War, shootings, riots, murders, road-rage, abuse, hateful remarks….we are living in a pretty dark world. But today’s Thursday Thought quote, if practiced often, can help us live a calmer life that can brighten our existence.
Pause
for just a second.
a moment.
and be grateful.
even if life isn’t perfect.
but be thankful
for the life you get to live.
for the stories.
the adventure.
and for those
you are blessed to love.
Pause.
Rachel Marie Martin
As a senior who sometimes forgets things, I found this cartoon amusing. And somewhat comforting. If the problem goes back that far, I am not alone! I thought today, in the midst of all the negative stuff going on around us, would be a good time for a bit of levity.
Note that the Supreme Court did NOT BAN abortion. They interpreted the case as outside the Constitution and, therefore, in the hands of each state to decide.
If you are pro-choice, you’re wasting your time and energy demonstrating against the Supreme Court. Instead, put that time and energy into the mid-term (and all) elections. Research to find out which candidates reflect your view and elect them. In other words, vote out of office those in your state that are making laws that ban abortion. And vote in candidates whose votes on the federal level will reflect your convictions. You should be doing this each election, anyway, so that people are elected that actually represent you. That’s the way democracy works–but only if you participate in it.
Basically, then YOU are the decisions makers. Act like it.
This suggestion is making the social media rounds. I thought it worthwhile to pass on here, as 4th of July quickly approaches. I think it’s the difference between a useless big bang and a little bang that matters.
Chocolate is wonderful, but not to everyone, and not all chocolate. This chart is a couple of years old, so the rankings may have changed. It does, however, show what is involved in the luscious treat in addition to our enjoyment, and it indicates efforts various companies are making to improve the experience for all of us.
Within the last few weeks I’ve had people knocking on my door to sell me solar, convert me to their religion, contribute to a kid’s sports league, and sign me up for pest-control (ironic, since they’re the pest!). They ignore my “No Solicitors” sign (maybe none of them can read?). I want one of these signs:
Summer has arrived! No school. Vacation. More sunshine and, hopefully, less stress. More outings with the family. It’s an excellent time to be thankful for all we have. Like our senses. They allow us to enjoy life and, if we’re open, experience all that’s around us. The embracing warmth of sunshine. The calming fragrance of Jasmine. The sea’s salty tang on our tongues, reminding us of friendship The humbling sight of a giant redwood. The call of the crane to have a free spirit. And that feeling we get when we relax in our favorite garden spot and allow it to envelop us. Nature is a wonderful gift. We should always appreciate it, respect it, and protect it.
| Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond. Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long over due. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society. The celebrations that followed the reading of the proclamation by General Gordon Granger began a tradition that has lasted for one hundred and forty four years, and today is hosted in cities across America and beyond. The JUNETEENTH.com website is dedicated to this celebration and to those who tirelessly contribute to its continued existence and growth. [from http://www.juneteenth.com/] |
Today’s Thursday Thought quote takes some thought and soul-searching to follow but leads in the right direction.
| “Go not where a path happens to be. Go where a path ought to be.” — anonymous |
I’m fascinated with language, especially the origins of phrases we use all the time. I haven’t offered you one for awhile, so today I give you “running amok” (wild behavior).
This actually began as a medical term in the 18th and 19th centuries to describe a mental condition that made Malaysian tribesmen, who were usually within the normal bounds of behavior, to start killing and brutalizing people randomly. “Amok” is taken from “Amuco,” violent Javanese and Maylay warriors who caught the morbid fascination of Westerners. The term was popularized by the explorer Capt. James Cook, who declared that “to run amok is to … sally forth from the house, kill the person or persons supposed to have injured the Amock, and any other person that attempts to impede his passage.” From there it made its way into psychiatric manuals, where it can still be found today as a medical condition.