SOCIAL MEDIA

 BIRTHPLACE: Earth

NATIONALITY: American, US Citizen

ETHNICITY: Multiethnic; predominantly African American. My genetic composition informs me that I have a 55% likelihood of sharing African ethnicity, 41% European (by rape or love), and 4% Native American.

SPECIES: Homo sapiens sapiens 

RACE: Human

SEX: Cis-Hetero Male 

AGE: Aspiring Octogenerian 

COLOR: Ethiopian golden-brown, the global average human skin tone. [Like a piano's 88 keys, the human skin color spectrum spans from the lightest treble beige (1-24) to the darkest bass brown (64-88); Michael's melodic skin tone is middle C, Ethiopian brown, or #44.]

POLITICS: Freedom & Justice, Democratic Socialism.

RELIGION: None, Hate the lunacy, love the lunatic.

DENOMINATION: Non-Delusional

AGE: Aspiring Octogenarian. 

Michael identifies as an atheist because he does not believe in any gods and also as an agnostic because he believes, if Gods are perfect, that an imperfect human cannot know the existence of perfection.] I accept only what can be demonstrated. Observation, measurement, and reasoning— verified independently—are the standard. I'll entertain any claim, no matter how strange, if the evidence supports it. But the more extraordinary the claim, the stronger and more rigorous the evidence must be. 

PHILOSOPHY: Michael’s path isn’t defined by religion or labels—it’s guided by reason and reflection. He draws insight from philosophy, evolutionary biology, neurology, and psychology, blending ancient and modern wisdom to shape how he lives. His influences range from Stoicism and Existentialism to Humanism, ultimately aligning most with secular Buddhism—Buddhism without the supernatural layers of karma, deities, or rebirth. He continuously refines this personal philosophy in real time, adapting it to meet life’s changing circumstances and environment.

LANGUAGE: (Bilingual) Math & Music

DIALECT: Laughter

ACCENT: Smile :-)

DIET: The MIND diet, a combination of the MEDITERRANEAN and DASH dietsEmphasizes whole, unprocessed foods and healthy fats. Numerous studies have shown its benefits, including lower rates of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and cognitive decline. The diet encourages a balanced lifestyle with flexibility for occasional indulgences. It includes: WATER, SMOOTHIES, black COFFEE, GREEN TEA, FISH (esp. fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, trout, tuna, and mackerel), POULTRY, green leafy VEGETABLES (kale, spinach, collard greens, Swiss chard, beet greens, watercress, bok choy, and arugula), FRUITS especially BERRIES (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries), raw, unflavored NUTS (esp. nuts containing omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and polyphenols such as almonds, pistachios, walnuts), raw, unflavored SEEDS (flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds), WHOLE GRAINS (oatmeal, quinoa, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and 100% whole wheat bread), all BEANS (including lentils, and soybeans, chickpeas, lentils, black beans, and cannellini beans), EGGS, oat milk, OLIVE OIL, HERBS (including cinnamon, garlic, and turmeric), and SPICES (black pepper, ginger, parsley and thyme). According to The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN), Mike also occasionally consumes protein, vitamins, and mineral supplements, including whey protein, B12, D3, and calcium.Michael minimizes sugar, sodium, saturated fats, simple carbs, baked goods, pastries, and sweets. He also avoids all trans fats, alcohol, red meat, fast food, ultra-processed products, butter, margarine, and fried foods.HOBBIES: Deep-sea diving, reading (from Classics to NY Times Best Sellers), and journaling. Genres include biographies and literary fiction, represented by authors such as Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, and Virginia Woolf. Philosophical Fiction- Camus, Dostoevsky, Sartre. Historical Fiction- Hilary Mantel, Esi Edugyan, Colson Whitehead. Speculative Fiction- Orwell, Atwood, Ishiguro (especially dystopian or political), and to his chagrin, Self-Help books, such as Atomic Habits by James Clear, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, and How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie as a tool for self-reflection, personal growth, and emotional processing. We should all tell our own stories. Let the naysayers deny, lie, and crucify, but dare not write their own story.

