Daily Thoughts & Issues

IN THIS ISSUE:

AUGUST 31

Days left until the next millennium 01.01.3001

Photo of the Week
David Madison/Tony Stone Images
Achieve Your Dreams

August 31 - Independence Day in Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Trinidad & Tobago. *  A car crash claims the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, age 36 (1997). * Charleston Earthquake (1886) was the first major earthquake in the recorded history of the eastern US. It is believed that about 100 persons perished in the quake, centered near Charleston but felt up to 800 miles away. Though a number of smaller eastern US quakes had been described and recorded since 1638, this affected persons living in an area of some 2 million square miles. * IRA declares truce (1994) in its 25-year-old war against British control of Northern Ireland. The conflict, which had taken 3,167 lives, started with Roman Catholic protests against discrimination by the Protestant majority in the country. British authorities sent in heavily armed troops to patrol the country, especially its capital, Belfast. The Catholic goal was reunification with the predominantly Catholic Republic of Ireland, while the Protestant majority in Northern Ireland steadfastly opposed such a reunion. The IRA gave no timetable for the duration of the cease-fire, nor were any weapons turned in. Two earlier cease-fires, in 1972 and 1975 both failed to last. * Klondike Eldorado Gold Discovery (1896). Two weeks after the Rabbit/Bonanza Creek claim was filed, gold was discovered on Eldorado Creek, a tributary of Bonanza. More than $30 million worth of gold (worth some $600-700 million in today's dollars, was mined from the claim. * Poland Solidarity Founded (1980). The Polish trade union Solidarity was formed at the Baltic Sea port of Gransk, Poland. Outlawed by the government, many of its leaders were arrested. Solidarity persisted in its opposition to the Communist-controlled government and on Aug 19, 1989, Polish president Wojcieck Jaruzelski astonished the world by nominating for the post of prime minister, Tadeusz Mazowiecki, a deputy in the Polish Assembly and editor-in-chief of Solidarity's weekly newspaper, bringing to an end 42 years of Communist Party domination. * Birthdays: Edwin Moses, William Saroyan, William Shawn, James Coburn, Buddy Hackett (Leonard Hacker), Edwin Corley Moses, Itzhak Perlman, Frank Robinson, Daniel Schorr, G. D. Spradlin, Jack Thompson, Noble Willingham, Van Morrison.

DAILY THOUGHTS

The shadow of Aphrodite is not always easy to see. A new romance may be filled with positive images of the other person and of the future. Yet both sex and romance can lead into difficult relationships suffered for years. Soul Mates

Most men suffer from sexual tunnel vision; everything is breasts and vaginas. Expand your horizons and you won't be sorry. - Monique, 38 Best of 1001 Sex Secrets Every Man & Woman Should Know

The last born child, often called the baby, has a tendency to be the most creative and original. Because parents are not as demanding or pushy with this child, they allow his or her true personality to emerge. Dr. Buff's 365 Day Parenting Calendar

"The same hammer that shatters the glass forges the steel. - Marcus Garvey, Pan-Africanist. African American History

Just a Figurehead?  Sailors regarded the ship's figurehead as the "soul" of the ship and superstitiously would not go to sea without the carved figure at the bow to bring safety and good luck. Figureheads are also the reason ships were considered feminine and called "she". The Old Farmer's Almanac

Through a complex of factors, our conscious self-concept almost always diverges to a greater or lesser degree from the reality of the person we actually are. We are almost always either less or more competent than we believe ourselves to be. The unconscious, however, knows who we really are. A major and essential task in the process of one's spiritual development is the continuous work of bringing one's conscious self-concept into progressively greater congruence with reality. The Road Less Traveled

Keep company with those who make you better. Achieve Your Dreams

Things to Be Happy About: The fuzz on tennis balls. Cadillacs with tail fins. Filigreed wirework.  14,000 Things to Be Happy About

On the first day of school, sit in the middle of the bus. Really Important Stuff My Kids Have Taught Me

 To risk is to stretch. To stretch is to grow. If Life is a Game, These are the Rules

