• About Moi?

blogsense-by-barb

~ at the Re-Birth of America!

blogsense-by-barb

Tag Archives: kindness

A Nation Divided … Part 2

28 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by blogsense-by-barb in America, Attitudes, blogsense, censorship/political correctness, Character, Current Events, integrity, Leadership, Lifestyle

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

amorality, chaos, compromise, constitution, courage, freedom, generosity, greed, honor, Intergity, kindness, lawlessness, moral compromise, moral gulf, rebellion, selfishness

UnitedWeStand

A Nation divided against itself cannot stand …

Integrity. I hear a lot of banter around the political candidates concerning integrity. Who has it? Who fakes it? Why is integrity important?

Americans are angry and dissatisfied with the way business is done these days in Washington DC, and rightly so. We’ve been lied to and in many cases, deliberately misled. We are pandered to and patronized and treated like ignorant children by those high and mighty supposed “public servants.” But… what do we really want?

Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.

Uh oh! I see the problem. Do you?

A Nation divided against itself cannot stand …

choosing integrityWe say we want integrity, but how can we have integrity without moral principles? If morality is subjective, how can integrity exist?

I don’t want to be subject to your morality, and you don’t want to be measured by my morality. We are at an impasse.

Divisions have always existed in civilizations. Rich/poor, tall/short, young/old, etc. and divisions are not necessarily a bad thing. But the division (singular) we are witnessing in America (and elsewhere,) goes much deeper.

Our Founders referred to “unalienable rights endowed by our Creator,” but it is not politically correct to “force” someone’s ambiguous concept of deity on a society. What Creator? God? Which god? So again, we are at an impasse. If we deny that our rights are endowed by our Creator, where did they come from?

There has been a deliberate hammering over the last few decades, yes decades, maybe longer, the driving of a wedge between people, between ideologies. It is not between rich and poor. It is not between Democrats and Republicans. It is not between races. It is not between the various religions. It is much simpler, much deeper, and much more sobering. It has been happening slowly throughout my lifetime. Look around at how values have changed. Americans once sought virtue, moral strength, character. Now, we seek comfort, leisure, and material gain.

When asked whether the “state of moral values in the country as a whole is getting better or worse,” 72 percent said that they believe that the paradigm is worsening, while, in contrast, just 22 percent said that it is improving. More HERE!

On one side of this moral gulf is chaos, greed, selfishness, lawlessness, rebellion. On the other is structure, kindness, generosity, courage, honor, lawfulness, and … Integrity.

Do you remember when then President Bill Clinton was caught with his pants down? America collectively gasped. “How dare he … in the White House, too!” Noise was made about his indecency, but with the help of our all-but-state-run-press, we came to accept it and moved on. Just one example of our moral compromise.

“What we are seeing in our politics is the predictable result of what occurs when institutions, philosophies and faiths that once united us have either died or have been so co-opted by other considerations that when they’re most needed they lack the power to come to our rescue.” More HERE!

A house divided … moral compromise

crumbling flag

Will we watch America crumble because of our selfishness?

The media has its “champions,” the Democrat party backs Hillary, but who does the Republican party back? Logically, it should back the leader, but if that is repugnant to them, they ought to back #2. Why don’t they? Could it be because the party doesn’t like Cruz’s conservative values, and they don’t believe Trump is a conservative at all.

I suggest this indecision is authored and fed by the media pushing THEIR choices on us. People, we are in deep doo doo, and sinking fast into the pools of our our ignorance and willful blindness. Our leaders are simply a reflection of our own indecision. We cannot have both freedom and amorality. We must choose or Hillary will win … and may God help us!

A Nation divided against itself cannot stand …

Advertisement

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
  • More
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

9 Ways to Become Happy

13 Thursday Mar 2014

Posted by blogsense-by-barb in America, Attitudes, blogsense, Character, Christianity, Courage, Culture, Faith, FREEDOM, Issues, life, People, thoughts, Women's Issues

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

9 Ways to Become Happy, changes, compassionate, contentment, depression, despair, discouragement, goodness, grief, harassment, hopelessness, humble, humility, humilty, joy, kindness, life answers, life struggles, life-liberty-and-the-pursuit-of-happiness, LONELINESS, morality, mourning, persecution, poor in spirit, suicide, Teacher

happiness9-aristotle

9 Ways to Become Happy

Who among us does NOT want to be happy? Silly question! Happiness is a universal goal or desire of mankind something all humans have in common. Even our “Declaration of Independence” includes happiness in its list of “unalienable rights” guaranteed by our Creator.

