July 4th... where will you be this Independance Day?

Great men and women have made the United States the country it is today... These men and women keep it that way... Happy Independence Day to all my American friends! Last time I flew, I saw a member of the United States Military sitting on the ground at the aiport terminal, listening to his tunes and waiting for his flight. He looked like a child. So young. I watched as so many people walked right by him, maybe they didn't notice him.. he was wearing his camo gear after all (yup blends right in to the wild decor of America's airports... Washington Dulles looks JUST like the desert - Heaven Knows there ain't much alcohol in the Nation's Capital). I made my way over to him, crossing the stream of people walking hurriedly on their way (like salmon going up a stream to mate - well, you never know what the purpose of some trips are now do you). I stopped at his feet and crouched down, creating an obstacle, understanding how rocks in a stream might feel as salmon jump over them in their frenzy (yeah, I know.. rocks don't have feelings... they don't right?). He looked up at me with a slight look of wonder on his face, such a young face. I felt a little twinge in my heart, I imagined how his mother, sisters, girlfriend might feel. I smiled at him and extended my hand, although the mom in me just wanted to reach out and hug him. He beamed back at me, and I caught a glimpse of the little boy he had once been, standing on the edge of a lake, skipping stones with his trusty dog by his side. I shook his hand, this boy, this man, this hero. All I could say was: 'Stay safe' He smiled, big, REAL big, and thanked me. I gave his hand an extra squeeze and said:'No, Thank YOU sweetie.' I let go of his hand, stood up and disrupted the flow of passers by and walked away, towards my next destination. I was going home to my family and I was going to hug them BIGTIME. (I looked back once, to take one of those mental pictures... so young). I get the feeling this hasn't happened to him very often if at all. Leave it to the Canadian to promote goodwill! (we are nice aren't we...) I don't know where he is today... Is he with friends and family, enjoying a backyard barbecue? Will he be holding his sweetheart in his arms as they watch the fireworks tonight? Or will he hear the sound of guns and bombs go off, the night sky filled with fire as he huddles with his comrades in arms, defending his flag. Remember the price of FREEDOM. And no matter how you may feel about that war, respect the soldier who would die for you, for your flag, your freedom, your right to disagree. Stay safe my friends. Enjoy your freedom. Thank a soldier. Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Dinero... and the Human Condition

BestAudioCodes.com Are humans solely motivated by money? Some people seem to think so. I read a comment on a blog I’ve found my way to through a dear friend and the comment disturbed me... I reread it thinking maybe I misinterpreted, but alas. Apparently, unless there is “l’appât du gain” ($$$), humans can never be better than average or mediocre. “Do not value money for any more nor any less than its worth; it is a good servant but a bad master.” ~Alexandre Dumas fils, Camille, 1852 We were having a discussion on socialism and it’s impact on the efficiency and adequacy of a medical system (I know.. and my brain didn’t even hurt!), and I was in full argument for argument’s sake mode (with a snarky comment thrown in here and there for good measure – anyone surprised by this? Forget I asked…). It was enjoyable and engaging but then this comment popped on. This was a comment posted on the blog and not authored by the blog owner, with whom I do not always agree but enjoy reading a great deal and respect. He does his research and stands by what he says. He may agree with the comment, but instead of hi-jacking the blog at the risk of turning into a “moonbat”, I had to express myself. And this is my space... so… So here’s the opinion put forth by my fellow reader (I am not linking to it, I’ll use quotes and well.. GREEN): “…socialism has a horrible track record of excellence in ANY profession, simply because there is no capitalistic motivation to excel.” So, since there isn’t the added motivation to excel associated with a bigger paycheck they couldn’t possibly strive for betterment (does no money automatically render one either lazy or dumb?). Track record? Where’s the data? I mean.. if you make a statement like that.. a blanket statement.. put your “money” where your mouth is and back it up! “The pure socialist society frowns on anyone exceeding the 'norm', since that may allow you to actually succeed beyond your neighbor...and that isn't "fair"”. Oh I see… In a socialist nation, where all individuals are forced to be the same, no one can excel, and they are all Cupey dolls (ok.. he didn’t call them that but hey.. it’s my space and this is the feeling I got from the post) that don’t use their brains to full capacity since no one can outshine the other by principle because it wouldn’t be “fair”!?. We are referring to Cuba here folks… “a pure socialist society”? Since when? “frowns on anyone exceeding the 'norm'” ? I don’t remember reading such a statement in Marxist theory either back when I went to college and shuddered every time I saw one of the (1,2,3,4.. I think there were 4) members of the Marxist-Leninist party walk into the common room. There you have it folks… That’s the comment that caused a visceral reaction and prompted this post, the other exchanges were challenging and interesting. “Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt So tell me dear readers, if there are any of you out there who work at a job that you love: is your sole motivation to excel to earn more money? Is that really all we are? All we have become? Because if so, I am deeply saddened and I grieve for the human condition. Let me make this perfectly clear. I am not a socialist, never have been. I recognize the flaws of the socialist ideology. But to state that people in “socialist” countries (you know, the dictatorships disguised as socialist countries) are doomed to be average, or basically no better than the weakest link in a given profession just because of a warped and misinterpreted ideology… well. At least tell me it’s because the education system is lacking and they aren’t given the proper tools and training to be good at anything (UNESCO statistics tell us this is not necessarily the case). They can’t be different from the norm and excel... it wouldn’t be “fair”?!?! Good grief! Maybe I’m wrong (oh the shock.. yes dear reader, I occasionally make a mistake – hey who typed that?) but I refuse to think of myself as a dog who will only perform bigger and better tricks to get a bigger and better treat. “Money can’t buy back all your youth when you’re old, a friend when you’re lonely, or peace to your soul. The wealthiest person, is a pauper at times compared to the man with a satisfied mind.” Satisfied mind – Jeff Buckley BestAudioCodes.com Self-actualization, satisfaction, pride… all reasons to excel. Yes a bigger paycheck might be nice, assuming I am healthy enough to enjoy my free time… should I have any… but there are so many reasons to excel besides money. Aren’t there? Can one actually say, that an economic and political model dooms its citizens to a state of mediocrity because they can never be better than the weakest link, because being better than another “wouldn’t be fair”? Can one seriously propose than the only motivation a human being has for bettering themselves and being the best they can be is a bigger paycheck? Can this be? Was this for love of money? Would you stand in front of a tank for money? Or freedom? Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall; Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the King's horses And all the King's men Couldn't put Humpty together again! Humpty Dumpty Sentado en un muro. Humpty Dumpty Se ha caído muy duro. Todos los caballeros Y jinetes del rey, Fueron a levantarlo Y no pudieron con él. I take no pleasure in the pain of others... but the symbolism makes my heart soar. Life, music, … And now for something.. well not completely different.. but with this heavy stuff I had to have some humour… If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading. I love you all more than my luggage (even the expensive kind)! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Rest

My mother has joined the ranks of the Angels. Her soul was freed from a body that caused her a great deal of pain at 13h35 this afternoon. I was there to hold her hand and kiss her as she passed. She is now with the ones she loves who have gone before her and prepared her place. I feel her guiding me in the right direction. Thank you for all the kind and wonderful words of love and support... I love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!