On the Eve of Q2: Brief Thoughts and a Belief in the "Art of the Possible"

Q1 2014 is coming to an end. The first day of spring has begun and with it the possibilities at hand.

We here at "outsider views' decided to break the silence temporarily to briefly reflect upon a very challenging World which has been before us especially over the past few weeks. Whether it was the disappearance of Flight MH370, the Russian takeover of Crimea and the on-going challenges around the World, such events has given leaders around the World sleepless nights. As we continued the planning process, we have continued to assess the situation in Afghanistan. It was with a sense of shock and horror as the attack of the Serena Hotel in Kabul occurred which resulted in the killing a Young Afghan Family. A 40-year reporter for Agence France Press,, his wife and two of his children were shot at point blank range. It is absolutely horrific beyond words which underscores the plight of Afghanistan as it finally says goodbye to the Karzai years. 

As we gear up for the new Quarter, we will be assessing the state of the World and assessing ideas & on-going thoughts: the essence of why this project will evolve and continue. We want to take this opportunity to express a continued sense of appreciation to all who visit daily and hope that we will continue to exceed expectations as the evolution of this project evolves. We hope that this very hopeful, uplifting and engaging talk is enjoyed to underscore how hopeful one must be no more what the circumstances may be:

 

We end this retrospective with the hope that the Worldwide search for MH370 culminates is a sense of closure for the families as Australia and the World continues their search. We hope the almighty grant all the families a sense of solace on their loss a prayer for those lost souls. 

Also released by http://www.outsiderviews.com March 2014...All rights reserved under Creative Commons

As Spring is the Air...and on this St. Patrick's Day 2014: A Personal Wish :-)

As a new week is before us, on the eve of Spring and on this St. Patrick's Day, I wanted to begin by sharing these beautiful Irish Blessings with all and wishing all the very best: 

May God grant you always...

A sunbeam to warm you,

a moonbeam to charm you,

a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you.

Laughter to you.

Faithful friends near you.

And whenever you pray,

Heaven to hear you.

- Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields.

And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.

- Irish Blessing

May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home.

May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam.

May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures.

May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours.

- Irish Blessing

Around Our World: On the Missing Malaysian Plane

As I work away, I am right now listening to the Malaysian Prime Minister making a statement on the missing Malaysian Airline plane MH370.   He's giving a broad overview of what has happened over the past week including the latest briefings he has received including new satellite communication.   It appears that the onboard navigation system was turned off as it turned back.  The Prime Minister is stating that there is no indication yet whether this was hijacked or not.   There are two distinct possibilities where the plane may have traveled to.     My thoughts and prayers are with those who are missing and their families as I listen to the Prime Minister. 

On the Eve of Spring: "V-Thoughts" As We Await Spring

Spring is in the air!!

With it, there is a chance to begin anew and reaffirm.  Hope is eternal and this clip from the team @ Simple Truths is ever so timely.  Although it is not easy to note this with all that is going on in Ukraine, The Central African Republic, & Nigeria.  But, one has to keep hope alive :_)

Hope Friends Enjoy!! :-)

Onward.....

---

On the Eve of Spring: A "thought 4 the day"

Our opportunity is to Soar our Spirit.

To see Light and Joy in everything.

To spread our wings and fly boldly.

To give thanks for rainbows and butterflies -

our symbols of renewal and rebirth.

To offer daily Thanksgiving - for ourselves, our family,

our friends, our community, for the whole world.

- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Looking to a New Quarter: Brief Thoughts

Q1 2014 will be history soon.    It has been a very challenging period to say the least.    As I hope to take and assess "Outsiders" to the next level, I have also been reflecting upon history.    Watching the film Lincoln reminded me that if one has faith and confidence--that anything is possible.   Although the film has a bit of "Hollywood Hype", the essential fact remained that he wanted to abolish slavery and he was able to do despite all the nay sayers.     I also had a chance to see Wilson about his faith and recognition of how America had to change.    That sense of idealism in the truest sense is ever so important now.

Although Ukraine is a challenge, I remain hopeful and by the time I take up developing "Outsiders" starting next month, that cooler heads would have prevailed.  Too many people have died,  Too many people have suffered and too many people continue to suffer.  China is beginning its' annual National People's Congress and the endemic fight against corruption is center stage.   India is in the midst of an election and we will see some changes soon.    Syria's killing fields continue ever more.    Turkey continues to be besieged by a conflict between an increasingly autocratic Prime Minister and a mass movement that is yet to play itself out.     This is a as America enters the budget season with some very ambitious goals by President Obama to scale back the size of the Army--even though the US continues to spend more than all 10 other countries around the World:

Although I remain hopeful about Iran, trouble continues to be ever so on both sides.    But, as I take a "sabatical" from the writing and research on "outsiders", my mind drifted to this from the Dalai Lama and end with this fervent wish:

..and hope that I can--through the development of "outsiders"--live up to this admonition.

