Drivin' That Train: The engine of inspiration

To be inspired to start something, do something, or think a certain way, is one of the most exhilarating things that can be felt. Even the smallest inspiring moment can be a mini epiphany worthy of an adrenaline rush that can put you in gear to execute. Everyone needs some form of inspiration to either do some everyday menial task, or to do something that they have been putting off for some time. Or there could be an inspiration to take on a whole new realm of yourself. It is inspiration that often gets us out of ruts, and depression that can effect our health, relationship, and just outlook on life.
The idea that you have to get into your head is that inspiration can come from anywhere, and you have to be ready to receive it. It can hover and buzz all around you like some bee, but if you can't look at it and take it in, then it will go away. You have to want badly to be inspired, but you have to accept that it's probably not going to come in the form of some burning bush, or an angelic light from the sky. It could come from something very simple and unassuming, such as a conversation, something you maybe see during your day, another person, or something you overhear. When you see it or hear it, you must act upon it, which is the easy part. The hard part  is sustaining what you are acting on. Many times people get inspired, act and then shortly after, lose the fire that they had, and fall right back into the "I'm unmotivated" mode.
Each person is inspired and motivated by different things, for different reasons and what those things are is as vast as the ocean.
I am constantly motivated by people. Whether I am talking to them, watching them, or checking out their mannerisms, I get inspired to write about, mimic, or think about how their life pertains to mine in some fashion. Those are my daily inspiration meals. People, good and bad will give me some sort of perspective that I can carry with me, and digest for awhile.People just like you are catalysts for my blogs, my lyrics, and my overall perspectives on human nature. Sometimes it's not always good things that inspire. For example I was very depressed at one point in my life because of events that happened that were painful to me. I was very uninspired at this point, and I was just unrecognizable to myself. What inspired me to try to climb out of the hole that I was in was pain and anger. I was in pain, and I was angry that I was feeling the pain, so I was motivated to try to get out because I hated feeling those two things. I don't believe that I am the first or last person to ever feel that way and tackle their depression in that manner, and I won't be the last. When I came out of the hole it was like I was renewed, and revitalized as I tried to find the me that I loved.  I didn't do anything special. I just did what many people did, and inspired myself from within somehow, because nothing worked externally. But since it came from within, it was more gratifying, and if you ever feel that way, that's where it has to come from...You. Also do what I did, and lean on friends, because good friends really do help. Use them also.

The most important and rewarding inspiration that you can possibly have is when you are inspired to be a better "something" you fill in the blank, whether it be athlete, musician, writer, exercise more, or just a better overall person, the inspiration to do so will propel well past what you thought your potential was. Inspiration breeds focus, and clarity about just what you want to do, and how to proceed. It will streamline your ideas, and help you to stop procrastinating and get down to brass tacks.
The best thing you can possibly learn how to do is be inspired by quite a few things, and different aspects of your life will have intensity, and attention. See a blue sky?Be inspired to make the day great. You see your friend trying to get in shape? You get motivated and start a friendly competition. Your spouse or partner in a bad mood? Be inspired to do something nice for them. Are you an artist or musician, and you see a great artist or musician? Be inspired to go practice. See a teacher, or doctor, or someone doing great things? Be inspired to do great things also. Inspiration is all around whether you are in a good situation or bad. Use it. I was inspired to write this today just because the sun is out, it's a wonderful morning on the beach, and I am alive and live in America. I felt it, I used it. So can you.

Deflectors Of The Faith: The art of changing the subject

There are so many folks who are experts at moving and shaking the central issues. Once the spotlight has been turned on them, and they have to tell a truth, talk about a particular subject that has been disputed, or analyzed, or just plain old put their foot in their mouth, they will masterfully swing the issue around to another topic. Once this is done, the new diverted topic will all of a sudden take precedence, and of course now all parties involved have to waste energy engaging themselves in a useless circular orgy of rhetoric and mayhem, and of course the main central issue is all but thrown to the curb.
This happens all over the place in many different scenarios and when it does it really leaves everyone wondering how the hell they ended up talking about some idiotic subject that had nothing to do with the one that was started. These are folks who are masters at changing the subject, and deflecting heat from themselves, because it is always the folks that have the most to lose that are good at it, and the most to gain in everyone's eyes if they are successful. When called out or examined, or questioned, they will proceed to point fingers, bring up a topic that has no relevance, or move the topic to a different area raising questions that pertain to some other dynamic of the subject. This actually is a gift that has been developed out of self preservation, and those that develop this gift have to for a reason. They are constantly "Making stuff up" and covering their tracks with some sort of metaphorical branches and occasionally trip themselves up, leaving themselves exposed, and open to criticism or questioning. The only way to get out of the spider web is to change the central issue. All of a sudden there is confusion, as all parties try to unburden themselves of the new diversion, giving the deflector time to think and undo themselves.
What is the benefit of being a deflector? Ego. Once again that 3 letter word that powers most people into situations of idiocy. It is the ego that is to be protected, and held close like a rare vase. It is the ego, that is afraid that people will actually see flaws, and be hip to nonsense, and it is the ego that moves the central subject to the back of the bus so that the pointing of fingers can begin. The worst thing about being a deflector is that maybe not today, or tomorrow, but eventually it will catch up in the sense that so much energy is wasted on deflection and diverting that people begin to see through it, because it happens so often. Even when there is no reason to, the deflector will make stuff up in some twisted effort to be in control of a situation that doesn't actually need controlling. And that is when the game will be up, folks will see it for what it is, and the deflector will have to resort to a new way with the same folks who are now savvy.
Deflectors have nothing to say, and they know it, and when they do say something it is suspect, so the diversionary tactics are always in play to keep the spotlight off of their lack of original thinking, and perhaps lead some twisted caravan of fools who will rally to their diverted cause, which is of course not even the central issue of the topic that was in play. Look around, and it is happening all of the time. Masters of changing the subject. Catch them when you can, or if you can, because they know what they are doing, and do it well. And for the people who wanted to talk about the issues at hand, get used to saying this;  "How the hell did we get on this subject?"