INTERESTS: Psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, proverbs & astronomy NEWS: Newspapers - NY Times, The Guardian UK, The Independent (UK), Radio - NPR, TV - PBS, and Journal - "Science" published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

SLEEP: Mike and Deb understand sleep's critical role in overall health. Studies show that sleep deprivation can lead to heart disease, cognitive decline, obesity, and numerous other health issues. To support their well-being, they’ve made sleep a priority. They follow a consistent bedtime routine every night: flossing at precisely 8:57 PM and settling into bed by 9 PM. This commitment enables them to enjoy 9 hours of rest each night, reinforcing their health and resilience. VEGETABLES (kale, spinach, collard greens, Swiss chard, beet greens, watercress, bok choy, and arugula), FRUITS especially BERRIES (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries), raw, unflavored NUTS (esp. nuts containing omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and polyphenols such as almonds, pistachios, walnuts), raw, unflavored SEEDS (flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds), WHOLE GRAINS (oatmeal, quinoa, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and 100% whole wheat bread), all BEANS (including lentils, and soybeans, chickpeas, lentils, black beans, and cannellini beans), EGGS, oat milk, OLIVE OIL, HERBS (including cinnamon, garlic, and turmeric), and SPICES (black pepper, ginger, parsley and thyme).h, mental clarity, and emotional well-being.

SLEEP: Mike and Deb understand sleep's critical role in overall health. Studies show that sleep deprivation can lead to heart disease, cognitive decline, obesity, and numerous other health issues. To support their well-being, they’ve made sleep a priority. They follow a consistent bedtime routine every night: flossing at precisely 8:57 PM and settling into bed by 9 PM. This commitment enables them to enjoy 9 hours of rest each night, thereby reinforcing their health and resilience every day.

PASSION: Music, literature, canines, and some humansPROFESSION: Academia and ResearchVOCATION: Saxophonist/Clarinetist/KeyboardORGANIZATIONS: U.S. Masters Swimming, Montclair Literary Festival - through Succeed2gether, Morris Museum Astronomical Society, the Morris County New Horizon Band, Mountain Lakes, NJ, and the 'Swing Tones' Jazz Band, Morris Plains, NJ. NJ Chapter Sierra Club Member, Americans United for Separation of Church and State https://www.au.org 

Michael A Van Allen’s Humanifesto:   "I respect and love every person who offers respect and love in return, regardless of their age, caste, color, creed, culture, ethnicity, gender, language, or nationality, and inclusive of people with disabilities or neurodivergence; those living with mental illness; those in larger bodies; individuals struggling with addiction; the formerly incarcerated; the unhoused; and those experiencing dementia or cognitive decline. Each is human, fully worthy, and deserving of my respect and love. 

There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it hardly behooves any of us to talk about the rest of us.  

My opposition to racist speech does not diminish my unwavering commitment to the First Amendment or my defense of every American's right to free expression. Constitutional rights are most meaningful when they protect speech we strongly oppose.

My lifelong disgust with male homosexual behavior does not diminish my commitment to the equal civil rights, equal protection under the law, and inherent human dignity of LGBTQ people. In a free society, every person deserves the same legal rights and respect.

My rejection of the supernatural claims of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism—based on reason, logic, and evidence—does not diminish my steadfast defense of the civil liberties and religious freedom of Muslims, Christians, Jews, and people of every faith or no faith at all. Hate the lunacy, love the lunatic. Freedom of religion necessarily includes the freedom to believe, to doubt, or not to believe. 

My contempt is for racists, and those who are complicitly silent to white supremacy, malignant narcissism, and oppression. Skin color earns neither my contempt nor my respect—character and conduct do. I deeply respect and appreciate the many white allies who confront racism and stand up for justice, equality, and human dignity. 

The tragedy of mass shootings does not diminish my support for the constitutional right to keep and bear arms, a right that I exercise responsibly, safely, lawfully, and ethically. A free, secular constitutional democracy depends on citizens resolving conflicts through lawful and democratic institutions. 

There are four boxes used to neutralize White Christofasism, and they are necessary for the security of a secular and free social democracy: the soapbox, the ballot box, the jury box, and the box of ammo. It's best to use it in that order, but out of order, if you must. I choose to live by mutual respect, fairness, and empathy, measuring my actions by their impact on others and by standards I would accept for myself. I acknowledge the limits of my control, act decisively where my choices matter, and apply reason and experience to tell the difference. I exonerate myself from guilt and self-punishment over past, present, and future mistakes, recognizing error as part of being human rather than evidence of personal failure. I have zero regrets; I learn and move forward. From that foundation, I commit to compassion, forgiveness, and kindness—starting with myself. I am an atheist, guided by reason & logic. I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use. I accept only what can be demonstrated. Observation, measurement, and reasoning— verified independently—are the standard. I'll entertain any claim, no matter how strange, if the evidence supports it. But the more extraordinary the claim, the stronger and more rigorous the evidence must be." 

