It's No Present Like the Time Thing

Dear America,

"There's no present like the time."

The understatement on the day.

It's courtesy of Babul, 

and just a line from...

 The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

during my usual Sunday ritual of listening to a wave of morning preachers one after the other, one of them pointed out what seemed to be something obvious -- and yet -- it wasn't.  He said that to worry is acting like a pagan, for where is thy faith if we sit and crumble under the pressure, consumed by the temporal fear of whatever is going on around us, or the things that may or may not ever be, as if God and All that God Is and All that God promises to believers, of the Life Everlasting and the Peace that Passes all Understanding, is in question.

exactly.

Where is thy faith?

In the midst of a world falling apart in the every day, reflecting upon this persistent conflict of reconciling and overcoming the things we witness on the outside with the things we know and believe on the inside becomes something of an acquired talent, over time really -- a magical feat against all odds, as the Ecclesiastic seasons come and go as they please.  [Of course, that would not be God's Odds, that would be human odds, complete with human limitations, and quickly parlaying into human results.]  

And clearly, as it would seem to the naked eye anyway, some days are just easier than others to have this kind of certain faith, while other days, we are just plum lost.

The only way our world -- this world, the only world we have -- gets better, is upon each new day when each and every one of us awakes, we individually commit to being and doing our very best, as one human being to another.

That's it.

For we all know what being and doing our best looks like and most importantly, feels like; for no doubt, this integrity within ourselves and among our fellow man produces exactly this result -- we reap what we sow.  This is, in part, what our founder's called Nature's Law, and this natural, organic, systematic, charismatic, meta-physic equation of Judeo-Christian roots soon became part and parcel of the foundation upon which this Republic was made, without question. [Dare you to look into it.]

The Founder's counted upon the generations to continue to be not of little faith, but an all-encompassing, never to be separated, free-exercising public body of believers in the Divine.  For a faithful lot is a happy lot; a happy lot is a happy life; a happy life is a happy community and a country who lives and works and does good things in the pursuit of happiness for all the neighborhood, if not the entire world, to witness and enjoy...albeit, happily.

From my favorite book, The 5,000 Year Leap by W. Cleon Skousen,  "Benjamin Franklin Describes the Five Fundamentals of 'All Sound Religion' " --- stating the following,

"Here is my creed: I believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe.  That he governs it by his providence.  That he ought to be worshipped.  That the most acceptable service we render to him is in doing good to his other children.  That the soul of man is immortal, and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this.  These I take to be the fundamental points in all sound religion."

and thus when Alexis de Tocqueville, of France, came upon America to visit, he made the following observation:

"I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there; in her fertile fields and boundless prairies, and it was not there; in her rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there.  Not until I went to the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.  America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."

Indeed.  Our conduct counts, and ultimately it will be judged; but until that day, let's just agree to be good, for it makes things a whole lot easier and better and happier for the lot that is all of us.

The only Thing of this world that is Pure Good is God.

And without a faith in Something greater than ourselves, and moreover, Something that teaches us to be good,  the more America will find herself lost in every way and pretty much broken.

As long as we are all good to one another (and good encapsulating many different things -- respectful, honorable, kind, honest, loving...), each and every one of us could walk around with a gun in our back pocket and have no issues whatsoever.  As in none.

Just love Benjamin when he says, "[T]hat the most acceptable service we render to him is in doing good to his other children."

to his other children, Benjamin says.  oh and just how much love can one girl have in her heart for this fine specimen of a human being and founding father of this great country,.. oh how much love...it knows no bounds.  

That the best we can be, "the most acceptable service is doing good to his other children" says it all, does it not?  Which is why it is so worthy of repeating over and over again and until we get it right and it's completely understood, because clearly, it isn't.  We must care for, and be good to, our fellow man, above all else, as we go about our day.  This is the time to "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country," indeed! and thank you JFK and your inaugural address of  1961.

In summation, let's go to Sam Adams --

"The sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy the gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people; then shall we both deserve and enjoy it.  While, on the other hand, if we are universally vicious and debauched in our manners, though the form of our Constitution carries the face of the most exalted freedom, we shall in reality be the most abject slaves."

All that we are now -- in America -- is a sum of all of our moving parts, all 330 million of us.  Whether we sit in the pit of worry, utterly silent, or whether we are loud and making our voices heard, marching, screaming, and telling all the world of the things that matter, or whether we chose to take the law into our own hands, all combined it is a lethal injection of a moral crime against humanity, against America herself.  Combined, we kill the best of whatever is yet to come for all us.  Combined it is a corruption of everything America is or ever will be, while only a virtuous society has the power to mend...with a little help from Heaven above and God's grace below.

--------------------------------

Now this girl is moving swiftly in another direction, and my hope is that it reconnects somewhere in the heart of things, but please, bear with me as I awkwardly acknowledge Trump's running mate -- officially announced just yesterday -- Mike Pence.  The announcement was delayed a day, given the news coming out of Europe, for France fell victim to another terrorist attack underneath a celebratory sky in Nice, an attack that killed 84 souls, and wounding hundreds more, if not thousands or millions even, if counting the broken hearts,  My prayers are with you all.

Now, Pence is a sound pick; my congratulations to the pair, and especially to Trump, as he makes his first sound decision in the matter of becoming the next president of the United States.  And in so acknowledging this new phase, it just so happens that today's sermon from Joel Osteen hit upon the message of the things God has in store for us -- On most days, we are unaware of the glory upon the horizon and just around the bend.   We must soldier onward and upward by right action and by our faith realizing that if  all is not well, then all is not done.  God has a plan for each one of us.  

Osteen then told the story of Samuel anointing David as King.  

As the story goes, to be found in 1 Samuel 16, Samuel had mistaken the Lord's wishes, allowing for his rather human prerequisites for the next leader to forsake him.  And finally, the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.  The Lord does not  look at the things man looks at, Man looks at outward appearance, but the Lord at the heart."

For in this short verse, the yin and yang of the republican ticket  completes itself; the outside and the inside form together in a more perfect union of what the republican ticket should look like, sound like, act like, and hopefully be like when finally in office.  For better or worse, Trump seems to be the guy, and with great happiness, his other half will fill the requirements of the job!   How wonderful is that! 

 

In translation, Pence is my David -- the choice helps me over the Trump hump with a sense of less panic, less worry, less holy crap what on earth is happening to America right now?!  Of course, I still have concerns; but concerns are healthy --  and a far cry from complete worry to the point of being stunned and unable to respond or act, frozen with fear,  Far cry.   and yet the tears keep coming, go figure...it's a conundrum.

-----------------------------

Someone once said there is no present like the time.

This is that time.  This is that day.

The present, when it presents itself to us in the every day, and within every minute of the day, has the power to change everything, for better or worse, for rich or for poor, in sickness and in health.

Pow, pow, pow pow pow!  Just like that, an Islamic extremist can plow down onlookers -- on the streets of beautiful Nice for a Bastille Day celebration -- in an horrific attack.

Poof!  Just like that,  Turkey can fall to an Islamic leader, possibly staging his own coup in order to justify a total, political, ideological sea change in the country.

Bang!  Just like that, three more police officers have been assassinated, this time in the streets of Baton Rouge.  Add that to the five others in the last ten days, in Dallas, and we have ourselves not only another hate crime, but have reached a moral decay of new lows in the ruthless attack upon our very own public servants.

And abracadabra! like magic, we can go forth to our faith, and pray --  asking for guidance, asking for how we can serve better, as one human being to another and another -- perhaps on our knees begging for mercy, healing, and forgiveness for the distance we have placed in society to the God we know and love.

today, this girl aches, sensing a pain never felt before, in all of my days...

the only thing that saves me, lifts me, makes me feel the entirety of this present moment all at once, is KNOWING, without a doubt,  there is a reason for this season in America.  Understanding we are being tested like never before, recognizing there is a God and this God is still in charge  -- of everything, mind you -- we must go forth in faith, a certain and mighty faith, unwavering.  Even when by all appearances, all may be lost -- it is not finished.

There is no present like the time.

Make it a Good Day, G

It's Rooted in 5000 Years Thing

Dear America,

dear diary...obviously, we are experiencing some cultural schisms smacking America upside the face.  It's a form of schizophrenia- nationalia only seen once every couple a hundred years, or so.

We could self-medicate; we could lose ourselves into our jobs; we could run away to some deserted isle and wither our days in sun, caipirinhas, and sand (indeed.  plenty, plenty of sand). Or we could just pretend it doesn't mean a thing; that none of this matters in life and death.

I've been gone for nearly a week; beginning upon the eve of the summer solstice, my girl and I mentally, physically, emotionally checked-out of the daily grind; ironically, it was just in the nick of time, given how the week progressed.  And oh thank heaven for the rested mind and body is all I have to say (just kidding; we've only just begun).

