Living the Serenity Prayer, Disclaimer Included

From my Inbox today :  

The Wisdom to Know the Difference
by Eileen Flanagan 

Image above at

http://inkmonkey.com/artgallery/serenity_prayer/serenity_prayer.html
graciously donated by Sherrie Lovler

To see her newest art and poetry please visit her blog:

http://natureartandpoetry.blogspot.com/

Many of us know and love the Serenity Prayer : ' 
God, grant us serenity to accept the things we cannot change,
Courage to change the things we can,
And wisdom to know the difference. '

Many of us spend too much time anxious about things we cannot change: 
the economy, the weather, traffic on the freeway, or people who annoy us. 
As a result, we don’t have the energy to make the most of the opportunities 
we do have. Recognizing the difference between what we can and cannot
change can help us live more peaceful and productive lives.

Acknowledge Your Conditioning
Some people have a harder time with the first line of the Serenity Prayer,
accepting the things they cannot change, while others have a harder time 
mustering the courage to change what they can. Often these patterns can 
be traced to family or cultural conditioning. Reflect on the messages you 
received growing up. Were you expected to be passive and submit to what 
others wanted? Were you trained to be in control, so that letting go is more 
difficult for you today? Sometimes just acknowledging your family or social 
conditioning can help you to let go of old patterns that are no longer serving you. 

Know Yourself
Many spiritual traditions teach that knowing yourself is a lifelong pursuit, 
but one that can help you feel more at peace with yourself and other people. 
Spending time alone—walking in the woods, meditating, or journaling—can put 
you in touch with what's really going on inside you. When you acknowledge
these feelings, you can make a conscious choice about what to accept and what
to change, rather than letting yourself be ruled by unconscious feelings.  

Pay Attention to Your Inner Voice
When you get a feeling that something isn't right, pay attention. That may be 
a sign of something you need to change. We human beings have a tremendous 
ability to deny our inner truths or talk ourselves out of making changes that 
might seem scary or difficult at first, but usually we know what is right deep down. 
Pay special attention to intuitions that persist over time or that come with 
a sense of peace and clarity. The more you pay attention to your Inner Voice, 
the more clearly it will guide you.

Learn from Your Mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes, but many of us waste too much energy beating 
ourselves up over them. While psychologists have not agreed on one 
standard definition of wisdom, they do agree that one of the qualities 
wise people share is the ability to learn from their mistakes. When things 
don't go the way you hoped, instead of focusing on what you did wrong or
what someone else did to mess things up, think about what you might 
do differently next time.

Cultivate Optimism
Monitor your pessimistic thoughts and try to find evidence to refute them. 
Psychologists have found it is particularly helpful to censor categorical 
words like "never" from your thinking. Just because something didn't work 
out last time, that doesn't mean it won't work next time. Instead of simply
repeating positive affirmations, point out to yourself the things that you can 
do to bring a more positive result in the future. Cultivating optimism has
been shown to make it much more likely you'll be able to change the things
you can, as well as accept the things you can't.

Practice Letting Go  
Life is full of opportunities to let go and trust. Practice with the little things: 
a lost earring, a flat tire, or an uncooperative toddler. In such situations, 
take a deep breath and monitor your thoughts. If you are angry or frustrated, 
don't pretend you are not. Just observe your own emotion, and then see if 
you can release it with a deep breath. For many people, Prayer helps. 
Turning a problem over to a Higher Power can bring tremendous relief.

Cultivate Community
Whether it's a religious congregation, a Twelve-Step group, or just a gang of 
really good friends, community can help us develop wisdom. We need people 
who will tell us when we're acting wimpy or pigheaded, as well as point out our 
strengths and encourage them. We also need people who will support us when 
we hit tough times and cheer for us when we succeed. If you don't have such 
support in your life, think about where you might be able to find it. If you do 
have people like that, count them among your blessings.

" Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place. "
~Zora Neale Hurston

 

Serenity Prayer Ocean Beach Sunset Art Print 

Framed Poster - 16" x 20" 

 

Decorative Framed Mirror Wall Decor With Serenity Prayer 

Etched Mirror - Serenity Prayer Decor - Unique Serenity 

Prayer Gift Ideas - Ready To Hang - 12'' w x 10'' h 

Sherrie Lovler's awesome Calligraphy is available in many different

forms. I view them as Art and as gifts of lasting value :

http://www.inkmonkey.com/index.html

Disclaimer : I am not a preacher or a teacher -
just an ordinary creature 
wanting to share 
with someone out there
the good and the bad
the happy, the sad ;

the dirty, the clean
sometimes the in-between ;
the things that impress me
from time to time
the inspiring, the funny,
the ridiculous, the sublime.
So read and enjoy 
and share if you can
if you don't, it won't matter
~ to me, I'm The Man !