British composer Benjamin Britten often expressed his gay sensibility in his music. Many of his modern compositions were based on the works of other gay writers. One was an opera of Herman Melville's Billy Budd; another was Sonnets of Michelangelo based on the great artist's sonnets to his love, Tommasco Cavalieri. Gay & Lesbian Calendar

 The most important ingredient we put into any relationship is not what we say or what we do, but what we are. And if our words and our actions come from superficial human-relations techniques (the Personality Ethic) rather than from our own inner core (the Character Ethic), others will sense that duplicity. We simply won't be able to create and sustain the foundation necessary for effective interdependence. Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

Teach your kids to be responsible for their own things. Every night before bedtime, have them go through the house, collect their belongings, and put them away. Simplify Your Life

Sweet Slumber. Ask any new parent what they miss most about life before Baby and chances are they'll say sleep. Although most babies spend roughly two-thirds of their first month of life sleeping, they do it in chucks of one to four hours. Since you're probably used to having one long block of sleep rather than several relatively short ones (the average number of sleep-wake cycles a newborn has), it's no wonder you're exhausted. The good news is that shortly after the first month, your baby should be sleeping for longer stretches of time, and by about 3 or 4 months, they will be capable of sleeping through the night. Parents Tips & Tricks

If you're an introvert - you recharge your batteries by spending time alone - make sure you plan some daily "alone" time to help you de-stress from the day's activities. This is particularly important if your job requires you to interact with people all day. Likewise, if you're an extrovert who is energized by social contact but you work alone, you'll need to find ways to spend time with others outside work. Stress Busters

Teach your kids to twist their tongue. Try these two: "Give Papa a cup of proper coffee in a copper coffee cup" and "Who washed Washington's white woolen underwear when Washington's washing women went west?" To Do Today

Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall - Confucius Win the Day!

La esperanza (ehspehRAHNsah) Hope. Yo no pierdo las esperanzas. I'm not giving up hope.  Living Language

TODAY'S ISSUE: BACK-TO-SCHOLL

Of course parenthood is the wild card, however neatly you stack the pack. - Liz Heron. Back-to-school is a chance to be reminded that parenting is the most important thing most of us will do in our lives, and it's also our effort that will have the farthest reaching effects. How odd and tragic that it's often left to change!  We get no preparation for motherhood or fatherhood, except for the way our own parents behaved - and most of us thought at one time or another they could have used some training. Whatever our value system, we need to take seriously our ability to have children and teach them to take theirs seriously, too. Rearing children is our connection to the future; how we act as parents should reflect our faith in the ultimate worth of humanity. We're all links in a continuous chain, and what we communicate to others will come back to us. Do we want to pass on the contempt for life that's implied by irresponsible parenting, or do we want to strengthen the love and reverence that children deserve? Family Feelings

Hey Man: Did you make a difference yesterday? Let us know at Contact Us. I need to play my cards as wisely as I can, with partners who'll agree with me about the aim of the game. Family Feelings Want to make a difference but you don't know where to start?

BOOK OF THE WEEK

 

 It Ain't Just the Size by M. G. Hardie. Princess, an office manager, has returned to her old stomping ground after a three year absence to heal her heart. She is independent and successful, but something is missing. What's missing is Lance, a hard working man, determined father who is preoccupied with school and obligation. A large one bedroom apartment is where these two passionate hearts collide. When the world is against you, sometimes all you have is hope. This book is a deeply filled play on morality, an ongoing social commentary for our times. When Lance's friends show up anything can and does happen. www.mghardie.com, Aventine Press, 2010 ISBN 978-1-59330-647-2

SPECIAL URLs

 

