Dennys: News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food

Thursday, September 30, 2010

How Well Do You Handle Adversity?


Develop the coping skills for walking through adversity.



From Denny: Tough economic times have hit hard all around the world the past few years. People are discovering for how long hard times can continue and certainly wonder why it's happening to them.

Sustained adversity is never easy to wrap your head around the first few times it pays a visit to your doorstep. Well, there is no time like the present to engage with spiritual development because you are now thrown into the process whether you agreed to it or not.

Spiritual development involves many levels, mostly to meet the criteria of creating a tough mental mindset based on Faith Life does work out well in the end. The key to developing that mental toughness is where you park your attitude. Do you park it in a dark place, all locked up, so protected that it can't see the light of day? Do you park your attitude out in the open where anyone can steal it? Or you you drive your attitude to smart places, always learning more?

These three quotes are keen insight, helpful at any time in any situation.

Quotes

* Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. - M. Kathleen Casey

* If you're going through hell, keep going. - Winston Churchill

* The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief. - William Shakespeare, Othello


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor

Monday, September 27, 2010

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 27 Sept 2010

*** Check out news, political opinion, political humor and funny cartoons, recipes, poetry, funny posts, photography, science news, spiritual thoughts and great quotes.





The Social Poets:

White House Staff Shakeup: Who Stays, Who Goes - Choices narrowing down as who leaves or who stays on the White House staff.

America and World Politics Cartoons - 25 Sept 2010 - Check out cartoonist opinion on American and world politics this week.

Is BP Fund Czar Feinberg in BPs Pocket? - The lies and promises unfulfilled keep coming from BP and Feinberg, the BP Fund Claims Czar.

King Abdullah II Talks Huge Middle East Gamble for Sept 30 - King Abdullah II talks strategy for successful Middle East Peace with Jon Stewart.

Wars Overseas, Wars in Congress, Wars in White House, New Book: Obamas Wars - Wars overseas, wars in Congress and wars in the White House are why our government is not working.

Presidential Memoirs: Who Bombed, Who Soared and Why - Check out some fun facts about presidential memoirs, how well they were paid and who really wrote some of them.

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 19 Sept 2010




The Soul Calendar:


Rare: Super Harvest Moon Occurs On Fall Solstice - Check out rare summer-autumn twilight glow that only happens about every 20 years.




Dennys Funny Quotes:


Funny Hunh?! Cartoons - 25 Sept 2010 - Check out this week's amusing observations about Life: relationships, pets and the tech world cartoons.

22 Funny Situational Hunh?! Cartoons - 18 Sept 2010 - Check out the funny twisted minds of cartoonists as they envision various life situations.

25 Ridiculously Funny Celebrity Duck Face Photos - Laugh at celebrities posing for the camera, mocking sexy.


Republican Tea Party of the Devil: Meet Satanist Christine ODonnell - Tea Party Delaware Senate nominee admits to practicing witchcraft and Satanism.




Visual Insights:


Cartoons About Our American Economy - 25 Sept 2010 - Check out cartoonist opinions this week on the state of the American economy.

Dennys Photo Gallery: Our Mysterious Moon - The moon continues to fascinate humanity - and creative photographers.

Dennys Photo Gallery: Swinging Good Fun!

Arts: Fun Incredible Beach Art Photos

Raucous Tea Party Republicans Cartoons - 21 Aug 2010 - Check out what the cartoonists are lampooning about the Tea Party and the Republican idea of politics this time!

Dennys Photo Gallery: Beautiful Yummy Artichokes and 11 Recipes

Arts: Whimsical Fiber Artist Ed Bing Lee - This fiber artist has a sense of the whimsy while he explores new ways to use simple knotting techniques to develop his art.

Funny Photos: How Your Brain Can Be Fooled

Dennys Photo Gallery: Summer Heat Wave

Dennys Photo Gallery: Beautiful Yummy Artichokes and 11 Recipes





Dennys People Watching:


Education Reformer Michelle Rhee Takes Hits For Bold Action - Take a look at town hall debate after viewing the education documentary film "Waiting For Superman" as NBC kicks off their reports on education in America.

Funny Outrageous Tea Party Politics - Check out cartoonist opinion this week as they draw the funny happenings from the Tea Party.

