Seagulls on the Beach Painting

 This is an 8X10" acrylic painting I completed a few months ago. It is for sale if you are interested.  Beaches sort of bring out the best in people and provide a level of open air environment. There is a reason why we gravitate to beaches and nature. 

Seagulls on the Beach eBay and My Arts Page

If you are interested in this painting you may buy on eBay, send me a message to the right or an email. I can even do custom paintings. Half for helping others and half for the effort. If interested send a message to the right or an email at muradabel@gmail.com

What it might look like. Not to scale size. Looks pretty neat!

San Diego Budget Information and Meeting May 18th, 2026

(Illustative Only)

San Diego is facing a budget deficit of something like $120 million, and city leaders are asking for public input on how to address it. They want feedback on where funding should be allocated, what services should be reduced or adjusted, and what changes could help improve the city’s long-term financial stability. If your a person who lives in San Diego you have the right to voice your opinion on the topic.

It’s important to remember that budget challenges like this develop over time. They are tied to long-term spending trends, rising costs, and ongoing financial decisions — not something that happened overnight. Solving the issue will likely require a combination of increasing revenue, reducing certain expenses, improving efficiency, and reevaluating services that may no longer be as effective or necessary. It could be beneficial to rethink things from top to bottom. 

There will naturally be many different opinions about what matters most. Some people may prioritize the arts, parks, public safety, infrastructure, or community programs, while others may feel spending should shift in different directions. Because so many interests are involved, finding solutions will not be simple. Providing your input can help to ensure new ideas come forward. Public participation is important. Residents can help by providing honest feedback, sharing ideas, and working together on practical solutions. I thought this piece on Rethinking Budget Core Principles was interesting.

There is a survey available below where people can submit their opinions and suggestions. Community meetings are also a good opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and participate in discussions about the city’s future. If you are in the San Diego area, you can visit the webpage, complete the survey once, and share your input with city leaders.

The City of San Diego has some important dates and information at San Diego Budget Information. It looks like the survey is still on there. 

6:00 pm May 18th – City Council Public Input Budget Hearing

City Council Chamber, 12th Floor of City Hall

Job Seekers Not Feeling So Great About Their Jobs and Seek Options (2026)

Job seekers, according to the survey below, appear to be increasingly focused on nontraditional career paths. Some of this shift may be tied to concerns about stability, wages, and long-term opportunity. Many workers may feel that traditional employers are not always providing the flexibility or career growth they want. Wages don't often rise as fast as inflation.

Economic uncertainty is also playing a major role. When companies are unsure about future growth, they often delay hiring decisions or postpone expanding into new products and services that would require additional employees. As a result, many job seekers are exploring alternative forms of work, including freelance and contract opportunities. While freelance work may not always provide stability, it can sometimes increase income potential and offer greater independence.

People are also searching for more meaning and fulfillment in their work. In addition, small business ownership remains an option worth considering for young professionals and individuals entering the workforce, even though it was not specifically discussed in the survey. Creating a level of balance in one's life and organization can help increase retention.

Another issue affecting job seekers is the increasingly complicated hiring process. Many applications require extensive forms, multiple screenings, background checks, and long interview stages. Applicants often become frustrated because these processes can take a significant amount of time, especially when they are competing with many other candidates for the same position. Even with digital applications, many systems still require repetitive manual entry, making the process feel time-consuming and discouraging.

If your seeking some career coaching let me know and we can do something virtually. About $50 for a session I try and give away about half of what I might make from these hobbies after expenses to charities. Half for helping others and half for the effort. If interested send a message to the right or an email at muradabel@gmail.com

The information from the survey below, 

Job Seekers Redefining Career Priorities

• Many job seekers are shifting their focus away from traditional career advancement and prioritizing flexibility, work-life balance, and personal well-being over prestige or title growth.
• Economic uncertainty and a difficult hiring market are causing workers to value job security and stability more heavily than in previous years.
• Applicants are increasingly open to career pivots, freelance work, temporary jobs, and alternative employment paths as long-term unemployment and hiring slowdowns continue.
• Many workers are questioning whether traditional career paths provide long-term fulfillment, leading them to seek meaningful work environments, supportive cultures, and employers that align with their values.
• Complicated hiring processes, including lengthy applications and multiple interview stages, are frustrating candidates and contributing to disengagement during the job search process.

