A Woman that pours expensive perfumed oil over Jesus' feet and washes it with her hair? Judas saw that and blew his top! I'm just going to say, google the definition of Humility. Works<i> and</i> alms are counted. If people have that money and are rolling like that, as they say, and believe <i>they</i> were the ones who got it all on their own without a "By-your-leave" or "Thank you" to God. Silly rabbit! God didn't <i>have</i> to wake you up and keep you strong and healthy enough to get it, you know? If they don't have it, they pray to God to get it. Yes, God is our Father and wants the best for us, which is what He offers for all Eternity. It has nothing to do with greenbacks and I would take it over a McMansion any day.<br />
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<b>7) Christians are always happy and healthy and so are their families or they did something to displease God.</b><br />
<b> </b>Suffering is unavoidable. The worst things you can imagine can happen to you or someone you know and love. This is not a 'punishment' from God. This is not God being 'mean' or 'uncaring'. The prayers were heard. His answers always Yes, No, or I have something better. Nothing could be better than to be in His presence. Argue if you must. (Read Old Testament Book of Job)<br />
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<b>8) Christians can't even agree with one another. </b><br />
<b> </b>Actually, this is true, in a large sense. There are different Bibles, interpretations, church teachings, and information has been dropped and lost over the years in favor of a more "cafeteria-like" religion. Pick and choose the parts you like. That won't change in our lifetime. But it will change. It began 1500 years after Christianity began and has been convoluted ever since. We all do, however, believe in Jesus, in God, in the Holy Spirit, in the acts of Jesus to save our Souls, just not in the same way. As I said, it's changed in the last 500+ years.<br />
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<b>9) Every Christian you encounter will argue, berate, scare, and stalk you into Conversion.</b><br />
Thousands upon thousands of nonbelievers were converted at a time by Jesus. Saints converted thousands at a time, like St. Anthony of Padua. As laypeople, we will likely mention Jesus to you, for something to think about for your Soul's sake since we care about you. Many of us can't keep quiet about Him. It's that way when you are in love, right? If it's done right, you will think about it, maybe pray about it, maybe do your own research on Christianity, and find that, yes, that's where you belong, hopefully. If not, we've done what we were called to do. We planted the seed. Many have this mixed up and must be forgiven. In their zeal and love for Christ, it may be off-putting to nonbelievers, even making others angry to the point of insulting of the entire Faith. Don't freak out! The Truth is, if we are living our Baptismal Promises, others usually <i>come to us</i> and ask what the deal is. That's an opening to discuss. I'll never beat you over the head with my Holy Bible, OK? Scouts honor!<br />
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<b>10) Catholic Christians don't believe in Jesus or the Bible.</b><br />
Ooh! That's a biggie! That requires one to do a bit of research of the origin of the Bible you use, if you use one, and/or how the Church began in the first place. "Interpretation" is a fickle verb. Leave it to each person, pastor, and church and that's where the fiery debates begin. There shouldn't be any debate since we all agree on the basics. But Divide and Conquer is a winning strategy except we know WHO wins at the end of this story. Anyway. Let's just say the Catholic (Greek for 'universal') Church's Mass is prayed 24/7/365 by a Priest somewhere on the planet, even if it is one lone Priest in the middle of nowhere making his way to deserted area as the Apostles did. We have many beliefs that are not for the weak. They are not secret. Just ask someone who knows their Faith. Unfortunately, there are quite a few that have forgotten or been caught up in the World and no longer have correct answers. The Mass is derived from Jewish Tradition and practices making us Judeo-Christians as Jesus came as a Jewish man for Jewish people and then Gentiles. During a Mass you'll hear readings, prayers, praises, thanksgivings, prayer requests, psalms, from the Old Testament (<i>which contains all of the Books of the original Bible)</i>, followed by more prayer, hymns, readings from the New Testament and, finally, the Gospel Reading and maybe a Homily (or known as a Sermon to others). And get this. It's an hour on Sundays and half-hour through the week. Oh, yes! There are Masses throughout the week including Saturdays. The Church Year includes the entire life of Christ from Conception to Pentecost (the start of the Church filled with the Holy Spirit. Another topic!). And the same readings from the Bible are being read all over the World on the same day. Does <i>that</i> sound like Catholics don't believe in Jesus and use the Bible? Sounds weird but we <i>ingest</i> Him as instructed in the Gospels. It's no symbol. Men walked away and <i>left Jesus </i>that night He pronounced it because <i>He wasn't kidding when He told the disciples this is my body and my blood. Do this in remembrance of Me.</i> That's why I said it's not for wimps, half-jokingly.<br />
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I won't get into a Catechism here. There are plenty of Churches throughout the World that have Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults classes to have questions answered and not be obligated to convert that can handle that for you. <br />
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My final word on the topic is this post is because I've been <i>horrified</i> by the Christian political supporters of all kinds who are encouraging and spewing hate-filled disruptions at rallies, conventions, on Facebook, in forums, in comments to articles and in person and hurting and killing one another. When did we stop using our words, reasonably, with one another? We all must be patient with each other and realize that worshippers of every type of faith are all searching in their own way for the Love and Peace of God. <br />
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Only they've never known it or have, sadly, wandered away from it. It's right there. There. Right there. No, not to the Right. Go left. Your other left. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Uh-uh. Too far Left. A bit more centered. Yes! Got it? See it? Excellent! That's where the care for the humans on this planet and love need to be focused in God's name! Peace be with you.<br />
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For these I offer prayers today and always.<br />
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Reboot Challenge? Want to know more? Libraries and most bookstores are full of authentic, non-biased books telling the History of the Church's beginnings and expansion throughout the World, writings by Doctors of the Church, Saints like Teresé of Liseux (the Little Flower), about The Reformation, and more to explain why we are where we are today. Check 'em out or strike up a conversation with the one in the room you feel is the most at Peace with themselves and the World (you should be able to tell and it's not the one with the most charisma or friends. That's different.). Pick one this week. Get informed, if not converted. Thanks.<br />
