Daily Thoughts & Issues

IN THIS ISSUE:

AUGUST 28

Days left until the next millennium 01.01.3001

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

August 28 - Day of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr's peaceful civil rights march on Washington, DC for recognition of the rights of African Americans. 250,000 people gathered to hear "I have a dream." (1963) * Race Your Mouse Around the Icons Day. * The opening of the Second World Parliament of Religions, attended by members of all the world's religions, at which a Global Ethic was approved, condemning hatred, oppression, aggression and environmental abuses committed in the name of religion (1993) The Mystic's Wheel of the Year. * The hapless Jamaican town of Port Royal was devastated twice within a 30-year span by two natural disasters - an earthquake in 1692 and a hurricane in 1722. The hurricane killed 400 and sunk 26 merchant ships.* Prince Charles and Princess Diana divorce (1996). * Bank and public holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (Scotland not included). * Birthdays: Donald O'Connor, Roger Tory Peterson, Scott Hamilton, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Charles Boyer, Ben Gazzara, Ronald Ames (Ron) Guidry, Scott Hamilton, Noriyuki "Pat" Morita, David Soul, Daniel Stern.

DAILY THOUGHTS

"The longer I live, the more deeply I'm convinced that the difference between the successful person and the failure, between the strong and the weak, is a decision - Willie E Gary, lawyer and philanthropist. African American History

Part of the initiation in sexual relationship is sharpening of perception, a loss of innocence, the discovery that life demands penetrating perceptions and unsentimental judgments. Soul Mates

Teach your child the game "May I" and you'll indirectly impart good manners. Dr. Buff's 365 Day Parenting Calendar

You've come a long way, baby. Diet for a 12-month-old child (ca. 1940). On arising: prune juice. Breakfast: cereal, toast, baked apple. Snack: juice, cod-liver oil. Lunch: liver paste, spinach, toast, milk, more cod-liver oil. Snack: graham crackers, fruit. Supper: cereal or green vegetables, cooked prunes, toast, more cod-liver oil. The Old Farmer's Almanac

The psychologist Erik Erikson conceived of the eighth and final stage of adult development as a struggle between integrity and despair. Despair is easy to define: a surrender to the conviction that time is too short to start another life or try out alternative paths to integrity. But what does integrity really mean?  "It is the acceptance of one's one and only life as something that had to be." New Passages

The best sex I ever had was on a futon bed. The mattress was very hard and you could adjust it to all sorts of angles - Mike, 23. I'm always on the pill, but it's nice when the guy asks about contraception instead of just assuming. - Terri, 22 Best of 1001 Sex Secrets Every Man & Woman Should Know

When we are reading a book and come across an idea or theory that appeals to us, that "rings a bell" with us, we "recognize" it to be true. Yet this idea or theory may be one of which we have never before consciously thought. The word says we "re-know" the concept, as if we knew it once upon a time, forgot it, but then recognized it as an old friend. It is as if all knowledge and all wisdom were contained in our minds, and when we learn "something new" we are actually only discovering something that existed in our self all along. The Road Less Traveled

You get what you expect. Believe in your dreams. Achieve Your Dreams

Red-clay tile roofs. Sliced jalapeno peppers. Winning at badminton. 14,000 Things to Be Happy About

Thinking about getting a shot is a lot worse than getting one.  Really Important Stuff My Kids Have Taught Me

Growth is learning all the lessons that you are here to learn.  If Life is a Game, These are the Rules

While speaking in Munich to a group of jurists (1867), German sexologist and activist Karl Heinrich Ulrichs became the first person in modern history to publicly come out as gay.  Gay & Lesbian Calendar

Many people refuse to delegate to other people because they feel it takes too much time and effort, and they could do the job better themselves. But effectively delegating to others is perhaps the single most powerful high-leverage activity there is. Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

Rent rather than own. If your home is costing you more time, energy, and money than you're willing to pay, consider renting. It could greatly simplify your life.  Simplify Your Life

A Dose of Self-Esteem. Perhaps the most important way to help your child gain genuine self-esteem is to encourage them to do something rather old-fashioned: Work hard to achieve a goal. Nothing boosts a child's opinion of themselves more than finishing a tough job, overcoming an obstacle, or acquiring a skill - as long as the activity is at the right level for them. Parents Tips & Tricks

"Future shock is the shattering stress and disorientation that we induce in individuals by subjecting them to too much change in too short a time." - Alvin Toffler. If you're currently experiencing your own future shock, consider keeping a journal as a way of expressing your feelings and organizing your thoughts about all the recent changes in your life. Stress Busters

Mix and Match jelly beans!  Try peach-flavored jelly beans with cream soda-flavored ones to get peaches and cream.  To Do Today

Perceptions are important, but they make a poor substitute for insight. - Phil Knight. Win the Day!

El castillo (kahsTEEyoh) Castle. Hacemos un castillo de arena!  Let's make a sand castle!  Living Language

TODAY'S ISSUE: PEACE - HATRED

I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear. - Martin Luther King, Jr. Hatred sometimes feels like a fire in the gut that burns with painful intensity. Or it can feel as though something in our soul is frozen and dead. If we allow our minds to run wild with hatred and resentment, those feelings will devour us. Hate can loom so large that nothing else seems to matter. Even when we feel justified in hating, it hurts us much more than it affects the object of our hate. Hate is our anger and rage turned inward, on ourselves. Instead of harming ourselves further, we can make room to heal the pain that lies beneath our resentments. When we vent our feelings in safe and supportive surroundings, the intensity diminishes. Releasing hatred does not mean that we instantly forgive and forget. It simply means that our own pain can be healed. Today I will release the soul-sickness of hatred and resentment by surrendering to my emotions and feeling my pain. A Quiet Strength: Meditations on the Masculine Soul

Children use the fist until they are of age to use the brain. - Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Every child begins by using violence, and most children soon learn violence isn't a good way to resolve disputes. So why aren't we all pacifists?  Nations still design foreign policies that depend on threats of violence - to enforce decisions that are mainly about economic planning and markets. Think about our families. How are decisions made?  Does the threat of violence back up every statement parents make?  Do siblings have to fight over privileges?  Not all violence in families is physical. Verbal violence, although devastating to children's self-respect, can even be quiet. If our families aren't violent, how do we reach decisions and get things done? The world desperately needs techniques for wagging peace - not just the absence of active fighting but the ability to resolve conflicts peacefully, without the threat of bloodshed. All of us, in every aspect of our lives, can use what we know about living in peace. Peace must begin in our families, or it cannot begin. Family Feelings

Hey Man: Did you make a difference yesterday? Let us know at Contact Us. There is a saying: "Let peace begin with me."  Today in my life I can begin love, truth telling and peace. 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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