Eccentricity In Paradise

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." - Henry Ward Beecher

Amid all of the crazy news of political conventions, people killing each other, baseball uniforms being destroyed; a little bit of eccentricity can be good. And there once was such an artist by the name of Howard Finster from Summerville, Georgia.

A famed folk artist.

Howard died back in 2001 but his art is remembered both in it's style and commentary on life. Not long ago, my wife and I visited his last home and the place he called, Paradise Gardens. It has fallen into disrepair and in need of monetary donations to keep it alive. But to walk through and see his handiwork is a marvel. You can see he touched many lives with his art which fit quite nicely with the eccentricity that is life.


As someone said in a review of his work, "Howard Finster is probably the best-known unknown artist in America. An eccentric whose evangelical work appeared on album covers for R.E.M., Talking Heads and landed him on The Tonight Show."

God's junk man.

"He called himself 'God's junk man' and spent a good part of his life bringing new meaning to the phrase 'Jesus Saves.' His Paradise Garden in Summerville, Georgia is a scrap collector's heaven in which broken glass, rusted bicycles, and cement-filled 'tater chip boxes' fueled his artistic and religious whimsy."


For art fanatics and people who would like to visit the gardens, the folks who work to maintain the property could use your help. The Paradise Garden Foundation is an effort to restore and preserve the work of Howard Finster; meant to keep his legacy alive, promoting education in the arts and extending its enrichment through the unique spirit, setting, and message which is Paradise Gardens.

If you have the heart and willingness to be a part of their efforts, visit the website. Art lasts a life time and the memory of those who bring it to us can as well. Howard took a step to change the lives of other people through his art work. Take a step yourself and see how you can as well.

Stay inspired my friends!

French Fries For All

“Service is a smile. It is an acknowledging wave, a reaching handshake, a friendly wink, and a warm hug. It's these simple acts that matter most, because the greatest service to a human soul has always been the kindness of recognition.” ― Richelle E. Goodrich

I normally do not remember dreams and am not prone to read much into them. But every once in a while something from it sparks a idea. I find a word or good thought that I can share with others is usually the outcome from remembering a dream.

Like a friendly restaurant.

My dream took me to a non-descriptive restaurant or diner where the food was good. I could have stopped there but everyone seemed very friendly, with a smile and caring conversation. The wait staff and short-order cooks were enjoying atmosphere as well.

There are many places like this one from my dream that each of us have actually encountered. From the earliest days of time up to today, these places exist in one form or another. A place where people are simply friendly to each other.

The french fries were fantastic.

This brings me back to my high school days, sitting in the local diner after a Friday night basketball game. A large basket of warm french fries sitting on the table with friends gathered sharing and laughing with the whole place buzzing with excitement.

A smile for everyone.

We each can share a basket of fries, a smile and a warm greeting for those around us. It could be in the grocery store line, the bus or any place you travel. It only takes you and your ability to smile and offer a friendly gesture.

Have a great day everyone and stay inspired!

The Good Old Days Are Today

"These days, right now, these are the good old days. I've always approached it that way. That's why I'm still working. I'm not the guy who is ready to sit by the pool." - Richard D. Zanuck

I can remember those Saturday afternoons growing up, my folks watching the Lawrence Welk Show. They are fond memories and at the time, were the best of days.

Lawrence Welk was born in the German community of Strasburg, North Dakota, and Lawrence decided music would be his career. He was able to get his father to buy a $400 accordion, over $4000 in today's money and thus goes his career.

It may seem odd to show what some consider old-fashioned or corny music, but many songs you hear today were probably held in his music holding companies catalog. Lawrence Welk's copyright holdings became one of the largest, most respected and highly successful independent music publishing companies of all time.

Chances are no matter how you consumed music during the 70's and 80's you could not go a day without hearing at least one song and more than likely many songs published by Lawrence Welk. All of the standards of the day, pop, R&B, country, rock 'n' roll, adult contemporary were in his publishing house collection.

