A little Act of Kindness Goes A long way!: The Little Things That Show The World Is Not Heading To Hell In A HandBasket!

For some years now when one looks around the world, one does not see a pretty picture. From the war on Terror since the September 11th, 2001 attacks and having to fear other such terror attacks, the rise of ISIS in Iraq and Syria. And of course, this year alone we have Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ever-increasing violence and crime in major U.S. cities. We also have the ever-increasing divide in our body politic that makes it near impossible to get things done at the governmental level, which has been happening for a number of years now. Then there is the worsening economic situation with inflation running amuck. All of these things and more paint a very bleak picture for not only the present time but the future as well. It gets to the point that one may think we as a society, people, and perhaps the whole world “is going to hell in a handbasket.” We see so much negative in the world around us, but very little positive.

Well it turns out there is still good in this world, there is still plenty of positive things happening all around. Yesterday afternoon after I left my church’s Sunday service, I went to the local Kroger grocery store to get a few items that I still needed for making my dinner later. As I was leaving the store and after loading my groceries into the car I went to return the cart when a couple came up to me with as it turns out my wallet that I obviously did not put back into my pocket securely enough and had thus fallen out as I walked across the parking lot. They saw it and saw me obviously not too far away and went to inquire if it was mine and return it.

Which, was supper great for me for I had no idea I had dropped my wallet and could have possibly driven off before I even realized it. So, because of this nice couple, I had my wallet returned before I even realized it was missing with everything still in it. It is small acts of kindness like what the couple did that really give one hope and shines a light in a world full of darkness. Because of the couple helping me out before I even realized I was in a predicament, I was instantly reminded that things are not all bad in the world today. Now even before this incident I already knew that things could not be as bad as they seem that the world was not going “to hell in a handbasket” but it is always good when you have that confirmation, which is what I experienced in the parking lot of Kroger one Sunday after church.

What sort of little things or small acts of kindness have you witnessed or experienced lately that confirm for you that the world is not going “to hell in a handbasket?” All thoughts and opinions are welcomed and wanted!

Taking A Vacation Reminds Us To Enjoy Life

Vacation  period spent away from home or business in travel or recreation, a scheduled period during which activity (as of a court or school) is suspended, a period of exemption from work granted an employee

The Summer season has long been known as the time where most take time off from their work/jobs to take a “” with family and/or friends for a few days or a week or two. But why do we do so?

What do you mean why, we take a vacation to spend time with family, reconnect with friends, and recharge our minds and bodies form all the constant work and stress we get in jobs and daily grind of .”

Yes, we take a vacation for all of those reasons, but again why? What lies underneath the reasoning of all those reasons and definition of vacation above?

The answer, the fundamental reason why we take time out of our lives every or nearly every year is so we can actually life and not just grind through it. We need vacations in our lives to remind that life is to be appreciated and not just plowed through. The reason we spend most of our daily lives “working our backs off” to earn a living is so we can actually take enjoyment in our lives.

As stated in the above reasons we also take vacations to rewind, reenergize, and restore ourselves from the daily grind of life, yet doing so helps us to better take enjoyment out of our daily lives year around not just on vacations. As some studies have shown vacations do help improve both our mental and physical health.

Our reconnecting with friends, spending more time bonding with family and other reasons given for vacations above are all by and through our reenergizing and restoring our minds and bodies and remembering to take enjoyment out of life. So this Summer if have not done so take a vacation with either family or friends or both, even if it is just for a couple of nights at the beach. No matter how big or small the vacation you take, you and your life will be better off. Take some time to enjoy life and have fun!

So what are your thoughts and viewpoints on this subject? Have you been on vacation yet or are you getting ready to? Where and what was/is it? All thoughts and viewpoints are welcomed and wanted here!

 

Why Hiding From A Problem Does Not Work?

For those who have to live with “Autism,” it can be and often is no matter how one deals with it difficult road to travel. Even for those who have seemed to have made something of themselves and “have a life” still have to deal with their autism every day of their lives. They did get over it or somehow “cure” themselves.

No, instead we have embraced our Autism as a part of who we are!

As I have shared in previous posts, I am currently diagnosed with “high functioning autism” which means, for the most part, I am able to function in the world regularly, but do face some difficulties when it comes socialization. These difficulties for me at least include picking up on social cues and focusing on others in social situations among a few other things.

I am currently at the point where in most situations, my autism not limit me as it once did because I recognize I have the difficulties that I do and can adjust myself and my life accordingly. Because I know of and acknowledge my autism, I know that it is not a curse, burden, etc.. but a gift.

Yes, because of my autism I have a lot more trouble communication and getting to know others than most people do; yet at the same time, I am more able to spot things in my environment that others may not or at least quicker than most do. I see connections easily. I am able to remember a whole lot of what for most people would be insignificant details past conversations and such. And though I have more trouble in recognizing social cues than most do, as a trade-off I believe, I am a little more empathic to other’s emotions than most other men are.

