my life

Laying On My Stomach, Staring At Jesus

By in Parenting, Religion, Spirituality Tags: , ,

 

We all have many wonderful memories of our childhood.

For me, there was nothing like Christmas.

I remember our nativity scene. I remember laying on my stomach and playing with the wise men and animals and staring into the eyes of the baby Jesus. I could have been as young as two or three when I started my annual nativity scene fascination.

There was the man holding a black bowl. I think it was for the incense. I remember putting my thumb in the bowl. It felt smooth. About ten years ago I bought those same figurines. I found them on eBay. They were made in Italy.

The set didn’t include the stable so I went to my Dad’s and made one out of some old grape crates from when he used to make wine.

While I was cutting the wood, I remembered a class I had in seminary. In ancient Palestine, the stable was always connected to the house. Joseph and Mary went to someone’s house to bring Jesus into the world.

I also remember reading that the first nativity scene, or crèche as it’s called around the world, was staged first by Saint Francis of Assisi in the 13th century.

I made our crèche a two-room nativity scene. I got some mud a smeared it all over the walls. The kids and I gathered wood and pine needles from a camping trip; that’s what we put on the floor every Christmas.

I still stare into the eyes of the baby Jesus every year.

I’m 52 years old. I was just laying on my stomach staring into the eyes of the baby Jesus.

There is still something magic about Christmas.

 

 

Arrows From Left And Right: Day 35 In The Life Of This Candidate For United States Congress.

By in Politics, Uncategorized Tags: ,

 

One minute, “You are a f***ing liberal piece of “s**t pretending to be a Republican get a f***ing life!

Then the next, “How sick you to be in the dRump racist party that promotes pedophiles and wants to rob from the poor?”

Just over a month ago, I launched my campaign for U.S. Congress. I knew what I was signing up for. Speaking my mind isn’t new to me. Neither is criticism.

But I get attacked from those on the far left and those on the far right.

Of the 8 Democrats running in this race, I’m certain they don’t get castigated by fellow Democrats for being Democrats.

And Dana Rohrabacher, my Republican opponent, isn’t being chided by Republicans for being a Republican. In fact, despite mounting investigations against him for his ties to Russia — the OC establishment Republicans are 100% behind him.

So the 8 Democrats in this race (yes EIGHT) aren’t getting attacked for being Democrats. And Dana Rohrabacher isn’t being attacked by Republicans for being the Republican that he is.

So what’s the difference with me? Why do many on both sides find trouble with my candidacy?

I am a centrist.

In no particular order…

  • I believe people have far more in common than what politicians tell you. We all want to be safe, have decent jobs, be left alone, have the ve opportunity for us and our loved ones to have security.
  • I am a free thinker.
  • I don’t tow the party line unless it aligns with my convictions.
  • I don’t let any person or group tell me exactly what I need to believe, not even those in my own party.
  • I carefully analyze the issues, independent of pressures from either side.
  • I don’t subscribe to conservative or liberal news channels to tell me what to think.
  • I am a philosopher and am guided more by political philosophy than I am trending political events of the day.
  • My loyalty, above party, is to what is true and prudent and best and good, even if the idea comes from the other side.
  • I don’t consider it disloyal to speak up to those in my own tribe.
  • I believe good leaders have the courage to speak up for truth, no matter the cost to their political careers.
  • My heroes, going all the way back to the Socrates and the Christian scriptures, were willing to stand for what they believed right, regardless of the pressures, regardless of cost.

Here’s one current example of just how depraved party loyalty is making our country. Democrat leaders are calling for Senator Al Franken to resign for allegations of his sexual misconduct. Earlier this week, John Conyers, the longest-serving member in the U.S. House retired for allegations of sexual misconduct, after Democrats called for his resignation. At the very same time, Republicans, including our President, are increasing their endorsement for Roy Moore for Senate, who, like Franken and Conyers, has many allegations of sexual misconduct. In this case, with minor children.

Democrats are calling for their leaders to resign, while are Republicans calling for their leader to stay in.

Here’s another way of putting it. We are supposed to believe the women who accused Bill Clinton, Al Franken, John Conyers, Harvey Weinstein, Louis CK, Matt Lauer, Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Piven, Brett Ratner BUT NOT THE ACC– USERS OF Roy Moore and Donald Trump.

I’m not afraid to call that hypocrisy. Nonsensical. Groupthink.

I refuse to parrot the groupthink of my own party.

As a Republican, since I think the Democrats should resign for their abuse, so I think the Republicans should for theirs.

