What is with all this talk about Liberal, Conservative, Moderate Right, Moderate Left and "Tea Party"? To me it is very confusing and still doesn't define the candidates.
What I would like to see is a simple chart that lists all the "Key" Issues and where each canidate stands on each issue and where you stand on each "Key" Issue. This is an easy way to "find" the candidate that best fits your requirements and comes the closest to "getting your vote."
Remember, there is little chance that a candidate is coming to agree with all your "Key" Issues. Also, the candidates do not like to be "locked" into an issue as it doesn't give them any "wiggle room" if they get elected.
Candidates don't always tell it straight and take positions that they have no intention of ever keeping after they are elected. Remember President Obama's promises to have the most transparent administration ever; Vote on no bill until people have had a chance to read it; and, Not have any "lobbists" in positions in his administration.
You have to sift thru all the promises and "drive by" media reporting to find the candidate that best fits your "Key" Issues.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS
My wife is a remarkable person. What she has accomplished at this point in her life makes any of my accomplishments pale in comparison.
Her first husband died the day after Christmas, leaving her with four children, ages two to nine. She was 30! Besides her own grief, she still had to cope with explaining the loss of their father to these four small children. They just couldn’t understand what had happened to their father. When was he coming back?
While vacationing at her brother’s lake cabin in Michigan’s northern woods, she watched a mother raccoon and her babies feeding nightly at the stump outside the kitchen window. The idea came to write her story through the eyes of animals, believing it would be less painful for children to relate to their loss.
Carole had a dream about writing but could never imagine how she would find the time, especially after marrying me and having two more children … six children under the age of 11.
It was a great idea, but when would she ever find the time?
One Saturday afternoon, I told her that I was going to take the six kids out for about three or four hours and that she should do whatever she wanted.
When I returned home, I found that she had sat down at a typewriter (there were few personal computers in those days) and had written 30 pages of her book, The Waddodles of Hollow Lake. That was 31 years ago.
By sneaking a few minutes here or there – or staying up half the night after everyone had gone to bed – she typed away.
In 1986, we bought a personal computer and after a few quick lessons, Carole learned how to use a simple word processor. Soon, she was proficient in using the computer and had moved up to the most advanced word processors.
That was 1500 type-written pages ago.
She has now had five books published in the series, The Waddodles of Hollow Lake, and has written enough draft material for 2or 3 more books. (www.waddodles.com)
What started out as a dream has turned into a reality! It just proves the point that if you set your mind to something, you can find a way to get it accomplished, despite difficult odds and situations.
Remember to “follow your dreams” and as Theodore Waddodle, one of the raccoons in Carole’s books says, “Always look forward, never behind.”
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN
Many years ago, I was coaching a baseball team in a 13-15 year old league. I kept telling the players that they could not always just play the game, but that sometimes you had to do whatever it takes to “make something happen.”
In one game, we were losing in the late innings and I implored the batter to “make something happen.” We had runners in scoring position with two out, but the batter hit a routine ground ball to the shortstop and I thought the inning would be over. The runner was going to be out by a couple of strides. Surprise! He slid into first base, startling the first baseman. He dropped the ball. The runner was safe and we won the game.
In one game, we were losing in the late innings and I implored the batter to “make something happen.” We had runners in scoring position with two out, but the batter hit a routine ground ball to the shortstop and I thought the inning would be over. The runner was going to be out by a couple of strides. Surprise! He slid into first base, startling the first baseman. He dropped the ball. The runner was safe and we won the game.
This was about a baseball game, but it works in all aspects of life: Make something happen.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
MOTHERS DAY MEMORIES
I HAVE SPECIAL MEMORIES OF MY MOTHER ON THIS SPECIAL DAY ... NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT I DON'T THINK OF HER ... I MISS YOU MOM
MOTHERS
For those who are lucky to still be blessed with your Mom this is beautiful ... For those who aren't, this is even more beautiful
For those who are lucky to still be blessed with your Mom this is beautiful ... For those who aren't, this is even more beautiful
The young mother set her foot on the path of life. "Is this the long way?" she asked. And the guide said, "Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning."
But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, she fed them and bathed them, and taught them how to tie their shoes and ride a bike and reminded them to feed the dog and do their homework and brush their teeth. The sun shone on them, and the young Mother cried, "Nothing will ever be lovelier than this.
"Then the nights came, and the storms, and the path was sometimes dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her arms, and the children said,"Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come."And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary.But at all times she said to the children, A little patience and weare there."So the children climbed, and as they climbed they learned to weather the storms. And with this, she gave them strength to face the world.
