Daily Mood Quotes - January 10, 2012

 

Daily Mood Quote

Day 236 - January 10, 2012

“To be afraid is to have more faith in evil than in God.”

~Emmet Fox

"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed -- and hence clamorous to be led to safety -- by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary."

~H.L. Mencken

Okay, today I may touch on a few issues that could rub folks the wrong way. That's alright, because as humans we are all different and have different points of view. In fact, that is the first of two basic issues I want to look at today. I find it curious that somehow we have as a species, failed to embrace the simple fact that we are in fact, a species. There is a range of sizes, shapes, coloration and a host of other variations in almost any globally present species. So too with us. Diversity and adaptability is good and leads to stable systems. It's a simple scientific fact, born out time and again; throughout the history of the planet. Yet, we as people seem to have a hard time accepting this very fundamental species survival mechanism. No matter where you look, you see folks in almost every walk of life pointing out others who are different as a threat. The same holds for occupations, behaviors, religions and just about anything else you can think of. We can't and shouldn't be all exactly the same; that's Species Survival 101.

So, What's my point? It is simple. This morning, I read an article in the Huffington Post and on Reuters that in a Monday speech, Pope Benedict XVI stated his belief that political support of gay marriage undermined the family and “threaten human dignity and the future of humanity itself.” I just want to be clear about a few things. First, I think that, if the quote is accurate (I couldn't find the transcript), the Pope, who has been accused of covering up the indiscretions of gay and pedophile priests, needs to tread lightly here, I don't suffer hypocrites well. And as I understand it, Jesus of Nazareth didn't either. I'm just saying; where is the acceptance, the love and forgiveness; isn't that the foundation of the faith?

That said, I also wonder what was the real motivation behind the piece I read, as it seemed to “cherry pick” facts to paint Catholics in general, in the worst possible light. That's not right either. I believe, its just as hypocritical to point a finger and say see how bad “they” (pick one as we are all “they” to someone else) are for not following Christ's lead, while it's okay to attack them. I just didn’t see the article as fair minded. So, to point two and something we discussed yesterday; Fear. I can't in any way, believe that gay marriage, or lack there of is going to have any negative impact on humanity's survival. That to me is fear mongering to advance the cause of an organization. One that given its 2000 year history should know better by now. There always have been and always will be a distribution of sexual orientations and other behaviors in this and every other species. We may, or may not have souls (depending on one's beliefs, I for one, do believe), but we can be certain, the wiring inside the human brain is always going to include variability. Kind of a no-brainer, please pardon the pun. What disturbs me is that the head of a church would feel it necessary to stoop to that level, in order to lure people “afraid of a changing world,” into the fold.

I really don't recall anywhere in the New Testament that Jesus Christ whom is the real head of the church, condoned being “afraid” of anything on earth. He in fact said on more than one occasion “do not be afraid.” Case in point, Matthew 10:26 says, “So do not be afraid of people.”(NIV) I'm not giving a Bible lessen here, just expressing that what the Pope said really “feels” wrong this time and isn't consistent with the simple facts of life on earth, or Jesus's message. But, we are all human and as I said, how we see things is variable. But, to use the “future of humanity itself ” as a hand tool of fear mongering, really misses the point. I sincerely hope that the Catholic church changes it's hard heart. There are so very many other things that truly are a threat to the survival of our species and the planet we all live on. Lets focus on fixing those first. As President Andrew Shepherd (played by Michael Douglas) in the movie The American President said, “Let's try to keep our eye on the ball, okay?”

