Serving the common good.

Let’s  face it. Some people are unable to help themselves. And they are neglected. By friends and acquaintances. And by society.  They are allowed to waste away. Because they don’t get assistance. Don’t get care. That’s the nature of things. Nature of the world. Survival of the fittest. Or is it survival of the richest? The luckiest people are the ones able to take care of themselves. The ones that are healthy and able. With the know-how and the resources to deal with life. I’m of the political, economic and social mind that there’s such a thing as the common good. Which means that the needs of the needy should be met. One way or another. But mainly with political, economic and social programs – serving the common good. --Jim Broede

Give me a better Julie.

It’s no coincidence. That I have no desire to change my very best friends. I’ve learned to  accept them. Unconditionally. Just the way they are. Even their weaknesses and foibles. But I confess. That I try to change some of my friends. Particularly, Julie. I keep insisting that Julie find ways to become happy.  Instead of what she has become. A recluse. In depression. An alcoholic, too. I still accept Julie. As a good friend. Despite her shortcomings. But Julie isn’t my best friend. It’s difficult accepting Julie. Unconditionally. I try to, of course  But it’s a struggle.  Being around Julie can be disconcerting. Because she’s almost always unhappy. Her dour mood rubs off on me. In negative ways. Therefore, I sometimes steer clear of Julie. For my own sake.  I’m not particularly proud of that. But that’s the way it is. I simply want a better Julie. The present one is unacceptable. --Jim Broede

An explanation.

My  beautiful Italian amore is a year older today. But she could be so much younger. If she had been born in a leap year. She could claim to have a birthday only once every four years. Who knows? Maybe she was born on Feb. 29.  Yes, an explanation. For why she looks so young.  --Jim Broede

My endearing illusion.

The nicest thing. About being a writer. I can choose. To write about anything. The same goes about thinking. I’m free. To think about anything. Maybe I can’t always do what I want to do. But so far, I’ve been able to write and think. As if I’m a free man. Of course, maybe I’m not totally free. But it’s close enough. For me to have the endearing illusion. That I’m a spiritual free-thinker. --Jim Broede

Significant. From my perspective.

I tend to find significance. In things. That initially seemed insignificant. Because I allow the thought process to percolate. To evolve. In essence, I search for reasons to make the insignificant become significant. For instance, the premature deaths of my maternal grandparents. At the relatively young ages of 26 and 38. Both of whom I never knew. Anyway, their early deaths turned out to be a blessing. For me. Because it prompted my mother into a marriage of convenience. For reasons of security. Rather than love. She probably would never have married my father. If her parents had lived a normal life span. That would have been bad news for me. I’d never have been born. But here I am. Alive and happy, 80 years later. Indeed, that’s very significant. From my perspective. --Jim Broede

One can do only so much.

I’m bothered. And not bothered. By other people’s woes. It’s a strange phenomenon. I’m bothered enough. To help others search for practical solutions to their problems. And then I get on with life.  Without being bothered.  Without losing sleep. Maybe it’s recognition. That one can do only so much. --Jim Broede

...immersed in happiness.

Not unusual. That I wake  at 3:40 in the morning. Because I have good thoughts on my mind. Amazing, isn’t it? A blessing, too. After all, I know people who can’t fall asleep. For being plagued  by bad thoughts. By depression. And here I am. After a pleasant sleep. Waking. With blissful, happy thoughts. I speculate. That maybe it’s my splendid spirit. That has taken control. Of my innermost being. Anyway, I savor it all. I’m in love. With being alive and conscious and immersed in happiness. –Jim Broede