A smoking gun in the non-smoking section

So my Alma Mater  put out a study looking at the relationship between issued Concealed Handgun Licenses and crime rate. The verdict? No effect at all. The result of the study, as I understood, implies that the mass ownership of guns does not entirely affect the rate of which crime happens. At the same time, CHLs are part of policy and thus challenge the effectiveness of current gun laws. This had me curious in light of the recent shooting in Oregon, Chicago crime rate, and ongoing gun control debates.

It is clear that something has to be done but what my mind toggles with is more the question of what kind of policy change and what kind of community change must happen (most likely both simultaneous) to effectively reduce or respond quickly to such incidents as the past few church and school shootings. Prior to this blog, I’ve had many discussions about gun rights, gun laws, and related topics with both sides of the fence. Both, have their points and relative narrow views but there seems to be something missing more than the obvious problem of refusing to see eye to eye on an issue.

I don’t own a gun but I do understand the right to do so, which requires a great deal of accountability, self control, education, and respect. I also kind of believe that some people have the capacity to own a gun and others not so much but will obtain one anyway but that raises the question of how do we determine who should? I’ve played devil’s advocate to both extremes just to test the arguments and ideas. It has been most interesting. In the end, I keep finding myself at the same idea saying all we can do is “prepare for the idiot in the room.” which my mother hates hearing from me.

I think about my recent trip to Germany where I learned that you can still own a gun but few do and the process is very cumbersome (understandably) and also requires an annual psych evaluation (which I support). I search that for possible applications. It’s a very different mindset in Germany compared to the U.S. Anyway, I’m really trying to find a multi-layered solution rather than the redundant typical approach of one sided and one note solutions rushed out that repeatedly seem to fail and become repetitive rhetoric.

Hmm what to do? What fits best? How to get people relatively on similar pages despite different circumstances.

At the same time–I’m looking at the nature of the beast that inspires these shootings and that hits close to home for me and seems like the source of all this.

What are your thoughts and solutions? Do they incorporate elements from the different perspectives respectfully?

A life to a life. Is it a discussion or a pissing contest?

I stand by my words when I say, "If you want to see the maturity of a person, then observe how they handle information."  You will learn quickly the current capacity of that person and a bit more. When we talk to each other (no matter the level of communication) we are only communicating the information and experiences we know up to that point. We are presenting only a part of the overall spectrum as an individual. So discussion --to me--is like doing an active version of putting together a giant puzzle rather than a battle ground of good vs evil or right versus wrong. Discussion requires an attentive and leveled mindset geared towards putting the pieces or parts together. A lot of metaphors? I know, but bare with me.

Information is more powerful than money and like nuclear energy in the hands of the average individual. It takes a good understanding and level of self-control to establish a wisdom that makes something useful and good with information. Otherwise, it just creates extensive problems. Yet, I hear people say, "We are in discussion", or (and my favorite) "we need to have these discussions." regarding serious matters. It's a funny thing to me when you see how people handle information on the day to day and make these discussions futile. I fall into this as well at times when I don't pay attention. What do I mean? When we present our current knowledge, we often speak from a personalized standard expectation or idealistic image of others. At the same time, we talk as if we know people are variable but seldom do we truly embrace that idea that not everyone is like us or like the ideals and expectations in our head. That with variability,we all have varying strengths and limitations to who we are and what we know as an individual. Instead, we present our understandings and project them or ourselves on to others and often condescension and further offense ensues for our strength and opinions as we begin to speak more led by our passion and deviate from the structure of a actual discussion. At this point, we've lost self-control and are more hazardous to ever gaining anything. When this becomes a possibility, we must turn conscious and tap the brakes on ourselves a bit.

While exchanging our understandings with hopes for clarity and resources, sometimes what we know (in our individual scope and limitation) gets the best of us and we stop becoming receptive to information. Our goal shouldn't be to conquer and insult the other. To hold a discussion, you have to have self-control. Otherwise, we easily slip into giant pissing contest and trying to play king of the hill and kick down the next person for different ideas and methods. We have to not only be mindful towards and police the person across from us but conscious and mindful of ourselves. People can get the best of us and we ourselves can definitely get the best of us or counter what we intend to do.

