Opinionated or Educated?

Zero! That's the amount which I've earned from my opinions. It's also the amount which I've spent for other people's opinions. As most of us have learned, opinions aren't worth much at all... and yet we all have them! The louder a person is with their opinions; the more public they are in expressing them; and the less those opinions have their basis in fact... this is what labels the person as being opinionated. This is a trait (and label) which we try to avoid.

Unfortunately some folks get confused regarding what is an opinion and what is a fact. They reason that if they believe something to be true, then that means it is a fact. Just because we believe it, that doesn't make it true. Paradoxically, opinions can be based on fact, but then they are no longer opinion.. they have now become recitation of those facts!

I have paid people for their expertise (which sometimes has an opinion attached), but it is their training; their experience; their knowledge; and their education where the value lies. Their opinion has the same null value as my own opinion, but their expertise has considerable value. It shows they have done their research. We should make sure our opinions are based in our expertise... and not in our ignorance!

But even areas of expertise can be affected by expectations, prejudices, mental blindness, personal hurts, and other factors which flavor and color the interpretation of facts. Even a person's very pride can distort their knowledge, which in turn affects their application of facts, which eventually runs full-circle where it displays itself as an opinion!

If we are to grow and be all that God has for us to be, we must walk humbly and obediently to Him and to His leading and calling. It is only within that framework that our opinions and areas of expertise can be rounded-up, corralled and take a back-burner... so we are fully ready to be used, mature and to blossom. Let's leave our ego at the door and move ahead.
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The Artist's Comments on Art

I'm amazed at how much good ART is out there. 

Surely these artists never attended art schools 

or taken formal art training?

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Art is NOT derived from...
vanity;
narcissism;
egotism...

What?
Oh!
It is??
My apologies.
I guess I should only speak for myself 

and not for others. 
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We've made an art form out of superficiality.

We heavily invest our time; our finances; and

our passions in the pursuit of things superficial.

Though the harmful effects are not always 

immediately seen, they surface in times of duress 

and want, when our weakened character battles 

to decipher what is important and what isn't. 

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Wise In Our Own Eyes

"And they continued to do what they felt was right in their own eyes."

One way we can deal with the Bible is by saying it's a book full of slanderous allegations against humanity. If we hold a humanistic viewpoint where we believe that people are neither good nor bad (or basically good), this is the only way we can see the Bible. If we believe there is no deity who holds definite standards of right and wrong, acceptable and unacceptable, then the Bible is a book which imposes unnecessary restraints on our actions and causes people to be harshly judgmental on both self and on others. The Bible becomes a book of outdated rules written by men, and causes more harm than good.

The most common philosophy derived from rejecting the basic truths of the Bible is "If it feels good do it." But even the people who do hold this viewpoint have had to add a little addendum to it. Because of our sinful nature (which they deny) the little instruction "as long as it doesn't hurt anybody" had to be tacked on to the phrase. One of the many problems which has arisen in the decades which this "If it feels good do it... as long as it doesn't hurt anybody" slogan has taken prominence is... no one seems to have a valid yardstick for what hurts and what doesn't hurt. Abundant selfishness, bullying, broken homes, accepted perversions, bitterness, hurts, scars, confusion, warped lifestyles, and mental problems are flourishing as a direct result. We get upset by the people who adhere to the Bible, and yet we've created our own little hell where 'nobody can tell me what to do!'  We reap what we sew.

If you realize there's major problems all around you; if you know that much of the bad situations you've been in have come about because of the actions of your loved ones; if you know deep inside that many of the actions of your friends and acquaintances just don't seem right... even though socially acceptable; if you have that innate knowledge that things sure seem screwed-up and not the way they're supposed to be... then you owe it to yourself to look deeper into God's approved written word, the Bible. It not only will reveal true meaning and deeper truths, but it will explain so many questions you have, and will direct you into having closeness, comfort, and an intimate connection with God through His unique and mighty Jesus!

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i HATE when i LOVE it

Guilty pleasures that go against who you are and the principles you hold.

