Author Archives: 757 Sheepdog

Time, a Gift of Finite Availability

Time, we have but what is granted to us by our maker. Life is a gift of finite time. How we use the time we have is our choice. Some dedicate the time to decadence, Some to teaching and promoting knowledge. The teacher gives freely of their time, guiding others to a better understanding of the world. Time is a gift and sacrificing your allowance of time to give to others should be seized by the learner. As I have some free time this Christmas season I am giving my time to others. The experience of teaching is my reward. So far every opportunity has been seized and we are spreading knowledge to those willing to take part. This is an excellent use of my time, helping others who are willing to step away from a hectic life to learn. Time is precious spend it wisely as only the Creator knows the day. Gain knowledge and share it with those who seek it. A Wise Man Knows What he Doesn’t Know! A true wise man seeks knowledge from the teacher, both reaping a reward, one is educated and the other is given the opportunity to share. Be Prepaed, Be aware and if necessary be dangerous!

Rest and Relaxation

As this year of difficulty winds down to its conclusion, I take some time to revive myself physically and mentally. Next year will be a busy time as we start a training program, some additional training for some small groups and possibly launching a business. We look forward to putting this past year behind us with a relentless grind and physical injury! It takes a few days to unplug and become disconnected from my job. As we release the stress of work, we begin to focus on building the final phase of the training regimen for next year. Take some time to relax and unwind, but never lose focus on the process of being prepared. Focus on small goals you can accomplish during these slower times. Use the free time to unplug from the tv, and accomplish something for your well being. Be Aware, Be Prepared and if necessary be Dangerous!

Tis the Season… Buddy Check!

Family, friends and revelry abound for those in the Christmas spirit. Time spent with those you care for and about, makes most people feel joy! If you are alone, hiding from the memories locked in your head, there is no revelry, joy, or happiness. Some feel that to withdraw and shield themselves from the season is the best way to deal with trauma and loss. Tis the season to reach out! Check on your buddies and their demons. Make them feel welcome and safe in your company. Include them in your plans and drop by and ask how it is going. Take time to give someone a safe place to be. We all are busy presents to acquire and wrap, parties and celebrations, don’t forget those who have decided to hide. Sometimes the best gift is time! Celebrate the Season and in the spirit of giving, give your time to someone who may need a shoulder and a listening ear! Merry Christmas from 757Sheepdog and the family! May you be blessed with abundance and the opportunity to give back to those who are in need!

Merry Christmas!

Tis the Season!

As we approach the Holiday Season, many people will isolate themselves. Many of the issues, depression, anxiety and loneliness will appear. Make sure and check in on your buddies, invite them to Thanksgiving dinner. Be inclusive without being overbearing, understand that they will appreciate the offer and may decline. Stay in touch and remember check on your buddies.

Our Democracy…More yours than mine!

The radical, now mainstream, left keeps referring to our system of governance as Our Democracy. When did we become a democracy? America, which they despise, is a Republic, we elect representatives. A democracy, is the rule of the mob. A republic is defined in our Constitution, we elect based on population a person to represent our views, needs and ensure we have a voice. As we have long departed from this system, and are now represented by a party, I hope we can demolish this idea of our democracy, and restore this great republic to its original intent and hold these representatives accountable for their allegiance not to this Constitutional Republic, but to the benefit of the party. God Bless America, a Representative Republic, established for the People and by the People. There is no place in America for your democracy!

Dogs…

So while I was healing from surgery this year I had a faithful companion by my side. Gunny was beside me everyday as I recovered. Yesterday Gunny crashed hard, unresponsive and detached from his surroundings. We rush him to the ER! Walking into that room with a very sick dog is a situation no one wants to experience. Unlike people there is no way for the dog to tell you what is wrong. Looking into those eyes, that had encouraged me and assured me it was all going to be ok, seeing the life fading away, was like someone pulling me apart. X-rays, labs, test flow by, then the Doctor comes in with news. Gunny is really sick but they have a plan. Subcutaneous fluid injection to hydrate, antibiotics to kill the pneumonia. We leave with a live dog, weak and exhausted but alive.