What IS happiness? The dictionary defines it as good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy. Some people define happiness in terms of achievement of personal goals like a six figure salary, or a new car. Others seek that perfect relationship (which, btw, does not exist!) Some seek temporary gratification by putting others down or using the weaker ones around us for our personal advantage. Still others just want everyone to agree with them … on everything!

Whatever your definition, I’d be willing to bet it includes some element of human comfort, so as I post these 9 methods toward happiness, you may find them foreign. They are, however, proven over centuries in a variety of cultures and circumstances.

9 Ways to Become Happy

  • “Happy are people who are hopeless, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. (or “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.”)
  • “Happy are people who grieve, because they will be made glad. (or “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.)
  • “Happy are people who are humble, because they will inherit the earth.(or “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.)
  • “Happy are people who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be fed until they are full. (or “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.)
  • “Happy are people who show mercy, because they will receive mercy. (or “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.)
  • “Happy are people who have pure hearts, because they will see God. (or “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.)
  • “Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God’s children. (or “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.)
  • “Happy are people whose lives are harassed because they are righteous, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. (or “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.)
  • “Happy are you when people insult you and harass you and speak all kinds of bad and false things about you, all because of me. Be full of joy and be glad, because you have a great reward in heaven. In the same way, people harassed the prophets who came before you. (or “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.)

WOW, huh?

These are commonly known as “The Beatitudes,” a message delivered by Jesus. Most Americans have some knowledge of Jesus, and even if they do not believe Him to be the Son of GOD, as He claimed to be, they see Him as a great Teacher.

happiness_responsible

Maybe He’s on to something here, eh? With suicide rates up, depression, despair, & discouragement overtaking the lives and hearts of many Americans, perhaps our culture’s compass has become skewed? Perhaps, all the “selfish feel good” mentality is counter productive? Maybe money isn’t the answer to all our problems, after all. Maybe it’s time for a new direction, as taught by an ancient wise “Teacher?”

How badly do you want to Be HAPPY? Badly enough to try a different way of thinking? A different way of living? You decide.

**NOTE: The BEATITUDES are found in Matthew 5: 3-12. The versions shown above include the Living Bible and the Message Bible is in parenthesis above, linked for your convenience.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
  • More
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

♫ That’s Why I Pray ♫

22 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by blogsense-by-barb in America, Articles, Attitudes, Big Government, blogsense, censorship/political correctness, Character, Courage, Culture, Current Events, Issues, Leadership, Lifestyle, National Security, news, Obama, Opinion, People, Women's Issues

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

America's Psychosis, bullying, call to prayer, faith, forgiveness, God, kindness, mass shootings, mental illness, prayer, second amendment

Heritage-of-Prayer

“That’s Why I Pray”

Oh oh oh oh, oh oh, yeah

Man on the TV’s gone insane, everybody’s just laughing
People ‘cross the world holding on
The earth caved in, the ocean came down crashing
My neighbor lost his house ’cause he can’t find a job
Don’t you dare pledge allegiance, don’t you dare speak of God
Speak of God
Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!

Obamanomics Kills Jobs as GOP Dithers

    “If it weren’t for a shamelessly dishonest, hyper-protective liberal media, the American people would know, unanimously and without doubt, that Obamanomics is killing American jobs. There is no silver lining in the December jobs numbers.

    Experts and analysts were expecting this latest jobs report, released Friday, to show 200,000 new payroll jobs in December, but there were only 74,000, which is 37 percent of the goal. Not 90 percent, not 80, not 70, not even 50 percent. Just 37 percent.

    If these abominable numbers had occurred under George W. Bush’s watch, the GOP would have had hell to pay for decades. But liberal presidents always get a pass in the form of wildly far-fetched excuses and rationalizations for their failed policies.

