why? because I believe this

by Mary Elizabeth Frye

Do not stand at my grave and weep;

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there. I did not die.

why? repeat this

because it bares repeating. I remind you of my philosophy - you may beat me,but I am not beaten. I cannot be defeated or beaten by anything or anyone. I will never,ever give in or give up. Even in death I am not defeated.

Why? deny global warming

I'm just thinking about it. stay tuned Well, I know no one is tuned in, but I'm mulling it over just the same. Ok, enough mulling. Let's start with the greenhouse effect. You know how hot your car gets in the summer with the windows rolled up. Well co2 from carbon emissions creates a greenhouse effect. The end result for the earth is becoming like the planet Venus- hot, hot hot. Now before that all happens, the ice caps melt and the oceans rise up and New York City(etc.) disappears. This whole thing has scientific backing. So why? deny all this and who is behind the denial? The answer-drum roll please-the carbon emissions people ala big business-coal, oil. If the planet goes green they stand to lose big money. Thus they are spending big bucks to promote denial because they are greedy and care only for their own pocketbook. Notice who their mouthpieces are-the Republican far right. Care to guess what political party is infused in the corporate boardrooms of big business?

why? humor

Well, I'm looking forward to the humor of Craig Ferguson this evening. As I look back on my life, I realize the importance of humor. My sense of and appreciation for humor has remained despite all the tragedy my family has endured.

I have wondered why we exist and I think it is by chance. But humor is not by chance. It is the human way of dealing with the coldest that sometimes invades our existence. The ability to make people chuckle and even truly laugh is a gift from? well, well another question

why? Do we need troops all over the world?

Of course the opposite of troops all over the world is "isolationism", to withdraw to within our borders and be self sufficient in all areas. This presence all over the world stems from the old rich man theory. That is that rich people(or nations) have an obligation to help their fellow man. It does follow that "but for the grace of God, there go I" and rich people or rich nations should recognize a kind of duty to help others. Now until lately, America has been a rich nation and our presence around world is driven in part by "duty" to help others. But certainly it is also driven by corporate greed and war.

It does appear to me that our worldly presence has been greatly driven by corporations seeking profit and in particular, OIL. And, by the way, I believe it is historically true that being occupied or controlled by foreigners creates hatred(due to territorial instinct)and has resulted in terrorism. Terrorism is defined as the use of force or threats to demoralize, intimidate, and subjugate, esp. such use as a political weapon or policy against rich,more powerful nations or entities.

So out of this discussion is there an answer to the question, why do we need troops all over the world? Very simply put the answer is the need for oil and to combat terrorism. A solution, return to Isolationism.

why Tiger?

Golf is a great game. I thought Tiger was one of the few things left in this world I could truly believe in. Not so much any more. very sad

Why you?

Well I'm going to tell you what the problem is. Now not all of you, but some of you are talkers. Not ordinary talkers, but extraordinary. Let me explain. Some of you are constantly, now I really mean constantly thinking of something to say. and then you say it and on you go. If you could and you can, you would go on and on all day, my God even all night. Do you know the problem? YOU ARE NOT A LISTENER. You have no clue as to what other people are saying because you are always thinking about what you are going to say next. Now, thankfully there are not that many of you. But you are easily recognizable. and I'm afraid to say there is little hope for you. Are people avoiding you. Do they never answer your phone calls.If so, you are a talker. If so, there is only one way to cure yourself. Actually listen to people. Digest what they have to say. Take an interest in what they have to say. If two talkers met in a forest would anybody listen? the answer is NO. P.S. Really this is not a complaint, but merely an observation. The real why question here is why are some people not listeners?

Why me?

Well this is an age old question. I'm sorry to say but it may be construed a sort of whining. Let us see if true in my case. When I was 4 years and 7 months old, my father(age 38) was killed in a head on collision between two trains. How could that happen you ask? It occurred in late January of 1945 at 2 A.M. in morning in Eastern Colorado. Human error caused the train collision. They were traveling at high speed around a curve. My father was in the front engine. He jumped and was crushed by a rail car. I remember a white, unopened casket. My father had been a grade school Principal and a Boy Scout Master. He went to the railroad in 1944. He wanted to be of greater value in the war effort. The white casket says a lot.

My poor mother was left to raise 3 children by herself. She worked at two jobs. When I reached age 18, she uprooted us all so I could go to college. I do remember my mother saying that the railroad gave my her a $3000 death benefit(probably about $60000 in today's money). In my mind that was a crime. In any case my mother raised three children by herself. She was a great women and I give thanks.

