You Should Be More Like Mr. Rogers

 

Mr. Rogers, known for his warmth, kindness, and genuine interest in others, has many qualities that can inspire us. He has many key traits and practices that are worth adopting.

1. Empathy and Understanding: Mr Rogers listens actively to others without interrupting. He shows that he cares about others feelings and thoughts.nAnd he uses gentle language and tone when communicating.

2. Authenticity: Mr. Rogers is true to himself. He is always authentic, which makes him relatable and trustworthy. He shares his feelings and thoughts honestly, fostering deeper connections.

3. Encouragement: Mr. Rogers offers words of encouragement to those around him and celebrates their successes, no matter how great or small. Mr. Rogers remind others that it’s okay to be themselves and embrace their uniqueness.

4. Kindness and Respect: Mr. Rogers treats everyone with respect and kindness, regardless of their background or situation. He engages in acts of kindness, whether big or small, to brighten someone’s day.

5. Create a Safe Space: Mr Rogers fosters an environment where people feel safe to express themselves which is done not only in conversations but in groups, or communities. And he never hesitates to show that he values their opinions and contributions.

6. Curiosity and Learning: Mr. Rogers stays curious about the world and the people in it. He asks questions and is always open to learning from others. He promotes a love for learning by sharing knowledge in gentle and engaging ways.

By embodying these qualities, we can create a positive impact in our interactions and relationships, much like Mr. Rogers did.

What specific traits would you like to start with?

People Don’t Understand What it's Like to Be a Plant

 

Plants have a fascinating and unique way of experiencing the world around them.

Plants have evolved to respond to their environment in intricate ways, such as turning towards sources of light or releasing chemicals to defend against predators.

Research suggests that plants can communicate with each other through chemical signals and even cooperate in mutually beneficial relationships with other organisms.

While plants don't experience time as humans do, they do have internal mechanisms that respond to changes in light, temperature, and other environmental cues.

While plants may not have consciousness in the same way humans do, their complex behaviors and responses to their surroundings are truly remarkable.

The world of plants is a rich and diverse one, full of wonders and complexities that continue to fascinate researchers and nature enthusiasts alike.

The Role of Historians in Preserving History

 

This is why we have historians, to preserve how life was before the tyrants took over. History is for generations later so they can continue if and when the tyrannical government comes to an end.

Historians play a crucial role in documenting and preserving the past, especially in times when tyrannical governments threaten democratic values. Their work ensures that future generations have access to the lessons of history, which can guide them in recognizing and resisting tyranny. As noted in discussions about historical governance, the Founding Fathers of the United States were deeply influenced by historical precedents when crafting the Constitution, aiming to avoid the pitfalls that led to the downfall of ancient democracies.

Learning from the Past

History serves as a valuable teacher, providing insights into the nature of tyranny and the conditions that allow it to flourish. For instance, Aristotle and Plato warned about the dangers of demagogues exploiting free speech to gain power, highlighting the importance of vigilance in protecting democratic institutions. This understanding is vital for contemporary societies facing similar threats, as it emphasizes the need to defend democratic structures against potential tyrants.

The Cycle of Tyranny

Tyranny often follows a cyclical pattern, where initial leaders may rise to power through popular support but eventually lead to moral decay and oppression. This gradual process, referred to as the "tyrant's progress," suggests that tyrannies are typically overthrown in subsequent generations as the initial leaders' successors fail to maintain their grip on power. Historians document these cycles, providing a roadmap for future generations to recognize and combat the signs of emerging tyranny.

Conclusion

In summary, historians are essential for preserving the narratives of the past, particularly in the context of tyranny. Their insights not only inform current political discourse but also empower future generations to learn from history and strive for a more just society. By understanding the lessons of history, societies can better prepare to confront and dismantle tyrannical regimes when they arise.

