Early Retirement for Injured Federal Employees
Does it often seem as if one is in the middle of the race, but that all of the rules have been abandoned by all other participants except the one that keeps struggling — you? The term itself has had a long history of proverbial applications and overused metaphorical usages — of the “race” against time; the “race of life”; of marathon runners, […]
If all negative words were expunged from the universe, would we hold only positive thoughts? Or, is there an inherent, innate need to recognize and state the negative, regardless? If you are sitting in your office and a lion walks in, pounces upon your least-favorite supervisor and devours him whole, do you turn to your colleague and calmly say, “He lived a very good life.” For, in such a universe, expunging the negative has been already accomplished, and such statements as, “Oh, what a horrible thing to have happened!” is no longer allowable, and the law has forbidden such discourse of linguistic negativity. Is it possible? […]
Does the one who strives for happiness as a goal ever escape the bonds of contented misery? It is the ecstasy of a moment’s glimpse, and then the feeling is gone; for, such is the fleeting nature of a sensation, and more of an encumbrance than a plateau of embraced attainment. Can happiness be gauged, like a heart monitor, taking one’s blood pressure, or in that millisecond of pain in determining the glucose level through the pinprick of time? Once, in generations past, when neighbors asked of one another the state of affairs, […]
Is monotony a negative trait? How about consistency? What is it in life that we strive for, search out and look under stones and around corners? Is it possible that the life we already have, live by and daily “just do” is the one that is fated, meant to be, and of a satisfactory contentment such that change and disruption would be an unwelcome alteration? […]
The dizzying pace of it all defies comprehension. We are, indeed, busy-bees, always engaged in this project, that protest, intervening in the affairs of others when our own are in such a state of disarray; up at it early in the morning and continuing until exhaustion sets in or wayward dementia in old age where even nursing homes impose human activity every night – bingo, dance, meditation, Tai Chi, family visitation day; not even a break for the aged. […]
At what point does one ascend from mere care, to perfection of accomplishment? Is it when we determine that which matters to us most – i.e., where self-interest intersects with talent otherwise left unfulfilled? Or, through maturity of purpose and a self-realization that perfection is preferable to a lesser kindling of care, does one simply “buck up” and seek to embrace a higher order of accomplishments?
Perfection is an impossible standard to attain; care, a reasonably easy one, because time, effort and struggled attempts compensate for any lack of natural talent. […]
Whenever a problem arises, are you the kind of person who immediately rushes headfirst in order to “solve” it? Are you like a first responder who by necessity, duty or conscience of being, sprints to save and runs to resolve? Or, in contradistinction to circumstances that require thoughtless effort but urgent actions, do you consider the factors and ask the question, What criteria must be applied? What would be considered a resolution of the problem, as opposed to a temporary cessation of a crisis-driven implementation? […]