A news report this morning was quite distressing - people in Denver were violently objecting to a Columbus Day parade, and calling Ol' Chris a "monster".
It seems that a lot of folks in Denver have a huge gap in both their history, and reality.
Apparently, they believe that a man who pioneers, explores and discovers is a "monster". That is absurd. Columbus discovered the west. He did not conquer it - others did that. In fact, Chris did not even land on American shores - he landed in the West Indies. Yet, these uneducated people, brainwashed by liberal thinkers, seem to be unaware of the reality, and blindly accept fallacy.
OK, so the white man came, conquered, and native Americans lost the battle. But does that give today's native Americans cause for complaint? Of course not - that is how life works. The first law of nature is survival of the fittest, the strongest, the smartest. Native Americans were not prepared to survive against the onslaught of more powerful forces. They lost. They really need to accept it.
Imagine if the descendants of any race that lost its bid for being "top dog" were to demand that their heritage be returned to them. Think about that - nearly every one of us would be among them.
The native Americans. The blacks. The Japanese, The VietNamese. The Irish. The Romans. The Macedonians. The Hebrews. The Arabs.
You name it - every one of us is a descendant of a race that, at one time or another, was subdued by a stronger ethnic group.
It simply is not possible to give back everything that everyone lost - nor should we. After all, there are some countries that have been "lost" many times - who do we give those to?
Those "complainers" need to wake up and accept the reality of what is. Cowboys 1, Indians 0. Make the best of it. In every game, someone must win, and someone must lose. What these complainers are saying is that we shouldn't even be playing the game at all. And that is warped thinking. If the game is not played, progress cannot happen. And the strong will not survive, which weakens all of Mankind.
Here's a thought: why don't we simply accept the fact that we are all in this together. We all must live on this little blue marble in the universe. We are not merely native Americans, or blacks, or Arabs, or Orientals. We are not merely Christians, Jews, Muslims or Buddhists. We are something must greater. Much stronger. Much better. We are MANKIND.
By separating ourselves into pathetic groups, we weaken ourselves. Together, we grow. Separate, we are weak, and will die. It's like the human body. If each part were to separate itself from the whole, each seeking its own future, the body would die.
These complainers are like fingers or toes, complaining they are only fingers or toes. So they want to set themselves apart. Apart from the whole, neither can survive.
Hm-m-m...brings to mind that old joke about the brain and the rectum, both thinking they deserve to run things. The brain said, as the thinker, it should run things. So, the rectum closed itself, refusing to let anything pass. Before long, the brain screamed for mercy, and gave in. Which only proves you do not have to be a brain to be the boss - you only need to be a rectum!
Monday, October 8, 2007
The Most Important "Success Book"
One of my daughter's young friends (my daughter is 16) asked me where she could find the rules for success, all in one place. Was there a book? After all, her family had always struggled, while our family always seemed to "have it all."
Of course there is such a book. And everyone has free access to it, no matter who they are. It is the book I have always used in creating my own successes.
It is where I learned that one must help others to get what they want, if you expect them to help you get what you want.
It is THE book on success. It teaches us to save some of this years crop so that we will have seed for next year's crop. It teaches us not to waste that seed where it cannot benefit us, such as on barren ground, or among the brambles. It teaches us that our future is only as strong and safe as the foundation upon which it is built (build your house upon the rock, not the sand).
It teaches us to cast out those things that damage us, or harm us, no matter how much it may hurt to do so. It teaches us to be tolerant and forgiving, while remaining strong and steadfast; focused.
It teaches us to leave some of our harvest behind, for the less fortunate of God's creatures (being charitable). It teaches us to be humble. It teaches us to become an asset to those around us, so that they will protect us from harm. ("Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.")
Yes, there is a book that teaches the principles of success. It is called the Bible.
Don't get me wrong - you do not have to be religious in order to learn success from the Bible (though being religious is helpful). You need only recognize the truth when you see it. Every principle of success that you need is right there in the New Testament.
