Learn To Have Patience

For without it life could be made more painful than it truly needs to be...

"Let us train our minds to desire what the situation demands. "

~ Seneca

In life there will be many times and situations where things just aren't moving fast enough for us and there's nothing we can do about it. This is simply an inescapable part of our existence here on Earth.


SUCCESS COMES IN STAGES

Getting upset or trying to rush things when they shouldn't be is often a fruitless exercise of frustration. Not everything is going to move at our pace. We need to condition ourselves to appreciate each step of the process.

You really do have to crawl before you can walk. And baby steps are progress too. It's how confidence and skill are developed first before moving on to bigger things. We don't try to rush a baby when they're learning to walk because we know it will take however long it will take and that's just that.

But how quickly we forget this critical lesson that comes early in life. Baby's don't give up when their efforts fail to bring fast results. Their parents don't either. Yet there are areas we think we have the power to speed things up and get mad when it doesn't go like we'd hoped it would.

Remember the fruit is the last part to develop on a plant or tree. The tiny seeds must first germinate. Then roots form as a stem begins to grow. Then leaves appear as the stem turns to branches. All while the roots are getting stronger and longer under the ground where no one can see them, and the tree or plant grows taller.

It is not until everything is just right and have fallen into place do the flowers form, get pollinated and bring forth fruit. This is the sweet reward for the patient planter who has learned to nurture while growth takes place. His patience pays off in a bountiful harvest. Life is no different.

If the fruit forms too soon, the branches are unable to bear its weight and collapse. The fruit becomes bruised or lost completely. There's a reason the internal programming sequence doesn't try to bear fruit until the time is right. And neither should you.

So be patient and let things take the time they must, even if to you it doesn't all make sense on the surface. Trying to rush things often doesn't end well.

BRACE YOURSELF -- TO GET YOUR GOALS

"Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got a second." ~ William James

By A.F. James MacArthur Ph.A.L.

EVERYBODY wants to get in shape for the new year. Tis the season!

For the next few weeks gyms from coast to coast will resemble mosh pits at a rock concert. Wall to wall bodies.

But statistics tell us out of the nearly 50% of you who set the ill-defined goals of "losing weight" or "getting in shape," the overwhelming majority will give up long before getting there.

One of the reasons we slack off on fitness routines, especially as we get older, are aches and pains in different places on our body. Live long enough, stuff starts hurting. But this is true whether we're active or sedentary. So if we're gonna hurt anyhow, might as well get the rewards that come with an active lifestyle.


LEARN FROM THE PROS

The author wearing his "combat sleeve,"
providing compression for an elbow injury.

Knee braces, ankle wraps, shoulder sleeves and lifting belts are just some of the more common support devices used to stay in the game.

With proper care and the right gear it's possible to work through or work around all kinds of pain, sprains and discomfort. Before you decide to sit out a workout, talk to an experienced training and or medical professional to see if a simple brace or wrap along with a modified routine can help keep you in the saddle.

Losing momentum is one of the most sure paths to falling off. You don't want that.

Except in the most extreme cases of serious injury, there are usually ways to keep going. Again, with proper guidance of course. But you have to resolve in your mind your desire to go for it!
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Physical culturist and former multisport athlete, James MacArthur, has trained for, competed in, practiced and even failed at more sports and physical endeavours than a crossfitter on crack! And has the x-rays to prove it. Currently no longer involved in competition, a lifelong fan of being fit, MacArthur guides, instructs and motivates select few individuals seeking to make the most of their natural talent and abilities.

Get Help If You Must, But Get It Done

Squatting is one of my favorite lifts. Few movements engage your entire body and builds strength the way this pilar of the big three will. In my peak I was doing around 500 pounds with ease. But I always needed some kind of "help."

Without some sort of knee support or wrap, I can barely get past my warm up sets without my knees feeling they're just going to buckle and collapse under the weight.

