The past had its moment. It’s gone. Life is all about contributing to build a better future for ourselves, our families, and our communities. That sounds like an impossible task. It’s impossible until we break it down to it’s most essential pieces. It’s how we care about ourselves, families, neighbors, and colleagues. When we work collectively at our most fundamental level, our actions connect throughout the world to all others working at this fundamental level. We understand that great things can be accomplished when we work together, stop the insanity of war, and build a society that peacefully endures.
think
Something to Think About
Early voting has started in Texas with election day just two weeks ahead. I take voting seriously. I like to inform myself about the candidates and their positions. I don’t care for the negative ads I see on TV. I view negative ads as half-truths that tell me nothing about either candidate. Voting is a honor and one to take seriously. I’m happy I have choices to make. I may not vote for all winning candidates, but knowing I have a chance to express my viewpoint is a fundamental right in a democracy.
Something to Think About
Fall is in full swing in the northern hemisphere. Leaves are falling. The temperatures are dropping. The squirrels are gathering nuts. These are all signs that fall is here and winter is not far away. The seasons change. They don’t fight change. It is nature’s way. We can take lessons from nature. When change is inevitable, why fight it, adapt to it, make the best of it. Turn the change into something beautiful. Like each season, which has it’s own special beauty, we can make each season of our lives beautiful and let it shine brightly. C’mon, you can do it.
Something to Think About
The poet, Matsuo Bashu, wrote, “Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought.” It’s a common occurrence for people to place all their hopes and energy in one person. We see this all the time in politics. It’s as if they believe the person whom they place all their hopes in holds the keys to the doors to happiness, prosperity, and security. Instead, as Bashu suggests, it is better to seek what they are seeking if it is the good you are seeking.
Something to Think About
It takes a discerning reader to dig for the truth in news stories. The discerning reader searches multiple sources and tries to collect the pieces to the puzzle that reveal the truth of a situation or event. Even with a deep search, it still is possible to be missing several pieces to complete the puzzle. Paying attention to only media sources that reflect our philosophy leaves aa big hole in understanding of what is true or false. It takes more time to dig deeper into different sources of news stories; the search, however, yields a much clearer picture of reality. As for me, I like to make up my own mind. I don’t want to surrender what I think or feel to a single media or governmental source.
Something to Think About
All of our paths, unique to each of us, converge as we search for the deepest meanings in our lives. We may use our paths to run away from discovering the deepest meaning in our lives. Yet, life has a curious way of pulling us back toward the search. The wise ones discover the deepest meanings in life early on. They are the mystics, sages, or prophets who see things the rest of us have yet to see. For many, the discovery of the deepest meaning in life is like peeling an onion, layer by layer. It takes time and patience. It’s worth the effort.
Something to Think About
Is it time to escape? We all need some form of escapism to relieve the pressures of everyday life. Children do this naturally. They assume fictitious rolls and move easily between reality and the fantasy they created. There are healthy and unhealthy ways to escape. The many forms of addiction are unhealthy ways to escape. There are healthier ways to escape such as a vacation, reading a good book, going to movies or a sporting event, dancing, gardening, or taking a walk in a nature setting. Take time to engage a healthy way of temporarily escaping from life’s pressures.
Something to Think About
Consequences happen. We can deny the existence of reality and use language to support our erroneous claims. Yet, there are consequences for all of our actions they are coming like the rising of the sun. Consequences are like my credit card, they come due. If I don’t pay my credit card on time, there’s interest to pay. There’s no way out. It’s true with credit cards and it’s true in our lives.
Something to Think About
Winning streaks are great, but they don’t last. Losing streaks are painful, but they don’t last. We dance through life going through the good times and being hit in the gut by bad times. They happen. How we deal with them, both the good and bad, marks us with an indelible mark. It is the mark of character on our humanity. Did we handle the winning moments with grace and humility? Did we handle the tough times with courage, patience, and endurance? It’s never too late to change how we react. We don’t have to be what we were or are. We can be what we desire to become.
Something to Think About
Shouting, hollering, and denial can’t change the truth. When we seek the truth we look beyond the noise in search of discovery. Those who sincerely search for truth know that their search does not always yield the results they want. Yet, truth searchers are open to letting verifiable facts change their thinking. There was a time when many thought the world was flat; truth search kept searching and discovered the world wasn’t flat.
