Did you know that the most common thing in the world is a cell phone. Everybody has a cell phone. Most people use it like a second ear. I have seen more people drive with a cell phone struck to their ear. I always wonder what people have to talk about. If that cell phone gets disconnected they pitch a fit. It is a convenience for most people. Lately I have seen and felt a disconnect between people. People are talking to each other but not communicating. I tease my wife because she likes to speak in French. For every English word spoken, there are ten French words spoken. My wife likes to talk. Computers take so much time just to browse. Video games take hours of time to play. We have so much time in our lives. There isn’t any more time to have. Once the time goes by it is over. It will never come again. What is important to you? What do you hold more precious than anything else? What do you want out of life? I left a good job so I would have more time with my children. I did it because they were more important than the job. The bible says where your treasure is there will be your heart.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637.com

Joseph1637@juno.com

Throughout my life I have met people, some extraordinary and some not so. When I worked for a Christian radio station, I interviewed most of the religious leaders of major denominations in the US. I have met and talked to many major Evangelists from around the world. I have talked to presidential candidates and leaders of the Nation Right to Life organization. I have spoken to many influential business men. They all had something in common. Many were wealthy individuals and some weren’t. Many of the people I talked to were educated, but not all of them. When I started interviewing or talking to people, I didn’t treat them differently. I spoke with respect and kindness to each of them. But I didn’t use any difference with them. I didn’t try to curry favor with anyone. And guess what happened? They treated me with respect. I was expecting them to be aloof or entitled. But it never happened. It surprised me to say the least, but I enjoyed talking to them.

I found gold in those interviews and talks that glittered all the same. It wasn’t that I got to meet those people or were in there presence. It was that they spoke to me as a decent human being, with respect and kindness. The conversations were interesting and I learn many things. But it was the decency of each person toward me that struck me the most. In these days of power dynamics, corporate structures and hierarchy, people tend to lose the nature of being decent to one another. This is the gold that glitters that everyone can see.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

I was over at my brother’s house. It was a birthday party for a friend. My wife couldn’t go so I went alone. It is always interesting to go to my brother’s house for an event. We gather for football games, birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and any social event we deem fun. Last night was typical as any event I have gone to. Most of the people there know I am a conservative Christian. But that doesn’t stop anyone from speaking out on most any topic. We are the most diverse group of people you would ever want to meet. The spectrum is from conservative to liberal. We like each other and respect each other’s view. But that doesn’t mean we won’t discuss a hotly contested topics with passion. But we will walk away being friends. They are very sweet people and care deeply about the world around us. But they are still a crazy group of men and women. There is every age there. But I have noticed how people’s values have changed over the years. Due to circumstances and other disasters in their lives, it has forged certain ideas. I don’t agree with them all, but some have merit. I love my brother and sister-in-law and want to be with them. No matter how crazy their ideas get.

Crain Blanchard.

www.joseph1637.com

joseph1637@juno.com