On This Day: A "Brief View of the Week".....

It has been a challenging few days. around the World as Iraq implodes.    Although not easy, there is no other choice but to remain optimsitic.   Everyday is a new opportunity to begin anew.    This was so timely from Ralph Martson: 

Today, life will give you the opportunity to be honest. Take that opportunity, and keep yourself aligned with the power of truth.

Today, life will give you the opportunity to be compassionate. Take that opportunity, and feel the priceless satisfaction that comes from making a difference in the lives of others.

Today, life will give you the opportunity to act with discipline and focus. Take that opportunity, and enjoy the fruits of being highly effective in whatever you do.

Your life today will give you the opportunity to learn, to achieve, to enjoy, to reflect, to share, to listen, to understand and to love. Embrace each opportunity that comes your way with gratitude, enthusiasm and a sense of positive purpose.

On this day, life will give you the opportunity to be your best, to live and to act true to the unique and beautiful person you know you are. Take that opportunity, and run with it.

If you’ve been wishing and waiting for a perfect opportunity, it is here and now. This day will be what you make of it, and there’s no opportunity better than that.

It was also even more so to not forget this admonition from the ever so inspiring Mary Tyler Moore:

Take chances, make mistakes. That's how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave.     

Enough Said....May we all be blessed with the beauty and the majesty of life.

On This Father's Day 2014: Being Happy & Engaging Ever More....

Today is Father's Day in the United States.    I count my blessings every day and wish all a sense of happiness and joy that is beyond this World as I am blessed to observe my Son as he grows up.   It is not as easy as one may hope as I see the reporting on Iraq and the brutality by ISIS or what is happening in Pakistan as The Pakistan Army began a new offensive after the bold attack on Karachi.   Gandhi Ji reminded us to be the change we wish to see in the World---it begins here with a sense of happiness because it begins with us:  

May it be so on this Father's Day for all while remebering to count blessings every day and noting:

  

Being Optimistic//Never Losing Hope

It is Father's Day W-End here in the United States.    It is not easy to be optimistic about our World as Iraq and the Near East (also known as the Middle East) seems to be falling apart before our eyes and Ukraine seems to be on the edge of the abyss.    Yet, I see no other choice.

I hope all enjoy this "thought 4 the week-end" from the great Kahlil Gibran courtesy of the team @ Givemore.com along with excerpts of a recent outreach I received from them on truly "thinking different"--and  continue to be ever so thankful for all that we've been given.

“ The optimist sees the rose and not its thorns; the pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious of the rose.”

To help you kick off the day (or next week) ... Click here for a beautifully shot and scored video of New York (5 minutes). I've found it puts me in a great state of mind to make good things happen.   Grab today's mini poster (pdf)

Thought 4 the Week (II): May it be so for all us all :-)

On Iraq: Latest Notations (6/11/2014)

The Iraqi insurgents are marching on. CNN, to its' credit, is headlining the debacle and how Iraq is now open to US Airstrikes as the insurgents march on and potentially threaten Baghdad. But FOX is featuring another story on the Bowe Berghdal as MSNBC is featuring (and focused on the Eric Cantor defeat).

Post by Mike Pouraryan.

Thought 4 the Week

Post by Zig Ziglar.

View of the Week (II) : Dr. Robert Gates @ Boy Scouts of America Speech as National President

As I work away, I have been listening to Dr.Gates; speech as National President of the Boy Scouts.      This speech is resonating with me because of how Scouting has made such a profound difference for me and ever so for my Son.    

On Iraq Right Now: Notations 4 the Day

Iraq is now under a state of emergency. Mosul has fallen to the Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (Leviathan) (ISIS) and it bodes ill for the future. Nineveh, where Mosul is, is under threat. This is as Anbar is also under ISIS's sway as Fallujah is yet to be taken back by the Government. . ISIS is the same entity that is also ever so powerful in Syria and it constitutes one of the most profound threats to stability right now. This underscores how tragic and tough the situation is right now:

This is shocking and tragic...only words I could muster: In pictures: #Iraqis flee #Mosul http://t.co/ZZUp8AlsGk

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) June 11, 2014

It is a developing story as reports I have reviewed note how some 500 Million Dollars has been stolen from banks in the City. The ISIS thugs have taken control of Mosul's Airport and there are report that helicopters at Mosul's Airport have been transferred to Syria. The Iraqi Prime Minister is pleading with the Kurds to take up the fight as he's also trying to arm civilians. ISIS is continuing its' move towards Kirkuk--a major oil producing area and Tikrit--Saddam's Home Town. ISIS is very much an effective force as the Iraqi Army has proven to be a totally ineffective. ISIS is in effect in de facto control of a wide area within Iraq and Syria and it remains to be seen what they will do now--will they move on Baghdad? Will they attack the Kurdish region? Will they up the ante in Syria? Will they undermine a fragile Jordan? What is clear is this: Iraq is no more--and it is simply tragic for the Iraqis and America that paid so dear a price in blood and treasure.

