6 May 2020 Making good choices and could basic income be an option for the US?

Hello to you.  How are you as you visit me here?  I hope this finds you well.  Aside from allergies and being awake way too darn early things are pretty decent here.  When is too early to be awake?  In dog time, from what Link tells me, it’s being awake before the sun is.  As I write, he’s still in bed!

What comes to me this morning is something I’m having to do – learning to accept my part.  What I mean by that is each of us seems to have a part we play on this stage of God’s and mine seems to be the one that I’m trying to accept.  When I’m doing what I’m supposed to do, things seem to go well.  When I’m not, well God lets me know about it.  They were pretty firm about it most recently – tough love is the phrase we are using.

To quote Albus Dumbledore: “It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

So it’s  important to make good choices.

I’ll be honest, sometimes it’s hard to know what a good choice is!   In my life so far, it feels like there is a lot of hindsight on the making good choices scenario.  It feels like all too often I am  asked to make a good choice when I’m faced with a set of circumstances and limited data to go on.  As is the case recently, if it’s not me making the choice, it’s me having to trust someone else about it.

My personal barometer, “if it ain’t light, it ain’t right” works most of the time.  If my heart moves in my chest anywhere but center when making a choice, my choice my need evaluating.  Lately though, and I hadn’t planned on this part,  I am acknowledging that when I feel my heart sink into my stomach it might be because I’m being asked to get out of my comfort zone.  How do you tell the difference?!

This is a question facing so many in our world today isn’t it?

making good choices” in the English Ordinal system equals 158 – a feeling, being yourself, quality of life, spirit alchemy

With this Covoid19 crisis there seems to be a lot of darned if you do, darned if you don’t!  The right answer, as I’ve been seeing a lot, might not be the popular answer or what other people want to hear.   For example, the debate in our state of Texas has been whether or not to open up businesses again.  Is it too soon?  Are these businesses prepared for the changes they need to make to be open safely?   I am noticing a lot of small businesses being forced to choose between their lives and their livelihoods.  I think if they knew they had some sort of income no matter what, they wouldn’t feel pressure to reopen so quickly.  For many, if they don’t open back up, they face losing their business which affects their lives and the communities they serve.  If they do open back up, they are putting their lives at risk being exposed to a potentially infected public.  They tried to give some of the businesses stimulus checks but it’s not enough to sustain a business for a long period like we are potentially talking about with this virus.

A model that exists and I don’t know if this would work here is Basic income.   May be something like this could help the many unemployed and or those losing their businesses from the restaurant, service, retail and agricultural sectors.   They already have people applying for aide so they know who the folks are that need help already:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_income

Basic income, also called universal basic income (UBI), citizen’s income, citizen’s basic income, basic income guarantee, basic living stipend, guaranteed annual income, or universal demogrant, is a governmental public program for a periodic payment delivered to all on an individual basis without means test or work requirement.[2] The incomes would be:

  • Unconditional: A basic income would vary with age, but with no other conditions. Everyone of the same age would receive the same basic income, whatever their gender, employment status, family structure, contribution to society, housing costs, or anything else.
  • Automatic: Someone’s basic income would be automatically paid weekly or monthly into a bank account or similar.
  • Non-withdrawable: Basic incomes would not be means-tested. Whether someone’s earnings increase, decrease, or stay the same, their basic income will not change.
  • Individual: Basic incomes would be paid on an individual basis and not on the basis of a couple or household.
  • As a right: Every legal resident would receive a basic income, subject to a minimum period of legal residency and continuing residency for most of the year.[3]

Basic income can be implemented nationally, regionally or locally. An unconditional income that is sufficient to meet a person’s basic needs (at or above the poverty line) is sometimes called a full basic income while if it is less than that amount, it is sometimes called partial. A welfare system with some characteristics similar to those of a basic income is a negative income tax in which the government stipend is gradually reduced with higher labor income. Some welfare systems are sometimes regarded as steps on the way to a basic income, but because they have conditions attached they are not basic incomes. If they raise household incomes to specified minima they are called guaranteed minimum income systems. For example, Bolsa Família in Brazil is restricted to poor families and the children are obligated to attend school.[4]

 

Basic income” in the English Ordinal system equals 93 – management, growing, therapy, internal, trying, parents

nine three” in the English Ordinal system equals 98 – together, stocking, trust, “to try”

nine eight’” in the English Ordinal system equals 91 – spirit, upgrades, savings, content, emotion, future, growth

nine one” in the English Ordinal system equals 76 – sharing, tracker, humans, species, example, mixing concept

seven six” in the English Ordinal system equals 117 – humility, upbringing, occupation, statement, expansion

one one seven” in the English Ordinal system equals 133 – a the, innovation, challenge, invitation, grownups, system life

one three three” in the English Ordinal system equals 146 – a body, people matter, brain function, peace for the brain, field of study

——————-

https://washingtonmonthly.com/2020/03/18/americans-need-a-basic-income-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/

While one-time “stimulus checks” are an option— as they were in the immediate aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis—many Americans are going to need longer-term support to weather the coming financial storm. Rather than a single shot of cash, struggling Americans will need an “emergency basic income” (EBI)—i.e. no-strings-attached, continuing cash support, similar to what former presidential candidate Andrew Yang proposed on the campaign trail.

