tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-496027924782351312024-03-19T01:47:36.658-07:00It's NOT about meMichael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.comBlogger1254125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-84607443806768209592024-03-18T08:57:00.001-07:002024-03-18T12:22:07.403-07:00One of many<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of many. (Not a Star Trek character. You're thinking of Seven of Nine). I was just thinking though of one marvelous thing, but as I did, I realized that it wasn't the only marvelous thing. There are tons of marvelous things and more keep on coming. It was simply one of many.</div>
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When you eat a mouth-watering candy bar, remember that there are more where that came from - it's just one of many. When you have a wonderful day, think of it as one of many. When you hear a great song for the first time, be happy about that, but realize it is one of many. How about that fantastic breakfast you just ate, of the beautiful flowers you saw during your morning walk? There are wonders just about everywhere you look. We are surrounded by all kinds of goodness, but sometimes we just don't see it.<br />
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As you go through today, make a mental note of every positive or joyful thing you experience - all kinds of candy bars? beautiful flowers? perhaps smiling faces? As you do it, think of the fact that your list keeps on growing. We aren't just talking about one thing - we are talking about one of many! </div>
Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-71684445524236216602024-03-17T08:53:00.001-07:002024-03-18T12:26:09.326-07:00Are you happy?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What makes you happy? Are you happy because we have a new president? Are you happy because zoom and youtube and other platforms help us to attend church and concerts and ballet? Are there material objects that bring you happiness? What about food or maybe music or art? Are you happy because of the work you do or the people you associate with or because of your hobbies or because of some great past memories? </div>
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What? I'm assuming you <strong>ARE</strong> happy. Perhaps I should have first asked if you are. Well, what's the answer? Are you a happy person? Do you share that happiness with others? (Sharing happiness can also <em><b>bring</b></em> you happiness). It is wonderful to make others happy!</div>
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I think that happy is one of those wonderful things that is very easy to share. If you are smiling it invites others to smile as well. If you seem to be happy and pleasant, I'll bet you will find others picking that happiness up from you!</div>
Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-17359770636524583512024-03-16T08:57:00.001-07:002024-03-18T12:31:23.345-07:00how much can you give?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Someone calls you on the phone and asks for a donation or you receive a letter in the mail or perhaps there is a posting on someone's blog that you regularly read. You want to make a donation but you don't think you can afford it or you think the small amount you might give is not really worth it.</div>
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Very few of us can donate money to every single cause that comes along, even if we want to. So, just how much can you give? When is it time to step back and donate no more? </div>
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In the few lines I write here every day, it would be impossible to give all of the answers on any subject and giving of money is one of the most difficult of all. The best advice I can give is to plan. Don't just reach into your pocket every single time someone asks. Very soon the well would be dry!</div>
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Another important thing to remember is that when giving money, EVERY SINGLE DONATION MATTERS. Sometimes we tend to forget that. We think that smaller donations don't matter, but it is those numerous small donations that add up to the big ones!</div>
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One thing I like to do is collect money at home for various causes. You can take a few envelopes or jars or even piggy banks and use them to grow donations. One might be for the money you want to give to your church (apart from what you usually give) for some special program or ministry. Another container might be to give money to fight AIDS or cancer or any number of other diseases. You get the idea. You can even have a collection for an unknown cause, just in case something comes up that you want to give to.</div>
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Do you usually buy yourself a desert every afternoon, or maybe a coffee? Skip a day (or two or three) and put the money you saved in the jar(s). If you earn a little extra at work (overtime maybe) or doing some special job, put all or at least a part of that in your charity collection jars. Every time you have a little extra money in your pocket, add it to that jar or envelope. </div>
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By planning to give something to various causes, you can do so comfortably without fearing that you will leave yourself broke. Saying no is okay too. Always be aware of your limits. </div>
Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-92051673013718278762024-03-15T08:49:00.001-07:002024-03-18T12:33:00.040-07:00That's beautiful!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Did you ever look out your car window and say "That's beautiful!"? How about taking a walk through the community where you live and you stumble across a scene that moves you because it's just lovely? The "beautiful" here in this picture is from the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, not far from where I once lived.<br />