    Attentive minds, however, will not be fooled. As the liberal media live by the dishonest rationalization, so they must die by it, as well. With the help of sympathetic economists, they have been whitewashing Obama’s perennially anemic economy as being in “recovery” for 52 months now.” Read MORE

♫ “That’s Why I Pray” ♫

Now I’m begging for forgiveness
I wanna make a difference even in the smallest way
I’m only one person, but I can feel it working
I believe in better days
That’s why I pray

Some stupid video posted as a joke, somebody’s life gets ruined
Out of everything we can create
Where is the cure to keep the sick from losing
Babies having babies ’cause their parents are always gone
Somehow we have forgotten how to make a house a home
How to make a house a home
Oh! Oh! Yeah! Yeah!

THINK

    Seems “bullying” is in the news every week as either a teen commits suicide or a politician uses “bullying” language in reference to an opponent or opposition party. If “bullying” is defined as someone acting loudly arrogant and overbearing, then many in the headlines fall into that category. Problem is, we, as adults, are teaching our kids how to bully and when to bully, and it starts in the White House! Until we, as adults, remember we are all Americans & we all have a voice, our kids will pay the price for our bigotry.

    Moral Intelligence and Public School Bullying

      “On December 4, 2013 Randi Weingarten, president of the 1.5-million member American Federation of Teachers (AFT), spoke on C-Span about bullying, particularly of gay students. Ms. Weingarten said, with surprise in her voice, that she doesn’t understand why gay students are still bullied in public schools, because in 2013, “It’s cool to be gay.” She also said she is gay, and now speaks about it openly.

      As a psychotherapist, I tell clients that being surprised by another person’s behavior often results from erroneous assumptions about the person, usually because you see them as you want them to be rather than as they are. As Ms. Weingarten talked about the love that not only dares speak its name but never shuts its yap, I imagined how it would sound if a heterosexual male schoolteacher said, “The way I do sex is cool.” Read MORE

    ♫ “That’s Why I Pray” ♫

    I’m begging for forgiveness, I wanna make a difference
    Even in the smallest way
    I’m only one person, but I can feel it working
    I believe in better days
    That’s why I pray, yeah
    That’s why I pray, yeah

    These demons from my past haunt me every night
    And I just can’t get through it
    If I could forget them on my own, I’ll let go and just move on
    But heaven knows I am only human

      Politicians have chosen to make firearms an issue in place of the more controversial issue of Mental illness. In doing so, they totally miss the point in an attempt to distract the public and give a semblance of “taking action!” We, as Americans, must demand better! Our streets are littered with people … human beings who have lost their way by means of mental illness, not to be confused with substance abuse!

      Mass Shootings: America’s Psychosis

      After every mass shooting, I write a variant of the same column. Perhaps I’ll republish this one when the next attack happens.

      The increase in mass shootings over the course of the past several decades is not imaginary. In 2000, The New York Times analyzed 100 mass shootings between 1949 and 1999 and found that 73 of them had happened since 1990. Since 2000, according to Mother Jones magazine, there have been 33 more, including the recent massacre at the Navy Yard. The majority of the killers have untreated mental illness. Read MORE

    ♫ “That’s Why I Pray” ♫

    And that’s why I pray, yeah yeah
    That’s why I pray, I pray, I pray, I pray

    Yes I’m begging for forgiveness (I’m begging for forgiveness)
    I just wanna make a difference (Just wanna make a difference)
    I believe (I believe) in better days
    That’s why I pray

    Music & Lyrics(in italics) by BIG & RICH

    Please PRAY, now more than ever …

  • for this nation,
  • for our fellow Americans,
  • for our leaders – both elected and otherwise.
  • Share this:

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    • Print
    • More
    • Reddit
    • Tumblr
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest

    Like this:

    Like Loading...

    * The Homeless Angels *

    03 Friday Jan 2014

    Posted by blogsense-by-barb in America, Articles, Attitudes, blogsense, Character, citizenship, Culture, Current Events, life, Lifestyle, Musings, People, Women's Issues

    ≈ 8 Comments

    Tags

    homeless in America, homeless Vets, homelessness, kindness, opportunity, The Homeless Angels, Who is my neighbor

    battle creek camp

    NOTE: In search for practical applications of common basic human dignity and respect. What can one person do?

    Why I Return to the Streets Each Year
    to Help the Homeless

    Eight years ago, I fell upon hard times and ended up homeless in Lansing, Mich., for six months of my life.

