Christine Smith's Blog

Met the Gadsden Rattlesnake Today

I met the Gadsden rattlesnake today. About eight feet in front of me, there it was – a large yellow rattlesnake. It was approximately 3 feet long. As it slid into the clover, I approached closer noting its triangular head. rattler and its unusual yellow tan underlying color beneath its markings. I’m always careful to watch my footfalls here, don’t want to tread on any snake, particularly not the Gadsden.

Two recommended articles for Memorial Day weekend

The Price of Freedom?
by Christine Smith at The Future of Freedom Foundation website

Dying for a Lie
by Laurence M. Vance at LewRockwell.com

Photos-May 16, 2010, deer amongst daffodils at my home

May 16, 2010. Deer at my home walking amongst daffodils.

PEACE

I deeply appreciate this quote from St. Austin. It makes me all the more seek development love of all and God and what that entails in humility, giving, and zeal for being apart of furthering what is right and true. It is the peace I want to maintain and develop no matter the circumstances in life. When it is not present, I become aware it is because I have mistakenly strayed from trust and faith and thus loving actions.

“Peace is the serenity of the soul, the tranquillity of the mind, the simplicity of the heart, the bond of love, and the union of charity.” – St. Austin (from The Manual of The Holy Catholic Church – Embracing Light from the Altar, James J. McGovern, D.D. (Copr. 1906 by James J. McGovern, Copr. 1920 by Joseph R. Gay)

Photo – May 10, 2010

May 10, 2010.

Photos: Daffodils blooming, springtime in the mountains

What I just saw and felt walking outside…daffodils,standing beautiful, strong despite snow twice and wind gusts of 40mph in the past few days…snow on mountains on a cool cloudy May afternoon…invigorating breeze carries the scent of the daffodils my way.

Immigration Socialism versus Freedom and the Free Market – by Jacob G. Hornberger

This article says it all.  I highly recommend it! 

Immigration Socialism versus Freedom and the Free Market

by Jacob G. Hornberger

Film Recommendation “Five Minutes of Heaven,” and Thoughts on Righteous Indignation vs. Anger

Last night I viewed the film “Five Minutes of Heaven,” a powerful story of mistakes, immaturity and maturation, anger, vengeance, and forgiveness. Developed from the true event of the 1975 killing of Jim Griffin by Alistair Little in Northern Ireland, the story revolves around the fictionalized what-if of the killer meeting the witness (the brother of the deceased who was 11 at the time of the shooting) 33 years later.

The sadness and tragedy of the violent unrest between Catholic and Protestant in Northern Ireland is communicated well through this  incident, with its years of affect between those involved becoming the fictional continuation.

I found this well-made film and the fictional story which evolved from that tragedy to be thought provoking and engaging. I recommend it. Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt do a fine job.

The film illustrated well the peril and misery of accepting anger as justified, which in my opinion, always leads to more misery, harm, and sadness.

Again, I highly recommend the film “Five Minutes of heaven,” – it is a most interesting story and character study.  (Link to its Amazon page)

On a personal note, I distinguish between righteous indignation (and thus a devotion and commitment to justice or as close to justice as is humanly possible, which at times may never occur in certain human situations) and anger (which is allowing oneself to be controlled by emotionalism). I believe anger is never justified, as it is a feeling from the emotion of fear and leads to serious mistakes of conduct and behavior which though may seem justified at the time, can later in more rational and ethical examination, be seen for the mistake it was. Righteous indignation, on the other hand, is that intense call to action to stop an evil and to in whatever capacity we have to bring light into an area of darkness, to alleviate suffering, to expose what is wrong or corrupt, and to put a stop to it. It does not entail resorting to evil to fight evil because it is based in the strength of love.

Fear brings anger, hatred, and attack and rationalization of attack; love brings a strength to realize that revenge is never the answer regardless of the provocation. In fact, I believe those motivated and inspired from a spiritual basis of love are far more effective at achieving whatever justice is humanly possible than those who succumb to the baser feelings.

Allowing anger within leads us to the wild uncontrolled imaginations of our mind, but allowing love to make our decisions leads us to see what justice (if any) can be found without becoming that which we say we reject. Therein lies the difference between self-defense, for example, and offensive violence…or between stopping a person from harming another again and revenge which seeks to punish rather than halt more evil behavior. Evil does not justify evil.

Neither does relinquishing anger mean one must try to reconcile with the one who has wronged another, it simply means one does not seek to exact punishment, but when needed seeks only to prevent oneself or another from being harmed by the other again.

