Rusty’s Insights n Insperations

Morals

Morals are the rules you apply to your life. Morals are what is and is not acceptable to how you live your life. Each of us set our own Moral Standards. Each of us decides on what actions, what words, are acceptable and which actions, which words, are not. Your Moral standards may be different in certain circumstances or in certain groups of people. Across your lifetime you may change your Moral Standards due to life’s experiences. Your Moral Standards may be influenced by people, by actions, by results of things that happen throughout your life. Your Morals are something you and you alone should set for yourself.

When you set your Moral Standards you Make One’s Righteous Accountable Life Standards. This is what Morals means to me. What do you think? What does Morals mean to you?

March 23rd is okay Day or is it ok or o.k.?

However you write or use the word is up to you. As far as I’m concerned it’s OK. This day is not meant to be amazing or extraordinary, though it may be ….. that’s OK. This day is not meant to be blah or uneasy, then again it might be …. Which is OK. Though today is meant to be an OK type of day. What an OK day is for you may be different than what mine would be … that’s OK. You may sleep more or less than I do …. that is OK. You may not work and I have to … that too is OK. Whatever is an OK day for you is how I hope today turns out to be for you. If it doesn’t turn out that way, you guess it , it is OK. Now that I said that I guess your day and mine will both be Ok. So enjoy it … OK?

Today is cherished moments of times gone by
Tomorrow is the hopes and dreams of what’s yet to come
Today creates yesterdays in to memories and makes tomorrow’s hopes and dreams reality

8/824
Today is retro video game day.

I cannot begin to tell you the names of all of the games I played back when. Of course most of us probably played some version of PAC Man, Breakout, Pong , Donkey Kong, Tetris , only to name a few. In fact I'm lucky enough to still play them. My son bought me a game system that plays over 400 different games. The last time I played the game system I played Gorf, Frogger , Burgertime , Qbert. I can't deny that to me there is nothing like playing these retro games. The games were so simple back then. You tried to get the high score in the time given. The game ended .... you got a score and then you tried again. In fact to me a joystick and two buttons is my type of game. I can honestly say there wasn't any one game that was my favorite.

My favorite memory was when I convinced my wife to buy an Atari 2600 to save money. She wasn't a gamer and around 8 months pregnant. I taught her how to play breakout. After dinner I told her I'd do the dishes and she could practice playing Breakout. I eventually looked at her and said I'm heading to bed. She responded, Why? I told her it's 3 am and I have to be to work in the morning, but continue enjoying the game.

What memories do you have? Do you remember your favorite game? Did you ever have a high score? Feel free to share if you want.

I'm still waiting for it to happen. It's been over 65 years but I'm still young. I have hopes ... I have dreams .... I look forward to tomorrow. When tomorrow becomes today some of those hopes .. those dreams will come true. I cherish all that has ... that will and that is happening now. While my body my age I still stay young. For it is my belief that if you carry the spirt of hoping ... dreaming ... and love in your heart you will never be old.

For those of you who think you're old. Look to your hopes, your dreams , love within your heart and I believe you will regain at least some of that youth you feel you have lost.

Stop and watch the grass grow

Have you stopped and watch the grass recently? Yes I know it’s winter and that implies your answer is no. I should explain. I’m talking about the grass under your feet on the path of life’s journey. The path you go down every day. The path meant for you.
I feel you must do this as often as possible. You should stop sit down .... close your eyes .... take a deep breath and relax. Stop and take look around you. Stop and think about where you are in life. Stop and think of those around you. Stop and take a break from the hustle and bustle fast pace of life as it is today.
You should make sure you stop and let the grass grow as well. Stop and enjoy life .... even if the only reason for stopping is to enjoy life. Meet with a friend , spend time with family take a walk in the park or simply sit back enjoy the tranquility of having a few minutes to yourself. Kick off your shoes feel the blades of grass between your toes. You’ve earned it. You deserve it. There is no reason not to do it.
I ask again have you stopped and watch the grass grow? I do it every day. I cannot stop to think what my life would be if I didn’t do this. To stop then take a moment to look at the day. To take a deep breath and relax. To see the brighter side of even if it wasn’t a perfect day. I watch the grass grow and I feel it’s given me a greater appreciation for those around me and of life itself.
Today make it your day to stop and watch the grass grow. You won’t regret it.

