Being a Miracle

So not pray for tasks equal to your powers.
Pray for powers equal to your tasks.
Then the doing of your work shall be no
miracle, but you shall be the miracle.

~Phillipe Brooks

Of Note: Some lives are for sowing; some are for reaping. The Laws of Karma works in synchrony with the Law of Cycles that way. Better under this scenario to sow love, sharing and gratitude, then the same will be reaped. What can be said for an individual can also be said for a nation. Tomorrow, leaders from 20 countries will meet to discuss the current global financial crisis. Let us send them thoughts of brotherhood and sharing that they might show the same in their reformulation of policy. After all, it's never too late to change ways when in the sowing field where miracles are a common occurrence.

Today's Weather Report: Odd day: first the sun shown brightly, then clouds changed all that and the temps fell, than light snow came down, then heavy snow with large flakes took its place, then 37 degrees and back to cloudy. All within 12 hours. Welcome to northern Wisconsin in the spring. Marie had summer in mind when she took this shot of a green frog on a green leaf. Ah, Green, I cannot wait until we re-acquaint.

News You Can Use Snippet: Working for the government has always been a sure bet. Governments rarely shrink, and the perks are great. The private sector is not always so lucky. In the last six months, layoffs have been massive. But, there are a few bright spots dispersed throughout the carnage. Dentistry, accounting, and beer, wine and liquor wholesaling have actually shown solid growth. Does anyone see a link?

Evidence of LIght

IN THE MIDST OF THE GATHERING DARKNESS,
LIGHT BECOMES MORE EVIDENT.

~Bonnie Sostrom

Of Note: Tonight at 8:30 is Earth Hour! Join us and millions of others in turning out the lights for an hour if for no other reason than to show solidarity. The Light in Humanity will make a difference as the future unfolds. I've great faith in that.

Today's Weather Report: It was cloudy and cool this morning but the sun is peeking out at the moment. If only for a moment. The frost is finally out of the ground, so the puddles have dissipated. Little green garlic and chive shoots are sprouting. They are always the first to say hello in the spring, although it's amazing how many perennials have green bases under the snow. Thanks, Marie, for this surreal shot of your neighborhood in December.

Watch For Change Snippet: I don't watch TV because there's really not enough time in the day. But a new HBO show is making headlines called "The #1 Ladies' Detective Agency" and will be broadcast during prime time. Of interest is the unique premise of the show: a perky black woman named Precious runs a detective agency in Botswana. Yes, that's in Africa. Not only does the audience get to see a story-line about crime solving by a witty, smart detective, but the backdrop is educational and often breathtaking as well. If this goes over well, we can bet that more TV programs will take on global themes. After the unexpected success of Slumdog Millionaire, movies producers have already gotten the message.

Loving the Light

I WILL LOVE THE LIGHT
FOR IT SHOWS ME THE WAY,
YET I WILL ENDURE THE DARKNESS
FOR IT SHOWS ME THE STARS.

~Og Mandino

Of Note: Many of these quotes, like the one above, come from www.gratefulness.org. That outstanding Website has a WORD FOR THE DAY feature that includes inspirational quotes from many of the greatest minds. God knows, we need all the inspiration we can get. Marie captured this photo of juxtaposed light and darkness. Although we always think of the sun as the source of light, form takes on new meaning when we think of it as darkness.

Today's Weather Report: A partly cloudy 20 degree day with the sun just trying to peek through. A most welcome sun at that. It snowed a little more last night so that a light blanket of white enshrouds the ground. That doesn't stop the cats who know it's spring, no matter what the weather conditions outside.

Watch For Change Snippet: Recently, a local physician received a state-wide award in Madison. It wasn't for a medical breakthrough or achievement, but rather for bringing free music lessons to local children. The story is heartwarming. In 1996 when the physician moved to the area, she began giving violin lessons to 6 kids even though she had only learned to play as an adult herself. Four years later she founded the Northwoods Strings, a program comprised of several instructors who provided free group and individual instruction to Hayward schools' adolescents. In 2007 the program expanded to the Lac Courte Oreilles reservation's Boys and Girls Club and Ojibwe School. 67 students are now enrolled in lessons provided for all the stringed orchestral instruments, and it's still free.

I happen to know this dynamic woman, and she is a powerhouse. At the same time this was going on, she also organized the Hayward Half-marathon (yes, she's a runner.) On top of that, her band, Duck For The Oysters, regularly entertains families at free concerts where all are encouraged to join in square dancing. I know; I went once. No shy participants were allowed. Everyone was encouraged to come on down to the dance floor where young and old alike let their inhibitions down. All left with smiles on their faces.

What did this visionary have to say in Madison as to why she continues to do what she does? Well, the reason shouldn't surprise us coming from a physician--it's all about brain development in children: "In educating our youth, more attention needs to be paid to the right side of your brain with more emphasis on imagination and creativity. Regurgitation is not the way to survive anymore. We need new ideas, new ways to approach things. It's not going to be about programing the computer. It's going to be about coming up with the games."

St. Theresa's Prayer

ST. THERESA'S PRAYER

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are
exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite
possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received,
and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be confident knowing you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into your bones,
and allow your soul the freedom to
sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

Of Note: I don't always pass around email "chain letters" I receive. Bet you don't either. But once in awhile, a good one comes my way that must be sent on. This prayer was in one of those emails yesterday. It asked that the email be sent to 9 others, including the sender. Pretty simple really. Although I'm not a believer in getting the gold at the end of the rainbow in "four days" as promised, these emails and resultant connections with others seem to be a good way to electronically pass around the energy of love. It could be a new way to give riches and become enriched during the curious economic times through which we are living.