Ockerman, E. (2025). Job seekers feel awful about the labor market. Data is finally starting to explain why. Yahoo Finance. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/job-seekers-feel-awful-about-the-labor-market-data-is-finally-starting-to-explain-why-162045577.html

How Yoga Can Improve Stress, Thinking and Foster Your New Path

Yoga and a beach lifestyle (or woods or anywhere), along with practices of living freely and intentionally, are sometimes criticized. A little too hippie some say! However, these approaches can be practiced anywhere—not just by the ocean or in nature. Whether one is in the woods or in their apartment its all good. Many people associate meditation and yoga with calming environments like beaches or forests, but the core benefit comes from incorporating stress-reduction techniques into daily life. Start your path....

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Engaging in yoga, meditation, or other mindfulness practices can help improve how the brain processes information and can support more balanced mental states. When stress and negative thinking are reduced, people often find they are more creative, more focused, and better able to generate effective ideas and solutions. These benefits can apply both personally and professionally.

Research in this area suggests that cultivating calm and focused awareness may positively influence cognitive flexibility and emotional regulation. Because of this, it can be valuable to find simple ways to integrate mindfulness into everyday routines. This does not always require formal meditation sessions or structured yoga practice—it can also be a shift in mindset and attention.

Ultimately, the practice is less about external settings and more about internal awareness. Many philosophical traditions emphasize this inward focus, suggesting that personal insight and growth come from self-reflection and turning attention inward rather than relying solely on external circumstances. Being mindful is about reflection, awareness, and knowledge-it leads to wisdom and most philosophers have promoted self-awareness.

Small, consistent practices—such as mindful breathing, stretching, or brief moments of reflection—can be enough to support this shift in perspective and overall well-being.

I have a fitness trainers and yoga license and can help you start a new look and achieve some of your goals. I do this on the side and virtually for around $50 per hour. I try and give away anout half of what I make from these hobbies to charities. Sometimes it helps to have a few sessions and then check back in a few months to change around your routine. Adults only please. If interested send a message to the right or an email at muradabel@gmail.com

Reducing Stress with Yoga: A Systematic Review Based on Multimodal Biosignals

• The research provides a systematic review of how various yoga practices—including physical postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), and meditation—influence physiological indicators of stress.

• The study categorizes and analyzes multimodal biosignals such as electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and galvanic skin response (GSR) to quantify the body’s biological response to yoga.

• Findings indicate that yoga practice is associated with significant shifts in brain wave activity, specifically increased alpha and theta power, which are indicative of deep relaxation and reduced mental stress.

• The review highlights that yoga improves heart rate variability (HRV) and lowers cortisol levels, suggesting a shift from the sympathetic "fight-or-flight" response to the parasympathetic "rest-and-digest" state.

• The authors conclude that while current literature supports yoga as an effective stress-management tool, more rigorous longitudinal studies with standardized protocols are needed to fully understand the long-term neurological and cardiovascular mechanisms.

Khajuria, A., Kumar, A., Joshi, D., & Kumaran, S. S. (2024). Reducing stress with yoga: A systematic review based on multimodal biosignals. International Journal of Yoga, 16(3), 156–170. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijoy.ijoy_218_23

Forms of Adult Bullying Cominged with Hate and Corruption (Allegory of the Clan)

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How bullies have little
to no respect for the lives
or rights of others. 

They can undermine systems
when wrongdoing 
is not corrected or if
checks and balances don't 
function well. 

Adult bullying is a serious issue, whether it happens in the workplace, in social settings, or in personal relationships. At its core, bullying involves behaviors that undermine another person’s safety, dignity, or well-being. This can include harassment, intimidation, spreading false rumors, violating boundaries, reputational harm, manipulation, and sometimes even threats or violence. Boundaries against the victims and their family or children are sometimes non-existent where hate and corruption are comingled. When these behaviors go unchecked over long periods of time, they can create generational traumas and damage trust within communities and institutions (i.e. intentionally putting kids at risk and spreading dangerously false information.). The intent of the perpetrators clear.

