As of This Day

 As of this day 

My husband and I (CalMar) will seek to know, love and serve the Lord and all of His Creation while living in Health, Wellness, Peace, and Prosperity.  We are still and will pray and help our children and their spouses and our children's children to live the same life. We believe this is the most important big idea in our life and for the goodness of the world.

I do not know how all of this looks and works - but; in my last decades of my life - I am seeking love and truth all things good, and this includes cooperation and collaboration and so much more. 

There is so much more to life than 100 pair of shoes and other vanities - I am searching for the good and moderation in all things. One cup of coffee per day and one cup of tea is more than enough. Eating a pancake in peace is better than any luxury food in financial ruin and insecurity. 

How in my foolishness of thought and impurities of actions make such errors in my life? Why did I make my previous choices? Let my live my life in a way that is in alignment with God and fellow humans. Let all humans seek the truth and live fully in the will of GOD in all ways always seeking Him and loving our neighbor. 

 

3 4 

The problem with a lie

Lies and Liars  

When you lie, you need to keep lying and lying more and better and bigger, and then sometimes everything will collapse and most of the facts and truth will come out. Most people lie more than they think they lie. You can fool a lot of people a lot of the time with your lies and there exists LIES, DAMN LIES & STATISTICS. Lie a little or lie a lot. You are still a liar and Satan is the father of lies and liars. Contrast this with God and God's words. God is the source of all truth. His Word is truth. His Law is truth. His "faithfulness endures to all generations." Since God is "true," the members of his people are called to live in the truth. (Catechism of the Catholic Church)

Lies by definition -- an intentionally false statement.

synonyms: untruth, falsehood, fib, fabrication, deception, made-up story, trumped-up story, fake news,  invention, piece of fiction, fiction, falsification, falsity, fairy story/tale, cock and bull story, barefaced lie, a (little) white lie, half-truth, exaggeration, prevarication, departure from the truth, alternative fact, yarn , story, red herring, fable, myth, flight of fancy, figment of the imagination, pretense,  pretext, sham, misinformation, disinformation, perjury, dissimulation, mendacity, gossip,  propaganda, tall story, tall tale, whopper, porky, pork pie, porky pie and terminological in-exactitude
antonyms:  truth, fact

BIG LIES and BIG LIARS - let's examine big lies - magic, alchemy, recycling, propaganda, advertising - big liars - Benedict Arnold, Bernie Madoff, Herodotus, Charles Ponzi, Richard Nixon, Bill and Hillary Clinton, politicians, cheaters (coaches and athletes who cheat), journalists (editors & producers), lawyers, and salespersons. This list is in no way inclusive or exhaustive.

We have two types of lies - lies of Omission and Commission. Either way, it is a lie and you are LIAR. In the United States when in court we swear an oath to solemnly (swear/affirm) that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, (so help you God/under pains and penalties of perjury)? And once a liar, always a liar unless you make a change and repent and apologize. Let's examine the two big types of lies. 

Lying by omission is when a person leaves out important information or fails to correct a pre-existing misconception in order to hide the truth from others. Lying by omission is not always intended to be harmful; it is often thought of as an action undertaken to spare the recipient pain or embarrassment. But it can still have a detrimental effect on a relationship. Even if the damage isn't immediate, the information omitted will eventually surface. The fallout from this can cause more problems than it would have if the information had been shared immediately, and accountability had been taken by the person sharing it.

Some people view omissions as more than just white lies, but as outright lying, because by omitting information, you’re no longer being transparent.“I didn’t lie; I just didn’t tell you.” A lack of vulnerability and transparency hamper communication, and destroy the safety that is expected in all close knit relationships – be they friendships or romantic partnerships. In the United states we swear to "Do you solemnly (swear/affirm) that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, (so help you God/under pains and penalties of perjury)?"

Lying by commission - the very act of committing the crime of perjury or making a false statement knowingly and willing in an effort to deceive and mislead. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 2482 - "A lie consists in speaking a falsehood with the intention of deceiving." The Lord denounces lying as the work of the devil: "You are of your father the devil, . . . there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies." Lies are lies an they hurt everyone everywhere all the time. God and his word is the truth always and everywhere and in all time.

Getting Back to a New Normal

     UPDATE - Tuesday, July 21, 2020 

     The Age of COVID 19 continues, the virus is wrecking its havoc across America and the world. Wear a mask and be a sheeple or don't wear a mask and be a Trump Supporter. In beautiful, Alma Township, Jackson County, Wisconsin, USA - the virus is almost non-existent. In my family, no COVID cases, That does not mean no death. Death is always there. In fact, my daughter, Christine, has died in the very era unexpectedly. There is no gray area in the opinion police - everyone who says anything publically believes they are right. The virus will spread and render it's death and then someday it will go away. Maybe it will return....maybe not. Living in an pandemic is full of the unexpected, the new normal is everyday. So today, just today, as tomorrow is never given, I will pray, I will seek God, I will contemplate my eternal home.

