Picking yourself up when you are down is an effort worth learning in this life.  It is amazing how our experience can lead us to some startling conclusions based on what we have witnessed within our own personal realm of experience.  Not having an expectation of what may come about can take a person by surprise.  When we have beliefs about the way the world is supposed to work, and then something happens to completely change our view and opinion we once held with some certainty is indicative of how this body of contrary evidence can degrade and defeat our human spirit.  The phrase “nice guys finish last” is often used when resorting to a philosophy that explains one’s motivational technique to overcome your competition, or maybe an opponent by not “playing by the rules”.  Namely when we do not predicate our behavior on an ethical standard like honesty, integrity or respect, one can still often present the perception they have these qualities often using a public relations rhetorician of sophist to spin the desired event.

Operating under questionable directives, manipulating public opinion with a voice to spin their argument can be observed everyday in social media, or in other broadcasted stories if you dig far enough into the information.  Some people, businesses, government’s, and nations all use various techniques to carry out their agendas in the public domain.  Setting yourself up for success is of course advised to get ahead, but if you succumb to using some devious tactic that would not be considered as a deed having integrity or somehow misrepresents the situation that will favor an outcome that you will profit from, then you fail to hold any esteem in my life.

I have seen first hand how the an influential power can negatively affect those that are held to a higher standard of accountability, and simultaneously how those in leadership roles give far less critical evaluations using the same technique of “selective perceptions” (Texas Sharpshooter), to those who they show favor to.  The politics of their arguments are rooted in ad hominem, straw-man, Texas sharpshooter, appeals to emotion, tu quoque, and other logical fallacious means that are by design used to support their claims since no other contrary factual evidence can be produced to exercise their agenda.

Most of the readers indeed should have some experience of being witness to life’s inequities primarily engineered by the politics of being human.  When we find that we cling to a path they may not truly be the best for us under the circumstances, even after all of our rationalizations, fears and the injustices, and if we do not acknowledge the alternatives, we may then forsake our own values and dwell on and cling to the rejection of this choice.  This is a where the hard part will come in; the psychological reconstruction of our thoughts, and how we are to fit into the world.  Seeking the change may be difficult, but if we do find a path in the end that will treat us in accordance to our values, then nothing will be more satisfying and we will be grateful that the angst we once suffered became the catalyst for an honorable change.

I have learned that one must push forward no matter what one may find in times of adversity.  The only way a change becomes a failure is when you do nothing and accept a fate you know will leave you unfulfilled.  Funny how one can commit themselves to a project for three decades, only to find that they have been on a wrong path.  How we despite the evidence continue to try to make the best of it, and find that after placing so much effort and sacrifice into an endeavor, we somehow are left unsatisfied knowing that it took us away from our families, remembering the countless times we gave up personal requests to “help out” ad infinitum.  Our personal health has been compromised due to the years of production in a service industry that seems bleak due to the constant threat of operations coming in using cheaper labor constraints with larger companies that continue to dominate any market share via questionable business practices.  The “bic Lighter” mentality is rife though-out our culture.  Use them up and throw them away.  Appeals to buying from slave labor countries, only to export these immorally produced goods in our country displacing many of our country’s jobs seems to be acceptable to our government.  They themselves are the biggest offenders.

Despite the challenges, we must press on.  We must not engage ourselves in the negative dialectic, but instead create something positive for us.  The world can be a harsh opponent if we concentrate our thoughts on the negative outcomes in life.  To overcome the obstacles we must somehow strive to create the world of our rendering and become ourselves an agent to ameliorate the difficulties.  We may find that it will be hard, that it will be frustrating, but we may just indeed find that in the pursuit for progress there will be a rewarding payoff if we stay the course.

Moonshadow

Cat Stevens

Oh, I’m bein’ followed by a moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow
Leapin and hoppin’ on a moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow

And if I ever lose my hands, lose my plough, lose my land,
Oh if I ever lose my hands, Oh if… I won’t have to work no more.
And if I ever lose my eyes, if my colours all run dry,
Yes if I ever lose my eyes, Oh if… I won’t have to cry no more.

Yes I’m bein’ followed by a moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow
Leapin’ and hoppin’ on a moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow

And if I ever lose my legs, I won’t moan, and I won’t beg,
Yes if I ever lose my legs, Oh if… I won’t have to walk no more.
And if I ever lose my mouth, all my teeth, north and south,
Yes if I ever lose my mouth, Oh if… I won’t have to talk…

Did it take long to find me? I asked the faithful light.
Did it take long to find me? And are you gonna stay the night?

I’m bein’ followed by a moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow
Leapin’ and hoppin’ on a moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow
Moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow