Brain Power

   
     So sad to witness a loved one gradually losing mental functions.  The person begins to feel trapped in a prison, no longer able to come and go as before, needing a companion to prevent getting lost, losing the privilege of driving a car.  The mind puts up other barriers of memory loss, confusion, disorientation in time and place, losing the ability to concentrate on reading or watching a TV show or movie, becoming uninterested or unable to understand current events, a decreased ability to communicate, and slowly forgetting the identity of loved ones.  Some brains become so impaired the person begins to lose physical abilities.
     Also sad to see mentally healthy people give up some of their brain power voluntarily or under the influence of well-meaning or self-serving individuals.  A person may limit what they read or listen to and become only interested in preconceived beliefs.  They may become uninterested in other points of view or believe others are wrong and choose to only socialize with those that are like-minded.  They may fear the consequences of changing their minds.
    As long as you have the ability to think, explore, question, evaluate, and learn, don't limit yourself by just residing in your own little world.  Don't imprison your mind with self-imposed barriers.   Use all of your brain power.
     

Justice

   
     In the animal kingdom, justice is a foreign concept.  Instead, survival of the fittest is the dominant law.  An animal has to be physically and mentally fit, able to find nourishment and shelter, protect itself, adapt, and evolve.
     Much of an animal's behavior originates from genetic makeup and inborn instincts, then it learns from parents and peers and through trial and error.  As animals group together, some become leaders and others followers.  Those in power set the rules and attach consequences of rewards and punishments.  Group survival is paramount.
     In recent history, humans have added value to the individual and profess that all should be able to survive.  The strongest should not abuse their position at the expense of the weak.  Of course, this is still just an ideal.  Governments were formed with varying ideas of who should be more powerful, usually the males of the majority who used their position to hold on to leadership.  Laws were made that sounded good, but at a closer look did not promote equality.  Many groups of people had to fight for equal rights and justice.  Laws then needed to be changed.
     Some people believe if we work hard, we will get what we deserve, and that those who are poor must not be working hard enough.  If only justice could be this simple.  In fact, justice is very rare.  Consider those who are victims of birth defects, disease, poverty, poor parenting, natural and man-made disasters.  All  of these circumstances are  beyond their control and are not fair.
     This is when the group must realize that their strength can only be sustained when justice prevails in the lives of all, when no one lacks food, shelter, education, or health care, when everyone is treated equally by the law.  Many people feel our government does not do enough to insure true equality and justice.  When they feel pressured to behave as though all is well, to be good little boys and girls, they feel an obligation to be loyal to those who are not treated equally, who do not feel justice.
     We are part of the animal kingdom after all but should elevate ourselves to see to it that all survive and prosper, not just those who are born to privilege and obtain power.  Justice for all!

Afraid to go there

 
      Fear can cause avoidance and denial.  Satisfaction with the status quo can impede inquiry, evaluation, and progress.  When our minds are made up, when we are certain we are right, when we don't try to understand other opinions, our ideas can stagnate.
     Often, we don't analyze our past decisions and behaviors.  We don't want to consider that we may have been wrong or have made mistakes.  Going there may shake our faith in ourselves.
     Often, we honor the opinions of those people who have formed our thinking and those who agree with us.  We don't want to doubt the "experts" in our family, our society, our politics, and our religion.  Going there can seem disloyal, can rock the boat, and perhaps endanger relationships.
     Often, we don't bring up certain topics with certain people because hurt feelings or arguments may result.  Going there may be uncomfortable and seemingly not worth the risk.
     Often, we honor the past more than the present and future.   We want to return to the good old days or to a person who we think will make us great again.  Going there may create fear of the future or lack of confidence in fresh ideas.
     Often, we choose security over taking a risk.  We don't want our family or children to be denied a happy future.  Practicality may overshadow development and progress.  Going there may actually impede fulfilling our dreams.
     Many people use fear to cloud our thinking.  They imply that something worse will lie ahead if  we question their dogma or philosophy.  Tradition has value, but so does innovation.  The future can be better than the past; the sweetest fruit may lie ahead.  Don't be afraid to go there.