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Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-69692325811906980202016-06-10T09:30:00.000-04:002016-06-10T09:30:08.420-04:00King, the Man-Dog<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Once there was a dog named, King. <br />
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He lived in a house with my grandfather and grandmother. <br />
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As children, we were told by our grandfather that King was part German Shepherd and part WOLF...and we believed it. He was an odd blonde dog that stayed by my grandfather's side whenever he wasn't working. When my grandfather worked overnight at the steel mill, King laid between the kitchen and dining room, blocking the way to the bathroom but also right where he could protect my grandmother, if necessary. I like to believe that is why our grandfather got King in the first place. To guard his treasure. His wife.<br />
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Did I mention that King could speak?<br />
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My Mom and grandmother were witnesses to the day the doorbell rang and King, being King, knew he would have to go outside or into the back bedroom. He slowly picked himself up and said, "Oh, shit!". <br />
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His regular saying was "I don't know." but he frequently disguised it as a yawn. <br />
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When they were on their back porch relaxing, there you could find King. Faithful, watchful, always in the way, King. We, at least, I, couldn't tell when he was watching us kids or sleeping most of the time. I always <i>felt</i> a pair of eyes on us. That could be a young girl's imagination. So, I continued to jump rope, play hopscotch, bounce balls, and sit on the steps slurping popsicles and wondering what it would be like to climb the huge crabapple tree in the backyard. Weird as I was, and am, I always felt King was 'judging' me in some way. What a strange thought! As far as I know, King considered us as pieces of furniture!<br />
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Strangely, as I think of feeding my friend's dog while I stayed with her for a bit (although she had a rule not to feed him from the table!), we never fed King. We never played with him. Only our grandfather was allowed to toss the ball for King. Now, my friend's dog was sweet and curious, liked being pet and had a "little boy" bark for a German Shepherd. Chester immediately took a liking to me and would stand by me, sitting, and push his nose under my breast. OK. He was an odd one. My husband began calling him Chester the Molester. But, we split some Mexican food one night so we were cool, Chester and I. But, I digress.<br />
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Back to my earlier doggy experiences, our grandfather would get the can of Alpo, dump it into King's dish, and shmush it around a bit with the can to break it up. I remember absolutely <i>hating</i> the smell of it and the sound of it. When I eventually tried canned corn beef hash, I went back to that memory...Ugh!<br />
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King never bothered us and we never bothered him. We, instinctively, knew not to. Unless he was blocking the path to the dining room. Then he'd stay still while we jumped or stepped over him. No. King would not budge for anyone but the grandparents. Even then he might have required a shove with a slippered foot.<br />
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King was always there to send our grandfather off to work the 3rd shift and he was there to welcome him back in the morning. I often wonder if each time King might have had the thought that our grandfather was never coming back each night. King wasn't a 'jumpy' happy dog. He was a 'chill' one. King made note and went back to lie down if anything happened out of the ordinary. He just did his job as being protector and Man's best friend for many, many years.<br />
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I think King was always an old dog. We never made it past the one-sided admiration I secretly had for him.<br />
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I miss that proud old dog.</div>
Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-8130660811807969872016-05-15T14:06:00.001-04:002016-05-15T14:06:53.409-04:00I Took A Walk On The Wild Side and Fell Down<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I ran. I ignored my increasing problems. I went to meetings. I ran errands. I drove here and there. I missed meals. I stressed and didn't even know it. I felt the weakness coming. I'm not a total idiot...just a stubborn one. <br />
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After walking down a path like I'd had one too many Tequila shots <i>with</i> a cane, I had to admit. Uh, this isn't quite right.<br />
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Therefore, as I made the morning step up to the scale and the hip flexor said, " Not today, Dear!", down I went. It was comical, actually. No, really! I'm glad there wasn't a camera to catch it, still.<br />
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With Multiple Sclerosis, you never know what's going to hit and when, when it will stop and correct itself or if it will, at all. It's very much like Life. Unpredictable. Yes. That's the word.<br />
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I ended up with an enjoyable 5-day stay at the hospital. Don't be sorry. We had the "fun" room with a great view of the river leading out to the Bay, my roommate and I! We were the room nurses and aides came to just to hang out. Although my neighbor was very ill, she was also <i>very</i> funny. That helped a lot. A nurse we laughed with often, was explaining to her about vasovagal syncope, which can happen when people strain trying to have a bowel movement and pass out. That's the short explanation. How we got on the subject is still unknown to me. My roomie who was older than me, whispers to her, "Is it like a really good orgasm?" With that, we all lost it! <br />
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Again, I take my hat off to nurses and all they do. I've never had a bad stay thanks to them. Now, doctors...<br />
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OK. They were great, too.. Except for the one night I opened my eyes in my bed to see a dark shadow of a man's figure standing over me like Count Dracula. He'd come around midnight to explain the answer to a question I'd had much earlier in the evening. <br />
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"Um...Thank you? The nurse explained it earlier to me. We're good. Good-night." <br />
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And with that he silently left the room. When we met again with his superior, I skipped the introductions, saying, yes. we'd met in the middle of the night. I thought I dreamt it. We all thought and said, like Batman was standing watch over me. Creep-eeeeeey. <br />
<br />
I couldn't wait to get out of there! Not because of that but because of the desire to be <i>home</i>. Being in your own home is really taken for granted. I wanted to get out and give the bed to someone who needed it more than I did by then. I wanted to get home to my husband who was making two trips a day to see me. I wanted to get home to have control over my life and activities again. I wanted to get home...hold on to your seats...to get back into my routine! Yes! I've developed a routine, of sorts. Well, for me. And for the first time in my life. If you've read other blogs here, you know what I mean.<br />
