On the Social Grid: Brief Thoughts :-)

I begin this day with this "V-Thought" to underscore why life is so beautiful and how we should be thankful ever more for it.  I am a fan of "Simple Truth" and appreciate their great effort in spreading this uplifting message for us all:

How Do You Spell COURAGE? by BJ Gallagher

CREATE a brave new world for yourself OPEN your mouth and speak your truth UNMASK bullies and cowards REPEL fear ACKNOWLEDGE your own inner strength GET into action EMBRACE faith as your source Are you in need of a bit of courage today? Do you know someone who is? Watch this short 3-minute movie and feel the strength of courage from women all over the world. Make sure to share this inspiration with all the courageous women you know.

Watch now

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless." - Mother Teresa. Make sure to share this movie with friends and family. They'll thank you for it! All the Best,

Mac Anderson Founder, Simple Truths

A Challenging Month..but remaining hopeful as the New Work Week Begins :-)

Every day is a blessing--and especially as one remembers a life on one's birthday.    Despite all the challenges, I believe in the true art of the possible and the opportunity it represents.    The power within us is infinite and beyond word as the great Stephen Covey reminds us in this beautiful thought:

“Every human has four endowments
self-awareness, conscience, independent will
and creative imagination.
These give us the ultimate human freedom…
The power to choose, to respond, to change.”

~ Stephen Covey

The choice is ours. :-)

Onward w/a new week of possiblities!! :-)

V-Thought 4 the Week: The Butterfly Effect Movie

As I look ahead and onward,  remembering and reflecting and recognizing what's truly important :-)

The Butterfly Effect Movie: I can count on one hand the times in my life when I heard a story and...could not stop thinking about it! The Butterfly Effect story was one of those times. In a word, it's AMAZING! After watching you'll appreciate how we are all connected and everything you do matters!

Our World: Remembering the Egyptian Revolution//Voice of Freedom - Sout Al Horeya - صوت الحرية

I was remembering and reflecting upon that beautiful scene back in 2011 when Egyptian rose up and how their voice was heard all around the World.    Although Egypt seems to have "fallen by the wayside" what is clear is that their voice is the voice of all around the World--if only all can cherish, appreciate and build upon it going forward.   What a beautiful expression of the aspirations of all around the World...

A "Thought 4 the Week" :-)

It has been a very interesting few weeks in America.     It has been also worrisome in many ways because of the continued polarizing discourse.     I wonder if this simple notion from Rick Warren is a solution that was sent forth by the team over at Bestquotations.com --it can be a start...though:

As the great Diane Nyad always reminds us, Onward!! :-)

"The best use of life is LOVE. The best expression of love is TIME. The best time to love is NOW." - Rick Warren NEW - Shop Sunrise Inspiration Prints  Sign up for your complimentary Daily Sunrise Inspiration

A "V-Thought 4 the Week": A Journey to IRAN by ISA at Penn State University (+playlist)

Ever so hopeful as negotiations continue on Iran's nuclear program--remembered this "gem" that the Iranian Student Association @ Penn State Put Together about the beauty and majesty of Iran..my kudos to them!! :-).

You Get What You Give Movie

Enough Said..if only everyone (especially those in Washington who for them narrow political ends seem to forget that sense of kindness needed)


You Get What You Give Movie: If you've ever doubted what difference you can really make in this world... Then please watch this short, 5-minute movie that beautifully captures how the small things we do in our everyday lives can make a big difference. Go on - inspire yourself with this vibrant message that reminds us... If you give a little love, you can get a little love of your own!

Onward w/the New Week w/these "Thoughts 4 the Week" :-)

 Grateful to  Jonathan Lockwood Huie for being a voice for such positive transformation ever more as he shares this from the leadings lights of our time....may we all remember:

The ultimate test of a man's conscience

may be his willingness to sacrifice something today

for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.

- Gaylord Nelson 

Life is no brief candle to me.

It is a sort of splendid torch

which I have got a hold of for the moment,

and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible

before handing it on to future generations.

- George Bernard Shaw

The full measure of a man is

not to be found in the man himself,

but in the colors and textures that

come alive in others because of him.

