Daily Thoughts & Issues

IN THIS ISSUE:

JANUARY 12

Days left until the next millennium 01.01.3001
 

Photo of the Week
Brad Wrobleski/Adventure Photo & Film
Achieve Your Dreams

January 12 - Day genocide was outlawed world-wide (1951); day to mourn all victims of genocide. The Mystic's Wheel of the Year. * Congress authorized the use of force against Iraq (1991) to expel them from Kuwait. This was the sixth congressional vote in US history declaring war or authorizing force on another nation. * In 1915, the US House of Representatives rejected a proposal to give women the right to vote. They gained that right in 1920. * Astronomers detect objects 17 billion years old - the oldest, most distant discoveries to date (1988). What is a "dandle queen"?  A British slang term referring to a gay male exhibitionist. Gay & Lesbian Calendar. * Birthdays: Jack London, Howard Stern, Edmund Burke, James Farmer, John Hancock, Ira Hamilton Hayes, John Winthrop, Jeff Bezos, Joe Frazier, HAL, Ray Price. *SPECIAL BIRTHDAY: George Simons

DAILY THOUGHTS

The Spiritual Principle of Awareness. If thou may not continually gather thyself together, do it sometime at least once a day, morning or evening. Thomas A. Kempis. Spiritual awareness is the foundation of positive, creative change in my life. It is crucial that I continue my spiritual development, for without it I stagnate and eventually become self-destructive. Spiritual awareness is no accident; it requires work and commitment. A daily plan of action that includes prayer and meditation is the most effective method to assure my continued spiritual growth. Each of us must work out his own form of prayer and meditation. Whatever the form, we must keep doing it. After tasting the incredible soul-food of regular spiritual practice, I will wonder how I lived for so long without it. Paying lip service to this principle yields very little. At this point in my progress, if I desire full recovery, then nothing less than a lifelong commitment to these principles will satisfy me. If one day at a time I seek awareness through prayer and meditation, my Higher Power will do the rest. A Quiet Strength: Meditations on the Masculine Soul

We did it in a park that's on his way to work. Now, every time he drives by it, he thinks of me. - Liz, 24 The Best of 1001 Sex Secrets Every Man & Woman Should Know

Remember years ago when you scraped your knee and your mom or day kissed it and made it "a;ll better"?  Today's more sophisticated, computer smart kids crave the same kind of attention. Dr. Buff's 365 Day Parenting Calendar

Special Nap time. It's often difficult to convince younger children that naps are a good idea when older children aren't partaking of the nap plan. Try getting the older siblings involved in another activity (possibly in the backyard). Then tell the younger child that this is "our time to be together," and share in a quiet activity like reading. Your child will feel like this time together is a treat, and the quiet, restful atmosphere will be a great way to slow down for nap time. Parents Tips & Tricks

You can't depend on your judgment when your imagination is out of focus. - Mark Twain. Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

Things to Be Happy About:  Big fuzzy sweaters, not catching your kid's cold. 14,000 Things to Be Happy About

Pleasure is the physical manifestation of joy. Your body teaches you pleasure through your five senses. When you indulge in any spontaneous behavior or physical sensation that unlocks the joy stored within you, you create space in your consciousness for pleasure. If Life is a Game, These are the Rules

Happiness, like unhappiness, is a proactive choice. Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

The arrival of a good clown exercises a more beneficial influence upon the health of a town than the arrival of twenty asses laden with drugs. - Thomas Sydenham, 17th century physician. Research has proven that laughter is indeed good for what ails us. When was the last time you had a good laugh?  Stress Busters

In the long run men hit only what they aim at. Therefore, though they should fail immediately, they had better aim at something high. - Henry David Thoreau. Win the Day!

When someone gives you unwanted or unsolicited advice just say, "Well, that's something to think about." Life's Little Instruction Calendar

Laughing at Yourself. When you make a mistake - get caught rolling your eyes at your spouse, or being overly friendly with someone else at a party - how well are you able to laugh at your own foibles, your own bad behavior? Or do you get defensive and try to claim innocence? Most of us enter marriage on the defensive side, taking ourselves very serious when we're caught in the wrong. When you see how ridiculous it is to defend your bad behavior, you can begin to give it up. You see how silly you're being - and you learn to laugh at yourself. That's maturity! Now, when your spouse calls you on some insensitivity or forgetfulness, you don't have to claim innocence. Instead, you can own up and then laugh at yourself. Maybe even laugh together. The freedom to laugh at yourself releases you to see other people's foibles with compassion and allows you to stay better connected with your spouse when your behavior is less than wonderful. I can learn to laugh at myself. "You grow up the day you have your first laugh - at yourself." - Ethel Barrymore. Opening to Love 365 Days a Year

El acero (ahSEHroh) - Steel. Living Language

*SPECIALGeorge Simons (1938) draws on his father's love and strength to embrace and support the men in his life. Living in France, he travels cyber worlds for Diversophy. E-Mail

TODAY'S ISSUE: MENTORS

There are men who wield power without pride, who are rich but simple in their ways, who are learned but have no arrogance. They are divine spirits in human form. - Baba Muktananda.

