Forgiveness Is a Gift You Give Yourself: One of the most powerful moments in the audiobook was Livingston’s perspective on forgiveness. He had seen patients carry grudges for years, holding onto anger like a shield. But all it did was make them bitter. Forgiveness, he explained, isn’t about letting the other person off the hook. It’s about freeing yourself from the weight of resentment. It’s not easy. But it’s necessary. Because in the end, anger chains you to the past. And life is too short to stay stuck there.
A Snowboarder's Journey
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Madeline's Wedding Toast.
Spark of Life
God's plan can also include evolution.
I had a cellular biology professor that showed us two slides under a microscope. One dead, one alive. He asked: What gives the one that's alive that spark of life. Is it just a chemical reaction? No, he said. Life is proof of a higher being with a plan. That spark of life in that cell he said, that's God.
The 2nd law of thermodynamics expounds that all things trend toward a state of chaos. But not life. It has evolved not toward chaos, but toward perfection.
That spark of life in that cell? That's God.
Did God direct creation? He is the creator of the universe, so of course he can and did! Believe and be humble, and he will reveal this to you as well!
Sunday, March 23, 2025
The US - Dakota War of 1862, A Minnesota History
On August 18th 1862, Dakota Sioux murdered more than 600 people (innocent settlers), because the annuity payments were late due to the civil war. The agency traders wouldn't give them food on credit until the payment checks came in. It was called the Dakota Sioux War 1862. Of the 498 trials, 303 men were convicted and sentenced to death. President Lincoln commuted the sentences of all but 38. It's called history, learn it and learn from it.
Even the tribes chief (Little Crow) and other tribal leaders did not want an uprising. Unfortunately, a small faction were incited by comments the agency traders made, which led to a group of younger members to start the killing. Many people were starving and hungry in those times. Most did not resort to murder of innocents to solve their predicament.
As I mentioned before delayed annuity payments (prescribed in a treaty that was agreed upon by both sides) were the root cause. The central issue was that Congress was arguing about Civil War funding and the annuity payment money was locked up in Congress until the budget could be resolved. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?
I'm well aware of broken treaties. I could recommend to you the book "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" for reference. It outlines the string of treaties and atrocities on both sides. In this instance though, "due process" was being carried out both by Congress (although slowly) and by the courts afterwards.
So what's the point of this discussion? That the world is full of injustice? That's not what we are discussing here. The Great Sioux War of 1865 has been reported and studied by both sides. The fact remains that 600 settlers were killed over late annuity payments. Yes, people were starving. Many people have gone hungry in the past, yet have resisted committing mass murder.
In fact, they scalped, disemboweled, beheaded, burned and raped many women and children. So the fact remains, justice was served by hanging and due process was upheld.
So, in this case "due process" (which is now a hot topic concerning deportation), was followed. A few young Sioux murdered more than 600 people, going against the opinion and wishes of the tribal Chief Little Crow and most of the rest of the tribal elders. The due process comes in where, of the 498 trials that were done, 303 men were convicted and sentenced to death. President Lincoln commuted the sentences of all but 38. None of that can be disputed, or re-written based on opinion or bias, not even argued, because there is nothing to argue. Those are the facts whether you like them or not.
Saturday, March 15, 2025
The VA, Trump and Elon: Cost Cutting and Elimination of Waste.
So far, the VA according to Secretary Doug Collins, has only laid off 2,400 of 480,000 employees. The 80,000 number from a "leaked memo" still would only be 15%. The reality is, restructuring to those 2019 levels are probSo far, the VA according to Secretary Doug Collins, has only laid off 2,400 of 480,000 employees. The 80,000 number from a "leaked memo" still would only be 15%. The reality is, restructuring to those 2019 levels are probably necessary and perhaps overdue. Said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “To be perfectly clear: these moves will not negatively impact VA health care, benefits or beneficiaries.
I will admit, Trump and Elon are a little bit like the rookie manager who, when facing budget cut, decides to " fire a bunch of people", because they don't know any better course of action (like Lean Manufacturing/ Lean Enterprise or Six Sigma Cost reduction). But those programs and culture take time to develop, and they want results now!Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Mickelson Trail E-Bike a Misdemeanor
Sunday, March 9, 2025
AI Analysis of How the New Trump Tarrifs are Afffecting the Koch Brothers and the "Americans for Prosperity Foundation"?
Typed "How are the new Trump tarrifs afffecting the Koch Brothers and the "Americans for Prosperity Foundation"?" into the AI search engines MS Copilot and Grok3 and got some interesting responses.