Toward a Just World: We've Come Far, But Still Have Far to Go

We’ve progressed far toward a just world in recent centuries. A 2019 BBC article “Seven reasons wby the world is improving” is one of many that discuss these advances. But there’s still far to go to attain success on our planet.

My earlier Google Blogger article “Worldwide Prosperity Is Possible: Some Suggested Steps Toward It” discussed certain aspects of this. Now I discuss several signs of progress over years, decades, and centuries, as well as some failures in our search for a just world.

Signs of Progress and of Limitations

In recent centuries slavery has been abolished in most of the world.
Still, it remains in some places.

Colonialism has ended in most places.
But it still remains in some..

Racial discrimination is decreasing.
But it still remains.

Sex discrimination has decreased.
But it still remains.

Immunizations to prevent diseases have virtually eliminated some illnesses.
But others remain widespread.

New medicines can often cure or at least alleviate many illnesses.
But more can be done.

Google Translate makes communication between persons using different languages easier.
But relatively few persons communicate with those of other languages.

Portable cell phones that can be carried in a pocket do marvelous things.
But we often use them for playing games instead of more useful purposes.

Desktop computers, laptops, iPads, USB flash drives, etc., provide abundant resources.
But we are sometimes overwhelmed with information and fail to maintain a balanced life.

Seat belts, child seats, etc., make automobile travel safer.
But reckless driving continues too often.

Water treatment systems make relatively safe water widely available.
But some areas still lack safe water.

Air quality is better than it was decades ago in many areas.
But widespread air pollution continues in a lot of urban places.

Modern jets, cars, ships, etc., make travel faster and easier than in the past.
But costs limit the number of persons who regularly access them.

The Internet makes almost unbelievable amounts of information accessible to most.
But we often fail to use it properly and often accept false information instead of facts. .

Formerly legal harmful drugs such as heroin are now banned.
But drug abuse persists even of legal drugs beneficial when used properly.

Multilateral resources like the United Nations help resolve world problems.
But selfish behavior of various nations limits the UN’s effectiveness.

International aid organizations help around the world.
But their resources are limited in the face of huge needs.

Modern production methods greatly increased production of quality foods and other goods.
But widespread droughts and some wars are leading to product shortages.

Cooperative methods of combatting natural disasters have advanced dramatically.
But increasing natural disaster severity increases property losses and risks to lives.

Actions to Undertake: The United States May Lead

The United States can take a leading role in helping achieve a just world. True, the United States is not as dominant economically in the world as it was a few decades ago. And its dominance in other areas remains questionable. But, overall the U.S. remains the most influential nation on Earth as I see it. This country needs to behave responsibly, make our United States flag (pictured below in a 2016 file photo of one near Lexington, Kentucky courthouses) a proud symbol of commitment to justice in our country and wherever it waves around the world via Navy ships, etc.

Let's seek to stop or greatly reduce drug abuse. It’s terrible that so many persons around the world abuse so many drugs in so many ways. Somehow we need to find a way to treat those currently doing it, and to prevent others from doing so in the future. U.S. citizens are major abusers of drugs. While stopping the inflow of illegal drugs to the U.S. is important, if our people stop desiring them, there won't be customers to import them to. Furthermore, we need to eliminate or greatly reduce the abuse of legal drugs that may be helpful when used properly.

Let's seek for international differences to be resolved fairly and peacefully, to eliminate or at least greatly reduce military abuses, including those of the U.S. military. The U.S. has the most powerful military in the world, and it needs to be used responsibly. Also, when U.S. military leaders and/or soldiers commit abuses, they need to be held accountable. It’s a horrible tragedy that in the 21st century human beings still do not manage to always settle differences fairly and peacefully without resorting to war and other forms of violent conflict.

Let's seek a worldwide commitment to integrity, to obedience to the highest righteous authority, which is a foundation of various major religions. Let's aim to put it into practice. Members of religions need to do a better job of teaching morals and correcting adherents in a loving way when those members fall short. Many of us in the U.S. pride ourselves on our nation's relative freedom of religion. In this country, I hope members of different faiths will genuinely seek the “true” faith whatever it may be.

More persons can give generously of their time, talents, and financial resources to help the needy help themselves. This may be the most important thing of all, when done under the leadership of the highest righteous authority, which I call God. U.S. citizens may already contribute generously locally, nationally, and internationally. But can do much more.

Together we can continue and accelerate progress toward a just world. Let’s seek to do so.

