Category Archives: Personal goals

Thankfulness

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Posted by on in Personal goals

November 27,2014, San Diego- Buddha essentially instructed His followers to “want what you have”. Thankfulness for what already is, I have found, is also a springboard to the greater. I can look back on 2014, and look around at what is right in front of me, in recounting my blessings. As my sixty-fourth year winds to close, and I start the long countdown to Birthday 65, on Nov. 28, 2015, I give thanks for these:

A healthy, vibrant 26-year-old son, who has proven, time and again, that parenthood is one of the best investments of time, energy and resources that a person can ever make.

A body which, while looking every bit of its 64 years, nonetheless keeps up with the challenges I face-and craves more physical activity, in the form of hiking and my exercise regiment at Planet Fitness.

Having discovered essential oils. Not only have they helped overcome what few health challenges I have faced, over the past year, (most recently including a visit from Senor Streptococcus), but they are a vehicle for me to share holistic health practices with others, almost on a daily basis.

Having such a vibrant network of family and friends, both online and in real time. We spent maybe two hours on the phone today, all told, and spoke with each of my siblings, my two sisters-in-law and both mothers. I’m sure my dear soul mate and our Dads were listening in, from the other side of the fence.

Having had a wealth of enriching experiences this past year: Hiking in places like Seven Falls in Tucson; Bill Williams Mountain; Cave Creek and parts of the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail; touring Kartchner Caverns; being on Utah Beach, Normandy, on the 70th anniversary of D-Day; visiting the ruins of the church where my paternal ancestors were baptized, in Rouen, France; paying homage to St. Jeanne d’Arc, at the sites of her imprisonment and immolation; seeing several of the great sites in Paris, Mont St. Michel, Amiens, Brussels, Brugge, Ghent, Luxembourg, Heidelberg and Frankfurt; paying respects to the heroes of the Battle of the Bulge, in Bastogne; getting the chilling reminder of my late father-in-law’s wartime suffering, while visiting the ruins of the POW camp, where he was held prisoner, in Berga, Germany; enjoying 1 1/2 days in Honolulu; sailing from that lovely city to San Diego, aboard my son’s ship and two trips to San Diego and other parts of southern California, besides.

Feeling ever more confirmed in my faith, and seeing how Baha’i helps those who place trust in God transcend the urge to conform to the prevailing sentiments of our larger society- Materialism, nationalism, racism and outmoded traditions. The journey of the spirit is an endless one, and I feel like I’m just getting started, even after the passage of 33 years as a Baha’i.

The year ahead is looking to be equally busy and fulfilling; stay tuned.

What’s In Our Words

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Posted by on in Personal goals, Social

November 24, 2014, Prescott- This is, for an educator, the shortest “work week” of the academic year. Most schools have two days, before Thanksgiving break. It’s also my birthday week, and this year, I turn 64 on the day after Thanksgiving. People are given to calling that day, “Black Friday”, as its sales receipts are supposed to put retail businesses “in the black”. A sad trend has some stores shortening, or foregoing, the Thanksgiving holiday for their employees/associates. One retail outlet even refers to the most important family holiday of the year as “Black Thursday”. Shameful, this.

Words matter. I have had the tendency, much of my life, to be “in the brain, out the mouth.” I could blame this on my autism, and it is probably what has caused this series of faux pas. My late wife spent the best years of her life coaching me out of this emotional trough. Discretion and sobriety were the most valuable gifts she imparted to me, through three decades of steadfast love. I have stumbled and bumbled on occasion, in the three years, seven months since her passing. Good people have been hurt, and I have done myself no favours with these missteps.

The purpose of life, though, is to transcend. We overcome pain, move out of false comfort zones, learn new skills, make new friends and often keep the old. In all of this, a successful effort brings one closer to the Source of all life. I am slowly on the upward path, with my beloved spirit guide urging me on, in matters large and small.

Our words ought to represent reflection, thought, and most crucially, love. What comes from our mouths, our pens, our keyboards can either build or shatter. So, while it’s a fine thing to be ever honest, in our dealings with those near and far, it pays to remember that no one really wants to be shattered, knocked down or left out. Honesty and kindness are not mutually exclusive. Have a fine Monday, my friends.

Community

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Posted by on in Personal goals, Social

November 20, 2014, Prescott- This evening will feature yet another speech by the current President. Some things will change in this country, albeit temporarily, as happens with Executive Order- induced policy adjustments. The whole affair, though, brings me to the matter of communities, large and small.