Year after year, she showed them compassion, understanding, hope, but most of all, Unconditional love.
And when they reached the top they said, "Mother, we would not have done it without you."The days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years, and the mother grew old and she became little and bent. But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage.
And the mother, when she lay down at night, looked up at the stars and said, "This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned so much and are now passing these traits on to their children."And when the way became rough for her, they lifted her, and gave her their strength, just as she had given them hers.
One day they came to a hill, and beyond the hill, they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And mother said: "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk with dignity and pride, with their heads held high, and so can their children after them."
And the children said, " You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates."And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said: "We cannot see her, but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence."
Your Mother is always with you. She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street, she's the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick and perfume that she wore, she's the cool hand on your brow when you're not feeling well, she's your breath in the air on a cold winter's day. She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of a rainbow, she is Christmas morning.Your Mother lives inside your laughter. And she’s crystallized in every teardrop.
A mother shows every emotion... happiness,sadness, fear, jealousy, love, hate, anger, helplessness, excitement, joy, sorrow...and all the while, hoping and praying you will only know the good feelings in life. She's the place you came from, your first home, and she's the map you follow with every step you take.She's your first love; your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space...........not even death!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
MY THOUHTS ON MOTHER'S DAY
Because Carole and I didn't get married until we were 32, I never dreamed we would have 40 years of marriage [in 2010], especially when you look at the longevity in both our parent's “life lines.”
As I grow older, my love for my Wife and Family grow stronger & stronger ... I have always loved my wife and family very much but, I was like many men that thought my total obligation was to provide a livelihood for my wife and family. I thought that was my only role. I thought my wife would do the rest ... After all I was working hard ... Traveling all the time ... What did she expect from me? Boy, was I wrong!
I remember one week when in an unfinished house [Mt Vista, Pennsylvania], Pregnant with Daughter, Anne, she had Business Dinner parties at home for 5 couples on two successive nights ... She stained wood, finished trim and doors ... Had Family sit down full course meals including desert every night ... Did the cleanup ... Slept for only 4 hours every night ... Writing the Waddodles pre-teen books [Five [5] are in print] … I could go on and on ... Literally, she did everything for the family and me ... I provided the money ... What did she expect from me? Boy was I wrong!
It was a long, slow "learning curve" for me but, I finally "get it."
One night, on one of our frequent "couch dates" ... Having a picnic, rubbing Carole’s feet and watching a DVD ... We watched "Fireproof," [Made by the people who made Facing the Giants] a Christen movie about a troubled marriage] ... We both ended up crying I guess because we could "relate."
I "hope and pray" that every husband and wife have a "Date Night" together and watch your "Wedding Tape" ... Then watch "Fireproof" [Fireproof was the biggest-grossing indie movie of 2008.]
"Fireproof" is the story of a firefighter who after seven years of marriage to his wife , is seeing their relationship fail. His father challenges his son to commit to a 40-day test called, "The Love Dare." ...
The 40 day "Love Dare," is making a daily commitment to our love and marriage ...
The Firefighter starts it, and, after several weeks on it, becomes frustrated with having his efforts rejected. He needs to save his marriage. Thru faith he continues on ... unsure if it's too late to "fireproof" his marriage.
If you can relate ... Take the "40 day Love Test." In this day and age it is easy to just give up ... But there is so much at stake it is worth the extra time and effort to make it work. Carole and I grew up in an age when divorce was not an option. we certainly had our ups and downs but we "persevered." ... Our Love and Marriage endured.
On this Mother's Day, I can reflect on my wife and family ... I told Carole yesterday that she was and is the "perfect" Wife and Mother ... I couldn't ask for anything more ... It took me 32 years to find her but I found the "needle in the haystack."
Yes, I got her a card, flowers and a box of candy but my "Love" is the best gift I can give.
Carole ... I Love You ... Forever, Forever [Engraved in her Wedding Band]
Her is one “40 Day Love Test” … Get a Journal, write in it everyday. LETS GET STARTED. Here are the challenges in a nutshell:
1. Demonstrate patience and say nothing negative to your spouse.
2. Do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness.
3. Buy your spouse something that says, "I was thinking of you today."
4. Contact your spouse with no agenda other than asking how he or she is doing and if there is anything you could do for them.
5. Ask your spouse to tell you three things that cause him or her to be uncomfortable or irritated simply to gain their perspective.
6. Make a list of areas where you need to add margin to your schedule. Then list any wrong motivations that you need to release from your life.
