WITH THE OLD BREED

E.B. Sledge "Sledgehammer" served with the U.S. Marines in the South Pacific in WWII. If you have any doubts that war is hell, they will be gone by the time you finish this book. Sledgehammer faithfully wrote notes each day on whatever paper he could find, and many years after combat he found partial emotional healing by writing this book. I have no personal memories which allow me to relate to his experiences. All I have is secondhand stories from my friend Winston who also served with the Marines twenty five years later in Vietnam.

Halfway through the book, he makes an interesting comment:

None of us would ever be the same after what we had endured. To some degree that is true, of course, of all human experience. But something died in me at Peleliu. Perhaps it was a childish innocence that accepted as faith the claim that man is basically good. Possibly I lost faith that politicians in high places who do not have to endure war's savagery will ever stop blundering and sending others to endure it.

Have you ever had an experience that changed the way you look at life? If not war, perhaps a debilitating illness, an accident, or the death of someone close?

How did it change you? Was it a positive or a negative change?

GOOD RADIO

Erin recently introduced me to a web site that plays your choice of music 24 hours a day. So far, I have chosen stations playing Ramsey Lewis, Gregorian chants, Rammstein, Techno, Kenny G, Hillsong, soft piano, bluegrass, and Flatt and Scruggs. I'm still adding stations. There is a random play option. I like that, because I get tired of just one genre. It's quite an experience to go from Gregorian chants right into Rammstein. Try it here and give me some feedback.

THE SUCCESS SYSTEM THAT NEVER FAILS

W. Clement Stone founded the Combined Insurance Company of America. Along the way he inspired millions to be successful in their business. His book, The Success System That Never Fails is full of advice nuggets for the wanna-be business person. They really are nuggets. After reading this book, you will want to get out of bed in the morning and go to work. You'll be inspired with ideas that will grow your business. You're attitude will truly take a turn for the better. The positive effects will be realized by increased productivity, sales, and income. If you want to know the nuggets, read the book. Do not read more than one chapter per day. One chapter per week is better. Take notes, and apply the principles to your business. I know it works, because I read it 30 years ago.

CONFLICT

What is the root of conflict? We have conflict between individuals, within families, between clans, states, and nations. I see bumper stickers that say "Why can't we just all get along?" The prevailing viewpoints are that mankind is either basically evil, or basically good. The "evil" outlook is rooted in Judeo-Christian teaching, and the "good" perspective is a more recent addition since the enlightenment. What do you think? Will our future be like Star Trek or The Apocolypse? Perhaps it will follow the storyline of H.G. Wells Time Machine, and we will have one, followed by the other.


Perhaps the root of conflict is that we want to control others. When they don't do what we want, we get angry. We see conflict in preschool when children fight over toys. I think the weapons just get more sophisticated as we grow older.


I often tell Lin that the world would be a better place if everyone would just do what I say. Who are you in conflict with? Is it because they are a jerk, or are you the jerk? Has anyone ever used guilt or manipulation to make you feel like a jerk, when they are the one who is the real jerk? How do you get past that?


Have you ever found yourself in a relationship with conflict? How did you resolve it?