A pacifist who loves to watch war films.

A vegetarian who enjoys the taste of beef.

A judge who approves of vigilante justice.

A priest who...

What?
Not you?
s o r r y
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"For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do , I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me." (Romans 7:15-20)

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Self Deception Of The Mind

Open Minded?
So, are you open minded enough to see your error; change your opinion; and turn around to where the issue is no longer one of being open to?

This is the only way of separating air-filled-open-mindedness from foolishness. 

Be open minded but know when not to be.

Reality is... there is absolutely no such thing as a fully open minded person. Even those who take pride in being open minded always show they have closed their mind to certain areas.
Open mindedness without any restraints is one of the various illusions displayed in our modern pop culture. We lie to our self so much of the time.

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Thanksgiving 2010: How Thankful Are We?

This American holiday is known for being a special day for giving thanks. A dilemma is caused if we have no source to give thanks to. Those who don't believe in a higher source argue that we can be thankful without having an object to direct our thanks towards. They are only slightly correct since they only claim a small sliver of the dictionary's definition of the word 'thanks'. Being thankful in that type of way is the same as being happy... you can be glad (Gladsgiving Day?) independently from directing that feeling anywhere beyond your self. This is the base, immature meaning of the word.

Most of us realize this is not what the holiday is all about and was never intended to be. We understand that to truly be thankful, we have to direct our thanks to a source independent from, and away from our self. The definition of the word emphasizes that "we give thanks to" (TO!!) and is an expression of being grateful; of gratitude; an acknowledgment of what has been given; giving credit to; indebted to; and an appreciation directed to the source of what we've obtained. Whew! The dictionary emphasizes that true, deep thanks is extended outward.

So with all that said, it could still be argued that our thanks can indeed be extended outward without it going to God, the sustainer of all things. That approach is a sophomoric viewpoint where our thanks is given to other people. We are thankful to our employer; our government; our city services; our doctor; our teacher; our spouse; our parents; our children; our neighbor; businesses; etc, etc.... any individual who has had some type of impact in keeping our life from being a total disaster in the past year! And in those areas where God has to fit into the picture (such as weather and natural conditions) we substitute the generic term 'nature' as a simple replacement.

If we are to truly give full meaning to the word thanks, and the deeper concept behind it, then we must be thankful in the way in which it was meant. Our thanks must go beyond our self; it must extend past other people and groups; and it must reach all the way to Him who is the Creator, Giver and Sustainer of all. Our thanks has to reach the throne room of God, the One Who deserves to be thanked! Anything less than this is superficial and indicates that our heart is not authentically thankful like it should be!

Additional historical information:
The holiday of Thanksgiving is very much a 'religious' day set apart and sanctioned by the government. It was brought about in 1863 through the hard efforts of Sarah Josepha Hale, who after a 40-year campaign, helped persuade President Abraham Lincoln to officially proclaim the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving to the Lord. Additionally, the holiday has it's roots in three historical proclamations dating back to 1676. The Christian God is strongly emphasized in all three proclamations. I am including links so you can read each of the proclamations... and be amazed at the strong emphasis on God. Here's the links...
(1) 1676 Thanksgiving Proclamation ---
     http://www.wilstar.com/holidays/thanksproc.htm
(2) George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation ---
     http://www.wilstar.com/holidays/wash_thanks.html
(3) Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation ---
     http://www.wilstar.com/holidays/thanksproc2.htm

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What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body?

"What's the ugliest
Part of your body?
Some say your nose,
Some say your toes,
But I think it's YOUR MIND!"
----("What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body?" lyrics by FRANK ZAPPA)

I don't normally make a habit of quoting pop-culture icons... for obvious reasons. There's a much larger mix of superficiality, false beliefs, attitude, trash, and miss-directed angst than what I like to fill my mind with. But that said, I do sometimes read or hear something which rings some truth to it. I in no way consider Frank Zappa to be a modern day prophet, and I normally disagree with a chunk of what he had to say, but occasionally his lyrics and/or writings had some meat to it.