    I was too ashamed to tell my family or friends when I lost my house so I didn’t ask for help. Instead, I lived in parking lots and tents with other people on the street. It’s definitely rough out there and there is a lot of mental illness and violence, but I also met people who weren’t much different from me. That really stuck with me. I also built great relationships and connections that I couldn’t break.

    Three years ago, I decided to do something to help the people who were still out there. I spent a week in November 2010 walking the streets of Lansing, giving out blankets and coats, talking to people who didn’t have homes and sleeping outside with them. I shared the whole thing through posts, photos and videos on Facebook. I wanted people to see what homelessness really is.

    I’ve continued to do this for a week in November every year since. I give people the knowledge to get off the streets and help them to go to a shelter. I want to provide a meal, I want to provide warmth, and I want provide a way for the public to see what the need is. There’s so much misunderstanding about what homelessness is and isn’t. I give people a window into the reality, while personally helping as many people on the streets as I can.

    Building a relationship with the homeless is what I do... friendship is not a service that shelters offer but us angels make it a point to be there for our brothers and sisters!! The is someone's father,brother, son and at some point in there life they were loved.. We bringing that love back one person at a time!!

    Building a relationship with the homeless is what I do… friendship is not a service that shelters offer but us angels make it a point to be there for our brothers and sisters!!
    The is someone’s father,brother, son and at some point in there life they were loved.. We bringing that love back one person at a time!!

    Each year that I’ve done this, more people in my network and the community have gotten involved. This year I went out from Nov. 11 to Nov. 17, and saved 25 souls from the streets of Lansing in seven days. I decided to keep the effort going with my buddy Jessep and start a non-profit: The Homeless Angels.

    A local shelter has donated office space to us for our outreach to the homeless. Before Thanksgiving, we collected 400 bags of clothes and more than 75 complete meals for the needy. We also recently held a telethon to raise money for hotel rooms for homeless families. At the telethon, we had a Santa and Mrs. Claus there for kids, and we gave out nearly 400 new toys we collected. Thanks to community donations, we were able to place two families and two single people in hotel rooms for a month. We assign “angels” to each person or family that we help get off the streets. These angels help with basic needs and getting people where they need to go. Other people we help get into shelters.

    Giving people kindness and opportunity is everything. I want people on the streets to know that there’s a huge group of people who care about them and are willing to do something to help. We’re going to keep getting more angels involved and one day I hope to expand to have chapters in other areas.

    If you want to help The Homeless Angels or follow their efforts, visit Facebook.com/HomelessAngels.

    I continue to go out at night after work at the General Motors Delta Plant and do whatever is possible to help. For one man, that was taking him for his first haircut in two years before he went to his brother’s funeral. For another, that was putting a call out on Facebook asking for size 11 boots and having a pair donated and delivered in under an hour.

    Stunning VIDEO


    Share this:

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    • Print
    • More
    • Reddit
    • Tumblr
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest

    Like this:

    Like Loading...

    ♫ Like a Rock ♫

    03 Friday Jan 2014

    Posted by blogsense-by-barb in American, Attitudes, blogsense, Character, Congress, Culture, Current Events, FREEDOM, Issues, life, Lifestyle, music, People, politics, Women's Issues

    ≈ 3 Comments

    Tags

    Bob Seger, character, community-service, compassion, goodness, Helping others, homeless, integrity, kindness, Like a Rock, mentally ill, music, neighbors, service, stand, take stand, truth

    quote-Alexander-Hamilton-those-who-stand-for-nothing-fall-for-687

    ♫ Like a Rock ♫

    Popular approval of Congress has reached an all time low as Americans reel under the vast scope of myriad scandals and lies perpetrated by this Administration. Yes! We have seen corruption before. Yes, we’ve been lied to before. Yes, we’ve even seen huge character flaws in our leaders before, but never … NEVER to the depth and scope to which we’re seeing today.

    ♫ Like a Rock ♫

    Why? What has changed? What has happened to allow or facilitate such widespread corruption?

    ♫ Like a Rock ♫

    Will a building stand if its foundation is compromised?

    ♫ Like a Rock ♫

    Will a traveler reach his destination without first plotting his course & naming his destination?

    ♫ Like a Rock ♫

    Can a nation long survive which has shredded its moral compass and floats aimlessly on sentimentalism?

