As long as you keep breathing it will all work out. When one breathes through the pain or the stress of life it sets one up to be flexible. Questions arise, answers float into awareness. Asking the questions are as crucial as the answers. Float the questions to the subconscious and to the Divine. Quietly wait for answers while doing what one can.
Answers will come that seem illogical and strange, do not discard them out of hand. Follow them to their conclusions. Steps will appear. Follow these steps and they will lead to even more answers. Flexibility allows an objectivity that will lead the way to solving the problem. This is not believing in miracles this is trusting the synergy of ones subconscious, body, and conscious mind and Divine providence.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Stiffness and pain brought me to the Kinesiologist. So there I lay on my back getting ready to be lightly beat with the snap-a-jack. I look straight ahead at the ceiling and see a piece of paper taped there. On this piece of paper one word offers inspiration to my transitioning life: Breathe.
Breathe.
It seems so easy, so natural, so normal, almost mundane.
I still sit reeling over this one word. All I really need to do is keep breathing. The big problems of today will find a matching solution in the tomorrows of life. If they don't then perhaps they didn't need a solution after all.
Breathe seems like such a small imperative action. I pause in the biggest problems to take a long deep breath, and the problem is cut in half. As in the counter attack of chess, the problem begins to transform into a stair step to accomplishing my long range goals.
I have found that this word is the first one out of my mouth when something unexpected happens to someone else.
It is ironic that telling someone to breathe seems redundant and unnecessary, but it some how resets focus, by concentrating our minds and bodies on present needs and off of the problems that seem so impossible to solve.
Just keep breathing and you will make it through. Sometimes the 'worse case scenario' will happen, most of the times it won't, because if you 'breathe' through it you are set up to make better decisions which will solve the problem in the mid and long term time frame.
Breathe.
It seems so easy, so natural, so normal, almost mundane.
I still sit reeling over this one word. All I really need to do is keep breathing. The big problems of today will find a matching solution in the tomorrows of life. If they don't then perhaps they didn't need a solution after all.
Breathe seems like such a small imperative action. I pause in the biggest problems to take a long deep breath, and the problem is cut in half. As in the counter attack of chess, the problem begins to transform into a stair step to accomplishing my long range goals.
I have found that this word is the first one out of my mouth when something unexpected happens to someone else.
It is ironic that telling someone to breathe seems redundant and unnecessary, but it some how resets focus, by concentrating our minds and bodies on present needs and off of the problems that seem so impossible to solve.
Just keep breathing and you will make it through. Sometimes the 'worse case scenario' will happen, most of the times it won't, because if you 'breathe' through it you are set up to make better decisions which will solve the problem in the mid and long term time frame.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Community Policing (a random assignment from college)
Here you go, my latest forum post assignment. This writing held slave my curiosity, as well as the reference.
Community policing complements and completes traditional policing in many ways, as demonstrated in Jasper, Texas, over a ten year span. The unfortunate murder of James Byrd sparked the need for police to fill a community policing role. The community fell back upon the existing leaders in the community, the “Ministerial Alliance”. The sheriff became the catalyst, forging a unity in the citizens of the community with the leaders, by relaying quick and consistently correct information. The efficiency with which the sheriff communicated the information from the police and town council to the community, in and of itself, squelched fear, and inspired unity between the community and the police. For example, the sheriff warned the community through the community leaders of a Klu Klux Klan rally, and suggested that shop owners close their stores early and for citizens to stay in their homes and off the streets, as a result, the many rallies that took place caused only insignificant crime. The sheriff led the community through a myriad of problems: Media bias against the town, Black Panther rallies, NAACP rallies, and more. He accomplished this feat by decisive action, problem solving, community involvement, and quick, efficient communication. (Wicke & Silver, 2009).
The example of Jasper, Texas also provides much information about community policing. Community policing complements traditional policing, for instance, information provided by the leaders of the community, fellow citizens, though received separately was accurate, timely, and identical. This attribute and others, drew all members into an alliance to solve problems before they arise. These policing strategies foster organizational ethical behavior.
The situation in Jasper, Texas shows that ethical behavior is encouraged through everyone filling their individual and group roles in the team. The police filled the traditional role of processing information, problem-solving, and fighting crime. The community filled the role of gathering information they in essence were ‘senses’ for the police: Seeing, hearing, smelling, touching, and tasting the trouble and reporting to the police. Police officers were held accountable for corruption fostering ethical behavior inside the police unit, and directly applying to the ethical conduct of the citizens. Due to this dynamic, citizens didn’t have to fight crime or fear injustice from police corruption, and police didn’t have to gather all the information themselves.
