​No matter how much we may think our lives are not as great as they should be, it seems we always tend to forget those folks who are way less fortunate than us. Just because our day is going badly and we may not be able to afford that new car or Flat screen TV we for get that there are those out there who can’t even afford to eat.
  Here is a perfect example from a friend of mine on Facebook.
  “As I sat in my car eating some tacos I had gotten from the Taqueria, i see this lady staring at me while i sat in my car. While she walked closer and closer to my car, I was finishing up on one of my tacos. I knew she was trying to get my attention. As two younger girls came out of the store, they handed her some change. As she turned her body I notice she had her catheter bag underneath her arm. As she started to walk away, I ran down my window and asked her if she was hungry and she said yes but She wanted to get an ice cream from inside because her throat was hurting but the man wouldn’t let her in w the catheter exposed. I ended up helping this sweet lady w food, a black bag to put her catheter bag in and bought her a frozen fruit ice cream for her throat. Poor thing has cancer and says all shelters she’s been at are full in this area.”
  I remember those days when I had a few cents to my name and walking by the Hamburger Place on the corner smelling the great aroma of the food cooking on the grill. Peering in and watching the happy faces of everyone inside enjoying their double cheese burger with a large order of fries and a large drink and thinking how great that must be when had only a few cents in my pocket.
  Then I thought about those people less fortunate than I, YES, they exist. People who had NO Pennies in their pockets. Some didn’t have pockets at all because the clothes they wear are so tattered and old that the pockets have worn through. Those folks who haven’t eaten in days because they just don’t have the money or may be ill and can not work, much less afford a decent meal. Then my situation just didn’t seem as dire at all.
  No matter what situation this story finds you in today remember, work through it as best you can to find a solution that will get you by to the next day. If your the person without the funds, Pray.
  If your the person with funds then think twice about those less fortunate that yourself and do what ever you can to assist those who have less or none.
  The message has always been for us to help each other. For those of us who have to help those who have not, not matter what the reason. Love is the answer.
  Just another Point of View.

​So, five months into a new President and as a senior citizen, I have to say that I am concerned about our future when it comes to healthcare, the economy and benefits for older citizens.
I’m concerned about our Social Security which is already much to low for anyone to survive on much less live on. My friend John just turned 62 and filed for early retirement and he has started receiving a monthly check of $1000 dollars. May sound like in nice, tidy sum but lets break it down.
John pays $650 for a small, one bedroom apartment. He has to pay utilities in the amount of $100.
Since John has doctor appointments he must keep up with he has to have a cell phone so that’s another
$50 a month. So if your keeping up, John has already spend $800 out of his $1000 check leaving him a huge sum of $200 to live on for 4 weeks. $200 to survive on for four weeks. That’s CRIMINAL.
How can anyone expect somebody to live on $200 a month? LUDICROUS. Then we wonder how so many senior citizens are living in poverty. $200 a month isn’t enough to buy food on for a month, much less pay for gas or medical care or medicine, etc, etc and forget about going to the movies or anything like that.
So then, as a senior citizen your forced to get back to work, not because you want to but because you have to in order to be able to survive. How fair is that? You’ve worked 62 years and paid into your Federal Savings Account know as Social Security only to find out that the only thing your going to get back is $1000 a month to live on? That alone is enough to drive you crazy.
I remember when I first started working. As a naive adolescent I asked why the Government took that money out of my check every week. They said it’s your Federal Savings Account. When you turn 55 you’ll get a monthly payment back so you can retire. NOT.
Sixty Two years later, my government has mismanaged my savings account, taken money out of it for something entirely different and Never replaced it. But wait, that’s not all. My Government has changed the age at witch I could start reviving my retirement money from Fifty Five (55) to Sixty Two (62) and they are thinking about raising that to 68 or 72 in hopes you’ll die before you collect yours.
What chaps my hide even greater is the fact that some people have the gumption to say “well why should the government give you anything for free?”, WHAT? Social Security was supposed to have been our Federal Retirement Savings Account. It’s our money that we have be faithfully putting in for over 60 years. OUR MONEY ! I don’t want the government to give me anything for free I just want what they promised me. We are are entitled to that.
Enough for now. Just another Point of View.

