7/23/2014

A Commitment to A Sense of Purpose w/Love: Reflections on "Outsiders"

 


"Outsiders" will be dark til August 4.    As this "labor of love" began with a sense of purpose and "hopefully" with a sense of love, there will continue to be the effort to do one's utmost to continue to create a "ordinary face" outlook and reflect upon a World that is ever so challenging.   Although there will be stumbles, it will continue to be driven by a sense of love as Van Gogh reminded us--and as this admonition courtesy of the ever perceptive Jonathan Lockwood Huie which was received here @ "outsiders" earlier tonight:

Understand the difference between "failing,"
which each of us does often,
and "being a failure,"
which is a state of mind no one should
ever allow themself to fall into.

Sometimes you get the results you wanted,
sometimes you don't.
What matters is that you did your best.

Know that your true self,
a spiritual being,
is always perfect.


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As the Insanity in #Gaza continues: What about the Ordinary Faces Who are Losing Everything?

The War in Gaza continues with no apparent end in sight.   Although there have been diplomatic moves and the US Secretary of State has noted that , "..progress has been made", it seems not to translate into realities on the ground as people continue to die, Al Jazeera came under fire and the Foreign Minister of Israel called for Khaled Mashal to be assassinated: 
On the prowl. will sanity prevail? the view 4rom #Israel: 1 soldier unaccounted for in #Gaza | i24news: http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/37814-140721-liveblog-barrage-of-25-rockets-launched-at-central-southern-israel …
A dose of a reality check verified by what I see out of #Israel Media: For #Netanyahu,#Gaza war’s risks r rising: http://alj.am/UmuzAV 
Enough said: Bereaved Israeli, Palestinian families: We don't want more families like us | i24news - See beyond http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/society/37837-140721-bereaved-israeli-palestinian-families-we-don-t-want-more-families-like-us …
Actually the #Israel FM is the problem: Lieberman wants to ban Al Jazeera from Israel | i24news - See beyond http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/diplomacy-defense/37852-140721-lieberman-wants-to-ban-al-jazeera-from-israel …

I am at loss to explain why the Foreign Minister of Israel continues to be serving at his post.  As the US Federal Aviation Administration imposed a ban On US Owned Flights after a missile hit a mile from Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, the entire US Political establishment got into an uproar.     FAA decided to lift a ban on flights from the United States--despite the fact that it is a war zone despite Israel's representation to the contrary. The uproar in US Political Circles was quite an event to watch. Michael Bloomberg flew into Tel Aviv on El Al and got on Fox News to talk about it after being met at the tarmac by the Israeli Prime Minister.  
While on the "Social Grid" making the rounds on Facebook, it was amazing to see the level of discourse.   Although a few friends were probably lost as a result of some of the analysis shared, it was poignant to continue the dialogue.   This was shared earlier with one on Facebook to underscore some of the key challenges historically which has continued to haunt a lasting solution:

 Thanks for your comments. Please understand this: there are those of us around the World that support the right of Israel to survive...but do dare to disagree with Israeli Government Policy....the current Israeli Government has done its' utmost to torpedo the peace process no matter what justification they espouse...and when you have an Israeli Foreign Minister that calls for the ethnic cleansing of the Arab Citizens of Israel...it is a challenge--right as the US VP was going to israel , Israel announced a expansion of settlements....as an FYI as well, Fatah has accepted Israel's right to exist....and also Saudi Arabia , as an FYI (despite its' own rather despicable record on human rights and how it has bankrolled some of the very challenges the world is facing today) proposed a peace plan for the Israelis....even Hamas said that they would offer a 10-year truce back in 1998....and I am of the view that if Israel had embraced that view, Hamas would have been forced by its' paymasters (and yes that includes Iran because at the time Iran had somewhat of a moderate President (within the context of the Iranian political process) which would have mitigated some of the challenges we face today....we can play the blame game all we want..but as Henry Ford said, "don't find fault, find a remedy"...and yes at this stage it does not matter anymore as Israelis have to rush to shelters, Israeli Children are being traumatized, as 28 Israeli soldiers have lost their lives, as 1 in 20 Palestinians have been displaced in Gaza, over 600 Palestinians have lost their lives..and over 3,000 people have been injured...there needs to be brave people on both sides....Arafat and Rabin had the backbone to shake hands at the White House despite all the problems Oslo Had....King Hussein had the courage to have a cigarette with Rabin..and Rabin paid for it with his life....Sadat had the courage to go to Jerusalem and paid for it with his life....Gandhi Ji Taught us to be the change we want to see in the World....Isn't it time now to do it?

