An Addendum To "Why People Do Bad Things"

An Addendum To "Why Do People Do Bad Things"

When I thought about using Hatred as to "Why People Do Bad Things." Haters get very angry. I decided to use anger because the minority of people Hate and the majority of people have anger in their lives. Animals don't hate, but many get angry. Prehuman's rarely hate, but o-boy do they get angry and get revenge. 

Sooo, people today didn't get the hate DNA jean from Animals or prehuman's. However, we all know there is hate in this world. It comes from a hater passing it down to family and friends. A CLU Klux clan leader passes hate of blacks down to his followers. Hitler wasn't angry at Jews, he hated them. He then passed that hate down to the SS who passed it down to the troops. Any troop who didn't go along with the hate was shot.

This situation wasn't just happening in Germany, many other countries hated the Jews. The net result was 6 million Jews were killed, thousands of gypsies were killed and many, many homosexuals were killed. They believed the Arian rase was the supreme rase and the blood of other rases had to be extinguished. 

To day there are many hate groups and individuals who hate. Hate begets anger. Hate is a learned trait not a DNA trait. Fortunately these hateful people are in the minority. So, I chose angry as my reason for "Why People Do Bad Things." 

It's as easy as getting angry at your kid for not doing his homework which leads to you punishing him instead of helping him. It's as easy as you hating the driver who hit your car and wanting to punch him in the face when you know the insurance companies will fix the car.

If we could evolve as a race that does not get angry, life would be happier and the world would be a better place.

Why Do People Do Bad Things

 Why Do People Do Bad Things

Some people kill other people. Some countries go to war at the acceptance of the majority of their people. Some people except violence for certain reasons. Some people cheat and steal. Some people take advantage of others. Some people lie to your face. 

There are a few people who don't do any of those things, but they are not the majority. 

Why do people do these bad things? Well, let's start with where we come from. Animals have to be paranoid or they won't be able to protect themself. Animals have to be aggressive or they won't eat. Animals get violent to control other animals. Animals get angry when other animals take their stuff or threaten them.

After animals we have pre-humans. They do everything animals do plus convincing their flock to go to war. Not to just provide food and shelter, they just want to conquer other pre-humans and steal their land and stuff. Pre-humans are an angry and aggressive bunch

It's no wonder why human people do bad things. Well, you say most people are good. Well, I say, who of us don't get angry? Who of us has never cheated? Who of us has accepted war because we are paranoid that others want to take-over or kill us? Who of us has never lied (I'm one of the few)? Who of us think it's ok to beat-up and/or kill someone who has raped a child or adult?

I hate to say it, but I am one of the many who has done a few of those things. Am I considered a bad person? Today's society believes I am a good person.

How can we change our pre-human DNA traits? To me it starts with anger. We are an angry people. We get angry at too many things. Anger makes us aggressive to others. Anger makes some of us paranoid. When you're paranoid you believe everyone is out to get you, so we go to war. Anger makes you defensive. Defensive makes you offensive. Offensive get's you to do bad things.

I have worked hard to control my anger. I'm no longer angry with the two women that took everything from me. I no longer get angry if someone does bad things to me. I don't get angry if someone hits my car. I believe anger is negative energy.

I would love to live in a world where people never get angry. Maybe there will be a pill for that, however will anyone take that pill? Probably not because current humans love to get angry.

Quotes What Do They Mean

Quotes, What Do They Mean

I love quotes that have a deep meaning to me. I get them from various media I read and watch. Some are my quotes. Some of the meanings are clear others are not. Here are just a few:

"stupid is stupid - you can't fix stupid." Many have tried, but stupid people who do stupid things will continue to do stupid things because they don't know better. They're not bad people, they're just stupid. Don't try to fix them. 

"positive energy begets positive energy - negative energy begets negative energy." If you're reading my blogs, you know I say that many times. I live by that quote. I encourage people to be the source of positive energy or at least hang out with positive energy people.

"Life without taking a risk is half a life." You'll never get all that you deserve without taking some risks. Playing it safe your entire life is half a life. You have to believe in yourself. You have to love yourself. If you do so, you will recover if the risk you take doesn't work out.

"the optimist believes she is living in the best possible life. The pessimist believes that statement is true." Once you believe your life is the best it can be, you'll never try to make it better. 

"life without regret is no life at all." Regret, I've had a few, "Frank Sinatra." Shuddas or couldas are part of life. Yes, it's important to try to minimize the shuddas and couldas, but it's more important to not let your life be defined by them. "I shuddas done that - I coulda done that" is no way to live your life. Regret is part of life. Get rid of your regret, shuddas and couldas in your mind and memory. That's the past and you are the future.

