Posts (page 2)
The other day I drove a friend to JFK Airport, in New York. It was last Wednesday, the day we had severe thunderstorms here in Connecticut. The ride down was uneventful. It was a beautiful afternoon actually. My friend wanted to make sure to get there early so as to not miss his pm flight. Traffic can be unexpectedly bad. To avoid any possible delays, we headed out early. We got him at the airport around 3 pm-ish, six hours before his flight! He called me several times from his cell phone, claiming absolute boredom. I had to laugh. If we had chosen to leave any later, he almost definitely would have missed the flight. Good thing we didn't take the chance.
This was my first time to JFK Airport. And for not being certain as to which way to get back, it sure was easier than I thought. Signs for Whitestone Bridge (the way to Long Island that I'm most familiar) appeared almost immediately upon exiting the airport. I had the radio tuned to KROCK (WXRK 92.3 FM) for most of my trip back. But, I did flip on WCBS (880 AM) to hear the traffic and weather.
Listeners were being forewarned of thunderstorms and flash floods. I thought to myself that if I could just stay ahead of the rain, I would have a safe trip. Well the storms caught up to me while on the Hutchinson Express Parkway (Route 15). It was raining so hard, that I had to slow down to 25 mph. Much to my surprize, with such low visibility, people were passing me at nearly 50 mph! Not only that, but there was ankle deep water on the roads, and small mudslides in some areas.
Sadly, I passed two accidents. Although I had expected many more. For the most part, these were fender benders; one vehicle did have its rear window smashed. No emergency vehicles were dispatched to help with the flow of traffic. At least not wherever I was. I just couldn't believe how reckless so many people were driving.
I was as anxious as the next driver to get home, so I rejected my own idea to pull over at one of the several gas stations along the way. I was beginning to feel fatigued by the strain on my nerves. I consider myself to be a very good driver. I don't mean to sound arrogant about it (although on my radio program I did boast that I own the road! in jest of course...) I started being a more careful driver after my first child was born in 1997. I came to realize that no where is that important to be. I'd rather arrive safely, than not arrive at all. So as I'm holding on to my steering wheel with both hands, the way my teacher instructed some 18 years ago, I was baffled as to why people will compromise their safety and that of others in such horendous driving conditions.
The only answer I have is that people have been led to believe that the vehicle they are driving will protect them from injury. So, caution is thrown to the wind. I also believe people place alot of trust in their insurance companies to pay for whatever damages they incur in an accident. There is obviously no resolution to this matter as people will continue to drive carelessly and recklessly until someone dear and precious to them gets injured in accident that could have been prevented by safer driving.
Can it get any worse? I'm not going to cite examples, or provide links because you already read and hear about it in current events and politics. I had convinced myself that at some point our great Country would come together again and unite, without another 9/11. That now seems almost impossible but there is still some time remaining to make a significant change.
The real war we are up against, sadly, is in our own country: This is a very divided country. United we stand, divided we fall. Unfortunately, being so divided, we are about to fall, collapse and self-destruct. In the media, on tv and radio talk shows, and throughout the internet, on blogs, our division is all over the place. The whole world can see it. They are watching the greatest Country to ever exist, the U.S.A., collapse. It's historical, really. You would be an idiot if you couldn't see how divided we are. The last election proves it!
Millions of people condemn the other side...just because, well, they are on the other side. The desire for unity is gone. There are disagreements for disagreement's sake. There is no conversation about the truth, because everyone has their own version. The truth gets distorted in the debate, depending on which side you are on. Both sides are distortionists. It doesn't matter what Conservatives or Liberals say...each are battling for power, to control the government. It's purely sport now.
However, they are not battling for our best interest. There is no honest battle to stablize the economy, bring gas prices down, create accessable health care for all, or to control inflation. There is no honest battle to stop the drug war, or to give those who are impoverished a respectable life. There is no honest battle for an "ownership" government. The politicians want us to think they are battling in our best interest. But, there is no honest struggle for unity in our Country. There is no fight to find the common ground that unifies us. Have you seen it? No, you haven't because the struggle is to keep us divided. It's an all or nothing system. The politicians, both Republicans and Democrats just want power; the power to be in control, at the risk of division with an illusion of unity. Our political system today has nothing to do with being unified, and everything to do with greed and corporate agendas. It is this battle for power within our own government that will cause our collapse and ultimately destroy us. The people of our Country are supposed to be the goverment, but no longer. United we stand, divided we fall. Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about any conspiracy theory either. I believe it is more complicated than a secret organization (that isn't so secret anymore) plotting to bring our Country to collapse.
