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Lessons Learned: My Political Journey from Defeat to Wisdom

Stupidity, like a festering sore, doesn't just blossom with the morning sun; it festers, unseen, until the cruel light of hindsight exposes it in all its wretched glory. You find yourself, in your later years, gazing back into the murky depths of your own mind, asking, "What in blazes was I thinking?" The justifications that once seemed so sound have evaporated into the ether, not just because the mind is a fickle thing, but because memory, that merciless beast, lays bare all your past follies, leaving you with naught but regret. This, my friends, is how I see my 28th year of existence—a colossal heap of regret. Half of All Politicians Die Inglorious Deaths It was the year 1990. I, a mere mortal, was juggling my duties as an officer in the Army Reserves, slogging through a business degree from a glorified paper mill in the evenings, and concocting grand plans for a business venture. And to top it all off, I found myself thrust into the political arena, nominated for the M

Biblical Enigmas: The Curious Case of Goliath's Slayer

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The Book of Job offers a profound narrative that explores the dynamics of faith and suffering. In this tale, a wager unfolds between God and Satan, with Satan asserting that he can sever the bond between God and His most devout servant, Job, by demonstrating that even the righteous are not spared from suffering. Accepting the challenge, God allows Satan to test Job, who endures the loss of his wealth, family, and health in a single day. Amidst his anguish, Job’s friends visit, intending to offer comfort. Job expresses his sense of injustice, feeling that his misfortunes are undeserved—a sentiment that aligns with Satan’s prediction. His friends, however, suggest that these trials are merely a test of character and faith, pointing out that even Job acknowledges the rarity of answered prayers. When God directly confronts Job, he refrains from accusing God, reaffirming his fidelity instead. In response to Job’s loyalty, God restores his fortunes twofold, granting him renewed happiness, he

Do this "One Thing" Everyday

Enhance your mental health and reduce your blood pressure through simple daily habits that can seamlessly fit into your schedule. Start each morning with 15 minutes of sunshine and a brisk walk, combining the benefits of Vitamin D and invigorating exercise. Throughout the day, take breaks to indulge in bird watching, a calming activity recommended by Douglas Coupland to elevate your state of mind. To unwind in the evening, set aside 15 minutes for deep breathing exercises, promoting relaxation and inner strength. By multitasking, such as walking while bird watching, you can make the most of your time. For activities like gaming and more intensive exercises, consider scheduling them every few days to balance your routine. These small adjustments can lead to significant improvements in your overall well-being. Additionally, prioritize quality sleep and nourishing meals to further support your health. Aim for 8 hours of restful sleep each night, as recommended by the Irish Proverb, and sa

Who Killed Goliath? The Secret is Out!

Ah, the age-old mystery: Who really took down Goliath, that towering Philistine? The familiar tale, cherished by believers of all stripes, attributes the feat to David, the young shepherd who vanquished the giant with a well-aimed stone. This story of faith and valor has woven itself deeply into the fabric of believers' hearts, particularly those who hold the Bible as flawless and free of contradictions. Yet, a second account in 2 Samuel 21 presents a different twist: "And there was again war with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, the Bethlehemite, struck down Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam." Now, I'm no expert on weaving, but I do know this adds a hefty dose of mystery to the tale. Who really slew Goliath—David or Elhanan? I used to think Elhanan sounded like an Irish name until I realized how little I knew about this alternative version of events involving a spear rather than a slingshot. To add to t

Dictionary of the Dead: Abject

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  Abject: from the Latin abiectus, which is the past participle of 'abicere', meaning to cast away, degrade, lower into the depths.  The Abject Path As I stumbled through the street, a field of Erebus—vexuous black tendrils—wafted across my path. The once-vibrant hollow now lay in desolation, its heartbeat extinguished by the relentless march of the undead. Their pallid faces, etched with hunger, moved like shadows against the crumbling facades. The abject light of their eyes pierced my soul. Each step I took, the gaity of my existence waned, replaced by a gnawing dread. I had witnessed the folly of humanity—the arrogance that birthed this cataclysm. We had danced on the precipice of our own demise, and now the abyss yawned wide. The undead, once our kin, shuffled toward me. Their decay mirrored our collective decay—the rot of morality, the erosion of compassion. They were not monsters; they were the remnants of our hubris. Their existence mocked our fleeting mortality. “Survi

The Greaves of Zeus, as depicted by Microsoft CoPilot

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"A Pebble by Your Door” : In my ongoing book, the mighty Greek god Zeus takes center stage. Recently, I enlisted the assistance of the artificial intelligence platform CoPilot to transform a passage from my work into captivating art. The result? A truly magnificent creation. The Epic Battle : Zeus and his fellow Olympian deities waged a fierce war against their own progenitors—the formidable Titans. Their battleground? The cosmos itself, a realm teetering on the precipice of control. The Titans, ancient and powerful, sought dominion over the universe. But the Olympians, led by Zeus, stood resolute, determined to seize their rightful place among the celestial pantheon. The Greaves of Victory : In this remarkable artwork, Zeus dons the greaves of his father, Chronos. These shin protectors, once forged for combat, have been transformed into ceremonial adornments—a testament to the victor’s triumph. Greaves, traditionally crafted from brass, shielded warriors from blade and spear atta

"Hello" by Dean Sorenmann

We never want to win the solemn stone of eternity to rest our weary bones; unless we yell at the winds, ‘I too can reach out for Doom!’ in a constant battle against Death. Our souls wait for the divine word, ‘Rise up ye heavenly host! Greet our morning God with ‘hello’ and behold our reunion with breath, once more, restored upon the plinth of rock, we called home.   April 10 th , in the year of our Lord, 2024 In memory of Donald Berquist   Hello We never want to win the solemn stone of eternity to rest our weary bones; unless we yell at the winds, ‘I too can reach out for Doom!’ in a constant battle against Death. Our souls wait for the divine word, ‘Rise up ye heavenly host! Greet our morning God with ‘hello’ and behold our reunion with breath, once more, restored upon the plinth of rock, we called home.   April 10 th , in the year of our Lord, 2024