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Here in Arizona where I live now, there is a lot of beauty too. Even in the wide open desert there is beauty. I seem to see beauty everywhere I go. It's not just on the ground or in the sky.<br />
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Beauty can be on the buildings and even on the clothing that people are wearing, and lest we forget, beauty can be within the people we encounter, too (even when we are wearing masks). It's actually very rare to find a person who does not have beauty within. You don't have to even look hard - just open your eyes and open your heart.<br />
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If we all take a moment to see the beauty that is all around us, I very certain we will realize how beautiful this great world of ours is!</div>
Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-4382961934419173042024-03-14T08:53:00.001-07:002024-03-18T12:36:28.831-07:00Who inspires you?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just a few months before she died, I was helping my mother setup a new password for her television and telephone service and the service agent wanted as a hint (in case the password was forgotten), the name of Mom's hero. Without hesitation Mom said "Dad." Yes, my grandfather inspired me in many ways, but it was so nice to hear Mom call him her hero.<br />
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What about you though - do you have a hero? Is there someone in your life who inspires you? When I think of people who inspire me personally, they are not always people I have actually met. Yes, it can be a relative or friend or co-worker, but we can be inspired by strangers too. A guy I have written about many times here is one person who inspires me. There are celebrities too and people long gone.</div>
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During the pandemic, I found more and more personal heroes. The wonderful cellist who livestreamed concerts of his music, was certainly one of them. All the people who showed care and concern for others, and the leadership we needed to get through it. My friend Toan, who has been a hero to me since the day I met him, continues to be. There is also Dinah, and Justin, and Kelly, and my wonderful sister. It seems my life is full of heroes!<br />
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It is such a blessing to have people who inspire you. The number isn't important. It might be one person or it could be several. The significance is that they inspire you. Do you have such a person in your life?</div>
Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-81436138224424471562024-03-13T08:49:00.001-07:002024-03-18T12:37:08.135-07:00colored water<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can remember as a youngster being in the supermarket with my mom and seeing the drinking fountains (remember them?) labeled "white" and "colored." I had no idea this was racial - I thought the water was white or colored! Naturally I wanted to drink the colored one. A woman witnessed this and scolded my mother for letting me drink where "those people" had put their mouths. My mother explained it all later, but it was several years later before I really understood.<br />
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Or do I understand? Why should someone drink from a certain fountain and not from another, just because of their race? Well the answer of course is that they shouldn't. Separate drinking fountains are illegal now, but sadly, we still have racial prejudice - I see examples most every day even now in 2024.<br />
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The whole drinking water thing apparently hit home with many. Diane Bass, the mother of entertainer Lance Bass, wrote an essay several years ago which I just read the other day and in it she recalls her drinking fountain moment. With her grandmother screaming at her to stop drinking from the "wrong" fountain, Bass writes "When I looked at the fountain it had the word "Colored" on it and she told me I had to drink out of another one. I was only 6 years old but I knew something was just not right about that."</div>
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Many of my friends are Asian and one time I was out with several other guys, all of whom are Asian. A group of white guys came upon us and started yelling at me "Why aren't you with your own kind?" They even chased after us, and since we were outnumbered, their senseless prejudice was not in the forefront of our minds - we simply wanted to get out of there safely.</div>
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I see the same kind of bias against lgbtq people often. I've been very fortunate and haven't been the victim of individual attacks, but all the laws that ban same sex marriage or that allow prejudice against lgbtq people in the workplace or anywhere else, are certainly attacks. They are saying I am not quite as good as someone else.</div>
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In all my years and will all that I have seen, the prejudicial treatment of people based on their membership - or perceived membership - in a certain group or category, just doesn't make sense to me, and yet it continues.</div>
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Is a world with true equality too much for me to hope for? Can we put aside all prejudice and discrimination? Will bigotry ever be completely erased? What do YOU think?</div>
Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-44872383034074633592024-03-12T08:49:00.001-07:002024-03-18T12:29:07.716-07:00Forgive and forget<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXygKW44LYWcjGGdmGWNE1wSzuC8IbPx1Xv0_pgc4ycMDiML7wKsmhTa5XKqIu_ewVLWlk0y6CE7BJHzfATf7HgBjf8rB4MEksxtKF8eqhwGPxU8Z8hwZNy6vMw2hdyljffTRh8o6w2SM/s622/AbpDesmondTutu.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="589" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXygKW44LYWcjGGdmGWNE1wSzuC8IbPx1Xv0_pgc4ycMDiML7wKsmhTa5XKqIu_ewVLWlk0y6CE7BJHzfATf7HgBjf8rB4MEksxtKF8eqhwGPxU8Z8hwZNy6vMw2hdyljffTRh8o6w2SM/w138-h146/AbpDesmondTutu.jpg" width="138" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Forgive and forget? The late Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa had a few things to say about that.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Forgiving and being reconciled to our enemies or our loved ones are not about pretending that things are other than they are. It is not about patting one another on the back and turning a blind eye to the wrong. True reconciliation exposes the awfulness, the abuse, the hurt, the truth. It could even sometimes make things worse. It is a risky undertaking but in the end it is worthwhile, because in the end only an honest confrontation with reality can bring real healing. Superficial reconciliation can bring only superficial healing.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The archbishop further said “Forgiving is not forgetting; its actually remembering - remembering and not using your right to hit back. Its a second chance for a new beginning. And the remembering part is particularly important. Especially if you don't want to repeat what happened.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div> Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-89134766772592143832024-03-11T08:55:00.001-07:002024-03-11T08:55:00.287-07:00Goal!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What are your goals? Hopefully you have some. Great Austrailian athlete Bill Copeland once said “The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never score.” Indeed.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">We hear people talk about “pursuing our dreams” and “going for the gold.” What does that mean? Setting a goal in life is the first step in dreaming of our future. Set that goal and then go for it! We all are capable of doing great things. How often have I said we all can change the world? We really can. The first step though is to try. We need to try to do it.</div>
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The so often inspiring Walt Disney said it so well: “All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them.” One more quote. This one is from Charles D. Gill: “There are many wonderful things that will never be done if you do not do them.”</div>
Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-28684812794819209362024-03-10T08:54:00.001-07:002024-03-10T08:54:00.165-07:00Recognition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you are a regular reader of these daily words, you know that what we talk about here is giving back and making a difference in the world. There are many ways of doing it, and we have ventured details on a goodly number over the years. Occasionally we bring an individual to your attention who is making a difference. <br />
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Most people become activists or volunteers or givers, because they genuinely want to be productive. That doesn’t mean that a little recognition is a bad thing or that they would run from it. If you are giving time to a non-profit, you usually aren’t receiving any money for it. Now hopefully you are there because you really like the organization, and you feel your gift of time and talent can be of assistance. That does not mean that your efforts should not be recognized or that you should not be thanked. <br />
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Years ago, a priest taught me a valuable lesson. I know this is NOT about me, but still, I want to share it. I would volunteer on a regular basis – at least once a week. Each time, when I had finished, he said two simple words to me: thank you. I try to always do the same now with others. It really doesn’t have to be limited to volunteer situations either. In the workplace, it’s nice when your boss thanks you with words and not just your paycheck. <br />
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Recognition goes beyond thanks too. Calling attention to the good work of others and letting others know of it, is another form of pay and one that recipients will greatly cherish. They may not go into a situation looking for praise, but a few kind words of recognition can really brighten up their day! </div>
Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-37463979170223799212024-03-09T08:54:00.001-07:002024-03-09T10:47:22.008-07:00Is it spring yet?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9wdSLlH7Jtvq62DSF1M44G3SOYCtduGx_ZztKvlVrH0XZYaAoCu2xfvJvN_fobFEq91-AyZjaDQ9RPCjowqYGtqf-VO1n94Ry2uF1619e5wnCghYCn5usscwoAfUhvqXjntC_6CJ6QA/s1600/springmix.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9wdSLlH7Jtvq62DSF1M44G3SOYCtduGx_ZztKvlVrH0XZYaAoCu2xfvJvN_fobFEq91-AyZjaDQ9RPCjowqYGtqf-VO1n94Ry2uF1619e5wnCghYCn5usscwoAfUhvqXjntC_6CJ6QA/w230-h233/springmix.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
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The question many people, especially those in the northeast United States, may be asking: "Is it spring yet?" "Will the weather soon warm up? Parts of the country right now are at or near zero and the forecast is saying it will dip all the way to 11 below! Yikes! Just what did that groundhog say last month? Sometimes it may seem difficult to stay happy and upbeat with weather like this!</div>
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Life sends all kinds of obstacles our way, not just severe weather. Do we throw our hands in the air and just give up? Of course not! While looking forward to good things might be helpful, we can also appreciate what we have. Several feet of snow doesn't always make that easy, but it is possible.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Daylight Saving Time begins at 2am tomorrow. We often remind ourselves to "spring forward," although spring is still a couple weeks away. (Don't forget your clocks tonight, unless you live in Arizona, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico).</div>