Advocate for human rights, animal rights, environmental stewardship, equity, and equal justice for all. An Avid Reader, a world traveler, a Deep-Sea Diver, a Saxophonist, a retired Biochemist in research and academia, and a Democratic Socialist. Racism, White Malignant Narcissism, and White Fragility have been exposed. All gods, religions, and faiths are myths and delusions. Science is our friend.“It is the job of thinking people not to be on the side of the executioners.” ~ Albert Camus. 

I treat others as I would want to be treated, and I can reasonably expect them to treat me the same way. I love science, art, and the humanities. I am a humanitarian, educator, scientist, and activist for human rights, animal welfare, and environmental justice. I'm a dog lover, a lover of comedy and the arts (including music, theatre, literature, and film), a writer, an avid reader, and a bibliophile. I'm a lifelong student, long-distance swimmer, saxophonist, daily yogi, world traveler, agnostic/atheist, stargazing amateur astronomer, racial justice activist, Black Panther, Anti-Black/White Supremacy Propaganda Abolitionist, Prison abolitionist, Critical Race Theorist, globalist, cosmopolite, multiculturalist, social justice warrior, Pro quality healthcare for all, living wages, decent housing, tuition-free quality education, justice, peace, love, life, liberty, and freedom for all. I am a secular democratic socialist, a 24/7/365 drum major for justice.

Advocate for human rights, animal rights, environmental stewardship, equity, and equal justice for all. An Avid Reader, a world traveler, a Deep-Sea Diver, a Saxophonist, a retired Biochemist in research and academia, and a Democratic Socialist. Racism, White Malignant Narcissism, and White Fragility have been exposed.All gods, religions, and faiths are myths and delusions. Science is our friend.“It is the job of thinking people not to be on the side of the executioners.” ~ Albert Camus. 

I treat others as I would want to be treated, and I can reasonably expect them to treat me the same way. I love science, art, and the humanities. I am a humanitarian, educator, scientist, and activist for human rights, animal welfare, and environmental justice. I'm a dog lover, a lover of comedy and the arts (including music, theatre, literature, and film), a writer, an avid reader, and a bibliophile. I'm a lifelong student, long-distance swimmer, saxophonist, daily yogi, world traveler, agnostic/atheist, stargazing amateur astronomer, racial justice activist, Black Panther, Anti-Black/White Supremacy Propaganda Abolitionist, Prison abolitionist, Critical Race Theorist, globalist, cosmopolite, multiculturalist, social justice warrior, Pro quality healthcare for all, living wages, decent housing, tuition-free quality education, justice, peace, love, life, liberty, and freedom for all. I am a secular democratic socialist, a 24/7/365 drum major for justice.

Advocate for human rights, animal rights, environmental stewardship, equity, and equal justice for all. An Avid Reader, a world traveler, a Deep-Sea Diver, a Saxophonist, a retired Biochemist in research and academia, and a Democratic Socialist. Racism, White Malignant Narcissism, and White Fragility have been exposed.All gods, religions, and faiths are myths and delusions.Science is our friend.“It is the job of thinking people not to be on the side of the executioners.” ~ Albert Camus. I treat others as I would want to be treated, and I can reasonably expect them to treat me the same way. I love science, art, and the humanities. I am a humanitarian, educator, scientist, and activist for human rights, animal welfare, and environmental justice. I'm a dog lover, a lover of comedy and the arts (including music, theatre, literature, and film), a writer, an avid reader, and a bibliophile. I'm a lifelong student, long-distance swimmer, saxophonist, daily yogi, world traveler, agnostic/atheist, stargazing amateur astronomer, racial justice activist, Black Panther, Anti-Black/White Supremacy Propaganda Abolitionist, Prison abolitionist, Critical Race Theorist, globalist, cosmopolite, multiculturalist, social justice warrior, Pro quality healthcare for all, living wages, decent housing, tuition-free quality education, justice, peace, love, life, liberty, and freedom for all. I am a secular democratic socialist, a 24/7/365 drum major for justice.

