writing

by

When understanding…was simple

I grew up in a time when understanding…was simple.

Prime example is the first twelve years of my formal education. I knew in advance that the purpose for attending school was to receive an education in order to improve my chances of becoming successful.  The word “successful” is a subjective word meaning different things to different people…which we will discuss another day.

Ok….let me backup a little…in the first few years of my education I couldn’t even conceive the words that I just used above…must less spell them. The first few years were spent learning (without my awareness) to interact with other kids, structure, sharing, respect for authority, discipline…and heartache.  Yes…heartache, there was a little girl in the third grade that was cute that had absolutely no interest in becoming my girl friend.

Beyond those first few years I gained the “simple understanding” of several things. If I didn’t listen and study…not only would I not learn…but there would be consequences. I would not be promoted to the next grade level with my friends if I didn’t meet the minimum academic requirements… that my family who cared about me would be disappointed… that it was my fault that I didn’t pass because I didn’t apply myself because of my priorities.  I had a great deal of respect for my teachers and their attitude toward us as developing individuals. That respect never wavered…even when I was sent to the Principal’s office to have my ass whipped…that’s right …have my ass whipped.  I didn’t need a thirty minute lecture or therapy session with the Principal, I knew what I had done was wrong and I new the consequences beforehand…it was my choice.  I also knew when I got home that my Pop would not be going to the school the next day to try and have the Principal fired…but that he would just whip my ass to reconfirm the Principal’s action.  I began to make better choices after a couple of those sessions.

This was also an age that you learned in life that everything was not necessarily equal.   I am hesitant to use the word “fair” because to me that meant you “cheated or didn’t play by the rules”. Today I feel that word is used more too express “resentment or entitlement”. It was a time…if you didn’t win your ball game…it’s was because the other team was better that day. It was fair…it just wasn’t equal on that given day. You also realized that your physical skill level may not be equal to some of your team mates, but you didn’t resent their talent…you used it as an incentive to play your best.

The first twelve years of my formal education was for the purpose to help me reach a level of knowledge and understanding that should benefit me in making choices in the “real world”.  There would no longer be a bell ringing every 50 minutes to direct me to the next event of my life… it was my time to make my own choices in life…the understanding was simple.

Johnny J

by

“Choices”

I wrote this several years ago as a defining factor of my life and my beliefs. I look at it every now and then to see if my thoughts have changed.

CHOICES

 Life is a journey navigated by choices…for every conscious moment of the day we make decisions…some that may seem to be without thought.

We are the products of those thoughts and decisions…they are the directional signs of our existence.

These decisions are fueled by attitude and emotions of the moment…they may reflect the appearance of hatred or anger…or a heart filled with love and compassion…but without emotion there is no core.

We are imperfect people living in an imperfect world…but our substance of what we are must come from the deep inner feelings and convictions of who we are.

We must always continue to hunger for knowledge…but have awareness that the two most powerful tools of good and evil are “words” and ‘actions”.

From the words of William Earnest Henley…”I am the captain of my faith, I am the Master of my soul”.

My beliefs are my choices…I make no excuses…I am only me.

Johnny J. 

DISCLAIMER: The information presented is either my opinion or information obtained from sources believed to be reliable and factual; however, I make no representation as to the completeness or accuracy thereof. Any errors, including misuse or misspelling of words is either due to my fingers hitting the wrong keys, oversight, or my own ignorance.

by

A Different World

I wrote a previous post called “when understanding…was simple” it was a reflection of my youth, the values and choices that I made and how I was influenced by the environment in which I grew up. Those years were spent in the late fifties and sixties.

I, like most of us, often refer to those as “simpler times”. I sometimes ask myself … “were they really simpler times or just less complicated because of my lack of awareness or adolescence”?  I really didn’t know the answer to that question.

I was recently searching the internet looking to add more songs and videos to my collection of favorites….when I ran across a video called “A Different World”…that was recorded a few years ago. The song was written by Mark Nesler, Jennifer Hanson and Tony Martin….and preformed by Bucky Covington.    If you are over 50 years of age I would recommend that you read the words or watch the video and listen.   I am not sure if those times were better …just that they were different.

http://youtu.be/HJWEvP9gtww

We were born to mothers who smoked and drank 
Our cribs were covered in lead-based paint
No childproof lids
No seatbelts in cars
Rode bikes with no helmets
And still here we are
Still here we are

We got daddy’s belt when we misbehaved
Had three TV channels you got up to change
No video games and no satellite
All we had were friends and they were outside
Playing outside

It was a different life
When we were boys and girls
Not just a different time
It was a different world

School always started the same everyday
The pledge of allegiance, then someone would pray
Not every kid made the team when they tried
We got disappointed but that was alright
We turned out alright

It was a different life
When we were boys and girls
Not just a different time
It was a different world

No bottled water
We’d drink from a garden hose
And every Sunday,
All the stores were closed.

It was a different life
When we were boys and girls

Not just a different time
It was a different world

Johnny J. 

DISCLAIMER: The information presented is either my opinion or information obtained from sources believed to be reliable and factual; however, I make no representation as to the completeness or accuracy thereof. Any errors, including misuse or misspelling of words is either due to my fingers hitting the wrong keys, oversight, or my own ignorance.

by

Ignorance and Stupidity

I haven’t written in a while because of a multitude of reasons that I could name…but the truth is…I just haven’t written in a while.  Writing is one method of releasing my thoughts and opinions of the surroundings in today’s world…in this case we will call it “venting for my own eyes and ears”.

I have always heard that there are two things one should never argue about… “religion” and “politics”.  Sooo…I have decided to write about “ignorance” and “stupidity”.  I am sure that you know a few people that fall into one of these two categories…or both.

Ignorance is “a lack of knowledge” …we are all ignorant but can broaden our horizons by acquiring more knowledge. Stupidity is “being born with a mind protected by a steel-trap and refusing to allow anything to enter”. Ron White (the comedian) has outlined many examples of stupidity and concluded that “You just can’t fix stupid”.  I am an opponent of that statement.

Vigorously regurgitating a political comment or soundbite without knowing the facts or at least exploring some degree of validity of what you heard…falls into the “stupidity” category.  Sometimes it’s better just to shut up. It has been said that God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason…we are to listen twice as much as we are to talk…plus when you are talking you are only learning what you already know…huh?

Mark Twain once said… “Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience”.

Opinions are good…but support them with research and knowledge of the truth …that doesn’t mean that you or the other person will necessarily agree or determine who is right or wrong…but many times it can help you determine which category the other individual falls in…at which time it may be better to talk about the weather or sports.

Speaking of…. “ How about them Cowboys?”