Robert Gale Ongley

Month: December 2021

  • BE THE ARCHITECT OF A NEW YEAR

    Who do you think you are? The victim of your environment? A pawn in the game of life? A fallen leaf blown here and there by the winds of change? Or are you the creator of your own destiny? The cause rather than the effect?

    Whatever role you play in this world, you can make it better. It may take a great deal of courage and effort if you’re under oppression. It may require incredible persistence if you’re plagued with an addiction. If it’s merely inertia that’s your great enemy, you may need to reach down deep to overcome it. We all have something holding us back. I don’t mean to minimize anyone’s challenges whether they’re internal or external ones. But almost everyone does have the capacity for improving their condition. My hope here is to give you some guideposts for making it happen.

    A Fresh Start

    You’ve probably heard the old saying, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” Taking that truth to heart and applying it to your own set of circumstances can give you a clean slate–at least mentally. With the beginning of a new year, many people are inclined to make a change in their lives. These resolutions usually have to do with something they have been falling short on, something they’ve been wanting to change without success. The new year is a natural place to press restart. I mean, the old year with its imperfections is ending and a brand new year brings brand new, untainted opportunity. For the serious-minded person looking for a change, it’s a chance to start anew. They can draw on the new energy, no matter whether it’s just coming from their own imagination. A fresh start is just what’s needed for many.

    A Decision

    Every action we take begins with a decision. Without it, nothing happens. If you are to break a bad habit or make some other significant change in your life, you will have to make a decision in order to bring about the desired effect. And that decision needs to be strong, unwavering and clear.

    A Plan

    I’m primarily referring to one change at a time, but I know I’ve made several New Year’s resolutions at once for an incoming year. If that’s what you do, then make a plan for each. Of course, there can be some overlap where the same strategy type can apply to multiple resolutions. Feel free to have some repeating instructions for yourself across however many plans you’re drafting.

    Your plan should be sort of a vehicle to take you to your destination, the final goal. You should design it to your own specifications, but I’ll share a few ideas on components I think are important.

    First, your plan will likely consist of a series of steps. This is true even if the goal is simple, as in the case where you want to be a better person in some way. Let’s take the example of being more considerate to others, which may seem like a one-step process. It’s not as easy as it sounds to change your behavior. You may find that you slip right back to old habits despite deciding to operate differently. Here you are hurrying to get in line in front of the mother with a restless infant in her shopping cart full of groceries. You’re on a tight schedule, right? The steps of your plan could include a time study which helps you handle time better and makes it easier to consider others’ needs ahead of yours. If your plan helps you foresee stumbling blocks along your way, your odds of success improve.

    Forgive yourself when those stumbles do occur. Resolve to do better this day. Keep yourself moving forward, even if it’s by baby steps.

    Keep a journal of your progress. Every day, preferably at the end of the day, take stock of how you did on your plan. Recognize where you missed the mark and acknowledge your accomplishments. This will keep you on track and could give you either more determination to do better or pride in what you’ve attained.

    Stay the Course

    Never give up. The year ahead is clay in your hands. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that staying the course doesn’t necessarily mean sticking to the plan even if it turns out to be flawed. If you realize you need to do something different to advance toward your goals, don’t hesitate to tweak away. Also, if you need help with any part of the entire process, seek advice. We’re all connected and your good is their good.

  • REVIEW: “DON’T LOOK UP”

    I saw a film on Netflix last night that I just have to write about and I have to write about it now. I think it’s accurate enough to call it a dramedy but it has elements of suspense, science fiction and satire as well. The cast is outstanding, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill, Cate Blanchett, Rob Morgan and others who would extend this already long sentence much too far, but who are nonetheless worthy of mention. I felt compelled to move this article to the front of the line if only because of its relevance to this particular time in our country’s and our planet’s history.

    Premise

    “Don’t Look Up” is a film that presents a doomsday scenario and explores how it might be dealt with in today’s socio-political environment. A doctorate candidate at Michigan State, played by Lawrence, is working one night in the Astronomy Department when she discovers a previously unknown comet. The professor, DiCaprio’s character, and other members of their small team are gathered to obtain more data on the comet. They soon discover its trajectory will bring it into a direct hit of Earth. Its size will result in an extinction event. Everyone on earth will die if the comet is not somehow diverted or destroyed. The authorities are alerted. Dr. Mindy (DiCaprio), Kate Dibiasky (Lawrence) and Dr. Teddy Oglethorpe of NASA (Morgan), are summoned to Washington for an urgent meeting with President Orlean (Streep).

    Stirring the Plot

    The President has her doubts about the science and her Chief of Staff who also happens to be her son, played by Hill, seems more concerned about Dibiasky’s personality than what she has to say. When the government’s scientists confirm the impending catastrophe, it’s treated as an opportunity for political gain. A show is made of taking out the comet. Dr. Mindy and Dibiasky (for whom the comet is named) are the spokespersons for the government and are low-ranking guests on a talk show where the hosts make light of the disastrous scene laid out on their mindless program. Dibiasky loses her cool, screaming everyone is going to die, for which she is ridiculed immediately and in the weeks following on social media memes.

    A plan is developed for the United States to blow the comet apart with nuclear warheads before it hurtles in close enough to cause any harm to our world. Unfortunately, a technology mogul whose business savvy is greater than his common sense determines there are trillions of dollars to be made by mining the comet and he presents a plan to break up the comet into many small pieces that would land harmlessly on our terrestrial lands. The President loves the idea and turns around the mission before the space shuttles are out of sight.

    Parody of the Bizarre

    What follows is a sequence of events involving the President and the populous both humorous and disturbing. It holds up a mirror to the state of our world in these strange times. The lure of riches as well as benefits for humanity based on optimistic but unproven technology bring euphoria to many. Doubters of the astronomical prediction which is undeniable choose to claim there is no comet. Meanwhile, the social media circus continues with its creative commentary on personalities and theories for the fringe. All the while, the citizens of Planet Earth are true to form, acting selfishly and irresponsibly in the face of extinction. A movement telling people not to look up gains traction. Denial of the truth is in full bloom.

    Performances

    In a story so serious which is treated satirically, actors are challenged to walk a fine line between the ridiculous and the sublime. DiCaprio played his role particularly well, ranging from the respected professor through the nervous messenger to the voice of calm and reason. Streep was suitably superficial as a shallow politician, self-serving and narcissistic. Lawrence transcends from the smart grad student who makes the discovery to the blunt and even frantic spokesperson whose screaming public indignation makes her the famous butt of jokes. Telling it like it is, being perhaps the most realistic character, she is given the least credibility by those she is trying to save. Hill did a great job portraying a snarky, entitled Chief of Staff who had no legitimate credentials for the post he held.

    Conclusion

    There are a few minor reasons not to like “Don’t Look Up.” I thought I was getting a pure, serious disaster movie. Additionally, It was frustrating to see the illogical polarization of today’s society in a scenario with clearly proven dire circumstances. Watching the main characters submit to disappointing behavior at times was difficult to watch. However, this film was strong because of the captivating premise, the outstanding cast and the social commentary. The title says it all really. Hide from the truth at all costs. It’s just life that’s at stake.