7. Get two sheets of paper. On the first, write out positive things about your spouse. Then do the same with negative things on the second. Place both sheets in a secret place. At some point during the remainder of the day, pick a positive attribute from the first list and thank your spouse for having this characteristic.
8. Take yesterday's list of negative attributes and discreetly burn it. Then share with your spouse how glad you are about a success he or she recently enjoyed.
9. Think of a specific way to greet your spouse that reflects your love for them.
10. Do something out of the ordinary today for your spouse.
11. Choose a gesture that says, "I cherish you" and do it with a smile.
12. Willingly choose to give in to an area of disagreement between you and your spouse and tell them you are putting their preference first.
13. Talk with your spouse about establishing healthy rules of engagement and resolve to abide by them when the next disagreement occurs.
14. Purposefully neglect an activity you would normally do so you can spend quality time with your spouse.
15. Choose a way to show honor and respect to your spouse that is above your normal routine.
16. Hope for three specific areas where you desire to help in your spouse's life and in your marriage.
17. Determine to guard your mate's secrets and hope for them.
18. Prepare a special dinner at home, just for the two of you and focus this time on getting to know your spouse better in areas you've rarely talked about.
19. Look back over the dares from previous days and assess your need to change your heart to love. Ask yourself to show you where you stand and hope for the strength and grace to settle your eternal destination.
20. Dare to trust yourself, believe in yourself and know that you have the power to change.
21. Be intentional about making a time to conflict over your actions and understand them.
22. Say to your spouse in words similar to these, "I love you. Period. I choose to love you even if you don't love me in return."
23. Remove any addiction or influence that's stealing your affections and turning your heart away from your spouse.
24. Identify every object of lust in your life and remove it.
25. Whatever you haven't forgiven in your mate, forgive it today. Say from your heart, "I choose to forgive."
26. Take time to reflect on your areas of wrongdoing.
27. Think of one area where your spouse has told you you're expecting too much, and tell them you're sorry for being so hard on them about it.
28. Recognize one of the greatest needs in your spouse's life. Whether the need is big or small, purpose to do what you can to meet the need.
29. Hope for your spouse and for their needs. When you see them, say "I love you," then express love to them in some tangible way. Thank yourself and the world for the privilege of loving this one special person.
30. Isolate one area of division in your marriage, and think about it and wish it gets better.
31. Confess a "leaving" issue to your spouse, and resolve to make it right.
32. Try to initiate sex with your husband or wife in a way that honors what they have told you (or implied to you) about what they need from you sexually.
33. Let your spouse know you desire to include them in your upcoming decisions, and that you need their perspective and counsel.
34. Find a specific, recent example when your spouse demonstrated good character and commend them for this.
35. Find a marriage mentor.
36. Commit to making yourself happy every day.
37. Ask your spouse if you can discuss your hopes regularly together.
38. Ask yourself what your mate would want if it was obtainable and then wish for it.
39. Spend time in personal thought, then write a letter of commitment and resolve to your spouse.
40. Write out a renewal of your vows and place them in your home.
As I grow older, my love for my Wife and Family grow stronger & stronger ... I have always loved my wife and family very much but, I was like many men that thought my total obligation was to provide a livelihood for my wife and family. I thought that was my only role. I thought my wife would do the rest ... After all I was working hard ... Traveling all the time ... What did she expect from me? Boy, was I wrong!
I remember one week when in an unfinished house [Mt Vista, Pennsylvania], Pregnant with Daughter, Anne, she had Business Dinner parties at home for 5 couples on two successive nights ... She stained wood, finished trim and doors ... Had Family sit down full course meals including desert every night ... Did the cleanup ... Slept for only 4 hours every night ... Writing the Waddodles pre-teen books [Five [5] are in print] … I could go on and on ... Literally, she did everything for the family and me ... I provided the money ... What did she expect from me? Boy was I wrong!
It was a long, slow "learning curve" for me but, I finally "get it."
One night, on one of our frequent "couch dates" ... Having a picnic, rubbing Carole’s feet and watching a DVD ... We watched "Fireproof," [Made by the people who made Facing the Giants] a Christen movie about a troubled marriage] ... We both ended up crying I guess because we could "relate."
I "hope and pray" that every husband and wife have a "Date Night" together and watch your "Wedding Tape" ... Then watch "Fireproof" [Fireproof was the biggest-grossing indie movie of 2008.]
"Fireproof" is the story of a firefighter who after seven years of marriage to his wife , is seeing their relationship fail. His father challenges his son to commit to a 40-day test called, "The Love Dare." ...
