The Bottom Line ?

ooops.
This is an oldie that I promised to a friend several weeks ago. My bad. Funny -- only because my promise was pre-economic collapse. I'm now wondering if it's any more or less applicable to anyone besides me.

BOTTOM LINE ??
Purpose: aim; end; intention; object in view.
Bottom: the lowest part of anything; the base; foundation or groundwork; origin.
Line: a course of conduct, thought or policy; a path.
BOTTOM LINE: basic policy? foundation course of conduct? original path?

Just an exercise in Webster's. We all know that the bottom is ... and what a line is ... and that The Bottom Line is. Don't we? Well, at least we know what The Bottom Line means -- it's the end as in "means to an end" -- it's the reason for everything that comes before -- it's the purpose of the whole business. So then -- what is it?

Is it money? Is it? Or is it something else?

Now if we were in class or into impressing our teacher, we would surely raise our hands and say, "Something else," even if we couldn't expound any further than that. Somewhere inside of ourselves, we know that "something else" is probably the correct answer ... or at least the answer that a teacher or anyone else who is seriously asking the question could possible be looking for. Otherwise, they wouldn't be asking because everyone knows and accepts the fact that, whether we like it or not, times have changed and money is the bottom line. People who pride themselves on being brutally honest or worldly cynical will tell you so right out. Everyone else will surely admit it when pressed. I mean, regardless of what you believe or what you want to believe, you cannot live in this world without money. Your survival, your success, your happiness ... all are determined by the amount of money you have. Right? And even if that leaves one or two of us vaguely uncomfortable, what alternative have we? If it's not money, what in the world is the meaning (the purpose, the bottom line) of all of this?

Well, if it's money, then everything is all right. If it's money, then we can easily justify drugs, crime, backstabbing, corruption, dishonesty -- even prostitution and just plain selling out. If money is the bottom line, then anything that begets you money is acceptable and justifiable. Not a logical progression, you say? Why not? The mere fact that you don't like the conclusion does not negate the fact that it is the logical outgrowth of the definition. If our bottom line is money; if our purpose here is to succeed materially; if the meaning of our existence is tied into our survival/happiness/success as determined by the level of our funds, then what has the drug dealer done wrong? Why isn't the neighborhood pimp an acceptable role model for your children? And how can we pretend outrage at the corruption in government? These are all just plain ordinary people like you and me who are maximizing their survival/happiness/success / bottom line.

My point here is that if you have a serious objection to the idea of obtaining money at any cost, then money is not your bottom line. It is something else. And you shouldn't run around saying that money is it. Bottom lines are unconditional and unrestrained. Bottom lines are viable at any cost. In this society where capitalism is the cornerstone belief, we are fed from every conceivable direction the concept that money is the bottom line. And, judging by the behavior of our teenagers (not to mention the government and the country in general), I'm beginning to think that each generation buys this American Dream a little bit more than the generation before.

But if it's not money, then what is it? Why are we here? What are we supposed to be doing during our four score and ten? And why are we all trying to play it off as if we know what we're doing? What is the reason for all of this? I know that we think that we know -- I mean simple answers for simple questions, right? But I want to exert some pressure here and demand an answer, in English, preferably in twenty-five words or less.

Okay -- really -- let's have it.

a word from your friendly neighborhood dealers:

New York Times, Tuesday, December 16, 2008, P.A18. "Colonoscopies Miss Many Cancers, Study Finds". Hmmmm. No, I am NOT recommending that any of us skip this little screening. After all, the preparatory days of laxatives and fasting never really hurt anyone -- and the test itself is painless. I am simply reminding us that the medical establishment CANNOT be the ones responsible for keeping us alive and healthy. Only WE can prevent [forest fires].

New York Times, Tuesday, December 16, 2008, P.D6. "Acupuncture Provides Headache Relief." 'Course the DRUG companies would have you believe that ancient health and healing methods are ignorant, but the truth is the light. They call these methods "alternative" to remind us that DRUGS are the main way to go. Hope y'all keep a grain of salt handy.

deep exercise even for me

'Smatter of fact, it's kind of neat thinking that no one you know will be reading your blog -- kind of frees a person up, if you know what I mean.

When considering some of the cultural philosophies of parenting, consider these dichotomies. There is child-centered and there is traditional. Then there is extremely child-centered and extremely traditional. Then there is the ever superior balance between the two.

Child-centered takes its direction from the child's experience of the world. We study our children, help them express their inner impressions, then help them build upon -- or correct -- those impressions.
Traditional takes its direction from the adult's experience of the world. We seek to create an age-appropriate set of impressions in our children that reflects what we consider relevant.

Extremely child-centered also takes its direction from the child's experience of the world but fails to build upon or correct children' impressions. In cultures where this philosophy is dominant, adults see parenthood as the virtual end of their own lives and devote their efforts and resources to accommodating children.

Extremely traditional takes its direction completely from the adult's experience of the world. It fails to consider the input or uniqueness of children -- or the limitations or fallibility of adults. In cultures where this philosophy is dominant, conformity is rewarded and change can be anathema.

I am a child.
Child-Centered: I am the center of my own existence.
Extremely Child-Centered: I am the center of all existence.
Traditional: I am part of a larger existence.
Extremely Traditional: You are the center of my existence.

I am a parent.
Child-Centered: I am the center of my own existence; I teach my child to be the center of his/her own existence.
Extremely Child-Centered: I was the center of my own existence; my child is now the center of my existence.
Traditional: I am part of a larger existence; I teach my child to be part of a larger existence.
Extremely Traditional: The center of my existence is outside of me; I am now the center of my child's existence.

Ah, the balance of parenting. "Some things change and some things stay the same." Our children are likely to be proficient in the things that have changed since we were young (think technology). We would do well to let them learn leadership skills as they teach us about and navigate these things on our behalf. On the other hand, we should not surrender the reins when it comes to the things that stay the same (think human nature). Maintaining leadership and authority may be difficult but remains necessary for those who possess the wisdom that only time can bring about.

I'm ba-a-a-ck

"...last publshed on August 1..."
What in the world have I been thinking!?!

I've been thinking a lot of things, actually. I just haven't been sharing any of them. No, I haven't been busy. And no, I haven't lost interest. I lost something though. A good friend of mine confessed that she just doesn't read blogs. She didn't want me to take that personally (?) but blogs just weren't her thing. Too deep, too thought-provoking, too who-knows-what. 'Course she LOVES getting letters from me, but that's different. (?) I really TRIED not to take it personally -- but if my friends aren't reading me, then why -- and to whom -- am I writing?

I write because I like to write.
I write because I have something to say.
I write because I can.
I write because I am.

So I'm back. How are you?