I feel the same about Russia’s interference in our election, and the investigation. I want to get at the truth. If Trump is cleared, great. If he’s found guilty of obstruction or collusion, great.

And I’m not afraid to tell the Democrats that virtually every offer they make to better our nation is one that will result in the expansion of the federal government, increased bureaucracy, and higher taxes ffor everyone. They want to make government bigger, and we would be the ones to filp the bill,.

What matters is truth.

My mother, who never shied away from inserting a saying at the apt time, was right: Birds of the same feather, flock together.

I think the saying works okay for pigeons and penguins; I don’t think it’s working really well for Republicans and Democrats.

Birds of a different feather, sometimes, need to flock together.

We need more people to think for themselves, to become centrists.

I’m that kind of candidate — a centrist, and the only one in this race.

If you support this kind of vision, please click here to endorse, pledge, learn more! 

Our Lungs Work. Our Hearts Work. Our Minds Work.

By in Parenting, Relationships, Spirituality, Teenagers Tags: , , ,

I took my morning run today at 5:30. I was tired. It was cold. On this particular morning, I thought true thoughts.

I thought of my two legs — I have two legs. I thought of my children — I have children. I thought of their health — they have health. I thought of my wife — one of the most decent people I’ve ever known. I thought of my warm home —I  have a warm home. I thought of my incredible friends — I have incredible friends.

I thought of my mother and father and three sisters — I have a mother and father and three sisters. I thought of my three brothers in law — I have three brothers in law. All good men.

I thought of my faith — I’m grateful for my faith. I thought of my car — I have a car. The A/C works. The brakes work. So does the radio and the and the generator and the battery and the alternator and the rear window defroster. It gets great gas mileage.

I thought of my ten fingers and ten toes — I have ten fingers and ten toes. I looked down and thought of my New Balance 993′s—I have New Balance 993′s. Two pairs, in fact, one gray, one black.

I thought of my books — I cherish my books. I thought of my trials — trials turn to gold. I thought of my freedom — I am nobody’s slave. I thought of those living under oppression — I am not oppressed. I thought of my education — I am grateful for opportunities to learn and grow.

As long as I have breath, I will always learn and grow.

I panted in the cold air as I ascended a daunting hill. There are many hills in this life. I thought of my will and my strength and my faith to get over hills.

The sun broke through these dark clouds and I saw radiant beams of sun. Then I thought of my eyesight —  I can see.

I had no pain in my body. No pain in my body. I had no pain in my body.

I thought of my family again — they are healthy and funny and grounded and happy. I thought about later posting a picture we took a while ago.

Our lungs work. Our hearts work. Our minds work.

I am loved. I am accepted. I contribute to the wellbeing of others. My friends mean the world to me. And they care for me. My family means the world to me. And they care for me.

Life is full of good things and difficult things. But every time we focus on the good things, we become grateful.

It’s kind of like that thing Lincon said, “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”

 

(this post was adapted from a previous post that you can see here)

“Save Your Soul, Paul”: Day VIII In The Life Of This Candidate For United States Congress.

By in Politics Tags: ,

 

 

“Save your soul Paul.” That was recent advice on a social media chat.

I take no offense.

Listening to the views of others, that is. Hearing what matters to them. Their fears. It’s my passion to learn from them. And I consider myself blessed to spend most of my days talking, texting, messaging with others about things that matter.

Politics is a dirty word today. But it’s is just a word to describe how people manage to live together in peace, safety, harmony.

If you’ve followed me on social media, I like to argue my point on things I believe in. I can be as stubborn as hell if pushed hard. But, as important, I want to understand the views of others.

One of the greatest compliments I receive is when people from the far right or far left tell me they respect my commitment to being fair.

Most people today are fed up with politicians. Congress has an approval rating of just 13%. That’s pretty sad. If I get elected, I will never become a politician. Like I said last week, a guy wanted to introduce me to a billionaire donor. I told him “no thanks.” I’m not even joking.

Today, I was chatting with a big Trump supporter. There have been over 900 homicides since Las Vegas. Trump promised to keep us safe. It is immoral that Trump will not even use the word gun after a mass murder like we saw in Vegas. It’s fine if he wants to protect us from terrorists, as he should. But every year over 15,000 dies from homicides from gun violence. Far fewer die from terrorists.

But every year over 15,000 Americans die from homicides from gun violence. Far fewer die from terrorists.

Non-partisan common sense says to combat terrorism and gun violence. Protect. The. People

Here’s a virtual transcription of the conversation. It warms my heart, even though there are clear differences.

