This is exactly what it says it is, a collection of some of my thoughts and ideas. I promise not to make this too long. So, with that being said, as Jackie Gleason said so many times… AND AWAY WE GO…… There are some truly amazing human beings on earth right now… I wish we could both pay more attention to people like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, The Dalai Lama, Chef José Andres and others as well as to what they are saying and doing. Since I brought that up, there are plenty of people within our close circles too… Way too often we seem to look elsewhere for wisdom or comfort or friendship when it’s often staring us in the face. I’m not talking about only listening to those we always agree with, more often I’m talking about those who don’t! There’s an election coming up.  Vote! This election more than any other I can remember will either build the foundation for our democracy or tear it down. There was a time when I never thought our democracy could be lost, the facts point in the other direction. Vote! Go old school… Everything is so digital now, right? It’s so simple to send somebody a quick text that might now even include words but just emoji’s instead. Go old school for a bit. Pick up the phone and have an actual conversation or send an actual card or letter to someone. (Especially if that person might be in an older generation than you are.) Allow yourself the luxury of stepping outside of your norms… Do something different or something you haven’t done in a long time. Listen to some music from a different country in a language you can’t understand. Rent a bike and go for a quiet ride. Take up mediation. Take stock of your surroundings… Go through your house and look at every picture you have on the wall. Study them. Remember them. Why they were important for you to display. Do they same with the knickknacks. Do the same with the furniture. Remember all you can about the things you’ve surrounded yourself with. Remember all the good things, good times and good vibes that come with them. A recent poll said that American’s are concerned about the FALL OF DEMOCRACY but it’s not in their top priorities… W H A T ? ! ? Look I’m concerned about the economy and crime and global warming too but without our DEMOCRACY none of us will be able experience any of the other things in life we like! Don’t think it can happen here? Uh, there was a coup attempt on January 6th! Ask yourself some honest questions and then give some honest answers… …..Instead of what’s wrong with me, ask yourself what’s RIGHT with me …..Do I have an open mind or am I just convincing myself I do …..Is there something I could do for (Fill in the name) that would make them smile or be more comfortable, […]

Each day remember to meet others where they are, not where you want them to be. Expect the same when it come to you! (If others are meeting you in a place other than where you are, explain to them where you are. If they can’t meet you there, then move on.) Peace       …..Gregg Read A Common Man’s Wisdom in the Substack app Now available for iOS Get the app

“Otherwise, it’s such a waste. “ We remember those who have treated us badly, but seem to forget those who treat us well.  We remember how high gas prices were, but not how low they are now.  We remember how much it hurt when we were injured, but forget how good it felt when we were healed.  We remember when the service we’ve gotten was bad, but are hard pressed to remember those who gave us good service.  If we have a bad experience statistics tell us that we will tell upwards of 15 people about it, meanwhile only 1 in 10 of us will leave a good review.  Why? Because too often, too many see the only way to raise themselves up, is to tear others down. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are full of accounts that bear this out. Maybe your friends are among them. Maybe you are among them. Don’t be.  Find the Character, Love and Gratitude you were meant to have and help others do the same.  Otherwise, it’s such a waste.  Peace      …..Gregg