Consider a less ideal situation: Police attempting to gather information from uncooperative citizens. The police would, more often than not, have doors slammed in their face. After hours of attempting to gather information, the police officer has little or no information for the effort. It is inefficient and ineffective for police to cross this line. Citizens attempting to fight crime, in groups, or individually without the physical, marksmanship, ethical, and moral training are ill-equipped to investigate and respond, especially without the authority to arrest. Chaos, fear, and injustice will quickly result.
Community policing, as effective it was used in Jasper, Texas, is only a part of policing that presumes ethical law enforcement and ethical citizens. For the unethical police and citizens the traditional role of policing is required. In a perfect world perhaps Community policing could do the job by itself, but this is not a perfect world.
Community policing was taught to Second Battalion, Second Marines (2/2)(infantry), of the 2D Marine Division, before deploying to Iraq. The phrase: “Winning the hearts and minds” became an abbreviated slogan, as operations were planned and implemented. It meant solving the problems in their communities as well. Water, food, batteries, cell phones, and many other goods and devices were purchased and given, gratis, to solve the problems of the local communities. I sat down with a sheik (pronounced “Shake”) to a meal the locals prepared as our commanding officer discussed the communities problems with the sheik, with the input of the officers in his staff. These are examples of the community policing tactics that were used all throughout the Al-Anbar province in Iraq.
Community policing complements and completes traditional policing in many ways, as demonstrated in Jasper, Texas, over a ten year span. The unfortunate murder of James Byrd sparked the need for police to fill a community policing role. The community fell back upon the existing leaders in the community, the “Ministerial Alliance”. The sheriff became the catalyst, forging a unity in the citizens of the community with the leaders, by relaying quick and consistently correct information. The efficiency with which the sheriff communicated the information from the police and town council to the community, in and of itself, squelched fear, and inspired unity between the community and the police. For example, the sheriff warned the community through the community leaders of a Klu Klux Klan rally, and suggested that shop owners close their stores early and for citizens to stay in their homes and off the streets, as a result, the many rallies that took place caused only insignificant crime. The sheriff led the community through a myriad of problems: Media bias against the town, Black Panther rallies, NAACP rallies, and more. He accomplished this feat by decisive action, problem solving, community involvement, and quick, efficient communication. (Wicke & Silver, 2009).
The example of Jasper, Texas also provides much information about community policing. Community policing complements traditional policing, for instance, information provided by the leaders of the community, fellow citizens, though received separately was accurate, timely, and identical. This attribute and others, drew all members into an alliance to solve problems before they arise. These policing strategies foster organizational ethical behavior.
The situation in Jasper, Texas shows that ethical behavior is encouraged through everyone filling their individual and group roles in the team. The police filled the traditional role of processing information, problem-solving, and fighting crime. The community filled the role of gathering information they in essence were ‘senses’ for the police: Seeing, hearing, smelling, touching, and tasting the trouble and reporting to the police. Police officers were held accountable for corruption fostering ethical behavior inside the police unit, and directly applying to the ethical conduct of the citizens. Due to this dynamic, citizens didn’t have to fight crime or fear injustice from police corruption, and police didn’t have to gather all the information themselves.
Consider a less ideal situation: Police attempting to gather information from uncooperative citizens. The police would, more often than not, have doors slammed in their face. After hours of attempting to gather information, the police officer has little or no information for the effort. It is inefficient and ineffective for police to cross this line. Citizens attempting to fight crime, in groups, or individually without the physical, marksmanship, ethical, and moral training are ill-equipped to investigate and respond, especially without the authority to arrest. Chaos, fear, and injustice will quickly result.
Community policing, as effective it was used in Jasper, Texas, is only a part of policing that presumes ethical law enforcement and ethical citizens. For the unethical police and citizens the traditional role of policing is required. In a perfect world perhaps Community policing could do the job by itself, but this is not a perfect world.
Community policing was taught to Second Battalion, Second Marines (2/2)(infantry), of the 2D Marine Division, before deploying to Iraq. The phrase: “Winning the hearts and minds” became an abbreviated slogan, as operations were planned and implemented. It meant solving the problems in their communities as well. Water, food, batteries, cell phones, and many other goods and devices were purchased and given, gratis, to solve the problems of the local communities. I sat down with a sheik (pronounced “Shake”) to a meal the locals prepared as our commanding officer discussed the communities problems with the sheik, with the input of the officers in his staff. These are examples of the community policing tactics that were used all throughout the Al-Anbar province in Iraq.
