For all the good it’ll do

Hi and welcome!

I hope the year’s been good to you so far. My only complaint is this rollercoaster weather that doesn’t want to stabilize. It seems the only time the weather is consistent and won’t let up is when it’s 95°-plus during the summer, right? Crazy weather…

Before I go on, I wanted to pass on something I thought about the other day and wanted to share with you. I know a lot of us are concerned about the future with things looking so bad. Everyone’s worried because no one knows what the future will bring, but let me ask you something: Did you know what the future would bring when times were good? No.

Yes, we do have valid concerns about losing money, losing our jobs, losing our business, losing our home…well, you get the picture. What I’m saying is things like this can and do happen during the best and worst of times.

Instead of worrying about what tomorrow will bring, I say let’s turn it around and think about the GOOD things that can happen tomorrow. Everybody knows the bad things will always be with us – that’s a given – but try to remember the good things that we still have.

The good thing about times like these is that it makes us value the small things now. We take a second look at the things we took for granted when everything was going great. If we had what we thought was a terrible job a few months ago, I’m sure that job isn’t so bad now, right?

Our homes take on a new meaning when we see how many people have lost theirs. Sure, there’s not much money to go around and times are tight, but at least you have money coming in.

I think you understand what I’m getting at now. You might be eating sandwiches instead of steaks, but at least you’re not going hungry. Everyone has to cut back on things, so it’s like you’re any different. It’s not a crime to ask for help if you really need it.

I think the only people that are going to have a rough time of it now are the people that refuse to change their ways: the ones that want to keep living the same lifestyle without changing. It’ll be the people who don’t want to share that’ll be the ones going without. When people get greedy, sure, they have things, but they want to hang on to those things so badly that even they don’t enjoy them for benefit by having things. Think about it.

If you have a few dollars squirrel away somewhere, you’ll be so worried about keeping what you got that you’ll be the one suffering when you refuse to spend it on things you need to keep you going. Yes, it’s a good thing to keep some money saved up, that’s always a good idea.

However, it’s not such a great idea when it makes things harder than they have to be.

In the end, you’ll have to be the one that decides what you can keep and what you can let go.

 

It’s a sad irony that in the “Land of Great Material Comfort” we have so much misery and unhappiness. People have whatever they want, and even the poorest people in town still have a few luxury items that makes things not so bad.

The other day, I was watching a show on the History Channel about the people of Nicaragua, the poorest country in Central America.

To our eyes, these people have nothing, but they appear genuinely happy with what they have, in fact, they seem happier than most people.

It could be argued they can’t miss what they never had, but there’s something more going on here.

There’s a saying that goes, “Learn to wish that everything should come to pass exactly as it does.” While this may seem to be counter-intuitive, it does make sense because the first rule of being happy is to keep an untroubled spirit, with the second rule being the ability to look things dead in the eye and know them for what they are.

This isn’t just a practical mindset, it should be a way of life. Try as you might, you can’t make the world conform to your desires, but what you can do is seek happiness from within first.

Yes, it does sound trite, and I’m sure you’ve heard it before but it’s true. If you’re not happy with who and what you are, not all the money in the world will change that. However, if you’re happy, money won’t make a difference.

You know as well as I do that satisfaction from material things is always short-lived. It does sound like a defeatist attitude to have, but what’s the point of beating your head against the wall when you can’t change anything?

Your world will be exactly as you perceive it to be; nothing more, nothing less. You can complain and moan all you want for all the good it’ll do. In fact, it’ll just make things worse because you’re wasting time and effort on something you have the power to control.

Sure, the world has a lot of things you can’t change about it, but the most important thing you can change is right inside you and under your complete control.

Until, next time, be good to each other. We’re all we’ve got.

-with metta

 

The best way out is always through…

Hi and welcome to a new year!

Let’s hope that 2009 will be a good year, because we already know that it most likely won’t be an easy one for many of us. Still, with perseverance and good planning, we should be able to weather whatever storm may come.