Sources

https://www.aft.org/ae/summer2017/snyder

https://brill.com/view/journals/agpt/38/2/article-p208_3.xml?language=en

Released from Captivity

 

Amy's life abruptly changed on the night she had been abducted. On that night she was walking alone in the parking lot at work—another late night at the office. It all happened so fast, like something out of a movie; something that was so unbelievable. A white van slowly drove up to her. Around this time she started to feel nervous. Amy actually thought about retreating back to inside the office building. How she later wish she had done this on that fateful night. Instead, she disregarded her instincts and continued walking to her car.

Just as the van had passed a few feet, the red brake lights illuminated. Amy stopped dead in her tracks and had a terribly sick, adrenalized feeling. There was clearly something about to happen. But before Amy could turn to run away, the back door of the van opened up and a stranger grabbed her as Amy screamed for help. With brutal force he dragged Amy into the van, and then closed the back door. From what Amy remembered of that fateful night, the stranger had some sort of makeshift caged doorway that led from the back to the front. He ran through this doorway; locked it shut and then sat down in the driver's seat.

As the van raced through the streets and highways that night, Amy struggled in vain to escape. She initially tried opening the back the door—even kicked. But you see, the van had been rigged in such a way that none of the doors could be opened from the inside. It was exactly like a police van. Amy looked around for windows to possibly bust through. Of course the van didn't have any. It was the perfect sort of van for abducting somebody as no one on the outside could see the captor struggling to escape. All Amy could hope for was the possibility that security cameras in the parking lot having filmed the abduction taking place. Maybe it would have recorded the license number of van.

But, of course this never happened! The company where she worked didn't have security cameras in the parking lot!—so cheap!

And where was Amy taken?

The abductor drove to an old abandoned farm out in the country where he parked at a nearby horse barn. At one time the barn had equine residents occupying the several stalls. But it was now the place where Amy would spend countless days… weeks… months, enduring repeated rape and torture. Many of these acts would be completely vile, enough to damage one's spirit. But through all of it, Amy would do her best to remain strong.

***

It was on a bright, early morning when Amy's captor entered the barn and walked up to the stall where she was confined. "Something's happened to me." he announced.

Not knowing what to expect, Amy only stared at him from the ground behind the wooden gate.

"I just don't understand what has happened to me." he continued.

Amy never knew his name; just knew his face and hated his guts. She hated everything about him, and would take great pleasure in killing him.

"I feel guilty." explained the captor. "I feel guilty for what I have done to you, and for all these many months of raping you—many times torturing you. You must really hate me. I realize this."

Amy remained speechless. She wasn't going to say a word because knowing her captor; this could go in any direction. Was he about to break the news that he would finally kill her to rid the feelings of guilt? Sick people are like this. They do horrible things and then suddenly feel guilty for what they have done, and then see murdering the victim as the way to fix all the problems. But, much to Amy's surprise, that wasn't his plan.

"I need to set you free." he said. "I need to call the police; have them come here and show them to you; confess to what I have done, and then let them take you home to your family. They must be worried sick about you."

The mention of her family brought tears to Amy's eyes.

The captor could see this. "Yes, I know. In my selfishness and malicious deeds, I neglected to realize that you have loved ones who are worried sick about you. And you probably have children, don't you?"

Amy nodded her head. Thirty four years old, she was married with three children. A day didn't go by that she didn’t think about her family.

"Well... I think that's enough talk." concluded the captor. "I think we should just get the police here." he reached for the cell phone in his pocket, pressed some buttons and then waited.

"Yes, I've done a horrible thing... I am the one responsible for abducting the missing woman, Amy Leeson... Yes, I'm her captor... she is still alive... I have her here... I've decided that I need to turn myself in and serve my time in jail... You can take her home to her family... Please come quickly before I change my mind.... I'm at the old abandoned farmhouse that can be seen off highway 31... Up that gravel road... You can see the silo from the highway as you approach... It's in the barn... I have her locked up in one of the stalls, and she's waiting..."

By now, tears were streaming down Amy's eyes. She could not believe what she was hearing. In all the time of her captivity, she truly believed that she would die. But now, through an unheard-of act of an abductor, he was setting her free.

And then the captor walked out of the barn. Amy could see his shadow as he stood outside and waited. Amy worried that perhaps this might turn into a race against time. He might suddenly change his mind; kill Amy and flee before the police arrived. Again, the captor was a very sick man as evidenced by the horrible things he had done to Amy.

