Mediocrity (published 8-11-2008)

Mediocrity, from mediocre, is from the Latin "mediocris," meaning medius, middle.

I was driving up the road today. (Yes, it was up an East Tennessee hill.) To the right was a drop off down a ravine -- of course, no guardrail. To the left was, ironically, an EMS vehicle, over the yellow line, in my lane! I had two choices: die by EMS vehicle (oh, what irony!) or by a long drop. Well, since I'm writing now, the EMS driver swerved back into his lane in time. (No, he wasn't on a run. Lights were off.)

Illustration? Yes. What happens when you drive in the middle of the road? You crunch or are crunched!

What is wrong with so many people? We settle for mediocrity. Not satisfied with politics, career, religion, family, etc.? So what? Don't rock the boat. Don't strive to change or improve. Keep your mouth shut. You might cause chaos. You might hurt someone's feelings. There is too much uncertainty, too much risk. Don't change.

Then, we go through the motions of life, robotically. We don't really live. Thoreau, in "Walden," wrote, "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation." I don't know about you, but I'm tired of "quiet desperation!" Darn it! Enough is enough!

So what if you rock the boat, take a risk, upset someone? Use your compass. Don't just stand in the woods, looking at it, for direction. Find your path. Get out of the woods! The view is great at the bluff! You can see for miles!

Of course, I am not advocating some form of hedonism. Ancient Greece fostered that. You compass is magnetized by your morals, your sense of what is right. Do what is right, based on your ability to read your own compass.

In short, don't let others "fit you into a box" where you don't belong. Stand. Don't be afraid. Change for the better. Improve. Don't look back.

Quit driving down the middle of the road in mediocrity. I don't want to be hit!

What say you?

Beat the Market (published 11-18-2008)

Well, well, guess who's back? Yeah, yeah, promises, promises. So, I lied! So what? I just didn't have time to fool with this blog slog until now. Okay, I'm in a mood now. And why not? The economy is in the tank. Jobs are scarce. Blah, blah, blah, etc., etc.

Hey, want to have some fun reading an insightful blog? Check out the website (as also linked in the above image):

Stock Market and Political Commentary: Markets - Money - Military - Politics - Issues and Events That Affect Your Life

The blog is administered by a good friend and colleague. I have found his political insights refreshing and to the point. He also offers good market advise, for the rich and infamous among us. (Yes, I meant infamous.)

So, check out the site. You won't regret it!

I'm Back! (I Think.) (published 2-16-2008)

Well, after a long hiatus, I'm back – I think. (By the way, "hiatus," from the Latin "hiare," means "to yawn." My almost year and a half break was definitely not a yawn!)

Well, as you can see from the photo, I've been on a long trek through the mountains, hiking the Appalachian Trail from north to south and back again. Okay, okay, I'm dreaming!

Actually, the practical hectic nature of life called, and I had to answer. From late 2006, I endured a career transition – from the adequately lucrative, but unfulfilling, life of insurance sales to the more fulfilling but chaotic and stressful world of a non-profit position. I also endured the illness of my mother-in-law. Sadly, I endured the multiple hospitalizations, ER trips, and final passing of my father.

Yes, 2007 was, and early 2008 has been, a roller coaster ride, not a walk along the trail! (I despise roller coasters!)

Now, I'm back. I will endeavor, with greater diligence, to post away my life story, for any and all, if anyone is out there, to read. Let's see where we go. Read on!