​ So do you have at least one? Or maybe you have just a handful or maybe you have many?
​
I'm talking about friends with benefits. Of course you know just what I'm talking about. Friends with benefits.
The kind of friends that are ready to give you the benefit of of doubt when a question comes up about you or something you did. Those kind of friends with benefits. The kind of person that stumbles upon you and even though they may think your strange they don't judge you strictly on that, but rather give you the benefit of the doubt.

Those types of friends and people much less are few and far between these days. Most folks are quick to judge and quick to pass you by or cast you aside because that's the kind of society we've become. I've caught myself doing it once or twice and can't say that I'm very proud of it but then I thought about it long and hard and blamed it on some training I once had.

After all there are times we have to make quick assessments of people in order to keep ourselves safe. In this case we're talking about people in general that we encounter and pass along the way every day. Regular people even if not so normal because then we have to define normal itself. We have to ask normal by who's standards? Yours, mine, someone else?

In this case lets say it's just your plain old kind of normal that in some cases can seen a bit strange but what's wrong with that? People that can be kind or educated enough to postpone their judgment of you until they've hard you out and found out what your really all about. Then after that they decide to be your friends. Those my friends are the type of friends with benefits I'm talking about.

Friends that can overlook the fact that you may have different views about things than they do
and are still willing to listen to you. Friends that can move beyond the fact that you may live in a different social environment than they do and still associate with you. Friends that can get past the fact that they may have more money than you and don't make that a factor in being your friend.

See there are many types of people in this world but not all of them can be our friends. Too many of them are caught up in selfishness and greed and socioeconomic stature to be able to befriend us. It has certainly become a real problem in our world today. One which keeps us from being a better man kind.
One that gets in the way of us being closer to GOD. Think about it and you will see for yourself.

Then the next time you come across a person that's a little different than you, maybe you'll think twice about how you see them and about how you'll determine on whether to befriend them or not.
Just another Point of View ! GOD Speed.

Just read about what happen to this homeless man I befriended at a Homeless Shelter in San Antonio.
   Several months ago I ran into this older man named Morris at a Homeless Shelter where I hang out and do a little work. He had been in the service at one time and was wounded so when he got out of the military he moved to west Texas and became a firefighter for some years until age, his old wound and a couple of heart attacks sidelined him before he ended up homeless in this shelter.
   When I met Morris he had already been at the shelter for several years waiting for them to assist to to try to find his own apartment and get on with his life with the help of veteran programs.
   Morris was in rough shape, he was having problems with his legs and at the same kept slobbering from a medical condition but in spite of all that he was and extremely nice older gentleman who had made many friends over his past two years at the shelter. They were his community, his family if you will.
  Last weekend the shelter had finaly put together a deal for Morris to have his own apartment and finally get on with his life away from the homeless shelter. When he first told me, on a Friday that he had got an apartment he seemed happy and overjoyed.
   I did not see him on the following Monday but I ran into him again on Wednesday and I saw a much different man. After all the next day was his day to move to his new apartment. But Morris seemed distant and very lonely. Distracted from his jovial self.
   The next morning Morris gut up to head on out to his new life by himself in a new apartment complex and his own apartment. As he headed down he hall to start moving GOD stepped in and moved Morris to Heaven instead. Morris took a couple of steps into the hall and fell dead from his final heart attack.
   It’s my belief that the stress of thinking about being all by himself in a new place away from the only friends he knew and away from this community that he had bonded with over the past two year was to much for his poor heart.
   R.I.P. Morris. GOD Speed our friend. We are certain you are in a much better place now.
   Just another Point of View.