Mid-Terms

Mid-Terms

Mid-Terms are being voted on in November. I know it's early to be talking about Mid-Terms, However, I believe this year's Mid-Terms are different and more important than any year I've voted for in the past. My reason is that the balance of power in Congress is at stake.

I hope the power's to be in Congress will make sure everyone will get a chance to vote. We need everyone to vote because the direction of this country is also at stake. I have my point of view and you have your point of view. The will of the people, who vote, will decide what they want America to look like over the next two years.

If it doesn't go my way, I'll still love America. If it doesn't go my way, I'll get another shot in two years. I hope you will feel the same. In the next two years I will still be Kenny. In the next two years I'll still love my life. In the next two years I'll still have as much fun as possible. In the next two years I'll still have my loving wife Joyce, wonderful friends, and fantastic family.

I really want the Mid-Terms to go my way because I believe it will make for a better America. If you feel the same, do something. Do anything and everything you can to influence your friends and family to vote your way. If you're have trouble doing anything, at the very least, VOTE.

The reason I'm writing this blog now instead of October/November, is because now is the time to solidify the ones who think like you and try to change the minds of the ones who don't.

This is a very important election. The balance of power is at stake. VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!!

Laughter

Laughter

A good laugh has great short-term effects. When you start to laugh, it doesn't just lighten your load mentally. It actually causes physical changes in your body. Laughter can:

• Stimulate many organs. Laughter helps you take in oxygen-rich air, which stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles. Laughter also increases feel-good chemicals called endorphins that your brain releases.
• Activate and relieve your stress response. A rollicking laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response. It also can raise and then lower your heart rate and blood pressure. As a result, you feel good and more relaxed.
• Soothe tension. Laughter also can stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation. Both can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.

Long-term effects

Laughter isn't just a quick pick-me-up, though. Laughter also may:

• Help your immune system work better. Laughter can lower stress hormones that can weaken the immune system, such as cortisol. Laughter also boosts certain immune cells that fight illness.
• Relieve pain. Laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers. It also shifts your focus away from feeling uncomfortable.
• Increase personal satisfaction. Laughter can make it easier to cope with tough situations. It also helps you connect with other people.
• Boost your mood. Many people have depression, sometimes due to chronic illnesses. Laughter can help lessen your stress, depression and anxiety. It also may make you feel happier. And it also can improve your self-esteem.

We all know that a good laugh makes you feel better. As you can see from the information above, it has major physical and mental benefits. So, why don't we laugh more often? It depends on our personality and what's going on in our life.

Our personality is formed from our DNA and our upbringing. It's the old joke, " Jonny and Sally come home from the movies. They go into the living room and see a pile of shit on the floor. Jonny says, "mom and dad are going to blame me and punish me." Sally says, "this is great. Mom and dad bought us a pony." 

I have friends that love to laugh and I have friends that don't see anything funny in their life. I love to laugh. I grew up with a mother that loved to laugh. Even though my father had a serious side, he told jokes all the time. They were bad jokes, but I laughed because he was laughing.

Sooo, DNA and upbringing have an effect on who sees laughter in life and who doesn't. What's going on in our life also has an effect on our laughter. Physical and mental problems have a major impact. It's hard to laugh if you are in physical pain. It's hard to laugh if you are depressed. It's hard to laugh if you are extremely stressed.

You know that I preach happiness is the forgotten ingredient in life. Doing what it takes to find happiness should be everyone's goal. Positive energy begets positive energy and negative energy begets negative energy so be the source of positive energy and/or hang out with positive people.

It's a lot easier to laugh if you are happy. It's a lot easier to laugh if you are a positive person or hang out with positive people who laugh a lot. Sooo, seek those laughing positive people. Watch shows and read books that make you laugh. 

Everyone sees laughter in different things. Everyone has a different sense of humor. Find your laughter because it's really good for you.

Humans Best Attribute Is Feeling

 Human's Best Attribute Is Feeling

I got a text today from my friend that said he was dizzy. My first reaction was that he should get checked out. My second reaction was that I was feeling concerned he may be really ill. That feeling reminded me that is what makes me human.

There is a lot of talk about AI and Robots. I believe the future of AI and Robotics will make mankind's life better. However, what we won't get from that technology is feeling sad, angry, happy, etc. I can hug my friend and get hugged back because we care about each other. I can hug my robot, but don't expect to get hugged back.

