The Change Begins With Us by Chelle Stockman

 

By now, most of you know someone who has had to accept a lower wage to be employed. You probably know someone who got themselves over their head by overuse of credit cards. The housing market has left its finger print on your ability to acquire a loan for the purposes of funding a child's college education For those of you who use public transportation, you've seen the costs rise in the past few years and for those of you who commute using your own vehicles are most likely spending over fifty dollars a month ( 50 bucks a week for me).

 

Many of you can probably pass through your town and see vacant signs going up where small businesses used to be.  You milk drinkers out there are probably paying four bucks a gallon unless you buy the two-fers and then even with that, you are probably paying a dollar a gallon more right now than you were just three years ago.

 

With health care premiums on the rise, and energy bills taking their cut out of your allowable income, things might seem to be a little out of control for you.  For those of you who have the luxury of being able to investigate which presidential candidate deserves your vote,  realize there are no candidates on the ticket that can do one thing to help you or your loved ones to overcome their current predicament. 

 

The conditions we are facing today make me think of the times when slaves were ready to be free.  It took them a century to make their move.  While they had much needed help from others outside their situation, it was they who had to decide that the time had come to be free.  Once they made that decision, they actually freed themselves. Sure others finally pitched in to help them, but they began their harrowing journey out of bondage into personal responsibility, which is the heart of real freedom.

 

Today, we have all been held in bondage, whether it came by our own habits or by our acceptance of the conditions we thought ourselves powerless to overcome. But like the slaves in our American history, to overcome the silent bondage we face, we must decide to free ourselves.  There is a saying that comes from the Scriptures. It goes like this: Before you try and remove the speck out of your brother's eye, remove the log from your own.  Everyone has heard that said before and in so many different ways.  Most of us think that the saying is limited to one interpretation, that being; before you dare to criticize someone, examine and work on yourself. I submit to you, it also has another meaning, and that is; In order to encourage others who are facing difficulties, face your own.

 

How do we do that?

 

First, we must realize that blame is fruitless.  We can't achieve our freedom by blaming others.  While we hope there will be accountability for those we are tempted to blame, we could be doing what it takes to give us more advantage.  We must realize that all these things dragging us down are circumstances. If we endeavor to "fight" the circumstances, more circumstances will manifest. So, we need to get back to the basics.

 

Laughter is free. It's contagious.  It's essential for healing.  Gratitude is free.  It's contagious.  It's essential for peace.  Both are more powerful than blame.  Both help us to transcend circumstances but blame invites circumstances. So rid yourselves of blame.  I know its hard to do but it gets easier as you remind yourself that blame advances no one.

 

There is love, kind acts, sincerity and a host of other tools we have to empower us on our victorious journey. 

 

 The thing is, belief is core to our ability to overcome whatever circumstances we face.  We need to believe that change begins with us.  We need to be willing to show ourselves mercy.  Hell, anyone can feel guilty about something if that's what they want. Through mercy we can overcome the guilt.  So be merciful to yourself and you've just climbed one wrung out of a rut. Show others mercy and you've climbed a few more.  Shout, speak, whisper, think, "Thanks. I'm getting it. I feel less guilt or no guilt about... and I no longer have the urge to be harsh to others around me. I'm getting it!  Thank you!"  Gratitude is a booster shot.

 

It takes you to advance yourself and it takes you to overcome. By the way, others around you will be witness to the light inside you that slowly replaces the darkness; and when they are ready, they'll be helped by your success. Success is contagious.

 

So, challenge yourself to eat healthier, dance a little more, say hello to townspeople in passing, smile at a child, pet an animal, and be thankful that you can do all those things.  Be thankful that you are the owner of your own thoughts.  If that's all you can find to be thankful for, no worries.  Begin there.  The more you are thankful, the more things you'll find to be thankful for. 

 

The only caution there, and I hesitate to share it with you, but I really should, so here goes; when finding things to be thankful for, don't be thankful for what is not. In other words, don't compare yourself to others or other circumstances.  Be thankful for your own breath, your own mind, your own experience and if you find the urge to say, "I'm thankful I'm not like that...," stop yourself and say, "NO!"  Keep it positive and heal yourself.  Healing is contagious.  If you want to help others, change the way you think.

