Why is exercising integrity a big load off of your shoulders? In today’s Thursday Thought quote, Zig Zigler explains.
Tag Archive for freedom
Are You a Criminal when you Protest?
Ever notice how many protesters have their faces covered? This is true all over the world, including here in the U.S. Yet we have freedom of speech. If I’m expressing beliefs and opinions I truly believe in, why don’t I want people to see my face? If I’m hiding my identity because I’m doing something illegal, like smashing the store windows of people not involved in what I’m protesting against, and if I think that’s the right and moral thing to do, I should stand up to be counted–and let everyone see your face.
I understand the cover-up in countries where the regime will arrest and execute me just for speaking out, but not here in America. Come on, protesters, let’s see your proud, righteous faces as you sling that brick.
Open Up Your Senses
Summer is here! 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 the God of our belief all around us. The embracing warmth of sunshine. The calming fragrance of Jasmine. The sea’s salty tang on our tongues, reminding us of friendship and brotherhood. The humbling sight of a giant redwood. The call of the crane to freedom. And that feeling we get when we relax in our favorite garden spot and allow our surroundings to envelop us. Nature is a wonderful gift. We should always appreciate it, respect it, and protect it.
A Child, A Shirt, and Peace
We should all wear tee shirts like this…and mean it.
To Be Free
Chains can be made of all sorts of things–metal, emotions, attitudes…. In today’s Thursday Thought quote, Nelson Mandela tells us how to truly free ourselves.
The Power of Chocolate…and of Freedom
If two pieces of chocolate were your prized possession, who would you give them to and why? What would your gift produce? We can never anticipate what an act of kindness will result in, can we? Seems like a good reason to hand out such acts as often as we can.
Here’s an example:
https://www.facebook.com/robert.eshbach/videos/1051135241572083/
[Thanks to Correna Compton for this.]
Death of an Historical Reminder
I’m watching the slow death of a San Francisco Bay Area tradition that reminds us of our ongoing struggle as a nation toward true brotherhood. Yes, it harkens back to establishing freedom for the Blacks, but it’s also a prompt to consider our attitudes and behaviors toward people of all races, creeds, and nationalities.
I’m referring to the Freedom Train—the only official one in the U.S.—sponsored by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Assn. of Santa Clara Valley. Ridership is down after 29 years, supposedly because the NAACP withdrew its support a few years ago over acceptance of donations made by San Jose police at the same time they (allegedly) were mistreating minorities.
Whatever the cause, as of this morning, only 300 tickets have been sold, and if more people don’t pay the $15 ($10 for seniors, disabled, kids under 18) to ride and celebrate on Monday, this will be the last year for the train.
If you live in the SF Bay Area and are interested, go to http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/512027 to purchase a ticket today (must buy ticket there). Otherwise, see if there’s an unofficial Freedom Train in your area.
Thoughtful Thursday: Blow Everybody Up
[The attacks in London and here in America brought this quote to mind.]
“The brotherhood of man is evoked by particular men according to their circumstances. But it seldom extends to all men. In the name of our freedom and our brotherhood we are prepared to blow up the other half of mankind and to be blown up in our turn.” — Dorothy Day