Uncommon Sense

Uncommon Sense

 

For the youth of today (and the not so young), I ask you, "What do you want or expect of this life?" "What do you feel is coming to you?"  I'll try to explain a little from my own perspective.

Answers I hear vary from "everything" to "not a damn thing".  I think for many of the past generations, the hope of each previous generation was to pass along a world with more opportunities and less pain than they personally had experienced. My dad repeatedly said he wanted me to have a better, easier life than he had. Our goal was to give the next generation a better chance of enjoyment, of happiness, and a stronger sense of worth. To give you a real chance of a great life with family, friends, career and faith. Somewhere along the way, some took happiness as making life "easy". We were supposed to smooth out or eliminate the bumps, bruises, and lessons of daily life. We thought this showed love and attempted to shield our little darlings from what we had to do, what our parents had to do, and their parents before them. We sought to eliminate struggle and stress.  In doing so, we failed to pass along the little lessons pain and the sting of work can cause. We got caught up in furnishing the ‘stuff or necessities’ of everyday life, making sure we ‘provided for our families’. We didn’t want our children to ‘suffer’, want, or need.  In doing so, some lessons were not clearly transferred to the next generation. 

Not making excuses, but between making a living, the stresses of everyday life, and a growing competition in the workplace, when it came to our kids, we didn’t want them to feel slighted or to compare themselves to what others had. In wanting to fill the voids with STUFF, in many cases, we failed to pass along some important tools and lessons on how things work, the value of time and money, and what true friendship looks like. It was easier to just do it for the children.  We chose to give them the answer or count it correct if you were “close”. We taught the test. We made more than a few of the children “soft”. Any stress or external harsh judgment or criticism and they folded up like cheap lawn chairs. Others within this generation were simply left to learn as they went. Lessons were learned from friends, the neighborhood, thru social media, the web, and sometimes the actions of questionable celebrities. Little, if any, boundaries were presented due to single family households, distracted parenting, or domestic dysfunction.  We made them “sensitive” to their feelings, not how to cope with them, but how to be more aware. We handed them crutches and excuses, and wondered why they couldn't keep up nor show perseverance or drive. We didn’t arm them with coping mechanisms other than how to voice their sensitivity and how to identify what hurt them...  and how to make others aware... sometimes to strengthen their own weaknesses. We handed them excuses. We reintroduced phrases like, "that's discrimination" and "we find it offensive". These could be used against any thought or opinion that someone didn't like or they felt threatened by. This is especially true when the individual or small group can't easily defend its position thru example or fact. *(never let facts get in the way of a good argument").
 

OK, was that over your head? (SIDE NOTE). You understand strengthening of weaknesses? Some of us call it being "thin-skinned." You can recognize quickly those that can’t take criticism, can’t take corrective and constructive conversation, or simply quit tasks when a little more effort is involved. Giving 110% creates a mathematical argument for them. Of course, excuses quickly follow… they didn’t care, it wasn’t a big deal, they use the "F-bomb"... it's not FAIR, or they begin to throw around labels to defer attention away from themselves like sexist, racist, homophobe, and whatever might show their opponent in a bad light. They may question the reason for the criticism or the knowledge of the instructor, coach, or opposition. Those not ready for it (real life) will hate to be judged on their own efforts, contributions, and actions. "Life can be a 'b*tch'"  If know that phrase, you understand. Some of us say, "wait till they get out in the real world", meaning, there can be little sympathy, and even less tolerance, for weak character... especially if you're not equipped to think clearly and merely react.
 

Cognitive reasoning/critical thinking
 

Back to our generations' mistakes; We didn’t let you grow ‘naturally’. At a young age, we allowed our young ones to scream loud enough and long enough to make us say OK. We got trained. If our kids yelled enough, cried long and loud enough, compared us to other parents, or acted hurt, we caved. It was easier than hearing the mounting static on top of the other static happening in the other parts of our lives… from the boss, the wife or husband, friends, customers, etc. We took the easy route way too many times. We didn’t choose the teachable route, many began taking the route with the least amount of hassle.  

The effect?  We simply didn’t pass along many useful tools needed to help our darlings cope with, adjust to, or make the best out of problem situations, positions, and conflicts that life throws your way on a consistent basis. Interacting in Life naturally produces pressure. Pressure pushes us into decisions or indecisions daily. This is why I’m here. In today’s rapidly changing world, you will need some coping and decision-making skills which are currently not being emphasized nor stressed in school, at home, in the media, or by true friends.  

You are being lied to. You are being fed propaganda from those who don’t want to hurt your feelings, don’t wish to be the ‘serious’ adult in the room, or the ones who need you to believe them and just take what they’re dishing out. Why, you may ask? Because later, they  don’t want you to reason things out or think for yourself. You’ll be much easier to manipulate and control.  *How many times recently, has a reporter ask someone on the street about the current economy, about the administration (Trump, currently), or climate change, especially a person that’s part of a demonstration, march, or simply walking around a college campus? Ever noticed that when given facts, almost all of these individuals are at a loss for words, have no defense, no factual rebuttal, nor opposing viewpoint except to attack someone’s character or throw out a label? 

