Ain't THAT The Truth?! Observations on LIFE and its Controversies

By Dee Jones

Its human nature to over think things making life more complicated than it really is. Feeling that there isn’t anything we don’t know or need to know, can lead to losing sight of ourselves or reality. With positivity and the mindset of a leader, it’s easy to see that life and its lessons are quite simple.
The first step to a more tranquil life is becoming receptive to new knowledge. Regrettably most people are followers not leaders. Either being incapable or refusing to think outside the box. The box is how you were raised, your city, lifestyle and or your profession. It’s much easier to have others form your opinions for you but is ignorance really blissful?
Recognizing and acknowledging truthfulness is liberating. The truth is an awesome learning tool. Speak it and people will call you crazy or admire your gumption but you’ll surely gain undivided attention. It can also be a hard pill to swallow causing folks to shy away from it like a plague. Living truthfully is another matter and sugar coating the truth is a lot like lying. The truth is what it is, so embrace it instead of running from it.
Ain’t THAT the Truth?! is a culmination of 50 years of knowledge gained by simply observing all aspects of life. The profound, funny and progressive musings provide insights for the everyday lives of everyday people. An entire book can be written about each topic.
It’s meant to be a conversation piece that most age groups can relate to or learn from. You’re encouraged to discuss these subjects with family, friends, classmates and co-workers. My intent is to make you laugh and ponder issues while you learn to master the art of living well.
Some of the things you read will shock you, some segments will make you laugh and others will make you say, damn! Aint THAT the Truth?! Open your mind and enjoy.

Reach out to Dee Jones and post your comments on this and other book seller sites.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dee Jones
• Release date: Nov 27, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310457159

Dee Jones

Dee Jones is a counsellor for nearly 30 years, and is also a specialist consultant, researcher and speaker around any ASD [Autism Spectrum Disorder or “Aspie”], or also known as ASC [Autism Spectrum Condition], work. She has worked with thousands of people over these years, and has never stopped her research into the area. She is also a mother and now a grandmother, a poetess, additionally, she once wrote a musical too. She loves reading, swimming, walking, socialising with friends, going to the theatre, writing stories and having time with her family. A Kiwi, she has jumped the ditch, and now lives in Brisbane, Australia.

Book preview

Ain’t THAT the Truth?!

Observations on life and its Controversies

A little knowledge about a lot of things

Dee Jones

Ain't THAT the Truth?! Observations on LIFE and its Controversies

Dee Jones

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 by Dee Jones

License Notes

This ebook may not be re-sold. If you’d like to share this book please purchase an additional copy for each recipient at Smashwords.com. Thank’s for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

A

Accountability....................everybody can’t be wrong

Acronyms and Abbreviations symbols of laziness

Adversity...............................trouble don’t last always

African-Americans...............history has not been kind

Alcohol.......................................................truth serum

Alzheimer’s........................................go with the flow

Anonymity..................................be like everyone else

Anxiety.............................................this too shall pass

B

Bad Breath.........................................could be medical

Banking.....................................convenience is the key

Bible...........................................written and re-written

Binge Drinking.................smart people/ dumb choices

Bullshit.....................................shit seeks its own level

Buying Gifts...........................................keep it simple

C

Cancer.....................................................fierce disease

Celebrities..................................................autographs?

