For the Love of War

Love of money is the root of all evil ~ Loose translation of Christian Bible

Humans love to fight, we do it all the time. Through peace, war, in between those two, and if we survive long enough, in space. Some people would like to think that religion is the cause of most of our fights. Howbeit, if you were to take it out of the equation, you would still have fights. In a sense, it would be comforting to think that religion is to be blamed. If it was, it would make things much more simpler, and easier to fix the problems of the world. However, that is a false comfort, to hide how crazy humans are.

In life, people don't always fight over religion. Sometimes it's: Joe and Jerry fought over a banana. Joe was of this religion and Jerry was of that. When they fought, they asked for the courage to win this banana from their respective gods.

While they did that, Martha walked in. Martha is an atheist, this means that she believes that all the crazy unexplainable things in life, are explainable, and no one, so to speak, is pulling the strings. Seeing, Joe and Jerry fight, she heard them utter their gods to give them strength. Hearing this she believes that they war, not for the banana, but for their gods.

However, what really happened is that they are fighting over a banana and not over religion. Rather, that they so happen to be of different religions. The thing is, that banana is very tasty. If you were desperate to have a banana, it is only natural that you would evoke something very precious to you.

With Martha, she will walk away with a wrong analyst of the situation. Furthermore, Martha has a past with religion, she was raised with it. Whether it didn't sit well with her or she had a negative experience with it, it's hard to tell. Whatever it was, now she is biased to religion. She won't admit it, but it is there, rightly or wrongly. Will she see what is really going on with Joe and Jerry? Most likely not.

Ultimately, the problems of the world cannot be attributed to one factor, the world is not that simplistic. Additionally, wars are complicated things. Is religion to be blamed? Yes, no. Yes, because people have fought wars over religion. No, because money is not a religion, and that is why all wars are fought fundamentally. Does this excuse religion? No. However, what it does is, expose that human nature is to be blamed. Furthermore, if we credit war solely to religion, we will only try to solve one aspect of war. Leaving other problems very much at large. Overall, religion is a gun, whether it is in the hands of sweet loving grandma or the local serial killer, is to be seen.

Singing Is Breathing

The only thing better than singing is more singing. ~ Ella Fitzgerald

It's funny when you turn on the Tv, the two shows that will always be showing is, beside reality Tv shows, is cooking and singing; always singing. The two go hand in hand, and they are equally important. Whether singing while cooking, or while cleaning the aftermath. Whatever it be, sounds are part of humans, and humans are made of sound.

Many talk about singing, everyone sings, and even those who some wish wouldn't . Singing relieves stress and makes one content. It's impossible to live without singing: it's art, it's soul, it's human. It's something that can easily go across culture, just like food. Food and singing, truly one of the best parts of humanity. It can bring out the best, or unite us under a common banner.

It's really hard to explain why someone should sing. The easiest way to describe it would be like this: Imagine, happiness is lodged in your throat, you might not know it, but it's there. You have the choice to release it, or keep it there. While that may sound wild, it's rather true. This is so, as singing releases good feelings, so that it works like the same feelings a gym bunny or a druggy get. There are so many reasons to sing, that it far outweighs the reasons not to.

The sad thing about singing is that some would stop singing. Whether through great sadness or fear. Either one, is saddening that one's voice would stop. In many ways, a tragedy. This can be from people telling that they have no voice, or that one's spirit is so down. However, truth be told, there is no such thing as a bad voice, and there is no such thing as a dead soul. For the bad voice, it's only lack of cultivation, training, and limited range.The low spirit, it is something a bit more complicated, but singing with others can fix that to.

With fixing a voice, it's really a matter of stretching the voice or deciding to work on it. Whether you choose to learn from a teacher or by yourself, it's really just about singing. Even up to the point, where your just singing like a drunk. If that's your starting point, good! The important thing is just starting somewhere.

In addition, sometimes it's best not to do it in front of others. Sometimes what they say is a bit too much, especially if your shy. Instead, slowly building it up. Whatever it be, you must choose to keep on singing, for if you live without it, the world will look gray. Furthermore, your voice is an instrument that can be brought any where. Thus an instrument of happiness, that can be brought wherever you are.

To live a life with song, is to live a life with joy and happiness. Lifting your spirits and sometimes others. If you feel that your not experiencing life properly, take up singing. For in it is the words that the soul cannot express. 

All things considered, a voice in training is a voice in training, and may not always sound nice. However, a voice in training is a voice that will flourish one day or tomorrow. All, which can be forgiven and forgotten, with diligence, reverb, and auto-tune.

