Coffee With a View of Washington D.C.

By Carol Harper

(Not generated by AI) 😉

This weekend I made a big ol' pot of chili. It's my Mom's recipe, one that I know by heart because I've probably made it hundreds of times when she was alive and every single winter since moving back to Wyoming. Her birthday was on Friday, so it was fitting that I made a large pot in her honor.

I haven't always made perfect dishes while on my crazy cooking sprees. Oh, I've made plenty of mistakes! I once put cumin instead of cinnamon in some pumpkin spice muffins. I once put Italian parsley in my salsa instead of cilantro. I've looked up where I could use substitutes for ingredients in a recipe, and it just wasn't the same or what I expected. I don't know about you, but I've fixed entire meals where I'd be so excited to put that first bite in my mouth, then ended up spitting it out in the sink. That's how we learn, isn't it? Trial and error. Looking back, I could have saved a lot of time and money, simply by taking the time to read. Cumin, not cinnamon. Italian parsley, not cilantro. One of the big lessons? Real butter, not margarine or butter-flavored shortening!

An honor and a privilege...

My days on the Hill were fascinating. Priority Ambulance, the American Ambulance Association, and many EMS sponsors truly went out of their way to make the Stars of Life an experience to never forget. Even though the government was shut down, we were able to go on a group tour with a wonderful tour guide (a D.C. native) who took us to the monuments and memorials that were open. We were even able to venture out on our own if our schedules allowed. Mine allowed me to tour the Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Military Women's Memorial.

It was difficult to get photos of everything I wanted to, because what I really wanted to do was to take it all in...the sights, the sounds, the people, the food (expensive, but fantastic), the culture. In many ways, Washington D.C. is like any other U.S. city. There are a lot of businesses and street markets bustling, there are good and bad parts of town, lights and sirens (can't escape it, lol), there's homelessness, there are protesters with bullhorns...lots of noise. And yes, there was a heightened police presence; however, I spoke with one of the cops in Lafayette Square and asked him about it all, and he calmly said what most cops (and first responders) would say: "Same shit, different day." 

Even with the shutdown, things were buzzing on the Hill. Speaking of noise, corporate media is plastered everywhere in the city; you can't escape it (CNN, MSN, Fox News, C-CSPAN, etc.) As I walked the halls of the House offices and Senate buildings with my hosts, I was surrounded by history (lots of wood, marble, and granite, lol). My first day, I had meetings with Senator Cynthia Lummis and Congresswoman Harriet Hageman; the next morning was my visit with Senator John Barrasso.

My main message to all three was a message I repeat quite often: "If you want to know the truth about your communities, ask a first responder."  If there was one takeaway I wanted them to have from my visit, that would be it. We have sick and hurting communities. Mental health issues. Substance abuse. Domestic violence. Assaults, stabbings, shootings. It takes very special people to be EMS providers and first responders, and there is a very concerning shortage of them. Imagine life without first response, without 911.

My other objective was to observe each of their reactions to my statement. Were they truly listening? Were they interested in what I had to say? I observed that each of them had their own style of business, different personalities, and it was a privilege to sit down in the same room with them and have an allotted amount of time to speak to them, as I know they all were very busy. They did take the time for me, and this was my time, too.

My takeaway from the visits? Our senators and representatives are people, like all of us. They get up in the morning (if they even slept at all, lol), and do their jobs the best they can. I felt that I could both agree and disagree with their politics and agendas, but when it really came down to it, I could see that, like anyone, all they're trying to do is the job their constituents want them to do. And I didn't realize until I witnessed it firsthand - not through the media and social media filters - just how terribly difficult their jobs are. I could see it in their eyes, in their faces, how they walked, how they moved, even how they thumbed through the papers my host gave them about the bills that were on the table.

What you see in the media isn't anything like reality on the Hill. I appreciated the pomp and decorum, but you have to understand that these are not beautiful swans gliding across the water with a tree and flower-lined pond surrounding them. No, these are tired ducks with feet going 100 miles an hour under the surface. These are folks who have to endure tons of pressure, be on constant alert about who comes through their doors, sort through piles of papers set on their desks, untangle mountains of red tape...all the while, people are screaming at them for not doing their jobs.

And they do make mistakes, just like anyone. They've probably put cumin in pumpkin muffins and Italian parsley in salsa. They might not have read the labels and just assumed that what is in the bottle is the needed ingredient for the "big beautiful recipe", and wouldn't know unless and until they've had a chance to taste it. What I could see is that the struggle is real, both from the top down and the ground up.

On one of my walks around the White House, there was a large group of Moroccans celebrating Trump's reaffirmed support of Morocco's sovereignty. Sure, there was a police presence there, and some media were there; not a whole lot, but I did take photos. Flags were being waved, the people were adorned in their country's colors, kids were running around, and I swear I could smell Moroccan food wafting through the air. Not exactly front-page news, but the celebratory atmosphere was so much nicer than the noise of an angry mob.

