I’ve been turning out essays and humor pieces on these pages for a long time, since April 2015 to be precise. And though my production rate has slowed down considerably over the years, and especially of late, I remain in the game. I have no plans to permanently stop putting fingers to keyboard, though that intention will be dashed — duh! — when the Grim F*cking Reaper decides I’ve been occupying space above ground for damn well long enough. The truth is, I get a kick from laying down words, partly because the writing process often enables me to discover or discern what my orientations, views, likes and dislikes truly are. In other words, I’ve learned quite a bit about myself as a result of creating content for Yeah, Another Blogger. And so, I’m nothing but glad that my wife Sandy encouraged me to revive my writing career by starting a blog (YAB, you see, isn’t the first outlet in which I’ve published stories. Many, many moons ago I was a freelancer for The Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper, covering the arts and pop culture). Thank you, Sandy, for getting me back on track!
Here’s part of the lowdown about yours truly: I came of age in the hippie era, and the good vibrations in the air back then permeated my mind and emotions, shaping the way I approach the world. Ergo, I’m fully in favor of peace, love, understanding, equality, tolerance and kindness. And for just about all of my adult life I’ve sought the company of beautiful creations in both the natural and man-made worlds, and have engaged in a pretty steady flow of colorful mini adventures.
Before Yeah, Another Blogger was birthed, did I pay attention to those facts, which to a significant extent define me? Well, I did. Not profoundly, though. My makeup, however, began to become clearer and more obvious to me by virtue of the types of stories I found myself drawn to write for this publication, and by the writing process itself. Shit, writing doesn’t come particularly easily to me. I have to strain my brain big time in order to turn out most pieces. The straining, however, often results in my slapping myself upside my head and thinking, “Hey, right! That‘s what I believe. That‘s what I like to do. That‘s who I am!”
And so, it isn’t by accident that Yeah, Another Blogger, which largely is a personal narrative, overflows with ruminations about and examinations of subjects and activities I dig: sunsets, flowers, my on-foot escapades and explorations, music, TV series, foods and beverages, and quite a bit more. Still, this website isn’t strictly about good stuff. I’ve tackled problematic issues too, those I feel I can discuss without getting in way over my head. And on a fair number of occasions I’ve torn into those whose value systems and actions offend me deeply. My main target has been the riot inciter, con man and convicted felon named Donald Trump.
The big question nagging me, however, is this: Does any of what I’ve stated above matter? By straining my brain for a while, I came up with an answer. And the answer is yes. The more we know about ourselves, the better, I think. We can work on our faults only when we are aware of them. And when we recognize and understand our positive sides, we gain confidence and interact with the world more fluidly and productively. Planet Earth is in a sad state right now. It sure can’t hurt when as many lights as possible shine within it.
Yeah, Another Blogger 
I totally agree! Neil, keep Scheinin’ on!
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I shall try!
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Thank you, Neil, for following Socrates, who wrote: ” Life that is not examined is not worth anything.” I am quoting from memory, but you have come to the same conviction. And yes, your writing matters because it brings joy to others.
Joanna
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Thanks very much, Joanna. I appreciate it.
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Thank you, Neil, for the lovely reply! As always, you are more than welcome!
Joanna
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Keep on keeping on, Neil. Words matter. Besises, a blog is way cheaper than therapy.
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WAY cheaper!
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I love your blog, Neil. We are the same vintage. I am drawn to things beautiful, odd and plain weird. Being colourful helps. My blog’s been going almost long as yours. Writing has saved me. It’s the only talent I have. And, boy, does it occupy me. I love te fraternity of writers on WP; we have many stalwarts 🙂
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We are part of a real good community on WP, that’s for sure.
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Good to know you have no plans to pull the plug on your blog, Neil!
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Hi, Audrey. There are more stories to come. I hope!
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and you are one of those lights. I enjoy all your articles – keep writing. I love the variety and the positivity you emanate. All the best to you and Sandy.
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Many thanks. I’m not sure who this is. You’re listed as Anonymous.
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Interesting and insightul post focused on yourself.
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Thanks a lot, Cindy.
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What’s important is that you enjoy the process of articulating your thoughts. If we enjoy them too – and clearly we do – that’s a bonus.