It is our very own political nature that is dividing us. The general public is forced to be divided. "If you don't support us, you must be in support of them." After our elections, we are supposed to come together, and be united. Yet we remain divided, election after election. And the division between us becomes greater and greater. Do I need to remind you again? United we stand, divided we fall. As the song goes, "We're on the eve of destruction."
Our country has a great foundation, it's called the Constitution. But the support beams that hold the walls and roof are coming apart and rotting. We have termites in our house. We need an extinguisher (I mean that in a metaphoric way, not literal, of course). And we need to rebuild the support beams, in good ol' American Steel.
Have you ever wondered, "Why is life so difficult"? Maybe I should ask, "When was the last time you wondered, Why is life so difficult?". Every day, every hour and possibly every minute someone, somewhere struggles with a temptation. Some are small temptations, so small they seem insignificant, easily overlooked and forgotten; like using the Lord's name in vain, or to ogle the swim suit model with a lustful eye. Others have larger temptations they deal with...Lying for personal gain, gluttony, alcoholism, hate, lust, adultery, homosexuality, the list seems endless. We all have our own temptations to contend with based on the choices we make and what we choose to think, privately, in the realm of our conscience. If you know a little about the Bible, you might remember the Apostle Paul described it as "The thorn in his side". We never learn what it was for Paul, only that he had an internal struggle. We all have one.
There is no one who enters this world without certain challenges and difficulties to overcome. These are not "thorns" or temptations which come about because of our choices and thoughts, but these are difficulties we do not necessarily have the luxury of choosing. For some it starts at birth. For others the struggle comes along when least expected. Some have physical challenges, others mental. Still, others have financial struggles and some have difficulty with their Faith in God, or Spiritual struggles. This life is not meant to be easy. We like to think that at some point, life becomes easy. Maybe after we retire, or after a certain amount of wealth is accumulated or maybe after a certain social status is acquired. But it will never be easy. There will always be a difficulty to deal with; the loss of a loved one, disease, and illness or poverty or maybe simply for today it was that guy that cut you off this morning on your way to work. There will perpetually be a struggle, a challenge to overcome, a weakness to win power over, and once it is overcome, will release the true hidden power within our very existence.
Every time we overcome a challenge, when we pass one of the tests of life, we can count on a new lesson to soon be presented and a new test administered for our Spiritual growth. If we do not learn the lesson, it is taught to us over and over until we finally "get it". Many people do not understand, or refuse to believe that we are Spiritual Beings having a Human Experience; Not Humans having a Spiritual Experience. God doesn't make it easy to overcome, but he also doesn't make it impossible.
We have "Free Will". We get to choose how we react to the circumstances played out in our lives. Do we choose to get angry and deny God the opportunity to work through us, or do we accept the circumstances thankfully that our situation isn't worse. Do we control our every thought and stay focused on our goal, or do we allow trite activities and negative emotions to drive our existence further from our Creator? What happens in our minds has more to with our success than any schooling, than any social position, or any amount of money can buy.
Begin today to remove the thorn from your side by controlling what you allow yourself to think. Stay focused on God, allow him to heal your wounds, and give you the strength to pull out the thorn. Overcome your life challenges by praying to God often throughout the day. If you keep your mind on God, you will soon learn that the mountains of problems in your mind, are truly molehills. I read somewhere once that you become what you think about the most. Our minds have the power to create our preferred existence. God said "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it will be opened." But don't take my word for it. Try it for yourself.
Have we as a society sunk to a new low? We carelessly toss life aside, with no regard for God's purpose. This situation, with Terri Schiavo, is not one to be observed lightly. If you visit the website dedicated to protecting her life, TerrisFight.org, you will learn that she is not in a complete vegetative state, and that she can be rehabilitated to swallow food on her own. You will learn that she responds to stimuli; she laughs, she cries. Yet her husband is anxious to be rid of her.
I know, anxious is relative; it's only been since February 1993 that Michael Schiavo has wanted her to die. All this time he has been fighting for her death, not her right to life. His arguement is that this is not the quality of life she would want. But it is his quality of life that he doesn't want her to know about if she were to recover. He has a girlfriend, he became engaged to this woman in 1997. And he has children with his fiance. If Terri were to recover, he would have to hone up to the fact that he was not faithful. That can be quite the burden he is carrying around. He probably doesn't want to acknowledge the fact that she is likely aware of it already!
Instead of allowing a dissolution of marriage for Terri (divorse is not possible), and allowing her parents to become her legal guardian, Michael Schiavo has chosen to play "God" and let her die. It is clear that he does not have Terri's best interest in mind, and if you cannot see that, if the court's cannot see that, then Michael Schiavo must be an excellent poker player.