Fairness for All: Discrimination and Affirmative Action Don't Work

We need fairness, not ongoing discrimination and overdone affirmative action. Sadly, discrimination continues in many ways, while affirmative action exceeds reasonable bounds in other aspects.

I'll cite two hypothetical examples to illustrate extremes of discrimination and affirmative action.

For example, do any employers want to discriminate by refusing to hire any Hispanics or any women just for being Hispanic or female? I would hope not.

Similarly, would any professional basketball team in the NBA practice affirmative action by recruiting senior citizens as starters on their team? I hope not.

Let's seek equality of opportunity, while seeking fairness rather than either discrimination or affirmative action.

We need balance. Conflicts continue in modern 21st century society.

Disputes occur between:

*black and white,
*old and young,
*rich and poor,
*male and female,
*heterosexual and homosexual,
*Christian and atheist
*Jew and Muslim
*pro-life and pro-choice
*etc., etc.

Just as the world has numerous different colors, a few of which are pictured below, we humans enjoy numerous different views.

Furthermore, just as the image above only depicts a few of the immense variety of colors on Earth, any individual human can only assimilate a small portion of the immense amount of information available. No one knows all the facts. Indeed, it's been said that colors themselves are an illusion, but comprehending that may be beyond my limited knowledge.

We can seek to learn more and to properly apply what we learn. And while we'll never learn it all, we can at least accept that others may know things we don't, and accept that even where they may be wrong, we need to disagree without resorting to name-calling, violence, or disrespectful shouting.

Perhaps the most publicized divide in the United States is the one between liberals and conservatives. The organization Braver Angels is one group seeking to keep lines of communication open between the two. Several other groups seek to do so too.

We may never come to agreement on all issues. But we can at least seek to listen respectfully to the viewpoints of others, seek to understand where they’re coming from, and seek to express our own viewpoints respectfully. We can ask questions to learn more about where they’re coming from. At the least we can seek to disagree without arguing. In many cases a compromise can be reached that improves things for both groups.

One hot-button issue for me is abortion. I am strongly pro-life, opposed to abortion in almost all cases.

Below I use the pro-life vs. pro-choice dispute as an example of how to find common ground.

Ways to Find Common Ground on the Pro-life Versus Pro-Choice Issue

On the pro-life vs. pro-choice issue, I am strongly pro-life. But I can seek to sympathize and empathize with those who are pro-choice.

Even pro-life persons typically know that persons who are victims of rape, or who suddenly find themselves pregnant at a time when they lack the fiscal, emotional, or physical maturity to be a parent face a difficult situation.

Even pro-choice persons desire to avoid the risk, pain, and expense of an abortion if possible.

Pro-life and pro-choice persons can work together (depending on their particular views) to:

*prevent or at least substantially reduce rape,
*prevent or at least substantially reduce incest,
*prevent or at least substantially reduce irresponsible casual sexual intercourse,
*promote consistent use of effective contraceptives appropriate for particular beliefs,
*educate persons about adoption as an option for undesired children,
*inform persons of safe places to anonymously drop-off newborns as one resort,
*and to help out in numerous other ways to help solve the problems instead of just arguing.

Closing Thoughts

We can seek common ground on other issues in addition to abortion. But each of us reflects our unique background, heredity, and environment. Each of us have biases of some type (and yes, that includes me).

Furthermore, greed, selfishness, and laziness are obstacles to fairness. But if those with abundant resources seek to share with the needy, and each of us work productively at some task(s), we can make this world a much better place.

Monetary donations to charities like the American Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, CARE, local food banks, homeless shelters, job training programs, etc., can help enormously.

Volunteering time and talents when appropriate can help in numerous ways too. Each of us are gifted in various ways to help out.

We can meet and communicate respectfully with others who differ from us.

If you or I know of a particular need that we are able to meet better than others, we can help out by providing specific help to friends, neighbors, relatives, and/or others. In some cases we as individuals can alleviate problems in a way than an organized charity doesn’t.

However, commitment is key. We need to commit to wanting to listen with an open mind, wanting to learn, wanting to find ways to serve, and wanting to be fair. Together we can make this world a much better place. Let’s seek to do it.

Worldwide Prosperity Is Possible: Some Suggested Steps Toward It

Prosperity worldwide is possible.

We can achieve it by following the correct path. Below I list numerous specific steps we can take to progress toward success.

Specific Steps Toward Worldwide Prosperity

We can seek to reconcile differences fairly and peacefully instead of fighting wars.

We can rebuild broken relationships via cards, letters, phone calls, emails, etc.