<br />
However, returning home from a hospital stay with a husband who is, lovingly attentive, a good nurse, and a good WARDEN, I find myself with cabin fever. No outdoor activity yet. No driving. No attending meetings as a Guardian ad litem. Not much of anything. Sigh. <i>That </i>I'm not used to, at all!<br />
<br />
Two weeks of this was enough, even with visitors. Today, I went to Church. Alleluia! People! Real People not on Netflix or YouTube! I tried to contain my excitement and not appear like an escapee to others. It was good to see familiar faces. When I saw one, in particular, my heart melted like chocolate in the bottom of my purse. <br />
<br />
It was a little girl, about 11, I'd met before with her grandmother months ago. We'd had a conversation about recent losses of family members, including the little girl's father. She was looking at CDs and books to purchase as the retreat ended to help her in her grief. Today, they approached me since I sat in the 'special' section without my walker. She was about to sing a song to one of the teachers and wanted to sing for me, too. The song was "I'll Always Be Here" and she's practicing to sing it for her grandmother's great-aunt's funeral. She sang along to a YouTube video on a phone there in the sanctuary. <br />
<br />
Her voice was that of a child, beautiful and innocent, but maturely aware of her own losses in life. I cried. OF COURSE I CRIED. It's what I do. However, I smiled as I did, she saw as she looked up occasionally but didn't lose her place. Finished, she ran around to me, still seated, and we hugged. I had to tell her what a little angel she was and to hold on to her Faith, her beautiful heart and talent. Before she left, she ran back to me and hugged me tightly. I held her hands and told her that she is going to be a Saint. I told her the road is hard but she can make it. She smiled, knowingly, and agreed. I couldn't have had a better first day out!<br />
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Apparently, God saw what I'd been doing and knows I'm hard of hearing and stubborn. That's why he tried whispering to me to slow down. He said it louder, allowing things to get a little more difficult and I still didn't get the hint. Finally, He, literally, kicked my leg out from under me. OKAY! I get it, Lord! I'll rest a bit and let you handle what I was too egotistical to give to You, in the first place.. <br />
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Everyone, listen for that whisper telling you go right or go left, rest or stop, go out or cancel the plans, say what's on your mind or keep your mouth closed. Call it your conscience, intuition, Voice of God, or common sense. Just learn to do what it says. It's usually right. And it'll keep you from having to use a walker.<br />
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Reboot Challenge? When you hear it, do it the first time. And don't trust bathroom scales!</div>
Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-14729085037354880262016-03-16T09:40:00.001-04:002016-03-17T09:47:48.588-04:00Trump Wives Matter!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
That's a bad one. He won more States. Trump may be the official representative candidate for the Republican Party for the most powerful office in the US. The Presidency. <br />
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Seriously, America?<br />
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I don't usually get into politics in my blogs but this one pushed my buttons so hard, it would hurt to NOT comment. I'll begin by saying I can't get behind <i>any</i> of the candidates of either party. It doesn't mean I won't vote. That's a civic duty we all have and have no right to complain if we don't. <br />
<br />
There will always be differences of opinion amongst humans. There will always be conflicts. I'm not looking forward to how badly situations will get in this country now that the Reality Show, bankrupt businessman with a racist, misogynistic, cruel view of the world makes his way to the final lap of running for President of the United States.<br />
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He said he LOVES the poorly educated.....and they CHEERED!<br />
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He said he'll build a YUGE wall to keep foreigners out (aka Mexicans) and they cheered and no one asked who will pay for The Great Wall of America. Who will do the 'distasteful' jobs they do? As someone pointed out, if there were no immigrants, Trump would never have been married. Ooh. That came out wrong. Oh, well.<br />
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He said his daughter has a great body and if she wasn't his daughter, he'd date her. Uh. Ew.<br />
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Has our World become so lacking in awareness of right and wrong, we don't see through him?<br />
<br />
He has made a mockery of the US and our democracy and it's starting to piss me off!<br />
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We may not have been perfect, <i>ever, </i>but, in my opinion from reading our History, we've never been faced with the mere possibility of having such a person in the highest office in the land making decisions. Our President should represent our country with a <i>modicum</i> of class, at least. <br />
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Trump has shown his behind several times to his supporters and the World has been watching him lead them to destruction. There is no way you can attack, dismiss others, yell hateful comments, and follow someone who is so consistently boastful, rude, vain, unqualified, and prone to lying, and still be able to sleep at night. Surely, a conscience will bring this matter up at some point to your brain and you'll wake saying, "<i>What did I just do, Lord</i>?".<br />
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Sure. We didn't have a great choice of nominees on either side. As my husband says, you just pick your favorite crook. But, People, come ON! Is it that you think he'll give you more money in your pocket? Share his? Not gonna happen. Do you think he's gonna keep those awful Muslims (ALL of them) out of the country to keep you safe? Not gonna happen. PLUS keep in mind he's saying ALL, not terrorists. We have terrorists right here that are US-born, native unstables we need to identify and to help. Those poor souls have shot up schools, businesses, government offices and for some reason, we still haven't called them what they are....terrorists. Are we ashamed and only want to point out one group as a problem? <br />
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There are troubled Souls all over the planet willing to take others with them for however they believe they've been wronged or for what they believe. Waco, Guyana, and Oklahoma are coming to mind right now. Those were not Muslims.<br />
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Trump is a fear-monger and carrying along those who are buying his Carnival act. He might as well be trying to get you to shoot down the spinning ducks with a crooked rifle for money, or in this case, your brain and your votes. Ask any of his followers why they support him. You will receive the same rhetoric he spews on any stage...or a struggle for an answer. "He'll make America great again!" Really? Think about it. Please think about it. Is America truly only for a few or as our Constitution states for all men, created equally. Testing knowledge of Constitution, Constitutional Laws and U.S. History, Foreign Policy and U.S. Economy, most can't even nail down when the country WAS great last. During the 1800's? 1900's? Now? When, in your opinion? Before the English arrived and Native Americans had no wall to stop them? Yeah. I went there.<br />
