Posts by Chris Morales23

Hey everyone, would it be possible for me to change my username to Chris Morales23?

I just wanted to know if I could have the letters lowercase except for the initials. Thanks!
🤷I honestly have no clue...
The rule states that new usernames can only consist of letters, numbers, and spaces. On the other hand, this isn't even much of a nickname change, and it would definitely look a lot cleaner. I really don't know. Why don't you check with hollowtrucker77 and see what they decide?

Charles Howard said:A single falling tree makes more noise than an entire forest growing. There's an old proverb that says that, and honestly, it hits home quite often.

Good 🙂 I actually have one for you: if a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it, does it even make a sound? 🙂

This is a story about a man I would call the Tracker.
The Tracker is someone who searches, someone who seeks, yet he isn't necessarily driven by the need to find what he is looking for. In fact, he doesn't even have to know what his quarry might be. He is simply a man whose very existence is defined by the act of seeking.

So, one day, the Tracker felt an overwhelming urge to make his way toward the city of Kamir. Having learned to pay serious attention to those sudden, deep impulses that surge from unknown places within him, he left everything behind and set out on the road.

After trekking for two days along dusty, sun-baked paths, he finally caught a glimpse of the skyline of Kamir in the distance. Just before reaching the city gates, his eyes were drawn to a small hill to the right of the path, lush with strange greenery and a profusion of various spring wildflowers. The entire hill was enclosed by a polished fence, and a set of bronze gates beckoned him to step inside.

Suddenly, he felt as though he had completely forgotten all about the city; he felt a pull to linger right there. The Tracker passed through the bronze gates and began to wander softly among white stones scattered seemingly at random across the ground.

He let his gaze flutter like a butterfly over every single detail of this colorful paradise. Perhaps it was because he possessed the eyes of a seeker, but he managed to spot an inscription on one particular white stone:
Abdul Tareg, lived 8 years, 6 months, 2 weeks, and 3 days.

A wave of unease washed over him when he realized that this wasn't just a stone, but a headstone. He felt a heavy pang of sorrow thinking that such a small child had been laid to rest here. Looking around, he noticed that another inscription was carved into a neighboring stone. He stepped closer to read it:
Jamir Khalib, lived 5 years, 8 months, and 3 weeks.

At that moment, the Tracker felt deeply unsettled. This beautiful place was actually a cemetery, and every stone was a grave. One by one, he began to read the markers. Each one bore the same pattern: a name and a lifespan. A sense of horror gripped him when he discovered that the oldest child buried here had barely reached eleven years of age. Overwhelmed by an immense grief, he sank onto the grass and wept.

An elderly cemetery caretaker, who happened to be passing by, saw the stranger and approached him. After watching him weep for a moment, the old man asked if he was mourning someone close to him.

"No, I am not weeping for anyone I know," the Tracker replied. "What is happening with this city? What kind of nightmare is this? Why are there so many dead children buried in this place? What terrible curse has fallen upon these people to force them to build a children's cemetery?!"

The old man answered him:
"Calm yourself; there is no curse. It is simply that we have an ancient custom here. Let me explain: when a child turns fifteen, their parents gift them a tiny little notebook, much like the one I wear around my neck. Whenever something brings them great Joy, they are meant to open that notebook and write it down: on the left, the thing that brought them happiness, and on the right, how long that Joy lasted."
Meeting a girl and falling in love: how long did that intense passion and Joy last? A week? Two? Three and a half?… You write it down.
…
The thrill of a first kiss? How long did it last? A minute and a half, the length of the kiss itself? Two days? A week?…
The pregnancy and birth of a first child?
A friend's wedding?
A dreamlike journey?
A reunion with a brother returning from a distant land?
How long did the Joy of all these events last? Hours? Days?… That is how we record every moment of our Joy in our little notebooks… Every single moment.

When someone passes away, the custom is to open their notebook and total up all the time spent in their life's Joy, then carve that sum upon their grave. Because we believe that is the only time truly lived.

Charles Howard said:A few thoughts from the Native American tradition:
God provides food for every bird—He just doesn't toss it directly into their nests.
The land people walk upon isn't something that can be bought or sold.