We can plant trees instead of complaining about impure air.

We can work productively at beneficial careers instead of being lazy.

If “retired,” we can do volunteer work locally, nationally, and/or internationally.

We can treat all persons fairly instead of practicing discrimination.

We can practice love instead of hatred.

We can smile instead of frowning.

We can avoid abusing legal and illegal drugs, including alcohol and tobacco.

We can seek to avoid risky behaviors like reckless driving, working unsafely, etc.

We can help one another instead of hindering.

We can practice sexual abstinence until marriage instead of selfish, sexual lust.

We can drink more water and less cola, beer, and coffee.

We can be content with what we have or ask for help instead of stealing.

We can share with the needy while encouraging them to work to better themselves.

We can donate to charity instead of spending money on piercings and tattoos.

We can be truthful instead of lying.

We can read helpful books, enjoy nature hikes, and apply what we learn to help others.

We can seek to use all our time wisely, which includes getting proper rest.

We can celebrate the successes of others without being jealous.

We can eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds, less junk food.

We can exercise by walking and/or bicycling while driving automobiles less.

When reasonable, we can use mass transit instead of driving in traffic.

We can put the highest righteous authority (which I call God) first, not human desires.

Closing Thoughts

My suggestions are just suggestions. You may share ideas to add to my list or share alternatives to some of them.

But, as I see it, a key is for us to genuinely seek to make ourselves better persons, more productive, and thus improve not just ourselves but those we contact and the entire world, as we work together toward a better planet.

Prosperity already exists in many areas. The June 2022 photo below I took on a visit to Chicago’s Riverwalk depicts what may be a flourishing area. But even in Chicago (and other successful places), sections are not prosperous. Huge disparities exist. We need to work for better locally wherever we are, as well as globally.

Indeed, it may be appropriate that I am writing this article on September 21, the annual International Day of Peace as noted by an article on the United Nations website and other media sources. One of the greatest wastes in the world is the waste that comes from war. Expenditures on military weaponry that could be used more constructively are a tragedy. Added to this are the enormous damage and destruction of property and persons in wars, as well as the loss of hours of time humans expend in the production, transportation, and use of military weaponry.

On a smaller scale, conflicts between friends and relatives take a negative toll on us.

But we can do better.

Human selfishness, greed may deter us from implementing constructive suggestions to improve things for us on this planet.

But all the suggestions I’ve mentioned are humanly possible if we genuinely seek to do them under the leadership of the highest righteous power, which I call God. Let’s seek to make improvements. Will you help?

Is Peace on Earth Possible? Yes!

World Peace Is Possible and Desirable
Yes, peace on Earth is possible. It is also desirable. The real question ought not be "Is peace on Earth possible?," but "Why doesn't peace on Earth exist?" I explain more about this below.

With all the violence that takes place on Earth, many think it is unrealistic to expect peace to ever occur. But, can you imagine what this world would be like if there were no wars or violent conflicts? Persons would live longer, since deaths due to violence would cease. We would enjoy a higher standard of living because the time, money, material resources, and energy spent on wars could be used in more constructive ways. Persons would be happier and less fearful, since we would not need to worry about being attacked by others.

Indeed, given all the benefits from peace, it seems ludricous that we humans have not already figured out a way to resolve our differences peacefully and fairly to avoid all the problems of war. Unfortunately, greed, laziness, jealousy, etc., lead to conflicts.

The key to achieving world peace is to teach persons from childhood the importance of working honestly for their needs, not to be greedy, lazy, or jealous. And to help others in need.

Children (and adults) can learn ways to resolve conflicts fairly and peacefully. Taking time to think about the other person's point of view and to listen to the other person express how they feel, can go a long way toward understanding them and how best to resolve a situation fairly.

Some Reasons for International Conflicts
At the international level, conflicts can arise because some nations are blessed in ways others are not. For example, some nations are blessed with a wonderful climate and soil that enables the growing of huge quantities of food. Certain nations are blessed with a huge supply of valuable natural resources such as oil, natural gas, gold, silver, and so on.

Often those in poorer nations are jealous of those in wealthier ones. This leads to conflicts and potentially wars. Indeed, nations such as the United States that are blessed with an abundance of resources often devote a substantial part of their resources toward a military budget to prevent being attacked by other nations.

A great tragedy is that many nations that already have abundant resources (such as the United States and Russia) use their economic and military power to intimidate other nations into granting them favorable terms on resources. For example, the United States has used various forms of intimidation to ensure getting abundant oil from Middle Eastern nations at relatively cheap prices.
Small nations with limited resources are often basically at the mercy of larger more prosperous nations. The United States has invaded countries in Central and South America several times for various reasons.

