Monday, July 11, 2016


FRIENDSHIP
Former neighbors with my dog Daisy




Personal thoughts.

I believe.

In contrast to the world news -- I have begun to think about what most of the world's folk must be like -- excluding those that bomb, shoot or do other unspeakable harm to others. I feel that we as everyday common folk go about our life in a friendly and pleasurable manner. 

I believe the news media and our political bodies are one large machine that perpetuates scare tactics. This machine attempts to influence our way of life. Their negative remarks trickle down and influence some who are living a good life. 

I believe we all have ways of coping with the waves of violence that we know is going on around the world. One of mine is to limit news programs to a tiny minimum. Otherwise, smile, hug, dance, and sing. Life is good for most folk. 

I believe the world of good folks can undue the influence of the news and political bodies' negative pronouncements. Just turn it off. 

Reference:
Christmas 1914 World War One



21 comments:

  1. "Let me live in a house by the side of the road, and be a friend to man."
    A sampler my mother embroidered in the thirties, that I grew up reading every day. Such simple acts influence children. Don't give them over to the television set.

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    1. Joanne -- Oh, so glad you wrote that quote to me. An old dear friend used to have it hanging in her home and I loved it. I am going to save what you sent and write it in my special book of quotes where I collect them -- had the book for years. thanks -- barbara

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  2. I absolutely agree. It is to their (the media/politics) advantage to keep us all in a state of perpetual anxiety. Yes, there a bad things out there but most people just want to go about their daily business, love their families, and enjoy the journey.

    Kindness. Gentleness. Do no harm.

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    1. Florence -- We are a plugged in nation. When does one have time to just meditate on the world. Many spoon fed if they drag their phones along or sit watching TV. thanks -- barbara

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  3. Lovely photo of your dog and young friends. I've been editing the news I see, because I want to change some of the wrongs that are happening through the channels that are available, legally. I've decided to take what action I could comfortably take, with an attitude of love as I go forward.

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    1. Barbara -- Yes. editing what you choose to view on channels will lessen the impact of what the media is presenting to you. Like your attitude of love as you go forward. Read visualnorway's comment below -- it is rather an interesting comment. Maybe we could adopt it here in the U.S. thanks -- barbara

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  4. A Norwegian authour of children's books named Torbjørn Egner, created some time in the 50s an imaginary place called "Kardemomme By" (Cardamom Town). The town had only one law - a law that has become legendary in Norway as "Kardemommeloven" (The cardamom law). I found an English translation that runs like this:

    «You shall never bother others,
    You shall be both fair and kind.
    And whatever else you do, I shall not mind.»

    The translation is not quite exact, but you get the gist of it.

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    1. visualnorway -- I like the one law idea as you mention in your comment. To never bother anyone and to be kind and fair pretty much covers the idea of living the good life. I am going to keep your words in mind as I travel about -- they certainly are good ones! Thanks -- barbara

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  5. I believe, with you, that most people are good. But I believe they are coerced toward fear, mistrust, bigotry and top-of-mind beliefs by the many forms of media, by superficial education and near constant distraction of "entertainment" (of all kinds) and advertising meant to cause dissatisfaction with what they possess. Children and adults have too many "toys" and too little direction to enjoy other people and the beautiful natural world. Good people are made greedy and unhappy, insecure and unsettled by larger forces (technology and media). We see what we chose to see -- I see a majority of good people, but I see a world that in my 70+ years has become distressingly complex and I find much of it frightening.

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    1. June -- Most folks are good. I guess I was rather naive about people when I made my trip to move here from Michigan. I did a road trip that took me about six grueling days. But what made those grueling days lighter were the folks that helped me along the way -- lifting a 95 pound dog into my car every time I made a rest area stop. People helping of all persuasions. And they did it with a smile and a few kind words. Count the good. thanks -- barbara

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  6. I agree for the most part especially how "media" and in my words corrupted this country.

    Yes stay away but if there is one thing to watch to obtain real information watch Democracy Now. If this country had been watching for instance in the early 2000's they would have known there were no WMD. New media made patriots were ramped up for blood.

    I do want to stay a bit aware and one uses the internet you can't help but see the titles to columns or what have you. Most of the time little else need be known.

    I care but I don't much anymore either. This stuff is depressing.

    In these times I care not to "smile, hug, dance, and sing" with the many more now who have been corrupted by TB into believing for instance that science and mathematics are flawed.

    Yes Barbara life is pretty good. These higher temps are good for me.

    I watch and listen to hardly a thing that concerns teh right wing crazy crap and most would be much better off doing the same. By now everyone should know the message by heart.

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    1. One Fly -- Democracy Now is a great source for news in a straight forward way -- meaning no drama of words or dramatic photos. I read it on a regular basis as do you.

      I watched a movie last night that you might enjoy. Not sure if it is on Netflix as I watched it on Amazon Prime. It is titled, "Good Night and Good Luck." It is a true story about the newscaster Edward R. Murrow and McCarty. George Clooney is the director. Takes place in the fifties mostly when all that madness concerning black lists, Communism and McCarty was at its frenzied height. I believe you would like it if you have not seen it. Even if you have seen it is worth watching again. thanks -- barbara

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  7. It really is overwhelming sometimes, and it seems just nonstop. I was already planning this before all the recent events, but I'm planning to take a one month electronic media break. I will still be reading the newspaper, but getting away from the 24/7 barrage.

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    1. Melissa -- Good idea! Negative news can sap ones energy. At least it does for me -- makes me grumble. Will look forward to your return with your ideas of how to turn it off. -- thanks barbara

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  8. Fear is their best weapon. I will not give in to that.

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    1. Tabor -- My thoughts are who is telling the truth. So many sides to the news? If I want to know the news I now read Democracy Now online. This avoids all the dramatic photos the main networks use to instill fear. thanks -- barbara

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  9. We are like-minded on this. We and the 2 girls in your lovely photo. Obama eloquently stated in a speech that we must go on believing that positive has power too...(except he said it way more eloquently than I know how to do...) And you speak eloquently here too of an essence of being part of this world.

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    1. Rita - Agree that positive thoughts and actions have power. Both on a personal level and a national level. I feel that if a media source delivers negative views we need to turn to a news media source that delivers more positive news to us. Or just relax reading a good book. At least that is what I do :) -- barbara

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  10. Right with you. Oddly, I just wrote a blog post that will publish on Saturday while I'm away, on this very topic.

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    1. Granny Sue -- Oh -- looked on both your G+ and blog and could not find the post you mentioned. Would like to read it! thanks -- barbara

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  11. I definitely agree. Unfortunately, have had to keep up with the news lately because we are flying Turkish Airlines tomorrow. I'd like to know why it's been deemed all the bad stuff newsworthy, forgetting that there's actually more good in the world. On the other hand, we are allowing world leaders to totally take us down a path of separation and destruction and that's scary!

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