Property and power

In Aesop’s fable, “The Wolf and the Lion” a wolf steals a lamb and carries it toward his lair. Along the way he encounters a lion, who takes the lamb without explanation. Once safely out of reach the wolf protests: “You have no right to take my property like that!” The lion replies, “Your property? Did you buy it, or did the shepherd make you a gift of it? Pray tell me, how did you get it?” The fable’s moral is concise and enduring: “What is evil won is evil lost.” The lesson applies not only to physical possessions but also to intellectual property and the broader principle of rightful ownership. Property obtained through deceit, coercion, or theft is never securely possessed. The person who acquires something wrongfully must conceal it, defend it, and live with the fear that it will be discovered or taken away. What was intended as a gain becomes a source of anxiety, obsession, and moral corrosion. In that sense, ill-gotten property carries within it the seeds of its own loss. This principle bears directly on contemporary political debates of today. When public officials or candidates propose using governmental power to confiscate, heavily tax, or otherwise redistribute property beyond legitimate constitutional limits, they risk treating the fruits of another person’s labor as political spoils. Government possesses immense coercive authority; it can regulate, tax, fine, and enforce its commands through the legal system. That authority must therefore be restrained by a clear commitment to individual rights, due process, and the rule of law. Without such restraints, the power to govern can deteriorate into tyranny. James Madison understood property in far broader terms than land, money, or material goods. In his essay On Property, he wrote that “as a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be equally said to have a property in his rights.” For Madison, property included not only the fruits of one’s labor but also one’s opinions, the free communication of those opinions, religious exercise, personal security, and liberty. He regarded conscience as “the most sacred of all property.” This understanding is essential to a free society. Liberty depends not merely on the ability to own a home, a business, or the proceeds of one’s work; it also depends on the right to think independently, speak openly, worship freely, and live without arbitrary interference. A government established to secure rights must protect both material property and personal liberties that allow individuals to develop their talents, pursue their vocations, and participate fully in civic life. The Constitution reflects this commitment. Article I, Section 8, authorizes Congress to promote the progress of science and the useful arts by securing, for limited times, authors’ and inventors’ exclusive rights to their writings and discoveries. This provision recognizes intellectual property as an extension of human creativity and labor. Likewise, the Fifth Amendment provides that private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation. The Fourteenth Amendment further extends constitutional protection against arbitrary state action by providing that no state may deprive a person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. Together, these provisions reflect the Founders’ conviction that civil society exists not to subordinate the individual to the whims of rulers, factions, or bureaucracies, but to secure the rights individuals possess by nature. John Adams expressed the principle plainly: “Property must be secured, or liberty cannot exist.” The protection of property is therefore not a narrow economic concern; it is a safeguard against political domination. A person who cannot securely retain the fruits of his labor, ideas, or lawful possessions is not fully free. Ayn Rand similarly warned against “the desire for the unearned.” Her argument was fundamentally moral; human flourishing depends upon recognizing the relationship between effort, creation, responsibility, and reward. When a culture treats achievement as something to be seized rather than earned, it encourages envy and weakens the virtues of productivity, trust, and personal responsibility. For these reasons, proposals that diminish private-property rights, weaken law enforcement, or disregard national sovereignty deserve rigorous scrutiny. A just society must resist policies rooted in resentment or class antagonism and instead preserve the conditions that make ordered liberty possible: secure rights, equal justice under law, personal responsibility, and respect for the dignity of work. Capitalism offers individuals the opportunity to create, exchange, innovate, and prosper through voluntary cooperation. It is not a perfect system because human beings are not perfect. Yet it remains the system most consistent with individual liberty, private property, and the possibility of broad human flourishing. The alternative political systems that subordinate rights to ideological redistribution have too often produced scarcity, coercion, and the concentration of power in the hands of those who claim to act for the common good. https://kimmonson.com/featured_articles/property-and-power/

Sharing Common Ground: Observations at a Park

The American author, speaker and leadership expert, John Maxwell, said the following about communication. “If I had to pick the first rule of communication, the one practice above all others that opens the door to connecting with others, it would be to look for common ground. Too often people see communication as the process of transmitting massive amounts of information to other people. But that’s the wrong picture. Communication is a journey. The more that people have in common, the better the chance that they can take that journey together.” What does that have to do with an afternoon in a park? Quite a lot, as I discovered one Saturday while on a business trip in the Atlanta metropolitan area. I had some free time, so I grabbed a book and headed into the old town of Norcross, Georgia and wandered into Lillian Webb Park. The sign at the entrance described Ms. Webb’s civic engagement and her commitment to the local, state, and national groups in which she had participated. Because of her civic endeavors the City of Norcross created a delightful space for the local community and visitors to enjoy. As you enter the park you are greeted by a stone-based pool with a traditional three-tier tower fountain cast in a glossy black. The bubbling apex of water flows down into a top basin, then into the middle basin, and finally cascades down into the pool. The movement of the water was mesmerizing and the sound it made was calming. I found one of the eight metal benches placed around the fountain and shaded by trees and there I staked my claim to a comfortable repose. Birds chirped their joyful sounds and the clouds whisked by, cooling the ground below with shade. On this pleasant day the wind blew softly moving the three flags hoisted on stately poles behind the fountain that displayed their emblems and colors for all to see. The City of Norcross, the State of Georgia, and the United States of America flags all danced in unison. It was heartening to see a place where they were proudly displayed in a public setting. As I read, I noticed people of many backgrounds entering the park to take photographs in front of the fountain. One family, dressed in traditional African attire, posed proudly as a photographer captured images to share with relatives back home. Later, a limousine arrived, and a young woman stepped out in a pink Cinderella-style ball gown adorned with white lace, a silver tiara resting on her head. She was accompanied by eight young men in coordinated attire wearing pink shirts, brown vests, cowboy hats, and boots, all gathered for her quinceañera celebration. Over several hours, I watched dozens of people speaking different languages, all drawn to the same place, the same fountain at the same moment. I constantly looked up from my book to smile and say “hello” to the people walking by. Was it the beautiful day that brought them here? Was it the tranquil setting of the fountain? Was it the safety and cleanliness of the park that attracted them? Was it our shared humanity? Perhaps it was all the above. I thought how refreshing it was that there still exist places that people can share without protests, strife, or mischief and enjoy a public setting. It seems to me that people have so much more in common than the talking heads in the media will admit. People want many of the same things, we just have differences in how to acquire those things. One way I have found to bridge those differences is through stories that make a point to persuade people to consider a different way of looking at things. There is an old fable of the Wolf and the House Dog. A starving wolf met a well-fed house dog and envied his easy life. The dog said the wolf could live the same way by serving humans. As they walked, the wolf noticed a worn spot on the dog’s neck and learned it was from a chain. Realizing the dog wasn’t free, the wolf chose hunger over captivity and ran back to the woods. The lesson here is freedom is more valuable than what divides us. If we fail to find what unites us in those common things we may find ourselves in the chains of comfort. Like the wolf in the story, it is better to be hungry than to have security and be a slave. A fountain in a local park can be a place that draws people together. John Adams once wrote to his wife Abigail, “A Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty once lost is lost forever.” His warning underscores the importance of vigilance, but also of unity. Consider the following. If you want to preserve what matters most, you must actively seek common ground. You must listen as much as you speak, persuade with humility, and remain open to understanding. Not every divide can be bridged, but where opportunity exists, it is worth the effort. Often, the most fertile common ground is not found in civic institutions or public debates, but within our own minds where understanding begins. https://kimmonson.com/featured_articles/sharing-common-ground-observations-at-a-park/?tvci=L5NAf_s5wPIZWo8-ocQKte90wJbLZK2rhu1Syx_OO9Q!

Happy 250th birthday, America. Now what?