There are some people that don't have feelings. The majority of those people have a mental disorder. There are many people that have suppressed their feelings. My dad suppressed his feelings because he grew up in the Great Depression, with a dead father and a sickly mother. That fear of life got him to suppress his feelings. I believe he didn't get the most out of life.

On the other hand, my mother, who grew up very poor, was a feeling machine. My sister got my father's lack of feeling and thankfully, I got my mother's feeling machine. I believe the people who really know me, can sense when I'm happy, sad or angry. I don't have to say anything, they just can sense it because they have feelings.

Having feelings can be scary. Having feelings can make you venerable. Showing your feelings can make you seem weak to those who want to take advantage. However, having feelings is what makes you a great human being. Having feelings is what enables you to have wonderful friends and family who also have feelings. Having feelings enables you to get the most out of this wonderful life.  

What about you? Have you suppressed your feelings or are you a feeling machine? Remember;

Human's Best Attribute Is Feeling

Conscious

 Conscious

Conscious is critical to being human. A Sociopath doesn't have conscious. A Psychopath  doesn't have a conscious. Those kind of people (notice I didn't call them humans), don't care about the human race. Doing something bad to anything including humans, is justified in their minds.

For humans like us, having a conscious will get us to the right thing. On the other hand, having a conscious will give us grief if we do the wrong thing. Doing the right thing all of the time will lead to happiness. Doing bad things most of the times will make us unhappy, assuming we have a conscious.

Lying will create a negative conscious. The more you lie the worse you feel about yourself, assuming you have a conscious. Using the excuse "I lied for their own good," "I lied because I didn't want to hurt their feelings," " I lied because I wanted them to like me," "I lied so I can get what I want," will eventually bring you down, assuming you have a conscious.

How many of you believe you can go to your grave with a clear conscious? I know I will. Doing the right thing is a choice. Avoiding taking advantage of situations and people, will give you that clear conscious. Not doing the wrong thing and/or never lying takes guts. It can get you to either love yourself or not liking yourself.

Sooo, remember every action you take will affect your conscious, assuming you have a conscious in the first place. If you want to be happy for the rest of your life, keep a clear conscious. 

 

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.

Wild Horses

Wild Horses

One of my favorite songs - oh that's right I have many favorite songs. That's because I listen to a lot of music. My rules are the song must have a beat. The blues has a beat, country music has a beat, rock and roll music always has a great beat, Black Eyed Peas Rap music has a beat, James Brown and Rick James Funky music has the best beat. Boy Band music not so much beat, Classical Jazz music some beat, Jimmy Hendrix music - just noise.

Ok, since I have a lot of music with a great beat to choose from what makes the song my favorite - rule number two - the lyrics. There are lines in songs that just hit home for me. Some are visual like the line in the song One Of A Kind by The Temptations that goes "she makes a blind man talk about seeing again." I can visualize how beautiful that woman must be just from that line.

Sooo, let's get to my today's favorite song "While Horses"

"Wild Horses" was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones. While officially credited to the duo, Richards created the main melody and chorus in 1969, and Jagger wrote the verses, often noted as being influenced by his relationship with Marianne Faithfull. The song was famously recorded first by The Flying Burrito Brothers in 1970 before the Stones released their version on Sticky Fingers in 1971. 

Anyone who listened to that song knows It's a love song about a woman. The line that hits me the most is "

Wild horses couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses, we'll ride them some day

That line reminds me about love of life not just a woman. Look at me, Last year Wild Horses did everything they could to drag me away. Triple By-pass Heart surgery in September followed by Blood Cancer in October. 

Well here I am today. Joyce and I are on those Wild Horses and not just riding them some day, we're riding them today. 

If Wild Horses are dragging your love of life away. I suggest you ride them out to a better conclusion, or you say: "I'm mad as hell and I going to change what's taking that love of life from me." If you do one of those things, I promise you will ride those Wild Horse Some Day.

Days Like This

 Days Like This

One of my favorite songs by Van Morrison: Days Like This

When it's not always raining there'll be days like this
When there's no one complaining there'll be days like this
When everything falls into place like the flick of a switch
Well my mama told me there'll be days like this

When you don't need to worry there'll be days like this
When no one's in a hurry there'll be days like this
When you don't get betrayed by that old Judas kiss
Oh my mama told me there'll be days like this

When you don't need an answer there'll be days like this
When you don't meet a chancer there'll be days like this
When all the parts of the puzzle start to look like they fit
Then I must remember there'll be days like this

When everyone is up front and they're not playing tricks
When you don't have no freeloaders out to get their kicks
When it's nobody's business the way that you wanna live
I just have to remember there'll be days like this

When no one steps on my dreams there'll be days like this
When people understand what I mean there'll be days like this
When you ring out the changes of how everything is
Well my mama told me there'll be days like this

Oh my mama told me

hay, anybody reading this blog have Days Like This? Maybe just a few times in my life. It sure feels good just to think about it. We came from primates. For self preservation, primates always looked over their shoulder. They always expected something to go wrong in a day.

