Voting

Posted on November 2, 2022 by admin

Did you vote?

Your vote does count, especially on the local/state level.

Much of what I hear about voting lately is the encouragement to give lifetime loyalty to a certain party.

I beg to differ on nearly every level.

Isn’t the marriage to one religion enough?

I am not a Republican.

I am not a Democrat either.

My friend, a Republican said shorter terms would be a good idea. I would tend to agree with this and other changes made in reforming the current system.

It is becoming harder to vote for either party in good conscience.

I withdrew from both of two parties knowing that I can’t fully subscribe to either of them and I proudly registered myself as unaffiliated; that is, I am not married to any one party. This is different from the Independent American party, which, since I’m unaffiliated, I could (and did) vote for this and other parties, (policies and changes, not party-voting). It is easy to confuse the two, as I once did, so I wanted to clarify.

Let’s just tell it how it is currently and replace the word party with the word team. Voting is another sports event; passions and stakes run as high as UofU vs BYU. Fellow Utahns will fully understand the intense level of competition by that comparison alone. We are so conditioned to think in terms of competition in every aspect of life that you actually have to train your mind to back out of that “mental template.” It is sad but true.

You’ll see as I did that the two party system is part of today’s problem in America. It is a big part of the reason the country is so divided right now.

I voted just last week. I voted for a wide range, mostly the obscure parties that I want to see more from, such as United Utah, Libertarian, etc. I would like to have voted for the Green Party, but it is not yet on Utah ballots. Still, I was very glad to see these additional parties on the ballots. I look up and study each candidate and proposition to make an informed choice. I used to bury my head in the sand and not do anything with politics because it wasn’t my thing. It still isn’t, really. However, as I matured, I realized that this is a way for the slime to encroach even further. I knew I couldn’t really talk or complain unless I was willing to make my voice heard. I decided to be more proactive and inform myself more. I also changed my perceptions. I vote for goodness, honesty, fairness, and diversity.

It’s that simple.

Still, it is bogus that each election feels like doomsday. It should not be this way. The continuous improvisation of the nation should simply be another job. That much I have been saying and writing for a decade. But no, it feels like it’s all or nothing. Of course it feels that way! There are only two parties! This setup makes it just another superbowl, with very high stakes and winner takes all. It is a pissing contest. But since this is the operations of a country and not a superbowl, the two party system no longer serves the need of a country with a population as large as America’s.

While I can’t fully subscribe to either party, there are concepts, beliefs from each that I agree with, and I think many could say the same. This is why other parties would be effective as the middle and not the extremes of either right or left. In this modern world we are surrounded by further encroaching issues. It really is too much for only two parties alone. A multi-party system ( five or six) would relieve the pressure. So the solution would simply be a rotating repair job. This would help to eliminate the outrageous bipolar extremes that take place when the opposite party takes office and essentially dismantles the work of the former party to prove a point.

Another friend, a Democrat elaborated on the way he sees the two parties: Republicans are like dads, structured and strict, while Democrats are like moms, nurturing and passive. But that we have seen that our dad has been abusive. He emphasized that we need characteristics of each. While this analogy may be an oversimplification, we’ll go with it here temporarily as it provides clarity. This is where a five or six party system would be effective. Traits of each and even more “tools” that are designed to help improve and rotate and not just two.

I have found moderate Republicans tolerable. I have some friends that are moderate; we can at least have a healthy, respectful discussion, even though we will disagree on several points. Republicans that can demonstrate to me that they are moderate instead of extreme and delusional are more likely to get my vote.

You make it hard to take you seriously. I don’t vote for abuse or delusion; nor the one size fits all approaches so commonly used, (by government in general). Moderates though, at least we can have a discussion.

But if you are one of those that still insists that the earth is flat, or you deny that the holocaust ever happened, or deny environmental problems, or that they affect us, we have nothing to discuss. I don’t pretend to understand your level of denial. It is deliberate ignorance that has surpassed the point of delusion. I am also realizing the aggression that borders on fascism. If one persists on that path of reality, even if that perceived reality is actually untrue, then it becomes delusion. It is a set belief that is actually untrue, not factual. It is a false belief.

