Long overdue post...

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted anything…mostly because life happens but also because I’ve been at a loss for anything meaningful to say.

So many others are quick to cover anything happening in the world and I find myself mostly reading others observations/opinions, etc.

I recently spent a couple of weeks back east visiting friends and family, some which I haven’t seen in over a decade.  I also took the opportunity to revisit some of my old haunts. So much has changed in what seems to be so short a time. In reality, it’s been 15-20 years or more since I drove some of those old roads back there. A lot has changed, some good, some bad, some just…well just different.

I needed a breather. I’ve been spinning my wheels back here in AZ for several months and the break was well worth it. It’s helped me to refocus on things. Mainly where am I right now? And where am I going from here? Although on paper, I haven’t stopped working, I have been promoted only to be laid off, then picked up as a temp until finally landing the semi stable position I have now.  So although I haven’t actually stopped working…I make significantly less money than I did just a year and a half ago.  I’m not complaining mind you, just laying out the facts. The crisis that I have been in has been a learning experience for me, I wish it had not had such dire consequences, but then perhaps I may not have taken it as seriously, so I am thankful for having woken up to the illusion I was living in for the last several years.

I know the world isn’t fair. I take responsibility for my decisions and my lack of situational awareness. 

I won’t make the same mistake again.

I got divorced, lost my wife and it took me a couple of years to realize, I was powerless to prevent it. Took me a while to realize that some things you can’t fix by yourself. I’ve lost a home I worked tooth and nail to keep for the last 8 years. I lost a dear pet and I wasn’t even there to comfort him while he died. That one still haunts me.

Despite all the hardship, I am grateful. I have good people that are there to help me out when I need it. These folks are more than friends, they’re family. And I am surrounded by them. I have a beautiful woman in my life that is a breath of fresh air for me. A really good woman that inspires me and is a positive influence on me. Something I desperately need.

Things are coming together. Slowly, but steadily. Having a solid plan is half the battle for sure. A little progress here and there. So far, so good.

I think perhaps I am ready to share my thoughts on the state of the union and the world in general.

I pay attention to politics, sometimes too much attention. I’ve come to the realization that the system is at a breaking point. I don’t think we’re going to recover. Politics has become mere theater. Most people have a pet cause or agenda and vote for whoever appeases them. The real power to enact change does not lie with the Tea Party or with OWS.

All of them “Useful Idiots”.

And I don’t mean that they’re stupid. Or that I’m any smarter than anyone else.

But taking off the blinders and seeing with clarity doesn’t make me smarter, just more observant.

With all the myriad levels of gov’t between us and the President of the US, how does anyone expect to effect any real change with the replacement of one man/woman. Change must start at the bottom and work its way up. Not the other way around. The top-down approach only works if you have a tyrant. And that’s not really the sort of change I’m looking for personally. Even if you believe in a benevolent monarchy…a monarch is still the master not the servant.

Somewhere along the line, the servant has become the master. Our “leaders” are now rulers. And they are dead set on consolidating that power at the highest levels. No matter the cost. I’m done with left vs. right politics. I don’t think it’s too much to ask the gov’t to mind its business and leave me the hell alone.

 What happened to personal responsibility?

If whatever I’m doing doesn’t harm another or infringe upon their rights…why is it illegal? Why is it necessary to have laws that “protect us from ourselves”? Why is it that our gov’t be it local, state or federal has to write a new law in response to some catastrophe or  tragedy? As if more laws help or change anything for the better.

I think the golden rule is probably the only real good law out there. (Is it even a written law?)

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.

Pretty simple and basic yes?

The war on drugs…the war on poverty…the war on terror…

Why?

Every crisis is one more reason for the gov’t to infringe on your  rights. What do we get for this?

More security? Nope. Simply the illusion of security and safety.

Since  this is Memorial Day weekend, I’ll leave you with this…

Remember our fallen servicemen/women.

Honor them by enjoying what little freedom we have left. 

Spend time with your loved ones.

Enjoy it.

They’d want it that way.

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