At least that's what they keep saying to me.....

 

Glenn Losack the Photographer-Musician-Humanitarian-Philanthropist-Physician Sings a Song of Love

This is for the rest of the world who aren't my friends on 
Facebook, where I already shared it.......


Glenn Losack of NYC is not just an MD, but a man of many talents 
and raw unbridled emotions ~ someone who has conquered many 
challenges in the world ~as the Furious Physician, the Photographer, 
the Traveler-Adventurer, the Philanthrophist, the Human Rights 
Advocate, the Benefactor and more. In this instance he is finally 
revealing himself in his latest avatar ~ as a multi-instrumental 
Musician and Vocalist. He is the best friend I never met, next to
his closest friend Firoze Shakir of Mumbai, who introduced Glenn
to me online via Flickr.


If you like what you hear and see below, then read my earlier post
on Glenn entitled 'The Furious Physician' - or visit his website, leave 
a comment. and then check out his Flickr collection here.

Paper Jamz Amaze Me

" Growing old and growing up are two different things. 

I still haven't figured out if I want to grow up !"

~ from my Facebook Profile

The boundaries of Technological achievement have once again been redefined. 

When I first tried out Karaoke I marveled at the thrill for those who might have barely
an inkling of musical talent but an undying lust for the world that Rock stars inhabit.

Then along came Guitar Hero and broadened the Wannabe arena. Hordes of children
- and adults - of all ages blasted their electronic gadgets all the way to the Regional and
Internationals, with huge Prizes at stake. It was possible to behave, look and have money
and fans with simple technological assistance. Of course physical body movements were
essential to create the total Rockstar package.

But not everyone has the resources to indulge oneself on expensive toys like Rock Band,
which has the blessings of surviving Beatles Ringo and Paul. So I was really fascinated

in my own childish way when I came upon the most unlikely Guitar I had ever imagined.
Part of a new array of musical instruments called 'Paper Jamz' this guitar is as slim as
a DVD case and almost as lightweight. But it certainly packs a world of goodness for kids
and adults alike. I immediately went hunting for details on the internet, and found some
impressive links and videos which contained really useful info for aspiring Guitarists and
curious nerds (present company included). This is no toy of the moment I think, since it
presents a certain small challenge to even an experienced player like myself. At $24.99
it is the cheapest functioning guitar while also offering a decent if not downright attractive
range of instruments styled along the legendary classics like the Fender Strat, Gibson 
Les Paul and SG and a Flying V among others.
 
Yes, I just found joy - I'm as happy as a little boy with another brand-new choo-choo toy......
but seriously, its greatest drawback is that it runs on 3 AAA Batteries that will die pretty
soon and constantly replacing them will soon cost more than this initial $24.99 guitar/toy.
Not very eco-conscious, although I must commend the creators on their choice of Paper
for the body construction. Watch the Video and see how easy it is
for me to salivate like a teenager in love with his first ITunes player.
See some related pics on my Flickr set

Check out the really neat Paper Jamz website filled with videos, tutorials, ordering info
and more


WowWee Paper Jamz Instant Rock Star Guitar - Guitars Devil Swirl

To Realize.....

Beautiful thoughts in an email from a friend in Wales......

Pic Uploaded by punk rock prom queen on 21 Jul 08, 9.13AM CDT.

To realize the value of ten years :
Ask a newly-divorced couple.

To realize the value of four years :
Ask a graduate. 

To realize the value of one year :
Ask a student who has failed a final exam.

To realize The value of nine months :
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

To realize the value of one month :
Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby....
 
To realize the value of one week :
Ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of one minute :
Ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize the value of one second :
Ask a person who has survived an accident. 

To realize the value of a sister/brother :
Ask someone who doesn't have one.

To realize the value of a friend or family member :
LOSE ONE.

Time waits for no one ! 

Treasure every moment you have. You will treasure it even
more when you can share it with someone special.

(Thanks Lea, for the lovely pic !)