​As a young man I asked a lot of questions. As most kids are, I was a sponge for knowledge from any and everywhere. In my quest of such one day someone asked me if I was familiar with a book called the Peter Principle.
  No this book was about a principle that was derived from the fact that if you were a mediocre employee, showed up for work on time on a constant basis, didn’t cause a whole lot of problems or asked to many of the wrong questions, that you would one day keep getting into a position that you would just not be qualified for. 
  That, my friends or something like that is what the Peter Principle is all about.
Then I started to wonder if by some chance The Peter Principle had not been derived, perhaps, from the Bible and if in fact it had have we not already Peter Principled ourselves to hell?
  Nowadays I find there are more and more people willing to engage in a conversation about God and religion. It seems more and more people are seeking GOD out but let us not confuse that GOD and religion are two totally separate things. I find so many people confused about GOD, religion and the Bible and what each is. 
  Some people rely on other people’s word of mouth about what the Bible actually says. Others go to the Bible and read for themselves and then take things literally instead in the spirit of which they were meant to be understood. Then some people learn about GOD thru religion but, organized religions too, have their way for taking liberties with scripture as well.
   I overheard a man telling a group of people the other day that GOD wanted us to be afraid of him. I quickly said that’s not the case at all. Then he pointed out it was in the Bible and he was right.  “Fear of the Lord brings with it many blessings and benefits. It is the beginning of wisdom and leads to good understanding (Psalm 111:10). Only fools despise wisdom and discipline (Proverbs 1:7). Furthermore, fear of the Lord leads to life, rest, peace, and contentment (Proverbs 19:23). It is the fountain and life (Proverbs 14:27) and provides a security and a place of safety for us (Proverbs 14:26). 
  However, even though the fear of GOD is real in extreme cases. In general GOD wants us to respect him as as any parent demands respect from a child which we are, his children. If your living the life of a good person, honoring GOD, helping those less fortunate and making the world a better place you should not Fear GOD. Just A Point of View.

​It would appear that with our new president just having been sworn in we are in for the long haul and it should be interesting to see just what President Trump, personal friend of Russian President Putin has in store for us the American People.
   What will happen to Obamacare as we know it, will President Trump go ahead and kill it with a swipe of his mighty Presidential Pen and leave Millions of us out of health insurance? What about welfare programs and Social Security, will the go by the wayside or become privatized with the help of our new president?
   So many things we have to mull over and ponder. With President Trump having appointed a man that doesn’t believe in Global warming as head of the E.P.A. (Environmental Protection Agency) what help happen to our National Forests and Woodlands and all the protected wild animals that the E.P.A. was set up to protect.
  What about President Trump’s choice for Attorney General of the United State, Judge Sessions who once tried three black folk trying to get them sentenced to 250 years a piece in what later was found to be a racial motivated trial?  Has Judge Sessions changed his stripes or is that Hyena still running amuck?
   I can still see why Bernie Sanders supporters are still so upset at the whole election. The majority believe that if Russia hadn’t hacked into the D.N.C. and the D.N.C. leader hadn’t put up so many hurdles for Sanders that he would have walked away with the Democratic Nomination and then he would have easily beat Trump, No Question. But, Oh Well, that didn’t happen, Sanders road to the president got caught up in Political fowl play and the rest is history.
   It’s also easy to see why so many Democrats who though Hilary had it in the bag just didn’t show up to vote for her and that would have most certainly changed the outcome of the election.
 Ho Hum,..... Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda, sis boom bah. That will serve to teach us all a lesson for the next time. That adage, it’s not over till the fat lady sings, still reads true to the end. For all of you who screwed up this time, don’t let it happen again and for all of you who voted President Trump in, now lets wait and see if he truly has any idea of what he’s going to do and how to do it in four extremely short years.
Just another, Point of View.