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What blessings does your life have? Think about it for a moment. Did anything happen to you yesterday that you are really grateful for? Are you healthy? Have you been eating good meals? Is there someone in your life who loves you? Did you do something recently that brought you pleasure? Do you have a warm bed to sleep in at night and nice clothes to wear? There are probably tons of good things in your life, so why dwell on what negative there might be. Not enough good things? Work on building some more!</div>
Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-80035621478569165202024-03-08T08:54:00.001-07:002024-03-18T12:43:15.445-07:00Give, give, give<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYZpHSyNKSwnZUT8zJSGj9bcSjzU84MMYi_unAnIPq_8omTyrKRbIrxXBI5mzF0nEQ4PV6Fbr8oEGd-trKDLP1MzF75psgPiGRbFLNSODmk8Yj_9Lis_kAHE4cqEuq5CbNZO5d3N8hP4/s1600/give-give-give.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="988" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYZpHSyNKSwnZUT8zJSGj9bcSjzU84MMYi_unAnIPq_8omTyrKRbIrxXBI5mzF0nEQ4PV6Fbr8oEGd-trKDLP1MzF75psgPiGRbFLNSODmk8Yj_9Lis_kAHE4cqEuq5CbNZO5d3N8hP4/w276-h199/give-give-give.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
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How many ways are there to give? My dear readers, the list is endless. You can give back in so many ways!</div>
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Volunteer to tutor kids after school. Go on a trash walk and clean up a local park. Plant a tree. Do a yard sale, and give the proceeds to a local charity. Volunteer at one of the more than 3,190 shelters in the country. Volunteer or donate to a local food bank. Collect non perishable food items at your next birthday party instead of gifts. </div>
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Give money to your favorite cause. Adopt a pet. Read to children at your local library. Put together a birthday bag for a child living in a shelter. Volunteer at the hospital. Send a letter to a solider. Donate money in honor of a friend or in memory of a loved one. Be a big brother or a big sister. </div>
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Give, give, give! It really is a wonderful way to live! Any special ways YOU have of giving back? Let me hear from you!</div>
Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-75548762501112740872024-03-07T08:48:00.001-07:002024-03-18T13:14:53.964-07:00no negativity!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLQ8a_5DHDTHLWT8OXBjik-wRYHszwLCxLs-j12jMpfYGqPvWG4AjEKir_pHQOwXWlBoqg3UKoRddHL45O0kpdlrKW4p-6WIEnbtyUoKzBVJcMxpVIz75VcidFLLW1PfGTPCqO0RrBLw/s1600/nonegativity.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLQ8a_5DHDTHLWT8OXBjik-wRYHszwLCxLs-j12jMpfYGqPvWG4AjEKir_pHQOwXWlBoqg3UKoRddHL45O0kpdlrKW4p-6WIEnbtyUoKzBVJcMxpVIz75VcidFLLW1PfGTPCqO0RrBLw/w236-h226/nonegativity.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
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There are so many wonderful positive things in this world to celebrate that it seems to me that negativity has no place. Yes, there are those who are always moaning and groaning about something, and there are newspapers and television stations that seem to enjoy showing the bad more than the good, but that doesn't mean for one moment that we have to follow along!<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">I think we should promote the things we love instead of bashing what we hate. There are so many things that I truly love and am inspired by, so this is very easy for me to do. Think about it though. In your conversations around the water cooler (or anywhere), try to be positive. Take all negativity out of your vocabulary.<br />
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What's in the news today? Do we hear anything about the kids that are collecting for charity or about the program that helps senior citizens or the heartwarming tale of a community activist who is making a difference in our world? Perhaps we don't hear those stories in the mainstream press, but I am happy to share them here. The incredible tales I hear always give me great hope for our future. There is so much good out there! Let's celebrate it and no wallow in the negative.</div>
Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-76048405706691165712024-03-06T08:57:00.001-07:002024-03-18T12:48:03.211-07:00You brighten up my day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyyfudFg1SfbfoykG0ogjqguXW4y_WI9nnn4l9sk6PgqZLjscCoxHKv36RKIobPf3FvRGOqfBetIToHPoPmt7ouBYoCBmCyUv_TqQFDBd6enwUdlsG4p_uKvCAJM33wjAFP3tGD6aPPA/s1600/Sunshine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyyfudFg1SfbfoykG0ogjqguXW4y_WI9nnn4l9sk6PgqZLjscCoxHKv36RKIobPf3FvRGOqfBetIToHPoPmt7ouBYoCBmCyUv_TqQFDBd6enwUdlsG4p_uKvCAJM33wjAFP3tGD6aPPA/s200/Sunshine.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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The glow of the sun, up in the sky, seems to spread joy to most of us. It can even make you sing! I was thinking back to that wonderful hit by the Bee Gees:</div>
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<em><strong>Good morning mister sunshine, </strong></em><br />
<em><strong>you brighten up my day. </strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Come sit beside me in your way</strong></em>.<br />
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Of course that isn't the only mention of the sun in song. John Denver had a hit too, which really describes that feeling:<br />
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<em><strong>Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Sunshine on the water looks so lovely</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Sunshine almost always makes me high</strong></em><br />
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Can you think of others? Perhaps the joy of a beautiful sunny day might inspire you to write your own song! It might be hard to top George Harrison’s wonderfully contemplative and also very comforting "Here Comes the Sun." Another favorite of mine is another Beatles tune, "Good Day Sunshine." I feel like writing a song, or at least singing along with someone else's. It's going to you a sunny day!</div>
Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-47389516382882511462024-03-05T08:50:00.001-07:002024-03-18T13:10:41.409-07:00Be a hero of positivity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVcgOgDMY9OMkpnypavUcztxEsNJMJPtola7bDNK_Ie-h-iTYWn5TnU5OhLeTvRoNOkQc6kSZbsFA71x7enmZLbILy3NzYby2yb-LryRBrggxMMWWBKsorE7hVCbW8HqdtShyphenhyphenvHtuUJA/s1600/hero_of_positivity.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="340" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVcgOgDMY9OMkpnypavUcztxEsNJMJPtola7bDNK_Ie-h-iTYWn5TnU5OhLeTvRoNOkQc6kSZbsFA71x7enmZLbILy3NzYby2yb-LryRBrggxMMWWBKsorE7hVCbW8HqdtShyphenhyphenvHtuUJA/w236-h187/hero_of_positivity.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
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Every day you probably hear someone say something that is negative. Don't let your day be a downer though! You can be a hero of positivity by always saying things that are encouraging and always looking for the good instead of the bad.</div>
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That "sunny disposition" is always welcome around me. I find it so uplifting to see people smiling and happy and greeting each other with a cheery "Good morning!" Every single one of us can add to that positive attitude. Imagine how much happier our days might be if the positivity were increased. We can all increase it by one! I'm not just talking about doing away with the negative vibes. It's really much more than that. Turn up the positive.</div>
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Say hello to strangers. Be pleasant with store clerks and restaurant servers. Say thank you. Smile. Spread the positive energy. Choose to see the good stuff in life. Let your light shine!</div>
Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-7237781175744244042024-03-04T08:56:00.001-07:002024-03-18T12:46:20.150-07:00Resuced!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1tGzP0bAP2elqWbw3yHn_R3E40ELiAMDEk7rlEz25LfUdkrVMe9CdGOP5esAmRG5ZPXIldQLzcV_i0Zjfc4V1e-aW9DP4DIlfuOFpGwHHpZk_9v4zzgTnUkozh-mv5_0RUoY36-D00g/s1600/rescued.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="342" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1tGzP0bAP2elqWbw3yHn_R3E40ELiAMDEk7rlEz25LfUdkrVMe9CdGOP5esAmRG5ZPXIldQLzcV_i0Zjfc4V1e-aW9DP4DIlfuOFpGwHHpZk_9v4zzgTnUkozh-mv5_0RUoY36-D00g/w243-h208/rescued.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
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Today it's going to be a story I have shared here before. It's one of those tales that has circulated on the internet. Is it true? I have no idea. The author is also unknown. The message is powerful though, so read on!<br />
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><em>Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><em><br /></em></span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><em>I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the overworked shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><em><br /></em></span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><em>As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life.</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><em><br /></em></span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><em>She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><em><br /></em></span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><em>Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><em><br /></em></span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><em>I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><em><br /></em></span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><em>I rescued a human today. </em></span></div>
Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-16279639668824009232024-03-03T08:50:00.001-07:002024-03-18T13:12:44.495-07:00pennies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNr8Owh3w1nNSCib2yVNJNuFXe0bcZ9w6laXFKryuuA4vbmGpG2SfiLTdacUsaIHUqJa6UcoaZAVDfqWuq27vKhSBuDVRsfzxIXzkpWtvpljEEcBDT1T04eZ22TODsWXvX2ilkIa0jksI/s1600/pennies.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNr8Owh3w1nNSCib2yVNJNuFXe0bcZ9w6laXFKryuuA4vbmGpG2SfiLTdacUsaIHUqJa6UcoaZAVDfqWuq27vKhSBuDVRsfzxIXzkpWtvpljEEcBDT1T04eZ22TODsWXvX2ilkIa0jksI/w303-h166/pennies.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
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A penny isn't much right? What can one cent do? Well before I answer, take a look at this picture. Some pennies have been spilled from this jar. It's difficult to see how many are still in the jar, but look for a moment at those that have spilled. It looks to me like fifty cents. Yes, a penny might not buy anything, but fifty cents will get you a small pack of gum. The remaining pennies in the jar? Well I don't know what is there, but I bet it would buy you breakfast.</div>
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My point is that people often say one penny isn't important. We forget sometimes that when those pennies are joined by others, their value is more and more important! </div>
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These days, there seem to be more demands on us and many of us have less money coming in. So many of us want to donate to charities but we are also paying our own bills as we provide for our families. How can we do it? The answer is, a little bit at a time. If you think that only a $1,000 contribution to your favorite cause makes a difference, think again. Set a jar on you table and every night put the change in your pocket into the jar. If you really need those quarters for laundry and parking and those dimes and nickels help out with the parking meters too, along with the vending machines, then just put pennies in the jar. Watch the pennies add up.</div>
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As I said, one cent is not much, but a jar full of one cent coins has value that we can all appreciate.</div>
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So what can one person do? Well, it's just like the pennies. I might not seem like much - my contribution might not seem like much, but together with what comes from others, it makes a big difference indeed!</div>
Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-74666924985915473122024-03-02T08:49:00.001-07:002024-03-18T12:39:15.992-07:00The Twenty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-rGKYSu66TKMnu_1OPdKnzE66nAEbl07IxkUEHBGSiYqSX8IO8Onq8uIPzl3oAShry6rJ0ffu8JyC87wAiEkLqpu3HV4OtTdBvCSv9mOcdxMNk_bS0ZJyQMM1HqCD3igzENDo8KqRvI/s1600/twenty.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-rGKYSu66TKMnu_1OPdKnzE66nAEbl07IxkUEHBGSiYqSX8IO8Onq8uIPzl3oAShry6rJ0ffu8JyC87wAiEkLqpu3HV4OtTdBvCSv9mOcdxMNk_bS0ZJyQMM1HqCD3igzENDo8KqRvI/w261-h111/twenty.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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I've told this story before about how special we all are, but I really like it and some of you might not have read my blog the day I told this before, so here it is again. A well-known speaker started off his seminar holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this." </div>
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He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air. "Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. "Now, who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.</div>
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"My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We may feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you. The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE. You are special - Don't EVER forget it." </div>
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As I mentioned above, I am retelling this wonderful story, and the first time I posted it, it was a retelling too. I have no idea who first told it - it's been circulating on the internet for some time. The significant thing is the messages it brings. We are all special. We should all count our blessings, and NOT our problems!</div>
Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-33071608311741747402024-03-01T08:52:00.001-07:002024-03-18T12:49:52.567-07:00Gimmee some NICE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49DzX5CEU1KMWlWizIHyDIm3l9P-T8uKYG27i5w5RSUO_zwBoVCM_k37J7Ao3XtSRtkxbNUFhSltpVpB8vYcqI5cGhMVC5duAQmngf6GPOtWmkI0kLjkUBY5v6CmFPovYGNLgMk1dszU/s1600/nice.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49DzX5CEU1KMWlWizIHyDIm3l9P-T8uKYG27i5w5RSUO_zwBoVCM_k37J7Ao3XtSRtkxbNUFhSltpVpB8vYcqI5cGhMVC5duAQmngf6GPOtWmkI0kLjkUBY5v6CmFPovYGNLgMk1dszU/w134-h155/nice.jpg" width="134" /></a></div>
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How cool is being nice? Think about it. When was the last time you got mad because someone was nice to you? Seriously. Give me nice anytime! It's so good we even urge people to have a nice day! Being nice is never out of style. NEVER!</div>
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Mean and nasty? Nope. You can keep it. Nice though is welcome anytime. It goes well with all kinds of weather. It doesn't care about where you are going or what you are doing. It doesn't matter what you ate for breakfast. It doesn't care how you are dressed. It's good in the morning and it's good at night. Like I said, being nice is never out of style.<br />
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In life there is good and there is bad. I suppose there is also a grey area in between. Nice is certainly on the good side. Nice is pleasing and agreeable. I never tire of nice. Who does? We all like nice!<br />
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So dear readers, if you are not currently being nice, try it. I think you will really like the results! I know everyone else will!</div>
Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-20078483294483960032024-02-29T08:54:00.001-07:002024-03-18T12:40:29.050-07:00Get involved<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJz5kLQi4hTDSHJTPj3ZseSEUgJ1um_IqCeLw8qaUIoh9mAXf6JPQ3bJ_4o8RkJ-5Y8QpsJuUtS8t1CyEc2H9JZH_H6SWnoXRMCrTHtpA01L-683K2jvl9hbkBa1EAkhtuuBfhsy2ZMWA/s1600/everyone.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJz5kLQi4hTDSHJTPj3ZseSEUgJ1um_IqCeLw8qaUIoh9mAXf6JPQ3bJ_4o8RkJ-5Y8QpsJuUtS8t1CyEc2H9JZH_H6SWnoXRMCrTHtpA01L-683K2jvl9hbkBa1EAkhtuuBfhsy2ZMWA/w262-h161/everyone.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
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You have probably already heard some form of this, (it is a story that has been told and retold over and over) but it bears repeating<b>: </b></div>
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“This is a story about four people: Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when actually Nobody asked Anybody.” </div>
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I'm sure you get the picture. The story is telling us to get involved! That certainly is good advice!</div>
Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-24797073001869076912024-02-28T08:52:00.001-07:002024-03-18T12:41:21.478-07:00Sage Advice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh633hFuMzJsD2JI2zrYZKtIiJl2OViHSYVfTwePpbuzOJHNSHJjVXJsUWF2-xahhkfvZiSvfqEog4Yu6SyNalaetn4m-0UQdpxMtqPI0WuOmQNIeNGD0HSuaIqRweuDBm3DWrlBElFnDg/s1600/BeAGoodOne.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh633hFuMzJsD2JI2zrYZKtIiJl2OViHSYVfTwePpbuzOJHNSHJjVXJsUWF2-xahhkfvZiSvfqEog4Yu6SyNalaetn4m-0UQdpxMtqPI0WuOmQNIeNGD0HSuaIqRweuDBm3DWrlBElFnDg/w216-h210/BeAGoodOne.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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Did you ever have a teacher or a friend or perhaps one of your parents or other relative, give you some really great advice? Have you ever given advice to someone else? The wisdom of others is enough for any of us to set goals and to do good.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I think of all my teachers, there was nobody like Lou Ella Gridley. She didn't give me a specific piece of advice, but her whole manner was certainly inspiring. Her fifth-grade classroom was a special place and I think Miss Gridley was everyone's favorite teacher, but this is not only about her - it's about being good at what you do.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(A side note - Miss Gridley wrote some books about the area where I grew up. <b>Folklore of Chenango County </b>and<b> Few Are Left To Know</b> are two of them, and they're both very interesting).</div>