Why? the agony of defeat

Well as I age, not so gracefully by the way, I am pondering the role of sports. I have either gotten into or supported my grandchildren in sports. But why? and I know not all people are physically involved in sports but many are mentally attached. I think in the end sports are all about life and death. Note things like "live to fight another day", "sudden death playoff". Of course it all comes down to the life and death struggle. The "thrill of victory" is an affirmation of life, of living, of surviving. The "agony of defeat" is in the losing(the loss of life). Of course sports help develop that mental aspect of survival. We practice hard, play hard and that is transferred to the life we live. Thus the value of sports is in helping us prepare to face and defeat adversity(even death). In the end, if you have given your best in sport or life then to put it simply, everything is OK(at the moment of defeat or death)

I remind you of my philosophy - you may beat me,but I am not beaten. I cannot be defeated or beaten by anything or anyone. I will never,ever give in or give up. Even in death I am not defeated.

Why? the Thrill of Victory

My 11 year old grandson is a very good athlete and plays football, basketball and baseball. He is a 5th grader. He has two 6th grade friends who talked him into playing YMCA basketball this year. The problem is their team is playing in a Jr. High league made up of 7th and 8th graders. Understand this, a team with one 5th grader, mostly 6th graders and I think 2 eighth graders. Well anyway they lost the first 2 games by 30-40 points, very ugly.

So the team they played tonight had 3 boys 6'2" and I went to their coach as a kindly old grandfather and asked him to take it easy on my grandson's team(a little private conservation).

My grandson is the point guard. With the score tied and 6 seconds to go, he brought the ball up in a hurry and(no he didn't make the winning shot) he made a perfect pass to our star player who scored just inside the free throw line as time ran out. Final 39-37. The thrill of victory is sweeter after the taste of defeat. They will probably not win another game, but it is all worth it. And you know, life is all about victory and defeat. Defeat shapes and makes us, victory shapes us and makes us and it is really all about the striving(life). I'm feeling old, but satisfied tonight.

why are we here?

a philosophical answer from Robert Kennedy

"Few will have the greatness to bend history; but each of us can work to change a small portion of the events, and in the total of all these acts will be written the history of this generation...It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is thus shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance." Day of Affirmation Address, University of Capetown, South Africa, June 6, 1966.

A scientific answer. Every cell in the human body is bathed in a salt solution that is the same as the ocean of hundreds of millions of years ago. We are here because of evolution and a product of Darwin's Survival of the Fittest

A religious answer. The Protestant Work Ethic. We are here to work and work hard. Most of us are defined by our work.

My answer. Because we have this capability, to see beyond ourselves, we are here for a higher purpose. We have the ability to get outside of ourselves, to have empathy, to care for and raise up our fellow man, the ability to make this world a better place for ourselves and our ancestors. This is why I like the Robert Kennedy quote so much. Individual acts of goodness in the stream of life can create a current for the good.

why? left vs right

left vs right, democrat vs republican , liberal vs conservative, non-noble vs noble. This conflict goes back to the beginning. I call it the haves vs the have nots. It is the rich vs the poor, business owners vs workers and so on.

Today's liberals are now calling themselves progressives because the word liberal has been attacked for so long by the haves. Today's haves are very noble-like, check out the castles that some people live in. well not literally castles, but literally mansions.

So what is the real issue? If the haves are richer and thus much more powerful, how can the have nots get anything. Of course the answer is through democracy. The have nots greatly outnumber the haves and currently the democrats are seeking a greater share of the wealth through government. Is that wrong?

I find the Kennedy family interesting. They are a part of the new rich or new nobility and have had a long standing empathy with the have nots. They believe as many do that the rich have an obligation to their fellow man.

I believe that government can both hurt and help people. People do need help but they will also take advantage. Historically the haves have ruled, but violent revolutions and later peaceful revolution through the voting booth have allowed the have nots access to becoming a have.

In the end the haves fear democracy and seek to control it and would kill it if they could. Long live democracy! If it lasts long enough it may kill itself. I hope not. Why?

why? kkkkssssuuuu wildcats

Well, I am a Kansas State University graduate. Bill Snyder, great coach and even greater person

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Snyder

plus Frank Martin has the basketball team on the rise.

why the separation of church and state?

Why the need for separation of church and state? some of you know and some of you don"t. If church and state are combined you get the Middle Ages, the Taliban, the flight to America seeking religious freedom. It does come down to freedom. You can't have true freedom under a religious state. All religions operate from dogma(the Truth as they see it). If the dogma is questioned for example with the question Why? it creates fear (fear of the shattering of dogma).