ORIGINAL POST 

     Life is full of unexpected changes that can really shake you up and make you really live consciously. At the time the change happens, this may be a difficult time and full of anxiety and sadness and loss. However, with time all those feelings fade and circumstances change. The daily routines become the new normal, not necessarily the desired normal, and change requires hard work. If I do nothing, nothing in my life will change. If I do not desire what I have and what I am doing how am I living my life fully? How am I becoming the best version of me?
     My husband and I had two unexpected events in our life which disrupted our normal life and really shook us up. Due to a lot of hard work, planning and intentional living, we were able to take a break and regroup on a slower pace and make life happen at a saner pace. We are getting through and by. Now it's time to up the game and make our life better. The last fifteen months have given me opportunities to pursue interests and activities that I always wanted to pursue. Like many, I have underestimated the time and effort required to make changes and live my life on my terms. It's easy to float through; it's requires real work to live intentionally.
    Self-awareness and self-acceptance and self-knowledge and truth require you to look at all areas of your life and access where you are at, where you want to be, and make a real factual plan to make the changes to get you where you want. One must always keep in mind what is most important and what really matters. Do you have a really big list of most important? About fifteen years ago, I made my big list and my list is God, Family, Work and Everything Else. Yes, that is my order and family trumps achievement in my career and earnings. I do not and will not measure my self worth with my financial worth. I can make numerous changes to balance what I want with the money issue. I can use my talents to make a homemade gift for people to enjoy instead of spending money at a big box store and contributing mostly to the Chinese and Saudi Arabian economies.
    Right now, I need to make one more major change in my life to get me where I want to be and where I need to be, What I know is that I can and I will. Sure it may not be easy. Of course, I will have trials and disappointments and failures. But, I will also have success and happiness and be able to look back and see the change in my and be happier with the person who I have become.



   

Sometimes when something is really good you - you need to capture that moment forever

     Some things in life are worth capturing and making a memory. Write it down, take a picture, make a scrapbook page, create a silly song and sing it out loud, make a special food or just slow down and absorb all the goodness around you - just do something special whether it lasts a lifetime or more or just for a few minutes. Take time to ponder the beauty and wonder that is all around us. We live in a world that is so busy and full of noise that seldom we can see the beauty around us.

     This morning I am watching this Wisconsin Public Television show Around the Farm Table. I really enjoy this show as it about a woman who is following her passions and dreams and working very hard to make the dream a reality who at all times is always working and creating community with others. Yesterday, I stopped in at the Gingerbread Jersey Cheese Factory in Augusta, Wisconsin, and their a young wife, mother, farmer and cheese maker was tending the children and the store. This young woman said she was not working hard - she was only being a mother and storekeeper at the same time. I said I would hate to see her working hard. I think I would be exhausted just watching her really work.

    But, what really left an impression on me about these women is that they are in love with their life. In many ways there is nothing fancy or romantic or worldly about what they are doing. They are working hard and doing hard work and all the time really living life fully. What does all this have to do with making memories and capturing things that are really good? Well everything, because it is the in daily living that we are made whole and real. Oh yes, there will big events in our life - but, all the big times is only for a very short while and then daily living sets in. Take time for all the things of daily living and do them as best as you can. I think someone once said to "stop and smell the roses".

Finishing Well|Finishing Strong

     Yesterday, when painting with my sister, I really gave it my all and just kept on working. By the time I got back to my house I was sore, tired and needed a nap. I also am probably suffering from the cold and flu. It felt great to work hard and finish a job and be exhausted. I used to be fairly athletically and physically active and competative and many times it came out in a not so nice way. I still don't have it all figured out - I can really work hard, I like to do well, I feel good when I can look back and see a job well done. I also in the past have quit - I sometimes have a very difficult time figuring everything out. What do I want, truly what do I desire and what is best for me? Can I make good decisions consistently? Can I motivate and coach and counsel and be a true helper and friend? What do I have and what can I be? What do I want? There are always trade-offs - more time or more money, or more money and less time. What satisfies me? What is most important?
     So thinking about myself and my smallness - I googled to see what God says - well actually what Saint Paul wrote and I find an enlightened web page If I Can Run The Race and read what some one else is saying about what the Bible says. Read more at http://www.catholicvu.com/. Kathy Bernard does a very good job with references about running the race for Christ, being prepared, not stopping and finally finishing well.
     Recently I was listening to Relevant Radio and the talk show was about people who seem to throw out God at the end of their lives. What I know and what I observed is if we are faithful, always and everywhere, we will not loose hope and faith in the last years or moments of our life. God promises many things for being faithful - as a child of God I can claim the promises of God and know when it is time to for the great conductor God to ask for my ticket, I will have a good ticket in hand and be ready for the journey.
     Give life your all, make your life count in the way God our Father, Christ our Brother and the Holy Spirit are calling you in all things - great and small. Don't quit when you feel defeated or depressed. Continue on and seek the right paths and we know as Christians the right path is not normally the path the world tells. Along the way please slow down and find joy and happiness - the true joy and happiness that only the love of God gives.