Advocate for human rights, animal rights, environmental stewardship, equity, and equal justice for all. An Avid Reader, a world traveler, a Deep-Sea Diver, a Saxophonist, a retired Biochemist in research and academia, and a Democratic Socialist. Racism, White Malignant Narcissism, and White Fragility have been exposed.All gods, religions, and faiths are myths and delusions.Science is our friend.“It is the job of thinking people not to be on the side of the executioners.” ~ Albert CamusI 

treat others as I would want to be treated, and I can reasonably expect them to treat me the same way. I love science, art, and the humanities. I am a humanitarian, educator, scientist, and activist for human rights, animal welfare, and environmental justice. I'm a dog lover, a lover of comedy and the arts (including music, theatre, literature, and film), a writer, an avid reader, and a bibliophile. I'm a lifelong student, long-distance swimmer, saxophonist, daily yogi, world traveler, agnostic/atheist, stargazing amateur astronomer, racial justice activist, Black Panther, Anti-Black/White Supremacy Propaganda Abolitionist, Prison abolitionist, Critical Race Theorist, globalist, cosmopolite, multiculturalist, social justice warrior, Pro quality healthcare for all, living wages, decent housing, tuition-free quality education, justice, peace, love, life, liberty, and freedom for all. I am a secular democratic socialist, a 24/7/365 drum major for justice. I enjoy studying human psychology and practicing guided mindful meditation, which helps me achieve inner peace and emotional benefits. I find a way to meditate, release negative thoughts, avoid toxicity and pain, and find gratitude and inner peace.I have worked to abolish false conspiracies and propaganda of white supremacy, anti-black racism, science denialism, knowledge resistance, pseudoscience, voters’ suppression, the electoral college, income inequality, the wealth gap, the health gap, the for-profit punitive prison industry, racial/SES segregated schools, state-sponsored police brutality, carceral states, human sex trafficking, colorism, bigotry, extremism, demagoguery, self-righteous judgmental hypocritical religious fanatics, science, and climate change deniers, unfounded conspiracy theories, ethnic purity, imperialism, anti-intellectualism, neoliberalism, misogyny, misogynoir, ageism, ableism, plutocracies, oligarchies, patriarchies, xenophobia, extreme tribalism, caste systems, economic injustice, austerity, corporatocracies, militarism, authoritarianism, theocracies, unfettered capitalism, war, hunger, disease, illiteracy, poverty, pollution, and war. Racism and White Fragility have been exposed. Science is our friend, and all God concepts are myths.My advice to the young is to embrace lifelong learning. Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn, so be adaptable. Pursue your passions, take risks, and maintain healthy lifestyles, including good sleep, diet, and physical exercise. Live within your means; don't buy things you don't need with money you don't have, to impress people you don't like. Foster meaningful connections, make a positive impact, and believe in yourself, for my work here is done! As a septuagenarian, I’ve done my best to eradicate injustices, suffering, and misery on this planet. At best, I'm an elderly atheist fighting for Church-State Separation and fighting against Christofascism and White Nationalism. However, the remaining issues are now the responsibility of the younger folk. I intend to devote my remaining years to self-care, my personal health, and happiness. My motto is: Physician, heal thyself! I have dedicated my focus to within. My remaining life’s purpose is to live a healthy lifestyle and achieve wellness, serenity, and gratitude. I invest in myself; it pays the best dividends.You’re going to realize one day that happiness was never about your job, your degree, or being in a relationship. Happiness was never about following in the footsteps of all those who came before you; it was never about being like the others.One day, you’ll see that happiness was always about discovery, hope, listening to your heart, and following it wherever it leads. Happiness was always about being kinder to yourself and embracing the person you were becoming. One day, you will understand that happiness is always about learning how to live with yourself and that happiness is never in other people's hands. It was always about you.Life is short...break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile! The time is now; there has never been a good time to do bad or a bad time to do good. One thing you should know about me is that I am NOT you. A lot more will make sense after that. My ultimate aspiration is to be a kind old man! May you be happy; may you be safe; may you be healthy; may you live with ease.My nationality is American. My genetic composition informs me that I have a 55% likelihood of sharing African ethnicity, 41% European, and 4% Native American. 

