I Don’t Know About You But …

May 3, 2016 / Penny L Howe / 4 Comments

… Freedom Of Speech (while not coming with a specific caveat regarding good manners and acceptable social behavior) does indicate that it should not be intrusive or take away from another citizen(s) and yet (I shall repeat this) …

AND YET … voicing your right to express your opinion now obviously includes the right to be openly cruel, petty, malicious, mean, insensitive, and judgemental to others not in agreement. (That IMO is frequently voiced because of not adequately understanding/ misinterpreting facts or a situation, or just plain feeling the need to be obnoxious to get attention).

Whether it be any social media source or any news media source, rude behavior seems to have become the acceptable norm.

Verbal personal attacks are horrible examples to pass on to children and each other. It achieves nothing positive of value, in fact it would indicate our values are currently residing in the gutter.

Do I have a point, other than the obvious diminishment of self worth and respect for/from others? Yes, because it is just as important in our ability to come together (inspite of differences) as a country for the good of all of us for improvement and advancement of our lot in life.

The sad thing is I don’t anticipate much reaction from this except some head nodding in agreement because for the most part … WE have accepted this current status quo, meaning … We The People of this awesome country … are as guilty as those who actively participate in rude, crude, cruel and mean bullying behavior. Because we’ve accepted it, which, as you know is painfully obvious each and every day!

Oh, and one other thing, being strong does not mean being brutish and insensitive to other people … EVER!

That’s it.

The Thing is … Are We Lost or What?

February 1, 2015 / Penny L Howe / 8 Comments

And the other thing is we all know it’s true. At least those of us being honest with ourselves. today’s mess came about slowly and in a rather insidious manner as we in the “civilized societies” became accustomed to listening, then viewing, then participating in the latest great new commercial thing, including gas guzzling or electronic machinery and now modern technology.

Problem is we haven’t kept pace, in terms of full awareness and understanding of “effects” that so many of these ever increasing “modern” changes have caused to our lifestyles. Mega Industries whipping out processed food (with much of the natural things leeched out and many artificial chemical preservatives added). The never ending new tech. devices. plastic toys, plastic wrap and plastic bottles (plastic everything actually) all for the sake of convenience creating an out of control approach to what we eat, how we eat and when we eat. How we do, what we do and when we do it.

The breakdown of many family units who struggle, on the one hand to keep up, but meanwhile seem to be able to have many of the technological devices (at the expense of more debt). And meanwhile most of the people on the planet are poor, or much worse. Our responsibility – YES! Because it is the mega companies going into these emerging countries (as well as our own) that, in many cases have increased their poverty through irresponsible activities so their gigantic concerns can make more money!

Everything is so mixed up. Billions are wasted annually, by our government to “protect” us. But nobody’s really keeping an eye on how the money is being spent and why.

The oceans are filled with plastic refuse and other waste, detritus and litter. We’re using up our “fresh” water at an alarming rate. We’re poisoning our lands and killing millions of creatures annually through neglect and careless decision making.

I could go on and on. But we already know these things. Take our great country of USA. I am proud to be an American, and of the bravery of our soldiers who’ve been sent to foreign shores, many to not return, or who return wounded (and should be honored and helped, not forgotten as many are). But I’m increasingly ashamed of my government. Who seems to be oblivious to the damage we’re doing to ourselves and our lands.

Politicians (for the most part) are more concerned with being re-elected and keeping their salary or are power hungry and all to frequently buying or should I say selling into those gigantic mega International Conglomerates, I mentioned earlier, because of financial support they will receive. We’re pretty sure if a politician speaks we’re being lied to. And for good cause.

If a politician isn’t busy being involved with cultivating people and influence then they appear to spend the rest of their time pointing fingers and accusing those with whom they are in disagreement. To the end nothing much gets accomplished at the government level, except chaos, confusion and disagreement. And I believe this is true in many other countries as well. Money, commercialization, commodities, greed, and the need for having it all, have replaced many important values we as a people need in order to survive and thrive.

