THOUGHTS AS THE POWER TO LIFE

National Seashore (USA) on Cape Cod
Photo taken October 1, 2011
Photo credit: Sandra Hammel

I am making affirmations be a part of my day, every day.

I started when I had been given a diagnosis that the medical profession doesn't appear to have any real remedy for. After seeing several doctors, googling, going to a support group for this specific diagnosis, finding meditation society, I found Louise Hay's affirmation book You Can Heal Your Life a great portal to my own exploration with affirmations.

Centrally Louise, maintains that we love and accept ourselves just as we are. And the statements and thoughts are to be in the present, not in the future. The reason for this is that if you state that it will happen in the future, you are setting it up to happen in the future, and the future never becomes the present. So, state it as it is already happening.

I have had some powerful experiences during my times of meditating on the affirmations. My times of doing this are very personal and they sometimes lead into thoughts that just blossom out of other thoughts. They may not strike a chord with you, but I offer some of what I have written down in my journal following some of my times. I never remember exactly what has come to me, but close.

Affirmation results from the last several days ~

My body is restored to its natural state of good health and positive energy field. Everything else will follow.

Love enters me, moves through me and radiates out from me.

I have created a safe space

to be myself free of judgment.

I have created a safe space

to use my talents,

to use my talents out loud.

I have created a safe space where I can feel vulnerable,
where I can let the guard down,
where I can be gentle, I can be kind
and not fear being attacked.

(Yes, I know it is supposed to be only positively worded, such as "free of attack" instead of "not fear being attacked".)

I have created a safe space to be whole, calm.
I am protected here.

I can love myself here, the ways I had been wanting you to love me.

I have created a safe space to be everything that I am, feel, am drawn toward and dream of.

I have created a safe space.

I can relax.

I breathe now.

I can let my breath go now.

I have created a safe space where I don't hold my breath.

I am okay here.

I don't judge myself.

I let go of my need for you to love me.

I let go of my need for you to stop judging me.

I create a safe space for me to be me.

I am grateful for this.

My voice is in a safe space now.

I am healed.

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Imagine the baby you were,
the little girl
who was afraid of those who were supposed to love, encourage and protect you.
You can give her everything needed to be you.

This is the beauty of your power.

I love myself.

I am accepted in the safe space I have created.

I adore who I am.

I am grateful.

I attract people who support me.

I create a safe space where there is no resistance to my being me completely.

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The pain that came and did its service to me is let go into the Universe and becomes positive light and energy.

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I release the toxic statements to the Universe to dissipate into positive energy.

I let go the toxic experiences that I hold, have been holding over time.

All the judgment that I have been holding in my body is given to the Universe.

I have created a safe space
to be me
to be vulnerable
to be gentle
to be kind.

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I deserve to be happy and calm.

I deserve to be whole.

I accept acceptance
I accept abundance
I accept love
I accept gentleness
I accept kindness
I accept all good
I accept wholeness
I accept healing
I accept life
I accept gratitude
I accept all the things that I once feared losing,
not having or keeping - are now mine
I accept that I am awesome
I accept joy
I accept forgiveness
I accept power
I accept prosperity

I am love
I am gentleness
I am kindness
I am goodness
I am healed
I am life
I am gratitude
I am all things I once feared losing,
not having or keeping.

I live love
I live gentleness
I live kindness
I live goodness
I live whole
I live healed
I live life
I live gratitude
I live free of fear
I live

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"Uncomfortable" had become my familiar place to be. Now I want to take "it" off, like a heavy coat that I 've been wearing.

Why is is so hard to be a place so soft?
Not leaving,
stepping back into the familiar?

I have created a safe space
where I am whole
I can be child-like
I can be vulnerable
I am free of restricting thoughts and language.
It is gentle,
kind,
love.

I am free of what you think, say, judge.

It is comfortable to be only me, as I am.

I am healed.

I only want to live in this space.

I don't want to step out of this space to manifest anything.
It is here I want to always be from this moment on.

I want to live only in this space.
It's where I always have been moving toward.

It's where I can finally be home and breathe free.

I am grateful to be here.

I'm me in this space and that is all.