Each person has their own unique vision of what life is. Some may see it as a candle, others may see it as a river, others an hour glass . There is no wrong vision of how you vision your life. Your life is as unique to you as much as the life of those you have meet is unique to them. Each of our lives will take us on a journey. Each day we will continue down the path of that journey. The path we follow will have ups, downs, twist turns , forks in the road where we will have to make a choice on which way to go. There will be good, bad, happiness , disappointment, loneliness, love and much, much more.

I have been blessed with the life I live. It has been filled with great tragedy as well as given me a love beyond my hearts greatest desires. The sun has shown and brought warmth into my life. There have been days when the rains have fallen hard enough to flood the path of my life's journey. My life taught me how to build a bridge to get across the path that was flooded so I could continue on. I have journeyed to open fields where I could stop, rest and decide which way to go next because the path was unclear. I have meet a great number of people. They all have their unique place in my life's journey. I have a wide variety of experiences which also have their unique place in my life. I have learned it is not up to me to judge others for it is their choice on how they live their life.

I believe you should life to its fullest. I believe you should live each day like it will make your dreams come true. The day has limitless possibilities and you will be the one to make the day the best day it can be. It's your life .... live it .... enjoy it .... appreciate it .... be grateful you have been blessed to have it.

In life we must forgive and try to forget things which have been done to us.
Like this photo I believe the saying is
It's water under the bridge

You are as old as you feel or is it you feel as old as you are. I could never figure which is right or if both are. I’ve even been told neither one is. It's definitely confusing. Sometimes you get up and you feel aches and pains. It’s because I’m older? Then you get up, start moving and having fun . I guess I’m as young as I feel. Or is this what got me into this in the first place.
As you get older you continue to live your life. Occasionally you try something you’re body lets you know you shouldn’t have done. People around you start having surgery. Your kids have kids. The music and tv shows you like are classics. Buildings and businesses are gone. Guess what you're older.

One day friends or family stop by. You talk about the old days. Laughter and smiles fill the room. You enjoy some good food and drink. You’re on top of the world. All the aches and pains are gone. You feel like a kid again.

You are as old as you feel or is it you feel as old as you are? It’s apparent both are true. Or are they? Honestly does it matter? It’s life. Live it ! Enjoy it. One day at a time. Treasure what it has to offer. Cherish the little things , because they seem to last through good times and bad. Realize that when the the bad happen it could be worse. When the good times happen enjoy them. Don’t question why. Don’t wonder what if. It is as it is. It’s yours, so take it and run with it. But it's not my decision to make. It’s yours to choose what you do with it.

Today is National Comfy Day.

A day which we all should enjoy and take advantage of. So kick off your shoes . Plop down in your favorite chair or stretch out on the couch. Crawl back into bed. Turn on the tv or listen to music. Get up, exercise or dance to the music. What ever do to let your hair down relax and just enjoy the day. I know today we’re all so busy and rarely stop and watch the grass grow. Or more fitting we sit look out the window and watch the snow fall. But you deserve it. You need a break. If you can’t take all today to do this at least find an hour or so. Use it recharge your batteries to keep going full speed ahead as you do.

Take the time. Find the time. Make the time. You have a reason because it’s a National Comfy Day. If for no other reason you deserve the time. Do whatever it is to make yourself comfortable. Get comfy and relax . Enjoy the day and celebrate National Comfy Day . For me , I’ll head to the kitchen and bake something for my kids to enjoy. For now I’m gonna plop back in to my chair, turn on tv and with luck fall asleep for a few hours.

It was many years ago but a Thanksgiving Day not to be forgotten. It was one where I was able to allow my mom to sit and enjoy the day with family at my house. The feeling of doing for her made it easy to understand all the years she did it for everyone else. I was grateful and proud anytime I was able to do for her as she had done for all of us

Saturday February 17th, 2024
Today is National Random Acts of Kindness Day

It's easy to understand what today is about. To what degree your random act of kindness is a decision you have to make. It can be helping someone move, cooking dinner, cleaning someone's house. Or it can be as simple is taking in a bag of groceries, holding a door, our checking in on someone. I myself always recommend the most precious gift of all. That is to sit, listen and hear what someone wants to talk to you about.