MENSTUFF COLUMNS BY AUTHOR

  • The Advice Diva - The Advice Diva - relationship and sexuality issues discussed - www.menstuff.org/columns/advicediva/archive.html
  • Peter Alsop - Song of the Month - www.menstuff.org/columns/alsop/archive.html
  • Reid Baer - A Man Overboard - Interview of the Month - www.menstuff.org/columns/overboard/archive.html
  • Reid Baer - Poetry - poetry read on YouTube - www.menstuff.org/columns/baer/archive.html
  • Molly Barrow - Shrink About This - www.menstuff.org/columns/barrow/archive.html
  • Peter Baylies - At Home Dads - on at-home-dad issues that impact fathers who stay at home to raise their kids - www.menstuff.org/columns/baylies/archive.html
  • Tom Blake - Middle-Age Relationships - from an expert on dating after 50. www.menstuff.org/columns/blake/archive.html
  • Mark Brandenburg - Great Fathers - on fathering issues - www.menstuff.org/columns/greatfathers/archive.html
  • Ted Braude - BoysWork - a columnist in the The Detroit Free Press "Body and Mind" section www.menstuff.org/columns/braude/archive.html
  • Armin Brott - A Father's Guide - hosts "Positive Parenting" on radio www.menstuff.org/columns/brott/archive.html
  • Dan Bulf - Get Real - weekly pod cast on men's issues - www.menstuff.org/columns/bulf/archive.html
  • Ken Byers - Transition - on men's life transitions - www.menstuff.org/columns/byers/archive.html
  • Sandra L. Caron - Sex Talk - college students get answers to their questions - www.menstuff.org/columns/sextalk/archive.html
  • Neil Chethik - Relationships - www.menstuff.org/columns/chethik/archive.html
  • Otto & Susie Collins - Susie and Otto - relationship issues discussed - www.menstuff.org/columns/susie&otto/archive.html
  • David Copeland - How to Succeed with Women - www.menstuff.org/columns/howtosucceed/archive.html
  • Forrest Craver - Spirituality & Social Change - www.menstuff.org/columns/craver/archive.html
  • Layne & Paul Cutright - Powerful Partnerships - relationship issues - www.menstuff.org/columns/cutright/archive.html
  • Ron DesMarais - Cavemen in the Kitchen - great recipes for men - www.menstuff.org/columns/desmarais/archive.html
  • Jed Diamond - Irritable Male Syndrome - www.menstuff.org/columns/diamond/archive.html
  • Doc Love - Women Don't Lie, Man Don't Listen - answers to relationship issues - www.menstuff.org/columns/doclov/archive.html
  • Barry Durdant-Hollamby - Creating Change - creating change in your life - www.menstuff.org/columns/durdant/archive.html
  • Irv Engel - The Real Deal - www.menstuff.org/columns/engel/archive.html
  • Nancy Fagan - Expert Dating Advice - with Nancy Fagan - www.menstuf.org/columns/fagan/archive.html
  • Warren Farrell - Men's Issues: Facts and Perspectives www.menstuff.org/columns/farrell/archive.html
  • Leonard Felder - Wake Up or Break Up - www.menstuff.org/columns/felder/archive.html
  • Marty Friedman - Strong Men, Strong Marriage - www.menstuff.org/columns/friedman/archive.html
  • Kim Garretson - Mansgland - using humor to encourage prostate exams - www.menstuff.org/columns/mansgland/archive.html
  • Lion Goodman - How to get Women to Love You - www.menstuff.org/columns/goodman/archive.html
  • Liz Halliday - In a Man's World - www.menstuff.org/columns/halliday/archive.html
  • Rick Hanson - Your Wise Brain - www.menstuff.org/columns/hanson/archive.html
  • Tim Hartnett - Daddyman Speaks - being a father www.menstuff.org/columns/daddyman/archive.html
  • John Hershey - Blood, Phlegm & Bile: Parenting with Humor - He writes a syndicated biweekly humor column about parenting and family life. www.menstuff.org/columns/hershey/archive.html
  • Gary Hoeber - Psychotherapy as Soul Work, www.menstuff.org/columns/hoeber/archive.html
  • Patrick Houser - Fathers Make a World of Difference, www.menstuff.org/columns/houser/archive.html
  • Paul Joannides - The Guide to Getting It On - on sex - www.menstuff.org/columns/getiton/archive.html
  • Jack Kahn - NOMAS Boston - www.menstuff.org/columns/kahn/archive.html
  • Patrick Kennedy - Seniors - www.menstuff.org/columns/kennedy/archive.html
  • Joe Kort - Gaydar - to increase understanding between gay and het men - www.menstuff.org/columns/kort/archive.html
  • David Kundtz - David Kundtz - presents seminars, workshops, retreats, and conference presentations in the areas of men's emotional health, stress management, and spirituality. www.menstuff.org/columns/kundtz/archive.html