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I came across this sage advice just the other day: <em><strong>Whatever you are, be a good one</strong></em>. Simple and straight to the point, this is something we all can live by. It reminds me in a way of the United States Army slogan "Be all you can be."</div>
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This is something we can easily urge others to follow. Once again, "Whatever you are, be a good one!"</div>
Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-59610648551158040802024-02-27T08:56:00.001-07:002024-03-18T13:04:05.490-07:00Start giving early<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInOMGINVRkfIsHNYBi-MV6kuhLxjvkWS08t0CLnPMQ6XyV6KM08-5XMP4JBx_5_Sk4ZfyOeHjXgZ5lZirX_nIq08yf0l-b1LqSnrAF0P7hMnFwDv1DXvpSkFoxV2xlkSv3d7_T-EBDXI/s1600/Offering_Children.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInOMGINVRkfIsHNYBi-MV6kuhLxjvkWS08t0CLnPMQ6XyV6KM08-5XMP4JBx_5_Sk4ZfyOeHjXgZ5lZirX_nIq08yf0l-b1LqSnrAF0P7hMnFwDv1DXvpSkFoxV2xlkSv3d7_T-EBDXI/s1600/Offering_Children.jpg" height="193" width="200" /></a></div>
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Is generosity something that is taught or does it just come naturally? I'm no scientist, but the innocence and unspoiled nature of children tells me that they are just as likely to do good as anyone. If we teach them of the many benefits, it certainly can help them along the way. (Sadly children also see so much bad around and can certainly pick up those habits too).</div>
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Involve your child in your own giving and tell they why it is you give. If you normally place cash in a church offering plate for example, you might explain the practice to your children and then let them do it too.</div>
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There are so many ways to give, but think of some that involve children or that would be fun for children to do and then get your own kids involved with you. You can go on a trash walk and clean up a local park for example or plant a tree. Do a yard sale, and give the proceeds to a local charity. Put together a birthday bag for a child living in a shelter. Volunteer or donate to a local food bank. Read to children at your local library. Be a big brother or a big sister. Share information about your favorite charity.</div>
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Start giving early? I think it's a great idea!</div>
Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-87157405160040414802024-02-26T08:55:00.001-07:002024-03-18T13:06:32.756-07:00How to live life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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How to live life? No, I don't have all the answers - that's for certain! Each day I do write here a little bit about living live though. I talk about making a difference in the world, and there are so very many ways to do that. Some folks go through life with great joy and for all too many, it is just the opposite.<br />
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One of humanity's greatest minds, Albert Einstein, once said "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." You don't have to be an Einstein to know that's the truth!<br />
<br />"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." That is another saying of Einstein. This time he seems to be urging us to get involved. <br />
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May we all keep trying new things and living our lives as is everything along the way is a miracle! </div>
Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-78634646835839819502024-02-25T08:50:00.001-07:002024-03-18T13:01:05.248-07:00hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGwriBBnLT12yDpUjDhT95wf2YARIF8vyguaanCUIUWu5FVanJyirDLHuZb9raJgiurZsxXzONz_gUicWLfJ-BtQKgnJbRWK8R-WbZz5rMzrgxLR59GxDpbpkuDDuPLrk00EbJEppN-g/s1600/hope.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGwriBBnLT12yDpUjDhT95wf2YARIF8vyguaanCUIUWu5FVanJyirDLHuZb9raJgiurZsxXzONz_gUicWLfJ-BtQKgnJbRWK8R-WbZz5rMzrgxLR59GxDpbpkuDDuPLrk00EbJEppN-g/w297-h132/hope.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
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Hope is something that we <strong>ALL</strong> need. I was thinking about that this morning after hearing on the news that someone had "run out of hope." Saint Paul wrote “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” I like that these three are linked together. We need to have faith that there is enough love in our world that we will always have hope.<br />
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In <strong><em>An Essay on Man</em></strong>, Alexander Pope wrote "Hope springs eternal in the human breast." Indeed.</div>
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In the lgbt community, there is often a lack of hope. That was what Harvey Milk was talking about in his famous "hope" speech from 1978. Here is a portion of that speech<strong>:</strong> <br />
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"The first gay people we elect must be strong. They must not be content to sit in the back of the bus. They must not be content to accept pablum. They must be above wheeling and dealing. They must be -for the good of all of us - independent, unbought. The anger and the frustrations that some of us feel is because we are misunderstood, and friends can't feel the anger and frustration. They can sense it in us, but they can't feel it. Because a friend has never gone through what is known as coming out. I will never forget what it was like coming out and having nobody to look up toward. I remember the lack of hope - and our friends can't fulfill it. </div>
