M. Short's Blog, page 2
March 17, 2021
Is Your Plan Theory or is it Achievable
Yesterday we discussed goals and there need to stretch yourself in education and skill development. Today I would like to continue the discussion on how to implement this goal.
Let’s say, for an example, you have the goal to become a writer. In theory, this goal is a wonderful goal and within the realm of probability. But how do you get there? What do you need to do to reach your goal? Do you know what skills and tools you may need to gain to become a good or even great writer? Will you want to write novels, content for websites, or be a writer of short stories? What do you want to do with your work?
In my journey over the past year, I have found writing was the simplest part of the manuscript process. My initial mistake in learning how to write was like those of so many writers before me. I just wrote what I liked and knew best. Starting out this way was like making something by hand. While there was great personal satisfaction in the finished product it did not sell setting on my shelf at home. I didn’t know what I didn’t know.
The first thing I didn’t know was I wrote my thoughts into words on paper was they were not always cohesive and very difficult to read, let alone understand. I self-published my first book. But I continued my novels. I thought the more books I wrote, the more book sales I would achieve. After five books and halfway through my sixth, I realized other than friends and family my books were not selling. So, I turned to the internet, social media and professional networks to find out what I didn’t know about writing. What I found was there’s much more knowledge needed than just the ability to read and write.
To my surprise, I soon found mentors, published authors whose book’s actually sold, in my social media network prepared to help me understand the writing process. I learned about editing, book cover design, the need of Beta Readers, the importance of a list of book reviewers to get an honest review of your book. Then I learned about the pitfalls of Vanity publishers and the value of book displays and promotion. The moral of the story: Make a plan outlining what you need to do to become what you want to be whether it’s a writer, a nurse, a doctor or even a pilot. Once your plan is done, work the plan.
March 16, 2021
Attempting the Impossible.
Do you set goals for your life? Are those goals realistic or are they unattainable? When you set goals for yourself, do you take into consideration your physical and mental capabilities?
These questions all lead to the ultimate question in goal setting. Are you attempting the impossible? For some people this would lead to the response, “It’s possible I could achieve my goal.”
The next question then would be, “While it is possible, is it probable?” Possibilities are infinite, while probabilities are finite.
Goals for like can take many forms in life, but all goals produce happiness and self-confidence. I once heard two totally different responses to the same question. What makes you happy?
The first person responded, “Making a million dollars a year makes me happy.”
The second person responded, “Waking up each morning and seeing my smiling face in the mirror.”
From these two responses of setting a goal for leading a happy life, which one do you think would be the happiest.
While the million dollars a year salary is possible, it is probable this person will lead an unhappy life because of his attempt at the impossible. On the other extreme, the goal set by this individual is highly probable because of the low threshold he has set for himself.
Goals need to stretch our boundaries, learning and skill development. A goal for getting out of poverty, for example, while it may seem simple, can prove difficult involving hard work and dedication. Your mind set plays a huge role in goal setting as well. The goals you set require dedication, not your commitment. Here again we get back to the chicken and the pig analogy. While the chicken is committed to providing eggs for breakfast, what is the chicken’s level of dedication to provide those eggs? The pig is totally dedicated to providing bacon to your breakfast. The pig gives the highest level of dedication possible.
So, when you set goals, or embark to complete a task no matter how small, ask yourself this question, “Are you the chicken or are you the pig.” If your answer is anything other than the pig, you might be attempting the impossible.
March 15, 2021
The Law of Nature
The Lion’s ShareA long time ago, the Lion, the Fox, the Jackal, and the Wolf agreed to go hunting together, sharing with each other whatever they found.
One day the Wolf ran down a Stag and immediately called his comrades to divide the spoil.
Without being asked, the Lion placed himself at the head of the feast to do the carving, and, with a great show of fairness, began to count the guests.
“One,” he said, counting on his claws, “that is myself the Lion. Two, that’s the Wolf, three, is the Jackal, and the Fox makes four.”
He then very carefully divided the Stag into four equal parts.
