Dreams need Action

     I saw a poster recently it said "Dream until your dreams come true." It's a cool saying but lacks substance. Dreams won't come true unless you take some action, so do something to make your dreams come true. We dream about many things, achieving financial success, winning an athletic competition, finding true love. You name it and people will be dreaming about it.

     If just dreaming about it was all you needed to do, then we would all be rich, famous and talented. I'm sure you've heard about those lucky few that win the lottery, but don't you want to have more control over your destiny than luck. There are lucky people but when you look into it, you find more often than not, the person worked hard to reach their goal. Luck may have played a role but it was persistence that opened the door. There is a saying that sums it up, "The harder you work the luckier you get."

     The dream is the end goal, but without the journey, it wouldn't be as sweet. That's why some people that achieve an unexpected goal without effort don't appreciate the dream. Your achievement of making your dream a reality is heightened by the journey that got you there. Overcoming struggles make you a worthy dream warrior. Your journey may even be more important than the dream. I've been on many journeys and I still have many dreams but my best memories came from my journeys. "Just Saying...."

     

A Dark and Scary Night

    It’s a dark night, that intense darkness that you might imagine around the turn of the century when only gas lanterns lit the streets. There is heaviness in the night air. The wind blows the leaves into swirling whirlpool along the river walk. Rain soaked streets, shine ominously from the reflection of the gas lanterns. Though it’s not possible, the wind, rain and cold make it seem darker than a starless desert night.

     With great anticipation I step across the threshold dressed in my finest Halloween costume. And I might add, the scariest one I’ve ever worn yet. I thought long and hard about whether I should don this deeply disturbing costume. Just wearing it paints a cloud of darkness over my usually cheerful spirit.

     It took many hours for me to decide which of the two costumes to wear. Each costume was equally as hideous as the other, but both with a cadre of admirers and haters. It was much too hard to decide so I cut them in half. I’m wearing Hilary on the left and Donald on the right.

     If that doesn’t scare the hell out of you, I don’t know what will.

Is it the End of the World as we know it?

     Is that how you think of life these days? There seems to be nothing in the news that talks about the positive things that the future holds for us. Is it because these are terrible times or is it because we are lead to believe these are terrible times? The Internet, newspapers and TV news media runs on bad news, actually it thrives on bad news. This has always been the case but we hear it 24/7, which wasn't the case prior to the Internet. I've always tried to be positive but it seems hard, when we are constantly bombarded with bad news.

     In truth everyday is the end of the world, as we know it, because it is always changing. But don't take this as a negative, because all change is not bad. In fact many changes are good even though we may not realize it at the time.

     I recently started reading a new book called Progress by Johan Norberg. The book takes a positive look at our current times, reflects back on "The good old days." The author points out ten reasons to be thankful for living in today's world. As it turns out "The good old days" weren't that good for many people. It's easy for us to remember the past with fond memories. I do this frequently but the mind is funny in that way, erasing the bad memories and pushing the good memories to the forefront.

     Although I've just started reading this book, I like the positive approach it takes. I feel like it has given me a shot of positivity that I needed. The book gives facts about the past that we may not be aware of unless you are a history buff. Looking at these facts it's not hard to see that we are much better off than our ancestors.

     There is one quote in the first chapter that seems particularly appropriate this year.

"Whoever could make two ears of corn, or two blades of grass, to grow upon a spot of ground, where only one grew before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more essential service to his country, than the whole race of politicians put together." Jonathan Swift

     I believe this book, Progress by Johan Norberg should be recommended reading for all people that feel a little depressed with life at times. It might just be the right medicine you need to change your outlook. "Just Saying..." 

Guns Don't Kill People, People Kill People

     I'm sure you've heard that phase often and it's true but there's more to it. The gun lobbyists want you to believe that the more guns we have the less problems there will be. The truth is guns don't solve problems people solve problems.

     So the link between both of these statements is 'People'. The answer to all our problems is how people treat people on a daily basis. If we treated each other with dignity, I'm sure the American public would feel better walking around town without a gun strapped to their side.

