2013 is about to be relegated to the dustbins of history. It has been quite a year as the World bid farewell to Madiba and the World continued to change before our very eyes. It seems as if the World seems to continue to be ever so on the edge of the abyss as the carnage in Iraq is never ending and Central Africa continues to burn with what has been happening in South Sudan w/the insurgency led by its' former Vice President.
This is a nice compliation of those who tried to capture the challenges the World faced throughout 2013. For those interested in World. The writings are by some of the leadings lights of our World which lends crediblity to the true state of affairs today as we embrace a new year. The question is where such truths will actually be listened to our not: IPI Global Observatory - Nine Recent Books That Capture a World in Flux
12/21/2013
12/18/2013
Thought 4 the Week :-)
“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”
Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672);
Writer, Poet, First Woman To Be Published In Colonial America
Writer, Poet, First Woman To Be Published In Colonial America
This quotation was our Daily Quote on December 18, 2013.
Just an elephant and a trampoline. - Imgur
A bit of a "digression"..hope friends enjoy it!! :-) Just an elephant and a trampoline. - Imgur
12/15/2013
On the Eve of a New Week: Brief Thoughts :-)
My day began with being witness to history. Nelson Mandela's State Funeral Today and it was broadcast live. It was a beautiful ceremony that was fitting for a wonderful man who made a difference for us all.
I begin the new week with this "snapshot" of thoughts courtesy of Jonathan Lockwood Huie as the final two weeks of 2013 is before us:
It takes years to build up trust,
and only seconds to destroy it.
- Anonymous
If you are patient in one moment of anger,
you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.
- Chinese Proverb
When restraint and courtesy are added to strength,
the latter becomes irresistible.
- Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi
When angry, count to ten before you speak.
If very angry, count to one hundred.
- Thomas Jefferson
12/14/2013
As 2013 is Winding Down: Some Brief Thoughts On Being Courageous
2013 is winding down faster than I can blink an eye. It has been an interesting year. One highlight for me today was spending the day at Microsoft and I reflected upon it in my "South County Matters" Blog. It is part and parcel of the profound social change we're faced with that we either must embrace.
As I have been working on my extended "think hour" tonight and finish rounds on the "World Social Grid", this latest "Ted Talk" Series on Social Change is quite timely that should truly give all a moment of pause--as Gazans are been flooded out of temporary homes, Syrian Refugees continues to suffer as War rages on and the people of the Central African Republic have literally no where to go and 40,000 of them converged near the French Military Base for safety. I wonder as 2014 is before us whether we would stop being "insane" and start being Sane by being courageous enough.
As I have been working on my extended "think hour" tonight and finish rounds on the "World Social Grid", this latest "Ted Talk" Series on Social Change is quite timely that should truly give all a moment of pause--as Gazans are been flooded out of temporary homes, Syrian Refugees continues to suffer as War rages on and the people of the Central African Republic have literally no where to go and 40,000 of them converged near the French Military Base for safety. I wonder as 2014 is before us whether we would stop being "insane" and start being Sane by being courageous enough.
12/13/2013
An "M-Thought" 4 the Week: Gipsy Kings Passion Live In Concert 2006 dvdrip vo.avi (+playlist)
An "M-Thought' 2 Start the W-end...Hope Friends Enjoy!! :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxwEN2crTe8&feature=share&list=RD3jNCa2BVJ6M&index=1
12/11/2013
A "Musical Thought 4 the Day": CHUCK MANGIONE Children of Sanchez (full version with lyrics) NZ GR
I have been "on the grid" and saw one comment on this beautiful song by CHuck Mangoine...what is truly not to love--especially as we're witness to generations of Children being wasted away in Syria, Iran and throughout Africa.
Will we remember the Children?
12/10/2013
On This Day.....
South Africa held a memorial earlier today in Soweto. I was witness to history yet again as I remembered the day when CNN covered his release as he walked out of prison that helped to transform his nation and the World. I was very gratified to see President Obama shaking Raul Castro's hand and laughed when I saw the reactions of the likes of Marco Rubio and John McCain.
As one "ordinary face", I have learnt many lessons. I always hope to have a "Mandela Day" every day and do remember this crossed my "Virtual Desk" this morning from Madiba
As one "ordinary face", I have learnt many lessons. I always hope to have a "Mandela Day" every day and do remember this crossed my "Virtual Desk" this morning from Madiba
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12/09/2013
As The World Converges to Honor Madiba: A Newsflash From Israel w/Brief thoughts...
