Preamble to the Constitution of the United States: “We the People…”
So why do organizations get to make political contributions to campaigns?

Message to a 20-year-old and to myself:
Sometimes you have to do that which you do not want to do to build the experience, confidence, and credibility to get to do that which you want to do and be. Learn and relearn to follow through.

Wow! “The Hanging Tree” (1959) and “Same Time Next Year” (1978) on TCM today—more messages for the days in which we live.

TCM’s choices for movies this afternoon: Crossfire (1948), Whispers (1941), Experimental Perilous (1944)—thank you. So much to think about in today’s political world!

I just stood in line behind a woman at the USPS post office while one man served the counter. She produced two identifications to collect her mail. It took close to 10 minutes for him not to find her envelope. One reason women carry purses: to collect all of their IDs to prove their name changes!

Robin Hall Kimmerer creates rich metaphors to simmer and savor. Elders are pecans, strawberries are heart berry gifts, trees talk to each other, and
“The more something is shared, the greater its value becomes” (“Braiding Sweetgrass,” 26).
What will you freely share with others as a gift today?

The Titanic exhibit demonstrated opulence, hopefulness, & terror of the journey. The crew & passengers exemplified heroics & dysfunction. No emergency instructions. False pride. Binoculars locked away. Few lifeboats. No Captain on deck. Too fast. Unread warnings. Panic, sacrifice & blessed music!

At a dinner party recently I heard an older person say, “I am OK with gays and bi-racials now, but I just don’t like trans people.” Another person said, “Give yourself more time; you’ll get used to the divergency.” Maybe even come to accept that people unlike yourself have a right to exist, too!

Why are we not using DNA evidence for every murder and rape case? One wrongfully incarcerated person is too many. If someone in prison claims innocence and asks for a DNA test, what keeps us from providing that request. I know…the cost. But
what is the financial and moral cost of not doing so?

Arguing is most often about proving someone else’s thinking is wrong while your thinking is correct. This can lead to manipulation, coercion, or impasse. Influencing is about exchanging/sharing verified information, observations, and experiences. Do you choose to argue or influence?

Gossip: the mind will fill in the gaps to make some sort of sense out of the available information and the unavailable information—to connect the dots and fill in the blanks. Gossip escalates and accelerates emotions and delusions. ‘Tis best to avoid passing gossip—can become conspiracy theories!

The unknown scares us. When you can, make the unknown known to others. Help others to discover their unknown to uncover their mutual known. Our commonalities will comfort us enough to investigate our differences. When we share differences, we build strength.

“Listening takes time…. When people know we’re listening, they’re seen. And when they’re seen, they feel part of something bigger than themselves. That’s why one of the biggest gifts we can give others is our attention.” —Gary Burnison, Korn Ferry CEO

Seems as if we have to vote to get attention.

As the mom carried her toddler into the elevator she asked if we were going to join them. I noticed my companion was looking the other way. “No, we’ll wait.” I told my friend he was not paying attention, so I let the elevator leave. He remarked, “I was paying attention—in another direction!”

In Tom’s memoir, James Garner’s career advice to Tom Selleck, regarding the original “Magnum” pilot: “Look. You don’t have much power. But if you don’t want to do it and they want you to, you will never have more power than you do right now” (140). Something to think about in life and politics!

Inside the beginning of another military campaign, I wonder what my dad, a career US Navy aviator in 3 wars, would think. His service was to protect America and his family. He was up in the air in hurricanes to protect us, for when better for enemies to forge an attack. How “imminent” is this now?

At a symphony we realized we were in the wrong row. We made our way through a tight pathway to the corridor where a woman grabbed at my coat over my arm. I pulled back, she said, “I was only trying to help,” and I replied I didn’t need any. I felt accosted. Please ask permission before giving help.

To be influential, be factual, friendly, and firm in communication.Your reputation in keeping your promises (or explain the factors that prevent it), doing your duty, following through, telling the truth, and providing timely feedback builds trust and rapport.

In “You Never Know” Tom Sellek wrote, “And the more I granted myself the right to fail, the more I risked. And the more I risked, the more I learned. And the more I learned, the more I was willing to deliver myself to the uncertainty of the future.” In our current uncertainty, risk, learn, deliver.

“Existence is fragile. Recollection is fleeting and unreliable….Without witnesses or raconteurs around to relay truths and deeds, without sculptors and scribes around to commit attributes to stone or parchment, great ideas die, dynasties are forgotten, civilizations evaporate.” —James E. Rickman

If you were in charge of students’ education in the USA, what subjects would you want in the curriculum to ensure “productive citizens”? I would vote for civics, history, interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, personal finance, computer skills, critical thinking, problem solving…. You?

As a young teacher my primary goal was to educate students to become “productive citizens”: Typing business letters, balancing a checkbook, reading literature & history, knowing civics & voting responsibilities, pledging allegiance to the flag. Today’s curriculum & society looks much different.

Morgan said, “Harper was fired because Harper was trying to help me.” That is an example of misaligned guilt.
Harper chose to help Morgan, got caught, and the boss fired Harper. Morgan has no responsibility in the scenario—unless Morgan lied to Harper to cause a false understanding. Check guilt!

Consider: If Dana invests in Chris & believes in Chris, there is nothing Lee can share about insights & experiences that Dana will accept. Only Dana’s own experiences of betrayal or disappointment will change Dana’s mind about Chris. (Accepting being wrong about someone you trusted is difficult.)

Anger can energize or paralyze. To release negative energy, some people throw things. But when something breaks or someone gets hurt, doesn’t that make the situation worse? When angry, find a way to release positive energy to improve the situation. Get creative and transformative. Be intentional.

The issue with sarcasm in writing is some people will translate it without your context, intent, or personality. They will take your words literally—just the opposite of what you meant to convey. To release frustration: go to your car, windows up, doors locked—scream loudly, then breathe deeply.

Another way you might be “paying” for a “free” app: the propaganda you absorb through the creators’ influence and your experience with the app content. Beware!

Caution! Should you download a free app? The creators do not give their skill and effort for free. They want to be paid—perhaps by selling advertisement or by selling your data. You will “pay” somehow for that “free” app!

As the child of a USNavy career officer, I am relieved to read that the Grand Jury refused to indict our government officials for videotaping a legal statement reminding soldiers and sailors of all ranks to refuse illegal orders. Critical thinking can support morals, ethics, and laws.

Two tips for becoming a better person: listen without interruption and minimize the argumentative attitude. Act in curiosity rather than competition and conflict. I am working at it, daily!