- Albert Schweitzer

The hero is one who kindles a great light in the world,

who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for men to see by.

- Felix Adler 

What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us;

what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.

- Albert Pike

Civilization is not a spontaneous generation

with any race or nation known to history,

but the torch to be handed down from race to race from age to age.

- Kelly Millar

I expect to pass through this world but once.

Any good therefore that I can do,

or any kindness that I can show to my fellow-creature,

let me do it now.

Let me not defer or neglect it,

for I shall not pass this way again.

- William Penn

 

Notations on the World This Week :-)

This is a "new feature" I will be introducing weekly to assess the latest as "Outsiders" continues to evolve.  It has been an interesting week to say the least.

I begin with a hopeful development that happened over the past 36 hours.  Meetings have been held at the White House in Washington between the US House Republican Leadership and the President on resolving the budget impasse.    Markets reacted very favorably.   The punditry has alluded to a total collapse in the American People's Views of the Republicans and the stance they've taken against Obamacare as the US Government continues to be partially shut down--including a NBC News/Wall Street Journal    A future edition of the "Watch" will address this.    

Beyond The domestic US political considerations, there is the upcoming meeting in Geneva between Iran and the so-called P5 1.    There has been some major conservative push back in Iran as examplified by a headline in a conservative daily talking about how the Iranian Foreign Minister frankly noted how he was "wrong" to have had conversations with John Kerry during an apparent closed meeting of the Majlis (Parliament).   .    There were swift denials by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman and the Spokemsan for the Parliament.   It was apparently so bad that it caused a stress attack that caused the Iranian Foreign Minister, Dr. Zareef, to spend the day in the hospital.    He wrote about it on his Facebook Page.  I wished him well as I noted that the path he and President Rouhani have taken is right and right will prevail over might.

As I continue this "Virtual Mad Dash", I read a very worrisome article in USA Today on Alaska on Thursday.   It is about Alaska sinking as climate continues to change before us.  But, I was also encouraged by some sanity that just came out of France--whereby France's highest Court upheld the ban on fracking passed by the French Parliament in 2011.   I have also been quite amazed by reports out of Iran about the advent of wind farms.  This is as Iran continues to deal with immense environmental challenges due to the erosion of Lake Oromieh and the destruction of forests  in the North that has caused Fish Stock to be destroyed in the Caspian Sea.

I also almost fell out of my chair in laughter as I saw reports out of Azerbaijan that the results of the Presidential Elections got announced before polls even closed.    In Iran, at least they waited three hours in 2009.     That beacon of Democracy and Human Rights was cited by a US Republican Congressman, Dana Rohrbacher, as one who would be the perfect candidate to take over the Northwest Iranian provinces of the same name.  

Never a dull moment for sure...as I wish all:

Also released to http://www.outsiderviews.com

A "Mid-Week" Thought 4 the Week

On the Tragic Comedy in Washington....

This is what the World thinks of America right now as I begin a new quarter in "Outsiders".

As I begin the new quarter in "Outsiders", I had hoped that the tragic comedy would end in Washington. Unfortunately, it has not. As the tug of war continues in Washington, the gradual shutdown of the US Government is continuing which is impacting daily vital affairs and undermining the full faith and credit of the United States and undermine the essence of Government by going after the President of the United States. 

Some of the impacted areas that are being reported include: 1) 6800 Food and Drug Administration Employees; 2) 3,000 Federal Aviation Administration Inspectors & 3) 9 Million Women in the United States receiving supplemental nutritional benefits for their children who will be losing their benefits. 7,000 Veterans Department Staff members are being furloughed and Veterans Services will be delayed and no one will answer the phone. This is just a sampling of the extent of the challenge. I personally know a head start teacher who has been laid off due to the first round of Sequester Cuts that continue to be in force with no apparent end in sight. It is also extremely troubling as the United States continues the War in Afghanistan that saw 4 US Soldiers die over the weekend as a result of an IED explosion. 

