Chivalry is dead

I know I've covered this topic somewhat already in a previous post but I thought I would go into more detail. As I noted before I have been seeing an increase in hyprocrisy and a decrease in decency lately. It seems as though people just don't care about how they treat others anymore. And unless there's some sort of personal gain they're are not interested in helping out with anything. Along with this, the beliefs and principles that most once held dear are fading away. A large part of the population now chooses comfort over virtue. I guess the old saying that "Chivalry is dead" is true.

I find it amazing that most Americans have nothing that they hold steadfastly to, besides self profit. How is it that people can lack the very stuff that this country was founded on? Principles, beliefs, and honor are dying each day; this is degrading society. Without these aspects of humanity we are nothing, life is too impersonal then. The more we lack them, the more we lack the material that bonds us all together. And a mediocre life will be lived instead of an extraordinary one. When people always keep their word and have a sense of honor this makes them trustworthy and reliable. In turn, this keeps the world organized and on an even keel. If all men possessed these most important aspects even your most despised adversary could be trusted. For they would have the decency to play by the rules. But when these traits are absent chaos ensues and you will have to watch your back 24/7.

I don't see the difficulty in gaining some principles and ultimately keeping them. There is some sacrifice involved, but just remember that others will be sacrificing as well. So in the long run it benefits both parties. This is much better than being greedy, for the results of greed often cause double the amount of pain that principles would ever create. Even if a great amount of pain is caused by holding onto beliefs at least a sense of dignity prevails. In my opinion this is 100% more important than being comfortable and undignified.

My advice to people that want to improve their lives is to gain principles or reinforce those that they already possess. The rewards that are constantly reaped from them are so much sweeter than those gotten from ill derived ways of life. Become a "Yes Man".... sort of. If you have seen the movie with that title then you know that Jim Carrey becomes one and says "Yes" to everything be it good or bad. I'm not suggesting anything that drastic, what I am saying though is to say Yes to everything that you have already previously agreed to do. Keep your word always! You may be asking youself why should I do this if no one else does? My answer to this is: be the better person, having these qualities not only makes a person incredibly trustworthy but noble and respected as well. Who can say say something truly bad about one that only does what is right? Hopefully when enough people heed this advice the quote "Chivalry is dead" can be proved false and the new saying "Chivalry is very much alive" can be elevated to its rightful position.

Unrefutable Statement

The following tale I'm about to relate to the world is perhaps as old as history itself. From the earliest days of civilization man has known what's going to be revealed very shortly by me, but many simply forget it. And it's probably one of the only things that cannot be refuted whatsoever. The ubiquitous statement which will soon be brought back to the front of your mind is one that should not be taken lightly- Live by it. For who ever does so will truly have a well spent life and not take anything for granted.

In antiquity, millenia ago, there once was king who ruled a vast and powerful empire. He was a happy man, everything he desired he possessed. And if he wanted something new it was as simple as snapping his fingers to obtain it. With all his control and tangible assests he was utterly content. What more could be asked for? This happiness continued unabated for many years, until one day a new empire arose close to this said king's land. Gaining strength and wealth, the nearby kingdom had it's eyes set on expanding it's borders by conquest.

War was inevitable. The new ruler eventually began to attack the king's towns and villages. So successfully in fact that the once vast empire was quickly collapsing. Sensing impending disaster the king consulted with his wise men to come up with a solution to the problem. In addition to raising an army the advisors also gave the king a slip of paper with something written on it. They told him however, that he could not read it unless he was in a situation that he could not get out of by any other means. At this time he would be allowed to look upon its words. The king put the paper under his ring for safeguarding.

Months later, after the king's resistance had failed the new empire's army was only steps away from his palace, he was forced to flee. The king followed a river that led out of the city in hopes of escaping his pursuers. Not too long after his escape began he heard the enemy right behind him and quickly approaching. Seeing no other way out of this life threatening situation, he removed the slip of paper from beneath his ring and read it's words. He was stunned by the simple yet sage statement: "And this too shall pass away." And although the king was dazed by it's brevity he understood what it meant. Finding courage in these six words he gained the necessary strength to avoid capture and eventually reconnect with his army. Keeping the wise men's statement in mind he managed to rouse his people's morale. By doing this he was able to completely reclaim his empire.

After the final battle that made him a powerful king once more, he became boastful of his superior strength and courage. His arrogance remained until he remembered the words that had saved him, this is when he became truly humble. When he read "And this too shall pass away" as he was escaping, he realized that his moment of distress would soon be gone. Everything is transient, nothing lasts long. So this enabled him to clear his mind and gain strength, for he knew his problems would be over with very shortly. After he reclaimed his seat on the throne and became humble, the king lived each day like it was his last. His life, his kingdom, and even the entire world will be but dust in the future he knew. Why not find happiness now? It's pointless to save it for another day, because that might not come.

