Category Archives: Personal goals

The Road to 65, Mile 12: The Age of Unreason

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December 10, 2014, Prescott- It seems so much these days is decided by emotion, accompanied by sloppy fact-checking, and the need more and more people seem to have, for external verification.  These processes don’t bring communities and nations together, and never will.

I have lived a fairly solitary life, for the past 3 1/2 years. My family members all have full cups and don’t need anyone else’s concerns to address, no matter how great or small those are. It’s for that reason that I have learned to rely on my own resources, and it’s why I am leaning more and more towards taking the bull by the horns, with regard to a full-time disaster prevention and relief position, in mid-February next year.

I have friends at all points on the political spectrum, while maintaining my own sense of right and wrong. My Dad was a social and fiscal conservative. My mother is a social liberal, who nonetheless ran a tight ship, based on us taking responsibility. So, I was compelled to listen to both points of view, growing up, and have the bounty of seeing many shades of opinion today.

I will not, though, go along with anyone who advocates oppression or harm to an innocent person, or group. There are those who derive their power and satisfaction, from dividing people and groups. We see this in everything from the camera hogs and pundits who are first on the scene of an episode of unrest, to the Deep Pockets who fund entities which seek to keep information from the people-at-large.

My parents liked and respected Martin Luther King, Jr, the Kennedy brothers, Cesar Chavez and even Malcolm X, after his return from Hajj. My latter-day heroes are mostly international figures: The late Nelson Mandela, Aung-san Suu Kyi, Malala Yousafzai and the new President of Indonesia: Joko Widodo. Those who can see beyond the current atmosphere of “dodge and cast blame” are the figures who will lead us through the darksome night.

The Road to 65, Mile 11: Getting Organized

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December 9, 2014, Prescott- This date used to be one of the last serious work days, before things got TOTALLY CHRISTMAS. That was when I was young and naive. As a Baha’i, I still get into the spirit of the season, though. My family and Christian friends, and their joys, still matter greatly. So, I still send greeting cards, some with gift cards inserted. I enjoy the holiday sounds and feel the magic of the day itself, knowing that it has Wiccan roots, which themselves celebrate bounty and blessings. It is as good a time as any to honour Christ, and all He has brought to the world.

All the Messengers of God have brought the rudiments of organized worship to Their followers, and have left it to those followers to carry on the Mission of the Faith, through organizations which meet their needs. That many have gone overboard, or astray, in the fullness of time, does not make the need for humans to be organized any less urgent.

In my own life, the difficulties I’ve had in accomplishment and in delivery of my promises, have all arisen from lack of organization. My recent entry into the world of wellness advocacy has made getting more organized, on a daily basis, and according to the type of day ahead of me (Working, Non-working but in-town, On the road), much more imperative. So, that was today’s main focus, along with updating my generic resume.

I also spent some time with a colleague, discussing a possible re-entry into the work force, in mid-February, after I return from visiting family and friends in the South. This would radically alter my daily life, so it is not being considered capriciously. Details will be shared at the proper time. Whatever transpires, I will remain in disciplined organization mode, from one day to the next.

The Road to 65, Mile 10: Teamwork

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December 8, 2014, Prescott- This morning, I covered a choral classroom. This frog didn’t croak, but a group of sixth graders practiced their songs and watched a segment of “Mary Poppins”. Then, a single guitar student, in a class of six, showed up for class and I learned his classmates were testing in another part of the school. So, he practiced his chords and watched part of “August Rush”. The Advanced Choir came in next, and led by two classmates, the group practiced a choreographic piece, based on “Here Comes Santa Claus”.

The mostly female ensemble struggled with their own need to catch up with their friends, after the weekend, and the uncertainty that so often accompanies adolescents trying to learn a new skill, while being thoroughly convinced that “all eyes are on MEEE”. They worked hard, very hard, to make it perfect- apologizing to me, and to each other, when they felt it wasn’t. In the end, their teamwork made the difference.