One Is Not The Loneliest Number: Life as an only child

Although I have lots of cousins who I spent my Summers with down south, and plenty of fond memories that involve many of them, the person I spent the most time with was myself. I know that quite a few people that I know rave about growing up with siblings, and having secrets to share and arguments to hash out, and all kinds of fun, and that is well and good. I respect it, and I'm sure that it was everything I have heard, and witnessed also from the outside. But who I am, and how I think now has quite a bit to do with being an only child. Someone who learned very early in life how to hang out with myself.
From the time I was old enough to remember, I had my own room where I was given books upon books to read from my Grandparents, and plenty of ways to use my imagination. I had a TV in my room since I was 7 and I watched all of the garbage that kids watched, but I was also fascinated with news, animal shows, and documentaries on things ranging from World War 2, to The Mafia. Nobody bothered me as I constantly stayed in my room reading, or drawing, or just imagining as I watched the world unfold in front of me on television. I never wanted, nor needed anyone around me, because my imagination sustained me, and spewed out all kinds of things that I can remember to this day.
Being an only child has those advantages because you are constantly trying to entertain yourself in a way that doesn't involve anyone, or anything, so you gravitate towards things that normally kids with siblings just can't do for extended periods of time, because there are always interruptions. Only children seem to develop some inner intensity because their ultimate best friend is their imagination, and I can attest to that. We have to think from all sorts of angles, because there is no one to counter what we say. We also seem to become more responsible out of sheer necessity, because there is no one else to blame for anything broken, spilled, or just not done around the house. I learned early that There is no one to blame for anything that concerns me. Either I did something or I didn't. Either I said something or I didn't. It was simple. I am not saying that only children are smarter or more responsible or any of that, but what I'm saying is that there is more of a likelihood to gravitate towards those traits just by default.
I remember being the only kid in my class who knew that Nixon was the president, and that he was in quite a bit of trouble. I was way too young to understand the intricacies of Watergate, but I knew something bad was happening, and I couldn't wait to get home to see the news that I couldn't grasp anyway. I spent hours and hours doing what I wanted in my room without anyone bugging me except my grandmother just checking to see what I was doing occasionally. Siblings would have screwed that up for me big time, and my time might have been in demand to go play somewhere.
When people say that they want another child to be able to play and grow up with their only I shake my head and think that isn't a reason. If you want another child, then have one because you want another. Not to keep the one you've got company. I would teach that child exactly what was taught to me. Respect yourself, and others, read everything you can get your eyes on, and be a shepherd, not a sheep. You not only have to be an example to other people, but you have to love yourself, and think that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. Being an only child led me to those thought patterns  because I was the focus, and I was given lots of time to think about everything.
Spoiled? some folks would say so, but I did not get everything I wanted, and was told no many times. Selfish? I wouldn't call it that. I would call it, "A sense of heightened acknowledgement of possessions" which is just a fancy way of saying selfish to an extent. Guilty. When you don't have to share, sometimes you don't know how to until you get older. That's the "Con" column, but the "Pros" outweigh all of that from my vantage point. I respect people with siblings and their experiences, and memories, but for me, I loved being an only child, and I understand only children. It's not lonely if you learn who to count on, trust, and think with. And that person is the one I trust, count on and think with to this day. He's gotten me this far. I think I'll stick with him.

The Dual Duel: The ultimate conflict

The biggest and hardest battle that can affect someone is not one between countries, or one between politicians, or even one between relatives. It is the constant battle of within. No one is completely full of wonderful goodness and unicorns, and if they tell you that, then they are full of something else also. Nobody can carry the weight of all goodness, nor can they shoulder all evil also. It's just too much, and unrealistic as a supposedly well adjusted, well rounded individual can portray. We all have that imaginary cartoon like Devil on one shoulder, and Angel on another. And they constantly are at war within us because what the average person thinks and believes often times contradicts itself at certain points. That's just the way it is because as I mentioned in earlier blogs, we as humans have suppressed our innate instincts, and constantly replace them with logic and reason, as we are on some weird quest to forget that we are animals. Evolved? Yes, but to just what, we haven't really figured out yet, because we still wage wars, we still kill, and we are still territorial in ways that remind us that we are not as far as we like to believe.
The personal battle on the inside is the one that is the most violent because some of the things that we want to be are in conflict with some of the things we do. We are all such a grand work in progress that our ideas about things can even do a 180 as we reinvent, and discover aspects of ourselves. There is no hiding place for the dual you, and you will have to wrestle with who you are quite a bit in life if you are going to do any growing. From the time we are born, ideas are placed in our heads about who we should be, and how we should act, and sometimes what we see contradicts that, so there is confusion. As we grow up and start formulating our own ideas, we sometimes purge the ones that were planted, and that's not necessarily a good feeling because we now have to question what we have absorbed into our consciousness and behavior. Then we feel the conflict because we wonder just how the hell we could have believed X Y and Z for so long. You start to question just who you are, and what  you really believe, and you may even discover things about yourself that you just can't handle because you don't want to admit that it is really a part of you. There are those that figure this stuff out, and others who seek help, and still others who fall into some strange hole of themselves as they have to withdraw into themselves to regroup.
Talk to folks long enough, myself included I'm sure, and you will hear contradictions of what they believe.No one is completely consistent, because we are all 3 dimensional human beings with ideas of what is good, and bad, and sometimes there is plenty of grey area to be had. That doesn't make a person a flip flopping idiot, but it makes them someone with heart, and a perspective that encompasses both of themselves. It is truly hard to be an "As the crow flies" person on every subject, because people are slanted towards what they are because of what they feel. You can trap anyone's duality by playing upon how they feel, and how they are benefited by something. That is how we are. Constantly changing individuals with two sides fighting for control. That is the true balance of  human beings, and that is why the most soulful and beautiful people are the most real. Because their dual duel makes them so.