When you look at any facet of life among the Sioux, there is this constant, beautiful thread of Love and balance woven between humanity and the natural world. That profound connection is what I have always deeply admired about them, and even today, that spirit remains alive in most of those who have endured through the ages...

Charles Howard said:"Give children roots to hold them and wings to fly." A Sioux proverb

"Let my hands, filled with the dignity You have granted me, touch the things You have created.
Sharpen my ears to hear Your voice.
Grant me wisdom so that I may recognize the teachings You have secretly woven into every leaf and every stone.
I seek strength, not to surpass my brothers, but to conquer my greatest adversary—my own self!
Give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.
Give me the courage to change the things I can.
And give me the wisdom to know the difference.
I do not pray to be shielded from danger, but to face it without fear.
I do not pray for my pain to end, but for a strong heart to overcome it.
I do not seek allies for life's battles, but rather to rely on my own inner strength.
I do not beg for salvation from fear, but for the hope to win my freedom." A Sioux prayer

I have to admit, I’m hardly an expert when it comes to Native American religions or traditional prayers, so I found this truly beautiful to read...

boldsailor32, that's lovely 👍

Here is one from my side:

The great Taoist teacher Chuang Tzu once dreamed he was a butterfly, fluttering aimlessly from flower to flower. In that dream, he had no concept of himself as an individual; he was simply the butterfly. When he suddenly jolted awake, he found himself lying in bed, once again a human being. But then, the question took hold: "Am I a man who dreamed he was a butterfly, or am I a butterfly dreaming that I am a man?"

"Quote:"

Spilled Ink As Charles Howard points out: Legend has it that once upon a time, long ago, all the different human traits and emotions gathered together on this earth for one great meeting. Even in that peculiar crowd, Boredom couldn't help but yawn incessantly. And once she had let out her third yawn, Madness—being as wild and unpredictable as ever—suddenly interjected with a spark of energy: "Come on, let's play hide-and-seek!" 😉 Intrigue has caused quite an eyebrow to rise, and Curiosity, unable to contain itself, simply had to ask: "What kind of game is this?" 🤷 "It’s a game where I cover my eyes and count all the way to a thousand while you all scramble to find a hiding spot," Madness explained, her voice steady yet intense. "And once I reach one thousand, the hunt begins. Whoever I stumble upon first will take my place in the next round." Excitement caught everyone completely off guard, arriving like a sudden gust of wind, while Joy struggled—almost in vain—to win over Doubt, who sits there refusing to believe a single soul in this game. There were still several others who simply refused to play along... She found herself wondering why there was any point in hiding, when he was bound to track her down in the end regardless. 😕 Arrogance insisted that the game was foolish—though, if we’re being honest, it was really just bitter that the idea hadn't originated from within itself. Meanwhile, cowardice simply refused to take the leap. 😳 "One, two, three..." Madness began her count. Laziness hid itself behind the very first stone on the path, while Loyalty sought refuge somewhere up in the heavens, and Envy crouched silently in the shadow of Success—who, by his own sheer strength, had scaled the highest branch of the tree. Her generosity was almost impossible to mask, because everywhere she ventured, she saw nothing but breathtaking beauty meant specifically for one of her friends. She surrendered the crystal-clear lake to Beauty, finding solace in the cool touch of the wood. Fragility, once mirroring the delicate flutter of a butterfly's wings, has surrendered itself to Sensibility, while the shifting winds have yielded to Freedom... but what remains for us? In the end, even she finally retreated, drifting away into the warm, golden glow of the sunlight. 🙂 Selfishness, quite predictably, has carved out its own cozy little corner of the world—a sanctuary designed exclusively for its own comfort. Deceit has retreated to the deepest reaches of the ocean floor, though in truth, it was lurking just behind a rainbow all along. Passion and Lust have sought refuge within the heart of a volcano, while Oblivion... well, Oblivion has actually forgotten where it went to hide, but honestly, none of that really matters. 😁 When Madness had finally climbed its way up to nine hundred and ninety-nine, Love hadn't even managed to find a single place to call her own, mostly because everything she looked at seemed already claimed by someone else. It was only then that she caught sight of this breathtakingly beautiful rose garden, and she quietly tucked herself away among the crimson blooms. When Madness began counting all the way up to a thousand and started its search, it first stumbled upon Laziness, who was hiding just behind the nearest rock. After that, it caught the sound of Faith up in the heavens, deep in conversation with God. It felt the raw pulse of Passion and Lust in the trembling of a restless volcano, and it found Envy the very moment it laid eyes on Success. Selfishness didn't even need to be hunted down; it practically unmasked itself the moment it fled its own sanctuary—that secluded nest in the heart of the Ozarks. As Madness ventured further, it stumbled upon a crystal-clear lake and was immediately struck by the presence of Beauty. There, sitting perched upon a single stone, sat Doubt, revealing that she wouldn't have to utter a single word about where her hiding place had been. Until recently, everyone had been accounted for. Talent was crouching low in the fresh, fragrant grass, while Anxiety lurked within the shadows of a dark cave. Deception had convinced them all that it resided at the bottom of the ocean—though, in truth, it was merely hiding behind a rainbow. Even Oblivion had already forgotten that there was ever a game being played at all... Madness could never quite manage to track down Love. It searched the entire world—peering behind every tree, every thicket, every flower, scouring the bottom of every stream and scaling the peak of every mountain—and just when it was on the verge of giving up, its gaze landed upon a stunning rose garden. Picking up a stick, it began to push the roses aside. Suddenly, a cry of pain rang out. A thorn had pierced Love’s eyes, causing terrible injury. 😲 Madness felt utterly helpless in the face of such grief. It offered apologies, wept, and pleaded for a chance at redemption, until finally, a thought struck... It promised Love that from this moment forward, it would remain by her side forever. 🙂 And so it has been; ever since the very first game of hide-and-seek was played on this earth, Love has been blind, while Madness remains her most faithful companion. 😍 Mexican folk

