Wellness Empowered

2007-07-30T05:21:00.000-04:00

Please visit my new WordPress blog, on my new domain:

http://benevolentlybeloved.com/

This site is still under construction,
as I am awaiting transfer of my
domain name to my new hosts registrar.

The new WordPress Blog address is:

http://benevolentlybeloved.com/MindMatters/

This whole entire blogs postings are there,
plus some new posts, and thank you WordPress
for making it very easy to transfer
my Blogger blog into my new blog.

Also, for those who enjoy my photography
there is a gallery on this new domain as well:

http://benevolentlybeloved.com/Gallery/
All photographs © 2007 Mark Robert Gates

I have, also, moved my other blogs to my new domain.

Democratic Party Idealog' is there now:
http://benevolentlybeloved.com/DemocraticPartyIdealog/

Also, Wellness Empowered, is now on my new domain:
http://benevolentlybeloved.com/WellnessEmpowered/

All posts from those blogs, are now on the new blogs.

Thank You again WordPress, for making it easy to move my blogs,
To my own domain, I am thankful for your quality of blog as well.

LADY SONIA FANTASIA

2007-04-02T15:31:00.000-04:00

Photograph copyright http://www.lady-sonia.com/

Lady Sonia Fantasia
© 2007 Mark Robert Gates

Would ladylove and lady luck
Be judged united
For more than one night
And dawn eternity,
Blossoming out upon
Our new age like pled
I will forever be requited,
My Lady Sonia fantasy.

Will ever we share together
And have a marriage of monogamy?
Tarry forever after unwaveringly
And irresistibly in faithfulness?
Will unerring and undeniable obedience,
our result, of her glam be?
Still not knowing,
Let go I a shot in the dark,
Will we married Ladyness?

Even if a slave to love I’d be,
I believe in mutual submission,
All must submit to a microwave
To use the oven to heat things up,
We cannot get popped corn
Without creating the right fusion,
Enter the time and place
And degrees of requital,
And I hold out my cup.

I will always have sex with only you,
And I will always be with only you,
I will never do things with another,
And there will always only be just us,
Together forever,
I do anything you want,
Without grazing in mourning dew.
Lady Sonia,
Will you marry and unite with me
In my Lady Sonia Fantasia, for all y’us?

COMMENTS:
I really do belive, God's of our' Bible's, teaches marriage as mutual submission, hence, "A husband and a wife lie together and become one flesh." This is not possible, unless both submit mutually to one another, and with equal respect. And, for those who have trouble with the word submission, I understand mostly this is fallout from some men's concept of submission, however, rightly submission really is as simple as one having to submit to using the microwave the way its designed in order to get it to work.

No matter how one approaches a microwave, one must punch the correct buttons as required by the microwave, or one will not get the desired result. Furthermore, even a man must submit to the microwave to use it, and none can claim submission is not required to have sex with one's wife. If you know of any man who cannot accept having to submit to the microwave, then beware of this person, he is dangerous, and if you are married to one, get out now, as fast as possible, this man will be trying to find a way to blow away the microwave with a shotgun.

Also, as a photographer I have come to be known as God's number one nature fan, so I do not find photographs of naked women offensive. What God and I really want to know, when you look at a photograph of a naked woman, what goes through your mind? Are you a man who sees a candidate for rape, and calls this the subject in the photographs fault? If so, be forewarned, God and I do not consider that a natural response. Seeing a naked woman usually fills me with a desire to be married to her, and the desire to marry, is the natural one, God's put there.

Now, of course if the woman is already married and does not practice polygamy, then one cannot marry her, however, desiring to marry her is a natural desire. If one thinks one is going to marry a woman just because of his desire to do so, and especially if she is married and not practicing polygamy, then this is not a natural thought, and not the woman's fault. Ask, God's of our' Bible's, about what David was thinking of when he saw Bathsheba, his thoughts were not clean since he ended up murdering her husband and claiming her. I, and God's of the Bible's, do not want men claiming anymore, it is nakedness, that causes their impure thoughts, I repeat, impure thoughts when viewing a naked woman are not natural. Natural, is the desire to marry.

SPRING, SPRINGING IS A FOUNTAIN, OF A, FORTUNE HUNTER'S DREAM

2007-01-01T03:00:00.000-05:00

Mark Robert Gates, unless otherwise noted.

A CONSPIRACY OF ONE

2007-01-01T00:17:00.000-05:00

© 2007 Mark Robert Gates, except where U.S. Code, is presented.

Fourscore, and so many years ago, not even Abe Lincoln can remember, we were at war with ourselves, and a discontented South, gladly conceded, so as to make their peace. Now, we once again fight the war, it seems, in Texas. Where, a bewildered student body, with tireless, laziness on their hands, has nothing better to do with their extracurricular activity, than to tilt at statues, in the lawn.

It seems, there just cannot be a remembrance, anywhere that, there ever was a Southside to our civil war, and only a Northside, must present, for the entire field of battle. We cannot be allowed to see, who in history, stood, against our sturdy northern stock of men, in a contest, to end all subjection of men to another's personal will. There, were many on both sides, who fought to contain, in history, a place, where slavery and servitude, end.

And, yet, there are those who would closet those who were amongst the fight, and did not lose a right to be seen in public, and even to be seen as a statue. To do this is to hide, and then erase, a part of American history, that must never be forgotten, lest, we do it all again. That is right, after putting those statues in the closet, and defying a man's right to be remembered, or another's, right to remember him, then we have no reminder, we once fought to end the right to own, or alter on demand, another person. And, as such, to be able to alter on demand another's law-abiding, person, property, will, heart's desire, love, passion, remembrance, dream, knowledge, cognitive science, theology, imagination or inclination, against their will, is to defy present civil rights law.

If we fail to learn the lesson's of yesterday, by looking at the statues of those who fought with the Southside, then we fail to learn, our place, is not to decide the contest again, however, to remember. No discrimination, therefore, is ever allowed on the basis of, deciding civil rights, and according to U.S. Federal code, penalties are allowed if such a group decide to conspire against rights, or conspire to interfere with civil rights. And, the rights of the man, in the statue, still state, "I am allowed to stand, here."

Please review the following:

-CITE-
18 USC Sec. 241 01/03/05
-EXPCITE- TITLE 18
- CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE PART I
- CRIMES CHAPTER 13
- CIVIL RIGHTS
-HEAD- Sec. 241.
Conspiracy against rights

-STATUTE-

If two or more persons conspire to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any person in any State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him by the Constitution or laws of the United States, or because of his having so exercised the same; or If two or more persons go in disguise on the highway, or on the premises of another, with intent to prevent or hinder his free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege so secured - They shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and if death results from the acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, they shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both, or may be sentenced to death.

-CITE-
42 USC Sec. 1985 01/19/04
-EXPCITE- TITLE 42
- THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE CHAPTER 21
- CIVIL RIGHTS SUBCHAPTER I
- GENERALLY
-HEAD-
Sec. 1985. Conspiracy to interfere with civil rights

3) Depriving persons of rights or privileges If two or more persons in any State or Territory conspire or go in disguise on the highway or on the premises of another, for the purpose of depriving, either directly or indirectly, any person or class of persons of the equal protection of the laws, or of equal privileges and immunities under the laws; or for the purpose of preventing or hindering the constituted authorities of any State or Territory from giving or securing to all persons within such State or Territory the equal protection of the laws; or if two or more persons conspire to prevent by force, intimidation, or threat, any citizen who is lawfully entitled to vote, from giving his support or advocacy in a legal manner, toward or in favor of the election of any lawfully qualified person as an elector for President or Vice President, or as a Member of Congress of the United States; or to injure any citizen in person or property on account of such support or advocacy; in any case of conspiracy set forth in this section, if one or more persons engaged therein do, or cause to be done, any act in furtherance of the object of such conspiracy, whereby another is injured in his person or property, or deprived of having and exercising any right or privilege of a citizen of the United States, the party so injured or deprived may have an action for the recovery of damages occasioned by such injury or deprivation, against any one or more of the conspirators.

-CITE-
42 USC Sec. 1986 01/19/04
-EXPCITE- TITLE 42
- THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE CHAPTER 21
- CIVIL RIGHTS SUBCHAPTER I
- GENERALLY
-HEAD-
Sec. 1986. Action for neglect to prevent

-STATUTE-

Every person who, having knowledge that any of the wrongs conspired to be done, and mentioned in section 1985 of this title, are about to be committed, and having power to prevent or aid in preventing the commission of the same, neglects or refuses so to do, if such wrongful act be committed, shall be liable to the party injured, or his legal representatives, for all damages caused by such wrongful act, which such person by reasonable diligence could have prevented; and such damages may be recovered in an action on the case; and any number of persons guilty of such wrongful neglect or refusal may be joined as defendants in the action; and if the death of any party be caused by any such wrongful act and neglect, the legal representatives of the deceased shall have such action therefor, and may recover not exceeding $5,000 damages therein, for the benefit of the widow of the deceased, if there be one, and if there be no widow, then for the benefit of the next of kin of the deceased. But no action under the provisions of this section shall be sustained which is not commenced within one year after the cause of action has accrued.

-CITE-
42 USC Sec. 1987 01/19/04
-EXPCITE- TITLE 42
- THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE CHAPTER 21
- CIVIL RIGHTS SUBCHAPTER I
- GENERALLY
-HEAD-
Sec. 1987. Prosecution of violation of certain laws

-STATUTE-

The United States attorneys, marshals, and deputy marshals, the United States magistrate judges appointed by the district and territorial courts, with power to arrest, imprison, or bail offenders, and every other officer who is especially empowered by the President, are authorized and required, at the expense of the United States, to institute prosecutions against all persons violating any of the provisions of section 1990 of this title or of sections 5506 to 5516 and 5518 to 5532 of the Revised Statutes, and to cause such persons to be arrested, and imprisoned or bailed, for trial before the court of the United States or the territorial court having cognizance of the offense.

CHANGE OF NAME Act June 25, 1948, eff. Sept. 1, 1948, substituted "United States attorneys" for "district attorneys". See section 541 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, and Historical and Revision Notes thereunder. "United States magistrate judges" substituted in text for "magistrates" pursuant to section 321 of Pub. L. 101-650, set out as a note under section 631 of Title 28. Previously, "magistrates" substituted for "commissioners" pursuant to Pub. L. 90-578. See chapter 43 (Sec. 631 et seq.) of Title 28. Reference to the district courts substituted for reference to the circuit courts on authority of section 291 of act Mar. 3, 1911.