@Dr MAVA, Merck Research Biochemist, taught inorganic, organic, and biochemistry at Upsala and NJ Medical School. Embraces critical thinking, evidence, rationalism, and empiricism. Yoga practitioner, mindfulness meditator, 100-mile Swim Club, and deep sea scuba diver, weight training, lover of books and dogs, saxophonist, world traveler, pickleballer, and amateur astronomer/stargazer.They will criticize you for what you are, what you are not, and what they think you are. They will judge you for what you do, for what you don't do, and for what you fail to do. They will talk about you for what you say and for what you keep silent about. They will point at you for your successes and for your mistakes, for your decisions and for your doubts. No matter how much you try to please, there will always be opinions. So live for yourself, because the only thing that matters is staying true to your own path.Understanding yourself is power. Loving yourself is freedom. Forgiving yourself is peace. Being yourself is bliss.This is who I am and what I stand for. What other people may say is none of my business! Music is what I am. Everything else is what I do.Be authentic! One thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about at all. So, be who you are and say what you feel because those who matter don't mind, and those who mind don't matter. It's OK if you don't like me; not everyone has good taste.

All religions evolve out of fraud, fear, greed, imagination, and poetry. Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction. White privilege doesn't mean your life is easy; it means it isn't hard because of your race. If God is willing to prevent evil but unable to do so, then God is not omnipotent. If God is able but not willing, then God is evil. Where does evil come from if God is both able and willing? If God is neither able nor willing? Then why call it a God?Theists: How do you tell a real God from a false one?I contend that we are both atheists; I believe in one fewer gods than you. When you understand why you dismiss all of the other 4,176 possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.Live a good life. If there are just gods, they will not care how devout you have been but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but they are unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, you will be gone, but you will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones."If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best-colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you." U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, 1960, remark to Bill Moyers, "What a Real President Was Like," Washington Post, 13 November 1988. Until lions have historians, hunters will be heroes."- Kenyan Proverb. 

It's hard to win an argument against a smart person, but it's almost impossible to win an argument against a stupid person. So, never argue with stupid people; they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience. And never argue with a fool in public; passersby won't know who's who. So, before you try to convince a fool against his will, make certain he doesn't have the same problem. If you don't unequivocally profess that "Black Lives Matter" and you are pro-Black [full stop] without qualifiers, distractions, dilutions, or reservations, then you just identified yourself as my enemy. The benchmark of a civilized society is the quality of its justice and how it treats its most vulnerable. Prosecutors have the discretion to charge or not. One of the many injustices Black people experience in the criminal injustice system is being charged for crimes that whites will often not be charged for.There are various standards, depending on factors such as color and socioeconomic status (SES), that prosecutors exercise. Often, White prosecutors, judges, and white juries have empathy for white offenders while throwing the book at BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), and holding them to the full extent of the law.If there is no injury, damage, loss, or violation of rights, then there is no crime, and no criminal [full stop]. That said, laws are constantly evolving to serve and protect White Americans but limit Black Americans' freedoms and security. Racism is not merely a simplistic hatred. It is more often broad sympathy toward whites and broader skepticism toward People of Color. White Privilege doesn’t mean your life hasn’t been hard: it means that your white skin color isn’t one of the things making it harder. Got it?In the criminal injustice system, you’re better off being white, rich, and guilty than Black, poor, and innocent. LAWS L egally 

A llowing 

W hite 

S supremacy

White Supremacy ensures that white folk's actions are framed around "rights" and "empathy" (ex., mentally disturbed victims of the opioid epidemic), and Black folk's actions are framed around "crime" and "punishment" (ex., violent criminals, drug addicts). In the US legal system, it is safer to be white and guilty than innocent and Black. Racial justice must be put at the forefront of the struggle for justice. Due to centuries of brainwashing, Whites are more forgiving and generous with each other than with people perceived as "others."Social attitudes, laws, and policies should be based on science, compassion, health, and human rights, rather than fear, hate, or racism. One example of the system of White Supremacy: When European immigrants, in the Mafia, imported heroin into the African-American community of Harlem, the US government legally forced blacks to be punished (not helped) with prison time. At the same time, they acquired criminal records which ultimately destroyed families, communities, and their life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I lost my dearest uncle Darryl to heroin. He was stigmatized, and shamed for being an incarcerated ‘junky.” However, Whites addicted to these very same narcotics (Opiates) are sympathized victims with "rights" to clinical, restorative remediation, so they can 'get back on their feet with government support (helped, not hurt), and have no criminal records. They can maintain strong families, communities, and lucrative careers without humiliation. White Silence is violence and consent to genocide:Too few whites have the courage and moral conviction to protest against powerful governmental agencies that protect and serve them. (It's far easier and frankly more pusillanimous to criticize a football player for peacefully taking a legal knee than a white racist cop who takes a violent, murderous knee (George Floyd). Many criminal whites are forgiven and not held accountable for infractions or offenses, creating a large pool of Nazi-like supporters of State-Sponsored terrorism against Americans of Color and future attempts at insurrections of our democracy.

