First Blog

Fate is life's free delivery service. You never know when it will arrive, nor what menu it item will be. You can lock the door, hide in the bedroom, or run out the back, but that delivery will be made.  

  Are You Happy? Well, we won’t answer the question for you, personally, but the latest results are from Gallup for the entire world. The US has dropped below the top twenty for the first time, and now is at #23. The drop was substantially due to younger Americans, under the age of 30.  Among Americans, the happiest demographic is Men, aged 60+, and by quite a bit in the rating system used. You can look up this survey yourself at https://news.gallup.com/poll/612125/happiest-country-earth.aspx

Every day, we are all bombarded with information, especially on news channels.  One group claims it's false; another calls it the truth. How can we know when to accept it or alternatively how can we know it's false? There are several factors which influence acceptance of fake or false information. Here are the big four.  Some just don’t have the knowledge to discern fact/truth from fiction/fact/false*. Some fake information is cleverly disguised and simply appears to be correct. Some fake information is accepted because the person wants to believe it. Some fake information is accepted because there is no other information to the contrary. However, the acceptance of  information  of any kind become a kind of  truth , and this is a well studied topic. In the link below is an essay on “The Truth About Truth.” This shows simply that what is your point of view, different types of information are generally accepted, fake or not.   https://www.linkedin.com/posts/g-donald-allen-420b03

  Compliments Usually a polite expression of praise or admiration, the compliment is common everywhere. But what do they really mean? The usual answers include improving communication, motivation, encouragement, showing appreciation, relationships, and self-esteem. Some compliments are spontaneous, given out of amazement, novelty, or surprise. Many are pure praise for something, from appearance to achievement. These are the good kind. Others can be more devious. They can be offered to disarm caution to obtain any of many factors or favors. They can be used to falsely gain loyalty or friendship. They can also be used to disguise nervousness. Compliments seem to be expressions that most people enjoy receiving. Yet, except for the uninitiated, they may invoke or evoke caution, perhaps even suspicion, leading to reject the compliment altogether. For the next compliment you receive, consider the sender’s goal, motivation, flattery, or honesty. Honesty is better.

 RECIPE Dad’s Easy Homemade Pizza Ingredients: • Slices of bread • Spaghetti sauce • Shredded cheese • Spices and herbs • Toppings Steps: 1. Spoon sauce (I used Prego) on the bread and spread it around. 2. Add your herbs and spices. (I use ground pepper, garlic, herbs, and Italian herbs) 3. Sprinkle on the cheese (I used mozzarella, but any kind will do.) 4. Add your toppings (I used meatballs and a little onion. Even sliced hot dogs – for boys) 5. Place on a baking sheet and put in the oven for about 8-10 minutes at 400F.  Watch carefully until it's just right.  Sprinkle on some grated parmesan. It tastes as good as any pizza - maybe except your favorite.  Enjoy.

  Glory here can be as simple as just maintaining your self-identity, your spirit to live and love, or your strength to carry on. Glory can imply you have survived intact. Glory can mean you have sustained your faith, beliefs, or commitments. Glory is a wonderfully vague term that can imply so many different things, each meaningful to one but not the other.

Closer Together but More Divided Than Ever   I heard an interesting comment on TV this morning.   In brief, it asserted that with cell phones, computers, and rapid transportation networks, we should be closer together,   but in reality are more divided than ever.     (1) Political positions are vastly different, with well-separated elites, privileged, and underclasses clearly defined. Politicians of one party often don’t even talk to those of another. (2) Religions, at one time spiritually merging, are now again separated with one group openly calling for the extinction or death of the other. Some religions have taken on strictly secular positions. (3) In the market, there seem to be dominant mega-corporations and a vast number of lesser companies,   having none of the opportunities accorded the giants. (4) Kids live in completely separated worlds, often fantasy worlds moderated by social media and fueled by video games. They are even separated from one another more than ever.

  When looking for deception, don't look for lies, look for incongruities . They tell you there's a lie, but not exactly where. Lies can be hard to prove, but things that don't fit (incongruities), while weaker, tell you something is amiss.

Ok. You've made it. You have a job, a spouse, maybe kids, and plenty of bills. Maybe you're 20 or 45. This is your world. So, why did all this happen? You had parents, now in the distant background. They helped, probably more than you know. They gave you principles and backbone. So here is my advice: Send them a note with just two words, thank you .  You don't have to tell them what you mean. You may not really know yourself. Let them figure it out.   Few parents ever get such a message. After they're gone, no address will be available. 

  The Supreme Court of of the United States.  Mission Control, we have a problem.   The biggest event is now in play. Biden ignores SCOTUS about student debt. Texas ignores SCOTUS about the border. SCOTUS has a problem. A big problem. When the highest court is ignored, the law become bankrupt. 

  You must live in all time zones, past, present, and future. If you live only for today, there is no tomorrow. If you live in the future, there is no today. If you live in the past, time ceases.

  Davos – in a nutshell . The World Economic Forum, an association mostly of billionaires, meets annually in Davos, Switzerland to discuss all things economic. Lately, it's been mostly about climate change. Thousands of rich people attend. Yes, the conference is much about money.  Here is a brief description of the attendees.  1.       Billionaires wanting to cash in on climate change. 2.       Millionaire industrialists paying homage to billionaires, looking for crumbs. 3.       Governments sucking up to anyone. 4.       Movie stars hoping for relevancy beyond their fictional existence. 5.       News people hoping for a prize interview. 6.       Working girls working.