Be-Think [Please visit BeThink.org]

Live Your Life; Rest In Peace

Live Your Life © copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert
I offer my thanks to the creator, Danny Smith, and to the Sandwichman at MaxSpeak for stimulating this sharing.

We wake to work, dress for the job, drive to the office, factory, educational institution, the fields, or perchance, a restaurant. Perhaps, we travel to the site, go underground, or seek scaffolding. Some soar above the clouds to complete their designated task, or is the word "required" a more accurate term for what we do daily.

Self-Actualizing Maslow; My Mentor, My Muse

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert I have never been interested in Tom, Dick, or Harry foolery. I am attracted to Abraham. Today, April 1 is the anniversary of his birth. Abraham Maslow was born on this day in 1908. Since my own birth, I was a serious soul. I suspect I was prior to my Earthly conception. Never once have I taken part in an April Fool's Day prank. I know not the history of this "holiday." I only trust that it did not originate with me.

I recall when I was younger, and still, the same today, women would say 'I am looking for a man with a sense of humor.' Perhaps, I do not have one for the possibility bores me. In truth, it concerns me. I think it offensive to laugh at others, or at the expense of others. Sadly, more often than not, these are the dynamics involved in what people think hilarious.

I want to share with serious spirits, persons of substance. I long for a reciprocal reverence. Rarely, what passes for humor is an homage to humankind. The sacrifice of any entity, I believe scars the soul. Thus, on this the day of April 1 I offer no jest. I share what for me is profound. It is not that I object to laughter. I subscribe to the words of Horace Walpole.

For those who think, life is a comedy.
For those who feel, life is a tragedy.
~ Horace Walpole [Father of Gothic Novels, Member of Parliament]

"Death Ends a Life, Not a Relationship." In Memory of . . .

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert

In the last sixteen years, I have only used the word in my writing. It just does not seem apt for me anymore. In 1991, my Grandpa passed, or as some say, he died, although he never did. I am reminded of this today for someone I knew from afar for many decades, and met face-to-face only a year ago on this same date, took his last breath this afternoon.

It is a somber day; yet beautiful. Phillip, is gentle man, a giant. His heart is, to coin an expression, more golden than gold. His spirit is softer than the yellow metal is in its purest form. Phillip's goodness is great. You may think it odd that I presume to know so much about this man. After all, we only spoke on a few occasions in the past year. However, I am closely acquainted with Phillip's family. I have, by extension been apart of this loving circle for generations.

On March 11, 2006, I spent hours chatting with Phillip. We discovered all that was between us. Until then, we never understood that we were truly connected. Without communication, there is much conjecture. When we open our hearts and minds much is realized, at least Phillip and I thought so.

Are Stepparents Real Parents? Are Biological Parents Best?

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert

More than a month ago, I began writing this treatise. The significance of stepparents and adopted parents was on my mind. Gerald R. Ford had passed and there was ample discussion of his heritage. Gerald Rudolff Ford Senior did not father his son in a biological sense. Still, the elder Ford was Daddy. Jerry Ford spoke of his father often and how significant he was in the his life. The elder Ford raised his son as any parent would, even though he was actually a stepparent. Ford, the President was not adopted until he in his twenties. At that age, an adoption was perhaps a gesture; after all Jerry Ford was legally an adult. Gerald R. Ford Junior wanted to honor his father or the man that, young Jerry truly felt was Daddy.

I too was fathered by a man not my biological match. For years, this gentle human choose to relate to me as if I was his own offspring. Legally, we had no connection. Let us call him "Adam," was my stepparent. Yet, this soft-spoken man was my Dad. Long before I could, with permission from the government, call him Daddy he nurtured my heart, mind, and spirit. I too am adopted; my adoption was long in coming. For years my biological father, perchance, we can title him Michael, refused to give his permission. In some states, possibly all, this is necessary. As I listened to President Ford's history, I thought of how it mirrored my own.