The thing is if I had not embraced my autism and acknowledged it I would most likely not have realized the benefits that I get because of my autism, but would only see the negatives associated with it. Because I would have just “seen” the negatives of my autism, and continued to have viewed it as a burden to do away with instead of working with it.

My autism is starting to really no longer be a “” in my life because I no longer recognize it as such. I still have to deal with it, make no mistake, but it is no burden for me. This I believe is the key for not just an autistic person, but for anyone with a so-called “problem” no matter what it is. We need to stop seeing the “problems” life throws at us as burdens to be rid of, and more as challenges to with and around of.

I have embraced my “problem” as a part of who I am and as a blessing, not a curse; have you?

 

What are your thoughts and views on this topic? Please do share them all are welcomed and wanted. 

 

 

Autism Is Not A Hindrance​, It Is Just Plain Awkward

This response to the one-word prompt “Awkward” by “The Daily Post.”

For those who have to live with “Autism, can be and often is, no matter how one deals with it and strange. As I have mentioned previously on this blog, I have been diagnosed with “High Functioning Autism.” Although, I suspect that when I was growing up (I am 31) it was always that spectrum level.

I perhaps had a slightly lower function spectrum of , for growing up was definitely always socially awkward for me; I was still aware of my differences compared to others (I was never officially diagnosed, only thought to have some form of Autism as a kid). Now that I know that “my difference” was and is because of my autism, it has made going about my life so much better and more comfortable. My autism (my difference) is not nor has ever been a handicap or , but is very much a part of me and a good/useful part.

Because of my autism, I see things and think of things differently than most people. That is a gift, to be able to view the world through different lenses than most would; it opens a whole lot of new opportunities. Yet, autism doesn’t come without its challenges, which bottom line can be summed up in just plain awkwardness.

It is awkward to be in social situations and not know how to respond and act (responding one way and everyone looking at you like you have lost your mind). It is awkward to have a deep conversation on a particular subject while your mind keeps going a mile a minute thinking up all the connecting topics and/or ideas related to such.

From what I have come to understand when it comes to social situations and behavior most people do not have to put too much “active thought” into it. That is not so with me. I have to constantly be in “active thought mode” to govern my thoughts and behavior; rarely if ever being on “auto-pilot” (my subconscious). So yes, while having Autism is not a hindrance, it is very much an awkward experience!

What are your thoughts on this subject? Please do share them; they are very much wanted.

Getting Things Done Rapidly Or On Time Is Not Always​ A Good Thing

This response to the one-word prompt “Rapid” by “The Daily Post.”

Let me ask you something, and I want you to really think about it before answering. When you work a “project’ any kind of “choir/job” how long on average do you spend on completing it? Do you finish it in the allotted, a “little less than,” or “a little more than?” When we are working on something that tends to take awhile, we tend to try and do our best to complete it as quickly as possible for many of reasons. But time’ tricky hands can and often do stop us.

Sometimes it is because we are “lazy” and just want to get it over with. Sometimes it is because we seek to save time by it before the “projected” time of completion to move on to other important or to impress. And of course sometimes it is none of these, we just spend the minimum amount of time required.

The impressive, shocking that I have found from my own experiences and that of others is that in a lot of cases it can be very beneficial to complete something on time or ahead of schedule; which are the most widely held beliefs on the subject. Yet, it can in some rare cases actually be better to “rush” or finish on time, but to take our time even if it means “working overtime.” This is usually the case when the “project” we are working on requires delicacy and permission.

A example is writing, which can regularly take more time than first thought. It is in cases like these that in allotting or being allotted time for the project, the amount of work/man hours needed to complete the project can be underestimated. Thus it is left to the person who is actually working on it to make a “judgment call.

So, what are your answers to the questions at the top and does this make you really question if you are usually giving the right amount of time on your project? Are you usually spot on in time spent? Or do you tend to be “lazy” sometimes, be honest it happens to all of us from time to time??

So what are your thoughts and viewpoints on the subject? Please do share them, all are welcomed and wanted.

 

Be A Friend To The “Cranks” In Your Life

This is response one-word prompt “Crank” by “The Daily Post.”

Is there someone that you come into regular if brief contact with that are just never in the “mood”  and really have anything nice to say to anybody. I think we all at least once in our lives have come across one of these “” and we are never quite sure how to deal with the person.

Usually, when we look a little deeper we tend to find that the “cranks” in our lives do not behave as they do “just because” but that there are actual reasons behind the behavior. Any number of reasons that prevent them trying to connect with others. The best thing to do is whenever you see the person is just as a starting point give them a friendly greeting and move on, but keep doing this every time you see the person.

Eventually, hopefully, this will “break the ice” at some point and those greetings will turn into small conversations which may then turn into a friendship of shorts and before you know it, you are no longer dealing with a “crank” but a normal person. Which they have always been, the “crankness” was always just a cry of help; the person needed a . So why not that friend whenever you encounter a so-called “crank.” You will begin to make the world a much better off place as a result. It also does not take much if any effort on your part but the impact pays “big dividends.”

So what are your thoughts and viewpoints on this subject? Please do share them, all are welcomed and wanted. 