Cell phones.......................................changed the world

Class...................................................cannot be bought

Coaches......................................those who can’t, teach

Common Sense....................................it’s not common

Cooking............................................olive oil is the key

Cosmetics.................................................fact or fiction

Crime...................................................use street smarts

D

Dating.....................................................rules to follow

Death..............................................brings out the worst

Dieting..........................................................way of life

Diversity.....................................learn from differences

Driving...................................................................relax

Drugs.........................................................being altered

E

Emotions...................................don’t live life based on

Envy...................................talked about, thought about

Eroticism...........................................okay to get freaky

Exercise.....................................key to staying youthful

Eyeglasses....................................................fit the face

F

Faces..............................................windows to the soul

Favors......................................................no and hell no

Feng Shui.......................................................symmetry

Foreigners...................................privileged newcomers

Friendship...................................appreciate differences

Funerals.............................why put glasses on a corpse

G

Gangs.............................................................hooligans

Ghetto..................................................world is a ghetto

Golf.........................Gentleman Only Ladies Forbidden

Graciousness.................................grace under pressure

Greetings......................hugs, kisses, handshakes, nods

H

Health..........................................appreciate it everyday

HIV/AIDS...................................................devastation

Home................................................never invite drama

Homosexuality.........................................secret society

Hosting a Party.............reserve the right to refuse entry

Hygiene....................................................daily regimen

I

Idiots........................................................do stupid stuff

Insanity................................................................lunacy

Intelligence.........................................shut up and listen

Internet........................................................who knew?

Inventions............................... greatest of 20th century

J

Job Hunting.........................knowledge, skills, abilities

Juice................................................different meanings

Justice.......................................................peace of mind

K

Karma.................................................................it’s real

Kids.............................................environment is crucial

Kitchen...............................................#1 gathering spot

L

Laziness...........move your feet and your ass will follow

Leadership.....................................duty unaccompanied

Loitering...............................................hurts businesses

M

Marriage............................................blessed sacrament

Massages..............................................not for everyone

Masturbation....................................keep it to ourselves

Men...........................................trouble admitting things

Music...............................................times have changed

N

NAACP.........................................................black rules

Nigger.................................not who but what you think

Night Clubbing......don’t go country if you like hip hop

Nursery Rhymes and Cartoons ..........................sadistic

O

Opinions.....................................................like assholes

Organizations..........................................CBB’s, CBO’s

Outcast’s...............................................non-conformists

P

Patience.........................................................slow down

Perceptions..........................................rush to judgment

Pet Peeves....................................................hate it when

Pets...........................................handle the responsibility

Policy Makers......................cops, preachers, politicians

Post Office...................................................run by idiots

Profanity................................Damn shit piss hell fuck!!

Q

Quality of Life.........................................how you living

Questions...................................................wonder why?

Quiet time....................................................1 hour a day

R

Racial Profiling....................since the beginning of time

Recreation.......................keeps people sane and spirited

Relationships..................be yourself and allow others to

Religion....................................how did we get so many

Romance..............................celebrating lovers holidays

S

Self-esteem..........................................explore attributes

Sex.........................................making love, fucking, oral

Slang............................Pig Latin, parlaying, jive talking

Social Climbing.......................................status symbols

Society..........................................shut down on Sunday

Sports..............................................imagine life without

T

Think Outside the Box ............. change is good

Traveling..................................be prepared for anything

Trouble.................................................don’t last always

Trust...............................................................assurances

U

Ulterior Motives..................................everyone has one

Unambiguous.........................................straightforward

Unions...........................................rarely worth the dues

Upbringing...............................................key to success

UPC Codes......................................................bar codes

V

Violence................criminals usually know their victims

Virginity......................................different for each sex

Vote...................................................right to complain

W

War...................................................empty the prisons

Wealth........................................stop being pretentious

Weddings..........................exceptional yet inexpensive

Whores................................................the book of Ruth

Wine.........................................reds, whites and blends

Women.......................................mean, evil and hateful

Work.........................................separate work and play

X

X Lovers.....................................friends shouldn’t date

Xenophobia.................................................fuels hatred

Y

Yearning...........................................just have to have it

Yoga.............................................................inner peace

Youth.........................................resist being individuals

Z

Zealousness..............................find what motivates you

Zits....................................................................exfoliate

Zodiac Signs..............................................compatibility

About the Author

Fostering Chaos!! Excerpt

INTRODUCTION

Its human nature to over think things which makes life more complicated than it really is. Feeling that there isn’t anything we don’t know or need to know, can lead to losing sight of ourselves or reality. With a positive thought process and the mindset of a leader, it’s easy to see that life and its lessons are quite simple.

