Universal Music Power

In a delightful description of the power of music William Congreve wrote "Music hath charms to sooth a savage beast..." in his 1697 play The Mourning Bride.

The benefits of listening to music has not been lost over the ages. In fact, humans were making their own music in prehistoric times and have not let up since. Every culture has its own beat, but they all provide entertainment and meaning in their societies.

If we boil down the real power of music, it's a mood enhancer. It improves our moods by triggering the release of three powerful chemicals: dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin. These hormones give us a rush of pleasure, support reward and motivation and help us feel connected to others.

I remember going to a concert featuring Grand Funk Railroad and Black Sabbath at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles in 1971 and being caught up with the primitive beat as people passed communal joints. It was a collective high that turbo charged my adrenaline making it a memorable experience.

Among other benefits music transforms us to other planes of awareness and spiritual joy when listening to religious music that stirs our souls. There are occasions for what I call sad music - funerals, tear-jerker movies, etc. They are an emotional release for some people.

My favorite music is rock and roll. I especially enjoy music from the 60s, 70's, and 80's. I recall driving my 1964 Chevy and rocking to the Canned Heat's "On the Road Again" blaring out of the eight "10-inch Craig speakers hooked up to my Eight-Track tape recorder.

How about you? What's your favorite type of music?

How about your favorite groups?

A sampling of my favorite groups:

The Beatles, The Doors, The Rolling Stones, Moody Blues, Fleetwood Mac, The Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Who, Eagles, Canned Heat, Grand Funk Railroad, Blue Oyster Cult, Creedance Clearwater Revival, Jefferson Airplane, The Animals, Steppenwolf, and Emerson Lake & Palmer.

"Music is the strongest form of magic," - Marilyn Manson (Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) 

As it Stands, to me one of the greatest things a person can do in their life is make music. Writing, singing, playing an instrument, it doesn't matter. We all have our inner beat and rhythm to share with the world. Go with your flow.

Taking a Chance

History is full of people who were willing to take a chance despite the odds of achieving success.

Their reasons vary wildly. They are called risk takers because they realize that in reality things don't always go well... but what the hell? They give it a go.

One of the reasons people take a chance is because they want to be famous.

Take Walt Disney for example. He experienced failure repeatedly before becoming a household name. He was actually fired from the Kansas City Star because his editor felt he "lacked imagination and had no good ideas!" Worse yet, he was unceremoniously removed from the company (Laugh-O-Gram Studio) he started at 30 years old.

The moral of Disney's story is never give up and keep taking chances until you achieve your goal. Walt became an icon because he didn't give up despite years of failures.

Types of risk takers

* There are the calculative and perceptive (hedge funds, contractors, entrepreneurs) people who observe what is going on in the markets and pick their moments. They realize that risk is a variable in the equation that leads to return. Their strength is deductive reasoning and oversight.

* Then we have people who take risks because it gives them a thrill. They don't always think ahead and are likely to fail through lack of planning. But when they succeed it becomes addictive. They are generally fearless and take on challenges that most people wouldn't consider. 

10 Famous People Who Gave Themselves Another Chance

1. Albert Einstein - He didn't speak until he was four and did not read until he was seven, causing his teachers and parents to think he was mentally handicapped.

2. Thomas Edison - Teachers told Edison he was "too stupid to learn anything." He failed at 1,000 attempts to invent the light bulb.

3. Michael Jordon - He was cut from the high school basketball team. He didn't allow that setback to stop him however and became a legend on the court.

4. Babe Ruth - One of the greatest players in baseball had the unenviable record, for decades, of strikeouts. When asked about this he said, "Every strike brings me closer to the next home run." 

5. Henry Ford - His early businesses failed and left him broke five times before he founded the successful Ford Motor Company.

6. Dr. Suess - 27 different publishers rejected his first book To Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street.  

7. Jack London - While he would go on to publish popular novels like White Fang and the Call of the Wild, his first story received six hundred rejection slips before finally being accepted.