-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 1989 of this title.

-CITE-
42 USC Sec. 1988 01/19/04
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 42
- THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE CHAPTER 21
- CIVIL RIGHTS SUBCHAPTER I
- GENERALLY
-HEAD-
Sec. 1988. Proceedings in vindication of civil rights

-STATUTE-

(a) Applicability of statutory and common law The jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters conferred on the district courts by the provisions of titles 13, 24, and 70 of the Revised Statutes for the protection of all persons in the United States in their civil rights, and for their vindication, shall be exercised and enforced in conformity with the laws of the United States, so far as such laws are suitable to carry the same into effect; but in all cases where they are not adapted to the object, or are deficient in the provisions necessary to furnish suitable remedies and punish offenses against law, the common law, as modified and changed by the constitution and statutes of the State wherein the court having jurisdiction of such civil or criminal cause is held, so far as the same is not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States, shall be extended to and govern the said courts in the trial and disposition of the cause, and, if it is of a criminal nature, in the infliction of punishment on the party found guilty.

Happy New Years, and, I cannot wait to see what the, state of the union is, in George W. Bush's, eyes, and from where he stands.

-2007-Mark Robert Gates

STEP OUT & STEP UP, OR STEP DOWN

2006-12-31T20:17:00.000-05:00

PERSON'S OF THE YEAR, 2006

2006-12-17T04:57:00.000-05:00

© 2006 Mark Robert Gates

Where, does it say the person of the year, must survive the entire year, in the flesh. If the person of the year, this year, really is still alive in the flesh, for you, then I do not want to hear about, person’s of the year, ever again.

All of this years person’s of the year, died, in Iraq, Afganistan, Israel, Lebanon, and Palestine.

PLENARIAL DISEASE, PRESCRIBED TORTURES

2006-12-15T06:38:00.001-05:00

© 2006 Mark Robert Gates
Plenarial Disease: Giving false instructions in a planned demonstration of supposed mental superiority.

Sociallairistic intercourse treatment: Arrange a side-by-side demonstration, in a public area, of the plenarian’s diseased, result, and your own vastly superior, reality based results.

Planarity
This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedia's deletion policy.
Please share your thoughts on the matter at this article's entry on the Articles for deletion page.
Feel free to edit the article, but the article must not be blanked, and this notice must not be removed, until the discussion is closed. For more information, particularly on merging or moving the article during the discussion, read the guide to deletion.

Steps to list an article for deletion: {{subst:afd}} • Preloaded debate OR {{subst:afd2pg=Planaritycat=text=}} • {{subst:afd3pg=Planarity}} log

This article is about the game; for the graph theory property, see Planar graph.

Planarity is the name of a puzzle computer game based on a concept by Mary Radcliffe at Western Michigan University.[1]

The name comes from the term planar graph. In graph theory, a planar graph is a graph that can be embedded in a plane so that no edges intersect. In the game, the player starts out with a tangled series of connected dots, and has to untangle the web until no edges intersect.

The original implementation of this game was a flash game developed by John Tantalo at Case Western Reserve University.[1] It in turn has inspired the creation of a [[GTK+]] version by Xiph.org's Chris Montgomery, which possesses additional level generation algorithms and the ability to manipulate multiple nodes at once.[2]

References
^ a b Planarity FAQ.
^ gPlanarity home.

External links
Planarity.net — the original flash game
gPlanarity — an improved [[GTK+]] version

DEMOCRITTUS JUNIOR TO HIS BOOK, from Project Gutenberg's The Anatomy of Melancholy, by Democritus Junior

2006-12-12T21:34:00.000-05:00

PARAPHRASTIC METRICAL TRANSLATION. (1621)
Go forth my book into the open day;
Happy, if made so by its garish eye.
O'er earth's wide surface take thy vagrant way,
To imitate thy master's genius try.
The Graces three, the Muses nine salute,
Should those who love them try to con thy lore.
The country, city seek, grand thrones to boot,
With gentle courtesy humbly bow before.
Should nobles gallant, soldiers frank and brave
Seek thy acquaintance, hail their first advance:
From twitch of care thy pleasant vein may save,
May laughter cause or wisdom give perchance.
Some surly Cato, Senator austere,
Haply may wish to peep into thy book:
Seem very nothing--tremble and revere:
No forceful eagles, butterflies e'er look.
They love not thee: of them then little seek,
And wish for readers triflers like thyself.
Of ludeful matron watchful catch the beck,
Or gorgeous countess full of pride and pelf.
They may say "pish!" and frown, and yet read on:
Cry odd, and silly, coarse, and yet amusing.
Should dainty damsels seek thy page to con,
Spread thy best stores: to them be ne'er refusing:
Say, fair one, master loves thee dear as life;
Would he were here to gaze on thy sweet look.
Should known or unknown student, freed from strife
Of logic and the schools, explore my book:
Cry mercy critic, and thy book withhold:
Be some few errors pardon'd though observ'd:
An humble author to implore makes bold.
Thy kind indulgence, even undeserv'd,
Should melancholy wight or pensive lover,
Courtier, snug cit, or carpet knight so trim
Our blossoms cull, he'll find himself in clover,
Gain sense from precept, laughter from our whim.
Should learned leech with solemn air unfold
Thy leaves, beware, be civil, and be wise:
Thy volume many precepts sage may hold,
His well fraught head may find no trifling prize.
Should crafty lawyer trespass on our ground,
Caitiffs avaunt! disturbing tribe away!
Unless (white crow) an honest one be found;
He'll better, wiser go for what we say.
Should some ripe scholar, gentle and benign,
With candour, care, and judgment thee peruse:
Thy faults to kind oblivion he'll consign;
Nor to thy merit will his praise refuse.
Thou may'st be searched for polish'd words and verse
By flippant spouter, emptiest of praters:
Tell him to seek them in some mawkish verse:
My periods all are rough as nutmeg graters.
The doggerel poet, wishing thee to read,
Reject not; let him glean thy jests and stories.
His brother I, of lowly sembling breed:
Apollo grants to few Parnassian glories.
Menac'd by critic with sour furrowed brow,
Momus or Troilus or Scotch reviewer:
Ruffle your heckle, grin and growl and vow:
Ill-natured foes you thus will find the fewer,
When foul-mouth'd senseless railers cry thee down,
Reply not: fly, and show the rogues thy stern;
hey are not worthy even of a frown:
Good taste or breeding they can never learn;
Or let them clamour, turn a callous ear,
As though in dread of some harsh donkey's bray.
If chid by censor, friendly though severe,
To such explain and turn thee not away.
Thy vein, says he perchance, is all too free;
Thy smutty language suits not learned pen:
Reply, Good Sir, throughout, the context see;
Thought chastens thought; so prithee judge again.
Besides, although my master's pen may wander
Through devious paths, by which it ought not stray,
His life is pure, beyond the breath of slander:
So pardon grant; 'tis merely but his way.
Some rugged ruffian makes a hideous rout
--Brandish thy cudgel, threaten him to baste;
The filthy fungus far from thee cast out;
Such noxious banquets never suit my taste.
Yet, calm and cautious moderate thy ire,
Be ever courteous should the case allow
--Sweet malt is ever made by gentle fire:
Warm to thy friends, give all a civil bow.
Even censure sometimes teaches to improve,
Slight frosts have often cured too rank a crop,
So, candid blame my spleen shall never move,
For skilful gard'ners wayward branches lop.
Go then, my book, and bear my words in mind;
Guides safe at once, and pleasant them you'll find.

THE ARGUMENT OF THE FRONTISPIECE.

Ten distinct Squares here seen apart,
Are joined in one by Cutter's art.

I.

Old Democritus under a tree,
Sits on a stone with book on knee;
About him hang there many features,
Of Cats, Dogs and such like creatures,
Of which he makes anatomy,
The seat of black choler to see.
Over his head appears the sky,
And Saturn Lord of melancholy.

II.

To the left a landscape of Jealousy,
Presents itself unto thine eye.
A Kingfisher, a Swan, an Hern,
Two fighting-cocks you may discern,
Two roaring Bulls each other hie,
To assault concerning venery.
Symbols are these; I say no more,
Conceive the rest by that's afore.

III.

The next of solitariness,
A portraiture doth well express,
By sleeping dog, cat: Buck and Doe,
Hares, Conies in the desert go:
Bats, Owls the shady bowers over,
In melancholy darkness hover.
Mark well: If't be not as't should be,
Blame the bad Cutter, and not me.

IV.

I'th' under column there doth stand
_Inamorato_ with folded hand;
Down hangs his head, terse and polite,
Some ditty sure he doth indite.
His lute and books about him lie,
As symptoms of his vanity.
If this do not enough disclose,
To paint him, take thyself by th' nose.

V.

_Hypocondriacus_ leans on his arm,
Wind in his side doth him much harm,
And troubles him full sore, God knows,
Much pain he hath and many woes.
About him pots and glasses lie,
Newly brought from's Apothecary.
This Saturn's aspects signify,
You see them portray'd in the sky.

VI.

Beneath them kneeling on his knee,
A superstitious man you see:
He fasts, prays, on his Idol fixt,
Tormented hope and fear betwixt:
For Hell perhaps he takes more pain,
Than thou dost Heaven itself to gain.
Alas poor soul, I pity thee,
What stars incline thee so to be?

VII.

But see the madman rage downright
With furious looks, a ghastly sight.
Naked in chains bound doth he lie,
And roars amain he knows not why!
Observe him; for as in a glass,
Thine angry portraiture it was.
His picture keeps still in thy presence;
'Twixt him and thee, there's no difference.

VIII, IX.

_Borage_ and _Hellebor_ fill two scenes,
Sovereign plants to purge the veins
Of melancholy, and cheer the heart,
Of those black fumes which make it smart;
To clear the brain of misty fogs,
hich dull our senses, and Soul clogs.
The best medicine that e'er God made
For this malady, if well assay'd.

X.