Some time passed as Amy heard the sound of a vehicle traveling up the gravel road which led to the barn. It was so close that she could hear the engine before it was turned off. The door opened and then Amy's captor spoke.

"Hi, yes, I'm the one who called."

The voice of the police officer answered, "We received a 911 call; something about the abduction of Amy Leeson. She's alive in there?"

"Yes sir... And I'm her captor. I've done horrible things to her for a number of months. Now it's time to let her go. And it's time for me to go to jail.”

Not long after he said this, a police officer entered the barn and saw Amy lying in the stall. You see, the captor always kept Amy tied up in restraints against a pole. When he was done with her he just retied her; just let her sleep sitting up and tied against a pole. She remained there, now, staring up at the officer.

"Everything is okay now, Ma'am." reassured the officer. "Are you Amy Leeson?"

"Yes..." answered Amy while breaking down in tears.

"Like I said, it's all over." Then the officer looked over to the captor. "Can I have the keys to get in the gate?"

"Yes sir..." agreed the captor while handing the keys over.

The officer unlocked the padlock and slid the bolt over to open the gate. And then entered, but then closed the gate behind him while suddenly smiling mischievously. The officer turned back to the captor and cited, "She thinks this is real, doesn't she? She actually thinks she's going home today."

Amy was flabbergasted. Was this just a trick?

The captor called out while exiting the barn, "Well I hope you get your money's worth! Enjoy!"

Too good to be true; this was just another cruel moment of torture; this time mental torture of raising Amy's hopes of possibly going home, only to be smashed back down. The police officer wasn't a police officer at all. He apparently paid money to rape a woman in captivity. He merely wore a police costume to add to the sick moment of mental torture.

And it was a brutal hour for poor Amy!

The End!

The Day Riley Lost His Job

 

For someone who appears to live the life of Riley, one might be compelled to ask just why Riley seems so discontent and unhappy at times. Well, it was all brought on by a major crisis that Riley had experienced some years ago. It changed and altered him so that even to this day, Riley has not fully recovered.

For nearly fifteen years, Riley was employed at the company and climbed the corporate ladder with nothing more than dedication and hard work. He rightfully earned the position of executive account manager that brought with it a comfy salary, hard-wall office, and all the goodies given to spoil people who already have way more than they should.

On his fifteenth year there was an organization-wide meeting in which it was announced that there would soon be a company buy-out. Competition was purchasing the company where Riley worked and joining forces to expand business. It was an excellent opportunity that both sides of the transaction could not pass up.

But this buy-out made it necessary to reduce expenses and—as the CEO worded it—painfully decide to reduce head-count.—LAYOFFS!

"I don't think it'll be us." said one of Riley's coworkers during lunch.

"Yeah, me neither." agreed Riley. "We're too important to get rid of. Besides, layoffs are a way for companies to get rid of workers at the bottom ten percent. It's a perfect opportunity for HR to finally take out the trash in this place." Riley celebrated his cold statement by swigging the remains of his diet Dr. Pepper.

***

It was two weeks later—a Friday morning—when Riley reported to the office and walked past a small conference room where a never-seen-before bald and heavy-set man sat. At the center of the table was a box of tissue.

"Weird..." Riley thought to himself.

By mid-morning, one of Riley's coworkers scurried into his office. "Riley! Layoffs are happening! They're actually in the small conference room and calling people in one-by-one to lay them off."

"What?" exclaimed Riley! That can't be! Not our department!"

"I'm afraid it's true, Riley. They sneak up on you without warning, tap you on the shoulder and motion you to follow. None of us knows who is going to be laid off, next. If anything happens to one of us, it was nice working with you."

Lunch hour was very depressing and somber for Riley and coworkers as they discussed the shocking details of the layoff.

"They got Henry."

"Henry? He's been with the company for almost thirty years!"

Riley offered some hopeful information for everyone. "He's old! The guy's a lame duck and just waiting for his retirement. Of course they were going to lay him off."

