On this very day in history…
December 10, 2009 
American poet Emily Dickinson was born in 1830.
Emily Dickinson (1830–86).
VI
IF I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin 5
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
And speaking of the Nobel Prize, Jane Addams was the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931, and Martin Luther King Jr., a prominent African-American civil rights leader, received it in 1964. The first African-American president, Barack Obama, received it today.
Lessons from Lepers in Luke
November 25, 2009 
In the Gospel According to St. Luke chapter 17, the encounter between Jesus and ten men who had leprosy is recorded. Now leprosy is a condition so undesirable that whoever had it had to remain separated from the general population. In fact, those who had leprosy had to announce their arrival. In Luke 17:12, we are told that the men “stood at a distance” and raised their voices pleading for mercy. Jesus acknowledged them and told them to go show themselves to the priest. As they were going, we are told, they were cleansed. One of them saw this, turned back, and glorified God with a loud voice. He fell on his face and gave thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. (Samaritan=Insert name of whatever person or group you deem most undesirable to associate with.)
When Jesus saw the man, he asked a question of the Samaritan. He said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they? Was no one found who turned back to give glory to God, except this foreigner?” (emphasis mine) Jesus marveled at a couple of things. He seems surprised that those who should be obviously thankful were not; and he seems surprised that those who should not be expected to give glory to God were doing just that.
The lesson is apparent. God has blessed us and given us more than we can ever ask or think and takes care of us in ways that often we cannot see or imagine. The United States government has set aside a holiday to remind us to be thankful on the fourth Thursday in November, but God wants us to “always give thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father.” (Ephesians 5:20)
Hello!
Today has been designated World Hello Day. The goal is to promote personal communication by encouraging people to say hello to at least 10 other people.
Happy Birthday Sesame Street!
Sunny day – Sweepin’ the clouds away,
On my way to where the air is sweet.
Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street.
Come and play, everything’s A-OK
Friendly neighbors there that’s where we meet
Can you tell me how to get
How to get to Sesame Street
It’s a magic carpet ride. Every door will open wide.
Happy people like you. Happy people who.
Like a beautiful sunny day sweepin’ the clouds away
On my way to where the air is sweet
Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame street, how to get to Sesame Street, How to get to . . .
*************************************************************
How do you get to any place that makes you feel like that?
Beginning Again–November 2009
Happy All Saints’ Day.
November is the month when we traditionally think of Thanksgiving, but there are many other special days, weeks, and month-long commemorations.
November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, American Diabetes Month, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, and Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis Awareness Month. As you can tell, this is a month particularly given to the awareness of several serious diseases. However, it is also National Family Caregivers Month. Many times the spouses and family of those with serious conditions are forgotten in the equation.
From their material: “NFC Month is organized annually by the National Family Caregivers Association as a time each year to thank, support, educate and empower family caregivers. “This year we are encouraging people to speak up during National Family Caregivers Month,”said Suzanne Mintz, NFCA president and CEO. “One of the most important attributes of being an advocate for your loved one is the willingness and the ability to speak up and keep your eye on the ultimate goal, protecting not only the health and safety of your loved ones, but your own as well.”
Remember to keep an eye on those who are keeping an eye on others.
Lastly, for those other budding writers out there, November is National Novel Writing Month. Only 29 more days to go. We can do it. This is our year.
Pore over it and pour it on.
Don’t quit
October 11, 2009
Filed under Inspirational, Poets, Poems, and Poetry, Quotes, Writings, poetry
An old favorite revisited…
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow–
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor’s cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out–
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit–
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
– Author unknown
Yes we can all (try to) get along
U.S. President Barack Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize! He became only the fourth U.S president and the third sitting to win the prestigious award. The others were: Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Jimmy Carter (who I’ve actually had the pleasure to meet.) Congratulations to President Obama.
“Don’t forget to stretch”
On my way out of the gym at zero dark thirty this morning, the sadistic personal trainer I had worked with for almost 60 minutes said (almost mockingly– I’m pretty sure) “don’t forget to stretch.” I’ve heard this before so it really didn’t mean much—until later. I’ve actually started a new workout routine, so I’d worked out harder and differently that I had in the past. It was good and awful at the same time. It wasn’t much later in the day that I began to feel the effects of the early morning, so stretch I did and continue to do. It really does help and it feels great.
I’d like to consider applying that advise to other areas. Body, soul, spirit, emotions, experiences, etc. Don’t forget to stretch. It seems that I (we) are being routinely asked to choose favorites. Favorite team? Ice Cream? Movie? Place to go? Automobile? Etc. The applications in many networking sites are bevy of quizzes and tests that can unintentionally narrow me, my world, and my thinking. They are fun and to be taken for what they are, but for me, I’m beginning to feel that I have to frequently choose between sometimes two (or more) desirable and equally valid choices. Why can’t I like all 32 flavors? Or want a different one each day of the month? Don’t forget to stretch.
Consider this quote:
“Each day do something outrageous to stretch
your mind and broaden your horizons, to
change the present and help someone become
something more than they were before-
and that someone might be you.”
Source: Harry Quadracci
October–beginning again
I love the concept of the do-over. Kids have it right. When they come to a situation in life (which is the playground for them) that seems hopeless and unresolvable, they just call for a do-over. Let’s try it again. Life has many built in chances to reflect, review, and re-evaluate. The beginning of the month is one of them.
Today is October 1st; a new month in a new season. Here are a few October observances that can open opportunities to think about ourselves and our world in a larger and newer and liberating context:
Month long: Breast Cancer Awareness Month, National Arts and Humanities Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Filipino American History Month, Energy Awareness Month, National Pizza Month(yum!), etc.
Special Weeks: Get organized (first full), fire prevention (first full), Peace, Friendship, and Good Will (last).
There are many other days and weeks to celebrate in October. Free your mind and the rest will follow!
Happy October, Y’all
The race to be the best worst.
What is it with us these days? And by us I mean humans. Is it my imagination or do we continue to exhibit and/or revel in bad behavior? Have manners and civility gone out of fashion? Last night I watched one recording artist “diss” another recording artist live and on stage for no apparent reason other than a personal one.[ I guess waiting until later to express that opinion was not an option.] Last week a member of the government committed a severe breech of U.S. protocol by shouting down the president during a speech to Congress. First time ever.
Television is becoming fuller of people who will shout down, spit on, punch, slap, betray, double-time, and misuse others for…money? ratings? fame? That’s a helluva price to pay for 15 minutes. But, are we as a society buying what they are selling or are they selling what we’re buying? Who begats what? Aren’t there some things that are too expensive to sell and trade for? Like peace and kindness and goodness.
Words Mean Things
