The Elixir In Life Is New Experiences

 The Elixir In Life Is New Experiences

As a child almost everything is a new experience. As a teenager most everything is a new experience. Then we get a job and some of us get married and some of us have children. The job is a new experience until it's not. Marriage is a new experience until it's not and the kids are a new experience until they are not.

Why does that happen? It's because we let it happen. Some of us don't look for new experiences in our job. We wake up at the same time, we get to the job the same time, we do the same work every day and we go home at the same time every time. We allow and accept that boring routine. If you really want a new experience, take the risk and change jobs. At least, eat a different lunch every day.

Why does marriage get to be the same every day? It's because we stop asking questions of each other. I'm with Joyce for over three years and I'm still learning about her family and her previous life. She is doing the same as me. Yes, we have our routine, but we experience different foods, different places to travel and different movies and shows to experience.

The kids, well, that should be a different experience every day they are growing up. Even when they are all grown up, spend time experiencing what their life has become. 

Now, what about your life? Have you accepted life as it is? Are you doing anything to get new experiences? Living life is not about how long you can last. Living life is not about existing. Living life is about many things. The one I decided to choose today is:

The Elixir In Life Is New Experiences

Dick Gregory

 Dick Gregory

Dick Gregory was the first political comic. He spent his life and his career trying to wake-up America, through his comedy, on the racism in America in the 60s and 70s. I just watched his documentary. He had so many things to say that I agree with. One of his sayings, that has nothing to do with racism, really hit home for me.

"in order to appreciate happiness, you have to experience sadness. In order to appreciate health, you have to experience sickness and disease."

The first line is so true to me. I so appreciate my life today after all the sadness I experienced in my life. I've been sad and happy throughout my life. True happiness usually happens after a great sadness in my life. Losing Ellen and then finding Joyce is a great example.

I've been healthy almost all of my life. A cold here and there was my only health problem. Sooo, until February 2025, I really didn't appreciate my health. February 2025, I got COVID pneumonia. It was really bad and I believe it had a lot to do with my heart surgery in September and my long-lasting pneumonia plus acid reflux in April 2026.

I'm on the mend now, however, I really appreciate feeling somewhat healthy again. When I'm back to being Kenny again, I will never underestimate my appreciation for my health. 

OK, what about you. It would be rare for anybody not to have experienced sadness or health problems in their life. The question is has this sadness and health problems got you to appreciate the happiness when the sadness and health problems have ended. I hope so.

Mental Health

 Mental Health

When we think of health, it's usually about physical health. We assume we are healthy mentally unless we have a mental disorder. What I learned was that assumption is not true. We all go through times in our life when our mental health is either not so good or has changed over time.

I'm a good example. As a young kid, I was happy and mentally healthy. When I started working, I became scared that I would not be good enough. My mental state was fear. However, I was very good at my job, and the fear went away. Then I got married to the wrong woman. I was so unhappy, my mental state became anger and depression.

After the divorce I was happy again and mentally healthy. Then, again, I married the wrong woman. That divorce brought out the worst of my mental state. I was fearful, angry and felt out of control. My life was shit until I met Bob and then My Ellen. 

My mental state was very healthy until Ellen died suddenly of a heart attack. Because of the teaching and the mental tools Bob gave me, I didn't fall into anger or depression, but a new mental state for me was loneness. 

That lasted until I met Joyce. Now, even with all my current health challenges, I'm happy, loving life and Joyce. My mental health is great.

Sooo, what about you. In my opinion, mental health is just or maybe even more important than your physical health. Poor mental health will have a negative impact on your physical health. If your mental health is not great, figure out why, change what you can change and/or get help.

The Future

 The Future

I've always said that I don't fear death, however, when I dye, I will feel sad that I won't be able to see it all. Being someone that loves technology, I know that the future will be driven by technology. The person that still has an old flip phone is someone that rather live in the past than the future.

The person that can't wait for the latest technology advancement (like Joyce's daughter), is someone that can't wait for the future. The people that fear AI will be a disaster for mankind, really don't understand how benefitable it will be for mankind in the future.

At 17 I couldn't wait until I could afford a car. Being able to drive was thrilling. At 81, the bloom is off the rose. I don't want to drive long distances and I really hate driving at night. Sooo, I can't wait until I can buy a self driving car.

The future will bring unbelievable capabilities to the human body. Artificial limbs to make a handicap person have a normal life.  If Christopher Reeves were alive in the future, he would be able to fly again. Seeing hearing and being able to control ones limbs with their minds, will benefit many people in the future

The world will get smaller. Airplanes will get us from Los Angeles to London in three hours, Communicating with someone that doesn't speak your language will be easy with a small device. AI will make all communication easier. Drugs will come on the market much faster. 

I could go on and on, however there will always be those who see the future in negative terms. AI will replace all human jobs. Just remember all technology advancement has replaced jobs. On the other hand, it has created new jobs. Humans will adapt (except those who are afraid of the future and have a flip phone). 

AI will control the world without humans. The way I see it, that's up to the humans. I trust us as human beings to make sure we don't create a world like the negative movies that depict a negative future. Technology will create wars. I can't see it creating more wars then we are experiencing today. As a matter of fact, technology, will have less humans dying in a war.