American Education Sec. Arne Duncan Talks Reform in Education





Beautiful Illustrated Quotations:


President Theodore Roosevelt Quote About Courage

Do You Promote Others As Well As Yourself?

Meditative Moon Photos - The moon continues to fascinate humanity - and creative photographers.

7 Thoughtful Quotes About The Future - Enjoy these reflections upon how we think about our future.

A Healing Spiritual Poem: Waking The Day - Spiritual symbolism is all around us in our daily life, ready to help heal and balance.






Dennys Food and Recipes:

Sesame-Ginger Truffles From Culinary Institute of America - A simple tasty recipe worth of gift giving during the holidays.

Red Lobster Restaurant: Cheddar Bay Biscuits

4 Casseroles 4 School Night Dinners: Chicken, Tex Mex, Tamale, Shepherds Pie - Check out some family favorites, easy and quick to cook - and nutritious.

Muffin Monday: 5 Yummy Breakfast Muffins - Skip the coffee shop muffin, make your own, save some money and save a whole lot of calories too.



*** Coffee photo by Quoquo @ flickr



*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Best Spiritual Posts - my own best as well as links to other spiritual posts from all viewpoints
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor

Saturday, September 25, 2010

President Theodore Roosevelt Quote About Courage


Check out Best Spiritual Posts blog for writers of many spiritual viewpoints.

From Denny:  If there was ever one of our American Presidents who understood the road to courage it was Teddy Roosevelt.  He never cringed at a seemingly impossible challenge.  He met crisis bravely and with all the enthusiasm he could throw at it - and usually won.

Every day I read the economic news, story after story of Americans suffering terrible hardships. Millions have been out of work for as long as four years.  Still others have run through all their life savings and retirements still only to lose their homes to foreclosure. And if that is not bad enough there is the trauma of  losing their spouse to cancer, divorce or suicide.

If ever there was a time for courage it is now in this generation.  Life is throwing out all kinds of harsh challenges that require courage of commitment and courage of doing.  One thing is certain: this generation will never be labeled as the Timid Generation.

The people alive today are forced into making tough choices with long term ramifications.  On a positive note, when we experience defeat or victory it is then we have truly lived Life to its fullest, learning lessons learned no other way. It is in these uncertain times in which we have the capacity to grow without limits.  Take stock of how challenge has changed you.  Give gratitude for how that growth has strengthened you, giving you a firmer Life foundation that can never be undone.

Quote

It is not the critic who counts,
nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbled,
or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena,
whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood;
who strives valiantly;
who errs and comes short again and again;
who knows great enthusiasms, great devotions;
who spends himself in a worthy cause;
who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,
and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly,
so that his place shall never be with those timid souls
who know neither victory nor defeat.

- President Theodore Roosevelt


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Best Spiritual Posts - my own best as well as links to other spiritual posts from all viewpoints
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Do You Promote Others As Well As Yourself?



Be sure to check out Best Spiritual Posts blog as well for other writers of many spiritual viewpoints.

From Denny:  This quote brings to mind an interesting spiritual principle of when you give you also receive.  In the business world how often are we reminded of the Greed Model of only meeting our own needs, cutting ourselves off from creating a team of like-minded people who can work together so everyone succeeds? Greed, jealousy and selfishness are three conditions which prevent happiness, lasting success and true fulfillment in our lives.

What have you done today to light the spark in another person?  What have you done today to inspire someone else to give their very best?  How have you seen the light of God in another?

What is beautiful about this quote is how the spirit of only one person can ignite another and another and another until the entire world is one beautiful shimmering light!


Quote

A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. - James Keller


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Meditative Moon Photos

The moon continues to fascinate humanity - and creative photographers.




From Denny:  For those of you familiar with how I  blog you know I've been on another "rest my brain from writing vacation" - going visual - and tripping through the flickr database finding awesome photos! Take a look at what I found last  week while I was searching for photos to illustrate a poem. One post always seems to lead to yet another.

Most of all I was struck by how meditative these photos can be.  But then Nature has that effect upon us like that now doesn't it? :) I've especially been enjoying the rare Harvest Moon that fell upon the Fall Solstice this year.  That warm glow and hazy circling around the moon high up in the sky, well, you can see how poets and song writers were inspired.