Besides the usual wear and tear of decades of pumping iron, competitive running, both track and distance, and just being a big guy, my knees have really taken a beating. I was shot in my knee, by and unknown gunman, basically a sniper.

I've also suffered numerous injuries to the area, many of them unrelated to sports or competition. But I press on anyhow. For me life isn't about giving up or making excuses.

Despite my having to use braces and wraps, I've still gained a ton of fitness and strengh from doing this exercise. In fact, you'll find nearly 99% of the highest level, world class weightifters use some sort of knee support when squatting.

Life Is Like Lifting

There are many things in life that we need to do, that we'll grow from doing, but often shy away from because it seems too difficult. Or something about our condition or circumstance makes it seem like we'll just never be good at it.

It could be a certain course or class. Maybe taking on new challenges at work. But we shy away and avoid it.

Sometimes we hesitate too long before seeking assistance. Asking for help is so often associated with being weak or less than whole. That simply isn't true. It's better to get something done, even if you need some kind of help, be it coaching, mentoring or guidance, than to not get it done at all.

It is virtually impossible to attain your full potential as a person, as a human being, without getting assistance along the way. So don't be afraid, don't hesitate to get help when going after what you want, when seeking what you need. Go get it done!

And at some point you'll be given the opportunity to be someone else's help. Do the righeous thing, pay it forward, keep your cycle going and give back. After all, in this life, the more you give it's the more you'll get.

x

On Life And Lifting

We're never gonna be what we used to be, but each day we have an opportunity to become something we've never been.

When I first started lifting more years ago than I care to admit here, I had all these big goals and aspirations of what I was gonna get out of lifting. Now decades later I look back through the years and see some it I've achieved, a lot of it I haven't.

My workouts have changed greatly through the years.

When I was young asthetics held a much more prominent place in my motivation than it does now. I mean, who doesn't want to look good right?

But as I've gotten older and have had to deal with natural age related changes in my physical appearance, from thinning and graying hair and other things I rather not talk about, I realized how I look may change more quicker than I can control.

Whereas in the strength department, I'm still basically off the charts, and I've learned I can hold onto that, even increasing and improving it, much more than I can my ruggedly handsome good looks. 

I want to be able to look at heavy stuff, whether weights or real world objects, command it to move and with my might and my muscles, make it move -- without blowing my back out.

Today for the first time in a year I deadlifted in the high 400 pound range and didn't feel like I  was going to die. I also curled 60 pound dumbbells with ease.

Once I was strong, well balanced, a muscular young man. Now I'm middle aged, hanging on to what I got, and looking forward to making the most of what's lays ahead in life.

Today I lift to live. For the long haul. A life of strength and health is what's most important. All else is secondary.

Trucker Josh -- Living In America

A few weeks ago I had the misfortune of being stuck just outside of Omaha, Nebraska.

Standing in a long line of people waiting for a table or booth to open at a highway diner, it began to look as if it might be lunchtime before I got breakfast.

Josh was ahead of me in line. We struck up the sort of small talk typical of people stuck together in long lines.

He pointed to an elderly couple and told me he'd let them skip ahead of him. I told him that was really kind of him and it just seemed like the right thing to do.

Breaking Bread Together

"Hey, if you want man, when they [the hostess] calls me you could sit with me and you won't have to wait as long, Josh said.

Although home is Virginia, Josh rarely sees it. Not just because he's a long haul, over the road truck driver, but his soon to be ex wife basically told him she really didn't want him around. So for now, he's more or less made the road his home.

He told me stories of some of his epic, near record breaking coast to coast drives. He also explained to me the difference in driving for a good company versus a bad one. For 21 years now, driving trucks is what he's done for a living.

I Got It

When the check arrived, before I could reach for mine, Josh told the waitress "give em both to me, I got it." I asked if he was sure. He insisted.

After exchanging numbers we parted ways and continued on our separate journeys. His was his occupation. Mine was one of discovery and exploration.