Order Within Chaos: The Ongoing Process

The absolute truth and reality of living is that as long as you are on this planet alive, you will spend waking moments trying to keep your balance in the world, grow, and if you are not already there, stop from going insane. We all walk around daily putting out miniature fires that start within our minds, and ones that occur in situations that we face everyday. We often use the phrase that we are "getting nuts", but I believe that even the most rational people are two steps away from actually being there. This lends itself once again to how much humans constantly push down primal behavior in favor of rational and selective behavior. I thought of this post because I watched two squirrels from my porch, and they were obviously irritated with one another, and began chasing one another up and down trees and fences in front of me stopping occasionally to bark that weird squirrel bark at one another. They were angry, they expressed it, and acted upon it. And whatever other primal emotion they felt, they acted upon. Simple, and unfiltered.
The way human beings have to operate acceptably within the world, you could never act upon impulse. It has to be analyzed, thought out, consequences determined, both good and bad, and then the delicate balance of execution. Trust me, I have no desire to be a life form lower than human, but it must be liberating to just be, and do. But I have no desire to do it, nor do I want to be around folks that just act on impulse because trouble follows human beings who just don't think, and act without thought.
But my point here is that every little thing that we think, and deal with on a daily basis is part of our process  of dealing with the world, and the world can push folks over the edge quickly. There is sadness to deal with, frustrations, hope, joy, and tugs of war with ourselves concerning what we do and believe. And all of these can happen in one the same day. Sometimes when  I look at folks, the look in their faces really says that they are at the edge of their rope, and they are trying to hold it together, and I wonder just what combination of things got them there. It could be millions of variations that all of us deal with on a daily basis that test our mental toughness, and stability, and most of us at the end of the day lay our head on the pillow decompressing, and replaying the day back as we fall asleep wondering just how the hell did we get through the day. While of course thinking about stuff to do tomorrow. The crisscrossing processes of figuring, dealing coping, and reacting can get the best of us, but most times we get through it.
The end result of all of that is growth. The absolute most important reaction that you can counter to the chaos. You have to learn from experiencing all kinds of things, and going through the things that may drive you nuts, in order to handle them like a pro, as they come up again. The most level headed folks I know are ones that have been there, done that, and can tell you how to accept being there and doing it. But they will be the first ones to tell you that whatever it is they had to figure out almost drove them nuts. But they did it , learned, and became the masters of their own order.
As long as you live, there will be chaos that you will have to deal with, there will be fires that you will have to put out, and wars within yourself that will have to take place before you can be master of your own order. It is the process, and even when you get to that place, the process continues. Complicated? Hell yes. Human beings are complicated, and make simple things more complicated than they should be. That's why I like to watch the squirrels. When they think to themselves, "I'm gettin' nuts" it's a whole different meaning.

I Feel Ya: Sensitive to those around you

The interaction between human beings is the most delicate and tricky balancing act that you can ever do because human beings are not like other animals. We have buried our primal instincts to an extent and replaced them with complex thought processes that often are 3demensional, and contradictory with one another. The way humans think is as numerous as the stars in the sky. We all come from some "Place" that our thinking originates from, and those places dictate our behavior, what we perceive as good and bad, and what we perceive as joyous, or unnerving. A constant important lesson to learn and relearn form time to time is that not everyone thinks like you. What may be small and inconsequential to you, may be enormous and upsetting to others. It all stems from that "Place" of where we are coming from, that evolved into where we are now, and where we want to go. Your place may be radically different than someone else and your thoughts reactions and what you perceive will not match.
Some folks may be offended by certain words, images, or behaviors because of something  in their place where certain things are bad reminders. They may have fought tooth and nail to rid themselves of a memory of that place, and when that place rears its head it is not a happy event for them. You may be completely oblivious to that place, and say or do things that contribute to problems, but it is extremely important to be aware of it when it happens, and apologize, and not let it happen again. Life is tricky like that because people have lumped in being sensitive with the semantic of being politically correct, and they are two completely different things. Being sensitive is more on a personal level of knowing the people that surround you, and accepting them, and appreciating where they come from.
We all have people that we deal with daily, who are our friends, associates, co workers, whoever. There may be things that they are dealing with, and have dealt with that make them who they are, and deal with those folks long enough, and build trust, and you will share histories, or herstories. If you listen close enough to them they will tell you without actually telling you what bothers them, what their hurts and pains are, and how much you can even joke with them. But sometimes we either miss something, or forget, and there is something that is offensive, or disturbing laid out unwittingly, or by mistake. The most you can do as someone who cares is be empathetic in an effort to rectify the situation. You may possibly never be able to put yourself in their shoes, or you may even wonder what the big deal is, but it's not about you all of the time. People have nuances, and feelings, and it is important to acknowledge that throughout life. There is nothing worse than someone poo- pooing what someone else feels, just because they don't feel it. That is not being politically correct. That is being concerned for how your fellow human being feels. Trust me, in life there will be a time when you want someone to be sensitive to you, and what you are feeling, and it sucks when you feel that someone may not care.
We are all in this world together, and it would be wonderful if we all genuinely cared for one another, but that's a utopia fantasy. In the real world there are fights, there are conceited jerks, and there are people that we just really don't like. That's reality. But the folks that we do like, deal with, have fun with, and want to keep around because they enrich us, are the folks that when something is wrong with them, there should be a feeling that there is something wrong with you also. Being sensitive to others is actually a tough thing to do, but we all need to practice it, because things that go around come around. And when it comes around to us, we are going to need someone to understand.

Unbeknown To Us: Pissing someone off without a clue

It's a good thing to sometimes piss other people off. only because it means that you have possibly taken a personal  stand for something you believe in, or that you are not just a "Yes" person who agrees with everyone just because it's a path of least resistance. By pissing someone off, it means that you have a spine, and will probably not roll over and just take whatever someone wants to give you. Of course you have to have your facts straight and be able to articulate what you say, and not just be someone who disagrees without a constructive opinion. The definition of that is "Idiot". If you are going to piss someone off by disagreeing, then make sure you have 3dimensional thoughts as to why. It will just get you more respect in the  end, and you will sleep well as long as you understand that not everyone will like you, love you, or agree with you. But respect is an important equation in that mix that will get folks to leave you alone and accept your point of view.
There are often times though when for some reason unknown to us, by our actions, words or some intangible doing, we piss folks off and have no idea about it. We just go about our business not realizing that for some reason that we are unaware of  someone that is a loved one, friend, acquaintance, or even stranger is stewing, and calling us every name in the book under their breath. It happens in relationships all of the time where one person is tipped off that something is wrong by curt, monotone answers, and pursed lips. Once asked what's wrong, sometimes that person will say "Nothing", or the classic "If you don't know, I'm not going to tell you". It's amazing how us human beings are. We all want communication, but when the opportunity presents  itself to be the initiators we don't follow through. So often we stew, and resentments build and before you know it, some incredible wall has been built blocking someone off who is oblivious until it is too late for them to make amends. Of course in a relationship that needs to be addressed early, and quite a few couples get rid of the occasional unknown angst, only for it to rear its head again in another situation..Reality bites.
If there is absolutely one lesson that is essential in life for people to learn, it is that you cannot control other people's actions, reactions, and feelings. You can only control your own. You will often drive yourself nuts wondering, backtracking conversations, replaying scenarios in your head, and trying to read minds all in an attempt to "Fix" things.No one is a mind reader, and try as we may to speculate, the problem is usually never what we thought it was.That's when two little words come into play..."Screw it". If someone is pissed off at you, and hasn't told you, and has some resentment against you, then it is on them. Not you. With confrontation, most folks are passive aggressive, and figure that by not talking to someone, or ignoring them, or writing them off, they are getting even with them, but in reality they are showing just how petty, superficial, and childish they really are. You can tell by folks actions sometimes where they stand .If you are wise, just choose not to stand near them.
I have heard many times in my life from other folks that "So and So" is pissed at you, and in the past, my response if I didn't know was "Really? I had no idea", and my immediate reaction was to go and try to "Fix" things. I consider myself pretty approachable, and don't really get pissed off except when there is unnecessary nonsense involved so I have wondered why. But I have reached an age and point in my life now where unless it's someone I care about deeply like a relative, if someone is pissed at me, and I don't know why, and they won't tell me, then screw it. No one can change anyone else, or think for them. My tolerance for unnecessary nonsense is at an all time low, and I sleep better at night for it. So if you have found out, or heard that someone is pissed at you for some unknown reason, use the two little words, "Screw it" and go about your daily business. It's all on them. Don't make it about you. Stay silent, and stay sane.

