The Yearning For Hope As I Remember Dr. Franklin & Dr. King.....

 I am amazed whenever I reflect upon these two giants.  They were mere mortals, for sure--but they made a difference.    That's all we can ever hope for as Dr. Franklin's Birthday was celebrated today and Dr. King is remembered by all Americans on January 20.

Here are some of  the most notable of thoughts from Dr. Franklin:  

Do not anticipate trouble,

or worry about what may never happen.

Keep in the sunlight.

- Benjamin Franklin

Well done is better than well said.

- Benjamin Franklin 

A good example is the best sermon.

- Benjamin Franklin

Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind, than on outward circumstances.

- Benjamin Franklin

We must all hang together,

or assuredly we shall all hang separately. 

- Benjamin Franklin

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

- Benjamin Franklin

Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.

- Benjamin Franklin

There was never a good war or a bad peace.

- Benjamin Franklin

Money has never made man happy, nor will it,

there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness.

The more of it one has the more one wants.

- Benjamin Franklin

As for Dr. King, I have read and re-read all his speeches and revisit his thoughts almost daily. For me, the admonition to replace hate with only love is ever so true.    I also periodically revisit his speech on Vietnam that is ever so true today as the World is witness to an Iraq that is imploding before our very eyes.    Without a doubt, though, it is the speech in Memphis that says it all, though: 

I was also On the "Social Grid" during the "rounds" before I go "dark" for the week-end and saw this:

Believing, loving one another, understanding what's important is the essence of what I envisioned when I embarked upon "Daily Outsiders".    I yearn for a World of Peacemakers , healers and lovers--may it be so.

Onward.....

A "Thought 4 the Week"

A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.

   George Bernard Shaw

 

On Being Happy: The Essence of Life :-)

 It has been a wonderful Week-End of Service & Reflection.    I also found enough courage within me to register as a Bone Marrow Donor earlier today.   This is as I work away and release the "que'd up" write-ups.

I also made the "rounds" of the Social Grid and found this which underscores the simple yet crucial statement that is very much in line with what I envisioned my year to be--To Smile & Be Happy:

One is happy though knowing that one has loved.    Whether that love was not returned does not matter.    I also continue to be so moved by what Gandhi Ji noted when he said, "...He bows to all and despises none...".   It is probably another key to happiness.  With our outlook and view, we can truly change the World.   

 May we all be given the chance to do our part.....

 

On the "Social Grid": Some Brief Thoughts on the Eve of a 2014 W-End

It was a bit of a challenging few days as 2014 is gathering steam.    But, this admonition from Mary Anne Radmacher was worth reviewing so that the petty is forgotten and what is important is remembered:

Live with intention.

Walk to the edge.

Listen hard.

Practice wellness.

Play with abandon.

Laugh.

Choose with no regret.

Appreciate your friends.

Continue to learn.

Do what you love.

Live as if this is all there is.

- Mary Anne Radmacher

As I reflected upon this, I could not help but remember the plight of the family of Altzaz Hassan, the 15-year Old Pakistani Boy who confronted a suicide bomber and helped saved 1500 lives.   He's a true martyr that truly did the humane and courageous act.    Although, as his father noted, his mother is crying, 1500 mothers are not crying tonight because of him.    I remembered him earlier on Twitter as have many others--how can one repay such courage?   My response is this:  By being courageous enough to do the right thing.

On the Eve of the First Week of 2014 :-)

The first full work week of 2014 is before us.     It was wonderful to see news of marriages and birthdays while on the grid.  It was also a day of sadness at times as I saw friends lose loved ones who continued onward with their journey.   It has also been a World that at times seems be "on fire" as I saw reports on the riots in Bagladesh, the fighting in South Sudan and the continued carnage in Iraq and Syria.   When can the World learn to be young and overcome?

While continuing visits "on the Grid", I saw someone talk about how Dubai was a great City.    It is--but the plight of Dubai and other parts of the World underscore this "tale of two worlds" that continues to haunt us as the human race.     As I was thinking of this, I saw this from J.R.R. Tolkien that underscores how being true to one's beliefs should be ever so:

“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.”

..and the need to love--as Mother Theresa reminded us all:

"People who love each other fully and truly are the happiest people in the world. They may have little, they may have nothing, but they are happy people. Everything depends on how we love one another."