What beauty in these wonderful photos! Included are any interesting comments from the photographers. I enlarged the photos so you can enjoy the emotional impact as well - so give them time to load if your connection or the web is a bit slow. They are well worth the wait.





Crow and full moon photo by *L*u*z*A* @ flickr - taken in Columbia, South America, 1 July 2007








London night panorama photo by Dimitry B @ flickr - "View from the end of Millenium Bridge. The camera was resting on the only bit of bridge which doens't shake because of runners, bikes and wind gusts.

Moon rising above the Southwark Bridge. City landmarks and the new City are visible in the distance. Street lights are reflecting in the thames.

Southwark Bridge is an arch bridge for traffic linking Southwark and the City across the River Thames, in London, England. It was designed by Ernest George and Basil Mott and opened in 1921. The bridge is owned and maintained by Bridge House Estates, a charitable trust overseen by the Corporation of London."








Mourning moon photo by TheDreamSky @ flickr - taken in Kathmandu valley, Nepal .








Puerto Madero and Big Moon photo by Irargerich @ flickr - taken in Argentina








Harvest moon photo by joiseyshowaa @ flickr - taken in New Jersey








Moon beam photo by James Jordan @ flickr - "Totally Photoshopped, but I like it. Moon pic was snapped last night. Lighthouse (Wind Point, Racine, Wisconsin) is from last year."








Moon lamp photo by RaSeLaSeD - ll Pinguino @ flickr - taken in Rome, Italy, near Vatican City








Wolf Moon photo by uteart @ flickr - "29 Jan 2010 - The biggest and brightest full moon of the year! This being the first full moon of 2010, it is also known as the wolf moon, a moniker dating back to Native American culture and the notion that hungry wolves howled at the full moon on cold winter nights.

This moon is about 14 percent wider and 30 percent brighter than lesser full Moons of the year, according to Spaceweather.com."







Searching for moon dust photo by NASA Goddard Photo and Video @ flickr - "NASA image release June 10, 2010

This is a picture of coronal and zodiacal light (CZL) taken with the Clementine spacecraft, when the sun was behind the moon. The white area on the edge of the moon is the CZL, and the bright dot at the top is the planet Venus. Credit: NASA/GSFC.

To learn more go to: www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/news/features/2010/lhg.html.

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is home to the nation's largest organization of combined scientists, engineers and technologists that build spacecraft, instruments and new technology to study the Earth, the sun, our solar system, and the universe."








Silhouette against Yangshuo Moon in China photo by johey24 @ flickr - "A cormorant fisherman rows his little bamboo boat against the backdrop of a giant moon on the Li River, Yangshuo, China. This was during a brilliant one hour show of dance, song and culture performed on the water by these locals. The fishing Industry is basically in crisis due to overfishing, and this performance put on by local fisherman at night supplements their income."








Shifting moon photo by fdecomite @ flickr - "Three consecutive days of close conjunction between the Moon and Venus, taken on 19 April 2007"








Fairy tale moon photo by davedehetre @ flickr - taken in Kansas








Bluest full moon photo by wolfpix @ flickr - taken in California








Wedding moon dance photo by Memotions @ flickr - taken in Canada








Dancing crescent moon photo by hortulus @ flickr - taken in California








Full moon sparkling over the city bowl photo by alistair pott @ flickr - taken in South Africa








Earth and moon partner photo by Bluedharma @ flickr








Harvest moon ducks photo by joiseyshowaa @ flickr - taken in Colorado


*** To view how some of these photos were used in a poem:

Waking The Day poem - Libations Friday 17 Sept 2010 - When the day - and I - awaken, present in the moment.

*** Or the version with spiritual symbolism explained:

A Healing Spiritual Poem: Waking The Day - Spiritual symbolism is all around us in our daily life, ready to help heal and balance.


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 19 Sept 2010

*** Check out news, political opinion, political humor and funny cartoons, recipes, poetry, funny posts, photography, science news, spiritual thoughts and great quotes.