We're not that different. We look for something to go wrong. We have trouble accepting and feeling happy when nothing goes wrong. They call it "human Nature." If nothing is going wrong with us, we have plenty of bad news news to take away from our Days Like This day.

That's why I play Morrison's song over and over again. Here's a suggestion, when you have a Days Like This day write it down and put it in a special place. Sooo, whenever you don't have a Days Like This day, go to your special place and remember the feeling. Of course, if your having a really bad day you can always play Morrison's song.

Passion

 Passion

One of my favorite songs, Passion, sung by Rod Stuart, reminds me of a need to never lose. Here are a just few bars:

[Pre-Chorus]
New York, Moscow (Passion)
Hong Kong, Tokyo (Passion)
Paris and Bangkok (Passion)
A lotta people ain't got (Passion)
Hear it in the radio (Passion)
Read it in the papers (Passion)
Hear it in the churches (Passion)
See it in the schoolyards (Passion)

[Bridge]
Alone in your bed at night (Passion)
It's half past midnight (Passion)
As you turn out your sidelight (Passion)
Something ain't right (Passion)
There's no passion, there's no passion
There's no passion, I need passion
You need passion, we need passion
Can't live without passion
Won't live without passion
Can't live without passion

[Outro]
Even the president needs passion
Everybody I know needs some passion
Some people die and kill for passion
Nobody admits they need passion
Some people are scared of passion
Yeah, passion

Those last few lines really hit home with me. "Even the President needs passion." Oh, how I wish he had some. "Everybody I know needs passion." A lot of people love things, but do they have a passion for anything? "Some people die and kill for passion." Although everybody needs passion, it's sad to note that a terrorist has passion.

"Nobody admits they need passion." Too many people go through life without being passionate about anything. I say, "life without passion is half a life. "Some people are scared of passion." I never knew my dad to be passionate about anything - on the other hand he had a lot of barriers. I believe being passionate about anything was too scary for him because when growing up everything was always taken from him (including his parents).

I have many passions. Everything from life itself to football. I love it when I see the passion in others. Watching my cousin Steve's love for his music, puts a smile on my face. Joyce and I love each other, but we are also passionate about the health and happiness of each other.

What about you? What are your passions? Do you have many or any? Do you believe it's important to be passionate? Let me repeat, Life Without Passion Is Half A Life!!!

Rags To Riches

 Rags To Riches

Poor people are happier than rich people. This is a myth I grew up with. I guess that myth was stated because poor people wanted to feel better about themselves. I never heard rich people say that, but I didn't know any rich people. 

Many movies have a rags to riches theme. The usual plot is that after becoming rich the poor person does not become happier. In some movies just the opposite becomes true. In the movie "Trading Places" the rich guy loses everything, becomes miserable and then get it all back and becomes even happier than he was when he was rich - only in the movies!

Of course, all of this is just fantasy. Given the choice, who would vote to be poor over being rich? It sucks to be poor. Life is much harder when you're poor. Life choices are much more difficult when you're poor. Rich people have a lot more going for them than poor people. Financial security is important to everyone. Living a life without financial security is scary.

Sooo, are rich people happier than poor people? The answer to that question is - it depends. If you've never been poor, how would you know the answer. How a poor person describes happiness is probably different than how a rich person describes happiness. Going from rags to riches depends on what a person decides to do with their new found wealth. Also, how a poor person describes rich might be different than how a rich person describes rich.

I believe there is something to be said for growing up poor and deciding what to do when you wind up with more money you thought you would ever have. Me personally, if I hit the lottery for many, many millions, my first thought would not be what new car I would buy, but what family/friend I would help out. 

However, that being said, I have financial security in my life and only make decisions with my money that makes me happy. Who knows what I would spend my money on if I was dirt poor. In my first book, I wrote a line that stated, "at ten I was poor, but I was having fun." Today, reading about the struggles of really poor people, I realize I was never poor. 

Yes, we didn't have much money, but we did have food to eat, air to breathe and shelter. Now I realize, there are many people who don't have enough food to eat and shelter. Rich to them is more about security than happiness. I can't even imagine what those people would do if they went from rags to riches. I can't even imagine what they would consider happiness.

