The so-called “reclusive movie icon” Sean Penn came out of hiding last week and appeared on CNN’s Larry King Live. Why? So he could put forth his wonderful ideas about the government. I really find things like this amazing. Why is it that many of the Hollywood elite think they know everything about everything and can demand the government to listen to them and do as they say.

What did Penn say on Larry King Live? He’s demanding the President pull the troops out of Iraq now. Of course there’s something Penn should remember. The only reason he can be a “recluse” and live in his own little world totally shielded from reality, is because brave men and women in the services are overseas fighting for freedom making sure the terrorists don’t strike in the United States again.

There is another sad aspect of this whole scenario as well. Many people who do think Sean Penn is some kind of know-it-all simply because he’s a “reclusive movie icon” will believe he really does know what he’s talking about. Webster’s dictionary defines reclusive as someone who is “shut away and withdrawn from society.” The word icon is defined in many ways, one of which is “an object of uncritical devotion.”

With this in mind, lets see if we can get this straight here. Sean Penn, a self-proclaimed recluse who’s withdrawn from society and shut away, the object of uncritical devotion, thinks he knows how to run the country.

I think not.

If you’d like to read the article that started this blog thought you can find it by clicking on this link. “Pull The Troops Out of Iraq”.

Keep encouraged!
Dr. Rus

Change…can’t live with it…can’t live without it. No, wait a minute, that’s not how the saying goes. Change…if there’s two things we can count on in life, it’s death and taxes. No, that’s not it either. Let me see, let me see, let me see. Change…he who has the most toys wins. No, that’s not it either.

Oh wait a minute…I think I’ve got it…the only constant in this world, is change!

I knew I’d get it sooner or later.

Most people have heard that saying before and most people, at one time or another in life, have expressed discomfort about change. However, as the saying goes, change will always be a constant as we make our way through this world and through life. Have you ever wondered where the phrase came from? Some would say the phrase probably came about as we headed into the technology age when life just seemed to be in a state of constant flux with change all around. However, that’s not the case. The phrase has actually been around since 500 B.C. when a man named Heracleitus said - “The only constant is change.” 500 B.C.! What in the world did people have to worry about way back then?

Reality is this, from the beginning of time, people have been trying to figure out how to deal with change. Some bury their head, some blame others, some simply refuse to move forward. But, we do not exist in a vacuum, so that means, like it or not — the only constant is change. In his book “Monday Morning Mentoring” David Cottrell writes; “Change is not unique to technology. We can’t worry about changes, but we can adapt to them.”

My wife’s grandparents are preparing to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary, and her grandfather will also celebrate his 90th birthday right around the same time. As I’ve pondered such a long life, I’ve also wondered what they would say the most significant change is in their lives. I’m sure they could chronicle many changes they’ve adapted to. However, at the same time I’m sure they would also point to one constant that has kept them together all these year — that would be love.

Keep encouraged,
Dr. Rus

Hmmmm….I have one of those childhood thougthts running through my head today — “Why do they call it Labor Day?” No one works, more babies aren’t born, and people actually do a lot of napping on labor day instead of labor. So, just why do we call this Labor Day.

A quick Google search reveals that Labor Day turned into a national holiday more than 100 years ago. Of course, like so many other things, tradition fades and all that remains is a party. How sad, considering the fact that when we lose touch with our roots, we soon forget why we’re here. It’s been said that those who forget history are destined to repeat it. It’s unfortunate that many people fall into the trap of forgetting the important things of life, like celebrating those who make this country great.

Whether it’s the working class, or the brave men and women serving in uniform, lets take a few moments out of this day to remember that Labor Day isn’t just another day on the calendar to party. No, it’s really a day to remember our roots, whatever those roots may be.