Small nations with limited resources can seek help from other nations to build a coalition. And the United Nations is one resource that various nations turn to in an effort to resolve conflicts. But nations such as the United States with vast military and economic resources often act unilaterally--or build their own multilateral coalitions.

Alhough I've used the United States repeatedly as an example of a powerful nation abusing its power, there are other powerful nations that have done the same. Germany under Hitler in World War II, Russia and the Soviet Union during the last century, and European powers that colonized Africa and America are other examples.

An Optimistic Perspective for the Future
But, I optimistically think that over the long term peace will come to be. As travel internationally becomes cheaper and easier, it enables persons from various countries to travel more easily to visit other nations. They can learn from one another and potentially understand one another better.

Advances in communications such as cheaper telephone service and the Internet make international communication far easier now than even a generation ago. Cell phone videos and pictures, Facebook, Twitter, etc., enable atrocities to be broadcast internationally as they occur or soon afterward in many cases. These advances, as well as organizations like the UN and NATO, permit actions that weren't feasible a century ago. These make the establishment of world peace more likely in this generation than any other in centuries. Indeed, while definitive data on deaths from war and violent conflicts are not readily available, the website OurWorldIndata.org offers indications that the trend may be toward decreases in deaths from conflicts in the 21st century compared to past centuries.

Maybe peace on Earth will occur before the end of the 21st century, and we will hear bells tolling peace on Earth in various locations around the world, including a tolling of peace of the World Peace Bell in Newport, Kentucky, which is pictured below.         

This World Peace Bell in Newport, Kentucky serves as a nice symbol. I would love to hear it ringing in honor of world peace some day. The bell "is the world's largest swinging bell" according to free information sheets about the bell that were located near it during my visit to see it in 2017.

I hope the world will never endure another catastrophic war such as World War II or another genocide like Rwanda. And I believe much progress has been made and is being made. But we still have a long way to go.

Single and Successful: Marriage Isn't for Everyone

Advantages of Singleness

Singles can focus on a career, travel, God, a hobby, etc., without needing to meet the time requirements of a dedicated relationship with a spouse.

Singles can eat what and when desired. Arrange your apartment or house as you desire. Sleep when you want. Solely control the television remote control, bathroom, etc.

Being single often permits a single-minded focus that sometimes leads to enormous success for the single person.

As I see it, many (if not most or all) of the successful singles listed below would have accomplished less if they had been married, allotting time to a spouse instead of their other activities.

Examples of Successful Singles

Numerous online articles list successful singles, including ones on the websites of Reader’s Digest,[1] Buzzfeed,[2] This Is Why I’m Single,[3] and Unmarried Equality.[4] The lengthy list of successful singles below is not comprehensive. And while some successful singles have been involved in some type(s) of heterosexual and/or homosexual romantic relationship, many if not most, have never been involved in a serious one. They seem to have chosen (for whatever reasons) to focus on other things, and thus achieved significant success.

Below is a not-comprehensive list of many successful singles with brief information about them.

Louisa May Alcott; author

Hans Christian Andersen; author

Susan B. Anthony; women’s rights advocate

Jane Austen; author

Clara Barton; nurse, founder of American Red Cross

Anne Bronte; author

Emily Bronte; author

James Buchanan; President of the United States

Coco Chanel; fashion designer and perfume creator

Sheryl Crow; singer and songwriter

Leonardo Da Vinci; artist, inventor, multitalented person

Descartes; philosopher, mathematician

Maureen Dowd; columnist and author

George Eastman; inventor of Kodak camera

Queen Elizabeth I; queen of England

Greta Garbo; actress

Jesus; founder of what came to be called Christianity

Joan of Arc; French hero

Franz Kafka; author

Diane Keaton; actress

Edward I. Koch; New York City mayor

Harper Lee; author

Meriwether Lewis; explorer

Janet Napolitano; Arizona governor, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security

Sir Isaac Newton; physicist and mathematician

Ralph Nader; consumer advocate

Florence Nightingale; nurse, social reformer

Apostle Paul; Christian missionary, Paul is recorded in I Corinthians 7:32-34 as advocating singleness, though some claim he may have been married at some point

Helen Reddy; singer

Janet Reno; U.S. attorney general

Condoleezza Rice; National Security Advisor, Secretary of State

David Souter; U.S. Supreme Court Justice

Mother Teresa; Catholic nun

Nikola Tesla; inventor

Henry David Thoreau; author, philosopher

Ludwig Van Beethoven; composer

Voltaire; author

Oprah Winfrey; talk show host

Orville Wright; inventor, aviation pioneer

Wilbur Wright; inventor, aviation pioneer

Many Successful Married People Might Better Have Never Married

In addition to the large number of prominent singles, a huge number of well-known married persons dedicated so much of their time, talent, and focus to their career achievements that their marriage and family life paled in comparison.