Yes, times will be hard, but it’s no reason to let things bring you down because when you let the negativity of the situation get to you, you’ve already lost. In my not-to-recent past, I went through two years of being unemployed. There wasn’t a recession going on, it was just hard finding work. The only good thing about that period in my life is that I can survive pretty much anything if I have the right attitude.

I think about all the people that survived the Great Depression. They had it a lot worse than we did; especially due to the fact there wasn’t a failsafe system in place like the one we have today. In my last editorial, I mentioned we should be living a more thankful life.

It’s easy to do it when times are good and everything’s great, but it’s a bit more difficult when times are hard. Right now, it’s tough out there – nothing you didn’t already know – because people are starting to feel the squeeze and they’re not comfortable with it yet. They’re still judging conditions with the old standards when times were good.

One of my new peeves is when I hear people say, “Times are hard,” or “We have no money,” as an excuse not to move forward, come up with an alternate plan, and find new and/or different ways to keep going. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re all in the same boat. We’re all going through hard times and hardly anyone has any money.

The thing that’s going to separate what I call the “wants” and the “want nots” will be a person’s desire to stop feeling sorry for themselves, stop thinking it’s the end of the world, and start thinking about how they’re going to make it through these rough times. It won’t be easy, but it can be done with a little planning and forethought…well, a lot of planning.

What I try to do when I’m in a negative situation is to try to find something positive. The main thing that keeps me going is that the same rule that brought us to this point, is the same rule that’ll get us out, and that rule is “nothing lasts” or to be more specific, “everything changes.”

The one law of the universe you can count on is that nothing stays the same. Use this to your advantage. If you’re at the bottom, now’s a perfect time to start over because you have nothing to lose. Be thankful for these tough times because they’re showing you what you need to do to survive. The tough times usually teach us a lot more than the good times – it would seem people suffer from long-term memory loss when everything’s going their way and there’s nothing to worry about in their lives.

When we have the courage not only to face our problems, but grab them by the horns to show them who’s boss, the challenges we face make us stronger, smarter, tougher and more valuable as parents, spouses, employees – and human beings.

It’s said “calm seas never produced a skillful sailor.” Solving problems is what we’re made for. It’s what makes life worth living. Circumstances alone can never decide our fate. We all have the ability to shape our destiny, no matter if we’re going through good times or bad.

It all begins with believing in yourself. Just think about it: Worries, regrets and complaints solve nothing. They change nothing. However, they can undermine your health, your social environment and your quality of life.

Keep in mind, however, that problems are rarely resolved with positive thoughts or gratitude alone. It takes another ingredient thrown into the mix: sustained action. Even then, some problems are intractable or exceedingly stubborn or willful when trying to solve them. Others – like the death of a loved one – are insoluble. In certain circumstances, only an attitude of acceptance moves us forward.

That person looking back at you in the mirror, however, creates many of our day-to-day problems. The good thing is that since you made them, you can fix them.

In case you haven’t noticed, the world has a way of providing what we demand of it. If you’re thinking you’re going to fail and that you’ll always be broke, that’s what you’ll get, no matter how hard you try to succeed because that tiny seed of self-doubt is there to ruin everything.

The lack of faith in yourself, in what life will do for you, cuts you off from the good things in life. If you expect victory, you will receive victory. Granted, you may lose now and then, but you’ll win out in the end. Nowhere is this truer than in the business of life, where bravery and faith bring both material and spiritual rewards.

My grandpa, my ‘buelo, had a saying: “If you’re looking for a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of your arm.”

I’m not saying it’s wrong to ask for help. Under certain circumstances, you won’t succeed without it. We could all use a boost from time to time. However, it’s much more satisfying – and dignifying – when we solve our problems ourselves.

In addition to showing us what we’re made of, working through our setbacks makes us more sensitive to – and more compassionate toward – the problems of our fellowman. Look around you and you’ll see plenty of good people with more problems than you. Christmas may be over, but it doesn’t mean you can stop thinking about them.

Whatever problems you’re grappling with at the moment – personal, social or financial – the best course is always to face them with all the courage, patience and equanimity you can muster. And, if possible, be grateful. Opportunity often shows up disguised as hard work.

