Your(Self)- Esteem

December 10, 2017 / doubledacres / 9 Comments

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Wikipedia tells us that self-esteem reflects a person’s overall subjective emotional evaluation of his or her own worth. It is a judgement of oneself as well as an attitude toward the self.

I believe in today’s society we place to much emphasis on the opinions of other people. I like this quote by Emerson, “It is easy to live for others, everybody does. I call on you to live for yourself.”

There was a time when I worried about what people thought of me. I would find myself living totally out of my character in hopes that people would like me. This went on for some time until one day I realized what a fake I was and how unhappy I was, pretending to be someone I wasn’t. Let’s face it, when you are a red neck, country, hillbilly you can only hide it so long. I mean you are what you are and you can’t live a lie just to prop up your self-esteem because it won’t last long.

I remember when I was six my dad took me to the barber and had my head practically shaved. Now this wouldn’t have been so bad for some folks, however I have this curse that hangs over me. Large, protruding ears. Now take away the hair and ………OMG all the kids called me “Dumbo” the elephant. This fiasco did absolutely nothing for my self-esteem. It was tough but I pulled through and life went on.

“Why should we worry about what others think of us, do we have more confidence in their opinions than we do our own?” – Brigham Young

As I have matured, during my stroll through life, I have learned to appreciate who I am and what I have accomplished. When ever I see someone belittled or bullied it infuriates me to no end. I immediately go into “salvage” mode and a lot of times I don’t even wait until the offender leaves Dodge. I can remember being put down in front of a crowd and everyone just staring where if just one person would have walked up to me and said “that is not true” then gave me a big hug, my confidence level would have never crashed. Now I am not saying that no one is deserving of a arse chewing. If I screw up then I have earned everything I get.

What I hate to see is someone that is trying to improve and all they hear is, “you are so stupid”, “you need to just give up”, etc.. What happened to constructive criticism? We as a society need to develop a bigger heart and the art of kindness. Unless you are some kind of egotistical maniac, there are going to be times that you question your own self-esteem.

“Social media websites are no longer performing an envisaged function of creating a positive communication link among friends, family and professionals. It is a veritable battleground, where insults fly from the human quiver, damaging lives, destroying self-esteem and a person’s sense of self-worth.” – Anthony Carmona

I think the above quote pretty much sums up how I feel about today’s social media. People just don’t seem to care about one another’s feelings.

In closing I want to thank everyone that took the time to read my blog. Remember to share the love.

Emerson, Politics and Myself

November 26, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

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I call it “The Rock of David”.

“The teaching of politics is that the Government, which was set for protection and comfort of all good citizens, becomes the principal obstruction and nuisance with which we have to contend… The cheat and bully and malefactor we meet everywhere is the Government.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerson writes in his essay on politics that an ideal government, advocated for the growth of the individual and would be able to protect one’s individual rights. Once an individual became completely independent and self-reliant they would be ready for democracy and the government could be abolished. The richest asset one could have is the mind and the intelligence needed from each individual would triumph over politics and business interests. He also valued personal rights over property rights.

He tells us that “The law is only a memorandum.” and his most popular quote was “The less government we have the better.” Emerson had complete faith in the individual but he does a turn about on his views toward nations. He goes as far to write, “Every actual state is corrupt.” Political parties are “made out of necessity” out of the time period and not of any underlying theory. He was not satisfied with either party at the time and hinted to the natural inequality the system adhered to and its effects. Even back then he didn’t trust the pulpit and the press. This is from Essays: Second Series published in 1844.

Now fast forward to 2017 and hold on to your arse. Less government is certainly out of the question and there is very little trust for the press and the pulpit. Our government has become enormous. The thing that fascinates me is that we Americans put our trust in a group of people who steal from us (i.e. Social Security) and unless you have a rather large sum of money to invest in a campaign you aren’t going to get elected. The majority of most of these elections are won by the person who had the most money to spend. No, I didn’t say always I said most. The average John Q Public has no way to be successful in a bid for a US Senate seat or House of Representatives. The qualifications are easy enough.