Indeed, they could be considered “failures” at that aspect of life, who perhaps would better have chosen to remain single, never marrying. A 2015 Business Insider article [5] cites “anecdotal evidence” as indicating that those “in the spotlight” are more likely to divorce.

My Choice

Personally, I feel called to remain single. I’m happy, healthy, and feel that I am doing more good as a single person than I would if married. I may not be successful by worldly standards, but I consider myself a successful single.

I seldom take selfie pictures, typically only about once every five years to update photos on websites. But in lieu of a photo of a prominent successful single, below is a June 7, 2020 photo of me, taken when I was 62 years old.

Holidays and Special Occasions

Some singles feel lonely on traditional family get-together holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. But that doesn’t have to be the case.

Singles can focus on what they have to be thankful for and the meaning of Christmas. They can volunteer somewhere. They can get together with other singles. Or they can meet up with extended family such as aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, parents, etc. If they love their career (or a hobby) enough, they may even experience joy by focusing on it even on holidays.

We All Are Single at Times

We’re all born single and we all remain single until we’re married. Also, due to divorce and/or the death of a spouse, the majority of persons are single late in life.

Singleness Isn’t for Everyone

However, lifelong singleness isn’t for everyone. Persons who share common interests and morals with a “soulmate,” may find that teamwork via marriage with that individual is best for them.

Sadly, though, a large percentage of persons become romantically involved with (and then marry) someone with whom they share relatively little in common.

Singleness is better than being married to the wrong person, or even being married to the right person at the wrong time and/or in the wrong way. Please don’t rush into marriage.

But if you’re married, please seek to resolve conflicts with your spouse and salvage your marriage for a lifetime if reasonably possible. Self-help books, marital counseling, sharing problems with a trusted friend, etc., can help.

Closing Thoughts

Singleness is preferable to marriage for many. Embrace and enjoy singleness.

Those who accomplish most for humanity often seem to be those who never marry or who put their careers above their family relationships.

Finally, singles can still maintain family relationships and friendships with others. Singles may even develop and maintain more friendships than married couples, as indicated by studies cited in a 2019 Psychology Today article.[6]

NOTE:

Portions of this article are adapted/reprinted from articles the author published in 2019.

ENDNOTES:

[1] Yuko, Elizabeth; “15 Famous People Who Chose to Stay Single”; Reader’s Digest website; updated December 14, 2021; originally published February 4, 2020; webpage accessed August 30, 2022; https://www.rd.com/list/famous-people-who-chose-to-stay-single/

[2] “Quitmeyer, Maitland; “31 Famous Unmarried People Who Prove That Being Single is Badass”; Buzzfeed.com; February 8, 2015; webpage accessed August 30, 2022; https://www.buzzfeed.com/maitlandquitmeyer/this-list-of-31-famous-people-who-never-married-will-inspire

[3] “Famous People Who Never Married From History That Prove Single Is Successful”; This Is Why I’m Single; webpage accessed August 30, 2022; https://www.thisiswhyimsingle.com/life/famous-people-never-married/?view-all&andro=1&chrome=1&A1c=1

[4] “Famous People Living Solo, Present and Past”; Unmarried Equality; webpage accessed August 30, 2022; https://www.unmarried.org/famous-people-living-solo-present-and-past/

[5] Gillett, Rachel; “Marriage under the spotlight—why successful people get divorced”; Business Insider; July 6, 2015; webpage accessed August 30, 2022; https://www.businessinsider.com/why-successful-people-get-divorced-2015-7

[6] Kislev, Elyakim, Ph.D.; “The Impact of Friendships on Single and Married People”; Psychology Today; April 7, 2019; webpage accessed August 30, 2022; https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/happy-singlehood/201904/the-impact-friendships-single-and-married-people#:~:text=Recent%20studies%20show%20that%20singles,and%20often%20leave%20friendships%20behind.

Living in the 20th and 21st Centuries: Enjoy the Blessings

I feel blessed to live in the 20th and 21st centuries. Those of us born before 2001 and still alive enjoy such blessings.