You do not have to read it as though it is a religious text - if you must, simply read it as though it is simply a book that teaches success. But DO read it, and learn it, for if you do not, then you should not expect to achieve the success you deserve and desire.
Read it. Follow the principles. Do that, and success is assured.
Of course there is such a book. And everyone has free access to it, no matter who they are. It is the book I have always used in creating my own successes.
It is where I learned that one must help others to get what they want, if you expect them to help you get what you want.
It is THE book on success. It teaches us to save some of this years crop so that we will have seed for next year's crop. It teaches us not to waste that seed where it cannot benefit us, such as on barren ground, or among the brambles. It teaches us that our future is only as strong and safe as the foundation upon which it is built (build your house upon the rock, not the sand).
It teaches us to cast out those things that damage us, or harm us, no matter how much it may hurt to do so. It teaches us to be tolerant and forgiving, while remaining strong and steadfast; focused.
It teaches us to leave some of our harvest behind, for the less fortunate of God's creatures (being charitable). It teaches us to be humble. It teaches us to become an asset to those around us, so that they will protect us from harm. ("Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.")
Yes, there is a book that teaches the principles of success. It is called the Bible.
Don't get me wrong - you do not have to be religious in order to learn success from the Bible (though being religious is helpful). You need only recognize the truth when you see it. Every principle of success that you need is right there in the New Testament.
You do not have to read it as though it is a religious text - if you must, simply read it as though it is simply a book that teaches success. But DO read it, and learn it, for if you do not, then you should not expect to achieve the success you deserve and desire.
Read it. Follow the principles. Do that, and success is assured.
A Secret of Success
There are many "secrets" of success. Most are not really secrets, but this one appears to be, because so few people seem to be applying it. Perhaps that is why so few people succeed to any great degree.
No man is an island. We have all heard that. But did you know it is the basis for success?
Let's say you are wealthy. You keep your wealth to yourself. But then, as often happens, you experience a reversal of fortune - you lose your wealth. Who do you turn to, if everyone in your circle is also poor? Who will bouy you up, and help you regain your wealth? And why would they?
On the other hand, let's say you are wealthy, and you share or use some of that wealth to help those around you to prosper and grow rich. Now if you begin to sink, you will have a circle who can use what you gave them to help bouy you up, and help you regain your position.
Think of your "circle" of friends and associates as a life preserver. If you do not inflate it, it cannot keep you afloat.
So, just how can you apply this, especially if you may not (yet) be wealthy? It's simple: you share yourself with others. You become an asset to them. Be there when they need you. Offer your help. Your time. Whatever you can do to give them a boost will add bouyancy to your life preserver. Over time, you can build a powerful circle who, separately, may not be able to do much for you, but together, they may have the power to make you wealthy.
How?
Let us assume you are a car salesman, making $50K a year. If you start empowering a large circle, you will build greater income. The people you help, those that consider you a valuable friend and asset, will come to you when they need a new car. The bigger you grow your circle, the more sales you will make, and the richer you will become.
As your wealth grows, you find yourself in the position to be able to grow your circle even larger, and richer. And your wealth grows accordingly.
If you want to achieve wealth and success, the most important step you can take is to become a valuable asset to as many people as possible.
After all, if you have one friend who will give you a dollar, you won't have much. But if you have a million friends, each of whom will give you a dollar, you will have a million bucks.
Bill Gates, of Microsoft, is the wealthiest person in the world. And that is directly related to the fact that, through his Windows operating systems, he has been a great asset to billions of people. By making their lives better, richer, fuller, easier, Bill Gates has billions of people rushing to buy his products and services.
You may never impact billions of people, but I guarantee you can impact many more people than you currently have in your circle.
Expand the circle of people that consider you a friend and asset, and you will expand your success.
Try it. It takes time. It takes thought. It takes a positive attitude. It requires a smile, and a sincere willingness to help others, every chance you get. But those are things that even a poor person can do to help better himself.
No man is an island. We have all heard that. But did you know it is the basis for success?