Now last of all to fill a place,
Presented is the Author's face;
And in that habit which he wears,
His image to the world appears.
His mind no art can well express,
That by his writings you may guess.
It was not pride, nor yet vainglory,
(Though others do it commonly)
Made him do this: if you must know,
The Printer would needs have it so.
Then do not frown or scoff at it,
Deride not, or detract a whit.
For surely as thou dost by him,
He will do the same again.
Then look upon't, behold and see,
As thou lik'st it, so it likes thee.
And I for it will stand in view,
Thine to command, Reader, adieu.

Courtesy of Project Gutenberg
http://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/world/readfile?fk_files=45516

PARADIGMS OF ISSUE

2006-12-12T07:11:00.000-05:00

© 2006 Mark Robert Gates

In America we are fighting two paradigms, of which we have to see an end, or find a way to prevent those of whom hold these paradigms from being a danger, threat, or harm to us.

Paradigm 1: When I am breaking the law, it is no longer illegal to do so. These people believe once they have decided to break the law, it is no longer illegal to do so, due to their rationalizations, and there is no place to place a stop sign in the road, once a person with this paradigm chooses to break American laws. These people now believe what they are doing is legal, and enforcing the law to stop them, is illegal.

A way has to be found, now that we can prove this paradigm to exist, to either end this paradigm in a person, or see that a person with this paradigm is no longer a danger, threat, or capable of causing us harm.

Paradigm: The God is an idiot paradigm: There are people who would lie to God, Christ and the Holy Spirit, and all of society on an open microphone, and then believe, I am an idiot. These people believe in a god of which created all of these lovely people on this planet to be their victims and this loving god aides them in victimizing their victims. Why? These people not only believe God is an idiot, they believe anyone who believes in a loving God, and believes they are being nurtured by this loving God, are also, idiots. And, these people try to enforce a clause, of which states: God is an idiot; this beliver is an idiot. Yes, these people want all people who belive and follow God's of our' Bible's tagged: idiots. Yes. God created the earth and all of these people in it, in order that they may have them as victims, is what these people believe, and if God does not aide them in having these victims, God is not loving. And, will fight to the last man to enforce this rule.

A way has to be found, now that this paradigm of religious persecution can be proved to exist, to prove, once and for all, American law prevents and protects its citizens from such religious torture's. And, use exsiting law, to either end this paradigm in a person, or to enforce all parts of American law, and prevent and protect Americans from this, God is an idiot paradigm, from being a danger, threat, or capable of causing us harm.

There is no need to limit freedom's of speech and press, all we have to do as American's is enforce those laws already existing of which state: Freedom's of speech, press, religion, and our right to a fair trial, do not exist to protect lies.

EPISTLE III: Of The Nature and State of Man, With Respect to Society

2006-11-28T09:05:00.000-05:00

From: Essay on Man by Alexander Pope (1734)

ARGUMENT

I. The whole Universe one system of Society. Nothing made wholly for itself, nor yet wholly for another. The happiness of Animals mutual. II. Reason or Instinct operate alike to the good of each Individual. Reason or Instinct operate also to Society, in all Animals. III. How far Society carried by Instinct. How much farther by Reason. IV. Of that which is called the State of Nature. Reason instructed by Instinct in the invention of Arts, and in the Forms of Society. V. Origin of Political Societies. Origin of Monarchy. atriarchal Government. VI. Origin of true Religion and Government, from the same principle, of Love. Origin of Superstition and Tyranny, from the same principle, of Fear. The Influence of Self-love operating to the social and public Good. Restoration of true Religion and Government on their first principle. Mixed Government.Various forms of each, and the true end of all.

I.

Here, then, we rest: "The Universal Cause
Acts to one end, but acts by various laws
In all the madness of superfluous health,
The trim of pride, the impudence of wealth,
Let this great truth be present night and day;
But most be present, if we preach or pray.

Look round our world; behold the chain of love
Combining all below and all above.
See plastic Nature working to this end,
The single atoms each to other tend,
Attract, attracted to, the next in place
Formed and impelled its neighbour to embrace.
See matter next, with various life endued,
Press to one centre still, the general good.
See dying vegetables life sustain,
See life dissolving vegetate again:
All forms that perish other forms supply
(By turns we catch the vital breath, and die),
Like bubbles on the sea of matter borne,
They rise, they break, and to that sea return.
Nothing is foreign: parts relate to whole;
One all-extending, all-preserving soul
Connects each being, greatest with the least;
Made beast in aid of man, and man of beast;
All served, all serving: nothing stands alone;
The chain holds on, and where it ends, unknown.

Has God, thou fool! worked solely for thy Thy good,
Thy joy, thy pastime, thy attire, thy food?
Who for thy table feeds the wanton fawn,
For him as kindly spread the flowery lawn:
Is it for thee the lark ascends and sings?
Joy tunes his voice, joy elevates his wings.
Is it for thee the linnet pours his throat?
Loves of his own and raptures swell the note.
The bounding steed you pompously bestride,
Shares with his lord the pleasure and the pride.
Is thine alone the seed that strews the plain?
The birds of heaven shall vindicate their grain.
Thine the full harvest of the golden year?
Part pays, and justly, the deserving steer:
The hog, that ploughs not nor obeys thy call,
Lives on the labours of this lord of all.

Know, Nature's children all divide her care;
The fur that warms a monarch, warmed a bear.
While man exclaims, "See all things for my use!"
"See man for mine!" replies a pampered goose:
And just as short of reason he must fall,
Who thinks all made for one, not one for all.

Grant that the powerful still the weak control;
Be man the wit and tyrant of the whole:
Nature that tyrant checks; he only knows,
And helps, another creature's wants and woes.
Say, will the falcon, stooping from above,
Smit with her varying plumage, spare the dove?
Admires the jay the insect's gilded wings?
Or hears the hawk when Philomela sings?
Man cares for all: to birds he gives his woods,
To beasts his pastures, and to fish his floods;
For some his interest prompts him to provide,
For more his pleasure, yet for more his pride:
All feed on one vain patron, and enjoy
The extensive blessing of his luxury.
That very life his learned hunger craves,
He saves from famine, from the savage saves;
Nay, feasts the animal he dooms his feast,
And, till he ends the being, makes it blest;
Which sees no more the stroke, or feels the pain,
Than favoured man by touch ethereal slain.
The creature had his feast of life before;
Thou too must perish when thy feast is o'er!

To each unthinking being, Heaven, a friend,
Gives not the useless knowledge of its end:
To man imparts it; but with such a view
As, while he dreads it, makes him hope it too;
The hour concealed, and so remote the fear,
Death still draws nearer, never seeming near.
Great standing miracle! that Heaven assignedI
ts only thinking thing this turn of mind.

II.

Whether with reason, or with instinct blest,
Know, all enjoy that power which suits them best;
To bliss alike by that direction tend,
And find the means proportioned to their end.
Say, where full instinct is the unerring guide,
What pope or council can they need beside?
Reason, however able, cool at best,
Cares not for service, or but serves when pressed,
Stays till we call, and then not often near;
But honest instinct comes a volunteer,
Sure never to o'er-shoot, but just to hit;
While still too wide or short is human wit;
Sure by quick nature happiness to gain,
Which heavier reason labours at in vain,
This too serves always, reason never long;
One must go right, the other may go wrong.
See then the acting and comparing powers
One in their nature, which are two in ours;
And reason raise o'er instinct as you can,
In this 'tis God directs, in that 'tis man.

Who taught the nations of the field and wood
To shun their poison, and to choose their food?
Prescient, the tides or tempests to withstand,
Build on the wave, or arch beneath the sand?
Who made the spider parallels design,
Sure as Demoivre, without rule or line?
Who did the stork, Columbus-like, explore
Heavens not his own, and worlds unknown before?
Who calls the council, states the certain day,
Who forms the phalanx, and who points the way?

III.

God in the nature of each being founds
Its proper bliss, and sets its proper bounds:
But as He framed a whole, the whole to bless,
On mutual wants built mutual happiness:
So from the first, eternal order ran,
And creature linked to creature, man to man.
Whate'er of life all-quickening ether keeps,
Or breathes through air, or shoots beneath the deeps,
Or pours profuse on earth, one nature feeds
The vital flame, and swells the genial seeds.
Not man alone, but all that roam the wood,
Or wing the sky, or roll along the flood,
Each loves itself, but not itself alone,
Each sex desires alike, till two are one.
Nor ends the pleasure with the fierce embrace;
They love themselves, a third time, in their race.
Thus beast and bird their common charge attend,
The mothers nurse it, and the sires defend;
The young dismissed to wander earth or air,
There stops the instinct, and there ends the care;
The link dissolves, each seeks a fresh embrace,
Another love succeeds, another race.
A longer care man's helpless kind demands;
That longer care contracts more lasting bands:
Reflection, reason, still the ties improve,
At once extend the interest and the love;
With choice we fix, with sympathy we burn;
Each virtue in each passion takes its turn;
And still new needs, new helps, new habits rise.
That graft benevolence on charities.
Still as one brood, and as another rose,
These natural love maintained, habitual those.
The last, scarce ripened into perfect man,
Saw helpless him from whom their life began:
Memory and forecast just returns engage,
That pointed back to youth, this on to age;
While pleasure, gratitude, and hope combined,
Still spread the interest, and preserved the kind.

IV.

Nor think, in Nature's state they blindly trod;
The state of nature was the reign of God:
Self-love and social at her birth began,
Union the bond of all things, and of man.
Pride then was not; nor arts, that pride to aid;
Man walked with beast, joint tenant of the shade;
The same his table, and the same his bed;
No murder clothed him, and no murder fed.
In the same temple, the resounding wood,
All vocal beings hymned their equal God:
The shrine with gore unstained, with gold undressed,
Unbribed, unbloody, stood the blameless priest:
Heaven's attribute was universal care,
And man's prerogative to rule, but spare.
Ah! how unlike the man of times to come!
Of half that live the butcher and the tomb;
Who, foe to nature, hears the general groan,
Murders their species, and betrays his own.
But just disease to luxury succeeds,
And every death its own avenger breeds;
The fury-passions from that blood began,
And turned on man a fiercer savage, man.

