Harbor Lights Ministries

Paint Me Some Common Sense!

It has been a very long time since I have been on here to post my words about the lack of common sense in our world today and the craziness that has replaced said common sense. I apologize to my readers for this large gap in writing. My only defense has been that the overwhelming amount of chaos, frivolity, and just-plain-stupidity that has been rampant throughout the world lately has overloaded my thought process!

Our mission of Thinking-Before-Reacting and Use-Common-Sense has been pushed aside in favor of time travel back to the Land That People Forgot. That place where crazy reigned supreme, people were filled with disrespect for one another, and lack of reasoning was prevalent. You all are aware of my huge plea to “learn from history”! We have a colorful past of mistakes and errors to show us what doesn’t work! Let’s use it! But, sadly, no. It appears to be just the opposite. Instead of learning from the past, let’s just take our whole mentality and re-create that era. Let’s just live daily the things that we fought so hard to change for the better.

A painter starts with small brush strokes, outlines the various parts of the canvas, details in the colors to bring out the images they strive for. But before the brush touches the paint, the finished product is pictured in the mind. In order to make that picture become reality, the artist must know what the finished product will look like. So, too, we need to have that “big picture” view. See the whole before we can understand the parts. When we plant our focus on a small portion, make a judgement of the big picture just based on that small portion…well, often our view is incomplete, inaccurate, and inadequate.

What creates such dissension in this world is that the narcissism of so many has narrowed their view to just a portion of reality. Since they are so convinced that the world is all about them, they conclude things based on that narrow viewpoint. Now multiply that narrow-mindedness to millions and millions, put it on television and internet, and you have successfully destroyed common sense. Take out rational thinking and you have nullified respect. Eliminate caring and you have the world as it is today.

I don’t want to be the downer, the negative, the bringer of bad news. My intent is not to depress you, dear reader! The intent is to recharge you! The intent is to revitalize you into pushing for changes in this blinded world we live in! We have had so many paintings presented to us from the past…big pictures that show our bad, that from it we can do good. But we cannot just focus on a small part of those pictures….no! We need to step back, see the painting as a whole, and learn from what it says!

Opening up the narrow and seeing the whole allows us to make rational decisions, use common sense when addressing issues, and, most of all, care! It takes us away from the mistakes of our past and allows us the opportunity to be respectable people. I haven’t written for some time, partly out of overload, but partly out of confusion. There are so many decent people in this world, and yet the media fronts the rotten tomatoes.

One of my favorite quotes from the movies is Donald Sutherland’s character in Kelly’s Heroes. He would always tell Gavin MacLeod’s character to “stop with all the negative waves”.

Very applicable, I’d say! How about some “positive waves”!

A Traditional Way, or In The Way…?

“Because that’s the way it has always been done!” That’s the answer for tradition. If you do the same thing time and time again…it’s tradition. The family gatherings during the holiday, the placement of an item ceremoniously, following a well-travelled path…all traditions. There are many wonderful things to be said about tradition. It can be used as a means of preserving family memories. It demonstrates respect for the past. It also teaches and motivates the young to remember. Tradition can build a strong bond of unity!

There can be down-sides to traditions though. Often, doing something just because of tradition makes it robotic and the true meaning to its purpose is lost over time. People will go through the motions “just because” and get stuck in the rut. Traditions can keep you trapped, missing out on something that can be new and exciting. “Because that’s the way it has always been done!”

I did that once. Absolutely refused to purchase compact disks for the longest time because I felt my tradition of records and cassettes were being infringed upon. Don’t tell me I have to change my media! I’ve always listened to my music this way!

With some traditions though, I have to shake my head and wonder why. One such tradition is using Roman numerals for the year or to denote a quantitative measure of events. Prime example: the Superbowl. This 2012, Superbowl XLVI was played. Not 46, but XLVI. It is important to note that! But why use Roman numerals? Doesn’t our numbering symbols work? Does a game or event become more exciting if antiquated symbols are used?