Successful, well-traveled, versatile individuals have common denominators. A desire to be unlike the majority in their environments -because true role models show you exactly what you don’t want to become- and they’ve learned that life is not so complicated when you gain a little knowledge about a lot of subjects. These individuals follow their own lead as opposed to emulating others. They are the chosen ones of society.

The first step to a more tranquil life is becoming receptive to new knowledge. The average person has the ability to achieve this comfort level; regrettably most are followers not leaders. Either being incapable or refusing to think outside the box. The box is the way you were raised, your city, your lifestyle and or your profession. It’s much easier to have others form opinions for you but is ignorance really blissful?

If you faithfully watch the nightly news, you’ll probably not venture into an area you’ve heard negativity about and you’ll tell loved ones not to go there either. This is a classic trait of a follower and you’re allowing others to control the way you live. The hardest thing to do is to be an individual. It’s safer to conform to what everyone else is doing, feeling and believing.

When someone gains wealth, loses weight or just gets better with age people want to know, What’s your secret? It’s crucial to know your strengths and faults. Secondly, find humor or seek knowledge in your daily encounters and interactions. Finally, relax because only you can live your life. Change what you can and don’t worry about the rest.

Recognizing and acknowledging truthfulness is liberating. The truth is an awesome learning tool. Speak it and people will call you crazy or admire your gumption but you’ll surely gain undivided attention. The truth can also be a hard pill to swallow causing folks to shy away from it like a plague. Living truthfully is another matter and sugar coating the truth is a lot like lying. The truth is what it is, so embrace it instead of running from it.

Ain’t THAT the Truth?! is a culmination of knowledge gained by simply observing all aspects of life. I hope my musings provide new insights for the everyday lives of everyday people.

It’s meant to be a conversation piece that most age groups can relate to or learn from. You’re encouraged to discuss these topics with family, friends, classmates and co-workers. My intent is to make you laugh and ponder issues while you learn to master the art of living well. Who knows, you may discover that you are a chosen one indeed.

Some of the topics you read will shock you, some will make you laugh and others will make you say, DAMN! Aint THAT the Truth?! Open your mind and enjoy.

Accountability

‘Everybody can’t be wrong’

If the rumor mill implies that you’re an evil bitch or a greedy bastard and new people entering your life begin to feel the same way, then maybe you are how you are perceived. Everybody can’t be wrong. Instead of butting heads with those who’ve pegged your negative traits, slow down and pay more attention to your behavior and less to others. Take responsibility for your actions. It’s easy to see their fucked up ways but it often takes an act of God to look internally for our own individual short-comings.

Making honest assessments of your strengths and weaknesses is the first step to being accountable for them. Simply recognizing and accepting personal shortcomings isn’t enough. As long as there are people in our lives whom we have to respect, the need to be responsible will always exist. Therefore, owning up to our mistakes and considering the consequences of our temptations is extremely important.

Having six cocktails then getting in your car and causing an injury accident is your fault. No doubt about. You lifted those cocktails to your mouth of your own free will. Stealing from your family then getting upset because they won’t loan you money is your problem not theirs. Being a liability to oneself is okay but don’t put that burden on the shoulders of others.

Every action has a consequence. Unfortunately, we usually acknowledge the positive and run from the negative. We are what and who we are and that may never change. But it doesn’t diminish the fact that we will always be judged by and held liable for our actions.

Another aspect of being accountable is to never sell oneself short. When you are charged with accomplishing a task, don’t simply think that you can do it but know you can. If you’re in a position to try something, you are in a position to succeed. Confidence can often be seen as arrogance just as pride can be misconstrued for conceit.