The common tendency to throw the baby out with the bathwater is a bad habit. The watching, searching for the one area where there is disagreement so that you can write off everything that person or party says as obsolete-it is a bad habit. It feeds the all or nothing, black and white thinking. This is why the revolving priority dial should be the new system for parties. A different cluster of solutions or tools, a tightening of the nuts and bolts to continue improvising this modern world.

On the Democrat side, I don’t like all the policing. It drives me nuts.
Maybe I’m just ranting now, so that’s the end of this post.

I believe there is enough goodness left in government, especially on the state and local levels to make voting worth our time. However, if you don’t vote, in a coming time, this may not be the case.

I shall continue to vote (in every way) and advocate for diversity, honesty, goodness, fairness and for additional parties.

-O

Casino

Posted on October 14, 2022 by admin

Would you workout in a casino?
Okay you pegged me; it’s a trick question because if you live in Utah you breathe its casino air everyday.

I can count on one hand the number of days per year that I ride my bike because the air is too polluted.

It’s curious as to why there is still any debate regarding the regulation of environmental pollution. As an attempt to eliminate the dangers of second hand smoke in public, how can cigarette smoking be banned from restaurants and public buildings to improve what was a Public Health concern twenty years ago in the name of progress, but we’re struggling now to control the severity of air pollution in Utah? Utah, where there is a casino-like air quality on a daily basis, this should be a top priority. Nobody has reason to be arrogant or to continue the denial here. Polluted air affects everyone.

Just last week I was thinking about the steps in mindfulness and in doing my best to be a wise steward that I personally take to reduce environmental degradation. Shoot, by choice, I eat a plant-based diet, and I have consolidated my driving to three days per week. But individual efforts are one thing when gigantic corportions with short-sighted goals are another topic. If industries and even large corportions were to put in a fraction of this effort, that would hugely change things for the better. Just imagine if gigantic industries/corporations were to sacrifice just a small percentage of profits to allocate to cleaner standards. This would be huge, awesome. They would be leaders and each giant that did this would reduce a lot of pollution.

Industry is designed to maximize profits; that is, on steroids, and too often this is at the expense of everything and everyone else-very one sided. Thus the need for regulation right, since the greed would grow out of control. Industry (and the historical human for that matter) doesn’t have the best track record of regulating itself/ourselves. The current model of perpetual growth is part of the problem and ensures that there can never be enough profits for giants; this further perpetuates the cycle of decline. They stomp out everything and everyone else. This is not only an environmental, but a social problem too.

Look, I get that not everyone is a naturalist, or has enough time or energy to be highly concerned about the environment. I get that. However, I do believe that most people care about nature to at least some degree. But in all fairness, people are busy with lives, jobs, families, relationships, the need for fun, and life is hectic. Shoot, I think we all have enough on our plates these days, especially these last two years. Not everyone is a biologist or ecologist and has time or energy to put into stopping to consider and research just how each step they take will impact the environment. This is all the more reason why the regulation of certain industries is essential. Not everyone can stop to think each time they are waiting in line about shutting off their idling car, or remembers to bring their reuseable grocery bags made of cloth instead of plastic.

If Biden (I say Biden not only as the current president, but because Republicans don’t have a good track record for correcting environmental problems or being particularly concerned about them, or even admitting that they exist,) were to implement incentives to reduce fossil fuels, half the nation would throw a fit. We already know how this conversation would go. Extremists would be yelling conspiracy and that our freedoms are being taken away. Yet, incentives toward, or even requirements for catalytic converters on small engines, solar, electric cars or even natural gas (less polluting) would go far and the average citizen operating a motor vehicle would hardly feel it. The impact would hardly be noticed on an individual level. It wouldn’t make your car any less “zippy”, stylish, lacking in horsepower, or your lawnmower any less efficient. Your vehicle would hardly notice the difference. But the environment would improve tremendously with a change this broad.

It is unacceptable that gigantic industries own the day and are permitted to run amuck, not doing their fair share to reduce pollution all to maximize profits. Yet, this is at the expense of everything else. This level of greed is criminal.

Another biggie is plastic. The same would be for a ban on plastic bags and implementation of more natural materials instead. Measures that would hardly be noticed on an individual level and yet would make a tremendous (in the positive) difference nationally/globally. (Like it or not, with twenty years of the world wide web, it is now a global world). If Biden were to require regulation in plastic production so that for most applications, (especially something as widely used as grocery bags and bottles) plastic is replaced by material using coconut, rice husk or other natural materials; (they do exist; I have planters made from these). This would help tremendously.