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I am peace
I am calm
I am love
I am the holder for acceptance
I am kindness
I am awesome
I am whole in my save space
I am just as I am perfect
I am gentleness
I am vulnerability
I am protected here
I am grace
I let go of my need for you to approve of me.
I love me
I can be myself here outloud.

I welcome you in my safe space.

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Heal Your Life Affirmations - Louise L Hay

ROGERS CUP IN MONTREAL 2011 ~ RAFA NADAL

Updated
Wednesday, August 10, 2011, 10:55 p.m.

Rogers Cup ~ Montreal

August 5 - 14, 2011

Singles

Round 1

Rafa Nadal ~ Bye

Rafa Nadal
Round 2
Photo credit: Reuters

Round 2

Ivan Dodig defeated Rafa Nadal

6-1, 6-7(5), 6-7(5)

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Nice article about Rafa practicing to prep for Round 2 match: We're talking about practice

Order of Play

Doubles

Round 1

Tomas Berdych & Florian Mayer defeated Rafa Nadal & Marc Lopez

3-6, 6-7(5)

Monday, August 8, 2011

TV Viewing

The Tennis Channel - Schedule at the link for each day - see the calendar

Tuesday ~ August 10, 2011

1:00 p.m. LIVE

9:00 p.m. Rebroadcast

5:00 a.m. Rebroadcast

Online Viewing

espn3

Monday, August 8, Noon and 5:30 p.m.

No promise this will have Rafa's Rogers Cup matches

But you can try

fromsportcom.com

Rafa in Pictures
Daylife
Zimbio


Fan Support Sites ~ Great sources of information

Vamos Brigade

Rafa's Babolat-sponsored Forum

Facebook RAFA-NADAL-BRING-BACK-LONG-PANTS-SLEEVELESS-TOPS

Rafa's Facebook
www.facebook.com/Nadal

Rafa's Website
Rafa's Facebook
rafaelnadal.com

MUSIC THAT MUST BE MOVED TO

What a happy video and music ~ how can one NOT move when listening to this!!

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playingforchange.com/episodes/49

An original Song Around the World, that takes us on a musical journey from Brazil to India. Get ready to smile, dance, and feel the love of the world uniting through the power of music.

Satchita is featured on CD/DVD, PFC 2 (Playing For Change). From Mark: "Please share this video with everyone you know, and together we will change the world one song and one heart at a time!!"

MY SON

I haven't written very much here about my son. He is currently in his final year at an university in Boston and is graduating with two degrees in engineering, a Bachelors and a Masters.

Last night he came over for some conversation, a meal and to watch a movie. We watched The Last Station. And he liked it. I had already seen it a couple of times. He mentioned that he had gotten in touch with Cynthia Auckerman, a journalist whom we had met back in 2005. By searching the internet, he finally was able to read articles written about him by her. This is one of the articles that she wrote after meeting us on our trip back to his childhood...

Child abuse: a personal view

By CYNTHIA AUKERMAN

Published: Sunday, January 2, 2005 8:18 PM EST

www.winchesternewsgazette.com

News-Gazette reporter

On the evening of Aug. 12, 1991, four-year-old Jonathan raced to the site where his brother had been struck by a vehicle. Jeremy was lying stomach down, but his head was facing upwards, twisted in a grotesque way.

One young life that had been lived in chaos was over, but Jonathan's life was about to get even worse.

Jonathan lived in several locations, including Union City. Now adopted and living in Rhode Island, he visited the local area this summer to explore his childhood memories.

Now he's writing about his experiences in the hopes of dealing effectively with the burdens that chaotic childhood left behind. And maybe - just maybe- his story can help other hurting people and those who are trying to help them.

"My mother began to treat my brother and me as though it was our fault that Jeremy died. Every chance she got, she blamed us for the accident. Being so young, I believed what my mother told me because I trusted her. Now I realize that's what you do when you are a child; you automatically trust your mother."

Here's a lesson. No matter the degree of abuse or neglect, the child's bond with his mother is intense.

Even before the accident, life was already a kind of hell for Jonathan. After the accident, Jonathan's mother spent increasingly more time away from the four-year-old and his nine-year-old brother. The two boys were left to fend for themselves when the mother left them home alone for long periods of time.