In 1968, Frank's band "The Mothers of Invention" released their "We're Only In It For The Money" LP which contained this song. It in no way is a major piece (it lasts just slightly over one minute in length) but it simply and crudely states what is universally true... humanity has a problem with our mind! Hollywood makes this stigma so obviously true by holding-up for public display actors and actresses who are close to perfection on the outside, but are filled with triviality where it really counts. But don't be too smug... except for their physical perfection, these 'media elite' are just like the rest of us. Every person born comes with Adam's mark ingrained within our very being! The ugliest part of our body is NOT that which lies for all to see.

Don't fret though... we have a way out of our ancestor Adam's major screw-up. Get to know the Messiah! His name is Jesus/Yeshua.

NOTE: "We're Only In It For The Money" contained a fantastic cover parody of the Beatles' "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band". It even duplicated the inner art, design and included material pieces.
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Rude, Crude & Lewd

The half century of my lifetime has produced real-world variations right from the pages of 'Lord of the Flies'. Though civilization hasn't reverted to our ancestor's tribal hunting ways, we have reverted to other primitive traits which textbooks once considered to be left behind in humanity's distant past. We have taken family, community, emotions, civility, adornment, and other traits once considered to be part of an advanced civilization and rejected them for their immature counterparts. No longer do we accept the National Geographic definition of what separates the civilized from the primitive. (Sadly, it looks like even National Geographic no longer agrees with their previous stance.)

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Self Help Libraries

Having a library full of self-help books can be quite beneficial and emotionally helpful... as long as you are able to make order of any conflicting advice and self-analysis derived from them. That's why it's important to have a source which is used as the 'yard stick' by which all other material is compared and judged. This helps you to prioritize your library into those books which offer good, sound advice and those who's teachings might actually be detrimental.

The one book which is becoming more and more despised and ridiculed, and yet has withstood the test of time, culture, boundaries, persecution... and proven itself universal, is the compilation referred to as the Bible. It alone has that unique stamp of approval which comes from outside the veil of humanity. It alone occupies the position of being that one yard-stick book by which to judge all advice stemming from any other source.

Make sure it occupies a position in your library. Make sure you understand it's teachings as translated to your head by your heart. But absolutely be sure you have a relationship with the source of it's contents. Get to know Jesus.

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An Open Minded Fool

To be considered 'open minded', a person is now expected to accept so many strange ideas and opinions that being open minded is not always a good, safe option. I personally believe that a truly open minded individual is one who's thoughts are vast enough to firmly NOT accept every idea the wind blows their way... at least their stance is worthy of respect whether you agree with them or not.

Don't Throw Away the Keys

As upstanding law abiding citizens we like to think there's a world of difference between us and those who've been locked away behind bars... and often there is! But in certain areas of our life, the only main difference is simply that we haven't been caught.

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Everyone Has a Story to Tell

Our culture, family, fears, faith,
 joys, beliefs, education, exposures, and
  life experiences make us who we are.
As creative individuals, all these things
  color our arts and the work of our hands.

Our creations,
      (whether we want them to or not),
become an extension of our self and reflect
 who we are, where we have been,
  and where we might want to go.

We receive joy, approval and satisfaction
 when others view our endeavors and derive some
degree of positive understanding, because we
 realize they are seeing a piece of our self.

Ahhhh, the sun IS shining today
 (though my sky is gray, drab, and dreary)!

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.llet ot yrots a sah enoyrevE
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Bad Good Samaritan Drivers

Once again I experienced someone trying to do a good deed but actually doing a disservice in the process. While trying to merge into rapidly moving traffic this morning, I spotted a good space in which to merge, but what I didn't count on was one of the cars was slowing down so I could pull in front of them. Yes, they were trying to be nice, but by slowing they became a wall which kept me from pulling into the lane. Finally, I ran-out of 'merge lane' space and had to sit with no space to get up to speed. This caused me to sit and wait much longer than I normally do at that location. The good deed they attempted greatly complicated my pulling into moving traffic.