One way to explore this issue is through a learning allegory called the “Allegory of the Clan,” inspired by Plato’s Allegory of the Cave. The purpose of this thought experiment is to raise awareness about victimization, abuse of power, corruption, and the importance of accountability through principles of enlightenment. Meaning that as people become aware they also grow and develop themselves. As we develop as a people we have changed (i.e. slavery given way to segregationism and giving away to hopefully something better.) It examines how harmful behaviors can sometimes become normalized when systems fail to properly respond or when influential individuals enable misconduct instead of correcting it. Creating stronger more trustworthy healthy institutions is part of a patriotic duty. Awareness leads to greater change and it is important for those who know to help those who are more ignorant of the purpose of our society or the impact poor behaviors create. 

In this allegory, some individuals profit socially, politically, or financially from fear, division, and hostility (i.e. forgive them for their ignorance but do not forget their behaviors least they continue on for long periods of time and put others at risk. It is a duty to do good with bad.). They may target others because of financial beefit, race, religion, beliefs, or personal differences. They spread rumors, retaliate against criticism, violate privacy, undermine freedom of speach, suppress certain religious beliefs and have no problem telling the victims that, intimidate  witnesses-whistleblowers, and attempt to isolate victims to encourage more harm. These behaviors are often justified by prejudice, group loyalty, or extremist thinking. Over time, this can erode public trust and weaken the principles of fairness, equality, and freedom that democratic societies are supposed to protect. We have a responsibility to protect what is right and good no matter the consequences. Those who are doing the right thing have greater respect for our patriotic principles (..the values applied equally and not nationalistic identity) ☝

At the same time, it is important to recognize that most people within institutions — including law enforcement, courts, and public service — genuinely try to do the right thing. Strong institutions depend on ethical leadership, accountability, and public trust. We need more of these good people and we should encourage the young to get involved in these fields. The goal is to strengthen institutions by addressing misconduct when it occurs. That can have  long-term social and economic impact on society and those who undermine these values undermine their institutions and society in general-part of the reason why hate and corruption are selfish acts. This will become more clear as time goes on and the long-tail impact on economic and social health.

The allegory also highlights how bullying can appear in both subtle and obvious forms. A microaggression may involve someone making unnecessary personal criticisms or quietly attempting to provoke conflict through gossip or social pressure. In this example, a good mother being criticized by people she doesn't know through group coordinated microaggressions. In this example a visitor mother dancing and having a good time with her young daughter was worthy of a hate group member comments. That person has no business commenting or commenting to those in the victim's social group. They have also undermined parents rights in other places through patterned behaviors. That includes teaching their own kids how to bully.

A more aggressive second example may involve open intimidation, harassment, risks of violence, or attempts to publicly discredit someone without justification. These behaviors can escalate when individuals feel protected by social influence, corruption, closed clan aligned courts, or lack of accountability i.e. the corrupted extremist official trying to pick a fight yelling "liar liar" even though the victims know nothing of the person, were not engaged in a conversation with that person, nor what they would have said that would have been a lie. Months later the same corrupted official allegedly brow beat one of the victims when they were trying to go grocery shopping. Normalizing bad behaviors and group coordinated bullying and threats. Do not generalize to the vast majority of good people doing the right thing. Instead support good officials and vote for the best and brightest versus the most connected. Break the silence code.

The positive side of this discussion is that societies can improve. Awareness, transparency, and accountability help communities learn from past failures and strengthen protections for everyone. Public discussion, ethical leadership, and better checks and balances can help prevent abuses of power and protect civil rights, human rights, and freedom of speech.

An important lesson from this allegory is the value of documentation and peaceful challenge. When people document harmful behavior, support victims, and encourage accountability, they help create safer and more just systems. The purpose of speaking out is not revenge or punishment for its own sake, but preventing harm, improving institutions, and protecting future victims. Things should always be done in the spirit of improvement. Don't be like your persecutors because that will never foster a higher moral order or higher functioning society (Such people once thought slavery was saving the souls of others but no one saved their soul).. Focus on improving the world around you.

Ultimately, healthy societies depend on fairness, empathy, accountability, and equal treatment under the law (dumping on the victims or creating secret deals or target lists are not acceptable.). Addressing bullying, corruption, violations of human and civil rights, and extremism requires communities to support ethical behavior, reject dehumanization, and continue building systems that serve everyone fairly and responsibly. There are oaths we swear to the enlightenment principles and the society we created. Current, past, and future victims should have some rights even if extremism, corruption and hate have been normalized. Let us support the vast majority of good officials who are doing their job with integrity and remove those engaged in corruption, hate, and bullying. Keep in mind this is just a learning example to get you to think. You don't need to agree. 