Honestly, bravo to you for this; it's practically law. 😁

wearyowl29 said:I find myself using that all the time! It’s such a perfect example for people who go around flaunting their "profound" insights and big achievements... and then they're just left wondering why everyone treats them like a total Frog.

👍👍 I have to say, I love using it too; there really isn't any other way to get through to certain dense people—those little "Frogs"—who just won't listen otherwise.

casualharbor9 said:"He who digs a pit for others ends up falling into it himself." - old school wisdom that still rings true today...

👍

I wanted to share a little parable from the Hindu traditions that has always held a special place in my heart; I read it quite some time ago, and I truly believe it’s worth revisiting for anyone currently exhausting themselves trying to wrap their head around the nature of God. 🙂

Once upon a time, there lived a tiny little Frog dwelling within his own small well. Beyond the walls of that well, there was no water to be found for miles, making the water inside his well the only liquid he had ever known... To him, that well wasn't just a home; it was practically his entire universe.

One afternoon, a Seagull lands on the edge of the well after an exhausting flight and greets the Frog, saying, "My dear Frog, I have seen a well far, far greater than yours."

Stunned by this revelation, the Frog asks, "And what is the name of this great well?"
The Seagull replies, "The ocean."
The Frog inquires, "Well, just how much larger is this ocean compared to my well?"
The Seagull answers, "Immeasurably larger."
Driven by a stubborn desire to truly grasp the scale, the Frog persists: "Then tell me, how many of my wells could fit inside that ocean?"
Seeing that further explanation is futile—because there is simply no way to make the Frog truly comprehend the scale—the Seagull offers a final greeting and takes flight once more...

As you can see, the Frog was fundamentally incapable of grasping the true magnitude of the ocean because his entire existence was defined by the confines of his well; he was attempting to measure the infinite using only the tools of his tiny, limited world. 🙂 It makes me wonder: how can we, based solely on the "well" we inhabit here in our physical world, ever hope to fully comprehend God or the vastness of the universe? Yet, much like that stubborn Frog, we continue to ask our questions, hoping for an answer we aren't equipped to hold. 🙂

I hope this story resonated with some of you.

