My Soapbox

November has come and with it the nanowrimo challenge. I have accepted that challenge and am facing it head on.  The challenge is to write a 50,000 word novel in a mere 30 days. I have a friend that has been encouraging me for a few years to do nanowrimo .  I had talked myself out of doing it this year when my daughter came home from school with a goal to write a story for the nanowrimo young writers program. Unlike the adult site where one must write 50,000 words they can set a more flexible goal for themselves.  That was when I decided to do it for sure. When I made the decision words started flowing through  my head and I had to wait three days before I could start writing them down. Talk about sheer agony. However, I managed to survive those three days and when the starting whistle blew I was sound asleep. I got up the next morning and started typing away. I am now nearly at the halfway point. By the end of the day today I will be at over 25,000 words. I think ...

I hope this works. Here is an interesting article about the history of marriage. It makes some interesting points about marriage by the state and the way it uses it. I do hope this link will work.   Happy reading.   http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/26/opinion/26coontz.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all

I have had it on my mind for some time to clarify the definitions of words. Especially those that are so obviously being misunderstood or misapplied. Others are not so obvious but nevertheless have need of clarification. The word I wish to tackle today is LEADER. The dictionary definition of a leader is: one that leads or conducts; a guide; a conductor. This fits with my understanding that a leader is someone that teaches and guides. Very often in our society a leader is considered to be the one in charge that tells you what to do and you do it. I feel this is incorrect. A leader that does this is actually more of a dictator, tyrant, ruler. A leader will show you what to do instead of tell you what to do. Leadership is a position of service instead of one of control. One in a leadership position may have authority to do specific things, get specific things accomplished with the help of others, and it may put them in charge but it does not make them the boss. Anyone that has to...

I find that most people have difficulty understanding what I say. I am not sure what makes me so obtuse but it happens. So I am going to write again to clarify an earlier post. I am neither for nor against homosexual marriage. I don't think it matters. If my understanding is correct they desire the benefits of a legal marriage such as benefits for a spouse at a place of employment, etc. That is easy to fix. It just takes a policy change by the providers of such benefits to allow an individual to put whomever they wish on their account regardless of relation to them. In other words the employers, insurance providers, etc. just need to allow people not related to you to be put on your policy so on and so forth. As for homosexual marriage destroying the family. I believe it is the least of our worries. Much more insidious forces have been at work for a very long time manipulating our societal development, laws, regulations, policies, morals and mores and such to bring abou...

I have watched the debate over homosexual marriage with increasing disgust. I am neither for or against homosexual marriage but I find the argument against it is extremely nauseating. The argument used is that it will destroy the "traditional family." I have a shocking bit of news for everyone. One can establish a family without marriage. Gasp! I know horrendously shocking, isn't it. Even more shocking is that it will always take a man and a woman to naturally have children even if (due to the wonders of modern medicine) one or both of them is not there at conception, just as long as they have left their contribution to be used. But just because a man and a woman are populating the earth it does not mean they will be a family. Yes, I know, biologically they will be related therefore being a family. Uh, yeah. Unfortunately, it takes more than a biological connection to make a true family. A true family has an emotional connection. It is that emotional connection th...

I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I find that my beliefs are no longer in harmony with those of my leaders. This causes great difficulties for me for though I know the church is true it has a great many ills. It is lead by men, men who are weak and fallible like the rest of us. Just because they are called to a specific calling does not mean they will not make any mistakes. It does not mean they will always follow the Spirit for they must seek it like all men. They may be entitled to greater inspiration for their calling but they must listen and heed it as well. They are men raised up in a babylonic mindset attempting to make the Gospel of Christ fit into that mindset. I know a great deal of my problem is that I have such an entirely different world view than most. It helps me to see things in a way that others do not. I know I am not the only one out there that sees things in this way but it does make for an interesting understanding of the Gospel...

I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know it is the church of Christ restored to the earth by a prophet of God in our day. I know that along with the restoration of the church to the earth the priesthood of God was restored to us. That we may in righteousness act in the name of God for the good of mankind. I know the Bible is the word of God inasmuch as it is translated correctly and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God written for us in this day and time. But most of all through my reading and study of the scriptures, through the exercise of prayer and faith, I know that Jesus Christ lives. That he is the savior and redeemer of the world. I know that through him and his teachings, if understood correctly, we can return to the eternal worlds we came from. I know these things deep in my heart and soul. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I was reading through the November issue of Reader's Digest when I came across an article about having an attitude of gratitude. I was most grateful to find it. Recently I became aware of how easy it is to be ungrateful even when we may think we are grateful for something. As we cultivate gratitude whithin us it will help give us strength through any adversity. It will continue to uplift us in times of prosperity. It too has great power just as our thoughts and words do. Lets all be more grateful for the abundance and blessings we have in our lives.

I have been told that,"the words we use, use us." It is so very true. There is great power in our thoughts for good or ill. There is great power in our words for the same. When we become conscious of our thoughts we would find out what we can do to change our lives and the world around us. In "The Santa Clause" movie the head elf tells Charlie that."Seeing isn't believing, Believing is seeing." What a great truth. It is the very essence of faith. There is so much to be learned about this great power. Lets all become aware of our thoughts and change them to create a better world. This is a subject that has become increasingly important to me and I will endeavor to share resources and thoughts on the subject to give people that desire to a place to learn more of this important truth.