Afterwards, as I sat in the back of my Lyft ride back to the hotel, the experience caused me to think: "That was very interesting. I sure hope that Trump will recognize and respect the sovereignty of the Native American people, right here in the United States." I suppose that might be a story for the future. Time can only tell.

The Takeaway: Bringing it Home

My experience in D.C. brought out some new and different perspectives about the health of our communities of Wyoming, Fremont County, and our tribes. There are so many things we don't see as we go about our daily lives. Regardless of your political persuasions or beliefs, we are all people just getting up in the morning, going to work, running our businesses, going about our days. We scroll through social media or read/watch the news, but that doesn't even put a finger on the pulse of the truth and realities that happen every day, 24/7, 365. But our first responders know.

I recently attended the Northern Arapaho General Council. I actually like and respect the format of these meetings, because it's the one meeting where our tribal leaders hear and know the voices of the people. Anyone can get up and speak. All have a vote. Whether you agree or disagree with any of the agenda items or resolutions presented, the voice of the People holds (or should hold) weight and power. Then it is the responsibility of the tribal leaders to do their jobs. Respecting the process (again, whether you agree or disagree) and respecting those you voted in to do their jobs in executing the voice of the people is paramount.

That said...you can choose who and what you vote for, but you cannot choose the consequences of that vote. I cringe as I see our nation moving further away from a Constitutional government to a corporate one. I was conflicted as I saw my tribe's General Council vote for the legalization of both medical and recreational marijuana. But in the end, the voice of the people had spoken.

As my instincts and gifts of discernment and empathy have developed over my 59 years of life, they have guided me to understand the implications of the results of right and wrong choices made in history. Politics and corporate interests have made a mess of our nation's moral conscience, and as a result, we're all experiencing the effects and swimming through the muck. We've let social and corporate media, and AI influence and decide what information we process. How many voters don't know the ingredients or haven't read the labels? How many leaders would actually know the recipe for a great nation of the People, by the People, and for the People...by heart? Failure of a recipe, targeting and blame aside? A government shutdown is everyone's fault!

A More Perfect Union...of Respect

We know how the Creator achieves balance and control: it's called cause and effect. Regardless of what you believe (or don't believe) about God, you don't get a vote. You might think you have a choice about what you do with your life, mind, and body, but you don't have a choice in the consequences of those choices, and our first responders see the results of those choices every single day. How much do alcohol, drugs, sugar, chemicals, and preservatives impact the human body? How much more can the brain and internal organs take before they shut down? How much food can be withheld before malnutrition or emaciation sets in? How long does it take before someone freezes to death? How many people, elders, and children suffer from assault and abuse, go missing or murdered, die by criminal intent or suicide?

If you want to know the truth about your People...ask a first responder. Same shit, different day.

We are a sick, crippled, and dying country, and there is no big beautiful bandage that can stop the bleed until our leaders have the heart to try a good recipe that will heal the People who voted them in. But it is so much more than what floats across the desks of Congress and the White House. It's more than speeches from the pulpits, protests and marches, or the constant noise and rhetoric of the media, and nighttime talk shows. It's about basic respect for each other. It's about caring about what happens in our communities, and not turning a blind eye to the realities of human life because you're a Republican or Democrat.

I've always been about effective teamwork. You have to have the right people in the right positions, doing the right things for the right reasons. You have to hold your leaders accountable for their actions (or even non-actions), and not drop the ball. Our leaders need to make themselves accessible to listen and act for their constituents. I love that I had the opportunity to speak with my Senators and Representative. I love that our mayor sets aside time on Mondays for anyone to come in and visit with him. I love that I was included in a Joint Committee of people who took the time out of their busy lives, coming together as a team, and addressing three critical issues in our county. I respect any person - whether they sit in positions of leadership or simply out of love and compassion for their community - who sets aside the time and energy (and funding!) for the things that can help build "a more perfect Union."

I know that there are so many people out there who are angry with their government(s). But I also know that The People do come together in times of trouble. I was amazed (but not surprised) by how so many just in our own county came together for food resources during the government shutdown. Huge things like affordable health care should be of paramount concern. But the government and taxes don't have to fund everything. There are programs and non-profit organizations that struggle and continually welcome donors, sponsors, and funding, and there are so many to choose from! 501c3s are another way that the government helps! Giving Tuesday is coming up soon; give a gift of support to a local charity or cause! That said, again...you need the right people in the right positions, doing the right things for the right reasons as administrators of those programs and organizations, and they also need to be held accountable for any hypocrisy, corruption, and mismanagement.

Thinking about my Mom this weekend, she instilled several things in me that may have inadvertently prepped me for my trip to D.C. She would say things like: "It takes work for something to work." ... "Actions speak louder than words." ..."Quit sitting around talking about doing something and actually do it."  Was she the perfect mom? Am I? No. I've made plenty of mistakes, and not just in cooking! But my Mom had the perfect words to echo through my mind today and guide me on my life's Journey.