See him from Nature rising slow to art!
To copy instinct then was reason's part;
Thus then to man the voice of Nature spake--
"Go, from the creatures thy instructions take:
Learn from the birds what food the thickets yield;
Learn from the beasts the physic of the field;
Thy arts of building from the bee receive;
Learn of the mole to plough, the worm to weave;
Learn of the little nautilus to sail,
Spread the thin oar, and catch the driving gale.
Here too all forms of social union find,
And hence let reason, late, instruct mankind:
Here subterranean works and cities see;
There towns aerial on the waving tree.
Learn each small people's genius, policies,
The ant's republic, and the realm of bees;
How those in common all their wealth bestow,
And anarchy without confusion know;
And these for ever, though a monarch reign,
Their separate cells and properties maintain.
Mark what unvaried laws preserve each state,
Laws wise as nature, and as fixed as fate.
In vain thy reason finer webs shall draw,
Entangle justice in her net of law,
And right, too rigid, harden into wrong;
Still for the strong too weak, the weak too strong.
Yet go! and thus o'er all the creatures sway,
Thus let the wiser make the rest obey;
And, for those arts mere instinct could afford,
Be crowned as monarchs, or as gods adored."

V.

Great Nature spoke; observant men obeyed;
Cities were built, societies were made:
Here rose one little state: another near
Grew by like means, and joined, through love or fear.
Did here the trees with ruddier burdens bend,
And there the streams in purer rills descend?
What war could ravish, commerce could bestow,
And he returned a friend, who came a foe.
Converse and love mankind might strongly draw,
When love was liberty, and Nature law.
Thus States were formed; the name of king unknown,
'Till common interest placed the sway in one.
'Twas virtue only (or in arts or arms,Diffusing blessings, or averting harms)
The same which in a sire the sons obeyed,
A prince the father of a people made.

VI.

Till then, by Nature crowned, each patriarch sate,
King, priest, and parent of his growing state;
On him, their second providence, they hung,
Their law his eye, their oracle his tongue.
He from the wondering furrow called the food,
Taught to command the fire, control the flood,
Draw forth the monsters of the abyss profound,
Or fetch the aerial eagle to the ground.
Till drooping, sickening, dying they began
Whom they revered as God to mourn as man:
Then, looking up, from sire to sire, explored
One great first Father, and that first adored.
Or plain tradition that this all begun,
Conveyed unbroken faith from sire to son;
The worker from the work distinct was known,
And simple reason never sought but one:
Ere wit oblique had broke that steady light,
Man, like his Maker, saw that all was right;
To virtue, in the paths of pleasure, trod,
And owned a Father when he owned a God.
Love all the faith, and all the allegiance then;
For Nature knew no right divine in men,
No ill could fear in God; and understood
A sovereign being but a sovereign good.
True faith, true policy, united ran,
This was but love of God, and this of man.

Who first taught souls enslaved, and realms undone,
The enormous faith of many made for one;
That proud exception to all Nature's laws,
To invert the world, and counter-work its cause?
Force first made conquest, and that conquest, law;
Till superstition taught the tyrant awe,
Then shared the tyranny, then lent it aid,
And gods of conquerors, slaves of subjects made:
She, 'midst the lightning's blaze, and thunder's sound,
When rocked the mountains, and when groaned the ground,
She taught the weak to bend, the proud to pray,
To power unseen, and mightier far than they:
She, from the rending earth and bursting skies,
Saw gods descend, and fiends infernal rise:
Here fixed the dreadful, there the blest abodes;
Fear made her devils, and weak hope her gods;
Gods partial, changeful, passionate, unjust,
Whose attributes were rage, revenge, or lust;
Such as the souls of cowards might conceive,
And, formed like tyrants, tyrants would believe.
Zeal then, not charity, became the guide;
And hell was built on spite, and heaven on pride,
Then sacred seemed the ethereal vault no more;
Altars grew marble then, and reeked with gore;
Then first the flamen tasted living food;
Next his grim idol smeared with human blood;
With heaven's own thunders shook the world below,
And played the god an engine on his foe.

So drives self-love, through just and through unjust,
To one man's power, ambition, lucre, lust:
The same self-love, in all, becomes the cause
Of what restrains him, government and laws.
For, what one likes if others like as well,
What serves one will when many wills rebel?
How shall he keep, what, sleeping or awake,
A weaker may surprise, a stronger take?
His safety must his liberty restrain:
All join to guard what each desires to gain.
Forced into virtue thus by self-defence,
Even kings learned justice and benevolence:
Self-love forsook the path it first pursued,
And found the private in the public good.

'Twas then, the studious head or generous mind,
Follower of God, or friend of human-kind,
Poet or patriot, rose but to restore
The faith and moral Nature gave before;
Re-lumed her ancient light, not kindled new;
If not God's image, yet His shadow drew:
Taught power's due use to people and to kings,
Taught nor to slack, nor strain its tender strings,
The less, or greater, set so justly true,
That touching one must strike the other too;
Till jarring interests, of themselves create
The according music of a well-mixed state.
Such is the world's great harmony, that springs
From order, union, full consent of things:
Where small and great, where weak and mighty, made
To serve, not suffer, strengthen, not invade;
More powerful each as needful to the rest,
And, in proportion as it blesses, blest;
Draw to one point, and to one centre bring
Beast, man, or angel, servant, lord, or king.

For forms of government let fools contest;
Whate'er is best administered is best:
For modes of faith let graceless zealots fight;
His can't be wrong whose life is in the right:
In faith and hope the world will disagree,
But all mankind's concern is charity:
All must be false that thwart this one great end;
And all of God, that bless mankind or mend.

Man, like the generous vine, supported lives;
The strength he gains is from the embrace he gives.
On their own axis as the planets run,
Yet make at once their circle round the sun;
So two consistent motions act the soul;
And one regards itself, and one the whole.

Thus God and Nature linked the general frame,
And bade self-love and social be the same.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Essay_on_Man/Chapter_4"This page was last modified 11:02:40, 2006-07-27. Content is available under GNU Free Documentation License.

VARIATIONS ON A THEME OF MACHIAVELLI

2006-11-23T07:28:00.000-05:00

Remember, all of the, Machiavellian, pseudo-Christian, lame duck, right-wing conspiracy, Republicans, of who, rose to power on what we now have plenty of evidence is a pack of lies, also, still are in power, in most of our so called, free press media outets. Those who did, or would not lie, like Bush' company, were forced out as, left-wing, pro-democracy, anti-American liberties and rights, liberal's, code named: Democrats. We must Reclaim our free American press, from a pathologically lying, Machiavellian, pseudo-political, pseudo-ideological and pseudo-theologian, overtaken' bastian of our American history.

We are going to be besieged by stories, claiming total loss, whenever, one part of a politics by, Nancy Pelosi, simply Democratically resolves in a manner, construent with real our' pro-American pro-Democracy value: we are our American government. Those whose lie's are, "Why, Christ let us kill Himself, to give us, opposition forces, against a real pro-American pro-Democracy, comprised of a free citizenry." Will claim failure whenever the result of politic's is not a heinous crime, and just an exercise of free liberties, and rights.

Remember these Machiavellian, pseudo-Christian, lame duck, right-wing conspiracy, Republicans have been all caught with their pants down, one lie resulting in a complete failure of all, "All of Bush'." American Domestic and Foriegn Policy, is not something these people are still, as of yet, willing to admit is an expose' of all, Machiavellian, pseudo-Christian, lame duck, right-wing conspiracy, Republican and Bush', foriegn and domestic policy. Let's just give Nancy Pelosi, our continued pro-American, pro-Democratic values, support and encouragement in her new office, and, let us go after all the inane, Machiavellian, pseudo-Christian, lame duck, right-wing conspiracy, Republicans infesting our free American press.

Happythanksgiving, Machiavelli, now, I will have to read your book too, as I am certain it does not say, ""The End." jusitfies "Any" Means, at all.""

Copyright 2006, Mark Robert Gates

PRO-AMERICAN PRO-FREE AMERICAN ENTERPRISE PRO-NET REVOLUTIONARY TO THE RESCUE

2006-11-22T05:15:00.000-05:00

When time come's, and all of our expected technology upgrades are in place, such as, our much anticipated change's to fiber optics, upwards of 1 Terabyte Internet transport capabilities, via ground and a satellite Internet and HDTV network capable signal, in one combined source, broadcasting from a string of specially designed=for capable satellites, upwards of 1gig networking already exists, and HDTV capable video, and Internet from a single Internet connection. Why double up? A quantum leap to combining all home entertainment and xomputer into a single-modular-package (SMP), as we are duplicating services and technologies, and vastly bog down and make unamassable most of our entire entertainment set packages, we will then see Internet Hyperfeeds, in our technological revolution, like none we have ever seen before, and hyperspeed technology capabilities will be expensive.

When this occurs there may be many people, including myself, of whom, will be either unable to afford, or happy to go on using one's now existing Internet speeds and capabilities at a price near that of what one already pays. It makes a whole lot of sense, like with cable and satellite, television, where one does not have to purchase all of the available channels and services, and Internet, where in one can still choose 56k dial-up, or when purchasing high-speed cable/DSL Internet services one does not have to buy only the highest speed package available. When we get to where we see all of the technology changes coming down the line, we will be happy not to have to pay for only the best available Internet and entertainment packages, and ecstatic over being able to continue using what we have now, at the same, or near to the same cost, inflation and steady upgrades you know, and not having to be able to afford only the highest Internet speeds available, at all time's.

Now, does this blasphemy of a term like NetNuetrallity, make one see why us Democrats, get called communists, and anti-free American's enterprise.

Copyright 2006, Mark Robert Gates

DIVINITY' OF, AND, DOCTRINITY' OF GOD'S OF OUR' BIBLE'S THEOLOGY'

2006-11-21T04:37:00.000-05:00

© 2006, God’s, Christ’s and our’ Holy Spirit’s, as attributed by, Mark Robert Gates

Apparently, Communism’s, social status dictators, have discovered if a person claims to be, Christian, no one actually question’s whether or not the person is actually a follower’ and believer’ in the God’s of our’ Bible’s. I have found politically motivated communists with anti-American, anti-Democracy and anti-capitalist agenda’s who actually say, “yes.” When asked if they are Christian, who when asked, instead, “Are you a follower’ and believer' in the God’s of the Bible’s?” Are forced to admit, “No.” Which is why we, who are followers’ and believer’s in our’ God’s of our’ Bible’s, and following Christ’s Commandment’s, learned through complete studies of His Immaculate Word’s, call ourselves follower’s and believer’s, in the first place. The word “Christian” was after all, an insulting term created by people of Rome, to put down those who they found it necessary to murder. Why it was ever picked up by anyone professing to actually be of Christ’s Churche’ is beyond comprehension. So now, we need to go forward, asking each other, “Are one’s belief’s those of a follower’ and believer’ in the God’s of our’ Bible’s?”