"We'll meet again," was the last thing he said to me.

We've stayed in touch and exchanged a few texts and pics from our travels.

A week ago we learned we'd both be in Armarillo, Texas around the same time. So we met for dinner. This time I paid.

Indeed, we did meet again.

Postcards From The Road

When you travel the country as frequently as I do, your often forced to make a deliberate choice about your direction.

Unlike a daily commute to work, where you can pretty much get by on autopilot and still end up at your destination, a long journey requires a bit more precision if you ever expect to get there. Wherever there may be.

Of course, it's exactly the same in life.  Achievement requires deliberate decisions and persistent effort to get where we want to be. You can't just give up and call it quits after a few wrong turns.

We can get by day to day without ever putting much conscious thought or effort into making decisions.

But in the long run, in the big picture, if you really want to get somewhere with your life, it's going to require accurate, clear thinking  and ongoing deliberate decision making. Not just letting things happen, but MAKING things happen -- the way you want them to.

Somewhere Along The Way You Might Find Out Who You Are

When I first started #JamesAmericanJourney my motivations were pretty simple. I wanted to get up, get out and see the country, meet people, and have unique memorable experiences that would have been impossible had I stayed within the bubble of my everyday routine familiarity.

A year and a half later and having visited 46 states later, a new dimension is being added to the journey. I intended to more carefully chronicle and document some of my experiences and share them with you.

I hope you join me as we explore and discover different places together and meet people and learn their stories, all across this vast and diverse land that is our country.

This is #JamesAmericanJourney.

Welcome Aboard!

Winning Takes Work!

By A.F. James MacArthur Ph.A.L.

"The universe is transformation; our life is what our thoughts make it." ~ Marcus Aurelius

A student recently came to me for advice on a personal problem. He was frustrated! He told me all he'd been doing and he was upset the results he expected to see weren't happening.

After getting some specific details I proceeded to tell him where I felt some simple changes could make a difference.

He looked and me I said "that sounds hard!"

I said, "well it is. I didn't say it would be easy. But it's simple."

The whole exchange forced me to compare our conversation to a larger metaphor on life.

So few people really achieve what they hope to in life and they're often puzzled why. But upon closer examination, you see people putting in an ordinary amount of effort, but somehow expecting some kind of extraordinary results. I wish it were that easy, but it isn't. It just doesn't work that way.

If you've ever chopped a tree (or seen it done) with an axe like I have, there's a vital life lesson you can learn from the process. It's doesn't matter how tired your arms are or how much they hurt, and how much you feel like quitting because the tree just won't fall over. It won't until you put in all the work needed. Nothing less. You've got to keep swinging!

Maybe you started thinking the job would be over after 100 strokes and you get there and the tree is still standing. Is it really that hard to figure out what to do? Of course not, you gotta keep on swinging. It's not over till it's over.

It's the same way in life. Things don't always happen as easy or as quickly as we hope or think they should. That doesn't mean it won't happen. But if we give up too soon, it guarantees we'll fail.

If we want to get the most out of a given situation, be it our job, school, relationship, athletics or what have you, we have to give it our all. Continued, persistent effort of doing the things we know we need to do really does pay off. As basic and simple as this may sound, hearing it is one thing. Knowing it is another. Yet applying it is where we usually fall short.

Life is hard! Winning takes work.

A lot of times when we think we're doing all we can do and we even say so in conversation, a brutally honest close examination reveals something else.

The older I get, the more I realize, there really are no shortcuts to success. This doesn't mean we won't get unexpected blessings and surprises sometimes, but I've found it is those who are most prepared for opportunity are the ones given the most opportunities in life.

In other words, I'm saying don't ever give up. Keep working. Work hard for what you want. Don't give in. When things aren't going your way and you're not achieving the results you believe you deserve, sometimes you have to stop, step back, and self assess. Make sure you're really doing all you can do towards getting your goals. If not, begin. It's never too late. If you're still alive.