The mother increased her use of drugs and alcohol and there were "grungy" men in the home.

"The smell of those men made me feel like throwing up," Jonathan says.

The physical burden of caring for himself at a young age wasn't the only hardship Jonathan faced.

"I had nobody to talk to about my grief, and at the age of four, I had to deal with the loss of my beloved brother on my own."

He began to feel anxious, confused and scared when the mother was around because she turned her anger on her surviving sons.

Before Jeremy's death, there were times when the mother was not drunk or high. At times, the mother made Jonathan feel loved. After the accident, the mother became a cold and unattached person who could not love her surviving sons.

"I was four years old without a loving mother. I fell into a feeling of hopelessness like a big black hole. I could not rely on my mother for anything, and I had to rely on my brother more and more as a parent."

His mother's degeneration led to the family having to move, with one stop being in a trailer in Union City.

Less than two years after his brother was killed, Jonathan watched his trailer home burn. With his mother screaming in the background and sirens wailing, he realized the dogs were still in the house. One dog survived, but the boys later learned their mother's boyfriend broke the neck of the other dog. The fire apparently was the result of a domestic fight between the mother and her boyfriend.

Jonathan's life was about to take an even worse turn. His mother decided to move in with her mother and stepfather. Jonathan's grandmother had abandoned her own daughter when she was 11.

Another lesson: child abuse and neglect is often handed down from one generation to the next.

Leaving her two sons alone with the grandparents, the mother pursued her lifestyle of drug and alcohol abuse.

"The abuse my brother and I endured from these grandparents was more emotionally damaging than either the fire or my brother's death," Jonathan says.

He is not yet comfortable with sharing that part of his life, except to say that his brother and he had only each other.

Report child abuse: It's the law

childabuse part3

Published: Thursday, January 20, 2005 8:28 PM EST

Sunday, March 6, 2011, 10:00 p.m.
Stat counter removed

CARING FOR OTHERS IS THE RIGHT THING - VITRIOL IS NOT A STANDARD TO LIVE BY

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Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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Vitriol appears all over the internet. Those who leave their vitriolic words in comments show what they carry around with them on the inside.

There are some on the internet who do the opposite and leave their words of love, compassion, empathy and joy. The energy that each of us puts out doesn't get stuck and dissipate - it continues to get passed on.

There are those who love to hate. Love to drop their anger here and there. Love to put on the outside what they have on the inside. And it doesn't take too many words to show what kind of life is going on inside. We have had "open season" with a lack of civility that goes into the realm of accepted hateful, bigoted, gun-loaded comments directed toward the President. I believe if someone assassinates President Obama, there will be gatherings of USA citizens who cheer.

Treating others the way you want to be treated~ the measuring standard to live by.

Vitriol is not a standard to live by.

Caring for others is the right thing.

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Video posted by a 72 year old of Hong Kong ~ ppmcsk

One comment left at Youtube with this video from shoretalk 55 year old from the USA:

Every single time that I see a video of Mary ... it hits that I won't ever see these three together again. Sadly, no one has stepped up to lead the next generation of bold freedom singers ... we are not about anger messages wrapped in hate rather than bold brave statements filled with love for all.

My reply to shoretalk ~

I appreciate your expression so well putting words to use for your thoughts: "we are not about anger messages wrapped in hate rather than bold brave statements filled with love for all". It is little gems like this thought that came from your heart onto this little comment box that keep the hope alive that good people saying positive things will hold the candle to all those who drop their little hate-filled and bigoted statements on the internet in places such as Youtube.

My Soapbox

Please watch the video and listen to Mary's little speech prior to the Bob Dylan song. Rep. Paul_Broun (R) of Georgia, who has called Obama a socialist, didn't immediately condemn a question asked at a town hall meeting: Who is going to shoot Obama? A response of silence is irresponsible. Leadership requires more than ignoring in the atmosphere that Broun has contributed to. The man would have reasonably believed that Broun would not admonish him. And "we" have turned our backs, "selective deaf" ears and "blind"eyes to “other” people's crisis-type of human rights being denied, such as in Darfur."We" are all we have to make a difference on this relatively little planet. What kind of person puts a head on your pillow every night? Justice doesn't take care of itself. Justice needs us to stand for justice. Stepping down now.