Our intents can be wonderful and inspirational but people have a funny way of doing the right thing the wrong way. Leading influences for derailed efforts are normally ego, emotions, bad tact, and lack of knowledge or experience. An example is when we get carried away by how we feel or our emotions tugged at in a conversation. I'm not denouncing emotions or feelings, they do have their place in discussions but they too require checks and balances. If one isn't careful, they get carried away and are more destructive to the discussion doing things such as insulting, degrading, becoming overbearing, excessive in blaming, and--in the worst cases--they just give up and walk away or run the other off the table (carried off by emotion). What stands to be gained there? I learned that from a gunny. It's bad enough that (in the harder discussions) often people are quick to look for an escape. Any type of escape they can find such as a name, the tiniest detail to change subjects, or blatant distraction. To someone aiming for progress--It's like fishing or talking someone off a ledge. I sincerely hope this changes. There is much to be gained. For all the good I hear people protest for, advocate for, and dream of--I hope they grasp the fundamental concept of the importance of maintaining a steady exchange with the person across from them rather than invalidate them and taking swings. It's important to understand the person across from us and what we both put on the table to see what we truly have in our hands to use and deal with rather then operating off one piece of a puzzle. At the end of the day, I do expect people to be human but my optimism towards developed wisdom lives as I occasionally come across people who do and can hold a useful exchange. We will agree, agree to disagree, or disagree but we will have something useful out of our exchange.

Discussions are eye level. Any other height would mean we are talking down to someone or talking to ourselves. 

It's important to understand the person across from us. Well, at least to me. We must be ourselves but mindful of those we hope to learn from or educate. We present a piece of a larger puzzle to each other everyday and that is a gift regardless of how it is wrapped or delivered. Make the most of it.
Oh, and telling someone "they'll never understand"---does not help either. It kind of defeats the purpose and any chance of progress.

For Every Action........

I was holding a conversation with someone very dear and important to me and in the mist of this conversation I noticed something with her that I have always realized as a kid growing up. Something she did for me when we were little was simple but was pivotal to me growing up in a phase ....but she never knew nor realized it but I'm always appreciative and grateful for her because of it whether she knows or not.

A lot of us don't really understand or realize just how significant every little action can be in life. Otherwise, we do realize but we push it in the back of our minds and bury it with whatever we label as priorities, aspirations, everyday encounters, and sometimes intentionally choosing to ignore it.

emphasized words "For every action, there is a reaction"-Newtons third law

although physics this can also be applied socially but its easier to see the immediate physics like moving (I admit) than it is to see what you do and how it effects the environment around you....unless you INTENTIONALLY decide to look. (FOR TECHNICAL PEOPLE: Keep in mind SOCIALLY not every action and reaction will be equal....that is the BIG difference if you apply the whole law)

but back to the original conversation..

Even the the littlest thing or routine action can have the biggest effect especially if it is at the right time and the right place......and not just even that.

Example: When I was in a ROTC unit in college, I made it a point to smile one year everywhere I went despite how agitated training could be at times....randomly in a football game against Nebraska a girl randomly pulled me aside and told me that she always noticed me smiling every time she saw me and it made her smile and handled the day the same

did I expect it to have effect personally.....yes....its why I did it (I understood this)... but please mind
you its near 10000 + people at a football game, I didn't know this girl nor have a class with her, and this happened to me multiple times with various people.

That's several people just because of a routine..small action...that most of us see as truly just a small gesture to ourselves, or meaning nothing at times, or a just because action

I could give you several more examples but I'm not going to be long winded with this. Its the ripple effect if you've heard of it.

envision a pond or lake

"If you tap your finger in the water a small ripple becomes bigger ripples" that is the basis of the ripple effect metaphor.

but to expand on that did you know that that tap was probably heard by fish.......the fish saw it as a warning and as result changed its course of action....who knows you may have starved a bear somewhere" :P

Now as redundant as always I hear the words ooo you're over thinking things...let me again nip this in the bud...and say no I'm not.