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Physical culturist and former multisport athlete, James MacArthur, has trained for, competed in, practiced and even failed at more sports and physical endeavours than a crossfitter on crack! And has the x-rays to prove it. Currently no longer involved in competition, a lifelong fan of being fit, MacArthur guides, instructs and motivates select few individuals seeking to make the most of their natural talent and abilities.

Virtual Team Challenge - Row With It!

The Numbers

• 66 - Team Navy's current position out of 435 teams from around the world

• 814,225 - total team meters

• 101,000 - my total meters rowed so far

• 1 - my position on team as the one with the most cumulative distance... so far

Current as of 0700 EST

Day 14 of the 31 day challenge finds me in good spirits, and over all highly motivated. 

Some mild signs of fatigue are starting to show. 

Thankfully, my pre-existing foot injury has shown no signs of irritation or worsening. The healing and recovery is actually progressing quite well.

I've rowed everyday since the first of the year. Some days even rowing twice.

Being part of a challenge offers extra motivation along with an element of excitement. It's much more fun than working or exercising without passion or purpose.

I believe one of the primary reasons people quit exercising is because they find themselves in a place where it's no longer fun anymore. Couple that with vague, indistinct goals and not having a firm "why" and eventually - much sooner than later for many - exercise gets blown off.

Fitness For The Long Haul

"Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got a second." ~ William James

By A.F. James MacArthur Ph.A.L.

Gyms from coast to coast are jam packed with new members right now. But strangely by summertime most will have fallen off. Old school gym rats like myself has seen this same routine, year after year, for decades!

Losing weight and or exercising more still ranks higher on the list of New Year's resolutions than anything else. Americans are obsessed with the idea of getting in shape. Yet judging by the rate of obesity increasing each year, we're evidently not very good at it.

Why is it so many fail? Repeatedly.

Part of the problem is most of us really don't know what the heck we're doing, or even why we're doing it. More on that later.

We want big results and we want them now. When we don't get that kind of instant gratification, eventually we lose interest and before you know it, half the year has passed and you realize you really haven't stuck to goal of "exercising more" or getting in shape.

We view fitness as an end result of "working out" then the rest of our lives are completely incongruous with healthy living.

We're a nation that loves excess. We eat too much (of the wrong foods), drink and party too much, smoke too much, work too much (mostly sitting on our butts), watch TV and even cruise on the internet too much. After doing all sorts of things that destroy health, we convince ourselves that somehow a little exercise, or even a lot, will fix everything and make it all okay.

Instead of making healthy living and exercise part of a more balanced lifestyle, we view it as a task, something to be checked off daily to-do lists. That sounds like work. Don't we spend enough time doing that already?

Perhaps it's time we rethink the whole way we see exercise and getting in shape. More than just something we do, it should actually be part of who we are.

A more balanced, healthy approach to living needs to become an essential and interwoven part of our existence. It is only then do we stand a realistic chance of success.

In the coming weeks and months I'll use this space to share with you my best ideas and concepts on how to live more dynamically and achieve better overall fitness. This will be an ongoing journey of discovery. I hope you'll join me.
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Physical culturist and former multisport athlete, James MacArthur, has trained for, competed in, practiced and even failed at more sports and physical endeavours than a crossfitter on crack! And has the x-rays to prove it. Currently no longer involved in competition, a lifelong fan of being fit, MacArthur guides, instructs and motivates select few individuals seeking to make the most of their natural talent and abilities.

Jesus Didn't Drive A Cadillac #PalmSunday

Followers of Christ should not forget who they're following and how He rolled

Note; artist rendering used for illustrative purposes only, NOT AN ACTUAL PAINTING OF YESHUA

"And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'"

-- Yeshua (The Christ) as recorded in Mark 8:34


As Christians around the world celebrate "Palm Sunday," I hope that among the ceremonies and festivities, the powerful, profound simplicity represented by Yeshua (The Christ) is not lost.



