November 8, 2016

Tomorrow it begins.

After more than 18 months of campaigning, "mud slinging", name calling and generally childish behaviour, my home country of the United States will choose a new president.  The sad part is, both candidates have said very little on what their plan is for the next 4 years and spent more time trying to convince the undecided voters why the other person is a poor choice for president.  Perhaps substance isn't important in this "Reality TV" age...

Anyway, what started out as an entertaining process into how the Republican and Democratic parties work, including watching the "best" the Republican party could muster be taken down by a loudmouth in the form of Donald Trump and a highly skewed Democratic party process that favoured Hillary Clinton almost be derailed by Bernie Sanders, has drug on far too long.

Who ever wins tomorrow has their work cut out for them as my home country is as divided as I've ever seen it.  The "Melting Pot" has turned into regions of division, special interest groups who feel that there way is the only way and if you disagree then you're not "American" and are part of the problem.

I see "religion" shunning people who live a lifestyle they disagree with even though the bible says to do otherwise.

I see hate escalating when it comes to race.  I find this unsettling, scary and I don't see how this will be "fixed" any time soon.  Politics won't fix any of this and only a miraculous change of heart will.

I see differences being a source of division instead of a source of strength.

I see fear being spread as a way to control peoples thoughts and actions as it's more effective and faster than education and coming up with a solid plan for the future.

Mostly, I see people unwilling to work together for a common good.

In 1858 Abraham Lincoln delivered a speech after being selected by the Illinois Republican Party to be their candidate for the US Senate.  In that speech he spoke of a House Divided, which was in reference to the states being a mix of free and slave states.  His contention, which was considered radical at that time, was that at some point this division would end because a "house divided against itself cannot stand".  Mr. Lincoln, in this speech, did not feel the house (Union) would fall but rather the division would end somehow.

The United States is once again a House Divided and I believe that the division will end one way or another.  The question is, what will the House look like.  That will depend greatly on the will of the people and to some degree the person chosen to lead the country.

May God bless who ever is chosen and give them wisdom that has yet to be seen to bring the House together.

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

Perception, Reality and Politics

I've done my best to stay out of the political mess that is the Presidential race in my home country of the USA.

I've sat back and watched the process over the past year with a large dose of cynicism, a fascination at how the actions of one of the candidates (pick one) effects "the people" directly and through the media.

I've listened to "talking heads" attempt to look intelligent in their analysis of the process and in defence of their chosen "champion".

I've seen friends of my youth take sides on social media, posting MEMS, videos and "secret" information that puts down the candidate they don't want to win in rather "unflattering" ways as "proof" that their candidate would be better.

I've been asked countless times by my Canadian friends "what's going on in your home country?" while expressing fear about what will happen after the election.  I'm thinking if Canadians are worried, the rest of the world likely is too.

 My fellow Americans we are being manipulated!

Anytime a campaign comes down to who's the least offensive, the one who's told the fewest lies and the one who's past "sins" are more acceptable, there is a problem.  Instead of focusing on what they will do for the country, both candidates and their supporters are spending all their time focusing on what the other candidate has done wrong in the past and why they're "unfit" for our nations highest position.

The perception is that they will change the "system" to help the average American.

The reality is that both have used the system to get where they are today and there is little evidence to show that will change in the future.

The perception that is being painted by both candidates is the country needs their expertise and help to strengthen America.

The reality is the power to change lies within the people of the USA and what is needed is a true leader.

The perception is that a leader is one who leads by example.

The reality is a leader is one who motivates others to rise up and meet or exceed their own expectations.

The perception is that a change or addition of laws will make things better.

The reality is that it will take individual action on the part of each one of us to make things better.

I don't have answers to the problems that exist in the world today, however I do know that my home country is far better than what the two candidates in this current presidential race represent.    Let's face it, we're stuck with the winner for the next 4 years and I hope that this "lesson" will pave the way for a process whereby the true leaders of our country will stand up and pave a way to bring the country's citizens together instead of dividing us.

Now for the "real" Talking Heads - Slippery People

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

Everything Costs Something!

A number of years ago a young man I knew was complaining that he was unable to find steady work in his field and that he was working several places to make a go of it.  It so happened I had been looking for someone with his training to fill a position and I offered him the position.  His salary would be higher, his cost of living lower and he'd be able to do this working on less day a week.  The only "catch" was, he'd have to move to a small city that was 2 hours away from the metropolitan area he was currently living in.  In the end he was willing to pay the price of time and unsteady work to stay where he was then pay the price (not in money) of uprooting and moving to a new community.

Personally, I get asked all the time why I drive a 16 year old car that I payed all of $1,500.00 for.  My answer is simple, I'd rather spend my money and time traveling or on my motorcycles then on something that I use only when the weather is bad.

This is what I choose to pay for

And this...

Everything costs something.  Time, money, giving up something, moving for a job, learning a new skill or doing something that's difficult to get what you really want.

The average person is unwilling to pay the price for what they want while the exceptional person will.

Which person will you be?

Gerald Trees

Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

Decisions, Decisions

If you come to a fork in the road, take it. - Yogi Berra

Some decisions give amazing results that wouldn't have occurred by chance.  This is where a fork in the road led.

You're nervous.  It's time to make a decision and there are several choices that all look good.  Which one do you choose and will it be the "right" one?  "Sir, have you made a decision on what you want to eat?"

Each day we make decisions that will have and effect on our lives.  For many, the need to make a conscious decision will cause them to "freeze" over something as simple as choosing a menu item in a restaurant they've never been to.  All too often the easy way out is to not make a decision and give that control to someone else.  Choosing what they choose or having them make the decision for you.  Why?  Because it's easier to criticize the decision someone else made if things go wrong then take responsibility for our decision.  The price you pay is giving up control.

One of my favorite authors, Charlie "Tremendous" Jones believed that decision making should be as easy as breathing.  When asked how to make a decision his response was "Make it.  Don't wait until you can make the right decision.  Make a decision and make it right; you have your whole life to do it in."

The best part of making decisions for yourself is you are now in control and the experience you'll gain will make decision making easier.

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker