myblog

Crisis brings change. 20 or 30 years ago, when any country has economic problems, high debt or need for investment, they turned to the US or any of the European superpowers for aid. A week ago, Europe turned to China to seek investment to aid in their fragile economy. 30 years ago the average European was 15 times richer than the average Chinese, them being 2.2% of the world’s economy. By 2016 they should be the 18%. What happened then, for this shift? When European settlers came to the US, they became richer than the Asians for the following reasons:

• Competition- Europeans came from an environment that was competitive. Historically the feudal systems, monarchies, kingdoms that demanded and competed for resources, land, people, villages. These systems were the ancestors of modern corporations .
• Science- The biggest breakthroughs and discoveries were made in Europe.
• Rule of law and representative government- The establishment of private property and a system of representation that included business owners and the rich. 
• Modern Medicine- Both Europe and America made health care innovations.
• Industrial revolution- brings a working class, and created a consumer society of good and services.
• Work Ethic- A combination of extensive and intensive labor for wealth accumulation through savings. The main reason immigrants came to America was to pursue a dream of freedom, growth and work.

The main reason for decline is the abandonment of these principles. Ask how many hours does a Japanese, Korean work? How about school? how many days and hours? Compare that to the average American, how has the education system failed to address issues to save our youth and prepare them for a changing world? the same with colleges. A broke health system affordable only to a few. Let’s also compare the architectural wonders of the East, while other countries are growing and renewing their infrastructure we see a deterioration of the American, old buildings, roads, collapsing buildings. A better proof? If you are one of the maybe 0.01% of millionaires today, how would you use your money?

You might save it on a foreign bank.

You might buy Italian shoes, British suits.

You would drive a Lexus, Toyota maybe a Mercedes.

You would hire an immigrant gardener, maid, cook, driver.

Your TV or flat screen would be Chinese made.

You would drink French or Italian wine.

You vacation would be in an exotic Pacific resort.

Things to think of…….

being organized and concise will separate you from others.

It’s curious how times change, roles switched, and the traditional turned nuts. The collapse of the world economy and the long recession hitting the world specially the US has created a new generation. We all know about the boomers which are retiring now, generation x, y. Now we have the sandwich generation. And why the metaphor? Because as the piece of ham it is between two tough dilemmas. The first is that these late 40-50 people have to take care and look over their retired elderly parents that were hot hard with their retirement money being virtually diminished due to the financial collapse, cuts in medicare and health care and a growing expense of care and attention. Add to that their children , educated young people, well educated that are unemployed, cant’ get a job, because almost none exist, and can’t afford a home, apartment etc. Times change for sure.

I came recently across an article on the web that summarizes my current self development work both personally as well as professionally, it applies also to my student life. It is for some people hard path to step out of the box and go for that extra mile that unfortunately for some reasons not all search.The steps are simple.

It starts with a dream. And dreams need action to become real, not hope or a fairy will visit you in your sleep and when you wake up, there it is. Dream big, wish for the impossible, don’t set limits on yourself. Just as a genie that grants your wildest desires, embrace that dream and say yes to it. Say and confirm to yourself that you deserve it and commit to reach it. Dreams will become real with action, nothing else.

Educate yourself. Carry a book, listen to a podcast on your ipod. Explore the web, create your own alternative curriculum. Watch a TED talk. Find a mentor. Not everything will be learned on school or college. Read articles, join forums on what interest you.

Do. Jump out of the couch, don’t ask for pity or make excuses, get out of your comfort zone, challenge yourself. Do something different each day, take a different route to work, read or watch something that challenges your beliefs and exposes opposing views. Be receptive, understand and eventually you will now how to deal with those that oppose you.

There is no free lunch. It all comes with a price. It takes your time,money, relationships, possessions, long held and treasured beliefs. Study the price that will be paid and pay them. You will see the results.

Be awake. Take advantages on the opportunities that present themselves. Sometimes we don’t notice them.

Build relations. But not just any.Make them meaningful, worthwhile. Share, interact.

Passion. Do a little extra. Celebrate every win, laugh, smile, cry. Fell the sense of accomplishment. Do well to others.

Try this exercise to create a feeling of excellence:

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking, don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when to find it. And just like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking till you find it. Don’t settle.”

Listen to internet radio with TheThinkingAtheist on Blog Talk Radio

As humans, we are gifted with the capacity of distinguishing right from wrong, the beauty from the ugly, we can reason and control our basic instincts, decide on a course of action and also be responsible of the outcome, be it correct or a complete failure. Who and how we got that gift is subject to each individual’s belief or experience. Animals on the other hand do not have that kind of intelligence, but they have an unique intelligence of their own. They see the world their way, the perceive, feel, love, react by their hard wired instincts or how they have adapted through the years or environment. Before we do, they can sense danger, when nature will strike, among other unique capacities. Today as I was reading a local newspaper online, I came across a terrible case of abuse. A horse was sacrificed by veterinarians, after some time of abuse, malnutrition, he has his skin with burned with disease, one leg has missing his “feet” and was just bare bones. If humans are supposed to be higher beings, how can they behave this way? Animals can be loyal and love better than any human, they are part of life as we are, we can learn from them. Any case should be reported to the authorities and make sure they prosecute until the end.

But as I always say without remorse, If I ever catch someone, male, female doing any atrocity to any animal, no matter the price I have to pay, I will make sure they receive the same atrocity by my hands.

http://homepage.mac.com/doubtboy/ZazenInstructions.html