Released to http://www.outsiderviews.com, June 2014

The Utlimate Thought 4 the Week to Underscore how a "Vision of the Possible" Can be Possible :-)

Enough Said...

Onward :-)

View of the Week: A Journey to IRAN : ))

Iran has been in the news, at times, for many wrong reasons over the past number of years.  .    One of the most beautiful clips on Iran was produced by the Iranian Student Association at Penn State University that underscores the beauty, majesty of that land despite all the economic, environmental and social challenges before it.  It is a land that is as old as time itself.    This is also a land that is quite a paradox as underscored by a beautiful talk given by Professor Milani at TedXStanford .   Professor Milani's talk  is so beautiful--it has to be listened to again and again even for those of us who have somewhat of an understanding of that beautiful land.

Enjoy this journey:   

"Virtually Running Around" Our World: On The World & the Need to be ever so hopeful.....

As I write this, there is live coverage from NDTV in India as the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi has come under attack.   It appears that up to 12 Gunmen have attacked the Airport and are hold up in the old side of the Airport used for Haj Operations.   Units of the Pakistan Army are involved and fires are evident--it appears that two Airplanes have been set on fire.   Why such men undertake such despicable acts is simply beyond words.   As Pakistan deals with its' terrorist challenges, the shocking attack against the leading Presidential Candidate, Abdullah Abdullah was also of profound concern in the heart of Kabul.    Their reach continues to be never ending  

As we're all witness to such carnage,  one has to be hopeful.  I see no other way as a new week dawns as epitomized by this latest curation of talks from Ted.Com which underscores the focus needed:

PLAYLIST OF THE WEEK

A better you (13 TED Talks)

Ready for a change? Watch these talks for ideas and inspiration on all aspects of your life, from creativity to vulnerability. Watch »

Total run time 2:55:15

Thought 4 the Week: On Success & Making a Difference....

We come this way but once.
We can either tiptoe through life
and hope we get to death without being badly bruised
or we can live a full, complete life
achieving our goals and realizing our wildest dreams.
- Bob Proctor

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

Around the World: On-Going Major Challenges

It has been quite a week around our World. Iraq saw an audacious attack by the Al Qaeda Affiliated Islamic State of America to the City of Samara that was quickly crushed by the Iraqi Army. If left unanswered, it would have further tore Iraq Apart. Beyond Iraq, there is Afghanistan. Abdullah Abdullah, the front runner to take over Karzai, survived an assassination attempt:

#Afghanistan continues to burn... In the heart of #Kabul- when will the carnage stop?Abdullah survives Kabul bombs http://t.co/JeKsalaING

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) June 6, 2014

This happened in the heart of Kabul that continues to underscore the reach of the Taliban as the US draws down its' presence. But there was also at least one reasonably decent news on Ukraine:

Hopefully cooler heads will prevail in #Ukraine..at least they're talking: Moscow and Kiev seek 'end to bloodshed' http://t.co/AlJ6GRpE6r

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) June 6, 2014

On the eve of the D-Day remembrance, Francois Hollande of France played host to a number of World Leaders. He actually had two dinners with Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama. Reports reviewed by the team also reflects that apparenlty Putin and Obama have also talked. But what was ever so hopeful was that the new President-Elect of Ukraine and Putin talked and agreed to talk some more. This also crossed the wires:

Beautiful...enjoy this 4rom #Iran.have a grt W-end :-) New “Happy” Video Shows off Streets of Tehran http://t.co/mVaYJTctJn #IranWire #happy

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) June 7, 2014

The courageous kids did just great. There are also major developments beyond this, though. Egypt has invited Iranian President Rouhani to attend Sisi's Inauguration. Is this a sign of somewhat reasonable relations to come? Never a dull moment..that's for sure....

Also @ http://www.outsiderviews.com, all rights reserved under creative commons license

A Musical "V-Thought" on Being Happy: Pharrell Williams - HAPPY ( From TEHRAN )

While on the "Grid" tonight, I saw this latest that has been making the "Virtual Rounds"   Some courageous Kids in Tehran again got together and put together this to underscore the simple fact that being "happy" is ever so a right.    I guess they took their queue from President Rouhani when he tweeted that the right to happiness is anyone's right.

Onward to the Weekend--it is a very beautiful clip--All of these beautiful souls deserve a high five and a hug-and I send one to them all virtually as they have truly lived up to this admonition that is the essence of life: 

Enjoy this beautiful clip by these beautiful, courageous and Happy Young Iranians roaming the Streets of Tehran!! :-)

On the possibilities of the Human Spirit: Brief Daily Thoughts

This is quite a story courtesy of Scott Lay @ THe Nooner. This is a story of redemption, of hop;e and of possibilities that is beyond the pale. As I hope to share this with my students, it underscores how someone with a vision and a belief in the goodness of the human spirit can truly work to make a difference. More on it soon...