My last takeaway from my trip is...if you want to be respected, be respectful and respectable! None of us is perfect, and we don't have to always agree on every issue under the sun. But we should be mindful in our approach to each other, listen and be considerate of people's time, and not be ugly, bullying, and combative. And it goes both ways; our leaders also need to be respectful to We the People. We should not say terrible things about each other or approach with ulterior motives, hidden agendas, and malintent, but come together for the peace and the common good of the People.

Because at the end of a long work week, all this small-town Wyoming girl wants to do is make a nice big pot of her Mom's chili!

Coffee With A View: Winter is Coming

Most of my friends know how much I love to cook. I’m an experimental kitchen witch! I love to create…I love the action of chopping, mincing, mixing, and blending. I loved having a little garden this year, with a harvest that yielded a plethora of tomatoes. I made a delicious chicken-vegetable-bean soup with a tomato base that I froze a couple of weeks ago—still tastes as amazing as the day I made it. I made a gingerbread spice blend for my homemade coffee creamer today.

Winter is coming, and that means breaking out the Ninja pot and creating soups, stews, and all kinds of yummy holiday dishes. Most of the time I just throw things together and taste, taste, taste. If I’m making something specific, I look up a recipe online and use it as a guide while adding my own twists with the ingredients and spices I have on hand (and I have quite a lot, lol). I study restaurant menus. I watch “Hell’s Kitchen”. Gordon Ramsey for President! (Haha.)

Some dishes turn out great; others are not so great. But hey, like I said, I’m experimental! I’m not confident enough (nor will I ever be) to be someone’s personal chef, or work/open my own coffee shop/bistro. But one can always dream!

A recipe…for disaster? 

I’ve thought a lot this week about this government shutdown. This gridlock is, well…in one word, incredible, and I don’t mean that in a good way. When the Founding Fathers constructed the U.S. Constitution, it wasn’t perfect (and I think in their hearts, minds and egos, they all knew it), but it was inspired, based upon those revolutionary events that led up to its existence. Not perfect, but meant to be followed. More than just a suggestive guide, it is the law of this land and meant to be adhered to.

Not an experiment. It’s a recipe that needs to be strictly followed by the book.

This whole present situation is why I didn’t vote for either presidential candidate in the first place; rather, I followed my gut instead of the noise, narratives, and propaganda. When Trump was elected, I accepted that the voters had spoken, and I truly wanted to give him a chance to see what he would do...wanted to really understand the reasoning behind his decisions. But I also knew that this nation was already off-balance because of extreme politics and a tanking economy, sooo...

Now we’re in a situation on the schoolgrounds, where there is a game of tug-of-war going on. The kids are all gathering around, wondering who will 'win'…the bullies or the nerds. Bullies are well, bullies. Nerds are smart, but not that popular. The student council has their jaws dropped in disbelief, the potheads are toking it up behind the bleachers, the yearbook committee is wondering how to report this for future generations, the class clowns are having a ball…and musicians are writing songs and singing about it all!

The political right very well knows that economic population control and taking away health care from millions of people is genocide. The political left knows very well that deficit spending is out of control. There are conflicts within conflicts…bottlenecks and road blocks…the steering is out, brakes have screeched, and the drivers don’t even have their licenses.

But there is no authority…no yard duty, principal or superintendent…coming out and breaking it up. Even they have been rendered useless. This is what happens when the wrong people are put into positions of power, and this is why, again, I didn’t vote for either candidate. Trump has fancied himself as the Emperor with new clothes, pokes at Biden, Obama, and past presidents…but C’MON! This is a whole new brand of crazy that just cannot be played down with gaslighting, excuses, and the blame game.

This is serious, folks. The world is laughing at America, and the Founding Fathers are rolling over in their graves.

Using my gut

I’ve been told by family members (on both sides, Native and Hispanic) that I have a gift. Back when I was told about it (20+ years ago), I didn’t really believe it, and I told them so. Didn’t really sound like me…or at least, the ‘me’ at that time.

I once wrote an article featuring a witch for a local newspaper, entitled “When There’s a Witch, There’s A Way”, and off the record, we were conversing about Wiccan and the practice of readings—what they were, and how she did it. In short, she said that she was basically a very underpaid therapist.

I laughed and said, “Well, what if you were to do a reading on me?” She replied, “You don’t need one.” I stopped laughing and asked why. She said: “Because you already know who you are.”

It wasn’t that day, but I eventually did get to a point where I finally knew who I was, and I didn’t do it on my own. I started listening to the winds of Wisdom instead of the noise of programmed propaganda. I started drinking from the waters of Knowledge instead of the tainted and poisoned streams of deception. I started walking a road of Faith, instead of being distracted by the paths of self-gratification and self-destruction.