*The Allegory of the Clan is a philosophical, theoretical discussion so take with a grain of salt. One can come to whatever solution they desire as long as they thought about it. A thought experiment fashioned as a modern version of the Allegory of the Cave. 

Considere the study below and some organizations that might help. Donate to non-profits and other organizations. 

Workplace & Professional Advocacy

• Workplace Bullying Institute (WBI): While not a Michigan-exclusive non-profit, WBI provides extensive resources for Michigan employees facing psychological harassment at work. They offer research, legislative advocacy (including the Healthy Workplace Bill), and peer support networks.

  • Link: workplacebullying.org

• Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR): A state agency that functions alongside non-profits to investigate complaints of harassment and bullying based on protected classes (race, gender, age, etc.). They provide mediation services which can be a path for adults to resolve bullying in professional or housing settings.

  • Link: michigan.gov/mdcr

Community & Legal Support

• Michigan State Bar Foundation (Legal Aid): Many adults bullied in the workplace or community require legal intervention. This organization supports various non-profit legal aid clinics across the state (like Lakeshore Legal Aid or Michigan Legal Help) that assist low-income adults with stalking, harassment, and workplace disputes.

  • Link: msbf.org

• The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU): Headquartered in Dearborn, this non-profit conducts extensive research and advocacy regarding religious-based bullying and discrimination affecting adults and families in Michigan.

  • Link: ispu.org

Adult Bullying and Its Impact on Health and Well-Being

• A survey conducted on behalf of the American Osteopathic Association found that 31% of Americans reported being bullied as adults.

• The study defined adult bullying as repeated negative behavior intended to intimidate, harm, or diminish another person.

• Common forms of adult bullying included silent treatment, spreading false rumors, manipulation, and gaslighting.

• Survey respondents reported significant health effects from bullying, including stress, anxiety, depression, sleep loss, headaches, and reduced confidence.

• Experts noted that bullying can occur in workplaces, schools, homes, and social relationships, not just during childhood.

• Physicians and mental health professionals recommend recognizing bullying behaviors early, documenting incidents, seeking support, and prioritizing mental and physical self-care.

• Online discussions and community forums continue to highlight that many adults experience subtle or persistent bullying behaviors in personal and professional settings.

American Osteopathic Association. (2017, November 15). Bullying in America: Survey finds nearly one-third of Americans (31%) have been bullied as an adult. https://osteopathic.org/2017/11/15/bullying-in-america-survey-finds-nearly-one-third-of-americans-31-have-been-bullied-as-an-adult/

Delta County Board of Commissioners Meeting (5/5/2026): Budgets, Camgrounds, Financial, Pathways

 You may be interested in this summary,

Delta County Board of Commissioners Meeting Summary - May 5, 2026

• Meeting Opening and Roll Call: The meeting was called to order by Nancy Prisic, Delta County Clerk. All five commissioners—Mellner, Johnson, Williams, Vanhoven, and Jensen—were present.

• Approval of Minutes and Agenda: The board approved the minutes from the April 21 meeting with corrections to commissioner names and a typo regarding the Open Meetings Act (OMA). The agenda was amended to include the resignation and replacement of T. Bell under item number 10.

• Public Comment on Campground Policies: Residents Rory Mattson and Bob Barron raised concerns about the Parks and Recreation Commission’s policies. They questioned the validity of previous firearms bans and criticized the lack of experience on the current board, urging the commissioners to ensure transparency and legal compliance.

• Administrator’s Report:

  • State Budget: Michigan’s 2027 budget proposals include an increase in county revenue sharing ($19.8 million) and public safety grants, though prosecutor grants may be cut.

  • DAV Volunteers: The Veteran Service Board is seeking new volunteers for the DAV program following the implementation of new background check requirements.

  • Digital Accessibility: The county has until April 2028 to comply with new ADA Title 2 requirements for web and mobile applications.

  • Park Openings: Delta County parks are scheduled to open May 8, featuring new grant-funded playground equipment and upgrades at Pioneer Trail Park.