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Hi. I appreciate what you said. And I agree with your analysis. Thanks, and take care.
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You too
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I’ve always enjoyed your posts, Neil, because you make me think, too. And couldn’t agree more with what you have posted here. I find that writing forces me to really define what I think about something. And yes, Earth is in sad state, not least because of Trump, his toady puppets and the other government “leaders” around the world who are just like him. Yes, it’s our responsibility to know ourselves and shine our lights in positive ways.
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I think that Trump is worse in his second term than he was in his first. That guy is the pits.
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Yes it matters. More than ever.
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Hi, Peggy. There are a lot of mean-spirited people in this world. We, of course, need to stand up against them.
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It’s your insightful honesty that draws other to read your words Neil. Interesting to learn more about you in this post. Maggie
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Hi Maggie. I’m pretty sure I hadn’t before mentioned in my blog that I once freelanced for a newspaper. It was fun. That was a long time ago — my final story for that paper appeared in 1991.
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Do continue to write, Neal. While you enjoy writing I, for one, certainly enjoy reading your thoughts. Yes, I agree, the writing process does reveal one’s self and I have found, as you have pointed out, that I am not short of opinions but I have also found that I am quite careful in how I express them. Much of my thoughts centre around gardening, gardens and gardening people here in Ireland and in such a small pond it is uncomfortable to cause too many ripples. One must live here with some comfort, without too much antagonism, and without attracting – for our own comfort – too much nasty comment though that has already happened! Keep writing!!!
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Yeah, it’s important not to antagonize too many people, generally speaking. Bad situations that we hadn’t anticipated can develop sometimes.
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Thanks for the backgrounder. Keep on truckin’.
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I’ll keep churning out articles. But at a slower pace than I once did.
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You hit the bullseye there, mate. We write for ourselves, first. We explore our own ideas and interests, and if we’re lucky, we run into others with a similar mind.
For what it’s worth, I enjoy your posts and appreciate your humorous honesty.
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Many thanks, Richard.
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Keep on keepin on Neil 🙂
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That’s the plan!
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Well put, Neil! Here’s hoping that soon, very soon, we elect people who are serious about love, peace, fairness, climate change and its impact, and are strongly committed to doing something about them all.
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It’s incredible and sad that many people wouldn’t agree with what you said. Ours is a highly flawed species.
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Great introspection. Interestingly, next week is my 500th blog and I’m working it now. There are some similar themes in in (no plagiarism I promise!). I’m exploring what live life exuberantly means to me now and some of my growth over the past ten years of keeping the blog)
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I’m positive your article will be excellent.
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Not sure. Still, I do enjoy reading your words.
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Thanks, Martie.
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Neil, it is always rewarding when we write something at least one other person can identify with and respond to. You have garnered an awful lot of those rewards over these years here because a whole bunch of us relate to your words, and engage with you accordingly. It sounds from this post there are plenty more rewarding moments headed your…and our…way.
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Afternoon, Bruce. I’ve reached a point where I feel as though I don’t have too much to say that I already haven’t said. But, despite that, I’m not throwing in the towel!
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I am always pleased to see your blog posts heave up over the horizon….I appreciate your take on life, your humour and your honesty.
Keep on shining that light and keep your batteries charged!
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Thanks very much for the thumbs-up. Appreciated.
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It is true that the best way to work through what we really believe about something is to write about it. Nothing exposes poorly-formed thoughts like seeing them looking back at you from a screen!
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You have hit the nail on the head!
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“The more we know about ourselves, the better…”- Indeed!
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Hi, Indira. Self-knowledge and self-awareness can’t hurt!
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At some point, I wrote a post about the writing process, pointing out that editing is more than checking the spelling and grammar. Editing for coherence and clarity is just as important; most of the time, what I take out is just as important as what I put in.
You’re making the same point, in a somewhat different way. Both of us are in good company. Flannery O’Connor once said, “I write to discover what I know,” and Joan Didion concurred, saying, “I write entirely to find out what I’m thinking.” The process never ends.
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Afternoon, Linda. Those are great quotes. Writing can reveal ourselves to ourselves.
