MAKE YOUR BED by ADMIRAL WILLIAM H. RAVEN

  1. CHAPTER ONE: START YOUR DAY WITH A TASK COMPLETED

New men entering the Navy were taught from day 1 how to make your bed right away. With all the problems associated with war, it was daily life that provided a sense of structure. Nothing can replace the strength and comfort of one’s faith, but sometimes the simple act of making your bed can give you the lift you need to start your day and provide you the satisfaction to end it right. 

2. CHAPTER TWO: YOU CAN’T GO IT ALONE

William Raven falling out of the airplane as the leader of the Seals, his parachute did not work.. His compatriots somehow circled him in the air and essentially saved him, albeit he was injured and hospitalized. He had always felt invincible, but now you know that “you cannot paddle the boat alone”.

3. CHAPTER THREE: ONLY THE SIZE OF YOUR HEART MATTERS

While becoming a Naval Seal going through the ins and outs of training, he could see a thin man in Vivian clothes as he continued to gaze at the photos on the wall. It made him feel good about himself knowing that he was clearly stronger. Then Lt Huth stood up and motioned him to come into the office and he said to me, “Tommy was the last SEAL Medal of Honor recipient from Vietnam. He smiled back, shook his hand and laughed. Tom had on successive nights gone deep behind enemy lines to rescue two downed airmen. This was Tom Norris who, on another mission, was shot in the face by North Vietnamese forces and left for dead only to be rescued by a Petty officer. Yet, Tom who battled back from his injury was accepted into the FBI first Hostage Rescue Team. This quiet, reserved, humble man was one of the toughest SEALS in the long history of the Teams.

4. CHAPTER FOUR: LIFE’S NOT FAIR—DRIVE ON!

Moki Martin was training as a military Air Force officer. As others, he participated in training exercises to support the goals of whatever he will be called upon. He was training with others on bicycles when he and another collided. They were hospitalized but his paralysis never allowed him to use his legs. For the pastrami 35 years, he has been in a wheelchair with no complaints. In fact, he became an accomplished painter. He fathered a beautiful girl and founded the Super Frog  Triathalon.The common people and the great men and women are all defined how they deal with life’s unfairness: Helen Keller, Nelson Mandela, Stephen Hawking, and Moki Martin.,

5. CHAPTER FIVE—FAILURE CAN MAKE YOU STRONGER

After swimming in the ocean waters, calisthenics, I became stronger. When I came out of the water with my partner, we were told by the officer, “You embarrassed them!”. In July 1983, I experienced a tough moment, quit and enjoy civilian life or weather the storm. I was given an opportunity to deploy overseas. I took advantage of the opportunity. I learned that past failures had strengthened, no one is immune from mistakes. True leaders learn from mistakes. 

6. CHAPTER SIX — YOU MUST DARE GREATLY

In Iraq in 2004, I was with a group to conduct a rescue mission. They came at night unexpectedly. The risk was calculated. Throughout my career, I always respected the SAS motto: “Who Dares Wins”. Life is a struggle and the potential for failure, or hardship, or embarrassment will never achieve their potential. Without pushing your limits, without occasionally sliding down the rope headfirst, without daring greatly, you will never know what is truly possible in your life.

7. CHAPTER SEVEN — STAND UP TO THE BULLIES

Saddam Hussein, the former president of Iraq, sat at the edge of an old Army cot clad only in an orange jumpsuit.  Having been captured twenty-four hours earlier, he was now a prisoner of the United States. As  I opened the door to allow new Iraqi  leaders into the room, he remained seated with a smirk.   Still fearful of the dictator, I grabbed a chair as he began to talk.  No one had the courage to challenge him. If the purpose of the meeting was to show Saddam that he no longer in power—it had failed. He no longer had power.

Thirty days later, I transferred him to  a proper military police unit and a year later they hanged him for his crimes  

Bullies are all the same. They thrive on fear and intimidation. 

In life, you have to have courage within.

8. CHAPTER EIGHT—RISE TO THE OCCASION

“If you want to change the world … be your very best in the darkest moments!!”

 Learning how to dive the basic SCUBA was part of the basic SEAL training.  As I watched the fog encircle te Air Base in Afghan, another dark moment as an aircraft was coming in with the remains of a fallen warrior.  This was a Ramp Ceremony. When the ceremony ended, tears fled. It was the darkest moment.

At some point we all confront a dark moment in life. If not the passing of a loved one, then something else that crushes your spirit and  leaves you wondering about your future. Inn that dark moment, reach deep inside yourself and be your very best.

AUTOCRACY, INC. “THE DICTATORS WHO WANT TO RUN THE WORLD” by ANNE APPLEBAUM

   Anne sharply deals with autocracies. It does not take much reading of history  to understand the term. One is aware of Putin, the chief autocrat that I am aware of. Surely, China’s dictator, Xi Jinping is comparable. But there are others in Asia, South America, and now the United States is threatened by the potential disaster President of the United States, Donald J. Trump!!!

I cannot say that I learned anything that I did not know. What always intrigues me is the ability to communicate with written words. I write whatever I want, but I never cease amazing those who write detailed history so clearly.  

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!!!!