Longing for the “Good Old Days”

A lot of folks complain about things now and long for the “good old days” in our nation’s early years. But do people really want to do without modern inventions like computers, televisions, automobiles, telephones, refrigerators, electric lights, air conditioning, indoor plumbing, etc.?

Some Quality of Life Improvements in the 20th and 21st Centuries

The 20th century saw the invention of television, VCRs, DVD players, microwave ovens, air conditioning, and numerous other modern creations that make life easier and more fun.

Also, although electric power may have been discovered by Benjamin Franklin in the 1700s, and electric power used for such things as lighting in some places in the 1800s, it was not until the 20th century (the 1900s) when electric power use became widespread in businesses and homes. Electric lights, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dryers, toasters, and the things listed in the last paragraph became available to the public.

Furthermore, while radio transmission, telephones, and automobiles were invented in the 1800s, only a small percentage of U.S. households had access to them when the 20th century began. Folks in the 1800s had limited options for contacting folks outside their households.

Persons living in households before the 20th century lacked many modern conveniences that I often probably take for granted.

It’s hard for me to imagine living without electric lights, refrigerators, television, radio, microwaves, computers, etc.

Now may be the best time in the history of the world to live, at least since the Garden of Eden if the Bible is to be taken literally. The Bible’s words indicate that Adam and Eve had it nice before their fall, with all their needs met.

However, over the thousands of years of recorded history, the world has experienced many problems. But many problems have been solved since 1900, through human progress under God's leadership, as I see it.

In the last century or so, steps have been taken to better prevent, treat, and cure numerous diseases. Antibiotics, vaccines, and better quality drinking water all help.

Slavery has been eliminated in most of the world. Progress has been made toward equal rights for minority groups, women, etc., in many ways.

Supermarkets today offer a huge variety of food at relatively low prices thanks to modern methods of agricultural production, transportation, and storage.

Below are photos of a few modern inventions. The first photo shows a VCR, DVD player, and television. The second shows a microwave oven.

Communication Advances

Radio and television provided major improvements in mass communication in the 20th century. This was followed by a massive advance in communication after the Internet was invented in the 20th century and expanded enormously in the 21st century.

A vast amount of information and entertainment can be seen (and heard) online from newspapers, television stations, governments, companies, individuals, etc., around the world. Much of it is free, as long as you have access to the Internet. And here in the United States public libraries typically offer Internet service and public computer access free. Many businesses and apartment buildings offer free Wi-Fi too.

Keeping in contact with relatives, friends, etc., has become much easier in recent years thanks to social media websites on the Internet. Lots of such sites exist, but “In the early 2020s, Facebook was the most popular social network in the world with three billion users” according to Britannica.com.[1] That’s a huge number of people.

I’ve personally reconnected with several friends and relatives thanks to Facebook. And the numerous “groups” on Facebook help one to keep up with various topics. Furthermore, Facebook is just one of a vast number of resources online.

Cell phones that can be carried around in one’s backpack, purse, or pocket can store a huge amount of information and offer Internet service as well as the ability to make phone calls, take pictures, use GPS, write notes, etc., etc., etc.

The photo below shows a cell phone, as well as an 8-GB USB computer flash drive that can store an astounding amount of text, pictures, and video. Much larger flash drives are available too.

Cell phones accessing the free Google Translate website [2] can even quickly translate between over 100 languages according to the website. Amazing! How’s that for improving communication?

What About the Past?

Thinking about how things likely were in the past can maybe help us appreciate how blessed we are now.

A few generations ago persons lived without any type of telephone or television or radio or electricity or automobiles or a lot of other things we may take for granted. To converse with a neighbor, I guess they typically had to walk or ride a horse or mule (or wheeled vehicle pulled by such an animal) to where they thought their neighbor was, and hope they were there. Communication with persons out of town was done via letter or postcard mostly I guess.

The majority of persons in the United States lived in rural areas then. In many cases they likely built their own houses, grew most of their own food, got their water from their own well or a nearby spring, used an outhouse for a toilet, washed clothes by hand, and in many cases sewed their own clothes.

Concluding Thoughts

Visitors to the 21st century from a few centuries ago would be astounded by modern technology.

Human beings have flown to the moon, landed, and returned safely home. And airplanes even allow relatively quick travel between many destinations here in Earth.