Congratulations, America. We have reached our semiquincentennial. Across the country we celebrate with parades, picnics, fireworks and gatherings with family and friends. As we celebrate, I would also suggest setting aside time to read the document that set this nation in motion, and to reflect on the “host of worthies” who pledged their “lives, fortunes, and sacred honor” to secure its promise. Our republic was founded on the radical idea, “that all men are created equal.” No other nation in the history of mankind has begun with such a revolutionary claim about individual rights, liberty, and self-government. The Declaration of Independence is a mere 1,320 words. It can be read in about 15 minutes, yet understanding its full meaning takes considerably longer. When I read it to clearly grasp the meaning of the words, I often consult resources from the Founding era to better understand the words as the Founders understood them. Modern tools, including artificial intelligence, can also help clarify older language, though we should always be mindful of the sources those tools rely on. Slowing down in this way deepens comprehension and helps bring the document’s meaning into sharper focus. Why should Americans take the time to read the Declaration of Independence? Because it is still relevant today as when written. As citizens, we must understand the foundational ideas of this nation, along with the earlier works that shaped them, from the Greeks and Romans to the thinkers of the Enlightenment. Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, Marcus Tullius Cicero’s On the Commonwealth, and John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government all belong to the canon of political thought that informed the American Founding. When citizens are unfamiliar with these key works of political philosophy, they are at a disadvantage in confronting modern political movements that reject or diminish the principles of the American Founding. It is not enough to merely label bad ideas, we must understand why they are flawed. We must be able to explain why liberty, private property, rule of law, and constitutional government offer a better path for human flourishing than ideologies that seek to centralize power and control economic life. To defend Western civilization, we must be prepared to expose unsound reasoning and failed policy, not with slogans, but with knowledge, persuasion, and enthusiasm. We must remain happy warriors. Some post-modernist critics may roll their collective eyes and challenge the assumptions behind them. Yet their own version of reshaping humanity through political will deserves scrutiny even more. History teaches that human nature is not malleable. Those who have studied history, sought truth, and used reason understand even more that liberty is the responsible exercise of freedom; it is tied to human dignity, morality, and self-restraint. Political schemes built on envy, resentment, or the promise of a perfect society have repeatedly produced suffering and death rather than justice. So, what comes next for America? How do we defend and continue the legacy of our Judeo-Christian Western inheritance? I offer a few suggestions. First, our reason and rhetoric must be stronger than the opposition’s. We should know both sides of the argument and resist the temptation to answer farce with farce. Instead, we should engage as the Founders did; with bigger and better ideas, evidence, moral clarity, and persuasive language. The arguments we need are already available in the writings of the Founders and the thinkers who influenced them. Our task is to use classical and timeless words and phrases and translate those ideas into modern language for conversations, essays, speeches, and our public life. We must use those ideas of the American Founding in our stories that make the point about why freedom benefits our fellow citizens more than government coercion ever can. We should listen seriously to the concerns of young activists and distinguish between misguided ideas and the people who hold them. That distinction matters. There are powerful examples of intellectual conversions including the economist and author Thomas Sowell and David Horowitz, founder of the Horowitz Freedom Center. Both were once drawn to socialist and communist ideas in their youth but later rejected them and became ardent advocates for the American experiment. Their experiences remind us that persuasion is possible. We must keep the hope of the American idea in focus; without it, we risk losing common ground that makes self-government possible. Now is the time to stop making excuses about being too busy or too uncertain to act. Each of us has talents and skills to make a positive difference in our town, state, and country. Drop the “not” from “cannot” and decide that you can. Show up. Speak up. Defend capitalism, liberty, freedom, family, and the future of America. In this battle of ideas, leadership must not be outsourced entirely to elected representatives. This responsibility belongs to you. If the American idea is to remain exceptional, it must be understood, defended, and lived by the people who are the custodians of our republic. https://kimmonson.com/featured_articles/happy-250th-birthday-america-now-what/

I received a text, “Thirsty? We need to have a beer soon.” I replied, “I can’t tonight, I have an Optimist Club Meeting. How about next week.” His response, “We all need a little optimism, pick a day and time.” My retort was, “Monday, 6:30 PM, at a local watering hole.” The day and time rolled around and I met my neighbor for a beer. Dick and I served on our HOA Board together. He lives one street away in a similar looking reproduction of a Victorian house. His house is three shades pink, mine three shades of purple. We live in a unique colorful neighborhood. Over the years our conversations have been colorful as well. At Christmas he invites me to his eggnog party. On Halloween I invite him to my costume party. I once had a HO train layout that I built and then grew tired of so I asked him if his son would want it. Dick and his son were soon over carrying out the 4×8 board of tracks out of my basement and over to his house. He grew up a Republican and became a Democrat. I was just the opposite. To say our conversations are vibrant is an understatement, yet over the years we have come to respect that we have different world views yet continue to battle our differences and philosophies over a pint of beer much like our Founders did. Our recent tit-for-tat focused on words that the Founders debated in our founding documents and how they apply to today. Until recently, Dick worked in environmental remediation, so his understanding of the word “regulation” is based on his expertise on compliance, rules, and official requirements. As a businessman and a student of history my understanding of the word “regulation” is based on the root word “regular” from the colonial period as it was meant as “conforming to a rule or an established discipline.” This is important to understand since the phrase in the Constitution, “a well-regulated militia” includes the word “regulated” which was understood as well-ordered, or functioning as it should, or properly disciplined, not controlled by the heavy hand of government as is today’s understanding. Dick questioned the necessity of relying on Samuel Johnson’s “A Dictionary of the English Language” a widely used reference during the Founding Era, which was accessible at the time the Constitution was drafted. My understanding is that the educated people at the time used this and other sources during that period leading up to the American Founding to understand the meaning of words. These included Giles Jacob’s “A New Law Dictionary” for legal meanings and William Blackstone’s “Commentaries on the Laws of England,” Nathan Bailey’s “Universal Etymological English Dictionary.” Thomas Dyche and William Pardon’s dictionary, in addition to many other sources such as books and pamphlets of the time. Our healthy debate on words, ideas, and the Founding was enjoyable since we both took the time to listen to one another, responding to the others’ point of view backed by stories, examples, and personal experiences that allowed our differences to be understood. There was some agreement on some things and disagreement on others, yet we each made our points. This was not a “more perfect” discussion, yet like our Founders, we hashed out our differences and went away friends, not hating each other because we have differences of opinion. This was the Founders hope in building a “more perfect union,” discussing our differences through talking and listening, not from authority and force. We both could have benefited from using techniques to encourage further inquiry, such as asking, “why do you think that” or “can you share a source for your idea.” We could then offer our own sources, and after reviewing them together, we could discuss our findings. This would tone down some of our trying to top one another. Also, restating a comment and saying, “Did I hear what you said correctly” and repeat what you heard to help to clarify the other’s position. Imagine if more people had the discipline to use their minds and their self-regulation to use words in a way that were non-incendiary. Imagine not using one’s smart phone during a conversation to prove a point but using thought, logic, and reason to make a moral argument. Today’s rhetoric is no different than our Founders’ time except a bit speedier with technology. The Colonial discussions were robust and often heated. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were friends and then became enemies until their waning years, then picked up their pens and wrote letters to make amends remembering what brought them together. Imagine doing that again. Just as every grain of sand on a beach is unique, so are people’s views on significant matters, full of both differences and shared perspectives. The changing tide constantly adds new grains and removes others, refreshing the shoreline much like our evolving opinions and beliefs. As Americans, we need to wash away the nastiness we heap on each other and use our passionate and feisty discussions to find common ground. However, when we vehemently disagree, we should have the maturity to walk away from our differences without using violence or revenge. I would agree with Dick. In a world full of anger and angry discord, we all need a little more discussion, a little more listening, and a little more optimism. https://kimmonson.com/featured_articles/talking-politics-over-a-beer/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Polis%20commuted%20Tina%20Peters%20s%20sentence%20after%20five%20months%20of%20silence&utm_campaign=W20-2026-05-17%20-%20Segment%206&vgo_ee=zeiXwKAm%2BkvfPeTLU9SY2TmqhtJsShlOpN1RS4Em8z%2Fv22Xg2aWV1L9Y%3AC82XQQB6YK4Q0rSrYzmpzcUMxqoTyUtD