To Have a Glimmer of Hope

This is response the one-word prompt “Glimmer” by “the Daily Post.”

How important is it to ” in tough situations? Is it actually encouraging and helpful or is it really damaging in the long one? These are questions that people have struggled with forever. On the one hand, “hope” does seem to allow us to get through our challenges in life by focusing our attention less on the bad situation/possible outcomes and more on something positive that gives us reason to “push on.”

Yet “hope” can indeed be damaging if those positive outcomes do not materialize. We then will “lose hope” and become even more demoralized. Although I would say that the danger here lies not so much in “hope” but in reality “false hope.” Wheres “hope” can give us something to hang onto that encourages us to “fight on” despite how bad the situation may appear; it never does so by “magically changing” the situation we may be facing, only how we perceive it.

Before getting “hope” we already had the “tools” and ability to “get out” but our “despair” prevented us from seeing that. With “false hope” we are given something positive to hold onto, but when we really don’t have the ability to make things better. So the problem with “hope” is not that there are times when we can get “too much” it, but that we can confuse “false hope” for “real hope.”

To have real hope in our lives, at our “deepest lows”  is to the have the “tools” needed to “get out” at our disposal and the “vision, courage, and drive” to make use of those tools. “Hope does not give us anything new that we don’t already have, merely a reason for us to make better our situation.

So what are your thoughts and viewpoints on this subject? Please do share, all are welcomed and wanted. 

“The Founding Fathers’ Guide To The Constitution” by Brion McClanahan; A Review

‘s book “ Father’s the ” is very compelling and complex history of just how The Constitution to the United States had come to be and of the views for and against it. The way he percents his facts and figures and the back-stories behind each of the debates during the Constitutional Convention and the ratifying debates is just stellar in the thoroughness and ease of following.

Especially compelling is how he counts not just the well-known men that “we” all “know” from history as “Founding Father’s” (Washington, Madison, Hamilton, so forth), but literally everyone involved in the making and ratifying of the Constitution. He measures involvement  the debates on what type of government the United States should have; which were going on all across the thirteen states since during the Revolution on till the ratification its self.

He tells how the “founding ” included not just the names we recognize such as those mentioned above, but many others such as Luther Martin, Rodger Sherman, and George Mason, to name a few. He also does away with the “common” terms of “Federalist” and Anti-federalist” in explaining his reasoning; where he shows how the opponents of the Constitution were actually wanting to preserve the existing federal system of the Article of Confederation.

Brian’s work shines because of the detail he puts into his findings that the Constitution would not have passed ratification let alone pass the Convention floor if it was not understood to be putting in place a strong centralized government, but one with limits in place. He also does a wonderful, enlightening job of explaining away certain preconceived notions and myths about the “founding fathers” and the making of the Constitution.

It is a myth-but one often repeated-that the Framers “really wanted” the president to be chosen by the people at large; supposedly they rejected this method only because the people in one State would not know enough about the candidates from others States. But the records from the Philadelphia Convention clearly illustrate that the Founders intended the Electoral College to be a buffer against the potential abuses of democracy (p.129).

Overall, the book is a very well thought-out, telling of the history of the Founding of the (2nd Republic) of The United States under the current Constitution. He does an excellent job of keeping to a “fact-based” scholarly approach while at the same time showing the suspense and conflict experienced by our “founding fathers” to keep the reader entertained as well as informed and not be drowned in “dry” texted. A very good history of the subject with some surprising turns in its direction. The most important point from a historical perspective is that the author Brian does so well in not just telling the history of the Constitution’s making, but the telling of “all the sides” involved.

I hope you enjoy this book ; please do share your own thoughts and viewpoints. All are welcomed and wanted!

To be “A Blink of the Eye”

This is response one-word prompt “Blink” by “The Daily Post.”

What exactly is meant by the phrase “a  in the ” or “a blink the eye?” Obviously is it is referring to the blinking of one’s eye/s. Usually, it refers to the speed of the blinking and how fast it happens. So when you describe something happening as “a blink of the eye” you are saying that it either has or will happen so fast that you will miss it if not paying attention. That is how the phrase is usually used but, I think it could just as easily mean and refer to the ease of blinking one’s eyes and thus suggesting something may very easy.

A New Year; New Opportunities For Success And Failure​

So today marks the beginning of 2018; whole filled with its own challenges, its own possibilities, its own typical life filled craziness.  That is one thing that will not change 2018; this year like 2017 before it, and every year before that, and every year after 2018 has and will have its own for or in life both for the individual as well as communities and nations.  What does change is the nature and flavor of those opportunities and how we as individuals and as groups react and respond to them.

Are we going to let ourselves get bogged down in the nitty-gritty of everything that happens in this new year of opportunities, or are we going to push on and work our way through each one with confidence? How we answer the question will determine how the year turns out for each and every one of us regardless of what actually happens.

I for one tend to go through the year with confidence, no matter what I face good or bad. I hope you all do so as well. Happy New Year everyone!

What are your thoughts and viewpoints on this subject? Please do share them; all are welcomed and wanted!