By definition, schizophrenia is described as  "any of a group of psychotic reactions characterized by withdrawal from reality with highly variable accompanying affective, behavioral, and intellectual disturbances."  While lo and behold, what do my wandering eyes find just a hop skip and a jump above it? A new explanation for it all...

Schizogenesis.

Which is generally, and simply understood, as "Reproduction by fission."

exactly.

America is no longer the homogenized, assimilated, blending into one body, one nation under God.

Every faction must have it's peace; every splinter begins by protest and ends in a fiery blaze of mass destruction, cultural consumption, and fundamental transformation.  It seems to never end.

When I began this blog, back in 2009 -- we were "piddling" over the itty-bitty details with humongous ramifications of universal healthcare. 

Sure, they didn't come right out and say we want socialized medicine; they phrased the aims, the ideas, the lies, as a compassionate answer for the uninsured --- that nothing else would change, that if you like your doctor you could keep your doctor, that the costs would universally, and dramatically, come down as if they could re-engineer out of thin air the dynamics of a free market battling against the soft tyrannical processes of big government with absolutely no conscience.

Magnificent power plays of politics and culture and corruption ignited a total transformation of our healthcare system, which now, four years later, has amounted to a  monetary cost three times its original estimate, massive confusion 300 million fold, and an economic disaster toppling industry, business, healthcare usurping whatever universal confidence we had with unintended consequences up the wazoo.  Isn't it great!

When will we ever learn that there are just some areas government does not belong?

Health care is one of them; religion is another; and marriage, yet another.

Almost overnight it would seem -- through the development of fracture and fission, divide and conquer, tyranny has unapologetically, flamboyantly, come out of the closet.  All of a sudden, no matter what your religious background, beliefs, conscience -- you are no longer permitted to practice, exercise, stand by those tenets dating back 5000 years and if you insist, it's called bigotry.

It's a new season in America - the only place on earth where the sum of our parts makes mayhem, madness, and a universal, cultural marginalization masked as tolerance that evolves into total elimination of a religious freedom -- the very root of our country's genesis.

How schizo is that?

While, even though there are truly 300 million of us (not counting the 20 million illegals, I guess) -- we have nine ordinary people in black robes deciding which way the American culture goes.   We might as well think of it as the Artillery of Social Justice on parade.

The irony and timing is rich, isn't it?  President Obama in Africa, of all places, at a time like this.

Obama refers to the ruling as a "victory for American democracy."  Indeed, mob rule did win -- and handedly with the Supreme Court ruling.  However, the Republic, the Rule of Law, took a beating -- what with Prop 8 getting shot back down to the lower courts ruling, and totally extinguishing the outcome of how the people of California voted -- which came directly after being forced to make an absolute course correction once the legislature enacted a cultural reversal with prejudice.

Californian's said no; and no, means no.

Ah but not so fast...
not in this day, this court, this usurpation of the people's will.

When Clinton signed off on DOMA back in 1996, the year my baby girl was born, the intention was pure.  (yeah, right, he needed to get re-elected and was already using the military like a petri dish as the mad-scientist-in-chief having implemented the "don't ask, don't tell" policy...)

It was a nice touch to a presidency needing a little family values influx.  And who knew, right? Considering it came long before the stained blue dress, a cigar, and the declaration "I did not have sexual relations with that woman."   "That woman," he said.  Makes me cringe every time.

Just an object of sexual satisfaction, and yet women overwhelmingly still adore him to this day.  ew.  but I digress.

Back to this president, this day, this time around...He was in Senegal giving social indoctrination of another nation his best shot. 


Ah not so fast, Mr. President --

"We are still not ready

to decriminalize homosexuality,"

Sall said, while insisting

that the country is "very tolerant"

and needs more time

 to digest the issue without pressure.

"This does not mean we are homophobic."

Senegal President Macky Sall

classic, isn't it.
from one president to another...back off.
Ah but nobody from Salon.com is calling for a Macky attack, now are they?

Here's some perspective:

"A report released Monday by Amnesty International says 38 African countries criminalize homosexuality. In four of those - Mauritania, northern Nigeria, southern Somalia and Sudan - the punishment is death. These laws appear to have broad public support. A June 4 Pew Research Center survey found at least nine of 10 respondents in Senegal, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and Nigeria believe homosexuality should not be accepted by society."

And quoting the AP, quoting Papi Nbodj -- a nineteen year old student:

"We are in a Muslim country,

so we certainly cannot have it here,"

he said.

"And for me it's not OK

to have this anywhere in the world."

Is anyone listening to this?

Understand that a religion -- Muslim, Islam -- does not constitute homosexuality as being "OK" anywhere in the world. 

Not only can you NOT get married, you can't even do it.  It's a crime.   And it makes up about 25% of the world's population, and sits second only to Christianity.

I would say Christianity is pretty damn progressive in this light. 

But what did the UK do just today?  Ban a couple of bloggers that speak up against radicalized Islamic extremists in their every day?  Seriously?   Just whose side are you on, you naïve, pompous, schizo, freakazoids?

And don't I sound rested now.  wow, G.  Breathe, just breathe.

What DOMA did was serve as a lightening rod to the entire LGBT community as something to attack.  It was as if America said come and get it.   Yoo-Hoo, over here...Don't you wanna piece of this? Of course, in the best Nathan Lane we could muster. 

Oh for the love of Pete and Pete, we got boondoggled into the firestorm and fodder from the first flicker of DOMA light.

Every bit of DOMA was designed to make it attract dysfunction, fracture, fissure, and family arguments from its onset; schizophrenia-nationalia or bust, or both.

plop, plop - fizz, fizz.

The Left is so patient with us, aren't they?

You know what I want; I want what goes on behind closed doors to stay behind closed doors.  Hetero, Homo, monogamous, polygamous, you name it. 

Marriage is off limits.

Religion is off limits.

Everyone needs to go back into there walk-in and take a chill pill.

Of course, policy in America should reflect equal treatment, equal benefits, and equal rights under the law.  Of course!  Writing appropriate civic policy has nothing to do with marriage or religion.  [Still love the day I chimed in with the idea of Civil Unions for everybody...oh that was then, and this is now, and this is a place where now and then context is everything]

We are Marshall and we are America.  And it's complicated; and we are one dysfunctional family first.

All are welcome to the table;  all of us demand equal and mutual and commanding respect.  And more than that -- under the equal protection of life, liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness -- this includes the free exercise of our religion from sea to shining sea, whether the gay community wants to respect that or not. [Clearly, they have made their choice.]

In the end, it is the gay community acting with flaming intolerance.

What we have here is a failure to communicate.

Everyone is simply pointing fingers across the table screaming over each other, I'm not crazy, you're crazy.

What we also have here is the dawn of an atrocity upon America that has no words to describe.

The Left has set the tone of a new bell, sounding more like an alarm.

They have only just begun.

Just you wait.

We are about to get a whole lot more of this:  "White House Announces Strong Opposition to Religious Freedom in the Military"

It's simply stunning censorship of the "free exercise thereof,"  no?

As we all know, this is how it starts -- or finishes -- depending upon which way the flag flies.  Gay rights trump religious rights; and "material used by the Army Reserve had identified Protestant Christians, Catholics, and Orthodox Jews as “religious extremists” similar to al-Qaeda and Hamas."

Oh really?

Don't ask.

Don't tell.

Don't pay any attention to any of it; dare you to put your head back into the sand.

It's just an era when the Defense of Marriage is really a lightning rod for fracture and dismissal of everything this nation finds precious, enduring the test of time, until now.  It didn't have to go down like this.  Things could have been said to prevent every ugly, noxious tantrum and protest -- be it from either side.

But let's be clear, shall we?

It's the Left  who abhors organized religion (unless it's Islam, because that's kinda cool) and they will paint anyone who clings to it -- even to this day -- as closed minded, ignorant, bigots.  And that is precisely what the developing stages of schizophrenia-nationalia is all about.  It's fundamental transformation from the roots, branching off into all kinds of strange and unforeseen ways, commencing with all aspects of religious life.   Let the schizogenesis begin, they say.

Just how old-world, flat-earthed, and intolerant is religious persecution anyway?

Which makes religious freedom the civil rights issue of the new millennium....again. Oh isn't it wonderful how history repeats itself?  What goes around, comes around.  Picking the side of Mother Mary, Mother Teresa, and mom -- the feminist that I am, I am --  I know who I am; my roots go back 5000 years.   I am not afraid.  Are you?

cool heads prevail.

in faith, let me be an instrument of thy peace.

Okay, this is good enough for one day.

We have more to say...but baby steps.  It's good to be back.

Make it a Good Day, G

 

Dear America,

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away, 

now it looks though they're here to stay, oh, I believe, in yesterday...

everybody join in now...