I really believe the first, greatest evil is fear. It makes otherwise good people, do horrendous things. That's the real threat to the survival of humanity. To single out any group of people who are just going about their own business, leading their daily lives, as a threat to humanity is a long and slippery slope. That's how leaders have twisted whole populations to do truly unspeakable things to others. George Orwell once pointed out that the first job of a leader is to create an enemy that could strike fear into the hearts of the electorate. Our religious leaders might want to focus on hope, not fear.... we have the Republican Super-PACS for that. They can spread fear, like jam on bread and so, so many eat it up. My point; any organization, or writer that uses fear instead of fact, hate instead of love, deception instead of truth to further itself/themselves, is not working in anyone's interest but their own. Caveat emptor (Let the buyer beware); extends to both politics and religion (whoops, I guess thats a itsy bit of fear mongering too, but I prefer to think of it as common sense). Choose well, read wisely.

How will you view others today?

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Daily Mood Quote - November 3, 2011

 

Daily Mood Quotes

Day 183 – November 3, 2011

“Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people.”

~Spencer Johnson

Integrity is defined as, adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character, honest. And, honesty is defined as, the quality of fact of being honest; uprightness and fairness. Truthfulness, sincerity, or frankness, freedom from deceit or fraud. (thank you Dictionary.com). So, if we know what they mean, then why do we have so much difficulty in understanding them.?

Over the past several months, I have used the mute button on my remote control to silence the political ads on television, and when they come on the radio, I turn it off. I don't know about you, but as a voter, I am sick and tired of the negative, pointing fingers, he said, she said, they said...I say, “knock it off, I've heard enough.” Republican, Democrat, Liberal, Tea Party, really as the song by Billy Joel goes, “we didn't start the fire, it was always burning, since the world's been turning, we didn't start the fire, no we didn't light it, but we tried to fight it.” Now we're just sick of being burned by people who can apparently do nothing but point fingers, find fault and distract us from the truth that none of them are really worthy of our votes. Personally, I wish they would put their fingers in a light socket, it may shock back to common sense. You never know...

So, in all the political crap, where is the truth? Hidden by political advisers and PR firms, who would sell their bosses out for a nickel and a shot at an interview on 60 Minutes. And also, where pray tell is the most remote relevance to what they should be focusing on? The needs of the people should be on all the agenda's of those running for office. Somehow, somewhere the “vote for me, because the other person is worse” has become acceptable practice. To quote an old friend from Long Island, “What, Are you kidding me!! It's like dealing with a group of elementary school children on a kindergarten playground, trying to be the most popular student. Getting attention and gaining popularity through tattle-tailing? Obviously, we missed those lessons about growing up and taking responsibility for our actions. It just makes me sick to see our political system, once the highest expression of human aspiration, dragged into the gutters by these losers. “We the people” let this happen and “we the people” will need to make a few adjustments to what we pay attention to. That is if we can pry ourselves away form reality shows, video games and online auctions long enough to see what we have let happen.

Here's where the honesty and integrity part comes in, let's be honest with ourselves; we as a nation only pay attention to the bad crap and not to the important issues, unless we're the ones who are suffering. “Painful, the truth is.” (Thanks Yoda). Personally, I'd say “Vote for none of the Above!” just as Monty Brewster, (played by Richard Pryor) said in Brewster's Millions, but that would let the “biggest loser” win without a fight. And so even though we disapprove, we let it slide and those of us who aren't buried in their Wii tennis, wobble to the poles and punch the button for the name they recognize most. Ouch, I've even done that once - a very long time ago and I apologize to all of America for that. Its insanity and we perpetuate and enable it by our apathy. Thomas Jefferson said, “Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.” So lets wise up and be honest about that fact that we let ourselves get into this situation by our own collective hand. We have to get ourselves out by participating a little in our own governmental process (remember grade school civics class?). In the movie The American President, Lewis Rothschild (played by Michael J. Fox) said “...And in this country it is not only permissible to question our leaders, it's our responsibility!” By the way that's the last thing they really want. As Michael Douglas who played President Andrew Shepard in the same movie noted, “And whatever your particular problem is, I promise you, (insert candidate here) is not the least bit interested in solving it. He is interested in two things and two things only: making you afraid of it and telling you who's to blame for it. That, ladies and gentlemen, is how you win elections.” Sadly, that theatrical bit of monologue is painfully true. Just watch what happens over the next 12 months. We are in for an interesting year...more thoughts on honesty, truth and integrity tomorrow.