Also, a Churche’, as described by Jesus is our body of follower’s and believer’s built upon a foundation’, and one of which is built on a rock’, Jesus, called, “Peter’.” As a body of follower’s and believer’s it is required we follow all of Christ’s Commandment’s, if we love Him, moreover, any who do not follow’ and believe’ any one’ of Christ’s Teaching’s, cannot be allowed to continue to claim they have love for Christ’s. Once, I sat, looking at a bible’s I believed to be a gift from my God Parents, and however, was only given me as a consultation prize, by my parents, for deciding to take my God Mother away, out of spite of her love for myself, and my undying love for her. I decided more than once, I would read this Bible’s and then put it on a shelf, like all other books I read, and it would then be a book I had read.

Then, one day, around thirty years old, I looked carefully at that phony dedication, written in this Bible’s and discovered, much to my dismay, this was my mother’s own hand writing, not my God Mother’s, as I had always believed. I threw this blasphemed copy of our Bible’s to the ground so hard it broke the binding on its back, forever, setting me free. If my own mother could tell such a lie, it could not be, for Christ’s sake. And, although she is one of the most moral persons I know, she, however, did not follow’ and believe’ Christ’s Commandment’s, she used Jesus as a cover for her sins, of today, and not any of which are supposed to have been forgiven of her yesterday.

This, is how we tell if one is a follower’ and believer’ in God’s of our’ Bible’s. Those who are do not follow’ and believe’ God’s grace’s through the resurrection’ of Christ’s, exist’ to forgive’ all of tomorrow’s sins, moreover, once we walk’ in our God’s of our Bible’s good grace’s, we are not any longer to continue’ to walk in sin’s. And, if one' sins at all, one' does not follow’ and believe', one’ has a life’ save’d by faith’ in God’s and Christ’s eternal grace’s, and if one' follow's and believe's, then one' read's, and if one' doe's not read', then one' doe's not follow' and believe', and if one' doe's not take' time' necessary' to find' out' what' are', all of, Christ’s Commandment’s to =follow’s and believe’s them all, then one’ does not have any love for that of which is Christ’s, His’ Love’, His’ Grace’, and His’ Word’s.

When, I finally first followed’ and believed’, in God’s of our’ Bible’s Word’s, I could not then put down His’ Good’ Book’s, in fact I went through a phase were I was so hungry for Scripture’s and its understanding’s, I did not read anything of which was not a Bible’s, and theological’, or biblical’ literature’s. A “Christian” counselor once felt such a concern for my love’ and following’ and belief’ for Christ’s portray=d’ by my devotion’s to His Word’s, this counselor prescribed, reading a secular and fictional novel. This, I did not do, in fact I perused quite an opposite’s, I enrolled’ in Bible’s school’, at Taylor University, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and placed myself’ in, Old Testament Survey’, New Testament Survey’, Pauline Epistle’s and Systematic Theology’ course’s. And, where it was rumored a teacher, was harder than another, I alway’s deliberately’ took a harder teacher.

In fact a teacher’ considered’ too hard’, by many softies’, taught three of those course’s, Old Testament Survey’, Pauline Epistle’s and Systematic Theology’, and what some students did not like about, Dr. Wes Gehrig, is his insistence’ on making’ a person’ think’. I admit it was a struggle’, a lot like any other learning’ process’, and there were times I’ wished’ it could be’ avoided’, however, my ability’ to know’ our God’s of our’ Bible’s Theology’ well enough to think on my feet’, is now an immensely welcomed gift’s. Here, no pain, no gain, is vastly understated, when studie’s are being made’ of our God’s of our’ Bible’s Scripture’s and Christ’s Teaching’ and Commandment’s, there are no short cut’s, to acknowledgement’ of Divine’ Knowledge’ by acceptance’s, of It’, through allowing It’ to become Alive’ inside’ of one’s self’, as there lie’s Christ’s, so there shall eternally lie His’ Word’s. I can now, after being Taught’ by Christ’s to at times, put down a Bible’s and learn’ to rely’ on It’s One’s, Written’ in my mind’ and my heart’, do devotion’s anywhere’ and at anytime’, without having to open a God’s of our’ Bible’s Book’s, or having to have One’s, present to read’.

We’, all need to acknowledge’ these Commandment’s by their knowledge’ and allow’ them, then, to live’ inside’ of us’, then we’ can go forth a strong’ and invincible’ body’ of Christ’s Churche’, moreover we’ have a need to abandon’ all man’ made’ structure’s man’ has erroneously’ called a church, and once again live’ free of such artificially’ created man-made’ boundarie’s. Inside these building’s men’ called churches, only people’ who meet’ to go to church’, and are not a part’ of Christ’s body’ of follower’s and believer’s; Churche’, collect’ there. I once tried to see if any could point out the world’s, Christ’s Told’ us’ to come out of, and when they could not, had to actually point out, this is because they are the world’s.

The world’s has taken to hiding in these building’s they called churches to escape’ all scrutiny’ of mankind’. Why, are these people known to my=self to be of the world’s, and not Christ’s body of follower’s and believer’s Churche’? These people’ all believe’ they do not sin’, and in fact never have sinned’, and only say they do or did, because tract’s they pass out say one’ must in order to claim’ to be save’d. And, these people do not welcome any who’ actually’ do what they’ consider’ sin’, into their building’s, saying a church’ is no place for sinner’s.

So, obviously’ these “Christian” people’ do not believe’ a Word’ of God’s of our’ Bible’s Word’s, as, they call any they make sinner’s, be wannabe’s, instead. We both call then wannabe’s for the same reason, they are people who have been made to believe they cannot be a part of God’s of our’ Bible’s Churche’ as they have sinned. Unfortunately, instead of studies’ of God’s of our’ Bible’s Word’s many posses’ instead’, these “Christian” going to church’ folk’s man-made’ rule’s impossible’ to keep’. These man-made’ rule’s impossible’ to keep’, are used, to stop’ any’ from being a part’ of our’ God’s of our’ Bible’s Churche’ out of shame’, I remember a time I knew only these rule’s and used them for just such a purpose, to render any who I met, incapable of being a part’ of God’s of our’ Bible’s Churche’.

We now must give up these man-made’ structure’s to the world’s who inside them now pollute’, and find a way to returning to be what a body’ of Christ’s follower’s and believer’s Churche’ is designed to be, a body’ of follower’s and believer’s built’ upon a rock’ Christ’s called, “Peter’,” and, are now’ our’ God’s of our’ Bible’s Christ’s Churche’, at all time’s anywhere’ and everywhere’, without fail’. And, Christ’s Word’s leave’s us’ a Guide’ Book’ for determining’ if a person’s is’ actually a follower’ and believer’ in our’ God’s of our’ Bible’s, and a body’ amongst’ His’ Body’. The letter’s given us’ by Paul’, are’ our’ Guide’ Book’, and tell us’ if any’ who are follower’s and believer’s and of our’ God’s of our’ Bible’s Christ’s Churche’ break’ these rule’s they’ are to be remove’d, in the understanding’ they may be helped to truly follow’ and believe’, and then repent’ and return’. This is done out of love’, and to ensure’, none mistake’ God’s of our’ Bible’s grace’s, for existing’ to forgive’ future’ sins.

To follow’ and believe’ Christ’s Commandment’s, we’ must first understand’, Christ’s, as did Paul’s, alway’s teach’ only of our’ personal’ responsibility’ exclusively’. Christ’s Taught’ of a straight’ and narrow’ path’ to a far away tiny’ gates’ beyond’ which lie’s God’s Kingdom’, one’ must search’ first for His’ Kingdom’, down this path’, and then all one’ need’s if one’ follow’s and believe’s the true path’, will be added’, and one’ must find this path’ and begin’ following’ and believing’ It’s and then become’ as a newborn’ child’s of Christ’s, and begin again, in order to be bornagain’. There is no overnight’ bornagain’, if one’ was never only seven years old, as a bornagain’ child’ of Christ’s, then one’ was never bornagain’.

And, Paul’s taught of a war’ inside himself’ he’ lost’ to himself’ over good’ and evil’, and blame’s this loss’ on himself’ not some devil’, and once we’ know’ God’s of our’ Bible’s grace’s we’ are not to continue’ in sin, as did Christ’s Teach’. As, we’ all can clearly’ see’, the modern “Christianity” blasphemy, “It is impossible to completely stop sinning,” is not only a blasphemy, it is a complete denial of Christ’s Commandment’s, and Teaching’s, and not of anyone’s theology’ who is a follower’ and believer’ of God’s of our’ Bible’s Word’s.

Jesus, said, “MY’ Yoke’ is easy’.” Why, would He say this if stopping sin out of our’ love’ for Him’ and continually following’ and believing’ His’ Commandment’s is so impossible’, and then also say we’ are to do so if we’ love’ Him’? Christ’s Himself’ cannot blaspheme’, Himself’. God’s of our’ Bible’s Christ’s is always’ there knocking’, seeking’ and asking’, all one’ has to do is accept’, however, if one’ accept’s, then please understand’, eternity’, is a very’, long’, long’, long’, long’, long’, long’ time’, and eternity’ is what’ He’ Is’ preparing’ us’ for’, and eternity’ with Him’ is what’ He’ Is’ preparing’ for any’ of us’, who accept’.

There is no happening of which will occure in two week's or two month's time', and then' there will' be nothing' left to do'. Forever', we all have just now begun, and eternal life's end' occured' when our' God's of our' Bible's ressurrected' Christ's, in order' to give', us' His' eternal' grace's.

Take’ up’ His’ Yoke’s and go’ in ‘Peace’s.

-Mark Robert Gates

PLEASE HELP US AID IN PARADIGM SHIFTING OF SCAM ADVERTISERS

2006-11-15T23:29:00.000-05:00

© 2006 Mark Robert Gates

An unfortunate side-affect of an Internet industry, in which, a click on, advertising scheme, of only scams and frauds, was first used, is an unwillingness by all us users of Internet sites and services, to actually even, ever attempt to click on any adds at all, after first discovering, back at the beginning, all...yes all, adds for clicking on...used on any Internet sites, or services, were not only fraudulent, none were not scams.