First, let me just say, yesterday is what happens when you blosh...rushing a blog is no way to go around life, you know what I'm saying... What, was I on speed, barreling through the the turns in run on after run on, not really coming to a complete and full stop if ever, not even once.  Crazy, I tell you, simply crazy.

Nothing good comes in a rush, that's all I'm trying to say; and going back to how the seasons greetings each year find congress suddenly in a rush, I think the point is made all the way around -- rushing legislation is no way to circumvent the people and create an even bigger government.

And besides, who was it yesterday who basically called the central government out on this, highlighting the history of Rome in the process, coming to the conclusion that the congressional body might just be pretty much for show nowadays -- the real damage gets done by executive order, czars, by special committee, and under a new system of governing and social order -- a.k.a. community organizer in chief. 

Oh it's subtle alright; half the country doesn't even see it coming, or rather, happening right under the mistletoe.

Let us slow down today, and pay attention to what we are doing, shall we?

And given it is clearly permissible to congregate by community prayer vigil, let's have one:

(and can we have a great big shout out to JoAnn Watson, City Councilwoman of Detroit...kudos to you...I give the ACLU, or our very own Justice Department, about ten more minutes before they shut that kind of behavior down)

In Mother Teresa's own words, found in her book, A Simple Path...

"God is everywhere and in everything and without Him we cannot exist.  I have never for one moment doubted the existence of God but I know some people do.  If you don't believe in God you can help others by doing your works of love, and the fruit of these works are the extra graces that come into your soul.  Then you'll begin to slowly open up and want the joy of loving God."

Mother Teresa made herself wholly available to God, to use her in whatever capacity He chose for her, being led down a simple path of austerity, grace, adding in an extreme duty and allegiance to the welfare of others, all her life. This reverence to the Most High became her life's work.

Not all of us can be a saint, like a Mother Teresa; some of us become Aretha Franklin's or Paul McCartney's showering the world in the love of song, sharing in community that one still voice; as a people, we can glean much and often through the power of lifting spirits higher, in joy or in sorrow, through words and melodies in song.  Music can sometimes change everything.

Let us consider then, music's ability to act as prayer, and come away with perhaps, a resolution, in hopes that we use our gifts, and support each other to do the same, and welcome the prospect of congregating with those who use God's gifts for good as often as we might possibly can; let us ponder, that while congregations sing on Sunday, everything from Gospel to Evangelical, from the Torah to the Koran, the reality is we sing in God's glory throughout the ages, in all communities, all the time. 

Tell me, we are not changed in that moment we recognize, altogether, that we are connected to the source of All Good; when we commune with each other in song, and in prayer, we lift our spirits to the heaven's above, and we let go of all the troubles of the earth and by the earth -- even if only for a moment.

When we pray, we do this; when we sing in the car, we do this; and when we do, things change, we change.

Doesn't this tell us and affirm, the essential element in life, and perhaps our success through it, might be eased simply by being mindful and cognizant of just about everything we say and think and sing and pray then?  Isn't it required of us to display this faith, actively and in community with one another, in order to teach our children, everyday, the importance of joining together in prayer for the betterment of the entire community, like glue, as the directions say?  

How is it okay to pray for a cultural icon, as in our dear Aretha -- openly, publicly, in the town square, and fully advocated by an official in the business of public service -- and yet, to do so for someone of lesser "value," or to even think of attempting such an act within the walls of public school, we say, heaven forbid?!

Isn't it just as important to display this faith, to unite in prayer, everyday?  In order to create a community in peace, and love, and respect, for all faiths, of all things, isn't it vital for the growth  and wealth of such a nation to practice what we preach in our daily affairs?  Why is it only allowed, and not ashamed, when it is hovering into an the realm of only for the elite, only for a few, only under certain conditions, only warranted by that which we deem politically, or culturally, correct?

Ball players do it; musicians sing it; Muslims demand it; the natural world revels in it; even birds do it -- chirping in God's grace the whole day through.

Mother Teresa explains,

"We are working for the Kingdom, we have devoted our lives to the Kingdom of God, so He definitely has to be the one who guides us and leads us and provides for us.  For instance, we never lose sight of God's providence, so we try to store the things that we need, and just manage with whatever comes as it comes.  I think in this way we will continue to receive God's blessings, especially if we don't become extravagant and if we don't get caught up living for the future, instead of right now in the present.  We need to be flexible -- when it is God's time things are easy and when its not His time things are difficult.  We must really listen to the invitation that God extends to us in whichever way it is manifested...

Let Jesus use you without consulting you.  [wow, that is good]

We let Him take what He wants from us.  So take whatever He gives and give whatever He takes with a big smile.  Accept the gifts of God and be deeply grateful. If He has given you great wealth, make use of it, try to share it with others, with those who don't have anything.  Always share with others because even with a little help you may save them from becoming distressed.  And don't take more than you need, that's all.  Just accept whatever comes."

"If he has given you great wealth..." this isn't just about material wealth and financial freedom, it is more about the gifts of talent and influence we live from a place of being in communion with one another.

"We must really listen to the invitation that God extends..." this isn't just about who we are individually, how best to purposely use our gifts, endowed by our Creator,  it is more about who we are how we unite, as a whole, with these gifts; collectively, what do we stand for, and how do we best give reverence to God, while shaping our society in gratitude for all that comes our way.  

Do we begin to take it all for granted, and move on.org, or do we make manifest a brighter, purposeful world of co-creators all around, never forgetting to give thanks and praise for where THE ALL comes.?

This is a time that try men's souls without a doubt -- but in relation to protecting all that we have worked for, it can be utterly detrimental and permanently destructive of everything if we ever come to a time when forget from where we came. 

A genuine effort to build community coming from faith, a belief in something greater than ourselves, Something so Great and Wonderful, that It guides us and directs us, even if totally unaware or accepted, is the only way true progress can me made.  To live a life connected to the Source of all things, and live a life of true faith -- the kind of faith the majority of us say that we are, and a nation that celebrates this very foundation from it's birth  -- we we must actually connect!

It was Glenn Beck, yesterday, who stamped out the fall of the Roman Empire across his handy dandy chalkboard; how did they fall from being an upstanding Republic?  Through the degradation of social and moral values, a show of rampant incivility between one another, overextending the growth of the central government increasing the power over the people, restricting the everyday rights and freedoms and liberties of the whole...in other words, letting too much power into the hands of way too few in every attempt to play God;  little by little they began to control God's gifts.

Our society is doing everything backwards these days -- instead of praying for guidance and direction, in the community of one another, we are separating, polarizing the issues, dividing the hearts and minds of a faithful people, and dismissing the one, true, simple path right in front of us.  Our troubles of yesterday will never go away until we pray about it today.

And to pray on it, never ceasing.

We really don't know what will happen tomorrow, do we. At this point, as the world turns, just about anything goes and just about anything could.

If we paid more attention to how we live today [for it might be all we have], freely, in the presence of one another, anywhere and often, and undoubtedly under God [have your pick],  our troubles may not miraculously fall far, far away, if ever, if at all; but it would be a matter of record that we would know precisely where they lay... and more important, know just where to put our hearts and minds in order to make manifest a resolution, and everyday create a more perfect union.

Make it a Good Day, G

and by the way, we really should pray for Aretha today...and while you're on the line, throw in a few good thoughts for all the rest of us, too.  We all need a little love, be it for yesterday, in this very moment, or whatever tomorrow may bring...

Dear America,

One thing that is still lingering from yesterday's discussion on What Price Happiness? is something that was given little attention in Naomi's lamentations upon the spiraling effects of Western feminism -- that being, our connection to a Higher Power in our daily life; I am quite certain, those who partake and value being in relationship with a God of one's choosing -- daily, joyously, solemnly, respectfully -- without fail, and no matter what, would find happiness to come as the existential icing on the cake.

In my experience, watching and listening to the "Western Feminists" of our time, more often than not, there seems to be an unspoken rule that showing reverence to a small town God diminishes the intellect, shows ignorance rather than renaissance, and bestows upon It's followers a lifetime of restrictions and commandments -- surely a relationship without benefits to speak in a modern term we might all understand.

There was a moment in Naomi's article when she highlights a brief interlude with an Indian woman -- concerned that "Western feminism is coming," pointing to the wake of an even greater concern, "the loss of the deepest personal attachments...[saying] they want to be spared what appears to them to be the brutal transformation of roles and general damage to relationships."  ...good luck with that India...now that we're on the precipice to a better trade agreement and symbiotic working relationship, let us know when you figure that one out...

Needless to say, over there, harmony for the whole is a much greater influence upon how they live and operate, than the selfish creation of happiness for simply one's self.

OMMMMMMM
A place that may provide another way of looking at this, may be found within an organization known as AS A MOM.org : a sisterhood of mommy patriots, as they call themselves.  Here, if I'm not mistaken, and I am most certain I am not, a plethora of happy mommies congregate, daily.


