Daily Thoughts & Issues

IN THIS ISSUE:

OCTOBER 31

Days left until the next millennium 01.01.3001

Photo of the Week
Phil DeRiemer/Adventure Photo & Film
Achieve Your Dreams

October 31 - Hallowe'en. (See Halloween Safety Tips.) * Night that the dead return to visit their families; celebrated by children, dressed as spirits, going door to door for treats. Day to mourn the women tortured and killed as "witches" because of their independence, wealth, wisdom or religion. * Death day of Joseph Campbell (1987) who found Deity within all religions and myths. The Mystic's Wheel of the Year * India's Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, is shot and killed (1984). * Reformation Day (1517) anniversary of which Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of Wittenberg's Palace church, denouncing the selling of papal indulgences - the beginning of the Reformation in Germany. Observed by many Protestant churches on Reformation Sunday. * Birthdays: John Candy,  Chiang Kai-Shek, John Keats, Michael Landon, Johannes Sleidanus, Joseph Wilson Swan, Michael Collins, Frederick Stanley (Fred) McGriff, Larry Mullen, Dermot Mulroney, Dan Rather, Stephen Rea, Rob Schneider, David Ogden Stiers, Vanilla Ice.

Inspect Halloween candy before letting children eat it!
Better yet: trade their haul for a gift certificate for or to something they like!

DAILY THOUGHTS

Why Trick or Treating is Better than Sex!

10. You are guaranteed to get at least a little something in the sack.
9. If you get tired, you can wait 10 minutes and go at it again.
8. The uglier you look, the easier it is to get some.
7. You don't have to compliment the person who gives you some.
6. It's O.K. when the person you're with fantasizes you're someone else.
5. Forty years from now you'll still enjoy candy.
4. If you don't like what you get, you can always go next door.
3. It doesn't matter if the kids hear you moaning and groaning.
2. Less guilt the morning after.
1. You can do the whole neighborhood.

I have said that the ultimate goal of spiritual growth is for the individual to become as one with God. It is to know with God. Since the unconscious is God all along, we may further define the goal of spiritual growth to be the attainment of godhood by the conscious self. It is for the individual to become totally, wholy God. Does this mean that the goal is for the conscious to merge with the unconscious, so that all is unconsciousness?  Hardly. We now come to the point of it all. The point is to become God while preserving consciousness. The Road Less Traveled

We can care for the soul by eroticizing our lives and sexualizing our environments - invoking a blessing from the goddess who has always been both a scandal and a grace. Soul Mates

I don't want to get kinky all the time. Every once in awhile is good just for the novelty of it. - Trisha, 34 Best of 1001 Sex Secrets Every Man & Woman Should Know

If trick-or-treating is in your plans for the evening, don't forget the flashlight and the florescent tape on the front and back of the costume. Avoid masks that are difficult for your child to see through. Dr. Buff's 365 Day Parenting Calendar

As we come to the top of the mountain and look out, for the first time we can get a 360-degree view in all directions. Now we can see clearly where we came from. Ahead lies a spiral that rises and dips but keeps circling upward. Each new awakening can jump us ahead to a higher curve in the road up the mountain of self-transcendence. New Passages

All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance, and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence. - Martin Luther King, Jr. Achieve Your Dreams

Things to Be Happy About: Assembling costumes. A bucketfull of goodies. Lighting the jack-o'-lanterns. Waiting for trick-or-treaters, the Halloween party at school. Seeing the costumes of office and business employees, especially bank employees. 14,000 Things to Be Happy About

It does matter who started it.  Really Important Stuff My Kids Have Taught Me

Pat attention to the motivations behind your attachments. You may be attached to getting married or being rich because you think it will bring about security. The fact is being rich or married in no way guarantees a secure life free of worries. It may actually make you less secure. A sense of security comes from within, not from attachment to any person, thing or idea. If Life is a Game, These are the Rules

During the tenth century, Alfhild, daughter of a Norse Viking king, fought in Viking battles dressed in male warrior clothing.  Gay & Lesbian Calendar

As we go within ourselves - as we understand and realign our basic paradigms to bring them in harmony with correct principles - we create both an effective, empowering center and a clear lens through which we can see the world. We can then focus that lens on how we, as unique individuals, relate to that world. Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

To make grocery shopping easier, shop only once a week and schedule enough time so you don't have to rush. Simplify Your Life

Give yourself a special treat: a long-distance phone cat with a friend, flowers, dinner and a movie, tickets to a sporting event, an overnight stay at a bed-and-breakfast or whatever will help you get away from it all. Stress Busters

Treat your kids to Halloween memories!  Take photos of friends' costumes. Arrange the photos onto the cardboard backing of a frame. Overlap pictures, but don't cover anyone!  Glue the photos down and slip back into the frame. To Do Today

If you take responsibility for yourself, you will develop a hunger to accomplish your dreams. - Les Brown.  Win the Day!