Let's say you are wealthy. You keep your wealth to yourself. But then, as often happens, you experience a reversal of fortune - you lose your wealth. Who do you turn to, if everyone in your circle is also poor? Who will bouy you up, and help you regain your wealth? And why would they?
On the other hand, let's say you are wealthy, and you share or use some of that wealth to help those around you to prosper and grow rich. Now if you begin to sink, you will have a circle who can use what you gave them to help bouy you up, and help you regain your position.
Think of your "circle" of friends and associates as a life preserver. If you do not inflate it, it cannot keep you afloat.
So, just how can you apply this, especially if you may not (yet) be wealthy? It's simple: you share yourself with others. You become an asset to them. Be there when they need you. Offer your help. Your time. Whatever you can do to give them a boost will add bouyancy to your life preserver. Over time, you can build a powerful circle who, separately, may not be able to do much for you, but together, they may have the power to make you wealthy.
How?
Let us assume you are a car salesman, making $50K a year. If you start empowering a large circle, you will build greater income. The people you help, those that consider you a valuable friend and asset, will come to you when they need a new car. The bigger you grow your circle, the more sales you will make, and the richer you will become.
As your wealth grows, you find yourself in the position to be able to grow your circle even larger, and richer. And your wealth grows accordingly.
If you want to achieve wealth and success, the most important step you can take is to become a valuable asset to as many people as possible.
After all, if you have one friend who will give you a dollar, you won't have much. But if you have a million friends, each of whom will give you a dollar, you will have a million bucks.
Bill Gates, of Microsoft, is the wealthiest person in the world. And that is directly related to the fact that, through his Windows operating systems, he has been a great asset to billions of people. By making their lives better, richer, fuller, easier, Bill Gates has billions of people rushing to buy his products and services.
You may never impact billions of people, but I guarantee you can impact many more people than you currently have in your circle.
Expand the circle of people that consider you a friend and asset, and you will expand your success.
Try it. It takes time. It takes thought. It takes a positive attitude. It requires a smile, and a sincere willingness to help others, every chance you get. But those are things that even a poor person can do to help better himself.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Scary
The latest poll asked the following question: Do you want America to LOSE the war in Iraq?
19% of Democrats said "Yes". That's one in every five Democrats that are rooting for the Terrorists to win in Iraq. Because if we lose, the other side must, by default, win. And the other side consists of people who are killing Americans, and intend to keep doing that, whether we leave or not (remember - they were killing us for 20 years before we went to Iraq).
One in five Democrats wants the terrorists to kill Americans. Because that is what must happen in order to cause us to lose.
I don't mind saying that scares the Hell out of me!
And amid all of this, Barak Obama makes a special point - a show - of removing his flag pin, saying he will not wear it again. Now, if he simply removed it in private, no one would have noticed, nor cared. But he choose to make it an issue, which can only be for political purposes. He prostituted the American flag to get votes from the far left.
Since when did the American flag become a political football for ANYONE to kick around? You can be against the war, and against President Bush if you wish. But when you make it a point to shun the American flag, you have stepped over the line. The flag is not about Bush, and it is not about the war. It is the symbol of America, land of the free, home of the brave. It is about all who fought, and all who died for our freedom over the last 230 years.
But Obama says to Hell with all that. He does not care what the flag stands for. All he cares about is winning the support of far-left loons like the folks at MoveOn.org. And if he can get that support by casting off the flag, then that is what he will do. I must wonder what - or who - else he would sell out for political convenience.
And I, for one, am damned sick and tired of people - of either party - who will toss principle, integrity and honesty out the window for the sake of getting votes. Anyone who stands for nothing except votes has no business representing us - because they won't. They will shift with the winds; change lanes at the drop of a poll. No consistency. No principles. No integrity. And from me, they will get no vote.
Obama, Clinton, Snowe and many other politicians are not providing leadership by any stretch of the imagination. They are followers. Sheep. They follow the polls and the money. Leadership is when you say, "I don't care about polls, money, or even votes - I am going to do what I believe is right. And When you check on me tomorrow, I will still be following the same principles. I will not change direction with the changing winds."