The 40 day "Love Dare," is making a daily commitment to our love and marriage ...
The Firefighter starts it, and, after several weeks on it, becomes frustrated with having his efforts rejected. He needs to save his marriage. Thru faith he continues on ... unsure if it's too late to "fireproof" his marriage.
If you can relate ... Take the "40 day Love Test." In this day and age it is easy to just give up ... But there is so much at stake it is worth the extra time and effort to make it work. Carole and I grew up in an age when divorce was not an option. we certainly had our ups and downs but we "persevered." ... Our Love and Marriage endured.
On this Mother's Day, I can reflect on my wife and family ... I told Carole yesterday that she was and is the "perfect" Wife and Mother ... I couldn't ask for anything more ... It took me 32 years to find her but I found the "needle in the haystack."
Yes, I got her a card, flowers and a box of candy but my "Love" is the best gift I can give.
Carole ... I Love You ... Forever, Forever [Engraved in her Wedding Band]
Her is one “40 Day Love Test” … Get a Journal, write in it everyday. LETS GET STARTED. Here are the challenges in a nutshell:
1. Demonstrate patience and say nothing negative to your spouse.
2. Do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness.
3. Buy your spouse something that says, "I was thinking of you today."
4. Contact your spouse with no agenda other than asking how he or she is doing and if there is anything you could do for them.
5. Ask your spouse to tell you three things that cause him or her to be uncomfortable or irritated simply to gain their perspective.
6. Make a list of areas where you need to add margin to your schedule. Then list any wrong motivations that you need to release from your life.
7. Get two sheets of paper. On the first, write out positive things about your spouse. Then do the same with negative things on the second. Place both sheets in a secret place. At some point during the remainder of the day, pick a positive attribute from the first list and thank your spouse for having this characteristic.
8. Take yesterday's list of negative attributes and discreetly burn it. Then share with your spouse how glad you are about a success he or she recently enjoyed.
9. Think of a specific way to greet your spouse that reflects your love for them.
10. Do something out of the ordinary today for your spouse.
11. Choose a gesture that says, "I cherish you" and do it with a smile.
12. Willingly choose to give in to an area of disagreement between you and your spouse and tell them you are putting their preference first.
13. Talk with your spouse about establishing healthy rules of engagement and resolve to abide by them when the next disagreement occurs.
14. Purposefully neglect an activity you would normally do so you can spend quality time with your spouse.
15. Choose a way to show honor and respect to your spouse that is above your normal routine.
16. Hope for three specific areas where you desire to help in your spouse's life and in your marriage.
17. Determine to guard your mate's secrets and hope for them.
18. Prepare a special dinner at home, just for the two of you and focus this time on getting to know your spouse better in areas you've rarely talked about.
19. Look back over the dares from previous days and assess your need to change your heart to love. Ask yourself to show you where you stand and hope for the strength and grace to settle your eternal destination.
20. Dare to trust yourself, believe in yourself and know that you have the power to change.
21. Be intentional about making a time to conflict over your actions and understand them.
22. Say to your spouse in words similar to these, "I love you. Period. I choose to love you even if you don't love me in return."
23. Remove any addiction or influence that's stealing your affections and turning your heart away from your spouse.
24. Identify every object of lust in your life and remove it.
25. Whatever you haven't forgiven in your mate, forgive it today. Say from your heart, "I choose to forgive."
26. Take time to reflect on your areas of wrongdoing.
27. Think of one area where your spouse has told you you're expecting too much, and tell them you're sorry for being so hard on them about it.
28. Recognize one of the greatest needs in your spouse's life. Whether the need is big or small, purpose to do what you can to meet the need.
29. Hope for your spouse and for their needs. When you see them, say "I love you," then express love to them in some tangible way. Thank yourself and the world for the privilege of loving this one special person.
30. Isolate one area of division in your marriage, and think about it and wish it gets better.
31. Confess a "leaving" issue to your spouse, and resolve to make it right.
32. Try to initiate sex with your husband or wife in a way that honors what they have told you (or implied to you) about what they need from you sexually.
33. Let your spouse know you desire to include them in your upcoming decisions, and that you need their perspective and counsel.
34. Find a specific, recent example when your spouse demonstrated good character and commend them for this.
35. Find a marriage mentor.
36. Commit to making yourself happy every day.
37. Ask your spouse if you can discuss your hopes regularly together.
38. Ask yourself what your mate would want if it was obtainable and then wish for it.
39. Spend time in personal thought, then write a letter of commitment and resolve to your spouse.
40. Write out a renewal of your vows and place them in your home.
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