I have five basic observations:

1. Charity begins at home- Mother instilled this in each of us, from Day 1. Many people in this country are hyper-charitable. It’s an admirable thing, when they have the wherewithal to give copiously. I donate my time and money as close to the end receivers as possible, and as close to my own level of awareness of their situation as possible. There will always be people in need, right in one’s neighbourhood, and there will always be people in need on the other side of the planet.  “The poor will always be with you.” Everyone can share something, but few can give all that much. My son is my top priority, then my family, then the community, starting in Prescott and working upward.

2. A family, and a community, is only as strong as the level of trust between its members. I live in a neighbourhood that is quite homogeneous. There is, however, a high level of mistrust, especially among men aged forty and older. Many of these men are carrying weapons. I don’t pack heat, but I can sense the fear and tension from those who do. Should there be a breakdown in order, many will opt for the quick response. It won’t be pretty.

3. This leads me to my own support system. My Baha’i community, Prescott Save Our Schools, Slow-Food Prescott, American Legion Post 6, and the Yavapai County Red Cross are my local support groups. Individual friends, both real-time and online, local and farther afield, offer additional back-up, and God knows I’ve needed it on several occasions. Those who don’t have a human support system turn to self-medication. This fuels the drug and sex trades, resulting in more misery across a wider area, and thus more human migration, both legal and surreptitious.

4. Politics has been defined as the art of the possible. For as far back as one can study, this has been taken to mean, the art of the powerful. It is time, with social media and its attendant level of awareness, for power to move from the ground up. Political extremists understand this, and have used it to their advantage. The grassroots, however, mean that everyone matters, not just the loudest, the most devious or those with the deepest pockets. Otherwise, what Pete Townshend wrote, in “Won’t Get Fooled Again”, will continue to be the norm: “The parting on the left is now parting on the right”, and back and forth, ad nauseam.

5. Character matters. We have seen so many prominent people, revered by the masses, prove to have committed horrible acts against others. Many will live in denial- Hitler still has his apologists, as do Mao Tse-tung, General Custer and Charles Manson. Others will subvert the misery of others for their own ends- which criminals have done since the Biblical Cain and Nimrod. Each of us does, however, have the bounden duty, from our Creator, as we understand Him/Her/It to be, to “Do unto others as you would have done unto you.” The Golden Rule has nothing to do with “He who has the gold, rules”. As long as we are on the subject, though, it is worth remembering that every behaviour has its consequence, eventually.

The vast majority of people close to me are wondrous, loving and compassionate. I work, daily, to be the same and it hasn’t always been easy. It is, however, the only way I know to be.

Homefront Musings

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Posted by on in Personal goals, Social

November 17, 2014, Prescott-So, eleven days remain of one of the most productive years I’ve ever had. 2014 rates with 1972, 1982 and 1996, as years when I got enough things right, that the screw-ups and missteps that have sometimes threatened to define me, became mere background noise. I won’t sum the year up, in terms of specifics, just yet. That gets done on my birthday, which, as happens every so often, falls on Black Friday.

I don’t observe Black Friday, as I seldom visit shopping malls. I barely observe Cyber Monday, and then, mainly to get gifts I wouldn’t dream of letting go unbought. Most of my purchases will be from “Mom and Pop” stores, anyway: Peregrine Books, Arcosanti Gift Shop, The Honeyman, Sam Hill Warehouse, Shannon’s Gourmet Deli. Cerebral and muse-inspired trump the wan material.

I have been indulging a month-long Facebook campaign to post themed photos. Today’s was “Cooking”, so I showed a quick dish: Punjabi Curry, with Hot Portuguese Sausage.

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Most of my days, of late, have been spent either in a classroom, or trying to preserve a school in which I have worked, on several occasions, for the past three years. It escapes me that more energy is expended in securing funds for a new jail than for keeping schools open. I understand they are funded from different sources, but it is still the result of the same misplaced thinking.

It’s cold, by Prescott standards- went down to 14, last night. This afternoon, I drove a homeless man around, trying to find him shelter. He settled on a place where he felt comfortable, and could be in out of the cold at least. I found myself in that situation only once in my life, and couch-surfed in my cousin’s living room, just for a day or so. That was many years ago, in the dead of a Maine winter. Fortune led me to several months with a rambunctious, but caring, blended family of adults, young and old.

Any encounter with the disadvantaged reinforces just how well I have it now. Physically, I’m alone, but my eternal love is always watching, and sending message waves. Financially, I’m not wealthy, but I’m out of debt and living carefully in a cash economy. Health-wise, regular exercise, daily use of essential oils, and good sleep habits keep me going, so at nearly 64, I don’t look a day over 62! Socially, I have a varied network of friends, both online and real-time, and have been meeting new friends constantly. I don’t go into a friendship with expectations, so the flow is amazing in its depth and width.

