Philosophy

#Malaysian Plane

It is amazing to see the continuing coverage of the Malaysian missing plane that has engulfed the entire media. I understand that this is a mystery that we are all searching for an answer and that over 200 lives are in the balance but their is a deeper side to why the media and I believe the public is fixated on this story. It is the thought that even in today’s times with all technology that seems to know it all that we truly still are not in control.

Those with faith have understood that there is a higher source but those without continue to deny the basic truth.  They believe that since they can turn a key and start an engine or turn a switch and light comes out that they have become the master of their own destiny. These individuals don’t stop and think why in the bigger scheme things might not go on as planned and become confused and truly frightened when that occurs.  It is why some of us will become lost in the jungle of confusion and despair while others will embrace those times and try to find meaning to the confusion. In the end I believe we will find a common scientific reason for the Malaysian Mystery but until that time period many without faith will gain a new perspective that they will try to cover up.

I’ve tried to write on this blog everyday but today was a challenge because I was out of town for a period of time without any access to my computer yet I still have 2 hours and 58 minutes till I officially call it a day and I’m already writing. It was one of those days where you drove upon hour and hour until you finally made your destination.  I had exhausted all of my 140 (or so) radio stations till the point where you can test me on the latest rock, country, folk, classical, and or comedy act of today (Oh I forget Elvis).

I realized one important point as I drove, we all truly depend on the guy/gal next door. If for some reason the person next to us got distracted even for a minute anyone of us could be going on our last ride. We’ve all seen the “insane driver” that weaves in and out of traffic like he’s/she’s trying out for NASCAR but thank G-D there aren’t many on the track.  In conclusion I want to thank all my fellow drivers on the road today and all the other days that I got home safe for without you I wouldn’t be writing this block with 2 hours 50 minutes to kill.

I believe it’s important to speak your mine but when you appear to be complaining about everything nobody will take you seriously when serious matters actually occur.   The key is how to make your opinions truly effect change without always appearing negative.  It is truly not how you feel but how you express it that matters.  Here are a few tips (below)  that might be helpful.

(1) Start Positive even it appears that there is nothing nice to say find something (ex great effort, nice teeth,).

(2) Pose your criticism as a question. Do you think it might have worked better if? Just curious how do you think this would look?

(3) Accept that they may not agree … initially but your questions might make them think differently sooner then they think.

(4) When they come away to your way of thinking compliment them on their unique perspective on this issue.

#banned words, # bossy, #the n word,

I believe the words that you use can make all the difference in getting your point across to others or tearing them apart from you.  I also believe the government nor the public at large should ban speech and that the answer to “bad speech” is more “good speech”. I’m particularly concerned that the P.C police will start to enforce banning so many words that our culture will begin to just stop communicating with words and act in a violent way instead.  Yet we must respect that others can be hurt by not only what we say but how we say and should therefore think before we speak.  Therefore the issue of banned words is not a simple issue for me, other then to say “do unto others as you want done unto you”.

I also believe the use of certain words can be specifically offensive because of how those words were used to degrade or commit violent acts against others of a particular group, race, religion etc.  For example the “N word” was used during the despicable conditions of slavery and the “K word” was used by those committing genocide against those of the Jewish faith.  These words can still  cause undue pain  when used by others from the race or religion that hurt or killed their ancestors in the past.  Therefore how do we balance the rights of “free speech” with the moral duty of respect for others. Here is a solution below. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

(1) If you can take it and with similar individuals then give it. For example if you’re with friends that say stupid/silly things and nobody gets particular offended then go for it.

(2) Comedy Acts should be prohibited entrance for the prohibition of banned words.

(3) If you are in a business situation or around others that you know might take offense to certain words then be respectful and don’t use those words around them.

(4) Understand the meaning and history of certain words and phrases before you use them.

(5) If you’re offended by certain words be open with others about those words and tell them why they hurt you.  If there the type of people who continue use such words maybe it’s best to make different friends.

(6) Most importantly know that we are all human and sometimes can say the “wrong words” therefore we shouldn’t condemn a person because they occasionally slip.  Unless it becomes a pattern or is said with venom we should probably let it go.