We have lost our way, and I’m fearful that it will take some severe natural disaster for us to come to our senses and work together again, as we always do in times of crisis and disaster – and why is that, anyway … why can we only be good to each other when conditions are extreme?

What’s the next step? What can we do to help? I don’t have an answer, I feel in many ways I’m just one of the many that is part of the problem here and unless we the people, unified can come to a consensus and make some hard choices to change our current out of control lifestyles (so filled with daily waste and neglect), to work on improving our attitudes about one another, I fear things are not going to improve any time soon. In my opinion.

And I’m an optimist by nature, so that’s saying something. I hope my words hold some value and you’ll consider them carefully. I do believe each of us can make small changes that can be of help and I know there are those doing that very thing. So I stay hopeful in spite of all my words above.

I do believe in mankind, although I also believe it is time for more women to be in positions of power. We’re more empathetic, more willing to listen to other viewpoints besides our own, and (because we bring life into the world) are far less likely to see war and the killing of innocent lives as a solution to things. Again in my humble opinion, only.

Sincerely,

~ Penny

Beginning of the week – A good time for the beginning of a new mindset!

October 27, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 7 Comments

A little reflection over the weekend and it dawned on me, that each of us (more or less) are partially responsible for the mess the planet is in right now. We really are. In our free country of the USA we take so much for granted. In fact children are being taught (by adult example) that it’s okay to take … and take … and take! Greed is a popular icon here as well as in many other “civilized?” countries which accomplishes nothing but more greed!

Time for a new mindset. We really don’t need so much “stuff”. It would be great if we spent more time caring for each other and the natural world we all inhabit while it’s still habitable. Healthier and happier people would make for a healthier and happier environment and economy. Not the other way around. People (all life) and their well being need to come first!

And in this country and any other country where you can vote (even if some politicians are making it harder for you) it is still your responsibility to VOTE. If you don’t like what the politicians are doing, then vote them out of office.. Your country, your government. Your responsibility. Don’t play the blame game with pointed fingers and words but do nothing to assist in bringing about change!

“Personal responsibility and our planet’s sustainability

must go hand in hand for the needed change to truly happen!”

~ Penny L Howe, 2014

Have a great week ahead, with much affection and love,

~ Penny

Why there are rude, nasty people out there today!

June 25, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 33 Comments

It’s because they have forgotten author Robert Fulghum’s wise words regarding what many of us learned as kids.

“These are the things I learned (in Kindergarten):

1. Share everything.
2. Play fair.
3. Don’t hit people.
4. Put things back where you found them.
5. CLEAN UP YOUR OWN MESS.
6. Don’t take things that aren’t yours.
7. Say you’re SORRY when you HURT somebody.
8. Wash your hands before you eat.
9. Flush.
10. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
11. Live a balanced life – learn some and drink some and draw some and paint some and sing and dance and play and work everyday some.
12. Take a nap every afternoon.
13. When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.
14. Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Stryrofoam cup: The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
15. Goldfish and hamster and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup – they all die. So do we.
16. And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned – the biggest word of all – LOOK.”
― Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

I think we’ve got the “Looking” part down pat, but most of the other rules, the ones related to good behavior seem, for many, to have gotten lost. And it feels like the more we stress “social correctness”, the more we see the breakdown of basic, good, everyday manners. Our politicians and other “people in the news” are certainly among some of the worst. But we’re (the private individual) not far behind them. Just go online for any subject, in any social media to find the very worst of how humans can be.

Don’t get me wrong, the very best is out there too, but there are those days when it seems we have to wade through the negative to get to the positive. Come on guys, knock it off. We’re better than that.

When we’re out there making a positive difference and helping others we illuminate the best of who we can be. And sadly there’s not an “app. for that”, so it’s up to us. Let’s be more focused on what’s right and less on what’s wrong.

And let’s be polite and show respect (this includes politicians of all parties). We’re getting darn tired of our politicians behavior, and I believe I speak for most Americans, even though we may individually disagree on a given issue, we all expect better of those we’ve elected to represent us in our government.

