AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL
Posted on August 2, 2020
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than their country loved,
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness,
And every gain divine!
—Katherine Lee Bates & Samuel A. Ward, America the Beautiful
Where has America The Beautiful gone! Daily, we are witness to absolute, chaotic disaster! And more will unfold as each self-serving TWEET is offered. “Nobody likes me!” It is disgusting and maddening!! At the helm of the ship is the President, an untrusted, self-serving, party sorted, low functioning, sociopath who is racist and who is protected by political party sorted, power worldview associates of the Federal government institution and country he has been chosen to deconstruct and destroy. We must do better and begin the long trek back to America The Beautiful.
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood,
From sea to shining sea!
—Katherine Lee Bates & Samuel A. Ward, America the Beautiful
Some food for thought to help re-route the ship: Rachel Kleinfield and Aaron Sobel (USA Today, Friday, July 24, 2020, page 7A) offer, “7 ways to reduce political polarization: Destroying the other side cannot be our goal.” Read More
JEOPARDY
Posted on July 26, 2020
Let us do the homework and select political leaders who will know where the country is and what it needs; who will be surrounded by exceptionally well-qualified associates; who will diligently work to create a worldview vision for the country; and who will lead the development of the policies and plans to evolve this country toward the vision for Americans. To wet your reflection juices, the Jeopardy question is who most likely fits this profile: …………………. is a low functioning, sociopath who is racist and who is protected by political party sorted, power worldview associates of the Federal government institution he has been chosen to deconstruct and destroy.
Low functioning
A low-functioning includes persons who “… do not exhibit polished and polite behaviors as a mask for their manipulations…may lack the education or interpersonal skills to control and deceive. Instead they might use threats, coercion, or intimidation to achieve their desired outcome.” (Source: Dr. Timothy J. Legg, “What Is a High-Functioning Sociopath?”, 5-28-2019, https://www.healthline.com, 1-3.)
Sociopath
This is one form of antisocial personality disorder and is the result of environmental factors such as a child or teen’s upbringing in a negative household that resulted in physical abuse, emotional abuse, or childhood trauma. Some of the manifestations are as follows: Read More
RE-THINK THE VISION
Posted on July 19, 2020
As Americans, we each will have important “leader” decisions to make this November: Who are the best qualified persons is to lead this great Nation? As we reflect, muster and share thoughts and ideas, some of the significant challenges for political leaders: global pandemic, racism, inequality, unemployment, health, partisanship, and state of the economy. Unfortunately, amidst the absolute chaotic disaster— confusion, hatred, party-sorting, institutional destruction, and deliberate, planned division that arouses emotions, passions, and prejudices—it may be difficult to relax, focus, and develop a personal perspective concerning the conscious evolution of this great Nation. I believe it is time to take a time out and re-think what we want the country to be. Read More
IMPACT: Programming the Subconscious Mind
Posted on July 12, 2020
A round of golf is a simple “slice of life” where seeds are planted to bear life and golf fruits at future times and places. To grow these fruits of consciousness the only assignment is openness. And, for this student of golf and life, the experience has been that simple is good! And simpler is even better!! Today, the game is about 1) set-up—grip, aim, stance, posture [shoulders high and back, bend forward from the hips, keeping the back straight] and ball position; 2) takeaway—when the club shaft is parallel to the ground the clubhead is in line with the hands; and 3) impact. Let us take a quick journey to impact. Read More
100% RESPONSIBILITY
Posted on July 5, 2020
During Corporate America years at Coors a lasting experience was the opportunity to work with Hyler Bracey, President, the Atlanta Consulting Group. The Coors family had hired Hyler and his associates to facilitate transition of Adolph Coors Company from several dependent, vertically organized companies into two independent companies, Coors Brewing Company and Graphic Packaging Company.
At the age of 28, Hyler was in a stock car racing accident and burned over 60% of his body. His face was severely disfigured, and his fingers were like burned twigs in a bonfire. However, his character, personality and mentality, manifested through his blue eyes and subconscious mind, were magnetizing and drew you to his heart. Hyler modeled that scars offer a story of the past and do not dictate where one intends to go. He walked the talk of one of the key concepts he and his associates shared with the Coors leadership team: life happens because of me and not to me, or the concept of 100% responsibility. Read More
INSANE
Posted on June 28, 2020
Webster offers that insanity is defined as mental illness of such a severe nature that a person cannot distinguish fantasy from reality, cannot conduct her/his affairs due to psychosis, or is subject to uncontrollable impulsive behavior. Some causes: severe psychological trauma suffered as a child, such as emotional, physical, or sexual abuse; an important early loss, such as loss of a parent; neglect; or poor ability to relate to others.
Gosh, could insanity possibly be behind the curtains of the daily Presidential parade across the stages—”photo opportunities”—for media to capture and display for all to see? Is this the behavior—the character, the personality and mentality—we want to have “show-up” in the kids and grandkids? Is this person qualified to be President of the United States? There is anger, arrogance, attachment, jealousy, envy and delusion; and underneath each is fear. And, in his tribal base, the Donald Trump party, one notes human needs for safety, recognition, security, loyalty, admiration and allegiance to the chief. Read More
SUBCONSCIOUS MIND
Posted on June 22, 2020
Ever since teeing up that first golf ball with Mom and Dad at the age of seven, golf has been a patient life coach; and as the years have sped by, the sport continues to coach and counsel. Recent experiences have offered that if open and psychologically ready for the infinite messages, “simple” in golf and life can be discovered beyond sport and life’s complexities. Read More
SHADOW
Posted on June 14, 2020
The book is Integral Life Practice (Wilber et al, 2008, Integral Books), Chapter 4: The Shadow Module, page 51-52, Gold Star Practice, The 3-2-1 Shadow Process. The assignment is to pick a “difficult person” by whom you are repelled or disturbed: makes you easily triggered, reactive, irritated, angry or upset; or may keep coming up as an emotional tone or mood that pervades your life. Then follow three steps: 3-Face It; 2-Talk to It; and 3-Be It. The person chosen is Donald J. Trump and he has occupied the Office of the President of the United States since January 21, 2017. Read More
MODEL THE WAY
Posted on June 8, 2020
In The Blood Lust of Identity Ian Buruma offers, “Identity is what gets the blood boiling, what makes people do unspeakable things to their neighbors. It is the fuel used by agitators to set whole countries on fire.” Yes! We need to get back to the work of governing instead of focusing so much of our energy on partisan victory, conflict, and pride. Folks, we collectively must wake up, begin to think sanely, and elect political leaders with new trajectories and course setting strategies that manifest from deep within the cockpit of compassionate souls. We are de-railed and can begin to re-rail with votes this November. Read More
DISAPPEARING
Posted on June 2, 2020
Except for a few, cross-cut individuals, Americans have evolved to be a political party sorted country; and daily, we are becoming more sorted. It reminds of a Broncos-Raiders football game: a must win at all cost. Wilber et al contend, “…partisan politics is a dangerous duel of limited and partial truths… glaring inadequacies of both parties, due largely to their lack of view big enough to address the complex issues facing us today.” (Integral Life Practice, 2008, Integral Books, 114) Lilliana Mason, Uncivil Agreement, offers, Read More