The ripple effect of healthy (or unhealthy) oceans and forests don’t need to be spelled out. But I find that people generally need to hear that these do affect us. And they do. Yet, part of the problem is, (in all fairness and due respect), that not all people have time, energy or resources to find these details.

Some of the rules of this LIC/WD philosophy are meeting others halfway and giving credit where credit is due. Not everyone should be expected to spend all their time and energy here. That’s why environmental improvement measures that are hardly felt on the individual level but make tremendous change nationally/globally should be the top priority. Personally, I am glad when I meet someone who is in a position to perform a valuable service to humanity or nature where I may lack in time or practice. “Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something.”

The idea that people are the only living things that matter is an outdated viewpoint. “Dominion” from the Old Testament has been a problematic word in our perceptions of it. I can’t believe we still need to have this discussion in 2022. Diversity is the answer. Other beings (and other people too) are allowed and encouraged to thrive also and their thriving also helps you to thrive too; like it or not and maybe you’ll need to humble yourself a bit here, this is the case.

Feeling pressure or shame about having to drive is not something that should be added to your plate. The average person already has enough going. Transportation should not be this destructive. Something is wrong with this picture. Technology makes other forms of power available. But the current reality is that industry owns the day.

I am registered as unaffiliated, but this is what I do like about the Democratic party. The largest industries are regulated and required to carry their share, both in environmentally sound practices and in taxes. Helping other people and even nature to thrive also is a Democratic principle that I like; it certainly hasn’t been a Republican one. Biden seems to be making some positive changes for nature (and people too, it’s not mutually exclusive). I’m glad to see this.

People hear about ecologists or biologists being concerned about a certain bird or field mouse and this gets a lot of heat, thought of as frivolous and nonsensical. What some may not realize is that while this may not be the be-all, end all, we see these as indicators, symptoms of a greater systemic problem. These are pointing to unhealthy ecological communities, ecosystems and a troubled earth. Many of these natural systems are in danger of collapse. This matters; all of these affect us, like it or not. I don’t need to go into the details of the reasons for this. Air pollution is just one aspect already severe in Utah alone and now it’s going to get worse. Species in their varieties are another issue, but one that still impacts us. Many of them perform a valuable service to humanity. Nature will do this when we let it. That is the beauty of it. Like it or not, we are part of nature, not separate from it, and certainly not above it. It performs these services naturally, just doing what those plants, animals and fungi do. Don’t fool yourself or live in perpetual denial. These changes to the climate on earth absolutely affect us.

The fact that we’re still having this conversation and that policies are being debated and antagonized in 2022 about whether or not giagantic industries should have to be required to extend the least possible effort in reducing environmental problems is just foolish. It represents a major disconnect. It’s concerning, actually. What if industries were to voluntarily reduce their impact and thus do away with the need to be regulated? Reaching a point of actually being satisfied and ceasing constant exponential growth? Wow, there we go; imagine that! Now that is real change, an idea that works and not only one that works, but there would be a leader of a gigantic industry that would be willing to forego what is essentially pocket change to provide a service to fellow beings, humans and nature. Now that would be a good move, real change.

Yet, here we are…

-Owen

Judgement or Assessment?

Posted on October 11, 2022 by admin

It is intriguing to consider the differences between an assessment as opposed to a judgement. These are probably an aspect of human nature, a defense mechanism to make a brief assessment about a situation or person, a way of organizing and to navigate the world securely. This making an assessment is fine.

But judgement is different. Judgement tends to be more final; it is a form of labeled compartmentalization. It is sort of like packing up an item, putting it in a box, labeling it, wrapping it with a bow. If it is about another person, this sort of compartmentalization is finalizing, closed. This puts the person in a box; it is an assumption. Assumptions are less effective. There is a general tendency to also put God in a box.

This boxing and labeling is the opposite of one of the rules to effective learning and healthy growth, a state of receptivity. In the book The Power of Intention by the late Dr. Wayne Dyer, receptivity has its own specific section in the book. Kudos to Dr. Dyer since receptivity is an excellent addition and such an integral key to growth and awakening. Judgement is arrogant. It isn’t flexible. It doesn’t cultivate the kind of human goodness that believes people can and do change for the better, and that some people really are proactively trying to do so. Part of the human experience is (or should be) the allowance of all people to do just that.

