JEEZ...Lap #66 already?
Although its hard for me to believe, I started my 66th lap around the sun this week...as has become my "tradition", here are some of my musings and observations as of late:
--I work hard at avoiding any discussion of politics. I have learned that even people with whom I agree get angry when we talk politics. Needless to say, the folks with whom I disagree get angrier. I simply change the subject, or, in the case of someone who is adamant that I listen, I excuse myself and leave. I find it wonderfully liberating and I am a lot less angry. I still watch news casts, and listen to the radio, so I remain informed, however.
--Recently, I was contemplating the multitudinous ways in which God has blessed me. If I listed them all, it might sound like bragging, but it isn't. In fact, its downright humbling! From a non-spiritual perspective ( I have a few friends who are atheists/ agnostics), I suppose one could say that these things are simply the result of my hard work, or even just plain luck in "life's lottery," but I see it differently, and am thankful every day. You may view that any way you like.
Speaking of blessings..Grand kids are awesome! Too bad we couldn't skip the whole "raising kids" thing and go right to having grand kids.
--I marvel at the accusations that people level at each other all the time. If you are accused of anything, you simply cannot prove that the accusation is untrue. It is logically impossible to prove a negative. Go ahead, try and prove that you are not a thief, a liar, a racist, or that you have not abused someone in some way. That is why the standard of proof in our legal system is that the accuser must prove that the accused is "guilty beyond a reasonable doubt", NOT that the accused must prove they are not guilty. That quaint notion seems to be lost on our society anymore. The accused is never given the benefit of the doubt in the Social Media Court.
--Speaking of Social Media, I have come to the conclusion that it is largely a cesspool. I still maintain that when our communications took longer, our words were more considered. Twitter, especially, allows us to spout off at will, and only serves to divide us further. There are people making a LOT of money from keeping us angry. It could be a good thing for us, but we just can't help ourselves, can we?
--A close friend says that he will never type anything in a Social Media post that he would not say to the persons' face. I think that is a most excellent policy. If everyone did that, "trolls" would be extinct, and the folks who program "bots" would have to find something useful to do with their time. And people would be angry less often.
Sometimes, you just have to acknowledge the absurd and laugh. It just ain't worth getting fired up about. That advice can apply to a lot of situations.
Its a shame that we are losing local newspapers. Chances are that you might meet the reporter whose article you just read in the grocery store or walking down the street. You might agree or disagree, but you knew the writer as a human being. Try that with one of the national talking heads on TV or the internet.
Let's see, I have mentioned politics, blessings, grandchildren, social media, absurdities (is that redundant?) and the loss of local media. That just about covers it, I think.
Maybe I'm nuts, but I believe that we are better than we are. We need only rise to our potential.
I wish you all blessings in this new lap around the Sun.
--I work hard at avoiding any discussion of politics. I have learned that even people with whom I agree get angry when we talk politics. Needless to say, the folks with whom I disagree get angrier. I simply change the subject, or, in the case of someone who is adamant that I listen, I excuse myself and leave. I find it wonderfully liberating and I am a lot less angry. I still watch news casts, and listen to the radio, so I remain informed, however.
--Recently, I was contemplating the multitudinous ways in which God has blessed me. If I listed them all, it might sound like bragging, but it isn't. In fact, its downright humbling! From a non-spiritual perspective ( I have a few friends who are atheists/ agnostics), I suppose one could say that these things are simply the result of my hard work, or even just plain luck in "life's lottery," but I see it differently, and am thankful every day. You may view that any way you like.
Speaking of blessings..Grand kids are awesome! Too bad we couldn't skip the whole "raising kids" thing and go right to having grand kids.
--I marvel at the accusations that people level at each other all the time. If you are accused of anything, you simply cannot prove that the accusation is untrue. It is logically impossible to prove a negative. Go ahead, try and prove that you are not a thief, a liar, a racist, or that you have not abused someone in some way. That is why the standard of proof in our legal system is that the accuser must prove that the accused is "guilty beyond a reasonable doubt", NOT that the accused must prove they are not guilty. That quaint notion seems to be lost on our society anymore. The accused is never given the benefit of the doubt in the Social Media Court.
--Speaking of Social Media, I have come to the conclusion that it is largely a cesspool. I still maintain that when our communications took longer, our words were more considered. Twitter, especially, allows us to spout off at will, and only serves to divide us further. There are people making a LOT of money from keeping us angry. It could be a good thing for us, but we just can't help ourselves, can we?
--A close friend says that he will never type anything in a Social Media post that he would not say to the persons' face. I think that is a most excellent policy. If everyone did that, "trolls" would be extinct, and the folks who program "bots" would have to find something useful to do with their time. And people would be angry less often.
Sometimes, you just have to acknowledge the absurd and laugh. It just ain't worth getting fired up about. That advice can apply to a lot of situations.
Its a shame that we are losing local newspapers. Chances are that you might meet the reporter whose article you just read in the grocery store or walking down the street. You might agree or disagree, but you knew the writer as a human being. Try that with one of the national talking heads on TV or the internet.
Let's see, I have mentioned politics, blessings, grandchildren, social media, absurdities (is that redundant?) and the loss of local media. That just about covers it, I think.
Maybe I'm nuts, but I believe that we are better than we are. We need only rise to our potential.
I wish you all blessings in this new lap around the Sun.
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