The key to a wonderful life.

I recommend becoming one's own psychotherapist. By becoming honest with one's self. Give it a try. Tell one's self everything. Even the brutal truth. Then deal with it. Perhaps with the help of friends. And a professional, if needed. I'm of a mindset that all issues can be resolved. Especially if one is in love. With life. That's the key. Falling in love. With life. --Jim Broede

My kind of people.

I suspect that many people are reluctant to share their inner thoughts.  Not me. That’s what written musings are all about. To be shared. In many instances. Not merely with one’s self. But with friends and acquaintances. And strangers, too. It’s a way of getting to know one’s self. And others, too.  It’s a way to connect. True friends. Learn to open up to each other. Oh, all right to be reclusive, too. If that makes one feel comfortable.  On the other hand, sharing one’s self has benefits. It helps to draw out my friends. Makes them more open. More truthful. Yes,  maybe even more daring. I learn significant stuff about just-met strangers. In the first 10 minutes. Because I’m curious.  I want others to be curious, too. Often, it’s a sign that they are in love. With life. My kind of people. --Jim Broede

A scary thought.

Lying has become fashionable. Acceptable. In the news business. And in politics.  Because lies are more entertaining than the truth. Lies sell.  Easier than real facts. Than the truth.  Some business and political leaders are out to sell us a bill of goods. To increase ratings. To get more readers and viewers. And they know how. Because more and more people want to be entertained. Rather than informed. That’s why Donald Trump has emerged.  A shrewd entertainer. A showman. A potential president of the United States of America.  Because more than anything. He’s a bold, straight-faced liar. He tells entertaining lies.  Acceptable to millions of voters. Who knows? Maybe even a majority. He could win the election. Of course, he’s still a long-shot. But he’s getting closer and closer. As election day nears.  Because he’s such a brash fibber. Who knows how to manipulate and entertain an audience. To get away with outlandish lie telling. Maybe all the way to the White House. Yes, it’s a scary thought. For Halloween. And beyond.  --Jim Broede

My biggest concern.

I can live with it. If the Chicago Cubs lose the World Series. But I can’t live with it. If Donald Trump wins the election.  Goes to show that I know what’s important in life. I have priorities. I’m more concerned about the future of our nation. Than I am about the fate of my favorite baseball team. --Jim Broede

Musing my way through life.

Life is attitude. Attitude. Attitude.  And it starts with my imagination. By imagining that I am living the good life.  As if I’m living a novel. With a story plot. Over which I have imaginative control. I’m allowed to interpret (write) the meanings of events that happen to me, and around me. That’s what I’m doing now. Musing my way through life. --Jim Broede

Wondering. If I am truly alive.

Knowing that I am. In the here and now. That’s the significant part of life. Of course, I could have always been me. But didn’t know it.  One must be conscious. To be truly alive.  I have doubts. That I was alive. In the moment I was born. When I squeezed out of the womb. It wasn’t until later that I became alive. With my first conscious thought. And even then, I still had to figure out the nature of consciousness. I’m still in the process.  Makes me wonder. If I am truly alive. --Jim Broede

The polite way of putting it.

Name me a politician without character flaws. I dare say. You can’t do it. They all fall short. One way or another.  But some are a little more honest than others. Maybe that’s the nature of life. It’s difficult. Being truthful. Not only to others. But to ourselves.  Maybe we lie. Out of force of habit. So that the world seems more grand and glorious. Than it really is. When it comes to politics. To a presidential election.  My choice. Always boils down to who’s the more decent human being.  It’s an easy choice. This time around. The difference is between night and day. Hillary Clinton makes me think. That the sun is shining. Donald Trump brings me the awful darkness of an endless and gloomy night. Yes, that’s the polite way of putting it. --Jim Broede