Reliving the Past...

Reprinted with permission from the author...

That "author" being me. I wrote this two years ago. No comments were allowed, or available, or whatever the correct term is back then. Blogspot was being difficult.

Anyway... I read this again and liked it. Yes, it's a little self serving. Sue me.

If anyone is still reading the blogs, or cares to comment, here you go. This was me at my best. I think. Enjoy.



On Help...The notion of "helping" others is more theory than reality... I’m afraid. The paradox of helping others is evidenced by the willingness of the person needing or requesting help and their ability to actually accepting what the consequences of receiving that help might be...What the hell am I talking about? Ok, fair enough. Let me try to explain.Most people need help with something at some point in their life. Most of us need help on a regular basis. But, we must first differentiate between help and assistance. If for example, I need a heavy piece of furniture moved, or a chore accomplished, then I’m not really in need of help, I’m wanting assistance.Help is defined several different ways. Twenty three ways on the online dictionary site that I like to use. The "help" I generally refer to in the post that has inspired this drawn out "rant" is not the "assistance" definition that is included with the rest of the definitions.I’m talking about really helping someone. That is, making their quality of life better, or situation in life more liveable because of something I have helped facilitate. I’ve alluded, in past posts, that I can’t "fix" situations that have gone unchecked for several years. I’ve also ranted that I shouldn’t be expected to help you with situations that you’ve allowed to perpetuate for lengthy time periods...Simply because, I am not a miracle worker.Now, that being said, my idealistic attitude that our purpose here is to help people is not necessarily flawed. I think that the amount of energy any of us is allowed to expend to help someone is directly proportional to the amount of change that they are willing to accept in their lives. The flaw, if that’s even the correct term, is that most people are comfortable, to a certain extent, with their lives. Even if the life they lead is not conducive to healthy, happy living. We all are creatures of habit and we become comfortable with our habits, and ultimately, with our lives.People who try to change other people’s lives, even with the best of intentions, even when invited to attempt change, are often viewed as controlling and egotistical. Unfortunately, when things in your life have reached a point where you are able to acknowledge a need for help, you still might not be willing to accept the change in that life that will inevitably come about if you accept the help you so desperately require.So, where does that leave the "helper"? In a precarious position to be sure. We can give up on the notion that we have the ability to positively affect another life (or lives), or we can trudge on, doing the best we can with what we possess. We can try very, very hard to improve the quality of the lives of others assuming that we, at the same time, are improving our lives. Or, we can accept the alternative...that is, do nothing and allow situations to atrophy to a point where they can never be saved.Ultimately the choice is ours. I have made mine...How about you?

Still funny...

This is funny stuff. Seriously.

The Best Years of Your Life

Another entry just full of photos...

Humor me. I'm in a good place. It took a while, but it was worth the wait.

Summer of 2008.

Fun in Michigan and fun in Wisconsin.

I've given up trying to compete with the intellect of Gregg and Erin.

I have not given up on posting photos of the people that I love dearly.

So there!

Florida Keys...Here's looking at you kid...Part 2

This is where I fell in love with my wife.

And then... I got to go back with my best friend.

It's just as beautiful...and so is she.

On Men and Women...

What is the difference between a man and a woman?

That's it. One question. Please. Don't read too much into this question. Seriously. But...

I need to know.

There are books written on the subject. I don't want to read them. Even though I have read some of them.

I don't want some deep philosphical debate.

I just want to know why there is such a vast difference in the expectations between the two.

Why there is such a distinct difference in views on things.

Why there exists some type of monumental difference in what we need, want, feel, and how we relate to things...

Or. Is it just me?

That's it. Really.

No "troubles in paradise." No problems in the household.

Just thinking out loud.

And, in need of a post.

And, really need some intelligent insight.

Somebody please enlighten me.

I'm getting too old to still be confused by all of this.

Thank you.

ANTIGUA, a few more photos...just for fun.

What a beautiful island, and what a beautiful partner to share it with. Life is good. Seriously.