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Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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'WHAT MORE COULD WE POSSIBLY BE THAN SWEETNESS IN ANOTHER'S LIFE?"

Photo by Sandra Hammel
Dad's man-made lake in Indiana

I am going through writings, including those that I have done about my father. My father passed away May 10, 2007. He had a diagnosis of Alzheimers, though clearly he didn't have AD, although it was a dementia of some kind. I found these words in regards to my dad, in my writing after a very emotional experience with my mother and dad in August of 2006 ~ "What more could we possibly be than sweetness in another’s life?" Sweetness in my life - felt still, in this life, from yours where you are now, Dad.

Though raised to be religious, I don't consider myself religious now. I do consider myself very spiritual. Having said this I still love the hymns I grew up with. Some favorites, which I embed here for dad and me to share...

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Below is from a previous post of mine
though-my-dad-died-he-lives-on

The Day My Dad Died I Was On the Phone With Him

When I called, Marcia, a nurse picked up the phone. She said dad’s "pulse is irregular, there are crackles in his lungs, he is non-responsive today, he moaned yesterday when I turned him over".

Below is what I said on the phone call to my dad. He took his last breath at the end of the phone call.

“Hello, dad, this is Sandy from Rhode Island. I love you, dad. I love you so very much. I wish I was there. I would hug you and kiss you. I’m going to sing you one verse of

“The Old Rugged Cross”.

On a hill, far away, stood an old rugged cross,

The emblem of suffering and shame,

But I know that old cross, the dearest and best,

For a world of lost sinners was slain,

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross

Where trophies at last I lay down

I will cling to the old rugged cross

And exchange it some day for a crown.”

I’m coming to Indiana in 6 days, but if you go to heaven before that, just know I’ll see you up in heaven and I’ll hug you and kiss you in heaven. I love you, dad. Can you squeeze Marcia’s hand to say you love me? I love you, dad. Bye

Following this in a couple of seconds, Marcia came on the phone and said:

Sandy, he blinked his eye

I think he’s very close

I think it helped

I’m holding his hand

It’s amazing

He’s waited for you

Beautiful…beautiful

You know, I think he’s gone

I’ve never seen anything like it…..hhhh.

It’s just amazing

I said, what do you mean…

Reply: You and the connection

He waited for you

The healing

He blinked – he doesn’t do that.

I said in response, he was resourceful to the end. He didn't have the strength to squeeze your hand, so he came up with something else.

She responded, How can anyone not believe?

She said, I don’t have my stethoscope, but I think he’s gone

I said, would you get your stethoscope?

She replied: I will. I’ll be right back.

Back, she says: I think he’s gone

I said: Will you touch his hand or arm?

She answered: I touched his forehead

She asked me: Will you be calling Greg?

I said: Yes.

I asked Marcia to stay with me on the telephone. She did.

This was a gift that he gave to me. This was a blessing. I knew it right then.

I shared this story at the funeral service and the singing of “The Old Rugged Cross”.

“Let the world stop turning,

Let the world stop burning,

Let them tell me love’s not worth going through

If it all falls apart

I will know deep in my heart

The only dream that mattered had come true

In This Life I was loved by you.”

From the song “In This Life” sung by Bette Midler

When I went to thank Marcia for all that she had done for my dad, I asked her which eye dad winked with and she said the one near the wall, the left one. I can't even make my left eye wink by itself. But he could. I know he understood everything I said to him. He found a way to say he loved me when I asked. Then...Marcia said she saw him take his last breath. She said she has never seen anyone go like dad, immediately following an exchange. What a gift he gave to me. Such a blessing. Now, he has peace that he so deserved and needed.

What a really cool man he was and continues to be in my life.
A wink has a whole new meaning for me now.

Another tribute post to my dad can be found by clicking the post title.