Him: Going after Trump will not get you elected. Wrong approach.

Me: I don’t disagree with everything. But win or lose I’ve committed to being honest with my convictions for the good of the people. But I appreciate it…

Him: …it’s not how politics work. People are in it for one person only, themselves. I’m sure there are great intentions initially but so much money being thrown around in government corrupts the best of them.

Me: The largest special interest group in the country giving Trump $30 million then he didn’t even use the word “guns” after Vegas, THAT’s politics. I won’t take a dime from any special interest group.

Him: …you won’t win if you stay honest with your convictions. I respect it but not a winning (in politics) strategy. It’s the dirtiest place to play and you’ve got to think and act like them. Based on your posts I don’t see you being that type of person. Your intentions seem honorable but not how politics work.

Me: …appreciate it man. Given that, maybe you might help me. I deeply believe voters ultimately want candidates who will tell the truth, put voters ahead of $$$, not be so divided. Either way, I know you don’t buy all my positions but your words so inspire me… Thank you.

Him: in my heart of hearts we want people with your intentions to run this country. Unfortunately, it’s not how the world is set up.

Someone else chimes in: Save your soul Paul

I won’t lose my soul because I will stand by my convictions, not those of career politicians, large corporate interests, the billionaire class.

I’m for the people.

We can do better.

Please visit my campaign page HERE and support me NOW. This is a grassroots effort. We need you to bring real change to America.

Frenemies: Day IV In The Life Of This Candidate For United States Congress.

By in Politics Tags: ,

 

Paul, what issues are you running on? I’m getting this question more and more.

Probably one of the biggest issues for me is that of political unity. I’m a pragmatist. I’m into effectiveness. I like to get stuff done.

Problem today is that things haven’t been getting done in years in Washington DC. Everybody’s fighting. Republicans hate Democrats and Democrats hate Republicans. And the mainstream media is the only one profiting.

The fact that nothing gets done means little to career politicians; even during a recession, they get their hefty salaries, benefits, summers off.

The ineffectiveness of Congress has little bearing on the job security of many of its members.

Here’s a question I ask you to consider. How can this organization we call the United States government be successful when people on opposite sides hate each other? How can a family or a company or any organization function when its members loathe fellow members?

How can there be progress when one side considers it a “win” when the other side loses?

The win-lose spirit in Washington D.C is the primary reason for Congress’s current national approval rating of 13% — voters don’t like it. And why should they?

At the core of my campaign is an overwhelming sense that the division between left and right is damaging this great nation. Further, I do not believe blaming the other side is the answer.

I don’t care if you are left of Bernie Sanders, I don’t care if you’re right of Ted Cruz — it does our nation no good to despise fellow citizens. Even if their beliefs are opposite to yours.

So I am running as a “raging centrist.” That just means that I am, ferociously if you will, stubbornly committed to bringing people from both sides together.

And I consider it a great compliment, as a lifetime Republican, to have the support of Independents and even Democrats.

I consider it a victory, in large part, because working with Democrats was one of Ronald Reagan’s greatest legacies. Staunchly conservative, and, yet, able to have the finesse to work with the political “enemy.”

The best example of this finesse was Reagan’s relationship with Tip O’Neil. O’Neil was the Speaker of the House of Representatives during most of Reagan’s two terms in office.

You couldn’t have two men who had two leaders with more opposite views. Reagan essentially saw government as essentially bad; O’Neil wanted nothing more than to expand it.

The two men basically loathed each other’s policies.

And, yet, they forged a relationship based on respect. As important, they realized that the kind of partisanship that embodies today’s polarized American politics today would result in not just the hating of your fellow citizen, but paralysis in Washington.

O’Neil’s son, Thomas, wrote about their relationship, in this article, Frenemies: A Love Story. I think anyone passionate about politics needs to read this. It brings tears to my eyes as I imagine what is possible in our divided nation.

Here’s an excerpt:

“What both men deplored more than the other’s political philosophy was stalemate, and a country that was so polarized by ideology and party politics that it could not move forward. There were tough words and important disagreements over everything from taxation to Medicare and military spending. But there was yet a stronger commitment to getting things done.”

If I have the honor of representing the voters in the 48th Congressional District, I can assure them that I’m going there to get things done, in the spirit of Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neil.

Because let’s face it, when we strip away all the polarizing junk we see in the media or on social media, people are people.

We are all in this together.

We can do better.

If this post resonates with you, I humbly ask you to click HERE NOW and read more about my other priorities.

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