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"I can't forget the looks on faces of people who've lost hope. Be they gay, be they seniors, be they blacks looking for an almost-impossible job, be they Latins trying to explain their problems and aspirations in a tongue that's foreign to them. I personally will never forget that people are more important than buildings. I use the word 'I' because I'm proud. I stand here tonight in front of my gay sisters, brothers and friends because I'm proud of you. I think it's time that we have many legislators who are gay and proud of that fact and do not have to remain in the closet. I think that a gay person, up-front, will not walk away from a responsibility and be afraid of being tossed out of office. After Dade County, I walked among the angry and the frustrated night after night and I looked at their faces. And in San Francisco, three days before Gay Pride Day, a person was killed just because he was gay. And that night, I walked among the sad and the frustrated at City Hall in San Francisco and later that night as they lit candles on Castro Street and stood in silence, reaching out for some symbolic thing that would give them hope. These were strong people, whose faces I knew from the shop, the streets, meetings and people who I never saw before but I knew. They were strong, but even they needed hope. </div>
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"And the young gay people in the Altoona, Pennsylvanias and the Richmond, Minnesotas who are coming out and hear Anita Bryant on television and her story. The only thing they have to look forward to is hope. And you have to give them hope. Hope for a better world, hope for a better tomorrow, hope for a better place to come to if the pressures at home are too great. Hope that all will be all right. Without hope, not only gays, but the blacks, the seniors, the handicapped, the us'es, the us'es will give up. And if you help elect to the central committee and other offices, more gay people, that gives a green light to all who feel disenfranchised, a green light to move forward. It means hope to a nation that has given up, because if a gay person makes it, the doors are open to everyone. </div>
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"So if there is a message I have to give, it is that I've found one overriding thing about my personal election, it's the fact that if a gay person can be elected, it's a green light. And you and you and you, you have to give people hope." </div>
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The news we hear each day can certainly be worrisome. Crime is a problem and so are concerns about climate change, the election, and so many more things. Many people have run out of hope. Harvey Milk was right though of course. You have to give people hope. It is my dream that someday that will be a reality, and I truly believe that we <strong>CAN</strong> make it happen. John Lennon believed the same thing - “You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us. And the world will live as one.” </div>
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Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-13711229490347811312024-02-24T08:49:00.001-07:002024-03-18T13:49:54.778-07:00Givers and Takers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are two kinds of people in this world: givers and takers. It is very likely that the takers eat better, but I am absolutely certain that the givers sleep better! (Someone, Marlo Thomas I think, said that before).</div>
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I am so blessed to know many, many givers! I definitely am acquainted with more givers than takers. How wonderful, huh?</div>
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In the Acts of the Apostles, Saint Paul tells us to "remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” </div>
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I would add that being givers is certainly wonderful, but there are times when we have to let others give to us. It is certainly not a bad thing to graciously accept a gift.</div>
Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49602792478235131.post-15034021767299630782024-02-23T08:51:00.001-07:002024-02-23T08:51:00.245-07:00Read any good books lately?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_821-_NXCUtDer1-v6uJm2F4NtZLQbbSuHluTdN3lkI_DaNdm1fxInkcPjmeXBkpBIL-U4hFywH7qDVyYmkUq8j63QRhySs4WvPLAr4Pxg61kV-ZCHLnPYT5BmaoA_7OzKit2nOl5toU/s1600/books.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_821-_NXCUtDer1-v6uJm2F4NtZLQbbSuHluTdN3lkI_DaNdm1fxInkcPjmeXBkpBIL-U4hFywH7qDVyYmkUq8j63QRhySs4WvPLAr4Pxg61kV-ZCHLnPYT5BmaoA_7OzKit2nOl5toU/w213-h212/books.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Have you read any good books lately? Seriously. That might sound like an odd question here, but books can be powerful tools! It might be a book you read that will inspire you to change the world. If you don't read much, you should try it. You will find amazing things!</div>
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I book can bring you a lot of information too. If you love cooking or building or designing or any number of hobbies, books can be of great help. They can show you how to do things and even give you ideas of things you might never have thought of.</div>
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How about a nice adventure story or trashy romance novel or a suspenseful murder mystery? The fiction on your bookshelves can transport you to just about anywhere. Want to learn a new hobby or explore history? There are all kinds of non-fiction options. Having a tense day? Perhaps a book of poetry can help soothe things. How about a volume of jokes and riddles? Maybe what you need is just a nice coffee table book filled with great photographs.</div>
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If your home is without much of a literary selection, surely there is a library not too far away. If you're lucky, there might even be a nice little bookstore with selections that not only might bring you joy, some titles you might bring home for others too. After all, the joy of books is good to share. Books make good presents too!</div>
Michael Fullamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16448986659207065608noreply@blogger.com0