Having My Say2 Comments

Scarcity Mentality…

RJ Walters

I truly believe that we are coming to a point in our country’s history where some very basic changes are about to happen.  One of those changes is the realignment of our political parties.  Another is that we will finally reject the idea that our best days are behind us. Today, after the financial crisis, the shrinking of the middle class, the partisan warfare, a scarcity mind-set is dominant: Resources are limited. The world is dangerous. Group conflict is inevitable. It’s us versus them. If they win, we’re ruined, therefore, let’s stick with our tribe. The ends justify the means… … Continue reading Scarcity Mentality…

Having My Say2 Comments

Coping With Dissappointments

RJ Walters

I know the quote above from Will and the title of the post seem kinda disjointed but hear me out before you pass judgment. :) I have always been a dreamer in life. One of my favorite things in my youth was to lay back on the lawn on a clear night and gaze unendingly at the stars and dream of what my future life would be about. I had high expectations in those years. I was abruptly introduced to the idea that your dreams and expectations are never as good as you hope or as bad at you dread.  Marriage … Continue reading Coping With Dissappointments

Having My Say5 Comments

What Other People Think About You…

RJ Walters

Are you a worrier? Do you worry about what other people think about you? If so, it just might be preventing you from being who you were meant to be. According to many studies, people driven by worry are some of the least happy people in the world. About the only thing that does more damage to your personal life than worry is an irrational fear. Worrying about what others think of you will prevent you from being real. It will prevent you from taking risks that will make you a better person. It will prevent you from being what others … Continue reading What Other People Think About You…

Having My Say2 Comments

(WS) A Filtered Version Of The Truth…

RJ Walters

“Spin” is very dominant in the world today. Marketers and con-artist, not that they are one always in the same, both have those who make “spin” their occupation’s purpose. Spinsters take a topic and try to weave a narrow vision scenario. Spin becomes a “filtered version of the truth”. Thanks to a commentor on a recent post, I have the perfect example to use on this Squawk post. Yes, it definitely depends on where you grew up. If you know history, you know that unions were one of the primary reasons we have a middle-class today. In the midst of the Industrial … Continue reading (WS) A Filtered Version Of The Truth…

Having My Say4 Comments

A Country of Immigrants…

RJ Walters

I want to start off this Cackle with the thought that we need to welcome a much higher number of people to our country than we presently are. Our immigration quotes are shamefully low. Being a self-proclaimed progressive liberal, it might be a surprise to you that I am not as entrenched in the immigration debate as I’m supposed to be.  I can see some logic in both sides of the argument. One thing I ran across recently that pushed me a little to the conservative side is the following quote: Giving amnesty to the “Dreamers” is like allowing the … Continue reading A Country of Immigrants…

Having My Say2 Comments

Wild Inspirations…

RJ Walters

I don’t try to understand how my mind works. But, I am totally happy that I get quick broad streaks of inspiration on a regular basis. Sometimes I get quick mental flashes that interrupt whatever I was doing that demands my immediate attention. In the past, I would most likely decide to write it down when I got back to my desk. But, of course, most often the thought would vanish as quickly as it appeared.  So, now I immediately jot them down. Getting to the point of the post, I have always admired those who can take a pencil/pen/brush and create … Continue reading Wild Inspirations…

Having My Say4 Comments

Wisdom Is Wasted On The Eldery

RJ Walters

I don’t know if I invented the phrase in the title above, I kinda doubt it, but it does pretty much describe how I feel about the subject. Getting to the very core of this subject I wish I had learned most of my lessons earlier in life.  What good is that wisdom now that I am out of the mainstream and heading downhill? If I had just learned some lessons earlier I could have more successfully addressed the problems in my life. I like to think that I am a better person as a result of looking at the world … Continue reading Wisdom Is Wasted On The Eldery

Life On The Margins3 Comments

I Am A Rock…

RJ Walters

Since I was a teenager in the 1960s, one of my favorite musical groups was Simon & Garfunkel. One of their most popular songs was “I am a Rock”. Due to my Aspie traits, I was somewhat of a loner back then so this song just “spoke” to me.  My mother had abandoned me a few years before, so that probably had something to do with it too. The song is basically about a desire to avoid pain and heartbreak. In order to avoid being hurt by relationships, the subject of the song refuses to make friends or fall in love.  … Continue reading I Am A Rock…

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The Capacity To Enjoy Less…

RJ Walters

Will Rogers is my favorite source for quotes but sometimes I discover wisdom elsewhere.  :) In this case, it is Socrates. For those who might not know the guy,  he lived 2500 years ago and is credited with being the founder of Western Philosophy.  His words above are probably more relevant today than when he originally spoke them. Now I know this message is very counter to capitalism and if it were fully practiced in the USA our current economic foundation would likely collapse. Our economy  depends on each of us spending more and more, so developing the capacity to enjoy … Continue reading The Capacity To Enjoy Less…

