Crutch

     Physical problems with mobility may require an aide to be able to stand and walk.  Birth defects, disease, accidents, war injuries, and aging may require this temporary or life-time help.  Immaturity and emotional imbalance can also cause temporary instability.  Using a crutch beyond when it is needed can extend weakness.  We need to value our ability to stand alone and move forward.
     Toddlers naturally learn to stand and walk.  Adolescents learn to decrease dependence on parents.  Parents may wish to prolong their influence over their children but should encourage them to become well-rounded independent adults.
     Spouses often depend on each other to perform certain responsibilities and may inhibit their own ability to continue growing as independent adults.  Some people depend on their adult children to help with certain tasks.
     Religions often promote the idea that we should depend on a spiritual parent who provides, protects, and even plans our lives then rewards us for being good children.  Independence is not encouraged because left to our own devices, we may become too selfish, immoral, or sinful.
     Sometimes crutches are necessary to maintain mobility.  When they increase the quality of life, people adapt and are thankful to have a way to keep moving.  When a crutch is just a temporary aide, people are happy to heal and regain independent mobility.  At times, everyone needs other people to help them live a better life.  We also can be a help to others in need.  
      Recognize when you are using a crutch or being a crutch for someone else.  Every adult has the opportunity and responsibility to develop into an independent person.   We should be able to navigate a well-balanced independent life without using someone or something as a crutch.
      
    
    

Pablum

     Many decades ago, Pablum was invented to provide extra nourishment for babies.  This bland, mushy foodstuff  was safe to be consumed before the infant had teeth or a mature digestive tract.  Later, the term pablum took on another meaning which referred to naive or simplistic intellectual or entertainment fare.
     Many people still prefer to ingest simplistic or infantile ideas.   Perhaps they don't have the teeth to chew on complex ideas or the guts to get beyond what has been fed to them as young children.   Perhaps they just want to stay comfortable and don't realize the necessity to form grownup thoughts.
     Think about how much pablum is absorbed into you mind, how much time you spend on childish ideas, empty pursuits, and  mindless entertainment.  Don't waste your thinking on fairy tales, fables, and folklore.  Sink your teeth into the truth.

Environment

     Image what your spot on earth was like before your neighborhood existed.  Image that land before any human intervention or even further back when humans were living in caves.  Imagine the landscape, the water, the air - a pretty nice home for all living creatures.
     With each generation, we began to change the natural state of things by developing agriculture, building structures, inventing vehicles, beginning businesses and industry.  Humans used nature without considering the effects they were causing, sometimes improving but often damaging the environment.  Most of what we've done was for the advancement of civilization.  Consider our air-conditioned homes, transportation systems, businesses, and multitudes of products.
     We need to educate ourselves and others about the present condition of our environment, then honor scientific findings and stop dangerous habits that may cause irreparable damage.  We can wisely use, sustain, and improve our resources as individuals and as groups.  Be smart  consumers, reuse, recycle, conserve energy, plant a garden, compost, minimize pesticides and other toxins, don't litter.  Walk, bike, car pool, use public transportation.
     As you improve your own habits, think about what your community and country should do to protect and preserve the habitat of humans and other living things.  Support programs and politicians who will insure that we have a healthy world.      
    

More, Less, Add, Subtract

     Until the sum total of our life is tallied, the opportunity still exists to consider what you think is more important and less important, what you need/want more of or less of,  what you want to add or subtract.  Use your experience, time, and abilities to make your decisions.
     What we think and do will add to our world and create a model and memories for those we leave behind.  When we have used up all of our time, we can leave with a job well done and a life well lived.
     Do the math. More of this, less of that, add some, subtract some, then be satisfied with the total.

Irrational

     Humans are by nature irrational at times.  Young children are imprinted with the characteristics of their  parents which include rational and irrational thoughts and behaviors.  They may keep all or some of their parental models or create new ways to think and behave.
     Sometimes, emotions can increase the probability of irrational behavior.  We can loose self-control.  The desire for immediate gratification can inhibit long-term goals.  Procrastination can cause delays or prevent us from doing what is best.
     Some irrational decisions may be regretted later; other ones may give a respite from reality.   Placebos often cause the mind to expect and feel improvement.  Some say religion provides the greatest placebo by reducing stress and fears and giving hope for the future.
     Be mindful of the difference between rational and irrational thoughts, decisions, and behaviors.     
    

June News

     June is the most popular month for weddings, but the following statistics are no laughing matter.  The average amount people spend on a wedding is over $30,000 with $1000+ spent on a wedding gown to be worn just a few hours.  Then add flowers, photographer, reception, and the list goes on.  In some areas of the US these costs double.  This doesn't include the average honeymoon which costs $3,500.
     Many families actually go into debt to provide this one-day dream event.  Now, 30% of weddings are paid for by the bride and groom, and some couples share the expenses with their parents.
     Perhaps couples need to consider what is really necessary for a wedding: two people plus  someone to officiate and a witness of the legal union.  Everything else is just expensive trimmings.  Tradition, social customs, plus family and peer pressure can turn a simple event into an extravagant production made to impress and entertain friends and family.  The couple may feel they will recoup part of the expenses by the wedding gifts they receive.  Some people may be embarrassed if they don't provide a big wedding celebration.
     The wedding industry, even TV shows, increase the desire for the big event.  Some brides may feel their parents owe it to them as a last gift to their little girl.  Young women should be mature enough to realize that their wedding day is just the first day of their marriage, not a time to be the main attraction of a wedding video.
     Your wedding vows are the most important part of the wedding.  Think about and plan what you want to promise to each other.  Then try your very best to keep those promises.