Every now and then, our problems are simply bigger than we are. I remember reading about King Solomon and how he told his wise men to invent a phrase for him that would be placed in his palace and could always be in view to inspire people.

They presented him with the words, “And this, too, shall pass away.” How much it expresses! How chastening in a moment of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction! And to think it was said more than 2,000 years ago – how applicable for every day and age.

Whatever your problems, few of them can withstand the onslaught of optimism, persistence and genuine spirit of gratitude.

So get moving!

As Robert Frost said, “The best way out is always through.”

We have another year ahead of us, filled with both good things and things that won’t be so pleasant – make the best of it. It’s up to you – you can make it a great year, or the worst one ever – your choice.

Until next time, be good to each other because we’re all we’ve got.

-with metta

 

 

Tuff times? maybe…

Hi & welcome!

I hope you’re all enjoying our new, cooler weather! Isn’t it nice? I wish it was this way all year ‘round, but I have to remind myself that Texas, despite all its greenery, is still considered to be desert country (which means it’ll stay hot for most of the year – ugh!).

This, too, shall pass

Hi and welcome (back…finally)!
After three issues of not having an editorial, I have to admit I have to get my brain unstuck and moving.

Writing’s like anything else; if you don’t keep up with it, it tends to get sludgy and it takes a bit to get back into the swing of things.

Tight fit…

Hi and welcome!As you can see, there’s not much room for me in this issue! It’s our Back to School Issue so it’s filled with advertisers and merchants wishing our students the best of luck on the coming year.

I was trying (trying being the key word here) to remember my senior year in high school which, in all honesty, was a bit anti-climactic for me. The year passed by too quickly and I missed out a lot of things because I didn’t have time for the small stuff.

Now I realize that the small stuff IS what’s important and how I can never get that back. I don’t have any real regrets. I mean, I know I should’ve gone to a few more parties, been brave and asked out a few girls who I knew were interested in spending time with me – things like that.

Most of all, I think I missed out on taking advantage of an excellent education. I should’ve studied more, gone off to college instead of waiting until after I got out of the Marine Corps. I know I’m smart, but there’s so much I feel stupid for missing out on.

Still, “that’s life” as they say. I think knowing that my future is still waiting for me, the best I can do is to make that part of my life as positive and as adventurous as possible.

To the Class of 2009. Your future is now. Seize it. Make your dreams a reality. Make it count. The meaning of life is to give your life meaning.

-with metta

Finding meaning

Hello and welcome!

What a summer we’ve been having! I guess that’s what we get after having a reasonably calm summer last year. I can only hope it cools down by Halloween. I’ve decided that one day, when and if I have the money, I’m moving to a place (anyplace) that has four definite seasons instead of just two we have here (Summer and not-Summer).

Dreams with deadlines

Hi and welcome!

I hope all of you are enjoying your summer. The rains gave us a brief respite from the heat, even if the clouds didn’t stick around too long. Still, the early part of the day is still reasonably “cool”, for lack of a better word.

It’s Only Money (pt 2)

Hello and welcome!

First, just wanted to say that I’m so glad it’s been raining, haven’t you?

True, it does make a mess, especially with all the construction going on, but this time I’m going to bite my tongue and just say I’m glad it’s keeping the dust down and it’s nice not having to run the a/c 24/7 because the house gets so hot.

Hard times nothing new

• by Louie Neira

They say we’re headed for another depression. The way I see it, perhaps that’s good thing, in a way.
People everywhere are complaining about gas prices, food costs, and everything costing way too much. That may be true, but it seems to me that people don’t like the high prices because they can’t continue in the same way they always have.

It’s Only Money…

Hi and welcome back!
Well, Summer’s here although I think it’s somewhat obvious by the inordinately high temperatures, turning the a/c’s up to 11, and hiding out in cool places during the day like a Texas vampire.
Don’t get me wrong, summer’s fun if you’re a kid out of school or have lots of summer activities planned like cook-outs and trips to the river, but if you’re stuck at a job where you can’t get out and enjoy yourself, the best thing to do is count the days until October gets here and we finally get a break from the heat (by Halloween, if we’re lucky).