Published in SYNERGY·Jan 6Member-onlyBrain Chemistry and Audio FrequencySongs and melodies and sounds… oh my! — By Richard Smith SYNERGY Staff Writer Topics: Self-development, Health & Wellness, Psychology, Mindfulness RIO RANCHO, New Mexico — Regardless of how popular, cutting-edge, or innovative a song is alleged to be, the relationship that exists between our brain’s chemistry and the frequency of sound is what dictates whether or not…Frequency7 min readFrequency7 min read
Published in The Haven·Jan 1Member-onlyMy 2022 End-of-Year ListsBooks, Film, Television, Music, and Memes — RIO RANCHO, New Mexico — I was inspired recently to share my list of favorite books, movies, and music with all of you. Admittedly, being as busy as I am, the number of books on my reading list is not nearly as impressive as I would have hoped for. Here…Books5 min readBooks5 min read
Published in The Haven·Aug 12, 2022Member-onlyWhy Are There Still Apes?A misguided and poorly reasoned assumption. — By Richard Smith Haven Staff Writer RIO RANCHO, New Mexico — I often hear this misguided and poorly reasoned assumption: “At one time, science said man came from apes, did it not? If this is true, why are there still apes? Think about it.” I am thinking about it and…The Haven8 min readThe Haven8 min read
Jul 31, 2022Member-onlyPerfect Fusion in Art and DesignThe power of a compelling connection with your audience. — By Richard Smith Medium Staff Writer RIO RANCHO, New Mexico — Ask me about my passion for art, messaging, and graphic design. …Design6 min readDesign6 min read
Published in The Haven·Jun 30, 2022Member-onlySedgwick: An Abusive Death SentenceHow Verizon’s inept disability policy jeopardizes its employees. — By Richard Smith Haven Staff Writer RIO RANCHO, New Mexico — I love my job. As a long-term employee of Verizon for the past 13 years, I have been enjoying the satisfaction that my job gives me on many levels, including the ability to help people in need of assistance…Feedium12 min readFeedium12 min read
Published in The Haven·Jun 25, 2022Member-onlyWell, since you asked…Revisiting the historic 2008 election in a 2022 atmosphere. — By Richard Smith Haven Staff Writer RIO RANCHO, New Mexico — On November 6, 2008, at 10:16 AM, an email correspondent asked me this question: “What do you think of the Election?” Considering today’s political climate in our absurd ‘new normal’ reality known as 2022, it seemed appropriate to dig…The Haven8 min readThe Haven8 min read
Published in The Haven·May 28, 2022Member-onlyNew Mexico, It’s All Part of the AdventureHow a cross-country trek conspired to do me in. — By Richard Smith Haven Staff Writer RIO RANCHO, New Mexico — Hello fellow readers. I have a life story to share, one that you might relate to. It all started a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Well, more like a state far away — Pennsylvania, to…The Haven10 min readThe Haven10 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·May 15, 2022Member-only10 Great Reasons to Support Public ArtThe cultural, aesthetic, and economic vitality of our community. — By Richard Smith ILLUMINATION Staff Writer RIO RANCHO, New Mexico — I recently joined the Arts Commission for the City of Rio Rancho, New Mexico. It is a great honor to be included on such a commission due to the community service initiatives it represents. I also feel privileged to…Illumination6 min readIllumination6 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·May 6, 2022Member-onlyPlease Stop Using the Term ‘Grey’Extraterrestrial beings are not a tint, shade, or tone. — By Richard Smith ILLUMINATION Staff Writer RIO RANCHO, New Mexico — I bet you weren’t expecting to read an article titled as such. Neither was I until my wife, Linda, started posting about this subject on Facebook. …Illumination10 min readIllumination10 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·May 1, 2022Member-onlyConspiracies vs. the Middle ClassIgniting the voting bloc of our strong working class. — “The final war will not be a race war, it will not be between blacks and whites. The final war will be an economic war, a war between the haves and the have-nots.” — Malcolm X By Richard Smith ILLUMINATION Staff Writer When Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr…Working Class9 min readWorking Class9 min read