I’ve stumbled and fallen (sometimes literally!) in trying to achieve balance in my life, but the thing I’ve learned most? You have to do the work. No one is going to do it for you.

And I think that there is the problem. People think that a government, a corporation, an economic system, a belief system, or social media will do all the thinking for them, and they can just get comfortable and watch the show. In fact, there was an LDS (Mormon) church leader, J. Reuben Clark, who once said, “When the leaders speak, the thinking has been done.” Scary, huh? Manipulation of the heart, mind, and soul aside, that is just a scary road in general to go down. It causes me to think: Who is really in control of my heart, mind, and soul? God? Or man? What about when God speaks?

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”  Exodus 20:3

What use are the Ten Commandments when they’ve been constantly ignored?

Scary, huh.

I’ve been using Grok quite a bit these days, and quite often find myself saying: “Wow, you learn something new every day.” Folks have their varying opinions about AI, but I have found that any tool can be used for good or evil…and that a tool can also be formed into a weapon as well. Scary, huh.

I generally have a healthy diet…try to eat right, do my exercises. Gotta do the work, right? No one’s going to do it for me. Since I love to cook, I choose meats and veggies that I love and know I’ll eat; I choose herbs and spices that I love. I admit that, every once in a while, I’ll give in to some sweets or fried foods…but invariably I’ll feel like utter and complete crap afterwards. My mind is cloudy, my skin breaks out, my hair gets dry, my stomach yells at me, I have a hard time sleeping. Input? Output. Scary, huh!

I've mentioned in several Facebook posts and comments and in previous blogs, about worshipping the god of money. It, too, can be used for good or evil, depending on who or what allocates it for either/or. But taking money away from that which serves the good, and just handing it over to evil? Scary, huh.

As the tug-of-war continues on the White House playground, we are at that time in history (again) where brandishing torches and pitchforks, dumping tea into the harbor, killing innocent people (and each other) isn’t going to be enough for what lies ahead. The leaders aren’t caring. The systems are breaking and failing. The band-aids aren’t holding. The head-on is inevitable. Scary, huh.

No, at this point it’s going to take a miracle…and those only come from God. Winter is coming.

“The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”
Revelation 1: 1-3

History Lessons: The Footprints of Faith

It's difficult to get back into the swing of things after taking time off. After a lovely birthday weekend, doing most of the things I love to do...catching up on my shows, harvesting the garden, cooking, road-tripping, eating cake and ice cream, visiting with friends and family, sleeping (LOL)...I returned to work renewed, rejuvenated, and ready to go. 

But once I was back in the saddle, it didn't take long to get discouraged with the mountain of work that lay before me. My approach to most things is: Difficult? Yes. Impossible? No. So I once again grabbed the bull by the horns. It took me some time (doesn't everything?) and a lot of breaks, but I got back on track and moved forward to the next.

This week, I also put some thoughts forward on my Facebook wall about some current issues, mainly stemming from the effects of Charlie Kirk's death. I call it the "Second Shot Heard Around the World" because it really was a revolutionary event. With the media, social media, and his memorial service televised around the world, millions were impacted. First, the stages of shock, then the stages of grief.  My assessments and observations (and questions) eventually derived from not only how the masses have been impacted, but the directions so many have gone in order to make sense of the senseless.

Then, the chaos quickly ensued. Video clips, emotionally-invoking productions on the life of Charlie Kirk; hundreds of thousands of posts, reels, videos, etc. The reactions and political polarizations took the nation by storm. Amazing how one life taken can impact the world.

Sound familiar?

What is Faith?

Perhaps the biggest thing I've observed is the polarization of beliefs and Faith. To me (and based upon my own experiences), they are not one in the same. It was a horrible experience leaving the LDS (Mormon) church...a terrible divorce and yes, a death of my heart, mind, and soul. LDS friends shunned me, abandoned our friendships. The ward I was a member of...my social life? Gone (everyone but one). My belief in Joseph Smith and all the Mormon prophets, the Book of Mormon, LDS Scripture? Gone. Those who have read my book, Through the Eye of a Needle, have an understanding of what I went through. I was miserably lost and broken.

I've had so many Footprints in the Sand moments since then. I've had to go through so many trials and tribulations...physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual battles...to learn how to see and how to walk my life's journey with Faith, what and who to trust and not to trust. It's not an easy road, but I've learned a lot about the Nouns--the people, places, and things--that have been placed in my life with purpose.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths."

(Proverbs 3: 5-6)

Martyrdom and a Land of Opportunity Opportunists:

America has long been known as a land of opportunity. I typed in "What was the religious climate in the 1800s in America?" into AI, and, among other things, it brought up "The Second Great Awakening" in revivalism and evangelism, denominational growth, and social reform in the early 1800s. It described diversity and tensions, adaptations and challenges in the mid-to-late 1800s. Ironically, this was also the Industrial Age. The evolutions that stemmed from several religious revolutions culminated in a time of invention and opportunity. (Those who watch The Gilded Age and watched American Primeval, those are two good series set in that time period.)