COLORFUL RAFA WINS FIRST ROUND ROBIN IN LONDON 2010

NEXT TOURNAMENT
Australian Open ~ January 2011
australia brochure

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Barclays ATP World Tour Finals

London, England

November 21 - 28, 2010

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London, England Time

Final Championship Match
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Roger Federer defeated Rafa Nadal
6-3, 3-6, 6-1
12:30 p.m. USA EST

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TV Viewing of
Championship Match on Sunday, November 26, 2010

All times USA EST

ESPN2 ~ Live

12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

ESPN2

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LIVE online also espn3

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Final Championship Match

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Delayed on The Tennis Channel

Aired the following times on Sunday

3:00 p.m.

9:30 p.m.

Midnight

tennischannel

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Semi Final

Rafal Nadal defeated Andy Murray
7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(6)

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Highlights of the Semi Final Match
youtube

Another youtube video of Semi Final Match
youtube

Interviews with Rafa following his SF win

tennistv

SF Interview in Spanish

Semi Final ~ TV ~ The Tennis Channel ~ Live at 9:00 a.m.

and 8:00 p.m. Delayed

tennischannel

Semi Final 2

3:00 p.m. Live

10:30 p.m. Delayed

Possible live stream for free

www.fromsport.com

Round 3 of Round Robin
Rafa Nadal defeated Tomas Berdych

7-6(3), 6-1
Friday, November 26, 2010

Round 2 of Round Robin
Rafa Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic
7-5, 6-2
Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Set 2 Tie Break

Round 1 of Round Robin
Rafa Nadal defeated Andy Roddick
3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4

Final

Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand during his men's final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during the ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 28, 2010 in London, England. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe

Pictures ~ Final
zimbio

Semi Final

Rafael Nadal of Spain walks on to court before his men's semi-final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during the ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 27, 2010 in London, England. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning his men's semi-final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during the ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 27, 2010 in London, England. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe

Pictures ~ Semi Final
zimbio

Round 3

Rafael Nadal of Spain argues over a call with the referee during his men's singles match against Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic during the ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 26, 2010 in London, England. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball during his men's singles match against Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic during the ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 26, 2010 in London, England.Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe

Pictures ~ Round 3

zimbio

Round 2

Rafael Nadal of Spain serves the ball during his men's singles match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 24, 2010 in London, England. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe

Pictures ~ Round 2

zimbio

Round 1

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point in his singles match against Andy Roddick of the United States during the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 22, 2010 in London, England. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe

Pictures ~ Round 1

zimbio

Media Day Pictures

zimbio

British Prime Minister David Cameron Meets the Players

zimbio

Rafael Nadal appears on Stade 2 TV show ~ zimbio

Rafa Fan Webites

vamosbrigade.com

Babolat-Supported Fan Website for Rafa

GENOCIDE FLOURISHES WITH THREE MAIN THINGS ~ MEDIA NEGLECTS DARUR

Genocide flourishes when there are perpetrators, weapons suppliers and Leaders Who Lack the Will To Hold the Perpetrators Accountable.

At a time when the world is focusing on the January referendum on Southern Sudanese independence, Darfur must not fall off the agenda of policymakers around the world. Doing so could result in a repeat of history and unmentionable violence and despair for the people of Darfur.

Darfuri child's artwork of his experience during the Khartoum government's support of genocide on Darfuris

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Salve Regina University student ~ Edwin Mutanguha's speech about Darfur ~ From Rhode Island Torch Relay

Camera for speech: Sally Hanchett

Note: One jpeg image of a Darfuri child's experience of what happened to him in his life (with text: "Peace is not the absence of war, but the presence of justice") is by a Darfuri child who lives in a refugee camp.

CORRECTION ~
The jpeg by Lucas is a painting made by a USA boy who made it for Darfuris.

☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙

Make a Difference

Call 1-800-GENOCIDE ~ ask Secretary Clinton to immediately hire a high-level diplomat for Darfur.

