As old as time…

There is a tale as old as time,

Of seasons, rhythm, and of rhyme;

Of a Maiden, intelligent and fair,

Who although small, her heart would dare.

Of Castle Walls, and ancient magic;

Miracles born from what was tragic.

Of battles fought, and lessons learned,

Of a Love which through all trials Burned.

The gentle Lady, full of Grace,

Who calms the storm with a smile;

Her Heart as Lovely as her face,

To understand may take a while:

For complex is the human soul, scars and memories abound.

Pain and fear may take their toll, yet diamonds in the rock are found.

For timeless ages, the Beast would roar, and fiercely stare the whole world down;

Her hand upon his arm would bring a smile where once stood a frown.

Without her own wounds she was not, and some of them she feign would hide;

But they would speak in silent gaze, their eyes penetrating deep inside.

Happy in His Mighty Arms, and sheltered by his mighty frame,

The Lady found a hope which she had wanted, but could never name;

Challenged by her pure intent, pondering her feminine power,

Heart of stone, no longer alone, began to blossom like a flower.

The mob of temper would assail, Gaston the rage would hold no longer;

He sent her out, in foolish doubt; but absence makes The Heart grow Stronger.

Gaston vanquished, mob dispersed, The Castle walls no longer cursed:

She longs for the fortress no longer grim, beautiful for joy of him;

He rides to hold her once again, For riddles and laughter, and Love without end.

…

~Sincerely Your Beast, Johann~

The cult of the antihero.

What villain actually had a good point?

Is that a rhetorical question?

We have created a culture, by design, which patronizes villains, while demeaning heroes.

We have marketed with the utmost intelligence, to promote “Cool” “Sexy”, “fun”, and relatable villains; while painting heroes as “cringe”, or worse: “Snobby”.

I have been blessed with a powerful imagination; but I am hard pressed to imagine a less healthy, and more destructive narrative than one where Evil deeds are justified, because the perpetrator is: “misunderstood”, while good conduct is dismissed, if not outright condemned, because the hero is: “More Fortunate” or worse: “Privileged”.

What abject ignorance, and how incredibly counterproductive to remove the valve of individual merit and personal responsibility from our collective psychology.

“A good point?”

Is that really the question we should be asking?

The answer is simple: Everyone has a good point, on occasion. Even a broken clock is right, twice a day.

The more important question is: Who do you want your children to emulate?

Before you answer, ask yourself honestly, another important question:

Is Family important?

To look at society, today, one would have to conclude that it’s not.

Egocentricity  and instant gratification have replaced Happy Families.

Marriage is now rare, and most end in divorce. Children are seen as an inconvenience rather than a blessing, and are we happier?

Depression is at an all time high. Suicide is arguably at an all time high. No one can seem to agree on what “good” and “evil” even are, anymore; yet everyone is outraged about something.

I would say that we are not better off, nor have we “evolved” over the past 60 years: and I suspect more people than have the courage to admit it would agree with this observation.

So here’s an insane proposal:

Instead of hyping up villainy, and incentivising bad behavior:

How about we Bring Back Good Old Fashioned Heroism?

We scoff at idealism, because it makes us feel better about our inadequacy; but how much better would this world be if we all Strove Daily to live up to the Ideal of Heroic Virtue?

May the next fad or “Movement” be one which challenges us to better ourselves.

…

I wish you every happiness…

~Sincerely your friend, Jack~

Fail.

What’s the best way to build self-confidence?

I’m sick of failing, but I’m still here,

Still free, not a slave to fear;

I’m sick of people and their lies,

Their weakness and their alibis.

Success comes, but usually only as a rarity;

Victory comes at a price,

Friction makes the blade precise.

Many strikes and much heat do the finest weapons treat.

Confidence comes from success; but success is born of great stress.

Before one can, one must learn, and torment is the teacher.

Life is hard and life is hell, so listen to the preacher.

Foolish all, and gossips false are men and women alike;

Pay no mind to common kind, care not for love or like.

They’re not worthy of you, my friend;

Nor are they loyal, to the end.

They “love” you and they leave you, and both with all too much ease;

Live your purpose, give your all, but not: fair weather friends to please.

In GOD, Grow your Spirit, in Wise Proverbs, grow your mind, in health, grow your body, and let your words be few;

Let actions be your advocate, and conduct be your confidant, your reputation will clear the way, your journey to renew.

William and Katherine Hubbard.

Who are some underrated people in history?

William Hubbard and his wife, Katherine were key members of the anti-slavery community that served as a conduit to freedom in Canada.