How will you be honest today?

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Thank you for reading.

Daily Mood Quote - October 16, 2011

 

Daily Mood Quotes

Day 166 – October 16, 2011

Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

~Abraham Lincoln

An even though we know these words, recited these words and studied the man who said these words, we are still not equal. For approximately a month now, many have been and continue to protest economic inequality, not just in our country, but around the world. I wonder, are our voices being heard at all, or is it being tuned out because the ones the inequality hurts, the unemployed, the retired fixed incomes, disabled and recent college graduates don't matter to those who we put into office? Most likely not, Its money that talks, plain and simple. I read Rick Perry raised $17.2 million dollars in just a month in a half. How? Where? Who? Do you know how many families can be helped with that kind of money? Funny thing, it seems that no one cares about the families. The money will go towards, traveling fees (most expensive hotels, best food, etc...), commercials that will tell us how “bad” the opponents are and I'm sure some money will also go towards very expensive, personal items to ensure the image of Gov. Perry is upheld. Its image, not substance that matters right? Well, in a word, no. Looks like somebody (not the regular, everyday, taxpaying citizen) really, really wants this guy from Texas in the game, no matter how inappropriate his statements are. What is the motive? I have a few thoughts.

Last night, I watched the Texas Rangers – Detroit Tigers baseball playoff game and the camera picked up former President George Bush in the stands, sitting with the Texas Rangers owner, Nolan Ryan. I was amazed as I watched the President's body language, it screamed, “I don't have a care in the world, I'm enjoying life.” Meanwhile, the brave American soldiers that he and his shotgun toting buddy Dick Cheney sent into harms way, so Halliburton could make a few extra bucks, are still fighting and dying overseas. Lets not give any further credence to the facade; it was always about the cash and oil, really. It reminded me of the movie Titanic, where a conversation took place between Ruth, Rose's Mom (Frances Fisher), Rose (Kate Winslet) and Cal Hockley (Billy Zane), regarding the sinking of the ship:

Ruth: Will the lifeboats be seated according to class? I hope they're not too crowded.

Rose : Oh mother, shut up! Don't you understand? The water is freezing and there aren't enough boats. Not enough by half. Half the people on this ship are going to die.

Cal Hockley: Not the better half.

Rose thought him to be an unimaginable bastard. I would have left him too. Anyway, it has always amazed me how those who have so much, where given so much, don't really do much to balance the scales. Instead they better their position on the backs of others. I do wonder how they sleep at night? In the movie Independence Day, President Thomas Whitmore (played by Bill Pullman) said, “It's a fine line between standing behind a principle and hiding behind one. You can tolerate a little compromise, if you're actually managing to get something accomplished.” And, in the movie American President, President Andrew Shepherd (played by Michael Douglas) said, “...We have serious problems to solve, and we need serious people to solve them...” Here's an idea for any politician running for President with the belief they can make “change” happen. Use your contributions, go to a food shelter and help pass out containers full of food (bought with your own cash) to families, who can't buy groceries to feed their family. Walk into an unemployment office and look at the faces of those who have lost their jobs. Walk into a Goodwill store, look at who is shopping. These are “We The People”, they're the voters, whose vote you need and they are struggling. They are the people who’s Constitution you are going to swear to protect and defend. Or, will you lie to all the world and God on Inauguration Day? George did. Face the facts, this country has serious problems... $17.2 million dollars? One month? Grrrrr. The election is not that far off and people are occupying Wall Street because they are fed up with greed. What you have on this earth is what you have, what you do with what you have, well that's a story only you can write. Ask yourself this question; what story do you want told?

What will be your “legacy” today?