​A New Year is on the horizon and have you thought about what your goals will be for the months to come. If your thinking about what went wrong last year STOP. Why waste any time and energy in worrying about that. We must look to the future instead of the past.
We must look to motivating ourselves to accomplishing bigger and better things. Motivate ourselves to work on our health, our stamina and our future. Push ourselves to attain things that we never thought we could do before because we only live once.
We have to keep believing that we can not only reach for the stars but if we work hard enough we can be one ourselves. Lets not forget that GOD gives us all the ability to excel. One must after all have a plan. We must set goals to accomplish. We must set them attainable and then make them a little less attainable because remember, we all have that hail Mary pass inside us.
Life has a way of beating us at times but remember, Life is cyclical. What goes round comes back around and what we sew is what we are bound to reap. So as we go along day by day also remember that our Creator made it clear that Love must rule. That our willingness to help others in greater need that ourselves is how we are judged.
It’s not not about how many things you have or how much money or land you have amassed. In the very end it’s all about how much you’ve cared for your fellow man.
So many times a day , a week, a month yes even year after year, we are give the opportunity to help others less fortunate that us. How many times have you or will you seize that opportunity this coming year.
If you can’t stop to help someone along they way then don’t even get in their way. If you wont help them, don’t hinder them.
Then there is that thing called Love. We are reminded every time someone passes that life is way to short for us to not Love to our very fullest. Love life itself, Love our parents, Love our brothers and sisters, Love strangers, Love food, Love travel, Love the ability to be healthy. Life is way to short, Love to the very fullest because we never know when our ability to Love will be cut short.
This Holiday Season, show everyone around you a little love and let that Love shine brightly through out the brand New Year. Be Safe, Be Blessed, GOD Speed.

   Now, it’s that time of year again and this year more than others it’s time to give extra thanks now that the crazy Presidential Champagnes are over and the your candidate is now president, or Not.
  But seriously, Christmas is rapidly approaching and have you given any thought about what that means?
Have taken a moment to reflect over the past year and figure out how you’ll give thanks and who to?
   Will you thank GOD and thank him first for keeping you around another year to enjoy those loved ones still around you? Will you thank him for your ability to still live under a roof and have food on your table every day? Will you thank him for the ability to still get around to go to places you either need to go or want to go? Will you thank him for what he does for others everyday? Well, will you?
   Who will you have around you on Christmas day? Will it just be immediate family ? Will you have some extended family around, like aunts and uncles or friends and coworkers? On that special day will you make sure that someone who doesn’t have the blessings as you get an opportunity to eat? Will you walk around all day and show a smile to strangers while wishing then a Happy Holiday or is it something that you’ll take for granted?
   It’s truly amazing how may of our blessings we take for granted everyday. That there are so many people out in this world that for one reason or another don’t and may never know what its like to be as blessed as many of are. Yes, some more than others but we are still far from others who may not even have the simplest necessities of life.
   I’m sitting here and writing this on my laptop while eating some peanuts and when I start to think about it it makes me sad to think there are people on this earth that don’t even have clean water to drink or peanuts to eat. I think about the fact that at night I sleep on a nice mattress while many around the world have only a dirt floor to sleep on.
   It also makes me sad and a bit angry when I think there are so many filthy rich people around that won’t even entertain the possibility of giving a good deal of the money they’ll never be able to spend to others who truly need it. The first thing they say is “Hell no, I worked hard for that money. Let them work hard themselves.” Where is the Christianity in that? Where is GOD in that.
   In the end, Rich or Poor the only thing we take with us is who we were. Were we kind? Were we humble? Were we benevolent? Did me make it a point every day to go out and help someone else?
Those are the riches and the resume we take with us when we die.
   So here we are back where we started. Time to mull it all over and think about all our blessings and who will thank this Christmas Day. Then go out and make someone’s day even better than it is. I know that’s what I’ll be doing.
Be Safe, GOD Bless and GOD Speed.

