Perchance To Dream

I remember my dreams. I remember almost all of them. There are some from when I was a child that I still recall in great detail. Nighttime is when our subconscious purges itself of whatever unresolved thoughts we have stored up. Some dreams are happy while others may be sad or scary. A few times we dream as a way of finishing a thought. It is said that sleeping well means not recalling your mind's imagery. I live in a world where just the opposite is true.

Deep sleep seems to elude me. Even when I am exhausted my dreams are affected. In some I am too tired even to move and am forced to simply witness the dream scape that surrounds me. Most of the time I am an active participant of whatever my mind creates. I enjoy taking part in conflict even if I cannot resolve the issue. It is fun to say and do things within my dreams that I would never attempt otherwise.

Waking up is just as enjoyable. No matter whether the dream was positive or not it feels good to awaken and reflect. When I dream of a negative scenario there is retribution as I deny my imagined attacker their prize. Not all of my dreams are as they were when I was young. I fly much less, falls are far fewer and walking about while naked is a rare occurrence.

My only complaint is that I remember my dreams in so much detail. Each morning, on command, I can relate and repeat the specifics of each dream from the night before. It is because of this that I can never tell just how seriously to take what seems so real. Is every subject from the prior evening worthy of legitimate examination? Can insight be gained or is a cigar sometimes just a cigar?

I realize that this post is outside of my norm. There is nothing wrong with being a bit self-serving. My wish is that those who read this might learn a bit more about who I am. Writing can sometimes offer catharsis. Either way I am glad to submit some small, albeit strange, part of myself to the reader. There must be others who have active nocturnal lives. Mine just happens to begin after my head hits the pillow.

News Or Entertainment

Newspapers are dead. Look at many large cities and you will see a dead or dying readership. There is simply no money being made. Advertising dollars have dwindled to a trickle as most ads now appear online. Those of us who were used to getting our news in print have a hard time making the transition. Thankfully, or not, there is still television. When we tune in for news and opinion are we being educated or just entertained?

News programs on the major networks offer early morning, afternoon and multiple evening editions. During any of these periods we are treated to local news, sports, cooking and financial advice. A little national and world news is thrown in at night. What good is the news that we receive? The stories almost always are negative. The networks liken our mentality to that of those who gawk at accidents. It is insulting to our collective intelligence.

Plenty of shows abound that let us in on the latest entertainment gossip. Personally I cannot get enough of Brangelina! News about new movies, plays or musicals would add value to our lives. The information that is proffered is puerile and salacious rather than intellectually stimulating. We are treated as if we are no more intelligent than children. Not every story must involve the tragic lives of those we lift upon our shoulders.

We have many choices when desiring informed opinions. Famous-named pundits offer their "unique" take on the days' news on many cable channels. I appreciate hearing opinions that differ from my own. Perspective on any issue can only be attained by listening to others. The unfortunate reality is that what the talking heads opine is their skewed view of reality. They spew forth inflammatory diatribes that only serve to maintain ratings and polarize viewers.

There are decent places to turn for hard news. We need the type of reporting that is both objective and useful. In that vain I offer a few of my favorite sources of information. They can be found on television, in print and on the 'net. They are the BBC, the Guardian, and The Economist. Watch, read and learn. I think that you will see quite a difference between the simplistic offerings on television and what great news sources give us daily.

Fortified Foods

Food is just not food any longer. When I was a boy cereal was fortified with "essential" vitamins and minerals. There was even a cereal called Vitamin King! Many foods are now created with more than just taste in mind. Breads, juices and cereals, to name a few, all contain what their manufacturers hope will entice us; additives that are supposedly good for us. Much of these advertised benefits are not what they appear.

More foods now offer things like whole grains, fiber and calcium than ever before. The myriad of items that proclaim these health benefits are based upon two premises. One is that companies will increase sales as they cater to health-conscious consumers. Two is that people are not receiving these benefits as a part of their daily diet. It is true in many cases that we must get what we can wherever we can find it.

The question becomes whether or not these foods are truly beneficial? My wife has tried orange juice that contains large amounts of calcium. According to her it tasted weird. Much of the whole grain bread I have eaten has also tasted different due to its texture. A daily calcium pill is more than enough for most of us. Even though whole grain bread is healthier it really does not taste very good.