Senate: 1) at least 30 years old 2) a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years at the time of election to the Senate 3) a resident of the state one is elected to represent in the Senate.

House of Representatives: 1) be at least 25 years old 2) have been a resident of the United States for the last 7 years 3) be (at the time of the election) an inhabitant of the state they represent.

Wow! We trust these people to do what is best for us? Not even a high school diploma or GED required. The real kicker, why would someone spend a million dollars to procure a job that pays one hundred seventy four thousand to two hundred thousand dollars a year?

I see the bad moon arising, I see trouble on the way………

“Every actual State is corrupt. Good men must not obey the laws too well.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

I don’t know what the future holds but I personally think trouble is on its way. We are a country that instead of taking a problem head on we just pass another useless law. Representatives that make promises and never follow through. Both parties promise the moon and deliver nothing. Both sides still refuse to acknowledge why the election of 2016 went the way it did. Fact is that Americans are fed up with the whole mess and demonstrated that in the voting booth and democrats and republicans still refuse to acknowledge it.

In my heart I truly believe the framers of the constitution tried their best to protect us from the greed of politicians. Greed however is hard for humans to overcome and very hard to defeat. The corruption within our government and political system iseventually going to be the death of a once great nation. It is been there a long time but it seems the new politicians are bolder than those before them or maybe they aren’t as smart as their predecessors, because they aren’t doing a very good job of hiding it.

I hope Americans remain awake and keep sending a message to politicians that we have had enough. They work for and represent us and it is time we quit keeping them in office when they don’t have our best interests in mind. Ok I will shut up now. I know I am beating a dead horse.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I really don’t like to write about this particular subject however I just needed to get it off my chest. I am tired of seeing my friends and family arguing over a bunch of thugs, yeah I called them thugs, that don’t give a rat’s patootie about them. Be sure to spread the love.

My Take on Self-reliance

November 21, 2017 / doubledacres / 5 Comments

Just me and my dog Kate

“It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Merriam-Webster defines self-reliance as reliance on one’s own efforts and abilities.

When I hear “self-reliance I think of the early pioneers and the hardships they had to endure. They were pretty much able to take care of themselves. They raised and hunted their own food, played doctor, teacher and were carpenters. They had to be that way in order to survive.

In today’s world self- reliance seems to have left the building. Sad part is that children of today aren’t being given a chance to be self-reliant. The parents just don’t want to take the time out of their busy schedule to teach them. Grandparents have it in their minds that they have to do everything for them, be their best friend and by all means don’t hurt their feelings. Both sides argue that the child isn’t responsible enough but at the same time they aren’t teaching the child responsibility. All of this is done with good intentions however, the child is the one who is losing and will have no ideal how to do things for themselves. They grow up expecting people to do everything for them and . When I look into my crystal ball I don’t see a very good future for them.

Then we have the government using public assistance to enslave John Q Public. Why? They don’t want us to even entertain the idea of self-reliance. Keep us from attaining it and we hand them the control that gives them the upper hand if they need it. Ok, settle down. Quit laughing so hard. Maybe I am getting senile but it is happening more and more as folks lose their jobs. Public Assistance, the New Form of Self-Reliance! by your Congressional Representatives.

We interrupt this program for a message from the turkey above, Please eat more possum. My friends and family will appreciate it.

“Over the years, Americans in particular have been all too willing to squander their hard-earned independence and freedom for the illusion of feeling safe under someone else’s authority. The concept of self-sufficiency has been undermined in value over a scant few generations. The vast majority of the population seems to look down their noses upon self-reliance as some quaint dusty relic, entertained only by the hyperparanoid or those hopelessly incapable of fitting into mainstream society.” – Cody Lundin

I don’t think folks put enough emphasis on self-reliance. Anyone who lived during the “Great Depression” can tell you how important it is. Nobody seems to understand it can happen again and seem to be complacent with the government taking care of them. My way of thinking is I would rather be in control of my outcome in that situation and trust no one else with my surviving. Just look how they take care of our veterans. Still feel warm and fuzzy inside thinking of them taking care of you when the SHTF?