"We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.  There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest." -Elie WieselWhen white America catches a cold, black America has pneumonia. It's called the 'American dream' because you have to be asleep to believe it, white to experience it, or 'woke' to realize it's just a dream. Eracism! The goal is to make Anti-Racism systemic. It's not always about how much you don't hate Black Folk. Sometimes it's about how much you hate the truth about White folk - suggesting that conversations about race aren't solely about whether someone holds overt prejudices against Black people, but also about a reluctance or unwillingness to acknowledge and confront potentially uncomfortable truths about the historical and ongoing role of white people in perpetuating systems of racial inequality. You can't shame racist White hate towards humanity. Shame only works against a moral people with a conscience. Until the color of white skin is the target, whites will never understand, which is why I refuse to waste an iota of my time or energy trying to help whites wake. 

There are four boxes to neutralize White Supremacy: the soapbox, the ballot box, the jury box, and the box of ammo. Preferably used in that order, but out of order, if you must. 

Avoid bitterness and holding onto regrets. I never lose; I either win or learn. “Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”So, what can you do? Pick social/political causes that are importanconsistently fight for them consistently. I've chosen racism, poverty, ecological devastation, and war. However, remember that ultimately, the only revenge worth having is living a successful life.Live, Love, Laugh, Learn, Repeat...I hope to live long and die young. A Gentle Reminder: This life will go by fast. Don't fight with people, don't criticize your body excessively, and refrain from complaining too much. Don't lose sleep over material things. Recognize the person who makes you happy. If you make a mistake, let it go and keep seeking your happiness. Never stop being a good person. Don't worry so much about buying things you can't afford, with money you don't have, to impress people that don't like you. Don't kill yourself trying to leave an inheritance for others. Those benefits should be earned by those benefits, so don't dedicate yourself to accumulating money. Travel, enjoy your journeys, see new places, and give yourself the pleasures you deserve. Allow dogs to get closer. Don't put away the fine glassware. Utilize the new dinnerware; don't save your favorite fragrance for special occasions, use it to treat yourself to a night out; wear out your favorite sports shoes; and repeatedly wear your favorite clothes. Live in the present.Why not forgive now? We wait so long for holidays, for Friday, for reunions, for another year, for when I have money, for love to come, when everything is perfect... Look...Perfection doesn't exist. Here is an opportunity to learn.So, take this challenge that is life and do it now... love more, forgive more, and embrace more, loving more intensely. Start with loving and forgiving yourself. Stay away from toxicity. I recently decided never to correct anyone wrong unless I’m paid to do so. I've never been happier. To avoid unhappiness, anxiety, and depression, we need to control those things that are within our power and be indifferent or apathetic to those things that are not. Don't worry about the future, don't regret the past, but live in the present. Expect less, and stay grateful. “I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.”We allow our happiness to be stolen from us when what we think we desire is not aligned with what we think is reality. Be careful of what you wish for, and remember, one hundred years from now, none of this will matter. Don't worry about tomorrow, and don't regret yesterday. Live, love, and be grateful for this very moment. 