Worlds Collide; When the Angels Rise From the Cosmos ©

"There are no boundaries in the real Planet Earth. No United States, no Russia, no China, no Taiwan. Rivers flow unimpeded across the swaths of continents. The persistent tides, the pulse of the sea do not discriminate; they push against all the varied shores on Earth." ~Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Oceanographer

I believe there are no boundaries. What comes into our consciousness does so with reason. Days ago, I was bombarded. Words of aliens were everywhere I turned. My feet did not land solidly on the ground. Throughout my day, I was Earthbound only to be taken away by events in the greater cosmos. I welcomed the invasion of other authors into my space. They brought parallel universes into my consciousness. Jeff Wolfert and Andrew Feder write of what is and extrapolate. They offer what might be. Each of their manuscripts relates the news to what is not yet on the horizon. In this treatise, I will present two essays, Citizens of the Cosmos, by Jeff Wolfert and When the Angels Have Risen by Andrew Feder.

Competition. What Have We Wrought and Why? ©

Tonight I had an interesting experience; at least it was to me. I offer the tale to you. Please read this narrative, reflect, and then decide for yourself. My family and I dined at was considered to be an exclusive restaurant, or so it was in its day. Now, this joint is jumping, though the patrons are not as genteel as they once might have been.

Pete's is on the lake; outdoor dining is available. This eatery is always decorated in the style of the season. The ambiance is elegant, or so it seems, until you stroll off to the restrooms, after traditional dining hours. There, off in the distance, a patron notices another world. It is a party time!

Fast Forward; The Story Unfolds. Fade into Feelings ©

Years have passed Gary. I have learned so much. I can only hope that you feel as I do. There were so many misunderstandings; there is still so much pain. You taught me of love, perceptions, communication, and how each of these is important. Understanding these in total is vital to the health of an individual and a relationship. I am writing in love, sharing our story from my perspective. I am working to communicate.

Ohio Opportunity. Call For Change ©

This weekend I had the opportunity to touch Ohio.  I volunteered.  With thanks to MoveOn.org, I “called for change.”  I shared my support for Democratic Senate, candidate Sherrod Brown.  Phew, what a relief this was, interesting, inspiring, and sadly, disillusioning.  Nevertheless, I was, I am elated.After decades of political activism, unexpectedly I participated no more.  The decision was not mine; circumstances led me down a path I did not relish.  I moved from Southern California, a place where activism was and is a constant, to Southern Florida. 

Marital Status. Single. Married. Satisfactory or Searching? ©

Early morning television viewing can stimulate a mind. Today, while preparing breakfast, I was watching the CBS Sunday Morning Show. They announced this is National USA Singles’ Week. On the screen statistics were flowing.

• Ninety-six [96] million Americans are single.
• Fifty-four [54] percent of singles are women.
• Sixty-three [63] percent of singles have never been married.
• Fourteen [14] percent of singles are widowed.
• Twelve and two-tenths [12.2] percent are single parents.
[Ten [10] million women, two and two-tenths [2.2] percent men]
• In New York State alone, fifty [50] percent of the population is single!
• One third of all births in 2002 were born to single mothers.

I thought; how fascinating, so many singles celebrating their marital status; yet, from my observations many are actively searching for a spouse, a soul mate, a sense of security, a sex partner, or something else.

My Lessons, Angst, and Challenges ©

“It is time to go to school,” mother calls gently. “No, I don’t wanna!” I scream. I continue, “You can’t make me.” “Oh yes, I can!” she exclaims. Now she is getting angry. I start calling her names and then I decide to play the martyr. I say sobbingly, “You don’t love me anymore.” Finally, I resort to lecturing her on the finer points of how to best raise a child. I speak to her of what it means to be part of a loving family. I cite chapter and verse, for surely she does not understand. If she loved me, she would let me be.

She defends herself against my barbarous claims. She attempts to provide examples. I rant; I rage. Who does she think she is? She does not own me. I am autonomous. I know what is best for me. We battle, we argue, and reluctantly, I trudge off to school.

For me, school is a calm place. I excel in this environment.