At the time of his campaign, Yang was pushing for a “universal basic income”– a $1,000 per month entitlement for every American. The idea was expensive, impractical. and rife with the potential for unintended consequences. But now, Yang’s original conception, with some important variations, could save millions of Americans from financial catastrophe. That helps explain why its finding new life from proponents l New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (as well as Yang himself). Yet UBI need not be adopted in its original form to do a lot of good; it need not be as generous as an indefinite entitlement of $1,000 a month, nor does it need to be universal. At least not yet.

———————

I currently live on a fixed income so I understand what this is like.  My income doesn’t fluctuate that much so I have to live within my means.  I wonder if this model would work for some of the folks that had small businesses and they had to close them.  Could our country afford this system on a short term basis until be get more stabilized and beyond the crisis?

Anyhew – I’m out of my depth.  People a lot wiser out there on this but that’s just how my mind goes – from small scale to the world.   How do you make a good choice in such uncertain times.  I guess if we are honest with ourselves, now isn’t much different than it ever really was.  There is always risk in decision making.  All we can do is make the best choices we can and hope for the best.   I do hope anyone reading this, if you are in the demographic of folks I’m talking about,  that you have or can get everything you need to take care of yourselves and your families.

P.S.  The Blue Angels are supposed to be flying today – hope I get to see them!

 

 

 

5 May 2020 Uncomfortable Silence

Hello to you.  How are you doing today?  Hopefully you are doing well.

Something that comes to mind this morning is the phrase uncomfortable silence.  As I write, I’ve got an alternative station I found that I like, 103.7 fm on as background noise.  I’m getting to be one of those kind of people that has to have the sound on in my world.   That thing called comfortable silence is uncomfortable for me and it never used to be.

 

This radio used to belong to my brother-in-law Todd – still useful!

My mother-in-law used to follow ratings for television shows.  I seem to remember her talking about CSI was one that always had high ratings.  What was behind that a certain demographic, usually older Americans, put the show on as background noise even if they weren’t watching it.  I though that was funny at the time until this situation of having to stay home alone more!  I’m becoming one of those people!

So today I give thanks for local programming and the radio stations that keep the world interesting for me.  Right now I don’t have access to streaming services without paying for it.  I’m trying Amazon Prime video and took a look at Patrick Melrose yesterday.  I couldn’t get through the first episode.  It was hard to see Benedict Cumberbatch being such a convincing addict.  I much prefer seeing him as Sherlock Holmes (minus the addict part) and Dr. Strange!  There are some other interesting shows to check out whilst I work on my afghan.

I find myself going a bit stir crazy staying in the house so I’ll meander out for a walk.  This isn’t such a bad thing as I gained some weight during my hospital stay.  I’m starting to remember why one can lose your mind a bit being trapped in the house.  In the past, it was just because of extremes of weather.  I can remember being in a shelter in Mississippi  during a hurricane and how tough that was.  I was in a shelter with a bunch of other people and it was dark and even smelly at times.  We ate peanut butter and crackers in the dark.  As tough as that was,  there was an end in sight.  With this virus and containment,  there doesn’t seem to be a definitive end.  I understand better why there are protesters in different placing demanding things get opened back up.  We are social creatures and are made to do stuff besides staying at home.

I wonder if this is the plants way of healing itself?  For all the bad things that have happened and tragedy, good things have been happening for the planet.   The biggest thing is a reduction in air pollution!  I wonder how can we keep that going once life starts to resume it’s course?

https://nypost.com/2020/04/07/3-ways-the-coronavirus-is-a-boon-to-the-environment/

ITOE6561 4 May 2020 Breaking through marker picture Jackie Wygant Alvarado TX

First drawing with markers – thinking of breaking through barriers in my life.

a uncomfortable silence” in the English Ordinal system equals 213 – (ironically month and day I was born!)

 

 

4 May 2020 Idle Hands

Good morning to you whenever and wherever you are as you visit here today.  How are you?  I’m doing ok.  Link and I have been managing our alone time.  Had a nice phone visit with a friend yesterday and that helped a lot.  She has cats and I have a dog right now for company!  My life seems to be one of extremes sometimes.  I’m seeking balance.

So yesterday I ventured out to Michael’s in Burleson and was so grateful they were open.  A lot of places have taken measures to protect their employees like having them wear masks and glass shields have been put up in front of registers.  I have been trying to avoid going anywhere and staying home.