As for me I'm not sure what I'll end up doing today. I will try to do something for each person I meet. It may be one person or many people. Which it'll be I will not know until the day is done. My first act of kindness will be simple. When you're done reading this. Look in a mirror, be proud of that person you see. Take a moment to appreciate yourself for who you are as much as I and your friends do. Remember that person you saw is you. Always remember that being you is the best person you will ever be. Always stay true to being you.

Take care. Stay safe my friend. Today will be a good day ..... because you will make it that way.

Family ..... whether we are alll together as we were on this day or in various places as we are today. We are family and with each other always ... in our thoughts and in ours hearts no matter how many miles we are apart.

Sometimes we forget the most important things at certain times in your life. My son posted this around this time 4 years ago. I think it’s worth sharing with all of you. His words make me feel proud to be his dad

Today is February 8th ….. today is

Laugh AND GET RICH DAY.

I believe the old saying is true that laughter is the best medicine. Because if you are laughing you are enjoying the moment. Your heart is full of joy and happinesses. I believe if you are happy you have pushed aside all the problems and enjoying life. Enjoying life will fill your heart with more happiness than money could ever buy. This my friend …. Makes you Rich!

Go out to day and Laugh. Laugh all day long and Get Rich

Today is pay a compliment day.
Help me celebrate this day and brighten the day of a few others along the way. Say something nice to everyone you talk to or meet today. Say in nicely and with sincerity. I’ll bet it will make the other person feel good when they hear your compliment. In doing so you should feel good about yourself for brightening some one else’s day.
I know you can do this. You are a good person and have a kind heart. I’m sure I’ll be able to see in the sky the light you brought forth this day making others happy. I’m fairly certain that when the day comes to an end you’ll feel as good as those that you gave a compliment to.
Enjoy pay a compliment day it’ll be good for others and for you as well!

Ducks seem to calmly float across the water
What you don’t see is how fast their feet are paddling
The same thing happens in life.

Tonight is another one of those nights. It has been quite sometime since I’ve had one of these nights. It was almost 5 years a go. My wife lay motionless in her bed. She has passed away and gone to heaven. I look down upon the floor. My heart filled with an emotion I wish no one to ever feel. My life has just changed forevermore. The love of my life no longer will stand beside me. I will no longer be able to take her in my arms. I will never again feel her lips upon mine. No words nor actions can express that which I go through at this very moment.

Then I raise my head. I realize that while she will no longer be by my side she will walk with me. For we have shared so much that we will always be one. Our love, friendship, memories will continue on as the days ahead pass. Her spirit will continue on within me. She will continue to live on in the hearts and memories of all the people she met. There is still a future to look forward to. It is not the one we had planned together. It has changed …. but it is still there. The path of life has taken a turn. That is not the first turn that I have had to take. I know there is a path before me to walk. There is a journey to continue to take. At the moment it may be unclear yet, I know it’s still there. In the years ahead I will walk that path …. I will continue the journey … things will happen as they were meant to be.

I never know when this will surface. It happens quickly when it does. Just like the moment it happened the devastation was put in its place by the love, the memories, the friendship we went through over the 40 years before her passing. I promise I would hold my head up and look forward.
I promised to continue having hopes …. dreams ….. and to cherish the life I am blessed to have. This day I still have hopes, dreams , and things have happened as they are meant to. I continue to walk the path …. to continue on life’s journey. I still cherish all that was …. that is always.

In life it important to try and create a happy place. It could be playing a video game, watching tv, going for a walk. It’s a place that lets you find relaxation. A place where you can let go of everything and take time for yourself. Your happy place is a place to be for as long as you need want to be there. How long to be there is for you to decide. It can be for a moment, hours , whatever time you decide to stay there.

My happy place is my kitchen. I go there to create something. In most cases it’s a dessert and a rare occasion a meal. The time there I’m focused on the task at hand. I escape from the world around me. It’s a place for me time. I’m rarely there more than an hour. Some cases not even that long. Sometimes it’s just looking through recipes. I let my mind wander and create at an idea on something new. These times are normally a minute or two. Even in a short period of time it still makes me feel good.