If you put in the question “why does the Superbowl use Roman numerals” in Google search, you get about a thousand pages of every type trying to give you an answer. And you know what? None of them do. Well, maybe they do, but I’m not going to scroll through every one to see! But, the common thread seems to be tradition. Plain and simple. It’s the novelty of doing it because, well…just because. Tradition. 1966 saw the first game played, billed as Superbowl I, and has continued tradition ever since. They are not the only ones using Roman numerals though. Check out the very end of the credits on television shows. Copyright MCMVXXIII (just made up a random number). Tradition? Yep….tradition.

Let’s face it…the way of the Roman numbering symbols is a thing of the past, but to strike tradition, we continue to use it in various applications. The same can be said of many traditions. Archaic as some things may seem, we still push for some aspect of yester-yore. Is it a bad thing? No. Something like Roman numerals will not decimate the rise of technology. But if we held fast to a Roman numeral-only mentality, then hinderance of progression may occur!

Standing in traditions that disallow progress have also proven to be damaging. In many cultures or religions, some traditions have proven harmful to certain genders or races. Women have suffered throughout history under religious or political oppressions. Having a belief other than the status quo could often be cause for punishment or death to people because tradition would not move…it’s the way it has always been and it will not be challenged! These types of situations still happen in this modern-day and age! Archaic thinking creates a separation.

I’m not going to start in on specifics. That usually just leads to arguments. I’m not here for that. I just feel that it is important to keep a mind open, evaluate all aspects, and be respectful to other’s. Disclaimer: driving like a selfish idiot during rush hour is NOT considered tradition! Just saying….but I digress!

Anyway, I just find it interesting some of the various traditions that people, communities, cultures, religions, and even nations will hold near and dear to their hearts. Look around your world this week and note the various traditions that people engage in. You will find some odd, like Roman numerals. You will find some touching, like visits to a grave. You may find some that need a change. You might find a situation to create one. Sometimes you have to break tradition to create a new tradition!

No matter the tradition, it is something that is a part of the life around us. I hold out for hope in a planet steeped in traditions that a sprinkling of common sense exists within! Change can be good for some traditions. I know…I ended up buying a CD player and learned to really enjoy that technology!

Now, what is this MP3 stuff I’m hearing about….?

…and they say I’m crazy!

footies — Masked To Protect The Innocent!

Minnesota has a reputation of being the icebox of the nation. Winter brings about unique challenges for the inhabitants here: staying warm, surviving, staying warm, keeping healthy, and staying warm! Since a primary goal throughout winter is keeping ourselves warm, why would people purposefully shun that duty, expose bare skin to the natural elements and immerse themselves into a frozen lake? Because it’s there!

Each year, Minnesotans gather at frozen lakes, cut holes in said frozen lakes, strip down to (almost) bare skin, and jump! What? It’s not some weird fad. No, this is Polar Plunging! I have to believe that jumping into a frozen lake is not a new activity (probably been around since the beginning of….well, I guess the ice age!). Yet, what may have started as a rite of passage or some pseudo-holistic healing practice, has now turned into a money-maker. Fortunately for justification sake, it’s making money for a great cause! The Minnesota Special Olympics!

Minnesota law enforcement agencies have sponsored this unique event at multiple lakes for the last 15 years in Minnesota and the popularity increases every year. Last year was my first “jump”. I didn’t know what to expect, became apprehensive (rational?) right before they yelled jump, but came out the other side (of the water) like a victorious warrior! I was a-hootin’ and a-hollerin’! Frozen to the very core of my soul, but very much alive! I accomplished that short 10 second burst of extreme exposure and wanted more! Well, more has come again!

Welcome the 2012 Polar Plunge in Minnesota! The warrior within has surged! Well, the costume might be a bit misleading. Not very warrior-like. Did I tell you that many of the participants like to dress in costumes? No? Oh, they sure do! Groups of people will often dress alike or follow a theme, such as the folks that become Smurfs or the couple dressed like Batman and Robin. Too fun! Costume and all right into the frigid waters! Just for the record, the feetie-pajamas are not straight out of my dresser! (Though they are sure comfortable!)

Once in, you are surrounded by a sudden shock of chill. The real fun begins when you break the water’s surface. The winter air pokes at you like a thousand needles in every direction. Under normal circumstances, this would cause distress….but not today. Today is warrior day! Today is the day I’ve overcome rational fears and ideas. People don’t jump in a lake in the middle of winter, especially with water-retaining adult footie pajamas on! Ah, but they do! When everyone else says you shouldn’t because it isn’t normal…you do it because…..