Each day, whether at home or on the road, seems to bring far greater opportunities for growth than I would have expected in the darkness of 2011. Let this remain the way.

A Small-Time Mariner’s Voyage, Days 8-10: Hard-Tied Knots, Picnic On A Steel Beach and A Bright Gray Home-Coming

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Posted by on in Personal goals, Travel

October 18-20, 2014, Aboard USS Wayne E. Meyer-

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Our last 2 1/2 days of sail found the Tigers and crew reaching a modicum of comfort with one another’s presence, even as most of the sailors were just looking for landfall, as anyone would be, after seven months. We started the Saturday morning with a lesson in knot-tying. The most hardened tough guys among us were almost as perplexed as I was, when it came to completing anything more complicated than a square knot. It’s been a long time since I was at the edge of becoming a Star Scout. The Boatswains (“Bo’suns) were, thankfully, much more adept at the skill which keeps ships moored, and things tied down. Here, a boatswain demonstrates tossing a guy rope overboard, with requisite gusto.

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The deck crew has this view of the Crow’s Nest, which would humble just about anyone.

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I also tried, a bit later, to don and use a full firefighting suit. The air mask did not fit properly over my nose and mouth, though, and I quickly had to remove it and get out of the suit, though not before going through a room filled with faux smoke, so as to experience the visual aspect of firefighting.

That embarrassing experience aside, it was a pleasant and productive Saturday. I forewent the Ice Cream Social and Bingo, preferring to hang out on in the chart room with my son.

Sunday found us getting ready for Steel Beach Picnic. This is done on the Flight Deck of a ship, with no blankets, no ants, but plenty of barbecued meats, watermelon, salads- and a Journey’s End cake. You may think there was beer involved, by looking at the zig-zag wake. Not to worry. No alcohol is aboard ship. It’s simply a photo of the ship’s course while on autopilot, with the helmsman simply watching the charts for shoals or other impediments to safety.

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By 11 AM, the gathering on Flight Deck was getting into full swing.

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You may notice more than one shade of blue. In the course of the cruise, I distinguished five shades, when the light was brightest.

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Later Sunday afternoon, the organizer of our Tiger Cruise re-enlisted in the Navy. We were privileged to witness this ceremony.

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The closer we got to North America, the grayer the sky seemed to get.

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Those who are able to zoom this photo in, for a close look, will spot some bumps on the surface. These bumps are a pod of dolphins, come to welcome us home.

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Monday morning found Aram at the helm, and it is a proof of his skill that he was able to talk a bluestreak and not lose track of the course and the various features with which we were sharing it: Yachts, other large ships, buoys, a tugboat (sent to help guide our ship), the crowd on the ship’s bridge, Coronado Bridge and, finally, the dock itself and the crowd waiting on it. Below, the helicopter takes off, headed towards ITS base.

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We had our final muster at 8:00, then went above decks.

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Around 9 AM, we spotted the first signs of California.SAM_3118

These became steadily more apparent, and before long, San Diego loomed large. Note the boatswains and engineers on the foredeck, in Dress White.

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By 11:30, we were at pierside. Success!

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Son and I had no need to stick around for everyone else’s hoopla. So, after thanking as many of the helpful crew as possible, I gathered my gear, Aram took some of his, and we headed to his apartment on the base’s “Dry Side”. This refers to the area well away from San Diego Harbor. Still, there are fine views, from the balcony, of the docks, and of each and every sunset.

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I spent a day and two nights more here, in one of my favourite cities. Though sticking mainly to the base, and surrounding commercial centers, where “return home” chores could be accomplished by Aram and his housemate, it was a satisfying end to another fulfilling journey. As I’ve said before, I don’t view these sojourns as vacations, but as spiritual quests.The sea is as good a place as any, for confronting oneself and pushing forward with personal growth.

A Small-Time Mariner’s Voyage, Days 5-7: Lessons in Vigilance At Sea

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Posted by on in Personal goals, Travel

October 15, 16 & 17, 2014, Aboard USS Wayne E. Meyer-The themes of presentations given Tiger Cruise participants, (invited relatives or friends of Officers and Crew of my son’s ship), for the first three full days of the return sail, involved the security and rescue tasks of the crew. So, we got to look at some weapons, view a SAR (Sea & Air Rescue) practice drill, watch a display of the ship’s firepower and tour a helicopter.

Most of the crew were welcoming of our presence. Those who felt otherwise, at least kept their feelings hidden until we were safe in port, and by then, it didn’t matter what they felt. So, days 5 through 7 of the cruise were busy with learning how our sailors are contributing to our nation’s safety and well-being.