Resolution within and its inner peace is obtained when one relinquishes the feeling of revenge, which brings me to recommend a previous article I wrote addressing that common question of whether the end ever justifies the means?

In the many issues facing society, a common rationalization for committing wrong, immoral, unjust or unethical acts is that if the greater good is served the relative harm necessary to gain such a supposed good is justified. In essence, people say doing bad can result in good, thus they assert bad becomes good. This has become commonly accepted in politics (as well as within people’s personal and business lives).

Consider issues such as immigration, taxation, abortion, capital punishment, torture, and the use of military force. All present a multitude of possible scenarios and situations in which the use of force is argued or disputed. Must we, then, live our lives in a state of flux, constantly having to analyze each and every situation to determine what is ethical? Are there times when commission of a wrong act is the best choice because the result may be better for the majority? Is morality relative? Can an immoral or unethical act sometimes be the right thing to do if the outcome is deemed favorable?

I believe the final result of an action cannot and must not be the determiner of right or wrong, and I explore this point in my previous blog article “The End Does Not Justify The Means” which I invite you to read. 

Getting Your “Fair Share”?

Charity begins where?

Many of us have heard that charity begins in the heart. From a conscious choice within to express goodwill toward another, an individual then lets that decision to be charitable be implemented with the tool of their mind. Action follows.

This, of course, can occur from individual to individual, individual to a group or cause, or from like minded individuals joining together to express charity toward others. It’s always a free will choice to give one’s time, talents, possessions or money to assist another who has need of something you possess.

Contrast that with the rarely challenged and highly government propagandized notion that to be charitable is synonymous with government taking your money (taxes) and distributing it to people who they say need it more than you. To accept this is to 1. Agree that the money you earn isn’t yours at all, but that your work and its income belongs to the collective, a collective to which you have an obligation – enforced by the threat of fines and/or incarceration. 2. Agree that you are incompetent to determine for yourself if and to whom is worthy for you to give your resources to.

I seriously doubt too many people would voice agreement to either point one or two. And, yet, many of these same people will actually defend and support the multitude of government programs, which they pay heavily for, simply because it’s got a good sounding ring to it. But government programs are as far away from true charity as it comes. They are, in my opinion, based on threat, exploitation, greed, power, and control – the antithesis of true charity, even hurting the very ones they proclaim to care for. Add to this that if a private charity operated with the bureaucratic waste and unaccountability that government often does, it being exposed, wouldn’t last for long since few people want to throw away their money to enrich another who simply claims the money is going toward a good cause – most of us want to know the money we give goes predominantly to the cause.

Your fair share

 A few weeks ago, I received a letter (“Presorted First-class postage & fees paid”) which I assumed was the census, but upon its opening, I found it was yet another piece of federal government propaganda notifying me that I would soon be receiving the census and instructing me to “mail it in promptly” because my response was ‘important” so my “community” would get its “fair share” since that “fair share” includes “government funds for highways, schools, health facilities, and many other programs you and your neighbors need.”

Postage was spent to send a preliminary letter letting me know to be ready for the census.

The U.S. Census Bureau has undertaken one of the largest propaganda machines I’ve seen with their “Road Tour” whose intent is “to motivate America’s growing and increasingly diverse population” to mail the census back by appearing at “local parades and festivals to major sporting events like the Super Bowl and NCAA Final Four”, TV and radio ads, a census sponsored race car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, and PSAs, saying on their website that “The advertising campaign represents the most extensive and diverse outreach campaign in U.S. history, with advertisements appearing in 28 languages,” and that “For every percentage point increase in the 2010 Census mail-back participation rate, the Census Bureau saves about $85 million in follow-up costs with households that failed to return their forms.”

Yet somehow I don’t believe “costs” are much of a concern- what with all their personal visits of census workers, even sometimes to deliver the census rather than sending it by mail. And most importantly, the census has become something far beyond a simple headcount as called for in the Constitution.

Fact is, I “need” nor want none of what the federal government wants me to excitedly and eagerly take from other people, I need only to be left alone with my full share which is everything I earn, to give or keep as I so choose. I’m one who investigates charitable causes, examining their overhead costs with their actual charitable work, and am selective in who and what I support based on my values. I have to trust an organization before I give. I “share” my resources with those I choose to help. The federal government fails to meet my requirements as a trusted entity, and unlike any other organization which must earn a contributor’s trust – it doesn’t ask for money, it demands and takes it by force.

