Archive for May 29, 2020

New Serenity Prayer

We can all use a bit of serenity about now. I’ve heard it said that the basis of all true religion is believing that “There is a God and I’m not him.”  That’s the spirit of this updating of the well known Serenity Prayer.

A New Serenity Prayer

by Jim Manney

God, grant me the serenity
to accept the people I cannot change,
which is pretty much everyone,
since I’m clearly not you, God.
At least not the last time I checked

And while you’re at it, God,
please give me the courage
to change what I need to change about myself,
which is frankly a lot, since, once again,
I’m not you, which means I’m not perfect.
It’s better for me to focus on changing myself
than to worry about changing other people,
who, as you’ll no doubt remember me saying,
I can’t change anyway.

Finally, give me the wisdom to just shut up
whenever I think that I’m clearly smarter
than everyone else in the room,
that no one knows what they’re talking about except me,
or that I alone have all the answers.

Basically, God,
grant me the wisdom
to remember that I’m
not you.

Amen

Pause and Relax

We’re all feeling a bit frazzled. The isolation and uncertainty is getting to us. So are all the negativity and back-biting. Today’s Thursday Thought (source unknown) gives us good, relaxing pause.

A Fitting Tribute this Memorial Day

Today, pause to remember the men and women who died fighting America’s battles.  Their goal was to stop tyrants and regimes that treat people like insignificant, disposable, unworthy non-humans.  This was their contribution to upholding the dignity of man and working toward peace.  A fitting memorial to them is to carry on their mission.  Not fighting in a far-away land but living our daily lives as though those around us, those of different skin colors, religions, socio-economic status–everyone–were human beings.  Such a peaceful, tolerant attitude must start with us individually, in our homes, schools, and workplaces and spread to our cities, states, nation, and, ultimately, the world.  Maybe such a global attitude will prevent tyrants and hate-groups from getting a foothold.  Yes, this is idealistic, but so were all those who died in uniform.  Carrying on their idealism is an appropriate way to honor them.  Even if we succeed in making a more peaceful, tolerant world just in our own lives, that is a tribute to the principle they fought for.

They’ve Got it Made!

“They’ve got it made!”  We’ve all said this as we watch people doing their jobs.  We’re convinced they’re overpaid for what they do. Are they? Teachers have short days and long vacations (when do they do lesson plans and grade papers?).  Garbage men ride around all day, doing nothing but picking up trash (what health hazards do they face?).  Cops sit around eating donuts and are never there when you need them (except when they are).  Priests get to hear juicy confessions (how interesting can a story be on the 500th telling?).

Next time you hear yourself saying, “They’ve got it made,” assign yourself the task of finding out about their job: salary and benefits; required education and training, both original and ongoing; hours and duties expected from those hours; health and safety issues the job poses; job security and working conditions.  The Bible says that even Jesus called on a variety of workers, from fisherman to tax collector to tent-maker.  Seems like there’s a lesson there, that we must respect all work and value the worker.  After all, this is a pretty big vineyard we labor in.

Misguided Religious Views

Some religions want to destroy us, because we’re so different from them.  Thank God Christians have the Golden Rule.  Then, again, it appears in the sacred writings of most religions, commanding followers to show compassion and mercy.  But we have the 10 Commandments.  Which came from the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and are spread throughout the Qur’an.  Jesus emphasized caring for the poor and vulnerable.  Mmmm…there are those other statements: “the key of Paradise is love for the poor” (Islam); “rescue the weak and needy” (Judaism); “give, even though it be little” (Buddhism); give “to the homeless, distressed man” (Hinduism).  And all major religions either support organ donation or declare it a personal decision.  Could it be that the violence in our world is caused by misguided individuals, not by people trying to live out the positive beliefs of their faith?  And by people who fear religions because they don’t understand them?  We should celebrate our sameness allow our diverse family to come together.  That should defeat the misguided few and those who perpetuate violence against people of other faiths.

Cool AC Savings

Keep your AC unit cool.  Loosely cover the condenser or window-mounted unit (don’t restrict air-flow, which will increase electricity use); put an awning over it; or plant a tree that will shade the unit.  Any of these measures can save energy and up to 10% on your AC costs.

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[For more easy, money-saving, Earth-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/view/7000 or your favorite e-book seller and download to your computer or e-book device. Totally free, with no strings attached.]

Where Did “Head Over Heels” Come From?

I’m in that mood again: where the heck did that phrase come from?  Please indulge me.  It gives me a break from serious thinking.

Of course, you know what it means–super excited, hyper-interested, like, wow! that’s unbelievably fantastic!  And most people associate it with being in love.

Originally, though, it just meant being upside down, topsy-turvy.  The romantic soul who tied it into love for the first time did so in his autobiography in 1834.  That was none other than Davey Crockett.

How’s that for a bit of trivia that you can’t work into any conversation?

A Royal Thought

Today I offer you a ROYAL Thursday Thought, from a queen.

“Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step toward greater understanding.” – Queen Elizabeth II

OK to Patronize–Not Nice to Patronize

Why does it bother me so much?  Am I that much of a pedant?  Maybe so.  But, please, people, learn how to pronounce “patronize.”  If you want someone to know that you feel you’re superior to him, go ahead and pat (rhymes with “fat”) ronize him.  If you’re going to buy something from his shop, you can pat (rhymes with “hate”) ronize the place.  In other words, pat (hate) ronize (and buy something at) a person’s funky little backyard art show and, when thinking that your pet poodle could do better by painting with his tail, you can pat (fat) ronize the artist with something like, “Oh, how quaint your work is.”

There.  I got it out of my system.  I hope.

Bedtime Story

A friend sent me this video. I thought you might enjoy it. It’s a bedtime story a dad tells his child about the world he foresees.