You name it, songs owned by the maestro and written by the greatest songwriters of the 20th Century came at you via radio, TV, movies, Broadway, concert halls, boom boxes, home stereo systems, elevators, grocery store ceilings and everywhere else music was presented. Explore those musical roots and maybe you will find something new in what is old.

As Lawrence would always say, "An’ a one, an’ a two …"

The good old days were good then and so are the days today the good ones.

Stay inspired my friends!

Successful Stairs

"Don't aim at success--the more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side-effect of one's personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the byproduct of one's surrender to a person other than oneself. Happiness must happen, and the same holds for success: you have to let it happen by not caring about it."
Viktor Emil Frankl

People will respond to the question, "What do you want most in life" by saying, "success or money".

As defined, success is;

1. favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors.
2. attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like.
3. successful performance or achievement: The play was an instant success.
4. person or thing that is successful: She was a great success on the talk show.

Success can define us or signal the achievement of a goal.

But is success the final attainment and being defined as successful what we really want? I believe success or the idea of being successful is merely a process of achieving something. If we focus on the process of moving towards a goal, adjusting and persevering; then success is merely an end point to that process.

Success will take care of itself at that point.

And success is not an end to accomplishments in your life. It is only a step towards even more that you can do.

Consider success in your life as a step on the stairway you are building. It is another level in the story of your life, not an ending. Focus on the process and each success will motivate you even further. Life is a journey that continues until you are no longer able to continue. Let each success in your life be the tale of that journey and not the end point.

Stay inspired my friends!

A Side Of Life

"When you're chewing on life's gristle. Don't grumble, give a whistle. And this'll help things turn out for the best. And always look on the bright side of life. Always look on the light side of life." - Monty Python's Life of Brian

Each of us have had one of those days. Things just did not go the way you had planned. Heck, some of us have had one of those weeks, months or years.

Unplanned times might even make you question life itself.

I wondered myself a couple of times although the thought of ending it was never a serious thought. But I do know a few people who did think seriously of it. I have also known people who actually carried it out; a sister in fact.

I am not bold enough to know what truly enters a persons mind to make them feel death is a better solution. But I do know much of it comes down to feelings of self worth, of value to anyone else and of ending the pain of whatever they are going through.

Only a couple of times have I been placed in a situation to try and talk someone back from the edge. And since I am not a professional counselor, it was nerve wracking to say the least. Yet in my mind I knew when speaking that "YOU" was important.

"YOU" do make a difference in the lives of others.

"YOU" will get through this and achieve great things.

Is it as simple as a Monty Python song, to always look on the bright side of life? In some ways it could be that simple and yes I have been accused of oversimplifying things in my writing. My response is that many times we do over complicate life.

Can looking "on the bright side" fix all of our problems? No, but it is a start.

What is important is the life of you.

Whatever thing you are going through, the existence of you has meaning. Be strong and push through. Search out the help of others. Put yourself among people who care for you. Remain enthralled by the beauty and wonder of life.

Stay inspired my friends!

Individual Choice

"The smallest gesture can mean so much to those who may need a little lift in their lives." - Gordon B. Hinckley

Early this morning I was on my way to the airport. This was to be the usual traffic congested drive of a Monday morning through downtown Atlanta. As you pass through this concrete labyrinth of on ramps, off ramps and fly over bridges, it can be a very bland drive of non-descriptive gray.

This particular morning I noticed something different.

Beneath one of the overpasses lay someone homeless, sleeping wrapped in a dirty bag on what appeared to be a bed of branches. What was the story, why in this place, how could one sleep through all of the noise. It caught me by surprise for reasons I can not understand, but it made me wonder.

How low can we sink in our own life to sleep by a freeway.

There are many reasons for the condition many find themselves in. Poor choices, mental health, drug abuse and sometimes we simply can not explain the condition. I can only guess what this person may have encountered to end up in a dirty bag along a busy stretch of freeway.

My hope would be this person finds a way to be lifted. That he or she allows themselves to be lifted by the grace and kindness of another person. Our lives can be used to lift others in need and when down ourselves, be lifted by others.