You’ll see as I did that finalizing especially in regards to another individual is usually not ours to do. We never know or understand that person’s complete situation, even though in a quick reasoning or snap judgement it is often assumed that we do; but we don’t. This is why continuing on assumptions is less effective. They are halting, confining instead of flexible and receptive.

There are ways of overcoming this troublesome habit. For example, instead of being threatened by another’s different views, ways or beliefs, you can think of these merely as a perspective that you may not have considered; yet, it is still your choice to accept their view fully and integrate it into your life, or not. You can also choose to respect others with that belief or viewpoint, accepting that it is more than true to them; it is their reality. This is respectful and not arrogant, condescending or haughty.

As far as I understand correctly psychology offers some clues as the Fundamental Attribution Theory: The human tendency to take that one snapshot of another person or situation and run with it, assuming understanding is full and complete. But it is just one snapshot, that moment or situation in which that person was observed.

So brief assessments for a given situation, yes, fine, but judgements and assumptions no. It is essential to be mindful (Buddhist term) of the difference and to briefly assess people and situations, but not label them as forever done for finalization. In short, assessments are not only open, but respectful and humble, (accepting the fact that none of us “ever know the full truth of another)”[I]. Assessments from a state of receptive flow is ideal because the self-correcting nature of humility is naturally part of this state. Instead of a labeled box, it is like a small fountain; still human-made but designed for a purpose, with intent to foster understanding. It’s all about the intent. In essence, we are going with this level of understanding at least temporarily, but it is allowed to move and flow until “we know more because right now we certainly don’t see the whole picture”. The reason religions of the world emphasize the practice of humility is that there is wisdom in doing in it. Even if you are not religious, you can still benefit from the practice of humility, (which nearly all humans need to do, as much as proper diet and exercise).

Whereas judgements, assumptions are arrogant and self-righteous. If you think about it, judgement is really quite high and mighty because it says “even if I had your life I could do it better than you!”
What’s your point? You’d have to trace that individual’s life back to their moment of birth. Only then would you fully understand and if you fully understood you wouldn’t be judging. You would know that you are certainly not in a position to do so. You just took a short cut on how to become the Almighty. If so, please share with me how you did it.

So to the journey of all and the acceptance that everyone is on their own spot in their journey. The combinations are endless, so there is no need to compete or compare. Insead of viewing growth and progression in a flattened dimension with only up or down, it can be multi-dimensional, expansive, like the universe, endless potential, not fully understood.

Thus the importance of learning healthy, effective communication. There is nothing to stress about in that regard since we are all learning and nobody is on the exact same path with the same circumstances.

I.
Hayden, J. (2019). Health behavior theory (3rd ed.).

Say No to Fear-Porn; Turn Off Mainstream Media!

Posted on August 9, 2022 by admin

I think many would agree that mainstream media is part of today’s problem. There is plenty of fear-porn (fear- heroin) out there with a lot more on the way. You certainly won’t need to go looking for it. We are plastered with it at every turn. Instead, you can stop buying it; it’s addictive, and it’s a poison just like the many others out there. I stopped subscribing to and watching mainstream news more than ten years ago.

Here are some independent alternatives that I have found. One is news from the perspective of our country’s history and although it may not be entirely unbiased, the details of accurately told history are helpful when learning how we got here and drawing modern parallels: Letters from An American

The other is unbiased (as much as possible) facts without all the fluff, (be sure to watch the introductory video) and as this person puts it, without the “divisive sensationalism”. I couldn’t have said it better myself. Notice that journalism is no longer merely reporting the facts to let the public form their own views. This is what it should be. Now it has an agenda and sadly has become just that, divisive sensationalism.

You can read on your own time and form your own conclusions; now that is healthy. You may not agree with everything said, (Shoot, I don’t agree with everything of these two that I recommend, and that is okay). It is okay to disagree.

I’ve said it many times, “if fear is what sells, it’s time to stop buying it.”

Enjoy your learning and updates without all the fluff.

-O

Water Update

Posted on July 2, 2022 by admin

Just a quick update that I still have one barrel that is half full as we enter July. I have used it for the new trees, shrubs and most of the veggies. This reduces the amount of water used from the hose and sprinklers, which saves water.

