That comment — from someone whose mother has drastically gone downhill over the past few months — resonated with me. Because it’s true, right? Our good health is temporary. Life is temporary.
When we’re young, we want to be 16 to drive and 21 to get in bars. In the following years, my thoughts were on how I was going to pay my house payment and keep the lights on — not about how I’d live at retirement age. Certainly not what I’d do if my health took a nosedive! Maybe you were smarter and didn’t have those struggles… but maybe you did. Maybe you’re there right now.
No matter where you are in life right this second, it’s temporary.
Nothing lasts forever, and all things are subject to change. This impermanence is a natural part of the cycle of existence. Life is characterized by constant change. There’s nothing you’ll encounter living on this planet that doesn’t continually evolve.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t plan for the future, but only that you need to also live for today because…
…we never realize how temporary things are.
Now you know: The father and stepmother of Dee Dee Blanchard, the murdered mother of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, would not pay for her funeral and flushed her ashes down the toilet. (Interesting based upon Gypsy’s recent release from prison.)
I saw a Facebook ad… no, really I was on there 6.5 minutes and saw 2 bajillion ads — about a program you can buy to lose weight. It’s not the typical type of weigh-loss plan, but it has received 7100 reviews through Trustpilot that ranks the product 4.5 stars (out of 5).
Virtual gastric band. 😳
Over 1 million people have purchased and downloaded the 3 week hypnotherapy program to convince their brains that they’ve had gastric band surgery.
It works by telling your brain that part of your stomach has been banded off so you’ll feel fuller sooner. No surgeon cutting your belly and no adjustable silicone band around the upper part of your stomach. But in 3 weeks, your brain will believe all that happened.
Already, the world has over 1 million people whose brains can be convinced they’ve undergone bariatric surgery?
Imagine that for a moment if you will.
Then, reflect on the current challenges of the world and tell me that the mainstream media — and social media — aren’t POWERFUL tools that influence the minds of many, many people. If you can be convinced you’ve had surgery, everything else is on the table.
That’s about as dark — and interestingly scary — as last night’s sky in the Ville.
Non-virtual for the win!
Santa brought Perry a Pit Boss. Last night, we dined on something AMAZING! I’m thrilled I didn’t get sucked into that virtual gastric band mumbo jumbo. Whew!
Now you know: Driving certain cars on certain days is banned in the Philippines. According to the number your license plate ends with determines if it’s allowed on public roads on that day.
It’s not often you can go outside on Christmas Eve in Indiana without a coat. This year was the year!
The winter wheat is coming up nicely giving me some Christmas green as a view. Y’all know I wanted snow, but the chances weren’t that great — and it was certainly a fail this year. Guess I could move to Michigan — they had 18″ last year?
Perry’s looking for employees and a new job. 🙁
Poor Perry had to work last night on Christmas Eve. We’d planned to have a few people over and play cards, but that was spoiled when his assistant manager didn’t show up or call in. Yes, he also has to work today on Christmas, and his relief person is… guess who!? Yup, same one that was a no show last night. He may be pulling a double. Again.
Heartfelt Christmas wishes to you and yours.
May this season be filled with the warmth of love, the joy of shared laughter, and the magic of cherished moments with family and friends.
Now you know – 5 fun Christmas facts:
It’s a tradition in Japan to eat KFC for Christmas. Orders must be placed two months in advance.
1 in 3 men wait until Christmas Eve to do their shopping.
Bing Crosby’s version of “White Christmas” is the highest selling single of all time.
The abbreviation X in X-mas is not really an abbreviation. It stands for “Chi”, meaning Christ in Greek.
The city of Vancouver, Canada claims to be the birthplace of the first “ugly Christmas sweater” party.
Take out a sheet of paper — a full sheet — and draw a pig. You can make it as detailed as you like.
DON’T READ ANY MORE UNTIL YOUR PIG DRAWING IS FINISHED!
Now it’s time to analyze your drawing. We’re going to see if your pig analysis matches your personality.
If you didn’t draw a pig, you’re an asshole.
If the pig is drawn:
Toward the top of the paper – You have a tendency to be positive and optimistic.
Toward the middle – You have a tendency to be a realist.
Toward the bottom – You have a tendency to be pessimistic and may be prone to behaving negatively.
Facing left – You have a tendency to believe in tradition and be friendly; you may also be prone to remembering dates well.
Facing Right – You have a tendency to be innovative and active, but may be prone to forgetting dates easily and may not have a strong sense of family.
Facing front – You have a tendency to be direct, and may enjoy playing the role of devil’s advocate; you also are prone to neither fearing nor avoiding confrontational discussions.
With many details – You have a tendency to be analytical, but may also be prone to being cautious to the point that you struggle with trust.
With few details – You have a tendency to be emotional and to focus on the larger picture rather than focusing on details. You also have a tendency to be a great risk taker and may sometimes be prone to reckless and impulsive decisions.
With less than 4 legs showing – May indicate that you are living through a major period of change and as a result you may be prone to struggling with insecurities.
With 4 legs showing – You have a tendency to be secure and to stick to your ideals; however, others may describe you as stubborn.
With large ears – Indicates how good of a listener you are (the bigger, the better).
With a long tail – Indicates how intelligent you are (the longer, the better)
What my pig says about me…
I’m a realist with a tendency to be direct. I don’t fear or avoid confrontational discussions. I have a tendency to be emotional and focus on the larger picture. I’m secure and stick to my ideals and others describe me as stubborn. I’m an average listener and above average in intelligence.
What does YOUR pig say about YOU?
Extra credit… if you know me, how accurate is my pig assessment? 😉
Now you know: Only 28 books sold more than 500,000 copies in the US in 2022. Eight of them were by romance novelist Colleen Hoover.
Another neighbor decorated outside for Christmas today and Mr. Pesky helped. For a little dead end road in the country, we’re festive out here. REMC is watching those meters spin.
Dharma watched as the lights went up.
Being old, I snicked when I saw the meme below. 🙂
I didn’t snicker just because it’s true, but also because of the typo. It made me think back to taking Ben to see Santa in the early 80’s, but made me cringe because whoever took the time to create it couldn’t spell — or more likely, they speak very little English, weren’t alive in 1980, and have never been to the US.
Now you know: The human brain remains half awake when sleeping in a new environment for the first time. When we sleep in a new place, our brains are actually in survival mode, only turning half off, with one hemisphere remaining more “awake” than the other.