• Committee Reports: The board reviewed and filed minutes from the Finance, Personnel, and IT committees. Notable updates included a restructuring of airport job descriptions (Airport Manager, Airfield Operations Manager, and Airport Business Coordinator) and the relocation of the county server room.

• Unfinished Business:

  • Campground Policies: The board voted to defer the campground policy and regulation discussion indefinitely while a newly formed subcommittee and legal counsel review the documents.

  • Township Agreements: Equalization service agreements have been sent to all townships, and several signed contracts have already been returned.

• Financial Approvals: The commissioners approved the payment of county bills totaling $281,586.

• Pathways Community Mental Health Annual Update:

  • Service Growth: CEO Matt Maskard reported a 5% year-over-year increase in individuals served across Delta, Alger, Luce, and Marquette counties.

  • Staffing Challenges: While the organization received awards for its workplace culture, there is a noted concern regarding the average experience level of clinical staff (4 years).

  • Rural Advocacy: Maskard advocated for a specific legal definition of "rural" in state legislation to prevent metropolitan areas like Wayne County from accessing funds intended for isolated communities. He requested a resolution of support to ensure the Upper Peninsula receives appropriate healthcare transformation funding.

Action Inhibition and Fitness in Fencing (Fitness Training)

(Illustrative Only)

Fencing, especially saber fencing, takes a tremendous amount of skill, athleticism, and hand-eye coordination. There’s definitely a strong fitness component as well. You rely heavily on explosive leg power, quick reaction time, balance, and the ability to read body language and anticipate what your opponent is going to do next.

This morning I did some saber fencing at one of our local clubs, and I’ve noticed that I’m getting significantly better. These are competitive fencers who regularly compete in tournaments, and while I didn’t win every bout, I probably won most of them today. That definitely wasn’t the case in the past when I trained less consistently. The more regularly I practice, the more improvement I see.

One of the most interesting things I’ve noticed is the development of what researchers call “action inhibition.” In simple terms, it means you don’t immediately react to every movement your opponent makes. Years ago, I was much more reactive and jumpy. I moved too quickly, wasted energy, and experienced players could usually take advantage of that.

Now I find myself staying calmer, observing movements more carefully, and waiting for the right moment to respond. I can often sense where an opponent is trying to go before they fully commit to it. I’ve also started incorporating more strategic techniques such as feints, flicks, and attacks aimed at unexpected targets like the wrist, arm, or hand. Those adjustments have been surprisingly effective.

That calmness and restraint allow for more strategic thinking and more efficient movement. I suspect this same phenomenon exists in many sports, especially combat sports like boxing. Interestingly, I was boxing last week and one of the black belts I train with commented how I gave him a run for his money. While I believe he is a better boxer he got no freebees and resultingly more cautious than usual. A big part of that improvement comes from staying relaxed and choosing responses deliberately rather than reacting automatically.

I have a fitness trainers and yoga license and can help you start a new look and achieve some of your goals. I do this on the side and virtually for around $50 per hour. Sometimes it helps to have a few sessions and then check back in a few months to change around your routine. Adults only please. If interested send a message to the right or an email at muradabel@gmail.com

Fencing expertise and physical fitness enhance action inhibition

• The study investigated how fencing experience and physical fitness levels impact inhibitory control (the ability to withhold an action).

• Researchers used a 2x2 factorial design comparing fencers and non-fencers across different fitness levels (high-fit and averagely-fit).

• Participants performed two types of tasks: a Simple Reaction Time (SRT) task and a Go/No-Go reaction time task.

• Results showed no significant differences in basic reaction times (SRT) between groups based solely on expertise or fitness.

• A significant interaction was found: high-fit fencers made significantly fewer commission errors (failing to withhold a response) than high-fit non-fencers.

• The findings suggest that cognitive control is most effectively improved when physical training is combined with the mental demands of a specialized sport like fencing.

• The study concludes that both fencing expertise and aerobic fitness facilitate the capacity to withhold action when necessary.

Reference Chan, J. S. Y., Wong, A. C. N., Liu, Y., Yu, J., & Yan, J. H. (2011). Fencing expertise and physical fitness enhance action inhibition. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 12(5), 509–514. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2011.04.006