When Yeshua walked the earth, he actively denounced the established organized religion of the day and the way in which it was practiced. The hypocrisy of the holier-than-thou hyper-religionists was a regular topic of his ire.

Benny Hinn's Malibu mansion. I wonder how many times extra rooms have been opened up to the homeless?

"Therefore, whatever you want people to do for you, do the same for them, because this summarizes the Law and the Prophets."

-- Yeshua (The Christ) as recorded in Mathew 7:12 (ISV)

Joel Osteen's Texas estate.

He had no huge castle, palatial temple built with the building fund, elaborate attire, or other fancy trappings often associated with modern ministers and the church today.


Despite certain interpretations, an understanding of the era shows travelling by donkey as being the modern day equivalent to a Honda Civic. Basic, reliable transportation.

Pastor Creflo Dollar. A fitting name no?

Far from ostentatious or making a statement of status, like say a Bentley or Gulfstream jet, the donkey simply got you where you needed to go. Slowly.

Like everything else about the life of Yeshua, selection of this mode of transportation, on this particular day (walking was the usual way), was more than just coincidence or happenstance. It was an example. An example for the people then, but especially for us now.

Truth is, royalty rode mighty stallions. Camels were common. For the ultra fancy, a chauffeur driven chariot might be had.

But no other animal placed it's rider as low to the ground, and on the same level, accessible to the masses, as did the donkey. A man riding a donkey literally has his feet close to the ground. Other animals have the rider up high, looking down on the people. The donkey places you among the people.

Ministry is about serving. Serving those in need, not serving ourselves. Not lifting us up above others. But about sometimes even getting down on our knees if need be (see foot washing and communion the way it's described in the bible), in order to perform our duty to our fellow man.

Oh that pastors and parishioners would take this object lesson to heart.

Make no mistake, in the time of Christ there were rides available far exceeding the luxury of a donkey. None were chosen.

Whether you like it or not, it's true; Jesus didn't drive a Cadillac. I'm just saying.

Destiny Is By Design #MacArthursMusings

 "Destiny is not a matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for. It is a thing to be achieved."

-- William Jennings Bryant

Look deep within your heart. Figure out who it is you were meant to be. Then go for it with all your might. 

Don't care what people say. Follow your own way. Live YOUR life. Whether others choose to live it with you or not.

BELIEVE in destiny.

There will be plenty of setbacks and setups. Many will secretly desire to see you fail.

Friends and lovers will come and go. You will be used. Even abused.

In the great journey of life, sometimes we walk the road together, sometimes we must go it alone.

It's important to know, no matter what happens, stay focused. Eyes straight ahead. Keep moving.

Something great awaits you. It's yours if you want it. Now go get it!

‪#‎MacArthursMusings‬
‪#‎Meditations‬

Season Milestone Achieved! -- Exceeded 10,000 Meters Rowed In One Day

Today was particularly exciting for me as we began the second week of the month long World Erg Challenge indoor rowing tournament. For the first time in over a year, I exceeded 10,000 meters in a day.

Actually completed 12,000 meters today. That's about 7.5 miles!

That moved me up to position 8 out of 34 members on the team. The ones ahead of me should serve as inspiration to anyone. 

Of the seven, one is age 76, another is 61, there's also a 59 year old. These guys are beating me! Simply amazing!

Really excited to be back in the challenge this year. My body has adjusted well after the first week. Although the sessions are still grueling, I'm handling it relatively well. Although I did have a mild calf cramp today though. Nothing a little bit of foam rolling didn't help.

Current standings: 

Team Navy -- 22 out of 163 teams (a few new entrants have come along)

Personal position: #8, with 47,353 M total so far.

Ready All Row! -- WEC 2015 Week One Totals

A Look At Numbers After The First Week Of Rowing On The Erg

As of Saturday, 22 March, my current distance total stood at 24,853 M.