Aside from learning to accept responsibility, learn to embrace compliments. Modesty often prevents us from seeing in ourselves what others see, be it good, bad or indifferent. Accept being the most pleasant person at work or having beautiful eyes. It’s okay to feel good about yourself, especially upon recognizing that you‘ve been wrong.

Acronyms and Abbreviations

‘Symbols of laziness’

Differences between abbreviations and acronyms are minimal. Acronyms are abbreviated letters of a phrase or undertaking combined to spell out a word, whereas abbreviations are initials for an entire name. Both give the option of writing or speaking in short form. Factually, they’re simply symbols of laziness. Why take time to say or spell something elongated when it can be said or done ASAP. Keep It Simple Stupid.

The USPS uses the Zone Improvement Program. Zip is interesting because it’s a word, acronym and abbreviation. Law enforcement agencies rarely use their actual names instead opting to use NSA, FBI, CIA, DEA, IRS, etc. DOT companies are always abbreviated. NTSB and NASA are most prominent.

Presidents and celebrities are acknowledged by abbreviations as if it were their first names, such as JFK, LBJ, A-Rod and MJ. Pro sports leagues and the NCAA have always used shortcuts though some can only be deciphered by true sports fans, like ESPN. A lot of men don’t want to see women play basketball yet they know what WNBA stands for.

The FDA allows food manufacturers to use abbreviations on packaging for ingredients that we need to know about such as MSG. And I don’t mean Madison Square Garden. We need to have more clarity on pertinent matters such as this.

Personalized license plates are a mode of self-expression and figuring them out can be fun, especially those that have a combination of letters and numbers.

The foundation of technological language is predicated upon using abbreviations to access, give and receive info. CD-ROM’s record CD’s. USB cables connect DSL, printers and cell phones to PC ports. ATT&T is an ISP providing WI-FI access to the NET where we use .coms to IM, view PDF’s and e-mail.

TV and radio stations use call letters like WWFU for identification. On TV you might like to watch the NBA on TNT, CSI on CBS and NCIS on NBC. You can still see re-runs of MASH, CHIPs and ER on cable. Does anyone ever say they’re going to the Automated Teller Machine?

Now-a-days, the English language is abbreviated too often. An example from the past; After leaving UPS on I-75 in MI, I drove 85 MPH to NYC, only stopping at BP and KFC to arrive in time for Xmas. Incidentally, the X is Greek for Christ. Presently, we need look no further than Twitter tweets and text messages. And far too many ignorant people are writing FB posts and filling out job applications in text format.

Even profanity is disguised yet any motherf#$@ker or SOB knows exactly how to f#$@ing translate this s%$t even in the G#dd@%n funny papers. Here’s an acronym for nosy people; DAMN, Don’t Ask Me Nothing! OMG, abbreviations and acronyms make me LOL!

Adversity

‘Trouble don’t last always’

What tomorrow will bring cannot be predicted so live for the unknown. Live so that there are no nagging regrets keeping you awake at night. Every minute, day and experience comes to pass. And so does misfortune. Adversity is just a test of strengths and abilities. Hardship encourages us to dwell on things we think we can’t do or feel sorry about. This mindset leaves us focused on negativity. During tough times is when our minds need to be the most positive.

Degrees of difficulty are defined by how we attempt to overcome them. In June of 2003, Eric Wienmayer climbed Mount Everest with the help of a guide named Jeff Evans. Listening to the wind and bells attached to Jeff, he was able to complete a feat that 90% fail to accomplish. If a blind man can climb Mount Everest, anyone can overcome most obstacles placed before them.

My, Grandma used to say, trouble don’t last always. In tough times, remember that time brings about change, though the hardest thing about change is accepting it. Your life will change if you get hit by a car and need a caregiver for the rest of your life. What if no one wants to care for you because you’ve always been self-centered? How would you cope with this situation? Would you surrender or try to stand and overcome it? It’s never too late to adjust and learn to handle misfortune. Just do it before you’re forced to.

