The Balance of Life or It's Scary Up Here

We hear a lot these days about getting our lives balanced.
Balancing time, energy and money between all the things we each need to accomplish, daily, weekly…..
When I visualize balance, two pictures come to my mind.
First is a tightrope walker, perilously inching from one skyscraper to another.
Now my wife will attest to the fact that any home projects requiring the use of more than a, two step, stepladder, will be performed by someone other than me. I’m just not good with heights. So this first example leaves me uncomfortable. It also appears to be a strenuous task, one requiring physical skill, strength and extreme concentration: Wiggling, leaning, shaking… whew….definitely not my deal.
The second image is of Lady Justice, scales perfectly balanced. A much more serene feeling is enjoyed with this visual. What I notice however is that nothing is happening, no movement in either direction, therefore no growth.
Using these examples and many things I have read, I personally have replaced the word balance with harmony.
It seems to me that a vigil to keep our lives in balance will result in a life time of hard work and juggling each area: physical, financial, spiritual, emotional and relationships. How long can we keep all these in the air?
My life has never been balanced, at least not for any length of time. Has yours? There are times when major attention is placed on a work project, in a time of illness our focus is on healing and the other areas take a back burner. Use your own example, but you get my thought.
There are going to be times when it is critical that we be out of balance. Sometimes we need to step off the wire and lay down some of our juggling act. And I believe that is ok, if we are in harmony! Isn’t that a beautiful word? Harmony is an effect produced when different things come together without clashing, different things, yet they are in accord and agreement.
When the orchestra plays, it is the harmony of all the instruments that moves us.
Perhaps the horns take the lead, loud and proud, next the strings forte`. Can you hear the violins? Then the timpani drums crescendo carrying us to heights we had not dreamed possible! Our hearts racing, our beings filled with emotions…we simply can’t find words to express.
What if all they played were booming base notes, or the same notes again and again? That would get old rather quickly I would imagine. If each section played with equal intensity, if there were no variations, where would that leave our emotions? I can’t feature being moved to tears or leaping to my feet in ovation. It is in the harmony, the complimentary modification in rhythm, tune and key, that we find fulfillment, joy, peace, life.
Which sounds best to you? Do you want to spend your days juggling, struggling to balance ‘on the wire’, or to embrace a harmonic arrangement of life?
So what do you think?
Have I made a good case?
Personally…..
I’m calling someone to clean the gutters and I’m going to the concert.
Want to come along? There is room on the front row.

Writing

"There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein." ~Red Smith

H1N1: The Swine Flu

The headlines cover it daily, H1N1. Case numbers, vaccine availability, death tolls. It is a legitimate concern.
But did you know that there is a more rampant disease plaguing the planet? It is a malady which affects millions of victims, daily, one which the mainstream media chooses to ignore. I have seen nothing on this from the World Health Org. The health and financial effects of this contagious virus are immeasurable. You may catch it anywhere, at work, in the market place, even in your home.
Are you at risk? You may be, and not even realize it.
So what is this threat?
It is: The Whine Flu!
Epidemic in scale, Whine Flu has invaded our society with little notice. It has quietly crept in and infected us, spawning the carrier gene. Word by word, thought by thought, action after action we unwittingly propagate more and more of this insidious affliction.
It is more deeply ingrained than one might believe, at first observation.
Brain researchers say that we have about 60 thousand thoughts per day. Or approx one thought every 1.5 seconds. Wow! No wonder we’re tired! These scientists also believe that about 95% of those thoughts are the same ones that we had the day before. And finally 80% ( 39,000*) of all those are negative. These are referred to as ANTS: Automatic Negative Thoughts. As these ANTS persevere in their daily tasks (you know how persistent ants are) the affliction becomes deeply rooted. It, I believe, becomes a habit.
“Spend five minutes complaining and you have wasted five. Continue this and they will soon haul you off to a financial desert and there let you choke on the dust of your own regret.” ~ Jim Rohn
Is there a remedy for this scourge, this habit? Thankfully, yes there is. And that, in itself, is the cure.
Thankfulness and Gratitude:
If we were to take those 60 K thoughts per day and begin to replace them with Positive thoughts, thoughts of the innumerable advantages and benefits we each posses, we will have revealed the antidote. We will not only embark on our personal journey of healing we will simultaneously acquire the marvelous carrier gene of joy.
We must also limit our exposure to the Whine Flu virus. You see, these carriers won’t be wearing white medical masks so:
Ask yourself these questions that Mr. Rohn has provided.
· Who am I around?
· What have they got me saying, doing, reading?
· Where have they got me going?
· Who do they have me becoming?
· And finally, Is that OK?