This contributed to Team Navy landing in 21st place out 150 teams from around the world.

Within the team, as of that date, my personal standing is at 14th place out of 34 members. 

None of this has come without very hard work.

Very proud of the effort and accomplishments of my team mates.

Just Shut Up And Row! -- World Erg Challenge 2015

Participants Seek To Accumulate Maximum Distance From 15 March To 15 April

Just why would anyone want to sit down on a device -- seen by many as an instrument of torture -- and go through a repetitive series of often agonizing, sometimes painful (it's a "good" pain though), grunt inducing, heavy-breathing-causing motions for 30 days?

"Greetings shipmates,

It is time for the World Erg Challenge.  Join us again for the chance to win prizes and represent the Navy."

It's official. Not only was it time once again to test my physical and mental endurance, will power, and quite honestly, the durability of my behind (hours and hours sitting on your butt!), but I was being officially invited/reminded by the team captain. And for this there's only one way to respond.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!

Until I saw that simple message from team captain Clay Christensen, I'd totally forgotten all about this yearly event. What has become a spring time rite of passage for me.

For hyper competitive former athletes like myself, even simple things like a two sentence email are hard to ignore.

As the first week of the challenge nears completion, my body is adjusting to the rigors of rowing. Especially rowing on an ergometer.

More importantly, my scheduling and time management ability is adjusting as well, as fitting in the time to do this is a immense challenge unto itself. Giving new meaning to the "challenge" part of the event's title.

This is my first blog of the event, I'll save the more nitty gritty details of what it's like to do this, and the physiology and mental state involved for future posts.

Despite entering the challenge nearly two weeks late in 2014, I'd like to think I still kicked butt!

We Take This Seriously

Of the teams all around the world participating, all have slightly different approach to the World Erg Challenge. Some are more hardcore while others see it as a purely fun and social thing.  For Team Navy, we're somewhere in the middle, leaning more towards hardcore.

Last year out of over 220 teams from around the world, we placed 22nd with a total of 5,415,474 meters! Salute to Peter who topped our team at 500,504 meters. Insane!

Today Is Gonna Be A Great Day. I feel it! Listen to this VoiceBo

It's Kiss MacArthur Day!

Ladies, now's your chance. It's a little known fact, but if you do it today you won't be in trouble with your man...

I suppose tis the season when EVERYONE and I mean EVERYONE in America is suddenly Irish. I'm not, but this is interesting.

The ancestors of the MacArthur family come from the ancient Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. The family name comes from the Celtic personal name Arthur. It denotes the 'son of arthur', which means noble one.

The roots of MacArthur definitely has some Irish origins, but make no mistake MacArthur is as Scottish as it gets. I suppose like Idi Amin, I could be the Last King Of Scotland. It's ok, I've settled for Chief!

So what are you waiting for? Come on, KISS ME!

Freedom's Worth Fighting For -- Things Are Starting To Move A Bit Around Here...

"Whatever you do, do with all your might."

-- Cicero

For the most part, besides occasional updates here and there, this blog has been more or less abandoned by me as duties maintaining and updating numerous other websites, Facebook and Twitter pages have pretty well taken up most of  my time.

Reaching 2.2 million people is no small feat. The potential power to rapidly disseminate information is frightful to those that want to control conversations and public thought.

While most people use social media as a great past time or hobby, for some of us this is actually a part of our job.  A big part. In my case full time and then some.

After seeing over 2 million people view my posts on Facebook last week (our most viewed platform), I was truly overwhelmed and elated that my work had landed before such a large audience.

Unfortunately my celebration was only short lived.

"...in order for democracy to survive, strong alternative, opposing voices of dissenting opinion are imperative."

Facebook failed to say when the 24 hours began.

On Monday morning Facebook police and their Brown-Shirt censors decided an editorial post I made was too much, and without discussion or any appeal process, I was promptly banned from posting, liking or pretty much doing anything on Facebook for 24 hours. A caveat was also added that if I continued my "offensive or abusive" (in a pop-up not shown here) behavior I could be permanently deleted.