We were all warned, of this, yet most of us still had to actually discover this fact for ourselves. As a result, all of us who become serious Internet users, develope, an aversion to clicking on Internet advertisements. This is a problem, causing most Internet industry people, attempting to make money off of Internet advertsing, to pull out their ever-beloved hair's. As, now, try as they might, there seems to be few approaches to getting all of us Internet users, to even, ever try clicking on ads again, since that first wonderful burning sensation, of our first moonlanding. As that is where we found ourselves, on some planet's moon, being required, to submit credit card information, in order, to get ourselves, back to: Earthbase Microsoft.

Really, I fell for it, the first time, "Shoot the duck,,,win a free DVD player!" I shot the ever-loven' duck, bagged him, first attempt, and then went to get my, "free" DVD player, only to find out I was supposed to give out a credit card number, for shipping costs, in order to receive my free DVD player. I of course did not attempt to give an obvious scammer my credit information. Actually, to be honest, I did not have a credit card when I first began using Internet services.

My point here, is, except for Google, of whom, has amassed a considerable fortune, with Internet advertising based on ads from actual Internet sites, and of which, began first, as ads, in Google search pages, by advertisers, selling items like those people are searching for, in the frist place, when searching for merchandise. Elsewhere, there is still yet, a wide-spread aversion to testing the waters', by jumping in and clicking on an Internet ad. This approach, where it is obvious this ad is from a merchandiser selling the goods, I searched for, and which, is obviously capable of delivering, my heart's desire's, is why I only use, Google AdSense, for, placement of advertising, on my blogs.

All of which, I point out, to ask, if anyone ever finds an ad posted on my blogs, that is either misleading or fraudulent, please email through the email button on my profile page, and report this advertiser. Google makes it possible to block unwanted advertisers, and I am a firm believer' in having only reputable ads, on my blogs. And, as my blogs often discuss, topics such as mental illness, there is a real importance of ensuring, no one is misled, defrauded, or taken advantage of, by any advertisers.

-Mark Robert Gates

Having It Out With Melancholy

2006-11-13T06:33:00.000-05:00

Jane Kenyon

If many remedies are prescribed for an illness,
you may be certain that the illness has no cure.

A. P. CHEKHOV The Cherry Orchard

1 FROM THE NURSERY

When I was born, you waited
behind a pile of linen in the nursery,
and when we were alone, you lay down
on top of me, pressing
the bile of desolation into every pore.

And from that day on
everything under the sun and moon
made me sad -- even the yellow
wooden beads that slid and spun
along a spindle on my crib.

You taught me to exist without gratitude.
You ruined my manners toward God:
"We're here simply to wait for death;
the pleasures of earth are overrated."

I only appeared to belong to my mother,
to live among blocks and cotton undershirts
with snaps; among red tin lunch boxes
and report cards in ugly brown slipcases.
I was already yours -- the anti-urge,
the mutilator of souls.

2 BOTTLESE

lavil, Ludiomil, Doxepin,
Norpramin, Prozac, Lithium, Xanax,
Wellbutrin, Parnate, Nardil, Zoloft.
The coated ones smell sweet or have
no smell; the powdery ones smell
like the chemistry lab at school
that made me hold my breath.

3 SUGGESTION FROM A FRIEND

You wouldn't be so depressed
if you really believed in God.

4 OFTEN

Often I go to bed as soon after dinner
as seems adult
(I mean I try to wait for dark)
in order to push away
from the massive pain in sleep's
frail wicker coracle.

5 ONCE THERE WAS LIGHT

Once, in my early thirties, I saw
that I was a speck of light in the great
river of light that undulates through time.

I was floating with the whole
human family. We were all colors -- those
who are living now, those who have died,
those who are not yet born. For a few

moments I floated, completely calm,
and I no longer hated having to exist.

Like a crow who smells hot blood
you came flying to pull me out
of the glowing stream.
"I'll hold you up. I never let my dear
ones drown!" After that, I wept for days.

6 IN AND OUT

The dog searches until he finds me
upstairs, lies down with a clatter
of elbows, puts his head on my foot.

Sometimes the sound of his breathing
saves my life -- in and out, in
and out; a pause, a long sigh. . . .

7 PARDON

A piece of burned meat
wears my clothes, speaks
in my voice, dispatches obligations
haltingly, or not at all.
It is tired of trying
to be stout hearted, tired
beyond measure.

We move on to the monoamine
oxidase inhibitors. Day and night
I feel as if I had drunk six cups
of coffee, but the pain stops
abruptly. With the wonder
and bitterness of someone pardoned
for a crime she did not commit
I come back to marriage and friends,
to pink fringed hollyhocks; come back
to my desk, books, and chair.

8 CREDO

Pharmaceutical wonders are at work
but I believe only in this moment
of well-being. Unholy ghost,
you are certain to come again.

Coarse, mean, you'll put your feet
on the coffee table, lean back,
and turn me into someone who can't
take the trouble to speak; someone
who can't sleep, or who does nothing
but sleep; can't read, or call
for an appointment for help.

There is nothing I can do
against your coming.
When I awake, I am still with thee.

9 WOOD THRUSH

High on Nardil and June light
I wake at four,
waiting greedily for the first
note of the wood thrush. Easeful air
presses through the screen
with the wild, complex song
of the bird, and I am overcome

by ordinary contentment.
What hurt me so terribly
all my life until this moment?
How I love the small, swiftly
beating heart of the bird
singing in the great maples;
its bright, unequivocal eye.

From Constance by Jane Kenyon,
published by Graywolf Press. © 1993 by Jane Kenyon.
Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Source: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15920

PREPARE THE MOCHASCOPE

2006-11-12T22:07:00.003-05:00

© 2006 Mark Robert Gates

What do we do now, when we want a book on self-help? We go on down to Borders, and stand in the self-help section, and try to decide which one book is going to affect a miracle cure. Of hundreds of thousands of titles, we believe there is one book, of which, we will use to turn our tide and make us mighty. After starring at titles for a while, we give up, and head on over to the coffee shop, and order for ourself'; a triple mocha. As, we sit starring into our mochascope, we begin to wonder if we are beyond help.

Everyone says self-esteem is important, however, others say we need to be more positive to get ahead. As we sit tossing back and forth over which book to begin on, there seems to be no answer. Yet, if we really want to be as good as we can best be, there is a possibly, almost simple, answer. Read both books. One on self-esteem, and one on positive thinking. And, as long as we do not confuse one with the other, both may work together, to make a more powerful us. In fact, it just may be impossible, to change one without changing the other.

Though positive affirmations will help us think better of ourselves, and positive self-love can point us to positive success. Combining both positive thinking and higher self-worth, can be even more helpful for us, to paint in the numbers, and have our future become; one's now thornless rose. There are many ways to have both in proper proportion, to help give our ship a bow and a stern, and no matter what we think of ourselves, we will get nowhere, if we believe we have a bleak tomorrow.

I recommend, Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, by Susan Jeffers, Ph.D., http://www.susanjeffers.com/, for a pathway to more positive thinking. With her help, we can almost psycho-surgically, remove negative thoughts from our mind. Then, for self-esteem, I recommend, The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem, by Nathaniel Branden, http://www.nathanielbranden.com/. His book will work to give us skills necessary, to love ourselve's, with an unconditional self-love. While together, both books, will be capable of cementing in us a more positive self-esteem, and point us into a positive future, we almost magically, will be more certain to enjoy.

For myself, positive thinking helped me to begin writing again, and led to being asked to take, Appreciative Inquiry Training, an organizational; positive thinking course. And, help plan a new future, for our local mental healthcare provider. Another course, also, developed to build on strengths already existing, and avoid focusing on our past problems. And, I am now invited to share my opinion, to help point ships, like a lighthouse, away from unseen beaches with jagged reefs.

Higher self-esteem, helped to create in myself an understanding of how much my opinions mattered. I began writing many articles and essays, moreover, many people began coming to me and telling of how much they had been affected by, many positive's, in my writing. Which led to even more people asking my opinion.

Most of us can be, in need of help; putting ourselves behind our ships wheel, and steering a course out of our past psychosocial fogs. I have benefited from both positive thought's, and a better view's of myself, in a way of which, neither could have done so by itself. I see clearly now, not only love for my past, in my present moment, also, pathways and open doors, into a future of happiness. There are fewer obstacles, since most of my hindrances were self-created, and what might lie ahead, a collection of phantasms I feared, more than this; I am happy to be me. -Mark Robert Gates, Copyright 2001

A New Century of Mental Health Awareness in America Begins in 2008. With, President, Hillary Rodham Clinton

2006-10-20T22:25:00.000-04:00

© 2006 Mark Robert Gates

I plan to make a part of our Democratic platform for 2008, be including of a blueprint for social progress in mental health awareness, and will require, Senator Clinton be elected president. My plan is to take all mental health funding from under, FSSA’s, umbrella, and combine it with all other federal mental health agencies, in its own agency, like our FDA. Our FDA, manages to operate pretty much free from politicks, and is not subject to every political whim and wind which blows by. Medicines would still be subject to approval by our present FDA, I would not try to duplicate our FDA. All other mental health practices can then be monitored for efficability, and combining these agencies should not cost more, since we are merely shifting personnel, and may even save costs in reducing redundancy.

Unfortunately, our current payment practices encourage maintaining people at a level where they constantly need day care, and continue returning to treatment, without achieving a state of wellness. Mental health care providers must, be paid only for, all achievable, positive results. Since, we know which practices work, there is a need for treating people, not just housing and maintaining people.

I often hear it said, “We now know what is wrong, if not how, and why. So, medications will keep getting better.” Most Americans, and our public officials, do not understand what this means. There is a real need for mental health awareness education. We need to begin as early as grade school, to teach people what proper treatment and therapy can accomplish. So we can significantly eliminate social stigma, in this decade. Then, people may be able to find a way to accept those with this, and any other disabilities, into our society.

“Christians” who claim to be pro-life, seem to place very little value on human life where mental illness, disability, or any physical imperfection exists, and treats these people like refuse. I shudder to think what degrading treatments, pro-life, until after birther’s, will provide, if Senator Clinton is not elected president. As, George W. Bush, commissioned a study on mental illness, a copy of which I still have, and Republicans have done very little since, except axe important programs.