  • Bruce Linton - Dr. Dad - on fathering - www.menstuff.org/columns/drdad/archive.html
  • Ron Louis - How to Succeed with Women - www.menstuff.org/columns/howtosucceed/archive.html
  • Tom Matlack - Tom Matlack - Good Men Project - www.menstuff.org/columns/matlack/archive.html
  • Wendy McElroy - Wendy McElroy on Feminism, www.menstuff.org/columns/mcelroy/archive.html
  • Robert N. Minor - Minor Details - on GBT sexuality - www.menstuff.org/columns/minordetails/archive.html
  • Robert L. Moore - Man & Mythology - www.menstuff.org/columns/moore/archive.html
  • Dennis W. Neder - Being a Man - general questions about men's lives - www.menstuff.org/columns/neder/archive.html
  • Marty Nemko - Worklife - general questions about men and work - www.menstuff.org/columns/nemko/archive.html
  • Eli Newberger - Eli Newberger - general information on men's lives - www.menstuff.org/columns/newberger/archive.html
  • Linda Nielsen - Embracing the Father - working with the father/daughter relationship. www.menstuff.org/columns/nielsen/archive.html
  • Kathy Noll - Bullies and Youth Violence - working with schools, teachers and parents to end school violence - www.menstuff.org/columns/noll/archive.html
  • Mark Phillips - Stay-at-Home-Dads - helping men maintain that which makes us men, instead of becoming hairy Mom-substitutes - www.menstuff.org/columns/phillips/archive.html
  • Carey Roberts - Socialism & Feminism - is a social commentator on political correctness. www.menstuff.org/columns/roberts/archive.html
  • Perry Rose - Dating, Relationship, Sex
  • Glenn Sacks - His Side - on fathering - www.menstuff.org/columns/sacks/archive.html
  • Trudy Schuett - Domestic Violence - serving the under-represented www.menstuff.org/columns/schuett/archive.html
  • Carl J. Schutt - Circumcision - social commentator on circumcision - www.menstuff.org/columns/schutt/archive.html
  • Hugo Schwyzer - A Pro-feminist's Response - www.menstuff.org/columns/schwyzer/archive.html
  • Michael Shaffran - Men's Issues - www.menstuff.org/columns/shaffran/archive.html
  • Judith Sherven - Judith & Jim - discussion and answers regarding relationship issues - www.menstuff.org/columns/judith&jim/archive.html
  • Judith Sherven - The New Intimacy - www.menstuff.org/columns/newintimacy/archive.html
  • George Simons - Bellicose Veins - is a US specialist in intercultural and gender communication who hangs out in Mandelieu - la Napoule, France, as well as in Santa Cruz, CA. www.menstuff.org/columns/simons/archive.html
  • Andy Smith - Hard Hat Brotherhood - www.menstuff.org/columns/hardhat/archive.html
  • David B. Smith - Fighting Father Dave - www.menstuff.org/columns/smith/archive.html
  • Jim Sniechowski - Judith & Jim - discussion and answers regarding relationship issues - www.menstuff.org/columns/judith&jim/archive.html
  • Jim Sniechowski - The New Intimacy - www.menstuff.org/columns/newintimacy/archive.html
  • Reena Sommer - Custody - is an internationally recognized relationship and divorce consultant. www.menstuff.org/columns/sommer/archive.html
  • R. Don Steele - Don Steele - relationship questions answered -
    www.menstuff.org/columns/steele/archive.html
  • David Steinberg - Comes Naturally - on sexuality - www.menstuff.org/columns/steinberg/archive.html
  • Mary Lou St Lucas - A Mother's Love - www.menstuf.org/columns/stlucas/archive.html
  • Surprise - Surprise Author - From a new columnist every month - www.menstuff.org/columns/surprise/archive.html
  • Steven Svoboda - Fatherhood, Activism and the Law www.menstuff.org/columns/svoboda/archive.html
  • Michael Taylor - A New Conversation with Men - www.menstuff.org/columns/taylor/archive.html
  • Bruce Van Horn - Yoga for Men - issues around the health benefits of yoga for men - www.menstuff.org/yoga/archive.html
  • Michael Webb - Secrets of Blissful Relationships - on relationship - www.menstuff.org/columns/bliss/archive.html
  • Stuart Wilde - Spirituality - www.menstuff.org/columns/wilde/archive.html
  • Dr.Williams - Sex Health - on sexual health - Dr. Williams, www.menstuff.org/columns/sexhealth/archive.html
  • KC Wilson - On Gender Politics is a social commentator and author. www.menstuff.org/columns/wilson/archive.html