No, not saying they don't have issues; but the overall belief system, the one that binds the "sisterhood," is a firm faith in God and Family -- while some days, not necessarily in that order.

I would be willing to bet, the preponderance of happy mommy patriots outshines the not-so-happy, simply for one thing, and one thing only -- God; in times of triumph or tribulation, the faithful are stewards of the greater good, followers by God's grace, who humbly go wherever Spirit leads them; if aligned with the values and characteristics of Christ, Omniscience finds you -- and uses you, in harmony, for the good of the whole.  They have little time to argue, or question, what the Lord knows best, so they simply get on with life, living it, as best they can,  moving to effect others to do the same, and maybe even affect change.

In the same vein, having just received my 2011 Calendar Girls in the mailbox -- the Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute, founded in 1993, celebrates American Conservative Women each year, giving a powerful, hand-held tool for organizing the daily grind, while extending a complimentary nod to the twelve most notable and powerful women in the conservative movement.

It's nice to be surrounded with like-minded women -- and likewise, the Luce Policy Institute strives for the advancement of conservative women, traditional values, and all the economic freedoms and liberties that a life safely held under the arm of a limited government can muster; by reaching out to young women across America on college campuses -- the Institute leads the way in providing a real choice, one that offers a valuable and positive environment, along with leadership training, through daily efforts mounting an effective, conservative activism campaign -- all to combat the proliferation of the liberal bias normally associated to places of "higher learning," of course, with left wing intellectual elites at the podiums leading the charge, the Institute has their work cut out for them...


To find out more information, and ways you can get involved, go to the Luce Policy Institute, @ cblpi.org, or contact Michelle Easton, current president and honorable happy sender of my calendar (THANK YOU!), located in Virginia, at (888) 891-4288. 

The calendar reminded me of a famous quote of Clare Boothe Luce (1903 - 1987):

"No good deed goes unpunished."

Funny girl. 

Again, Luce is an example of one of my longtime held beliefs, epitomizing "Western Feminism" before there ever was such a thing; once again, another conservative woman proves, we don't have to wait for it to become popular, to become "a movement,"  we just go out and do it -- be it -- make it -- stand up for it.  There she is....Ms. America... wife, mother, and oh yes, congresswoman, U.S. Ambassador, editor of Vanity Fair, among other things in her happy little life, but all the while, a woman of great FAITH.

The quote on her page -- and she is Ms. July, by the way -- comes the call, "courage is the ladder on which all other virtues mount."  Indeed. Does she stand as a mom, and as a leading lady of courage, or what?! Wouldn't she be surprised to have been the inspiration behind the "Luce Ladies", at cblpi.org.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEoKR-WFaFc

We don't need a "Western Feminist Movement" to validate what we do, or lead the way in creating our own happiness -- being either a liberal or conservative woman, it should make no difference whatsoever; we just need the courage TO DO, all else, as a good dose of hardcore faith teaches us, shall be added unto you.

Make it a Good Day, G

Before I leave you today, here's another zinger from Clare:
"there are no hopeless situations, only men who have grown hopeless about them."  Is that a little "western feminism" at it's best, or what?!  ... and funny thing,  long before Woodstock, hmmmmmmmmmm...

Dear America,

Substance over style.

This is what we crave today; and it will be this precise spirit that guides us, come November 2; bells and whistles, backdrops and props, have not a chance in hell to penetrate through the core belief -- we seek reform and revival of our founding principles.  Not for a day, not for a week, not for just until super Tuesday, but for forever and a day...for we are changed.  We've been there, done that. Enough already.

Gullibility, gone; ; no longer will we simply assume those we send to Washington have our best interests at heart.  Special interests, Unions, class warfare, deficit spending, national debt, social security, medicare, health care, cap and trade, ganging up on small business -- big business -- any business that creates real jobs, mortgage fraud, unfunded liabilities, unfunded pensions, apologizing for America, ridiculing those who simply think differently, rash moratoriums, cutting military tribunals to oversee terrorist trials, celebratory mosques built anywhere, dividing Americans through rhetoric and false racial accusations, fighting term limits in congress, obscene spending within congressional offices -- through excessive staffing, overhead, travel, private jets to petty cash, ALL of it, gone.

What we crave, is a Sebastian Pinera.

"there there, it's alright.

 it's alright, it's a moment of happiness. 

 it's good.  it's good. 

there, there,

just let all of those emotions out,

 it's fine, it's fine."

With genuine concern, like a father, his arm is softly draped over the woman's shoulder, consoling her with everything he's got left, bringing a sense of calm and security, offering his very best in the moment, to help her get through waiting painstakingly through just five minutes more...which seemed like a lifetime even after already waiting a full 69 days... the last two, utterly agonizing.

This was what he said, at about the time of miner number 29 nearly reaching the surface of 'the rest of his life', to the wife of Juan Carlos Aguilar.  And like anything a parent would say to a child, it wasn't so much what he said, it was the way he said it -- his demeanor, his priority in giving her his full attention, right there, bearing it all with her and giving her the strength to stay with it for just a moment or two longer, but more important, honoring her feelings, showing her the kind of empathy all of us crave in that kind of moment. 

Sometimes, all we want is someone to know how we feel, to listen, to really listen; and these wives and families have endured great pain simply by waiting all this time, and the Chilean President was right there -- I don't think he ever left over the course of twenty four hours -- and along with his first lady, too.  What a display of elegance under pressure; what an example to presidents of nations everywhere, astounding stamina and spirit shining through for his people at a time of need.

And it didn't just happen for the last two days, no, it was his very belief, from day one, that he could save all thirty three miners that made this rescue happen; his Minister of Mines, his closest confidants and administration told him to leave this disaster alone, to let it go...there, there... they said to him... just let it go. let them go. 

But Pinera couldn't do that; these were real Chileans who were still alive, and by God, he was going to find a way to get them out; and he had every faith that he would.

He committed himself to seeing it all the way through; he committed government resources from day one; he said yes, to offers of help -- from anywhere and everywhere -- his personal ego let go and let God work (that last bit, was my own interpretation).   But against all of his adviser's best advice, he said no to them, and said yes to the world and the possibility-in-waiting.

Let's review a few moments that are fresh in the memory of recent actions of our own Commander-in-Charge:

• Gulf Oil Spill, ah no thanks, we got it, turning away the Dutch, syphons, and boats and booms oh my, right quick, almost too quick.
• Military Tribunals for terrorists, ah no thanks, our civilian courts will be more fair and I think,  therefore I am in charge, I think that's the better way to go...and already showing trouble.
• Arizona immigration legislation, ah no thanks, don't need any help, The Fed knows more than you, and knows how to handle this, back off, or I will sue, and he did.
• IBM offering Health Care fraud detection technology, ah no thanks, we got this, walk away now, oh but now that I think, therefore I am in charge, you do know we'll sue you if your company does not comply with our new regulations.
• Military absentee votes, ah sorry guys, no can do, can't do anyything about that...taking the unsavory position that 'to not act is to act...' and what an ugly habit it seems to be growing into...
• just who is the party of no, now?

Polar (hemisphere) opposites, anyone?

Could they be any more different?

Self made Billionaire, Sebastian Pinera, having been credited to bringing credit to Chileans -- yes, the evil credit card market was brought to the hands of every consumer and entrepreneur, changing their economy and the way they do business nearly all by himself (okay, slight exaggeration maybe).  But still!  Can you picture our Obama-nator organizing communities in the south side of Chicago with credit card activism?  yeah, didn't think so...  Not that every American is credit worthy all the time, there is that angle as well -- and clearly, make no mistake, by his record, he wouldn't touch that one either (can you say fannie?  freddie? bravo, bravo).

Here's another interesting hmmmmmmmm about these two: both went to Harvard!  Yes, Sebastian has a degree in Economics, and apparently, became a real bonafide Professor of Economics for a time in his life; unlike, our own president, where information surfaced linking to an unthinkable reality that he really wasn't ever a "professor" but a senior lecturer from time to time (mr. fee fi faux-fessor, thank you Hillary campaign...huh...if only) ...while we might also question the constitutional law he mastered, when he can't in fact quote what is "constitutional" material and what is "Declaration of Independence" correctly (and a few times) ...and if that weren't enough, being a president fudging about his law license (and Michelle too), having turned in his law license , (designating "in-active" schmear-active) on the heels of an investigation that concluded he would most likely be losing it anyway (apparently in 2008...in the middle of a campaign?.. what no, say it isn't so). 

Bravo
Bravo
Bravo.

Substance versus style -- while sometimes, when we're really lucky, some countries get both.

The people of Chile love this man, Sebastian, right now, and what's not to love; and how proud this man was, Sebastian, last night.  Beaming from his heart and soul was pure adulation of his country, his people, his miners, of all the gracious assistance he let in; he acted as a true leader, by facilitating all the good to simply flow. (he gets the true economics of it all, of life, what a breath of fresh air).