    ♫ Like a Rock ♫

    Perhaps innocently, perhaps with vile intent, social mores held firm throughout global civilizations over thousands of years, have suddenly (over the past few decades) come into question. GOD was declared dead April 8, 1966, and since that time, little by little, the once universal boundaries of Right & Wrong, have blurred. What was once, not more than generation ago, accepted behavior, has become “Old-fashioned” and “intolerant.”

    Funny thing is, GOD is no place defined in our Founding documents, and the early Framers each held different personal beliefs. They intentionally kept all reference to GOD ambiguous so various individual beliefs might be adapted and accepted.

    ♫ Like a Rock ♫

    Values2

    • The point is CHARACTER.
    • The point is GOALS … self-improvement … serving others.
    • The point is standing for something bigger than yourself.
      The point is growing in personal integrity and service to the community… by choice, rather than by mandate.
    • The point … is standing firm on some defined principles that are other aware.

    ♫ Like a Rock ♫

    Without a firm foundation to stand on, the tides of political correctness too easily blow us around until we find ourselves … surrounded by Corruption. Like so many of our political leaders, bought and sold to the highest bidder, we, too, succumb to the popular trends and thoughts, victims of popular opinion.

    How did we get here? We allowed it by our own compromise.

    ♫ Like a Rock ♫

    Take a stand for GOODNESS
    Take a stand for KINDNESS
    Take a stand for TRUTH
    Take a stand for COMPASSION
    Take a stand for your Neighbor, for the Homeless, for the mentally infirmed … to be personally involved!

    ♫ Like a Rock ♫

    Find something bigger than yourself worth STANDING FOR, worth giving your life’s passion to support, worth working toward and Take a Stand.

    “We must stop acting like children.
    We must not let deceitful people trick us by their false teachings,
    which are like winds that toss us around from place to place.”

    Eph 4:14 CEV


    ♫ Like a Rock ♫

    Words and music by Bob Seger

    Stood there boldly
    Sweatin’ in the sun
    Felt like a million
    Felt like number one
    The height of summer
    I’d never felt that strong
    Like a rock

    I was eighteen
    Didn’t have a care
    Working for peanuts
    Not a dime to spare
    But I was lean and
    Solid everywhere
    Like a rock

    My hands were steady
    My eyes were clear and bright
    My walk had purpose
    My steps were quick and light
    And I held firmly
    To what I felt was right
    Like a rock

    Like a rock, I was strong as I could be
    Like a rock, nothin’ ever got to me
    Like a rock, I was something to see
    Like a rock

    And I stood arrow straight
    Unencumbered by the weight
    Of all these hustlers and their schemes
    I stood proud, I stood tall
    High above it all
    I still believed in my dreams

    Twenty years now
    Where’d they go?
    Twenty years
    I don’t know
    Sit and I wonder sometimes
    Where they’ve gone

    And sometimes late at night
    When I’m bathed in the firelight
    The moon comes callin’ a ghostly white
    And I recall
    I Recall …

    Like a rock. standin’ arrow straight
    Like a rock, chargin’ from the gate
    Like a rock, carryin’ the weight
    Like a rock

    Like a rock, the sun upon my skin
    Like a rock, hard against the wind
    Like a rock, I see myself again
    Like a rock

    Share this:

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    • Print
    • More
    • Reddit
    • Tumblr
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest

    Like this:

    Like Loading...

    Want to Change Future History?

    25 Sunday Aug 2013

    Posted by blogsense-by-barb in America, Attitudes, blogsense, Character, Community interest, Culture, history, life, Musings

    ≈ 11 Comments

    Tags

    "other" awareness, change history, community, GET INVOLVED, Helping others, kindness, service

    kindness Lg

    SERVICE

    One look at our recent American culture and one concept is abundantly clear. We have become a fearful, myopic society. We’re self-centered, self-consumed, and self-absorbed. We are encouraged by all that surrounds us to JUDGE one another, to separate the population into groups or “collectives” and turn against one another because of our differences. And the up side of this is … ? Exactly what is the benefit of all this hatred and division?

    As a woman of faith, it is my goal to imitate my God, to live as He lives, to love as He loves. This lead me to think about the gulf between the urge to be “of service” and that of myopic America. The difference is so simple! OTHERS!