The World will converge upon South Africa Tomorrow to honor Madiba. President Obama and three other Living US Presidents will accompany him. The Elder Bush will not due to ill Health--but I will never forget when Madiba First visited the White House and spoke for almost 30 minutes with no notes and talked about how he would see to it that the Elder Bush received a "proper briefing" on South Africa. I never forget President Bush the Elder's face and how he remarked "remarkable".
It is true that he was not a Saint--and he himself will be the first one to say it. Yet, The Israeli Prime Minister decided not to go due to "money issues". As I look forward to watching broadcasts of the memorial tomorrow in Soweto, I saw this in Haaertz and laughed at first--but the seriousness of the indictment against Bibi underscores how he's viewed in Israel and how his pronouncements and utter disregard is so profound. Will the World continue to take this man seriously or not?
Nixing Mandela funeral as too costly, Bibi shows world what he's truly made of - A Special Place in Hell Israel News | Haaretz
It is true that he was not a Saint--and he himself will be the first one to say it. Yet, The Israeli Prime Minister decided not to go due to "money issues". As I look forward to watching broadcasts of the memorial tomorrow in Soweto, I saw this in Haaertz and laughed at first--but the seriousness of the indictment against Bibi underscores how he's viewed in Israel and how his pronouncements and utter disregard is so profound. Will the World continue to take this man seriously or not?
Nixing Mandela funeral as too costly, Bibi shows world what he's truly made of - A Special Place in Hell Israel News | Haaretz
12/07/2013
A Musical Thought 4 the Week To Start a New Week: Nina Simone - Tomorrow is My Turn (Live)
Hope Friends Enjoy!!
Onward :-)
12/06/2013
Reflecting Upon Madiba as the World Remembers & Celebrates :-)
The World continues to remember Madiba. There is a sense of sadness--but also a celebration of a true life of purpose and commitment as South Africans were in front of the Mandela home singing and dancing and remembering this great man.
I was struck by the simple tribute on the South African Presidency Website reflects it all as the World continues to remember this great servant. He made such a difference and served as such an example. I have been inspired by the power of his example and his teachings. I probably watched the Movie Mandela at least six times to truly grasp and understand the man. I will never forget when I went to see Invictus and how the essential lesson of reconciliation and love was so prevalent.
May we all continue to remember, embrace his views and be ever so inspired by the power of his example:
I was struck by the simple tribute on the South African Presidency Website reflects it all as the World continues to remember this great servant. He made such a difference and served as such an example. I have been inspired by the power of his example and his teachings. I probably watched the Movie Mandela at least six times to truly grasp and understand the man. I will never forget when I went to see Invictus and how the essential lesson of reconciliation and love was so prevalent.
May we all continue to remember, embrace his views and be ever so inspired by the power of his example:
12/05/2013
Madiba Is No More....
Madiba has gone home....
I have been working away as I heard President Zuma tell his nation and World of Madiba's passing. I reflected upon this in "Outsider Views" within the past hour,,,I shared these thoughts with my students as I also shared with them my students as well:
Team,
It is a sad day as I work away...Nelson Mandela, one of the leading lights of our time, has died. I was listening to the speech by President Zuma...I am speechless...
May we all learn from his example of tolerance, compassion, kindness, justice, empathy and forgiveness. I shared some thoughts earlier in Outsiderviews:
President Zuma has told his nation and the World of the passing away of Madiba. It is a sad day indeed. My thoughts and prayers are with the Mandela Family and the South African Nation right now. He made a difference for me personally in many ways as his example of compassion, forgiveness, empthay simple humanity and humility who strove to make a difference. May we all continue to be driven by the power of an example of one man who truly could make a difference:
I don't mind sharing the fact that it brought tears to my eyes as I got the report.
Prof. Mike
Tributes are coming in--including a personal tribute from Barack Obama. One person can make a difference. He did--and he made a difference for my life. May we truly be driven by the power of his example. As I noted earlier while "on the grid", he now belongs to the ages.
I have been working away as I heard President Zuma tell his nation and World of Madiba's passing. I reflected upon this in "Outsider Views" within the past hour,,,I shared these thoughts with my students as I also shared with them my students as well:
Team,
It is a sad day as I work away...Nelson Mandela, one of the leading lights of our time, has died. I was listening to the speech by President Zuma...I am speechless...
May we all learn from his example of tolerance, compassion, kindness, justice, empathy and forgiveness. I shared some thoughts earlier in Outsiderviews:
I don't mind sharing the fact that it brought tears to my eyes as I got the report.
Prof. Mike
Tributes are coming in--including a personal tribute from Barack Obama. One person can make a difference. He did--and he made a difference for my life. May we truly be driven by the power of his example. As I noted earlier while "on the grid", he now belongs to the ages.