The Fire Inside: The Musician's Passion of Live

Musicians are very funny individuals when it compared to everyone else. We are fiercely independent, when it comes to our craft, but still sometimes need and desire the company of other musicians to carry out a particular vision. We are ritualistic in the way we learn, process, and execute music, and sometimes never waver from a particular way of doing things as long as we live. In our opinion, if it works, stick with it. If it no longer works, then the ritual is over, and a new one has to begin. We have narcissistic tendencies sometimes because it honestly takes that aspect of personality to perform with confidence, and skill, and think that people will enjoy it. if a musician does not have that quality, usually they will languish in a basement, or their room, and not say "screw it" sticking their neck out for people to possibly chop it off, but most can't ignore the call, and eventually get out there. It is a constant creative battle that we fight where desire for artistic statement, and wanting folks to like what they do come in constant clash with one another. These are the people I know and love to be around, and learn from. And it's the person I am also. Music is a passion that most times only other musicians get. Most times in life you really can't vent, and express your pain, anger, sadness, elation, and philosophies, but the musician is able to express all of that sometimes without a single word, and sometimes all in one performance. We rip ourselves open, and show the world just who we are in the barest and most naked form. No frills, no makeup to cover warts, and no filter. Just us.
That's where most musicians that I know are completely alike...Live. Playing in front of people live is what most musicians desire, and live for. Whether it be serenading one person, or playing in front of thousands, a musician gives some of themselves to the people they play for, and leaves that portion of themselves there with those people. There is no greater gift that a musician can give than their heart and soul in a performance. Whatever we are feeling that particular day, comes out in the open, and makes its way through our souls and to whoever is willing to receive it. It is live where we get to seduce, cry, scream, and tell our story through playing or singing. When you see a musician perform most times you are watching an exorcism. All of our locked up demons, and anguish can be purged from us as we publicly unleash our emotions. Live helps us to cope and live, and try to heal ourselves as we heal others. We perform a communion with other musicians, as if we are a legion of high priests, gathered to baptize those who have come to us.It is spiritual, sensual, and when all of the musicians are on the same wavelength, it is as raw and moving as emotion can get. I have been onstage almost moved to tears at just how wonderful something felt and sounded, and that I was emotionally ecstatic to be a part of at that moment.
people ask me all of the time if I get nervous before I play.The answer to that is yes and no. No because if there has been preparedness between all musicians and everyone knows their part in the communion, all things will come out fine. Yes in the aspect of right before the first note that I have to play, there is an incredible rush that I can't describe, sort of like the feeling you get almost falling backwards in a chair. Then after that first note it's gone, and I am in the moment of live, and much too busy to be nervous. Playing live is, and always will be king for musicians. It's in our blood, and makeup, and it is our passion. But should it not happen, playing in our rooms, or basements brings extensive joy, just because we can still perform the exorcism even if no one is listening.

Move On Up: Your level of acceptance

Self esteem is such a funny thing. Too much of it can make you cocky, vain, and self absorbed. Too little of it can make you settle, have no confidence in yourself, invite people and situations in your life that do absolutely nothing but negatives. I see so many folks in the latter mode. The situations that have happened, and do happen in our lives can break us down and beat us to a pulp sometimes, and leave us wide open for the taking. It's so easy to be down on one's self, and just stop trying to get better, or demand better. It sometimes is a subconscious act because there are people who wouldn't know what better was if it was given to them in a box that said "Better stuff on it.They have been somehow programmed to accept that what they have, and situations that are around them are it, and they just plain settle for below standard anything unwittingly.

How that happens is because of two words..Self esteem. It could be so many things. Someone's self esteem may have been damaged badly, or they may not have had any at all, or they may have been told many things in childhood that stopped their self esteem in its tracks at one point. But level of acceptance, and self esteem go completely hand in hand. You've seen the same old relationship situations that happen because of low self esteem. Women and men who fall for the same old types of losers in different bodies, and get treated like crap, and just accept it, and fall for the next type of mirror image. They would never be attracted to someone nice, or have a stable relationship with someone with structure, because they consider that person "Boring". They actually like and would miss the excitement of wondering where that person is, or getting into fights, or the excitement of some relationship that really isn't, and being disrespected, all because in secret, their self esteem has told them that this is as good as it will get for them, and they should accept it. Sad, but absolutely true. Along with the person they choose to be with, come the individuals that they hang out with who also have the same mentality of accepting. Losers late in their years doing the same things, and acting the same ways that they were when they were in their teens or twenties. This mentality crosses genders, race, class, and age, and usually starts early in life, and just spirals from there.
The idea is to raise your level of acceptance as you get older, and wiser. This doesn't mean that one has to become a millionaire, nor is this about what income folks make, or what economic situation they happen to be in. it's about looking at yourself and your surroundings and recognizing nonsense when you see it. I'm not talking about fun. Everyone needs to have fun. I'm talking about not accepting nonsensical folks and situations that take the life out of you, and drag you down to a level where you say to yourself "How the hell did I get here?" Investing in your self esteem will help you to avoid people, places and things that are for the most part dead ends. When you finally say to yourself "I deserve better than this crap", the next phase is to act upon it, and purge all of the things that are dead weight, and take on the things that make you feel like you want to feel. As Zen Buddhism states, the two things that all peoples want are 1)Happiness, and 2)No suffering. You can achieve happiness by yourself. Most times there are others involved when you are miserable, and suffer. So why put up with it? Any little sign of nonsense, get rid of it. Anyone who brings you down, get rid of them.