On the morning of Day 5, we were well out at sea. This scenario, in other parts of the world, is exactly the place where a ship might be accosted by hostile maritime forces. The Takeover Crew are trained to board ships, a task requiring peak physical conditioning and an absence of vertigo, among other qualifications. In this, and other segments of the crew’s presentations, care has been taken to not display too closely the specific munitions and large weaponry. I will not identify weapons by specific name. The photo below shows ladders which must be climbed, on a good many ships, and one of the hooks the crew uses in its task.

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The men below are explaining various phases of tracking and boarding suspect vessels.SAM_3030

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The Crew graciously posed, though unfortunately the Sun was also posing. Women are a full and integral part of the security operations aboard ship. Later on Day 5, we met the Navigation Crew, including my son, and paid a brief visit to the Engineering section, far below decks. Both are secure operations, so I refrained from photographing them.SAM_3039

One of the helicopters attached to the ship conducted a flight practice on Day 5. It also was instrumental in the SAR practice on Day 6.

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The two SAR drill swimmers, who are experts in the skill, pose with the father of the swimmer to the left.

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The next several shots are of the actual drill. See whether your sharp eyes can spot the swimmer, as he is being “rescued” by the helicopter.

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Later on Day 6, we watched a display of heavy weapons fire.

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The orange plastic square below was dubbed “Killer Tomato.” It became the hapless target of several rounds of ammunition, over a twenty- minute period.

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As with any such event, we met the Looky Lous, and they were us.

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Day 7 was a bit more benign. We toured one of the helicopters that is attached to the ship. As you can see, some of us had selfies taken in the co-pilot’s seat.

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The Blue Hawks are an extra safety component during long cruises.

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The ship’s wake increased, drastically, during a maximum speed drill, in the afternoon of Day 7.

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We ended a busy three days with a briefing on the medical operations aboard ship. Here is some of the equipment available for medical emergencies.

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We would be in a slightly more relaxed mode, for the last three days of the journey.

A Small-Time Mariner’s Voyage, Day 4: Bidding Paradise Farewell

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Posted by on in Personal goals, Travel

Oct. 14, 2014, Honolulu- Hawai’i’s role in the life of the United States, and the world, became more complex with the entry of the Trojan horse that was the entry of outside commercial interests into its affairs. The people of any given nation are far more polyglot now than they were even fifty years ago. For the land now called the Aloha State, this has meant being a constant target, both domestically and from foreign interests. A stark reminder of the last time this happened is the USS Missouri/ USS Arizona Memorial, in Pearl Harbor. We sailed past this stirring sight, on the calm waters of Pearl Harbor, knowing that during our journey, there were no threatening forces between here and San Diego. Our only challenge was building and maintaining a strong and unified sense of purpose during the six days of return from deployment.

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As soon as we headed away from shore, a storm was seen over O’ahu.

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As the clouds headed swiftly over the island’s central cordillera, Pai’Olu Olu Point was visible from the starboard side.SAM_3018

Also visible were two gulls following us, in the off chance that food would be tossed out the galley portal. No such luck, though. The Navy is being more careful with what gets put into the ocean these days.

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One brown gull hit the deck, and was momentarily stunned. It took about ten minutes for the poor creature to get re-oriented and head off skyward again.

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As the morning wore on, we caught a glimpse of Moloka’i, as we headed through the channel separating it from O’ahu.

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The successful start to our cruise to San Diego was celebrated, with the first of several cakes.

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The sea reminded us, every so often, of who was boss. All in all, she would be a reasonable Madame.

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Stuff and Nonsense

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Posted by on in Personal goals

October 7, 2014, Prescott-Yes, I have caught up with all my travel and hiking posts, for a few days at least. I have a few days with no work, due to Fall Break in the schools, so I am mostly listening to “imperative” podcasts that are “vital” to my well-being, shoring up various aspects of my essential oils training, working in my back yard and exercising at Planet Fitness.

Sometime on Friday, I will head out to San Diego, find a safe place for my vehicle on Saturday, fly to Honolulu on Sunday and next Tuesday will be on my son’s ship, joining the crew headed back to San Diego. This will put me more or less incommunicado for six days or so. That will be something of a relief to some of my extended family, who have been sick of me for a good long time. Ditto for most of the American Legion post members, but after this Thursday night, the latter may be a moot point; we’ll see.

The bloom has been off my rose, to these people, for reasons I have yet to figure, for several weeks now. My father told us kids, years ago, that when people don’t like us, it’s their problem, not ours, and as long as we come from a place of truth, we don’t need our detractors and critics, no matter how “close” they are. So, I will continue on, with the love I get from “those who care, and matter”, as one of my better friends here reminded me on FB recently. I have support from my Baha’i community, from a handful of friends here in town and online, and from most of my family, including my son.