That is a lot of lifting.

But each of us are capable of doing more for others. We are capable of accepting the help. We are and we will be the people who make a difference in the lives of others. It will not be the politicians, the preachers or the pundits. Individuals making individual choices make a difference.

Stay inspired my friends!

An Awesome View

“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” ― Socrates

This was a whirlwind type of week with an unplanned trip out of the country for four days. A trip so quick that it seems like it may not have even occurred. But it did and I love these types of opportunity in life to meet and engage with new people.

Challenging but always learning.

Each and every time I am asked to engage in the last moment, the impossible, the challenging ... well that is the opportunity I take on because I always learn. These types of challenges force you to focus and dig deep inside to meet the challenge head on.

You might get hurt.

With each of these challenges, there is always risk of failure but there is also risk of complete success. The results are normally somewhere in-between but what is learned should always be the larger thing to come away with. Even from getting hurt we learn.

Meet each challenge with enthusiasm.

Nearly everyday you are going to be faced with a decision. Do I avoid all risk and remain stagnant in my career and in my life? Or do I take on the challenge of risk, hard work and learn something from it. Learn something new that can propel you to greater things?

You can aim for higher things in life and eventually find a view of the surrounding landscape in awe of what you have learned. Those skyscrapers are not simply there for you to always be looking up. They are also there for reaching the top and looking far and wide.

The view is pretty awesome.

Stay inspired my friends.

Friday Relaxation

“When all else fails, take a vacation.” ― Betty Williams

After a week full of traffic snarls, work deadlines and rushing to whatever the next appointment is ... you deserve a moment of relaxation.

So here is your chance to relax for a few minutes on the beach.



Enjoy and stay inspired my friends.

Saving Your Future

"Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving."
- Warren Buffet

Similar to where you work, there are probably new people being hired, many of whom are young. I say young people only because I am getting older as opposed to others getting younger.

Enough about age though.

At my place of employment, we would impress upon each of them to sign up and start contributing to our company 401K retirement plan. Many did not want to hear our comments and advice.

It is understandable the reluctance on their part. They are just starting a new career, juggling student loans, furnishing a new apartment and buying a reliable car. They each have a potential 30 or 40-year career in front of them.

Retirement is the most remote thought in their head.

It is said by many financial experts that you will need nearly 70% of your income to maintain your standard of living after retirement. In addition to this, with improved health and medical advances, you could spend nearly one-third of your life in retirement as life expectancy grows.

So it is very important to start saving now - something - anything.

For me, advancing into middle or just beyond middle age began my work career near the tail end of a time when company pensions were still a major part of your retirement package. A vast majority of companies do not have pension programs and many remaining companies are opting out of pensions in favor of 401K programs.

This means I have a small cushion in having a small pension. Young workers today though do not have the luxury of a pension building in their early career years. And the troubling fact for these young workers is this will put them behind in saving for retirement if they do not start saving now.

Resist the temptation to delay saving for retirement.

Each month, pay yourself first. Start with something, any part of your take home and place it into savings. But be honest with yourself, you could do more then you think. Apply this to a retirement savings account. If your company offers a retirement plan with a contribution match, contribute enough in order to take advantage of the full company match.

How much should you be saving?

There is a common 10/10/80 rule which says contribute 10% to your church, charity, or something that is tax deductible, which helps others and then you during tax time. Then pay yourself by saving 10% before you pay anyone or anything else. Put this money into a 401K, IRA, CDs or someplace long term. Try to use pre-tax dollars if possible as it will lower your taxable income now and save you tax dollars.

The last part is the 80%, the hardest part for most everyone.

Live on 80% of your income and I am talking about your take home pay. Many people have a very difficult time with this because we are a heavily driven consumer society. TV commercials, print ads and billboards all shout at you to spend more money. Just remember that you alone are not responsible for keeping all of those companies in business. You do not have to purchase that new car, have the fanciest house or even the most fashionable clothes.

What you need is enough money for retirement.

