Someone Ought to Do It

"SOMEONE OUGHT TO DO IT,
BUT WHY SHOULD I?--
SOMEONE OUT TO DO IT,
SO WHY NOT I?"

BETWEEN THESE TWO SENTENCES LIE
WHOLE CENTURIES OF MORAL EVOLUTION.

~ Annie Besant

Of Note: Babar Ali runs a school in India for 800 students. Nothing too spectacular about that, except this teacher is 16 years old and has been running the school for seven years! What started as a "play-acting" teacher situation with un-schooled friends has led to much more for the impoverished children in Babar's village. This visionary young man now attends school in the morning and teaches in his familiy's ample backyard with 10 other volunteers in the late afternoon and evening. The video accompanying the BBC report showed the volunteers teaching groups of eager students sitting on the muddy ground with their books. Even though education is free in India, few can attend formal school because they have to work to help sustain the family. This informal schooling, which provides free material and books through donations, is the only alternative. Many of the children begin work at sunrise, take a break for the schooling and then return to work afterward. However, because of Babar Ali, their future may be different than that of their illiterate parents. Onward and upward always. Thanks to my sister, Marie the teacher, for not only contributing this awesome photo taken at the Dallas Arboretum but also for emailing this inspiring story.

Today's Weather Report: Today was partly cloudy as the meteorologists are so fond of saying. Meaning it was mostly cloudy with a spot of sun here and there during the day. No problem. Inside it was toasty, and that was all that counted. The dogs went in and out and then out and in all day. They were thankful to have two ready doormen, who have proven to be easily trained to do their bidding. With the cat door closed because of the extreme cold at night, the five cats are now ensconced in the turret. They thought one dog was bad enough, but two was simply over the top.

Connections-in-goodness

Recipients of our appreciation are apt
to express their own gratitude to others,
lengthening the unending, golden chain
of connections-in-goodness that
stretches across the world.

~Mary Ford Grabowsky
The Way of Mary

Of Note: Connectedness is a "catch-word" these days--but one with which we can certainly live. One day this word will replace the fear-filled words that dominate current news such as war, terrorism, and unrest. But unity, connectedness and brotherhood are gaining a hold. We know this when a global corporation presents awards to honor innovators from around the world who are applying technology to address humanity's most urgent challenges. A full page advertisement in TIME magazine highlighted The Tech Awards and listed the multinational companies sponsoring the program. Many times corporations get a bad name for their collective behavior which seems to work against the best interests of mankind. On the other hand, they also bring into fruition the best the human mind have to offer on the physical plane.

Today's Weather Report: It plunged to 20 below zero Fahrenheit again during the night but it must have only been for a short time because the shower line did not freeze. Two days ago Misty was joined by a 4-month old "brother" German Shepherd from the same parents but different litter. Little Chewy was pretty freaked out the first day because Misty, apparently recognizing her younger litter mate, wouldn't let the little thing alone. I use the word little lightly. Chewy weighed in at 37 lbs. today at the veterinarian and has paws larger than Misty's. This dog is going to be BIG--probably over 100 lbs.

Stand Up and Show Your Soul

One of the most calming and powerful
actions you can do to intervene in a stormy
world is to stand up and show your soul.

Struggling souls catch light from other souls
who are fully lit and willing to show it.

~Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Of Note: Two social scientists using the Framingham Heart study data culled from 15,000 individuals proved that happiness is contagious as are other good behaviors. These and their opposites appear to spread between people like viruses; groups of friends and family can "infect" one another with good or bad habits. The researchers concluded that "Staying healthy isn't just a matter of your genes and your diet--good health is also a product of your sheer proximity to other healthy people." From the soul's perspective, it would appear the same law applies if Clarissa Estes has it right. That puts a great deal of responsibility on shining souls to not hold back even in an un-welcoming environment.

Today's Weather Report: For northern Wisconsin, this could be called a perfect winter day. Sunny, in the teens, no wind. The layers upon layers I put on this morning when going out were unnecessary and just weighed me down while at the same time making me very hot in the car. Layering is an art I obviously haven't mastered. A neighbor brought over fresh fish fillets which he caught while ice-fishing. These are northern, which many people just throw back, but there's nothing better than fried northern with potato pancakes for dinner--or at least that's what I've been told by my husband who is preparing the feast this evening.