Differences in taste and texture aside some companies have gone too far. The FTC has cracked down on corporations that imply that certain health benefits are gained via the consumption of their products. Some have said that your cholesterol will be lowered or certain physical ailments will be reduced. There is no basis to claim that everyday food products will cure anything whatsoever.

The issue that the FTC has concerns food products that purport to act as medicine. Certain benefits that are implied on the box, in reality, can only be gained via a tablet prescribed by your doctor. To suggest that a consumable offers any miraculous health benefits hearkens back to days of yore and snake-oil salesmen. Offering pills, food or liniments that falsely claimed to "cure what ails 'ya" is the reason the pure food and drug act was enacted in the first place.

Do not kid yourself. Eating less fat, sugar, salt and calories are still the best routes to better health. Food producers, no matter how well-intentioned, will never create food that replaces what we should otherwise be giving to our bodies. Even if their food does offer some benefits there will always be purer sources that we should ingest. Manufacturers grab our attention with pretty words and pretty pictures. Dare to pull aside the curtain of deception and you will discover that snake-oil is only water. Remember though that sometimes even water can be poisonous.

Shake Hands With The Devil

Evil exists inside us all. Humans are capable of great good and great harm. It is one thing to do that which hurts others. It is sometimes unavoidable. It is entirely another to go into that which you know will cause harm. There are specific professions that require one to compromise their goodness and integrity. Corruption, for some, begins on day one.

Politicians may start out desiring to "make a difference" and better their communities. No matter what position one may hold, be it city councilperson or state governor, one's constituency is great. You are beholden to more than those who put you in office. You must answer to all who vote. It then becomes impossible to please all people all of the time. Someone or something must lose out with every decision you make.

Corporations and those who run them cannot act alone. Shareholders and stakeholders must be considered as money is either spent or saved. This is how the love of money and its effects are most easily observed. A company's bottom line becomes more important than any one person or group. Deals must be struck which will inevitably hurt a particular demographic. Economic justice cannot be achieved when the almighty dollar is worshiped.

Law enforcement hurts at least as many as it helps. Police officers and lawyers equally pervert that which has been codified. Plenty of laws are on the books yet how and when they are enforced is subjective. The whole concept of justice is dependent upon whose eyes it is seen through. Those who make, interpret and enforce the rules do so knowing full well that they leave behind much collateral damage.

Religious leaders believe that they are doing God's work. This may be true yet to be a leader for God requires the acceptance of at least a few deadly sins. Show me anyone who wishes to lead and I will show you an ego larger than usual. To spread the "good word" is laudable and necessary in a society that so desperately seeks answers. Taking on the roll of leader, even for a day, requires that person to think more of themselves than they do of those being led.

My point should be clear to you. These are professions that cannot exist without evil being a part. Those who go into the above mentioned areas of service need to take a good look into the mirror. Too many realize too late that they made a deal with the devil. The only hope is for one to admit to themselves this truism from the start: In order for the majority to be helped there must always be a minority that is hurt. Resources are finite. Someone or some people always end up on the losing side of the equation.

Scouting

An old cliche is a Boy Scout helping a little old lady across the street. The Scouts do much more than that. I was a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout for many years. The group teaches young males values, nature appreciation and life skills. Much of what I base my life upon I learned while scouting. I appreciate all the knowledge and wisdom that was imparted to me by my leaders. It was not until years after I left that a sad lesson in inclusion was imparted to anyone who reads the news.

I hold on to some of the more important lessons I gleaned as a Scout. When camping one must leave the area in better shape than when one arrives. Any good deed is a reward unto itself. One should never accept money for helping another. I kept this in mind when I was employed at Sears. A customer in a wheelchair purchased a small radio that I brought to their vehicle. They then insisted on giving me cash as a tip. I humbly declined and walked away.

Much of what the Scouts teach is valuable and will help one along on their path to manhood. The friendship and camaraderie creates lasting memories. Apparently though, according to news stories, one may only be friends with those who share in the Scouts ideology. To put it simply: Gays are not allowed nor desired in joining the Scouts. If you are not straight, as a child member or an adult leader, you must stay away.

