Category: Words to ponder

Opinion, Words to ponder

Belief in absurdities leads to atrocities

“As long as people believe in absurdities, there will be atrocities” – Voltaire

When I read this quote by Voltaire I feel he is warning us that lies come with a heavy penalty. This is an age where presidential lies are common occurrence, and a group called QAnon makes unfounded claims about pedophile rings running the Democratic party. Americans have to fight to hold media and organized political parties accountable for knowingly spreading lies, or we will all be in danger. While we cannot change others, we can begin with ourselves, and insist on research and facts in communications about issues of the day. Our nation and survival on this planet will depend on our insistence on truth and our valuing of humanity. These are daunting times for us all. Take a break and relax with my new thriller Centurion Crew, available at Amazon!

Opinion, Words to ponder

“The cost of Liberty is less than the price of Repression.” – WEB DuBois

What does DuBois mean when he says that the cost of liberty is less than the price of Repression? I think he is saying that we must act quickly to protect our freedoms because once they are lost it is costlier to regain them. Wise citizens are vigilant in protecting their freedoms because they know the price of failure is very high. Ferguson, Missouri was an example of DuBois’ quote. Black citizens wee the majority of the city, but did not vote in large numbers until after the killing of Michael Brown and the protests that followed. The Department of Justice found that Black citizens were targeted for tickets and fines by Ferguson police to raise revenue for the city. Ferguson represents an example of the high price of repression for Black citizens who did not pay the cost of liberty by organizing and voting in their city. Every American citizen is now witnessing scientific organizations like the CDC being overruled by Trump, and lies costing lives. Repression warps and degrades people and systems. We have to educate ourselves and act to pay the cost of liberty. As Jesus said “you will know the truth and the truth will set you free”. We are paying a price for the current repression taking place, and worse days are coming if Trump is re-elected. Plan your vote to end the Trump chaos; restore truth and liberty!

Opinion, Self improvement, Words to ponder

Keep counting those blessings

The news these days is often very bad, but we still have reason to hope. Make a point of thinking of the good things in your life or that you have achieved. Make plans that you feel good about and will help someone beyond yourself. Celebrate small things and express gratitude to others for what they add life. Imagine a world where you were alone before looking at the issues of society. People make the world go around and we are all lucky to have so much company. As an adult own your life and feelings while working to improve the management. Thank God for the good things in life and you will see more!

Opinion, Words to ponder

How do we proceed during the pandemic?

“You will know the truth and the truth will set you free” – Jesus. This quote tells us how to proceed in life or during a pandemic where the current president says one thing, while scientists and doctors say something else. Every real American wants the truth to make good decisions that free and enrich. The greedy and criminals want to lie so that people are deceived into doing what is not in their own interest; but someone else’s. I want to see life return to normal as quickly as possible with the risks minimized. I don’t know exactly what that looks like, but I know the truth is the fastest road back.

Opinion, Review, Words to ponder

Forming and modifying good habits

The book Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg talks about being aware of our 1. cues (things that trigger behaviors), 2. routines (common behavior patterns we don’t think much about), and 3. rewards (the feeling, event, or praise we receive that reinforces the behavior). All of us fall into loops of behavior and activities that lead us to what we want in life, or further away from it. Duhigg talks about how powerful habits are in our lives and that we should try to control them. I agree with his conclusion. Lets make our journey through life one that is more of what we want by weighing our habits and whether they add or subtract from what we want to be.

Self improvement, Words to ponder

Leadership pillars from the book Extreme Ownership

According to the book Exteme Ownership (by Jocko Willink and Leif Babbin) a Leader should do, or recognize the following:

1 – own it all (extreme ownership)

2 – no bad teams, only bad leaders

3 – have Clarity and Belief

4 – Manage your Ego

As I think about the situations I encounter in life and organizations these four pillars stand out as a framework for looking at behavior. Outstanding leaders are examples and not blamers. They ask for help and build people up. You don’t wonder where they are coming from or what they are about because it is clear they want to create solutions based on the truth. Great leaders are not the focus of the conversation and thought because they direct attention on the goal. They manage their own egos and help others to focus on working together for success. Whether it comes from national figures or local people the characteristics of good leadership don’t change. The first person a leader must lead is themselves.

