StraightUpAmerican.com

Greetings,

I went for a walk around the place today and as I emerged from one of the little paths we’ve cut through the trees I turned to look back. I could see the path clearly for a ways and then it branched and one side disappeared into the brush. I was standing there considering whether to go back and take the other path just to see what I’d missed when it occurred to me, that would be a nifty trick in life. Haven’t you wondered how your life would be different if you had taken that other path?

So, I did. I drove into town and rented a time machine. It’s a really good deal because you can keep it as long as you want and return it at the same time you pick it up. I brought it home, plugged it in, and turned it on. Once it was all booted up, it asked to when did I want to go. I pondered this question a long time. How far back was far enough; how far was too far?

I went back to that day in junior high when I stopped doing something I loved because someone made fun of me. This time I chose not to listen. I followed that path to its end and it was a good path. I went back to that day when I decided not to enlist in the military. This time I proudly signed my name. I followed that path and it too was good. I went back to the day I dropped out of college. This time I determined to see it through. I went back and followed my bliss without listening to the doubts of others. Time after time I went back and made different choices, different decisions. I acted and reacted differently in certain situations.

What I discovered was that along each path there were times of sorrow and times of joy, periods of struggle and stretches of leisure, successes, failures, accomplishments and regrets. Each path had its rewards and each held a price. In the end I understood the path I’m on is exactly the right path for me, and what matters is not the choices I made but those I’m going to make.

Happy trails and good travels.

Cordially,

Tim Couch

Greetings,

I hope your day is a malted milk ball day, just cause I like ‘em.

I recently attended a School of Instruction where I overheard an interesting question. The school was on Masonic Ritual and several current and past ritual instructors were present. For demonstration’s sake some of these instructors were asked to perform parts of our ritual and believe it or not, mistakes and errors were made. The question that I found interesting was, “If all these ritual instructors can’t do it perfectly, then how can you expect us mortal Masons to do it perfectly,” or something like that.

What struck me as interesting had nothing to do with Masonic ritual, but instead the question of expectations. The person asking the question apparently felt that the level of ritual proficiency to which he was expected to rise was determined by someone else. And I wondered, how much of our lives do we live according to the expectations of others? Do we measure our successes or failures by how well we live up to their expectations? And, if I strive only to live up to the expectations others have of me, do I not run the risk of falling short of my full potential? If I allow someone else to determine what’s expected of me, am I not denying myself a basic freedom of being?

Sure, society places certain expectations on all of us: live within the law of the land, tolerate and be tolerable to your neighbors, wash behind your ears, etc. But, those are simply the parameters we accept in choosing to live in a civilized society. Beyond that, though, is a boundless and limitless world of possibilities and expectations in which you get to choose.

You get to choose what is truly important to you. You choose in what and to what level you excel. You determine what brings you fulfillment, and happiness, and joy. It’s a freedom, a basic human right and responsibility, to set the expectations of your life and you should not relinquish that right nor concede that responsibility to anyone.

That being said, I expect you’d like me to get on with it. So, I will. Have a good week, and spread Light and delight wherever you go.

Cordially yours,

Tim Couch

The ‘Special Order’ non-legislative debate on the FairTax plan hosted by Iowan Congressman Steve King marked a milestone moment in the FairTax movement. The bill (HR 25, S 296) now has fifty-one co-sponsors from both sides of the political aisle in Washington, more co-sponsors than ever before. This is a grass-roots movement with legs that will eventually become law. The only question that still exists is how much damage will the politicians do before the people insist on the passage of this bill.

The full video of the ‘Special Order’ debate is below. The first few minutes will give you a good idea of what the FairTax is about. Give it a listen. It’s good stuff.

Word has just gone out that the ‘Special Order’ non-legislative debate on the FairTax to be held today in Congress and televised on C-Span will be earlier than 6:00 PM, possibly as early as 4:00 or 4:15 EST this afternoon.
The debate will be recorded and posted on YouTube for those who are unable to watch it live. Below is our original announcement with the times changed:

On Tuesday, March 17, 2009, beginning around 4:00 PM EST, Iowa Congressman Steve King will host a ‘Special Order‘ hour of non-legislative debate on the FairTax bill (HR 25, S 296). This event will be televised on C-Span.

If you are not yet familiar with the FairTax plan this will be an excellent opportunity to find out what’s the big deal. Tune in to this televised event to find out not only what the FairTax is about, but also to get an idea of the ignorant, self-serving, and political arguments against it. Should be fun for everyone.

To learn more about the FairTax bill visit www.FairTax.org

To get involved in supporting the FairTax visit FairTaxNation and/or ZapTheIRS.

The money you earn and pay in taxes determines the extent to which the government controls your life. Isn’t it time you had a say in how much that is? Become informed. Get involved. Be a citizen.

Regards,

Tim Couch

I hope your day is as sweet as fresh cream butter on a warm yeast roll.

Did you ever notice how little we notice? I stepped out on the back porch a while ago. I went through the usual routine; checked the temperature; took a few deep breaths; considered all the homeowner projects that need doing; shrugged off the panic that comes with considering all the projects that need doing, and then something caught my eye.

My neighbor is building a barn just on the other side of the property line. And, it’s not like he only just started it. It is almost completely framed in. Granted, he works a lot faster than I do but when did all this happen and where was I and why didn’t I notice it sooner? And if I don’t even notice a barn going up right next door, what else have I missed?

It’s not that I don’t care about my neighbors or what’s going on around me. It’s just that I’ve apparently fallen into a habit of focusing only on the little rectangle of life that I control and am responsible for. Which, I guess, is not necessarily a bad thing but what if they were in trouble; what if they needed help; what if they were simply lonely and I just didn’t notice because my focus stops at the property line? What if I needed help? Would they feel comfortable crossing that line to offer assistance, or would they stand on the other side and wait to be asked? When did I become such an isolationist? Am I alone in this, or have we all narrowed our focus to the point that we live parallel lives?

I think I’m going to make more of an effort to know my neighbors. Nothing big, probably. I’ll just take a couple beers and walk down the street until I see someone who looks thirsty. Or maybe I’ll just put a bench out near the curb and sit down and see what happens. Maybe my neighbors would like to know me.

Maybe it’s time to turn off the T.V. and shut down the computer, and venture out into the neighborhoods that surround us. Maybe it’s time to recognize that we’re all in this together, that we all must depend on each other, that life can not exist in a vacuum, nor can a meaningful, rich, and full life be lived in one.

Regards,

Tim Couch