In life we run into many different people that because of their words or actions can inspire us to reach the highest mountaintop or fall down what appears to be an endless cliff.   These are individuals that appear to share  your vision and have the talent to make that picture come alive or let it that image become lost in confusion or despair. The point is how do you know that you’ve met the right person who truly can make us a star. Here are a few factors (below) that might be helpful.

(1)  Recommended- Is this person recommended by someone you can truly trust?

(2) Experience- Does this person have the knowledge and/or experience to make your dreams come true?

(3) Chemistry- Do you feel that this individual has the chemistry so that you can work through the good and difficult parts of your dream(s)?

(4) Honesty- Can you trust this person that they won’t let you fall without trying to catch you?

(5) Missing- Does this person have the pieces of the puzzle that you don’t have to develop your plans/goals?

(6) Reliability- Has the person performed as they say they would or have their been excuses?

(7) Goals- Does this individual share your goals, vision and ideals?

It can be life saving to have some fears and life alliterating to have other fears.  Fears such as of smoking cigarettes and swimming to deep in the ocean can add years to your life while other fears such as not being able to speak in a crowd and fear of conflict can make you miss many milestones.  HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHICH FEARS TO BATTLE AND WHICH FEARS YOU SHOULD KEEP?  I use the following rational (below).

(1) Does the fear prohibit you from being the best you can be?

(2) Is your fear preventing you feel from truly helping those in need ?

(3) Does your fear control you or do you control it?

(4) Is this a fear that you’ve seen other conquer to their advantage?

(5) Does this fear cause you to distance yourself from a loved one?

(6) Is this fear based on a particular faith value or is something occult or superstitious based?

(7) Will you be proud of conquering this fear whether it initially works to your advantage or takes longer to see positive results?

I recently was on a radio show discussing the difference between those who believe we should act now no matter what the consequences or wait until conditions get better, until it’s our turn, until….  I guess you can understand my perspective on this issue from my initial statement. Time passes in a blink of any eye and therefore you can’t always wait to act.  Don’t get me wrong I spent many years building up to accomplish many of the successes and failures I have developed but other times I jumped right in the frozen water which can be either quite refreshing or hurt a hell of a lot. It is failure to act that frustrates many a voter, stock holder or consumer yet they’ll complain with the other side of your mouth that you should have considered…  So how do you decide when to act? Here are some factors I would consider? PLEASE ADD YOUR POINTS

1. Opportunity – The door might be open for a short time and you must jump in before it closes. Make sure it’s the right door some doors are too tight to fit through.

2. Morality- You must act because your faith and values command your action.

3.  Harm- By not acting you will permanently or semi-permanently physical or mental harm to an individual.

4. Commitment-  You would be remiss in your commitment to those that have supported you.

5. Benefits outweigh Losses long term- You might suffer a setback by acting in the short-term but the long term benefits will out weigh the short term loss.

6. Respect- Your action will enable you to gain respect from those around you for taking a bold and decisive action.

7. Who you are – It is a significant factor in who you are as an individual and if you didn’t act then you would be denying an important characteristic of the wonderful individual G-D has created.

8. Fun & Living- You can’t wait forever to enjoy life and explore the wonders you’re drawn to.

It appears everywhere I go individuals are more locked in their own world and I find out that I talking to myself.  Whether I go to the gym and try to exchange pleasantries with my fellow neighbor, go home and try to talk with my children or even walk down the street the world appears to be deaf to what I’m saying.

Some of these earpieces are so small you can’t see them or hidden behind someone’s hair so my conversations with myself can sometimes be excused but other times it’s just I guess I’m living in the past.  A time long ago when people actually exchanged pleasantries with each other when entering a building or even held a conversation or discussion during a long car ride. It was a time when you couldn’t just pick the song you want from any device and play it but actually put in something like a tape, CD, or even a record to actually hear your music.  You could still zone people out but usually it was by slamming your bedroom door closed.   Maybe I’m wrong but I believe that we in society today could use a few more minutes of listening to each other instead of a listening to a song by ourselves.