Explore the Sunday Poem archives here. The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy; O Divine Master, grant that I … [Read more...]
If You Think Education Is Expensive…
June 12, 2010 by Leave a Comment
I once saw a bumper sticker that said, “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.” Isn’t it interesting how much our lack of knowledge, or lack of the right resources, cost us in life? Whether it’s not knowing something about accounting, or real estate, or business, or economics, or even not knowing the right people. Many times … [Read more...]
The Dangers of Sociopathic Patriotism
June 11, 2010 by 1 Comment
One of the greatest challenges of our time is developing the ability to cut through the deliberate distortion and propagandizing of current events in order to see the world as it really is. A prime example would be the ongoing conflict in Gaza where openly lamenting the loss of innocent life is a sure invitation for hysterical charges of … [Read more...]
Lessons from Heiligenstadt: Beethoven’s Suffering & Triumph
June 8, 2010 by Leave a Comment
In 1802, one of the greatest musicians in history left Vienna and traveled about an hour’s carriage ride to the small town of Heiligenstadt. His purpose in traveling was not to meet with fellow musicians, or pursue musical opportunities. He had no family in this small town, and no friends to welcome him. Rather, he was greeted by loneliness, … [Read more...]
Sunday Poem: Opportunity by John James Ingalls
June 6, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Explore the Sunday Poem archives here. Opportunity John James Ingalls Master of human destinies am I; Fame, love and fortune on my footsteps wait. Cities and fields I walk. I penetrate Deserts and seas remote, and, passing by Hovel and mart and palace, soon or late, I knock unbidden once at every gate. If sleeping, wake; if feasting, rise, … [Read more...]
Burst Through Obstacles By Feeding Your Thoughts
June 4, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Thoughts are a remarkable source of power and energy when you harness them. As we become aware of what we are thinking and begin to recognize that our attitudes and actions follow thought, we can begin to make better choices about what we “feed” our thoughts. “You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your … [Read more...]
Beyond the Vote, Part 4: The Big Decision
June 3, 2010 by Leave a Comment
This is part 4 of a 4-part article. Read Part 1 Here Read Part 2 Here Read Part 3 Here The answer to these questions is for citizens to begin to study and think a lot more about government and to stop ignoring freedom by leaving it to the political professionals. Unless regular people realize that freedom is up to them, not the experts, … [Read more...]
Beyond the Vote, Part 3: Responses to Being Patronized
June 2, 2010 by 1 Comment
This is part 3 of a 4-part article. Read Part 1 Here Read Part 2 Here Read Part 4 Here When a few citizens realize that they are being “handled” by the professionals of their party, the first response is naturally to want to elect better party leaders. When time shows that this doesn’t work -- that in fact it is the nature of party … [Read more...]
Beyond the Vote, Part 2: The End of History
June 1, 2010 by Leave a Comment
This is part 2 of a 4-part article. Read Part 1 Here Read Part 3 Here Read Part 4 Here Francis Fukayama predicted in the 1990s that with the fall of the Berlin Wall and end of the Cold War this conflict between the rich and poor nations was over; he called this “the end of history,” citing both Hegel and Marx. In the ensuing model of … [Read more...]
Beyond the Vote, Part 1: Keynesianism
May 31, 2010 by Leave a Comment
This is part 1 of a 4-part article. Read Part 2 Read Part 3 Here Read Part 4 Here Imagine what would happen if a huge chunk of citizens stopped accepting what they are told by one of the parties, stopped just aligning themselves with candidates from one of the monopoly parties, and started deeply studying, analyzing and thinking about the … [Read more...]