I am delighted to announce that my personal case of Whine Flu is in remission. I was at one point a deadly carrier. I am ever on alert for symptoms of its recurrence. Daily doses of the cure are required. Think of it as bathing. Once in a while just don’t cut it.
Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching?
Personally and collectively we can defeat this foe.
Are you up to the challenge?
I believe you are.
I believe in you.
Do you?

That's good, No that's Bad....

Have you ever heard this little tale? Think I first heard it on Hee Haw!

One guy states something, the next guy says That's good. And tells him WHY it is good. Then the first guy says No that's Bad. And gives a reason that it could be bad. Back and forth, on and on it goes. This clever narrative actually, I believe, reveals a handy tool on this Thanksgiving week. The other side of the coin.

We always hear to count our blessings and that we should. But what about those things that are just not good? Could we discover something great in them? If we tried? OK you say no way I could do that. But just pretend that you could...we are just pretending. So I know you really can't, but if you could what would you find?

Bills! There's a good one we can all relate too. Those lousy, stinking, never ending, ever increasing bills.

Electric bill is to high. But isn't it something we rely on most everyday with very few failures?

With the touch of a button we control the comfort of our homes. Another touch and and we have entertainment from around the world in our living rooms, in color.

Did you every notice how dead a house feels when the power is out. Electricity seem to bring a house to life, to me.

Well then the water bill!

"Never miss the water till the well runs dry." I have heard that since a kid and have found it to very true. How about you? We enjoy clean, pure, drinkable water in several rooms and never give it a thought. In third world countries they may have to walk for miles, carrying it home in pots, pans and plastic bags.

Well times are tough! There just isn't enough money to go around!

Here's a fact that may have gotten past you.

If you live in the U.S.A. , on welfare, you are in the top 10% income bracket in the world.

How's your health? Terrific I hope.

"Health is the greatest wealth." ~Emerson

We are more fortunate than we realize.

Play the That's Good That's bad game. See what you actually have that you can give thanks for...not just this week, not just Thursday, but the other 364 days as well.

I'm personally thankfull for each of you... and I'm sure you are for me too. See there, your list has already started. ;-)

I wish each of you a healthy and happy Thanksgiving.

Snow

Having just experienced our first snowfall of the '09-'10 season, my thoughts returned to last December .

A Californian for the past few decades, my sister has lost actual remembrance of what winter is like. She relishes the rare snow flurry they get in the high desert.

Back to Christmas lights and carols, Currier and Ives scenes and the Noelco guy riding the electric razor over the snow covered hills, her memories blissfully drift.

Last December she took pen and recorded one of these varnished memories during a California snow.

Following is her account of this event. Below that, is my mid-western rebuttal.

Guess it is one of those things we will have to agree to disagree....

Love you Sis!


The Snow Fell

by: Alana Pratt

The snow fell
and it was magical…
I felt like a child again.
I ran from window to window
Wanting to take it all in.

The snow fell
and it was magical…
Flakes so lovely and white,
I awoke to the wonder of it,
It continued into the night.

The snow fell
and it was magical…
It took me to days long passed,
of growing up in a simpler time,
when the pace was not so fast.

The snow fell
and it was magical…
But what about those without mirth,
whose lives are affected by hatred and war?
I prayed for peace on earth.

******************************

The Snow Fell

a rebuttal from the mid-west.
by Marc Johnson

Then snow fell
it was tragical
Oh no, not this shit again.
I ran from window to window.
Why did it have to begin?

The snow fell
it was tragical
Flakes and drifts, what a fright.
I awoke to the plight if it.
It must have snowed all damned night.

The snow fell
it was tragical.
It took me to days long since passed.
When I was a but little guy
with snow clear up to my ass.

The snow fell
it was tragical.
And what about those without mirth?
I figure they're getting this same shitty storm.
What a vacation down south would be worth.

Permanent Purpose: The Butterfly Effect

“When you know that everything matters—that every move counts as much as any other—you will begin living a life of permanent purpose. A life of permanent purpose will make you a better parent, a better spouse and a more valuable friend. Your productivity and financial success will soar to new heights while the old days of uncertainty, doubt, and depression fade into the past.” Andy Andrews

This morning, I read this quote for the very first time. It is from the book:

The Butterfly Effect ~ by Andy Andrews.