The statement created by the king's advisors is one that can make a sad man happy and a happy man sad. Nothing, I repeat nothing lasts forever, everything eventually ends. And as you finish reading this sentence, just remember that the tale I have told shall also pass away and be forgotten.

Sam's Point

Well, since the summer is nearly half way over with already I urge people to get outside and do some hiking before it's too late. In this entry I will relate the details of my favorite hike in the Hudson Valley. I strongly suggest that anyone who has some extra time over the next couple of months to check this site out. A single day is all you need to have an extraordinary time.

1. Sam's Point

Sam's Point Preserve which is situated atop the Shawangunk Mountains in Cragsmoor, NY is absolutely stunning. In my opinion it's the best place to go in the region. If you enjoy breath taking views over 2,000 feet high which include distant glimpses of the Catskills, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Hudson Valley this is the place for you. In addition to the views there are blueberries ripe for the picking, ice caves, a sky lake, and a very tall waterfall, not to mention countless rare plants and animals. This preserve has been called by many one of the "Last Great Places on Earth", and it's not difficult to see why.

The way that Sam's Point got its name is a highly interesting story. I'll give a brief account of the way it originated which was in the 1700's. During this time period this part of New York was sparsely settled by Europeans, most of the inhabitants were of the Native American variety. Tensions were often high between the two groups. The Europeans saw the Indians simply as savages and generally nothing more. While the Indians viewed the settlers are greedy land grabbers who wanted to destroy their culture. So the groups clashed quite frequently. In those days raids by the natives were pretty common, especially during the French and Indian War which is when this event took place. As the legend goes, in 1758 during the midst of war a resident of the region, Samuel Gonsalus, was pursued by an Indian scalping party while on the land that now makes up the preserve. Apparently the group had already killed a few people not long before chasing Sam, so he knew he was in a dire situation. Just before the natives were about to capture him atop the ridge, he jumped off a rock ledge. This sounds like it would be the end of the story, but alas, he did in fact survive. He managed to do this by grabbing hold of a tree near the bottom as he was falling. The Indians who saw him jump figured he had been killed by the fall. Little did they know that he was very much alive below. This gave him the necessary time to climb down the tree and make his escape. Ever since this daring leap of faith, the very spit of rock where Samuel Gonsalus jumped from has been known as Sam's Point.

Once the entrance to the park is reached there's a somewhat moderate climb to the top of the ridge. It's really not that difficult, but once the summit is reached a break is in order. The best places to rest are on the many glacial erratics that are all around. Sitting on a huge boulder at the edge of a cliff over 2,000 feet high, gazing at the amazingly beautiful and sublime views makes for an awesome sight. It's not something easily forgotten, trust me on that! From there, it's a relatively easy hike on account of now being on an enormous plateau. There are many different trails that go to completely unique areas. One of the best is a path that winds around the ridge and goes through an ice cave. Ice caves are pretty rare throughout the world, but atop the Shawangunks they're quite common. These caves are located within the incredibly hard quartz conglomerate. Even though the rock it very tough many fissures are evident in places along the mountain chain. Inside some of these cracks and fissures caves have formed over millenia. And during the winter, storms blow all kinds of precipitation inside be it either snow, sleet, or freezing rain. Here it remains unaltered until the very last days of summer. So a stroll through one on a hot and humid day in July or August will be much better than sitting inside with just AC!

Another trail goes to a very large lake, and it seems to touch the sky. That's why the Indians called these bodies of water "Sky Lakes". Following this path around the lake one will encounter thousands upon thousands of blueberry bushes. If you're a fan of them I would say visit it towards the end of July for some ripe fruit. And guess what: all of them are free!

If waterfalls are your thing you're in luck because there's one located within the bounds of the preserve. VerKeerderkill Falls is the name and it's nearly 200 feet high. The path that bring you to it winds through Pitch Pine barrens, blueberry bushes, and many other types of environs. The entire length of the trip is along the edge of the ridge and gives the hiker unrivaled views to the east. A section of the trail actually goes to the brink of a precipice adjacent to the falls, so if you're the adventurous type feel free to walk it and stand only feet away from the roaring water. If this really isn't your thing, don't despair, there's a much safer route that still allows excellent panoramic views. This is the best waterfall located anywhere in the Shawangunks!

And yet another trail heads to the west of the plateau. This one brings the hiker to Indian Rock which is probably one of the largest glacial erratics located in the preserve. This giant monolith is situated very near to the edge of a cliff. The boulder is an excellent place to visit if one wants to sit and contemplate for awhile. The not too distant Catskills are the main attraction. For this unspoiled view shows many peaks that seem to be sprouting from the earth. And not a single sign of human habitation can be seen in any direction. This offers one of the nicest glimpses of the region.

Besides the trails I have listed there are many more, but I have yet to visit them. Hopefully I can fix this soon, as I'll be taking a trip there very shortly. And I say to my readers: take a chance and go to the preseve one day this summer. I'm positive you'll be swept away by it; just remember no person has truly lived until they take a journey to one of the "Last Great Places on Earth".