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Of course, what you write matters. I always say blogging is therapy. Whatever helps us grow and works for us matters. It also appears to work for all your readers including me.
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Many thanks.
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Definitely, Neil. Writing helps clarify our thoughts and feelings both, and in that way promotes self-understanding. As for the hippie era, I still catch a whiff of it occasionally on the street.
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Hey there, Sam. The hippie era was a good time, overall. I’d love to see it re-born.
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I agree with your sentiment that the more we know and understand ourselves – biologically as well as socially, behaviourally as well as physiologically – the better we will be. Challenging, yes, but I think worth exploring and pursuing positively, optimistically, hopefully. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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I’ve always enjoyed reading your perspectives on life. You’re a deep thinker!
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Thank you kindly 🥰 xx
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Your question at the end reminds me of the riddle about whether a tree falling in the forest, with no one around, makes a noise. I don’t know the answer, but regardless, the truth is it fell.
Your writing on issues of the day absolutely makes a noise….i.e. a difference! The more we share, the greater the chance the light of truth will shine through.
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“The more we share, the greater the chance the light of truth will shine through.” — thumbs up to that!
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An editor that your perceptive wife Sandy and I worked with once said, “I have to write about something to truly figure out what I think about it.” And you are so right, we need ad many people as possible thinking about what is goin on in our world. Write on, Neil!
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I think I know who this is, though I’m not positive. In any case, thanks a lot for stopping by and adding your thoughts.
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I think you’re right. A lot of writing is figuring how the puzzle pieces of our lives fit together or … if they don’t or never will … why? I was thinking how lucky we were to live those those hippie days. We weren’t totally successful but it was wonderful to have thought, if only for a few years, that it was possible. I’m always happy to see that you’ve posted your thoughts, your reflections on the world.
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Hi, JT. Yeah, the hippie era was forever ago. But it lives on in our hearts.
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So well said, Neil! I didn’t know you were a former newspaper writer. Glad that you found your way back to writing, and that you’ve kept at it for so long.
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Howdy, Marie. I freelanced for that newspaper for about five years. My final story for that paper came out in 1991. Then I took a ridiculously long hiatus (24 years) from writing.
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Aha! Now I know where you’ve developed your engaging writing style that’s captivated me over the years 😀 Yeah, I totally agree that we need to light up the darkness that’s enveloped us.
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Trump totally eats it! –saying that makes me feel good.
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Keep shining Neil. I really enjoy your posts. In this messed up world, “that’s who I am” is what we need to keep searching for.
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I appreciate it, Sherri. Thanks a lot.
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We’re all in this life together. Sharing is the best. 💝
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You’re right! (Is this Fran? I think so.)
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I see a lot of joy in your life.
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Hi. Yeah, I’m pretty fortunate.
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You are right about the state of the world, it makes me totally despondent sometimes. But reaching out and making connections with like-minded people, whether online or in person, helps to keep us sane I think.
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Right, it’s highly beneficial to be in contact with normal, proper-thinking people. I have little use for mean-spirited, bigoted folks.
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I find the writing process is revelatory; I often don’t know where I’ll end up—especially with poetry.
Interesting to hear about your earlier writing career, Neil. Your observations and insights not only help your self-knowledge; they bring fun and color to us as well.
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Writing can be a wacky, mysterious process. My initial idea for this latest piece was to write something or other about a certain beer I like a lot, and also about a certain TV series I like a lot. Somehow that didn’t happen, and the story turned into one about self-awareness. Don’t ask me how.
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Wound up in the right place!
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Hey Neil – Glad you’re hangin’ in there. Of course don’t worry about repeating themes or topics, you always bring something fresh and entertaining, and anyways, it’s really just a taking off point for your engaging ruminations, which are always enjoyable for us readers. Hope you’ll tell us many more tales of the fabled days of hippiedom, too.
Stay cool, yay for AC
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Thanks a lot, Robert. It’s really good of you to say all of that. I appreciate it a lot.
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For one, it’s wonderful that your wife encouraged you to write again. For two, our reasons for writing are the same. I love writing because it takes me through a process of learning more about myself. Lastly, I also find it hard to write. Since you’re a professional – has it gotten easier?
