I know this slogan has been around awhile, but I think it is more important now than ever before. When one looks at the devastation caused by the wars in the Middle East the natural disasters in on…

Source: Think Globally – Act Locally

I know this slogan has been around awhile, but I think it is more important now than ever before. When one looks at the devastation caused by the wars in the Middle East the natural disasters in one country after another, maybe caused my climate change (I am not an expert on this subject so I am not going to debate it here), it is easy to become overwhelmed by immense need. It is normal to feel helpless in such a circumstance. However, you are not helpless. You can reach out and help those right in your neighborhood.

A bottle of water given to a first responder, a meal cooked for someone whose home has been destroyed, or simply a hug to someone who is grieving can make a huge difference in their lives. It is easy to feel that this little things don’t matter, but as the movie Pay It Forward made clear it is the little things that can make the difference.

Don’t turn your face or your pocketbook away from the homeless in your town. Give them change, or better yet buy them a meal, or even better give them a ride to the local shelter if they should want to go. I know many homeless people don’t like the shelters and can’t function in a society that crowded. Your compassion though could make all the difference for that man or woman.

This picture of a homeless couple was taken in Poland further proving the need for shelter and the basic necessities of life are a world-wide problem. This problem is further compounded by the refugees from the war-torn countries of the Middle East. As the literally run for their lives, the live hand to mount in refugee camps. Not on homeless but country-less as well.

It hurts my heart to know there is not much I can do. I donate as I can, but I am no Mother Teresa so I give as I can. I know it is not enough but it is all that I can manage.

A word of caution in necessary, I think, at this point. There really are unscrupulous people all over the world. People who would take advantage of you compassion or generosity. BEFORE YOU GIVE!! research the organization and verify its legitimacy. Once you have done that you can give in peace knowing that your donation will reach those that need it the most.

As Einstein said, “The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.”

Have a great week and don’t forget to pre=order a copy of the best selling Dark Humanity – Science Fiction and Fantasy Box Set. 

Hello Everyone, Just a quick blurb to tell you about my latest project, the Dark Humanity Box Set which will feature my full length novel Ellora’s-Quest – Book One: Freedom’s Call…

Source: Coming Soon: Pre-order your copy now

(9/11 First Responder)

Some people believe that the 9/11 attack on America was the beginning of the end for America. Some people believe that everything is just fine with America. Others hold still different opinions. For me, I think, the collapse of America started in the early 1960’s when God was removed from our schools. Now before you get your panties in a wad, I am not just talking about the Christian God, I am talking about all types of faith.

There is an old country western song that goes, in part, “You gotta stand for something or you’ll for anything.” And this I believe is the problem that will lead to the total annihilation of America. Once you have taken faith out of a society, any type of faith, i.e. Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Catholicism, Mormonism, Wicca, pantheism, etc. You remove hope. You cannot hope for a better tomorrow, if there is nothing to hope in.  Are you going to put your hope in that new car you have been lusting after, or that new girl, or a different job. What happens when you get those things is you just want a different one eventually and the spiral continues downward.

Just look at the ancient Greeks, or Romans or Spartans or Nazis, none of those societies, which at one time ruled most of the known world or strove to rule it, sill exist. They had put their hopes in the wrong things. All of them put their hopes in expanding their territories and exerting power over their enemies. They doomed themselves by reaching too far. If they had put their hopes in right living, following their own codes of behavior instead of giving into debauchery, who knows, they might still be here today.

The other problem that will lead to America is the almost total lack of disciple that some children receive. I am not suggesting corporal punishment, however I am suggesting regular, consistent punishments when a child deliberately disobeys an authority figure.  A fair and balanced punishment that fits the offense. Also, another way to disciple a child is not so much discipline but teaching the child that some things are worth working for. That long hours at the gym or on the track will result in rewards worth the time and self-discipline it takes to succeed.

Honestly, if WWIII were to happen today, I am not so sure America would win. Sure we have the weaponry, the funds, the troops. However, I question whether or not those troops have the level of self-discipline, self-sacrifice and the unquestioned belief in authority figures which is necessary to win a war. Our troops had it a generation ago during WWII, but I am not sure they are cut from the same cloth as those troops. For they have neither the self-discipline, the willingness to make sacrifices for the greater good, nor the ability to obey authority figures without question.

Can this trend be stopped? Yes, it can. Put God back in the school. It doesn’t matter which God the child hopes in, just give that child some hope, and put discipline back into the homes. If America were to do these two things, we could change the incoming course. Without it? God only knows.

Photos courtesy of Pixabay

Some of the Gen-Xers might remember this song, but probably none of the millennial generation will know what it refers to. No matter, it’s a good title for the subject of this blog, i.e. traveling by airplane.

For those that don’t remember the song, they probably don’t even remotely remember when flying by are used to  be enjoyable. You had a nice comfy seat, plenty of leg room and even a meal. Meals that were the butt of many jokes about airplane food, but it was a meal. Nowadays you stand in line for an hour or more to get to your gate, a gate your family could wait their with you giving you comfort and support and one last kiss goodbye. No longer. The need for security, which I totally understand, has also made last goodbyes short and brief with hand-holding and no last minute hugs. It is what it is.

But what really concerns me is the way the airlines are treating the majority of their passengers. If you are not wealthy enough to buy a first class ticket then you are herded to a seat that is squished up against the next seat and into the seat in front of you. There is no meal, not even the pretzels or peanuts you used to be offered. There are no free cocktails anymore, except for first class and there is no room to get comfortable either. In the name, of profit passengers became cattle and are treated as such.

Nose to tail passengers are shoved into seats that barely keep them off their seatmate’s laps or, if the worse occurs and your seat mate falls asleep, off your shoulder.

Now, here is the real point of this blog. I recently had the wonderful experience of flying first class. It was on my bucket list, and given my age, decided it was time to experience this luxury. I was treated to butternut squash ravioli in an Alfredo sauce, sparkling wine, warned cashews, almonds and pecans, fresh rolls, a seat that even I could fall asleep in  (I’ve suffered from insomnia for many years), warm hand towels to wash my hands, and the list went on.

But even as I was enjoying all this luxury, I couldn’t meet the eyes of my fellow passengers. If I did they seemed to be glaring at me or embarrassed.  And I found myself wondering about a system that allows for such disparity in treatment. I was and am no different from my fellow passengers. I just happened by happy chance to be able to afford a first class ticket. It probably won’t happen again, even though I would love it to, and I will become nothing but cattle to be prodded into the tiny seats and endure a 12 hour flight without food.

Is it right to treat people differently, i.e. like a herd of cattle because they don’t have the money for a first class ticket? Did 9/11 change not only the security in our airports, but the way we are treated in flight as well?

This world is literally falling apart and I think the corporate greed as displayed by the large corporations in America is one of the larger problems. There seems to be no limit to the lengths they will go to earn a few more pennies on each dollar spent. Just take a look at the pharmaceutical companies whose charges are as reprehensible as the airline industry’s. One recent example, is the pharmaceutical executive who bought out another company and raised the price of a critical drug by 600%. That is neither ethical nor necessary.

I realize we are a capitalistic country and that is the grounds we were found on. The right to pursue happiness. But since when did happiness come with a price tag? When did it come with outrageous profits at the cost of the poor who need the medical care or the pharmaceuticals just to live. I don’t have any answers, but I do think a change is necessary because if there is not change the American dream will become a reality only for the top 5% of Americans, i.e. the rich who can afford it. And, this is not what our forefathers fought for.

(pictures courtesy of Pixabay)