Just start by looking in the mirror and saying, "I am important to myself. What do I want, what do I need, and what do I deserve? And then don't let anything get in the way of those answers. Move on up. To where? A new awareness of you, and what you can achieve, and who you want to be around you. For those with low self esteems really take a look at your situations, and ask yourself, "If my best friend were in this situation, what advice would I give?" Usually that will be what should be done. Make your level of acceptance higher, and your tolerance for nonsense will be lower. before you know it, your new self esteem will be what you always wanted it to be. And you'll wonder why it didn't happen sooner.

The All Right Of Being Wrong: The Learning process

Nobody likes being wrong. When we were all children, we got told by adults when we were wrong endless amounts of times, because we were. Our knowledge base as a child was limited to our little world of toys, cartoons, second hand information we received from other children, and what we processed from children shows and school.Our ability to process things was still developing, so any facts that we did manage to pull usually were not quite true, or one dimensional just like our understanding ability. As you get older, your parameters of understanding, and processing get better, and you start to formulate your own way of thinking that becomes you. By the time you are an adult, you have the basics for how you think, and all that is left is life experience to push you over to a 3 dimensional point of view as you manage to tightrope between facts, and opinion. As we get more assertive in our assessment of things, and more confident in what we know, there is one thing that is absolutely certain to happen....There will come a time where you will be dead wrong. It won't feel good, or warm and fuzzy, and sometimes you will find out for yourself, and other times someone will tell you. But if you open your mouth to say things, or state points of knowledge that you think you have, there will be times where you will need correcting.
The good thing is that it is part of the learning process. I am certainly far from the holder of all knowledge, nor would I ever make that claim. I haven't met anyone that knows it all either, and neither will you because that person does not exist. It would be awfully hard to be the holder of all knowledge anyway, because where can you go from there? What a weight that would be.
The learning process of being wrong is that you take the new knowledge that you now have and move forward, in the ongoing adventure of building yourself. It's a bubble buster to be wrong, but once your bubble is burst, you are now free to advance. I know some folks who get very pissed off when they are proven wrong as if knowledge is a competition that they have a lock on winning. They will even go to ridiculous lengths to prove that they are actually right by some back door explanation, and rationalization. All in the effort of protecting a bruised ego, and some stupid pride that they carry with them like some knight's lance.

In my opinion, if you are wrong, why would you NOT want to know? In life it's truly nice to know when you are good, and right about something, but it is even more important to know when you are wrong. If not, then how can you fix anything, and make yourself better, and grow in learning? And why would you not want to admit when you are wrong? There is so much weight off of one's shoulders when they  say, "Boy I messed that information up. I'm glad I know now." It truly is a relief because you can move on happy that you have new and proper info to work with, and process, and you won't look like an idiot to folks as you spew bad information obliviously. Admit that you're wrong and the world forgives.  Stick to your guns even though facts are right in your face, and people will dismiss everything you say from that point forward. it's always easy for those folks that don't risk anything and say nothing to be right all of the time. Take a risk and speak.
Being wrong is a symptom of growth, and learning, and both are cool with me. I appreciate it when people tell me I'm wrong because that means they feel comfortable enough with me to tell me, and that aspect of who I am makes me feel better about myself than being right. And if someone tells me I'm wrong about even the smallest thing, I can learn from it. And that's life.

Misery And Company...How some people are in love with being nasty.

As I drove home today, I really didn't know what I was going to write about at all.I was going to have my egg and cheese sandwich, after working out at the gym and let my mind unfold. When I pulled onto my street, I could see the pounding ocean, and some pretty decent waves splashing up on the shore. The sight and sound was beautiful. I could feel the rhythm in my chest, and I knew I had to get my camera and take some pictures. I walked to a particular area where I could photograph some of the waves, and Gulls that fly around waiting for me to give them some more old bread. The view and sound was wonderful, and made me feel alive. I was almost done, when an unexpected air horn can went off in my ear. If I hadn't made a pit stop earlier, there would have been a messy problem as I jumped 3 feet in the air, yelling some profanity that I choose not to write here. I turned to see a woman with some nasty look on her face holding the can ready to blow it at me again. With the nastiest voice I've ever heard at that time of the morning she said, "What are you doin'?" As my camera was in my hand facing the ocean, it seemed pretty (*expletive*) obvious what I was doing, but I decided to relay the obvious to the oblivious. Still shaken up from the air horn, I said, "What does it look like I'm doing? I'm taking pictures of the ocean(Angrily). She then says, "Get off my property!" Just as nasty as could be said. I realized I was standing on some cement block that was attached to her piece of crap apartment deck, so I bit my tongue, because I was very close to getting into an argument. I walked away more pissed that she had ruined the wonderful alive feeling that I had seconds ago more than anything else. This woman has been a royal pain in the ass to quite a few folks around here for various reasons, and I got a dose this morning.She has been the centerpiece of altercations within the past 6 months, and I can see why.
First of all, that was completely unnecessary. She could have asked me to leave in a nice fashion if she was uncomfortable with me there, and I would have with no problem, but this puts into focus my topic.

Some folks for whatever reason are just God awful nasty. I try to see where people are coming from sometimes, and wonder what events in their lives made them the way they are, but some folks just seem to not only want to be nasty, they enjoy it, and thrive on it. That woman has called the Police on folks many times for just plain old B.S. Who has an air horn handy unless you are looking for trouble? I didn't get into it with her because that's what she wanted...For me to be a part of her misery, which is a twisted form of enjoyment for her, would have made her day, and some individuals are like that.I wasn't about to give her the satisfaction. Some people want to suck you in, and ruin your outlook, and good vibe, because whatever miserable existence they have, they can't handle someone having something better. I could tell that she wasn't just having a bad day...This is her M.O.
It's too late for folks like that, and there is nothing you can do for them except walk away. or else they will drag you under, and make you  dance around on their level. Was I pissed? Absolutely, but the more I think about it, I feel totally sad for this woman and her lack of wanting to interact with people in a positive fashion. She's missing so much enjoyment and laughter from dealing with folks on a friendly level, and she will probably die pissed off.
The most I can do is pat myself on the back for my restraint, because if anyone has ever had a canned air horn go off in your ear, especially at that time of the morning, you know that it could make you very unhappy..So for as many positive people there are walking around, there are the miserable bastards that cause all of the issues. it's like that old 80/20 theory. 20% of the people are 80% of the problems. I want to hang out with the good 80% and try to reduce that other number. Which group are you in?