Because there are some people who face challenges everyday that are beyond what you and I can comprehend. Tasks that we take for granted are uphill battles for some. My 10 second uphill battle is just a blip on life’s radar compared to what our Olympians face each day. The Special Olympics participants are going against the grain of society…doing amazing feats of strength, stamina, and skill that they were once told they could not do. And, thanks to their inspiration, truly wonderful people have stepped up to donate time and money to ensure that these Olympians can continue to show us how to overcome!

Sure, some have told me how crazy I am because I jumped in a frozen lake in the middle of winter. It’s really the motivation behind the jump that makes it perfectly clear to me. That jump is the most sane thing I’ve done all year. I’ve been fortunate to have helped some of the greatest inspiration the world should be watching! It really makes sense…Common Sense, to be more precise! Keep focused on success, not failure. More mountains (and frozen lakes) can be conquered with a warrior zeal within!

Will The Real You Please Stand Up?

I am a doctor. I am a detective. I am an athlete. I am a scientist. I am a rock star. I am a comedian. I am all this and more.

I am a talentless whiner. I am a user of people. I am a deceiver of businesses. I am an attention junkie. I am all this and more.

After I turn off the television, I sit in isolation. Quiet surrounds me I’m left with my thoughts. The mind scrambles to register all that it witnessed. Who am I? Can I heal? Do I solve? Am I famous? Do I need accolades? Where’s my mansion? Who am I?

Filled with inexplicable amounts of make-believe, we find ourselves not ourselves. The constant watcher of others, we soon lose identity and believe ourselves someone else. Reality is scripted and fiction is true-to-life. Separating ourself from the box becomes too painful and we elect to base life upon the results of edited production. The need to immerse our comings and goings on what someone else is takes over. Who am I?

Why is there such a fascination with living vicariously through others, whether fact or fiction? Have we become so dissolution with ourselves, our potential, that we abandon the future we can make all for the fantasy of another? We are so entrenched in emulating that ‘original’ is becoming archaic. Gene Roddenberry may have discovered our futures by the creation of an alien race called the Borg for the Star Trek franchises. They are a fictional race of cybernetic organisms that “assimilate” other beings into their “collective”. In other word, much like the content on our t.v.’s, they absorb people and make us a part of themselves.

We are not too far from that, actually. Lacking the flying spaceships and science fiction effects, we have this continual desire to “be like” this person or that. The old days of boys wanting to grow up and be like their hero’s such as the Lone Ranger and brave knights, or the little girls wanting to become princesses and movie stars, has evolved into obsessions that are suffered even by adults. We seek to replace our doldrums for excitement…our meanial for fame! The power to be living in our skin, but as someone else.

So we sit day after day, seeking to be someone else, somewhere else. We look inward and want to change outward. We feel a lacking inside and reach for transformation, even if it is only a fantasy. At the cost of being accusatory, I suggest we are all, to some degree or another, under this urge. We start out as ourselves, become disillusioned with who we are due to pressure to conform, and eventually all but abandon who we are. Who we become depends on who we covet.

Not that being inspired by others’ achievements to become better is a bad thing. On the contrary, it can be a great thing! Isn’t it said that imitation is the highest form of flattery? Sure! But what on television is there that is worth imitation?

May I direct the audience to reality t.v.? No, it’s ok…you can shake your head in disbelief. A very understandable reaction when you look at the characters on there through your Common Sense Glasses! Come on folks! These people are out there! Be afraid, be very afraid!

The fact that many are loose in the world without a good pair of Common Sense Glasses is scary! They cannot see the shallow and conceited manners of many on television. They are blinded to the arrogance of the actors, (…and yes, reality t.v. is nothing but actors). But because of the flamboyant and over-the-top nature of the characters, some think that the make-believe is a better existence and want to do the same.

With a good fitting of Common Sense, you start to see through the fake and fluff. You understand that life isn’t an everyday party without consequences. You see that accountability is on the individual, not the production staff. Directors and camera crews don’t alter your life by edits and filters…you are you, right to the very end!