This issue went as far as being challenged in court. It was found that the Boy Scouts of America, as an organization, is considered private and can therefore exclude anyone for any reason they choose. I do not recall this being an issue when I was a member. Then again, not many people felt comfortable talking about their sexuality unless it reflected "straight" values. Outing oneself is never easy as it is. Doing so within an intolerant group is more so.

As usual fear wins out. People are afraid that gays will do something so untoward that they will be forced to run away in terror. This is certainly an exaggeration but you get the idea. Fear makes people think and act unreasonably. What is the worst that could happen? Some child talks about his boyfriend? Oh wait, I forgot, it is the adults we worry about. Homosexual adults might... oh, I dare not even think about it.

This is some of the oldest and worst kinds of prejudice. Gay men are accused of hitting on straight adults or being closeted pedophiles. People assign the worst traits and motives to those with whom they cannot understand and around whom they are uncomfortable. I am not trying to turn this post into a pro-gay diatribe. I just want to make it clear that there is no good reason to exclude any child or adult from the Scouts whom are gay.

There is no threat. If a Boy Scout acts in an inappropriate manner it is dealt with. If an adult does so they should know better and should then be let go. The Scouts themselves become the losers in their effort to homogenize their membership. By not offering the same opportunities to gays the Scouts go against their stated purpose and goals and increase the stratification of our society. This is not the group I remember joining. If given a chance to again be part of this group I would seriously think twice before joining.

The New Year

A new year has begun again! The holidays are over and a new decade has arrived. Resolutions will soon be made and just as quickly discarded. We tend to set ourselves up for unrealistic expectations. We hope for better but hope is no guarantee. It takes long-term vision and a bucket load of patience to realize our dreams. To try yet again to better oneself is laudable. If you do so you must remember that baby steps are the key.

It is said that losing weight permanently takes a long time. It took months or years to gain it and will take that much to remove it. Doctors say that the slower one reduces their weight the longer they will keep it off. It is no different with our goals. Taking time to plan and prepare makes it more likely that we will succeed. Thought and someplace to write are what we need to begin.

Anything worth doing or having takes time. Think about what changes you truly want to occur. Create a list of goals and then break them down into individuals steps. Each step must then be broken down into manageable chunks, or baby steps, that you can take one at a time. Realize that though your path may be long you will reach the end if you persevere. As with weight loss the slower you go the better and more long-lasting the outcome will be.

It has become almost trite to talk about New Year's resolutions. It may seem cute when a smoker says that, this year, they will finally quit. Or friends might laugh when a drinker announces their last bottle of beer while still sitting at the bar. As for yourself please do not fall into these traps. Know just what you can change and create the long-term plan that will make it all work out. Be good to yourself and hold your head up high with each baby step you take!

The Christmas Season

Many homes display lighted winter themes, even now, at the end of Christmas. Some scenes are beautiful, some simple and some gaudy as hell. They all help to represent one similar ideal. The celebration of Jesus' birth is marked by the opening of hearts and of pocketbooks. People seem more at ease, happier and even a bit more cheerful. Christmas is a time when moods are lighter and smiles come easier.

Most places one might travel were filled with the sounds of Christmas carols and well-wishers. The Salvation Army outside the store and the cash registers inside both rang as people parted with their money. Not everyone could afford the special items they wanted but most were happy to be out and about. Overall strangers seemed to be friendlier and more outgoing.

I tend to get excited during this time of year. I look forward to giving and receiving. Time with my wife and family is precious to me. Many feel the same way I am sure. Feelings of hope and joy permeate our very being. It is this wondrous feeling that I wish we could hold onto all year round. It comes from a better place within all of us.

My sincerest wish is that we could somehow channel this good feeling anytime we desired. There are plenty of moments of strife and hardship throughout the year. If we could tap into these good feelings we might gain some badly needed perspective. As the year goes on we tend to forget just how generous we are toward others during Christmas time.

The next time I feel short-tempered or am acting short-sighted I will remember this time of year. I will think about the goodness that we display towards each other and how faces seem to brighten because of it. This special feeling we allow in during the holidays. Why not also allow it to shine out more often? Every day could be like Christmas in our hearts and minds.