We need to have a no person left behind clause, for disabilities, in America, to remain a society of caring individuals.

-Mark Robert Gates

Those Without a License Should Be Not Practicing Medicine

2006-02-19T11:07:00.000-05:00

© 2006 Mark Robert Gates

Throughout history, paradigm shifting events in scientific and medical advances, have almost always, been met, with theological superstition. A round earth not at the center of a universe revolving around it was too much for most theologians to consider. As well, modern scientific medical knowledge made possible by research into human anatomy required stealing bodies from graveyards. Today, there are theologically minded people who claim modern medicine and surgery and all of its information learned, as a gift from, a god, and all of which, now should belong only to the very people who once opposed its research and discoveries. Why? So these people can, now stand in our way, and oppose our much needed stem cell research, of which, will lead to a new age of medical advances.

Myself, I like to live in the white spaces in the bible, there is much of which we know today unmentioned in any theological texts. Unfortunately, some would have us ban everything not mentioned as heresy, and have us go on only knowing knowledge as what is written in these ancient texts. Knowing what is written in these texts is only one source of true knowledge. One of these texts says, blind leading the blind, will fall into a ditch, and also says, the truth will set one free, however, if the truth has truly set one free, these blind folk will insist on, trying to lead one, back to their ditch.

A problem in today’s medical and scientific society, is one of people without advanced learning, believing they know enough, to school those who are learned through instruction and research. Our present, politically delineated, scientific and medical institutions, need to be set free to look after themselves. There are simply too many people practicing medicine without a license. Legislators, politicians, and an uneducated public, need to allow physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists and counselors to decide what treatments work best, and how to best administer these treatments. - Mark Robert Gates

Any Carrots on Any End of Our Sticks Need to be More Appealing

2006-02-16T07:20:00.000-05:00

© 2006 Mark Robert Gates

One main problem, with today’s crisis driven disability treatment, is an appearance, to those being treated, of taking opportunity away from people, who suffer with mental disorders. For all our efforts to help a person to find a light at an end of this tunnel, there are few options, of which, where there is an apparent road, leading to a point outside of having life controlled by others. Everything a person wants, often looks to be, on a far away side of life, beyond their reach, moreover, care providers unknowingly are standing, in a path of which, creates confusion over what happens next in treatment. A fact of clubhouse culture, http://www.iccd.org/, and NAMI, http://www.nami.org/, involvement, is all too often I meet people who say, “I do not like my doctor, I do not like what is happening to me, and I do not understand what is going on.” And, it always saddens me as I know personally how valuable, trust and understanding, are in treatment, and a real freedom exists, to choose one's doctors, therapists and counselors. Life can make a person feel worthless, even if well, however, when struggling with an illness without societal support, it can seem as if, there is no point in succeeding in treatment. We can encourage in a person a paradigm of wellness, as being worth an effort being put forth, yet, constantly crashing into a wall of public disdain, leaves a person wondering why should I bother.

In order to successfully treat mental disorders, a process of removing all cages, is an important task, moreover, those blessed enough to know life in wellness have a duty to reach in and help pull others out of despair. There is no sin in love and in understanding, and no weakness in kindness and in compassion. With effort, we can straighten out our treatment tunnel, to allow all people hope of seeing, and reaching, all lights, of which, exist at its other end. We are going to see people in this struggle, as an albatross, until we care enough to offer only help, of which, there is a point at which wellness is always reached, and is always seen as worth everyone’s best efforts.

Some people, in our system of treatment, have been ill all of their life, and have no paradigm, of which, to know what is to be considered a state of wellness. No one takes enough time to help give people a road map, to a paradigm of wellness, in which there is a point, of a successful positive outcome. A presumption is made of all having an idea of leading, an enlightened and wholey well life, in their mind to focus on, whereas, most often wellness, does not appear to be ahead, on any presently traveled paths. Even if a person can look back on a paradigm from a point in life of wellness, there is a tendency to want to return there, and start again, by avoiding today’s disordered life. This trip, completely foreign as is now ahead, is consuming all time, in its endeavors to create wellness, and seemingly has no hope of ever bringing freedom.

One of my favorite things to do, is to go to our local zoo, and take a long walk through with a friend, and look at creation’s exotic animals, however, they all seem so unhappy caged. Life trapped in a body with a chemical imbalance is very much like living in a cage, from which, there is no escape. A severe depression, created by a chemistry, of which, determines today’s affect, can often create a desire to escape. A viable option can appear to be getting out of this misfortunate situation by leaving the body through suicide. If out of control chemistry is not enough, social stigma placed on needing treatment and taking medications, is enough to push someone toward a cliffs edge. Being entrapped in a body with a disorder is enough, and often on top of all, is our society of which frowns on any imperfection. More study needs to be done, on effects of this social stigma, not only in adults, however, more importantly, in children, to attempt to discover if social stigma about treatment and medication, contribute to suicide rates. And also, as life in a cage, is not now, or ever, going to be seen as pleasant. – Mark Robert Gates

Upward Mobility Is Possible For All

2006-02-02T19:27:00.000-05:00

Photograph courtesy of NASA Photography

We Are All Creation: The True Word of God

2006-02-02T19:02:00.000-05:00

BUT if objects for gratitude
and admiration are our desire,
do they not present themselves
every hour to our eyes?
Do we not see a fair creation
prepared to receive us
the instant we are born
-- a world
furnished to our hands,
that cost us nothing?
Is it we that light up the sun;
that pour down the rain;
and fill the earth with abundance?
Whether we sleep or wake,
the vast machinery
of the universe still goes on.
Are these things,
and the blessings
they indicate in future,
nothing to, us?
Can our gross feelings be excited
by no other subjects
than tragedy and suicide?
Or is the gloomy pride of man
become so intolerable,
that nothing can flatter it
but a sacrifice of the Creator?
– Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason

We Choose to See a Person of Great Value

2006-02-02T11:24:00.000-05:00

© 2006 Mark Robert Gates

There is a general reluctance, in community mental health centers, to allow peer-led and peer-support, self-help groups, however, as clubhouse culture, http://www.iccd.org/, and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), http://www.nami.org/, demonstrate, there is great value in peer-involved, peer-led, self-help and peer-support. And yet, for all control, in these mental health centers, there is no return to a state of wellness or recovery, moreover, groups allowed, simply maintain most clients at a level of dependence on mental health care. As, an insistence exists of having to know exactly what an outcome will be, before peer-involved treatment begins, therefore, valuable peer insight into wellness and illness recovery is overlooked. Where as, in fact, each individual’s personality and psychology may present a perspective capable of, aiding in many, different successful outcomes.

Reliance on a day therapy approach, continues to make people see, suffering from mental illness, as making a lesser person. Denied, is any personal empowerment, of which, could succeed in freeing a valuable inner spirit from bondage. It can be shown, people allowed personal responsibility, for wellness recovery in treatment, may be able, to make better lifestyle choices, as well. As, in order to develop discipline, a person must do something disciplined.

Removing people from dependent, day therapy maintenance, and placing people into a clubhouse environment, where contribution is welcomed, can be shown, to lead to a path toward wellness. NAMI membership, also, can create a road to self-responsibility, bonding and a sense of personal belongingness, moreover, people have a value greater than monetary reimbursement. Wellness, recovery and rehabilitation, are only possible, if ownership of results, and outcomes, belong to each individual. Granting someone, this possibility, means giving up control, and allowing personal wellness, obtained through, self-growth, self-empowerment and self-improvement, of which, a person can sit back, and take a look, and claim, “Hey, I did that!” – Mark Robert Gates

Please Shift Your Paradigm Three Degrees, and Open Your Eyes

2006-01-23T20:16:00.000-05:00

© 2006 Mark Robert Gates

In order to ordain, successful treatment of persons suffering from mental disorders, we need to shift our paradigm, three degrees, and view only, possibilites. Three degrees port, full starboard rudder, would be a simplified film version, however, seeing people suffering with brain disorders, as other than refuse we do not understand, will mean valuing life. It seems odd, a group so staunchly pro-life as, "Christianity", is so ignorant of personal value where this, or any other, illness is concerned.

Part of this problem, is a paradigm, of every illness being a rebuke, from a God as punishment for disobedience. When, is there a time you heard of someone being healed of Diabetes? Alzheimer’s? Muscular dystrophy? Or Parkinson’s? The church is very happy to see these disorders as involving a person still of value, however, not so persons suffering from brain disorders, of which, there is no healing experience. These people, are either possessed by demons, or master villain, devil himself, and must become, a normal, again, or faith of people suffering with these disorders is ruled false.

One clear fact, remains to be accepted in this century, there is no more need of healing, than there is for any other disorder, for a person’s life to be of value. A person, suffering with a brain disorder, can be returned to a state of wellness and recovery, without needing to be healed of any disorder. Modern medication therapies, psychoanalytical treatments and psychosocial rehabilitation, are capable, of returning a person to a state, in which, there is valued contribution to our community. We must shift our paradigm, from the third degree, to allow ourselves, to see these people as worthy of successful treatment. Then we can call ourselves, a civilized nation, of loving, understanding, caring, kind and compassionate people. – Mark Robert Gates

Benefits of Membership in Carriage House Clubhouse

2006-01-15T16:51:00.000-05:00

© 2006 Mark Robert Gates

I have been a client of Indiana's, Fort Wayne community mental health center, Park Center, for many years. During that time, I have received services, as well as, serving as a volunteer in various capacities. After receiving Appreciative Inquiry training, my first voluntary position was participating on the, Steering Committee, that designed the new, Transitional Care Services (TCS) facility, and its programs, and then chairing the committee for aiding family involvement in TCS treatment. My involvement in these steering committees, led to a mutual decision, to make me an employee of Park Center, as a peer-support specialist. I felt, concerned this position, would impact my level of participation, at the Carriage House clubhouse, however, felt it was important for me to attempt working again.

The application process took months, setting up appointments, and interviewing with the brass. After exploring all the avenues, and attempting to find a place that would take advantage of my abilities, I was hired to teach computers, at, Park Center’s Drop-In Center (DIC). The premise was simple enough, and the intentions were all good enough, however, we were all years ahead of the current funding streams, for mental illness treatment. It seems you cannot pay for education with Medicare and Medicaid, and the administration, found it difficult to justify my position, without being reimbursed for my services.

