Let's Not Oversimplify the Answers to the Virus

I watch a lot of news....ok ok....maybe a little bit too much news😝. But sometimes having a bead on the news of the week gives you a unique window into where people's minds are at. ( I should add that the liberal biased media doesn't necessarily reflect the common citizen....but that's another rant for another day...)

I wanted to talk today briefly about what i see as a rather childish reaction to the virus. 

The notion that just one simple answer is going to "stop or kill the virus" is a bit naive in my humble opinion.

I see politicians and all manner of "experts" and laymen saying loudly and with "great authority" that 

if we all "just wore masks" then we would be back in Neverland. Yes, wearing a mask does appear to slow the spread....but a mask in and of itself is not going to kill anything.

I see a lot of puffed up people looking down on folks who strut through town without a mask on....as if wearing a mask is the new great Messiah. Please children, can we think a little more comprehensively than that?

There is a lot that a person can do to "fight" the virus or as I would prefer to say... "prevent illness".

Number one, we can take care of our own health by eating healthy and consuming what is my own "personal magical " potion (lol) namely....tons of raw juices and yes, my ole fave ....raw garlic.

I also want to personally say that those who are defiant to the virus in their words and lifestyle may have something good going for them. They have a defiant attitude towards sickness. They believe in their own life and that they are not going to get sick no matter what. Who are you to disagree with a person's bold faith in their own strength and life?

Now you could say, that those defiant folks are living in denial....and you might be right. But there is a LOT to be said for people who are confident in their own life force and their ability to fight disease. The mind is a VERY POWERFUL instrument in the fight for good health. You can say all you want about petri dishes and lab grown antibiotics, but good common sense supports the notion that those who love life and enjoy life to the fullest don't usually get as sick as those who hide under a rock and wait for science to rescue them.

Oh, and just so that I don't sound too much like a self help paperback....let me say for the record, that there is a God in heaven who is very much alive and able to preserve and restore life. Those who seek God usually find Him and His assistance. Secular scientists can roll their eyes now...I'm not asking for your approval.

If you are a scientist, don't worry....you'll still keep your funding, and I might just read one of your text books or soak up one of your M.I.T videos, but I will always retain my own filters and maintain that wonderfully mystical process by which christians always wind up holding onto their faith in God, in Jesus and His love for us.

We are not alone. We are not stuck. Mankind, with God's help will find our way through this. I pray that those "therapies" and "preventative" measures which don't fit into the popular medical journals will also come to light as the powerful potions that they are.

For a long time, the fields of science in North America turned their noses down on people of faith, even though it was the Christian churches that founded the biggest Ivy League schools in  the world. If we can get over our own pomp and circumstance, we just might discover that the worlds of faith, the Bible and science are perfectly good friends and can cooperate to accomplish what will become a blessing to mankind for generations to come.

Peace, my friends, stay you...and and stay well.

Carla.

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Just by using "Preview Order" you might be Swinging the Market

Quite an intriquing book....Michael Lewis' book entitled "Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt".

I had wondered in my own life, when it was in the order of me placing a trade, that my trade would become visible to other traders on the market. According to this book, even if you don't complete the trade by hitting "enter", and simply by using the "preview order" process offered by your broker, this trade, or rather your "intention" to place a trade has already become visible to other traders. These traders then may, if they so choose, use that knowledge to bet "ahead" of your proposed trade, thereby using a process commonly called "front running".

What do you feel about these ideas? Do they may you squirm...? Or do they just confirm what you have felt has been going on in the markets for a decade?

hmmm....much to digest.

Peace,
Carla.


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Berkshire Hathaway....Simple or Complex...You Decide

 Having spent much time reading and listening to much written and spoken about the brilliance of Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway holdings and investment style...I thought I'd prattle on a bit of musings.

Derek Foster, who is known in North America as "The Lazy Investor" is a great fan of Warren Buffet's investment style especially because Mr. Buffet seems to invest in companies with "simple" products..... products such as Dairy Queen softserve cones, Duracell Batteries and Kraft Ketchup.

But then again, that is only one part of the picture.

CNBC has an interesting Berkshire Hathaway portfolio tracker...
for an example...here's a recent posting update from their site :                      https://www.cnbc.com/berkshire-hathaway-portfolio/

One can see that Mr. Buffet's company also invests heavily in financial companies, banks and three major credit card companies. It also has stakes in media companies, entertainment, and a credit ratings agency.

Such a large swath of the American economy is represented by the various stakes Mr. Buffett's company holds. Many of the companies are linked in the financial markets ....either intentionally or unintentionally....I don't know.