If science fiction has taught us anything, it’s that you need to have your guard up at all times. Aliens from far and near are trying to absorb you into their world, and unless you see them for who they really are, you will fall prey and lose self. Wear your Common Sense Glasses, see the world as it really is, and protect yourself from the lure of illusion. Stand on your own two feet and be who you are! You can still enjoy life, and I believe life will enjoy the real you!

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Purse Spelunking

A model presents a creation at the Michael Kors Spring 2011 collection during New York Fashion Week — Be Afraid!

At this point, I need to step forward for all men and convey a concern. Actually, it is a deep-seeded worry, (some would say fear). I talking about purses. You all know what they are. The over-the-shoulder tote that allows women (and sadly, some men…just sayin’…) to have ready access to necessities for the day. Everyone has seen them. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, materials, and designs. The trend these days leans toward the luggage-sized variety. No matter what style or type, it is the one accessory that rarely seems to be left behind.

As for the contents of said purses, that remains purely individual choice. Cell phones, keys, tissues, make-up, pictures, and wallets seem to comprise the more common items likely found within. There are also the coin collectors, the junk junkies, the dirt delighters, and the toy toters. Now, add larger bags to the equation and you have ample room to include so much more that the term ‘heavy hauler’ takes on a new meaning!

Back to my initial statement of concern and worry for men. Most men understand the old embarrassment of having to be seen in public holding the purse while the lady is trying on clothes or in need of both hands for one thing or another. Uncomfortable and awkward are the descriptors here. But a deeper horror begins to take shape when we are asked– nay, told, to retrieve something from the caverns of The Purse! (Cue dramatic, scary music!) Before you begin the adventure of Purse Spelunking, let me share some important do’s and don’t’s that could just save you from intense dangers!

Some people are adept at exploring wild caves as a recreation. This is called spelunking or caving. Going into a woman’s purse is not too different from that, with the main difference being the objects one might encounter. You see, deep within the well that makes up The Purse, lies a myriad of tunnels and pitfalls where darkness consumes unsuspecting objects. Many have entered, few have returned. Trust me when I tell you that preparation could save a hand…or more!

The foremost thing that must be understood is that the outside of the purse is deceiving as to its true depth and width inside. Never underestimate, as that is the folly of man! Prepare as if you were entering the largest cave system in the world! Rappelling gear, rope (as much as you can carry), survival gear (in case you find yourself in there longer than anticipated), a good pair of shoes to keep your footing (you might find a pair or two in the purse, but beware that heels don’t make good climbing shoes), a good light source with plenty of back up power (the last thing you want to lose is light down there), and protective eye wear (Lord knows what sharp objects you could run into).

Upon entering the cavern, you may initially be frightened by the many pockets that lead into darkness. Stay strong! The sight of large winged creatures soaring from side to side could easily lead you to believe that you stepped into a land that time forgot, but rest assured…you are only in a purse! This is not to say that all you encounter will be new. No, things will appear that entered in a long time ago. Don’t be startled by stale gum, half eaten cough drops, hardened lip balm, corroded hair clips, or coins that contain images of Caesar. These are all just ghosts of travels-past. Spelunking in a purse will dredge these up!

Remember to focus on the task at hand. Don’t be swayed and distracted by the curiosities that pop out of different annexes within. What looks like a food item could, in reality, be a carefully wrapped napkin holding the remnants of a meal long forgotten! It’s important to know the item you seek intimately. You don’t want to mistake something down here for something else! Retrieving some Tylenol? Don’t touch items that are not in a protective container. Contamination is a prevalent problem down here. You might think that the loose M&M’s look good, but could actually be ibuprofen with lip gloss melt on them!

Time is of the essence! The longer you remain inside, the greater the chance of getting lost and being added to the curios that remain behind. Don’t put yourself in that position. Keep a “get in, get out” motto coursing through your brain at all times. Keep your eyes open and be aware of what your hands are near. There are objects in here that will break skin and lead to infections. That nail file may be rounded on one end but could easily hide mini scissors on the other! Take no chances!

