Valuing Lives 1st Requires Examining Religious Belief Systems

Two subjects that most people try to avoid are discussions about politics and religion, especially with strangers. Of course, politics and religion just happen to be two major factors in many of the conflicts and issues that are dividing Americans today. So, if people who live in a democracy won’t or are unable to find mutually beneficial ways to discuss things, how will those conflicts and issues be resolved? Read the complete blog at -- https://lives1st.blogspot.com/2017/11/valuing-lives-1st-requires-examining.html

1825 Days to Teach Infants and Young Children to Trust

Parents, the lessons you teach your children about trust in the first 1,825 days of their lives will drive much of their daily behavior and shape much of what they think, what they say, and what they do for the rest of their lives. New scientific research is transforming the way we understand the role that parenting in the first five years of a child’s life. Read the complete Live 1^st Blog at -- https://lives1st.blogspot.com/2017/11/1825-days-to-teach-infants-and-young.html

Putting Lives 1st in Decision Making

Read the complete blog at -- https://lives1st.blogspot.com/2017/11/putting-lives-1st-in-decision-making.html

Thank God for Disasters???

Why is it that the best of humanity always seems to come out of a crisis, disaster, traumatic event?? Is this the only time we truly feel our connection to others, especially whole groups of people we “hate”, or hate us? 

It’s been very interesting to say the least, watching the posts from Houston. One “redneck” was going on and on about, black people, Latinos, Asians, etc. . . . all working together, helping each other out, looking out for their “neighbors”, and protecting their property and themselves. There was such kindness and concern, such opening of hearts. The rich and famous, brightest stars, godlike sports heroes all giving, becoming involved and coordinating efforts! If someone has been blessed with success, then those blessings were meant to be shared.

Charlottesville and Houston, which one are we? Well, I would say we’re both; we’re the only species on the planet who understands the difference. When our normal -- self-absorbed, constantly consuming, immediately gratified, mostly distracted and indifferent -- lives are disrupted, we come to realize an ancient truth -- We Need Each Other! Who else is there, but others who are enduring the same disaster and without helping one another, we die!

In our Lives 1st Initiative at the TOV Center, we combine ancient values and wisdom with 21st century science. This science is rewriting the book on how our brains function. Research has shown, that humans are wired for fairness, loyalty and compassion. Babies, toddlers and even young children live without prejudice. They have to be taught to discriminate, hate and fear. 

Years ago, I watched a news program about a massive earthquake in Turkey. Greek soldiers were there helping in the rescue efforts. Normally the two groups despise one another. The reaction and coming together after 9/11, Palestinian firefighters working with Israeli firefighters during the forest fires, the looks on the faces of Syrian refugees being bussed and helicoptered to Israeli hospitals for treatment. These types of behaviors reveal who we all are really are!

The Lives 1st Initiative views conflict, crisis and even disaster as catalysts for tremendous growth and transformation. I teach that same idea about grief, loss and recovery as well. When things will never be the same, they can be different. Nothing like going through something that reminds us, that We All Are Interconnected, and We All Bleed Red. What a revelation!

I’ve mentioned before, that in Jewish tradition, we say one blessing when we hear good news and one when we hear bad news, because we truly don’t know the difference.

Disasters? If they help open our eyes, open our hearts and bring out our true nature, which is to Protect, Preserve, Raise Functionality and Increase the Quality of Lives -- then let’s not waste the opportunity to show Love!

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It’s all about putting Lives 1^st!

Rabbi Jeffrey Leynor

How Fragmented Can We Become?

Whatever the ideological flavor, the underlying message of an impulse driven market-based culture is the same -- as individuals, we were encouraged, both subtly and overtly, to see our interests as distinct from those of the larger society – and, increasingly pressured to put our individual interests, appetites, desires and longings above the interests and needs of the larger society. At what point does this fragmentation of our nation caused by individuals, consumers, corporations, religions, special interests groups, and political parties all seeking their own self-interest undermine the “security of the whole society”? 

http://tovcenter.org

Teens watching, videoing and laughing at drowning man teaches lessons about social media's impact on society

Vicki Panaccione, a Melbourne psychologist who works with children and families, said she has noticed a trend of people becoming "desensitized about what's going on in the world because of everything they're exposed to. It can almost be overwhelming. Kids are being bombarded with all kinds of violence and aggression." Read complete article at https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/07/22/drowning-case-teaches-lesson-social-medias-impact-society/502248001/

Student Loan Rates Go Up on Saturday - more to follow.

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the Federal Reserve System makes key decisions about interest rates which control the growth of the United States money supply.

Money and water follow similar laws. Water flows down to the lowest point. Money flows up to the highest return. When the FOMC lowers rates the money supply expands as money flows from Treasury bonds, bills and notes seeking higher rates from other investments. When FOMC raises rates, the US money supply shrinks as fund flow from those other investments back into the Fed to purchase Treasury bonds, bills and notes.  

When FOMC raises rates it affects many things in the private sector -- interest rates on everything from car loans, home mortgages, business loans, student loans, etc. will rise. Interest rates on government securities will also rise, meaning that the federal government will have increased borrowing costs, which means the interest citizens are paying on the national debt will increase too. And many other debt instruments including bonds issued by cities, states, school districts, etc. will have rates going up and citizens having to pay more.

The Federal Reserve raised short-term interest rates by a quarter point at the last meeting of the on Wednesday. It's the Fed's third rate hike since December. On Saturday, July 1, interest rates will rise on new student loans for undergraduates from 3.76 to 4.45 percent. Graduate students aren't spared: Their rates go from 5.31 to 6 percent. Rates were set based on the Treasury Department's May 10 auction of 10-year notes. 

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the Federal Reserve System makes key decisions about interest rates which control the growth of the United States money supply.

Money and water follow similar laws. Water flows down to the lowest point. Money flows up to the highest return. When the FOMC lowers rates the money supply expands as money flows from Treasury bonds, bills and notes seeking higher rates from other investments. When FOMC raises rates, the US money supply shrinks as fund flow from those other investments back into the Fed to purchase Treasury bonds, bills and notes.  

When FOMC raises rates it affects many things in the private sector -- interest rates on everything from car loans, home mortgages, business loans, student loans, etc. will rise. Interest rates on government securities will also rise, meaning that the federal government will have increased borrowing costs, which means the interest citizens are paying on the national debt will increase too. And many other debt instruments including bonds issued by cities, states, school districts, etc. will have rates going up and citizens having to pay more.

The Federal Reserve raised short-term interest rates by a quarter point at the last meeting of the on Wednesday. It's the Fed's third rate hike since December. On Saturday, July 1, interest rates will rise on new student loans for undergraduates from 3.76 to 4.45 percent. Graduate students aren't spared: Their rates go from 5.31 to 6 percent. Rates were set based on the Treasury Department's May 10 auction of 10-year notes.

The US Constitution Article I. Section 8 states that one of the “Powers of Congress” is “To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof . . .” The Federal Reserve is a private corporation owned by banks. Maybe now would be a good time, for all of the folks being saddled with paying the increased cost created by those unelected people raising interest rates, to consider becoming more involved in learning how to use the power that Citizens have to change things like this. What do you think?