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 :-)