From Denny: Am I'm busy playing "catch up" with all these posts in draft form - after 10 days off line, changing internet providers. :) Hope everyone had a great weekend!


The Social Poets:

Economy, World Politics, BP Oil Spill Cartoons - 18 Sept 2010 - Check out what the cartoonists think this week about the American economy, world and American politics and villainous BP's oil spill aftermath.

Waking The Day poem - Libations Friday 17 Sept 2010 - When the day - and I - awaken, present in the moment.

Obamas Popularity, Polls Roundup of American Opinion - 16 Sept 2010 - Check out this week's polling of Americans from the President's approval rating, tax cuts, anti-Muslim feelings to frustration with our politicians.

Good Move, Mr. Prez: Safeguarding The Gulf on Oil Production - Today the President took new measures to watch dog the oil and gas industry, increasing the safety of our environment.

Roundup of Late Night Funnies - 14 Sept 2010 - Catch up on the latest comedic musings and amusements from Colbert, Stewart and late night show jokes, funny video clips and newest cartoons before they post for the week at other sites.

Funny Video: Stewart Mocks Gov. Jan Brewer Fiasco, Wonders Why Dems Are Lame - One of the best political critics around, Jon Stewart wonders why the Democrats just can't seem to win against inept lying Republicans.

Funny Video: Colbert Mocks Beck On His Restore Honor Rally - Only Colbert has the truthful tongue to whiplash Glenn Beck's bizarre arrogance with just the right touch of comedic art and campy irreverence.

Funny Video: Letterman and Olbermann Laugh at Republican 2012 Contenders - and Beck - Letterman and Olbermann suggest unlikely crazy Republican possibilities for the 2012 Presidential season.

Funny Video: Letterman Teases Obama For Frequent Vacations - Irreverent comic Letterman chides both Tiger Woods and Prez Obama for their ideas of relaxation.

Funny Video: Jon Stewart Mocks Florida Pastor Behind Planned Koran Bonfire - Comic Jon Stewart wasted no time in analyzing the Burn a Koran Day incident that had the entire world in an uproar from every religious corner.

Who Will Be Prez Obamas Next Chief of Staff? - Check out the leading contenders who can make or break the Democratic agenda.

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 12 Sept 2010 - Check out news, political opinion, political humor and funny cartoons, recipes, poetry, funny posts, photography, spiritual thoughts and great quotes.







Beautiful Illustrated Quotations:


7 Thoughtful Quotes About The Future - Enjoy these reflections upon how we think about our future.

A Healing Spiritual Poem: Waking The Day - Spiritual symbolism is all around us in our daily life, ready to help heal and balance.







Dennys Funny Quotes:


22 Funny Situational Hunh?! Cartoons - 18 Sept 2010 - Check out the funny twisted minds of cartoonists as they envision various life situations.

Republican Tea Party of the Devil: Meet Satanist Christine ODonnell - Tea Party Delaware Senate nominee admits to practicing witchcraft and Satanism.








Visual Insights:


Koran Book Burning, September 11th Cartoons - 18 Sept 2010 - Check out what the nation's cartoonists had to say about the Burn a Koran Day call from a Florida pastor who eventually backed down from his threat.

Dennys Photo Gallery: Our Mysterious Moon - The moon continues to fascinate humanity - and creative photographers.







Dennys Food and Recipes:


5 Easy Game Day Recipes For A Barbecue - Simple crowd pleasing recipes, easy to make, for your successful tailgating on game day weekends.

Cake Tuesday: Lemon Cheese-Filled Cake - Check out what heavenly confection you can do with a simple cake mix.







The Soul Calendar:


Mapping Our Complex Brains: Human Connectome Project - Fascinating new project mapping the complex circuitry of our brains.


*** Coffee photo by Quoquo @ flickr



*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor

Friday, September 17, 2010

A Healing Spiritual Poem: Waking The Day

Spiritual symbolism is all around us in our daily life, ready to help heal and balance.