You would be surprise to know what your brain processes, notices, or what information it receives and interprets without your focus. Your brain has already processed all this and your constantly assessing EVERYTHING without you realizing it (including often actions and reactions). so am I really?.... no I'm just pointing it out. Something you possibly choose to ignore or bury in focus deeming it maybe unimportant TO YOU. I just decided to look at it.

Of course from the person who is dear to me she often says that "I'm making it bigger than what it is" (I say this laughing of course right now).....but to me... no ...and you unknowingly its just something to us as simple as "breathing" :P....

know thyself....

but hey I'm

J.A.G. ;)

P.S- Make every action count towards the best reaction....

Right Place ....at the Right Time.....

There is a song that I like by a group called the Procussions. The song is titled
"Down to One" in the song he speaks of his life and how he found his clarity in life.
There is a particular verse in it that grabs my attention every time and it goes...
------
Here is what it all comes down to/
what you know for yourself regardeless of everything around that surrounds you
PLACES and PEOPLE, SOME PEOPLE PLACED THROUGH GRACE IN YOUR LIFE FOR THE SAKE
OF SAVING YOUR LIFE FROM THE WORLDS PLATE (NOW)/
Eat if you like heavy or light with a spoon, whether dirty or clean/
in the end it all taste like the same thing/
-------

That one line of People and places has never been more true than in my life.

My best earliest memory of this was sitting in school lunch in early high school and a person approached a friend of mine at my table to confront him over some misguided words and rumors (kids being kids right?)...the soul of the persons whole intent for confronting was to fight him.......I remember being unsettled by this and ready to pull him out.....but right as I got up...an associate at our table who I hadnt really known well threw out his hand out on my chest and told me to back down and look....low and behold if I hadn't stopped I wouldn't have noticed the fact that it was a gang up....several people in the opposing party placed to attack one kid just for the sake of an unnecessary fight...a "just because" fight...on someone who they felt didn't matter. I truly understood the situation then...long story short no one got hurt...they're plans were ceased with the associate and my help. ...that guy who stopped me ..didn't know me from a lick of beans nor anyone at that table but did what he did..while everyone else was blind....I came across him years later now just battling with life for a few bad decisions that cant be helped...but what he did always sticks in my mind.

If you know me or have known me you've probably heard me say (under my breath)

...right place at the right time.......for somebody else.............

God has never put me where I never needed to be in the way he designed me ...I was built for helping and outreaching to others and a lot of the times in their darkest moments while at the same time learn something about myself and them. I've never been really able to understand it, nor explain it to others especially since most just look at is as meddling...and judge without really looking at it...but if you really followed...I never volunteered...I was just always there when no one else was able to do much and by instinct somehow I help because if i didn't ....no one else was going to or be able too....and usually the worse happened if nothing was done....so I tell people to watch and stick around..maybe then they might get it.

I've known this to be my purpose for some time now.....actually unrecognized and natural when I was little but later I ran from this.......God and I have a humorous relationship there...it felt kind of like Jonah and the Fish. God more like "where you gonna go?....I said where you gonna go?....I put you here for this reason"..in my early reluctance for personal reasons.

Once I accepted it the message just came clearer than day for me....like fog horns and being wacked with a sign...:/....Him and My humorous relationship. I hardly find it coincidence the people I come across in my life since that point..it was either people who I was either to help or learn something about myself from. I like to think that my gift is understanding.....information is one of the most powerful tools in this world...it can lead to many outcomes...but for the sake of pursuing wisdom the most powerful resource is understanding. It allows you to sense the spirit of someone, to fully see a situation, and more. BUT the thing is you have to intentionally sit down, stop yourself, and decide to find understanding I suppose. (there is a lot wierd things about me lol)

Its what I do for everyone I meet thats closest to me. That combined with what I do naturally can be a struggle sometimes...but I don't mind.....yall are worth it. Ask me and I'll tell you why..