Dear God, A Letter From the People

If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent Him. ~ Voltaire

If there was 100% proof that God was real what would you do? In the course of human history, it has been fraught with tales of gods, goddesses, and higher beings. If God did show on your door what would you do really? Would you swear at this entity, talk, hide, or would you try and kill him for what he has done or not done?

Science cannot prove that God does exist or doesn't exist. In sense, it is rather amusing that it is so, as you have the religious and the atheist arguing. Then again,  it can get rather irritating, but sometimes it can be quite humorous; having a yelling contest of what hasn't been recorded in camera or picture.

In honesty, there are so many arguments about God, to the point it would be impossible to mention all of them. Some people say that God doesn't exist and that we are all Gods, because we can change the world. Others say that He is a She. Whatever it be, everyone has all their different ideas.

However, what would you do if a God decided to park just outside of Earth? It would be quite shattering for everyone: For the Atheist who didn't believe and for those who had a different God outside their planet to their religion. Besides those individuals, someone would probably try nuking God, others would want to prove it's not real or dissect it, while some would worship.

Howbeit, if the ideal that God is omnipresent true, it means that He has been everywhere always. Does it change anything that you can see Him? It would not make it anymore legitimate the claims of those who claim to be His mouthpiece. Also, if He was always around originally, that means that talking to Him just outside Earth wouldn't change things. It would be business as usual. The only thing that would change really is how you perceive a God. Maybe making it into a Christmas like thing: Believe in Santa Claus so he can bring presents.

Ultimately, God is near as far just as you perceive. For He is either there or He isn't there. For if you believe that He is real, He would be everywhere and in anything. However, if you didn't believe He was real, he wouldn't be in anything or everything.

Flourishing, and Not Surviving In Your Environment

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.~ Maya Angelou

The world is a dark and dangerous place. While that may sound a tab bit melodramatic, there are a lot of nasty people out there. So much to an extent it's easier to be cynical and turn reclusive. However, that is no excuse really to be jerk about things. While the chips may be down for being a good person, it's worth it. If you give it time, you'll have everyone singing with you.

As humans we are like batteries. Whatever you plug into or hang around, you end up soaking it in. Whether you willingly or unwillingly desire it. With working, or spending around people who are not very nice, it can rub off onto you. Making it hard to come clean and be free from things you would rather leave behind.

Since this happens, it's important that you charge up everyday to face what you face every day. Although you cannot pick who you spend time with always, balance the people who you don't want to be with those who you want to be. Other techniques are, spending somewhere quite and do some soul searching, mentally sorting things, cleaning up things and chucking things out. Also, taking a walk with a lot of greenery also is pretty good; Smelling the sites and just having that quiet. Letting things just go, choosing to release things, unhealthy things that are just best gone.

The trick really, is learning to limit certain things. Opening one door and closing another so that you don't end up facing two wars on a different front. The reason this is so important is that so the world doesn't bring you down. For if you are brought down, you may find others fall too. That is why you must recharge your batteries, brush away things, and let things be gone. Otherwise things will get too much, it'll all build up, and when that one bad day happens you'll fall apart. However, if you're prepared and regularly detox from all the junk that life throws at you, you can instead flourish.

 In life, it can be tough out there in the world, but hey your a flower. A flower that if you take care off, and treat well can flourish anywhere; a gladdening sight for everyone.

Who We Are Today

 

The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do. ~ Walter Bagehot

What others say about you shouldn't define you. However, this doesn't means you take on the attitude that disregards others feelings or any authority. It's rather irritating that humans sometimes only have two extremes: Docile or really ferocious. Despite that, what people say don't and do matter. The problem is learning when to listen and when not to listen.

In life, people say hurtful things. Sometimes they don't say hurtful things and it still hurts. When that happens some people just start to not care for what other people say. While it might sound great that you are no longer bound by what people say, it's not really so.This does not free you to go to heights, which others were held back from. Rather when you stop caring what people think; You may inadvertently start stepping on everyone's toes.

We should care what people think as they are very much in our lives. However, we have to learn to balance and ignore the rubbish that spews out of people's mouths. The trick is learning to notice who actually speaks wisdom and who doesn't. In general, you'll learn how to notice those who wish you truly well, and those who only speak with words, to cause death. You might not always notice them, but it certainly helps being able to filter things out.

With people who wish you harm, it's best to block out what they say. Especially, if they're attacking you, and not being constructive at all. It's really best for everyone to avoid talking to such characters. Otherwise, you sink to their level. This doesn't mean that you won't have people who can be mean, and yet say constructive things. It won't always be effective, but it can help filter things to a reasonable amount. Sometimes if what people are saying just gets to you too much, just walk away. Take a breather, sometimes you might not have the option, but any chance to recuperate should be taken.