From Denny: Writing on several levels simultaneously is always a joy, especially in the form of poetry. People find it more enjoyable to interpret the poems on their own. But since this is my spiritual blog I thought I'd mention some of the most obvious spiritual symbols present in this poem.


water = spirituality
mist and fog = Spirit
herons and egrets = change coming
the moon = represents change and feminine spiritual energy
the sun = life giving and masculine spiritual energy
cats = healing
golden color = ancient healing light and knowledge
planet Venus = Love
night and day = balance and transition
stumbling in the dark = how we often find our way in life
coffee drink = comfort and celebration of the new
humor = brings joy into our hearts

The reason this is a healing poem is because it speaks to connecting with all around us and viewing all in our life as a spiritual experience, therefore drawing strength and balance.



When the day - and I - awaken, present in the moment.





Waking The Day


When I suddenly awakened from the long night’s hot summer sleep
The energizing scent of coffee brewing wafted around the corner.
I stumbled in the dark, bouncing off the doorway, fumbling for the kitchen lights.
I saw cats waiting eagerly at the back door, wide-eyed nocturnal keepers of the yard.





Measuring out fresh food into their three bowls, then wisely throwing open the door.
They looked up at me, measuring me more than their food, wondering how awake,
Hugging the doorway, quietly gliding through the opening instead of their usual burst.
The golden tiger cat squeaked his morning gossip of the neighborhood nightly report.





Steaming dark brown coffee breathed foggy swirls, spilling into the pristine mug.
The hot libation slid down my throat as it gave off its sweet Ethiopian perfume.
Drinking coffee before speaking plays first in the slumbering beginnings at my house.
Glancing at the cats, all lined in a row, they ate heartily as if miners just off a long shift.






I stepped out into the night to view the sparkling stars before they faded to the day.
The sky was astounding in its simple beauty; the love planet Venus the brightest smile.
How could anyone not smile in return when the planets seem to speak lovingly to us?
So many stars, so many messages written in the sky, our Universe speaks unceasingly.





Pouring another offering of coffee, I pulled up a chair on the porch to view the lake.
I could witness early morning on the water a thousand times, never to be disappointed.
Smoke rose on the water, little ghostly fingers walking forward on the mirrored surface.
Three mallard ducks emerged from the mist, swimming my way, dancing long strides.






Huge prehistoric wings filled the air with a swooping sound and blanketed darkness.
A blue heron landed to fish his breakfast, blending into the smoky gray surrounding mist.
Soon a white egret flew in from the east, careful to move down to another fishing hole.
In the dim light a neighbor fished, sitting, pole in hand as his coffee scent filled the air.







Faint pink embers, the growing light, were filling the sky just above the rooftop horizon.
The blue heron stalked the shallows on his long legs, searching the moving warm waters.
A sudden splash, beak dove down, retrieving a huge fish he flung high on to the bank.
The egret caught small fishes, silver glints in the sunlight, tossed into the air, swallowed.





Two cups of coffee later it was time to check back in the house to rouse my husband.
Entering the room, he slumbered peacefully, his breath shallow; I knew he was awake.
The golden tiger cat pounced onto the bed and onto his chest, demanding attention.
His eyes closed, my husband smiled and knew he had not fooled either one of us.




Denny Lyon
Copyright 17 Sept 2010
All Rights Reserved



Photo Credits


Steaming coffee in white cup photo by Kvasov Andrey @ flickr

Pink embers sunrise photo by Indy Kethdy @ flickr

Two great white egrets photo by flythebirdpath~} teddy @ flickr

The night sky photo by James Jordan @ flickr (combination of two photos)

Smoke on the water photo by flamesworddragon @ flickr

Ducks swimming under full moon photo by joiseyshowaa @ flickr

Fairy tale moon photo by davedehetre @ flickr

Golden cat in shadow photo by 1 suisse @ flickr


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor

Thursday, September 16, 2010

7 Thoughtful Quotes About The Future

Enjoy these reflections upon how we think about our future.





From Denny: These quotes will lift your heart and make you laugh - and certainly make you think. The last quote is my favorite. So many times we don't quite fully realize how each moment in the present is creating our future living.


