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People should think a little harder and a little longer about how their words and actions impact other people.
I was born in July. The full moon in July is sometimes known as the Oak Moon, which was waxing on the day of my birth. Ancient lore tells that the moon that governs your month of birth can predict a great deal about your character and challenges in life....
The Oak Moon
The oak tree was a sacred symbol for many ancients, representing truth and steadfast knowledge. Wise men carved wide circles in the bark of the oak tree for protection against lightning, because of its tendency to survive lightning strikes and regenerate afterwards. To them, the oak was representative of the trials that individuals experience in life while changing and becoming who they were meant to be.The oak tree has been long considered a guardian capable of opening doorways and facilitating self-spirituality strength to progress onward. The oak provided the courage to overcome any obstacles which had to be resolved during the travels of an individual and, in time perhaps, to learn the ways of the wise.
they will be travelling all over Asia for the next three years. How are they doing this?
Do check out their website:
www.fmy401k.com
a friend of mine named me on a note to do this and I had some reservations about it. I didn't want anyone to read it and think 'wait, I thought I would have made this list and I didn't.'
So if you're reading this, you're important to me...because you're taking the time and effort to see (and presumably care about) who I think is important. and that means a lot.
So I'm gonna take a slightly different tack on this one...and list the characteristics of people who are important to me right now..and why. If you see yourself in there, don't act surprised. :)
The 10 most important people in my life right now share these qualities:
1. they can find the humor in almost any situation. why? have you MET me?
2. they don't take themselves too seriously. why? well, see above.
3. they recognize and own up to their accomplishments as well as their mistakes. why? this is something I strive to do. and I like REAL people.
4. they value relationships. why? I value relationships. at the end of everything - what do you think you remember the most?
5. they are willing to process, discuss, review things that happen. why? because life is interesting! things are interesting! we should all talk about them to figure out what the hell is going on!!!
6. they are generous. with time, money, sharing - these are people who would give you the shirt off their back. why? because these are qualities I strive to emulate. again - at the end of everything - what do you think you remember?
7. they aren't too hard on people when they make mistakes. why? because everyone, and I do mean everyone, screws up majorly. I think the best people are the ones who are like, okay, that happened. What are we gonna do now?
So yeah. There you have it. Make a list of your own, if you like. Or just tell the people you love that you love them. Tell them all the time, every day, in any way that you can.
Because at the end of it all, what do you think you are going to remember?
****
On the occasion of the inauguration of
President Barack Obama
Each day
We go about our business
walking past each other
catching each other’s eyes,
or not,
about to speak or speaking.
All about us is noise,
thorn and din.
Each one of our ancestors on our tongues.
Someone is stitching up a hem,
darning a hole in an 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,
boombox,
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,
words whispered or declaimed,
words to consider,
reconsider.
We cross dirt roads and highways
that mark the will of someone
and then others that 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 thyself."
Others by, "first, do not 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.
Then I was reminded of the great quote from the Civil War Glory Tour, '98...as we were learning more and more about Lincoln, the guys were like, "You know...and Lincoln was a tall dude, he was like, over 6"4...I mean, if he were alive today, he'd be starting point guard for the Utah Jazz! Air Lincoln!"
PS. If you are reading this journal and not on my friends list, you are missing MILLIONS of entries because 99% of what I write is friends only. If you want to be added, just talk to me! :)
i went to sleep with my hair pulled back in pins.
that means that unconsciousness overtook me while i was likely still upright.
wow.
i either look like a rock star or like a homeless person.
Thanks for the memories
even though they weren't so great
"He tastes like you only sweeter"
One night, yeah, and one more time
Thanks for the memories, thanks for the memories
"He, he tastes like you only sweeter"
But I didn't.
June 21 - July 21
In your wildest fantasies, you have an answer to every question and a solution for every problem. Today, dear Cancer, others will come to you for advice, and you will be surprised to discover that you indeed know exactly how to respond! You will deal with every situation like Zen master or a famous psychologist, and it will be immensely gratifying. You're a natural. Have you ever thought of going into this line of work?
Yep, I am going to be in the poorhouse. I accept it.