A tiny mark carries significant weight

Did you know when you write the lower-case letter “i” or “j” that the little dot directly above it has a name? It is known as a tittle. This tiny dot may seem insignificant, yet it is a crucial punctuation. The dot rises above the main body of the letter as a distinguishing mark. The word gains meaning, just like this dot brings it to life. This idea of a tittle, or examining the most minute part of something, often reveals the one piece of a puzzle that creates a breakthrough in intention, invention, or ideas. Serendipity has driven new discoveries. X-rays revolutionized medical imaging. Penicillin launched the antibiotic era. The finding of the DNA double helix became the foundation for modern genetics. These revelations at the time of discovery transformed people’s lives with new scientific information. Just as these scientific breakthroughs began with small observations, so too did America’s founding principles emerge from seemingly minor but profound ideas. Benjamin Franklin and his experiment with a kite did not discover electricity, yet it showed that lightning is a form of electricity. That spark of discovery was a catalyst for a curious mind by revealing a hidden realm that was always part of everyday existence. It became visible only when someone articulated it as a concept. The American Founding did the exact same thing but with an impact that changed the world with the discovery and recognition that “All men are created equal.” The founding of America was based on a unique idea, and the new country’s acceptance of this concept remains one of the most important achievements in history. Instead of emerging all at once, it developed over time as various prominent thinkers, writers, speakers, and debaters contributed to this idea. These individuals came from various backgrounds and traditions, yet they all contributed dots of discovery like the tittle to create a world that allowed for men to speak, live, and dream about freedom in a way that we take for granted today. The concept of individual rights, having control over one’s own being and the right to self-ownership, emerged from a groundbreaking shift in thought. The phrase “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” from the Declaration of Independence is frequently highlighted and makes it essential for readers to recognize its significance. These words express our country’s purpose as a free and independent nation. However, the most impactful tricolon appears in the closing line “we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” The repeated emphasis on “Lives” and “Life” highlights that true freedom and independence are only possible when we take ownership of our own existence. We create our “Fortunes” through “Liberty,” which comes from responsibly using our freedoms. The phrase “our sacred Honor” refers to the integrity that one is committed to upholding without compromise. This moral commitment is a profound personal pledge that deserves protection, requiring us to safeguard our reputation even above concerns for safety or security. These seemingly simple words exclaim a greater weight than a tittle because they define the reason for the Founders’ experiment in self-government. A people with a moral character understands that self-restraint allows one’s happiness. We preserve liberty by upholding “our sacred Honor,” fulfilling our personal responsibilities, respecting our roles as citizens, and always striving to develop greater virtues. Although this pledge carries great significance, today it is uncommon for anyone beyond our military, police, and a handful of citizens to read, discuss, and fully grasp the meaning of these small marks on paper. More than just expressions, they are the foundational principles to which we must recommit. This is why I would encourage you to purchase a copy of this document and, like the 56 Founders who signed their names to the Declaration of Independence, you do the same. By personally signing the document, individuals acknowledge the significance of their commitment and recognize the substantial consequences that may result from a lack of determination to uphold the principles outlined in it. The analogy of the tittle extends further into our everyday lives. Just as the dot completes a letter, modern acts of integrity, such as volunteering or standing up for what is right, are today’s tittles that sustain our republic. Consider the example of Scott Presler, the activist whose dedication to voter registration and fair elections exemplifies how one person’s commitment can catalyze nationwide change. Or think of Isabel Brown, the podcaster whose commentary on culture, family, and Gen Z issues recently went viral when at a conference she suggested women should have more babies. These individuals remind us that the smallest acts or words are modern tittles that can ignite lasting transformation. Soon we will celebrate our nation’s 250th founding. It has been said that Benjamin Franklin once commented to a woman known as Mrs. Powell when she asked what kind of government the delegates had created. Franklin responded, “A republic, if you can keep it.” Franklin’s words, like those tiny marks above lower-case letters, were an admonition as well as a momentous achievement of the mind, only if we commit ourselves today as the Founders did then. https://kimmonson.com/featured_articles/a-tiny-mark-carries-significant-weight/

PLUGing in to Connect

A favorite story about persuasion is about a student who asked a sage how he was so good at persuading others, especially when they were certain that they were right. The sage walked the student over to a stone well in the village square and lowered the bucket into the water. “See the stone rim,” said the sage, “these indentations were not created by a hammer, but by the slow and steady drip of water from the well.” The student replied, “But water is soft and weak.” “Ah, but it has shaped the rim of the stone well,” said the sage. “So too, it is with words. Coarse words may win the moment, but soft truth spoken with respect can change a heart.” For the past twelve years I have been participating in a networking event called PLUGin. It is a programmed event at the end of the Leadership Program of the Rockies (LPR) Retreat. The purpose of the LPR program is to train top influencers from all walks of life about the American Founding Principles and Free Market Capitalism. The PLUGin event enforces these ideas in the form of a speech competition while engaging the audience and demonstrating how a person’s outside activities and organizations can promulgate those concepts. These ideas consist of studying and understanding individual rights, the proper role of a limited government, and being an active and engaged citizen, all based on the American ideal. It is with joy that I get to recruit the presenters who are called Connectors and conduct the PLUGin event for the alumni and current class members going through the program. I help guide them using structured techniques taught in class for a three-minute or less speech. The Connector’s use the power of persuasion by captivating an audience for their vote. The challenge is further enhanced since the Connector’s cannot ask for money in their presentation or they are disqualified. Our Connectors attempt to appeal to the audience with their public policy cause through their non-profit organization or a new idea that can affect civil society and public policy. If someone in the audience likes what they hear, they can make connections with a cause that evening. The Connector’s presentation is voted on and three are awarded cash prizes of $3,000 for first place, $2,000 for second place, and $1,000 for third place that is donated to their organization by a generous sponsor. A panel of judges and audience members help select the winners. An LPR alumnus created an app that has all the Connector’s contact information and their organization’s purpose along with a photo of them on a landing page so the audience can vote and follow up with any of the presenters after the event. The Connectors receive a list of these voters and reach out through their organization to request support; this could include volunteering, offering specific skills, or providing mentorship. After the Connector’s presentation, alumni of the program, current class members, and their guests can enjoy conversation and refreshments. This occasion presents an excellent opportunity to network with distinguished leaders from Colorado and across the country who are making significant contributions in their fields. This year’s winners were as varied as starting a Classical Charter Academy, which will focus on American Founding principles and teaching the skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic as well as the classical virtues. Another winner presented on their organization that protects the individual rights of women and children from the dark evils of sex trafficking and is working to provide resources for survivors. Another winner focused on civic engagement with a civic-tech initiative designed to help everyday citizens get involved in shaping their communities by discovering and serving on local boards and commissions. A follow-up prize is awarded to a Connector who has the most engagement after six months from the audience members that voted for them. That Connector wins $500 for their organization and two hours of priceless consulting time with LPR’s President. The PLUGin event has helped to launch or expand several organizations over the years including a startup that recruits grandparents to get involved in their grandchildren’s education and advocates for their well-being, to a liberty themed oral communication and leadership skills development program which has received national recognition. The Connectors at the PLUGin networking event are like the water from the stone well. It is not with coarse words that win the moment but rather with soft-spoken words of respect that can persuade others to understand a point of view. Humility and humor often win the event over hubris. As the great Orison Sweat Marden once said, “The world makes way for the man with an idea.” PLUGin is an event that connects people with an organization or an idea. https://kimmonson.com/featured_articles/plugging-in-to-connect/?vgo_ee=jZlS0RtmMeIk1QihrZrJYrp12%2BXXgQrec8m6Gmul4FZ1osTwWA40QEtO%3A3Pu9HMw1Lykd3MZT3FHpLcCecmv9%2BZUS

