The Most Important And Powerful Lesson I’ve Learned Lately
Sometimes, a newer perspective can teach you that there's something new to learn. This is what I learned.
In the 1800s the United States fought a war with itself. It was the American Civil War, and it was to end slavery in the United States. While it didn’t cure all of the problems between the races and the cultures, it ended the practice of slavery, in its known form.
Today’s Way Of Doing Things
Did you work today? That’s what you were told to do when you were growing up, and what you likely witnessed your parents and grandparents doing. Working is how we live a life instead of just existing. But, do the old ways still work.
In high school in the eighties, we were told that if someone worked for thirty to forty years they’d make $1,000,000.00. Of course, that was based on wages and the cost of living at that time. As times changed, and wages failed to keep up with the cost of living, the chances of living more than a mediocre life decreased significantly.
There are exceptions to the rule. Rich kids from multi-generational-wealthy families won’t suffer the same fates that most people suffer. No, they’ll fare quite well compared to the rest of the world. But what are we doing to help the rest of the world catch up? Nothing?
It feels that way. It feels like we’re failing to realize that what we’re teaching isn’t getting the job done. We’re not teaching kids the right skills.
Today’s slaves are slaves to the grind, to the almighty dollar, and to the establishment. Consider this:
Most people work eight hours a day and only get to live four of those hours.
Many work a six day week in order to enjoy just one.
In many settings, you’re working eight hours in order to enjoy a 15 minute lunch.
You went to work for eight hours, enjoyed just four with your family or friends, and only got to sleep for five.
You’re working for 50 to 51 weeks a year just so you can get one or two weeks off, and can barely afford to see any of the world you’re a part of.
Worst of all, you’re working your whole life to retire at 55 or older.
We’re slaves to the desire to attain material possessions that we can’t take with us, and to fit in socially. In the end, none of it will matter, as there’s only one way off this rock and you’re not taking anything with you. So why? Why is this how it’s done?
A better question might be!
WHY AREN’T WE LEARNING TO DO IT DIFFERENTLY
Imagine if you would, someone put you in a class on the stock market at fourteen. You were taught the ins and outs of futures trading, stock trading, and the financial markets. And in that class, you and your fellow students, had to study a stock, chart its performance, and see how things went during the course of the semester.
Now, look around at your life and imagine that was reality. How would your portfolio look? How much different would your life be?
A financial education is as important in the world as learning to read and write. Communication skills will take you so far, but there are the skills needed to get you into the financial markets and help people build their lives.
We aren’t teaching kids to build a life worth living. And that’s the saddest part of the American dream. As it get’s further and further out of reach for a portion of the population, we leave behind a legacy of repeated mediocrity. And why wouldn’t the younger generation be upset about that?
Tech skills
Finance skills
Business skills
Debate skills
Science skills
Language skills
Communication skills
and quality health and fitness education
Those are the real skills needed in the world today. But, there are still kids coming out of schools who are reading at levels below their age, can’t write legibly, and struggle with the English language, the main language of their country.
Isn’t it time we start putting an emphasis on the skills needed to find financial freedom, to find freedom from slavery to labor and the almighty dollar, and to live a life worth living on this beautiful planet we’ve been given?
Agree or disagree, leave a comment to let me know.
LIFE IS A SHORT JOURNEY, SO GET OUT THERE AND LIVE IT!
About the Creator
Jason Ray Morton
Writing has become more important as I live with cancer. It's a therapy, it's an escape, and it's a way to do something lasting that hopefully leaves an impression.