<br />
(Whispering now) Has anyone considered he knows he won't win but will walk away with a pile of money and options for books, speeches and more riches? That is the businessman side of this fable. Maybe that is his actual goal. You still won't get any of the money. (You can't see but I'm shaking my head.)<br />
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Anyone who supports, increases, and pushes hatred in an ignorant, fearful, needy population, who even his own <i>party</i> recognizes as unqualified, lacking self-control, and is undesired, I have a little advice. Ya kinda wanna stay away from that brand of evil. I've seen the videos and photos of those at his rallies and the darkness in their eyes and distorted facial features. Its frightening. Anyone who's buying his schtick, I pray for as my Brothers and Sisters. Jesus is all about Love and wants peace for us. This man appears to have no idea what either of those words means. <br />
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Sigh. Abraham Lincoln said, and he was a Republican when it wasn't bad to be one:<br />
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"You can fool all of the people some of the time, </div>
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and some of the people all of the time, </div>
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but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time."</div>
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I think Mr. Trump is testing that theory. Hm?</div>
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Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-28502867943878557802016-02-27T22:54:00.003-05:002016-03-07T23:06:43.210-05:00The Good, the Ugly, and the Why Did I Buy This?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our previous discussion, I believe was about starting or 'trying' to adapt a minimalist lifestyle. I want to laugh and cry at the same time. But I've got it going, People!<br />
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Procrastinated as long as I could while I didn't have writer's block, took every call, ran every errand, and cooked every meal. I did my best until I just couldn't ignore the closet one more day. It called my name in the middle of the night....three weeks ago. Not my fault! Somewhere in there was a trip to Quebec and a bout with bronchitis. Who wants to clean a closet like <i>that? </i><br />
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I am not too proud to say there were items in that closet from the early 1990's. On the other hand, I found my favorite lipstick in a pocket that I thought I'd lost! Gotta look on the bright side!<br />
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This was a mind-freak I wasn't completely prepared for. If anyone else is tempted to do this, you must know you are going to have some 'feelings'. Feelings about inanimate objects is something I thought I was beyond. Well. There ya go. In separating items into sell, donate, and keep as most de-cluttering TV shows tell you to do, you've got to be ruthless. I don't have a ruthless bone in my body! What is more important, in the technique <i>I've</i> learned is to keep <i>only</i> the objects you love. Keep the objects that fit. Keep the objects that make you happy. Keep those things. There's a logic in that and it appealed to my sense of practicality...until I started. Then I became one of those people on the other shows with the 'problem' where everything is loved and a professional must be called in.<br />
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That lasted the first hour as I pulled every item of clothing from the dressers, from the closets, from the den, and anyplace else I'd marked my territory. When you see the amount of clothes you actually own laid out on your bed....No, <i>covering</i> your bed, completely! You realize something. You've got to get this done and soon or you'll have nowhere to sleep! So, I stepped up my game. Had to. I became the Terminator after that. I was back. You! Black t-shirt! Come with me if you want to live! You, too, other black t-shirt, and you 5th black t-shirt! There's a place for you all with the half-dozen white t-shirts. Can't you all just get along? Why do I have so many flippin' t-shirts?<br />
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There were items from Forever21 on up to Liz Claiborne hiding in one closet that I'd forgotten about. There were items with PRICE TAGS on them! Clothes worn once or never worn. Bottom line is that it became easier and easier as time went on to make the pile grow with only what I really wanted and to make the piles grow larger with items to sell and donate. Tis the Season. Lent is the time to give alms, charitable works, so perfect timing. I didn't even plan that!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">One of many stacks I created. Ugh!</span></div>
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No, I didn't finish. But I have a bed to sleep on. It's surrounded by clothes on hangers, but it's reachable. I still have the shoes, boots, purses, belts, and scarves to sort. It was a beautiful (is that too much?) feeling to see my drawers with neatly folded items, sorted, and ready to use. Ok. Maybe that was a bit much. I have got to get a life!<br />
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Mostly, I'm beginning to see that people, including myself, have learned to live with way too much and still believe we don't have enough. This is why we need to look around the rest of the World and see what others are forced to live with, or rather, without. There are those in our own backyards that don't have a change of clothing. Coincidentally, I met a kid outside of a fast food place (not for myself, believe me!) who asked for money for food. Again, remember I said my mother tells me I talk to others too much? I bought him a meal and gave him $5. We sat and talked. James was in high school. He said he just wanted something to eat before he went home on the bus. <br />
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"Did you go to school today?"<br />
"No, Ma'am." He dropped his head.<br />
"Why not?"<br />
"Because I wore this to school yesterday."<br />
<br />
It turned out although what he wore was clean and he was properly groomed, thanks to his grandmother, he was teased by others in his school for not having lots of clothes! He was also bullied for being overweight. I contained my rage at how awful people can be to others. We chatted about his goals for the future. I assured him that the things that bother him now, he may not remember later. I told him those same kids won't be paying his bills or signing his paycheck in the future, and their 'opinions' didn't matter. As with any kid, he knows the present only. I tried another tactic.<br />
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"James. I want you do try something. Take this five dollars and put it away. Save it. From now on, whatever money you get, save it. Don't buy candy or fast food or junk....save it. Then, when you have what you need, you can buy yourself a new shirt or pants, even if it's from the thrift store. Then you start over again saving.. Can you do that?"<br />
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He looked at me as if that had never occurred to him before and agreed to do just that. That little seed planted in his head will keep him out of debt in the future, too. That's the upside.<br />
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Let's just say it was the kick in the backside I needed to begin my journey to Minimal-Land by donating a massive pile of usable clothes to St. Vincent DePaul. .<br />
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What progress did you make on the challenge from the last post? Anyone? Anyone? Ferris?<br />
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Reboot Challenge? Get the closet done. St. Vincent DePaul, Salvation Army, Goodwill, Churches, and more are all waiting and need your goodies for the needy!<br />
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Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-65395918703293082412016-01-19T16:39:00.000-05:002016-01-19T16:39:41.238-05:00Cleaning House In 2016!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I could make this all about house-cleaning given the title. Gotcha!<br />
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The last thing anyone wants to hear about is cleaning a house! <br />
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HOWEVER....I have stumbled, perhaps a little late in the game, upon the concept of Minimalism. <br />
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That word has scared me for years. It conjured up the old childhood feelings of Mom throwing things away that I wanted while housecleaning, of the 1970's white rooms with a chair and a table and no <i>stuff</i>, and of a bare and soul-less existence. <i>I have to get rid of all of my BOOKS? My mementos? My works of art? All of my clothes that are out of style or don't fit well? All the papers and notes to myself? Every gift anyone has given me, EVER????</i><br />
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<i>Calm down, Honey. Bring it down.</i></div>
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The idea is not to get 'rid' of things but to <i>keep the things you treasure the most</i>. If you think of it in that way, it's not as traumatic. If you are a hoarder, of course, <i>everything </i>is a treasure and everything stays. In that case, you get professional help. I'm not joking. </div>
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I've decided to tackle my closet, first. There is NO way, my daughter is going to use my wedding dress. It goes. I have bridesmaids dresses I've worn that are going, also.</div>
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They say you only wear about 20% of what is in your wardrobe. That would be a smaller number for me, personally. I'm actually excited about ridding myself of anything there that does not give me a pleasurable feeling. I know there are tons of things there like that. That is the reason I can stand there looking at it all saying, "I don't have anything to wear!".</div>
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It's clothes. They aren't human beings. They aren't children. They are replaceable. Things don't matter. People do. </div>
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Once that connection to them is broken, as is that addiction to shopping for <i>more</i> items is broken, it makes for a happier existence. The shopping part has never and will never be a problem for me as I've stated before, I lack that shopping gene. Dressing daily will be a breeze as you will have only what you love and looks good on you to wear. You can practically reach in with your eyes shut and find exactly what you need! Well. That's what the idea is. Then, <i>if </i>you buy something new, it should be to replace something no longer wearable (worn out, ripped, unrepairable) or a piece that will fit in with what you have in your wardrobe. The best of it, to me, is that everything you have is functional, wearable, fits, and you love it!</div>
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It's suggested that you go through your laundry bin or basket and start there. The items there are the ones you wear, obviously, or they wouldn't be there. <i>Le duh!</i></div>
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So, that's where I'm starting. Not today. I've already done my laundry for the week.</div>
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Therein lies the rub. I'm a procrastinator. I put off today what I can do tomorrow, or the next day, or next week. I'm only partially kidding. </div>
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I realize what will happen when I start. Life happens.</div>
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I want to start and I want to finish. I'm the type of person that if I begin any project, i.e. a portrait, painting, sewing, and writing, I will stay awake and finish it, however long it takes. I was that kind of a worker, once. If it came across my desk, I wanted to handle it once, be done with it, and never see it again. I would tell co-workers, "Here ya go. Don't ask any questions about it." </div>
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I have a head-start because of that attitude. That's what is recommended. Take EVERYTHING out and deal with it and be done with it. That's my philosophy so we are of the same mindset, at least. Therefore, when life gives me a day to deal with the closet and drawers throughout the house, meaning ALL of my clothing, I will. </div>
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The books will be last. I'll keep you up-to-date.</div>
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Reboot Challenge? Join me in cleaning out 2016 of the things we don't absolutely treasure or need in our lives!</div>
Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-10289430257477258652016-01-04T21:39:00.000-05:002016-01-11T04:39:59.842-05:00Bring Pastor Lim Home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Because it's the right thing to do.<br />
<br />
There is a petition with Change.org for every ill happening in the World, it seems. This one sent to my e-mailbox is one I want to share and comment on but won't be the last, I'm sure.<br />
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According to the website, and here is the link, <a href="http://email.change.org/mpss/c/9wA/SCE/t.1tk/FE27lL2KTGCnT04Qly9-nQ/h8/W9oZwjoGX5ulRlet7FB-2BvIA6DCTDRWrgGNtnZ1S2Ekc-2F4qzWT9-2BY9UNwvjNgp-2FEc4Trv95PQT-2Bqe4c2uNIXCfWBdAP4f0FKHab-2FJLQKL5-2F7wS1SdcP4Ddz2NVjCIDJcjEfRq6r3gxRs7RewMxD-2B8-2BgoUMMttNwdWS9YbFT4nUPj2JbgqXVWv1cEnxjosdkFleqOCLEyMRthoxfJ-2BnVQDEEbsZWOW9HoCZCZbQp9lrVWkUcv9NMnVBhKeadaGwxDTnmMqPSi4Fz-2FRGNgJeyt9aQ-3D-3D" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1451957001331_2115" rel="nofollow" style="color: #378f98; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">http://www.change.org/p/get-canadian-humanitarian-out-of-north-korean-prison-freepastorlim-bringlimhome</a>, this man has made over 100 trips to North Korea to orphanages, nursing homes, basically doing what we are all supposed to be doing in caring for our brothers and sisters. Last January 2015, he was arrested and only last month received a life sentence to be served out in a labor camp. Where was his country in this?<br />
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This man is in his 60's and is a Korean-Canadian. He admitted his guilt. He <i>absolutely</i> did commit what they call crimes. And I'd do the same in his place. There have been many martyrs for the Faith in History that never had a petition to free them. Here's a chance now that a way exists. I'm with him! If you will find me guilty of being a Christian, so be it! It is admirable to me what he has done. I hope I'd have the Faith and strength of purpose to do the same thing. This man is ready to die for what he did. Who else would do that?<br />