El vampiro (bahmPEEroh) Vampire. Living Language

TODAY'S ISSUE: HALLOWE'EN

Hallowe'en or All Hallow's Eve. An ancient celebration combining Druid autumn festival and Christian customs. Hallowe'en ( All Hallow's Eve) is the beginning of Hallowtide, a season that embraces the Feast of All Saints (Nov 1) and the Feast of All Souls (Nov 2). The observance, dating from the sixth or seventh centuries, has long been associated with thoughts of the dead, spirits, witches, ghosts and devils. In fact, the ancient Celtic Feat of Samhain, the festival that marked the beginning of winter and of the New Year, was observed Nov 1.

Samhain. Halloween - night that the dead return to visit their families; celebrated by children, dressed as spirits, going door-to-door for treats. Also, a day to mourn the women tortured and killed as "witches" because of their independence, wealth, wisdom or religion. And to mourn the gay-appearing men who were used as "faggots" to set the fires beneath the witches. Mid-Autumn Festival marking the transformation of life to death - the end of the agricultural year, departure of migrating and hibernating animals, and beginning of decay and death of vegetal and animal life; celebrated by honoring departed ancestors and contemplating one's own mortality. Observed by leaving eggs - symbols of rebirth - on graces of the dead. Also, old Celtic New Year and feast for the Deities of death. The Mystic's Wheel of the Year

Halloween was originally celebrated on May 13, All Saints Day was a catchall holiday to honor the saints who did not have celebratory days of their own. In the eighth century, the date was changed to November 1, making All Hallows Eve October 31, in an attempt to counteract a pagan holiday traditionally celebrated then. The Old Farmer's Almanac

Samhain (also called November Eve, Hallowmas, Hallowe'en, All Hallow's Eve, Feast of Souls, Feast of the Dead, Feast of Apples and Calan Gaeaf. One of the Great Sabbats during the Wiccan year. Samhain marks the death of the Sun-God, who then awaits his rebirth from the Mother Goddess at Yule (December 21). In the Celtic tradition, the feast of Samhain was also celebrated as New Year's Eve, as their new year began on November 1.

Trick or Treat or Beggar's Night. A popular custom on Hallowe'en, in which children wearing costumes visit neighbors' homes calling out "Trick or Treat" and "begging" for candies or gifts to place in their beggars' bags. In recent years there has been increased participation by adults, often parading in elaborate or outrageous costumes and also requesting candy.

Pu'stocks. One of the superstitious customs observed on Halloween...The ceremony consists in the company passing out together to the kail-yard (cabbage-patch), and pulling each a stock of kail. They must go out, hand in hand with the eyes shut, and pull the first plant they meet with. Its being big or little, straight or crooked, is prophetic of the size and shape of the grand object of all their spells - husband or wife. - John Jamieson's Etymological Scottish Dictionary, 1808. Forgotten English

Scottish poet Robert Burns provided additional details of the pu-stocks tradition: "If any yird, or earth, sticks to the root, that is tosher, or fortune; and the taste of the custoc, that is, the heart of the stem, is indicative of the natural temper and disposition." Forgotten English

(See Halloween Safety Tips. and "4 Steps to a Healthier Halloween"

Hey Man: Did you make a difference yesterday? Let us know at Contact Us. Alone in a grove of deciduous trees at night, sit still and silent. Experience all your senses: what you can see, smell, hear, taste, and touch; recognize the oneness of all. Meditation: personal transformation. The Mystic's Wheel of the Year Want to make a difference but you don't know where to start?