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Daily Mood Quote - September 15, 2011

 

Daily Mood Quote

Day 135 – September 15, 2011

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened up for us”

~Helen Keller

In my life I have found that getting settled in one's way can be like quicksand. When opportunity presents itself you can't seize it, because your feet are stuck in the “same old way” of doing things. Habits can work for you, or against you. There is a saying, I'm paraphrasing again, “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

I usually avoid waxing political in this blog, but: last night on The CBS Evening News, Scott Pelley interviewed the CEO of Starbucks Coffee, Howard Schultz and I have got to tell you, I liked what he had to say about how our political system is “broken” (his words). Unfortunately for us, he's right and until we stop doing things in Washington the “same old way” (Congress), things are never going to get better. What I thought was interesting in the interview was companies/corporations are sitting on trillions of dollars and yet jobs are not being created, and we have the highest number of people living in poverty ever. Even higher than the great depression. Sad, just simply sad!!! Mr. Shultz went on to explain that savvy companies (the ones with the cash) no longer have enough faith in our political system to invest that money on R&D, expansion and job creation. Its not the American people, tax codes, or even the global economy, preventing corporate job creation and making them sit on their cash. Its our representatives failing to work together. A simple thing that is expected in every business, everywhere. Yet Congress and the Senate can't get past their focus on the next election cycle. That focus seems to be unilaterally “make them (pick a party) look bad.” Instead of, “do better, so we look good.” It's been that way since the Newt Gingrich era (or at least it seems, some say it was the start of extreme negative partisan politics).

My husband told me a story this morning about something called “the monkey trap.” I had never heard this before, so I looked it up at www.urbandictionary.com (it's not in Webster’s) it says, “A trap to capture various monkeys used around the world which consists of a staked container with a hole cut into it just wide enough for a monkey to stick it's empty hand into. The container is baited with something attractive to the monkey. Monkey reaches for bait and then will not release the bait and cannot pull it's hand out of the trap with bait in hand. It is then captured.” Sounds an awful lot like American politics to me. The people who are supposed to be representing us, appear to be so fixated on holding onto their campaign funding, that they cannot see the opportunity to positively transform the broken system that lies right before them. It feels like we are all caught in the same trap with them.

I guess what I'm trying to say here without bashing our politicians too much is that Mr. Schultz was right when he said, “The lifeblood of the reelections of every one of our Congressional leaders in Washington is about fundraising. And I want to cut that off until we see civility, until we have a long-term debt ceiling deal that we are proud of, and restored confidence in America. And I just feel very strongly that this is a time when we no longer should accept the status quo mediocrity that we're getting.”

To be perfectly blunt, most people in America and around the world would be summarily fired if they handled their job the way Congress is handling theirs. Something to think about. Thank you Mr. Schultz for being honest, about our political system, Washington and our leaders.

Like Michael Douglas said as President Andrew Shepherd in the movie The American President, “We've got serious problems, and we need serious people...” This is now the time for serious people and maybe their fifteen minutes are up...

Just a thought, Helen Keller was blind and deaf and yet she saw and heard “opportunity” more clearly than all of Washington.

Which “door of opportunity” will you open today?

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Thank you for reading

Daily Mood Quote - August 26, 2011

 

Daily Mood Quote

Day 115 – August 26, 2011

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.

~Winston Churchill

Every choice you make has an end result

~Zig Ziglar

Each of us has power; not necessarily the kind of power the President may have, or the kind of power a weightlifter may display, but power none-the-less. It is our personal power, our daily power, and it comes in the form of attitude and choice. This morning I woke up feeling yucky, sore throat and body aches and I didn't feel much like exercising, so I decided “not today.” Unfortunately, that choice resulted in me getting pretty down on myself, because I was letting one rough "morning start" dictate how I was going to feel for the rest of the day. That's unacceptable. So what, if I feel tired and have some body aches, I'm pushing 50; it happens. I played sports as a child, I once was a runner, I've had children, and an appendectomy. My body has been through a lot, it should ache some. Anyway, I donned my exercise clothes and went for a walk, a 3.3 mile walk and I have to say, it was good and it changed my attitude from sour to pleasant, all because I made the “choice” to exercise.