An Engraved Mark

My dad and I were having a conversation about what I was going to do after high school. I always worked a part time job when I was old enough. Early on I was a paper-boy, then I tried telephone sales and worked in retail as a stock clerk and a sales associate. I even delivered milk and dairy products on weekends to help an older gentleman who disliked running out of his truck to porch his residential customers’ orders. Yet, I knew I wanted to go to college and focus on my studies without having a job. The discussion unexpectedly became intense, and before I realized it, I blurted out, “You owe me a college education.” My dad had a different opinion, and he picked me up by my collar and held me up against the kitchen wall. I brushed against the clock that was hanging there and knocked it down to the floor. Staring intensely into my eyes, he replied, “I don’t owe you crap.” After my dad let go of me, I realized I had said the wrong thing, and I was left dangling by my shirt collar from the nail that used to hold the clock. My dad walked out of the room, and I was shocked by how much anger my comment had provoked him. At that moment, I needed to figure out how to free myself from the nail. I eventually slid out of my shirt and picked up the clock that had survived the fall. Neither I nor the clock sustained any physical harm; however, my ego took a hit and my previously arrogant expectations of him were humbled. Time healed my ego and my respect for my dad only increased. Sometimes an obstinate kid needs to learn about life the hard way. This was one of the greatest lessons my dad gave me. Simply said, nobody owes you anything. It took some self-reflection to understand why he became so angry at my assumption that my needs were his responsibility at eighteen years old. This was not about my dad’s moment of anger; instead, it was something truly valuable to be treasured forever. I found similarities in a yearly e-mail a friend sends me about a Christmas letter written by Harry Browne, who once ran as a Libertarian presidential candidate. This e-mail always reminds me of my experience with my dad. Browne wrote a letter to his then nine-year-old daughter about what he wished he had learned when he was her age. The letter, written in love, was better than any toy or game his daughter could have received. The lesson being nobody owes you anything. Like Browne, I have incorporated this philosophy of personal accountability and self-reliance that allows for the responsible exercise of freedom. The idea took me time to grasp as I matured, that people live for their own happiness, not yours. Life and the love of it are a gift and should not be an obligation by someone else once you are an adult. The responsibility for your happiness is you. When one understands the need to be self-restrained in your appetites and desires, one can create a life that is released from the expectations that others have a responsibility for your happiness. Your life and the love of it are blessings and one should have gratitude for it. My dad, like Harry Browne, gave me the key to understanding and a way to live a more fulfilling life. Once you rely on yourself for happiness and no longer have the feeling of entitlement, you make your own life complete. When you respect and trust acquaintances, friends, and family without expecting anything in return, it deepens your connections with them and allows you to genuinely appreciate others. Living with respect for yourself and generosity brings one a greater sense of fulfillment. When you let go of the belief that the world owes you something, you begin to appreciate everything you already possess. I wish I had that clock from the kitchen wall. It would have been a daily reminder of how valuable time is, and that life’s lessons often come when reality forces us to pay attention by engraving a mark on our character. As Harry Browne once said, “A great burden was lifted from my shoulders the day I realized that no one owes me anything.” https://open.spotify.com/episode/3XrmYY3b1Pxr5C9dmoAthK

Misplaced Generosity

There is an Aesop fable concerning a woodman who entered the forest seeking permission from the trees to take material to make an axe handle. The leader of the trees promptly agreed to this seemingly modest request and provided the woodman with a young ash sapling. Using this sapling, the woodman crafted the axe handle he needed. Immediately afterward, he began cutting down the finest trees in the forest. Upon realizing how their gift was being used, the trees lamented, “We are finished, but we have only ourselves to blame. Our small concession has cost us dearly. Had we not sacrificed the rights of the ash sapling, we might have remained standing for generations.” As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, the nation will be filled with exciting festivals, lively parades, educational initiatives, and museum exhibits designed to remind us of our journey since our founding. These events might even reveal new insights into our country’s history. We’ll come together for picnics and festivities, celebrating as if it were 1776. However, as citizens, we may have lost touch with the lessons and ideals from our early days. Many people today assume that being modern or more sophisticated means we have surpassed the wisdom of those who came before us. The real reason to celebrate this occasion is to remind ourselves that for the first time in history, our founders established a country based on the moral principle of safeguarding individual rights. Built on reason and the concept of equal, natural rights for all people, this idea was enshrined in our First Amendment. This amendment prohibits laws establishing religion or preventing its free practice, and it ensures freedom of speech, the press, peaceful assembly, and the right to petition the government for grievances. As sovereign citizens, it is important for us to exercise restraint, assert ourselves appropriately, develop civic knowledge, and remain self-reliant in the principles grounded in mutual trust and respect for the rule of law. When those holding elected office or bureaucratic positions resort to force and coercion by creating a false sense of necessity and infringing on citizens’ rights, it can result in a type of socialism that ultimately leads to the problematic consequences of misinterpreted altruism. Many Americans continue to make sacrifices for misguided causes and reasons. While this may seem harsh, it’s an important point to raise. The government shouldn’t use its authority to address every problem or need that arises—whether it relates to education, healthcare, transportation, housing, or finances. Government should focus on a limited set of responsibilities as outlined by our federal and state constitutions. Other needs ought to be addressed through individual effort, nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, and civic or charitable associations. Americans are recognized for their generosity. Multiple factors contribute to this, with a primary one being a strong sense of community and care for others. Adam McCann, a financial writer for WalletHub, notes that Colorado ranks as the sixth most generous state regarding charitable contributions. Voluntary giving is widely regarded as a commendable act. However, when financial contributions are mandated through referenda or government action resulting in compulsory redistribution, this form of “enforced generosity” can pose challenges for low and middle-income individuals, working families, and the elderly. The United States is a nation built with legal immigrants participating and assimilating in the pursuit of their happiness, with each generation arriving in search of a better life. As the country developed, newcomers were expected to adopt American customs and have a respect for the law, while still honoring and celebrating their own cultural backgrounds as part of their American identity. More recently, however, some people and politicians have taken actions that undermine our civic and moral values by forcibly providing essentials like income, healthcare, education, and housing at others’ expense. This kind of misplaced generosity is ultimately harmful. As we mark our nation’s semi quincentennial, it’s worthwhile exploring our founding documents, which are easily accessible and free to download from many sources. Take some time to read the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Northwest Ordinance, and Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. By examining and understanding these pivotal works you can gain insight into the protection of rights, the limited use of taxation, and minimal government spending as significant milestones in our country’s history up until the aftermath of the Civil War. The Progressive Era ushered in a different mindset of government providing a want from need. This is directly the cause of our problems today with big government and big social safety net programs like those created by FDR’s New Deal, The Great Society and Civil Rights legislation of the 1960’s, and today’s Green New Deal encapsulated in Karl Marx’s vision for a just and equitable society, emphasizing the distribution of resources based on individual needs rather than individual rights. We should be proud to honor the freedoms that have helped us thrive as Americans. Thanks to our appreciation of basic truths, we’ve gained an invaluable gift: the understanding that protecting individual rights is most important. Generosity can be a virtue. But, taking the fruits of one’s labor by using force to gain generosity is coercion whether it be from onerous taxation, fees, or referendum. Freedom must never be given up, whether for security or immediate needs, nor for fleeting reasons or misguided generosity that causes harm to us. By remaining prudent, we can thrive. However, if our commitment to liberty and protecting individual rights wanes, both we and the Western world risk disappearing. Let’s not sacrifice the ash sapling of Liberty.

I Remember When...