"They got Mary! She had the whole East Coast market."

"Mary? Wow, I'm surprised!"

Again, Riley offered some hopeful insight. "Yeah, but Mary has three kids at home. She's a mother and has to take time off to be with her kids. They don't want some woman with kids working this job. Of course they were going to lay her off!"

"Oh and Steve! They let Steve go this morning!"

"Poor Steve! He's got colon cancer. What's he going to do, now?"

"Come-on, guys!" answered Riley. "Don't you get it? They are laying off all the people who are useless; like old people, women who should stay at home with their kids, and people with illnesses. Like I said before it's the bottom, ten percent of poor performers who are laid off. The company is just taking out the trash. They won't get rid of us. We actually work around here."

What Riley didn't understand is that most of the people at that the lunch table not only had concerns about losing their own jobs, but also had concerns for their fellow coworkers. Riley was purely selfish and self-centered. He only cared about himself!

***

By 1:00 in the afternoon, the boss entered Riley's office. "Riley, I need to talk to you."

Riley's face turned flush. It just couldn't be! He was about to lose his job! He followed his boss into the big office and sat down.

"Listen..." the boss began. “We've got you on the list of people to let go. But I think I can save you. Although your job is being eliminated, the new company has a position opening. It's the exact, same position that you are doing, now!"

Riley sighed a bit of a relief. "Okay... What do I have to do?"

"Just go through the motions, today." said the boss. "In about an hour or so, the firing manager will bring you into the conference room to announce that your job is being eliminated. Sign the paperwork and collect all the information on your severance. Afterwards, just let them escort you out the building. I just got off the phone with our new manager. They want to hire you, Riley, and have you start immediately! Unfortunately there is a one week delay before you start your new job. And update your resume so they have something on record. Riley, this is a very, rare opportunity; and luck is certainly on your side today. And let me mention, it's a sweet deal for you. Because you are considered a direct new hire, you will immediately receive a $10,000 sign-on bonus. Plus you will get a 15% raise in your salary!"

"Wow!" exclaimed Riley. "What about benefits? How about my vacation time?"

"The new company has nearly the exact, same health benefits. As for time off, they start you with the usual holidays along with four weeks of vacation."

Suddenly, Riley didn't look too happy. "Four weeks? That's it? But I have eight weeks, now."

"Well, you are a new hire. They have to offer you the standard four weeks."

Riley sat still and expressionless for several seconds. It wasn't fair that the new company took advantage of him by offering such a measly amount of time off. "Here's the thing..." Riley began. "I want to be grandfathered in with my vacation time. I want all of my eight weeks to transfer over to the new company. I've worked here for almost fifteen years, and I think I deserve it."

"We can't do that Riley. Policy is policy."

"Well, suddenly I don't know if I want to take the job."

The boss was flabbergasted. "Riley, do you understand what is happening? You are less than an hour away from losing your job. You could spend months trying to find a new one, and there's no guarantee that you'll find a company that will offer you the same salary. I've pushed for the new company to open a position for you. And not only have they opened a position for you, but they are giving you a nice sign-on bonus with 15% increase in salary. Are you really going to turn the offer down for vacation time? A lot of people in this world have never even heard of vacation time."

Riley remained still and expressionless until reluctantly answering, "Fine! I'll take it! I guess you leave me with no choice.”

"Good man, Riley! Good man! Now take next week off and return the following Monday morning. That will be your start date at the new company.”

***

As the boss warned, the bald and heavy-set firing manager entered Riley's office and motioned him to follow. Riley had just created his automated out-of-office message that informed people who emailed him throughout the week that he would return the following Monday.

In the conference room he was given the sad news that his position was being eliminated, and then reminded that there was a box of tissue on the table if needed. Riley signed all of the exit paperwork and collected a nice, fat severance package. Then he was escorted out of the building at two hours before quitting time. His weekend and vacation started early.

Riley's wife was surprised to see him home so early and immediately noticed the grave look on her husband's face. "Uh-oh! What happened? Why are you home so early?"

"I was laid off."

"Laid off? Oh no! Don't worry! We'll get through this!"