As I always ask, "what about you?" Are you poor or rich? How do you define poor vs. rich? Are you happy with what you have? Would you be happier if you had more? What would you do if you had more? 

Money is not the root of all evil. Money is all about choices. Nobody reading my blogs are really poor so It's important to think about if you are making the right choices. If your choices are making yourself and or others happier, those are the right choices. 

Pain

Pain

When we think about pain we usually refer to physical pain. However, there are other kinds of pain. Emotional, mental, psychological just to name three. I have run the gambit on all kinds of pain.

I've had a bad back since my early twenties. This year alone, I've had three procedures to help with the toothache that goes down my left leg. I've had emotional pain losing my dad to Parkinson's disease and losing My Ellen unexpectedly. The worst pain I've ever had was the mental and phycological pain from my second divorce.

Each and every time I've gotten on the right side of my pain. Want to know how? Well, A  little help from my friends, loved ones, Bob. and a strong desire to love life. 

The toothache in my left leg gets a little better after each procedure. However, I've accepted that pain is my way of life. I'm in a positive emotional groove because of My Joyce. My mental and phycological well being is great because of my family and friends. Nobody is pressing my buttons because I got rid of all my buttons. BTW, I'm doing all this without the help of drugs.

My pain doctor always asks me, " from a scale of one to ten, what is your pain level." Sooo, I'm asking you the same question. Is physical pain, emotional pain mental pain and/or phycological pain getting you down? Is any kind of pain you have impacting your happiness? 

If the answer is no, you are one of the very few. If the answer is yes, I can only give you my suggestion;

Love Life So Much That You Are Willing To Say To Yourself - Fu.k That Pain.

All You Need Is Love

All You Need Is Love

Everybody knows the song, All You Need Is Love by the Beatles.

There's nothing you can do that can't be done
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game
It's easy

Nothing you can make that can't be made
No one you can save that can't be saved
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time
It's easy

All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need

Love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love, love

All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need

Nothing you can know that isn't known
Nothing you can see that isn't shown
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be
It's easy

All you need is love

I am someone who has lots of love in my life. Wife, family and friends have love for me. The most important part is that I have love for myself. Having all that love makes it easy for me to love back. 

I was brought up with love. Mom, Dad and friends all loved me and I loved them back. I had a few bumpy years where I felt unloved by others, but loving myself got me through the worst of times.

Some people love themselves, but don't love others the way they love themselves. Some people don't have love for anybody. I can only assume that those people don't love life. Some people show their love in different ways. Those people are sometimes misunderstood.

I feel bad for some who have not grown up with love. I can understand why they have many barriers. My dad didn't grow up with love in his life and therefore had lots of barriers. It was hard for him to give physical love (like a hug), but I could see his love for me in his eyes.

I believe the more you love, the more love you'll get back. It's hard, but letting down your barriers, will allow others to love you even more. I believe in loving people even though you might not get the love you hope for and deserve, back.

These are hard times. Hard times are when you need to put as much love you can into your heart. Hard times are when you need to love others as much as you can. I promise if you do as I suggest, you will have lots of love in your life.

Remember, to be a happy person All You Need Is Love.

Don't Let This War Get You Down

 Don't Let This War Get You Down

I know a few people who are really happy we've gone to war with Iran. I also know many people who are upset we've gone to war with Iran. Personally, I'm confused.

Iran's leadership (not the majority of it's people), are radical people. They are a threat to not only Israel, but the United States and any other country that supports Israel. The world should never let them have nuclear weapons.

Our current administration got out of the nuclear treaty with Iran. I believe they did so because Israel was concerned Iran would cheat and find a way to make nuclear weapons even though the treaty required inspections.

Maybe Israel is right. And if so, they have a legitimate reason to do what ever it takes to prevent Iran from getting those weapons. This administration stated America got into this war because Israel was going to war with Iran. That does not make sense to me.

Sooo, to be clear, in my opinion this is Israel's war not America's war. Sooo, even though I agree Iran are bad guys, why not let Israel take out their nuclear threat. I would love Israel to win, but what's it my business? That's why I'm confused.

For those people who are unhappy we are in this war (including me), Don't Let This War Get You Down. Don't try to persuade the war happy people we should end this war. It will only make you more frustrated. 

Stop talking with like minded people about this war because negative energy will only bring more negative energy. Stop listening to war reports, because none of it will be good news. I always keep my focus on the wonderful life I have. With the years I have left, I'm not going to let bad news take away my happiness.

This war WILL end!! Soooo, Don't Let it Get You Down.