The Time Value of Life: Why Time is More Valuable than Money 

Ultimate Love Songs Collection - Lean on Me { Time Life } { Various Artists } 

A Facebook Surprise : Poona Company !

This is a follow-up to Poona Company : Good News which was a Blogpost
published two years ago. In that post I raved about an internationally-loved novel
by Farrukh Dhondy who attended the same school as I did and then went
on to write about his experiences growing up in our mutual hometown of
Poona/Pune in India.  I bemoaned the lack of availability of the novel even
on Amazon.com but since then things have changed, as I discovered.

A Facebook Group for the Bishops' School of which I am an Admin resulted
in some great contacts who shared the same loyalty and feelings to our old
Alma Mater, and fostered a new brotherhood with people I had never met,
now residing far from the old stomping grounds.  And from one of those strangers
who now works independently came a wonderful surprise.....an anonymous
gift in the form of the book I was so longing to read, arriving via U.K Royal Mail
with no Sender's address or info. Of course I did a bit of checking and zeroed in
on the anonymous donor but I never thanked him till now. I can never thank him
enough for opening my eyes once again to the kindness of strangers,  and for the
untold joy I experienced in reading a novel not just of my hometown but my 'hood,
my street. The experiences of the author were so vivid as to make me feel
I was back with my childhood friends and the colorful local characters. There was
schoolboy mischief, adolescent curiosity, trickery, bribery, caning, bullying and more
that unfolded as college days and adulthood brough the novel to its conclusion.

Salman Rushdie's comment on the book cover says, 'a beautiful collection, 
full of affection and an extremely funny book' and I have to agree 100%.

So.....a BIG Thank You to Hiten and Facebook for creating this meaningful moment 
in my life ! And believe me, there are other Facebook moments like this, so stay tuned !

Get the Book at Amazon now before it sells out again :
http://www.amazon.com/Poona-Company-Farrukh-Dhondy/dp/817223791X

Poona Company (Lions)

Also available to purchase on Amazon Kindle 
POONA COMPANY 

The Man Behind the Manav Sadhna Project

As the Founder of an Indian NGO Manav Sadhna, Jayesh Patel, a.k.a. Jayesh Bhai (Bhai=Brother) 
walks the slums of Ahmedabad as a perfect example of Living Service. He's a simple, unassuming
type of man who had to be coaxed to speak on camera, and his strong native Indian-accented English 
could explain his reluctance. The producers had to include sub-titles for this video even though
the conversation took place in English, but once he agreed to speak for the camera, Jayesh was 
tireless in his desire to share his passion for his project. And we are all the more fortunate.......

This inspiring film is provided with many thanks to LINK TV.org, part of The Global Oneness Project 
series that travels worldwide asking people from a variety of disciplines whose work is grounded in 
"oneness" or world interconnectedness, for their stories and insights.

Giving Birth Alone from One.Org

From my Inbox today........ I had to act today


Giving birth alone

From: "Awatif Altayib, ONE.org"
To: Fred Miller

Dear Fred,

When I went into labor with my first child at age 16, my delivery was extremely long
and difficult. There were no doctors or midwives in my Sudanese village and the
closest hospital was 9 hours away. After 2 days of obstructed labor, the decision was
finally made to take me to the doctor. My baby did not survive the journey, and I
developed complications that took 2 surgeries and 12 years to fix.

It's time to make sure that no future mother has to share a similar story. Join me in
asking the G8 to commit to recruiting 3.5 million healthcare workers when they meet next week.
Let’s make sure no mother ever has to give birth alone.



Petition text:
As part of a comprehensive plan to save mothers, infants and children, please ensure the G8
commits to training an additional 3.5 million healthcare workers by 2015 at the upcoming G8
meeting in Canada.

Unfortunately, my tale is a common one in Sudan. But I've seen what a difference more healthcare
workers can make. I am now one of many trained midwives in my village and I’ve dedicated my life to
sharing my story and helping other mothers like me.
Will you help by adding your name?

It could mean the difference between life and death for hundreds of thousands of women and children
around the world. My work isn’t always easy – I often travel long distances and must leave my family
for weeks at a time to make sure that mothers can safely deliver a healthy baby. But I'm determined to
help women not suffer the same fate that I did—and it's my sincere hope that you will help, too.

Thank you,


Awatif Altayib, ONE member

Subject: 3.5 million healthworkers

On June 25, the G8 countries will meet in Canada to sign onto a new initiative to help women and
children in the developing world. I just signed a petition asking the G8 to commit to recruiting and
training 3.5 million healthworkers as part of this initiative.