When done I get back to where I was. I’m calmer, more relaxed and ready to tackle any problem if there is one. There are also times I just head to my happy place to enjoy the time there. To be happy, enjoy life, to get creative. In the process I make something special for that day for my sons and I to enjoy. Muffins, biscuits, fudge, cookies, a Swiss roll, strawberry shortcake, a trifold, doughnuts , whatever comes to mind at the time. The fact that my happy place makes others happy is a bonus.

How about you? Do you have a happy place? Some people have one and don’t realize it. I hope you have a happy place. I hope you go there often. If you do it’ll might make your life a little happier.

Have you ever flipped a coin to make a choice? Has someone flipped a coin and said to you,” Heads I win … tails you loose?” Has anyone told you that flipping a coin may have better odds than 50/50 if you catch it in your hand? Did you use the coin because it was a choice you really couldn’t make? Did you flip the coin because you didn’t care whether it was heads or tails?

Asking these questions was like flipping a coin. The coin was heads or tails with each flip. The answer to each question was yes or no. How many situations have you seen or been a part of that the answer seemed it was this or that? I looked backed across my lifetime and saw there was a time I no longer thought that way. I started to see there was a third way.

The third way is to take both results and come up with a different possibility. Here is an example I made young in life. I was asked what’s your favorite color. I always liked red and blue. I was told I could only have one color not both. I gave it some thought and said I chose purple. Why? Because red and blue make purple. If you think of it I got to choose 3 colors. I chose red , mixed it with blue , and came up with purple. One night for dessert some people wanted a cake and some people wanted pudding. The problem was I could bring only 1 dessert. I made a cake … cut through the middle giving 2 layers …. then put pudding in the middle.
Once again I chose option 3.

You see there may be a third option. Thus I now take time to make a decision. In most cases look to make sure there’s not a third choice I’d prefer. Yet there is one last thing I must say. If your given a choice and you’re sure which is your preference there is no reason not to choice that which you prefer.

I’m am proud of the city I live in. When I find something interesting about the cities past I like to share it. Here’s something I never knew about my hometown Rochester, New York

HARRY HOUDINI'S VERY FIRST VIDEO HANDCUFF BRIDGE JUMP The very first video of the great Harry Houdini, which was actually filmed before 1910. Enjoy this wonderful clip. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

The weekend is over and the new week begins. I always I go look in a mirror. I look at the reflection of myself. On occasion I may even say good morning my old friend. As I look at the reflection I wonder where did all this weight come from. The gray can be seen in my mustache and hair. There may even be a wrinkle or two. It’s obvious the hands of time have given me a make over. Then again do they not do that for everyone?

I pause for a minute and think about my appearance. I could color my hair and mustache. In fact cutting off my mustache would probably make me look younger. Then I wouldn’t look like me. I’d be more of a want to be in my eyes. I can’t do that. I know there are people who do use makeup, hair coloring and other things. If it makes them feel better about themselves that’s fine. Everyone should do what works for them. What I’ve described is what I look like. Your looks are what described it what I call window dressing. You are that person that is within you.

I look closer. I look deep into my eyes. Just as I thought. I’m still here. The person I’ve been all of my life still stands here. I close my eyes. I let my mind wander to a time that has happened many years ago. It is a memory of a happy time in my life. This memory will be used to brighten any darkness that comes my way today. I think of the memory throughout the day. It always makes me feel good. I do this every morning when I get up. The memory isn’t always the same one. It may be when I first held my daughter the day she was born. It may be the day I met my wife or the day we were married. It may be a walk in the park with my youngest son. Or it may be when my eldest son and I played games together.

I open my eyes. I must admit I now see a smile that wasn’t there a few moments ago. No matter what happens today I have that memory with me. Carrying a memory with me each day has helped me get through some of the worst time of my life. No the memory didn’t get rid of the sadness or the pain of those dark days. The memory helped me to deal with the darkness better. The memory kept reminding me there have been good times, happy times. If they happened once …. I knew they’d happen again. Not the same memory but one just as good.