Using a few containers of rain water is a great way to water veggies, shrubs and flowers, and this manner of water conservation (and many others) just makes sense in a desert.

Have fun, stay hydrated, cool and enjoy the summer!

-O

Further Clarification on the Creation/Evolution Debate

Posted on June 30, 2022 by admin

All three books mention a lifestage of tremendous growth, expansion and self-improvement. This came naturally as an individual awakening; the joyous growth was not strained. But I refer to the period of growth and change as “evolution.” Further, I discuss this evolution both collectively and individually. However, the term evolution in this sense is metaphorical. It is not real evolution as seen as the constant gradual adaptation, change, or the origin of species. Evolution seemed to be the most fitting word to describe the drastic change over time. The word metamorphosis would fit also. It may be confusing when I go in and out of metaphor describing my “personal evolution,” to then return in my second book to an essay about real evolution; that is, the biological change and speciation of life on earth.

So I would like to clarify. It has been said that math is the only absolute. A few of my zoology friends and I have added (har har) to this an inside joke that says “there are two absolutes in the universe: math and evolution, because evolution is mathematical”. Rocks, metals, minerals, elements and compounds make up the earth, (and the universe) and these are very old. An element’s half life can be determined and the rate at which it decays can be calculated, helping to determine the age of the earth.

This is true. Yet it took a generous portion of time before I could see it clearly. I realized it was my own lazy thinking and at times I was either unwilling to see and/or indifferent about learning the facts. As for me and my asymmetrical-like brain, evolution is something that even now as a zoologist, I have to go over it and recall the facts, the steps. if I don’t, it is easy to get lost in the equation. I see evolution as a big math problem that takes time, work and effort (for some, and I was one of those) to see how the professor arrived at the correct solution/conclusion.

As a graduated university student in the sciences with a BS degree in health promotion and a zoology minor I have been on both sides of the evolution/creation debate.

First, evolution is fact. It is not something you believe, or disagree with or not. It is also not something you can dismiss as false only after taking a brief glance. No, look closer. If you take your time, study and look closely, you will also see how the professor reached his conclusion and solved the math problem.

If you “don’t believe” the answer to the math problem, that is “your bad”, and you’ll need to go back over it again until you see it clearly.

Take this simple math problem:

5 x 5 = 25

The above problem is absolute. Any other answer would be incorrect. Do you believe in that? Do you accept it? Do you agree with it? If the answer is no to any of these, that is your bad, and you’ll need to go over the problem again to find your mistakes.

This is a simple math equation. Yet, I recall hearing of highly complicated math problems in physics, which took Einstein hours to solve. Think of evolution like one of those-a big, wiry math problem; one that takes time and effort to reach the correct conclusion, or to see the answer clearly.

Natural selection, the random and non-random sorting, the Law of Succession, perpetual change, gradualism, common descent, natural selection, etc; the incremental changes in organisms from bacteria to fish, plants, trees and humans as they have been forming and changing over eons of time, millions, even billions of years. The earth is 4.6 billion years old. That is fact. And wow, that is old. Just when we thought we had it all figured out…

It is a good and healthy practice to consider things differently, and to expand your mind, taking on a new challenge.

Photo of a cast saber-tooth cat from University of Utah Museum of Natural History. These very large cats lived
recently in terms of evolutionary history. They became extinct after the last ice age about 10,000-15,000 years ago.

It is a problem that a general habit has developed of choosing to see evolution as something you can merely believe in or not according to your mood, preferences or whether it fits your belief system. It is a problem because collectively, this deliberate ignorance affects us. It influences what is valued and alters priorities. In terms of practice and behavior, when we know better we make positive changes. Whether corporate greed, private business practices, a school curriculum or individual sloppiness, this naivety and often a perpetual state of deliberate ignorance influences the outcome of humanity. In the long run, it affects the rest of us-all 8 billion humans. Knowing the truth (or not) and acting on it (or not) affects our nature and understanding of things. It affects policies, laws, programs; it affects education (such as what is allowed to be taught in a school curriculum). It affects our lives, society and the globe. Like it or not, it is now a global world. For better or for worse, the world wide web made sure of that. What you do does affect others elsewhere.

