Welcome to Neufer's Mad Thoughts

Thank you for calling, er, I mean, thank you for reading the mad thoughts of me. If you are wondering just what the mad means, be it, ANGRY mad or CRAZY mad, well, that will probably just depend on my mood and what I'm rambling on about. Most of what you will read will be unedited, straight from my head to my keyboard and to your eyes so should I offend, upset or anger you, by all means, yell at me through the screen, leave me angry comments and feel better for doing so. I promise never to respond as I have found it's just not worth my time to respond to angry people I have never met. :) Have a nice day!

Monday, February 8, 2010

One time only

I know, I know, it’s been forever and a day since I posted. What can I say? Not much evidently, LOL! I’ve been lazy, just not really wanting to write and just wanting to relax and chill out. But something has been in the back of my mind as of late and you all can thank my mother for the following.


Now, I love my mother, I respect the very loving hell out of my mother for everything she has been through, survived and sets such a strong example for us kids to follow and have given us some very big shoes to fill but the truth of the matter is that I will probably never be as successful as my mother has been in her life and I’m okay with that. I have thought about this before and the truth of the matter is you can succeed at whatever you want to, IF you want to, that is the key.

Our society has become so focused on success and being a part of something bigger that for some of us who may not be as motivated or honestly care as much sometimes ends up feeling like slackers for the lack of a better word at this moment in time. I was taught a rule by my Grandma Smith when I was younger and that was basically that there are three subjects you want to avoid public discussion unless you are willing to either start an argument or be ready for one hell of a debate. Those three subjects are religion, politics and sex. Everyone has different opinions and unless it’s something you are really passionate about and truly think you can get others to listen to your opinion and change theirs, these are subjects best left silent.

Now, the weird part is that with the exception of religion, these subjects were never really talked about in our household while I was growing up. Religion was covered by my Grandma Smith and the other two; I can honestly say I do not remember being discussed either in a friendly debate or otherwise while I was growing up. So I was basically left to form my own opinions from what I experienced, heard and learned from several sources, school, news, or work.

Now, I do have opinions about all three of these subjects mind you and I’m going to share them this one time only and then as far as I’m concerned if you want share yours then you are more than welcome to do so but I can tell you right now, don’t expect me to suddenly change my mind on everything I have figured out after all these years. I am more than willing to listen to your opinions and take them into consideration but remember, we are all wired differently and sometimes we have to just agree to disagree on what we believe.

Let’s start with religion, this is a difficult discussion for me because quite honestly, the truth is, I believe there are forces at work in the universe that have some control in our lives, but do I believe in one God and one God only? No, not really. I know I DO NOT believe in the church system, pretty much no matter what religion you are talking about. A perfect example of this happened the other day when Ellie and I were in the car and I told her about something that happened to me at Tops. I had gone to the seafood department to get some salad, love that seafood salad, and the person behind the counter was a bit slow, physically slow, I’m sure the 300+ pounds on his frame did not help, I know it certainly doesn’t help me with speed. But that’s okay, I had time. I asked for a ¼ pound of the Neptune Salad and when he finally came back with the container he said, “So you want 2 pounds?”

“No, just ¼ pound, thank you,” I replied.

He said again, “No, you wanted 2 pounds.”

“No, I could never eat that much by myself, I’m the only one who eats it in my house.”

“I can see why,” he said.

I sat there for a second trying to figure out what he meant by that, considering I don’t know this person, he has no idea who lives in my house or anything about me. Then he said, “Because this stuff is horrible, I can’t stand it.”

Now when I told this story to Ellie she commented right after “I can see why,” comment with “OMG, how rude!” And then after the last comment he said, she said, “Oh, good save.”

I looked at her and said, “Now, see, there’s a perfect example of how people will see situations and interpret them differently. You thought I should be offended by the “I can see why” comment but in my eyes it was the last comment that offended me because he insinuated that I had bad taste. It’s like that in life; two people can watch a situation and see it from two completely different views because of what they believe or were taught.” Oh, and he was right about the salad, it wasn’t that good, I ended up tossing it.

It’s the same with religion; I once read on line that the Bible was written by man. Not by God, but by man or men in this case, I’m sure there was more than one author. And if you really wanted to dissect the Bible I’m sure you can find more contradictions than you could count in a lifetime. It is a book based on how a man or men saw situations. And I will guarantee you that should someone today see those same situations, they would have a completely different story to tell. Another good example of this is The Wizard of Oz. We all grew up with the L. Frank Baum version and with the epic motion picture but I dare you to read Wicked by Gregory Maguire and look at the originals the same way. He tells the story from the Wicked Witch’s point of view. He does this with a few other fairy tails and it’s fascinating to read and really stop and think about it from another angle. He makes you think twice about the childhood fairy tales you grew up with and gets you to open your eyes to another point of view.

It’s the same with religion, politics, and just about any subject. Everyone has their opinions and knows for sure just what is what. But then someone will come along with another point of view and if you listen with an open mind and an open heart you can learn to maybe adjust that thinking and expand and learn from them. So as far as religion goes, here is what I believe at this moment in time.

There is a God or Gods who sometimes play a hand in our fates, who make sure we are in certain places at certain times and that certain things happen. Some call it fate, some call it a coincidence, and some call it divine intervention. I call it Karma or fate. I believe in reincarnation and that where we are now, here on earth, is our hell, and when we finally get it right, we get to move on to the next plain of existence, not necessarily heaven per say but a more free spirit until we reach the final plain of existence where we get to put into play things that need to happen. I believe in spirits and ghosts and yes, I do believe in good and evil and that is all part of the spirits who play a part in our lives. But in the end, it is us, who make the final decisions if we are going to do the right thing or not. Human beings have moral compasses and should we choose to follow them, great, if not, then it was your choice, not anyone else's so don't go blaming your parents or teachers or friends for your decisions that don’t work out to your best advantage.