The whole idea of getting a “fair share” is repulsive and despicable because it condones the immoral government sanctioned/imposed socialism and the legalized theft it relies upon. None are of are owed anything from our fellow countrymen, and yet our nation has devolved into acceptance of all manner of taxpayer funded “entitlements” as a way of life.

People wouldn’t be fighting over getting back those dollars if it weren’t taken from them to begin with. Government gives us nothing because it creates nothing – it merely takes what we earn and says they in government know better than we how to spend our earnings.

All I want is for the money the federal government has taken to be given back to the individuals from which it came. Not returned through a “program” but as real money to individuals whose money was forcibly taken from them. All I “need” is to be able to keep all I earn to do with as I please – including providing for my own retirement as well as health insurance free from all government intrusion. What I also need is a state government who will step up and refuse to be subservient to the federal government’s regulations and stipulations which take away the rights and liberties of their citizens; a state government that places individual liberty above any collective want.

The lion’s share

And, with tax time upon us, I marvel sadly at the pathetic people who appear to happily compliment the government for all its help provided taxpayers in getting their taxes paid on time. They speak as if they’d be grateful if, in being robbed, the robber kindly offered to assist them by opening their wallet for them.

Even many of those citizens who complain about doing their taxes will defend that very tyranny when they encounter the libertarian idea of ending the income tax.

Obviously, government propaganda has worked enormously well; decades of indoctrination has made a people forget the origins of this country and the principles upon which it was founded.

Instead of challenging the wasteful, immoral, evil, and certainly unconstitutional ways the money taken from them is used for, many instead concern themselves with getting the so called “fair share” for their state and community from the federal government, while the monstrous federal government smugly takes the lion’s share for itself.

The only source of charity

Many seek to feel good without choosing to do good. There’s a big difference between abiding or complying with what you’re legally forced to do in this society, and making a conscience decision to take a particular action, of your own free will, to benefit another. Without choice, there is no virtue. There is nothing particularly virtuous, and certainly nothing charitable, in simply obeying the laws.

True charity is a voluntary giving, it comes not from the actions you are forced to comply with (whether you agree with them or not). It neither begins nor can ever come from any government agency or program because the funding was taken forcibly thereby eliminating all free choice to love or not. The only “share” you’re ethically entitled to is that which you earn or that which is voluntarily given you.

I began this blog with a question: Charity begins where?

The answer is, of course, in your heart. Some say “at home.” Same thing. It begins with the free will choice of an individual to help another. It is void of all coercion. In fact, it’s such a strong force it comes to the rescue of all people and all causes, often with relief, provision, and even abundance. There is no scarcity, only a government which manipulates with fear (including the fear of scarcity) to deceive the people into accepting they need government to provide “charity” for their every need.

Despite the fact so much of our money is taken from us by government, we’re still a most generous, compassionate charitable nation. Even when the effects of government intrusion into our economic lives is at its worst, with the repercussions being suffered nationwide, we’re still a charitable people. We give to our friends and family in times of their need, to our favorite charities, our churches, and even to worldwide relief in times of disaster. We open our hearts first, then our wallets. And when we’re on the receiving end, be it someone volunteering their time or a tangible item or a monetary gift to help us, we experience gratitude because we realize that person or organization didn’t have to help – they weren’t forced to help – they helped because they wanted to.

That being the case, just think what we could do to help others if we were able to keep the money currently taken from us by government – if we kept all or most of what we earned. Imagine the increase in contributions for every cause you care about. The homeless and the ill…the struggling, hurting, alone or hungry…to the arts and education and environment…no matter the cause, there’d be no more talk of trying to get back a “fair share” from the federal government because the money would have been kept with those who earned it. Those who choose to give could give so much more from their earnings, resulting in no artificial limit – because there’s no limit to the capacity to love within the human heart – the only source of charity.

Highly recommended reading: Trust Freedom, Not Statism by Jacob G. Hornberger

Highly recommended reading: Trust Freedom, Not Statism by Jacob G. Hornberger

Photos – Christmas morning, 2009, with my father.

The Road Waiting to Be Taken

Excerpt from my article:

“Reading Friedrich A. Hayek’s Road to Serfdom, one is amazed that a book published 64 years ago could paint such an accurate picture of where the United States is headed today. Hayek’s warning of the dangers of centralized planning and his cautioning that well-intentioned planning can degrade into tyranny describes the road the United States embarked upon several decades ago and has traveled ever since. We now live in a nation where many people give only lip service to the free market and its fruits of economic and personal freedom…”

I invite you to read my article, The Road Waiting to Be Taken, published by The Future of Freedom Foundation.