Three more tips;

1. Have your money automatically deposited each month into your 401K or savings plan. Out of sight, out of mind, you will be surprised how you don't miss it as it builds with compounding interest.

2. Create an emergency savings fund at your bank, roughly six months of your household income. Include a little extra spending money into your budget as this will keep you from being tempted to 'dip' into your retirement savings.

3. Check out the internet for more information, read books, and learn by adjusting your spending habits. One of my favorite books which gives a clear understanding of what you are facing and is not trying to sell you anything ... is a book by Ben Stein and Phil Demuth called Yes, You Can Still Retire Comfortably!.

The key though is to start saving today...don't delay until tomorrow.

One percent, three percent, ten percent and more as you adjust your spending and begin to secure your retirement future.

And stay inspired my friends!

Summertime Reading

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” ― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

It is vacation season in the northern hemisphere. While you are enjoying some much needed rest at your favorite vacationing spot, there will be time to read a book or two.

Below you will find a few books that might be of interest to your summer reading. Some of these books are mine and some belong to others whom I've read and have enjoyed.

Take the time to do a little reading, learning, and rejuvenating of your mind, soul and attitude.

Books written by me which might be of interest to you.
- Love Is
- Live The Journey

Or see my author's page on Amazon at Joseph Primm.

Another fun author is David Spell who has written several books which are great reads.
- Street Cop by David Spell
- Street Cop II by David Spell

His author's page can be found on Amazon at David Spell.

Some additional summertime reading books are;
- Little Shakers by Jill Sweetman
- The Healing by Andy Penick
- The Greatest Baseball Stories by Jeff Silverman
- Lost At Sea by David Boyle

These are just a few books to fill your summer reading enjoyment. You will learn, you will be in awe and you will go more places.

Stay inspired my friends!

Gma & Gpalooza 2016

“Humans, not places, make memories.” ― Ama Ata Aidoo

palooza

Noun; plural paloozas; (neologism) An exaggerated event; Related terms "-a-palooza"
Origin: from Lollapalooza, a music festival, from lallapalooza

But the big one is the annual Grandma and Grandpalooza event.

And away we go!

Stay inspired folks.

Handling Adversity

"The manner in which one endures what must be endured is more important than the thing that must be endured." - Dean Acheson

Each of us will face one or several obstacles in life. That is just the way life can be. Look at your own life and measure the number of times something has occurred which set you back, brought you down or just made you feel bad.

And here you are, still standing.

Did those events strengthen you? Did you learn something from the experience? Did it build your character? With each occurrence, was it a little bit easier to deal with and come through? If you can not answer yes to these questions, then you are allowing external forces to dictate your life.

You dictate your own attitude.

Examine your personality and how your attitude effects your own ability to pull through the bad times. Having a positive attitude will allow you to focus on the issues and solve them more quickly. A poor attitude causes you to wallow in self pity and despair leaving you with no ambition or willingness to confront the problem.

Face your issues with the idea they can be overcome.

A solution can be found so get up and create movement to change the situation. I have seen people follow the thought process of not confronting their approach to an issue and sure enough, nothing changes. The same conditions remain and they wonder why. And its because the same is not working.

Move to make a different kind of change.

Adopt a different thought, a different idea, a different attitude about your condition. There is the proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel" and based upon your attitude, it will truly be the light of a new and brighter day. Let your attitude shine in the light beyond the end of the tunnel, you will be quite pleased.

Stay inspired my friends!

Learning From Yesterday

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” - Herman Cain

Looking back in order to see where we were in order to push us forward towards success in the future; it is something many of us miss at times. We always want the next new idea, the next great idea that will push us to the top.

Yet our greatest teacher might simply be accomplished by looking back.

It is true we can not reverse the past but we can certainly learn from it. Using the lessons we have learned in life can make a huge difference going forward. Knowing the past can teach us four things. Four things that you can incorporate into your life in order to leverage that knowledge.

1. Make hindsight your mentor

Let it help guide your future actions. Write down ideas from the previous day that you could have done differently. This does not mean to second guess yourself. It only means to learn from the mistakes.