There is a big difference regarding whether this earthly home is 10,000, or 4.6 billion years old. The latter is true. It is mathematical. That changes your perspective a bit doesn’t it. Just when we thought we had it all figured out.

It is fine for individuals to take their own time and learn in their own style and pace. However, when policies, laws and ordinances are put into place that deny or withhold the truth, the evidence regarding the natural history of life on earth, that is willful and systematic manipulation of the facts. And that is a global social problem.

One of the most important aspects to consider is that believing (or rather, accepting evolution as fact, (since it is) is not against your religion. “Truth is truth.” -Staples, O. 2013 Life Is Conscious. At some point, all truth is integrated into parts of the whole. Creation and evolution do not have to be mutually exclusive.

“A growing body of worldwide clergy now believes that evolution is the natural method that god used to create the earth.” WSU professor. Only you can answer my one question for you: Why is this so hard to accept?

Enjoy your learning and study. For some, the concept takes time and effort like it did for me, but it is rewarding and a relief to see the facts stacked like layers of sediment formed in the earth’s plates over millions of years. You will experience that wonderful sense of accomplishment after you see the wiry math problem from start to finish, see how the professor solved it and you say to yourself “gotcha, I see and understand now; that makes sense. I accept the correct answer to that complex math problem.”

Enjoy your study, learning.

-Owen

It’s a Good Year to Start Conserving Water in the Desert

Posted on June 9, 2022 by admin

Hi there fellow Utahns,

I’ve often written about how Kentucky Bluegrass lawns in a desert (Utah) make no sense. That being said, it should be a given then that parking strips of water-hog grass r e a l l y make no sense.

I was pleased to find a step in the right direction. Here are some links toward water conservation in Utah and incentives to converting your parking strips to water wise, yet beautiful landscapes. Along with you, I have also submitted an application and have taken the online course. I learned that parking strips waste 7,000-10,000 gallons of water annually! This year is one of the worst droughts on record… There is a better way. I have been saying it for over a decade.

The application process (as applications and accounts go) aren’t so bad, and I must say that I rather enjoyed the course. It is always good to learn something new, and every single one of us is always learning/journeying. I hope that you will choose the least damaging route and use the black plastic instead of the toxic sprays.

It is never too late to consider xeriscaping, and arid, water wise plants/landscapes.

Here are the links:

https://cuwcd.com/classes.html#gsc.tab=0
https://utahwatersavers.com/

Recipe Idea

Posted on June 8, 2022 by admin

Here is another recipe idea; well sort of, you know I don’t really do recipes. I just flavor to taste.
This is a recent discovery, black-eyed pea soup with lots of dill. The dill is both a fresh herb that I planted myself from seed in my garden, and dried is used also. The dill makes the dish!

Black-eyed peas, dill, barley, onions, carrots, cauliflower. The cauliflower and barley make for a nice creamy texture, but it is cancer-cream (dairy) free so it is a guilt-free dish.
Be sure to soak the legumes overnight and cook for two hours. Be prepared to experiment and have fun flavoring it up just the way you like it!

You may find the following ratios helpful:
2 C Black-eyed peas
to 1/3 C barley. Serves 2

The following legume cooking tips will make them softer, and help with digestion:

Soak legumes overnight prior to cooking
Drain and rinse for at least 30 seconds.
Cook for two hours on medium flame/heat (maybe just one notch below medium).
Be sure to add enough water to prevent scorching.
Add cooking salt only after beans are tender, (roughly 90 minutes into cooking).

-O

Save the Ten Hail Gandhis; Confess Only to Yourself.

Posted on June 8, 2022 by admin

If one more person (vegan or otherwise) confesses to me about their dietary mistakes I’m just gonna have to speak the truth and let it work its magic…

Lighten up. Get up. Shake off the dust. Go say ten hail Gandhis and you’re forgiven.
Your beer, cheese fries, or whopper may not have been vegan, but I’m sure you can pick yourself up again. Own it. Own each “cigarette,” super cheese fries, or drink of poison. It’s your body. Don’t beat yourself up. That isn’t allowed to do to others, so why is it okay to do to yourself? Forget perfection. Be good to yourself. Enjoy the journey.

The coach has spoken. 🙂

The Wellness Diaries

The Well-Being of People and Planet.

Category Archives: Uncategorized