Self improvement, Words to ponder

Words to ponder

Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better take things as they come along with patience and equanimity. – Carl Jung

This quote raises many interesting questions. Do we have to know pain to appreciate happiness? How do we learn to have patience and balance in the face of threatening events? What causes some people to be very emotional and others more reserved; are these inherited traits? Do we have to balance happiness with sadness; can’t we just move from the ground floor to the upper floors without a journey to the basement?

Self improvement, Words to ponder

Words to ponder

When you blame others, you give up your power to change. – Robert Anthony

This quote has profound questions implied in it. Does power only come from ownership, or is it the recognition of our power in situations that leads us to understand our impact? Does our view of power lead to different behavior? Do we blame others for success? Does blame represent fear? Is blame always inaccurate? Does blame always have to be negative, and if not how do we flip it into a building block?

Opinion

What is the Republican health care plan?

The 45th president has raised the issue of destroying the Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA) also known as Obamacare. For the last decade Republicans have talked about repealing and replacing Obamacare, but they have never shared their plan for replacing Obamacare. The repeal part of their plan has been attempted numerous times and was barely defeated most recently. It is frightening that a major political party would be reckless enough to take away healthcare rights (from those with pre-existing conditions) without any plan to protect those citizens. American must focus on issues that impact the majority and demand respect in the 2020 elections.

Opinion

Still waiting for the Mueller report

William Barr has received the Mueller report which is about what happened during the 2016 US elections. William Barr has written a conclusion about the Mueller Report; everyone else is still waiting to find out what the report says. We will hopefully find out the details very soon, but we cannot take seriously pronouncements of innocence when all that we know from the US Department of Justice is a summary written by a man who said he did not believe there should have been an investigation of the president in the first place. There is so much to do and enjoy in our great country. Let’s stay focused on enjoying the blessings of liberty while focused on maintaining them.

Self improvement, Words to ponder

Words to ponder from Marcus Aurelius

“The things you think about determine the quality of your mind. Your soul takes on the color of your thoughts.” – Marcus Aurelius

Some questions to consider: Do we need to force ourselves to think deeply about topics that do not initially interest us? Should we be fearful of our thoughts, or do we balance our thinking by gathering more information and countering ideas? Which comes first our souls or the ideas we focus on? How do we train ourselves and those we care about to think both deeply and broadly? Is it our duty to be caring about everyone to some extent?

Books, Review, Self improvement

Book Review – The Total Money Makeover

I just finished Dave Ramsey’s book “The Total Money Makeover”. This is a great short read for anyone who wants to improve their financial circumstance and/or lifestyle. Dave has clear steps and practices that anyone can understand and put into practice; the only thing you need to add is determination and you will change your life. This book has a lot to offer, but I know how easy it is to substitute or create a hybrid of Dave’s formula. The book spells out that you can; have a disciplined budget, a clear focus (the debt snowball), and a goal to live like no one else so that you can live and give like no one else (retire debt free with a million plus in assets).

Opinion

When was the last time…

When was the last time an American President made repeated personal attacks on a dead American hero or politician? I can’t think of any examples. Why do a large number of people calling themselves Republicans approve of this behavior? Everyone should be concerned when our institutions do not take a stand against abhorrent or criminal behavior. Our republic needs the stability provided by high expectations and accountability for the public behaviors of our leaders and citizens. We cannot allow decency to disappear from the public square, and we must hold those who attack it accountable.

Opinion

Spring is in the air

As we go into this Spring it is nice to savor the season and it’s familiarity. As we experience climate change on our planet it is hard to believe others, but I hope you can trust your own senses and memory. Do there seem to be more more warmer days than you remember? Do natural disasters seem more powerful and/or numerous? Does the road along the coast seem tenuous or have a new bypass? We should all look forward to a brighter future for our posterity, but be active and educate yourself to help make it happen.

Self improvement

Are we becoming a nation of cheaters and liars?

We are facing a wave of scandals revolving around cheating and lying. The top offices of our government are gained and maintained by hiding the truth. Parents seek to get their children into college by cheating on tests, and paying people to lie and create a deception. Some thinkers believe that as a society we are crossing a line where we no longer believe in truth and justice (the American Way), but do whatever we can to access power and resources. Our politics and legal system are under daily assault; what is the impact on our society? Perhaps our climate is changing in more ways than one.

Opinion, Words to ponder

Is the President worth it?

Is it worth it to the country to impeach a president when he is clearly guilty of felony behavior on issues from national security, to emoluments, to tax evasion? Do we say no this time and then pursue the next guy? Do American leaders tell us that major criminal behavior does not matter if you gain the highest office? What do we say to all of those facing legal jeopardy or risking their lives to enforcing our laws when it is obvious that the law does not apply to all? When does the specter of moral and legal system decay become too much for citizens and leadership to ignore?