“I am King Lion,” he said, when he had finished, “so of course I get the first part. This next part falls to me because I am the strongest; and this is mine because I am the bravest.”
He now began to glare at the others very savagely. “If any of you have any claim to the part that is left,” he growled, stretching his claws meaningly, “now is the time to speak up.”
The Moral of the Story: Might makes right.
Aesop’s fable the, Lion Share, is a great example of the world we live in. To the powerful go the spoils, the spoils of war, the acquisition of land, and last but not least the privilege to write history in their favor.
This of course is the laws of nature. If it were not so, the species could not survive. In nature the strong is needed to carry on the genetic line.
What does separates us from the animal kingdom is our ability to reason. This reason gives us the ability not necessarily the capability to be benevolent and kind toward others even after conflict.
This reason or to some, free will, allows us to demonstrate our compassion or lack thereof to the human race. How through reason an entire nation can change. This change could be toward benevolence or totalitarianism.
While the law of nature will hold fast, our reason can work complex situations to the betterment of all and not the few or the one. Unlike the lion who only thought of himself.
March 12, 2021
March 11, 2021
Whiskey over the Gums
Growing up in the Midwest, I heard many “old wives’ tales” had been passed down through generations. Home remedies for how to plant a garden. Some were amazingly accurate, others not so much.
They predicted weather. If a cow lays down in the field, it is going to rain. Or, “The sharper the blast, the sooner ‘tis past.” Loud lighting means the storm is moving fast and will pass quickly.
Advice on how to conceive a boy. If you want to give birth to a boy, eat bananas. Long labor is a sign it’s a boy. You can discover an unborn baby’s gender by tying your ring to a string and hanging it over the pregnant woman’s belly. If it swings in a circle, it’s a boy. If it swings back and forth, it’s a girl.
Acne treatment. Collect the first-morning urine of a pregnant cow. Dab it on the pimples and leave it there for 15 minutes before rinsing. Repeat until pimples are gone. Another similar version involves rubbing a urine-soaked cloth baby diaper on the pimples. My mother liked this one. Put toothpaste on acne spots to help them clear up faster.
The list of old wives’ tales is endless. The one I liked the best was Erma Bombeck’s twist on how to treat tooth aches for teething children. The advice to new mothers was to rub whiskey over the gums. Emma confirmed the accuracy of the tale. “It does really help. After a couple of shots of whiskey passed over my gums, the crying didn’t bother me.
March 9, 2021
Compassion
Compassion can be seen in many forms. Compassion toward people, animals, the Earth, your work, family, and for yourself. But not everyone is compassionate. So what sparks compassion?
The one thing I have found in my life which sparks compassion within me is love. A love for people, animals, the Earth, my work, family, and myself all generated by my faith. Faith generates a love that indeed surpasses all understanding. A love where hatred falls away like a fall leaf. A love where jealousy melts away like chocolate on a summer day, as does fear and the lack of self-worth.
Love does indeed conquer all.
March 8, 2021
Cry Havoc Excerpts from Chapter 5
The sounds of the ship’s red alert stopped, giving way to an eerie silence throughout the ship. Suddenly the ship’s speakers broke the silence announcing incoming hostile Space Fighters.
“Commander Futu, as soon as we get confirmation the beacons are secure you will be launched to the Locator Beacon closest to the P.E.L.B.” said Bridge.
Futu, already strapped into his machine with all systems green, looked around the hangar deck. He knew everyone would do their job on the asteroid.
“The moment is upon us.” thought Futu.
“Bridge, the Locator Beacons are secure. Launch Ystavalinen’s squad and the recovery bot.” said Cave.
“Roger, they are deploying now.” said Bridge.
Then it happened. Futu felt the bot trying to free itself from his body. The Battle Channel lit up with chatter. Futu then felt the heat as his bot entered the atmosphere, followed by a bone shaking thud. The crash shutters suddenly opened, revealing the desolate landscape of the asteroid. Futu quickly checked all stabilization, navigation and weapon systems status. All were green, ready to go.