Thank you for sharing your work with us. We all need to shine our light in this world.
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Thanks very much for adding your thoughts and observations. I don’t think that writing has gotten any easier for me. That’s probably because I don’t know exactly what I want to say, or should say, when I start most stories!
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This is relatable haha
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What you write does matter. The sharing of your thoughts, your humor, and your dire warnings are valuable. It does not matter if one agrees with you or not. It only matters that we are still allowed to share our thoughts. And thank you for doing so. And by the way, I don’t like the con man either.
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Hi. There are a whole lot of far-right people in this country. That’s a sad fact. In my opinion, they are ruining the nation.
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The rediscoveries are the real kickers. Just when we think that we know enough, then “POW” a light bulb moment. And life keeps bringing them on.
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Hi there. Right, there’s always something to learn and to be impressed by. Who is this, by the way? You’re listed as Anonymous.
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Your writing matters. Sometimes your post make me laugh, sometimes I simply enjoy the beautiful photos, and other times your thought and ideas make me really contemplate life itself. Please keep writing, enjoy writing because you a fabulous author. By the way, I loved reading that you wrote professionally about art and pop culture. From now on, I will check my facts twice; just kidding. All the best from sunny Amsterdam.
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I wouldn’t mind being in Amsterdam right now. You’re having much better weather than my region. It’s going to be about 36 degrees C later in the day here. Ditto for tomorrow.
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Glad to hear writing has helped you learn more about yourself and that you plan to keep on doing it. I feel the same way about how writing helps me understand myself, my thoughts and feelings and it helps me make sense of things. It’s one of the reasons I’ll never use ChatGPT to “help” me write things because it feels like I’d be giving up a part of myself and what I enjoy doing, even if I’m a super slow writer.
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Hi. I can understand using AI for research purposes. But not for the actual process of putting thoughts together and writing them.
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Well, you know I agree, Neil. Anytime we can become clearer about who we are is a good thing for ourselves and also others. Thanks for being you ❤
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Thanks, Kathy. Take care.
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I enjoy reading your take on topics and your humor, Neil. And I, like you, also find that I clarify my perspectives on the complexities of life through writing. Don’t give up, keep shining!
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Hello there, Jan. Writing is a pretty mysterious process. That’s part of its charm.
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It does matter – never stop writing! Your posts are informative, witty/humorous … and so enjoyable. 😉
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Really nice of you to say that. Thanks a lot.
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I agree with you, Neil. And yes, everything you’ve said here truly matters. I love, “It sure can’t hurt when as may lights as possible shine within it.” So, let’s keep on writing and keep on growing. Thank you for the pep talk, I needed it.
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You know, I think that composing this piece was a pep talk to myself too.
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Keep shining your light, Neil. I can see it all the way over here on the West Coast!
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Hi Geoff. I’ll do my best!
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I often feel the way you described above as well and when I don’t know whether something matters or what I should think about it, what to choose, etc… I simply allow for some space around this. Just choose to allow for space – and sometimes I find this was what was required of me.I also find that writing helps me with just that as well, so your wife is good to you for encouraging you.
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Hi. If she hadn’t suggested that I take up writing again, and encouraged me to do so, I doubt if I’d have done it.
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‘Does any of what I’ve stated above matter? By straining my brain for a while, I came up with an answer. And the answer is yes.’–Absolutely agree, 100 %. Not only for yourself and your own well-being, but also as you say at the end, to be one of those ‘lights’ our world so desperately needs. How much better we would all be, if more of us followed that philosophy!!
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Yeah, we’re living in a pretty dark time in human history. The more light, the better.
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Does anything you (or anyone else) did or say matter? Yes. Plenty. Big or small. Honesty is one of the main things that count. Have you helped a few? Good. The rest is litterature.
And in those very dark times we are -all- living in, every honest voice counts.
Keep truckin’, Man!
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Hi. Trump will be “addressing” the nation in about 20 minutes. Dishonesty is what will be spewing from his vile mind and mouth. Needless to say, I won’t listen to his rantings.
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Neither did I. But I subscribe to a couple of very good “Substacks” who will give me the substance.
Stay safe Neil.
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