Self-reliance also involves one thinking for themselves and not letting anyone else or the government tell you how to think. It also necessitates for one to be prepared for whatever comes at them.

“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.” – Abraham Lincoln (Parents and grandparents should have this one taped to their mirror so they read it every morning before they start their day. Just saying, if the child is capable of doing it then why are you?)

“If you truly want to be respected by people you love, you must prove to them that you can survive without them.” – Michael Bassey Johnson

Once again, thank you for taking the time to read my blog. It means a lot to me and you and your time are deeply appreciated. I take this time to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving and good times with family. As you go through the holidays don’t forget to spread the love.

Time To Rant

October 22, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

My mind is whirling with all the BS going on in the U.S. today. I see friends arguing and calling each other names over politics. Friendships destroyed and families torn apart. For what? When did we let politics become more important than friendships and family? I see people who have no respect for anything and they are quick to criticize. I see a Main Stream News Media creating a massive divide in this country that is surely going to end in disaster. Hate seems to be more popular than love. It seems to me that America is circling the drain and I say to myself, is it too late to put the plug back in the drain. I hope so.

The top 5 pastors in America have a net worth of 960 million dollars. Really? I am a christian but this isn’t religion, this is big business. I am sorry but that is my opinion and I am sure someone will ream me for it. I know some pastors that have a great ministry and they do a fine job of preaching the “Word” and helping needy communities on a lot less.

Parents with children. I am sorry when you go out to a restaurant show the other patrons a little respect. When you let your children chase each other around the tables it isn’t funny, it is annoying. To you parents who take the time to teach your child to behave, thank you. Teach your children the word “no” so that when you tell them they can’t have a candy bar they will refrain from throwing themselves on the floor, screaming and kicking.

Hollywood, get over yourself! I don’t give a rat’s arse about what your political views are just like you don’t care about mine. I even respect you less when you use your “stardom” to influence John Q Public. All the actresses that came out condemning the antics of the POTUS where are you on the subject of Harvey Weinstein? Maybe I just missed your comments and if I did please forgive me but you seem to be pretty mute about his behavior. Football players, kneeling to get attention for police brutality. Where were you when your own was expressing his christian beliefs and got blackballed from football. He was kneeling. How about the football player who killed a mother/wife because he ran a red light because he was intoxicated. He got an eight game suspension. Really? I don’t condone police brutality but you have seemed to help alienate a lot of people from your cause.

In the past there has been some bias in the news world but come on. Can you be any more bias? Now tune in for the 6 o’clock opinions. Nope no news, just a bigger spoon to help stir the pot and create more hate and discontent. I find it kind of odd that you dropped the Vegas story so quickly. Did your story fall apart? Do John Q Public a favor and report the facts and be unbiased in your reporting. If you are going to be bias then at least do a better job of hiding it.

Sorry for all the ranting but I could go on all night. Folks whether you believe it or not the country is falling down around us. Our politicians are failing us. MSNM is failing us. Parents are failing their children. Most of all, we are failing each other.

We need to think about what the consequences our actions will cause. Example, protesters. Protesting is a powerful tool when used correctly. I am sorry but when you invade shopping malls screaming your demands or blocking a freeway you aren’t making friends. You are causing more hate to be cast your way. Those people can’t do anything for you. If you are protesting the government and receiving government benefits, send your checks back or don’t pay your taxes. This will get the attention of the people who can help you. Protest in front of city hall every day. We protest bullying and your protests that you are using is just another form of bullying.

Well I am going to shut up. In a world full of opinions someone is probably going to get their feelings hurt. I hope I didn’t make anyone think less of me. Bottom line is that we need to come together and heal the divide in this nation, not create a bigger abyss. We are not only destroying our planet but also respect, trust, and integrity. I am not a Democrat or Republican. I am an American(gun toting, Bible thumping, redneck I think I was referred to) that wants everyone to come together and heal this great divide within our borders. United we stand, divided we fall.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. Spread the love.