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Waiting In Line…

RJ Walters

I have never been a person who patiently waits in a line. It has always seemed like a total waste to me. I will most often do anything to keep from having to stand behind other people. Now that I have taken the “One day at a time” approach to life, I want to live what I have left of life as fully as I can. Waiting in line is just not in that scenario.  And as Will said in the quote above many things just aren’t worth the wait. Most of my grocery shopping occurs during the early hours when the store … Continue reading Waiting In Line…

Having My Say3 Comments

No Man Is Great If He Thinks He Is – Will Rogers

RJ Walters

The topic of this post is the new quote in the header above.  I imagine everyone with an IQ above a cucumber knows who I am talking about.  #CO3 thinks he is the greatest human being ever to walk the earth!  But, I guess there are also some around, who do have the IQ of a cucumber who agree with him. I’m sorry Will, but I gotta improve what you said here with some similar words of my own.  This one just seems more appropriate to today’s primary situation, doesn’t it? If my quote is applied, #CO3’s greatness is about … Continue reading No Man Is Great If He Thinks He Is – Will Rogers

Having My Say6 Comments

The Happiest People in the World?

RJ Walters

You know the old saying that “money can’t buy happiness”, and happiness is the most sought-after thing in life for most of us.  Happiness is even embedded in our constitution, Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. So, the question is just what does bring on happiness. Obviously, money is not the answer so what is? To answer that question we need to find the happiest people in the world and ask them that question.  In the March 30, 2018 edition of The Week magazine, they identified Finland, closely followed by Norway and Denmark as the happiest people.  That just doesn’t make sense? For … Continue reading The Happiest People in the World?

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The Perfect Picture

RJ Walters

I have about 20,000 pictures in my personal portfolio. Probably one-third of them could be deleted and not really missed but that is beyond the purpose of this post.  I have a list of about a hundred or so that are 5stars. One of the top ten in that category is shown below.  I entitle it  “Box of Eggs”.  I think my attraction to this picture is because of its symmetry. My Aspie traits are particularly honed to order and symmetry. I found the picture in a Des Moines museum some years ago. So, for this artsy Saturday, I give you a “Box … Continue reading The Perfect Picture

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Everybody’s Happy But Me…

RJ Walters

Sometimes I get the feeling that I am the only one in the world that doesn’t lead an “Ozzie & Harriet” life. I know I am dating myself with that phrase as it refers to Ozzie and Harriet Nelson which was a TV show eons ago. :)  They were America’s ideal fantasy couple in the 1950’s. It seems my wife and I are constantly arguing about almost everything.  If I say up, she says down.  I have it seems more than my share of health maladies that plague me. Bad bones, a prostate the size of a watermelon (just kidding), a … Continue reading Everybody’s Happy But Me…

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The Land of Opportunity.

RJ Walters

We need the above quote now more than ever. With #CO3 trying to shut down our shores to keep everyone out, we must remember that is simply NOT what America is about. That paranoia is driven by the 25% of us who fear one thing or another.  #CO3 and his supporters see others different from them as potential competitors for jobs or at the worst as those who might do us harm or threaten their lifestyle or even their very lives. America has been and will be again the land of opportunity for each us who are willing to put the work in to … Continue reading The Land of Opportunity.

Philosophical Thoughts2 Comments

(WS) I’ll Tell You What the Bible Says…

RJ Walters

While waiting for my car to be serviced recently I browsed a Barnes & Noble store.  I don’t do that often anymore as most of my purchases are now e-books. When I came upon the Bible section it suddenly caught my attention as to the number of books by people who propose to “tell” me about what the Bible says. For those who are unfamiliar with my history in this area, I spent several years diligently reading the Bible from cover to cover desperately trying to glean everything I could from it. Of course, before I even started that task I … Continue reading (WS) I’ll Tell You What the Bible Says…

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Patterns

RJ Walters

All my life I have been inexplicably attracted to patterns. I  never understood why until one day in the last year or so I discovered that a strong attraction to patterns is one of the characteristics of Asperger’s Syndrome.  At that time I discovered that I have many others. Now that I have a name for so many of the things I was troubled about in my youth, it gives me a peace that I have been searching for all my life. Walls, such as this one in Galena Illinois are simply beautiful as far as I am concerned. They, like … Continue reading Patterns

Having My Say2 Comments

Over The Hill…

RJ Walters

Being over the hill is probably the most often used phrase for getting older. When you turn forty, at least for my generation, you were considered over the hill. My hero Will Rogers certainly was an inventive guy. The way he looked at life such as the words above is what inspires me. I have never really thought about it much, but I never did get the feeling that I was on top the hill.  My life has just been happening day-to-day.  Uphill-downhill seemed more like potholes in life. When I finally reached retirement, or should I say when it reached … Continue reading Over The Hill…