References
Wicke, T., & Silver, R. C. (2009). A community responds to collective trauma: An ecological analysis of the james byrd murder in jasper, texas. American Journal of Community Psychology, 44(3-4), 233-48. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10464-009-9262-8
Friday, March 8, 2013
Explanation: Retiring from the Marine Corps
First fact? It isn't really retiring! As I read the seperations manual on the subject of my hastening retirement date, I came upon the term time and again "retainer/retirement pay." I continued to read. Sure enough, because I haven't been in for thirty years, my pay is considered retainer pay, not retired pay. Retainer is not quite as good as retirement, as far as the Marine Corps is concerned. I get paid about 1/3 of the net total monthly income I received when on active duty , because if needed I can be instantly ordered back into active duty service!!
That confusion aside; other reason my 'retirement' isn't really retirement. First reason? Look around, no one retires, at least not until 65, and many aren't even retiring then. This is why it boggles the mind of most people, to think that at the ripe old age of 39 I am retiring. Second reason? Who wants to retire at 39. I posit that humankind needs to work as much as work needs humankind!
Retirement, at least the kind that the Marine Corps gives, is definitely a misnomer. I am not ready for retirement by the widely accepted definition:
The action or fact of leaving one's job and ceasing to work.
My dream is to work until my dying day. Let me quantify this statement a bit more; My dream is to work at a job I enjoy until my dying day. Think about everything you want work to be, and then you begin the grasp the work I long for. Work on my schedule, which, allows for dates with my soul mate, allows time to share important events with my children, and grants me time to visit relatives which are scattered around the United States. Work that I have fun doing. Work that provides money to match my needs and many of my wants.
Is this kind of work possible to find? Not as an entry level position! I plan to enjoy the journey to the kind of work I want, as much as I enjoy a rollercoaster ride, with its ups and downs. I encourage anyone that reads this to start defining your dream job, start putting together the pieces you like, about the jobs you have worked.
I implore you not to ever choose retirement as it is defined, but slowly, steadily gravitate to the job you need.
Monday, February 25, 2013
What is the answer to Retiring at 39? Self-awareness!
If I put something in BOLD it means that I will take that branch in a later post.
It has been a while since I blogged. Life has been hectic, as well it should for a person getting ready to retire from the Marine Corps. It is not like killing people translates into a civilian occupation; well, at least not a legal one!
To avoid confusion when I get going, some obfuscating terms bear explaining: Retirement Ceremony (RC): A ceremony to honor the family and the Marine retiring. Can be set for any date, preferrably before one reaches their RETIREMENT DATE. Retirement Date (RD): The date at which, the servicemember's End Of Active Service (EAS) is reached, a servicemember stops drawing active duty pay, and begins drawing retired pay. Hopefully that wasn't too painful. Regardless, here I go.
I had my retirement ceremony last Friday. It went extremely well. I practiced my speech many times (as I learned in my public speaking class). There were some watering eyes as the retiring officer spoke, and as I spoke to my children and my soul mate. I am currently 'on leave' which amounts to paid vacation. So currently, I am taking care of the small goals that I have been chipping away at. I tell people that I am retiring from the Marine Corps. There is a moment of awkward silent confusion, after which, depending on whether the other person wants to remain confused or not, I explain.
Who can truly retire at the age of 39? Is this the American dream? Answer? No one can retire at the age of 39 lest they wish to die at the age of 45. The American dream is that if one works hard they have the capability to be able to provide for their family and enjoy life. I hear in my circles that people think that being able to drop work because they don't need the money anymore is the American Dream. I would say that this is definitely a dream, but also a bad one.
In my life I am at a point when I get to decide what I would like to do with my life based on what I find interesting and curious; cross-referenced against my skills, abilities, and disabilities. This criteria doesn't make the search results narrow enough. I qualify for anything according to assessment tests, well anything requiring intellect. Unlike most of the people I am associated with, money isn't a deciding factor, otherwise I would be a lawyer or doctor. Prestige isn't a deciding factor, otherwise I would be a Medical Doctor, or a PhD doctor. Time off isn't a deciding factor otherwise I would just stay at home and live frugally. The primary deciding factor I utilize is myself.
Self-awareness is the key happiness in life. Understanding the areas one is gifted in, the areas one weak in and the areas where more work is required to develop skills. Knowing oneself is key. So I chose for myself counseling, because it has been confirmed by many sources throughout my adult life that I excel at communication and life-skill coaching. That wouldn't be enough if I didn't find these 'gifted' skills interesting and helpful in understanding myself better. I have no idea where this decision will lead me, but to me that is appealing.
I don't want a career path in which I know exactly where I will be in 10 years. I want a career that will allow me to evolve, that will open more doors to evolve in the future.
It has been a while since I blogged. Life has been hectic, as well it should for a person getting ready to retire from the Marine Corps. It is not like killing people translates into a civilian occupation; well, at least not a legal one!