So that’s all – just so very weary of negativity. Hopeful for lots more positiveness, which is when things really do happen – for the better.

Have a positive “rest of your week”,

~ Penny

Love – nothing is more important!

November 18, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 46 Comments

My favorite word in the whole vocabulary of all the languages on our planet is Love. It means the same thing no matter where you are. Love is universal. It sums everything up. Just this one word!

It brightens the day, makes the impossible seem possible. The bad – not so bad and is the very foundation that hope rests upon … the one word … LOVE!

I send love to everyone today. It is an especially hard Monday/Tuesday today for many many millions of people on our planet, Both nationally and abroad.

Perhaps, today, we can point a few less fingers, blame a few less people, think not so many petty, selfish or greedy thoughts and instead think about love and loving! I guess news “talk show hosts” are getting paid (now, when they voice their opinions) to say and broadcast petty and mean things and …

Politically speaking (USA), my message to all of you politicians out there is … GROW UP, you are all acting like spoiled children (all parties) instead of responsible, polite and well-mannered individuals. Our government will always have those with varying agendas but NO ONE has to be mean (nasty) during discussions and the manner in which they conduct their public activities.

The three main political parties in this country are Republicans, Independents and Democrats and since acronyms have become so popular please note that the acronym for these three parties is R.I.D., which is how many Americans are starting to feel about you and how you’ve been governing in Congress. so STOP IT!

Do you job. Get it done, but with the dignity and honor that your position deserves. And another thing, Our President is the duly elected President of our United (all of them) States and as such Dignity and Honor should be extended to him as well, or our current political parties are really of no value to us Americans any more. And getting rid of the current political parties (R.I.D.) might be the best way to change things!

Life is too short (yours included) for the behavior I and millions of others witness daily (while nothing is getting done) and ALL AMERICANS ARE SICK OF IT!)

Most especially when now we should be seeing what we can accomplish together as a UNITED States of America (and yes there are 50 states, not one or two or 13) and not the horrible nastiness that we’ve been exposed to.

We need jobs, an improved infrastructure, fairness and equality but mostly we need a HUGE change in attitude and how we conduct ourselves.

We are all of various ethnic, genders and backgrounds (every single one of us) and we are all citizens but when bad weather hits anywhere, then we are reminded that which we should be ALL THE TIME! Human beings in need of love and support and each other – and nothing else is more important than that! Nothing!

Penny L Howe, 2013

Confucius, Playing Pool … and Other Government Issues!

October 17, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 23 Comments

(Disclaimer, well not really – I am an American, privately I think some of the things that the Republicans are concerned with are valid, I also think that some of the things that the Democrats are concerned with are valid and I go along with some of the concerns of the Independents. But I am speaking here today as just one American to other Americans!)

In the wake of the last couple of weeks (governmentally speaking) Confucius came to mind as I watched the government “close” and then “open” the way you might see a sign on a store. Yesterday we were closed for business, today we are open, tomorrow (a few months) – the sign may say closed again!

As if it were no big thing. If you don’t consider the damage done to our economy in the last few weeks of “closure” approximating 24 billion dollars (but more to come because now consumers are shaky and not in a buying mood, and businesses not in a hiring mood), no big thing; if you don’t consider the damage done to thousands of people affected by the “closure” to their homes and families, if you don’t consider our military who have and are bravely serving our country, hurt by this temporary closure, if you don’t consider the damage done to our country’s fiscal reputation as a leader in the world, if your don’t consider … I could go on for quite a while but you get the point so here is something you might consider …

Confucius and a few of his well-known quotes about people and life:

The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.

It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.

He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.

and he also said …

“In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.”

This country should be ashamed of not providing for our poor … and sadly, there are more than a few involved in the governing process who should be ashamed of the wealth they have accumulated and the wealthy they work “on behalf of” … at the expense of the poor and the hard working middle class!

And I refer to all the party members, especially those who come in with a private and personal agenda, related to power and money (greed); be they – Democrats – Republicans – Independents or other, consisting of every race, creed and religious belief. Absolute power does corrupt absolutely. And so does money! In fact in this country money speaks louder than anything!