Quotes

* And in today already walks tomorrow. - Samuel Taylor Coleridge

* Our faith in the present dies out long before our faith in the future. - Ruth Benedict

* The course of life is unpredictable... no one can write his autobiography in advance. - Abraham Joshua Heschel

* A preoccupation with the future not only prevents us from seeing the present as it is but often prompts us to rearrange the past. - Eric Hoffer

* We should all be concerned about the future because we will have to spend the rest of our lives there. - Charles F. Kettering

* The future is always beginning now. - Mark Strand, Reasons for Moving

* The past can't see you, but the future is listening. - Terri Guillemets



*** Fairy tale moon photo by davedehetre @ flickr


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 12 Sept 2010

*** Check out news, political opinion, political humor and funny cartoons, recipes, poetry, funny posts, photography, spiritual thoughts and great quotes.






From Denny: It's been a wild ride changing internet providers and I was off line for 10 days. I tell ya when you slow down to snail time it takes a while to gear back up to a fast pace. So, rather than try to catch up I've decided to round up what there is and not sweat what there isn't. Gee, can you tell I absorbed "Greek Time" when I visited Santorini several years ago? Greek Time is extremely slow, unhurried and a definite "I'll get around to it" attitude. :)



Recent Post Roundups:

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 22 Aug 2010

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 15 Aug 2010

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 8 Aug 2010



The Social Poets:

Who Will Be Prez Obamas Next Chief of Staff? - Check out the leading contenders who can make or break the Democratic agenda.

Middle East Peace, Koran Burning, Iraq War Cartoons - 11 Sept 2010 - The threatened burning of 200 Korans took center stage this week over the Middle East Peace process with the public and the cartoonists.

America and The Economy Cartoons - 11 Sept 2010 - America's economic sugar high is a rocky roller coaster ride that no one knows where it will go. Check out the latest cartoonist opinions.

The Understanding poem - Libations Friday 10 Sept 2010 - We build Peace in our lives a moment at a time - and this is a poem story of how it can start early in childhood as it did for me.

Call to Christians And Muslims Against Violence From Threat to Burn Koran - Phony Christian pastor incites international violence for threatening to burn the Koran.

Economy, America and World Politics Cartoons - 7 Sept 2010 - Check out this week's amusing cartoon commentary on our American politics.

Majority in Poll Say America Still Not Ready For Big Disasters - Our government has a long way to go to convince Americans it can handle large scale natural or man made disasters.

Roundup of Late Night Funnies - 23 Aug 2010 - Check out the latest jokes from late night comics this week, along with some of the most current cartoons and LOL funniest videos from the likes of Colbert and Stewart.

Funny Video: Stewart Rips Fox News Lies About Ground Zero Mosque - Comics have endless material ripped from true headlines, like Fox News creating controversy to keep from sinking lower in the news ratings.

Funny Video: Campy Bed Bug PSA - Leave it to Jon Stewart to ferret out the campiest PSA done on bedbugs.

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 22 Aug 2010 - Check out news, political opinion, political humor and funny cartoons, recipes, science news, poetry, funny posts, photography, spiritual thoughts and great quotes.




Beautiful Illustrated Quotations:

Ancient Healing Oil: Sandalwood - Modern technology life can be stressful and counter productive to spiritual growth. Try this essential oil to bring balance into your life.




Dennys Funny Quotes:

Prez Obama, Democrats, Trouble With Political Message Cartoons - 11 Sept 2010 - Cartoonists lampoon, and downright blast, the Democrats for doing a lousy job of getting out their message.

Funny Hunh?! Cartoons - 8 Sept 2010 - Check out this week's grinners to soothe your work week stress.

Funny Video: Bounty Mocks High School With Rap - Video: Bounty Brings It. Paper Towel Gang Keeps it Clean - great rap music video production for an ad.

Funny Work Cartoons - 23 Aug 2010 - Funny Work Cartoons - 23 Aug 2010




Visual Insights:

Dennys Photo Gallery: Swinging Good Fun! - Check out some wonderful photos from around the world validating how much we all have in common as children: we love to swing!

Arts: Fun Incredible Beach Art Photos - Check out the fun and funny creative designs for your latest version of the sand castle and sand art on your favorite beach.





Dennys Food and Recipes:


Celebrate: Yummy Southern Gulf Coast Shrimp and Crab Boil - Find out how easy it is to do your own shrimp and crab boil to celebrate the great seafood of the summer!