I bought some yarn so I could work on another afghan.  I find that if I keep my hands busy, my mind follows.  When I got home, art supplies were waiting at my door from my Aunt and Uncle!  I guess they had similar thoughts about staying busy – so nice!

4 May 2020 – new afghan project started

3 May 2020 art supplies from Aunt Ruth and Uncle Bill
3 May 2020 – Dogs are so easily amused. How do they do it?!

I wanted to see what the phrase, “idle hands are the devil’s playthings” in gematria:

idle hands are the devil’s playthings” in the English Ordinal system equals 335

3+3+5 = 11/2/1

three three five” in the English Ordinal system equals 154 – a love, play, voice, eyes, health bodies

one five four” in the English Ordinal system equals 136 – a child, hug, have, agree

one three six” in the English Ordinal system equals 142 – a self, new, gift, balanced

one four two” in the English Ordinal system equals 152 – a earth, caring, hobby, heart, create, devil, hobby

one five two” in the English Ordinal system equals 134 – a one, free, chance

 

 

3 May 2020 The Little Things – morning coffee

Hello to you in your today.  It’s Sunday as I write to you and I am blessed to have a cup of coffee beside me, power to run this computer, Link asleep yet in the bed and my health.  My mini gratitude list!  The little things are mostly what makes up the average life if  you really take a look.  All those minor things that when you are in a different situation, you find yourself missing and when they are back in your life you find yourself so grateful.

Quote: Steve Aitchison internet

When I was at JPS, they had morning coffee and what a spectacle that was!  Talk about a reason to get out of bed!  We practically ran down to the coffee cart and then each person had their, what I refer to as, the “dark morning ritual.”  I call it a dark ritual not just because coffee is dark but if you mess with people, sometimes even speak to them, before they have completed their individual process, they can get so fussy!  Each person had their own process and it usually meant quite a mess for the cleaning people or one of us.  Powdered creamer and the variations of sugar got all over the place as each person frantically, in some cases, opened the packages of creamer and sugars.  Some people used ALOT of artificial sugars for their mix!

My thanks to the coffee maker, which changed from morning to morning, was often profuse.   One morning I even had tears in my eyes when I said it to Cole.  Cole was one of those who actually had the formula down to perfection on making the coffee lol!  It’s the little things that can make a time that seems almost unbearable….well bearable.   Sometimes routines are not just routines to those on the receiving end.

When you look at your life as it is, what is it that you are grateful for?  There has to be at least one thing.  When I find my life has taken a turn I’m not comfortable with, asking myself that question helps bring me back around.

morning coffee:

morning coffee” in the English Ordinal system equals 130 – a peace

one three zero” in the English Ordinal system equals 154 – a love

one five four” in the English Ordinal system equals 136 – a child

one three six” in the English Ordinal system equals 142 – a self

one four two” in the English Ordinal system equals 152 – a earth

one five two” in the English Ordinal system equals 134 – a one

I requested to listen to this song a lot when we had recreation time.  I like the video attached to it for a time called The Adventures of Jasper Morello.

 

I hope you have a wonderful Sunday and that you find yourself grateful for at least one thing – even if it’s just waking up today.

 

 

 

 

30 April 2020 Finding balance

Hello to you – how are you in your day today?  I’m doing pretty good.  The world is pretty still for me right now after conquering some of the hurdles I had waiting for me when I got home.

What has come to mind this morning is finding balance when the world seems to be out of balance.  Every time I turn on the television.  Every page that comes up when I open the internet.  Almost every conversation with family and friends.  What is it all about right now?  That darn Corona virus!  What do I want to give my power to about it?  Not how many people are sick, not how many people have died, not all the ways we have failed in containing this thing.  What do I want to focus on?  How many people have lived?  What have we done right?  The countless HERO’S that I have personally encountered and know working in the the medical profession right now.   I have friends and family in nursing and all I want for them is their safety and outstanding health on this journey each day.

Coming from the experience I recently have come from with healthcare, even when things seem their worst, God, as I understand, finds a way to punch through the darkness with hope and light.

I believe that what you focus on gains power in the world.  The more we focus on the negatives, not to deny negatives exist, the more power we give to what we don’t want going on in the world!  I encourage everyone reading this to amplify their positive prayers, mediations and just energy signatures in the world….empowerment!

So as the scales skitter back and forth like trying to weigh ourselves on a scale, I hope a healthy balance, a healthy “weight” will be achieved.

finding balance” in the English Ordinal system equals 101 – system

one zero one” in the English Ordinal system equals 132 – life

one three two” in the English Ordinal system equals 148 – motive

one four eight” in the English Ordinal system equals 143 – choice

one four three” in the English Ordinal system equals 150 – Joy

one five zero” in the English Ordinal system equals 140 – food

one four zero” in the English Ordinal system equals 158 – feeling

one five eight” in the English Ordinal system equals 125 – all

 

one two five” in the English Ordinal system equals 134 – one