Here's how:

1. Dial: 1-800-GENOCIDE
2. Follow the instructions on the recording to be connected to Secretary Clinton's office.
3. You'll probably be asked to leave a message. Here's what to say:
* Say your name
* Say the name of your state
* Then say: "I urge Secretary of State Clinton to immediately hire a high-level diplomat for Darfur."
Source: blog for darfur

Media Neglect

As has been true a lot, the Darfuri people have been forgotten and neglected in 2010 by the leaders of the world. As the attacks continue in 2010 upon the Darfuri people, most USA media neglects to cover the story. And the USA government has been a part of that neglect. With the attention on the two Jaunuary 9, 2010 referendums, where Southern Sudanese and Abyei will vote to separate from Sudan, the attention on Darfur is even less than has been the case. The website ~ stopgenocidenow

Stop Genocide Now i-ACT team is returning to the Darfur refugee camps on the Chad-Darfur border in late 2010. They will be uploading same day web casts from the camps. The SGN iAct team will also be establishing the school to school relationships for the Darfur Dream Team Sister Schools Program.

Help in donations for the trip to the refugee camp in December 2010. Donations are for the following ~
$20 - Rechargeable Battery Packs
$30 - Digital Cameras
$35 - Portable Video Cameras
$100 - Flip Cameras
$250 - Satellite usage for initial reporting

The digital and flip video cameras will be given out to refugee reporters (mostly youth). Through their eyes, we will learn about their lives. Information on the cameras will be uploaded and by satellite viewing will be available for the world to see. From stopgenocidenow

Tags trying to edit in: Salve Regina University, Edwin Mutanguha, ilovemylife Sandra Hammel, ACT NOW FOR DARFUR, Sudan, President Barack Obama, Omar al-Bashir,

FAILURE OF OBAMA'S PRESIDENCY IS MORE IMPORTANT TO SOME THAN THE USA SUCCEEDING - UNACCEPTABLE BUT TRUE

Be aware that this post is not meant to be well organized....just thoughts

Glenn Beck - a spokesman for God? Sarah Palin - a spokeswoman for God?

If I was God, I would need to be on an antidepressant due to those who are claiming to speak for me.

Those claiming to be Christian and who also promote hate, racism and/or are the epitome of rudeness and narcissism are walking and talking contradictions to what a Christian is by definition. Or if not, and they all go to heaven, then I don't want to go there. Living in the mortal world and listening to them is so close to unbearable that the thought of living in eternity in a place they claim is where they are going is not a desire I have.

If there is a heaven and those like Glenn_Beck, Rupert_Murdoch, Sarah_Palin and Mitch McConnell are going to be there, then I have to wonder what are the standards of that kind of a heaven? Inciting bigots is leadership, just not good Christian leadership. Or if it is, again, I don't want to belong to that kind of religion.

Good leaders lift us up to our best selves, which certainly doesn't include blatant polarizing statements. As for politicians who care more about their careers in politics than the good of the country and its people, I deeply suspect they are not in the "good leadership" category. I put Mitch McConnell in this category, as well as all the "just say no" politicians the first two years of President Obama's time as the President.

Leadership

This is my opinion...

THE FEAR ISN'T ONLY THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA WILL GET ANOTHER TERM
Racism is the central reason people, including politicians want President Obama to fail, more than they want the country's people not to fail. These people will do anything to make President Obama look like his Presidency is a failure. They are afraid that if it is perceived that he is succeeding not only will he get a second term, but their even deeper fear is that we will one day have another President who isn't "white".

Jon Stewart's - The Manchurian Lunatic of November 18, 2010

Watch the entire episode. It is well worth the time.

Note: After watching Jon Stewart with Rachel Maddow and their Discourse I have this to say ~

I believe Jon Stewart is wrong, when he claimed that his show is not a part of the dialog of politics in the USA. It is for me. And I believe it is for many others who watch his show. He holds that Rachel Maddow's show and his show are in different "mediums", but in reality he makes "statements" even though it is humor. And his claim that his show is more like Jerry Seinfeld's show than Rachel Maddow's show is wrong. "Seinfeld" was a show about "nothing" by Jerry Seinfeld's definition. And Jon Stewart's show is about "some thing(s)". "Some thing(s)" that are very important and and at times need some levity, though they have serious responses and sobering resulting residual effects.