2. Trust your sixth sense

It is that natural instinct in life which comes to each of us. It is learned knowledge and increasing expertise in a particular area of life. It will be a little 'nudge' or 'butterfly in the stomach' trying to tell you something different. So don't ignore it; stop and take a few moments to evaluate and explore it further.

3. Integrate hindsight with foresight

Allow past experience to provide you with helpful advice going forward. Take what you have learned and weave it into your future. Discipline yourself to look at the past and future simultaneously which will help you make significant break through in your life.

4. Let yourself make mistakes

Allow a 'trial and error' method as one means to develop your personal lessons in life. Making these mistakes is a natural part of learning. Understanding that mistakes will happen, embrace the fact and learn from them.

Taking your life from past experience to a new tomorrow involves embracing all which has occurred.

Learn from your past, live a greater tomorrow.

Stay inspired my friends!

Opening Different Doors

"When one door closes another door opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us." - Alexander Graham Bell

There are times in life when opportunity slips away, only to be presented with another. What we first expect our path to be turns out not to be what we expected at all.

The following excerpt from my book CHANGED LIVES shows such an example. The story a man who turned his life into a very successful career in the technology field, but not until he made a choice which detoured him through military service.

Change prepares us in ways we can never foresee.

~~~~~~

Jobs didn't look so attractive either; all of my experience was in restaurants. But I finally got some good prospects lined up for a day's travels, both job interviews and places to stay. I went out to start my car and – nothing, it would not start.

I never did find out what was wrong with the car - took it in, they checked it out, found nothing and it never did that again. But it screwed up my appointments all right. And while it was in the shop I wandered over to the Army recruitment office and, as they say, the rest is history.

I signed up, went off to Ft. Benning and became an infantryman. After four years there, the regular world was just going to be too easy.

~~~~~~

Never be discouraged by the closing of one door.

Opportunity awaits you through another door which is opening. All you have to do is be aware and chose to walk in a new direction.

Stay inspired my friends!

Change Today Changes Tomorrow

“The timeless in you is aware of life's timelessness. And knows that yesterday is but today's memory and tomorrow is today's dream.”
― Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

Famed Irish novelist James Joyce wrote, "I am tomorrow, or some future day, what I establish today. I am today what I established yesterday or some previous day." How you created yourself yesterday is the person you are today and or course what you do today will establish the person you are tomorrow.

We are a product of what we have, are and will do each day.

Many of us make resolutions to change something in our lives. Or we tell ourselves, tomorrow I will change. But tomorrow comes and you remain the same with nothing being different.

We say we are going to do something, but nothing ever gets done.

So today should be the day in which we begin to shape the person who will wake up tomorrow a different person. And you can only do this by taking steps to make changes in your life today.

One first step. One change today. Each changes the you of tomorrow.

Stay inspired my friends!

Where Did Time Go

"The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of 60 minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is." - C. S. Lewis

Normally I write early in the morning when the first two or three cups of coffee are still having an effect upon me. This is a very early hour which is well before allowing myself to get into the days work.

The time is used to reflect and write from my heart.

It works out that way most days, but other days the time just slips away. Today was one of those occasions in which I found the clock striking a much later hour before getting an article written. My daily work activity grabs my attention from the start of sitting down in front of my computer and does not let go. Some of those days the clock strikes 5:00 PM before I realize what has happened.

All of a sudden, time has slipped away.

The time was not wasted because quite a bit was accomplished. But my day never seems complete without having written. It has become habit for me and when I miss a day, I feel it inside. Most people may never know or care that I failed to write and missing a day of writing means missing the opportunity to impact in a positive way someone who needs to read those words.

Try not to miss our opportunities in life.

Opportunity is one in which we can help another person. It is an opportunity I believe each of us should strive for each day. Every moment that happens is a chance to impact someones life. To make it a better day for someone who needs someone like you. An opportunity to make life a little better for ourselves and those around us.

It is said that time passes at the same rate for each of us. What counts is what we do with it. Do we let time waste away or do we make it count for something?

