Fantasy Vs. Reality

When reverence, faith or love enters the picture, rationality goes out the window. We find another's behavior adorable or put up when loved ones treat us poorly. This is true of a person, a political party or a football team. They appear to be capable of doing no wrong. For someone with objectivity looking in, it appears puzzling at best and intolerable at worst.

This is reality distortion.

We all have it. We live our fantasy. It may be that we think we are indispensable, like I do. That your lover cares. That you're not fat. Or that there will be a tomorrow, like voters do.

The solution? Monks have been trying to control their thoughts for centuries. Think, Willy! Get rid of those clouds in your head, and think clearly.

- copyright 2013 by Willy

Incognito

"Act with kindness but don't expect gratitude." -Confucius.

Why do we do what we do? For emotional reasons, of course. Logical or rational thinking is trampled by emotion, every time. In an interaction with another, emotional thinking is difficult to accept from both perspectives: from the giving and from the receiving. We get disgusted with ourselves, and we also don't trust the other.

It messes with your head.

The solution? We should do everything with kindness. We should do things for others without an ulterior motive.

Kindness is done best when it is felt but not attributed. When the receiver does not know the source, it is then true and unselfish goodness.... expecting nothing back.

"There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit." - Ronald Reagan.

Leave protein shakes and bananas for others at the gym. Clean the sink and toilet at gym and work. Rack the weights. Leave hockey tickets out. Make like Santa. It's about the small things.

"The best leave no track." - Willy.

- copyright 2013 by Willy.

Afraid of Shadows

It does bug me that life has become a TV daytime soap opera. The same never-ending drama, day in and day out, year in and year out. Somebody cattle-prodding us to jump through hoops, increasing anxiety to the point where sleep is difficult. The uncertainty is making us be afraid of shadows.

The last time government closed, about twenty years ago, I cashed in frequent flyer miles and went on the best vacation of my life. This time I do not have the confidence to go off. This one is different. This time it is much worse.

God, help us all.


- copyright 2013 by Willy.

I'm Baack

Yes, it's been a while since I posted. It's been one thing after another. From unsuccessful shoulder surgery to the busy end of the Fiscal Year, with a spectrum in-between. I am having fun with friends, regardless... just went to the beach and the National Naval Air museum, again.

This year-end is unusually busy due to the earlier furloughs (off every Friday) getting us behind in our work. Then the sequestration cutbacks' uncertainty made the program offices hold their money until year-end... at which point they had to send funds for work needed before the funds expired. Add to that the actual, real and regular work, as well as more task management, increased demands from supporting elements, delivery of reports, and, of course, next-FY planning with budget funds request. It's been very busy.

Last September, I brought down an old hiker guy off a mile-high Appalachian mountain. The 70-year-old had stability problems and was falling down backwards. I side-hugged him and locked-stepped him down in 6 1/2 hours. Not a smart thing to have done, in hindsight... should have called the rescue squad instead like we did this year on another old coot, because I only have one shoulder left.

Then, following that, in October, I got a virus/bacteria that required a double-dose of Prednisone steroid. It made me feel so good that I pressed more weight for more reps... like a young man. Not a smart thing to do either.

The shoulder hurt: Changing the car radio station hurt. Reaching for the glovebox was very painful. Grabbing something from the back seat was excruciating. I tried months of rest, ice, chiropractor, massage and etc.

The orthopedist did arthroscopic surgery... Resulting in lots of pain, complications, therapy and recovery... all for nothing, because the pain is still there. The orthopedist wanted to operate again and I understood what he wanted to do as deboning chicken, so I fired him, his physical therapist and the horse they rode in on.

I had kept up my hiking and riding. Am back to the gym, taking it easy and doing OK but avoiding overhead shoulder movements. Am doing my own therapy, trying different things out to see what works. My doctor wants me to go get a second opinion from another orthopedist.

My plan is to give it time to heal. It takes a while... everything takes a while to get over, physical or mental, so wish me luck and patience. In the meantime, I'm enjoying life and good friends.

I've been busy.


- copyright 2013 by Willy.