Dr. Thomas Maples

Day one of becoming a home school teacher. My wife handled the duties for the last two days as my children are adjusting to a new life of what can only be described as an Orwellian Utopia circa 1984. Yes, I know the actual book was written in 1948. Despite what feels like the beginning of the Zombie apocalypse, I am on board full time as a teacher today; well, that is not entirely true… what I should say is that we are making due with what we have for the time being.

We are on mandatory lockdown in California, but I am making the most of it. The good… I get to be dad and husband for the ones I love most. The Bad… Two days into home schooling, and I think I am about ready to suspend both of my students indefinitely until the school ban is lifted… The Ugly… I am just joking… but really, when the hell is this thing going to end? How could anyone explain that a bad order of Moo Shu in China would lead to the destruction of Freedom in the civilized world, or at least the ability to buy toiletries from Walmart? I think there is something of a philosophical enigma here?

Just joking. By the way laughter is a higher order defense mechanism our psychology uses to ward us agains inner anxiety. Ah… Chaos Theory at its finest. What fun can we have during this time of uncertainty and DysFUNction.

Today’s quotes come from two Giants. Yes, they are political leaders; but it is very hard to find inspiration from true source of leadership without going to the scores of political leaders that actually did some good during their tenure in leadership. You may or may not agree with them, but pushing a political agenda is not the reason for this post. Instead, I choice to utilize two messages from two presidents that had very differing ideologies, yet reminded us to stay true to the core values we have as we traverse uncertain territory. Both Giant’s may have stood on opposite ends of the aisle, but both were able to create environments that mended many divides common to their day, yet remained loyal, faithful, and lead in a spiritually grounded and faithfully brave way during difficult times.

In times of questioning and uncertainty, we must focus on an order of higher purpose. I often speak of the core foundation the element of dreaming has to foster an inner belief in something not yet real, but which can be achieved. This division between what is had and not, between what is seen by the mind’s eye and what is currently seen by the naked eye is illusionary. They only exist in separate planes at this time. President Roosevelt reminds us of this when he states that physical strength is not the answer for all, but that spiritual force oftentimes supersedes and overcomes the need for physical strength in the first place. This philosophy is continued by President Reagan, who reminds us that the future belongs to those who are brave enough to stand in the winds stirred by the fainthearted and lead in times of peril.

This is an interesting time we live within. I chose to write of faith this week, almost as an synchronistic undertaking. Faith is one tool we have, to create order out of chaos, create unknown cures where there is disease, and to create healing where there was once division. Faith can come in many lights. God, belief in a higher purpose, belief in our capacity to overcome physical, mental, or spiritual obstacles that test our inner resolve to withstand the hardships life throws our way. It is up to us to find that inner bravery, resolve, strength, compassion, love for Self, and love for others to make this world a place that is worth truly living.

They may have been of differing ideologies, but in times of real crisis, both men remind us that we have a common cause, are first and foremost members of the human species before we are members of any affiliation, and that an inner need is to find bravery in the ideals of a higher order. This ideology mirrors the words of Presidents’ Roosevelt and Reagan, and stand as a reminder of a faithfully perilous journey we will need to undertake in coming weeks and months.

With Love and Blessings for All of You… Believe… Achieve… Advance Confidently in the Direction of Your Dreams!