We are blessed immeasurably to live at this time. I don’t know what advancements will come in the future. But I’m confident that the world is going to get better, not worse. I even optimistically think that we humans, under God’s leadership, will eventually find and implement ways to resolve our differences peacefully and fairly, thus ending war and violent conflict. Indeed, I’m confident that, as William Shakespeare reportedly wrote in the play Twelfth Night centuries ago, “the best is yet to come.”

ENDNOTES:

[1] Ray, Michael; “social network"; Britannica.com; webpage accessed August 23, 2022; https://www.britannica.com/technology/social-network

[2] Google Translate; webpage accessed August 23, 2022; https://translate.google.com/

May Your Food Costs Be Lowered Despite Inflation? Some Tips

You probably don’t need me to tell you that food prices in the United States increased significantly recently.

Indeed, over the last year food prices may have increased the most on an annual basis since 1979.

“The food index increased 10.9 percent over the last year, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending May 1979” according to the July 2022 Consumer Price Index [1], released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on August 10th, 2022.

Despite the price increases, you may be able to spend less than you did last year on groceries.

Eat at Home

Despite the increase in grocery costs, preparing food at home is cheaper than eating out at restaurants.

Indeed, preparing an entire day’s food at home could cost less than one typical meal in a restaurant. And if you’re like me, you probably eat three or four times a day at least. But my daily food bill often works out to around $5-8 per day.

The United States Department of Agriculture “Thrifty Food Plan: U.S. Average, July 2022” [2] estimates weekly and monthly food costs for various persons. Its plan is based on a diet that is detailed in its “Thrifty Food Plan, 2021” [3]. As an example, for a male my age, the USDA estimates the weekly cost for food at $60 in July 2022 under the thrifty food plan. That’s a reasonable figure, but I often spend less.

Eat Whole Grains for Breakfast

Whole grains are cheaper (and healthier) than processed, prepared foods.

For breakfast, oatmeal you cook yourself is healthier for you than the processed, microwavable, sweetened types sold in stores. You can add your own fruit to it (bananas, blueberries, raisins, etc.) or nuts (walnuts, etc.).

I enjoy the taste and texture of Quaker five-minute oats. They only take five minutes to prepare after the water comes to a boil.

But you can buy generic brands that may save you even more if they meet your taste and quality standards. Furthermore, you can buy oats that cook in one minute instead of five.

When I’m in a hurry, I often settle for Cheerios with Silk brand enriched soymilk. If you’re not seeking to adhere to a vegan diet, cow’s milk works too.

Cheerios has several nutrients added to it, is lower in sugar than most processed, boxed cereals, and is made from whole-grain oats. Although it’s more expensive per serving than oatmeal, Cheerios is on sale in some local supermarket almost every week, and manufacturer coupons are often available. It will keep for months, so I recommend buying it on sale using a manufacturer coupon.

There are other whole grain cereals you can eat for breakfast such as Cream of Wheat and Bob's Red Mill 10 Grain Cereal, as well as muesli.

But I confess I too often indulge in less healthy options for breakfast. Seek to do as I say, not as I do. And I’m seeking to do better.

Whole Grain Flour and Cornmeal

Whole grain flour is cheaper (and healthier) than the processed, already baked products in stores. I prefer white whole wheat flour, which I think is tastier than the more common red whole wheat variety.

Bake your own biscuits, banana-nut bread, cinnamon-raisin walnut bread, chocolate chip cookies, etc.

Enriched, processed white flour is even cheaper than the whole grain flour, but not as healthy. Although processed white flour is enriched with certain nutrients, it lacks many of the nutrients that occur in whole grain flour.

Also, buy some whole grain cornmeal to prepare your own cornbread or corn muffins. Find the brand you like best that is available in your area. Personally, I buy Weisenberger Mill yellow, bolted cornmeal from Good Foods Market, a local Lexington, Kentucky supermarket.

Beans, Nuts, Seeds, Lentils

Dry beans are cheap to buy, can be stored a long time, and are nutritious. Pinto beans, lima beans, great northern beans, cranberry beans, kidney beans, black beans, red beans, and others are available.

Nuts, seeds, and lentils are other relatively cheap sources of proteins.

I’m not sure which supermarkets operate in your area. In Lexington, Kentucky, where I live, Meijer sells raw sunflower seeds and some tasty peanuts roasted in peanut oil. Aldi sells some tasty raw nut mixtures. Kroger carries a wide variety of dry beans.

If the gas from beans concerns you, consider adding ginger to the beans. I do, and it seems to reduce the gas.

Fruits and Vegetables

I love fresh fruit. Bananas are typically reasonably priced here at only 50-60 cents per pound, which is about 25 cents per average size banana. Buy other fruits on sale. And typically a few varieties are on sale every week.