Today's Weather Report: The 60 degree days last week were just teasing us into believing that spring was actually here. Though technically spring has sprung, someone forgot to tell the great weather-maker who thinks it's fall with snow showers intermixed with rain currently falling. Points west in the Dakotas are seeing much worse than this, though; so, forget the complaining. I AM grateful for Marie's beautiful head-shots of spring flowers. They renew my faith that spring with warmth and colorful blooms are somewhere around the corner.

Watch For Change Snippet: I've been wondering what the financial crisis might bring in the way of something new. Regulations, more money printed, stimulus spending, etc. are all ideas re-worked from past scholars, none of whom ever witnessed the derivatives mess that has threatened to take the whole system down. So, it was with great interest that I read the Chinese idea to create a new global currency, or actually expend the use of one currently available. In 1969 a new currency called Special Drawing Rights or SDRs was created and has been used on a limited basis by the International Monetary Fund. In a report this week, China suggested that this synthetic currency be expanded for global use though it realizes the implementation would take decades because of enormous technical and political hurdles. But new is new. The idea is now out there and will most likely not go away. The recommendation was unsurprisingly dissed in most financial circles, which have learned how to manipulate the current monetary system so well. But the IMF said the proposal should be taken seriously: "It reflects officials' concerns about improving the stability of the financial system. It's interesting because of China's unique position, and because the governor [of the Central Bank] put it in such a measured and considered way."

Giving and Getting Back

THE MORE WE GIVE OF ANYTHING,
THE MORE WE GET BACK.

~Grace Speare

Of Note: There is one really good way to give every day....it only takes a couple of minutes and its FREE. Clicking on www.thehungersite.com brings up a page with six tabs. By sequentially clicking through the six tabs, six different causes receive donations. All for a click. The site also has e-cards that often donate a book or food when the card is opened by a friend. As we learned the other day, a habit is established in only 21 days. So make this DAY 1. 21 days from now, you'll be glad you did.

Today's Weather Report: Who told the rain-gods to descend today with cold precipitation and a blustery wind? The predicters say it will be like this all week. Must be spring in the northwoods. I had wished for rain to clear out the rest of the snow in the woods but had in mind something warm. Guess I should have been more specific in my request. At least we are not getting the foot of snow engulfing the Dakotas with winds at 30 - 40 mph! I certainly can't wait until pictures are possible in Wisconsin like this one Marie took last week in northern Texas. Maybe come July!

Watch For Change Snippet: The day is fast approaching when the predominate hue in America will no longer be white. As a matter of fact, George Bush may be the last white-guy President for some time. Corporate America and its advertisers have taken notice. Companies that spend billions of dollars to influence us on a daily basis are leaping into "visual diversity,"the latest marketing strategy that shows commericals and print ads peppered with people of all races interacting normally. In the past, minorities were either invisible or viewed in subservient roles, said one professor at University of Texas at Austin who has studied the phenomenon. He opined: "Today we are starting to see blacks and whites together, doing the thing people do. Now, advertisers are not in a position of pushing social justice. But to the extent that they can put whites and blacks together in situations, I think that is a good thing." One ad agency executive went even further: "Going forward, all advertising is going to be multicultural by definition, because in most states, majority ethnic populations will no longer exist."

Life is Love, Enjoy It

Life is a song - sing it.
Life is a game - play it.
Life is a challenge - meet it.
Life is a dream - realize it.
Life is a sacrifice - offer it.
Life is love - enjoy it.

~Sai Baba

Of Note: Marie captured this shot of an inquisitive concrete feline in her rounds at the local nurseries this past week. Now that spring is here, my five cats think that heaven has arrived but would certainly envy this rival, who is already hunting in green grass.

Today's Weather Report: Although the morning started off chilly and damp, the day ended at 52 degrees Fahrenheit. The sun was shining here, but up in Ashland where we went to shop, the clouds hung low. Must be the influence of mighty Lake Superior, which is so vast that it makes its own weather. We were sad to see that Bodine's, the local purveyor of smoked fish and sporting items, had gone out of business. It has probably stood at that sight next to the lake for 40 or 50 years. So it goes.

Watch For Change Snippet: Willa Cather said, "Where there is great love, there are always miracles." Maybe what we are missing in this economic downturn is great love. At least it's something to ponder.

Develop a Good Heart

If we were to draw one essential
message from the fact of reincarnation,
it would be: develop a good heart,
that longs for other beings to find
lasting happiness, and acts to
secure that happiness.

~Sogyal Rinpoche

Of Note: Do you see the glowing at the star-heart of this morning glory? It is the same in the heart of every being at the place where the Soul resides. "Developing a good heart" requires a connection with that Center. Given a consistent linkage, goodwill then emanates involuntarily. Joy is a byproduct and lasting happiness eventuates. When Humanity learns this lesson, the world will change, maybe in an instant.

Today's Weather Report: Breezy and cool today with the sun shining brightly in through the windows. A fire in the fireplace took the chill off the house this morning when the temps hovered at 20 degrees. The old cat, Beaner, gingerly took his first walk around the frozen ponds a short time ago. When he returns, he'll probably sleep for the rest of the day. Marie took this magical shot last year in her garden. We appreciate that she shares her talent with this blog. Thanks, Sis!

Watch for Change Snippet: 1,400 cities have now signed up for Earth Hour, the biggest public climate change event of its kind in history. The United Nations has pledged its support as well. For one hour at 8:30 pm on March 28th, participating cities will turn out their lights. Many individual events are also being planned. Whether one is on board with the climate change concept or not, conservation of resources is an ideal everyone can embrace. To find out more, go to www.EarthHourUS.org. The huge global event is being sponsored by the World Wildlife Federation.