This inspired me, filled with spirit.
Like many of you, I have long wondered what my purpose in life is. What am I to do or share that could possibly, positively, affect my family, my friends, co-workers and even the world? What special talent do I possess? What gift do I have to share? And then, in Andy's few simple words it all became radiantly clear.

Life is my purpose! 

Every moment, every breath, thought and action are my purpose, my gift. Each equally important for me and those with whom I share this world, for the generations to come.

In just the last 30 minutes, since reading this quote, I have accomplished several mundane tasks, things that normally fulfill my identity of Chief Procrastinator. But that was changed, like turning on a light, instant illumination. Each task was performed with love and thoughts of how it affects my wife and our relationship, how that affects our children, our friends and now you. 

I almost did not write this 'Rambling'. Doubt was creeping in, as it often does. Should I share and expose my feelings, my thoughts. 

Now I have my answer.
Of course.
This, and every choice I make, is my purpose, my Permanent Purpose.
I, for one, will now choose more wisely. For I now know that every choice matters, for all of us.
Here now flutter the gentle murmur of the butterflies' wings, from my purpose to yours.

What will be your choices today, tomorrow...?
What will you share with all of us?
What will your purpose mean, for the world?

The Goose with the Golden Egg

September 7th 2009. Another Labor Day has arrived, a day to honor the American Worker.


The individual citizen, each laboring at their chosen task is the very fiber of this of this place we call America. We have rolled along here for 233 years, growing, expanding, developing and sharing, unprecedented in recorded history.

Building on the beliefs and values of the founding fathers We The People, have raised and nurtured our very own Golden Goose. And what a Goose she is!!
I do not submit that she is perfect, for that is not the case. You may think that the goose eats too much. That may be true. But compare her to the other geese in the barnyard and she still looks pretty good to me.

Alas, as in the tale of old, our goose is being asked to produce more than she can. She is being starved and yet asked to give more and more to those who do less and less. They threaten to cut her open and redistribute her golden eggs. Then what? Her very survival is at stake. And with that our freedoms are also on the block.

“The way to empower a family, a business or a nation is to empower the individual.” –mj

It is through our combined personal strengths, efforts and contributions that we can keep our goose healthy, to make her even more bountiful and able to provide for ourselves and those who truthfully need help. The more we give to those that refuse to feed the goose, with reasonable taxes or personal service, the weaker she becomes.

We are a diverse country, comprised of cultures and histories from around the globe. That is an elemental factor that makes us strong. Those people came through Ellis Island, from all countries of the world, down through the years, to become Americans, to live the American dream, not to make Her into what they had just escaped. Why would they want to do that?

Each person must give of their portion to tend the goose,
to feed, care for and steel her for the years to come.

It is unreasonable to think that she can do it on her own.

Everyone who wishes to partake must contribute.

Celebrate today! Celebrate the American Worker.

Celebrate what has become the greatest nation on earth.

Our ancestors were key players in her rise. We must make certain to do our part to prevent her fall.

We are her caretakers.

It is up to us;

We The People.

"Brevity is the soul of wit." - Shakespeare

Ah, Brevity.
What a treat, a cool drink on a stifling August day.
We each have endured sermons that dragged on and on, the classroom lecture from which only the bell could rescue and meetings without structure or end. Whew!

I was first introduced to the above quote by my high school English teacher, Mr. Baker. He signed my year book with Shakespeare’s quote and added: “you are brief.” I attempt to
apply those words in many aspects. Thank you Mr. B.

Clown acts, speeches, writings all were/are revised and trimmed, only the essentials to remain. A distillation of ideas, an economy of words, is the goal.

Jim Rohn says it best of all: “Jesus the master teacher said: 'Follow me.' That's brief! And He was able to do that because of all that He was that He didn't have to say."

Many times we listen to someone’s babbling, telling us much more than they know.
If I catch myself trying to make up for, in words, what I lack in being I know it’s time to get back to work on me.

In giving advice on public speaking, F.D.R., our 32nd President, applying his own council said:
“Be sincere, be brief, be seated.”

I’ll sit down now.


I would love to hear your thoughts.
mj

Genius, Power & Magic

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.
I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets:
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!"

W. H. Murray in The Scottish Himalaya Expedition, 1951.