8. Fred Astaire - In his first screen test, the testing director of MGM noted that Astaire, "Can't act. Can't sing. Slightly bald. Can dance a little." Astaire went on to become an incredibly successful actor, singer, and dancer and kept the note in his Beverly Hills home to remind him of where he came from."

9. Paulo Coelho - The author of one of the most well-read books worldwide, The Alchemist, was released by an obscure Brazilian publishing house which told him to give up. He didn't give up however and kept knocking on doors until he found success.

10. Vincent Van Gogh - During his lifetime, Van Gogh sold only one painting, and this was to a friend and only for a small amount of money. Still, he plugged on and created over 800 known works. Today they bring in hundreds of millions. 

As it Stands, if you think about it, you're taking a chance every day of your life. 

Lots of Laughter

 
A laugh is a laugh no matter how you get there.

What makes one person laugh might not be so funny to another person. That's just the way it is. Take jokes for example.

Do you want to be safe with your jokes in mixed company and avoid controversial subjects?

Go with corny jokes.

* What did the lettuce say to the celery?

   "Quit stalking me!"

* What's small and red and has a rough voice?

   A hoarse radish!

* What did one wall say to another?

   "I'll meet you at the corner."

* What did one toilet say to another?

 "You look flushed."

Okay. You got the idea.

Let's take the next step and look at some examples of dirty jokes.

* Why isn't there a pregnant Barbie doll?

   Ken came in another box.

* Why did the snowman suddenly smile?

   He could see the snowblower coming.

* How did Burger King get Dairy Queen pregnant?

   He forgot to wrap his whopper.

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Did you hear the one about a penguin having car trouble? So, he takes his car to the garage. The mechanic says it'll take about an hour to check what's wrong.

The penguin sees an ice cream shop across the street, and heads over to get himself a snack while he's waiting.

It's awkward for the poor guy to eat with flippers, and he makes a bit of mess.

He goes back to the mechanic to find out what's wrong with his car.

Mechanic says, "Looks like you blew a seal."

"Ha, no... that's just a little ice cream," the penguin replied.

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I personally try to avoid "loaded laughter." You know, the kind that's mean and mocking someone's bad circumstances. It's a fine line, however. If you're watching a comedy and characters get humiliated or have accidents that's okay. There's a difference between fantasy and reality. Knowing that line will help you keep friends.

You may have heard the saying "Laughter is the best medicine." It's true. One of the best feelings in the world that also brings so much cheer to life is laughter.

Did you know that laughter acts as a powerful antidote for pain, stress, and conflict? Laughter actually increases the immune cells in your body and decreases stress hormones. A good laugh increases the blood in your body and the functioning of blood vessels. Thus, it can help protect you against a heart attack.

Who makes you laugh? A family member or friend?

"Always laugh when you can, it is cheap medicine."                                                              - Lord Byron

As it Stands, my prescription for a good life... lots of laughter.

Positivity is like Electricity

Have you ever known someone who lights up a room the moment they enter it?

Some people are blessed with such a positive spirit that their mere presence makes you smile.

They radiate encouragement, and positivity.

Positive energy is one of those buzz words that originated on the fringes of psychology. I equate it with charisma.

What are some of the traits of a positive person?

* Optimism: They have a hopeful and upbeat outlook on life.

* Resilient: They can bounce back from setbacks quickly and maintain their positive outlook.

*  Kind and Generous: They exhibit kindness and generosity, creating a supportive and nurturing environment. 

* Honest: The are honest and uphold strong moral principles, earning the trust and respect of others.

* Supportive: They offer genuine encouragement and share joy.

* Open-Minded: They are open to new experiences.

* Flexible: They are flexible with adaptable.

I've been blessed with knowing many positive people in my life. One of my favorites is a journalist/book author named Woody Woodburn.

Woody is the perfect example of someone who radiates positivity regardless of the challenges he's faced. Today I want to tell you about his new book, The Butterfly Tree which is available on Amazon. 