He was a carpenter of simple words, with a scruffy manner and rough appearance. Yet he possessed a deep wisdom that came from a lifetime of experiences. In his seventies, he was still pounding nails, still driving his beat-up pickup truck. He always had time to listen to another guy, no matter how long he'd talk or what he'd say. We would nod, smile, and let the guy know that everything was going to be all right. Through his example of patient acceptance, he guided many men over the years.

Men and women of such divine spirit are mostly quiet people who stand in the background of our lives, guiding us with respect and gentle humility. They go about their daily lives with an easy grace, without drawing attention to their wisdom. To benefit from what they offer, I must listen with a finely tuned ear, letting go of preconceived ideas of who is wise, who is strong, who possesses skill. With a new vision unhampered by prejudice, I must look for these souls everywhere. I must look past their habits and their physical appearance to see the kind of work they do in the world. A Quiet Strength: Meditations on the Masculine Soul

Hey Man: Did you make a difference yesterday? Let us know at Contact Us. Today, by looking for them in unexpected places, I will find these men and women of divine spirit. A Quiet Strength: Meditations on the Masculine Soul Want to make a difference but you don't know where to start?

BOOK OF THE WEEK

  

A New Conversatoin with Men by Michael Taylor. Join the author, an entrepreneur, author, motivational speaker and radio-show host as he shares how creating a new paradigm of masculinity can help heal America. This book is written to inspire men of all ethnicities, ages, socio-economic levels and religions to come together to redefine manhood and to eradicate the multiplicity of challenges facing America today. Its intention is to remove the separation among men and remove the hatred, fear and distrust that too many men feel about each other. It is a powerful, inspirational document written to educate, motivate and inspire all men to reach their full potential. Join the conversation and become a part of the revolution! Publish America, www.PublishAmerica.com, 2008, ISBN 1-60563-580-4 Visit Michael's monthly column here.

 

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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

January is: Birth Defects Prevention, National Voluteer Blood Donor; Bald Eagle Watch; Celebration of Life; Fat Free Living; International Get Over It; International Life Balance; It's Okay to Be Different; Love Yourself; March of Dimes Birth Defects Prevention; National Be On-Purpose; National Book; National Clean Up Your Computer; National Environmental Policy Act; National Eye Care; National Glaucoma Awareness; National High-Tech; National Personal Self-Defense Awareness; National Poverty in America Awareness; National Reaching Your Potential; National Yours, Mine and Ours; Senior-Spirit; Sew for the Cure Month.

12/26-1/1: Kwanzaa. 12/31-1/6: Celebration of Life; Diet Resolution; National Lose Weight/Feel Great; New Year's Resolution; Silent Record Week; 1/5-13: Wilderness Wildlife Week of Nature. 1/6-12: Someday We'll Laugh About This Week.1/7-11: National Graves' Disease Awareness Week. 1/7-13: Universal Letter-Writing Week. 1/10-17: International Thank You Days. 1/13-19: Fire the Boss, International Printing, Let Men Be Our Heroes, Special Education Week. 1/14-18: Manwatchers Week. 1/20-26: Healthy Weight, National Creative Frugality, National Nurse Anesthetists, Solo-Preneuring Week. 1/21-25: Direct Deposit Week. 1/22-28: No Name Calling Week 1/21-25: *National Consumer Protection Week. 1/31-2/3: Mid-Winter/Candlemas/Groundhog's Day. 1/1: Attention to Dreams and Desires; Get a Life; Saint Basil's; Z Day. 1/2: Happy New Year for Cats; National Thrift with Flair Day. 1/6: International Respect-full Living Day; National Smith Day. Jan 7: United Kingdom Solid Gold Hat Day. Orthodox Christian Christmas. 1/8: National Bubble; Clean-Off-Your-Desk; Joygerm: Saint Gudula's Feast; Show & Tell at Work Day. 1/12 - National Handwriting Day. 1/15 - Humanitarian, Moliere, National Thank God It's Monday Day. 1/16 - Psychiatric Technicians Day. 1/18: Get to Know Your Customer Day. 1/19: International Sing-out Day. 1/20: Penguin Awareness Day. 1/21: National Hugging, World Religion Day. 1/22: World Religions Day, Celebration of Life Day. 1/23: Rid the World of Fad Diets and Gimmicks Day. 1/24: Just Do It Day - Make the Connection, National Compliment Day. 1/25: A Room of One's Own Day. 1/26: Fun at Work Day, Toad Hollow Day of Encouragement; Spouse's Day. 1/29: Freethinker's, National Puzzle Day. 1/30: Inane Answering Machine Day.

* Means a Presidential Proclamation has been made.

 *    *    *
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.
Contact Us | Disclaimer | Privacy Statement
Menstuff® Directory
Menstuff® is a registered trademark of Gordon Clay
©1996-2023, Gordon Clay