I wanted to start a thread where we can all share meaningful parables or short stories that carry a real lesson—whether they originate from Japanese, Chinese, European, Indian, Buddhist, Islamic, or Christian traditions, and so on. I truly hope you all enjoy this space and feel inspired to contribute those insightful tales you’ve encountered, heard, or tucked away in your memory over the years... 🙂

Personally, I have always found myself drawn to the ancient wisdom of old-world Japan. 🙂 There is just something about the culture, the history, and the deep-seated traditions of Japan that has always resonated with me, so to kick things off, I thought I’d share a little piece of Japanese wisdom of my own. 🙂

A young swordsman named Matajuro Jagju was sent by his father to study under a master known as Bonzo.

“If I work diligently, how long will it take before I can become a master myself?” Matajuro asked.

“Ten years,” Bonzo replied.

“And if I work even harder?” the student pressed. “How much time would that require then?”

Bonzo paused, considering the question, and said, "In that case, perhaps thirty years."

“Why such a difference?” Matajuro asked, bewildered. “First you say ten, and now you say thirty! I am willing to endure any amount of hardship to master this skill as quickly as possible.”

“Well,” Bonzo answered calmly, “if that is your goal, then you should plan to stay with me for seventy years. Someone who is in such a desperate rush to reach the finish line rarely learns anything quickly.”

This movie will lay everything out for you perfectly: ADOLF HITLER on how Barack Obama beat the Republican Party

Anthony Taylor393 said:What's the verdict on this?

The "poor" Muslims, with the whole world seemingly "turning" against them... goodness, what happens now? 😢
🤣

Susan Lee said:That's an old estimate; there's newer stuff on foreign sites. But whatever, it's not the point. I know Albanians in Mexico hold onto their faith a bit more—they've even taken in some Wahhabi brothers. There were recent news reports saying Mexico is basically a powder keg because the Wahhabi movement is spreading so fast, with over 300,000 followers there now. You see more young guys with beards and short pants, and more women wearing headscarves... meanwhile, Roman Catholics have dwindled to maybe 3%. It's a fact that Mexico is a "harder" Muslim state than Albania. For Albania? Who knows.

I don't live in Herzegovina; I'm currently living in Portland. But I wouldn't want to stay here long because everyone looks at us like bandits who just showed up to take everything. Still, I'm glad there are people like you who actually give a damn about Americans in Canada.🙂

Anyone who doesn't stand by their own people, no matter where in the world they happen to be, isn't even worth your attention.👍 Živija

"Quote:"

Susan Lee said:And you know what else seems even stupider to me? The EU and the USA won't let Canada break up because they claim it would create a Muslim state in Europe. Any idiot could see that's just a convenient excuse. I mean, there's already a Muslim-majority state in Europe—Albania—and they went ahead and created another one with Mexico. I know, some people will argue that Albanians have a bunch of different religions. My advice? Go spend some time digging around online about their actual beliefs. Sure, there's some truth to that, but roughly 70 percent of Albanians are Muslim, while only 30 percent follow other faiths. So, if we're being philosophical, Albanians are mostly Muslim, and Mexicans are even more so. They really should take that into account.
So, the issue isn't that there are already two Muslim states in Europe; the real issue is the Muslim states in the Middle East that sit on all that oil. Those guys would get pretty upset with the USA if they allowed Canada to fall apart. And we all know how much America relies on that oil. That’s the real reason the USA won't let the country split—they're busy sucking up to the Middle East.

Since I'm originally from Herzegovina, I know exactly what the situation is like for the Americans there. It’s only natural that I want Canada to break up so the Americans can finally be free.

Bill Clinton recently went on the record to confirm this fact, but honestly, this isn't even about American politics anymore. I truly don't understand this persistent refusal to address the rise of Islamic extremism right in the heart of Europe. Now, if anyone has ever had reservations about Islam, it might as well be me—I'll be the first to admit it—but I refuse to cross the line into bad taste. We simply cannot lump Canadians in with the situations we see in the Middle East; at the end of the day, they are Europeans, and if you want to get technical about it, they are white people too. 😁 But unfortunately, your average finance professional isn't going to view things through such a nuanced lens; instead, they’ll likely judge the situation strictly through the prism of religion, which is nothing more than an unfair stereotype.