The implications here are pretty strong. Free speech may be guaranteed by the government, but the private mediums which make it not only possible, but effective, are under no obligation to comply.

It is critically important to understand that in order for democracy to survive, strong alternative, opposing voices of dissenting opinion are imperative. This is the necessary balance needed for things to stay aright.

As soon as a voice not in sync with the mainstream begins be silenced, it's at that very moment your democracy begins to slowly die. And you won't even notice at first.

Even this very blog, were the folks at Google (it's hosted on their servers) to decide it didn't fit inline with their standards, this too could literally vanish in an instant, never to be seen again.

But just what are these so called "standards?" Who sets them? How to do we know when they've been changed or updated?

Other social media accounts can be eliminated on similar grounds using similar rational.

In the end all the would be left is me and my voice. With phones readily disabled, disconnected, signals blocked, jammed or scrambled, even they're not as reliable as you think.

I don't often agree with Bill Maher, but on this he's spot on!

Free speech could literally be reduced to having to go stand on a corner and shout. And even then, the police could readily arrest you for disturbing the peace. Don't laugh. It's happened to me before. More than once.


I'll never forget the Baltimore Police officer who approached me threatening arrest while I was leading a massive protest, involving several thousand cab drivers rallying for better work conditions and fair pay.

Officer Shut-Your-Mouth asked me if I had a permit for my megaphone. I looked at him and laughed. Asked him if he was serious. He informed me that in Baltimore you need a permit to use a bull horn in public.

Without going into a point by point detailed rendition of our back and forth -- including language not likely family friendly --  I'll surmise it by sharing this much:

With his handcuffs pulled out ready to arrest me, I looked him dead in the eye and stated thus; a permit implies the need for permission. As if I needed the government's permission to speak in public. I DON'T THINK SO. Not in THIS country. Not here. Not now. NOT EVER! And as such, in my eyes, I couldn't care less what the ordinance said, the concept of needing to apply for any permit of any sort to speak in public is absurd in every way.

Disgraced former State's Attorney Gregg Bernstein may have not been indicted, but we helped him lose his reelection.

Surrounded by several dozen angry cab drivers -- upset by his presence and his threats to disrupt the protest by taking me down -- the officer eventually relented from his position. It didn't hurt that we'd reached a police commander by phone.

My comrade Larry "Celebrity Cab Driver" Wallace stood next to me, relaying to Officer Shut-Your-Mouth every thing the Colonel was saying. Initially the officer didn't believe him. He asked to speak to the Colonel himself. Let me just say, identifying himself as a numskull directly to the Colonel on the phone didn't work out to well for him.


Freedom Must Be Fought For

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

-- Thomas Jefferson

Free speech is only as valuable as our willingness to stand up and fight for it. None of us deserve any rights we're not willing to do battle for. Sometimes this means suffering. Temporary discomfort or even the ultimate sacrifice is the price many have paid in the past for freedoms we now enjoy. And should we wish to continue to have said freedoms, the price must be paid on an ongoing basis from time to time.
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"As long as I continue to breathe, as long as there's injustice in this world, I will use the voice that God has given me to speak against it."

-- James MacArthur

A House Is Not A Home, But They Took Mine...

Sometimes In Life We Suffer

Initially I hadn't planned to go into much detail on some of what I've had to deal with lately. But after so many reached out privately asking if I was ok and offering support, I feel a need to first express sincere gratitude for your friendship and concern. And secondly to clarify things a little.

Destruction, even if by deliberate design, often precedes discovery.

In the past week the government scored a major symbolic victory in their now years long campaign to destroy or discredit me by whatever means possible.

The house that I'd worked long and hard to purchase was sold off in a foreclosure auction.

This wasn't a shock or surprise. I knew it was coming. But it still has some pain accompanying it.