This time of year, when we gather with family and friends for the Thanksgiving holiday, with gratitude for the blessings of liberty, we often tell and share old stories about long ago personal escapades. Those stories tend to start with, I Remember When. I remember when my mom would say, “go outside and play.” Her only directive was “don’t get into trouble and be home before the streetlights come on.” I think she did this to get her rambunctious boys out of her house. It was Leave it to Beaver incarnate. The dead-end street in our neighborhood included eight 1960’s houses with twenty-four kids of diverse backgrounds which included Hispanic, Japanese, and Caucasian descent. There were Catholics, Christians, Buddhist, and Jewish kids. We all got along, seldom having physical fights. There were always kids to play with in our suburban setting and even more down the block and around the corner. My brother and I would gather with the neighborhood kids after school and play football or baseball on our dead-end street. Often, we would play dog-pile on someone’s lawn, hide and seek, or end up in someone’s garage playing blind man’s bluff. When we were kicked out of one garage for being too noisy, we would find another garage or yard to play in. Other times, we played in the open field next to the neighborhood building forts with dirt clods. We would stack these hard, round clumps of dirt to build a defensive wall. After a short while someone would yell, “dirt clod fight” and the hard clumps would fly in battle trying to knock down the walls with the kids behind them. When a wall fell due to a direct hit it would tumble down. Someone was always hit by a barrage of dirt projectiles in the back, especially if they were trying to run away. Not the smartest game to play since occasionally someone would get beaned in the head and draw blood. That just added to the realism of the fight. Bactine and Band-Aids became a badge of honor. We did not have to go to exotic places to battle; we explored the outside world through our imagination. We chose sides and pretended to fight monsters, play pirates, shoot at enemy army men, cops and robbers, and cowboys and Indians. We defended our homeland and responded with dirt clods as our weapons of choice since we could only pretend to shoot our enemies with our stick guns. One day someone had the bright idea of getting a shovel and started digging trenches in the clumpy dirt. Another kid sneaked into his dad’s garage and found pieces of plywood and discarded planks to cover the trench with a roof and then shovel the dirt back on top. We became humanoid ants tunneling all over the field. Not only did we now have a fort to hang out in, but it was also our secret hiding place. Of course, the tunnels were dark, so we gathered small emergency votive candles or sabbath tapers from our houses and sneaked them out along with matches unbeknownst to our parents. The candles were placed in small niches carved into the walls of the trench, giving light to the area. We would make up stories about the battles to come or the mission at hand. We used our imaginations, drawing from our comic book experiences of superheroes and adventure book readings. We were never bored with all the neighborhood activities we created. The only electronics around would be a small transistor radio someone would bring out to listen to a ballgame or the latest rock and roll songs on our favorite AM radio station. Although we never named our little group, I like to think back to it as The Dirt Clod Club since it brings a smile to my face. For children growing up in the late 1960s and early 1970s, life was innocent. We envisioned limitless opportunities simply by tapping into our imagination. There were three network TV stations and a few independents channels, and everyone would watch the same shows and talk about them the next day at school. Everyone seemed to have the same Schwinn bicycle to ride to school, and the only variation was the color of the bike and a single or banana seat you rode on. When we got tired of getting clobbered with dirt clods, we would ride our Schwinn Sting Rays all over the San Fernando Valley. We rode to the park, to the creek, and even to Universal Studios 12 miles away. At least once a week, my neighborhood buddies and I would ride over to the gas station and ask if they had any STP stickers. We later found out it stood for Scientifically Treated Petroleum, but we did not care we just thought the logo was cool to put on our school Pee-Chee folders. At times we would ride to the local liquor/convenience store and buy the latest MAD magazine or a pack of TOPPS baseball cards with a stick of hard gum inside the package. Bazooka bubble gum was cheap, so we bought a lot, chewed big wads, and blew large pink bubbles until they popped over someone’s face. It was hysterical fun. Occasionally we would ride our bikes up to the TG&Y five and dime variety store to see what new toys had arrived. Skateboarding became a bigger thing when polyurethane wheels were created. There were no golf cart trails or hills we could not traverse. As we got a bit older my friends and I would sneak into the Busch Gardens theme park which was two blocks away. We learned to creatively gain entrance under or over the fence. Sometimes we would slide down the walkway at the end of the monorail tour and enter the park. We were often caught by the security guards, but by the very next day, we would find a new way to get in. Once inside we would ask for a clean, new paper cup for water and then find discarded cups of beer on tables with a swig or two left. We would pour that backwash into our clean cup and drink it away. We were not thinking about hygiene, we were thinking about free sips of beer. There was often live musical entertainment at the park. I remember seeing and hearing Lou Rawl’s soul music and David Clayton Thomas of Blood, Sweat, and Tears performing there. We would sometimes open the door to the shack where they stored the Anheuser bald eagle mascot costume, and one of us would put it on and walk around the park. Other times we would hide in the bushes along the river boat ride and shake the bushes or make loud bird sounds to scare the tourists. I once attended the rowing crew regalia between UCLA vs USC crew on the wide section of the river. The next day I was in a photograph cheering the boats on in the local paper. I still have this. I had a crush on a girl, so I asked her to go on a date with me to Busch Gardens. She could only go if her sister went along. I asked my little brother to join us thinking that it would settle everything. I dressed in my favorite Hawaiian shirt, paired it with a puka-shell necklace, corduroy trousers, wallabies, and finished off with a hint of my dad’s Old Spice cologne. I had saved enough money for the entrance fee and food but with the addition of my brother and his date tagging along I was short on funds, so I had to sneak everyone under the fence to get inside the park. I still remember my date and her sister’s light-colored Chemin De Fer pants covered with dirt on their backsides from sneaking into the park under the fence. I was such a romantic. As we grew up, we left the secret fort behind yet never bothered to refill the dirt we dug out. One day I saw a tractor plowing under weeds in that same field. I guess the wood on top of the fort and the soil covering it was not strong enough to hold that tractor. One second it was there and the next it broke through the secret fort roof and all I could see was the top of a man’s head just above the earth. I am not certain how he managed to remove the tractor from the trench, but by the next day it had disappeared. New dirt was replaced in the trench of the secret fort, yet the memories could not be covered up. These early experiences provide valuable lessons. I learned to fill in the trenches I created. Imagination is the world’s second greatest nation, the idea of America being the first. Our inventiveness helped me envision the possibilities of what might exist and spend more time being curious. And lastly, as I get older, I remind myself not to take everything so seriously. I try to find time for play whenever I can. I have learned to appreciate and value those serendipitous moments. Unearthing all these stories of my formative years brought back the theme song Those Were the Days from the acclaimed television program, All in the Family. This time of year, when you gather to give thanks to your family and friends, one of the greatest gifts you can give are the stories of your past to pass along. They do not have to be heroic sagas or have defining moments. They can be simple memories of a time others can enjoy listening to and learning about. It is easy to do. Simply begin by saying, I remember when. https://kimmonson.com/featured_articles/i-remember-when-stories-to-pass-along/?vgo_ee=3DsnFRIyuxgQGfOcsoCspkS4jNhTUrBHtGKlPryU3Oqzfwn0AGvtc%2Bha%3A%2Fua4PLyNFI9%2BQdHv%2FWgJTRI4pis1UbRJ

Principles over Party

Two shoe salesmen were sent to a new territory to assess its market potential and report back to their company. The first salesman reported back, “There is no potential, nobody wears shoes here.” The second salesman reported back, “There is unbelievable potential, nobody wears shoes here.” This story is a concise example of a situation that may be viewed both as an obstacle or an opportunity. A few years ago, a friend leading my county’s political party got a call from a Boulder, Colorado high school politics teacher. The instructor was inquiring if someone would be interested in speaking to his class about our political party platform to his students. As a recognized speaker within the party, my name was provided to the instructor, who subsequently extended an invitation to me. With a bit of hesitation and many questions I queried what the instructor had in mind. He explained he wanted to get his students to think for themselves about all the local political party platforms so they could understand the different public policy positions and learn to be good civic citizens. I accepted the opportunity. The first year I did the presentation I did it from a historical perspective. I began by greeting the students at the door of the classroom and shook each of their hands, I looked them in the eye and said, “Hello, I’m Brad, what’s your name?” and handed them a booklet with the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution. The students were polite and about one third of the class seemed receptive to my message. They asked engaging and challenging questions. Upon reflection, I recognize that my presentation focused extensively on facts and figures, which resulted in insufficient time being allocated for additional questions. I should have incorporated more stories that made a point. Over the past two years, I have modified my program following previous experiences. My presentations typically last 15-20 minutes and focus on the principles of freedom associated with the founding of the United States. Our country was established on the idea that all individuals are created equal, reflecting the concept of human equality. The American Founders and Framers debated and acknowledged the concept of universal, equal, natural rights for everyone. Citizens provide consent to be governed and to have their rights protected by elected representatives. These representatives operate within defined limits, forming a constitutional government based on the rule of law intended to protect individual rights and property equally. Historically, this concept has served as the basis for our major political parties. Upon my arrival at the classroom, I placed a poster on the wall listing the freedom principles just mentioned, yet I revealed them one by one and shared their significance. I opened by reciting a paragraph from Thomas Jefferson’s first inaugural speech from March 4, 1801, “…a wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government; and this is necessary to close the circle of our felicities.” This section of Jefferson’s speech concisely gives the reason for our form of government, which is to protect those universal, equal, natural rights of all men, meaning all citizens. It sets the stage for how I engage the students. Then at this point I opened the floor for questions, requiring the students to select one of the principles we discussed and tying their question to a freedom principle. This way the students must think about their question rather than base it on a preconceived notion or emotion. This approach encourages more in-depth discussion and solicits greater input from students by opening their perspectives on their questions. It allows for reflection before responding, promoting dialogue rather than one-sided communication. One hour goes by quickly and there are always more questions than the time allotted. A few students always stay behind to thank me and ask more questions or want to make a point. Some even ask for my contact information to send me more questions if they have them. I am happy to accommodate their desire to learn more. Notice I have not revealed which political party I am representing in this essay although you may easily guess. That is by design. The instructor does mention to the students the party I am representing in my introduction, but for the purposes here, my goal is to demonstrate that high school students are curious and want to think about ideas. They may not be ready to pick a political party, yet they do want to be challenged by concepts and information of “how to think, not what to think.” I am hopeful about this new group of students being raised in 2025. I see in their eyes and in their questions a desire to understand and find the universal truths of mankind. They are, in my experience, optimistic and want answers to understand the world around them. The answer to many of these young people’s questions of what it means to be human and exploring life’s complexities is by having more open dialog. My interaction with these students is not just speaking to them but helping them discover these principles as truths. I think there is unbelievable potential, like the second salesman said, “nobody wears shoes here.” https://kimmonson.com/featured_articles/principles-over-party/