It's amazing the power we have, we can change anything in our lives just with a choice. Say yes, instead of no, smile instead of frown, be polite instead of grumpy...the choices are endless.

When we make a choice to do something positive for ourselves, or for others, the end result is most often good for all involved. Note; I said positive, not selfish. Selfish usually provides, only a minor “bump” of perceived good, followed by a torrent of not-so-good. If you are selfish toward the world, expect the same in return. Hard lessons, but accurate ones.

In the movie Mr. Destiny, Larry Burrows (played by James Belushi) said, “How can my life change so much just because I hit one stinking baseball?” Mike the Bartender (Michael Caine) replied with, “Well, you see Larry, one's destiny is a very complicated thing. Every incident in a person's life affects everything else that follows it. Instead of missing the baseball, however, you hit it. Then you became a hero, married the prom queen, and so on, and so forth, until you find yourself exactly where you are. So you see, hitting that baseball has spun your life off in an entirely new direction.” Just like my day, I woke up sore and possibly heading for a rough day, until I changed my mind and exercised. Pretty good day so far and I suspect it will get better, because I feel better about things; change the attitude, change the day and possibly the events of your life.

What “choice” will make a big difference for you today?

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Thank you for reading.

Special request: Please keep those, who have made the difficult choice to stay and ride out Hurricane Irene, in your thoughts and prayers. May they be safe and protected.

Daily Mood Quotes - July 26, 2011

 

Daily Mood Quote

Day 84 – July 26, 2011

Get mad, then get over it.

~Colin Powell

Today, I am angry and before I continue, please allow me to say, I never intended this blog to be one that spouted political views, or frustration about the ridiculous behavior of those in political positions that call themselves “our government.”

Last night, I listened with an open mind to both President Obama and Speaker of the House, John Boehner. They both said one thing on the campaign trail to get elected (actually all of the candidates promised “CHANGE”) but, the games are the same. One notable exception is Dick Lugar, who never promised anything. I guess that is what three decades as a Senator teaches you, “Keep your mouth shut, so you can continue to do nothing and collect a paycheck.” I agree with President Obama's idea of balancing the budget and “balancing the load” for the American people in the long run. Short-term, special interest motivated solutions only lead to bigger long term problems. That's how we got in trouble in the first place. Enough stop gap, do it right the first time, then reap the benefits down the road. The problem is, they're not thinking about the long road. It seems to me the only reason politicians arrive at short term solutions, is so that representatives up for reelection can use the “unfinished business” angle to get reelected. What an angle and what a load of crap!!! Ever notice how the same people keep getting reelected, yet nothing gets done, nothing changes and the business is always unfinished? No wonder we can't have new business growth or move forward, we don't know how to solve old problems and finish what we start. (I could go on and on about that, but maybe that's a subject  for another day).

I am so completely tired of listening to the same old news over and over again, the constant fighting that goes on and the idiotic innuendos that were being bandied about. You do realize your lack of tolerance for differing opinions is setting a bad example to those who are impressionable? A nation of entrenched attitudes... that's an ugly vision. Hey, if you can have bad behavior, are a notable political figure and get away with it, then the next generation will follow your example. Shame on you.