Independence Day

The 4th of July is fast approaching and this means parties, barbecues, and fireworks will be in full force very shortly. Almost every American looks forward to this day for it means time off from work along with some intense relaxation. But when people take part in these special festivities they often forget the true meaning of this holiday. All they care about is eating a lot and hanging out with friends, not that there is anything wrong with this, but be sure to remember what you're celebrating. It's almost too easy to forget that this is the day of our Independence from Britain.

On July 4, 1776, 233 years ago the Declaration of Independence was adopted. This completely severed the ties between the colonies and Britain causing the first true world war. For about 7 years after the signing there was intense fighting throughout our country, but afterwards our nation emereged victorious and able to say that we defeated the most powerful empire on the face of the earth... what a most remarkable feat! People often find other wars such as the Civil or World Wars to be much more interesting. But in my opinion I find the American Revolution to be the most fascinating; without this, the things we enjoy to do or study would be vastly different. What makes us distinct from the rest of the planet wouldn't exist. We would probably be singing "God Save the Queen" today if the Founding Fathers didn't take a stand. I would never want to sing that and I don't think many Americans would, but maybe that's just me...

Everyone should truly appreciate the sacrifices made by those brave men who stood up for what they believed in. They were on the precipitous brink of ruin, one wrong move would cost them everything. But nevertheless, they fought valiantly to secure what they most desired - Liberty, not only for themselves but for future generations of Americans as well. What they eventually created from the humble foundations of the colonies was an American Republic in which its citizens enjoy the most freedoms out of any country in the world past or present. This cannot be taken for granted at all, it's truly a miracle. If one looks at almost any industrialized country in Europe, even one such as France or Germany the rights granted to us by the Constitution such as free speech don't universally apply there. Liberty has a steep price, there's always someone trying to wrestle it away so they can instill tyranny. What makes us as Americans unique is that we don't put up with it, we'll fight to the last man if necessary to preserve our rights.

For over two centuries we have been doing this and look at what it has given us... the Strongest, Wealthiest, and Freest nation ever to exist. What more could you ask for? This is what happens when people are given the natural born rights that they're entitled to. Prosperity follows freedom... why do you think countries that have communism or fascism fall every day. There is total government within these, and that is why they falter. When rights are restricted or simply given away the nation crumbles under its own weight. Our own founders created this government one step away from anarchy. They wanted just enough government intervention to protect our liberties and that was all. Perhaps that's they path we should continue to follow, it has worked since 1776. Why change now? Recent history has shown that when government meddles with people's rights and restricts them, chaos ensues. Why do you think we're currently in an economic mess? It's because the government is getting too powerful; this nation is now beginning to crumble. It's time for people to wake up and remember the very basic principles that America was founded on. The more the government takes over, the more the country will fall apart... it's relatively simple. How have the majority of people in this country failed to recognize this? Our Republic, yes, our Republic not democracy, is heading down the path of ruin unless it's course is changed... the end of prosperity is near. I doubt that anyone wants this, so real change needs to take place.

Also, most of you reading this probably didn't know that America is not a democracy. In fact it's only a republic. Believe it or not democracy is actually a pretty bad form of government. Only during the 20th century did the term "American Democracy" emerge thanks in part to Woodrow Wilson. Here's some philosopher's take on democracy: in Plato's view "Democracy is a state in which the poor, gaining the upper hand, kill some and banish others, and then divide the offices among the remaining citizens equally." and the Roman Seneca said "Democracy is more cruel than wars or tyrants." While John Adams stated "Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts and murders itself." This may be surprising but in a democracy there's a virtual mob rule. In a vote for say, 51 out of 100, the majority could choose to basically do anything they want. As long as one side has more than 50% of the vote they could theoretically take away people's property or choose to kill someone for any reason. In a republic there is law, even if one side has more than 50% of the vote they are resticted in what they can do. For example, they couldn't arbitrarily take away someone's rights, they would be bound by law. In a republic you couldn't be banished simply because people don't like you; unless you break the law you're safe. But in a democracy anything flies. The founding fathers were very smart, they knew what a democracy would do so they stayed far away from it. Instead they created an American Republic. We need to stay true to this!

In conclusion, Independence Day is one of the most important American holidays, that is why it should be revered. We as citizens of the United States of America cannot forget under any circumstance how and why this country was forged from virtually nothing. Think about it, at its humble conception America was comprised of 13 separate states, but with hardwork and sacrifice it was destined to become an unbreakable union. And in this union liberty reigns supreme. So on the 4th while you're eating a hot dog or hamburger remember those who fought incredibly hard and gave up everything so you could be where you are today. Don't take it for granted, for it can disappear in an instant if no attention is paid.

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of Freedom." -JFK

"My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government." - Thomas Jefferson

"Live Free or Die"