I remember hearing a story about a young man who seeks advice from his teacher after repeatedly failing to reach his goals. The teacher gave him the task of carrying a lit candle to a tree a few feet away without its flame going out. The young man tried several times but each time, the wind extinguished the flame. The teacher explained that the flame represents the young man’s mind and his focus, and the wind symbolizes distractions. Success, the teacher said, depends on protecting one’s focus from distractions—just as one would shield a candle’s flame. The young man then understood the importance of focus, discipline, and concentration to achieve his goals. Like the young man in the story, I find myself being distracted by the conveniences and interruptions of modern life. A ping from a text. The ring of the phone. The knock on the door. Social media reels can trigger FOMO or fear of missing out. We are distracted by what has been referred to as the shiny object syndrome. The flashy, shiny thing in the corner of our eye that grabs our attention and causes us to become distracted by it. How does one focus on the important tasks that need to be done as opposed to the shiny object vying for our attention? First put yourself in a position not to be disturbed by these distractions. Turn your devices off or put them on “silent” or in another room. Place yourself in a quite environment. Wake up early in the morning before others arise in your household and invest time to read, write, reflect, and prepare for your day. Or if you are not a morning person do a similar routine in the evening before you go to bed and carve out 15 minutes of uninterrupted time and space for yourself. Years ago, I had the opportunity to attend a lecture by Carl E. Larson, Ph.D., a professor of Social Sciences at the University of Denver. In his book called Teamwork, What Must Go Right What Can Go Wrong he focused on the eight characteristic goals of an effective team. I will never forget his first point which is to be focused by having “a clear and elevating goal that serves as a guiding light.” An example he cited was President John F. Kennedy’s declaration in 1961 that the United States would put a man on the moon and bring him back safely by the end of the decade. That clear and elevated goal was achieved by what I call PDF, persistence, determination, and focus. Another way to think about focus is to imagine it as a distillery. I use this method when I write a speech or e-mail. In the distillation process the fermentation begins with the sugars from grains, fruits, and other base sources being converted into alcohol with yeast. Then, the fermented liquid is heated to separate the alcohol from water and other components which concentrate the alcohol. Often alcohol is aged to develop flavor and character. Then the product is bottled and sent to market. I use this distillation concept to concentrate and process my thoughts about a subject before I write them down. Then, I separate them by category or likeness. Finally, I take the time to break them down further into one or two words or the essence of the matter. Then, I can build a story or an example and package it around its base ingredients, allowing me to better explain it in its most relatable form. My business mentor Jeffrey Gitomer wrote in one of his monthly blog writings, “From Socrates to Samuel Smiles, to Orison Swett Marden, to Elbert Hubbard, to Dale Carnegie, to Napoleon Hill, to Earl Nightingale, to Jim Rohn – they all had their own way of saying THE SAME thing. Your thinking becomes your actions. And it is those dedicated, well-planned, and direct actions that lead to your outcomes. Your reality. Better stated, your success.” Intense focus leads to intense thinking on the things on which you are concentrating. By clearing away distractions you will help yourself get to your goal and to success. Once you can define your core focus so it becomes your guiding light, you can incorporate it into your being, thinking, and belief which will give you the “definiteness of purpose” which “is essential for achieving significant accomplishments in life,” wrote Napolean Hill in his opus, Think and Grow Rich. Concentrate on your goal day by day. With attention and action, your flame will shine brightly. Focus on your flame. https://soundcloud.com/thekimmonsonshow/9-11-2025-focus-on-the-flame-brad-beck-elaborates

In ancient Mesopotamia there lived a king by the name of Gilgamesh who went on an adventure to find immortality. On his journey he discovered that his true immortality does not rest on eternal life, yet on the impact he makes on others and the legacy he leaves behind. This is an old story about character, curiosity, and communication which leads to connection through personal reflection, and the importance of building meaningful relationships. The insight of this story is that building a legacy of contributions over a lifetime can lead to making significant contributions to the lives of other people. Character is something I find that is best explained in stories of the classic virtues. Temperance, being moderate in all things, prudence, having wisdom in your ideas and conversations, justice, being fair in all your dealings, and fortitude, having the courage to show up, speak up, and stand up. These virtues along with gratitude, honesty, integrity, and respect build a foundation of trust over time. As the Philosopher Ayn Rand wrote in The Virtue of Selfishness, “The man who does not value himself cannot value anything or anyone.” Curiosity is the idea that I most relate to in that it is a bridge between concepts that you may not be aware of. It may also lead to deeper understanding of the traditions of things known to you. Curiosity invites one to discover what is unknown and to look for those anomalies on the margins that are often missed. Asking questions and actively listening to find truth is a challenge that can lead to greater understanding. Being inquisitive and finding common bonds in areas of agreement can also lead to defining lines of opposition or different views. Having a genuine interest in learning new ideas from a different perspective brings serendipity to life. As Plutarch wrote millennia ago, “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” Communication is an opportunity to express oneself clearly with concise words, meaningful body movements, and a vocal intonation that opens the audience up to an exchange of ideas and thoughts in a civil and respectful manner. Opening oneself to concepts or thoughts that may differ from one’s values can lead to a meaningful dialog. To build understanding with others one can recite the words in the “Prayer of St. Francis” which has the following line. “O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand.” This reminds one that communication is a two-way endeavor. As Fredrick Douglas said, “Liberty is meaningless where the right to utter one’s thoughts and opinions has ceased to exist. That, of all rights, is the dread of tyrants… To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker.” Connection combines the elements of all three ideas above and bundles them for a stronger, more meaningful bond for personal and professional relationships. The overlap between character, curiosity and communication reinforces trust, understanding and mutual respect. Connections happen when one is consistent in dialog and deed. Being open to new and opposing ideas, to see the areas of agreement and areas where there is a differing of opinion will lead to personal growth and stronger relationships. As the great Harvey Mackay once wrote, “You can win more friends with your ears than with your mouth. People who feel like they’re being listened to feel accepted and appreciated. They feel like they’re being taken seriously and what they say really matters.” These four C’s of understanding foster a path an individual can traverse if they are open to learning, willing to be challenged, and can adapt to paradigms that shift. Yet, it all starts with being well grounded in the knowledge of oneself. Character is a foundation. Curiosity is a doorway. Communication is a structure. And Connection is the confluence of all these elements that covers and crowns this journey into a meaningful experience. Being intentional in improving these four C’s in one’s daily life can help a person secure greater happiness. As the Father of the American experiment George Washington once said. “Happiness depends more upon the internal frame of a person’s own mind, than on the externals in the world.” https://kimmonson.com/featured_articles/character-curiosity-and-communication-lead-to-connection/?vgo_ee=d6Z3jYcGfAmqYR%2BRnS8nqvwg%2B0qTOQl%2Fepb3UNBkN3J9pSkYRBnlX0%2B9%3AxZ7Snro0wyytwuY%2BZaAW9JhtPqxSPSi9