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LNG Shipping Rates Soar 650% to $300,000 Per Day
Global liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipping rates have spiked dramatically in recent weeks, with some charter rates climbing as much as 650 percent to about $300,000 per day — a surge driven by widespread supply disruptions tied to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and pressure on global energy markets. The increase has sent shockwaves through commodity markets, shipping firms, and LNG buyers, highlighting how sensitive energy logistics are to political instability and supply chain risk. Why Rates Are Skyrocketing The main catalyst for the surge in LNG charter rates is the disruption of traditional shipping routes, particularly those passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow waterway, which sits between Iran and Oman, is a major artery for crude oil and LNG tankers. Recent military escalations and attacks on vessels in the Gulf have pushed shippers to re‑route around longer and less predictable pathways, increasing voyage times, fuel costs, and operational complexity for tanker fleets. Under normal circumstances, LNG ships traveling from the Middle East to major consuming regions such as East Asia and Europe would use the most direct route through Hormuz, keeping transit times and costs down. But with regional airspace restrictions, military activity, and heightened risk of missile or drone incidents against commercial vessels, many operators are opting for alternative passages — such as sailing around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope — adding thousands of nautical miles to each journey. Longer routes mean more time at sea, higher bunker fuel bills, and fewer voyages per year for each vessel. As a result, demand for available LNG carriers has outstripped supply, pushing daily charter rates upward. According to shipping brokers, some modern large‑class LNG carriers that typically earn $40,000–$50,000 per day before the crisis are now commanding up to $300,000 per day on the spot market — a roughly 650 percent increase. Market Impact Beyond Shipping The surge in shipping costs is affecting more than just vessel operators. LNG buyers are feeling the impact in contract pricing and delivery strategies, and refiners and utilities in Europe and Asia are wrestling with tighter supply and rising costs. Because LNG is sold on both long‑term contracts and short‑term spot markets, volatile freight costs can quickly get passed through to consumers or squeeze the margins of energy companies. In recent weeks, some LNG cargoes have been rerouted, delayed, or canceled as buyers reassess the total cost of delivered fuel. For countries like Japan and South Korea, which depend heavily on LNG for power generation, the combination of higher freight rates and constrained supply options has raised concerns ahead of peak seasonal demand periods. European consumers, already contending with higher energy prices due to regional instability, may also face elevated utility bills if LNG cargoes become more expensive to deliver. Why the Current Situation Is Worse Than Normal Several factors have converged to make the current surge in LNG shipping rates sharper than past disruptions: 1. Limited Spare Shipping Capacity: Before the crisis, the global LNG fleet was already operating near peak utilization due to recovery in demand after the pandemic. Fewer idle vessels mean less flexibility in redeploying ships to new routes. 2. Longer Routes Increase Demand: As carriers avoid high‑risk areas, each round trip takes more time and ties up each vessel for longer, reducing overall fleet efficiency. 3. Insurance Costs Rising: Insurers have added premiums and exclusions for vessels transiting high‑risk zones, making some shipowners reluctant to risk sailings without higher compensation. This further reduces available capacity and drives brokers to raise freight rates to attract willing operators. 4. Energy Market Volatility: Elevated crude and LNG prices have increased the overall cost of energy logistics, leading charterers to commit to higher freight rates rather than risk missing critical deliveries. Responses from Industry Players Shipping companies and charter brokers say the spike is temporary but caution that volatility could persist if geopolitical tensions continue. Several major shippers have announced measures to mitigate risk, including: Rebalancing Ship Deployment: Reallocating vessels from other regions to cover high‑demand LNG routes. Multi‑Year Contracts: Locking in long‑term charters at elevated rate floors to secure capacity. Rerating Risk Models: Re‑evaluating risk assessments to incorporate persistent geopolitical uncertainty. Some LNG buyers are exploring portfolio diversification, seeking alternative suppliers that can deliver from less volatile regions. Others are working with national governments to negotiate strategic deliveries and secure access to existing contracts. Broader Economic Implications The LNG freight surge illustrates how geopolitical instability can ripple through the interconnected global energy system. High shipping costs may accelerate energy price inflation, add pressure to already tense global supply chains, and force buyers to rethink their consumption and contract strategies. Emerging economies and developing countries that rely on LNG imports could be particularly vulnerable to higher delivered energy costs. Meanwhile, energy traders and analysts warn that if the Middle East conflict continues or expands, freight rates for other energy commodities — including crude oil tankers and LPG carriers — could face similar pressure, compounding costs across the maritime fuel transportation complex. Looking Ahead Industry observers expect rates to remain elevated so long as uncertainty lingers. Some predict even higher daily charters if shipping risks increase or if further disruptions occur in the Red Sea or other strategic chokepoints. For now, LNG markets and energy consumers will closely monitor developments, knowing that freight costs have become a key variable in the global energy equation — and that sudden geopolitical shocks can reverberate far beyond the immediate conflict zone.
By Fiaz Ahmed 4 days ago in Journal
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