Self improvement, Words to ponder

Survival prescription for pandemic and politics

I have written a lot about the current president and the COVID19 pandemic. I understand wanting to move on to something besides the current president and all the dysfunction that surrounds him. The fact that he is the president doing damage to our institutions, society, and security is a reality. In the face of a pandemic and a toxic presidency I thought that I would share some ideas for coping with the stress:

1. This cannot last forever and we should keep our faith in God. Better days are coming.

2. Relax and exercise with good audiobooks, music, podcasts, etc. There is a lot of really excellent edifying free content that will grow your mind and spirit. Get a library card if you don’t have one because there are free digital downloads available. Exercise will strengthen your body, improve your outlook, and boost your immune system.

3. Plan and enjoy good meals that include fruits and vegetables while consuming plenty of water. I try to drink a minimum of 70oz of water per day, starting with about 30oz before breakfast is done.

4. Seek to help other people while staying in touch with family and friends. During tough times there is nothing like being a support to others because it is an even greater boost to our own spirits. Just sharing talk about feelings, meals, events, people, or the day with someone else is a win-win activity.

5. Consume or create art of some sort. Whether it is a virtual museum, a movie, music, poetry, or music setting aside time to enjoy or make art is an expression of hope in humanity. Art is an expression of who we are and helps us to understand ourselves and each other.

I hope these unoriginal ideas are useful to you as they have been to me. Organize your day into blocks that provide some routine and variety of focus for your mind, body, and spirit. Remember as Jocko Willink says “Discipline=freedom”. We all need to develop and structure ourselves and our time to maximize enjoyment of life. I believe we will get to the other side of these dark times.

Opinion, Words to ponder

Be a mountain, or lean on one – African Proverb

During the COVID19 pandemic we have seen governors and local officials rise to fill the breach left by the current president. There is a lot of discussion about when do we go back to work, and how will the decision be made. Trump says it is in his head and doctors say we need widespread testing and a plan. The African proverb “Be a mountain, or lean on one” tells us that under stress we need strength and resolve. If we cannot find strength in ourselves we need to seek it out as a critical resource. The current president says he is not responsible and that the states are on their own with the government as a backup. Many state leaders have accused the administration of playing favorites during a time of lethal pandemic. We need accountability if the nation is to thrive in the future. Vote in 2020.

Opinion, Words to ponder

Firing the Inspector Generals

Why would a president want to fire the inspector generals whose job is to make sure that the law is being followed? One inspector general who was fired had been in his job for the past two presidents; one democrat and one republican. Suddenly with 2 trillion American dollars to spend the current president feels it is a good time to appoint people loyal to him. Many people feel that they can no longer be outraged by this president and there is no floor to his destructive behavior. What we see in this presidency stopped being political a long time ago. The next election is about character and decency. Every American voter will choose between decency or indecency in the next election: no matter what narrative they want to believe. The choice we make will define each individual and the country. God bless America! Vote 2020!

Opinion, Self improvement, Words to ponder

“Power pollutes; obedience enslaves” – Unknown

The four words “power pollutes; obedience enslaves” remind us that in a republic we have a duty to pursue, find, and follow the truth; as this is our true north. Republics have been rare in human history because of our egotistical nature and weakness for sociopaths who tell us what we want to hear versus the truth. I believe Jesus words that “you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free”. The truth frees us and lies are meant to enslave us in one way or another. Today we see networks and political parties of people who regularly deny or obstruct the truth. Our duty as citizens is to question authority to make sure those claiming to be leaders remain servants of the people, and seekers of truth.