Now, on to politics. I really hate talking politics, as it follows the same vein as religion. Everyone will see things differently, no matter what you do. I’m not an extremely politically active person, probably never will be. I listen to the candidates when elections come up, I look at their history if they have been at the job but honestly, once they are elected, unless it’s a cause that is really close to my heart, I really don’t care what they are doing most of the time. For the 8 years that Bush was in office, he screwed this country up in more ways than imaginable. He got us into a war we had no business being in, he wasted and spent a surplus that Clinton left behind, he was unable to speak off the cuff without making a complete fool of himself, and I just personally could not stand the man. He left a mess, the economy tanked BEFORE he left office, it was his presidency that put this country in the financial mess it is now. And now everyone is saying President Obama is not doing what he promised. WHAT THE HELL DID YOU THINK HE WAS GOING TO DO? Come in and wave a magic wand and it would all be okay? For the LOVE OF GOD (if that’s what you believe) it’s only been a year! And to top it all off, his own party in the Senate and House have NOT backed him up like they could have/should have so just what did you think he was going to get done without his own party’s backing? Seriously? WHAT DID YOU EXPECT?

I am a registered Democrat but I don’t follow the party blindly, I’m not a liberal, I’m not conservative, I’m a realist. I see what isn’t working and if there is anything I can do to help fix it, I will. If our healthcare system broken? Not completely, but dang, it’s headed for intensive care and fading fast. I am grateful to be in a state (NY) where they do offer health care for families and kids and EVERYONE can get it, some for free, some at a cost, depending on your income. But the cost is completely affordable. And it’s good coverage. Because without it, my kids would not have anything, nor would I and as a result James wouldn’t get the help he needs, nor would my daughters. And when they become ill or injured, I don’t have to ask myself, “How serious is this?” No one should ever have to ask that question. EVER!

As for the pay czar, I say, “ABOUT DAMN TIME!” Payroll for some of these upper management positions is completely out of control and if you want bailout money from the government because you SCREWED up in the first place, you sure as hell should NOT get a bonus for screwing up! I wish I got a bonus for every time I screwed up, I would never have to work again.

As for the rights of gays in the military and concerning marriage and being able to make decisions for their life partners. HELL YES! There is no difference between a homosexual relationship and a heterosexual relationship. NONE! They love each other the same, they care for each other, and they should have the same rights as every other individual in the country. To tell them they are morally wrong, that’s your opinion and should have absolutely NOTHING to do with the legal rights they should be able to enjoy just like everyone else in this country. So take the religious aspect out of this and what do you have? People just like you and me who deserve the same respect and dignity that we all receive.

And for those who think your civil liberties are being taken away and you are being spied on and that they are watching your every move. Do us all a favor and step away from the television, Movie Theater or DVR and WAKE UP! Honestly, unless you have done something that warrants “the man’s” attention, they really could care less what you are doing as well. There are not chips in your clothes that can track you everywhere you go, there is no camera in the sky that is watching your every move and even if there was, do you really think they are watching you? Because if you do, then you have something to hide and you better put on your aluminum foil hat, draw the black shades and hide in your lead lined basement before they get you!

The final subject, sex. When done properly, it can be an orgasmic experience. When done improperly, it can be the most boring 5 minutes of your life.

So my advice to you is to get up, get out and enjoy your life. It’s too damn short in the larger scheme of things and while you should always pay attention to what is happening in the world out there with your government but unless you are wired to start a revolution or really become involved and be a shaker and mover, just enjoy what you have, live your life to the fullest and remember to tell those that mean the most to you that you love them daily and that it’s the last thing they always hear from you, because you just never know when it’s your time to move on to the next life or plain of existence or what ever it is that you believe in. Enjoy the fact that you can enjoy your life to the fullest and pretty much do what ever you want to and that it's not decided for you like some countries.

So Mom, I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH! And I LOVE MY KIDS, MELISSA, ELLIE & JAMES!!! :) You are the coolest kids a mom could ask for! :)

In conclusion I respectfully request from all my family and friends, please don’t bring these subjects up with me again, I have more important things to focus my energy and time on then debates of these nature. Things like where I’m going to find more Necco Sweethearts, the Dollar Tree ran out!!!! :) That and my kids, they are my main concern right now. :) Oh and don't start with how we are screwing up their future, everyone has said that for generations and yet, we all seem to get along just fine. Maybe that's a bit ignorant on my part which would explain why I can't stand myself sometimes, either that or I forgot to take a shower again. Who knows? Who honestly cares?

4 comments:

  1. Oh and if you made it all the way to end, without just scrolling down, you actually read it, then by all means, have a drink on me, just not grape juice, it stains. But feel free to throw any other drink on me! :)

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  2. Yes, I read it all the way to the bottom...where did you ever get the idea that I'm a success? Must have been thinking that when we had the sex talk that you don't remember..lol I don't usually discuss politics with you or anyone else because we don't agree and that's all right..better for both of us since we will never agree. Do think it is wise to pay attention to what they (all politcians) are doing though. Some things can't be changed after the fact easily but you do what works for you ... just as I will. And, yes, I'm not afraid to stand up to them or anyone else.
    Love ya!
    Mom

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  3. See people, what I mean by my Mom? She is humble on top of everything else. :) I think you are one of the most successful people I know Mom and I can only aspire to be half the woman you have been, are now and will be in the future! :)

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  4. LOL..I like the way you think but you are way off base this time! Not humble..just honest. Thanks for the compliments anyway..
    Love ya!
    Mom

    ReplyDelete

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