Gene’s Blog

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Note: To view Gene’s Blogs posted before April 2010, just visit the “Articles” and “Odds ‘N Ends” sections of NuPathz at http://www.nupathz.com/

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Another Note: You can now catch me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/geneatnupathz  (You may need to copy and paste this into your browser window to actually get there…)  OK, whatever…

RANDOM THOUGHTS

An assortment of thoughts, observations and opinions developed over dang near seven decades.  In no particular order - or obvious sense of logic for that matter…

My Ancestors had Guts

And big balls too, for that matter.  I think about a young Juriaen Westvael hitching a ride on a creaky ship from Europe to the America’s in the early 1640’s, about others giving up their homes and families to come to the New World, about the hardships and sacrifices in this country’s early years, about the back-breaking work, the sorrows, tears and yes, sometimes the bloodshed of those who came to settle this great land.  I think about their painfully slow trips westward and the efforts that went into building their homes, friendships and communities.  We need to occasionally think about those who came before us and through whose efforts and perseverance we exist today.  To all of them, I say “Thank you!”  I hope they can hear me.

I Wonder What They Are Thinking & Feeling

Those whose lives are so very much different from mine.  Those who live in wretched conditions in the big cities.  Those who live to party in every way you could possibly imagine.  Those who survive only through force and intimidation.  Those who have chosen a life of crime and deceit.  Those who live and try to survive in the impoverished conditions of the poorer – or war-torn countries.  Those who struggle daily to secure the bare necessities of life.  I wonder – and I thank God for permitting me to be who I am and living in the conditions in which I find myself.  I am so very fortunate.

Happiness

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. – Abraham Lincoln

Smiles

I probably smile at least as much, if not more, than most people.  Some of the reason may be because I have a tendency to see the humor in a lot of the usual hum-drum, day-to-day activities of us average folks.  The rest of it is because I just like to smile.  It makes me feel good.  And honestly, I get a huge kick out of smiling at others – especially people I don’t know – and seeing them smile back.  I feel that maybe I’ve helped make their day just a touch better.  And that’s a very good thing.  My motto?  Smile – it makes people wonder just what the hell you’ve been up to!

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