Spring It On! New Season..New Attitude.

Everyone can feel it in the air, and see it in the various happenings in nature. Spring is here, and moving in to take over the landscapes, and moods of us all. We all seem to want it so badly, and even on days that it is still cool, and a little brisk, you see short sleeves shirts, and windows open in houses and cars as if we humans are trying to coax nature to hurry it up.Why do we want it badly? Because Spring is as symbolic to renewal as anything we can relate to. After a January like we had in the Northeast, and after being bundled up, and waiting for the mounds of snow to dissipate, we all get cranky and tired of bleak leafless scenes outside of our window, and cold car seats as we get up for work. Even the most die hard of the winter fanatics, who were giddy with delight over the first tree limb covered snow scenes, and fresh snow post card views in December have grown tired by March, and can't wait for birds and squirrels to come out as signs of warming trends.Folks can't wait to BBQ, eat ice cream on the porch, and walk barefoot on their lawns. Everyone just seems like they are lightening up just a tad, because the warmth in the air seems to transfer to their attitude.

Spring somehow lets us know that everything is going to be ok somehow...At least for a while. Spring gives us all hope that even as we watch horrendous scenes of devastation in other countries, and people getting killed in revolutions, and aspects of the world that we can't control, somehow it can get better. it puts us in the frame of mind that  the world will go on, and life will prevail no matter what we as humans do.It is a much needed psychological boost for  everyone, because the world just seems bleaker when it is physically colder, and quieter in nature. Of course seeing the first fly, or gnat, or beetle loses its appeal in a month when the critters  are everywhere that you are, but that's the price, and there is a price for everything.
Time for cleaning out garages, getting rid of old clothes, cleaning the filthy interiors of cars, while planting, and landscaping for your own personal competition in "Naturescape". It's here, and we all wish for the moment that we could feel like we do now for a long time....Anticipating, like a kid who has been told that he's going to Disney in two weeks, as we jump up and down, waiting for a day that we can really put that big coat away for the next 7 months, and go for a swim in the ocean, or just hang out at night with a tee shirt enjoying the sound of Bullfrogs and crickets in the distance. Spring it on! I'm ready for my new attitude.And I think everyone else is too.

It is what it is.....No it really isn't.

People use the phrase "It is what it is" all of the time, and it is really bothersome to me. Why? because it is a passive aggressive way of saying, "I don't want to know, or ask questions why in order to know." People  do and say things everyday for a reason, and situations occur, and transpire also for definitive reasons. Most of the time, it can honed in, questioned and figured out to an extent. It bothers me because of the lack of desire to know. Some folks just seem to accept everything that transpires, or is said, or thought, because it's easy to not think about it. I have always been an introspective individual, and curious about how people tick around me, so I just can't understand sometimes how people can just accept things on the surface. There is always something below the visible part of the pond. Why not investigate it? You don't have to be introspective to just ask why, or some particular genius to question things. Particularly when it comes to one's own actions or thoughts. I always question myself as to why I think a certain way, why I did or said a particular thing, or why my behavior is of a particular fashion. The simple reason is that it is growth. The more I know concerning myself, the more I can apply the understanding to pose further questions and get more answers. That's  the rewarding thing about growth, in that the deeper you dig into yourself, the more you grow, and actually learn about  others in the process. I've asked people questions like, "Why do you feel or think that way" and my answer in some cases has been, "I don't know..It is what it is". That's a cop out. For some to dig for the answer may mean to see some things that they don't like, or can't accept about themselves, and that would mean coming face to face with some uncomfortable truths. Coming face to face with truths means that more questions have to be asked that would bring on more questions, and etc..And some folks just can't be bothered, or can't stand the thought of the process.
Most counselors Have definitive ideas about the people that go to them, but the good ones make those people answer their own questions in the form of personal epiphanies and discoveries.True that some folks who use the phrase  just don't want to give an answer, but those are few, because most folks who know the answer will just say "I don't wanna talk about it". Which is fine and to be respected. But as far as the not wanting to know things drives me nuts. Everything can be speculated, thought about, and hashed out internally, and externally until some semblance of answers can be approached. I guess the phrase "Ignorance is Bliss" actually does mean something, because to want to know and investigate, and speculate, and get answers is quite a bit of work, and weight sometimes. Those who are happy to not know, seem just that...Happy to not know.
I have been guilty of using the phrase on rare occasion because of time constraint, I just didn't have the time to get into it, but if I did, I would have been happy to shed some light on something someone wanted to know if I felt like it. It wasn't that I didn't want to talk about something, because these were situations where someone could have helped me out figuring something..Just no time. if I didn't want to talk about it, I would have said so.
To ask questions is the best feeling in the world because the answers you get sometimes make crystal clear a tapestry of other things you wanted to know. So it never really is what it is..Never. So don't accept that answer within yourself, and if someone gives that answer to you, well.....Just move along, because you really don't want to know what they choose not to know anyway.

Race and The president: The creeping nuanced language of circumstance

First of all I would like to preface this Blog post by stating a few things. 1)I am not affiliated with any political party. I believe that it is an illusion of difference.2) I do not believe that everyone who criticizes the president is some racist nut, nor do I believe that everyone on the right hand side of ideology, or everyone who is in the Tea party movement is a racist. I have wonderful friends and folks that I call family who have complete opposite  views that I have on some topics, and know tea party members, and they are as far from being racist as you could be. They are wonderful people who just have different ideas of operation 3)I believe that people have the right AND duty to scrutinize, satirize, question, debate, like, or not like, or even hate the president's policies, or actions, or even call him an idiot if they choose. That is what makes America what it is, and I don't give a rat's ass about that stuff.
What I want to talk about is disturbing to me, and it's what I call "The creeping nuanced language of circumstance". Every race or group in this country has its history of oppression, and pain that has defined them and is within their DNA of history. But Blacks in America have a special relationship with this country because we were not immigrants, we were unwilling imports. We were purchased, sold, branded, castrated, beaten, burned, raped, subjected to unspeakable physical and mental abuse all by a country that called itself "Civilized". We were told that this is not our country, and would never be. When the time came, we fought in every single war that this country has had, and each time came home from it thinking, "Now that we've done this and shown our love for this  place, and defended it, things will be better." And they never were. And until the leaps, and gains of the civil rights movement, and the residuals of those events, things didn't get much better, but afterward there became forward progress in all areas that we all as people benefit from today.