    Children are naturally myopic, selfish, but as we mature, we should become increasingly aware of the needs of others. It’s called “Other-awareness” in the education or psychology fields, but in life, it’s just growing up. If society doesn’t encourage us to mature in this way, however, it is unlikely to occur. What we are seeing now is a nation of people whose psychological development has been stunted by a shift in morality from others to ourselves.

    change-historyThere are as many different ways to “serve” one another as there are individuals. We are each unique, and uniquely gifted. Some enjoy cooking and making a little extra to share with a neighbor is a joy. Some have organizational abilities and can help other start businesses or clean homes. Some are good with small children while others are better with Seniors who need assistance. Like a pond without an outlet, we grow smelly if we do not give of what we have received. Our “richness” grows stagnant and moldy unless we find an outlet, a way to serve.

    If each person who reads this article decides to become a giver, a public servant or a neighbor, we can change the current drift of our nation toward oblivion. If we commit to this change and seek opportunities to help one another, kindness will spread and multiply because that is its nature! If we can do this, the government won’t have to!

    givingService might be a position of employment or a volunteer position. It can be a regularly scheduled event or a random occasion. Service might be scrubbing toilets or teaching children. It can be at a Senior Citizens high rise or a Veterans center, making meals for a disadvantaged mother or picking up groceries for a “shut-in.” The cool thing is, each of us “see” a need in our community. It’s like a burr under a horse’s saddle that rubs and rubs until it’s dealt with. Whatever that “burr” is to you is most likely the way you are designed to help your neighbors and your nation. Get involved. Find a way to give. Find someone who needs your help, and then do it with a joyful heart and watch history change!

    Share this:

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    • Print
    • More
    • Reddit
    • Tumblr
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest

    Like this:

    Like Loading...

    Road Rage & Cousins

    21 Thursday Mar 2013

    Posted by blogsense-by-barb in America, Attitudes, blogsense, censorship/political correctness, Character, citizenship, Community interest, conservative, education, Family values, FREEDOM, life, music, Opinion, Parenting, People, thoughts, TRUTH, videos

    ≈ 2 Comments

    Tags

    America, choices, control, COURTESY, Grow up, IMPERFECTION, kindness, out of control, plan ahead, road rage, Self-control, self-government, unacceptable behavior

    outofcontrol
    Ever been on either side of a “Road Rage” incident? Someone cuts you off and nearly drives you into another car or obstacle? Or maybe someone forgets to signal for a turn and you wait and wait … then they turn! It’s enough to make your blood boil, right? Of course it is! You’re justified in your feelings, so what’s your response? Do you pound the steering wheel and let loose a string of colorful words? Do you flip the “idiot” the bird? Do you ram his car from behind?

    road-rageWhat if it’s YOU? What if YOU’RE the one who forgot to signal because you were engrossed in a conversation on our phone? What if YOU are the one who lost concentration for a second and pulled out in front of an oncoming vehicle? Never done it? I have! I confess! Not often, but it has happened.

    Most of us ave been on BOTH sides of bad driver courtesy. Hmmm COURTESY … is that a WORD? Is it something any of us think about any more? Yea, sure there are LAWS, but then there is … COURTESY. What happens if two cars arrive at a 4-way stop at the same time? Who goes first? Is it just a matter of reflexes and which punches the gas first?

    mistakes are importantRoad rage is just one evidence of a universal problem we humans experience – IMPERFECTION! Now, I realize some of us are … almost perfect, but we all know the other guy is anything but perfect! In fact, the other guy is an absolute idiot, if you tell the truth, right? Until … you miss that STOP sign hidden behind a low-hanging tree branch and fly through the intersection past a parked patrol car! Ooops!

    GIVENS:

    1. ALL HUMANS ARE FLAWED
    2. EACH live HUMAN WILL OFFEND (disappoint, discourage, frighten, embarrass, confuse, irritate, annoy, bother …) SOMEONE TODAY
    3. EACH live HUMAN WILL BE OFFENDED TODAY, and, sad but true,
    4. YOU WILL OFFEND SOMEONE TODAY

    Heritage-of-PrayerIn light of the fact that I KNOW I will offend someone today, or at least will have the opportunity to offend someone today (in or out of a car), I can CHOOSE (gotta love FREEDOM) ahead of time, what my response will be. I can, therefore, BE PREPARED when the incident occurs.