William Hubbard, born in 1787, raised in Connecticut and New York, served as a colonel in the War of 1812. Hubbard and his wife moved to Ashtabula County, Ohio, to help his relatives with their lumber and warehouse businesses.

Largely organized by members of The First Presbyterian and other Churches:

Ashtabula County had a large abolitionist movement that operated several Underground Railroad stations. Hubbard quickly joined his brothers in the Ashtabula County Anti-Slavery Society and used this house as a station on the Underground Railroad. Situated near Lake Erie, Hubbard’s home was usually a last stop for runaway slaves before escaping to Canada by boat. Hubbard hid runaway slaves in his basement and in his hayloft. Underground Railroad conductors and runaway slaves referred to William and Katherine Hubbard’s home as Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard and The Great Emporium.

Constructed around 1841, this home became the last place of refuge for numerous formerly enslaved people as they left the United States for Canada.

The wealthy William Hubbard was responsible for Ashtabula County being nicknamed “Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard.” The cellar of Hubbard’s Lake Street brick mansion held large numbers of fleeing bondpeople, as did his lakefront lumberyard. He also built a barn with a tunnel going straight to the water’s edge, where rowboats carried people to waiting vessels.

William worked with his brothers Matthew and Henry, who helped start the Ashtabula Sentinel, an abolitionist newspaper. The Hubbard family actively worked with other residents of Ashtabula, helping to nurture an abolitionist stronghold in the county. Hubbard’s house, located by Lake Erie, served as a last stop for many runaway slaves escaping to their freedom. Many runaway slaves passed through the Hubbard House on their way to Canada. Residents of Ashtabula created such a hospitable atmosphere that some free African Americans chose to stay in the county.

Hubbard worked as an abolitionist and conductor on the Underground Railroad until his death in 1863.

…

References:

Hubbard House Underground Railroad Museum
https://hubbardhouseugrrmuseum.org
About Us

theclio.com
https://theclio.com
William & Katherine Hubbard House – Clio

…

“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed”.

~Psalm 82:3~

“Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God”.

~Proverbs 14:31~

“I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy”.

~Psalm 140:12~

~Sincerely, The Rock in The Storm.~

The one I’m Building.

If you had to describe your ideal life, what would it look like?

Thunder rolls across the sky, rain upon my skin,

Train and Fight until I die, in Life and Death to Win.

The scent of Rain upon the Wind, The Lightning in my Eyes,

My Soul renewed, begins again, this comes as no surprise.

My Muscles ripple as my flesh is battered by the rain;

My Spirit, Mind, and Body I Train, so this is rather a comfortable strain.

A Song of Victory in My Heart, my sacrifices are not in vain;

Joy of Family no longer apart shall come after the pain.

Adventure is my Spirit Bold, I journey to new lands untold;

A smile calm upon my face, within my Soul, a mighty Roar;

New conquests, a welcome embrace, I Rocked them all: Ready for More…

…

The Best is yet to come…

~Sincerely, The Rock in The Storm~

What I Meant was… (Another lesson in communication.)

What makes you nervous?

Nothing, anymore.

The last time I was nervous, it was because I had regret.

I lost Someone very Precious to me, this year.

What makes it worse is it was mostly my fault.

I had not been living Rightly, by which I mean I had not been living up to my full potential.

Rather than being The Rock, like I generally Am: I became reactive, when I should have led the vibe. When you do that, you tend to say things you don’t mean, and realize it entirely too late.

We don’t always get another chance to say what we meant, to The Person we meant to say it to.

I suck at being vulnerable, and generally find it a bad idea; but I wish I had, on that one occasion. I might have said what I actually meant.

I did not mean: “Go home.”

I did not mean that stupid poem. I Hate that poem!

I only stayed silent for so long, because I thought You Knew what I really meant. Men can be kind of stupid, that way.

What I MEANT to say:

“Did you know Your activism is important to Me?

Of Course it is! It’s important to You.

I have PTSD, from combat and other life experiences. That’s why I sometimes (not too often) get overprotective. It annoys me too.

On the occasion when I get protective: I need You to be patient with Me. I need you to bear with me and let me know you’re safe. Tell me I’m being a Dick, that’s fine. Just let me know you’re safe.

I don’t want Us to be dismissive of what’s important to each other. That will push Us away, and I don’t think that’s what either one of us wants.

Remember the promise We made, last night? *Pinky*  Another Promise: It’s not you vs. me: it’s You and Me Vs. The World.”

That’s what I meant.

Then, back to Our Adventures.

…

There is more I should say; but not here. Not now…

~Sincerely, Your Jack~

Now that you mention it…

How do you use social media?