A New Year - A New Chance - World Peace

     God has stated that peace is one of His many gifts to human beings. So why do humans reject this gift? It's simple - there is a caveat to God's peace - it is only given to people of goodwill. Logically, then this is simple - if we want peace we need to become people of goodwill.
     How do we become people of goodwill? We do this by seeking the common good. Yes, there are better things for everyone and better things for the world we live in for all living creatures. However, the leaders of the world currently and have always lived in a manner of largesse, excess and beyond the standard of living of the common people. Let's not look at China, Russia or Saudi Arabia - let's look at our current president and first lady, congress, and the government bureaucrats here in America. We have a president who plays golf and can disrupt a wedding and still be a really swell and nice guy and a press that makes teed off jokes about his behavior. We have officials and workers all over the Department of Veterans Affairs making six-figure salaries and receiving their healthcare elsewhere who can't figure out a how to timely approve veterans requests for help and aid. We have congressmen and congresswomen who don't live in the district they represent and who are flown coast-to-coast in private planes. And then we have real winners like Al Gore with a Nobel Peace Prize for global warming who flies private jets and lives in a mansion. And what about Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton and their race baiting that keeps them living in a grand style while exploiting mostly poor and uneducated people? Maybe the Als and Jesses should start a successful grocery store and farm in a poor inter-city neighborhood that is a food desert and then duplicating that success in every food desert in America.
     Peace needs to begin with yourself and economic choices you make. Are you willing to pay more for food that is truly organic, local, sustainably grown and meets fair trade guidelines (I will say fairer trade as a lot of fair trade benefits mostly others than the farmer including lots of third world corrupt politicians)? Do you re-use, re-cycle, re-purpose, up-cycle and don't waste? Do you live beyond your means? Do you check the air in your vehicle tires regularly? Do you turn down the heat at night? Do you look for second hand items? In the adage of an old song - let peace begin with me.
     After scrubbing and cleaning on yourself start on your family. Start by sharing resources and time and talent. Share everything you can share. Share food and tools and clothes and furniture.
     Keep on creating peace in your neighborhood. You can disagree without causing a civil war. At least try to see the other persons point. However, never avoid the truth. There are many points of view - there is only one truth.
    For most of us, we need to stop with family and neighbors and the small community groups we live in. In our BIG government world we are simply unable to impact change at a larger level. In American, WE are the GOVERNMENT and WE have quit doing what we are supposed to do as citizens and as such our GOVERNMENT at most levels has become mostly corrupt and not capable of working for the common good, thus not capable of creating peace. Everyone of us should be appalled and clamoring for change when we see your government wasting tax dollars. This should not be a Democrat or Republican or Liberal or Conservative issue. Government fraud, waste and abuse should tick us all of and motive us to throw the crooks out and find some better men and women to represent us. Make this year a year for you to change. Change what you can and pray for peace because pray changes everything because it changes you.


DREAM - Dream a Little Dream

     Many dream, some do and a few make it. Very few achieve at the highest levels of any profession regardless of talent and opportunity. Some do achieve both fame and fortune and they are very blessed indeed.
     I dream of being a renaissance women who has great intellect, talent and produces a great masterpiece. I love to channel the good Thomas Jefferson whose birthday I share. However, I am now considerably past middle age and have not achieved fame, fortune or notoriety.
     If I measure myself by the standards of Bach, Shakespeare and others greats, I am an abject failure. If I measure myself by a standard that I can bring joy, beauty and inspiration to others in small ways, I succeed every day. I start with my immediate family and reach outwards.
     All humans matter. Start where you are and affect the lives that you share. Many great men and women have failed terribly in their family relationships. Maybe being number one on the charts is great. However, failing at parenting really makes you a LOSER. Fame and fortune is wonderful; but, it's nothing if you are failing at what really matters.