Each year, 8.8 million children and 300,000 women still die from preventable illness, childbirth and
pregnancy, and in many places these deaths could be prevented simply by giving these women
the support of a trained community healthworker. No mother about to give birth, or caring for a
sick child, should be without support. Please join me by signing the petition here:
http://one.org/us/actnow/healthworkers/index.html

Thanks!

Fred 

An article from: International Midwifery 

ONE.ORG | BLOG | PRIVACY | SUBSCRIBE | UNSUBSCRIBE | CONTACT US | ABOUT

The Himalayan Project : from LINK TV

Once in a while I come across Hip-Hop lyrics that are not your average, run-of-the-mill
bombs that rely on thumping beats in the back and humping bootays in the front....or
vice versa.....thumping bootays in the front and humping....those lyrics that just seem
to speak directly to me, the old-skool lover of poetry, chord changes and patterns and
melodic intricacies.

This time I was surfing through the Music updates on LINK TV.org when my eye
caught the groovy collaboration of Rainman, of Chinese origin, and Chee Malabar,
a South Indian - two friends now based in the USA, who perform at clubs, festivals,
school and college campuses all over as The Himalayan Project.
Watch the 'exotic' video below and then try to digest the fitting lyrics that hit me hard
after that. Enjoy and share !

 

Lyrics to Postcards From Paradise :
I was raised in a cosmopolitan spot, caught amidst the politics of men
Where we sit, shit, frolic in dirt, smoke chronic herb and wish for things
Picture rickshaws, gaudy with yellow and black trimmings
Three wheels hydroplane, against the gravel
Through overcrowded gullies, swellin' like pregnant bellies
With monsoon rains, corrugated iron roofs, sway in the violent winds
The sediment stinks, like rotten lettuce left since spring
My ethnic settlements, evidence, decadence lives
Brown folks nude playing, bathin' shittin' drinkin' prayin'
Layin' In the same puddle, riddled with mosquitoes, the size of bald eagles
Breedin' malaria, no vaccine, ain't no quinine
We deep inside hysteria, outside of history
On the fray, lost as a paisley patterned teardrop
In the Arabian sea, off the coast of Bombay

[Hook]
Something like love, something like hope
Something like beautiful, something I wrote
But postcards from paradise rarely sent to me
Postcards from paradise weren't meant for me [x2]

Songs play, Ghulam Ali's urdu ghazals wailin'
from a pastry shop, Buzzing with flies, over stale things
a sepia hued veil slips over the sky
'Allah U-Akbar' a cleric's voice cries
atop the dome from a moghul influenced minaret
across the street from a temple where drums beat to shiva's steps
Upanishad texts, holy men in tunics bless
The destitute, prostitues, what's the cost of truth?
A lucid clear eyed prophet sits on my stoop
His brown hair locked in a basket like strands of joot
The man's a mute, it's a wonder his mandibles move
Hurling curses, reciting verses, they say he sensed a feud
Of Hindu's murderin' Muslims and vice-a-versa
Diego, my neighbor, got his neck slit with a sickle
In the name of a sacred purge, yeah
Later that summer, my cityside was swept with murder
Religious fervor

[Hook]
Something like love, something like hope
Something like beautiful, something I wrote
But postcards from paradise rarely sent to me
Postcards from paradise weren't meant for me [x2]

So two gods can't live in the same alley, side by side
Religious riots, firebrands scar a black night
Flashback to a past life
Fatehgunj Housing sphere's overlooking thatch and shoddy made dung huts
Shantytowns sprout then, stick out like gout
Politicians talkin' 'bout 'forward progress NOW'
So these beautiful folks had their huts burned to the ground
But genius lies in all things simplified
They'd take cow shit, mixed it with grass, a few twigs
Exposed to the sun, it hardened once plastered to a few bricks
Add some sweat and you have a makeshift apartment
Follow the stark stench of humans, fume and disease
Where my peoples get by simply on ritual beliefs
It's steeped deep in what the british did before they flee
Left more than just English literature, cricket, whiskey and tea
Psychological damage, famines, but we managed
Cause even a rose grows through cracks of concrete
And a lotus floats hope in the stream of the ganges
There's love here, but hate too, for that you can blame karma
And nah, we just ain't Deepak Chopra and our famed martyr
So why would you wanna travel any place farther
You can come-leave-reassured, your world's a safe harbor
So here it is, the picturesque postcard you chase after
Complete with Taj Mahal's, camels and snake charmers
[ Postcards From Paradise Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]


The Project 

 
Bridge Techniques 

In Remembrance of a Friend

From my Inbox :

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense,
who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old
he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: 

- Knowing when to come in out of the rain; 
- Why the early bird gets the worm; 
- Life isn't always fair, and
- Maybe it was my fault. 