Above all, always have an exit strategy! If you feel something isn’t right, get out! Guys, you are not trained experts in Purse Spelunking. You don’t just thrust your arm into a dark, potentially hazardous pocket without doing your research first. Narrow down your quest by having the instigator give you specifics: which pocket? front or back? left, right, or center? zipper or snap? If the item isn’t in plain view upon approach, now is the time to decide if you truly need it right now. Is this something that can wait for a more experienced spelunkers, such as the owner of the purse?

Preparation is key and keeping your guard is imperative. There are dangers at every turn and unless you are ready to face them in the purse, it may be best to avoid it for your safety.

Do Not Shelve 2012!

So, 80 million T.V, radio, and news agencies are spending the last day of 2011 doing their “recap” of the year before heading into the new year. Great. So as not to scare you away, I will not be doing that! I think that we already know what happened. After all, you were there, right? I sure hope so, because if you weren’t, I don’t have a good explanation for you!!!

What I want to focus on is 2012. No, not the end-of-the-world predictions from the Mayan calendar. Everyone has already done that one to death! (Pun intended!). The new year is coming and you might want to prepare yourself for what’s ahead. The downward spiral of common sense continues in our present society. This is evident by the fact that the majority of what you are seeing now in the “stupidity” department doesn’t have a plan to cease and desist!

If the future of our society scared you in 2011, hang on to something solid! 2012 is going to be a mess! I’m not trying to make some Nostradamus type of futuristic predictions. On the contrary, I’m simply pointing out the obvious continuing trends. We’ve seen the decline of political common sense, the decimation of the english language by today’s youth, the degradation of social respect, and rampant violence unanswered! I don’t need a crystal ball to know that these issues are still raging like a tsunami…blotting out the elements of a turn-around anytime soon!

So, is this where we just throw our hands up in the air and walk away shaking our heads? Oh no! This is where we begin our stance! The easy road is to continue our giving in to social decay and allow the stupidity to be an accepted norm. But, I’m sure I don’t want to live with that! I can only handle so many times a day, every day of every week, shaking my head in disbelief at the insanity that is allowed to be accepted! I’m going to end up with a neck brace at that rate!

2012 promises many events. Politics are going to be thrust into the spotlight at every turn, causing a greater level of nausea than ever before. The continued social garbage will still be on our media boxes 24/7, absorbing us even deeper than before, so much so that we will forget there are other people in the same room with us. News agencies will still build their agenda priorities on nonsensical trash like “famous” people without a shred of talent, glorifying them as ‘wonderful’ (can you say Kardashians?). Narcissism as a disease will continue to spread deeper into the hearts of people, so much so that things like compassion and empathy will fade further and further away.

As our societies’ callous heart thickens more and more, along with the increasing desensitization to what some might deem pure evil, our realization of the decline of decency that is happening all around us fades. Sad. But, we have a fix…Common Sense! We have clear vision…History! We are an intelligent enough species and are able to be taught, right? We just have to be willing, and I believe that many still are. It’s just going to take all our strength and effort to avoid the delusions many are buying in to! Time to quit pandering to those things that we know to be a plague.

So, how do we survive the new year? Be observant. Be strong. Stand up against what you know to be wrong. Do not compromise! This is a time for renewal, for regeneration, and for redemption! Shed the norms around us and begin the u-turn! You don’t have to be accepting of lunacy that you know is wrong! You don’t have to accept stupidity because everyone else is doing it! I raise the old question “if everyone else jumped off the bridge….?” Common Sense, people!! It’s there, pushed to the background, waiting to be set free! So? Set it free! Let it run! Use it!

My hope in the new year is to continue the push for Common Sense to re-emerge into society! Stand firm against the destructive tide!

May you and yours have a blessed, happy, and common sense filled new year!

Sincerely,

Cannon (for hire)!

Oh, It Really Twas!

‘Twas the night before a holiday, and all through our lives,

the only thing stirring was governmental strife.

The GOP and the Dems were in their usual best,

making sure the constituents again would lose rest.

And I with my checkbook and Mama with the bills,

had just settled in to see which gas tank gets filled.

When what do my wondering eyes should see,

but a temporary agreement to set congress free.

