Rants, Raves, & Recollections

Category Archives: opinion

Unlimited Power

The other day I was out walking with my partner. Trying to lose weight, each day I attempt to increase the distance and length of time I walk. Mustering the strength to go farther on one occasion, I started singing to myself the words from the Eagles song, “take it to the limit one more time”. As I repeated those words, I was infused with the strength to increase my distance.

It was then I understood how those powerful words could be used for motivation in the pursuit of my daily goals. When I find myself getting discouraged, anxious about my expectations, I encourage myself by repeating “take it to limit one more time”.

Often we fail to recognize how close we are to the successful culmination of a particular objective. Sadly, we tend to give up or tire out when the finish line was just one more step, one more grunt away.

Time and again we hear stories of accomplished goals which occurred when everything seemed the bleakest. Entrepreneurs often tell how their success came when they had to fight the urge to throw in the towel. These individuals found motivation, something urged them on in spite of the difficulties, even though it appeared that the desired target was too far out of reach. Something impelled them to “take it to the limit one more time’.

I have learned from my experiences that nothing worthwhile comes without effort and trials. I have also come to appreciate that anything is possible if you focus your efforts on a target, don’t lose site no matter how obscured the target becomes. Muster all your energy and don’t give up. Cry in agony if you have to, but get up and try and try again.

I use to think that successful tycoons have special gifts. While it is true some are extraordinary in talents, for the most part the only thing that really sets them apart is their single-minded goal and determination not to quit.

There are many very talented people who never accomplish what they set out to initially do. It is not the talent that makes one successful in their ventures. It is the ability to persist when everything looks impossible. In the words of Thomas Edison, “genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.”

So when I want to achieve something I try to remind myself to ‘take it to the limit one more time’ and make sure I don’t give up just before the miracle occurs and it will indeed occur if I ‘take it to the limit one more time’.

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Giving Should Come from the Heart

by Doran Roggio

Each of you must give what you have decided in your heart, not with regret or under compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.
2Corinthians 9:7
ISV (©2008)

I have strong opinions about subjecting one to charitable giving under compulsion. What do I mean by compulsive giving. I am speaking about the practice of public collections for charity in the workplace, stores, and even places of entertainment. The practice of approaching a person in a public place and asking for funds. A practice that uses embarrassment and coercion in order to get one to contribute to a cause.

Recently my daughter came for a visit to Prescott Valley, Arizona where we opted to dine at Chili’s Restaurant. The dinner was good, the service adequate and friendly. It should have been an enjoyable experience. My distress came when the waitress brought our check and proceeded to ask for a donation for a charity. I said no thank you. I do every time someone attempts to put me on the spot.

I am not suggesting that we do not give to others in need, though admittedly I am reluctant to give to the major charities since the allocation of funds is often questionable. I prefer to give to those in need as I encounter such ones in my daily life. It is a personal choice to contribute to such organizations and many folks enjoy giving to the well-known, established charitable associations. I have no argument with that.

My dispute is against the tactic of seizing opportunity to put individuals ‘on the spot’. Giving should come from the heart, it is only by giving from the heart that a person can experience the joy that comes from heartfelt giving. When it becomes compulsory, whether from the need to avoid embarrassment or feelings of guilt, the joy is diminished and the gift of giving becomes a begrudging task.

I would have had no objection to a box by the cashiers booth or something set up by the door for collections. This would have given me the opportunity to give as I am moved from my heart and not as a compulsory act that robs me of the choice to give and the joy that comes with that decision and the act of giving.

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Are Semi-truck Drivers Making The Highways Unsafe

by Doran Roggio

When I became of age to drive quite some time ago, drivers, as a whole, were more courteous. This was especially so with the semi truck drivers. Thankfully so, for as a young girl I was quite a speedy driver.

I loved being on the highway and traveled throughout the country by car for many years. In my younger days the semi drivers were the most courteous drivers on the road. If you passed them on the highway the drivers would signal you with their lights when it was safe for you to move back into the lane. Semi drivers used to be so courteous they would even blink a signal when coming from the opposite direction to warn when a patrol car was up ahead. I always opted to drive the highways late at night when there was barely any traffic but the large trucks because I felt safe.

I traveled a great deal at night and the Semi’s nearly owned the roads until the early morning hours. I never felt intimidated traveling alongside those massive vehicles with the courteous drivers. If you broke down you could rest assured that some semi driver would pull over and help.