Related piece with Stephen Colbert's Doom Bunker with Jack Jacobs and Stephen Moore

And . . .
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I am not qualified to be President. And I know it . Sarah Palin is not qualified to be President. She doesn't know it. Retired Governor Palin said this week that she could win against President Obama.

☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙♡☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙

1-800-GENOCIDE

A HUMAN RACE IN DISARRAY

How Can It Be?

Observing the purposefully hurtful behavior by some politicians and some media "personalities", it is sobering to know that each one of us belongs to the same human race. I find it hard to believe. But, here we are on the planet at the same time and yet at such odds with one another.

Remember
ALL thOse things
we used To blAMe oN the devil
ANd ALL tHose thi Ngs
We LeFt uP to God?
NOW iT's ALL A HUNDRed tiMes MORE COMPLicated
We MUST becOMe NeW MeN
oR
be SAtisfied AS We ARe.
...eitHer WAy We RisK tRAgedy.

WHO WERE YOU ALL ?
We spoke in short sentences with our lips and eyebrows we kept our teeth white and we smiled. We could hardly figure out why we were here, but we tried ~ to love life hoping it had reasons of its own.

Our worst ugliness was our blindness to our own beauty and our fear more than death was rejection from each other.

from To Believe in Man by Joseph Pintauro

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Uploaded by Slambovia

The new CD The Grand Slambovians of Gandalf Murphy and The Slambovian Circus of Dreams just arrived in the mail. One of my favorites from the CD is The Invisible. The band is coming to Common Fence Music at Channing on February 5, 2011. Click the post title to go to Windmills, another track from the CD.

Band's website: slambovia.com/radiofree

IF YOU ARE GAY ❧❧ HUMANE HUMANS WANTED TO STEP UP

For help (the help contact information is copied and pasted here from The Trevor Project website)
thetrevorproject.org 1-866-4-U-Trevor 1-866-488-7386

The Trevor Lifeline

Are you going through a difficult time? Feeling confused, lonely or blue?

Trained counselors are ready 24/7 to talk to you. If you’re a young person looking for someone to listen and understand without judgment or if you’re feeling suicidal, please call The Trevor Lifeline now at 866-488-7386. It’s free and confidential. There is hope, there is help. [U.S. CALLS ONLY]

Trevor Chat

TrevorChat is a free ~ thetrevorproject chat ~ confidential and secure online messaging service that provides live help through this website. TrevorChat is only intended to assist those who are not at risk for suicide.

Hours of Operation: Fridays between 1:00 PM Pacific (4:00 PM Eastern) and 9:00 PM Pacific (12:00 AM Eastern)

Connect with a volunteer who can support you with your concerns and questions [U.S. Residents only].

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Chris Colfer for The Trevor Project - It Gets Better from The Trevor Project on Vimeo.

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Double click the video to see on an enlarged screen at Youtube

Fort Worth City Councilman, Joel Burns, reaches out to GLBT teens with a personal story and a message of hope. For more coverage, visit the following links:

www.star-telegram.com

www.wfaa.com/news

facebook.com/joelburns1

Uploaded by joelburns

Lawrence O'Donnell aired this tonight on his MSNBC show "The Last
Word". It is time for bullying to stop. Bullying. We have seen an increase of "bullying" behavior by politicians and "wannabe" politicians who are running for office or those who have already run for office. And this sets the stage for bullying to rise by our young people. We as adults set the example to stop, tolerate or "fire up" bullying behavior.

This is a brave soul ~ Joel Burns. I hope you will listen and even if you disapprove of gay people being gay, I hope you will have compassion and empathy enough to help be part of the solution to stop the tide of bullies in our human race. Bullies in the family, in your town, in the rooms you pass through, in the campaigning, in the classroom, the places in our children's lives where they think they can get a pass on this behavior. It is time to behave humanely and be proactive about our caring. Compassion first.

From Lawrence O'Donnell's MSNBC show about this video Thursday, October 14, 2010 ~

Zoning laws, property taxes and school budgets typically dominate the conversation at city council meetings. But one councilman in Fort Worth, Texas used his podium to talk about the recent suicide epidemic among gay youths.