Many other times I witness good deed drivers who attempt to help one driver but in the process they've done harm to others. It's much like when traffic is backed-up at a long red light. Finally when the light turns green, a bad Good Samaritan allows someone to pull-out from a side road. They allow one driver to make the light but in the process they've caused three or four other drivers to miss the light. This is even more hurtful if the other drivers have been waiting a long time to make that light and the person from the side road had just pulled up! It becomes even more ridiculous if the person who did the act of kindness MADE THE LIGHT but the driver behind him didn't! This action would have been much more suitable if the other driver had been let-out when the light was red, not green. Use wisdom.

We should be Good Samaritans… that part is not in question. But we should NOT be harmful Good Samaritans! We should follow three simple guidelines which will make things much better in the long run.

We should:
(1) Not only assess the situation but assess it accurately.
(2) Do something about it. Don't wait for someone else to act. But if someone more qualified is already taking proper action, make sure your action is not a detriment to the situation.
(3) Make sure that your actions are not creating an equally harmful problem for someone else. If you are slipping $10 into a needy person's pocket, make sure you're not pulling $10 out of someone else's pocket in the process. The $10 should only come from your own pocket.
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NOTE: This posting is NOT pertaining to the act of kindness and compassion which Jesus' parable is dealing with. His parable is about crossing borders, barriers, and boundaries to reach-out to those in need... no matter who they might be. We must follow His example no matter what!

THIS POST IS about being wise and discerning in our actions. Kindness without wisdom can create a problem where one might not have been.
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Parenting Skills 101

Being a good parent is in no way the same thing as being a good friend. Though elements of friendship must be present, the parenting role is much more narrow and focused. The conscientious parent is the only one in a child's life who offers a unique form of security, protection, and discipline.

---You will have many friends throughout your life, but you will only have one set of parents.---

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It Don't Come Easy

Here's the hard part: God tells us to treat others as we DESIRE FOR THEM to treat us, NOT how they ACTUALLY HAVE treated us.

Ouch! Hard to do, isn't it?

Here's the good part: He gives us the strength and ability to do so! He helps us to be more loving and forgiving.

Whew! Sure needed that assistance.

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Sure, Go Ahead and Fail

Did you know we occasionally give someone the LICENSE TO FAIL?
A common example is when we have great expectations from a political or powerful figure, expecting them to uphold their office with responsibility, dependability, and accountability to the tax-paying public who put them where they are. We expect them to make good honest decisions which affect the vast multitudes... and yet we overlook character flaws and accountability in their personal life! We give license to stumble in the important intimate areas but not in the vast public areas.

We make excuses such as, "all great men in history have had similar appetites and have done the same type of thing." We are all too willing to overlook and give a second chance to them... and yet we would never make such a statement or hold the same sentiments if it were someone close and dear to us. We would never want anyone who personally matters to be unfaithful and fail in that same area. On the one hand we proclaim, "their unfaithfulness doesn't really matter on how well they handle the nation", but we would never have those same sentiments regarding the person we love and care about! Some people never are able to forgive when they feel betrayed by a parent or spouse.

When Israel's king David fell for another man's wife; blatantly acted upon it; and covered it up to the point of insuring the non-survival of that man, the prophet Nathan confronted the king. He considered these little 'personal matters' to be nationally important. The prophet in no way granted any license to fail, but instead passed along the prophetic sentence that though fully forgiven, the king would still pay dearly for his actions (through personal turmoil, tragedy, betrayal, deceit, and maladies). It was only through the king's honest sorrow, regret, and genuine repentance that worse consequences didn't come his way as well.

So, let's just confess and admit that "Yes, I do allow some people to fail in some areas... but I do so selectively and hypercritically. I often use differing and various standards on myself; on loved ones; on the prestigious; and on the unimportant people." Lets just hope the One who really matters doesn't use the same measure that we so often do. I'm sure He doesn't.

