January 20, 2009

There seems to be a different level of consciousness in our country. I'm experiencing a level of inspiration (politically that is) that I have only ever heard about when my mom reflects back to when John F. Kennedy was President. I, now, am experiencing that same feeling of unity, gratitude and inspiration.

Today Barack Obama will become the 44th President of the United States of America. This event, no matter what political spectrum you may be a part of, proves that America is the land of opportunity. He will be the first president to lay his hand on the same bible that Abraham Lincoln used in 1861 and will be the first half African American to occupy the White House that was built by the hands of slaves and the free.

What is important is moving forward. If we're inspired, then we will see change. President Obama cannot do it alone. This is for all of us to do together. We are the "change".

Moral Philosophy

Reading any kind of self-help books is not my kind of reading, but this book caught my eye, a book about ethical principles. It made me realize at how society itself has become so diluted with how to respect others. Putting all religious purposes aside, The Golden Rule, "treat others as you want to be treated." It's an ethical code that people just don't seem to practice anymore. Anybody attempting to live by this rule treats all people with consideration.

Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. Udana-Varga 5:18

Is College Really Worth It?

College after college have told students that getting that college diploma is supposed to be the ticket to the good life. Politicians have been saying it too. Many students have been promised that a college education will get you a job. Lots of people are misinformed and are lead down this path of needing to go to college to get a good job. The college diploma is the new high school diploma. The Bachelor's Degree, it's become America's most overrated product. When our parents had bachelor's degrees it was a big deal. Today it's a hunting license for a job. On an average many successful college students would have been successful whether they went to college or not.

Think twice when taking on debt for college. College is a good thing for kids who have the grades for being doctors and lawyers but others should reassess the value of a generic Bachelor's Degree. A degree from a college determines how successful you are? I don't think so. It's often smarter to acquire specific marketable skills at a community college, a technical school or work as an apprentice for some business. That seems to make you more employable. Vocational school pays off for many. Electricians make an average $48k a year, a plumber $47k. That's more than the average American earns! But some people look down on vocational schools. It's just a fact that a degree from a four year college is considered first class and a vocational school degree is not. We are such a status driven society in American. Is your debt worth the status? Is your Bachelor's Degree giving you a ticket to the good life?

The 411 on Blogging

There's all kinds of blogs out there on the worldwide web. The most common is the personal blog, to which I take pride in what I write, even if my blog is never read by anyone but myself and a couple of followers. Blogs often become more than a way to just communicate; they become a way to reflect on life. It also gives us the right of "Freedom of Speech without any hindrance of expression of oneself and ones opinions." I love to write, been writing for years, therefore I blog. It's a hobby and what I'm doing is completely benign. I would never post anything I wouldn't say in person given the right time, place and subject matter. This woman shoots from the hip and speaks from the heart.

What’s the point of blogging? I become so engrossed in standing on my personal soap box that I forget others are listening to them or just happen to come across them to which I have nothing to hide as previously said "I would never post anything I wouldn't say in person". By taking the possible impact of my posts into consideration, I'm less likely to say something inconsiderate or offensive as of lately I've been quite rude and inconsiderate due to health issues (chronic back pain). Others may still take offense, especially if I'm saying something negative, but they’re less likely to retaliate if I rephrase my remarks politely. Note that this rule only helps me to otherwise practice prudence and restraint with regard to the subjects of my blogs.

~Me

I'm Going to Denver

We all get at least one good wish a year...over the candles on our birthday cake. Some of us throw in more...on eyelashes, fountains, lucky stars and every now and then one of those wishes comes true. So what then? Is it as good as we had hoped? Do we bask in the warm glow of our happiness or do we just notice that we've got a long list of other wishes waiting to be wished? We don't wish for the easy stuff. We wish for the big things. Things that are ambitious and out of reach. We wish because we need help and we're scared and we know we may be asking too much. We still wish though, because sometimes they come true.