That job you applied for really never existed — I am currently unemployed, as are many of my friends and relatives. We share stories of filing job applications and never receiving responses. Of approaching the management of stores that prominently display “Urgently hiring” signs, yet being told that the process of employment starts by filling out a form online…

What will be your contribution to the world? — This short video by Jon Kabat-Zinn describes how, without a practice of mindful awareness, it is easy for us to indulge in self-centeredness, thinking only of our own interests, welfare, or advantage. As Kabat-Zinn says, life becomes a movie about me, starring me, and the rest of humanity are…

Questions unasked on the paths to endless wars — No Man’s Land, an anti-war song written in 1976 by Eric Bogle, brings tears to my eyes every time I listen to the lyrics. and I can’t help but wonder oh Willy McBride do all those who lie here know why they died did you really believe them when they…

Because survival depends on calm, clear communication — I’ve been following Caitlin Johnstone’s articles about the fear-mongering propaganda employed by the mainstream media in Australia, insisting that the public needs to prepare, both psychologically and materially, for the coming inevitable war with China, Caitlin provides details of reports from Murdoch-owned Sky News, that include quotes from “experts”, including…

My written practice of critical thinking skills and compassion — I write about the importance of developing critical thinking skills and compassion. If we don’t learn how to effectively analyze information, we are easy prey for the propagandists. …

It’s Government funding that’s lacking — “ Dear Jean,” begins the email, “Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us. Unfortunately, there are currently no volunteer positions available. Please let us know if youare interested in being a fund-raising peer.” I often receive this type of response from non-profits. There are plenty of volunteers for…

Change your wording, change your attitude — Amanda Laughtland has offered an interesting prompt in her DIY Diaries series. Is Our Health the Ultimate DIY Project? A call for submissions from The DIY Diariesmedium.com “It occurred to me that my physical fitness is pretty much the ultimate in DIY because no one can do it for me,” says Amanda. …

Reaching an audience — There’s usually a whirlwind of thoughts in my mind, all struggling to find expression on the written page. That’s why I started writing on Medium. I have no one in my real life who also enjoys sitting down and sharing deep musings about the world that we find ourselves in…

Corporate billionaires control the US government, Republicans and Democrats are just their puppets — Some readers won’t be old enough to remember the Bhopal Gas Tragedy that occurred in December, 1984. Nearly 40 years after that disaster at the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India, people are still sick and dying due to the poisons in the environment, and in their own bodies. The…