Today the highways are not as enjoyable to drive, though I still like the open road and take road trips across country. Unfortunately, the semi-truck drivers are no longer as friendly as they once were. Forced by a weak economy to exert beyond normal capacity in order to make deadlines, too many of the truck drivers have become aggressive, using their size to intimidate the automobile drivers on the road. Many drivers are on uppers to stay awake and have become dangerous to be near as their focus and reflexes wane.

A few years back I applied for a part time job with a truck driving firm that hired and trained personnel to become drivers. I was appalled to learn that the majority of the persons they hired were ex-cons. While I am not against aiding ex-prisoners to get work the fact that the majority of these drivers are from prison could be a valid reason that semi drivers have become so much more aggressive and far less courteous.

Too often I have felt the intimidation of the impatient semi driver bearing down so close to my car that anything unforeseen would carry the large rig through my car and end my life.

There are other reasons that eighteen wheelers have become so dangerous on the road besides just the inconsiderate drivers. Oversized loads and faulty brakes for example have made the large rigs dangerous. Many states are setting new laws and cracking down with increased inspections and weight stations. Supposedly, enforcement officers are on the lookout more for speeding and/or reckless truck drivers.

I only hope the crackdown will help to bring about safer conditions for the automobile driver when having to travel the highways with these monster vehicles. As for the drivers and the fading courtesy, I wonder if it will return to the friendly highways that I enjoyed in my youth. Once welcoming the opportunity to drive the highways with the courteous semi-truck driver, I now take to the road when the eighteen wheelers will be less abundant.

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Roasted Red Pepper Soup: V8 or Pacific Brand

by Doran Roggio

One of my very favorite foods to eat is red pepper. You could say I am addicted to red peppers. Eating roasted red peppers gives me the same euphoria as a morsel of chocolate gives to others. I put the peppers in salads, stews, soups, spread on bread or just eat roasted red peppers out of the jar, often eating a whole jar in one sitting. So why do I tell you about my love for red peppers.

It all begins with a recent trip to the grocery store. While getting my food items, I thought about my favorite peppers. I picked up a few jars of roasted red peppers for munching, moseyed over to the soup aisle looking for Pacific Roasted Red Pepper Soup, a ‘to die for’ soup that comes in a box. Much to my dismay there was none of my favorite soup on the shelf.

I looked behind jars, straining my glance to each end of the soup aisle. Not a single box of Pacific Roasted Red Pepper Soup. I was about to go home insatiate and noticed another brand of the soup standing proudly that seemed to enticingly say, ‘take me home and try me’. By now I was feeling desperate for the taste of my favorite soup. I stared at the box; I picked it up and read the brand, ‘V8 Roasted Red Pepper Soup’.

I thought to myself, ‘V8 is a well-known brand. I like V8 juice. Shall I give it a try?’ By now my mouth was watering for the Soup. I put the box of V8 Roasted Red Pepper Soup in the cart, paid for my groceries and headed home, all the while salivating and getting anxious for a hearty lunch of the deep red velvety soup.

Groceries put up, pot on stove, soup heated and I am at the table with the first spoonful and ready to dig in for that tasty sip. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical…the V8 brand had a slightly rougher texture and was the color of rusty orange rather than the deep rich red of the Pacific brand.

My first reaction was to immediately spit out the mouthful of soup. Could I have read the box wrong? I ran to the fridge and looked again this time wearing glasses. No, I had not read it wrong. It certainly said Roasted Red Pepper Soup. I was disappointed immeasurably. Not by any stretch of the imagination did this strange textured and odd tasting stuff resemble my favorite soup.

Anyone who knows me personally will testify to the fact that I can eat almost anything. I love food to my detriment. However, the flavor of this odd tasting substance that dared to be called red pepper soup was so offensive to my taste buds that I could not stomach the V8 brand soup and had to trash the whole box. Even the smell was unfamiliar and distasteful. There are no words to describe the taste, smell, color and texture, except it was like comparing bologna to fillet mignon. One fact is certain, in no way did the V8 brand resemble the rich, exquisite taste of Pacific Roasted Red Pepper Soup.

In summary, if you are going to try boxed soup, I would, without reservation, say avoid the V8 brand and go for Pacific Roasted Red Pepper Soup if you want indulgent, palatable and favorable soup.

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