As all this drama continues to unfold in Washington, Iran and the United States broke the ice. I was amused by the Prime Minister of Israel's public relations campaign against the overtures by Iran's New President. Hassan Rouhani. What is also even more interesting is that both the President and the Foreign Minister, Dr. Zareef, are just as savvy and just as adept as understanding and playing the public relations campaign as the Israeli Prime Minister is. What was also quite amazing was the devastating editorial in Haaretz blasting what he noted at the UN--as I also note that the Israeli Prime Minister's own Chief of the Israeli Defense Forces opposed his bellicose stance against Iran. Just like anything else, The Republicans criticized the President for talking to Iran--as they have worked to block him every time.

The Economist' KAL reflected upon the challenge that Barack Obama has before it: 

When this tragic comedy ends is anyone's guess at this stage. The Economist basically said Enough is Enough. I couldn't agree more.

Released to http://www.outsiderviews.com, October 2013

On the Beauty of Life..as the New Work Week is Before Us :-)

Enough Said...Onward!! :-)

Life is full of beauty. Notice it.

Notice the bumble bee, the small child,

and the smiling faces.

Smell the rain, and feel the wind.

Live your life to the fullest potential,

and fight for your dreams.

- Ashley Smith

Sen. Warren on the Shutdown and Why Government Matters

The Need to Hope: Reflections of One "Ordinary Face" :-)

It has been a challenging week in the United States.   The U.S. Federal Government continues to be shut down as millions are impacted by the political brinkmanship.  I have been assessing it throughout the day and assessing the Worldwide impact.       

It is not easy to be thankful--and it is easy to quit.    This is as I remember the 300  who perished trying to escape the misery of Eritrea.    The need to be thankful is ever so important as I continue onward with the on-going odyssey and take comfort in these thoughts that underscores what is truly within the realm of the possible:

Our journey into consciousness of wealth begins with the realization
that we have already arrived!
- Michael Bernard Beckwith
Many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head,
and knows not that it brings abundance to drive away the hunger.
- Saint Basil
Thank you, God, for this good life
and forgive us if we do not love it enough.
- Garrison Keillor

& Remembering This:

Age wrinkles the body; quitting wrinkles the soul.~ Douglas MacArthur  

Onward!!

Celebrating the Possiblities as Q4 2013 is Upon Us: Daily Thoughts

Part of the Mission of "outsiders" that began with this was to think about the simple notion that we're all in this together.   As one "ordinary face", I have been working on writing, reflecting and thinking through such that goes on in our World.   It is extremely frustrating when I continue to see those in charge in Washington not realizing how their actions impact ordinary individuals.    It has been quite interesting, though, to see a number of members of Congress who have decided to contribute their salaries to charity--including Senator Sherrod Brown and Senator Mark Udall.    There was a bit of a scary time in Washington D.C. as a woman who was engaged in a shooting incident at the US Capitol.   I was proud of those patriotic Americans who were on the job as Capitol Hill Police Officers even though they have been subject to the shutdown of the US Government.

One such example of the notion of "Being Together" is the work of the Clinton Foundation.  CGI 2013 epitomizes the very nature of being together.  I enjoyed catching  some of the proceedings as I reported on it in "outsiders" last week.    As I gear up for the 4th quarter of the Daily Outsider, I wanted to report on CGI 2013 as we continue to think and reflect upon our World:

We're All In This Together  We believe that, together, we can find solutions to our world's most pressing challenges and transform lives and communities from what they are today to what they can be. Watch our new video and join us. Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting  Last week, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) held its ninth Annual Meeting where over 160 new commitments were made, valued at more than $10.8 billion, and are expected to improve nearly 22.2 million lives. The theme for the 2013 CGI Annual Meeting was "Mobilizing for Impact," which explored ways that CGI members and member organizations could be more effective in leveraging individuals, partner organizations, and key resources in their commitment efforts. Watch the sessions and view a recap from the Annual Meeting. The Alliance and McDonald's: Bringing Industry to the Table Last week at the CGI Annual Meeting, President Clinton announced McDonald's groundbreaking CGI commitment with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to promote healthy behaviors in children and families by marketing healthier beverages to kids, offering salads, fruits, and veggies as substitutes for fries, and ensuring 100% of advertising directed at kids includes healthy messages. Read the New York Times article and the story on our blog. Too Small to Fail  A joint initiative of Next generation and the Clinton Foundation, Too Small to Fail aims to help parents, caregivers, educators, communities and businesses take specific, meaningful and evidence-based actions to improve the health and well-being of America’s youngest children. Read Hillary Clinton's blog post on closing the word gap and check out how Too Small to Fail is preparing children to succeed. A Night Out with the Millennium Network  On November 9, join Secretary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, Rashida Jones, and Patrick Dempsey for a night out in San Francisco.Purchase tickets today. Celebrating Community Service  Read President Clinton and Chelsea Clinton's op-edabout why community service is at the core of America's national character, and join Chelsea Clinton for a Day of Actionon October 26 in New York City.