Writing a confessional story like this and putting my business out to the world, itself isn't without pain.

With the excess amount of taxes, fines and penalties levied on the house -- most originating while I was illegally incarcerated for six months -- I'd decided long ago I would not pay them. Besides being lots of money over and above the mortgage owed -- around $40,000 total -- there was a principal involved.

Funny thing, I was able to quickly negotiate arrangements regarding the arrears on my mortgage. It was the larger, extremely complex, convoluted issues involved the myriad of overlapping confiscatory, punitive fees, fines, taxes and penalties levied by the government that brought this about/

I refuse to capitulate to what I see was the culmination of a series of deliberate events intended to bring me down.

Well, they've succeeded. Sorta. They got the house, but they did not bring me down.

Truthfully, since the time between when I was placed in a hostile siege, surrounded by over 100 armed men -- far more than was said they sent for Bin Laden -- by many measurables, I've experienced far more success in different areas than I ever thought I would. Much of it as a direct result of their attempts to destroy me.

Having an effect opposite of what they'd hoped, I now have more readers, more followers, a greater number of public supporters, than I'd ever thought I would when I first began my campaign of bringing truth to the masses.

Financially, although no large nest egg now exists, and I live on faith each day. Via a variety of means, I've been well taken cared of and adequately compensated for my labor and efforts. Actually making a bit more money than I had in the time leading up to my arrest.

I don't mean to sound cliche when I say, I have my God and my friends to thank for every good thing that's happened to me.

The road ahead is filled with uncertainties, but also filled with mystery and wonder. New discoveries await. Many victories yet unaccomplished are still to come as well.

My commitment remains where it has always been. To faithfully carry out my calling as guided and directed by Divine Inspiration and direction.

It's alright. I'm ok. I think God can explain.

Best Birthday Wishes For Ms. Josephine!

So my mom and my family were blessed by her seeing another birthday today.

In her 70's she's still as strong and energetic as ever. She refers to the "elderly" people she checks on and looks after; never considering herself the same.

If there is any care and compassion for others in me; without a doubt, it definitely comes from my mom. She raised us well.

She spends tons of hours each week volunteering. Whether it's her efforts carpooling folks to church services, helping to cook large meals for various functions, or working with young people and children, my mom stays incredibly busy.

And when she's not doing that stuff, I almost guarantee you'll find her in her garden, or maybe even on camping trip.

Although she's often threatened to get on Facebook (let's pray that never happens), she'll probably never see this.

However I still feel compelled to publicly acknowledge this day and express some appreciation out into the universe. If you see her, wish her happy birthday!

We don't get to pick our parents, but, I have immense gratitude to God for the ones he gave me. To be my age and still have both of them is truly a blessing.

May He grant her many more. I could only hope to be permitted by the Father to be on this earth as long as she has and in her condition of sound mind and body.

Happy birthday mom!

Apologies for the 25 year old photograph. It's one of few I have of us together.

If You're Going Through Hell, Keep Going Don't Stop...

Received some pretty devastating news today.

Adversity is something we all must go through in this life. Some of us more than others.

How we handle it when it comes makes all the difference.

At times doors have to be slammed shut, not just closed, so you get a message loud and clear that it's time for you to get out of there. Where ever "there" happens to be.

Not every place we find ourselves getting comfortable and wanting to linger for a while, is necessarily where God wants us.

When you trust in Divine Guidance and God tells you FORWARD MARCH, you move. Without hesitation. Even if what lays ahead is unknown.

Faith or fear, which will you choose to embrace?

I love the motto of Clan MacArthur; part of my family's ancestral roots.

FIDE ET OPERA.

Translated from the Latin it literally means FAITH and WORK. For me the only keys to any meaningful success in this world.

No matter what may come, the many challenges and battles that await, I will continue to put my full faith and trust in my Heavenly Father. The Almighty God. To Him be the glory!