The Star Gazer

A man would star gaze every evening, walking to the outskirts of the town where the lights were dimmer. One night he was so fascinated by the abundance of stars in the nighttime sky he fell into a pit. Unhurt and unshaken, yet unable to climb out, he began to yell for help. A passerby heard his cries and came upon the star gazer and listened to his story. “My good fellow,” the man said, “while you were trying to seek the mysteries of the heavens, you overlooked the common things under your feet.” The passerby helped the star gazer out of the pit and gave him a life altering bit of wisdom. We often look up when we should be looking ahead, causing us to miss opportunities and avoid pitfalls. It is fascinating to dream and ponder the possibilities of far-off stars. I too ponder the mysteries of the universe by dreaming about what is beyond here and now. Yet, it is in day-to-day life that I find my full potential and the real opportunities of what is possible. Pondering a possible outcome is potent, yet it is in action that helps us achieve it. I remember when I was a kid there was a cartoon with a character that had an angel on one shoulder and a demon on the other. They would fight for control over the main character’s attention. Life can be like this with dreams getting overcome by the practical things we need to do daily. My observations and reason guide me toward opportunities that, with hard work and the use of my mind, benefit me. It takes self-mastery, moral courage, and the practice of virtues to stay grounded. There are many diversions that can divide our attention and get us off track. Vices can be like a magnet pulling on our being. It takes a strong will and tedious work to overcome those animal appetites that deviate our good intentions. I find daily routines move me in a positive direction. I wake up early in the morning and recite positive phrases and have thoughts of success that prepare me for the day. I read a page or two of something that will inspire or inform me. I will often write down my own reactions to what I have read. It can be a paragraph or a page, but I challenge myself to write. I stretch and breathe deeply before I go to the gym to help strengthen my body as well as my mind. These are a few habits that I attempt to do daily. By doing this routine I have found it helps me meet the challenges of my day. I am no superhuman being. I have realized over time that if I complete these daily tasks, I tend to have a more successful day. I try to make the most of every minute because I realize time is limited and I want to invest it wisely. I do a lot of self-talk and give myself a small reward for meeting my goals. It is not always easy, and sometimes I miss the mark. Yet, I know if I do my best that day, I can get closer to the destination I set for myself. I also find being a member of a club or service organization and interacting with people helps build my skills and fulfills a need to listen, learn, and laugh with others. These groups I belong to align with my values and enhance life by rewarding me with immense satisfaction. I have observed that too many people have a void in their lives by not belonging to a meaningful group or organization. There are so many ways to get involved and find a charity or a cause that can provide countless opportunities for making a difference in your life and the lives of those you can impact. I know there are struggles people face. I empathize with those who have challenges and struggle with many of these debilitating situations that life puts in one’s way. I am grateful I have found a way I can address overcoming obstacles by doing these few routines and being involved in group activities to help me be and do my best. Dreaming and looking ahead is part of human experience. It needs to be encouraged and cultivated. However, I have found it is the luminous little daily activities that have helped me get to my own accomplishments. Yes, look up at the wonders of our universe, just be careful where you step. https://kimmonson.com/featured_articles/the-star-gazer/?vgo_ee

Music Strikes a Chord in Our Quest for Freedom

I enjoy listening to music whether it is live or recorded. I have collected music on records such as LP’s, 45’s, 78’s, CD’s, and cassettes. I even use the newest streaming technology which allows me to download music to my smart devices and take it with me anywhere I go. Streaming is convenient and inexpensive, yet I still prefer the rich sound of vinyl. I have been to hundreds of concerts and seen, heard, and experienced my musical favorites live. I have worked as a roadie in a country band and was lucky to be backstage and have personally met many artists. They all have one thing in common no matter what the musical genre. Their music all started with an idea. It may have started with a chord or a hook, but there was an idea ready to catch fire. A great song may get you to download a complete album. A great album may get you to buy a concert ticket to hear the music live. A great performance may make you a lifetime fan of the artist. It is the emotional connection of that idea that the fan is buying and how this makes them feel through the music. This is true in sales, a purchase we make or an idea we embrace. All sales start at the heart which leads to the head. Emotional connection is a powerful driver of our habits and success. Music is thought of as being universal and, like an idea, it can spread from person to person. Think about a song you heard in high school that you liked. You shared it with a friend and may have said, “Hey you have to listen to this song, it’s great.” And they did. This friend tells their friend, who tells another, and now you have some momentum in launching that song into a hit for that artist. Word of mouth exposure is the most effective way to get others to buy into your point of view. Think about a movie you like or a book you read or a restaurant where you enjoyed a meal and told friends and family. Your recommendation can have a huge impact on others if they trust you and you have credibility. Think what could happen if you were to treat the idea of freedom as you would when you have a cultural or culinary experience. The WOW factor could be infectious. What if you took some time to talk, write, and discuss how freedom, like music, makes your life better? I have talked to many younger people who do not understand the idea of freedom. They do not see how people have had to fight for it to preserve it. They take it for granted. Freedom has not been the normal progression throughout history. The natural order of things, especially in a political sense, has been dominated by kings, chiefs, clans, tribes, religious theocracies, or central power brokers who rule through fear and force. It has only been in this one exceptional place that people have been free to rule their own lives and property because of the rule of law. From Jerusalem to Athens to the Angolshpere, the manifestation of freedom, capitalism, free markets, property, and individual rights have been fused together and coalesced through the American experiment. There is an adage which states that four strangers who fight a lion will die, but four friends who fight a lion will win. It is time to find or create groups capable of mutually supporting one another to plan together, write together, speak to others, and become activists for freedom by writing, telling, and sharing your story of freedom with family, friends, grandchildren, and acquaintances. This can be a catalyst for others to share their freedom story as something we should be talking about and how it allows for human flourishing. When you sit around a campfire you often tell stories and sing songs with friends and family. A campfire must be stoked occasionally for the embers to flare and the heat to warm those around it. Music, like the idea of freedom, can strike a chord if properly nurtured. The great Duane Allman who formed the Allman Brother Band once said, “There’s a lot of different forms of communication, but music is absolutely the purest one.” Freedom makes it all possible. https://kimmonson.com/featured_articles/music-strikes-a-chord-in-our-quest-for-freedom/?vgo_ee=cOYF0CjDoWqp1nzq7oqu09LzNb4lNxdaR61JJNMLCWatmAC0q9RoiLmh%3AFzFzKbqKbu72C56Pi4VnjRZnGP0jh8Sn

Wisdom Listens

“That you may be strong, be a craftsmen in speech. For the strength of one is the tongue, and the speech of one is mightier than all fighting.” – Ptahhotep In the twenty years that I have been in Toastmasters, I have had the opportunity to evaluate hundreds of speeches presented by my fellow club members. Giving critical feedback helps a speaker understand what they did well and what they can work on to improve. A good evaluator balances being helpful and encouraging while providing an honest reaction to the speaker’s presentation. Giving an evaluation in Toastmasters is an improvised activity that is given in three minutes or less and takes practice and excellent listening skills. The ability to listen is a fundamental skill that has been essential to human communication since the dawn of civilization. Offering helpful ideas on what you heard, felt, and thought about the speaker’s presentation can be enhanced by the way the speaker uses their vocal intonation, body movements, facial expressions, and use of words. Engagement through the transferring of an emotion to your audience is key. There are not any courses on listening, only speaking, however the wisdom of listening has a long history. Kim Monson Show Sponsor Roger Mangan State Farm Insurance In ancient Egypt in the late 25th to mid-24th century BCE, lived a city administrator and vizier (first minister) to the King of the Old Kingdom. His name was Ptahhotep and his sayings were transcribed as one of the earliest known pieces of philosophy and wisdom. Written in an ancient hieratic style, this compilation is considered the oldest collection of moral advice and virtue practices. In his book, “Instruction of Ptahhotep,” are his timeless maxims that not only benefit a Toastmasters evaluator, but anyone in school, business, politics, or non-profits who wish to improve their success by listening. Here are just a few of his ideas: “Listening benefits the listener.” “Only speak when you have something worth saying.” “He who listens becomes the master of what is profitable.” “To listen is better than anything, thus is born perfect love.” “God loves him who listens. He hates those who do not listen.” “If he who listens, listens fully, then he who listens becomes he who understands.” “If you are a man of authority, be patient when you are listening to the words of a petitioner. Do not dismiss him until he has completely unburdened himself of what he has planned to say to you.” Ptahhotep’s maxims on listening were derived from a lifetime of experiences and taught ethical and moral guidance to young men and nobles in dealing with human interaction and governance. His words taught humility, justice, and truth by avoiding unnecessary arguments and practicing self-control. Learning not to immediately respond and asking clarifying questions to let the speaker know you were listening can pacify a tense or contentious situation. This is sage advice which works well in most interactions, such as when you are trying to persuade others or have an audience accept your position. Hearing critical feedback can be difficult and makes one feel exposed and vulnerable. It can make a world of difference to one’s speaking abilities if they are open to a peer’s observations. This happens with trust and empathy when giving an evaluation. There are many ways to give feedback, and the most often used in the Toastmaster’s process is referred to as “the sandwich technique.” This entails offering praise on what a speaker does well and encourages them to do more of it. Next, suggest ideas on ways to improve or do something different. Then, offering some closing praise to encourage and help the speaker feel good about their presentation. The beginning and the closing of an evaluation are like slices of a loaf of bread, smooth and rounded. The middle is the meat of the evaluation and where the growth can occur. Personally, I like the “manure method” of evaluation which is the opposite of the first. Since I am a more experienced Toastmaster I am looking for brutally honest comments, therefore I encourage an evaluator for my speeches to give me “the stuff that rolls downhill.” Then, observations on what I did well. Finally, more of the “stuff that hits the fan” to help me grow faster. With a speaker’s permission one can also record a video so a speaker can watch and study their process. One’s tolerance for hearing truthful feedback determines which evaluation structure is best for a speaker. I believe it is the listener/evaluator who mostly gains from this process by artfully using their active listening skills and observations to help the speaker advance and improve. The listener/evaluator must incorporate all their faculties such as hearing, observing, feeling, and connection to the content of the speaker. Ptahhotep’s maxims combined with these Toastmasters techniques are useful for anyone who wishes to be a better listener and communicator. The musician and guitarist Jimi Hendrix once said, “Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.”

