An Ounce - For Your Consideration

Agnes was her parent's choice of name for her when she was born to a Kosovar Albanian family in the summer of 1910. Little Agnes, who became Mother Teresa, worked tirelessly in the slums of Calcutta serving and loving those who were considered the worst and lowest of society. Her efforts inspired thousands. This woman so committed to peace, and to loving and serving the poor, was once asked to participate in an anti-war demonstration. Somewhat surprisingly she refused the invitation and replied, “I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I'll be there.” What can we learn from the reason for this refusal?

Who is smart, capable, wise, and loyal; and what works and what doesn't - based on past experience and generalization, you might guess. Our brains use generalization and stereotypes for a reason. These can be very helpful in guiding us through our lives. Our brains recognize patterns and help us make snap decisions and judgments constantly, sometimes without even realizing it. Best be careful not to allow quick assumptions to keep you from seeing what is really there – right in front of you. Assumptions and stereotypes are often tragically wrong. So, keep your eyes open or you'll miss the awesome truth right in front of you.
A YouTube version of this episode is found at https://youtu.be/AjftmFMeT_0

Remember Pluto? That celestial mass on the distant outskirts of our solar system with 5 moons.The one named after the shadowy Roman God of the underworld. The one we used to call the 9th planet. Turns out it was too small and lumpy to be called a planet. So, the truth we thought we knew has changed. But, that's nothing new, somebody is always coming up with some new bit of truth the challenges our dearly held ideas of the 'facts'.

The heavy price of pride and intolerance of new ideas is examined in this case history from the Civil War. James Wolfe Ripley was cantankerous and just didn't like new things. As a Union Army supply officer he refused to issue a newer, proven, and much better weapon to the troops because he hated change.
A Youtube version of this podcast can be found at https://youtu.be/GBlVM5wkU1c

**This first Bonus Episode of 2020 is in 3 parts or segments. This is the first recorded segment.** Great interview with Michael Faith, of Faith Firearms and Preparedness Training. We discuss actions you can take to increase personal security and preparedness from simple actions around your home and business, to purchasing and training yourself to carry a firearm. Mike has expert insights on the considerations which should be made when contemplating a firearm purchase to the costs, liabilities, and commitments you’ll make when you decide to move ahead with it. (Part 1. Before choosing a firearm there are other actions you can take to improve safety and preparedness. - Part 2. The types of things you should be aware of when considering a firearm purchase including your individual experience with firearms, legal issues, and licensing – Part 3. If you’ve decided to purchase a firearm, how do you select the right one for you, and how you become and remain competent with its use.Contact Mike of Faith Firearms and Preparedness Training at [email protected] and check out his website at http://firearmtraining.net/

**This first Bonus Episode of 2020 is in 3 parts or segments. This is the Second recorded segment.** Great interview with Michael Faith, of Faith Firearms and Preparedness Training. We discuss actions you can take to increase personal security and preparedness from simple actions around your home and business, to purchasing and training yourself to carry a firearm. Mike has expert insights on the considerations which should be made when contemplating a firearm purchase to the costs, liabilities, and commitments you’ll make when you decide to move ahead with it. (Part 1. Before choosing a firearm there are other actions you can take to improve safety and preparedness. - Part 2. The types of things you should be aware of when considering a firearm purchase including your individual experience with firearms, legal issues, and licensing – Part 3. If you’ve decided to purchase a firearm, how do you select the right one for you, and how you become and remain competent with its use.Contact Mike of Faith Firearms and Preparedness Training at [email protected] and check out his website at http://firearmtraining.net/

**This first Bonus Episode of 2020 is in 3 parts or segments. This is the first recorded segment.** Great interview with Michael Faith, of Faith Firearms and Preparedness Training. We discuss actions you can take to increase personal security and preparedness from simple actions around your home and business, to purchasing and training yourself to carry a firearm. Mike has expert insights on the considerations which should be made when contemplating a firearm purchase to the costs, liabilities, and commitments you’ll make when you decide to move ahead with it. (Part 1. Before choosing a firearm there are other actions you can take to improve safety and preparedness. - Part 2. The types of things you should be aware of when considering a firearm purchase including your individual experience with firearms, legal issues, and licensing – Part 3. If you’ve decided to purchase a firearm, how do you select the right one for you, and how you become and remain competent with its use. Contact Mike of Faith Firearms and Preparedness Training at [email protected] and check out his website at http://firearmtraining.net/

Comparison is a, sometimes useful, and always compelling, tool our brains use to help us perceive the differences in things.  Our brains will rapidly discern differences, most especially when we choose the criteria to look for, and even when we don’t. The problem is that we often don’t see, can’t see, or can’t understand what useful criteria are. And, when that happens the information our brain gives us can be useless, irrelevant, or just plain wrong. The problem is even more poignant now because of the distortions of real-life presented by popular culture and social media.

Small and Simple, not much bigger than a house key, but so versatile. And, **An Ounce is Giving Away one of each of them!** Just listen to the episode to find out how to be eligible to win one for yourself.

The key chain multi-tool can be a quick solution to many of today’s common tasks. Everything from cutting the tape on the amazon box and trimming a developing hangnail, to tightening a screw and giving you a little extra leverage on a small task.

Key chain multi-tools are useful for many things. If you are re-building a Chevy small block, you will quite obviously need soothing more, but these tools can be useful time savers and are excellent aggravation prevention.

Leonardo da Vinci said, “I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.” (see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqECLqBOkXM&feature=youtu.be )

What does that have to do with igniting a fire with no matches? Keep listening and we’ll see if we can make the connection.

What do you need to create a fire?

In answer to that question perhaps you with are thinking what your Jr High School Science Teacher said 

 “Fire is an elemental self-sustaining interaction between 3 required ingredients; Heat, Fuel, and Oxygen. These three are required in sufficient amounts for a fire to burn. Remove any one of these 3 and the fire goes out”.

That is one correct answer. I would propose however that you might need something else, something even more vital, to ensure you can start a fire. 

Experience.

There is a difference between knowing how something is done, and doing it.