Riley shared some additional information with his wife. "The new company is offering me a position. I guess it's the exact, same job that I was doing before getting laid off."

She sighed a relief, "Oh good! Thank God! When do you start?"

"I'm supposed to take a week off and report to work the following Monday."

"Good!"

But Riley wasn't exactly thrilled. "But they only give me four weeks of vacation time."

"Four weeks?" asked Riley's wife. "What about salary? How is that?"

"I'm getting a 15% increase in salary, plus a $10,000 sign-on bonus."

"Great!" exclaimed Riley's wife. "You should be happy! This is like a blessing in disguise. And don't worry about your vacation time. You'll build that up again."

Riley shook his head and sighed. "Still, I was laid off." He opened the refrigerator door and pulled out four bottles of beer. Then he sat out in the garage to drink them while replaying in his mind the events of the day. Riley was angry and confused. Why had he been laid off? The company actually saw him as the bottom 10%—garbage to be thrown out in the dumpster. He dedicated himself to the company all those years; and that was thanks he got?

All day Saturday Riley sat on the sofa, drowning out his sorrows by drinking beer and watching TV. He didn't wash for the day, shave or brush his teeth. He was too depressed to even take care of himself. By late afternoon, Riley took out his frustrations by yelling and swearing at the kids.

"Pick up your damn toys! I don't feel like living in a shit-hole!"

"Riley, don't swear at the kids!" snapped his wife.

"Look, I just want people to clean up after themselves."

Sunday was no better. Riley still hadn't washed, shaved or brushed his teeth. It was only 10:30 in the morning and already he was on his second beer.

Riley's wife had seen enough of the ugly behavior from her husband. "Riley, it's Sunday morning. Why are you drinking beer?"

"Because I'm thirsty." Riley's voice had a tone of ugly calmness that reflected someone who held in an unbelievable amount of rage and anger. Being calm was the only thing he could do at that moment.

"But you're drinking beer. That's alcohol. You're going to get drunk."

"I'm not going to get drunk off a couple of beers."

"Yes, but you're going to keep drinking them like you've been doing since Friday. You've been drunk for a couple of days, now."

"I'm not getting drunk!" argued Riley. His voice was suddenly not-so calm as he nearly shouted.

"But you're on your second beer at 10:30, Sunday morning." retorted Riley's wife.

Now, Riley began to shout, "I'm not getting drunk! I'm just drinking beer!"

"Riley, why are you drinking beer? And why are you shouting at me?"

"I'm not shouting! And I'm drinking beer because I'm thirsty!"

"You're thirsty? Well then why don't you drink water?"

"I tried water, but it's not enough! I need something else!"

"Well that sounds like you have some sort of problem, doesn't it?"

"I don't have a problem! I'm just drinking beer! And do you want to start being critical? Let's be critical about you. How about all the junk food you're eating? You're getting a fat ass from it! There, how do you like that?"

Riley's wife was now outraged. "How dare you say something like that to me! And just what the hell is your problem? Why have you suddenly turned into a miserable ass since Friday afternoon?"

Riley had a simple answer, "Well I'm really sorry, but maybe I'm not quite myself because I lost my job! I was laid off!"

"You were laid off?"

"Yeah!"

Riley's wife forced a laugh while shaking her head in disbelief. "You really think you were laid off? Riley, there are people in your office who went home this weekend without a job. They'll be hunting for many months—possibly a couple of years for a new job. They'll have to collect unemployment. And when that runs out, they'll have no choice but to get a job at Walmart or someplace degrading just to try and make ends meet. Do you realize that people are losing their homes because of not having a substantial income? And all you have to do is take a week off, report back to the office and make even more money? So you can stop feeling sorry for yourself. You did not get laid off!"

Riley whipped his half drunk bottle of beer across the room and right through the family room window. "How dare you say that? I was laid off! Don't you get it? The company saw me as the bottom 10% and got rid of me!" Then Riley melted into the floor and pounded his fists onto the ground while sobbing.

