Jonathan Livingston Seagull

ONE OF THOSE RARE BOOKS...Helping inspire a new course for life

I write this blog listening to Niel Diamond's musical score for the 1970's film based upon the book by Richard Bach, Jonathan Livingston Seagull. The book and music are equally inspirational and I recommend them as a timeless return to dreams, values, and joys found in achieving the best in us. I first read the book in 1973 while in Lima, Peru. I was a young idealist on a mission to change lives, and the harder I tried to bring a message of change to others, I found my own life and mission in the process.

Another young American loaned the book to me, and I was immediately carried away to a place of vivid imagery; knowing what I wanted my life's work to be. I wanted to become part of what this writer had contributed to; inspirational storytelling, an art form I had appreciated since my earliest recollections of boyhood viewing Disney classics, and reading fairy tales of heroics and honor.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull tells of one gulls attempt to break from the crowd of fighting between other gulls upon the seashore over daily scraps of food washed up, or cast off by others. While other gulls were satisfied with flights designed to bring them an advantage over their fellow gulls, Jonathan had the idea that perfecting flight would become his ambition.

He had heard of fairy tales of the "Great Gull" and thought if he flew high enough, soared well enough, at speeds fast enough, perhaps he too could reach a perfection few other gulls ever thought about. Instead of fighting over cast offs Jonathan soon learned his ideas made him a loner and a literal cultural cast off from his society of gulls.

Jonathan was soon formally banished to live outside the society as a non-conformist. I won't spoil the tale, but you get the idea. Sometimes following a dream makes us feel alone. It perhaps sets us apart from others. It even has the potential to make others feel uncomfortable around us.

I am taking a break from editing, AS A MAN THINKETH...In His Heart, to add to my blogs. A novel I began in August 2006, it is now timed to go to the printer in one week, yet the discoveries I made two weeks ago, on a trip alone to the novel's setting, Ilfracombe, England, needs to be included in this final revision.

I have ventured into a life of no security, a dreamer's life where seeking to be like Jonathan, all I care about is how high I can reach, and from time to time, like now, am able to look back and see the view. It isn't easy to separate oneself from the flock, trying to justify a risky life-pursuit, such as novel writing. Not easy to go without the scraps (money) of what feeds us in hopes of finding the great goal an even better reward.

If you ever seek to break from the routine, and feel like finding your place "in the lonely looking sky" as Niel Diamond sings of, I recommend the read by Richard Bach, Jonathan Livingston Seagull as a good place to begin.

James Michael Pratt

http://www.powerthink.com/

ARROGANCE & PRIDE and a Peanut Farmer

WHAT DOES ARROGANCE, PRIDE AND A PEANUT FARMING EX-PRESIDENT HAVE IN COMMON?

I don't like getting involved in political rhetoric which attacks the character of an Ex-President of the United States, but Mr. Carter has crossed the line from self-appointed peace-maker to self-appointed international policy designer, IN A TIME OF WAR.

Mr. James Carter is going to consult with Iranian backed HAMAS terror leader Khaled Meshaal in Damascus, killer of US, Israeli, Lebanese troops and civilians, AGAINST THE ADVICE of our sitting US President and State Department.

When this was pointed out by today's Sunday News wonks he shrugged it of, and suggested he was, "quite at ease" about meeting with Hamas because they were an important player in the Israeli Palestinian peace movement.

HELLO! Mr. CARTER? YOU WHOOOO! ??? You aint' the President. You are a few decades removed and a few marbles shy! It isn't your turn, sir! You aren't appointed to the "peace process." YOU SIR, SMACK OF "ARROGANT." And arrogance in self-appointed missions of peace to sworn enemies of our country is as dangerous as it gets. Remember the Biblical injunction: "Pride cometh before the fall." Well it isn't your "fall" alone at stake! It is our country's!

Webster's Arrogance: "That species of pride which consists in exorbitant claims of rank, dignity, estimation, or power, or which exalts the worth or importance of the person to an undue degree: proud contempt of others; lordiness, haughtiness; self-assumption; presumption."

YOU HAD YOUR CHANCE, MR. CARTER. We had an embassy taken over by Iranian thugs under your watch. Rescuers were killed in an ill-advised attempt at saving your reputation. Energy crisis and gas lines, the spread of Soviet aggression, one chaos creating economic policy after another. Yes - you got Mr. Sadat and Mr. Begin together. Good for you! NOW LET GO!

UNDERMINING: This is really about you, isn't it? Come on, you can't get over the fact that the American people would like to know you are in Plains, a dignified ex-President, writing occasional advice pieces but staying put where a "former head of state" belongs... Past tense!