It is a truth or should be understood that no country survives when it is at the expense and well-being of other humans. As in never! History proves this out. Why haven’t we learned this yet?

My recommendations to my fellow Americans: Contact NOW your congressional leaders and members who the majority of you – “voted” for (If you didn’t vote, then “by absentia” you may well have voted for the person you didn’t want in office). And when you email or call, or snail mail to your legislative leaders … say “NO” to more closures. In the next few elections vote in more minorities, because the amazing truth here in this country is – the “minorities” are in the majority! So shouldn’t we have representatives that actually represent us? Do the math!

Vote in those qualified, who will not only represent you (their constituents – which by law they are sworn to represent) but who also have the strength of character to stand up and represent you, not waffle and sit on the sidelines. Regardless of party, there comes a point when you’re not just a Republican, Democrat or affiliated to some other group who “believes a certain way” you are AN AMERICAN! So start doing your job to strongly remind your elected representatives and Senators what they SHOULD BE DOING – THEIR JOB! Keeping our country free!

My reference to the game of “Pool (Billiard)” in the title is an obvious one:

“When playing the game, you may have the cue

but you still can’t play the game with no balls!”

~ Penny L Howe, 2013

If our budgetary concerns don’t get resolved (at least in a direction where all political parties are working together for a resolution) – then the ones who haven’t been doing their job is YOU!

Penny L Howe

I’m just one American – A letter to the President of our great country, USA!

October 2, 2013October 2, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 39 Comments

“Dear Mr. President Obama,

This is Penny, yes one of your constituents. I’m having a problem right now, along with most of us other 300 million citizens.

I’m just one American out here in Washington state … but I’m worried. I’m hoping you can help me understand what’s going on.

As I was taught (in school) about the governing process (in our democratic country), our wise founding fathers set up a counter system of checks and balances to make sure that each branch could (if needs be) check the actions of others. This was done to insure that no part of the government had too much power.

And as I understand it, each of our elected representative’s main job is …

DEFINITION OF Elected Representatives (Senators, Congressmen): Those individuals voted to REPRESENT their local constituents (me and others)

… to help (the duly elected (voted for) TWICE President of the U.S.A. – that’s you) GOVERN our country.

“So WHY, Mr. President is one tiny group of Elected Representatives (see definition up above) in fact one person in particular … holding our Government and the people of the Great United States of America hostage?

Usurping his own elected position by carrying out his own private agenda at the wishes of a very few other people. And doing this at the expense of the American people – BY STOPPING THE GOVERNING PROCESS ITSELF!

Please, answer me. I need an answer. More to the point, I need you the chosen leader of this country to figure out what to do! Soon!”

Thank you,

Very troubled in Washington,

Penny L Howe

(Just Penny’s “two cents” worth here)

… and yes I am fully cognizant and aware (politically) of what’s ‘actually’ going on, how it happened, and why. I am being focused with my letter to the President to create (hopefully) a stronger message! I love my country and fellow Americans (all of you) very much, Thanks, Penny

Don’t Go ‘There’ With Me …

June 27, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 44 Comments

I’ve Been There And I Made it Back!

My Female Voice

To clarify a few points at the beginning. I had another post ready to publish but after a few back and forth comments with a blogger friend earlier today, I decided to write this post instead.

There is a political issue rearing it’s ugly head (if it has to do with politics, sadly, too often it’s ugly) again and I’ve had it up to here! For those who follow my blog, you all know how much I love and revere life. Having said that I also believe that no one has the right to tell me what I should do with my own body. Most especially any person, organization or politician that doesn’t have a clue of what being a female is all about!

This is not a rant! This is My “Female Voice” speaking loud and clear so no one misunderstands any word I say or anything I mean. I am a female, born from a female who nurtured me. Raised by my mother and my father (both) I was raised with a set of values that have served me well. I have made mistakes, errors of judgements and some downright boneheaded and thoughtless decisions in my life. So I am as human as the next person and capable of errors.