Riley's wife just shook her head in disbelief and walked away. It truly was a dark moment for Riley. He lost his job, turned to drinking to cope with the misery. And now he couldn't get any sympathy from his wife.

***

Monday morning, Riley woke up early. It was one week before starting the new job (actually his old job—just with a new company and for much, more money.) He finally showered, shaved and brushed his scummy teeth. He put on a suit and tie, and then head out the door. The mission for today? Riley needed to file for unemployment so that he could receive money for the week off.

At 9:00am, Riley stormed through the door of the state unemployment office. But what was this? There was already a long line of people waiting. There was a wide range of newly unemployed people—union laborers, factory workers, office people; even those who looked like losing their jobs was a full time career so they could live off the system.

Riley was confused. He identified himself as a special worker who wore a suit and tie and came from corporate. Did they have a special area for people like him? Riley cut through to the front of the line and approached the desk to interrupt the clerk. "Excuse me! Is there a place where I'm supposed to go?"

The clerk looked irritated to be interrupted by Riley. "I'm sorry?" she asked.

"Where am I supposed to report to?"

"Sir, are you here to file for a claim for unemployment?"

"Yeah, I just want to know where people like me are supposed to go. You know... white collar business people who are laid off from corporate offices?"

The clerk handed Riley a packet of paper with pen. "Sir, fill out this paperwork and wait at the end of the line for your turn. This is the only line if you want to file a claim."

Riley couldn't believe what he was hearing. There was no special area for people like him? "Are you serious?" he asked.

"Yes, sir! Please go to the end of the line and wait your turn!"

And so Riley stood in line while filling out the paperwork. 45 minutes later he was finally at the front desk, soon to be escorted to an associate who would view his case.

She was a rough and rugged older woman who sat at a desk before a computer, and looked to have experienced her share of abuse in the years. She must have seen and processed thousands of claims of unemployment.

Riley handed the woman his paperwork.

"Okay... so you were earning $319,000 at the time of losing your job..."

It was a degrading salary for Riley. It was like the company teased him by implying they would not reach $320,000."

"...therefore you are qualified to receive a limited six month salary that would equate to $210,540 per year."

Riley remained still and expressionless for a few seconds. "So in other words you are telling me that I can only get $210,000 a year?"

"No salary that would equate to $210,540 for a maximum of six months while you find your new job!" the clerk answered with a smile.

The answer wasn't good enough for Riley. "Well what kind of crap is that? I can't live off that for the week. The company isn't paying me for the time off. I need money, or I might have to dip into my savings account."

"Sir, what do you mean 'for the week’? Is your company temporarily laying you off?"

"No!" Riley exploded. "Now just a minute! You've got it all wrong! I was laid off. I lost my job. The company I worked for decided that my position was no longer needed. But the new company who is purchasing them is hiring me. I start for them next Monday."

"So you have work lined up for next week?" asked the clerk.

"Yes!"

"And how long have you been unemployed?"

"By the time I start my new job, it will be one week."

"Sir, I'm afraid that you do not qualify to receive unemployment benefits. One week is not enough time to be considered unemployed."

"What are you talking about?" asked Riley. "I'm out of a job!"

"But you start a new one next week." answered the clerk. "What if we did that for everyone? We'd run out of money. You can still file to add your case to the percentage of unemployed if you like."

"You're damned right I want to file!" shouted Riley. "Even if I don't receive my right to unemployment, I want the government to know about the despicable treatment that American workers receive. You make sure that the president of the United States receives my unemployment claim! It's people like me who help keep this country together!"

***

On Wednesday, Riley attended a workshop at a convention center with about a hundred other newly-unemployed people throughout the area offered my the state’s unemployment services. The workshop was designed to educate those unfortunate people on how to survive during times of unemployment. Really, Riley did not belong there. I'm sure by now you would agree that Riley didn't actually lose his job—not in the sense that most people do.

As luck would have it, Riley met about a dozen of his coworkers who were laid off on the same day.

"Hey, Riley is here!"

"They got you, too, Riley?"

"Wow, this layoff is crazy!"

"I heard this workshop can help us get a new job."