This mentality comes naturally to a man with a business sense, a certain common sense, a sense that we can find a way to make something, build something, think of something, sell something, save something, invent something, dare to dream something, and maybe even rescue something, like it was nothing at all.

He didn't seek praise -- albeit the really cool unintended consequence of actions coming from the heart and substance of a man who really cares;  he simply sought the outcome of not taking NO for an answer.  His faith told him to go forward, keep going, start digging, find the thing that will save them; and he did.

When I was in like 3rd grade, I did a report on Chile and fell in love with it -- even as just a kid. There was just something about the way it was shaped, as I recall, it was different...funny looking... and along with being south of the equator, which seemed like going to the moon and back in those days, everything about the cultural mix, the Andes, the Incas, and of course, it's shape, intrigued this girl very much. Those memories came rushing back over the course of the last couple of days.

I remember, too, I just loved saying the name; which in those days, we said "Chilly,"  not "Cheelay."  Toomayto, tomahto, no matta no matto -- who's willing to bet that Cheelay tourism will be way up over the course of the next year; (if I had money) my money would be on airlines that go there!

Me thinks a few more things will only go up, too -- things like Pinera's approval rating, Chilean patriotism, church attendance (not that it's an issue, what with 70% of it's people Catholic), price of copper and gold, marriages and oh my, even baby making (bet me, nine months from now, births in Chile will blow through the roof). 

Yes.  It is all going up from here in Cheelay.  C - H - I - L- E hey! hey! hey!

If America doesn't work out, G's going there.

Make it a Good Day, G

A look at how far we've come: your movie today, just a click away on Dear America above, (dates to the first week of September) ends with the comment from a journalist quoting the administration, "it will be months before the men are rescued."...think again. Been there, done that. Next.

On another front, some presidential behavior around the world becomes almost entertaining, take for example the latest use of the poster unveiled by Iran's Ahmadinejad when visiting Hezbollah on the border(line) with Lebanon and Israel...his mug and a bit of Farsi, loosely translated as, YES WE CAN.  funny.

Dear America,

or should I say this morning, Dear Chile.

To say this is a bit overwhelming would understate the magnitude of the moment -- and yet, the more we watch, it becomes more a situation where we have totally underestimated the depths of the human heart; it's as if our little Grinch heart bursts forth, having been discovered "two hearts too small," thick in the doldrums of our own misguided lives, only to be enlivened with the true meaning of life right before our very eyes.

Like miner numero dos, Mario Sepulveda, after 69 days, held against your will, down under in a cave 2300 feet below daylight, and he comes bouncing up and out of that "plan B" carriage bearing gifts -- what the.. are you a saint?  Oh my God, you are good, you are good.  He pulls out of his bag of treats a bunch of rocks, wrapped and adorned with a smile, as if it was nothing, nothing at all.

He was later quoted as saying, "I was with God and the Devil.  I reached out and picked God."

Stop, Mario, you had me with the rock.

It all started last night around 8 pm Pacific Time with Florenzio Avalos ascending from the warm, dark cave and into a cold, dark desert night  outside of the San Jose Mine, in Copiapo, Chile. Florenzio was first, for he was one of the strongest; he was initially one of the few miners who saw the writing on the wall right from the start, and became instrumental in helping to create an atmosphere of order and calm.

And without taking away from the magnificence of Chileans, Florenzio, in Italian, is linked to the beautiful city of Florence, a shining example of life in the days of Julius Ceasar, dating back to 59 BC; it personifies everything that is "flourishing, blossoming", while Florence grew to become the "cradle of the Renaissance" -- and famous for establishing the use of elements, like gold and various minerals, as a vehicle of building wealth, community, capital, and influencing all of Europe. And all I can think, bearing witness to the life force that popped out of the vessel to the new world, was that perhaps there really is something in a name.

Florenzio helped cradle the men down below in their darkest hour; and one by one, we are watching his spirit of survival burst forth through the earth, anxious to meet with the life waiting for them.

We are witnessing a miracle really; the longest duration of continued life under the earth in captivity by mother nature -- they are breaking all records;  just how did they do it?

Every man will have a story; every story will have a lesson; every lesson will live on forever, for generations to come, as the legend in the making unfolds for each and every one.

What was the one thing that kept their heads together?

The Compassion, the Glory, the Substance, the Shelter, the Calm  -- was called upon in a shared faith.

When confronted with danger or loss of hope, one of the first things we do as humans -- and this time is no exception -- is pray.  As devout Catholics (except for that mistress or two...just part of the narrative, that's all it is...we are only human you know) they prayed every day, and sometimes maybe all day.  IT was their shared faith in a loving God that brought them hope when they had nothing else left; while sometimes that hope was brought on a rope, faithfully delivering love notes and presents offering a bit of sustenance to get them through their days, all 69 of them.

And oh my goodness, got to break away from the heartstrings for a second and simply make note of what a difference between presidents -- Sebastian Pinera, the leader of Chile, who's popularity has soared with his handling of the San Jose Mine disaster -- as been shown making the sign of the cross multiple times. I just can't help but make note, this country is so steeped in faith,  its almost like a second skin.  Unlike the thin skinned, separation of church and state leader of the free world of ours...preaching the never-ending battle hymn of his republic:

"[what this is all about is] if hope can overcome fear...so that, ah, what the other side is gonna do, ah, is ride this fear and anxiety all the way to November 2nd..."

Ye of so little faith; what you see as fear, dear One, is simply our natural protectionist mechanism rising to the top of the earth.

But THAT is the going mantra from the President who is supposed to stand for all Americans, to be less divisive, to be more uniting, to be all about changing the tone in Washington -- when all he's done is attack "the other side."  and all I can say is you don't know us at all; what we all fear and hope for is a return to an America that lives by liberty; it is not about picking sides at all, not one iota; don't make us choose one over the other at the risk of breaking the whole -- this is about making us one nation under God again -- because that worked. 

But this is our president these days -- still going after it with making disparaging remarks and drawing the line between us, as if by picking a side we lose the capacity to cheer for all, unlike what's going on in Chile, as we speak.  C - H - I - L - E   hey   hey   hey!

For most of us on this day -- a day which holds so much of the same promise of hope and faith, at a level many of us cling to, akin to how we all felt on 9/12 -- we come as Americans, living with our heart and soul showing on the shirt sleeves -- we have all but dropped the campaigning for the moment.

Mr. President, we the people, are watching a miracle happen just south of the equator,  where are you? Where is the love? Are you that out of touch with the mass of Americans who are simply on our hands and knees in thanksgiving and praise today?  I mean, come on, the whole world is watching this unfold in Chile, and crying tears of joy, and  I am just waiting for you to grab hold of it, and make a shift.  If you think about it, just where oh where is your sense of the greater global community?  This is a golden opportunity to use the spirit of Chile and come together with all Americans, not just the one's you pick and choose.  Listen to us; pay attention to Chile; and learn from this if you can, to have the sudacity to change your divisive ways just a wee bit.  We are crying out for unity right here, right now, at home.

This might explain why 42% of Americans are just not that into you these days, according to the latest polls.  Wow.  And what a contrast between you and the President of Chile, who has been raised to a position of Your Excellency with the handling of the owners of this mine, Empresa Minera San Esteban, while taking full responsibility for all costs in the rescue, sounding much like he is pointing fingers and asking questions later; he did rush in to slash the upper management of the mines -- but that sounds like its been a long time coming -- but he's keeping operations wide open for all those who comply. He's not punishing the whole bunch of operators or an entire industry (unlike the Gulf Oil fiasco...oh and fyi, it's too late...Obama...it's too late to make amends...you may have unplugged oil drilling in the Gulf killing 175,000 jobs yet...this last ditch effort to lift the moratorium like the 'plan B' capsule, and just before the election, is a day late and millions of dollars short, if not all but gone...and we can see through you now, so take off the super dooper president suit).

Okay G, where is your love?  Come on back now, don't lose touch with this day...

We are just over half way home in Chile; the thing is, today, after being buried in the slime and drudgery of campaign promises and opposition lies for weeks now, sensing only a lot more of it on the horizon -- my wish for America is a return to a life by faith -- with all evidence of it's value pouring out before us from a tiny capsule at about 40 minute intervals. 

And for me, what that means is, I want us to connect to each other on a soul level a whole lot more, and not be afraid to teach It, operate from It, rebuild an America with It;  life is short, and it can be taken from us at any time, without warning.

I know, in my heart, if we do this, everything we touch and live for will be changed forever (again); in faith, we will make better children, families, communities, corporations, freedoms, liberties, happiness's, for one and for all -- for It does not discriminate.  And it remains simply a fact, that our limited government grew out of this Connection, to a Spirit greater than the common man, yet inspired the common man to become great.