Principles do not change just because they may be unpopular. That is what makes them PRINCIPLES. And that is what makes Bush a leader. Maybe not a good one. But at least he IS a leader. Those others are just cheap imitations, taking cheap shots. They take cheap shots because they cannot win otherwise.
19% of Democrats said "Yes". That's one in every five Democrats that are rooting for the Terrorists to win in Iraq. Because if we lose, the other side must, by default, win. And the other side consists of people who are killing Americans, and intend to keep doing that, whether we leave or not (remember - they were killing us for 20 years before we went to Iraq).
One in five Democrats wants the terrorists to kill Americans. Because that is what must happen in order to cause us to lose.
I don't mind saying that scares the Hell out of me!
And amid all of this, Barak Obama makes a special point - a show - of removing his flag pin, saying he will not wear it again. Now, if he simply removed it in private, no one would have noticed, nor cared. But he choose to make it an issue, which can only be for political purposes. He prostituted the American flag to get votes from the far left.
Since when did the American flag become a political football for ANYONE to kick around? You can be against the war, and against President Bush if you wish. But when you make it a point to shun the American flag, you have stepped over the line. The flag is not about Bush, and it is not about the war. It is the symbol of America, land of the free, home of the brave. It is about all who fought, and all who died for our freedom over the last 230 years.
But Obama says to Hell with all that. He does not care what the flag stands for. All he cares about is winning the support of far-left loons like the folks at MoveOn.org. And if he can get that support by casting off the flag, then that is what he will do. I must wonder what - or who - else he would sell out for political convenience.
And I, for one, am damned sick and tired of people - of either party - who will toss principle, integrity and honesty out the window for the sake of getting votes. Anyone who stands for nothing except votes has no business representing us - because they won't. They will shift with the winds; change lanes at the drop of a poll. No consistency. No principles. No integrity. And from me, they will get no vote.
Obama, Clinton, Snowe and many other politicians are not providing leadership by any stretch of the imagination. They are followers. Sheep. They follow the polls and the money. Leadership is when you say, "I don't care about polls, money, or even votes - I am going to do what I believe is right. And When you check on me tomorrow, I will still be following the same principles. I will not change direction with the changing winds."
Principles do not change just because they may be unpopular. That is what makes them PRINCIPLES. And that is what makes Bush a leader. Maybe not a good one. But at least he IS a leader. Those others are just cheap imitations, taking cheap shots. They take cheap shots because they cannot win otherwise.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
A different take...
Lately, though I consider myself an Independent (politically), like a lot of folks, I have found myself diss-ing President Bush for his apparent errors in judgement.
But as I look at the bigger picture, here is what I see. I see both Republicans and Democrats (mostly Democrats) engaging in purely political nonsense, in complete disregard of what is best for America (which explains the 12% approval rating of Congress). I see Senator Reid (D) being dishonest on the Senate floor, and Senator Olympia Snowe (R) voting regularly with Democrats because she must get re-elected in a democrat state (Maine). So, she sells out her party in order to get re-elected. And it just goes on and on.
And then I ask myself, "Isn't there even ONE politician who has the integrity to do what he or she truly believes is right for America, regardless of party platforms and affiliations?"
And then it occurred to me - yes, there is one. He sticks to his sincere beliefs and principles, even if it means being villified by his own party, and base. He takes all the hits for his mistakes, but keeps fighting for what he truly believes is best for America.
His name is George W Bush.
Right or wrong, at least he has integrity, honesty and a sincere love of America and its people.
And that's more than I can say for most of those disingenuous turkeys in Congress whose only thoughts are fueled by how to kiss up to the powerful, instead of the American people.
And therein lies a BIG difference...
No, I would not vote for Mr. Bush. But at least I can respect him, which is more than I can say for most Democrats and many Republicans.