Adversity is the one thing that makes us appreciate our privileges. Especially those small things about our day to day routines that we take for granted. Like the ability to turn a door knob, walk, feed ourselves, get up from a chair or put on shoes.

Never live life as a victim. If life sucks today it may not tomorrow, depending upon what you’re willing to do today. Get out of the habit of complaining and use that energy to chart a path to less stress or whatever it is that’s causing your adversity.

Prefer to be proactive as opposed to being reactive. Effort produces rewards not inactivity. Sitting on your ass and waiting for someone to rescue you from hard times is foolish. Closed mouths don’t get fed. So stop letting negative things happen to you and start making things happen for you. If you’ll settle for less, you’ll settle for anything.

African-Americans

‘History has not been kind’

African, Colored, Negro, Black, African-American. Except for the glaring omission of Nigger, these are the names historically used to define certain minorities. The one used most is Black although Brown seems more appropriate.

The term African-American was derived in the 1980’s by a group who no longer liked being called Black, although it’s better than being called a Nigger! Whomever who coined this term was probably born in the States as were most of their traceable ancestors and have never set foot in Africa. So how does a chosen few determine what an entire race will suddenly be known as?

It’s the only minority to inhabit America and not positively claim a chunk. Historically given the short end of the stick sure, yet failing to capitalize as a whole on the opportunities of this free country as others have. Italians, Asians, Arabs, and Mexicans have built strong communities by establishing businesses for future generations while supporting kin abroad.

Generally speaking, Negroes on the other hand have elected to be non-supportive of one another. Unity in black communities is almost non-existent except for loiterers, porch monkeys and the minimal amount of block clubs and kids sports leagues. Spite and envy are practiced more than extending the proverbial olive branch. This may explain the disproportionate amount of Blacks living in poverty and prison, much to the delight of the racists who relish dissension amongst minorities and black on black crime.

There was a time when whites would never acknowledge eating fried chicken and watermelon or listening to Motown sounds simply because those things were affiliated with a group they wanted nothing to do with.

Remember the term, Wigger which referred to White kids who identified with being Black? Many people got punched in the grill over that word since it really meant that Blacks were Niggers and white teens wanted to be Niggers too. Here’s a news flash. All races have Niggers. It’s a frame of mind that culminates in unacceptable behavior.

Parents became enraged over that phenomenon, probably preferring that their kids smoked crack before emulating ‘the hood’. To see the epitome of what a Wigger is now, you need look no further than Justin Beiber.

African-American influence is inescapable now. Even corporate America is capitalizing on the lifestyle created in urban cities. Advertising has taken an entirely different approach to marketing with a large percentage of it using Hip-Hop influence. Be it music, slang, athletes, posturing, rap and or clothing. McDonalds has even used the term Mickie D’s in its commercials.

African-American contributions to the world are astounding. The inventive genius of Colored folk created many items essential to our day to day living. Traffic signals, the printing press, refrigerator, post mark machine, elevator, combustion engine, gear shift, air conditioning, type writer, lawn mower, clothes dryer, dust pan, hair relaxer, the comb and mop to name a few. Unfortunately, almost none of those patents were retained to create wealth for future generations. Imagine the possibilities had these products not been taken out of their hands.

But we must make the most of the country in which we reside. History has not been kind to Blacks true enough, but dwelling on the past is counter-productive. Life is rough but we must embrace our history and excel in spite of it. I can think of an authentic African-American who embodies this message and his name is Barack Obama.

Alcohol

‘Truth serum’

Alcohol is a truth serum. It can be the root of all evil or the catalyst for a really good time. Being inebriated is one of those things that can simultaneously be fun yet dangerous with extreme consequences for both. Want to really get to know someone? Flood them with alcoholic beverages and observe.

Liquor releases all inhibitions enabling the real individual personality to emerge. Thus the saying, gin will make you sin. One beer or a glass of wine may not do it but when a person becomes overly affectionate or brave after a couple of cocktails, trust that their true persona will soon rear its ugly head.