I have some questions for Speaker Boehner; Do you really believe that not raising taxes on wealthy people and wealthy organizations (who can afford it) is going to create jobs? Actually it isn't raising taxes, its simply putting the tax levels back to where they were, when things were working well and the budget was balanced - we have been able to do that once or twice in the last 30 years. Are you kidding me? These tax breaks haven't worked for the American people since they we're given during George “W.” Bush's administration. The United States has been bleeding jobs for the past decade. Check the facts. You need more examples? What about the banks? We bailed them out, gave them big tax breaks and did they create jobs? Duh, no they cut them. Yet they are making hefty, hefty, hefty profits. They haven't changed their ways at all and still no job creation. Hmmmm? Plus as an extra "added bonus"... now, the “average” working American can't get a loan for his business, for a home, or for their children's college. How's that working out for you (thanks Dr. Phil)? Yet, these profits afford executives and politicians luxury vacations, expensive cars and other things, while people are struggling to feed their families and can't find a decent job. Jobs you and your wealthy circle of influence, along with the huge wealthy corporations, promised would be there if Congress "cut them a break". How stupid do you think people are? Sometimes, I think politicians believe that if they babble and baffle us in enough bull crap, them we won't pay any attention to what is really going on. Guess what? The Constitution says, “We the People,” not we the politicians, or we the bankers, or even we the lobbyists, but “We the People.” I am we the people, my neighbors are we the people, and we the people say “YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG!” I saw a recent poll that said nearly 70 percent of American people believe you are doing it wrong. You see we are paying attention and questioning. In the movie, The American President, Lewis Rothschild (played by Michael J. Fox) said to A.J. Macinerney (Martin Sheen),  "I'm a citizen, this is my President (my Congress). And in this country it is not only permissible to question our leaders it's our responsibility!”

And, like President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas) said to Senator Rumson (Richard Dreyfuss), “We have serious problems to solve, and we need serious people to solve them. And whatever your particular problem is, I promise you, Bob Rumson is not the least bit interested in solving it. He is interested in two things and two things only: making you afraid of it and telling you who's to blame for it. That, ladies and gentlemen, is how you win elections. You gather a group of middle-aged, middle-class, middle-income voters who remember with longing an easier time, and you talk to them about family and American values and character.” does any of this sound familiar? The point is, none of this partisan political posturing (say that three times fast) is getting anything done. They're not interested in solving the problem, but only interested in serving their own “political agendas” that have nothing do to with the welfare, or the will of the American people. Congress has had over a year to get this budget done, and in times of economic difficulty the budget should have been the highest priority. We the people, are watching and listening, and mostly likely, come the next election, we will remember what you didn't do and why, especially if things get worse. Shut up, do your job, don't default and balance the budget intelligently. More importantly “balance the load,” this time you have gone too far. I'm finished, I feel better now. Thank you.

How will you speak out today”

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Thank you for reading

Daily Mood Quote

 

Daily Mood Quote

Day 73 – July 15, 2011

Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love. Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent then the one derived from fear of punishment.

~Mohandas Gandhi

In his first inaugural address in 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself...” In modern life that is very true. Too often in our 21st century lives, we can see where decisions made by fear, the unhealthy kind, have sometimes lead us into dark and untenable spots. If we would have taken the time to make more rational decisions, then more likely than not, those errors could have been avoided.

Fear had its place and it has helped the human race survive for millions of years in an environment where we weren't the top of the food chain. That's healthy fear: common sense in overdrive. But, now that we are and we dominate our planet, that same fear that causes the fight or flight response, knee jerk reactions and cold sweat anxiety, can do more harm than good. Fear comes in many forms. One of those forms of fear is fear of disapproval and punishment from figures of authority. Parents lead the list. I am all too familiar with this fear. I grew up in a fear driven environment that involved guessing which “mood” mom was in today. That usually lead to the question, “Do I stay, or do I go and should I go quickly?” Many years ago, a friend told me of the difficult time she was having raising her teenage daughter. There was a lot of yelling, power struggles and zero compromise. Kind of like Congress and the White House right now. Their not making good decisions either, but that's another blog's issue, not mine.

The point is, instead of the parent teaching, she attempted to control by fear and consequently obtained neither respect, nor control. The entire situation had a negative result that lead to unenforceable punishments, zero long term good and deep resentments that are still being felt today and will continue for many years to come. Hmmm, that still sounds like Congress (Did I say that out loud?).