It is very rare that we as the recipients of unwavering companionship are called to reciprocate. I have had dogs that would lay down their life for me. Some that were simply a friend and companion. Gunny was a savior, he arrived after the death of our Labrador and filled a void that was created by her passing. It is always who rescued who? Well, I believe we rescued each other! In that ER room I was afraid that the small part of myself that knows what a dog really is was going to leave me. It hurt me to know that there is no sacrifice to big for a dog to make, yet we are unable to protect them and heal them the way they give to us. Gunny is getting better, hopefully this will pass and we can resume our fall days sitting on a hill with the wind in our face and peace and tranquility restored!

9-11-2001

The day started like any other day, arrived at work, started my day. This day I was assigned a specific task in the office. As I was doing some drawings on the computer to update our maps, a co-worker came and said a plane hit the Towers. As we watched a second plane struck the second tower. One was an accident two is a plan. Then the Pentagon gets hit. My first call was to my then girlfriend now wife Megan, then to my friend Audrey. Audrey is my best friend, we have an ability to know when one is in trouble, dial the number all circuits are busy on the cell phones. Try again same thing! Reach and grab the land line on my desk, one ring then two, I hear Audrey on the phone panic and fearful walking away from the Pentagon. Sitrep on my two people complete. Call Audrey’s parents, inform them she is fine and walking out to a safe zone. Land line again pass a message from her parents to Audrey and get the updated location and progress of extraction. Update her family and check on Megan. Make a call Audrey is safe and secure and is en route to a safe location out of DC. During that day I was the only one able to speak to her on the phone. Every year we call or text just to remind ourselves that we have each other’s back no matter what. At the end of the day after securing our assets at work under a sky devoid of any air traffic, no planes in the sky, I realized how fragile our safety truly was. The lesson learned is that we should all have a comms plan, an alternative measure beyond land lines and cell phones. We must all have an account of who is where and how can we connect if there were a tragedy. This attack was a surprise and while we lived our lives, evil crept in and did us harm. We see now that the threat is all around us and we still are unprepared for tragedy. Everyone be vigilant, be prepared and if necessary be dangerous. On 9-11 several of my sheep were in danger and it was up to me to bring them back to the flock safely. On this day the Sheepdog was born, a protector of my flock and a menace to the wolves who choose to prey on them. Let’s all be Sheepdogs!

Buddy Check

A little late on this one! Tomorrow is the Fourth of July. If you know someone who may be suffering with some issues, reach out! The fireworks and festival of celebration can be a trigger for some. So if you are having a picnic or family outing make a call, send a text. Make them at least feel that they are not alone. Also remember our 4 legged buddies! The fireworks are a stressor for them as well. Check on your buddies it may save a life!!

Sacrifice

This time of night on July 3, 1776 the founders of this country were preparing to sign away their fortune, property, and possibly their lives. What thoughts must of entered into their minds. Long suffering under an oppressive and overreaching ruler, out of touch with the people he subjugated. Knowing that at that time the common man would bear the full weight of their decision. How much doubt crossed their minds? If this happened today, and we were to rely on the learned men to stand and produce a document that would spark a revolution, what would we get? Nothing, we would get nothing. It is one thing to say but another to do. While rhetoric can enflame a crowd to a fevered pitch, creating and signing a Declaration of that rhetoric today would be to much truth for the modern man to bear. These men of learning, virtue and philosophy. The men of business, banking and trade. All made a decision to produce a Declaration that would ensure the Freedom of every American. These men stood firm on their principles and will of the people they represented. They understood the sacrifice that all would bear; especially them as the writers and signatories of such a treasonous document if this endeavor failed. Yet on July 4, 1776 these men willingly signed away their interest and fortunes to establish this great beacon of freedom and hope. Knowing the sacrifices of these men and all who fought to establish this Nation, how do we sleep at night knowing that all of these trials and tribulations were for naught? We should all demonstrate the resolve and fearlessness of our founders. Instead we hide in the shadows and cower in fear of a Government that no longer is ruled by us. We each should learn of the fates of these men and show through diligent civics that we are a free and independent nation of free and independent citizens! God Bless America!