It has been on my mind that to stimulate the economy we need to stop thinking globally. There is a movement to buy food locally lets just expand that to more things. If it can be acquired from a local manufacturer it should be. If it could be produced locally and there is no one doing it then get someone started or start it yourself. Stop going to the movies. Go to the local high school play instead or support the local theater group. Buy a book, join a reading group. Establish and support local artists of all kinds. Again, go to the local school for sports or establish community teams. Shop at the locally owned stores instead of big chains and box stores. Lets get as far away from big business as possible. Go to the local butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker. Think of the jobs that would be produced and the quality of the products that would be made. Cheaper is not always better. Where is the local cobbler and tailor? More people would be engaged in active productivity th...

Taxes are the price you pay for living in Babylon.

I know what I am about to say is not going to be well accepted amongst my peers but I feel the need to say it nonetheless. Everyone is in an uproar over the issue of homosexual marriage and what it will do to the family. I submit to you that it is a non-issue, a smoke screen to keep our attentions diverted from what is really happening. For even after this proposal is defeated the elements that are destroying the family are still there. Once what a family is can be legislated then those in power have the ability to legislate it out of existence. But more importantly our society has been carefully structured to destroy the family. Starting with mandatory public education. The children are taken out of the home the majority of the day and who is influencing them, not the parents. Now those in charge want to make the school day and week longer so there will be even less influence from the home. Think about it people. And what about the way our work week is structured. Once empl...

WAKE UP!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!!! Wake up people. Wake up to the awful state of your situation. We simply must stop allowing ourselves to have our attention diverted by things that are truly of little consequence and see that which is really going on. Wake up and do something more. OR is it that you are awake and have your head in the sand? Which is an even worse state to be in. Why is it we must either be oblivious or in denial? What other course of action can we take? Now is the time to stand up for truth and right! Now is the time to work to preserve freedoms and liberties! Now is the time to be people of greater character! Even if it means sacrificing all we have. Others in history have exemplified these strengths. Now we must start following their example. The time is NOW!

When a socialist can win the nobel peace prize you can see what kind of state the world is in. So sad, so very sad. Time to jump ship. Unless of course you prefer to be boiled alive. The only question left is how to do it. Any suggestions?

We are all just a bunch of frogs in a pot. The temperature is rising and we are to dumb to jump out. At least rats know enough to get off a sinking ship. Pity most of you don't even know what I am talking about.

It seems to me there are a great many people in the world that just want to be treated like everyone else. Then they turn around and demand special attention. How does that work? I want to look at them and say, "Here, we are treated all the same regardless of your skin color, religious affiliation or lack there of, your sexual preferences or whatever else that is used to cause division among people." Why is it so hard for us as human beings to let others live their lives and be allowed to live ours? It is when we insist on others living the way we feel is right, forcing our beliefs, mores, rules on others that we fall into the worst of traps; it is called bondage. As soon as we force our ways on others then we lose our freedoms and liberties as well. Yet that is what we do and accept it because that is the way things are. It is time to start making things the way they oughta be. The power for change lies in each of us. It takes courage and boldness to bring it about. I ...

I have something to say. This is more for people who do not know me and will probably never see this blog but I must say it nonetheless. I AM A MAN! At least the genitalia I have carried since my birth indicates so. This may seem an odd thing to say but let me share events that have culminated in this statement. Yesterday I got a phone call from one of the many medical establishments my wife and children frequent and the gentleman on the phone asked if I was Jacob's mom. I told him I was Jacob's dad. After a slight pause he asked for Jacob's mom. This morning, again I received a phone call. This time they wanted to know if I was Emilee's mom. I said no I was Emilee's dad could I take a message. After a slight pause she divulged the information she had to give. Normally, these events do not bother me but every once in a while I feel the need to scream out, I AM A MAN! Most little boys get daddy's nose and mama's smile. I grew up and got daddy's n...

I have friends on facebook that took a challenge to write one poem a day for the month of April. I must say the results are astounding. They are wonderfully gifted in the use of words. Their poetry is beautifully stunning. Poetry is one of my weak spots in writing but here is my humble offering. Two poems about spring. This year it seems rather elusive and the only place to find it is in memory. :) Spring Fickle thing Sunny and fair Cloudy and gray Sunny and fair Cloudy and gray Rain or snow today ------------------------------------------------------------ Sun shines Snow falls Chicks peep Lambs bawl Spring Grass grows Plant seeds Trees Bud Flora Bloom Spring Air warm Air cold Rain comes Snow goes Spring Have a wonderful day.

I have long had it on my mind to do a "word of the day" if ever I should start a blog. I am seriously considering it now. I have found that the words we use quite frequently are not adequate in conveying the meaning we wish to express. In fact, I have come to understand that the right word can indeed clarify meaning more succinctly than anything else. Our language has become extremely adulterated, misused and abused. It is time to heal it and use it properly. Reinstating the standard of correct word usage will go a long way to creating a better world. I have actually had to start "redefining" words simply in order to make them work in the world today. It is not hard though, just find an older dictionary and the definitions change. The one I use is a Noah Webster 1828.

I knew reading or watching the news was going to get my dander up. I find it sad that most people cannot let others live their lives the way they see fit. Just because someone does not do things the way you want them done does not make them an evil despicable person. There are a lot of people in my life that I don't agree with philosophically, religiously, morally, etc. but as long as my personal rights and property are not violated then they may believe, say and do as they desire. It is a courtesy we should all extend to each other. I have observed that the worst offenders at trying to dictate how others should live are those that I will call extreme activists. They have a passionate view point about something and they think the rest of us should be forced to comply with their point of view. If we don't they then begin a campaign fueled by anger to the point of threatening bodily harm or even death. Not only is that scary it is sad. Anyone that feels they must press the...