The hardest thing is when you understand someone on a destructive path and want to help them but they won't let you. You want to be there for them but they won't let you...so your forced with understanding to watch them destroy themselves...yet your there at any moment for them...sometimes they come out all right...many times you watch what makes them so wonderful/unique/and a blessing get destroyed...then they carry on into the negatives of this world.

but again I've never been put where I never needed to be..and a lot of the times i'm built for the more severe........but one day I'll find Peace ;P ..reaching into the dark parts of my associates, friends, and family's conflictions when they're at their lowest or isolated themselves...and pulling them out.....my father would say you know .....that could be Satan.......but I know my God...I know my Spirit and relationship with him...and I know I'm still alive ....and I've seen the positives of my actions..you could say...so to me it can't be (then again there have been a few but God had me then I'm sure). Sometimes what I do is noticed sometimes its not.....but either is fine as long as you're okay. so I roll up my sleeves, dust off my pants, and keep moving.

Just to name a few of my right time moments….

1. I've stopped bloods from a misinterpretation and assaulting an unaware friend...that was fun :/

2. An accident where a car gets t-boned and a mom panics as the dashboard sits on her childs chest....glad they’re okay now

3. Stopped potential suicide over relationships and other things...

4. A friend of a friend collapses in sheer emotional distress to the point her life is at risk…the power of emotion.

5. A person former military who past the point alcohol poisoning, tripping after being slipped something, and allergic reaction...keeping him alive and well….my jaw hurt after that one…ever carried someone down long streets in Austin and they have flashbacks and start hitting you…yea :/ didn’t think so

6. Family abandonment of associates and friends…heavy dark place.

7. Stopping a crazy Ex threatening to kill themself and the girl if they break up…yea that was fun too…

8. Multiple thwarting of muggings, potential rapes, and assaults

9. Battles of self worth…those are long battles…..but I stick with them till the end.

10.Looking over someone all night who may have cocktailed themselves while no one was around.

11. Lost in direction in life and can’t tell enemy from ally and theres more but…that’s enough… just another day…I guess …..to quote an associate “I look like an EMT for life don’t I?” hahaha....and by no means do I intend to work in social work lol

Again…I may find peace later lol but I do what I do best for now……but it all sounds crazy right?....hard to believe huh?...its true...I've done all these things..I just don't brag...its not necessary and talking on it makes me sound crazy or cocky to some. Plus I don't brag on peoples darkest moments...they trust me....and I respect them and intentionally uphold that trust...

It might be one reason why I find it difficult to match with people relationship wise…I know few who would understand and tolerate this world…….more or less tell me to abandon them….but that’s the thing…..I always am there when everyone else abandons them….but HEEY!! who knows I MIGHT find someone the opposite of that lol or maybe if that happens I might just find peace and not have to do all that…and focus on ONLY my own (always undercontrol by the way..not like I'm not already) and a new route for others…….I’m not really getting hopes up there :/…the message is that clear haha and I think God is probably giving me the stare down…….but HEEEY...in the mean time woof…The lone mutt roams haha lol

But again I’m always there……….the right time…..the right place………for someone else……if you know me and struggling…if you look to your side….you’ll find I’m there…and never left. I’m sure there is more people who are like me somewhere… So if you ever get the thought that no one cares about you or others…remember at least me and that there are those like me out there.
The world may not give a care…..but I do

..and I also feel that sometimes even YOU are put somewhere for a purpose to learn or to teach when it comes to new and old people. Think.....ever found a time where it was you pulling someone out and it was clear they were in a heavy struggle?

If you think this is arrogance….no……..check your spirit….stop yourself and understand…..if you’ve met me….you’ll know its not in the back of your mind even though you for some forsaken reason want to invalidate me….…if you’ve interacted and stuck with me…my actions have spoke volumes and shown time and time again…IF you recall CORRECTLY….my actions mean more to me then anything said of me or from me…the world may say ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS….but I live it more than most I know honestly and with no regrets…...and you can try and give me a description for what I am…..I’ve occasionally been described as a good man…..and jokingly a guardian angel....but that’s all subject to your personal perceptions which I leave to you humbly…..so at the end of the day in my mind……….I’m just a guy….but in the right place…at the right time….you know the rest.

-J.A.G.

P.S.- I wouldn't want to be famous if it would stop me from doing what I do best. I really put this out there so you know that there are people like me that exist in this world where they persuade themselves that we don't.