Flash forward now to Barack Obama becoming the president of the this land which was the most important and significant social leap forward in this country since Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball. This event finally would hopefully propel this country to the mentality of where it should be..That anyone can be anything, and that color etc...doesn't matter. America voted more on the idea of what America can be and the hope of the future of just how it could be more than anything else when you really get to it. And trust me that was important because it showed that most Americans want that idea to reality transition.
Enter the first opposition movement which is going to happen to any administration, but the battle cry for this one was not something catchy like "let's get fiscal" or the "Back to finacial responsibility" movement. The cry was "Let's take back our country." Code, and language says quite a bit, and this was a language of nuanced circumstance. Think very carefully because of what I mentioned earlier. You tell a segment of people for so long that this is not their country, how could you possibly create a counter movement that announces that you want to take the country back from something or someone, the minute they see and feel for the first time they they really are part of it, and not see how it's a bothersome battle cry. It doesn't matter what the movement meant ..It's the NUANCED LANGUAGE, that fuels the fringe, and stirs the memory for older blacks who were told time and time again that they didn't belong here, and that they will never be considered a part owner in this country, and that is what creates distrust and suspicion of motives for a movement. Every movement has a right to be here, but the nuance of the movements is bothersome.
You have movements of people saying that he's a Muslim. I don't remember any other President being called one, but the one that is, has brown skin, and given the paranoia of people against Muslims that is fuel for a segment of folks, and says "You are not one of us"
You have movements saying he wasn't born in this country. I don't remember anyone saying this about a president but once again the language is saying that once again that "You are not one of us, and don't belong.
You have movements saying that he and his wife don't love this country, and that they are unpatriotic. Again fueling the "You are not one of us" mentality.I don't remember any other first lady candidate being accused of being angry and not loving this country, but fuel the "Angry Black Woman" depiction, and there it is. And you even have his wife depicted in pictures as a woman with a big ass compared to other women, and who has "Eaten too much fried greasy foods". Need I say more about nuance?
Again I do not care if people criticize the man, hate his policies, satirize him in "Newsweek", or think he's an idiot. I don't give a crap, and he's done things that I agree with and don't agree with.  But I didn't like the idiocy spewed by Kanye West about Bush anymore than I liked Glenn Beck's idiotic statements about a racist president. What I'm writing about here is the language of nuance, that many African Americans are very acute to in this country, as are lunatic fringes who pick up the nuances, and fire up like minds to action. It is the nuanced language that is spoken in seriousness, and not jest that is the bearer of discomfort...Joking is one thing...Stoking fires is another.
Do Blacks need a thicker skin? Absolutely, in order for us to unify as people and to unify with other peoples in this country and move everyone forward, and that is happening. But given the deep fabric and texture of this country and its history in relation to Blacks, I don't understand how people can't get that the wounds are still fresh, and the ears are still sharp. It has been only one lifetime since Civil Rights laws were put in place to protect everyone, but emerged out of the nuance of language and actions that told blacks "You are not one of us and you have no rights". It truly is not what is said, but how that makes a big difference.
I believe that there will be other presidents of all races and genders in the future, and there will always be the creeping nuanced language of circumstance perpetuated by a very small but vocal segment of folks who don't want it or any progress to happen. That is America in 3D.
I must end this post by saying that I don't consider myself speaking for all. What I do is observe, listen very carefully to folks around me, in my family, in my circles of friends and people I associate with, as well as what I hear strangers say, in conjunction with what I personally read, and understand about the history of this country, and the endless mentalities that inhabit it. This is my opinion, like it or not. Even if one disagrees with it entirely, I hope that I have given you something to at least think about.

Methodology....Work it baby!

I love the word "Methodology" and use it all of the time. it's just my particularly fancy way of saying "Practiced approach towards work ethic." How many times have we asked someone how they learned how to do a particular thing, and the answer was, "I don't know..I just practiced and did it." Most of us who learn how to do something, or take on something that has to stick with us do what feels comfortable for our particular process. Everyone approaches stuff differently, and everyone has a different pace in which it is absorbed. I have been fascinated with some folks, and watched how they executed their learning process, and tried to imitate it, and failed miserably never understanding just how the hell they could learn like that. That's why each brain is so fascinating because each of us has a particular way of being wired for absorbing, storing, and regurgitating information. Everyone can have a methodology to learn something. it's just a matter of desire. If you want to learn how to do something bad enough, you'll do it, plain and simple. There are no shortcuts, although  too many people look for them, and waste time, and energy. For some it may take repetition over and over and over until it becomes a particular muscle memory. For others it may a thought process  that enables them to be able to do something fairly quickly, and sometimes immediately. It just depends on what it is also, but everyone just needs to investigate how their brain is wired, and act accordingly. If you have to do something over a hundred times, then do it. If you need to associate something to be able to mentally execute something else then do that. But find your methodology, and apply it, in the variations that you need to, because chances are if you develop it to an extent, the way you did one thing just might be applicable to another. Here is the hardest part though: whatever you learn, make it so that it is hard to forget. That means learning something in such a constructive manner for yourself that you will not have to worry about losing that particular knowledge, or ability on the back end. For example, I happen to be lucky enough to remember how to play some songs that I haven't played in 20 years. Yes there are probably hundreds more that I have forgotten, but however I learned some particular songs in the bigger picture, was thorough enough where it stuck, and won't leave my head no matter how I try. I'm no genius by any stretch, but I did learn important lessons about work ethic and practice when I was a kid that benefited me to this day. So my point is that all of us have the ability for methodology. Find what yours is, work at it, and execute it. The more you put in, the more you get out. The more you get out, the more of a desire you'll have  to develop it even better. A complete inner and outer win/win. So work it baby! Work it so hard until it's easy. There's always a method to madness.