We live by a more direct axiom. “When you raise your voice, you stop raising your child.” Believe it or not, kids, especially teenagers, don't react kindly to yelling or arbitrary punishments “Just because I said so!” When we lose it, "we the parents," are just begging for more difficult times. When we lose our self-control... that's exactly what we teach our children. It is right and appropriate to be concerned about your child's welfare. But, we need to examine our own "motivations" when dealing with our children. Sounds like something for the folks in Congress to consider, but I digress... Are we working from fear, or rational thinking?

In 1838, Abraham Lincoln said, “Passion has helped us, but can do so no more. It will in future be our enemy. Reason, cold, calculating, unimpassioned reason, must furnish all the materials for our future support and defense.” I'm not so sure about the cold part, especially when dealing with children, but reason, tempered by love, should guide us when we are attempting to guide our children.

In the movie Freaky Friday, Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Anna (Lindsay Lohan) read a fortune cookie that said, “A journey soon begins...Its prize reflected in the other's eyes. When what you see is what you lack...then selfless love will change you back.” It's amazing what you can learn when you walk a mile in someone else's shoes. Maybe, Congress should walk a mile in the shoes of those who are unemployed, the poor, the homeless and maybe their “view from the cheap seats” might be very different (Thank you Michael Douglas from American President). When fear motivates a leader or someone in a leadership position, such as a parent or someone in a position of political power, bad things are bound to happen. When we choose to lead from love and compassion good things are bound to happen.

Which will you choose “love” or “punishment” today?

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Daily Mood Quotes - May 25, 2011

Daily Mood Quote

Day 21 – May 25, 2011

“You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.”

~James D. Miles

In the movie The American President, President Andrew Shepherd (played by Micheal Douglas) said “...I've been here three years and three days, and I can tell you without hesitation: Being President of this country is entirely about character.” 
 

Yesterday, our family dog destroyed my husband's glasses and his reaction revealed a little bit about his character. Even tempered, balanced, a little laughter and one big, giant son-of-aaaa-bi@#$ (thanks Uncle Joe). The point is, it didn't reveal everything. Character is a three dimensional concept. You can't see everything at once and it takes some time to see all the sides. We need to view character much like a ball, within the light of the events of the moment. Different lights make different views.

So often in life, we tend to judge people and ourselves solely on one event, or light, without taking the time to walk around the entire object. Things and people are not always what they appear to be at first observation. My family has faced their fair share of challenges and also have had a few successes. Each of these has shone a different light on one side of our character, or the other. How you handle these situations reveals only one aspect of your character at a time, and that is how you treat people who can do nothing for you. When you're successful, how you treat the everyday people you meet on the streets, in the supermarkets, or elsewhere who may not be as successful, shines a spotlight on your character. It can reveals cracks that even you didn't know you had. When you have a failure, how you treat those same people and people who happen to be successful at that moment, can shine a global light on your character. People will look from all sides and you should too. It's true, folks can achieve success without character, however in the long run they are neither respected, nor liked and they have done nothing to advance their own spirit.

People can certainly fail without character, but that doesn't mean people who have failed have little or no character. Robert Kennedy said, “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” History is ripe with people of great character who have fallen on hard times. Much like Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, who both filed bankruptcy. Yet history has revealed the long-term power of their character. Lincoln lead the nation through a time of unprecedented tribulation and lead a charge for civil rights and civil unity that defines our nation, and; Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence... it wasn't to get out of paying his bills.

An unattributed quote that rings true is “adversity doesn’t build character, it reveals it,”. My husband has been saying this for nearly 30 years. However, it only reveals it in one light, the light of the moment, its not a 360 degree view. Whether you are faced with adversity, or you know someone that is, don't let the light of the moment define the total understanding of their character. Be kind and non-judgmental to yourself and others, until you can gain some perspective and a new light.

What light shines on your character today?

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