Off to their condos or nice vacation homes,

those who don’t work were all free to roam.

And to the rest of us who struggle, and scrape day to day,

we wonder how it is that they get to go play?

Because they belong to this group or that,

they only see life defined oh so narrow and flat.

No ‘outside the box’ thinking allowed with their way,

“our way’s the only way”, I once heard them say.

So off to our slumber since tomorrow’s an early rise,

to go make our minimum and hope for a prize,

That someday our government will soon get a clue,

that running a country involves more than a party of two.

Common Sense can prevail when you open your mind,

and see the big picture, not just your side, but also mine.

Amazing is what can happen, open the view

cuz ’tis the season for giving, not taking for you.

No dashing, or dancing, or prancing, or vixens.

No vomits, cupids, dummies, or getting blitzed then.

Hear us all as you drive out of sight, “you better watch out, you better not whine, quit your pouting, we’re telling you why…election time is coming around”!

May this new year be fresh with Common Sense!

donkeyelephant — It could happen.....(keep clicking your heels together!)

Correct Me Now!

Simply amazing. A 7-year-old child is being bullied at school to the point where he was choked by the assailant. The boy, in reactive fear, kicks at the other child and strikes him in the groin area. Now that child is accused of sexual harassment. A 9-year-old boy says to another student that his teacher is cute. The teaching assistant hears the comment, now he faces a sexual harassment complaint. A choir teacher at a school makes the kids sing the Christmas song “Deck The Halls” with the word “gay” replaced with “bright”. And so on, and so on, and so on…..

Actually, simply amazing isn’t the correct address to the recent news events. Let’s us simply ridiculous! Before I point out the obvious to you, I would like to take a moment to ask that anyone in the audience that takes offense at people being offended by America’s misdirection of political correcting, to please step outside. I am one of those that is currently being offended by politically correct being allowed to run rampant in society today. I can almost guarantee that you will be offended.

For many, obvious seems to be clear. The arguments against the rampant stupidity have already aired throughout the various media. What I don’t understand is why does this continue to happen? If we look back throughout our history, we see an ever-changing tide of mentality towards various subjects. That happens. Views change, people grow, things once important are no longer relevant. It’s called evolution. Society continues to evolve, thus the change in styles, music, politics, habits, and a host of other aspects to our existence. But the one continuous thread that is supposed to underlie our momentum forward into the future is common sense. Somewhere along the roadway, that thread was either cut or snapped. I know it didn’t wear out from overuse!

I find that the evil whiners that push this politically correct agenda today are the source of our downfall. That minority with loud voices have somehow swayed various government and business leaders in the U.S. to go along with their radically nonsense way of thinking and it really has me sad and scared for our future. To remove common sense in such a way as to think that an 11-year-old blue-eyed, blonde haired boy has been, and still is, on the TSA’s no-fly list, has my jaw on the ground is utter disbelief. His first pat down was at the age of 2! Hello? People? Because he shares a common name with an actual potential threat, he is stopped and checked thoroughly. Calling Captain Obvious?

We live in an age where news travels faster than it ever has in our history. You would almost think that the powers-that-be would be keenly aware of this fact and know that their every move is constantly scrutinized and studied. So, when the school decrees that an elementary student must be suspended because he falls under the definition of “sexual harassment”, you would think that someone would have stood up and pointed out the irrational thinking. But sadly, no one did. Has the “decision makers” sunk to such a level of paranoia that even a seemingly well-educated person cannot make a common sense call here because they fear backlash from a radical minority of idiots?

What are we afraid of here? Clear thinking? practicality? We really must be! From this recent kind of overt craziness to the extremists blowing up their own people, society has become scared to confront the flagrant disregard to common sense! Quit worrying about the handful of babies that fuss about “feelings” getting hurt or think that everyone should have a right to do anything they want! It’s not a right to bully someone! And, destroy a child’s life because he said a person is cute? When did “sticks and stones” leave the room?

Everyone talks about the over-sensitive events that are clearly ridiculous, but no one is “fixing” it. Let’s stop putting bandages on these wounds that bleed our sanity! I know that there are more than a couple of brain cells that can be rubbed together to create a spark of reality in this place. Enough is enough, as they say. At some point, simple thinking has to catch hold and begin to put some clear reason at the forefront of our decision-making. If it doesn’t, the stupidity is going to continue to spread like the infection it is and we will be restricted from all thought, word, and deed!