This fundamental principle of our own making  has only failed us when we have failed It; "endowed by our Creator" is a belief that has carried us to greatness, steadfast and strong, only when we let It, only when we live It, only when we honor It.  IT cannot be called upon -- although It will gladly show up at last minute -- only when we need It; our faith must stand through THICK and thin, that is the point. It is easy to forget about It when times are good; a little taste of reality that magically tests humanity every day.  (and with a little time on that thought, perhaps why we are needing a reminder from time to time...we are weak but He is strong ring any bells...)

As a nation, we have collectively grown away from living by our faith, and after watching Chileans walk out on their own two feet and immediately falling to their knees in prayer before the world, it simply takes my breath away; it reminds me of Where I came and Who I am. 

I am part of That!

I want to be free to flaunt my faith in front of the world in good times, or in bad, and make no apology for it; I want our kids to start their day with a moment of silence in school to pray or not to pray; I want my leaders to preach religious liberty, by example, and hold to the founding Principles and Truths we hold dear, as written, clinging to the provisions that protect us every step of the way to express our faith fully.

I do not expect us to believe in the same God, only that we live under God  in peace and mutual respect -- you pick and choose which one, or pick "none of the above", or write in your own (we have that now); point is, It is entirely up to you.  But make no mistake, our America was made under God, who happened to be very Judeo-Christian at the time; and ever since then, for the most part, we have flourished. 

Viva Florencia, Viva Chile, E una vita bella!

Make it a Good Day, G

...we all know, it has the potential of being one of our last at any time.

And, thumbs up to our NASA...surely, it can't be what you invisioned your job description to morph into -- especially with some programs circling Pluto with no chance of return -- but way to go with the assistance of technology, expertise and moon juice.  Thank you!

Dear America,

"The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach -- waiting for a gift of the sea." Anne Morrow Lindburgh

Gift from the Sea, is quickly becoming part of my sojourn to summer; long forgotten on the bookshelves, I tripped over it while well underway in a search for something else. Lucky for me, it was just what my soul was craving.

Never you mind that it reminds me of a young America -- as we sit, with nothing better to do but reflect upon our search for self, as a people, as to our future, as if unable to read, or write, or do anything but decompress into ourselves -- the rapture of meeting the opportunity of that which has presented itself, overcomes me.


We are venturing into a new land, a time when we are returning to the self-realization of what made America, meeting with that which might save America from utter disaster.


Initially, like the sea, we must not be 'too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient'; the answers must come to us, naturally, and without fear -- knowing that the faith to support a young America, growing through the pangs of adolescence, can come out of it all right.

We must have patience.

For we are experiencing the rush to judgement far too much.

We are experiencing the rush to fix, liberally and recklessly.

We are experiencing the rush to immediate gratification, with everything from what goes into our mouths to what comes out, with everything from what we buy to what we sell, with everything from short term gains to long term disaster -- we are a wreck.


Do we teach our children the art of patience anymore? Do they understand the agony of waiting for a returned letter from a pen pal? Do they anticipate a hearty homemade dinner after a day in the fields or the family store, or a long and lazy afternoon at the watering hole or sandy shore? Do we represent a nation of patient believers in a country filled with opportunity -- with effort, time, will power, failure, perseverance, pain, frustration, and great reward in the end?


IS this who WE are anymore?

We have an administration swept in with the tide of growing frustrations, frustrations so great, we were desperate for anything that promised hope and change.


We said, all together, come, take, take of my body which is given for you -- for we have lost our way, absent of our inherent strength and faith on our own; we said, come, take. take what you want, we will turn ourselves over to you, and be grateful and satisfied; lowering ourselves to a nation ignorant of our own undoings, enthralled by more the possibility of a sudden, collective and fundamental transformation rather than taking the time and effort of circumstance to bury our heads deep inside ourselves, beginning with the foundation of life itself -- allowing for our own responsible duty to ourselves, first and foremost --  and then in turn to each other. 

All good things begin at home and alone.

Yet, we have no time for that...

Lindbergh makes the observation, it is of no use to make the good come to us under duress, to force the perfect whelk or moon shell to come out from under the sand before it's time, or under coercion; no, we must stumble upon it; that perhaps, all good things come to those who wait.


But it isn't in the waiting, is it?
For it is the what we do in the wait -- in the preparation, in the learning, in the responsibility, in the growth, in the understanding -- that we realize what we have, and of course, of what may be of risk to lose without knowing it.


A quick reality check will tell us, if only we are each responsible to ourselves, if only we do what is right and honorable, if only we act in accordance to the law of attraction -- akin to a basic understanding that we get what we give and better for it in the end -- we will see that the principles that made America are every bit essential and poignant yesterday, are every bit as important today; as we stand with toes poised, feeling the stir of the water running underneath them, and ready to dive into another realm of realization, the core values and the inherent responsibility to ourselves, is the only thing we should be concerned with.


But, as unconscious as we may be -- we made this America, too.

"[at first, the beach...] Too warm, too damp, too soft for any real mental discipline or sharp flights of spirit. One never learns. Hopefully, one carries down the faded straw bag, lumpy with books, clean paper, long over-due unanswered letters, freshly sharpened pencils, lists, and good intentions...At first, the tired body takes over completely...One is forced against one's mind, against all tidy resolutions, back into the primeval rhythms of the sea shore...One falls under their spell, relaxes, stretches our prone. One becomes, in fact, like the element on which one lies, flattened by the sea; bare, open, empty as the beach, erased by today's tides of all yesterday's scribblings.


And then, some morning in the second week, the mind wakes, comes to life again."

We are in the second year, the second week of awakening. Yes, in order to save the whole, we must first save ourselves; we must recognize our individual duty to the spirit of rebuilding in faith and function our entire world in which we live.

Only by our personal journey to make ourselves better, stronger, and glistening in the afternoon sun -- enough to catch our eye in-between the rippling waves and the tossing of what appears to be only a shell -- we find the real treasure of our own making. Collectively, then, we can return home in the accompaniment of others, and become truly great, ripe with potential, with a spirit of renewal and a sense that altogether in this commitment and faith and re-enchantment of what makes us good, will be what saves.


There is no such thing as someone doing the work that only we can do, and remaining all the better for it; there is no such thing; there is no such thing as the government doing the work for us -- that is surely not the way we were made.  That is a thought, a hope, a change, a way that is sharply in-congruent with everything that we have ever been or will ever be.

We mustn't get greedy or anxious, lazy or apathetic; we must have patience to make it, and do it, and be it all on our own.

Martin Luther King said, "the means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek."


Make it a Good Day, G

Dear America,

"I thought I had a handle on life...then it broke."

Blame it on a bumper sticker today.

In the process of recovering from the shock of having a root canal deteriorate into the full excavation of one of my molars, and while still highly medicated, I had to laugh when my eye caught sight of the open-air Jeep that looked like it just came back from a long distance trek through the Sierras, the Mojave Desert, and back again, a hundred times over.

But as you know, if you read G, I am currently enamoured (and subsequently further strengthened) by the new Jeep commercial, and the idea surrounding the thought that, "the things we make, make us."

I can't help but look to these times, and see that these days are splendid and engaging in the opportunity before us as a people, and as a nation -- that we are two hundred and thirty eight years into the lifespan of our republic, and finding ourselves in a whole new world of testing our faith and the spirit from which we came. 

Make no mistake, this land is your land is making it's way through a maze of multiple choice questions -- while our Creator watches free will dance and sing in faith and thanksgiving -- or protest and wage war in ignorance and fear. 

Many nations have faced the test -- many civilizations have failed; somehow our founders recognized certain truths that were not only inherent to every man, woman and child, but were able to excavate from the past principles sound enough to satisfy the creation of a new world, the new world, as long as we continued to act and grow in faith.

It isn't even just about the reverent revelations these men made -- far more in our nation's birth was recognizing our individual connectedness to this Divine Spirit that made everything we can see and touch and taste and hear and feel -- everything.  The founders were so married to the idea of Divine Providence, that we built a nation knowing we were made and destined to be a model nation to the world.

This was no accident.

A while back, I finished reading "God According to God" by Gerald Schroeder -- he is an MIT trained physicist and also author of The Science of God.  It is not too late to make this a summer read, the entire month of August awaits...

anyway, as a plethora of scientific support -- from all vantage points  -- fully recognizes the Big Bang Theory, we will not stop to discuss the minute details, justified by the chemical and mathematical formulas required.   The big bad scientists did the work and we can move on.

And just for the record, Schroeder has spent a lifetime doing just this one thing -- and he ties the studies and minds of physicists around the globe and over centuries rather completely -- not to mention, it turns into a rather easy read, as he spins tales surrounding the softer side of science, history of the world, and stories from the Old Testament for those of us with little patience to sift through 200 pages of E= mc² , just sayin'...