Plus

  • Health Tips - on general health - www.menstuff.org/columns/healthtips/archive.html
  • Independent Means - resources for raising financially fit kids - www.menstuff.org/columns/independentmeans/archive.html
  • Numbers - www.menstuff.org/columns/numbers/archive.html
  • Questions - www.menstuff.org/columns/q&a/archive.html
  • Surprise - from a new columnist every month - www.menstuff.org/columns/surprise/archive.html
  • Words Can Heal - helping children grow up healthy - www.menstuff.org/columns/wordscanheal/archive.html
  • Wuzup?! - National or international events happening this month - www.menstuff.org/columns/whassup/archive.html

AWARENESS EVENTS THIS MONTH

August is Admit You're Happy, Black Business, Cataract Awareness, Children's Eye Health and Safety, National Immunization, Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness, Children's Vision and Learning, Family Fun, National Back-to-School, National Inventor's, National Win with Civility, Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month. Aug 1-7 Simplify Your Life, World Breastfeeding, International Clown Week, Simplify Your Life Week. Aug 1-11 - World Breastfeeding Week. Aug 2-6 - Psychic Week Aug 8-14 - National Resurrect Romance, Thanks for All the Gifts Week. Aug 12-19 - Truck Drivers' Week. Aug 15-21 - National Health Center, Reduced the Clutter, Weird Contest Week. Aug 16-22 - National Avidatoin Week. Aug 22-29 - National Save Your Smile, National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Aug 1 - National Kids, Respect for Parents, National Night Out Day. Apr 3 - Nation Night Out, Coast Guard day. Apr 6 - National Fresh Breath, National Pamper Yourself day. Aug 7 - National Mustard Day. Aug 8 - Admit You're Happy Day. Apr 9 - UN International Day of the World's Indigenous People. Apr 11 - Presidential Joke Day. Apr 12 - UN International Youth, Vinyl Record Day. Apr 14 - International Nagging, National Garage Sale Day. Aug 15 - National Relaxation Day, World Day of Keiki. Aug 16 - Stay Home with Your Kids, National Airborne Day. Aug 17 - Sandcastle Day. Aug 18 - Bad Poetry Day. Aug 19 - National Avidation Day. Aug 21 - Children's, Poets, Sandcastle and Sculpture. Southern Hemisphere Hoodie-Hoo, Vinegar Day, National Homeless Animals Day and Candlelight Vigils. Aug 22 - Be an Angel, National Punctuation Day. Aug 24 - Vesuvius Day. Aug 25 - Kiss and Make Up Day. Aug 26 - Women's Equality Day. Aug 28 - Race Your Mouse Around the Icons Day. Aug 29 - According to Hoyle Day. Aug 31 - Love Litigating Lawyers Day.

* Means a Presidential Proclamation has been made.

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Men are so competitive that we even "out-die" women in all 15 of the major causes of death in the U.S. Most of these deaths are preventable with a positive change in life-style, eating habits, and/or general health care. Let's not strive so hard to hold on to this record. See what you can change now to live a healthier life.
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