“The Locator Beacons are secure Futu. Do your thing.” said Cave.
Then the radio chatter was broken by a transmission from Bridge, “Incoming hostiles to the east of the Locator Beacons.”
“Ystavalinen, get a perimeter around Futu as soon as possible.” said Cave.
“Will do. Let’s move squad.” said Ystavalinen.
“Ystavalinen, Snipers coming over the rise to you left.” said Ruckus.
“We see them.” said Ystavalinen.
It seemed like only seconds since the warning of hostiles came over the Battle Channel, when bullets, missiles and lasers crisscrossed the horizon like a spider web. Futu knew his mission. Once he positioned himself over the P.E.L.B., he searched the area, probing the sandy surface. Along with the addition of the recovery arm on his bot, he ordered, at Homer’s suggestion, the squadrons’ bots fitted with what resembled a snow shoe that increased its footprint area to allow it to move on top of the sand with ease.
“A sniper with lasers is coming over the ridge. Anyone with a fast bot? We need to kill that Sniper quickly.” said Ruckus.
“On the way.” said Madman Cazzy.
“Evidently the hostiles were not as prepared for the loose sandy surface. Their bots are marring down in the soft terrain. They have slowed down considerably.” said Cave.
Futu grinned when he heard the enemy bots were bogging down in the sand.
“My grandmother is slow, but she’s old.” said Ruckus.
“This is shooting fish in a barrel.” said Cave.
“They’re creeping along in the loose sand.”, said Don Gato,
“They can still shoot, so keep your cover.” said Ystavalinen.
As the battle continued, Futu continued searching the sand for the P.E.L.B. Suddenly a metallic sound was heard in the cockpit. Futu closed the claw’s jaws. As he lifted the P.E.L.B. he gave a loud howl. He had found it.
While he was extracting it, a blast from three long-range lasers hit his bot. His instincts told him to jump. Futu followed his instincts and jumped his bot to avoid any further hits.
“Cazzy, where are you? The Sniper on the ridge hit Futu.” said Ruckus.
“The sniper, I just killed?” asked Cazzy.
“Where are you going now?”
“I’m going to cook me some fish.”
“Let him go. He hasn’t had a ride back to the Hangar Ship in his P.E.L.B. for a while.” said Devilbot.
Futu, after his landing, remembered the P.E.L.B. dangling by the claw. Futu turned on the camera, hoping to see the P.E.L.B. It was still there, hanging by the claw. Futu could see a body in it. Seeing the body, he radioed, “Beam me to the ship there is a body still in this thing.”
Pound 1 had been keeping a constant beaming lock on Futu and quickly beamed him to the Hangar Ship.
As Futu climbed out of the cockpit, “Get medical and engineering personnel to the hangar deck. There is a body in that thing.”
Once in the Hangar bay, he looked around, “Anyone has a headset I can use?”
A mechanic shouted, “Sir, you can use my headset, it’s already set to 021.”
Chatter on the Battle Channel was not as hectic. Pilots and Commanders were joking. Futu looked at his watch. He had to do a double take. Only seven minutes had elapsed since the battle began.
“What happened to that Sniper that hit me with the lasers?” asked Futu.
“You mean that dead Sniper? Yes, Ruckus saw the hit. I got the SOB with my chicken bot. If it killed you, who would buy the first round of drinks tonight?” asked Cazzy.
“Good job, brother.”,
Futu then asked Cave, “Can you give me an idea of the battle damage?”,
“One of our better scores. 21 hostiles bots destroyed with only one of ours killed. We have taken damage to a lot of our bots, but they are still operational.” said Cave.
Futu, puzzled, “Who was in the one bot destroyed?”
“Don’t you want to guess?” asked Ruckus.
“Who was it?” asked Futu.
“Cazzy in his chicken bot.” said Cave.
“Didn’t he take out the Sniper that hit me?”,
“Yes, he did. Afterwards he ran into a group of three enemy bots without waiting for an ammo reload. He scared the crap out of them, but nothing else.”
