THE ANXIOUS GENERATION by JONATHAN HAIDT

 Jonathan was a professor in social psychology at the  University of Pennsylvania.  He focused on moral and political psychology. He lays out the facts about the epidemic of teen mental illness and investigates thr nature of childhood, including why children need play and independent explorations to mature into competent, mature thriving adults. He provides a dozen instances where neurological development is mired by circumstances, e.g., sleep deprivation, addiction, loneliness, social contagion, social comparison,and perfectionism. 

In short, raising children is problematic especially in today’s evironment, e.g., internet, social media, etc.

Letter to President Biden July 11, 2004

45 Glades Rd.          

Scituate , MA 02066

July 11, 2024

                                                                                                                                                     

 Dear Mr. President,

There has never been a more intelligent and devoted leader of our nation. Your life has been involved in national and international issues effecting the lives of fellow human beings. You have recognized the dignity of all humans regardless of color or intelligence. Your efforts to address poverty is well known to the world. 

However, at the age of 81, you are showing the problems of how the brain functions. You are supported by the teleprompter that allows you to share information that you want the public to hear. However, conversations with many reporters demonstrate how difficult it is to articulate what want to share with the public. This is by no means unusual with age but it would be a disaster for our nation and for your deserved reputation as one of the greatest presidents of the United States.

Your reputation would even be more pronounced if you shared with lthe public that you wanted to ensure that the next four years would not only avoid the possibility of a dictatorship of Donald Trump, but give the nation that opportunity to declare how you have been one of the best presidents in history. Surely your potential defeat would be a disaster! Your history would up negatively. But your helping an alternative to face Trump would be a triumph.

Please consider retiring as one of the best presidents ever!

Edward J. Toomey

DISCOVER VERSUS DEFEND MODE

 Reading books often educate but, at times, it helps to articulate what you experience.

People (and dogs) who are highly sociable go through life in a discovery mode are happier, more sociable are happier and more eager for experiences. Conversely,  people who are in defensive mode are more defensive and anxious and have rare moments of safety.

My life has always been a persistent series of opportunities to chat with people. In my 86 years, it has always been a privilege to talk with others. Sometimes, the conversation is simple, e.g., “what a beautiful day”, or political, e.g., “what do you think of the implications of Trump being president again”, or “what are your thoughts about global warming?”

One aspect of my life is share thoughts with people I meet. I would like to think that I am informative to some, a source of information or happiness to others. Sometimes people laugh at my comments.

I am always in the discover mode!

WHEN YOU SEE MY MOTHER, ASK HER TO DANCE by JOAN BAEZ

 I have so enjoyed her singing until she quit in recent years (I still listen to her music online). Her music touches your heart. This book is essentially her sharing personal thoughts about life and the people she knows. It is an easy and heartwarming read. Her life has been great and has made people happy.

TRUE GRETCH by GRETCHEN WHITMER

 I have read all sorts of news by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The news consistently reported her efforts to not only sustain her state but to improve the distribution of weath and kindness. I have written to her that I promote her to think about running for the President of the United States.  Not only is she sincere and focused on all, she is also realistic dealing with issues effecting the public. She is honest when any initiative did not result as intended. Amazing is her sense of humor that affects so many.

The book captures all that is relevant to understanding her. I have written to her a few times about the impact she would have on our nation if she were the next President of the USA!!!!

THE VISION OF THE PAST by Pierre Teilard deChardin

 I have read his books in the past, but I re-read them occasionally. I first read the books of this Jesuit while in the seminary ON MY OWN (was not in our classrooms).  His understanding of our place in Mother Earth not only made a difference then, but always. His (and later Sr. Ilia DeLio) writings of knowing.God’s presence in all (not just organized religion) made a huge difference in my life. I am aware of the presence of God whenever I am not concentrating on anything else. He was born May1, 1881 in France and died on April 10, 1955 in New York. His writings were not accepted by the Jesuits and he was buried in their cemetery without any more than a stick in the ground!! They neither published his work nor shared it vocally with others.  Later his writings were discovered and eventually published. From time-to-time I read his books in a state of thankfulness. My life was made different because of his writings. 

THE MEANING AND PRACTICE OF FAITH by REV. DIARMUID O’MURCHU

 I have read many books about understanding God as more than a great person, a person recognized differently by Christians, Jews, Islams, etc. In fact, many picture God as a body. All the books started by the Jesuit Pierre Theilhard deChardin and St. Ilia Delio remain in my library. This is the first book by Diarmuid O’Murcho that I have read (will read more).

He empowers individuals with a renewed responsibility to resolve life’s questions with a growing wisdom that can be checked, challenged and validated in spiritual group process. 

The bottom line is being aware of presence of God in all you do, think and talk. How to share your understanding may take time but the growth of being aware of the Divine makes not only one’s life better but also those you talk with.

WHITE POVERTY by REVEREND DR. WILLIAM J BARBERII

 The author is virtually a saint by virtue his allegiance to the Divine in spike of his recognizing that people of color are deprived of justice by white people. The book focuses on who are poor in America.  He writes about the lies that prevent us from seeing the pain of poor white families who have been offered little more than the “whiteness” and angry social media posts to sustain them in an economy the costs of housing, healthcare, and education have skyrocketed while wages have stagnated for all but the rich.