As an example closer to home...Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon religion, was in the early to mid-phase of denominational revivalism. His vision of two personages (which, by the way, is polytheism), the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine & Covenants, etc. (Mormon scripture) were all developed in this time period. Joseph Smith was considered a martyr for his religion, and it might have all ended there...until Brigham Young took the reins. An opportunity in the Gilded Age. He took the religion to a whole new level, with Utah and Salt Lake City as his empire. There's a statue of Joseph Smith on Temple Square. There's a monument of Brigham Young at 1st South Main in SLC.

My kids used to tease me and say, "Mom, what was it like back in the olden days, when you were a kid?" Olden days?? Little brats! Of course, I could always tell them what life was like without cell phones, computers, Saturday morning cartoons on a 19-inch TV, and no McDonald's...but I also lived a very sheltered life when it came to knowing or understanding social and political issues. For example, I would innocently belt out "Book of Mormon Stories" or "This Land Was Made For You and Me" long before I learned that this land was never "their land" to begin with. As I learned more about my Native heritage, I had a lot of questions that no one could (or would) answer. After all, I was raised to believe I was a Lamanite. I was raised to believe that the Mormon church was the only true church on the face of the earth, and all others were wrong. Why? Because that's what Joseph Smith said.

"Then He went into the temple and began to drive out

those who bought and sold in it, saying to them, "It is written,

' My house is a house of prayer,'

but you have made it a 'den of thieves.'"

Luke 19:45-46

All Creatures Great and Small

One of my favorite shows is All Creatures Great and Small, a BBC TV series based on the book(s) by James Herriot. For those who haven't read the books (I did in grade school), it contains the tales of a young, small-town veterinarian, the community he lives in, and the animals he cares for. Perhaps the most amusing thing I see repeated in this series is that his boss, Mr. Farnon, continually cares for animals for free, when he should be charging for his services. One might think: "How on earth does he stay in business?" But he does.

Some may think that, because I left the LDS church, I'm against the people of it. That couldn't be further from the truth. I know so many good people from all walks of life...Christian, Mormon, Muslim, Buddhist, Wiccan, pagan, atheist, agnostic, etc. All creatures great and small! No, the things I'm against are hypocrisy, lies, deception, ulterior motives, and acts of evil and malintent. However you believe is not my point...

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder." (James 2 14-19)

And now we have another devastating shooting at an LDS church in Michigan. More innocent lives lost. I'm curious about motive (which is still in question), because I sure hope it's not because of Charlie Kirk. I sure hope it's not because of left and right extremism. I sure hope it's not because the LDS church did him wrong, shunned him, abandoned him, hurt him. The lines between good and evil are becoming clearer, and we cannot say we haven't been warned, countless times. (Exodus 34: 6-7)

Does it really matter which Jesus you believe in?

Well, yes, apparently it does. The history and evolution of Christianity have led us up to the present day. Cults and televangelists have sprung up for decades. We have corporate and political systems intermingling, influencing, and marketing to the masses. We have mega-religions and churches actively investing in the stock market and crypto. And now we have the liberal Jesus and the conservative Jesus duking it out in the fight of the century...drawing lines in the sand, instead of following (or even noticing) the Footprints.

Do you have to be on a bandwagon to be a believer? No! Do you have to go to church to be a believer? No! But if you do go to a church, remember: You will know they are Christians by their Love! Not conditional love, not how many members they have, not how much money they have, not how great their worship team is, not how much noise they make...but the love and peace of Christ (John 14).

And it's okay to say you don't know! Learn about Christ with the faith of a child...your own faith, not someone else's. Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15). Beware of those who cry "lo here, lo there" (Luke 17). Don't lean on others' understandings or interpretations. You decide what you believe. Don't let anyone decide your spiritual path for you...it's between you and your Creator (Matthew 6). Your journey is your own, and your child-like faith will guide you. Be wise. Pray often.

The battles will not get easier. There are so many who don't know how to live a life of faith; they're living in fear. And believe me, I know that fear, all too well! I'm not going to lie to you; those first steps of faith are scary ones. It can be difficult, especially when we cling to the things we see and think we know, and reach out for the things we don't see and don't know. I can only tell you, the possibilities are endless.

Then Jesus said to His disciples,

"Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

And again, I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle

than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying,

"Who then can be saved?"

But Jesus looked at them and said to them,

"With men this is impossible,

But with God, all things are possible."

Matthew 19: 23-26

END NOTE:

"If at first you don't succeed...try doing what Jesus told you to do the first time."