    It is humanly possible to decide ahead of time what my response will be to “OFFENSE.” ( as in disappointment, discouragement, fear, embarrassment, confusion, irritation, annoyance, bother …) I can CHOOSE:

    • to throw my justified “rage” (or other justified reaction) at the well-deserving “idiot” for daring to ruin my day, OR
    • to acknowledge the “mistake” graciously, as I would like to be treated in the event of MY error.

    If I respond in RAGE, I can expect RAGE when I mess up. If, on the other hand, I can hold it together and wave off the mistake kindly, maybe the next time I drive with my head in my phone instead of on my driving, I will be shown kindness as well.

    THIS is called: SELF-CONTROL! YES! (or Self-government) You and I have a DOMAIN! It is our own thoughts, words, and deeds! I have the ability to be … IN CONTROL of my words – to choose to speak kindness or not. Btw, truth need not ALWAYS be spoken, if it cannot be done in kindness! Honesty is wonderful, but it is trumped by Kindness!


    RIGHT???

    I make plenty of mistakes, just ask my kids! It is my hope, that when I do, kindness will be the response. Anger serves no positive purpose. NONE! It raises our BP, and who knows what all inside our body, and it takes our mindset to a bad place … an unsettled place.

    It is the SOFT answer that turns away wrath! Did you know this? Try it next time someone yells at you. Quietly apologize. (Right or wrong!) So the next time you are distracted while waiting for the traffic light to change until a horn blasts you back to reality, smile and wave in apology as you drive away. Or the next time you’re BEHIND someone asleep at the light … don’t honk heavy … just tap it enough to alert the distracted driver in front of you and wear a smile when he looks back. Both of you will feel so much better than an ugly “Road Rage” incident.

    SELF-CONTROL
    is just controlling your SELF

    in controlJust in case you aren’t sure, this approach works for OTHER things as well. FREEDOM is a great thing – it allows us CHOICES!!! Wise men and women have debated the various structures of government for millennia, but most have been unwilling to recognize that even the seemingly perfect structure cannot provide security and freedom without self-government. The individual must “govern” his own choices, his own thoughts, his own responses, and his own behavior for Liberty to endure.

    Each individual must undertake this journey. It does no good if only a few manage themselves well. For security and freedom to flourish in any civilization, the people must learn SELF-GOVERNMENT … self-control! We must teach our children to control their urge to lie, to steal, to throw a tantrum when they don’t get their own way. We teach them both by example and by correcting unacceptable behavior. Throwing a tantrum because mommy won’t buy that candy bar at the check out is NOT acceptable behavior.

    douchebag-disrespectIt is time to Grow up, America! We have behaved badly for too long. Stop pointing to other people’s bad behavior as an excuse for our own bad behavior. Stop looking for JUSTIFICATION! When we throw our tantrums, we shame the GOOD and HONORABLE among us. We disrespect our GOD and our HERITAGE when we do not extend COURTESY to one another. We cannot control the thoughts and behaviors of others, but we CAN and MUST control our own! We KNOW better! We were taught better, at least if we’re over 35!

    Just like our CONSTITUTION is not there to define our boundaries, but to define the boundaries of government, so GOD’s law is not here to confine us, but to release us to a more flavorful, more fulfilling life … if we just follow His WORD.

    RESPONSIBILITY is FREEDOM‘s
    last name!


    Not the greatest video, but the SONG is GREAT!

    Share this:

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    • Print
    • More
    • Reddit
    • Tumblr
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest

    Like this:

    Like Loading...

    Search BlogsensebyBarb

    Honor our Fallen

    Click EVERYDAY to Support our Vets!

    Help Veterans! The Veterans Site

    Top Posts & Pages

    • Where is the War on Women? Right HERE!
    • The Five W's of Life
    • 30 Seconds of Wisdom From Coca Cola CEO
    • Follow the Matrix of Liberty

    History of Posts

    Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    Join 963 other subscribers

    ACT NOW! GET INVOLVED!


    Visit Tea Party Command Center

    Project 365 Vets

    FACEBOOK CONNECTION

    Barbara Brison

    Create Your Badge

    To Tweet or Not to Tweet!