Then someone asked, "How about you, Riley? Any leads? Did you get your resume updated?"

"Yeah..." answered Riley. "The new company is hiring me back for the same position. I start on Monday. They just wanted me to update my resume for their records."

"They hired you back?"

"So another words you really weren't laid off?"

"Yes I was!" snapped Riley.

"No you weren't! You go back next week!"

By now, Riley was at rope's end. He was tired of people telling him that he did not lose his job. "Look!" shouted Riley. "I'm in the same boat as you guys! They tapped me on the shoulder just like you, and brought me in the room for me to sign my exit papers and collect severance. But unlike you, I'm having trouble collecting unemployment. That means I have to go the week without a paycheck. Oh, and as for the new job; they only give me four weeks of vacation time."

Riley's coworkers took turns in adding sarcasm.

"Wow, sounds really rough…"

"Gee, I hope you can pull through..."

"Four weeks is so unfair..."

Before Riley had a chance to defend himself, the speaker of the workshop stood up on stage and announced, "If everyone can take their seats; we're going to get started."

The room quieted down, and everyone's attention was immediately turned to the front where a woman provided the proper introductions, and stated the obvious: that all were there to learn how to cope with the recent loss of a job, and how to move on.

Then the speaker transitioned into a powerful talk that educated everyone in the room as to what was happening to them. "The first thing you need to understand is that losing a job has stages that are similar to grieving the loss of a loved one."

A graph was projected onto a large screen.

"This x-axis of this graph represents time; starting from those moments just before learning that your job is over. At the right side is the day that you finally start your new job. The y-axis plots the ranges of mood and mental energy experienced. As you can see, your mood and energy is right in the middle—just normal—during the moments before learning that you are being laid off. Then, suddenly, your energy and mood spikes into panic and confusion right at the moment of learning the bad news. It stays like that for a few days to a week as you come to terms with realizing that you lost your job.

After a few days to a week, your mood and energy drop to depression. You feel hopelessness and despair. Although you have your resume ready, you realize that it will be a long time before you land a job similar to what you worked. This might be the stage where you are at, now? And then comes the stage of anger. This appears anywhere between 3 to 6 weeks as you feel injustice for what happened to you. Anger isn't a bad thing. For many people, it gives them the drive and energy to look for a new job.

Your energy will now roller coaster from depression, to frustration and then anger—again—until the day comes that you receive an offer for employment at another company. As you can see, your energy and mood shifts to happiness and excitement. On your first day and few weeks, your mood is soaring as you adapt to this new job. Then your energy and mood, finally swings back to normal.

As you can see, the loss of a job is a major crisis. It takes nearly a year to find a new job. But that's okay. Use this time to work through the grieving process.

***

And that's where Riley's troubles began. You see, the following Monday morning—while Riley remained in the stage of depression and despair—his alarm clock went off at 8:00am. It was time to start his new job. Riley showered, shaved and dressed in his office clothes. Then he drove his BMW to the office. Fortunately his recent loss of a job didn't cause Riley to fall behind in car payments, or even mortgage and utility payments for that matter.

And it really wasn't a new job. It was the same job in the same office building where he worked for years. He reported to the same office suite where coworkers who survived the layoff looked upon Riley in amazement. Riley truly was lucky. Not only was he able to keep his job with the new company, but he received his big, fat severance check AND a $10,000 sign on bonus with the new company. If that weren't enough, Riley received a 15% increase in his salary. That's $319,000 a year! Riley should have had perma-grin!

But Riley wasn't smiling. He logged into email and could see that business went on as usual. Clients called and scheduled teleconferences with him later that week. Even the boss popped his head in the door and said, "It's good to see you, Riley! I just could not let them lay you off! Welcome to the new company!"

After the things he learned at the loss-of-job workshop, poor Riley realized that he was never given the proper amount of time to mourn and grieve the loss of his job. For many weeks and months he worked under depression and despair. He never recovered from the crisis and must now be a bitter, resentful and contentious man who is never happy!

To make matters worse, Riley spent many days arguing and defending himself against coworkers who insisted that he wasn’t really laid off.