While I am biased toward the sanctity of life, let's examine this as objectively as possible. Terri Schiavo does not lay in a permanent vegetative state. She responds cognitively and voluntarily to stimuli, and tries to communicate verbally. She is not on life support. She does not have a ventilator or breathing apparatus. She does, however, have tubes that help her to swallow food and liquids. One may argue that this is a form of life support, but she has been denied, by her husband, therapy that would allow her the ability to swallow without the tubes. Does this sound like someone who should be left to die? Mike Schiavo may try to argue that Terri does not want to live with a feeding tube. But he has denied her the therapy that would allow her to to live without it!
Terri has so much to live for! She is not an elderly person, who has lived a full life, but now has many complications and is living in pain. Did you know the way she would be left to die is by starvation and dehydration? That is cruel and unusual punishment! I doubt that is the way Terri would want to die. She is still young, and you never know when a miracle might happen. I firmly believe that if enough people truely pray for Terri, that she will be healed.
If you look at what Michael Schiavo's interest in this is, you will come to realize that Terri's life is not worth giving up! Michael has found himself a new girlfriend. But like any self respecting guy, doesn't want a divorce on his record. He would rather become a widower. He has children with his fiance of 8 years. How would he explain his actions to a woman he once loved that he no longer loves her, because she was incapacitated? I'm sure Terri would be understanding if he admitted that he had relations with another woman, after all he's only human and many American's didn't have a problem with our President doing it. But to want to allow the woman he married to die because of a sickness, so he can marry another is deplorable.
There is also financial gain for Michael in this. The award given to Terri from her malpractice suit has not been utilized for what it was awarded for. By 1993 almost half had been used to help pay for Michael Schiavo's legal fees, appoved by Judge George Greer! There is a blatant misuse of Judicial power here!
We need to rally around Terri Schiavo, and others like her. It is unfortunate some people are quick to cast away life, especially when they have something to gain by it. Let's not forget Michael Schiavo was ready to let Terri die in 1993! That's only 3 years after her accident and soon after the award of the malpractice suit. And he has been fighting for his "right" to let her die. Well Michael, what about her right to live?
It's 2005. Another opportunity to freshen up on one's resolutions. I made a resolution, when I was 16, to NEVER make another resolution. I am proud to say that I have stuck by my 18 year old resolution! So how do I set new standards for myself for the new year? How do I "resolve" to, be fit, read more, earn more, spend more time with my family? Simple. I set goals. That's not to say I am am good at sticking with them. But I do try.
I actually only started truely making goals for myself last year. Every year up to that point, I just said, "This year will be better". But all my life, I have been told that "writing down your goals is an important step in making them reality". At first, I couldn't comprehend why writing them down would have any bearing on whether I accomplished them.
As I have researched and studied "Goal Setting", I have come to understand that visualization of your goals, seeing them come true in your mind's eye, plays a significant role in the realization. And writing the goals down, is an integral step in the visualization. You see, when you write down your goals, it makes a deeper impression in your mind. You will remember what you wrote down, far better and longer than remembering a fleeting thought. Just as writing a phone number down helps you to memorize it better, writing your goals down where you can read them daily also helps you to achieve them. You become what you think you are. And what you write down, for your future, is what you want to be, and thus what your mind starts to believe you are. But along with your goals, you must have a plan on how to achieve them. You can't just write down that you want to be a millionaire. You mind will comprehend what you want, but will not know which path to take to get you there. You may end up spending alot of time on the scenic route. Which is fine, if you have the time and are not in much of a hurry.
So you need a plan. And you need to follow the plan as closely as possible, and make adjustments as necessary. It's highly unlikely that you will achieve that kind of goal overnight. But if you are prepared to invest 5 to 10 years to your long term future, and follow the plan that you set for yourself, you might just be surprized at how efficiently you reach your goals.
Listen to my radio show online at www.charlieprofit.com or log on to see if we broadcast on a station near you!
Its the sign of the times. The technology for Big Brother to track everywhere we go is here. Of course, that's not news to you. You already know about GPS (Global Positioning System). You know that cell phones are being embedded with GPS; OnStar by General Motors uses a GPS. You also are aware of "spy satellites" that can take images of your sidewalk from space. We've seen how close those pictures can get by watching the news during the Iraq War. So what's new? Nothing really. However, are you aware the technology is here to track everything you own? You might be shocked at what you don't know.