The truth is that when religion begins to creep into government(state) it will begin to shatter the most precious thing in the world. FREEDOM. Make no mistake because it is historically TRUE. When church and state are combined there is and can be no freedom.

Why ask Why?

I remember 58 years ago very well. Well in truth not that well, but I do remember Mabel Leonard, my 7th grade teacher. She was probably in her 50s, gray hair and on the surface nothing extraordinary. But I remember distinctly the feeling of excitement in learning. It was the questions. I remember she asked questions to teach. It captured me. I became eager to learn. it was a life lesson. Years later when it came my turn to teach I always used questions. Have you ever seen an entire classroom on the edge of their seats, all focused, all paying close attention, all eager to join in. I have, all the time, through using questions. The greatest questioner of all was Socrates. It is very simple, questions engage the brain, they stimulate the brain. By the way there are no bad questions, no how shall I say-"less than smart questions" You see when you ask questions, you foster questions. the excitement of learning is contagious and FUN!

why do I blog?

Of course, blogging is new to me. I have figured I am not going to be followed, but it makes no difference. This whole thing is a kind of therapy to cope with tragedy. It is a bit of my history, philosophy and wisdom gained over 7 decades. I really hope that my grandchildren and great grandchildren and beyond will gain some insight and personal strength. After all "We are what we think." That philosophy is an old as Confucius and still valid. It is mind over all events and actions.

why have all civilizations risen and fallen?

Well, with the exception of the present day, all civilizations have risen and fallen. Why?

Of course Rome is famous for its decline. Moral decay and in the end an empire so large it was indefensible. As Crag Furguson would say "remind you of anyone?"

Do you consider the presence of U.S. troops all over the world as a kind of empire? As to moral decline, it is probably true, but there is a moral incline on the Far Right that seems to be wishing for a great fall.

More advanced technology doomed civilizations in the New World and it would appear that advanced technology may not be a match for terrorism.

Are we really on the decline?

why is education so important?

Well it is obvious that education is important or is it? Not so long ago it was thought you might change jobs 6 to 8 times in your lifetime. I saw a recent missive that people could change jobs at that rate in a 10 year period. It is not what you learn, but knowing how to learn. How to learn: Sit on the front row; ask questions; take notes(even if you never look at your notes again they help). Philosophy - we are what we think, so think positive every day about your education. Of course great teaching is the kicker. Teachers need to be well trained, well paid and deeply appreciated. And don't forget that parents are teachers too. If as a parent you value education your children will also. Be a human sponge on knowledge. Education is never ending and it is actually fun. think it, believe it.

why fear death?

I remember the day when I realized I was going to die someday. I was maybe 10 or so. It hit me very hard. I was literally sick to my stomach for maybe 2 days. I struggled with the idea. finally at that young age(and after talking to no one) I came to a comforting conclusion(not religious). Life and then death is the way of the world. Look at any cemetery. All people face death. the thing is how do you deal with it. You can spend your time, your life worrying about a natural process or you can spend your life living. I am reminded of a story of a priest giving last rites to an 80 year old woman and she was weeping. "Why do you weep" asked the priest. She replied "I have never done anything". Her life had been lifeless. So I say to you do things, go places, take a risk or two. enjoy the moment. You can end this life crying or smiling, it will make no difference at the moment of death. And although I have seen terrible tragedy I will smile.

why do we want to know the future can we change it?

I had a cold chill when I foresaw the future and it was totalitarian the haves in total control no soul

why study history? to change the future

why is heritage important?

to my grandchildren - if you had 63 teaspoons of water and you added 1 teaspoon of salt could you taste it? they are 1/64 cherokee, I am 1/16 salty

the Cherokee were the fiercest of all warriors

I have called upon my ancestors for strength and it has been given to me and I pass it on to my ancestors

I am the decendent of Samuel Heaton of Agra, Kansas. He Homesteaded with his 5 sons in 1872. All pioneers of any sort are brave and have great strength.

the world is made up of doers, do nothings and naysayers the rarest are the doers it is a gift

why is wisdom important?

we are what we think do you understand? If you think miserable thoughts you will be miserable think good things and you will be happy Truth

I am telling you now, the most important thing you will ever do is school. it is not what you learn, but knowing how to learn tell your kids

Wisdom the separation of church and state means democracy reigns why? the dogma of religions will not allow democracy or freedom taliban

wisdom capitalism is selfishness unfettered,but"build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door". means a better life

wisdom our cells are bathed in the same salt solution as the ocean of a few hundred million years ago. we carry the ocean within us

wisdom the clash between the haves and the have nots has been going on since the beginning of time. the haves are afraid of democracy

It has occurred to me that twittering to no one is still therapy. If you knew my tragic life you would understand the need for therapy.

why do grandchidren mean so much?

watching homeward bound II with my 4 year old he's giggling It is how do they say oh yes priceless

watching Ms.Bear with 4 year old grandson. He's into it. Sitting on my big leather rocker. very comfortable and very comforting

watching horton hears a who with my grandson very relaxed feeling old but satisfied

why football?