Gimme your flaw

One of the hardest things that we as humans have to do is accept our own flaws. It is extremely disheartening sometimes to look into  the mirror that reflects our souls and point out the things about ourselves that are lacking, or attributes that are deficient and undesirable. It is a tremendous blow to the ego sometimes, and everyone has an ego. Don't let anyone tell you different. Anyone that says they do not have an ego is flat out lying through their teeth. An ego allows us to be able to do certain things in life that make us believe that other folks will like or accept it. A musician must have some sort of an ego to be able to get in front of people and believe that those folks want to hear the sounds they make. Anyone who has an opinion about a subject must have some sort of ego to be able to voice that opinion. But it's ego that sometimes prevents us from examining and accepting our flaws, or just plain ignoring them altogether. I have flaws up the wazoo, and every time I examine one, or try to make one better, another rears it's ugly head. The beauty of getting older for me is that I get over it easier, and try to make better the positive traits I have going for me. People go through life trying to be perfect, and in some cases it's not their fault because TV, magazines, and other idioms tell folks from the time they can read and even just see, that image is everything. According to them, you must wear this, put on that, something is too big, too small, and you must fit into this mold and think like this, or be able to do that, or you suck. Now I'm not just talking about physical flaws, but the inner works. And I'm also talking about flaws within an aspect of being an everyday human. Nefarious character flaws are another story, because there are some dark souls out there who look great, but their core is black, and destitute. I'm talking about just regular Joe and Jane flaws that we all have to deal with and say, "Well this is something that I lack for my own search of being the person I want to be". Those are the flaws I speak of, and ego and ignorant pride have a way of not letting you see them sometimes. Once you see them, you can accept who you are, try to become better, and get rid of angst. The angst comes from not allowing yourself to see them, and not deal with them. That is why some of the tortured souls and individuals resort to the devious things they do. Jumping through hoops, and trying to protect their ego as they are afraid of themselves and the flaws that themselves and others will see. As far as I'm concerned flaws are good, and keep us humble if we get out of line. Learning to accept the flaws in ourselves and others connects us to each other, and reminds us that we are not alone in this huge book of lives.All of us have flaws equally distributed amongst ourselves, and he or she who believes they are without flaws needs to have a tack put on their chair so they can wake up.  Everyone should have a shirt that says, "I'm flawed get over it..I did." And that would be just perfect.

Presenting.......You!

I see quite a bit of articles on "How to make a great first impression", "How to be the life of the party", "How to step out of your shell" etc.. The problem with  those articles is that they are explaining to folks how to make a less than genuine you. personalities are as different as the colors in a Home Depot paint section. Some are shy and introverted, others are outgoing, others are, prickly, and some are personable. The most disservice a person can do to themselves is try to be someone they are not even for a short time. It takes a great deal of energy, and guile to present yourself in some manner that isn't really you. Yes there are instances where you have to have reasonable communication skills such as a job interview, but I'm talking about just dealing with people on  a main street level. People get so wrapped up in how they look to others, or others liking them. If everyone likes you, you are doing something wrong. You are basically a walking Switzerland who agrees with everyone, sees everyone's point of view, and has none of your own. I would rather be a respected individual than a liked one any day, and should they both happen then that's well and good, but sometimes they don't. Well liked folks have to please to be liked. Respected folks know the word "no" and aren't afraid to use it. The problem with trying to present yourself in some sort of fashion that isn't really you,  is the fact that the real you will come out eventually.Whether you want it to or not, the things that make you who you are will surface, and rear their heads to the either amazement, or bewilderment of those who thought they knew you a few months ago. Now we all try to be on our best behavior when meeting people for the first time, or conducting ourselves in public. That is completely acceptable, but the key is to stay as close to the vest of yourself as possible. If you're at a party, and you're not really a party person, that's ok. Hang out and just converse, leave when you want, or don't go, but don't don a lampshade just to be liked. If someone is going to appreciate you for you, give them that opportunity. If not..Screw 'em. Just be yourself within the framework of you. Not someone else,  or some magazine's take on winning people over. Have fun being who you are, because you have to be that person for as long as you live. If you present it as genuine, others who are genuine will come. And what may happen is that you could be liked AND respected... Just for being you.

Vulnerable to Growth?

 No one like being vulnerable. It is the most uncomfortable feeling that anyone can have. Comfort is what everyone craves for, and tries to achieve. I was very comfortable doing my posts on Facebook, that were mini write ups coupled with music that paralleled what I was writing about. I was a little upset when apparently the Facebook gods decided to make it so that I had less characters to work with, so I tried to work around it, and it just didn't have the same desired effect. It was suggested that I start my own Blog, and that was a little uncomfortable because I was perfectly happy doing what I was doing in my little Facebook world. I opened myself up quite a bit on Facebook, but with a Blog...Well that meant a whole new dynamic of writing, opining, and putting my thoughts out there for the world to see. It was a very uncomfortable thought, and I would be vulnerable to judgment, scrutiny, and even more commentary. I thought about it though, and decided that at least for me, covering up does no good. In my life, I have fortunately managed to turn out better when I get over my being uncomfortable. Whenever something has happened to me and made me feel vulnerable, I seem to buckle down and come out of it, and somehow grow, and I thought that this would be an opportunity like that. I believe that we all need to feel uncomfortable, and vulnerable, whether it's trying to learn something new, meeting new people, expressing your feelings,or just putting yourself out there for any aspect of possible rejection. Being vulnerable forces you to accept your flaws and try to make them better, or move out of a comfortable box that has your life in a rut. Growth comes from necessary actions that test just who you are, and what you can do, and be. Live long enough, and you will be in very vulnerable, and uncomfortable situations. Live smart enough, and you will conquer those situations and learn. I'm sure that in my life, and in yours, there will be many more levels of vulnerability presented. The best that can be hoped for is to go in fighting, and come out fresh, new, and better.Vulnerable to Growth...It does happen and quite often.

Only The Beginning

Welcome to my newly created blog that I have titled "Perspectives". Because that is what I will probably focus on writing. My perspectives on quite a bit of things, and how those things relate to life.I am far from the holder of all knowledge, and I enjoy learning from many different people, and situations, even when the learning process is a painful one. I will be trying various things with this blog in order to find a specific unique style of presentation, and subject matter. I consider myself a well rounded individual, and i will try to have my blog reflect it. I encourage folks to weigh in with opinions, and perspectives of their own in a constructive way that can be engaging, informative, and friendly. I will not solve all problems of the world here, but I believe that each of us possesses a small corner of our own universe that we can perhaps make better and influence others to do the same. I am a musician, so music will play a huge part in these blogs at times because it truly is a universal language that can unite people of differences together. I hope that even if people disagree with what I write, they will still give it some thought. I have seen quite a bit, talked to many folks, and laughed and cried just as everyone has done. And what's left are perspectives. I hope you join me in sharing yours.This blog is only the beginning of a new phase of discovery as it pertains to what I feel, and would like to say. Everyone has a voice. Mine is just one voice in a traffic jam of opinions, points of views, and positions. I am excited to be one voice, because that means that I am alive, and being alive beats the alternative. If you have come to visit, thank you, and let me know you were here. Today is my introduction where you have just met a small piece of me. Tomorrow...We'll see.