Monday, December 19, 2011

Sleepless night, we get up for tea and honey, talk...

I have been ignoring the signs of my coming collapse, and I find myself making excuses - I am older, I am fatter, my doctor is not doing everything he can, I am more alone and irritated over the slights to my pride and position, don't have the position that I once held, and fifty excess pounds is a measurable problem of my making, the no longer able to jog for lack of breath. Hmmm... gives me something to dwell about in my anxious anxiety. It could keep me up at night.

Now, with little problem I can transfer my coming death with the one the United States of America faces. Too easy to compare the excess pounds of weight with the burdensome regulations strangling innovation, enterprise and risk. Really, risk. I have to confess I don't owe anywhere near the amount of money that the Federal, State or local governments do -- but then I don't pretend to be much more important than I really am, which is why the term SUPER POWER will never be mine. For a Super Power to leave the Republic of Vietnam in defeat (don't tell me we won there) - we left and didn't learn the lesson that it could have taught us about arrogance and our true strengths and our weaknesses. I have heard many politicians thinking that we can Restore America, trying to bring back the greatness of America after World War II, and in some ways that was a good goal, take us to the '60s and the Space Race. But we defined ourselves in little ways, little comforts, little victories and turned inward like the ancient Chinese civilization - oh, we still walked proudly upon the World stage, posturing, and beating up the neighborhood punks, but we were no longer willing to risk exploration, exploitation and example of better behavior. We don't try hard enough, as a country, individually we do... until the government decides that we need to be watched, or supported, or just given a safety net.... I wouldn't think too much parental supervision is good for children to grow into adults, not if you want them to be strong and still meek. Never have met a meek bully. Anyway, the government and the culture and the people are in stress and conflict -- the best solution to the problems is stop making more problems, cut back on excess and fool infringements and allow the millions of people and ideas to grow solutions and strengths as they will. The future is not in returning to the old ways, the old ways (this week's wonders) will continue to build cages, chains and push off for political expediency the rust and gunk killing America. I hope the coming elections help clean house and a smaller government and massive cuts in services shows up. Lower taxes, less regulation and more LIBERTY to risk and fail. Don't know why the education system teaches everyone will always succeed, and no child will be left behind. That is a funny way to run a race, play a game, build an empire or peace on Earth.

Well, that is two cups of tea with honey, and I can feel sleep calling me. I am not as close to falling totally apart as I think the country is. If I can't run for want of breath I can walk. If the pains in my chest were significant my doctor would tell me when I see him on Thursday morning, they aren't that bad that it has stopped anything in my life, just seem to be an indicator that they weren't there years ago when I was younger and foolish. Foolish, now isn't that a nice thing to have constant in one's life or government? No, I don't think so either. Start and end your days with a prayer of thanks for being able to make the Lord's way straight. And don't be too proud of only being a pilgrim on passage to glory. Its our job, dude.

3 comments:

Yoda of Math said...

Interesting view, Brother. I agree a lot with you. Of course, I disagree a little, but not as much as I thought I would.

Regarding the education idea of teaching everyone: given enough time, almost everyone can learn everything ... but no teacher has enough time to teach all his/her students everything. Paul was right: we all have gifts, but those gifts are different for different people. I see it every day. Some students I just help to learn enough to graduate, and others I take them on to their more technical future. It's not easy, but it is certainly worth it.

Keep a stiff upper lip, Earl. If I can live like a human pharmacy (not really, but I do take a lot of pills these days) and still struggle to get whatever exercise is possible, perhaps you can show me how to do better. Dad's legacy is not just health-related; it's more a state of mind ... and we all have it.

Old NFO said...

Excellent post Earl, we CAN impact our own lives, it's up to us to make that effort. And the same goes for America, if we are willing...

Long-time RN said...

Thought provoking post, pilgrim.