You are probably familiar with something called EZ Pass or Fastrak, maybe even Speedpass. These are all "payment systems" that use technology called RFID tags. They allow you to bypass the traditional cash register and have your bank account automatically charged. RFID stands for Radio Frequency IDentification. These tags are also used in the hard plastic anti-theft tags attached to merchandise in stores. They are tiny transponders that emit a radio signal. The Tags contain digital memory chips which are able to store any kind of data requested such as price, size, date purchased, store purchased from etc. The tags are made in all shapes and sizes. They can be made as small as to fit in a strand of fiber!
As with most innovative technology, there are practical purposes for these RFID Tags. One such application Wal-Mart is paving the way for: Tracking Inventory. With merchandise tagged, and stores equipped with scanners, Wal-Mart can instantly know where all of it's inventory is, or where it is not, but should be. We can expect RFID's to replace the UPC Barcode system in the near future.
A prototype application even has the tags programmed to send a signal when an expiration date has arrived; for example, a gallon of milk gone bad. This could save you from quite a few gagging moments. EPIC continues to explain about some of the other proposed uses:
The proposed uses of RFID tags pose exponentially greater risks to personal privacy. Many technology experts predict the development of a seamless network of millions of RFID receivers strategically placed around the globe in airports, seaports, highways, distribution centers, warehouses, retail stores, and consumers' homes, all of which are constantly reading, processing, and evaluating consumers behaviors and purchases. In addition to undermining a consumer's ability to enjoy a lifestyle in relative anonymity, critics of the technology counter that the information gathered by RFID readers could be obtained by the government for surveillance or monitoring the activities of citizens, or even misused by hackers and criminals. Even more, the ever-expanding use of RFID chips would leave no aspect of life safe from the prying eyes of retail and corporate giants. Chips integrated into commonplace products such as floor tiles, shelf paper, cabinets, appliance, exercise equipment, and grocery and packaged products would allow even our most intimate activities to be monitored.
Isn't this what the Bible warns us about? Do these RFID Tags resemble what we already know about the Number of the Beast? Wal-Mart has placed a demand on its suppliers to use RFID's by January 2005. How soon before every supplier of goods and services is required to use RFID's? When you consider what the possible applications of RFID's are, and you take a look at what Homeland Security (The Patriot Act) is doing to our civil liberties, it isn't hard to connect the dots. RFID's are paving the way for our right to privacy to be revoked, in the name of National Security. It is not our security that we are at risk of losing, it is our Freedom. In the Book of Revelation it explains:
Rev 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
Rev 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Rev 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
This reveals that our Freedom will be taken away, in the name of "Peace", "Security".
I came across many interesting websites while researching this topic. There's some disturbing information available to those who seek it. It's so easy to get caught up in our daily lives just trying to get by, to put food on our tables and enjoy the moments we have with family and friends. Meanwhile, there are larger forces at work to undermine our very existence. It's easy to cast off the unfolding events as coincidence, or as exaggerated paranoia by those seeking wisdom. But if you do the research (both Biblical and Non-biblical), and keep an open mind and heart, you will realize that the prophesies are coming true. Is it "Life Depicts Art" or "Art Depicts Life"? Either way, George Orwell had some insite whe he wrote "1984". And you cannot reasonably deny the wisdom that the Bible reveals unto us when seeking truth with an honest heart and mind.
Tune in to my radio show on Sundays from 4pm-7pm at www.charlieprofit.com.
Forces are moving to remove Christianity from our Country. No prayer in school, attempts to remove "One Nation Under God" from our Pledge of Allegiance, not allowing the Ten Commandments to be posted anywhere...the list goes on.
This Country was FOUNDED on Christianity. There was a desire to see Freedom blossom. The Founders also understood that God has given every single person something called Free Will.
They understood the right to believe in God or not and they made that right part of the U.S. Constitution.
From the U.S. Constitution; Article I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Free Will is a basic God given right.
Free = without restraint.
Will = the faculty of the mind by which one chooses or determines; choice.
This means that even if you don't believe in God, you have Choice Without Restraint. It's a concept that even non-believers should be able to accept. They have that choice, with or without God. And Christians accept the fact that God allows all of us to decide if we will believe in Him or not. So we accept Free Will and accept those who do not share the same beliefs. However, many who choose to not believe are trying to force their own beliefs on the rest of us and remove the very principals that allow them to have those beliefs. How do they expect us to allow them to remove our basic God given right of Free Will? It was, and still is, Christianity [more specifically, GOD] that allows American to have Free Will, thus Freedom of Religion. If they remove the principals that are the basis for Freedom, will they not remove their own right to Freedom?