 

I want us to change our entire society in order to get us back to living healthier, free from oppression and the other circumstances that seem to prevail. Rather than fight the circumstances, endeavor to overcome and remember, circumstances are temporary.

 

I'm expecting your triumph and I'm grateful that we have one another, if nothing else, in our prayers.

 

May the blanket of circumstances be cast off our blessings.  Amen.

 

Chelle Stockman.

Era of Americrats by Chelle Stockman

Back in 1948 or there-about, there was a push for another national political party by southern Democrats who disagreed with the civil rights platform of Harry Truman.  They were dubbed "Dixiecrats."

While it never became an official party, the term Dixiecrat evolved to represent those who disliked favoritism of any kind as well as loathing anything Republican.

 

Here we are today, some of us trying to figure out whom we shall cast our votes for between the Democrat, Barack Obama and the Republican, John McCain.  John McCain ought to be wary right about now because I predict we shall see an even larger movement to keep Republicans out of high office and I'm calling this new unoffical party the Party of Americrats; Americans fed up with anything Republican.  Those are the people who shall be casting their votes for Obama.

 

That's all for now.

 

Chelle Stockman

A Mother's Pain by Chelle Stockman

 

The Pain in My Heart

 

How does a mom stop worrying for her wayward child?

How does a father say "our son will never be allowed back home," and expect the mom to behave truly sane?

How can happiness shine in the eyes where sorrow cries?

Who does the son go to when the hauntings at night prevent him from sleeping, when he has no home to call his own?

 

My son is homeless and I am not permitted to help him in anyway.

When a child doesn't want to do things that are expected of him, when no matter how much you do for him; it isn't enough.  When authority of any kind sparks his competitive nature and challenges his independence; when in his quest for that independence he wars with those who care most for him and consequently wrestles with his own desire to do what is right; he ends up doing what isn't right.

 

Episodes include acting out, which results in destroyed feelings and property. He resents direction, even in the form of suggestion. No doubt, anyone assisting him provokes anger; yet he expects it of everyone else and blames them for providing the very things he needs or asks for. The problems begin with any and every kind of suspected authority and I'm concerned that my problems manifest as my son moves toward his end, which indeed appears to be in the hands of authority.  The very thing he desires, self control, is elusive; and as he manifests anti-social behavior, his desire to be in charge of himself could forever be taken out of his hands leaving him with no hope to live a normal life. My most profound desire as a mother is to have my child live as normal of a life as is possible, but, that's to much to hope for at this time.

 

God protect him, protect his heart, his mind, and his soul. 

 

 

 

Father's mantra, "He will never be welcome here again."

Son's mantra, "Be careful what you wish for; you just might get it."

 

Where does this woman fit in?

 

That's all for now.

Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch "Cooking with Tyler Florence" on AOL Food.

Reverand Jeremiah Wright's Calculated Sacrifice by Chelle Stockman

Reverand Jeremiah Wright's Calculated Sacrifice by Chelle Stockman

 

Rev. Wright seemed to agitate everyone on television and off television through his rantings at the press club yesterday.  They all called for Obama to distance himself from his pastor.

While listening to my debate partners emotionally express themselves regarding this issue, it became apparent that the Reverend was acting out of character with his unusally persistent rantings.  I do believe the Reverend decided that Obama needed to show his strength and courage believing that Obama will do what is best for the Party and the nation even if it meant disavowing a long time friendship.  I believe he intentionally attacked Obama's character in order to bring to the light, the strength and grace of Obama's real character. So in essence, the Reverend sacrificed his own reputation and quite possibly, some of the rooted plants in his own garden in order for Obama to fill his purpose in life as the Reverend saw it.

So today, Obama did just that.  It left me wondering if Obama could see through this maneuver or if he had previously known about the Reverend's intentions, if he would have behaved in quite the same way.

None the less, the Media is fueling this big time and it does frustrate me a little that the Reverend has taken up airtime that Clinton might have otherwise been available to use. 

Such is the world of politics.

Homeland Security- a Sham By Chelle Stockman

This is a letter I've sent to my Representatives hoping that they will share with the other members of Congress.  I hope you find it interesting.