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more
than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing
regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with
sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for
using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly
student, only worsened his condition. 

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job
that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. 

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent
to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform
parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. 

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses;
and criminals received better treatment than their victims. 

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from
a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. 

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to
realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap,
and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. 

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust,
by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son,
Reason. 

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers :
I Know My Rights 
I Want It Now 
Someone Else Is To Blame 
I'm A Victim 

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and
do nothing.

Common Sense (American Classics Series)

 

Love Thy Neighbor

How did a Protestant Christian schoolboy like myself in Pune, India
wake up to the 5:30 a.m. sounds of the Islam call to prayer at the Mosque
on his street, say 'Good Morning' in English to his Buddhist Jain neighbors
heading to their temple rituals, greet his Roman Catholic friends walking
away from Matins at the Catholic Church - facing the Mosque - even as
he heads off to start his school day with General Assembly, where boys
of all religions sing Anglican Church Hymns and recite Christian prayers ?
The answer, quite simply, is that I just did it without worrying if anyone's
daily Religious ritual was disturbing any of the folks in the area.
The piercing, amplified voice of the man making that call to prayer in
the Mosque, followed by the Church bell tolling for Mass, with the background
clanging of the Hindu temple bells adding to the rising cacophony of
A.M. Radio stations, Automobiles, Street vendors, dogs, etc. were just normal
everyday beginnings to our day. No big deal.

The Mosque was the first thing that I saw when I stepped out into the street.
If I turned my head left, there was St. Xavier's Church. Turn right, and there
was the shrine of Baba Jan, a tiny lady whose devotees from all faiths
nodded their heads in respect as they hurried past each day.....all free to
openly pray to the God of their faith, on my street, whenever they chose.
That's what India has always been like and still is, for the most part - willing
to put aside religious differences and live peacefully and respectfully alongside
each other.

Pune Travel Guide 


But that was Pune, India and I was a mere schoolboy. Now, as the sun sets in
Houston, Texas I am a man reflecting on how different things are in America
for people of various beliefs, attitudes and feelings toward their surroundings.
Americans come in all stripes and colors, and from every nation under the sun.
They follow - or don't - whatever or whomever they choose to. The difference
here is that there are those who wish to neither see nor hear nor have anything
to do with anyone they believe doesn't belong 'in their own backyard'.
That willingness to just live and let live, to just get along with others regardless
of Race, Religion or skin color always seems to come at the cost of divided feelings,
open anger and outrage. The efforts to create a mixed society are there, and there
is definitely improvement in that arena. But the earliest primal instincts, that of
the all-powerful land-owner/ruler are ever-present, and at the root of most
discordant situations. Below are two current instances where Religion, Politics and
remedies are at the forefront.


The Way of the (Controversial) Cross 
Everything's bigger in Texas, like my Flickr capture of a huge Cross that
made many area residents 'cross' when the Sagemont Church opened.
One year later, the Cross still dwarfs everything for miles around, and rightly so -
it's as tall as the Empire State Building !
See what all the fuss was about here

Elsewhere, in the city of La Marque, in Galveston County, Texas :
' Masjid Al-Fattah will become the first permanent mosque in the county’s mainland. 
There are no large domes or minarets to embellish this mosque, a gray metal building
surrounded by a cyclone fence. ' 

La Marque is where I got lost while driving one day, and my hesitant driving prompted
a Patrolman in a squad car to follow me closely all the way back to the freeway. 
I obviously didn't belong in his town.......and I didn't want to. This place is part of the
Bible Belt defined. And yet one of their long-time residents, Abdul-Rahman Salahuddin
president of the Islamic League of America, is the one who got the go-ahead for 
construction of this Mosque. I think that is beyond admirable, both on the part of the city
and the modest Mr. Salahuddin, who expects the mosque to be ready n three weeks.
Read the story :
http://www.galvestondailynews.com/story/157441
Stay tuned and love your neighbor........