“You weren’t laid off, Riley!”

“Yes I was! How dare you say that? You’ll never understand what I had to go through.”

As you can see, it isn’t easy living the life of Riley.

Fantasy of Retro Futurism

I want to be like those guys you see in the classic advertisements showcased in The Vault of the Atomic Space Age who captivate the future with the cutting edge technology of yesterday.

In the shimmering glow of neon lights and the hum of vintage machinery, I envision myself stepping into a world where retro-futurism reigns supreme. Donning a tailored suit with sharp lines and a bold tie, I stride confidently through a bustling metropolis, the air tinged with the scent of innovation and adventure.

My wristwatch—a sleek, chrome marvel—ticks with precision, reminding me of the time when the future was just a fantasy away. As I pass by gleaming chrome diners and sleek space-age cars, I embody the spirit of the Atomic Age, where optimism for the future danced hand in hand with cutting-edge technology.

I approach a gathering of onlookers, all captivated by the latest invention: a sleek, aerodynamic rocket that promises to take humanity to the stars. With a charismatic grin, I lean into the microphone, my voice smooth and persuasive. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the dawn of a new era! With our revolutionary propulsion system, we will not only reach the moon but beyond! Imagine a future where vacations are spent on Martian beaches and dinner parties are held in orbit!”

The crowd erupts in applause, swept away by my words. I know how to engage them—the way the classic ads did, awakening their imaginations and igniting their dreams. I present the technology not just as gadgets, but as gateways to a brighter tomorrow.

As the sun sets, casting a warm glow over the city, I climb into a gleaming rocket car. The engine roars to life, and with a wink and a wave, I take off into the twilight sky, leaving a trail of stardust behind. In that moment, I am not just a man; I am an icon of possibility, a harbinger of the future that once was—a dreamer who dares to re-imagine the past and inspire the world to reach for the stars.

Alkaline Water

Alkaline water is slightly less acidic than regular drinking water and contains alkaline minerals. Some health claims about alkaline water include its ability to regulate pH levels, slow the aging process, and prevent chronic diseases like cancer. However, it's important to note that not all of these purported benefits are supported by research. While some small studies suggest potential health benefits, the scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited.

Benefits of Drinking Alkaline Water:

• Hydration and Exercise: Some small studies suggest that drinking alkaline water may have potential health benefits, including increased hydration and improved lactate utilization after strenuous exercise.

• pH Balance: Alkaline water is believed to help balance the body's pH. However, it's critical to understand that the pH levels in your blood cannot be changed drastically through diet, including by drinking alkaline water.

• Heartburn Relief: Alkaline water may provide temporary relief of heartburn from acid reflux. However, it's important to note that it won't have a significant effect on the pH level of stomach contents or solve the main problem with heartburn, which is the reflux of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus.

• Bone Health Support: Some small studies suggest that alkaline water may support bone health.

• Reduced Risk of Kidney Stones: There is some indication that drinking alkaline water may reduce the risk of kidney stones.

It's important to note that the scientific evidence supporting these benefits is limited, and more research is needed to fully understand the potential advantages of drinking alkaline water.

Is Alkaline Water Safe?

Drinking alkaline water is generally safe, as it is slightly less acidic than regular drinking water and contains alkaline minerals. However, it's important to note that research hasn't definitively provided evidence for the benefits associated with it. The pH levels in your blood are tightly regulated by your kidneys and lungs, and they stay within a very strict range of 7.35-7.45 for healthy functioning. Therefore, the pH levels in your blood cannot be changed drastically through diet, including by drinking alkaline water.

Natural alkaline water occurs when it passes over rocks like springs and picks up minerals, which increase its alkaline level. This type of water is generally considered safe since it contains natural minerals.

However, it's important to note that many people who drink alkaline water buy water that has been through a chemical process called electrolysis. Natural sources of alkaline water exist, and many people do drink it.

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/alkaline-water-benefits-risks

https://www.forbes.com/health/nutrition/alkaline-water/

https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-is-alkaline-water

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/is-alkaline-water-better

https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/alkaline-water-benefits-risks