12/03/2013
Personal Reflections on #GivingTuesday 2013
Today is #GivingTuesday. I have been amazed at the spirit of giving that has arisen due to the power of Social Media. Before returning "to the grid" I was out for a bit of morning reflection. I decided to share my "morning of giving" on the site. Although my small gesture may well be lost, it was worth to underscore how it is crucial that all of us do what we can. For me, it was to hand a ready made meal to a Marine who happened to be on a sidewalk holding a sign on a cold day asking for help.
As I shared this story on #GivingTuesday's site, I am not sure if it got lost in the shuffle of all those 8300+ organizations who are engaged. But, I take comfort in this that has been attributed to Emerson as he reminded us all "..."To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to leave the world a better place, to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded." -
To this "ordinaryface", it is the ultimate test.
As I shared this story on #GivingTuesday's site, I am not sure if it got lost in the shuffle of all those 8300+ organizations who are engaged. But, I take comfort in this that has been attributed to Emerson as he reminded us all "..."To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to leave the world a better place, to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded." -
To this "ordinaryface", it is the ultimate test.
On Iran: New Voyager | President Rouhani | Director: Hossein Dehbashi
President Rouhani of Iran just passed a 100-Day Milestone in Iran. Challenges continue in Iran as he continues to work to overcome the ravages of the past 8 years. It is interesting how the extent of the mismanagement of the previous government is becoming ever so evident. I wasn't really shocked when President Rouhani discussed what he inherited when he discussed this in an almost 2 hour interview.
A sense of optimism is clearly in the air as Iran is continuing its' diplomatic offensive epitomized by a Two Day Swing to three countries in the Gulf by the Foreign Minister Dr. Zarif. A recent article in the Iran Pulse section of Al-Monitor noted how Dr. Zarif's deputies are either traveling somewhere or just got back from somewhere. This beautiful video that President Rouhani's Staff has produced with English Captions underscores this sense of optimsim. I was reminded of this admontiion from Pastor Osteen as he noted that, "... There is a great future in front of you, you can leave your past behind..."
Will the courage be there in this journey and can this New Voyager succeed? Will the crazies give peace and reconciliation a chance?
A sense of optimism is clearly in the air as Iran is continuing its' diplomatic offensive epitomized by a Two Day Swing to three countries in the Gulf by the Foreign Minister Dr. Zarif. A recent article in the Iran Pulse section of Al-Monitor noted how Dr. Zarif's deputies are either traveling somewhere or just got back from somewhere. This beautiful video that President Rouhani's Staff has produced with English Captions underscores this sense of optimsim. I was reminded of this admontiion from Pastor Osteen as he noted that, "... There is a great future in front of you, you can leave your past behind..."
Will the courage be there in this journey and can this New Voyager succeed? Will the crazies give peace and reconciliation a chance?
12/02/2013
Wake Up Everybody (+playlist)
A reminder for us all to wake up to make a difference as we bid farewell to 2013 and gear up for 2014 and all that it represents and as Gandiji reminded us, "..to be the change we want to see in the World.." . :-)
12/01/2013
On the Dawn of a New Week :-)
It has been quite a week. I saw with fascination as China launched its' first lunar mission. I also am in awe as people power continues to assert its' ever growing power in Thailand and Ukraine. Although it is exciting, it also presents new and unforeseen challenges. This is as Syria continues and the carnage in Iraq is ever so more. I cannot understand why suicide bombers attack funerals.
I did take comfort in this thought from the Buddha:
I did take comfort in this thought from the Buddha:
We are shaped by our thoughts;
we become what we think.
When the mind is pure, joy follows
like a shadow that never leaves.
- The Buddha
That sense of purpose and focus should be the driving force constantly and consistently. Only a hope for a better tomorrow should drive us--Is there any other choice?
Onward w/the new week:
11/30/2013
As 2013 Begins to draw Down: There Is A Way Forward (The Agreement w/Iran Can be a Start :-)
The final month of 2013 is before us. I am very hopeful as we begin--despite all the profound challenges. This perspective from Iran is very much in this vein. The Islamic Republic has a lot of work to do to overcome the challenges before it. The question is whether the Islamic Republic can truly evolve humanely after the ravages of the past years. Dr, Farhang's article reflects this profound reservation many have around the World.
At least a pathway is before us--if the crazies on both sides allow it to work.
Onward w/the new possibilities :-)
11/27/2013
Just a "thought" 4 the Day"..and a "wish" for Friends on the Eve of Thanksgiving :-)
Best Wishes on this day to all--and Happy Hanukkah to all our Jewish Brothers & Sisters
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