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Do we feel that way about <i>anything</i> these days? Do we rise up only in ways and for causes that are <i>convenient</i>? Do we only feel anger against injustice in our own lands and not, generally, for everyone who suffers on our planet? Are we so distanced from what's outside our front-door that all we can do is complain on Facebook and blast the "other side" with memes, misinformation and the blame-game?<br />
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But there's an election coming up and the Super Bowl.<br />
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We have some easily led 'odd' people who are convinced they are patriots in Oregon <i>right now</i> that are doing something. Unfortunately, what they are doing is, well, crazy. The people they are there for, the Hammonds and others in that area, have even distanced themselves from the 2 dozen gun-toting guys out there. The Tea Party has even been suspiciously quiet.<br />
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These men are lighting a fire under others to join them and it, we can all make the prediction, will end badly. There's no doubt in my mind. It won't be because <i>the government is being held hostage! </i>It's not that the government has responded with force, yet. If that was the case, it would have been done in the past 3 days instead of 'monitoring the situation', to date. It's because the crazies in the Wild Bunch out there will start a massacre before they give up. I say they'd better take names and pics of those out there before they scatter or die over Federal land <i>that belongs to the people of the United States and technically, to NATIVE AMERICANS</i>.<br />
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My opinion? They should have started a petition. (Insert sarcasm here.)<br />
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Meanwhile, others are seeing the differences in black and white and Muslim and Christian and constantly seeking the differences instead of similarities. The pot is boiling.<br />
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Our President just announced his War on Guns. Good luck with that. The previous President had a War on Terror. You can't fight an abstract. I'm not smart enough to have all the answers but I think the heat has just been turned up some more on that pot I just mentioned.<br />
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For every evil deed that occurs, someone somewhere with a loose screw, death wish, or misplaced sense of duty, feels they have permission to do their worst to the nearest victim. That, Dear Friends, is what I fear. And I don't fear much, normally.<br />
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Yeah, sure, I've been interested, lately, in Korean Culture but this was purely coincidence. A bad one.<br />
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You can't fight every battle, especially not with arms, but you can choose one that matters to you and go for it. Fight it with justice, with love, with righteous anger, and with Peace. <br />
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When did we stop using our <i>words?</i><br />
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It's just a petition, you say? Guess what? Petitions actually work! They have in the past and they do now. North Korea has released people who've broken their laws in the past. Mr. Trudeau just needs to get serious about this!<br />
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And, we have to get serious about what matters to us. It should be everybody.<br />
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Reboot Challenge? Sign the petition. Then, find a Cause to devote <i>your</i> life to, like World Peace. Social Networking is a 'tool'. Use it well.<br />
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*****Update: Video Released*****<br />
https://www.change.org/p/get-canadian-humanitarian-out-of-north-korean-prison-freepastorlim-bringlimhome/u/14921130?tk=10gPOoD6bh2jM3BKtqUY_Bx4k2UM-Z2XcIjmwpdk3Ic&utm_source=petition_update&utm_medium=email.<br />
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Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-49145417773460276382015-12-30T12:45:00.000-05:002015-12-30T12:45:06.443-05:00Well. They Got Him.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
By 'him', I mean William Henry "Bill" Cosby born July 12, 1937 (same age my Dad would be) and married since 1964 (that's coming up on a 52 year anniversary, sigh). <br />
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He has a warrant against him now and it's official and it's not going away.<br />
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For anyone who has not kept up, Bill Cosby has had over 50 women come forward with allegations that he drugged them and had his way with them after promising to 'mentor' them, apparently, since the 1970's. Many women have refused to give their names. Some have. Many have healed. Many are still scarred. Many blame themselves.<br />
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It's the last that I say I'm mostly interested in because it's the mindset that many women (and men!) put themselves in when something traumatic happens to them. They blame themselves. <br />
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"I should have known better!" <br />
"How could I be so stupid?"<br />
"I should have seen it coming!"<br />
"I never should have trusted that person!"<br />
"I shouldn't have been there!"<br />
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Any one of us are capable of "could-ing" or "should-ing" ourselves into shame and blame. We cannot.<br />
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Once we begin to point that finger back at ourselves, we have paralyzed ourselves from moving on with Life. It makes Victims the Perpetrators, and the Perpetrators free in their minds to continue to live in good conscience..."They were asking for it."<br />
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Not one person who has been harassed, betrayed or abused in any way has ever <i>asked</i> for it. We all have let our guard down at times, placed ourselves in situations that were sketchy, or didn't pay attention to our 'gut feelings' or instincts. None of that is anything to blame ourselves about. It's simply a lesson to pay attention in the future.<br />
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We have all trusted someone that has hurt us, physically or emotionally, and can make us not want to trust <i>anyone</i> in the future, including <i>ourselves and our own judgement</i>. If that happens, the Bad Guys win.<br />
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In saying what I'm about to, I may receive a tremendously negative response because I'm not expressing outrage today.<br />
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Forgive the ones that harmed you whether they ask for it or not.<br />
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Forgiving is not for the other person (it's nice if it changes them in some way) but it is for yourself. It allows Peace to reenter your being. It allows Love to remain free in you for yourself and others. It frees you to Live, to move and to Hope.<br />