Mysterious Childhood Visions

When I was a child, I had three mysterious visions which I offer no explanation or interpretation of, but simply share as they have stayed with me all my life.

The first occurred at the age of four. I recall awaking, wide eyed and startled, as a bright feminine figure, in light, stood or hovered at the base of my bed. My immediate reaction was to think I should call out to awake my father to come, but just as that thought passed through me instantly I “heard” the lady apparition tell me not to be afraid and that there was no need to wake my father. I paused, thinking about that for a moment, and felt reassured completely. I stared at her, no audible verbal communication occurred, though I remember she was there for several minutes “speaking” since I was receiving some message telepathically, that’s how it feels in retrospect, though I do not recall what was communicated to me…the last I recall was being instructed to lie back down and close my eyes to rest. I did…but sat up again a few minutes later…and she was no longer there. The following morning I shared the experience with my father, telling him “I had seen an angel,” which was the only way I could find words to try and capture and express what I had experienced. To this day, I remember the incident most clearly, and when I speak to my father about it, he tells me I was most insistent, descriptive, and enthusiastic about what I had seen, full of zeal and wonder when I shared what had happened.

The second occurred also at the age of four. I was outside playing on the slide with another little friend, as I climbed up the ladder to the top again and sat down, I turned to the left (where the shipyard was) and instead of the usual scene, I saw a great expanse of a bright glowing light-giving city. It was brilliant! I looked all around me elsewhere and all was the same – the playground, the buildings, my friend at bottom of slide, and the basketball court farther away where my father was shooting hoops with others. Immediately I looked again, totally focusing my attention, on a most wondrous vision…it was hues of bright gold and bright white with towering buildings of beautiful architecture. Never had I seen anything like it, and the entire scene gave off a brilliant light like sunshine. I just kept staring, aware that my little playmate was calling to me to move on down the slide, but all I wanted to do was gaze at the sight before me. Then, with the persistence of my friend’s voice, I glanced down at her momentarily and then back…and it was gone. I slid down the slide and ran to the basketball court to get my father, but he was very much engaged in the basketball game and unable to come over to the slide right then. A little later, I told him in detail of what I had seen calling it “heaven”…another vision which he remembers my telling him of; he says I was “delighted” when I shared it with him.

The third occurred at about the age of ten. I had a habit of purposefully waking in the middle of the night and getting up to spend time gazing out my back bedroom window at the tall pines, dark night sky and stars when visible through the pines. I did this often, as I liked the quiet stillness of nighttime outside. On one such evening, I awoke as usual and walked to my window and leaned on the windowsill as I gazed around and upwards. I noticed a larger than usual bright light twinkling in the sky and it immediately captured my attention because it appeared to be getting closer as the light was getting larger and larger. Momentarily, it seemed as it had descended from the sky to right above the tree tops. Very quickly, it suddenly just got so large as to cover the expanse of pine tree tops and lit everything to such a degree all I could see was this enormous bright light and nothing else. That’s all I remember, because the very next thing I knew I was back in my bed, wide awake, and very much aware that I had been up at my window and watching that light – I was perplexed as to how I was now back in bed though awake and fully cognizant of having already gotten up as usual only to have witnessed the strange light and now found myself back in bed. I was hesitant to get up again, as it seemed such an unusual light and experience, but I did go back to the window and all was quiet and dark.

Merry Christmas! (photo from yesterday)

 Merry Christmas!

Had a wonderful day yesterday (Dec.10).  Had to go to the city for an appointment, and while there stocked up on all the fixings for delicious Christmas dinners and treats. 

Had to dress warmly (here in my wool coat) since temperature high was around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. 
While there, visited the abbey whose pasture had several beautiful large mules – white, brown, and mixed.  I was invited to feed them, given some of their feed, hiked through the snow in my boots, where I was met by their eager eyes waiting a treat. They joyfully munched on the alfalfa pellets from my gloved hands as I joyfully fed them. 

I am grateful for…

Just returned from an early morning hike through the snow – brisk and cool – a great way to begin the day! Stopped at the partially frozen creek, surrounded by tall slender aspen, and listened to the water music. The blue spruce across the way towered above me. I am grateful for so much, and so now, this Monday morning, as Thanksgiving is approaching this week, I’ll share a few thoughts on it.

Thanksgiving has always been a meaningful day, as it focuses upon the virtue of expressing gratitude. This makes Thanksgiving a day of action, not passivity, in both heart and deed…a way to live throughout the year. 