How I use social media is about to change.

I believe it is high time your old friend and hero, Jack goes on another Adventure!

A Series of Adventures!

Oh, you’re not going to want to miss it.

It’s Going to be Fun!

I’ll post on all the platforms, and journal on WordPress/Jetpack.

Sure, I’m a washed up combat veteran, with nearly as many sport and combat injuries as stories;

But that’s never stopped me before.

We’ll start local, then travel a bit.

… right after I heal.

I overdid it in Jiu-Jitsu, last week, trying to prove I’m still 27.

…

The Best is yet to come…

~Sincerely your old friend and hero, Jack~ 🌹

Forever your Rock.

We weren’t always strangers.

Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you.

We were strangers, and then we weren’t, and then we were.

We met through reading each other’s poetry. Fancy that.

I was near Ft. Campbell. What a kiwinkydink! I was planning on moving here, and she was already here.

Have you ever been in Love?

I have. We were.

She fell first. I fell deep.

That’s why I guard my heart so well.

When I Do Love: I Love Deeply.

She pursued my heart for nearly 2 and a half years, before I said: “Ok, You can be my girlfriend.”

After all that, would you believe I messed it up?

Yup. Me and my stupid ego…

What’s any of this to do with a positive encounter with a stranger?

Ah…. When we weren’t quite strangers, before I moved back home, We had lost touch, for awhile, and She wrote me this poem, which had such a lasting positive influence:

“I miss you.

I think about you all the time,

And I try to put my feelings down in ryme;

But all I can think is: how much I miss You;

And since these silly rymes simply won’t do,

I figured I’d just say something True.

So True as the sky is blue.

I Miss You.”

…

This will forever be my favorite poem.

We were together for the better part of 6 years.

If you need any proof that I am The King of Fools:

I actually broke up with Her. I didn’t mean it.

Then, I waited too long to reach out.

Oh, how I wish I could take it back.

…

Never take True Love for granted, my friends.

~Sincerely, Jack , The Pumpkin King, who misses his Queen~

The importance of framing. (Lessons for communication)

I recently (within the last few months) had a conversation which did not go at all as planned.

After giving it a lot of thought, I realized how out of character I had acted, due to the fatigue I was experiencing, at that given time.

I realized that I unintentionally led the vibe in the wrong direction, which undermined my intent, leading to miscommunication and over reaction.

This was quite damaging for all involved.

Framing is important, as is attitude, I realized; and had I had the correct of both: tragedy would have been avoided.

I realized that generally, when I am my usual charming self, there are certain principles of communication which I have always used to frame important conversations, which, when not implemented, can result in disastrous effects.

So, for my own benefit, as well as those who have ears to hear: I list important rules of framing conversations for effective communication, in regards to cooperative problem resolution:

  1. Context – Safety is a prerequisite for trust. Trust is essential for cooperation. Your audience/partner must feel Seen and Heard. It is not: “you vs. me”; it is: You and I vs. the problem. (In the case of the aforementioned conversation: it was Us vs. the world.) This is the outermost frame, protecting all the work therein. Example: “I heard the frustration in your voice.”
  2. Non reactivity – A calm and solid demeanor is not negotiable for an emotional topic. One must remain calm, breathe, think, then respond, rather than simply feel, then react. Educated response heals. Emotional reaction, often enough, damages. Respond with clarity. Never react, impulsively. Respond clearly, with your objective in mind.
  3. Attentiveness – This bears repeating: Listen to your partner, and let them know they are heard, understood, and respected.
  4. Unifying solution – Communicate that their concerns are important to you, that you want your concerns to be important to them, and rather than dictate a solution: Invite them to join together, in this effort.

Example: “Your project is important to Me, because it’s important to You, even when I’m annoyed, by aspects I don’t fully understand. I don’t want to damage trust between us, by being dismissive of one another’s concerns. I want us to place mutual importance on the things that are important to each of us. Does that sound fair to you?”

5. No ultimatum – (See rule number 1.) People do not always see eye to eye, right away. When met with resistance, resist the urge to “teach them a lesson” by presenting them with a consequence for noncompliance. This is not communication; it is manipulation. We don’t want that. We want 2 people fighting for each other, not against each other. Remember to be patient with your partner, and if they do not readily agree: Invite them to think about it.

It is imperative that they know you are on their side, with them; not against them.

Keep it lighthearted, and proceed with whatever adventures you previously had planned.

Shared joy breeds comraderie.

That’s it for the purpose of this article.

Follow these rules, and avoid unnecessary heartache.

Love to all.

…

~Sincerely, Jack ~