“Call the police, that person looked at me!” “Get me a lawyer, that person stood too close to me in the elevator!” In time, congress will create a law of all laws and everyone will be guilty of something! Let’s get off of the “be sensitive to every little thing” ride and get back to serious reality! This planet is a mess and we certainly have bigger problems out there that need our full attention. Let’s stop allowing these trivial, nonsensical, isolated incidents to take center-stage when the real issues are people starving, children without a place to live, and stupid folks affecting our Common Sense! Step up to the plate, put your foot down, and tell the world that Common Sense is back!

An Open Letter To Mr. Claus

Dear Santa,

It’s been over 30 years since my last confession and I have to confess that things have really gone askew! I’m not even sure my toilet swirls in the correct direction when flushed. The world has gone mad and I was hoping that you could get things fixed. I know you’re a busy guy this time of year, with all the labelling and legal hurdles you have to clear before you can bring goodies on your sleigh, but, I just need to know if the old Santa is still there…the one that can put fear in children that they might be on the naughty list. The Santa who can actually have children sit on his lap without the threat of lawsuit. Where have you been all these years? I mean, you are still Santa, right? The jolly ol’ elf that has an independent operation in the north pole? You haven’t become the “Elf formerly known as…”, or “And now, here’s Santa, sponsored by…”? You didn’t get caught up in any Ponzi schemes, did you? I don’t know why I worry about these things. Just do.

Are you feeling severely limited these days with all the regulations, restrictions, taxations, and legal ramifications? A person of your position is probably scrutinized 24/7. Labor watchdogs, potential whistle-blowers, children services and such. No wonder you don’t have the power you once did! It’s a serious shame! Innocence is lost, but not solely to perversions. It seems that it’s lost to the governmental controls, corporate greed, and the individual narcissism of people today. With all that going on, sorry to say, you never really did have a chance to survive. The world today is heading down the path of anti-Clausism. No one, save but a few, have the desire to believe in miracles. The days of dreaming have been replaced by the days of medication. Your role is being replaced by paranoia. How sad is that!

I’ve done my own tally and the best I can discern is that your “nice” list has to be really, really short. I firmly believe that all the idiots that refuse to go beyond 40 MPH down the freeway on-ramps until after they have a mile or two under their belts should not be on that list. I think you would have to agree that most of our world-wide government leaders have probably slipped from one list to the other. There is so many situations of violence, mayhem, and, just plain disorder throughout the world that one would have to imagine your trip time would be half from what it once was. Too bad you can’t take some of these “naughty listers” out behind the reindeer barn and give them all a yule log upside their heads!

Enough of that, though. I am worried for you. It is certainly hard to keep your mental and physical health intact these days with all that is going on. I remember that song with the kid singing “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth”. I still sing that nowdays because I can’t afford the dental work. Have you seen the out-of-pocket prices? Wow! So, I sing….and sing….and wish upon a star, (or HMO, or bank loan). Plus, it is really hard to keep one’s sanity together during these times. I’ve found that the reindeer games really take a toll on folks these days, and all you end up with is the droppings! You must know that one first hand! How do you cope?

Well, I suppose I should get on with my self-indulging list of ‘what I want’ for Christmas. I am not going to ask for world peace, family love, food and shelter for the poor in the United States, bringing home the troops from overseas, justice for Caylee Anthony, our political parties to pull their heads out, jobs for the unemployed, corporate greed to subside, the end to selfishness, medical and dental care for everyone in the U.S., religions to calm down, crime to decrease, and several million other things. I am not going to ask for any of that because I believe that you have already heard those requests from the folks on your “nice” list.

What I am going to ask for is you. The Santa Claus. The one I knew as a kid. The one that captured my excitement of Christmas and kept me dreaming of magic. The Kris Kringle that created dreams inside each and every one of us. The Jolly Ol’ Elf of yesteryear is what I ask. I want to have that happy, carefree feeling within my heart, if but just for a moment. To experience the power you once radiated throughout the world that said ‘it’s ok to believe!’ If all the adults felt that, imagine what could really happen! Common Sense says that the results would be wonderful! The world needs you now, more than ever!