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Sh*t My Dad Says, Justin Halpern. After being dumped by his longtime girlfriend, the author found himself living at home with his seventy-three-year-old dad who is like Socrates, but angrier, and with worse hair." He has never minced words and when the author moved back home, he began to record all of the ridiculous things his dad said to him. More than a million people how follow his philosophical musings on Twitter, and in this book, his son weaves a brilliantly funny, touching coming-of-age memoir around the beset of his quotes. An all-American story that unfolds on the Little League field, in Dennny's, during excruciating family road trips, and, most frequently, in the authors kitchen over bowls of Grape-Nuts. This book is a chaotic, hilarious, true portrait of a father-son relationship from a major new comic voice. www.ShitMyDadSays.com or www.Twitter.com.ShitMyDadSays. HarperCollins, 2010 ISBN 978-0-06-199270-4

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

October is Adopt-a-Shelter Dog; Alternate History; Auto Battery Safety; Campaign for Healthier Babies; Celiac Sprue Awareness; Child Health; Computer Learning; Diversity Awareness; Dryer Vent Safety Awareness; Energy Management is a Family Affair-Improve Your Home; Family History; Family Sexuality Education, Fantasy; Gay and Lesbian History; Health Literacy; International Fired Up; Listen to Your Inner Critic; Lupus Awareness; National AIDS Awareness; National Animal Safety and Protection; *National Breast Cancer Awareness; National Car Care; National Crime Prevention; National Depression Education and Awareness; *National Disability Employment Awareness; *National Domestic Violence Awareness; National Family Health, National Family Sexuality Education; National "Gain the Inside Advantage"; National Home Inspection; National Orthodontic Health; National Pharmacy; National Physical Therapy; National Pizza; National Popcorn Poppin'; National Roller Skating; National Skin Care Awareness; National Spinal Health; National Toilet Tank Repair; Pediatric Cancer Awareness; Rett Syndrome Awareness; Sarcastics Awareness; Substance Abuse Prevention; Talk About Prescriptions; Unmasking Halloween Dangers; Vegetarian Awareness Month.

9/15-10/15: Hispanic Heritage Month. 10/1-7: Mental Illness Awareness; *Minority Enterprise Development; National Health Care Food Oct 8-14: *Fire Prevention; Home Based Business; National Adult Immunization Awareness; *National School Lunch, National Walk to School Week. 10/9-13: Pet Peeve, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Week. 10/10-16: Wildlife Week. 10/14-20: Ally, Pharmacy Week. 10/15-21: Getting the World to Beat a Path to Your Door; *National Character Counts; Teen Read Week. 10/16-22: National Health Education Week. 10/22-28: National Massage Therapy Awareness, National Save Yur Back Week. 10/23-31: Red Ribbon 10/25-31: Peace, Friendship & Goodwill Week. 10/1: World Vegetarian Day. 10/2: World Habitat Day, 10/3: Techies Day. 10/4: Toot Your Flute Day. 10/8 Global Learn Day; National Children's Day. 10/9: Indigenous Persons Day; *Leif Erikson Day, Yom Kippur, Canadian Thanksgiving Day. 10/11: Coming Out; Teddy Bear to Work Day; 10/12: Oktoberfest. 10/13: Blame Someone Else; Scream, Train Your Brain Day, Friday the 13th. 10/14: Sukkot. Be Bald and Be Free Day. 10/15: National Grouch; *White Cane Safety Day. 10/16: Dictionary;  Boss' Day, Intl. Librarians World Food Day. 10/17: Black Poetry, International Eradication of Poverty Day. 10/18: Canadian Persons;  Boost your Brain Day. 10/19: Evaluate Your Life Day 10/21: Sweetest Day. 10/22: Mother-In-Law; National Scientific Literacy Day. 10/23: National Mole Day. 10/24: United Nations Day. Black Thursday. 10/25: Cartoonists Against Crime Day. 10/26: Horseless Carriage; Mule, Intersex Awareness Day 10/27: Frankenstein Friday, Navy Day, Ugly Pickup Contest. 10/28: Make a Difference; Wild Foods Day; Day of Meditation. 10/29: Daylight Savings Times Ends. 10/31: Halloween; National Magic; *National Unicef Day. 11/2 is Election Day. Vote Absentee Ballot.

* Means a Presidential Proclamation has been made.

Domestic Violence Prevention Month - See Issues. Also, see books on anger, violence-general, violence-domestic, violence-rape, violence-sexual, women's violence, sexual harassment plus Q&A Slide Guide on Gangs and Safe Dating in Merchandise and Alternatives to Violence programs. - resources for male and female perpetrators and male and female victims. Got some information to add, send it to mailto:violence@menstuff.org

* 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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