I Am Not Discouraged

I am not discouraged

because every wrong

attempt discarded is

another step forward.

~Thomas Edison

>Of Note: Going round and round in circles, getting nowhere fast? Thomas Edison knew that feeling. He is famous now but in the beginning of his illustrious career, not so much. Had this genius stopped his often faulty experiments before the final successes, it would have put the breakthroughs regarding electricity back for some time. It is always true that for two steps forward, one step back is necessary. That's part of the earthly experience that includes chaos-emergence-liberation. On another note, it is no coincidence that the electrical discoveries of Edison and others such as Tesla came when they did. The light that shines in us ever more brightly as a whole must also make its way onto the physical plane. This physical light now shines so brightly as to be seen from space. Now that's progress. Thanks to Marie for this inspirational shot!

>Today's Weather Report: It's very cloudy with small-flaked snow coming down in buckets. Haven't heard that we were to get much accumulation--but this looks as if it could last awhile. So, we'll see. The cats are not impressed.

>Watch For Change Snippit: America has been one of the most generous nations in the world. Now with the economy the way it is, philanthropy has been affected negatively, particularly at the corporate level. Some corporate donation pledges have even been scuttled--much to the chagrin of the intended recipients. Now to the rescue is a $1 billion year-old Arab philanthropy called Dubai Cares that is targeting primary education in developing countries. It has sent millions to a California based charity called Room To Read, that builds schools and libraries around the world, and other charities including Save the Children, Oxfam and CARE International. Previously, Arab philanthropy was almost exclusively spent on Islamic causes. This new approach could have an earthshaking effect. Leading this charge is the Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, a visionary previously featured on these pages, who started a $10 billion educational foundation in 2007. Ironically, many of the foundations of knowledge were incubated in Arab lands. It is appropriate and timely that an Arab leader returns to these roots.