The start of a new blog even when I don't keep up with my old one.
I have often thought about the duality of nature. Positive and negative aspects of the same thing, two sides to every story, the view from here, seeing life through rose colored glasses, optimistic or pessimistic, and no two eye witness describe the same scene. Much of my personal philosophy comes from these contemplations. Often our reality is of our own making and not the same reality shared by others. Over the years in my attempts to define truths that I believe are universal I came up with this statement "Proper focus brings, clarity of mind, strength of spirit, and an able body making all things possible." Often Truths can be difficult to see. In the star wars saga there is an especially revealing line from Qui-Gon "Your focus determines your reality" or in Biblical terms:"For as a man thinks within himself, so he is (Proverbs 23:7) or Reality, in Buddhist thought, would be described as the manifestation of karma, part of the process of impermanence, similar to the Hindu concept of Maya. Given this line of thought I intend to use this blog to post at least two different views or arguments about topics. Each post will have at least two view points sometimes more. We can all try to get to the "truth" of the matter.
One of the things that really irritates me about politics is how things are painted in a very left or right light. You are either Democrat or Republican, Conservative or Liberal, Right Wing or Left Wing. I happen to think that it takes both wings for the Eagle to soar.
I call myself an irregular. I know many would say you are an independent, but I don't happen to think so. If you must agree with xyz to be on one side and abc on the other and independents are well independent of everyone else. Then I must be irregular. I don't fit into any of these categories. I also do not like to be told I am in the middle of the road. To me this would indicate that I am unable to make up my mind. to the contrary I am very decisive about things. So if I am not like regular people I must be irregular.
Of course I get some pretty strange looks when the conversation turns to politics and everyone is proclaiming their affiliations. "I am a democrat", "I am a Republican", "I have gone Green" and I reply " I'm irregular".
What about you are you regular?
Some further fodder for the furnace: Who should an irregular person vote for?
From my prospective, it seems my choices are a former US military officer and pilot or a former lawyer(Hillary and Barack were both lawyers). Hmmmm
I recently ran across a post that stimulated some additional political thinking. In his blog Justin Lately comments on "Social Security" by referencing the Christian Bible and the rewards of being charitable. Many religions establish a moral cause and obligation of their followers to be charitable. I pose the question then what should the role of government be in this endeavor to take care of those needing assistance?
Not wanting to pose questions that I am unwilling to answer, I will respond here and link back.
Here in the USA the founding fathers set forth a direction of government that left many things to the states. During colonial times people were governed more by local governments and it was determined that those local governments could provide better services in some areas while they needed to band together on others like national defense. Two specific things left out of federal government were welfare and education. There are many who believe that this was an over site, and in the 20th century many new programs were brought into the federal level of government. New taxes were created and while the states are said to control these things they must do so at the direction of the federal government if they want to receive the money to support the programs.
It is my considered opinion that we have taken a wrong turn in this matter. Education and welfare belong at a more local level. These governmental services are much better managed when addressed to the localized needs of American citizens. For example the needs of the population in a city like San Francisco, California population ~750,000, are much different than the needs of a citizen in Nichols Hills, Oklahoma population ~4,000. I see no problem with establishing some Federal guidelines about the minimum services that are recommended, but the taxing power and implementation should be as local as possible to prohibit waste and abuse. I also think that medical services should be part of that same system.
Lets take for example utilities. Would we suggest that since we think everyone should be able to heat their home during extreme cold that the federal government should assume responsibility for the utility that provides this service. A new tax to fund the project would be needed and yet more money flows into the federal government and away from city county and state government. Until now it has been determined that this same utility is better provided for by private enterprise. Yet in some communities (usually smaller) the city or a cooperative has taken charge because there is not enough profit in their area to entice private enterprise to provide the service.
Bottom line these are not things that are easily or efficiently managed over the vast differences in our country. The federal government should suggest minimum services that should be provided to American citizens and let the local government handle it from there. Oh, and you might notice I said "Citizens" but we will leave that for another post.