I thought they did a fabulous job, with the various new steps, and that they listened. Confidence is so sorely lacking in teens, despite their reputation for swagger and bravado. Maybe that’s why I can’t think of any other line of work that I’d rather do full-time. Teaching, safeguarding and advocating for children and teens is, and will remain, my most urgent concern- whether it is skill-building, working to free captives and slaves, or just plain listening and encouraging.

Watching the kids engaged in teamwork set my week on a beautiful path.

The Road to 65, Mile 8: Leaves In The Wind

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December 6, 2014, Scottsdale- This day was the 34th anniversary of Penny and I having met, in Zuni, NM. Since her passing, 3 1/2 years ago, I have found myself spending this day doing something or another that celebrates our Faith. This year, December 6 was the day chosen by the Baha’is of Scottsdale, and the United Nations Association of Arizona, to observe Human Rights Day, which actually falls on December 10. Several speakers addressed key issues pertaining to human rights:  Immigration, Native American affairs, the persecution of Baha’is in Iran, and the ongoing state of affairs between Blacks and Whites in our country. A longtime educator, who is Baha’i, made the case for Universal Compulsory Education as the overall impetus for solutions to these, and other issues, being generated. A member of the audience made a passionate plea for communities to address human trafficking.

As this last is a huge concern of mine, especially as it pertains to children and teens, I spent several minutes during the social portion of the gathering, hearing this lady out on the matter. Like her, I see both official sanctioning of human trafficking (albeit in a surreptitious manner) and the tendency we have towards viewing strangers, or those from outside the immediate circle of friends, as those better left in anonymity, as contributing factors to how easy it is for trafficking and slavery to persist in today’s world.

I will be glad to have a kindred spirit in my corner, in taking on these evils. For too long, our society, and the human race as a whole, have regarded those outside one’s social circle as leaves in the wind. I saw some of that in evidence among those in attendance at last night’s gathering, which underscored my earnest and hard-working colleague’s point: Without us, who will bring in the light?

The Road to 65, Mile 7: Peace Flows Outward

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December 5, 2014, Prescott- I’m a bit late with this one, but yesterday was full, and exhausting.  I actually slept until 8, this morning.

Anyway, after getting my car’s tires rotated and balanced, Friday morning, I headed to work, on a half-day assignment. It was an afternoon with two sections of kindergarten: 30 five-year-olds. There was little core academics, it being Friday afternoon, and all, but teaching social skills is still a large part of Kinder. The big item of the day was cleaning up, after thirty minutes of play with manipulatives. I basically had two rules for that playtime: Share items and space; No running around in the classroom.  At clean-up time, I called “High Five” and held up my hand. There was complete silence, so I simply said, “See this mess; clean it up”. Within five minutes, all items had been put away and the room was spotless. Yes, there were thirty five-year-olds, and 16 of them were boys. We will be in good hands, when I reach my nineties.

There are two ways of handling groups, as I noted yesterday. Inner peace, reflected from the person facilitating a group, is essential. It touches all, even the most troubled and self-loathing person in the group. Of course, such a person needs extra assistance and attention, and may need to be removed from the group, in extreme cases. That was not necessary yesterday.

In the evening, there were two gatherings: A Christmas dinner, in business attire, and a drum circle, to which I went, in my vest, shirt and tie. The Christmas dinner found me listening, with rapt attention, to a person slightly older than I, who has led an amazing life- from studying Psychology,under the late Gen. Norman Schwartzkopf, when he was an Army captain and teaching at USC, to leading Search and Rescue teams in the high desert and Rocky Mountains, alike. The peace that comes from a wealth of experiences is indeed exemplary. The Drum Circle, held monthly, is always a soothing and centering occasion.

So, December, a rather expensive month, financially, is also a time of rich and peace-imparting events. I will discuss another of these in the very next post.

The Road to 65, Mile 5: Giving and Taking

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December 3, 2014, Prescott- I had a satisfying day. Seeing so many children in three groups of third graders find they were able to understand the idea behind multiplication, with the simple explanations I was able to offer, is the best outcome of a work day I could ever want.

I got some further materials for another passion- sharing and promoting Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils. I have to use the complete title, as there are plenty of adulterated, watered-down oils, which have actually made people sicker. The oils I use, and offer, do not.