“Ok, Cave let the group know they did great. Drinks on me tonight.”
“Doubles for me.”
Futu turned to the mechanic who had given him the headset.
“Why were you listening to the Battle Channel?” asked, Futu.
“I get a kick out of listening to those guys. They sound as if they are at a picnic having a grand time.” said the mechanic.
Futu smiled thinking, “If you only knew.”
March 7, 2021
Great Expectations
Expectations of grandeur Have you had expectations? Expectations and our perception of them change as we grow from and adolescent to a young adult and eventually to an elderly adult.
As an adolescent you have few expectations other than food, shelter, love, and playing Xbox for hours on end. At this age, homework is your one true enemy.
Your growth into young adulthood changes your expectations from studying for your next college exam to prepare for a career and family. Here expectations are at their highest. Expectations of having a position, not a job, say regional vice president at Amazon out of college will soon wane. When reality hits and you realize you won’t get the VP position at Amazon and mom and dad have changed the lock on the entrance to the basement. Your perception of your expectations changes from a position as an industry mogul to an apprentice earning a livable wage. From here expectations change to a building mode. How do I build my career? Who can help me? As you build your career, your perceptions of your expectations will change to one of sharing your life with someone and raising a family.
Expectations of marriage and family will drastically change when you enter this phase of your life. Before, your expectations and concentration have been on your career. In marriage, they’ll focus on your wife and children. Expectations change to ones of compromise, concession, and sharing.
As you progress through young adulthood and enter your elder years, your expectations once again morph into one of a grandparent and wise sage to your grandchildren, spending leisurely days recounting your life stories to whoever will listen and maybe even write a book or two. Even though you are elderly, your expectations of building do not cease. Building a legacy for your children and grandchildren will become your focus. A legacy built by your example over your many years. A legacy of how to live life to its fullest. Not one of money and power.
My expectations have changed over the years, but one has never changed. The one compelling me to be like my father. He will leave a grand legacy for all the family.
March 6, 2021
Are You a Standout or a Spectacle
What is with green hair, tattoos, piercing and dressing like a person of ill repute? To standout in society when I was growing up bravery, trustworthiness, loyalty, helpfulness to others, friendliness, courteousness, kindness, helpfulness, cheerfulness, and reverence were the ways to stand out in society. These days people are choosing the convenient rather than the prudent. I will admit the only permanent of these are tattoos. Piercings will close and hair will grow. Tattoos, however, reminds me of a nasty habit that doesn’t go away.
I would like to ask one question, “When you were in your 20s and imagined how cool it would be to have tattoos over your hands, arms, neck and face, did you look at your grandparents with their triple chins, sagging arms and wrinkled hands?”
Soon your taught skin will give way to waddling arms making your, I Love Ike, tattoo look more like a waving flag. Your taught Butterfly tattoo will look like a melting moth, and the tattoos on your hands and face will droop out of proportion.
My advice, go with the time-tested methods to standout in society. If you want a tattoo, have it done in invisible ink.
March 4, 2021
Do You Feel Lucky Punk, Well do Ya?
Do you feel lucky punk, well do ya? Is luck a state of mind? Lucky people can find a five-dollar bill under a rock. While we unlucky people struggle to win a hand in penny poker. Why?
The phrase good luck has been in the English language since the 15th century. They derive the word luck from the word gheluc, which was shortened to luc. When it was infused into the English language, the word luc became luck. The word Luck expresses the wish of good fortune or happiness.
Wishing others good luck or good fortune can be expressed in many phrases Break a leg, Good Luck, Lady luck be with you. These phrases wish good fortune and happiness to their recipients.
Does luck exist? Can someone give good fortune or happiness with a mere phrase?
My answer is yes. If luck is indeed a state of mind, then a wish of good fortune could subconsciously set your mind to seek opportunities it feels would bring you good fortune. The thought of luck by itself though will not produce your desired result. One must work to be lucky.
A blind squirrel can find a nut. It may take him all day, but his luck prevailed with the discovery of a nut.