Should you want some red meat sometime, ask me about the KKK or perhaps, climate change. Facts can be very irritating?

Some of you may wonder, “What could they possibly want with my young little life?” The answer is simple. Everything you have as “human capital”. You offer them your time, your energy to be part of a cause or a march, and your vote. They know you'll simply and blindly follow their lead. They want you in a position of feeling like you owe them something. Eventually, they will get around to asking for your support, your presence at a function, or your money.  You don’t have to fully get this now. But when someone else, someone of power,  says they will take care of things like food, shelter, medical well-being, and basic necessities for you, will you be so dumbed down that you’ll assume they don’t expect something in return? You think they will be doing this out of the kindness of their hearts.? Tell me you understand this a little. In the coming years, a few well-grounded ways of thinking and approaching problems will make the difference of living well, just getting by, or not doing well at all. In some cases, it may be the difference in staying alive. Ready to get going? 

If this is making any sense to you and you feel you need to start thinking on your own feet, email me. Admittedly, some of this will make you uncomfortable. Some of you will roll your eyes and want to get back to Facebook, Twitter, or some other meaningless site. Does the term "Sheeple" mean anything?  If you don't wish to continue down this unfamiliar road, perhaps looking over the Ten Commandments might be a start. Include the Golden Rule (treat others as you wish to be treated) and you're off to a better life. My program and targeted discussions add focus and specific areas of needed interest to your search for answers. 

An example of clarity... the 1st and  2nd Commandments (Thou shalt have no other gods before me, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image) gives us some clues into a better life. Do you find yourself putting things above God, family, and country? Things that push you into changing your behavior or reprioritize your time that make you later question your own judgement? 

Things that push you to the point of asking, "Why me?”, or “Why is this happening?"  The Commandments are not speaking of just another god, but other issues you may 'worship'. *The term 'worship' comes from worth ship, or shipping things of worth to God.  These are things or activities that you will change behavior for. Things such as your job, power at work or home, self-image, chasing money, career advancement, irresponsible sex, drug & alcohol abuse, entertainment that becomes addictive, etc. These are the things that ultimately change our path that takes us into turmoil and destructive consequences. In certain circles, stress, pressure, and responsibility are welcomed.  When viewed with a different attitude, these strenghten us.

Something to consider:  Iron is flexible and not extremely strong.  The result of adding heat and pressure is steel.

God gives us tasks, situations, and circumstances in our life when we need to learn, strengthen, and develop certain skills to a higher degree. When you begin to view challenges and stresses as a way to examine, alter, and strengthen your character, you will find coping with everyday problems more manageable. You will be stronger for those around you. You can be an answer, not simply part of the chaos. 

Ever been faced with a seemingly huge problem with overwhelming pressure? What did you do? Panic, cry, swear at whoever was around? Shut down? Did you go with the flow? Did you question why this blew up in your face? When it was over, did the answer seem simpler than you had made it out to be? Did you relax in the idea that you were happy that situation was over and went on about your life? 

A productive idea would have been to look back at the issue, recognize when it started to heat up, and make note of possible approaches, the ones not taken, that might have been a better solution or lessened the resulting trauma. When you see other possible answers, you will begin to see your thought process start to work a bit differently. You’ll see potential problems coming before they boil over. You’ll be armed with answers that you didn’t have before. Problems in our lives sometimessimply happen as a training period to ready us for upcoming events. Though, not enjoyable at the time, the training and readiness is extremely valuable. When the “SHTF”, it’s good to ready with answers, defenses, and not be caught totally blind. *If you are someone who tries to better hone particular skills on a consistent basis, this is another form of  practice, and we all know how much we love pracice. 

Send me an email. 

There are more sections to this discussion. If after reading thru this website, you or someone you know could use some more guidance, please ask.  If I could find that 1000 word picture, it would be on here.

We cover mental training, expectations, changes in perspective and perception, as well as the drug culture, entering the workplace, desired attitude and outcomes, and overcoming holes we've put ourselves in.

***Construction Humor***           "When you find yourself in a hole,quit digging  !!!"   

Here's the Good News and the Bad News. Armed with the information and awareness you may glean here, You can change and improve the road you're on. You'll be better aware of how pieces of your world work. The Bad News is knowing these things takes away your excuses. You will lose the "I didn't know" or "No one told me" excuses. Be prepared for a step forward. Self worth and responsibility can be very rewarding and profitable. Those who may hold the keys you may need opened will take notice.

 

A secret to life... "though, you may fall seven times, get up eight."

I asked for strength and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
 

I asked for wisdom and God gave me problems to solve.
 

I asked prosperity and God gave me brawn and brain to work.
 

I asked for courage and God gave me dangers to overcome.