I got into a brief discussion on FB about eating animals. Now, I enjoy eating some meat, from herbivores, or fish There is, though, a very sad level of ignorance among Americans as to eating carnivores. Many see nothing wrong with it. The fact is, the animals at the top of the food chain are lacking in the nutrients that the human body needs to stay healthy. Even more difficult to understand is the pre-occupation some have with killing and butchering endangered species, “because we people are endangered, too.” Seriously? If you decimate a resource, it’s gone, period. We have a food distribution problem, in this country, and around the world. Buffets are copious and delectable, and the food could be put to better use, in a number of instances- even if we just consider those who are underfed and undernourished, in our own communities. Thankfully, a growing number of communities are starting to address the food distribution issue. Massachusetts has made it illegal for restaurants to throw food away, when it has not yet been on someone’s plate. The leftovers have to be made available to food banks and public kitchens.

Finally, most states have land given them, in trust, when they were still either founding parties to the new United States of America, or while they were territories thereof. The December 1, 2014 issue of the Wall Street Journal discusses this matter in some detail, and when I find that article, I will summarize it on this site. The gist is, we have until June of next year to arrange for the revenues generated by limited use of these lands to go into funding our schools. So, for those seeking to reverse a trend towards closing schools and forcibly increasing class sizes to an untenable level, this issue is one of those on which we need to increase our level of erudition.

The Road to 65, Mile 4: Standing Up versus Caving In

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December 2, 2014, Prescott- One of the things that happens, as one gets on in years, is that what the rich and powerful say and think becomes less and less important, unless of course one happens to be rich and powerful.

Being of common stock, I find it easier to speak up, on behalf of those who have been, and are still being, shoved to the sidelines. This evening, our local school board decided that it was more to THEIR advantage to close two schools, and start preparing the grounds on which they sit for sale, than to hold on to $500,000 in non-transferable grant money.

I wrote last night about the lure of the dollar. There is another lure at play, in many communities:  Dominance over the masses. Here in Prescott, it is wealthy, often politically liberal, elitists who are more than glad to disregard the well-being of the “lower classes”, when there is money to be made. A recent article about a community in the Bay Area shows a similar process at work. Then, there is Chicago, where an arrogant elite attempted to close several schools, a few years back, again with an eye towards cashing in on development.

I stay away from strictly partisan politics, both for religious reasons and because it happens that members of one party are as bad, if not worse, when money changing hands is at stake, than members of the other. I also don’t regard it as strictly a Race Card issue, though that can enter into the picture, when the elite are of one group and the disadvantaged are mostly of another. I have seen plenty of White on White repressive actions, though. Members of the Tea Party are often bona fide recipients of economic and class snobbery. One particularly repugnant “social service” provider in the Phoenix area, about five years ago, referred to its clients as “recipients”. The heavy-handed treatment they received was a prime example of the arrogance of power.

This is how it is, whenever the people most-affected by a decision are shunted to the side, to make way for the bulldozers and the bankers. It’s by no means a “white” problem, either. Asian and Middle Eastern magnates excel at pushing the multitudes out of the way, when it’s convenient.

So, while I will continue to stand by the children of all neighbourhoods in Prescott, and wherever I find myself in the days and months ahead, I will also keep encouraging them, as well as their parents, to keep informed, to stay vigilant and to stay active. It’s very important for those of all targeted groups: Lower and Middle Class Whites, Hispanics, Blacks, Native Americans and Asians, to take matters into their own hands and resist, peacefully but persistently, the web of control that is being woven daily, for the benefit of a small group of opportunists. The first thing to be resisted is the “Divide and rule” mentality. We who stand together cannot be moved against our will. We who cave, who knuckle under, cannot move at all, of our own will.

The Road to 65: Mile Two- and The Books That Guide

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November 30, 2014, Prescott-This was a quieter day than I expected. The invited house-guest never called, or showed up, despite my TM and follow-up phone call. It was a good day anyway, though. I had breakfast with fellow American Legionnaires, courtesy of our Riders (veterans who ride motorcycles and do a wealth of charitable work on behalf of other veterans). There has been plenty of time today for me to indulge in rest, and in healing foods and beverages, along with my essential oils.