Coffee With A View: Enemy Mine

Star Trek Day! Most of you know about my affinity for sci-fi and fantasy, and I usually use my weekends to catch up on 'my shows.' I may do a Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit binge, with the spin-off, The Rings of Power. Last weekend I did a short binge of Star Wars movies. Today, I'm doing my Star Trek binge.

Last night I caught up on the latest episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Season 3: Episode 9). Most of the reviews I read/watched mentioned several past episodes in Star Trek history, where the creators used the "Enemy Mine" plot, a 1985 movie where a human and an alien, though enemies, would work together (or had to work together) to save themselves in a dire circumstance. Most of the reviews were positive, although they just had to mention that the plot was overused and provided clips from past Star Trek episodes of the human-versus-alien theme.

So for this blog, I thought I'd give my own perspective. Grab some coffee! LOL

Many light years ago (LOL)...I worked for an attorney in California whose passion was to accumulate data and evidence of life on Mars, or proof of visitations on Mars. Besides copy-editing his paperwork and dockets for IBM, the side job was to also copy-edit and proofread his findings. His research on Mars was astounding...literally mounds of papers to go through, desktop and jump drive files, and long discussions over coffee and tea (he drank, ironically, Earl Grey).

I remember one time I told him that there was no way I could help him effectively in the intensive few hours I worked for him, unless I was at least able to take some of those files home with me. He was adamantly against it...for a while. It took a couple of months of research before one day, he came over to my workspace, stood beside me in silence for about a minute, and gave me a jump drive to work on at home. Surprised (and shocked), I asked, "Are you sure?" He said that I had done a great job, and there was no reason in his mind why he shouldn't trust me.

I was fascinated by his passion and determination to share his findings with me, and though I had to play devil's advocate a few times, I had to admit that there were no other explanations...scientific or otherwise...for what he believed about aliens and the evidence of their existence and travel.

I moved to Nashville before I was able to help him complete his monumental project, but I never forgot him. I think about how he was so ahead of his time as I see the progress of SpaceX in the news and on social media. I think of him when I watch Ancient Aliens.

When I was attending BYU, I actually had an encounter of my own that neither the witnesses of the event nor I could explain. We were hanging out on the steps of the dorms, just talking and laughing...and all of a sudden, what looked like a red mechanical ball flew up (about the size of a softballl), suspended in the air for a few seconds right in front of us, then zipped away into the night. I noticed that it had what looked like just one lens (kind of like a camera lens), and before it flew off, it appeared to smoothly and seamlessly turn on some sort of invisible axis to survey all of us.

We all saw it and became silent. Mind you, this was no drone; it was the spring of 1986; there were no commercial drones...heck, we didn't have laptops or cell phones! We all just stood there, didn't say a word. I went back to my room, and my roommate was sitting on the edge of her bed, quiet. We just looked at each other....and never spoke about it again.

Humanity: We did it wrong

We are still far from traveling to distant planets. Efforts are being made, and billions of dollars are being spent on space travel. But if there's anything that could be learned from history, I think it would be that the powers-that-were and the powers-that-be have screwed up life on this planet, big time. The desire for power and control has driven all of us into an age where there is very little balance, and chaos has infiltrated many facets of our lives and economies.

"Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice

is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine

and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." (Matthew 7: 24-27)

Somehow, as our fates have been continually chosen for us...there is a strange peace that comes from knowing that a Greater Power will always be in control...a Power that always and ultimately achieves balance in the chaos. The gods and beasts that have been created by mankind are a pitiful match for the Creator of the entire Universe.

And we can't say we haven't been warned. Prophets have been mocked, called crazy, and put to death for speaking out. Politics and religion have divided belief systems that are no longer founded on Truth, but cleverly-crafted narratives...and anyone who tries to even attempt to find the truth or achieve balance in their views is mocked or scorned.

Some things just never change.

And as it appears that we're moving towards a world currency (Revelation 13), and forced to worship the Beasts that have been created, it should give us great pause to think about the past, present, and our future as a near-destroyed planet. I think about my home state of Wyoming, the beauty of our mountains, rivers, and streams...the flowers and wildlife we enjoy. Better enjoy it while we can, because the Beasts are circling and hungry.

One of my very favorites is the opening scene of Star Trek: Into Darkness. The interaction with the crews and the natives is not only entertaining but fascinating. I think about this interaction, and my mind soars towards how our Earth used to be, and the Native cultures that existed. You go waaay back in history, and you'll find that the foundations of Native American cultures have great reverence for the Earth, Sky, and Life in between for a reason. My soaring thoughts land when I think about my own tribe, and how we were once called "Blue Sky People". It caused me to look up the following with AI:

"In Native American traditions, "Star People (or "Sky People") refers to extra-terrestrial or celestial beings who are often considered ancestral or benevolent figures to many Indigenous cultures, origin stories, and legends, such as the Hopi and Dakota nations. These stories describe images that came from the stars to help guide, teach, or interact with humanity, with some traditions seeing humans as being connected to or even descended from these star-beings."