Sometimes

Sometimes narrow-minded bigots bother me.
Sometimes.
Sometimes liberal bleeding hearts irritate me.
Sometimes.
Sometimes western culture arrogance bothers me.
Sometimes.
Sometimes I bother myself.
Sometimes.
Sometimes you both.... oh, never mind.

Thank goodness for the other times!

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Frustrating World

Children are frustrated because their parents are split and divided.
Parents are frustrated because their children rebel and distance.
Women are frustrated because men don't want to commit and secure.
Men are frustrated because society does not satisfy and provide.
The elderly are frustrated because they see problems repeat and grow.
We're collectively frustrated because we know something is amiss and awry.

Don't look for answers in all the wrong places.

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Clothed in Purple Linen

I sure hate to burst any bubbles, but contrary to what some might tell you, who we are IS a reflection of our ethics and overall character. It is NOT about who earns the most money; is the most famous; excels at their profession the greatest; displays the biggest ego; lives the most lavish lifestyle; or has the most power and prestige.

Those who "live fast, die young and leave a good-looking corpse", or those who "leave behind the most toys"... still are dead and gone! Now what?

On that day of accountability, when viewing the resume of a person's life, the door could easily be shut to the well-known high-achiever and be widely opened to the overlooked lowly one. What it all boils down to is one's attitude; honesty; integrity; humbleness; compassion; repentance; other-centeredness; teachability and usability TRUMPS self-gratifying achievements any old day... period!

Who wants to be neighbors with the rich man when instead they could reside with Lazarus?
(The answer is obvious to those who understand the significance. -L16.19)

PS: It was the rich man who was clothed in the purple linen.
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New Facebook page

tAaOS now has a Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Alpha-Omega-Suite/110738095658058

Viewpoints (What is Your View?)

    If your viewpoints are also shared by your peers, that's a fairly good thing... they show you have a camaraderie of thoughts and experience.
    If your viewpoints are held by previous generations, that's a great thing... it shows they are long-lasting and acceptable.
    If your viewpoints are verified by other nations and nationalities, that's a remarkable thing... they are universal and globally experienced!
    If your viewpoints are also upheld in the Word of God, that's an incredible thing... they transcend time, space and are approved and accepted in the heavenly realm!

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Five Generations

One thing about being in your 50s is you've had exposure/contact/intimacy with about five or six generations. I've noticed the gap between each successive generation is just a small sliver, but the difference (regarding what is acceptable and proper) between my grandparents and what would be their great, great grandchildren is enormous!

Media influence outside of family accounts for the main factor in this quickly increasing gap. There has never been a time in recorded history where the welcomed influences (not influences from conquerors) has caused such a change in an individual's world view. Naturally, one's lifestyle; viewpoints; social acceptance, and social rejection are reflected as well.

Whisper... Don't Shout

Some are so skilled in pushing boundaries that we don't even realize our defense has been penetrated at all. Many current vices were slipped-in a tiny wee bit here and there until we grew accustomed and no longer saw them as being on the unacceptable outer fringe. An old saying goes "Yesterday's scandals are today's norm". Quite true.

"A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough"

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Easier said than Done

"Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep."

On the surface this might seem easy. But when envy sets in, rejoicing with someone you don't respect becomes an impossibility, and glee often overtakes us at their misfortune.

"But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you."

Scars at Birth

The very nature and make-up of our modern culture produces an abundance of 'bad parents'... and as a result, the next generation is already starting with more scars than what we had to begin with. And in our ignorance we have no idea where to break the cycle.

Don't look for answers from the sources which feed the fire!

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What's in the Heart?

Some folks believe that people are basically good. 

Hmm? 

Perhaps they've never driven in metropolitan traffic before.

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Tolerance

For a couple of decades we have placed tolerance at among the very top of virtues, perhaps because of how low it had previously been felt or practiced in most societies. I personally believe that a healthy dose of tolerance is a great asset and trait to exhibit. It can bring about greater empathy and understanding among diverse groups. But I also see that (true to our nature) we tend to gravitate to unhealthy extremes and call for tolerance in areas where it should never be an option in the first place.