Use the time you have to make a difference in someones life. Use the time so that it is well spent. Before you know it, 5:00pm will be upon you and you will ask yourself, "where did the time go?"

Stay inspired my friends!

Youth Sports At What Cost

"She was 15 years old. Her crime? Her coach thought she didn’t play very well in the first half. Her punishment? Total humiliation." - Mike Giuliano

How often have you sat in stands of a local youth sports game and heard parents disparaging the umpires, the players or coaches. I am sure each of us have possibly yelled something in defense of our own team or child.

Many times it can become very offensive in language or just in the verbal abuse the parent is shouting. We certainly are either embarrassed after the fact by our words or even for the person shouting so loudly.

Most people would not stand idly by and may say something. In the world of sports at many levels, umpires or referees have the authority to remove that person from the facility because of the abusive language.

So much of this goes on that law enforcement is hired to attend and be a presence during these sporting events from young children playing soccer, middle and high school well into the college and professional ranks.

Why then do we allow coaches to abuse our children?

In a recent article, Mike Giuliano writes about this phenomenon in which we allow many (not all) coaches verbally and sometimes physically abuse our kids.

Mike is a teacher and girls soccer coach at Greater Atlanta Christian in the Atlanta area. He and his family moved to Atlanta so that his wife Barbara could take a job fighting domestic minor sex trafficking.

Previously Mike was the head soccer coach at Wheaton College (men), San Diego State University (women) and Westmont College (women). His teams have won four national collegiate championships and he has a Ph.D. in communication studies from Northwestern University.

The stories he tells of the mental, verbal and sometimes physical go well beyond what would be accepted of teachers in the classroom, or of parents in the stadium stands. But we allow coaches to do so.

Why? All in search of that elusive sports scholarship.

The reason is a very simplistic one and does not encompass all of the various reasons. But Mike explains, "...there is so much fear of the price of college, that any coach who may increase our children’s chances of securing an athletic scholarship is treated with reverence, regardless of his or her demeanor."

And the price our children pay long term is more devastating. As adults these kids have a higher percentage of serious self-esteem issues, more apt to wed abusive spouses or abuse their own spouses.

What we are teaching our kids by allowing these types of coaches into their lives is that verbal abuse unleashed for a “good cause” is always justified as explained by Giuliano.

Is this how we should be raising our children?

There will be those who justify the abuse and respond by saying we are coddling our children. I have even heard a parent tell his son after losing a club wrestling match that he needs to "grow a pair" in a not so friendly manner.

Are we over-protecting our kids? No, I am not talking about that kind of treatment. This is the real thing and we need to open our eyes to the impact it has on our kids and what it does to society long term.

If not for society, then for your own child. Give them an opportunity to learn and love sports. So much can be learned about life, competition and leadership with the right kind of experience.

Stand up and protect your kids when a coach or anyone is being abusive. There will be more games played with both wins and defeats occurring. Just don't let either come at the cost of your child's long term well-being.

Stay inspired my friends.

(Thanks Mike Giuliano for the great article as guidance for this article)

Dark Chocolate World

“The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it can't be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it.” ― Elbert Hubbard

The quote is a variant of what Elbert Hubbard said back in 1913. It was a long time ago and if people felt the pace of things was going fast then, what would they think today?

Which brings me to a less intense subject of chocolate.

The pace of technology and invention continues on many fronts. The digital age, medical advancement, transportation, manufacturing ... you name it and someone is always out there inventing, improving and tinkering.

It is no different in the world of chocolate.

Take for instance this story from a few years ago. Chocolate records to be played and then eaten. Was he the first, probably not, but man's pursuit to perfect those things in our life constantly goes on.

Or how about a nice new pair of shoes?

And if you need a set of tools you could try these.

Or maybe go back to 1930 and the accidental invention of chocolate chip cookies.

Either way, “All you need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt” (Charles M. Schulz).

Stay inspired my friends!

Kanpai Everyone

“I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll go to it laughing.” ― Herman Melville, Moby-Dick

A serious week of news has been filled with serious issues confronting our global society. For many the anxiety of what is occurring and of the unknown can be overwhelming. Others will dig into their respective stance on both ends of the spectrum.