An online friend noted, with regard to my post from yesterday, that my life couldn’t possibly be that organized. He’s right- plans and goals are worth making, but none of us should be overwrought if the plans and goals don’t all get met. After all, last year, eastern Canada was on my planned itinerary. Life happened, and the area will be a goal for another year. The bottom line is always “God willing”.

I read fewer books this year than previously- a fair amount of attention was spent on Lonely Planet Guidebooks: Belgium & Luxembourg; France; Germany. Then there was The Discovery of France: An Historical Geography, by Graham Robb. In anticipation of next summer’s activity, I purchased and read sections of Lonely Planet Guides to Alaska and to Canada. Looking further still, at 2016, brought me to delve into Open Veins of Latin America, by Eduardo Galeano. It’s an examination of the abuse of that part of our world by both colonizing nations and by those who came along after independence was achieved. I read the biography of Geronimo, by Angie Debo, Awakening Intuition, by Mona Lisa Schulz and Survivors, a novel of a possible dystopia, by James, Wilson Rawles (comma inserted by Mr. Rawles). This last is intriguing, as it offers hints as to how one survives in a time of total economic and transportational calamity. I don’t put much stock in tea-leaf reading, when it comes to catastrophe.  We do need to have at least two game plans, in case it does come to pass. Dwelling on the worst case scenario, though, tales away from living intelligently.

As for the twelve months I have just started, I will finish reading Lies My Teacher Told Me, by James W. Loewen. Then, it’ll be time to dive into: The Science of Skinny, by Dee McCaffrey; The Biology of Belief, by Bruce H. Lipton; Free Radicals: The Secret Anarchy of Science, by Michael Brooks; The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak; City Repair’s Placemaking Guidebook; Ecovillages, by Karen T. Littfin. These will take me through summer. In the Fall, Gandhi, An Autobiography; John Adams, by David McCullough; and Killing Kennedy, by Bill O’Reilly & Martin Dugard will occupy my quiet hours.

Yes, it’s true that everything, or just a small something, could serve to keep my goals unrealized. Still, working towards something discourages indolence, as Benjamin Franklin might have said.

The Road to 65: Mile One

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November 29, 2014, San Diego-Yesterday, I turned the corner on sixty-four years of age. The next birthday will represent something of a milestone, for what it used to mean, and still symbolizes in many minds: Old Age. To me, and to many other Baby Boomers, though, it’s another year to be spent well.

I started this year by kicking an illness to the curb. It was an upper respiratory matter, and a combination of essential oils, Vitamin C tabs, echinacea/goldenseal in hot tea, more hot tea with lemon and honey, and good Korean kimchi made recovery happen in short order. I also spent time at one of my favourite spots in San Diego, La Jolla Cove, with one of my favourite people, my son.

As with any new journey, it’s worth looking ahead. So here is a look at what the next twelve months seem to have in store.

December- A couple of Faith Community meetings, early in the month, then the 30th Annual Grand Canyon Baha’i Conference, right after Christmas. My growth continues, in learning about Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils. Every day, I will go on site and spend an hour or so, building my store of knowledge. Travel, within the Four Corners-Southern California sphere, will take me to western New Mexico: Gallup, Zuni, El Morro, Bosque del Apache, Silver City and Lordsburg; then back around by Tucson and up to Phoenix for the aforementioned Baha’i Conference.

January- Usually, this is a month for laying low, but life close to home continues apace. Having rung in the New, with fellow revelers in downtown Prescott, I may head up to Las Vegas for the first two days of the new year, to visit friends and walk in the Valley of Fire. I will spend time tilling my back yard, removing the weeds that have largely overcome the small plot on the northeast corner of our back lot. Hiking more sections of Tonto Natural Bridge and the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail is on the menu. I will finish the month in Boulder, CO, at a Winter Summit.