1. I had a great high school football coach Gabby Davis Smith Center Kansas I went into coaching because of him taught and coached for 38yrs.
   
2. You always remember your last football game. late our qb said "I'm out of ideas" I said "let's go to the spread formation" we did, it worked
   
3. one of the great honors of my life was being elected captain of my high school football team. I was not a rah rah guy but led by example
   Back from grandson's football practice. It appears he will be starting at free safety. age 10 weight 78 I used to coach football I'm proud
   13 year old grandson starting middle linebacker, 10 year old grandson starting free safety. This old defensive coach is proud
   watched my 10 year old grandson in football scrimmage, scored a touchdown and made an open field tackle.
   
   ah youth howfleeting, how precious

why some golfers have touch,feel

1. Golf is as complex as you want to make it, a great game for a lifetime great therapy, it will take you away from problems but adicting
   all my golfers were taught this 1000 and one means don't move your head for 1 full second on chipping and putting why? develops touch/feel
   
2. chipping tip watch Tiger's head when he chips doesn't move for a full second why? to hit it perfectly on sweet spot why? develops touch/feel
   
3. putting tip watch Tiger's head when he putts doesn't move for a full second why? to hit it perfectly on sweet spot why? develops touch/feel

why do you need a philosophy for life?

philosophy you may beat me,but I am not beaten. I cannot be defeated or beaten by anything or anyone. I will never,ever give in or give up. Even in death I am not defeated.

SOME TWEETS

the competitive spirit is rooted in survival instinct. do not deny your youngsters competitive situations it will prepare them for life

tweet, tweet, tweet yes the birds are singing do I sing, whine, self pontificate, or expound? Does it make any difference well to me sing

the mind is a powerful thing willpower is self explanatory belief in yourself & your cause is most important my cause my family survive

tragically some people don't know this definition suicide - a permanent solution to a temporary problem however to some temporary =forever

a lesson Olympians who did poorly were asked what they were thinking. answer winning the gold gold medal winners were thinking technique

Some will recognize KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU Wildcats

My mother raised 3 children by herself, working 2 jobs. Uprooted us all so I could go to college. She was a great great woman I give thanks

democracy means peaceful revolutions but because America has become so polarized violence has occurred and a violent revolution is possible

Checking out cnn (Robin) Throughout the election and the presidency I have feared for the President's safety. That fear has not diminished.

I still remember this moment. It was probably a Monday or perhaps a Tuesday afternoon. I was really into it and a student asked "Mr. Heaton do you drink coffee?" I was wired on teaching. It was strangely a great compliment. I was into it as a teacher, full of drive and enthusiasm at a time of day and week when others were not or could not. IT IS A GIFT and knowing how to learn is a gift that is given because of the passion of wanting to know why?(actually it was early in the month of February)

I am telling you now, the most important thing you will ever do is school. it is not what you learn, but knowing how to learn Please tell your children, tell all children, tell all

wisdom our cells are bathed in the same salt solution as the ocean of a few hundred million years ago. we carry the ocean within us

watched my 10 year old grandson in football scrimmage, scored a touchdown and made an open field tackle. ah youth how fleeting, how precious

a lesson Olympians who did poorly were asked what they were thinking. answer winning the gold gold medal winners were thinking technique

My neuropathy is spreading. Doctor offered new, expensive meds. I said no. He said "you are just going to ride it out? yes more $ grandkids

wisdom the clash between the haves and the have nots has been going on since the beginning of time. the haves are afraid of democracy

long ago Mabel Leonard(7th grade teacher) used questions to teach(Socrates) It captured me I remember her with the greatest appreciation

thinking about my peripheral neuropathy. No fun. taking gabapentin 800mg 3 times per day. Mainly a mental fight and I will not be defeated

suffering

rubbing my hands together because of peripheral neuropathy. Just something I have to deal with. mainly a mental thing