Hidden Beauty in Every Crumb

Holiness comes wrapped in the ordinary.
There are burning bushes all around you.
Every tree is full of angels.
Hidden beauty is waiting in every crumb.

~Macrina Wiederkehr, OSB

Of Note: With all the apparent "evil" occurring in the world these days, the thought that holiness abounds in every crumb may be a new thought. Man may be responsible for arranging the crumbs in ways that have nefarious ends but the lighted substance at the core never changes. This nuclear sanctity is the guarantee of a future filled with Truth and Beauty, though at the moment that might be inconceivable with all that is transpiring on the physical plane.

Today's Weather Report: The sun, oh how glorious, the sun. It shone today even though it was cold, cold. We awoke this morning to 20 below zero Fahrenheit outside--inside, of course, it was a bit warmer though furnaces of any ilk have a hard time heating in extreme cold. Jim has faithfully filled our wood-boiler twice a day since November. He will continue to do that until April, or even early May. Although wood is less expensive than propane, it is also very labor intensive which is OK for now. As we age, that will change, of course.

Sunshine Smiles

What sunshine is to flowers,
smiles are to humanity.
These are but trifles, to be sure;
but scattered along life's pathway,
the good they do is inconceivable.

~Joseph Addison

Of Note: I've spoken of the power of smiles many times in this blog. When we smile we produce a potent chemical that actually lifts our mood. Pretty good for moving a few muscles in our faces. The best thing of all, though, it's FREE. I'm big on free which is another theme in this blog. Speaking of FREE, have you "clicked" on www.thehungersite.com today? Just by "clicking" through the six categories of giving, a contribution is made. The simplicity and speed of the encounter is sure to make you smile and thus lift your mood on a busy day.

Today's Weather Report: It was a bit warmer last night at only 12 below zero. The water did not freeze in our shower pipe as it did at 20 below the night before. Misty loves this weather and rushes to and fro in the snow, burying her snout deep to find whatever goodies she can although, thankfully, poop has not been in her menu lately. By spring we hope she has grown out of eating this "canine delicacy." Friends have assured me that this is a very natural habit for dogs but it is one I wished she'd forget. The cats have still been scarce and continue their encampment in Jim's 4th story turret office. It's a small space for five felines, who prior to the dog did not always get along. Apparently, a detente has been reached. Thank heavens, Jim does not mind the crowded conditions including at least one but sometimes two cats sprawled across his desk. It's quite the scene, let me assure you!

Keeping an Untroubled Spirit

THE FIRST RULE IS TO KEEP
AN UNTROUBLED SPIRIT.
THE SECOND IS TO LOOK
THINGS IN THE FACE
AND KNOW THEM FOR
WHAT THEY ARE.

~Marcus Aurelius

Today's Weather Report: There was no getting around it this morning....it was definitely 28 below zero. Under these circumstances the best approach was to hunker down and get comfortable indoors. That was only possible, though, after the wood boiler that heats the house was filled. Jim was sick today so I got to fill it for the first time. Everyone would have laughed at my "layered look" but it kept the cold out except for my frozen hands. Mittens will be in order for this evening's fill. Misty didn't think a thing about the frigid temperature, however, and just plunked down for a look around accompanied by much woofing at nothing in particular. I think she just liked to hear her sound echo in the woods. With no neighbors, it didn't even matter.

That Narrow Plank

WHEN THE BRIDGE IS GONE,
THE NARROWEST PLANK
BECOMES PRECIOUS.

~Hungarian Proverb

Of Note: May we each serve as a plank to our brothers and sisters in the coming year. Happy New Year and many blessings in 2010!!

Today's Weather Report: The new year brought a full moon along with frigid cold. The two seem to go hand in hand. Tonight it is predicted to be 20 below or so. We may be the coldest spot in the nation. The snow we had over the last few weeks is now permanently frozen into place. Hopefully, the snow is where we want it because it's not going very far. We do have a 2-foot ball of snow in the drive--a leftover from the last snowplowing adventure. Wouldn't want to hit that with the car because I think the frozen snowball would win. Thankfully, it's a bit off to the side so we can steer around it.