*** Coffee photo by Quoquo @ flickr (Brazil)


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Friday, September 10, 2010

Call to Christians And Muslims Against Violence From Threat to Burn Koran

Phony Christian pastor incites international violence for threatening to burn the Koran.

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From Denny: When I heard about this nut case in Florida, claiming to be a Christian, yet screaming how another religion is "of the Devil," well, evidence there is yet more from Camp Stupid and Camp Outrageous. The first question that came to mind was, "So why is this guy so adamant to get his 15 minutes of negative attention fame?" Like so many things in life, what is on the surface is rarely the truth.

Usually, when people pull destructive stunts like this it is often for misdirection away from something else. The internal suspicion radar wonders if this guy is tied into a white supremacist militia group. Then there are the Republican political strategists who are always stirring up the Moral Majority religious fringe right.

It is curious how this bizarre stunt suddenly surfaces when President Obama is working so hard on Middle East Peace with Israel and Palestine. There are always those fools on all sides who try to derail Peace initiatives. Our job is not to give in to them and allow them to destroy Peace.

The vast majority of Americans think this "pastor" has crossed the line. After all, when you condemn someone else's religion you end up condemning your own. All religions could take a lesson from that thought.

Often these small fringe Protestant churches are a bunch of odd misfits who think they don't have to answer to anyone or respect anyone. They lie and hide behind the apron strings of religion and constitutional rights while they incite violence and hate. The same could be said of Islamic terrorists for they operate in the same manner. They are both wrong and both not honoring their claimed religions, rather they are wallowing in negative cultures that grew up around those religions.



Mike Luckovich



If ever there was a time for a rallying call it's now. The rallying call is not for Christians to line up on the battle field against Muslims or Muslims to line up on the battle field against Christians. What we all need to do is take a deep breath and ask ourselves one question: "Do we think God is great?" For that is where our focus should rest - not upon ourselves or "the other guy" we don't like.

If we do agree on that one precept then it's obvious what is the next logical line of reasoning. If God is greater than all of us combined, does He really need us to defend Him? Of course not. What God wants from all of us is to figure out how to live in Peace and kindness toward one another while we each individually - or collectively as nations - travel on our spiritual journeys toward understanding. Part of that path is to grow our attitudes away from violence and toward patience and tolerance.

While we do have religious freedom and freedom of expression in this great country of America, there are also local fire ordinances. Remember, at the moment there is only the threat of burning the Koran. Sometimes, it's the simple things that take care of stupidity like this. The city of Gainesville, Florida has prevented the "pastor" from burning the Korans as that burning presents a fire hazard. Apparently, the ink is highly incendiary. Now that's the understatement of the year.


*** Update 10 Sept 2010, 7:23 PM: This story is constantly changing back and forth from threatening to burn the 200 Korans to not doing it. There are claims this pastor has made that the mosque near Ground Zero will be moved or not built at all - all because of his stunt. The New York City mosque has no plans to move their planned building nor has that Imam agreed to meet with this Florida pastor threatening violence - even though Pastor Jones has claimed the Imam will meet with him.

As of Friday night the Florida pastor has stated he will not go through with the burning of the Korans and may not even be in town. Let's see, the FBI probably warned him that if he went through with it - and if anyone was harmed by violence or rioting - that he would be held responsible by federal hate crime law. The planned burning was also in violation of the city of Gainesville's fire ordinances.

Saturday is the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorism in New York City on the World Trade Center. Tensions continue between American Christians and Muslims around the world because of this act of terrorism. The Republican political strategists continue to stir up people to anger rather than tolerance and cooperation as one nation, different faiths and beliefs. After all, you can easily control people by keeping them angry, so angry they take their focus off solving problems by thinking their way through them with wisdom.

On this anniversary of hate, let's lower the political temperature and instead respond with spiritual forgiveness and wisdom.




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








Terry Jones Defies Administration, Plans to Burn Korans Anyway

FBI Says Retaliation for Koran Burning 'Likely'


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Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Ancient Healing Oil: Sandalwood

Modern technology life can be stressful and counter productive to spiritual growth. Try this essential oil to bring balance into your life.

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From Denny: As we transition into the fall and winter seasons we become more contemplative and less physically active. Today I was thinking how restorative bathing in water is, especially when employing specific aromatic oils.