On the Dawn of a New Week: Believing in the Art of the Possible

As a new work week is before us here in the United States, I thought this snapshot underscores about the true "art of the possible".   Sometimes, though, what goes on in the World gives us a moment of pause.  I was reflecting upon this as I saw a front page story in this mornings Orange County Register in Orange County California about the long term unemployed:

Enough Said!!

Onward to the new week w/all its' possibilities....

On the Eve Of The Week-End: Brief "Daily Thoughts"

It has been quite a week.   Ukraine saw off its' President as he re-surfaced in Russia insisting he was still President.   This is as Venezuela began to have a carnival despite its' profound challenges.

This is a nice sentiment from Og Mandino to remember--if only those around the World truly understood with all the calamity it has to contend with:

I will greet this day with love in my heart.

And how will I do this?

Henceforth will I look on all things with love and be born again.

I will love the sun for it warms my bones;

yet I will love the rain for it cleanses my spirit.

I will love the light for it shows me the way;

yet I will love the darkness for it shows me the stars.

I will welcome happiness as it enlarges my heart;

yet I will endure sadness for it opens my soul.

I will acknowledge rewards for they are my due;

yet I will welcome obstacles for they are my challenge.

&

You must not lose faith in humanity.
Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty,
the ocean does not become dirty.
- Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi

We cannot despair of humanity,
since we ourselves are human beings.
- Albert Einstein

Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded.
It's a relationship between equals.
Only when we know our own darkness well
can we be present with the darkness of others.
Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity.
- Pema Chodron

Onward :-)

Notations on a Very Interesting Week-End Around The World :-)

It was a very historic weekend that saw Ukraine go through another Revolution.    The scenes from Ukraine as people power asserted itself ever more was absolutely beautiful to watch.   Just like all Revolutions, the aftermath will not be as beautiful.

In making the rounds of the "Social Grid", I saw someone citing Egypt as an example of what can go wrong.  There is also some understandable scepticism as to what Mr. Putin will do now that he's done with Sochi after having spent $ 50 Billion Dollars with a ravaged environment and a legacy that is yet to even begin to be realized.    Some on the US "Public Affairs" programs noted how Putin would be such a tough customer to deal with.    The Russian Ambassador to Ukraine has already been recalled to Moscow.

As Ukraine looks to Europe and has to balance its' very existence with the big brother to the North, there is the upheaval in the Americas.    Venezuela continues to be besieged by protests.    I am amazed that they have been able to be placated as long as they have.  It has been amusing to see Nicholas Maduro on the blame train accusing CNN and the State Department of interfering in the internal affairs of the Country.  This is also as telesur is featuring an interview with Nicholas Maduro on how the US is formenting a coup:



I have to wonder whether Nietzche was right:

“There are no eternal facts,  as there are no absolute truths.”

Brief Notations on our World & A "Thought 4 the Week-End"

It has been an interesting week around the World.    As I was working on assessing the World thru the "Grid", I saw this very hilarious poster from the noted Middle East Analyst and Scholar Robin Wright from the Wilson Center in Washington.  I could not help but celebrate this because diplomacy can work if it is allowed to work.    The good news that all will go back before the advent of the Iranian New Year to try and hammer out a deal.  It was also quite gratifying to see the reports noting that Iran had lived up to all the commitments so far as called for in the interim deal.

I was quite taken aback when I saw an article by the noted Iranian Political Scientist Sadegh Zibakalam blasting President Rouhani for having no vision at all.   This was released to a recent banned publication--but the message is interesting in that it shows the continued challenges President Rouhani continues to be faced with on both the right and the left of politics in Iran.    It is somewhat akin to the struggles President Obama has had when he seems to be attacked from all sides.

Beyond Iran, there is Ukraine.   Just like many around the World, I welcomed the deal brokered by the European Union that called for a National Unity Government and Presidential Elections. However, the protesters shouted down the Opposition Leader  Vitali Klitschko as he wanted to speak to the crowds explaining the deal.   Protesters are yet to leave the square.  Sky News is reporting that the President of Ukraine has gone to the Russian Heartland of Ukraine with the Speaker of the Parliament.

There is one more country worth watching:  Canada.   The son of the Former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre   Trudeau, Justin,  is now the leader of his father's old party.  He's begun laying out his vision to challenge Stephen Harper.    It will be fascinating to see where this all goes.

As I reflect upon our World, I could not help but take comfort though in this beautiful thought from the great Ralph Martson.   We can only be thankful for the past.   We must look ahead and remember Diane Nyad's admonition to go ONWARD:

Thankful for the past

You can’t change the past. So there’s no point in continuing to rehash it in your mind.

Yes, there is much you can learn from the past. Once you’ve learned what there is to learn, move quickly on.

Though you can’t change the past, you can choose the way you feel about it. Your best choice is to always feel thankful that your past has brought you to where you are.

Where you are now is a place and time filled with great possibilities. Choose the most positive and meaningful of those possibilities, and go with them.

Go into the future with a sincere sense of gratitude and purposeful intention. Go into the future informed and inspired by the past, but not burdened by it.

The past has been good to you because it has given you the opportunity of now. Wisely use that opportunity and make the future even better.