Buy fresh vegetables on sale too. And keep a supply of frozen and canned ones too.

Fruits and vegetables are relatively cheap per serving, especially bought on sale. For example, last week I bought ears of corn in the husk at Meijer on sale priced at 5 for $2. I bought 12 ounce bags of mixed vegetables at Aldi for 84 cents each today. Frozen broccoli, brussels sprouts, and other frozen vegetables are reasonably priced there too. Meijer has some nice prices on frozen vegetables too, including squash. Kroger also does sometimes.

Fresh carrots are typically reasonably priced, and potatoes are on sale somewhere usually. Tomatoes are usually on sale somewhere too, but I prefer the taste of those from a local farmers’ market when in season.

Coupons and Weekly Sales

Aldi, Kroger, Meijer, Save-a-Lot, and other supermarkets run weekly ads. These sales allow you to buy products at relatively cheap prices.

Kroger also has online coupons you can clip and special prices for persons with Kroger Rewards cards (free cards). Kroger also puts deli items near the sell-by date on a rack. That can offer bargains.

Meijer has online mPerks coupons and sometimes mails coupons to mPerks members (join free).

Other supermarkets in your area likely have special offers of some type, possibly similar to those I just mentioned.

Some stores offer coupons that provide a certain percentage or dollar amount off your total purchase. These help too.

One Store Per Week

It takes time and money to travel from one store to another.

Personally, I don’t own a car, and to save time and reduce bus trips, I typically only shop at one store per week.

I may take a bus to Aldi one week, then Kroger or Meijer the next. Over the course of a month, I may visit each store at least once, and Aldi twice.

I sometimes go to Save-a-Lot, Walmart, etc., but less frequently. I’ve bought a lot of canned greens (collard greens, mustard greens, spinach, and turnip greens) at Save-a-Lot at reasonable prices.

Over the course of time, I can stock up on items from the different stores at reasonable prices.

Cooking in Batches and Reducing Waste

To save time, I often prepare food in big batches, even though I’m single. I typically refrigerate leftovers.

Expired food that is thrown out is a big expense item for many. I seek to eat leftovers before they spoil, and to rotate my canned and frozen foods to help me eat them before their use-by date. If it helps, put the date prepared on a food item or the date a bottle is opened on it. I do these things some, but I’m not perfect at it. I still waste some.

Snacks

Aldi store-brand bagels are reasonably priced ($1.99 for a six pack) and tasty. I often eat those as a snack. On a per serving basis, cookies and many other snacks are relatively cheap. But it’s typically healthier to prepare your own with less added sugar, fat, salt, etc. Popcorn is a cheap, healthy snack when air popped from kernels. I bought an air popper that I can use in my microwave.

Drinks

I usually keep water from my water faucet in my refrigerator. It is my #1 drink. But I also buy 12-ounce frozen concentrated orange juice enriched with calcium, Gatorade, and other drinks.

Gatorade in powder form is much cheaper than as a liquid. Meijer sells a resealable container of Gatorade powder for $8.99 that makes six gallons of Gatorade. That's about 1/4 the cost per serving of buying liquid Gatorade.

I also keep some cases of bottled water on hand for emergencies or travel, but I generally drink refrigerated tap water, and use refrigerated tap water to prepare my orange juice and Gatorade. I rarely drink decaffeinated green tea, but I might do well to drink it a bit more often.

Closing Thoughts

Each individual’s dietary needs and budget are different. I am neither a medical professional nor a dietician and cannot give medical or dietary advice. But I hope you find the information I’ve provided helpful. Enjoy quality, nutritious food in moderation.

DISCLAIMER:

I am a bivocational freelance writer, and my second job is as a part-time store clerk at a retail store. I took no payment from any store or product manufacturer in exchange for writing any part of this article.

NOTES:

[1] “Consumer Price Index Summary: Consumer Price Index--July 2022”; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; August 10, 2022; webpage accessed August 22, 2022; https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm#:~:text=The%20energy%20index%20increased%2032.9,the%20period%20ending%20May%201979.

[2] “Official USDA Thrifty Food Plan: U.S. Average, July 2022”; United States Department of Agriculture; August 2022; webpage accessed August 22, 2022; https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/media/file/CostofFoodJul2022Thrifty.pdf

[3] “Thrifty Food Plan, 2021”; U.S. Department of Agriculture; August 2021; webpage accessed August 22, 2022; https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/resource-files/TFP2021.pdf