Of all the Advice He's Getting. This Might Actually Be Right

Of all the information coming at our President these days, this article might outline the best approach yet. While the Republicans decide whether they want to launch investigations for un-American activities, or whether they want to try and repeal the 14th amendment to repeal birthright citizenship for infants born in the U.S. - perhaps all that should remain in the periphery. Perhaps, the agenda should not be distracted by what's going on the other side of the isle. The crazy side.

Maybe what our President should do, is what I've been advocating since his first day in office which is to be a strong leader with clear direction advocating for sensible reforms regardless of whatever goes on in crazy-ville. The reason we hired the guy was because he sold us on the vision of hope and change. And, to be honest, that hopey changey thing hasn't been working out so well. Or at least, hasn't lived up to it's potential. To prevent a lame duck situation for the second half of his term, he might want to just go balls to the wall (first of course, he'd actually have to grow some) and push forward an agenda that makes sense. And, to hell with those want to label the agenda liberal or middle or even conservative. We're one America, he ought to lose the labels and do what's right. In the end, like the cited article suggests, it will be recalled as the Obama era. Not the John Boehner era, or anything else. No body thinks of the Tip O'neill era or even the Newt - what's his name era.

So I hope he moves forward decisively regardless of what goes on in the rear view mirror.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/18/AR2010111806290.html

Sam and I

Sam and I
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

Epoch November 2010

It's Time to Stop. No. Really.

http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4be9943c2de1875b

It's clear that we have many government employees. Some whom take advantage of loop holes and advantages in retirement systems. Ultimately those who pay the bill are taxpayers. I think somewhere along the way, public employees may have forgotten is that when they are on a pension of $100k for life, we're on the hook for that money for the duration of their life. Which, may be a longgg time.

Maybe it's time for states like California, to seriously consider the bankruptcy option. Certainly a judge could nullify every retirement pact and these could be renegotiated to a reasonable amount. It's time to stop putting bank bail outs, nationalization of companies like GM and all this madness on the backs of the American taxpayer.

Of course, now that Jerry Brown is in office, this will never happen. But, will SOMEONE please step up to the plate!?

Brokk Sean and me

Brokk Sean and me
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

C!

Fun in Sacramento

Fun in Sacramento
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

C!

Patty and Sue

Patty and Sue
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

C!

A day of shopping

A day of shopping
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

Heading to California next week so need a new outfit. But first a beverage and n oil change. Hope you're having a great day too :)

A Recovery Speaker: Alicia P

Howdy.

Here's a friend of mine. Alicia P.

I met her in Waco at the 2009 Young People's conference in Texas. It's always a treat, and a trip when you meet someone at an out of town conference, and then come to find out they are where you're from!

I'm glad I met Alicia. Her home group is across town from mine - and it's always nice when I walk in and see her smiling face.

Setting Things Right - If You Can

I've been practicing this spiritual way of life for many years now. It sometimes is put to the test. Not the principles. My ability to incorporate them. The ability to embrace what I've been talking about for nearly half of my life now sometimes requires a perseverance I wonder if I have.


It is the ego of course that drives me to want to adhere to these ideas of making amends. Ego, that I somehow now have to walk this talk that I've been espousing to anyone who'd listen. I've spent hours in gatherings and talking from a podium to folks at these gatherings about the spiritual healing that occurs from this practice. The practice of attempting to make restitution.


I say attempting because restitution is relative.

Restitution = 

Reparation made by giving an equivalent or compensation forloss, damage, or injury caused; indemnification.

There have been times when I've been more successful than others. Sometimes reparation is not possible. If you've smashed something to smithereens - like trust. How can you restore that? Sometimes I can't. That doesn't mean I should not make the attempt. Sometimes the very attempt is where the spiritual healing can occur.


If I look inside my heart, and my intentions and then align my actions to match - a miracle can occur. Not that forgiveness is always given. That's not the miracle. The miracle that I have expanded my conscience to genuinely not to repeat a behavior that causes others harm. Sure, it's causing me harm. If it didn't - if there were no consequence - to me - directly - I quite likely wouldn't see the point. I am, still at heart, a selfish being. That, would appear, unfortunately is part of my human existence. Maybe others have transcended this selfishness - I have not (yet). 


There will be times when even the superglue of intention, heart felt regret, and action cannot mold back together something which lay in smithereens.


Sorry never held much sway or power in my life. Whether people were conveying it to me (mostly because I knew how little it meant coming out of my mouth) or whether I was trying to convince you I was sorry. I think this was mostly because:


a.) It didn't mean I truly was
b.) I didn't want you to think that it meant I wouldn't do it again tomorrow under the same circumstances.
c.) I didn't want you to think that it meant I wouldn't do it again tomorrow under different circumstances.


Basically, that selfish nature prohibits me from matching my sincerity in the moment to a long lasting memory of the consequences i.e. pain I'm feeling right now. Thus - the humbling act of restitution provides a cost. A tangible way of remembering the cost of my actions. The price to be paid for arrogance and disregard for others.


In this latest instance, I've attempted this act. And, it would appear it's a situation of smithereens. I have no power over this. I can only make the offer of an attempt to set right a wrong. And, whether people then choose to broadcast my shortcomings - to brand me with a scarlet letter - well, maybe that's the cost. The consequence. The price.


So, even if I'm branded whatever the term dujour may be, what's most important to remember - is that somewhere in here there must be a lesson in humility. My instinctual response to want to strike back only would exacerbate this situation. It would certainly defeat any purpose or lesson which may be garnered from this. And, in the end, that may be all there is to gather from this debacle.


I don't think this event is going to alter the course of my human experience. I don't know that I'll not sin again next year. Next month. In the next five minutes. What I pray is, that I don't repeat the same mistakes again. Then - I'd have to say I've found no value what so ever.


But - I believe I have.

Coopers BBQ in New Braunfels TX

Coopers BBQ in New Braunfels TX
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

C!