Quote

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
Theodore Roosevelt

I have Ben in council with several groups and our topic has been the poor state of personal affairs of the people here in the U S and the world. I for one have seen a different world before and during the second world war. People were much more apt to make sure the neighbors had what was necessary and no-one was without. We made scarfs for the needy in town.We talked to our neighbors and made sure they knew we were there for them, for chat a shoulder to cry on and just a place to come and sit for some small talk. Life was better than ever since. Yes we have more gadgets and we have more distance coverage by what we play with. What we don't have is a fair understanding of our neighbors nor any type of hold on the pulse of or neighborhood. We don't try to get a hold. Why, maybe it is because we are afraid ...a fear made real by the newspaper, radio news, t.v.news and just constant reports of home to lock ourselves in our own homes.

I am not sure if any or all of this makes sense to you by it does to me.

The End and The Begining

The end of 2006 has passed and beginning of 2007 has appeared with little change. There are the usual notations on the casualties of a “war against something or other”. Since the first of the year, prices have gone up and the new billboard ads are trying to get people walk and mass-transit more than drive. The push for private space is starting to be the same as Japan some 160 years ago.
My year was as usual with deaths in December and life beginning in May. A very close friend had to commit his wife in the state mental hospital. ( I trained it back there to help him with the details for the action and the beginning of a divorce. His health is poorly. My sister is doing well after her surgery before Christmas. (I worry about her.)
Heather is in her second quarter at Clark College and enjoying it. Her grades are up there and she is an A student. She may be able to graduate in the Spring of 2008.

Decisions of Life

Decisions of Life
The decisions we make each day shapes who we are and what we are composed of. When we choose one option over another, we shape our lives. The decision making process allows us to enjoy the benefits of self-determination. It can also be a source of anxiety. Decision making forces us to face the possibility of dissatisfaction. As a result, many of us choose to avoid making decisions and allow others to make them for us. We turn our power over to others; spouses, relatives, friends, and colleagues, granting them the power to shape our lives that is ours by right. Though the decisions we make are often difficult, we grow more self-sufficient and secure each time we trust ourselves enough to choose. Ultimately, only we can know how the options before us will impact our daily life and our long-term well-being. Within us lies the power to competently weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each decision. Even if we feel incapable of making a decision, our inner wisdom and our intuitive mind will give us sound counsel if we have faith in ourselves. Try to come to our own conclusions before seeking the guidance of others, and even then, treat their suggestions as suggestions rather than votes pro or con to our own conclusions. Before making our choice, release the fear of wrong decisions. Perceived mistakes can lead us down wonderful and unexpected paths that expose us to life-changing insights. If we can let go of the notion that choices are utterly right or entirely wrong, we will be less tempted to invite others to take the reigns of our destiny. When our choices are our own, we will be more likely to accept and be satisfied with the outcome of those choices. Our decisions will be a pure reflection of our desires, our creativity, our awareness, and our power. Since we understand that we must live with and take responsibility for our own decisions, we will likely exercise greater care when coming to conclusions. As we learn to make autonomous choices, secure in the knowledge that it is our information and not others opinions guiding us, we will gain the freedom to consciously direct the flow of your life without interference.