In a very emotional speech on Tuesday, Joel Burns pleaded with gay teens to re-think suicide as an option. At times, he even broke down and cried in the 12-minute appeal.

"Attitudes will change, life will get better, you will have a lifetime of happy memories if you just allow yourself and give yourself the time to make them," said Burns.

Burns, an openly gay man, says he struggled with his sexuality growing up. He also described what it felt like being bullied as kid.

"High school was difficult, coming out was painful," he said. "I want to tell any teen who is watching this, life will get better."

Gay teens Asher Brown, 13, Seth Walsh, 13, and Justin Aaberg all committed suicide in 2010 in the face of alleged anti-gay bullying. (Personal Photos)

Click post title to go to article where I copied the above three photos.

MUSIC FROM THE SOUL to THE SOUL

If you have come here with any regularity, you know music is very important to me
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This is special.

Dark Was the Night

The following text is from the Playing for Change website:

The Playing For Change crew first met this unbelievably talented musician by a happy coincidence eight years ago. Mark Johnson, Jonathan Walls and Whitney Kroenke were heading to New Orleans in search of musicians and inspiration, and long-time friend of the project Keb' Mo' offered to put them in touch with someone.

When Mark dialed the number Keb' Mo' had given him, an Italian man answered. He told Mark that the person he was calling for was on the road with a band, but that he himself was a street musician in New Orleans and would love to be involved in our project.

In the eight years following that initial conversation, Roberto Luti has become one of the musical pillars on which Playing For Change has been built. We hope you enjoy his hauntingly beautiful slide guitar on this soulful piece. And if you ever find yourself in Livorno, check to see if he is performing-- it's an experience you wouldn't want to miss!

❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧

I had the highest compliment ever paid to me this past summer after I had played piano and sung some songs for a couple staying with me. They live in southern France.

She didn't feel comfortable speaking English, but I understood her English and felt blessed by her expression of these words: "Your music comes from your soul."

That is how I feel about the music in the video above.

WHO NEEDS A TV SURVIVOR SHOW WHEN REALITY OF REAL LIFE SURVIVORS' STORY DELIVERS DRAMA?

Chilean Miners ~ Survivors

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RAFA NADAL IN SHANGHAI FOR 2010 MASTERS

Shanghai 2010 Masters ~ Tennis

❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧

❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧
Shanghai Time

Shanghai is 12 hours ahead of USA EST

Shanghai Rolex Masters Men's Single Draw

Order of Play

Round 1
Rafa Nadal had a bye

Pictures at Daylife of Rafael Nadal

Pictures of Rafa's first training in Shanghai

Round 2
Rafa Nadal defeated Stanilas Warinka
6-4, 6-4
Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - Shanghai Date

Round 3
Jurgen Melzer defeated Rafa Nadal
1-6, 6-3, 3-6
Thursday, October 14, 2010

USA TV
The Tennis Channel Schedule

Online viewing
www.fromsport.com
www.atdhe.net

Tournament Site

Shanghai Masters Video Gallery

Rafael Nadal Pictures at Zimbio

Fan sites where you can get great Rafa news
as well as read in specific threads the Times Online Rafa blog posts
from the US Open 2010

Vamos Brigade
Rafa's Babolat-sponsored forum
It is free to register at these sites and then you can read at your heart's content.
These two fan sites are a great source of up-to-date information


Join Us at Facebook
RAFA-NADAL-BRING-BACK-LONG-PANTS-SLEEVELESS-TOPS

Rafa on facebook


~ ❧Pictures prior to Rafa's first match - Round 2 ❧ ~

Rafael Nadal of Spain walks with security personnel to his pre-game news conference after a training session at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament October 12, 2010. Photo credit: Reuters

Rafael Nadal of Spain attends a pre-game news conference at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament October 12, 2010. Photo credit: Reuters

Round 2 pictures

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland during day Round 2 of the 2010 Shanghai Rolex Masters at the Shanghai Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 13, 2010 in Shanghai, China. Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images AsiaPac

More Round 2 pictures

Zimbio Pictures ~ 2010 Shanghai ~ Rafael Nadal

Round 3 pictures
Zimbio Pictures ~ 2010+Shanghai ~Rafael Nadal