 

A "mid week" Thought 4 the Week

If God answer's your prayer,

He is increasing ur faith.

If He delays,

He is increasing your patience.

If He doesn't answer,

He knows u can handle.

- A beautiful belief

- Luqman Hakim

On the "Virtual Road" as the US Government has shut down....

The new fiscal year has started in the United States.     Unfortunately, the United States has no budge and the US Government has shut down.   This  has been making headlines around the World and the US Media.
It is absolutely tragic beyond words.   It is simply insane.

What I view as the  ultimate "explainer in chief" talked about it as the Government  is shut down and Republicans continue onward with trying to dig themselves out of the hole they are in:

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,The Daily Show on Facebook

The last 10 seconds is absolutely telling.    

Some Brief Personal Reflections :-)

I first began my "odyssey" almost 8 years ago.   Needless I knew that it will evolve as it has.     It was quite appropriate that for my 1750'th wasrite-up that I am reminded of what is possible--and what may well have been shortcomings and oversights.

As Diane Nyad is so fondly keen to remind us all..Onward....May we all be blessed as we "look ahead"--while being ever so grateful :-)   Thank you Ralph Martson for always reminding us of what is truly possible  Look ahead

You know that in the past you’ve compromised your highest values and fallen short of your best possibilities. Forgive yourself, learn from it all, and move forward.

Let go of any regrets and allow new, positive, creative thoughts to take their place. Though you may have done some foolish things, you now have the opportunity to do much better.

In fact, you have the opportunity to far surpass even the best things you’ve ever imagined. Look firmly and enthusiastically ahead, and see the great possibilities.

Feel the beautiful, authentic dreams that live inside of you. Open yourself to the powerful and amazing possibilities that are all around you.

Any previous shortcomings are no longer the issue. You are now beyond all that, and able to live each moment in a positive and purposeful way.

Whatever treasure you seek is already within reach, ready today for you to fulfill, to experience and to enjoy. Look ahead, then get busy bringing those treasures to life and living your dreams.

— Ralph Marston

Notations On the Week That Was.....

It was a good week for World Diplomacy as Iran and the United States broke the ice.   I have been amused by the Public Relations Effort on both sides.   One example of it was the FARS news agency's interepration of the interview President Rouhani gave to CNN's Christian Amanpour.  I was quite gratified to see Ms. Amanpour's upbeat reflection that she wrote for CNN.     I was even more amused as I saw scenes of the dead-enders in Tehran who came out to demonstrate against President Rouhani on his return to Tehran.   However way it is swung view it as a success.  But, the fact that the two Presidents have talked is huge and should be a cause for hope.  .    

This was also a week that saw all 15 members of the UN Security Council came together to compel Syria to be forced to destroy its stock of chemical weapons.    The Clinton Global Initiative 2013 was also held and the commitments at hand were inspiring.  I was especially pleased as I saw a commitment by McDonalds to transform its' menu.

This has also been a tragic week as the World was witness to the carnage in Kenya.   Al Shahab Militants, it appears, were planning this for over a year--and Kenyan Intelligence officials were warned.  The stories on what those murderers did is horrific.    Uncertainity in Europe is also before us with Italy's Government on the edge of collapse and of course, the challenges in the US.

In the United States, The GOP is in the midst of a thug of war over Obamacare  and their view of spending.    The full faith and credit of the United States is also in danger yet again.      I have to wonder whether they remember what Jefferson noted:

"I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past." - Thomas Jefferson

A Mid-Week "thought 4 the week" :-)

Enough said: