A Vision of the Possible: Thought 4 the Week

A Vision of the Possible: Thought 4 the Week: The essence of this site is epitomized by this "thought 4 the week": The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expec...

An "Outsider" Thought For the Week

Enough Said :-)

 

“A couple of kind words
can not only make a person’s day,
but earn you a friend and supporter for life.
For the rest of the week,
whenever you see someone
you want to judge negatively,
pay them a compliment instead.
See what happens.”

~ Neil Strauss

Notations on The World Over the Past 10 Days....

An Interesting 10-Days Around the World

: Never a Dull Moment

The past 10 days has been, yet again, quite challenging around our World.

I begin this retrospective with some good news. John Kerry, the US Secretary of State, has been able to bring the Palestinians and Israelis back to the negotiating table. We have been here before, though. I am not sure what will be different this time. However, the fact that they are talking is something in fact that should be celebrated. Hopefully it is not talking about talking. What is clear is that both sides are severely hampered by their own internal political challenges as exemplified by Hamas in Gaza and the settler community in Israel.

 Beyond Israel and Palestine, there is Egypt. Sisi, the Defense Minister and defacto ruler of the Country, asked for a "mandate" from the people to help root out terrorists. Masses came out this past Friday and the punditry declared that the end of political Islam was at hand. Morsi, in the meantime, has been accused by Egyptian State Prosecutors of collaboration with Hamas. This is as the Interior Minister has threatened the Muslim Brotherhood sit-in at Nasser City with expulsion. The street politics that has characterized the events of the past few weeks will continue to serve as a challenge to Egypt as it figures out where it wants to be. It is quite ironic that the man picked by Morsi was the man that overthrew him.

I have also been assessing Japan. Prime Minister Abe's win was quite am amazing feat that hopefully will give Japan a measure of Stability it has not had in quite some time. However, I continue to be concerned about the assertive military stance taken by Japan by discussing the creation of a Marine Force and an active conversation about rejecting pacifism. The Prime Minister did say that he is for dialogue. Where that goes is an open question that we will work to explore further here.

The country formerly known as Syria continues to burn. Jordan is hosting the 5th Largest City in Syria. Over 100,000 people have died and Assad has apparently gained clearly the upper hand. The Kurds seem to have carved out their own "conclave" to at least protect their own population. The World, in the meantime, stays silent. Iraq, in the meantime, continues to drift ever closer to civil war with its' daily killings especially during the Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan. 3,000 people have been killed over the past 4 months alone.

In the Americas, though, there has been one highlight: World Youth Day. Pope Francis was in Brazil to attend a very festive World Youth Day and it was joyous. Whether it helps to resurrect the Catholic Church remains to be seen. What is clear is that Pope Francis seems to understand the realities that other Catholic Leaders seem not to have recognized up to now.

A challenging World that never seizes to amaze..I only hope that we in Outsiders continue to live up to this admonition:

I believe that one defines oneself by reinvention.
To not be like your parents.
To not be like your friends.
To be yourself.
To cut yourself out of stone.”

~ Henry Rollins

Onward & Upward....

Also released to "http://www.outsiderviews.com" 07/29/2013

As the March onward continues...Brief Thoughts 4 the Day

It has been an interesting week.  The world was focused on the birth of the Royal Baby as the country formerly known as Syria burned, people in Iraq died daily and the war in Afghanistan raged on.   This is as the headline in the US was on another transgression by Anthony Weiner.    Homa Abedin is a strong woman to have forgiven him for as she has.  I can't understand why a man even allows his woman to be in such a position is beyond me and to allow her woman to be disgraced.

As the week continues onward, I took comfort in this from the Great Rumi:

I regard not the outside and the words,

I regard the inside and the state of the heart.

I look at the heart if it be humble,

Though the words may be the reverse of humble.

Because the heart is substance, and words accidents,

Accidents are only a means, substance is the final cause.

How long will thou dwell on words and superficialities?

A burning heart is what I want; consort with burning!

Kindle in the heart the flame of love,

And burn up utterly thoughts and fine expressions.

Onward and upward :-)

A "V-Thought" 4 the Week: Change For A Dollar Movie

As I begin a new work week, I was needless to say, inspired.   When One Dollar can make such a profound difference--anything is possible.  The question is one of courage and recognition of it all:

Change For A Dollar Movie: Is he asking for Change, or is he asking for CHANGE? Follow a man as he affects multiple peoples' lives with just one dollar, proving that it doesn't take much to be the change in someone's life. Written and directed by Sharon Wright.

Onward and upward.....

A "V-Thought" 4 the Week: Change For A Dollar Movie

As I begin a new work week, I was needless to say, inspired.   When One Dollar can make such a profound difference--anything is possible.  The question is one of courage and recognition of it all:

Change For A Dollar Movie: Is he asking for Change, or is he asking for CHANGE? Follow a man as he affects multiple peoples' lives with just one dollar, proving that it doesn't take much to be the change in someone's life. Written and directed by Sharon Wright.

Onward and upward.....

On Humanity, Maturity and a Moment of Pause

I was making the "rounds" in Facebook to see what friends were doing, how their vacations were going and see if there were any late breaking developments as I gear up for a work day of talks.    This was as I saw Doyle McManus' piece in the LA Times about how bad things are in Europe and how we in the United States have it good despite the political gridlock.

I was reflecting upon the predicament of the World as I have worked to develop "Outsiders" further.     I suppose there is a need to remember some of the key teachings of faith--including this one I ran across as I made the "Virtual Rounds".    There is a sense of maturity that is needed around us here and now for sure.   Suffism's teaching reminds us of it as it notes: 

Maturity cannot be achieved alone. 

There is a need for guidance and discipline. 

The path is unknown, the night is dark, 

and the road is full of danger. 

Dangers include preoccupation with selfishness, 

false visions, misinterpretations of mystical states, 

arrest in development, fixation in a particular state,

appeal to various drugs to create false 

mystical experiences, and, not infrequently, 

overwhelming anxiety and insanity.

How do we achieve it?  How do we leave a legacy?   These are some of the key questions.

But, it all begins with this admontion from the great Zardosht, when he noted:

The literal meaning of this admonition is:   "Never be angry, because an angry human is like a fire that would fire without control and will burn everyone in site......Always be gentle, speak beautiful thoughts and be to the point.".  He also was the one that reminded us all to "think beautiful thougths, speak beautiful words and act beautifully ever more".    Such is the essence of humanity today.   One wonders if we humans are capable of the most decent of behaviors.

Onward to the new week.....

On Mandela Day: Personal Reflections

Today was Mandela day around the World.    As part of this day, all around the World were given a challenge to spend 67 minutes giving back to honor the 67 years Nelson Mandela spent working to transform South Africa.    That transformation continues even today.  This World Wide commitment was epitomized by this beautiful video:

I remember the day when CNN had live coverage when he was released.  I remember the day when he took office as the first black President and he danced in joy--as many of us did.   I was inspired by his autobiography "the Long Walk to Freedom" where he reflected on the long years of struggle.   I probably have seen the movie Invictus at least 6 times to reflect upon what he was able to do.  Although I am well aware of some of the "liberties" taken in that movie, the essential message is the same:  Forgiveness, love and compassion along with a sense of purpose to serve.  

Along with what I have come to know of Dr. King and Gandhi,  I have been inspired to do what I can to give back  in anyway I can.   In this, I have also taken the admonition from St. Francis of Assisi to heart when he reminded us that, "...For it is in giving that we receive..." Despite some of my on-going challenges, I worked on preparing the weekly outreach efforts for the Scout Websites I oversee to insure that almost 1000 scouts and their families are aware of the latest out there.   I committed that 67 minutes today and view myself as quite better for it.

Anyone can make a difference in their own way.    For me, that's the ultimate legacy that Nelson Mandela leaves for us all.   I have been gratified as I have seen the latest from the South African Presidency on the improving health of Madiba.    Mandela will eventually be no more and belong to the ages.  He already has in many ways.   May we all strive to have every day be Mandela Day in our way and may we all continue to strive for the best every day.

As I reflect upon this day, I close out this personal reflection with this beautiful tribute:

Thought 4 the Week (II)

Couldn't have said it better about remember what's important :-)

All beings tremble before violence.

All fear death.

All love life.

See yourself in others.

Then whom can you hurt?

What harm can you do?

He who seeks happiness

By hurting those who seek happiness

Will never find happiness.

For your brother and sister are like you.

They want to be happy.

Never harm them.

And when you leave this life

You too will find happiness.

— Buddha

Thought 4 the Week