Again, we should be quite tolerable up to a certain point... but we must also know where to draw the line. At that point we should firmly put our foot down and say, "Enough! Let's quit being ridiculous and use some common sense!" Let's freely love our brother and show a great degree of compassion. Let's also expect a degree of accountability in the process. Let's learn from tolerance errors we've made in the past couple decades and move forward.

Drawing the Line

We must emphatically know where to draw the line.
Though worldly enjoyment, riches, and/or temptations might await on the other side of that line, if these are obtained at the expense of our ethics, morals, honesty, integrity, or other higher convictions, then these ill-gotten treasures must be avoided at all costs. In the end we lose more than we gain.

I believe most of our societal problems stem from this basic premise. Our excesses; thievery; murders; addictions; cravings; lusts; lifestyles; and other carnality happen because we do not hold a conviction greater than our base desires. Though we might not personally commit each and every type of crime, our guilt is in either giving approval to, or breaking down the lines which give license for others to do so. Guilt by association raises it's ugly head.

Without moral, ethical convictions, our vision predominantly views gray areas of right and wrong. These 'everything is okay' grays blur the black and the white into a muddy, confusing neutral. The end result is we do not have a precise line of which we will not cross... and we ridicule and disrespect those who do. We have, "eyes that will not see and ears that do not hear."

Where do you draw the line?

Emulate From the Best

When studying great historical figures it soon becomes evident that no matter how great, they all have their share of human frailties and faults. Though they might excel in one or more areas, in other facets and endeavors they show their Achilles heel. The person of Christ proves the lone exception to this rule. I've found when locating any perceived weakness in him, it naturally only reveals a flaw in my own character or personality. It is those areas which I need to work on... to become more like him.

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Innocence Lost

One of the most prevalent crimes which daily occurs in record numbers is the theft from our children of childhood's innocence.

The purveyors of this crime are freely welcomed into our homes and our communities as they sell their cornucopia of delights and give away the hidden fruits. The victims forever carry the scars ...and the cancer of which becomes a part of them.

Flat World

Western culture once believed the world to be flat. Religion believed it; science believed it; even common sense felt it was true. (Scripture stated otherwise and said the world was round.)

Eventually science agreed with the bible; religion followed; and (hopefully) common sense also believes (but the eyes do deceive).

So, what kind of flat world do you live in?

 

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Riches

I'd rather be content and fulfilled in the land of want than disgruntled and weary in the land of plenty.

Riches are far more than what you have in the bank.

Society's Pull

The pull of a society and the standards it adheres to permeates our mind and our being. It forms our opinions, our values, and our behavior. And, if we have no other stronger and more influential counter-standard in our life, we naturally fall-in and follow the pull of this world... no matter how beneficial or harmful it might be to our mind, our body, and to our spirit. No amount of denial can negate a society's affects since it is based upon the actions and approval of the majority... which collectively influences us more than any other subconscious developmental area.

A fairly easy way to determine if we are in-sync with our culture is to evaluate our reaction to current events; the daily news; media offerings from television, radio, film, internet, and other entertainment venues. Acceptance and enjoyment from these sources indicates commonality with the values they proclaim. Feeling alienated and appalled at their offerings are a good indication we hold values not shared by them... we have something in our life which has moved us away from the society in which we live. We might be in this world, but we are not owned or consumed by it.

Your Predictions

You greatly increase your odds of predicting* future trends if you unbiasedly study: (1) historical patterns; (2) human nature; (3) current events; and (4) geographical conditions. With a little simple research and/or observation your rate of accuracy increases dramatically and familiarity replaces shock as societal changes occur. 

But don't expect to take it to the bank... scoffing, ridicule, and scorn are more often the normal responses to shared predictions and/or warnings than praise or acceptance. 

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*Do not confuse predictions with prophecies. Not the same thing.