It's an extraordinary saga of seven generations of positive people meeting challenges and thriving. Do you want to meet Woody? You can contact him at woodywriter@gmail.com. If you ever want an inspirational speaker at an event, Woody delivers with delightful stories and messages of hope.

There are other people that I've run across in my 74 years who also deserve recognition for being inspirational and maybe I'll share some stories about them in the future.

As it Stands, as Elbert Hubbard once said, "Positive anything is better that negative nothing."

Enjoyable Experiences

The icing on the cake of life is enjoyable experiences. 

I'm talking about experiences that resonate in our memories for the rest of our lives and are part of our daily lives.

 Powerful ones full of emotion and excitement. Sometimes they last for just minutes and sometimes they last for years. And sometimes a lifetime.

When I peel back the pages of time exposing enjoyable experiences, I see the birth of each one of my three sons and the day I married my beautiful wife of 50 years.

I recall those halcyon days when each one of my three sons learned to walk and talk. Now I see them as men with children of their own, opening up new paths to enjoyable experiences with grandchildren.

When asked about the "best time of your life" possible answers could include:

* Childhood: "When I was a kid, playing all day with nor worries."

* Teenage years: "High school, with friends and first experiences with freedom."

* Early adulthood: "Traveling the world after college, exploring new places and meeting new people."

* Retirement: "Having time to pursue hobbies and spend quality time with loved ones."

What was the best time in your life? Hopefully, you are enjoying it right now whatever your age may be. 

I'm at a stage where my enjoyable experiences may seem silly to some... 

Like savoring my wife's prize-winning stew by candlelight - just the two of us or following the LA Lakers and drinking good beer like Guinness (shout out to my buddy Woody Woodburn).

The key to enjoying things (this coming from a 74-year-old man whose been around the block) is being positive as much as you can.

I know it can be a shitty world - but the benefits of embracing the important things in your life will be numerous and often lifesaving.

As it Stands, to summarize, life is too short not to embrace every moment, especially the enjoyable experiences that come your way.

Be Happy

The world is full of challenges that can drag us down unless we get proactive in our pursuit of happiness.

It's too easy to be depressed. Or worried. Or fearful. 

Monumental events happen daily across the planet and right where we live. The Good, Bad, and the Ugly are on display every day.

We all want to be happy. Right? But it's not easy. The good news is there are steps we can take to assure happiness.

According to scientists and researchers, some keys to happiness include:

* Positive emotions: Are a key component of happiness, according to Martin Seligman, the founder of Positive Psychology.

* Engagement: Feeling interested in your activities and connected to others.

* Meaning: Feeling like what you do matters.

* Relationships: Strong relationships are a key predictor of happiness throughout life.

* Accomplishments: A key component of happiness, according to Martin Seligman.

* The Big Four: Qualities that bring satisfaction and peace, including friendliness, cheerfulness, compassion, and gratitude.

* The Three P's: Pleasure, purpose, and pride.

* Lowering expectations: Being pleasantly surprised by what life has to offer.

* Physical activity: Can increase happiness.

* Mindfulness: A key to happiness as people age. I touched on the subject a few of posts ago. See "It's a Time for Lifestyle Change."

My own observations about happiness include seeking out positive people, developing a sense of humor, and nurturing relationships with family and friends.

One of my favorite songs' is Don't Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin.

"Here's a little song I wrote

You might want to sing it note for note

Don't worry

Be happy

In every life we have some trouble

But when you worry you make it double

Don't worry

Be happy, don't worry, be happy now."

(Here's a link to all of the lyrics)

As it Stands, life is too short not to at least try to be happy. What do you have to lose?

Veteran's Day: Remembering My Tour of Vietnam/Cambodia

Vietnam 1970.

I was a scared 19-year-old away from home the first time in his life. 

I didn't expect to survive my tour. 

I was completely ignorant about the Vietnamese culture. My training told me that the Vietnamese (NVA and VC) were subhuman.

I was a combat engineer (demolition) and spent countless hours minesweeping dangerous dirt roads.