There will be arguments and exaggerated solutions and reasons given. The answers will not come easy and many will end up in conflict, tears or pain over what seems like an impossible future to overcome. The direction we are headed on is not in agreement.

Our future is never ensured, so kanpai everyone!

In history, people had the same fears, disagreements and uncertainty. All felt the same anxieties and of possible doom as the only future left for them. Think of the dark ages after fall of the Roman Empire when society had to reinvent itself.

There were structures of organization, leadership and even invention and art which needed to grow anew. People were looking for ways to govern themselves, feed themselves and care for the sick. It was an uncertain future each were trying to survive.

Yet their future was not ensured, so kanpai everyone!

The industrial revolution brought great advancement, jobs and new skills. It also brought abuse of the working class, sickness related to new technologies and pennies paid for labor borne on the backs of many. The struggle for a better life continued.

Immigration brought hope to so many but it also brought failed dreams, crowded living conditions, disease and crime. All ere struggling to understand and build a new future the best way they could. It was a future they wanted today and for their children.

And we know the future is not ensured, so kanpai everyone!

The great world war, Nazism and near mass destruction of a whole group of peoples dimmed the hopes of so many. Death, pain, abuse and being subjected to unimaginable horrors were a part of the landscape for a long period of time that even the future was hard to believe in.

Society was near an end and hope seemed impossible but society fought on and through the times. And time did pass even as we argued with each other, fought together and defeated those things which kept us from looking forward to a better time. The struggle was as real as it was in any time in history.

The future was not ensured, so kanpai everyone!

Now we see ourselves today, struggling with a widening economic divide, between the violence of those who use a twisted view of their religion, between opinions of who or who should not be trusted, of us against whomever your favorite them is. A deepening of our distrust for each other.

The struggle is real most certainly and the answers are not easily defined in a tweet, social media post or cute meme. The conversation is that we are worse off then ever in our history but history would beg to differ. It is just a struggle and all struggles are relative only to the present time.

But the future will occur, so kanpai everyone!

Let us laugh and cheer at life no matter what the struggle is. We will find a way to get ourselves into the future. I know so because the future will bring us there regardless of what we do. So kanpai (cheers) for life and our future.

Stay inspired my friends.

Would We?

“Americans no longer talk to each other, they entertain each other. They do not exchange ideas, they exchange images. They do not argue with propositions; they argue with good looks, celebrities and commercials.”
― Neil Postman

Would we normally shout in the face of our friends?

If you stood in front of those same friends, would we?

In the normal course of social media, we have different ways to express ourselves through heated opinion. It can be easy to rage about what is wrong with others.

Take a look at your Facebook account. When you add people to your account, you proclaim them as a friend. This is called "friending" and we do this in order to share our lives with those we call friends.

We then begin to shout in the face of our friends.

If you stood in front of those same friends, would we?

So many good things can come from social media. It can be the sharing of one's life with those we are too far from. A way to share a picture of that great meal or the vacation hot spot we enjoyed so much.

Before the advent of smartphones and readily available computers, we invited people into our home for coffee and cake. A movie projector or photo album was then revealed to share our memories.

Would we shout our rage about the other travelers?

If we sat in front of those same friends, would we.

Yet social media causes us to do just that ... shout and yell of the divide that we ourselves are creating. It clouds those posts we want to show which are the good things.

All of it gets lost in the noise of the provocation we so easily post. The political and religious extremes and intolerance whether perceived or relative divides us.

Would we rather unite or is it division we seek?

If we gathered our friends, would we?

This very article will likely get lost in the noise of division created. Facebook and other social media outlets will continue to be as crowded as the highways with road rage.

My hope is we can see through the darkness which keeps the sides so far apart. That maybe we can bring more light into the conversation and possibly closer to an agreeable disagreement.

Would we speak in more friendly tones to each other?

If we sat with our friends and just talked, would we?

Stay inspired my friends.