     The gun manufacturers and lobbyist would never agree with that last statement because it affects their business. That's expected but is it really the right approach? The violence around the word is out of control, which I suspect most rational people would agree.

     People of the world have many different beliefs and opinions, which seems perfectly fine to me. We need to hear other opinions. New ideas help our minds grow and expand. This will help society progress. Some people are very passionate about their beliefs, which is great but debates can become heated. Discussing opposing viewpoints is an important step in solving problems but it works better without the influence of guns.

     What would the current race for the presidency look like if the candidates were packing sidearms? It's a scary thought. So instead of choosing to open carry for protection why not choose an open mind for progress.  "Just Saying...."

Provel

     Provel cheese is distinctly St. Louis as is pork steaks, toasted ravioli and thin crust pizza. Provel is a processed cheese made of cheddar, swiss and provolone. Despite the fact the provel consist of three cheeses critics will say "It's not even legally cheese". If it is made from three legal cheeses how could that be?

     Judah Friedlander from 30 Rock called it melted plastic from the 80's. That's just cruel. Imo's uses it exclusively on their pizzas but Pi rejects it, even to the point of wearing shirts with Provel crossed out.

     You've heard the line from the Jeep commercials "It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand". It's a catchy phrase and somewhat condescending but it gets the point across. You feel like your missing by not driving a Jeep.

     Well, I think it's high time we stand up for Provel. We need a t-shirt that says, "Provel, It's a St. Louis thing you wouldn't understand" and maybe on the back of the shirt it could say "It's called a pork steak, get over it".

     We're from St. Louis and we take our traditions seriously. “What High school did you go to?” -------- ”Just Saying…”

Humor

     There are as many varieties of humor, as there are bones in your body. Hopefully, one of those bones is a funny bone. Humor can be a dual edged sword, slicing off jokes as quick as a meat slicer, but other times the sword will cut to the quick with no laughter at all.

     A sense of humor is an asset in dealing with life struggles. Life is serious, but don't take it too seriously. Humor will lighten your mood in stressful times and show you a different way to look at life. Since people enjoy different types of humor it's important to know your audience and for them to know you. It's ok to push the boundaries but stay a step or two back from the edge of the cliff.

     There is dark humor, slapstick humor, vulgar humor, toilet humor, subtle humor, sarcastic humor and intellectual humor just to mention a few. Each of these will make someone laugh but not all of these will make everyone laugh. Learn to laugh at yourself and others will learn to laugh with you.

     I think we all have a humor comfort zone, some form of humor that best represents our personality. Certain types of humor tickle our funny bone, some types confuse us and other types repulse us. Find the style that suits you and stick with it. Everyone won't love it but you can't please everyone. You will notice over time others may start to appreciate your humor once they know your personality. This is a win for both of you. Enjoy it.

     Some people are serious because life is serious and being frivolous is a waste of time. Woo Hoo! Thank God, that's not me. "Just Saying..."

It's Human Nature

     We all say it, I've said it, without even thinking what I meant. We use it as an excuse to explain someone's behavior. It seems to justify the automatic negative response people have to life. Something’s we do or see often generate an automatic fixed response that requires no thought.

     We are born with survivor instincts. We fear the unknown until it becomes familiar.  It's human nature to protect ourselves. But is it accurate to say human nature is the culprit that causes us to treat others in negative ways.

     Is it human nature to always put yourself first, not get involved in others problems, judge people because they are different, or could these be things that are learned from our background and experiences.

     Attributing your actions to human nature seem to clear you of the responsibility for these actions but it doesn't. I think we are born with the basic human nature survival instincts and everything else is acquired in life.

    I've heard it said."You can't change human nature." I believe that's true if it refers to the basic human nature instincts we are born with but not the expanded definition many live by.

     If we are refining the definition of human nature why can't the definition be? It's human nature to help others, live an honest life, be responsible with all of our resources, honor others for their achievements, be respectful and trusting of people, etc. "Just Saying..."