I was assigned to the 442 Eng. Div., 31st Eng. Battalion, B-Company headquartered in Bien Hoa. 

Besides minesweeping I did a lot of hard grunt work building firebases, digging trenches for sanitation and water pipelines to villages, and constructing buildings in Binh Duong and Binh Long near the Cambodian border.

Early May in Cambodia. 

Initially my squad was attached to the 3rd Brigade of the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), but we were later transferred to several units (generally - and in one case with a group of Marines. We were assigned to rifle platoons where we used our skills to blow up underground caches of enemy supplies from food to weapons. 

One day my best friend Rogers and I came under fire while helping haul bags of rice that were liberated from an NVA underground bunker. 

He was killed. I was lucky. In that moment I was no longer a teenager - I was forced to become a man determined to live despite the horror of seeing bullets pierce Rogers body. 

             Marijuana in Country

There was one thing all of the pot smokers agreed on... the Vietnamese weed was the best we'd ever smoked.

I freely admit to smoking pot daily, along with the rest of my platoon. It was a way of coping with the hell we lived in. True statistic: the majority of grunts smoked pot in 1970. 

It's been over a half of a century since my south Asian adventures, and I'm still (at times) haunted by the memories. I'm service-connected with PTSD and have spent years in counseling. 

As it Stands, today my thoughts are with Rogers and the other young men who didn't make it back from that terrible war.

You Are Not Alone

When the time comes in our lives that we find ourselves grieving the loss of a loved one it's good to know we're not alone.

Grief is a universal experience affecting both the mind and the body, with feelings in our brain directly affecting our physiology in ways that can leave us stressed and numb.

There's a newly established none-profit that is pursuing a mission to support individuals navigating grief and burnout through community support and somatic-based practices, instructing them how to grow through grief taking control over the nervous system.

The Denver-based LIGHT Movement utilizes scientific insights from the Polyvagal Theory developed by neuroscientist Dr. Stephen Porges, and organizes classes, retreats, and workshops to help overcome grief in a powerful organic way. 

Scientists have learned that grief can significantly alter our physiological state, making it crucial to address both emotional and physical impacts.

The word somatic refers to one-half of the division of the human nervous system, with the other half being the autonomic nervous system.  Somatic refers to those aspects of the nervous system we can control, and it plays a key role in how grief unfolds across our physiology.

The Light Movement also addresses burnout - the loss of passion and motivation in today's hectic world. They use a method called bilateral stimulation, which involves rhythmic stimulation of both sides of the body, such as alternating taps, walking, swimming, art, baking, cooking, and gardening.

Does this non-profit sound like something you are interested in? This December 21st, a virtual (nationally and globally) class will be conducted teaching people how to use somatic based tools to support integration and find meaning and purpose in your life.

Here's a link to the Light Movement offering events and resources to improve your life.

As it Stands, it's good to know you don't have to be alone during those challenges in your life. 

It's Time for a Lifestyle Change

No more politics. 

No more news. 

I'm getting off those trains and taking a new path for my remaining days on earth.

Call it cocooning. Retreating from humanity. Hiding. I don't care. With Trump in the Oval Office, I can no longer bare any reminders of him and the authoritarian government he's installing. It's like poking the bear and I see red.

Enough.

I'm taking the most peaceful path I can and that means my exposure to people will be more limited than it is now. I'm disgusted with a majority of Americans who are now following that fascist orange clown's destruction of our democratic lifestyle.

Time for changes.

My wife and I are looking into how mindfulness meditation can improve our daily journey. There are tons of videos on YouTube, lasting from 10 minutes to hours.

What is mindfulness meditation?

Mindfulness meditation is a mental training practice that teaches you to slow down racing thoughts, let go of negativity, and calm both your mind and body.

It's something millions of anti-Trump people should consider if they want to get through the next four years and cling to their sanity.