Can we make it right?

Folks might laugh and call me crazy (and they have! LOL)...but as I look at the world today, I often wonder what our planet would be like if there were more agendas of love and peace, wisdom and guidance...rather than agendas of hate, greed, division, and war. I think about what could have been, had we all actually lived the words of Jesus and not made Him into a marketed idol. I think about an inevitable paradigm shift where we could change the patterns of Time and actually work together to choose the side of good over evil.

Because if we don't, you can bet that a Greater Power will do it for us.

The attorney I worked for said that, in my approach to research, I should look at the patterns and evidence with an open mind. Look at the probabilities over timelines of events. Consider that those who claimed they've seen UFOs or celestial beings weren't crazy. It takes an open mind and a lot of courage to not fear but embrace the powers and dimensions we cannot see. (Believe me, I know! Being blind was terrifying.) I also have to consider...did people, after seeing what they saw...do it right? Or do it wrong?

Do I believe in Life in the universe and on other planets? Absolutely. The same God of this planet we live and breathe on is the same God of the entire Universe we are all a part of. And I believe that the paradigm shift that needs to happen will consist of critical choices that humanity as a whole will have to ultimately make. Are you on the side of love or hate? Humility or pride? Building or destroying? Peace or war? Friend or foe?

Change is inevitable. We are such slow learners, and there are so many distractions that throw us off. But Time is all we have here before we move on to other dimensions we know very little about, but that will be a Journey I no longer fear. To be a part of Life, in whatever form, is both an exciting and humbling thing.

I just want to do it right, here and now...while I have the time.

"For as lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west,

so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together."

Matthew 24: 27-28

Unorthodox Christianity: "Honesty is such a lonely word..."

"Honesty is such a lonely word

Everyone is so untrue

Honesty is hardly ever heard

And mostly what I need from you."

--Billy Joel

"Honesty" from the 1979 album 52nd Street

According to ChatGPT (hey, it's kinda been a fun tool to play with!)...the definition of a lie is "a deliberate false statement made by someone who knows it's untrue, with the intention to deceive others."

The key elements of a lie are:
Falsehood – The information given is not true.
Knowledge – The person knows it's not true.
Intent – There is an intention to mislead or deceive.

AI then provides examples of various types of lies. A white lie, such as saying "I love your cooking!" when you really don't, or don't want to hurt someone's feelings. A lie of omission is about leaving out important information so as to mislead...like telling your boss you finished the project, but leaving out the fact that someone else did most of the work. A lie of commission is just an outright lie, as in saying you didn't do something when you actually did.

Exaggeration is the stretching of the truth, like a tall tale ("The fish was this big!" or "I've told you a thousand times..."). There's also minimization, such as saying something isn't such a big deal when it actually is (gaslighting).

Then there's bluffing, fabrication (inventing a false story or narrative), and plagiarism (claiming something as your own when it is not...let me say that I'm fully giving credit to ChatGPT for this wealth of information, lol!). I'm going to add in cheating , which is "acting dishonestly or unfairly to gain an advantage."

"What you don’t see with your eyes,

don’t witness with your mouth."

Jewish Proverb

Gossip: "Be careful, little ears, what you hear..."

AI goes on to say that, if someone says something untrue without knowing it's false or without intending to deceive, it's not technically a lie — it could be a mistake or misinformation. However, gossip can still damage reputations and livelihoods, relationships, and divide families.

I've been the subject of gossip many times. So have my children. Fortunately and most of the time, I have good friends or co-workers who will inform me of it. Sometimes it saddens or angers me, but sometimes I can (and have to) laugh and brush it off as quite entertaining. I don't know...I'm so glad I could be the subject matter of your boring life? I don't know why people gossip. People who know me, know me. They're a part of my circle(s), they know what I do and what I'm about. And people who don't know me, don't...and most of the time, don't want to even make the effort.

"Isn't it kind of silly to think

that tearing someone else down builds you up?"

— Sean Covey

I'm reminded of the story "Feathers in the Wind": "Just as you cannot retrieve the feathers once spilled, so you cannot withdraw words once spoken. No matter how sincerely you desire to undo what you have done, the harm caused by thoughtless speech cannot be rectified."  In a world filled with narratives, it is difficult to sort through all the feathers and find the truth.

Remember back in the day when there were racks of tabloids at the grocery store check-out counters? The National Enquirer. The Globe, The Star, etc. A lot of folks called them 'gossip rags'. In my years as a reporter, I learned that there are not just two sides of a story; there can be many sides, and that there is a huge difference between opinion and fact. Oftentimes, it was like trying to search through all of the 'feathers' that had already fallen to the ground. When I was a reporter for the Ledger Dispatch, I remember my editor always telling me to get "quotes and photos, quotes and photos". We didn't have ChatGPT or Satchel AI back then, so a solid quote was golden, and a picture painted a thousand words.

