Another term for unconscious is unintentional; as opposed to conscious…or intentional. We as individuals are composed of both the conscious and the unconscious. No doubt, on a technical level, there are many hairs to split when discussing conscious behavior. But for the purposes of this piece, let’s just say that conscious behavior is intended behavior…it is what we mean to say or do. We often make mistakes…when what we mean to do doesn’t always turn out as intended. But that is a component of the human creature; the connections between our minds and our limbs or mouths are not always perfect.
Unconscious
behavior is a much deeper and darker well. What makes us what we are? There is the age-old debate about nature vs.
nurture. There are the fields of psychiatry and sociology. There are the ever winding mysteries of the human
mind and how it works. But once again,
for the sake of simplicity and this piece, let’s just say that unconscious
behavior is the stuff that we say or do…but are never really sure why we say it or do it. It is our natural state…it is who we are. And no matter how many ingredients are baked
in this particular unconscious cake, there are certainly large amounts of how we were raised, how we were taught, and
the experiences we have lived included in the recipe. We have all at one time or
another received the sage advice…just be yourself. That’s what I’m talking about here.
I
truly believe that a child is brought into this world with an aura of
innocence. He or she is an empty vessel
to be filled by the aforementioned baking ingredients. By and large, up to and through the Boomer
generation, those ingredients included various lessons such as interpersonal
courtesy, common consideration, personal/workplace ethics, and general respect
for others. This was how children were
raised. I will grant that this is only some of the full ingredients list, but
it is the part I want to discuss. Keep
in mind that we are talking about traits that begin to emerge in the early
years and are thereafter nourished and cultivated as to become natural
attributes in a person…what we would call unconscious
behavior.
Without
making a causative judgment, it
strikes me that all the subsequent generations beyond the Boomers…in an increasing fashion…have minimized/trivialized
these noted traits to the point where, in many cases, they are
non-existent. This has occurred not only
in child rearing, but also in a larger social-environmental sense. We all experience it through our encounters
with others…like when our partners, children, friends, and coworkers are
face-planted in their electronic devices and essentially tune out everything
else…including us. We see it in all aspects of our culture and
society as we drift towards a narcissistic attitude that makes everything about us…the individual. We see it in the lack of respect for others…family, friends, employers, those who are
less fortunate, those with differing opinions, and the elderly among us. In so many ways, we have become a very
selfish and uncaring bunch of people. We
have taken a cold turn and no matter the reason for the change, it is not a turn for the better.
All
things that fall into the broad and ever-evolving field of old-fashioned are not desirable or worth preserving…but much of it is. The lessons once taught to our children about
respecting their parents, about how job performance reflects one’s character,
about how accepting accountability for one’s words or actions demonstrates
maturity, about how concern for the welfare of others should rise above one’s
self interest…these are no longer in
vogue.
Lots
of folks do not look you in the eye today when you speak with them. Lots of folks do not want to be troubled with
extraneous conversation that goes beyond the point at hand. Lots of folks are too consumed by their own
wants and needs to be worried about the wants and needs of others. Think about your daily interactions with
cashiers, salespeople, and service representatives. We just don’t seem to be communicating much these days.
These dwindling traits in many ways reflect the graciousness that once naturally existed in most folks…a cultivated and unconscious decency that tended to bring us together as a family,
a community, a society, and a people.
We’ve lost that.
Much
of this graciousness in ourselves has been replaced with selfishness. Many times, the decent things we actually do
come across as phony, contrived, or insincere because we do them consciously rather than unconsciously; they don’t seem
natural. These acts ring untrue and have
a hollow feel to them. Things can get
complicated when we do the right thing
for the wrong reasons. That’s what happens when you think too much
about how to act and stop being true to yourself. I don’t really think this shift was predominantly
intentional and designed; I think it is simply a product of our natural evolution
as a species and as Americans.
This
is not about pointing fingers or assigning blame; it is simply a sad eulogy for
lost treasures. And even though we,
individually or collectively, might not be
held consciously accountable for the loss of these human components…we are undoubtedly accountable in a
collective and unconscious sense for their loss. We took our eyes off the prize. We forgot some of the things that were
precious and worth saving. We became
focused on and distracted by the shiny objects…and let some of the good things
slip away. I wonder…are they gone for good or does enough of the essence remain as to make
a revival even possible? It is a
hard truth that goes: Sometimes…you don’t
know what you got ‘til it’s gone. Here
are some lines from the song “The Heart
of the Matter”… Don Henley, Mike Campbell, and J.D. Souther wrote it…Henley
performed it…the words ring so true…
Ah, these times are so
uncertain
There's a yearning undefined
And people filled with rage
We all need a little tenderness
How can love survive
In such a graceless age?
I
have a difficult time tolerating President Trump’s arrogance, conceit, and
bravado when speaking…but his content is typically spot-on. Such was the case in his recent United Nations
address. What he said…NEEDED to be
said. The simple fact is that no one
else is saying it. If not him…then whom?
https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/weda-death-blow-globalism-trumps-un-speech-sets-us-pivot
https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/end-united-nations
https://amgreatness.com/2025/09/26/is-there-any-role-for-the-united-nations-in-trump-2-0/
The
SCOTUS has been making some critically significant decisions lately, and this
one…if it holds up…is certainly one of them.
Just as Congress had ceded some of its powers to the Executive Branch
over the last decade or so, they have also passed legislation that seeks to
steal power from the Executive Branch. The
Humphrey’s Executor decision is long overdue for a reversal and this might be
the beginning of that.
https://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/big-victory-for-trump-on-removal-power/
https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2025/09/the-supreme-court-steps-up.php
In
the case of the United Nations and as illustrated by “this” action, it is true
that even a broken clock is correct twice every day. Dysfunctional as it is, the UN got this one
right. President Trump’s strong and
unwavering support for Israel is one of his most admirable positions. I am PROUD to see our President stand before
the world and unapologetically confirm that support. They are an ally that we should never
abandon.
https://amgreatness.com/2025/09/23/explaining-israel-the-jewish-state-the-middle-east-and-america/
https://freebeacon.com/columns/laser-focused-what-iron-beam-means-for-israel-its-enemies-and-the-us/
Like
many policies, Donald Trump and his Administration has been playing both sides
of the censorship/free speech debate and the practice of using the DOJ for
political targeting. These are two areas
where I would like to see him remain on the side that leaves the politics out
of the argument.
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/jd-vance-fcc-brendan-carr/2025/09/24/id/1227747/
https://www.nationalreview.com/2025/09/trump-doubles-down-on-lawfare/
President
Trump and his Administration are trying to rebuild our domestic and foreign
policy ideals into more constitutional and traditional models that better
reflect the principles and values upon which our nation was founded. This effort must be continued…and that
continuance hinges largely on the results of the upcoming 2026 midterm
elections.
https://amgreatness.com/2025/09/22/why-our-systems-collapse/
https://www.newsnationnow.com/business/new-home-sales-surge/
Here’s what you say when your
opponent takes the economic mess that you handed him and begins to turn it
around 180 degrees: https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/27/economy/economy-inflation-tariffs-sentiment-jobs
https://americanmind.org/salvo/a-state-department-for-the-golden-age/
