I am a fragment of a mirror...

[image credit: jplaino on pixabay.com]

 

 

I remember the first time I discovered the writings of Robert Fulghum ("All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten: Uncommon Thoughts on Common Things")

But it was this passage, from another of his books ("It Was On Fire When I Lay Down On It") that has stayed with me, for decades...

What is the meaning of life?

And in particular, this quote, attributed to Alexander Papaderous:

"I am a fragment of a mirror whose whole design and shape I do not know. Nevertheless, with what I have I can reflect light into the dark places of this world–into the black places in the hearts of men–and change some things in some people. Perhaps others may see and do likewise. This is what I am about. This is the meaning of my life"

2023-12-25 Monday - Some recent personal library additions

I purchased all of these for $3.55, from a Friends of the Library in-library store:

 Books - Biography:

Wheels for the World: Henry Ford, His Company, and a Century of Progress (2003)
by Douglas Brinkley

Let Every Nation Know: John F. Kennedy in His Own Words
by Robert Dallek and Terry Golway 

Obama: From Promise to Power
by David Mendell

Books - Business, Non-Fiction:

How To Be Exceptional: Drive Leadership Success By Magnifying Your Strengths
by John H. Zenger, Joseph R. Folkman, Robert H. Sherwin Jr., Barbara A. Steel

Managing in a Time of Great Change
by Peter F. Drucker

 

What Color Is Your Parachute? (2016)
A Practical Manual For Job-Hunters and Career Changers
by Richard N. Bolles

Books - Fiction:

Alaska: A Novel
by James A. Michener

 

Books - References:

Everyman's Dictionary of Music
by Eric Bloom 

 

 

Books - Travel:

Lonely Planet, South Africa: Lesotho & Swaziland (2009)

The Rough Guide to First-Time Africa: Everything you need to know before you go (2nd Edition, 2011)

 Books - Martial Arts:

Humane Pressure Point Self-Defense: for Law Enforcement, Medical Personnel, Business Professionals, Men and Women
by George A. Dillman, with Chris Thomas

 

DVDs:

Band of Brothers

Zulu Dawn

• Burt Lancaster
• Peter O'Toole
• Simon Ward 
• Bob Hoskins
  

Triple Feature:

• Objective, Burma!
• Errol Flynn
  
• Never So Few
• Frank Sinatra
• Peter Lawford
• Steve McQueen
• Richard Johnson
• Brian Donlevy
• Paul Henred
•  Dean Jones
  
• Gina Lollobrigida
  
• Go For Broke
• Van Johnson
  

 World War II Movies: The Collector's Series:

• Corregidor (1943)
  
• The Immortal Battalion (1941)
  
• The Big Lift (1950)
  

"Every minute someone leaves this world" by Marianne Baum

"Every minute someone leaves this world" by Marianne Baum

“Every minute someone leaves this world behind.

We are all in the ‘the line’ without knowing it.

We never know how many people are before us.

We can not move to the back of the line.

We can not step out of the line.

We can not avoid the line.

So while we wait in the line…

Make moments count.

Make priorities.

Make the time.

Make your gifts known.

Make a nobody feel like a somebody.

Make your voice heard.

Make the small things big.

Make someone smile.

Make the change.

Make love.

Make up.

Make peace.

Make sure to tell your people they are loved.

Make sure to have no regrets.

Make sure you are ready.”

[Image by Dietrich01, aka Lothar Dieterich, on Pixabay]

Finding Inspiration: Action Creates Emotion

 There are many who are struggling, who may feel their back pressed against the wall, who may be experiencing feelings of depression, who may feel lost, who may feel hopeless.

Now is the time to look deep inside and find that single grain of sand - your pebble of granite - upon which you can stand. That pebble is your belief in yourself - that you will never quit, you will never give up. You can always do one more thing.

If you think you have lost your motivation, if you can't find the enthusiasm to get back in the fight - there is a very simple thing you can do to reignite that flame.

Here is the principle that I use to prime my mental pump - to motivate myself - when I feel like my motivation and thinking have fallen into a rut: Action creates emotion.

My preferred choice of action: Running.

At one of my lowest points in life, I could barely run a quarter mile.

But, I put on my running shoes, and did a 10 minute walk-run.

In a few weeks, I was up to a mile. Then two miles.

Within a few months, I was doing 6 mile runs every day.

Find what works for you - but if you need a mental infusion - seek physical exertion.

While running, you can also use that time to listen to inspirational talks. Here's one of my favorites, by Eric D. Thomas, Ph.D.

NASA Message In A Bottle: Europa Clipper Mission

I had previously submitted my name, a few years ago, for the NASA Perseverance Mars Rover - which carried an engraving of 10M+ names, including mine, that is now on Mars.

My name will now also be on the Europa Clipper mission.

https://europa.nasa.gov/message-in-a-bottle/sign-on/

Louise Erdrich Quotes

 

"There is a beauty in the fragility of life, a sweetness to be savored in its fleeting moments of joy. For it is in the rawness of our experiences, both the joyful and the sorrowful, that we truly come alive. We are not meant to shield ourselves from the pain of life, but to embrace it fully, to let it shape us, to teach us, to make us more human."

 

"So do not be afraid to love, to open your heart to the world, even if it means risking heartbreak. For the sweetness of love far outweighs the bitterness of loss. And when the inevitable pain comes, find solace in the beauty of the world around you, in the simple pleasures of life, in the memories of love and laughter. For even in the midst of sorrow, there is still beauty to be found."

~ Louise Erdrich

Fyodor Dostoevsky Quotes

 

“Pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart. The really great men must, I think, have great sadness on earth.”

~ Fyodor Dostoevsky

Today's Meditation: Be The Light - Help Others

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Today's meditation:

Most people do not deserve your help.

Help them anyway. 

 

Most people will be ungrateful for your help.

Help them anyway. 

 

Most people will be suspicious of your willingness to help them.

Help them anyway. 

 

Helping another - who is powerless - is an utter good. 

 

By your example - you may send out a ripple of light & hope. 

Others may see your example, and do likewise. 

 

This is how the world may be healed and made whole.

Be The Light for others.

Poem: Do not go gentle into that good night - by Dylan Thomas

Do not go gentle into that good night

Dylan Thomas
1914 –1953

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

 

 

Rodney Dangerfield reciting this poem, is EPIC!

 

Poem: "Lost" by David Wagoner