January 2009
PRAISE SONG FOR THE DAY *….DOES IT RING TRUE FOR YOU?
Posted by Doug on January 23, 2009
* Elizabeth Alexander’s poem for Barack Obama read at the Inaugural
Each day we go about our business, walking past each other, catching each others’ eyes or not, about to speak or speaking. All about us is noise. All about us is noise and bramble, thorn and din, each one of our ancestors on our tongues. Someone is stitching up a hem, darning a hole in a uniform, patching a tire, repairing the things in need of repair.
Someone is trying to make music somewhere with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.
A woman and her son wait for the bus.
A farmer considers the changing sky; A teacher says, "Take out your pencils. Begin."
We encounter each other in words, words spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed; words to consider, reconsider.
We cross dirt roads and highways that mark the will of someone and then others who said, "I need to see what’s on the other side; I know there’s something better down the road."
We need to find a place where we are safe; We walk into that which we cannot yet see.
Say it plain, that many have died for this day. Sing the names of the dead who brought us here, who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges, picked the cotton and the lettuce, built brick by brick the glittering edifices they would then keep clean and work inside of.
Praise song for struggle; praise song for the day. Praise song for every hand-lettered sign; The figuring it out at kitchen tables.
Some live by "Love thy neighbor as thy self."
Others but first do no harm, or take no more than you need.
What if the mightiest word is love, love beyond marital, filial, national. Love that casts a widening pool of light. Love with no need to preempt grievance.
In today’s sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun.
On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp — praise song for walking forward in that light.
Liberty Bell: Abolitionists named it, Barach Obama fulfills Its Mandate!
Posted by Doug on January 21, 2009
Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land unto All the Inhabitants thereof. Leviticus 25:10, was the message of our Liberty Bell which was named over 50 years after this country was founded by the abolitionists in the 1830′s. Imperfect as it is, this special bell and icon of freedom displays the possibilities in this great nation as it marches on in the first decade of this century. What will ring in the next 50 years?
The child of a white mother American and black African father will change the way America and Americans look at each other. Many barriers of opportunity have been broken on this unprecedented significant day as millions gathered to witness a seamless and historic transition of power. All over this country in offices, classrooms, living rooms restaurants and bars, all over the world, possibly a billion people will be moved to new perspectives and opinions on what America truly is as the 44th President took his oath of office.
Today the Bell Rings More for Service than Consumerism!
Posted by Doug on January 19, 2009
As we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today we also anticipate a historic moment in of life of the United States. This convergence of historical events is marked today, however, by the President elect, Barach Obama, and his lovely wife, Michele, nvolving themselves like Dr. King in community service. This also highlights the fact that volunteering is at an all time high in this country with 27% of adults involved in community service. As one commentator has said, Obama has and is putting a new generation of voters into the public arena. He is giving them a taste of what it means to give public service and he is planning on expanding AmeriCorps from 75,000 to 250,000. Alex deTocqueville wrote over a century and a half ago on how willing Americans are “to sacrifice a portion of their time and property.” Of course this was what members of Congress and the President did. They served for a short time without pay because they believed this was a form of payback for the freedoms and liberties they acquired as Americans. How different it has become today except that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is still a sterling example of service, giving of his life for a cause bigger than himself. Possibly this spirit of Dr. King and President Lincoln will be Mr. Obamas’ greatest legacy for he becomes President Obama tomorrow only time will tell.
TIPS TO RING IN MORE PERSONAL PEACE IN 2009
Posted by Doug on January 11, 2009
***Don’t give into anger over the past or fear of the future. Enjoy the PRESENT!
*** Don’t waste time/energy on: grudges, gossip, negative thoughts. Cultivate inner peace.
***Therefore forgive everyone for everything.
***Enjoy the simple things. Surround yourself with what you love – family, children, music, books, gardening & other hobbies.
***Cherish and nuture your health by exercise and taking care of your body.
***Don’t take yourself so seriously.
***Cultivate a sense of humor, laugh often.
***Be enthusiastic about all you do, even menial tasks.
***Take a short siesta after lunch. Get enough sleep to stay calm, focused and productive.
***Show gratitude and make others smile and laugh several times a day.
***Get rid of clutter.
***Focus less on yourself and more on how you can be of service to others.
*** Take time each day to meditate, stay connected to your source and your definite, major purpose.
***These actions should and will bring you greater peace.
WILL THIS BE A YEAR TO RING IN TRUE CHANGE!
Posted by Doug on January 4, 2009
We Have Taller Buildings but Shorter Tempers
We Have Wider Freeways but Narrower Viewpoints
We Spend More but Have less
We Buy More but Enjoy less
We Have Bigger Homes but Smaller Families
We Have More Conveniences but less Time
We Have Been to the Moon and Back
But Have Trouble Crossing the Street
We Have More Leisure less Fun
More Kinds of Food but less Nutrition
Fancier Houses but Broken Homes
These Are Days of Two Incomes but More Divorce
How Can We Have World Peace When We Have Domestic Warfare
How is it that we Conquered Outer Space (To a Point)
But Not Truly Considered Inner Space – Inner Peace
Let this be a year in which more of us take the time to examine and work on change that truly matters that space within! INNER PEACE