    • The #1 reason I choose. AMAC is that it competes with AARP which was so much apart of Obamacare!blogsensebybarb 3 years ago
    • RT @newtgingrich: My typing is sometimes wrong but the principle is timeless in the American system. Mueller (note correct spelling) had a…blogsensebybarb 3 years ago
    • RT @realDonaldTrump: Nothing changes from the Mueller Report. There was insufficient evidence and therefore, in our Country, a person is in…blogsensebybarb 3 years ago
    • RT @tedcruz: As the son of a Cuban immigrant whose Dad came to get a math degree & become a computer programmer, I’m troubled that Dems see…blogsensebybarb 3 years ago
    • RT @newtgingrich: I want to reemphasize a key part of the American system. You are innocent until proven guilty. The left wants to reverse…blogsensebybarb 3 years ago
    • @StupidPlain @itsJeffTiedrich @realDonaldTrump When the truth is revealed, you will be disgraced, unless the media picks up the song.vblogsensebybarb 3 years ago
    Follow @BrisonVoice

    Americans Stand with Israel!

    Flight 93 Memorial Design

    Never Forget!!!!!!!

    Photobucket Thanks, Cap'n Bob & the Damsel for helping us remember!

    Blogroll

    • 2012 Patriot
    • America's Watchtower
    • American Thinker
    • American Veteran Magazine
    • Bare Naked Islam
    • Be Kind Rewrite
    • Be sure you are right, then go ahead
    • BLACKFIVE
    • Boudica BPI Weblog
    • Breitbart
    • Cassie's Perfect … Word
    • Citizen Tom
    • CITIZENS UNITED
    • Come in and Soak Awhile
    • Conservative News Central
    • Creeping Sharia
    • Dedicated To Heroes
    • Diary of a Mad Conservative
    • Doug Ross @ Journal
    • Fatherly Advice and RANTS
    • Fellowship of the Minds
    • Find an Outlet
    • Freedom, by the Way
    • Gds44's Blog
    • Green Mountain Scribes
    • Grumpy Opinions
    • I Hate the Media
    • Infidel Bloggers Alliance
    • It Makes Sense Blog
    • Jlthomson’s Blog
    • loopyloo305
    • LORINOV'S BLOG
    • Maggie’s Notebook
    • MICHELLE OBAMA'S MIRROR
    • My Facebook
    • Nice Deb
    • Now the End Begins
    • Oath Keepers
    • Proud Military Mom's Common Sense Blog
    • pumabydesign001's blog
    • Radio Patriot
    • Reclaim America Now!
    • Right Side News
    • Rogue Operator
    • Ron McGatlin
    • Samuel at Gilgal
    • SilenceDogood2010′s Blog
    • Socialism is Not the Answer
    • Sword At-The-Ready
    • The American Civil Rights Union
    • The American Conservative
    • The Conservatory
    • The Constitution Club
    • The Free Market Project
    • The Imaginative Conservative
    • The Last Refuge
    • The Liberty Tree
    • The Mad Jewess
    • The Patriot Factor
    • The Political War Zone
    • The Quest for Light
    • The Unknown Soldiers
    • The Western Experience
    • Tombo's World
    • USO
    • Velvetdreams Mindsay
    • VETERAN DEFENDERS OF AMERICA
    • Voting American
    • Wild Goose Festival
    • You Decide
    • ~ BLOGGER.GUNNY.G.1984+ ~ (BLOG & EMAIL)

    PROUD of ALL Who SERVE!!!!

    VETERANS Make the Connection

    Our Star-Spangled Banner

    Supporters of the US Constitution

    TEA Party Member

    Click for Bill of Rights

    Please Pray for Our Troops

    Versatile Blogger Award

    March 2023
    M T W T F S S
     12345
    6789101112
    13141516171819
    20212223242526
    2728293031  
    « Nov    

    Thousands of Deadly Islamic Terror Attacks Since 9/11

    Support Wounded Warriors

    Let’s Fight FOCA Together!

    Blog at WordPress.com.

    Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
    To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
    • Follow Following
      • blogsense-by-barb
      • Join 510 other followers
      • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
      • blogsense-by-barb
      • Customize
      • Follow Following
      • Sign up
      • Log in
      • Report this content
      • View site in Reader
      • Manage subscriptions
      • Collapse this bar
     

    Loading Comments...
     

      %d bloggers like this: