A very decent guy.

I think of the creator as a very decent guy. A buddy. That I can converse with. At any time. The creator doesn't require me to hold him in exaltation. He's one of us.  Very  modest. And self-effacing. I can talk to him about anything. In a very casual manner. There's a book. 'Conversations with God.' By a bloke. He takes my casual approach, too. He and his god are buddies.  Nice thing about the creator. He's multi-lingual. Speaks every language.  And seems to understand where everyone is coming from. Including me. His ultimate challenge. He puts me at ease. Always. That's very comforting. Furthermore, he loves to debate. We have some real donnybrooks on occasion. I give him credit. For having an open mind. He tolerates the likes of you and me. Encourages us to be ourselves. Little wonder. That I like him. --Jim Broede

Causing no harm.

Seems to me. That my view/perspective on political, economic, social, religious and spiritual  issues. Cause no harm. For anyone. It’s mere opinion. No more. No less. I am not compelling anyone. To do as I say. This is where I stand. Take it or leave it. And if you think I’m wrong, tell me. I’ll listen. Because you have your right to your opinion. And I’ll respect it.  I may even change my mind. If you make a worthy case. Yes, I try to stay in a state of flux. With an open mind. Reasonable. And truthful. That’s what I want to be. And I don't mind being in the minority. --Jim Broede

Lies. To get us by.

The truth. Maybe that’s what I have been searching for. All my life. And now I’m wondering. If there is such a thing. As truth. Because it’s so easy to deceive one’s self. To start to believe. That one has finally found the truth. Only to wake up the next day.  Knowing full well that the search must continue. And most likely there is no truth. Only lies. Designed to get us by.  --Jim Broede

All I need.

I have far too much stuff. It’s one of my weaknesses. Maybe one of my sins. I’ve allowed myself to collect. Too many clothes, too many books, too many CDs, too many knick-knacks. Stuff tucked away. Neatly. Clothes on hangars. Or folded in dresser drawers. Collecting is an addiction. For a while, I collected bird houses. Because it made me feel good. Seeing all those bird  houses. Hanging from hundreds of trees. Finally. Finally. I’ve made a decision. To get rid of stuff. Boxes and boxes. Off to the thrift stores. And to the organizations. That pick up stuff. At the curbside. For their money-raising events. Makes me think I’m giving to a good cause. But my real motive. Is to get rid of stuff. That I never needed. Material possessions. All I need. Are the bare essentials. Not least, a little bit of love. And the knowledge that I’m an alive and conscious being. Yes. Yes. That’s all I need. --Jim Broede

My destiny.

I choose to notice stuff. Rather than ignore it. That was my training. Not only as a journalist. But as a human being. As a young man, I thought I could change the world. Now I know better. All I can do is change me. Alter my approach to life.  I can’t change others. Only they can change themselves. Maybe that’s the way it should be. Though I am able to have a remarkable effect. On certain people that I love. Such as my Italian amore. She, too, has an extraordinary impact me. And the way I approach life. Amazing. Amazing. The effect love has on one’s life. That’s my destiny. To be a lover. --Jim Broede

Being reasonable and truthful.

Seems to me. That my view/perspective on political, economic, social, religious and spiritual  issues. Cause no harm. For anyone. It’s mere opinion. No more. No less. I am not compelling anyone. To do as I say. This is where I stand. Take it or leave it. And if you think I’m wrong, tell me. I’ll listen. Because you have your right to your opinion. And I’ll respect it.  I may even change my mind. If you make a worthy case. Yes, I try to stay in a state of flux. With an open mind. Reasonable. And truthful. That’s what I want to be. And I don't mind being in the minority. --Jim Broede

Please, allow me to be.

I consider myself a citizen of the world. Not merely an American. I have German and Czech roots. I have an Italian amore, too. I travel in Europe, in Britain, in Canada. All over. I feel unrestricted. Free. A resident not only of Planet Earth. But of the vast, infinite cosmos. I don’t put America above and beyond all else. Because we are all in this together. At the moment, I feel more French. Than American. Other times, I feel African or Asian or Middle Eastern. Little wonder. That I am in love. With life. With existence. Please. Please. Allow me to live in a buoyant and boundless manner. --Jim Broede