"In case you missed it, a few days ago Senator Clinton tried to spend $1 million on the Woodstock Concert Museum. Now, ladies and gentlemen, I wasn't there. I'm sure it was a cultural and pharmaceutical event. I was tied up at the time."
--John McCain
"We are going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good."
--Hillary Clinton
'No arsenal, no weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men everywhere.'
-- Ronald Reagan
'My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world.
I hope you'll join with me as we try to change it.'
-- Barack Obama
A Hard Woman is Good to Find!
A Good Woman is Hard to Find!
Tomorrow marks a special day in my family. It is the day it all officially began. We will celebrate our 19th wedding anniversary on April 29th 2008. My wife and I became fast friends when we first met and over the next few years and many tribulations our relationship grew. I would have to say that probably the turning point was a time when we thought we would no longer be friends. A few months of missing someone who is that important to you tends to make you realize the true value of those relationships. When we again began to share our lives it only took a month or so for us to become engaged.
There are many people that tell us "You've been married so long and still act like you love one another, how do you do it?" Our response is typically "Not only that but we like each other too!" It is not uncommon for modern marriages to breakup after short periods of time. Many people equate this to the honeymoon wearing off. I'm not sure about all the societal and psychological explanations but I have made some observations.
Everyone needs to retain a portion of their individuality while enjoying the common aspects of the couple personality. There needs to be space to let the girls be girls and the boys be boys. The line gets drawn when the activities are damaging to the trust and security of the other. For example she might use some of our money to go buy the latest fashion and I will use a little to buy the latest gadget, but neither of us would make that purchase if it prevented the other from doing so.(mutual respect) Often on anniversaries we have made the big purchases in cooperation with each other, the new multimedia center or dining room set as examples.(common items of agreement) I use money issues as examples because surveys show this is one of the top reasons people split up. But, the rules also apply to other aspects of the relationship.
I suppose that in most relationships people tend to accidentally break that trust(you bought that without discussing it with me). I think the key to making forgiveness easier is to remember the promises you made when you got married and the reasons you were so willing to make those commitments. I often tell my wife I Love Her.(she usually responds in kind but occasionally at tense moments she may respond who are you trying to remind me or you :-)) When we think of the love that we hold for each other and when things are put into prospective that is something that she and I know will never change. That security makes us both feel that we can speak our minds.(and we do) One more piece of advice, don't take yourself too seriously. If you take care of them they will take care of you.
Recently, we were discussing the future relationships of our children and by the end of the discussion it was commonly agreed that we hope they are lucky and diligent enough to find and work with a person that they can have the same kind of relationship as their parents have with each other. I know your thinking spare me the mushy stuff but it is true. I am very proud of the relationship my wife and I have and of the family we have built together. I wish the same for you. Yes I did say work, it takes two people to make a good relationship. Work is a key component of any relationship. It is in our nature to self preserve. When two become one, it is sometimes hard to remind ourselves that self now includes family.
Hey you gorgeous babe Happy Anniversary!
Had to share this one when it was brought to my attention.
Semper Fi Brother, and keep up the good fight!
I first enter USA Goju in 1976 under the instruction of Sensei Gene Cross. Master Peter Urban was the head of the organization. As a white belt one of our first lessons was to memorize and live by the 10 Virtues of GoJu Karate. I am unaware of the origin of these virtues, but even as a 10 year old I recognized their value and still try to remain loyal to them.
1. We are proud to be Karateka.
2. We shall always practice and study.
3. We shall be quick to seize opportunity.
4. We shall always practice patience.
5. We shall keep the fighting spirit.
6. We shall block soft and hit hard.
7. We shall believe nothing is impossible.
8. We shall always discard the bad.
9. We shall always keep the good.
10. We shall be loyal to ourselves, karate, and our country.
*Notes to readers:
Karateka is a student of Karate
Being loyal to ourselves - translates to being loyal to your beliefs and your family.
Add comment