• 
  
  Teach Sunday School! You are good at that! It makes you like-able.


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  Write a book or two. They out last us all and add luster to a personal legacy of service.


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  Plant peanuts. Who knows? You may produce a viable fuel alternative from them... make up for gasoline lines we endured under your Presidency 30 years ago.

Ex President Jimmy Carter -- The super smiling, harmless appearing man who ACTS the self-effacing patriarch of goodness and American correctness, is a wolf in sheep's clothing in this mis-guided "peace-making" romp to the Middle East. His pride won't allow him to take the lead from those legally and morally obligated to create and administer policy with regards to fighting the war on terror, with the clear stated policy of NO NEGOTIATIONS WITH TERRORISTS!

Shame on you Jimmy Carter! You are ending your life-time of "public service" in "private service" by snubbing those directly involved in our country's policy making. Can't you give it a rest and just let us like you? You were President once... or has age caught up and you forget what it means to have the burden to make final decisions, hard decisions, based upon information you alone and a few others trusted by you, possessed?

YOU SIR ARE pride-filled, and have the civic intellect the size of the nuts you so proudly produce. Do us a favor, and be a true servant of all Americans. Yield your proud heart to the voices of those whose stewardship it is to deal with our enemies.

James Pratt

April 13, 2008

HAPPY MEALS & VIAGRA

Have a HAPPY MEAL

&

Learn How Viagra Can Change Your Life!

I was traveling to Nashville, Tennessee last week. I pulled off I-40 west bound during a drenching the area was receiving from the recent storms. It was near 10:30 and I hadn't eaten breakfast. I knew if I went to McDonalds what to expect in the way of a quick but satisfying egg and sausage BIG BREAKFAST, and easily found the franchise location just off the exit in Lebanon.

I must say, the franchise in Lebanon, Tennessee has to be the most impressive McDonald's I have ever seen. From the landscaping outside, to the very clean and modern interior (bathroom as well) I was immediately and favorably impressed. I had just returned from a writing research trip in England, and had trusted the scrambled eggs there, as well as enjoyed an English made BIG MAC, but still there is "no place like home."

I grew up with McDonald's. While I don't eat there often any more due to age, cholesterol, and calorie concerns, I still trust the people and the reliable menu. I got my BIG BREAKFAST for half the English McDonald's price (1 Brit pound = $2.00 and a Big Breakfast is 3.99 British) and headed to one of the fanciest settings I have ever seen in a fast food restaurant.

Booths and bar stool seating with personal television monitors, video game controls, one choice of channels. My immediate reaction was "WOW!" then moral judgement kicked in and I suddenly shifted to realize the huge disservice and negative factors... even though it is a fun new idea for the giant of fast food marketing.

WHY? Because to our continuing social denigration and possible cultural demise CONSTANT STREAMING OF INFORMATION doesn't give the brain a break. FAMILIES ALREADY AREN'T TALKING TO EACH OTHER!

But, I'm calming myself down, readying my BIG BREAKFAST as I try to ignore the fact that commercials are being run, and, "...this slick new addition to 'captive audience' marketing is, after all, under the roof of a family enterprise," I say in self-talk.

While applying the ketchup to my hash browns I saw the first and last commercial I intend to ever see in any food establishment. I was so angry and frustrated I had a hard time downing my meal. And besides, the coffee drinking seniors the commercial was aimed at were leaving as the menu board changed to HAPPY MEALS and BIG MACS!

ALL The television monitors at every seat were showing a healthy attractive older couple touting the increased joy of taking a pill designed to enlarge the anatomical male organ necessary for pleasure giving to the overly eager female... FOR SUFFICIENT HOURS AND DURATION THAT WOULD MAKE ANY MAN FROM ANOTHER GENERATION BLUSH!

What's going on in our society? Can't we take a break and eat our HAPPY MEALS without being presented commercials designed to enhance sexual gratification? Can't we just have Bambi (oops, that depends) playing or some innocent and fun-loving commercial ads if advertising is necessary?

NAW... Life's all about pleasure and profit, not responsible commercialism. Let's get everyone hooked to male organ enhancement. The female actors seem to suggest it makes their day... There isn't enough sex going on in other programming venues. Let's take over the family-friendly environments too. Maybe Disneyland can start offering commercial interruptions to our innocent joys and pleasures. Condoms and libido enhancing formulas can be advertised next to the Fantasy Land Sleeping Beauty ride...

VIAGRA commercials...and McDonalds.

Now this gives BIG MACS a whole new meaning.

James Michael Pratt

http://www.jmpratt.com/

http://www.powerthink.com/