Daily Thoughts & Issues

IN THIS ISSUE:

AUGUST 25

Days left until the next millennium 01.01.3001

Photo of the Week
Joe McBride/Adventure Photo & Film
Achieve Your Dreams

August 25 - National Friendship Week (workers).* Independence Day for Uruguay. * Day to mourn the Iraqi attacks on civilian Kurds beacuse of their ethnicity (1988); vigil for justice and respect for the human rights of the Kurdish people. The Mystic's Wheel of the Year *  As dawn broke, the men of the 2nd French Armored Division entered Paris, ending the long German occupation of the City of Life (1944). That afternoon, General Charles de Gaulle led a parade down the Champs Elysees. Though Hitler had ordered the destruction of Paris, German occuying-officer General Dietrich von Choltitz refused that order and instead surrendered to French Major General Jacques Le Clerc. * Samantha Smiths Death Anniversary (1985). This American schoolgirl's interest in world peace drew praise and affection from people around the world. In 1982, the 10-year-old wrote a letter to Soviet leader Yuri Andropov asking him "Why do you want to conquer the whole world, or at least our country?" The letter was widely publicized in the USSR and Andropov replied personally to her. She was invited to visit the Soviet Union. On this day in 1985, the airplane on which she was riding crashed in Maine, killing all aboard. In 1986, minor planet No. 3147, an asteroid between Mars and Jupiter, was named in her memory. * Birthdays: Don DeFore, Bret Harte, Walt Kelly, Allan Pinkerton, Albert Jojuan Belle, Cornelius O'Landa Bennett, Sean Connery, Elvis Costello, Billy Ray Cyrus, Mel Ferrer, Frederick Forsyth, Monty Hall, Leonard Bernstein, Anthony Heald, Regis Philbin, John Savage, Wayne Shorter, Tom Skerritt, and Blair Underwood. 

Take advantage of free blood pressure screenings!
Some drug stores have a self-testing machine.

DAILY THOUGHTS

"The whole idea that older people don't learn as well is pure nonsense," scoffs Hugh Downs, the veteran newsman and popular cohost of the TV show 20/20. "Maybe the split-second brain functions slow down after about age forty-eight, but we're talking microseconds that you wouldn't even notice in a conversation. Mental computation speed is more than offset by acquired techniques, accumulated wisdom and focus." New Passages

Who was Brigadier General Hazel W Jackson? First African American woman to achieve the rank of brigadier general and chief of the Army Nurse Corps. African American History

Before you give your child his or her allowance, separate out a portion and place it in an envelope marked "savings", You may want to be the child's banker, or you may want to find a child-friendly bank where the child can watch the money grow. Dr. Buff's 365 Day Parenting Calendar

We might distinguish between wise circumspection and a moralistic resistance to the power of sex and romance. Moralism of any kind usually serves as self-protection in the face of life's enormous force. Soul Mates

Don't tell me you've done something before when it's obvious you haven't. - Sally, 26 Best of 1001 Sex Secrets Every Man & Woman Should Know

Grace, manifested in part by "valuable or agreeable things not sought for," is available to everyone, but while some take advantage of it, others do not. The Road Less Traveled

Great thing are not done by impulse but by a series of small things brought together. - Vincent van Gogh. Achieve Your Dreams

Things to Be Happy About: A sun-toasted colonnade. Your little spot by the brook. Tweety Bird. 14,000 Things to Be Happy About

Be nice to the lunch lady. Really Important Stuff My Kids Have Taught Me

Humility is the lesson that stings, for along with it usually comes some kind of loss or downfall. The universe likes to keep things in balance, so when an inflated ego ignores civility and patience, it introduces humility as a way to bring the ego back down to Earth. Though the sting feels like a wound at the time, it really is just a poke from the higher power to keep you balanced. If Life is a Game, These are the Rules

Composed Leonard Bernstein was born on this day in 1919 and began to display his musical talents when he was just ten years old. Involved with a variety of men throughout his life, including musician Aaron Copland, Bernstein composed some of America's most recognized music.  Gay & Lesbian Calendar

Without involvement, there is no commitment. Mark it down; asterisk it' circle it' underline it. No involvement, no commitment.  Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

Our favorite pleasures are the simple pleasures. Watching a sunset. Talking a walk on the beach or through a park or along a mountain trail. Having a chat with a friend. Browsing in the bookstore. Puttering in the garden. Spending quiet time with your partner. Sitting quietly in a favorite chain and doing nothing. Most of these things require little or no money, no expensive equipment, and are available for anyone who wants to take advantage of them.  Simplify Your Life