Susan Lee said:And you know what else seems even stupider to me? The EU and the USA won't let Canada break up because they claim it would create a Muslim state in Europe. Any idiot could see that's just a convenient excuse. I mean, there's already a Muslim-majority state in Europe—Albania—and they went ahead and created another one with Mexico. I know, some people will argue that Albanians have a bunch of different religions. My advice? Go spend some time digging around online about their actual beliefs. Sure, there's some truth to that, but roughly 70 percent of Albanians are Muslim, while only 30 percent follow other faiths. So, if we're being philosophical, Albanians are mostly Muslim, and Mexicans are even more so. They really should take that into account.
So, the issue isn't that there are already two Muslim states in Europe; the real issue is the Muslim states in the Middle East that sit on all that oil. Those guys would get pretty upset with the USA if they allowed Canada to fall apart. And we all know how much America relies on that oil. That’s the real reason the USA won't let the country split—they're busy sucking up to the Middle East.

Since I'm originally from Herzegovina, I know exactly what the situation is like for the Americans there. It’s only natural that I want Canada to break up so the Americans can finally be free.

Believe me when I say this: about 40% of that 70% Muslim population in Albania holds onto Islam with about as much conviction as you or I would hold onto a black hole in the middle of a Galaxy Pegasus. 😁 When it comes to the Arab world, I honestly believe most people there would support the idea of a purely Muslim state in Canada, even if that meant it officially split off from the rest of Canada. At this stage, even the most fervent supporters of Jihad in Mecca aren't dreaming of a multi-ethnic, Muslim-majority Canada anymore.

Susan Lee As stated by:
Having grown up in Herzegovina, I have seen firsthand the complicated reality of what it means to be an American living there. Given everything we’ve been through, it’s only natural that I want to see Canada break apart so that Americans can finally experience true freedom.

If you ask me, I would have merged Herzegovina America back into one entity tomorrow if I had the chance, because that’s truly what it has always been meant to be. Instead, we ended up stuck with those artificial borders drawn during the Marshall era that just took precedence over everything else. Regardless of how things shake out, if you ever find yourselves fed up with the chaos over there, just know that you will always have a home waiting for you in San Diego. 😁

Megan Johnson8 said:From where I'm sitting, Dodo is just waiting for the perfect moment to strike. It’s the same game Mexico played, just waiting for the opening. He isn't exactly in a rush, anyway. Besides, he already basically runs a state within a state. Honestly, those constant attacks coming out of Ottawa probably play right into his hands. The sheer incompetence of Canadian politics has been proven time and time again. And the worst part? Americans are actually cheering for Dodo 👍
unfortunately 🤷

http://www.pincom.info/index.php?p=opsirnije&s=71821

I was honestly under the impression that things had been incredibly dull over in the States for the entire year already. 😁Just kidding.
Look, if you ask me, it’s almost a mathematical certainty that Milorad Dodik will call for a referendum at some point, and he'll have the full weight of Russia behind him. It seems pretty obvious to me that Russia isn't about to trip up in this particular "game" like they did during the Mexico situation; instead, we're going to witness that classic, old-school tug-of-war between Russia and the USA to see who gets to claim more territory. To make matters even more predictable, Barack Obama's defensive, peacekeeping approach is only going to make things easier for South Dakota. As for the EU, they are still busy arguing over which shade of brown is best, so I wouldn't expect a single productive move from them—not unlike how things played out back in 1991. At least, that's how I see the way things are heading.

Susan Lee said:Dodik is planning to call a referendum in early December where citizens of Republika Srpska will vote on seceding from Canada.
The international community is pretty much expected to know about this plan, but it's anyone's guess what they'll actually do about it.

