Let It Be

By my estimate, I am the 4,198,305,406th human to turn 60 years old. Nothing unique, but a milestone none the less. I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes: "One thing about stones in your path, when you cross them they become my milestones."


I like lists and I am all about philosophy. The following is so akin to my "way" I was moved to post it here. 

Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio, celebrated growing older by writing the 45 lessons life taught me. When her "odometer rolled over to 90 ....." she republished her list:

"1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22.. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

"I move forward with the knowledge I have gained and the hope that gives me wings." Uncle Xoq

Illegal Aliens

The only humans living in the USA that are NOT descendants of immigrants* are Native Americans. Millions of people who have escaped** to America, go through the process of becoming a citizen. The following is not my attempt to comment on this complicated topic. But when I read it I thought it dripped of irony and truth at the same time. This is at once humorous and sad.    

Actual letter from an Iowa resident and sent to his senator: 

The Honorable Tom Harkin
731 Hart Senate Office Building
Phone (202) 224 3254
Washington DC , 20510

Dear Senator Harkin,

As a native Iowan and excellent customer of the Internal Revenue Service, I am writing to ask for your assistance. I have contacted the Department of Homeland Security in an effort to determine the process for becoming an illegal alien*** and they referred me to you.

My primary reason for wishing to change my status from U.S. Citizen to illegal alien stems from the bill which was recently passed by the Senate and for which you voted. If my understanding of this bill's provisions is accurate, as an illegal alien who has been in the United States for five years, all I need to do to become a citizen is to pay a $2,000 fine and income taxes for three of the last five years. I know a good deal when I see one and I am anxious to get the process started before everyone figures it out. 

Simply put, those of us who have been here legally have had to pay taxes every year so I'm excited about the prospect of avoiding two years of taxes in return for paying a $2,000 fine. Is there any way that I can apply to be illegal retroactively? This would yield an excellent result for me and my family because we paid heavy taxes in 2004 and 2005.

Additionally, as an illegal alien I could begin using the local emergency room as my primary health care provider. Once I have stopped paying premiums for medical insurance, my accountant figures I could save almost $10,000 a year.

Another benefit in gaining illegal status would be that my daughter would receive preferential treatment relative to her law school applications , as well as 'in-state' tuition rates for many colleges throughout the United States for my son.

Lastly, I understand that illegal status would relieve me of the burden of renewing my driver's license and making those burdensome car insurance premiums .. This is very important to me given that I still have college age children driving my car.

 

If you would provide me with an outline of the process to become illegal (retroactively if possible) and copies of the necessary forms, I would be most appreciative. 

Thank you for your assistance.

Your Loyal Constituent, (hoping to reach 'illegal alien' status rather than just a bonafide citizen of the USA) 

Donald Ruppert
Burlington, IA 

* ** ***Definition of immigrant vs alien:

An alien is someone who is not a citizen of the country. Citizenship confers on the individual all rights such as the right to vote, as well as associated responsibilities, such as being subject to conscription. An alien may be an non-immigrant or immigrant(permanent resident), may or may not have the right to work in the country, and may be legally allowed to live in the country for varying durations. Regardless of these restrictions and rights, an alien is not a citizen of the country. All aliens living in the country can be considered immigrants, especially if they have temporarily resettled in the country.

An immigrant, on the other hand, may or may not be an alien. An immigrant in a country is someone who has relocated there from another country. If the immigrant has applied for and received citizenship, then they are no longer an alien. Since the definition of immigration relates to the country of origin and the country of resettlement, the person would be called an immigrant throughout their life because they relocated to a new country from their country of origin. However, as soon as the immigrant receives citizenship, they are not an alien any more.

http://www.diffen.com/difference/Alien_vs_Immigrant

• Content is available under Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States.

Innocence

Does the pendulum of life swing parallel to our path or does it swing across it? Does it slice across our journey and knock us off our feet, or does it come up behind you and scoop you forward toward your truth?


My second kids book has taken a giant step forward this week. I have found an artist and we are building characters and images. The tentative title is "Uncle Xoq." Our bond is built on the foundation that this book's message rises from our shared experience. We have walked different paths to this moment; but if we had a mentor at 17, who encouraged us to find our Q; our voice, our gift, who knows where we would be. We now know it was always inside us, waiting to be discovered, nurtured, and given the space it needed to breathe. Thank you Zoey for helping me realize this.


Events on TV are reminding me of my awkward teen years. In Port Washington, the 2 local Junior High Schools merged into one High School. After going through K-9 with the same kids, our world expanded to include the teens from the other side of town, with their cliques, bullies, athletes, and nerds. I retreated even further into my social shell, but still have fond memories of certain girls who sparked my curiosity from afar. And yes, even a few I had crushes on. Jan, DiDi, Pam, and Sue were cheerleaders, but in a completely different group were the musicians and singers inspired by Judy Collins, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, and Laura Niro. My sister played the guitar and sang and was responsible for opening my ear and my eyes to the girls walking to a different drummer. 


I admit I am a junky for any show that highlights singing and dancing, and particularly gives "nobodies" a chance to showcase their talent. I am invested in the need for humans to find their "Q".  As a Dad, it has been one of the few "directions" I have given my son. I can overlook the overt commercialism on these talent shows, and ignore the judges inflammatory comments, in order to enjoy watching everyday people express themselves through dance and song.


The XFactor is new on American TV this Fall and I know many people DO NOT watch it because of Simon Cowell. I understand; he is a pompous ass. But you are missing out on the talent, innocence, and purity of one particular 14 year old, Drew. Click here to listen to this adorable, talented, young lady who reminds me so much of days gone by; and particularly our hometown girl Heather.


P.S.  Leaving a Comment behind before you leave this page adds to the conversation. A few folks have mentioned to me they have tried, but couldn't finish because Blogger asks you to sign in. When you write a Comment, the simplest way to complete the process is to click on "Anonymous" from the drop down menu. If you use "Anonymous," but you still want us to recognize your voice, just type your name inside the Comment.     Thanks for visiting