I'm continually astounded by those who will almost religiously get sucked into and support "fake news" when the only ones benefiting from it are the people, businesses, and corporations (and politicians!) that spread it. Many just give up and are content to believe whatever. Many simply refuse to do the work to gain knowledge of the truth because they've believed the lies and half-truths for way too long. Yet others fear the truth and hide from it...but it does eventually catch up to you.

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:

"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.

So you must be careful to do everything they tell you.

But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach."

Matthew 23: 1-3

I also think that hypocrisy is a form of dishonesty.

I recently witnessed someone I knew cheating at a community event held in Riverton (this person is actually well-known in the community, and has been in the news). At this fun, family-oriented event, each child was given one card to have stamped as they completed a series of games at each table. At the end, each child could turn in their card to get a prize if their stamp card was full, indicating that they had played the games. This person I knew obtained not just one, but two cards for the child they brought. Later, I was with a friend who was standing in line, waiting to get the prize for her own grandchild, and this person happened to be standing in line in front of us. By the time we got up to get a prize, the officers had no more prizes to give out. So the person who cheated and had two cards got two prizes, and my friend's grandchild got nothing.

So...what do these actions say about the person who cheated? What do these actions teach their children? That it is okay to cheat, as long no one figures it out, and as long as you get what you want? How do you explain these actions to the child who didn't get the prize they deserved? "Life isn't fair." No, people aren't fair. Or honest.

In hindsight, I was not only angry at the actions of this person, but I was disappointed in myself that I didn't say anything (I guess I'm saying it now), and I certainly didn't want to create a scene. So this person just gets away with it? Believe me, I was stewing with that one for quite a while.

So here's my message: People are watching you. Children are watching you. You can spit-shine a public image, pat yourself on the back, call yourself a "good Christian" man or woman, and talk about all things you're doing in your community. But actions speak louder than words, and speak volumes about your character. And if you cheat and lie with the seemingly small, insignificant things...how can you be trusted with the big things?

When confronted with the truth, people can often go into denial, or get defensive of the narratives they believe, or mock and scorn those who tell the truth...or simply close their ears and refuse to hear it. People have been threatened and silenced, even with death, for telling the truth. In the Bible alone, you have Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zechariah, John the Baptist...and of course, Jesus Christ.

But the truth is the truth, whether you believe it or not, and eventually the truth does come out...when it's supposed to. And only God is in control of that timing. What goes around eventually comes around.

"If we say we love God, but hate others, we are liars. For we cannot love God, whom we have not seen, if we do not love others, whom we have seen." (1 John 4:20)

But the truth hurts!

Yes, it does! But worse than a lie? It can. For instance, I had to come to grips with several truths in my own life. I used to lie to myself about how much I drank..."I've only had a few beers" when truthfully, I'd had a lot more. In an abusive relationship, I told myself, "It's my fault." When I was suicidal, I told myself, "I'm worthless". And like I wrote in my last blog, for over three decades, I wholeheartedly believed in a religion that told me I was something I was not. Yes, that hurt. That hurt a lot. Living or believing a lie or denying the truth can have huge ripple effects without even being aware that it's hurting you or others. (Matthew 7: 3-5)

But wouldn't it be better to come to grips with the truth than to just be content in believing/living a lie? Because then at least we could humble ourselves enough to start down a road towards owning up to the lies we've told and mistakes we've made, coming to grips with our vices, making things right, mending fences, building bridges, healing the hurts, and the soul finally being at peace.

Back on the subject of gossip...if you want to know the truth about someone, grow a pair and ask them! Have the courage to approach them, face-to-face, sit down, maybe have a cup of coffee or tea, and actually talk to them! What a concept. Most of all, have the courage to defend someone who is being gossiped about. "I don't want anyone in my life who can't defend me in a room I'm not in." - Unknown

Also know that being honest or truthful about yourself or to others can be a lonely place to be, but not for long. People in my circles of family and friends have come and gone. Some have betrayed my trust; others have had to experience my boundaries and earn it back. I've even had to earn trust back after lying to my own self, had to come to the realization of many hard truths. I've had to learn to apologize and correct myself if I was in the wrong, but also to carefully listen and think before just believing anything and everything. And it's hard! There's so much guck out there to swim through.

Oh yes, I've definitely learned that it can be lonely...but I'm never alone. I've taken a good look around at those who have stood by me, supported me, and love me for who I am today, not judge me based on the past, because the truth is, I don't live there anymore. And though I've had to witness unfairness and injustice, and "let go and let God", the biggest truth is...I have been blessed with so much more.

"Rain on us, Saint Honesty

Salvation is coming in the morning, but now what we need

Is a little rain on our face from you, sweet Saint Honesty."

--Sara Bareilles

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Worth the Read...

Matthew 23

Worth the Listen...

Worth the Watch (for the kiddos)...