Life can be defined as that which adapts and changes its nature irrevocably (i.e., evolves) in response to changes in its environment.
Family means people who love, respect, trust and depend on one another.
What is, is not always what was meant to be. Let's assess what we find around us.
The best question comes out of the last answer. Listen!
Without forgiveness for those who sincerely petition it, there is no real compassion nor humanity, just small-minded self-serving.
Achieving maturity is the process of replacing value systems imposed on the child with those we chose based on our own life experiences.
How to select a candidate to support: (a) not a religious fundamentalist, (b) supports the right to privacy, equal protection before the law, and due process, and (c) personal characteristics such as good judgment, capable person, admits mistakes and takes responsibility, tolerant (and celebratory) of differences, and "plays fair"
It is human nature that (a) for men everything comes down to a competition for a woman, and (b) for women, the "chain of life"?
It is also human nature, that no matter how insane an idea may be, there is always one lunatic (let's face it, man) ready to try it.
Men like women with flash, sass and panache. But also with humanity, compassion, insight, humor, and intellect and emotional content.
Aggression is the exercise of violence, intimidation and manipulation.
American character is highly flavored with willful ignorance, nastiness and greed. This is the only reason the Republican Party still exists.
Happiness comes from the forgiveness we extend to others who have harmed us and the forgiveness we grant ourselves for our own faults and shortcomings.
Advertising is commercial propaganda. Political advertising is deceit and manipulation aimed at presumed anger buttons of the electorate.
Do all you can with the values and talents you have in the place you are with the time you have.
Per a Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell interview, human perception breaks down into didactics (setting apart, criticizing, intellectualizing and classifying), beholding (in the zone, peak experience, sublime, rapture) and pornography (possessing, full of oneself).
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Public Service Announcement:
Signs of a Developing Problem with Alcohol
(General Sequence with Minor Variations by Individual)
drinks with friends
knows when to stop
is able to stop
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sometimes is affected by peer pressure
drinks with strangers (bars, etc.)
increased tolerance (more alcohol needed for the same “high”)
------
sometimes continues drinking beyond “planned high”
risky behaviors, consequences occasionally exceed benefits
first period of alcohol induced amnesia (“blackout”, that is, drinking and related activities continue for a period of which the person has no recollection afterward)
beginning to “sneak” drinks, awareness that others might notice a problem
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activities begin to be organized around drinking opportunities
denial takes the form of comparing drinking habits to those of others worse off
drinking becomes a preoccupation, on the mind most of the time
binge drinking begins (large quantities in one sitting, gulping drinks)
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loss of control (can no longer accurately predict when drinking will stop)
loss of old friends, new drinking friends
often drinks alone
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isolates by choice and lifestyle
consequences routinely exceed benefits
denial takes the form of stopping for short periods to convince self everything is under control
may switch from alcohol to another drug
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deterioration of self-esteem and appearance
deep-seated depression
personality changes
health problems, job problems, family problems, legal problems
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admits defeat, accepts alcohol’s central place in life, refuses to give it up
makes sure alcohol is always within easy reaching distance
drinks to relieve withdrawal symptoms
meaningful life ends
