Sunday Sermon: We As Role Models Need To Set A Better Example

            I am behind on my Time Magazine reading I admit. I am only on the November 7 edition. As I was reading the article on Teen Depression and Anxiety I thought to myself that part of the problem is that a lot of the role models in teens lives now a days don’t set a good example. I include myself in that as well. We often let our tempers get the better of us when we are behind a keyboard and lash out at others. I have been guilty of this at times though never to the extent of being a troll. I have always tried to make my arguments logical even when angry though not always successful.

            We need to accept that our society is changing and that yes our youth is becoming more in touch with their feelings. No, that does not make them weak as some have tried to imply. It actually makes them stronger for being able to show their emotions, which can be a difficult thing to do. It is not just a national thing, but a worldwide change that is happening. The human race is slowly being led away from war like impulses, and more towards wanting to be more creative. Not everyone will like that, but it is the trend that is appearing in today’s youth, and even in some ways in our older generations as well though in different ways.

            That is not to say we won’t need Engineers, or Scientists, or even Truck Drivers in this new world. Just that they will also have a creative side to them outside of work if their job is not creative in nature. Although Engineers are creative with how they tackle problems, but those that do it may want to be creative in other ways that are more relaxing for them as well. Such as playing Minecraft. I know a Truck Driver that enjoys creating things in Diablo 3 on top of doing the quests each season since he first beat the game. He also likes creating campaigns for Dungeons & Dragons, which is another outlet for his creative side.

            My friend, Sylvia, has a son who enjoys the theater and she enrolls him in drama as much as she can, so that he can enjoy acting. It’s his gift that he enjoys. She also has a daughter that she enrolls in dance who enjoys that. My main point is that she encourages and helps them embrace their creative side, which is something we should all do for our kids and siblings as well as anyone we may mentor. Yes, this means more shows and books to see as well as read. But, it also means the mind is more stimulated and expanded.

            There is also mention in the Time Magazine article that if you find that someone you know is in trouble, don’t lash out at them or try to take away things. I know that is a first reaction for a lot of us since it was our parents first reaction whenever we got into any sort of trouble. But, with mental illness you have to be there for the person and help guide them out of the dark into the light. It takes patience, some humor, being open with them. Long talks at times as well as a lot of sharing. You also have to be willing to go to counseling with them if they are part of the environment you live in if that is part of the issue. It’s not a blame game. It is learning how to adjust so everyone is comfortable in the environment and working well together.

            There is an evolution happening though not one to fear. I’ve said enough for one day though. Tomorrow I will be taking aim at the changing society from how we need to change our schools in my view. Feel free to leave questions and comments below. If you know someone among your friends and family who would enjoy discussing this with you share it with them. As for me I have more schoolwork to do. *Tips his hat and walks out the door. *

Wednesday Drinks: Schoolwork And Games

            Yesterday was a good day after having a weekend where I just crashed for the most part. It could have been from my Epilepsy or my mental illness, not sure which.           But, I woke up to a sad article about a mother who has lost her transgendered son to suicide. It saddens me both as a parent and as a member of the mental health community. It also leaves me asking the question of why. I know there must be a reason, but I can’t wrap my head around it. Maybe in my reading today I will find some comfort or answers.

            I had planned to focus on schoolwork this morning, which I still plan to do. Then play some games later in the day. I think I will be doing more writing later today instead with a little bit of game playing. Though I did pick up some new games for the computer, which is on its way back to me as well as my phone. The ones for my phone are digital versions of tabletop games I like, and are proving to be a bit more challenging than I had imagined. Though I am still enjoying them. They should still be available at http://www.humblebundle.com under the mobile bundles section. I just checked and it is available for five days from this being posted.

            As for schoolwork, I am behind yet again, but determined to get caught up once more. It is only a couple of short papers I have to do, which I should be able to get done by the end of the day. One I am already doing in my head as we speak for the most part, and the other I have some reading to do before I can do it. Though it should only take a few hours to get done. A little drowsy because I had to take some headache medicine though, but hanging in there. I’m feeling excited to be writing today though.