View of the Week: Brief Thoughts on The "political front"

The United States just had an election that would determine the final two years of the Obama Presidency. One key "headline" dominating Cable News has been the release of the US Soldier and questions being asked. The Conservative Media has been on the prowl on this subject and it is bound to continue. A high-tech lynching (to borrow a phrase from Clarence Thomas) seems to have begun in earnest. It is tragic to see it as other challenges are ever so. There has been another video of another Western Couple that is quite tragic in its' own right: What was also of note was this on the Keystone XL pipeline that was quite worrisome and was so noted on Twitter:

Of Concern..although #GOP would probalby disagree: #KeystoneXL pipeline vulnerable to attacks, NextGen study says: http://t.co/Ew6WxJGINd

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) June 5, 2014

As for Election Results, the potential re-emergence of the Republican Party in California was worth noting. Whether the inroads Republicans have made in the primary elections will translate into a General Election Win remains to be seen. Beyond California, there is another very interesting in Mississippi that is pitting a Tea-Party backed candidate against a 42-year Veteran: Thad Cockhran. It appears that Senator Cockhran is in the political fight of his life. What was so hopeful and beautiful was this that Scott Lay, one of the preeminent political analysts in California wrote in his daily "nooner" update: Good morning from Blythe, where I am working on a few hours sleep and Comfort Suites coffee. I'm going to prison this morning, but not in the Orange is the New Black sense, but to applaud inmates graduating with degrees and certificates. This is my third time, and these students become model inmates and the recidivsm rate is 1.526%, whereas 65% of the overall inmate population returns to prison within three years, according to CDCR. Ironwood is a Level III prison, the second highest level of general population, so we're talking about inmates with tough stories. Actually, this is the same program at Ironwood State Prison that started the rehabilitation story of Prophet La'Omar Walker, who earned a spot in November along with Mike Gipson in AD64 (Carson) last night. Check out this TEDx filmed last month sponsored by the Ford Foundation on the program at Ironwood. It is becoming quite a slugfest as the Mid-Term General Election season is at hand. Also released to http://www.outsiderviews.com 062014//All Rights reserved....

Thought For the Week: on "The Dash" :-)

A new month is at hand.      I wanted to begin a new month with this wonderful little poem about life and hope that the almighty grants me the strength and the courage to live up to it by being ever so courageous:

The Dash by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning…to the end. He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth. For it matter not, how much we own, the cars…the house…the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash. So think about this long and hard; are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged. If we could just slow down enough to consider what’s true and real and always try to understand the way other people feel. And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before. If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile… remembering that this special dash might only last a little while. So when your eulogy is being read with your life’s actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?

On the "Virtual Hunt": Brief Thoughts 4 the Week-End

It is another busy Week-End of research & planning.     It was also an disheartening week as my eldest Aunt passed away.    Najmeh Javad Najafi was a scholar, a person of faith and someone who served Iran in many ways and epitomized this with her two books she published in 1953:  Persia is My Heart and a Wall and Three Willows.  As she's laid to rest on Tuesday in Chatsworth California, her legacy of service will live on.   

As I reflected upon the month that was, I could not help but remember what Richard Nixon noted as he resigned the Presidency.  He reflected upon how as one has been to the deepest valleys, can one be very much appreciative of the highest mountains one could be.   It is ever so that what is here and now can be appreciated and how a sense of togetherness and tenacity should be what must define our lives.

The challenges before me--taxes, dealing with Insurance companies & medical bills, continuing a rebuilding process which seems never ending--is at times disappointing.     That's why I am very appreciative whenever I see the predicament of all who seek out my help and guidance.   Just in the past two weeks alone, I had students of mine reach out telling harrowing stories that just broke my heart.  One of them was 9 months pregnant as she separated from her spouse.  Another one had her nephew killed in a drive-by-Shooting.   Another one just noted that she had lost her Mother, had cancer while continuing to figure out how to juggle two jobs.   It is such stories that continues to affirm my faith and drives me ever so determined to serve.

As the Virtual "Hunt" is ever so in full swing,  here is a "Virtual Treat" of some Ted Talk from http://www.ted.com  for all to enjoy in additoin to a number of admonitions to remember:

-

11 must-see TED Talks

Here's a primer on TED Talks, featuring 11 classic talks on the range of topics you'll find on TED.com.Watch »

Total run time 3:08:31 

 

If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up.
Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.
- Michael Jordan

When one door closes, another opens.
But often we look so long, so regretfully,
upon the closed door,
that we fail to see the one that is opened for us.
- Helen Keller

It doesn't matter if you try and try and try again, and fail.
It does matter if you try and fail, and fail to try again.
- Charles Kettering

Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman,
before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.
- John Quincy Adams

On Iran: A Paradox (A View of the Week)

A "Working Week-End" begins to gear up for june 2014. A Facebook Friend passed on this brilliant and beautiful talk by the ever insightful Scholar Dr. Abbas Milani on the Paradox that is Iran today:

A "Thought 4 the Week": Staying Strong

A Brief Reminder to remain every so strong despite all the challenges.....