Until Next Time :-) 

A "M-Thought" on the First W-End of the New Year: Blue Looks Good On You & Other Thoughts :-)

I have been "on the Grid" for the evening making the on-going rounds as I continue to "get cracking" for what I hope is a "breakthrough year".   Although there are minefields to be navigated through for sure,  the need to remember the simple resolution to "smile and be happy" should overcome any perceived challenge before me. I caught this beauty of a song to underscore the hope for life.  Blue, to me, is about being and staying hopeful.  Although admittedly at times that sense of hope has not been as vibrant as I would have liked, it is so striking how what is before me at times reminds me of the need to serve and be ever so thankful.  I was reminded of it as I drove down to Capistrano Beach to help serve the homeless with the Welcome Inn.   These poor souls had set up camp right in the back of the Church and were getting ready to call it a night as we were shutting down the daily service--and it was heart wrenching.  

As I began my day, I received word from one of my students about she and her spouse were living in a Motel and the Motel had caught fire--and they literally may be homeless.    Such may be minor to some--but it a reminder for us to cherish what we have and be able to do what we can.     Such events--and my morning of service w/my Son at Laguna Niguel City Hall assisting in bringing down a "Canstruction" House--really got to me.   Although I have done my small part to serve, the past 24 hours has reaffirmed it by remembering the "blueness" in our lives and how we ought to remain cheerful and hopeful.    We can't do no less.

Until next time :-)

2014 Has Arrived: Brief Personal Thoughts

The 2nd Day of 2014 is winding down.   I took some "day-cation" time to reflect as I spent the afternoon joining the folks @ the Welcome Inn to assist in serving the homeless.  It was heart wrenching to see all these souls who had set up camp and were so thankful for the Meal that was served by one of the faith-based organizations that is part of the Welcome Inn.   The utter tragedy of it all was absolutely beyond Words.  It was truly the epitome of Dickens "A tale of Two Cities" that the new Mayor of New York talked about in his inaugural address.   I saw that with my eyes in one of the wealthiest parts of the World:  South Orange County, California.

Although the few days of "day-cation" was a luxury I could not afford, it was necessary as I work on the Daily Outsiders 2014 and other initiatives.     I do continue to cherish all the blessings as I read up on the horrific condition of High School Students in China, the bombings in Beirut, the continued carnage in Iraq and the war in South Sudan.     Of all the current flare-ups, the one in Iraq is ever so bothersome as the Al Qaeda Affiliates have taken over Falluja and Ramadi.    Falluja is especially dramatic as it was the scene of a horrific battle that saw that City be destroyed by the US Marines during the occupation of Iraq--and the people of Falluja have suffered ever since.

I made one simple resolution:  To Smile & Be Happy.  It was not easy to be smiling over the past 24 hours.  But Gandhi Ji reminded us to be the change we want to see in the World.   It starts with us.

Onward :-)

Winding Down 2013: Final Thought & Sharing Rob Tardik's Smile

2013 is going to be history soon.       As I finished the rounds of the "Social Grid" and finished final reflections, I remain ever so grateful for all--and very appreciative of all who have been gracious enough to "drop in" as I continue the on-going development of this and other projects.     I have personally resolved to be simply "Smile & be Happy".   This beautiful rendition by Rob Tradik is ever so "right"--I initially shared this one year ago this day w/friends and I think it is ever so critical to remember it.   It is not easy to smile as one is observant to the continued challenges in the World as epitomized by carnage in Syria, the daily carnage in Iraq and the war in South Sudan.   However, there is no other choice but to smile and work to overcome challenges while remembering that all of us are brothers and sisters in ultimately insuring that we leave this blessed Earth a bit better than we've found it.

Onward to 2014--looking forward to "seeing" all on the "other side".

On the Eve of 2014: Brief "Thoughts 4 the W-End"

As I work to wind down 2013, I briefly made the rounds of the "Social Grid" and saw these two courtesy of the Team @ Words to Inspire your Soul on Facebook that underscores a simple wish and I wanted to share this for all as we bid farewell to 2013 and gear up for 2014.  I reflected upon this as I received word of the passing of an old friend of the family from brain cancer.

May we never forget that everyday is a gift that we must embrace--and remember always a sense of love an compassion and understanding--and never forget to smile.

Onward to 2014--Looking forward to the continuing the journey :-)

Happy Holidays to all :-)

A "Brief" Final Thought on the eve of 2014 :-)

As I gear up to be "off the grid", I wanted to wish all the most joyous holiday.   Best wishes to you and your families--and look forward to "seeing you" all on the grid in 2014.

Onward to 2014 w/all its' possibilites :-)