However, there is one thing I am consistently 100% of the time! I am an adult female. And I have the right as a human being to decide what is good for my own body, mind and self. I have that right. Me. I do. And my gender should at no time be considered a reason for not being treated equal to or less than anyone else, EVER!

I’ve endured much in my life simply because I was born a female. What’s wrong with this picture? Women are the nurturers of the planet. The peace makers, the comforters, the supporters, the backbone of most societies.

Rape, yes been there and made it back. Abuse, yes been there and made it back. Discrimination in the workforce, been there and made it back. Political and Professional discrimination based on my gender, been there and made it back. I would fall and get up, again and again, and again.

I am a female and as capable as any other living being on this planet! So don’t go there with what I (as a female) can or cannot do, should or should not be, because I am a female. The issue being referred to is about freedom and choice, regardless of gender!

I raised my children almost completely on my own as a single mom! I know (first hand) the hardships that many hundreds of millions of women struggle with today. Both the single and married, with children including those suffering from illness and poverty; taking care of aging parents and at the very last taking care of themselves, juggling with an overload of things that they (females) feel a strong sense of responsibility to do.

And don’t even tell me about the few women who don’t, because the females who are responsible, care and do all they can do “in spite of their circumstances” vastly outweigh those who don’t. So don’t go there either!

This is my voice! Can you hear me?

Don’t go there with me ANY MORE! I’ve already been there and won’t be going back!

~ Penny L Howe, 2013

Yeah I know, Gorilla in the room … again?

January 26, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 11 Comments

“See the thing is even though I know “as the 800 lb gorilla in the room” I’m mostly invisible (to various politicians), well actually I don’t think I’m invisible as much as I’m inconvenient. You know – the inconvenient truth of it all!”

“I haven’t been sleeping well lately and I’m guessing that there are a bazillion other ‘every day people’ out there who are having the same trouble sleeping that I am … for the same reason.”

“So we’ve got a new year going for us. Time of change and all that, but the thing I started to say is, change needs to start with you guys!”

“Big time, in a big way … because the truth is we’re running out of it!”

“Time that is! Not a lot left, actually none.”

“Seriously a huge deficit where time is concerned, so the only thing we’ve got going for us is CHANGE. I can spell the word if you’re having trouble understanding.”

C-H-A-N-G-E

“Not just a little change, but a whole bunch of huge change where super charged ego’s and powerful megalithic corporate entities don’t get in the way. The laid back, ‘everything’s going to be just fine’ approach isn’t working so well!”

“Yes I know a dichotomy where you guys are concerned but, we’re already in trouble and need some serious changes in how we do what we do in this country. So there you have it, once more … timely comments that aren’t really timely any more … but better late than never!”

Thank you for stopping by! I wouldn’t have revisited the political arena if I wasn’t extremely concerned about the well-being of my home and yours!

~ Penny

Fiscal Pickle – The Gorilla and Elephant in the Room!

January 5, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 22 Comments

Fiscal Pickle

“Hello politicians everywhere! Don’t even think about looking at me for a solution to this mess. I may be the Gorilla in the room, but you’ve gotten so oblivious to the obvious that it’s your fiscal pickle! You’re on your own!”

“You figure it out.”

“I’m going to go hang with the Elephant in the room, actually he’s in the U.K. but you can’t see him either, so we can have a ball laughing at you guys going over the cliff in a barrel.The Fiscal Cliff that is!”

“Just like those enlightened and intellectual individuals who have attempted to do so at various times over there at Niagara Falls.”

“Oh joy three different metaphors here. But to the point: Even if you “got” any of the metaphoric idioms presented here would you even know what to do about the problem?”

“Don’t answer. Let me live not only invisible but in blissful ignorance too!”

A brief political statement here, which isn’t something I usually do, but I take full responsibility for the contents of this message because I do see the gorilla and the elephant in the room (the ones clearly invisible to all politicians) and I most certainly would not go over the cliff in a barrel), but then that’s just me an ordinary citizen of this country trying to figure out when it’s going to dawn on our politicians that they should be more concerned with what the word Fiscal Responsibility means.