Because I'm a combat veteran (Vietnam/Cambodia) who saw too many horrors I have PTSD. Living with it hasn't been easy but I've managed thus far. This new challenge is calling for me to make the biggest lifestyle change yet. As a retired newspaper man (editor and publisher) I've always followed the news and politics. I've commented on both in the last four decades with regularity.

To save my sanity I have to step back from the Toxic News sites on TV, Cable, and Social Media outlets. No more.

About 40 years ago I use to paint with oils. I even actually sold some of my artwork. For some reason - probably because of extreme pressures at the time - I stopped. Now it's time for me to pull out my brushes and oil paints and to become one with my art again.

There are plenty of things to do that produce good vibes and my goal is to live out my final days (just turned 74) by pursuing positive activities. That includes more exercise and other hobbies. And spending more time with loved ones. 

You can call me a coward, or a turtle hiding in his shell. It doesn't matter. I don't care what people think about me anymore. I just want to live in peace and if that means not being aware of what's happening in the country or the world, so be it.

As it Stands, I can't change what's happening in the world. I voted for Democracy, but now it's in a death spiral and I don't want to watch the carnage. The only thing I can change is myself and how I cope with life.

Democracy Just Died: Trump Cult is in Charge of America

As a student of history I've always maintained that when America falls it will be from within. 

Unfortunately, it looks like I was right. 

When Trump seized the reins of power in this presidential election the United States of America ceased to exist. Democracy died.

We now have a dictator who plans on taking retribution against his perceived enemies like political opponents and anyone that dares stand up to his agenda of carnage. At least four years of hate, racism, and authoritarian rule face the average American. Possibly for a lifetime if Trump gets his way. And he does get his way a lot.

Our enemies will become our new allies, and our old allies will become our new enemies. NATO will be under siege like never before. The world order is shifting hard to the right which bodes ill for people's freedoms.

Stop.

I can't keep up with this madness. I'm a retired journalist - a newspaper editor and publisher. I've spent decades covering news and politics and now I have to turn my back on them because I can't handle what's happened with Trump. It's triggering my PTSD. I'm a Vietnam combat veteran who never fully came home. And I have to protect myself now.

I stopped writing this blog last May because I was getting overwhelmed by the hatred and chaos Trump was spreading throughout the country. So, I gave myself a six-month break.

I just turned 74 years old. I don't have that much time left in this world. I've been fighting medical issues (recently had vascular surgery) and I don't want to deal with the madness. It's too depressing. I'm no longer going to write about politics. Period. Frankly, I don't know what I'm going to write about going forward.

Right now, I'm mad and disappointed with my fellow Americans who have allowed our republic to get to this point. I attribute it to fearmongering, racism, and the rise of a cult like this nation had never seen before. Disinformation and outright lies that have flooded the American media in the last 10 years has finally taken its toll. 

This may sound mean, but I have no sympathy for the Hispanic men (who turned out in droves) and voted for Trump making the difference in the crucial swing states.  When they have family members who suddenly get deported in a mass deportation (as Trump has promised) their votes will come back to haunt them. Millions of Americans charmed by the master grifter and traitor will slowly watch their freedoms disappear in the days and years ahead. 

As it stands, it's no longer the America I grew up in and that really makes me sad. And mad.

Blog Break Until Presidential Election is Over

I finally hit the wall today.

I can't think of what to say about all of the madness going on in this country right now.

I'm a writer with no words to properly describe the current chaos.

The growing conviction that we're in the end times for our constitutional democracy and the republic we created 249 years ago, is hardening into a reality as the MAGA cult keeps expanding.

The journalist in me wants to document these terrible times but the Vietnam veteran with PTSD is telling me to back off for a while to stave off depression so deep I might never recover.

This is a personal decision made out of necessity. I'm not giving up on America, but I have to distance myself the next six months until we know who wins the election.

I wish I could just write about other things, but I'm too overwhelmed by the grave situation we're all in to do a decent job.

In over 20 years of publishing this blog I've taken breaks before for a variety of reasons, but none as long as this one will be.

As it Stands, I hope you understand, my dear readers, that I do intend to come back this winter. God willing.