HAVE YOU ATTAINED SUCCESS IN YOUR LIFE?

Success is subjective. It is different for everyone. What is your definition? To some it is creating a multi-million dollar business. To others it is a fulfilling career as a respected teacher. Usually it is a combination of things—health, happiness, material prosperity, love of family and friends, wisdom, influence, and fulfillment of goals. And to still others it is simply, am I leaving this world a better place? Some people think success is providing for their family and imparting a legacy of love and integrity that their parents gave to them. Shared happiness is a form of success. And feeling comfortable and right in your own skin brings peace of mind which is a kind of success.

There are many definitions but my favorite one, and the one I have made my own, is Ralph Waldo Emerson’s definition of success: “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”  I am still working on it. How about you?

SOME VICES IN MODERATION ARE GOOD FOR YOU.

Frontier Bullet Bourbon with a Troya Clasico cigar from Nicaragua enjoyed on a bench at the end of my dock on a perfect summer evening at sunset on a beautiful lake made me feel like Mark Twain. No way can that be bad for you. In fact, it was pretty damn good! It enabled me to reminisce about how lucky I am to be where I am at this point in my life. Maybe I made some good decisions but mostly, I have been very lucky and I am thankful for that. Living on a lake and having the love of a wonderful wife and large family is a terrific thing. My children and grandchildren make me happy by visiting and enjoying our lake house. My first born son, Micah John, has stirred up some new excitement for us by acquiring a ski boat that now sits on the side of our dock. It is a Master Craft Prostar Signature Ski Boat with a Corvette, 8 cylinder, engine. It is a fast, hot boat that will require careful attention to safety and proper operation.

Because it is an inboard engine, anyone who operates it must be extremely careful about the potential explosion hazard created by gas fumes in the engine compartment. Prior to starting the engine, you must open the engine box and check the engine compartment and bilge for gasoline and oil vapors; you must operate the blower for at least 4 minutes. Failure to do so may result in an explosion that could blow you to kingdom come! That would really spoil our fun. Many boating accidents are caused by the operator’s failure to follow basic safety rules or written precautions. Most accidents can be avoided if the operator is completely familiar with the boat and its operation. That is why no one is allowed to use this boat until they have read the owner’s manual and been instructed on proper operation. It’s going to be a lot of fun but we must be very careful!!

GET DNA FROM EVERY AMERICAN?

DNA testing is associated with crime detection but it can be used to improve the life of a person. By using the Life Map determined from their DNA, it is possible to determine various things that will benefit that person. DNA testing permits individuals to find out what diseases they are most likely to develop, which can allow them to take preventative steps and avoid the onset of the diseases. One of the most promising aspects of DNA research is the concept of so-called "personalized medicine," which would permit doctors to custom-tailor a medication to fit a person's unique genetic makeup. This could greatly reduce complications and increase the effectiveness of treatments. Every American could be required to have a DNA test, with the results stored in a national database. Of course, there would have to be protection against the use of this information by employers and insurance companies for purposes of discrimination.

A national database could be cross-checked against DNA found at crime scenes to help find persons guilty of rape and murder. It could also be used to clear innocent persons who have been wrongly accused. A DNA database with strong privacy safeguards could actually make Americans more secure against erroneous prosecutions and attacks. If one of your neighbors is secretly having sex with your horse, you could determine who it is. Or if an inebriated new mother pulls out her breast and squirts you with her breast milk, you can prosecute her. Yes, these two incidents were recently in the news. Bizarre but true! It would be easy to collect the DNA by requiring a swab of the inner cheek when applying for a driver’s license. Should we do it? What do you think? Please let me know.