Would this work for you? Would it work for anyone? Honestly I don’t know. Whether or not you try this is your decision not mine. If you try it let me know how it works for you.

I woke up yesterday morning and turned on the tv. It had rained, what seemed to be all day Thursday. All night long I could hear the rain coming off the roof and hitting the awning outside my bedroom windows. The news on tv stated the inter loop had flooded downtown. An intersection a few miles a way had a car stuck in water. The creek in the near by park was overflowing. The only good news was the dense fog was gone by morning. Why the clouds opened up and committed such a downpour seemed to be unexplained. It definitely seems to have caused some problems.

I turned off tv. As I sat I was trying to contemplate a reason for such rain especially during the winter. It just didn’t seem to make any sense …. or did it. How does that old saying go? Into everyone’s life a little rain must fall. It was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Thus there may have been a reason after all. Let me rethink the day.

My son and I went out for a car ride. As we reach the other side of town fog started to settle in. Of course I was a little more cautious due to the fog. About ten minutes later the fog became denser while we were riding around. Of course this got me concerned as visibility became less and I decided to head home. On the way home there was a light sprinkle. An hour or so after getting home the rain started. Later that night the rain was more consistent and harder.

As I see it the reason for the rain became clear. The fog came to slow people down. Getting thicker later because people kept going as they were and ignoring the fog. If the fog didn’t work Mother Nature decided to add rain. That should do it. Unfortunately you ignore the weather there was enough rain to stop you in tracks.

I guess Mother Nature thought people needed a break. She thought people were busy hurrying to get somewhere they needed to slow down. If they didn’t listen she’d continue to do something until people took notice. In at least one case there was proof it worked. I guess there is a reason and proof of that old saying ….. Into everyone’s life a little rain must fall

If the shoe fits

There’s an old saying , “ If the shoe fits , wear it. “ l have size 8 1/2 EEE feet. I know that’s true, in fact buy 2 pair. If my toes could talk they tell you a story or two. Whether they were shoes ... sneakers ... boots ... sandals, whatever it was always a long search. Thinking of that makes me think. A golfer has special shoes ..... cowboys were boot ... businessmen dress shoes ..... skiers skies with special boots .... someone must wear snowshoes ...... ballerinas ballet slippers .... each pair specially made for the job they do. I’ve only mentioned a few. Can you imagine how many there are in total?

Now think of it metaphorically what it means. Think of your life. A baby ..... preschooler..... student ..... graduate .... adult or child ... teenager ... young adult .... adult .... senior citizen. As you’ve grown though your life you’ve changed your shoes each step along the way. You’ve had to wear and fill each pair differently as you grew up. Each of us did as we grew up. Even if we had the same shoes we may , and probably wore them differently. Now that we’re adults and it holds true more than ever.

Throughout your adulthood most will wear multiple pair a shoes at once. You will put in a pair and head off to work. There you may wear one pair throughout your career or you may constantly grow and expand your horizons changing shoes as you go. You change shoes from promotion to promotion or job to job. Whichever way your destiny takes you you will fill them in a way that only you could. As the time has passed the workday comes to an end. As you leave work you head home.

Husband, wife ... parent ..... boyfriend, girlfriend ...... bachelor, bachelorette .... widow, widower .... coach ..... friend .... neighbor ... artist... cook... the possibilities are endless as to who you are as you enter your home. A pair of shoes that show more of the person you are, in my opinion. Usually a side that is a different person from than the one you were at work. This , in my opinion, is the pair of shoes made only for you. They are a custom fit personalized for you and only you. They change as you do ... as many times as they need to until the end of the day.

Now the day draws to a close. It’s getting late and in the morning the sun will rise to start a new day. It’s late and the day is coming to an end. You’ve kicked off your shoes and are heading to bed. You pull your feet in under the covers. Soon you will fall asleep and get the rest you need. Before you do you see your shoes across the room. They look dark in color ..... the same sizes as you’ve worn for so many years. Yet for some reason you get this feeling that every time you put them on, the shoes aren’t the same. They feel just ever so slightly different. Just like you are ..... a little older .... a little wiser ... a little further down the path of life .... not much.... but ever so slightly different from the day before .

Have you noticed