 

Senators Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer

 

 

Dear Senators, Honorable Ladies of Congress:

 

I was dismayed when I learned that the wide spread push for Liquid Natural Gas was the reason behind our high costs at the pump. So I wondered how those in D.C. would feel if we began extracting natural gas in their backyard, say beneath the Whitehouse.  I googled the phrase, “ natural gas beneath the Whitehouse.” Several links opened up and what I thought looked to be a reliable link popped up.

 

A complete map of the natural gas lines through out the United States as well as aerial shots of sites and intended sites popped up with it.  Then I got angry.  You see, many of you folks voted for the invasion of our privacy in the name of terrorism, suspecting terrorists could be communicating via emails and telephones.  So there goes one of our rights; yet you have done no legislation concerning real security.

 

How is it that I, a hairdresser, can so easily find a map of our natural gas lines online in just a few moments? Seems to me that terrorists and people with malicious intent might find those to be useful. Instead of allowing the goons and ghosts who haven’t proved to be trustworthy, who have not proved they have my best intentions in mind, those people who can say they suspect me of knowing or being a terrorist can by that very claim alone, gain access into my private life; why haven’t you people instead, legislated a measure to thwart the availability of information showing the pathways of our resources?  Only the people working on an area, like engineers for natural gas, should be privy to such information, but hairdressers have no business knowing the exact routes and placement of areas of  “interest”.

 

I’m truly disappointed in our Congress right now.  Most of you folks push forth a free market agenda that compromises not only our individual rights, but also our nation’s security.   Think about that one and seek to immediately resolve the issue wasting no time.

That’s all for now.

 

Chelle Stockman

 

Liberals Raise Taxes? by Chelle Stockman My response to NewsMax

News Max is blaming liberals for high prices and taxation.  They sent me a letter.  If you notice how it starts I want to ask a similar question of all of you and I want you to be thinking about the first question Newmax asks of us.  Question example offered:  How does an orange peel help to protect an apple?  Okay, now go read their letter and my response. 

Here is the first part of it:

Dear Newsmax reader,

How exactly do higher taxes help lower energy costs? (Hint: They don’t.)

It’s one question the Democrat leadership in Congress can’t answer, no matter how long they talk.

The truth is, the tax and spend crowd is just looking for ways to increase taxes on American consumers by targeting domestic energy production.  At a time when already high energy costs are weighing heavy on this country’s economy, and when signs are indicating that even more trouble may be ahead, why would Congress seek to pass legislation that will raise prices and increase financial hardships by strangling America’s energy supply?  Congress should be looking to cut taxes, not increase them.  Higher energy prices won’t avert or minimize a recession.  They’ll do just the opposite.

My Response to them was this:

Members of Congress are not responsible for the state we are in anymore than you and I are.  That goes for conservative, moderates, and liberals.  However, as Milton Sinclair (meant to say Milton Freidman while thinking of Upton Sinclair, but oh well, I blew it again, kinda like Oberman does) pointed out so long ago, the Free Market Economic policies we have in place are directly responsible.

 

Truth is, pump prices will change as we convert to using mostly Natural Gas.  Many Republicans and Democrats are in collusion to bring us what they call Alternative Energy when real alternative energy does not use carbon based sources.  Their ideas of green energy involve the color money. 

 

Regarding taxation, you do not lower taxes when you are spending so much.  The war outside our country and homicides in our country, the building of bridges and tunnels instead of shoring up our current infrastructure, these things determine our level of taxation. 

 

That's my way of interpreting the knowledge I have.

 

Chelle Stockman

 

Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car listings at AOL Autos.

Move on, Moveon by Chelle Stockman

My response to Moveon.org's request from me regarding support of Senator Obama.

 

You are barking up the wrong tree.  Obama voted down the line for Cheney-Bush Energy Policies.  Prices rising at the gas pumps?  Won't be long before we are extracting natural gas here at home wrecking our environment and making war with our neighbors, vying for position for the lucre in the Oman Gulf, the Caspian Sea, Equatorial Guinea, Zimbabwe, etc.  Check out the commercials from the United States Department of Energy.  Well boys and girls, so much for "alternative" energy.  When John and Barack align themselves with "green" energy, they are referring to $$$. 

So, please go fertilize another field with your Obama poop.