Biases can blind you to facts

 We all have biases, some of which we are not even aware. If you are a creationist, you are biased against all the science that threatens creationism, but not that which benefits you, because you use and trust those. If you’re with the Pope’s acceptance of evolution “by God,” you will gravitate toward the confirmation bias that manipulates science to fit the Book of Genesis.

If you are biased in favour of big industry, you may criticize science only pertaining to global—warming data, but not the science of fossil fuel as energy.

If you love gun ownership, you will embrace the science of ballistics and explosives and only disagree with the science of death by gunfire statistics, and seek confirmation bias toward a political party that supports your wishes while not being acutely aware of the party’s motives; for example, getting funding from the NRA. You may also support this party regardless of its behavior in other ways, depending on how strong your desire to own guns is.

Please notice: No matter what the bias is if it isn’t founded on evidence, it propagates by attacking science. This is the common denominator of wrong biases. That is because the pillar of logic and the center of truth is science, which must be defeated by all who misrepresent truth.

If you believe that COVID is not a threat, you will discredit all the science that proves it is a threat, and believe only the science that supports your worldview. If you include, create, or believe lies, or twist science, to confirm your bias, you become part of the problem that’s gripping the world. Flat earth believers who are wise enough to use science are very bold liars indeed because they know exactly how they are misrepresenting the scientific disclosure they are using, forcing it to support their flat earth bias. 

Ideas for Volunteering in Retirement

My friends sometimes tease me about the number of organizations I am involved with on a regular basis. One of my friends said to me the other day, you and I volunteered while we were working. We spent 100's of hours helping, taking charge and running programs successfully. I have had it I would not do it again for love or money." I laughed as he was right but for him. I enjoy what I do, and I know that it does help some people. Not everyone will continue to volunteer once they retire, and many when they retire consider volunteering as a way to help pass the time. No matter what helps you decide to volunteer, or makes you think about volunteering it is important that you select something you are passionate about, and that you decide how much time you will spend on the activity on a monthly basis. I know there are a lot of well-known organizations that have extremely active and established volunteer programs, such as Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, American Red Cross, and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Alternatively, you may want to devote your time to serving political campaigns you believe in or work with organizations that help seniors or other groups.

I was talking to one senior, and we were discussing volunteering and he said that he and his wife wanted to volunteer but when they started to explore their options, he said a number of places put restrictions on them. I asked what he meant. He said the organizations wanted to dictate the number of hours they could volunteer, the days they could volunteer, etc. He said he and his wife were not willing to give up their retirement freedom, even for good causes.

Schools, hospitals, libraries, and food banks are all outlets where you can offer your availability locally. If you’re looking for other interesting and off-the-beaten-path volunteering ideas, why not become a: 

·         Sports coach 

·         Art teacher

·         Music teacher

·         Museum docent 

·         Local tour guide 

·         Foreign language or English as a Second Language teacher

Or donate your time to a local: 

·         Nature park or wildlife preserve

·         Botanical garden  

·         Recycling center

·         Neighborhood cleanup committee 

·         Religious center

·         Animal shelter 

·         Women’s rights organization

For anyone with limited mobility or transportation, there are ways to help without leaving your home! You can mentor students online, make fundraising calls, foster animals, offer administrative help, or become a host family to an exchange student.

The big issue with volunteering is that there are not enough volunteers to go around and that is a problem. If you find your passion and start to help, it is too easy to fall into a time trap where you are giving too much of yourself and you will burn out. So, my advice is if you start to volunteer, learn to say no quickly to new opportunities that will be presented to you, By learning to say no, you will still contribute while having fun without losing yourself to a time trap.

 

We didn't start the fire

Thanks to Colleen for this

Boomers are constantly being criticized for every conceivable deficiency of the modern world, real or imaginary. We know, we take responsibility for all we have done and do not try to blame others. HOWEVER,   upon reflection, we would like to point out that it was NOT the Boomers who took:

The melody out of music,

The pride out of appearance,

The courtesy out of driving,

The romance out of love,

The commitment out of marriage,

The responsibility out of parenthood,

The togetherness out of the family,

The learning out of education

The Golden Rule from rulers,

The nativity scene out of cities,

The civility out of behaviour,

The refinement out of language,

The dedication out of employment,

The prudence out of spending,

The ambition out of achievement

And we certainly are  NOT the ones who eliminated patience and tolerance from personal relationships and interactions with Others!

And, we DO understand the meaning of sacrifice and remember those who have fought and died for our country.

YES, I'M A SONIC BOOMER!  

I'm the life of the party...

Even if it lasts until 8 p.m.

I'm very good at opening childproof caps.....

With a hammer.

I'm awake many hours before

My body allows me to get up.

I'm smiling all the time,

Because I can't hear a thing you're saying.

I'm sure everything I can't find is

In a safe secure place, somewhere.

I'm wrinkled, saggy, lumpy,

And that's just my left leg.

I'm beginning to realize that ageing is not for wimps.

Yes, I'm a SONIC BOOMER and I think I am having the time of my life! Now if I could only remember who sent this to me, I would send it back to them.

Or, maybe I should send it to all my friends anyway.

They won't remember, even if they did send it.

Spread the laughter Share the cheer

Let's be happy  

While we're here.

With a little help from your friends

We all have friends but as we age, we may lose some of them, so perhaps it is time to think about how you can learn from your friends, while you still have them.

Have you noticed that you can often learn surprising things from just watching your friends? Because chances are extreme that some of what they chose this in this life for facing certain fears, mastering certain challenges, and raising certain bars you chose for yourself as well, which was part of the attraction that brought you together and made you friends.