We have to listen to what people say, it's polite, we share the same planet. It's something you just have to bear. In those moments you have to keep chin up, always see the humorous side of things. Sometimes you can share the humorous side of things, and you get what that quote says: Laughing men, are not dangerous men. It can get hard, but one just has to learn to learn to listen. To choose whether to carry on after the first initial words that someone speaks or to stay.

 To sum it up, it's really about ignoring those don't matter and listening to those that matter. Howbeit, that doesn't mean that you can't give people the benefit of the doubt.

Bully For You

Bullies want to abuse you. Instead of allowing that, you can use them as your personal motivators. Power up and let the bully eat your dust. ~ Nick Vujicic

Most people do not wake up in the morning and say,”Thank God I'm a bully, I love this job!” Most people also don't wake up in the morning and say anything. Anyhow, the thing about bullies is this: Do they know what they are? Naturally of course most people do know, but honestly, would someone be willing to admit that they are one?

With being a bully, it can be categorized into four main areas. These four areas of bullying are: cyber, physical, social, and covert. Cyber bullying, is bullying someone online or through some form of technology, physical is your typical bullying where you see Bobby beating up Johnny, social is when the cool kids sit on one table and then run like the plague when you sit with them, and lastly, but not least, is covert bullying. Covert bullying is spreading rumors or lies about someone.

However, all the above doesn't really matter at all. The reason is that no one actually believes themselves a bully. Most people will not believe that they are bullies even if they are. The truth is not something people are willing to tell themselves. As a whole, bullies are despised group of people. 

The problem with all these campaigns, is that they never addresses how to really know if your a bully. Or even how a bully can look like anyone, and not just the stereotypical bully. The irony is that bullies could actually despise bullies, yet not know they are one. Most people are casual bullies. In fact everyone has been a bully before, you might just not know it.

Also, another flaw with bullying campaigns is that they aren't very clear. Stop bullying. Well that's nice, but how? It needs to be more concrete. While changing the wave might be nice, sometimes you have to change yourself so you can change the wave.

Victims usually can't change bullies, unless the roles reverse. And that is not really that great. The only thing you can really change is the victims. It might not be what people want to hear, but you will always be bullied. For every social place will have a bully or someone who has the potential until a victim walks in. If someone carries themselves a certain way, they will attract certain attention. The thing about bullying is that there must always be a bully and victim. If you remove one them out of the equation there is no bullying.

 Howbeit, just because you get rid of bully one does not mean you have won the war. If you get rid of one, another will pop up. Or if you stand up for someone who is being bullied he/she will just be bullied when your not around. Helping someone that day may be a life saver, but in general we should see the bigger picture.

All in all, anti-bullying campaigns should continue. However, maybe they need to be focused on something else. Bullying, over the years hasn't lessened, but increased. This doesn't mean that bullying should not be stopped or that you should let others be bullied. However, what it does mean is that people need to rethink how they see bullying. Bullying can be stopped, it's not impossible, but people will always be mean. It would seem to be better to help victims so that they can no longer be bullied.

No Right, No Wrong, No God For Shame

Right is right, and wrong is wrong, and when people start getting it confused, that means they need to sit down with some real people. ~ Chuck D

There are fundamental rules that shouldn't be broken. If you break them, there will be consequences. Like touching a red stove. Even though a thousand years past or a thousand years more past. Touching a red hot stove will still get you burnt. It does not matter: education, race, beliefs, religion, or deeds. It will just get anyone who touches it. It does not care how offended you are or how compassionate you are. So in the same manner, if you break certain rules, there will be a price to pay: You touch. You burn.

With how things are changing, people seem to think that change will be always good. So much so that they will induce change for the sake of change. Whether it be for worse or better. That is foolish. Very foolish. However, if one was to tell them otherwise, you would be accused of being old fashion and being a bigot.

Howbeit, some things should really just never be changed. People are constantly changing, and that's fine. However, what's not fine is what they are trying to change. If it works shouldn't we stick with it? If so, what if it's just how things should be? Not something that can be chosen.

Equally, why do people want to change the very foundations of things? It's vital to have a father figure and a mother figure in one's life. It doesn't matter where you find them or who they are, you just need them. Also, what does it matter that ten rules from some religion just work? Doesn't it make sense not to have addictions, swearing isn't always nice, people need rest every week, being polite to your parents can help people learn manners and respect, killing people is not really good for society, cheating on someone is not very nice, stealing is generally frowned upon in society, lying in court is illegal, lusting after someone's stuff or checking out someone's partner is rude. 