All the other roles we tried to place me into, at the DIC, did not work out. I had no idea what I was supposed to be doing, and not a clue, that I was not doing the job right. I have, only little education in psychology, and none in social work, so I had to leave the position. I also received an offer, from the local office of Vocational Rehabilitation to put me through, computer trouble shooting and repair classes, and try to get me certified. A much better open door than in the beginning.

As a condition of my employment with Park Center, I was unable to receive services while being employed, and since the clubhouse is a service under the umbrella of Park Center, and they removed me from the books when I got hired. When I attended the clubhouse on my days off, I was considered a volunteer, which meant Medicaid would no longer reimburse the Carriage House. I began seeing, instead of Park Center treatment staff, an outside doctor and an outside therapist. Also, in the jumble, my payee-ship for my social security check transferred from, Park Center, first, to the local trustees office, and then finally back to myself.

After the disappointment of loosing my job, I walked back into Carriage House. They all welcomed me with open arms, and told me how much they missed me, all without any regard as to whether or not the clubhouse got paid. I am now helping with my computer skills, within the day program, and helping out any other way I can, without any reimbursement coming to Carriage House since their billing is strictly through Park Center. Also, I am again volunteering for Park Center, writing essays about my successes and failures in self-help and rehabilitation, to be combined into a binder for groups. Which would finally start my career as a writer, something I have dreamed about since high school. My writing skill has long been recognized and championed at Park Center and Carriage House. Also, I am taking the initiative to try starting peer-led, self-help support groups. If we find there is funding, I may actually be rehired by Park Center as a peer-support specialist for aiding with, peer-involved and peer-led support, in their OutPatient Stabilization (OPS) program.

The clubhouse model has been around since 1948, but is relatively new to Indiana. Its approach to mental health rehabilitation is unique and very empowering. People are referred to as members, not clients or patients, and we all have a voice in what happens in the clubhouse. The club is governed by a set of standards provided by, our, International Center for Clubhouse Development (ICCD) http://www.iccd.org/. All of which are there to see that we all are treated with respect and dignity. As an example: There are no closed-door staff or member only meetings in a clubhouse, and member’s records are accessible to each individual at any time. This is mandated by the Standards for Clubhouse Programs, and is a requirement of certification.

We do not come to the Carriage House to be maintained. We are here to participate in rehabilitation and encouraged to form lasting friendships, and work on educational and employment goals. Working back into our communities' mainstream and employment, is the chief objective, for those who choose to. The clubhouse builds our self-esteem, by giving us a sense of belonging, and prepares us to re-enter our community, and again work.

In every program I attended at Park Center, other than Carriage House, I was on my own as far as rehabilitation goes. Having to work with Vocational Rehabilitation separately if I wanted a job, and then only finding part-time work that was discouraging and paid little. Without specialized training and the Carriage Houses help I would still be on my own.

The first time I was in OPS therapy, I did not know my diagnosis, and I could not explain what was happening to me. The group therapy was necessary, and fruitful in turning me around toward, being aware of my condition. Over time, I grew to a plateau, and stopped, just maintaining my existence at a level requiring constantly being taken care of, and where I found no hope of ever rising above that level, in my life. Meanwhile fighting everyday, not to sink lower, and giving in to the criminal impulse to write bad checks, to gain what I could not otherwise have, and thereby have what otherwise was hopeless. Or, so I thought, for such was my mind-set then.

Much of my life has been lived, with people telling me I cannot be me. I was caught up in grandiose thinking, imagining that in order to succeed in life, I had to create a completely imagined and manufactured self. I became, completely isolated from the whole community, on the outside of Park Center’s, however, I am accepted at Carriage House, as myself, and not required to be working towards becoming, someone else. I am my own person with a cherished personality and with something worthwhile to contribute. Since being taught that I can do something of value for someone, I make my own opportunities. Moreover, I have marketable computer and communications skills. Now I am free indeed, and an empowered citizen advocate, with a future.

This powerful boost to my self-esteem, also, lifts my values, and gives me the will to live a better life, and the desire to succeed at being me, in a friendly, and social way. Respect for the law, and a prudent sense of direction, are lasting changes in my psychological profile. Recently, I had the opportunity to train with the police on nonviolent crisis intervention. I want to continue to sow on the right side of the law, and reap the benefits, of living the good life. All of which is inspired, by the Carriage House, taking time to care about my life, which in turn destroys the allure of criminal activity. I want what is best for me now, too.

The nature of our handicap, when we suffer from mental illness, is such, there need to be rehabilitation programs, like Carriage House. Programs like this, need a reliable funding source, as well as the ability for self-determination, something they do not have now. The clubhouse model programs and philosophy are dramatically different from mainstream medical models, such as mental health centers.

Mental health treatment needs to be more holistic. We must begin to treat the whole person; realizing that improving their education is as important as taking medications. Getting a job is as needed as seeing a therapist. Having a social life is paramount in sharing love. Funding that focuses, so heavily on just the medical aspects of the person, forces us to see only the disability. We need a place to go where we are people first, with potential, not problems and complex disorders.

Incredibly, putting the necessary dollars, into rehabilitation through programs like our clubhouse model, will increase our efficacy, both Carriage House’s, and mine, and enrich the lives of millions of those who suffer from mental illness. The clubhouse does look at the whole person: their educational needs, social needs, vocational and medical. This approach, puts us people, back into the mainstream, and ultimately reconnects us with real life. Please give us the resources necessary, to nurture our whole being. Please invest in, what succeeds where others fail, and fully fund the clubhouse model approach.

– Mark Robert Gates, copyright 2001

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

2006-01-15T14:53:00.000-05:00

© 2006 Mark Robert Gates

Respect for rights, of all persons suffering with a mental illness, is a new civil rights movement, for our 21st Century. There are many ways to go, many views to see, many experiences to share, many topics, many points and many are valid options, as diversity is the key to success. Everybody is different, and there are no one way treatments, of which, will allow for individuality, and prize each person’s personality.

There are many, new and modern treatments, available we know will work, however, finding a correct mix of medications sounds simple. In reality, it can take years to find an exact type of medication therapy, psychosocial rehabilitation and psychoanalytic therapy, capable of recovery, and returning a person, to a state, of wellness. And, coercion is not an answer, as all treatment, must be voluntary, to be effective.

We are all people, with valid feelings and emotions, and cannot be put into a box. Pegboards used to evaluate, however, give us a good analogy, each person can to be likened to a single peg, and a system of help, must create a peg hole, shaped like each individual, separate person. There are a lot of options, and where we go, will depend on first discovering, where we are, and finding where we are, can take years, and focusing on recovery and a paradigm of a state of wellness, can be difficult, if our society, remains prejudiced.

We are all entitled to, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, however, some prejudices see those suffering with a mental illness, as persons, unintelligent and lacking any cognitive ability, to transform their own lives. We must value each person’s recovery, and a paradigm of wellness, and pursuit of life, liberty, and a pursuit of genuine, happiness, as there are many ways to live, free and happy, and we can all live, free and happy, only, if we do not denounce living, free and in happiness, for others. We all need to stand up, for all person's lives, liberties, and rights, in order to preserve, our constitutional freedom and right, to each live our own lives. It can be difficult to achieve, life, liberty, happiness, and recovery to a state of wellness, if others believe there are persons, who are not entitled, to human dignity, respect and equality. – Mark Robert Gates

I Support Criminal Diversion

2006-01-15T14:48:00.000-05:00

© 2006 Mark Robert Gates

I support criminal diversion, for any persons discovered suffering with a mental illness, in our justice system. Removing mentally ill persons, from, unjustly occupying our prison system, is a necessary step in social progress, however, all laws, involved must clearly state, only behavioral issues can be diverted, however, if intent to commit a crime is found to exist, then prosecute. For some, suffering with a mental illness, correctly handling a stressful situation can be difficult, and there can be times where a person, finds oneself, in a stressful situtation, and merely freaks out, emotionally, and without violence, then handles oneself, inappropriately. Also, persons suffering with a mental illness, who are found to be, in our criminal justice system, and jails or prisons, need to have options counseling, as a part of being sentenced or released. Reducing, mental illness social stigma, requires educating all persons, about the possibilities of getting help, and making all people, aware of all possible, positive outcomes.

The light at the end of the tunnel, in mental health treatment, frequently is beyond many bends and turns, and not visible without proper counsel. It will help to explain to all persons, diagnosed with mental illness, their life is not ending, and hope is yet, their’s, for achieving all dreams. Social, community, education and vocational rehabilitation are necessary to restore a person's dignity. Helping a person, to voluntarily move down a road toward recovery and wellness, means society will have to welcome those successfully treated, into our community. There needs to be a no person left behind clause, for disabilites, in America, for us to be a society of loving, caring, kind, understanding and compassionate individuals.

So, let us cut to the chase, our only real thorny issue is, how much is best practices mental health care going to cost. No one hospitilized for mental illness treatment is ever going to be able to afford to pay for their own treatment, also, it is extremely unlikley anyone being removed from our justice system, or otherwise entering mental healthcare treatment, will ever succeed in finding any full time employment, and be capable of paying for their own treatment and medications. We will see people suffering from mental illness, as an albatross, unless, we see throwing people to the dogs, as cruel and inhuman. So, legislating criminal diversion, and directing offenders, and all others suffering with mental illness, to psychiatric care, is a necessary social step forward, however, if not properly treated, brain disorders will not improve. Good psychiatrists, psychologists, psychoanalysts, psychosocial rehabiltators, therapists and counselors are expensive. Currently Medicaid and Medicare do not reimburse at a rate a professional earns in private practice, causing many professionals to stay, however, if American and Indiana citizens, can trust our Congress' to decide their own rate of pay, then we can, also, trust mental health care professionals, to do the same. We know what treatments work, however, are we willing to pay, for the results we want to see. – Mark Robert Gates

Personal Growth Knows No End, We All Climb The Mountain

2006-01-15T09:29:00.000-05:00

Photograph property of Webshots

Creation Is A Gift To All, Regardless Of Person

2006-01-15T08:59:00.000-05:00

2006-01-12T11:15:00.000-05:00

Photograph courtesy of NASA photography

2006-01-12T11:11:00.000-05:00

Photograph courtesy of NASA photography