2024, a New Year or a repeat?

 As the clock flips over to a new year, and the news media reminds us of  the local and world events that happened over the last 12 months, all the people who died, and the advancements we have made, I too reflect back on my last year.

 I have never really made new year resolutions that I knew I'd never keep. I think we keep making the same ones each year and half hearted make them sound more obtainable like losing weight and getting back in shape.  I guess it sounds good but never comes to reality. But I have made one PROMISE to myself to TRY to be a better person, to advocate searching the truth, to do things that make people feel good about themselves, and to help people anyway I can. OK, I guess that is more than one promise.

But I have one big fault, I stop associating with people that do bad things to others.  And as the bible says, "Love thy enemy." That is very hard for me to do. You see, I have the knack to see through people who do things for their own benefit and welfare. Whether it be lying, stealing or blaming their own bad deed on others. They are not only being untrue to others, but also to themselves. They know who they are, and so do I.

For the last few three years, we have heard about the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and the misinformation about the 2020 election being stolen, the insurrection and attack of the Capitol, The southern US borders being overrunned by people wanting to enter, and now the conflict in the Middle East. We hear about these things so often, ear start to turn down the sound in our heads. Our world and our country is in conflict. I don't blame outer space aliens for not coming to earth because the way we treat each other.

Our late fire chief said it simply, and to the point, "BE NICE". I think we are all judged by our deeds, how we treat others, and the words we speak. Not how rich, powerful or influential you are.

I am hoping for some major things to happen next year. The cure for the common cold, the cure for Cancer and Alzheimer's, climate change is reverse for the good, people learn how to use the turn signals and become more courteous, food prices go down along with gas. I know, those probably won't happen but I can hope. I've got a few more wishes, but I'll keep those to myself.

Folks, it's a group effort to make 2024 better than 2023. Losing weight and getting back into shape are good resolutions so don't stop doing those, but we really need your help. Little acts of kindness goes a long way. And maybe that act will encourage the next people, and the next, and the next. We can only hope and try.

So celebrate the coming of a new year, make those resolutions and add one more to BE NICE to others. Happy healthy and better New Year to you all!

Traditions is what we believe to be right or wrong.

 After visiting a few countries steeped in traditions, much like our own country, my mind started wondering (like it does constantly) about my and our traditions we live with daily. Now, don't get me wrong, traditions are not always bad … most of the time. And really, what is a tradition? The way we dress, the food we eat, the way we speak to others?  According to Webster it is  a 'Time honored and trusted practice or set of standards practiced from one generation to the next.' That's about right, won't you agree?

Anytime I think about traditions, I think about times from my past like Christmas morning and ripping gifts open, or Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends, or the way many people spend so much time cooking a big holiday meal just to have it eaten in 20 minutes. I guess you could say holidays are very traditional.

One story comes to mind about traditions goes this way; A young girl asked her mother why shy cut a roast in half before putting it in the oven, Mom said, Because my mother did it that way. So the little girl asked her grandmother the same question and the grandmother said, Because my mother did it. So the girl went to her great-grandmother and asked her, and se said, Because I could not afford a larger pan. And a tradition was born.

But traditions don't have to be about food or holidays. They can be about cruelty, abuse, hate and anger. Sometimes that becomes a standard in families and in a culture. A home of abuse usually breeds abuse. A father or mother's believes sometimes pass on to the children and maybe to their children. Because my Dad carries a gun, I want to. Because my friends believe one thing, I believe it too. Bad traditions are hard to erase from minds. People are more likely to remember bad things than good. That is the downfall of humans. We will listen intensely to a bad side about something, and sort of listen to the good side. Thus the point I want to make about the state of our country and the world today.

There is a very thin line between disagreement and anger, and also government and the church. Some people agree that religion should not be involved with government, but it is, and in  big way. Our Constitution forbids it and says, there should be a separation between church and state. I am a strong believer in the Constitution and the far sight our forefathers had. I agree it is not perfect but it is what our country was built on and has been looked at for many, many other countries as right and good. But now, certain people want to get rid of the Constitution, get rid of anyone that does not look like them and put one person into office that is a power hungry like Hitler was in the 30s and 40s. 

Our country has been a model to SO many others for open arms, economy, opportunity and dreams of a better life for more than about 250 years. That is called Democracy and freedom. It is not by any means perfect, but the best that has come along for centuries. We fought for freedom from the British, we fought against a dictator when he wanted to rule the world in WWII  as he slaughtered Jews and anyone who disagreed to his believes. Is that what you want? I don't.

What I am asking you is to keep our well trusted traditions intact by voting for the trusted people to represent us in a truly democratic manner, without any self interest, and ONLY the voice of the people, not their personal believes in mind. Do your research and vote your conscience to save and keep our democracy.

Happy Holidays, stay safe and take care.

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We have lost too many … needlessly

Our world, including the USA, has seen too many epidemics. Polio, flu's, Tuberculosis and Covid 19. But there is one the we DON'T hear enough about that is preventable unlike some of the others, Suicide.  As in every life lost situation, it effects people around that person who kills themselves. But in this scenario it is in a negative way. Many times the family wants to deny the death happened as it did. Sometimes the family plans for a funeral is hidden from the public in shame.  The CDC has reported suicide takes the lives of Americans 132 times EVERY DAY! That is a national epidemic. That is 48,180 Individuals each year. 

Why do people take their life? It is very complicated. Some times it is caused by a divorce or separation, maybe a lose of a job, loneness, drugs, bullying, poverty, lose of self-esteem, lose of self-convince or worth, and so many other reasons. Thousands of people deal with suicidal tendencies daily. Maybe have tried to kill themselves several times, but have been stopped before it was too late and lost their courage to complete the job. As a firefighter, I have seen the result of a suicide failed attempt and success. It is sad either way.

I must admit, I have had a period in my life I considered suicide. But after really reaching down deep in my soul I realized it was not me, and I had so much more I had to offer to myself and others. Plus I also realized I did not have the courage to finish that horrible step.

I have had colleagues who have taken their lives and it crushed their families and friends. They ask, "Why?" Imagine finding that friend or relative after that person took their life. Imaging the mental trauma it leaves them in for so many years. And the stigma that surrounds that family or friends in the future. "Oh, your father is the one who killed himself." That just keeps on hurting deep down inside.

Teens who feel like they are not popular or 'cool' get bulled so much they feel they don't want to continue living anymore. They feel they don't have friends, or maybe they can not afford to dress cool or have a different look to them. Other teens tease them constantly to the breaking point of no return. Their parents don't recognize the symptoms and then come home to a tragedy. It literally tears a family apart and cause divorces and anger between parents and their surviving siblings.

What is used for a suicide? Number one is guns, drugs is number two. This is why we ALL must look for those suicidal tendencies of not eating, increased anger, keeping to themselves, quietness and not talking about their lives, especially personal things like boys, girls, friends and school. Parents need to secure their guns and stay more in tune to the behavior of your children. Mental illness can also be an issue. Yes, trust them but talk to them a lot. It is, maybe, a stage of life, but one that should be monitored closely with gentle hands.

But it is not just about teens and children, adults too. Some adults feel they have no self-worth too. The same symptoms carry over to adults too.

We all have to help with this epidemic, and we can with little or no education except to care about not losing lives.

Suicide can be a hard bone to chew on, along with everything else us humans have to deal with. The Federal government finally saw what is happening and sat-up a hotline for anyone to use fi they are thinking about it. 988 is the suicide hotline. Trained and caring people man this line 24/7. Use it! It works.

Take care and stay safe.