I started this blog to share my thoughts and opinions on life, politics and various ramblings. My last blog was two weeks ago. Everyday I ponder what I should discuss next. The more I think about it, the more there is.
I'm really getting into planning...As the saying goes, "if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail". I've experienced both sides of that equation. And I must say, planning to succeed is the better choice. We'll explore the ideology behind the "universal law" at some point.
Recently I got on what many call a "health kick". But it's not so much a "kick" as it is a lifestyle. I started working out with a personal trainer almost 6 months ago. Due to various "bumps" along my path (failing to plan, being one of them) I stopped training. What's really discouraging about that is I was seeing phenominal results. I lost 16 pounds and went from 21% body fat to just 16%. You can see why I'm upset with myself for quitting. The good news is that I'm back at it! And it feels great! It is a bit of a struggle to get my body back into the shape it was before I left, but the program I am on is phenominal. (I have to give my Trainer a plug here: visit Horizon PT HERE.)
Not only am I working to get my body in great shape, but I also have taken steps to keep my brain sharp. Since I host a weekly radio show (The BEST Show) I am expected to stay up with the issues of the day. I typically stay abreast of the hot topics through various email newsletters and websites. But it's really just not enough. I am putting myself on a plan to read. I am currently reading 3 books. You can see what's on my "night stand" in the library I am setting up on my website. I'll have a link up soon.
There are benefits to getting in shape. The family gets to share in the rewards. Not only am I eating healthier, but the rest of the family is too. My point in sharing this with you is two fold: 1) Accountabilty. By sharing with you what I am doing, you will no doubt expect to see me follow through. Have you ever started a diet, but didn't tell anybody, that way if you didn't stick with it, no one would be the wiser? So, you get my point... 2) I truely believe you can do it too. Many people don't think they are smart enough, fast enough, good enough...the truth is that we ALL are capable. The test is, how hard are you willing to work for what you want?
The Starting Point is HERE...NOW. Stop procrastinating. Get it done. As Nike said: Just Do It. I am, are you?
Before I get into my opine for the day, for those of you who may not catch the blog for my radio show, The BEST Show, here's an update on the topic for August 8th:
Topics include discussing the local Apple Harvest Festival as well as something that might turn your colors red. I happened to be listening to another station's morning show, who's discussion was whether it would be acceptible for American servicemen returning home to have sex ON the very symbol of Freedom, The American Flag, in celebration of their return home! It's outlandish! And the lack of respect American's have is embarassing. We'll discuss it Sunday evening at 5. Tune in on the internet at www.charlieprofit.com. Call in at (860)621-1750. Sorry I don't have an 800# yet.
Setting Goals has got to be one of THE most difficult things to follow through with. I set some goals, as specific as I could at the beginning of the year. I differentiate Goal Setting and Resolutions. What I have read, and believe to be true, is that in order for you to actually achieve your goals, you have to be able to visualize what you want, specifically. You help yourself to do this by writing them down, in a specific fashion, ie: I want a 5 bedroom, 2 bath house with blue shag carpets, green bathroom tile, red vinyl siding, an 8 car garage, 3 peach trees, a lush green lawn with 3 dandylions on a 17 acre plot. By the way, that's just an example, it's not my goal! But you get the picture. Be specific. After you have your ideas on paper, you are to read them at least twice a day; maybe morning and night. Once your Goals are on paper, you can start to develop a PLAN, to put into action that will help you achieve the reward. See, it's not simple enough to just write it down. You have to know HOW you will achieve it. For example, you might say you want 1 Million Dollars. That's fine. It's a commendable goal to assertain. But, do you have any clue how the money will end up in your bank account? Goal setting is not a Genie in a Bottle who you can have wrinkle her nose and blink all while nodding her head to get what you want. It takes a plan. Ugh. You didn't realize there was a little work involved in Goal Setting, did you? And who likes to plan their life? That might take out some of the fun and excitement of the unplanned tragedy, right? I want you to think about this for a day or so: What kind of plan or "map" would you outline for your life for certain improvements, or to attain certain goals you may have? Think about it.
I've fallen off the path, but I am "planning" how I expect to get back on, and STAY on! I'll revist this in a day or so with a little more guidance to get your map written, so you too can achieve your goals.
After almost three months of laziness I'm back into my personal training and fitness program. My personal trainer was pleasantly suprised that I hadn't gained any weight and that my percentage of body fat was only up by .9 percent! Of course I was more than exstatic about it. I set my personal goals to achieve a low body fat and high lean mass content. But then I let some outside circumstances get in the way as an excuse to stop training. I didn't realize how much I was cheating myself. So I'm back at it!