After you’ve experienced someone who’s clearly had too much to drink, you know right away how you feel about them. If the experience was negative you may never see them in a positive light without referring back to the time they got drunk and acted a damn fool. One good drunken show-out can be unforgettable or unforgivable.

There are several types of drinkers. There are those who drink sociably at parties, special occasions or knock back a few only on the weekends. A lot of drinkers get cocktails at happy hour to avoid rush hour traffic after work or if someone else is buying. Then there’s the glutinous type that imbibes whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Of course there’s the alcoholic who gets juiced up whenever and wherever they can due to necessity, all the while thinking that they’re functioning normally. Drunks consume drinks like non-alcoholics consume food and water to survive. The worst type of drinker is the one who wakes up not remembering what the hell happened the night before. One positive about alcoholics is that they’ll faithfully go to work to earn money to buy more alcohol.

I’ve seen brilliant, stylish individuals piss their pants, fight strangers, vomit in cars and have sex in public. These events never would’ve occurred had they not been intoxicated. A drunk is the hardest individual to reason with and it’s absolutely true that ‘a drunk ain’t shit’.

It’s unfortunate that most alcoholics don’t realize their problem until they hurt or kill someone else. But if it takes the horror of sobering up in a jail cell facing felony charges, loss of jobs and families or working along the side of the highway, then so be it.

There’s nothing worse than seeing a drunken female carried out of a party or stammering and slurring her words. Nothing is cool about a dude passed out while his pockets are emptied. If you’re gonna drink, do so in a manner that enables you to enjoy yourself while maintaining dignity and remaining responsible for your actions.

Figure out what drinks your body will tolerate. Large men can intake a lot of beer while women do fine consuming wine. Men tend to handle hard liquors like vodka and scotch while females can better tolerate fruity cocktails and liqueurs such as Irish creams and Cosmos. Most importantly, don't mix alcoholic beverages, like wine with scotch, because the alcohol will quickly assume control over you. So keep it simple. Drink in moderation and make sure that your loved ones do also.

Alzheimer’s

‘Go with the flow’

The word for Alzheimer’s used to be senility and was attributed to the advance in age of senior citizens. It then became defined as a debilitating brain disorder. When a loved one has this disease it becomes quite disturbing to all who are affected by it.

Generally, it takes time to realize that a loved one is afflicted so the unusual behavior is often attributed to other health problems. There is nothing to reverse the memory loss and behavioral changes. Therefore, it’s useless to try corrective actions because trying to do so will only drive you crazy.

A rather troubling yet ironic common occurrence in Alzheimer patients is that many of them live well into their 90’s yet are unable to enjoy living for such a long time. That may be the most devastating aspect of the disease for family members. Adversely, most people bear the burden of having their bodies fail long before the mind goes bad.

Grandchildren grow up and reach milestones and are unable to share the joy with the full comprehension of an afflicted grandparent.

Hard-working adults who shoulder the responsibility of caring for a forgetful parent have to bear a heck of a burden. They’ll have to set aside their pleasurable needs and wants for an extended period of time. Most importantly, it’s very sad to know that time is passing by someone who has no idea of it.

There are ways to deal with this situation without going bald and losing your mind. Keep Alzheimer patients reasonably active. Try making frustrating times playful. If your loved one wants to go on a walk-about, go with them. You don’t want them to end up on the news as a missing person.

When they call you someone else, pretend to be someone else. If they hear a noise that you didn’t, say that you heard it too. Recall those activities that once made them happy and try to indulge them. Get a cake, add a candle and have a party. Go for scenic drives.

Make no mistake, this is a very serious illness and caregivers suffer greatly. Watching the regression of a loved one is a hard pill to swallow. Alzheimer patients shouldn’t be left alone for extended periods of time so caregivers should seek some sort of day care or respite to ease the burden while maintaining a