This is as this was captured from Space and made the rounds over Twitter:


As I saw the Uproar over the FAA ban and assessed the realities, I saw this on NBC's Ayman Mohyeldin which underscored the true realities. I could not help but wonder what Mr. Bloomberg, Senator Cruz and Senator Schumer will say to this young man who has lost it all--Hopefully a sense of Sanity will prevail sooner than later  and I await that chance to reflect upon it--there are too many heart-wrenching stories such as this: 


Post by Ayman Mohyeldin.
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A Mid-Week "Mojo" For the Week 2 Share


A Mid-Week "Mojo" to share (Courtesy of the Time @ Foundation for a Better Life) : 




& Visualize your own Greatness as the Publisher of Success Magazine, Darren Hardy Reminded us all:  

"Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself as succeeding. Hold this picture tenaciously. Never permit it to fade. Your mind will seek to develop the picture...if you paint in your mind a picture of bright and happy expectations, you put yourself into a condition conducive to your goal." -Norman Vincent Peele,  
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7/21/2014

On the "Grid": On # Gaza & A Sense of Hope w/a sense of history (Daily Thoughts)

The War continues in Gaza.  As I write this, Israel reported that 6 more Soldiers were killed as Israel continues its' war against the Tunnels.  How Hamas been able to build the tunnels as they have is amazing. Despite all that Israel has done, missiles have again been fired into Israel including a number of them above Tel Aviv.

The cost on Israel is rather staggering:  32 Million Dollars a Day  Furthermore, every Iron Dome Missile Fired is an estimated 50,000 Dollars.   The Israeli Prime Minister visited the border and underscored his determination to continue the war.   The problem is that it is undermining Israel's position.   Diplomatic Efforts are also continuing as the Secretary of State has left for Cairo.  A tweet from "Outsiders" was  sent to the State Department Spokesman wishing them much success--for the sake of all who are suffering right now. Right now, i24News is interviewing Maha Mehanna in Gaza to get a sense of a true sense of the terrible realities on the ground.


What is tragic and unfortunate is that all sides (including the Palestinians) bear responsibility.    Marwan Bishara of Al Jazeera underscored this in his very perceptive analysis here which I also noted in a tweet earlier:


Gaza 1994-2014: The peace that led to war - Opinion - Al Jazeera English


The insanity is set to continue for a while yet.   But,  this  from One Voice reflects a sense of hope about the art of the possible:

View image on Twitter





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7/19/2014

View of the Week: On the Grid For the Week-End in #Gaza, The Media & Other Thoughts

The war in #Gaza continues with no apparent end in sight.   There are some startling statistics that were reported on early on Twitter: 
It was quite interesting how the Institute for Palestine Studies remembered #Madiba on Mandela Day: 

Post by The Institute for Palestine Studies.
What is quite refreshing is how some of the leadings lights in Israel are noting how this war that was unleashed will hurt Israel in the long-term because of the challenges it represents.   Israeli Soldiers have already died.   It was quite startling to hear how much it is actually costing the Israel to fire each Iron Dome Rocket and the daily cost of the War that seems to be expanding by the day.   Israel does not have much time politically and it continues to undermine Israel's position.    Israel24 is reporting that Hamas has reported on an Israeli Tank being ambushed near Gaza City--and Haaretz just reported sirens in south and central Israel.    This is as some of the realities of life in Palestine today is hard to ignore--which has forced the resistance to continue as it has:
Post by Middle East Monitor.
Thankfully the Web and the Grid is able to provide some sense of the reality on the ground.  However, with the pending FCC decision to change the rules, who knows what happens.   Comcast--that owns NBC--made a move to reassign Ayman Mohyeldin after he witnessed the 4 Children being killed and was reassigned.  After an outcry, the decision was made to send him back into Gaza.   It underscores that the US Media has lost all sense of credibility.   Thankfully, there are outlets such Israel24 that are trying to present probably the most realistic view at hand.     The eminent scholar Professor Dabashi reflected on it on his Facebook Page: 


 A journey of peace and brotherhood is an impossible journey right now especially as all are trying to gain an advantage--but to what end.   Code Reds continue to be going off throughout Southern and Central Israel.       There is no other choice though and Tony Robbins reminded us all: 




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7/17/2014

On A Challenging World: Brief Thoughts 4 the Day

It has been a very tragic day around the World.   Malaysia was subject to another tragedy today as 290 people perished when #MH17 was shot out of the air.     #NDTV of India just interviewed a couple in Amsterdam who was slated to be on the ill-fated flight.   There is a lot of finger pointing so far and no one seems to know yet--although this that Mashable reporting on was quite disturbing:


The War between Israel and Hamas has entered a new phase as Israeli forces have entered Gaza ostenibly to destroy the tunnels--but it is probably bound to expand further.  The ordinary Gazan is paying a profound price as ever so depicted by the gifted Iranian artist Golrokh Nafisi "Termeh".   This is a beautiful depicition of the 4 young souls who perished when the Israeli Navy shelled the beach in Gaza City as they were playing Soccer/Football.  Professor Dabashi of Columbia was good enough to share this with the World as he released it to his Facebook page earlier tonight: 

 

As the World is able to see this live feed from Gaza @
 http://www.aa.com.tr/live1/gaza-live.html, one wonders when will this insanity stop?   
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A "Thought 4 the Week"



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Help make the world

Your laughter will inspire the world today. Let it ring loudly and often.
Your thankfulness will give life its beauty today. Your love makes the entirety of existence worth all the trouble.
Your actions will make life richer today. Your thoughts and words and feelings will bring new substance to the wonder that is life.
Your awareness will inform and improve things. Your curiosity will make a whole new set of experiences possible.
Whatever you do will matter very much, going far beyond you and coming back in wonderful ways you cannot even imagine. So do, and do, and do some more, with authentic joy and boundless, delighted generosity.
Your life will help make the world what it is today. Live it for all it can be, and more.
— Ralph Marston
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