"A sense of humor... is needed armor."

"A sense of humor... is needed armor.

Joy in one's heart and some laughter on one's lips

is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life."
~ Hugh Sidey

morgueFile photo "paulabflat"

Secure the Future of our Species

Normally, I would say that each individual makes a difference…and that will always be true.  But for a second, view mankind as it is - a species - an endangered one at that.  Many people try to do something and many more people understand and support their efforts.  But so many more are ignorant or indifferent to the issue as if there were no personal effect.  More often than not, mankind continues, as if unaware of the potential danger we put ourselves in with nearly every opportunity and at an alarmingly faster and faster rate.  We are humans have the ability to understand what we are doing to ourselves yet this seems to make little difference.  Individuals make these decisions, approve processes, support legislation and, generally, turn their backs on their fellow man and, amazingly, their own descendants.  We may want to blame specific corporations, general industries and governments which just winds up in a circle of in-fighting.  But at the core of these organizations are people  who, by virtue of their positions, have the ability to keep mankind dangerously close to the endangered species list.  No matter your individual politics, we need to secure the future of our species.

morgueFile photo ppdigital

"You...deserve your love and affection.”

“You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection.”   

~ Buddha

morgueFile photo bosela

“Life is full of beauty. Notice it."

“Life is full of beauty. Notice it.

Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces.

Smell the rain, and feel the wind.

Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.”
~ Ashley Smith

morgueFile photo orchid

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice...."

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.  If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”
~ Desmond Tutu

morgueFile photo jdurham

Taking a Step Back

There’s something to say about taking a step back and looking at life from a newfound perspective. I find it useful to take a day – specifically, one that has gone a bit haywire – and ask what can be learned from this situation or what can be changed to avoid it next time?  I have yet to find today’s answer but started writing to see if it appears on the paper.  Well, not yet.  But, so far, I have re-learned that you cannot control how another person internalizes something, nor how he evaluates and/or places blame for a situation.  How one interprets experiences is based upon their own internal dialogue.  One other thing, being a gentle voice for an unacknowledged position is brave, whether or not the position is truly heard.

Personal photo taken @ Avery Point, Groton, CT