            Just got that urge to write like crazy on all the things I have to write on. Going to be phasing out coffee from the title of the columns as you have noticed since I am slowly giving it up. Well maybe not giving it up completely but not drinking it hot anymore. Religious reasons is why. Been getting a better understanding of the reasoning behind it. It helps when you can talk to a friend who can give you a different view that gives you a better understanding of things.

            Overall I am working on living healthier at least in diet. I’m still struggling in the exercise department, but hoping to get involved in something with the local recreation department during the winter. We’ll see how it goes. I just am more in my head as I have said before. Luckily for me as I have said before the change in diet has had an impact. Though I still want to get stronger. I am thinking some dodgeball might be fun over the winter possibly.

            Who knows I might make some new friends as well. From what I hear Adult Dodgeball is not the ruthless sport it was in my childhood. Even if it was I would still enjoy it since I had enjoyed it back then as well. I won’t be sure what I pick until I actually get to see what they have to offer though for sure. Either way I am hoping to make some new friends. I still have to set up my table as well for tabletop gaming, but that can wait a little longer. First I have to get through the holidays, and have my Christmas Tree set up. Though that isn’t happening till after Thanksgiving. That is a strict rule for me.

            I have gone on long enough though for one day. Feel free to leave comments and questions below. Please do share with friends and family to see what they might say to some of this. As for me I am clocking into my Odyssey Article for next week and finishing that off before jumping into schoolwork. *Tips his hat and walks out the door. *

Saturday Thoughts: My Reaction To Trump’s Transition So Far

            I enjoyed my day of relaxation yesterday, and got a lot done. I plan to get a lot more done today. I just started reading on Physics. So, far the book is pretty good. I’m going to be asking my advisor to put me in touch with one of the Physics Professors in case I have any questions. Also, so I can have someone to talk to about this book. But, also today I am diving back into politics after seeing for three days what Trump has been doing as he is transitioning into the Presidency and laying out policy he plans to go after.

            The first thing I heard about was his plans for gun rights and gun control. I’m not sure it is a perfect plan, but at least he is bringing a plan of some sort to the table with some new ideas. He didn’t bow to what the NRA would have completely liked either. He came up with a moderate plan that tries to address the problem. I’m not sure if it will or not, but I am going to give it a chance. I am just asking that if it doesn’t work he adjust it as needed. That is what we need to keep doing in America adapting and adjusting as things change.

            I have to agree that some things in government have been around too long and just let me stagnant. Like some of the military production that goes on where we stockpile stuff that the military itself says we have too much of. Yet we continue approving more contracts to produce more of it. We constantly subsidize the military industrial complex for our country along with others making us the world’s biggest gun dealer. We should important industries like farmers and teachers and scientists to make improvements in our lives as well as feeding us.

            Now to clarify when I said raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour I also failed to say tie it to inflation as wel as the cost of living so that wages would balance out to where they should be in comparison to management like they used to be compared to how it started it the way it was meant to be according to Eisenhower.  And, that is just so the government is not subsidizing corporations like McDonald’s and Walmart who refuse to pay their workers a living wage even mangers. Yet expect the government to give the workers what they need to  survive as well as give the companies tax breaks. There has to be a balance between regulation so the lowest guy on the totem poll can survive on his work and so that the free market works as it is meant to. A combination of socialism and capitalism if you will. No one system on its own works perfectly.

            I’m a bit skeptical of Trump using corporate lobbyist in his transition team as it appears he is doing to a degree. But, we will see what comes of it. I am playing the waiting came and only going on what he is saying as President-Elect so far. So far he is being fairly moderate from what I have seen. And, I am trying to be patient and feel out his stances completely before condemning him. Yes,, there is the angry rant from when he was first elected still coming next week. But, I doubt many can blame me from what I was seeing on the campaign trail. Some will undoubtedly and that is their right.

            I don’t expect everyone is going to agree with me. And, that is fine since we are a country of opinions but we should all try to find common ground. I have rambled on long enough for one day though. Feel free to leave questions and comments below. And, please do share with your friends and family to keep discussion flowing. As for me I have more reading as well as writing to do as always. *Tips his hat and walks out the door. *