February- This will be another topsy-turvy month, taking me across the southern tier of states, (Feb. 6-17- with stops in El Paso, San Antonio, Houston, New Orleans and the Panama City area, before spending 3-4 days visiting my mother-in-law, near Leesburg, FL.).

March- Always largely a month largely spent in fasting and reflection, sun-up to sun-down from 3/2-20, the time of Spring Break and NCAA Championships will find me visiting SoCal, briefly, visiting family, and a couple of friends in OC and LA. The rest of the time, we Baha’is greet our New Year on March 21 and I will plant some early-sprouting items like peas and tomatoes.

April- This will be quiet, travel-wise, barring any emergencies. Most likely, I will go up two small Flagstaff-area peaks: Kendrick and Red Mountain.

May & June- I will stick close to home until the school year ends, then head northwest- through Nevada, northern California, central Oregon, western Washington, Vancouver (city and island), Haida Gwai’i and southeast Alaska, returning via eastern Washington, Idaho and Utah, in time for:

July- This Independence Day will be spent in Prescott, with a foray over to the venerable Prescott Rodeo. Then, it’s off to San Diego for another filial birthday, on the 7th. I will spend a couple of days in Santa Barbara and Ojai, before hunkering down in the Four Corners states, for the rest of the summer.

August- I will have planted squash and pumpkins, after returning from the Great North. They will show me, this month, how they have responded to monsoon-style dry farming. A few days among the Navajo and Hopi will be in order, as well.

September- Fall again, so soon? Not necessarily, in AZ. The return of dry weather will mean some late watering of the nearly-mature crops. My brother may be here, for his own special birthday, in the Grand Canyon. Also possible: Salt Lake City, for a five-day Parliament of Religions.

October- I hopefully will carve a pumpkin that I have grown myself. Rest assured, anything I grow will be from heirloom organic seeds. A weekend camp-out in the Inner Basin of the San Francisco Peaks wilderness will be in order.

November- The road to 65 ends here, before branching off to another year of growth and challenge. My 65 starts on a Saturday, two days after Thanksgiving, so that means another great weekend in San Diego.

Books? Yes, they are an intense part of my life, still. In the next post, I will look back at this year’s reading achievements and ahead to those awaiting along the path I have just started.

Being 64

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November 28, 2014, San Diego- I woke today, looked in the mirror and lo & behold: There was a face that looked every bit of sixty-four. I’ve always regarded looking one’s age as a sign of a life well-lived. Acting one’s age, that’s another matter. After all, men old enough to be my father have made no bones about going after young women. That’s not my style, though. I had a fine marriage, have a son who is contemporary with the aforementioned ladies and besides, I enjoy the company of people of all ages, as friends, at this stage of my life. Maturity, for sixty-somethings and older, is a choice.

I’ve thought a fair amount about privilege. In some ways, I enjoy it; I don’t have to worry about being pulled over by police, just because of the type of vehicle I’m driving. I can go anywhere I can afford to go. I am not followed around by store security, even when I’m “dressed down”. No one asks me my business, when I’m in a public place. I could, conceivably, be hassled by people, when in some parts of Hawai’i , or Mexico or any number of Native American communities. So far, though, that hasn’t happened. I was treated just fine in the Honolulu area, have visited Yaqui, Tohono O’Odham, Navajo and Hopi communities, with no unpleasant events and drove a friend to Mexico a few years ago, without any sense of imminent danger.

What I don’t enjoy, though, is seeing people who are just trying to get from A to B, being hassled. I also don’t like seeing miscreants try to poke holes through civility, by creating a scenario of “racism”. Every person should obey the law, not take what isn’t his/hers and refrain from bullying people who are trying to make an honest living. Every person is also entitled to enjoy the fruits of their labours, earn a decent living wage and not have to sneak across borders to do so. There is a lot, an immense amount of work to be done in that regard.

I got a lot done this past year, and will get more accomplished in the year ahead. (Details in next post). For today, though, I am content to head up to La Jolla, hopefully see some marine mammals, hike a bit at Torrey Pines and kick back this evening with a Netflix film at my son’s apartment. Sixty-four is a fine age to be.