​Clinton or Trump, it’s the Greatest Show on Earth right now. You would think that Barnum and Bailey would be looking to sue since Donald Trump has stole their act and brought it to the presidential election.
Yes, there are still some questions about Benghazi way down deep in my brain and yes, I know, not for a fact, but if Hilary is anything like any other major Washington politician she has probably taken all sorts of gifts and money in unscrupulous ways from people and situations that she should not have but, don’t we all already know that. I mean isn’t that a given with politicians? One that we’ve known about for decades and have chosen to look the other way on?
We have to give props to Donald Trump for turning this presidential election into America’s Greatest Reality Show. If he is as smart as he thinks her should have a crew recording all the behind the scenes shenanigans so that he can turn it into a new reality series and or a movie. Hopefully one that he can claim a loss ion and still not pay any taxes while you and me are paying for him instead.
But wait. Many of you senators and congressman should be booted out as well. You guys are responsible for this entire mess we’re in now. You guys are to blame and so are we for leaving you in there.
If this Circus Sideshow has done anything is it’s kicked off a stronger sense of transparency. A more defiant sense of “the public’s right to know”. Maybe it’s the millenniums or some other faction of the electorate. Finally, someone is demanding answers. About Damn Time America.
Maybe, just maybe from now on we’ll be able to hold politicians feet to the fire more often and demand answers for things that are just not right of fair.
We need to find out what truly happened to the Social Security coffers. Where the fund go and who’s fault was it and, most of all how are they going to fix it? Turn the flame up on those dancing chickens and don’t let them stop dancing until they find the fix.
Have the senate and congress stop screwing around with our Military and Healthcare. America is the greatest free country in the world but it seems like we take care of our own last. That needs to STOP, immediately. The Right to Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness can not exist without Military Protection and FREE Superior Healthcare for every single American Citizen. Make It Happen.
Finally, but certainly not lastly, Native Americans. There are ares and acres of government land land just sitting out there. Give much of it back to it’s true owners. The Natives. Set them up with quality housing, utilities and healthcare and education for FREE. It’s the very least we can do for people that you almost obliterated off the face of the earth to steal their land and turn it in to our country at the cost of One Hundred Million, men, women and children.
I better stop before I get really riled up. Thanks for reading and considering just another point of view.

   A point of View from my Facebook Page and some responses. 
   When you start to think that you have it bad GOD sends you a reminder that there are those who have it so much worse. I ran across the poor old woman in front of the Hong Kong Super Buffet at Marbach and Loop 410. She looks homeless and as you can see has a catheter and foley bag. Dear GOD, I pray, please send someone to help this woman right now. In JESUS name. Please share so that some Angel will come to her rescue. Please. 
   Hollywoodr Ray: I'll never comprehend how we, as the greatest nation in the world, can allow this to happen to our older, sick, helpless citizens?
   Frances Caballero I hope you called someone , police or EMS , it looks she was left there , she looks to weak to push herself that far
   Greg Hinojosa: OMG! I live off Marbach and 410. I see this lady regularly and always stop to take her water and food. Sometimes she has male friends who tend to her and push her around as needed...she's been out here for awhile now...I don't know who to call.
   Mario Angel Carvajal: I really hope you tried and did your best to help her. Thank you for bringing this to everyone's attention. How sad it is especially in the U.S., where so many different religions and God fearing people, will go to church, say a prayer and just hope God will solve all the problems. People need to realize that God may be testing your faith and devotion. I'm sure several so called religious people saw her and didn't even bother to see if she is ok. God rewards those that help others not just themselves u have no compassion, then you are no child of God.
   There are days in our lives that seem a little cloudy and we start to feel down or sorry for ourselves. We seem to forget that there are so many other people in this world going through a true hell of their own. It's only when we run into the in the streets or see pictures of them on TV that we are given the opportunism to reflect on all that things in our lives that are blessing and how much worse off we could be.
   With the holiday season rapidly approaching give some thought to that next time you pass a person on the street that truly looks like he needs help. Offer them a something, a few pennies, a meal, a warm smile and a few kind words if it's the only thing you have to give. 
   Be Blessed, Be Safe, GOD Speed.