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...