“Literature is the most agreeable way of ignoring life.”
― Fernando Pessoa, The Book of Disquiet 

 

 

 

Solitude & Serenity

Peace and Comfort in a Troubled World.

It would seem sensible to attach serenity to solitude. Aren't they the same thing? A person can be in a serene state of mind and body while being in solitude or alone from anyone else. I looked up both, trying to find similarities, and while disclaiming any other person, I find that they both relate.

I live alone in quasi-solitude, with the Internet being my only recourse 70% of the time. I don't think it's possible to find a place of solitude without being alone and away from other people or distractions. But let's stray away from the official definition and venture into reality. If I'm reading a book or writing on my computer, I am in a state of complete comfort, free from any distractions. When someone enters the house, both solitude and serenity are violated somewhat, but to varying degrees. I can no longer concentrate on what I'm doing, but still stay comfortable. Because my surroundings have changed, I am placed at odds with not being alone anymore. Solitude fades away, but serenity doesn't.

You can calm stress through security and solitude. A person suffering from stress that's caused by any outside influence will not find relief until they can eliminate those things causing the stress. Simple right? Money, or lack thereof, is the most identifiable cause of stress. People become homeless by choice or tiny house dwellers to live a debt-free existence, which was or may have been the driving factor causing stress.

Let's say I am stressed and go to a therapist to see if I can work it out. The therapist relates my stress to the same causes that affect, say, 85% of the population. But my causes for stress aren't being addressed, and the therapist may suggest ways to work through stress while not identifying the cause. And the suggested remedies are getting by myself and relaxing, even though they may not be the solution.

You’ve seen the movies where the lady comes home to her apartment, kicks off her shoes, changes clothes, and turns on the music. Next, there’s a glass of wine and a cat to stroke. She’s alone, and her mind is free of the day’s stresses.

But everyone’s idea of what makes them safe, secure, and comfortable is different. A person working in a busy factory doesn’t have solitude but has serenity through the confidence in their abilities to perform a repetitive task, while the newcomer doesn’t have either.

Now, say I live in a city where solitude is only a word. Regardless of where I go, there is no getting away from others except maybe in my residence, and that's not a good choice because I lack the money to get a quiet place. So let's say I live alone in solitude. But what else can I do? The country setting is a welcoming place, but other stressed people in the city may think the same thing. Ever tried going to the lake on a Saturday? So the residence it is, and I've solved the solitude problem at least to my satisfaction. Now to work on serenity (remember the need to satisfy the therapist's recommendations).

Serenity is easier to satisfy than getting alone time, and if you have a quiet space, there is also reading, writing, meditation, yoga, and your inventions.

My inventions are probably different from yours. And because they’re mine, my past life’s experiences shaped them. But many people, well, probably most people, will at least attempt to satisfy any solutions that the therapist recommends. Some will go to great lengths to try those new things, too. And it will convince some people that those new ideas are working and that the therapist has changed their whole outlook on life. That’s how so many of these so-called experts get their reputations.

Some will be so utterly convinced that they will say, “Oh, you must try Suzie because she is so in tune with my psyche that I don’t know where I would be in my life today without her.” While not realizing that Suzie most likely wasn’t there with them daily, while they were thinking through those new experiences. They are giving Suzie credit for something that they worked through themselves.

Past life experiences and mindset are two of the most powerful things you must overcome if you truly want to reach a state of mental peace, which is actually what solitude and serenity are. It is what you think it is, based on your own experiences. Some people are completely at rest in hectic, noisy environments because that is what they are accustomed to, and are uncomfortable when things get quiet. Then others are completely the opposite. The definition of solitude and serenity shapes us individually.

 

 

“Don't waste your time with explanations: people only hear what they want to hear.”

― Paulo Coelho

 

 

 

Your Tax Dollars Hard At Work! For What?

Ronald Reagan once told a story about a little girl who wanted to be president so that she could give food and houses to all the homeless people. She was then told that she could do that without being president by going to someone's house and rake and sweep up, and take the money she earned and give it to the homeless person who hangs out at the local store. To this, she replied, Why can't the homeless person go and do the work and get the money? Welcome to the republican party, she was told.

This is just a simple story, but it has huge ramifications when the whole picture is taken into account. Let's take a look at the process of becoming a US citizen. This was taken (in part) from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.

To be eligible for naturalization under section 319(a) of the INA, you must:

• Be at least 18 when you submit Form N-400, Application for Naturalization;

• Be a lawfully admitted permanent resident of the United States for at least three years immediately before the date you file Form N-400;

A lawfully admitted resident usually involves having a valid visa and being inspected and admitted by an immigration officer at a designated port of entry. If a person walks into the US via a hole in the fence and journeys to a city or other place within the US, that person does not fit the description of being lawfully admitted. The law says: 

"In some cases, a noncitizen is subject to expedited removal without being able to attend a hearing in immigration court. Expedited removal may happen when a noncitizen:"

• Comes to the U.S. without proper travel documents

• Uses forged travel documents

• Does not comply with their visa or other entry document requirements

Keep in mind that this is the law, and those laws have been voted on and passed by Congress, the Senate, and signed into law by the President.  So, when someone enters the US illegally and goes to, say, Chicago, a city that is termed to be a sanctuary city, refuses to obey those laws, what should the punishment be? And when your tax dollars are used to house, clothe, feed, educate, and medically support an illegal person, what should the punishment be for knowingly violating the established laws? What has precedent, local law, or federal law? Federal law deals with immigration, and local and state laws are subject to federal law.

Let's look at this from another viewpoint.

Colleges can be tough to get into because of the money required. Especially the prestigious ones. Let's say that student 'A' goes to college and works hard at various jobs to "pay their way through college." Student 'A' receives no assistance. Now, student 'B' wants to attend the same college but applies for federal funding. Student 'B' doesn't work and only attends class every day. When student 'B' graduates, a huge bill is created that has to be repaid.  But then a democratic president comes into office and wants to eliminate the student debt. Who pays for student 'B's debt? You guessed it, student 'A', even though student 'A' has already worked hard to "pay their way through college." Not only student 'A', but everyone, even if they have never attended a university or college. In other words, all taxpayers will pay for those who attended and paid nothing.

So far, we have reached strike two in this story. The American taxpayers are paying for the millions of illegal immigrants and any student debt that has been eliminated. What's next?

Remember all of the millions of illegal immigrants that President Biden let into the US? Now there's a new president, and there will be a lot of deportations. Who pays for that? Well, here we go again, the already overburdened taxpayer. Yep, you and me. I'm doing okay financially, but it's aggravating that we have to foot the bill for something that was purposely created by a democratic administration. I don't know about you, but this aggravates me. Look at all of the homeless people wandering the streets. I know that a lot of them are on the street by choice, but some genuinely need help. When I see stories on the news of families living in tents because the parents can't find work, that bothers me. And then there are illegals in New York living in high-priced hotel rooms, being fed, clothed, educated, and given money; that's the icing on the cake.

I wrote all of this to display my frustration with the system. If the US politicians would stop the senseless squabbling and finger-pointing, maybe they could take a bit of time to solve something. Whether it's a Democratic or Republican administration, the result is the same. Each side is programmed to lambast the other side to maintain a balance. To keep one side from openly violating the laws. To be able to point and say, "I got ya!"