WE ARE THE WORLD BLOGFEST!

In these crazy days of angst and turmoil, hatred and negativity that seems to lead the daily newscasts of late, I choose to join in the WE ARE THE WORLD BLOGFEST to counter all of that with a message of light that brings me GREAT JOY!

I belong to a ukulele club that goes out and about to strum at the local hospital as well as for the residents of local nursing homes.  It's a "feel good" time for everyone, including the 6 - 8 strummers who all volunteer their time to spread the joyful sounds of the ukulele.

Many of the senior residents that we visit do not have family members close by, and the interaction with them brings smiles to all of our faces.  I like to take along a few extra ukes to hand out, and encourage them to just strum along, even though they don't know how to play, while the others are singing along and crooning to their long lost loved ones.  Although, a couple former guitar players were able to join in on uke for fun.  Two gentlemen come in their wheelchairs with their bongo drums to play with us, too!  It's really a grand old time.

So instead of focusing on the darkest bits of society, how about we focus on what we as individuals can do to shine the light.  Here's one individual who is doing just that... Dr. Paulo Martins of the Hospital das Clinicas in Ribeirao Preto who plays his ukulele for a young cancer patient!  

 Music truly is a universal language...

And here are some members of our ukulele group who love to strum for fun!  

WE CAN MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE...DO YOUR PART!

 The feeling you get in return for making a difference, makes it all worthwhile!
Won't you join me?

ALOHA!

Love and Peace

We are one...tune in, to the message of your very own soul.  It is not spewing the hatred and talking points of the protests...or the news outlets.  Those are egos battling for attention, disgracing the very spirit that gives the soul life, with love and true peace.

Go inward...your soul is echoing the beating of your heart, with thankfulness and grace. Close your eyes and feel it.

Let's re-connect!

And always, always give thanks!  You are blessed, no matter what race, religion, gender...even if you are an atheist.  Yes, you too, are blessed...or you wouldn't even be here!

Now depending on how you choose to live your life, you may feel as though you are cursed.  The choice is yours.  The power of successful living comes from within!  

So those of you who are reeling from the tumultuous election cycle...move on!  For life is passing you by, and time waits for no one!  

Don't waste your soulful energy on negativity...it is draining you of your true spirit! 

How about this?  How about everyone get out there and perform one RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS for another.  Anything...smile at a passing stranger and wish them a nice day.  Hold the door open for everyone.  Rake the neighbor's leaves...shovel the neighbor's snow, just to be nice.  Not for pay.  Bake cookies for someone.  Leave flowers on someone's doorstep.  And this is my favorite RAK...we always, always pay the bridge toll for the car behind us. 

It's that simple! 

And remember...always, always give thanks.

WE THE PEOPLE

As the Autumn leaves succumb to rain and wind and yes, our first snow, we must remind ourselves that the changing of seasons is a gift from our Creator.  The very One that is truly the common thread in all that exists, no matter what belief system you engage in. 

In our country where the topic of conversation, is not the beauty of the seasons, or the wonderful bounty of fall, but the battle between 2 very different and 2 very vocal candidates for the big job as President of these United States. 

Yet, as I watch the news, which is very hard to do anymore, we are not as united as we should be as "the people".  Not only is there more division in this great land through racism, and sexism, and oh boy am I, as a woman tired of all that talk, the political process is a nightmare this time around.  I am quite sure this is not how it was meant to be for the election of our leader. 

How is it that if one doesn't believe in another's viewpoints, or personal opinions, an all out battle ensues?  What ever happened to "to each his own"?  I have the right to disagree with you on your political viewpoints, or perhaps it is you, that disagrees with my views?  Whatever, we are individuals, and in a free society, those are our rights.  But, to take that disagreement and turn it into a physical, or a verbal assault on another's well being, is just plain wrong, and I just shake my head in disbelief at how quickly so many judge another.   For we will all be judged by our actions in the end.

There is only one judge...and I'm not talking about the one at the courthouse, after you get your butt arrested for violent protesting.  Where is your pride?  Have you no honor?  What about integrity? 

WAKE UP AMERICA!  There's alot at stake in this great land...and it really has nothing to do with the crap of " He said, She said"...blah blah blah.  Get the facts and educate yourself fully before you go into that voting booth.  And yes, that too, is not only your right, but it is a privilege!

Everyone, thankfully, in our family is gainfully employed.  We do our fair share...we volunteer, we give back, we participate in our community events, including the church...and yes, we are proud of it!  Yes, we can look in the mirror each day and know that we make a difference in our society!  A positive difference!  And yes, we are proud of it!

You too, can make a difference.  It is your right.  But it is not your right to thrust yourself into my peaceable kingdom.  First, I will not allow it or accept it!  And second, your negative efforts will be infused with guilt and shame and will drain you of all that is truly good that lies deep within your soul!  Tune inward!  And if you have nothing nice to say to another....keep your mouth shut!

Remember..."do unto others".  And for your own salvation, always give thanks!

Aloha!

Is it really all good?

       

I am a bookworm.  And a music lover.  Not a musician, but a lover of music.  (I leave the musicianship to our 3 very talented littles.)  As a youngster, I would race to the public library and spend my time lost in adventures.   I have my own library full of books in my home now.  OK, maybe more than I should have all over the house, but the very old vintage ones with those wonderful spines are very decorative, and they are my absolute faves.  I haven't read all of them, either.  Most of them I have acquired at used book sales, and I have posted before about the ones with that lovely script handwriting of old, claiming ownership or gifting a book to a new owner.  Yes, Old Friends for sure.  

Now as I curl up with a book, currently A Force for Good by Daniel Goleman, to try and distract me from tragic news that arrived earlier in the day, I peer at my piano and notice the old barnwood sign made by a friend that reads, "It's all good".  Yet, it really isn't.  For my heart pains for a tragic loss of a young extended family member who died much too young.  We didn't know him well, but it hurts just to know that his immediate family unit is totally numb.  

And we go on. 

Not being able to focus on any reading, I turn on the tube which doesn't get much use because there really isn't anything good on anymore, except for the cool stuff on National Geographic or the History channel.  And I click through channels only to hear more bad news.  Tragedy all over the place.  There has to be something good going on somewhere in the world in which we live.  But why don't we hear or see any of it on TV?  Has society gone so far off the rails that it must tune into such dark and negative and painful sufferings of humanity for entertainment?  How sad!

So, I call it a day, cuddle up to my wonderful husband of 29 years, close my eyes and go inward to tap into the glory of my awakened soul which keeps me in tune.

I realize that I am only one.  And I wonder sometimes if it is possible for just one person to make a difference in this life where there is so much chaos and strife among our fellow man.  I am strong. I am hopeful.  And I am determined.  So yes, I will go forward with my radiant light, in hopes that someone who is in the dark will see it, and understand that they are not alone.  Most of all, that there IS light, even in darkness.  

 

I am grateful for all that I  have.  And I urge all of you to practice compassion wherever you may go.  One simple act can make all the difference in the world to another human being.  Help me to keep humanity from destroying itself.  For then, yes, it will be ALL GOOD!

GK...REST IN PEACE!