Sooo, for those of you who are afraid of the future, Embrace it or fall behind. Love it because it will make your life better. Be real because you can't stop it.

Dirty Laundry

 Dirty Laundry

Another one of my favorite songs from Don Henley

"Dirty Laundry"

I make my living off the evening news
Just give me something
Something I can use
People love it when you lose
They love dirty laundry

Well, I coulda been an actor
But I wound up here
I just have to look good
I don't have to be clear
Come and whisper in my ear
Give us dirty laundry

Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down

Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em all around

We got the bubble headed
Bleached blonde
Comes on at five
She can tell you 'bout the plane crash
With a gleam in her eye
It's interesting when people die
Give us dirty laundry

Can we film the operation
Is the head dead yet
You know the boys in the newsroom
Got a running bet
Get the widow on the set
We need dirty laundry

You don't really need to find out
What's going on
You don't really want to know
Just how far it's gone
Just leave well enough alone
Eat your dirty laundry

Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down

Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're stiff
Kick 'em all around

Dirty little secrets
Dirty little lies
We got our dirty little fingers
In everybody's pie
We love to cut you down to size
We love dirty laundry

We can do the innuendo
We can dance and sing
When it's said and done
We haven't told you a thing
We all know that crap is king
Give us dirty laundry

I hate to say it, but we do love Dirty Laundry. The people who spew negative gossip, get more attention than those who spew positive happenings. There are those of us that don't want to hear about Dirty Laundry, but we are the few not the majority.

Without Dirty Laundry, the media would go bankrupt. Without Dirty Laundry, some people would not have a life. Without Dirty Laundry, politicians would not be able to create attack ads. Without Dirty Laundry, some comedians would never get a laugh.

I've always stated that negative energy begets negative energy and positive energy begets positive energy. Sooo, I write and live my life with positive energy. However, I have to admit that I'm bombarded with negative energy that can be depressing. 

One way to not get depressed by the bad stuff that's going on at home and in the world is to enjoy the fun of Dirty Laundry. Yes, that's positive me saying Dirty Laundry can be fun. If given the negative information about life in America verses a celebrity caught cheating on his wife, I'm choosing the Dirty Laundry.

Love

Love

Love is a complex, multifaceted emotion and behavior characterized by deep affection, intense attachment, and an unselfish concern for the well-being of others. It spans a vast spectrum, from the profound and romantic to simple pleasures and universal compassion. 

Wow, is love really that complex? I believe it's more simple than that. I believe love has a few components that when exist, you have the best chance to experience true love.

* Falling in love. To me, that's all about sex, attraction and endorphins. Some people fall in love on their first date. Some fall in love on their first sexual encounter. Some fall in love just looking at a really good looking person. Some just love to fall in love. Falling in love is easy and may not last without the elements below.

* Respect. There is no love without respect. The more you know someone and what they are all about, the more you find out if they are respectful. If they respect others there is a good chance they will respect you. You can't fall in love with someone that does not respect you. On the other hand, it's easy to fall in love with someone you dearly respect and who really respects you.

* Moral compass. Anyone without a solid moral compass is not to be trusted. If they cheat, they will cheat on you. If they lie, they will lie to you. If they take advantage, they will take advantage of you. Loving someone with a great moral compass makes you feel safe and trusted.

* Caring. When you feel the person really cares about you, wants you to be successful, wants you to be happy, wants you to to get all you deserve in life, that's the person to fall in love with. It's a loving knowledge that the other person will be there for you.

* Feeling loved. Just saying "I love you" is not enough. You have to feel loved. Someone who truly loves you will show you that love in the way they act, in the way they treat you, in the way they talk about you and in the way they show you the respect, moral compass and caring.

OK sure, attraction and emotion is a part of love but I have learned that the elements I listed above are the best way to find and enjoy true love.

Making A Difference

 Making A Difference

Well, on my way to writing this blog, I got pneumonia that put me in the hospital for 10 days and under a doctor care for some months. Wow, have I been through a lot these last 12 months.

I have events and people in my life that have impacted my life. Two divorces have been the most impactful events in my life. However, it's the people that have the most impact. My father set my moral compass. My sessions with Bob changed my entire outlook in life.

Good friends who were there for me when I needed them the most impacted my life. Currently, Joyce is having the most positive impact on my life. These people have uplifted me and changed the direction my life has taken - all for the good.

I wish you all have had and are continued to have events and people having a positive impact on your life. 

This should be great, but something is missing. At 81 I'm thinking about did I make a difference? Maybe it's because I know life is short for me. Maybe it's because I'm insecure. Maybe it's because I'm somewhat depressed.

I've always been a problem solver. Not just for other people but for myself. As far as thinking about my days are short, I don't live that way. Every day I wake up I look forward to all the good stuff I have.

I've always been insecure about some things. If needing to know if I've made a difference is my insecurities, then I have to own it and accept it. If it has anything to do with been a little depressed because of all the medical stuff going on with me, I can talk that out with the people I love and trust - or just take a pill.

Is it just me or does everyone want to know if they've made a difference? I've never thought about that before. Maybe it's just what old people think about.