From a science point of view, water gives off an extra ion that gives a boost in physical energy along with a sense of well-being. When you add the right balance of essential oils to the water that bath can aid a person on their spiritual path.

Sandalwood works with fear in the body

Our spiritual path often involves dissolving the trauma of the past. Trauma is usually linked with fear. This essential oil works with the fear in the body and brain. It alleviates mental confusion and tension. Sandalwood is also known for helping with moisturizing the skin and alleviating chest and urinary tract infections.







How Sandalwood helps in deep meditation

Sandalwood, a sweet smelling essential oil, has been used for centuries in countries like India. Sandalwood assists meditation and prayer by quieting that constant mental chatter in our heads when we begin to focus. Sandalwood is quite effective in helping us achieve the deepest states of meditation so we can easily connect with that universal cosmic prayer that is infinite and beautiful.

How Sandalwood affects the subtle energies of the chakra system

The beauty of this complex sandalwood oil is that it works on several subtle chakra levels simultaneously. How Sandalwood oil affects you is you feel this exotic sensuality as well as a wonderful spiritual wholeness, sometimes referred to as a divine sensuality.

Basically, it links the Base Chakra of life's vitality - where the Spirit resides quietly, ready to rise up when needed. Sandalwood links from the Base Chakra to the Crown Chakra, where we take in heavenly energies and awareness. Sandalwood oil interactively links all the chakras and their subtle energies so that you can be totally in your physical body, yet in perfect balance and harmony, and you find it easier to focus upon the subtle energies around you.

Sandalwood is good for keeping you grounded, especially when you are experiencing anxiety and fear. It keeps us close to our divine essence, assisting us to interact and cooperate with divine will.

Sandalwood stimulates the brain and endocrine system

How else does this interesting essential oil work? Sandalwood stimulates the pituitary and pineal glands and helps to build up the entire endocrine system of the whole body. This oil helps to regulate the uterus in women. It also contains a high amount of the male hormone called androgen.

Many times you will read on essential oil labels about the "sesquiterpene" levels. Sesquiterpenes possess the ability to pull oxygen out of food and the air. They increase oxygen to the body and the brain.







Sandalwood increases oxygen to the brain

How does increased oxygen stimulate the brain? It stimulates the pineal and pituitary glands as well as the amygdala portion of the brain. The amygdala controls arousal, autonomic responses associated with fear, emotional responses and hormonal secretions. Sandalwood has a sesquiterpene content of 90 percent.

Sandalwood is known for cooling the brain during meditation. It helps focus the third eye for spiritual meditation, spiritual sight and spiritual focus.

Historical uses of Sandalwood

Remember those references in the Bible to essential oils like "aloes"? There is some speculation that those aloes referred to in the Old Testament are the same as "sandalwood." Sandalwood was found in ancient Palestine.

John 19:39 - "And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and and aloes, about a hundred pound weight."

Other names for sandalwood: East Indian sandalwood, santal, saunders. This oil is pale yellow to pale gold in color. This exotic scent is woody, exotic, somewhat sweet, subtle and lingering.

Humanity has used sandalwood for over 4,000 years. The wood is still used today for carvings like jewelry boxes and furniture. Centuries ago it was used to build temples. Caravans carried it from the best source in Mysore, India to Greece, Egypt and Rome. Egyptians used the oil in embalming. It is considered a non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing oil.

Currently, Sandalwood is considered an endangered species in India and steps are being taken to promote and protect growth of this unusual parasitic tree that grows by implanting itself onto the roots of other trees.

While pure sandalwood oil is becoming quite expensive the diluted form - like a 25 percent mixture into jojoba oil - is fine for meditation and bathing.








Summary about essential oil Sandalwood:

* facilitates deeper meditation and focus

* helps control fear and calm it and alleviates mental confusion

* stimulates the brain and the pituitary and pineal glands

* increases oxygen to the brain and body

* considered a cooling oil as it cools the brain in meditation

* focuses the third eye

* links all the chakras bringing them into balance while still in the physical body

* moisturizes the skin

* non-toxic, non-irritant, non-sensitizing

* relaxing and soothes irritability


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor
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