Every experience in life, and every individual we encounter, holds opportunity for truth to be taught and learned.

Whatever one is grateful for requires supporting actions showing it, protecting it, and restoring it. One shows they treasure and are grateful for something by their actions, not just their words. To be grateful is more than a feeling, it’s a way to live one’s life.

At its heart, Thanksgiving is a day of lessons learned (and continuing to be learned). Its beginnings, which we celebrate, are a testament to liberty and its bountiful rewards. (Indeed, the festivities of today are a celebration of the fruits reaped when the philosophy of libertarianism is sown. For more on this, visit my 2008 Thanksgiving piece and its links regarding William Bradford and the lesson learned of free enterprise by those early settlers- the true story which should also be taught children and everyone this time of year.)

Twenty four years ago I moved to Colorado, with my first day here being Thanksgiving Day 1985. Fortunately, some caring neighbors helped make that day festive by sharing their Thanksgiving fixings, as I was not prepared to be cooking such a meal in a kitchen yet to be filled with accessories and groceries. I remember that first day well, there was an enormous snowfall, and extreme record breaking cold temperatures. The neighbor’s hospitality was most welcome!

Now, every day, I step out onto the deck of my mountain chalet, look at the sky, the forest, the mountains, and think to myself, “This is the day which the Lord hath made…,” I “…will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24-KJV)

My life is filled with blessings, joy, and miracles…a few of which I share here: 

I am grateful for… 

the gift of each day.

my beloved father.

all my Gentle Beings throughout my life.

all my animal companions throughout my life.

the few, but precious, friendships in my life.

the natural world,

the abundance of the Earth, and its creatures.

being able to make my living doing something I love.

friends who give me the gift of trust – needing a listening caring heart – turning to me in times of distress – or seeking my advice or opinion to consider.

those whom have been patient and forgiving with me.

friends who inspire and encourage me through their passion for liberty – their uncompromising devotion, dedication and hard work.

favorite authors.

those who create art I appreciate – in music, painting, prose, film, or sculpture.

the scientific, mechanical and technological inventions and discoveries the mind of man has made.

those with integrity.

the kindness of strangers.

to live in the United States, a most unique and wonderful nation because it was founded on liberty.

our nation’s founders who recognized the rights of the individual are not bestowed by any man or government but are inherent at birth, God-given.

past associations with those whom I helped and those who helped me.

every opportunity given in which I was able to be a blessing in someone else’s life.

my parish, beautiful, built over 100 years ago, and those who make it home to the parish family.

my parish priest and his knowledge, wisdom, gentleness, understanding, and ability to teach God’s truth.

Mother Mary continually listening and teaching me to rest in God’s providence free from worry or anxiety.

God – His love – His patience and forgiveness.

In conclusion (and elaborating a bit on the above):

I have been abundantly blessed in life. I have a fine home, good food, and abundant provision of necessities as well as creature comforts such as all the things I use and enjoy each day which make life easier, comfortable and cozy… from warm fuzzy slippers- a cup of tea- a hot bubble bath–the glistening snow in bright sunshine- a quiet moonlit night- a classical music cd playing on the stereo- to so many more things which delight my senses in their goodness, beauty and simplicity.

I am grateful for my health – my ability to move freely, to go where I choose from travel, hiking, fitness, to just playing, swirling and dancing, to have the sense of smell to enjoy the delightful array of aromas and fragrances from wildflowers to delicious meals, to have eyes to see the beauty all around me and which give me the ability to read, to have the sense of hearing to hear the voices of those I love, to appreciate beautiful music, to learn from others, and to hear the sounds of all the earth from bird songs to the wind, to have the sense of touch so that the softness of a petal can be felt-the warmth of the sun upon my face and the coolness of a raindrop-to have a voice to share, question and sing, the ability to taste the many delicious flavors from savory to sweet, for all the abilities and senses health gives me.

I am grateful I learned early the value of being true to myself, strong, and independent, following my heart where it leads. I focus on developing myself emotionally, intellectually, physically and spiritually, developing who I am to the fullest so that I am a whole person capable of joyfully sharing with others, and strong to pursue the path of dreams and ideas God gives me. For this realization, I thank my father who raised me to be strong, to pursue whatever I felt was right and would make me happy.

I am grateful to God, the source of all these blessings.

And I reiterate the beginning of this piece: Whatever one is grateful for requires actions showing it, protecting it, and restoring it. Think about those things you are grateful for and live your life in actions to show you treasure them.