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Not doing so, can weigh you down forever until you see whatever you need to see happen to that person that caused you harm. Even seeing revenge or justice with your own eyes may not be enough. You may find yourself not knowing what will be enough to clear it for you. Meanwhile, the clock has ticked by and obsession with seeing someone 'get it' caused you to miss out on your own life. Then again, I say, they win. Where does it end?<br />
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Mr.Cosby (I say with respect for an elder) will have to face women, a judge, jury, and the World for his crimes. He'll face a greater judge, eventually. We don't worry about it. That's not our call.<br />
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Today, I pray for all victims/survivors, for healing for the additional pain his family will feel (they lost a son, violently in 1997) and I regret that a ground-breaking illustrious career is being flushed down the drain but I say that ALL comes to light, in time, for each of us. <br />
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Reboot Challenge? Make sure there are no skeletons in your own closets. Make soup. Kidding (<i>had to lighten it up a little!</i>). Live well, show love and be good to each other today. Show how Love and forgiveness works to everyone. Clear the list.<br /></div>
Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-24346903294972631992015-12-12T04:12:00.000-05:002015-12-12T04:12:31.665-05:00Pick One, Already? No.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been a little quiet on this end of the blog for several reasons. Fortunately, it hasn't kept readers from around the World from checking in. Thank you!<br />
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I have been enjoying most recently, a visit from my daughter, preparing for Christmas and the New Year, doing volunteer work and homework learning Korean, catching up on Korean dramas, Twitter hashtag games, keeping up with Facebook, and discovering that after watching a few episodes of How I Met Your Mother, a show I didn't like but gave a chance, only to find that I really hated how it ended. <br />
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Then, throw in my writing of 3 books at a time and reading 4 at a time, and I can say I've been pretty busy. As the meme said, don't let Facebook be the only book you read this week.<br />
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What is life without busy-ness, though?<br />
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We are busy with jobs, life, families, hobbies, and whatever we are obligated to do or do only for fun. I'm glad we are! Life <i>should</i> <i></i>be active like that. We should have time with family members and friends. We should spend time while we are here doing as much as we want and are able to do. We should be doing the jobs we can, even if it only pays for the fun we want to have. If we sit like bumps on a log, we look back and wonder where did the time go and what did I do during it?<br />
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If we can't look back and see that we made differences in others' lives, created something worthwhile (to us!), learned useful lessons, a degree, or learned completely useless skills but <i>we</i> enjoyed it, then what was our life about? I'm about to reveal a little of my inner-Hippie again here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8bMhSO-R4voLuzhdlo6FYlHRH31RScYjWqaKQnf1RTVQz6XmoY1kaEulITGoNH5A56BuLGplbhesz2jYr0GhgfRXqev95460HpulUEeHn8y0I55HP0ud_Re4ZpsKIb7QeHGdlvmYaI0/s1600/now.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8bMhSO-R4voLuzhdlo6FYlHRH31RScYjWqaKQnf1RTVQz6XmoY1kaEulITGoNH5A56BuLGplbhesz2jYr0GhgfRXqev95460HpulUEeHn8y0I55HP0ud_Re4ZpsKIb7QeHGdlvmYaI0/s320/now.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I may never use Korean language anywhere but in a local restaurant but I like challenging myself to see if I still <i>have it</i> <i></i>enough to learn, <br />
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I may not finish 3 of the 4 books I'm writing and may never publish any, but the experience of writing them are fun to me. <br />
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I definitely will not be a violin virtuoso but have been having a blast learning.<br />
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I no longer do all of the physical activities I used to, but will challenge myself to see what I actually am able to do within my limitations.<br />
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There may be no winning lottery that will allow us to travel to destinations unknown but I can read up on cultures and traditions and live vicariously through others. I may be due for that lottery since I recently won a prize at a Christmas Toy Shop, then another, then first prize at our Church Christmas Dance, all in one day! The wins were so timely that I could only thank God for His hand in it all.<br />
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So, Life is made to be lived, is my 'eventual' point.<br />
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I don't collect stuff for the sake of having 'stuff' but for memories. And, believe me, there will be no U-Haul behind my hearse at my funeral whenever I'm called home. <br />
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This World is being inundated with bad news every day. We can wallow in sorrow over it. Or we can live our lives as well as we can, while we can, praying, and helping <i>where and when</i> we can with love for everyone and joy for each day we awaken.<br />
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Reboot Challenge? Do something for someone on a regular basis without expectation of repayment. Take a class completely fun and unrelated to a degree or certificate. Learn a skill or language that doesn't have to have a goal. In other words, enjoy the life you have while you have it.</div>
Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-12547678696280470752015-11-15T10:14:00.003-05:002015-11-15T10:14:25.617-05:00How to Deal with Cowards<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yes. ONE more discussion about the terrorist attacks in Paris, France. <br />
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Regular readers had to know I wasn't just going to let it go by, although, I actually wanted to do just that. I just can't speak in the heavier way I would love to here, right now. There may come a time only not today.<br />
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Thinking of the attack on Paris this week recalled 9/11 in the U.S. and France being our best of Allies. And I thank them and the World for their response. People are using this as an excuse for personal agendas as in, "Why are we so worried about Paris and not (fill in the blank)?" I find that puzzling because of how the World came together for the US that fateful day when it was attacked by Cowards. To support with changing profile pictures with France was, literally, the least we could do.<br />