Stop Sugar Overload. My kids tend to pour sugar on their cereal rather than sprinkle it. So I put the sugar in a salt shaker, and now breakfast is healthier. Parents Tips & Tricks

 Muscles burn more calories than fat. Regular exercise helps develop or at least maintain muscle mass, which not only helps us feel more fit but also can help prevent weight gain. Stress Busters

Bowl on homemade lanes!  Collect ten tin cans. Set them in a triangle on the ground. Use any ball - heavy ones work better, but light ones make the game challenging. Bowl from various distances, and keep score! To Do Today

To climb steep hills requires slow pace at first. - William Shakespeare Win the Day!

Seguir (sehGEER) To continue to follow. Sigue sonando!  Keep dreaming! Living Language

 

TODAY'S ISSUE: RELIGION - A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE & PERSECUTION

Since I have begun to imagine god as feminine I have felt birthed into a new way of being. - Rose Tillermans. When the bible was translated into English, the deity was established as a father god, ruling over a large family of mainly wayward children, wt a few dutiful sons and daughters. Thinking about religion in this familial way is a bit confining, especially for those men and women among us who have been patiently rethinking gender roles in recent years. The option of a family where the father is a supreme authority belongs to fiction rather than fact. In families with two parents, both are likely to share the tasks of earning money, caring for children, and maintaining a home. When a family has a single parent, it's far more likely to be a mother with the father often removed from daily contact without his consent. We each invoke the spiritual authority that reflects our own personal needs for transcendence, whether it corresponds to our human family structure or not. However we envision our source of guidance, serenity, and unconditional love, it is always available. For my spiritual rebirth I can envision my spiritual authority in whatever form works best for me. Family Feelings

Unfortunately, religion has been used as the justification to go to kill, destroy, abuse (spare the rod, spoil the child), separate. The religious wars between Arabs and Jews, Protestants and Catholics, Catholics and everyone else,, Fundamentalist and blacks, torching churches and children. Burning women and men during the inquisition, cutting off the hands of Native American's at American missions, and in this century the church putting out contracts on Brazilian medicine men, the murdering of abortion doctors, the burning of cars, homes and businesses that had a diversity sticker on them, the brutal murder of gay or gay appearing people. All in the name of religion. I ask you, what kind of god asks for this kind of treatment of other human beings? A very angry, disconnect god presenting itself through very angry, disconnected people. And, if we're not careful, this anger gets passed down to our children. - Editor

Here on this land I touched the blood and rattling bones of others brought here or not, as I was. - Nancy Morejon. Family backgrounds of many of us hold terrible stories - stories of persecution, slavery, exile, many kinds of violence. And family relations can perpetuate violence. Techniques that people must learn for survival can actually threaten survival if they're continued when no longer needed. If we were beaten when we were small, we learned to use force against those weaker than ourselves. When we are punished or humiliated for making the inevitable mistakes children make, we learn to lie and sneak, to enjoy the punishment of others, and to feel that innocent mistakes deserve such punishments. But we can choose to break our connection to this kind of violence, spiritual, physical and emotional. Abuse within the family is terrorism of the purest kind, and no one deserves to live with it. When we make the decision to end abusive behavior, there are many places we can turn for help. The most important in the long run may be our own spiritual source, which is with us always and provides unfailing guidance. Family Feelings

Hey Man: Did you make a difference yesterday? Let us know at Contact Us. I can begin to reconcile the violence of the past. All that is needed is my own decision. Family Feelings Want to make a difference but you don't know where to start?

BOOK OF THE WEEK

 

 Infinite Playlist: How to have conversations (not conflict) with your kids about music. by Todd Stocker. Your daughter listens to the radio on the Internet. Your son has iPod buds permanently attached to his ears. You've heard your youngest innocently sing lyrics that make you gasp. Times are changing. With iTunes and MP3s readily available online, our teens are encountering new musical influences every day. How can we help our kids make God-honoring decisions when it comes to their playlists? Don't get swept up in a playlist war. Let the author teach you how to have conversations, not conflict, with your kids about music. Realizing that one-size-doesn't-fit-all, he offers guidelines to help you and your teens decide what music is acceptable and healthy. Born out of a deal he made with his son, his practical tips foster open conversations and valuable discussion with your teen. An accessible and quick read, this book features notes from the author's son, who provides a young music lover's perspective and demonstrates how conversation is not only possible, but also fun. Kregel Publications, 2010, ISBN 978-0-8254-3656-7

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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