Unbelievable

I attended a business seminar in Denver years ago and one of the many speakers was the best-selling author and sales trainer, Tom Hopkins. He said a word that stuck with me, and I have used it myself successfully for years. He said when he takes a trip on a plane and the flight attendant greets him as he enters with “How are you?” most people reply, “Just Fine” or “I’m OK.” Not Mr. Hopkins. He replies, “Unbelievable.” More times than not the Flight Attendant will say, “I’ve never heard that before” or “That could be good or bad.” Mr. Hopkins will continue, “You are correct, I’ll let you decide.” That short interaction and a bit of laughter by both the flight attendant and Mr. Hopkins, makes him stand out as he boards the plane. He receives better service and a positive interaction with the flight crew, plus, it’s memorable. I can prove it; I am retelling this story to you now. I have often thought about how one or two words can create a positive interaction. Remember all the words you learned as a kid. You were taught to say, please, may I, thank you, yes sir, or yes mam. These words show respect for the person you are speaking to. This is something our culture has moved away from. We have become lazy with our language. I am no Grammarian with words, yet using better words that demonstrate your ability to speak well shows a level of maturity and mastery. How are you being “unbelievable” with the words you use? According to a Harvard University and Google project to digitize books, researchers estimated there are a total of 1,022,000 words in the English Language. Many of these words are archaic and not in general use any longer. According to the Oxford English dictionary there are about 600,000 defined English words, again many out of everyday use. According to an article in English Live, most adult English speakers have a vocabulary of 20,000-35,000 words. This is an enormous number of words to choose from, especially when you think that we have only twenty-six letters in our alphabet! Kim Monson Show Sponsor Roger Mangan State Farm Insurance I often find myself using repetitive words when I write. This is why I usually have a thesaurus by my side to look up words that have a more meaningful impact on what I am trying to express. In addition, I could never pronounce the word thesaurus until my wife taught me to place my tongue under the roof of my mouth behind my front teeth and say the “th” sound. Try it; It works. The word thesaurus comes from the Greek word meaning “treasure,” or “storehouse.” Indeed, words in a thesaurus are a treasury of knowledge that can enhance our ability to communicate clearly and concisely. Even though many words are added to our language every year there are thousands that have their origins in ancient languages. An example is the word laconic, which can be said of a person, or speech, or style of writing. This word’s origin comes from the region in Greece that includes the ancient city of Sparta. The Spartans were known for their concise wit as opposed to the verbose orators of Athens. There is a story told of the Spartans correspondence with the Macedonian King, Phillip II, the father of Alexander the Great. Sparta was the only Greek city not subjected by the Macedonians. When Phillp asked the city’s council if he would be received as a friend or foe, the response was “neither.” Phillip then sent this reply to the Spartans, “If I invade Laconia, I shall turn you out.” To which they replied, “If.” The word laconic conveys complex ideas concisely. At a Toastmasters workshop presented by two by World Champions of Public Speaking, Darren LaCroix and Mark Brown, I was chosen as the first volunteer to give an introduction to a speech. When my name was called my mind went blank. All I could think of was the opening of a song I wrote for a program teaching children about flowers. Along with hand gestures I sang, “I have a little seed. I put it in the ground. I covered it with earth. And watered it around. Up comes the stem. Out comes the leaves. Then UP pops the flower that comes from the seed.” I was stopped before the next verse by Darren LaCroix. He said, “Let’s give Brad a hand for being brave enough to start us off, and for separating himself from anyone else by trying to sing.” There was a great laugh from the audience, including me. Darren continued, “Brad why did you use “I” as the beginning of your sentence? Why not the word “You”? Darren was pointing out I was speaking to an audience, and it was more important to address them than to talk about myself. An excellent observation I would never have been aware of had I not been challenged by a perceptive evaluator. The difference of using “You” rather than “I” connected my song emotionally to the audience. The skill of curating your words to become more impactful and persuasive is something everyone can implement into their daily lexicon. In a word, you too can be “unbelievable” by being observant, listening to the lyrics of words, and crafting ways to be memorable with your language. https://kimmonson.com/featured_articles/unbelievable/?vgo_ee=k3q2hbUqgYbEPQU7Gg9xgCQuYSGBaLvgXzEpHGu1mE7UfI0cSLrp5VQY%3AyIOCdVfGwsP7ekJDBYrsGZqK1E9fjSZ1

Capitalism Works

Have you ever bought a scratch-off lottery ticket hoping to get rich only to find out you did not win and instead have some opaque pigment stuck under your fingernail? It reminds me of doing the very least amount of work while trying to get the biggest payout. There is no easy get rich quick scheme, yet many try. Work done well takes time, skill, determination, persistence, ingenuity, and a mind to do it exceptionally. Free market Capitalism allows a person to go from poverty to wealth in one generation, but you must do the work. No other social-economic system allows for this advancement in the human condition. When I was a kid, I had a paper route. I delivered the Los Angeles Herald Examiner after school and the Sunday edition on the weekend. The papers were delivered in a bundle to my parent’s doorstep. I would fold each paper with a rubber band, otherwise the papers would come apart as I flung them into my customer’s yard. I had to purchase them from my boss. I soon figured out I was in the hole before I began. I bought a handlebar delivery bag for my Schwin Sting Ray and purchased the rubber bands. I also discovered I had to go to the door of my customers to collect payment monthly. Now, it was not only money I had invested but also my time. I thought about my expenses. The cost of rubber bands could be expensive and there was also maintenance on my bike. I learned from another paperboy that I didn’t need rubber bands. He taught me how to fold and tuck the paper in such a way that would secure it. So, when I would fling the paper into the customer’s yard it did not fall apart. One day while collecting payment for delivery, a customer asked me if I could “porch” their paper for a quarter tip. My response was, “Heck Yes.” That solved another problem. The Sunday paper was bigger, and I could only get half of the folded papers in my bag. I would have to go home and get the other half and deliver them. That took more time. If I did not have to fold the papers, I could take them all on my bike and not have to go back home while I was out delivering. In addition, I could walk the paper onto the customers porch and charge them for this service. I learned early on about the Trader Principle of trading value for value. As a paperboy I invested in a business, kept my costs low, and gave the customer what they wanted. I paid my employer on time for the papers they delivered and learned how to manage a paper route. Three groups of individuals benefited from this experience, the customer, my employer, and me. This job taught me personal responsibility at an early age. It taught me the importance of delivering the paper on time. It also taught me to be creative. By learning to fold the weekly paper I eliminated the need for rubber bands, delivered the Sunday paper unfolded onto my customers’ porches, and charged for the value-added service. The lesson here is “trust” by all parties can only be found where freedom abounds. The same holds for Capitalism, which is moral because it is congruent with human nature, allows for voluntarily serving others, and being rewarded for one’s time and work. There are no guarantees that work will give you success, yet, certainly, you will not have success without the ability to work in a system that allows you to keep the fruits of your labor. As Thomas Jefferson said, in his first inaugural address in 1801, “a wise & frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government; and this is necessary to close the circle of our felicities.” Capitalism is the only social system congruent with man’s nature which endows him with the individual right to pursue his own life, survival, and well-being. Therefore, it is morally superior to any other alternatives such as collectivism or statism. Therefore, the only role for government is the protection of rights. When a government, special interest groups, or an individual take what is not theirs because of some need it is a violation of rights. To paraphrase Francisco d’Anconia’s idea in Ayn Rand’s opus, Atlas Shrugged, the desire for the unearned is the root of all evil. Said differently, those who seek the benefits of wealth without earning it through the productive efforts of their own work, are indeed malevolent. https://kimmonson.com/featured_articles/capitalism-works/?vgo_ee=eOYRncGGSMKBOojxDBigrCaYVdFjvNNM2egXxQjOdsbEuHTPdLiOpw0M%3AUU45DfKtEwo4okksJH6%2BSFaEwJWBwVky