The mathematical formula for happiness is very simple. It's (t)=w0+w1∑j=1tγt−jCRj+w2∑j=1tγt−jEVj+w3∑j=1tγt−jRPEj. Ok, mathematically challenged, are you? The Happiness Equation in words is: your happiness is equal to or greater than the difference between the events of your life and your expectations of how life should behave. Be mindful that “events” are subject to your perception, values, and vision at the present time only. My dear ole' dad, whom I will always love, was my best friend in life. He taught me well by modeling the importance of being true to myself. And he taught me, There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us,that it hardly behooves any of us,to talk about the rest of us!He taught me how to be a compassionate man with integrity, how to be generous with praise, and parsimonious with judgment. For the virtuous and the wicked are just exchanging notes. Every good person has a past & every bad person has a future. Eat half, walk double, laugh triple, and love without measure!Life is short, so live your life, be happy, and keep smiling. Just live for yourself, and before you speak, listen. Before you write, think. Before you spend, earn. Before you meditate, forgive. Before you hurt, feel. Before you hate, love. Before you quit, try and Before you die, live.In the end, does truth exist? There is no truth. There is only perception, which speaks to a profound philosophical view on the nature of reality and human understanding. What we often consider to be "truth" is, in fact, subjective and shaped by individual perspectives. This idea aligns with a broader existential or relativistic outlook, where objective truths are elusive or non-existent because each person's experience and interpretation of the world is inherently unique. In this light, the notion of absolute truths prompts us to acknowledge the power and limitations of our perceptions in shaping reality. This perspective can be both liberating and disorienting; it liberates us from rigid, dogmatic thinking but also confronts us with the uncertainty and variability of human experience. Realism in literature underscores how fiction and narrative reflect this very subjectivity, where characters and events are not bound by a single, overarching truth but are instead a tapestry of individual perceptions, each with its own validity. "To be a writer, you must write; to be a good writer, you must read."Dr. MAVA I wants to die young, as late as possible.  The race is not given to the most talented or he who runs the swiftest, but to the one who endures to the end. My ultimate aspiration in life is to be a kind old man. May you be healthy, happy, and at peace! All that lives will die, and nothing is everlasting. But our inevitable death is not the worst. The worst includes spending moments regretting the past. I never lose; I either win or learn. The worst includes the moments spent worrying about the future. I practice acceptance of the things I cannot change. The worst is allowing too much of our brief voyage through space-time to slip away without doing our utmost to give it joy, meaning, and awe.Why do I play the saxophone?Music serves several functions for me. These include reinforcing social unity and stability by initiating social connections with others and creating a trustworthy and safe social engagement. Music fosters a sense of belonging to the jazz community worldwide, both historically and culturally. 'Cognitive psychology of music learning' studies the perceptive and generative processes involved in listening to, performing, analyzing, improvising, and composing music. These studies demonstrate that music engagement enhances memory, supports social and emotional well-being, reading ability, and executive functions. Listening to or playing music is an effective and enjoyable way to keep my brain engaged throughout the aging process. It provides a total brain workout. Research has shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, alleviate pain, and improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory. Music is therapeutic for me. Music gives me meaning and purpose in life, and as a third-generation saxophonist, she is my mistress, passion, and legacy.

Dr. MAVA’ I'm in the mood for love simply because you're near me. Funny, but when you're near me, I'm in the mood for love. Heaven is in your eyes, bright as the stars we're under. Oh! Is it any wonderI'm in the mood for love? Why stop to think of whether this little dream might fade?

We've put our hearts together. Now we are one, I'm not afraid! If there's a cloud above, if it should rain, we'll let it. But for tonight, forget it! But never reached a household name. Chased success, but peace he found; In laughter, joy is always around. Chased life's dreams with a hopeful cry; Wished to laugh till the day he'd die. Now at Mt. Freedom, dead; Much good, some ill, he did. So, hope all's even, you that survive; For if you're reading this, you're still alive. May you be happy and live with ease. For you will never please. For only the actions of the just smell sweet and blossom in the dust.

REQUIEM: I'm in the mood for love simply because you're near me. Funny, but when you're near me, I'm in the mood for love. Heaven is in your eyes, bright as the stars we're under. Oh! Is it any wonderI'm in the mood for love? Why stop to think of whether this little dream might fade?We've put our hearts together. Now we are one, I'm not afraid!If there's a cloud above, if it should rain, we'll let it. But for tonight, forget it! 

I'm in the mood for love. King Pleasure - I'm In The Mood For Love (aka Moody's Mood For Love) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QziwjSGLaVw'Cognitive psychology of music learning' studies the perceptive and generative processes involved in listening to, performing, analyzing, improvising, and composing music. These studies demonstrate that music engagement enhances memory, supports social and emotional well-being, reading ability, and executive functions.Listening to or playing music is an effective and enjoyable way to keep my brain engaged throughout the aging process. It provides a total brain workout. Research has shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, alleviate pain, and improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory. Music is therapeutic for me. Music gives me meaning and purpose in life, and as a third-generation saxophonist, she is my mistress, passion, and legacy. Dr. MAVA’s epitaph: Manhattan-born, New Jersey-bred; Studied science, then books he read. Smoked his stuff;and drank his wine.