Seek solutions before settling for excuses.
Solutions may not always be cure-alls, but they often are just enough to make a rough situation more bearable.
In my house, the common solution comes from simple advice.
Certainly the ills and woes of life are not eradicated by such simple suggestions, but they are often lessened.
Every so often, the human will create something that stands the test of time. As for the rest of the material, it is often simply fodder we must wade through in order to find the gems hidden beneath.
Consistency results from clarity of information and conviction in concept.
Remaining open-minded and accepting new information is vital, but it should not lead to self-doubt. Rather, it should assist in clarification and confidence.
Conviction in concept does not mean that the concept is inherently flawless or even relatively correct. What it does mean is that there is a determination to seek more clarity of information and thereby to grow. Even if the growth comes from having a concept proven flawed or fundamentally incorrect.
The journey to greater knowledge is not enhanced by wavering or waffling. It is enhanced by consistent action and the accumulation of information. Clarity and conviction lead to consistency.
Where is the accountability in this statement?
No one can offend you unless you choose to be offended.
A person may choose to remain offended, in essence to remain a victim of someone else’s offense, but they did not necessarily choose to be offended in the first place. Whether the offender intentionally or unintentionally caused offense, they should be held accountable for their actions.
Turning the other cheek and turning a blind eye are not one and the same.
This wonderfully well-written blog post was shared with me today. It articulates the perception that Trump and his devout followers create. This perception is of their own making. It is difficult for the rational mind to make any other assumption than the ones outlined by this blogger.
The thing I have noticed, which I have been noticing elsewhere as well, is that there are so many confused people who are seeking a leader who does not require them to read or think on their own. They simply want someone to tell them what to do. Trump is excellent at reassuring his followers that they need not think because he will think for them. Somehow this assurance is more comfortable for them than continuing to struggle with an imperfect Hillary or a revolutionary Bernie. Certainly, it is more comforting than shifting through the mass populace of Republican candidates who only seem to confuse the GOP identity rather than define it.
Those who commented on this blog who either did not read it, or did not understand the literary nuances of it, or simply hated what they saw, struck out, attacking the blogger and demanding that the blogger give equal critical measure to the other candidates. Others who read the blog but found it to make them uncomfortable with their choice to follow Trump asked the blogger to tell them what other choice they have.
What other choice do we have? We can choose to do more than ask someone else to do the research and work for us. Yes, we all like to share a quick meme or thought, but we need to research and reason, rather than simply seek a shepherd to follow.
The lack of basic election knowledge shown by so many people commenting today makes my head hurt.
Getting past all the anger and rude rhetoric which dominates the online conversations, it becomes evident that the bigger problem with the political and election system is the ignorance which creates confusion and threatens to disenfranchise the voter when the hype dies down and disillusionment sets in.
It seems understandable that many might be confused by the nature of the U.S. political process. It is not as if each state or each party follow the same procedures. Even the general election process seems simple compared to all the variations to be considered during the primary season. However with the internet just a click away, answers can be found for those who are confused. There are articles to read, charts and diagrams to consider, and plenty of video explanations for those who need a person to explain it all when the charts and articles fall short. Despite all the material designed to reduce the confusion, there are many who cannot seem to grasp the basic principles of primary elections. Maybe they get caught up in the national news and forget to seek out information on their own state. Maybe they simply do not realize that the primaries and caucuses are all about choosing a party candidate rather than pitting one party against the other. Whichever or whatever it is, the confusion is problematic. Only one person will win the general election, leaving many to wonder why their vote today did not seem to count when November rolls around.
I have been pondering the connection between national defense and support for education. In a war between ideological enemies, support for education seems to have been very important. Yet education seems to be losing public support even though past wars have shown that an educated populace makes for a stronger society and better military force.
The following are two Pithyhistory posts that resulted from my ponderings.
Education and skill go hand in hand. It matters much less how they are obtained than that they are, indeed, obtained.
It seems human nature to boldly proclaim thoughts and opinions which are often formed from only a mere scattering of information collected.
It seems wisdom is gained from reevaluating one’s ideas after having accumulated greater information which is often derived from someone else’s bold proclamations.
Therefore wisdom is a result of both boldly proclaiming and wisely reevaluating.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
FYI: I cannot view, nor do I endorse any of the ads that are shown on my blog.
In the journey of life, standing still is often the first action in a backward slide. However when we change the metaphor from walking to swimming, we find that there is a wonderful way to indicate a need to pause without losing ground – treading water. Unlike with the notion of standing still, treading water requires effort. Sometimes in our quest for self-improvement we neglect to embrace the place we have reached, and we forget to fully appreciate the waters that support our efforts. Treading water provides us with the opportunity to pause and take in the surroundings; to enjoy the pond they are currently in before seeking the next one.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
FYI: I cannot view, nor do I endorse any of the ads that are shown on my blog.
Pithy Ponderings 