Sincerly,

The Cannon

Dirty Rotten Chaos!

Into each life, a little chaos must fall….and hard! All around you at this very moment is change and disorder. You might feel that there is balance and harmony going on in your life, but let me be the first to burst your bubble…it’s not! You have your good days, you have your bad days, and in between those days is chaos at work. That creature of disruption moving about, tipping the carts, changing the lights, casting its confusions. Chaos. What is this beast and why does it seem to be getting bigger, stronger, faster in the world around us and, for many, within us? Let’s define:

Chaos:

Complete disorder and confusion.
Behavior so unpredictable as to appear random, owing to great sensitivity to small changes in conditions.

I love those definitions! They sum up the animal at work. I often picture a mythical faery-like being with an evil grin, fluttering about, doing its will on unsuspecting people and things. Many religions have given chaos a persona of some demonic entity that works in the spiritual realms to ruin their prey. Loki was the Norse god of mischief constantly working to thwart mankind, as well as the gods themselves. Lucifer of the bible, the great deceiver, who started the entire downfall of mankind by creating confusion on the first humans that lived in bliss. Many different cultures label some single source for all the problems of the world. What it boils down to is the events of chaos. Altering changes that disrupt our plans, processes, procedures, policies, and presence! From the simple distraction to the fall of empires, chaos has, and always will, be the thorn in our sides!

What can we do about this? Is there any way to fool-proof our dealings in life so as not to be ruined by chaos? I think not. Back in 1785, Robert Burns characterized this chaos in his great poem, “To a Mouse, on Turning Her Up in Her Nest with the Plough”, by writing “But little Mouse, you are not alone, in proving foresight may be vain. The best laid schemes of mice and men go often askew, and leave us nothing but grief and pain, for promised joy!”

So, the best laid plans…askew! Whether by divine intervention or just natural chaos, we can plan until the cows come home, but somehow, someway, chaos will often rear its ugly head! Does it happen all the time? Of course not! It finds pleasure in allowing us some of the promised joy, lulling us into a false sense of security…then, BANG! Knocks us down some notches! We get up, dust ourselves off, curse the very fact chaos exists, and try again. Oh, our humanity of persistence!

That is the one thing about chaos…though ever changing, it is the only constant that we share. At points throughout our lives, we have felt the hand of chaos on our schemes, even when they have been well planned. So, if this is a constant during our walk through the time given, then why is there such an impact of frustration, anger, and even defeat? We should know by now that at some point in our design on how we think life should go, that chaos will inevitably intervene and have its way with us. I would say this is the predictability of the unpredictable! In a future writing I will address one reason that it impacts us so harshly and why we react the way we do. (It’s called narcissism. A sometimes over inflated view of self-importance. Another time, though.)

So, in the present, we see this swarm fluttering all around our everyday, buzzing with the possible of changing our directions. It happens, and for some folks it happens more often than others. There is no pre-disposition to the ailment of chaos. It isn’t a contagion that we get by standing too close to someone afflicted (though people may argue that the fallout of one’s chaotic attack can be adverse enough to create a sense of chaos in their own life)! No matter what it is construed as, chaos exists, it affects, and it strikes anyone, anywhere, at any time!

The strength that chaos can have is given only by the reactions we have to it. The turkey slides off the serving tray onto the ground right before it’s time to eat. Chaos ensues! We can either crumble to the ground in utter defeat, allowing the tears of shattered dreams to wash all our intentions away, or, we can realize that our plan to serve may be altered, but the fact that our family and friends are there to share with us is so much bigger. Chaos might trip, but it can never replace. You may have lost something or someone, but chaos can never remove the memories and moments that mean so much more. We are supposed to give thanks during thanksgiving, no matter what chaos has done in the past or even the present. It’s when we lose sight of the precious, the true reality of what we have, that’s when chaos has truly won.

Don’t let the knowledge of impending chaos be the ruin in your heart. Our time is measured, and there are so many more important things to be thankful for.