The thing is, the "Thing" that made us -- the world, this universe -- is decidedly the Mind, the Thought, back behind all of creation; that just dumb luck and chance did not an entire world -- along with the natural evolution which is constantly and tirelessly and free willy nilly at play -- make.

This book, which I highly recommend, spends a bit of time on a story of Stephen Hawking, recommending to the world the idea surrounding the random chance of monkeys typing something from Shakespeare, saying, "...most of what they write will be garbage, but very occasionally by pure chance they will type out one of Shakespeare's sonnets..." Just by him saying so convinced The New Yorker to use this idea as the centerpiece for the Christmas 2002 cover, monkeys hammering on typewriters...I somehow missed this entirely.

Most people simply believed the scientist without question; however, a study at Plymouth University in Britain put the theory to the test.

In a month, six monkeys in a room of typewriters failed to even type out a single word, let alone a full Shakespearean sonnet -- I mean, not even so much as the an "a" or an "I" -- for that would require a space surrounding both sides of the letter, wouldn't it.  As Schroeder spells it out for us, "That means typing : space, a, space.  If there are about a hundred keys on the computer keyboard, neglecting the fact that the space bar is somewhat larger that the letter keys, the probability of typing space, a, space is one chance in a 100 times 100 times 100, which comes out to be one chance in a million. Random guessing in a spelling bee is always a losing proposition. And that is for a single-letter word."

We are not some random universe living on planet earth; we were made with the same consciousness back of all living things, and even though by appearances, it seems a manifestation of evolution by chance -- truth and science tells us we are anything but.

This is what our founders recognized in us -- being a part of a much larger plan -- as divined by the same Intelligence and Providence that brought together the most magnificent minds of our time (or rather, their time). Our time, not so much. 

Today, our faith and connection to something far greater and all-knowing than ourselves, universally recognized as a merciful and wondrous God, from whom all blessings flow, from the simple farmer to the keepers of a nation, has been broken; much like being in a room full of monkeys randomly tapping on whatever sticks, we are lost in a sea of men making choices for us, leading us out of being a nation of faith and into the secular realm of some kind of black hole.

This is a test; let the siren ring; our faith is being tested on every level... 

...whether it is our faith in ourselves as we find our way to an economic recovery and keeper of our own families

...whether it is our faith in schools to lead our children down a path which fills them with intelligence and conscience

...whether it is our faith in our churches or synagogues or mosques to have the strength and fortitude to lead us out of the desert

...whether it is our faith in love and marriage to weather the storms and commit fully to another soul for life

...whether it is our faith in government to protect it's citizens, stand as a model for the whole, and lead in a community of law, order, respect and grace

...whether it is our faith in God, or not -- our faith lies in the hands of a community to live in peace together. 

All people have a faith in something, or in everything, even if it is only in themselves  -- it is merely a matter of scale and perspective that leaves this question open for personal attention to details.

This morning, as I struggle with getting a handle on life and the world in which we live, stopping to recognize my faith is what will fill me with hope that nothing is by chance, except what we make of it.  We can live a purpose driven life; we can embrace the hearts and minds of our forefathers  -- and the character from which Divine Providence birthed a nation like no other; we can be witness to the beauty of being co-creators of our world and it's future as we tap, tap, tap our days and nights ahead.

For without faith, we have nothing but the randomness and the soullessness of life made by the irreverence of others; the re-enchantment of everyday life, paying homage to another book I love, by Thomas Moore awaits us; the choice is up to each one of us to make...while the things we make, make us.

This is a test of faith.

Make it a Good Day, G

Final thought from Benjamin Franklin, while at the Constitutional Convention:

"In the beginning...we had daily prayer...our prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered...To that kind of Providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity.  And now have we forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need his assistance?  I have lived, sir, a long time [now 83] and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of men.  And if a sparrow can not fall to the ground without notice, is it possible that an empire can rise without his aid?  We have been assured sir, int he sacred writings that, 'except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.' I firmly believe this, and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed, in this political building, no better that the builders of Babel."

Our nation was framed without a national religion to better protect the nation from itself -- strengthened by the framework of a reverent people not only already existing, but fully content, living in faith.

Dear America,

I am up, then I'm down.
I am up again, oops s'daisy, slide back down.
I am up again, this time for good...
maybe.

...can't make any promises.

It would seem my life is more polarized than D.C. could ever be -- but hey, that's life, right?

I was absent for a wee bit, given it was Spring Break and all; just really had no intention of staying down and out for so long.  Sometimes even the best laid plans do not turn out like they are supposed to.

I was reminded while catching Joel Osteen's TV ministry yesterday not to sweat the small stuff.  Most of us do realize this to be true and yet, why is it so much easier said than done?

Of course, he added a story relating to the tragedy in West Virginia this past week, and the loss of 29 miners.  Referring to a moment in time when they were asked of what scares them the most when faced with all the risks of their work, was the first thing to come to mind an explosion?  No.  Was it a collapse of a mine wall? No.

The answer was in the dust.

Black Lung.

Now upon this week's tragedy, our President immediately called out for a review, demanding answers to the cause, liabilities overlooked and faults of management or corporate greed, as a show of leadership and federal response to a catastrophic loss of men in the day and the life of a miner.  Certainly, there is nothing wrong with that, so please don't misconstrue.

But I can't help myself this morning -- now in this new age of health care for all, I wonder now, just how much more will the exponentially higher number of deaths from the little black dust that gets sucked into each man's lung will be weighed and monitored and diagnosed and treated under our fair and wise federal government bureaucracy?  (Here's a sweet little chart to picture that reality)

The good news, that since the seventies when we were at a high of 30-35% of all miners having some level of CWP, Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis occurring, with signs of emphysema. silicosis, or bronchitis -- today we have cut that percentage by about half, due to federal regulations and stiffer standards to achieve healthier work environments.  And having said that, the data continues to have holes in it -- for instance when adding the dimension of those miners who smoke -- that muddies it up quite a bit I would think.

But going back to the message from Osteen, it is the dust, the little things, the small stuff, that we allow to add up and take over our emotions, our relationships, our faith in life itself, isn't it?

It's never the big one that gets the best of our day to day; it's the stupid, bits and pieces of spilling our coffee, sitting behind a slow driver, losing our keys, forgetting our lunch, losing our temper, burning the toast, and on and on and on.

For a miner's world, the accidents large and small happen once in a blue moon, but the real home-wrecker is in the dust.  Is it possible for a bit of the new found glory in coming to the aid of these miners -- in the wake of this disaster -- be also an opportunity, that with all due respect, keep all things in perspective?  What about the constant, the bits of dust, the common denominator amongst all unexpected acts of loss and destruction?

President Obama, in light of your quick step to the podium to point fingers at the failings of corporate America, the owners, the greed, black listing any sign of corporate compassion which seems to flow easily and vehemently in the veins of this administration -- a look at the big picture here is worth taking a couple steps back. Just sayin'. 

I must say, it is fascinating to watch you; looking back to times when you have calculatedly waited before making any statements (sometimes days, even months) to the moments where it would seem you have chosen to accept a major jump to conclusion, in front of all the world to see, almost immediately -- it never ceases to entertain me time and time again.

I am comforted in this moment, however, by America's uncanny ability to keep numbers of just about everything imaginable.  But one thing's for certain, and believe we might all agree, we are an industrious nation -- by nature -- and on purpose. 

And with that we could look back and see that when building things like the Hoover Dam, we lost about one hundred lives -- to the opposite end of the spectrum, building the Transcontinental Railroad, we lost 20,000 lives. When building the first, and now oldest, suspension bridge --the Brooklyn Bridge -- we only lost about 27 lives according to the best of records kept way back when, in 1883 -- over the course of the 13 years it took to build it, I might add!

It was the John Roebling, along side his son Washington as Chief Engineer, who were responsible for building the greatest advancement over a stream of water at a span of 5,989 feet.  But not long after construction began, the senior Roebling got his toe's squeezed in between pylons which called for amputation and he was no longer able to work. Due to the liability of the times, he later died from tetanus, of all things (now that's a shot in the arm worth having) -- and left Washington, and his wife Emily, to continue the charge.

As history made it's way, Washington was soon plagued with "decompression sickness", or something we nowadays refer to as "the bends" -- and became virtually bedridden for his remaining days. The sole family member who was left to keep on keepin' on, was Emily -- and make no mistake, after apprenticing for years under her husbands watchful eye, she became astute at numbers, mathematics and in her ability to communicate between her husband, at home, and the on site engineers left to finish the job. Some might say, she became the bridge to somewhere (ba da dump bum) and in the end, instrumental to a job well done.

