Daily Thoughts & Issues IN THIS ISSUE: AUGUST 30 Daily Thoughts Book of the Week Photo of the Week Today's Issue: Animal Rights - Integration Tomorrow's Issue: Back-to-School Menstuff columns by Author Awareness events this month Upcoming Men's Events Days left until the next millennium 01.01.3001 Photo of the Week David Madison/Tony Stone Images Achieve Your Dreams August 30 - Fishing upon opening day: We shirk all duties, all our home ties sever; a string of beauties is a joy forever - The Old Farmer's Almanac, 1940 The Old Farmer's Almanac. * Frances Folsom Cleveland (Mrs. Grover Cleveland) was the first presidential wife to have a baby at the White House when she gave birth to a baby girl (Esther) in 1893. The first child ever born in the White House was a grand daughter to Thomas Jefferson in 1806. * Col. Guion S. Bluford, Jr., of the U.S. Air Force is the first black astronaut in space (1983). With four other astronauts, Shuttle Challenger launched from Kennedy Space Center, FL returning on Sept 5. Space shuttle Discovery was launched from Kennedy for its maiden flight with six-member crew (1984). The crew deployed three satellites and used a robot arm before returning on Sept 5. * Birthdays: Fred McMurray, Ernest Rutherford, Roy Wilkins, Timothy Bottoms, Jean-Claude Killy, Robert Lee Parish, David Paymer, Theodore Samuel (Ted) Williams. And a special birthdayto Jerry Medol DAILY THOUGHTS  One of the overarching desires by men and women in late middle age is for balance - being able to bring all the parts of one's life into harmony, as opposed to incongruity. The need becomes pressing for an emotional integration of all the different role and the serial identities that have served us through adolescence and middlescence. It is time for coalescence. New Passages Of all the animals, the boy is the most unmanageable - Plato. Dr. Buff's 365 Day Parenting Calendar The more risk involved, the more stimulating the sex - Gary, 22 Best of 1001 Sex Secrets Every Man & Woman Should Know Waste Not, Want Not. Do not burn the leaves that are raked off the lawn. If not used as bedding for animals, add them to the grass clippings in the compost heap, where they will make valuable fertilizer - The Old Farmer's Almanac, 1936 The Old Farmer's Almanac The challenge may not be easy, but it is possible. Achieve Your Dreams Things to Be Happy About:  A rebuilt MG. Wearing the right clothes. Wyoming steak. 14,000 Things to Be Happy About Play, don't watch. Really Important Stuff My Kids Have Taught Me It's difficult to give up the idea that circumstances just happen to you, as opposed to because of you or your behavior. By remaining an innocent victim of fate, you do not have to acknowledge that you are in any way responsible for what befalls you, and you can continue to hide deep within the vortex of your patterns.  If Life is a Game, These are the Rules Britain's former prime minister John Majors criticized the National Lottery Charities Board for giving money to lesbian, gay and bisexual organizations. Gay & Lesbian Calendar You can't have the fruits without the roots. It's the principle of sequencing, private victory precedes public victory. Self-mastery and self-discipline are the foundation of good relationships with others.  Seven Habits of Highly Effective People Stop trying to change people. They change when they're good and ready. Ultimately, we all have to get out of our own predicaments. Most often what people really want is a supportive ear. Just listen. It will simplify your life and free up a lot of energy to spend in more enjoyable and more productive pursuits.  Simplify Your Life Safe Swing-Set Strategies:  There are a number of precautions you can take to ensure children's swing-set safety. Be sure to cover moving hardware with plastic bracket covers, make sure they are secure, and remove potentially hazardous parts. Paint or galvanize metal equipment to prevent rushing. Make sure there are no openings between 3 1/2 and 9 inches to prevent a child's head or body from getting trapped. Make sure to secure a swing set in concrete footing below the ground, and cushion the surrounding area with 12 inches of loose mulch, sand, or pea gravel. Parents Tips & Tricks Neck Stretch:  To relieve tension in your neck, slowly turn your head to the right as far as possible. Hold that position for a count of 10. Return your head to face forward, then repeat to the left. Repeat several times on each side. Stress Busters Suggest that your kids have a tag party. Get together and play all the kinds of tag you know - regular tag, shadow tag, TV tag, name tag, freeze tag, etc. Take breaks when people are tired, and have soda or juice. To Do Today Never stop. One stops as soon as something is about to happen. - Peter Brock. Win the Day! El peor (pehOHR) Worst. Tenemos el peor equipo. We have the worst team. Living Language *SPECIAL BIRTHDAY: Jerry Medol (1942) His love, life's work and mission since 1966 has been to stop violence in the lives of men. He founded and directed The Men's Project (1973-1985) and went into private practice in 1986 with Anger Alternatives. He is co-author of the upcoming book, The Gift of Anger. jmedol@gvi.net or www.anger.org TODAY'S ISSUE: ANIMAL RIGHTS - INTEGRATION Animals are nothing but the forms of our virtues and vices, wandering before our eyes, the visible phantoms of our souls - Victor Hugo. Men used to listen attentively to the messages of the animals; our lives, our souls, depended on it. The appearances and absences of certain animals at certain times were full of meaning, and offered essential guidance. The hawk, raven, wolf and bear all sent messages to men and spoke in a language we understood. A part of us still understands that language. The animals still speak, showing up at interesting times, in "coincidental" ways. A husky, a cousin to the world, might walk up to us just when we are in need of courage. A cat visits when we require patience. When peace is most precious, a dove flies overhead. The animals are speaking. A Quiet Strength: Meditations on the Masculine Soul At the rate breeds are disappearing, it may not be that long before the only animals we will be able to connect with are domesticated ones, ones without a free soul. Hey Man: Did you make a difference yesterday? Let us know at Contact Us. Today I'll observe the animals, to absorb their wisdom. 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    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 For Everyone: www.menstuff.org For Fathers: www.fatherstuff.org For Parents of Kids & Teens:  www.menstuff.org/kidstuff/current.html A site for fathers with lots of links of interest, along with general and safety information. Special calendar of Retreats for Your Kids. For Men's Health: www.healthstuff.us For Men's Issues: www.mensissues.us For Relationship: www.relationstuff.org For Sexstuff: www.letstalkaboutsex.org For Teensstuff: www.teensstuff.org For Testicular Cancer: www.tcaw.org For Prostate Cancer: www.pcaw.org For Men At Risk: www.menatrisk.org For Non Profit Men's Organizations: www.mencare.org   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.  *    *    * 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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