To avoid confusion when I get going, some obfuscating terms bear explaining: Retirement Ceremony (RC): A ceremony to honor the family and the Marine retiring. Can be set for any date, preferrably before one reaches their RETIREMENT DATE. Retirement Date (RD): The date at which, the servicemember's End Of Active Service (EAS) is reached, a servicemember stops drawing active duty pay, and begins drawing retired pay. Hopefully that wasn't too painful. Regardless, here I go.
I had my retirement ceremony last Friday. It went extremely well. I practiced my speech many times (as I learned in my public speaking class). There were some watering eyes as the retiring officer spoke, and as I spoke to my children and my soul mate. I am currently 'on leave' which amounts to paid vacation. So currently, I am taking care of the small goals that I have been chipping away at. I tell people that I am retiring from the Marine Corps. There is a moment of awkward silent confusion, after which, depending on whether the other person wants to remain confused or not, I explain.
Who can truly retire at the age of 39? Is this the American dream? Answer? No one can retire at the age of 39 lest they wish to die at the age of 45. The American dream is that if one works hard they have the capability to be able to provide for their family and enjoy life. I hear in my circles that people think that being able to drop work because they don't need the money anymore is the American Dream. I would say that this is definitely a dream, but also a bad one.
In my life I am at a point when I get to decide what I would like to do with my life based on what I find interesting and curious; cross-referenced against my skills, abilities, and disabilities. This criteria doesn't make the search results narrow enough. I qualify for anything according to assessment tests, well anything requiring intellect. Unlike most of the people I am associated with, money isn't a deciding factor, otherwise I would be a lawyer or doctor. Prestige isn't a deciding factor, otherwise I would be a Medical Doctor, or a PhD doctor. Time off isn't a deciding factor otherwise I would just stay at home and live frugally. The primary deciding factor I utilize is myself.
Self-awareness is the key happiness in life. Understanding the areas one is gifted in, the areas one weak in and the areas where more work is required to develop skills. Knowing oneself is key. So I chose for myself counseling, because it has been confirmed by many sources throughout my adult life that I excel at communication and life-skill coaching. That wouldn't be enough if I didn't find these 'gifted' skills interesting and helpful in understanding myself better. I have no idea where this decision will lead me, but to me that is appealing.
I don't want a career path in which I know exactly where I will be in 10 years. I want a career that will allow me to evolve, that will open more doors to evolve in the future.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Lost in America
I have been home for 2 1/2 days so far and I have been feeling very out of it. I have been pretty organized and helpful. I have been getting along with my wife good now. I recognize that I am on a schedule that is 8 hour earlier. I wake up at night here and feel wide awake, but during the day I feel like I am very tired. My body clock is way off.
I am sure that a few more days of staying up late will do good for me. Christina is being patient with me. I appreciate the space she has given to me. I am too out of it lately for 'deep' thoughts.
Aaron
I am sure that a few more days of staying up late will do good for me. Christina is being patient with me. I appreciate the space she has given to me. I am too out of it lately for 'deep' thoughts.
Aaron
Sunday, August 19, 2007
First Day Home
My first day home was wonderful. Christina and I caught up on many feelings that we wanted to share, but email just didn't do the trick so well, so we talked, laughed, and cried. I held her for moments throughout the day and enjoyed being close and talking. I stayed up as late as possible to try and overcome the time difference...It worked.
I understand in a deeper way why somethings just cannot be properly expressed over the phone. The reason feelings are shared in the first place is so that they can be understood and accepted. Obviously, in this world that doesn't happen for most people. Feelings are not well shared over email or phone so it makes sense that a emotional Tsunami hit me shortly after returning...I weathered it well, I listened and validated my wife's feelings and Whooosh they were gone and we could return to enjoying our time together. I can't believe that listening and validating feelings can be the answer to emotional communication, but now I understand it is...mostly by faith. I love my wife and when I see things from her perspective it helps me and her. Simplicity seems to be an important concept in relationships.
I don't know if I have any readers yet, but I am going to keep on blogging. If you are reading a quick hi would be nice. Take Care.
Aaron
I understand in a deeper way why somethings just cannot be properly expressed over the phone. The reason feelings are shared in the first place is so that they can be understood and accepted. Obviously, in this world that doesn't happen for most people. Feelings are not well shared over email or phone so it makes sense that a emotional Tsunami hit me shortly after returning...I weathered it well, I listened and validated my wife's feelings and Whooosh they were gone and we could return to enjoying our time together. I can't believe that listening and validating feelings can be the answer to emotional communication, but now I understand it is...mostly by faith. I love my wife and when I see things from her perspective it helps me and her. Simplicity seems to be an important concept in relationships.
I don't know if I have any readers yet, but I am going to keep on blogging. If you are reading a quick hi would be nice. Take Care.
Aaron
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