But as I look at the bigger picture, here is what I see. I see both Republicans and Democrats (mostly Democrats) engaging in purely political nonsense, in complete disregard of what is best for America (which explains the 12% approval rating of Congress). I see Senator Reid (D) being dishonest on the Senate floor, and Senator Olympia Snowe (R) voting regularly with Democrats because she must get re-elected in a democrat state (Maine). So, she sells out her party in order to get re-elected. And it just goes on and on.
And then I ask myself, "Isn't there even ONE politician who has the integrity to do what he or she truly believes is right for America, regardless of party platforms and affiliations?"
And then it occurred to me - yes, there is one. He sticks to his sincere beliefs and principles, even if it means being villified by his own party, and base. He takes all the hits for his mistakes, but keeps fighting for what he truly believes is best for America.
His name is George W Bush.
Right or wrong, at least he has integrity, honesty and a sincere love of America and its people.
And that's more than I can say for most of those disingenuous turkeys in Congress whose only thoughts are fueled by how to kiss up to the powerful, instead of the American people.
And therein lies a BIG difference...
No, I would not vote for Mr. Bush. But at least I can respect him, which is more than I can say for most Democrats and many Republicans.
Getting Out of Debt
A lot of folks have asked me the best, most painless way to get out of debt. Short of dying, the following works pretty well:
1) List all your debts, with the balance and the monthly payment.
2) Choose the one with the smallest balance.
3) Do whatever you must to pay off that one, small balance. Have a yard sale, or sell unwanted items on eBay.
4) Now use the money you save from not having that payment each month, and apply it to the monthly payment of the next smallest bill. For example, if that smallest bill used to have a monthly payment of $25, and the next smallest has a payment of $50, you would now pay $75/month toward that next smallest bill, thereby paying it off much faster.
5) Whenever you come into "found" money (unexpected overtime, selling an item etc.), apply those funds to that smallest bill.
6) When that second smallest bill is paid off, apply that $75/month to the next smallest, until it, too, is paid off.
7) As each bill gets paid off, use the savings to apply to the next bill.
You will find that it starts out very slow, but soon snowballs. Take a look:
Let's say you are making payments of $25, $50, $100, $120 and $150 per month on various debts, for a total of $445/month. Let's also say you are paying $1500/month on a mortgage.
By paying off the smallest, you now apply that $25/month toward the next bill, paying $75/month. When that bill is paid, you now add that $75 to the $100/month on the next bill. Eventually, you will be applying the entire $445/month toward the last debt (not including your mortgage). At that rate, that last debt gets paid off very quickly. You now have an extra $445/month to improve your lifestyle, or apply it toward your mortgage, taking several years off the term of the mortgage - and saving you many thousands in interest payments.
1) List all your debts, with the balance and the monthly payment.
2) Choose the one with the smallest balance.
3) Do whatever you must to pay off that one, small balance. Have a yard sale, or sell unwanted items on eBay.
4) Now use the money you save from not having that payment each month, and apply it to the monthly payment of the next smallest bill. For example, if that smallest bill used to have a monthly payment of $25, and the next smallest has a payment of $50, you would now pay $75/month toward that next smallest bill, thereby paying it off much faster.
5) Whenever you come into "found" money (unexpected overtime, selling an item etc.), apply those funds to that smallest bill.
6) When that second smallest bill is paid off, apply that $75/month to the next smallest, until it, too, is paid off.
7) As each bill gets paid off, use the savings to apply to the next bill.
You will find that it starts out very slow, but soon snowballs. Take a look:
Let's say you are making payments of $25, $50, $100, $120 and $150 per month on various debts, for a total of $445/month. Let's also say you are paying $1500/month on a mortgage.
By paying off the smallest, you now apply that $25/month toward the next bill, paying $75/month. When that bill is paid, you now add that $75 to the $100/month on the next bill. Eventually, you will be applying the entire $445/month toward the last debt (not including your mortgage). At that rate, that last debt gets paid off very quickly. You now have an extra $445/month to improve your lifestyle, or apply it toward your mortgage, taking several years off the term of the mortgage - and saving you many thousands in interest payments.
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