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I recalled Souls lost in jets blasted out the air, the lost Malaysian jet, and more by Cowards. It reminded me there are people, children, living in fear for their lives daily due to wars and active terrorism by Cowards. It reminded me of children who get little to no food in parts of Africa and are eating GRASS and muddy water because Aid trucks are hijacked by Cowards. It reminded me of Christians in Israel and the brave and faithful Franciscan Priests, Brothers, Sisters, and Parishioners who continue to protect and maintain Holy Churches and sites, even if people come to them just because they are "old". Their numbers are decreasing due to intentional destructions and persecution of Christians by Cowards. I think too much of the Poor of India, in fact, throughout Asia, Latin America and on islands split like Dominican Republic and Haiti, where one side has so much and one side has so very little to nothing because of Cowards. I think of women and children and elderly who are beaten and neglected everywhere by Cowards. If I see one more incident of a death of an innocent due to the evil that is surrounding us whispering in Cowards' ears, sometimes, I think I'll just lose it. <br />
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But, I know I won't. <br />
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I recognize that Cowards work under Darkness, even if it's not a physical absence of light, it could be any chink in the armor that allows it to operate. Cowards will don a hood, a scarf, a hat, a mask, and take that chance and run with it. Any attempts to harm at a vulnerable point without warning, undercover, because you are bigger, or sneaky makes you a Coward. Call yourself a terrorist because, true, you do cause terror on every scale. Why would someone 'want' to be known for that? It's so twisted in my opinion. But there's more to it.<br />
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We are bombarded by an evil we can't subdue without a lot of help and a lot of action on our parts. Now that I've made your day again. Let's get justifiably angry enough to do something about it and not just on Blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and Yahoo comment sections. Social Network Sites (SNS) have allowed the World so say all they want no matter who it hurts or offends. <br />
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Oops. I may have lost folks to another website just then. I mentioned <i>doing</i> something.<br />
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At times like this, those pitiful people I pray for, take opportunities to spew even more hatred and violence, whatever their politics, color or race or nationality or religion. They are able to turn any tragedy to their own agenda, too, on the sites mentioned above and more. I've seen the Paris tragedy tweets where people begin spitting out nonsense against blacks, immigrants from Mexico, Muslims and anything else they <i>think</i> they're doing anonymously. That's cowardly. <br />
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The violent attacks on us all are cowardly or it would be done in broad daylight and in a way that one could fight back. THAT is manly. The other ways are less than admirable, idiotic, and weak. <br />
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So what can we do? We can start growing the spine they don't have and grow in whatever Faith we profess to be. We can go to our Churches, Synagogues, or Temples. We can read our Bibles, our Hebrew texts, Korans or go to a library and LEARN what you profess to be and why you are that and how to handle these situations in the most peaceful and productive ways we can. Take responsibility for ourselves and we can take up the Cause of Peace and Love and promote it to every single Soul we know and meet. We can show our courage by STOPPING and reconsidering immediate reactions and think, not post. We can and do fight back but not in the Coward's way. We can know when is the right time and when is the wrong time to speak hateful remarks amongst others or that negative inner dialogue we have that can usually be expressed incognito online. (That was a test.....there is NEVER a right time for that!)<br />
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Yes. It takes work. We must talk with one another, learn from one another, and live with one another in Peace. I'm not saying yell on a street corner trying to convert others or knock on doors but work on yourself first. It's private <i>and</i> communal. You calm down and find ways to face the Cowards of the World that are trying to destroy goodness, kindness, peace, charity and love. We all know Right from Wrong from childhood (yes, even Atheists and Agnostics) but we have a hard time admitting it to our 'peers' who don't think it's <i>cool</i> to even make the distinction. They say live and let live. <br />
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That's gotten us to a lovely place now hasn't it? We are responsible for one another whether you want to admit it or not. Take responsibility for your brother to show him the right way after you, yourself, are clear about it.<br />
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The Cowards will make their own beds if they don't want to take the hint. No progress? You've planted the seed. Now, shake the dust from your sandals. The Cowards will be dealt with in time, in fact....for Eternity. <br />
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Reboot Challenge? Gather your own personal Courage for you, your families, your neighborhood, your Countries, and your World. Do it without fear that you are alone. You are not.<br />
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(Dedicated to all who have fought and died, who have been victims or victors in the fights against Cowards.)<br />
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Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8178211418293844295.post-15740558676380843022015-11-06T12:57:00.000-05:002015-11-06T12:57:14.000-05:00This Woman's Hands<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In quiet restful moments, he'll tell you his Grandmother had lovely hands.<br />
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He likes to tell the stories. He loves to remember with every sense.<br />
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He can still feel her comforting hands on his back as a child. He says they were strong, yet soft. They worked and worked hard, yet were soft and soothing to his mind, heart, and spirit when he needed them.<br />
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They took away pain and calmed.<br />
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They made the best pancakes, root beer floats, and cakes in the World! They kept a tidy, tightly run ship of a house. They knew how to set a table properly and to Serve in more ways than one. They played piano and organ. They painted. They helped him with his homework afterschool. They held books, especially a Bible, often. <br />
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Her hands, as he recalls them, are remembrances of feeling love and being loved. He sighs, gratefully, without needing words to express it further. At these times, as a grown man, he is as content as a well-fed infant after a bath. <br />
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That little boy's feelings and his memories are stored carefully away. They come out at precious times. They are special and <i>I</i> feel that much more special and smile. Why?<br />
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Because of the times he closes his eyes, breathes deeply and tells me I have his Grandmother's hands.<br />
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<a href="https://youtu.be/qv5pagal-ls">Grandma's Hands - Bill Withers</a></div>
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Reboot Challenge: Mine? To try something a little different today. What's yours?<br />
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Rostand Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903116747171291749noreply@blogger.com0