Those more or less are ten rules from a religion that is quite controversial. However, they are pretty sound rules. People argue that you don't need to have religion to know right and wrong. In reality though, it fails to mention how one is to teach people from right and wrong.

 Loving everyone is a pretty ambiguous rule to follow as a moral code. Especially when there are so many gray areas in the world. What do you do when you have to make a decision that will effect someone over the other in a not very loving manner? That is why you need rules. It's not that certain people have it right. It's rather that they have hit on the sweet spot. Just like scientist respecting an ancient Greek mathematics. They don't believe them because they are old but because they are right.  

It's not that there is a right way to do things. Rather there is a wrong way to do things. If you don't learn that somethings is wrong, you won't know something is right. Lastly, if your not willing to learn from the past: you tread a very dangerous path. One that can very well spell your destruction and those who follow you.

Trying To Count All the Ducks In the World

 

 We do not need to be heroes to save the world; all we need is humility, a critical view of the commercial and political interests of those who would mislead us into wrongdoing, and a sense of wonder. ~ John Burnside

Probably one of the saddest moments in life is when one realizes that you cannot save the world. To realize that some people have given up to trying to save the world, and worse still that others would see it damned. With this revelation, it can turn most into cynics and make many feel it's all hopeless. The problem though, it can sometimes stop any chance of this world being saved. For those that turn into cynics will then not even save what they can.

The world is a horrible place. However, that is also an incorrect analyzes. The reason so is that there are still many pockets of wonderful places. In fact, even the worse people in this world have good in them. Everyone and everything has good in it. However, sometimes it can be harder to find than others. Consequently, sometimes it needs special things and occasions for that good appear. Also, the good can be very elusive.

With the good being elusive it can cause people to only see the bad in the world. This can bring cynicism and it is daily reinforced by memories and the news. Howbeit, both of these things can produce false truths. With memories it would be that happy memories for some people can be harder to retrieve compared to the less pleasant moments. By the same token, it would be that the news will report on things that will cause more views. And what makes good views? Things that shock us or interest us.

The world is a pretty bad place, but it's not as bad as one would think. The world is filled with much evil and good. Yes, there is much evil, but has the good lessened? No, not at all, rather what has happened is that the good is only covered. Hidden away, because the way things are. With that covering it causes a heavier contrast to evil, so it looks like evil is ever present and ever towering.

In many ways with the world things have changed. In many ways, things have stayed the same. People still want to be loved, and people react well to kindness, whether it be a short amount or a constant flow. Ultimately, the world cannot be saved. For you can only save what has been lost, and the world is not lost, it only needs help finding the good. Lastly, if you look for evil, you will find evil, and if you look for good, you will find good. The question at the end of day is, what are you looking for?

When In A Blue Funk

A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

There are many despicable things in this life, one of them would be cowardliness. While cowardliness may not be seen as much as a result of the relative safety we live in. When it does rear it's ugly heads, it's still as shocking an equally as disgusting. For the thing about cowardliness is that it's being controlled by our baser fears. Even to the very extent sometimes, if not most of the time, at the cost of others' lives or health.That is why the yellow color, funk, chicken, or whatever you call it, will always be held with such contempt.

Society may be understanding or willing to listen both sides of the story, but whatever you want to call it, cowardliness is disgusting. Plain and simple. No words can justify it, and no words should protect it. For in essence, cowardliness means a person gave up.Furthermore, it's important to realize that cowardliness is not just feeling fear, it's actually listening to it, and enacting on it no matter the consequences.

While being scared is a common thing, cowardliness will do anything to get away from the thing that they fear. However, just because someone is scared does not make them a coward. If you fight against the fear, and even if means dragging your feet with your hands to move because your so scared. That does not make you a coward. 

In a sense, cowardliness and courage are two choices you are faced when your in absolute terror.One shows true selflessness and the other shows the worst of humanity. Those two choices will always be there in this life.

Additionally even if someone has been a coward, there is always hope for them. We all have done things that weren't brave. However, it's important to realize that even if you were being a coward for one minute, you can stop at the next. And so applies with trying to be brave for the very first time or the hundredth time. The effort is what really defines one from being courageous or being a coward.

If your scared, dig deep, be brave for the folks at home, and put one foot over the next. Keep doing that till you reach where you must. Don't think about anything else, just do what you must. Then you'll succeed. If you don't succeed at first, do it again.