I would encourage you, before you jump to conclusions about the legendary Mr. Buffett, that you do more reading and thinking...and then do MORE reading and more thinking.

By the way, that is what Mr. Buffett is best known for...his utmost respect for those two major occupiers of his time.....reading and thinking.

Peace,
Carla.






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That Bird's Got Her Worm

Across the way....there's a house. At the tip of the rooftop..... birds like to rest for a moment and have a lookout.

Today, that robin commanded attention at that rooftop. She was holding the prize.... a long chubby worm dangling from her beak. That worm will feed her and her young gangly spring babes.

She is right to stand proud...to be downright cocky holding her prize up high. She could have been a snap shot from a Rocky film, like Sylvestor Stallone, after a winning match, holding his fist in the air. She has won her right to fight....and win.

And so, it is  that we must push on...until we find that thing...which we will at once, or perhaps gradually realize over time....is our own worm....our own fight worth winning.

It's feeding time. It's time to lay claim of what you can do....that will produce that livelihood.

What a great word...."livelihood". It has a much better ring to it than money.

May you find your "livelihood" soon, my dear friends. Because when you recognize the worm, and do whatever it takes to dig it up and take it home to feed your babes, it has become yours. It's not just about paying the bills...it's about a delicious livelihood.

Press on, brothers and sisters, your livelihood awaits...It may already be in your sights, awaiting your target, your perseverance, your study. You are not hallucinating. You are not living in a dream world. This is real.

That which you enjoy....can really actually become your livelihood.

Peace out,
Carla.





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This is only a test?

You can go ahead and label me a conspiracy theorist.....feel free to browse elsewhere on the net today then ok?

But, based on what I have seen occur in my beloved country of Canada, I must say...it has a lot of heads shaking in disbelief.

How can seemingly peaceful pencil pushing politicians suddenly wield such all consuming power so as to be able to tell folks, good decent hard working Canadians, that they may not earn a living?

I still can not get my head around it.Since when, did my fellow peace loving Canadian leaders suddenly become such power hungry dictators??? i am at a loss for words.

I do understand, to the best degree that I can, that the virus currently called "covid19" is a messy beast. But why did a fight against a virus transform and warp itself into a fight against the working man/woman? Isn't it a constitutional right to conduct business and provide for yourself and your family?

Isn't it always a good thing to have a "great work ethic"????

Isn't it always a good thing to go to church?

But no, the politicians  and law enforcement agencies are/have reprimanded, ticketed, fined and/or threatened people for doing just those simple two things....working and going to church.

Yes, yes, it is  May 22 , 2020, and before I blow a gasket, I must admit that things are slowly starting to re-open up in Ontario. But the opening is slow and painful. I still find myself avoiding grocery shopping because i hate the thought of being forced to wait outside in lineups just for the mere privilege of buying food.

I wonder, indulge me for a moment, if the powers that be, are just doing some kind of social experiment to see how asleep we are? Are "they" testing us to see how much of our freedom we will peacefully give up, all in the pretense of "protecting health"???

Is it a coincidence that those who are forcing the lockdowns upon us, are the ones whose paycheques have not been torn up during the lock down. Perhaps they are even getting a "pandemic pay bump" to deal with the extra stress of leadership during a national/global pandemic.

To say that our leaders are out of touch with the average working Canadian is an understatement. This season is a test of martial law....a test of a police state in our beautiful peaceful country.
We shall not allow this to occur without proper response. Take notes my friends and speak to your friends and family about this situation. It must not go on without discussion and prompt and very verbal public discussion. We do live in a democratic country do we not?
These massive sweeping public changes which are dramatically affecting all aspects of life in Canada must be held up to public scrutiny. Some of these issues should have been put up to a public vote before they were so aggressively rolled out upon us like a steam roller. Every Canadian has a vote and a voice. Remember this. Use your voice....and use your vote.

Please, my fellow Canadians, do not forget this season, even when things get back to more "normalcy".
The freedoms that we calmly let go of now.... under the "excuse of a virus", will not be easily regained back to their former glory.

And while I am on a roll, permit me to mention that the new "app" that will be enforced upon our cell phones for the purported purpose of "contact tracing" are going to become a new "spying" tool by which the government can glean all kinds of personal data about us.

Fight for your freedom to go to church and to go to work...whether you are self employed or otherwise. Also, fight for protections for your privacy, even if the government "enforces" contact tracing. The government does not belong in your cell phone.

Not peaceful today,
Carla.