Now the annuls of American trivia also say that the bridge was pronounced suspect within the first week's of opening -- this rumor spread so fast and so furious that twelve people were supposedly killed in a stampede to get off the bridge (that is according to wikipedia...so...) But I love the reference to what happened months later (and can only hope this to be true, too) -- but P.T. Barnum and his circus was coming to town.  As a way to entice people to come see the greatest show on earth, he put on a show (like we haven't seen stunts like this before...).  Anyway, he had all 21 of his elephants leading a train of clowns and fat ladies, tigers and acrobats across the bridge -- with Jumbo at the start!  Low and behold, all fears were dispensed and the bridge still stands as testament to the ingenious know how of a few hard working Americans.

Much later, as in the 20th century, it would be noted by John Perry Barlow, of the

"literal and genuinely religious leap of faith embodied by the bridge...the Brooklyn Bridge required it's builders faith in their ability to control technology [and be able to carry on without them as the case may be]."

Ultimately, the Brooklyn Bridge stands as a monument to a united effort for seeing the bigger picture.

Now, I don't know much about Barlow, except that in recent years he has been an ardent and relentless freedom fighter for the cyber world -- and continues today a long standing advocate...previously a rancher, more libertarian than republican, he was also a writer for the Grateful Dead (talk about polarities...) but what's not to love!

I will never look at the bridge the same again...and perhaps that goes the same for the water that comes out my tap from the Colorado river passing through the Hoover Dam, or for that matter the next time I'm sitting on the train passing through the mountainside of the Rockies (like when I was twelve), or when lighting a fire using charcoal briquettes -- for they are all symbols of the optimism that takes credit for building America everyday -- from yesteryear to tomorrow.

In everything we do -- from driving our car -- behind a grandma --  to simply picking up our children after school -- to just before we have to walk outside the door we find ourselves at our wits end, screaming in utter frustration 'where the he** are my keys?" and accidentally spill the cup of coffee sitting on the counter over the pages of a finished tax return -- we can stop and realize, some things are just not worth all the fuss.

Of course, some things really are -- and there's the rub; funny, keeping things in perspective truly works both ways.

There is a reason for the extremes of opinion running rampant in America -- the polarization of ideologies -- the swinging of the pendulum between what is right, what is left, along with what just makes us individually go a little nuts.

At the risk of sounding totally warped, I will go to my latest turn-on, in Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals for refuge and irony in one fell swoop. Found in S'linsky's final paragraph (I, of course, will edit as I see fit):

"The great American dream that reached out to the stars has been lost to the stripes.  We have forgotten where we came from, we don't know where we are, and we fear where we may be going...When Americans can no longer see the stars, the times are tragic.  We must believe that it is the darkness before the dawn of a beautiful new world; we will see it when we believe it."

From engineers to radicals, from the every day to the monumental, we always have FAITH to see us through.  Faith made America and made America great. 

It's a beautiful thing today and always.

Make it a Good Day, G 

your homework today is to play some grateful dead and let the small stuff slip away for a few minutes...you can do it...you tube it...go...now...or just click back on Dear America above, she will take you there...

Dear America,

Well, top of the morning to you.

I hope you are all emailing and calling and faxing and revolting this morning; I know I am.

Through http://www.americanvoice.com/ you can contact your very own representatives for free -- and you can add any other congressman/woman at your discretion and for a nominal fee.  Might I say, worth every golden coin a plenty. 

Isn't technology wonderful -- how our world has changed.

I chose to contact my three people, and then included every, single dum-dum democrat on the roll, saying:

Subject: Health Care Legislation
My Dear Fellow Americans,

I implore your fullest attention to what is at stake here within this legislation; there are other ways to put this health care reform into action without creating a brand new entitlement program -- I beg you to please do that first.  There are far too many reasons to state here in which this legislation is the wrong way of doing things, be that as it may -- if this goes through, America will be economically and culturally upside down, and we will hold each and every one of you accountable.  The President seems to be putting everything on the line -- but most of all, the American way -- and he knows not what he does (or worse, he does) -- Please VOTE NO! Thank you very much.

Will it change the world as we know it?

Is it earth shattering or saying something we don't already know?

Is it shining a light upon anything new?

Of course not -- it is just one little American voice; but surely, we the people all know, it is one of a million voices which is concurrently being blended into one marvelous and magnificent chorus of countrymen standing arm and arm together and making it's way to the steps of the capital.

I am reminded of few words I heard come last Sunday morning; words of encouragement from my very own mama and papa, along with a link to Father Joe and his weekly radio show.

Father Joe included one of his favorite lessons from Francis of Assisi,

"always preach the gospel and, if necessary, use words."

I believe, much of what we are witnessing today stems from this very idea.  Up until the last twenty or thirty years, America's ability of walking it's talk had never really been in jeopardy -- that is, the majority of us have led by example; whether it has been only for ourselves, or for our children, or on behalf of our fellow countrymen or the people we touch.

We have always risen to the highest level;

We have always been driven to succeed in life and love and work;

We have always taught our children, under the veil of exceptionalism, the value of hard work and charity and liberty -- and not by apology or disgrace or regret.

Where did this prevailing attitude come bubbling up from?

Let me turn to Father Joe again,

 "if only we, as a people, continued to

 live our religion

(and paraphrasing now...)

... bad things would never truly come to harm." 

Our individual faith in something greater than ourselves was, and is, what we have in common; we lived a life affirming our inherent birthright given to us from our God, and not by government. This belief was not only the makings of a new government, it was a convenant made by the American people, with it's every intention to endure all time. 

It is from this mentality America was made; all people -- more often than not, naturally and successfully -- set out to be good citizens, good neighbors, good countrymen, good representatives, good teachers, good engineers, good astronauts, good policemen, good firemen, good doctors, good nurses, good Presidents, good ministers, good kids, good dogs, and even good little lowly birds who hung on every word of Francis of Assisi -- all of us strove to be better children of God -- for the betterment of the whole, for the elevation of an entire nation.

Even the atheists followed along (like a famous one by the name of Thomas Paine, hello!), as their belief in a higher Nothingness is truly Something -- and reinforces their own faith in the Absolute of No God. 

But in the end, the Nation grew from all that we had IN COMMON, from that which makes good and stand up citizens, fit for establishing a brand new commonwealth, preaching religious freedom and liberty and justice for all.

Many ideas, stemming from the natural laws appointed by God and learned by man -- are only illuminated if one takes the time to return to the wealth of the very words spoken back in the day when our nation was crafted. (see The 5000 Year Leap, by W. Cleon Skousen or Christianity and the American Commonwealth, by Charles B. Galloway) 

Yet, according to the tune of these modern times, our enlightened civil duty to uphold the values and principles of the commonwealth -- along with our ability to keep it -- doesn't come from the wisdom of the ages, or sages, or saints, teachers, elders or a God of any color; matter of fact, and try as they might, it is plum drowned out, all under the guise of equality for all!

All preludes to a heaven, a God, a faith, a peace that passes all understanding is dismissed; no, correction, it is deleting the entire first verse --  as if tweaking with the American life and the American way, we the people could still follow along in sweet song, let alone succeed in hitting the high notes, without a refrain of revolutionary ideology providing us with the common man foundation!

The further we get away from being a people of faith -- truly LIVING OUR RELIGION in harmony, however different that they may be -- and following the American way, like fishers of men or a chorus of song birds following Francis of Assisi -- the more trial by nature we will find ourselves; we will be trapped by our own ignorance, disconnected to that which all things are made and from which all good flows. 

While in fact, the majority of us still follow the Way in some way, shape or form -- you would just never know it, if you are one of those distracted by all the background noise. Good thing we have an entire book of Psalms singing our praises and repenting our weaknesses, looking on High for guidance and strength, understanding all the days of our life...only by following theWay, as best we can, in spite of our poor choices or wayward wanderings, will our life work.

Today, we stand witness to the American melody being lost in the perpetual drumbeat of  lawlessness and corruption within the halls of congress, representatives not only off pitch, but completely out of tune with the rest of us; sadly, the longer we remain off key to the lasting principles that fortify a happy and soulful and successful and abundant and INDEPENDENT way of life, the higher our chances of losing the greatest nation that has ever lived; and certainly, the more we sing the praises of man over all things seen and unseen, the more we arrogantly branch out -- going solo -- thinking we don't need the accompaniments, the enlightenment, the muse or give even an ounce of credit to the raw, God-given talent to begin with, America will find herself alone in the valley of darkness.

Many words of faith were left unsaid; voices illuminating an undying gratitude and favor to the Lord were left unsung.

Why?

Because we LIVED our religion, what more needs to be said!

Such a duty and joy falls purely under the personal relationship composed by the individual man with his Creator; only in this way could a people remain free to sing their own song, drum to a different beat, and be entirely at liberty to do what we want without any other person sharing in the burden.

If everyone simply did this, true harmony would linger for generations.

Where is your American Voice today?

Make it a Good Day, G