Once I get back from California, on Oct. 25, there won’t be much taking me out of the Southwest, until next May- barring any more deaths in the family. 2014 has been quite a clearing out process, for both family and friends. I hope it’ll tone down a bit. My main concern during that time period will be replenishing my coffers, with my own effort, thank you. Hope all my well-wishers are doing okay this Fall.

The Secular Amid The Sacred: A Journey to Salt Lake City, Part IV

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Posted by on in Personal goals, Travel

September 19-20, 2014- I made the short drive from Salt Palace to the Utah State Capitol complex, on the Friday afternoon of the the convention. Like many Capitol buildings, Utah’s is built in the style of ancient Greece and Rome, with a cupola in the middle. It is smaller than some, but every bit as majestic in its approach.

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The area was deserted, save for a lone young Native American man, who had planted himself in front of the central vantage point for photographing the building. Thus, everyone who wanted such a photo would have to include him in the shot, or at least ask his leave, before photographing. I had no such designs, and chose the northeastern angle for making my photograph. Some days, I’m more isolationist than others.

Across the street are the Old Salt Lake City Hall, and the 18th Ward Chapel. Mormons refer to their “parishes” as “wards”. The ward building was moved here from further down the hill, so as to make room for a larger civic project, while preserving the older building.

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A two-sided memorial to the Mormon pioneers is also on the Capitol grounds.

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As another reader pointed out yesterday, Mormon families are especially proud of ancestors who were pioneers that pulled a hand cart, in the process of settlement. I set my vehicle towards one more night at Wasatch Inn, and a fish dinner at Coachmans.

The next day, once the Convention was officially over, I forewent a post-convention concert, and headed for home. One stop was left, at the well-lit LDS temple in Manti, a small, but thriving farming community, about two hours south of Salt Lake City.

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I learned immense amounts of information during those three days, all of it practical. Essential oils will loom large in my life, over the next several years.

The Sheer Essentials: A Journey to Salt Lake City, Part II

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Posted by on in Personal goals, Travel

September 18-20, 2014- The Salt Palace, and Energy Solutions Arena (home of the Utah Jazz, are imposing, spacious edifices. We were able to switch from one venue to the other, on alternating days, this year. Next year, both structures will be used simultaneously, for each day of the Convention.

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I started off the day with a lovely breakfast of Swedish pancakes, stuffed with lingonberries, and sausage patties. Coffee was bracing and delicious. Though Utah is not known as a haven for coffee drinkers, or alcoholic beverage drinkers, for that matter, I had no trouble getting a satisfying cup of joe, nor did anyone desiring a nip or three seem to have to go without. Coachmans Diner and Pancake House is a large, clean establishment, with hearty meals throughout the day and evening.

The sessions on Days 1 &2 stressed the importance this company attaches to our voluntary adherence to safe preparation and use of essential oils. What makes these products Certified Therapeutic Grade is the total lack of additives in all our offerings. Here are some caveats: Parents using the oils on their children need to exercise common sense. Oils like oregano and peppermint, being harsh, need to be cut with coconut oil, before being given to people, such as children and seniors, with sensitive constitutions. Check the label, and if the oil is supposed to be used TOPICALLY, do NOT take it ORALLY.  More is not better; too much of an oil will counteract the desired effect.

The free market is a good thing, for essential oils, as well as most other products. No matter what brand you use, do exercise due diligence in your purchase. I, for one, will always vet my product, to make sure it’s worthwhile for the customer. Our mantra is: The long-term goal of essential oils use is WELLNESS. Essential oils are not snake oils.

Coming back from lunch on Thursday, I spotted a robotic plane (not a drone), controlled by a hand-held remote, coming in for a landing outside Salt Palace. No innocent bystanders were either scared or hurt in the lunch-time festivities.SAM_2831 Nearby, there is also the pleasant-looking Maurice Abravenel Music Hall.

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Salt Lake City spares no expense in providing cultural enrichment to the citizenry. In 1857, Devereaux House was built, as a literary salon and public meeting place. It remains an historic site, open to reserved, guided tours.

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Day 3 was another series of product demonstrations and celebrations of individual and collective personal achievements. This is as good a place as any to hone one’s self-sufficiency and health & wellness skills.

Here are a supply of prizes, a parade of hard working oils consultants, and a Youth Choir providing the closing songs. It was a solid three days of instruction for those like me, who are not always brimming with good business sense.

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Next, I will close with scenes from visits to Temple Square and Utah’s own Capitol Hill.