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Encouragement for You

I just want to send a few brief words of encouragement to you today...my readers. Even if this is the first time you are visiting my blog...you are welcome. If you've been reading my blurbs for years...thank you quite hugely for your loyalty :)

So, today, is May 16, 2020 and Ontario is starting it's phase 1 of re-opening after having virtually everything grounded and halted since approximately March 15 2020.

I don't know about you....but the seclusion has been exhausting. Although much of my day is spent quietly, I didn't realize that I am much more sociable than I give myself credit for.
Maybe you too, have begun to realize how much you appreciate folks, like your barber, hair salon, nail salon, or the schools that educate your children. Maybe you have a newfound appreciation for the gift of a full fridge and the ability to pay your bills.

This modest first step in re-opening is a sign. It is a sign that better things are on the horizon. We must never allow depression or the struggles of life to squash us down. You must be your own best friend....your own cheer leader....your own spiritual guru.

Do you have someone around you who encourages you? Someone you can talk to who can speak life and hope and encouragement into your thinking?

I am not talking about blind encouragement.  I am not talking about encouraging people to do ridiculous or dangerous or illegal things. I am talking about....simple encouragement that will help you accomplish whatever you want to do with your life.

You life was given to you by God. He will help you embrace it.

I feel like Spring has finally sprung in our neck of the woods, with the trees starting to pop out their new buds and frills.

So, if you have been struggling with a lack of "zest" during this season of challenges, I want to give you a boost of hope today. I want to give you a friendly boost in the arm, to let you know that it's ok to believe in your dreams again. Don't let anyone or anything discourage you.

with kindness,

Carla





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Lock Down or Liberty...

The issues are so weighty...i hesitate to discuss them openly online....
One never knows how my thoughts in black and white will be understood or categorized. The data miners and "little grey men" are indeed watching what we type...and post and like and share.

If we stretch too far in endorsing "liberty" we may be labelled as a rebel and enemy of the state. If we endorse the lockdown for months and months, we may be labelled as fascist.

But yet, we are human, and if we don't get our words out...whether in chat rooms or other social media, we begin to whither. If we can not speak our minds, whether out loud or in type, we become less human.

Some things are so cut and dried for me.... The longer the lockdown in north America, the more our society will become an entrenched welfare state. We can pretend to be a free market, but if a simple individual who leads our province or county can force us to stop working, and accept and eventually become dependent on government handouts....are we really free? Isn't the constitution supposed to protect my personal liberties...my right to thrive?

A Person's own individual choices seem to be an afterthought right now. Those who are "gung ho" about lockdowns are publicly shaming those who simply want to get out and about, get some sunshine and fresh air. I spoke yesterday with someone who wouldn't even accept takeout food delivered to her because she was so afraid that the food was "contagious". Sigh. Fear can be toxic too. Extremism is indeed a disease of the heart and mind....and that in and of itself is something that we need to fight against.

I applaud the province of Quebec for giving parents their own choice as to whether to send their children back to school or not.

Choice rocks.

All of us have different risk tolerances, as well as different tolerances for suffering the consequences of our personal choices.
Some of us are willing to risk exposure to viruses because we have done our homework and figured out how to strengthen our own immune systems. We may be willing to take "calculated risk" based on study and facts and research.

What do you feel? Stay expressive of what you are feeling and noticing right now. Start a private "lockdown" diary, so that you can have a permanent record of what you are experiencing in your corner of the world right now. If you are afraid to share it online, you may have good reason to be very worried about the consequences of what you type. Therefore, you may want to write it in an old fashioned paper diary, with a pen or a pencil. I know it's not as fun as typing....but still you need to be able to express yourself and record a private and honest record of what you are experiencing right now.

The policies that are being crafted and put into practice right now will have implications for your family for years to come. There are freedoms that we have taken for granted for decades that are being "played with" as "negotiable".

My personal freedom is not negotiable. It is not optional. It is my right.

I see how this pandemic era and the government's response to it, has unleashed situations that I have never faced in my life time. I was born in the 60's and I have never before felt like my personal liberties were under attack. I always had the law on my side when it came to my right to go where I wanted to and when.

Now, all those personal rights and freedoms are under scrutiny and subject to negotiation or interpretation. Those who fall on the side of "extra cautious"  are bedecked in hazmat suits just to go to the grocery store. They will not go for a walk by the waterfront. They will not order take out food. They live in fear and feel that everyone should be forced to live with the same level of fear as they do.

I say that we must make our own choices based on what we each know and understand to be true. We must not be swayed by panic and overzealous politicians who relish their newfound power to control and dictate life as we know it. We knew how to live before the pandemic. We will know how to live after it. Give us choice.

Peace,
Carla


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