I went to a social gathering and, arriving early, few others had arrived. So I took out my notepad and pen, and leisurely started making notes. A lady who saw me, asked what I was writing, which, of course, could be either a friendly way to start a conversation, or intrusive, depending on your point of view. I took it as the former, and shared with her my predisposition to take notes outside of my office where I generate ideas that don’t readily emerge at my desk.

Apparently my explanation was not satisfactory for her. In rapid succession she told me, ‘You need to get a drink. (Actually, I don’t drink.) You should to stop making notes. You ought to relax. (Making notes is relaxing to me.) You need to get a life.’

Paradoxically, I am the author of the books, Breathing Space and Simpler Living, and the audiobook, Get a Life. I also own the registered trademarks for the programs, Relaxing at High Speed and Managing the Pace With Grace. I have delivered 1,060 lectures on these topics for three decades.

Quick and Wrong

It’s beyond strange when someone at a social gathering, in such short order, will assess what I need to do, with one pronouncement after another. When told that I needed to relax, I said, “If I was any more relaxed, I’d fall asleep.”

I came away from that experience recognizing that people who will readily tell you what you need are the ones who need what they’re telling you. You might have noticed a somewhat similar phenomenon in the workplace.

Suppose you work in a company that is crowded, noisy, and busy almost all the time. However, in your own office or cubicle, whichever the case might be, you’re able to maintain order.

Perhaps you have installed some sound barriers, if that is appropriate, and have crafted a workspace where you can get things done. People who walk by notice that your office equipment, resources, and possessions are organized. Guess what? Some office mates won’t tell you this, but they are uncomfortable with your organizing skills.

If they could find a simple way to articulate it, they would tell you, “Loosen up.” You don’t need to be so neat and orderly.” Why are they itching to tell you this? Because your level of organization makes them feel inadequate.

Be Like Me, I’ll Feel Better

Much like the lady at the social gathering, who told me ‘what I needed,’ some people in your immediate environment, in observing your capacity for taking charge of your space, and perhaps noting your higher-than-average level of productivity, would rather that you acted and proceeded in a different way. You might not hear that from them, but that is some might be thinking.

Beware of those people who so conveniently assess what you need, while completely missing the boat about their own needs. They fail to realize that what they’re telling you, is probably what they need to address for themselves.

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To anyone with an ounce of objectivity, it is apparent that the Left is fueled by myths, purveyed by Joe Biden and the mainstream media. Consider the “fine people on both sides” myth or the “Trump hates immigrants” lie that they routinely draw upon to slander Donald Trump.

Consider the myths and lies that Jen Psaki seeks to initiate at every press conference — the withdrawal from Afghanistan went accordingly to plan, school children need to wear masks, Biden doesn’t advocate open borders, $3.5 trillion in spending will cost nothing, inflation isn’t rising, etc.

Non-political myths, however, have circulated for years. More than a quarter century ago researchers for Nova, aired on the Public Broadcasting Service undertook an exhaustive examination of the myths surrounding the Bermuda Triangle. They found absolutely no statistical deviation in the incidence of disaster or disappearance of planes and ships in that area. The team concluded that those people who propagate the myth do so with limited, anecdotal “evidence,” usually for considerable commercial gain.

Full Moon

Ancient Aliens?

The great pyramids of Egypt – The Learning Channel aired a program in 1988 in which a team of scientists and engineers visited Egypt to determine how the great pyramids were built. Recreating the activities needed to build a pyramid, the team found that with arithmetic equations – without the knowledge of pi – the Egyptians built the structures that many people erroneously believe involved aliens. In fact, construction of the Great Pyramid requires only seventh-grade arithmetic.

The Egyptians were masters of moving stone by using sand and working in coordinated teams. Rather than using slaves to build the pyramids, the researchers deduced that an inspired citizenry, seeking to be part of the first great nation, chose to offer its labor.

A Bogus Industry Thrives

JFK conspiracy theories – These won’t die, but they should. There is no question as to who shot and killed President John F. Kennedy. It was Lee Harvey Oswald, and he was acting alone. This is explained in intricate detail by Gerald Posner in his landmark book Case Closed (1993).

Mr. Posner dislodged every conceivable stone (including Oliver Stone) to show why it was Lee Harvey Oswald and only Oswald who committed this crime. After illuminating Posner’s work in 25-page feature in its publication, U.S. News & Word Report declared it would never review another book on the topic because the case, indeed, was closed.

Yet, people are invested in having JFK’s death be surrounded by controversy. Since 1995, JFK conspiracy theories annually support a $250,000,000 industry.

The Thing That Wouldn’t Die!

If myths and lies can survive for decades, or even centuries, is there any hope that the Left’s current manufactured myths and non-stop will ever die?

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