The Trivial Pursuit of Happiness

I found my journal from the USS Kearsarge's deployment. There aren't many entries, but I was busy keeping the flight deck comms up for 24 hour flight quarters.   February 14, 2003 34 days and counting... Today is yet another deadline for the UN weapons inspectors. I think we will all have a clearer idea of where this is all going very soon.   For some reason the last 33 days have gone by pretty fast. I just hope the next few months also come and go.   February 18, 2003 Still waiting to find out what our role is going to be in all of this. Everyday there are new rumors. Today's is that we may be home by July. I was hoping it would be by Josh's and Jacob's birthdays in June but if we get home in July, that means we can go pick up Josh because his probation will have started. And we can take a vacation up north before we head back to Virginia.   Most of the Marines have gone into Kuwait now. It still seems like there are too many onboard. I wish none of them ...

While I understand my ideals may be unrealistic for politics, I have come to realize that people have lost faith in politics "as usual" and seek candidates who care about more than their checkbook. I grew up with humble beginnings and and my desire to seek political office comes from my intrinsic desire to make a difference in as many people's lives as possible. I have the ability to represent everyone because I value everyone-including the opposition. Who am I to tell people that everything their parents taught them is wrong? I would not want anyone telling my own children that their belief system is flawed. The only way to "solve" the issue of our differences is to find "common ground" and in a respectful manner. Everyone deserves to be heard and legitimately listened to. Then there is an element of understanding, if you cannot understand someone's beliefs and opinions ask them in a non-condescending way, what experiences have they had to insti...

They have to be made before any action can take place. And, well, I know some people may think it is too early to decide to run for Governor of Maine in 2014, but I do not have the money for an expensive campaign. I need to start earlier than a "typical" candidate in order to garner enough support. What I do have, are unique ideas and an understanding of what personal struggle is. I have suffered immense loss during my lifetime, as have many others. My sister was severely physically disabled and passed away at the age of 15. My brother was diagnosed with schizophrenia when he was 19 and succumbed to a heroin overdose at the age of 26. My brother also served prison time as a result of one of his "psychotic breaks" he never received rehabilitation for his illness while incarcerated. Despite a dysfunctional childhood and the loss I have experienced, I have continued to seek my purpose in life. Having children of my own is a piece of my larger purpose. I want my child...

I am thankful for the opportunity to share my 10 year old son's experience with bullying, but disheartened at the same time that I have a story to share. I have always tried to teach my own children compassion and empathy, and I feel that the actions of other people’s children undermine the values I have tried to instill in my own children in order for them to grown up to be compassionate, respectful, and successful adults. My son’s story begins with his love for art. In third grade his teacher recognized how much he enjoyed art and began to use that as a tool to reward his good behavior. On the days my son was well behaved and completed his work early, his teacher would let him go to the art room to help the art instructor clean up and set up the room for the next class. My son went to an art camp that next summer and really enjoyed it. In fourth grade, something began to change. My son was selected as a fourth grade finalist for a Christmas ornament competition, and got to tra...

Some of you may know that my brother Josh was diagnosed with schizophrenia when he was 19. Part of the reason others did not know, is because he was embarrassed to share his illness with many people, possibly because he still hoped to have a "normal" life. Unfortunately, the stigma society associates with mental illness can be more cumbersome than the illness itself. There is a wonderful new non-profit organization that aims to break down the stigma currently associated with mental illness. Bring Change 2 Mind was created by individuals and organizations that have a very personal interest in recovery from mental illness. This journey would be much easier if people with mental illness did not have to worry about being judged on the basis of the illness they hope to recover from. Everyone is affected by mental illness, either because they are struggling with illness, or know someone who is. Please check out the website for more information about this organization, join the Face...

My 9-year old son came home yesterday and was clearly upset about something that had happenned at school. Upon further questioning, he told me he got in trouble at school for writing on a slide on the playground. Realizing that there had to be some motive for him to do this, I asked him why he did it and got a typical response, "I don't know." There was more to the story, I didn't let him leave my sight until I got the full story. I asked him if he has friends at school, remembering from a few weeks ago how he had told me some kids tease him. He started crying and told me he doesn't have friends at school. Well, he mentioned this one friend who lies all the time and I told him the little boy probably thinks that is the way to impress people and befriend them. I asked my son if he thought writing on the slide would get him friends, and then pointed out to him that it will only get the kids that would do the same thing to like him. I asked my son if there are other ...

I feel very fortunate that if my parents did have negative opinions about people based on stereotypes, they never spoke about them in front of me. I realize this is a free country and freedom of speech is protected, but I wonder if the same people who post negative comments about others on the Internet would be so bold to do it in front of real people without the Internet protecting their anonymity. I also realize some of these opinions may be based on negative experiences, but experiences cannot be generalized to human-kind, the probability of the truth in this fallacy is near 1 in 6 billion. I usually don't spend energy responding to any specific posts online because ignorance is usually fueled by hate and being afraid to place yourself in someone else's position (e.g. empathy). I am also not originally from Indiana, and I don't want to end up stereotyping based on the comments of those that are so angry they spend more time than usual voicing their negative opinions o...

I titled this blog "Anthem" because I find the rise and sustain of a lyrical melody to be empowering; I have found this same effect in the lessons I learn from people daily. I have believed in this effect for a very long time, but today I have been thinking about it more because I am reminded of the impact my brother Josh had on my life. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to know him because I would not be who I am, without him or you. I'll start with what I learned from Josh, unconditional love; appreciation for life, music, and family and not everyone is "cut-out" to play Chess. Jacob and Joseph have given me the ability to see life through the eyes of a child all over again, and the opportunity to pass along what I have learned. Some of the other lessons I have learned have come from these individuals, it is not exhaustive and will continue to grow. J.B. Empathy R.B. Be true to yourself C.L. Children "belong" to everyone M.S. Loyalty B.M. Blam...

I have found myself over the years having to explain my opinion on this topic. Just because it is my opinion doesn't mean it is right, and just like the opinions of others that are based on their beliefs, my opinion is personally justified. I decided to write about this topic tonight because I chuckled when someone followed me on Twitter with a polyamourous agenda. I followed him back because I am curious as to why people feel the need to have more than one intimate partner at the same time. However, I still find the argument to be sexist, and maybe that is one of the big difficulties I have with it. If it is OK for men to have multiple wives and partners, the same should be true for women, they should be able to have multiple partners also. The argument for polygamy seems to convey that it is OK for men to need more than one woman to fulfill their needs, but it is not OK for a woman to need more than one man (or woman) to fulfill her needs. Maybe it takes more than one woman ...