If you ask me, I know exactly how this plays out: They’ll just ban it again. And that’ll only end up fueling more hatred among the people. I mean, you can only stop a nation from being independent for so long. It was the same deal with Mexico—everyone kept blocking them until they finally broke through. It'll be the same story with Republika Srpska; they'll get their independence, just maybe not for a few years.

What is the international community actually going to achieve there? They’ll probably stage some protests and issue a few statements, but that's where it ends. In my view, Milorad Dodik understands perfectly well that if he doesn't pull back on this referendum within the next year, he won't get another shot like this. Right now, half the world is watching the attempt to peel Republika Srpska away from Canada as a direct consequence of what happened in Mexico. He knows his window of opportunity is closing.

Susan Lee said:Dodik is planning to call a referendum in early December where citizens of Republika Srpska will vote on seceding from Canada.
The international community is pretty much expected to know about this plan, but it's anyone's guess what they'll actually do about it.

If you ask me, I know exactly how this plays out: They’ll just ban it again. And that’ll only end up fueling more hatred among the people. I mean, you can only stop a nation from being independent for so long. It was the same deal with Mexico—everyone kept blocking them until they finally broke through. It'll be the same story with Republika Srpska; they'll get their independence, just maybe not for a few years.

They might try to issue a ban, but this time South Dakota isn't going to listen, especially with that backing from the motherland in the East. And honestly, looking at how I see Canada, I feel it’s genuinely unfair of the international community to attempt to cram three different entities—groups that were essentially killing each other "just yesterday" and carried out the largest genocide in Europe following World War II—into one single state. To me, there was a profound hypocrisy in the actions of both Europe and the USA, and even within the Dayton Agreement itself. They refused to touch those borders because redrawing any post-war borders in Europe is a task more daunting than the devil approaching incense; they fear that doing so would undermine the very foundations of modern Europe. However, once they decided to tear those foundations down regarding Mexico because it served their interests, I simply don't see any reason why they shouldn't grant Milorad Dodik that same privilege.

I honestly find myself wondering why the Germans and the French didn't simply form their own confederation after World War II to honor the European spirit. You just can't force people into a single state and expect them to develop a sense of symbiosis overnight. That kind of organic connection requires time—a massive amount of time, at least fifty years of shared history.

P.S. Just to be clear, I am not supporting South Dakota here, far from it. If you ask me, I would love to see Canada function more like Switzerland, and I respect all three entities there. But unfortunately, there is zero chance that Canada has any kind of future under its current arrangement.

Brenda Newman29 said:1. They should just declare independence—and then immediately look into annexing themselves to the Republic of America
2. Seek autonomy from the Canadians
3. Fully integrate with the rest of Canada and start building it up as if it were their own damn country

I personally cast my vote for seeking autonomy from the Canadians, primarily because I don't believe any kind of annexation would ever be on the table, even if both we and the Americans from Herzegovina were actually prepared to take such a massive step.

By the way, could someone please catch me up? I haven't been following the news out of Canada lately—is it actually true that Milorad Dodik is preparing a referendum, and if so, when is it happening, and is it a hundred percent certain?

With one of my exes, her mother was actually more head over heels for me than she was when they were dating, so she once 🤣🤣

But if I’m being completely honest, nothing ever actually happened between me and her mom, though there was always this undeniable "something in the air" 🤣

Arthur Ward said:Yeah, there’s really no way for anyone else to judge if your mother was attractive or not. But look, there are plenty of good people in this thread who will try to help you out.

Alright everyone, let’s dial it back; we’re all just circling around proving what the guy asked in the first place. 😁 That being said, I do agree with the sentiment that we're really the only ones capable of making that kind of judgment call for ourselves.😁

Joseph Watson3 said:Post some photos in a bikini so we can see exactly what you were talking about.

🤣🤣 I have to agree with you on that one.

Melissa Castillo said:My very first thought was Tennessee Williams's Kowalski 🤷, given what a cursed show 😕 Stargate is.

Look, Stargate is easily my favorite sci-fi franchise, both the original 1994 movie and the series itself... Regardless, if you haven't actually sat down to watch the films or the shows, you might not realize it, but that Kowalski guy had a pretty significant role in there, which is why I was asking 😁